[0001] The invention relates to a tub of a clothes drying appliance comprising a rear tub
section. The invention also relates to a clothes drying appliance comprising such
a tub. The invention is particularly useful for washer-dryers.
[0002] It is known to place a condenser in a process air channel downstream a clothes drum
of a washer-dryer. The condenser is used to cool down the warm and wet process air
coming from the clothes drum. The condenser may be a water spray device or a process
air/fluid heat exchanger using cold water or a working fluid of a heat exchanger as
the fluid. The rained-out condensate can be discharged and/or re-used. Typically,
the condenser is placed apart from the drum and from a washing tub surrounding the
drum. For example, the condenser may be a component of a floor assembly. A disadvantage
of such constructions is that the condenser needs to be fluidically connected to the
drum or washing tub using connecting parts like pipes. The connecting parts may cause
additional air flow resistance, increased risk of water and air leakage and additional
material costs. Also, this placement consumes design space.
[0003] US 2004/0045327 A1 discloses a washing machine with a drying device, which comprises an air duct The
air duct is fixed to a cylindrical drum wherein the air duct is placed on a back wall
outside of the cylindrical drum. The air duct further comprises inner rib members,
wherein the inner rib is a cooling water dispersion member, wherein the inner rib
is an ascent limitation projection and wherein the inner rib is a condensate water
capture projection.
[0004] EP 2 955 264 A1 describes a dryer with a tub wherein the tub has a rear section, in detail a rear-end
wall. An air duct is placed at the rear-end wall of the outer tube. Further, the air
duct comprises different pipelines, a first and a second pathway, wherein the second
pathway has a metallic fin, which is in heat-conductive contact with a wall of the
first pathway.
[0005] A laundry washing and drying machine 1 is described in
EP 2 412 861 A1. The laundry washing and drying machine has on an outer face an air duct, which extends
close to a rear wall. The air duct is seated on outer ribs, which are evenly distributed
on the whole outer face of rear wall. Further, a cover is disclosed. The cover is
dimensioned so to completely cover the air duct.
[0006] WO 2004/040302 A1 discloses a plastic suds tub with an end wall for a washing machine. The washing
machine comprises also a reinforcement member, wherein the reinforcement member is
seated on an outer face of the end wall, especially on a backside thereof.
[0007] EP 1 094 141 A2 describes a drum type washing machine with drying function. The washing machine has
an heat exchanger and a rear panel, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed on an outside
face of the rear panel. Further, the heat exchanger comprises a duct formed by fixing
a cover to a portion of the rear panel. Furthermore, two different embodiments are
described in
EP 1 094 141 A2. In a first embodiment, a number of reinforcement ribs are provided on the rear panel.
In a second embodiment, no reinforcement ribs are provided.
[0008] It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the problems
associated with the prior art. It is a particular object of the present invention
to provide a compact and more effective construction to cool down process air of a
clothes drying appliance, in particular of a washer-dryer.
[0009] The object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous
embodiments can be found, for example, in the dependent claims, in the subsequent
description and in the attached drawing.
[0010] The object is achieved by a tub of a clothes drying appliance, comprising a rear
tub section comprising an air outlet opening, at least one lid attached to the rear
tub section, an air duct connected to the air outlet opening and bounded by the rear
tub section and the at least one lid of a lid assembly, wherein the at least one lid
of the lid assembly bounding the air duct is a pre-manufactured lid assembly comprising
an inner rib structure.
[0011] Thus the rear tub section and the at least one lid assembly form walls of the air
duct. The air duct is integrated into the tub and can be used to cool down the air
flowing within the air duct. This avoids using connecting parts like pipes etc. to
connect the drum to an external condenser thus reducing air flow resistance, risk
of water and air leakage and material costs. This also allows for a very compact design.
The lid assembly gives a light-weight and strong mechanical re-enforcement to the
rear tub section to compensate for a possible reduction of its bending stiffness caused
by the integration of the air duct. Another advantage is that the materials of the
rear tub section and the lid assembly can be freely chosen, e.g. individually for
the rear tub section and the lid assembly. The inner ribbed or rib structure in particular
includes that ribs do not protrude from the lid assembly. This gives the additional
advantage that clothes cannot get stuck at or ripped by the ribs and that the ribs
do not cause a flow resistance within the air duct.
[0012] The clothes drying appliance may be a household appliance.
[0013] The tub ("washing tub") surrounds a clothes drum. The tub and the clothes drum may
be aligned in a horizontal or near horizontal direction. In particular, the clothes
drum may be a horizontally rotatable drum while the tub is stationary.
[0014] The tub may comprise the rear the section and a front tub section. The tub may have
a generally cylindrical form, a longitudinal axis of which may coincide with a rotational
axis of the clothes drum. The front tub section may have an opening for inserting
and removing clothes.
[0015] The air outlet opening connects the tub with components of an external section of
a process air channel. The other end of the air duct may open into the tub towards
the drum. The process air channel in full - including the drum and the condenser -
may be a closed loop that also comprises at least one heater and a fan. The fan may
be placed near the air outlet opening to suck out air from the air duct.
[0016] The air duct is provided for guiding process air and may thus also be called a process
air duct. The air duct may be regarded as a section of the process air channel.
[0017] In particular, the lid assembly is unbroken in the sense that it does not comprise
holes through which a parasitic flow of process air can enter the air duct outside
the air inlet opening.
[0018] It is an embodiment that the inner rib structure is sandwiched between two unbroken
cover layers. The two unbroken cover layers prevent parasitic air flows into the air
duct and that clothes can enter the air duct and be stuck there. In particular, the
unbroken cover layers provide an outer smooth surface of the lid assembly. The interior
or internal space of the lid assembly may comprise hollow spaces or cavities between
ribs of the inner rib structure to achieve a particularly light-weight lid assembly.
[0019] In one variant, the ribs are associated with one of the cover layers before the two
cover layers are assembled or connected. This enables a particularly easy assembly,
e.g. by welding. In another variant, ribs are associated with both of the cover layers
before the two cover layers are assembled. In this case the ribs may be positioned
adjacent to each other in the finished lid assembly or the ribs are shallow ribs that
are to be connected together for assembly of the lid assembly (i.e., the ribs of one
cover lid are to be brought in contact with opposite ribs of the other cover lid).
[0020] It is an embodiment that the rear tub section comprises a circular end wall or section
and a side wall or section. This form (which may also be called a bowl-like or shell-like
form) gives the advantage that the tub may be positioned within the rear tub section
in a particularly compact manner. The rear tub section may have a generally circular
or disk-like form.
[0021] It is an embodiment that the at least one lid assembly covers part of the end wall
in a spaced manner. Thus, the air duct is formed by the space between at least the
cooling lid cover, the end wall, and the side wall.
[0022] It is an embodiment that the rear tub section comprises a central bushing. This gives
the advantage that a shaft for rotating the drum can be led through the rear tub section.
The bushing may be used as a wall (inner side wall) of the air duct. The bushing may
be a bearing.
[0023] It is an embodiment that the lid assembly has a ring segmental form (i.e. only a
section or segment of a fully circular form, e.g. approximately a half-ring form).
This gives the advantage that a large air inlet opening into the air duct can be provided
in an easy manner. In particular, the ring segmental form may be placed such that
the air inlet opening is positioned below the air outlet opening. This gives the advantage
that water entering the air duct during a washing cycle will not reach the air outlet
opening. Also, any water present in the air duct (e.g. water spray or condensate)
flows down towards and leaves the air inlet opening. To the same effect, the air outlet
opening is positioned in a top half, in particular in a top third, in particular in
a top quarter of the end wall. To achieve a long air duct for high cooling effectiveness,
the air inlet opening may be positioned in a lower half, in particular in a lower
third, in particular in a lower quarter of the end wall.
[0024] It is an embodiment that the at least one lid assembly covers at least part of an
inner side of the end wall. The inner side is a side facing into the tub and the drum,
respectively.
[0025] Alternatively or additionally, at least one lid assembly covers at least part of
an outer side of the end wall. The outer side is a side facing away from the tub and
the drum, respectively.
[0026] It is an embodiment that the lid assembly is welded together from two parts each
comprising one of the cover layers. Welding gives the advantage of a particularly
robust connection. Depending on the material of the cover layer and the heat exchanger
layer, the welding may comprise metal welding and/or plastic welding. However, other
connection methods can be used alternatively or additionally, e.g. gluing, pressing,
screwing, riveting etc. The welding may be friction welding, laser welding, ultrasound
welding etc. It is another advantage that the material of the two parts may be identical
or different. Different materials enable a particularly effective lid assembly.
[0027] It is an embodiment that the cooling lid assembly is welded to the rear tub section.
This gives the advantage of a particularly robust connection. Depending on the material
of the lid assembly to be used for welding and the rear tub section, the welding may
comprise metal welding and/or plastic welding. However, other connection methods can
be used alternatively or additionally, e.g. gluing, pressing, screwing, riveting etc.
The welding may be friction welding, laser welding, ultrasound welding etc.
[0028] It is an embodiment that the tub further comprises at least one open ribbed part
("lid") that is attached to an area of the rear tub section bounding the air duct.
This provides a light-weight means to improve a structural strength of the rear tub
section at the air duct. The open ribbed lid may only have one cover layer. An open
ribbed lid may comprise a ribbed structure protruding from one side of a support layer,
in particular a unbroken support layer. It is a variant that the open ribbed lid is
connected to the rear tub section with its ribs first, i.e., the ribs are to be connected
to the rear tub section. Advantageously, this enables a smooth outer surface.
[0029] It is an embodiment that the open ribbed lid is welded to the rear tub section. This
gives the advantage of a particularly robust connection. Depending on the material
of the open ribbed lid and the rear tub section, the welding may comprise metal welding
and/or plastic welding. However, other connection means can be used alternatively
or additionally, e.g. gluing, pressing, screwing, riveting etc. The welding may be
friction welding, laser welding, ultrasound welding etc.
[0030] It is an embodiment that the ribbed structure of the lid assembly comprises at least
one channel for working fluid. This gives the advantage that the lid assembly can
be actively cooled to enhance a condensation effectiveness in the air duct. In particular,
the heat exchanger layer may comprise a meandering or a lattice-like pathway for the
working fluid. This gives the advantage of a high channel density and thus a particularly
high cooling effectiveness. The working fluid may be water or working fluid of a heat
pump of the clothes drying appliance, in particular a compressor heat pump. Alternatively,
a heat exchanger may be placed within the air duct.
[0031] The object is also achieved by a clothes drying appliance comprising a tub as described
above. The clothes drying appliance may be embodied in analogy to the tub and gives
the same advantages. For example, he clothes drying appliance may be a washer-dryer.
[0032] It is an embodiment that clothes drying appliance comprises a water spray device
for spraying water into the air duct. This enables an especially cost-effective cooling
of the process air.
[0033] The above described features and advantages of the invention as well as their kind
of implementation will now be schematically described in more detail by reference
to at least one embodiment in the context of one or more figures of the attached drawing.
In the drawing,
- Fig.1
- shows an exploded view of a rear tub section, a cover layer and a heat exchanger layer
according to a first embodiment;
- Fig.2A
- shows the components of Fig.1 in a frontal view onto an inner side;
- Fig.2B
- shows the rear tub section of Fig.1 in a frontal view onto an outer side of the rear
tub section;
- Fig.3
- shows a cross-sectional side view of components to be connected to a rear tub section
and a related assembly process according to a second embodiment;
- Fig.4
- shows a cross-sectional side view of components to be connected to a rear tub section
and a related assembly process according to a third embodiment; and
- Fig.5
- shows a cross-sectional side view of components to be connected to a rear tub section
and a related assembly process according to a fourth embodiment.
[0034] Fig.1 shows an exploded view drawing of the rear tub section 1, a first cover layer
2 and an open ribbed second cover layer 3 which are part of a washing tub 4 of a household
washer-dryer 5.
[0035] The rear tub section 1 has a bowl-like shape comprising a circular end wall 6 and
a side wall 7 extending in a rectangular fashion from the circular end wall 6. The
free edge of the side wall 7 is constructed as a flange 8 that is used to contact
a front tub section (not shown) of the washing tub 4. The rear tub section 1 and the
front tub section accommodate a rotatable clothes drum (not shown). The circular end
wall 6 comprises a central bushing 9 through which a shaft for rotating the drum can
be led. The rear tub section 1 is stationary.
[0036] The inner side 10 of the rear tub section 1 - which faces the drum and the front
tub section, respectively - comprises a circular front-facing seating 11 extending
inwards from the side wall 7 and a circular front-facing seating 12 extending outwards
from bushing 9. In a plan view, the seatings 11, 12 form segments of concentric rings
centered on a longitudinal axis A of the rear tub section 1.
[0037] A lid assembly 2, 3 is provided to be seated on the seatings 11, 12. The lid assembly
2, 3 is made from the two cover layers 2 and 3 which have been produced separately
(e.g. as plastic parts, e.g. by injection moulding) and which have then been connected
to each other. The second cover layer 3 has an unbroken surface 13 that has a ring
segmental form and that fits onto the seatings 11, 12. Protruding or extending towards
the first cover layer is a ribbed ("open ribbed") structure that comprises a multitude
of radially aligned ribs 14. The ribs 14 are straight ribs. The space between the
ribs 14 is hollow but may generally be filled with a filling material.
[0038] The first cover lid 2 is attached to the second cover layer 3 such that it connects
with the ribs 14. This forms a lid assembly 2, 3 comprising an inner rib structure,
i.e., the ribs 14 are sandwiched between the first cover layer 2 and the unbroken
surface 13 of the second cover layer 3. In a variant, the first cover layer 2 may
comprise ribs facing towards the second cover layer 3. These ribs may be connected
to the ribs 14 (rib-on-rib connection) which also gives an inner rib structure.
[0039] Fig.2A shows the components of Fig.1 in a frontal view on an inner side 10, i.e.
facing the drum. When the lid assembly 2, 3 is seated onto seatings 11, 12, it covers
a ring segment-like part of the rear tub section 1 in a spaced manner, forming an
air duct 15. At the lower end of the lid assembly 2, 3 an opening at a lower half
of the rear tub section 1 is created which serves as an air inlet opening 16 to the
air duct 15. Process air P may enter the air duct 15 through the air inlet opening
16 and flow upwards within the air duct 15 (as indicated by the dotted arrows) to
an air outlet opening 17. The air outlet opening 17 is shown in Fig.2B at the outer
side of the rear tub section 1. Within the air duct 15, the process air P can be e.g.
sprayed with water to cool it down, as indicated by a spray outlet position of a respective
water spraying device W. In a variant, the water may be sprayed through the air outlet
opening 17.
[0040] Fig.3 shows a cross-sectional side view of components to be connected to a rear tub
section 21, and a related assembly process. Only a half of the rear tub section 21
is shown. This rear tub section 21 can also be used as a component of the washing
tub 4 of the household washer-dryer 5.
[0041] The rear tub section 21 is formed similar to the rear tub section 1. However, an
open-ribbed first cover layer 22 now comprises the unbroken surface 13 and the ribs
14. The ribs 14 face a second cover layer 22 that has no ribs.
[0042] The plastic cover layers 22 and 23 are welded together by a welding process W1 to
form the lid assembly 22, 23 that comprises an inner ribbed structure. The lid assembly
22, 23 may be similarly formed to the lid assembly 2, 3, e.g. having a segmental ring-like
form.
[0043] The lid assembly 22, 23 is then welded to the seatings 11, 12 of the plastic rear
tub section 21 by a welding process W2 to form the air duct 15. The air duct 15 is
bounded or confined by the rear tub section 21 and the lid assembly 22, 23. The lid
assembly 22, 23 is positioned on an inner side 10 of the rear tub section 21.
[0044] Optionally, an additional open ribbed lid 24 having ribs 14 facing an outer side
of the end wall 6 of the rear tub section 21 may be attached to the rear tub section
21, more precisely to an area of the end wall 6 bounding the air duct 15. The open
ribbed lid 24 may be welded to the end wall 6 of the rear tub section 21 by a welding
process W3. This may give an inner rib structure sandwiched between an unbroken surface
of the open ribbed lid 24 and the unbroken covered area of the end wall 6. Therefore,
the walls of the air duct 15 are doubly reinforced.
[0045] Fig.4 shows a cross-sectional side view of components to be connected to a rear tub
section 31 and a related assembly process. Only a half of the rear tub section 31
is shown. This rear tub section 31 can also be used as a component of the washing
tub 4 of the household washer-dryer 5. In contrast to the rear tub section 1, the
lid assembly 32, 33 now covers the end wall 6 of the rear tub section 31 on its outer
side.
[0046] An open-ribbed first cover layer 32 comprises the unbroken surface 13 and the ribs
14. The ribs 14 face a second cover layer 32 that has no ribs. The cover layers 32
and 33 are welded together by a welding process W1 to form the lid assembly 32, 33
that comprises an inner ribbed structure. The lid assembly 32, 33 may have a segmental
ring-like form.
[0047] The lid assembly 32, 33 is then welded to seatings 34 of the plastic rear tub section
31 by a welding process W2 to form the air duct 15. The air duct 15 is bounded or
confined by the rear tub section 31 and the lid assembly 32, 33. The lid assembly
32, 33 is thus securely positioned on an outer side of the end wall 6 of the rear
tub section 31.
[0048] Fig.5 shows a cross-sectional side view of components to be connected to a rear tub
section 41 and a related assembly process. Only a half of the rear tub section 41
is shown. This rear tub section 41 can also be used as a component of the washing
tub 4 of the household washer-dryer 5.
[0049] The rear tub section 41 is similar to the rear tub section 31 but is adapted to be
additionally reinforced at its inner side 10. To this effect, an open ribbed lid 42
comprises ribs 14 facing an inner side of the end wall 6 of the rear tub section 41,
more precisely an area of the end wall 6 bounding the air duct 15. The open ribbed
lid 42 may be welded to seatings 43 of the end wall 6 by a welding process W3. This
may give an inner rib structure sandwiched between a preferably unbroken surface of
the open ribbed lid 42 and the unbroken covered area of the end wall 6.
[0050] Then, similar to the rear tub section 31, covers 32 and 33 can be welded together
by a welding process W1 to form the lid assembly 32, 33, and the lid assembly 32,
33 can then be welded to the outer side of the rear tub section 41 by a welding process
W2 to cover the air duct 15. Therefore, the walls of the air duct 15 are doubly reinforced.
[0051] Of course, the invention is not restricted to the described embodiments, but by the
scope of the appended claims.
1. A tub (4) of a clothes drying appliance (5), comprising
- a rear tub section (1; 21; 31; 41) comprising an air outlet opening (17),
- at least one lid attached to the rear tub section (1; 21; 31; 41),
- an air duct (15) connected to the air outlet opening (17) and bounded by the rear
tub section (1; 21; 31; 41) and at least one lid of a lid assembly (2, 3; 22, 23;
32, 33),
- characterized in that at least one lid of the lid assembly (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) bounding the air duct
(15) is a pre-manufactured lid assembly (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) comprising an inner
rib (14) structure.
2. The tub (4) according to claim 1, wherein the inner rib (14) structure is sandwiched
between two unbroken cover layers (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) of the lid assembly (2, 3;
22, 23; 32, 33).
3. The tub (4) according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein
- the rear tub section (1; 21; 31; 41) comprises a circular end wall (6) and a side
wall (7) and
- the at least one lid assembly (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) covers part of the end wall
(6) in a spaced manner.
4. The tub (4) according to claim 3, wherein
- the rear tub section (1; 21; 31; 41) comprises a central bushing (9) and
- the lid assembly (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) has a ring segmental form.
5. The tub (4) according to any of the claims 3 to 4, wherein the at least one lid assembly
(2, 3; 22, 23) covers part of an inner side of the end wall (6).
6. The tub (4) according to any of the claim 3 to 5, wherein the at least one lid assembly
(32, 33) covers part of an outer side of the end wall (6).
7. The tub (4) according to any of the claims 2 to 6, wherein the lid assembly is welded
together from two parts each comprising one of the cover layers.
8. The tub (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lid assembly (2,
3; 22, 23; 32, 33) is welded (W2) to the rear tub section (1; 21; 31; 41).
9. The tub (4) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tub (4) further
comprises at least one open ribbed lid (24; 42) that is attached to an area of the
rear tub section (21; 41) bounding the air duct (15).
10. The tub (4) according toclaim 9, wherein the open ribbed lid (24; 42) is welded to
the rear tub section (21; 41).
11. A clothes drying appliance (5) comprising a tub (4) according to any of the preceding
claims.
12. The clothes drying appliance (5) according to claim 11, wherein the clothes drying
appliance (5) comprises a water spray device (W) for spraying water into the air duct
(15).
1. Laugenbehälter (4) eines Wäschetrockengeräts (5), der Folgendes umfasst:
- einen hinteren Laugenbehälterabschnitt (1; 21; 31; 41) mit einer Luftauslassöffnung
(17),
- mindestens eine Abdeckung, die an dem hinteren Laugenbehälterabschnitt (1; 21; 31;
41) angebracht ist,
- einen Luftkanal (15), der mit der Luftauslassöffnung (17) verbunden und von dem
hinteren Laugenbehälterabschnitt (1; 21; 31; 41) und mindestens einer Abdeckung einer
Abdeckungsbaugruppe (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) begrenzt ist,
- dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es sich bei mindestens einer Abdeckung der den Luftkanal (15) begrenzenden Abdeckungsbaugruppe
(2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) um eine vorgefertigte Abdeckungsbaugruppe (2, 3; 22, 23; 32,
33) mit einer Innenkonstruktion aus Rippen (14) handelt.
2. Laugenbehälter (4) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Innenkonstruktion aus Rippen (14) zwischen
zwei nicht durchbrochenen Abdeckungslagen (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) der Abdeckungsbaugruppe
(2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) angeordnet ist.
3. Laugenbehälter (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei
- der hintere Laugenbehälterabschnitt (1; 21; 31; 41) eine kreisförmige Stirnwand
(6) und eine Seitenwand (7) umfasst und
- die mindestens eine Abdeckungsbaugruppe (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) in einem Abstand
einen Teil der Stirnwand (6) abdeckt.
4. Laugenbehälter (4) nach Anspruch 3, wobei
- der hintere Laugenbehälterabschnitt (1; 21; 31; 41) ein mittlere Buchse (9) umfasst
und
- die Abdeckungsbaugruppe (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) eine Ringsegmentform aufweist.
5. Laugenbehälter (4) nach einem der Ansprüche 3 und 4, wobei die mindestens eine Abdeckungsbaugruppe
(2, 3; 22, 23) einen Teil einer Innenseite der Stirnwand (6) abdeckt.
6. Laugenbehälter (4) nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, wobei die mindestens eine Abdeckungsbaugruppe
(32, 33) einen Teil einer Außenseite der Stirnwand (6) abdeckt.
7. Laugenbehälter (4) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 6, wobei die Abdeckungsbaugruppe
aus zwei Teilen zusammengeschweißt ist, die jeweils eine der Abdeckungslagen umfassen.
8. Laugenbehälter (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Abdeckungsbaugruppe
(2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) mit dem hinteren Laugenbehälterabschnitt (1; 21; 31; 41) verschweißt
(W2) ist.
9. Laugenbehälter (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Laugenbehälter
(4) ferner mindestens eine offene, gerippte Abdeckung (24; 42) umfasst, die an einem
Bereich des hinteren Laugenbehälterabschnitts (21; 41) angebracht ist, der den Luftkanal
(15) begrenzt.
10. Laugenbehälter (4) nach Anspruch 9, wobei die offene, gerippte Abdeckung (24; 42)
an den hinteren Laugenbehälterabschnitt (21; 41) geschweißt ist.
11. Wäschetrockengerät (5) mit einem Laugenbehälter (4) nach einem der vorhergehenden
Ansprüche.
12. Wäschetrockengerät (5) nach Anspruch 11, wobei das Wäschetrockengerät (5) eine Wassersprühvorrichtung
(W) zum Sprühen von Wasser in den Luftkanal (15) umfasst.
1. Cuve (4) d'un appareil à sécher les vêtements (5), comprenant
- une section de cuve arrière (1; 21; 31; 41) comprenant un orifice de sortie d'air
(17),
- au moins un couvercle fixé à la section de cuve arrière (1; 21; 31; 41),
- un conduit d'air (15) raccordé à l'orifice de sortie d'air (17) et relié par la
section de cuve arrière (1; 21; 31; 41) et au moins un couvercle d'un assemblage de
couvercle (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33),
caractérisée en ce qu'au moins un couvercle de l'assemblage de couvercle (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) reliant
le conduit d'air (15) est un assemblage de couvercle préfabriqué (2, 3; 22, 23; 32,
33) comprenant une structure à nervures intérieures (14).
2. Cuve (4) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la structure à nervures intérieures
(14) est prise en sandwich entre deux couches de recouvrement non brisées (2, 3; 22,
23; 32, 33) de l'assemblage de couvercle (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33).
3. Cuve (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
- la section de cuve arrière (1; 21; 31; 41) comprend une paroi d'extrémité circulaire
(6) et une paroi latérale (7) et
- le au moins un assemblage de couvercle (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) recouvre une partie
de la paroi d'extrémité (6) d'une manière espacée.
4. Cuve (4) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle
- la section de cuve arrière (1; 21; 31; 41) comprend une douille centrale (9) et
- l'assemblage de couvercle (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) présente une forme annulaire segmentée.
5. Cuve (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 4, dans laquelle le au moins
un assemblage de couvercle (2, 3; 22, 23) recouvre une partie du côté intérieur de
la paroi d'extrémité (6).
6. Cuve (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, dans laquelle le au moins
un assemblage de couvercle (32, 33) recouvre une partie du côté extérieur de la paroi
d'extrémité (6).
7. Cuve (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 6, dans laquelle l'assemblage
de couvercle est soudé ensemble à partir de deux pièces comprenant chacune l'une des
couches de recouvrement.
8. Cuve (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle l'assemblage
de couvercle (2, 3; 22, 23; 32, 33) est soudé (W2) à la section de cuve arrière (1;
21; 31; 41).
9. Cuve (4) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la cuve
(4) comprend en outre au moins un couvercle nervuré ouvert (24; 42) fixé à une zone
de la section de cuve arrière (21; 41) reliant le conduit d'air (15).
10. Cuve (4) selon la revendication 9, dans laquelle le couvercle nervuré ouvert (24;
42) est soudé à la section de cuve arrière (21; 41).
11. Appareil à sécher les vêtements (5) comprenant une cuve (4) selon l'une quelconque
des revendications précédentes.
12. Appareil à sécher les vêtements (5) selon la revendication 11, dans lequel l'appareil
à sécher les vêtements (5) comprend un dispositif de pulvérisation d'eau (W) destiné
à pulvériser de l'eau dans le conduit d'air (15).