EP1367169A1 - Porte pour machines à laver ou sèche-linge - Google Patents

Porte pour machines à laver ou sèche-linge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1367169A1
EP1367169A1 EP02425339A EP02425339A EP1367169A1 EP 1367169 A1 EP1367169 A1 EP 1367169A1 EP 02425339 A EP02425339 A EP 02425339A EP 02425339 A EP02425339 A EP 02425339A EP 1367169 A1 EP1367169 A1 EP 1367169A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
door
sealing portion
frame
loading aperture
aperture
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
EP02425339A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1367169B1 (fr
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
Priority to EP02425339A priority Critical patent/EP1367169B1/fr
Priority to DE60235449T priority patent/DE60235449D1/de
Publication of EP1367169A1 publication Critical patent/EP1367169A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1367169B1 publication Critical patent/EP1367169B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/12—Casings; Tubs
    • D06F39/14—Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/42—Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved door for washing machines and/or dryers, particularly those of the front-loading type.
  • door for washing machines and/or dryers which comprises a rigid frame having movable connecting members, for example hinge sockets or corresponding pins, for the articulated connection of the door to the supporting and containing structure.
  • the frame also acts as a mounting for an inspection window or porthole, allowing visual inspection of the progress of events inside the washing machine during its operation.
  • the front face of the door of a washing machine forms part of the outer surface of the appliance, its rear face is designed to interact with the edges of the loading aperture of the washing machine in order to seal this aperture.
  • the said rear face therefore usually has a sealing portion, formed in such a way that it adheres well to the surfaces of the edges of the loading aperture, which are commonly fitted with flexible seals.
  • the sealing portion of the door usually has a convex or rounded truncated conical shape, such that it widens from its tip towards the base and therefore towards the frame of the door.
  • the sealing portion of the door is partially inserted into the loading aperture and, as a result of the gradual widening of its profile, it adheres with a specified radial pressure to the edges of the aperture or to the flexible seals, thus ensuring a watertight sealing of the washing machine.
  • the dimensions of the sealing portion which are necessary in order to ensure a watertight sealing of the loading aperture cause the overall dimensions of the door, and consequently the washing machine itself, to be very large, particularly when the door is in the open position.
  • both the sealing portion and the edges and seals of the loading aperture are stressed in a non-uniform way, and become compressed and worn, causing a loss of watertightness and undesired leaks.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to propose a door for an improved washing machine and/or dryer, having characteristics such that the problems mentioned with reference to the prior art can be overcome.
  • a washing machine is indicated as a whole by the number 1.
  • the said washing machine 1 comprises a supporting and containing structure 2, whose front panel 3 is provided with a loading aperture 4 for loading and unloading the laundry to be washed.
  • the front panel 3 of the washing machine 1, or more generally the panel containing the said loading aperture 4, is provided with a door 5, comprising a frame 6 and a sealing portion 7, for interacting with the said loading aperture 4 in order to seal it.
  • the door 5 is connectable to the supporting and containing structure 2, and particularly to the said panel containing the loading aperture 4, by movable connecting means, preferably hinge or sliding means.
  • the movable connection between the door 5 and the front panel 3 is made in the form of sliding guides 11, provided in the vicinity of two opposite sides of the frame 6, on its side facing the washing machine 1, and corresponding fixed sliding means, for example rollers 16, located on the said front panel 3 and capable of making the door 5 slide in a direction essentially parallel to the front panel 3 from a closed position, in which the door 5 covers the loading aperture 4, to an open position, in which the loading aperture 4 is completely free and accessible.
  • the sealing portion 7 of the door 5 is connected to the frame 6 in such a way that it can be adjusted by retraction and extension, advantageously, but not necessarily, in a direction essentially perpendicular to a plane defined by the frame 6.
  • the sealing portion 7 moves in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of the loading aperture 4, when the door 5 is in the closed position.
  • the sealing portion 7 is connected to the frame 6 by cam means or by threaded or bayonet means which hold the sealing portion 7 in the frame 6 and which also provide the said movement of extension and retraction of the sealing portion 7, for example by means of the rotation of the said sealing portion 7.
  • Figures 2 to 6 show an embodiment of the invention in which the frame 6 comprises at least one, but preferably two ramps 8, which form inclined surfaces with respect to the plane defined by the frame 6 and which preferably, but not necessarily, extend in the proximity of the outer circumference of the sealing portion 7, thus providing support and guide means for at least one, but preferably two, cams 9 fixed integrally to or, advantageously, made in one piece with the sealing portion 7 in opposing positions on its outer circumference.
  • the aforesaid ramps 8 and cams 9 form a connection between the frame 6 and the sealing portion 7, which permits the rotational and translational adjustment of the sealing portion 7, which can be carried out by actuating means which are preferably but not necessarily integral with the said sealing portion 7.
  • the said actuating means comprise handle elements 10, positioned on the front face of the door 5 and operable manually by a user.
  • the said actuating means comprise one or more cam elements located on the inner face of the door 5 and operable automatically, for example by additional cam elements of the washing machine 1.
  • the sealing portion 7 has an axially symmetrical shape with a double curvature, forming an outer surface essentially in the form of a rounded truncated cone, with a concave central area, as seen from the inner face of the door 5.
  • This configuration of the sealing portion 7 is particularly suitable for ensuring a high degree of watertightness, while allowing the maximum space for laundry within the washing machine 1.
  • the cams 9, formed along the outer circumference of the sealing portion 7, have an inclination matching the inclination of the ramps 8, to ensure that they bear on them in a uniform way along the whole of their surfaces.
  • Figures 2 and 3 show the sealing portion 7 in the retracted configuration
  • Figures 4 and 5 show the said sealing portion 7, after a rotation of approximately 90°, in the extended configuration.
  • the arrangement of the ramps 8 and the cams 9 can be reversed.
  • the ramps 8 can be formed along a circumference of the sealing portion 7, bearing on at least one, but preferably two or more, cams 9 of the frame 6.
  • a single ramp 8 associated with the sealing portion 7 interacts with a single ramp associated with the frame 6, in which the ramp of the frame 6 replaces the said cams 9.
  • the sealing portion 7 is located in an essentially central aperture of the frame 6 and has at least one transparent area to form an inspection window. More advantageously, the whole sealing portion 7 can be made from a transparent material, for example glass or plastic, thus forming an inspection porthole.
  • Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the door according to the invention, in which the frame 6 comprises a central aperture provided with a first internal thread 12, interacting with a second outer thread 13 of the sealing portion 7 to form the said connection which permits a movement of rotational and translational adjustment of the sealing portion 7 with respect to the frame 6, or more precisely a movement of the sealing portion 7 similar to that of a screw.
  • FIGS 8 and 9 show a further development of the invention, in which an actuating element, more precisely a ring 14, is associated with the frame 6 by rotatable connecting means, for example circular sliding guides 15 or threads.
  • the said actuating ring 14 has the aforesaid first thread 12 interacting with the second thread 13 of the sealing portion 7 to form a connection which enables the sealing portion 7 to be adjusted in a translational way without any rotation with respect to the frame 6, by means of a rotary movement of the actuating ring 14. Any rotation of the sealing portion 7 is prevented by suitable stop means, not shown in the figures, for example bearing surfaces formed both on the frame 6 and on the sealing portion 7.
  • the actuating ring 14 can be actuated manually by means of handle elements 10, or automatically, for example by means of cam elements, as described above.
  • the door 5 shown in the figures has a frame 6 of essentially rectangular shape.
  • the overall shape of the door 5, and therefore of the frame 6, can be varied according to the requirements for its use, and according to the external shape of the appliance on which it is fitted.
  • the frame 6 can have an essentially circular shape in front view, so that, if the sealing portion is circular, the frame 6 can be made in the form of a ring with an essentially constant thickness.
  • the door 5 is fitted, with the use of sliding means, on the supporting structure 2, and in particular on the front panel 3, of the washing machine 1.
  • the said sliding means comprise rollers 16 associated with the supporting structure 2 in fixed positions and slidable within sliding guides 11 of the door 5, or more precisely of the frame 6. This enables the door 5 to slide in a direction essentially parallel to the front panel 3 between a closed position (Fig. 10), in which the door covers the loading aperture 4, and an open position (Fig. 11), in which the loading aperture 4 is completely free and accessible.
  • the sealing portion 7 can be extended, by manual or automatic actuation, to seal the loading aperture 4 in a watertight way, for example by adhering to a flexible seal 18.
  • extension and retraction movement of the sealing portion 7 can be adjusted manually or automatically, thus making it possible to adjust both the radial pressure on the seal 18 and the depth of insertion of the sealing portion 7 into the laundry compartment, in order to vary for example its volume and internal surface.
  • the sealing portion 7 can be retracted to allow the aeration of the laundry and to increase the volume of the laundry compartment, while the door itself remains closed.
  • the sealing portion 7 In order to open the door 5, the sealing portion 7 is fully retracted, thus releasing the loading aperture 4 and reducing the overall dimensions of the door 5 in the direction of the supporting structure 2, and in particular in the direction of the front panel 3, to a sufficient extent to enable the door 5 to be moved to its open position without any initial movement away from the loading aperture 4.
  • the door 5 is closed in a similar way, without any auxiliary movement towards the aperture 4.
  • the sealing portion is adjusted automatically by the use of the actuating means described above.
  • the said actuating means are advantageously controlled by a control unit, in accordance with the specified washing and/or drying programme and other parameters which can be selected by the user.
  • Stop means can advantageously be provided to set the ends of the sliding travel of the door 5 and the movement of the sealing portion 7, these means including elastic locking or stop means, advantageously of the snap type, which hold the sealing portion 7 and/or the door 5 by snap-locking in specified positions.
  • the door 5 according to the invention also provides considerable improvements in the methods of washing and/or drying laundry by means of a washing machine, dryer or washer-dryer.
  • a door according to the invention has numerous advantages.
  • the door, and consequently the appliance to which it is fitted have smaller overall dimensions, regardless of the position of the door, and are therefore particularly suitable for domestic use.
  • the door according to the invention provides a sealing movement which is absolutely symmetrical with respect to the loading aperture, thus minimizing the compression and wear of the seals while increasing the watertightness of the sealing of the loading aperture.
  • the door according to the invention enables the internal space of a washing machine and/or dryer to be aerated in safe conditions while maintaining a more pleasing appearance.
  • the door according to the invention is also perfectly suited to the requirements for its use.
  • the sealing portion is extended from the door to seal the loading aperture.
  • the said sealing portion is retracted so that it does not impede in any way the opening movement of the door. This advantageously enables sliding door closing systems to be used without auxiliary movements of the door towards or away from the loading aperture.
  • the door according to the invention is suitable both for use as a conventional door, in other words one hinged to the front panel of the appliance, and as a sliding door.
  • a washing machine with a sliding door according to the invention has numerous advantages.
  • Hot surfaces and those wetted by washing liquids are never exposed, but always face the appliance itself and are therefore practically inaccessible to the user and to others, for example children.
  • the door sliding mechanism is very simple, robust, and reliable, and can be actuated by automatic actuators, for example electric motors, controlled by a control unit in accordance with the set washing and/or drying programme.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
EP02425339A 2002-05-29 2002-05-29 Porte pour machines à laver ou sèche-linge Expired - Fee Related EP1367169B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02425339A EP1367169B1 (fr) 2002-05-29 2002-05-29 Porte pour machines à laver ou sèche-linge
DE60235449T DE60235449D1 (de) 2002-05-29 2002-05-29 Tür für Waschmaschinen oder Wäschetrockner

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02425339A EP1367169B1 (fr) 2002-05-29 2002-05-29 Porte pour machines à laver ou sèche-linge

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1367169A1 true EP1367169A1 (fr) 2003-12-03
EP1367169B1 EP1367169B1 (fr) 2010-02-24

Family

ID=29414865

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02425339A Expired - Fee Related EP1367169B1 (fr) 2002-05-29 2002-05-29 Porte pour machines à laver ou sèche-linge

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1367169B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60235449D1 (fr)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1650342A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture/fermeture verticale
EP1650340A1 (fr) * 2004-10-25 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture verticale
EP1650339A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture/fermeture verticale automatique
EP1650341A1 (fr) * 2004-10-25 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture vers le haut
KR100747529B1 (ko) 2005-12-02 2007-08-08 엘지전자 주식회사 드럼 세탁기 및 그 제어방법
EP2316998A1 (fr) 2009-10-30 2011-05-04 Whirlpool Corporation Machine à laver
CN102312366A (zh) * 2010-07-06 2012-01-11 伊莱克斯家用产品股份有限公司 用于衣物洗涤和/或干燥器具的玻璃观察孔窗
KR101543566B1 (ko) * 2015-04-01 2015-08-11 삼성전자주식회사 세탁기
US9315934B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2016-04-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine
CN107401030A (zh) * 2017-09-25 2017-11-28 山东大成洗涤机械有限公司 一种自动升降门
EP3293300A4 (fr) * 2015-12-09 2018-09-12 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Machine à laver
EP3848497A1 (fr) * 2020-01-10 2021-07-14 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil de traitement du linge
US11377772B2 (en) 2019-05-23 2022-07-05 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance
US20220396909A1 (en) * 2021-06-15 2022-12-15 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance with sliding door system
US11946184B2 (en) 2019-05-23 2024-04-02 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10105032B2 (en) 2016-09-30 2018-10-23 Midea Group Co., Ltd. Appliance with a retractable and slidable door
US11208750B2 (en) 2018-12-29 2021-12-28 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance with a deflector
US11761134B2 (en) 2019-05-23 2023-09-19 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2650490A (en) * 1948-03-11 1953-09-01 Easy Washing Machine Corp Door construction for tumbler type washing machines
EP0131985A1 (fr) * 1983-06-22 1985-01-23 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Dispositif pour fermer l'ouverture d'alimentation d'une machine à laver
JPH10235094A (ja) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-08 Tousei Denki Kk 乾燥装置
US6237374B1 (en) * 1997-12-24 2001-05-29 Gregory L. Malchow High pressure cleaning vessel with a space saving door opening/closing apparatus
WO2002012613A1 (fr) * 2000-08-09 2002-02-14 Arçelik A. S. Machine a laver avec porte de chargement pouvant etre ouverte par un mouvement de glissement et de translation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2650490A (en) * 1948-03-11 1953-09-01 Easy Washing Machine Corp Door construction for tumbler type washing machines
EP0131985A1 (fr) * 1983-06-22 1985-01-23 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Dispositif pour fermer l'ouverture d'alimentation d'une machine à laver
JPH10235094A (ja) * 1997-02-28 1998-09-08 Tousei Denki Kk 乾燥装置
US6237374B1 (en) * 1997-12-24 2001-05-29 Gregory L. Malchow High pressure cleaning vessel with a space saving door opening/closing apparatus
WO2002012613A1 (fr) * 2000-08-09 2002-02-14 Arçelik A. S. Machine a laver avec porte de chargement pouvant etre ouverte par un mouvement de glissement et de translation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Section Ch Week 199846, Derwent World Patents Index; Class F07, AN 1998-535699, XP002218802 *

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1650342A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture/fermeture verticale
EP1650339A1 (fr) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture/fermeture verticale automatique
US7490496B2 (en) 2004-10-22 2009-02-17 Lg Electronics Inc. Drum washing machine with vertically openable and closable door
US7490495B2 (en) 2004-10-22 2009-02-17 Lg Electronics Inc. Drum washing machine with automatically vertically-openable/closable door
EP1650340A1 (fr) * 2004-10-25 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture verticale
EP1650341A1 (fr) * 2004-10-25 2006-04-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Machine à laver à tambour avec une porte à ouverture vers le haut
KR100747529B1 (ko) 2005-12-02 2007-08-08 엘지전자 주식회사 드럼 세탁기 및 그 제어방법
EP2316998A1 (fr) 2009-10-30 2011-05-04 Whirlpool Corporation Machine à laver
CN102312366B (zh) * 2010-07-06 2015-10-28 伊莱克斯家用产品股份有限公司 用于衣物洗涤和/或干燥器具的玻璃观察孔窗
EP2405051A1 (fr) * 2010-07-06 2012-01-11 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Fenêtre de hublot en verre pour lave-linge et/ou sèche-linge
US9003840B2 (en) 2010-07-06 2015-04-14 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Porthole window for laundry washing and/or drying appliance
CN102312366A (zh) * 2010-07-06 2012-01-11 伊莱克斯家用产品股份有限公司 用于衣物洗涤和/或干燥器具的玻璃观察孔窗
US9315934B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2016-04-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine
US11453966B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2022-09-27 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine
US10793986B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2020-10-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine
US10287722B2 (en) 2014-02-28 2019-05-14 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine
KR101543566B1 (ko) * 2015-04-01 2015-08-11 삼성전자주식회사 세탁기
EP3628766A1 (fr) * 2015-12-09 2020-04-01 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Lave-linge
EP3293300A4 (fr) * 2015-12-09 2018-09-12 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Machine à laver
US11098435B2 (en) 2015-12-09 2021-08-24 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine
CN107401030A (zh) * 2017-09-25 2017-11-28 山东大成洗涤机械有限公司 一种自动升降门
US11377772B2 (en) 2019-05-23 2022-07-05 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance
US11434594B2 (en) 2019-05-23 2022-09-06 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance
US11946184B2 (en) 2019-05-23 2024-04-02 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance
EP3848497A1 (fr) * 2020-01-10 2021-07-14 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil de traitement du linge
CN113123089A (zh) * 2020-01-10 2021-07-16 博西华电器（江苏）有限公司 衣物处理设备
US20220396909A1 (en) * 2021-06-15 2022-12-15 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance with sliding door system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60235449D1 (de) 2010-04-08
EP1367169B1 (fr) 2010-02-24

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