CN101796239B - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine comprising an outer tub (1) and a counterweight (3) fastened thereto by means of a screwed connection, said screwed connection having a screw element (9) with two bracing elements (13, 19) at the ends thereof, guided through an opening (17) of the counterweight (3), between which elements the counterweight (3) and a fastening section (29) of the outer tub (1) are braced. According to the invention, at least one of the bracing elements (13, 19) at the ends is configured as a spiked plate (13) having at least one spike-type projection (43) which is forced into the fastening section (29) in the direction of bracing when the counterweight (3) is fastened and non-rotatably secures the spiked plate (13).

Description

washing machine

technical field

The invention relates to a washing machine.

Background technique

In order to support a balanced washing operation of the washing machine, the washing container of the washing machine with the drum rotating inside it is provided with a balance weight. The balance weight can be fixed on the washing container through a threaded connection.

US 2005/005650 A1 discloses a threaded connection for fixing a balancing weight in a washing container of a washing machine. The threaded connection has a screw which passes through the balancing weight in the assembled position and is screwed into a receiving thread of the washing container. In this case, the screw head is in contact with the stop surface of the counterweight facing away from the washing container.

Another threaded connection for fixing the balance weight on the washing container is disclosed by DE 42 38 685 A1, wherein in the assembly position the bolt head is moved away from the balance weight by means of a washer as a spring retainer. The stop surface of the washing container rests against it. The screw head is screwed into a threaded dome made of the same material and constructed in one piece with the washing container. In this case, the threaded dome is introduced into the balancing weight through the mounting hole.

In order to prevent the relative rotation of the threaded connection between the balance weight and the washing container, a screw can be used in a known manner, for which an approximately rectangular stop band is provided between the screw head and the screw shank. The locking strip of the screw is inserted into a corresponding through-opening of the locking plate, which in turn is arranged in a non-rotatable manner relative to the counterweight. Therefore, in order to prevent relative rotation, special bolts provided with stopper bands and stopper plates are required. The assembly and component costs for preventing the relative rotation of the bolts are therefore considerable.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which a counterweight is fastened to the washing container with a small number of components.

This task is solved by a washing machine. The washing machine has a washing container and a balancing weight fastened to the washing container by a threaded connection, wherein the threaded connection has a screw element passing through a bore of the balancing weight together with two end-side clamping elements, the balancing weight and the washing machine. The fastening section of the container is clamped between the two clamping elements, wherein at least one end-side clamping element is designed as a core washer with at least one core-shaped projection which is balanced In the fixed state, the weight is pressed into the fixing section in the clamping direction and fixes the shaft washer in a non-rotatable manner. .

According to the invention, at least one end-side clamping element is designed as a hub washer with at least one hub-shaped projection. In the fixed state of the counterweight, the hub-shaped protrusion presses into the fastening section of the washing container in the clamping direction and thus fixes the hub washer in a non-rotatable manner. As a result, an additional stop plate with an associated stop band, as it is used in the prior art, for the bolt can be dispensed with in the sense of simplifying the assembly and reducing the number of components. Preferably, a large number of mandrel-shaped projections are provided.

The two end-side clamping elements can be nuts and/or screw heads within the meaning of the invention. Optionally, the clamping element can also be a washer which is pressed against the fastening section of the washing container by means of a nut or screw head.

Preferably, the spindle washer according to the invention can be designed as a spindle nut which can be screwed to the screw element. According to the invention, the spindle nut is adjusted independently of the screw used, which screw can be configured conventionally without additional anti-rotation elements.

The core washer can be a deep-drawn sheet metal part, eg, of spring-hardened stainless steel sheet, whereby the core washer can be produced simply in terms of production technology.

Alternatively, the shaft core washer can also be designed as a screw head of a screw element. In this case, the hub-shaped projection of the screw head points in the direction of the threaded shank of the screw element. In this case, the screw serves a dual function not only to secure the tension but also to prevent the screw connection from rotating. In this case, the arbor-shaped projection is arranged on the underside of the screw head facing the washing container fastening section.

As another alternative, the core spacer may be a washer facing the bolt head of the bolt element. The washer is configured such that it is connected to the screw head in a non-rotatable manner. For such a non-rotatable connection, the washer can have a recess whose inner contour matches the outer contour of the screw head (eg hexagonal inner contour). In the fixed state, the screw head engages the inner contour of the recess of the washer in a form-fitting manner, so that the screw cannot be twisted relative to the washer.

In order to simplify assembly, at least one of the hub-shaped projections of the hub spacer has a rounded tip of the hub, so that in the pre-assembled state of the threaded connection, which is not yet firmly tensioned, the following results can be obtained: Advantage: In the pre-assembled state, the shaft washer, with its shaft-shaped projection, also rests loosely against the washing container fastening section. Due to the rounded tip of the hub-shaped projection, the hub washer can easily be moved along the fastening section. In the case of an angled or pointed mandrel tip, such a movement can cause the mandrel-shaped protrusion to “hook” the fastening portion and thus lead to an inflexible movement.

Preferably, the core washer can have a polygonal peripheral profile with an even number of sides. This simplifies the process of placing the tool on the core washer. For further simplification, the hub spacer may have at least one pair of mutually opposite parallel sides. The sides of the spindle spacer serve a double function not only as a tool attachment but also as lateral stops for further preventing twisting of the spindle spacer. For this additional protection against torsion, at least one rotation stop formed on the fastening section can be assigned to the hub washer according to the invention, except for at least one hub-shaped projection of the hub washer, said The rotation stop also ensures the non-rotatability of the threaded connection. Furthermore, the rotation stop formed on the fastening section can have two opposite side walls parallel to one another. The core washer can then be arranged with its lateral stop surfaces in a non-rotatable manner between the two side walls.

In order to increase the function of the core washer, it can have an inner threaded element fastening section and an outer plate-shaped stop section which presses against the washing container fastening section. At least one hub-shaped projection is arranged on the plate-shaped stop section. The inner threaded element fastening section engages securely with the screw in the fastened state of the balancing weight. In a special embodiment, the threaded element fastening section can be a receiving thread into which the screw is screwed.

For a durable and reliable fastening of the balancing weight to the washing container, an additional pretensioning element is preferably assigned to the threaded connection. The pretensioning element permanently maintains the pretensioning force between the clamping element and the counterweight or the washing container fastening section, that is, under the strong dynamic stresses on the threaded connection caused by the operation of the washing machine and during the The same is true during deceleration or plastic or entropic plastic deformation, as can occur under long-term stress especially on the washing container fastening section made of synthetic material and/or other (synthetic material) parts directly assigned to the threaded connection. Appears the same.

According to the invention, the pretensioning element can be integrated in the shaft core washer. The pretensioning element is advantageously a disk-shaped spring section which is arranged between the inner threaded element fastening section and the outer plate-shaped stop section of the spindle washer. The disk-shaped spring section can be designed as a conical section. In the case of a spindle washer configured as a spindle nut, a receiving thread for the threaded element can be provided in the inner threaded element fastening section. In this case, the receiving thread can be arranged in the central bottom region of the spindle washer. As an alternative, the inner screw element fastening section can have a threaded sleeve, on the inner side of which a receiving thread is provided.

In this case, the threaded sleeve is arranged on the side of the shaft washer facing away from the shaft-shaped projection. It is likewise possible to arrange the threaded sleeve on the side of the shaft washer facing the shaft-shaped projection. In a corresponding length, the threaded sleeve can here pass through the fastening section of the washing container together with the threaded rod. Thus, the threaded shaft of the bolt does not come into direct contact with the washing container fastening section, but the smooth outer side of the threaded sleeve of the shaft washer contacts the washing container fastening section.

Furthermore, in the case of a shaft washer configured as a screw head, the inner threaded element fastening section can be connected to the threaded element in a non-rotatable manner, in particular integrally connected.

The washing container fastening section can have a laterally open insertion groove through which the screw element protrudes. Thus, when the clamping elements are loosely screwed on, one of the clamping elements can be inserted into the laterally open insertion groove and moved therein into a predetermined final fastening position. Furthermore, the fastening section of the washing container can form a guide channel. The guide groove can open into the guide channel and extend longitudinally therewith. When assembling the threaded connection, the shaft washer can be moved along the guide channel and the screw element can be moved along the guide groove to the final fastening position.

Preferably, the fastening section together with the washing container is constructed in a material-consistent and one-piece manner. In this context, the washing container and/or the fastening section can advantageously be produced from synthetic material in terms of production technology. In the method of fastening the balancing weight to the washing container, the screw of the screw connection according to the invention can first be passed through the balancing weight. The end of the screw, which passes through the balancing weight, can then be screwed loosely onto the end-side clamping element. In this case, the end-side clamping element is the shaft core washer according to the invention. The unscrewed end-side clamping element can then be inserted into the guide channel of the fastening section of the washing container. Subsequently, for adjusting the position, the balancing weight together with the loosely screwed clamping element can be moved along the guide channel; and when the balancing weight is correctly positioned, the screw connection can be firmly tensioned in its final fixed position .

Description of drawings

Five embodiments of the present invention are described below according to the accompanying drawings. in:

Fig. 1 is a schematic partial view of a first embodiment of the above balance weight, which is fixed on the washing container of the washing machine by a threaded connection;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the threaded connections between the balance weight and the washing container;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a nut for a threaded connection;

Fig. 4 is the second embodiment as the shaft core washer of nut;

Fig. 5 is the 3rd embodiment of the shaft core washer as nut;

Figure 6 is a fourth embodiment of a shaft washer as a bolt head; and

Fig. 7 is a fifth embodiment of a shaft washer as a washer.

Detailed ways

1 shows a schematic side view of a partial area of a washing container 1 of a washing machine and a counterweight 3 fastened to the washing container 1 on the upper side, which balance weight ensures a balanced washing operation. The elongated counterweight 3 extends transversely to the center axis (not shown) of the hollow-cylindrical washing container 1 and rests at its two opposite ends on a hollow-profile support 5 of the washing container 1 . The balancing weights 3 are attached at their longitudinal ends each via a screw connection 7 to an associated hollow-profile support 5 of the washing container 1 .

The balancing weight 3 is produced in a known manner from a cast material such as cast iron or concrete or another suitable material. The washing container 1 is an injection molded part of synthetic material. The hollow profile support 5 is molded integrally on the washing container 1 in a simple manner in terms of production technology.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged partial sectional view of one of the screw connections 7 from FIG. 1 . The configuration of the opposite, not shown, screw connection is identical.

As can be seen from FIG. 2 , the threaded connection 7 is of three-part design with a screw 9 or screw element, a washer 11 and a shaft washer 13 as a nut. The screw connection 7 is shown in FIG. 2 in the assembled position of the balancing weight 3 and the washing container 1 . The screw 9 passes with its threaded shaft 15 through a mounting hole 17 of the balancing weight 3 . In this case, the screw head 19 is supported via a washer 11 on a stop surface 21 of the counterweight 3 facing away from the washing container 1 . The stop surface 21 is here the bottom of a conically enlarged counterbore 23 .

The threaded rod 15 , which passes through the mounting hole 17 , projects with its rod end into the insertion channel 25 of the hollow profile support 5 . The introduction channel 25 extends perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 2 and is delimited by two side walls 27 and an upper cover wall 29 connecting the two side walls 27 .

In this exemplary embodiment, the upper cover wall 29 is a fixed section of the washing container 1 . The fastening section 29 and the counterweight 3 are clamped according to FIGS. 1 and 2 between the screw head 19 and the shaft washer 13 , which are the end-side clamping elements of the threaded connection 7 . . Furthermore, in the cover wall 29 there is provided an elongated insertion groove 31 which extends along the guide channel 25 and through which the threaded rod 15 protrudes. The introduction groove 31 is open laterally and opens into the guide channel 25 .

The spindle washer 13 acting as a nut is screwed inside the guide channel 25 to the end of the bolt shank 15 which is located at the bottom in FIG. 2 . As a result, the hub washer 13 snaps behind the cover wall 29 . In the assembled configuration shown, the counterweight 3 and the cover wall 29 of the washing container 1 are thus clamped between the screw head 19 and the shaft washer 13 .

The spindle washer 13 used as a nut is shown in detail in an enlarged perspective view in FIG. 3 . The nut 13 is made of a spring-hardened stainless steel sheet with a material thickness a of approximately 1 mm. According to FIG. 3 , the shaft washer 13 has an inner screw element fastening section 32 . In this case, the inner screw element fastening section 32 is provided with an internal thread 33 , to which the end of the shank 15 of the screw 9 can be screwed.

As can further be seen from FIG. 3 , the screw element fastening section 32 of the shaft washer 13 has a centrally arranged threaded sleeve 35 in which an internal thread 33 is arranged. A conical section, which forms (in the manner of a disk spring) a disk-shaped spring section 37 , is connected to the threaded sleeve 35 in the direction of the outer contour of the spindle washer 13 . In its outer edge region, the spring section 37 merges entirely into a plate-shaped, planar stop section 39 extending radially of the spindle washer 13 . The stop section 39 has a uniform octagonal outer contour with respectively opposite side pairs or stop faces 41 running parallel to one another. In its installed position, the shaft core washer 13 is pressed against the cover wall 29 with the lower surface of the stop section 39 in FIG. 3 .

The permanent non-rotatable fit of the spindle washer 13 acting as a nut is of great importance for operational safety. Accordingly, according to the invention, a projection 43 with a rounded core tip is provided on the side of the core spacer 13 facing the cover wall 29 . The hub-shaped protrusion 43 is arranged on the side of the hub washer 13 facing away from the threaded sleeve 35 and extends in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the threaded rod 15 . In the fixed state of the balancing weight 3 , the pivot-shaped protrusion 43 is pressed into the plastic of the cover wall 29 by the tension of the screw connection in the clamping direction.

In order to additionally prevent twisting of the rotational movement of the shaft washer 13 , the distance b shown in FIG. 3 between two opposite lateral stop surfaces 41 is designed such that each opposite stop The stop surface 41 lies opposite the facing side wall 27 of the hollow profile support 5 of the washing container with a slight gap c (cf. FIG. 2 ). Thus, the two side walls 27 of the hollow profile support 5 act as rotation stops which additionally limit the rotational movement of the core washer 13 .

In order to fix the balancing weight 3 to the washing container 1 , firstly, the bolt 9 is passed through the mounting hole 17 from the side of the balancing weight 3 away from the washing container 1 . Subsequently, the shaft core washer 13 is screwed loosely onto the end of the rod 15 which is lower in FIG. 2 . This loose screwing process can also be carried out independently of the washing container 1 . Subsequently, in order to connect the counterweight 3 to the washing container 1 , the shaft washer 13 , which is loosely connected to the screw 9 , is pushed into the laterally open guide channel 25 of the washing container 1 . The threaded shaft 15 of the screw 9 now protrudes through the insertion groove 31 , while the cover wall 29 is arranged between the nut 13 and the balancing weight 3 . In this state, the loosely screwed-on shaft washer 13 can be moved along the guide channel 25 and the screw 9 along the guide groove 31 into the correct or final fastening position.

After the positionally correct positioning of the balancing weight 3 has been achieved, the threaded connection 7 is firmly tensioned by means of a tool placed on the screw head 19 . In order to simplify this tensioning process, the spindle disk 13 is held between the two side walls 27 in a non-rotatable manner by its lateral stop surfaces 41 . On the other hand, due to the gap c provided between the stop surface 41 of the spindle washer 13 and the side wall 27 and due to the rounded protrusion 43, it is ensured that in the loosely screwed spindle washer 13 The core washer 13 moves flexibly inside the guide channel 25 .

In FIG. 4 a spindle spacer 13 according to a second embodiment is shown. The basic structure and function of the core washer 13 shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the structure and function of the first embodiment of the core washer 13 according to FIGS. Figure marks, and especially the differences from the first embodiment are described below.

Accordingly, a receiving thread 33 for the screw 9 is likewise provided in the inner screw element fastening section 32 of the spindle washer 13 . However, the difference from the first exemplary embodiment is that the receiving thread 33 is not arranged inside the threaded sleeve 35 , but rather in the central bottom region 45 . The central bottom region 45 transitions via the disk-shaped spring section 37 into the outer plate-shaped stop region 39 of the spindle washer. On the upper side of the stop region 39 in the illustration of FIG. 4 , a rounded, mandrel-shaped projection 43 is again provided.

In FIG. 5 a hub washer 13 according to a third embodiment is shown. The shaft washer of FIG. 5—like the first embodiment—has a central threaded sleeve 35, in the end region of which is located below in FIG. 5, a disk-shaped spring section 37 is connected, which The section transitions into an outer plate-shaped stop section 39 .

However, the difference with the first embodiment is that the threaded sleeve 35 is not arranged on the side of the shaft core gasket 13 away from the shaft core-shaped protrusion 43, more precisely, it is arranged on the side facing the shaft core-shaped protrusion 43. On one side of the protrusion 43 . Viewed along the axial direction of the shaft washer 13 indicated by a dot-dash line in FIG. 5 , the central threaded sleeve 33 , the spring section 37 and the radially outer stop section 39 are partly relative to one another. Staggered, so that the overall overall height of the core washer 13 is reduced compared to the first exemplary embodiment. The hub washer 13 is therefore particularly suitable for very flat guide channels.

The threaded sleeve 35 , together with the threaded rod 15 screwed into it, thus passes through the insertion groove 31 of the cover wall 29 of the hollow-profile support 5 over a corresponding length. The edge of the introduction groove 31 is therefore not in direct contact with the threaded shank 15 of the screw 9 . More precisely, the smooth outer side of the threaded sleeve 35 is advantageously in contact with the edge of the guide groove 31 , thereby realizing the flexible movement of the threaded rod 15 inside the guide groove 31 .

In FIG. 6 a hub washer 13 according to a fourth embodiment is shown. In contrast to the three first exemplary embodiments, the shaft core washer 13 is here formed integrally with the screw 9 as the screw head of the screw. The spindle washer 13 therefore has a central head section 47 . The disk-shaped spring section 37 adjoins the central head section 47 radially outward, which transitions into the stop section 39 . In the exploded view shown, the screw 9 is assigned a conventional washer 11 and a conventional nut 49 which can be connected to the upper end of the rod 15 in FIG. 6 for clamping the cover wall 29 and the counterweight 3 Tighten the part. In the variant according to FIG. 6 , in the fixed state of the counterweight 3 , the nut 49 is supported with its washer 11 on the stop surface 21 of the counterweight 3 remote from the washing container 1 , as shown in FIG. 2 . shown. The shaft washer 13 as a screw head is arranged in a corresponding manner inside the guide channel 25 of the hollow profile support 5 .

FIG. 7 also shows a screw connection 7 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment in an exploded view. As can be seen from FIG. 7 , the shaft washer 13 is designed here as a washer for the screw head 19 . In this case, the shaft washer 13 has a central recess 51 whose inner contour matches the shape of the outer contour of the screw head 19 . Adjoining the central recess 51 is a disk-shaped spring section 37 , which in turn merges into a radially extending, plate-shaped stop section 39 . On this stop section 39 again a shaft-shaped projection 43 is arranged. The end of the threaded shank 15 of the screw 9 is likewise screwed with a conventional nut 49 . In the fixed state of the balancing weight 3 , the shaft washer 13 is arranged in the guide channel 25 together with the screw head 19 arranged in its recess 51 . In this case, the shaft washer 13 rests on the cover wall 29 in a non-rotatable manner with its projection 43 pressed into the plastic material of the cover wall 13 . Due to the form-fit connection between the outer contour of the screw head 19 and the inner contour of the recess 51 , said screw head 19 is thus non-rotatably connected to the shaft washer 13 .

The reference signs in the description and in the drawings serve only for a better understanding of the invention and should not limit the scope of protection.

List of reference signs

1 washing container

3 balance weights

5 hollow profile supports

7 threaded connectors

9 bolts/bolt elements

11 washer

13 Shaft gasket

15 rod/threaded rod

17 Mounting holes

19 bolt head

21 stop surface

23 counterbore

25 lead-in channel/guide channel

27 side wall

29 cover wall/fixed section

31 Import slot 31

32 13 Bolt element fixing section

33 internal thread

35 thread sleeve

37 disc-shaped spring section

39 stop section

41 stop surface

43 13 shaft-like protrusions

45 Bottom area

47 head section

49 nuts

51 recess

a material thickness

b spacing

c Gap between 27 and 41

Claims (18)

1. have washing container (1) and be fixed on the washing machine of the counterpoise (3) on the washing container by threaded connector, wherein threaded connector has the bolt element (9) in the hole (17) of passing counterpoise (3) together with two distolateral clamping elements (13,19), the fixedly section (29) of counterpoise (3) and washing container (1) is clamped between these two clamping elements, it is characterized in that, at least one distolateral clamping element (13,19) be constructed with the axle core pad (13) of the projection (43) of at least one core shape, described projection is pressed into along clamping direction under the fixing state of counterpoise (3) fixedly in the section (29) and axle core pad (13) is non-rotatably fixing.

2. by the described washing machine of claim 1, it is characterized in that the axle core nut that described axle core pad (13) is constructed to be permeable to and bolt element (9) is tightened.

3. by the described washing machine of claim 1, it is characterized in that described axle core pad (13) is configured to the bolt head of bolt element (9).

4. by the described washing machine of claim 1, it is characterized in that described axle core pad (13) is configured to attach troops to a unit in the packing ring of the bolt head of bolt element (9), bolt head can non-rotatably be connected with this packing ring.

5. by each described washing machine in the aforesaid right requirement, it is characterized in that the projection of described at least one core shape (43) has the axle core tip of rounding.

6. by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that described axle core pad (13) has the polygon circumference profile, this polygon circumference profile has the limit number of even number.

7. by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that described axle core pad (13) has at least one pair of opposed parallel side (41) mutually.

8. by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that, be configured in rotation stop (27) on the fixing section (29) for described axle core pad (13) has set at least one, this rotation stop forms extra reversing of core pad (13) that be used for and prevents part.

9. by the described washing machine of claim 8, it is characterized in that the rotation stop that is configured on the fixing section (29) has two opposed sidewalls (27) that are parallel to each other, an axle core pad (13) can not be arranged between these two sidewalls with reversing.

10. by the described washing machine of claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that, described axle core pad (13) have inner bolt element fixedly section (32) and outside with fixing section (29) pressure against tabular backstop section (39), the projection (43) of at least one core shape is set on this backstop section.

11. by the described washing machine of claim 10, it is characterized in that, the spring section (37) of plate-like fixedly be set between the tabular backstop section (39) of section (32) and outside at the bolt element of inside.

12., it is characterized in that for the axle core pad (13) that is configured to a core nut, the bolt element in inside fixedly is provided with the admittance screw thread (33) that is used for bolt element (9) in the section (32) by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4.

13., it is characterized in that for the axle core pad (13) that is configured to bolt head, inner bolt element fixedly section (32) non-rotatably is connected with bolt element (9) by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4.

14., it is characterized in that inner bolt element fixedly section (32) integrally non-rotatably is connected with bolt element (9) by the described washing machine of claim 13.

15., it is characterized in that described washing container is the lead-in groove (31) of section (29) with lateral open fixedly by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4, bolt element (9) is given prominence to and is passed this lead-in groove.

16., it is characterized in that described fixedly section (29) forms guide channel (25) by the described washing machine of claim 15; Described lead-in groove (31) feeds in the guide channel (25) and along its longitudinal extension; And described axle core pad (13) can be shifted to final fixed position along lead-in groove (31) along guide channel (25) and described bolt element (9) when the assembling threaded connector.

17., it is characterized in that described fixedly section (29) as one man and integratedly is connected with washing container (1) material by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4.

18. by each described washing machine in the claim 1 to 4, it is characterized in that, described washing container (1) and/or fixedly section (29) make by synthetic material.

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