US20100175433A1 - Tub for washing machine or washer-drier - Google Patents

Tub for washing machine or washer-drier Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100175433A1
US20100175433A1 US12/651,521 US65152110A US2010175433A1 US 20100175433 A1 US20100175433 A1 US 20100175433A1 US 65152110 A US65152110 A US 65152110A US 2010175433 A1 US2010175433 A1 US 2010175433A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tub
connection section
stiffening structure
stiffening
drum
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/651,521
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English (en)
Inventor
Stefano Mancini
Gianfranco Bacelli
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Meccanica Generale SRL
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to MECCANICA GENERALE S.R.L. reassignment MECCANICA GENERALE S.R.L. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BACELLI, GIANFRANCO, MANCINCI, STEFANO
Publication of US20100175433A1 publication Critical patent/US20100175433A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • D06F37/26—Casings; Tubs
    • 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
    • D06F37/02—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums
    • D06F37/04—Rotary receptacles, e.g. drums adapted for rotation or oscillation about a horizontal or inclined axis

Definitions

  • the present patent application for industrial invention relates to a tub for washing machine or washer-drier.
  • a washing machine comprises a tub in which a rotary drum is mounted and driven into rotation by a motor.
  • the tub is provided with a loading mouth to introduce laundry in the drum.
  • Counterweights are positioned in the tub to balance the centrifugal force of the drum during rotation.
  • the front of the tub is made of plastic material (polypropylene) loaded with calcium carbonate. This material tends to deform, ovalizing the loading mouth.
  • a plastic tub for washing machines is normally composed of a back ( 1 ) and a front ( 2 ).
  • the back ( 1 ) is made of a peripheral cylindrical band ( 10 ) joined with a circular bottom wall ( 11 ) generally provided with stiffening ribs ( 12 ).
  • the front ( 2 ) is composed of a peripheral cylindrical band ( 20 ) joined with a front annular wall ( 21 ) by means of a tapered circular connection wall ( 22 ).
  • the front ( 2 ) is adapted to be joined with the back ( 1 ) by means of fixing means of known type.
  • the tub houses a drum ( 3 ) for laundry that is driven into rotation by a shaft ( 30 ) joined with the back of the drum.
  • the bottom wall ( 11 ) of the back of the tub is provided with an axial hole ( 13 ) that is crossed by the shaft ( 30 ) of the drum.
  • the shaft ( 30 ) is driven into rotation by means of a belt drive actuated by a motor fixed on the side of the tub.
  • the axis of rotation of the motor is parallel to the one of the drum.
  • the tub ( 1 , 2 ) and drum ( 3 ) assembly, as described above, is identified as oscillating assembly and indicated with numeral ( 100 ).
  • the oscillating assembly ( 100 ) is mounted in the case of the washing machine by means of shock-absorbing springs positioned between tub and case.
  • the front ( 2 ) of the tub is provided with a large circular opening ( 4 ) in coaxial position with the opening of the drum, in order to load the laundry in the drum.
  • Said opening ( 4 ) defined by the front wall ( 21 ) of the front of the tub is defined as “loading mouth”.
  • the oscillating assembly ( 100 ) To counterbalance the centrifugal force and avoid undesired movements of the oscillating assembly of the washing machine, which may come in contact with the fixed case and damage it, the oscillating assembly ( 100 ) must be weighed down to a total weight that normally ranges from 32 and 60 kg.
  • Some counterweights (normally 2 , sometimes 1 or 3 ) made of concrete, rarely of cast iron, are anchored to the tub in order to reach said weight values.
  • the counterweights are arranged in such a way that the total centre of gravity of the oscillating assembly ( 100 ) is on the same plane as the attachments of the shock-absorbing springs.
  • At least one of the counterweights must be fixed on the front ( 2 ) of the tub.
  • FIG. 2 shows a counterweight ( 5 ) fixed on the front ( 2 ) of the tub.
  • the counterweight ( 5 ) fixed on the front ( 2 ) exerts a radial rotary force on the front ( 2 ) of the tub that tends to deform the front of the tub, ovalizing the loading mouth ( 4 ) of the tub.
  • Said ovalization causes the reduction of the loading mouth of the tub by a few millimetres along one axis and the simultaneous elongation by a few millimetres along the other axis.
  • the drum ( 3 ) in order to counterbalance said ovalization of the loading mouth of the tub, the drum ( 3 ) must be mounted with sufficient clearance inside the front ( 2 ) of the tub.
  • a space ( 40 ) lower than 3.5 mm is left in the area of the loading mouth ( 4 ) between the drum ( 3 ) and a gasket ( 25 ) arranged on the front wall ( 21 ) of the front ( 2 ) of the tub.
  • the gasket ( 25 ) acts as connection and seal for the water between the oscillating assembly, which moves, and the door of the loading mouth that is joined with the cabinet, and is therefore fixed.
  • the space ( 40 ) can exceed 3.5 mm in the areas with elongation of the loading mouth ( 4 ). Therefore, if the deformation of the loading mouth ( 4 ) of the front exceeds certain values, part of the laundry can be trapped in the space ( 40 ) between the drum ( 3 ) and the front ( 2 ) with consequent damage or tear of the same laundry.
  • front counterweight ( 5 ) was shaped as a ring, with central hole coinciding with the opening of the loading mouth ( 4 ) of the tub, no deformation problems would occur because the front ( 2 ) of the tub would become rigid, being joined with the counterweight. Nevertheless, a circular counterweight can be used rarely, being more cumbersome and more expensive.
  • WO2008/125974 discloses a washing machine comprising a system to maintain the drum in a predefined angular position.
  • ES 460 773 discloses a washing machine provided with a counterweight system to stiffen the tub.
  • DE102 27 036 discloses a washing machine comprising a hollow container of washing liquid that encloses a drum surrounded by a support cage.
  • the object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a tub for washing machine adapted to reduce the deformation of the loading mouth.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide such a tub for washing machine that is inexpensive and easy to make.
  • the tub for washing machine or washer-drier of the invention comprises a back and a front adapted to be mutually fixed to house a rotary drum where laundry is loaded.
  • the front of the tub comprises a peripheral cylindrical band that is joined with a front annular wall by means of a circular connection section.
  • the front wall defines a loading mouth of the tub to provide access to the drum.
  • the front of the tub comprises at least on stiffening structure integrally obtained with said front.
  • the stiffening structure is adapted to avoid the deformation of the front of the tub and consequent ovalization of the loading mouth.
  • the shape of the front of the tub provided with stiffening structure is such to maximise the structural efficacy with minimum plastic weight.
  • the external wall of the stiffening structure not being in contact with the hot water contained in the tub, remains at a lower temperature and therefore maintains a higher elastic module. Such an advantage is higher in the case of a washer-drier, which needs to spin at a higher temperature.
  • the stiffening structure is integral to the front of the tub and therefore no additional parts are necessary, with no additional assembly operations that would increase the production cost.
  • the lack of deformation of the loading mouth allows for minimising clearance between drum and tub, thus preventing laundry from entering the space between drum and tub and being subjected to tear and damage.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an oscillating assembly for washing machine according to the prior art composed of tub and drum;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an oscillating assembly according to the prior art assembled and showing a counterweight mounted on the front of the tub;
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of a washing machine according to the prior art
  • FIG. 4 is a partially interrupted cross-sectional view along plane IV-IV of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an oscillating assembly according to the present invention with an exploded view of one counterweight
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the oscillating assembly of FIG. 4 assembled
  • FIG. 7 is a front view of the oscillating assembly of FIG. 5 ;
  • FIG. 8 is a partially interrupted cross-sectional view along plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an oscillating assembly according to the present invention with an exploded view of two counterweights.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the oscillating assembly of FIG. 9 assembled
  • the tub of the invention comprises a front ( 2 ) provided with stiffening structure ( 6 ) integrally obtained on the front ( 2 ).
  • the stiffening structure ( 6 ) is arranged on the connection section ( 22 ) of the front ( 2 ) of the tub, in such a way that it is at least partially around the front wall ( 21 ) of the front of the tub that defines the loading mouth ( 4 ) of the tub.
  • the stiffening structure ( 6 ) comprises a flange ( 60 ) composed of an arched plate arranged on a basically parallel plane to the one of the front wall ( 21 ) of the front of the tub.
  • the flange ( 60 ) is connected to the connection section ( 22 ) of the front of the tub by means of a plurality of stiffening ribs ( 61 ).
  • the stiffening ribs ( 61 ) are preferably arranged according to oblique planes relative to the plane of the flange ( 60 ) to oppose the radial deformation of the loading mouth ( 4 ).
  • the stiffening structure ( 6 ) has a boxed shape and the flange ( 60 ) and connection section ( 22 ) of the front of the tub form a double wall stiffened by the stiffening ribs ( 61 ).
  • the stiffening structure ( 6 ) is obtained in one piece with the front ( 2 ) of the tub from moulding inexpensive plastic materials, such as polypropylene loaded with calcium carbonate or talcum. Polypropylene can be loaded with a more expensive material, such as fibreglass. In this case it is possible to save on the quantity of material. As a matter of fact, because of the stiffening structure ( 6 ), the front ( 2 ) of the tub can be realised with thickness lower than 3 mm.
  • the stiffening structure ( 6 ) can efficaciously oppose the deformation of the loading mouth ( 4 ) of the tub, minimising its ovalization. Consequently, the drum ( 3 ) can be arranged inside the drum ( 2 ) with minimum clearance in the area of the loading mouth ( 4 ), for instance with space lower than 3 mm, between the edge of the drum ( 3 ) and the gasket ( 25 ) of the front of the tub.
  • Two advantages are offered by this solution: it prevents laundry from falling in the space between drum and front of the tub and maximises the opening of the drum for inserting the laundry, the latter being very appreciated by the user, especially in case of especially cumbersome laundry.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of tub with installation of only one counterweight ( 5 ).
  • the front ( 2 ) of the tub is provided with attachments ( 25 ) inserted in corresponding holes ( 55 ) of the counterweight.
  • the counterweight ( 5 ) maintains the same distance between the attachments ( 25 ) of the front of the tub, acting as reduction element of the deformation of the loading mouth in the area with the attachments ( 25 ).
  • stiffening section ( 6 ) it is not necessary for the stiffening section ( 6 ) to extend also in the area of the front of the tub with the counterweight ( 5 ).
  • a single stiffening section ( 6 ) can be provided, extending also on the connection section ( 22 ) with an angle of 270°-300°.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of a tub with two counterweights ( 5 ) installed in diametrally opposite positions.
  • two stiffening sections ( 6 ) are provided, extending on the connection section ( 22 ), in diametrally opposite positions.
  • Each stiffening section ( 6 ) has an arched shaped with angle of 90°-120°.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US12/651,521 2009-01-14 2010-01-04 Tub for washing machine or washer-drier Abandoned US20100175433A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMC2009A000003 2009-01-14
IT000003A ITMC20090003A1 (it) 2009-01-14 2009-01-14 Vasca per macchina lavatrice o lavasciugatrice.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100175433A1 true US20100175433A1 (en) 2010-07-15

Family

ID=40806421

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/651,521 Abandoned US20100175433A1 (en) 2009-01-14 2010-01-04 Tub for washing machine or washer-drier

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20100175433A1 (pl)
EP (1) EP2236659B1 (pl)
AT (1) ATE536434T1 (pl)
IT (1) ITMC20090003A1 (pl)
PL (1) PL2236659T3 (pl)
RU (1) RU2010100959A (pl)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2463487A1 (es) * 2012-11-27 2014-05-28 Bsh Electrodomésticos España, S.A. Aparato doméstico de eje horizontal con contrapeso
CN111850976A (zh) * 2019-04-30 2020-10-30 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种洗衣机
CN113403798A (zh) * 2021-06-10 2021-09-17 南京信息工程大学 多层滚筒洗衣机

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5211038A (en) * 1991-01-30 1993-05-18 Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.P.A. Ballasted tub for washing machines
US5419164A (en) * 1992-12-07 1995-05-30 Durazzani; Pierro Plastic tubs for washing machines
US20040134092A1 (en) * 2003-01-15 2004-07-15 Hong Kyung Seop Drying machine
US20060179897A1 (en) * 2005-02-17 2006-08-17 Tatsuya Saito Drum type washing machine
US7117612B2 (en) * 2003-05-05 2006-10-10 American Dryer Corp. Method for spin drying a clothes basket in a combination washer/dryer
US20070175245A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2007-08-02 Young Ho Kim Tub for washing machine and method of manufacturing the same
EP1849905A1 (en) * 2005-02-02 2007-10-31 Girbau, S.A. Washing machine support structure
US7398663B2 (en) * 2002-10-16 2008-07-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Drum-type washing machine
US20090173110A1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2009-07-09 Yong Suck Park Washing machine

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES460773A1 (es) * 1976-07-15 1978-05-16 Bayer Ag Perfeccionamientos en maquinas lavadoras de tamborprocedimiento para la obtencion de preparados medicinales con ph alcalino. para car-ga frontal.
IT1169242B (it) * 1981-04-15 1987-05-27 Candy Ind Spa Perfezionamento in un gruppo-vasca di una macchina lavabiancheria
DE10227036C1 (de) * 2002-06-17 2003-11-20 Miele & Cie Waschaggregat für eine Waschmaschine
KR100697201B1 (ko) * 2005-02-04 2007-03-21 엘지전자 주식회사 드럼 세탁기
DE102006052514B4 (de) * 2006-11-06 2010-08-05 Miele & Cie. Kg Laugenbehälter mit Ballastgewicht für eine Waschmaschine
ITTO20070271A1 (it) * 2007-04-17 2008-10-18 Indesit Co Spa Macchina per il lavaggio di biancheria

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5211038A (en) * 1991-01-30 1993-05-18 Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.P.A. Ballasted tub for washing machines
US5419164A (en) * 1992-12-07 1995-05-30 Durazzani; Pierro Plastic tubs for washing machines
US7398663B2 (en) * 2002-10-16 2008-07-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Drum-type washing machine
US20040134092A1 (en) * 2003-01-15 2004-07-15 Hong Kyung Seop Drying machine
US7117612B2 (en) * 2003-05-05 2006-10-10 American Dryer Corp. Method for spin drying a clothes basket in a combination washer/dryer
US7168274B2 (en) * 2003-05-05 2007-01-30 American Dryer Corporation Combination washer/dryer having common heat source
EP1849905A1 (en) * 2005-02-02 2007-10-31 Girbau, S.A. Washing machine support structure
US20060179897A1 (en) * 2005-02-17 2006-08-17 Tatsuya Saito Drum type washing machine
US20070175245A1 (en) * 2006-01-27 2007-08-02 Young Ho Kim Tub for washing machine and method of manufacturing the same
US20090173110A1 (en) * 2006-05-02 2009-07-09 Yong Suck Park Washing machine

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2463487A1 (es) * 2012-11-27 2014-05-28 Bsh Electrodomésticos España, S.A. Aparato doméstico de eje horizontal con contrapeso
CN111850976A (zh) * 2019-04-30 2020-10-30 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种洗衣机
CN113403798A (zh) * 2021-06-10 2021-09-17 南京信息工程大学 多层滚筒洗衣机

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2236659B1 (en) 2011-12-07
EP2236659A1 (en) 2010-10-06
RU2010100959A (ru) 2011-07-20
PL2236659T3 (pl) 2012-09-28
ATE536434T1 (de) 2011-12-15
ITMC20090003A1 (it) 2010-07-15

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MECCANICA GENERALE S.R.L., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MANCINCI, STEFANO;BACELLI, GIANFRANCO;REEL/FRAME:023771/0275

Effective date: 20091217

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION