REDUCED VIBRATION WASHING MACHINE

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a washing machine for laundry. It comprises a casing, a rotatable drum, a tub enclosing said drum for receiving laundry and a support device inside said casing for supporting said tub. A first damping member with a first movement axis and a second damping member with a second movement axis is arranged between said tub and said support device.Background Art

[0002] Laundry non-uniformly distributed inside the drum of a washing machine generates a rotating unbalance and undesired vibrations of the whole machine during centrifugation. In order to keep the vibration of the casing at a low level, the tub is suspended inside the casing by means of a system of springs and damping elements. This system reduces the vibrational forces transferred to the casing.

[0003] CN 109 306 601 A discloses a washing machine lateral damping device and a washing machine. The lateral damping device comprises a damping structure, a first mounting seat hinged to one end of the damping structure and a vertically disposed sliding bar. The other end of the damping structure slidably sleeves on a sliding bar, and two ends of the sliding bar are respectively provided with second mounting seats. Through the sliding bar disposed vertically, the other end of the damping structure slidably sleeves the sliding bar, one end of the damping structure can slide on the sliding bar, so that when vibration occurs on an outer cylinder in up and down directions, the damping structure can be horizontal or nearly horizontal by sliding on the sliding bar.

[0004] EP 2 628 840 A1 discloses a washing machine comprising a cabinet where a washing tub is accommodated, comprising a rotatable drum for containing the laundry to be washed; the cabinet comprises a front wall and a back wall, and the washing tub comprises a sidewall. The washing machine comprises a pair of dampers anchored to the sidewall of the washing tub and to the front or back wall of the cabinet.

[0005] WO 2012 / 026323 A1 discloses a vibration-damping support structure for supporting a washing tank unit in a vibration-damping manner by a vibration-damping device which includes a coiled spring disposed between the washing tank unit and the washing machine body and which also includes a damper serving as a vibration-damping member. The washing tank unit comprises a rotation drum which serves as the inner tank rotating about a tilted rotation axis and a water tank which serves as the outer tank. The vibration-damping support structure uses a three-dimensional damper for providing a damping effect in three-dimensional directions, and the damper and the coiled spring are arranged between the washing tank unit and the washing machine body so as to be connected parallel to each other.Disclosure of the Invention

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a washing machine with reduced vibrations of the casing.

[0007] This problem is solved by the washing machine of the independent claim. Accordingly, the washing machine comprises at least the following parts: a casing: The casing forms the machine's outer housing. a rotatable drum: The drum receives the laundry to be washed. It is advantageously rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation. a tub enclosing the drum: The tub is the part retaining the washing liquid during washing. a support device: the support device is arranged inside said casing for supporting said tub. a first damping member with a first movement axis and a second damping member with a second movement axis: the first damping member and the second damping member are arranged between said tub and the support device and are arranged such that said first movement axis and said second movement axis span an angle of at least 65°.

[0008] The angle is measured by projecting the first movement axis and the second movement axis into a plane parallel to the front side of the casing.

[0009] In connection with the present invention, an angle is always the acute angle, i.e. an angle less than 90°.

[0010] The large angle of 65° has the advantage of reducing the vibrations transferred from the tub to the casing since pendulum movements can be reduced.

[0011] The washing machine comprises a vertical axis and a horizontal axis.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first damping member is arranged such that the first movement axis and the horizontal axis form an angle of maximum 10°, in particular of maximum 5°. The strong horizontal orientation has the advantage, that pendulum movements can effectively be reduced.

[0013] Advantageously, the second damping member is arranged such that the second movement axis and the vertical axis form an angle of maximum 10°, in particular of maximum 5°.

[0014] Furthermore, the first damping member and / or the second damping member can be friction dampers, in particular translational friction dampers, in particular free lift dampers, in particular with a free lift of at least 4 mm, in particular of at least 10 mm.

[0015] The free lift damper is a friction damper which allows the washing drum to move with little or almost no friction within a small distance. Relevant friction damping only takes effect when the deflections or vibrations of the tub are large. The vibrations are only damped at higher speeds.

[0016] Advantageously, said first damping member and said second damping member are arranged such that said first movement axis and said second movement axis span an angle of at least 70°, in particular of at least 75°, in particular of at least 80°, in particular of at least 85°. Such a large angle reduces the vibrations of the washing machine effectively.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the washing machine comprises a third damping member with a third movement axis, wherein the third damping member is arranged such that the third movement axis and the vertical axis or the third movement axis and the horizontal axis form an angle of maximum 10°, in particular of maximum 5°.

[0018] Advantageously, the first damping member and the second damping member are arranged below the central axis of the drum and the first damping member and the second damping member can be spaced in longitudinal direction, i.e. in the direction from the front to the back of the washing machine.

[0019] Furthermore, the frictional force of the first damping member can be at least 1.5 as high, and in particular maximum 2.5 as high, as the frictional force of the second damping member.

[0020] Advantageously, the frictional force of the first damping member is at least 20 N, in particular at least 50 N, in particular at least 100 N, and / or maximum 200 N, in particular maximum 150 N.

[0021] Advantageously, the frictional force of the second damping member is at least 20 N, in particular at least 40 N, in particular at least 50 N, and / or maximum 120 N, in particular maximum 80 N.

[0022] Other advantageous embodiments are listed in the dependent claims as well as in the description below.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof. Such description refers to the annexed drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a washing machine with a casing; Fig. 2 shows a washing machine without a casing in a side view; Fig. 3 shows the washing machine of Fig. 1 in a front view; and Fig. 4 shows a detail view of Fig. 3. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a washing machine in operating position with a casing 1 and an opening for loading the washing machine with laundry. A door 2 closes the opening. The washing machine according to Fig. 1 is a front-loading washing machine. The opening side 3 is the front side of the washing machine. In case of a top-loading washing machine, the opening side would be the top side of the washing machine.

[0025] The washing machine further comprises a display with control elements 4 and a detergent drawer 5. The central axis of the drum corresponds to the rotational axis 6 of the drum. A coordinate system symbolizes a horizontal axis 7 of the washing machine, a vertical axis 8 of the washing machine and a longitudinal axis 9 of the washing machine. The longitudinal axis 9 of the washing machine is substantially parallel to the rotational axis 6. The dashed line symbolises a cross-sectional plane 10 which is parallel to the opening side 3.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a washing machine without its casing. The washing machine comprises a tub 11. Tub 11 encloses a rotatable drum 12 for receiving the laundry for washing and, optionally, centrifugation.

[0027] Drum 12 is rotated about the rotational axis 6, which is substantially horizontal and substantially corresponds to the longitudinal axis 9. In particular, the rotational axis 6 of the drum 2 deviates by less than 30°, in particular by less than 15°, from the longitudinal direction.

[0028] The washing machine further comprises a support device 13 for supporting the tub 11. Support device 13 includes, in the shown embodiment, a support base 30 and a support frame 31, 32, 33.

[0029] Support device 13 is supported by several, e.g. four, foot members 14a, 14b, 14c... forming a foot section 14 of the device. In operating position, the whole weight of the machine rests on foot section 14 and foot section 14 is in direct contact with e.g. the ground or shelf the machine is placed on.

[0030] Support base 30 forms a frame surrounding a central opening 15 located vertically below tub 11.

[0031] Support base 30 supports support frame 31, 32, 33.

[0032] Support frame 31, 32, 33 comprises two support members 31 and 32, which are arranged laterally at opposite sides of tub 11 and e.g. consist of two vertical pillars. The two support members 31 and 32 are interconnected, at their upper ends, by an interconnecting member 33, which is arranged vertically above tub 11.

[0033] Support device 13 is advantageously made of steel.

[0034] The support members 31 and 32 are mounted on support base 30 by means of stiff couplings 16. Each stiff coupling 16 is e.g. a sleeve that holds the respective support member 31, 32 in a fixed position relative to support base 30. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the couplings can e.g. be formed or reinforced by welding.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows the washing machine from its front side, again without the casing.

[0036] As can be seen, one or more baffles 17 are arranged inside drum 12 in a design basically known to the skilled person.

[0037] Tub 11 is suspended from support device 13 by two spring members 18 and 19.

[0038] A first damping member 20, a second damping member 21 and a third damping member 22 support the tub 11 from below. The damping members 20, 21, 22 are connected to the support device 13, preferably to the support base 30, and are arranged below the central axis of the drum which corresponds to the rotational axis 6. The first damping member 20, the second damping member 21 and the third damping member 22 are arranged between the support device 13 and the tub 11.

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a detail view of the encircled area of Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows the first damping member 20 and the second damping member 21 with a first movement axis 23 and a second movement axis 24. The first movement axis 23 and the second movement axis 24 span an angle 26, which is at least 65° and in the present embodiment 90°.

[0040] The first movement axis 23 and the horizontal axis 7 form an angle 27 of maximum 10°. In the present embodiment, the angle 27 is 5°. The second movement axis 24 and the vertical axis 8 form an angle 28 of maximum 10°. In the present embodiment, the angle 28 is 5°.

[0041] The angles are measured from a frontal perspective, i.e. the measured angles correspond to angles projected into a plane parallel to the opening side 3, in particular to the front side. Such a plane parallel to the opening side 3 could be the cross-sectional plane 10 as shown in Fig. 1.

[0042] The first damping member 20, the second damping member 21 and the third damping member 23 are frictional dampers with a free lift of at least 4 mm.

[0043] Furthermore, the washing machine comprises a third damping member 22 (shown in Fig. 3) with a third movement axis 25. The third movement axis 25 and the vertical axis 8 form an angle 29 of maximum 10°. In the present embodiment, the angle 29 is 5°.

[0044] The first damping member 20 and the second damping member 21 are spaced in longitudinal direction, i.e. in the present embodiment, the second damping member 21 is arranged behind the first damping member 20. Longitudinal is the direction from the front to the back of the washing machine.

[0045] While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine for laundry comprising - a casing (1), - a rotatable drum (12), - a tub (11) enclosing said drum (12) for receiving laundry, - a support device (13) inside said casing (1) for supporting said tub (11), - a first damping member (20) with a first movement axis (23) and a second damping member (21) with a second movement axis (24) arranged between said tub (11) and said support device (13), wherein said washing machine comprises a vertical axis (8) and a horizontal axis (7), characterized in that said first damping member (20) and said second damping member (21) are arranged such that said first movement axis (23) and said second movement axis (24) span an angle (26) of at least 65°, wherein the angle (26) is measured by projecting the first movement axis (23) and the second movement axis (24) into a plane parallel to a front side of the casing (1).

2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the first damping member (20) is arranged such that the first movement axis (23) and the horizontal axis (7) form an angle of maximum 10°, in particular of maximum 5°.

3. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second damping member (21) is arranged such that the second movement axis (23) and the vertical axis (8) form an angle of maximum 10°, in particular of maximum 5°.

4. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first damping member (20) and / or the second damping member (21) are friction dampers, in particular translational friction dampers, in particular free lift dampers, in particular with a free lift of at least 4 mm, in particular of at least 10 mm.

5. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein said first damping member (20) and said second damping member (21) are arranged such that said first movement axis (23) and said second movement axis (24) span an angle of at least 70°, in particular of at least 75°, in particular of at least 80°, in particular of at least 85°.

6. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein said washing machine comprises a third damping member (22) with a third movement axis (25), wherein the third damping member (22) is arranged such that the third movement axis (25) and the vertical axis (8) or the third movement axis (29) and the horizontal axis (7) form an angle of maximum 10°, in particular of maximum 5°.

7. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first damping member (20) and the second damping member (21) are arranged below the central axis (6) of the drum.

8. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first damping member (20) and the second damping member (21) are spaced in longitudinal direction.

9. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the frictional force of the first damping member (20) is at least 1.5 as high, and in particular maximum 2.5 as high, as the frictional force of the second damping member (21).

10. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the frictional force of the first damping member (20) is at least 20 N, in particular at least 50 N, in particular at least 100 N, and / or maximum 200 N, in particular maximum 150 N.

11. The washing machine of any of the preceding claims, wherein the frictional force of the second damping member (21) is at least 20 N, in particular at least 40 N, in particular at least 50 N, and / or maximum 120 N, in particular maximum 80 N.