EP0102413B1 - Domestic apparatus with a front panel moving backward for access to control and handling devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a domestic appliance of the type in which the control and operating members are arranged in correspondence with a front panel placed on the front face of the appliance.

In usual constructions, these control members, in the form of knobs, buttons, handles and the like, protrude permanently from the front panel by a sufficient measure to be able to be properly grasped and maneuvered. However, this projecting position of the control members has drawbacks of both an aesthetic and technical nature. Aesthetically, it is obvious that the device, when it is not in use, would look more pleasant if it did not have protruding controls. Technically, the projecting control elements are subject to involuntary shocks or pressures, which are particularly easy during the cleaning operations of the premises and which can either damage the control elements themselves or the mechanisms to which they are connected, or cause undesirable setting. in operation of the device with the resulting drawbacks and dangers, such as gas leaks, uncontrolled temperature rises, etc.

For this reason, there is today a demand for domestic appliances, the control members of which are protruding from the front panel when the appliance is in operation in order to allow easy operation, can be integrated by eliminating their protrusion from the panel when the appliance is not working. In this order of ideas, devices have been produced (for example according to DE-A-2 364 667) in which each control member is mounted movable between a rest position in which it is housed in the panel and an operative position in which he is salient. With this arrangement, each control member remains normally collected and is extracted when it must be operated. However, this supposes a relatively complex kinematic coupling between each control member and the mechanism to which it is connected, and therefore requires a complex construction, costly and easily subject to damage. In addition, to bring the device from the rest condition to the operational condition or vice versa, it is necessary to perform a plurality of actions on the different control members.

The object of the present invention is to provide a domestic appliance of the type indicated in the preamble, which has two conditions, one of rest, in which the control members do not protrude relative to the front panel, and the other operative, in which the control members project to be maneuvered, and in which the passage from one of the conditions to the other concerns simultaneously all the control members, without any special kinematic coupling between the control members and the mechanisms they control is necessary.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that the control and operating members are arranged in a fixed position and terminate previously substantially in correspondence with the plane which previously limits the size of the apparatus, and that the front panel is mounted movable between a rest position, in which it is arranged with its front surface substantially in correspondence of said limit plane, and an operative position, in which said panel is set back relative to the limit plane and to the operating members, of a sufficient measure to allow seizure and actuation of said organs.

Thus, it is the front panel, instead of each control member, which is moved between a rest position and an operative position, and this entails, on the one hand, the advantage that with a single operation (the movement of the panel) the apparatus is carried in the desired condition, with effect on all of its control and maneuvering elements, and on the other hand the advantage that the element which must be moved has no relation to the mechanisms of the device and therefore requires no complex transmission connection. It follows, not only that the maneuver is more convenient, but also that the construction is substantially simplified with a consequent reduction of the costs and the probability of damage.

The front panel is preferably pushed towards its rest position by one or more springs, and it can be brought into its operative position by pushing it against the action of these springs.

In addition, a hooking device is preferably provided which retains the panel in its retracted operating position when it is pushed into this position and until the execution of a following operation to suppress the action of said hooking device.

This attachment device is preferably a retaining device controlled in two stages, so that a first pressure exerted on the panel makes it move back and remain in the operative position, and a second pressure on the panel releases it and allows the springs return it to the rest position.

The movable front panel is advantageously connected to the fixed structure of the device by a kinematic system which limits the freedom of movement of the panel by allowing it to move only while remaining parallel to itself. Thus, even if the panel is biased asymmetrically or if it undergoes asymmetrical accidental resistances, its correct displacement from the rest position to the operative position or vice versa is also ensured without it being able to get crooked or to block. .

Said kinematic system preferably comprises two levers pivoting on a central point of the fixed structure, joined to the movable front panel at points distant from each other, and coupled together so that they can only make symmetrical oscillations.

It is finally advantageous that an element joined to the movable panel is placed on the path of the control element of an electric switch, so that the latter is switched from one to the other of its positions depending on whether the front panel is in rest or operating position. Thanks to this arrangement, the switch can be used to indicate to the user an inappropriate position of the panel, or also to directly perform an action capable of preventing drawbacks caused by this inappropriate position; this action can, for example, be used to make it impossible to operate the device when the front panel is in the rest position.

• la figure 1 illustre à petite échelle la partie supérieure de la surface frontale d'un appareil domestique équipé selon l'invention;
• les figures 2 et 3 montrent, à plus grande échelle, des sections faites selon la ligne brisée II-II de la figure 1, respectivement en condition de repos et en condition opérative de l'appareil;
• les figures 4 et 5 montrent des sections correspondantes à celles des figures 2 et 3 mais faites en correspondance du dispositif d'accrochage, dans une première forme de réalisation de l'invention;
• Les figures 6 et 7 montrent des sections horizontales faites selon les lignes VI-VI et VII-VII, respectivement, des figures 4 et 5;
• les figures 8 et 9 analogues aux figures 6 et 7 montrent le dispositif d'accrochage, mais en positions intermédiaires qui se vérifient pendant le passage de l'une à l'autre des conditions de l'appareil;
• la figure 10 analogue aux figures 4 et 5 montre le dispositif d'accrochage, mais dans une position intermédiaire qui se vérifie pendant le passage de la condition opérative à la condition de repos de l'appareil;
• les figures de 11 à 14 montrent des sections analogues à celles des figures de 4 à 7, mais relatives à une seconde forme de réalisation.

The above and other characteristics and advantages of the subject of the invention will be made clearer by the following description of two embodiments, constituting nonlimiting examples, schematically represented in the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 illustrates on a small scale the upper part of the front surface of a household appliance equipped according to the invention;
• Figures 2 and 3 show, on a larger scale, sections made along the broken line II-II of Figure 1, respectively in the rest condition and in the operative condition of the device;
• Figures 4 and 5 show sections corresponding to those of Figures 2 and 3 but made in correspondence of the attachment device, in a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 6 and 7 show horizontal sections made along lines VI-VI and VII-VII, respectively, of Figures 4 and 5;
• Figures 8 and 9 similar to Figures 6 and 7 show the attachment device, but in intermediate positions which are verified during the transition from one to the other of the conditions of the device;
• Figure 10 similar to Figures 4 and 5 shows the attachment device, but in an intermediate position which is verified during the transition from the operating condition to the rest condition of the device;
• Figures 11 to 14 show sections similar to those of Figures 4 to 7, but relating to a second embodiment.

The domestic appliance partially represented in FIG. 1 is a domestic gas oven, taken as an example of application of the invention, but it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to other domestic appliances such as kitchens , stoves and the like, whether gas, electric or mixed, or even other household appliances such as washing machines, dishes, etc.

The oven shown has a fixed structure 1 which ends previously with a cornice 2 which, in this case, defines the anterior limit plane of the device. Inside the cornice 2, in the lower part of the appliance, there is the door 3 of the cooking chamber, the anterior surface of which is, in this case, substantially in the same plane which limits the cornice 2. In the upper part of the door 3 is visible the operating handle 4 and ventilation openings 5 below which there is a glass window 6 for the observation of the cooking chamber when the door is closed.

The upper part of the front face of the device is occupied, in this case, by a front panel 7 crossed by the control and operating members, such as two buttons 8 connected to the taps 9, located behind, for controlling the gas burners supply, and two small buttons for controlling timers, the condition of which is visible through a window 11 in panel 7.

According to the invention, the control and operating members, namely, in this case, the buttons 8 and the handle 4, are mounted so that their size ends substantially in the same plane which previously limits the overall size of the device, and the front panel 7 is mounted movable, between an external rest position (Figures 2, 4 and 6) in which also the panel 7 corresponds substantially to said limit plane, and an operational interior position (Figures 3, 5 and 7 ) in which the panel 7 is sufficiently moved back with respect to said limit plane (defined, in this case, by the cornice 2) so that the handle 4 and the buttons 8 can be easily and surely grasped and maneuvered (FIG. 3).

In the movement between these two positions, the front panel 7 is guided by its own fixed cornice 12 and tabs 13 which project posteriorly relative to the panel 7 and are supported by stirrups 16 joined to the fixed structure 1. The tabs 13 have a supporting relief 14 and a hooking tooth 15 to cooperate with hooking devices capable of retaining them in the operative position; springs 17 are arranged between the fixed structure 1 and the movable panel 7 to push the latter towards its rest position. In the example shown, the front panel 7 is provided with hooking devices and springs at each end, but obviously one of said components or both could be arranged, on the contrary, in the center of the mobile front panel 7.

Each attachment device (Figures 4 to 10) comprises a plate 18 hooked by a tooth 19 to the fixed bracket 16 so that it can oscillate either horizontally or vertically, and it is recalled by an oblique spring 25 which thus exerts the recall action either for horizontal oscillations or for vertical oscillations. The plate 18 has a window 20, partially occupied by an oblique tongue 21 and open towards one side of the plate through an oblique passage defined by opposite ramps 22 and 23, the latter forming the end of a curved surface inclined 24 which limits the plate 18 towards the panel 7. The operation of this attachment device is as follows: in the rest position (Figures 4 to 6) the plate 18 rests on the relief 14 of the tongue 13 and exerts no action; the front panel 7 is retained. in its external position by the pushing of the springs 17. By exerting a pressure on the panel 7, the springs 17 are compressed and the front panel 7 moves inward. The tooth 15 of the tongue 13 then comes into contact with the inclined curved surface 24 of the plate 18 and causes the plate to oscillate horizontally against the action of the spring 25 until the tooth 15 can exceed the end 23 of the plate and it will lean against the ramp 22 (Figure 8). When the pressure on the panel 7 ceases, the combined action of the springs 17 and 25 acts so that the tooth 15 passes between the ramps 22 and 23 and bears laterally, in the window 20 of the plate 18, against the tongue inclined 21 (Figures 5 and 7). It is obvious that, in this condition, the front panel 7 is retained in the retracted position by the engagement of the tooth 15 in the window 20. Then exerting a new pressure on the panel 7, the tooth 15 is pushed into the window 20 to beyond the tongue 21, and the spring 25 recalls the plate 18 from its previous position moved horizontally (Figure 9). Consequently, when the pressure on the panel ceases, the tooth 15 engages under the inclined tongue 21 and it oscillates upwards the plate 18 (FIG. 10), so that the tooth emerges from the window 20 and allows the front panel 7 to return to its rest position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

In the second embodiment, the fixed structure 1 of the device carries a support 16 to which are fixed two parallel pins 26 on each of which pivots a lever 27. The two levers 27 have toothed sectors 28 meshing with each other, so that the levers can only swing symmetrically. On the pins 26 are inserted return springs 17 arranged so that they push the levers 27 towards the outside of the fixed structure 1 of the device. The free ends of the levers 27 carry pivots 29 engaged in buttonhole holes 31 of stirrups 30 mounted on the rear surface of the front panel 7. The arrangement described supports the movable panel 7 and normally maintains it in its rest position according to the Figures 11 and 13, position which can be defined by the cooperation of the pivots 29 with the buttonholes 31, or by appropriate stops. If pressure is applied to the panel 7, the latter can return to its operative position according to FIGS. 12 and 14, against the action of the springs 17, while the pivots 29 of the levers 27 slide in the buttonholes 31. Since the levers 27 are reciprocally meshed at 28, this displacement of the front panel 7 can be effected only by parallel translation, whatever the point of the panel where the pressure is applied, and whatever the distribution of the resistance to movement.

To retain the movable panel 7 in the operative position where it has been carried, one of the levers 27 (or any other part united to the front panel 7) has a tooth 15 which cooperates with a hooking device 18-25 which can be the same as that described in connection with the first embodiment.

Since the described arrangement for supporting the front panel 7, comprising buttonhole holes, cannot ensure the centering of the panel along its longitudinal dimension when the panel is moved back, it is expedient to have a means for guiding said movable panel. This guide means can advantageously be produced by a simple rod 13 presented by the front panel 7 and which passes through a corresponding hole formed in the fixed structure 1.

One of the levers 27 (or any other part joined to the front panel 7) is arranged so that, during the movement of the panel towards the operative position or towards the rest position, this lever acts on the control element 33 of an electrical switch or switch 32 mounted on the fixed structure 1 of the device. This switch can be inserted so that it directly or indirectly controls the operation of the device, so that it allows operation only when the front panel 7 is in the operative position. Alternatively, the switch or switch 32 can be used to activate any other suitable function, or else to order appropriate signaling intended to warn the user of the situation which has occurred and of the possible drawbacks which may derive therefrom.

Alternatively or in addition to the switch 32 sensitive to the position of the movable panel 7, a locking device can be provided which retains the panel 7 in the operative position, or prevents it from returning to the rest position, as long as the device is in operation.

The attachment device, controlled in two stages which has just been described is particularly suitable for the intended application but, of course, other known or special attachment devices can also be used to retain the movable front panel 7 in its operative position and, in particular, it is possible to use either hooking devices controlled in two stages, or simple hooks capable of tripping in the retaining position when the panel 7 is pushed into the operative position and provided with a neutralizing member which can be actuated by a small lever, a pusher or other similar element, to release the front panel when it has to return to its rest position.

Although Figure 1 illustrates the most frequent case where the front panel 7 is arranged horizontally along the upper edge of the device, this panel can also be arranged horizontally along the bottom edge of the device, or centrally between two separate and superimposed parts of the device, or it can be arranged vertically, along the left or right edge of the device, or centrally between two separate parts located side by side of the device.

Claims (16)

1. A household apparatus of the type in which the control and handling members (8 to 11) are disposed in register with a front panel (7) installed on the front surface of the apparatus, characterized in that the control and handling members (8 to 11) are disposed in a fixed position and terminate at their front portion substantially in register with a plane which limits in the front portion the dimensions of the apparatus, and that the front panel (7) is movable between a rest position, in which it is disposed with its front surface substantially in register with said limit plane, and an operative position in which said panel (7) is recoiled relative to said limit plane and to the control and handling members (8 to 11) by a distance sufficient to allow grasping and actuating said members.

2. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that one or more springs (17) are disposed between the fixed structure (1) of the apparatus and the movable front panel (7), in such a manner that they push the panel toward its rest position and allow it to be displaced toward the operative position under the action of a pressure.

3. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in comprising a hooking device (15 to 25) which is arranged to retain the movable front panel (7) in its recoiled operative position and allows exerting a successive action of neutralization of the hooking in order to bring back the front panel to its rest position.

4. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said hooking device (15 to 25) is a two-times controlled retainer device responsive to a first displacement of the front panel (7) toward the interior, by producing the hooking thereof in the operative position, and responsive to a successive displacement of the front panel (7) toward the interior, by disengaging it and allowing return thereof to the rest position.

5. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the front panel (7) is provided with at least one rear guide member (13) sliding within a support (16) solid with the fixed structure (1) of the apparatus.

6. A household apparatus as claimed in Claims 3 and 5, characterized in that said rear guide member (13) is also a part of the device for hooking in the operative position (15 to 25).

7. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in comprising a plaque (18) which may oscillate horizontally and vertically and which is returned by a spring (25) against a rear member (13 or 27) of the front panel (7), said plaque having a window (20) which opens at one side between sloping surfaces (22, 23), an upwards inclined tongue (21) which occupies a portion of the window (20), and an inclined curved surface (24) directed toward the front panel (7), said rear member (13 or 27) of the front panel (7) having a tooth (15) capable of cooperating with the inclined curved surface (24) of the plaque (18) in order to displace it laterally and to allow hooking of the tooth (15) in the window (20) beside the inclined tongue (21), and capable also of cooperating with the inclined tongue (21) of the plaque (18) in order to lift it and allow return of the front panel (7) to its rest position.

8. A household apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the movable front panel (7) cooperates qwith two return springs (17) and/or with two hooking devices (15 to 25) disposed near the two ends of said front panel (7).

9. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the movable front panel (17) is connected to a fixed structure (1) of the apparatus by means of a kinematic system (26 to 31) which limits the freedom of movement of the movable panel (7) by allowing it to perform only displacements parallel to itself.

10. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that said kinematic system (26 to 31) comprises two levers (27) pivotable about two gudgeons (26) fixed on the fixed structure (1), said levers being connected to the movable front panel (7) at spaced points (29), and being connected to each other (28) in such a way as to be able to oscillate only symmetrically.

11. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that said levers (27) are provided with mutually meshing toothed sectors (28) and that their free ends (29) are engaged in slots (31) of parts (30) supported by the front panel (7).

12. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that said levers (27) are provided with springs (17) acting for returning them to the rest position and cooperate with a hooking device (18 to 25) arranged to retain them in the operative position.

13. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that a portion (27) joined to the movable front panel (7) is disposed on the trajectory of the control member (33) of an electric switch or commutator (32) in such a way that said portion commutates this latter from one of its positions to the other, depending on whether the front panel (7) is in the rest position or in the operative position.

14. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that said switch (32) allows the apparatus to operate only when the movable panel (7) is in the operative position.

15. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by a locking device which prevents the movable front panel (7) from returning to the rest position as long as the apparatus is operating.

16. A household apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, of the type provided with at least one door (3) with a handling grip member (4), characterized in that the handling grip (4) of the door (3) is a part of the members which terminate substantially in register with the front limit plane of the apparatus, and that it is made to be accessible by the recoil of the movable front panel (7) to its operative position.

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