WO2008053001A1

WO2008053001A1 - Washing machine vibration damper bracket with a cover against water ingress

Info

Publication number: WO2008053001A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/061716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Orhan Daioglu
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-05-08

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) that comprises a vibration damper. In the said washing machine (1), the void (B) that remains after cutting and bending the body (2) metal to form the bracket (6) is closed by a cover (7).

Description

WASHING MACHINE VIBRATION DAMPER BRACKET WITH A COVER AGAINST WATER INGRESS

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine that comprises a vibration damper.

[0002] In washing machines, in order to reduce the noise and oscillation, the tub wherein the drum rotates is secured to the body by means of dampers and springs. The vibration damper is provided with eyes at both ends to be used in assembling. The vibration damper is fixed to the brackets disposed in the body and the drum by means of these eyes. A fixing means that is passed through the eye and the bracket help the vibration damper to stay in the secured place.

[0003] In state of the art implementations, brackets that are formed by cutting and bending the metal of the body are used. For this process, first a U shaped slit is formed in the body, the bracket is formed by bending the part that remains in this slit such that a right angle is made with the rest of the body. However, water enters from the void left on the body from the bent part, for example during the rain test, and reaches the motor that drives the drum or the pump causing these to malfunction.

[0004] In the Great Britain patent application no. GB1 123208, a bracket is described that is secured to the body of the washing machine by welding.

[0005] In the European patent application no. EP004619, a bracket is mentioned that is disposed in a housing bored into the body.

[0006] In the International patent application no. WO9927175, a fastening device is described that is composed of two components and a connecting element coupling the two components. The two components can be deformed plastically with respect to the connecting element to fasten the damper.

[0007] In the above mentioned applications, fastening the bracket to the body by welding presents problems even though a void is left there around. Since the place wherein the bracket is situated is a fairly narrow area of the body, the headpiece of the welding machine cannot be inserted therein. [0008] The object of the present invention is to design a washing machine comprising a waterproof bracket that can also be easily produced for assembling the vibration damper.

[0009] The washing machine designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. In the said washing machine, the void left after forming the bracket by cutting and bending the body metal is closed by a cover. Consequently, both the production advantages of the bracket formed by cutting and bending is preserved and also the water leakage problem is avoided. The cover closes the void entirely.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, a channel is provided on the side of the cover. This channel clasps the body metal from below and above when the cover is secured to the bracket void to provide a better water proofing and sound insulation.

[001 1] In another embodiment, the cover is produced of a resilient material, inserted into the void by constricting which then expands to fit in the void. This material is preferably polymer. Particularly thermoplastic polymer (TPE) is suitable for this process.

[0012] The washing machine designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the in the attached figures, where:

[0013] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine.

[0014] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of detail A.

[0015] Figure 3 - is the top perspective view the cover.

[0016] Figure 4 - is the bottom perspective view the cover.

[0017] Figure 5 - is the sideways view the cover.

[0018] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Body

3. Tub

4. Drum

5. Vibration damper

6. Bracket

7. Cover

8. Channel [0019] The washing machine (1) comprises

- a body (2),

- a tub (3) disposed within this body (2),

- a drum (4) wherein laundry to be washed is emplaced, that rotates within the tub (2),

- a bracket (6) that is formed by cutting-bending some portion of the body (2), and

- a vibration damper (5), with one end secured to the bracket (6) and the other end to the tub (3), providing the tub (3) to be assembled to the body (2) dynamically (Figure 1 ).

[0020] The washing machine (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises a cover (7) that is assembled on the body (2) to the void (B) that remains when the bracket (6) is bent, providing water and/or sound insulation. The cover (7) is configured to suitably match the geometric shape of the said void (B).

[0021] In this embodiment, the part that remains inside the slit formed on the body (2) is bent inwards the body (2) by means of appropriate tools such that a certain angle is formed with respect to the plane of the body (2) at that part. One end of the vibration damper (5) is fastened to the bracket (6). The cover (7) is fitted over the void (B) that remains in the body (2) when the bracket (6) is bent. The cover (7) entirely closes this void (B) preventing the entry of water therein and respectively the malfunctions that might occur.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cover (7) has a shape and size that fits firmly to the void (B), not requiring an additional means for securing in place.

[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cover (7) comprises a channel (8) on the side wall thereof. The width and depth of the channel (8) is such that the walls of the void (B) are clasped from above and below. This channel (8) helps in providing a better water proofing and also in locking the cover (7) to the body (2)

[0024] In another embodiment, the cover (7) is produced of a resilient material, e.g. polymer for facilitating the assembly thereof to the void (B). Thermoplastic polymer (TPE) is preferred in the production of the cover (7). [0025] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cover (7) produced of a material having sound insulation property or coated by such a material, such as bitumen, so that in addition to water proofing sound insulation is also provided.

[0026] By means of the embodiment of the present invention, both the bracket (5) for fastening the vibration damper (5) is produced and also sound insulation and waterproofing are provided. Besides, water is directed to one point by the present invention. Consequently, cost advantage is also provided.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1 ) comprising a body (2), a tub (3) disposed within this body (2), a drum (4) wherein laundry to be washed is emplaced, that rotates within the tub (2), a bracket (6) that is formed by cutting-bending some portion of the body (2), and a vibration damper (5), one end secured to the bracket (6) and the other end to the tub (3), providing the tub (3) to be assembled to the body (2) dynamically and characterized by a cover (7) that is assembled on the body (2) to the void (B) that remains when the bracket (6) is bent, providing water and/or sound insulation.

2. A washing machine (1 ) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a cover (7) having a contour matching the geometric configuration of the void (B).

3. A washing machine (1 ) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a cover (7) having a shape and size that can firmly be seated over the void (B).

4. A washing machine (1 ) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a cover (7) having a channel (8) on the side wall thereof.

5. A washing machine (1 ) as in Claim 4, characterized by a channel (8) having a width and depth such that the walls of the void (B) are clasped from above and below.

6. A washing machine (1 ) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a cover (7) that is produced of a resilient material.

7. A washing machine (1 ) as in any one of the above claims characterized by a cover (7) that is produced of a material having sound insulation property or coated by such a material.