EP3103913B1 - Dispositif de tuyau pour un appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau - Google Patents

Dispositif de tuyau pour un appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3103913B1
EP3103913B1 EP15171478.9A EP15171478A EP3103913B1 EP 3103913 B1 EP3103913 B1 EP 3103913B1 EP 15171478 A EP15171478 A EP 15171478A EP 3103913 B1 EP3103913 B1 EP 3103913B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sleeve member
cabinet
hose
pipe device
opening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15171478.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
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EP3103913A1 (fr
Inventor
Fabio Soria
Pasquale Longobardi
Luigi Avagnano
Salvatore Amitrano
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pasell Srl
Whirlpool Corp
Original Assignee
Pasell Srl
Whirlpool Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pasell Srl, Whirlpool Corp filed Critical Pasell Srl
Priority to EP15171478.9A priority Critical patent/EP3103913B1/fr
Publication of EP3103913A1 publication Critical patent/EP3103913A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3103913B1 publication Critical patent/EP3103913B1/fr
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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/083—Liquid discharge or recirculation arrangements
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/08—Liquid supply or discharge arrangements
    • D06F39/081—Safety arrangements for preventing water damage

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to water-conducting electrical household appliances in general, such as laundry-treatment machines and dish-washing machines. More specifically, the invention has been developed with particular reference to a pipe device designed to extend within the cabinet of an electrical household appliance of the indicated type.
  • Some water-conducting electrical household appliances have a cabinet, in a wall of which an opening is defined, usually quadrangular, at which a sleeve member is mounted.
  • the sleeve member has a tubular portion designed for connection to an external pipe, typically provided for the loading of water in the appliance.
  • the functions of the sleeve member are integrated into the rigid body of an internal water-conducting component of the appliance, which is directly in contact with the aforesaid wall of the cabinet: this is typically the case of electrical valve units, whose body generally has a flange portion fixed in position at the aforesaid opening, by means of screws or similar fastening members.
  • the water-conducting component is instead located in a remote position with respect to the wall provided with the opening for mounting the sleeve member.
  • the sleeve member has a flange portion, from the front of which a tubular portion protrudes, designed to extend outside the cabinet, for connection to the aforesaid external pipe. From the back of the sleeve member there protrudes a second tubular portion, towards the inside of the cabinet, which is intended for connection to an internal flexible hose, that extends between the sleeve member and the water-conducting component, the latter being in a remote position with respect to the wall at which the sleeve member is fastened.
  • the sleeve member has a body formed with a relatively elastic or yielding material, such as a rubber or a silicone, and its flange portion defines along its perimeter a groove: by exploiting the elasticity of the material constituting the sleeve member, the perimetral groove can be fitted onto the perimetral edge of the corresponding mounting aperture.
  • the diameter of the tubular portions is chosen such that they are able to receive the corresponding end regions of the external pipe and the inner hose, respectively, also by exploiting the elasticity of the material constituting the sleeve member.
  • the mechanical and sealed fixing between the end regions of the pipe and the hose, respectively, and the corresponding tubular portions is completed by providing suitable outer rings, which tighten the said tubular portions over the end region of the outer pipe and the inner hose, respectively.
  • a user attempts to reposition the sleeve member using a tool, such as a screwdriver or a knife, with the risk that a part of such a tool can pass between the opening and the sleeve member - also in view of the pliability of the material of the sleeve member - hence reaching the inside of the cabinet and touching live electrical components of the appliance.
  • a tool such as a screwdriver or a knife
  • Document DE19548477A1 discloses a system for connecting a hydraulic supply device to a laundry washing machine, the system comprising a first connection element mounted in an opening obtained in a wall of the washing machine and a second connection element coupled to an end of the supply device.
  • the first connection element comprises two tubular portions, connected to each other by means of elastic brackets and equipped with respective grooved protrusions configured for fixing the first connection member to the wall of the washing machine.
  • the second connection element comprises a flange portion equipped with elastic joining means for fixing the second connection member to the wall of the washing machine.
  • Document JP2002-306892A discloses a draining hose for a washing machine comprising a main body composed of soft resin whose one end part has a connection part to the draining port of the tub and other end part has a connection part to an external draining hose arranged on the outside of the machine and is fixed to a through-hole provided on the cabinet.
  • the washing machine further comprises a joint composed of a hard resin and integrally formed by injection moulding on the outer peripheral surface of the connection part to the external draining hose.
  • Document JP5-1484U discloses a drain hose attaching device for a washing machine, comprising a hose coupling to which a drain hose is connected, a flange having a surface parallel to a side wall of the washing machine and a couple of protrusions provided on the flange. Head portions are formed at the tip of the protrusions.
  • the side wall of the cabinet has a circular hole for the passage of the drain hose and a couple of arcuate elongated holes surrounding the circular hole. Each arm portion is fitted into the arcuate elongated hole and is then rotated in order to allow the head portions to fix the drain hose attaching device to the washing machine.
  • Document JP11-151398A discloses a drain hose for a washing machine made of a flexible material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, an elastomer or the like, and formed in such manner that it is provided with an expandable and contractible configuration.
  • a connecting member made of a material having the flexibility higher than that of the hose main body, such as a blended material of polypropylene and polyethylene, an elastomer or the like is integrally formed on an end part of the hose main body.
  • a groove is provided in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the body at a predetermined distance from the end of the hose.
  • Document EP2128326A1 discloses a washing machine including a T-shaped fitting comprising a first pipe coming from a drain pump, a second pipe connected to a drain mouth mounted on a wall of the washing machine and a third pipe connected to the detergent drawer for acting as a vent.
  • a flap valve is fitted in a seat formed in the arm of the T-shaped fitting to which the third pipe for selectively close the third pipe.
  • the pipes and the flap valve are fixed on the T-shaped fitting by means of an overmolded rubber cover.
  • the present invention basically aims at solving one or more of the drawbacks highlighted above, by way of a pipe device which is simple and cheap to produce, highly reliable and safe in use and which is quick and simple to install on a water-conducting electrical household appliances.
  • an embodiment within this description indicates that a particular configuration, structure, or characteristic described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, phrases such as “in an embodiment”, “in one embodiment” and the like, possibly present in different places of this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but may instead refer to different embodiments. In addition, particular conformations, structures, or characteristics defined within this description can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, which can even be different from the ones depicted.
  • the numerical and spatial references (such as “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, etc.) used herein are for convenience only and therefore do not define the field of protection or the scope of the embodiments. In the figures, the same reference numerals are used to indicate elements that are similar or technically equivalent.
  • the appliance according to the invention comprises all the elements in itself known for its operation, such - for example - a user interface, a number of internal electrical components (e.g. a control board, one or more motors, a heating resistance, etc.), a number of internal water-conducting components (e.g. a washing agent dispenser, a wash-tub, etc), a number of mechanical components (e.g. a base, a front door, etc.).
  • a number of internal electrical components e.g. a control board, one or more motors, a heating resistance, etc.
  • a number of internal water-conducting components e.g. a washing agent dispenser, a wash-tub, etc
  • mechanical components e.g. a base, a front door, etc.
  • reference 1 designates as a whole a water-conducting electrical household appliance according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, such as a laundry-treatment machine or a dish-washing machine.
  • the appliance 1 has a cabinet, designated as a whole by reference 2, having a number of walls delimiting a space within which a plurality of functional components is housed.
  • the functional component may comprise a washtub, a laundry basket mounted to rotate within the wash-tub, a motor for driving the drum, a suspension arrangement for elastically supporting the washtub, a washing agent dispenser, a pump, electrical valves, a heating resistance, a control board, etcetera.
  • the water-conducting component 3 is a device belonging to an arrangement for loading and/or circulating water with respect to a washtub of the appliance 1, such as a re-circulating pump or a drain pump, but it is not ruled out from the scope of the invention the case of a different components, such as an electric valve device, or an air break-device, or a washing agent dispenser, or a water-softener, etc..
  • an opening is defined, at which a sleeve member of a pipe device according to the present invention is located.
  • the wall in question is the rear wall of the cabinet, designated by 4, whereas the relevant opening is designated by 5.
  • the pipe device, which is designated by 10 as a whole, includes a flexible hose, designate by 20, and the cited sleeve member, designated by 30.
  • a proximal end portion of the hose 20 is sealingly coupled to the sleeve member 30, whereas the distal end portion thereof is coupled to the water-conducting component 3, which is preferably arranged within the cabinet 2 in a position remote from the wall 4.
  • the hose 20 is designed to extend inside the cabinet 2, such that the device 10 can be defined as an internal pipe device for the appliance 1.
  • the way and the means used for connecting the distal end portion of the hose 20 to the component 3 may be of any known type and do not form part of the invention.
  • the hose 20 is secured in one or more intermediate regions thereof (preferably in two intermediate regions) to the stationary structure of the appliance 1, for example to its cabinet 2, in order to confer the hose 20 a substantially predefined positioning and/or avoiding undesired displacement thereof.
  • securing means ties similar to those described in the patent application EP2082087A2 may be used advantageously.
  • reference 40 designates as a whole an external pipe of the appliance 1, i.e., a pipe designed to extend outside the cabinet 2.
  • the external pipe 40 is a pipe for the discharging of a treatment fluid from the appliance 1, having a proximal end portion designed to be sealingly connected to the sleeve member 30 and the distal end portion designed to be connected to a sewer or the like.
  • the water-conducting component might be a drain pump or a drain valve, preferably located in a lower region of the space defined by the cabinet 2.
  • the opening 5 is defined in a generally upper region of the wall 4: however, according to other possible embodiments, the opening 5 may be defined in a different position of height of the wall 4, such a lower region or an intermediate region of the wall 4.
  • the pipe device 10 belongs to an arrangement for the loading and/or the re-circulation of a treatment fluid with respect to a washtub of the appliance: in one such embodiment, for instance, the water-conducting component might be a valve device, or a re-circulating pump, or an air break-device, or a washing agent dispenser, or a water-softener, etc.
  • FIG. 2 A possible embodiment of a pipe device 10 according to the invention is partially visible in Figure 2 .
  • the flexible hose 20 designed to extend inside the cabinet 2 is represented partially, the front of the sleeve member 30 being visible.
  • the hose 20 is a corrugated hose, preferably formed with a plastic material.
  • the material forming the hose is a relatively rigid plastic material, the reduced thickness of the hose wall and the presence of the corrugations conferring in any case the required flexibility to the hose.
  • the material forming the hose is a thermoplastic material, such as a polypropylene or a polypropylene-based material.
  • the sleeve member 30 comprises a flange portion 31, designed to be secured at the opening 5, as well as two generally opposite tubular portions 32 and 33.
  • a first tubular portion 32 projects from the front side of the flange portion 31, whereas a second tubular portions 33 projects from the rear side of the flange portion 31, these tubular portions being intended for extending outside and inside the cabinet 2, respectively.
  • the portion 32 and 33 will be also defined as “external” and “internal”, respectively.
  • the external tubular portion 32 is designed to be sealingly connected with a proximal end of an external pipe, such as the tube designated by 40 in Figure 1 , whereas the internal tubular portion 33 is sealingly connected to the proximal end of the hose 20.
  • the body of the sleeve member 30, integrally defining in a single piece the flange portion 31 and the opposite tubular portions 32 and 33 is made of a substantially rigid plastic material, with the proximal end portion of the hose 20 which is embedded at least in a part of the plastic material that forms the internal tubular portion 33.
  • This feature can be appreciated in particular in Figures 3 , 5 and 6 , from which it is apparent how the inner and the outer side of the end portion of the hose 20 are surrounded by plastic material forming the sleeve member 30, and specifically a part of this material that forms the internal tubular portion 33.
  • the proximal end portion of the hose 20 extends axially within the plastic material of the body of the sleeve member 30 substantially as far as the flange portion 31, but it is not ruled out the case that the proximal end portion of the hose 20 further extends axially in the body of the sleeve member 30, so as to be embedded also in a part of the plastic material of the flange portion 31 or even in a part of the plastic material of the external tubular portion 32.
  • the internal tubular portion 33 is at least partly moulded over the proximal end portion of the hose 20.
  • the inner diameter and the outer diameter of the tubular portion 32 are smaller and greater than the inner and the outer diameter of the proximal end portion of the hose, respectively, as in the embodiment represented in Figures 3 , 5 and 6 .
  • proximal end of the hose 20 is embedded at least in a part of the material of the internal tubular portion 33, in particular via moulding of the former over the latter, enables important advantages to be achieved. Firstly, a strong mechanical coupling and a safe watertight coupling are obtained between the proximal end of the hose and the sleeve, to advantage of the reliability of use of the pipe device 10.
  • the quality of these mechanical and watertight couplings is improved in those embodiments in which the hose 20 is a corrugated hose, provided that the surface corrugations of the hose determine an improved "gripping" between the overmoulded material and the hose, as well as a sort of "labyrinth" between the coupled elements that prevents any possible liquid leakages. It is apparent that, in this way, the pipe device of the invention is intrinsically safe at least at the interface region between the tubular portion 33 and the proximal end of the hose 20, hence avoiding the cited risks of leakages towards the inside of the cabinet, wherein electrical components are present.
  • the material or materials employed for moulding the sleeve member 30, or at least the internal tubular portion thereof is/are similar or chemically compatible with the material or materials that forms/form the hose 20, or at least the proximal end thereof, for example in order to allow a better sealing between the part in question.
  • the material with which the sleeve member 30 is formed is the same as the material used for forming hose 20.
  • the material in question is a thermoplastic material, such as a polypropylene or a polypropylene-based material.
  • the proximal end of the hose 20 is embedded in the material of the sleeve member 30, in particular via overmoulding technique, noticeably simplifies the assembling of the pipe device 10, since no specific operations of coupling between the hose and the sleeve member are required. Additionally, the use of external tightening rings or the like are not required for securing the hose 20 to the internal tubular portion 33.
  • the internal duct of the sleeve member 30, designated by 30a has two end stretches defined by the tubular portions 32 and 33 and an intermediate stretch defined through the flange portion 31.
  • the inner surface of the duct 30a is substantially smooth.
  • the duct 30a is an axial duct having a substantially frustoconical shape. This feature noticeably simplifies the (over)moulding operation, namely the extraction of the sleeve member 30 with the associated end portion of the hose 20 from the (over)moulding equipment.
  • the tubular portions 32 and 33 of the sleeve member 31 are substantially coaxial.
  • the second tubular portions 32 and 33 are substantially straight tubular portions.
  • the external tubular portion 32 has a substantially frustoconical outer shape - designated by 32a - at the end portion thereof which is remote from the flange portion 31.
  • the frustoconical outer shape 32a defines a intermediate outer step on the tubular portion 32: presence of this intermediate step, designated by 32b for instance in Figures 4-6 , may prove useful to ensure the correct action of external tightening rings or the like, possibly used for securing the proximal end region of the external pipe 40 (see Figure 1 ) onto the external tubular portion 32.
  • the body made of substantially rigid material of the sleeve member 30 also integrally defines fastening means at the flange portion 31, configured for quick-coupling with a peripheral edge of the opening 5 (see Figure 1 ) defined in the wall 4 of the cabinet 2.
  • this fastening means are configured in such a way that the flange portion 31 can be coupled to the peripheral edge of the opening 5 without any additional fixing elements being required, such as screws or the like. In this manner, the sleeve member 30 can be secured in a simple and rapid manner to the wall 4, namely at the opening 5 thereof.
  • the fastening means are formed by the substantially rigid material of the sleeve member 30 assures a stable fixing of the latter to the wall 4, thereby reducing the risk of an accidental uncoupling of the sleeve member from the opening 5, due for instance to tractions or lateral thrusts exerted on the external pipe 40 and/or the proximal end thereof ( Figure 1 ).
  • the aforementioned fastening means are configured for snap-coupling with respect to the peripheral edge of the opening 5.
  • the fastening means are defined at the front side of the flange portion 31 of the body of the sleeve member 30.
  • the fastening means comprise at least one first coupling element and at least one second coupling element defined at generally opposite regions of the flange portion 31.
  • the one-piece body of the sleeve member 30 can be safely secured at corresponding opposite regions of the edge of the opening 5, to improve its stability.
  • the flange portion 31 and the opening 5 are substantially quadrilateral, or in any case have a substantially polygonal-shaped perimeter.
  • the first coupling element comprises a first formation 34 of the flange portion 31, which defines a groove - designated by 34a in Figures 3-5 - adapted to be fitted over a corresponding first portion of the peripheral edge of the opening 5.
  • the formation 34 is preferably defined in the lower region of the flange portion 31.
  • the second coupling element comprises a second formation 35 of the flange portion 31, which is at least partially elastically deformable.
  • the formation 35 is preferably defined in the upper region of the flange portion 31.
  • This second formation 35 defines a recess or seat - designated by 35a in Figures 2-5 - adapted to be elastically engaged with a corresponding second portion of the peripheral edge of the opening 5.
  • the cited first and second portions of the peripheral edge of the opening 5 are preferably opposite to each other: in one such embodiment, the groove 34a and the seat 35a substantially face in opposite direction.
  • the tubular portion 32 protrudes from the flange portion 31 in a position intermediate to the formations 34 and 35.
  • the second formation 35 is substantially U- or V-shaped formation and protrudes from the front side of the flange portion 31.
  • This formation 35 configured substantially as a wing, has a first portion 35 1 , which branches off from the front side of the flange portion 31 and a second portion 35 2 , which is bent backwards, towards the same front side and has a free end at which the above cited seat 35a is defined.
  • a recess 36 is also defined, substantially facing at least one portion of the formation 34, such as the aforementioned free end having the seat 35a.
  • Presence of the recess 36 which in the illustrated embodiment is defined transversally in the front side of the flange portion 31, may prove useful to simplifies the operation of moulding of the body of the sleeve member 30, in order to define the free end of the formation 35, while enabling the flange portion 31 to have in any case a rest region 37 for abutting against the inner side of the wall 4, as will be clear hereinafter.
  • the flange portion 31 also defines strengthening ribs, at the front side and/or at the rear side thereof: examples of some of these ribs are designated by 38 in the figures.
  • the flange portion 31 has perimetral dimensions greater that the perimetral dimensions of the opening 5 of the wall 4. In this way, the sleeve member 30 can be fitted through the opening 5 from the inside of the cabinet 2, in such a way that an annular peripheral region of the flange portion 31 faces a corresponding annular region of the wall 4 that surrounds the opening 5.
  • This feature is also useful for safety reasons (particularly in connection with the fact that the sleeve member 30 as a whole, and namely its flange portion 31, is substantially rigid), inasmuch as it prevents any elongated and thin objects - such as the blade of a knife - to be inserted between the flange portion 31 and the edge of the opening 5, from potentially reaching live electrical components located inside the cabinet 2.
  • the flange portion 31 has a thinner peripheral region 31a and a thicker central region 31b, with the first tubular portion 32 and the engagement means 34-35 which protrudes frontally from this central region 31b.
  • the thicker central region 31b is adapted to be at least partially fitted into the opening 5 defined in the wall 4 of the cabinet 2, to improve stability of the assembly.
  • the thinner peripheral region 31a enable to define the aforesaid annular peripheral region of the flange portion that faces a corresponding annular region of the wall 4 surrounding the opening 5.
  • a pipe device 10 according to the invention is shown in an installed condition at the opening 5 of the wall 4 of the cabinet 2, in an embodiment in which the flange portion 31 and the opening 5 are substantially quadrilateral.
  • the lower edge of the opening 5, designated by 5a is inserted in the seat 34a of the lower formation 34, whereas the seat 35 of the upper formation 35 engages with the upper edge of the opening 5, designated by 5b.
  • the thicker portion 31b of the flange portion 31 is at least partially inserted into the opening 5, while the front of the thinner portion 31a faces the inner side of the portion of the wall 4 which surrounds the opening 5.
  • the device 10 is mounted from within the cabinet 2, in particular by manipulating the flange portion 31 into the opening 5 with a slightly inclined orientation, so as to fit the transverse groove 34a defined by the lower formation 34 onto the lower edge 5a of the opening 5.
  • the flange portion 31 is then angularly moved (in a counter-clockwise direction, with reference to Figure 9 ), so as to make the upper formation 35 to pass through the opening 5.
  • the relative dimensions of the groove 34a and the wall 4 - in particular the width thereof - enable these two coupled elements to perform basically a hinge function.
  • the lower edge 5b of the opening 5 reaches the step defined by the seat 35a of the upper formation 35: via the elastic reaction of the formation 35, the upper part 35 2 thereof tends to return to the initial, unstressed configuration (i.e., to widen with respect to portion 35 1 ), such that the seat 35a is engaged with the upper edge 5b of the opening with a substantially snap-in action, and with the rest region 37 of the flange portion 31 that bears against the inner surface of the wall 4, in a position generally opposite to the seat 35.
  • the assembling operator has a clear perception that the fixing of the sleeve member has occurred in a precise manner, in view of the snap-coupling, which typically results in an audible effect, like a "click".
  • the mounting of the sleeve member 30 at the opening 5 is thus completed.
  • the distal end portion of the hose 10 can be connected to the water-conducting components 3 (alternatively, the cited distal end can be connected to the component 3 before coupling the sleeve member 30 to the opening 5).
  • Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 , wherein an external pipe device 40 is sealingly coupled with the external tubular portion 32 of the sleeve member 30.
  • the external pipe 40 includes a flexible hose 41, preferably but not necessarily a corrugated hose, having at the proximal end thereof a union member 42 made of a relatively soft or elastic material, such as a rubber or a silicone.
  • the union member may be, for example, moulded over the corresponding end region of the hose 41.
  • the union member 42 is an elbow union.
  • the proximal end region of the pipe 40, as defined by the joint member 42, is fitted onto the tubular portion 32 of the sleeve member 30, preferably exploiting the elasticity of the material forming the joint member.
  • the frustoconical outer shape 32a of the tubular portion 32 makes the operation in question easier.
  • the mechanical and watertight coupling between the joint member 42 and the tubular portion 32 is then ensured via an outer tightening ring, designated by 50, fitted over the portion of the joint member 42 into which the tubular portion 32 is inserted.
  • an outer tightening ring designated by 50
  • presence of the outer intermediate step 32b of the tubular portion prevents the same ring 50 to slide away from the position where it ensures the mechanical and watertight coupling.
  • the pipe device 10 is also simple and cheap to produce.
  • the hose 20 may be produced in any known manner, whereas the sleeve member 30, and the sealed coupling thereof with the proximal end of the hose 20, may be obtained via overmoulding of the plastic material that is to form the body of the sleeve member. More specifically, part of the material to form the sleeve member 30, and namely at least part of the material designed to form the internal tubular portion 33, is moulded over the proximal end portion of the hose 20. Via the same (over)moulding operation, in the body of the sleeve member 30 the fastening means 34-35 are also defined.
  • Figures 12, 13 and 14 show possible variants embodiments of a pipe device according to the present invention.
  • the device 10 integrates means for checking or verifying the correctness of the coupling condition between the fastening means and the peripheral edge of the corresponding opening defined in the wall of the cabinet.
  • this checking means are integrated in the fastening means of the sleeve member, very preferably in the part thereof that perform the snap-in function.
  • this checking means are integrally defined in the body of the sleeve member.
  • the cited checking means are optionally provided in the device 10, if it is desired to give the assembling operator a further way to verify the coupling correctness, in addition to the above mentioned audible effect (a "click") inherent in a snap-in coupling.
  • the fastening means represented by the upper formation 35 includes a manually operable projection 35b, basically configured as a small lever, protruding from the formation 35 in a direction generally opposite to the seat 35. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the projection 35b protrudes from the outer side of the upper portion 35 2 of the formation 35. Preferably, the projection 35b has a reduced height, or in any case a height such that - during installation - the projection 35b does not hinder passage of the upper formation 35 through the opening 5 and the sliding of the end region of the front surface of the portion 35 2 against the upper edge of the opening 5.
  • the installed condition of the pipe device of Figure 12 is shown partially and schematically in Figure 13 .
  • the modalities of installation of the device 10 of Figure 12 are the same as already described above.
  • the assembling operator perceives the "click” confirming correctness of the snap-in coupling, i.e., of the elastic engagement of the seat 35a of the formation 35 with the upper edge of the opening with 5.
  • the operator does not hear the "click” (for instance due to environmental noise) or desires in any case to verify the quality of the coupling, he has simply to exert a force on the projection 35b, for example in the direction indicated by the arrow "A" of Figure 12 .
  • the operator may exert a thrust in the direction indicated by the arrow "B" of Figure 12 .
  • the thrust exerted on the projection 35b in the direction B would not cause any outward flexure of the portion 35 2 of the formation 35, due to the interference between the seat 35 with the upper edge of the opening 5.
  • the thrust exerted on the projection 35b in the direction B would cause an outward flexure of the portion 35 2 , perceivable by the assembling operator.
  • FIGS 12, 13 and 14 also show a possible further variant embodiment, according to which the pipe device of the invention is further provided with venting means.
  • this venting means are defined by a fitting or the like protruding from the tubular portion 33 of the sleeve member 30.
  • this venting means are integrally defined in the body of the sleeve member.
  • the venting means are configured as a tubular fitting protruding laterally from the tubular portion 33, but it is not ruled out the case of a fitting 33a protruding from the upper or the lower part of the portion 33.
  • the fitting 33a is preferably configured for coupling with the proximal end portion of a pipe, such as a breather pipe designated by 60 in Figures 13 and 14 .
  • the distal end of this breather pipe 60 may be connected with the washtub of the appliance or with a different water-conducting component thereof, for instance a washing agent dispenser.
  • the fitting 33a, and the possible pipe 60 associated thereto, may be provided for bringing the inside of the hose 30 at the atmospheric pressure.
  • the fitting 33a is provided on the sleeve member 30 for optional use only, and namely with the fitting 33a to be actually used only on certain type of appliances, for instance appliances which require the inside of the tube 20 be brought to atmospheric pressure.
  • a specific operation of drilling or piercing will be carried out during the manufacturing or assembling step, to put the internal duct of the fitting 33a in direct communication with the inside of the hose 20.
  • This operation may be performed, for instance, by inserting a suitable tool within the duct of the fitting 33a, to form a hole through the corresponding portion of the hose wall and the adjoining layer or layers of the overmoulded plastic material.
  • FIG. 14 A condition of this kind, in which the fitting 33a is open towards the inside of the hose 20, is represented in Figure 14 .
  • the device 10 has to be installed on appliances which do not require the use of a vent fitting, the above drilling or piercing operation has not to be performed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
  • Sink And Installation For Waste Water (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Dispositif de tuyauterie pour un appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau (1), en particulier une machine de traitement de linge ou un lave-vaisselle, comprenant :
    - un tuyau souple (20) conçu pour s'étendre à l'intérieur de l'armoire (2) d'un appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau (1), et
    - un élément formant manchon (30) comprenant une partie bridée (31) conçue pour être fixée à une ouverture (5) définie dans une paroi (4) de l'armoire (2) de l'appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau (1), l'élément formant manchon (30) comprenant également une première partie tubulaire (32) à laquelle une partie d'extrémité d'un tuyau externe (40) conçue pour s'étendre à l'extérieur de l'armoire (2) de l'appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau (1) peut être raccordée et une seconde partie tubulaire (33) pour se connecter à une partie d'extrémité proximale du tuyau souple (20),
    dans lequel la première et la seconde partie tubulaire (32, 33) font saillie d'un côté avant et d'un côté arrière de la partie bridée (31), respectivement, la première et la seconde partie tubulaire (32, 33) étant conçues pour s'étendre à l'extérieur et à l'intérieur de l'armoire (2) de l'appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau (1), respectivement,
    dans lequel l'élément formant manchon (30) a un corps constitué d'une matière plastique sensiblement rigide avec la partie d'extrémité proximale du tuyau souple (20) qui est noyée au moins dans la matière plastique qui forme la seconde partie tubulaire (33), le corps constitué d'une matière plastique sensiblement rigide définissant également de manière intégrale des moyens de fixation (34, 35) sur ladite partie bridée (31), configurés pour un couplage rapide avec un bord périphérique (5a, 5b) de l'ouverture (5) définie dans la paroi (4) de l'armoire (2),
    caractérisé en ce que
    • les moyens de fixation comprennent au moins un premier élément de couplage et au moins un second élément de couplage définis dans des régions généralement opposées de la partie bridée (31) ;
    • le second élément de couplage comprend une seconde formation (35) de la partie bridée (31) qui est déformable au moins en partie de manière élastique et
    • la seconde formation (35) est une formation sensiblement en forme de U ou de V et fait saillie du côté avant de la partie bridée (31).
  2. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la seconde partie tubulaire (33) de l'élément formant manchon (30) est au moins en partie moulée sur la partie d'extrémité proximale du tuyau souple (20).
  3. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel les moyens de fixation (34, 35) sont définis sur le côté avant de la partie bridée (31) du corps de l'élément formant manchon (30).
  4. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie bridée (31) a une partie périphérique plus mince (31a) et une région centrale plus épaisse (31b), la première partie tubulaire (32) et les moyens de fixation (34, 35) faisant saillie de la partie centrale plus épaisse (31b), la région centrale plus épaisse (31b) étant de préférence adaptée pour être au moins en partie ajustée dans l'ouverture (5) définie dans la paroi (4) de l'armoire (2).
  5. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel :
    - la première et la seconde partie tubulaire (32, 33) de l'élément formant manchon (30) sont sensiblement coaxiales ; et/ou
    - la première et la seconde partie tubulaire (32, 33) de l'élément formant manchon (30) sont des parties tubulaires sensiblement droites ; et/ou
    - le corps constitué d'une matière plastique sensiblement rigide définit un passage axial (30a) de l'élément formant manchon (30) qui a une forme sensiblement tronconique ; et/ou
    - la première partie tubulaire (32) a une forme externe sensiblement tronconique (32a) dans sa partie d'extrémité éloignée de la partie bridée (31), la forme tronconique définissant un gradin externe intermédiaire (32b) de la première partie tubulaire (32) ; et/ou
    - la seconde partie tubulaire (33) a un diamètre interne et un diamètre externe qui sont plus petit et plus grand, respectivement, qu'un diamètre interne et un diamètre externe de la partie d'extrémité proximale du tuyau souple (20) ; et/ou
    - le tuyau souple (20) est un tuyau souple ondulé.
  6. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément formant manchon (30) intègre également des moyens (35b) pour contrôler ou vérifier la correction de l'état de couplage entre les moyens de fixation (34, 35) et le bord périphérique (5a, 5b) de l'ouverture (5) définie dans la paroi (4) de l'armoire (2).
  7. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel les moyens de contrôle (35b) sont intégrés aux moyens de fixation (34, 35).
  8. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel les moyens de contrôle (35b) sont intégrés à une partie des moyens de fixation qui effectue une fonction d'encliquetage.
  9. Dispositif de tuyauterie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément formant manchon (30) comprend également des moyens de ventilation (33a).
  10. Dispositif de tuyau selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel les moyens de ventilation (33a) sont configurés sous la forme d'un raccord faisant saillie de la seconde partie tubulaire (33).
  11. Dispositif de tuyau selon la revendication précédente, dans lequel le raccord est conçu pour se coupler à la partie d'extrémité proximale d'un autre tuyau (60) conçu pour s'étendre avec l'armoire (2) de l'appareil (1).
  12. Appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau ayant une armoire (2) pour loger une pluralité de composants fonctionnels, parmi lesquels au moins un composant à circulation d'eau (3), l'armoire (2) ayant une paroi (4) dans laquelle une ouverture (5) est définie, l'appareil ménager (1) comprenant un dispositif de tuyauterie (10) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel une partie d'extrémité distale du tuyau souple (20) du dispositif de tuyauterie (10) est raccordée audit au moins un composant à circulation d'eau (3).
  13. Appareil ménager à circulation d'eau selon la revendication 12, dans lequel la partie bridée (31) de l'élément formant manchon (30) a des dimensions périmétriques supérieures aux dimensions périmétriques de l'ouverture (5) de la paroi (4) de l'armoire (2), la partie bridée (31) et l'ouverture (5) étant de préférence sensiblement quadrilatérales.
  14. Appareil ménager à circulation d'eau selon la revendication 13, dans lequel l'élément formant manchon (30) est au moins en partie ajusté à travers l'ouverture (5) de l'intérieur de l'armoire (2) de manière qu'une région périphérique annulaire de la partie bridée soit en regard d'une région annulaire correspondante de la paroi (4) de l'armoire (2) qui entoure l'ouverture (5).
  15. Appareil ménager à circulation d'eau selon l'une quelconque des revendications 12 à 14, comprenant en outre un tuyau externe (40) ayant une partie d'extrémité proximale (42) qui est couplée de manière étanche à la première partie tubulaire (32) de l'élément formant manchon (30), la partie d'extrémité proximale (42) du tuyau externe (40) étant ajustée sur la première partie tubulaire (32).
EP15171478.9A 2015-06-10 2015-06-10 Dispositif de tuyau pour un appareil électroménager à circulation d'eau Active EP3103913B1 (fr)

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Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4288598A1 (fr) * 2021-02-05 2023-12-13 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Machine de traitement de linge équipée d'un système de maintien pour conduite d'évacuation

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH051484U (ja) * 1991-06-14 1993-01-14 株式会社東芝 洗濯機の排水ホース取付装置
JPH11151398A (ja) * 1997-11-21 1999-06-08 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 洗濯機の排水ホース
JP2002306892A (ja) * 2001-04-10 2002-10-22 Tigers Polymer Corp 洗濯機用内部排水ホース
EP2128326A1 (fr) * 2008-05-27 2009-12-02 Bonferraro S.p.A. Évacuation de machine à laver dotée d'un clapet d'aération, procédé de fabrication correspondant et machine à laver dotée de ladite évacuation

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4870988A (en) * 1987-10-07 1989-10-03 Whirlpool Corporation One-piece drain hose OFR an automatic washer
IT213775Z2 (it) * 1988-03-29 1990-02-16 Eurodomestici Ind Riunite Dispositivo per il drenaggio particolarmente per macchine lavabiancheria atto ad evitare perdite d'acqua durante l'esrazione dell'organo di filtraggio.
IT232603Y1 (it) * 1994-12-23 2000-01-10 Vernelli Maria Sistema per il collegamento idraulico ed elettrico di un dispositivo di alimentazione idrica ad una macchina lavatrice.
ITTO20060740A1 (it) 2006-10-13 2008-04-14 Indesit Co Spa Macchina lavabiancheria a carica frontale
US20120255329A1 (en) * 2011-04-06 2012-10-11 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Drain hose for a washer

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH051484U (ja) * 1991-06-14 1993-01-14 株式会社東芝 洗濯機の排水ホース取付装置
JPH11151398A (ja) * 1997-11-21 1999-06-08 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 洗濯機の排水ホース
JP2002306892A (ja) * 2001-04-10 2002-10-22 Tigers Polymer Corp 洗濯機用内部排水ホース
EP2128326A1 (fr) * 2008-05-27 2009-12-02 Bonferraro S.p.A. Évacuation de machine à laver dotée d'un clapet d'aération, procédé de fabrication correspondant et machine à laver dotée de ladite évacuation

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