WO2019192774A1

WO2019192774A1 - Washing machine comprising a bellow

Info

Publication number: WO2019192774A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/054553
Authority: WO
Inventors: Orhan Daioglu; Omer Faruk OZER; Hakan CAKIR
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-04-02
Filing date: 2019-02-25
Publication date: 2019-10-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1 ) comprising a body (2), a loading port (3) provided on the body (2), a drum (4) provided in the body (2), into which the laundry items are loaded by means of the loading port (3), a tub (5) in which the drum (4) is disposed, an opening (6) provided on the tub (5), disposed almost opposite the loading port (3), a seat (7) shaped as an annular groove, provided on the tub (5), and a bellow (10) having a first annular edge (8) fixed in the seat (7) and a second annular edge (9) fixed on the body (2).

Description

WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A BELLOW

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising an annular bellow provided between the tub and the body.

In front-loading washing machines, the sealing between the tub and the front wall of a washing machine is generally provided by an elastic bellow annularly fixed between the tub and the front wall of the washing machine. The coupling between a bellow and a tub should be robust enough to withstand the vibrations generated during rotation of the drum, and the tensions occurring during usage. In the state of the art, the annular bellow is attached from one side on the tub by means of an elastic spring clamp. After placing the bellow on the tub, the spring clamp is stretched and fitted on the bellow, and enables the rim of the bellow to be attached on the tub by spontaneously compressing upon being released so as to fit in the seat on the tub. However, particularly when a user loads and unloads large-sized laundry items, the laundry items may snag on the bellow and thereby cause the bellow to excessively stretch and dislocate by escaping the clamp spring. Moreover, since a strong force is required to stretch the clamp spring and to correctly fit it on the tub, its assembly is difficult and incorrect mounting of the clamp spring may be experienced. In such cases, the washing machine would be rendered unusable as sealing cannot be provided anymore. Another problem frequently encountered when clamp spring is used is that the clamp spring may break if stretched excessively during assembly, and may thus cause the bellow to tear and may even lead to serious injuries, which in turn increase the number of scrapped parts and create a risk of worker safety.

Another state of the art method is forming the lips of the seat narrow enough so as to prevent the rim of the bellow from escaping from within. The rim of the bellow is fitted in the seat by being pushed. However, this process requires using lubricant chemicals, and is disadvantageous as it requires further safety measures and an additional operation of applying the chemical on the surface.

State of the art United States patent application no. US2013152641 describes a washing machine having a sealing assembly.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine in which a bellow is mounted on a tub in an easy and robust manner.

The washing machine realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a seat shaped as a circumferential groove disposed on the tub, a plurality of pins each shaped as an extension provided on the seat, a bellow having a plurality of holes provided on a first annular edge, each one of which is engaged on a pin, so as to fix the first annular edge on the seat, and a plurality of fastening members each one of which is mounted on a pin such that each hole is engaged on a pin upon placing the first annular edge in the seat, in other terms upon mounting the bellow on the tub, thus preventing the first annular edge from escaping the pins. By this, the bellow can be mounted on the tub in a simple and secure manner without using an expansion spring and chemicals such as lubricants facilitating assembly of the first annular edge. This avoids accidents likely to cause serious injuries such as breaking of the clamp spring during assembly, and enables the bellow to be easily fixed without requiring chemicals. Assembly can thus be performed in a secure and simple manner.

In an embodiment of the invention, the pins on the seat are integral with the tub. The need to fix the pins on the tub by a separate process is thus eliminated.

In another embodiment of the invention, a large number of pins are provided, placed equally spaced on the circular shaped seat. This enables the bellow to be correctly aligned by means of the pins and the connection between the bellow and the tub to be strengthened.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bellow comprises at least one ring-shaped support extending within the first annular edge. The support enables enhancing the rigidity of the first annular edge, and enables the first annular edge to maintain its ring-shape during assembly by preventing it from twisting and bending. This further facilitates the assembly process.

In another embodiment of the invention, the first annular edge has an almost U-shaped cross-section so as to conform to the shape of the groove-shaped seat, and comprises a base on which the holes are disposed and two annular rims extending from the edges of the base towards out of the seat. This enables the first annular edge to be fitted into the inner wall of the seat, increasing the contact surface between the bellow and the tub, and provides effective sealing by improving the grip between the bellow and the tub.

In another embodiment of the invention, the support comprises at least one spring arm changing shape by flexing in the state where the first annular edge is fixed in the seat. The spring arm sandwiches the first annular edge in between itself and the wall of the seat, enabling it to be fixed in the seat. In a preferred version of this embodiment, the support comprises a spring arm provided on the annular rim of the first annular edge, enabling at least a portion of the annular rim to be sandwiched in between itself and the wall of the seat. In another preferred version of this embodiment, the support comprises a spring arm provided on the base of the first annular edge, enabling at least a portion of the base to be sandwiched in between itself and the wall of the seat. In another preferred version of this embodiment, the support has an almost U-shaped cross-section and comprises a plurality of spring arms. This enables achieving an all-around connection between the seat and the first annular edge.

The invention enables sealing to be enhanced and the connection between the tub and the bellow to be simplified and strengthened, thereby effectively reducing the assembly mistakes occurring due to assembly difficulties.

The washing machine realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the washing machine of the state of the art.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tub of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the seat, bellow and the fastening members of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view of the seat and the bellow of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a view of the seat, bellow and the fastening members of another embodiment of the invention, with the bellow fixed in the seat.

Washing machine
Body
Loading port
Drum
Tub
Opening
Seat
First annular edge
Second annular edge
Bellow
Pin
Hole
Fastening member
Base
Annular rim
Support
Spring arm

The washing machine (1) comprises a body (2), a loading port (3) provided on the body (2), a drum (4) provided in the body (2), into which the laundry items are loaded by means of the loading port (3), a tub (5) in which the drum (4) is disposed, an opening (6) provided on the tub (5), aligned almost facing with the loading port (3), a seat (7) shaped as an annular groove, provided on the tub (5), and a bellow (10) having a first annular edge (8) fixed in the seat (7) and a second annular edge (9) fixed on the body (2). The bellow (10) is made of elastic material, and is shaped as a tube such that its second annular edge (9) fixed on the body (2), surrounds the loading port (3) and its first annular edge (8) fixed in the seat (7) shaped as an annular recess extending all around the outer surface of the tub (5), surrounds the opening (6).

The washing machine (1) of the invention comprises a plurality of pins (11) provided in the seat (7), a plurality of holes (12) provided on the first annular edge (8), enabling the bellow (10) to be mounted on the tub (5) by being engaged on the pins (11), and a plurality of fastening members (13) mounted on the pins (11) so as to sandwich the first annular edge (8) in between themselves and the seat (7). Each one of the pins (11) is shaped as a protrusion extending outwards from the seat (7). During assembly, the bellow (10) is placed on the tub (5) such that the pins (11) in the seat (7) are passed through the holes (12) on the first annular edge (8). After placing the first annular edge (8) in the seat (7), assembly is completed by mounting the fastening members (13) on the ends of the pins (11) extending out through the holes (12), by means of a suitable fastening method such as screwing, snap-fitting or ultrasound welding. When its assembly is completed, the bellow (10) is fixed on the tub (5) so as to remain between the seat (7) and the fastening members (13). Thereby the first annular edge (8) is firmly fixed in the seat (7) by means of the fastening members (13), preventing the bellow (10) from being detached from the tub (5) even under extreme forces. This enables mounting the bellow (10) on the tub (5) in an easy and error-free manner, reducing the number of scrapped parts and providing production efficiency.

In an embodiment of the invention, the pins (11) are integral with the tub (5). In this embodiment, the tub (5) is preferably produced by way of plastic injection in a single mold together with the pins (11). Thus, the need for an additional assembly process for connecting the pins (11) is eliminated and problems are averted such as the bellow (10) being partially detached from the tub (5) likely to happen due to the connection between the pins (11) and the tub (5) not being sufficiently durable or losing its durability over time.

In another embodiment of the invention, the pins (11) are arranged all around inside the seat (7), and the holes (12) are arranged all around on the first annular edge (8) such that each hole (12) is to be engaged on a pin (11). The pins (11) are placed successively along the seat (7), equally spaced with a distance of an arc in between. In a preferred version of this embodiment, there is a distance of an arc of almost 45 degrees between each successive pin (11). The first annular edge (8) is thus securely and stably fixed in the seat (7).

In another embodiment of the invention, the seat (7) has an almost "U" shaped cross-section, and the first annular edge (8) has a base (14) abutting the lower wall of the seat (7) and two annular rims (15) abutting the side walls of the seat (7), so as to conform with the shape of the seat (7). The pins (11) extend from the lower wall of the seat (7) towards the mouth of the seat (7) and the holes (12) are disposed on the base (14) of the first annular edge (8). When the first annular edge (8) is fitted in the seat (7) with the pins (11) passed through the holes (12), the annular rims (15) abut the side walls of the seat (7) and the ends of the pins (11) extend between the annular rims (15). The fastening members (13) are fixed on the pins (11) such that they are disposed in between the annular rims (15), and they support the base (14) of the first annular edge (8) against the lower wall of the seat (7). The first annular edge (8) is thus firmly sandwiched between the seat (7) and the fastening member (13), thereby enhancing the effectivity of the seal between the tub (5) and the bellow (10).

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one support (16) is provided on the first annular edge (8), having a ring shape so as to extend along the first annular edge (8). The support (16) is preferably made of metal material and has a circular shape so as to extend along the first annular edge (8). The support (16) preferably extends inside the first annular edge (8), and is embedded inside the first annular edge (8) by way of being placed in the mold in which the bellow (10) is produced, and the bellow (10) material being introduced thereon. The support (16) supports the first annular edge (8), assisting it to maintain its "U" shape.

In another embodiment of the invention, the support (16) comprises at least one spring arm (17) enabling the first annular edge (8) to be supported against the wall of the seat (7) by flexing in the state where the first annular edge (8) is fixed in the seat (7). The spring arm (17) extending along the first annular edge (8) is in a free-state before placement of the first annular edge (8) in the seat (7). When the first annular edge (8) is placed in the seat (7), the spring arm (17) is compressed and thereby pushes against the wall of the seat (7) by flexing, enabling compressing the first annular edge (8) in the seat (7). This enables reinforcing the connection between the first annular edge (8) and the seat (7). Thus, the number of pins (11) can be advantageously reduced without compromising robustness of the connection.

In an embodiment of the invention, the spring arm (17) is provided on the annular rim (15), and enables supporting the annular rim (15) against the side wall of the seat (7) by flexing when the first annular edge (8) is placed in the seat (7). The spring arm (17) on the support (16) extends inside the annular rim (15) of the first annular edge (8), and presses the related annular rim (15) against the side wall of the seat (7) by flexing inwards the seat (7) when the first annular edge (8) is placed in the seat (7). This enables the first annular edge (15) to abut on the wall of the seat (7).

In another embodiment of the invention, the spring arm (17) is disposed on the base (14), and when a fastening member (13) is mounted on a pin (11), it is flexed by being pushed by means of the fastening member (13), enabling supporting the base (14) against the lower wall of the seat (7). The spring arm (17) on the support (16) extends inside the base (14) of the first annular edge (8), and has a curved shape in its free state. When the fastening members (13) are fixed on the pins (11), the spring arm (17) is pressed against the lower wall of the seat (7) by the fastening members (13), and flexes towards the lower wall of the seat (7) so as to assume at least partially a flat shape as a result of the pressure exerted thereon. The spring arm (17) is thereby enabled to press the base (14) against the lower wall of the seat (7).

In another embodiment of the invention, the support (16) has an almost "U" shaped cross-section in the state where the first annular edge (8) is fixed in the seat (7). The support (16) is U-shaped so as to conform the shape of the first annular edge (8), and enables supporting both the base (14) and the annular rims (15) of the first annular edge (8). This embodiment is advantageous in that the first annular edge (8) is mounted by way of form fitting in the seat (7) by means of a single support (16).

By means of the invention, the bellow (10) providing sealing between the tub (5) and the body (2), is enabled to be mounted on the tub (5) in a secure and low-cost manner. In addition, the invention simplifies the connection between the bellow (10) and the tub (5), providing ease of maintenance, and shortens the assembly duration as an additional preparation is not required prior to assembly.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a body (2), a loading port (3) provided on the body (2), a drum (4) provided in the body (2), into which the laundry items are loaded by means of the loading port (3), a tub (5) in which the drum (4) is disposed, an opening (6) provided on the tub (5), aligned almost facing with the loading port (3), a seat (7) shaped as an annular groove, provided on the tub (5), and a bellow (10) having a first annular edge (8) fixed in the seat (7) and a second annular edge (9) fixed on the body (2), characterized by

- a plurality of pins (11) provided in the seat (7),

- a plurality of holes (12) provided on the first annular edge (8), enabling the bellow (10) to be mounted on the tub (5) by being engaged on the pins (11), and by

- a plurality of fastening members (13) mounted on the pins (11) so as to sandwich the first annular edge (8) in between themselves and the seat (7).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the pins (11) being integral with the tub (5).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the pins (11) arranged all around inside the seat (7), and by the holes (12) arranged all around on the first annular edge (8) such that each hole (12) is to be engaged on a pin (11).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the seat (7) having an almost "U" shaped cross-section, and by the first annular edge (8) having a base (14) abutting the lower wall of the seat (7) and two annular rims (15) abutting the side walls of the seat (7), so as to conform with the shape of the seat (7).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one support (16) provided on the first annular edge (8), having a ring shape extending along the first annular edge (8).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the support (16) comprising at least one spring arm (17) enabling the first annular edge (8) to be supported against the wall of the seat (7) by flexing in the state where the first annular edge (8) is fixed in the seat (7).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the spring arm (17) provided on the annular rim (15), enabling supporting the annular rim (15) against the side wall of the seat (7) by flexing when the first annular edge (8) is placed in the seat (7).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the spring arm (17) disposed on the base (14), flexed by being pushed by means of a fastening member (13) when the fastening member (13) is being mounted on a pin (11), and enabling supporting the base (14) against the lower wall of the seat (7).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the claims 5 to 8, characterized by the support (16) having an almost "U" shaped cross-section in the state where the first annular edge (8) is fixed in the seat (7).