CN107429471B

CN107429471B - maintenance cover for a household appliance and household appliance

Info

Publication number: CN107429471B
Application number: CN201680017792.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·德雷班特; R·埃迪格; F·科尔鲁施
Original assignee: BSH Home Appliances Co Ltd
Current assignee: BSH Home Appliances Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-25
Filing date: 2016-02-26
Publication date: 2019-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-26
Also published as: PL3274497T3; DE102015205448A1; CN107429471A; EP3274497A1; EP3274497B1; WO2016150647A1

Abstract

the invention relates to a service flap (1) for a household appliance (14), in particular a clothes dryer, having a closing body (2) which has at least one access opening (3) by means of which a service opening of a housing (15) of the household appliance (14) can be closed, and having at least one actuating element (4) which is arranged on the closing body (2) so as to be movable between a rest position and an actuating position and which, in the rest position of the actuating element, closes the access opening (3) and, in the actuating position of the actuating element, at least partially releases the access opening (3), characterized in that the actuating element (4) is fastened on mutually opposite sides to a rear side (7) of the closing body (2) facing the interior of the housing (15) by means of at least one lateral spring arm (6), wherein the actuating element (4) can be acted upon by a force in the direction of its rest position by means of the spring arm (6).

Description

Maintenance cover for a household appliance and household appliance

Technical Field

The invention relates to a service flap for a household appliance, in particular a clothes dryer, having a closing body which has at least one access opening and by means of which the service opening of a housing of the household appliance can be closed, and having at least one actuating element which is arranged on the closing body so as to be movable between a rest position and an actuating position and which, in its rest position, closes the access opening and, in its actuating position, at least partially releases the access opening.

The invention further relates to a household appliance, in particular a clothes dryer, having a housing with at least one service opening.

Background

The household appliance can have a housing with a service opening, through which components of the household appliance present inside the housing can be accessed for cleaning and/or maintenance work. In particular, it is known that laundry dryers are provided with a service opening through which, for example, a lint filter can be accessed in order to be able to remove it from the household appliance for cleaning purposes. For aesthetic and/or functional reasons, the service opening is largely closed by a service cover. Accordingly, the service flap can have an access opening, into which a user of the household appliance can access and can thus manipulate the service flap to release the service opening.

A household appliance in the form of a dryer is known from DE 102011055090B 3. The household appliance comprises a housing having a front wall on which a service opening is arranged in a lower region. The service opening can be closed by a service cover pivotably supported on the front wall. The maintenance cover comprises a closing body with an access opening and an actuating element arranged on the closing body so as to be movable between a rest position and an actuating position, which in its rest position closes the access opening and in its actuating position releases the access opening. The actuating element can be pivotably supported by means of two bearings arranged on the rear side of the closing body facing the interior of the housing. Furthermore, the actuating element can be acted upon by a force in the direction of its rest position by means of a leaf spring element.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a maintenance cover which simplifies the handling of the household appliance and reduces the production costs of the household appliance.

The maintenance cover according to the invention for a household appliance, in particular a laundry dryer, comprises a closing body having at least one access opening, by means of which the maintenance opening of a housing of the household appliance can be closed, and at least one actuating element which is arranged on the closing body so as to be movable between a rest position and an actuating position, which element in its rest position closes the access opening and in its actuating position at least partially releases the access opening, wherein the actuating element is fastened on mutually opposite sides on the rear side of the closing body facing the housing interior by means of at least one lateral spring arm, wherein the actuating element can be acted upon by a force in the direction of its rest position by means of the spring arm.

According to the invention, the actuating element is fixed to the closing body by means of a spring arm, so that the spring arm assumes two functions. In one aspect, the spring arm serves to load the actuating element deflected out of its rest position with a restoring force in the direction of its rest position. The spring arm, on the other hand, serves to fix the actuating element to the closing body. The function group makes it possible to dispense with the particularly complex mounting of the actuating element corresponding to DE 102011055090B 3, which leads to a reduction in the production and assembly costs.

If the actuating element is in its actuating position, the access opening is released, so that a user of the household appliance can hook an edge of the access opening and can thereby move the closing body from its closed position, in which it closes the service opening, into the open position, in which it releases the service opening. The spring arm is arranged laterally on the actuating element in such a way that it extends essentially transversely to the insertion direction defined by the manual insertion into the insertion opening and therefore cannot block the manual insertion. The spring arm can in particular extend substantially transversely to the vertical axis of the appliance. The expression "substantially" means that the spring arms in each case extend overall transversely to the insertion direction or the device vertical axis, but in each case can have at least one section which is not arranged transversely to the insertion direction or the device vertical axis, respectively, in the respective course. The spring arms may have, for example, an S-shaped configuration, a serpentine configuration, or the like. The spring characteristics of the spring arms can be adapted to the respective requirements in particular by means of the corresponding geometry of the spring arms. Furthermore, the size of the available installation space can be taken into account in the configuration of the spring arms, wherein spring arm configurations differing from the straight-line configuration can be designed in a space-saving manner. The corresponding configuration of the spring arms makes it possible in particular to realize an actuating element which can be actuated with relatively low force consumption.

The closing body preferably has an outer closing contour which is adapted to a corresponding contour of the service opening. For this purpose, the closing body can have a polygonal, in particular rectangular or square, oblate, oval or circular closing contour. The closing body can interact with the edge surrounding the service opening in such a way that the closing body closes the service opening in a gas-tight manner. The closing body can be partially or completely made of metal or plastic. The closing body can be embodied plate-like or as a thicker-walled component. Preferably, the outer side of the closing body facing away from the interior of the housing is coordinated in its configuration and color with the configuration and color of the housing of the household appliance, so as not to impede the appearance of the household appliance. The closing body can be designed in such a way that it terminates flush with the outer surface of the housing surrounding the service opening.

The insertion opening can be designed such that a user of the household appliance can insert at least one finger, preferably two or more fingers, into the insertion opening. Whereby a user can hook around a portion of the section extending into the opening. The insertion opening can have a polygonal, in particular rectangular or square, oblate, oval or circular contour. The closing body can also have two or more corresponding insertion openings, on each of which an actuating element is arranged.

The actuating element preferably has an outer contour adapted to a corresponding contour of the protrusion opening. For this purpose, the actuating element can have a polygonal, in particular rectangular or square, oblate, oval or circular outer contour. The actuating element can interact with a section of the closing body surrounding the insertion opening in such a way that the actuating element closes the insertion opening in a gas-tight manner in its rest position. The actuating element can be embodied plate-like or as a thicker-walled component. Preferably, the outer side of the actuating element facing away from the interior of the housing is matched in its configuration and color to the configuration and color of the housing of the household appliance, so as not to impede the appearance of the household appliance. The actuating element can be actuated manually or pressed into the interior of the housing in order to move from its rest position into its actuating position. If the closing body comprises two or more access openings, a corresponding actuating element can be arranged on at least one access opening. The actuating element can be designed in such a way that it terminates flush with the outer surface of the closing body surrounding the insertion opening or in such a way that a recess or a curvature is formed in the closing body.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the spring arm is produced in one piece with the actuating element. This results in a reduction in components. Furthermore, the spring arm does not have to be connected to the actuating element later on during the joining process. Thereby reducing tooling costs and assembly expenses. Alternatively, the spring arm can be produced separately from the actuating element and then connected to the actuating element.

advantageously, the spring arm and/or the actuating element are at least partially manufactured from plastic. Preferably, the spring arm and the actuating element are completely made of plastic. The component formed by the spring arm and the actuating element can be produced in one step, for example, using an injection molding method. Alternatively, the spring arm and/or the actuating element can be partially or completely manufactured from metal or composite material.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the spring arms are each fastened to the closing body by at least one latching connection, a welded connection, a threaded connection or a stamped connection. Preferably, the selection of the respective type of connection takes place taking into account the respective requirements and the type of materials to be connected to one another.

advantageously, the stamped connection is designed as a mushroom-head connection. The mushroom-head connection can be produced particularly cost-effectively and enables a permanent connection of components made of different materials.

A further advantageous configuration provides that at least one stop element is arranged on the rear side of the closing body on a section of the closing body which is connected to the insertion opening on the bottom side or remote from the bottom side, said stop element surrounding the end of the operating element on the bottom side or remote from the bottom side. If the actuating element is pressed from its rest position in the direction of its actuating position, the bottom side or the end remote from the bottom side of the actuating element strikes the stop element relatively early, i.e. as far as possible, when the actuating element begins this movement. If the actuating element is then pressed further in the direction of its actuating position, it is pivoted about a pivot axis defined by the stop element in order to reach its actuating position. The projection opening is thereby partially released, so that a part of the closing body surrounding a section of the projection opening, which section is connected to the side of the projection opening opposite the stop element, can be hooked. The stop element can be ribbed or hooked. The stop element can be arranged on the bottom side or remote from the bottom side with respect to the insertion opening. Two or more corresponding stop elements can also be arranged on the closing body, which stop elements allow a corresponding pivoting of the actuating element. Alternatively, there may be no corresponding stop element, so that the actuating element is moved out of its rest position parallel to the closing body without a corresponding pivoting movement being carried out.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one limiting element is arranged on the rear side of the closing body, by means of which limiting element the maximum deflection of the actuating element out of its rest position can be limited. It is thereby prevented that the actuating element is deflected so far out of its rest position that a fracture or overstretching of the spring element results. This configuration therefore increases the durability of the maintenance cover.

The household appliance according to the invention, in particular a laundry dryer, comprises a housing having at least one service opening and at least one service cover according to the above-described configuration or any combination of these configurations, by means of which the service opening can be closed.

The advantages mentioned above in connection with the maintenance of the cover plate are correspondingly connected with the household appliance. The household appliance can be configured, for example, as a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a dishwasher or the like. For example, a lint filter of a household appliance designed as a clothes dryer can be accessed through the maintenance opening.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one bearing projection is arranged on a component of the domestic appliance which is arranged on the rear side relative to the service cover and points in the direction of the actuating element, wherein the actuating element is supported by its end on the rear side of the closing body and by its other side on the bearing projection when pivoted out of its rest position in such a way that the closing body is pushed out of the closed position of the closing body, which closes the service opening, into the open position when the actuating element is gradually pivoted out. The closing body is thus forced out of its closed position when the actuating element is pressed in the direction of its actuating position. This is advantageous, for example, if the closing body is fastened in its closed position to the housing of the household appliance by at least one latching or clamping mechanism. The actuating element acts here as a lever, by means of which the corresponding latching or clamping force can be overcome. After overcoming this force, the closing body can be moved away from the housing with a slight force. The size of the insertion opening can thus be designed smaller, since only a slight force has to be applied to move the closing body away from the housing, so that the user can insert the closing body into the insertion opening with several fingers in order to move the closing body away from the housing. Due to the smaller dimensioning of the protrusion opening, the appearance of the household appliance is less hindered. The support projections can be ribbed. Two or more corresponding support projections can also be arranged on a component of the domestic appliance.

Advantageously, the bearing projection acts on a section of the operating element which bears by means of an end portion on the rear face of the closing body, the section being arranged closer to the end portion of the operating element than to a free end portion of the operating element arranged remote from the end portion. The closer the bearing projection acts on the end of the actuating element, by means of which the actuating element bears on the rear side of the closing body, the less force is spent for the purpose of displacing the actuating element from its rest position into its actuating position.

The invention is not limited to the combinations of features of the independent claims and the dependent claims described. Furthermore, other possibilities are given: the individual features are combined with one another, in particular when they are derived from the claims, the following description of the exemplary embodiments or directly from the drawings. Furthermore, the reference to the drawings by the claims following the use of reference signs shall not in any way limit the scope of the claims to the embodiments shown.

Drawings

The invention is exemplarily described below according to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of an embodiment for a service cover plate with an operating element in a rest position;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective rear view of the service cover shown in fig. 1, with the actuating element in the rest position;

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective rear view of the service cover shown in fig. 1, with the actuating element in the actuating position;

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective rear view in cross section of the service cover shown in fig. 1 with the actuating element in the rest position;

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective rear view in cross section of the service cover shown in fig. 1 with the actuating element in the actuating position;

fig. 6 is a schematic sectional illustration of the service cover shown in fig. 1, with the actuating element in the rest position;

fig. 7 is a schematic sectional illustration of the service cover shown in fig. 1, with the actuating element in the actuating position;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective rear view in cross section of another embodiment of a service cover with an operating element in a rest position;

Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view in cross section of the service cover shown in fig. 8 with the actuating element in the actuating position;

Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the service cover illustrated in fig. 8, with the actuating element in the rest position;

Fig. 11 is a schematic sectional illustration of the service cover shown in fig. 9 with the actuating element in the actuating position;

Fig. 12 is a schematic sectional illustration of the service cover shown in fig. 1 to 7 or in fig. 8 to 11, with the actuating element in the rest position;

FIG. 13 is a schematic rear view of another embodiment of a maintenance cover plate;

FIG. 14 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a household appliance with a service cover shown in FIG. 13;

Fig. 15 is a schematic sectional view of the household appliance shown in fig. 14, the service cover having an actuating element in a rest position;

fig. 16 is a schematic sectional view of the household appliance shown in fig. 14, the service cover having an actuating element in an actuating position.

In the figures identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference symbols.

Detailed Description

fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of a service cover 1 for a not shown household appliance. The service flap 1 comprises a plate-like and rectangularly embodied closing body 2 having a rectangularly embodied insertion opening 3, by means of which the service opening of the housing of the household appliance can be closed. Furthermore, the service flap 1 comprises an actuating element 4 of rectangular design, which is arranged on the closing body 2 so as to be movable between the illustrated rest position and an actuating position and which, in its rest position, closes the access opening 3 and, in its actuating position, at least partially releases the access opening 3. A plurality of ventilation openings 5 are also arranged in a pattern on the maintenance cover 1. Further configurations of the service cover 1 result from fig. 2 to 7.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective rear view of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 1, with the actuating element 4 in the rest position. The actuating elements 4 are each fastened on opposite sides to a rear face 7 of the closing body 2 facing the interior of the housing by lateral spring arms 6. The actuating element 4 can be acted upon by a force in the direction of its rest position by means of a spring arm 6. The spring arms 6 are each formed in an S-shaped or substantially question-mark-shaped manner.

the spring arm 6 is produced in one piece with the actuating element 4, wherein the spring arm 6 and the actuating element 4 are produced from plastic. The spring arms 6 are each secured to the closing body 2 by a stamped connection in the form of a mushroom-shaped connection. Each mushroom-shaped connection means comprises a mushroom-shaped structure 8, constructed by stamping on the closing body 2, on which the end of the respective spring arm 6 is fixed.

On the rear side 7 of the closing body 2, a stop element 9 is arranged on the section of the closing body 2 which is connected on the underside to the insertion opening 3 and surrounds the underside end of the actuating element 4. The stop element 9 is formed integrally with the closing body 2 and extends over approximately the entire width of the actuating element 4.

Furthermore, at least one limiting element, not shown, can be arranged on the rear side 7 of the closing body 2, by means of which the maximum pivotability of the actuating element 4 out of its rest position can be limited.

an inclined handle contour 10 is arranged on a section of the closing body 2 which adjoins the insertion opening 3 away from the bottom side and on which a user of the household appliance can grip the operating element 4 in its operating position.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective rear view of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 1 with the actuating element 4 in the actuating position. By contact with the stop element 9, the actuating element 4 is pivoted about a pivot axis defined by the stop element 9, so that it partially releases the insertion opening 3 in such a way that a user of the household appliance can insert his fingers into the insertion opening 3 and grip the handle contour 10 in order to move the service cover 1 from its closed position, which closes the service opening, into the open position.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective rear view in cross section of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 1 with the actuating element 4 in the rest position. It can be seen that the actuating element 4 is of plate-like design and the stop element 9 is designed as a bend in cross section.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective rear view in cross section of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 1 with the actuating element 4 in the actuating position. It can be seen how the actuating element 4 is pivoted by its contact with the stop element 9.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 1 with the actuating element 4 in the rest position.

fig. 7 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 1 with the actuating element 4 in the actuating position.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective rear view in cross section of a further exemplary embodiment of a service cover 1 with an actuating element 4 in the rest position. This service flap 1 differs from the service flap of the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 7 in that no stop element is arranged on the closing body 2, so that the actuating element 4 is not pivoted when it is actuated, but rather is moved parallel to the closing body 2, as shown in fig. 9. To avoid repetition, the rest of the description refers to the description of the embodiments shown in fig. 1 to 7.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective rear view in cross section of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 8 with the actuating element 4 in the actuating position.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic sectional view of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 8 with the actuating element 4 in the rest position.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic sectional view of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 9 with the actuating element 4 in the actuating position.

fig. 12 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the service cover 1 shown in fig. 1 to 7 or in fig. 8 to 11 with the actuating element 4 in the rest position, whereby the structure of the mushroom connection can be better seen.

Fig. 13 shows a schematic rear view of a further exemplary embodiment of a service cover 1 with an actuating element 4 in the rest position. The service cover 1 differs from the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 7 in particular with regard to the configuration of the actuating element 4 and the connection of the spring arm 6 to the closing body 2. The actuating element 4 has an actuating section 11 to which a support section 12 is connected on the underside, the function of which is shown in fig. 14 to 16. The spring arm 6 is constructed substantially corresponding to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 7. The spring arms are each connected to the closing body 2 by means of a latching connection, for which purpose a latching receptacle 13, which is open to the opposite side, is arranged on the rear side 7 of the bearing section 2, into which the ends of the spring arms 6 each snap in.

Fig. 14 shows a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a household appliance 14 with the maintenance cover 1 shown in fig. 13. The household appliance 14 comprises a housing 15 having a schematically illustrated service opening 16, which is closed by the service cover 1. Furthermore, the household appliance 14 comprises a component 17 arranged behind with respect to the service cover 1, the function of which is illustrated by fig. 15 and 16.

Fig. 15 shows a schematic sectional view of the household appliance 14 shown in fig. 14, with the operating element 4 in the rest position. On a component 17 of the household appliance 14, which is arranged behind the service cover 1, a rib-like support projection 18 is arranged in the direction of the actuating element 4, the function of which is shown in fig. 16.

Fig. 16 shows a schematic sectional view of the household appliance 14 shown in fig. 14, with the operating element 4 in the operating position. The actuating element 4 is supported on the rear side 7 of the closing body 2 by the bottom end and on the other side on the supporting projection 18 in such a way that the closing body 2 is pushed out of its closed position closing the service opening 16 into the open position as the actuating element 4 is gradually deflected out, as shown in fig. 16. The bearing projection 18 acts on a section of the actuating element 14, by way of which the actuating element 4 bears on the rear side 7 of the closing body 2, which section is arranged closer to this bottom end of the actuating element 4 than to a free end of the actuating element 4 arranged further away from this bottom end, which is remote from the bottom side.

List of reference numerals

1 maintenance cover plate

2 closing body

3 into the opening

4 operating element

5 Ventilation openings

6 spring arm

7 back side

8 Mushroom-shaped structure

9 stop element

10 handle profile

11 operating section

12 support section

13 latch receiving part

14 household appliance

15 casing

16 service opening

17 component

18 support tab

Claims

1. A service flap (1) for a household appliance (14), having a closing body (2) which has at least one access opening (3) by means of which a service opening of a housing (15) of the household appliance (14) can be closed, and having at least one actuating element (4) which is arranged on the closing body (2) so as to be movable between a rest position and an actuating position and which, in its rest position, closes the access opening (3) and, in its actuating position, at least partially releases the access opening (3), characterized in that the actuating element (4) is fastened on opposite sides by at least one lateral spring arm (6) to a rear face (7) of the closing body (2) facing the interior of the housing (15), wherein the actuating element (4) can be acted upon by a force in the direction of its rest position by means of the spring arm (6).

2. The service cover plate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring arm (6) is manufactured integrally with the operating element (4).

3. The service flap (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring arm (6) and/or the actuating element (4) are at least partially manufactured from plastic.

4. The service flap (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring arm (6) and/or the actuating element (4) are at least partially manufactured from plastic.

5. The service flap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spring arms (6) are each fixed to the closing body (2) by at least one latching connection, welded connection, threaded connection or stamped connection.

6. Service cover plate (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the stamped connection is configured as a mushroom-head connection.

7. The service flap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, 6, characterized in that at least one stop element (9) is arranged on the rear side (7) of the closing body (2) on a section of the closing body (2) which is connected to the insertion opening (3) on the bottom side or remote therefrom, which stop element surrounds an end of the bottom side or remote therefrom of the actuating element (4).

8. The service flap (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one stop element (9) is arranged on the rear side (7) of the closing body (2) on a section of the closing body (2) which is connected to the insertion opening (3) on the bottom side or remote therefrom, which stop element surrounds an end of the operating element (4) on the bottom side or remote therefrom.

9. The service flap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, 6, 8, characterized in that at least one limiting element is arranged on the rear side (7) of the closing body (2), by means of which limiting element the maximum deflection capability of the actuating element (4) out of its rest position can be limited.

10. The service flap (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one limiting element is arranged on the rear side (7) of the closing body (2), by means of which limiting element the maximum deflection capability of the actuating element (4) out of its rest position can be limited.

11. The service flap (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one limiting element is arranged on the rear side (7) of the closing body (2), by means of which limiting element the maximum deflection capability of the actuating element (4) out of its rest position can be limited.

12. The maintenance cover (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, 6, 8, 10-11, characterized in that the household appliance (14) is a clothes dryer.

13. The service cover (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the household appliance (14) is a clothes dryer.

14. The service cover (1) according to claim 7, wherein the household appliance (14) is a clothes dryer.

15. The service cover (1) according to claim 9, wherein the household appliance (14) is a clothes dryer.

16. A household appliance (14) having a housing (15) with at least one service opening (16), characterized in that at least one service cover (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15 is provided, by means of which the service opening (16) can be closed.

17. The household appliance (14) according to claim 16, wherein at least one bearing projection (18) is arranged on a component (17) of the household appliance (14) arranged on the rear side relative to the service cover (1) and directed in the direction of the actuating element (4), wherein the actuating element (4) bears with one side by an end on the rear side (7) of the closing body (2) and with the other side on the bearing projection (18) when being deflected out of its rest position, so that the closing body (2) is pressed out of its closed position, which closes the service opening, into the open position when the actuating element (4) is gradually deflected out.

18. The household appliance (14) according to claim 17, wherein the supporting projection (18) acts on a section of the operating element (4), the operating element (4) being supported by an end on the rear face (7) of the closing body (2), which section is arranged closer to the end of the operating element (4) than to a free end of the operating element (4) arranged farther away from the end.

19. household appliance (14) according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the household appliance (14) is a clothes dryer.