Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus (1) comprising a rotatable container (3) adapted to receive laundry, the container (3) being provided with a drive shaft (30) extending from a side wall of the container (3) along a rotation axis (X). The device (1) further comprises a belt drive system (40) for transmitting rotation to the drive shaft (30), where the belt drive system (40) comprises: a pulley (50) connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft (30); a spring element (70) which is arranged at the inner side (51) of the pulley (50); and a fastening element (80) for removably fastening the spring element (70) to the pulley (50).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of laundry treatment devices provided with a rotating container and a belt drive system for rotating the container.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a laundry washing machine provided with a rotating drum and a belt drive system for rotating the drum. Background Art

[0003] Laundry treatment devices generally include an outer housing or cabinet provided with a rotating container for placing laundry.

[0004] Laundry treatment devices may include laundry washing machines, which include both ordinary laundry washing machines (i.e., laundry washing machines that can only wash and rinse laundry) and laundry washing-drying machines (i.e., laundry washing machines that can also dry laundry).

[0005] In this specification, the term "laundry washing machine" will refer to both ordinary laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines.

[0006] Thus, a laundry washing machine generally includes a cabinet that houses a wash tub that supports a rotatable perforated drum for placing laundry to be washed. The drum is preferably rotated by means of a belt drive system.

[0007] Laundry treatment devices may also include a laundry dryer, which generally includes a cabinet that houses a rotating container for placing laundry to be dried.

[0008] EP3663453B1 discloses a laundry washing machine having a rotatable drum with a drive shaft and a pulley connected to the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft along a rotation axis.

[0009] The laundry washing machine includes a wash tub that supports the rotatable drum. The drive shaft extends through an aperture of the tub, and bearing means are provided at the aperture for receiving and supporting the drive shaft of the drum. In a central portion of the pulley, a hub is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an end of the drive shaft remote from the bearing means. The hub has a protruding portion that extends in the direction of the rotation axis to form a cylindrical region on which a spring element is arranged.

[0010] The protruding portion of the hub holds the spring element in place around the hub on an inner portion of the pulley. When the hub is connected to the drive shaft, the spring element is compressed between the hub and the bearing means.

[0011] However, the belt drive systems according to the known art exhibit some drawbacks.

[0012] When the components are assembled, during the manufacture of the device, drawbacks caused by belt drive systems of the prior art occur. In particular, the assembly operation requires the positioning (pre-assembly) of the spring element on the protruding part of the hub, the alignment of the drive shaft with the hub, and the fixed connection, usually using screws, of the drive shaft to the hub of the pulley.

[0013] During assembly, if the pulley and / or the drive shaft are subject to unwanted movement / vibration during both manual and automatic assembly processes, the spring element may move and eventually fall off. Therefore, special attention is required during assembly.

[0014] Another drawback caused by belt drive systems of the prior art is that the realization of the hub, usually made of steel, and the protruding part for the spring element requires machining operations, such as turning.

[0015] This has a negative impact on the manufacturing time and / or cost of the pulley and ultimately on the manufacturing time and / or cost of the device.

[0016] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks caused by the prior art.

[0017] An object of the present invention is to provide a belt drive system in a laundry treatment device that simplifies the assembly operation during the manufacture of the device.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a belt drive system in a laundry treatment device that reduces the manufacturing time and / or cost compared to known types of laundry treatment devices. Summary of the Invention

[0019] What the applicant has found is that by providing a laundry treatment device - the device includes a rotatable container adapted to receive laundry and a belt drive system for transmitting rotation to the drive shaft of the container, wherein the belt drive system includes a pulley connected to the drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and a spring element arranged at the inner part of the pulley, and by providing a fastening element for removably fastening the spring element to the pulley, the drawbacks of the prior art can be overcome.

[0020] Therefore, the present invention relates to a laundry treatment device, which includes a rotatable container adapted to receive laundry, the container being provided with a drive shaft extending along the axis of rotation from the side wall of the container, and the device further includes a belt drive system for transmitting rotation to the drive shaft, the belt drive system including:

[0021] A pulley, which is connected to the drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and is capable of rotating by means of a belt coupled to a drive motor, the pulley including an inner part facing the container,

[0022] A spring element, which is arranged at the inner part of the pulley, and

[0023] A fastening element for removably fastening a spring element to a pulley.

[0024] Advantageously, during the assembly operation, the spring element can be easily mounted to the pulley to achieve a sub-assembly that can be mounted to the drive shaft in a manner that prevents any movement of the spring element that could cause it to separate from the pulley, such that the sub-assembly can be manually or automatically operated without fear of the spring element separating from the pulley.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the pulley and / or the spring element includes the fastening element.

[0026] Preferably, the pulley includes a seat for receiving at least a portion of the spring element, and the fastening element is associated with the seat.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening element includes a retaining element, and the spring element includes an engaging element configured to couple with the retaining element.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the retaining element includes ribs that at least partially define the seat.

[0029] Preferably, the seat and the fastening element are implemented in the inner portion of the pulley.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the seat and the fastening element are implemented as a one-piece structure with the pulley.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the pulley includes two seats and two corresponding fastening elements associated with the seats. In another preferred embodiment, the pulley includes four seats and four corresponding fastening elements associated with the seats.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the pulley includes a plurality of said seats and corresponding fastening elements associated with the seats.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening element implements a bayonet connection.

[0034] According to a preferred alternative embodiment, the fastening element implements a snap connection.

[0035] In another preferred alternative embodiment, the fastening element includes a magnet associated with the pulley, and the spring element includes a magnet and / or ferromagnetic material, or alternatively, the fastening element includes a magnet associated with the spring element, and the pulley includes a magnet and / or ferromagnetic material.

[0036] Preferably, the pulley includes a hub that can be connected to the drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and a body surrounding the hub, wherein the body surrounding the hub is fixedly connected to the hub and can rotate via a belt, and wherein the seat portion and the fastening element are realized in the body of the pulley surrounding the hub.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the hub is made of metal, preferably steel, and / or the body is made of a plastic material.

[0038] Preferably, the spring element includes an annular corrugated spring or an annular conical disc spring.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the device includes bearing means for supporting the drive shaft, and the bearing means is positioned between the side wall of the container and the spring element.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the spring element has a plurality of contact zones abutting against the bearing means.

[0041] Preferably, the bearing means includes a rolling bearing having an inner ring mounted on the drive shaft and an outer ring.

[0042] The spring element preferably has a plurality of contact zones abutting against the surface of the inner ring facing the pulley.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the rotatable container is a rotatable perforated drum of a clothes washing machine.

[0044] Preferably, the bearing means is accommodated in the side wall of a washing tub including the rotatable perforated drum.

[0045] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a pulley for a drive shaft of a container in a laundry treatment device, the pulley including a hub that can be connected to the drive shaft and a body surrounding the hub, and the pulley having an inner portion facing the container, wherein the body surrounding the hub is provided with a seat portion for receiving at least a part of the spring element, and a fastening element for removably connecting the spring element to the pulley.

[0046] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a laundry treatment device, the device including a rotatable container adapted to receive laundry, the container being provided with a drive shaft extending along a rotation axis from a side wall of the container, the device further including a belt drive system for transmitting rotation to the drive shaft, the belt drive system including a belt, a pulley that can rotate via the belt, the pulley including a hub that can be connected to the drive shaft and a body surrounding the hub, and the pulley having an inner portion facing the container, the belt drive system further including a spring element disposed in the inner portion of the body, wherein the body is provided with a seat portion for receiving and holding at least a part of the spring element. Description of the Drawings

[0047] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be emphasized in more detail in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, corresponding features and / or components are identified by the same reference numerals. In such drawings:

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic view of a clothes washing machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 a perspective view of some components of the clothes washing machine;

[0050] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 an exploded view;

[0051] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 a plane sectional view taken along a longitudinal vertical plane of;

[0052] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 an enlarged view of the details of;

[0053] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 an enlarged view of the details of;

[0054] Figure 7 Shows Figure 2 a partial isometric sectional view of;

[0055] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 an enlarged view of the details of;

[0056] Figure 9 Shows Figure 2 a perspective view of a component separated from the remaining components;

[0057] Figure 10 Shows Figure 9 an enlarged view of the details of;

[0058] Figure 11 Shows Figure 2 a perspective view of another component separated from the remaining components;

[0059] Figure 12 Shows Figure 2 a perspective view of some components separated from the remaining components and in a first configuration during assembly;

[0060] Figure 13 Shows Figure 12 the components in an assembled configuration. Detailed Description

[0061] As described below, the present invention has proven to be particularly advantageous when applied to a laundry washing machine.

[0062] The term "laundry washing machine" refers to both a laundry washing machine and a laundry washing-drying machine.

[0063] In any case, it should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to laundry washing machines. The present invention can be conveniently applied to laundry drying machines.

[0064] In Figure 1 Figure 1 schematically illustrates a laundry washing machine 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] The laundry washing machine 1, also simply referred to hereinafter by the term machine 1, is a front-loading laundry washing machine.

[0066] The laundry washing machine 1 includes an outer casing or cabinet 2, in which a washing tub 3 or simply tub 3 is fixed to the casing 2 and preferably supported by helical springs and shock absorbers (not shown).

[0067] The tub 3 encloses a rotatable container 4 in which laundry can be loaded for the washing process (or also for the drying process in the case of a washing-drying machine). Thus, the rotatable container 4 defines a laundry washing drum 4 or simply drum 4, which is positioned axially rotatably inside the tub 3 along a reference axis of rotation X.

[0068] Both the tub 3 and the drum 4 preferably have a tubular body of generally cylindrical shape.

[0069] The tub 3 preferably includes a front side wall 10 provided with a front opening 12, lateral generally cylindrical side walls 14, and a rear side wall 16. The front opening 12 is associated with a closing door 18.

[0070] Preferably, the tub 3 is made of a polymeric material, more preferably of a plastic material, by an injection molding process.

[0071] The drum 4 preferably includes a front side wall 20 provided with a front opening 22, lateral generally cylindrical perforated side walls 24, and a rear side wall 26.

[0072] Preferably, the drum 4 is made of a metallic material, more preferably of stainless steel.

[0073] A drive shaft 30 is fixedly coupled to the drum 4, and the drum 4 rotates during the washing (or drying) cycle via the drive shaft 30. The drive shaft 30 extends along the axis of rotation X from the rear side wall 26 of the drum 4. The axis of rotation X of the drive shaft 30 coincides with the reference axis of rotation X of the drum 4.

[0074] Then, the machine 1 includes a belt drive system 40 for transmitting rotation to the drive shaft 30.

[0075] The belt drive system 40 includes a pulley 50 that can be rotated by a belt 42 moved by a motor unit 44.

[0076] In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, the drive shaft 30 is preferably rotatably supported at the rear wall 16 of the tub 3 by a bearing device 100, and the drive shaft 30 is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis X by means of the bearing device 100.

[0077] The bearing device 100 is preferably centrally arranged at the rear wall 16 of the tub 3, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 better illustrated in.

[0078] As shown in Figure 5 the bearing device 100 includes a first rolling bearing 102 and a second rolling bearing 104, which are spaced apart from each other, receive and support the drive shaft 30. The first rolling bearing 102 is arranged on the belt drive system side, and the second rolling bearing 104 is arranged closer to the drum 4 than the first rolling bearing 102.

[0079] The first rolling bearing 102 includes an inner ring 102a mounted on the drive shaft 30 and an outer ring 102b accommodated at the rear wall 16 of the tub 3.

[0080] The second rolling bearing 104 includes an inner ring 104a mounted on the drive shaft 30 and an outer ring 104b accommodated at the rear wall 16 of the tub 3.

[0081] The drive shaft 30 is preferably divided into regions each having a different diameter. The rolling bearings 102, 104 are preferably arranged in two adjacent regions having different diameters. Thus, the rolling bearings 102, 104 have different sizes / diameters.

[0082] As described below, the first end 32 of the drive shaft 30 is configured to cooperate with the pulley 50.

[0083] The pulley 50 preferably includes a hub 52 for rotatably connecting the pulley 50 to the drive shaft 30 in a rotationally fixed manner. Then, the pulley 50 preferably includes a body 54 surrounding the hub 52, which body 54 is also denoted by the term outer body 54 hereinafter. The outer body 54 is provided with a circular track 56 for receiving the belt 42 such that the belt 42 can rotate the pulley 50 when required. The outer body 54 is preferably implemented with five connecting rods 54a to 54e radially arranged around the hub 52.

[0084] Preferably, the hub 52 is made of metal, preferably steel, to provide a sufficient level of mechanical strength for the connection to the drive shaft 30, while the outer body 54 is preferably made of plastic. Preferably, the outer body 54 is injection molded, and the hub 52 is overmolded to the outer body 54.

[0085] The hub 52 includes a hole 58 adapted to receive the first end 32 of the drive shaft 30. The hole 58 of the hub 52 and the first end 32 of the drive shaft 30 are preferably provided with serrated portions 58a, 32a that ensure a firm connection between the pulley 50 and the drive shaft 30.

[0086] The pulley 50 is also fixed to the drive shaft 30 by means of a screw 60 having an enlarged head 62 that abuts against the hub 52 of the pulley 50 and a threaded shank 64 that engages with a threaded hole 66 provided at the first end 32 of the drive shaft 30. A washer 68 is preferably interposed between the enlarged head 62 of the screw 60 and the hub 52 of the pulley 50.

[0087] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the belt drive system 40 further includes a spring element 70 disposed at the inner side portion 51 of the pulley 50.

[0088] The inner side portion 51 of the pulley 50 corresponds to the side of the pulley 50 facing the tub.

[0089] When the pulley 50 is connected to the drive shaft 30, the spring element 70 is arranged to act on the bearing device 100 with a pressure preferably acting in the direction of the rotation axis X. Preferably, the spring element 70 is arranged to act on the inner ring 102a of the first rolling bearing 102 with a pressure acting in the direction of the rotation axis X. Thus, the first rolling bearing 102 is prestressed, and slight movement of the rolling bearing 102 in the direction of the rotation axis X is controlled and / or prevented.

[0090] According to an aspect of the present invention, the pulley system 40 includes a fastening element 80 for removably fastening the spring element 70 to the pulley 50.

[0091] The pulley 50 preferably includes a seat portion 82 for receiving at least a portion 72 of the spring element 70, wherein the seat portion 82 includes the fastening element 80.

[0092] In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, preferably four seat portions 82 and four fastening elements 80 are provided, all denoted by the same reference numerals 82, 80. The seat portions 82 and the fastening elements 80 are preferably distributed equiangularly about the rotation axis X.

[0093] However, in other preferred embodiments, the number and / or the distribution of the seat portions and the fastening elements about the rotation axis may be different.

[0094] In the following, we will refer to a seat portion 82 and a corresponding fastening element 80. It is clear that, apart from its position in the pulley 50, this description can be extended to other seat portions and fastening elements 80 that are substantially the same.

[0095] The seat portion 82 is preferably defined by a recessed portion 83 formed in the inner portion 51 of the pulley 50. The fastening element 80 is implemented as a retaining element 84, which is preferably implemented as a rib 84 associated with the seat portion 82.

[0096] The retaining element 84 is also preferably formed in the inner portion 51 of the pulley 50. Preferably, the seat portion 82 and the retaining element 84 are implemented in a one-piece structure with the pulley 50. More preferably, the seat portion 82 and the retaining element 84 are implemented in a one-piece structure with the outer body 54 of the pulley 50. Even more preferably, the seat portion 82 and the retaining element 84 are implemented in a one-piece structure with the plastic outer body 54 of the pulley 50 by an injection molding process.

[0097] The retaining element 84 at least partially defines the seat portion 82.

[0098] The spring element 70 includes an engaging element 72 configured to be coupled to the retaining element 84.

[0099] In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, preferably four engaging elements 72 are provided, all denoted by the same reference numeral 72.

[0100] As depicted in Figure 10 , the seat portion 82 preferably includes a first open portion 82a and a second portion 82b. The first open portion 82a has dimensions suitable for receiving the insertion of the engaging element 72, and the second portion 82b is defined by the retaining element 84 and is suitable for receiving the engaging element 72.

[0101] The assembly of the spring element 70 with the pulley 50 requires inserting the engaging element 72 of the spring element 70 into the first open portion 82a of the seat portion 82 (as shown in Figure 12 ), and then rotating the spring element 70 such that the engaging element 72 is disposed in the second portion 82b of the seat portion 82 and is held in the second portion 82b by the retaining element 84 (as shown in Figure 13 ), thereby finally achieving a bayonet-like connection system.

[0102] The spring element 70 is preferably designed as an annular wave spring 70 that surrounds the drive shaft 30 with a small clearance, such as a 1 mm clearance.

[0103] The spring element 70 is provided with the engaging element 72, and the engaging element 72 is preferably distributed around the spring element 70 at equal angles.

[0104] The engagement element 72 preferably includes corresponding protruding elements that protrude from the annular wave spring 70 in the direction of the pulley 50. Each engagement element 72 preferably includes a shaped projection 72 that protrudes from the outer circumference of the annular wave spring 70.

[0105] The spring element 70 shows a plurality of contact zones 70a to 70d, for example four contact zones 70a to 70d, which abut against the surface 102’a of the inner ring 102a facing the pulley 50, as illustrated in Figure 8 the figure.

[0106] In other preferred embodiments, the spring element may have a different shape. For example, the spring element may include an annular conical disc spring or a Belleville spring.

[0107] According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the solutions described above positively affect the manufacture of the machine 1 during component assembly.

[0108] In particular, the assembly operation includes a pre-assembly step in which the spring element 70 is mounted to the pulley 50. According to the proposed solution, the spring element 70 is fixed to the pulley 50 by the fastening element 80, which preferably allows a bayonet-like connection of the spring element 70 to the pulley 50, as described above.

[0109] The fixing of the spring element 70 to the pulley 50 results in a sub-assembly in which any movement of the spring element 70 and the separation of the spring element 70 from the pulley 50 are advantageously prevented.

[0110] Then, the sub-assembly can be easily operated manually or automatically without worrying about the separation of the spring element 70.

[0111] The drive shaft 30 then aligns its first end 32 with the hole 58 of the hub 52. The first end 32 of the drive shaft 30 is fitted into the hole 58 of the hub 52, and the screw 60 is finally screwed into the threaded hole 66 at the end 32 of the drive shaft 30.

[0112] According to another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the removability of the spring element 70 relative to the pulley 50 is facilitated, for example if the spring element 70 needs to be replaced.

[0113] In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and described above, the fastening element 80 preferably realizes a bayonet connection.

[0114] In different preferred embodiments, the fastening element may be differently configured to achieve different types of connections.

[0115] For example, the fastening element may be configured to achieve a snap connection.

[0116] In other preferred embodiments, the fastening element can be configured to achieve connection through magnetic attraction force.

[0117] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening element can include magnets associated with the pulley, such as one or more magnets embedded in the outer body of the pulley, and the spring element can include magnets and / or can simply be implemented by ferromagnetic materials.

[0118] In another preferred embodiment, the fastening element can include magnets associated with the spring element, such as one or more magnets embedded in the spring element, and the pulley can include magnets and / or can simply be implemented by at least a part made of ferromagnetic materials.

[0119] In the embodiment of the present invention shown and described above, the pulley includes a hub and a body surrounding the hub. In different embodiments, the pulley can be implemented as a single solid piece, such as a single metal piece.

[0120] Therefore, it has been shown that the present invention allows all set goals to be achieved. In particular, the belt drive system according to the present invention simplifies the assembly operation during the manufacture or maintenance of the device.

[0121] In addition, by providing the belt drive system with a spring element that directly acts on the rolling bearing supporting the drive shaft, the vibration and axial movement of the rolling bearing relative to the supported drive shaft can be reduced.

[0122] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein; on the contrary, other variations of the embodiments described herein fall within the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A laundry processing device (1), comprising a rotatable container (3) suitable for receiving laundry, the container (3) being provided with a drive shaft (30) extending from a side wall of the container (3) along a rotation axis (X), the device (1) further comprising a belt drive system (40) for transmitting rotation to the drive shaft (30), the belt drive system (40) comprising: a pulley (50) connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft (30) and rotatable by means of a belt (42) coupled to a drive motor (44), the pulley (50) comprising an inner side (51) facing the container (3), a spring element (70) arranged at an inner side (51) of the pulley (50), and A fastening element (80) for removably fastening the spring element (70) to the pulley (50).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The pulley (50) and / or the spring element (70) comprises the fastening element (80).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pulley (50) comprises a seat (82) for receiving at least a portion of the spring element (70), and the fastening element (80) is associated with the seat (82).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The fastening element (80) includes a retaining element (84), and the spring element (70) includes an engaging element (72) configured to couple with the retaining element (84).

5. The device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The seat (82) and the fastening element (80) are realized in the inner side (51) of the pulley (50).

6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The seat (82) and the fastening element (80) are realized in a one-piece structure with the pulley (50).

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein: The pulley (50) includes a plurality of seats (82) and respective fastening elements (80) associated with the seats (82).

8. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fastening element (80) realizes a bayonet-type connection.

9. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fastening element enables a snap-on connection.

10. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The fastening element comprises a magnet associated with the pulley (50) and the spring element (70) comprises a magnet and / or a ferromagnetic material, or the fastening element comprises a magnet associated with the spring element (70) and the pulley (50) comprises a magnet and / or a ferromagnetic material.

11. The device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein: The pulley (50) comprises a hub (52) which can be connected to the drive shaft (30) in a rotationally fixed manner and a body (54) surrounding the hub (52), wherein the body (54) surrounding the hub (52) is fixedly connected to the hub (52) and can be rotated by the belt (42), wherein the seat (82) and the fastening element (80) are implemented in the body (54) surrounding the hub (52) of the pulley (50).

12. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The spring element (70) includes an annular wave spring (70) or an annular conical disc spring.

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