CN106939502B

CN106939502B - Laundry treating machine

Info

Publication number: CN106939502B
Application number: CN201611261336.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马尔科·桑塔罗萨
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2015-12-30
Filing date: 2016-12-30
Publication date: 2021-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-30
Also published as: EP3187650A1; CN106939502A; EP3187650B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry treating machine (100) comprising a cabinet (105) provided with a laundry loading opening (115) for accessing a laundry treating chamber (110) and a loading door (125) hinged to the cabinet for selectively closing or opening the laundry loading opening, the cabinet (105) further comprising a revolving door (140) hinged to the cabinet and openable to allow access to an interior region within the cabinet of the machine, a closing mechanism being provided to keep the revolving door closed when the revolving door abuts the cabinet (105), characterized in that the closing mechanism comprises at least one magnet (170) located at the revolving door or cabinet, and wherein, when the revolving door (140) is held abutting the cabinet by the magnetic force of the at least one magnet, there is a spacing between the magnet (170) and the cabinet or a surface of the revolving door, such that none of the magnets contacts the cabinet or the revolving door, and the rotary door is kept closed on the cabinet due to magnetic attraction.

Description

Laundry treating machine

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to household appliances for treating laundry, i.e. laundry treatment machines, such as laundry washing and/or drying machines.

Background

In laundry treatment machines, such as laundry washing-drying machines and laundry drying machines, one known solution requires the accommodation of a drying air moisture condensation system in the bottom portion of the appliance, below the revolving drum or (in the case of washing and drying machines) tub. The moisture condensing system may comprise a single air-air heat exchanger, wherein the moisture-containing drying air from the laundry treating chamber is cooled by the cooling air flow drawn in from the external environment during the drying operation to cause condensation of the moisture. Alternatively, the moisture condensing system may comprise two or more heat exchangers of the heat pump system having an evaporator and a condenser.

The bottom portion (i.e., base) of the appliance cabinet may be perforated to enable intake and exhaust of cooling air.

The base advantageously comprises an openable base door, usually hinged on one side to the rest of the appliance cabinet or machine frame, in order to be able to access the interior region of the cabinet, and in particular to access the moisture condensing system, for example in order to empty the condensate collecting tank, for cleaning the condensing system or generally for maintenance purposes. Typically, a locking device is provided for holding the base door closed and is operable to unlock the base door. Advantageously, the locking means, which are at least partially arranged inside the appliance cabinet, are operable by the user via a release member, such as a slider or a button or similar means, conveniently located in the edge of the machine laundry loading door. In this way, as the release member is concealed when the loading door is closed, the aesthetics of the appliance are not degraded, and it is also ensured that a user cannot inadvertently open the base door and access the moisture condensing system when the loading door is closed and the appliance is operating. The release button actuates a locking element, such as a tooth, which engages/disengages a corresponding seat formed in the base door at its top, near its free side, i.e. the upper corner of the base door that is not hinged to the appliance casing.

Examples of such locks and corresponding base doors are given, for example, in european patent application EP 2647754 in the name of the same applicant.

However, the provision of a lock requires the construction and assembly of many different components. Furthermore, as with all movable mechanical parts, breakage of the lock may occur, thereby failing to open or close the base door.

Disclosure of Invention

The applicant has noticed that in laundry treating machines with a revolving door openable by a locking device with a release mechanism, due to the standard position of the locking device described with reference to the prior art, the user needs to have prior knowledge of the release member's position and how to operate the release member, for example by reading a machine manual or by somebody informing about the knowledge that is available.

However, it is known that users prefer the device to be as easy as possible in its use, and to consult the user manual as little as possible.

Providing a release member on the outside of the cabinet such that it is visible is also not a feasible or preferred solution, since the user may also open the revolving door during operation of the laundry treatment machine, e.g. during a drying or washing cycle, with the possible risk of coming into contact with parts that may cause harm to the user, such as moving or hot parts present inside the cabinet.

Furthermore, the provision of a mechanical lock may lead to the same malfunction due to the presence of movable parts in the mechanical lock.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treating machine with a revolving door, for example for accessing a heat exchanger, filter or condensation tank of the machine, the opening of which is reliable, simple, easy to understand and has a low risk of damage during use.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a laundry treating machine comprising a cabinet provided with a laundry loading opening for accessing a laundry treating chamber and a loading door hinged to the cabinet for selectively closing or opening the laundry loading opening, the cabinet further comprising a revolving door hinged to the cabinet and openable to allow access to an interior region within the cabinet of the machine, a closing mechanism being provided for holding the revolving door closed when it abuts against the cabinet, characterized in that the closing mechanism comprises at least one magnet located at or at the revolving door, and wherein, when the revolving door is held abutting against the cabinet by the magnetic force of the at least one magnet, there is a spacing between the magnet and a surface of either the cabinet or the revolving door, such that the magnet does not contact the cabinet or the revolving door, respectively, and the rotary door is kept closed on the cabinet due to magnetic attraction.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a laundry treating machine comprising a cabinet provided with a laundry loading opening for accessing a laundry treating chamber and a loading door hinged to the cabinet for selectively closing or opening the laundry loading opening, the cabinet further comprising a revolving door hinged to the cabinet and openable to allow access to an interior region within the cabinet of the machine, a closing mechanism being provided for keeping the revolving door closed when it abuts against the cabinet, characterized in that the closing mechanism comprises at least one magnet at one of the revolving door or the cabinet, and a magnetic spring sensor (reed sensor) at the other of the revolving door or the cabinet for detecting the presence of the magnet when said revolving door is close to said cabinet.

The laundry treating machine of the present invention may comprise a washing machine, a drying machine or a combined washing-drying machine. Laundry treatment machines generally comprise a washing and/or drying chamber, i.e. a treatment chamber, in which the laundry can be placed for washing and/or drying; the chamber may be rotated about a chamber axis during washing and/or drying operations. Furthermore, the laundry treating machine may be a front loader, meaning that the axis of rotation of the washing chamber is positioned in a horizontal manner or slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, or a top laundry treating machine, in which the axis of the washing chamber is substantially vertical.

In a preferred embodiment, the laundry treating machine is a dryer, and more preferably, the laundry treating machine is a front loading laundry dryer.

The laundry treating machine comprises a cabinet, preferably comprising a front wall, a rear wall, side walls, a top wall and a base or pedestal. The front or top wall may include a user panel for controlling the functions of the appliance by a user. The cabinet defines a boundary between an interior volume of the laundry treating machine and an exterior of the laundry treating machine. Furthermore, preferably, the cabinet comprises a laundry loading door hinged to the cabinet itself, for example to the front wall in the case of a front loader or to the top wall in the case of a top loader, the laundry loading door being openable for putting laundry into the washing compartment. The laundry loading door thus opens or closes a laundry loading opening realized in the cabinet, such as for example in the front wall of the cabinet.

The base has in particular the function of housing several components of the machine, such as a portion of a drying air duct, a heat exchanger, a motor for the rotating chamber, a fan, etc. In addition, the base also has the function of supporting some walls of the cabinet. The rear wall is secured to the base when the appliance is in the assembled position.

The base may be implemented by any material; preferably the base is realized in a plastic material. Furthermore, the wall of the housing can also be realized in any material, preferably the rear wall in plastic. Preferably, at least one of the two side walls, at least a portion of which is realized in metal, more preferably at least a portion of the front wall of the cabinet. In the base, a front side, a rear side and two side faces may also be defined, which abut the front wall, the rear wall and the side walls of the cabinet, respectively, when the appliance is fully assembled.

When the machine is in a standard operating condition, the base is normally positioned on the floor and rests substantially horizontally. The base defines a base plane that is substantially parallel to a plane on which the base rests, e.g., a horizontal plane.

For example, the base may be divided into an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The upper and lower housing portions define the outer boundary of the base, thereby dividing the volume of the "interior" of the base and the "exterior" of the base.

In the cited art, the portion of the housing surrounding the base is also referred to as the "base".

The laundry treating machine further comprises an additional door, called revolving door, also hinged to the cabinet, for accessing parts, such as components, of the laundry treating machine located inside the cabinet. For example, the revolving door allows access to one or more heat exchangers of the laundry treatment machine, or to a condensation tank to check or empty the condensation tank, to a fan for moving the treatment drying air, etc. The revolving door preferably remains closed for safety reasons during the laundry treatment machine washing and/or drying cycle, since it may allow access to components of the laundry treatment machine that may be in motion or may reach relatively high temperatures when the laundry treatment machine is running. On the other hand, when the laundry treating machine is not in operation, the revolving door needs to be openable in order to access the above-mentioned internal components of the laundry treating machine, for example for cleaning, inspection or maintenance purposes.

In order to keep the swing door closed during operation of the machine, the swing door preferably comprises a closing mechanism which keeps the swing door closed when the swing door abuts the cabinet.

Preferably, the closure mechanism comprises at least one magnet. It is preferable to minimize the amount of movable parts that must be manufactured, assembled, and prone to failure. Preferably, therefore, the closure of the swing door is not ensured by the presence of a mechanical lock, but preferably by the presence of one or more magnets which, when the swing door is in abutment or close proximity to the cabinet, keep the swing door closed with its attractive force. The magnet may be located in a revolving door of the laundry treating machine or in a cabinet.

A magnet disposed on the door, the magnet facing a portion of a surface of the cabinet when the door is closed and the magnet is located at the door; alternatively, the magnet faces a portion of a surface of the swing door when the magnet is located at the cabinet. According to the invention, there is a space between the magnet and a part of the surface. The presence of the spacing is intended, on the one hand, to avoid damage to the cabinet or to a possible paint coating of the revolving door, which coating may be gripped by the continuous projection of the magnet that hits the surface of the cabinet when the revolving door is closed, and, on the other hand, to avoid noise caused by the closing of the revolving door onto the cabinet.

A simple and reliable closing mechanism of the revolving door is thus achieved.

According to a second aspect, a magnetic reed sensor is present to detect the presence of a magnet. The reed sensor is susceptible to "sensing" the presence of the magnet within a given distance between the position of the magnet and the position of the reed sensor when the revolving door is closed or nearly closed on the cabinet. Thus, the reed sensor can detect whether the rotary door is closed on the cabinet, and whether the magnet is located within a given distance. Thus, a further safety is achieved, avoiding that the laundry treating machine may start to operate, i.e. may start a washing and/or drying cycle, when the revolving door is opened. For this purpose, the reed sensor may send a signal to the central unit of the laundry treatment machine regarding the status of the revolving door (open or closed).

The invention may alternatively or in combination comprise any of the following features according to the first or second aspect.

Preferably, the cabinet includes a counterpart member easily attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnet when the magnet is located at the swing door, or the swing door includes a counterpart member easily attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnet when the magnet is located at the cabinet. The mating member may be any as long as the mating member is attracted by the magnetic force generated by the magnet. In laundry treatment machines, there are usually many metallic elements and circulating currents, and therefore it is not usually necessary to provide "ad hoc" counterpart elements having elements attracted by magnetic forces, which are already present in standard laundry treatment machine structures. For example, if the counter element is realized in metal, the counter element may be the cabinet itself or the revolving door itself. The counter element may even comprise a coating or paint of a portion of the surface of the cabinet or revolving door, which coating or paint itself may be easily attracted by the magnetic force generated by said magnet.

More preferably, the counter element comprises a portion of the cabinet or the revolving door realized in a metallic material.

Preferably, the closing mechanism comprises a handle visible from outside the cabinet when the laundry loading door is closed, the magnet being positioned on the handle or on a portion of the cabinet facing the handle. The swing door may be opened by operating a handle formed in the swing door. Furthermore, in order to clearly identify the position of the handle, so that the user can easily understand how to operate the revolving door, the handle is always visible from the outside of the cabinet, for example, in all operating configurations of the laundry treatment machine, in the case of opening or closing of the laundry loading door, the handle remains visible from the outside of the cabinet, and is not or only partially covered by the laundry loading door, in particular when the latter is closed over the laundry loading opening. Advantageously, the magnet is located on the handle or on the casing in front of the handle when the swing door is closed.

More preferably, the handle forms a gap with the cabinet, the gap being located at an edge of the laundry loading opening, wherein when the laundry loading door is closed, the laundry loading door blocks access to the gap such that no fingers are allowed to be inserted into the gap to pull the handle, and wherein the gap is sized to allow fingers to be inserted to pull the handle and open the swing door when the laundry loading door is open. Advantageously, the revolving door can be opened only when the laundry loading door is opened. However, even if the laundry loading door is closed, the rotary door may be closed from the open position. The handle of the revolving door forms a gap with the cabinet of the laundry treating machine, and by inserting a finger or hand into the gap, a force may be applied to pull the handle, thereby pulling the revolving door away from the cabinet and thus opening the revolving door. However, in the first operating configuration, in which the laundry loading door of the laundry treating machine is closed on the loading opening of the cabinet, the gap formed between the handle and the cabinet cannot be accessed, since the gap is covered by the laundry loading door and therefore the user's hand cannot enter the gap. Even if a slot is formed between the laundry loading door and the revolving door, for example between the laundry loading door and the handle, such slot is dimensioned to prevent the entry of a human finger into the gap existing between the revolving door and the cabinet, in order to allow the relative movement of one door with respect to the other door, when both are in the closed position. When the laundry loading door is closed, the gap may still be partially visible from the exterior of the cabinet through the slot, but may not be accessible to the user pulling the handle through the user's hand. However, even if the laundry loading door is in the closed position, the slit allows the revolving door to move from the open position to the closed position. This is because the swing door can be moved to the closed position without using a handle provided on the swing door.

In order to allow access to the gap formed between the revolving door and the cabinet when the revolving door is in the closed position, reference has been made to a "test finger" having a diameter of 12 mm and a length of 80 mm as defined in european standard EN 60529. Thus, a slit having at least one dimension in a certain direction of less than 12 millimeters does not allow for finger introduction and therefore cannot enter the gap.

However, when the laundry loading door is open, the edges of the laundry loading opening are free and therefore can easily enter the gap: a user's hand or finger can be introduced into the gap and the swing door can be pulled open by pulling on the handle. When the laundry treating machine is not operated when the laundry loading door is opened, it is safe to open the revolving door and to be able to access or manipulate the components of the laundry treating machine present in the cabinet.

Preferably, the revolving door or cabinet comprises a seat for accommodating the magnet, the depth of the seat being longer than the height of the magnet in the direction of insertion into the seat. In order to accommodate the magnets and to keep them in a fixed position during the operation of the machine, it is preferred to realize the seats on the revolving door or on the cabinet according to the desired position of the selected magnets. In order to obtain the desired spacing between the magnet and the surface of the revolving door or cabinet, the seat is formed deeper than necessary for the dimensions of the magnet, so that when the magnet is introduced into the seat, the magnet does not completely fill the seat, but the end of the seat facing the surface of the revolving door or cabinet remains free of magnet. In general, the desired spacing between the magnet and the surface of the revolving door or cabinet can also be established in other ways, for example spacers can be introduced.

More preferably, the seat is realized integrally with the revolving door or casing. In this way, the number of parts that are realized separately and then assembled is minimized.

Preferably, the laundry treating machine comprises at least three magnets and at least three seats for respectively housing the magnets. The multiple magnets allow a better closing of the revolving door and a better fit between the door and the cabinet due to the higher attraction force compared to a single magnet solution: the three magnets in the three different positions allow the attractive force of the magnets to be distributed over a wide area so that the entire revolving door can be attached to the cabinet without "loose" parts.

Preferably, the swing door comprises an upper edge opposite a lower edge in which the swing door is hinged to the cabinet, wherein the at least one magnet is located at the upper edge. Even more preferably, at least three magnets are positioned at the handle and at the two lateral ends of the revolving door. Preferably, the positioning of the magnets is such that a substantial portion of the revolving door remains closed flush with the front wall of the cabinet. It is actually desirable that the entire revolving door, when closed, remains flush with the cabinet, so that it cannot be opened by inserting a finger into the slot. The flush revolving door also improves the aesthetic appearance of the laundry treating machine.

Preferably, the revolving door is located at the base of the cabinet. More preferably, a swing door is located below the laundry loading door, and the swing door is hinged to a lower side of the cabinet. Advantageously, the revolving door is used for accessing an inner lower portion of the laundry treating machine. The revolving door can be used, for example, for draining condensed water, removing and cleaning filters, checking the function of the heat exchanger, etc. Typically all of these components are located at the bottom of the laundry treating machine where space is provided for these relatively large components.

Preferably, the revolving door is openable to enable access into the laundry treating machine area in which at least a part of the laundry treating air moisture condensing system is arranged. Thus, cleaning and maintenance of the air moisture condensing system may be performed.

More preferably, the cabinet base is provided with a penetration hole for sucking/discharging laundry processing air.

Preferably, the size of the space existing between the magnet and the outer surface of the cabinet or the outer surface of the revolving door is between 1 mm and 10 mm. Preferably, the magnets used in the laundry treatment machine are commercially available and relatively economical so as not to increase the overall cost of the machine. Therefore, the generated magnetic attraction force is relatively weak. The range is a preferred compromise between the spacing required to avoid contact of the magnet with the surface of the cabinet or revolving door and the attractive force generated by the magnet.

Preferably, the revolving door is at least partially covered on its side facing the cabinet by an element formed of an elastic material, which abuts against said cabinet when the revolving door is closed. This element serves to damp the closing of the revolving door, so that preferably only a faint sound is produced when the revolving door abuts the cabinet. This is particularly useful when the case is formed of a metal material that produces a large metallic sound when struck. For example, the swing door may include a seat, wherein the resilient material is injection molded over the seat. Such elastic material, if implemented on the handle, may also improve the grip of the handle itself. Furthermore, the resilient material may act as a "spacer" so that the magnet does not contact the surface of the chassis, for example when a seat is present. The resilient material is visible on the front wall of the housing when the swing door is in the closed position so that a position where a user can grasp the swing door to open the swing door is visible.

Preferably, the laundry treating machine comprises a magnetic reed sensor located at one of the revolving door or the cabinet to detect the presence of a magnet arranged at the other of the cabinet or the revolving door in the vicinity of the cabinet. The reed sensor may include a reed switch that is an electrical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. The reed sensor includes a pair of contacts on a ferrous metal reed, for example, located in a glass housing. The contacts may be normally open and closed in the presence of a magnetic field, or normally closed and open upon application of a magnetic field. The switch may be actuated by bringing a magnet in proximity to the switch. When the magnet is pulled away from the switch, the reed switch will return to its original position. Preferably, in order to start the laundry treatment machine only when the revolving door is closed, so as to prevent the user from contacting the components present in the interior of the laundry treatment machine when in operation, the magnetic reed sensor may send a warning signal that the revolving door is open ("no magnet sensed") if the machine is commanded to start when the revolving door is open. Alternatively, the reed sensor may send a signal regarding the status of the door when the swing door is open (or closed), and the signal is checked and used if the machine is activated when the signal indicates an open swing door. This signal may trigger a visual or audible warning to the user, or it may trigger the control unit of the laundry treatment machine to prevent the starting of the machine until the revolving door is closed and the reed sensor no longer emits a "revolving door open" signal.

For operation of the reed sensor, no space needs to be provided between the magnet and the surface of the revolving door or cabinet.

Preferably, the reed sensor is adapted to send a signal to a control unit to indicate that the swing door is open.

More preferably, said control unit is programmed to trigger a visual or acoustic warning on a control panel of said laundry treatment machine when said reed sensor emits said signal.

More preferably, said control unit is programmed to prevent the start of a machine cycle when said reed sensor emits said signal.

Drawings

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be better presented by reading the following detailed description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an isometric view of a laundry treating machine according to an embodiment of the present invention in a first operating configuration;

fig. 2 is a partial isometric view of the laundry treating machine of fig. 1 in a second operating configuration; fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of the laundry treating machine in the operating configuration of fig. 2;

figure 4 is an additional view of the detail of figure 3 in a third operating configuration;

fig. 5 is an enlarged isometric view of the revolving door of the laundry treating machine of fig. 1 and 2;

fig. 6 is a section of the basement of the laundry treating machine in the operating configuration of fig. 1;

fig. 7 is a section of the basement of the laundry treating machine in the operating configuration of fig. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a detail of the section of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7;

fig. 9 is a schematic view of a controller located within the laundry treating machine of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Referring first to fig. 1 and 2, an isometric view of a laundry treating machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is depicted in a first and a second operating configuration. The laundry treating machine referred to in the following description, generally designated 100, may be a laundry dryer or a laundry washing/drying machine, but it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to laundry washing machines. The laundry treating machine 100 has a housing or appliance cabinet 105, in which housing 105 the structural and functional parts of the machine, such as a rotating drum 110 (or a drum rotatable in a tub in the case of a laundry washing/drying machine), a moisture condensing system for dehumidifying the drying air, fans, pumps, valves, motors, vibration damping devices, electronics. A laundry loading opening 115 for allowing access to the inner space of the drum (or drum) 110 is formed in the front wall 120 of the cabinet 105; a laundry loading door 125 for closing the loading opening 115 is provided. Laundry loading opening 115 comprises an edge 116, edge 116 defining a surface that outlines laundry loading opening 115, wherein laundry loading opening 115 surrounds laundry loading door 125 when laundry loading door 125 is in the closed configuration as in the configuration in fig. 1.

In addition to the front wall 120, the housing 105 may also comprise a rear wall (not visible in the figures) and two

side walls

121, 122. And a top wall 123 for closing the top of the housing 105.

The laundry treating machine 1 is a front loading machine, and preferably, the laundry treating machine 1 defines a vertical axis Z along which the laundry treating machine 1 extends. Preferably, the front wall 120 is substantially vertical.

A portion of the front wall 120 may comprise a control panel 12, in which control panel 12 the setting of the cycle may be introduced, for example by means of LEDs or screens (not visible in the figures), and visual or acoustic signals may be displayed regarding the status of the cycle or regarding the status and function of the laundry treating machine 100.

Below laundry loading opening 115, front wall 120 terminates and forms a bottom region of appliance housing 105 by a base 130. The basement 130 is a cover for a bottom portion of the laundry treating machine 100, wherein a moisture condensing system, for example an air-air heat exchanger, is at least partially located in the bottom portion of the laundry treating machine 100, in which the moisture-laden drying air coming from the laundry treating chamber is cooled by a flow of cooling air drawn in from the external environment to cause condensation of the moisture.

For this purpose, the base 130 is preferably perforated to enable the intake and exhaust of cooling air.

A portion of the base 130 is rotatably coupled to the housing 105 to enable opening of the base 130 and allow access to the area behind it and closing of the base 130 when not accessing the area behind it. For example, the base 130 is hinged at its lower side 143 to the cabinet 105 and forms a base door 140, which base door 140 can be opened (by a user or repairman) to access the moisture condensing system, e.g. a tank or a filter to be cleaned for collecting the condensed water released by the drying air in order to empty it. The base door 140 is preferably perforated at its bottom strip; the cooling air for the moisture condensation system is for example sucked in through the perforations 150 in the first base part (by means of a fan, not visible in the figure) and discharged through the perforations 150 in the second base part. Preferably, the base door 140 is positioned symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis of the front wall 120.

As seen in fig. 1, 2 and enlarged views of fig. 3 and 4, a handle 155 is provided for opening the base door 140 when desired. Advantageously, the handle 155 is centrally located with respect to the base door 140 and protrudes from a top edge 144 (see fig. 5, where the base door 140 is depicted in an enlarged view) of the base door 140 for access by a user/operator. As shown in fig. 3, 4 and 5, the handle 155 is contoured to at least partially follow the shape of the rim 116 of the loading opening 115. Therefore, when the laundry loading opening 115 is circular as a whole, the handle has a curved shape, which may be a circular arc. The handle as a whole has the form of a flat tab, which however does not geometrically follow the outer surface of the base door, but is slightly recessed with respect to the outer surface of the base door 140 when it is closed.

Handle 155 is visible from the outside of casing 105 both when laundry loading door 125 is closed (see operating configuration of fig. 1 and 6) and when loading door 125 is open (see operating configuration of fig. 2 and 7). Thus, the location of the actuator (i.e., handle) for opening the base door 140 is unquestionable to the user.

The handle 155 forms a gap 160 with the cabinet 105 (or a frame of the laundry treating machine). In particular, the gap 160 is visible in the cross-sectional side views of fig. 6 and 7. The width of the gap is preferably defined by the distance between the handle 155 and the housing 105 when the base door 140 is closed and is equal to or greater than 12 millimeters to accommodate one or more fingers of a user. The gap is located at the edge 116 of the loading opening 115.

When the laundry treating machine 100 is in the operating position of fig. 1 and 6, the gap 160 is covered by the loading door 125 such that a user cannot enter the gap. Indeed, in the operating configuration of fig. 1 and 6, the loading door 125 is located on this gap, and a narrow slit 161 of size less than 12 mm still exists between the loading door 125 and the edge 116, and therefore between the door 125 and the gap 160, insufficient for the insertion of a finger or any other part of the user's hand. For example, the slot has a width, defined as the distance in the vertical direction Z between the laundry loading door 125 and the handle 155 when the laundry loading door 125 is closed, of between 1 mm and 11 mm. The user can also see the position of the handle 155 when the laundry loading door 125 is closed, but cannot operate the handle 155 because the handle can only be grasped through the gap, otherwise there is no other way to pull the handle. Therefore, when the laundry treating machine 100 is in operation and the loading door 125 is closed, it is impossible to open the pedestal door 140. In fact, the handle 155 does not provide any protrusion from the exterior of the cabinet that can be used to pull the handle 155 and thus open the seat door 140. However, when the laundry loading door 125 is closed and the pedestal door 140 is opened, the pedestal door 140 may be closed.

Furthermore, when the loading door 125 is open, a gap 160 is visible in the lower part of the peripheral edge 116 of the loading opening 115, and as shown in the enlarged view of fig. 4, when the base door is slightly open, the user can reach this gap 160, he can insert his/her hand or finger and pull the handle 155 to open the base door 140.

In addition, the handle 155 comprises an element 156 made of elastic material, which element 156 is preferably coupled to a seat 157 formed in the handle 155. Element 156 is preferably molded into seat 157 and dampens the closing of base door 140 on housing 105. When the base door 140 is in the closed position as seen in fig. 8, the member 156 abuts the chassis front wall 120. The member 156 may also improve the user's grip on the handle 155.

The base door 140 is made of, for example, a plastic material (although other materials, such as sheet metal, may be used).

In addition, the handle 155 is part of a closing mechanism located in the base door 140. The closure mechanism also preferably includes one magnet and more preferably three magnets, each indicated at 170 in the drawings. As can be seen in fig. 5, one of the magnets 170 is located at the handle 155 and two of the magnets 170 are located at opposite

lateral sides

141 and 142 of the base door 140. In this manner, the magnetic force is well distributed over some area of the base door perimeter to keep the base door 140 perfectly flush with the chassis front wall 120. The positioning of the magnets allows the base door 140 to be fully closed each time the base door 140 is positioned adjacent the housing 105 and keeps the door closed until the force resisting the magnetic attraction, such as a pulling force on the handle 155, overcomes the force generated by the magnets 170.

Each magnet 170 is preferably housed in a seat 171. The seat may be implemented, for example, integral with the handle 155 or base door 140. The seat 171 realized in the base door is depicted in the enlarged view of fig. 8. The depth of each seat 171 is preferably deeper than the depth of the magnet 170 so that the magnet does not reach the end edges of the seats 171. In this manner, when the base door 140 is in contact with the chassis 105, the magnet does not contact a surface of the chassis itself, such as the front door 120, and there is a space between the magnet and the surface of the chassis. In this manner, substantially no noise is audible and no damage to the enclosure paint is caused when the base door 140 is closed.

The magnet 170 provided at the handle may not include the seat 171. For example, the magnet may be glued to the handle. As a seat 171, provided on or not on the handle to receive the magnet 170 therein, a space may be provided between the surface of the housing and the magnet by the presence of the element 156, the element 156 acting as a "spacer" between the base door 140 and the housing 105.

The provision of at least three magnets 171 (see fig. 5) allows the base door 140 on the housing 105 to be flush closed.

The attraction between the magnets 170 and the front wall 120 of the cabinet is due to the fact that the front cabinet wall is realized in metal. However, according to an embodiment not depicted, only a portion of the front wall may be implemented in metal, or a metal plate may be positioned on the cabinet 105 in a position facing the magnet when the base door 140 is closed. Alternatively, a magnet having an opposite magnetic pole compared to that of the magnet disposed at the cabinet or the base door may be provided to generate an attractive force.

In an embodiment not depicted, the positions of the seat 171 and the magnet 170 are reversed: the seat 171 and the magnet 170 are implemented on the case 105 facing the base door 140, wherein the base door 140 is attracted when closed.

In addition, the chassis front wall 120 includes a reed sensor 180, as depicted in the schematic diagrams in fig. 4 and 9. A reed sensor is easy to sense the presence of a magnet within a given distance. Thus, the reed sensor 180 is able to distinguish between an open position of the base door 140 and a closed position of the base door 140 in which the magnet is closer to and activates the reed sensor.

The magnetic reed sensor 180 is advantageously connected to the central unit 10 of the laundry treatment machine (see fig. 9) to send to it at least a status signal of the basement door 140, for example "basement door open" or "basement door closed". The central unit 10 is programmed to preferably command the operation of the laundry treating machine 100 and furthermore may be programmed to send a command signal to the motor to start the laundry treating cycle of the laundry treating machine 100. When the pedestal door 140 is opened, the reed sensor 180 may send a corresponding signal to the central unit 10. In case it is desired to start a cycle of the laundry drying machine 100 while the basement door 140 is still open, the control unit 10 may activate one or more of the LEDs in the panel 12 to alert the user and/or may prevent the start of a cycle. When the pedestal door 140 is closed and the reed signal 100 no longer sends a "door open" signal to the control unit 10, the LEDs may be turned off and/or the laundry treating machine 100 may be started.

Claims

1. Laundry treating machine (100) comprising a cabinet (105), said cabinet (105) being provided with a laundry loading opening (115) for accessing a laundry treating chamber (110) and a laundry loading door (125) hinged to said cabinet for selectively closing or opening said laundry loading opening, said cabinet (105) further comprising a revolving door (140), said revolving door (140) being hinged to said cabinet and openable to allow access to an inner region of said machine within said cabinet, a closing mechanism being provided for keeping said revolving door closed when said revolving door abuts against said cabinet (105), said closing mechanism comprising at least one magnet (170) located at said revolving door or at said cabinet, and when said revolving door (140) is kept abutting against said cabinet by the magnetic force of said at least one magnet (170), -there is a spacing between the magnet (170) and a surface of the casing (105) in case the magnet (170) is located at the revolving door (140), or-in case the magnet (170) is located at the casing (105), such that the magnet is not in contact with either the casing or the revolving door, and-the revolving door remains closed on the casing due to magnetic attraction, characterized in that the revolving door (140) or the casing (105) comprises a seat (171) to accommodate the magnet (170), the depth of which is greater than the height of the magnet in the direction of insertion into the seat, and the end of which facing the surface of either the revolving door or the casing remains free of magnet, and wherein, when the revolving door (140) is closed, a side of the revolving door (140) facing the cabinet is at least partially covered by an element (156) formed of an elastic material abutting the cabinet.

2. The laundry treating machine (100) of claim 1, wherein said cabinet (105) comprises a counterpart element apt to be attracted by the magnetic force generated by said magnet when said magnet (170) is located at said revolving door (140), or said revolving door (140) comprises a counterpart element apt to be attracted by the magnetic force generated by said magnet (170) when said magnet (170) is located at said cabinet.

3. The laundry treating machine (100) of claim 2, wherein said counter element comprises a portion of said cabinet (105) or of said revolving door (140) realized in a metallic material.

4. The laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said closing mechanism comprises a handle (155) visible from the outside of cabinet (105) when said laundry loading door (125) is closed, said magnet (170) being positioned on said handle (150) or on a portion of said cabinet (105) facing said handle.

5. The laundry treating machine (100) according to claim 4, wherein said handle (155) forms a gap (160) with said cabinet, said gap (160) being located at an edge (116) of said laundry loading opening (115), wherein, when said laundry loading door is closed, said laundry loading door (125) blocks access to said gap (160) such that no fingers are allowed to be inserted into said gap to pull said handle (155), and wherein, when said laundry loading door (125) is open, said gap (160) is sized to allow fingers to be inserted to pull said handle (155) and open said revolving door (140).

6. Laundry treatment machine (100) according to any of the previous claims 1 to 3, wherein said seat (171) is realized integrally with said revolving door (140) or said cabinet (105).

7. Laundry treatment machine according to any of the previous claims from 1 to 3, comprising at least three magnets (170) and at least three seats (171) to house the magnets respectively.

8. The laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein said revolving door (140) comprises an upper edge (144) opposite a lower edge (143), said revolving door being hinged to said cabinet (105) at said lower edge (143), wherein said at least one magnet (170) is located at said upper edge.

9. The laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein said revolving door (140) is located at a basement (130) of said cabinet (105).

10. The laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein said revolving door (140) is located below said laundry loading door (125) and said revolving door (140) is hinged at the lower side of said cabinet (105).

11. Laundry treatment machine (100) according to any of the previous claims from 1 to 3, wherein said spacing existing between said magnet (170) and the outer surface of said cabinet (105) or of said revolving door (140) has a size comprised between 1 and 10 mm.

12. The laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein said revolving door (140) is openable to enable access to a machine area provided with at least a part of a laundry treating air moisture condensing system.

13. The laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein said revolving door (140) is provided with perforations (150) for the entry/exit of laundry treating air.

14. The laundry treating machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1-3, comprising a magnetic reed sensor (180), said magnetic reed sensor (180) being located at one of said cabinet (105) or said revolving door (140) to detect the presence of said magnet (170) provided at the other of said cabinet (105) or said revolving door (140) in the vicinity of said cabinet (105).