EP2640886B1 - Wash tub for accommodating a rotatably mounted washing drum, and laundry treatment machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention is in the field of commercially or domestic operated equipment that serve exclusively or in addition to other functions (multi-purpose machine) for treating, especially washing and / or drying, laundry and are generally referred to as a washing machine.

The invention relates to a tub for receiving a rotatably mounted laundry drum with a tub container shell and with a tub-end wall. The tub may be arranged in a washing machine having, for example, a front loading opening for loading and unloading the laundry drum with laundry. The tub container end wall may have a bearing receptacle for the drum shaft of the laundry drum. The invention further relates to a laundry treatment machine with such a tub.

The German publication DE 196 03 710 A1 is a water-leading household appliance, such as a washer-dryer or a washing machine with a tub and a washing tub rotatably mounted in the tub, refer to. To minimize the noise of the jacket of the tub is provided with imprints. The embossings can be polygonal, hexagonal and pyramidal. This results in a honeycomb-like structure of the surface of the tub container jacket.

The International Patent Application WO 2009/040231 A1 is to take a plastic tub for a laundry treatment machine, which consists of a cylindrical shell and at least one cylindrical shell closing end wall - hereinafter abbreviated only as an end wall - consists. The end wall has a bearing receptacle for the shaft of the laundry drum rotatable in the tub. To reinforce the tub, radially extending reinforcing ribs are formed in the end wall, which begin at the bearing seat and branch at least once along its radial extent. The tub jacket corresponds to a circular cylinder and the partial areas Conical design of the end wall has curved surfaces. These have a comparatively low rigidity against tensile, bending and torsional forces.

A plastic tub with a lateral surface, which is shaped substantially like the lateral surface of a prism is made of DE 19 39 118 U known

Another plastic tub is out GB 2 121 834 A known. This tub has a meandering end wall in the form of a so-called "Greek fan" on. The out EP 1 659 204 A1 known plastic tub has a flat end wall with outer ribs.

A laundry treatment machine is understood to mean, in particular, a household washing machine, a domestic automatic dryer or a household tumble dryer. The container, referred to as a tub, serves to receive treatment liquid, such as water or brine, and is suitable for receiving a laundry drum into which the laundry to be treated can be filled. Hereinafter, such a container welter is referred to as a tub, being understood as one according to the above definition.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a tub for a laundry treatment machine, which has an increased rigidity and a laundry treatment machine with such a tub.

This object is achieved erfingdungsgemäß by a tub with the features of claim 1 and by the laundry treatment machine with the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, whose features can be combined in the invention in any order with each other. Further developments of the tub are at the same time also developments of the laundry treatment machine.

In the tub according to the invention is accordingly provided that its container shell is shaped substantially like the lateral surface of a prism and that its end wall has a truncated pyramid shape at least in a circumferential portion extending in the radial direction.

A significant advantage of the invention is that forces that act on the tub during operation of the washing machine, not lead to excessive vibration, damage and / or wear of the tub due to the increased rigidity of the tub. The increased stiffness against Deformation and / or twisting of the tub is achieved without additional material. In addition, the tub according to the invention has a comparatively simple construction and can thus be manufactured with relatively little effort.

It is conceivable, for example, a manufacturing method for the tub in which the tub container shell is made by joining individual flat surfaces. Also, the truncated pyramidal region of the tub end wall can be prepared by joining individual flat, in particular tapered plates. Particularly preferably, the tub can be made in one piece (one piece) by injection molding.

The rotatably mounted laundry drum accommodated by the tub may, for example, rotate about a horizontal axis, so that the edge-shaped transitional areas between the planar lateral surface sections of the prism-shaped tub jacket extend substantially horizontally. If the laundry drum has a feed opening on one side for loading and unloading the laundry drum with laundry, the tub end wall is located on the side of the tub wall facing away from the feed opening. In this case, the tub end wall can connect directly to the edge of the tub jacket.

Further details, aspects and advantages of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the drawings and their respective description.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tub is made of plastic. This has the advantage that the tub can be designed particularly low in weight, wherein the production is carried out for example by an injection molding process. In this case, the tub can advantageously made of a plastic with high intrinsic strength, e.g. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) exist.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tub casing has at least five planar lateral surface sections. With increasing number of lateral surface portions, the edge shape of the Lye tank jacket to a polygonal polygon and the tub tank jacket approaches an optimal volume / diameter ratio. Thus, a tub container jacket with a high number of lateral surface portions is particularly advantageous. As a result, known and frequently used washing machine superstructures-in which the lye container has hitherto been embodied, for example, as a cylinder-can be further used with the lye container casing according to the invention. In other words, the tub according to the invention can be easily integrated into existing washing machine structures or concepts.

According to another expedient embodiment of the invention, the tub end wall on at least five flat end surface portions. As the number of face portions increases, the tub end wall approaches a cone shape. If the liquor container according to the invention has a large number of end face sections, then this can also be easily adopted into existing washing machine concepts.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the truncated pyramid shape of the tub end wall extends radially from the edge of the tub container jacket to a bearing receptacle for the laundry drum. This embodiment realizes a particularly simple construction of the end wall of the tub container jacket.

The transition areas between the end face portions may be edge-shaped like the edges of a truncated pyramid. These truncated pyramidal edges can, for example, be connected to the transition regions of the suds container jacket which connect the lateral surface sections. In this case, the cross-sectional area of the truncated pyramid bottom of the suds container end wall is congruent (congruent) with the cross-sectional area of the prism-shaped suds container shell. As a result, a particularly expedient construction is realized in which the number of planar lateral surface sections is equal to the number of end surface sections.

The bearing receptacle for the laundry drum can be carried out particularly expediently cylindrical and reinforced with material, wherein the cylinder axis of the bearing receptacle corresponds to the axis of rotation of the laundry drum.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tub on reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribs may preferably be arranged on the tub end wall and / or on the tub container shell and further increase the rigidity of the tub. The reinforcing ribs can be integrally formed, molded and / or placed in the course of its preparation to the tub. Also conceivable is a manufacturing method in which the reinforcing ribs - for example by injection molding - are molded into the tub.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing ribs are arranged in transition regions between the flat end surface portions of the tub end wall. Thus, the rigidity of the tub is further increased, especially in the areas in which the force is particularly large.

In the case of edge-shaped transition regions which connect the planar end face sections, the reinforcing ribs can be formed, for example, in the edges of the tub end wall.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing ribs branch at least once along their longitudinal extent. This leads to an additional increase in the stiffness of the tub end wall. The branching of the reinforcing ribs may, for example, be symmetrical. That is, the reinforcing ribs are Y-shaped along their radial extent.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, surfaces of the tub end wall, which extend between the reinforcing ribs, flat. Also in this embodiment of the invention, the rigidity of the tub end wall is additionally increased. In the truncated pyramidal portions of the tub end wall the surfaces between the reinforcing ribs are flat anyway. In addition, according to the aforementioned embodiment, the surfaces outside the truncated pyramidal portion of the tub end wall are made flat.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention reinforcing ribs are arranged in transition regions between the lateral surface portions of the tub container jacket. These reinforcing ribs increase the rigidity of the tub jacket, in particular in the areas where the force acting on the tub jacket is large. The transition region between the lateral surface sections can be designed in the shape of a ridge like the side edge of a prism. The reinforcing ribs can be formed for example in the edges or placed in the manufacturing process on the edges or integrally formed.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tub on transverse ribs, which connect the reinforcing ribs. These transverse ribs cause an additional increased rigidity of the tub in the areas between the reinforcing ribs.

In this case, the transverse ribs can be arranged both on the tub end wall and / or on the tub container jacket. It is conceivable that the transverse ribs are orthogonal (perpendicular) to the reinforcing ribs.

According to a further expedient embodiment of the invention, sections of the transverse ribs run in a straight line between reinforcing ribs. Linear transverse ribs additionally increase the rigidity of the tub. In particular, when the surfaces between the reinforcing ribs are made flat, the arrangement of rectilinear transverse ribs is particularly useful.

Figur 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Laugenbehälters,

Figur 2

eine Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Laugenbehälters und

Figur 3

aus einer anderen Perspektive die in Figur 2 gezeigte Ausführungsvariante eines erfindungsgemäßen Laugenbehälters.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to a drawing. The same or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. Show it:

FIG. 1

A first embodiment of a tub according to the invention,

FIG. 2

an embodiment of a liquor container according to the invention and

FIG. 3

from another perspective the in FIG. 2 shown embodiment of a tub according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a suds container 1 according to the invention with a suds container shell 2 and with a suds container end wall 3. The suds container end wall 3 connects directly to an edge 4 of the suds container shell 2. The tub 1 consists to a significant proportion or preferably completely made of plastic. 5

In this case, the tub casing 2 is shaped like the lateral surface of a prism and forms in cross section to the extension direction 6 of the tub casing 2 a polygon 7, in which the side edges 8 have equal lengths 9.

The tub end wall 3 is in the in FIG. 1 shown embodiment executed truncated pyramid. The tub end wall 3 is formed of thirty each tapered surface pieces 10, the side edges 11 adjoin one another. The truncated pyramid shape extends starting at the outer edge 12 of the tub end wall 3 to a bearing receptacle 13. The outer edge 12 of the tub end wall 3 joins directly to the edge 4 of the tub body 2 and forms a polygon 14, which congruent to the polygon 7 runs or is congruent with this. The bearing receptacle 13, which limits the tub end wall 3, serves to receive a shaft, not shown, for a rotatably mounted in the tub 1 (also not shown) laundry drum.

In the FIG. 2 shown embodiment of a liquor container 15 according to the invention is substantially the same as in FIG. 1 constructed tub 1. Correspondingly identical elements are provided without renewed explanation with the corresponding reference numerals.

The in FIG. 2 shown tub container shell 16 is shaped like the lateral surface of a prism. A tub end wall 17 connects directly to the edge 18 of the tub jacket 16 and extends to a bearing receptacle 19. In portions 20 and 21 extending in the radial direction 22 and orthogonal to Direction 22 in the direction of rotation 23 extending the bearing seat 19 enclose, the tub end wall 17 is executed truncated pyramid. Along the transition regions 24, which connect like edges 25, the end surface portions 26 of the truncated pyramidal portions 20 and 21, reinforcing ribs 27 are arranged. The reinforcing ribs 27 extending in the partial region 21 branch off at the outer end region 29 of the partial region 21 in the radial direction 22, ie seen along their longitudinal extension 28. The reinforcing ribs 27 of the portion 21 and the branch 30 of the reinforcing ribs 27 thus form a Y-shape.

Surfaces 40 extending between the reinforcing ribs 27 are not only in the subregions 20 and 21 but also in the regions between the branches 30 - i. outside the subregions 20 and 21 - just executed. The tub end wall 17 also has transverse ribs 41 which connect the reinforcing ribs 27. Subsections 42 of the transverse ribs 41 extend in a straight line between the reinforcing ribs along the surfaces 40 of the tub end wall 17.

Transition regions 43, which connect the lateral surface sections 44 of the tub container jacket 16, are formed edge-shaped and have reinforcing ribs 45 along the extension 46 of the tub jacket 16.

FIG. 3 shows the in FIG. 2 shown embodiment of a tub according to the invention 15 seen from another perspective on the other side. Correspondingly identical elements are provided without renewed explanation with the corresponding reference numerals. The tub casing 16 has thirty lateral surface portions 50, so that the tub container casing 16 is approximately cylindrical. The transition regions 51, which connect the lateral surface sections 50 of the tub jacket 16, are formed by edges 52. These edges 52 have reinforcing ribs 53 which extend along the edges 52.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

tub

2

Tub Coat

3

Tub front wall

4

edge

5

plastic

6

extension direction

7

polygon

8th

side edges

9

Truncated pyramid

10

patches

11

side edges

12

edge

13

bearing seat

14

polygon

15

tub

16

Tub Coat

17

Tub front wall

18

edge

19

bearing seat

20

subregion

21

subregion

22

direction

23

direction of rotation

24

Transition areas

25

edge

26

End face portions

27

reinforcing ribs

28

longitudinal extension

29

end

30

branch

40

surfaces

41

transverse ribs

42

sections

43

Transition areas

44

Lateral surface sections

45

reinforcing ribs

46

extension

50

Lateral surface sections

51

Transition area

52

edge

53

reinforcing ribs

Claims (15)

1. Outer tub (1, 15) for receiving a rotatably mounted laundry drum

   - having an outer tub casing (2, 16),

   - having an outer tub end wall (3, 17) and

   - having an outer tub casing (2, 16), which is essentially formed as the lateral surface of a prism,
   characterised in that

   - the outer tub end wall (3, 17) has the shape of a truncated pyramid at least in a surrounding subarea extending in the radial direction (22).
2. Outer tub according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the outer tub end wall (3, 17) is manufactured by assembling individual flat, especially tapering, plates.
3. Outer tub according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the outer tub (1, 15) is manufactured as one piece by injection moulding.
4. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the outer tub (1, 15) consists of plastic (5).
5. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that

   - the outer tub casing (2, 16) has at least five flat lateral surface sections (44).
6. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that

   - the outer tub end wall (3, 17) has at least five flat end surface sections (26).
7. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that

   - the truncated pyramid shape of the outer tub end wall (3, 17) extends radially from the edge (4) of the outer tub (2, 16) to a mounting receptacle (13) for the laundry drum.
8. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that

   - the outer tub (1, 15) has reinforcing ribs (27, 45).
9. Outer tub according to claim 8,
   characterised in that

   - the reinforcing ribs (27) are arranged in transition areas (24) between the flat end surface sections (26) of the outer tub end wall (3, 17).
10. Outer tub according to claim 6 or 9,
    characterised in that

    - the reinforcing ribs (27) branch out along their longitudinal extension (28) at least once.
11. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that

    - surfaces (40) of the outer tub end wall (3, 17), which extend between the reinforcing ribs (27), are flat.
12. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that

    - reinforcing ribs (45) are arranged in transition areas (43) between lateral surface sections (44) of the outer tub casing (2, 16).
13. Outer tub according to at least one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that

    - the outer tub 91, 15) has transverse ribs (41) which connect the reinforcing ribs (27, 45).
14. Outer tub according to claim 13,
    characterised in that

    - subsections (42) of the transverse ribs (41) run in a straight line between the reinforcing ribs (27, 45).
15. Laundry treatment machine, characterised in that an outer tub according to one of claims 1 to 14 is contained.

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