CN111748961A

CN111748961A - Washing drum for washing machine and washing machine equipped with the same

Info

Publication number: CN111748961A
Application number: CN202010213586.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马尔科·里戈; 维托里奥·佩罗萨; 卢卡·古约托; 乔瓦尼·科隆贝拉; 托马斯·U·约翰松; 安德烈亚·普塔焦
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2019-03-26
Filing date: 2020-03-24
Publication date: 2020-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-24
Also published as: AU2020201474A1; US20200308752A1; EP3715522B1; CN111748961B; EP3715522A1; PL3715522T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing drum (1) adapted to be rotatably mounted in a washing machine, in which laundry to be washed can be placed. The washing drum (1) comprises a tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) apt to rotate about a rotation axis (R), and the tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) comprises at least one projection (20; 20') projecting from the tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) towards the rotation axis (R). The contour of the bulge (20; 20') at the tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) has the shape of a square circle, wherein the reference axis (X) of the square circle contour is inclined with respect to the rotation axis (R).

Description

Washing drum for washing machine and washing machine equipped with the same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of laundry washing technology.

In particular, the present invention relates to a washing drum adapted to be rotatably mounted in a washing machine.

Background

Nowadays, the use of washing machines is very widespread, said washing machines comprising "simple" washing machines (i.e. washing machines which can only wash and rinse the laundry) and laundry drying machines (i.e. washing machines which can also dry the laundry).

In this specification, the term "washing machine" will refer to both simple washing machines and washing and drying machines.

Washing machines generally comprise a housing or cabinet provided with a washing tub which houses a washing drum in which the laundry is placed. The loading/unloading door secures the entrance of the washing drum.

Washing drums of known type generally comprise a substantially cylindrical wall closed at one end by a substantially flat rear wall and having, on its other end, an opening closed by said loading/unloading door.

The cylindrical wall is typically provided with perforations/holes which allow liquid to flow through it.

The holes are generally and preferably evenly distributed on the wall of the drum. Furthermore, the cylindrical wall is usually also provided with a projection.

According to the known art, the projections and holes are provided in order to improve the performance of the washing process.

During the washing process, especially when the washing drum is rotated, the laundry may encounter and/or adhere to the inner surface of the drum wall, and moisture contained in the laundry may be discharged outward through the holes by centrifugal force to spin-dry the laundry.

The shape of the protrusions may affect the treatment of the laundry due to interaction with the laundry.

An object of the present invention is to optimize the shape of the washing drum wall to improve the dewatering performance of the laundry.

Another object of the present invention is to optimize the shape of the washing drum wall to achieve a gentle treatment of the laundry.

Disclosure of Invention

The applicant has found that by providing a washing machine: the washing machine comprises a washing tub outside a washing drum, wherein the washing drum comprises a plurality of protrusions, and the above object is achieved by giving the protrusions a square-circular profile.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a washing drum adapted to be rotatably mounted in a laundry washing machine, in which laundry to be washed can be placed, said washing drum comprising a tubular body wall susceptible to rotate about an axis of rotation, and said tubular body wall comprising at least one bulge and at least one hole projecting from said tubular body wall towards said axis of rotation, wherein the profile of said at least one bulge at said tubular body wall has the shape of a square circle, wherein a reference axis of said square circle profile is inclined with respect to said axis of rotation.

The square circle preferably consists of four rounded corners joined by four slightly rounded sides.

Preferably, the reference axis symmetrically divides the two opposite slightly rounded sides.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reference axis of the square circular profile is inclined with respect to the rotation axis so as to form an angle between 22.5 ° and 67.5 °, preferably an angle equal to 45 °.

Preferably, the at least one projection comprises a side wall extending from the profile and terminating at a bottom wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing drum comprises a plurality of lugs placed side by side, two adjacent lugs defining a channel therebetween.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said at least one hole is realized in said channel.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said at least one hole is realized in said side wall and/or said bottom wall.

Preferably, the washing drum comprises a plurality of holes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holes are realized in the channels.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the holes are realized in the side walls and/or the bottom wall.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side wall and/or the bottom wall is circular in shape.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing drum comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged in a row along the main axis.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing drum comprises one or more sets of protrusions, said one or more sets comprising one or more rows of protrusions aligned along the main axis.

Preferably, two of the sets are separated by a smooth region.

Preferably, the smooth area may be considered as a channel having a width preferably equal to or greater than the width of the row of projections.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main axis is parallel to the axis of rotation.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the main axis is inclined with respect to the rotation axis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the side walls is constant.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the side walls varies. Preferably, the height of the side wall decreases continuously.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall is parallel to the tubular body wall.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom wall is not parallel to the tubular body wall.

Preferably, the bottom wall is inclined with respect to the tubular body wall.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a laundry washing machine comprising a washing drum external to the washing drum, wherein the washing drum is realized as described above.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be emphasized in more detail in the detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, corresponding features and/or components are identified by the same reference numerals. Specifically, the method comprises the following steps:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a washing drum according to the invention, suitable for use in a laundry washing machine;

FIG. 2 shows the elements of the washing drum of FIG. 1 isolated from the rest;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of the washing drum shown in FIG. 1;

figure 4 shows the geometry for realising a washing drum according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a detail of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is along VI of FIG. 2^o-VI^oA cross-sectional view of a wire;

FIG. 7 is along VII of FIG. 2^o-VII^oA cross-sectional view of a wire;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line VIII of FIG. 5^o-VIII^oA cross-sectional view of a wire;

FIG. 8A is another preferred embodiment of FIG. 8;

fig. 9 illustrates a plan view of the drum part shown in fig. 3, viewed from the front viewpoint V shown in fig. 3, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 and 11 illustrate the washing drum of fig. 2 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

As described below, the present invention has proven to be particularly advantageous when applied to a washing machine. In any case, it should be emphasized that the invention is not limited to washing machines. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied to a washing and drying machine (i.e., a washing machine that can also dry laundry).

With reference to fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of a washing drum 1 according to the present invention is shown, which is adapted to be rotatably mounted in a washing machine.

As better seen in fig. 2, the washing drum 1 preferably comprises a tubular body wall 10 apt to rotate about a rotation axis R. Tubular body wall 10 is preferably cylindrical. In different embodiments, the tubular body wall may have different shapes, for example, the tubular body wall may be frustoconical and/or circular in shape.

The tubular body wall 10 preferably comprises a rear end portion 12 closed by the rear wall 12 and a front end portion 14, the front end portion 14 having an opening 16 for loading/unloading the laundry and preferably aligned with a loading/unloading door of the laundry machine (not shown). Tubular body wall 10 is preferably made of a metallic material, preferably stainless steel.

The tubular body wall 10 comprises a projection 20 projecting from the tubular body wall 10 towards the rotation axis R.

Preferably, the tubular body wall 10 is metallic and the bulge 20 is obtained by stamping the tubular body wall 10.

According to one aspect of the invention, the contour 30 of the bulge 20 at the tubular body wall 10 has the shape of a square circle (squiggle).

Fig. 4 shows a square circle in a cartesian coordinate system of x and y. The square-circle equation (x-a)⁴+(y-b)⁴＝r⁴And (4) limiting.

The square circle is shown roughly with four rounded corners K1 ÷ K4, four rounded corners K1 ÷ K4 joined by four slightly rounded sides S1 ÷ S4.

The square circle is symmetrical and shows two lines of symmetry coinciding with said axes x and y. In the following, the first line of symmetry X is indicated as reference axis X of the square circle. It has to be noted that due to the symmetry of a square circle, the reference axis used in the present invention may also indicate the second line of symmetry y.

In other words, the reference axis X symmetrically divides the two opposite slightly circular sides S2, S4.

It must be noted that in practice the square circle may be substantially symmetrical rather than completely symmetrical, in particular due to deformations caused by the stamping process.

The projection 20 preferably includes a side wall 32 extending from the contour 30 and terminating at a bottom wall 34.

The side walls 32 and bottom wall 34 preferably include smooth surfaces that advantageously engage therebetween without sharp edges.

The side wall 32 and bottom wall 34 preferably include rounded surfaces with appropriate radii of curvature.

The circular wall is advantageous for providing a gentle treatment to the laundry.

According to one aspect of the invention, the projection 20 is suitably oriented at the tubular body wall 10 so that the reference axis X of the square-circular profile 30 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis R, as shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 5 shows the axis of rotation R and the preferred directions of rotation C1, C2 of the washing drum 1.

As is known, in fact, during a washing cycle, washing drum 1 preferably rotates about rotation axis R in a clockwise direction C1 and in a counter-clockwise direction C2 to spin the laundry placed therein.

Clockwise C1 and counter-clockwise C2 are also shown in fig. 1 and 2.

According to one aspect of the invention, the reference axis X of the square-circular profile 30 is inclined with respect to the rotation axis R of the washing drum 1 to form an angle a.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in the figures, the angle a is equal to 45 °. Preferably, the angle is comprised between 22.5 and 67.5 o.

Preferably, tubular body wall 10 comprises a plurality of projections 20 placed side by side to define the desired pattern.

As shown in fig. 2, the projections 20 are preferably defined almost throughout the tubular body wall 10 and are arranged in an inclined row-column matrix.

Two adjacent lugs 20 preferably define a respective channel 50 therebetween. The channel 50 is defined by the side walls 32 of two adjacent lugs 20.

Accordingly, each channel 50 is preferably aligned along a direction that is oblique to the axis of rotation R.

Fig. 10 shows a first different pattern realized by the following projections 20: the projections 20 are arranged in oblique rows-columns spaced from each other on the tubular body wall 110 and are displaced in groups G.

The projections 20 are preferably arranged in rows along the main axis Y. Preferably, the main axis Y is parallel to the rotation axis R.

Smooth areas a are preferably defined between groups G of projections 20. Each zone a can also be considered as a large channel, preferably having a width equal to or greater than the corresponding row of projections, preferably aligned along the rotation axis R.

Fig. 11 shows a second different pattern achieved by the lugs 20 being displaced in oblique rows H spaced from one another on the tubular body wall 210.

The projections 20 are preferably arranged in rows along the main axis Y'. Preferably, the main axis Y' is inclined with respect to the rotation axis R.

Between the groups H of projections 20 there is preferably defined a smooth area a'. Each zone a' can also be considered as a channel, preferably having a width equal to or greater than the corresponding row of projections, preferably aligned along a direction inclined with respect to the rotation axis R.

Tubular body wall 10 preferably includes distributed holes 70. The hole 70 is preferably obtained by punching the tubular body wall 10.

The holes 70 help to discharge water from the inside to the outside of the washing drum 4 to spin-dry the laundry placed therein.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as can be seen better in fig. 3 and 5, a hole 70 is realized in the channel 50. Here, the holes 70 are preferably realized only in the channel 50.

In different embodiments, the holes 70 are distributed differently over the wall of the tubular body. For example, as shown in fig. 9, the hole 70 in the tubular body wall 310 is additionally or alternatively implemented at the side wall 32 and/or the bottom wall 34 of the projection 20.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, as described above, the protrusions 20 enhance the loss of water when the washing drum 1 rotates in the clockwise direction C1 or the counterclockwise direction C2 due to their shape and orientation.

Referring to fig. 5, when the washing drum 1 rotates in the clockwise direction C1, water collides against the first/upper corner K1 and the lateral sides S1, S2 of the protrusion 20. The effect is to deflect water from the centre towards the sides of the lugs 20 along the channels 50 between adjacent lugs 20, thereby avoiding the creation of turbulence and/or accumulation of water and enhancing the transport of water to the discharge holes 70.

Similarly, when the washing drum 1 rotates in the counterclockwise direction C2, water collides against the third/lower corner K3 and the lateral sides S3, S4 of the protrusion 20. The effect is to deflect water from the centre towards the sides of the lugs 20 along the channels 50 between adjacent lugs 20, thereby avoiding the creation of turbulence and/or accumulation of water and enhancing the transport of water to the discharge holes 70.

According to another advantageous aspect of the present invention, as mentioned above, the protrusions 20, due to their shape and orientation, provide a delicate treatment of the laundry when the washing drum 1 rotates in the clockwise direction C1 or the counter-clockwise direction C2.

Referring to fig. 5 and 8, when the washing drum 1 rotates in the clockwise direction C1, the laundry collides against the first/upper corner K1 and the sides S1, S2 of the protrusion 20. The effect is that the laundry does not adhere to the inner wall of the tubular body wall 10 but the laundry is gently separated from the inner wall.

Similarly, when the washing drum 1 rotates in the counterclockwise direction C2, the laundry collides with the third/lower corner K3 and the sides S3, S4 of the protrusion 20. The effect is that the laundry does not adhere to the inner wall of the tubular body wall 10 but the laundry is gently separated from the inner wall.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as best seen in fig. 8, the height D of the side wall is preferably constant or substantially constant, and the bottom wall 34 is preferably parallel or substantially parallel to tubular body wall 10.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the height of the side walls varies and the bottom wall is preferably not parallel to the tubular body wall.

For example, as shown in the embodiment of fig. 8A, the height of side wall 32 ' continuously decreases and bottom wall 34 ' of projection 20 ' is inclined with respect to tubular body wall 10.

Preferably, the height of the side wall 32' decreases continuously from the first corner K1 to the third corner K3 (as can be deduced by comparing the distances D1 and D2 shown in fig. 8A). Therefore, the bottom wall 34 'of the projection 20' preferably slopes from the first corner K1 to the third corner K3.

The effect of this shape is that the laundry is separated differently when the washing drum 1 rotates in the clockwise direction C1 or the counterclockwise direction C2.

Advantageously, the mechanical treatment of the laundry is differentiated between a clockwise rotation and a counter-clockwise rotation of the washing drum 1.

It has thus been shown that the invention allows to achieve all the set objects. In particular, it is possible to provide a washing drum that increases the dewatering performance of laundry during a washing cycle, as compared to known washing machines.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the particular embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments shown and described herein; in contrast, other variations of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A washing drum (1), said washing drum (1) being adapted to be rotatably mounted in a washing machine, laundry to be washed being placeable in said washing drum (1), said washing drum (1) comprising a tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) apt to rotate about a rotation axis (R), and said tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) comprising at least one bulge (20; 20 ') and at least one hole (70) projecting from said tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) towards said rotation axis (R), characterized in that the profile of said at least one bulge (20; 20') at said tubular body wall (10; 110; 210) has the shape of a square circle, wherein a reference axis (X) of said profile of the square circle is inclined with respect to said rotation axis (R).

2. Washing drum (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reference axis (X) of the profile of a square circle is inclined with respect to the rotation axis (R) to form an angle between 22.5 ° and 67.5 °, preferably an angle equal to 45 °.

3. A washing drum (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one projection (20; 20 ') comprises a side wall (32; 32 ') extending from the contour and terminating at a bottom wall (34; 34 ').

4. A washing drum (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing drum (1) comprises a plurality of said at least one bulge (20; 20 ') arranged side by side, two adjacent bulges (20; 20 ') defining a channel (50; A; A ') therebetween.

5. Washing drum (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one hole (70) is realized in the channel (50).

6. A washing drum (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the at least one hole (70) is realized in the side wall (32; 32 ') and/or the bottom wall (34; 34').

7. A washing drum (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the side wall (32; 32 ') and/or the bottom wall (34; 34') is circular in shape.

8. A washing drum (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing drum (1) comprises a plurality of said at least one bulge (20; 20 '), a plurality of said bulges (20; 20 ') being arranged in a row along a main axis (Y; Y ').

9. A washing drum (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the washing drum (1) comprises one or more groups (G; H) of protrusions (20; 20 ') comprising one or more rows of protrusions (20; 20 ') aligned along the main axis (Y; Y ').

10. A washing drum (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that two groups (G; H) of the one or more groups (G; H) are separated by a smooth area (A; A').

11. A washing drum (1) according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the main axis (Y) is parallel to the rotation axis (R).

12. A washing drum (1) according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the main axis (Y') is inclined with respect to the rotation axis (R).

13. A washing drum (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the height (D) of the side wall (32) is constant.

14. A washing drum (1) according to any of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the height of the side wall (32') is varied.

15. Washing machine comprising a washing tub located outside a washing drum (1), characterized in that the washing drum (1) is realized according to any of the previous claims.