EP3502343A1 - Drum for a washing machine, washing machine and method for producing the drum - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a drum 1 for a laundry treatment device, comprising a cylinder jacket 2, which has a seam 3 in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket 2, and at least one side wall 4, the cylinder jacket 2 having at least one of its ends by means of a fold 5 with a side wall 4 is connected, and wherein a plastic part 7 covering the fold 5 at least on one fold top 6 is applied along the fold 5. The invention also relates to a method for producing the drum 1 and a laundry treatment device containing this drum 1.

Description

The invention relates to a drum for a laundry treatment appliance, a laundry treatment appliance and a method for producing the drum. The invention particularly relates to a drum for a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a cylinder jacket which has a seam in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket, and at least one side wall, wherein the cylinder jacket at at least one of its ends by means of a fold, which can also be referred to as flanging is connected to a side wall, a method of manufacturing this drum, and a laundry treating apparatus containing this drum.

Laundry treating appliances generally include an aforementioned drum with a crimp. This applies in particular to tumble dryers, referred to herein as dryers, which are mentioned here by way of example. Dryers have a drum for receiving laundry items. This drum moves while performing a laundry treatment program. In general, the drum runs on wheels or rollers (referred to herein as "rollers") on which it is rotatably mounted about an axis substantially horizontally mounted. The drive of the drum is usually done by a belt drive. The drum may have an integrated back wall, which thus rotates with the rotation of the drum, or a standing back wall. In an integrated rear wall, a drum rotation axis can be mounted, so that in the case of the integrated rear wall frequently two rollers are sufficient, which are in contact with the front end of the drum. However, sometimes four roles are used. In the case of a standing back wall, four rollers are generally used.

The rollers have the function of supporting the drum, especially in dryers. So far, the rollers were mounted below the front end of the drum located end plate. However, there is a tendency for larger loadings of the drum with laundry items. For a larger weight loaded with laundry drum another storage of the drum would make sense. Advantageous storage would take place over the crimping of the drum, with the crimp being the area where the drum shell is connected to a side wall. ever depending on whether the drum has an integrated or standing back wall, there are either one or two flanges. In this solution, the rollers would run on the flange and not on the front floor. When flanging, however, there is the peculiarity that the surface of the flange, herein in particular referred to as fold, is no longer smooth after flanging. For low rolling noise when rotating the drum on the rollers, however, in addition to the roundness of the drum, the roundness and smooth nature of the flange is important. The drums should run smoothly for low noise and smooth running for as long as possible.

The publication DE 11 2009 001 081 B4 describes a clothes dryer with a drum rotatably mounted in the housing and a roller disposed below the drum and configured to support the drum, the roller being mounted on a roller axle by a ball bearing. Among other things, the roller has a special roller frame with several concave-convex sections and a specially designed outer wheel section. Thus, a drum of the tumble dryer should be particularly well supported, the role is configured to withstand even a large load. The life of the roll should be extended by preventing a stress concentration by increasing a contact area between the roll and the drum.

The publication WO 2004/005603 A1 describes a washing machine drum comprising a cylindrical wall provided with a plurality of flood holes and connected at its ends by means of a rebate to a rear side wall and a front side wall, along the rebate embossed, which is in all sheet metal layers which forms the fold.

The publication WO 2015/058962 A1 describes a method for attaching an imbalance compensation device to a laundry drum, an arrangement for a household appliance and a household appliance. In this case, the imbalance compensation device is used in a circumferentially formed recording of the laundry drum, wherein an educated on a housing of the imbalance compensation extension is heated and plastically deformed so that the extension engages behind a receiving wall of the laundry drum. Deformation includes that of the extension about an axial Front edge of the axially disposed wall is bent. In one embodiment of the method, a protrusion, which is formed on a side of the wall facing away from the receptacle and away in the direction away from the receptacle, in particular in the radial direction outwards, is engaged behind the projection when the extension is deformed. As a projection in particular a fold of the wall is engaged behind by the extension.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a drum with at least one fold and a laundry treatment device, in particular a dryer, in which the drum has a better surface finish along its fold or rabbet. Preferably, the drum when running in a dryer even when rolling on rollers that are arranged along a fold, run smoothly.

The solution of this object is achieved according to this invention by a drum and a laundry treatment appliance and a method for producing the drum with the features of the respective independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the drum according to the invention are listed in dependent claims, wherein preferred embodiments of the drum according to the invention correspond to preferred embodiments of the laundry treating appliance according to the invention and the process for their preparation and vice versa, even if this is not explicitly stated herein.

The invention thus relates to a drum for a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a cylinder jacket, which has a seam in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket, and at least one side wall, wherein the cylinder jacket is connected at at least one of its ends by means of a fold with a side wall, and wherein a plastic part covering the fold is applied along the fold, at least on a fold top.

In a preferred embodiment, the plastic part is a foil made of a thermoplastic or comprises these. In this case, the film preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 1 mm.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plastic part comprises a plastic molded body. It is again preferred that the plastics molding has a profile at least on a lower side facing the fold. Such a profile is used, in particular, to ensure that the plastics molding not only completely covers the fold, but also extends flat beyond the fold and can thus increase a running surface for rolls.

The plastic molding may be in one piece or consist of at least two, preferably three parts. If the plastic molding has at least two parts, it is easier to attach a more complex plastic molding along the fold.

In the case of the drum according to the invention, the plastic part preferably contains polyethylene or consists of polyethylene.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic part covers the fold on the fold top and the fold bottom. It is preferred that the plastic part engages around the fold from the top of the rabbet to the bottom of the fold.

In view of the use of the plastic part as a rolling surface for rollers, it is preferred in the drum according to the invention that the plastic part in the part covering the fold of its top, i. his facing away from the fold surface is flat.

Moreover, it is inventively preferred that a width b _K of the plastic part covering the fold is at least 1.5 times the width b _{F of} the fold, more preferably at least twice the width b _{F of} the fold.

Thus, a fold in the context of the invention generally has a width b _F in the range of 4 to 8 mm, in particular in the range of 5 to 7 mm. Advantageously, then the plastic part covering the fold have a width b _K in the range of 15 to 25 mm, in particular in the range of 18 to 22 mm.

1. (a) Bereitstellen der Trommel mit einem unbedeckten Falz; und
2. (b) Aufbringen des Kunststoffteils auf zumindest der Falzoberseite durch Verkleben des Kunststoffteils mit der Falz oder durch Aufschrumpfen des Kunststoffteils auf die Falz.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a drum for a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a cylinder jacket, which has a seam in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket, and at least one side wall, wherein the cylinder jacket is connected at at least one of its ends by means of a fold with a side wall and along the fold is a plastic part covering the fold covering at least one rabbet top, comprising the steps

1. (a) providing the drum with an uncovered fold; and
2. (b) applying the plastic part on at least the top of the rabbet by gluing the plastic part to the fold or by shrinking the plastic part onto the fold.

The term "shrinking" is to be understood broadly. Essentially, this means a process step in which a plastic part which generally contains a thermoplastic material is sufficiently heated and thus softened in order to be attached to the fold. After cooling and thus contraction of the thermoplastic material then there is a firm connection between plastic part and fold.

The heating of the plastic part can be done in various ways, for example, by ultrasound.

In a preferred embodiment of this method, the plastic part is a film of a thermoplastic material and is applied by shrinking on the fold. For films shrinking is particularly easy.

In a further preferred embodiment of this method, the plastic part is a plastic molded body which has a profile at least on one side facing the fold and is applied to the fold by gluing or shrinking the plastic part.

When the plastic part is a plastic molded body, heating usually can not achieve softening to the same extent as with a film. For complex plastic moldings, it may therefore be appropriate to prepare them in advance in several parts, usually by injection molding, and then assemble them at the fold. Finally, the subject of the invention is also a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a drum for receiving laundry items to be treated, wherein the drum comprises a cylinder jacket, which has a seam in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket, and at least one side wall, wherein the cylinder jacket at at least one of its ends is connected by means of a fold with a side wall, and wherein along the fold a the fold is applied at least on a rabbet top plastic part.

The laundry treatment appliance according to the invention is not limited as long as it can have a drum according to the invention. However, since the drum according to the invention also has improved running properties on rollers, the laundry treatment device is preferably a dryer. Such a dryer comprises a housing as well as a drum according to the invention rotatably mounted within the housing for receiving items of laundry rotatably mounted about an axis, the drum being in contact with at least two roller devices, in particular rollers, during operation of the dryer.

The invention has several advantages. Thus, in general, the curl is protected in a drum by the plastic part, in particular, any existing openings can be covered with. In addition, the invention has the advantage that the fold has a better stability even at high loads on the drum and less prone to possible deflection and opening over time.

In addition, such a drum can be used particularly advantageously in a dryer as an embodiment of a laundry treatment appliance according to the invention. A drum according to the invention allows in such a dryer a lower rolling noise, so a lower noise. In addition, leakage losses are lower, since openings that often occur in the edge region in the manufacture of a drum shell, can be covered with. In addition, the wear of the rollers used in the dryer may be less if the tread, ie the top of the plastic part is made flat.

• Fig. 1 zeigt ein Foto eines Ausschnitts aus einer herkömmlichen Trommel, bei welcher kein Kunststoffteil auf dem Falz angeordnet ist.
• Fig. 2 zeigt schematisch eine Zeichnung der perspektivischen Ansicht der herkömmlichen Trommel von Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 zeigt schematisch eine Zeichnung der perspektivischen Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Trommel, bei welcher ein Kunststoffteil, hier eine Folie, auf dem Falz angeordnet ist.
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine perspektivische Schnittansicht durch einen mit einer Folie bedeckten Falz.
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf einen Schnitt durch einen mit einer Folie bedeckten Falz.
• Fig. 6 zeigt einen Ausschnitt aus einer erfindungsgemäßen Trommel mit einer Folie auf dem Falz.
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine perspektivische Schnittansicht durch einen mit einem Kunststoffformkörper bedeckten Falz.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of a drum according to the invention, which can be used in a laundry treatment appliance according to the invention, in particular dryer. Reference is made to the FIGS. 1 to 7

• Fig. 1 shows a photo of a section of a conventional drum, in which no plastic part is arranged on the fold.
• Fig. 2 schematically shows a drawing of the perspective view of the conventional drum of Fig. 1 ,
• Fig. 3 schematically shows a drawing of the perspective view of a drum according to the invention, in which a plastic part, here a film, is arranged on the fold.
• Fig. 4 shows a perspective sectional view through a foil-covered fold.
• Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a section through a foil-covered fold.
• Fig. 6 shows a section of a drum according to the invention with a film on the fold.
• Fig. 7 shows a perspective sectional view through a covered with a plastic molding fold.

Fig. 1 shows a photo of a section of a conventional drum 1, in which no plastic part is arranged on the fold 5. The coarse structure of the folding surface 6 is clearly visible. If this creasing surface were used as a tread for rollers, for example in a dryer, it would result in a non-uniform running, which would lead to a noise and increased wear. 12 here means an opening in the cylinder jacket 2 of the drum 1. Marked here is an area over which a film with a width b _K would extend beyond the fold 5. The opening 12 would in this case be covered by the film.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a drawing of the perspective view of the conventional drum 1 of Fig. 1 with a side wall 4 and a cylinder jacket 2, which are connected to each other via a fold 5. 12 here means an opening in the cylinder jacket 2 of the drum 1. 11 is the end wall, which is usually in driers with conventional drums the tread for used for storage of the drum during rotation roles.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a drawing of the perspective view of a drum 1 according to the invention with a side wall 4 and a cylinder jacket 2, which are connected to each other via a not further recognizable fold. Here, a film 8 is arranged on the fold as a plastic part. In the Fig. 2 shown opening in the cylinder jacket 2 is covered by the film 8 here.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective sectional view through a covered with a film 8 fold 5. Well visible here is the arrangement of side wall 4 and cylinder jacket 2 in the fold. The film 8 covers here the fold 5 on the seam top 6 and the bottom fold side 7. In addition, the film 8 surrounds the fold 5 of the top seam 6 to the bottom fold side 7th

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a section through a covered with a film 8 fold 5. Well visible here is the arrangement of side wall 4 and cylinder jacket 2 in the fold. The film 8 covers here the fold 5 on the seam top 6 and the bottom fold side 7. In addition, the film 8 surrounds the fold 5 of the top seam 6 to the bottom fold side 7th

Fig. 6 shows a section of a drum according to the invention with a film 8 on the fold. The film 8 covers here an opening in the seam 3. 11 means the front floor of the drum.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective sectional view through a covered with a plastic molded body 9 fold 5. The plastic molded body 9 is formed in the fold 5 covering part of its upper surface flat, surrounds the fold 5 of the Falzoberseite 6 to Falzunterseite 7 and covers the fold 5 on the Falzoberseite. 6 Well recognizable here is the arrangement of side wall 4 and cylinder jacket 2 in the fold 5. In addition, it can be seen that a width b _K of the fold. 5 covering plastic molding 9 is at least 1.5 times the width b _{F of} the fold 5. Thus, the molded plastic body 9 for use in a dryer a wider tread for roles. For this purpose, the plastic molded body 9 has a profile on a lower side 10 facing the fold 5.

reference numeral

1

drum

2

cylinder surface

3

Seam (in the cylinder jacket)

4

Side wall

5

fold; flanging

6

Falzoberseite

7

Plastic part

8th

foil

9

Plastic moldings

10

Bottom (of the plastic molding)

11

front base

12

Opening in the seam in the cylinder jacket

Claims (15)

Drum (1) for a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a cylinder jacket (2) which has a seam (3) in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket (2) and at least one side wall (4), the cylinder jacket (2) on at least one of its Ends by means of a fold (5) with a side wall (4) is connected, characterized in that along the fold (5) the fold (5) at least on a folding top (6) covering plastic part (7) is applied. Drum (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic part (7) is a film (8) made of a thermoplastic material or comprises. Drum (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the film (8) has a thickness in the range of 0.3 to 1 mm. Drum (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plastic part (7) comprises a plastic molded body (9). Drum (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the plastic molded body (9) has a profile at least on one of the fold (5) facing bottom (10). Drum (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the plastic molded body (9) consists of at least two, preferably three parts. Drum (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plastic part (7) contains polyethylene or consists of polyethylene. Drum (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plastic part (7) covers the fold (5) on the top of the fold (6) and the lower fold side (7). Drum (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the plastic part (7) engages around the fold (5) from the folded upper side (6) to the lower fold side (7). Drum (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the plastic part (7) in the fold (5) covering part of its upper side is designed flat. Drum (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a width b _K of the fold (5) covering the plastic part (7) is at least 1.5 times the width b _{F of} the fold (5). Method for producing a drum (1) for a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a cylinder jacket (2) which has a seam (3) in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket (2) and at least one side wall (4), wherein the cylinder jacket (2) at least at one of its ends by means of a fold (5) with a side wall (4) is connected, and along the fold (5) the fold (5) at least on a folding top (6) covering plastic part (7) is applied, comprising steps (a) providing the drum (1) with an uncovered fold; and (B) applying the plastic part (7) on at least the folding top (6) by gluing the plastic part (7) with the fold (5) or by shrinking the plastic part (7) on the fold (5). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the plastic part (7) is a film (8) made of a thermoplastic material and is applied by shrinking on the fold (5). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the plastic part (7) is a plastic molded body (9) which has a profile at least on one of the fold (5) facing bottom (10) and by gluing or shrinking of the plastic part (9) on the Fold (5) is applied. Laundry treatment appliance comprising a drum (1) for receiving laundry items to be treated, the drum (1) having a cylinder jacket (2) which has a seam (3) in the direction of the width of the cylinder jacket (2) and at least one side wall (4) ), wherein the cylinder jacket (3) at at least one of its ends by means of a fold (5) with a side wall (4) is connected, characterized in that along the fold (5) a fold (5) at least on a folding top ( 6) covering plastic part (7) is applied.

Images