GB1601781A

GB1601781A - Washing and drying machine

Info

Publication number: GB1601781A
Application number: GB16895/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SEBRAN SARL
Current assignee: SEBRAN SARL
Priority date: 1977-05-02
Filing date: 1978-04-28
Publication date: 1981-11-04
Also published as: ES469841A1; CH625283A5; DE2818752C2; DE2818752A1; FR2389704B1; BE866398A; FR2389704A1

Abstract

In this machine (1), the drum (2) is mounted in suspension, via each of its two ends and by means of suspension means (18) and damping means (23), in two fixed end frames (13, 14) secured together by longitudinal members (11). The fixed pipes for conveying fluids (9', 26, 27, 28) end up in the drum (2) by means of flexible connectors (9'', 29, 30, 31). This machine finds a beneficial application as a high capacity machine for laundries. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) A WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE (71) We, S.E.B.R.A.N. sari, a French Company, of 18--26 rue Goubet in F-75019 Paris, France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a washing and drying machine, in particular a washing and drying machine of large capacity for laundries.

It is known that known machines of this type comprise a fixed cylindrical horizontal rub which receives the washing bath water then the rinsing water, and inside the tube is a rotatable drum or washing carrier basket which rotates with the washing to be washed therein. The basket splashes about in the washing bath, then in the rinsing water which penetrates therein through the many orifices with which the said drum is provided.

The fixed tube is integral with end frames of the machine. In particular, in the case of machines of large capacity the drum filled with washing constitutes an out of balance rotating load due to the inevitable irregularity of the distribution of the weight of the washing which is introduced therein. There follows in rotation the existence of a created imbalance and in particular at large drying speeds there are considerable vibratory thrusts of the drum on these frames of the machine, their anchorages to the support of the machine, and on the support itself. These vibratory thrusts find their maximum when the frequency of rotation of the drum reaches the resonant frequency characteristic of the whole of the machine; the thrusts can be destructive.

The undesirable vibration forces thus transmitted to the frames of the machine are damped by the support when the frames of the machine are anchored to such a very solid support, for example, the ground or a concrete base of as heavy construction as possible. However when, for example, the machine is mounted on the floor of a building or on a sanitary space, this support is only constituted by a floor or a covering insufficient to damp these vibrations which are then transmitted to the walls of the premises, which is undesirable.

There has already been proposed the idea of disconnecting the tub from these frames by the intermediary of suspending and damping means in particular by the means described in US Patent No. 2692681, a disposition and or arrangement which does not permit of preventing completely the transmission of the vibrations of the tub caused by the rotation of the drum to the frames of the machine and the support.

By a particular disposition, and an arrangement of spring and damping means, the present invention which results from studies and thorough tests permits of eliminating completely this transmission of vibrations.

According to the invention there is provided a washing and drying machine, in particular of large capacity of laundries, comprising a cylindrical tube which is disposed with its axis horizontal and into which in use are successively introduced washing water then rinsing water and wherein in the inside of the tub is mounted co-axially with the tub a cylindrical longitudinal rotatable washing carrier drum, the tub being suspended by suspension means in two fixed ended frames connected by beams, the machine including fixed water conveying conduits connected to the said tube by the intermediary of flexible connections and a motor unit for rotating the drum, which motor unit is mounted on the tub itself thus to prevent the transmission of vibrations from the tub to the said fixed parts of the machine, the machine being characterised in that the ends of the tub are closed by discs each engaged in one of the two end frames, the said suspension means comprising for each disc two suspension springs connected to the top half of the disc and two shock absorbers connected to the bottom half of the disc, the spring and the shock absorbers being arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical central diameter of the disc, and the springs being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially tangentially to the disc and the shock absorbers being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially radially with respect to the disc, these particular orientations of the two shock absorbers and of the two pairs of springs serving to maintain the position of the tub, and the two pairs of shock absorbers serving to counteract the rotation thrusts of the tub which are transmitted to it by the rotating drum by the action of the springs.

The invention will be better understood, and other features and advantages of the latter will follow better, from the following description and from the attached drawings, which relate to a preferred embodiment of the machine which is the subject thereof. The embodiment is illustrated and described by way of non-limiting example.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a part longitudinal section of the machine according to the preferred embodiment, the casing of the machine being removed; Fig. 2 shows the machine of Fig. 1 in cross section, the section being on the line II--II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the machine of Fig. 1 in cross section, the section being on line III--III of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows the machine of Fig. 1 in longitudinal section, some of the parts being ommitted for clarity of the drawing; Fig. 5 shows, in detail, the electrical heating system provided when the machine is adapted to be heated by electricity; and Fig. 6 shows the gas system provided when the machine is adapted to be heated by gas.

Referring first of all to the Figures 1 to 4, the machine shown is indicated by numeral 1 and comprises a horizontal cylindrical tub 2 which receives the washing water and then the rinsing water, and inside of which is rotatably mounted a drum or washing carrier basket 3 in which the washing is placed and splashes about in the washing water then in the rinsing water which penetrates therein through the many orifices (not shown) with which the lateral cylindrical surface of this drum 3 is pierced. The tub 2 is provided in the example considered with two washing inlet apertures 4 and 5. Its ends are closed by two discs on one 6, of which is mounted a plate 8 at whose centre is rotatably supported one of the ends of the shaft 9 of the drum 3, and the other, 7 of which is penetrated by the other end of the shaft 9, which end carries the driving wheel 10 for the drum 3. The wheel 10 is of substantial mass so that it also acts as a fly wheel.

The machine 1 comprises in addition a frame comprising two beams 11 and two end frames 13, 14 integral with beams 11.

The frame is placed on and/or fixed to the support 12. The two end frames 13 and 14 are in the forrn of open boxes, each pierced by a circular opening (15 and 16 respectively) of diameter greater than that of the tub 2 and the ends of the tub 2 respectively penetrate the end frames through these openings. Disc 6 is thus located inside the frame 13 and the disc 7 in the inside of the frame 14. The tub 2, according to a main feature of the invention, is held suspended by these discs 6 and 7 on the frames 13 and 14 by the intermediary of suspension means and without rigid connection with the latter. The suspension means comprises two suspension arrangements which respectively are connected to discs 6 and 7. Each suspension arrangement comprises two pairs of springs 17 and 18 and each spring is hooked on by one of its ends to an angle iron 19 fixed to the frame 13 or 14 and by its other end to a clip 20 or 21 fixed to the disc 6, 7 as Figures 1 and 2 clearly show. At the same time, each suspension arrangement includes damping means which are provided to limit the amplitude of movement of the tub 2 when the frequency of rotation of the drum reaches the frequency of resonance of the whole assembly. These damping means are in the example constituted for each disc 6 and 7 by two shock absorbers 22 and 23, of each of which one of the ends of which is supported against the frame 13 or 14 and the other end of which is fixed by means of an angle iron 24, 25 to the disc 6 or 7.

So as not to maintain any rigid connection between the tub 2 and the fixed parts of the machine, fixed fluid conveying conduits 26, 27 and 28 described hereinafter are connected to the tub 2 by the intermediary of flexible connections 29, 30 and 31 respectively. For the same reason, a motor unit 32 for rotating the drum 3 on the inside of the tub 2 is mounted on the tub 2 itself by a fixing means 33. This motor unit 32 comprises a two speed motor 34 which on the one hand, drives the drum 3 at a slow speed during the washing phases and on the other hand drives the drum at high speed during the drying phases. The motor unit 32 comprises in addition a speed changer and coupling constituted by two pulleys 35 variable by the centrifugal action of the motor 34 when running at fast speed, a reverse axle 36 carrying a pulley 37 driving by a transmission belt 38 and wheel 10 which also serves as a fly wheel for driving the drum 3 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4). A belt 39 ensures the connection between the shaft of the motor 34 and the pulleys 35. An opening 40 made in the end frame 14 permits the passage of the reverse axle 36 into end frame 14.

In the example given the drum 3 is provided with two openings 41 permitting, when these two openings come opposite the apertures 4 and 5, the insertion into the drum or the removal therefrom of the washing.

The convection in the washing water introduced into the tub 2 not normally being sufficient to homogenise the temperature thereof, the drum 3 is provided on the outside with spiral veins 42 (Fig. 3), which during rotation of the drum 3, ensure the mixing of the said water and the homogenisation of its temperature and of its concentration of the washing, dyeing or other additives.

A conduit 9' leading towards the tub 2 via a flexible connection 9" serves to supply the washing additives and then the rinsing water (Figs. 1 and 4.).

When the washing water is steam heated, the "steam" heating of the water is effected by. the injection of steam into the tub 2. This heating alternatively or additionally may also be effected electrically or by gas. For this purpose, the machine 1 is provided with a heat exchanger 43 fixed in the frame 13 and with which, on the one hand, the conduit 28 connects and which via the flexible connection 31 directs the water of the bath, flowing under gravity to the heat exchanger, and on the other hand the conduit 27 connected by means of the flexible connection 30 connects to the inlet conduit 44 leading into the base of the tub 2 through the disc 6. These two connections facilitate the water movement by convection and ensure the passage of the heated water from the exchanger 43 to the tube 2 through the conduit 27, the flexible connection 30 and the pipe 44, and the passage of water to be heated from the tub 2 to the exchanger 43 through the flexible connection 31 and the conduit 28, as will be understood from Figs. 1 and 4. A device 46 for rapid emptying and evacuation of the washing water by gravity is connected directly by a pipe 45 to the exchanger 43 (Figs 2 and 3) and is supported thereby. The heating is cut off by the action of a sensor 47 (Figs 1 and 4) arranged to detect the temperature inside of the tub 2. The internal shape of the exchanger 43 differs according to whether one provides for the use of electric heating (Fig. 5) or heating by gas (Fig. 6).

In the first case, a heating box 48 is provided and contains electric thermoplungers or coils 49 (Fig. 5). In a second case (Fig.

6) a heating body 50 with fins 51 connects directly the conduits 27 and 28 and receives the heat from a gas heating system strip 52.

An electro valve 53 provided with a known control system (not shown) is also included.

A hood 54 collects the burnt gases which are evacuated through a chimney 55.

According to a usual procedure during washing the drum 3 turns alternately in one direction then in the other inside the tube 2 with a view to improving the efficiency of the washing.

In a preferred manner as Fig. 2 clearly indicates, the springs 17 and 18 and the shock absorbers are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical central diameter of the disc 6 or 7, the springs being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially tangentially to the disc 6 or 7 and the shock absorbers being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially radially with respect to the disc 6 or 7.

By this system of suspension of the tub, the machine 1 eliminates not only the transmission to its fixed parts of the undesirable vibrations previously met with, but also the transmission to these fixed parts of the starting inertia shocks of the drum 3 and the inertia shocks due to successive reversings of direction of rotation.

In addition, there is provided at the start of the drying phase, that the tub 2 is still filled with rinsing water, which permits of a better distribution of the washing contained in the drum 3 and reduces consequently the imbalance. At the time of this drying phase the water is collected by a collector 2' situated at the back (Fig. 3) and then is evacuated through the pipe 26 via the flexible connection 29.

On the other hand, there is provided the possibility of introducing into the tub dyeing additives (colours, dyes etc or other products), in particular for special treatment of certain textile pieces or animal skins.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A washing and drying machine, in particular of large capacity of laundries, comprising a cylindrical tub which is disposed with its axis horizontal and into which in use are successively introduced washing water, then rinsing water and wherein in the inside of the tub is mounted co-axially with the tub a cylindrical longitudinal rotatable washing carrier drum, the tub being suspended by suspension means in two fixed end frames connected by beams, the machine including fixed water conveying conduits connected to the said tub by the intermediary of flexible connections and a motor unit for rotating the drum, which motor unit is mounted on the tub itself thus to prevent the transmission of vibrations from the tub to the said fixed parts of the machine, the machine being characterised in that the ends of the tub are closed by discs each engaged in one of the two end frames, the said suspension means comprising for each disc two suspension springs connected to the top half of the disc and two shock absorbers connected to the bottom half of the disc, the springs and the shock absorbers being arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical central diameter of the disc, and the springs being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially tangentially to the disc and the shock absorbers being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially radially with respect to the disc, these particular orientations of the two shock absorbers and of the two pairs of springs serving to maintain the position of the tub, the two pairs of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

outside with spiral veins 42 (Fig. 3), which during rotation of the drum 3, ensure the mixing of the said water and the homogenisation of its temperature and of its concentration of the washing, dyeing or other additives.

A conduit 9' leading towards the tub 2 via a flexible connection 9" serves to supply the washing additives and then the rinsing water (Figs. 1 and 4.).

When the washing water is steam heated, the "steam" heating of the water is effected by. the injection of steam into the tub 2. This heating alternatively or additionally may also be effected electrically or by gas. For this purpose, the machine 1 is provided with a heat exchanger 43 fixed in the frame 13 and with which, on the one hand, the conduit 28 connects and which via the flexible connection 31 directs the water of the bath, flowing under gravity to the heat exchanger, and on the other hand the conduit 27 connected by means of the flexible connection 30 connects to the inlet conduit 44 leading into the base of the tub 2 through the disc 6. These two connections facilitate the water movement by convection and ensure the passage of the heated water from the exchanger 43 to the tube 2 through the conduit 27, the flexible connection 30 and the pipe 44, and the passage of water to be heated from the tub 2 to the exchanger 43 through the flexible connection 31 and the conduit 28, as will be understood from Figs. 1 and 4. A device 46 for rapid emptying and evacuation of the washing water by gravity is connected directly by a pipe 45 to the exchanger 43 (Figs 2 and 3) and is supported thereby. The heating is cut off by the action of a sensor 47 (Figs 1 and 4) arranged to detect the temperature inside of the tub 2. The internal shape of the exchanger 43 differs according to whether one provides for the use of electric heating (Fig. 5) or heating by gas (Fig. 6).

In the first case, a heating box 48 is provided and contains electric thermoplungers or coils 49 (Fig. 5). In a second case (Fig.

6) a heating body 50 with fins 51 connects directly the conduits 27 and 28 and receives the heat from a gas heating system strip 52.

An electro valve 53 provided with a known control system (not shown) is also included.

A hood 54 collects the burnt gases which are evacuated through a chimney 55.

According to a usual procedure during washing the drum 3 turns alternately in one direction then in the other inside the tube 2 with a view to improving the efficiency of the washing.

In a preferred manner as Fig. 2 clearly indicates, the springs 17 and 18 and the shock absorbers are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical central diameter of the disc 6 or 7, the springs being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially tangentially to the disc 6 or 7 and the shock absorbers being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially radially with respect to the disc 6 or 7.

By this system of suspension of the tub, the machine 1 eliminates not only the transmission to its fixed parts of the undesirable vibrations previously met with, but also the transmission to these fixed parts of the starting inertia shocks of the drum 3 and the inertia shocks due to successive reversings of direction of rotation.

In addition, there is provided at the start of the drying phase, that the tub 2 is still filled with rinsing water, which permits of a better distribution of the washing contained in the drum 3 and reduces consequently the imbalance. At the time of this drying phase the water is collected by a collector 2' situated at the back (Fig. 3) and then is evacuated through the pipe 26 via the flexible connection 29.

On the other hand, there is provided the possibility of introducing into the tub dyeing additives (colours, dyes etc or other products), in particular for special treatment of certain textile pieces or animal skins.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A washing and drying machine, in particular of large capacity of laundries, comprising a cylindrical tub which is disposed with its axis horizontal and into which in use are successively introduced washing water, then rinsing water and wherein in the inside of the tub is mounted co-axially with the tub a cylindrical longitudinal rotatable washing carrier drum, the tub being suspended by suspension means in two fixed end frames connected by beams, the machine including fixed water conveying conduits connected to the said tub by the intermediary of flexible connections and a motor unit for rotating the drum, which motor unit is mounted on the tub itself thus to prevent the transmission of vibrations from the tub to the said fixed parts of the machine, the machine being characterised in that the ends of the tub are closed by discs each engaged in one of the two end frames, the said suspension means comprising for each disc two suspension springs connected to the top half of the disc and two shock absorbers connected to the bottom half of the disc, the springs and the shock absorbers being arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical central diameter of the disc, and the springs being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially tangentially to the disc and the shock absorbers being arranged with their lines of action lying substantially radially with respect to the disc, these particular orientations of the two shock absorbers and of the two pairs of springs serving to maintain the position of the tub, the two pairs of

shock absorbers serving to counteract the rotation thrusts of the tub which are transmitted to it by the rotating drum by the action of the springs.
2. A washing and drying machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the drum is provided on the outside with spiral veins which, at the time of rotation of the drum ensures the mixing of the bath water and consequently the homogenisation of its temperature and its concentration of washing, dyeing or other additives.
3. A washing and drying machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said motor unit comprises a two speed motor and a speed changer coupling constituted by two pulleys variable under the centrifugal action at the fast speed of the motor; a reverse axle carrying a pulley which by a transmission belt drives a fly wheel for driving the drum.
4. A washing and drying machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a heat exchanger fixed in one of the frames and through which the tub can be recirculated so as to be heated, the conduits connecting the heat exchanger and the tube having flexible connections.
5. A washing and drying machine according to claim 4, with electric heating, characterised in that the said heat exchanger is constituted by a heating box in which are mounted electric thermoplungers or coils.
6. A washing and drying machine.according to claim 4, with gas heating, characterised in that the said heat exchanger is constituted by a heating body with fins connecting directly the said conduits and receiving the heat from a gas heater with electro valve, a hood being provided to collect and evacuate the spent gases.
7. A washing and drying machine according to any one of claims 4, 5 or 6 characterised in that it is provided with a rapid emptying and evacuation device mounted directly on the heat exchanger, said device being adapted to allow the water to drain by gravity.
8. A washing and drying machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the tube is provided at the back with a collector adapted to collect, upon drying, the rinsing water which is then evacuated via a flexible connection through an evacuation pipe.
9. A washing and drying machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.