Washing machine including a shipping protection arrangement

Abstract

A washing machine includes an appliance housing having a front housing part and a rear wall, and includes a washing assembly capable, in an operating mode, of oscillating relative to the appliance housing. The washing assembly includes a washing drum and a suds container enclosing the washing drum. The suds container has a bracket integrally formed thereon. A shipping protection arrangement is provided for protecting the suds container against shocks. The shipping protection arrangement includes a rod and a sleeve-like or tube-like locking element received on the rod. The rod, when in a secured position, is fixed in a first holding receptacle of the front housing part and is fixed in a force-fit manner in a second holding receptacle of the rear wall via the locking element. The rod is connected in a central region thereof in a force-locking manner to the washing assembly via the suds container, the bracket, and the locking element.

Description

[0001] Priority is claimed to German patent application DE 10 2005 031 488.0, filed Jul. 4, 2005. [0002] The present invention relates to a washing machine having a washing assembly which is capable of oscillating relative to the appliance housing and which includes a washing drum and a suds container enclosing the washing drum and which further is protected against shocks by a shipping protection arrangement formed by at least one rod, said rod, when in the secured position, being fixed in holding receptacles on a front housing part and in further holding receptacles on the rear wall of the appliance housing, the rod being connected in a force-locking manner to the washing assembly in the central region via the suds container by means of brackets. BACKGROUND [0003] When shipping washing machines, these appliances may happen to fall from relatively great heights on the rear or front feet of the housing. This can happen especially when shipping a plurality of appliances using freight...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine including a shipping protection arrangement, which reduces or prevents destruction or deformation of the container wall.

[0009] Advantages that can be achieved with the present invention include that optimal use of the material properties may be achieved with minimal manufacturing effort. The shipping rod is not weakened and is thus capable of receiving the forces in an optimum manner. Also, there is no more need for a reinforcement in the form of solid material. If necessary, very rigid material could also be used here. The locking function is provided by a plastic component, because the easiest way to implement complex functions is by using plastic material.

Problems solved by technology

When shipping washing machines, these appliances may happen to fall from relatively great heights on the rear or front feet of the housing.

The rod solutions known in the prior art are not suited for suds containers made of plastic, because the introduction of force via narrow projecting noses and small contact areas damage the plastic suds container to an extent that cracks may occur, as a result of which the container is no longer sufficiently leak-tight.

This allows shocks and vibrations of the suds container during shipping to be tolerated to a very limited extent.

The known solutions of screwing the plastic suds container to the rear wall are not possible either, since such a solution requires a very rigid rear wall because the assembly has a very strong leverage effect and can only be supported on one side.

Moreover, very long bolts are required because the assemblies are held in an inclined position in the appliance housing.

Insertion or removal of such a shipping protection device can only be done with the aid of a tool, which makes handling more difficult.

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