GB2164360A

GB2164360A - Washing machine with improved fixing for electrical heating elements

Info

Publication number: GB2164360A
Application number: GB08522384A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Olindo Regazzo
Original assignee: Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Current assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Priority date: 1984-09-13
Filing date: 1985-09-10
Publication date: 1986-03-19
Also published as: IT8434049V0; ES288980U; FR2570097A3; GB8522384D0; ES288980Y; DE8525801U1; FR2570097B3; GB2164360B

Abstract

A washing machine, in particular a clothes washing machine is provided with at least one electrical heating element (7) which is introduced into the lower part of the washing tank via an opening (9) and is clamped into position. Its free end is pivoted into an indentation (16) as the fixing screws for the element are tightened, so obviating the need for separate heater fixing clips. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Washing machine with improved fixing for electrical heating elements The invention concerns a washing machine, in particular a domestic clothes washing machine, provided with an improved system for fixing the electrical heating elements in the washing tank.

As is known, in clothes washing machines the washing solution is heated by electrical resistances mounted in the bottom of the washing tank. Such resistances are tubular in section and are bent in various ways so that they can be introduced into the tank through a suitable opening which is then sealed closed around the electrical terminals of the resistances.

The free ends of such resistances which extend almost horizontally inwardly of the tank are generally locked in position by metal clips or supports which are welded to the tank so as to hold the resistance in a position in which it is spaced from the bottom of the tank and from the bottom of the washing drum.

However, the above-mentioned fixing devices are additional elements which, besides increasing production times, may give rise to the beginnings of corrosion in the regions in which they are welded or screwed to the tank. In regard to a dishwashing machine, it has been proposed (German utility model No 75 00 885) that projecting portions should be provided on the wall of the tank, being disposed on opposite sides with respect to the resistance heater, thereby to form guides for inserting and fixing the resistance heater itself. However, that is a construction which can be specifically applied to the dishwashing machines insofar as it requires precise positioning which can be guaranteed and checked by virtue of the wide access opening in the tank.

In addition, the above-described construction requires the use of a resistance member which is continuous in its line at least in the portion thereof which has to be inserted between the projecting portions.

According to the present invention, there is provided a washing machine provided with at least one electrical heating element of elongate tubular shape, which can be introduced into the lower part of the washing tank by way of an opening provided in a wall of the tank and which can be sealingly fixed in position therein by means of a plug of elastic material which is capable of engaging against the peripheral edge of the opening for introducing the heating element and being clamped against same by means of the co-operation of flanges and screw means and wherein in at least one wall of the tank is an indentation which is so positioned and shaped that the resistance member is inserted into the tank with its free end below said indentation and in the final phase of tightening the screw means, during which the resistance member is subjected to a pivoting movement in an upward direction, it is caused to bear with its free end against the bottom surface of said indentation.

As will become appararent from the following description, the illustrated embodiment of the invention can eliminate the difficulties and additional fixing elements involved in the known constructions, proposing a system which is suited to any type of washing machine and for any type of conventional resistance member which is already in use.

In particular, the construction according to the invention is advantageous in relation to clothes washing machines in which the interior of the tank is not easily accessible and visible.

The invention will be further described by way of non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partly sectional plan view of the washing tank and the associated heating elements of a clothes washing machine according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows the same details as those shown in Figure 1 but as a side view in section taken along line Il-Il in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, shown therein is the lower part of the tank 5 of a clothes washing machine of conventional type, for example a top loading washing machine, with a tank of cylindrical shape. Disposed within the tank, beneath the washing drum 6 (see Figure 2), is at least one heating element 7 for the washing fluid contained in the tank 5. On one of its side walls 8, the tank 5 is provided with an opening 9 which is of an elliptical shape to permit the introduction of one or more heating elements 7 which are conventionally constructed with an armoured resistance of tubular section provided with respective electrical terminals 10 and 11 for connection to associated conductors (not shown) of the electrical power supply of the machine.

Disposed around the electrical terminals 10 and 11 is a rubber block or plug 12 (Figure 2) which is capable of sealingly closing the opening 9 for introducing the heating element, by the co-operation of flanges and screw systems which are known per se and therefore not shown in the drawings.

It can be noted from Figure 2 that the body of the resistance member7 is longitudinally bent to define two portions 13 and 14 which are almost parallel to the bottom configuration of the tank 5 and it extends with a free end 15 in contact with the underneath surface of an indentation 16 in the oppositely disposed walls 17 of the tank 5.To guaranteed continuous engagement between the end 15 of the resistance member 7 and the indentation 16 of the tank 5, the opening 9 for introducing the resistance member 7 is disposed in a region of the wall 8 which is suitably inclined towards the interior of the tank 5 through an angle sufficient to permit the resistance member 7 to be introduced beneath the washing drum 6 and the indentation 16 and to ensure that, at the same time as the tightening operations, the body of the resistance member 7 is subsequently caused to move towards the underneath surface of the indentation 16.

More particularly, the body of the resistance member 7 in combination with the plug 12 and the closure systems is firstly introduced loosely into the opening 9 and is then disposed in a position in which it is inclined downwardly to permit the free end 15 thereof to be positioned beneath the indentation 16.

With the subsequent tightening operations, the portion 13 of the body of the resistance member7 is moved to take up a position in which it is in almost orthogonal relationship with the opening 9 and consequently also the portion 14 moves upwardly and causes the free end 15 thereof to bear against the bottom surface of the indentation 16.

It will be apparent that such a fixing system makes it possible to eliminate any additional support, clip or carrier means which is conventionally used and at the same time permits the resistance member 7 to be correctly positioned without the possibility of error. In fact, the indentation 16 is so positioned and shaped that it permits the resistance member 7 to be introduced in the operative position without requiring the degree of accuracy and visual checking which are indispensible in the case of washing tanks which are provided with a plurality of mounting projections or seats which are disposed in mutually opposite relationship. Thus, the construction according to the invention is particularly advantageous in relation to clothes washing machines in which the interior of the tank is not easily accessible and visible.

It should be noted that the fixing system according to the invention does not suffer from the effects of thermal expansion and it makes it possible also to accommodate with substantial tolerance any dimensional variations which may be found in the components of the tank 5 and the resistance member 7.

It will be clear that the fixing system according to the invention may be the subject of any modifications according to circumstances, for example the opening 9 for introducing the resistance heater may be disposed in a wall which is perfectly perpendicular or the resistance member 7 may have a body which is straight and not bent longitudinally into a plurality of portions, subject however to the particularfeatures claimed hereinafter.

Claims

1. A washing machine provided with at least one electrical heating element of elongate tubular shape, which can be introduced into the lower part of the washing tank by way of an opening provided in a wall of the tank and which can be sealingly fixed in position therein by means of a plug of elastic material which is capable of engaging against the peripheral edge of the opening for introducing the heating element and being clamped against same by means of the co-operation of flanges and screw means and wherein in at least one wall of the tank is an indentation which is so positioned and shaped that the resistance member is inserted into the tank with its free end below said indentation and in the final phase of tightening the screw means, during which the resistance member is subjected to pivoting movement in an upward direction, it is caused to bear with its free end against the bottom surface of said indentation.

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