EP3492647A1 - Spraying unit and washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a spray unit (13) for spraying a spray into a laundry drum of a laundry treatment appliance (1). In order to simplify and reduce an outlay for the maintenance of the laundry treatment appliance (1), the spray unit (13) has a holding unit (25) which can be connected to a bearing plate (2) of the laundry treatment appliance (1) and a non-destructively releasably connected to the holding unit (25) Nozzle unit (26), wherein the nozzle unit (26) has a nozzle section (36) with at least one nozzle opening (37), on the outer lateral surface of which a driver contour (38) is formed.

Description

The invention relates to a spray unit for spraying a spray into a laundry drum of a laundry treatment appliance. Furthermore, the invention relates to a laundry treatment device having at least one end shield, a laundry drum and at least one spray unit arranged on the end shield for spraying a spray into the laundry drum.

A laundry treating appliance may be provided with a function for crumpling or smoothing laundry items. In this case, the creased laundry items located in the laundry drum are exposed to moisture while the laundry drum is rotated. In the case of carried laundry, the smell of the laundry items can be reduced at the same time. A corresponding laundry treatment device is for example from the European patent specification EP 2 504 482 B1 known.

An object of the invention is to simplify and reduce a cost for the maintenance of a laundry treatment device of the type mentioned.

This object is solved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are given in the following description, the dependent claims and the figures, said embodiments taken alone or in various combinations of at least two of these embodiments with each other can represent a further developing, especially preferred or advantageous, aspect of the invention. Embodiments of the spray unit may correspond to embodiments of the laundry treatment appliance, and vice versa, even if not explicitly indicated in the following case in individual cases.

A spray unit according to the invention for spraying a spray into a laundry drum of a laundry treatment appliance has a holding unit which can be connected to a bearing plate of the laundry treatment appliance and a nozzle unit which is non-destructively releasably connected to the holding unit, wherein the nozzle unit has a nozzle section with at least one nozzle opening, on whose outer lateral surface a driver contour is formed ,

According to the invention, the nozzle unit can be actuated via the driver contour formed on the nozzle section in order to release the non-destructive detachable connection between the nozzle unit and the holding unit. Since the nozzle section is arranged on the bearing plate facing the laundry drum because of the nozzle opening arranged thereon and thus is directly accessible, the nozzle unit can be actuated without a component of the laundry treatment device, for example a front wall, having to be removed in advance. It only has a door of the laundry treatment device over which the laundry drum is loaded with laundry, be pivoted into an open position. After releasing the connection between the nozzle unit and the holding unit, the nozzle unit can be detached or moved away from the holding unit in the direction of the laundry drum, for example by manual handling or the like, and subsequently removed from the laundry treating appliance, around the nozzle unit, in particular a nozzle opening and / or a fluid channel of the nozzle unit, outside of the laundry treatment device in a simple manner to be able to free impurities that would worsen the spray properties of the nozzle unit. The connection of the nozzle unit with the holding unit is carried out in reverse order, wherein the last connection between the nozzle unit and the holding unit is restored by an actuation of the nozzle portion and the cam contour formed thereon. Consequently, the cost of maintaining a laundry treatment device equipped with the spray unit according to the invention is simplified and reduced.

The holding unit is attached to the bearing plate. This can be done during assembly of the laundry treatment device together with the arranged on the holding unit nozzle unit, which simplifies the assembly. The holding unit may be partially or preferably completely made of a plastic. The holding unit may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing method or an injection molding method. The holding unit can, for example, be sealed off from the bearing plate by means of a sealing ring or the like in order to prevent a loss of process air which is passed through the laundry drum during a drying process.

The nozzle opening may be formed on the front side or laterally on the nozzle section of the nozzle unit. The nozzle opening is formed on the nozzle portion such that one of her outgoing spray, if necessary, through the loading opening of the laundry drum, is sprayed directly into the laundry drum. For example, the nozzle opening may be arranged such that with it the spray is sprayed obliquely from above into the laundry drum substantially in the direction of the axial center of the drum shell surface of the laundry drum. The nozzle portion may also have two or more corresponding nozzle openings. The nozzle portion may be cylindrical, in particular as a straight hollow cylinder.

The driver contour formed on the outer lateral surface of the nozzle section can be designed to actuate the nozzle section and thus of the nozzle unit by means of a tool. For example, the Mitnehmerkontur be designed as a hexagonal driving contour on which a wrench can attack. Alternatively, the driver contour may be unusual or specially designed and actuated exclusively with a special tool that is made available to a user of the laundry treatment appliance.

The nozzle unit may be partially or preferably completely made of a plastic. The holding unit may be manufactured using an additive manufacturing method or an injection molding method.

With the spray unit of the invention, a spray can be sprayed into a laundry drum of a laundry treating appliance to smooth laundry items contained in the laundry drum and possibly reduce their odor while the laundry drum is being rotated. For this purpose, according to the invention, no liquid is evaporated with the supply of heat, but it is fed to an approximately ambient temperature liquid under pressure of the nozzle opening and atomized by means of the nozzle opening. As a result, no energy for heating a liquid is required for the present invention, whereby the energy consumption of a suitably equipped laundry treatment appliance, in particular one in the form of a heat pump dryer, is reduced.

The present invention is advantageous over a spray unit that is integrally formed and attached to the end shield, for example, by a gasket, as it is not possible with such a spray unit to provide the spray unit without a preceding one Disassembly of a component of the laundry treating appliance to remove from the end shield to clean the spray unit.

The spray unit according to the invention can be combined with other components in order to form a spray device which can be installed in a laundry treatment device. For example, the spraying device may have a water tank communicating with the spraying unit, from which water can be taken, which is supplied to the nozzle opening. The water tank can be an additional component. Alternatively, the water tank may be a condensate collection container of the laundry treatment appliance, to which a condensation water is added in the laundry treatment appliance, in particular during a drying process on a heat exchanger (evaporator) of a heat pump. The receiving volume of the water tank may be dimensioned such that the amount of water storable in the water tank is sufficient only to carry out a single operation for smoothing laundry items present in the laundry drum. In addition, a filter can be arranged at an inlet opening of the water tank, with which dirt particles from a water supplied to the water tank are filtered out. This is particularly advantageous if the water is a condensate, which usually contains lint and the like. By filtering the water supplied to the water tank, the maintenance intervals for servicing the spraying device, in particular the spraying unit, are lengthened, in particular because there is less contamination of the nozzle opening of the spraying unit.

The spray device can also have water level sensors, for example water level electrodes, via which the current water level within the water tank can be detected. The water level sensors can be connected to an appliance electronics or program control of the laundry treatment appliance, which can be set up to start and carry out a process for smoothing laundry items contained in the laundry drum only if the water level in the water tank is above a predetermined lower limit.

Furthermore, the spraying device can have a pump which is connected via fluid lines, for example hoses, to the water tank and to the spray unit, with which the water can be supplied from the water tank to the spray unit.

The laundry treatment appliance with a corresponding spray device can have as accessories a refill container, for example a bottle, for filling water into the water tank. A user of the laundry treatment appliance can thus fill the water tank by means of the refill container. Depending on the configuration of the laundry treatment appliance, it may be necessary to first remove a component of the laundry treatment appliance arranged directly above the water tank, for example a condensate collecting tank, so that a filling opening of the water tank becomes accessible. A spout of the refill container is preferably adapted to the filling opening of the water tank, that the water can be filled without spilling into the water tank.

An appropriately designed spraying device can thus be modular and at least partially pre-assembled. As a result, the installation of the spray device is simplified in a laundry treatment device. In addition, the sprayer can be optionally installed optionally on a laundry treatment device. Furthermore, a simpler replacement of individual components or the entire spray device in case of repair is possible. The spray unit according to the invention can already be connected away from a production line for the laundry treatment device with other components of the spray device, so that a completely pre-assembled spray device can be installed on the production line, which simplifies the production cost.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the nozzle unit is positively or non-destructively releasably connected to the holding unit detachably. Both types of connection can be closed and released several times in a simple way. The frictional connection can be, for example, a screw.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the nozzle unit is connected via a bayonet lock non-destructively releasably connected to the holding unit. At least one receiving slot of the bayonet connection can be arranged on the holding unit and at least one projection which can be introduced or inserted into the receiving slot can be arranged on the nozzle unit or vice versa.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the nozzle unit has a connecting flange, of which the nozzle section protrudes axially on one side and at least one first connecting means is disposed on the side remote from the nozzle section, and in that the holding unit has at least one second connecting means cooperating with the first connecting means. The connecting means form the nondestructive releasable positive or non-positive connection between the nozzle unit and the holding unit. The first connecting means is arranged on the side facing away from the laundry drum side of the connecting flange, whereby the nozzle unit can be solved or solved after releasing the connection to the holding unit exclusively in the direction of the laundry drum of the holding unit. An outer diameter of the connecting flange is larger than an outer diameter of the nozzle portion.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the nozzle unit has a connection pin which projects axially from the connection flange on the side of the connection flange facing away from the nozzle section and is inserted into a fluid inlet channel of the holding unit, wherein a fluid channel runs through the connection pin, the connection flange and the nozzle section the nozzle opening is communicatively connected and terminates in the nozzle section. Preferably, the nozzle portion of the connecting flange and the connecting pin are monolithically connected to each other.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one circumferential seal is arranged radially and / or axially outside of the connection pin. As a result, the connection pin can be pressed into the fluid supply channel of the holding unit with elastic deformation of the seal, for example a sealing ring, whereby the nozzle unit is sealed against the holding unit. This prevents undesired discharge of the liquid to be supplied to the nozzle opening upstream of the nozzle opening, which could degrade the spray characteristics of the spray unit.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the holding unit is cup-shaped and has a bottom with the fluid inlet channel. The connecting flange can be supported axially on the bottom of the holding unit. The holding unit is designed to be open in the direction of the laundry drum. A coat connected circumferentially to the ground the holding unit may be chamfered at its free end to provide more space for a spray emerging from the nozzle opening.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one latching means for producing a latching connection between the holding unit and the bearing plate is formed on the holding unit. In this way, the holding unit and thus the spray unit can be attached in a simple manner without the use of a tool in a production line of the laundry treatment device to the bearing plate, which simplifies the production.

An inventive laundry treatment device has at least one end shield, a laundry drum and at least one arranged on the end shield sprayer for spraying a spray into the laundry drum, wherein the spray unit according to one of the aforementioned embodiments or a combination of at least two of these embodiments is formed together.

With the laundry treatment device, the advantages mentioned above with respect to the spray unit are connected accordingly. The end shield is in particular a front or front bearing shield, which is arranged on the side of a loading opening of the laundry drum. The laundry treatment appliance can be, for example, a tumble dryer, a washer-dryer or a washing machine. The laundry treatment appliance can have a heat pump that is thermally coupled to a process air cycle. In addition, the tumble dryer may have a condensate collection tank. The laundry treatment appliance may have a spraying device described above, which may be controlled by an appliance electronics to perform a process for smoothing laundry items located in the laundry drum.

Fig. 1

eine schematische und perspektivische Detaildarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels für ein erfindungsgemäßes Wäschebehandlungsgerät;

Fig. 2

eine weitere schematische und perspektivische Detaildarstellung des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Wäschebehandlungsgeräts in einem Montagezustand;

Fig. 3

eine weitere schematische und perspektivische Detaildarstellung des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Wäschebehandlungsgeräts in einem weiteren Montagezustand;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Wäschebehandlungsgeräts;

Fig. 5

eine schematische und perspektivische Darstellung der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Sprüheinheit;

Fig. 6

eine weitere schematische und perspektivische Darstellung der in Fig. 5 gezeigten Sprüheinheit; und

Fig. 7

eine schematische und perspektivische Schnittdarstellung der in den Fign. 5 und 6 gezeigten Düseneinheit.

In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the attached figures with reference to a preferred embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic and perspective detail of an embodiment of an inventive laundry treatment device;

Fig. 2

a further schematic and perspective detail of the in Fig. 1 shown laundry treatment appliance in an assembled state;

Fig. 3

a further schematic and perspective detail of the in Fig. 1 shown laundry treatment appliance in a further mounting state;

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 1 shown laundry treatment device;

Fig. 5

a schematic and perspective view of in Fig. 1 shown spray unit;

Fig. 6

a further schematic and perspective view of in Fig. 5 shown spray unit; and

Fig. 7

a schematic and perspective sectional view of the in the FIGS. 5 and 6 shown nozzle unit.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective detail of an embodiment of an inventive laundry treatment device 1 with a front-side bearing plate 2, a washing drum, not shown, and a spray device 3 for spraying a spray, not shown in the laundry drum.

The spray device 3 has a water tank 4, in which water can be stored, which is used to form the spray. The water tank 4 has a filling opening 5, via which the water tank 4 can be filled with water. Above the water tank 4, a condensate container shell 6 of the laundry treatment appliance 1 is arranged, in which a condensate collection tray, not shown, is inserted and the input side has a lint filter 7 and the output side opening into the filling opening 5 of the water tank 4 outlet 8.

Furthermore, the spraying device 3 has a sensor unit 9, which may have, for example, water level electrodes (not shown), via which the current water level within the water tank 4 can be detected. The sensor unit 9 can not with a device electronics Program control of the laundry treatment device 1 may be connected, which may be configured to start and perform a process for smoothing laundry contained in the laundry drum only when the water level in the water tank 4 is above a predetermined lower limit.

In addition, the spray device 3 has a connected via a hose 10 to the water tank 4 pump 11, with which the water from the water tank 4 can be pumped out to produce the spray.

In addition, the spray device 3 has a connected via a further hose 12 to the pump 11 spray unit 13 for spraying the spray into a laundry drum. The construction of the spray unit 13 will be described in connection with FIGS FIGS. 5 to 7 described.

The spray device 3 can be preassembled and then arranged on the bearing plate 2. The connection between the spray device 3 and the bearing plate 2 will be discussed in more detail in connection with FIGS. 2 to 4 described.

The laundry treatment appliance 1 has as accessories a refill container 14 for filling water into the water tank 4. To refill the water tank 4, the water can be filled through the lint filter 7 in the condensate container shell 6, from where the water passes under the action of gravity in the water tank 4. A spout, not shown, of the refilling container 14 is preferably adapted to the filling opening 5 of the water tank 4 or the lint filter 7 such that the water can be filled without spilling into the water tank 4 or the condensate container shell 6.

Fig. 2 shows a further schematic and perspective detail of the in Fig. 1 shown laundry treatment appliance 1 in an assembled state. It is shown the bearing plate 2, on which a fastening projection 15 and a support projection 16 are formed, whose functions FIGS. 3 and 4 becomes clear. Furthermore, an opening 17 is formed on the bearing plate 2, on which the spray unit, not shown, is arranged.

Fig. 3 shows a further schematic and perspective detail of the in Fig. 1 shown laundry treatment appliance 1 in a further mounting state. On the bearing plate 2, a mounting bracket 18 is arranged, which via a not shown fastening means which can be guided through an opening 19 on a fastening tab 20 of the mounting bracket 18 and secured to the mounting projection 16. The mounting bracket 18 has a receiving portion 21, in which the support portion 17 is partially inserted to additionally support the mounting bracket 18 on the bearing plate 2. Furthermore, the mounting bracket 18 has a two parallel webs 22 connected to the receiving portion 21, circular cylindrical-shaped mounting portion 23, whose function Fig. 4 becomes clear.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the in Fig. 1 shown laundry treatment appliance 1 in a further mounting state. The fastening means 24 is shown, via which the fastening flange 20 is fastened to the fastening projection 16. The water tank 4 has been clipped onto the attachment section 23 in a manner not shown or connected to the attachment section 23 via a latching or clamping connection (not shown). The spray unit, not shown, has been arranged on the opening of the bearing plate 2, not shown.

Due to the configuration of the connection between the water tank 4 and the attachment portion 23, the water tank 4 can be slightly tilted about a longitudinal center axis of the attachment portion 23, not shown. The final determination of the water tank 4 is effected by the arrangement of the condensate container shell 6 on the water tank. 4

Fig. 5 shows a schematic and perspective view of in Fig. 1 shown spray unit 13. The spray unit 13 has a connectable to the bearing shield, not shown holding unit 25 and a non-destructive releasably connected to the holding unit 25 nozzle unit 26. The nozzle unit 26 is positively connected, in particular via a bayonet lock, non-destructively releasably connected to the holding unit 25.

The holding unit 25 is cup-shaped and has a bottom 27 with a fluid inlet channel 28 and a surrounding inlet nozzle 29 and one with the ground 27 circumferentially connected, cylindrical shell 30 on. The holding unit 25 is in Fig. 5 from its closed to the bottom 27 side.

On the jacket 30, three radially outwardly facing support portions 31 are uniformly circumferentially offset from one another, over which the holding unit 25 can be supported on one of the laundry drum, not shown, the bearing plate side facing away from the bearing plate. The support portions 31 can cooperate with the bearing plate so that they are involved in the formation of a rotation, not shown, which prevents rotation of the holding unit 25 about its longitudinal central axis not shown relative to the bearing plate.

At the bottom 27, two connecting means 32 in the form of two diametrically opposed, circular arc-shaped openings are formed. On the holding unit 25 may be formed at least one not shown locking means for producing a latching connection between the holding unit 25 and the bearing plate. The inlet nozzle 29 has on the bottom side a widened portion 35 which is adapted to receive a in Fig. 7 shown connecting nozzle of the nozzle unit 26, at the one in Fig. 7 is shown seal is arranged.

From the nozzle unit 26, a circular connecting flange 33 is shown, which is supported on the bottom 27 of the holding unit 25. At the in Fig. 5 shown side of the connecting flange 33, two connecting means 34 are formed in the form of diametrically opposed hooks which are passed through the apertures 32 at the bottom 27 and in the illustrated rotational position of the nozzle unit 26 relative to the holding unit 25, the bottom 27 engage behind the nozzle unit 26 nondestructive releasably connected to the holding unit 25. Other portions of the nozzle unit 26 are in the FIGS. 6 and 7 shown.

Fig. 6 shows a further schematic and perspective view of in Fig. 1 It can be seen that the jacket 30 of the holding unit 25 is bevelled on the side facing away from the inlet nozzle 29 of the holding unit 25 side. On the inlet nozzle 29 of the holding unit 25 of the hose 12 is attached.

The nozzle unit 26 has a nozzle section 36 with a nozzle opening 37, on the outer lateral surface of which a driver contour 38 in the form of a hexagonal nut is formed. The nozzle portion 36 projects axially from the connecting flange 33 of the nozzle unit 26 on one side.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic and perspective sectional view of the in the FIGS. 5 and 6 The nozzle unit 26 has a connecting piece 39 which projects axially from the connecting flange 33 on the side of the connecting flange 33 facing away from the nozzle section 36 and in which Fig. 5 shown fluid inlet channel of in FIGS. 5 and 6 shown holding unit or in the in Fig. 5 shown widening can be inserted at the inlet nozzle of the holding unit. Through the connecting piece 39, the connecting flange 33 and the nozzle portion 36 extends a fluid passage 40, with which the nozzle opening 37 is communicatively connected and terminates in the nozzle portion 36. Radially outside a circumferential seal 41 is arranged on the connecting piece 39.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Laundry treatment device

2

end shield

3

sprayer

4

water tank

5

Inlet opening of 4

6

Condensate tank shell

7

lint filter

8th

outlet

9

sensor unit

10

tube

11

pump

12

tube

13

spray

14

refill

15

Fastening projection of 2

16

Support projection of 2

17

Opening at 2

18

mounting bracket

19

Breakthrough at 20

20

Fastening strap of 18

21

Recording section of 18

22

Footbridge of 18

23

Attachment section of 18

24

fastener

25

holding unit

26

nozzle unit

27

Ground of 25

28

Fluid inlet channel of 25

29

Inlet pipe of 25

30

Coat of 25

31

Support section of 25

32

Connecting means of 25

33

Connecting flange of 26

34

Connecting means of 26

35

Expansion of 29

36

Nozzle section of 26

37

Nozzle opening at 36

38

Driver contour at 36

39

Connecting piece of 26

40

fluid channel

41

poetry

Claims (9)

A spray unit (13) for spraying a spray into a laundry drum of a laundry treatment appliance (1), characterized by a holding unit (25) which can be connected to a bearing plate (2) of the laundry treatment appliance (1) and a nozzle unit (26) which is non-destructively releasably connected to the holding unit (25) ), wherein the nozzle unit (26) has a nozzle section (36) with at least one nozzle opening (37), on the outer lateral surface of which a driver contour (38) is formed. Spray unit (13) according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle unit (26) is positively or non-positively releasably non-destructive releasably connected to the holding unit (25). Spray unit (13) according to claim 2, characterized in that the nozzle unit (26) via a bayonet lock non-destructive releasably connected to the holding unit (25). Spray unit (13) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the nozzle unit (26) has a connecting flange (33) from which the nozzle section (36) projects axially on one side and at least one side facing away from the nozzle section (36) first connecting means (34) is arranged, and that the holding unit (25) has at least one with the first connecting means (34) cooperating second connecting means (32). Spray unit (13) according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle unit (26) has a connecting pin (39) which projects axially from the connecting flange (33) on the side of the connecting flange (33) facing away from the nozzle section (36) and into one Fluid inlet channel (28) of the holding unit (25) is inserted, wherein through the connecting pin (39), the connecting flange (33) and the nozzle portion (36) a fluid passage (40) extends, with which the nozzle opening (37) is communicatively connected and the in the nozzle section (36) ends. Spray unit (13) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one circumferential seal (41) is arranged radially and / or axially outside of the connection pin (39). Spray unit (13) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the holding unit (25) is cup-shaped and has a bottom (27) with the fluid inlet channel (28). Spray unit (13) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the holding unit (25) at least one latching means for producing a latching connection between the holding unit (25) and the bearing plate (2) is formed. Laundry treatment device (1) with at least one end shield (2), a laundry drum and at least one spray unit (13) arranged on the end shield (2) for spraying a spray into the laundry drum, characterized in that the spray unit (13) according to one of claims 1 is formed to 8.

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