EP2944717A1 - Washing machine with imbalance compensation comprising helical containers - Google Patents

Abstract

Washing machine with a drum with a horizontal axis of rotation (7), on which tanks (10) are arranged for unbalance compensation. On the front side of the drum collecting containers (2, 20, 21) are provided, which are connected to the tanks (10), and via which with an injection device water in the tanks (10) can be filled. Each collecting container (2, 20, 21) has an annular channel (20) arranged around an injection opening (3) and a helical channel (21) arranged axially offset from the channel (20). This geometry allows the water to actively pump into the tanks (10) and reduce spray losses.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a washing machine with arranged on the drum tanks for imbalance compensation and with a device for targeted filling of these tanks.

background

A device of this kind will be in EP 1693500 It has several, over the circumference of the drum arranged tanks for receiving water. On the front side of the drum annular gutter-like collecting containers are arranged, each of which is connected to one of the tanks. Further, an injection device is provided to selectively inject water into the collecting containers, so that the tanks of the rotating drum can be individually filled with water. In this way, the drum can be balanced, which in particular leads to a quieter run when centrifuging the laundry.

A problem with this type of unbalance compensation is that the water injected into a catcher is not accelerated sufficiently fast in the azimuthal, ie tangential, direction. In EP 1693500 Therefore, drivers are arranged in the collecting containers, which accelerate the injected water azimuthally. However, these drivers lead at high drum speed to an undesirable sputtering of the water.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore the object to provide a washing machine of the type described above, in which the water can be introduced with good efficiency in the collecting containers.

• Eine Steuerung: Diese steuert die verschiedenen Komponenten des Geräts.
• Eine um eine horizontale Drehachse drehbare Trommel: Diese Trommel dient der Aufnahme von zu behandelnden Wäsche. Der Begriff "horizontale" Drehachse wird weiter unten definiert.
• Mehrere, an der Trommel angeordnete Tanks zur Aufnahme von Wasser zwecks Kompensation der Unwucht der Trommel. Durch mehr oder weniger starkes Befüllen der Tanks kann die Unwucht kompensiert werden.
• Mehrere, an einer Stirnseite der Trommel um die Drehachse herum angeordnete Auffangbehältnisse: Jedes Auffangbehältnis besitzt einen Ablauf zu mindestens einem der Tanks, so dass der Tank über das Auffangbehältnis gefüllt werden kann.
• Eine Einspritzvorrichtung zum Einspritzen des Wassers in die Auffangbehältnisse: Die Einspritzvorrichtung wird von der Steuerung gesteuert und ist so ausgestaltet, dass mit ihr ein selektives Beschicken der Tanks mit Wasser möglich ist.

This object is achieved by the washing machine according to claim 1. Accordingly, the washing machine has the following components:

• A controller: This controls the various components of the device.
• A drum rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation: This drum serves to receive laundry to be treated. The term "horizontal" axis of rotation is defined below.
• Several, arranged on the drum tanks for receiving water to compensate for the imbalance of the drum. By more or less filling the tanks, the imbalance can be compensated.
• A plurality of collecting containers arranged on an end face of the drum around the axis of rotation: Each collecting container has a drain to at least one of the tanks, so that the tank can be filled via the collecting container.
• An injection device for injecting the water into the collecting containers: The injection device is controlled by the controller and is designed so that it is possible to selectively supply the tanks with water.

In this case, each collecting container has a radially outer wall region whose distance from the axis of rotation over an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 ° (ie over at least about one circumference), monotonous, in particular strictly monotonous Process increases.

In other words, in the said azimuth angle range, the distance between the axis of rotation and the axis decreases radially outer wall of the collecting container to the outlet towards.

This measure ensures that the water collected in the collecting container is conveyed through the drum movement towards the outlet.

Advantageously, each collecting container has an annular groove which is arranged around an injection opening. The injector is arranged and configured to be capable of injecting water into the injection port. The thus injected water is collected in the annular groove.

Further, each collecting container may have a channel, wherein the channel and the channel are connected to each other via a connection opening. The radially outer wall of the channel is further away from the axis of rotation than the radially outer wall of the channel (ie, the channel is located further outside than the channel), so that the water with rotating drum through the connection opening from the channel into the Channel is flowing. This makes it possible to reliably transfer the injected water into the channel and thus further reduce spray losses.

If the channel is offset axially of the channel, a more compact in the radial direction construction is possible.

If, for example, a first (radially inner) and a second (radially outer) collecting container are provided, in such a way that the channel of the first collecting container is arranged radially inside the channel of the second collecting container, so they can be arranged to save space. This can be done by at least a part of the channel of the first (inner) collecting container axially adjacent to at least a part of the channel of the second (outer) collecting container.

As mentioned above, each collecting container has a radially outer wall portion whose distance from the axis of rotation over an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, monotonously, in particular strictly monotonously, towards the expiration increases. This wall region can be arranged in the mentioned channel, and / or it can be arranged in the mentioned channel. Both the channel and the gutter may have such a wall area.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 eine Ansicht der Auffangvorrichtung an der Stirnseite der Trommel von aussen,
• Fig. 2 die Auffangvorrichtung von Fig. 1 von innen,
• Fig. 3 einen Schnitt durch die Auffangvorrichtung mit einer Schnittebene, in welcher die Trommelachse liegt,
• Fig. 4 einen Schnitt durch die Auffangvorrichtung entlang der Linie IV-IV von Fig. 3,
• Fig. 5 einen Schnitt durch die Auffangvorrichtung entlang der Linie V-V von Fig. 3,
• Fig. 6 das Innerste Auffangbehältnis, wobei die Komponenten der Schnittansicht gemäss Fig. 4 in durchgezogenen Linien und jene der Schnittansicht gemäss Fig. 5 in gestrichelten Linien dargestellt sind, und wo bei zusätzlich das Rohr zum Tank sowie der Tank gezeigt werden,
• Fig. 7 eine andere Ausführung der Auffangvorrichtung,
• Fig. 8 die Stirnansicht einer einfachen Ausführung der Auffangvorrichtung, wobei zum Betrachter hin liegende Frontwände der Rinnen kreuzschraffiert dargestellt sind und
• Figur 9 eine Schnittansicht der Ausführung gemäss Figur 8 mit einer Schnittebene, in welcher die Trommelachse liegt.

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

• Fig. 1 a view of the collecting device on the front side of the drum from the outside,
• Fig. 2 the catcher of Fig. 1 from the inside,
• Fig. 3 a section through the collecting device with a sectional plane in which the drum axis lies,
• Fig. 4 a section through the collecting device along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 .
• Fig. 5 a section through the catcher along the line VV of Fig. 3 .
• Fig. 6 the innermost collecting container, the components of the sectional view according to Fig. 4 in solid lines and those of the sectional view according to Fig. 5 are shown in dashed lines, and where in addition the pipe to the tank and the tank are shown,
• Fig. 7 another embodiment of the collecting device,
• Fig. 8 the front view of a simple embodiment of the catching device, facing the viewer lying front walls of the gutters are shown crosshatched and
• FIG. 9 a sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 8 with a cutting plane in which the drum axis lies.

Ways to carry out the invention definitions:

A "horizontal" axis of rotation is to be understood as an axis of rotation which, when the device is installed as intended, occupies an angle of at most 15 °, in particular at most 5 °, to the horizontal, so that the force of gravity predominantly acts radially to the axis of the drum.

The term "radial" refers to directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

The term "axial" refers to the direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

The "azimuth angle" is to be understood as meaning the angle between a (arbitrarily selected) reference axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a radial direction.

The terms "high", "deep", etc., unless otherwise stated, refer to the arrangement in the vertical direction when the device is installed as intended. Thus, for example, the lowest point of a containment vessel is the point at which the water accumulates in the containment vessel as the drum rests.

The "face" of the drum is a side which terminates the drum in the axial direction, the one opposite the user's door.

Introduction:

As mentioned above, the present invention relates to a washing machine with a drum with horizontal axis of rotation. About the circumference of the drum are Tanks arranged, which serve to absorb water, and with which the drum is balanced. On the front side of the drum, a collecting device is provided, which has a plurality of collecting containers, and advantageously one tank per tank. Further, an injection device is provided, which has nozzles with which water can be selectively introduced into the collecting containers.

The control of the device is designed to measure the imbalance of the drum and then by individual and targeted injection of water into the tanks, the drum balanced, so that the drum runs quieter when centrifuging the laundry. For controlling the components of the device, a suitable numerical control is provided.

Such devices are generally known to the person skilled in the art. An embodiment is exemplified in EP 1693500 described, wherein the device shown there has three water tanks.

Another version is in DE 102011054446 described. This has a total of six tanks, so that tumbling movements of the drum can be compensated.

The components of the washing machine shown in these two documents are not all explained in detail here, since they are known in the art. Rather, in the following, the collecting device is described on the end face of the drum, via which the water from the injection device can be injected into the water tank. In other words, for example, alternatives to the filling ring accordingly Fig. 7 from EP 1693500 to those according to Fig. 5 from DE 102011054368 shown.

First execution:

The geometry of the collecting device described here can be relatively complex, which is why in a first step, a simplified embodiment thereof will be described. This describes some basic concepts which can also be used for the other embodiments of the invention.

The first execution will be in 8 and 9 shown.

The collecting device 1 according to 8 and 9 is, as mentioned, arranged on the front side of the drum. It is designed for three tanks 10, but the geometry can be radially expanded so that six tanks or a different number of tanks can be operated.

The collecting device 1 has a number of tanks corresponding number of collecting containers 2. Each collecting container 2 forms a groove which is arranged radially around a collecting opening 3. While in the illustrated embodiment, the innermost collecting opening 3 is circular, the remaining collecting openings 3 are annular.

The nozzles of the injection device are arranged so that they can inject water into the collecting openings 3.

As illustrated by the central collecting container, the gutter of each collecting container 2 has a front wall 4, which is arranged on the side facing away from the drum of the collecting device, an inner wall 5, which is arranged on the drum-facing side of the collecting device, and a radially outer wall 6, which the interior of the channel bounded radially outward.

How out Fig. 8 can be seen, the radially outer wall 6 is configured spirally, ie the distance r between the radial wall 6 and the axis of rotation 7 of the drum increases over a certain azimuth angle range monotonously, in particular strictly monotonous. In the execution according to Fig. 8 the azimuth angle range is 360 °.

Where the distance of the radial wall 6 to the axis of rotation 7 of the drum is greatest, a drain 8 is arranged in the channel, which leads via a pipe 9 to one of the tanks 10, which in Fig. 8 indicated by dashed lines. In other words, therefore, the distance r between the radial wall 6 and the axis of rotation 7 increases towards the outlet 8.

When the drum rotates and water is injected into the collecting openings 3, it is collected by the respective gutter.

If the drum rotates slowly, the water accumulates at the lowest point of the gutter. If the drum is moved from the control of the unit in the direction of rotation 12 ( Fig. 8 ), so that when rotating the drum, the distance R0 between the drum axis 7 and the lowest point of the gutter or the collecting container over the entire angular range (ie in the present embodiment over the angular range of 360 °) increases monotonically, it runs Water in the course of the drum movement automatically towards the outlet 8, over which it leaves the collecting container.

If the drum rotates quickly, the water is distributed over the entire radially outer wall 6 of the collecting container and flows due to the centrifugal effect of the drum movement to the outlet 8 out.

In both cases, the water is thus actively promoted to the outlet 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distance r between the radially outer wall 6 and the rotation axis 7 increases over an azimuth angle range of 360 °. It is conceivable, however, that the spiral wall region 6 of the outer wall 6 extends over a smaller or a larger azimuth angle range.

For example, this wall area may extend only over approximately 90 ° or 180 °. Alternatively, the containment can also be in the form of a multi-turn spiral, in which case the one mentioned Wall area (over which the distance increases) can extend over an azimuth angle of more than 360 °. In this case, "outer turns" of the collecting container are closed on the side opposite to the drum and form channels to the respective outlet 8.

It is also conceivable that only a partial region of the radial wall 6 has a spiral shape, preferably the region adjoining the outlet 8, and that another part of the radial wall 6 runs in a circle around the axis of rotation 7.

Second version:

A slightly more complex design of the collecting device 1 is in Fig. 1 to 6 shown. This embodiment is designed to supply a total of six tanks 10, of which in Fig. 6 one is shown schematically and dashed. However, the same principles can also be used, for example, to supply, for example, three tanks, in which case the number of collecting containers can be reduced.

The structure of the device is best made Fig. 3 recognize, which shows a section parallel to the axis of rotation 7 of the drum, wherein the drum to the in Fig. 3 lower side of the collecting device 1 connects, while the injection device to the in Fig. 3 Upper side of the collecting device is arranged.

In the second embodiment described here, the collecting device 1 again forms a plurality of collecting containers, each of which is connected via a drain 8 with a pipe 9, which leads to the respective tank 10.

Each collecting container is essentially composed of a channel 20 and a channel 21.

The channel 20 of the collecting container extends, as in the first embodiment, around an injection opening 3, which is assigned to the collecting container and over which the injector can introduce water. The innermost injection opening is annular or circular, while the outer injection openings are annular.

In the described second embodiment, the radially outer wall 6 of the channel 20 extends in contrast to that according to the first embodiment along a concentric to the axis of rotation 7 circular line and thus not spiral. However, as described below, the outer wall 6 of the channel 20 can also be configured spirally, at least over part of the circumference.

The channel 20 advantageously extends over an azimuth angle range of 360 ° about the axis of rotation 7 and thus forms a closed circle.

The channel 21 is connected to the channel 20 of the same collecting container via a connection opening 24, through which the water from the channel 20 can flow into the channel 21.

In order to facilitate the outflow of water through the connection opening 24, the connection opening 24 advantageously extends over an azimuth angle range of at least 20 °, in particular of at least 80 °, in particular at least 160 °. In the execution according to Fig. 4 For example, each connection opening 24 extends over an azimuth angle range of approximately 180 °.

The radially outer wall 26 of the channel 21 is at least partially further away from the axis of rotation 7 than the radially outer wall 6 of the associated channel 20, in particular in the region of the connection opening 24. Thus, the outflow of water from the channel 20 is conveyed into the channel 21 ,

The channel 21, like the channel 20, extends around the axis of rotation 7.

How out Fig. 3 can be seen, (except for the connection openings 24) each channel is closed on its side facing away from the drum.

The channel 21 advantageously extends over an azimuthal angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, about the axis of rotation 7. In the present second embodiment, this Azimutwinkelbereich is slightly more than 360 °, as in particular Fig. 5 can be seen.

The radially outer wall 26 of the channel 21 is spiraled over at least a certain wall area, i. the distance of this wall region from the axis of rotation 7 assumes an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, monotonically (in particular strictly monotonous) to the outflow opening 7 towards.

As a result, as is achieved in connection with the first exemplary embodiment, the water is conveyed through the rotation of the drum in the direction 12 toward the outflow opening. (In Fig. 5 the rotation of the tanks runs counterclockwise when filling the tanks.)

To illustrate the concept of the second execution is on Fig. 6 See where the components of the first collection container are shown in dark lines. The parts of the channel 20 in solid lines and those of the channel 21 and the tube 9 are shown in dashed lines.

As mentioned above, the axial offset between the grooves 20 and the associated channels 21 allows a compact construction. In this construction, the channels 21 are preferably arranged on the drum-facing side of the grooves 20 and adjoin them.

Third version:

Fig. 7 shows a partially sectioned view of a third embodiment of the collecting device. This is designed to supply three tanks, they However, it can also be used for the supply of more than three tanks, eg by radial enlargement to the outside.

In its basic principle, the third embodiment essentially corresponds to the second embodiment, in that their collecting containers each have a channel 20 and, radially offset therefrom, a channel 21 which communicate with one another via a connection opening 24.

In contrast to the second embodiment, however, the radially outer wall 6 of the channel 20 of the third embodiment is configured spirally, i. the distance of the radially outer wall 6 to the axis of rotation 7 increases monotonically over a certain azimuth angle range in order to convey the water to the connection opening 24.

In addition, the radially outer wall 6 of the channel 20 continuously merges into the radially outer wall 26 of the channel 21, so that the distance of these walls 6 and 26 increases continuously with increasing azimuth angle in the transition region between the channel 20 and the channel 21.

In particular, the distance of the spiral wall area of the radially outer wall 6 of the channel 20 from the axis of rotation 7 over an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, monotonically (in particular strictly monotonous) to the connection opening 24 toward ,

Compared to the second embodiment, the third embodiment has the advantage that the water in the region of the channel 20 is better dissipated to the connection opening 24.

Further, the third embodiment differs from the second in that each channel 21 extends over an angular range of about 540 °.

Remarks:

As mentioned above, can be saved in the radial direction space by the axially offset arrangement of the channel 20 and the respective associated channel 21. It is also conceivable, however, the arrangement of the channel 21 each radially outside the groove 20 of the same collecting container.

By combining a channel with a subsequent channel, the absorption capacity of the collecting container is increased, so that the water can be more quickly filled into the tanks 10, without it sloshing back through the collecting openings 3.

Advantageously, the channel is closed on its side facing away from the drum (while the channel is open on this side in the region of the filling opening).

The various approaches of the three embodiments described above can be combined as desired.

On entrainment in the field of collecting containers, which form radially extending baffles or blades and generate a tangential acceleration of the water, can be dispensed with advantage. Such drivers lead, as described above, to a dusting of the water, which is not desirable.

While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied otherwise within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (13)

Washing machine comprising
a controller,
a drum rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation (7),
a plurality of tanks (10) arranged on the drum for receiving water in order to compensate for an imbalance of the drum,
a plurality of collecting containers (2, 20, 21) arranged on one end face of the drum around the axis of rotation (7), each collecting container (2, 20, 21) having a discharge (8) to at least one of the tanks (10),
a controller controlled injector for injecting water into the collection containers (2; 20,21) to selectively feed water to the tanks (10),
characterized in that each collecting container (2; 20, 21) has at least one radially outer wall region (6, 26) whose distance from the axis of rotation (7) over an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, monotonically, in particular strictly monotonous, to the outlet (8) towards increases. A washing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is adapted to rotate the drum in a direction (12) upon injection of water into the collection containers (2; 20,21) such that upon rotation there is a clearance between the drum axis and the drum lowest point of the collecting container (2; 20, 21) monotonically increases over said angular range. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each collecting container (20, 21) a annular groove (20) which is arranged around an injection opening (3) into which water can be injected with the injection device. Washing machine according to claim 3, wherein each collecting container (20, 21) has a channel (21), wherein the channel (20) and the channel (21) are connected to one another via a connecting opening (24), wherein a radially outer wall (26) the channel (21) is at least partially further away from the axis of rotation (7) than a radially outer wall (6) of the channel (20). Washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the channel (21) extends through an angular range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 ° about the axis of rotation (7). Washing machine according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the connecting opening (24) extends over an azimuth angle range of at least 20 °, in particular of at least 80 °, in particular at least 160 °. Washing machine according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the channel (21) is arranged axially offset from the channel (20). Washing machine according to claim 7, wherein at least a first and a second collecting container (20, 21) are provided, wherein the channel (20) of the first collecting container (20, 21) radially within the channel (20) of the second collecting container (20, 21) is arranged, and wherein at least a portion of the channel (21) of the first collecting container (20, 21) axially adjacent to at least a portion of the channel (20) of the second collecting container (20, 21). Washing machine according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein each channel (21) has a said radially outer wall portion (26) whose distance from the axis of rotation (7) over an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, monotonically, in particular strictly monotonous, to the outlet (8) towards increases. Washing machine according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the channel is closed on its side facing away from the drum. Washing machine according to one of claims 3 to 10, wherein each groove (20) has a said radially outer wall portion (6) whose distance from the axis of rotation (7) over an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, monotonically, in particular strictly monotonous, to the outlet (8) towards increases. Washing machine according to claims 4 and 9, wherein the distance of the radially outer wall region (6) in the channel (20) from the axis of rotation (7) over an azimuth angle range of at least 90 °, in particular of at least 160 °, in particular of at least 300 °, monotonically, in particular strictly monotone, increases toward the connection opening (24) Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each collecting container (2; 20, 21) is connected to one of the tanks (10) via a pipe (9).

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