CN114901892A

CN114901892A - Laundry treating machine with drawer assembly

Info

Publication number: CN114901892A
Application number: CN202080081883.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯特凡诺·德保利; 达尼埃莱·达里奥尔; 马蒂亚·罗韦多
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2019-11-27
Filing date: 2020-11-19
Publication date: 2022-08-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry treating machine (100) having a drawer assembly (1) comprising: a drawer (2) comprising at least one compartment (10a, 10b) for receiving agents for treating laundry and/or for receiving other products/liquids; and a housing (3, 20) on which the drawer (2) can slide along a sliding axis (S). The drawer assembly (1) comprises retention means (40) ensuring the closed position of said drawer (2) with respect to the housings (3, 20). The retention means (40) comprise a first elastic member (42) arranged to one of the drawer (2) or the casing (3, 20) and a second member (44) adapted to interact with the first elastic member (42) to ensure the closed position of the drawer (2). The first resilient member (42) comprises a resilient metal strap (50) having an apex (52) and two lateral sides (54, 56) extending longitudinally from the apex (52), the strap (50) being adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer (2) or said housing (3, 20).

Description

Laundry treating machine with drawer assembly

The invention relates to the technical field of clothes treatment.

In particular, the present invention relates to a laundry treating machine having: a drawer for receiving a laundry treatment agent or other product/liquid; a support structure on which the drawer can slide; and retention means adapted to ensure a closed position of the drawer with respect to the support structure.

Background

Nowadays, laundry treatment machines are widely used, such as "simple" laundry washing machines (i.e. laundry treatment machines that can only wash and rinse laundry) or laundry washing-drying machines (i.e. laundry treatment machines that can also dry laundry) or laundry drying machines (i.e. laundry treatment machines that can only dry laundry).

In the present description, the term "laundry washing machine" will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines.

Conventionally, washing machines comprise a drawer for receiving a detergent to be used during a washing cycle or other agents for treating laundry, such as a softener or a bleach.

The drawer may also be adapted to receive other products, such as salt to be used in a water softener of a washing machine.

The laundry dryer then typically comprises a drawer for receiving the humidity tank.

In this case, the drawer is adapted to receive the condensed water formed during the drying cycle, so that it can be emptied easily and regularly by the user.

A drawer of known type is received in a casing on which it can slide on a substantially horizontal plane from a closed position and an open position.

Advantageously, the user can fill the compartment of the drawer with the product required for treating the laundry (for example detergent or softener), or the user can completely withdraw the drawer, for example in order to clean the compartment in a laundry washing machine or empty the tank in a laundry dryer.

Drawers of known type are typically provided with retention means which ensure a closed position of the drawer with respect to the supporting structure.

The retention means prevent the drawer from moving with respect to the casing when the drawer is in its closed position, in particular when the machine is working and subjected to vibrations (for example due to the rotation of the drum during a washing or drying cycle).

A known type of retention means comprises a pin projecting from the casing, which interacts with a plastic hook integral with the drawer. When the drawer is in its closed position, the pin and hook engage and hold the drawer in the closed position. When the drawer is pulled toward the open position, the plastic hook deforms under the action of the pin and disengages from the pin to allow the drawer to be opened. When the drawer is pulled toward the closed position, the plastic hook is deformed by the pin and the components engage to hold the drawer in the closed position.

The drawers and their retention means of the known art entail some drawbacks.

A drawback with the known drawer is that failure of the retention means implies replacement of the entire drawer, with associated costs for the user.

Furthermore, known drawers require reinforced retention means due to the high stress structural components engaged therebetween. This means that additional material is required to construct the drawer and/or housing.

This may adversely affect the size and/or weight and/or manufacturing costs of the laundry treating machine as well as the reliability of the laundry treating machine.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages associated with the known art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treating machine which reduces construction and/or maintenance costs compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine with a drawer assembly which is reduced in complexity and/or size and/or weight compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laundry treating machine with a drawer assembly which has a higher reliability compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

Disclosure of Invention

The applicant has found that the drawbacks of the known systems can be solved by providing a laundry treating machine having a drawer assembly comprising retention means to ensure a closed position of the drawer with respect to the casing, wherein the retention means comprise a metal strap adapted to be removably mounted onto the drawer or the casing.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a laundry treating machine having a drawer assembly comprising:

-a drawer comprising at least one compartment for receiving an agent for treating the laundry and/or for receiving other products/liquids;

-a housing on which the drawer is slidable along a sliding axis;

-retention means ensuring a closed position of said drawer with respect to said casing;

wherein the retention means comprises a first resilient member arranged to one of the drawer or the housing and a second member adapted to interact with the first resilient member to secure the closed position of the drawer, the second member being arranged to the other of the housing and the drawer respectively, wherein the first resilient member comprises a resilient metal strip having an apex and two lateral sides extending longitudinally from the apex, the strip being adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer or the housing.

Preferably, the two lateral sides of the strap are adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer or housing.

The first resilient member can thus be easily mounted on and also easily removed from the drawer assembly. Advantageously, the manufacturing operations and the related assembly costs of the drawer are reduced. In addition, maintenance operations and costs in the case of a failure of the retention means are reduced. Furthermore, the design/sizing of the resilient straps may be performed appropriately without regard to the other components of the drawer assembly.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of said two lateral sides of the strip comprises a curved portion. Preferably, the curved portion is adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer or the housing.

The curved portion enhances the mounting of the strap to the drawer or housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawer or housing comprises a receiving slot adapted to at least partially receive one of the two lateral sides of the strap. More preferably, the drawer or housing comprises two receiving slots, each of the two receiving slots being adapted to at least partially receive a respective one of the two lateral sides of the strap.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bent portion is inserted into the receiving groove when the strap is in its mounted position relative to the drawer or housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the two lateral sides comprises an engagement surface and the drawer or housing comprises a stop surface adapted to abuttingly receive the engagement surface.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the engagement surface is arranged at the end of the lateral side.

Advantageously, the strap is securely maintained in its installed position.

Preferably, the stop surface is realized in a receiving groove of the drawer or the housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving slot is delimited by a first wall comprising the stop surface and a second wall opposite the first wall.

Advantageously, the receiving slot enhances that the strap is securely maintained in its mounted position.

According to the invention, the second member is adapted to exert a thrust towards the first elastic member when the drawer is moved along the sliding axis from its closed position towards its open position, or when the drawer is moved along the sliding axis from its open position towards its closed position.

Advantageously, with closed position it is meant a position in which the drawer is completely inserted in the housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retention means comprise stop elements to limit the maximum deformation of the first elastic part.

The stop element avoids excessive deformation of the strip and possible damage to the strip.

Preferably, one of the two lateral sides comprises at least one valley between the apex and the tip of said one lateral side.

The valleys impart the desired appropriate elasticity to the strip.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second part comprises a toothed element. Preferably, the second part is formed integrally with the housing or with the drawer. More preferably, the second part is rigid.

Advantageously, the second part effectively interacts with the first resilient part.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one compartment is a compartment for receiving an agent for washing laundry in the washing machine, or the at least one compartment is a tank for receiving condensed water.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawer opens upwardly and the housing includes a water dispenser adapted to be positioned above the drawer when the drawer is in its closed position.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in more detail in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, corresponding features and/or components are identified by the same reference numerals. In these drawings:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine with a drawer assembly according to the present invention, with the drawer in the open position;

figure 2 shows the laundry washing machine of figure 1 with the drawer in the closed position;

figure 3 shows a detail of the drawer assembly of figure 1 in the open position, separated from the rest;

figure 4 shows a detail of the drawer assembly of figure 3 in the closed position;

figure 5 shows the drawer assembly of figure 4 from another angle;

figure 6 shows the plan view of figure 5 taken along the line VI-VI;

figure 7 shows an enlarged view of a detail of figure 6;

figure 8 shows a partial enlarged view of the drawer assembly of figure 5, with some elements removed therefrom;

figure 9 shows an exploded view of figure 8;

fig. 10 shows an enlarged view of a detail of fig. 9.

Detailed Description

The invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to a washing machine, as described below. In any case, it should be emphasized that the invention is not limited to washing machines. In contrast, the present invention may be conveniently applied to general laundry treating machines, such as "simple" washing machines (i.e., laundry treating machines that can only wash and rinse laundry), or laundry washing-drying machines (i.e., laundry treating machines that can also dry laundry), or laundry drying machines (i.e., laundry treating machines that can only dry laundry).

Furthermore, in the present description, the term "laundry washing machine" will refer to both simple laundry washing machines and laundry washing-drying machines.

Fig. 1 and 2 depict a washing machine 100 including a drawer assembly 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The drawer assembly 1 comprises a drawer 2 slidably associated with a supporting structure 3, preferably formed by a container that can house the drawer 2.

As will be better shown below, according to a preferred embodiment, the support structure 3 defines a housing 20 able to receive the drawer 2 therein.

Fig. 1 depicts the drawer 2 in an open position, while fig. 2 depicts the drawer 2 in a closed position.

The operative open and closed positions of the drawer 1 are also illustrated in fig. 3 and 4, respectively.

The drawer 2 is preferably upwardly open and comprises two

side walls

6, 8, a rear wall 9 (visible in fig. 6 and 7) and a front wall 15.

Preferably, the front wall 15, or more generally the drawer 2, comprises a handle 16 (as shown in fig. 1 and 2) by means of which the drawer 2 can be moved from the closed position and the open position, and vice versa.

In the other figures, the handle 16 is not shown for simplicity.

The movement of the drawer 2 is preferably performed along the sliding axis S, and the drawer 2 can move in the extraction direction W when the drawer 2 is opened and in the pushing direction P when the drawer 2 is closed.

The movement of the drawer 2 is preferably carried out in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane, i.e. the sliding axis S lies in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane.

The two

side walls

6, 8 are preferably arranged in a vertical plane or substantially vertical plane when the drawer assembly is mounted in the operating position.

The two

side walls

6, 8 are preferably aligned along the sliding axis S.

The drawer 2 then preferably comprises

compartments

10a, 10b adapted to receive detergent and other agents, such as bleach, softener, salt for softening the device, etc.

Preferably, in the open position, detergent and/or other reagents can be poured into the

compartments

10a, 10b of the drawer 2.

The housing 20 preferably comprises an upper wall element 30, which is a water dispenser connectable to the water supply of the laundry washing machine 100 through an inlet 32 and a valve (not shown) to supply cold and/or hot/warm water into one or more of the

compartments

10a, 10 b. The housing 20 also comprises an outlet 33 for guiding water or water mixed with detergent or other agents from the drawer 2 into a washing tub (not shown) of the washing machine 100.

Preferably, in order to allow the drawer 2 to slide on the supporting structure 3, the drawer 2 comprises sliding surfaces 11, 13 located on said

side walls

6, 8.

The sliding surfaces 11, 13 are adapted to slide preferably on respective guide members (not shown) of the support structure 3.

In different embodiments, the sliding of the drawer on the support structure along the sliding axis can be obtained with different means, for example with rolling elements (wheels) associated with the drawer that roll on guide members of the support structure.

According to an aspect of the invention, the retention means 40 ensure the closed position of the drawer 2 with respect to the casing 20; the closed position may preferably be defined as a position in which the drawer 2 is fully inserted into the housing 20.

In the preferred embodiment as shown in fig. 6 and 7, the retention means 40 comprise a first resilient member 42 arranged to the drawer 2 and a second member 44 arranged to the housing 20, preferably to the water dispenser 30. It is understood that the first resilient member 42 may be disposed on the housing 20 and the second member 44 may be disposed on the drawer without departing from the scope of the present invention. The second component 44 is adapted to interact with the first elastic component 42, as better described later.

The first elastic member 42 preferably comprises an elastic strip 50, preferably a metal strip, having an apex 52 and two

lateral sides

54, 56 extending longitudinally from the apex 52, as better seen in fig. 10.

According to an aspect of the invention, the strap 50 is adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer 2.

Preferably, the lateral sides 54, 56 of the strap 50 are adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer 2.

The first lateral side 54 of the strap 50 comprises a first engagement surface 60 and the drawer 2 comprises a corresponding first stop surface 62. More particularly, when the strap 50 is in its installed position relative to the drawer 2, the first engagement surface 60 is positioned to abut the first stop surface 62 to prevent disengagement of the strap.

The first lateral side 54 preferably includes a first bent portion 54a, more preferably a U-shaped portion, at an end thereof. Preferably, the first curved portion 54a is adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer 2.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the first engagement surface 60 is realized at the end of the first lateral side 54, more preferably at the end of the first curved portion 54 a.

The extremity of the first lateral side 54 must preferably be defined as the most distant portion of the first lateral side 54, and the first engagement surface 60 preferably comprises an inclined surface, more preferably a perpendicular surface, with respect to the extension direction of the first lateral side 54.

Similarly, the second lateral side 56 of the strap 50 preferably comprises a second engagement surface 64 and the drawer 2 comprises a corresponding second stop surface 66. More particularly, the second engagement surface 64 is positioned to abut the second stop surface 66 when the strap 50 is in its installed position relative to the drawer 2 to prevent disengagement of the strap.

The second lateral side 56 preferably includes a second bent portion 56a, more preferably a U-shaped portion, at an end thereof. Preferably, the second curved portion 56a is adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer 2.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the second engagement surface 64 is realized at the end of the second lateral side portion 56, more preferably at the end of the second curved portion 56 a.

The tip of the second lateral side 56 must preferably be defined as the most distal portion of the second lateral side 56, and the second engagement surface 64 preferably comprises an inclined surface, more preferably a perpendicular surface, with respect to the extension direction of the second lateral side 56.

The first stop surface 62 is preferably realized in a first receiving slot 70 of the drawer 2 and, similarly, the second stop surface 64 is preferably realized in a second receiving slot 72 of the drawer 2, as can be seen in fig. 7.

The first receiving slot 70 is preferably defined by a first wall 70a and a second wall 70b opposite the first wall 70 a. The first wall 70a preferably includes a first stop surface 62.

The second receiving slot 72 is preferably defined by a first wall 72a and a second wall 72b opposite the first wall 72 a. The first wall 72a preferably includes the second stop surface 64.

The elastic band 50 is mounted to the drawer 2 by inserting the first bent portion 54a into the first slot 70 and the second bent portion 56a into the second receiving slot 72.

Due to the flexibility of the strip 50, and preferably by alignment of the

curved portions

54a, 56a, the ends of the resilient strip 50 snap fit within the

slots

70, 72, and the engagement surfaces 60, 64 of the strip 50 abut the respective stop surfaces 62, 66 of the drawer 2.

Therefore, the assembling operation of the first elastic member 42 to the drawer 2 is simple and quick. In addition, removal and/or replacement of the first resilient member 42 is simple and quick, as the resilient deformation of the strap 50 allows the engagement surfaces 60, 64 to disengage from the respective stop surfaces 62, 66.

Consequently, construction and/or maintenance costs are reduced compared to laundry treatment machines of known type.

Preferably, first lateral side 54 of strip 50 includes a valley 80 located between apex 52 and the tip of first lateral side 54. Similarly, second lateral side 56 of strip 50 preferably includes a valley 82 between apex 52 and the end of second lateral side 56.

Valleys

80, 82 are implemented along the elastic strip 50 to impart the proper elasticity to the elastic strip.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastic strip 50 is made of a metallic material, preferably iron, preferably stainless steel.

Advantageously, the type of material and/or the shape and/or the size of the elastic strip can be suitably selected irrespective of the material of the other components of the drawer assembly, in particular irrespective of the material of the drawer where the elastic strip is mounted.

The design/sizing of the resilient straps may be performed appropriately without regard to the other components of the drawer assembly. The reliability of the drawer assembly is thus positively influenced.

As mentioned above, the second part 44 is arranged to the housing 20 and interacts with the first resilient part 42. Preferably, the second member 44 is disposed to the water dispenser 30 of the housing 20.

The second member 44 preferably includes a tooth 45 protruding from the water dispenser 30 toward the first resilient member 42.

The second part 44 is preferably a rigid part, more preferably formed integrally with said upper element 50.

In the first aspect of the invention, the second member 44 interacts with the first resilient member 42 to ensure the closed position of the drawer 2 relative to the housing 20.

With particular reference to fig. 7, in which the drawer 2 is in the closed position, the tooth 45 interacts with an apex 52 of the elastic strip 50 against which it abuts.

When the drawer 2 is in the closed position, for example when the washing machine 100 performs a washing cycle, and no force is applied to the drawer 2 in the extraction direction W, the teeth 45 abut the apex 52 to prevent or substantially prevent the drawer 2 from moving relative to the housing 20 or the water dispenser 30.

For example, when the washing machine 100 is operated and subjected to vibration, the drawer 2 is maintained in the closed position to avoid accidental opening.

When the user intentionally moves the drawer 2 from the closed position towards the open by applying a withdrawal force in the withdrawal direction W, the strip 50 starts to bend downwards due to the interaction of the teeth 45 with the vertex 52 (wherein the teeth 45 exert a pushing force towards the vertex 52).

Subsequently, the strip 50 returns to its rest position and the teeth 44 disengage from the apex 52.

Vice versa, when the user applies a force in the pushing direction P to move the drawer 2 from the open position towards the closed position, the strip 50 is deformed in a downward bending due to the interaction of the teeth 45 with the vertex 52.

Subsequently, the drawer 2 reaches the final desired closed position, which preferably consists of a position in which the drawer 2 is completely inserted into the housing.

According to an aspect of the invention, the retention means 40 preferably comprises a stop element 48 adapted to limit the maximum deformation of the strip 50.

The stop element 48 advantageously avoids excessive deformation of the strip 50 and possible strip damage, in particular during the assembly operation.

It has thus been shown that the invention allows all the set purposes to be achieved. In particular, the present invention makes it possible to provide a laundry treating machine with a drawer assembly which is reduced in complexity and/or size and/or weight and in construction and/or maintenance costs compared to laundry treating machines of known type.

It is emphasized that the washing machine illustrated in the figures is of the front-loading type; it is clear, however, that the system according to the invention can also be applied to a top-loading washing machine substantially without any modifications. It is also clear that the system according to the invention can also be applied to a laundry dryer substantially without any modifications.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

For example, in the previously described embodiments, the first resilient member is disposed to the drawer and the second member is disposed to the housing. However, in different embodiments, the first resilient member may be arranged to the housing and the second member may be arranged to the drawer.

Furthermore, in the previously described embodiments, the second component is preferably a rigid component. However, in different embodiments, the second component may be resilient.

Furthermore, in the previously described embodiments, the engagement surface is arranged at the end of the lateral side of the elastic strip. However, in different embodiments, the engagement surface may be disposed at other locations along the lateral side of the elastic strip.

Furthermore, in the previously described embodiments, the drawer comprises one or more compartments for receiving an agent for washing the laundry in the washing machine. In various embodiments, the compartment may be a tank for receiving the condensate.

All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A laundry treating machine (100) having a drawer assembly (1) comprising:

-a drawer (2) comprising at least one compartment (10a, 10b) for receiving agents for treating laundry and/or for receiving other products/liquids;

-a housing (3, 20) on which said drawer (2) is slidable along a sliding axis (S);

-retention means (40) ensuring a closed position of said drawer (2) with respect to said housings (3, 20);

wherein the retention means (40) comprises a first elastic member (42) arranged to one of the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20) and a second member (44) adapted to interact with the first elastic member (42) to ensure the closed position of the drawer (2), which second member is arranged to the other of the housing (3, 20) and the drawer (2), respectively, wherein the first elastic member (42) comprises an elastic metal strip (50) having an apex (52) and two lateral sides (54, 56) extending longitudinally from the apex (52), the strip (50) being adapted to be removably mounted to the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20).

2. The machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the two lateral sides (54, 56) of the strap (50) are adapted to be removably mounted onto the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20).

3. Machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the two lateral sides (54, 56) of the strip (50) comprises a curved portion (54a, 56 a).

4. The machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20) comprises a receiving slot (70, 72) adapted to receive at least partially one of the two lateral sides (54, 56) of the strip (50).

5. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20) comprises two receiving slots (70, 72), each of the two receiving slots (70, 72) being adapted to at least partially receive a respective one of the two lateral sides (54, 56) of the strip (50).

6. The machine (100) according to claim 4 or 5 when depending on claim 3, wherein the curved portion (54a, 56a) is inserted in the receiving slot (70, 72) when the strap (50) is in its mounted position with respect to the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20).

7. The machine (100) of any preceding claim, wherein each lateral side (54, 56) of the two lateral sides (54, 56) comprises an engagement surface (60, 64), and the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20) comprises a stop surface (62, 66) adapted to abuttingly receive the engagement surface (60, 64).

8. Machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein said engagement surfaces (60, 64) are arranged at the extremities of said lateral sides (54, 56).

9. The machine (100) according to claim 7 or 8 when depending on any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the stop surface (62, 66) is realized in the receiving slot (70, 72) of the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20).

10. The machine (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second member (44) is adapted to exert a thrust towards said first elastic member (42) when the drawer (2) moves along said sliding axis (S) from its closed position towards its open position, or when the drawer (2) moves along said sliding axis (S) from its open position towards its closed position.

11. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retention means (40) comprise a stop element (48) to limit the maximum deformation of the first elastic member (42).

12. The machine (100) of any preceding claim, wherein one lateral side (54, 56) of the two lateral sides (54, 56) comprises at least one valley (80, 82) between the apex (52) and a tip of the one lateral side (54, 56).

13. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second component (44) comprises a toothed element (48).

14. The machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second component (44) is integral with the casing (3, 20) or with the drawer (2).

15. The machine (100) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second component (44) is rigid.