LAUNDRY WASHER-DRYER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry washing/drying machine. The present invention more particularly relates to the flexible door boot gasket that leak-tightly seals the interfaces between the tub, the housing and the door of the laundry washer-dryer.

[0002] In order to increase the user-convenience, the household appliance manufacturers commonly provide a laundry washing machine with a laundry drying unit which dries the laundry by means of hot air. Such an appliance is commonly referred to as a laundry washer-dryer. Laundry washer-dryers are commonly known in the art. The laundry drying unit generally comprises a duct that circulates hot air through the drum. The duct commonly includes an electrical heater and an impeller. The air inside the drum is sucked by the impeller via the inlet port into the duct and subsequently heated and discharged via the outlet port again into the drum. The humidity of the hot air inside the duct is condensed and drained. The flexible gasket is commonly provided with a sleeve that fits around the outlet port of the duct and circulates the hot air through the drum. The sleeve is commonly formed into the flexible gasket, in particular into the collar which leak-tightly connects the tub to the housing of the appliance, whereas the inlet port of the duct commonly opens directly into the tub, in particular into a rear part of the tub.

[0003] US 2005/0178170 A1 discloses a laundry washer-dryer.

[0004] US2011285260 A1 discloses a laundry machine having a gasket.

[0005] A common problem with the prior art laundry washer-dryers is that the assemblage of the sleeve onto the outlet port is generally difficult for the assembly operator since the outlet port and the sleeve have closely matching surfaces and thus only a very narrow gap is provided in-between the two. The provision of a larger gap would make the assemblage easier for the assembly operator; however, this could jeopardize the leak-tightness of the connection and consequently reduce the drying performance.

[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible gasket and a laundry washer-dryer having the same which solves the problems of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables a reliable and easy assemblage thereof.

[0007] This objective has been achieved by the laundry washer-dryer as defined in claim 1. Additional achievements have been attained by the subject-matters as defined in the dependent claims respectively.

[0008] The flexible gasket of the present invention comprises one or more handles which are each disposed onto the sleeve. Each handle has a respective gripping surface which is accessible to the assembly operator and suitable to be gripped by the assembly operator when fitting the sleeve of the gasket around the respective port of the duct.

[0009] A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the handles, the sleeve of the gasket has been rendered ergonomic for the assembly operator. Thereby, the assembly operator can easily manipulate the sleeve and quickly assemble the same with the duct of the drying unit even when the gap is comparatively narrower than that applied in common practice. Thereby, the risk of having a leak can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thereby, also the assemblage can expedited and the production costs can be reduced.

[0010] In alternative embodiments, the sleeve is fitted around one of the inlet port and the outlet port. And the other one of the inlet port and the outlet port is fluidly connected directly with the tub. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the sleeve can be easily manipulated and quickly assembled with the respective inlet/outlet port of the duct. In another alternative embodiment, the inlet port and the outlet port of the duct are arranged side-by-side. In this embodiment, the sleeve has two counterpart partitions that form a double-partitioned sleeve. The double-partitioned sleeve is jointly fitted around the inlet port and the outlet port of the duct.

[0011] This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the number of parts can be decreased and thus the production costs and the assembly costs can be reduced. Thereby, also the double-partitioned sleeve can be easily manipulated and quickly assembled with the two ports of the duct.

[0012] In another embodiment, the griping surface of the handle has a size and shape that matches the fingers of an average adult person. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the handle can be rendered more ergonomic for the assembly operator. In other alternative embodiments, the handle is provided as a tab or a loop respectively.

[0013] In another embodiment, the gripping surface of each handle has an unsmooth texture. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the unsmooth texture improves the grip and the tactile feeling. Thereby, the assembly operator can more easily manipulate the sleeve even when his/her fingers get sweaty during the assemblage.

[0014] In other alternative embodiments, the texture of the handle is rendered unsmooth by the provision of one or more grooves, ridges, knobs, indentations, or holes into the gripping surface. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the required grip of the handle can be easily adjusted in accordance with the actual circumstances.

[0015] In another embodiment, the handles are level with the mouth of the sleeve and extend substantially vertically away from the longitudinal direction of the sleeve. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the assembly operator can easily approach the handle from the lateral sides and immediately fit the mouth of the sleeve onto the duct. In other alternative embodiments, the handles are upwardly or downwardly inclined with respect to mouth of the sleeve. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the alignment angle of the handle can be adjusted to the specific configuration of the duct.

[0016] In another embodiment, at least two handles are respectively provided onto the opposite sides of the sleeve. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the assembly operator can more easily manipulate the gasket.

[0017] In another embodiment, the sleeve and the duct each has a matching oblong shape. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as a comparatively large area along the circumference of the collar can be used to circulate the hot air through the drum and thus the drying rate can improved. Of course the sleeve may have other shapes.

[0018] In another embodiment, the flexible gasket is moulded from a synthetic rubber or a natural rubber into a single piece. The synthetic rubber may comprise ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. Other synthetic rubbers which are known to those skilled in the art may be alternatively used.

[0019] In other alternative embodiments, the laundry washer-dryer may be provided as laundry dryer or a laundry washer-dryer respectively. In addition, the laundry washer-dryer may be provided as a front loading type appliance or a top loading type appliance. Furthermore, the laundry washer-dryer may be provided with a drying unit that utilizes the heat-pump technology or the condenser technology.

[0020] In another embodiment, the flexible gasket is assembled with the laundry washer-dryer such that the sleeve extends slantwise upwards. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the slanted alignment of the drying unit secures sufficient space for the balance weight which is to be mounted onto the tub.

[0021] Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the flexible gasket and the laundry washer-dryer of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 - is a schematic partial perspective view of a laundry washer-dryer which has a flexible gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing and the door have been omitted for ease of illustration;

Figure 2 - is a schematic sectional view of the laundry washer-dryer of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 - is a schematic partial perspective exploded view of the laundry washer-dryer of Fig. 1, prior to assembling the flexible gasket with the duct of the drying unit.

Figure 4 - is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the detail A of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 - is a schematic enlarged front view of the detail B of Fig. 3;

Figure 6 - is a schematic enlarged sectional view of the detail B of Fig. 3.

[0022] The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

1. Gasket

2. Laundry washer-dryer

3. Tub

3a. Damper

3b. Spring

4. Drum

5. Aperture

6. Drying unit

6a. Heater

6b. Impeller

7. Duct

7a. Outlet port

7b. Inlet port

8. Collar

9. Sleeve

10. Handle (tab)

11. Gripping surface

12. Groove

13. Mouth

14. Corner

15. Outer rim

16. Inner rim

17. Opening

18. Annular bend

19. Drain hole

[0023] The flexible door boot gasket (1) (hereinafter shortly referred to as "gasket") is suitable for use in a laundry washer-dryer (2). The laundry washer-dryer (2) comprises a housing (not shown) which includes a tub (3), wherein the tub (3) is supported by dampers (3a) and springs (3b), a rotatable drum (4) inside the tub (3), wherein the drum (4) is linked to an electric motor (not shown), an aperture (5) for loading/unloading the drum (4), a pivotable door (not shown) which is disposed onto the housing so as to open/close the aperture (5), a drying unit (6) which has a duct (7) that is adapted to circulate via its outlet port (7a) and inlet port (7b) hot air through the drum (4).

[0024] The gasket (1) comprises a collar (8) which is adapted to leak-tightly connect the tub (3) to the housing and to seal the mutual interfaces between the tub (3), the housing and the door and a sleeve (9) which is adapted to circulate the hot air through the drum (4), wherein the sleeve (9) is formed into the collar (8) and adapted to fit around at least one of the outlet port (7a) and the inlet port (7b). The duct (7) includes: an electrical heater (6a) for heating the air and an impeller (6b) for moving the hot air.

[0025] The flexible gasket (1) of the present invention further comprises: one or more handles (10) each disposed onto the sleeve (9) and each having a respective gripping surface (11) which is accessible to the assembly operator and suitable to be gripped by the assembly operator when fitting the sleeve (9) around the respective port (7a, 7b) of the duct (7).

[0026] The laundry washer-dryer (2) of the present invention comprises the flexible gasket (1).

[0027] In an embodiment, the inlet port (7a) and an outlet port (7b) of the duct (7) are arranged side-by-side. In this embodiment, the sleeve (9) is accordingly double-partitioned and further adapted to jointly fit around the inlet port (7a) and the outlet port (7b) of the duct (7).

[0028] In another embodiment, the handles (10) are provided in form of tabs (10).

[0029] In an alternative embodiment, the handles (10) are provided in form of loops (not shown).

[0030] In another embodiment, the gripping surfaces (11) of the respective handles (10) each has at least partly an unsmooth texture.

[0031] In another embodiment, each handle (10) comprises one or more grooves (12) which are formed into the respective gripping surface (11).

[0032] In another alternative embodiment, each handle (10) comprises one or more ridges (not shown) which are formed onto the respective gripping surface (11).

[0033] In another embodiment, the gripping surface (11) of each handle (10) is level with the mouth (13) of the sleeve (9) and also normal to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (9).

[0034] In another embodiment, the sleeve (9) is oblong shaped with rounded corners (14) and two handles (10) are respectively formed onto the opposite short sides on its mouth (13).

[0035] In another embodiment, the flexible gasket (1) further comprises: an outer rim (15) which is adapted to connect the collar (8) with the periphery of the aperture (5) in the housing; an inner rim (16) which is adapted to connect the collar (8) with the periphery of the opening (17) of the tub (3), one or more annular bends (18) which join the outer rim (15) and the inner rim (16); a radially inwardly extending tongue (not shown) which is adapted to divert the laundry inside the drum (4) away from the region immediately between the drum (4) and the collar (8) and one or more drain holes (19) which open into the tub (3).

[0036] In another embodiment, the flexible gasket (1), including the collar (8), the sleeve (9), the handles (10), the rims (15, 16), the annular bends (18) and the tongue are moulded from a suitable synthetic rubber into a single piece.

[0037] In another embodiment, the synthetic rubber comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber.

[0038] In another embodiment, the flexible gasket (1) is assembled with the tub (3), the housing and the duct (7) such that the sleeve (9) extends slantwise upwards.

[0039] A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that by virtue of the handles (10), the sleeve (9) of the gasket (1) has been rendered ergonomic for the assembly operator. Thereby, the assembly operator can be easily manipulate the sleeve (9) and quickly assemble the same with the duct (7) of the drying unit (6) even when the gap therebetween is comparatively narrower than that applied in the common practice. Thereby, the risk of having a leak can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Thereby, also the assemblage can expedited and the production costs can be reduced. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the aforementioned particular embodiments.

Claims

1. A laundry washer-dryer (2) comprising a housing which includes a tub (3), a rotatable drum (4) inside the tub (3), an aperture (5) for loading/unloading the drum (4), a door which is disposed onto the housing so as to open/close the aperture (5), a drying unit (6) which has a duct (7) that is adapted to circulate via its outlet port (7a) and inlet port (7b) hot air through the drum (4),a gasket (1) comprising a collar (8) which is adapted to leak-tightly connect the tub (3) to the housing and to seal the interfaces between the tub (3), the housing and the door and a sleeve (9) which is adapted to circulate the hot air through the drum (4), wherein the sleeve (9) is formed into the collar (8) and adapted to fit around at least one of the outlet port (7a) and the inlet port (7b) being characterized in that one or more handles (10) each disposed onto the sleeve (9) and each having a respective gripping surface (11) which is accessible to the assembly operator and suitable to be gripped by the assembly operator when fitting the sleeve (9) around the respective port (7a, 7b) of the duct (7).

2. The laundry washer-dryer (2)according to claim 1, characterized in that the handles (10) are provided in form of tabs (10) or loops respectively.

3. The laundry washer-dryer (2)according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gripping surfaces (11) of the respective handles (10) each has at least partly an unsmooth texture.

4. The laundry washer-dryer (2)) according to claim 3, characterized in that each handle (10) comprises one or more grooves (12) which are formed into the respective gripping surface (11).

5. The laundry washer-dryer (2)) according to claim 3, characterized in that each handle (10) comprises one or more ridges which are formed onto the respective gripping surface (11).

6. The laundry washer-dryer (2)according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gripping surface (11) of each handle (10) is level with the mouth (13) of the sleeve (9) and also normal to the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (9).

7. The laundry washer-dryer (2)) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sleeve (9) is oblong shaped with rounded corners (14) and two handles (10) are respectively formed onto the opposite short sides on its mouth (13).

8. The laundry washer-dryer (2)according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an outer rim (15) which is adapted to connect the collar (8) with the periphery of the aperture (5) in the housing, an inner rim (16) which is adapted to connect the collar (8) with the periphery of the opening (17) of the tub (3), one or more annular bends (18) which join the outer rim (15) and the inner rim (16), a radially inwardly extending tongue which is adapted to divert the laundry inside the drum (4) away from the region immediately between the drum (4) and the collar (8) and one or more drain holes (19) which open into the tub (3).

9. The laundry washer-dryer (2)according to claim 8, characterized in that the collar (8), the sleeve (9), the handles (10), the rims (15, 16), the annular bends (18) and the tongue are moulded from a suitable synthetic rubber into a single piece.

10. The laundry washer-dryer (2)according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inlet port (7a) and the outlet port (7b) of the duct (7) are arranged side-by-side, the flexible gasket (1) being characterized in that the sleeve (9) is double-partitioned and further adapted to jointly fit around the inlet port (7a) and the outlet port (7b) of the duct (7).

11. The laundry washer-dryer (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible gasket (1) is assembled with the tub (3), the housing and the duct (7) such that the sleeve (9) extends slantwise upwards.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Wäschetrockner (2) mit einem Gehäuse umfasst, eine Wanne (3), innerhalb der Wanne eine drehbare Trommel (4), eine Öffnung (5) für das Be- und Entladen der Trommel (4) und eine Tür an der Öffnung (5), für das Öffnen und Schließen. Ferner umfasst es eine Trocknungseinheit (6), die einen Kanal (7) aufweist, der eingerichtet ist für die Auslassöffnung (7a) und die Einlassöffnung (7b) heiße Luft durch die Trommel (4) mit einer Dichtung (1) am Kragen (8) zu zirkulieren, der die Wanne (3) mit dem Gehäuse dicht verbindet und die Grenzflächen zwischen der Wanne (3) und dem Gehäuse abdichten kann, die Tür und eine Hülse (9), welches die heiße Luft durch die Trommel (4) zirkulieren lässt, wobei die Hülse (9) in den Kragen eingebaut ist und um mindestens eine der Auslassöffnungen (7a) passen kann und die Einlassöffnung (7b) ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, das sein oder mehrere Griffe (10) jeweils an der Hülse (9) angeordnet sind und jeweils eine Greiffläche (11) aufweist, die für den Monteur zugänglich ist und von ihm aus gegriffen werden kann, wenn die Hülse (9) vom Monteur aus um die jeweilige Öffnung (7a,7b) des Kanals angebracht wird.

2. Ein Wäschetrockner (2), wie in Anspruch 1 erwähnt ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Griffe (10) in Form von Laschen oder Schlaufen vorgesehen sind.

3. Der Wäschetrockner (2) nach den Ansprüchen 1 oder 2 ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Greifflächen (11) der jeweiligen Handgriffe (10) jeweils eine teilweise unglatte Textur aufweisen.

4. Der Wäschetrockner (2) wie in Anspruch 3 erwähnt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder Griff (10) eine oder mehrere Rillen (12) beinhaltet, die in die jeweilige Grifffläche (11) ein geformt sind.

5. Der Wäschetrockner (2) nach Anspruch 3 ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder Griff (10) eine oder mehrere Wellen darstellt, die an der jeweiligen Greiffläche (11) eingeformt sind.

6. Der Wäschetrockner (2), wie erwähnt in einem der Ansprüche von 1 bis 5, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Grifffläche (11) jedes Griffs (10) auf der Höhe der Öffnung (13) der Hülse (9) und zugleich normal zu der Längsrichtung der Hülse (9) ist.

7. Der Wäschetrockner (2), wie erwähnt in einem der Ansprüche von 1 bis 6, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hülse (9) länglich mit abgerundeten Ecken (14) ist und zwei Griffe (10) jeweils an den gegenüberliegenden Seiten an seiner Öffnung umfasst.

8. Der Wäschetrockner (2), wie erwähnt in einem der Ansprüche von 1 bis 7, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein äußerer Rand (15) um den Kragen (8) vorgesehen ist, um den Umfang der Öffnung (5) im Gehäuse zu verbinden. Einen inneren Rand (16), für das Verbinden des Kragens (8) mit dem Umfang der Öffnung (17) an der Wanne (3) ausgebildet ist, eine oder mehrere Biegungen (18), die den äußeren Rand (15) und den inneren Rand (16) verbinden, eine radial nach innen erstreckende Zunge, welche die Wäsche innerhalb der Trommel (4) unmittelbar vom Bereich zwischen der Trommel (4) und dem Kragen (8) und einem oder mehreren Ablauflöchern (19) ablenken lässt und in die Wanne (3) mündet.

9. Der Wäschetrockner (2), wie erwähnt in Anspruch 8, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kragen (8), die Hülse (9), die Handgriffe (10), die Ränder (15,16), die Ringböden (18) der Kranz und die Zunge aus einem geeigneten synthetischen Kautschuk zu einem Stück geformt sind.

10. Der Wäschetrockner (2) nach einem der Ansprüche von 1 bis 9, wobei die Einlassöffnung (7a) und die Auslassöffnung (7b) des Kanals (7) nebeneinander angeordnet sind und die flexible Dichtung (1), sind dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hülse (9) zweifach unterteilt ist und darüber hinaus so angepasst ist, dass sie um die Einlassöffnung (7a) und die Auslassöffnung (7b) des Kanals (7) herum zusammenpassen kann.

11. Der Wäschewaschtrockner (2) nach Anspruch 1, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die flexible Dichtung (1) mit der Wanne (3), dem Gehäuse und dem Kanal (7) so zusammengebaut ist, dass sich die Hülse (9) dadurch schräg nach oben erstreckt.

Revendications

1. Un lave-linge séchant (2) incluant un caisson comprenant une cuve (3), un tambour rotatif (4) à l'intérieur de la cuve (3), une ouverture (5) pour charger/décharger le tambour (4), une porte qui est disposée sur le caisson afin d'ouvrir/ fermer l'ouverture (5), une unité de séchage (6) qui comporte un conduit (7) qui est adapté pour faire circuler via son orifice de sortie (7a) et son orifice d'entrée (7b) de l'air chaud dans le tambour (4), un joint (1) comprenant un collier (8) qui est adapté pour relier le tube (3) au caisson de manière étanche et fermer de manière étanche les interfaces entre le tube (3), le caisson et la porte et un manchon (9) qui est adapté pour faire circuler l'air chaud à travers le tambour (4), dans lequel le manchon (9) est façonné dans le collier (8) et conçu pour s'adapter autour d'au moins un des orifices de sortie (7a) et d'entrée (7b), est caractérisé en ce qu'une ou plusieurs poignées (10) disposées chacune sur le manchon (9) et ayant chacune une surface de prise correspondante (11) qui est accessible par l'opérateur de montage et adaptée pour être saisie par l'opérateur de montage quand il monte le manchon (9) autour de l'orifice correspondant (7a, 7b) du conduit (7).

2. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon la déclaration 1, est caractérisé en ce que les poignées (10) sont respectivement conçues sous forme de languettes (10) ou de boucles.

3. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon la déclaration 1 ou 2, est caractérisé en ce que les surfaces de préhension (11) des poignées correspondantes (10) présentent chacune au moins partiellement une texture non lisse.

4. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon la déclaration 3, est caractérisé en ce que chaque poignée (10) comporte une ou plusieurs rainures (12) conçues sur la surface de préhension correspondante (11).

5. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon la déclaration 3, est caractérisé en ce que chaque poignée (10) comporte une ou plusieurs nervures qui sont conçues sur la surface de préhension correspondante (11).

6. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon une quelconque déclaration de 1 à 5, est caractérisé en ce que la surface de préhension (11) de chaque poignée (10) est au niveau de la bouche (13) du manchon (9) et également perpendiculaire au sens longitudinal du manchon (9).

7. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon une quelconque déclaration de 1 à 6, est caractérisé en ce que le manchon (9) est de forme oblongue avec des extrémités arrondies (14) et deux poignées (10) sont respectivement conçues sur les petits côtés opposés de sa bouche (13).

8. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon une quelconque déclaration de 1 à 7, est caractérisé en ce qu'un bord extérieur (15) qui est adapté pour relier le collier (8) à la périphérie de l'ouverture (5) du caisson, un bord intérieur (16) qui est adapté pour relier le collier (8) avec la périphérie de l'ouverture (17) de la cuve (3), un ou plusieurs coudes annulaires (18) qui relient le bord extérieur (15) et le bord intérieur (16), une languette s'étendant radialement vers l'intérieur qui est adaptée pour dévier le linge à l'intérieur du tambour (4) à l'écart de la région immédiatement entre le tambour (4) et le collier (8) et un ou plusieurs orifices de drainage (19) qui débouchent dans la cuve (3).

9. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon la déclaration 8, est caractérisé en ce que le collier (8), le manchon (9), les poignées (10), les bords (15, 16), les coudes annulaires (18) et la languette sont moulés d'une pièce dans un caoutchouc synthétique approprié.

10. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon une quelconque déclaration de 1 à 9, l'orifice d'entrée (7a) et l'orifice de sortie (7b) du conduit (7) étant disposés côte à côte, le joint flexible (1) étant caractérisé en ce que le manchon (9) est à double cloison et adapté en outre pour s'ajuster conjointement autour de l'orifice d'entrée (7a) et l'orifice de sortie (7b) du conduit (7).

11. Le lave-linge séchant (2) selon la déclaration 1, est caractérisé en ce que le joint flexible (1) est assemblé avec la cuve (3), le caisson et le conduit (7) de sorte que le manchon (9) s'élève en biais vers le haut.

Drawing