EP3894623B1

EP3894623B1 - A washer/dryer comprising a balance weight

Info

Publication number: EP3894623B1
Application number: EP19798257.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cagdas YALCIN; Umit Gulbay; Yunus Emre AYDOGDU; Sabih Hizal; Recep Ayas
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-12-11
Filing date: 2019-11-04
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-04
Also published as: WO2020120024A1; EP3894623A1; TR201819085A2

Description

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer comprising a balance weight mounted to the tub.
In washer/dryers, the laundry loaded into the drum causes unbalanced load on the drum and tub to which the drum is connected depending on the weight of the laundry and the rotational speed. In this case, the tub and the drum start to wobble and rotate in an unbalanced manner. In order to prevent said unbalanced movement and to ensure the static and dynamic balance, balance weights preferably produced from concrete are used for balancing the tub and the loads generated during the operation. The balance weight is generally attached to the plastic extensions on the tub, and then screwed and mounted to the tub. The screw connections to the plastic material generally apply a tensile force onto the plastic or the plastic extension is strained from the inside by the screw and gets wider. Thus, the balance weight is enabled to be fixed onto the tub. In case the fixing process is carried out by widening the plastic, load in the direction of straining is generated around the holes of the concrete balance weight fitted over the extensions. This causes cracks in the concrete. In order to prevent the strain on the concrete, a washer with an inner diameter which limits the widening of the plastic component to a certain value is used.
The parameters of the connection member used for mounting the balance weight to the tub are critical. The plastic extensions in the tub must be widened by screws to the extent to hold the balance weight, and this widening must not cause any cracks in the balance weight. The diameter of the connection hole of the balance weight changing in the course of time and the stretching of the plastic material cause the force which will fix the balance weight to decrease. In this case, the balance weight starts to slowly move and creates a clearance on the plastic extensions, thus increasing the movement amplitude thereof and causing generation of noise during the operation.
In the state of the art, in order to provide a prestressed connection which will prevent the dislocation of the balance weight, the prestress of the bolt is used or the desired prestress is provided by means of a spring washer. However, when bolts are used as connection member, the bolts may be tightened at different amounts, which in turn causes the balance weight to break, and loss in time and labor occurs during the attachment/detachment thereof. Moreover, the holes bored for connection spoil the integrity of the balance weight, causing various design limitations. As the number of connection points on the tub where the mounting process is carried out increases, the costs of the tub and the mold increase. Additionally, the connection points make the molding of the tub difficult, and thus increasing production problems and quality errors.
In the state of the art embodiment, the balance weight and the tub are fixed to each other at three points by means of bolts. This mounting process is carried out only in a single axis, in the screw tightening axis. Since the screwing processes can be completed independently, when one of the three bolts is tightened excessively, deformations such as breaking, cracking, etc. occur.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP0319081 , a washing machine is disclosed, wherein a concrete balance weight reinforced by metal reinforcement elements is mounted to the tub via the connection members which are attached to the reinforcement elements. In the state of the art International Patent Application No. WO03085187 , a washing machine is disclosed wherein a ballast body is attached to the tub.
Another state of the art embodiment is explained in the German Patent Application No. DE4238686 . In this document, it is disclosed that the plastic screw is connected by means of a spring washer so as to prevent loosening originating from the stretching of the plastic component in the course of time. As the spring washer stretches in the axial direction, a prestress is formed.
Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the European Patent Application No. EP0798412 . In this document, a fixing apparatus is disclosed, which is used for mounting the balance weight to the tub of the washing machine. The extensions extending into the balance weight from the tub stretch sideways with the insertion of the fixing components therein, and grip the balance weight from inside. The fixing components are connected to the balance weight before the assembly by means of breakable flanges.
Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the European Patent Application No. EP0964094 . In this document, a washing machine is disclosed, comprising a metal hub which circumferentially surrounds the balance weight with brackets. The tub extensions fitted into the housings on the outer surface of the balance weight are screwed so as to stretch sideways, and supported by metal brackets.
Another state of the art embodiment is disclosed in the Great Britain Patent Application No. GB2121833 . In this document, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the balance weight is mounted onto the tub by using an intermediary component.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer/dryer comprising a balance weight which is efFiciently connected to the tub.
The washer/dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a step which surrounds the bearing; a connection extension which surrounds the step such that the bearing is at the center; and a connection housing which is arranged on the surface of the balance weight facing the tub and wherein the connection extension is seated. In this case, the connection extension is tightly fitted into the connection housing, and a form-fit connection is provided between the balance weight and the tub. While providing the form-fit connection, a contact surface is formed along the opposite surfaces of the balance weight and the tub. Thus, the force applied by the balance weight and the tub to each other is compensate at three axes. Consequently, by means of the form-fit connection, the force is enabled to be dispersed in three axes. Moreover, by using a single connection member, the balance weight is mounted onto the tub and by means of the form-fit connection, the balance weight applies pressure onto the tub along the entire contact surface so as to be prevented from moving right and left, up and down, thus eliminating the risk of gap formation in the course of time.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer comprises, along the bearing, a plurality of first supports which extend outwards from the wall of the bearing so as to surround the bearing at certain intervals, a plurality of second supports at the same length as the step which extend between the step and the bearing at certain intervals. According to the invention, the washer/dryer further comprises a plurality of third supports which extend from the connection extension towards the step. The first, second and third supports are arranged at equal intervals so as to complete 360 degrees.
There are 24 third supports each placed at 15-degree intervals, and six first and second supports placed at equal intervals.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the connection extension and the connection housing are circular. By means of said circular and symmetrical structure, the force is compensated almost equally at three axes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the step is hexagonal. Thus, the force acting along the connection member is distributed on the entire tub surface. In this embodiment, the bearing is positioned at the center of the step, and the second supports are disposed on the diagonals.
By means of the present invention, deformations which may occur on the tub and the balance weight are prevented. Thus, loss in time and labor arising during the mounting/dismounting of the balance weight is eliminated. Moreover, by using a single connection member, the risk of various design limitations is eliminated. As the number of connection points on the tub where the mounting process is carried out is minimized, the costs of the tub and the mold are decreased. Additionally, the connection points make the molding of the tub easy, thus eliminating production problems and quality errors.
A washer/dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the sideways view of a tub and a balance weight thereon.
Figure 2 - is the cross-sectional view of the tub and the balance weight thereon.
Figure 3 - is the top exploded perspective view of the tub, the balance weight and the connection member.
Figure 4 - is the below perspective view of the tub, the balance weight and the connection member.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washer/dryer
2. Tub
3. Balance weight
4. Connection member
5. Connection hole
6. Bearing
7. Step
8. First support
9. Connection extension
10. Second support
11. Connection housing
12. Third support
13. Auxiliary support
14. Housing
15. Washer
16. Fixing housing

The washer/dryer (1) comprises a body; a tub (2) which is disposed into the body; a drum which is disposed in the tub (2), which rotates around its own axis and wherein the laundry is loaded; at least one balance weight (3) which is mounted onto the tub (2) and which remains between the tub (2) and the body; a connection member (4) which enables the balance weight (3) to be fixed to the tub (2); a connection hole (5) which is arranged on the balance weight (3) and through which the connection member (4) passes; a fixing housing (16) which surrounds the connection hole (5) at the surface of the balance weight (3) facing the tub (2); a bearing (6) which is positioned on the tub (2), which extends from the outer surface of the tub (2) towards the balance weight (3) and wherein the connection member (4), passing through the connection hole (5) on the balance weight (3) and extending towards the tub (2), is seated; a step (7) which surrounds the bearing (6); a connection extension (9) which surrounds the step (7) such that the bearing (6) is at the center; and a connection housing (11) which is arranged on the surface of the balance weight (3) facing the tub (2) and wherein the connection extension (9) is seated (Figure 1 and Figure 2).
While the balance weight (3) is connected to the tub (2), the bearing (6) and the step (7) which extend from the tub (2) are seated into the fixing housing (16) on the base of the balance weight (3). The connection member (4) which is fitted through the ceiling of the balance weight (3) moves through the connection hole (5) along the balance weight (3) and, from the end thereof protruding out of the balance weight (3), is fitted into the bearing (6) which overlaps with the connection hole (5). In this case, the connection extension (9) is tightly fitted into the connection housing (11). By means of the connection extension (9) and the connection housing (11) wherein the connection extension (9) is fitted, a form-fit connection is provided between the balance weight (3) and the tub (2). While providing the form-fit connection, a contact surface is formed along the opposite surfaces of the balance weight (3) and the tub (2). Thus, by means of the bearing (6) and the step (7), the force is distributed over the tub (2) at the contact point of the connection member (4) and the force applied by the balance weight (3) and the tub (2) to each other is compensated at three axes. Consequently, by means of the form-fit connection, the force is enabled to be dispersed in three axes. Moreover, by using a single connection member (4), the balance weight (3) is mounted onto the tub (2) and by means of the form-fit connection, the balance weight (3) applies pressure onto the tub (2) along the entire contact surface so as to be prevented from moving right and left, up and down, thus eliminating the risk of gap formation in the course of time.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises, along the bearing (6), a plurality of first supports (8) which extend outwards from the wall of the bearing (6) so as to surround the bearing (6) at certain intervals, and a plurality of second supports (10) at the same length as the step (7) which extend between the step (7) and the bearing (6) at certain intervals (Figure 3).
According to the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises a plurality of third supports (12) which extend from the connection extension (9) towards the step (7). The third supports (12) are triangular (Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first, second and third supports (8, 10 and 12) are arranged at equal intervals so as to complete 360 degrees.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises 24 third supports (12) placed each placed at 15-degree intervals. Thus, a more efficient form-fit connection is formed between the balance weight (3) and the tub (2), and a contact surface is obtained between the balance weight (3) and the tub (2) along the seating surface at three axes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises 6 first and second supports (8 and 10) placed at equal intervals.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection extension (9) and the connection housing (11) are circular. By means of said circular and symmetrical structure, the force is compensated almost equally at three axes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the step (7) is hexagonal. Thus, the force acting along the connection member (4) is distributed on the entire tub (2) surface. In this embodiment, the bearing (6) is positioned at the center of the step (7), and the second supports (10) are disposed on the diagonals.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises preferably 6 auxiliary supports (13) at the part of the tub (2) remaining between the step (7) and the connection extension (9) which join the step (7) with the thirds supports (12).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises a housing (14) on the balance weight (3) wherein the head of the connection member (4) is placed and which prevents the latter from forming a protrusion on the balance weight (3); and a washer (15) which is positioned between the head of the connection member (4) and the balance weight (3) in the housing (14), and which enables the balance weight (3) to be connected to the tub (2) in a prestressed manner and which also enables the balance weight (3) to be connected to be tub (2) with a gapless and flexible connection method by applying force in both radial and axial directions. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the washer (15) is a spring washer and is in the form of a cap which covers the housing (14) wherein the connection member (4) is seated onto the balance weight (3) so as to be seated circumferentially.
In the preferred embodiment, the tub (2) is produced from plastic material.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the balance weight (3) is concrete.
By means of the present invention, deformations which may occur on the tub (2) and the balance weight (3) due to the use of a large number of connection members and the tightening of the same at different levels are eliminated. Moreover, loss in time and labor arising during the mounting/dismounting of the balance weight is eliminated. Moreover, by using a single connection member (4), the integrity of the balance weight (3) is ensured and the risk of various design limitations is eliminated. As the number of connection points on the tub (2) where the mounting process is carried out is minimized, the costs of the tub (2) and the mold are decreased. Additionally, the connection points make the molding of the tub (2) easy, thus eliminating production problems and quality errors.

Claims

A washer/dryer (1) comprising a body; a tub (2) which is disposed into the body; a drum which is disposed in the tub (2), which rotates around its own axis and wherein the laundry is loaded; at least one balance weight (3) which is mounted onto the tub (2) and which remains between the tub (2) and the body; a connection member (4) which enables the balance weight (3) to be fixed to the tub (2); a connection hole (5) which is arranged on the balance weight (3) and through which the connection member (4) passes; a fixing housing (16) which surrounds the connection hole (5) at the surface of the balance weight (3) facing the tub (2); a bearing (6) which is positioned on the tub (2), which extends from the outer surface of the tub (2) towards the balance weight (3) and wherein the connection member (4), passing through the connection hole (5) on the balance weight (3) and extending towards the tub (2), is seated, a step (7) which is provided on the tub (2) and surrounds the bearing (6); a connection extension (9) which is provided on the tub (2) and surrounds the step (7) such that the bearing (6) is at the center of the step (7); and a connection housing (11) which is arranged on the surface of the balance weight (3) facing the tub (2) and wherein the connection extension (9) is seated characterized by a plurality of triangular third supports (12) which extend from the connection extension (9) towards the step (7).
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by, along the bearing (6), a plurality of first supports (8) which extend outwards from the wall of the bearing (6) so as to surround the bearing (6) at certain intervals, and a plurality of second supports (10) at the same length as the step (7) which extend between the step (7) and the bearing (6) at certain intervals.
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 2 characterized by the first, second and third supports (8, 10 and 12) which are arranged at equal intervals so as to complete 360 degrees.
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by 24 third supports (12) placed each placed at 15-degree intervals.
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by 6 first and second supports (8 and 10) placed at equal intervals.
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the connection extension (9) and the connection housing (11) which are circular.
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the hexagonal step (7).
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by 6 auxiliary supports (13) at the part of the tub (2) remaining between the step (7) and the connection extension (9) which join the step (7) with the thirds supports (12).
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a housing (14) on the balance weight (3) wherein the head of the connection member (4) is placed and which prevents the latter from forming a protrusion on the balance weight (3); and a washer (15) which is positioned between the head of the connection member (4) and the balance weight (3) in the housing (14), and which enables the balance weight (3) to be connected to the tub (2) in a prestressed manner and which also enables the balance weight (3) to be connected to be tub (2) with a gapless and flexible connection method by applying force in both radial and axial directions.
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the tub (2) which is produced from plastic material.
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the balance weight (3) which is concrete.