WO2011042314A1

WO2011042314A1 - Water-conducting domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2011042314A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/064066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner Haltmayer; Martin Weissenburger; Mark Woldenberg
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2009-10-09
Filing date: 2010-09-23
Publication date: 2011-04-14
Also published as: EP2486182A1; DE102009045548A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-conducting domestic appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher or washing machine, which has at least one, in particular flexible, water line (2) for supplying or draining water. The water line (2) can be connected to an external and/or appliance-side connection unit (3) provided with an external thread and can be retained thereon via a joining unit (4; 4a) by means of a threaded body (5) that can be secured on the thread of the connection unit (3). The appliance is designed so that the tightening torque of the threaded body (5) is limited.

Description

Water-conducting household appliance, in particular

Dishwasher or washing machine

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance, in particular a

Dishwasher or washing machine, which is provided with at least one, in particular flexible, water pipe for supplying or discharging water, wherein the or each water pipe to an external and / or device side, provided with an external threaded connection unit is connected thereto and via a connection unit by means of a on the thread of the connection unit securable threaded body is halterbar.

In practice, in a water-conducting household appliance, which is provided with at least one - in particular flexible, hose-like - water line for supply or discharge of water, the water pipe to a wall and / or device side, provided with an external threaded connection unit on the tightening a Union nut or similar, the water pipe associated threaded body secured to the thread of the connection unit. In the case of the customer, in particular when installing a new device, a water pipe of the device is fastened to a connection unit that supplies water, for example to a permanently installed, wall-side angle valve or faucet, in that a union nut provided with an internal thread turns on an external thread present there becomes. For this purpose, a pipe wrench is often used. In particular, in such a water line used in the water supply, the connection side is preferably provided with a so-called. Aquastop, so with a near the upstream end line arranged inlet valve that prevents the flow of fresh water from the external connection unit in the absence of water flow from the device, if necessary expediently such a threaded body be used in a training as a union nut, which has only a brass insert and the outside consists of plastic and at the same time with its twisting on the external, for example, wall-side connection unit also on a held on the supply line counter-ring with opposite thread aufdrehbar and thereby tighten the lock ring. For example, such - or other relatively sensitive - threaded body must be turned on by hand.

Here, however, incorrect handling by customers or poorly trained installers can often lead to unacceptable demands or even

Damage to the lock ring come because when too tight tightening the

Thread, especially left-hand thread of the lock ring overstressed and possibly

can be sheared off. Also for other pairings between a threaded body of the water pipe and an external thread, in particular with different materials in this pairing, damage may result if tightened too tightly.

The invention has for its object to provide a water-conducting household appliance with an improved water pipe connection option. The invention solves this problem by a water-conducting household appliance with the features of claim 1.

With the invention is by limiting the tightening torque of a

Overuse or even damage of the material in the connection unit between a water inlet or outlet of the household appliance on the one hand and an external or device-side connection unit on the other hand, largely prevented.

In particular, such a connection when connecting an afferent

Water pipe, preferably hose, to a wall-side water connection helpful: Here, when providing z. B. a so-called. Aquastops with respect to the line, in particular hose diameter widened valve housing no ordinary nut can be used, since these can not be pushed over the line, in particular the hose due to the widened housing. Instead, it is possible to use a counter element, which can be pushed by the line end, in particular the hose end, and provided with expanding lamellae or splay wings, in particular a lock ring or a counter sleeve, onto which the threaded body can be screwed. Such a counter element is often because of the required elasticity when sliding onto the connection-side line end, in particular hose end made of a plastic that is softer and more elastic than the one for the

Terminal unit used metal material and thus more sensitive than this. With the invention can be reliably avoided when tightening a threaded body to the water pipe, in particular hose, overuse and shearing of the opposite thread of the counter element.

If the tightening torque of the threaded body is mechanically forcibly limited, any incorrect operation of the connection unit is excluded. In addition, constructive effort and costs of the connection unit can be kept low. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that to limit the

Tightening torque on the threaded body an outer ring body can be placed or placed on a torque-coupled coupling on this holder. When a limit torque is reached then the outer ring body slips on the threaded body and thus reliably prevents a higher torque on the threaded body.

Cost-effective and optimized for slipping above a limit torque of the outer ring body is preferably formed elastically and formed of a plastic.

In order to enable the torque switching of the clutch thus formed, the outer ring body with the threaded body during the torque transmission are in particular in positive connection, said positive engagement is automatically above a limit torque difference between the ring body and the threaded body.

For a light and a misoperation excluding operation is provided in an advantageous version of the threaded body indirectly or directly with operating wings, which reach out with a radial component and thereby of a

Operator can be grasped manually and to carry out the

screwing on rotation of the threaded body on the external thread of

Serve connection unit. The operating wings already signal optically by their reaching out that no water tongs or the like can be set here. In addition, the operating wings are each provided with a predetermined breaking line in a particularly favorable manner, so that they break off above a limit torque and thereby

unmistakably signal that by further rotation of the threaded body, a further tensile force on the counter element of the longitudinal extent of the water pipe should not be exercised. This can be reliably a

Overuse or even shearing of the external thread of the counter element and / or the associated internal thread of the threaded body of the

Connection unit largely avoid due to becoming effective tightening forces when screwing one end of the threaded body to the counter element and the other, opposite end of the threaded body to the connection unit.

In particular, the operating wings can be attached to a separate, form-fitting mountable on the threaded body attachment ring. Then you can

Household appliance, in particular its water pipe, several such essay rings be assigned as spare parts, so that after breaking off one or more control panels a reconnection of the water pipe to the connection unit is possible, for example after a move or repair of the household appliance. Exchange attachment rings can therefore be added or added to the respective household appliance as spare parts or can be reordered individually.

As an alternative to the predetermined breaking line, it is also possible that the operating wings are each provided with a weakening line which, above a limit force, allows the operating wings to be attached to the circumference of the threaded body. Then there is no destruction of the radially outwardly projecting operating wing when applying a too large

Torque instead. The operating wing can be designed to be elastically resilient.

In particular, such control wings, which remain destructive even when exceeding the limit torque can be integrally attached to the threaded body.

Also, a combination of control wings and slipping from a limit torque coupling is possible. A connection unit according to the invention for the watertight fixing of a water pipe for a water-conducting domestic appliance to an external connection unit is claimed separately.

Other advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are in the

Subclaims reproduced.

The above-described and / or reproduced in the subclaims advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention can individually or else in any combination with each other in the inventive

Dishwasher used.

The invention and its developments and advantages thereof are explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Each show schematically:

Fig. 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention, here in the form of a dishwasher, with a supplying and equipped with an aquastop water pipe, which is connected via a connection unit with the aid of a threaded body and a form-fitting held on top ring

Operating wings is provided on the external thread of a connection unit, here a faucet is held, in a schematic representation,

2 shows the parts of the connection unit and the upper end of the water pipe of Figure 1 in an exploded exploded view,

3 shows a view obliquely from above onto the threaded body provided with an attachment ring according to FIG. 2 prior to its attachment to the attachment unit, FIG. 4 shows a section approximately along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3, FIG.

5 is a partial view of the provided here with two control wings attachment ring according to Figures 2 to 4, 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 from a slightly rotated perspective,

7 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention with an outer ring body, which is held on the threaded body via a torque-connected coupling, in plan view of the non-attached to the terminal unit connection unit, and

8 shows an upper end of a water pipe with a connection unit, which is formed according to the advantageous embodiment of Figure 7. Elements with the same function and mode of operation are each provided with the same reference numerals in FIGS.

A household appliance 1 according to the invention can form a standalone appliance, in particular a tabletop appliance, or a built-in or built-in appliance, for example within a kitchen unit. Also, the household appliance 1 can be reduced in size compared to a standard size or Standardmaß, so that it z. B. can be placed on a kitchen sink or completely used in a common kitchen cabinet.

The household appliance 1 shown schematically in Figure 1 is only an example of one

Dishwasher. Also a washing machine, a dryer (sewage or

Condensation water removal) or other water-conducting household appliances may be designed according to the invention.

The household appliance 1 shown in Figure 1 is provided with a flexible here in the embodiment of water pipe 2, in particular hose, for supplying water. An additional water pipe, in particular hose, for the discharge of dirty water is not shown.

The or each water pipe 2 can be connected to an external and / or a device-side, provided with an external thread connection unit 3 via a connection unit 4. Here in the exemplary embodiment, an external, namely wall-side connection unit 3 is shown, which is designed as a faucet. Also a connection of the water pipe 2 with an angle valve, a hose extension or with another connection unit is possible.

The connection unit 4 comprises a threaded body 5, d. H. a body provided with at least one thread, here a first, the connection unit 3 facing internal thread 6 for screwing onto the external thread of the connection unit 3 and a second below the connecting unit 3 still described internal thread 14 for screwing onto the external thread of a counter sleeve 9 is. About the first internal thread 6, the threaded body 5 on the

External thread of the connection unit 3 are kept waterproof. About the second internal thread 14 of the threaded body 5 can be largely sealingly coupled to the external thread of the counter sleeve 9, which is seated at the end portion of the connected water pipe 2. A sealing ring or a sealant may in addition to

Sealing the pairing between the external thread of the terminal unit 3 and the first internal thread 6 of the threaded body 5 may be provided. In the present embodiments, the first internal thread 6 is formed of brass and forming in an outer shell of the threaded body 5 of the connecting unit 4

Plastic body firmly inserted. This material training is advantageous because such a threaded body due to the saving of metal is simple and cheaper to produce than a purely metallic threaded body, but not mandatory.

For example, as can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeding one is

Water pipe 2 at its the terminal unit 3 facing end portion provided with a so-called. Aquastop 7, so a controllable valve that can stop the flow of water and its cast into the water pipe 2 receiving body 8 projects beyond the line cross-section clearly, so that a conventional union nut not could be pushed over it.

However, in order to be able to secure the threaded body 5 in particular on the water pipe 2 in such a case, here the counter sleeve 9 is provided. These

Counter sleeve 9 is in the finished mounting state on the end of the

pushed to be connected water pipe and sits on this loose longitudinally displaceable in the space between two spaced apart, all around the outer circumference of the water pipe 2 encircling, radially outwardly projecting outer rings 22, 23. These two, in particular substantially circular, outer rings 22, 23 are formed on the outer casing, in particular plastic outer sheath, the water line and serve to limit the displacement of the counter sleeve 9 so that they on the outer circumference of the water pipe 2 between the longitudinal locations the two outer rings 22, 23 are slidably mounted along the longitudinal course of the water pipe 2 and at the same time are secured in position against a separate release. In this case, the two outer rings 22, 23 act as lateral, fixed stops for the counter sleeve. 9

The front end of the water pipe 2 facing outer ring 22 has a predetermined axial from the front end of the water pipe 2

Longitudinal distance. This corresponds essentially to the longitudinal or axial longitudinal extent of Spreizflügeln or Spreizlamellen 1 1, the all around the

Outer jacket of an approximately circular retaining ring of the counter sleeve evenly offset from each other and are separated by axial slots. Their free ends are in the final assembly state the front end of the connection

Facing water pipe. By means of this radially spreadable Spreizflügel or

Spreader blades 1 1 it is possible, the counter sleeve 9 for their assembly from the end 10 of the water pipe 2 forth on the front side, radially opposite to the approximately

circular cylindrical outer shell of the water pipe 2 projecting support ring 12 can be pushed onto the end portion of the water pipe 2. Due to the spring elasticity of the spreader vanes 1 1 in the radial direction, these distributed over the circumference of the counter sleeve 9 Spreizflügel or Spreizlamellen 1 1 when screwing the threaded body 5 on the counter-sleeve 9 surround the water pipe 2 and at the

Support circular cylindrical outer shell. In the assembled state, i. in the

screwed together state of threaded body and counter sleeve of the

Verbindunsgeinheit 4 are the Spreizflügel behind the end, frontal

Supporting ring 12 as a support shoulder, whereby the counter-sleeve 9 is secured in position against its axial withdrawal due to axially acting traction forces. For this purpose, it may be particularly expedient if the spreading wings 1 1 distributed around the circumference of the counter sleeve 9 each have a radially inwardly pointing component, ie have radially free inwardly inclined, free end portions. The counter sleeve 9 has a left-hand thread 13 as an external thread, the threaded body 5, the second internal thread 14 complementary thereto, which is opposite to the first internal thread 6 and axially spaced. When unscrewing the threaded body 5 on an external thread of the connection unit 4 (eg a faucet) and holding the water pipe 2, therefore, the threaded body 5 is simultaneously secured via its first internal thread 6 on the external thread of the connection unit 4 and via its second internal thread 14th secured on the left-hand thread 13 of the counter sleeve 9. The spreader vanes 1 1 are pressed radially inwardly, so that they can not be removed via the support shoulder 12. Alternatively, instead of the counter sleeve 9 in the vicinity of the end 10 directly to the water pipe 2, a left-hand thread 13 may be formed.

To when screwing the threaded body 5 of the connecting unit 4 neither in the pairing of the second internal thread 14 of the threaded body 5 to the left-hand thread 13 of the counter sleeve 9, which are often both formed of relatively soft plastic, still in the pairing of the first internal thread 6 of the threaded body 5 the external thread of the terminal unit 3 can cause an unacceptable claim or even damage, the tightening torque of the threaded body 5 is limited, and here to be able to reliably exclude a faulty operation and to allow a simple construction, mechanically forcibly limited. For this purpose, corresponding torque limiting means are provided.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, the

Threaded body 5 for this radially outreaching control wing 15 around his

Outer circumference on the actuation of the screwing rotation of the threaded body 5 can be manually advanced. The tightening torque, which acts on the threaded body 5 to effect its rotational movement, is therefore registered via the operating wings 15. The number of operating wings 15 can be chosen differently. When in

Advantageously, at least three wings 15 are provided, is already reliably prevented by the spatial blocking the application of a pair of pliers. The radial extension of the operating wing 15 is sufficiently large that convenient fingers of an operator behind the opposite to the outer periphery of the threaded body 5 projecting wings can grab, so typically one to two centimeters. The operating wings 15 are rotatably connected to the threaded body 5, either formed directly on this or, as shown here, on a separate attachment ring 17 or on a separate attachment sleeve, for example made of plastic, arranged. This attachment ring 17 is provided with grooves 18 and thereby form-fitting halterbar to the outwardly facing ribs 19 of the threaded body 5. About force introduction in the tangential direction with respect to the approximately circular outer periphery of the attachment ring 17 so that the threaded body 5 is tightened.

The two opposite operating wings 15 shown here are each provided over their entire axial height (FIGS. 2, 3) with a predetermined breaking line 16 at which the operating wings 15 break when the applied torque exceeds a limit value and would thus become so great that that one of the threads can be damaged. Expressed in general terms, the predetermined breaking line of the respective operating blade 15 is transverse, in particular perpendicular to the particular applied during the screwing process

Tangential force provided. It is especially in the foot area of each

Operating wing arranged, d. H. where the foot of the respective operating blade on the circular cylindrical outer shell of the attachment sleeve 17 or -wenn this falls-attaches to the threaded body.

Due to the arrangement of the operating wing 15 shown here on the attachment ring 17, it is possible to remove the entire attachment sleeve axially after loosening the connection unit 4, remove it and replace it with a new one, so that in spite of the tightening of the threaded body 5 on reaching the limit torque broken Operating wing 15 a reinstallation of the household appliance 1 is possible at any time.

As an alternative to the predetermined breaking line 16, this line could also represent only one weakening line, which above a limit force in the tangential direction, thus above a limit torque, the operating blade 15 can approach the circumference or the outer contour of the threaded body 5. The operating wings 15 could then be elastically resilient and so after tightening the Thread body 5 reversibly spring back to its original position and again a position, as shown in Figure 3, occupy.

Especially in this training, the operating wings can also be mounted directly and for example in one piece on the threaded body 5, since a replacement of the operating wing 15 is then not necessary.

In any case, allow the rotatably connected to the threaded body 5 operating wings 15 only the exercise of a limited torque before they either turn so that the fingers of the threaded body 5 tightening person no longer find hold, or break off.

In an alternative, advantageous embodiment according to Figures 7 and 8 is for

Limitation of the tightening torque on the threaded body 5 which shown there

Connection unit 4a formed so that an outer ring body 20 by the user or installer on the threaded body 5 can be placed or, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, placed and a torque-coupled coupling on this holder. The threaded body 5 can be provided for this purpose as in the first embodiment with radially outwardly facing ribs 19, which in turn

Power transmission position (Fig. 8) positively into complementary grooves 21 of the

Ring body 20 engage. However, this positive connection is overcome from a limit torque and automatically resolved, since then the outer ring body 20, the

is formed form-elastic and, for example, from a plastic, deformed so far that the grooves 21 slide down from the ribs 19 as a torque-sensitive coupling and thus the entire outer ring body 20 slips.

Thus, unlike the top of the outer ring body 20 with the threaded body 5 only during torque transmission until reaching the limit torque in positive connection. In addition, the annular body 20 slips through, so that its rotation causes no further rotation of the threaded body 5 more. Again, therefore, the torque is forcibly limited for this.

As soon as the torque is again reduced below the limit torque, the grooves 21 can then snap into the form-fitting manner again at the respectively following rib, whereby again an equivalent starting situation is formed. There is no destruction in this variant.

Of course, other variants of above a limit torque the power flow interrupting clutches are possible. In particular, the positions of grooves and ribs may be reversed according to an alternative, expedient modification of the threaded body and the ring body placed around them on the outside.

A sieving and / or sealing insert 22 can be provided in all variants. This can preferably be used or molded in the end-side section of the water pipe. In particular, it is an internal component of the plastic connection end piece of an Aqua Stop valve.

The connection unit 4 or 4a for the watertight mounting of a water pipe 2 of a household appliance 1 to one on an external or device-side connection unit 4 is separately tradable and therefore claimed separately here.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Home appliance,

Water pipe,

Connection unit,

, 4a connecting unit,

Threaded body,

Inner thread,

Aqua Stop,

Receiving body,

Lock ring,

0 end of the water pipe,

1 sash,

2 support shoulder,

3 left-hand threads,

4 second internal thread,

5 operating wings,

6 fracture line,

7 attachment ring,

8 grooves of the top ring,

9 ribs of the threaded body,

0 outer ring body,

1 of its grooves

2, 23 outer ring

Claims

claims

1. Water-conducting household appliance (1), in particular dishwasher or

Washing machine, which is provided with at least one in particular flexible, water line (2) for supplying or discharging water, wherein the water line (2) to an external and / or device side, provided with an external thread connection unit (3) is connectable and thereto a connection unit (4; 4a) can be held by means of a threaded body (5) securable on the thread of the connection unit (3), characterized in that the tightening torque of the threaded body (5) is limited.

2. Water-conducting household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the water line (2) is provided with a so-called. Aquastop (7) supply line and the threaded body (5) to an outer terminal unit (3), in particular a faucet, a corner valve or a similar, provided with an external threaded connection unit, can be connected.

3. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the tightening torque is mechanically forcibly limited.

4. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for limiting the tightening torque on the threaded body (5), an outer annular body (20) can be placed or placed on a torque-coupled coupling (19; 21) on this halterbar.

5. Household appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the outer

Ring body (20) is elastic and made of a plastic.

6. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the outer annular body (20) with the threaded body (5) during the

Torque transmission is in positive connection.

7. Household appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the positive engagement above a limit torque difference between the annular body (20) and the threaded body (5) is automatically releasable.

8. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the threaded body (5) radially outwardly facing ribs (19) and the annular body (20) complementary inwardly facing grooves (21).

9. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that on the connection unit (3) aufschraubenden rotation of the threaded body (5) operating wings (15) are provided which with a radial

Extend component.

10. Household appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the operating wings (15) are each provided with a predetermined breaking line (16).

1 1. Household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the operating wings (15) are mounted on a form-fitting manner on the threaded body mountable attachment ring (17).

12. Household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterized in that the operating wings (15) are each provided with a weakening line (16), which above a limit force the operating wings zoom down to the periphery of the threaded body (5) leaves.

13. Household appliance (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the operating wings (15) are formed resiliently.

14. Household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the operating wings (15) are integrally mounted on the threaded body (5).

15. Connection unit (4) for watertight mounting of a water pipe (2) for a water-conducting household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14 to an external or device-side connection unit (3).