EP0551234A1 - Appliance, such as an electrical domestic appliance, fitted with a door with horizontal swinging axle and a device counterbalancing the door weight intended for being fitted with a trimpanel - Google Patents

Appliance, such as an electrical domestic appliance, fitted with a door with horizontal swinging axle and a device counterbalancing the door weight intended for being fitted with a trimpanel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0551234A1
EP0551234A1 EP93400029A EP93400029A EP0551234A1 EP 0551234 A1 EP0551234 A1 EP 0551234A1 EP 93400029 A EP93400029 A EP 93400029A EP 93400029 A EP93400029 A EP 93400029A EP 0551234 A1 EP0551234 A1 EP 0551234A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
door
spring
balancing
panel
appliance
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93400029A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0551234B1 (en
Inventor
Rémy Caignard
Jack Tessier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Esswein SA
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Esswein SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Esswein SA filed Critical Esswein SA
Publication of EP0551234A1 publication Critical patent/EP0551234A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0551234B1 publication Critical patent/EP0551234B1/en
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/4251—Details of the casing
    • A47L15/4257—Details of the loading door
    • A47L15/4261—Connections of the door to the casing, e.g. door hinges
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C15/00—Details
    • F24C15/02—Doors specially adapted for stoves or ranges
    • F24C15/023—Mounting of doors, e.g. hinges, counterbalancing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/40—Motors; Magnets; Springs; Weights; Accessories therefor
    • E05Y2201/404—Function thereof
    • E05Y2201/416—Function thereof for counterbalancing
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/30—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for domestic appliances
    • E05Y2900/304—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for domestic appliances for dishwashers
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
    • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
    • E05Y2900/30—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for domestic appliances
    • E05Y2900/308—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for domestic appliances for ovens

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an appliance, whether or not a household appliance, equipped with an access door to the interior of the appliance, the hinge or pivot hinge of which is horizontal, that is to say of which the opening / closing direction is from top to bottom or, more rarely, from bottom to top.
  • the door of the device to be integrated is necessarily coated with a covering panel, which is made of wood, solid or not, or of another material, and the weight of which varies according to the nature of the material adopted for the covering as well as its thickness, for given overall dimensions; whereas, in cases 1) and 2), there is no requirement to dress the door.
  • a covering panel which is made of wood, solid or not, or of another material, and the weight of which varies according to the nature of the material adopted for the covering as well as its thickness, for given overall dimensions; whereas, in cases 1) and 2), there is no requirement to dress the door.
  • the solution adopted by the technicians in the matter for balancing the weight of the door of apparatuses of type 1) or 2), that is to say in free installation or built-in, is relatively simple, because the weight of the door is determined once and for all, due to the absence of dressing: in this case, a simple spring creating a return torque, relative to the pivot axis is sufficient, this spring being incorporated in the thickness of the door, which is produced in the form of a hollow panel, often metallic, and arranged at the two lateral ends of the door.
  • auxiliary return springs which, unlike the two springs main mentioned above, include a device for adjusting their tension to take account of the variable nature of the covering panel depending in particular on the nature of the material used for the panel and its thickness, with equal overall dimensions.
  • This adjustment device normally includes, at one of its ends, a screw (or threaded rod), which is accessible from the outside and the degree of penetration of which in a nut is adjustable, precisely by screwing, so as to vary the degree of tension of the corresponding auxiliary return spring, as a function of the effective weight of the dressed door.
  • This adjusting screw and the corresponding nut are arranged on the front face or on the top of the device and are covered by an appropriate cover making it possible to satisfy aesthetic requirements.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus equipped with a door with a horizontal pivot axis and with a device for balancing the weight of the door in a half-open position, in particular corresponding to a primer for opening the door, which meets the needs of the practice better than the apparatuses of the same type, and aiming at the same goal, previously known, in particular in that it makes it possible to modify a pose initially free or embedded in an integrated installation, or vice versa, either during the manufacturing or at the time of installation or at a later time of change of destination of the installation of the device, while allowing adaptation to the case of devices whose ribs are normally occupied by organs necessary for the operation of these devices.
  • the door is produced in the form of a hollow panel equipped with a removable access plate inside this panel, and in that the return and balancing spring of the door is arranged in the thickness of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door.
  • the device for balancing the weight of the door comprises two return and balancing springs arranged in the thickness of the hollow door panel, each at a lateral end thereof, so as to avoid the twisting of the door which would result from an asymmetrical location of the balancing device with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry of the door.
  • the means for fixing the second end of the spring (s) consists of a bar, which is arranged, -as this (these) spring (s) -, in the thickness of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, parallel to this panel, and which is mounted, by its ends, in the lateral faces of the box of the apparatus.
  • the fixing bar is mounted in the lateral faces of the free box to rotate under the action of the pivoting of the door around its axis, that is to say of the energizing of the return and balancing spring (s) to avoid any risk of the spring (s) coming loose and, above all, generating an annoying noise during the door opening / closing.
  • the spring the return and balancing spring of the door cooperates with at least one second spring, a first end of which is fixed to the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, whereas a second end is also fixed to the fixing bar of the second end of the first spring, the second spring being intended for balancing the weight of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, devoid of the panel full of cladding, while the first spring equipped with tension adjustment means is intended for balancing the additional weight of the covering panel.
  • the second spring and / or the first return and balancing spring are / is removable.
  • the means for adjusting the tension of the return spring (s) and adjustable balancing (s) comprises a threaded rod, a first end of this rod being fixed to a second end of this adjustable spring by means of a strap, while a second end of this threaded rod is intended to receive a nut for adjusting the tension of this (or these) adjustable spring (s) (s), after having passed a stop of this nut secured to the door.
  • the second the second end of the threaded rod and the nut for adjusting the tension of the adjustable spring (s) for return and balancing corresponding (s) are accessible outside on the front of the device, where they are covered by a cover.
  • the device 10 of the aforementioned variant for balancing the weight of the door 20 of an (electro) household appliance 100 such as an oven, a dishwasher or the like (of which only the portions useful for understanding of the present invention are shown), it comprises a first and a second main spring (not shown) intended to create, in a manner known to technicians in the field, a return torque of the door 20, relative to its axis of horizontal pivoting 21, when the door is ajar: in this case, each main spring (the ends of which are fixed to the axis of rotation and to the door) is dimensioned so as to balance the torque - in the opposite direction - than the weight of the door 20 without covering exerts around the axis 21 and which would tend to make this door fall heavily downwards, under the action of its own weight, with the risk of damage to the latter, if the main return springs were absent.
  • each main spring (the ends of which are fixed to the axis of rotation and to the door) is dimensioned so as to balance the torque - in the opposite
  • the balancing of the additional weight corresponding to the covering panel is ensured by the two auxiliary return springs 30, one end 32 of which is fixed to the axis of rotation 21, while the other end 31 is connecting, for each of them, to a device 50 for adjusting the degree of tension of the corresponding auxiliary return spring 30.
  • This device 50 comprises a threaded rod 52, one end 54 of which is fixed (by means of a part which will be described below) to the end 31 of the auxiliary spring 30, while the other end 56 of this rod 52 (accessible from outside the device 100, on the front face) is screwed into a nut 55, after having passed a stop 53 of this nut 55, which stop is integral with the door 20: the metering or adjustment of the screwing stroke of the rod 52 inside this nut 55 also makes it possible to balance the weight of the covering panel, which varies according to the nature of the material used for its manufacture, as well as the thickness adopted for the panel, for given dimensions of overall dimensions of the latter.
  • each auxiliary return spring 30 is arranged, at each lateral end of the door 20, so as to be contained in a plane parallel to the plane of the door. In practice, this is achieved by providing each auxiliary return spring 30 in the thickness of the hollow door panel (normally metallic: this door panel is of course, different from the trim panel itself) defining the actual door of the device.
  • This arrangement has the advantage of allowing the transformation, at any time, of a device previously laid freely or in a built-in manner into a fitting device which can be integrated by application to the door panel of a covering panel chosen according to the decor adopted for other integrable appliances and furniture, without having to dismantle the whole box (not shown), as it was necessary to do in the prior art, when the auxiliary return springs were arranged in a parallel plane ( see Figures 1 and 2) to the side panels 41 and 42 of the box.
  • the arrangement according to the present invention has the additional advantage of being able to be applied to devices, such as dishwashers, the sides of which are necessarily occupied by hydraulic organs (not shown) for adjusting the volume of dishwashing water.
  • Adjustment of the tension of each of the two auxiliary return springs 30 is facilitated by connecting the end 54 of the threaded rod 52, of the corresponding adjustment device 50, to the end 31 of the spring by means of a strap. 51 which is well suited to incorporating the device 50 into the door panel to be dressed.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b this can also be read in FIGS. 3a and 3b, provided that the balancing device 10 is considered to have only two adjustable springs 30 (in principle, only one spring is sufficient, but reasons for actuation symmetry lead to adopt two to avoid, in particular the twisting thereof under the action of a single spring arranged asymmetrically with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry of the door), that is to say, provided that the adjustable springs 30 illustrated in FIGS.
  • the latter is advantageously produced in the form of a hollow panel (not shown) equipped with a removable plate, in particular on the front face.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Closing And Opening Devices For Wings, And Checks For Wings (AREA)

Abstract

Appliance (100), such as an electrical domestic appliance, comprising: - on the front face, an access door (20) to the inside of the appliance (100), articulated about a horizontal axis (21) and having a case delimited vertically by a front face and two side faces; - a device (10) for counterbalancing the weight of the door (20) in at least one partly open position corresponding to an incipient opening of this door (20), the said device (10) comprising: * at least one spring (30), a first end of which is fastened to the door (20), whilst a second end is fastened to a fastening means (22) arranged in such a way that a straight line connecting the first and second ends of the spring (30) is offset relative to the axis of rotation (21) of the door (20), this offset being sufficient distance to make it possible, during the incipient opening of the door (20), for the spring (20) to generate a restoring moment which, in the opposite direction, counterbalances the moment of the weight of the door (20) in relation to its axis of rotation (21), so that the door (20) remains balanced in the abovementioned partly open position corresponding to the incipient opening of this door (20); * at least one means (50) for adjusting the tension of the restoring and balancing spring (30) of the door (20), which restoring and balancing spring (30) is arranged in the appliance (100) on the front face. The invention is used in the industry of domestic electrical appliances. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention est relative à un appareil, électromenager ou non, équipé d'une porte d'accès à l'intérieur de l'appareil, dont la charnière d'articulation ou de pivotement est horizontale, c'est-à-dire dont le sens d'ouverture/fermeture est du haut vers le bas ou, plus rarement, du bas vers le haut.The present invention relates to an appliance, whether or not a household appliance, equipped with an access door to the interior of the appliance, the hinge or pivot hinge of which is horizontal, that is to say of which the opening / closing direction is from top to bottom or, more rarely, from bottom to top.

Ci-après on fait plus particulièrement référence aux appareils électroménagers, qui se prêtent mieux à la compréhension du problème technique qui est à la base de la présente invention, ainsi que de la solution correspondante.Hereinafter, more particular reference is made to household appliances, which lend themselves better to understanding the technical problem which is the basis of the present invention, as well as the corresponding solution.

Pour ce genre d'appareils, il faut normalement prévoir, en fonction des besoins des clients, trois types différents de pose, c'est-à-dire :

  • 1) pose libre standard, par emplacement isolé ou par simple juxtaposition à d'autres appareils ménagers ou meubles ;
  • 2) pose encastrable, lorsqu'un logement (ou une niche) est prévu(e) pour de tels appareils dans un mur ou entre deux meubles, sans toutefois aucune exigence d'intégration esthétique dans un ensemble unitaire;
  • 3) pose intégrable, lorsque justement des exigences esthétiques existent en termes d'intégration de l'appareil avec un autre ou plusieurs autres appareils ou meubles, notamment pour réaliser des ensembles pour cuisines.
For this kind of device, it is normally necessary to plan, according to the needs of the customers, three different types of installation, that is to say:
  • 1) standard free installation, by isolated location or by simple juxtaposition to other household appliances or furniture;
  • 2) recessed installation, when a housing (or a niche) is provided for such devices in a wall or between two pieces of furniture, without however any requirement for aesthetic integration in a unitary assembly;
  • 3) integrated installation, when precisely aesthetic requirements exist in terms of integration of the appliance with another or several other appliances or furniture, in particular for producing sets for kitchens.

Or, dans le cas 3), la porte de l'appareil à intégrer est nécessairement revêtue d'un panneau d'habillage, qui est réalisé en bois, massif ou non, ou en une autre matière, et dont le poids varie en fonction de la nature de la matière adoptée pour l'habillage ainsi que de son épaisseur, pour des dimensions d'encombrement données ; alors que, dans le cas 1) et 2), aucune exigence d'habillage de la porte n'existe.However, in case 3), the door of the device to be integrated is necessarily coated with a covering panel, which is made of wood, solid or not, or of another material, and the weight of which varies according to the nature of the material adopted for the covering as well as its thickness, for given overall dimensions; whereas, in cases 1) and 2), there is no requirement to dress the door.

De toutes façons, dans chaque cas, il est nécessaire d'assurer l'équilibrage du poids de la porte pivotante, dans ce sens qu'il faut assurer, -en plus des deux positions stables classiques d'une porte, c'est-à-dire des positions ouverte et fermée (le maintien dans ces deux positions est assure par une butée, sur laquelle la porte prend appui sensiblement horizontalement et, respectivement, par friction dans le cadre d'emboîtement de la porte, où celle-ci occupe une position sensiblement verticale)-, également une troisième position stable, qui est très proche de la position fermée, mais légèrement écartée de la position verticale, pour éviter que, dans cette position entrouverte, elle ne tombe sous l'action du moment, dû à son propre poids, par rapport à l'axe horizontal de pivotement (notamment lorsque la porte n'a pas été bien fermée ou lors d'opérations d'inspection qui n'exigent pas son ouverture totale), et donc pour éliminer tout risque d'endommagement à la porte elle-même et/ou aux personnes.In any case, in each case, it is necessary to balance the weight of the pivoting door, in the sense that it is necessary to ensure, -in addition to the two conventional stable positions of a door, that is- i.e. open and closed positions (the maintenance in these two positions is ensured by a stop, on which the door is supported substantially horizontally and, respectively, by friction in the fitting frame of the door, where the latter occupies a substantially vertical position) -, also a third stable position, which is very close to the closed position, but slightly moved away from the vertical position, to prevent it from falling under the action of the moment, due to its own weight, relative to the horizontal pivot axis (especially when the door has not closed properly or during inspection operations which do not require it to be fully opened), and therefore to eliminate any risk of damage to the door itself and / or to people.

La solution adoptée par les techniciens en la matière pour l'équilibrage du poids de la porte d'appareils du type 1) ou 2), c'est-à-dire en pose libre ou encastrable, est relativement simple, parce que le poids de la porte est déterminé une fois pour toutes, en raison de l'absence d'habillage : dans ce cas, un simple ressort créant un couple de rappel, par rapport à l'axe de pivotement suffit, ce ressort étant incorpore dans l'épaisseur de la porte, qui est réalisée sous forme d'un panneau creux, souvent métallique, et agencé aux deux extrémités latérales de la porte.The solution adopted by the technicians in the matter for balancing the weight of the door of apparatuses of type 1) or 2), that is to say in free installation or built-in, is relatively simple, because the weight of the door is determined once and for all, due to the absence of dressing: in this case, a simple spring creating a return torque, relative to the pivot axis is sufficient, this spring being incorporated in the thickness of the door, which is produced in the form of a hollow panel, often metallic, and arranged at the two lateral ends of the door.

En ce qui concerne l'équilibrage du poids de la porte équipée d'un panneau d'habillage, celui-ci est effectué dans l'art antérieur à l'aide de deux autres ressorts de rappel auxiliaires qui, à la différence des deux ressort principaux évoqués plus haut, comportent un dispositif de réglage de leur tension pour tenir compte du caractère variable du panneau d'habillage en fonction notamment de la nature de la matière utilisée pour le panneau et de son épaisseur, à dimensions d'encombrement égales. Ce dispositif de réglage comprend, normalement, à une de ses extrémités, une vis (ou tige filetée), qui est accessible de l'extérieur et dont le degré de pénétration dans un écrou est réglable, justement par vissage, de manière à varier le degré de tension du ressort de rappel auxiliaire correspondant, et ce en fonction du poids effectif de la porte habillée.As regards the balancing of the weight of the door equipped with a covering panel, this is carried out in the prior art using two other auxiliary return springs which, unlike the two springs main mentioned above, include a device for adjusting their tension to take account of the variable nature of the covering panel depending in particular on the nature of the material used for the panel and its thickness, with equal overall dimensions. This adjustment device normally includes, at one of its ends, a screw (or threaded rod), which is accessible from the outside and the degree of penetration of which in a nut is adjustable, precisely by screwing, so as to vary the degree of tension of the corresponding auxiliary return spring, as a function of the effective weight of the dressed door.

Cette vis de réglage et l'écrou correspondant sont agencés sur la face avant ou sur le dessus de l'appareil et sont couverts par un cache approprie permettant de satisfaire aux exigences esthétiques.This adjusting screw and the corresponding nut are arranged on the front face or on the top of the device and are covered by an appropriate cover making it possible to satisfy aesthetic requirements.

Quant à l'emplacement des deux ressorts de rappel auxiliaires, -utilisés dans l'art antérieur pour obtenir le caractère intégrable d'un appareil donné, tel que défini plus haut-, il y a lieu de préciser que ces ressort sont agencés, chacun, dans un des deux cotes du caisson de l'appareil, c'est-à-dire dans un plan perpendiculaire au plan de la porte en position de fermeture, c'est-à-dire perpendiculaire à son axe de rotation (cf. les deux solutions connues de la Demanderesse, telles qu'illustrées schématiquement aux figures 1 et 2 annexées à cette description, lesquelles différent entre elles essentiellement pour l'emplacement du dispositif de réglagerespectivement en face avant ou sur le dessus de l'appareil- du ressort de rappel auxiliaire, qui est agencé dans le plan du dessin, justement perpendiculairement à l'axe de rotation de la porte, en biais ou à 90° par rapport à cet axe).As for the location of the two auxiliary return springs, used in the prior art to obtain the integrable character of a given device, as defined above, it should be noted that these springs are arranged, each , in one of the two dimensions of the box of the device, that is to say in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the door in the closed position, that is to say perpendicular to its axis of rotation (cf. the two solutions known to the Applicant, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 and 2 appended to this description, which differ essentially from one another for the location of the device for adjusting respectively on the front face or on the top of the spring apparatus auxiliary return, which is arranged in the plane of the drawing, precisely perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the door, at an angle or at 90 ° relative to this axis).

Toutefois, l'adoption d'un agencement des ressort de rappel auxiliaires dans les côtés du caisson d'un appareil du type précité présente des inconvénients, notamment en ce qui concerne:

  • 1) la nécessité de démonter le caisson d'un appareil prévu, au début, pour une pose libre ou encastrée, de manière à permettre l'incorporation, dans chacun de ses côtés, d'un ressort de rappel auxiliaire, lorsqu'il y a lieu d'adopter a posteriori, pour le même appareil, une pose de type intégrable, ce qui entraîne une perte de temps considérable et des coûts d'intervention de personnel spécialisé qui sont relativement élevés ;
  • 2) voire l'impossibilité d'adopter, en pratique, cet agencement dans le cas d'appareils dont les côtés abritent des organes néssaires à leur fonctionnement, tels que des organes hydrauliques connus des techniciens en la matière et destinés notamment au réglage du volume de l'eau de lavage dans des lave-vaisselle, ce qui requiert de remplacer l'appareil existant par un appareil intégrable, sans possibilité de récupération du premier appareil, étant donné que la transformation n'est pas possible dans ce cas.
However, the adoption of an arrangement of auxiliary return springs in the sides of the casing of a device of the aforementioned type has drawbacks, in particular as regards:
  • 1) the need to dismantle the casing of a device intended, at the beginning, for free or recessed installation, so as to allow the incorporation, in each of its sides, of an auxiliary return spring, when there takes place a posteriori, for the same device, an installation of an integrable type, which involves a considerable loss of time and intervention costs of specialized personnel which are relatively high;
  • 2) or even the impossibility of adopting, in practice, this arrangement in the case of devices whose sides house organs necessary for their operation, such as hydraulic organs known to technicians in the field and intended in particular for adjusting the volume washing water in dishwashers, which requires replacing the existing device with an integrable device, without the possibility of recovering the first device, since the transformation is not possible in this case.

La présente invention s'est donc donné pour but de pourvoir à un appareil équipé d'une porte à axe de pivotement horizontal ainsi que d'un dispositif d'équilibrage du poids de la porte en une position entrouverte, notamment correspondant à une amorce d'ouverture de la porte, qui répond aux nécessités de la pratique mieux que les appareils du même type, et visant au même but, antérieurement connus, notamment en ce qu'il permet de modifier une pose initialement libre ou encastrée en une pose intégrée, ou vice versa, et ce indifféremment lors de la fabrication ou au moment de la pose ou encore à un moment ultérieur de changement de destination de la pose de l'appareil, tout en permettant l'adaptation au cas d'appareils dont les côtes sont normalement occupés par des organes nécessaire au fonctionnement de ces appareils.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an apparatus equipped with a door with a horizontal pivot axis and with a device for balancing the weight of the door in a half-open position, in particular corresponding to a primer for opening the door, which meets the needs of the practice better than the apparatuses of the same type, and aiming at the same goal, previously known, in particular in that it makes it possible to modify a pose initially free or embedded in an integrated installation, or vice versa, either during the manufacturing or at the time of installation or at a later time of change of destination of the installation of the device, while allowing adaptation to the case of devices whose ribs are normally occupied by organs necessary for the operation of these devices.

La présente invention a pour objet un appareil (100), tel qu'un appareil électromenager, comportant:

  • une porte (20) d'accès à l'intérieur de l'appareil (100), articulée autour d'un axe horizontal (21), tel qu'un appareil électroménager, comportant:
  • en face avant, une porte (20) d'accès à l'intérieur de l'appareil (100), articulée autour d'un axe horizontal (21) et ayant un caisson délimité verticalement par une face avant et deux faces latérales ;
  • un dispositif (10) d'équilibrage du poids de la porte (20) dans au moins une position entrouverte correspondant à une amorce d'ouverture de cette porte (20), lequel dispositif (10) comprend :
    • * au moins un ressort (30), dont une première extrémité (31) est fixée à la porte (20), alors qu'une deuxième extrémité (32) est fixée à un moyen de fixation (22) agencé de manière telle qu'une droite reliant la première et la deuxième extrémités (31, 32) du ressort (30) soit décalée par rapport à l'axe de rotation (21) de la porte (20), et ce d'une distance suffisante pour permettre la création, par le ressort (30), lors de l'amorce d'ouverture de la porte (20), d'un moment de rappel faisant équilibre au moment, de sens inverse, du poids de la porte (20) par rapport à son axe de rotation (21), en sorte que la porte (20) reste en équilibre dans la position entrouverte précitée correspondant à l'amorce d'ouverture de cette porte (20) ;
    • * au moins un moyen de réglage (50) de la tension du ressort (30) de rappel et d'équilibrage de la porte (20) ,

   lequel ressort de rappel et d'équilibrage (30) est agencé dans l'appareil (100) en face avant.The subject of the present invention is an appliance (100), such as a household appliance, comprising:
  • a door (20) for access to the interior of the appliance (100), articulated around a horizontal axis (21), such as a household appliance, comprising:
  • on the front face, a door (20) for access to the interior of the apparatus (100), articulated around a horizontal axis (21) and having a box delimited vertically by a front face and two lateral faces;
  • a device (10) for balancing the weight of the door (20) in at least one half-open position corresponding to an opening primer for this door (20), which device (10) comprises:
    • * at least one spring (30), a first end (31) of which is fixed to the door (20), while a second end (32) is fixed to a fixing means (22) arranged in such a way that a straight line connecting the first and second ends (31, 32) of the spring (30) is offset from the axis of rotation (21) of the door (20), and this by a sufficient distance to allow creation , by the spring (30), during the opening initiation of the door (20), of a return moment equilibrating at the moment, in the opposite direction, of the weight of the door (20) with respect to its axis of rotation (21), so that the door (20) remains in equilibrium in the above-mentioned half-open position corresponding to the opening initiation of this door (20);
    • * at least one means for adjusting (50) the tension of the spring (30) for returning and balancing the door (20),

which return and balancing spring (30) is arranged in the device (100) on the front face.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation préféré de l'appareil conforme à l'invention , la porte est réalisée sous forme d'un panneau creux équipé d'une plaque amovible d'accès à l'intérieur de ce panneau, et en ce que le ressort de rappel et d'équilibrage de la porte est agencé dans l'épaisseur du panneau creux faisant porte précité.According to a first preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the door is produced in the form of a hollow panel equipped with a removable access plate inside this panel, and in that the return and balancing spring of the door is arranged in the thickness of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door.

Selon une disposition préférée de ce mode de réalisation, le dispositif d'équilibrage du poids de la porte comporte deux ressort de rappel et d'équilibrage agencés dans l'épaisseur du panneau de porte creux, chacun à une extrémité latérale de celui-ci, de manière à éviter le vrillage de la porte qui résulterait d'un emplacement dissymétrique du dispositif d'équilibrage par rapport à un plan vertical de symétrie de la porte.According to a preferred arrangement of this embodiment, the device for balancing the weight of the door comprises two return and balancing springs arranged in the thickness of the hollow door panel, each at a lateral end thereof, so as to avoid the twisting of the door which would result from an asymmetrical location of the balancing device with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry of the door.

Selon une deuxième disposition préférée conforme à l'invention, le moyen de fixation de la deuxième extrémité du(des) ressort(s) est constitué par une barre, qui est agencée, -comme ce(s) ressort(s)-, dans l'épaisseur du panneau creux faisant porte précité, parallèlement à ce panneau, et qui est montée, par ses extrémités, dans les faces latérales du caisson de l'appareil.According to a second preferred arrangement in accordance with the invention, the means for fixing the second end of the spring (s) consists of a bar, which is arranged, -as this (these) spring (s) -, in the thickness of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, parallel to this panel, and which is mounted, by its ends, in the lateral faces of the box of the apparatus.

Selon une modalité préférée d'exécution de cette deuxième disposition, la barre de fixation est montée dans les faces latérales du caisson libre de tourner sous l'action du pivotement de la porte autour de son axe, c'est-à-dire de la mise sous tension du (des) ressort(s) de rappel et d'équilibrage, et ce pour éviter tout risque de décrochage du(des) ressort(s) et, surtout, la génération d'un bruit gênant lors des opérations d'ouverture/fermeture de la porte.According to a preferred embodiment of this second arrangement, the fixing bar is mounted in the lateral faces of the free box to rotate under the action of the pivoting of the door around its axis, that is to say of the energizing of the return and balancing spring (s) to avoid any risk of the spring (s) coming loose and, above all, generating an annoying noise during the door opening / closing.

Conformément à l'invention, un panneau plein -notamment en bois, massif ou non, ou en une autre matière- et des moyens de fixation détachable de ce panneau plein permettant:

  • soit d'habiller le panneau creux faisant porte précité au moment de la fabrication de l'appareil ou à un moment ultérieur, notamment lors de la transformation de l'appareil, -préalablement posé librement ou de manière encastrée-, en un appareil à pose intégrée,
  • soit d'effectuer la transformation inverse de la transformation susdite, c'est-à-dire de la pose intégrée à une pose libre ou encastrée.
According to the invention, a solid panel - in particular made of wood, solid or not, or of another material - and detachable fixing means for this solid panel allowing:
  • either to dress the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door at the time of the manufacture of the apparatus or at a later time, in particular during the transformation of the apparatus, - previously laid freely or in a recessed manner, into a laying apparatus integrated,
  • or to perform the reverse transformation of the aforementioned transformation, that is to say of the installation integrated into a free or embedded installation.

Selon une variante avantageuse du premier mode de réalisation de l'invention précité, le ressort le ressort de rappel et d'équilibrage de la porte coopère avec au moins un deuxième ressort dont une première extrémité est fixée au panneau creux faisant porte précité, alors qu'une deuxième extrémité est également fixée à la barre de fixation de la deuxième extrémité du premier ressort, le deuxième ressort étant destiné à l'équilibrage du poids du panneau creux faisant porte précité, dépourvu du panneau plein d'habillage, alors que le premier ressort équipé du moyen de réglage de la tension est destine à l'équilibrage du poids additionnel du panneau d'habillage.According to an advantageous variant of the first embodiment of the aforementioned invention, the spring the return and balancing spring of the door cooperates with at least one second spring, a first end of which is fixed to the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, whereas a second end is also fixed to the fixing bar of the second end of the first spring, the second spring being intended for balancing the weight of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, devoid of the panel full of cladding, while the first spring equipped with tension adjustment means is intended for balancing the additional weight of the covering panel.

Selon une disposition préférée de cette variante, le deuxième ressort et/ou le premier ressort de rappel et d'équilibrage sont/est amovible(s).According to a preferred arrangement of this variant, the second spring and / or the first return and balancing spring are / is removable.

Selon encore une autre disposition préférée conforme à l'invention, le moyen de réglage de la tension du (ou des ) ressort(s) de rappel et d'équilibrage réglable(s) comporte une tige filetée, une première extrémité de cette tige étant fixée à une deuxième extrémité de ce ressort réglable par l'intermédiaire d'un feuillard, alors qu'une deuxième extrémité de cette tige filetée est destinée à recevoir un écrou de réglage de la tension de ce (ou ces) ressort(s) réglable(s), après avoir traversé une butée de cet écrou solidaire de la porte.According to yet another preferred arrangement in accordance with the invention, the means for adjusting the tension of the return spring (s) and adjustable balancing (s) comprises a threaded rod, a first end of this rod being fixed to a second end of this adjustable spring by means of a strap, while a second end of this threaded rod is intended to receive a nut for adjusting the tension of this (or these) adjustable spring (s) (s), after having passed a stop of this nut secured to the door.

Selon une modalité avantageuse de cette dernière disposition, la deuxième la deuxième extrémité de la tige filetée et l'écrou de réglage de la tension du (ou des) ressort(s) réglable(s) de rappel et d'équilibrage correspondant(s) sont accessibles à l'extérieur en face avant de l'appareil, où ils sont couverts par un cache.According to an advantageous modality of this last arrangement, the second the second end of the threaded rod and the nut for adjusting the tension of the adjustable spring (s) for return and balancing corresponding (s) are accessible outside on the front of the device, where they are covered by a cover.

La présente invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide du complément de description ayant trait aux dessins annexes, qui sont donnes uniquement à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et dans lesquels les mêmes références numériques désignent les mêmes éléments ou des éléments du même type, c'est-à-dire ayant les mêmes fonctions, ces dessins comprenant :

  • la figure 1, qui est une vue latérale schématique d'une porte de lave-vaisselle destinée à être revêtue d'un panneau d'habillage et équipée d'un dispositif connu d'équilibrage du poids de la porte (habillée ou à habiller), dont uniquement un ressort de rappel auxiliaire est représenté, c'est-à-dire que le deuxième ressort auxiliaire et les deux ressort principaux n'ont pas été illustrés pour des raisons de simplification des dessins, le moyen de réglage de la tension de chaque ressort auxiliaire étant accessible en face avant ; et
  • la figure 2, qui correspond à une autre solution connue (illustrée suivant le même critère de simplification adopte pour la figure 1), dans laquelle le moyen de réglage de la tension du ressort auxiliaire est accessible sur le dessus de l'appareil, cette figure ayant déjà fait l'objet d'une description conjointement avec la figure 1 ;
  • les figures 3a et 3b, qui illustrent schématiquement, en perspective, la solution adoptée dans le cadre de la présente invention pour l'agencement du dispositif d'équilibrage de la porte, dont uniquement des portions sont représentées et qui est illustrée en position de fermeture (verticale)et en position d'ouverture horizontale), respectivement.
The present invention will be better understood using the additional description relating to the accompanying drawings, which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples and in which the same reference numerals designate the same elements or elements of the same type, c that is to say having the same functions, these drawings comprising:
  • Figure 1, which is a schematic side view of a dishwasher door intended to be coated with a trim panel and equipped with a device known balancing weight of the door (dressed or dressed), of which only an auxiliary return spring is shown, that is to say that the second auxiliary spring and the two main springs have not been illustrated for for reasons of simplification of the drawings, the means for adjusting the tension of each auxiliary spring being accessible on the front face; and
  • Figure 2, which corresponds to another known solution (illustrated according to the same simplification criterion adopted for Figure 1), in which the means for adjusting the tension of the auxiliary spring is accessible on the top of the device, this figure having already been the subject of a description in conjunction with FIG. 1;
  • Figures 3a and 3b, which schematically illustrate, in perspective, the solution adopted in the context of the present invention for the arrangement of the door balancing device, of which only portions are shown and which is illustrated in the closed position (vertical) and in horizontal open position), respectively.

Ci-après on décrit, d'abord, la variante du mode de réalisation préfére de la présente invention, dont la description et compréhension seront facilitées, parce que cette variante, -contrairement au mode de réalisation préferé susdit-, est basée sur la solution de l'art antérieur qui utilise deux ressorts (dits ressort principaux) pour l'équilibrage du poids de la porte sans panneau d'habillage et deux ressort réglables, dits ressorts auxiliaires, qui sont destines à équilibrer le poids supplémentaire du panneau d'habillage de la porte et qui sont disposés dans l'appareil en vue de l'agencement de type intégré de ce dernier.Hereinafter, we describe, first, the variant of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the description and understanding of which will be facilitated, because this variant, unlike the aforementioned preferred embodiment, is based on the solution of the prior art which uses two springs (called main springs) for balancing the weight of the door without covering panel and two adjustable springs, called auxiliary springs, which are intended to balance the additional weight of the covering panel of the door and which are arranged in the device for the integrated type arrangement of the latter.

En ce qui concerne le dispositif 10 de la variante précitée d'équilibrage du poids de la porte 20 d'un appareil (électro)ménager 100, tel qu'un four, un lave-vaisselle ou autre (dont uniquement les portions utiles à la compréhension de la présente invention sont représentées), il comporte un premier et un deuxième ressort principaux (non représentés) destines à créer, de façon connue des techniciens en la matière, un couple de rappel de la porte 20, par rapport à son axe de pivotement horizontal 21, lorsque la porte est entrouverte: dans ce cas, chaque ressort principal (dont les extrémités sont fixées à l'axe de rotation et à la porte) est dimensionné de manière à équilibrer le couple -de sens contraire- que le poids de la porte 20 sans habillage exerce autour de l'axe 21 et qui tendrait à faire tomber cette porte lourdement vers le bas, sous l'action de son propre poids, avec risque d'endommagement de celle-ci, si les ressorts de rappel principaux étaient absents. la position entre-ouverte d'une porte à pivotement autour d'un axe horizontal correspond, normalement, à une fermeture incomplète par inadvertance ou à une amorce de fermeture visant à inspecter les objets se trouvant à l'intérieur de l'appareil, sans toutefois l'ouvrir complètement : or, il est bien évident que, dans de telles circonstances, il faut absolument éviter que la porte soit endommagée et l'appareil inutilisable, ce problème étant résolu par les deux ressort principaux précités.As regards the device 10 of the aforementioned variant for balancing the weight of the door 20 of an (electro) household appliance 100, such as an oven, a dishwasher or the like (of which only the portions useful for understanding of the present invention are shown), it comprises a first and a second main spring (not shown) intended to create, in a manner known to technicians in the field, a return torque of the door 20, relative to its axis of horizontal pivoting 21, when the door is ajar: in this case, each main spring (the ends of which are fixed to the axis of rotation and to the door) is dimensioned so as to balance the torque - in the opposite direction - than the weight of the door 20 without covering exerts around the axis 21 and which would tend to make this door fall heavily downwards, under the action of its own weight, with the risk of damage to the latter, if the main return springs were absent. the half-open position of a door pivoting about a horizontal axis normally corresponds to an inadvertent incomplete closing or to a closing initiation aimed at inspecting objects inside the appliance, without However, open it completely: however, it is quite obvious that, under such circumstances, it is absolutely necessary to avoid that the door is damaged and the appliance unusable, this problem being solved by the two main springs mentioned above.

Toutefois, lorsque la porte 20 est destinée à être équipée d'un panneau d'habillage (non représenté), pour réaliser la pose dite intégrable de l'appareil correspondant 100 (le caractère intégrable de la pose pouvant être souhaite aussi en dehors de la fabrication, c'est-à-dire à un moment ultérieur, en convertissant en pose intégrable une pose préalablement libre ou encastrée), l'équilibrage du poids supplémentaire correspondant au panneau d'habillage est assuré par les deux ressorts de rappel auxiliaires 30, dont une extrémité 32 est fixée à l'axe de rotation 21, alors que l'autre extrémité 31 est reliant, pour chacun d'eux, à un dispositif 50 de réglage du degré de tension du ressort de rappel auxiliaire correspondant 30.However, when the door 20 is intended to be equipped with a covering panel (not shown), in order to carry out the so-called integrable installation of the corresponding device 100 (the integratable nature of the installation can also be desired outside the manufacturing, that is to say at a later time, by converting a previously free or recessed pose into an integrable pose), the balancing of the additional weight corresponding to the covering panel is ensured by the two auxiliary return springs 30, one end 32 of which is fixed to the axis of rotation 21, while the other end 31 is connecting, for each of them, to a device 50 for adjusting the degree of tension of the corresponding auxiliary return spring 30.

Ce dispositif 50 comporte une tige filetée 52, dont une extrémité 54 est fixée (par l'intermédiaire d'une pièce qui sera décrite par la suite) à l'extrémité 31 du ressort auxiliaire 30, alors que l'autre extrémité 56 de cette tige 52 (accessible de l'extérieur de l'appareil 100, en face avant) se visse dans un écrou 55, après avoir traversé une butée 53 de cet écrou 55, laquelle butée est solidaire de la porte 20 : le dosage ou réglage de la course de vissage de la tige 52 à l'intérieur de cet écrou 55 permet d'équilibrer également le poids du panneau d'habillage, qui varie en fonction de la nature de la matière employée pour sa fabrication, ainsi que de l'épaisseur adoptée pour le panneau, pour des dimensions données d'encombrement de ce dernier.This device 50 comprises a threaded rod 52, one end 54 of which is fixed (by means of a part which will be described below) to the end 31 of the auxiliary spring 30, while the other end 56 of this rod 52 (accessible from outside the device 100, on the front face) is screwed into a nut 55, after having passed a stop 53 of this nut 55, which stop is integral with the door 20: the metering or adjustment of the screwing stroke of the rod 52 inside this nut 55 also makes it possible to balance the weight of the covering panel, which varies according to the nature of the material used for its manufacture, as well as the thickness adopted for the panel, for given dimensions of overall dimensions of the latter.

Or, conformément à l'invention, chaque ressort de rappel auxiliaire 30 est agencé, à chaque extrémité latérale de la porte 20, de manière à être contenu dans un plan parallèle au plan de la porte. En pratique, ceci est obtenu en ménageant chaque ressort de rappel auxiliaire 30 dans l'épaisseur du panneau de porte creux (normalement métallique : ce panneau de porte est bien entendu, différent du panneau d'habillage proprement dit) définissant la porte proprement dite de l'appareil.However, in accordance with the invention, each auxiliary return spring 30 is arranged, at each lateral end of the door 20, so as to be contained in a plane parallel to the plane of the door. In practice, this is achieved by providing each auxiliary return spring 30 in the thickness of the hollow door panel (normally metallic: this door panel is of course, different from the trim panel itself) defining the actual door of the device.

Cet agencement présente l'avantage de permettre la transformation, à tout moment, d'un appareil préalablement pose librement ou de manière encastrée en un appareil à pose intégrable par application sur le panneau de porte d'un panneau d'habillage choisi en fonction du décor adopte pour les autres appareils et meubles intégrables, et ce sans devoir démonter l'ensemble du caisson (non représenté), comme il était nécessaire de faire dans l'art antérieur, lorsque les ressort de rappel auxiliaires étaient agencés dans un plan parallèle (cf. les figures 1 et 2) aux panneaux latéraux 41 et 42 du caisson.This arrangement has the advantage of allowing the transformation, at any time, of a device previously laid freely or in a built-in manner into a fitting device which can be integrated by application to the door panel of a covering panel chosen according to the decor adopted for other integrable appliances and furniture, without having to dismantle the whole box (not shown), as it was necessary to do in the prior art, when the auxiliary return springs were arranged in a parallel plane ( see Figures 1 and 2) to the side panels 41 and 42 of the box.

En outre, l'agencement conforme à la présente invention comporte l'avantage additionnel de pouvoir être appliqué à des appareils , tels que des lave-vaisselle, dont les côtés sont occupés nécessairement par des organeshydrauliques (non représentés) de réglage du volume d'eau de lavage de la vaisselle.In addition, the arrangement according to the present invention has the additional advantage of being able to be applied to devices, such as dishwashers, the sides of which are necessarily occupied by hydraulic organs (not shown) for adjusting the volume of dishwashing water.

Le réglage de la tension de chacun des deux ressort de rappel auxiliaires 30 est facilité en reliant l'extrémité 54 de la tige filetée 52, du dispositif de réglage correspondant 50, à l'extrémité 31 du ressort par l'intermédiaire d'un feuillard 51 qui est bien adapté à l'incorporation du dispositif 50 dans le panneau de porte à habiller.Adjustment of the tension of each of the two auxiliary return springs 30 is facilitated by connecting the end 54 of the threaded rod 52, of the corresponding adjustment device 50, to the end 31 of the spring by means of a strap. 51 which is well suited to incorporating the device 50 into the door panel to be dressed.

En ce qui concerne le mode de réalisation préféré évoqué plus haut, celui-ci peut se lire également sur les figures 3a et 3b, à condition de considérer le dispositif d'équilibrage 10 comme comportant uniquement deux ressorts réglables 30 (en principe, un seul ressort suffit, mais des raisons de symétrie d'actionnement portent à en adopter deux pour éviter, notamment le vrillage de celle-ci sous l'action d'un seul ressort disposé dissymétriquement par rapport à un plan vertical de symétrie de la porte), c'est-à-dire à condition de considérer les ressorts réglables 30 illustrés aux figures 3a et 3b non pas comme étant destinés à équilibrer uniquement le poids du panneau d'habillage, (comme le feraient les ressorts réglables 30, dans le cadre de la variante de réalisation précitée, dans laquelle l'équilibrage de la porte sans habillage se fait à l'aide de deux autres ressorts -dits ressort principaux, qui n'ont pas été représentés justement pour permettre la double lecture des figures 3a et 3b en relation avec le mode de réalisation préfére susdit et de sa variante ou les ressort 30a et 30b des solutions de l'art antérieur illustres aux figures 1 et 2, respectivement-), mais également le poids de la porte proprement dite sans panneau d'habillage.As regards the preferred embodiment mentioned above, this can also be read in FIGS. 3a and 3b, provided that the balancing device 10 is considered to have only two adjustable springs 30 (in principle, only one spring is sufficient, but reasons for actuation symmetry lead to adopt two to avoid, in particular the twisting thereof under the action of a single spring arranged asymmetrically with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry of the door), that is to say, provided that the adjustable springs 30 illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b are not considered as being intended only to balance the weight of the trim panel, (as the adjustable springs 30 would do, in the context of the aforementioned variant embodiment, in which the balancing of the door without covering is done using two other said springs main springs, which have not been shown precisely to allow the double reading of FIGS. 3a and 3b in relation to the above-mentioned preferred embodiment and its variant or the springs 30a and 30b of the solutions of the prior art illustrated in the figures 1 and 2, respectively-), but also the weight of the door itself without paneling.

Bien entendu, pour permettre l'emplacement des deux ressorts réglables dans l'épaisseur de la porte, celle-ci est avantageusement réalisée sous forme d'un panneau creux (non représenté) équipé d'une plaque amovible, notamment en face avant.Of course, to allow the location of the two adjustable springs in the thickness of the door, the latter is advantageously produced in the form of a hollow panel (not shown) equipped with a removable plate, in particular on the front face.

Au demeurant, pour permettre -conformément au but de l'invention- d'effectuer à tout moment et dans n'importe quel sens la transformation de la pose de l'appareil, c'est-à-dire en passant de la pose libre ou encastre à la pose intégrée, ou vice versa, il est avantageux de prévoir le caractère amovible du montage également pour les ressorts réglables (ainsi que des ressorts non réglables, lorsque ceux-ci existent).Incidentally, to allow - in accordance with the aim of the invention - to carry out at any time and in any direction the transformation of the pose of the apparatus, that is to say by passing from the free pose or recessed in the integrated installation, or vice versa, it is advantageous to provide the removable nature of the assembly also for the adjustable springs (as well as non-adjustable springs, where these exist).

Claims (10)

Appareil (100), tel qu'un appareil électroménager, comportant: - en face avant, une porte (20) d'accès à l'intérieur de l'appareil (100), articulée autour d'un axe horizontal (21) et ayant un caisson délimité verticalement par une face avant et deux faces latérales ; - un dispositif (10) d'équilibrage du poids de la porte (20) dans au moins une position entrouverte correspondant à une amorce d'ouverture de cette porte (20), lequel dispositif (10) comprend : * au moins un ressort (30), dont une première extrémité (31) est fixée à la porte (20), alors qu'une deuxième extrémité (32) est fixée à un moyen de fixation (22) agencé de manière telle qu'une droite reliant la première et la deuxième extrémités (31, 32) du ressort (30) soit décalée par rapport à l'axe de rotation (21) de la porte (20), et ce d'une distance suffisante pour permettre la création, par le ressort (30), lors de l'amorce d'ouverture de la porte (20), d'un moment de rappel faisant équilibre au moment, de sens inverse, du poids de la porte (20) par rapport à son axe de rotation (21), en sorte que la porte (20) reste en équilibre dans la position entrouverte précitée correspondant à l'amorce d'ouverture de cette porte (20) ; * au moins un moyen de réglage (50) de la tension du ressort (30) de rappel et d'équilibrage de la porte (20) ,    lequel ressort de rappel et d'équilibrage (30) est agencé dans l'appareil (100) en face avant.Apparatus (100), such as a household appliance, comprising: - On the front face, a door (20) for access to the interior of the device (100), articulated around a horizontal axis (21) and having a box delimited vertically by a front face and two lateral faces; a device (10) for balancing the weight of the door (20) in at least one half-open position corresponding to a primer for opening this door (20), which device (10) comprises: * at least one spring (30), a first end (31) of which is fixed to the door (20), while a second end (32) is fixed to a fixing means (22) arranged in such a way that a straight line connecting the first and second ends (31, 32) of the spring (30) is offset from the axis of rotation (21) of the door (20), and this by a sufficient distance to allow creation , by the spring (30), during the opening initiation of the door (20), of a return moment equilibrating at the moment, in the opposite direction, of the weight of the door (20) with respect to its axis of rotation (21), so that the door (20) remains in equilibrium in the above-mentioned half-open position corresponding to the opening initiation of this door (20); * at least one means for adjusting (50) the tension of the spring (30) for returning and balancing the door (20), which return and balancing spring (30) is arranged in the device (100) on the front face. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la porte (20) est réalisée sous forme d'un panneau creux équipé d'une plaque amovible d'accès à l'intérieur de ce panneau, et en ce que le ressort (30) de rappel et d'équilibrage de la porte (20) est agencé dans l'épaisseur du panneau creux faisant porte précité.Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the door (20) is produced in the form of a hollow panel equipped with a removable access plate inside this panel, and in that the spring (30) return and balancing of the door (20) is arranged in the thickness of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door. Appareil selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif (10) d'équilibrage du poids de la porte (20) comporte deux ressort de rappel et d'équilibrage (30) agencés dans l'épaisseur du panneau de porte creux, chacun à une extrémité latérale de celui-ci, de manière à éviter le vrillage de la porte (20).Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the device (10) for balancing the weight of the door (20) comprises two return and balancing springs (30) arranged in the thickness of the hollow door panel, each at a lateral end thereof, so as to avoid kinking of the door (20). Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de fixation de la deuxième extrémité du (des) ressort(s) (30) est constitué par une barre (22), qui est agencée, -comme ce(s) ressort(s) (30)-, dans l'épaisseur du panneau creux faisant porte précité, parallèlement à ce panneau, et qui est montée, par ses extrémités, dans les faces latérales du caisson de l'appareil (100).Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the means for fixing the second end of the spring (s) (30) consists of a bar (22), which is arranged, -as this (s) spring (s) (30) -, in the thickness of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, parallel to this panel, and which is mounted, by its ends, in the lateral faces of the casing of the appliance (100 ). Appareil selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la barre de fixation (22) est montée dans les faces latérales du caisson libre de tourner sous l'action du pivotement de la porte (20) autour de son axe (21), c'est-à-dire de la mise sous tension du (des) ressort(s) de rappel et d'équilibrage (30).Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing bar (22) is mounted in the lateral faces of the box free to rotate under the action of the pivoting of the door (20) around its axis (21), c ' that is to say of the tensioning of the return and balancing spring (s) (30). Appareil selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un panneau plein -notamment en bois, massif ou non, ou en une autre matière- et des moyens de fixation détachable de ce panneau plein permettant : - soit d'habiller le panneau creux faisant porte précité au moment de la fabrication de l'appareil (100) ou à un moment ultérieur, notamment lors de la transformation de l'appareil (100), -préalablement posé librement ou de manière encastrée-, en un appareil à pose intégrée, - soit d'effectuer la transformation inverse de la transformation susdite, c'est-à-dire de la pose intégrée à une pose libre ou encastrée. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a solid panel - in particular of wood, solid or not, or of another material - and detachable fixing means of this solid panel allowing: - Or to dress the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door at the time of manufacture of the device (100) or at a later time, in particular during the transformation of the device (100), - previously placed freely or in a recessed manner - in an appliance with integrated installation, - Or to carry out the reverse transformation of the aforementioned transformation, that is to say of the installation integrated into a free or embedded installation. Appareil selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que le ressort (30) de rappel et d'équilibrage de la porte (20) coopère avec au moins un deuxième ressort dont une première extrémité est fixée au panneau creux faisant porte précité, alors qu'une deuxième extrémité est également fixée à la barre de fixation (22) de la deuxième extrémité du premier ressort (30), le deuxième ressort étant destiné à l'équilibrage du poids du panneau creux faisant porte précité, dépourvu du panneau plein d'habillage, alors que le premier ressort (30) équipé du moyen de réglage (50) de la tension est destiné à l'équilibrage du poids additionnel du panneau d'habillage.Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the spring (30) for returning and balancing the door (20) cooperates with at least one second spring, a first end of which is fixed to the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, whereas a second end is also fixed to the fixing bar (22) of the second end of the first spring (30), the second spring being intended for balancing the weight of the hollow panel forming the aforementioned door, devoid of the panel full of covering , while the first spring (30) equipped with the tension adjusting means (50) is intended for balancing the additional weight of the covering panel. Appareil selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le deuxième ressort et/ou le premier ressort (30) de rappel et d'équilibrage sont/est amovible(s).Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the second spring and / or the first return and balancing spring (30) are / is removable. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 ou 7 à 8, caractérisé en ce le moyen de réglage (50) de la tension du (ou des ) ressort(s) de rappel et d'équilibrage réglable(s) (30) comporte une tige filetée (52), une première extrémité (54) de cette tige (52) étant fixée à une deuxième extrémité de ce ressort réglable par l'intermédiaire d'un feuillard (51), alors qu'une deuxième extrémité (56) de cette tige filetée (52) est destinée à recevoir un écrou (55) de réglage de la tension de ce (ou ces) ressort(s) réglable(s) (30), après avoir traversé une butée (53) de cet écrou (55) solidaire de la porte (20).Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 8, characterized in that the means for adjusting (50) the tension of the spring (s) return and adjustable balance (s) (30 ) has a threaded rod (52), a first end (54) of this rod (52) being fixed to a second end of this adjustable spring by means of a strip (51), while a second end (56) of this threaded rod (52) is intended receiving a nut (55) for adjusting the tension of this (or these) adjustable spring (s) (30), after passing through a stop (53) of this nut (55) secured to the door (20 ). Appareil selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que la deuxième extrémité (56) de la tige filetée (52) et l'écrou (55) de réglage de la tension du (ou des) ressort(s) réglable(s) de rappel et d'équilibrage correspondant(s) (30) sont accessibles à l'extérieur en face avant de l'appareil (100), où ils sont couvert par un cache.Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the second end (56) of the threaded rod (52) and the nut (55) for adjusting the tension of the adjustable return spring (s) and corresponding balancing (s) (30) are accessible outside on the front of the device (100), where they are covered by a cover.
EP19930400029 1992-01-10 1993-01-08 Appliance, such as an electrical domestic appliance, fitted with a door with horizontal swinging axle and a device counterbalancing the door weight intended for being fitted with a trimpanel Expired - Lifetime EP0551234B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9200208A FR2686120B1 (en) 1992-01-10 1992-01-10 APPARATUS, SUCH AS A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE, EQUIPPED WITH A DOOR HORIZONTAL SWIVELING AXIS AND A DEVICE FOR BALANCING THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR INTENDED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH A TRIM PANEL.
FR9200208 1992-01-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0551234A1 true EP0551234A1 (en) 1993-07-14
EP0551234B1 EP0551234B1 (en) 1997-09-17

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Family Applications (1)

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EP19930400029 Expired - Lifetime EP0551234B1 (en) 1992-01-10 1993-01-08 Appliance, such as an electrical domestic appliance, fitted with a door with horizontal swinging axle and a device counterbalancing the door weight intended for being fitted with a trimpanel

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0551234B1 (en)
DE (1) DE69313879T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2106295T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2686120B1 (en)

Cited By (5)

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EP0692598A1 (en) * 1994-07-15 1996-01-17 C.M.I. S.r.l. Adjustable system for counterbalancing hingers with horizontal articulation axis for household electric appliances
EP0858767A1 (en) * 1997-02-17 1998-08-19 Nuova Star S.r.l. Device for hinging a door, in particular a dishwasher door, to a fixed structure
US20110316401A1 (en) * 2010-05-25 2011-12-29 Mansfield Assemblies Co., Front Frame Hinge For Appliance Door
WO2014001164A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-03 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Domestic appliance having a locking arrangement and a door‑weight‑compensation system
US20140290003A1 (en) * 2013-01-31 2014-10-02 G.S. Blodgett Corp. Hinge mechanism for pivotable door

Families Citing this family (3)

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FR2728932B1 (en) * 1994-12-28 1997-01-31 Esswein Sa APPARATUS, SUCH AS A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE, EQUIPPED WITH A DOOR HORIZONTAL PIVOTING AXIS AND A DEVICE FOR BALANCING THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR
DE29813452U1 (en) 1998-07-28 1998-11-05 Arturo Salice S.P.A., Novedrate, Como Actuating device for a closure element which can be displaced in the vertical direction
HU219724B (en) 1998-07-28 2001-07-30 Arturo Salice S.P.A. An actuating device for a closing element movable in a vertical direction

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0692598A1 (en) * 1994-07-15 1996-01-17 C.M.I. S.r.l. Adjustable system for counterbalancing hingers with horizontal articulation axis for household electric appliances
EP0858767A1 (en) * 1997-02-17 1998-08-19 Nuova Star S.r.l. Device for hinging a door, in particular a dishwasher door, to a fixed structure
US20110316401A1 (en) * 2010-05-25 2011-12-29 Mansfield Assemblies Co., Front Frame Hinge For Appliance Door
WO2014001164A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-03 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Domestic appliance having a locking arrangement and a door‑weight‑compensation system
CN104394750A (en) * 2012-06-29 2015-03-04 Bsh博世和西门子家用电器有限公司 Domestic appliance having a locking arrangement and a door-weight-compensation system
US20140290003A1 (en) * 2013-01-31 2014-10-02 G.S. Blodgett Corp. Hinge mechanism for pivotable door

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69313879D1 (en) 1997-10-23
DE69313879T2 (en) 1998-01-22
ES2106295T3 (en) 1997-11-01
FR2686120A1 (en) 1993-07-16
EP0551234B1 (en) 1997-09-17
FR2686120B1 (en) 1995-10-06

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