EP2518205A1 - Assembly kit for connecting two laundry treatment machines arranged one on top of the other - Google Patents

Abstract

The kit has mounting units for a washing machine (2) and a laundry dryer (3) with each other to a column (4). The mounting units include a U-shaped profiled rail (6) for connecting side walls of the machine with lateral base regions of the dryer. A common control bar (17) for the machine and the dryer is mounted at a front side of the rail. Control and display elements (17a, 17b) for the machine and the dryer are attached at or in the bar. The rail is directly mounted on the side walls or a lateral carrying part of the machine.

Description

The invention relates to a kit for connecting two superimposed laundry treatment machines, such as a washing machine and a tumble dryer or two dryers, the machines with mounting means to a column fixed and tilt-proof are connected to each other.

For reasons of space, the requirement on the part of the market to place machines up to a certain filling volume in columns one above the other. This may be a wash-dry column, bottom wash-up drying, or a dry-dry column. The column arrangement of the machines, however, results in several problems, with a problem to be overcome in the secure locking of the machine positioned above, so that it can come in operation under all possible loads to no slippage, let alone to a collapse of the attached machine. In addition, it is not possible to transport a mounted column, for example, in-house, as a secure stability of the column can not be guaranteed. Another problem arises in a normal column, that the operating display of the upper device is in an ergonomically unfavorable height for the user. The known existing on the market possibilities for column arrangement offer no safe solutions here. The design of the two machines, the control panel of the upper machine is mounted in a very large for smaller people height. Ergonomics is deficient for the user. If the control unit of the upper machine is set downwards, the drum will slip upwards by the height of the panel, which in turn adversely affects the ergonomics during loading and unloading.

In order in particular to securely and stably attach the machine housings in the superimposed state, kits are known which make it possible for the machine housings to be positively connected to one another here.

For example, from the DE 38 27 790 A1 a kit for tilt-proof connection of two superimposed household machines known. In this known embodiment, four angles are set on a mounting plate on the machine housing below with at least two screws per angle. Here, the angles are mounted on the top side of the device below, in which case the feet of the device above are inserted into the angle, so that thereby the composite is achieved. In particular, to make the outer surfaces of the stacked devices appear flush, so-called panels are on the sides, as well as on the front and on the back clipped, so that the stacked laundry treatment machines have a flush housing.

Another embodiment of the prior art is in DE 199 05 742 A1 described, in which document a column arrangement of at least two program-controlled household appliances to be set up together is disclosed. The column arrangement here consists of a washing machine and a tumble dryer, which are interconnected with a data bus cable. The data bus channel transmits the data of the two machines to a control unit.

These two known from the prior art embodiments have to this effect still disadvantages, wherein in the first embodiment, the two laundry treatment machines are placed one above the other so that each of the operating area remains on the machines. In addition, it requires in this embodiment, the mounting on the lid portion of the device below to achieve in this way the fixed support of the above device. In the second embodiment of the prior art, it is considered disadvantageous that the two superimposed devices are structurally superimposed on each other so that they can only be used as devices in the combination, since they are to be connected to each other via a data bus channel with central control. In this embodiment, there is no possibility that so-called commercially available devices can be placed on top of each other with a kit.

The invention thus raises the problem of further developing a kit for connecting two superimposed laundry treatment machines, which on the one hand overcomes the disadvantages of the described embodiments, the kit in particular produces a secure connection between the devices, under the solution that standard equipment to a ergonomic optimal washing-drying column or dry-drying column are connectable.

According to the invention this problem is solved by a kit with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the following dependent claims.

The advantages achievable with the invention are that the proposed solution does not represent a specific design for a particular type of machine. The solution according to the invention combines, by skillful design of the mechanical and electronic connecting elements and the use of less special connecting components, two normal stationary devices to form a machine network. The solution provides a secure locking of the two devices together, so that a fall of the upper device during operation can be safely prevented. Next it offers a firm connection, which also in the mounted state allows an inter-company transport, without the risk of falling of the upper device. The control panel of the upper unit is in an ergonomically excellent height for the operator.

In addition, the solution has the advantage that it is not only specially adapted to washing / drying or drying / drying, but combines both possibilities of combination. Due to the clever arrangement of the operating and display unit for both machines in a common panel height is saved. The operating height of the upper machine slips down by more than one switch panel height, which means ergonomically significant advantages for the operator. Through the connection kit according to the invention, it is possible that the customer service and even the customer is able to connect two standard machines to an ergonomically optimal washing-drying column or dry-drying column. The kit according to the invention also makes it possible that the machines can be delivered from the factory in the column assembly, optionally the column arrangement can also be made later at the customer.

The construction of the devices with the special connection components ensures a safe stand, transport and operation. The connection components are designed in such a way that a secure construction at the customer is possible. In this case, a joining aid for the dryer arranged above is structurally realized, wherein the prepositioned dryer can be pushed from the front into the mounting position. About stops the upper dryer is locked in an exact mounting position. Easy disassembly of the upper dryer also ensures optimal service-friendliness. The machines are connected to each other by two U-profiles mounted on the lower machine on the side. The mounting holes of the upper machine feet serve as a fastener to the intermediate piece and ensure the stability of the column structure. In the new aperture, which can be performed obliquely or straight, the controls for both machines are integrated. Here, an operating and display element for the lower device, such as the washing machine and another control and display element for the top-mounted dryer is provided. The end of the upper device is a flat lid. The resulting combination column can be produced in various designs and finishes. The basis is in any case manufactured series machines, in which the control is offset, and thus an ergonomic advantage arises in the machine arranged on top.

According to the invention, in this case the mounting means consist of at least two U-shaped profiled rails for the production connection of the lateral housing portions of the lower machine with the lateral bottom portions of the upper machine. It will now be understood that if the deck area of the machine below is removed then the single rail will be immediately on the side wall or top of the side support members the machine below is mounted. In this case, the lower leg of the rail is screwed to a arranged on the side wall or on the lateral support member bending strip. The upper leg of the rail in this case has holes which correspond with the mounting holes of the machine feet of the top-mounted machine. As a result, a solid composite, in particular via the side walls or the lateral support parts of the machine housing brought about.

In a further development of the invention, the upper leg of the rail can be fixed with screws to the mounting holes. The rails are provided with stops for the exact pre-assembly in particular of the upper machine. So are the two U-shaped profiled rails on the lower machine attached to the side walls, it can be placed on the rails in a simple manner, the device set here, here the dryer, being provided at the upper leg portion of the rails stops, so that The attached machine can be moved so that it occupies an exact position for final assembly. The side walls in this case form the lateral support parts of the machine housing. For all versions, it is also the case that the lateral support parts can be formed from a frame arrangement, the arrangement in each case comprising frame parts on the upper side, to which the rails can be screwed correspondingly.

It can then be mounted to complete the frame on the front of the mounted rails, a common control bar for both laundry treatment machines. The control bar is in this case screwed between the U-shaped profiled rails, and thus covers the gap between the two U-shaped rails.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention arranged on the lid region of the upper machine control bar with housing cover is removable and wherein the lid portion is closed with a lid formed as a cover. This ensures that the column created assumes the appearance of a machine housing, which is operated by a common control bar for both machines. In a further development of the invention, a trim profile is attached to the back between the U-shaped profiled rails. The cladding profile is provided with ventilation slots.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the kit in this case form the U-shaped profiled rails with the attached control unit and the trim profile a closed and flush frame between the superimposed machines, the frame here so firmly and visually interconnects the machines that it like a Housing appears.

According to the invention, a system of two superimposed laundry treatment machines is proposed, which with a kit according to one of the above Characteristics are interconnected. The same applies to the operating unit for the kit for connecting two superimposed laundry treatment machines, which is arranged integrated between the U-shaped profile rails.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Wasch-Trockensäule im montierten Zustand des erfindungsgemäßen Bausatzes;

Figur 2

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der beiden Wäschebehandlungs-maschinen, wobei auf der unten stehenden Wäschebehandlungsmaschine die U-förmig profilierten Schienen auf den Seitenwänden der tragenden Maschine angesetzt sind;

Figur 3

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung in Teilansicht, hier insbesondere der beiden montierten U-förmig profilierten Schienen mit explosionsartig dargestellten Schrauben zur Festlegung der aufgesetzten Maschine;

Figur 4

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der unteren Maschine mit komplettier-tem Bausatz: und

Figur 5

eine weitere Darstellung in der Perspektive mit explosionsartig dargestellten Einzelteilen des Bausatzes.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a washing-drying column in the assembled state of the kit according to the invention;

FIG. 2

a further perspective view of the two laundry treatment machines, wherein on the below laundry treatment machine, the U-shaped profiled rails are attached to the side walls of the supporting machine;

FIG. 3

a further perspective view in partial view, in particular of the two mounted U-shaped profiled rails with explosively illustrated screws for fixing the patch machine;

FIG. 4

Another perspective view of the lower machine with complete kit: and

FIG. 5

another representation in perspective with explosively illustrated parts of the kit.

The FIG. 1 shows in the perspective view of a system consisting of two superimposed laundry treatment machines 2, 3, which are connected to a kit 1 after each other. The kit 1 is used here for connecting two superposed laundry treatment machines 2 and 3, such as a washing machine 2 and a tumble dryer 3, or for connecting two superimposed arranged tumble dryer. The machines 2, 3 are each front-loadable laundry treatment machines, each having a front door 2a, 3a. The washing machine 2 further comprises a detergent dispensing box 2b accessible from the front. Here are the machines 2 and 3 with mounting means, shown in the Figures 2 . 3 . 4 and 5 to a column 4, as in the FIG. 1 is shown to connect firmly and tip over. The mounting means, which essentially comprise the kit 1, consist of at least two U-shaped profiled rails 5 and 6 for producing connection of the lateral housing sections 7 and 8 of the lower machine 2 with the lateral bottom sections 9 and 10 of the upper machine 3. This situation is especially in the FIGS. 1 and 3 shown. The individual rails 5 and 6 are mounted directly on the side wall 7 and 8 of the machine 2 below. As in particular from the FIG. 3 can be seen, here is the lower leg 11 of the rail 5, 6 screwed with a arranged on the side wall 7, 8 Abkantstreifen 12. The upper leg 13 of the rail 5, 6 has holes 14 which correspond to the mounting holes of the machine feet of the top-mounted machine 3.

As in particular from the FIG. 3 can be clearly seen, the upper leg 13 of the rails 5, 6 can be fixed with screws 15 to the mounting holes. It goes without saying that when the U-shaped profiled rails 5 and 6 are mounted, the feet are first dismantled from the machine 3 to be set up so that the machine 3 is pushed onto the upper legs 13 of the rails 5, 6 can. In this case, the rails 5, 6 are provided with stops 16 for the exact assembly, in particular the upper machine 3 mounted. As in particular from the FIGS. 4 and 5 can be seen, a common control bar 17 for both machines 2, 3 can be mounted on the front side of the mounted rails 5 and 6. The control bar 17 is in this case fastened and screwed between the U-shaped profiled rails 5 and 6. In and on the control bar 17, the control and display element 17a for the washing machine and the other control and display element 17b is mounted for the tumble dryer mounted above. The respective operating and display elements 17a and 17b may also include the control for the respectively assigned device 2, 3. As in particular from the FIG. 2 can be seen, the arranged control bar was removed from the aufzusetzende laundry treatment machine 3 with the housing cover and provided with a designed as a lid region closure 3b. Thus, the device 3 without control bar, which can be placed on the preassembled U-shaped rails 5, 6 results.

At the back is between the U-shaped profiled rails 5, 6, a trim profile 18 can be attached, as shown in the FIGS. 4 and 5 can be seen closer. The cladding profile 18 in this case has ventilation slots 19, so that over the kit 1 and a vent to the rear for both machines 2 and 3 is given. Thus it becomes clear, as this in particular in the FIG. 4 It can be seen that the kit 1, as it appears, consisting of U-shaped profiled rails 5 and 6 with the attached control bar 17 and the trim profile 18, a closed and flush frame 20 between the superimposed machines 2 and 3 forms as in particular in the synopsis of FIG. 1 and the FIG. 4 becomes clear.

Claims (13)

Kit (1) for connecting two superimposed laundry treatment machines (2) and (3), such as a washing machine and a tumble dryer or two dryers, the machines (2) and (3) with mounting means to a column (4) fixed and non-tilting connectable to each other,
characterized,
in that the mounting means consist of at least two U-shaped profiled rails (5) and (6) for producing connection of the lateral housing areas (7) and (8) of the lower machine (2) to the lateral floor areas (9) and (10). the upper machine (3). Kit according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the single rail (5, 6) is mounted directly on a side wall (7, 8) or a lateral support part of the machine (2) below. Kit according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that the lower limb (11) of the rail (5, 6) is screwed to a bending strip (12) arranged on the side wall (7, 8) or on the lateral support part. Kit according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that the upper leg (13) of the rail (5, 6) has bores (14) which correspond to the fastening holes of the machine feet of the machine (3) placed on top. Kit according to claim 4,
characterized,
in that the upper leg (13) of the rail (5, 6) can be fixed to the fastening holes by means of screws (15). Kit according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the rails (5) and (6) are provided with stops (16) for the exact pre-assembly, in particular of the upper machine (3) placed on top. Kit according to claim 1 to 6,
characterized,
that on the front side of the mounted rails (5) and (6) a common control bar (17) for both machines (2) and (3) is mountable, wherein on or in a control and display element (17a) for the lower laundry treating machine (2) and another control and display element (17b) for the top mountable Laundry treatment machine (3) can be attached. Kit according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the control bar (17) between the U-shaped profiled rails (5) and (6) is screwed. Kit according to claim 1 to 8,
characterized,
that on the lid region of the upper unit (3) disposed control bar with housing cover is removable, and wherein the lid portion formed as a lid (3b) can be closed completion. Kit according to claim 1 to 8,
characterized,
that at the rear side between the U-shaped profiled rails (5) and (6) a cover strip (18) can be attached. Kit according to claim 10,
characterized,
in that the covering profile (18) is provided with ventilation slots (19). Kit according to claim 1, 7 and 10,
characterized,
in that the U-shaped profiled rails (5) and (6) with the attached operating strip (17) and the covering profile (18) form a closed and flush frame (20) between the machines (2) and (3) mounted one above the other. System (4) consisting of two superimposed laundry treatment machines (2, 3), which are connected to a kit (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12 with each other.

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