Storage device for a washing machine and washing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing device (22) for a washing machine (10) for supporting a shaft (14) rotatable about a pivot axis (18) of a drum (16) for receiving laundry, comprising a first bearing element (24) and a second bearing element (26), a bearing housing (28) accommodating the first and second bearing elements (24, 26) and mountable in a tub (12) rotatably accommodating the drum (16) via the shaft (14), wherein the first and second bearing elements (24, 26) are pre-assembled in the bearing housing (28) to form a bearing module (34) that can be mounted to the tub (12), axially spaced apart from each other by at least one spacer element (30). The invention further relates to a washing machine (10) with such a bearing device (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bearing device according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a washing machine with such a bearing device.

[0002] US patent 2022 178 065 A1 describes a washing machine with a bearing housing for the rotatable support of a shaft designed to drive the drum. The bearing housing is designed to be inserted into the tub and is made of an aluminum alloy. The bearing housing is inserted into the back of the tub during injection molding.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to simplify the assembly of the bearing device. The washing machine should be designed and manufactured more cost-effectively.

[0004] At least one of these tasks is solved by a storage device with the features according to claim 1. This allows the storage device to be set up and installed in the washing machine in a time-saving, reliable and cost-effective manner.

[0005] The washing machine can be used for washing laundry, especially clothing.

[0006] The washing machine can be a front-loading washing machine. The shaft can be arranged perpendicular to a vertical axis, in the direction of which the washing machine rests on a base.

[0007] The shaft can be driven directly by a drive element, for example, an electric motor. In this case, the shaft can be directly connected to a rotor of the electric motor. The shaft can also be driven indirectly, for example, via a gearbox, in particular a belt, acting between the shaft and the drive element.

[0008] The first and / or second bearing element can be a rolling bearing, in particular a ball bearing.

[0009] The bearing housing may incorporate a sealing element, in particular a sealing ring. The sealing element may be arranged axially adjacent to the first bearing element. The sealing element may be arranged axially towards the drum with respect to the first bearing element. The sealing element may provide a seal between the drum and a lubricant used to lubricate the first and / or second bearing element. The lubricant may be an oil or a grease.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the spacer element is made of plastic. The spacer element can be a component separate from the bearing housing. The spacer element can be loosely inserted relative to the bearing housing. The spacer element can have a first contact section for axial contact with the first bearing element. The spacer element can have a second contact section for axial contact with the second bearing element. The maximum diameter of the first contact section can be smaller than the maximum diameter of the second contact section. The minimum diameter of the second contact section can be smaller than, equal to, or larger than the minimum and / or maximum diameter of the first contact section.

[0011] In a specific embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the bearing housing is made of metal. The bearing housing can be made of a metal alloy. The bearing housing can be made of a stainless material. The bearing housing can be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first bearing element has a maximum first outer diameter and the second bearing element has a maximum second outer diameter, wherein the first outer diameter is smaller than the second outer diameter. The first bearing element can bear radially against a first inner circumference of the bearing housing. The second bearing element can bear radially against a second inner circumference of the bearing housing. The first inner circumference can have a smaller inner diameter than the second inner circumference.

[0013] Alternatively, the maximum first outer diameter can be equal to or greater than the maximum second outer diameter.

[0014] The first and second bearing elements can only be inserted into the bearing housing in a first axial direction. For bearing housings installed in a trough, this first axial direction can be oriented axially away from the drum. The first bearing element can be offset from the second bearing element with respect to this first axial direction.

[0015] In a particular embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the first bearing element is axially secured on one side by a first axial locking element arranged on the bearing housing and on the other side by the spacer element. The first axial locking element can be a retaining ring axially attached to the bearing housing. The first axial locking element can be a radial projection formed integrally with the bearing housing.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention is advantageous in which the second bearing element is axially secured on one side by a second axial locking element arranged on the bearing housing and on the other side by the spacer element. The first bearing element, the spacer element, and the second bearing element can be arranged axially between the first and second axial locking elements. The second axial locking element can be positively and / or frictionally connected to the bearing housing.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second axial locking element is a retaining ring axially attached to the bearing housing. This allows the second bearing element, and in particular the first bearing element, to be easily and quickly removed.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spacer element is arranged axially directly between the first and second bearing elements. The spacer element can abut radially against at least one inner circumference of the bearing housing. The spacer element can be designed as a spacer sleeve.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the invention is advantageous in which the bearing module can be attached to the trough via the bearing housing using an injection molding process that manufactures the trough. The bearing module, in particular the bearing housing, can be overmolded using the injection molding process that manufactures the trough.

[0020] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, a washing machine with the features according to claim 10 is proposed to solve at least one of the previously specified problems.

[0021] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description of the figures and the illustrations. Character description

[0022] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the illustrations. These show, in detail: Fig. 1: A section of a spatial cross-section of a washing machine in a special embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2: A spatial cross-section of the bearing device made of Fig. 1. Fig. 3: A spatial view of the bearing housing made of Fig. 1.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a spatial cross-section of a washing machine in a specific embodiment of the invention. The washing machine 10 comprises a tub 12 coupled to a frame of the washing machine 10 (not shown here) and a drum 16 rotatable relative to the tub 12 via a shaft 14. The drum 16 is designed to hold laundry and is rotatable about an axis of rotation 18 via the shaft 14, which is perpendicular to a vertical axis 20. The washing machine 10 is supported in the direction of the vertical axis 20 by the frame on a base (not shown here).

[0024] The washing machine 10 further comprises a bearing device 22 supporting the drum 16 over the shaft 14, with a first bearing element 24 and a second bearing element 26, and a bearing housing 28 accommodating the first and second bearing elements 24, 26 and attachable in the tub 12.

[0025] The shaft 14 can be connected to a drive element (not shown here) that drives the shaft 14 and thus the drum 16. The drive element can be an electric motor arranged coaxially or parallel to the axis of rotation 18.

[0026] The first and second bearing elements 24, 26 are pre-assembled in the bearing housing 28, axially spaced apart from each other by at least one spacer element 30, to form a bearing module 34 that can be attached to the tray 12. The bearing module 34 is preferably attached to the tray 12 via the bearing housing 28 by an injection molding process that also manufactures the tray 12.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows a spatial cross-section of the bearing device. Fig. 1. The first and second bearing elements 24, 26 are each pre-assembled as rolling bearings 32 in the bearing housing 28 to form the bearing module 34 for installation in the trough. The spacer element 30 is preferably a spacer sleeve 36 made of plastic and comprises a first contact section 38 for axial contact with the first bearing element 24 and a second contact section 40 for axial contact with the second bearing element 26. The maximum diameter Dm1 of the first contact section 38 is smaller than the maximum diameter Dm2 of the second contact section 40, and the minimum diameter DI2 of the second contact section 40 is larger than the minimum diameter DI1 of the first contact section 38 and smaller than the maximum diameter Dm1 of the first contact section 38.The first bearing element 24 has a maximum first outer diameter D1 and the second bearing element 26 has a maximum second outer diameter D2, where the first outer diameter D1 is smaller than the second outer diameter D2.

[0028] The bearing housing 28 is made of metal, in particular aluminum or an aluminum alloy. This allows the bearing housing 28 to be corrosion-resistant.

[0029] The first bearing element 24 rests radially against a first inner circumference 42 of the bearing housing 28, and the second bearing element 26 rests radially against a second inner circumference 44 of the bearing housing 28. The first inner circumference 42 has a smaller diameter than the second inner circumference 44. For installation in the bearing housing 28, the first and second bearing elements 24 and 26 can only be inserted into the bearing housing 28 in a first axial direction 46. When the bearing housing 28 is installed in the trough, the first axial direction 46 is oriented axially away from the drum.

[0030] The first bearing element 24 is axially secured on one side by a first axial locking element 48 arranged on the bearing housing 28 and axially on the other side by the spacer element 30. The first axial locking element 48 is a radial projection 50 formed integrally with the bearing housing 28. The second bearing element 26 is axially secured on one side by a second axial locking element 52 arranged on the bearing housing 28 and axially on the other side by the spacer element 30. The second axial locking element 52 is a retaining ring 54 axially attached to the bearing housing 28. The first bearing element 24, the spacer element 30, and the second bearing element 26 are arranged axially between the first and second axial locking elements 48 and 52. The spacer element 30 is arranged axially directly between the first and second bearing elements 24 and 26 and bears radially against at least one inner circumference 56 of the bearing housing 28.

[0031] A sealing element 58, in particular a sealing ring 60, is located axially next to the first bearing element 24 and axially facing the drum in the bearing housing 28.

[0032] The sealing element 58 can provide a seal for the drum against a lubricant used to lubricate the first and second bearing elements 24, 26. The lubricant can be an oil or a grease.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a spatial view of the bearing housing. Fig. 1. The bearing housing 28 is cylindrical in its basic structure and allows the components to be mounted in the bearing housing 28 in the first axial direction 46. An outer circumference 62 of the bearing housing 28 has recesses 64 and struts 66 by means of which the bearing housing 28 can be reliably fastened in the tub by an injection molding process used to manufacture the tub. Reference symbol list 10 Washing machine 12 tubs 14 wave 16 Drum 18 Rotation axis 20 Vertical axis 22 Storage device 24 first bearing element 26 second bearing element 28 bearing housings 30 spacer elements 32 rolling bearings 34 storage module 36 spacer sleeve 38 first plant section 40 second plant section 42 first inner circumference 44 second inner circumference 46 first axial direction 48 first axial locking element 50 radial lead 52 second axial locking element 54 retaining ring 56 inner circumference 58 Sealing element 60 sealing ring 62 External circumference 64 In-depth study 66 Strut D1 first outer diameter D2 second outer diameter DI1 Diameter DI2 diameter Dm1 diameter Diameter (Dm²) QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2022 178 065 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Bearing device (22) for a washing machine (10) for supporting a shaft (14) rotatable about an axis of rotation (18) of a drum (16) for receiving laundry, comprising a first bearing element (24) and a second bearing element (26), a bearing housing (28) accommodating the first and second bearing elements (24, 26) and rotatably accommodating the drum (16) via the shaft (14), characterized by , that the first and second bearing elements (24, 26) are pre-assembled in the bearing housing (28) to form a bearing module (34) that can be attached to the tray (12) by means of at least one spacer element (30). [2] Storage device (22) according to claim 1, characterized by that the spacer element (30) is made of plastic. [3] Storage device (22) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the bearing housing (28) is made of metal. [4] Storage device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first bearing element (24) has a maximum first outer diameter (D1) and the second bearing element (26) has a maximum second outer diameter (D2), wherein the first outer diameter (D1) is smaller than the second outer diameter (D2). [5] Storage device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first bearing element (24) is secured axially on the one hand by a first axial locking element (48) arranged on the bearing housing (28) and axially on the other hand by the spacer element (30). [6] Storage device (22) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the second bearing element (26) is secured axially on one side by a second axial locking element (52) arranged on the bearing housing (28) and axially on the other side by the spacer element (30). [7] Storage device (22) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the second axial locking element (52) is a retaining ring (54) axially attached to the bearing housing (28). [8] Storage device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the spacer element (30) is arranged axially directly between the first and second bearing elements (24, 26). [9] Storage device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the bearing module (34) can be attached to the trough (12) via the bearing housing (28) using an injection molding process that produces the trough (12). [10] Washing machine (10) comprising a tub (12), a drum (16) rotatable relative to the tub (12) via a shaft (14) and a bearing device (22) supporting the drum (16) via the shaft (14) according to one of the preceding claims.

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