EP3140450B1 - Domestic appliance for cleaning laundry items, comprising a specifically designed region between a drum and a support star - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance for the care of laundry, with a drum for receiving the laundry items, which is rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis, and a support star, which viewed in the direction of the axis disposed behind a rear wall of the drum and connected to the drum. The carrier star has a plurality of radially extending support arms.

Washing machines usually have a laundry drum, which is rotatably mounted. For this purpose, a carrying star is provided, which is usually arranged behind a rear wall of the drum and is rotatably connected to the drum. As a horizontal axis of rotation of the drum is also understood a rotation axis which is inclined relative to the horizontal and whose inclination angle is less than 45 °, i. the axis of rotation is substantially horizontal.

Exemplary embodiments are known from DE 43 26 496 A1 . US3108464 A and the DE 10 2004 047 996 A1 known. It is also known in the context that the carrier star is rotatably connected to a drive shaft, so that the laundry drum can rotate concentrically within a tub to a bearing of the tub.

In washing machines, it is known that in operation with rotating drum and thus rotating star carrier when dipping the tub washing liquor is taken through the support arms and this passes directly or indirectly to the camp in the form of splash water or spray and thus transported to the local sealing system becomes. If this water then also passes through a sealing element in the direction of the bearing, it may damage the bearing located there, for example a roller bearing. In this context, residues in the form of incrustations and particles can remain in the bearing, which act on the sealing element in a further rotation of the drum abrasive. The Drum system transports water or wash liquor to the sealing system, for example, by the fact that splash or spray water forms because the rotating Tragsternarm entrains water from the tub at the front end or on the arm structure and a paddle wheel and discharges to the outside. Another possibility of a corresponding water transport is that the water forms a circulating water film on the rotating rear wall of the drum and on the connecting fold of the drum, which is prevented at bottlenecks, such as between a Tragsternarm and a bottom plate or a rear wall of the drum and breaks off and is also delivered to the outside.

In addition, is prevented by known arrangements, in which the support arms directly against the rear wall, the circulating water film from circulating and rips off the Tragsternarm. As a result, a considerable volume of water is thrown at a rotation of the drum to the entire tub rear wall or transported directly to the drum shaft and the sealing system.

Furthermore, lint particles and small foreign bodies in the wash liquor are also transported to the lye container rear wall, the drum system and the sealing system, where these particles can dry. The dried-on particles form a crust and also have an abrasive effect on the sealing system during rotation of the drum.

In the case of an axially connected carrier star, the formation of spray water and splash water caused by the drum system is lower. In known devices, therefore, the most common cause of bearing damage is due to a water ingress through the bearing seal system, which can then set in the context, a rust formation in the camp.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a household appliance for the care of laundry items, in which the occurrence of bearing damage due to penetrating liquid in the region of the drum and a supporting star is at least reduced.

This object is achieved by a household appliance having the features of claim 1.

An inventive household appliance for the care of laundry comprises a drum for receiving the laundry items. This drum is rotatably mounted about an axis. The household appliance further comprises a support star, which is viewed in the direction of this axis of rotation disposed behind a rear wall of the drum and connected to the drum. The carrier star has a plurality of radially extending support arms. An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that between the support arms and the rear wall in the axial direction in each case a distance is formed such that viewed in the direction of rotation about this axis of rotation, a continuous flow gap between a support arm and the rear wall of the drum is formed. The flow-through gap is Tragarmseitig limited by a wall having a first wall portion. This first wall portion is at least partially oriented at a first angle between 20 ° and 70 ° to a plane perpendicular to the axis about which rotate the star and the drum, standing plane. As a result of the invention, a channel is formed, as it were, by the through-flow gap oriented in the direction of rotation about the axis, through which the liquid medium received from a tub during a rotation of the drum and the star is quasi conveyed further in the direction of rotation, without it touching the star and, in particular to bounce on the support arms and thus would cumshot. By means of such a defined distance between a support arm and the rear wall, this throughflow gap is defined and thus a fluid conduit is formed which permits a desired and locally specified transfer of the fluid in the region of a support arm.

In addition, the invention further specifies this flow-through gap to the effect that a specific wall, namely the wall opposite the rear wall, which delimits the flow-through gap, is specifically shaped. Also, by this very special geometry of this first wall section can be avoided in the flow-through gap that the liquid medium passed through it would bounce on very steep wall sections, in particular standing perpendicular to the flow direction walls, and thus also abschwappen unwanted back again or splash away. The very specific orientation of the first Wall section thus also allows a targeted forwarding of the fluid in the flow-through gap.

The invention thus avoids that unwanted splash water or spray can possibly with other particles, such as lint or the like, to a sealing system of a warehouse, with which the drum and / or the supporting star and / or a tub are stored, can get over there the sealing system can enter the interior of the warehouse. Above-mentioned bearing damage due to incoming spray water or splash water, which is promoted by the rotation of the support star and the drum to this camp, can be at least substantially reduced by the invention.

This first angle, which the first wall section has to a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the support star and the drum, is preferably between 30 ° and 55 °. The orientation of the first wall section thus has a very advantageous inclined position, by means of which a very uniform forwarding of the liquid medium flowing through the throughflow gap is achieved.

It is preferably provided that first wall sections are formed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of a support arm. Thus, a correspondingly advantageous geometry is created on the one hand both at the entrance of this flow-through gap and at the outlet of the flow-through gap, so that the occurrence of undesired spray water or splash water can be at least significantly reduced at both ends of the flow-through gap.

It is preferably provided that first wall sections are formed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of a support arm.

Preferably, the Tragarmseitige wall has a second wall portion adjacent to the first wall portion.

The second wall section is oriented in particular at a smaller second angle than the first wall section to the planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation. It is thus preferably in a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a Support arm angled or stepped shaping of the wall formed by the two wall sections, whereby the above advantages are favored again. By this second wall portion, the wall is thus expanded in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a support arm and thus the flow-through also extended. As a result, the likelihood that unwanted spray water or splash water occurs and is conveyed in an undesirably large amount in the direction of the bearing, again reduced. Just by the special arrangement of the second wall portion, a deflection or a Weglenken of the liquid medium is achieved by the camp, both at the entrance and at the outlet of the liquid medium in or out of the flow-through gap quasi.

Preferably, the second angle is between 0 ° and 20 °, in particular between 0 ° and 10 °, wherein the angle can be positive as well as negative. By this embodiment, a particularly flat or very slightly obliquely inclined arrangement of the second wall section is provided, so that the liquid medium is also very close to the drum rear wall and not tearing both on entering and then emerging from the flow-through undesirable from the rear wall of the drum.

The second wall portion may also be formed in addition or instead of the above at least partially curved. In particular, a curvature can be provided in the direction of the rear wall of the drum.

Preferably, the second wall portion is located farther from a longitudinal axis of a support arm than the first wall portion. The geometry of the entire flow-through gap is therefore particularly advantageous with respect to the above-mentioned aspects.

It is preferably provided that second wall sections are formed on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of a support arm, in particular formed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of a support arm. It is thus in a sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a support arm, a wing-like geometry of the wall, in particular by the second wall sections formed.

Preferably, the flow-through gap is formed, at least in such a radially outer longitudinal region of a support arm, viewed in relation to the axis of rotation of the support star, which immerses in rotation in a wash liquor in a tub of the domestic appliance when rotating about the axis of rotation. Since just these specific lengths or lengths of a support arm also contribute significantly to the forwarding of the liquid medium received during the rotation, this local specification of the formation of the flow-through gap with the specifically designed wall is particularly advantageous.

In particular, the support arm-side wall for limiting the flow-through gap is formed at least in such, considered to the axis of rotation of the support star radially outer length portion of a support arm, which dips on rotation about the axis in a wash liquor in a tub of the household appliance. Again, what has been said above for the flow-through gap applies accordingly.

In an advantageous embodiment, the Tragarmseitig the flow gap defining wall is integrated into the support arm. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment, since thus both the number of components is reduced, and assembly effort is minimized. In particular, however, a very accurate local position of the support arm is achieved as such to this wall, as a result of the integration no unwanted position tolerances, especially during operation and thus when turning the supporting star.

It can also be provided that the support arm-side wall or at least one wall section of the support arm-side wall for limiting the flow-through gap is formed as a separate component to the support star and covers a support arm on the side facing away from the flow-through gap of a support arm as a cover. By such a configuration, the conventional mass production of a supporting star can continue to be carried out accordingly and the desired functionality can be achieved by a corresponding additional component, namely the cover, which has the boundary wall or sections of the boundary wall for the flow-through gap.

It can be provided that the cover is formed as a groove or as a U-profile, wherein the cover extends over the length of the support arm to be covered. By this geometry and length dimensions, an advantageous embodiment is also achieved to avoid an undesirable entry of liquid medium into the warehouse.

It may be provided that the shaping of the wall defining the flow-through gap is formed with at least the first wall section in a side part of this cover, if this is designed as a groove-shaped component.

It can also be provided that the cover in the direction of rotation about the axis about which rotate the support star and the drum, in such, viewed to this axis of rotation of the support star radially outer length portion of a support arm is formed thickened when rotating about the axis immersed in a wash liquor in a tub of the household appliance. As a result of this specific thickening in the direction of rotation about the axis of rotation, the embodiment of this boundary wall of the throughflow gap integrated in the cover can be made particularly advantageous in terms of geometry and geometry, and in that context the cover can also be made very stable in this area. Especially at very high speeds, this cover is then correspondingly rigid, so that the desired effect for the targeted management of the absorbed liquid medium is maintained even in such operating phases.

Incidentally, a corresponding over-dimensioning in the thickness of the cover in the areas in which a corresponding undesirable fluid line to the camp anyway or only partially occurs, not required, so that the cover is not oversized by this specific embodiment.

It is preferably provided that the flow-through gap in the axial direction and thus in the direction of the axis of rotation of the supporting star and the drum is at least 6 mm, preferably at least 7 mm.

By means of the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof, liquid medium received during a rotational movement of the carrier star and the drum is applied Defines the rear wall of the drum defined and passed along desired and can flow around obstacle-free there or run through. As a result, a drum shaft, a tub back wall and the sealing system of the bearing during the rotational movement of the drum remain free of splash and spray water and free of incrustation by particles or foreign bodies. Unwanted bearing damage can thus be at least significantly reduced.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the frame to leave the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch eine beispielhafte Ausführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts;

Fig. 2

eine Horizontalschnittdarstellung durch das Haushaltsgerät im Bereich einer Rückwand einer Trommel und eines Tragsterns; und

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Teildarstellung eines Tragarms eines Tragsterns mit einer Abdeckung.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic sectional view through an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a horizontal sectional view through the household appliance in the region of a rear wall of a drum and a support star; and

Fig. 3

a partial perspective view of a support arm of a carrying star with a cover.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is shown in a longitudinal sectional view or vertical sectional view of a household appliance for the care of laundry, which is a washing machine I. The washing machine I comprises a housing 1, in which a vibration system 2 is arranged. The oscillating system 2 comprises a tub 3 of the washing machine I. In addition, the washing machine I and the oscillating system 2 comprises a drum 4, which is rotatably mounted in the embodiment about an axis A, which is oriented horizontally and thus in the x-direction. The drum 4 is designed to receive the items of laundry and surrounded by the tub 3. The drum 4 is rotatably supported by a shaft 5 whose axis is also oriented horizontally and coaxially with the axis A. To drive, for example, a pulley 6 and a belt 7 are provided, which are drivable via a motor 8, in particular an electric motor. The tubing system 2 also includes springs 9 and a shock absorber 10. The tub 3 has on its back or rear wall recognizable only from the side of the carrier star 11, in the center of which a bearing 12 for the shaft 5 of the drum 4 is located.

In addition, the washing machine I comprises a support star 13 for the drum 4. As can be seen, the support star 13 is viewed in the direction of the axis A behind a rear wall 14 of the drum 4 and connected to the drum 4. In addition, the support star 13 is rotatably connected to the shaft 5, so that the drum 4 can rotate concentrically with the bearing 12 within the tub 3. The support star 13 for the laundry drum 4 preferably comprises a plurality of support arms, for example, three support arms which are arranged in the direction of rotation about the axis A equidistant from each other. The support arms extend radially to the axis A.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the washing machine I in the area between the rear wall 14 and the supporting star 13 is explained in more detail. This is in Fig. 2 a perspective horizontal sectional view shown and thus a section in the xz plane.

In the context, a section through a support arm 15 of the support star 13 is shown. It can be seen that an outer side 14a of the rear wall 14 facing the support arm 15 is uneven and in particular in the region in which the support arm 15, which extends perpendicular to the plane of the figure with its longitudinal axis B, with an indentation is provided. In this indentation of the support arm 15 immersed axially seen in some areas.

It can be seen that between the support arm 15 and the outer side 14a of the rear wall 14, a distance is formed, which measures as a distance d with preferably greater than or equal to 7mm. It is envisaged that the support arm 15 is viewed in the direction of rotation about the axis A completely spaced from this outer side 14 a of the rear wall 14 is arranged. As a result, a flow-through gap 16 oriented in the direction of rotation about the axis A is formed. In the direction of the axis A of this flow-through gap 16 is bounded on the one hand by the outer side 14a, on the other hand limited by a wall 17, which is arranged opposite to the outer side 14a and formed Tragarmseitig. It is in the illustration according to Fig. 2 it can be seen that the flow-through gap 16 has an inlet 16a and an outlet 16b and the flow direction of a liquid medium or fluid flowing through it is represented by the arrows P. This liquid medium is that which is received and rotated upon rotation of the drum 4 and the supporting star 13 about the axis A when dipping the tub 3.

The wall 17 is specifically designed such that it has first wall sections 18, which preferably in this sectional view according to FIG Fig. 2 are formed symmetrically to the axis B. These first wall sections 18 are oriented at an angle α to a plane E which is between 20 ° and 70 °, preferably between 30 ° and 55 °. The plane E is perpendicular to the axis A and is shown in FIG Fig. 2 oriented perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The plane E thus extends in the longitudinal extension of the support arm 15. The first wall sections are preferably inclined in a same direction as opposed wall sections of the bulge of the outer side 14a. As a result, the uniform flow of the fluid in the flow-through gap 16 is substantially favored.

In addition, it can be seen in the embodiment that the wall 17 has second wall portions 19, which are also formed in the embodiment shown on both sides to the axis B, in particular are formed symmetrically thereto.

These second wall sections 19 directly adjoin the first wall sections 18 and are oriented at an angle β to the plane E that is smaller than the angle α. This angle β is in Fig. 2 not shown, since it is preferably 0 °. Preferably, this angle β between 0 ° and 20 °, in particular between 0 ° and 10 °. Preferably, the second wall portions 19 are inclined towards the rear wall 14, but they may also be inclined in the opposite direction. Therefore, the angle β can be positive as well as negative. As can be seen, the wall 17 is formed with its first wall sections 18 and the second wall sections 19 in the form of a body with wings or rockers. The first wall sections 18 are arranged in this connection closer to the axis B than the second wall sections 19. By means of this specific geometry of the wall 17, the flow-through gap 16 is designed individually, so that the passage of the liquid medium can also be particularly uniform and without undesired baffles. so that no unwanted spray water or splash water can reach the camp 12. In particular, by the additional second wall portions 19 in the direction perpendicular to the axis B and in particular in the plane perpendicular direction to the axis B extension of the flow gap 16 is achieved so that the delivery of appropriate liquid to the bearing 12 is again significantly reduced. Also by the specific orientation and geometry, in particular of the second wall sections 19, a flow direction of the liquid medium which leads away from the bearing 12 and in particular also a substantial adhesion of the liquid medium to the rear wall is supported both at the entrance 16a and at the exit 16b of the flow-through gap 16 14 causes after the exit from the flow-through gap 16. In the Fig. 2 is shown with the index 12, the positioning of the bearing 12, not shown otherwise.

Also at the second wall portions 19 for water droplets formed during the flow, which then due to the rotation of the drum 4 and the star 13 when leaving the flow gap 16 at the output 16b of the second wall section 19, also by the axial position of the second wall sections 19th and the curved shape of the rear wall 14 then in turn flows against the rear wall 14 is preferably reached.

Preferably, the flow-through gap 16 is viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis B of the support arm 15 is formed at least in such a longitudinal region of the support arm 15, which dips into the wash liquor in the tub 3 with rotating support star 13.

In Fig. 3 In an alternative embodiment, a perspective view is shown, in which the wall 17 is integrated in a cover 20. This cover 20 represents a separate component, which may be connected to the support arm 15. This cover 20 is preferably designed as a channel or U-profile and covers the support arm 15 preferably over its entire length B. This cover 20 is arranged on the side facing away from the rear wall 14 of the support arm 15, wherein the cover 20 also facing the rear wall 14 first wall portions 18 and second wall portions 19, which in turn are also symmetrically formed in turn to the axis B.

This cover 20 comprises a roof 21 and side parts 22 and 23, wherein in each case a first wall portion 18 and a second wall portion 19 is formed in each case a side part 22 and 23, respectively. This is provided in particular in a thickened region 24 which is dimensioned in the direction of rotation about the axis A and which represents a radially outer longitudinal region of the cover 20 and also of the support arm 15 with respect to the axis A. Exactly this length region 24 then dips during the rotation of the support star 13 about the axis A into the wash liquor of the tub.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I

Washing machine

1

casing

2

oscillating system

3

tub

4

drum

5

wave

6

pulley

7

belt

8th

engine

9

feathers

10

shock absorber

11

support star

12

camp

13

support star

14

rear wall

14a

outside

15

Beam

16

Flow-through gap

16a

entrance

16b

output

17

wall

18

first wall sections

19

second wall sections

20

cover

21

top, roof

22

side panel

23

side panel

24

length range

α

angle

β

angle

A

axis

B

longitudinal axis

e

level

P

arrow

d

distance

Claims (15)

1. Domestic appliance (1) for cleaning laundry items, comprising a drum (4) for receiving the laundry items, said drum being rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis (A), and a support star (13) which is arranged behind a rear wall (14) of the drum (4), seen in the direction of the axis (A), and which is connected to the drum (4), and which has a plurality of support arms (15) extending radially, wherein a respective spacing (d) is formed in the axial direction between each of the support arms (15) and the rear wall (14), such that, seen in the circumferential direction about the axis (A), a continuous flow gap (16) is formed between a support arm (15) and the rear wall (14), characterised in that the flow gap (16) oriented in the circumferential direction about the axis (A) forms a channel, which is configured such that through said channel the liquid medium (P) taken up from a washtub (3) during a rotation of the drum (4) and the support star (13) is further conveyed in the rotation direction, and the flow gap (16) is delimited on the support arm side by a wall (17) which has a first wall section (18) which is oriented at a first angle (α) of between 20° and 70° to a plane (E) perpendicular to the axis (A).
2. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first angle (α) is between 30° and 55°.
3. Domestic appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that first wall sections (18) are provided on opposing sides of a longitudinal axis (B) of a support arm (15), in particular symmetrically to the longitudinal axis (B) of a support arm (15).
4. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wall (17) has a second wall section (19) which adjoins the first wall section (18).
5. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the second wall section (19) is oriented at a smaller second angle (β) than the first wall section (18) to the plane (E) arranged perpendicularly to the axis (A) and/or is configured at least partially curved.
6. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the second angle (β) is between 0° and 20°, in particular between 0° and 10°.
7. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the second wall section (19) is arranged further removed from a longitudinal axis (B) of a support arm (15) than the first wall section (18).
8. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the second wall sections (19) are provided on opposing sides of a longitudinal axis (B) of a support arm (15), in particular, symmetrically to the longitudinal axis (B) of a support arm (15).
9. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow gap (16) is provided at least in such a radially outward length region of a support arm (15), as seen toward the axis (A) of the support star (13), which on rotation about the axis (A) is immersed in a wash liquor in a washtub (3) of the domestic appliance (1).
10. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wall (17) is provided at least in such a radially outward length region of a support arm (15), as seen toward the axis (A) of the support star (13), which on rotation about the axis (A) is immersed in a wash liquor in a washtub (3) of the domestic appliance (1).
11. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a wall (17) is integrated into a support arm (15).
12. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one wall section of the wall (17) is configured as a separate component from a support star (13) and covers a support arm (15) on the side of a support arm (15) facing away from the flow gap (16) as a covering (20).
13. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterised in that the covering (20) is configured as a channel which extends over the length of the support arm (15) to be covered.
14. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the shape of the wall (17) is configured with at least the first wall section (18) in a side part (22, 23) of the covering (20).
15. Domestic appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the covering (20) is configured thickened in the circumferential direction round the axis (A) in such a radially outward length region of a support arm (15), as seen toward the axis (A) of the support star (13), which on rotation about the axis (A) is immersed in a wash liquor in a washtub (3) of the domestic appliance (1).

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