Vibration damping system in a laundry washing appliance and laundry washing appliance

Abstract

A vibration damping system (100) in a laundry washing appliance (10) comprises at least one mounting region (30) which can be arranged at a holding construction (3) or which can be part of the holding construction (3), wherein the motor (2) can be mounted to the holding construction (3) by the at least one mounting region (30), wherein the holding construction (3) can be part of a washing tub (1) or part of a tub cross (5) or a discrete element; at least one vibration damping element (20) which has a predefined shape for being fitted into the at least one mounting region (30), wherein the at least one vibration damping element (20) is configured to mechanically mount the motor (2) to the holding construction (3) and to damp vibrations from the motor (2) to the holding construction (3), wherein the at least one vibration damping element (20) comprises an elastic material which has a first stiffness along a first direction (D1) and second stiffness along a second direction (D2), wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness.

Description

[0001] Vibration damping system in a laundry washing appliance and laundry washing appliance

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a vibration damping system in a laundry washing appliance and to a laundry washing appliance.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In laundry washing appliances a motor for rotating a washing drum which is accomodated inside of a washing tub is typically mounted to the washing tub or to a tub cross and the drum can be rotated by means of a belt spanned between the motor shaft and a pulley fixed on the drum shaft. During operation the motor generates vibrations along a particular direction and in known appliances a huge part of these vibrations can be transferred to the washing tub and to the cabinet of the washing machine resulting in excessive noise and vibration of the appliance, as well as potential damages due to fatigue. In order to suppress the vibration transmission to the tub and to other components the application of vibration damping elements becomes necessary.

[0006] EP 18 67 774 B1 describes a device for attaching a motor to a tub of a washing machine, using a noise-damping, elastic sleeve between the motor pin and retaining eye arranged on a tub.

[0007] An improved vibration damping system is desired, that will provide effective vibroisolation and will also possess a high stiffness in order to remain stable under the belt pretension loads. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the invention to improve the damping of vibrations which are generated by a motor in the laundry washing appliance while rotating the washing drum and to provide at least one vibration damping element which improves the isolation and damping of vibrations between the motor and remaining components of the laundry washing appliance and which also provides a stable mounting connection between the motor and a holding construction of the washing tub and / or the tub cross.

[0009] The object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims.

[0010] The present invention pertains a vibration damping system according to claim 1 and to a washing machine according to claim 13.

[0011] Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

[0012] According to the invention the vibration damping system, for example for vibrations from a motor, in a laundry washing appliance comprises at least one mounting region which can be arranged at a holding construction or which can be part of the holding construction, wherein the motor can be mounted to the holding construction by the at least one mounting region, wherein the holding construction can be part of a washing tub or part of a tub cross or a discrete element. The vibration damping system further comprising at least one vibration damping element which has a predefined shape for being placed in the at least one mounting region, wherein the at least one vibration damping element is configured to mechanically mount the motor to the holding construction and to damp vibrations from the motor to the holding construction, wherein the at least one vibration damping element comprises an elastic material wherein the vibration damping element has a first stiffness along a first direction and second stiffness along a second direction, wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness. It is desired and achieved to damp vibrations from the motor to the holding construction in a first direction, for example vertical towards a washing tub, in a predefined amount and in a second direction, for example orthogonal to the first direction and towards remaining areas of the holding construction and further to the washing tub and to the cabinet in an increased amount.

[0013] The feature that the vibration damping element has a first stiffness along a first direction and second stiffness along a second direction can be achieved by a choice of a material with such properties and / or by a predefined shape of the vibration damping element, for example with recesses etc..

[0014] The mentioned vibration damping system allows a precise positioning of vibration damping elements with different stiffness properties in different directions.

[0015] The different stiffness with regard to the first and second direction can be useful if an optimal placement of the vibration damping elements is fulfilled when they are placed with an appropriate orientation at the mounting region. Therefore, a desired mounting condition can be fulfilled, such as mounting strength, for the mounting of the motor at the mounting region and additionally to achieve a maximum possible vibration damping between motor and holding construction.

[0016] When mounting the motor to the mounting region the positioning of the motor by the vibration damping element(s) can remain stable under a pretension load of the belt which is spanned between the motor shaft and a pulley fixed on the drum shaft. This can be the case if, for example, the spanning force has its major component in vertical direction between the washing tub and the motor (if for example the motor is arranged below the washing tub) and then the greater stiffness in the first direction helps to hold the pretension stable, if the vibration damping element is oriented in this case with its first direction along the vertical direction and with the more compliant property (lower second stiffness) in the second direction, e.g. the horizontal direction. Therefore, the vibration damping element(s) can have a stiffness (first stiffness and / or second stiffness) which is / are large enough in order to hold the motor stable and also provide an effective damping of vibration. The washing tub and the holding construction can be provided by metal or by plastic.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the at least one vibration damping element has a cylindrical shape with an axial hollow along its cylindrical axis such that the at least one vibration damping element forms a cylindrical shell and wherein the cylindrical shell has at least one predefined recess at an inner surface and / or at an outer surface of the cylindrical shell and / or in the cylindrical shell for modifying the first stiffness and / or second stiffness.

[0018] The wording "cylindrical shape" and "cylindrical shell" as well as "cylindrical axis" regards to a very general expression of the involved geometry. In particular, there can be deviations from an exact cylindrical shape or cylindrical symmetry present in the particular body still falling under above mentioned wordings when considering the content of the invention. The wording "shell" can also be understood such as having macroscopic thickness and also represent a cylindrical body with recesses, the axial hollow and surface shapes deviating from a perfect cylindrical shape.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the elastic material is rubber.

[0020] The elastic material can be chosen such that it can withstand forces generated by the motor and the belt and at the same time provide a sufficient damping of vibrations.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other. The property of the vibration damping element with different stiffness in orthogonal directions can enable a reduction in vibration transmission, for example in the second direction, and for a desirable amount also in the other direction, for example in first direction, while maintaining stability under belt pretension loads of a belt between the motor shaft and a pulley fixed on the drum shaft, in this example in a first direction.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the axial hollow has a cross section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis which deviates from a circular cross shape.

[0023] By the configuration having an axial hollow which has a cross section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis which deviates from a circular cross shape the vibration damping element can be placed on a pin of a holding part of the motor, wherein said pin also can have a cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, for example its symmetry axis, which deviates from a circular cross shape and which can be of similar shape as the cross section of the axial hollow. Thereby, when the vibration damping element is placed on such a pin its rotation, for example due to operational loads, around the pin and around the longitudinal axis, for example its symmetry axis, is prevented or lowered due to its shape which deviates from a circular shape. By such a configuration it can advantageously be achieved that the use of fastening screws between the vibration damping element and the mounting region can be omitted and a proper orientation of the vibration damping elements with respect to the different stiffness directions can be granted. In known concepts, fastening screws are commonly utilized to fix the damping components along with the motor onto the washing tub or to a holding construction. By the inventive concept an over-tightening of the screws, which can cause excessive deformation of the vibration damping component reducing its ability to effectively damp vibration can be prevented by not using the screws. The holding part of the motor can be a part of the housing of the motor or a part which is mounted to the motor or to its housing. The above mentioned rotation around the pin can be considered in azimuthal direction.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system there are two predefined recesses positioned along the second direction inside the cylindrical shell such that there is one of the predefined recesses on each lateral side of the axial hollow.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the two predefined recesses have an elongated shape of predefined length in the first direction and a predefined width in the second direction and wherein each of the predefined recesses extends through the whole cylindrical shell in the direction of the cylindrical axis.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the outer surface of the cylindrical shell has a concave shape between a front end and a rear end of the cylindrical shell in direction along the cylindrical axis.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the cylindrical shell has a front end and a rear end with a rear flange region with regard to a direction along the cylindrical axis and wherein the rear flange region extends radially outward from the cylindrical shell.

[0028] By the deviations from the cylindrical shell form, in particular with recesses, voids, grooves, corrugations and / or other forms, it can be modified / influenced how stiff or how compliant the vibration damping element becomes in the particular direction. In particular, removing of material e.g. by providing recesses or grooves or similar in the cylindrical shell or by thinning of the shell in a particular direction the stiffness of the shell along this direction can be lowered. For providing the vibration damping element to exhibit different stiffness in different directions geometrical modifications as already mentioned can be applied to the cylindrical shell form. The grooves or corrugations can, for example, be orientated in a specific direction with regard to the first or second direction in order to control or predefine the stiffness of the vibration damping element in these directions in addition to the stiffness of its material.

[0029] For example, if there are no grooves orientated or placed in the first direction when the vibration damping element is placed in the mounting region, the vibration damping element behaves more compliant in the second direction where the grooves occur.

[0030] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system the at least one mounting region comprises a frame structure forming a hole region into which the vibration damping element can be pressed in and wherein a pin for holding the motor can be placed in the axial hollow and the pin can be held with the vibration damping element in the hole region and thereby mounted to the frame structure.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system said system comprises three mounting regions, for example for three pins of a holding part of the motor to be arranged in.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the vibration damping system at least at one of the three mounting regions the vibration damping element is fixed with a screw and a washer wherein the screw is screwed to the pin of the motor from a side of the frame structure opposite to the motor.

[0033] By the vibration damping elements which can be provided by the invention it becomes possible to reach a minimization of the transfer of vibrations that are generated by the motor during operation to the washing tub and / or to the cabinet. Consequently, an occurring noise and mechanical damages on components of the washing machine by vibrations can be prevented or at least lowered. The shape and construction properties make the vibration damping system easy to install and to be maintained, and to be compatible with a range of different models of laundry washing appliances like washing machines and motor types.

[0034] According to the invention the laundry washing appliance comprises a cabinet; a washing tub accommodating a rotatable washing drum; a motor for rotating the washing drum by a belt; a holding construction, which is arranged in the cabinet and wherein the motor is mounted to the holding construction, wherein a vibration damping system according to the invention is mounted to or arranged at the holding construction and wherein the motor is mounted to the holding construction by means of the vibration damping system.

[0035] The laundry washing appliance can be a washing machine, for example, a frontloading clothes washing machine.

[0036] The vibration damping element can feature geometrically shaped recesses in a cylindrical shell with an axial hollow, while adjacent and, for example, equally shaped pins as the hollow can be utilized on the washing tub and / or cross and / or electric motor to ensure precise orientation of the vibration damping element and attain the desired stiffness in the designated direction, for example vertical towards the tub. Furthermore, by its geometry of the vibration damping element it is due to the difference in stiffness to facilitate the transfer of force loads in the first direction with greater stiffness while minimizing the transfer of torque loads.

[0037] Both directions can provide a minimized torque transfer due to low rotational stiffness. This can be achieved with the concave shape of the vibration damping elements. The concave shape can be inserted in a cylindrical hole (on the motor / tub / tub cross). The alignment of a cylindrically concave surface on a cylindrical surface result in low rotational stiffness and thereby low transfer of torque. In addition, this also decreases the translational stiffness and the transfer of force (due to progressive stiffness characteristic). BRIEF DESCIRPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings as appended.

[0039] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate a comparative embodiment and embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an interior region of a laundry washing appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b show vibration damping elements of a vibration damping system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show vibration damping elements of a vibration damping system according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show a vibration damping element to be arranged at a pin of a motor according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through a vibration damping element arranged with a pin of the motor at a mounting region in a laundry washing appliance according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and / or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0046] Fig. 1 shows an interior region of a laundry washing appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] In Fig. 1 a washing machine 10 with a cabinet CB is symbolically shown such that it can be estimated that Fig. 1 shows the interior of the cabinet CB with the washing tub 1 and tub cross 5 inside the cabinet CB and on the tub cross 5 is arranged a holding construction 3 for the motor 2. The washing drum accomodated in a washing tub (not shown in Fig. 1) can be rotated by a pulley PL and by means of the motor 2 and by a belt 4 which is spanned around the pulley PL and the rotating part of the motor 2. The holding construction 3 can be a part of the washing tub 1 construction or the tub cross 5 construction. In the arrangement as shown in Fig. 1 the motor 2 can be placed below the washing tub 1 and the pretension force of the belt 4 having therefore a main component in the vertical direction. According to this arrangement it can be advantageously achieved that the first direction with greater stiffness (D1 as shown in Fig. 2 - 4) can correspond to this vertical direction along which the vibration damping elements 20 should provide enough stability and stiffness to maintain the pretension force of the belt 4 in this vertical direction and hold the motor 2 stable mounted. The main effect of damping vibration can then be achieved, for example, in the horizontal direction. As already mentioned, it can be recognized from Fig. 1 that the motor 2 is mounted to the holding construction 3, wherein a vibration damping system 100 is mounted to or arranged at the holding construction 3 and wherein the motor 2 is mounted to the holding construction 3 by means of the vibration damping system 100. For this purpose there are three mounting regions 30 shown in Fig. 1 which are arranged at the holding construction 3 and in each mounting region 30 a vibration damping element 20 with a predefined shape is placed in the corresponding mounting region 30.

[0048] Further, each of the mounting regions 30 comprises a frame structure forming a hole region HR into which the corresponding vibration damping element 20 can be pressed in for holding the pin P of the motor 2. Therefore, the pin P can be held with the vibration damping element 20 in the hole region HR and thereby mounted to the frame structure. For the case of three mounting regions 30 as shown in Fig. 1 one of the vibration damping elements 20 can be fixed with a screw SC and a washer W (for example for the middle of three mounting regions 30, the other two pins can be left without screws in order to lower or prevent static loads from being applied to the vibration damping elements 20 by screwing the screw SC, thus reducing the transfer of vibrations), wherein the screw SC can be screwed to the pin P of the motor 2 from a side of the frame structure opposite to the motor 2.

[0049] The belt 4 can run (in view of Fig. 1) behind the screw SC and washer W, for reasons of clarity the washer and screw are shown transparent such that the belt 4 is visible.

[0050] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b show vibration damping elements of a vibration damping system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0051] Fig 2a shows on the left side a longitudinal cut through a possible embodiment of a vibration damping element 20 of the vibration damping system 100. The right part of Fig. 2a shows a cut in the A-A plane (from the left part of Fig. 2a) in a view towards the rear end, wherein the rear flange region RE-R of the vibration damping element 20 is shown as having a circular cross-shape. As visible in the left part of Fig. 2a the vibration damping element 20 has in principle a cylindrical shape with an axial hollow AH along its symmetry axis AX such that the vibration damping element 20 forms basically a cylindrical shell CS. The left part of Fig. 2a shows that the cylindrical shell CS can have an inner surface IS facing the axial hollow region AH and an outer surface OS, wherein the cylindrical shell CS has a front end FE and a rear end RE with a rear flange region RE-R with regard to a direction along the cylindrical axis AX and wherein the rear flange region RE-R extends radially outward from the cylindrical shell CS in the shape of a flange.

[0052] The right part of Fig. 2a shows the two directions for different stiffness, in particular that the vibration damping element 20 has a first stiffness along a first direction D1 and second stiffness along a second direction D2.

[0053] In order to influence the stiffness in the particular direction it is possible to provide a deviation from the perfect cylindrical shape in the corresponding direction. Therefore, the cylindrical shell CS can have at least one predefined recess PR in the cylindrical shell CS for modifying the first stiffness and / or second stiffness. Fig. 2a shows on the right part such a configuration that there are two predefined recesses PR positioned along the second direction D2 inside the cylindrical shell CS such that there is one of the predefined recesses PR on each lateral side of the axial hollow AH. In this embodiment the axial hollow AH can have a circular cross section perpendicular to the cylindrical symmetry axis AX. The two predefined recesses PR can have an elongated shape of predefined length in the first direction D1 and a predefined width in the second direction D2 and wherein each of the predefined recesses PR extends through the whole cylindrical shell CS in the direction of the cylindrical symmetry axis AX. It can be achieved by these two recesses PR that the second stiffness in the second direction D2 becomes smaller than the first stiffness in the first direction D1 and therefore the vibration damping element 20 can provide a better damping of vibrations in the second direction D2. The left part of Fig. 2a further shows that the outer surface OS of the cylindrical shell CS can have a concave shape between a front end FE and a rear end RE of the cylindrical shell CS in direction along the cylindrical symmetry axis AX, what can higher the first stiffness because of having more material present in this direction and to further influence the strength of fitting the vibration damping element 20 into the mounting region (similar as shown in Fig. 4a or Fig. 4b). A purpose of this concave shape is a reduction of loads generated to a vibration damping element when in- serted / pressed into a hole region of the holding construction, thus maintaining better vibroisolation properties of vibration damping element (shown in Fig. 5).

[0054] In Fig. 2b a similar vibration damping element 20 is shown as in Fig. 2a with the difference that the cross sectional shape of the axial hollow AH when seen perpendicular to the cylindrical axis deviates from a circular shape and rather has an oval shape. Fig. 2b shows also a cut through the A-A line and in direction towards the rear flange region RE-R. The two predefined recesses PR are placed beside the axial hollow AH similar to the case shown in Fig. 2a and it can be seen that the outer surface OS has a circular cross section and the inner surface IS has an oval cross section. The oval shape can help to hold the vibration damping element 20 in a predefined mounting position with regard to its orientation (azimuthal) relative to the pin of the motor (not shown), as shown in Fig. 4b. The length of the predefined recesses PR can be the same as the maximum length of the cross section of the axial hollow AH.

[0055] Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show vibration damping elements of a vibration damping system according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0056] Due to another geometrical modification such as the inclusion of voids or cavities within the cylindrical shell further influence on the stiffness in a predefined direction can be achieved. The shape, size, and orientation of these voids can be controlled to achieve different stiffness in different directions as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b in particular such that by designing the predefined recesses PR and / or pins BD-0 on the outer surface OS and / or pins BD-I the inner surface IS in a specific direction and shape, the vibration damping element 20 can be made stiffer in one direction than in the other.

[0057] Fig. 3a shows a similar view to Fig. 2a with the difference that the vibration damping element 20 of the vibration damping system 100 as shown along cut A-A (left part) has pins BD-0 and BD-I on the inner surface IS and / or outer surface OS and even predefined recesses PR between the pins BD-0 and / or BD-I (but for example not along the second direction D2).

[0058] The inner pins BD-I can extend towards the central region of the axial hollow AH and push on a pin of the motor (not shown). The outer pins BD-0 can push to the mounting region (not shown). In Fig. 3a a longitudinal cut is shown similar to Fig. 2a showing the outer surface OS, the inner surface IS towards the axial hollow AH and the cylindrical axis AX and the front end FE and the rear flange region RE-R at the rear end. Also Fig. 3b shows such a view on the right part of Fig. 3b with the corresponding parts. The difference in Fig. 3b (right part) can be recognized as having a thicker cylindrical shell along the cut line A-A and in first direction D1 than the embodiment of Fig. 3a. Therefore, the vibration damping element 20 of Fig. 3b can have a greater stiffness along first direction D1 than the vibration damping element 20 of Fig. 3a and a smaller stiffness along the second direction D2, since Fig. 3b left part shows the thickness of the cylindrical shell along the second direction D2 being smaller than for the case of Fig 3a. The cross section of the A-A cut in Fig. 3b left part shows a further possible embodiment of the vibration damping element 20, wherein there are concave shaped lateral sides of the cylindrical shell provided on its outer surface OS in the second direction D2 and predefined recesses PR and inner pins BD-I on the inner surface IS along the first direction D1. The rear flange region RE-R remains having a circular cross shape. In general, conical or ellipsoidal or differently shaped grooves can be applied to the inner surface IS of the vibration damping elements 20.

[0059] Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b show a vibration damping element to be arranged at a pin of a motor according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0060] In Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b the arrangement of the vibration damping element 20 from Fig. 2b is shown, wherein Fig. 4a shows the case before the vibration damping element 20 is placed on the pin P of the motor frame 2-CR and Fig. 4b shows the already placed vibration damping element 20. As shown in Fig. 4a the vibration damping element 20 with its oval axial hollow AH is placed on the pin P with a predefined orientation of the first direction D1 and of the second direction D2 and such that for first the rear end with the rear flange region RE-R is placed over the pin P and finally fully reaches the motor frame 2-CR. The front end FE is placed opposite to the motor frame 2-CR.

[0061] In Fig. 4b it is shown that the similar shape of the cross section of the pin P and the corresponding cross section of the axial hollow AH of the vibration damping element 20 can help to align the vibration damping element 20 of the vibration damping system 100 relative to the pin P and orient them along the desired directions D1 and D2, which can be orthogonal to each other. A probability for dislocation (for example by operational loads) of the mounted vibration damping element 20 can be lowered or even prevented by the predefined shape of the pin P and of the axial hollow AH, which can also deviate from an oval shape. A precise orientation of the vibration damping element 20 can help to achieve that the desired stiffness is achieved in the designated direction, thus providing a stable operation even at high loads that can be applied to the vibration damping element 20 due to the belt load.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through a vibration damping element arranged with a pin of the motor at a mounting region in a laundry washing appliance according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0063] The cross-sectional view corresponds to a cut along the cylindrical symmetry axis and shows an example of a vibration damping element 20 as shown in Fig. 4a and 4b. The particular vibration damping element 20 is placed with the front end FE into the mounting region 30, wherein at the rear end RE the rear flange region RE-R radially extends over the hole which is provided by the mounting region 30. The motor frame 2-CR is leaned to the mounting region 30 having the rear flange region RE-R between the motor frame 2-CR and the mounting region 30. The pin P of the motor frame 2-CR is placed inside the axial hollow AH of the vibration damping element 20 and it is shown that the vibration damping element 20 with its inner surface IS and the pin P can have a tapered shape getting more narrow towards the tip of the pin P when placed inside the axial hollow AH (both tapered shapes correspond to each other). The outer surface OS of the vibration damping element 20 can have the concave shape with an enlarged radius at a central region between the front end FE and the rear end RE. The concave shaped outer surface OS can therefore reduce a vibration transfer due to torque loads. By curving the outer surface OS outward, the vibration damping element 20 can create a smaller contact area with the mounting region 30, which can improve its ability to damp vibrations due to the torque loads since a smaller contact area means that the vibration damping element 20 is less likely to transmit vibrations through the contacting surface. By utilizing progressive stiffness characteristics due to the concave shape, the stiffness of the vibration damping element 20 can be reduced in directions that are not heavily loaded, thereby reducing the overall transfer of vibrations through the vibration damping element 20, for example by recesses (not shown).

[0064] In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples with the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Vibration damping system (100) in a laundry washing appliance (10), the vibration damping system (100) comprising:- at least one mounting region (30) which can be arranged at a holding construction (3) or which can be part of the holding construction (3), wherein a motor (2) can be mounted to the holding construction (3) by the at least one mounting region (30), wherein the holding construction (3) can be part of a washing tub (1) or part of a tub cross (5) or a discrete element;- at least one vibration damping element (20) which has a predefined shape for being placed in the at least one mounting region (30), wherein the at least one vibration damping element (20) is configured to mechanically mount the motor (2) to the holding construction (3) and to damp vibrations from the motor (2) to the holding construction (3), wherein the at least one vibration damping element (20) comprises an elastic material, wherein the vibration damping element (20) has a first stiffness along a first direction (D1) and second stiffness along a second direction (D2), wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness.

2. Vibration damping system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vibration damping element (20) has a cylindrical shape with an axial hollow (AH) along its cylindrical axis such that the at least one vibration damping element (20) forms a cylindrical shell (CS) and wherein the cylindrical shell (CS) has at least one predefined recess (PR) at an inner surface (IS) and / or at an outer surface (OS) of the cylindrical shell (CS) and / or in the cylindrical shell (CS) for modifying the first stiffness and / or second stiffness.

3. Vibration damping system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic material is rubber.

4. Vibration damping system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2) are orthogonal to each other.

5. Vibration damping system (100) according to any of claims 2 to 4, as far as referenced to claim 2, wherein the axial hollow (AH) has a cross section perpendicular to the cylindrical axis which deviates from a circular cross shape.

6. Vibration damping system (100) according to any of claims 2 to 5, as far as referenced to claim 2, wherein there are two predefined recesses (PR) positioned along the second direction (D2) inside the cylindrical shell (CS) such that there is one of the predefined recesses (PR) on each lateral side of the axial hollow (AH).

7. Vibration damping system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the two predefined recesses (PR) have an elongated shape of predefined length in the first direction (D1) and a predefined width in the second direction (D2) and wherein each of the predefined recesses (PR) extends through the whole cylindrical shell (CS) in the direction of the cylindrical axis.

8. Vibration damping system (100) according to any of claims 2 to 7, as far as referenced to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical shell (CS) has a front end (FE) and a rear end (RE) with a rear flange region (RE-R) with regard to a direction along the cylindrical axis and wherein the rear flange region (RE-R) extends radially outward from the cylindrical shell (CS).

9. Vibration damping system (100) according to any claim 2 to 8, as far as referenced to claim 2, wherein the outer surface (OS) of the cylindrical shell (CS) has a concave shape between a front end (FE) and a rear end (RE) of the cylindrical shell (CS) in direction along the cylindrical axis10. Vibration damping system (100) according to any of claims 2 to 9, as far as referenced to claim 2, wherein the at least one mounting region (30) comprises a frame structure forming a hole region (HR) into which the vibration damping element (20) can be pressed in and wherein a pin (P) for holding the motor (2) can be placed in the axial hollow (AH) and the pin (P) can be held with the vibration damping element (20) in the hole region (HR) and thereby mounted to the frame structure.1 1. Vibration damping system (100) according to claim 10, which comprises three mounting regions (30).

12. Vibration damping system (100) according to claim 11, wherein at least at one of the three mounting regions (30) the vibration damping element (20) is fixed with a screw (SC) and a washer (W), wherein the screw (SC) is screwed to the pin (P) of the motor (2) from a side of the frame structure opposite to the motor (2).

13. Laundry washing appliance (10) comprising:- a cabinet (CB);- a washing tub (1) accommodating a rotatable washing drum;- a motor (2) for rotating the washing drum by a belt (4);- a holding construction (3), which is arranged in the cabinet (CB) and wherein the motor (2) is mounted to the holding construction (3), wherein a vibration damping system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 12 is mounted to or arranged at the holding construction (3) and wherein the motor (2) is mounted to the holding construction (3) by means of the vibration damping system (100).

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