Front-Loading Drum-Type Washing Machine Having A Laundry Deflector On A The Bellows Seal

Abstract

A front-loading drum-type washing machine includes an appliance housing, a suds container a drum rotatably disposed in the suds container, and a bellows seal disposed between the suds container and the appliance housing. The bellows seal is configured to seal a door opening area of the appliance housing and includes a laundry deflector disposed in a region of a twelve o'clock position of the bellows seal. The laundry deflector is directed towards the drum and includes a channel system forming an opening in a wall of the bellows seal. A conduit is provided for supplying at least one of water, wash liquid and rinse liquid to the door opening area. The conduit is in fluid connection with the opening in the wall of the bellows seal.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A front-loading drum-type washing machine comprising: 
 an appliance housing;    a suds container;    a drum rotatably disposed in the suds container;    a bellows seal disposed between the suds container and the appliance housing and configured to seal a door opening area of the appliance housing, the bellows seal including a laundry deflector disposed in a region of a twelve o'clock position thereof, the laundry deflector being directed towards the drum, the laundry deflector including a channel system forming an opening in a wall of the bellows seal; and    a conduit configured to supply at least one of water, wash liquid and rinse liquid to the door opening area, the conduit being in fluid connection with the opening in the wall of the bellows seal.    
     
     
         14 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 13  wherein the laundry deflector includes an elastic or partially elastic solid material.  
     
     
         15 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 13  wherein the laundry deflector: 
 originates at a hammerhead region of the bellows seal and extends into the door opening area; and    includes an extension at an outer end thereof, the extension being directed toward an interior of the drum.    
     
     
         16 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 13  wherein the channel system includes a branch point, a first branch channel directed toward the drum for laundry wetting, and a second branch channel directed forwardly toward a door glass of the appliance for door glass flushing.  
     
     
         17 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 16  wherein the first branch channel has a cross-sectional area larger than a cross-sectional area of the second branch channel.  
     
     
         18 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 16  wherein: 
 the channel system includes a main channel extending in a region of a hammer section of the bellows seal; and    the first and second branch channels extend below the hammerhead region of the bellows seal.    
     
     
         19 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 13  wherein the channel system includes a main channel extending in a region of a hammer section of the bellows seal, an upper portion of the main channel having an enlarged section configured to receive a connecting member for a water supply hose.  
     
     
         20 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 19  wherein the connecting member includes a tubular member configured to extend into the main channel.  
     
     
         21 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 20  wherein the connecting member includes a hard plastic material.  
     
     
         22 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 19  wherein the connecting member is configured to be secured to the suds container by a fastening element.  
     
     
         23 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 13  wherein the laundry deflector includes an integrated sensor.  
     
     
         24 . The laundry appliance as recited in  claim 13  wherein the laundry deflector includes an integrated light-emitting device.