WO2017089026A1

WO2017089026A1 - Lighting device, laundry drum, and laundry treatment device

Info

Publication number: WO2017089026A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/074586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Geyer; Manuel MILDE
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2015-11-24
Filing date: 2016-10-13
Publication date: 2017-06-01
Also published as: DE102015223132A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (3) for lighting a treatment chamber (4) of a laundry drum (2) of a laundry treatment device (1), in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer, or a dryer, which laundry drum can be loaded with laundry. In order to enable alternative lighting of the treatment chamber (4) of a laundry drum (2), according to the invention, the lighting device (3) has at least one light-conducting element (5), which which forms at least one section of at least one axial end wall (6) of the laundry drum (2), and at least one light source (7) arranged outside of the treatment chamber (4), by means of which light source the light-conducting element can be at least partially lighted, or the lighting device has at least one light source (7) arranged on at least one axial end wall (6) of the laundry drum (2), wherein the light source is designed to selectively emit light in at least two different colors.

Description

Lighting device, laundry drum

Laundry treatment device

The invention relates to a lighting device for illuminating a treatment room of a laundry drum of a laundry treatment appliance, in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer, which can be loaded with laundry. Furthermore, the invention relates to a laundry drum or a laundry treatment appliance, in particular a washing machine, washer-dryer or dryer, comprising at least one laundry drum loadable with laundry and at least one lighting device for illuminating a treatment space of the laundry drum. A laundry treatment appliance comprises a receptacle for receiving laundry to be treated. The receptacle can be designed as a rotatably mounted about its longitudinal central axis, frontally loaded with laundry laundry drum. Such a laundry treatment appliance with a substantially horizontal or inclined to the horizontal longitudinal central axis is also referred to as a front loader. Typically, a laundry drum is rotatably disposed within a liquid-tight container, which is also referred to as a tub in particular in connection with washing machines and dryers. In a dryer and a washer-dryer, the tub may form a portion of a process air duct through which process air may be passed to dry laundry present in the laundry drum.

A laundry drum comprises a cylindrical drum shell and the drum shell axially, in particular on one side, closing end wall. The drum shell and the end wall can be made separately from metal, in particular stainless steel. On an inner circumferential surface of the drum shell, a plurality of carriers can be arranged circumferentially offset from one another, which entrain laundry therein during rotation of the laundry drum, whereby the laundry is circulated to improve the treatment efficiency. DE 199 06 964 A1 discloses a lighting device for illuminating a treatment space of a laundry drum of a dryer which can be loaded on the front side with laundry. The lighting device is arranged in an upper area of an access opening to the laundry drum. The illumination device comprises a light source in the form of a lamp and a transparent lens, which forms a transparent to the axial end wall or drum rear wall, translucent area in a laundry drum to the front covering filler ring, and a translucent cover plate, one to the drum axis and on the edge the filling ring directed, translucent area forms. The lamp is accessible through the cover plate to replace the lamp when necessary against another lamp can.

No. 8,915,103 B2 discloses a washer-dryer with a laundry drum loadable on the front side. On an inner circumferential surface of a drum shell of the laundry drum circumferentially offset to each other drivers are arranged, which serve to circulate existing laundry in the laundry drum. In each driver several light sources are arranged, with which a treatment room of the laundry drum can be illuminated. For this purpose, the drivers are each at least partially translucent.

DE 10 201 1 084 458 A1 discloses a household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, and a lighting device for the household appliance, which comprises a light-conducting element and a light source and is adapted to arrange the light-conducting element on a wall of a treatment room of the household appliance and the light-conducting element to illuminate with the light source, wherein the light source is arranged outside the treatment room.

An object of the invention is to provide an alternative illumination of the treatment room of a laundry drum, which allows a further improved handling or operation of a laundry treatment appliance.

This object is solved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in particular in the dependent claims, which taken alone or in different combinations with one another can represent a further developing, in particular also preferred or advantageous, aspect of the invention. An illumination device for illuminating a treatment space of a laundry drum of a laundry treatment device, in particular a washing machine, a washer dryer or a dryer, which is loadable on the front side, comprises at least one light-conducting element which forms at least one section of at least one axial end wall of the laundry drum and at least one outside arranged in the treatment room light source with which the photoconductive element is at least partially illuminated. Alternatively, the illumination device according to the invention comprises at least one light source arranged on at least one axial end wall of the laundry drum. An end wall of the laundry drum is understood to mean a circular or annular surface of the essentially cylindrical laundry drum delimiting the treatment space. The axial end wall is aligned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis or drum rotation axis of the laundry drum. The lighting device can also be arranged on opposite axial end walls of the laundry drum. Preferably, the invention for laundry treatment appliances of the so-called front loader type application. It can also be applied to top loader laundry washers. Laundry treatment devices of the Toplader-Baurt have a laundry drum with a substantially vertical or inclined to the vertical drum rotation axis (also referred to as tub laundry treatment device) or with a substantially horizontal or inclined relative to the horizontal drum rotation axis, the feed opening is arranged in the drum shell (also as coat-loadable laundry treatment device referred to). The term "horizontal" and "vertical" refers to the intended arrangement of the drum rotation axis or the longitudinal center axis of the laundry drum in the installed state in the laundry treatment appliance.

Furthermore, light is introduced into the treatment space of the laundry drum via the axial end wall or by means of the light source arranged on the axial end wall. As a result, the treatment room is illuminated, which is the loading and unloading of Laundry drum with laundry easier and the user of a suitably equipped laundry treatment device a pleasant impression, in particular with respect to purity and brightness awakens. In addition, the enlightened treatment room looks significantly larger or more generous, which can be associated with a larger loading volume or a perfect laundry treatment by the user. Particularly advantageously, the light is introduced into the treatment space via the rear axial end wall, "back side" being understood to be opposite the feed opening of the laundry drum.

Further, the light source is arranged for selectively radiating light in at least two different colors. In this way, for example, the instantaneous light color can be varied depending on the respective current operating state of a suitably equipped laundry treatment device or a current treatment progress during a treatment process to give the user of the laundry treatment device a simple visual information about the current operating state of the laundry treatment device. For loading and / or unloading the laundry drum, for example, a light color as bright as possible, for example, yellow light or white light, are emitted to illuminate the treatment room as bright as possible. During a treatment process, a darker light color can be selected. Also, the light color may be varied during a treatment procedure to signal treatment progress.

The light-conducting element may form at least a portion of the axial end wall of the laundry drum or the entire axial end wall. The illumination device may also have two or more light-conducting elements, each forming at least a portion of the axial end wall of the laundry drum. The light-conducting element may be annular and arranged coaxially to a longitudinal center axis of the laundry drum. As a result, a uniform illumination of a particularly cylindrically shaped treatment space can advantageously be achieved.

The arranged outside the treatment room light source, with which the photoconductive element is partially or completely illuminated, may be formed selectively or areally. The lighting device may also have two or more corresponding ones Have light sources, each with its own light-conducting element backlit or with which together a single light-conducting element can be backlit. The arranged on the axial end wall light source may be punctiform or planar, for example, annular, be formed. The illumination device can also have two or more corresponding light sources. If the light source is arranged on a side of the axial end wall facing the treatment chamber of the laundry drum, the axial end wall can be made opaque to light. Alternatively, the light source may form a portion of the axial end wall.

By illuminating the treatment space of the laundry drum from the axial end side or rear side of the laundry drum, the treatment room can be optimally illuminated. On the other hand, the lighting of the treatment room can be affected by means arranged in drivers light sources lying on carriers laundry. An illumination of the treatment room of a laundry drum according to DE 199 06 964 A1 has the disadvantage over the invention that the treatment room is not evenly illuminated and that during a loading process and a discharge process it may happen that a body part or laundry is in front of the light source in that there is a shadowing in the treatment room or a varying and poor illumination of the treatment room. These impairments do not occur in the illumination of the treatment space of the laundry drum according to the invention. According to an advantageous embodiment, the light-conducting element is at least partially transparent. The light-conducting element can be made at least partially of a transparent plastic, for example acrylic glass, or of glass. The light-conducting element may also be formed completely transparent. According to an alternative advantageous embodiment, the light-conducting element is at least partially translucent. As a result, a diffuse light can be generated with the light-conducting element, with which the treatment chamber of the laundry drum is illuminated. The light-conducting element can also be formed completely translucent. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode. This is advantageous in terms of the energy consumption of a suitably equipped laundry treatment appliance, since a light-emitting diode has a relatively low energy requirement. In addition, a light emitting diode compared to a conventional light bulb is very robust and durable, which reduces the maintenance costs of a suitably equipped laundry treatment device. The LED emits relatively selective light of a desired color. The light source may also have two or more corresponding light-emitting diodes.

According to an alternative advantageous embodiment, the light source comprises at least one luminous film. As a result, the light source can emit light relatively flat. A light-emitting diode is very robust and durable compared to a conventional incandescent lamp, which reduces the maintenance costs of a suitably equipped laundry treatment appliance. The light source may also have two or more corresponding light-emitting foils.

A laundry drum according to the invention for a laundry treatment appliance, in particular a washing machine, washer-dryer or dryer, comprises a treatment chamber opening, in particular arranged on the front side, for loading the laundry drum with laundry and at least one illumination device for illuminating a treatment space of the laundry drum, wherein the lighting device according to one of the aforementioned embodiments or any Combination of the same is formed. A laundry treatment device according to the invention, in particular a washing machine, washer-dryer or dryer, comprises the laundry drum according to the invention, wherein the laundry drum or the lighting device is designed according to one of the aforementioned embodiments or any combination thereof. With the laundry treatment appliance, the advantages mentioned above with respect to the lighting device are connected accordingly. The laundry treatment appliance may also have two or more corresponding lighting devices. The drum shell of the laundry drum can be surrounded radially on the outside by at least one radial bearing, in particular rolling or sliding bearings, over which the drum shell is supported on an inner circumferential surface of a tub. As a result, centrifugal forces acting on the drum shell, for example during a spin operation, can be transferred to the tub. This allows the largest possible design of the loading opening. The inner surface of the drum shell may be at least partially provided with a laundry-sparing structure. At least one reinforcing element, for example made of metal, can be arranged on the drum shell.

The laundry drum comprises at least one arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the drum shell driver, which may be made monolithic with the drum shell. This avoids gaps, transitions, tolerances and the like existing between the driver and the drum shell, which allows a gentler treatment of the laundry. There is also no conventional assembly of separate carriers required, which reduces the assembly effort and thus manufacturing costs. The driver may be triangular in cross-section and have two radially inwardly merging Mitnehmerflanken that are formed starting from the drum shell of different lengths. The shorter or steeper running Mitnehmerflanke has particularly good driver properties, whereas the laundry over the longer or flatter Mitnehmerflanke can slide well or gently. On at least one of the two Mitnehmerflanken a motif in the form of an image and / or term may be arranged. The motif can be formed for example by a laser process, a printing process or by an inlay. A surface of the driver may be at least partially provided with a structuring. This gives the driver a laundry-friendly surface. The structuring can be arranged on one or both driver flanks of the driver. On the inner lateral surface of the drum shell, two or more, in particular uniformly circumferentially offset to each other arranged, driver can be arranged.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the laundry treatment device comprises at least one signaling and control unit connected to the light source, which is set up, the light source for the selective emission of light in to control at least two different colors depending on an operating state of the laundry treatment appliance. With this embodiment, the advantages mentioned above with respect to the corresponding embodiment of the lighting device are connected accordingly. The control and / or regulating unit may be formed by a device electronics or separately. The control and / or regulating unit can be wired or wireless signal technology connected to the light source. In addition, the control and / or regulating unit can be signal-wise connected to a device for detecting the current operating state of the laundry treatment appliance, in order to be able to control the light source accordingly.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the light source is attached to the laundry drum. This embodiment relates to the embodiment in which a light-conducting element, which forms at least one section of at least one axial end wall of the laundry drum, and at least one arranged outside the treatment room light source, with which the photoconductive element is at least partially illuminated, are present. The light source is moved with the laundry drum.

According to an alternative advantageous embodiment, the light source is arranged separately from the laundry drum. This embodiment also relates to the embodiment in which a light-conducting element, which forms at least a portion of an axial end wall of the laundry drum, and at least one light source arranged outside the treatment space, with which the light-conducting element is at least partially illuminated, are present. The light source can be kept stationary, which simplifies their electrical contact with the power supply.

The invention is not limited to the specified combination of the features of the independent claims and the dependent claims. In addition, there are further possibilities of combining individual features, in particular if they result from the patent claims, the following description of the exemplary embodiments or directly from the figures. In addition, the reference of the claims to the figures by the use of reference numerals is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to the illustrated embodiments. In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example with reference to the appended figures with reference to preferred embodiments, wherein the features explained below may represent an aspect of the invention both individually and in different combinations with one another. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of an inventive laundry treatment device;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a laundry treatment appliance according to the invention; FIG. and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of an inventive laundry treatment device.

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

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an inventive laundry treatment appliance 1, in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer. The laundry treatment appliance 1 comprises a laundry drum 2 loadable on the front side and a lighting device 3 for illuminating a treatment space 4 of the laundry drum 2. The laundry drum 2 is shown in a longitudinal section. 1 shows only a rear axial end wall 6 of the laundry drum 2, wherein the treatment chamber 4 may be limited by a not shown axial end wall 6 opposite second axial end wall. This second end wall is preferably formed as a circular ring and may have a central feed opening.

The lighting device 1 comprises a ring-shaped, light-conducting element 5, which forms an annular portion of an axial end wall 6 of the laundry drum 2. Since the laundry drum 2 is shown in a longitudinal section, the light-conducting element 5 is also shown cut so that only two sections 9 and 10 of the light-conducting element 5 can be seen. The lighting device 1 also comprises a light source 7 arranged outside the treatment space 4, with which the light-conducting element 5 can be illuminated at least partially.

The light-conducting element 5 may be formed at least partially transparent and / or translucent. The light source 7 may have at least one light-emitting diode, not shown, and / or at least one light-emitting foil, not shown. The light source 7 may be configured to selectively emit light in at least two different colors. The light source 7 is arranged separately from the laundry drum 2 and is held stationary. Alternatively, the light source 7 may be attached to the laundry drum 2 and be moved by this. In particular, the light source 7 may be arranged immediately adjacent to the light-conducting element 5.

The laundry treatment appliance 1 further comprises a control and / or regulating unit 8 signal-connected to the light source 7 via a signal connection S, which is set up to control the light source 7 for the selective emission of light in at least two different colors as a function of an operating state of the laundry treatment appliance 1 ,

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of an inventive laundry treatment device 1, in particular washing machine, washer-dryer or dryer. This laundry treatment appliance 1 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that on the axial end wall 6 of the laundry drum 2, a ring-shaped light source 7 is arranged, which forms a portion of the axial end wall 6. The light source 7 emits light directly into the treatment room 4 of the laundry drum 2. To avoid repetition, reference is otherwise made to the above description to Fig. 1. Since the laundry drum

2 is shown in a longitudinal section, the light source 7 is shown in section, so that only two sections 1 1 and 12 can be seen from the light source 7. FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a laundry treatment appliance 1 according to the invention, in particular a washing machine, washer-dryer or dryer. This laundry treatment appliance 1 is designed substantially in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. Only the light source 7 is formed as a thinner ring than in Fig. 2. In addition, the perspective and Partially cut laundry drum 2 radially outwardly surrounded by a likewise perspective and partially cut shown tub 13.

The laundry drum 2 comprises a cylindrical drum shell 14 and the drum shell 14 axially on one side closing end wall 6, wherein the drum shell 14 may be monolithic with the end wall 6, for example made of a plastic or a fiber-plastic composite material. On the drum shell 14, an annular reinforcing element 4 is arranged, which circumferentially surrounds a loading opening 15 of the laundry drum 2 arranged facing away from the observer. The reinforcing element 15 may be made of a metal. An inner circumferential surface 16 of the drum shell 14 is provided with a laundry-sparing structure 17.

On the inner circumferential surface 16 of the drum shell 14, three drivers 18 are uniformly circumferentially offset from each other, which are monolithically made with the drum shell 14. The drivers 18 and the inner circumferential surface 16 or their shapes are indicated by the section line 19. Each driver 18 is formed in cross-section substantially triangular and comprises two radially inwardly merging Mitnehmerflanken 20 and 21, which are formed starting from the drum shell 14 of different lengths. As a result, each driver 18 comprises a flat driver flank 20 and a steep driver flank 21. A surface of each driver 18 is partially provided with the structuring 17, wherein the structuring 17 is arranged on the flat driver flank 20 of each driver 18.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 laundry treatment device

2 laundry drum

3 lighting device

4 treatment room

5 photoconductive element

6 axial end wall

7 light source

8 control and / or regulating unit

9 section of 5

10 section of 5

1 1 section of 7

12 section of 7

13 tubs

14 drum casing

15 loading opening

16 inner lateral surface

17 structuring

18 drivers

19 cutting line

20 flat driver flank

21 steep driver flank

S signal connection

Claims

Lighting device (3) for illuminating a treatment space (4) of a laundry drum (2) of a laundry treatment appliance (1), in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer, which is loadable with laundry

at least one light-conducting element (5) which forms at least one section of at least one axial end wall (6) of the laundry drum (2), and at least one light source (7) arranged outside the treatment space (4), with which the light-conducting element (5) at least partially lit, or

at least one on at least one axial end wall (6) of the laundry drum

(2) arranged light source (7),

marked by

the light source (7) is adapted to selectively emit light in at least two different colors.

Lighting device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-conducting element (5) is at least partially transparent.

Lighting device (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-conducting element (5) is at least partially translucent.

Lighting device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light source (7) has at least one light-emitting diode.

Lighting device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light source (7) has at least one luminous film.

Lighting device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light-conducting element (5) is annular.

7. laundry drum (2) for a laundry treatment device (1), in particular washing machine, washer dryer, comprising a, in particular frontally arranged, treatment space opening for loading the laundry drum (2) with laundry, characterized in that at least one lighting device (3) after a of claims 1 to 6 for illuminating a treatment space (4) of the laundry drum (2) is included.

8. laundry drum (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the light-conducting element (5) is annular and coaxial with a longitudinal central axis of the laundry drum.

9. Laundry treatment device (1), in particular washing machine, washer-dryer or dryer, comprising at least one loadable laundry laundry drum (2) and at least one illumination device (3) for illuminating a treatment room (4) of the laundry drum (2), characterized in that the illumination device (3) according to one of claims 1 to 6 and / or the laundry drum (2) according to claim 7 or 8 is formed.

10. laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterized by at least one signal technically connected to the light source (7) control and / or

Control unit (8) which is set up to control the light source (7) for the selective emission of light in at least two different colors as a function of an operating state of the laundry treatment appliance (1).

1 1. Laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the light source (7) is attached to the laundry drum (2).

12. laundry treatment appliance (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the light source (7) is arranged separately from the laundry drum (2).