WO2013117244A1 - Dispositif de verrouillage pour élément mobile, en particulier d'une machine à laver et procédé associé - Google Patents

Dispositif de verrouillage pour élément mobile, en particulier d'une machine à laver et procédé associé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013117244A1
WO2013117244A1 PCT/EP2012/058375 EP2012058375W WO2013117244A1 WO 2013117244 A1 WO2013117244 A1 WO 2013117244A1 EP 2012058375 W EP2012058375 W EP 2012058375W WO 2013117244 A1 WO2013117244 A1 WO 2013117244A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
aperture
moving element
locking arm
fact
detection means
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2012/058375
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
André MAZIÈRE
Original Assignee
Electrolux Laundry Systems France Snc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Laundry Systems France Snc filed Critical Electrolux Laundry Systems France Snc
Priority to EP12718683.1A priority Critical patent/EP2812476B1/fr
Priority to SI201231930T priority patent/SI2812476T1/sl
Priority to ES12718683T priority patent/ES2875457T3/es
Publication of WO2013117244A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013117244A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/30—Driving arrangements 
    • D06F37/302—Automatic drum positioning

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a locking device for a moving element, particularly a moving element of a washing machine.
  • the invention further relates to a washing machine comprising such a locking device and an associated method for locking or releasing said moving element.
  • washing machine may as well indicate a “simple” washing machine (i.e. a washing machine which can only wash and rinse the laundry) and a washing-drying machine (i.e. a washing machine which can also dry the laundry) , both of the front-loading type and of the top-loading type.
  • a known method to lock the drum in a predetermined position uses a system formed by a friction disk and paddles.
  • the paddles are adapted to press on the friction disk, mounted on the drum, using springs.
  • Energy, electricity or air pressure for example has to be applied to release the paddles from the friction disk, thus allowing the drum to rotate freely.
  • the springs press the paddles and stop the drum by friction effect so that the drum remains in a predetermined position until energy is applied again.
  • the system acts as a brake when no energy is applied.
  • This known method exhibits two major drawbacks. Firstly, in case of a sudden power failure, during washing for example, the brake is activated and the drum stopped with high friction forces and wear particles removed from the paddles. Secondly, such a system acting as a brake needs periodic maintenance.
  • Another known method is based on the principle of locking the shaft of the motor of a washing machine using an integrated brake on the rotor of the motor. This principle is quite similar to the previous one except that it needs a smaller brake disk but it exhibits the same drawbacks. Moreover, the safety level is low because it relies on the belt to do the junction between the shaft of the motor and the drum.
  • 2005/0126230 and WO 2006/037799 disclose examples of locking devices for stopping the rotation of a drum of a washing machine. These devices mostly use a first element located on a rotor part of the washing machine cooperating with a second element located on a stator part of the washing machine. The cooperation of the first and second elements enables locking the drum in a predetermined position. The interaction between these two elements is not optimal and they might sometimes not allow an immediate, reliable and efficient blocking of the drum. The blocking and/or unblocking of the drum may also be difficult to implement with such locking devices.
  • US 2003/0172688 discloses a locking pin on a rotor part of a washing machine having a width substantially similar to the width of a fixed form located on a stator part of the washing machine.
  • the interaction between the locking pin and the fixed form causes important friction between the two elements, and especially between the locking pin and the two side walls of the fixed form.
  • the appearance of such a friction phenomenon has major drawbacks since the drum of the washing machine may have a considerable weight when loaded, and the insertion and/or withdrawal of the locking pin with friction may require the use of a very strong motor or magnet, for example.
  • the invention aims to substantially satisfy these needs and to obviate the drawbacks mentioned above related to embodiments of the prior art.
  • the invention relates to a locking device for a moving element, particularly a moving element of a washing machine, for example a drum of a washing machine or a moving member which rotates integrally with the drum, comprising :
  • a locking arm slidable between an outward position and a retracted position, said locking arm being adapted to be fitted into one aperture formed on the moving element, particularly on the peripheral circumference of the moving element, to stop the moving element at a given position, particularly a loading/unloading position of the drum,
  • the present invention may show several advantages compared to the solutions of the prior art. For example, the perceived safety level and ergonomics of the device may be increased from a user point of view. No maintenance may be needed essentially because no wear parts and no heavy contact are present. The invention may provide high reliability because very few moving parts are needed. Moreover, the invention provides a safe locking device enabling the drum to remain in position even without power.
  • the locking device of the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, considered singly or in any technically feasible combinatio .
  • the detection means may comprise a first sensor and a second sensor both intended to face the aperture of the moving element.
  • the first and second sensors may be of the same type and may have the same features, e.g. the same dimensions or technical features.
  • the distance between the operating means, in particular the first sensor and the second sensor, and/or the width of the locking arm may be less than the width, in particular the circumferential width, of the aperture. By “less”, it is meant strictly less. In particular, the distance between the operating means and/or the width of the locking arm is not substantially equal to the width of the aperture.
  • the distance between the operating means and/or the width of the locking arm may be equal to 90 %, better 80 %, better 70 %, of the width of the aperture.
  • the aperture may be so large that the locking arm does not fill up the whole aperture. Therefore, the invention may allow avoiding the insertion and/or withdrawal of the locking arm with friction and the use of a strong motor or magnet to insert and/or retract the locking arm. Thus, the blocking and/or unblocking of the moving element is easier to implement.
  • the detection means may be configured to detect at least one relative positioning of the detection means with respect to the aperture enabling positioning the locking arm in the outward position or the retracted position with no contact between the locking arm and the aperture, in particular the side walls or borders of the aperture.
  • the first and second sensors may be position sensors.
  • the at least one relative positioning of the detection means with respect to the aperture may correspond to a position in which at least one of the first and second sensors face the aperture and/or a position in which both the first and second sensors face the aperture.
  • the at least one relative positioning of the detection means with respect to the aperture may be a position in which both the first and second sensors face the aperture, the first sensor and the second sensor being in particular respectively located at equal distance from the first border and the second border of the aperture, and the detection means may be arranged to act on the operating means to allow positioning the locking arm in the outward position or the retracted position while the detection means and the aperture are in said relative positioning.
  • the first and second sensors may be located at an end of the locking device, in particular an end located close to the moving element.
  • the first and second sensors may overlap the moving element.
  • the base of the locking device may be mounted on a fixed supporting structure of a system carrying the moving element, in particular a washing machine.
  • the distance between the base of the locking device, situated on a supporting structure, and the first and second sensors may be higher than the distance between the base of the locking device and the locking arm.
  • the locking arm may engage into the aperture of the moving element while the first and second sensors may overlap the moving element.
  • the locking arm may comprise separate tips, particularly three separate tips, intended to be fitted into said aperture formed on the moving element.
  • the locking arm may comprise a middle tip and two side tips located on either side of the middle tip, said two side tips being able to come into contact with the moving element, particularly the aperture of the moving element.
  • the middle tip may be larger than the two side tips. At least the middle tip may be convergent in the direction of the moving element. The two side tips may converge towards the middle tip.
  • the tips may be flexible. Having flexible tips may advantageously allow a dumping effect of the moving element stop. This may also provide high perceived quality compared to a metal-on-metal contact.
  • the outward position of the locking arm corresponds to a position in which the locking arm, in particular the tips of the locking arm, is fitted into the aperture of the moving element while the retracted position corresponds to a position in which the locking arm is not present in the aperture, the tips of the locking arm having particularly no contact with the aperture.
  • the operating means may comprise a torque motor capable of moving the locking arm from the retracted position to the outward position and vice versa, especially by receiving signals from the detection means.
  • the operating means may also comprise electronics capable of reading the state of the detection means, especially the state of the first and second sensors.
  • the invention relates to a washing machine, particularly a laundry washing machine, comprising :
  • a drum mounted rotatably in the processing tub, possibly, at least one moving member which rotates integrally with the drum,
  • said washing machine further comprises a locking device as previously defined and by the fact that said drum or said at least one moving member comprises an aperture into which the locking arm of the locking device is adapted to be fitted to stop said drum or said at least one moving member at a given position, particularly a loading/unloading position of the drum.
  • the drum may be connected to a first shaft.
  • the at least one moving member may be a pulley which is fixed at one end of the first shaft of said drum and connected by means of a transmission belt to a second shaft of an electric motor for moving the drum.
  • the pulley may comprise the aperture.
  • the aperture may be an open window or a hole (or gap) formed on the peripheral circumference of the at least one moving member, in particular the pulley.
  • the detection means comprising particularly the first and second sensors, may be located close to the drum or the at least one moving member, especially the pulley.
  • the invention relates to a method for locking or releasing a moving element, in particular a drum of a washing machine or a moving member which rotates integrally with the drum, comprising an aperture, characterized by the fact that the method is implemented by means of a locking device as previously defined and by the fact that it comprises the step of moving the locking arm from the retracted position to the outward position or vice versa when the detection means detect the at least one relative positioning of the detection means with respect to the aperture formed on the moving element.
  • the method may particularly comprise the step of moving the locking arm from the retracted position to the outward position or vice versa when the detection means, in particular the first sensor and the second sensor, face the aperture and are located at equal distance from the first and second borders of the aperture.
  • the locking arm may be at equal distance from the first and second borders of the aperture.
  • the locking arm or the detection means may be centered relative to the aperture. There may be no contact between the locking arm and the first and second borders of the aperture.
  • the steps for locking the moving element may be successively as follows :
  • the moving element rotate until a relative positioning of the detection means with respect to the aperture is reached in which the detection means, in particular both the first sensor and the second sensor, face the aperture, the detection means being particularly centered relative to the aperture,
  • the steps for releasing the moving element may be successively as follows : rotating the moving element until a relative positioning of the detection means with respect to the aperture is reached in which the locking arm has no contact with the first and second borders of the aperture, the locking arm being particularly centered relative to the aperture,
  • the previous step of rotating the moving element may be preceded by a step in which the detection means, in particular the first sensor and/or the second sensor, detect whether the locking arm is in contact with the first border or the second border of the aperture in order to determine the direction of rotation of the moving element. Therefore, the release or unlocking of the moving element may be preceded by a step of sensing the individual state of each sensor, in particular their position relative to the aperture, to decide in which direction the moving element should rotate .
  • the direction of rotation of the moving element may be the clockwise direction if the second sensor detects a contact between the locking arm and the second border of the aperture or the counterclockwise direction if the first sensor detects a contact between the locking arm and the first border of the aperture.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a locking device according to the invention
  • FIGS. 2a to 2f illustrate different steps of the method according to the invention for locking a moving element
  • FIGS. 3a to 3d illustrate different steps of the method according to the invention for releasing a moving element.
  • Figure 1 shows an example of a locking device 1 according to the invention, intended to lock (or stop) and/or release a moving element 2, particularly a drum of a washing machine or a moving member which rotates integrally with the drum.
  • the locking device 1 comprises a locking arm 3 slidable between an outward position 0, which can be seen for example on figure 2e, and a retracted position R, which can be seen for example on figure 2a.
  • the locking arm 3 is adapted to be fitted into one aperture 4 formed on the peripheral circumference of the moving element 2 to stop the moving element 2 at a given position, especially a loading/unloading position of a washing machine.
  • the locking arm 3 comprises a middle tip 3a and two side tips 3b intended to be fitted into the aperture 4 of the moving element 2.
  • the two side tips 3b are arranged to come into contact with the first 4a and second 4b borders of the aperture 4.
  • the tips, and particularly the two side tips 3b, are therefore advantageously flexible.
  • the locking device 1 further comprises detection means constituted by a first sensor 6 and a second sensor 7.
  • the first sensor 6 and the second sensor 7 are arranged to overlap the moving element 2 when the locking device 1 is placed close to the moving element 2.
  • the distance D between the first sensor 6 and the second sensor 7 is chosen so as to be less than the width L, particularly the circumferential width L, of the aperture 4.
  • the width W of the locking arm 3 is chosen so as to be less than the width L of the aperture 4.
  • the width W of the locking arm 3 is much lower than the width L of the aperture 4.
  • the locking device 1 further comprises operating means 5, having for example a torque motor for moving the locking arm 3 and electronics for reading the state of the first 6 and second 7 sensor.
  • operating means 5 having for example a torque motor for moving the locking arm 3 and electronics for reading the state of the first 6 and second 7 sensor.
  • FIGS 2a to 2f illustrate different steps of the method according to the invention for locking (or stopping) the moving element 2.
  • the moving element is a pulley 2 of a washing machine, particularly a laundry washing machine.
  • the locking device 1 is placed on a fixed supporting structure of the washing machine close to the pulley 2 so that the first 6 and second 7 sensors overlap the pulley 2.
  • the pulley 2 has an open window 4 formed on its peripheral circumference.
  • the steps for automatically locking the pulley 2 are as follows.
  • the pulley 2 rotates at slow speed in the clockwise direction Fl and the first 6 and second 7 sensors do not face the open window 4.
  • the first sensor 6 faces the open window 4, as shown on figure 2c, and the rotation of the pulley 2 continues until both the first sensor 6 and the second sensor 7 face the open window 4, as shown on figure 2d.
  • the locking arm 3 quickly moves forward from the retracted position R to the outward position 0 to lock the pulley 2, as shown on figure 2e.
  • the fast movement of the locking arm 3 towards the open window 4 enables locking the pulley 2 with no effort and easily.
  • Figures 3a to 3d illustrate different steps of the method according to the invention for releasing the pulley 2.
  • the washing machine Before starting a new wash cycle, the washing machine is loaded with items to be washed. Then, a user may start a wash cycle and an unlocking sequence of the pulley 2 may begin.
  • the detection means of the locking device 1 detect, thanks to the first 6 and second 7 sensors, whether the locking arm 3 is in contact with the first border 4a or the second border 4b of the open window 4.
  • the pulley 2 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction F2. However, if there is a contact between the locking arm 3 and the second border 4b of the open window 4, the pulley 2 is rotated in the clockwise direction Fl .
  • the pulley 2 begins to rotate at slow speed in the clockwise direction Fl, as shown on figure 3b.
  • the direction of rotation is determined by the detection means which then act on the operating means 5, and particularly on electronics of the operating means 5, to indicate the correct sense of direction .
  • the pulley 2 may for example rotate a little bit in the counterclockwise direction F2, as shown on figure 3d, before stopping. Then, a new wash cycle may begin.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de verrouillage (1) pour un élément mobile (2) comprenant : un bras de verrouillage (3) pouvant coulisser entre des positions sortie (O) et rentrée (R), ledit bras de verrouillage (3) étant conçu pour être monté dans une ouverture (4) formée sur l'élément mobile (2), des moyens d'actionnement (5) aptes à déplacer le bras de verrouillage (3) de ladite position rentrée (R) à ladite position sortie (O) et vice versa, des moyens de détection (6, 7) agissant sur lesdits moyens d'actionnement (5) pour permettre le déplacement dudit bras de verrouillage (3), caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens de détection (6, 7) sont conçus pour détecter au moins un positionnement relatif desdits moyens de détection (6, 7) par rapport à ladite ouverture (4) et agir sur lesdits moyens de fonctionnement (5) pour permettre le positionnement dudit bras de verrouillage (3) dans ladite position sortie (O) ou ladite position rentrée (R).
PCT/EP2012/058375 2012-02-09 2012-05-07 Dispositif de verrouillage pour élément mobile, en particulier d'une machine à laver et procédé associé WO2013117244A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12718683.1A EP2812476B1 (fr) 2012-02-09 2012-05-07 Dispositif de verrouillage avec un élément mobile, en particulier d'une machine à laver et procédé associé
SI201231930T SI2812476T1 (sl) 2012-02-09 2012-05-07 Blokirna naprava, ki obsega premični element, zlasti pralnega stroja, in z njo povezan postopek
ES12718683T ES2875457T3 (es) 2012-02-09 2012-05-07 Dispositivo de bloqueo con un elemento móvil, en particular de una máquina de lavar, y procedimiento asociado

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1200081-6 2012-02-09
SE1200081 2012-02-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013117244A1 true WO2013117244A1 (fr) 2013-08-15

Family

ID=46026830

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2012/058375 WO2013117244A1 (fr) 2012-02-09 2012-05-07 Dispositif de verrouillage pour élément mobile, en particulier d'une machine à laver et procédé associé

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2812476B1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2875457T3 (fr)
SI (1) SI2812476T1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2013117244A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3346039A4 (fr) * 2015-08-31 2018-08-29 Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Mécanisme de verrouillage pour tambour interne et machine à laver
WO2018215004A1 (fr) * 2017-05-26 2018-11-29 Alliance Laundry Ce S.R.O.. Dispositif de blocage à deux positions d'un tambour de lavage

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0347393A2 (fr) 1988-06-17 1989-12-20 SMEG S.p.A. Dispositif de verrouillage automatique pour arrêter le tambour de machines à laver dans une position donnée
DE10003474A1 (de) * 1999-01-27 2000-08-03 Electrolux Syst Blanchisserie Verfahren zur rotatorischen Ausrichtung einer Waschmaschinentrommel und Waschmaschine zur Ausführung des Verfahrens
US20030172688A1 (en) 2002-03-06 2003-09-18 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Drum washing machine
US20050126230A1 (en) 2003-12-10 2005-06-16 Choi Seung B. Drum type washer
WO2006037799A1 (fr) 2004-10-08 2006-04-13 Elbi International S.P.A. Dispositif de verrouillage pour element mobile, en particulier un tambour d'une machine a laver a chargement par le haut
WO2006042382A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-27 Alliance International, Besloten Vennootschap Met Beperkte Aansprakelijkheid Machine a laver, sechoir ou similaire ameliore comprenant un bouclier de tambour rotatif
EP1798323A1 (fr) * 2005-12-13 2007-06-20 Brandt Industries Dispositif et procédé de positionnement d'un tambour rotatif d'une machine à laver et/ou sécher le linge
EP1942220A1 (fr) * 2007-01-08 2008-07-09 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Dispositif capteur pour déterminer la position angulaire d'un tambour de lavage dans une machine à laver

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2925415B2 (ja) * 1992-11-27 1999-07-28 株式会社トーカイ 布類ほぐし機
FR2751669B1 (fr) * 1996-07-26 1998-08-28 Ciapem Machine a laver ou secher le linge a chargement par le dessus a ouverture et fermeture automatique du tambour
JP2004344463A (ja) * 2003-05-23 2004-12-09 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd ドラム式洗濯機

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0347393A2 (fr) 1988-06-17 1989-12-20 SMEG S.p.A. Dispositif de verrouillage automatique pour arrêter le tambour de machines à laver dans une position donnée
DE10003474A1 (de) * 1999-01-27 2000-08-03 Electrolux Syst Blanchisserie Verfahren zur rotatorischen Ausrichtung einer Waschmaschinentrommel und Waschmaschine zur Ausführung des Verfahrens
US20030172688A1 (en) 2002-03-06 2003-09-18 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Drum washing machine
US20050126230A1 (en) 2003-12-10 2005-06-16 Choi Seung B. Drum type washer
WO2006037799A1 (fr) 2004-10-08 2006-04-13 Elbi International S.P.A. Dispositif de verrouillage pour element mobile, en particulier un tambour d'une machine a laver a chargement par le haut
WO2006042382A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-27 Alliance International, Besloten Vennootschap Met Beperkte Aansprakelijkheid Machine a laver, sechoir ou similaire ameliore comprenant un bouclier de tambour rotatif
EP1798323A1 (fr) * 2005-12-13 2007-06-20 Brandt Industries Dispositif et procédé de positionnement d'un tambour rotatif d'une machine à laver et/ou sécher le linge
EP1942220A1 (fr) * 2007-01-08 2008-07-09 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Dispositif capteur pour déterminer la position angulaire d'un tambour de lavage dans une machine à laver

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3346039A4 (fr) * 2015-08-31 2018-08-29 Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Mécanisme de verrouillage pour tambour interne et machine à laver
WO2018215004A1 (fr) * 2017-05-26 2018-11-29 Alliance Laundry Ce S.R.O.. Dispositif de blocage à deux positions d'un tambour de lavage
CN111032946A (zh) * 2017-05-26 2020-04-17 联盟洗衣公司 洗涤滚筒的双位置阻滞装置
CN111032946B (zh) * 2017-05-26 2022-08-02 联盟洗衣公司 洗涤滚筒的双位置阻滞装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2812476B1 (fr) 2021-05-26
EP2812476A1 (fr) 2014-12-17
ES2875457T3 (es) 2021-11-10
SI2812476T1 (sl) 2021-08-31

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