[0001] The invention concerns a front-loading washing machine with a drum that is rotatably
mounted in a tub, whereby the tub is provided with balancing weights at the laundry
opening.
[0002] A front-loader washing machine with a tub connected to balancing weights is prior
art in DE OS 26 33 603. The open face of the tub is provided with an angled edge to
which a bearing ring is affixed by means of a tightening band and sealing ring. The
balancing weights are screwed to the bearing ring so that their outer contours do
not project beyond the other contour of the tub. Given this means of fastening the
balancing weights, the diameter of the laundry opening and the size of the door are
limited, and it is difficult to affix the balancing weights.
[0003] These disadvantages also occur when the balancing weights are fastened to the front
as, for example illustrated in EP 0 318 109 A1, EP 0 601 347 A1 and EP 0 319 081 B1.
[0004] The problem of the invention is to design a front-loading washing machine of the
initially-cited kind so that the balancing weights can be definitely affixed to the
tub and leave the face free so that this area for the larger laundry opening can be
sealed with a large door.
[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention in that circular-arc-shaped balancing
weights have an essentially T-shaped cross-section, and a transverse leg lies on the
outside of the front of the tub, and molded-on segments that project from the transverse
leg are inserted and held in a form-fit receiving groove open to the front and created
in the front of the tub.
[0006] By designing the balancing weights in an essentially T-shape, moving them to the
outside of the front of the tub, and placing a part of the balancing weights in the
receiving groove that is recessed in relationship to the laundry opening allows the
laundry opening to be large and makes it easy to attach a large door since it is not
hindered by the balancing weights. This is an important feature for front-loading
washing machines with a drum rotary axis that angles from front and back.
[0007] In an advantageous embodiment, two identical balancing weights are affixed diametrically
opposed to the front of the tub, the balancing weights extend over less than 180°
of the perimeter of the front, projecting mounting flanges are affixed to both ends
and the middle of the balancing weights, and the balancing weights are made of concrete
into which the mounting flanges are cast.
[0008] The balancing weights can be affixed to the tub in a manner such that the receiving
groove in the front of the tub forms a transitional wall to the drum bearing to which
are attached (preferably molded on) radial sections of C-shaped mounting bars, and
nuts for screw connections are placed in the mounting bar sections that can be used
to screw the mounting flanges of the balancing weights to the mounting bars.
[0009] The six mounting bar sections can be distributed at 60° intervals so that the mounting
flanges of the balancing weights in the same section permit the balancing weights
to be arranged in a diametrically opposed manner. The mounting flanges of the balancing
weights must be in the same plane, and the middle mounting flanges project on the
concave sides of the transverse legs of the circular-arc-shaped balancing weights
so that the balancing weights can be correctly positioned.
[0010] The method of the fixing the balancing weights to the front of the tub can be improved
in that the end section of the front of the tub forms a receiving groove open to the
outside in which the segments projecting on the concave inside of the balancing weights
are inserted in a form-fit and held. In addition, the thickness of the transverse
legs can be reduced with the provided weight.
[0011] The face of the end section of the front of the tub remains free and can be used
for affixing the door and the opening collar.
[0012] The end section of the front of the tub and the balancing weights are harmonised
with each other so that the outer contour of the balancing weights connected to the
end section of the front of the tub does not project beyond the outer contour of the
tub and unnecessarily restrict the oscillation of the tub in relation to the machine
housing.
[0013] The invention will be further explained with reference to an exemplary embodiment
shown in the drawing. Shown are:
- Fig. 1
- a perspective front view of a tub with an affixed opening collar and two identical
balancing weights in their mounted position,
- Fig. 2
- a partial cross-section of the front of the tub with diametrically opposed balancing
weights on the end section, and
- Fig. 3
- another partial cross-section of the front of the tub that shows the T-shaped balancing
weights in their affixed position.
[0014] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the tub 20 that has a separate front 10.
At least the front 10 is designed and manufactured as a plastic injection-molded part.
At the laundry opening 15, the front 10 transitions into an end section 13 with a
smaller diameter. The transition 12 is perpendicular to the mid-axis of the tub 20.
At the free face of the end section 13, a large door and an opening collar 30 can
be affixed without being restricted as shown in the partial cross-section in Fig.
2.
[0015] Molded as a single piece onto the transitional wall 12 of the front 10 that forms
a part of the created receiving groove 14 are radial mounting bar sections 11 that
have a T-shaped recess for nuts open to the loading side. The mounting bar sections
11 can be distributed at e.g. 60° intervals when the balancing weights 40 have three
mounting flanges 41, 42 and 43 that are affixed (e.g. cast) in a projecting manner
to the balancing weights 40 with the same distribution. The mounting flanges 41 and
42 project on the ends of the circular-arc-shaped balancing weights 40. The middle
mounting flange 43 on the concave side is radially aligned on the balancing weight
40 to maintain the 60° distribution. All mounting flanges 41, 42 and 43 are in the
same plane so that the two identical balancing weights 40 can be in the correct position
diametrically opposed to each other screwed to the mounting bar sections 11 of the
transitional wall 12. As can be seen in Fig. 2, screw connections 50 are used that
consist of a fixing screw that fits in a hole in the mounting flanges 41, 42, and
43, and a nut inserted in the mounting bar sections 11.
[0016] The balancing weights 40 are made of concrete with cast mounting flanges 41, 42 and
43. Their weight is sufficient, and they are easy and economical to manufacture.
[0017] The tub 20 with the drum in the machine housing and the pivot bearing and drive for
the drum in the tub 20 can be attached in a conventional matter since this does not
impair fastening the balancing weights 40 to the front 10 of the tub 20.
[0018] The section in Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of the circular-arc-shaped balancing
weights 40. The transverse legs 45 lie on the outside of the front 10 and are inserted
in a form-fit together with the inwardly-projecting segments 44 into the receiving
groove 14 of the end section 13 of the front 10. The transverse legs 45 of the balancing
weights 40 do not project beyond the outer contour of the tub 20, and their distance
from the machine housing is sufficient for the arising oscillations. The segments
44 in the receiving groove 14 allow the thickness of the transverse legs 45 to be
small with the balancing weights 40 at the provided weight. The unit consisting of
the tub 20 and drum do not take up more room in the machine housing, yet there is
more room to attach the door and opening collar 30. The door can be larger which is
advantageous when installing the drum and tub with a mid-axis that drops from the
front and back that is hence the rotary axis of the drum.
1. A front-loader washing machine with a drum that is rotatably mounted in a tub, whereby
balancing weights are provided at the laundry opening on the tub,
characterised in that
circular-arc-shaped balancing weights (40) have an essentially T-shaped cross-section,
and their transverse leg (45) lies on the outside of the front (10) of the tub (20),
and molded-on segments (44) that project from the transverse leg (45) are inserted
and held in a form-fit receiving groove (15) open to the front that is created in
the front (10) of the tub (20).
2. A front-loader washing machine according to claim 1,
characterised in that
two identical balancing weights (40) are affixed diametrically opposed to the front
(10) of the tub;
the balancing weights (40) extend over less than 180° of the perimeter of the front
(10), and
projecting mounting flanges (41,42,43) are affixed to both ends and the middle of
the balancing weights (40).
3. A front-loader washing machine according to claims 1 or 2,
characterised in that
the balancing weights (40) are made of concrete into which the mounting flanges (41,42,43)
are cast.
4. A front-loader washing machine according to one of claims 1 - 3,
characterised in that
the receiving groove (15) in the front (10) of the tub (20) forms a transitional wall
(12) to the drum bearing to which are attached (preferably molded on) radial sections
of C-shaped mounting bars (11), and
nuts for screw connections (50) are placed in the mounting bar sections (11) that
can be used to screw the mounting flanges (41,42,43) of the balancing weights (40)
to the mounting bars (11).
5. A front-loader washing machine according to claim 4,
characterised in that
the mounting flanges (41,42,43) of the balancing weights (40) are in the same plane.
6. A front-loader washing machine according to one of claims 1 - 5,
characterised in that
at least the front (10) of the tub (20) is designed as a plastic injection-molded
part.
7. A front-loader washing machine according to one of claims 1 - 6,
characterised in that
the end section (13) of the front (10) of the tub (20) is connected to an opening
collar (30).
8. A front-loader washing machine according to one of claims 1 - 7,
characterised in that
the transverse legs (45) of the balancing weights (40) connected to the end section
(13) of the front (10) of the tub (20) do not project beyond the outer contour of
the tub.