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(11) | EP 0 937 808 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Joining system between the two tank halves of a washing machine plastic tank |
| (57) Joining system between the two halves of a washing machine plastic tank, being of
the kind of those tanks that are made of two halves with tubular general shape, so
that the joining base is open in both halves, while the other base of one of the halves
is also open and coincides with the front part of the washing machine door, while
the other closed base of the second tank half coincides with the back part of the
tank and the same one has an axial central hole for the pass of the turn spindle of
the drum, so that the two halves (1) and (2) that form the washing machine tank have,
in relationship to their joining base, some fixing means that are related among them,
and some closing and fastening means between both dismountable halves. |
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION.
[0001] As is expressed in the title of the present descriptive report, the following invention consists on a joining system between the two halves of a washing machine plastic tank, being of the kind of those tanks that are made up of two halves that are leaned and joined by one of its bases which is open according to its perimeter, so that the joining means by a clip of both halves are materialized in the own manufacture process from a mould of the same ones, allowing a fast joining and reducing the cost of the tank as well as the amount of labour, so that the two halves of the tank can be separated by the service of technical assistance if any kind of manipulation is necessary in case of a failure.
[0002] Through the joining system between the two halves of a plastic tank of a washing machine that is proposed in the present report, it is a question of reducing both the material cost of the tank and the amount of labour that is necessary in the cited operation, so that the same one is practically inexistent.
[0003] Besides, as an important advantage of the system it is quoted that the tank can be disassembled by the technical service of assistance, so that it can be subsequently assembled.
[0004] The fastening between the two halves of the tank is carried out by one or several wires that are placed in relationship to a set of projectings of a half of the tank, being they placed by pairs, out of line in a radial way and separated among them an space such as the diameter of the wire, so that the other half of the tank have, in relationship to its joining perimeter, a set of projectings finished off like a tip of harpoon that are placed in relationship to the wire or wires.
[0005] Likewise, the wire or clip can be formed by a strip of rectangular section that can be tautened by means of an screw of fixing to a projecting of the own tank.
FIELD OF APPLICATION.
[0006] The joining system that is presented in the following report is especially applicabie for the closing of the two halves of a tank made of plastic material of a washing machine. so that both halves are obtained from a mould and it is not necessary to increase the complexity of the mould for their manufacture, since the elements that materialized the joining, which also are obtained from a mould, do not put up the price of the process or the product in itself.
[0007] Thus, the two halves of the tank define the structure of this one because of the joining according to their central perimeter with the interposition of the corresponding joint of watertightness, while one of the bases of one of halves of the tank is open for remaining in relationship to the washing machine door, and the other base of the other half defines the back part that is closed with a hole for the pass of the drum spindle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.
[0008] Conventionally, the plastic tanks of the washing machines are manufactured from a mould, according to two halves that, through their union, form the washing machine tank where the drum will be placed, so that in the own manufacture process of the tank body, we defined the elements that are necessary for its subjection and for the joining of other elements, as well as for being able to materialize the joining between both halves, for shaping a watertight body.
[0009] Thus, the two halves that form the washing machine tank are perimetrally joined according to their central parts so that one of the bases of one of the halves is open for remaining in relationship to the frontal door of the washing machine, and the other half defines the back part of the tank with the axial central hole for allowing the pass of the spindle of the drum where the tank will be placed.
[0010] In order to materialize the joining between the two tank halves in relationship to the open base that is joined, some radial lugs are defined so that they are endowed of some holes for the thread of the respective screws that will realize the joining.
[0011] Likewise, the corresponding o-ring seal, that will guarantee a watertight closing, is placed between both joining bodies.
[0012] In this way, the joining between both halves takes place because of a set of screws that fix both bodies between them, so that one or several workers must thread the screws, which means the inversion of lot of time because we can think that about 17 screws are used for the joining between both halves.
[0013] With this shape, we must bear in mind that the cited amount of screws must be used for the obtaining of the tank, with the cost that it means as well as the long time that is necessary for the thread of all of them, which definitively means a high cost, as a consequence of the added value of the screws used and the amount of labour that is necessary for carrying the operation of closing out.
[0014] In this way, if the washing machine tank done in this way must be disassembled, their two halves can be separated unscrewing all the fixing screws, and later can be assembled again fixing the two halves that form the tank through the screws of joining.
[0015] Likewise, the applicant of the present dossier is also the applicant of the Invention Patents P9600222, P9700103 and P9700386, in which "a closing system for plastic washing machine tank" is claimed, so that in the Invention Patent P9600222 a closing system for plastic washing machine tank is claimed, being the plastic tank of the kind of those that are formed by the joining between two halves, so that one of the halves has some axial projectings, in relationship to the perimeter of the backing base, that are finished off like a tip of harpoon, while the other tank half has some U-shaped projectings in inverted position, in relationship to the perimeter of its backing base to the other half, that coincides with the axial projectings of the other half.
[0016] With this structure, the fastening between both halves takes place when the projections of the extremes like tip of harpoon of the axial projectings come across the free extreme of the inverted U-shaped projectings.
[0017] In the other hand, both halves that form the tank have some projectings that coincide among them, for their joining by means of the respective screws and nuts, for the exceptional case in which the tank must be disassembled, and in this way being able to assemble it again.
[0018] In the Invention Patent P9700103 an improved closing system for washing machine tank is claimed, being also of the kind of those plastic tanks that are formed from two halves obtained from a mould, so that the joining base remains open in both halves, while the other base of one of the halves coincides with the frontal part of the tank that is related to washing machine door, and the other base of the other half defines the closed back part of the tank, being endowed of an axial central hole for the pass of the drum spindle, that transmites a gyratory movement to it, so that the joining between the two tank halves that form the tank, having a set of radial lugs that are joined among them, so that the lugs of one of the tank halves have the respective axial projectings to the exterior, while the backed lugs of the other tank half have the respective passing holes where the cited axial projectings of the lugs of the other half are geared, being the cited axial projectings endowed of an axial central hole.
[0019] In the Invention Patent P9700386 a joining system between the two parts of a washing machine tank is claimed, being of the kind of those tanks that are formed by two halves, remaining open the base of joining in both ones, so that one of the halves coincides with the frontal part of the washing machine door and the other defines the closed back part of the tank with the axial central hole for the pass of the turn spindle of the drum , so that the two halves that form the washing machine tank have, in relationship to their backing base , the assembly means between them and the closing and fixing means, so that the assembly means of one of the tank halves are defined by a set of axial projectings, with regard to the backing perimeter, that are finished off like a tip of harpoon.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.
[0020] In the present report, a joining system between the two tank halves of a washing machine tank is described, being of the kind of those tanks that are made up of two halves with a general tubular ship, remaining open the joining dase in both halves, while the other base of one of the halves is also open and coincides with the frontal part of the washing machine door, while the other closed base of the second tank half coincides with the back part of the tank, and the same one has an axial central hole for the pass of the turn spindle of the drum, so that the two halves that form the washing machine tank have, in relationship to the joining base, the means for their fixing that are related among them, and the means of closing and fastening between both dismountable halves.
[0021] In one of the tank halves. the means for the fixing between both halves that form the tank are defined by some axial projectings that are finished off like a tip of harpocn and placed with regard to the backing perimeter during the joining between both tank halves.
[0022] In the second half, the means for the fixing between both tank halves are defined by two pairs of projectings placed in a radial position and near to its backing base, so that the cited pairs of projectings remain out of line and axially distant between them.
[0023] In the joining between the two tank halves, the axial projectings finished like a tip of harpoon of one of the halves are placed in relationship to the central part of the two pairs of radial projectings of the other half.
[0024] One of the pairs of radial projectings of one of the tank halves, remains sidely placed in relationship to the corresponding axial projecting of the other half. The cited projectings are L-shaped and each one is fixed by the extreme of one of its wings and with its other upper jutting out wing opposed to the extreme like a tip of harpoon of the axial projecting of the other half.
[0025] The second pair of radial projectings remains sidely placed with regard to the L-shaped pair of projectings, that is to say to their most external part and placed in opposition.
[0026] The fastening and closing means of both dismountable halves of the tank are defined by a set of clips or flexible wires placed between the two pairs of of radial projectings of one of the halves, so that the extremes are elbowed with regard to the external lateral sides of the most external pair of radial projectings and in relationship to their central part, the extreme like a tip of harpoon of the corresponding axial projectings of the other half of the tank is fastened there during the assembly.
[0027] The pairs of radial projectings of one of the halves, that are opposed and separated between them, are axially separated a length such as the diameter of the flexible wire of closing and fastening.
[0028] The closing and fastening means of both tank halves are susceptible of being defined by an only wire that is perimetrally placed with regard to the tank, in relationship to the different pairs of radial projectings of one of the tank halves, that are grouped according to variable distances.
[0029] Likewise, the wire or wires of fixing and fastening can be replaced by a metal strip of rectangular section so that its stress can be regulates since it is fixed to a projecting of the own tank by an screw.
[0030] In order to complement the description which is done hereinafter and with the purpose of providing a better understanding of its characteristics, the present descriptive report is accompanied by a set of drawings, in whose figures the most significant details of the invention are defined in an illustrative and not limitative way.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGNS.
[0031] Figure 1.- It shows a detailed view in perspective of the fastening way between the two halves of a plastic tank of a washing machine, where it is observed as one of the flexible wires that will fix both halves remains placed between two pairs of projectings of one of the halves, being its central part fastened and fixed to the projecting finished off like a tip of harpoon of the other tank half, so that the fixing will take place by several flexible wires perimetrally placed.
[0032] Figure 2.- It shows a sectioned view of the joining between both halves of the plastic tank of the washing machine in relationship to axial projecting finished off like a tip of harpoon, where it is observed as the same one is fastened by the flexible wire of fixing.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT.
[0033] In view of the above cited figures and in accordance with the adopted numbering, it is observed as the two halves (1) and (2), whose joining define the washing machine tank, are perimetrally joined and one of them has a C-shaped top in whose inside the extreme of the second half is placed with the interposition of the corresponding seal, so that one of the halves (1) of the tank has, in relationship to the joining perimeter, some projectings (3) that are finished off like a tip of harpoon and placed in an axial way, while the second half (2) of the tank has a set of pairs of projectings (4) and (5) in a radial way, so that the axial projecting of the other half will be centrally placed with regard to them.
[0034] The pairs of radial projectings (4) and (5) remain out of line between them in an axial way and separated a distance such as the diameter of the flexible wire (6) that causes the fixing and the fastening.
[0035] In view of the figure 1 of the designs, it is observed as the joining between the halves (1) and (2) that define the washing machine tank will be done by a set of flexible wires (6) that are placed along the perimeter of the tank, being the pairs of projectings (4) and (5) useful for their fixing, so that the pair of projectings (4), that is the nearest to the axial projectings (3) finished off like a tip of harpoon of the other tank half, are L-shaped with their upper jutting out wing opposed to the extreme like a tip of harpoon that finished the axial projecting (3) and on which, the wire (6) is placed in order to avoid a possible accidental liberation.
[0036] In the other hand, the pair of projectings (5) are in relationship to the side passages of the pair of projectings (4), being the wire (6) placed between them, so that when the two halves are assembled, the placement of the axial projecting (3) finished like a tip of harpoon causes the traction of the wire (6), materializing a perfect fixing.
[0037] Both the axial projecting (3) of the half (1) of the tank and the pairs (4) and (5) of radial projectings of the other half (2) of the tank are obtained in the own manufacture process from a mould of the same ones and for their joining, it will be sufficient to place the necessary wire or wires (6) in relationship to the pairs of projectings (4) and (5) so that the half (2) is joined to the other half (1) with an only press knock because of the fastening of the different axial projectings (3) in the corresponding flexible wires (6).
[0038] The amount of flexible wires (6) for materializing the fixing and fastening between the two halves (1) and (2) that form the tank can be variable and thus, it can be used either an only wire which embraces all the perimeter of the tank, being it placed between different pairs of projectings (4) and (5), or several vires (6) placed in relationship to the corresponding groups of pairs of projectings (4) and (5) with their elbowed free extremes coming across the external lateral sides of the pair cf extreme projectings.
[0039] Definitively, a very economic joining system between the two halves (1) and (2) that form the plastic tank of the washing machine is obtained, since the economic cost is substantially reduced because of the material cost of the means for carrying it out and a very decreased amount of labour.
1. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, being of
the kind of those tanks that are made up of two halves with tubular general shape,
so that the joining base is open in both halves, while the other base of one of the
halves is also open and coincides with the front part of the washing machine door,
while the other closed base of the second tank half coincides with the back part of
the tank and the same one has an axial central hole for the pass of the tum spindle
of the drum, and characterized because the two halves (1) and (2) that form the washing
machine tank have, in relationship to their joining base, some fixing means related
among them, and some closing and fastening means between both dismountable halves.
2. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the first claim and characterized because the means for the fixing between both
halves (1) and (2) of the tank are defined in the half (1) by some radial projectings
(3) finished off like a tip of harpoon and placed with regard to the backing perimeter.
3. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the first claim and characterized because the means for the fixing between both
halves (1) and (2) of the tank are defined in the half (2) by each pair of projectings
(4) and (5) that are placed in a radial position close to the backing base, so that
the cited pair of projections is put out of line in an axial way.
4. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the previous claims and characterized because in the joining of the two halves
(1) and (2) of the tank, the axial projectings (3) are placed in relationship to the
central part of the pair of projectings (4) and (5).
5. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the first, second, third and fourth claims and characterized because the pair of
projectings (4), laterally placed in relationship to the corresponding axial projectings
(3), have a shape of "L", being they fixed by the extreme of one of their wings, and
with their upper jutting out wing opposed to the extreme like tip of harpoon of the
central projecting (3).
6. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the first, third and fourth claims and characterized because the pair of projectings
(5) are placed in a lateral way with regard to the pair of projectings (4).
7. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the first claim and characterized because the closing and fastening means between
both dismountable halves of the tank, are defined by a set of flexible wires (6) that
are placed between the pair of projectings (4) and (5) of the half (2) of the tank,
remaining with their extremes elbowed with regard to the extemal lateral sides of
the pair of extreme projectings (5) and in which the extreme like a tip of harpoon
of the corresponding axial projectings (3) of the other half (1) of the tank is fastened
in relationship to its central part during its assembly.
8. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the first, third and sixth claims and characterized because the pair of projectings
(4) and (5), that are opposed between them, are in an axial way separated a length
such as the diameter of the wire (6) of closing and fastening.
9. JOINING SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according
to the first claim and characterized because the closing and fastening means between
both halves (1) and (2) of the tank are defined by a flexible wire (6) which is placed
perimetrally to the tank in relationship to the different pairs of projectings (4)
and (5) that are grouped in a variable distance.
10. UNION SYSTEM BETWEEN THE TWO HALVES OF A WASHING MACHINE PLASTIC TANK, according to
the first claim and characterized because the closing and fastening means between
both tank (1) and (2) of the tank are defined by a flexible metal strip of rectangular
section that is fixed to the tank in a perimetral way, so that one of its extremes
is fixed by an screw that regulates the closing stress.