EP2194181A2 - Laundry care device with a horizontally pivoting grip element - Google Patents

Abstract

The appliance e.g. washing machine (1), has a cabinet shaped housing (2) including a door (10) with an opening unit (12) at a front side (3), where the door is pivotably arranged over a vertical axis (14). The opening unit has a gripping element (20) and a locking unit, which is provided for locking the door and corresponds with a locking opening in the housing. The gripping element is pivotably arranged over a horizontal axis (22), where the door is opened by pivoting the gripping element. The horizontal axis is arranged below the locking unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care apparatus having a cabinet-shaped housing, which has on its front side a door with a handle for opening a lock of the door.

Conventional laundry care devices exist as a top loader and as a front loader. In top loaders is the opening for filling the laundry care device at the top, where a flap is arranged, which allows for opening the access to the interior of the housing and thus also to the laundry drum. The laundry drum can in this case have a horizontal or a vertical axis of rotation. In so-called front loaders, the laundry drum is mounted horizontally with respect to its axis of rotation and opened to the front. Therefore, there is a suitably round opening on the front, which can be closed by a door. In most conventional washing machines, this door is designed as a so-called porthole. Such a door usually has a viewing window, which is arranged in a door frame. The door itself usually has a round, the opening of the housing adapted form, but may also have other shapes.

In most conventional front loader laundry care devices of the type mentioned above, the door is hinged to the housing, the door being pivotable about a substantially vertical axis so as to expose the opening of the housing. Doors of Wäschepflegeräten usually also have a locking device, since especially in washing machines due to the large amounts of water, the door must be closed and sealed. In addition, a lock is also the safety, since in centrifuges of washing machines large centrifugal forces and thus large vibrations can occur. Such locking devices are thus conveniently located on the opposite side of the hinge of the door, so that possibly against the door falling or oppressive against these amounts of water or laundry items can not open the door. Since the locking device is by default approximately on the horizontal axis of the frontal opening of the housing of a laundry care device, usually the handle for opening is arranged at this point.

This has the serious disadvantage that the user has to bend over with the conventional dimensions of a washing machine in order to open it.

To solve this problem, they have already tried to place at least the handles at a higher position of the round door. For example, the DE 10 2006 029 202 A1 a washing machine having a flap and a movable handle member disposed substantially above the horizontal centerline of the flap, the flap being rotatable about a substantially vertical hinge axis. The locking device in this case is a Schnepper, which is arranged on the horizontal center line of the flap, in order to achieve a better locking effect, since the Schnepper this is exactly opposite to the hinge. The Schnepper also has a vertical axis which is parallel to the hinge axis of the flap. The handle is arranged at an acute angle α to the Schnepperachse, said angle can be a maximum of 80 °.

The disadvantage of this embodiment is that the grip element and Schneppervorrichtung are spatially separated from each other on the flap. As a result, complex deflection mechanisms are necessary in order to move the Schneppervorrichtung by actuation of the handle and so to open the lock.

An entirely different solution for opening a washing machine door was in EP 1 650 342 A1 and EP 1 652 992 A2 proposed. Here is a round washing machine door fitted into an angular frame, which occupies almost the entire front of the washing machine. At the two vertical edges of a rail is arranged, in which two, at the upper end of the frame protruding pins can run. Approximately centrally on both sides of the frame of the door mounting brackets are arranged, which are attached to the washing machine at the lower ends of the rails. This allows the door to be opened downwards, so that the door is held horizontally upwards with its flat front side facing upwards. Thus, the door of the washing machine can serve as a shelf. This elaborate closing and sliding mechanism is extremely difficult to operate and also requires a strong force of the user at the initial release of the door. Again, it is not possible to arrange the handles ergonomically favorable, so that the user does not have to bend down.

The present invention thus had the object of providing a laundry care device that allows an ergonomically favorable grip position for the door of the washing machine.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a laundry care device with a cabinet-shaped housing having on its front side a door with an opening device, wherein the door is pivotally mounted on a substantially vertical axis, and wherein the opening means comprises a locking device for locking the door with a locking opening in the housing corresponds, and a handle element comprises. The handle member is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, wherein the door is to be opened by pivoting the handle member, and the horizontal axis of the handle member is disposed below the locking means.

The starting point of the present invention is thus a laundry care device, such as a washing machine or a dryer or a washer-dryer, which is designed as a front loader. Front loaders have a door on the front of the unit, unlike top loaders on the top, and the door is designed like a cabinet door, i. it is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis and can thus release the opening to the interior of the device when the door is opened. The vertical axis of the door is typically formed in the form of a hinge, which is conveniently located at the horizontal centerline of a typically round door. In order to close the door securely, a locking device is further provided, which corresponds to a locking opening in the housing.

Conveniently, this locking device is located directly opposite to the hinge, as in this way the forces acting from the inside on the door can best be distributed and thus the door closes most secure.

In most washing machines and dryers, ie, a total of laundry care appliances that have a round door, this is additionally provided with a viewing window, also called sight glass, provided. The sight glass is usually surrounded by a round frame. This frame is equipped with a handle element for opening the door.

It is particularly preferred that the grip element is a part of the door. In the cases in which the door comprises a frame and a sight glass, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the grip element is designed as part of the frame.

The grip element should be placed as possible in an ergonomically favorable location. It is therefore preferable to provide the upper part of the door or of the frame of the door with this handle element or to design it as such, since this is the most ergonomic place for the user to touch the door without stooping. It is important that the grip element is pivotable about a horizontal axis.

The horizontal axis of the handle member is preferably at the lower end thereof so that the entire handle member pivots in the same direction, typically this will be away from the front wall and towards the user. This results in the particular advantage of the present invention, namely that the door can be opened by simply attracting the uppermost part of the grip element.

Preferably, the horizontal axis is formed by a hinge, via which the grip element can be pivoted. As mentioned, the hinge is preferably attached to the lower edge of the handle member. But it is also possible that the hinge is mounted toward the center, so that the handle element is pivoted when actuated according to the principle of a rocker. However, a one-armed pivoting of the handle element is preferred, which requires an external hinge.

The opening device further comprises, in addition to the grip element, a locking device which corresponds to a locking opening in the housing. Such locking devices are already known in the art. As already mentioned, it is particularly advantageous if the locking device is located in the region of the horizontal center line of the door.

Preferably, a bolt is used, for example in the form of a Schneppers, which corresponds to the locking with a counter-element, which is located in the locking opening or behind, and thus can be locked, for example. By changing the position of the locking device, the latch can be released and so a release can be effected.

The gripping element and the locking device are preferably coupled to one another such that by pivoting the gripping element in the opening direction of the door, the locking device is simultaneously moved so that an unlocking is effected. However, this need not necessarily be the case. For example, it is also possible to effect the unlocking of the door via a separate actuating device. In a preferred embodiment, however, the gripping element and the locking device are coupled together. In the simplest case, the locking means is fixedly mounted or fixed to the handle member such that by actuating (i.e., pivoting) the handle member, the locking means is raised. In this case, the locking can be solved with the counter element. But it can also be provided other mechanical couplings, which allow unlocking when opening the door by pivoting the handle member. These can be found in the expert's knowledge, so they need not be explained in detail here.

The kinematic process looks like this. First, the handle member is easily pivoted about its horizontal axis toward the user. In this case, the locking device is unlocked, and the entire door begins to open with the handle element still slightly pivoted present to the user. Preferably, the handle member is provided with a return means (e.g., a spring or the like) so that it returns to its original position without further application of force, i.e., a return spring. is flush with the remaining parts of the frame.

If the hinge (vertical) of the door is slightly inclined, it can be achieved that the door continues to rotate by itself after opening up to a maximum of 180 ° and also remains in this position without falling back by itself. These types of doors are already known to the person skilled in the art.

A further advantage of the invention is that the mechanism for actuating the locking device can be kept simpler, since the grip element is coupled to the locking device and is preferably fastened directly thereto. While expensive constructions had to be devised in the prior art in order to couple a spatially separated locking element with a tiltable grip element, this mechanical connection is now simplified. In the simplest case, the Locking device to be mounted directly on the handle element. If this is tilted by a few degrees, so also raises the locking device, and the door can be opened.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following examples and drawings, wherein the individual features are also interchangeable, as far as this is within the scope of the present invention.

Figur 1:

eine Frontalansicht eines schematisch dargestellten Wäschepflegegeräts der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht von schräg oben des Wäschepflegegeräts von Figur 1,

Figur 3:

eine Seitenansicht des Wäschepflegegeräts von Figur 1,

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung im geschlossenen Zustand,

Figur 5:

eine perspektivische Ansicht derselben Ausführungsform von Figur 4 mit gekippter Griffstellung,

Figur 6:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Wäschepflegegeräts von Figur 4 mit geöffneter Tür,

Figur 7:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Rahmens mit einem Griffelement gemäß der Erfindung in geschlossenem Zustand,

Figur 8:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Tür mit einem Rahmen, einem Fenster und einem geschwenkten Griffelement gemäß der Erfindung,

Figur 9:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Frontalansicht einer Waschmaschine in einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform,

Figur 10:

die Waschmaschine aus Figur 9 in perspektivischer Ansicht und mit Griff und geöffneter Tür,

Figur 11:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Waschmaschine gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung in Frontalansicht,

Figur 12:

eine perspektivische Ansicht derselben Waschmaschine aus Figur 11 mit geschwenktem Griffelement und geöffneter Tür.

Show it:

FIG. 1:

a frontal view of a schematically illustrated laundry care device of the present invention,

FIG. 2:

a perspective view obliquely from above the laundry care device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3:

a side view of the laundry care device of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4:

a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in the closed state,

FIG. 5:

a perspective view of the same embodiment of FIG. 4 with tilted handle position,

FIG. 6:

a perspective view of the laundry care device of FIG. 4 with open door,

FIG. 7:

a perspective view of a frame with a handle member according to the invention in the closed state,

FIG. 8:

a perspective view of a door with a frame, a window and a pivoted handle member according to the invention,

FIG. 9:

a schematic representation of a front view of a washing machine in a further preferred embodiment,

FIG. 10:

the washing machine off FIG. 9 in perspective view and with handle and opened door,

FIG. 11:

a schematic representation of a washing machine according to another embodiment of the invention in a front view,

FIG. 12:

a perspective view of the same washing machine FIG. 11 with pivoted handle element and opened door.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a washing machine 1 in a frontal view of the front 3, which shows the door 10. The washing machine has a housing not shown in detail 2, as well as on the front side 3, the already mentioned door 10, which has a viewing window 11 in the middle, which is enclosed by a frame 24. The frame 24 is annular, wherein from the ring a slightly more than half ausmachendes ring segment is divided as opening means 12. Visible from the opening device 12, only the handle member 20 which is attached via two hinges 21 on the remaining part of the frame 24. The two hinges 21 lie on a horizontal straight line and form a horizontal axis 22. Also shown is a hinge 13 for the door, which has a vertical axis 14 about which the door 10 is pivotable.

FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 1 but in a perspective view. Here are from the housing 2, not only the front 3, but also the top 5 and one of the side walls 7 can be seen. In addition, the door 10 is shown in a half-open state. The door has a sight glass 11 which is bordered by a frame 24. The frame 24 is annular, and a segment of this ring with a horizontal axis 22 represents the handle member 20. The handle member 20 is shown pivoted in this case, wherein the locking device 16 has been brought into an oblique position, whereby it pulled out of the locking hole 18 could be.

In figure, the same washing machine is off FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 again shown schematically in a sectional view. Here you can also see dashed the interior of the washing machine 1, consisting of a drum 15 and a tub 17, which are both attached by a sealing collar 19 to the door opening. The door opening is closed by the door 10. Perpendicular through the door runs the vertical axis, which is also the axis about which the door is pivoted about the door hinge 13 (not shown). Also shown is the handle member 20, which is shown in a solid line in the closed state and in a dashed line in the open, pivoted state. In order to operate the grip element 20, the user merely needs to pull it to himself and thus to pivot. The pivot axis 23 of the handle member 20 is then at an angle α to the vertical axis of the door fourteenth

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a washing machine 1 according to the present invention in a further preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the frame 24 is not annular, but has a handle member 20 which has an outer contour at a right angle. This has the advantage that the grip element 20 not only has a single highest point, but the highest point is a horizontal line. This allows even better handling for the user. The grip element 20 is also arranged only in the upper right quarter of the ring and has only a single hinge 21. The remaining frame is connected to the door hinge 13 and pivots, as already described above about a vertical axis. In this embodiment, the hinge 21 is not directly connected to the frame 24, but extends rod-shaped inside in the handle member 20. Thus pivots when actuated the upper part of the handle member 20 forward, and a small part to the rear.

In FIG. 5 is the same washing machine as in FIG. 4 shown, only with slightly swiveled handle. Visible in the approach is thereby the locking device 16 and the associated locking device 18, wherein the locking device 16 is coupled to the handle member 20 so that upon pivoting thereof the locking device 16 from the locking hole 18 is releasable. A counter element, which holds the locking device 16 in its position and thus causes the locking is not shown, only the opening 18, in which engages the locking device 16.

In FIG. 6 Yet another position of the door 10 of the same washing machine mentioned is shown, wherein the handle member 20 is now back to its original position has fallen, namely is vertical and is flush with the frame 24. However, the door 10 is opened in its entirety and the locking device 16 does not communicate with the locking opening 18 in this position.

The FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 again show two different embodiments of handle members 20 respectively in the front view and in a position in which the handle member 20 is pivoted and the door is slightly open. The individual components are as in the FIGS. 4 to 6 arranged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Laundry care device

2

casing

3

front

4

back

5

top

6

bottom

7

Side wall

8th

Side wall

9

loading opening

10

door

11

Window, window, sight glass

12

opening device

13

door hinge

14

vertical axis

15

washing drum

16

locking device

17

tub

18

locking opening

19

sealing sleeve

20

handle element

21

Hinge of the handle element

22

horizontal axis

23

Handle member pivot axis

24

frame

Claims (7)

A laundry care appliance (1) having a cabinet-shaped housing (2) which has on its front side (3) a door (10) with an opening device (12), wherein the door (10) is pivotably arranged via a substantially vertical axis (14) and wherein the opening device (12) comprises a locking device (16) which corresponds to a locking opening (18) in the housing (2) for locking the door (10), and a gripping element (20),
characterized in that
the handle element (20) is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis (22), wherein the door (10) is to be opened by pivoting the handle element (20), and that the horizontal axis (22) is arranged below the locking device (16) , Laundry care appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip element (20) is formed as a part of the door (10). Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door (10) comprises a frame (24). Laundry care appliance (1) according to claim 3, that the grip element (20) as a part of the frame (24) is formed. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (16) is mechanically coupled to the gripping element (20). Laundry care appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking device (16) on the handle element (20) is attached. Laundry care appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device (16) is arranged in the region of the horizontal center line of the door (10).

Images