WO2008119809A2

WO2008119809A2 - A washer/dryer

Info

Publication number: WO2008119809A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/053901
Authority: WO
Inventors: Levent Hasanreisoglu
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-04-02
Filing date: 2008-04-02
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: WO2008119809A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) of which the spinning effectiveness is increased and the load imbalance due to irregular distribution of laundry on the drum (2) wall (B) is reduced.

Description

A WASHER/DRYER

[0001] The present invention relates to a washer/dryer of which the washing and drying effectiveness is increased.

[0002] In washer/dryers, particularly the spinning process is maintained by rotating the drum in high speeds. The laundry placed in the drum bear against the drum wall at high speeds. The laundry does not leave the drum wall until the spinning process is complete due to the force exerted by the laundry on the drum wall. However, the processes carried out at high speeds result in the damaging of the laundry placed in the drum and the problem of unbalanced load to arise. Therefore, applications are being developed in the state of the art for increasing the performance of the spinning process by rotating the drum at lower speeds or applications for better spinning of wool and delicate laundry at low speeds.

[0003] In the state of the art United States of America Patent Application no.

US2004118168 a tandem -structure rib is used which includes outer and inner rib parts; the inner rib parts are slidingly installed within the outer lift part and open, close with the effect of centrifugal force. In this embodiment, the projecting ribs mounted in the drum of the washing machine that extend from the drum surface towards the center of the drum and auxiliary ribs actuated towards the center of the drum depending on the rotational speed of the drum are provided. Since the auxiliary ribs are situated on the drum periphery, laundry gets on the auxiliary ribs and it is not possible for the auxiliary ribs that should open depending on the rotational speed cannot open as required and function effectively.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer/dryer of which the spinning effectiveness is increased.

[0005] The washer/dryer is realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises one or more arms, one end of which is secured to the rear wall of the drum, that maintains the laundry to be compressed between itself and the drum wall by opening towards the drum wall depending on the drum rotational speed. [0006] At certain speeds, the laundry that bears against the drum wall due to the rotation of the drum, remains between the arms and the drum wall as the arms open, and in this position the arms exert force on the laundry by pressing towards the drum wall and by means of this pressure the water absorbed by the laundry is removed from the laundry particularly during the spinning process.

[0007] Moreover, how much the arms open depend on the distribution of laundry in the drum. That is, each arm can open up to a different extent. The arm corresponding to the place where there is less laundry gets closer to the drum wall. In this position, the force effecting on this arm is more (since the center of gravity of the arm rotates with a greater diameter). Thus the unbalanced load distribution is reduced by the opening extent of the arms by means of establishing a correlation between the physical distribution of the laundry and the extent the arms open.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the arms are disposed symmetrically on the rear wall. Thus a condition of imbalance is prevented.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the arms are connected to each other such that movement is not prevented. Thus the arms can open and close together. In this embodiment, the arms can be connected to each other by a resilient material such as a net to cover the space therebetween. By means of this embodiment, force is exerted not only to the places the arms correspond on the drum wall but also on almost the entire wall of the drum.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer comprises one or more spring means having a certain pretension, with one end secured to the rear wall and the other end to the arm, maintaining the arm in the open position to move towards the rear wall to change to the closed position and not to leave the rear wall before the drum reaches a certain speed.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a number of housings preferably equal to that of the arms are provided on the drum rear wall wherein the arms are seated in the closed position. Thus the arm does not form any protrusion on the drum rear wall while in the closed position. [0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rear wall is configured virtually as a cone that extends from the wall of the drum towards the center. The arm stands on this inclined surface. Thus the horizontal component of the arm's weight facilitates the automatic opening of the arm when the drum reaches a certain speed.

[0013] By means of the present invention, the spinning performance can be increased or the desired spinning performance can be attained at lower speeds. Moreover, by means of the present invention, the unbalanced load problem can be improved, thus the washer/dryer can vibrate less or can reach higher spinning speeds safely.

[0014] The washer/dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0015] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washer/dryer.

[0016] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the drum when the arms are closed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the drum when the arms are open in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the drum when the arms are closed in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 - is the detailed perspective view of an arm.

[0020] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washer/dryer

2. Drum

3. Arm

4. Spring means

5. Housing

6. Rib

[0021] The washer/dryer (1) of the present invention comprises a drum (3) wherein the laundry to be washed is emplaced (Figure 1).

[0022] The washer/dryer (1) comprises one or more arms (3) that is secured jointly from one end to the rear wall (A) of the drum (2) and extends from the edge of the rear wall (A) towards the center, that automatically changes to the open position by moving towards the wall (B) of the drum (2) when the rotational speed of the drum (2) reaches a certain value, and changes to the closed position by moving towards the rear wall (A) when the rotational speed of the drum (2) falls to a certain value (Figure 2 and Figure 4).

[0023] At least two arms (3) are disposed symmetrically on the rear wall (A) of the drum (2). The arm (3) being secured jointly to the rear wall (A) of the drum (2) and opening from the rear wall (A) towards the drum (2) wall (B) prevents the laundry in the drum (2) from obstructing the movement of the arms (3). Moreover, the pressure exerted on the laundry by the arms (3) increases the spinning effectiveness. In this embodiment, the arm (3) is mounted to the rear wall (A) by jointing from the end close to the edge of the rear wall (A), and the end close to the center of the rear wall (A) is free.

[0024] Furthermore, the distribution of laundry in the drum (2) directly affects the opening extent of each arm (3) that moves independently from each other. The arm (3) corresponding to the place wherein there is less laundry approaches more to the drum (2) wall (B). In this position, this arm (3) is subjected to more force due to the rotation of the drum (2). Therefore, there is a correlation between the physical distribution of the laundry and the extent the arms (3) open. Accordingly, the imbalance of the laundry in the drum (2) is reduced by the arms (3) that open to different extents from each other.

[0025] The outer surface of the arm (3) facing inside of the drum (2) is flat such that in the closed position, the movement of laundry in the drum (2) during the washing process is not hindered. Thus the arm (3) is prevented from damaging the laundry in the drum (2) during the washing process.

[0026] When the drum (2) exceeds a certain speed (approximately in the interval of 150 - 400 rev/sec, particularly around 300 rev/sec) the laundry in the drum (2) bears against the drum (2) wall (B) by the effect of the centrifugal force. When the spinning process starts, the free end of the arm (3) in the closed position departs from the rear wall (A) and moves towards the drum (2) wall (B). Since the opening direction of the arm (3) is from the rear wall (A) towards the drum (2) wall (B), the laundry moving while clinging on the drum (2) wall (B) during the spinning process does not prevent the opening and closing of the arm (3). At the speed the arm (3) starts to open, since the laundry bearing against the drum (2) wall (B) also rotates together with the drum (2), the arms (3) that open towards the drum (2) wall (B) apply a pressure on the laundry rotating on the drum (2) wall (B). The arms (3) start exerting pressure on the wall (B) with an ever increasing force after the drum (2) rotational speed reaches 150 rev/sec. For example, an arm (3) that weighs150 gr. exerts a force of approximately 250N at a rotational speed of 800 rev/sec. Since the forces applied on the center of gravity of the arm (3) increase when the rotational speed of the drum (2) increases, the arm (3) gets closer to the drum (2) wall (B) and the pressure exerted on the laundry increases. When the speed of the drum (2) falls below a certain value, the arm (3) secured jointly to the rear wall (A) from one end, moves from the drum (2) wall (B) towards the rear wall (A) and closes on the rear wall (A).

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the arm (3) can be manufactured of metal, metal and rubberized coating or plastic materials.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises one or more spring means (4) having a certain pretension, with one end secured to the drum (2) rear wall (A) and the other end to the arm (3), maintaining the arm (3) in the open position to move towards the rear wall (A) to change to the closed position. The spring (4) characteristics (the spring constant etc.) have the values that allow the arm (3) to open automatically when the drum (2) speed reaches a certain value, and to close automatically when the drum (2) speed falls to a certain value. Thus, when the drum (2) speed exceeds a certain value, the force exerted on the on the arm (3) by the spring (4) is overpowered and the arm (3) opens from the rear wall (A) towards the drum (2) wall (B). When the drum (2) speed falls below a certain value, since the force exerted on the arm (3) by the spring (4) is preponderant, the arm (3) resumes the initial position and closes on the rear wall (A) (Figure 3 and Figure 5).

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the arms (3) extend on the rear wall (A) in the radial direction and the number of the arms (3) can be preferably between 3 and 12 depending on the diameter and depth of the drum (2). Since the surface area pressure applied on the laundry increases depending on the number of arms (3), hence the total pressure applied on the laundry and the spinning effectiveness increase (Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5).

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises an equal number of housings (5) as that of the arms, situated on the rear wall (A) of the drum (2) wherein the arm (3) is seated in the closed position. Thus the arm (3) does not form any protrusions on the rear wall (A) of the drum (2) when in the closed position and the damaging of laundry is prevented.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is an angle of 70° to 80° between the rear wall (A) and the drum (2) wall (B). In other words, the rear wall (A) is virtually configured as a cone that extends from the drum wall (B) towards the center of the drum (2). The horizontal component of the weight of the arm (3) facilitates the automatic opening of the arm (3) when the drum (2) reaches a certain speed due to the arm (3) being on an inclined surface.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washer/dryer (1) comprises ribs (6) that are disposed on the drum wall (B) at certain spaced intervals - preferably with an angle of 120° therebetween-. The arms (3) are arranged such that they remain between these ribs (6) when open.

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the arms (3) are connected to each other. This provides the arms (3) to open and close together. The arms (3) can be connected to each other by a resilient material such as a net to cover the space therebetween, not preventing the movement of the arms (3). Force is exerted not only to the places the arms (3) correspond on the drum (2) wall (B) but also on almost all the wall (B) of the drum (2) by the opening of the arms (3).

[0034] By means of the present invention, the arms (3) jointly disposed on the drum (2) rear wall (A) open and close automatically without being hindered by the laundry. The automatically opening arms (3) apply pressure on the laundry between themselves and the drum (2) wall (B) and increase the spinning performance by removing the water absorbed by the laundry. Moreover, the unbalanced load problem that arises because of the irregular physical distribution of the laundry on the drum (2) wall (B) can be reduced by the arms (3) that open in different extents from each other depending on the amount of laundry.

Claims

1. A washer/dryer (1) that comprises a drum (2) wherein laundry to be washed is emplaced and characterized by one or more arms (3) that is secured jointly from one end to the rear wall (A) of the drum (2) and opens, closes depending on the rotation of the drum (2).

2. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by at least two arms (3) that are disposed symmetrically.

3. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the arm (3) that extends in the radial direction from the side of the rear wall (A) towards the center thereof.

4. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the arm (3) that is secured jointly on the rear wall (A) from the end thereof close to the rear wall (A) and the other end close to the center of the rear wall (A) being free.

5. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the arm (3) that changes to the open position when the rotational speed of the drum (2) reaches a certain value by automatically moving towards the drum (2) wall (B) and changes to the closed position when the rotational speed of the drum (2) falls to a certain value by automatically moving towards the rear wall (A).

6. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the arms (3) that move independently from each other.

7. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the arms (3) that open together and close together, being connected to each other.

8. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by one or more spring means (4), with one end secured to the drum (2) rear wall (A) and the other end to the arm (3), maintaining the arm (3) in the open position to move towards the rear wall (A) to change to the closed position.

9. A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by the spring means (4) with characteristics (the spring constant etc.) selected having the values that allow the arm (3) to open automatically when the drum (2) speed reaches a certain value, and to close automatically when the drum (2) speed falls to a certain value.

10. A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a housing (5) situated on the rear wall (A) of the drum (2) wherein the arm (3) is seated in the closed position.