Fastening System Attaching the Motor on to the Tub of a Washing Machine

Description

[0001] According to the statements set forth in the descriptive part hereof, the following invention consists in a fastening system attaching the motor on to the tub of a washing machine the system being of the type where the motor features at least one pair of radial annular lugs provided with an opening designed for the insertion of a tubular noise damping member by means of which the anchoring on to the tub of the washing machine is implemented, the tub being provided with corresponding lugs realised during the production of the plastic tub to be fastened on to the corresponding radial lugs of the motor, whereby the lugs are provided with an axial extension.

[0002] By means of the fastening system described, important economic savings are achieved due to the lessened number of pieces used for fastening purposes as well as by the substantial reduction of manpower required to perform said operation.

[0003] Thus, the motor is attached solely by way of two lugs arranged radially on its surface, which lugs must have a throughhole so that the anchoring with relation to the annular member defined is realized by maintaining the position of said annular member relative to a tubular extension of a radial lug of the tub, the surface of said extension being externally conical at its point of origin and cylindrical for the rest of its length so that, between said extension and the annular lug of the motor there remains, peripherally, a free space available to insert the corresponding plastic fastener bushing.

[0004] Said plastic bushing is provided with a head from which the tubular bushing properly speaking projects provided with some axial cuts defining several segments and permitting them to open out during the anchoring process as they pass along the conical section of the anchoring lug extension of the motor and finally featuring a threaded screw contributing to the opening of the bushing segments.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

[0005] The fastening system described will be used in clamping the motor on to a washing machine tub, which applies more particularly to those washing machines the plastic tub of which is formed by two halves linked to each other, thus offering a possibility of disassembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Conventionally (see in EP 750 064 A1), the motors made to be installed in washing machines have a pair of radial lugs or extensions arranged axially so that lugs have corresponding holes in which a coating of silicone rubber in the pasty state of a generally tubular form is applied in order to eliminate noise and vibration and to enable slack. Further the plastic tub of the washing machine have a pairs of radially projecting lugs provided, at right angles, with cylindrical extensions in order to penetrate the holes of the radial lugs of the motor.

[0007] As in the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a fixing of the found annular position of the motor by a nut and a bolt which passes through both, an arcuate slot and a cylindrical hole, one for example in a part of the tub and the other in a part of the motor. Such additional means for fixing the motor position are expensive and complicated to handle while mounting and adjusting the motor for a trouble-free operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] This patent specification describes a fastening system attaching the motor on to the tub of a washing machine the system being of the type where the motor features at least one pair of radial annular lugs provided with an opening designed for the insertion of a tubular noise damping member by means of which the anchoring on to the tub of the washing machine is implemented, the tub being provided with corresponding lugs realised during the production of the plastic tub to be fastened on to the corresponding radial lugs of the motor, whereby the lugs are provided with an axial extension.

[0009] The external surface of the corresponding lugs is, at its point of origin, of conical shape, any such extension having an axially central opening as well as fastening means for the pair of annular lugs of the motor on to said axial extensions of the radial lugs of tub.

[0010] Further means of corresponding plastic bushings consisting of a disc-shaped head and a tubular projection, relative to one of its bases, provided with axial openings over its entire length, which openings define segments, moreover the head of said bushing has a central hole, the plastic bushings are disposed between each annular lug and the axial extension of its corresponding radial lug of the tub.

[0011] Further the fixing of the motor anchored on to the tub lugs is realised by a corresponding screw passing through the central hole of the head of bushing and through hole of the axial extension of the radial lug of the tub so that the threaded screw presses the conical shaped external surface of the extension via the segments of the bushing against the inner surface of the annular lug of the motor.

[0012] So the anchoring of the motor on the tub lugs is performed by arranging the axial extension of said lugs of the tub with respect to the annular member of the anchoring lugs of the motor, maintaining an empty space between them into which the anchoring bushing is inserted in respect to its tubular extension provided with various openings so that, as the bushing is inserted and reaches the ends of the segments on the conical section of the tubular extension of the bushing, the radial cuts of said tubular extension of will open on to the annular body of the motor lugs, which operation is facilitated by the introduction of a screw through the hole in the head of the bushing and the axial hole central to the extension.

[0013] To complement the following description and to allow for better understanding of the features characterising the invention, a set of drawings is added to this descriptive document the figures of which show, by way of illustration but not of limitation, the most characteristic details of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014] 

Figure 1

shows a section through the system for fastening a motor to a washing machine, disclosing said tubular extension having a conical surface at the point of its origin on the corresponding radial lug of the tub on to which the motor is anchored by placing between said tubular lug and the annular aluminium extension of the motor, the plastic bushing being used to realize said anchoring, together with the relevant screw.

Figure 2

shows a plan view of the bushing used to realise the fastening of the motor, which consists in a generally disc-shaped bushing having a central hole and a tubular projection in respect of one of its bases, provided with axial grooves over its entire length, forming various segments.

Figure 3

shows a diametrical section along axis I-I of the bushing disclosed by the preceding figure where it is to be seen how the segments along the tubular projection are pushed outwards like the barbs of a harpoon, just as the central hole of the head for the insertion of the fastening screw; the figure shows in detail how the segments of the tubular projection are finished by small radial extensions similar to the barbs of a harpoon on the outside.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] In view of the figures discussed and in accordance with the numbering system adopted, we see that the corresponding half 1 of the plastic tub of the washing machine features several, preferably two, projections 2, which projections 2 are provided with a section 12 that is conical at its origin and generally cylindrical along the remainder of its length, each of them featuring a central through hole 3 so that in relation thereto a pair of annular projections 4 of the body of the engine can be arranged so that between them there remains a peripheral free space into which the plastic bushing 5 can be placed.

[0016] Said plastic bushing 5 has a generally disc-shaped head with a central hole 6 and a tubular extension with respect to one of its bases provided with axial cuts forming various sectors or segments 7, three segments of 120° each being terminated on their outside by a small projection 8 similar to the tip barb of a harpoon.

[0017] With this arrangement, segments 7 of plastic bushing 5 are arranged in the space created by the corresponding extension 2 in relation to the corresponding radial lug of half 1 of the tub and the extension 4 of the motor so that upon its insertion segments 7, as they contact the innermost segment 12 of projection 2, open out on annular lug 4 of the motor, realising a perfect fastening, to which the corresponding screws 9 contribute.

[0018] Thus, the motor is fastened by means of its two ring-shaped annular projections while being in a floating position, reducing costs thanks to the lower number of parts used as well as by eliminating some manpower.

[0019] In figure 1 of the drawings it is to be seen how the free ends of segments 7 of plastic bushing 5 are arranged so that their outside radial extensions are located above the inside basis of the ring-shaped motor lugs, being solidly fastened as soon as the corresponding screw 9 has been turned in upon opening the ends of segments 7 of bushing 5 on to the internal surface of the annular lugs of the motor.

[0020] Moreover, in said figure 1 it is to be seen how axis 10 of the motor transmits its movement by means of belt 11.

[0021] The fastening system described for attaching a motor to the tub of a washing machine definitely leads to substantial economic savings as regards the materials used; moreover, it reduces manpower needs, which entail substantially reduced operating costs and ensure an optimum and reliable fastening eliminating noises.

Claims

1. FASTENING SYSTEM ATTACHING THE MOTOR ON TO THE TUB (1) OF A WASHING MACHINE, the system being of the type where the motor features at least one pair of radial annular lugs (4) provided with an opening designed for the insertion of a tubular noise damping member (5) by means of which the anchoring on to the tub (1) of the washing machine is implemented, the tub (1) being provided with corresponding lugs realised during the production of the plastic tub to be fastened on to the corresponding radial lugs (4) of the motor, whereby the lugs are provided with an axial extension (2), characterised in that the external surface of the corresponding lugs is, at its point of origin, of conical shape, any such extension (2) having an axially central opening (3) as well as fastening means for the pair of annular lugs (4) of the motor on to said axial extensions (2) of the radial lugs of tub (1),
further characterised by means of corresponding plastic bushings (5) consisting of a disc-shaped head and a tubular projection, relative to one of its bases, provided with axial openings over its entire length, which openings define segments (7), moreover the head of said bushing has a central hole (6), the plastic bushings (5) are disposed between each annular lug (4) and the axial extension (2) of its corresponding radial lug of the tub (1),
and further characterised in that the fixing of the motor anchored on to the tub lugs is realised by a corresponding screw (9) passing through the central hole (6) of the head of bushing (5) and through hole (3) of the axial extension (2) of the radial lug of the tub (1) so that the threaded screw (9) presses the conical shaped external surface of the extension (2) via the segments (7) of the bushing (5) against the inner surface of the annular lug (4) of the motor.

Ansprüche

1. Befestigungssystem zum Anbringen des Motors an dem Laugenbehälter (1) einer Waschmaschine, wobei das System von der Art ist, bei der der Motor mindestens ein Paar radialer ringförmiger Ansätze (4) aufweist, die mit einer Öffnung versehen sind, die zur Einführung eines rohrförmigen Geräuschdämpfungsglieds (5) ausgelegt ist, mit Hilfe dessen die Verankerung am Laugenbehälter (1) der Waschmaschine erfolgt, wobei der Laugenbehälter (1) mit entsprechenden, während der Herstellung des Kunststofflaugenbehälters hergestellten Ansätzen versehen ist, die an den entsprechenden radialen Ansätzen (4) des Motors befestigt werden sollen, wobei die Ansätze mit einer axialen Verlängerung (2) versehen sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Außenfläche der entsprechenden Ansätze an ihrem Ausgangspunkt konisch ist, wobei jede derartige Verlängerung (2) sowohl eine axial mittige Öffnung (3) als auch Mittel zur Befestigung des Paars ringförmiger Ansätze (4) des Motors an den axialen Verlängerungen (2) der radialen Ansätze des Laugenbehälters (1) aufweist,
weiterhin gekennzeichnet durch entsprechende Kunststoffbuchsen (5) mit einem scheibenförmigen Kopf und einem rohrförmigen Vorsprung bezüglich einer ihrer Basen, die über ihre gesamte Länge axiale Öffnungen aufweisen, die Segmente (7) definieren, wobei der Kopf der Buchse darüber hinaus ein mittleres Loch (6) hat und die Kunststoffbuchsen (5) zwischen jedem ringförmigen Ansatz (4) und der axialen Verlängerung (2) seines entsprechenden radialen Ansatzes des Laugenbehälters (1) angeordnet sind,
und weiterhin dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Befestigung des an den Laugenbehälteransätzen verankerten Motors durch eine entsprechende Schraube (9) erfolgt, die so durch das mittlere Loch (6) des Kopfs der Buchse (5) und durch das Loch (3) der axialen Verlängerung (2) des radialen Ansatzes des Laugenbehälters (1) geht, dass die Gewindeschraube (9) die konische Außenfläche der Verlängerung (2) über die Segmente (7) der Buchse (5) gegen die Innenfläche des ringförmigen Ansatzes (4) des Motors drückt.

Revendications

1. Dispositif pour fixer le moteur à la cuve (1) d'une machine à laver, le dispositif étant du type où le moteur comprend au moins une paire de pattes annulaires radiales (4) dotées d'une ouverture destinée à l'insertion d'un élément tubulaire atténuateur de bruit (5) au moyen duquel est réalisée la fixation sur la cuve (1) de la machine à laver, la cuve (1) étant équipée de pattes correspondantes réalisées pendant la fabrication de la cuve en plastique à fixer aux pattes radiales correspondantes (4) du moteur, les pattes étant dotées d'une extension axiale (2), caractérisé en ce que la surface extérieure des pattes correspondantes est, à son point d'origine, de forme conique, ces extensions (2) ayant une ouverture centrale axiale (3) ainsi qu'un moyen de fixation pour la paire de pattes annulaires (4) du moteur sur lesdites extensions axiales (2) des pattes radiales de la cuve (1),
   caractérisé en outre par des moyens de manchons en plastique correspondants (5) constitués d'une tête en forme de disque et d'une saillie tubulaire, par rapport à une de ses bases, équipée d'ouvertures axiales sur toute sa longueur, lesquelles ouvertures définissent des segments (7), en outre la tête dudit manchon a un trou central (6), les manchons en plastique (5) sont disposés entre chaque patte annulaire (4) et l'extension axiale (2) de la patte radiale correspondante de la cuve (1),
   et caractérisé en outre en ce que la fixation du moteur attaché aux pattes de cuve est réalisée par une vis correspondante (9) passant par le trou central (6) de la tête du manchon (5) et par le trou (3) de l'extension axiale (2) de la patte radiale de la cuve (1) afin que la vis (9) appuie sur la surface externe en forme de cône de l'extension (2) par l'intermédiaire des segments (7) du manchon (5) contre la surface interne de la patte annulaire (4) du moteur.

Drawing