EP1683903A1 - Waschmitteleinfüllvorrichtung für Waschmaschinen - Google Patents

Waschmitteleinfüllvorrichtung für Waschmaschinen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1683903A1
EP1683903A1 EP05425019A EP05425019A EP1683903A1 EP 1683903 A1 EP1683903 A1 EP 1683903A1 EP 05425019 A EP05425019 A EP 05425019A EP 05425019 A EP05425019 A EP 05425019A EP 1683903 A1 EP1683903 A1 EP 1683903A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
detergent drawer
movement
detergent
tract
drawer
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
EP05425019A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1683903B1 (de
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 EP05425019A priority Critical patent/EP1683903B1/de
Publication of EP1683903A1 publication Critical patent/EP1683903A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1683903B1 publication Critical patent/EP1683903B1/de
Ceased legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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 
    • D06F39/02—Devices for adding soap or other washing agents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a detergent inlet device for washing machines.
  • Detergent inlet devices are known to comprise a detergent drawer suitable to contain the detergent and a housing integrated within the support and containment frame of the washing machine such as to form an opening receiving the detergent drawer.
  • the liquid or powder detergent is poured by the user into the detergent drawer and carried therefrom by a water stream to the washing tank.
  • a detergent drawer is divided into several compartments by means of partition walls being provided for containing the detergent, such as for prewash and main wash, as well as the conditioner.
  • the detergent drawers of the prior art which are typically manufactured by means of injection moulding, have size tolerances that are relatively high, and accordingly, they tend to jam while being inserted into and extracted from the housing.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide a detergent inlet device for washing machines having characteristics such as to facilitate inserting the detergent drawer into the housing.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a detergent inlet device having functional characteristics independent from the supply and control systems of the washing machine, such that expensive modifications to the existing washing machines are not required.
  • Figures 1 to 6 are longitudinal sectional views of six embodiments of the invention.
  • Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a detail of the detergent inlet device from Figure 1;
  • Figure 8 is a sectional enlarged view of a detail of the detergent inlet device from Figure 4.
  • Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX from Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is a further enlarged sectional view of the detail from Figure 8.
  • Figure 11 is a schematic drawing of a further embodiment of the invention.
  • the device 1 comprises a detergent drawer 2 suitable to contain detergent, a housing 3 defining an opening 4 accommodating the detergent drawer 2 in a displaceable manner between an extracted position E, where detergent can be added to the detergent drawer 2, and a withdrawn position I where the detergent can be conveyed from the detergent drawer 2 to a washing tank (not shown in the figures) of the washing machine.
  • the device 1 further comprises means affecting the movement of the detergent drawer 2 relative to the housing 3, which, in turn, include urging means, for example elastic means, gravitational means or (electro-) magnetic means (not shown).
  • the urging means apply a force Fi on the detergent drawer 2, along a tract with assisted movement A, in the direction of the withdrawn position I of the detergent drawer 2 such as to facilitate inserting the same into the housing 3.
  • the urging means apply a force Fi sufficient to automatically displace the detergent drawer 2 along the tract with assisted movement A that preferably extends to the inserted position I of the detergent drawer 2, such that just the last tract of the inserting movement of the detergent drawer 2 is either facilitated or automatically carried out, thereby ensuring proper positioning of the latter upon operation of the washing machine.
  • the tract with assisted movement A is about 100 mm to about 120 mm long, extending along a main part of the distance D between the extracted position E and the withdrawn position I of the detergent drawer 2.
  • the length of this tract with assisted movement A may, of course, be varied according to the volume sizing of the detergent loading device.
  • the length of the tract with assisted movement A is less than half the distance D between the extracted position E and the inserted position I of the detergent drawer 2, the insertion thereof being facilitated only in the final area.
  • the tract with assisted movement A is 10 mm to 50 mm long, preferably 15 mm to 25 mm long.
  • the urging means i.e. the elastic, gravitational or magnetic means interact with the detergent drawer 2 such that part of the energy employed by the user to move the latter will be accumulated.
  • the energy required to apply the force Fi either to facilitate or automatically carry out the (so far problematic) insertion movement of the detergent drawer 2 is accumulated during at least part of its movement (a less problematic one, for example the extraction) carried out by the user.
  • the urging means are embodied by a spring 5 connected with the housing 3 and the detergent drawer 2.
  • the spring 5 is stretched (energy accumulation) when the detergent drawer is extracted by the user and either facilitates or carries out insertion of the detergent drawer 2, by applying the elastic force Fi thereon along the tract with assisted movement A.
  • the urging means are embodied by a guide 7 associated with the housing 3 with a biased tract 6 extending to a location corresponding to the withdrawn position I of the detergent drawer 2.
  • the guide 7 controls the movement of the detergent drawer 2, particularly of a projection thereof 8, such that the latter is either pulled or pushed towards the withdrawn position by moving down while moving along the biased tract 5 due to the gravitational force.
  • the urging means are embodied by one or more elastic tabs 9, or similar elastic means being connected to the detergent drawer 2 which engage a guide 10 associated with the housing with a biased tract 11 such that the elastic tab 9 (intended as the pressing spring) resting on the biased tract 11 tends to pull the detergent drawer 2 towards the withdrawn position I of the latter.
  • the elastic tab 9 is pulled along the biased tract 11 in the direction of the extracted position E of the detergent drawer. In this instance, the elastic tab 9 is deformed, whereby the energy required to apply the force Fi on the detergent drawer 2 upon its next insertion in the housing 3 is accumulated.
  • the guide 10 defines a further tract 12 that is biased in the opposite direction relative to the biasing of the biased tract 11.
  • This further biased tract 12 extends up to a location corresponding either to the extracted position E of drawer 2 or separated position of the same, i.e. full removal, from the housing 3.
  • the further biased tract 12 is configured such as to deform the elastic tab 9 (in order to accumulate the energy required to apply the force Fi on the detergent drawer) in the event that a previously removed detergent drawer is inserted.
  • the coupling means advantageously interact with suitable means to lock the urging means such as to preserve the power state thereof, for example the stretched configuration of spring 5.
  • the automatic coupling means comprise:
  • - guide means suitable to adjust the relative position between the fastening means and the counter-fastening means as a function of the position of the detergent drawer 2 relative to the housing 3, such that the fastening and counter-fastening means are automatically engaged and disengaged in pre-established positions of the detergent drawer while being inserted into and extracted from the housing.
  • the coupling means comprise a hook 13 connected to the spring 5 and a ridge or pin 14 formed in the detergent drawer 2 and suitable to engage the hook 13 for the spring 5 to be coupled with the detergent drawer 2.
  • the hook 13 is slidingly supported along a guide track 15 either connected with the housing 2 or formed as one piece therewith.
  • the hook 13 has two abutment points or surfaces 16 being spaced apart from each other and both engaging the guide track 15 such that the biasing or orientation of the guide track also defines the biasing or orientation of the hook 13.
  • the guide track 15 has a substantially straight main tract 17 corresponding to the tract with assisted movement A, the orientation thereof defining an orientation of the hook 13 suitable to ensure the coupling of the hook 13 with the detergent drawer 2.
  • the guide track 15 comprises a secondary tract 18 transversal to the movement direction of the detergent drawer 2 and oriented such as to define a bias of the hook 13 suitable to disengage the detergent drawer 2 and define a stop surface 19 preventing the hook 13 (now being separated from the detergent drawer 2) from moving in the direction of the withdrawn position I of the detergent drawer 2, thereby preserving the elastic energy accumulated in the stretched spring 5.
  • the detergent drawer 2 engages the hook 13 by means of the pin or ridge 14. Due to the initial thrust carried out by the user, the detergent drawer 2 displaces the hook 13 from the secondary tract 18 of the guide track 15 to the main tract 17, thereby the hook 13 disengages the stop surface 19 and rotates in its engagement position with pin 14. The detergent drawer 2, due to the elastic force of spring 5, is then automatically pulled in its withdrawn position I (see for example Fig. 1 and 7).
  • coupling means such as described and illustrated therein, there may be used for example coupling means based on the principle of a pawl that can be snap engaged/disengaged.
  • the means affecting the movement of the detergent drawer further comprise shock-absorbing means interacting with the detergent drawer such as to dampen the movement of the latter in the direction of the withdrawn position I along a tract with dampened movement S.
  • the track with dampened movement S is about 100 mm to about 120 mm long, extending along a main part of the distance D between the extracted E and the withdrawn I positions of the detergent drawer 2.
  • the length of this tract with dampened movement S can of course be varied according to the volume sizing of the detergent loading device.
  • the length of the tract of dampened movement S is less than half the distance D between the extracted position E and the withdrawn position I of the detergent drawer 2, thereby dampening the movement thereof only in the final tract.
  • the tract with dampened movement S is 10 mm to 50 mm long, preferably 15 mm to 25 mm long.
  • the shock-absorbing means comprise at least one shock-absorber 20, 25 directly acting on the urging means.
  • this shock-absorber 20 is parallel connected to the urging means such that the force Fi applied by the latter on the detergent drawer is always accompanied by a decelerating effect provided by the shock-absorber 20, such as may be seen in Fig. 4.
  • the means for automatic coupling the urging means with the detergent drawer can be advantageously configured such that they also provide the automatic coupling of the shock-absorbing means with the detergent drawer.
  • the shock-absorbing means comprise at least one shock-absorber 21, 24 directly acting on the detergent drawer.
  • this shock-absorber 21 is a rotary shock-absorber connected to the housing 3 and provided with a gear 22 engaging a toothed rack portion 23 of the detergent drawer 2, such as shown in Fig. 5.
  • one or more linear shock-absorbers 24 can be used, such as shown in Fig. 6.
  • the shock-absorbing means are configured such that the dampening value of the movement of the detergent drawer in the direction of the withdrawn position I is greater than the dampening value of the movement of the detergent drawer in the direction of the extracted position E.
  • Fig. 9 and 10 are exemplary views of a "unidirectional" shock-absorber 25 being provided with a wall 26 which is more pervious to a fluid (such as air, lubricating grease or silicone) in one direction than in the opposite direction.
  • a fluid such as air, lubricating grease or silicone
  • the shock absorbing means comprise a shock-absorber with a first portion 27 connected, either directly or indirectly, to the housing 3 and a second portion 28, the movement of the latter being dampened relative to the first portion 27.
  • the second portion 28 is suitable to rest against the detergent drawer 2 in the direction of the extracted position E of the latter, such as to dampen the movement of drawer 2 in the direction of the withdrawn position I of the latter.
  • An auxiliary spring 29 of a (preferably much) less rigidity than spring 5 elastically urges the second portion 28 of the shock-absorber in the direction of the extracted position E of the drawer such that the drawer and the shock-absorber are kept in contact to each other.
  • the shock-absorber does not act on the urging means, i.e. spring 5, and the force produced by the auxiliary spring 29 is smaller than the opposing force provided by spring 5, in order to extract the drawer the user is not required to overcome also the delaying, i.e. decelerating, force of the shock-absorber.
  • the second portion 28 of the shock absorber can detach temporarily from the drawer and approaches thereto with a certain delay due to the elastic thrust of the auxiliary spring 29.
  • the means for affecting the movement of the detergent drawer relative to the housing can be advantageously arranged on both lateral sides of the detergent drawer, or, as an alternative, on the upper side, preferably at a middle detergent compartment thereof.
  • the means for affecting the movement of the detergent drawer are placed on the drawer, such that the encumbrance within the housing is reduced, thereby facilitating the water-supply systems within the delivery pipes.
  • a system is advantageously obtained, in which the drawer is withdrawn in the housing at two different speeds, i.e. a first, quick tract (by the action of the elastic spring) and a second, decelerated tract (by the combined action of the elastic spring and the shock-absorber).
  • the detergent inlet device according to the invention has a number of advantages.
  • the detergent inlet device can be adapted to a number of washing machines, washing-drying machines and the like, regardless of their supply and control systems.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Drawers Of Furniture (AREA)
EP05425019A 2005-01-20 2005-01-20 Waschmitteleinfüllvorrichtung für Waschmaschinen Ceased EP1683903B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05425019A EP1683903B1 (de) 2005-01-20 2005-01-20 Waschmitteleinfüllvorrichtung für Waschmaschinen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05425019A EP1683903B1 (de) 2005-01-20 2005-01-20 Waschmitteleinfüllvorrichtung für Waschmaschinen

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1683903A1 true EP1683903A1 (de) 2006-07-26
EP1683903B1 EP1683903B1 (de) 2012-03-07

Family

ID=34943016

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05425019A Ceased EP1683903B1 (de) 2005-01-20 2005-01-20 Waschmitteleinfüllvorrichtung für Waschmaschinen

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1683903B1 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2106472A1 (de) * 2006-12-14 2009-10-07 LG Electronics Inc. Waschmaschine und dosierfach dafür
KR101290374B1 (ko) * 2006-12-14 2013-07-26 엘지전자 주식회사 드로어 어셈블리
US8544973B2 (en) 2009-06-03 2013-10-01 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
KR101364867B1 (ko) * 2006-12-14 2014-02-20 엘지전자 주식회사 드로어 어셈블리
EP2381027B1 (de) 2007-06-12 2015-09-16 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Waschmaschinenspender für Reinigungsmittel oder Ähnliches
CN109402966A (zh) * 2017-08-18 2019-03-01 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种洗涤添加剂盒、洗衣机及洗衣机的控制方法
CN111576004A (zh) * 2019-02-18 2020-08-25 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种分配器组件及衣物处理设备

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0410086A1 (de) * 1989-07-25 1991-01-30 Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH Waschmaschine mit einer Waschmittelschale
EP0465800A1 (de) * 1990-07-10 1992-01-15 Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH Waschmaschine mit einer Waschmittelschale
DE29616054U1 (de) * 1996-09-14 1998-01-15 Ninkaplast GmbH, 32108 Bad Salzuflen Möbelauszug mit Selbsteinzug
DE29923738U1 (de) * 1999-03-05 2001-03-01 bulthaup GmbH & Co. Küchensysteme, 84155 Bodenkirchen Vorrichtung zum Abbremsen der Schließbewegung einer Schublade
EP1403415A2 (de) * 2002-09-19 2004-03-31 ITW Industrial Components S.r.l. Vorrichtung zum automatischen Ausfahren einer Waschmittelschublade eines elektrischen Haushaltsgerätes, wie einer Waschmaschine, und Haushaltsgerät mit so einer Vorrichtung

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0410086A1 (de) * 1989-07-25 1991-01-30 Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH Waschmaschine mit einer Waschmittelschale
EP0465800A1 (de) * 1990-07-10 1992-01-15 Bosch-Siemens HausgerÀ¤te GmbH Waschmaschine mit einer Waschmittelschale
DE29616054U1 (de) * 1996-09-14 1998-01-15 Ninkaplast GmbH, 32108 Bad Salzuflen Möbelauszug mit Selbsteinzug
DE29923738U1 (de) * 1999-03-05 2001-03-01 bulthaup GmbH & Co. Küchensysteme, 84155 Bodenkirchen Vorrichtung zum Abbremsen der Schließbewegung einer Schublade
EP1403415A2 (de) * 2002-09-19 2004-03-31 ITW Industrial Components S.r.l. Vorrichtung zum automatischen Ausfahren einer Waschmittelschublade eines elektrischen Haushaltsgerätes, wie einer Waschmaschine, und Haushaltsgerät mit so einer Vorrichtung

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2106472A1 (de) * 2006-12-14 2009-10-07 LG Electronics Inc. Waschmaschine und dosierfach dafür
EP2106472A4 (de) * 2006-12-14 2010-12-22 Lg Electronics Inc Waschmaschine und dosierfach dafür
KR101290374B1 (ko) * 2006-12-14 2013-07-26 엘지전자 주식회사 드로어 어셈블리
KR101364867B1 (ko) * 2006-12-14 2014-02-20 엘지전자 주식회사 드로어 어셈블리
EP2381027B1 (de) 2007-06-12 2015-09-16 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Waschmaschinenspender für Reinigungsmittel oder Ähnliches
EP2003237B1 (de) 2007-06-12 2016-05-04 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Waschmaschinenspender für Reinigungsmittel
US8544973B2 (en) 2009-06-03 2013-10-01 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator
CN109402966A (zh) * 2017-08-18 2019-03-01 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种洗涤添加剂盒、洗衣机及洗衣机的控制方法
CN109402966B (zh) * 2017-08-18 2022-03-18 合肥海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种洗涤添加剂盒、洗衣机及洗衣机的控制方法
CN111576004A (zh) * 2019-02-18 2020-08-25 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 一种分配器组件及衣物处理设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1683903B1 (de) 2012-03-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1683903B1 (de) Waschmitteleinfüllvorrichtung für Waschmaschinen
CN106343938A (zh) 阻尼器组件及导轨组件及洗碗机
CN102089470B (zh) 用于清洁构件尤其是冷凝装置的蒸发器的装置
EP2818092A1 (de) Geschirrspüler
EP2522254A1 (de) Vorrichtung zur sicherstellung eines weichen endes einer öffnungsbewegung
KR870009311A (ko) 지폐장치
US20130134852A1 (en) Assembly Of An Automatic Opening And Closing Device And A Retaining Device For A Displaceable Part Of An Article Of Furniture
JP2004516873A (ja) 洗濯物の洗濯または乾燥のための家庭用機械
EP2425745A2 (de) Niedrig montierte gleitvorrichtung mit automatischer verschlussvorrichtung
CN102724897A (zh) 抽屉系统
CN112195868A (zh) 一种水利工程用闸板
JP4541488B2 (ja) 遊技球樋
WO2016058123A1 (en) Reservoir with handle
ES2661976T3 (es) Dispositivo de aparato de cocción al vapor
CN109764614B (zh) 抽屉装配结构及具有其的冰箱
EP3674475B1 (de) Zusätzliches kondensatleitungssystem mit einklips-abflusselement
SI22602A (sl) Sklop predala in kolesnih izvlečnih vodil zanj
EP3309462B1 (de) Haushaltsgerät
KR200441162Y1 (ko) 세탁기용 수납함 인출장치
EP2387640B1 (de) Wachmaschine mit waschmitteldosierfach
EP3235938A1 (de) Wäschebehandlungsmaschine mit schubladenanordnung
CN207361559U (zh) 一种组装式电梯除锈装置
CN220183634U (zh) 干衣机用冷凝水盒及干衣机
CN209840555U (zh) 一种干燥箱
KR101148448B1 (ko) 액체 저장조를 갖는 의류처리장치

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): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR LV MK YU

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: FUMAGALLI, SILVANO

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20061116

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): DE GB IT

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20070514

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

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: FUMAGALLI, SILVANO

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: CANDY S.P.A.

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE GB IT

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602005033012

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120503

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: 20121210

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602005033012

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20121210

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20170119

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20170112

Year of fee payment: 13

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20170331

Year of fee payment: 13

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602005033012

Country of ref document: DE

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

Effective date: 20180120

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: 20180801

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: 20180120

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: 20180120