DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FASTENING A DAMPER IN A WASHING MACHINE

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fastening a damper (25) in a washing machine, said device comprising two shoulders (3, 4) and a connecting element (2) coupling the two shoulders. The main feature of the invention is that the shoulders can be bent with respect to the connecting element and are provided with locking means (5, 6) for locking the damper, said locking means being formed by plastically deforming the shoulders. The invention also relates to a method for fastening a damper in washing machines.

Description: Description DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FASTENING A DAMPER IN A WASHING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device and method for fastening a damper in a washing machine. In the washing machine field are frequently used damping devices or dampers, in order to reduce, as far as possible, vibrations caused by the washing machine rotary basket, which holds therein unevenly driven masses, formed by the articles to be washed. The requirement of providing a satisfactory control of the above mentioned vibrations constitutes one of the main problems of the washing machines, since the mentioned vibrations negatively affect the noise level generated by the washing machine, and cause the washing machine casing to be undesirably displaced. For damping the mentioned vibrations caused by the rotary movement of the article being washed held in a washing machine basket, said basket is conventionally coupled to the washing machine casing at four points: at the top by two coil springs and at the bottom thereof by two dampers, which are fastened to the washing machine by means of a suitable fastening bracket or bridge assembly. Thus, it should be apparent that the fastening of the bottom dampers is very important in order to allow the dampers to properly operate. For fastening the dampers to a washing machine casing, in replacement of conventional fastening devices, a prior advantageous fastening device comprises a fork-like bracket, thereon is arranged a pin, including a screw and nut assembly, and engaged in a circular recess defined on the head of the damper. This prior fastening device comprises a bracket having two rigid vertical shoulders, said bracket being fastened to the washing machine casing and being specifically designed and shaped in order to lock in its desired position the damper head portion. The assembling operations for assembling a damper in this prior fastening device comprise an operating step in which the damper is located in a horizontal position, and a further rotating step in which the located damper is turned in order to lock it in its desired working position. While the above mentioned prior device allows to omit the screw-nut assembly forming the fastening pin of a lot of conventional fastening devices, it, however, has a comparatively high cost, because of the mentioned assembling operations which cannot be easily automatized. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the aim of the of the present invention is to provide a fastening device for fastening dampers in washing machines, in which all the fastening components of said device can be formed by simply deforming an integral sheet metal piece. Within the scope of the above aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide a fastening device for fastening a damper in a washing machine, which does not comprise screws, rivets, resilient pins or the like fastening means for fastening said damper. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a damper fastening device which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint. The above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, are achieved by the fastening device according to the invention, for fastening a damper in a washing machine, of the type comprising two shoulders and a connecting element coupling said shoulders, characterized in that at least one of said shoulders can be bent with respect to said connecting element and that said device further comprises locking means for locking said damper, said locking means being formed by plastically deforming at least one of said shoulders. The present invention also relates to a method for fastening a damper in a washing machine, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of arranging a head portion of said damper between said shoulders, bending at least one of said shoulders toward said head portion of said damper, and coupling said shoulders, for locking said damper, by plastically deforming at least one of said shoulders. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure, given by way of an illustrative but not limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an overall view of a washing machine; Figure 2 is a cross-sectioned view illustrating a fastening device for fastening a damper in a washing machine, according to the present invention, in its partially bent or folded configuration; Figure 3 is a further view of the device shown in Figure 2, in its flat configuration; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a first operating step for fastening a damper, by the fastening device according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a further cross-sectional view of a second operating step for fastening a damper by the fastening device according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a further cross-sectional view of a third operating step for fastening a damper by the fastening device according to the present invention; Figures 8-9 are further cross-sectional views, on an enlarged scale, of an engagement method for engaging the fastening device according to the present invention; Figures 10-12 are further cross-sectional views of another possible method for fastening to the casing of the washing machine a fastening device according to the present invention; and Figure 13 is a view of a damper fastened by the fastening device according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following disclosure reference will be made to some preferred embodiments of the present invention which are herein disclosed as possible examples of a lot of possible variations of the invention. More specifically, the fastening device for fastening dampers in a washing machine according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises two shoulders 3 and 4 , and a connecting element 2 coupling said shoulders 3 and 4. Figure 1 shows, by a cross-sectional view, a washing machine 20 including the devices 1 according to the present invention. This figure shows moreover the washing machine basket 24, connected to the casing or framework 27 of the washing machine 20 at four connection points, i.e.: at the top by two coil springs 22 and, at the bottom, by two dampers 25. The shoulders 3 and 4 can be bent or folded with respect to the connecting element 2 , in particular starting from a first position in which said shoulders are slanted with respect to a plane perpendicular to the connecting element 2 , to a second position in which they are substantially parallel to said plane and are opposite to one another. As shown, the shoulders 3 and 4 are provided with locking means for locking a damper 25, pertaining to a washing machine 20, said means being formed by plastically deforming said shoulders 3 and 4. In particular, each of said shoulders 3 and 4 comprises a portion, formed by a drawing operation, facing the opposite shoulder. More specifically, a first "female" drawn portion 5 formed from a first shoulder 3 and a second "male" drawn portion 6, formed on the second shoulder 4, are provided. Moreover, the second male drawn portion 6 is necessarily perforated and has an end contour 7 having a diameter less than that of the hole of the female drawn portion 5. Said end contour 7 can be edged, by a pressing operation, so as to expand to a diameter greater than that of the female drawn portion 5, in order to firmly engage therewith. The second male drawn portion 6 engages with the female portion 5, by the above mentioned pressing operation, in order to fasten said damper, as it will become more apparent hereinafter. Preferably, between the head portion 30 of the damper 25 and the male and female drawn portions a rubber bushing 12 is arranged. The connecting element 2 coupling said shoulders 3 and 4 is provided with fastening means for providing a firm connection with the framework or casing 27 of the washing machine 20. Said fastening means for providing a firm coupling with the framework 27 of the washing machine 20, in particular, can be made by different methods, for example by providing a drawn portion 42 designed for receiving a screw (not shown). Alternatively, it would be possible to provide the mentioned fastening means by using a nut 40, as shown in Figure 10, or a screw 41, as shown in Figure 11. Said fastening means 27 of the washing machine 20 comprise a pair of teeth 9 operating to prevent the device 1 from rotating. In particular, the teeth 9 are formed on the connecting element 2 coupling said shoulders 3 and 4. The fastening device 1 according to the present invention comprises, moreover, a pair of reinforcement ribs 10, affecting the connecting element 2 coupling said shoulders 3 and 4 and also a portion of said shoulders 3 and 4. The operation of the fastening device according to the present invention is as follows. The damper 25 of the washing machine 20 is arranged so that the head portion 30 thereof is arranged between the shoulders 3 and 4 of the fastening device 1. Then, the shoulders 3 and 4 are bent or folded toward the head portion 30 of the damper 25, to cause the male drawn portion 6 to be engaged in the hole formed on the female drawn portion 5. The end contour 7 of the male drawn portion 6 is then edged, by a pressing operation, to expand to a diameter greater than that of the female drawn portion 5, thereby allowing the shoulders 3 and 4 to be engaged and locked in their desired positions, said shoulders 3 and 4 firmly holding the head portion 30 of the damper 25. As stated, between the head portion 30 of the damper 25 and male and female drawn portions, a rubber bushing 12 is preferably arranged. In this connection it should be pointed out that the disclosed fastening device can be alternately made by using only one a male drawn portion, formed on one of the two shoulders. The male drawn portion, in such a modified embodiment, will be engaged, by pressing it likewise to the above disclosed pressing operation, inside a simple hole formed on the opposite shoulder. The present invention, as stated, also relates to a fastening method for fastening a damper in a washing machine. This fastening method comprises the following operating steps: locating the head portion 30 of the damper 25 between the shoulders 3 and 4 of the fastening device 1 and bending or folding the shoulders 3 and 4 toward the head portion 30 of the damper 25. Then, the end portion 7 of the first male drawn portion 6 is expanded to a diameter greater than that of the hole of the second female portion 6, so as to lock in its set position the damper 25. Thus, the two shoulders 3 and 4 including the opposite drawn portions, in addition to mutually engage, will lock the damper 25 in its set working position, thereby operating for said damper as a fastening shaft. The expanding operation on the end contour 7 of the male drawn portion 6 is preferably carried out by pressing by a punch element, through the female portion 5. This pressing operation will allow the shoulders 3 and 4 to be mutually locked so that the male and female drawn portions will define a shaft having a substantially continuous diameter extending in an axial direction. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the fastening device 1 according to the present invention is adapted to properly fasten a damper of a washing machine, without using screws, rivets, resilient pins or the like fastening or connecting means . Moreover, the disclosed device is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the invention scope, thereby said device can also be used in different application fields, in particular as a mechanical element must be connected to another mechanical element by systems of the screw-nut, resilient pin, rivet type, or other like mechanical coupling systems.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine, of the type comprising two shoulders and a connecting element for coupling said shoulders, characterized in that at least one of said shoulders can be bent with respect to said connecting element and that said device further comprises locking means for locking said damper, said locking means being formed by plastically deforming at least one of said shoulders . 2. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that said locking means for locking said damper, as provided on at least a said shoulder, comprise a drawn portion facing the opposite shoulder. 3. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said locking means for locking said damper comprise a first female drawn portion, formed on a first shoulder and a second male drawn portion, formed on the second shoulder and engaging with said female portion, by pressing, in order to fasten said damper. 4. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to Claim 3, characterized in that said second male drawn portion is perforated and has an end contour having a diameter less than that of the hole of the female drawn portion, said end contour being pressed so that the pressed diameter is greater than that of said female drawn portion. 5. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connecting element coupling said shoulders comprises fastening means for fastening to the casing of said washing machine. 6. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to Claim 5, characterized in that said fastening means comprise a third drawn portion, said third drawn portion being threaded in its inside in order to receive a screw therein. 7. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to Claim 5 and/or 6 , characterized in that said fastening means comprise at least an anti-turning tooth. 8. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises at least a reinforcement rib affecting at least a portion of said shoulders. 9. A device for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device is operatively coupled to a soft material bushing arranged between the head portion of the damper and said male and female drawn portions. 10. A method for fastening a damper in a washing machine by using a fastening device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of locating the head portion of said damper between said shoulders, bending at least one of said shoulders toward said head portion of said damper, and coupling said shoulders to one another in order to lock said damper by plastically deforming at least one of said shoulders. 11. A method for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to the Claim 10, characterized in that said shoulder coupling step is carried out by expanding the end contour of said second male drawn portion to cause the diameter of the pressed contour to become greater than the diameter of the hole through said first female drawn portion. 12. A method for fastening a damper in a washing machine according to Claim 11, characterized in that said end contour expanding step for expanding the end contour of said male drawn portion is carried out by pressing by a pressing punch.

Inventors: ACHIARDI ALESSANDRO, FERLICCA ROBERTO, ACHIARDI, ALESSANDRO, FERLICCA, ROBERTO
Applicants: ACHIARDI ALESSANDRO, CIMA COMP IT MOLLE ACCIAIO, FERLICCA ROBERTO, ACHIARDI, ALESSANDRO, C.I.M.A. COMPAGNIA ITALIANA MOLLE ACCIAIO S.P.A., FERLICCA, ROBERTO
Application year: 1998
Main classification: D06F37
IPC codes: D06F37, F16F9