Patent Publication Number: US-8528223-B2

Title: Laundry deflector device for a household appliance for attending to items of laundry, and such a household appliance

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a laundry deflector apparatus for a domestic appliance for laundry care, in particular a washing machine or a tumble dryer, with at least one deflector element. 
     Such a laundry treatment device is known from DE 102 37 017 B3. With this laundry treatment device a laundry deflector is secured in the upper region of the opening of the outer tub, consisting of a rigid securing part and an elastic deflector part. The deflector part of the secured laundry deflector is inserted into the loading opening of the laundry drum forming a gap. The laundry deflector is intended to release laundry items which have become caught, in particular as the laundry drum accelerates into a spin, and project into the region of the seal and are held by the seal. One disadvantage of the known laundry deflector is that laundry can become trapped in the gap between the laundry deflector and the laundry drum and be damaged as a result. Also the friction forces acting between the laundry and the laundry deflector, in particular when the laundry drum is full, are so great that the deflector part is permanently abraded. The resulting abrasion has a detrimental effect on the laundry. 
     A seal for a washing machine with an integrated deflector part is also known from WO 02/12612 A1. The very elastic deflector part is stabilized by a metal wire inserted into the deflector part and bent. The metal wire is an integral component of the securing ring of the seal. Despite the stabilizing metal wire the laundry deflector is so unstable that the laundry deflector cannot release the laundry with sufficient reliability. The laundry deflector can also be damaged or even broken due to the friction of the laundry, in particular laundry with metal parts such as zippers and the like. The seal and ultimately also the laundry treatment device start to leak as a result. 
     A laundry treatment device with a laundry deflector is also known from DE 20 2004 012 221 U1.  FIG. 1  shows a sectional diagram of a partial segment of this known washing machine. The outer tub  1  here is shown with an opening into which a laundry loading opening  3  of a laundry drum  2  projects. Only the so-called front sheet of the laundry drum  2  with the loading opening  3  is shown. The housing (not shown) has a door opening (filling in direction of arrow) corresponding to the loading opening  3  of the laundry drum  2  or the opening of the outer tub  1 . The opening of the outer tub  1  is connected to a door opening by means of an elastic seal  5 . The washing machine also has a laundry deflector  4 , which is connected rigidly to the outer tub  1 , close to the upper region of the opening and therefore also close to the upper region of the loading opening  3  of the laundry drum  2 . 
     A further laundry deflector apparatus with an asymmetrical deflector element is also known from WO 2008/104420. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to create a laundry deflector apparatus and a domestic appliance for laundry care, with which the laundry projecting in the region of the seal can be released effectively from the laundry drum without damaging the laundry and damage to the laundry items and the seal can be effectively prevented. 
     An inventive laundry deflector apparatus for a domestic appliance for laundry care, in particular a washing machine or tumble dryer, has a number of deflector elements. A deflector element is configured as wedge-shaped and configured in the direction of a first end of the deflector element on the face facing away from a base face of the deflector element with a flat edge pattern. In the direction of a second end, which is opposite the first end, a deflector element has a steep edge pattern on the face facing away from the base face and is configured as undercut at least in some regions at this second end. When viewed essentially laterally a deflector element is therefore configured with a significantly asymmetrical triangular shape, which on the one hand has a very flat, extended, rising edge pattern, which then changes to a very steeply dropping, relatively short edge pattern at the vertex. A deflector element is also configured at the second end in such a manner that the surface formed by the steep edge rise and the structural shape of the deflector element slopes to the rear at least in parts or is inclined to the rear, thereby producing the undercut. 
     This embodiment of the laundry deflector element allows a much better release of laundry items in the region of a seal between the outer tub and a housing wall of the domestic appliance. This shape of a deflector element can also ensure in effective further functionality that the laundry items are automatically directed back into the drum through the zone configured as undercut at the second end, if two such deflector elements are present in a suitable arrangement. When they strike this second end with the undercut, the laundry items experience an impetus in the direction of the interior of the drum. 
     This undercut is preferably configured over the entire edge face at the second end. Thus essentially the entire surface, which is configured over the entire edge rise at the second end, is configured with such an undercut and therefore is as it were inclined to the rear. This allows further improvement of the impetus to direct the released laundry items back into the drum. 
     The undercut is preferably configured in such a manner that when a deflector element is fitted on the domestic appliance, a front face of a deflector element facing the outer environment of the domestic appliance is configured longer at the second end than a rear face of a deflector element facing the interior of the domestic appliance. Thus when viewing the laundry deflector apparatus from the front only the longer front face of a deflector element is visible. The undercut region and thus the surface sloping to the rear at the second steep edge rise is virtually concealed by this front face. When viewed from the other side, the shorter rear face of the deflector element is visible and beyond this the sloping surface at this second end is also visible, this then representing the connection between the shorter rear face and the longer front face. 
     The shape of a deflector element at the first end is preferably configured as flat so that there is an essentially smooth transition into the shape of an element of the domestic appliance on which a deflector element is disposed. In particular the flat runout at the first end is shaped in such a manner and almost tapers to a point so that a completely smooth transition into a curved region of a seal of the domestic appliance is possible. This embodiment makes it possible to ensure that the laundry items projecting into the region of the seal can be carried along and released easily and reliably by the flat rise so that there is no abrupt pulling away, etc. This in turn allows damage to the laundry items during release to be prevented. 
     The shape of a deflector element at the second end is preferably configured so that there is an essentially smooth transition into the shape of an element of the domestic appliance on which a deflector element is disposed. It is true that in this respect provision is made for a relatively steep meeting between the edge and the element of the domestic appliance on which a deflector element is disposed but it is advantageous if a rounded and flowing transition is configured at the direct transition between the second end and the element of the domestic appliance, in particular in the seal. 
     A deflector element is preferably configured as a single piece. This allows simple and economical manufacture, for example as an injection molded part or the like. 
     The laundry deflector apparatus is preferably disposed on an elastic seal of the domestic appliance, which connects an opening of an outer tub to a door opening of the domestic appliance. In particular provision can be made for the laundry deflector apparatus to be configured as a single piece with the seal. This also allows the production process to be embodied in a simple and economical manner. Also such an embodiment allows the precise positioning of the laundry deflector apparatus on the seal to be defined and specified beforehand, thereby preventing incorrect positioning due to subsequent attachment and disproportionate tolerances to be avoided. 
     However provision can also be made for the laundry deflector apparatus to be attached to the seal later. Provision can be made here for example for adhesion or a thermal method to connect the materials of the laundry deflector apparatus and the seal permanently. Provision can be made for the laundry deflector apparatus to be made of plastic. This allows relatively complex shaping to be carried out simply and economically by injection molding. The plastic material is preferably selected so that the laundry deflector apparatus can be embodied in a rigid manner and there is no abrasion by the laundry. Problematic deposits on the laundry due to abrasion are thus advantageously avoided by such a plastic selection. 
     Provision can be made for the laundry deflector apparatus to be made of a non-stick plastic or to have a non-stick coating. Such an embodiment significantly reduces the friction between the laundry deflector and the washing to be released. This significantly reduces any damage to the laundry due to excessive friction when it is being released from the edge of the loading opening of the laundry drum. Plastics which have particularly good non-stick properties and at the same time are unaffected by laundry water are for example polyfluoroethylene (PTFE) or polyoxymethylene (POM). 
     The deflector element is preferably disposed on the seal in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of a deflector element is oriented in the circumferential direction of the seal. This means that a deflector element extends in a plane essentially parallel to the plane of the loading opening. This plane is essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of a laundry drum of the domestic appliance. This means that with corresponding rotation of the drum, particularly effective release of the laundry items in the region of the seal is enabled, as they as it were reach a deflector element, can be carried along on the flat edge and released. 
     The laundry deflector apparatus preferably comprises two deflector elements, which are configured in a corresponding manner and are disposed symmetrically in relation to an axis of symmetry of the seal of the domestic appliance. The two deflector elements are thus advantageously disposed in such a manner in relation to one another that the two second ends face one another. Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous, if the drum can generally be rotated in two directions. It can then be constantly ensured that the laundry is released by passing along the flat rise of a deflector element and as it were collides when it meets the edge rise of the second end with the undercut of the second deflector element, being given impetus there in the direction of the interior of the drum by the slope of this surface. The same can be achieved due to the symmetrical embodiment of the laundry alternator when rotating the drum in the opposite direction. It is thus always possible to allow the laundry items to be released reliably and a particular functionality is also enabled by the automatic axial acceleration of the laundry items back into the drum. 
     Provision can be made for the two laundry deflector elements of the laundry deflector apparatus to be configured as separate components and to be disposed at a distance from one another. The two deflector elements preferably extend in one plane, which is oriented parallel to the plane of the loading opening. The distance between the two deflector elements is preferably smaller than the length of a deflector element. 
     Provision can also be made for the two deflector elements to be connected to one another and to be configured virtually as a single piece. This allows simpler manufacture and the relative positioning of the deflector elements is also enabled more precisely. This allows a defined shape to be produced during manufacture and in particular during injection molding, ensuring the precise shaping and positioning of the elements in relation to one another. This can also allow faster and simpler assembly. 
     It is particularly advantageous if such a single-piece configuration of the at least two deflector elements of the laundry deflector apparatus is also configured as a single piece with the seal. 
     The laundry deflector element, in particular at least one deflector element, is preferably disposed on a surface facing the axis of rotation of the seal or a web facing this axis. 
     A further aspect of the invention relates to a domestic appliance for laundry care, with a laundry drum supported in a rotatable manner in a tub, said tub having an opening and the laundry drum having a loading opening for laundry corresponding to said opening. The domestic appliance also has a housing, which has a door opening corresponding to the opening or the loading opening. The domestic appliance also has an elastic seal, which connects the opening of the tub to the door opening. A laundry deflector apparatus according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof is disposed on the seal, being positioned in an upper region of the opening of the tub. With such a domestic appliance, in particular a washing machine or a tumble dryer, it is possible to enable an effective release of laundry items projecting into the region of the seal, which damages neither the laundry nor the seal, in particular during the spin process. It can also be ensured that these released laundry items are conducted back into the interior of the drum. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic sectional diagram of a domestic appliance with a laundry deflector element known from the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic rear view of a seal for a domestic appliance for laundry care with an inventive laundry deflector apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  shows an enlarged diagram of a partial segment according to  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of a view of a laundry deflector apparatus according to  FIG. 3 , viewing the axis of rotation radially from the outside; 
         FIG. 5  shows a further diagram in the viewing direction in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Identical elements or elements with identical function are shown with the same reference characters in all the figures. 
     In the exemplary embodiment an inventive domestic appliance for laundry care is configured as a washing machine and comprises an outer tub, a laundry drum and a loading opening, as also shown and disposed in the diagram according to  FIG. 1 . The arrow representation in  FIG. 1  indicates the introduction of laundry items into the interior of the laundry drum through the door opening in respect of the arrangement of the above-mentioned components. 
     The washing machine also comprises a seal  5 ′, which is disposed between the outer tub and a housing wall and connects the opening of the outer tub to the door opening of the washing machine. 
     During operation of the washing machine laundry can pass from the laundry drum  2  into the region encompassed by the seal  5 ′ due to the movement of the laundry drum. In particular if the laundry drum  2  is loaded with a large quantity of laundry, the movement of the laundry drum  2  can cause individual laundry items to pass over the edge of the loading opening  3  into the region encompassed by the seal  5 ′. The seal  5 ′ is essentially disposed in a region of the washing machine, as shown in the arrangement of the seal  5  in the prior art according to  FIG. 1 . 
     These laundry items then still rest to some degree on the wall of the laundry drum  2  and are thus carried with the rotating laundry drum  2 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the seal  5 ′, which is configured from an elastic material. Rear view here describes a viewing direction from the interior of the laundry drum  2  in an outward direction. It can be seen from the schematic diagram according to  FIG. 2  that a laundry deflector apparatus  6  with two deflector elements  61  and  62  is disposed on the seal  5 ′. The laundry deflector apparatus  6  is disposed in an upper region of the seal  5 ′ and is disposed symmetrically in relation to a vertical axis of symmetry SA of the seal  5 ′. In the exemplary embodiment the laundry deflector apparatus  6  is configured as a single piece with the seal  5 ′. The deflector elements  61  and  62  are configured with essentially the same shape and dimensions and are disposed at a distance from one another. 
     The more precise embodiment of the laundry deflector apparatus  6  is described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 3 . This shows an enlarged partial segment of the diagram in  FIG. 2 . The first deflector element  61  is configured as wedge-shaped and has a first end  611  and a second end  612 . The laundry deflector apparatus  6  and therefore also the deflector elements  61  and  62  are configured on the seal  5 ′ in such a manner that they extend virtually in one plane, which extends parallel to the plane of the loading opening  3 . 
     The deflector element  61  which is also described in more detail for the similarly configured deflector element  62 , has an as it were significantly asymmetrical triangular profile due to its wedge shape. The deflector element  61  has an assembly face or base face  613 , with which it is disposed directly on a web  51 . The web  51  represents as it were a surface, which faces an axis of symmetry of the seal  5 ′ oriented perpendicular to the plane of the figure. On the opposite side of this base face  613  the deflector element  61  has a relatively flat edge pattern  614  starting from the first end  611 . This relatively flat rising edge pattern  614  extends over a substantial length of the deflector element  61  and then changes to a relatively steeply dropping edge pattern  615  at the second end  612 . At the second end  612  the deflector element  61  also has an undercut  616 . As shown in the diagram in  FIG. 3 , in the exemplary embodiment this undercut  616  is configured essentially over the entire surface formed by the steep edge pattern  615 . The surface at this end  612  in the region of the edge pattern  615  is therefore inclined as it were to the rear. In the view shown in  FIG. 3  (view from the rear of the seal  5 ′ outward and thus from the interior of the laundry drum  2  outward) this means that the undercut  616  or the surface formed by the edge pattern  615  can be seen and when viewed toward the outside slopes as it were forward and runs toward the axis SA. 
     A cutout tapering outward in the viewing direction in  FIG. 4  is configured on the facing two ends  612  and  622  ( FIG. 4 ) and the respectively configured undercuts  616  and  626  in conjunction with the second deflector element  62 . 
     According to the diagram in  FIG. 3  this slope of the undercut  616  is achieved in that a rear face  617  of the deflector element  61  is configured shorter at the second end  612  in the longitudinal direction of the deflector element  61  than a front face  618  ( FIG. 5 ). The rear face  617  here represents the face facing the interior of the laundry drum  2 , while the front face  618  represents the outer face facing the outer environment of the domestic appliance. 
     It can also be seen from the diagram according to  FIG. 3  that the deflector element  61  tapers almost to a point at the first end  611  and the very flat runout is configured in such a manner that a continuous and smooth transition into the shape or curvature of the seal  5 ′ and in particular of the web  51  is ensured. At the second end  612  the relatively steep edge pattern  615  is also configured as somewhat flatter at the direct transition to the web  51 , so that a smooth transition into the web  51  can be ensured here too. 
     In the embodiment shown the two deflector elements  61  and  62  are disposed as separate parts. Provision can also be made for the two deflector elements  61  and  62  to be configured as a single piece and be disposed on the seal  5 ′. 
     In the exemplary embodiment the distance between the two deflector elements  61  and  62  is less than the length of one deflector element  61  or  62 . 
     Both deflector elements  61  and  62  have a relatively flat angle of entry, which is configured respectively at the first ends  611  and/or  621  ( FIG. 4 ). Depending on the rotation direction of the laundry drum  2 , which can be rotated to both sides about the axis of rotation, the very flat angle of entry due to the shape of a deflector element allows much better release of the corresponding laundry items and the friction between the laundry items and the material of the seal  5 ′ and the corresponding deflector element  61  and/or  62  is minimized. 
     The facing second ends  612  and/or  622  of the deflector elements  61  and/or  62  are configured with the undercuts  616  and/or  626  and therefore have a surface region which has an inwardly oriented setting angle. This causes the released laundry items to be conducted back into the interior of the laundry drum  2 . 
     If for example the laundry drum  2  rotates in the direction PF in the partial segment shown in  FIG. 3 , the laundry items projecting into the region of the seal  5 ′ are released by the flat angle of entry at the first end  611  of the deflector element  61  and conducted in the direction of the second deflector element  62 . As soon as these laundry items leave the first deflector element  61 , they are subjected by the setting angle and/or undercut  626  of the second deflector element  62  on impact to an impetus in the direction of the interior of the laundry drum  2 . This impetus is sufficient for the laundry items to be spun back into the interior of the laundry drum  2  with the aid of the relatively high rotation speed of the laundry drum  2 . 
     The functionality is correspondingly reversed, when the drum rotates counter to the direction PF. 
     In particular during a first operating phase of the washing machine, in which the dry laundry absorbs water or washing liquor, the dry or not yet completely wet laundry has a larger volume that than the completely wet laundry and is therefore more likely to pass into the region encompassed by the seal  5 ′ during such operating phases. In this operating phase the laundry drum  2  is generally rotated in a reversing manner. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the laundry deflector apparatus  6  is configured in a symmetrical manner as shown in  FIG. 3 . This means that the action of release and providing impetus for spinning back into the interior of the drum is identical for both directions of rotation of the laundry drum  2 . 
     Alternatively the profile of the laundry deflector apparatus  6  can also be configured as asymmetrical, if it is ensured that the operating phase in which the laundry deflector apparatus  6  is to be predominantly active, is characterized by a rotation of the laundry drum  2  in a single direction. 
       FIG. 4  shows a view of a partial segment of the diagram in  FIG. 3 , showing a plan view of the deflector element  62 . The view is directed radially outward from the axis of symmetry of the seal  5 ′ perpendicular to the plane of the figure in the direction of the deflector element  62 . It can be seen that a deflector element  62  has essentially the width of the web  51 . The relatively flat rise of the edge pattern  624  from the first end  621  can also be seen. The relatively steep drop of the edge pattern  625  at the second end  622  can also be seen. The deflector element  62 , which is described and shown in  FIG. 4  for the deflector element  61  as well, is configured as essentially completely rectilinear in the diagram shown. 
     In the diagram according to  FIG. 4  the undercut  626  can also be seen, sloping at an angle α to the non-sloping reference plane. It can be seen that the rear face  627  is configured shorter in the region of the second end  622  than the front face  628 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective diagram of a further partial segment from the seal  5 ′. This is also a view in a radial viewing direction outward as in the diagram in  FIG. 4 . This diagram shows the deflector element  61 . The engagement regions  7  for the outer tub  1  and the engagement regions  8  for the door opening and/or the housing wall of the washing machine on the seal  5 ′ are shown by way of example. 
     The laundry deflector apparatus  6  is made of PTFE for example. This material is both highly resistant to laundry water and also stable enough for the required strength of the laundry deflector apparatus  6 . Material erosion due laundry rubbing against the deflector elements  61  and/or  62 , in particular laundry having metal components such as zippers and the like, is avoided with a material of the selected type. This plastic also has a very good non-stick capability, thereby reducing friction as the laundry passes the laundry deflector apparatus  6 . This protects the laundry during release. 
     Alternatively a POM material or another non-stick plastic can also be used to make the laundry deflector apparatus  6 . However provision can also be made for the laundry deflector apparatus  6  to have a non-stick coating.