MXPA00006688A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

Washing machine having a drum (4) inclined to the horizontal and supported by a suspension system including a first, lenear suspension unit (1, 2) inclined at an angle substantially normal to the axis of the drum (4), and a second suspension unit (3) generally parallel to the axis of the drum (4).

Description

WASHING MACHINE.

Field of the invention. The present invention relates to a washing machine, and in particular to a washing machine having a cylindrical tank mounted on an inclined shaft, and more particularly to a suspension system that is used "on such a machine.

Previous technique The known washing machines, which include a cylindrical tank capable of rotating, are mounted around a horizontal axis in a fixed water tank. The water tank is supported by means of a number of suspension units, which are mounted, vertically, inside the washing machine. It is common for each of the suspension units to comprise a cylindrical body part including an annular cushion and a sliding support rod, which is provided in the body and a spring that is inclined outside the body. The cylindrical body is fixed to the frame of the washing machine, typically, by using rubber washers, and the support rod is fixed to the water tank. The suspension system supports REF. 121221 both the static load due to the weight of the cylindrical tank, ie the water tank, the water that contains the water tank and the clothes that contain the cylindrical tank, as well as the dynamic load when the cylindrical tank is rotated, due that these charges are, generally, in a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical reservoir. The suspension system has a limited resistance to the parallel forces, generally, towards the axis of rotation of the cylindrical reservoir, however, in use there are few but none of such force components. It has been proposed to supply a washing machine with a cylindrical tank, which has a rotation axis that inclines towards the horizontal axis. One such commercially available machine is the "NEPTUNO" machine available from the Maytag company. In this machine, vertical suspension units such as those used in conventional washing machines are provided to support the lower rear end of the water tank, and the springs are connected between the upper part of the frame of the machine and the upper front end of the water tank. This combination of the suspension units supports the vertical components of the dynamic and static loads, but they are unable to prevent, in a complete way, the forward and backward movements of the tank, especially during high-speed rotation of the tank. cylindrical, for example during the turn. This means that it is necessary to have a large gap between the water tank and the cabinet of the washing machine to ensure that there is no contact between these parts during the operation of the washing machine. It has not been considered possible to tilt the suspension units, so that they are normal to the rotation axes of the cylindrical tank, because there will be a component of the static load perpendicular to the suspension unit, which will cause the Support rod is bent or deformed with respect to the cylinder. This can prevent proper operation of the suspension unit and can cause the shock absorber to wear out quickly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a washing machine comprises a cylindrical tank that is mounted to rotate about an inclined axis, a first linear suspension unit that inclines at a normal angle, substantially, towards the axis of rotation of the cylindrical tank, and a second suspension unit that is provided parallel, generally, to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical tank. With this arrangement, the first linear suspension unit is at the same angle as the main dynamic load as the cylindrical tank is rotated. The dynamic load, in a typical way, is much larger than the static load, typically, of 300 kgf as opposed to the vertical static load of 60 kgf, and therefore the first linear suspension unit is capable of supporting the cylindrical tank against larger forces. The second suspension unit is capable of balancing the components of the normal static force so that they are supported by means of the first suspension unit, and is therefore able to balance the force components, which otherwise, tend to bend or deform the first suspension unit. Therefore, the combination of the two suspension units balances the main dynamic and static loads in the washing machine, and also prolongs the life of the suspension units.

This arrangement results in a very small forward-backward movement of the cylindrical reservoir and allows the cylindrical reservoir to be located in a cabinet with a very small space between the cylindrical reservoir and the cabinet, and therefore allows a reservoir to be supplied. Cylindrical larger than normal in a standard size cabinet. The first linear suspension unit preferably comprises a body part, which slidably supports a rod, which inclines out of the body. In this case, a force on the rod tends to move the rod towards the body, and this movement is opposed by the inclination of the rod outside the body to give the effect of suspension that is required. The suspension unit gives a little resistance to the forces in a transverse direction towards the rod. In this case, the first suspension unit includes, preferably, an annular damper, through which the support rod slides. As the cylindrical tank slopes, it is an advantage to provide a cover, between the inclined open entrance of the cylindrical tank and the vertical front opening of the cabinet. It is preferred that this cover be substantially rigid, substantially. This is an advantage as it ensures that items can not pass, accidentally, near the cylindrical tank outlet and into the cabinet, and it is also of particular advantage, where a removable basket is going to pass to the tank cylindrical, due to the rigid cover that helps support the basket as it is inserted or removed. The rigid cover is made possible due to the twin suspension system, which minimizes the movement of the cylindrical tank inside the cabinet. The first and second suspension units can be connected, directly, to the fixed water tank within which, the cylindrical tank is mounted, so that it rotates. However, it is preferred that a single tank capable of turning, be supplied and act as both a water tank, and a cylindrical tank capable of rotating, and therefore, in use contains both the water for washing and the articles that they are going to wash In this case, it is preferred that the rotatable cylindrical container be mounted on a frame, and that the suspension units be connected between the cabinet of the washing machine and the frame. The second suspension unit may be in the form of a tension spring that is supplied between the front of the water tank or between the frame, which supports the water tank and the front of the cabinet, however, it is preferred that the second suspension unit be in the form of a rear thrust bearing. This is of particular advantage, where a single cylindrical tank forms the water tank and holds the items to be washed. In this case the thrust bearing is preferably formed from two low friction plates, one of which is supplied on the rear part of the cylindrical tank or on the frame, which supports the water tank or the water tank. Cylindrical tank, and the other plate is supplied on the cabinet of the washing machine. It is an advantage for one or both of the plates to be inclined, for example, by means of a spring towards the other plate. It is an advantage for the second suspension unit that is going. to be supplied in the rear part of the cylindrical tank, as the center of gravity of the cylindrical tank, in a special way, when it contains water and the articles to be washed, which is towards the rear of the cylindrical tank. During the rotation of the cylindrical tank, the cylindrical tank will tend to oscillate around its center of gravity, and therefore, there will be more movement of the cylindrical tank, additional from the center of gravity that next to the center of gravity. Therefore, it is an advantage to have the suspension unit as close to the center of gravity as possible, as there will be minimal movement between the cylindrical reservoir and the cabinet at this point. Preferably, the cylindrical reservoir is mounted to rotate about an axis inclined by about 20 ° to 30 ° towards the horizontal axis.

Brief description of the drawings. An example of the present invention will now be described with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a washing machine including the suspension system of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the first suspension unit shown in Figure 1.

Detailed description of a preferred example. The washing machine shown in Figure 1 is supplied in a cabinet 5, and includes a single cylindrical tank 4 capable of rotating, which is mounted with its axes of rotation at an angle of 200 °, approximately, to the horizontal axis. The cylindrical tank 4 has solid side walls, which allow it to contain both the articles to be washed and the water to be washed. The water is introduced into the cylindrical tank 4 through the shaft or shaft, beside which the cylindrical tank 4 rotates, and the water is expelled from the cylindrical tank 4 through the holes 11, which are supplied at the rear end of the cylindrical tank below the lowest point of the open front end of the cylindrical tank 4, and reaches a water collector 12, which directs the collected water through a discharge 13. The front part of the cabinet 5 includes an opening, through. which the user has access to the inside of the cylindrical tank 4. A rigid cover 6, generally, is provided between the vertical front opening of the cabinet and the front opening of the cylindrical tank 4. The cover 6 extends near the open end of the cylindrical tank 4, so that the articles to be washed are unable to leave the cylindrical tank 4 towards the cabinet 5. The cylindrical tank 4 is mounted so that it rotates on top of a frame 8. The frame 8 includes weights of reinforcement 9, 10 which help cushion and absorb vibrations, which can occur as the cylindrical tank is rotated, especially during high speed rotation. An engine 7 is provided to rotate the cylindrical tank 4 as required. The frame 8 is supported by a first suspension unit including four independent shock absorbers mounted on spring of the suspension units 1, 2. Only two of these units are shown in Figure 1, however, it will be appreciated that two other units will be supply behind those, which can be seen. Spring-mounted damper suspension units 1, 2 are best seen in Figure 2. The unit comprises a hollow part 20 of cylindrical body, on top of which is provided an annular damper 22. A rod 21 is provided , slidably, in the hollow part 20 of the body, and inclined by means of a spring 23 outside the lower part of the body part 20. The rod 21 slides through the annular cushion 22 of the suspension unit. Any attempt to slide the rod 21 towards the hollow of the body, will be resisted by the spring 23, thus giving the damping effect that is required. As shown in Figure 1, each of the body parts 20 of the spring-mounted shock absorber units is connected to the base of the cabinet 5 by using rubber washers, and the free ends of each of the rods. they are connected to frame 8, again with the use of rubber washers. With this arrangement, any forces normal to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical tank 4 will be damped or absorbed by the spring mounted shock absorber units 1, 2 of the first suspension unit. These suspension units can be replaced by any other linear suspension, ie by a unit, which is able to withstand the axial forces, generally. In addition, a rear thrust bearing comprises a pair of low friction plates 3, which is supplied between the cylindrical tank 4 capable of turning and the rear part of the cabinet 5. One of the plates is tilted by means of a spring towards the other plate, and therefore, it gives a component of parallel compensation force. to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical reservoir 4. This compensation force opposes the component of the static force parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical reservoir 4, and thus prevents bending or deformation of the shock absorber units 1, 2 mounted on spring, and prevents backward and forward movements of the cylindrical tank 4. This allows the cover 6 to be rigid, with only a small gap between the cylindrical tank 4 and the cover 6, and between the cylindrical tank 4, the frame 9 and the cabinet 5. This, in turn, allows the size of the cylindrical tank 4 to be maximized yet and yet fit within a standard-sized cabinet. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as background, the claim contained in the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a base, a cylindrical tank that is mounted on top of the base, which rotates around an inclined axis, a first suspension unit that is mounted on the base and that inclines at a substantially normal angle towards the axis of rotation of the cylindrical tank, and a second suspension unit that is supplied parallel, generally, to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical tank . A washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first linear suspension unit comprises a body part, which supports, slidably, a rod which is inclined outside the body. 3. A washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the first suspension unit includes an annular damper, through which the support rod slides. A washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover is supplied between the inclined open entrance of the cylindrical tank and the vertical front opening of the washing machine cabinet. 5. A washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the cover is substantially rigid. A washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second suspension units are connected, directly, to a fixed water tank within which the cylindrical tank is mounted, so that turn A washing machine according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a single tank capable of turning is supplied, which acts both as a water tank, as a cylindrical tank capable of turning, and in the which, in use, contains both the water to be washed and the items to be washed. A washing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the cylindrical magazine capable of being rotated is mounted on top of a frame, and in which the suspension units are connected between the cabinet of the washing machine and the frame. 9. A washing machine according to any of the following claims: characterized by the second unit of its. It is in the form of a tension spring, which is provided between the front of the water tank or between the frame supporting the water tank and the front of the cabinet. 10. A washing machine according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second suspension unit is in the form of a rear thrust bearing. A washing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the thrust bearing comprises two low friction plates, one of which is supplied on the rear part of the cylindrical tank or on the frame supporting the water tank or the cylindrical tank, and the other plate is supplied on the cabinet of the washing machine. 12. A washing machine according to claim 11, characterized in that one of the plates is inclined, for example, by means of a spring towards the other plate. 13. A washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second suspension unit is provided adjacent to the center of gravity of the cylindrical tank. A washing machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylindrical tank is mounted to rotate about an axis inclined by about 20 ° to 30 ° towards the horizontal axis.