WO2006064429A1

WO2006064429A1 - A washer / dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2006064429A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/054148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ibrahim Yildirim; Murat Erdim; Sabih Hizal
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2004-12-15
Filing date: 2005-12-09
Publication date: 2006-06-22
Also published as: EP1834025A1; EP1834025B1; TR200703484T1; ATE544897T1

Abstract

This invention relates to a connection mechanism (6), utilized in washers/dryers (1), which comprises a spring washer (10) whereby it is achieved to attach the balance weight (5) to the washing tank (4) as gap-free. This balance weight (5) assists to attenuate the forces applied during operation by increasing the inertia of the washing tank (4), whereby some time-dependent loosening during operation is compensated and the noise level is prevented from increasing which may be caused as the balance weight (5) detaches from its fixed position.

Description

Description A WASHER / DRYER

[001] This invention relates to attaching a balance weight to a washing tank used in a washer/dryer.

[002] In washer/dryers, it is a known application to use a concrete balance weight in order to balance the plastic washing tank and the loads applied during operation. Usually, the balance weight is screwed after it is attached to the plastic extensions located on the washing tank. Generally, either a tension force is applied to the plastic by means of screw connections formed on the plastic material or the plastic extension is stretched by being forced with the screw from inside. Thereby, it is achieved that the balance weight is fixed on the washing tank. If the fixation is achieved by stretching the plastic as mentioned, a loading is observed along the tension direction, around the holes of the concrete balance weight which are attached to the extensions, and that causes cracks to form on concrete block. In order to prevent the tension on the concrete, a washer with an internal diameter size limiting the stretching of the plastic component beyond a specific value, is utilized. Setting the dimensions of the internal diameter of the washer to be utilized and the diameter of the connection holes of the balance weight, in relation to each other, is critical (Figure 4). Plastic extensions on the washing tank should be stretched with a screw just enough to be able to hold the balance weight and this operation should not cause the formation of cracks on the balance weight. A possible time-dependent change in the dimension of the connection hole diameter of the balance weight and yielding of plastic material cause the force to fix the balance weight to drop. In such a case, the balance weight starts to slightly loosen, increases the amplitude of the motion as it enlarges the space for its own on the plastic extensions in time and, causes the noise level to increase during operation. In the current state of the art, in order to obtain an pre-stressed connection to be able to prevent the loosening of the balance weight, either the pre-stressed bolt itself is utilized (Figure 2) or a spring washer is used to ensure the desired pre-stress (Figure 3).

[003] In the German Patent Document DE 4238686, a description is given of an application wherein the bolt of the plastic is attached with a spring washer in order to prevent the loosening that results from the yielding of the plastic material in time. A pre-stress is formed by the deflection of the spring washer in the axial direction.

[004] In the European Patent Document EP 0319081 , the balance weight with a concrete main body which is used in a washing machine is supported with metal reinforcement components and, by screwing the connecting elements connected to the said reinforcement components it is attached to the washing tank of the washing machine.

[005] In the European Patent Document EP 0798412, a description is given of an anchorage system which is used to attach a balance weight of a washing machine to the washing tank. The extensions which come out of the washing tank of the washing machine and go into the balance weight, extend to the sides as anchorage pieces fit into them and thus, grasp the balance weight internally. Before assembly, anchorage pieces are connected to the balance weight via flanges that can easily be broken.

[006] In the European Patent Document EP 0964094, a description is given of a clips which reinforces the connection of the concrete balance weight to the washing tank in a washing machine and which circumferentially surrounds the balance weight by means of brackets. The extensions of the washing tank which fit into the housings on the external surface of the balance weight are extended to the sides by being screwed and supported with metal brackets.

[007] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer/dryer comprising a connection mechanism whereby it is prevented that the balance weight attached to the washing tank loosens in time and detaches from its fixed position.

[008] The washer/dryer realized in order to attain above mentioned aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures where:

[009] Fig.l - is a schematic view of a washer/dryer.

[010] Fig.2 - is a sectional view of a washing tank of a washer/dryer and a balance weight attached to the said washing tank by means of an pre-stressed bolt, in the state of the art.

[011] Fig.3 - is a sectional view of a washing tank of a washer/dryer and a balance weight attached to the said washing tank by means of a spring washer, in the state of the art.

[012] Fig.4 - is a sectional view of a washing tank of a washer/dryer and a balance weight attached to the said washing tank by means of a washer the internal diameter size of which is fixed, in the state of the art.

[013] Fig.5 - is a sectional view of an extension located on a washing tank.

[014] Fig.6 - is a sectional view of a balance weight.

[015] Fig.7 - is an A-A sectional view of an extension.

[016] Fig.8 - is a sectional view of a spring washer.

[017] Fig.9 - is a perspective view of a spring washer.

[018] Fig.10 - is a sectional view of a spring washer that fits onto an extension.

[019] Fig.l 1 - is a sectional view of a connection mechanism whereby the washing tank — balance weight connection is established, not assembled.

[020] Fig.12 - is a sectional view of a connection mechanism whereby the washing tank — balance weight connection is established, assembled.

[021] Elements shown in figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washer/dryer

2. Body 3. Drum

4. Washing tank

5. Balance weight

6. Connection mechanism

7. Extension

8. Extension housing

9. Screw

10. Spring washer

11. Screw hole

12. Extension leg

13. Split

14. Pressure surface

15. Washer hole

16. Extension fitting surface

[022] The washer/dryer (1) comprises a body (2), a drum (3) where laundry is placed into, a washing tank (4) manufactured from plastic material where the drum (3) moves in, a balance weight (5) manufactured from concrete material, which assists to attenuate the forces applied during operation by increasing the inertia of the washing tank (4) and, one or more than one connection mechanism (6) whereby the balance weight (5) is attached to the washing tank (4).

[023] The connection mechanism (6) comprises one or more extensions (boss) (7) located on the front wall of the washing tank (4), manufactured via plastic injection to be single piece with the washing tank (4), whereby the balance weight (5) attached onto the washing tank (a) is carried and wherein its end comes out of the other side of the balance weight (5) as a distance X as the balance weight (5) is attached, an extension housing (8) which is positioned in the balance weight (5) and where mentioned extension (7) passes therethrough, a screw (9) whereby it is achieved to extend the extension (7) to the sides and to lean it against the extension housing (8) internally, by being screwed to the interior of the extension (7) and, a spring washer (10) located between the screw (9) and the extension (7), whereby it is accomplished to attach the balance weight (5) to the washing tank (4) as pre-stressed and with a gap-free and flexible connection method by applying both a radial and an axial force.

[024] The extension (7) comprises a screw hole (11) where the screw (9) fits into, more than one extension leg (12) which leans against the interior of the extension housing (8) by being extended to the sides as the screw (9) is screwed to the screw hole (11) and, one or more than one split (13) which is used to facilitate the extension legs (12) to extend as mentioned.

[025] The spring washer (10) comprises a free height (H) which is preferably longer than the length (X) of the portion of the extension (7) that comes out of the balance weight (5). When the screw (9) is screwed to the extension (7) while the spring washer (10) is therebetween, the spring washer (10) extends in the radial direction as it stretches wherein its height (H) decreases and approaches to the length (X).

[026] The spring washer (10) comprises a curvilinear pressure surface (14) which stretches and extends along the radial direction and prevents the balance weight (5) from moving back and forth by continuously applying a pressure in the direction of screw (9) tightening as the screw (9) is screwed to the extension (7) and, whereby it is achieved that it slides on the balance weight (5) meanwhile applying a pressure onto the said balance weight (5) as mentioned, a washer hole (15) the edges of which curve towards the screw hole (11) as it fits onto the extension (7) and the edges of which apply a pressure to the screw hole (11) in radial direction as being forced by the screw (9) head and, an extension fitting surface (16) which fits onto the extension legs (12) and permits said extension legs (12) to stretch outward.

[027] When the balance weight (5) is attached to the washing tank (4), the extension (7) is passed through the extension housings (8) located in the balance weight (5) and the end portion of the extension (7) comes out of the other side of the balance weight (5) to a distance X. The screw (9) is screwed to the interior of the extension (7) namely to the screw hole (11) as a spring washer (10) is placed therebetween, at the said end of the extension (7) which comes out of the balance weight (5). Screwing process continues until the extension fitting surface (16) fits to the extension legs (12). While the screw (9) forces the extension legs (12) to extend to the sides, the extension fitting surface (16) permits the portion of the extension legs (12) which is located outside of the balance weight (5) to extend to the sides for a certain amount. At the end of the screwing process, by extending to the sides, extension legs (12) tightly lean against the internal wall of the extension housing (8). The portion (X) of the extension (7) that comes out of the balance weight (5), circumferentially extends for a certain amount permitted by the extension fitting surface (16). This amount is larger than that of the portion that is located inside the extension housing (8) and thereby, the balance weight (5) is prevented from sliding on the extension (7). By continuously applying a pressure onto the balance weight (5), the pressure surface (14) prevents the balance weight (5) to move back and forth and cause a gap in time.

[028] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring washer (10) comprises a hat form which circumferentially fits onto the extension legs (12) covering from the tips (Figure 8, Figure 9).

[029] In the mentioned screwing process, a flexible restraint is applied by the extension fitting surface (16) of the spring washer (10) as the portion (X) of the extension legs (12) that is positioned outside the balance weight (5) extends to the sides as being forced by the screw (9) head, at the same time, via the stretching of the spring washer (10) in the axial direction, the pressure surface (14) pushes the balance weight (5) by continuously applying a force in the axial direction, and thereby it is achieved to attach the balance weight (5) to the washing tank (4) via a gap-free and flexible connection method as the spring washer (10) applies a force in both the radial and axial direction. Since the time-dependent loosening of the balance weight (5) is prevented, a noisy operation which may be caused by mentioned loosening is also precluded.

Claims

[001] A washer/dryer (1) comprising ; a drum (3) into which laundry is placed ; a washing tank (4) in which the drum (3) moves ; a balance weight (5) which assists to attenuate the forces applied during operation by increasing the inertia of the washing tank (4) ; and characterized by a connection mechanism (6) comprising ; one or more extensions (7) whereby the balance weight (5) attached onto the washing tank (a) is carried and which has more than one extension legs (12) that extends to the sides during screwing process and that comes out of the other side of the balance weight (5) as a distance (X) as the balance weight (5) is attached and ; a spring washer (10) whereby it is accomplished to attach the balance weight (5) to the washing tank (4) as pre-stressed and which has an extension fitting surface (16) that fits onto the extension legs (12) and permits said extension legs (12) to stretch outward.

[002] A washer/dryer (1) as described in Claim 1, characterized by a connection mechanism (6) comprising an extension housing (8) which is positioned in the balance weight (5) and where the extension (7) passes therethrough, and a screw (9) whereby it is achieved to extend the extension legs (12) to the sides and to lean them against the extension housing (8) internally, by being screwed to the interior of the extension (7).

[003] A washer/dryer (1) as described in Claims 1 and 2, characterized by a connection mechanism (6) comprising an extension (7) having a screw hole (11) where the screw (9) fits into and one or more splits (13) which is used to facilitate the extension legs (12) to extend as mentioned.

[004] A washer/dryer (1) as described in Claim 1, characterized by a connection mechanism (6) comprising a spring washer (10) having a curvilinear pressure surface (14) which stretches and extends along the radial direction and continuously applies a pressure to the balance weight (5) in the direction of screw (9) tightening as the screw (9) is screwed to the extension (7) and a washer hole (15) the edges of which curve towards the screw hole (11) as it fits onto the extension (7) and the edges of which apply a pressure to the screw hole (11) in radial direction as being forced by the screw (9) head.

[005] A washer/dryer (1) as described in any of the above Claims, characterized by a connection mechanism (6) which comprises a spring washer (10) having a hat form which circumferentially fits onto the extension legs (12) covering their tips.

[006] A washer/dryer (1) as described in any of the above Claims, characterized by a connection mechanism (6) which comprises a spring washer (10) having a free height (H) which is longer than the length (X) of the portion of the extension (7) that comes out of the balance weight (5).