Washing drum

Abstract

A washing drum (1) having an opening (4) in its cylindrical wall (3) and two door leaves (5, 6) which are arranged articulately between a first position, in order to close off the opening (4), and a second position, in order to free up the opening (4), wherein the first door leaf (5) has lugs (10) and the second door leaf (6) has hooks (9), which in the first position hook together, and having at least one resilient element (11), between a lateral side of the second door leaf (6) and the casing (3) laterally adjoining the opening (4), which resilient element (11) in the first position applies to the second door leaf (6) a spring force, towards the second position.

Claims

1. Washing drum which is of substantially cylindrical construction and is arranged rotatably about an axis, comprising: an opening in a casing; and a first door leaf and a second door leaf, which are each arranged articulately about a respective hinge pin between a first position, in which the first and second door leaves together close off the opening, and a second position, in which the first and second door leaves free up the opening; wherein the respective hinge pins are arranged virtually parallel to the axis on a respective side of the opening; wherein the first door leaf, on a side opposite a side of the respective hinge pin, comprises lugs and the second door leaf, on a side opposite a side of the respective hinge pin, comprises hooks; wherein in the first position the hooks of the second door leaf hook hook into the lugs of the first door leaf; wherein the washing drum comprises at least one resilient element, which in the first position applies to the second door leaf a spring force which drives the second door leaf into the second position; wherein in the first position of the first and second door leaves lateral sides of the door leaves overlap with corresponding lateral parts of the casing which adjoin lateral sides of the opening; and wherein the resilient element is arranged between a lateral side of the second door leaf and the corresponding lateral part of the casing which laterally adjoins the opening.

2. Washing drum according to claim 1, characterized in that the resilient element is fastened to the drum.

3. Washing drum according to claim 1, characterized in that the resilient element is realized as a helical spring.

4. Washing drum according to claim 1, characterized in that the washing drum comprises a lock to lock the second door leaf in the first position.

5. Washing drum according to claim 4, characterized in that the lock, when locked, provides a temporary connection of the lateral side of the second door leaf to the corresponding lateral part of the casing.

6. Washing drum according to claim 5, characterized in that an upright pin is fastened to the corresponding lateral part of the casing, in that the corresponding lateral side of the second door leaf comprises a through opening for the upright pin, so that in the first position of the first and second door leaves the pin extends through this through opening, and in that the lock is provided to, in the first position of the first and second door leaves, engage on the free end of the pin in order to lock the second door leaf in the first position.

7. Washing drum according to claim 6, characterized in that the free end of the pin comprises a widening, and in that the lock comprises a locking plate, which is arranged on the last-named lateral side of the second door leaf displaceably, in a direction according to the axis of the drum, between a locking position and an unlocking position, and which, towards the last-named lateral side of the second door leaf, comprises a recess, so that in the locking position the locking plate engages under the widening of the pin and the pin engages in the recess.

8. Washing drum according to claim 6, characterized in that the helical spring is placed around the upright pin, and in that a washer is placed between the helical spring and the second door leaf.

9. Washing drum according to claim 7, characterized in that the through opening in the second door leaf extends farther in a direction according to a circumference of the drum than in a direction according to the axis.

10. Washing drum according to claim 1, characterized in that the last-named lateral side of the second door leaf comprises a protruding tooth, under which the resilient element engages in the first position of the first and second door leaves.

11. Washing drum according to claim 1, characterized in that a last-named lateral part of the drum comprises a depression, into which the resilient element substantially extends in the first position of the second door leaf.

12. Washing drum according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one additional resilient element is arranged between the opposite lateral side of the second door leaf from the resilient element and the corresponding lateral part of the casing which laterally adjoins the opening, which additional resilient element drives the second door leaf into the second position of the first and second door leaves.

13. Washing drum according to claim 1, characterized in that between each lateral side of the first door leaf and the respective corresponding lateral part of the casing which laterally adjoins the opening is arranged at least one resilient element, which drives the first door leaf into the second position.

14. Washing drum according to claim 13, characterized in that the washing drum comprises a lock to lock the first door leaf in the first position.

15. Washing machine comprising a washing drum according to claim 1.

16. Tumble dryer comprising a washing drum according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention is now more closely explained on the basis of the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments of washing drums according to the present invention. The aim of this description is to provide purely illustrative examples and to indicate further advantages and peculiarities of washing drums, and can thus not be interpreted as a limitation of the field of application of the invention or of the patent rights claimed in the claims.

(2) In this detailed description, reference is made by means of reference numerals to the appended drawings, wherein

(3) FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a washing machine or tumble dryer according to the present invention in perspective view;

(4) FIG. 2 shows a part of a washing drum according to the present invention in perspective view, with a view of the door leaves in their first position;

(5) FIG. 3 shows the washing drum from FIG. 2 in more detail at the level of a resilient element and a lock in the locked position;

(6) FIG. 4 shows the part of the washing drum from FIG. 3 in perspective view, with the lock in the unlocked position;

(7) FIG. 5 shows an alternative lock for the washing drum from FIG. 2 in more detail in perspective view, in the locked position;

(8) FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a part of the washing drum from FIG. 2 at the level of the door leaves, with the door leaves in the closed position;

(9) FIG. 7 shows a part of the cross section from FIG. 6 in more detail at the level of the locking mechanism pertaining to the second door leaf;

(10) FIG. 8 shows a part of the washing drum from FIG. 2 at the level of the door leaves in perspective view, with the door leaves unhitched and the second door leaf in the locked position;

(11) FIG. 9 shows the part of the washing drum from FIG. 6 in cross section, with the door leaves completely unhitched and the first door leaf in the closed position;

(12) FIG. 10 shows the part of the washing drum from FIG. 6 in cross section, with the first door leaf in half-open position and the second door leaf still locked;

(13) FIG. 11 shows the part of the washing drum from FIG. 6 in cross section, with the first door leaf in the open position and the second door leaf still locked;

(14) FIG. 12 shows the part of the washing drum from FIG. 6 in cross section, with both door leaves in the open position;

(15) FIG. 13 shows a part of the washing drum from FIG. 2 at the level of the second door leaf in perspective view, with the first door leaf in the open position and the second door leaf unlocked;

(16) FIG. 14 shows the part of the washing drum from FIG. 8 in perspective view, with both door leaves in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) The shown washing drum (1) comprises a substantially cylindrical casing (3) having on both sides a side wall (22). Both the casing (3) and the side walls (22) are typically produced from metal plates, which are welded together. The casing (3) is normally provided with openings (for example by punching) for the delivery and discharge of water and/or steam in the drum (1) in order to wash and/or dry articles, such as laundry, placed herein. To this end, this washing drum (1) is further accommodated in a washing machine (23) or a tumble dryer (23), as can be seen in FIG. 1, in a fixedly arranged surrounding drum. The washing drum (1) is herein arranged rotatably about its axis (2). This axis (2) is normally not a real axis which extends through the drum (1). The drum (1) is suspended in bearing-mounted arrangement from the side walls (22), so that it is rotatable about a virtual axis (2).

(18) In the casing (3) of the washing drum (1) is provided an opening (4) (see FIGS. 13 and 14). Via this opening (4), the articles to be washed and/or dried can be placed into the washing drum (1) and/or retrieved herefrom. This opening (4) can be closed off with the aid of two door leaves (5, 6). These door leaves (5, 6) are each arranged on an opposite side of the opening (4) articulately about a respective hinge pin (7, 8), which extends parallel to the axis (2) of the drum (1). In order to make the hinges robust, they are here formed by protruding teeth on the door leaves (5, 6) for folding and welding in place. Through these folded-over protruding teeth is placed a respective hinge pin (7, 8), which is further accommodated in a fold in the casing (3) and is placed through the side walls (22).

(19) In FIGS. 2 and 6, the door leaves (5, 6) are shown in their closed position, wherein they together close off the opening (4). In FIGS. 12 and 14, the door leaves (5, 6) are shown in their open position, wherein they free up the opening (4).

(20) In FIGS. 8-11 and 13, it is shown how the door leaves (5, 6) can be brought from their closed position into their open position.

(21) The first shown door leaf (5), on its side opposite the side from which it is articulately suspended, is provided with lugs (10), this by folding over and welding of projecting teeth of the door leaf (5) and placement of a pin (21) herethrough. The second shown door leaf (6), on its side opposite the side from which it is articulately suspended, is provided with corresponding hooks (9), which are realized as folded-over protruding teeth of the door leaf (6). These hooks (9) can be hooked into the lugs (10) of the first door leaf (5). When both door leaves (5, 6) are in their closed position, the hooks (9) of the second door leaf (6) are hooked in the lugs (10) of the first door leaf (5), as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 6.

(22) In both door leaves (5, 6) there is provided for each lateral side a helical spring (11), which in the closed position of the door leaves (5, 6) applies a spring force to the corresponding door leaf (5, 6) towards its open position. The corresponding parts of the casing (3), which laterally adjoin the opening (4), are provided with corresponding depressions (18). This can be realized, for example, by suitable folding of a metal plate from which the casing is produced. In these depressions (18), corresponding pins (12) are fastened to the casing (3), which pins extend outwards relative to the casing surface (see FIG. 7). In the door leaves (5, 6) are provided corresponding through openings (14) (see FIG. 14), through which the pins (12) can extend when the door leaves (5, 6) are in their closed position. The helical springs (11) are placed around the corresponding pins (12) and between the helical springs (11) and the corresponding door leaves (5, 6) is respectively placed a washer (15), as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 7. The door leaves (5, 6) are respectively provided with protruding teeth (19) corresponding with the springs (11). Each resilient element (11) thus extends, in the closed position of the corresponding door leaf (5, 6), substantially into the corresponding depression (18), and this between the corresponding lateral part of the casing (3) adjoining the opening (4) and the corresponding protruding tooth (19) of the corresponding door leaf (5, 6).

(23) The through openings (14) extend in a direction according to the circumference of the drum (1) farther than in a direction according to the axis (2) of the drum (1), so that the pins (12) can engage through the through opening upon rotation of the door leaves (5, 6).

(24) The pins (12) further comprise at their free end a widening (13). For each door leaf (5, 6) is arranged a lock (16), which can engage on these pins (12) under this widening (13). To this end, a locking plate (20) of the lock (16) is arranged displaceably, in a direction according to the axis of the drum (1), between a locking position (towards the corresponding pin (12), see FIG. 3) and an unlocking position (away from the corresponding pin (12), see FIG. 4). This can be realized, for example, by providing this locking plate (20) with an elongated guide slot in the sliding direction and by providing the corresponding door leaf (5, 6) with a guide pin, which can engage in this guide slot for the guidance of the sliding motion. This locking plate (20) comprises towards the corresponding pin (12) al recess (17), so that in the locking position the locking plate (20) engages under the widening (13) of the corresponding pin (12) and the pin (12) engages in the recess (17). On this side of the lock (16) can possibly also be provided on the locking plate (20), as in the embodiment from FIG. 5, an upward rising volute element (24), which in the locking position extends above the widening (13) of the pin (12). This volute element (24) then ensures that the door leaves (5, 6) are are not unlocked, during the rotation of the washing drum (1), by forces directed inwards into the drum (1).

(25) In order to open the door leaves (5, 6), these need firstly to be pushed inwards counter to the spring force in order to unhook the door leaves (5, 6). After this, the first door leaf (5) is unlocked by displacement of the lock (16) away from the corresponding pin (12). The first door leaf (5) is completely unhooked and brought into its open position, as can be seen in FIGS. 8 to 11. To this end, the springs (11) impart to the first door leaf (5) kinetic energy, which further facilitates the manual opening of this door leaf (5). The lock (16) of the second door leaf (6) here ensures that the second door leaf (6), during opening of the first door leaf (5), does not have to be manually detained and cannot spring open in an uncontrolled manner. After this, the lock (16) of the second door leaf (6) is opened, as can be seen in FIG. 14, and the second door leaf (6) is brought into its open position, as can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 14. To this end, the springs (11) impart to the second door leaf (6) kinetic energy, which further facilitates the manual opening of this door leaf (6). For the closure of the door leaves (5, 6), the reverse procedure is adopted.