WO2007141168A1

WO2007141168A1 - Support part for fastening a heating element

Info

Publication number: WO2007141168A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/055221
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Emmerich; Holger Reichner
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2006-06-08
Filing date: 2007-05-30
Publication date: 2007-12-13
Also published as: DE102006026745A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a support part for fastening and/or holding at least one heating element (I, II, III, IV) on a container (2), in particular on an alkali container (2) of a household appliance for the care of laundry articles, wherein the support part (1) can be fastened to the container (2) by means of a latching mechanism (14, 24, 25), and a module encompassing such a support part.

Description

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Carrier part for fastening a heating element

The invention relates to a support member for attaching and / or holding at least one heating element to a container, in particular a tub, a domestic appliance for the care of laundry, in particular a washing machine, and an assembly comprising such a support member.

From WO 03/056093 a fastening device is known in which heating rods are held by friction on a carrier part of a fastening device, wherein the fastening device is fastened in the washing machine. The support member is formed several times curved and designed so that some of the heating elements are held in depressions of this curved structure.

Moreover, DE 197 48 704 A1 discloses a fastening device for heating rods installed in the tub of a washing machine, which has a support plate fixed to the bottom of the tub. The support plate is integrally formed and shaped so that the heating elements are placed by punching, the legs of the support plate are oriented substantially vertically with these punched. At these vertical parts angled holding elements are formed, which are formed so that they press the inserted through the recesses heating rods on edges of these punched-out. The entire fastening device can be fastened to the suds container via a sliding mechanism, with rectangular rails being formed on the outside of the suds container for this purpose. However, by virtue of this attachment, the device with the heating rods can slip relatively easily and can not be arranged in a stable position on the tub.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the attachment of a support member for attaching and / or holding at least one heating element to a container.

This object is achieved by a carrier part which has the features according to claim 1 or an assembly which has the features of claim 13. The carrier part according to the invention for fastening and / or holding at least one heating element on a container of a domestic appliance for the care of laundry, in particular a washing machine, by means of a latching device, which is in particular releasably formed, attachable to the container. By such a fastening, the position-stable arrangement of this support member can be ensured on the container. In addition, this can be achieved easily and quickly to be realized mounting possibility of the support member to a container. The assembly according to the invention comprises the container, at least one heating element and the carrier part according to the invention, wherein the latching device is formed by a latching element on the carrier part and by a counter-latching element on the container. The latching and counter-locking element cooperate for fastening the carrier part to the container, whereby the positionally stable arrangement of the carrier part is ensured.

The container of the domestic appliance is designed to receive or pass through a medium to be heated, for example air, water or alkali. In the case of a laundry washing machine, the container is a so-called tub, which receives the cleaning medium water and / or alkali and in which the heating element is arranged. The container can also be designed as a water heater within a pumping circulation of the washing machine.

The heating element can be held by the carrier part positively and / or frictionally, in particular, a frictional connection is advantageous. Due to the frictional connection, a relative movement between the carrier part and the heating element can be avoided and, in particular, a noise development can be prevented. For the positive connection can be provided that the support member has a receiving area which surrounds the heating element partially.

At least one flexible latching element is arranged on the carrier part, which latching element is in particular formed integrally with the carrier part. Preferably, the connection between the container and the carrier part of the heating element can be made possible in a form-fitting manner without the use of additional components or components. It proves to be particularly advantageous if the latching element ensures the positive fastening. The locking element can be used as an elongated spring element be formed and preferably have a flat plate-like shape. The latching element is preferably attached or integrally formed with one end to the support member, wherein the opposite end extends as a free end. The spring action and formability can thereby be optimized with regard to the attachment of the device to the container. On the one hand, this embodiment allows a quick and relatively low-force attachment of the device to the container on the other hand, however, this also allows a very stable and precise fit and in particular form-fitting attachment.

The latching element is arranged in an advantageous embodiment on a plate-shaped portion of the support member, said plate-shaped portion is preferably arranged in the fastened state of the device to the container substantially parallel to a surface of the container. As a result, there is a relatively large area, the plate-shaped portion of the container, whereby slipping or tilting can be prevented.

The support member is formed angled in a preferred manner. In this case, the angled structure can be oriented in such a way that a leg which is substantially perpendicular thereto and in which the heating element is held, is arranged on the plate-shaped subregion, which preferably extends parallel to the surface of the container in the attached state. This leg may be formed bow-shaped and embrace bars of the heating element partially positive fit. These portions of this bracket partially embracing the bars are preferably formed at opposite ends and for frictionally holding the bars. These ends can be executed in alignment but also angled to the remaining part of this leg. The frictional connection can be carried out via a bias of the heating elements partially enclosing ends.

In the assembly comprising the support member engages the locking element in a preferred manner in the fastened state of the support member on the container in a recess formed in the container, which thus forms a detent element to the latching element. This recess may be formed as a non-continuous hole or undercut in the container. In the attached end position while the locking element engages in this recess, thereby enabling the reliable support. As elastic Element, in particular latching element, offer geometries that can yield and bend relatively easily during insertion of the device, but ensure a relatively high rigidity against disassembly in the mounted state and thus in the arranged final state of the support member on the container. Kink-resistant and flexible elements, in the form of tongues or tabs, prove to be advantageous latching elements.

The support part, in particular the plate-like portion on which the locking element is arranged, is arranged at least partially in at least one of the container formed in the container in the fastened state of the carrier part. The fixation can be ensured without further components.

Preferably, the attachment of the support member may be formed on the container in addition to a form-fitting configuration also frictionally engaged. For this purpose, preferably, the locking element is designed such that the locking element generates a biasing force in the attached state of the support member, which presses the support member against the insert. Due to the frictional connection, compliance with a desired mounting position or the prevention of a relative movement of the components can be achieved and noise generation in particular can be prevented.

It may also be provided in the assembly that the locking element engages in the attached state in a formed on the container raised structure, which also cooperates as a counter-latching element with the locking element for securing the support member. This embodiment may be provided instead of or in addition to the training in which engages the locking element in a recess on the container. Depending on the mounting position and the space conditions, the most suitable design can be used depending on the situation.

The raised structure can be designed, for example, as a rib or cam or as a bolt. This embodiment can also be provided as an undercut on the container. In alternative embodiments of the assembly, the locking element can also be designed as a counter-locking element and vice versa. For example, a latching element which is designed as an elongate spring element may be provided on the container. In such an embodiment, the carrier part then has a counter-latching element, in particular an opening in the plate-shaped partial region of the carrier element, into which the latching element engages for fastening the carrier part.

Preferably, the support member is integrally advantageously designed as a sheet metal bending construction, preferably made of stainless steel.

The carrier part or an advantageous embodiment thereof is preferably positioned at a low-lying position of the container, so that even small amounts of a medium to be heated, in particular a liquid medium, comes into contact with the heating element as early as possible. However, if the container is part of a water heater, the carrier part can also be arranged at positions of the container, so that the heating element held by the carrier part can come into contact with the medium to be heated. In addition, the attachment via the releasable locking device can be made cost-effective, since no additional elements are required. As a result, a quick and easy installation without additional tools can be achieved. The secure, permanent and position-stable connection is also guaranteed.

The carrier part according to the invention for attaching and / or holding at least one heating element is particularly advantageous for a container made of plastic, as required for the attachment of the support member to the container means, in particular the recess formed on the container or the raised structure in the engages the locking element of the device, and / or formed on the container slot, the injection molding of the container are simple and inexpensive to produce.

The assemblies according to the invention comprise at least one of the aforementioned refinements of the carrier part.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it: 1 shows a perspective view of a carrier part according to the invention in a container of an assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a detail of the assembly according to the invention with the carrier part; FIG.

3 shows a schematic illustration of a partial region of a first embodiment of a carrier part or an assembly in a sectional view;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the illustration of FIG. 3;

5 is a schematic representation of a portion of a second embodiment of a carrier part or an assembly in a sectional view;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a partial section of a carrier part according to the invention or an assembly according to the invention according to a second embodiment and

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a partial section of a carrier part according to the invention or an assembly according to the invention according to a third embodiment.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a part of an assembly 1 with a support part 1 1 for attaching and / or holding at least one heating element (not shown) to a tub 2 a washing machine shown. The support member 1 1 is in the region of a recess 21, which is formed in a surface of the tub 2, arranged. In Fig. 1, a situation is shown in which the carrier part 1 1 is attached to the tub 2. The assembly 1 comprises at least the tub 2, at least one heating element and a support part 1 1, which is fastened by means of a releasable latching device to the tub 2. The latching device is formed by the recess 24 and the latching element 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The integrally formed carrier part 1 1 comprises a bow-shaped element 12, which is designed as a receiving area and thus also for supporting the heating elements of the heating elements. For this purpose, 12 holding portions 12a and 12b are formed at opposite end portions of this bow-shaped element, which surround heating elements of these heating elements partially and are shaped so that they hold this form-fitting and frictional engagement.

As can be seen, this bow-shaped element 12 is formed with an open hollow profile. On the support surface 12c, the heating elements are placed.

Substantially perpendicular to this plate-like member 12, a plate-like portion 13 of the support member 1 1 is arranged. The entire support part 1 1 is made in one piece as a sheet metal bending construction made of stainless steel in the embodiment.

As can be seen, a spring-like locking element 14 is formed on the plate-shaped portion 13, which has the plate-like elements 14a and 14b, which are arranged at an angle to each other. The latching element 14 is integrated in the plate-like portion 13 and connected only at one end, the plate-like element 14 a adjacent end, with the plate-like portion 13. The plate-like element 14b is formed as a free end, whereby a relatively easy deformability of the locking element 14 during insertion or insertion of the fastening device 1 is ensured in the arrangement position in the tub 2. On the other hand, a positionally stable arrangement can be ensured by this arrangement and design of the locking element 14 in the installation position shown and a positive fastening can be achieved. In the plan view it can be seen that the latching element 14 extends with its angled structure downwards and thus formed in the negative direction of the vertically outgoing from the plane of the figure z-axis.

In this installation position shown, the locking element 14 engages in the recess 24, which is formed in the recess 21 of the tub 2. For further stable arrangement 2 slots 22 and 23 are formed in the tub, in which the plate-like portion 13 is inserted on opposite sides. By the dashed lines portions 13a and 13b is characterized in which areas this plate-like portion 13 is guided in the slots 22 and 23.

As can be seen from the illustration in Fig. 1, the plate-like portion 13 is in the shown installation position of the fastening device 1 area on the bottom portion 21 c of the recess 21. The clear width between the edge regions 21 a of the recess 21 in the y-direction is designed so that a tilting or twisting, in particular of the plate-like portion 13, can be prevented. For further stabilization, webs 12d and 12e are formed on the bow-shaped element 12, which webs are guided along these edge regions 21a when the carrier part 11 is pushed into its end position in the x-direction.

For this purpose, the webs 12d and 12e are formed correspondingly on these sides facing the edge regions 21a.

The inserts 22 and 23 are realized as free spaces between the bottom portion 21 c and the solid material formed above the tub 2. These arranged above fixed areas of the tub 2 have edge portions 21 b, which have a clear width in the y-direction, which is smaller than the clear width of the edge portions 21 a. By this shape, these serve the drawer 22 and the insert 23 covering parts of the tub 2 at the same time as stop elements for the bow-shaped element 12 when the support member 1 1 has reached its installation point. A further shift in positive x-direction is then no longer possible. To stabilize the support part 1 1 stabilizing elements 15 and 16 are symmetrical to the locking element 14 formed on opposite sides, which represent arched raised structures, which also form an arc of the bracket-like element 12. The structures can be formed particularly easily by embossing.

In Fig. 2 is a sectional view is shown, which shows a section through the embodiment of FIG. 1 along the section line AA. The sectional view shown above the line C relates to an embodiment of the bow-shaped element 12, as shown schematically in Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 shows the angled detent element 14 with its plate-like elements 14 a and 14 b. When installed, it can be seen that the element 14b and thus the free end of the latching element 14 rests against a rear wall of the recess 24. Pulling out and thus moving in the negative x-direction can thereby be prevented. Furthermore, a heating element II can be seen in the sectional view above the line C, which rests on the bearing surface 12c. An invisible heating element I (FIG. 3) arranged behind it is frictionally and positively held by the holding region 12a.

Furthermore, the insert 22 is shown.

In one embodiment, not shown, of the support part 1 1, the locking element 14 is adapted to the recess 24, that in the installed state, the locking element 14 at the bottom of the recess 24 under prestress and thus the support member 1 1 pressed against the slots 22 and 23. In such an embodiment, the attachment of the support member 1 1 is supported on the container 2 by an additional frictional connection.

In Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a bow-shaped element 12 according to the first embodiment in Fig. 1, in which heating rods I to IV of a heating element are shown. The contiguous rods form a snake-shaped heating element. The outer heating rods I and IV are held in the holding areas 12a and Ab. In Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3 is shown.

In Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the bow-shaped element 12 is shown. In this embodiment, the central heating elements II and III are frictionally and positively held in the holding areas 12a and 12b.

In Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is shown.

7 shows a schematic sectional view of a further embodiment for fastening the carrier part 11 to the tub 2. In an inverse embodiment to the illustration in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is on the plate-like portion 13 to the side and thus shaped in the y direction Detent element 14 is formed. When inserted in the x direction, this also angled, two partial areas 14a and 14b having detent element 14 on a raised rib structure 25, which extends in the z-direction out of the surface region of the tub 2, passes and snaps after passing this raised rib structure 25 one. When installed, then the exposed end of the locking element 14 and thus the element 14b is located on a rear wall 25a of this rib structure 25 at. This embodiment can be designed so that only this single locking mechanism is provided. It can also be provided that on the opposite edge of the plate-like portion 13, a corresponding locking element is formed, which engages in a corresponding rib structure 25. In the case of such an embodiment, a symmetrical design of this latching mechanism with respect to the x-axis is therefore present in the case of a plan view and thus when viewed in the negative z-direction.

A further embodiment for fastening the carrier part 1 1 on the tub 2 is shown in Fig. 8 with reference to a schematic sectional view through the support part 1 1 with the plate-like member 12 and the plate-shaped portion 13 and through a portion of the tub 2. In this embodiment, a latching element 26, which is formed as an opening 26 in the portion 13, and the tub 2, a locking element 26 is provided on the plate-shaped portion 13, which is formed as an elongate spring element 26. In the attached state of the support part 1 1 engages the elongated spring element 26 in the opening 27 in the plate-shaped portion 13 a.

Claims

claims

1 . Support member for fastening and / or holding at least one heating element (I, II, III, IV) to a container, in particular a tub (2), a domestic appliance for the care of laundry, characterized in that the carrier part (1 1) by means of a Locking device (14, 24, 25, 26, 27) on the

Container (2) can be fastened.

2. Carrier part according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating element (I, II, III, IV) by the carrier part (1 1) is held positively and / or frictionally engaged.

3. Carrier part according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier part (1 1) has a bow-shaped element (12) which surrounds the heating element (I, II, III, IV) partially.

4. Carrier part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the support part (1 1) at least one flexible latching element (14) is arranged, which in particular is formed integrally with the support part (1 1).

5. carrier part according to claim 4, characterized in that the latching element (14) is formed angled.

6. carrier part according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the latching element (14) as an elongate spring element (14a, 14b) is formed.

7. Carrier part according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on the support part (1 1) formed locking element is an opening (27) in the carrier part (1 1).

8. carrier part according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the carrier part (1 1) comprises a plate-shaped portion (13) which in the fastened state substantially parallel to a surface (21 c) of the container (2) and on which the latching element (14) is arranged.

9. carrier part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier part (1 1) is formed angled.

10. Carrier part according to claim 9, characterized in that the carrier part (1 1) comprises a plate-like element (12) through which the heating element (I, II, III, IV) is held and which is substantially perpendicular to the substantially parallel to the surface (21 c) of the container (2) oriented plate-like portion (13) is formed.

1 1. Carrier part according to one of the preceding claims, which is integrally formed.

12. Carrier part according to one of the preceding claims, which is made of sheet metal, in particular stainless steel.

13. Assembly for a household appliance for the care of laundry, in particular for a washing machine, comprising a container (2), in particular a tub (2), at least one heating element (I, II, III, IV) and a support member (1 1) Fixing and / or holding the heating element (I, II, III, IV), characterized in that the carrier part (1 1) comprises a latching element (14, 27) and the container (2) comprises a counter-latching element (24, 25, 26) , which cooperate for fastening the support part (1 1) on the container (2).

14. An assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the counter-latching element in the container (2) formed recess (24) into which the latching element (14), in particular an elongated spring element of the support member, engages.

15. An assembly according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the counter-locking element is formed on a container raised structure (25), in the the latching element (14), in particular an elongate spring element (14a, 14b) of the carrier part (1 1), engages.

16. An assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that the counter-latching element in the container (2) formed elongated spring element (26) which engages in the latching element (27), in particular in an opening in the carrier part (1 1).

17. Assembly according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that on the container (2) at least one insert (22, 23) is formed, in which at least a portion of the support part (1 1), in particular a plate-like portion (13). , is arranged.

18. An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the carrier part (1 1) and the container (2) are frictionally connected.

19. An assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that the container (2) is an injection-molded plastic component.