Bearing cap for laundry treatment device, front module and laundry treatment device having front module

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing cap (1) for a laundry treatment device, comprising a carrier element (10) and a ring element (20). The carrier element (10) has a laundry loading opening (12), the normal of which defines an axial direction (AX). The ring element (20) can or has been fastened to the carrier element (10), the ring element (20) surrounding the laundry loading opening (12) and being arranged or has been arranged between the carrier element (10) and an interior of the laundry treatment device. The annular element (20) extends radially outward from the laundry loading opening (12) of the carrier element (10). The invention further relates to a front module (30) for a laundry treatment device and to a laundry treatment device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a front module element for a laundry treatment appliance and a laundry treatment appliance having a front module having the front module element. Background Art

[0002] In washing machines, dryers, or washer-dryers, the wet laundry is repeatedly tumbled by the continuous rotation of the drum. Furthermore, in dryers or washer-dryers, dry process air is introduced through the holes in the drum and subsequently exhausted again as moist process air through the openings of the lint filter at the front. The fundamental goal of designing such laundry treatment equipment is to treat the laundry particularly gently and to operate them particularly energy-efficiently. These goals have been shown to be primarily influenced by the geometric design of the front door and bearing cover when the laundry is tumbled (falling or tangling). Similarly, laundry treatment can also depend on the design of the lint filter, which is located in the interior of the dryer or washer-dryer.

[0003] In known washing machines or clothes dryers, there are protrusions, particularly at the door or at the transition between the door and the washing drum, which extend into the inner space of the drum and, as interfering geometric bodies, have a negative impact on the above-mentioned goals. Therefore, the laundry is additionally stressed and the drying process deteriorates. For example, wet laundry may become tangled and accumulate in front of the fluff filter, thereby interfering with the air flow of the process air and increasing the drying time. Therefore, the free cross-section in the fluff filter and in the adjacent air channels is disadvantageously reduced. In addition, individual laundry items may also enter the various gaps between the fixed door and the rotating washing drum, which may cause the laundry items to be trapped to be damaged. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treatment device which treats the laundry gently and has increased energy efficiency.

[0005] The invention solves this problem by a front module element having the features of claim 1 , a front module having the features of claim 7 , and a laundry treatment device having the features of claim 10 .

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a bearing cover for a laundry treatment device is provided, the bearing cover comprising a carrier element and an annular element, wherein the carrier element has a laundry loading opening, a normal to the laundry loading opening defining an axial direction, wherein the annular element can be fixed or is fixed to the carrier element, wherein the annular element surrounds the laundry loading opening and can be arranged or is arranged between the carrier element and the interior space of the laundry treatment device, wherein the annular element extends radially outwards from the laundry loading opening of the carrier element.

[0007] Compared with the known prior art, the present invention is characterized in that the boundary area between the rotatable laundry treatment drum (also referred to as the drum) and the inner side of the door is bridged by a particularly flat and flat annular element. Therefore, the laundry to be processed can slide down the flat annular element particularly gently and fall into the drum during the operation of the laundry treatment device, thereby reducing the knotting tendency or so-called entanglement caused by the bearing cover / fluff filter screen sucking the laundry items due to the high flow rate in the suction area. In addition, the geometry of the flat and flat annular element matches its surrounding components so that the gap between the annular element and each adjacent component is as small as possible. Therefore, the laundry to be processed or the part of the laundry (such as rivets, zippers or buttons) will not be stuck in the gap between the components during the washing and / or drying process. In addition, the duration of the drying process can be reduced thereby, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the laundry treatment device.

[0008] The bearing cover is in particular a part or a component of a laundry treatment device, which is in particular arranged at the front side of the laundry treatment device. Compared to the prior art, the bearing cover is preferably constructed in two parts: comprising a carrier element and an annular element. The laundry treatment device can be a washing machine, more preferably a dryer or a washer-dryer, and in particular a household appliance. The laundry treatment device comprises an interior space, which is accessible via a laundry loading opening. A laundry treatment drum is usually arranged in the interior space, which laundry treatment drum is also accessible via the laundry loading opening. The bearing cover can be connected to the front side of the laundry processing device by screws, snaps, bonding, welding or other means. In particular, the bearing cover can be detachably connected to the laundry processing device. Therefore, accessibility to components inside the laundry processing device can be improved. So that possible repair / maintenance work can be performed in a simplified manner. A laundry treatment door (also referred to as a door) can be installed or installed on the bearing cover, and this laundry treatment door can close the laundry loading opening. In particular, the bearing cover and the laundry treatment door are included in the front module together. The bearing cover is at least partially formed by a carrier element, wherein the annular element is additionally arranged on the carrier element. The annular element can be fixed to the carrier element. The carrier element and the annular element can be connected to each other by screws. Therefore, a particularly simple and removable joining method can be provided. It is also conceivable that the carrier element and the annular element are connected to each other by snap fastening, welding, bonding or other means. The laundry loading opening can be designed as a perforation or notch of the carrier element, wherein the normal of the laundry loading opening defines the axial direction. The laundry loading opening is preferably designed to be at least substantially circular. Substantially circular can mean circular or at least partially rounded. The axial direction can extend between the front and rear sides of the laundry treatment device. The annular element can be designed so that the annular element is arranged on the periphery of the laundry loading opening. In other words, the annular element can surround the laundry loading opening. Therefore, the normal line of the annular element and the normal line of the washing loading opening can be parallel to each other and / or parallel to the axial direction orientation (especially overlapping each other). The annular element can at least partially cover (auskleiden) or limit the inner space of the washing treatment drum with a lining. The effect of this production is that the geometry of the annular element can affect the falling behavior (Fallverhalten) of the washings in the drum, so that the washings are protected during operation. In addition, the annular element can extend radially outwards from the washing loading opening of the carrier element in the inner space. Therefore, the annular element can form a transition element between the wide area of ​​the inner space of the washing loading opening and the washing treatment drum. The annular element is preferably flat in the axial direction and has extension (Erstreckung) in the radial direction. In particular, the annular element can extend from the washing loading opening until the drum peripheral wall. In certain embodiments, the annular element has a slight concave curvature towards the inner space, which further improves the washings falling. At this, the geometry of the annular element can be adapted to the geometry of the washing loading opening. Therefore, a particularly smooth transition to the inner space of the washing treatment device can be provided. It has been further demonstrated that the particularly flat and even geometry of the ring element helps, for example, to optimize the guidance of the throughflowing process air and / or prevent entanglement of laundry. The optimized design of the ring element can significantly reduce the energy consumption of the laundry treatment system by more than 2%. In other words, the geometry of the ring element can help improve the energy efficiency of the laundry treatment system.

[0009] Preferably, the axial extension of the annular element can be smaller than its radial extension. This can have the advantage that the annular element forms a geometry that reduces interference (especially non-interfering) with the laundry falling during operation. In other words, the geometry of the annular element can be designed so that the annular element only slightly extends into the interior space. This should be understood as bridging or compensating for the axial offset between the laundry loading opening and another component in the interior space (especially the laundry processing door), but does not extend into the interior space beyond this internal component.

[0010] Preferably, the annular element can extend conically in the axial direction. This allows the annular element to compensate for offsets between the inner side of the door and the drum not only in the axial direction but also in the radial direction. In other words, the annular element can be designed in a funnel shape. Preferably, this funnel is configured so that it widens toward the interior of the drum.

[0011] In one embodiment, the conical extension has an angle of 3 ° to 20 °, preferably 5 ° to 15 °, particularly preferably 7 ° to 12 °. This angle is determined on the cross section of the axis of the ring element from the opening plane (perpendicular to the plane of the axial direction) of the laundry loading opening. In the first scope, the especially high variant diversity of different laundry treatment equipment can be provided. This can cause, and both flat bridging and the bridging of the degree of depth can be provided. In the second scope, particularly advantageous demoulding can be provided in the manufacturing process. Proven, in the third scope, the best falling behavior of the laundry that falls in operation in the laundry treatment equipment inside can be produced.

[0012] Preferably, the annular element can have a wall thickness of 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, preferably 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm, and particularly preferably 2.5 mm. Within a first range, the annular element can be particularly advantageously adapted to the contours of the surrounding components and / or assemblies. Thus, different forces can be transmitted to the annular element in each individual section, and the rigidity can be increased with reduced material consumption under different load conditions. Within a second range, the annular element can be designed to be particularly light and thin-walled. This can thus reduce costs. A wall thickness of 2.5 mm can define the optimal dimension for the wall thickness, wherein both the load capacity and the material accumulation can be optimized. Manufacturing tolerances in the wall thickness can be taken into account. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the individual sections of the annular element have different wall thicknesses. Thus, a particularly adapted geometry of the annular element can be provided.

[0013] Preferably, the annular element can be a plastic injection molded part, in particular a fiber-reinforced one. In other words, the annular element can be composed at least partially of plastic. It is also conceivable that the annular element can include other materials. For example, a metal sleeve can be provided on the annular element, in particular melted into the annular element. Furthermore, the annular element can also include glass fiber, carbon fiber, or other fiber reinforcements. This allows the aforementioned wall thickness to be reduced while maintaining rigidity. Furthermore, the annular element can also contain other additives or particles to adjust the strength characteristics.

[0014] Preferably, the bearing cap may include at least two electrodes, wherein the at least two electrodes may be or are already provided on the annular element. These two electrodes may in particular be sensors. Thus, state variables on the bearing cap (in particular, in the interior space) may be determined. These sensors may be humidity and / or liquid sensors. This may result in the determination of humidity or residual humidity in the interior space. The electrodes may be designed to establish a voltage field between them, wherein a variable current may flow between the electrodes depending on the humidity in the interior space. The electrodes may in particular be provided on the lower section of the annular element when the laundry treatment device is in operation. The electrodes may be arranged one above the other. This makes it particularly advantageous to determine the water level in this lower section. Furthermore, the electrodes may also be arranged side by side. This may result in a particularly advantageous determination of the humidity of the process air. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the electrodes may be arranged in a random manner on the annular element. It is also conceivable that the electrodes may be fixed and / or already fixed to the carrier element in the manner described above. In this case, the annular element may also be designed so that the electrodes at least extend into the annular element, in particular, may pass through the annular element. This can result in particularly simple production, since the electrodes can be optionally mounted during a production step of the carrier element.

[0015] Preferably, at least one flow-through opening can be provided between the carrier element and the annular element, wherein the carrier element and the annular element can form a flow-through opening. The flow-through opening is in particular an outlet through which process air can flow and / or be discharged. Therefore, process air can leave the laundry treatment drum through the flow-through opening and be directed downwardly and / or partially to the side. In other words, the process air in the inner space can be accelerated substantially in the axial direction and then flow to the flow-through opening in a transverse direction transverse to the axial direction by the annular element. The flow-through opening can extend radially outwards from the inner edge of the annular element. The flow-through opening can also be adjacent to the laundry loading opening. In addition, the flow-through opening can extend on the lower half of the annular element, and in particular, the flow-through opening can comprise only a portion of the lower half of the annular element. Therefore, the flow-through opening can be designed as advantageously as possible for process air. Therefore, the efficiency of the laundry treatment device can be improved. It is conceivable that the flow-through opening is designed by the flattening of the inner edge of the annular element and the arched portion protruding in the axial direction, and this arched portion extends into the inner space. Therefore, an inlet can be provided between the annular element and the carrier element, so that process air can be guided into the inlet perpendicular to the axial direction. In addition, the area of ​​the carrier element located downstream in the flow direction of the process air can also be part of the through-flow opening. This downstream area can also be connected to the laundry treatment door. In other words, the laundry treatment door can additionally have an opening, thereby, the process air can be guided and supplied to this downstream area.

[0016] Preferably, the annular element can have a fluff filter screen, which in particular covers at least one through-flow opening. The fluff filter screen can be arranged on the annular element. It is also conceivable that the fluff filter screen is arranged between the annular element and the carrier element. The fluff filter screen can be removable. In other words, the fluff filter screen can be arranged with the aid of a removable device. The fluff filter screen can have a snap-on protrusion and / or a groove complementary thereto. Thus, a particularly simple and user-friendly way of removing the fluff filter screen can be provided. The fluff filter screen can in particular be arranged in the through-flow opening and / or at least partially form the through-flow opening. This can have the effect that the fluff filter screen can particularly advantageously collect loose laundry fluff.

[0017] Preferably, the annular element can have a flange at the outer edge, and this flange can extend at least partially in the axial direction. The flange can be designed as an edge. The flange can be a face flat in the radial direction. Therefore, a smooth outer surface of the periphery can be provided, and this outer surface can be designed complementarily with another component (especially with the washing treatment door) in the inner space of the washing treatment device. In addition, the flange can define a gap area with another component (especially the washing treatment door), and wherein, this gap can be uniformly designed in the radial direction and on the periphery of the annular element. Therefore, the washing objects can be particularly advantageously prevented from being pulled into this gap.

[0018] Preferably, the carrier element may have a sealing element, wherein the flange may be designed to be adjacent to the sealing element. In other words, the sealing element may be fixed (particularly fixed) to the carrier element in a circular shape and / or concentrically with the laundry treatment opening. Thus, the sealing element may prevent liquid from overflowing from the interior of the laundry treatment device. The sealing element may also be designed as a slip ring and / or comprise a material that, in particular, seals with and / or seals against relatively sliding parts.

[0019] Preferably, the sealing element can be an axial seal or a radial seal. The axial seal can have a substantially quadrangular cross-section. The axial seal can be fixed and / or fixed to the carrier element in a plane whose normal is located in the axial direction. The positive effect that the axial seal can bring is that it can be integrated into the carrier element particularly simply and cost-effectively. The axial seal can be applicable to laundry processing equipment of energy class B. In contrast, the radial seal can have a substantially triangular cross-section. The radial seal can be arranged in the same plane as the axial seal. The radial seal can be used for the lower torque required by other components (particularly rotating) in the inner space. Therefore, the energy consumption of the drive can be reduced. The radial seal can have a self-reinforcing sealing effect during the operation of the laundry processing equipment. The radial seal can be applicable to laundry processing equipment of energy class A.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a front module is provided, which includes a bearing cap, a door for a laundry loading opening, and a roller for a laundry treatment drum. The front module can be a part of a laundry treatment device, and in particular, at least partially forms the laundry treatment device. The front module can be an assembly that, as a complete module, can be engaged with other assemblies of the laundry treatment device by screws, snaps, welding, bonding, or other means. One or more rollers can be provided on the carrier element of the bearing cap that is included together. The rollers can in particular be running rollers that are configured as ball bearings or supported in other ways. The rollers are designed to rotatably support the laundry treatment drum. The laundry treatment drum includes an interior space (also referred to as a laundry treatment space) for the laundry. The laundry treatment drum can be in direct contact with the front module. Therefore, the laundry loading opening can extend into the laundry treatment drum, in particular, communicate with the laundry treatment drum. The laundry treatment opening can also contact with the door, and in particular, the door can cover and / or close the laundry treatment opening.

[0021] Advantageously, the inner edge of the annular element can be designed so that the door of the front module at least partially extends into the annular element. In other words, the annular element can have an inner diameter that is larger than the diameter of the door (especially the door section). The door section can include an arched (especially convex) portion of the door. In some designs, the door section can be a transparent observation window. This allows the cleaning and / or drying process of the laundry to be tracked, especially during operation. In other words, there is at least one internal gap between the door and the inner edge of the annular element.

[0022] Preferably, the door can have at least one throughflow opening. This allows the process air to be exhausted axially during the drying process. This also allows the moistened process air to be dried more evenly, more quickly, and more efficiently.

[0023] Preferably, the door can have a through-flow grille (in particular a fluff filter screen), which can be arranged or is already arranged on the door between the through-flow opening and the drum. The through-flow grille of the door can be firmly connected to the door, in particular, be formed integrally with the door. The through-flow grille of the door can basically allow through-flow in the axial direction. Downstream of the through-flow opening, the door can have a connecting area (Kommunikationsbereich), in particular at the bottom width (Unterweite) of the door in operation, wherein the process air can be discharged through this connecting area, in particular, directed onto the filter surface. Thus, a continuous flow of process air can be provided. In addition, by means of the through-flow grille fixed to the door, the maintenance expenditure can be significantly reduced and loose fluff can be prevented from being reintroduced into the interior space and / or into the laundry treatment drum.

[0024] Preferably, a constant circumferential internal gap can be formed between the door and the radially inner inner edge of the annular element. In other words, the geometry of the inner edge of the annular element can be adapted to complement the geometry of the door, and vice versa. Thus, the internal gap can be designed to be constant in terms of its spacing and variable in terms of its size. This can have the effect of avoiding narrowing and widening areas of the internal gap, so that no laundry can be trapped there (especially in the narrowing area).

[0025] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a kind of washing machine that can be used for washing.Preferably, inner gap can be less than 30 millimeters, preferably less than 15 millimeters, particularly preferably less than 5 millimeters.Because inner gap is less than 30 millimeters, large and / or tying of washing articles can be stopped from being stuck in the gap rear and damage washings thus.In addition, for having inner gap less than 30 millimeters, can be enough to have higher manufacturing tolerance compared with having inner gap less than 15 millimeters.For being less than 15 millimeters of inner gap, especially being attached to the articles (such as zipper or chain) on the washings, can prevent from entering in the gap especially well.Especially small articles (such as button or rope) can be prevented from entering in the inner gap especially advantageously by being less than 5 millimeters of inner gap.

[0026] Preferably, a constant circumferential external gap can be formed between the radially outer edge of the annular element and the laundry processing drum of the front module. The same advantages as for the internal gap described above apply to this external gap. The external gap can also define an area between the outer edge of the fixed annular element and a movable area that at least partially includes the rotatable and / or rotated laundry processing drum. In other words, within this area, relative movement can occur between the annular element and at least a portion of the laundry processing drum.

[0027] Preferably, the outer gap can be less than 30 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, and particularly preferably less than 5 mm. For the size of the outer gap, the same advantages apply as for the inner gap. In addition, the outer gap can be designed to accommodate a sealing element. In particular, the area of ​​the sealing element can define (in particular, at least partially define) the outer gap. Thus, the outer gap can be an area that can be waterproof, in particular, at least partially prevent water and / or moist process air from being transferred from the interior space to another area of ​​the laundry treatment device. The outer gap can be a steam barrier. Therefore, the sealing effect can be designed for particularly fine water particles (in particular, moist process air).

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, a laundry treatment device can be provided, which includes a front module according to the present invention. The laundry treatment device can be a washing machine, a clothes dryer, or a washer-dryer. In addition, the laundry treatment device can include a laundry treatment drum, particularly when the laundry treatment drum is not included in the front module. In addition, the laundry treatment device can include a driver and a current interface, and at least one water supply and discharge line.

[0029] Individual embodiments and features can be combined with other embodiments and features to form new embodiments. The designs and advantages of the embodiments and features also apply to the new embodiments. In addition, the designs and advantages associated with one device also apply to other parts of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 : A perspective view of a bearing cap according to an embodiment of the present invention,

[0032] Figure 2 :according to Figure 1 A perspective view of a bearing cap, wherein the annular element is spaced apart from the carrier element,

[0033] Figure 3 : A perspective view of a front module according to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0034] Figure 4 :according to Figure 3 A perspective view of the front module,

[0035] Figure 5 :according to Figure 3 Another sectional view of a perspective view of the front module,

[0036] Figure 6 :according to Figure 3 another sectional view of a perspective view of the front module, and

[0037] Figure 7 :according to Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a portion of a front module and a portion of a laundry processing drum.

[0038] Identical or mutually corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1Shown is the upper section of the bearing cover 1 for a laundry processing device. Ring element 20 is arranged on carrier element 10. Here, carrier element 10 and ring element 20 are connected to each other by means of a plurality of connecting devices (especially screws). These connecting devices are arranged in the groove (especially pocket-shaped groove) of ring element 20. Not only carrier element 10 but also ring element 20 have a substantially circular through-hole. This through-hole is designed as a laundry loading opening 12. The laundry loading opening 12 is adjacent to the inner edge 22 of the ring element 20, and in particular, the laundry loading opening 12 is defined by the inner edge 22. In addition, the ring element 20 has an outer edge 24 on the periphery. The outer edge 24 can be designed as a circle. Therefore, the rotatable parts or components provided on the periphery of the outer edge 24 can rotate relative to the ring element 20 at a constant distance (especially gap). The axial direction AX is orthogonal to the laundry loading opening 12 and basically passes the center point of the laundry loading opening 12. In addition, a through-flow opening 26 is provided between carrier element 10 and the ring element 20. The through-flow opening 26 is designed as an elongated expansion in the circumferential direction ( Aufweitung), in particular around the axial direction AX. The process air can be discharged from the inner area through the bearing cover 1 via the through-flow opening 26. The inner area is located on the side of the bearing cover 1 facing the inner area. Figure 1 Observer's side.In addition, inner area can be defined as such volume, and the boundary of this volume can be defined by the laundry treatment equipment (especially other components inside the laundry treatment equipment).In addition, ring element 20 comprises two electrodes 3, and they are arranged in the lower area of ​​ring element 20. Shown two electrodes 3 are staggered and displayed and bent along circumferential direction in radial direction (this radial direction can be perpendicular to axial direction AX definition). Ring element 20 also has flange 28 at outer edge 24, and this flange 28 extends along axial direction AX at least in part. Flange 28 can be designed to make the geometry of ring element 20 and the geometry of adjacent parts (especially adjacent assembly) complementary, and vice versa.On carrier element 10, be additionally provided with sealing element 14, this sealing element 14 is surrounded by ring element 20 in peripheral mode in circumferential direction.Additionally, on the carrier element 10 of bearing cap 1, rolling element (especially running rolling element) is shown, and these rolling elements can be designed for installing (especially supporting) laundry treatment drum 36.

[0040] Figure 2 yes Figure 1, in which the carrier element 10 and the annular element 20 are shown separated from one another in the disassembled state. The annular element 20 can have snap-in projections which are designed to cooperate with the carrier element 10 (in particular with complementary elements or pockets in the carrier element 10). The snap-in projections and the complementary elements can also (in particular additionally) be arranged in an opposite manner. Thus, the annular element 20 and the carrier element 10 can be placed in an unmistakable manner relative to one another in the installed state. In addition, Figure 2 The sealing element 14 can be seen in FIG. 1 , which is designed as an axial seal and thus has a flat surface in the axial direction AX.

[0041] Figure 3 A perspective view of the front module 30 is shown, which has Figure 1 and Figure 2 The bearing cover 1 also includes at least a door 32. The door 32 is shown in an installed and closed state. The door 32 is designed so that it covers the laundry loading opening 12 (in particular, it at least partially extends into the laundry loading opening 12). A through-flow grille 34 is shown on the door 32. This through-flow grille 34 covers the lower area of ​​the door 32 (in particular, it can at least partially form the door 32). Behind the through-flow grille 34, there is a through-flow opening 33, which provides an inlet surface to the exhaust volume (abluft volume) located behind it. The through-flow opening 33 can communicate with the through-flow opening 26 arranged at the annular element 22. In particular, both of the two through-flow openings 26 and 33 can be inlet surfaces leading to the exhaust volume located behind them. Therefore, the exhaust volume located behind them can be reached from different surfaces (in particular, it can enter both in the axial direction AX and in the circumferential direction). In other words, the air flow (Luftzug) of the process air can be enhanced and optimized. An internal gap S1 is shown between the door 32 and the inner edge 22 of the annular element 20. This gap S1 is designed to be uniform. In other words, the gap S1 has the same thickness (in particular, the same size) at every position between the inner edge 22 and the door 32. In addition, the internal gap S1 is designed so that small objects (such as pieces of clothing, in particular zippers or buttons) will not fall into the gap S1 and / or get stuck.

[0042] Figure 4 is based on Figure 3 A perspective view of the front module 30 is shown. Figure 4, in particular, it can be seen how these flow-through openings 26, 33 lead to the exhaust volume located behind them. In particular, in the operating state, in the front module 30, an air filter is arranged in the lower area, through which the process air inside the exhaust volume can flow (in particular flow). Therefore, the process air can be cleaned. It is also conceivable that the air filter includes an assembly or is part of an assembly that is designed to remove moisture from the process air. In other words, the process air can be dried in the exhaust volume. In addition, the flow-through opening 26 has longitudinal ribs extending in the axial direction AX. These longitudinal ribs can be designed as a fluff filter. It is also conceivable that the fluff filter can be supported on these longitudinal ribs. Therefore, particularly user-friendly maintenance and / or fluff removal can be provided. In particular, the fluff filter can also be arranged in the exhaust volume, and the longitudinal ribs can be detachable components.

[0043] Figure 5 is based on Figure 3 Another sectional view of the perspective view of the front module 30. In this view, the inner gap S1 between the door 32 and the ring element 20 can be seen in particular. In addition, the inner edge 22 can be designed with a rounded portion (especially a ridge) protruding in the radial direction toward the center point. This rounded portion can help to further reduce the inner gap S1. In addition, this rounded portion can support the strength of the ring element 20. In addition, Figure 5 A flange 28 of the ring element 20 can be seen on the outer circumference thereof, which flange 28 extends in the axial direction AX such that the flange 28 is close to, in particular in contact with, the sealing element 14 .

[0044] Figure 6 is based on Figure 3 Another sectional view of the perspective view of the front module 30. The sectional view shows the area including the exhaust volume inside the laundry treatment device. This is arranged centrally and shows a grille, which can be designed to support an air filter (especially a fluff filter). In addition, the internal gap S1 is Figure 6 is visible.

[0045] Figure 7 is based on Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a portion of the front module and a portion of the laundry treatment drum. The tapered shape of the ring element 20 (in particular its tapered design) can be described by the angle α. The angle α is a measure of the inclination of the ring element relative to the radial direction, which is orthogonal to the axial direction AX. Figure 7 The schematic diagram in FIG shows a portion of the ring element 20 in cross section. The angle α may be in the range of 3° to 20°. Figure 7 Therefore, it can be considered that Figure 7The design of the annular element 20 is shown to be flatter or steeper. Figure 7 1 and 2. In the embodiment of the present invention, an outer gap S2 is shown, which defines the region between the flange 28 of the annular element 20 and the laundry processing drum 36. The outer gap S2 can have a characteristic comparable to the inner gap S1. The outer gap S2 is evenly designed on the entire periphery between the flange 28 and the laundry processing drum 36. The laundry processing drum 36 can include an edge that is bent in the axial direction. Therefore, the laundry processing drum 36 can provide a sliding partner that can be designed to slide (especially seal) relative to the sealing element 14. Therefore, water and / or moist process air can be prevented from escaping from the inner space.

[0046] List of reference numerals:

[0047] 1 bearing cap

[0048] 3 electrodes

[0049] 10 Carrier element

[0050] 12 Laundry loading opening

[0051] 14 Sealing element

[0052] 20 Ring elements

[0053] 22 inner edge

[0054] 24 outer edge

[0055] 26 Flow opening

[0056] 28 flange

[0057] 30 front module

[0058] 32 doors

[0059] 33 Flow opening

[0060] 34 Flow-through grille

[0061] 36 laundry processing drum

[0062] α angle

[0063] AX axial direction

[0064] S1 Internal clearance

[0065] S2 External clearance

Claims

1. A bearing cover (1) for a laundry processing device, comprising: a carrier element (10), and annular element (20), The carrier element (10) has a laundry loading opening (12), the normal of which defines an axial direction (AX), wherein the annular element (20) can be fixed or is already fixed on the carrier element (10), wherein the annular element (20) surrounds the laundry loading opening (12) and can be arranged or is arranged between the carrier element (10) and the interior of the laundry treatment device, The annular element (20) extends radially outward from a laundry loading opening (12) of the carrier element (10).

2. The bearing cap (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The axial extension of the annular element (20) is smaller than its radial extension.

3. The bearing cover (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The annular element (20) extends conically in the axial direction (AX).

4. Bearing cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein At least one through-flow opening (26) is provided between the carrier element (10) and the ring element (20) in a radial direction, wherein in particular the carrier element (10) and the ring element (20) form the through-flow opening (26).

5. The bearing cap (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The annular element (20) has a fluff filter screen which in particular covers the at least one throughflow opening (26).

6. Bearing cap (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The annular element (20) has a flange (29) at the outer edge (24), which flange extends at least partially in the axial direction.

7. The bearing cap (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The carrier element (10) has a sealing element (14), wherein the flange (29) is designed adjacent to the sealing element (14).

8. A front module (30) for a laundry treatment appliance, comprising a bearing cover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, a door (32) for the laundry loading opening (12) and a rolling element for a laundry treatment drum (36).

9. The front module (30) according to claim 8, wherein A constant circumferential inner gap (S1) is formed between the door (32) and the radially inner inner edge (22) of the annular element (20).

10. The front module (30) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein A constant circumferential outer gap (S2) is formed between the radially outer outer edge (24) of the annular element (20) and the laundry treatment drum (36) of the front module (30).

11. A laundry treatment appliance comprising a front module (30) according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

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