ES2335954A1 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine comprising an outer tub (1) and a counterweight (3) fastened thereto by means of a screwed connection, said screwed connection having a screw element (9) with two bracing elements (13, 19) at the ends thereof, guided through an opening (17) of the counterweight (3), between which elements the counterweight (3) and a fastening section (29) of the outer tub (1) are braced. According to the invention, at least one of the bracing elements (13, 19) at the ends is configured as a spiked plate (13) having at least one spike-type projection (43) which is forced into the fastening section (29) in the direction of bracing when the counterweight (3) is fastened and non-rotatably secures the spiked plate (13).

Description

Washing machine.

The invention relates to a washing machine of according to the generic term of claim 1.

For the help of a washing operation of the imbalance-free washing machine, the tank of the washing machine, inside which the washing drum rotates, with counterweights These can be fixed to the tank, by means of bolted joints.

A union is known from US 2005/005650 A1 screwed, for fixing a counterweight to a tank of a washing machine. In the mounting position, the bolted joint has a screw guided through the counterweight, which is screwed into a thread receiving the tank. The screw head is in this case in contact with a contact surface of the counterweight, opposite to the Cuba.

From DE 42 38 685 A1 another union is known screwed for securing the counterweight to the tank, in which, in the mounting position, the screw head, by means of a washer configured as plate / disc spring, is in contact with the contact surface of the counterweight opposite the tank. The screw head is screwed into a screwed dome configured with the tank, in the form of a unified material and in a piece. The screwed dome in this case, protrudes penetrating the counterweight, through a mounting hole.

For insurance against union rotation screwable between the counterweight and the tank, as it is known, can be used a screw, where between its screw head and its screw shank a safety flange is provided, in certain rectangular mode The screw safety flange is inserted in a corresponding through hole of a sheet of security, which is arranged on the other hand safe against the turn With respect to the counterweight. For twist insurance they are therefore a special screw, conformed with the safety flange, as well as a safety plate. The work of inverted assembly or the expense of parts for insurance against Screw rotation is for that reason respectively large.

The task of the invention consists in the fact, of making available a washing machine, in which the counterweight is fixed to the tank with a small number of pieces.

The task is solved by means of a washing machine with the characteristics of claim 1. Other Advantageous configurations of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims, which find their support in the Following description and in the drawings.

According to the significant part of the claim 1, at least one of the elements of clamping ends like a spine plate with at least one projection in the shape of a thorn. In the fixed state of the counterweight, the projection Spine-shaped is wedged in the fixation section of the vat, in the direction of the clamping, and in such a way the plate of Spines is secured against turning. A safety plate additional, with assigned screw safety flange, such as finds use in the state of the art, it can thus be suppressed, in the sense of a simplification of the assembly as well as a reduction of pieces. Preferably, countless numbers are provided. of spine-shaped protrusions.

Both extreme fasteners, in the sense of the invention, can be a thread nut and / or a screw head. Eventually it can be the clamping element also a washer, which by means of the screw nut or the screw head is pressed against the fixing section of the Cuba.

The spine plate according to the invention can be preferably shaped like a thorn nut screwable with the screw element. The thorn nut is, regardless of the screw used, adapted according to the invention, while the common screw may be conformed conventionally without elements of insurance against the turn additional.

The spine plate can be a piece of sheet metal deep drawn, for example of a stainless steel sheet hardened for spring, therefore, in manufacturing techniques, the Thorns plate is easily manufactured.

Alternatively, the spine plate can be also formed as the screw head of the element screwable The spine-shaped projections of the head of screw, indicate in this case in the direction of the rod of the element screwable The screw serves here, in double function, both for hold as well as insurance against the rotation of the union screwable The spine-shaped projections are set to this case on the bottom side of the screw head that looks towards the fixing section of the tank.

As another alternative can the plate of thorns be a washer, which is assigned to the screw head of the screwable element. The washer is shaped in such a way that she is united, against turning, with the screw head. For one such union against rotation, the washer may have a concavity, whose inner contour is appropriate to the outer contour of the screw head (eg a hexagonal inner contour). In state fixed the screw head is in drag with the inner contour of the washer concavity, whereby the screw cannot turn in relation to the washer.

To simplify assembly, you can present the minus a thorn-shaped projection of the spine plate, a rounded spine tip, so in a state of preassembly, not yet fixed, they can result from the screw connection The following advantages: In pre-assembly state, the plate spines with its spine-shaped projection is still in contact loose with the fixing section of the tank. Because of the tip rounded spine-shaped ledge, spine plate It can be moved no further along the fixing section. Such a displacement in the case of a spine tip with ridges or pointing, it would lead to a "hitch" of the projection in the form of spine in the fixation section and with it to a difficult movement of movement.

Preferably the spine plate can present a multi-edge perimeter profile with a number of songs even. This can be simplified a tool application to the spine plate. The plate of thorns you can submit for another simplification at least a couple of opposite parallel side surfaces. Lateral surfaces of the plate of thorns serve, in double function, both for a Spine plate tool application as well as side stops, for more secure against rotation. For such insurance against additional rotation, to the spine plate according to the invention may be assigned at least one turn stop formed in the section of fixing, which together with at least one projection in the form of Spine plate spine, ensures safety against turning of the screw connection. For this, the turning stop formed in the fixing section, can have two side walls parallel opposite each other. Between these side walls you can then the spine plate is secured against rotation, with its lateral butt surfaces.

To increase the functionality of the board spines, this can have a fixing section of the element internal screw and an external contact section in the form of iron, which is in pressure contact with the section of Cuba fixation. In the plate-shaped contact section, At least one spine-shaped projection is provided. The section of fixing of the internal screwable element, in the fixed state of the Counterweight, is in fixed fit with the screw. In one embodiment Special fastening section of the screw element can be a receiving thread, in which the screw is screwed.

For a long lasting reliable support of the counterweight to the tank it is preferred, that a screwable joint is assigned a Additional claim element. The claim element maintains permanent a lasting claim between the fasteners and the counterweight or the fixing section of the tank, and by the way also in the case that the screw connection is subjected to strong dynamic efforts caused by the operation of the washing machine, and in retarding either plastic deformations or entropy-plastic deformations, as they can appear under a long-term effort, especially in a fixing section of the tank and / or other parts (plastic) assigned directly to the screw connection, manufactured (s) of plastic.

The claim element according to the invention, It can be integrated in the spine plate. Advantageously, the pretension element is a plate / disc type spring section, which is provided between the fixing section of the element Internal screw and external contact section in the form of plate of the plate of thorns. Spring section type plate / disc can be shaped as a conical section. At case of the plate of thorns shaped as a nut of thorns, can be provided in the fastening section of the screw element internal, a receiving thread for the screwable element. In In this case, the receiving thread may be provided in an area of central bottom of the plate of thorns. Alternatively you can present the fixing section of the internal screwable element, a screw cap, on whose inner side the thread is provided of reception.

The screw cap can be provided here on the side of the spine plate opposite the protrusions in shape of thorn. Similarly, the screw cap can be also provided on the side of the spine plate that faces the protrusions in the form of thorn. In the case of a corresponding length the screw cap can be guided along with the thread rod, through the fixing section of the tank. He screw thread shank is not put for this reason directly in contact with the fixing section of the tank, but only the side external smooth of the thorn plate thread cap.

In the case of the shaped screw head as spine plate, the fixing section of the element internal screw-in can also be connected to the element Screw-on, against turning, especially being fit together integral.

The fixing section of the tank can present a laterally open insertion slot, through which protrudes the screw element. In the case of elements fastening screwed loose, can therefore one of the fasteners being inserted into the insertion slot laterally open, and be displaced in there in a Default definite clamping position. The section of Fixing the tank can also form an insertion channel. The insertion slot can lead to the insertion channel and extend in its longitudinal direction. In the case of a screw connection assembly can then the plate spines along the insertion channel and the screw element along the insertion slot, be moved towards a final holding position.

Preferably the section of fixing together with the vat in the form of unified material and in a single piece The tank and / or the fixing section may be manufactured in this case, in manufacturing techniques, advantageously of plastic. In a procedure for securing the counterweight to the Cuba, a screw of the screw connection can be guided first according to the invention, through the counterweight. Screw end guided through the counterweight, can be screwed then Loose with an end-side fastener. The element of end side clamping, in this case it is the spine plate according to the invention. The fastening element of the screwed end side loose, it can then be inserted into the insertion channel of the bowl fixing section. Next, for positioning adjustment, with the fastened screwed fastener, the Counterweight can be shifted along the insertion channel; Y in a configuration of correct counterweight position, the union screwable can be fixed in its fixation position definitive

Below are five examples of embodiment of the invention by the attached figures.

They show:

Fig. 1 according to the first example of realization in a schematic partial view a higher counterweight, which is attached to the washer tank through unions screwable;

Fig. 2 in an enlarged representation, one of the screw connections between the counterweight and the tank;

Fig. 3 perspective representation of a screw nut used for screw connection;

Fig. 4 a plate of thorns shaped as screw nut, according to the second embodiment;

Fig. 5 a spine plate shaped as screw nut, according to the third embodiment;

Fig. 6 a spine plate shaped as screw head, according to the fourth embodiment; Y

Fig. 7 a spine plate shaped as washer, according to the fifth embodiment.

In Fig. 1 it is shown in a side view schematic a partial area of a tank 1 of a washing machine, as well as a counterweight / compensation weight 3 fixed to the tank 1 on the side superior, which guarantees a washing function free of imbalance. The counterweight 3 shaped in an elongated shape, is extends transversely to a central axis not shown in bowl 1 hollow cylindrical and rests with its two opposite ends on hollow support profiles 5 of the tank 1. The counterweight 3 is mounted respectively at its longitudinal ends, to the assigned hollow support profile 5 of the tank 1, by means of a joint screwable 7.

The counterweight 3 is already known produced from a foundry material, something like iron cast or concrete, or other appropriate material. Cuba 1 is a Injected plastic piece. The hollow support profile 5 is integral conforming to cuba 1, in manufacturing techniques simple.

One of the joints is shown in Fig. 2 screws 7 of Fig. 1, in a partial sectional view enlarged The screwed union facing, not shown, is identically shaped.

As can be deduced from Fig. 2, the union Screw 7 is configured in three parts, with a screw 9 or a screwable element, a washer 11, as well as a plate spines 13 configured as a thread nut. The screw connection 7 is shown in Fig. 2, in the mounting position of the counterweight 3 and of the tank 1. The screw 9 is guided with its thread rod 15, through a mounting hole 17 of the counterweight 3. In this the screw head 19 is supported, through the washer 11, in a contact surface 21 of the counterweight 3 opposite the tank 1. The contact surface 21 is here the bottom of a hole countersunk 23 tapered enlarged.

The thread rod 15, guided through the mounting hole 17, protrudes with its rod end in a insertion channel 25 of the hollow support profile 5. The channel insert 25 extends perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 2 and is limited by two side walls 27, as well as by one upper cover wall 29, which joins both side walls 27.

In the present embodiment the wall of upper cover 29, is a fixing section of the tank 1. This fixing section 29 and the counterweight 3 are fixed, according to Fig. 1 and 2, between the screw head 19 and the spine plate 13, which are the end fasteners of the joint screwed 7. On the covering wall 29 it is planned a narrow insertion slot 31, which extends along of the insertion channel 25 and through which the rod protrudes thread 15. The insertion groove 31 is laterally open and flows into the insertion channel 25.

The thorn plate 13 configured as a nut threaded, it is screwed in Fig. 2 with the lower end of the thread rod 15, inside the insertion channel 25. The plate spines 13 thus grabs behind the covering wall 29. In the drawn mounting position, are therefore counterweight 3 and the cover wall 29 of the tank 1 fixed between the head of screw 19 and spine plate 13.

The thorn plate 13 configured as a nut of thread, in Fig. 3, is drawn in detail in a view in enlarged perspective The nut 13 is produced from of a hardened stainless steel plate for spring with a material thickness of approx. 1 mm The plate of thorns 13 presents according to Fig. 3, a fastening section of screw element 32 internal The fixing section of internal screwable element 32 it is provided here with an internal thread 33, with which it is screw the rod end 15 of the screw 9.

As derived in addition to Fig. 3, the section for fixing screw element 32 of the spine plate 13 it has a centrally configured screw cap 35, in the which is provided with the internal thread 33. To the thread bushing 35 follows, in the direction of the outer contour, a conical section of the spine plate 13, which forms a spring section 37 type plate / disk (in the manner of a plate / disk spring). The section of spring 37, in its outer edge zone, becomes integrally in a contact section 39 in the form of a flat plate / disc and which extends radially from the spine plate 13. The section of contact 39 has a uniform octagonal outer contour with respective pairs of side surfaces or abutment surfaces 41 opposite each other, running parallel. In Fig. 3, in its mounting position, the spine plate 13 presses with the lower surface of the contact section 39 against the wall of coverage 29.

A durable and secure seat against rotation of the spine plate 13 configured as a thread nut is for the safety of operation of great significance. According to the invention, projections 43 with rounded-pointed spines are provided for this reason, on that side of the spine plate 13 facing the covering wall 29. The projections 43 in the form of spines are provided on the side of the spine plate 13 opposite to the screw bush 35, and extend in a direction parallel or in principle parallel to the longitudinal direction of the thread rod 15. In the fixed state of the counterweight 3 the projections 43 in the form of spines are stamped on the plastic material of the covering wall 29, in the direction of the clamping, by means of the tension forces of the joint
screwed

For additional spin insurance, against a rotating movement of the spine plate 13, that distance b drawn in Fig. 3 between two lateral stop surfaces 41 opposite, is sized in such a way that each of the opposing stop surfaces 41, faces the side wall 27, looking towards them, from the hollow support profile 5 of the tank, with a minimum c set (see Fig. 2). Both side walls 27 of the profile support gap 5, therefore act as a turning stop additional, which additionally limits a turning movement of the plate of thorns 13.

For fixing the counterweight 3 with the tank 1, the screw 9 is first guided through the mounting hole 17, on that side of the counterweight 3 opposite to the tank 1. Next the spine plate 13 is screwed loose, with that, in Fig. 2, lower end of rod 15. That loose screwing can also take place regardless of tank 1. Next the spine plate 13 is inserted loose with screw 9 in the insertion channel 25 of the cuvette 1 open laterally, to the union of the counterweight 3 with the tank 1. The thread rod 15 of the screw 9 then protrudes through the insertion slot 31, while cover wall 29 is disposed between the nut thread 13 and counterweight 3. In this state it can be displaced the thorn plate 13 bolted loose, along the channel insert 25, and screw 9 along the insertion slot 31, to a correct positioning fixation position or final position

After a positioning has taken place of correct location of the counterweight 3, the screw connection 7, by means of a tool applied to the screw head 19.

For the simplification of the procedure of clamping, the spine plate 13 is supported by means of its lateral stop surfaces 41 secure against rotation, between both side walls 27. Moreover, it is guaranteed that during a screwing of the spine plate 13 loose, a easy displacement of the spine plate 13 within the channel of insert 25, because of the intended play c between the surfaces of stop 41 of the spine plate 13 and the side walls 27 as well as because of the rounded protrusions 43.

In Fig. 4 the plate of spines 13 according to the second embodiment. The configuration as well as the way of operation of the spine plate 13 shown in Fig. 4, basically corresponds to the configuration and the manner of operation of the thorn plate 13 of the first exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 3, so that for characteristics with the same effects, the symbols are used reference standards and are described below, in especially, the differences with the first embodiment.

As a result, it is provided in the fixing section of internal screwable element (32) of the thorn plate 13, also the receiving thread 33, for the screw 9. Unlike the first embodiment, no however, the receiving thread 33 is provided within the screw cap 35, but much more in a bottom area 45 central. The central bottom zone 45 becomes, through the spring section 37 plate / disc type, in contact section 39 External plate-shaped plate of thorns. On the side top of contact section 39, in the representation according to Fig. 4, the projections 43 rounded in shape are also provided of thorn.

In Fig. 5 the plate of spines 13 according to the third embodiment. Plate spines of Fig. 5 presents - as in the first example of realization- a central screw cap 35, whose extreme area bottom in Fig. 5, is followed by spring section 37 type plate / disc, which becomes contact section 39 in external plate shape.

Unlike the first example of embodiment, the screw cap 35 is not provided however on the side of the spine plate 13 opposite the projections 43 in spine shape, but much more on the side that faces spine shaped projections 43. Observed in that direction axial spine plate 13, hinted in Fig. 5 by means of a dotted line, the central screw cap 35, the spring section 37 and external radial contact section 39, they are "embedded" therefore partly in each other, by which reduces the overall construction height of the plate spines 13, compared to the first embodiment. This plate of thorns 13 is suitable for this reason especially for a very flat insertion channel.

With a corresponding length, it is guided by consequently the screw cap 35 together with the one there inside screwed thread rod 15, through the insertion groove 31 of the covering wall 29 of the hollow support profile 5. The edges of the insertion groove 31, are therefore not directly in contact with the screw rod 15 of the screw 9. Much more, it it becomes advantageous that the smooth outer side of the screw cap 35 it contacts the edges of the insertion groove 31, by which takes place a smooth movement of the thread rod 15 inside the insertion slot 31.

The spine plate 13 is shown in Fig. 6 according to the fourth embodiment. Unlike the three first embodiments, the spine plate 13 is configured here integrally with screw 9, as its head screw. The spine plate 13 accordingly has a head section 47 center. The central head section 47 is radially follows the spring section 37 type plate / disk, which becomes the contact section 39. In the represented exploded view is assigned to screw 9 a common washer 11, as well as a conventional thread nut 49, which is screwable to fix the covering wall 29 and with it, in Fig. 6, upper end of the stem 15 of the counterweight 3. In fixed state of the counterweight 3 is supported, in the variant according to the Fig. 6, the thread nut 49 with its washer 11, on the surface of contact 21 of counterweight 3 opposite to tank 1, as shown in Fig. 2. In corresponding mode is the spine plate 13 shaped as a screw head, arranged inside the channel of insert 25 of the hollow support profile 5.

The screw connection 7 is shown in Fig. 7, according to the fifth embodiment, also in a view in explosion. As deduced from Fig. 7, the spine plate 13 is formed here as screw head washer 19. The plate of spines 13 presents in this a central concavity 51, whose inner contour is adapted to the outer contour of the head of screw 19 in shape drag. From the central concavity 51, it follow spring section 37 plate / disc type, which again becomes contact section 39 in the form of iron, which extends radially. In contact section 39 the projections 43 are further configured in the form of Thorn. The end of the stem 15 of the screw 9, provided with a thread, is also screwed with a thread nut 49 conventional. In the fixed state of the counterweight 3, the plate spines 13 is arranged in the guide channel 25, together with the head screw 19 arranged in its concavity 51. The spine plate 13 sits in this case against turning, in the covering wall 29, with its protrusions 43 wedged in the plastic material of the wall of coverage 29. As a result, screw head 19 is connected, safe against rotation, with spine plate 13, due to the drag-in connection between the contour outside of the screw head 19 and the inside contour of the concavity 51.

Reference symbols in the claims, the description and drawings serve only for a better understanding of the invention and should not restrict the scope of protection.

List of reference symbols

one

Cuba / Lye container

3

Counterweight

5

Hollow Support Profile

7

Bolted joint

9

Screw / Screw element

eleven

Washer

13

Plate of thorns

fifteen

Stem / Thread Stem

17

Mounting hole

19

Screw head

twenty-one

Contact surface

2. 3

Countersunk hole

25

Insertion channel / Guide channel

27

Side walls

29

Cover wall / Fixing section

31

Insertion slot

32

Screw element fixing section, of 13

33

Internal thread

35

Screw cap

37

Disc type spring section

39

Contact section

41

Butt surfaces

43

Thorn-shaped projections, 13

Four. Five

Bottom zone

47

Head section

49

Thread nut

51

Concavity

       \ vskip1.000000 \ baselineskip
    

to

Material thickness

b

Distance

C

Game between 27 and 41

Claims (17)

1. Washing machine with a tank (1) and a counterweight (3) attached to it through a bolted joint, where the bolted joint has a screw element (9) with two end fasteners (13, 19), guided through a hole (17) of the counterweight (3), between which the counterweight (3) and a fixing section (29) of the tank (1) are held, characterized in that, at least one of the elements of end clamp (13, 19), is configured as a spine plate (13), with at least one spine-shaped projection (43), which in the fixed state of the counterweight (3) is wedged in the fixing section ( 29) in the direction of the clamping and secures the spine plate (13) against rotation. 2. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the spine plate (13) is configured as a screw nut screwed with the screw element (9). 3. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the spine plate (13) is formed as a screw head of the screw-in element (9). 4. Washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, the spine plate (13) is configured as a washer assigned to a screw head of the screw element (9), with which the screw head is rotatable. 5. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at least one spine-shaped projection (43) has a rounded spine tip. 6. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the spine plate (13) has a perimeter profile of multiple edges, with an amount of even edges. 7. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, (that) the spine plate (13) has at least one pair of opposite parallel lateral surfaces (41). 8. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the spine plate (13) is assigned at least one turning stop (27) formed in the fixing section (29), which forms an additional insurance against spin for the spine plate (13). 9. Washing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the pivot stop formed in the fixing section (29) has two parallel side walls (27) opposite each other, between which the spine plate (13) arranged against turn. 10. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the spine plate (13) has an internal bolting element fixing section (32) and an external contact section (39), which is in contact
to pressure with the fixing section (29) and in which at least one spine-shaped projection (43) is provided. A washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, between the fixing section of the internal screw-in element (32) and the external contact section (39) in the form of an iron, a plate-like spring section (37) is provided /disk. 12. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case of the thorn plate (13) formed as a thorn nut, in the fixing section of internal screwable element (32), a receiving thread is provided (33) for the screw element (9). 13. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the case of the spine plate (13) formed as a screw head, the internal screw-in element fixing section (32) is connected to the screw-in element ( 9) safe against rotation, preferably joined securely against integral rotation. 14. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the fixing section (29) of the tank has an insertion slot (31) open laterally, through which the screw-in element (9) protrudes. 15. Washing machine according to claim 14, characterized in that, the fixing section (29) forms a channel of insertion (25); the insertion slot (31) flows into the insertion channel (25) and extends in the longitudinal direction of the same; Y in the case of a union assembly screwable, the spine plate (13) is movable along the insertion channel (25) and the screw element (9) along the insertion slot (31) towards a fixing position definitive 16. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing section (29) is connected to the tank (1) in the form of a unified material and in one piece. 17. Washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tank (1) and / or the fixing section (29) is / are produced / produced of plastic.