EP3378983B1 - Laundry washing machine equipped with a bearing assembly for the washing drum - Google Patents
Laundry washing machine equipped with a bearing assembly for the washing drum Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3378983B1 EP3378983B1 EP17161831.7A EP17161831A EP3378983B1 EP 3378983 B1 EP3378983 B1 EP 3378983B1 EP 17161831 A EP17161831 A EP 17161831A EP 3378983 B1 EP3378983 B1 EP 3378983B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- laundry washing
- washing machine
- rotation axis
- tub
- fastening devices
- 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.)
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Links
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 title claims description 66
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 title description 9
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 31
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 9
- ORQBXQOJMQIAOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N nobelium Chemical compound [No] ORQBXQOJMQIAOY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 6
- 229910001018 Cast iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000009347 mechanical transmission Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002990 reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
- D06F37/267—Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups
- D06F37/269—Tubs specially adapted for mounting thereto components or devices not provided for in preceding subgroups for the bearing of the rotary receptacle
-
- 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
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
-
- 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
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
- D06F37/261—Tubs made by a specially selected manufacturing process or characterised by their assembly from elements
- D06F37/262—Tubs made by a specially selected manufacturing process or characterised by their assembly from elements made of plastic material, e.g. by injection moulding
Description
- The present invention concerns the field of laundry washing machines.
- In particular, the present invention refers to bearing assemblies for washing drums in laundry washing machines.
- Nowadays the use of laundry washing machines, both "simple" laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can only wash and rinse laundry) and laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry), is widespread.
- In the present description, the term "laundry washing machine" will refer to both a simple laundry washing machine and a laundry washing-drying machine.
- Laundry washing machines generally comprise an external casing, or cabinet, provided with a washing tub rotatably supporting a rotatable perforated drum where the laundry is placed.
- The drum is preferably rotated by means of a shaft and a motor unit coupled thereto.
- A motor unit of known type comprises an electric motor usually arranged close to the tub and connected to the shaft by means of a mechanical transmission device, preferably by means of a belt that drives a pulley coupled to the shaft. Another motor unit of known type comprises a so called "direct drive motor". The motor unit preferably comprises a stator which is preferably fixed to the rear wall of the tub and a rotor which is directly connected to the shaft so that the drum can be rotated without using further mechanical transmission devices.
- According to the known technique, the shaft is preferably rotatably supported by the tub through a bearing assembly.
-
US7,862,871B2 discloses a bearing assembly of known type. The document discloses a laundry washing machine including a washing tub having a plastic injection-molded wall wherein the bearing assembly is provided for supporting the shaft thereto. - The bearing assembly comprises a plastic member, moulded with said wall, which is, in turn, injection-moulded onto a bearing shell apt to rotatably receive the shaft.
- Analogously,
US8,590,347B2 discloses a bearing assembly of known type. The document also discloses a laundry washing machine including a washing tub having a plastic injection-molded wall wherein the bearing assembly is provided for supporting the shaft thereto. -
EP 1 688 525 A1 - In
GB 1,010,961 - The bearing assembly comprises a housing sleeve, moulded with said wall, which is, in turn, moulded onto two rolling bearings apt to rotatably receive a support shaft of the drum.
- The bearing assembly represents a critical part of a laundry washing machine since it must withstand high mechanical stresses, for example vibrations, in particular during the centrifugal step of a laundry washing cycle. Mechanical stresses are mainly due to rotation of the soaked laundry inside the drum and therefore strongly depends on the drum rotation speed and/or on the amount of load which is inserted into the drum and/or the imbalance state of the load inside the drum.
- At this purpose, designing and realization of bearing assemblies is strictly linked to the type of laundry washing machine, in particular to the maximum laundry load amount which can be loaded, known as capacity, and/or to its maximum rotation speed.
- In fact, a bearing assembly for a laundry washing machine of higher capacity (for example a 9kg large load capacity laundry machine) requires bulky and/or stronger components than a laundry washing machine with lower capacity (for example a 6kg medium load capacity laundry machine). Analogously, a bearing assembly for a laundry washing machine with high maximum rotation speed (for example 1500 rpm) requires bulky and/or stronger components than a laundry washing machine with lower maximum rotation speed (for example 1000 rpm). The bearing assemblies according to the known technique, nevertheless, revealed some drawbacks.
- A drawback posed by the bearing assemblies of the known art and/or the laundry washing machines having such bearing assemblies lies in that they require high manufacturing costs.
- Another drawback posed by the bearing assemblies of the known art lies in that mechanical stresses negatively affect the strength and stiffness of the assembly and therefore reliability of the laundry washing machine.
- This may negatively affect maintenance costs, in particular if replacement of the bearing assembly or parts thereof is required.
- The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks posed by the known technique.
- It is an object of the invention to provide a bearing assembly having reduced designing and/or manufacturing costs compared to laundry washing machines of known type.
- It is another object of the invention to provide a laundry washing machine equipped with a bearing assembly having higher reliability compared to laundry washing machines of known type.
- The applicant has found that by providing a laundry washing machine comprising a tub and a drum rotatable inside the tub by means of a shaft which is supported by said tub at a wall thereof by means of a bearing assembly, wherein the bearing assembly comprises a first element fixedly provided to the wall and a second element removably connected to the first element, it is possible to overcome drawbacks of known techniques.
- The present invention relates, therefore, to a laundry washing machine according to
claim 1. In particular, the laundry washing machine according to the invention comprises: - a casing supporting a tub and a drum adapted to receive laundry to be treated, said drum being housed in a rotatable manner inside said tub;
- a shaft coupled to said drum and aligned along a reference rotation axis for rotating said drum;
- a bearing assembly supporting said shaft at a wall of said tub, wherein said bearing assembly comprises a first element fixedly provided to said wall of said tub and wherein said bearing assembly comprises a second element apt to support said shaft with respect to said tub and to allow rotation of said shaft, wherein said second element is adapted to be removably connected to said first element.
- According to the invention, the tub is made of a polymeric material and the first element is injection-moulded to said wall of the tub.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first element comprises a tubular insert.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first element is made of a metallic material and the second element is made of a metallic material or a polymeric material.
- Preferably, the first element is made of steel material or cast iron or aluminium. Preferably, the second element is made of steel material or cast iron or aluminium or a reinforced plastic material.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second element is removably connected to the first element by means of one or more fastening devices.
- Preferably, said one or more fastening devices comprise one or more fastening devices selected from the group comprising: screws, rivets, snap connections, bayonet connections.
- Preferably, the fastening devices comprise screws engaging the first element and the second element, more preferably engaging holes or threaded holes of the second element and threaded holes of the first element.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening devices comprise a first set of fastening devices and a second set of fastening devices.
- Preferably, the first set of fastening devices are spaced apart from the second set of fastening devices along the reference rotation axis.
- According to the invention, the laundry washing machine further comprises one or more rolling devices interposed between the second element and the shaft.
- Preferably, said one or more rolling devices comprise one or more rolling devices selected from the group comprising bearings or bushings.
- Preferably, said one or more rolling devices comprise a first rolling device and a second rolling device spaced apart one to the other along the reference rotation axis.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first set of fastening devices is at least partially aligned along the reference rotation axis to the first rolling device and/or the second set of fastening devices is at least partially aligned along the second reference rotation axis to the second rolling device.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second element extends along the reference rotation axis between a first end side and a second end side.
- Preferably, the first set of fastening devices is located closer to the first end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis than the second set of fastening devices and the second set of fastening devices is located closer to the second end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis than the first set of fastening devices.
- In other words, the distance of the first set of fastening devices from the first end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis is lower than the distance of the second set of fastening devices from said first end side along the reference rotation axis and the distance of the second set of fastening devices from the second end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis is lower than the distance of first set of fastening devices from said second end side along the reference rotation axis.
- Preferably, the first rolling device is located closer to the first end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis than the second rolling device and the second rolling device is located closer to the second end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis than the first rolling device.
- In other words, the distance of the first rolling device from the first end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis is lower than the distance of the second rolling device from said first end side along the reference rotation axis and the distance of second rolling device from the second end side of the second element along the reference rotation axis is lower than the distance of first rolling device from said second end side along the reference rotation axis.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the laundry washing machine comprises a motor unit for driving in rotation the shaft.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the motor unit comprises a pulley fixedly coupled to the shaft, an electric motor and a belt connecting the electric motor to the pulley.
- According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the motor unit comprises a stator which is fixed to the wall of the tub and a rotor connected to the shaft.
- In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the laundry washing machine comprise two shafts coupled to respective opposite walls of the drum and aligned along a reference rotation axis for rotating the drum and two bearing assemblies supporting a respective one of said two shafts.
- Preferably, one of the two shafts which is connected to a motor unit.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In such drawings:
-
Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a laundry washing machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; -
Figure 2 shows the front perspective view of the laundry washing machine ofFigure 1 in which the casing has been depicted in transparency in order to show internal components of the laundry washing machine; -
Figure 3 shows a rear view of the laundry washing machine ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 4 shows some components ofFigure 3 isolated from the rest; -
Figure 5 shows components ofFigure 4 in a disassembled configuration; -
Figure 6 shows components ofFigure 4 in a further disassembled configuration; -
Figure 7 shows some components ofFigure 6 isolated from the rest; -
Figure 8 shows a side plan view ofFigure 4 ; -
Figure 9 shows components ofFigure 8 with an element removed therefrom; -
Figure 10 shows a plan view ofFigure 8 sectioned along line X°-X°; -
Figure 11 shows an enlarged view of a detail ofFigure 10 ; -
Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of a detail ofFigure 11 . - The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to laundry washing machines, as described below. It should in any case be underlined that the present invention is not limited to laundry washing machines. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry).
- The
laundry washing machine 1 illustrated inFigure 1 is a laundry washing machine of the front loading type; it is however clear that the invention can be applied as well to a top-loading laundry washing machine. - The
laundry washing machine 1 comprises an external casing orcabinet 2 in which a washing tub 3 (or simply tub), preferably supported by coil springs and shock-absorbers 19, is fixed to the casing 2 (indicated inFigure 2 ). Theexternal casing 2 preferably comprisesvertical side walls 2a-2d and anupper side wall 2e.Tub 3 encloses a rotatable washing drum 4 (or simply drum), wherein laundry can be loaded to be submitted to a washing process (or also to a drying process in the case of a washing-drying machine). Thedrum 4 is located in axially rotating manner inside thetub 3 along a reference rotation axis X. - The
tub 3 and thedrum 4 both preferably have a substantially cylindrical-shaped, tubular body. - The
tub 3 preferably comprises a front hemi-shell 13 and a rear hemi-shell 14 structured for being reciprocally coupled to form thetub 3. - The
tub 3 preferably comprises afront wall 30 provided with afront mouth 32, a lateral substantiallycylindrical wall 34 and arear wall 36. Therear wall 36 is preferably provided withenforcement ribs 36a. Theribs 36a are advantageously arranged concentrically to provide structural rigidity to thetub 3 which is necessary due to vibrations generated by therotating drum 4. - The
tub 3 is made of a polymeric material, more preferably of plastic material in an injection moulding process. - In particular, preferably,
rear wall 36 is defined in the rear hemi-shell 14 of thetub 3. - Analogously, the
drum 4 preferably comprises afront wall 40 provided with afront mouth 42, a lateral substantially cylindricalperforated wall 44 and arear wall 46. - A
shaft 50 is coupled to thedrum 4, preferably protruding from itsrear wall 46, through which thedrum 4 is made rotated during the washing (or drying) cycle(s). - The
shaft 50 extends along an axis which coincides with the reference rotation axis X of thedrum 4. - The
shaft 50 is advantageously fixedly connected to therear wall 46 of thedrum 4 so that thedrum 4 may rotate when theshaft 50 is made rotated by amotor unit 10. - Preferably, the
drum 4 is made of a metallic material, more preferably of stainless steel. - According to an aspect of the invention, the
shaft 50 is rotatably supported at therear wall 36 of thetub 3 by a bearingassembly 100. - The bearing
assembly 100 is preferably arranged centrally at therear wall 36 of thetub 3. - In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, the
motor unit 10 preferably comprises apulley 18 fixedly coupled to theshaft 50, anelectric motor 12 arranged close to thetub 3, preferably below thetub 3, and abelt 16 connecting theelectric motor 12 to thepulley 18 for driving thepulley 18 and theshaft 50 in rotation. - The
pulley 18 preferably comprises acentral body 20 and acircular rail 22 for thebelt 16, thecentral body 20 and thecircular rail 22 being preferably interconnected throughradial arms 24, more preferably fivearms 24. - The
pulley 18 is preferably coupled to theshaft 50 by means of abolt 52 having anenlarged head 54 abutting thecentral body 20 of thepulley 18 and a threadedshank 56 which engages with a threadedhole 58 provided at theend 60 of theshaft 50. - A
washer 55 is preferably interposed between theenlarged head 54 of thebolt 52 and thecentral body 20 of thepulley 18. - Preferably, a
squared hole 62 of thecentral body 20 is fitted to the respectivesquared end 60 of theshaft 50 to allow a firm connection of thepulley 18 to theshaft 50. - In further preferred embodiments, the motor unit may be of the type called "direct drive motor". In this case, the motor unit preferably comprises a stator which is preferably fixed to the rear wall of the tub and a rotor which is directly connected to the shaft so that the drum can be rotated without using further mechanical transmission devices.
- According to the invention, the bearing
assembly 100 comprises afirst element 102 fixedly provided to therear wall 36 of thetub 3 and asecond element 104. - In particular, the
first element 102 is fixedly provided to therear wall 36 of the rear hemi-shell 14 of thetub 3. - The
second element 104 is apt to support theshaft 50 with respect to thetub 3 and allows the rotation of theshaft 50. - The first and
second elements 102 preferably extends along the reference rotation axis X. - The
second element 104 preferably extends along the reference rotation axis X between afirst end side 124 and asecond end side 126. - The
first element 102 preferably comprises aninsert 106 which is fixedly provided to therear wall 36 of thetub 3. - The
first element 102 is preferably made of a rigid and stable material such as a metallic material, for example a steel material or cast iron or aluminium. - The
insert 106 is injection-moulded to therear wall 36 of thetub 3. Theinsert 106 is preferably tubular shaped and extends substantially perpendicular to therear wall 36 of thetub 3. Theinsert 106 is coaxial, in the assembled condition, to theshaft 50. - The
insert 106 preferably extends from aninner side surface 108 to afront side surface 110 thereof (as shown inFigure 11 ). Width of theinsert 106, which is substantially defined by the distance between theinner side surface 108 and thefront side surface 110, preferably substantially corresponds to, or is slightly smaller than, the width of the central area of therear wall 36 of thetub 3. - A covering
portion 203 of thetub 3 preferably covers theinner side surface 108 of theinsert 106. More preferably, material which constitutes the coveringportion 203 is embedded in acircumferential recess 205 realized in theinner side surface 108 of theinsert 106. Thetub 3 advantageously acquires a good cohesion or adhesion with theinsert 106. - According to the invention, the
second element 104 of the bearingassembly 100 is removably connected to thefirst element 102. - The
second element 104 is preferably removably connected to thefirst element 102 by means offastening devices 200. - In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, the
fastening devices 200 preferably comprisescrews - The
second element 104 is preferably made of a metallic material or a polymeric material, for example steel material or cast iron or aluminium or a reinforced plastic material. - The bearing
assembly 100 further comprises one ormore rolling devices 300 interposed between thesecond element 104 and theshaft 50 to allow rotation of the latter. - In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, the rolling
devices 300 preferably comprise first andsecond bearings second element 104 and respectiveinner rings shaft 50. - Preferably, first and
second bearings - More preferably, the
first bearing 302 is located closer to thefirst end side 124 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X than thesecond bearing 304 and thesecond bearing 304 is preferably located closer to thesecond end side 126 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X than thefirst bearing 302. In other words, the distance of thefirst bearing 302 from thefirst end side 124 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X is lower than the distance of thesecond bearing 304 from saidfirst end side 124 along the reference rotation axis X and the distance ofsecond bearing 304 from thesecond end side 126 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X is lower than the distance offirst bearing 302 from saidsecond end side 126 along the reference rotation axis X. - Advantageously, mechanical stresses which affect the bearing
assembly 100, in particular the mechanical stresses which affect thesecond element 104 supporting theshaft 50 through thebearings drum 4, are well distributed over thebearings shaft 50. - In a preferred embodiment, the
second element 104 is injection-moulded (or over-moulded) onto the outer rings 302a, 304a of saidbearings - In further preferred embodiments, the rolling devices may comprise different elements, for example bushing elements.
- The
second element 104 preferably comprises ahub 112, preferably tubular shaped, surrounding theshaft 50 and that houses saidbearings - The
hub 112 is preferably formed by injection moulding of a polymeric material. Thehub 112 preferably comprises spaced apartseats bearings 302, 304 (as illustrated inFigure 12 ). - The
second seat 118 preferably comprises ashoulder 118a which axially abuts the outer ring 304a of thesecond bearing 304. -
Inner ring 304b of thesecond bearing 304 axially abuts against aspacer element 66 mounted on theshaft 50 that rests on therear wall 46 of thedrum 4. - The
second bearing 304 is therefore axially maintained in position by saidshoulder 118a andspacer 66. - A
shield assembly 68 is preferably provided for thesecond bearing 304 to help retain bearing lubrication and prevent contamination from the environment. - The
first seat 116 preferably comprises a shoulder 116a which axially abuts the outer ring 302a of thefirst bearing 302. -
Inner ring 302b of thefirst bearing 302 axially abuts ashoulder 53 of theshaft 50, at one side, and thecentral body 20 of thepulley 18, at the opposite side. Preferably, awasher 155 is also interposed between thecentral body 20 of thepulley 18 and theinner ring 302b of thefirst bearing 302. - The
first bearing 302 is therefore axially maintained in position by saidshoulders 116a, 53 and saidpulley 18. - The
hub 112 preferably ends at anannular rim 121 which abuts thefront side surface 110 of theinsert 106. - The
annular rim 121 preferably lies in a plane perpendicular to the reference rotation axis X. - Between the
hub 112, thetub 3 and theshield assembly 68, more preferably between thehub 112, the coveringportion 203 of thetub 3 and theshield assembly 68, a sealing element 180 (O-ring) is preferably arranged to ensure the watertight integrity of thetub 3. Thehub 112 preferably comprises anannular recess 182 to receive the sealingelement 180. - As said above, the
second element 104 is removably connected to thefirst element 102 by fasteningdevices 200 comprisingscrews - Said
screws holes second element 104 and engage threadedholes first element 102. - In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, the
fastening devices 200 preferably comprise a set of sixscrews - Preferably, the set of
screws screws 202a, for example threescrews 202a, and a second set ofscrews 202b, for example threescrews 202b, which are spaced apart along the reference rotation axis X. - The first set of
screws 202a is preferably located closer to thefirst end side 124 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X than the second set ofscrews 202b and the second set ofscrews 202b is preferably located closer to thesecond end side 126 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X than the first set ofscrews 202a. In other words, the distance of the first set ofscrews 202a from thefirst end side 124 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X is lower than the distance of the second set ofscrews 202b from saidfirst end side 124 along the reference rotation axis X and the distance of the second set ofscrews 202b from thesecond end side 126 of thesecond element 104 along the reference rotation axis X is lower than the distance of first set ofscrews 202a from saidsecond end side 126 along the reference rotation axis X. - More preferably, the first set of three
screws 202a are inserted through threeholes 204a realized in theannular rim 121 of thehub 112 and engage three threadedholes 206a realized in thefront side surface 110 of theinsert 106. The second set of threescrews 202b are inserted through threeholes 204b realized inrespective seats 122 of thehub 112 of thesecond element 104 and engage three threadedholes 206b realized in protrudingelement 140 extending from theinner side surface 108 of theinsert 106. - Advantageously, by providing a first set of
screws 202a and a second set ofscrews 202b which are spaced apart along the reference rotation axis X the robustness of the coupling between the first andsecond elements - More preferably, as shown in
Figure 11 , the first set ofscrews 202a are substantially axially aligned along the reference rotation axis X to thefirst bearing 302 and the second set ofscrews 202b are substantially axially aligned along the reference rotation axis X to thesecond bearing 304. - The first set of
screws 202a substantially belongs to a plane perpendicular to the reference rotation axis X and passing through the to thefirst bearing 302 and the second set ofscrews 202b substantially belongs to a plane perpendicular to the reference rotation axis X and passing through the to thesecond bearing 304. - Advantageously, said sets of
screws bearings drum 4 is made rotated through theshaft 50. - According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, removability of the
second element 104 with respect to thefirst element 102 facilitates replacements of the bearing assembly components. For example, replacement of thehub 112 and/or of thebearings - Replacement of the
hub 112 and/or ofbearings assembly 100. - According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, removability of the second element with respect to the first element allows to reduce designing and/or manufacturing costs of the bearing assembly and/or of the laundry washing machine.
- From the above description, it can be appreciated that different embodiments/models of the bearing assembly and hence of the laundry washing machine may be easily obtained by substituting the hub and/or the bearings while maintaining other components of the laundry washing machine. In other words, the different embodiments/models of the bearing assembly and of the laundry washing machine may be manufactured utilizing the same, or almost the same, components, except from the hub and/or the bearings which can be adequately chosen. Manufacturing costs are therefore reduced.
- For example, a laundry washing machine of higher capacity (for example a 9kg large load capacity laundry machine) and a laundry washing machine with lower capacity (for example a 6kg medium load capacity laundry machine) may be manufactured by utilizing the same rear hemi-shell and the same first element (insert) of the bearing assembly while the other components are chosen according to the design and construction requirements.
- Thus, the manufacturing process of the laundry washing machines is simplified, in particular in large-scale manufacturing.
- It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, it makes it possible to realize a bearing assembly having reduced designing and/or manufacturing costs compared to laundry washing machines of known type.
- It is underlined that the bearing assembly and components thereof are preferably substantially cylindrically shaped; however it is clear that in different embodiments such components may be differently shaped.
- While the present invention has been described with reference to a laundry washing machine of the front loading type, it should be noted that the present invention is can be applied as well to a top-loading laundry washing machine.
- In laundry washing machines of the front loading type, i.e. of the type above described, the drum is substantially cantilevered supported by the bearing assembly at one side of the tub. The drum is therefore rotated by only one shaft rotatably supported by the bearing assembly.
- In a laundry washing machines of the top-loading type, the drum is preferably supported by bearing assemblies at two opposite sides of the tub. Preferably, two opposite shafts are coupled to respective opposite walls of the drum and supported by the opposite bearing assemblies. The drum is therefore preferably rotated by means of one of the two shafts which is opportunely connected to a motor unit.
- While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiment shown in the figures, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiment described herein fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.
Claims (12)
- A laundry washing machine (1) comprising:a casing (2) supporting a tub (3) and a drum (4) adapted to receive laundry to be treated, said drum (4) being housed in a rotatable manner inside said tub (3);a shaft (50) coupled to said drum (4) and aligned along a reference rotation axis (X) for rotating said drum (4);a bearing assembly (100) supporting said shaft (50) at a wall (36) of said tub (3), wherein said bearing assembly (100) comprises a first element (102) fixedly provided to said wall (36) of said tub (3) and wherein said bearing assembly (100) comprises a second element (104) apt to support said shaft (50) with respect to said tub (3) and to allow rotation of said shaft (50), wherein said laundry washing machine (1) further comprises one or more rolling devices (302, 304) interposed between said second element (104) and said shaft (50) to allow the rotation of the latter, whereinsaid tub (3) is made of a polymeric material,said first element (102) is injection-moulded to said wall (36) of said tub (3), andsaid second element (104) is adapted to be removably connected to said first element (102) to facilitate the replacement of the one or more rolling devices (302, 304).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first element (102) comprises a tubular insert (106).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first element (102) is made of a metallic material and said second element (104) is made of a metallic material or a polymeric material.
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second element (104) is removably connected to said first element (102) by means of one or more fastening devices (203a, 203b).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein said fastening devices (203a, 203b) comprise screws engaging said first element (102) and said second element (104), preferably engaging holes or threaded holes (204a, 204b) of said second element (104) and threaded holes (206a, 206b) of said first element (102).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said fastening devices (203a, 203b) comprise a first set of fastening devices (203a) and a second set of fastening devices (203b).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein said first set of fastening devices (203a) are spaced apart from said second set of fastening devices (203b) along said reference rotation axis (X).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein said one or more rolling devices (302, 304) comprise a first rolling device (302) and a second rolling device (304) spaced apart one to the other along said reference rotation axis (X).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 8, wherein said first set of fastening devices (203a) is at least partially aligned along said reference rotation axis (X) to said first rolling device (302) and/or said second set of fastening devices (203b) is at least partially aligned along said second reference rotation axis (X) to said second rolling device (304).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second element (104) extends along said reference rotation axis (X) between a first end side (124) and a second end side (126).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 10 when depending to any of the claims 6 to 9, wherein said first set of fastening devices (203a) is located closer to said first end side (124) of said second element (104) along said reference rotation axis (X) than said second set of fastening devices (203b) and said second set of fastening devices (203b) is located closer to said second end side (126) of said second element (104) along said reference rotation axis (X) than said first set of fastening devices (203a).
- The laundry washing machine (1) according to claim 11 when depending to any of the claims 8 to 10, wherein said first rolling device (302) is located closer to said first end side (124) of said second element (104) along said reference rotation axis (X) than said second rolling device (304) and said second rolling device (304) is located closer to said second end side (126) of said second element (104) along said reference rotation axis (X) than said first rolling device (302).
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17161831.7A EP3378983B1 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2017-03-20 | Laundry washing machine equipped with a bearing assembly for the washing drum |
PL17161831T PL3378983T3 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2017-03-20 | Laundry washing machine equipped with a bearing assembly for the washing drum |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17161831.7A EP3378983B1 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2017-03-20 | Laundry washing machine equipped with a bearing assembly for the washing drum |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3378983A1 EP3378983A1 (en) | 2018-09-26 |
EP3378983B1 true EP3378983B1 (en) | 2021-05-12 |
Family
ID=58387744
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17161831.7A Active EP3378983B1 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2017-03-20 | Laundry washing machine equipped with a bearing assembly for the washing drum |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3378983B1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3378983T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
PL3715522T3 (en) * | 2019-03-26 | 2022-09-12 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Washing drum for a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine equipped with such drum |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1010961A (en) * | 1961-01-02 | 1965-11-24 | Hoover Ltd | Improvements relating to connecting means |
US5105636A (en) * | 1991-01-03 | 1992-04-21 | White Consolidated Industries, Inc. | Bearing and seal system for fabric treatment machines |
ES2242470B1 (en) | 2002-11-06 | 2007-02-01 | Bsh Electrodomesticos España, S.A. | PLASTIC CUBE FOR DOMESTIC WASHERS. |
KR101156705B1 (en) * | 2005-02-05 | 2012-07-03 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Drum type washing machine |
IT1399001B1 (en) | 2010-03-25 | 2013-03-28 | Skf Ab | PRINTABLE SLEEVE. |
EP2671998A1 (en) * | 2012-06-04 | 2013-12-11 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Laundry machine |
-
2017
- 2017-03-20 PL PL17161831T patent/PL3378983T3/en unknown
- 2017-03-20 EP EP17161831.7A patent/EP3378983B1/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PL3378983T3 (en) | 2021-09-27 |
EP3378983A1 (en) | 2018-09-26 |
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