EP0359674A1 - Washing machine drum - Google Patents

Abstract

This rotary drum (2), of horizontal axis (3) comprises an entry orifice (6) and an exit orifice (7) for the load to be washed, which is received in a main compartment (12) delimited by a solid side wall (5) and equipped with an inner transfer scoop. The main compartment (12) is in communication, via passages (19, 20) made in partitions (15, 16; 17, 18), with two annular chambers (13, 14) adjacent to this compartment and open outwards (23, 24). The washing bath (27) can thus be formed and renewed by the supply of water and/or products into the annular chamber (14) and by discharge via the other annular chamber (13). The invention is used for producing a machine for washing linen, of the "washing train" type, with a plurality of coaxial drums (2) arranged in series. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the present invention is a washing machine drum, and more particularly a rotary drum of substantially horizontal axis receiving a load to be washed introduced by an inlet opening formed in one of its end faces, the load to be washed. being extracted by an outlet opening formed at the other end of the drum, the washing being carried out during a continuous or alternative rotation of the drum, and in contact with a bath present in the lower part of this drum, which has a main compartment receiving the load to be washed, delimited externally by a cylindrical non-perforated side wall and provided with an internal transfer shovel, the main compartment being in communication, by passages made in at least one of its walls d 'ends, with at least one annular chamber attached coaxially to said main compartment and also placed in communication with the outside by an opening nular. This invention also relates, as such, to a complete washing machine comprising application of this drum, and more particularly to an industrial washing machine constituting a modular "washing train", in which several drums are arranged coaxially one after the other. of the others and are successively crossed by the loads to be washed. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to washing laundry.

A drum of a washing machine of the kind indicated above, and a corresponding industrial washing machine, are already known from the document GB-A-2 064 596, or from its equivalent FR-B-2 470 180 These documents describe a particular embodiment, in which a drum of the machine comprises two cylindrical treatment chambers, and a third chamber of annular shape, which is used for the introduction of the washing liquid, at one end of the drum. Holes formed in an internal wall separating the third chamber from one of the treatment chambers allow the passage of the washing liquid to the treatment chambers, the liquid being introduced at one end of the drum by a tube passing through the annular opening. of putting said third bedroom in communication with the outside.

Still considering the same known embodiment, the extraction of the washing bath at the other end of the drum is done from the extreme treatment compartment, successively by holes provided in the cylindrical shell of the drum, a fixed collecting chamber, a hole situated at the lowest point of the collecting chamber and a drain pipe starting from this hole. Thus, the extraction of the liquid requires surrounding the drum with a kind of partial tank, complicating and increasing the structure, especially if the provisions necessary for obtaining the seal between the ferrule of the rotary drum and the fixed collecting chamber. In addition, the asymmetrical structure of the drum and the particular means of extracting the bath require for the washing liquid, over the entire length of the machine, a predetermined and invariable direction of circulation, namely the direction opposite to that of the advance laundry. However, this particular direction of circulation, said to be against the current, is not necessarily that which is desirable for the needs of washing.

The principle of an auxiliary chamber, used for supplying and discharging water and washing products into a washing machine drum, has also already been proposed for a washing machine for household use, having a single drum - see document FR-A-1,179,720. In the case of this known embodiment, the structure of the drum does not create, during operation, any forced circulation of the bath, in particular along the axial direction of the drum.

The present invention aims to eliminate these drawbacks, by providing an improved drum and washing machine, with which any tub or even partial outer jacket is made unnecessary, and in which forced circulation of the washing bath, in an axial direction, can be obtained with the desired direction of circulation.

To this end, the invention essentially relates to a washing machine drum, of the kind specified in the introduction, which comprises two annular chambers provided symmetrically on either side of the main compartment, and separated from this main compartment by walls respective internal separation, the annular chambers both comprising passages for the communication of the main compartment with these two annular chambers, means being associated with one of the two annular chambers for the supply of water and / or d other products through the corresponding annular opening, and means being associated with the other annular chamber for the evacuation of water and / or other products through the corresponding annular opening.

Thus, the drum object of the invention has a perfectly symmetrical structure, particularly advantageous in terms of functional: the main compartment makes it possible to isolate a load of laundry to be washed or the like, while the two annular chambers allow, one, the supply of the washing bath and, the other, the evacuation of this bath, while forcing this bath to pass right through (in the axial direction) the main compartment in which the laundry stays. Due to the symmetry of the structure, the roles of the two annular chambers are interchangeable, so that the supply and discharge of the bath can be done at the option of one or the other of the ends of the drum. Thus, with respect to the direction of advance of the linen in the machine, the circulation of the bath can be done either against the current, or in the same direction as the advance of the linen. The baths contained in the various drums of an industrial machine being well retained and separated, it is even possible to conceive directions of circulation of the baths different from one drum to another, in the same machine.

In addition, the symmetrical structure proposed by the invention eliminates all perforations in the cylindrical wall of the drum, and it makes any tub, external jacket or other fixed external envelope completely useless, which makes it possible to produce a particularly simple washing machine, whatever whatever the number of drums.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the two internal partition walls, provided between the main compartment and the two annular chambers of the drum, each comprise a perforated annular partition which is connected externally to the solid side wall of the drum and which is extended, in the direction of the axis of the drum, by a frustoconical wall leading to the circular opening of entry or exit. The frustoconical walls allow the main compartment to be connected to the inlet and outlet openings, while leaving room for the two annular chambers, located on either side of the central compartment.

Advantageously, flexible lip seals are provided to ensure a partial seal at the abovementioned annular openings, giving access to the annular chambers of the drum from the outside. These joints are separated by the passage of the supply or extraction pipes for water and / or other products.

The invention applies more particularly to the production of a washing machine shaped as a "washing train", with several coaxial drums, each provided with an internal transfer shovel, arranged one after the other and traversed successively by the loads to be washed, this machine further comprising means for supplying water and / or other produced in drums from the outside, and for their extraction. In this case, the machine comprises drums, the main compartment of which is in communication with two annular chambers, the means for supplying water and / or other products being in relation to one of the annular chambers of these drums. , while the means for extracting water and / or other products are in relation to the other annular chamber of these drums, so that the water and / or the other products pass from a chamber annular to the other of each drum by crossing axially, right through, its main compartment. Each drum can thus be supplied independently of the other drums with water and other products, with the creation of a forced circulation of its bath, in the desired direction.

A washing machine of the type under consideration may however comprise at least two consecutive drums coupled to one another, for which a separation of the baths is not necessarily sought, in particular if these coupled drums belong to the same washing zone. In this case, there is provided between the coupled drums at least one connecting conduit communicating the baths contained in these drums, allowing a circulation of water and / or products of these baths from one drum to the other.

In a particular embodiment, for two consecutive drums coupled to each other, the connecting duct or ducts connect an annular chamber of one drum to an annular chamber of the other drum, in the junction zone of these two drums.

According to another possibility, still for two consecutive drums coupled to each other, the connecting duct or ducts directly connect the main compartments of the two drums, the annular chambers being eliminated in the junction area of these two drums , which provides some constructive simplification.

• Figure 1 est une vue de côté, très schématique, d'un train de lavage constituant une machine conforme à la présente invention ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en bout du train de lavage suivant la flèche F de figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 est une vue partielle en coupe passant par l'axe de ce train de lavage, et montrant à plus grande échelle deux tambours consécutifs, indépendants l'un de l'autre ;
• Figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe, illustrant la jonction de deux tambours consécutifs accouplés l'un à l'autre ;
• Figure 5 est une vue similaire à figure 4, montrant une variante concernant toujours deux tambours consécutifs accouplés l'un à l'autre.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting example, an embodiment of this washing machine:

• Figure 1 is a very schematic side view of a washing train constituting a machine according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is an end view of the washing train along the arrow F of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partial sectional view passing through the axis of this washing train, and showing on a larger scale two consecutive drums, independent of each other;
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view illustrating the junction of two consecutive drums coupled to each other;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing a variant still relating to two consecutive drums coupled to each other.

The washing machine, shown as a whole in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a base 1 above which are arranged, one after the other, six drums 2 all rotatably mounted around the same horizontal axis 3, the assembly constituting a "washing train" traversed from one end to the other by loads to be washed introduced into the first drum 2 using a chute or hopper 4, such as loads of laundry.

As shown more precisely in FIG. 3, each drum 2, of substantially cylindrical external shape, has a solid cylindrical side wall 5, a circular inlet opening 6 centered on the axis 3 at one of its ends, and a circular outlet opening 7, also centered on axis 3, at its other end. The outlet opening 7 belonging to a drum 2 is in correspondence with the inlet opening 6 belonging to the following drum 2. Inside each drum 2 is arranged a transfer shovel 8, not shown in FIG. 3 but clearly visible in FIG. 2. The shovel 8, which can be produced according to French patent N ° 74 23898/2 277 176 has a shape curved overall; its outer part, substantially cylindrical, is connected to the side wall 5 of the drum 1, and is extended towards the axis 3 by another approximately conical part which is connected to the circular edge of the opening 7 for the outlet of the linen. This shovel 8 is possibly perforated.

The drum 2 is surrounded by at least two reinforcing belts 9, resting and guided on rollers 10 which thus support the drum 2, and which also ensure its drive in rotation about the horizontal axis 3, at least some of these rollers 10 being linked to motor means not shown. In particular, in accordance with the aforementioned French patent, each drum 2 can be driven in rotation by individual motor means, and independently of the other drums 2.

Bars or buckets 11 can also be provided, in a known manner, inside the drums 2, in particular in the region of their side walls 5.

According to the invention, there is a distinction in each drum 2, a main compartment 12 and two annular chambers 13 and 14, located on either side of the main compartment 12.

The main compartment 12, which contains the transfer shovel 8 and receives loads of laundry or other items to be washed, is delimited:
- By a middle portion of the solid cylindrical side wall 5 of the drum 2;
- By a first annular partition 15, connecting externally to the side wall 5 and extending, in the direction of the axis 3, by a frustoconical wall 16 which leads to the circular opening 6 of entry; and
- By another annular partition 17, also connecting externally to the side wall 5 and extending, towards the axis 3, by a frustoconical wall 18 which leads to the circular opening 7 outlet.

The two annular partitions 15 and 17 have perforations, respectively 19 and 20.

The first annular chamber 13 is delimited by the annular partition 15, by an end portion of the side wall 5 and by another annular wall 21, full, connected to one end of the side wall 5.

Symmetrically, the second annular chamber 14 is delimited by the annular partition 17, by the other end portion of the side wall 5, and by a last annular wall 22, full, connected to the other end of the wall. lateral 5.

The two solid annular walls 21 and 22, situated at the opposite ends of the drum 2, are not extended to the frustoconical walls 16 and 18, or to the openings 6 and 7, so that the two annular chambers 13 and 14 remain in communication with the outside via annular openings, 23 and 24 respectively. Flexible lip seals 25 and 26 can however ensure a partial seal at the level of the annular openings 23 and 24.

The respective perforations 19 and 20 of the two annular partitions 15 and 17 provide communication between the main compartment 12 and the first annular chamber 13, as well as between the main compartment 12 and the second annular chamber 14. As a result, each drum 2 can retain, in its lower part, a bath 27 which is present at the same level in the main compartment 12, in the first annular chamber 13 and in the second annular chamber 14, according to a principle of "communicating vessels".

For each drum 2, means such as a conduit 28 are provided for the supply of water and / or other products, in order to supply the bath 27. The conduit 28 passes between the drum 2 considered and the drum next, and it has a bent portion which passes through the annular opening 24 through which the second annular chamber 14 communicates with the outside. If a flexible lip seal 26 is provided, this is simply discarded when the duct 28 passes.

In a symmetrical manner, there is also provided for each drum 2 means such as a conduit 29, serving for the evacuation of water and / or other products from the bath 27. The conduit 29 passes between the drum 2 considered and the previous drum, and it has a bent portion which passes through the annular opening 23 through which the first annular chamber 13 communicates with the outside. If a flexible lip seal 25 is provided, it is simply moved aside when the duct 29 passes. The end of the exhaust duct 29, located inside the first annular chamber 13, is close to the most bottom of this chamber 13, to guarantee extraction whatever the level of the bath 27.

During the operation of the washing machine, the load of linen or other contained in the main compartment of the drum 2, driven in continuous or alternating rotation about the axis 3, undergoes bubbling in contact with the bath 27 contained in this drum . This bath 27 is renewed by the arrival of water and / or other products, via the supply conduit 28, in the second annular chamber 14. The water and / or the products reach the main compartment 12 through the perforations 20 of the annular partition 17, and are recovered in the first annular chamber 13 by passage through the perforations 19 of the other annular partition 15. The conduit 29 finally discharges the water and / or the products out of the first annular chamber 13. A circulation of the bath is thus obtained, which in the example indicated here is carried out against the current, that is to say in the direction opposite to the direction of advance of the linen. However, it will be easily understood that due to the symmetrical structure of the drum 2, a circulation of the bath in the same direction as the advance of the linen is also possible, the washing water being in this case being brought into the first annular chamber 13, and being extracted from the second annular chamber 14.

Of course, the perforations 19 and 20 of the annular partitions 15 and 17 are distributed over the circumference, so that the variable angular position of the drum 2 is indifferent, with respect to the previously indicated operation.

When the load of laundry or the like is transferred from the drum 2 considered to the next drum, the frusto-conical wall 18 leading to the circular opening 7 facilitates the removal of the laundry or the like through this opening 7.

The foregoing description referring to FIG. 3 applies mainly to the case of a drum 2 independent with respect to the neighboring drum or drums. However, certain "washing trains" may comprise groups of two or more drums 2 coupled to one another or to each other, and together forming a certain washing zone.

For such coupled drums, specific solutions illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be implemented.

Figure 4 partially shows two consecutive drums 2, coupled for example at 30 by securing the opening 7 of the first drum outlet 2 with the opening 6 of the second drum 2. These two drums 2 each have two annular chambers 13 and 14, located on either side of their main compartment 12 receiving the laundry, as described above. One or more connecting tubes 31, parallel to the axis 3, here connect the second annular chamber 14 of the first drum 2 to the first annular chamber 13 of the second drum 2. The or each connecting tube 31 is connected, on the one hand, to the annular end wall 22 of the first drum 2 and, on the other hand, to the annular end wall 21 of the second drum 2. The baths 27 contained in the two drums 2 considered are thus brought into communication by the connecting tube or tubes 31, and a circulation of the water and / or the products of these baths 27 can be done through the connecting tube or tubes 31. Of course, the supply and evacuation of the water and / or other products always remain feasible, at points other than the part shown in FIG. 4, by means such as those indicated in FIG. 3.

Figure 4 shows that the two annular chambers 13 and 14, located at the junction of two consecutive drums 2 coupled to each other, do not play the role which is normally assigned to them. Consequently, and as shown in FIG. 5, these two annular chambers can, as a variant, be omitted at the junction of two drums 2 coupled to each other at 30 as previously.

In this variant, the second annular chamber of the first drum 2 being eliminated, the annular wall 17 of this drum is made full and not perforated. Similarly, the first annular chamber of the second drum 2 being eliminated, the annular wall 15 of this drum is made full and not perforated. One or more connecting tubes 32, parallel to the axis 3, here directly connect the main compartment 12 of the first drum 2 to the main compartment 12 of the second drum 2. The or each connecting tube 32 is connected, on the one hand, to the annular wall 17 of the first drum 2 and, on the other hand, to the annular wall 15 of the second drum 2. The baths 27 contained in the two drums 2 considered are thus put into communication by the connecting tube or tubes 32 and water and / or products from these baths can circulate through the connecting tube or tubes 32.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this washing machine which has been described above, by way of example; on the contrary, it embraces all of the variant embodiments and applications respecting the same principle. Thus, one would not depart from the scope of the present invention by modifications of detail, concerning for example the shape of the dividing partitions provided, in each drum, between the main compartment and the two annular chambers, or even the embodiment perforations or other passages made in these partitions to communicate the central compartment with the two annular chambers. The invention also remains applicable to a washing machine having any number of drums, and in particular the case of a machine provided with a single drum cannot be excluded. Finally, the machine is not intended exclusively for washing clothes, but it also applies to washing other products, especially in industry.

Claims (7)

1. Rotating drum of a washing machine, with a horizontal axis (2), receiving a load to be washed by an inlet opening (6) formed in one of its end faces, the load to be washed being extracted by an outlet opening (7) formed at the other end of the drum (2), the washing taking place during a continuous or alternative rotation of the drum (2), and in contact with a bath (27) present in the inner part of this drum, which has a main compartment (12) receiving the load to be washed, delimited externally by a cylindrical side wall (5) not perforated and provided with an internal transfer shovel (8), the main compartment (12) being in communication, by passages (19,20) formed in at least one of its end walls (15,16; 17,18), with at least one annular chamber (13,14) joined coaxially with said main compartment (12) and also in communication with the outside by an annular opening (23,24), characterized in that it comprises two annular chambers (13, 14) provided symmetrically on either side of the main compartment (12) and separated from this main compartment (12) by internal partition walls respective (15.16; 17,18), the annular chambers (13,14) both comprising passages (19,20) for the communication of the main compartment (12) with these two annular chambers (13,14), means (28) being associated with one of the two annular chambers (14) for the supply of water and / or other products through the corresponding annular opening (24), and means (29) being associated with the other chamber annular (13) for the evacuation of water and / or other products through the corresponding annular opening (23). 2. Washing machine drum according to claim 1, in which the two internal partition walls, provided between the main compartment (12) and the two annular chambers (13,14), each comprise a perforated annular partition (15,19 ; 17,20) which is connected externally to the solid side wall (5) of the drum (2), characterized in that each perforated annular partition (15,19; 17,20) extends, in the direction of the axis ( 3) of the drum, by a frustoconical wall (16,18) leading to the circular opening (6,7) of entry or exit. 3. Washing machine drum according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that flexible lip seals (25, 26) are provided to ensure a partial seal at the level of the annular openings mentioned above (23,24) giving access to the two annular chambers (13,14) from the outside. 4. Washing machine, comprising application of the drum according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the machine being shaped as a "washing train", with several coaxial drums (2), each provided with an internal transfer shovel ( 8), arranged one after the other and successively traversed by the loads to be washed, this machine further comprising means (28, 29) for supplying water and / or other products to the drums (2 ) from the outside, and for their extraction, characterized in that it comprises drums (2) whose main compartment (12) is in communication with two annular chambers (13,14), the means (28) for the 'water supply and / or other products being in connection with one of the annular chambers (14) of these drums (2), while the means (29) for the extraction of water and / or d other products are in relation to the other annular chamber (13) of these drums (2), so that the water and / or the other products s pass from one annular chamber (13) to the other (14) of each drum (2) passing axially, right through, its main compartment (12). 5. Washing machine according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two consecutive drums (2) coupled to one another (at 30), and in that it is provided, between the drums (2) coupled, at least one connecting duct (31, 32) communicating the baths (27) contained in these drums (2), allowing circulation of the water and / or products of these baths (27) from one drum to another. 6. Washing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, for two consecutive drums (2) coupled to one another (at 30), the connecting duct or ducts (31) connect an annular chamber (13 ) from a drum (2) to an annular chamber (14) of the other drum (2), in the junction zone of these two drums (2). 7. Washing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, for two consecutive drums (2) coupled to one another (at 30), the connecting pipe or conduits (32) directly connect the compartments main (12) of the two drums (2), the annular chambers (13,14) being eliminated in the junction area of these two drums (2).

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