EP1548170B1 - Door for rotating drum for washing machine and/or laundry dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

The door has a flap (21) mounted at the level of a side (21a) in rotation around an axle (23) integrated to an edge (24) of an opening. A flap (22) is mounted at the level of a side (22a) in rotation on an opposite side (21b) of the flap (21). The two flaps are positioned at same side of the opening when the door is in open position such that inclination of the drum at side of the opening does not have flaps. The flap (22) has another opposite side that includes guiding pins to cooperate with guiding rails of a shell (11) of a drum. An independent claim is also included for a cloth washing or drying machine including a drum door.

Description

The present invention relates to a rotary drum door adapted to close an opening in the shell of the drum.

It also relates to a washing machine and / or drying laundry, equipped with such a drum door.

In general, the present invention applies to a washing machine or dryer, provided with a rotary drum with radial loading, through an opening in the drum shell.

Thus, the loading and removal of the laundry drum are performed at the perimeter of the drum, and generally from above the machine, the latter having in the upper plane of its body a drum access door.

In the vast majority of cases, this rotary drum is equipped with a door with two leaves, these leaves being hinged independently respectively at two opposite edges of the opening. Conventionally, each leaf is mounted by one of its sides in rotation about an axis integral with an edge of the opening.

The opening of these leaves is generally achieved through the implementation of elastic return means mounted at the axis of rotation, and the holding in the closed position of these leaves is achieved through complementary closure means respectively mounted on the free edges of the leaves. The movement of these wings is generally independent and requires the use of two hands to bring the leaves in the closed position.

However, we know in a document EP 1 298 242 a rotary drum equipped with a double door, the latter being interconnected by rods. This linkage movement of the leaves allows one-handed manipulation for closing or opening the door, and facilitates the automation of the opening.

However, this type of double-leaf solution, requiring the articulation of each flap on the drum shell, makes access to the drum for loading or unloading laundry difficult. In particular, the inclination of the drum to facilitate access to the opening is not possible or not possible because of the presence of the leaves on both sides of the opening.

In addition, the locking and locking system of the drum is located in the center of the door, which makes it visible and unattractive.

In this respect, washing machines are known, as described in particular in the document FR 2,778,677 in which a door comprising a single leaf is mounted on the rotary drum.

Although the closing and locking system of such a door is made at an edge of the opening, and can thus be hidden by the drum shell, such a single swing door is very bulky.

In particular, for an opening dimension given in the drum shell, a single swing door, opening on the outside of the machine, occupies a very important place compared to double-leaf solutions.

Thus, because of the curved shape of the ferrule and therefore the door by closing the opening, it is necessary to provide a large clearance of the door beyond its axis of rotation to completely release the access to the door. opening of the drum.

Also known is a wash tank door as described in the document US 5,724,837 comprising two wings hinged to each other.

Such a door is not adapted to reliably seal an opening in the shell of a drum.

The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a rotating drum door space saving and allowing ergonomic access to the interior of the drum.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a rotary drum door adapted to close an opening in the drum shell comprising a first leaf mounted by a first side rotating about an axis integral with an edge of the opening and a second leaf mounted by a first side rotated on a second side of the first leaf, the second side of the first leaf being opposite to the first side of the first leaf.

According to the invention, the second flap comprises guiding means adapted to cooperate with complementary guiding means integral with the drum shell and adapted to guide the second flap in displacement between a closed position and an open position of said door, the complementary guiding means consisting of two guide rails respectively disposed on either side of the opening, these guide rails extending between said edge of the opening and a second opposite edge of this opening.

Thanks to the mounting of the second leaf on the first leaf, the two leaves of the door are positioned on the same side of the opening when the door is in the open position.

Access to the interior of the drum is thus greatly facilitated by allowing the inclination of the drum on the side of the opening not carrying the leaves.

In addition, the size of the door through the articulation of the second leaf relative to the first leaf is limited.

The guiding means of the second leaf, driven in displacement by the first leaf, make it possible to obtain a reliable and predictable displacement of this second leaf with respect to the opening and to the drum.

The second door leaf can thus be guided from one edge to the other of the opening between its closed position and its open position.

The positioning of guide rails on either side of the opening allows a reliable holding of the wing during its movement.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, in the open position of the door, a second side of the second flap, opposite the first side of the second flap, is substantially adjacent to the axis integral with said edge of the opening.

Thus, the second side of the second leaf is substantially adjacent to the first side of the first leaf mounted on the drum shell, when the door is open.

The door is thus folded, beating against flap, in the open position, thus releasing the opening portion in the drum shell as much as possible.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the second flap comprises closure means mounted on a second side of the second flap, opposite the first side of the second flap, and adapted to cooperate with integral complementary closure means of the second flap. a second edge of the opening opposite to said first edge of the opening.

The closing means of the door are thus arranged at the second edge of the opening, and may be masked at least in part by the drum shell.

According to another aspect of the invention, it relates to a machine for washing and / or drying laundry, comprising a rotary drum provided with an opening in the drum shell, this machine comprising a rotary drum door according to the first aspect of the invention. the invention.

Such a washing machine and / or tumble dryer has features and advantages similar to those described above.

Other features or advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un tambour adapté à équiper une machine à laver ou à sécher le linge conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue de la porte du tambour en position semi-ouverte ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique de côté d'une machine à laver ou à sécher le linge conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 4 à 8 sont des vues en coupe schématiques illustrant la fermeture d'une porte de tambour conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 9 est une vue agrandie du détail A de la figure 8 ; et
• les figures 10 et 11 sont des vues partielles en perspective illustrant le système de fermeture de la porte du tambour conforme à l'invention.

In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a drum adapted to equip a washing machine or dryer according to an embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a similar view of the drum door in half-open position;
• the figure 3 is a schematic side view of a washing or drying machine according to an embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 4 to 8 are schematic sectional views illustrating the closure of a drum door according to the invention;
• the figure 9 is an enlarged view of detail A of the figure 8 ; and
• the figures 10 and 11 are partial perspective views illustrating the closing system of the drum door according to the invention.

We will first describe with reference to figures 1 and 2 a drum door according to one embodiment of the invention.

The drum 10 as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 is a drum for receiving laundry either in a dryer, or in a washing machine or a washer-dryer, the drum shell being in these cases perforated.

This drum 10 is intended to be rotatably mounted inside a tank of the machine.

The shell 11 of the drum 10 has an opening closed by a door 20 forming the subject of the present invention.

This door 20 comprises two leaves 21, 22.

A first leaf 21 is mounted at a first side 21a of this flap in rotation about an axis 23 integral with an edge 24 of the opening.

This is a conventional assembly of a leaf 21 rotating about an axis 23, as commonly used for the gates of a drum washing machine.

In order to facilitate the opening of the leaf, and the rotation of this wing 21 about the axis 23, it is conventional to provide a spring 25 mounted in torsion to exert a rotational force on the axis 23.

The second leaf 22 of the door 20 is also rotatably mounted at one of its sides 22a on a second side 21b of the first leaf.

This second side 21b of the first leaf 21 corresponds to the opposite side of the first side 21a of this leaf 21.

Any type of hinge can make it possible to mount this rotation of the wings 21 and 22 respectively along their side 21b, 22a.

As well illustrated on the figure 2 , in this embodiment, an axis 26 extends parallel to the sides 21b, 22a of the first and second wings 21, 22. Each leaf 21, 22 comprises a series of bearings 21 ', 22' intended to be mounted around the door. axis 26 so that the bearings 21 'of the first leaf 21 are intersected with the bearings 22' of the second leaf 22.

The figure 3 illustrates such a drum mounted inside a tank 12 of a washing machine or drying laundry, loading from above.

The drum 10 is thus mounted in rotation between the front 12a of the tank 12 and its rear wall 12b.

When the opening 13 of the drum extends substantially under the upper plane 14 of the machine, the door consisting of the wings 21, 22 is, in the open position about the axis of rotation 23, located towards the rear of the machine so that the user is not bothered by this door to access the interior of the drum 11.

The opening 13 of the drum 10 thus has two opposite edges 24, 29 extending in the width of the machine.

Thus, the first leaf 21 is rotatably mounted about the axis 23 integral with the first edge 24 remote from the front 12a of the machine when the opening 13 extends substantially under the upper plane of the machine.

By removing the hinge of the door on the second edge 29 of the opening, the access by the user placed at the level of the facade 12a of the tank is facilitated.

In addition, it is possible to slightly rotate the drum to incline the opening to the front 12a of the machine (according to the direction of rotation R on the figure 3 ) in order to improve access to the interior of this drum.

In order to guide the second flapper 22 in displacement between the closed position and the open position of the door 20, this second flap 22 comprises guiding means adapted to cooperate with complementary guiding means integral with the barrel of the drum.

As illustrated in figure 2 , the complementary guide means integral with the drum shell consist of two guide rails 27 (only one of these rails is visible on the figure 2 ), these guide rails being disposed respectively on either side of the opening.

These guide rails 27 thus extend transversely to the sides 21a, 21b, 22a of the first and second wings 21, 22.

As well illustrated on the figure 4 the second side 22b, opposite to the first side 22a of the second leaf 22, has guide pins 28 for sliding in the guide rails 27.

As illustrated in figure 3 these pins 28 are respectively disposed at the two longitudinal ends of the edge 22b of the second leaf.

We illustrated on the figure 4 a schematic view of one side of the opening extending along a circular contour of the shell 11 of the drum. Of course, the other side of the opening is made symmetrically.

Each guide rail 27 extends between the edge 24 of the opening to the opposite edge 29 of the opening.

As well illustrated on the figure 6 , this guide rail 27 extends along a path whose curvature is such that the contact force F exerted on the guide pin 28 by the guide rail 27 is outside the friction cone C at any point of this rail guide 27.

In this example, there is shown the position of the door and the forces involved when closing the door.

Of course, when opening the door, the contact force F exerted on the guiding pin 28 by the rail 27 is oriented downwards on the figure 6 , as well as the friction cone C.

The sliding of each guiding pin 28 in the rails 27 depends both on the coefficient of friction of each pin 28 in the rail 27 and on the direction of the contact force exerted on each peg 28 during the movement of the second leaf 22.

In a known manner in mechanics, the coefficient of friction of the pin 28 in the rail 27 depends mainly on the materials in contact. This coefficient of friction is characterized by an angle of friction a (see figure 6 ) Having for base the direction perpendicular N to the contact point of the pin 28 in the rail 27. This friction angle thus draws a friction cone C around this perpendicular direction N.

The lower the angle a , the more the sliding of the pin 28 in the rail 27 is facilitated.

To allow good sliding and movement of the flap 22, it is necessary that the force F at the point of contact between the pin 28 and the rails 27 is always outside the friction cone C.

The friction cone C having as its axis the perpendicular direction N to the guide rails 27, its position is directly related to the orientation of the guide rails 27.

• à l'ouverture, la résultante de la force de gravité exercée au centre de gravité du second battant 22 et de la force exercée par le battant 21 au niveau de l'axe 26 sur le battant 22. La force exercée par le battant 21 est due à son propre poids et à la force de rappel du ressort 25 monté sur l'axe 23 associé à ce premier battant 21 ;
• à la fermeture, la résultante de la force de gravité exercée au centre de gravité du second battant 22, de la force exercée par l'utilisateur sur la poignée 30 et de la force exercée par le battant 21 au niveau de l'axe 26 sur le battant 22. La force exercée par le battant 21 est également due à son propre poids et à la force de rappel du ressort 25 monté sur l'axe 23 associé à ce premier battant 21.

The force F at the point of contact of the pin in the guide rail 27 is:

• at the opening, the resultant of the force of gravity exerted at the center of gravity of the second leaf 22 and the force exerted by the leaf 21 at the axis 26 on the wing 22. The force exerted by the wing 21 is due to its own weight and the return force of the spring 25 mounted on the axis 23 associated with the first leaf 21;
• at closing, the resultant of the force of gravity exerted at the center of gravity of the second flapper 22, the force exerted by the user on the handle 30 and the force exerted by the flapper 21 at the axis 26 on The force exerted by the leaf 21 is also due to its own weight and to the restoring force of the spring 25 mounted on the axis 23 associated with this first leaf 21.

Due to the articulation of the second leaf 22 on the second side 21b of the first leaf 21, the position of this second wing 22, and consequently guide pins 28 in the guide rails 27, is modified throughout. the closing or opening path of the door.

As a result, the resultant force F at this guide pin 28 is constantly changed. So that this resultant force F is permanently located outside the friction cone C, it is necessary to adapt the curvature of the trajectory of the guide rails 27 during the movement of the wing 22.

In particular, the path of the guide rail 27 is such that it has no point of curvature at any point, the center of which coincides with the hinge axis 26 of the second leaf 22 on the first leaf 21 so that the movement is reversible. that is to say that we can at any time reverse the movement whatever it is. Indeed, the movement always leaving the first leaf 21, it is necessary that at a position of this leaf 21 corresponds only one possible position of the second leaf 22.

This particular structure ensures the movement of the second leaf 22 around the hinge axis 26 as soon as the first leaf 21 pivots about its axis of rotation 23.

Furthermore, the trajectory of the guide rail 27 is such that it extends, when the door is closed, above the flaps 21, 22 especially in its portion opposite to the axis of rotation 23 (see in particular figure 8 ).

In the chosen configuration on the Figures 4 to 8 , this trajectory of the guide rail 27 extends above the wings 21 and 22 more markedly in its portion opposite to the axis of rotation 23 (on the left of the Figures 4 to 8 ). This allows the portion of the guide rail 27 adjacent to the axis of rotation 23 (on the right of the Figures 4 to 8 and whose shape is determined as described above to ensure the smooth sliding of guide pins 28 in the guide rail 27), is also above the wings 21 and 22 when the door is closed.

All these embodiments result in this embodiment of the invention that the second leaf 22 has a dimension, between these two sides 22a, 22b, smaller than the dimension of the first leaf 21 between its two sides 21a, 21b.

Thus, thanks to this trajectory of the guide rail 27, in case of accumulation of the laundry against the shell of the drum, as frequently happens at the end of spinning, the opening of the second leaf 22, and the sliding of the guide pins 28 in the guide rail 27, are not hindered by the laundry.

In order to allow the handling of the leaves, mainly for closing the door, a handle 30 integral with the first leaf 21 extends beyond the second side 21b of this first leaf 21.

Thus, as illustrated in figure 4 this handle 30 protrudes beyond the axis 26 of relative rotation of the two leaves 21, 22.

Conversely, in a closed position as illustrated in figure 8 this handle 30 extends beyond the first leaf 21, substantially parallel to the second leaf 22.

A closure system 40 is provided to maintain in the closed position the wings 21, 22 on the barrel of the drum.

This closure system 40 is illustrated in detail on the Figures 9 to 11 .

In practice, the second wing 22 comprises closure means 41 mounted on the second side 22b of the second wing 22.

These closure means 41 are adapted to cooperate with complementary closure means 42 integral with the second edge 29 of the opening.

More particularly, the second side 22b of the second flap 22 comprises a rod 43 which extends parallel to this second side 22b.

In this embodiment, the ends of this rod 43 constitute the pion-shaped guiding means 28 adapted to slide in the guide rails 27.

This rod 43 is fixed to the second side 22b of the second flap 22 by a series of fastening tabs 44 which thus define in pairs a series of openings 45 arranged between the fastening tabs 44.

Each opening 45 is thus defined between two fixing lugs 44, the rod 43 and the free edge 22'b of the second leaf 22 at the second side 22b.

In a complementary manner, the second edge 29 of the opening comprises at least one hook, and here a series of hooks 46 adapted to engage with the rod 43 at the openings 45.

Thus, in the closed position, the hooks 46 and the fastening tabs 44 are staggered along the rod 43.

In this particular embodiment, the fastening tabs 44 are made from a folded wing forming a cylindrical opening of diameter adapted to the diameter of the rod 43.

The hooks 46 secured to the second edge 29 of the opening also have a curved shape having a semi-cylindrical inner surface corresponding to an outer surface portion of the rod 43.

This closure system 40 is further supplemented with a lever 47 rotatably mounted under the second edge 29 of the opening. This lever 47 is thus mounted in rotation about an axis 48 between a remote position and a close position of the hooks 46.

Elastic return means are adapted to move the lever from a remote position to the position close to the hooks 46.

These elastic return means may be constituted in a conventional manner by a spring mounted in torsion on the axis of rotation 48 of the lever 47.

This lever 47 is adapted to cooperate with a portion of the rod 43 when closing the wings 21, 22.

In particular, this lever 47 comprises at least one inclined plane 49 which extends transversely to one end of a guide rail 27. This inclined plane 49 thus forms a support plane for the rod 43 when it arrives in end of travel of the guide rails 27.

In this embodiment, there are two inclined planes 49 disposed respectively at both ends of the lever 47, allowing a better distribution of the forces exerted by the rod 43 on the lever 47.

We will now describe with reference to Figures 4 to 8 operation in opening and closing of a drum door according to the invention.

When the door is in the open position as shown in figure 4 , the first leaf 21 is kept open above the axis 23 secured to the edge 24 of the opening. The first leaf 21 extends substantially in a plane perpendicular to the tangent to the shell of the drum at the axis 23, to allow maximum access to the opening inside the drum.

Thanks to the guide rail 27 which extends to the edge 24 of the opening, the second leaf 22 is, at the end of the opening stroke, arranged in such a way that its second side 22b, on which are mounted the pions of guide 28, is substantially adjacent to the axis 23 secured to the edge 24 of the opening.

Thus, the two wings 21, 22 are folded substantially against each other in the open position of the door and access to the interior of the drum is facilitated.

When closing, the user acts on the handle 30 projecting beyond the first leaf 21. The action on this handle 30 moves the leaf 21 to its closed position.

Thanks to the articulation of the second leaf 22 about the axis 26, the smooth sliding of the guide pins 28 in the guide rails 27, and the particular path of the guide rails 27, the displacement of the first leaf 21 causes the simultaneous displacement of the second leaf 22 as well illustrated on the figures 5 and 6 until the guiding pins 28 arrive substantially at the end of travel of the guide rails 27.

Thanks to the adapted curved guide rail, it is possible to obtain a smooth translation without jamming of the second leaf 22, while acting with one hand on the first leaf 21.

When the second flapper 22 is substantially at the end of travel, the rod 43 comes into contact with the inclined planes 49 of the lever 47 and pushes the lever back to a position remote from the hooks 46.

Once this rod 43 has escaped the inclined planes 49, the lever 47 is returned by the elastic return means in its position close to the hooks 46.

During this tilting movement, the rod 43 is raised towards the hooks 46 so that the latter engage with the rod 43 at the openings 45, between the fixing lugs 44.

This produces the closing of the door. Thanks to this closure system 40, only the female part of this system, consisting of the rod 43, is visible, the male part consisting of the hooks 46, being hidden by the shell 11 of the drum on the one hand, and by the lever 47 on the other hand. This masking of the hooks 46 ensures safety of the user in the loading of the laundry and protects the laundry during unloading and operation of the machine.

Thanks to the existence of a single closure system 40 at the end of the door, it is possible to automate the opening and / or the closing, and further facilitate the locking of the door during operation of the machine.

The opening of the drum door can also be performed with one hand by the user, pressing the second flap 22 at the closure system 40.

Under the action of the rod 43 of this second leaf 22, the lever 47 is pushed back and the second leaf 22 escapes from this lever 47 thanks to the elastic restoring force exerted on the first leaf 21 by the spring 25 mounted on the axis 23 of the first leaf 21.

Of course, many modifications can be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

In particular, an additional spring could be added at the axis 26, to facilitate the articulation of the two leaves 21, 22 relative to each other.

In this case, the spring 25 mounted on the axis 23 of the first leaf 21 could possibly be deleted.

In addition, the closure system 40 described here for a double-leaf door 21, 22, could also be adapted to a drum door comprising a single leaf, mounted for example slidably on the drum shell.

Claims (11)

1. Door for rotating drum suitable for sealing an opening in the body (11) of the drum (10), comprising a first door leaf (21) mounted by a first side (21 a) in rotation about a shaft (23) firmly attached to an edge (24) of the opening, and a second door leaf (22) mounted by a first side (22a) in rotation on a second side (21 b) of said first door leaf (21), the second side (21 b) of said first door leaf (21) being opposite the first side (21 a) of the first door leaf (21), characterised in that said second door leaf (22) comprises guidance means (28) adapted to cooperate with complementary guidance means (27) firmly attached to the body (11) of the drum (10) and adapted to guide said second door leaf (22) in displacement between a closed position and an open position of said door, said complementary guidance means (27) comprising two guidance rails (27) arranged respectively on either side of the opening, said guidance rails (27) extending between said edge (24) of the opening and a second opposite edge (29) of said opening.
2. Door for rotating drum according to claim 1, characterised in that in said open position, a second side (22b) of said second door leaf (22) opposite said first side (22a) of the second door leaf (22) is substantially adjacent to the shaft (23) firmly attached to said edge (24) of the opening.
3. Door for rotating drum according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that said guidance rails (27) extend along a trajectory, the curvature of which is such that a contact force (F) exerted on said guidance means (28) by said guidance rails (27) is outside the friction cone (C) at all points of said guidance rails (27).
4. Door for rotating drum according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said second door leaf (22) comprises closure means (41) mounted on a second side (22b) of said second leaf (22) opposite said first side (22a) of said second leaf (22) and adapted to cooperate with complementary closing means (42) firmly attached to a second edge (29) of the opening opposite the first edge (24) of the opening.
5. Door for rotating drum according to claim 4, characterised in that the second side (22b) of said second door leaf (22) comprises a rod (43) extending substantially parallel to said second side (22b) and in that said second edge (29) of the opening comprises at least one hook (46) adapted to come into engagement with said rod (43) in said closed position of the door.
6. Door for rotating drum according to claim 5, characterised in that said rod (43) is fixed to said second side (22b) of said second door leaf (22) by a series of fixing tabs (44) which in pairs define a series of openings (45) between the fixing tabs (44), the rod (43) and a free edge of the second door leaf, and in that said second edge (29) of the opening comprises a series of hooks (46) adapted to come into engagement with said rod (43) respectively at the level of said openings (45).
7. Door for rotating drum according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterised in that a lever (47) is mounted in rotation between a position far from and a position near to said at least one hook (46), wherein resilient return means are adapted to move the lever (47) from said far position towards said near position, and in that said rod (43) is adapted to move the lever (47) between said near position and said far position, and the lever (47) is adapted to move said rod (43) up to a position in engagement with said at least one hook (46).
8. Door for rotating drum according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the ends of the rod (43) constitute said guidance means (28).
9. Door for rotating drum according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it also comprises a handle (30) firmly attached to said first door leaf (21) and extending beyond said second side (21 b) of the first door leaf (21).
10. Washing machine and/or tumble dryer comprising a rotating drum (10) fitted with an opening in the body (11) of the drum (10), characterised in that it comprises a door for rotating drum in accordance with any of claims 1 to 9.
11. Washing machine and/or tumble dryer according to claim 10, characterised in that said opening (13) in the body (11) of the drum (10) comprises two opposite edges (24, 29) extending in the width of said machine, and in that said first door leaf (21) is mounted in rotation about a shaft (23) firmly attached to one of said edges (24) remote from the front (12a) of the machine when said opening (13) extends substantially below the upper plane of said machine.

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