EP0857454B1 - Device for the selection of washing programs in washing machines - Google Patents

Device for the selection of washing programs in washing machines Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0857454B1
EP0857454B1 EP98200001A EP98200001A EP0857454B1 EP 0857454 B1 EP0857454 B1 EP 0857454B1 EP 98200001 A EP98200001 A EP 98200001A EP 98200001 A EP98200001 A EP 98200001A EP 0857454 B1 EP0857454 B1 EP 0857454B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
knob
door
washing
operating position
external body
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98200001A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0857454A1 (en
Inventor
Silvano Fumagalli
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.)
Candy SpA
Original Assignee
Candy SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Candy SpA filed Critical Candy SpA
Publication of EP0857454A1 publication Critical patent/EP0857454A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0857454B1 publication Critical patent/EP0857454B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • 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
    • A47L15/4293—Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a device for the selection of washing programs for washing machines, in particular, though not exclusively, dishwashers of the integrally built-in type.
  • a frontal covering generally consisting of a full height covering panel on the access door of the washing tank, which has aesthetic features that are homogeneous with the rest of the kitchen furniture.
  • control panel which typically comprises a device for the selection of the operating program, and a number of other switches, among which a master switch to start the machine
  • the selection of the washing programs is accomplished by means of a knurled dial with axis orthogonal to the door front face, mortised on the driving shaft of a conventional electromechanical timer, that is also oriented in such a way as to have the driving shaft perpendicular to the door front face.
  • a window in the upper edge of the door allows to reach by hand the cylindrical outer surface of the dial, which bears numerical or symbolic references enabling to visualise the selection being made.
  • US 3,064,662 discloses a device for selection of washing programs for a washing appliance with a turning knob.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide for a device for the selection of washing programs for an integrally built-in washing appliance, in particular for an integrally built-in dishwasher, that solves the problem encountered with the known devices, and in particular the problem dealing with housing the programmer inside the door.
  • a device for the selection of washing programs for a washing appliance comprising an access door to a washing tank that is hinged at its lower edge to a frame of said washing appliance, comprising a turning knob provided on the door and coupled to a driving shaft of a rotary selector operatively connected to a programmer mounted within said frame, the rotation of the knob allowing to set the rotary selector, characterized in that said turning knob is arranged on an upper wall of the door and has a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to said upper wall, a seating being provided in the upper wall of the door to house entirely said knob when the door is closed.
  • Figure 1 shows in a schematic axonometric view a dishwasher of the so-called integrally built-in type.
  • the dishwasher comprises a frame 1 to be embedded in a specifically designed space in a kitchen furniture. Inside frame 1 a washing tank 2 is housed. Frame 1 and washing tank 2 have a front opening acceding to the same washing tank. Said front opening is closed by means of a door 3 hinged to the frame 1 in correspondence of its lower edge 4. The door 3 is frontally coated with a full height covering panel 5. Above the frame 1 lays a worktop 6 belonging to the kitchen furniture. The worktop 6 abuts frontally with respect to the frame 1, in such a way that when the door 3 is close, its upper edge 7 remains totally covered by the worktop 6.
  • a control panel which comprises a device for the selection of the washing programs 8 of the dishwasher, comprising a retractable knob 9, that will be described in greater details later.
  • the device for the selection of washing programs 8 controls a programmer 12 that, unlike what is done conventionally, is not located within the door 3, but in a more spacious zone of the dishwasher, as for example inside the frame 1 under the washing tank 2; obviously other positions are also possible.
  • the device for the selection of washing programs 8 is operatively connected to a programmer 12, in such a manner that the selection of the program made by means of the device for selection 8 is communicated to the programmer 12 which governs the operation of the dishwasher.
  • a master switch 100 is also located, in a known manner, which controls the start and switch off of the dishwasher.
  • FIG. 1 another switch, provided for safety, is schematically shown comprising a micro-switch 10 placed on a frontal upper edge of the frame 1 and an actuator pin 11 placed on an internal wall of the door 3 in correspondence of the upper edge 7.
  • the micro-switch 10 and the actuator pin 11 are kept at a distance and the dishwasher cannot operate, even if the master switch 100 is in an on position.
  • the switch 10 is activated by the pin 11 and the dishwasher starts working according to the selected program.
  • Figure 2 shows, in section according to a plane orthogonal to the panel 5 and to the upper edge 7 of the door 3, a portion of the latter in which a housing 77 is created for accomodating a device for the selection of washing programs 8 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the device 8 comprises a turning knob 9, housed in a seating created in the upper edge 7 of the door 3.
  • the knob 9 is mortised on a driving shaft 13 of a rotary selector 14 known per se, as for example the "resistive switch" produced and marketed, among others, by REMCO.
  • the rotary selector 14 is fixed to a flange 15 projecting at square angle from a front wall 16 of the door 3 on which the covering panel 5 is applied, and has power terminals 17 connected, by means of respective conducting wires 18, to the programmer 12 housed for example in frame 1, under the washing tank 2, or in any case located in a different position with respect to the selection device 8, in any position where there is enough space to accommodate it.
  • the programmer 12 is a traditional electromechanical timer, for example of the kind known on the market as EATON model ECR, or ELBI series 5000 or CROUZET model TMX, with two motors (one of quick rotation for the selection of washing programs, and the other with normal rotation speed during the execution of a program), or with one single double-speed motor providing for the quick selection of the washing programs and the normal rotation speed during the execution of a program.
  • the knob 9 comprises an external body 19 substantially of cylindrical shape, and an internal body 20.
  • the internal body 20 is mortised on a shaft 13 of the rotary selector 14; the external body 19 is sliding along the internal body 20 between two extreme positions, a position completely retracted (shown by dots and dashes in Figure 2 and as a continuous line in Figure 3) in which the upper surface of the external body 19 is substantially at the same level of the upper edge 7 of the door 3, and an extended position in which the external body 19 partially projects from the upper edge 7 of the door 3, in such a way as to enable the user to grab the external body 19 and to rotate it in order to select the desired washing program.
  • the door 3 can be closed, as the knob 9 does not interfere with the edge of the worktop 6 above the dishwasher.
  • the external body 19 comprises in addition a cylindrical band 21 on which indexes 22 are created that, when the external body 19 is extended, co-operate with a fixed index 23 located on the upper edge 7 of the door 3 in order to visualise the selection being made.
  • the user For the selection of the washing programs, the user must previously open the door 3 thus making the upper edge 7 of the door 3 accessible, then must press the external body 19 of the knob 9 in such a way that the locking/unlocking means mutually disengage and the elastic means determine the exit of the external body 19; at this point, acting with a rotation of the knob 9, and with the aid of the indexes 22 and the fixed index 23, the user can select the required washing program. Then, by pressing again the external body 19 of the knob 9 determines its retraction, and the locking/unlocking means block the external body 19 in the retracted position. The user must therefore press the master switch 100. By closing the door, the connections 10, 11 of the dishwasher starter switch get closed and the dishwasher can start operating, under the control of the programmer 12, according to the selected washing program.
  • Figure 4 shows a variation of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3; the upper surface 26 of the external body 19 is rounded, and frontally to the dishwasher a plate with a rounded projection 25 extends.
  • the rounded surface 26 comes into contact with the rounded projection 25, the latter determines automatically the retraction of the external body 19 of the knob 9.
  • it can also be provided that upon opening the door the external body 19 of the knob 9 automatically comes out.
  • Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a device for the selection of washing programs 8 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the knob 9 consists of a single piece, substantially of cylindrical shape, that is mortised directly on the driving shaft 13 of the rotary selector 14.
  • the shaft 13 is solidly fixed to a shaft 27 of a switch 28. More precisely, on the lower edge of the shaft 27 a support 29 is fixed on the lower side of which a conducting plate 30 is applied.
  • a support 31 is mounted from which two contact plates 32 extend which are connected to two power terminals 33.
  • the shaft 13 and the shaft 27 are sliding in the direction of their common axis, between two extreme positions in one of which (shown in Figure 5) the knob 9 protrudes with respect to the upper edge 7 of the door 3 and simultaneously the support 29 is far from the two contact plates 32 of the switch, while in the other position (shown in Figure 6) the knob 9 is retracted and at the same time the support 29 is near the two contact plates 32, in such a way that the latter can be electrically connected through the conducting plate 30 establishing a power connection between the terminals 33 of the switch 28, that is therefore close.
  • the invention provides for elastic bias means of the knob 9 in the extended position, and locking/unlocking devices that, when the knob is pressed, maintain the latter in a retracted position, while when the knob 9 is pressed again release the knob which can protrude from the edge under the thrust of the elastic means.
  • a portion 50 of the outer cylindrical surface of the knob 9 is toothed, and it engages with a rack 51 mounted on a bracket 52 extending below the lower edge 7 longitudinally to it; the bracket 52 bears some indexes 53 corresponding to the different washing programs, and that can be read by the user through a window 54 located in the upper edge 7 of the door 3; on the latter there is also a fixed index 55 that co-operates with the indexes 53 on the bracket 52 in order to indicate the selected program.
  • Turning the knob 9, determines the slide of the bracket 52 and therefore the displacement of the indexes 53 with respect to the fixed index 55.
  • This system of visualisation of the selected programs could naturally be used also in combination with selection device 8 according to the previously described first embodiment.
  • the upper surface of the knob 9 could be rounded, and could be provided with the rounded projection 25 shown in Figure 4, in such a way that the knob would retract automatically when the door 3 gets closed.
  • Figure 8 shows a device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • the device comprises a turning knob 9 with axis substantially orthogonal to the upper edge 7 of the door 3.
  • the knob 9 is housed in a seating 77 made in the edge 7, and it is coupled, by means of a pin joint 79 of the type described in the European Patent application No. 95200392.9 in the name of the same Applicant, to a driving shaft 13 of a rotary selector 14; as it can be seen from the Figure, the selector 14 is mounted inside the door at an inclined position, fact that allows to reduce the volume taken up transversally by the selector 14, and its driving shaft 13 is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the knob 9.
  • the pin joint 79 it is possible to operate the selector 14 through the knob 9.

Landscapes

  • Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)
  • Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
EP98200001A 1997-01-14 1998-01-02 Device for the selection of washing programs in washing machines Expired - Lifetime EP0857454B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI970012U 1997-01-14
IT1997MI000012U IT236389Y1 (it) 1997-01-14 1997-01-14 Dispositivo di impostazione di programmi di lavaggio in macchinelavatrici

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0857454A1 EP0857454A1 (en) 1998-08-12
EP0857454B1 true EP0857454B1 (en) 2006-10-25

Family

ID=11375534

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98200001A Expired - Lifetime EP0857454B1 (en) 1997-01-14 1998-01-02 Device for the selection of washing programs in washing machines

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0857454B1 (es)
DE (1) DE69836237T2 (es)
ES (1) ES2276447T3 (es)
IT (1) IT236389Y1 (es)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2515739B1 (en) 2009-12-23 2013-10-02 Arçelik Anonim Sirketi A dishwasher comprising a single button
CN115382844A (zh) * 2022-09-08 2022-11-25 安徽舒饰环保科技有限公司 一种用于洗衣机旋钮生产的表面处理装置

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3064662A (en) * 1961-06-07 1962-11-20 Waste King Corp Dishwasher with controls in door
IT236665Y1 (it) * 1995-02-16 2000-08-17 Candy Spa Lavastoviglie ad incasso con azionamento frontale di programmatoreelettromeccanico
IT236683Y1 (it) * 1995-02-24 2000-08-17 Candy Spa Lavastoviglie o elettrodomestico da incasso con azionamento nascostodi programmatore elettromeccanico

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT236389Y1 (it) 2000-08-17
ES2276447T3 (es) 2007-06-16
EP0857454A1 (en) 1998-08-12
ITMI970012U1 (it) 1998-07-14
DE69836237D1 (de) 2006-12-07
DE69836237T2 (de) 2007-05-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4174073A (en) Multi container interlocked food machine with a safety switch for each container
RU2182813C2 (ru) Кухонный комбайн
GB2269002A (en) Dishwasher with concealed control panel.
RU2218857C2 (ru) Ручное бытовое электрическое устройство для привода рабочего инструмента
US4510777A (en) Control system for an access door
US5038587A (en) Control system
EP0728861A1 (en) Front loading laundry washing and/or drying machine, with improved means for the door opening
EP0857454B1 (en) Device for the selection of washing programs in washing machines
EP0102332B2 (en) Rotary control device with retractable knob, in particular for household appliances
US20030197387A1 (en) Door lock
EP3808888B1 (en) Improved door locking device
RU2453259C2 (ru) Предохранительный механизм для кухонного комбайна с двумя участками сочленения
EP0819404B1 (en) Decorative panel provided with a device for sliding vertically along the closed door of a built-in appliance
CN109531663A (zh) 沙拉切菜机
US7927431B2 (en) Switch assembly support system for a dishwashing appliance, and associated apparatus and method
EP0848928A1 (en) Device for the selection of washing programs in a washing appliance
EP0727181B1 (en) A dishwasher for embedding with an electro-mechanical programmer operated from the front
CA2218825C (en) Appliance timer having coupling mechanism that prevents camstack from rotating in inappropriate direction
US4284018A (en) Conversion assembly for sewing machine speed controller
EP0709513A1 (en) Washing and/or drying machines, incorporating a light
US4401042A (en) Electronic control sewing machine
KR100784719B1 (ko) 개폐식 조작부 및 이를 구비하는 세탁기
US5156059A (en) Retractable component mounting plate for a control console
KR100375860B1 (ko) 컵 뚜껑의 오정렬시 가정용 믹서 또는 식품 가공기의 작동을 방지하는 안전 시스템
EP0669567B1 (en) Control panel of a washing machine

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19981229

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: DE ES FR GB IT

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19990922

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE ES FR GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69836237

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20061207

Kind code of ref document: P

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20070202

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070214

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20070226

Year of fee payment: 10

ET Fr: translation filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2276447

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20070726

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20070524

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20070131

Year of fee payment: 10

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20080102

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080801

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20081029

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080102

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20080103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080131

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080103

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20080102