Laundry treatment machine having a profiled arrangement, and profiled arrangement for laundry treatment machines
The polymeric profile arrangement with a clamping device and soft-elastic base in laundry treatment machines addresses high friction and contact force issues, achieving reduced energy consumption and noise, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
AI Technical Summary
Laundry treatment machines, such as tumble dryers and washer-dryers, suffer from high energy consumption due to high coefficients of sliding friction and fluctuating contact forces, leading to increased energy consumption and noise levels.
A profile arrangement for laundry treatment machines made of polymeric materials with a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80, featuring a clamping device and a soft-elastic base, which reduces frictional forces and maintains constant contact pressure, allowing for quieter operation and reduced energy consumption.
The profile arrangement significantly reduces energy consumption and noise levels while being economical to manufacture and sustainable, with a lower carbon footprint, and can be adapted to various geometries and designs.
Smart Images

Figure EP2025084147_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement and profile arrangement for laundry treatment machines
[0002] The invention lies in the field of laundry treatment machines and particularly includes suitable household appliances such as tumble dryers or washer-dryers that have a rotating laundry drum.
[0003] The invention further lies in the field of profile arrangements for laundry treatment machines, and in particular includes suitable household appliances such as tumble dryers or washer-dryers which have a rotating laundry drum.
[0004] In the context of the present invention, a tumble dryer is to be understood as a classic tumble dryer, and a washer-dryer is to be understood as a multifunctional combination appliance that combines the functions of washing and drying laundry.
[0005] Specifically, a laundry treatment machine is understood to be a laundry care appliance used for laundry care, such as a washer-dryer. Such a laundry treatment machine is specifically understood to be a household laundry care appliance. That is, a laundry care appliance used in the context of household management, with which laundry in typical household quantities is treated and which can be loaded with typical household quantities of laundry.
[0006] A washing machine drum serves to move laundry items to be dried in a process airflow so that they can be dried evenly. The drum is designed to rotate around a generally horizontal axis, lifting and dropping the laundry items as it turns. For this purpose, it uses so-called "lifters," namely rib-like structures that extend into the drum and carry the laundry items along as it rotates.
[0007] The rotation of the washing drum results in higher energy consumption due to friction losses in the prior art. DE 8214637 U1 discloses a laundry treatment machine, or rather a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine. This profile arrangement, positioned between a stationary housing part and the rotating drum, comprises an elastic ring body and a sliding element connected to it. The ring body is formed from an elastic foam compound that adheres to both the ring body's support and the sliding element. Furthermore, the ring body is embedded in the foam on the stationary housing part, the housing's rear wall, or the rear wall of the washing drum adjacent to the housing part. The ring body has a conical shape and a sliding element, made of felt and bonded to the ring body, is located at its tapered end.
[0008] A disadvantage of this solution is that the coefficients of sliding friction between the individual components are very high.
[0009] A further disadvantage is that fluctuating or different contact forces due to axial movements and tolerances of the washing drum negatively affect the profile arrangement.
[0010] Another disadvantage of the state of the art is that, due to the high sliding friction values and the significantly higher contact forces, the laundry treatment machines consume more energy.
[0011] The invention is therefore based on the objective of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art and providing laundry treatment machines with profile arrangements that can be manufactured economically and sustainably, that can be operated quietly when used as intended, and that lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption over their service life.
[0012] The invention further aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide profile arrangements for laundry treatment machines that are economical and sustainable to manufacture, operate quietly when used as intended, and lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption over their service life. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.
[0013] According to a first aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a laundry treatment machine comprising a rotatable washing drum with a drum shell that includes a front and / or rear end plate viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the washing drum, and further comprising a bearing plate and a profile arrangement, wherein a free end of the end plate is spaced apart from a free end of the bearing plate, wherein the profile arrangement is arranged between the free end of the end plate and the free end of the bearing plate, wherein the washing drum is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis, wherein the profile arrangement is made of a polymeric material, wherein the profile arrangement has a base and a clamping device, wherein the clamping device engages the free end of the end plate or the free end of the bearing plate.wherein the base of the profile arrangement is operatively connected to the free end of the bearing shield or the free end of the end face via the clamping device, and wherein the base of the profile arrangement is at least partially made of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75.
[0014] This achieves the technical advantage of providing a laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement that, through reduced frictional forces, leads to a significant reduction in energy consumption and thus enables an increase in the energy efficiency class of the laundry treatment machine. Furthermore, the profile arrangement used can be employed both statically and dynamically.
[0015] A further advantage is that the profile arrangement can be mounted both on the stationary bearing plate and on the free ends of the end faces of the rotating washing drum.
[0016] It is also considered advantageous that the elastic basis of the profile arrangement makes it possible to achieve a constant contact pressure throughout the service life of the laundry treatment machine, even with fluctuating rotation. A further advantage of the laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement is that both material and manufacturing costs are very low, while the necessary raw materials are more readily available. As a result, this profile arrangement has a significantly lower carbon footprint than profile arrangements in the prior art.
[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the clamping device of the profile arrangement surrounds the free end of the end face or the free end of the bearing shield in a sealing manner.
[0018] This achieves the technical advantage that the profile arrangement for laundry treatment machines with differently designed washing drums and bearing shields can be sealed by the optimized profile arrangement.
[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the profile arrangement comprises a sealing element which is in operative contact with the free end of the bearing shield or the free end of the end face.
[0020] This achieves the technical advantage that the profile arrangement can be optimally used in various constructed laundry treatment machines, both during manufacturing and repair.
[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the profile arrangement comprises a sealing element which seals the drum shell against the bearing shield via the free end of the end face or the free end of the bearing shield.
[0022] This achieves the technical advantage of preventing lint that occurs in the washing drum during normal use of the laundry treatment machine from escaping from the washing drum.
[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the coefficient of friction p of friction between the profile arrangement and the free end of the end face or the free end of the bearing shield is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, in particular measured based on DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0024] This achieves the technical advantage that, when the laundry treatment machine is used as intended, the noise level is greatly reduced and the energy consumption is very low due to the low friction between the profile arrangement and the components of the laundry treatment machine.
[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the mechanical power required to rotate the washing drum is a maximum of 25 W, preferably a maximum of 20 W, and particularly preferably a maximum of 15 W.
[0026] The mechanical power required to rotate the washing drum can be measured at the drive shaft along the longitudinal axis of the laundry machine and, for example, calculated from the product of torque and angular velocity about the longitudinal axis using the formula P=M*w. The angular velocity (w) about the longitudinal axis of the washing drum can be determined parallel to the direction vector e.
[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, at a rotational speed of the washing drum of 50 rpm, the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement on the at least one bearing shield is a maximum of 2 to 5 W, preferably 2 to 4 W, wherein in particular the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement on the at least one bearing shield depends on the rotational speed and the drum radius of the washing drum.
[0028] The reduction of friction loss can be independent of user behavior, such as the load of the washing drum, and depend only on the rotational speed and the drum radius of the washing drum.
[0029] The rotational speed n can be determined, for example, using the formula n = cü / 2iT. The power loss can be determined, for example, using the formula P_verl = w * M = 2 * TT * n * M. According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the base of the profile arrangement is integrally and / or materially and / or force-fit connected to a sealing element of the profile arrangement and / or the clamping device.
[0030] This achieves the technical advantage that the manufacturing costs of the profile arrangement can be significantly reduced, and sustainable production is possible, for example, using extrusion, co-extrusion, or post-co-extrusion processes.
[0031] Particularly in the case of a force-fit connection, the components of the profile assembly for the laundry treatment machine can be manufactured cost-effectively in individual production steps, so that the assembly of the profile assembly for the
[0032] Retrofitting a laundry treatment machine is possible.
[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the
[0034] The clamping device and / or the base and / or a sealing element of the profile arrangement shall have at least one recess, in particular a punched-out section.
[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the recess, in particular the punching, of the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement is prismatic, or semicircular, or round or triangular in cross-section.
[0036] This achieves the technical advantage that optimized profile arrangements can be provided which can be optimally adapted to a wide variety of geometries, especially radii or diameters of washing drums.
[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, a sealing element of the profile arrangement and / or the clamping device of the profile arrangement is at least partially made of a polymeric material with a Shore D hardness of 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 70, according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10. This achieves the technical advantage that profile arrangements can be provided which, in particular, optimally connect or seal a free end of an end plate or a free end of a bearing plate of the laundry treatment machine.
[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the profile arrangement has at least one identification element.
[0039] This surprisingly makes it possible to place an identification element at a prominent point in the profile arrangement, which is not immediately visible or recognizable during the intended use of the laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement.
[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the identification element is applied at least partially by means of sympathetic ink.
[0041] In the context of this invention, sympathetic ink shall be understood to be an ink that is either not immediately visible or recognizable, or that changes its properties after a certain period of time.
[0042] Thus, laundry treatment machines with a profile arrangement can be made available that are both economical and cost-effective to manufacture, but which also have at least one piece of information that is not immediately visible or recognizable.
[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the identification element includes at least one piece of information recognizable by an identification device, such as the manufacturer's name, the material name, the article number, and the like.
[0044] Thus, laundry treatment machines with a profile arrangement can be made available that are economical and sustainable to manufacture, have an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and contain important information that is not immediately apparent to everyone during normal use. According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the identification element is designed to be visible in electromagnetic radiation within the optical frequency range of approximately 100 nm to approximately 400 nm.
[0045] This advantageous design of the identification element makes it possible to realize a laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement that is extremely economical and cost-effective to manufacture, but which can also be characterized by simple identification devices, such as a so-called UV lamp, with regard to previously invisible or unrecognizable information.
[0046] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the identification element is designed, for example, as an RFID code and / or QR code.
[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile assembly is based on polyolefin, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE); a styrene-based polymer, such as polystyrene (PS) or styrene-butadiene copolymer with a predominant styrene content (SB) or acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers (ASA) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS) or styreneacrylonitrile (SAN); polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyoxymethylene (POM); polyamide (PA); polycarbonate (PC); polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA); polyphenylene oxide (PPO); polyetheretherketone (PEEK); polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); liquid crystal polymer (LCP); polyamide-imides (PAI); polyphenylsulfone (PPSII); polyaryletherketone (PAEK); polyacrylonitrile (PAN); polyether ketone (PEK); polyimide (PI); polyisobutene (PIB); polyphthalamide (PPA); polypyrrole (PPY); Polyurethane (PUR); polyvinyl alcohol (PVA);Polyvinyl acetate (PVAC) and mixtures of at least two of these materials;
[0048] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement is advantageously designed such that the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement contains at least one of the following additives: stabilizers to improve resistance to light exposure, UV radiation, and weathering; stabilizers to improve thermal and thermo-oxidative resistance; stabilizers to improve hydrolytic resistance; stabilizers to improve acidolytic resistance; lubricants; demolding aids; coloring additives; crystallization-regulating substances and nucleating agents; flame retardants; impact modifiers; fillers; and / or plasticizers. The additives may advantageously comprise renewable raw materials in amounts of approximately 0.01 to 100%, preferably 20 to 100%, and particularly preferably 40 to 100%.
[0049] Thus, a laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement can be provided that is both economical and sustainable to manufacture, but also realizes the functions known from the state of the art, such as energy consumption, noise generation, and condensation rate.
[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect, the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element is based on a halogen-free polymeric material, preferably polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), styrene-ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymer (SEBS), polyamide (PA), thermoplastic olefin-based elastomer (TPO), thermoplastic urethane-based elastomer (TPU), thermoplastic copolyester (TPO), styrene block copolymers (SBS, SEBS, SEPS, SEEPS and MBS), thermoplastic copolyamide (TPA) and the like.
[0051] The polymeric material can advantageously contain renewable raw materials of approximately 0.01 to 100%, preferably 20 to 100%, and particularly preferably 40 to 100%. This approach has the advantage that the material is readily available at low cost, easy to process, and also simple to chemically modify.
[0052] For the production of a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine, it is advantageous to use machine-readable, three-dimensional models.
[0053] The invention also includes a method for generating a machine-readable, three-dimensional model for use in a manufacturing process for a profile arrangement of the laundry treatment machine. In particular, the method includes inputting data representing a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine into a data processing machine and using this data to represent a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine as a three-dimensional model, wherein the three-dimensional model is suitable for use in the manufacture of a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine.
[0054] The profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine can be manufactured wholly or partially using a line-by-line or layer-by-layer manufacturing process. A 3D dataset is a significant advantage during the assembly or manufacturing process. The process also includes a technique in which the input data from one or more 3D scanners, operating either on contact or non-contact (where, in the latter case, energy is emitted onto a profile arrangement of the laundry treatment machine and the reflected energy is received), is used to generate a virtual three-dimensional model of the profile arrangement of the laundry treatment machine using computer-aided design software.
[0055] The manufacturing process can include an additive powder bed process, in particular selective laser melting (SLM), selective laser sintering (SLS), selective heat sintering (SHS), selective electron beam melting (EBM / Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing - EBAM) or solidification of powder material using binder (binder jetting).
[0056] The manufacturing process may include an additive manufacturing process, in particular welding, wax deposition modeling (WDM), contour crafting, metal powder deposition (MPA), plastic powder deposition, cold gas spraying, electron beam welding (EBW), or fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF). The manufacturing process may also include an additive liquid material process, in particular stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), multi-jet modeling (MJM), polyjet modeling, or liquid composite molding (LCM). Furthermore, the manufacturing process may include other additive layer-by-layer processes, in particular laminated object modeling (LOM), 3D screen printing, or light-controlled electrophoretic deposition.
[0057] According to a second aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine, the laundry treatment machine comprising the profile arrangement, a rotatable washing drum with a drum shell comprising a front and / or rear end plate viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the washing drum, and further comprising a bearing plate, wherein a free end of the end plate is arranged spaced apart from a free end of the bearing plate, wherein the profile arrangement is arranged between the free end of the end plate and the free end of the bearing plate, wherein the washing drum is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis, wherein the profile arrangement is made of a polymeric material, wherein the profile arrangement has a base and a clamping device, wherein the clamping device engages the free end of the end plate or the free end of the bearing plate.wherein the base of the profile arrangement is operatively connected to the free end of the bearing shield or the free end of the end face via the clamping device, and wherein the base of the profile arrangement is at least partially made of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75.
[0058] This achieves the technical advantage of providing a laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement that, through reduced frictional forces, leads to a significant reduction in energy consumption and thus enables an increase in the energy efficiency class of the laundry treatment machine. Furthermore, the profile arrangement used can be employed both statically and dynamically.
[0059] A further advantage is that the profile assembly can be mounted both on the stationary bearing plate and on the free ends of the rotating washing drum's end faces. It is also considered advantageous that the elastic base of the profile assembly makes it possible to maintain a constant contact pressure throughout the service life of the laundry treatment machine, even with fluctuating rotation.
[0060] Another advantage of the laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement is that both the material costs and the manufacturing costs are at a very low level, while at the same time the required raw materials are more readily available, so that this profile arrangement has a significantly lower “CO2 footprint” than the profile arrangements in the known prior art.
[0061] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the clamping device of the profile arrangement surrounds the free end of the end face or the free end of the bearing shield in a sealing manner.
[0062] This achieves the technical advantage that the profile arrangement for laundry treatment machines with differently designed washing drums and bearing shields can be sealed by the optimized profile arrangement.
[0063] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the profile arrangement comprises a sealing element which is in operative contact with the free end of the bearing shield or the free end of the end face.
[0064] This achieves the technical advantage that the profile arrangement can be optimally used in various constructed laundry treatment machines, both during manufacturing and repair.
[0065] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the profile arrangement comprises a sealing element which seals the drum shell against the bearing shield via the free end of the end face or the free end of the bearing shield.
[0066] This achieves the technical advantage of preventing lint generated in the washing drum during normal use of the laundry treatment machine from escaping. According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the coefficient of friction between the profile arrangement and the free end of the end face or the free end of the bearing shield is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, and particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, especially when measured according to DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0067] This achieves the technical advantage that, when the laundry treatment machine is used as intended, the noise level is greatly reduced and the energy consumption is very low due to the low friction between the profile arrangement and the components of the laundry treatment machine.
[0068] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the mechanical power required to rotate the washing drum is a maximum of 25 W, preferably a maximum of 20 W, and particularly preferably a maximum of 15 W.
[0069] The mechanical power required to rotate the washing drum can be measured at the drive shaft along the longitudinal axis of the laundry machine and, for example, calculated from the product of torque and angular velocity about the longitudinal axis using the formula P=M*w. The angular velocity (w) about the longitudinal axis of the washing drum can be determined parallel to the direction vector e.
[0070] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, at a rotational speed of the washing drum of 50 rpm, the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement on the at least one bearing shield is a maximum of 2 to 5 W, preferably 2 to 4 W, wherein in particular the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement on the at least one bearing shield depends on the rotational speed and the drum radius of the washing drum.
[0071] The reduction of friction loss can be independent of user behavior, such as the load size of the washing drum, and depend solely on the rotational speed and the drum radius. The rotational speed n can be determined, for example, using the formula n = cü / 2iT. The power loss can be determined, for example, using the formula P_verl = w * M = 2 * TT * n * M.
[0072] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the base of the profile arrangement is integrally and / or materially bonded and / or force-fit connected to a sealing element of the profile arrangement and / or the clamping device.
[0073] This achieves the technical advantage that the manufacturing costs of the profile arrangement can be significantly reduced, and sustainable production is possible, for example, using extrusion, co-extrusion, or post-co-extrusion processes.
[0074] Particularly in the case of a force-fit connection, the components of the profile assembly for the laundry treatment machine can be manufactured cost-effectively in individual production steps, so that the assembly of the profile assembly for the
[0075] Retrofitting a laundry treatment machine is possible.
[0076] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the
[0077] The clamping device and / or the base and / or a sealing element of the profile arrangement shall have at least one recess, in particular a punched-out section.
[0078] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the recess, in particular the punching, of the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement is prismatic, or semicircular, or round or triangular in cross-section.
[0079] This achieves the technical advantage that optimized profile arrangements can be provided which can be optimally adapted to a wide variety of geometries, especially radii or diameters of washing drums.
[0080] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, a sealing element of the profile arrangement and / or the clamping device of the profile arrangement is at least partially made of a polymeric material with a Shore D hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 70.
[0081] This achieves the technical advantage that profile arrangements can be provided which optimally connect or seal a free end of an end plate or a free end of a bearing plate of the laundry treatment machine.
[0082] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the profile arrangement has at least one identification element.
[0083] This surprisingly makes it possible to place an identification element at a prominent point in the profile arrangement, which is not immediately visible or recognizable during the intended use of the laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement.
[0084] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the identification element is applied at least partially by means of sympathetic ink.
[0085] In the context of this invention, sympathetic ink shall be understood to be an ink that is either not immediately visible or recognizable, or that changes its properties after a certain period of time.
[0086] Thus, profile arrangements for a laundry treatment machine can be provided that are both economical and cost-effective to manufacture, but which also contain at least one piece of information that is not immediately visible or recognizable.
[0087] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the identification element includes at least one piece of information recognizable by an identification device, such as the manufacturer's name, material specifications, article number, and the like. This makes it possible to provide profile arrangements for laundry treatment machines that are economical and sustainable to manufacture, have a visually appealing appearance, and contain important information that is not immediately apparent to everyone during normal use.
[0088] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the identification element is designed to be visible in electromagnetic radiation in the optical frequency range of about 100 nm to about 400 nm.
[0089] This advantageous design of the identification element makes it possible to create a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine that is extremely economical and cost-effective to manufacture, but which can also be characterized by simple identification devices, such as a so-called UV lamp, with regard to previously invisible or unrecognizable information.
[0090] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the identification element is designed, for example, as an RFID code and / or QR code.
[0091] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile assembly is based on polyolefin, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE); a styrene-based polymer, such as polystyrene (PS) or styrene-butadiene copolymer with a predominant styrene content (SB) or acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymers (ASA) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS) or styreneacrylonitrile (SAN); polybutylene terephthalate (PBT); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyoxymethylene (POM); polyamide (PA); polycarbonate (PC); polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA); polyphenylene oxide (PPO); polyetheretherketone (PEEK); polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); liquid crystal polymer (LCP); polyamide-imides (PAI); polyphenylsulfone (PPSII); polyaryletherketone (PAEK); polyacrylonitrile (PAN); polyether ketone (PEK); polyimide (PI); polyisobutene (PIB); polyphthalamide (PPA); polypyrrole (PPY); Polyurethane (PUR); polyvinyl alcohol (PVA);Polyvinyl acetate (PVAC) and mixtures of at least two of these materials;
[0092] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine is advantageously designed such that the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement contains at least one of the following additives: stabilizers to improve resistance to light exposure, UV radiation, and weathering; stabilizers to improve thermal and thermo-oxidative resistance; stabilizers to improve hydrolytic resistance; stabilizers to improve acidolytic resistance; lubricants; demolding aids; coloring additives; crystallization-regulating substances and nucleating agents; flame retardants; impact modifiers; fillers; and / or plasticizers. The additives may advantageously comprise renewable raw materials in amounts of approximately 0.01 to 100%, preferably 20 to 100%, and particularly preferably 40 to 100%.
[0093] Thus, a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine can be provided that is both economical and sustainable to manufacture, but also realizes the functions known from the state of the art, such as energy consumption, noise generation, and condensation rate.
[0094] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect, the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element is based on a halogen-free polymeric material, preferably polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), styrene-ethylene butadiene styrene block copolymer (SEBS), polyamide (PA), thermoplastic olefin-based elastomer (TPO), thermoplastic urethane-based elastomer (TPU), thermoplastic copolyester (TPO), styrene block copolymers (SBS, SEBS, SEPS, SEEPS and MBS), thermoplastic copolyamide (TPA) and the like.
[0095] The polymeric material can advantageously contain renewable raw materials of approximately 0.01 to 100%, preferably 20 to 100%, and particularly preferably 40 to 100%. This approach has the advantage that the material is readily available at low cost, easy to process, and also simple to chemically modify.
[0096] For the production of a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine, it is advantageous to use machine-readable, three-dimensional models. The invention also includes a method for generating a machine-readable, three-dimensional model for use in a manufacturing process for a profile arrangement of the laundry treatment machine.
[0097] In this process, the method also includes in particular the input of data representing a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine into a data processing machine and the use of this data to represent a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine as three-dimensional models, wherein the three-dimensional model is suitable for use in the manufacture of a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine.
[0098] The profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine can be manufactured wholly or partially using a line-by-line or layer-by-layer manufacturing process. A 3D dataset is a significant advantage during the assembly or manufacturing process. The process also includes a technique in which the input data from one or more 3D scanners, operating either on contact or non-contact (where, in the latter case, energy is emitted onto a profile arrangement of the laundry treatment machine and the reflected energy is received), is used to generate a virtual three-dimensional model of the profile arrangement of the laundry treatment machine using computer-aided design software.
[0099] The manufacturing process can include an additive powder bed process, in particular selective laser melting (SLM), selective laser sintering (SLS), selective heat sintering (SHS), selective electron beam melting (EBM / Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing - EBAM) or solidification of powder material using binder (binder jetting).
[0100] The manufacturing process may include an additive manufacturing process, in particular welding, wax deposition modeling (WDM), contour crafting, metal powder deposition (MPA), plastic powder deposition, cold gas spraying, electron beam welding (EBW), or fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF). The manufacturing process may also include an additive liquid material process, in particular stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), multi-jet modeling (MJM), polyjet modeling, or liquid composite molding (LCM). Furthermore, the manufacturing process may include other additive layer-by-layer processes, in particular laminated object modeling (LOM), 3D screen printing, or light-controlled electrophoretic deposition.
[0101] According to a third aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a laundry treatment machine with a rotating washing drum having a drum shell which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the washing drum, wherein at least one free end of at least one end plate is arranged spaced apart from at least one free end of at least one bearing plate, is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis with an interposed profile arrangement, wherein the profile arrangement is made of a polymeric material, is characterized in that the profile arrangement has at least one base, and that the profile arrangement is in operative connection with the at least one free end of at least one bearing plate or the at least one free end of at least one end plate.that the base is operatively connected, at least partially, to at least one free end of at least one end face or at least one free end of at least one bearing shield via at least one clamping device; that the base of the profile arrangement is made at least partially of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of approximately 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75; that the clamping device encompasses at least one free end of at least one end face or at least one free end of at least one bearing shield.
[0102] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the clamping device of the sealing arrangement surrounds the at least one free end of an end face or the at least one free end of a bearing shield in a sealing manner.
[0103] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the profile arrangement is operatively connected via the at least one sealing element to at least one free end of at least one bearing shield or to the at least one free end of at least one end face. According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the profile arrangement seals the at least one free end of at least one end face or the at least one free end of at least one bearing shield via the at least one sealing element.
[0104] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement and the at least one free end of at least one end face or at least one free end of at least one bearing shield is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0105] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the mechanical power for rotation (P) of the washing drum with at least one profile arrangement, measured at a drive shaft in the longitudinal axis of the laundry treatment machine, is a maximum of 25 W, preferably a maximum of 20 W, particularly preferably a maximum of 15 W, determined from the product of torque (M) and angular velocity (co) about the longitudinal axis, according to the formula P=M*w.
[0106] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, at a rotational speed n determined according to the formula n = W / 2TT of approximately 50 rpm or 0.83 rpm, the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement 10 on the at least one bearing shield is only about 2 to 5 W, preferably 2 to 4 W, determined according to the formula
[0107] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the base of the profile arrangement is integrally and / or materially bonded and / or force-fit connected to the sealing element and / or the clamping device.
[0108] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement has at least one recess.
[0109] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the recess of the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement is, in cross-section, approximately prismatic, semicircular, round, triangular and the like.
[0110] According to an advantageous embodiment of the third aspect, the sealing element and / or the clamping device of the profile arrangement is at least partially made of a polymeric material with a Shore D hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 70.
[0111] According to a fourth aspect, the problem according to the invention is solved by a profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine with a rotating washing drum having a drum shell which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the washing drum, wherein at least one free end of at least one end plate is arranged spaced apart from at least one free end of at least one bearing plate, is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis with an interposed profile arrangement, wherein the profile arrangement is made of a polymeric material, is characterized in that the profile arrangement has at least one base, and that the profile arrangement is in operative connection with the at least one free end of at least one bearing plate or the at least one free end of at least one end plate.that the base is operatively connected, at least partially, to at least one free end of at least one end face or at least one free end of at least one bearing shield via at least one clamping device; that the base of the profile arrangement is made at least partially of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of approximately 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75; that the clamping device encompasses at least one free end of at least one end face or at least one free end of at least one bearing shield.
[0112] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the clamping device of the sealing arrangement surrounds the at least one free end of at least one end face or the at least one free end of a bearing shield in a sealing manner.
[0113] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the profile arrangement is operatively connected via the at least one sealing element to the at least one free end of at least one bearing shield or the at least one free end of at least one end face.
[0114] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the profile arrangement seals the at least one free end of at least one end face or the at least one free end of at least one bearing shield via the at least one sealing element.
[0115] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement and the at least one free end of at least one end face or the at least one free end of at least one bearing shield is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0116] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the mechanical power for rotation (P) of the washing drum with at least one profile arrangement, measured at a drive shaft in the longitudinal axis of the laundry treatment machine, is a maximum of 25 W, preferably a maximum of 20 W, particularly preferably a maximum of 15 W, determined from the product of torque (M) and angular velocity (co) about the longitudinal axis, according to the formula P=M*w.
[0117] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, at a rotational speed n determined according to the formula n = W / 2TT of approximately 50 rpm or 0.83 rpm, the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement 10 on the at least one bearing shield is only about 2 to 5 W, preferably 2 to 4 W, determined according to the formula
[0118] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the base of the profile arrangement is integrally and / or materially bonded and / or force-fit connected to the sealing element and / or the clamping device.
[0119] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement has at least one recess. According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the recess of the clamping device and / or the base and / or the sealing element of the profile arrangement is, in cross-section, approximately prismatic, semicircular, round, triangular, or the like.
[0120] According to an advantageous embodiment of the fourth aspect, the sealing element and / or the clamping device of the profile arrangement is at least partially made of a polymeric material with a Shore D hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 70.
[0121] Embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the first aspect are also embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the second aspect. In particular, embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the first aspect are also embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the third aspect and of the profile arrangement according to the fourth aspect.
[0122] Embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the second aspect are also embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the first aspect. In particular, embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the second aspect are also embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the third aspect and the profile arrangement according to the fourth aspect.
[0123] Embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the third aspect are also embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the fourth aspect. In particular, embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the third aspect are also embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the first aspect and of the profile arrangement according to the second aspect.
[0124] Embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the fourth aspect are also embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the third aspect. In particular, embodiments of the profile arrangement according to the fourth aspect are also embodiments of the laundry treatment machine according to the first aspect and the profile arrangement according to the second aspect. The profile arrangement for a laundry treatment machine will now be described in more detail using these non-limiting exemplary embodiments.
[0125] They show:
[0126] Fig. 1 : perspective partial sectional view of a laundry treatment machine;
[0127] Fig. 2a: Perspective partial sectional view of a profile arrangement with
[0128] Components of a laundry treatment machine;
[0129] Fig. 2b: Perspective partial sectional view of components of a
[0130] Laundry treatment machine with a profile arrangement
[0131] Fig. 3a: Perspective detail section view of another profile arrangement with
[0132] Components of a laundry treatment machine;
[0133] Fig. 3b: Perspective detailed section view of components of another
[0134] Laundry treatment machine with an additional profile arrangement
[0135] Fig. 4: Perspective view of a profile arrangement of a
[0136] Laundry treatment machine;
[0137] Fig. 5: Perspective view of another profile arrangement of a
[0138] Laundry treatment machine; and
[0139] Fig. 6: Schematic representation of a drum layer in a
[0140] Laundry treatment machine.
[0141] Figure 1 shows a perspective partial section view of a laundry treatment machine 1.
[0142] In this embodiment, the laundry treatment machine 1 has a body that is generally made of metal elements. Furthermore, the laundry treatment machine 1 has a door 21 through which, under normal use, damp or wet laundry can generally be placed into the washing drum 2.
[0143] In this partial sectional view of the laundry treatment machine 1, at least the washing drum 2, which has a drum shell 3, is shown.
[0144] Furthermore, in the laundry treatment machine 1, at least one end plate 5 is arranged on the washing drum 2, which in this embodiment is designed as a front end plate.
[0145] Figure 2a shows a perspective partial sectional view of a profile arrangement 10 with components of a laundry treatment machine 1.
[0146] The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 with a rotating washing drum 2 having a drum shell 3, which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate 5 as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 4 of the washing drum 2, wherein at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5 is spaced apart from at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6, is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis 4 with an interposed profile arrangement 10, wherein the profile arrangement 10 is made of a polymeric material, wherein the profile arrangement 10 has at least one base, and wherein the profile arrangement 10 is connected to the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 or the at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate
[0147] 5 is operatively connected such that the base is at least partially connected via at least one clamping device 8 to the at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing shield
[0148] 6 is operatively connected by the fact that the base of the profile arrangement 10 is at least partially made of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of approximately 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75, and that the clamping device 8 engages at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6. Figure 2b shows a perspective partial sectional view of components of a laundry treatment machine 1 of a profile arrangement 10.
[0149] The laundry treatment machine 1 with a rotating washing drum 2 with a drum shell 3, which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate 5 as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 4 of the washing drum 2, wherein at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5 is spaced apart from at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6, is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis 4 with an interposed profile arrangement 10, wherein the profile arrangement 10 is made of a polymeric material, wherein the profile arrangement 10 has at least one base, and wherein the profile arrangement 10 is in operative connection with the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 or the at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5.that the base is operatively connected via at least one clamping device 8 at least partially to the at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6, that the base of the profile arrangement 10 is made at least partially of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75, that the clamping device 8 encompasses at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6.
[0150] Figure 3a shows a perspective detail section view of another profile arrangement 10 with components of a laundry treatment machine 1.
[0151] The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 with a rotating washing drum 2 having a drum shell 3, which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate 5 as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 4 of the washing drum 2, wherein at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5 is spaced apart from at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6, is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis 4 with an interposed profile arrangement 10, wherein the profile arrangement 10 is made of a polymeric material, that the profile arrangement 10 has at least one base 11, that the profile arrangement 10 is connected to the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 or the at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate
[0152] 5 is operatively connected such that the base 11 is at least partially connected via at least one clamping device 8 to the at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing shield
[0153] 6 in operative connection is that the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is at least partially made of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75, that the clamping device 8 encompasses at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing shield 6.
[0154] In this embodiment, the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is at least partially made of the soft-elastic material thermoplastic elastomer based on olefins (TPE) with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003- 10 of about 63.
[0155] The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is further designed such that the clamping device 8 of the sealing arrangement 10 seals around at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5. However, it is also within the scope of the invention that the clamping device 8 of the sealing arrangement 10 seals around at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6.
[0156] Furthermore, the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the profile arrangement 10 is operatively connected via the at least one sealing element 7 to at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6. It is also within the scope of the invention that the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is operatively connected via the at least one sealing element 7 to at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5.
[0157] The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 seals at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 via the at least one sealing element 7. Furthermore, it is possible that the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 seals at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 via the at least one sealing element 7.
[0158] Furthermore, the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement 10 and at least one free end 51, at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61, at least one bearing shield 6 is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0159] Within the scope of the invention is also the fact that the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 and at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing shield 6 is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004- 10.
[0160] In this embodiment, the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement 10 and at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 is approximately 0.17, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0161] The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is also designed such that the mechanical power for rotation (P) of the washing drum 2 with at least one profile arrangement 10, measured at a drive shaft in the longitudinal axis 4 of the laundry treatment machine 1, is a maximum of 25 W, preferably a maximum of 20 W, particularly preferably a maximum of 15 W, determined from the product of torque (M) and angular velocity (w) about the longitudinal axis 4, according to the formula P=M*w.
[0162] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is integrally connected to the sealing element 7 and / or the clamping device 8. The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is further designed such that the sealing element 7 and / or the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 is at least partially made of a polymeric material with a Shore D hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of approximately 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 70.
[0163] In this embodiment, the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 is made of the polymeric material polyethylene (PE) with a Shore D hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of approximately 63.
[0164] In this embodiment, the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 is further designed such that the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 is made of the polymeric material polypropylene (PP) with a Shore D hardness of approximately 60 according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10.
[0165] Figure 3b shows a perspective detail section view of components of another laundry treatment machine 1 with another profile arrangement 10.
[0166] The laundry treatment machine 1 with a rotating washing drum 2 with a drum shell 3, which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate 5 as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis 4 of the washing drum 2, wherein at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5 is spaced apart from at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6, is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis 4 with an interposed profile arrangement 10, wherein the profile arrangement 10 is made of a polymeric material, that the profile arrangement 10 has at least one base 11, that the profile arrangement 10 is in operative connection with the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 or the at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5,that the base 11 is operatively connected via at least one clamping device 8 at least partially to the at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or the at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing shield 6, that the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is made at least partially of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75, that the clamping device 8 encompasses at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing shield 6.
[0167] In this embodiment, the laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is at least partially made of the soft-elastic material thermoplastic elastomer based on olefins (TPE) with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of approximately 63,
[0168] The laundry treatment machine 1 with a profile arrangement 10 is further designed such that the clamping device 8 of the sealing arrangement 10 seals around at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5. It is also within the scope of the invention that the clamping device 8 of the sealing arrangement 10 seals around at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6. Furthermore, the laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the profile arrangement 10 is operatively connected to at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 via the at least one sealing element 7. It is also within the scope of the invention that the laundry treatment machine 1 with a profile arrangement 10 is operatively connected to at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 via the at least one sealing element 7.
[0169] The laundry treatment machine 1 is designed such that the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 seals at least one free end 51 of at least one end plate 5 via the at least one sealing element 7. Furthermore, it is possible that the laundry treatment machine 1 seals at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 with a profile arrangement 10 via the at least one sealing element 7.
[0170] Furthermore, the laundry treatment machine 1 is designed with a profile arrangement 10 such that the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement 10 and at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, and particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10. It is also within the scope of the invention that the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine 1 and at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, and particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0171] In this embodiment, the laundry treatment machine 1 is designed with a profile arrangement 10 such that the coefficient of friction p between the profile arrangement 10 and at least one free end 51 of at least one end face 5 or at least one free end 61 of at least one bearing plate 6 is approximately 0.17, measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
[0172] The laundry treatment machine 1 with a profile arrangement 10 is also designed such that the mechanical power for rotation (P) of the washing drum 2 with at least one profile arrangement 10, measured at a drive shaft in the longitudinal axis 4 of the laundry treatment machine 1, is a maximum of 25 W, preferably a maximum of 20 W, and particularly preferably a maximum of 15 W, determined from the product of torque (M) and angular velocity (w) about the longitudinal axis 4, according to the formula P=M*w. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the laundry treatment machine 1 with a profile arrangement 10 is designed such that the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is integrally connected to the sealing element 7 and / or the clamping device 8.
[0173] Furthermore, the laundry treatment machine 1 is designed with a profile arrangement 10 such that the sealing element 7 and / or the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 is at least partially made of a polymeric material with a Shore D hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 70.
[0174] In this embodiment, the laundry treatment machine 1 with a profile arrangement 10 is designed such that the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 is made of the polymeric material polyethylene (PE) with a Shore D hardness of approximately 63 according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10. In this embodiment, the laundry treatment machine 1 with a profile arrangement 10 is further designed such that the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 is made of the polymeric material polypropylene (PP) with a Shore D hardness of approximately 60 according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10.
[0175] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine.
[0176] The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine comprises at least one base 11, at least one sealing element 7, and at least one clamping device 8. The base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is integrally and / or materially and / or force-fit connected to the sealing element 7 and / or the clamping device 8. In this embodiment, the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is integrally and materially connected to the clamping device 8 and also materially connected to the sealing element 7. In this embodiment, the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 has a cross-section approximately three-quarters circular. The clamping device 8 is made of the polymeric material polyamide (PA) with a Shore D hardness of approximately 70 according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10.
[0177] In this embodiment, the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 is made of the polymeric material polyethylene (PE) with a Shore D hardness of approximately 55 according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10.
[0178] Furthermore, the profile arrangement 10 is designed such that the clamping device 8 and / or the base 11 and / or the sealing element 7 has at least one recess 9.
[0179] In this embodiment, the profile arrangement 10 is designed such that the base 11 and the sealing element 7 have recesses 9.
[0180] In this embodiment, the recesses 9 in the base 11 and the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 have an approximately semicircular cross-section. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recesses 9 in the base 11 and the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 are arranged approximately equidistant from one another.
[0181] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of another profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine.
[0182] The profile arrangement 10 for a laundry treatment machine comprises at least one base 11, at least one sealing element 7, and at least one clamping device 8. The base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is integrally and / or materially and / or force-fit connected to the sealing element 7 and / or the clamping device 8.
[0183] In this embodiment, the base 11 of the profile arrangement 10 is materially bonded to the clamping device 8, for example by a joining process such as gluing, welding, and the like, and force-fitted to the sealing element 7. In this embodiment, the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 has an approximately semicircular cross-section. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 is made of the polymeric material polypropylene with a Shore D hardness of approximately 80 according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10.
[0184] In this embodiment, the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 is made of the polymeric material polyethylene with a Shore D hardness of approximately 45 according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10.
[0185] Furthermore, the profile arrangement 10 is designed such that the clamping device 8 and / or the base 11 and / or the sealing element 7 has at least one recess 9.
[0186] In this embodiment, the profile arrangement 10 is designed such that the base 11, the sealing element 7, and the clamping device 8 each have recesses 9. In this embodiment, the recesses 9 in the base 11 and the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 have an approximately triangular cross-section. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recesses 9 in the base 11 and the sealing element 7 of the profile arrangement 10 are arranged approximately equidistant from one another.
[0187] In this embodiment, the recesses 9 in the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 are approximately prismatic. Furthermore, the recesses 9 in the clamping device 8 of the profile arrangement 10 are arranged approximately equidistant from one another.
[0188] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a drum position in a laundry treatment machine 1 with a washing drum 2 and a bearing plate 6. Figure 6 illustrates the more pronounced variance of the drum position of the
[0189] Washing drum 2 in relation to bearing plate 6 in the horizontal direction 100-1 versus the vertical direction 100-2. The variance of the drum position of the
[0190] The variance in the horizontal direction of washing drum 2 can be, for example, several times, in particular about three times, the variance in the vertical direction 100-2.
[0191] Current axial drum seals often not only have a higher frictional resistance than a radial drum seal, but can also be subject to the problem that, due to the tolerance situation, larger variations can occur from laundry treatment machine 1 to laundry treatment machine 1 than with a radially sealing principle.
[0192] As shown in Figure 6, this can specifically mean that the change in position of the washing drum 2 relative to the bearing plate 6 in horizontal, i.e. axial, position or direction 100-1 from washing machine 1 (not shown in Figure 6) to washing machine 1 can fluctuate significantly more than in vertical, i.e. radial, position or direction 100-2.
[0193] If the seal is designed in a radial principle, as shown for the sealing arrangement 10 (not shown in Fig. 6) in the preceding figures, then the frictional force from laundry treatment machine 1 to laundry treatment machine 1 is subject to less fluctuation than in a laundry treatment machine 1 with axially designed seals.
[0194] On the other hand, dryers can be designed in such a way that, given the prevailing tolerance with an axial sealing principle, the overlap between the seal and the washing drum 2 must be ensured in every case, which means that, in order to achieve an overlap that can always be guaranteed, the design results in the axial seal being more compressed than a similarly sealing seal with a radial sealing principle.
[0195] Furthermore, the problem can arise that when laying a flat profile around a radius, the seal lingers or bulges, because the outermost fiber of the profile is stretched more than the inner one, or conversely, the inner fiber is compressed more than the outer one.
[0196] This is overcome by the profile arrangement 10 shown in the preceding figures for the laundry treatment machine 1 or by the laundry treatment machine 1 according to the invention with the profile arrangement 10, i.e. a reduction of the frictional resistance during drum rotation and thus a reduction in the energy requirement for drying is achieved.
[0197] Furthermore, it is achieved that the design of the preload can be reduced compared to the axial solution, since the tolerance variation is lower.
[0198] In order to achieve that a flat profile can be placed around a radius without buckling, a recess 9, in particular a punching, for example in various shapes, which is not shown in Fig. 6, can be made at a certain distance, as already described in relation to the preceding figures.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Laundry treatment machine (1) comprising a rotatable washing drum (2) with a drum shell (3) comprising a front and / or rear end plate (5) as viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the washing drum (2), and further comprising a bearing plate (6) and a profile arrangement (10), wherein a free end (51) of the end plate (5) is spaced apart from a free end (61) of the bearing plate (6), wherein the profile arrangement (10) is arranged between the free end (51) of the end plate (5) and the free end (61) of the bearing plate (6), wherein the washing drum (2) is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis (4), wherein the profile arrangement (10) is made of a polymeric material, characterized in that the profile arrangement (10) has a base (11) and a clamping device (8), and that the clamping device (8) clamps the free end (51) of the end plate (5) or the free end (61) of the bearing plate (6). encompassesthat the base (11) of the profile arrangement (10) is operatively connected to the free end (61) of the bearing shield (6) or the free end (51) of the end face (5) via the clamping device (8), and that the base (11) of the profile arrangement (10) is at least partially made of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75.
2. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the clamping device (8) of the profile arrangement (10) seals around the free end (51) of the end face (5) or the free end (61) of the bearing shield (6).
3. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile arrangement (10) comprises a sealing element (7) which is in operative connection with the free end (61) of the bearing shield (6) or the free end (51) of the end face (5).
4. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile arrangement (10) comprises a sealing element (7) which extends over the free end (51) of the end face (5) or the free end (61) of the bearing shield (6) seals the drum shell (3) against the bearing shield (6).
5. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coefficient of friction between the profile arrangement (10) and the free end (51) of the end face (5) or the free end (61) of the bearing shield (6) is a maximum of 0.20, preferably a maximum of 0.15, particularly preferably a maximum of 0.12, in particular measured based on DIN EN ISO 8295:2004-10.
6. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical power for rotation (P) of the laundry drum (2) is a maximum of 25 W, preferably a maximum of 20 W, particularly preferably a maximum of 15 W.
7. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at a rotational speed of the washing drum (2) of 50 rpm, the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement (10) on the at least one bearing plate (6) is a maximum of 2 to 5 W, preferably 2 to 4 W, wherein in particular the power loss due to friction of the profile arrangement (10) on the at least one bearing plate (6) depends on the rotational speed and the drum radius of the washing drum (2).
8. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (11) of the profile arrangement (10) is integrally and / or materially bonded and / or force-fit connected to a sealing element (7) of the profile arrangement (10) and / or the clamping device (8).
9. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (8) and / or the base (11) and / or a sealing element (7) of the profile arrangement (10) has at least one recess (9), in particular a punched-out section.
10. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the recess (9), in particular the punching, of the clamping device (8) and / or the base (11) and / or the sealing element (7) of the profile arrangement (10) is prismatic, or semicircular, or round or triangular in cross-section.
11. Laundry treatment machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing element (7) of the profile arrangement (10) and / or the clamping device (8) of the profile arrangement (10) is at least partially made of a polymeric material with a Shore D hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 70.
12. Profile arrangement (10) for a laundry treatment machine (1), the laundry treatment machine (1) comprising the profile arrangement (10), a rotatable washing drum (2) with a drum shell (3) comprising a front and / or rear end plate (5) viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the washing drum (2), and further comprising a bearing plate (6), wherein a free end (51) of the end plate (5) is spaced apart from a free end (61) of the bearing plate (6), wherein the profile arrangement (10) is arranged between the free end (51) of the end plate (5) and the free end (61) of the bearing plate (6), wherein the washing drum (2) is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis (4), wherein the profile arrangement (10) is made of a polymeric material, characterized in that the profile arrangement (10) has a base (11) and a clamping device (8),that the clamping device (8) encompasses the free end (51) of the end face (5) or the free end (61) of the bearing shield (6), that the base (11) of the profile arrangement (10) is operatively connected to the free end (61) of the bearing shield (6) or the free end (51) of the end face (5) via the clamping device (8), and that the base (11) of the profile arrangement (10) is at least partially made of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75.
13. Laundry treatment machine (1) with a rotating washing drum (2) with a drum shell (3) which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate (5) viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the washing drum (2), wherein at least one free end (51) of at least one end plate (5) is spaced apart from at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing plate (6), is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis (4) with an interposed profile arrangement (10), wherein the profile arrangement (10) is made of a polymeric material, wherein the profile arrangement (10) has at least one base (11), and wherein the profile arrangement (10) is operatively connected with the at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing plate (6) or the at least one free end (51) of at least one end plate (5).that the base (11) is operatively connected via at least one clamping device (8) at least partially to the at least one free end (51) of at least one end face (5) or the at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing shield (6), that the base (11) of the profile arrangement (10) is made at least partially of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75, that the clamping device (8) encompasses at least one free end (51) of at least one end face (5) or at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing shield (6).
14. Profile arrangement (10) for a laundry treatment machine (1) with a rotating washing drum (2) with a drum shell (3) which is provided with a front and / or rear end plate (5) viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (4) of the washing drum (2), wherein at least one free end (51) of at least one end plate (5) is spaced apart from at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing plate (6), is rotatably arranged about the longitudinal axis (4) with an interposed profile arrangement (10), wherein the profile arrangement (10) is made of a polymeric material, wherein the profile arrangement (10) has at least one base (11), and wherein the profile arrangement (10) is operatively connected with the at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing plate (6) or the at least one free end (51) of at least one end plate (5).that the base (11) is connected at least partially to the at least one free end (51) via at least one clamping device (8), a front end (5) or at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing shield (6) is in operative connection, that the base (11) of the profile arrangement (10) is at least partially made of a soft-elastic material with a Shore A hardness according to DIN EN ISO 868:2003-10 of about 40 to 80, preferably 50 to 75, that the clamping device (8) encompasses at least one free end (51) of at least one front end (5) or at least one free end (61) of at least one bearing shield (6).