Washing machine tub and method for its manufacture

Abstract

The invention relates to a tub (4) for a washing machine (2), comprising a tub shell (10) and a tub cap (12) connected to the tub shell (10) for connecting the tub (4) to a door sealing ring (14) of the washing machine (2) for sealing a door opening (16) of the washing machine (2) when the door of the washing machine (2) is in a closed position, characterized in that the tub cap (12) is designed in two parts, wherein a first tub cap part (18) facing the tub shell (10) for connection with the tub shell (10) is welded to a second tub cap part (20) facing the door sealing ring (14) for connection with the door sealing ring (14). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tub (4) for a washing machine (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tub for a washing machine of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 and a method for manufacturing a tub for a washing machine.

[0002] Such washing machine tubs and methods for their manufacture are already known in the art in a multitude of embodiments. The known washing machine tubs comprise a tub shell and a tub cap connected to the tub shell for connecting the tub to a door seal of the washing machine to seal the door opening when the washing machine door is in a closed position.

[0003] The invention therefore addresses the problem of improving a washing machine tub and a method for manufacturing a washing machine tub.

[0004] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a tub for a washing machine with the features of claim 1, characterized in that the tub cap is formed in two parts, wherein a first tub cap part facing the tub shell is welded to a second tub cap part facing the door seal for connection with the door seal. Furthermore, this problem is solved by a method for manufacturing a tub with the features of claim 7. Advantageously, the method steps mentioned in claim 7 are to be carried out in the specified order. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the following dependent claims.

[0005] The advantage achievable with the invention lies particularly in the fact that a washing machine tub and a method for manufacturing a washing machine tub are improved. Due to the inventive design of the tub and the method for its manufacture, the tub cap, which is connected on one side to the tub shell and on the other to the door sealing ring, can be adapted much better to the requirements of each individual case, since the welded connection between the first and second tub cap parts allows for adjustment of the tub cap's dimensions, at least in one spatial direction, in a structurally and manufacturing-wise simple manner.

[0006] In principle, the tub according to the invention can be freely selected within wide suitable limits with regard to type, function, material, and dimensions. The same applies to the inventive method for its manufacture and to the washing machine equipped therewith. For example, the washing machine can be a household appliance or a commercial appliance, i.e., a washing machine for professional use. Of course, the invention is not limited to washing machines alone. The invention can also be advantageously used in so-called washer-dryers, i.e., a combination of washing machine and tumble dryer.

[0007] An advantageous embodiment of the alkaline container according to the invention provides that the aforementioned weld joint is designed as a rotary weld joint. This provides a welding technique particularly suitable for the present application. Of course, the weld joint, and thus the welding technique used for manufacturing the alkaline container according to the invention, is not limited to rotary welding.

[0008] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the washing tub according to the invention provides that the first tub cap part is detachably connected to the tub shell, wherein a circumferential tub seal is arranged between the first tub cap part and the tub shell, preferably that the tub seal can be clamped between the first tub cap part and the tub shell by means of the aforementioned detachable connection to create its sealing effect. This significantly improves, for example, the repairability and recyclability of the washing tub according to the invention. Accordingly, the sustainability of the washing tub according to the invention and of the washing machine equipped with it is considerably improved.In the preferred embodiment of this further development, the seal between the tub shell and the first tub cap part is ensured in a structurally and manufacturing-wise simple manner, despite the detachable connection. However, it is also conceivable that the tub shell could be welded to the first tub cap part.

[0009] An advantageous further development of the aforementioned embodiment of the lye container according to the invention provides that the aforementioned detachable connection is designed as a plurality of screw connections. In this way, a detachable connection is provided that is particularly suitable for the application and is very simple in terms of design and manufacturing. Of course, other detachable connection techniques are also conceivable in other embodiments of the invention. By way of purely exemplary examples, snap-fit ​​and / or clamp-fit ​​connection techniques are mentioned here.

[0010] A further advantageous embodiment of the washing machine tub according to the invention provides that the aforementioned weld joint is designed such that a gap between the inner drum of the washing machine, which holds the laundry to be washed, and the door seal can be adjusted by means of this weld joint. This results, on the one hand, in a more uniform gap pattern and thus a significantly improved overall visual appearance of the washing machine equipped with the washing machine tub according to the invention, even when the washing machine door is in an open position. Accordingly, the perceived value of the washing machine is considerably enhanced. On the other hand, the laundry to be washed is better protected and thus preserved, since the gap, also referred to as the drum gap, can be made very narrow despite component and assembly tolerances.

[0011] Another advantageous embodiment of the alkaline container according to the invention provides that the alkaline container shell and / or the first alkaline container cap part and / or the second alkaline container cap part are each made of plastic. This further simplifies the design and manufacture of the alkaline container according to the invention.

[0012] As already stated above, the manufacturing process can be freely selected within wide suitable limits.

[0013] An advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that a further process step is carried out between the two process steps mentioned in claim 7, namely that a distance parallel to a drum axis of an inner drum of the washing machine is measured between the first tub cap part and a free end of the inner drum facing the door sealing ring in the assembled state of the washing machine, and that a weld depth parallel to the drum axis is determined during the production of the weld joint as a function of this distance. This enables a simple determination of the weld depth tailored to the respective individual case.

[0014] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the inventive method provides that the connection between the first tub cap part and the tub shell is designed as a detachable connection, preferably as a plurality of screw connections, and / or the welded connection between the first tub cap part and the second tub cap part is designed as a rotational weld. In this way, as already explained above, the repairability and recyclability of the tub according to the invention are significantly improved. Accordingly, the sustainability of the tub according to the invention and of the washing machine equipped with it is considerably improved.Despite the aforementioned detachable connection, the welded joint between the first and second tub cap parts ensures, for example, a simple and structurally sound adjustment of the gap between the washing machine's inner drum (used to hold laundry) and the door seal (also known as the drum gap). This adjustment is achieved through this welded joint. It is also conceivable, however, that the tub shell is welded to the first tub cap part.

[0015] Furthermore, another advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the weld joint is executed by means of a stop limiting the welding depth running parallel to a drum axis of an inner drum of the washing machine; preferably, that this stop is arranged on a receptacle of a welding device for the second tub cap part during the execution of the weld joint; particularly preferably, that the angle of the second tub cap part relative to the first tub cap part is adjusted by means of a cap of the aforementioned receptacle. This provides, for example, a possible alternative for adjusting the welding depth of the aforementioned weld joint.The preferred and, in particular, the especially preferred embodiment specify particularly suitable designs of a welding device required for carrying out this welded joint.

[0016] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Fig. 1 An embodiment of a washing machine with the tub according to the invention in a partial, cutaway side view and Fig. 2 the embodiment in an enlarged detail view in the area of ​​the tub cap, in a partial, cutaway side view.

[0017] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the washing machine tub according to the invention, wherein in the Fig. 1 the area of ​​interest here, in the image plane of the Fig. Figure 1 on the right is shown enlarged compared to the rest for clarity. The actual dimensions are only apparent from the Fig. 2.

[0018] The washing machine 2 is designed here as a household washing machine with a tub 4 and an inner drum 8 rotatably arranged in the tub 4 about a drum axis 6 for receiving laundry to be washed by the washing machine 2. The laundry is not shown. The tub 4 comprises a tub shell 10 and a tub cap 12 connected to the tub shell 10 for connecting the tub 4 to a door seal 14 of the washing machine 2 for sealing a door opening 16 of the washing machine 2 when the door of the washing machine 2 is in a closed position. The door is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 not shown.

[0019] According to the invention, the tub cap 12 is designed in two parts, wherein a first tub cap part 18, facing the tub shell 10, is welded to a second tub cap part 20, facing the door sealing ring 14, for connection with the tub shell 10. The tub shell 10 and the first and second tub cap parts 18, 20 are each designed as a single plastic part. Accordingly, the first and second tub cap parts 18, 20 are plastically welded to each other, namely rotationally welded.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the first tub cap part 18 is detachably connected to the tub shell 10, with a circumferential tub seal arranged between the first tub cap part 18 and the tub shell 10, such that the tub seal can be clamped between the first tub cap part 18 and the tub shell 10 by means of the aforementioned detachable connection to create its sealing effect. The tub seal is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 not shown. The aforementioned detachable connection is designed as a plurality of screw connections. One of the screw connections is located in the Fig. 1 merely indicated by means of a dotted line 22.

[0021] The aforementioned weld joint is designed such that a gap 24 between the inner drum 8 of the washing machine 2, for receiving the laundry to be treated by the washing machine 2, and the door sealing ring 14 can be adjusted by means of this weld joint. The aforementioned weld joint is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is designated with reference numeral 26. Since the gap 24 is adjustable by means of the weld connection 26, the gap 24 can be made very narrow, and therefore very gentle on laundry and visually very high-quality, adapted to the requirements of the respective individual case.

[0022] The following describes the functioning of the alkaline container according to the invention and the inventive method for its manufacture according to the present embodiment with reference to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 explained in more detail.

[0023] For the purpose of manufacturing the lye container 4, in a first process step the first lye container cap part 18 facing the lye container shell 10 of the lye container cap 12 designed as a two-part lye container cap 12 is detachably connected to the lye container shell 10 by means of the screw connections 22 with a plurality of screws not shown.

[0024] In a next process step, a distance a running parallel to the drum axis 6 of the inner drum 8 of the washing machine 2 is measured between the first tub cap part 18 and a free end of the inner drum 8 facing the door sealing ring 14 in the assembly state of the washing machine 2, and depending on this distance a, a welding depth of the weld joint 26 running parallel to the drum axis 6 is determined during the production of the weld joint 26.

[0025] Alternatively, in another embodiment of the invention, the weld joint could be executed by means of a stop limiting the welding depth parallel to the drum axis of the inner drum of the washing machine, preferably that this stop is arranged on a receptacle of a welding device for the second tub cap part during the execution of the weld joint, particularly preferably that an angular adjustment of the second tub cap part relative to the first tub cap part is carried out by means of a cap of the aforementioned receptacle.

[0026] In principle, it would also be conceivable to determine the welding depth using the first-mentioned measurement and additionally to use the last-mentioned stop for mechanical limitation of the welding depth.

[0027] Finally, the second tubular container cap part 20 facing the door sealing ring 14 of the tubular container cap 12, which is designed as a two-part tubular container cap 12, is welded to the first tubular container cap part 18, namely rotationally welded.

[0028] Due to the inventive design of the tub 4 and the method for its manufacture, the tub cap 12, which is connected on one side to the tub shell 10 and on the other side to the door seal 14, can be adapted much better to the requirements of the respective individual case, since the weld connection 26 connecting the first and the second tub cap parts 18, 20 allows for adjustment of the dimensions of the tub cap 12, at least parallel to the drum axis 6. The detachable connection, namely the screw connections 22, between the tub shell 10 and the first tub cap part 18 significantly improves, for example, the repairability and recyclability of the tub 4. Accordingly, the sustainability of the tub 4 and the washing machine 2 equipped with it is considerably improved.Despite the aforementioned detachable connection, the aforementioned adjustability of the gap 24, also called drum gap, formed between the inner drum 8 of the washing machine 2 for receiving laundry to be treated by means of the washing machine 2 and the door sealing ring 14, is ensured in a structurally and technically simple manner by means of this welded connection 26 between the first and the second tub cap part 18, 20.

[0029] However, the invention is not limited to the present embodiment. See, for example, the relevant explanations in the introductory section and in the description of the specific embodiment.

Claims

[1] Tub (4) for a washing machine (2), comprising a tub shell (10) and a tub cap (12) connected to the tub shell (10) for connecting the tub (4) to a door seal (14) of the washing machine (2) for sealing a door opening (16) of the washing machine (2) when the door of the washing machine (2) is in a closed position, characterized by , that the tub cap (12) is formed in two parts, wherein a first tub cap part (18) facing the tub shell (10) is welded to a second tub cap part (20) facing the door sealing ring (14) for connection with the door sealing ring (14). [2] Lye container (4) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the aforementioned welded joint (26) is designed as a rotational welded joint. [3] Lye container (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the first tub cap part (18) is detachably connected to the tub shell (10), wherein a circumferential tub seal is arranged between the first tub cap part (18) and the tub shell (10), preferably that the tub seal can be clamped by means of the aforementioned detachable connection to generate its sealing effect between the first tub cap part (18) and the tub shell (10). [4] Lye container (4) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the aforementioned detachable connection is designed as a plurality of screw connections (22). [5] Lye container (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that the aforementioned weld connection (26) is designed such that a gap (24) between an inner drum (8) of the washing machine (2) for receiving laundry to be treated by means of the washing machine (2) and the door sealing ring (14) can be adjusted by means of this weld connection (26). [6] Lye container (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the tub casing (10) and / or the first tub cap part (18) and / or the second tub cap part (20) is each made of plastic. [7] Method for manufacturing a tub (4) comprising a tub shell (10) and a tub cap (12) connected to the tub shell (10) for connecting the tub (4) to a door sealing ring (14) of the washing machine (2) for sealing a door opening (16) of the washing machine (2) when the door of the washing machine (2) is in a closed position, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: - Connection of a first tubing container cap part (18) facing the tubing container shell (10) of the tubing container cap (12) designed as a two-part tubing container cap (12) with the tubing container shell (10) and - Welded connection of a second tub cap part (20) facing the door sealing ring (14) of the tub cap (12) designed as a two-part tub cap (12) with the first tub cap part (18). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by, that between the two aforementioned process steps a further process step takes place, namely that a distance (a) running parallel to a drum axis (6) of an inner drum (8) of the washing machine (2) is measured between the first tub cap part (18) and a free end of the inner drum (8) facing the door sealing ring (14) in the assembly state of the washing machine (2) and, depending on this distance (a), a weld depth of the weld joint (26) running parallel to the drum axis (6) is determined during the production of the weld joint (26). [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by, that the connection of the first alkaline container cap part (18) with the alkaline container shell (10) is designed as a detachable connection, preferably as a plurality of screw connections (22), and / or the welded connection (26) of the first alkaline container cap part (18) with the second alkaline container cap part (20) is designed as a rotational welded connection. [10] Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by , that the weld joint is executed by means of a stop limiting the welding depth running parallel to a drum axis of an inner drum of the washing machine, preferably that this stop is arranged on a receptacle for the second tub cap part during the execution of the weld joint, particularly preferably that an angular adjustment of the second tub cap part relative to the first tub cap part is carried out by means of a cap of the aforementioned receptacle.

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