ES2341912T3 - GASKET FOR A MACHINE FOR THE TREATMENT OF LA COLADA. - Google Patents

Abstract

A front-loaded washing machine has a circular hatch whose inner face is separated from the fixed drum housing flange by a flexible ring seal. The ring seal has an essentially S-shaped cross with internal bracing section consisting of a pairs of cups, each individual pair linked by a transverse member. The internal members stabilize the seal flanks against their respective faces under sheer stress caused by operation of the washing machine.

Description

Bellows seal for a machine for the laundry treatment.

The invention relates to a bellows seal for a machine for the treatment of laundry with a housing of the machine, in which a washing container with a drum supported there that can rotate, and a loading opening arranged on the front side of the machine housing, being the bellows seal is attached to the loading opening as well as to the wash container tightly, and including the gasket Bellows a crease for vibrations with an inner flank section, central and outer one, with at least one reinforcing element for influence the deformation forces that occur.

One such bellows joint is known by the DE 103 59 614 A1. The group, which is composed of a drum with washing vessel, deflects when centrifuged as consequence of an imbalance in the drum or vibrates. Then the bellows board must follow this movement. So a bellows joint between housing and group can be reached at Strong crease formation. The folds can then wear out by rubbing, with the consequence that the ring of Door seal ceases to be tight and has to be replaced. Document US 2005/262879 A1 knows the placement in sections flank insulated reinforcements by thickening the material by way of nerves, so that the areas become more resistant to friction.

From DE 199 61 463 A1 the use in a top loading washing machine (toplader) of the bellows seal to fix the washing container. For it a fixing device is integrated in the bellows seal. There is it is quite expensive to integrate the fixing equipment into the joint, which Due to the special tensile strength, it is composed of other material than the seal for bellows. In addition, you can be reached, due to the different characteristics of elasticity and dilation, problems of union or detachment.

This movement of the group results in a displacement of the crown crowns from one another and precisely not only in the horizontal direction, but also in the vertical direction or in the torsion direction. Since they are fixed by their edges opposite each other to the machine housing or to the washing vessel, a variation of the lengths is compensated by a twisting of the central crown of the collar. With torsion, the respective free edges of the collar crowns are deformed accordingly. This deformation of the bellows seal runs along the load opening annularly, not necessarily in a unified manner, since the washing vessel and the drums vibrate, due to the elastic suspension of the bearing, on the one hand together in the direction of the axis of rotation, whereby the distance obviously increases or decreases in the same direction around the loading opening. This movement can be so strong that the drum with its drum neck reaches the bellows seal, in particular the inner crown of the collar, with which it is at approximately the same height. The washing vessel and the drum are also wobbled together with the support around the center of gravity or around the rest position of the group loaded in the housing, whereby the distance increases at a point in the loading opening, while at another point, for example at an opposite point with respect to the axis of rotation, a torsion or rotation of the opening of the washing container relative to the opening of the
Case.

To counter this phenomenon, it is proposed according to the state of the art, for example the US document 2004/103693 A1, which the inner crown of the necklace, and here in particular the section of the central flank of the vibration fold, carry an annular shaped reinforcement element, which reduces the spread of deformation forces to the flank section exterior or to the inner flank section. This element of reinforcement is configured as a thickened area in the section of central flank.

In addition, reinforcement elements are known. formed in the ring ring in the form of grooves. These known and described constructive forms have no influence some about the shape of the crease for vibrations in terms of pleated. So they can also, particularly in the ways known constructive, present the disadvantages that different flank sections of a fold for vibrations rub each other when the group vibrates, which leads to a high wear on the bellows seal.

The invention thus formulates the problem of perfect a bellows seal for a machine for the laundry treatment such that in particular the wear phenomena that damage the useful life.

In the context of the invention, this problem by the features of claim 1 or by the features of independent claim 2. Advantageous improvements and refinements of the invention result from the following subordinate claims.

The advantages that can be achieved through invention is that the new solution influences directly on the critical area of the vibration fold. In the area where the flank sections are placed next to each other or well rub against each other and can wear out by friction, it is that is, the geometry of the folds for vibrations itself it has to be optimized, but it is selectively avoided by elastic stabilization elements that the flank sections of the folds for vibrations reach the autocontact. These stabilization elements configured as additional elements they can be manufactured simply in one piece with the vibration fold.

For this they are arranged within the framework of the invention the reinforcing elements, at least by areas, radially  between the flank sections that form a fold. These prevent like this a contact of the flank surfaces essentially oriented in parallel when a deformation, torsion or a shear gasket request, when the group is move In addition, the reinforcing elements are stabilized flank surfaces in position and orientation.

In a convenient execution include the reinforcement elements stabilization elements shaped nerve, arranged in a grid between the flank sections They form a fold. This stabilizes parts of the crease for vibrations, so that the pleat can only present at predetermined points and to a limited extent.

In another execution include the elements of reinforcement cylindrical stabilization elements or shaped of cap. These stabilization elements are shaped in the fold between the flank surfaces and arranged to each other to a certain distance In this regard they can be united so advantageous these stabilization elements in the fold together through nerve elements. The shape of the base surface of the bushings can then be circular or polygonal, with what the bushings can be optimally adapted to the existing space in fold.

The individual stabilization element with cap shape corresponds to its diameter approximately at the height of the fold or at the distance between flank surfaces arranged essentially in parallel. In as for its height, the stabilizing element with shape corresponds of bushing approximately half the height of the crease or well at half the height of the fold surface. The stabilization elements that form the reinforcing elements they are arranged in the fold where the maximum is presented deformation during machine operation, for example in the position zone on the clock from 11 am to 1 am and / or laterally in the area of 8 or 4 hours. According to another way constructive, it may also be provided that the elements of stabilization are arranged essentially distributed from uniform way around the perimeter, so that it is a pleated as possible uniform.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawings simply schematically and it will describe more in detail below. It is shown in:

Figure 1 a sectional view of a machine for the treatment of laundry;

figure 2 a perspective representation of a partial detail of a bellows seal;

figure 3 a bellows seal in the representation of a simulated load case;

figure 4 a representation of three cases of load in isolated representation 4a, 4b, 4c and

figure 5 another sectional side view of a machine for the treatment of laundry with an opening of oblique placed filling and bellows seal.

Figure 1 shows in sectional side view a machine for the treatment of laundry 1 with a housing of the machine 2, in which a washing container 3 is provided with a drum 4 there supported such that it can rotate. The vessel of wash 3 is suspended in the housing by means of spring and dampers 16 such that it can move vibrating. On the side front of the casing of the machine 2 an opening is arranged of load 5, being arranged between the load opening 5 and the wash container 3 a bellows seal 6. This originates a tight transition from the washing container 3 to the opening load 5. Then include the bellows seal 6, as you can clearly observed in figures 2 and 3, a fold to vibrations 7, with a section of inner flank 8, a section of intermediate flank 9 and an outer flank section 10.

In this regard, at least one element of reinforcement 11 to influence the deformation forces that are present As can be seen in Figure 2 in perspective, reinforcement elements 11 are arranged at least by areas radially between flank sections 8 and 9 that form a fold, avoiding these, particularly when deformations occur, torsions or solicitations by shear, a contact of the flank surfaces 12 and 13 oriented essentially in parallel when the bellows seal 6 is submitted to requests, so It stabilizes in terms of position and orientation.

The reinforcing elements 11, as they can observed in figure 2, include stabilization elements here  14 shaped like a bushing, which are formed in the fold between flank edges 12 and 13. In this regard they are arranged the stabilization elements 14 in the fold at a distance A each. It advantageously influences the elements of stabilization 14 that they are attached in the fold to each other through the ribs 15 represented. As can be seen in Figure 2 corresponds to the stabilization segment 14 shaped of bush as for its diameter approximately to the width of the fold or at the distance between the flank surfaces 12 and 13 arranged essentially in parallel. As for the height, corresponds to the stabilization segment 14 with a bushing at its height approximately half the height of the crease or well at half the height of the surface of the fold 12, 13.

Figure 3 shows a computer simulation how the bellows seal 6 under load is deformed. About it is clear that the vibration fold 7 assumes a form undulating, decreasing the distances between the surfaces of flank. A representation of three load cases is shown in the separate representations 4a, 4b and 4c. In this regard it shows the Figure 4a a case without load, in which the different elements of Stabilization 14 are not deformed. Figure 4b shows a load situation under pressure of the elements of stabilization 14, and a situation can be seen in figure 4c subjected to traction. With this the different elements act stabilizers 14 almost like springs figured in the fold, which they can be loaded both under pressure and tensile. With his spring resistance thus oppose the folding movement when the wash container vibrates. Then are the stabilization elements 14 forming the reinforcing elements 11 in the fold, where the maximum deformation in the state is presented of machine operation. In this regard we refer to the figure 5, which presents a machine for the treatment of laundry 1, in which the filling opening runs obliquely, so that also the different sections of flank 8, 9 and 10 of the board of bellows 6 run obliquely at the upper edge of the opening loading 5. Particularly in this area or immediately proximity to the oblique section, the maximum deformation of the bellows seal 6, so that in this area the stabilizing elements 14 constituting the elements of 11 reinforcement in the fold. However, you can also think of distribute stabilizer elements 14 essentially uniform perimeter. In some cases it is advantageous to have the stabilization elements 14 in the lateral zone for example in 8 o'clock or 4 o'clock position.

In machine spin operation for the treatment of laundry 1, the vibrating group is diverted due to imbalance in the drum 4. This movement between the fixed machine housing 2 and the vibrating group must compensate the bellows seal 6 used as a sealing element. Be it therefore reaches strong deformations, which usually they result in the formation of folds in the fold for vibrations 7, which is represented in figure 3. This fold formation can in part be so strong that the stretches flank 8, 9, 10 side of the fold for vibrations 7 touch and eventually wear out by rubbing. In this case it can penetrate water in the casing of machine 2 and the customer service customer must replace the bellows seal 6. To avoid this it form the stabilization elements 14 in the form of bushings described at critical points in the fold for vibrations 7. These are demoulded during the process of manufacturing together with the 7 fold in vibration axial direction The elastic action of these elements of stabilization 14 causes the folds in the radial direction remain distanced even with large deformations. The bushing-shaped stabilizer elements 14 must correspond in diameter to the width of the fold for vibrations 7, so as not to limit the space for the formation of folds The height of the stabilizer elements 14 must be in the order of magnitude of half the height of the vibration fold 7. The connection by nerves 15 between the stabilizer elements 14 increases by compressing the elements the elastic effect It also prevents the elements from being able to wear out each other. The cap shape of the elements stabilizers 14 also has the advantage that for example when there are deformations without strong fold formation, the replacement forces of the bellows seal 6 between the group that vibrates and the casing of machine 2 is not too large, since this would negatively influence behavior in terms of stability of the machine for the treatment of laundry 1. By therefore, the wide decoupling between the movement of the vibrating group and the machine housing 2.

Claims (8)

1. Bellows seal (6) for a machine for laundry treatment (1) with a machine housing (2), in which is provided a washing container (3) with a drum (4) supported there such that it can rotate, and a loading opening (5) arranged on the front side of the machine housing (2), the bellows seal (6) being fixed both to the loading opening (5) as well as the washing container (3) in a sealed manner, and including the bellows seal (6) a vibration fold (7) with a section of inner, central and outer flank (8, 9, 10), with at least one reinforcing element (11) to influence the deformation forces that occur, characterized by reinforcing elements (11), which at least by areas are arranged radially between the flank sections (8, 9) that form a fold and avoid contact between the flank surfaces (12, 13) oriented essentially in parallel when deformations, torsions or shear stresses of the bellows seal (6) take place and stabilize it in terms of its position and orientation, including the reinforcing elements (11) stabilizing elements in the form of a rib, arranged in a grid between the flank sections (8, 9) that form a fold and are formed in the fold between the flank surfaces. 2. Bellows seal (6) for a machine for laundry treatment (1) with a machine housing (2), in which is provided a washing container (3) with a drum (4) supported there such that it can rotate and a loading opening (5) arranged on the front face of the machine housing (2), the bellows seal (6) being fixed both to the loading opening (5) as well as the washing container (3) in a sealed manner and including the bellows seal (6) a vibration fold (7) with an inner, intermediate and outer flank section (8, 9, 10), with at least one reinforcing element (11) to influence the deformation forces that occur, characterized by reinforcing elements (11), arranged at least radially between the flank sections (8, 9) that form a fold, which avoid a contact of the flank surfaces (12, 13) oriented essentially in parallel when there is deformations, torsions or solicitations by shear of the bellows seal (6) and stabilize it in terms of its position and orientation, including the reinforcement elements (11) stabilization elements (14) in the form of bushes, formed in the fold between the flank surfaces (12, 13). 3. Bellows seal according to claim 2, characterized in that the stabilization elements (14) are arranged in the fold at a certain distance from each other. 4. Bellows seal according to claim 3, characterized in that the stabilization elements (14) are joined together in the fold by means of nerve segments (15). 5. Bellows seal according to claim 2, characterized in that the bushing-shaped stabilization element (14) corresponds approximately in its diameter to the width of the fold or to the distance between the flank surfaces (12, 13) arranged essentially in parallel. 6. Bellows seal according to claim 2, characterized in that the stabilizing element (14) with the shape of a socket corresponds to its height approximately half the height of the fold or half the height of the fold surface (12, 13). 7. Bellows seal according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stabilization elements (14) that form the reinforcement elements (11) are arranged in the fold, where the maximum deformation in the operating state of the machine for the treatment of the laundry (1) is presented. 8. Bellows seal according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the stabilization elements (14) are arranged essentially evenly distributed around the perimeter.