FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed toward a household appliance, and more specifically,
toward a household appliance having a heater pocket, known, for instance, from
E P-A- 1 975 298.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A household appliance, such as a front-loading clothes washer includes a housing
having a door providing access to a washing unit in the interior of the appliance
housing. The washing unit includes a tub having a cylindrical washing drum rotatably
mounted inside the tub. In operation, clothes or laundry are inserted into the washer
through the door and placed in the rotating washing drum inside the tub. The household
appliance wets the laundry to be washed with washing liquid and mechanically moves
the laundry to release contaminants from the laundry. A drive system rotates the washing
drum inside the tub about an axis of the drum.
[0003] A heating element commonly is provided for heating the washing liquid in the tub
of the washer. The heating element may be disposed in a heater pocket or cavity formed
in the tub of the washer. In operation, the washing liquid flows into the heater pocket
and over the heating element, such that heat is transferred from the heating element
to the washing liquid, thereby raising the temperature of the washing liquid. The
heated washing liquid then flows out of the heater pocket and into the washing drum
for washing the laundry.
[0004] A partial cross-sectional view of a conventional washer is illustrated in FIG. 8.
The washer has drum 1215 rotatably mounted in a tub 1210. The tub 1210 includes a
heater pocket 1300. The heater pocket 1300 has a first sidewall 1302, a second sidewall
1304 that is opposed to the first sidewall 1302, and a third wall or bottom wall 1306
connecting the first sidewall 1302 to the second sidewall 1304, thereby forming a
generally rectangular, box-shaped cavity. The first sidewall 1302 is substantially
parallel to the second sidewall 1304. The first and second sidewalls 1302, 1304 are
substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 1306. In this manner, the heater pocket
1300 is capable of receiving a predetermined volume of washing liquid therein.
[0005] A plate 1502 is disposed on the bottom wall 1306 of the heater pocket 1300. A heating
element clip 402 is coupled to the plate 1502. A heating element having heater coils
404 and a base 406 is inserted into and sealingly engaged with an opening at a far
end of the heater pocket 1300, as viewed in FIG. 8. The heater coils 404 engage and
are retained by the heating element clip 402. The heating element can be, for example,
a 1300 Watt heating element.
[0006] During a washing cycle of the washer, the rotation of the drum 1215 induces a flow
of the washing liquid from the drum 1215 into the heater pocket 1300 to be heated
by the heater coils 404 and then out of the heater pocket 1300 and back into the drum
1215.
[0007] The heater pocket 1300 is in fluid communication with a drain assembly (not shown)
at a near end of the heater pocket 1300 as viewed in FIG. 8, which can include a discharge
pump and corrugated tubing for discharging the washing liquid from the tub 1210. During
a draining cycle of the washer, the drain is opened and the washing liquid flows from
the drum 1215 into the heater pocket 1300, and then from the heater pocket 1300 into
the corrugated tubing of the drain assembly. A discharge pump can be provided for
drawing the washing liquid from the heater pocket 1300 and the tub 1210 into the drain
assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention recognizes that the flow patterns of the washing liquid into,
within, and out of the heater pocket can affect the heat distribution from the heater
coils to the washing liquid, and thus the efficiency of the washer. The present invention
further recognizes that the deposition and accumulation of debris below, on, or around
the heater coils can affect the heat distribution from the heater coils to the washing
liquid, thereby reducing the efficiency of the washer. The deposition and accumulation
of debris below, on, or around the heater coils also can result in early failure of
the heating element, thereby affecting the durability and reliability of the washer.
[0009] As explained above with reference to FIG. 8, in many conventional washers, the heater
pocket 1300 has a generally rectangular, box-shaped design in which the first sidewall
1302 is substantially parallel to the second sidewall 1304, and the first and second
sidewalls 1302, 1304 are substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 1306. The
conventional heater pocket may result in irregular flow patterns below and around
the heating element, thereby reducing or limiting the heat distribution from the heater
coils to the washing liquid.
[0010] For example, the sharp edges of the heater pocket 1300 where the sidewalls 1302,
1304 meet the tub 1210, as well as the vertical sidewalls 1302, 1304 of the heater
pocket 1300 themselves, can induce irregular and heavily disturbed flow of the washing
liquid under and around the heater coils 404. Also, the conventional heater pocket
may reduce or limit the drainage efficiency to the discharge pump. The dynamics of
the drum motion (i.e., rotation or oscillation) also can induce irregular flow patterns
of the washing liquid below and around the heating element. The washing liquid can
flow in a plurality of directions and at various velocities. Thus, with the conventional
heater pocket 1300, there may be, for example, areas having irregular flow, areas
in which the flow velocity is reduced, and/or stagnant areas (i.e., areas of minimal
or no flow) below or around the heater coils 404. As a result, the efficiency of the
heat distribution from the heater coils 404 to the washing liquid can be reduced.
Also, the time to heat the washing liquid in the tub can be increased.
[0011] The present invention recognizes that these areas having irregular flow, areas in
which the flow velocity is reduced, and/or stagnant areas below or around the heater
coils 404 can result in a large amount of debris, such as fluffs (e.g., lint or paper
particles) and lime, collecting and accumulating under, on, or around the heater coils
404, since the flow may not be sufficient to sweep or clean this debris off of the
heater coils 404 or out from under the heater coils 404. This debris can collect or
accumulate under, on, or around the heater coils 404, and eventually, can turn into
a paste-like material or coating on the heater coils 404 that may function like a
layer of insulation on the heater coils 404. This debris also can collect or accumulate
on the heater coil retainer clip.
[0012] In this manner, some of the most affected areas of the heater coils 404 may eventually
lose some or all of their ability to transfer heat to the washing liquid. As a result,
the time to heat the washing liquid in the tub can be increased. As more and more
debris accumulates on the heater coils 404, the time to heat the washing liquid can
become longer.
[0013] Moreover, the insulating effect of the accumulated debris may cause overheating of
the heating element, thereby resulting in early failure of the heating element and
reducing the reliability of the washer.
[0014] As explained above, during a draining cycle of the washer, the washing liquid flows
from the drum 1215 into the heater pocket 1300, and then exits the heater pocket 1300
through a drain via the discharge pump and corrugated tubing. The configuration of
the conventional heater pocket 1300, and particularly the first and second sidewalls
1302, 1304 of the heater pocket 1300 being substantially perpendicular to the bottom
wall 1306, can result in poor drainage from the tub 1210 to the discharge pump, for
example, because the washing liquid may not flow smoothly into the heater pocket 1300
and/or may not flow smoothly within/from the heater pocket 1300 toward the drain.
[0015] A washer comprising a tub, a drum and a heating element is also know from
EP 1 975 298 A1. The tub of such washer includes a heater pocket integrally formed in a lower portion
of the tub and having two opposed sidewalls which are connected to a bottom wall wherein
each of these sidewalls intersects the bottom wall at an angle other than 90°.
[0016] These problems and others are addressed by the present invention according to claim
1. A first exemplary embodiment comprises a household appliance including a housing
having a door formed in a front panel thereof for accessing an interior of the housing,
and a tub disposed inside the housing, the tub having a rotating drum therein for
receiving laundry through the door, the drum having an axis of rotation, wherein the
tub includes a heater pocket integrally formed in a lower portion of the tub, the
heater pocket forming a cavity in fluid communication with the drum, the heater pocket
for at least partially surrounding a heating element for heating a washing liquid
in the tub, wherein a cross-section of the heater pocket, which is taken in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating drum, includes
a first sidewall; a second sidewall opposed to the first sidewall; and a bottom wall
connecting a lower side of the first sidewall to a lower side of the second sidewall,
wherein each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall intersects the bottom wall
at an angle other than 90°.
[0017] Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a front-loading washer including
a housing having a door formed in a front panel thereof for accessing an interior
of the housing, and a tub disposed inside the housing, the tub having a rotating drum
therein for receiving laundry through the door, the drum having an axis of rotation.
The tub includes a heater pocket integrally formed in a lower portion of the tub,
the heater pocket forming a cavity in fluid communication with the drum, the heater
pocket for at least partially surrounding a heating element for heating a washing
liquid in the tub, wherein walls of the heater pocket guides the washing liquid one
of below and around the heating element at a substantially constant velocity and with
a substantially uniform flow pattern.
[0018] Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a front-loading washer including
a housing having a door formed in a front panel thereof for accessing an interior
of the housing; and a tub disposed inside the housing, the tub having a rotating drum
therein for receiving laundry through the door, the drum having an axis of rotation,
wherein the tub includes a heater pocket integrally formed in a lower portion of the
tub, the heater pocket forming a cavity in fluid communication with the drum, the
heater pocket for at least partially surrounding a heating element for heating a washing
liquid in the tub, wherein the heater pocket includes means for guiding the washing
liquid one of below and around the heater coil at a substantially constant velocity
and with a substantially uniform flow pattern.
[0019] In this manner, the exemplary embodiments can provide a heater pocket that promotes
substantially uniform flow and velocity of the washing liquid in the heater pocket,
including below and around the heater coil and out of the heater pocket during a heating
cycle. The exemplary embodiments can increase the heat distribution from the heater
coils to the washing liquid. Also, the exemplary embodiments can reduce the time to
heat the washing liquid in the tub. Furthermore, the exemplary embodiments can increase
the drainage efficiency to the discharge pump and reduce the resistance of the flow
of the washing liquid into the drain.
[0020] The exemplary embodiments can promote uniform flow of the washing liquid into the
drain assembly during draining of the washing liquid, for example, during a spinning
cycle. In this manner, the disclosed exemplary embodiments can reduce or eliminate
stagnant areas, low flow areas, or irregular flow areas that may result in large amounts
of debris collecting under, on, or around the heater coils. The exemplary embodiments
can prevent or reduce the collection or accumulation of debris, such as fluffs (e.g.,
lint or paper particles) and lime deposits or formations under, on, or around the
heater coils.
[0021] Moreover, the exemplary embodiments can promote substantially uniform velocity of
the washing liquid below and around the heater coils. In an exemplary embodiment,
one or more interior surfaces of the first or second sidewalls or the bottom wall
of the heater pocket can include an optional diverter for diverting the washing fluid
or the washing fluid flow. The diverter can generate a vortex or other flow pattern
that improves the cleaning out of accumulated debris under or on the heater coils.
In this manner, the exemplary embodiments can induce sufficient velocity of the washing
liquid to provide a sweeping or cleaning affect on the heater coils, thereby removing
some or all of the collected debris from the heater coils. The exemplary embodiments
may extend the operating life of the heater coils and increase the heat distribution
from the heater coils to the washing liquid, thereby increasing the efficiency of
the washer.
[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] These and other aspects and features of embodiments of the present invention will
be better understood after a reading of the following detailed description, together
with the attached drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a washer;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of a washing unit according to an exemplary embodiment
of the invention;
Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of the washing unit of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a heater pocket according to Figure
2 taken along the line IV-IV;
Figure 5 is another partial cross-sectional view of a heater pocket of Figure 2 taken
along the line IV-IV according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is another partial cross-sectional view of a heater pocket of Figure 2 taken
along the line IV-IV according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a heater pocket of Figure 2 taken along
the line IV-IV according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional heater pocket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited
to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that
this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of
the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0025] Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 - 7 illustrate exemplary embodiments of
a household appliance having a heater pocket according to exemplary embodiments of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a household appliance 100, such as a front-loading clothes washer,
having a housing 110 and a door 112 to provide access to the interior of the appliance
housing 110. The household appliance 100 wets the laundry to be washed with washing
liquid and mechanically moves the laundry to release contaminants from the laundry.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the housing 110 encloses a washing unit, which includes
a tub 210 having a rotating washing drum 215 that rotates or oscillates about an axis
to move the clothes or laundry in the tub 210. The interior of the tub 210 is accessible
through the opening 212, which corresponds to the door 112 of the housing 110, as
illustrated in FIG. 1. In operation, a drive system rotates or oscillates the rotating
washing drum 215 within the tub 210. The drive system can include, for example, a
motor 214, a pulley 216, and a drive belt 218.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tub 210 can include a heater pocket 300 having a heating
element 400 disposed therein. The washing unit also can include a drain assembly 220
coupled to or formed in the tub 210. The drain assembly 220 can be in fluid communication
with the heater pocket 300. The drain assembly 220 can include, for example, a discharge
pump and corrugated tube for discharging the washing liquid from the tub 210.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 4, the heater pocket 300 can include a first sidewall 302,
a second sidewall 304, and a bottom wall 306. A plate 502 can be coupled to or integrally
formed with the bottom wall 306 of the heater pocket 300. A heater coil retainer clip
402 can be coupled to the plate 502. During assembly of the household appliance, a
heating element 400 having heater coils 404 and a base 406 can be inserted into and
sealingly engaged with an opening at the far end of the heater pocket 300, as viewed
in FIG. 4. The heater coils 404 engage and are retained by the heating element retainer
clip 402. The heating element 400 can be, for example, a 300 Watt heating element.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the interior surface of the first sidewall 302 and the
interior surface of the second sidewall 304 can have a draft angle to assist with
removal of the heater pocket from a mold during a manufacturing process. For example,
the interior surface of the first sidewall 302 and the interior surface of the second
sidewall 304 can be closer to each other at the far end of the heater pocket where
the base 406 of the heating element 400 engages the heater pocket, as viewed in FIG.
4, than at the near end of the heater pocket having the drain assembly (not shown)
as viewed in FIG. 4.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the interior surface of the bottom wall 306 can be sloped
in a direction toward the drain assembly 220 to promote the flow of the washing liquid
L toward and into the drain assembly 220, as shown in FIG. 2. The drain assembly 220
(not shown in FIG. 4) is located at the near end of the heater pocket 300 as viewed
in FIG. 4 (i.e., at an opposite end from the base 406 of the heating element 400).
An opening into the drain assembly from the heater pocket can include a mesh screen,
for example a metal screen, that prevents or reduces the flow of debris from the heater
pocket 300 into the drain assembly.
[0032] The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 4-6 illustrate a cross-section of the heater pocket
taken in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum
215. In the exemplary embodiments, the cross-section of the bottom wall 306 can be
substantially parallel to the heater coils 404 of the heating element 400.
[0033] In cross-section of the heater pocket 300, the first sidewall 302 and the second
sidewall 304 of the heater pocket 300 are not perpendicular to the bottom wall 306.
That is, the first sidewall 302 and the second sidewall 304 of the heater pocket 300
can be inclined at an angle other than 90° with respect to the bottom wall 306. For
example, when viewed in cross-section, the first sidewall 302 can be inclined by a
first angle θ1 and the second sidewall 304 can be inclined at a second angle θ2 with
respect to the bottom wall 306. By providing the cross-sections of the first sidewall
302 and second sidewall 304 at angles other than 90° with respect to the bottom wall
306, the exemplary embodiments can eliminate or reduce a number of features, such
as sharp corners, that may be prone to collecting or accumulating debris, such as
fluffs (e.g., lint or paper particles) and deposits or formation of lime.
[0034] During operation, the rotation of the drum 215 induces flow of the washing liquid
into the heater pocket 300 in a first direction. The drum 215 can include paddle-shaped
elements thereon for lifting or pushing the washing liquid L as the drum 215 rotates,
thereby inducing flow of the washing liquid L into the heater pocket in a first direction
and then out of the other side of the heater pocket. The rotation of the drum 215
also may result in a backflow of a portion of the washing liquid into the heater pocket
300 in a second direction as a result of some of the washing liquid that is dragged
or lifted out of the heater pocket by the rotating drum subsequently flowing back
into the heater pocket.
[0035] During a heating cycle, the washing liquid flows from the drum 215 into the heater
pocket 300, wherein the heater coils transfer heat to the washing liquid. The heated
washing liquid then flows out of the heater pocket 300 and back into the drum 215.
Similarly, during a rinsing cycle, the washing liquid flows from the drum 215 into
the heater pocket 300 and then out of the heater pocket 300 and back into the drum
215. During the heating and/or rinsing cycles, the drum 215 may rotate in a first
direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) for a period of time, and then rotate in a
second direction (e.g., a counter-clockwise direction) for a period of time.
[0036] During a draining cycle of the washer, for example a spinning cycle, the washing
liquid flows into the heater pocket 300 from the drum 215, and then is permitted to
flow into, or be drawn into, the drain assembly 220. As explained above, a discharge
pump can be provided for drawing the washing liquid from the heater pocket 300 and
the tub 210 into the drain assembly 220. During the draining cycle, the drum 215 may
rotate in a single direction such that the washing liquid flows into the heater pocket
300 in a single direction, for example, a clockwise direction in Figures 4-7.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the configuration of the first sidewall 302, second sidewall
304, and bottom wall 306 can facilitate substantially uniform flow and velocity of
the washing liquid below and around the heater coils 404, thereby reducing or eliminating
stagnant areas, low flow areas, or irregular flow areas in which large amounts of
debris can collect and accumulate under, on, or around the heater coils 404. As a
result, the exemplary embodiments can improve water flow and heat distribution from
the heater coils 404 to the washing liquid, thereby increasing the efficiency of the
washer. Also, the exemplary embodiments can reduce the time to heat the washing liquid
L in the tub 210.
[0038] The first sidewall 302, second sidewall 304, and bottom wall 306 also can be configured
in a manner to promote the flow of the washing liquid into the drain assembly 220.
As a result, the exemplary embodiments can increase the drainage efficiency of the
washer.
[0039] With reference again to the cross-section of the exemplary heater pocket illustrated
in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first sidewall 302 intersects the bottom wall 306 at a first
angle θ1, and the second sidewall 304 intersects the bottom wall 306 at a second angle
θ2. The first angle θ1 and second angle θ2 can be selected to promote uniform flow
of washing liquid L (illustrated using dashed lines in FIG. 5) into the heater pocket
300, below and around the heater coil 404, and out of the heater pocket 300, for example
during a heating cycle, as well as to promote the flow of water into the heater pocket
300 and into the drain assembly 220, for example during a spinning cycle.
[0040] In the exemplary heater pocket illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, first angle θ1 can be selected
to be lower than the second angle θ2 to increase the velocity of the washing liquid
flowing into the heater pocket 300. The first angle θ1 can be selected such that the
first sidewall 302 does not restrict the flow of washing liquid into the heater pocket
300 for heating by the heating element 400. The second angle θ2 can be selected to
be higher than the first angle θ1 to increase the velocity of the washing liquid flowing
into the drain assembly 220, for example, during a spinning cycle of the washer. The
second angle θ2 can promote flow of the washing fluid into the drain assembly 220
from the heater pocket 300 in a clockwise direction.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, a ratio of the second angle θ2 to the first angle θ1
can be selected to be a 2 to 1 ratio (e.g., 60° to 30° as illustrated in FIG. 6),
thereby promoting a higher velocity of washing fluid flowing into the heater pocket
300 during heating, and improving flow of the washing fluid toward the drain during
a draining or spinning cycle of the washer. One of ordinary skill will recognize that
other ratios of the second angle θ2 to the first angle θ1 are possible within the
spirit and scope of the invention and are contemplated by the present invention.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 6, the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 can be selected
such that their sum is equal to 90°. In this manner, the exemplary embodiments can
provide a heater pocket 300 that does not increase the volume requirement of the washing
liquid in the washer as compared to the conventional heater pocket, such that the
water consumption of the exemplary washer is consistent with the water consumption
requirements of conventional washers.
[0043] As explained above, in the exemplary heater pocket illustrated in FIG. 6, the first
angle 61 can be 30° and the second angle 62 can be 60°, thereby providing a 2 to 1
ratio. In other exemplary embodiments, the first angle θ1 and second angle θ2 can
include other angles having a sum of 90°. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the
first angle θ1 can be selected to be equal to the second angle θ2, for example a 45°
angle, such that the first angle 61 and second angle 62 have a sum of 90°.
[0044] In still other exemplary embodiments, the first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2
of the first and second sidewalls 302, 304 with respect to the bottom wall 306 may
not sum to 90°. In these cases, the water consumption of the exemplary washer may
be different (e.g., increased or reduced) compared to the water consumption requirements
of conventional washers.
[0045] In another exemplary embodiment, the heater pocket 300 can be configured to cause
the washing liquid L flowing in the heater pocket 300 to swirl or rotate within the
heater pocket 300, thereby forcing the washing liquid into the space below the heater
coils 404 and improving the cleaning out of accumulated debris from under, on, or
around the heater coils 404. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4, one or more
interior surfaces of the sidewalls (e.g., 302, 304) or bottom wall 306 of the heater
pocket 300 can include an optional diverter 500 for diverting the washing fluid or
the washing fluid flow. The diverter 500 can generate a vortex or another flow pattern
that improves the cleaning out of accumulated debris from under, on, or around the
heater coils 404. The diverter 500 can include, for example, one or more of a fin,
a dimple, a raised feature extending from a surface of the sidewalls 302, 304, and/or
bottom wall 306, or a depressed feature extending into a surface of one or more of
the sidewalls 302, 304, and/or bottom wall 306.
[0046] For example, the diverter 500 can be square-shaped, oval-shaped, circular-shaped,
or another shape. In this manner, the exemplary embodiments can cause the washing
liquid L flowing in the heater pocket 300 to have a flow pattern within the heater
pocket 300 that prevents or reduces the accumulation or collection of debris on, around,
or below the heater coils 404, thereby increasing or maintaining the heat distribution
from the heater coils 404 to the washing liquid L, extending the operating life of
the heater coils 404, and increasing the overall efficiency of the washer.
[0047] To summarize, according to a disclosed exemplary embodiment, a household appliance
is provided. The exemplary household appliance includes a housing 110 having a door
112 formed in a front panel thereof for accessing an interior of the housing 110,
and a tub 210 disposed inside the housing 110, the tub 210 having a rotating drum
215 therein for receiving laundry through the door 112, the drum 215 having an axis
of rotation, wherein the tub 215 includes a heater pocket 300 integrally formed in
a lower portion of the tub 215, the heater pocket 300 forming a cavity in fluid communication
with the drum 215, the heater pocket 300 for at least partially surrounding a heating
element 400 for heating a washing liquid L in the tub 215, wherein a cross-section
of the heater pocket 300, which is taken in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the axis of rotation of the rotating drum, includes a first sidewall 302, a second
sidewall 304 opposed to the first sidewall 302, and a bottom wall 306 connecting a
lower side of the first sidewall 302 to a lower side of the second sidewall 304, wherein
each of the first sidewall 302 and the second sidewall 304 intersects the bottom wall
306 at an angle other than 90°.
[0048] Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a front-loading washer including
a housing 110 having a door 112 formed in a front panel thereof for accessing an interior
of the housing 110, and a tub 210 disposed inside the housing 110, the tub 210 having
a rotating drum 215 therein for receiving laundry through the door 112, the drum 215
having an axis of rotation, wherein the tub 215 includes a heater pocket 300 integrally
formed in a lower portion of the tub 215, the heater pocket 300 forming a cavity in
fluid communication with the drum 215, the heater pocket 300 for at least partially
surrounding a heating element 400 for heating a washing liquid L in the tub 215, wherein
walls 302, 304, and/or 306 of the heater pocket 300 guide the washing liquid L one
of below and around the heating element 400 at a substantially constant velocity and
with a substantially uniform flow pattern.
[0049] Another exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a front-loading washer including
a housing 110 having a door 112 formed in a front panel thereof for accessing an interior
of the housing 110, and a tub 210 disposed inside the housing 110, the tub 210 having
a rotating drum 215 therein for receiving laundry through the door 112, the drum 215
having an axis of rotation, wherein the tub 215 includes a heater pocket 300 integrally
formed in a lower portion of the tub 215, the heater pocket 300 forming a cavity in
fluid communication with the drum 215, the heater pocket 300 for at least partially
surrounding a heating element 400 for heating a washing liquid L in the tub 215, wherein
the heater pocket 300 includes means for guiding (e.g., 302, 304, 306, 550, θ1, θ2,
and combinations thereof) the washing liquid L one of below and around the heating
element 400 at a substantially constant velocity and with a substantially uniform
flow pattern.
[0050] As explained above, these features are important for providing a household appliance
having a heater pocket that can promote uniform flow of the washing liquid below,
on, or around the heater coils 404, thereby reducing or eliminating stagnant areas,
low flow areas, or irregular flow areas where large amounts of debris can collect
on the heater coils 404. In this manner, the exemplary embodiments can prevent or
reduce the collection or accumulation of debris, such as fluffs (e.g., lint or paper
particles) and lime, below, on, or around the heater coils 404.
[0051] The exemplary embodiments provide important advantages in that, when the flow of
the washing liquid is induced by the rotation of the drum 215, the resulting flow
may slow down in the area of the heating element 404, since the heater pocket 300
may act like a diffuser. The flow of the washing liquid may substantially follow the
shape of the tub 210, thereby providing sufficient washout below, on, or around the
heating element 404 and/or the heater coil retainer clip 402. The exemplary embodiments
also can facilitate uniform distribution of flow within the heater pocket 300 in the
main flow direction, with only minor secondary flow components in other directions.
A uniform flow pattern can be provided below and around the heater coils 404.
[0052] The exemplary embodiments also can provide substantially uniform velocities of high
magnitude below and around the heater coils 404. In this manner, the exemplary embodiments
can increase the sweeping or cleaning affect of the washing liquid on the heater coils
404, thereby removing some or all of the accumulated debris from the heater coils
404 and/or the heater coil retainer clip 402. The exemplary embodiments may extend
the operating life of the heater coils 404 and increase the heat distribution from
the heater coils 404 to the washing liquid, thereby increasing the efficiency of the
washer.
[0053] The present invention has been described herein in terms of several preferred embodiments.
However, modifications and additions to these embodiments will become apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description.
[0054] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of
certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0055] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined,
all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning
as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly
used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with
their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not
be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined
herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity
and/or clarity.
[0056] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification,
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or
components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used
herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as "between X and Y" and "between
about X and Y" should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such
as "between about X and Y" mean "between about X and about Y." As used herein, phrases
such as "from about X to Y" mean "from about X to about Y."
[0057] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on", "attached"
to, "connected" to, "coupled" with, "contacting", etc., another element, it can be
directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element
or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred
to as being, for example, "directly on", "directly attached" to, "directly connected"
to, "directly coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are no
intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the
art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another
feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
[0058] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper", "lateral",
"left", "right" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe
one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated
in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended
to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition
to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures
is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features
would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise
oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of relative
spatial relationships used herein interpreted accordingly.
1. A household appliance (100) comprising:
a housing (110) having a door (112) formed in a front panel thereof for accessing
an interior of the housing (110); and a tub (210) disposed inside the housing (110),
the tub (210) having a rotating drum (215) therein for receiving laundry through the
door (112), the drum (215) having an axis of rotation,
wherein the tub (210) includes: a heater pocket (300) integrally formed in a lower
portion of the tub (210), the heater pocket (300) forming a cavity in fluid communication
with the drum (215), the heater pocket (300) for at least partially surrounding a
heating element (400) for heating a washing liquid in the tub (210),
wherein a cross-section of the heater pocket (300), which is taken in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating drum (215), includes:
a first sidewall (302); a second sidewall (304) opposed to the first sidewall (302);
and a bottom wall (306) connecting a lower side of the first sidewall (302) to a lower
side of the second sidewall (304),
wherein each of the first sidewall (302) and the second sidewall (304) intersects
the bottom wall (306) at an angle other than 90°, characterized in that
an interior surface of one or more of the first sidewall (302), the second sidewall
(304) and the bottom wall (306) includes a diverter (500) for diverting the washing
liquid or the washing liquid flow.
2. The household appliance (100) of claim 1, wherein the diverter (500) is a fin, a dimple,
a raised feature extending from the first and/or second sidewall (302, 304) and/or
from the bottom wall (306) or a depressed feature extending into a surface of the
first and/or second sidewall (302, 304) and/or into the bottom wall (306).
3. The household appliance (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the diverter (500) is
designed for generating a vortex.
4. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 1 to 3, comprising a heating element
(400) having a heater coil (404) disposed in the heater pocket (300).
5. The household appliance (100) of claim 4, wherein the diverter (500) is designed for
generating a flow pattern which improves the cleaning out of accumulated debris under
or on the heater coil (404).
6. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the first sidewall
(302) is perpendicular to the second sidewall (304).
7. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein a sum of the first
angle θ1 angled between the first sidewall (302) and the bottom wall (306) and the
second angle θ2 angled between the second sidewall (304) and the bottom wall (306)
is 90°.
8. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the first angle
θ1 angled between the first sidewall (302) and the bottom wall (306) is less than
the second angle θ2 angled between the second sidewall (304) and the bottom wall (306).
9. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein a ratio of the
second angle θ2 angled between the second sidewall (304) and the bottom wall (306)
to the first angle θ1 angled between the first sidewall (302) and the bottom wall
(306) is a 2 to 1 ratio.
10. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the first angle
θ1 angled between the first sidewall (302) and the bottom wall (306) is equal to the
second angle θ2 angled between the second sidewall (304) and the bottom wall (306).
11. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 4 to 10, wherein the bottom wall
(306) is substantially parallel to the heater coil (404) of the heating element (400).
12. The household appliance (100) of one of the claim 4 to 11, wherein at least one of
the first sidewall (302) and the second sidewall (304) guides the washing liquid one
of below and around the heater coil (404).
13. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 4 to 12, wherein at least one of
the first sidewall (302) and the second sidewall (304) guides the washing liquid such
that the washing liquid rotates below the heater coil (404).
14. The household appliance (100) of one of the claims 4 to 12, wherein an interior surface
of at least one of the first sidewall (302) and the second sidewall guides (304) the
washing liquid one of below and around the heater coil (404) at a substantially constant
velocity and with a substantially uniform flow pattern.
15. The household appliance (100) of one of the previous claims, wherein the heater pocket
(300) includes: a drain for draining the washing liquid from the tub (210), wherein
an interior surface of the bottom wall (306) of the heater pocket (300) is angled
with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum toward the drain.
1. Haushaltsgerät (100), das Folgendes umfasst:
ein Gehäuse (110) mit einer in einer Frontblende davon ausgebildeten Tür (112) für
den Zugang zum Inneren des Gehäuses (110) und einen in dem Gehäuse (110) angeordneten
Laugenbehälter (210), der eine rotierende Trommel (215) zum Aufnehmen von Wäsche durch
die Tür (112) enthält, wobei die Trommel (215) eine Rotationsachse aufweist,
wobei der Laugenbehälter (210) Folgendes aufweist: ein Heizvorrichtungsfach (300),
das in einen unteren Abschnitt des Laugenbehälters (210) integriert ist, wobei das
Heizvorrichtungsfach (300) einen Hohlraum bildet, der mit der Trommel (215) in Fluidverbindung
steht, und ein Heizelement (400) zum Erhitzen einer Waschflüssigkeit in dem Laugenbehälter
(210) zumindest teilweise umgibt,
wobei ein Querschnitt des Heizvorrichtungsfachs (300) in einer im Wesentlichen senkrecht
zur Rotationsachse der rotierenden Trommel (215) verlaufenden Richtung Folgendes aufweist:
eine erste Seitenwand (302), eine der ersten Seitenwand (302) gegenüberliegende zweite
Seitenwand (304) und eine Bodenwand (306), die eine untere Seite der ersten Seitenwand
(302) mit einer unteren Seite der zweiten Seitenwand (304) verbindet,
wobei die erste Seitenwand (302) und die zweite Seitenwand (304) die Bodenwand (306)
jeweils in einem anderen Winkel als 90° schneiden,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
eine Innenfläche der ersten Seitenwand (302), der zweiten Seitenwand (304) oder/ und
der Bodenwand (306) eine Umleitvorrichtung (500) zum Umleiten der Waschflüssigkeit
oder der Waschflüssigkeitsströmung aufweist.
2. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem es sich bei der Umleitvorrichtung (500)
um eine Rippe, eine Vertiefung, ein erhöhtes Element, das von der ersten und/ oder
der zweiten Seitenwand (302, 304) und/ oder von der Bodenwand (306) aus verläuft,
oder ein vertieftes Element handelt, das in eine Fläche der ersten und/ oder der zweiten
Seitenwand (302, 304) und/ oder in die Bodenwand (306) hinein verläuft.
3. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei dem die Umleitvorrichtung (500) zum
Erzeugen eines Wirbels ausgelegt ist.
4. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, das ein in dem Heizvorrichtungsfach
(300) angeordnetes Heizelement (400) mit einer Heizvorrichtungsspule (404) umfasst.
5. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach Anspruch 4, bei dem die Umleitvorrichtung (500) zum Erzeugen
eines Strömungsmusters ausgelegt ist, welches das Beseitigen von angesammelten Ablagerungen
unter oder an der Heizvorrichtungsspule (404) verbessert.
6. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, bei dem die erste Seitenwand
(302) senkrecht zu der zweiten Seitenwand (304) verläuft.
7. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem eine Summe aus dem
ersten Winkel θ1 zwischen der ersten Seitenwand (302) und der Bodenwand (306) und
dem zweiten Winkel θ2 zwischen der zweiten Seitenwand (304) und der Bodenwand (306)
90° beträgt.
8. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem der erste Winkel θ1
zwischen der ersten Seitenwand (302) und der Bodenwand (306) kleiner ist als der zweite
Winkel θ2 zwischen der zweiten Seitenwand (304) und der Bodenwand (306).
9. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem ein Verhältnis des
zweiten Winkels θ2 zwischen der zweiten Seitenwand (304) und der Bodenwand (306) zu
dem ersten Winkel θ1 zwischen der ersten Seitenwand (302) und der Bodenwand (306)
ein Verhältnis von 2 zu 1 ist.
10. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem der erste Winkel θ1
zwischen der ersten Seitenwand (302) und der Bodenwand (306) genau so groß ist wie
der zweite Winkel θ2 zwischen der zweiten Seitenwand (304) und der Bodenwand (306).
11. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 10, bei dem die Bodenwand (306)
im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Heizvorrichtungsspule (404) des Heizelements (400)
verläuft.
12. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 11, bei dem die erste Seitenwand
(302) oder/ und die zweite Seitenwand (304) die Waschflüssigkeit unter oder um die
Heizvorrichtungsspule (404) herum leitet.
13. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 12, bei dem die erste Seitenwand
(302) oder/ und die zweite Seitenwand (304) die Waschflüssigkeit so leitet, dass diese
unter der Heizvorrichtungsspule (404) rotiert.
14. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 12, bei dem eine Innenfläche der
ersten Seitenwand (302) oder/ und der zweiten Seitenwand (304) die Waschflüssigkeit
mit einer im Wesentlichen konstanten Geschwindigkeit und bei einem im Wesentlichen
gleichförmigen Strömungsmuster unter oder um die Heizvorrichtungsspule (404) herum
leitet.
15. Haushaltsgerät (100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, bei dem das Heizvorrichtungsfach
(300) Folgendes aufweist: einen Abfluss zum Ablassen der Waschflüssigkeit aus dem
Laugenbehälter (210), wobei eine Innenfläche der Bodenwand (306) des Heizvorrichtungsfachs
(300) in Bezug zur Rotationsachse der Trommel zum Abfluss hin abgewinkelt ist.
1. Appareil électroménager (100) comprenant :
un boîtier (110) présentant une porte (112) formée dans un panneau avant de celui-ci
pour accéder à un intérieur du boîtier (110) ; et une cuve (210) disposée à l'intérieur
du boîtier (110), la cuve (210) présentant un tambour rotatif (215) à l'intérieur
de celle-ci pour recevoir le linge à travers la porte (112), le tambour (215) présentant
un axe de rotation,
dans lequel la cuve (210) comprend : une poche chauffante (300) formée intégralement
dans une partie inférieure de la cuve (210), la poche chauffante (300) formant une
cavité en communication fluidique avec le tambour (215), la poche chauffante (300)
entourant au moins partiellement un élément chauffant (400) destiné à chauffer un
liquide lavant dans la cuve (210),
dans lequel une coupe transversale de la poche chauffante (300), qui est prise dans
une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation du tambour rotatif
(215), comprend : une première paroi latérale (302) ; une seconde paroi latérale (304)
opposée à la première paroi latérale (302) ; et une paroi inférieure (306) reliant
un côté inférieur de la première paroi latérale (302) à un côté inférieur de la seconde
paroi latérale (304),
dans lequel chacune de la première paroi latérale (302) et de la seconde paroi latérale
(304) coupe la paroi inférieure (306) à un angle différent de 90°,
caractérisé en ce qu'une surface intérieure d'une ou de plusieurs des première paroi latérale (302), seconde
paroi latérale (304) et paroi inférieure (306) comprend un partiteur (500) destiné
à détourner le liquide lavant ou l'écoulement de liquide lavant.
2. Appareil électroménager (100) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le partiteur (500)
est une ailette, un creux, une caractéristique surélevée s'étendant depuis la première
et/ou seconde paroi latérale (302, 304) et/ou depuis la paroi inférieure (306) ou
une caractéristique enfoncée s'étendant dans une surface de la première et/ou seconde
paroi latérale (302, 304) et/ou dans la paroi inférieure (306).
3. Appareil électroménager (100) selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans
lequel le partiteur (500) est réalisé pour générer un tourbillon.
4. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 1 à 3, comprenant un élément
chauffant (400) présentant une spirale chauffante (404) disposée dans la poche chauffante
(300).
5. Appareil électroménager (100) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le partiteur (500)
est réalisé pour générer une configuration de l'écoulement qui améliore le vidage
des débris accumulés dessous ou dessus la spirale chauffante (404).
6. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel la première
paroi latérale (302) est perpendiculaire à la seconde paroi latérale (304).
7. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel une
somme du premier angle θ1 incliné entre la première paroi latérale (302) et la paroi
inférieure (306) et le second angle θ2 incliné entre la seconde paroi latérale (304)
et la paroi inférieure (306) est de 90°.
8. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel le premier
angle θ1 incliné entre la première paroi latérale (302) et la paroi inférieure (306)
est inférieur au second angle θ2 incliné entre la seconde paroi latérale (304) et
la paroi inférieure (306).
9. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel un rapport
du second angle θ2 incliné entre la seconde paroi latérale (304) et la paroi inférieure
(306) sur le premier angle θ1 incliné entre la première paroi latérale (302) et la
paroi inférieure (306) est un rapport de 2 à 1.
10. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel le premier
angle θ1 incliné entre la première paroi latérale (302) et la paroi inférieure (306)
est égal au second angle θ2 incliné entre la seconde paroi latérale (304) et la paroi
inférieure (306).
11. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 4 à 10, dans lequel la
paroi inférieure (306) est sensiblement parallèle à la spirale chauffante (404) de
l'élément chauffant (400).
12. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 4 à 11, dans lequel au
moins une des première paroi latérale (302) et seconde paroi latérale (304) guide
le liquide lavant ou dessous ou autour de la spirale chauffante (404).
13. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 4 à 12, dans lequel au
moins une des première paroi latérale (302) et seconde paroi latérale (304) guide
le liquide lavant de telle sorte que le liquide lavant tourne dessous la spirale chauffante
(404).
14. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications 4 à 12, dans lequel une
surface intérieure d'au moins une des première paroi latérale (302) et seconde paroi
latérale (304) guide le liquide lavant ou dessous ou autour de la spirale chauffante
(404) à une vitesse sensiblement constante et avec une configuration de l'écoulement
sensiblement uniforme.
15. Appareil électroménager (100) selon une des revendications précédentes dans lequel
la poche chauffante (300) comprend: une voie d'écoulement destinée à écouler le liquide
lavant provenant de la cuve (210), dans lequel une surface intérieure de la paroi
inférieure (306) de la poche chauffante (300) est inclinée par rapport à l'axe de
rotation du tambour vers la voie d'écoulement.