EP3002358B1 - Connecting device and water-bearing household device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection device and a water-bearing household appliance.

A dishwasher usually has a washing container for receiving items to be washed and a water softening system for softening fresh water. A housing of the water softening system can be attached to the flushing tank using a threaded ring. For this purpose, an external thread can be provided on the connecting flange and a corresponding internal thread can be provided on the threaded ring. the DE 10 2011 006 791 A1 describes such a ring nut.

From the EP 2 343 408 A1 discloses a coupling element for connecting a connecting line to a connecting piece of a washing machine, the coupling element having a nut in the region of a first end that can be screwed onto the connecting piece of the washing machine. In order to avoid overloading the coupling element, the nut has an inner ring and an outer ring, with a slipping clutch being arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connection device.

Accordingly, a connecting device for connecting a connecting piece of a line or a container to a container wall of a container of a water-bearing domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, is proposed. The connecting device comprises an annular base body which has a thread which is designed to positively engage in a mating thread of the connecting piece, and at least one spring element which is designed to spring-load the annular base body relative to the container wall.

With the aid of the at least one spring element, the tightening torque for tightening the connecting device can be converted into a defined and constantly maintained axial force. Similar to an expansion screw connection, the screw connection tion stored deformation work increased. With the help of the at least one spring element, a reliable connection between the connecting device and the connecting piece can be maintained over the entire service life of the water-bearing household appliance. This prevents leaks between the connecting piece and the tank wall. In particular, the spring element is set up to spring-load the annular base body relative to a bottom of the container. Preferably, the annular base body is threaded an internal thread. Furthermore, the counter-thread provided on the connecting piece is preferably an external thread. In an alternative embodiment of the connecting device, the thread provided on the annular base body is an external thread and the mating thread provided on the connecting piece is an internal thread.

According to the invention, the at least one spring element is formed in one piece with the annular base body.

The at least one spring element is preferably formed in one piece with the ring-shaped base body. The connecting device can be made of a metal material or a plastic material, for example. For example, the connecting device can be a plastic injection molded component. For example, a talc-filled polypropylene material can be used as the material. Alternatively, the spring element can also be a separate component.

According to a further embodiment, the connecting device has a multiplicity of spring elements which are distributed uniformly around a circumference of the annular base body.

The connecting device preferably has at least four spring elements which are distributed evenly around the circumference of the annular base body. The number of spring elements is arbitrary. For example, the connecting device can also have twelve such spring elements. By varying the number of spring elements, the spring preload can be adjusted as desired. Alternatively, the spring elements can also be distributed unevenly around the circumference of the annular base body.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has an abutment section which is set up to abut against the container wall.

The abutment section can be curved or flat. In particular, the contact section can be deformed during assembly of the connecting device in such a way that it rests evenly against the container wall.

According to the invention, the at least one spring element protrudes beyond an underside of the annular base body when the connecting device is in an unassembled state.

This ensures that the spring element is deformed during assembly of the connecting device.

According to a further embodiment, a reinforcing rib surrounding the annular base body is arranged on an upper side of the annular base body.

This increases the torsional rigidity of the connecting device. In particular, the annular stiffening rib is formed in one piece with the annular base body. The ring-shaped base body is preferably designed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to a symmetry or central axis.

According to a further embodiment, radial stiffening ribs extending radially out of the annular stiffening rib are provided on the upper side of the annular base body.

The number of radial stiffening ribs is arbitrary. For example, twenty-four radial stiffening ribs are provided. In particular, the radial stiffening ribs are distributed uniformly over the circumference of the annular base body. The ring-shaped base body preferably has a polygonal geometry. For example, the ring-shaped base body can have a dodecagonal geometry. In this way, the connecting device can be gripped for assembly using a tool, such as an open-end wrench.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has a leaf spring section which can be arranged parallel to the container wall.

The leaf spring section can be flat. The contact section can also be designed as a leaf spring section.

According to a further embodiment, the leaf spring section is curved.

As a result, a higher spring preload can be achieved.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has a plurality of leaf spring sections which are connected to one another.

In particular, the leaf spring sections can be connected to one another with the aid of connecting webs. Preferably, the leaf spring sections and the connecting webs are made of one piece of material. The connecting webs preferably run in the direction of the center or axis of symmetry of the annular base body.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring element has two curved spring arms arranged adjacent to one another.

The spring arms are preferably curved in an S or Ω shape. The spring arms can be connected to one another with the aid of the contact section.

According to a further embodiment, the spring arms are connected to one another with the aid of a connecting web.

The connecting web is preferably arranged parallel to the contact section. In particular, the spring arms can be connected to one another at the same time with the aid of the connecting web and the contact section.

Furthermore, a water-carrying domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, with a line or a container, a container and such a connecting device for connecting a connecting piece of the line or the container to a container wall of the container is proposed.

The line can be, for example, a water line or a dishwashing liquid line.

According to one embodiment, the container is a housing of a water softening system and the container is a rinsing container of the water-bearing household appliance.

For example, a salt solution can be included in the water softening system. The housing of the water softener can be made of a plastic material.

According to a further embodiment, a sealing device, in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the container wall and the connecting piece.

As a result, the tightness between the connecting piece and the container wall is always guaranteed.

Further possible implementations of the connecting device and/or of the water-conducting household appliance also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. The person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the connection device and/or the water-bearing household appliance.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines wasserführenden Haushaltsgeräts;
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine weitere schematische perspektivische Ansicht des wasserführenden Haushaltsgeräts gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine schematische Schnittansicht des wasserführenden Haushaltsgeräts gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine weitere schematische Vorderansicht der Verbindungseinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht der Verbindungseinrichtung gemäß der Fig. 4;
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine schematische Schnittansicht der Verbindungseinrichtung gemäß der Schnittlinie VII - VII der Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 9 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1;
• Fig. 10 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1; und
• Fig. 11 zeigt eine schematische Vorderansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer Verbindungseinrichtung für das wasserführende Haushaltsgerät gemäß der Fig. 1.

Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the connection device and/or the water-bearing household appliance are the subject matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the connection device and/or the water-bearing household appliance described below. The connecting device and/or the water-bearing domestic appliance are explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

• 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a water-bearing household appliance;
• 2 shows a further schematic perspective view of the water-bearing household appliance according to FIG 1 ;
• 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the water-bearing household appliance according to FIG 1 ;
• 4 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to FIG 1 ;
• figure 5 shows a further schematic front view of the connecting device according to FIG 4 ;
• 6 shows a schematic top view of the connecting device according to FIG 4 ;
• 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the connecting device according to the section line VII - VII 6 ;
• 8 shows a schematic front view of a further embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to FIG 1 ;
• 9 shows a schematic front view of a further embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to FIG 1 ;
• 10 shows a schematic front view of a further embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to FIG 1 ; and
• 11 shows a schematic front view of a further embodiment of a connecting device for the water-bearing household appliance according to FIG 1 .

Elements that are the same or have the same function have been provided with the same reference symbols in the figures, unless otherwise stated.

the 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a water-bearing household appliance 1. The household appliance 1 can be a dishwasher, a washing machine or the like. The household appliance 1 has a container 2 which can be closed by a door 3, in particular in a watertight manner. A sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the container 2 for this purpose. The container 2 can be a washing container of a dishwasher. The container 2 is preferably cuboid. In particular, the container 2 can be made of sheet steel. Alternatively, the container 2 can be made of a plastic material, at least in sections. Of the Container 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing dishes. The container 2 can be arranged inside a housing of the household appliance 1 . Door 3 is in the 1 shown in their open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3 .

The container 2 has a container wall 6 with a base 7, a cover 8 arranged opposite the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made from a stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material.

The household appliance 1 also has at least one washware holder 12 . In particular, a plurality of washware receptacles 12 can be provided, one of the plurality of washware receptacles 12 being a lower rack, an upper rack or a cutlery drawer of the household appliance 1 . The plurality of wash items receptacles 12 are preferably arranged one above the other in the container 2 . Each washware receptacle 12 can be moved either into or out of the container 2 . In particular, each washware receptacle 12 can be pushed into the container 2 in an insertion direction E and pulled out of the container 2 in an extension direction A counter to the insertion direction E.

the 2 shows an enlarged schematic perspective view of the household appliance 1. The container 2 is arranged on a base support 13. FIG. The base support 13 can be a plastic injection molded component, for example. The household appliance 1 also has a container 14 arranged under the container 2 . The container 14 can be a housing of a water softening system of the household appliance 1 . The container 14 is preferably made of a plastic material. The container 14 is arranged under the floor 7 in particular. The container 14 can be filled with a saline solution, for example.

The container 14 has a connecting piece 15 onto which a connecting device 16 for connecting the connecting piece 15 of the container 14 to the container wall 6 of the container 2 of the household appliance 1 can be screwed. The connecting piece 15 can also be provided on any water-carrying or washing-up liquid-carrying line. In this case, the line can be connected to the container wall 6 with the aid of the connecting device 16 .

the 3 shows a schematic sectional view through the connecting piece 15 and the connecting device 16 . A sealing device 17 can be provided between the container wall 6 and in particular the bottom 7 and the connecting piece 15 . The sealing device 17 can be an O-ring, for example. The sealing device 17 is arranged in an annular groove 18 surrounding the connecting piece 15 . The connecting device 16 has an annular base body 19 which includes a thread 20 . The thread 20 is preferably an internal thread. The thread 20 is set up to engage in a form-fitting manner in a corresponding mating thread 21 of the connecting piece 15 . The mating thread 21 is preferably an external thread. In an alternative embodiment of the connecting device 16, the thread 20 provided on the annular base body 19 is an external thread and the mating thread 21 provided on the connecting piece 15 is an internal thread.

the 4 shows a front view of an embodiment of the connecting device 16. The figure 5 shows another front view of the connecting device 16. The 6 shows a plan view of the connecting device 16 and the 7 shows a sectional view of the connecting device 16 according to the section line VII - VII 6 . The following will refer to the Figures 4 to 7 referenced at the same time.

The ring-shaped base body 19 is rotationally symmetrical to a symmetry or central axis 22 . An annular stiffening rib 24 running around annular base body 19 is provided on an upper side 23 of annular base body 19 . The thread 20 can extend into the stiffening rib 24 . On the upper side 23 of the annular base body 19 there are also provided radial stiffening ribs 25 which extend radially out of the annular stiffening rib 24 . In the Figures 4 to 7 only one radial stiffening rib 25 is provided with a reference number. The number of radial stiffening ribs 25 is arbitrary. The radial stiffening ribs 25 are preferably distributed uniformly over a circumference u ₁₉ of the annular base body 19 . The radial stiffening ribs 25 are preferably integral material with the annular stiffening rib 24 and the annular Base body 19 formed. In particular, the connecting device 16 is made of one piece of material. The connecting device 16 can be made of a plastic material or a metal material. For example, the connecting device 16 can be a plastic injection molded component. The connecting device 16 is preferably made of an elastically deformable plastic material. For example, the connecting device 16 can be made of a talc-filled polypropylene material.

The ring-shaped base body 19 can have a polygonal outer geometry. For example, the annular base body 19, as in FIG 6 shown have a dodecagonal outer geometry. As a result, the connecting device 16 can be gripped for assembly with a tool with a defined wrench size SW.

The connecting device 16 has at least one spring element 26 which is set up to spring-load the annular base body 19 relative to the container wall 6 . The at least one spring element 26 is preferably formed in one piece with the annular base body 19 . A plurality of spring elements 26 are preferably provided, which are distributed uniformly around the circumference u ₁₉ of the annular base body 19 . At the in the Figures 4 to 7 The embodiment of the connecting device 16 shown has four spring elements 26 which are distributed uniformly around the circumference u ₁₉ of the annular base body.

The at least one spring element 26 has an abutment section 27 which is designed to abut against the container wall 6 . The investment section 27, as in the 4 , 5 and 7 shown to have a convex curvature. That is, the abutment portion 27 extends out beyond a lower edge or underside 28 of the annular base body 19 ( 7 ). As the 4 shows, a connecting section 29 is provided between two spring elements 26 arranged next to one another. The connecting section 29 is a cylindrical wall whose lower edge or underside 30 is formed flush with the underside 28 of the annular base body 19 . When the connecting device 16 is installed, the contact sections 27 are deformed in such a way that they lie flat against the container wall 6 and in particular against the bottom 7 .

In the in the Figures 4 to 7 In the unassembled state of the connecting device 16 shown, the at least one spring element 26, and in particular the contact section 27, protrudes beyond the underside 28 of the annular base body 19. The at least one spring element 26 has at least one leaf spring section 31 . A plurality of leaf spring sections 31 arranged next to one another are preferably provided. The contact section 27 can also be designed as a leaf spring section. In the 4 , 5 and 7 only one leaf spring section 31 is provided with a reference number. The at least one spring element 26 preferably has a plurality of leaf spring sections 31 which are connected to one another with the aid of connecting webs 32 to 34 . The connecting webs 32 to 34 run in the direction of the central axis 22.

the 8 shows a further embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to FIG 8 differs from the connecting device 16 according to the Figures 4 to 7 merely in that, instead of four spring elements 26, a plurality of spring elements 26 are provided which are arranged directly adjacent to one another and are distributed uniformly over the circumference u ₁₉ of the annular base body 19.

the 9 shows a further schematic side view of an embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to FIG 9 differs from the connecting device 16 according to the 8 only in that the leaf spring sections 31 are not bent but straight. In particular, the leaf spring sections 31 and the abutment sections 27 are positioned parallel to the underside 28 of the annular base body 19 .

the 10 shows a further schematic side view of an embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to FIG 10 differs from the embodiment of the connecting device 16 according to FIG 8 and 9 in that the at least one spring element 26 has no leaf spring sections 31. Instead, the at least one spring element 26 has two curved spring arms 35, 36 arranged adjacent to one another. The spring arms 35, 36 can be S-shaped or Ω-shaped. The spring arms 35, 36 are connected to one another with the aid of the contact section 27.

the 11 shows a further schematic side view of an embodiment of a connecting device 16. The connecting device 16 according to FIG 11 differs from the connecting device 16 according to the 10 only in that the spring arms 35, 36 are connected to one another with the aid of a connecting web 37. In particular, the spring arms 35, 36 are connected to one another with the aid of the contact section 27 and the connecting web 37. The connecting web 37 extends parallel to the contact section 27.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

Reference signs used:

1

household appliance

2

container

3

door

4

washing chamber

5

pivot axis

6

container wall

7

floor

8th

ceiling

9

back panel

10

Side wall

11

Side wall

12

items to be washed

13

base carrier

14

container

15

connecting piece

16

connecting device

17

sealing device

18

ring groove

19

base body

20

thread

21

counter thread

22

central axis

23

top

24

stiffening rib

25

stiffening rib

26

spring element

27

investment section

28

bottom

29

connection section

30

bottom

31

leaf spring section

32

connecting bar

33

connecting bar

34

connecting bar

35

spring arm

36

spring arm

37

connecting bar

A

pull direction

E

insertion direction

SW

Key-width

u19

Scope

Claims (13)

1. Connecting device (16) for connecting a connecting piece (15) of a pipe or a receptacle (14) with a container wall (6) of a container (2) of a water-conducting household appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher, with a ring-shaped base body (19), which has a thread (20), which is designed to engage in a mating thread (21) of the connecting piece (15) in a form-fit manner, characterised by at least one spring element (26), which is designed to spring-pretension the ring-shaped base body (19) in respect of the container wall (6), wherein the at least one spring element (26) is embodied in one piece with the ring-shaped base body (19) and in an unassembled state of the connecting device (16) projects beyond a lower side (28) of the ring-shaped base body (19).
2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterised by a plurality of spring elements (26), which are arranged distributed uniformly about a periphery (u₁₉) of the ring-shaped base body (19).
3. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one spring element (26) has a contact portion (27) which is designed to rest on the container wall (6).
4. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that a ring-shaped reinforcement rib (24) which surrounds the ring-shaped base body (19) is arranged on a top side (23) of the ring-shaped base body (19).
5. Connecting device according to claim 4, characterised in that radial reinforcement ribs (25) which extend radially outwards from the ring-shaped reinforcement rib (24) are provided on the top side (23) of the ring-shaped base body (19).
6. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the at least one spring element (26) has a leaf spring portion (31), which can be arranged parallel to the container wall (6).
7. Connecting device according to claim 6, characterised in that the leaf spring portion (31) is bent.
8. Connecting device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the at least one spring element (26) has a number of leaf spring portions (31) which are connected to one another.
9. Connecting device according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the at least one spring element (26) has two curved spring arms (35, 36) arranged adjacent to one another.
10. Connecting device according to claim 9, characterised in that the spring arms (35, 36) are connected to one another with the aid of a connecting web (37).
11. Water-conducting household appliance (1), in particular dishwasher, with a pipe or a receptacle (14), a container (2) and a connecting device (16) according to one of claims 1 - 10 for connecting a connecting piece (15) of the pipe or the receptacle (14) with a container wall (6) of the container (2).
12. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 11, characterised in that the receptacle (14) is a housing of a water softening system and the container (2) is a wash tub of the water-conducting household appliance (1).
13. Water-conducting household appliance according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that a sealing device (17), in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the container wall (6) and the connecting piece (15).

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