Securing element for a tubular heater, fastening system having said securing element and washing machine having said securing system

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a securing element made of bent wire for a tubular heater of a washing machine, also to a system for fastening a tubular heater using a securing element made of wire and also to a washing machine having a system for fastening a tubular heater using a securing element made of wire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known commercial elements made of wire for securing tubular heaters for washing machines comprise one piece wires which are inserted into a mount made for this purpose inside the washing machine tub.

The tubular heater which the known prior art securing element is designed to secure is of the same type as that which the securing element of the invention is designed to secure. It is a type of tubular heater which comprises one tube part and one sealing mount part. The tubular heater is introduced through an opening in a wall of the tub such that the tube part is located inside the tub and the sealing mount is firmly fixed to the wall of the tub, closing and sealing it. The heating tube or tubes extend from said sealing mount. A first portion of the tubes or tube extends towards the interior of the tub parallel to a second wall of the tub which is perpendicular to that to which the sealing mount is fixed and the tube turns back on itself to form a second portion parallel or virtually parallel to the first. This second portion may join up with the sealing mount again or, in a third portion, it may turn back on itself to extend towards the interior of the tub parallel to the first and second portions and then turn back on itself again to form a fourth portion parallel to the previous three and fastened to the sealing mount at the wall of the tub. That is to say, the tube is configured as a zigzag tube with parallel or virtually parallel tube portions arranged in a plane parallel to the wall of the tub which is perpendicular to the wall to which it is fixed via the sealing mount. Conventionally, these tube portions form a slight angle between them opening out towards the interior of the tub. The tube is of circular section but over virtually its entire length it has a rib protruding outwards. The rib results from the method of manufacturing this type of heating tube. If one were to imagine a plane parallel to the wall of the tub which is perpendicular to the wall to which the heater is fastened, which plane passes through the center of the tube cross-section, the ribs would be arranged where the plane intersects with the tube cross-section.

Conventionally, the prior art securing element has a mounting portion which is a part of the bent wire which is inserted into a slot in the tub. From the two ends of the wire mounting portion, two arms extend in parallel towards the interior of the tub. These two arms rise in parallel and bend in concave manner towards one another and then away from one another again. They are bent such that each of them clasps a portion of the heating tube over part of its perimeter. In this way, the tubular part of the heater is fastened inside the tub at a distance from the wall of said tub.

One problem associated with this fastening element is that it may come into contact with the heater in a zone comprising a cross-sectional rib and that over time it may succeed in damaging it due to vibration. Also, it may happen that, during assembly, on insertion of the heater, the tubes bend one or both of the arms of the wire resulting in the heater not being properly fastened in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a more reliable, stronger securing element for a tubular heater which will not damage the heater through friction resulting from vibration, a fastening system for a heating element which allows easier mounting and a washing machine with a fastening system which has a securing element for a tubular heater which reduces the noise emitted as a result of vibration of the tubular heater when the machine is in operation.

This object is achieved by means of a securing element having the features of claim 1 , a fastening system having the features of claim 13 and a washing machine having the features of claim 17.

The object is achieved according to claim 1 by means of a securing element made of bent wire for a washing machine tubular heater which comprises a first mounting portion for connecting the securing element for the tubular heater to a mounting base of a washing machine, and a clip portion extending upwards from the mounting base with at least two opposing wire arms, in which each one of the arms has a first contacting portion, a first noncontacting portion following the first contacting portion, a second contacting portion following the first non-contacting portion and being arranged in a higher position than the first contacting portion, a second non-contacting portion following the second contacting portion, in which the second non-contacting portion is arranged at the highest position of the securing element for the tubular heater, and in which the opposing wire arms additionally have a third contacting portion following the second non-contacting portion, a third non-contacting portion following the third contacting portion, and in which at least one of the two opposing wire arms

has a fourth contacting portion following the third non-contacting portion and arranged in a lower position than the third contacting portion.

In this way, each arm of the securing element for the tubular heater secures the latter in at least three zones and at least one of the arms secures it in four zones, which much more reliably reduces heater vibrations and therefore reduces friction between the heater and the wire of the securing element.

To reduce heater vibration still more, the two opposing wire arms have a fourth contacting portion following the third non-contacting portion and which is arranged in a lower position than the third contacting portion.

Moreover, there is provided a spacing portion between the mounting portion and the clip portion connecting them together in such a manner as to space the clip portion from the mounting base.

In one embodiment, the mount additionally comprises a second mounting portion on at least one of the opposing wire arms following the fourth contacting portion for connecting the securing element for the tubular heater to the mounting base of the washing machine. In this way, the joint between the securing element and the mounting base is much more stable and it is not readily bent through lateral pressure on the arms.

Provision is also made for at least one of the wire arms additionally to have a fourth non- contacting portion following the fourth contacting portion and also for the fourth non- contacting portion to be joined to the spacing portion to provide support and reinforcement for preventing bending.

In one exemplary embodiment, the opposing wire arms cross over each other at the first non- contacting portion and the third non-contacting portion to form an X, which gives the securing element greater flexibility.

This embodiment may be such that one of the opposing wire arms passes between the first non-contacting portion and the third non-contacting portion of the other wire arm, so facilitating the process of manufacture in the wire bending machine.

In another different embodiment, the first non-contacting portion and the third non-contacting portion of each arm are bent away from the opposing arm so as not to cross but to form two mutually facing Cs with concavities for receiving the tube portions of the tubular heater. The securing element for the tubular heater is made of a continuous piece of wire of a diameter of between 0.5 and 4 millimeters, preferably between 1 and 3 millimeters, particularly advantageously 1.5 and 2.5 millimeters, in particular 2 millimeters. Also very advantageously, the opposing wire arms are flexible such that they exert force on the tube portions of the tubular heater so as to separate them. It is also particularly advantageous for the wire to be of stainless steel, which ensures durability in a damp environment.

The object is achieved according to claim 13 by means of a system for fastening a washing machine tubular heater using a tubular heater securing element as described above, in which the heater is inserted by sliding in an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of elevation of the securing element fastening a first end of the tubular heater to the securing element. The plane of elevation should be understood to mean that formed by the arms of the clip portion rising in parallel or by the plane formed by the parallelism of the contacting portions of the arms in order that the tubes of the heater may enter without difficulty.

In one embodiment of the system, the second end of the tubular heater has two tube portions, which are secured by the clip portion, forming an angle with the insertion direction of from 0° to 10°, preferably between 0° and 5°, particularly advantageously 0° and 3°, in particular 2°, which facilitates insertion into the clip portion of the securing element since said portion opens up on passage of the tubes and increases the pressure exerted thereon and then the opposing wire arms flex relative to their empty position on insertion of the heater so as to secure the tubular portions.

In a preferred configuration, a second end of the tubular heater is fastened to a wall of the mounting base, so meaning that the heater is fastened by the tubes and by the second end, giving a better response to vibration.

The object is achieved according to claim 17 by means of a washing machine with an above- described fastening system for a tubular heater, which washing machine has a washing tub formed of a first half-tub and a second half-tub and in which the mounting base is arranged in the first half-tub.

Provision is made for the mounting portion of the securing element to fit into the mounting base, a projection of the second half-tub coming into contact with the securing element so as to fasten it in its mounted position in the mounting base and so as not to allow demounting thereof, thereby making it more secure.

The wall of the mounting base is a wall of the first half-tub which has an orifice for insertion of the tubular heater and in which the latter is fastened by its second end, closing said orifice hermetically, only the heater's electrical connections remaining outside the tub away from the risk of dampness.

The direction of insertion of the heating element is the direction in which the securing element is mounted in the mounting base. Thus, on insertion of the heating element, once the mounting element for the tubes of the heater has been fitted, the latter will be pushed towards its still more reliable mounted position.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are described and explained below in greater detail and with reference to the appended drawings, together with additional details of the configuration as well as other advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below in greater detail, with reference to schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic section of a washing machine with an enlarged detail of a fastening system having a securing element for the tubular heater of the washing machine. Figure 2a is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a securing element made of wire for the tubular heater of a washing machine. Figure 2b is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a securing element made of wire for the tubular heater of a washing machine. Figure 2c is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a securing element made of wire for the tubular heater of a washing machine. Figure 3 shows a fourth embodiment of the securing element mounted in the mounting base of the washing machine tub. Figure 4 shows a fifth embodiment of the securing element mounted in the mounting base of the washing machine tub. Figure 5a shows a system for securing the tubular heater with a securing element according to the third embodiment mounted in the mounting base of the washing machine tub. Figure 5b shows a securing system according to the invention with a sixth embodiment of a securing element fastening the tubular heater to the mounting base of the washing machine tub. Figure 6 is a schematic, elevational view of a tubular heater in the mounted position in a securing element such as that of the invention. Figure 7 shows a prior art securing element mounted in a mounting base of a washing machine tub.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the figures, elements which are identical or fulfill the same function have the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows a schematic section of a front-loading washing machine 1 with a door for accessing a drum in which the clothes are placed for washing and which is located inside a

washing machine tub 10 which fills with water which is heated during the washing cycle by an electrical tubular heater 2.

This heater 2 is inserted into the tub 10 via an orifice 15 in an insertion wall, where it is fastened in such a manner that a first end 22 of the tubular heater 2 closes the orifice 15 hermetically. After the heater has been mounted, the electrical connections of the tubular heater remain outside the tub at the first end 22. A second end 23 of the heater is located inside the tub and is secured therein, close to a wall perpendicular or virtually perpendicular to the insertion wall of the tub, by means of a system for fastening the tubular heater which comprises a securing element of wire 30 which is joined to a mounting base 11 formed on the perpendicular wall of the tub.

Figure 2a is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a securing element made of wire for the tubular heater of a washing machine. The securing element 30 is made of bent wire and has a first mounting portion 31 for connecting the securing element for the tubular heater to a mounting base 11 of the washing machine, a clip portion 31 c extending upwards from the mounting base 11 with two opposing wire arms 32 and 33, and a spacing portion 31 b between the mounting portion 31 and the clip portion 31 c which connects them together in such a way as to space the clip portion from the mounting base 1 1. Each one of the arms has a first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a first noncontacting portion 32b, 33b following the first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a second contacting portion 32c, 33c following the first non- contacting portion 32b, 33b and being arranged in a higher position than the first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a second non-contacting portion 32d, 33d following the second contacting portion 32c, 33c and arranged at the highest position of the securing element for the tubular heater, a third contacting portion 32e, 33e following the second non-contacting portion 32d, 33d, a third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f following the third contacting portion 32e, 33e, a fourth contacting portion 32g, 33g following the third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f and arranged in a lower position than the third contacting portion 32e, 33e and a second mounting portion 31 a following the fourth contacting portion 32h, 33h to connect the securing element for the tubular heater to the mounting base 1 1 of the washing machine. Moreover, the arms are arranged in such a way that one of the opposing wire arms 32 passes between the first non-contacting portion 33b and the third non-contacting portion 33f of the other wire arm 33. The first mounting portion 31 is spaced from the second mounting portion 31 a in the insertion direction, which increases the wire's resistance to bending caused by poor insertion of the heater.

Figure 2b is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a securing element made of wire for the tubular heater of a washing machine. The securing element 30 is made of bent wire and has a first mounting portion 31 for connecting the securing element for the tubular heater to a mounting base 1 1 of the washing machine, a clip portion 31c extending upwards from

the mounting base 1 1 with two opposing wire arms 32 and 33, and a spacing portion 31 b between the mounting portion 31 and the clip portion 31 c which connects them together in such a way as to space the clip portion from the mounting base 11. Each one of the arms has a first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a first noncontacting portion 32b, 33b following the first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a second contacting portion 32c, 33c following the first non- contacting portion 32b, 33b and being arranged in a higher position than the first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a second non-contacting portion 32d, 33d following the second contacting portion 32c, 33c and arranged at the highest position of the securing element for the tubular heater, a third contacting portion 32e, 33e following the second non-contacting portion 32d, 33d, a third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f following the third contacting portion 32e, 33e, a fourth contacting portion 32g, 33g following the third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f and arranged in a lower position than the third contacting portion 32e, 33e and a second mounting portion 31 a following the fourth contacting portion 32h, 33h to connect the securing element for the tubular heater to the mounting base 1 1 of the washing machine. Moreover, the arms are arranged in such a way that the first non-contacting portion 32b, 33b and the third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f of each arm 32 and 33 are bent away from the opposing arm so as not to cross but to form a spoon-like receptacle which will receive the tube of the heater. The first mounting portion 31 is spaced from the second mounting portion 31a in the insertion direction, which increases the wire's resistance to bending caused by poor insertion of the heater.

Figure 2c is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a securing element made of wire for the tubular heater of a washing machine. The securing element 30 is made of bent wire and has a first mounting portion 31 for connecting the securing element for the tubular heater to a mounting base 11 of the washing machine, a clip portion 31c extending upwards from the mounting base 11 with two opposing wire arms 32 and 33, and a spacing portion 31 b between the mounting portion 31 and the clip portion 31 c which connects them together in such a way as to space the clip portion from the mounting base 11. Each one of the arms has a first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a first noncontacting portion 32b, 33b following the first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a second contacting portion 32c, 33c following the first non- contacting portion 32b, 33b and being arranged in a higher position than the first contacting portion 32a, 33a, a second non-contacting portion 32d, 33d following the second contacting portion 32c, 33c and arranged at the highest position of the securing element for the tubular heater, a third contacting portion 32a, 33a following the second non-contacting portion 32d, 33d, a third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f following the third contacting portion 32e, 33e, a fourth contacting portion 32g, 33g following the third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f and arranged in a lower position than the third contacting portion 32e, 33e and a second

mounting portion 31 a following the fourth contacting portion 32h, 33h to connect the securing element for the tubular heater to the mounting base 1 1 of the washing machine. Moreover, the arms are arranged in such a way that the first non-contacting portion 32b, 33b and the third non-contacting portion 32f, 33f of the two arms 32 and 33 are bent away from the opposing arm so as not to cross but to form a spoon-like receptacle which will receive the tube of the heater. The first mounting portion 31 is at the same level as the second mounting portion 31 a, which makes it possible to make them as three mounting tongues which are introduced into the mounting base in the form of a housing.

Figure 3 shows a fourth embodiment of the securing element mounted in the mounting base 1 1 of the washing machine tub 10. The tub 10 is made of injection-molded plastics, so providing the mounting base with the recess 1 1 , which is a slot tailor-made such that the securing element 30 fits therein in such a way as to be under pressure. This slot encloses a first mounting portion 31 of the securing element 30. To ensure fastening of the wire securing element 30 in the recess 11 , the latter is made at one edge of the first half-tub 12 in such a way that, when the tub is joined together with the complementary half-tub 13, the rib-like joint line 14 exerts pressure on the securing element 30 inside the recess 1 1. This arrangement is very advantageous because, at the moment of installation of the heater 2 inside the closed tub 10 comprising the two half-tubs 12 and 13, it is introduced through the window 15 and engaged in the wire 3. The force required to engage the heater in the wire would push the wire out of the recess 11 if it were not for the rib 14 of the complementary half-tub 13 holding it in position.

In this embodiment of the securing element, the arms are arranged as in the second and third embodiments, except that they do not have a second mounting portion 31 a. Figure 4 shows a fifth embodiment of the securing element mounted in the mounting base 1 1 of the washing machine tub 10. The tub 10 is made of injection-molded plastics, so providing the mounting base with the recess 1 1 , which is a slot tailor-made such that the securing element 30 fits therein in such a way as to be under pressure. This slot encloses a first mounting portion 31 of the securing element 30. To ensure fastening of the wire securing element 30 in the recess 11 , the latter is made at one edge of the first half-tub 12 in such a way that, when the tub is joined together with the complementary half-tub 13, the rib-like joint line 14 exerts pressure on the securing element 30 inside the recess 1 1. This arrangement is very advantageous because, at the moment of installation of the heater 2 inside the closed tub 10 comprising the two half-tubs 12 and 13, it is introduced through the window 15 and engaged in the wire 3. The force required to engage the heater in the wire would push the wire out of the recess 11 if it were not for the rib 14 of the complementary half-tub 13 holding it in position.

In this embodiment of the securing element, the arms are arranged as in the fourth embodiment except that, following the fourth non-contacting portion 32h, 33h, the wire is preferably welded to the spacing portion 31 b.

Figure 5a shows a securing system for the tubular heater with a securing element according to the third embodiment mounted in the mounting base of the washing machine tub with two tube portions 24 of the second end 23 of the tubular heater secured by the clip portion of the securing element.

Figure 5b shows a securing system for the tubular heater with a securing element according to a sixth embodiment mounted in the mounting base of the washing machine tub and securing the second end 23 of a tubular heater, the two portions to be secured being joined together such that the concavities of the arms 32, 33 of the clip portion 31c of the securing element 30 face one another. In this case, one of the arms 32 of the securing element has a second mounting portion which is concealed in the drawing by one of the portions of the tubes and the other arm 33 ends in the fourth non-contacting portion 33h.

Figure 6 is a schematic, elevational view of a cross-section of the tubular heater in the mounted position in a securing element such as that of the invention. The cross-section of the tube shows the rib 25 of the tube, which is not in contact with the securing element and is thus not subject to friction.

Figure 7 shows a prior art securing element mounted in a mounting base of a washing machine tub.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments indicated above. Within the scope of protection provided by the present claims, the securing element for the tubular heater may also exhibit other embodiments than those specifically described above. In particular, there is no reason why the shape of the arms has to be symmetrical. It is also possible, for example, for the base mount of the washing machine tub to take any other form of molded plastics for better securing of the securing element. It is also possible for the securing element to be made as two totally separate, opposing wire bodies fulfilling the same function as the arms and which, when united in the base mount of the tub, secure the heating element in the same way.

Symbols in the claims, description and drawings merely assist in understanding the invention and are not intended to restrict the scope of protection.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1 Washing machine

10 Washing machine tub

1 1 Mounting base

12 First half-tub

12a Wall of the mounting base

12b Perpendicular wall

13 Second half-tub

14 Projection

15 Tub orifice

2 Tubular heater

22 First end of tubular heater

23 Second end of tubular heater

24 Tube portions

25 Tube rib

30 Securing element

31 First mounting portion 31a Second mounting portion 31 b Spacing portion

31c Clip portion

32, 33 Opposing wire arms

32a, 33a First contacting portion

32b, 33b First non-contacting portion

32c, 33c Second contacting portion

32d,33d Second non-contacting portion

32e,33e Third contacting portion

32f,33f Third non-contacting portion

32g,33g Fourth contacting portion

32h,33h Fourth non-contacting portion

34 Insertion direction

35 Plane of elevation