GB2070074A

GB2070074A - Washing Unit Support Structure for Clothes Washing Machine

Info

Publication number: GB2070074A
Application number: GB8104879A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Current assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
Priority date: 1980-02-25
Filing date: 1981-02-17
Publication date: 1981-09-03
Also published as: FR2476701B3; FR2476701A3; IT8034012V0

Abstract

A top loading clothes washing machine, has its washing unit (3) supported by a metal support frame formed by a plurality of vertical struts (11) which are braced relative to each other an which are fixed at the bottom to a rigid base (12) with resilient suspension members such as springs (17-20) connected between the washing unit and the upper part of the frame. Dampers (29) damp vibration transmitted to said washing unit during rotary movement of the drum (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Washing Unit Support Structure for Clothes Washing Machine The present invention relates to a clothes washing machine, in particular of the top loading type, wherein the washing unit is supported resiliently in a support structure.

As is known, top loading clothes washing machines essentially comprise a casing which is of reduced size, and a washing unit which is supported within the casing by means of springs acting between the washing unit and the upper part of the casing, and dampers which are connected between the washing unit and the base forming the lower part of the casing.

These machines can also be produced without the springs for suspending the washing unit, and in such a case the washing unit is supported by suitable support means such as spring legs and the like which are connected between the washing unit and the base of the machine in such a way as to be able effectively to absorb the vibration which is produced during the spin phase of such machines.

Consequently, the casing of a machine of the type in question must be appropriately stiffened by suitable reinforcement means such as brackets, bars etc so as to be able to withstand the loads which are transmitted thereto during the various operating cycles of the machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a clothes washing machine of the top loading type, comprising a washing unit formed by a tub, a drum which is supported rotatably within the tub; means for driving the drum in rotation: an external casing for enclosing the washing unit and formed by a metal cover means which is bent on three sides so as to define two side members and the front portion of the machine and which is closed at the rear by a removable back member; a metal support frame to which the casing is removably fixed and formed by a plurality of vertical struts which are braced relative to each other and which are fixed at the bottom to a rigid base, the frame being capable of supporting said washing unit by means of resilient suspension members connected between said washing unit and the upper part of the frame; and damper means connected between said washing unit and said base for damping vibration transmitted to said washing unit during rotary movement of said drum.

As will be apparent from the following description, the invention can provide a top loading clothes washing machine with a support structure for the washing unit, which is different from the above-described types, in which the washing unit is no longer supported by the casing, as hitherto, but rather by a specific support frame to which the casing is subsequently removably secured. This results in particular in greater simplicity and structural design convenience.

The invention will be further described by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a clothes washing machine according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic plan view of the machine of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is diagrammatically illustrated therein a top loading clothes washing machine comprising a washing unit 3 formed by a tub 4, and a drum 5 which is supported rotatably within the tub and which can be driven in rotation by a pulley 6 driven by a motor 7 by way of a pulley 8 and a transmission belt 9, and further comprising a metal support frame 10 which is capable of supporting the washing unit in the manner which will be described hereinafter.

The frame 10 essentially comprises at least four vertical struts 11 which are braced relative to each other by transverse connecting members (not shown) so as to form a box-like structure of reduced dimensions, the struts being fixed at their lower end to a rigid base 12.

Respective metal supports 13, 14, 15 and 16 are secured at the upper ends of the struts 11.

The metal supports 13 to 16 are arranged to permit one end of respective tension springs 17, 1 8, 1 9 and 20 to be engaged therewith, with the other ends of the springs being engageable in respective apertured brackets 21,22, 23 and 24 which are fixed to the outside surface of the tub 4.

In particular, the pair of brackets 13 and 14 which are fixed adjoining the front portion 25 of the machine provide for fixing the respective ends of the springs 1 7 and 18 in a first horizontal plane which is adjacent the upper ends of the struts 11, while the other pair of brackets 15 and 16 which are fixed adjoining the rear portion 26 of the machine provide for fixing of the respective ends of the springs 1 9 and 20 in a second horizontal plane which is below the first-mentioned horizontal plane. This arrangement provides a greater amount of space within the frame 10 for housing the control devices 27 for controlling the machine, which in turn are supported by a portion of the cover indicated at 28, which closes the upper part of the machine.

The Washing unit 3 is supported in its lower part by at least two damper devices 29 of per se known type, each of which is formed for example by a leaf spring 30 co-operating with a friction lining member 31, which are connected between a respective friction plate 32 and 33 fixed to the outside surface of the tub 4 and the base 12, such devices being so dimensioned as efficiently to damp the oscillations which are transmitted to the washing unit 3 during rotary movement of the drum 5.

The frame 10 is then covered at the sides by an outside casing 34 which is then fixed by screw means to the frame, the casing 34 comprising a metal cover means which is bent on three sides so as to define the two side members 35 and 36 and the front portion 25 of the machine, being closed at the rear by a removable back member 37.

Consequently, the structure for supporting the various components of this machine is formed solely by the metal frame and not, as previously, by the casing of the machine itself, so that the casing can be of simple structure and without the reinforcing means which were used hitherto.

The machine which is constructed in this way can also be mass-produced with a smaller number of operating phases.

Indeed, in that case, the washing unit 3 and the respective operating means of the machine (motor, resistances and the like) are first mounted in a preliminary operation on the frame 10 which is fixed to the base 12, in the above-described manner. After those components have been secured to the frame 10, the casing 34, the back member 37 and the cover 28 which has already been attached to the devices 27 for controlling the operating cycles of the machine, are fitted and removably fixed in place.

A further advantage of the present invention lies finally in the fact that the interior of the machine is easily accessible, whenever it is necessary to inspect the above-mentioned components in the event of damage or replacement thereof, by simply removing the back member 37 or even the complete casing 34.

Claims

1. A clothes washing machine of the top loading type, comprising a washing unit formed by a tub, a drum which is supported rotatably within the tub; means for driving the drum in rotation; an external casing for enclosing the washing unit and formed by a metal cover means which is bent on three sides so as to define two side members and the front portion of the machine and which is closed at the rear by a removable back member; a metal support frame to which the casing is removably fixed and formed by a plurality of vertical struts which are braced relative to each other and which are fixed at the bottom to a rigid base, the frame being capable oF supporting said washing unit by means of resilient suspension members connected between said washing unit and the upper part of the frame; and damper means connected between said washing unit and said base for damping vibration transmitted to said washing unit during rotary movement of said drum.

2. A washing machine according to claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of damper means each comprising a leaf spring co-operating with a friction lining member which are connected between respective friction plates on the tub and base.

3. A washing machine constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.