BACK PANEL, ASSEMBLY AND TUMBLE DRYER WITH SUCH A BACK PANEL

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a back panel (10) for a tumble dryer, comprising: an outer wall (11) of a ventilation duct for guiding an air flow into a process area, wherein the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct comprises an inlet area (12) for introducing the air flow and an outlet area (13) for discharging the air flow; wherein the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct is integrally formed with the back panel (10); wherein the outer wall (11) extends in a direction perpendicular to the back panel (10); wherein the outer wall (10) of the ventilation duct comprises a convex portion (14), wherein the convex portion (14) extends in an opposite direction than the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct, wherein the convex portion (14) of the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct comprises a bearing portion (15), in particular in the center of the convex portion (14), configured to hold a bearing for a dryer drum (16).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a back panel for a household device, in particular a tumble dryer, comprising an outer wall of a ventilation duct. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly and a dryer.

[0002] Tumble dryers, use a heated process air stream to heat textiles inside a tumble drum and to absorb moisture from the textiles. The process air stream is regularly guided from a fan into the tumble drum through a ventilation duct arranged at a back panel of the household device. The tumble drum is connected to the back panel. The connection between the tumble drum and the back panel is crucial, since the back panel carries the weight of the tumble drum and therefore must be sturdy enough to carry the tumble drum and to avoid imbalances during use of the dryer. The shape of the outer wall, on which the drum is arranged, significantly affects the strength of the drum mounting.

[0003] In view of this, it is found that a further need exists to provide an improved back panel, in particular for a tumble dryer.

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a back panel, in particular for a tumble dryer. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly and a dryer with such a back panel.

[0005] These and other objects, which become apparent upon reading the following description, are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims refer to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, a back panel for a tumble dryer is provided, comprising: an outer wall of a ventilation duct for guiding an air flow into a process area, wherein the outer wall of the ventilation duct comprises an inlet area for introducing the air flow and an outlet area for discharging the air flow; wherein the outer wall of the ventilation duct is integrally formed with the back panel; wherein the outer wall extends in a direction perpendicular to the back panel; wherein the outer wall of the ventilation duct comprises a convex portion, wherein the convex portion extends in an opposite direction than the outer wall of the ventilation duct, wherein the convex portion of the outer wall of the ventilation duct comprises a bearing portion, in particular in the center of the convex portion, configured to hold a bearing for a drum element, in particular of a tumble dryer.

[0007] The back panel is designed to form the back on a dryer. In other words, the back panel when installed in a dryer, is the back of the dryer. Preferably, the back panel has a rectangular shape. The back panel may be made of a metal sheet. In particular, the back panel is preferably made by a deep drawing process. Alternatively, other materials and processes are possible.

[0008] The back panel comprises an outer wall of the ventilation duct. More precisely, the outer wall of the ventilation duct is a part of a ventilation duct. The ventilation duct is provided to direct an air flow in a process area. The process area is meant to be in particular the interior of the dryer drum. The outer wall of the ventilation panel is configured as one piece with the back panel. This means that the outer wall and the back panel are designed es one part.

[0009] The outer wall extends in a direction perpendicular to the back panel. This means that the outer wall stands out from the back panel. More precisely, the outer wall protrudes from the back panel. The outer wall extends away from the dryer drum when installed.

[0010] The convex portion is arranged in the outer wall. The convex portion extends in the opposite direction to that in which the outer wall extends. This means that the convex portion extends in the direction of the dryer drum when the back panel is installed. The convex portion may be preferably arranged in the outer wall such that the convex portion is arranged on an axis of rotation of the dryer drum in an installed state of the back panel.

[0011] The convex portion preferably comprises the bearing portion. The bearing portion is configured to receive a bearing. The bearing is provided to rotatably receive the dryer drum. The convex portion has the effect that the bearing portion is positioned closer to the dryer drum when installed. This may reduce moments acting on the bearing and the back panel. Furthermore, the convex portion causes the stiffness of the outer wall to be increased. This improves the load-bearing capacity of the back panel.

[0012] In contrast to the known prior art, the back panel according to the invention has the advantage that the total number of necessary components may be reduced due to the one-piece design of the outer panel with the back panel. Furthermore, due to the convex portion, the back panel has the necessary rigidity to may be connected to the dryer drum. Additionally, a better air flow into the process area may be provided, since there are no more additional elements needed anymore to connect the dryer drum to the back panel. These additional elements are usually arranged in the stream of process air and thus obstructing the stream of process air.

[0013] In an embodiment, the bearing portion comprises a polygonal recess to connect a bearing and/or a fastening element to the back panel in a rotationally fixed manner. In particular, the bearing portion has a substantially rectangular recess. The recess may be designed to receive the fastening element for the bearing. The fastening element may also be used to overcome a distance between the dryer drum and the back panel in a mounted state of said back panel.

[0014] In an embodiment, the outer wall of the ventilation duct is integrally formed with the back panel as an embossment. The embossment may be made by a deep drawing process, for example with the help of a hydraulic press and a respective template comprising a geometry of the outer wall of the ventilation duct.

[0015] In an embodiment, the back panel comprises a ledge that extends at least partially around the outer wall of the ventilation duct. The ledge may also be called a step. The ledge increases the rigidity of the outer wall and thus of the back panel.

[0016] In an embodiment, the outlet area of the outer wall of the ventilation duct comprises an at least partially circular geometry. In that way, the outer wall has a better rigidity and stability. Furthermore, as a result, the back panel, in particular the outer wall is easier to manufacture.

[0017] In an embodiment, the outer wall of the ventilation duct widens from the inlet area to the outlet area at least in a width direction (B) and being essentially funnel-shaped. This means that the outlet area is bigger than the inlet area. In that way, the air discharge takes place over a larger area than the air intake of the ventilation duct.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an assembly is provided comprising at least a drum, in particular for a tumble dryer, and a back panel according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the back panel is arranged at an axial end side of the drum element.

[0019] In an embodiment, a bearing is arranged in the bearing portion of the back panel and the drum is rotatably connected to the back panel by the bearing. The bearing may be arranged directly in the bearing portion are by means of a fastening element.

[0020] In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a ventilation unit that is coupled to the inlet area of the ventilation duct configured to introducing an airflow into the ventilation duct.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a dryer, in particular a tumble dryer, is provided comprising the back panel according to one of the preceding embodiments or the assembly according to one of the proceeding embodiments.

[0022] In the following, the present disclosure is described exemplarily with reference to the enclosed figures, in which

Figure 1

is a schematic view of a back panel according an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2

is a schematic view of the back panel according to Figure 1 from the opposite perspective;

Figure 3a

is a side view of an assembly of a back panel according to Figure 1 connected to a dryer drum;

Figure 3b

is a close-up view of the assembly according to Figure 3a; and

Figure 4

a schematic air flow in the assembly according to Figure 3a and Figure 3b.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a view of a back panel 10. More precisely, Figure 1 is a view of the side of the back panel 10, which, in an assembled state, is directed away from a dryer drum 16 (cf. Figure 3a). In other words, the side of the back panel 10 shown in Figure 1 is configured to be directed outwards. Figure 2 shows the opposite side of the back panel 10 shown in Figure 1. In other words, in an assembled state, the side of the back panel 10 shown in Figure 2 is configured to be directed inwards.

[0024] The back panel 10 has a rectangular shape. The back panel 10 is made from a sheet material, for example a metal sheet. In particular metal sheets are widely available and easy to process.

[0025] The back panel 10 has a protruding portion. The protruding portion forms an outer wall 11 for a ventilation duct. The outer wall 11 extends in a direction perpendicular to the back panel 10. In an assembled state, the outer wall 11 extends outward away from the back panel.

[0026] The outer wall 11 has an inlet region 12 and an outlet region 13. The outer wall 11 extends from the inlet region in the outlet region 13 in a longitudinal direction Y. The outer wall 11 widens from the inlet area in the direction of the outlet area 13 in a transverse direction X. The outer wall 11 has a substantially funnel-shaped geometry starting from the inlet area 12 in the direction of the outlet area 13.

[0027] Around the outer wall 11 a ledge 20 is arranged. The ledge 20 has substantially the same geometry as the outer wall 11. The edges of ledge 20 and the outer wall 11 are rounded.

[0028] The outlet region 13 has a substantially circular geometry. the outer wall 11 has a convex portion 14 in the outlet region 13. In an assembled state, the convex portion 14 extends inwardly. In other words, the convex portion14 extends opposite to the direction in which the outer wall 11 extends away from the back panel 10. The convex portion 14 may also be referred to as an indented portion. The convex portion 14 tapers in a direction towards the inlet portion 12. The convex portion 14 has a ramp portion that extends toward the inlet portion. The convex section 14 has a substantially elliptical or i.e. egg-shaped geometry in plain view.

[0029] A bearing portion 15 is arranged at the lowest position of the convex portion 14. The bearing portion 15 includes a recess 17. The recess 17 is substantially rectangular. A fastening element 19 is arranged in the recess 17. The fastening element 19 serves to receive a bearing 18 for the dryer drum 16 (cf. Figure 3a).

[0030] At one axial end in longitudinal direction Y, the back panel 10 has a substantially rectangular embossment. This rectangular embossment is intended to accommodate a base module. the embossment extends in the transverse direction X and is open in the direction of the axial end in the longitudinal direction Y. In the rectangular embossment is arranged a circular opening. The circular opening may be used to service a compressor, which may be included in the base module.

[0031] The back panel 10 has a curved linear embossment. The linear embossment extends around the outer panel 11 on the back panel 10. In an assembled sate of the back panel 10, the linear embossment extends outwardly away from the outer panel 10 when installed.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an inner wall 22 of the ventilation duct. The inner wall is a separate component. In other words, the ventilation duct is formed by the outer wall 11 of the back panel 10 and the inner wall 22. The inner wall 22 extends from the insertion area 12 to the outlet area 13. The inner wall 22 comprises an inlet in the inlet area 12. Net to the inlet, a fan can be arranged to provide a stream of process air towards the process area, e.g., the dryer drum 16 (cf. Figure 3a). Next to the inlet, a further fan is arranged. The further fan can be used for example to cool a heat exchange device. In Figure 2, the bearing 18 can be seen. The bearing 18 is arranged rotatably fixed in the fastening element 19.

[0033] Figures 3 show an assembly 21 comprising a dryer drum 16 and the back panel 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein Figure 3a is a side view of the assembly 21 and Figure 3b is a close-up view of the assembly 21. The back panel 10 is arranged at an axial end side of the drum element 16, wherein the bearing 18 is arranged in the bearing portion 15 of the back panel 10 and the dryer drum is rotatably connected to the back panel 10 by the bearing 18.

[0034] Figure 4 corresponds to Figure 1, wherein the air flow is indicated by means of the arrows guiding the air flow from the inlet area 12 to the outlet area 13 into the interior the dyer drum 16.

[0035] The present disclosure has been described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment as examples as well. However, other variations can be understood and effected by those persons skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from the studies of the drawings, this disclosure and the claims. In the claims as well as in the description the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single element or other unit may fulfill the functions of several entities or items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in the mutual different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used in an advantageous implementation.

Reference signs

[0036] 

10

back panel

11

outer wall

12

inlet area

13

outlet area

14

convex portion

15

bearing portion

16

dryer drum

17

polygonal recess

18

bearing

19

fastening element

20

ledge

21

assembly

22

inner wall

Claims

1. Back panel (10) for a tumble dryer, comprising:

- an outer wall (11) of a ventilation duct for guiding an air flow into a process area, wherein

- the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct comprises an inlet area (12) for introducing the air flow and an outlet area (13) for discharging the air flow; wherein

- the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct is integrally formed with the back panel (10); wherein the outer wall (11) extends in a direction perpendicular to the back panel (10); wherein

- the outer wall (10) of the ventilation duct comprises a convex portion (14), wherein the convex portion (14) extends in an opposite direction than the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct, wherein the convex portion (14) of the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct comprises a bearing portion (15), in particular in the center of the convex portion (14), configured to hold a bearing for a dryer drum (16).

2. Back panel (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing portion (15) comprises a polygonal (17) recess to connect a bearing (18) and/or a fastening element (19) to the back panel (10) in a rotationally fixed manner.

3. Back panel (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct is integrally formed with the back panel (10) as an embossment.

4. Back panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back panel (10) comprises a ledge (20) that extends at least partially around the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct.

5. Back panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet area (13) of the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct comprises an at least partially circular geometry.

6. Back panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer wall (11) of the ventilation duct widens from the inlet area (12) to the outlet area (13) at least in the width direction (B) and being essentially funnel-shaped.

7. Assembly (21) comprising at least a dryer drum (16), in particular for a tumble dryer, and a back panel (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back panel (10) is arranged at an axial end side of the drum element (16).

8. Assembly (21) according to claim 9, wherein a bearing (18) is arranged in the bearing portion (15) of the back panel (10) and the dryer drum is rotatably connected to the back panel (10) by the bearing (18).

9. Assembly (21) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the assembly (21) further comprises a ventilation unit that is coupled to the inlet area (12) of the ventilation duct configured to introducing an airflow into the ventilation duct.

10. Tumble dryer, in particular a tumble dryer, comprising the back panel (10) according to claim 1 to 6 or the assembly according to claims 7 to 9.

Drawing