EP3546637A1 - Laundry treatment appliance, preferably laundry dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance (1), preferably a tumble dryer (1), having a housing front side (10) with a process air opening (14) and with a blower opening (16), wherein the process air opening (14) and the blower opening (16) in the Width (Y) by a substantially vertical front wall web (18) of the housing front side (10) are separated from each other, wherein the process air opening (14) has a heat exchanger flap (13) which is designed to close the process air opening (14) in the closed state, wherein the fan opening (16) has a fan cover (15) adapted to close the fan opening (16) in the closed state, and wherein the heat exchanger door (13) and the fan cover (15) are formed in the closed state in width (Y) between them form a vertical gap (17), which in the depth (X) viewed from the front in front of the front wall web (18) is arranged. The laundry treatment appliance (1) is characterized by a locking holder (2) which is arranged and formed in the depth (X) behind the front wall web (18), the heat exchanger flap (13) and / or the fan cover (15) in the closed state, bypassing to keep the front wall web (18).

Description

The invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance, preferably a tumble dryer, according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a locking holder for use in such a laundry treatment appliance according to claim 18.

In many electrical appliances today, the user is very vigilant about energy efficiency, so that the energy efficiency of an electrical appliance during operation can be a significant factor in the purchase decision of the user as the end customer. This also applies to household appliances in general and in particular household appliances such. Clothes dryer or washer-dryer, which may have a comparatively high energy consumption during operation.

In order to achieve the highest possible energy efficiency during operation in tumble dryers and washer dryers, they are usually designed as heat pump dryers, since heat pumps can in principle be operated comparatively energy-efficiently. Heat pump laundry dryers and heat pump wash dryers are therefore widely used on the market.

A heat pump basically consists of a closed heat pump cycle with a compressor (also called a compressor), a condenser (also called a condenser), a throttle such as a compressor. an expansion valve or a capillary and an evaporator. These elements can also be referred to as a refrigeration cycle or heat pump cycle. Through this heat pump cycle, the process air of the clothes dryer can be removed from the moisture that was previously removed from the laundry.

From the point of view of the process air cycle, this is considered to be the temperature previously dehumidified and heated by the heat pump cycle, i. dried and heated process air via a blower of the heat pump cycle, the process air blower, passed through an air supply duct in a laundry drum of the clothes dryer. In the laundry drum, the laundry to be dried is usually moved by means of a drum drive by rotation, so that the process air can reach the laundry as completely and uniformly as possible. The process air absorbs moisture from the laundry and dries it. The moist process air then returns to the heat pump cycle via an air return duct.

Within the heat pump, the moisture extracted from the process air is condensed in the evaporator and discharged in liquid form as condensate to the outside.

The energy extracted from the process air is then returned to the process air through the condenser, so that the process air can be dehumidified and heated, leaving the heat pump cycle in the direction of the laundry drum. The cycle of the process air is closed in this way in turn.

The heat pump is usually arranged on a so-called base plate of the tumble dryer and forms together with the base plate, the bottom module of the tumble dryer. The process air duct with the evaporator and the condenser of the heat pump cycle are usually arranged on the left side of the base plate. On the right side there are usually the compressor and the throttle of the heat pump cycle as well as the process air blower, which circulates the process air of the process air cycle.

In order to make the process air duct accessible for cleaning, maintenance and / or repair, a closed flap is usually located on the front side of the tumble dryer on the left, through the opening of which the process air duct or a filter disposed in front of it reaches a user or a service employee can be. This flap can therefore also be referred to as a process air flap or as a heat exchanger flap. The corresponding opening can be referred to as process air opening.

In the right-hand area of the front side of the tumble dryer, a slotted cover is usually present, through which ambient air can pass to the components of the heat pump cycle located there in order to cool it. This cover can also be removed by a user or a service employee for cleaning, maintenance and / or repair in order, for example, to remove the cover. to reach the compressor, the throttle and the process air blower. This cover can also be referred to as a fan cover. The corresponding opening can be called a blower opening.

Usually, the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover are each hinged in width outside hingedly on the front of the housing of the clothes dryer. Facing one another, the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover can be releasably secured in the closed state respectively on a front wall web of the housing of the clothes dryer, so that they can be pivoted laterally outwards for opening. The front wall web is perpendicular in height and separates the process air opening and the fan opening in width from each other.

When closed, the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover in the width between their facing edges form a vertical gap, which is covered from the inside or from behind through the front wall web of the clothes dryer. At the same time, the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover in the depth flush with each other as well as with the front wall of the housing of the tumble dryer. This is intended to improve the visual impression of the two flaps for the user.

The two flaps is of particular importance to the visual impression of the tumble dryer, since the front of the tumble dryer usually has no other elements except for the control panel and the door of the laundry drum. Therefore, the two flaps can attract the user comparatively strong. Furthermore, clothes dryers are usually designed white, so that any contours and elements can visually appear particularly clearly in appearance.

Thus, if the two flaps have different depths, the user can notice this comparatively clearly. This is all the more true for unequal positioning of the two flaps in height and / or in width. This also applies to a non-parallel course of the two flaps to each other, which can lead to a vertical wedge-shaped gap between the two flaps. This can make the user visually particularly noticeable when using the tumble dryer and the associated consideration of the front of the tumble dryer. These visual abnormalities can be interpreted by the user as a quality defect of the tumble dryer, which can either deter him from buying or in retrospect can cause a worse evaluation of the purchased clothes dryer.

These dimensional inaccuracies of the arrangement of the two flaps can be caused by the fact that the front wall bar is usually enamelled, whereby the front wall bar can be subjected to strong variations in depth. By enamelling the front wall web can thus be subject to strong Maßschwankungen that can lead to the negative effects described above on the visual appearance of the closed flaps. More specifically, this can lead to unequal depths of the two flaps as well as to a non-parallel and perpendicular wedge-shaped gap between the two flaps.

To prevent this, the positioning of the two flaps could be improved, for example, by additional positioning aids, which could be arranged or formed on the front wall web. However, this is prevented by the enamelling, since the dimensional inaccuracies of the front wall web also affect this attached positioning aids and the disadvantages caused by this could not be resolved.

Alternatively, the one flap could cover the other flap in the closed state, so that a gap between the two closed flaps could be avoided. However, this would require major changes in construction. Also this would be a flush closure of both flaps are prevented in the depth of the tumble dryer, which can be perceived by the user for visual reasons as very disturbing.

Alternatively, it would be possible to increase the gap between the two closed flaps in width to conceal the tolerances. However, this would emphasize the gap optically stronger, which for optical reasons may not be desired.

Alternatively, the two flaps could also be held by means of horizontal hinges. However, this can lead to significant design changes of the two flaps, which can mean a corresponding effort. This can also irritate a user, if he is used to swiveling flaps so far. Furthermore, horizontal hinges may require a larger space, which may adversely affect the design of the tumble dryer.

An example of a household appliance with several adjacent flaps with horizontal hinges is from the US 2013/038874 A1 known. The flaps are partially superimposed and juxtaposed so as to form a gap between the flaps. To set a uniform vertical and horizontal slit image and the orientation of the flaps to each other the valves are each assigned separate adjustment mechanisms.

The invention thus raises the problem of providing a laundry treatment device, preferably a tumble dryer, of the type described above, so that a parallel and preferably narrow gap can be created between the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover. Alternatively or additionally, the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover should be flush with each other as far as possible in the width and / or height and / or with the front of the housing of the laundry treatment device in depth. This should be achieved as simply as possible, durable, reproducible and / or cost. At least an alternative to known such laundry treatment appliances should be created.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a laundry treatment appliance, preferably by a tumble dryer, having the features of patent claim 1 and by a locking holder having the features of patent claim 18. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

Thus, the present invention relates to a laundry treatment device, preferably a clothes dryer, with a front side of the housing with a process air opening and with a Blower opening, wherein the process air opening and the blower opening are separated in width by a substantially vertical front wall web of the front of the housing, the process air opening having a heat exchanger flap, which is designed to close the process air opening in the closed state, wherein the blower opening has a fan cover, which is formed to close the blower opening in the closed state, and wherein the heat exchanger flap and the blower cover are formed to form in the closed state in the width between them a vertical gap, which is arranged in front of the front wall web viewed in depth from the front.

Such laundry treatment devices are known from the prior art and have the disadvantages described above, since the enamelled front wall web usually subject to strong Maßschwankungen, which are transferred in the closed state on the heat exchanger flap and on the fan cover and a non-parallel web between the other facing edges of the heat exchanger flap and fan cover can lead.

According to the invention, these disadvantages are addressed in that a locking holder is provided, which is arranged in the depth behind the front wall web and designed to hold the heat exchanger flap and or or the fan cover in the closed state, bypassing the front wall web. In other words, a contact between the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover with the front wall web is bypassed by the locking holder is formed as an adapter and arranged so as to make a defined contact of the heat exchanger flap and fan cover with the front of the laundry treatment device. Although this leads to another component, which must be produced and complained. However, this can overcome the disadvantages described above, which may justify the additional expense due to the improved visual appearance of the front of the laundry treating appliance.

In other words, by the locking holder, a second web can be provided, which is arranged parallel to the front wall web inside behind this and has no contact with the front wall web, so that its Maßschwankungen can not affect the mounting and positioning of the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover. Details of the lock holder are described in more detail below.

Preferably, the locking holder is made of plastic, in order to keep the additional weight as low as possible. This can preferably be done particularly cost-effectively as an injection molded part.

Preferably, the heat exchanger flap and the fan cover are held in the width laterally outwardly by at least one hinge on the housing front side of the laundry treatment appliance, so that their lateral edges in the closed state facing each other and rest parallel to each other on the front of the housing and form the perpendicular gap between them can.

According to one aspect of the invention, the lock holder has a central portion which extends substantially in height, the central portion having an upper head portion and a lower head portion, which are each formed in depth to the inside of the front of the housing excellent, wherein the lock holder with his upper head area and with its lower head area in the depth of the inside and in the height respectively below and above the front wall ridge on the inside of the front of the housing rests. In other words, the lock holder is bulged at its central portion so that the central portion of the lock holder is sufficiently spaced in depth from the front wall land so as not to contact each other.

In this way it can be prevented that the strong dimensional fluctuations of the front wall web are transmitted via the locking holder to the heat exchanger flap and to the fan cover. At the same time, a secure and defined positioning and mounting of the locking holder via its two head regions on the inside of the front of the housing of the laundry treatment device can be done where there are no such Maßschwankungen. In this way, a defined positioning of the locking holder relative to the front of the housing of the laundry treatment device can be carried out, which can be transmitted via the locking holder on the heat exchanger flap and on the fan cover, as will be described in more detail below.

The two head areas or at least one of the two head areas can preferably be held by means of adhesion to the inside of the housing front side of the laundry treatment appliance. In this case, this assembly step can be carried out under the guidance of the locking holder to be glued e.g. by means of a corresponding device, so that a defined positioning of the locking holder can be ensured via its two head regions on the inside of the front of the housing of the laundry treatment device, which can then be maintained by the bond at least for the purpose of assembly. Preferably, the glued lock holder can be additionally held positively in a subsequent step, as will be described in more detail below.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the upper head region and / or the lower head region in the depth from the inside of at least one respective element, preferably of at least one air guide element, of the laundry treatment appliance held. In this way, the locking holder can be positively held over its two head regions or at least over one of its two head regions by another element, so that a secure hold of the defined positioning can be ensured during operation and as long as possible.

For this purpose, preferably an air guide element such. a portion or a component of the lateral or upper boundary of the process air duct are used to cover this function by means of an already existing component, so that it is possible to dispense with additional components. This can simplify the implementation of this holder and make the application of the lock holder cost.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least one respective elastic compensating element is arranged in the depth between the upper head region and or or the lower head region and the respective element. In this way, dimensional inaccuracies can be compensated at this point by the elastic compensation element and a predetermined minimum force can be applied to the respective head region in order to keep it safe.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the central region is arranged substantially in the width outside the process air opening and / or the blower opening. In other words, the locking holder is arranged behind the front wall web, so that the locking holder is viewed from the front as completely as possible covered by the front wall web and thus protrudes as little as possible in the process air opening and or or in the fan opening. As a result, the process air opening and / or the blower opening can be left as completely as possible of the lock holder in order to interfere as little as possible by the locking holder and reduce the air flow desired there.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably its central region, at least a first positioning member for the heat exchanger flap, which is adapted to receive a corresponding holding element of the heat exchanger flap so that the heat exchanger flap both in width and in height in a defined position can be kept. This can be realized for example via a projection of the locking holder, which extends in the depth forward and can be encompassed in width and in height by a corresponding holding element of the heat exchanger flap in the form of an opening. As a result, both in width and in height, a positive fit can be achieved, which thus also the positioning of the heat exchanger flap at this point relative to the locking holder and thus also with respect to the front of the housing laundry treatment device pretend. This can contribute to a predetermined orientation of the heat exchanger flap with respect to the housing front side of the laundry treatment appliance and with respect to the fan cover or improve it. Alternatively, the first positioning element of the locking holder and the corresponding holding element of the heat exchanger flap can also be formed in reverse.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably the central region thereof, has at least one second heat exchanger flap positioning element, which is designed to receive a corresponding holding element of the heat exchanger flap, so that the heat exchanger flap can be held in a defined position at least in width , Wherein the two positioning elements for the heat exchanger flap are arranged offset from each other at least in height. The second positioning of the locking holder and its corresponding holding element of the heat exchanger flap may be similar to the first positioning element or otherwise formed.

In any case, preferably only by means of the second positioning element of the locking holder a defined positioning in the width, since this alignment is more relevant for a vertical gap between the edges of the heat exchanger flap and the housing cover as parallel as possible as the orientation in height. At the same time, clamping in height can be prevented by having the second positioning member of the lock holder in the direction of a certain tolerance. This can be achieved, for example, by an elongate configuration of the interacting contact partners of locking holder and heat exchanger flap.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably its central region, at least one spacer element for the heat exchanger flap, which is designed to support the heat exchanger flap in such depth from the inside, so that the heat exchanger flap can be kept in depth in a defined position , This can allow a defined positioning of the heat exchanger flap in the depth, so that as flush as possible conclusion of the closed heat exchanger flap with the front of the housing and / or with the closed fan cover can be achieved. This can be easily implemented in that the closed heat exchanger flap abuts in the depth of the spacer and thus can not be moved to the front of the housing of the laundry treatment device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably the central region thereof, comprises at least a pair of heat exchanger flap spacer elements, each being formed, in depth of the heat exchanger flap support inside, so that the heat exchanger flap can be kept in depth in a defined position, wherein the two spacer elements for the heat exchanger flap are arranged offset from each other at least in height. In this way, the above-described effect of the spacer can be improved by this function is implemented in at least two places, so that the closed heat exchanger flap can be supported from the rear surface. This can reinforce the advantages described above or make them more effective surface. This can be favored in particular by the fact that the spacing elements are arranged offset in height to one another and therefore a laterally pivotable heat exchanger flap can be repeatedly supported there from the inside, where it is the most mobile and therefore may have the greatest inaccuracies in the positioning.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least one spacer element for the heat exchanger flap has a latching receptacle which is designed to receive a corresponding catch element of the heat exchanger flap in such a way that the heat exchanger flap can be held in a defined position in the form-fitting manner. In this way, by means of the spacer or by means of the two spacers additionally a latching function can be realized to hold the heat exchanger flap in the closed state in the predetermined positioning, which can be specified in depth by the spacer element or by the spacer elements. The latching function may e.g. as described in more detail below.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably its central region, at least one latching element for the heat exchanger flap, which is designed to receive a corresponding latching element of the heat exchanger flap so that the heat exchanger flap can be held in depth in a form-fitting manner in a defined position. In this way, an effective, simple and releasable holder can be provided to keep the heat exchanger flap in the closed state. The latching element can be, for example, a hook which can resiliently engage behind a corresponding projection, wherein the hook can be arranged on the latch holder and the projection on the heat exchanger flap, or vice versa.

Preferably, the two locking elements and at least one spacer element of the locking holder are matched to one another such that the heat exchanger flap engages exactly when it rests against the spacer element. In this way, the most secure and play-free mounting of the heat exchanger flap can be achieved in a defined position relative to the front of the housing of the laundry treatment device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably the central region thereof, has at least one first positioning element for the fan cover which is adapted to receive a corresponding holding member of the fan cover such that the fan cover can be held in both the width and the height in a defined position. In this way, the same characteristics and advantages for the fan cover can be achieved as previously described for the heat exchanger flap.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably the central region thereof, has at least one second positioning element for the fan cover, which is designed to receive a corresponding holding element of the fan cover, so that the fan cover can be held in a defined position at least in width , wherein the two positioning elements for the fan cover are arranged offset from each other at least in height. In this way, the same characteristics and advantages for the fan cover can be achieved as previously described for the heat exchanger flap.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably its central region, at least one spacer for the fan cover, which is adapted to support the fan cover in the depth from the inside so that the fan cover can be held in depth in a defined position , In this way, the same characteristics and advantages for the fan cover can be achieved as previously described for the heat exchanger flap.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably the central region thereof, comprises at least one pair of fan cover spacers, each adapted to support the fan cover in depth from inside, such that the fan cover is in depth in a defined position can be maintained, wherein the two spacers for the fan cover are arranged offset from one another at least in height. In this way, the same characteristics and advantages for the fan cover can be achieved as previously described for the heat exchanger flap.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking holder, preferably the central region, at least one latching element for the fan cover, which is adapted to receive a corresponding locking element of the fan cover such that the fan cover can be held in the form-fitting manner in depth in a defined position. In this way, the same characteristics and advantages for the fan cover can be achieved as previously described for the heat exchanger flap.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the two positioning elements for the heat exchanger flap and / or the two spacer elements for the heat exchanger flap and / or the two positioning elements for the fan cover and / or the two spacer elements for the fan cover are each closer to the height respective edge arranged as one another. In this way, the respective effect of the corresponding element can be distributed as possible over the height of the heat exchanger flap or the fan cover. This can lead to a better positioning of the heat exchanger flap or the fan cover to one another and / or with respect to the housing front side of the laundry treatment device.

In this case, preferably, the two positioning elements for the heat exchanger flap and or or the two spacer elements for the heat exchanger flap and or or the two positioning elements for the fan cover and or or the two spacers for the fan cover in height and or or in the width respectively To arrange immediate proximity to the respective edge may be advantageous in order to bring the respective effect of the corresponding element in the height and / or width as close as possible to the edge of the heat exchanger flap or the fan cover. This can lead to a particularly good positioning of the heat exchanger flap or the fan cover relative to each other or with respect to the housing front side of the laundry treatment appliance. Under an immediate proximity to the respective edge is to be understood that the corresponding element is arranged depending on the application so close to the respective edge that it can perform its function, but at the same time the distance to the edge is relatively small to minimal.

The present invention also relates to a lock holder for use in a laundry treating appliance, preferably in a domestic appliance, more preferably in a tumble dryer or in a washer dryer as described above, wherein the lock holder is formed, located in depth behind a vertical front wall web of a housing front of the laundry treating appliance to be, wherein the locking holder is further adapted to hold a heat exchanger flap and / or a fan cover in the closed state, bypassing the front wall web. Thereby, a lock holder can be provided to implement a laundry treating appliance as described above and to utilize its characteristics and advantages.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht von vorne auf ein Wäschebehandlungsgerät;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht von vorne auf einen Verriegelungshalter;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Figur 2;

Figur 4

eine Draufsicht von vorne auf einen Vorderwandsteg des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts mit dahinter angeordnetem Verriegelungshalter;

Figur 5

einen Längsschnitt durch den unteren Bereich des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts der Figur 1;

Figur 6

einen Querschnitt durch die Figur 4 auf einer ersten Höhe;

Figur 7

einen Querschnitt durch die Figur 4 auf einer zweiten Höhe; und

Figur 8

einen Querschnitt durch die Figur 4 auf einer dritten Höhe.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

FIG. 1

a plan view from the front of a laundry treatment device;

FIG. 2

a plan view from the front of a lock holder;

FIG. 3

a perspective view of FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4

a plan view from the front on a front wall web of the laundry treatment appliance with locking holder arranged behind it;

FIG. 5

a longitudinal section through the lower portion of the laundry treatment device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6

a cross section through the FIG. 4 at a first height;

FIG. 7

a cross section through the FIG. 4 at a second altitude; and

FIG. 8

a cross section through the FIG. 4 at a third altitude.

The o.g. Figures are considered in Cartesian coordinates. It extends a longitudinal direction X, which may also be referred to as depth X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X extends a transverse direction Y, which may also be referred to as width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y extends a vertical direction Z, which may also be referred to as height Z.

The FIG. 1 shows as a laundry treatment appliance 1, a clothes dryer 1. The clothes dryer 1, viewed from the front, a housing front side 10, which may also be referred to as housing front wall 10. In the upper part of the front of the housing 10, a control panel 11 and the controls 11 of the tumble dryer 1 is arranged. Centered on the front of the housing 10, a door 12 is arranged, which can close an opening through which the laundry drum located behind it is accessible.

In the lower region of the front of the housing 10, a heat exchanger flap 13 is arranged on the left and a fan cover 15 is arranged on the right next to it. The heat exchanger flap 13 closes a process air opening 14, see FIG. 4 , via which a process air duct of a heat pump of the tumble dryer 1 is accessible. The fan cover 15 closes a fan opening 16, via which components of the heat pump and a process air blower are accessible. The fan cover 15 has a plurality of horizontal slots, so that ambient air can pass through the fan cover 15 to the underlying components of the heat pump and the process air blower to cool them.

The heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15 are held in the width Y on the outside each by a hinge, so that they open the process air opening 14 and the fan opening 16 respectively to the outside of the edge of the housing front 10 and to close the process air opening 14 and the fan opening 16 each can be pivoted toward each other. The two vertical edges of the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15, which faces away from the hinge in each case in the width Y. are, ie pointing towards the center, are aligned parallel to each other in the closed state and form between them a vertically extending gap 17, see FIG. 1 ,

These two vertical edges of the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15 and the intermediate gap 17 are in the closed state viewed from the front in the depth X in front of a front wall web 18 which is integrally formed at least with the lower portion of the front of the housing 10. The front wall web 18 separates the process air opening 14 and the fan opening 16 in the width Y from each other.

Since the front wall web 18 is enamelled, the front wall web 18 usually has strong dimensional variations in the width Y and in particular in the depth X, see depth variation B of FIG. 5 so that the two vertical edges of the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15 resting against the front wall web 18 can not be positioned in a defined manner. This can lead to positioning deviations of the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15 in the depth X, so that the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15 can not flush with each other and or or with the front of the housing 10 complete. This can also lead to the fact that the two vertical edges of the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15 do not run parallel to one another, as a result of which a wedge-shaped gap 17 can form. These positioning errors of heat exchanger flap 13 and fan cover 15 can lead to optical defects from a user's point of view.

According to the invention therefore a locking holder 2 is provided, which is integrally formed as an injection molded part made of plastic and disposed in the depth X behind the front wall web 18, see, for example FIG. 5 , The locking holder 2 extends substantially in the height Z and is formed in the depth X arcuate or bulbous, see, for example FIG. 3 or 5 , The locking holder 2 has for this purpose a central region 20 which extends in the depth X behind and parallel to the front wall web 18. The middle region 20 terminates in the height Z upwards with an upper head region 20a and downwards with a lower head region 20b, which are each designed excellently in the depth X to the front, see eg FIG. 3 or 5 , The two head portions 20a, 20b are in each case from the inside to the inside of the front of the housing 10 in an area which is not enamelled and thus does not have the resulting strong Maßschwankungen. In the remaining course of the locking holder 2, this is arranged in the depth X behind the front wall web 18 and does not touch it, so that the dimensional variations of the enamelled front wall web 18 can be kept away from the locking holder 2. Since the lock holder 2 is further formed to the heat exchanger flap thirteenth and to keep the fan cover 15 in the closed state, can be bypassed in this way the front wall web 18.

The two head portions 20a, 20b are first glued to the inside of the front of the housing 10. This is done using a positioning device so that the lock holder 2 can be securely positioned in a predetermined manner. Subsequently, the two head regions 20a, 20b are provided in the depth X from the inside with in each case an elastic compensating element 29 which can exert a force on the respective head region 20a, 20b and thereby securely hold it on the inside of the front side 10 of the housing. The two elastic compensation elements 29 are each held by an element 19 of the laundry treatment appliance 1, which as an air guide element 19 is a part of the process air duct, so that this holding function can be implemented without additional components. In this way, a secure and durable connection of the locking holder 2 can be created via its two head regions 20a, 20b to the front of the housing 10. At the same time, the lock holder 2 can be positioned very precisely predetermined, so that this positioning accuracy can be transmitted to the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15 in the closed state.

For this purpose, the central region 20 of the lock holder 2 in the process air opening 14 in the width Y protruding near the upper head portion 20a, a first positioning member 21 in the form of a round hole 21 and near the lower head portion 20b, a second positioning member 22 in the form of a in height Z extending elongated hole 22. The heat exchanger flap 13 has at the corresponding points of its inside in the depth X inwardly turned in each case a corresponding holding element 13a, which is in each case formed as a projection 13a. When closed, the two projections 13a can engage in the two holes 21, 22, see FIG. 6 , and the heat exchanger flap 13 predetermined relative to the lock holder 2 and thus also with respect to the front of the housing 10 position. In this case, a positioning in both the height Z and in the width Y is achieved through the round hole 21 while the slot 22 only serves to position in the width Y. As a result, the positioning accuracy of the heat exchanger flap 13 in the width Y can be improved, since this is essential for the visual impression of the gap 17. At the same time clamping of the heat exchanger flap 13 in the height Z can be avoided.

For positioning in the depth X, the central region 20 of the locking holder 2 in the process air opening 14 in the width Y protruding near the two holes 21, 22 each have a spacer element 24, which may be referred to as pin 24 or ribs 24 and from the central region 20th protrude in the depth X to the front. In this way and Way, the inside of the heat exchanger flap 13 in the closed state in the depth X from the front of the two spacers 24 abut, so that the heat exchanger flap 13 can not be pivoted further and thus can take a defined positioning in the depth X, see FIG. 7 ,

At the same time, the heat exchanger flap 13 can be held in this position by the two spacers 24 at least with a certain force, since the two spacer elements 24 each have a latching receptacle 24a in the form of a recess 24a, in each of which a first latching element 13b in the form of a projection 13b in the width Y can resiliently engage, see FIG. 7 , As a result, the predetermined positioning can be held directly.

In addition, the central region 20 of the locking holder 2 in the process air opening 14 in the width Y protruding approximately at the height Z center, see FIG. 4 , a latching element 23 in the form of a hook 23, which can resiliently engage behind a corresponding second latching element 13c of the heat exchanger flap 13 in the form of a corresponding hook 13c, see FIG. 8 , In this way, an additional positive retention of the heat exchanger flap 13 can be achieved in the closed state.

In order to implement these functions also for the fan cover 15, the central region 20 of the locking holder 2 in the fan opening 16 in the width Y protruding near the upper head portion 20a, a first positioning member 25 in the form of a pin 25, which in the depth X towards the front protrudes. A comparable second positioning element 26 in the form of a second pin 26 is disposed near the lower head portion 20b. Both positioning elements 25, 26 are encompassed in the closed state of the fan cover 15 by corresponding holding elements 15a of the inside of the fan cover 15 in the form of receptacles 15a, see FIG. 6 , so that the pins 25, 26 can be held in the receptacles 15a. In this way, a predetermined positioning of the fan cover 15 can be achieved both in the height Z and in the width Y relative to the locking holder 2 and thus also with respect to the housing front side 10.

The middle regions of the two pins 25, 26 are formed with a predetermined extension in the depth X, so that in each case a spacer 28 is formed, against which the receptacles 15a of the fan cover 15 in its closed state, see FIG. 6 , In this way, via the two pins 25, 26 at the same time a predetermined positioning in the depth X can be achieved.

In order to hold the fan cover 15 in the closed state, the center portion 20 of the lock holder 2 projects into the fan hole 16 in the width Y, respectively approximately at the height Z below the two pins 25, 26, a latching element 27 in the form of a hook 27, which can each engage behind a corresponding latching element 15b of the fan cover 15 in the form of a corresponding hook 15b spring-positively. As a result, a simpler, safer and detachable hold of the predetermined positioning of the fan cover 15 can be achieved.

This positioning of both the heat exchanger flap 13 and the fan cover 15, thanks to the locking holder 2 due to the circumvention of the dimensionally accurate front wall web 18 can be taken and held in more detail than previously known. This can be done simply, safely and cost-effectively by using the locking holder 2 in that the chain of tolerances for the gap 17 forming between the heat exchanger flap 13 and the housing cover 15 can be significantly reduced. This can lead to the desired visual appearance of the vertical gap 17.

List of Reference Numerals (part of the description)

A

cut

B

Depth fluctuation of the front wall web 18

X

Longitudinal direction; depth

Y

Transverse direction; width

Z

vertical direction; height

1

Laundry treatment device; clothes dryer

10

Front of the chassis; Housing front wall

11

Control panel; operating element

12

Door of the laundry drum

13

heat exchanger flap

13a

Retaining element of the heat exchanger flap 13; head Start

13b

first locking element of the heat exchanger flap 13; head Start

13c

second locking element of the heat exchanger flap 13; hook

14

Process air opening

15

fan cover

15a

Holding elements of the fan cover 15; Recordings

15b

Latching elements of the fan cover 15; hook

16

blower opening

17

vertical gap between heat exchanger flap 13 and fan cover 15th

18

Front wall web

19

Element; Air guide elements

2

lock holder

20

the central region

20a

upper head area

20b

lower head area

21

first positioning element for heat exchanger flap 13; round hole

22

second positioning element for heat exchanger flap 13; Long hole

23

Latching element for heat exchanger flap 13; hook

24

Spacer elements for heat exchanger flap 13; Rib; spigot

24a

Locking receptacle of the spacer 24; indentation

25

first positioning element for fan cover 15; spigot

26

second positioning element for fan cover 15; spigot

27

Latching elements for fan cover 15; hook

28

Spacer element for fan cover 15

29

elastic compensation element

Claims (18)

Laundry treatment device (1), preferably tumble dryer (1) or washer-dryer (1),
with a housing front side (10) with a process air opening (14) and with a blower opening (16),
wherein the process air opening (14) and the blower opening (16) are separated in width (Y) by a substantially vertical front wall web (18) of the front of the housing (10),
wherein the process air opening (14) has a heat exchanger flap (13) which is designed to close the process air opening (14) in the closed state,
wherein the fan opening (16) has a fan cover (15) which is designed to close the fan opening (16) in the closed state, and
the heat exchanger flap (13) and the fan cover (15) being formed in the closed state in the width (Y) between them form a vertical gap (17) which in the depth (X) viewed from the front in front of the front wall web (18) is arranged
marked by
a lock holder (2) which is arranged in the depth (X) behind the front wall web (18) and adapted to hold the heat exchanger flap (13) and / or the fan cover (15) in the closed state, bypassing the front wall web (18). Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the locking holder (2) has a central region (20) which extends substantially at the height (Z),
wherein the central region (20) has an upper head region (20a) and a lower head region (20b), which are each of an outstanding design in the depth (X) towards the inside of the housing front side (10),
wherein the lock holder (2) with its upper head portion (20a) and with its lower head portion (20b) in the depth (X) from inside and in the height (Z) respectively below and above the front wall web (18) on the inside of the front of the housing (10) is present. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that
the upper head region (20a) and / or the lower head region (20b) is held in the depth (X) from the inside by at least one element (19), preferably by at least one air guide element (19) of the laundry treatment appliance (1). Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that
in the depth (X) between the upper head portion (20a) and / or the lower head portion (20b) and the respective element (19) at least one elastic compensating element (29) is arranged. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that
the middle region (20) is arranged in the width (Y) substantially outside the process air opening (14) and / or the blower opening (16). Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the central region (20), at least one first positioning element (21) for the heat exchanger flap (13), which is designed to receive a corresponding holding element (13a) of the heat exchanger flap (13) such that the heat exchanger flap (13) in both the width (Y) and in the height (Z) can be held in a defined position. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the central region (20), at least one second positioning element (22) for the heat exchanger flap (13), which is designed to receive a corresponding holding element (13a) of the heat exchanger flap (13) such that the heat exchanger flap (13) can be held in a defined position at least in the width (Y),
wherein the two positioning elements (21, 22) for the heat exchanger flap (13) at least in the height (Z) are arranged offset from each other. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably its central region (20), at least one spacer element (24) for the heat exchanger flap (13), which is designed to support the heat exchanger flap (13) in the depth (X) from the inside, so that the Heat exchanger flap (13) in the depth (X) can be held in a defined position. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the middle region (20) thereof, has at least one pair of spacer elements (24) for the heat exchanger flap (13), which are each designed to support the heat exchanger flap (13) in the depth (X) from the inside, so that the heat exchanger flap (13) can be held in the depth (X) in a defined position,
wherein the two spacer elements (24) for the heat exchanger flap (13) at least in the height (Z) are arranged offset to one another. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that
at least one spacer element (24) for the heat exchanger flap (13) has a latching receptacle (24a) which is designed to receive a corresponding latching element (13b) of the heat exchanger flap (13) such that the heat exchanger flap (13) in the depth (X) can be held positively in a defined position. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the middle region (20) thereof, has at least one latching element (23) for the heat exchanger flap (13) which is designed to receive a corresponding latching element (13c) of the heat exchanger flap (13) so that the heat exchanger flap ( 13) in the depth (X) can be held positively in a defined position. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the middle region (20) thereof, has at least one first positioning element (25) for the fan cover (15), which is designed to receive a corresponding retaining element (15a) of the fan cover (15) such that the fan cover (15) in both the width (Y) and in the height (Z) can be held in a defined position. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the middle region (20) thereof, has at least one second positioning element (26) for the fan cover (15), which is designed to receive a corresponding retaining element (15a) of the fan cover (15) such that the fan cover (15) can be held in a defined position at least in the width (Y),
wherein the two positioning elements (25, 26) for the fan cover (15) at least in the height (Z) are arranged offset to one another. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably its central region (20), at least one spacer element (28) for the fan cover (15), which is adapted to support the fan cover (15) in the depth (X) from the inside, so that the Blower cover (15) in the depth (X) can be held in a defined position. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the middle region (20) thereof, has at least one pair of fan cover spacers (28) each designed to support the fan cover (15) inwardly from the inside in the depth (X), such that the fan cover (15) can be held in the depth (X) in a defined position,
wherein the two spacer elements (28) for the fan cover (15) at least in the height (Z) are arranged offset from each other. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the locking holder (2), preferably the central region (20), at least one latching element (27) for the fan cover (15), which is formed a corresponding latching element (15b) of the fan cover (15) to receive such that the fan cover (15) in the depth (X) can be positively held in a defined position. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to one of claims 7, 9, 12 or 14, characterized in that
the two positioning elements (21, 22) for the heat exchanger flap (13) and / or the two spacer elements (24) for the heat exchanger flap (13) and / or the two positioning elements (25, 26) for the fan cover (15) and / or the two spacer elements (28) for the fan cover (15) in the height (Z) are each arranged closer to the respective edge (20a, 20b) than to each other,
wherein preferably the two positioning elements (21, 22) for the heat exchanger flap (13) and / or the two spacer elements (24) for the heat exchanger flap (13) and / or the two positioning elements (25, 26) for the fan cover (15) and / or the two spacer elements (28) for the fan cover (15) in the height (Z) and / or in the width (Y) in each case in the immediate vicinity of the respective edge (20a, 20b) are arranged. Locking holder (2) for use in a laundry treatment appliance (1), preferably a tumble dryer (1), according to one of the preceding claims,
the locking holder (2) being designed to be arranged in the depth (X) behind a vertical front wall web (18) of a housing front side (10) of the laundry treatment appliance (1),
wherein the lock holder (2) is further adapted to hold a heat exchanger flap (13) and / or a fan cover (15) in the closed state, bypassing the front wall web (18).

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