EP2350377B1

EP2350377B1 - A washer/dryer

Info

Publication number: EP2350377B1
Application number: EP09741287.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ertan Cetinkaya; Umit Gulbay; Serkan Kasapoglu; Isik Ozyaka
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2008-10-27
Filing date: 2009-10-21
Publication date: 2017-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-21
Also published as: WO2010049330A1; EP2350377A1

Description

The present invention relates to a washer/dryer that is prevented from being damaged during transportation or usage.
In washers/dryers; rear, front, side walls, upper table and panel are fastened to each other and thus, the machine outer cabinet is formed. Forces coming from various directions by impacts and falls that can occur during transportation or usage act on these elements and in case that these forces cannot be efficiently resisted, deformations can occur. In the state of the art, various methods are used in order to prevent the damages that can occur during transportation and usage (see EP-A-1 288 366 ).
In the state of the art European Patent Application No EP1424429 , a washer/dryer is explained that comprises reinforcing embossings on its front panel flange.
In another state of the art embodiment, the People's Republic of China Patent No CN100383323 , a washer is described wherein the control panel is located on the top plate, and which comprises an absorbing element that is disposed such that it will completely cover the lower portion of the top plate and of the control panel.
Another state of the art embodiment is explained in the European Patent No EP1529873 . In this patent, a washer is described that comprises a metal rod-shaped support that is hung between the control panel flange and the rear wall for reinforcing the strength of the top plate. The support, at the same time, serves as a wire holder providing the electric wires to be held arranged.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washer/dryer wherein the damages that can occur during transportation and usage are reduced.
The washer/dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in claim 1.
The washer/dryer of the present invention comprises a bracket hung between the side walls, a flange extending from the upper edge of the panel towards the back, forming the upper surface of the panel and at least one support member disposed between the bracket and/or flange and the upper table. The support member comprises at least one absorber which is produced from a material having absorbing feature, and a receptacle which is mounted onto the bracket and/or flange from a point that is almost at the center, which has a housing wherein the absorber is disposed and which is produced from a rigid material.
By means of the receptacle, the upper table acquires additional strength. On the other hand, by means of the absorber, the vibrations generated during operation are prevented from being transferred to the upper table.
The receptacle is shaped as a box that has a housing shaped as a groove which is formed preferably on its upper wall longitudinally. The absorber is suitably shaped to be disposed into the housing. The absorber is disposed into the housing such that it will at least partially remain therein.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises at least one retainer which is located at its side edges and which prevents the absorber from being detached; and the absorber comprises two steps which are located at the sides thereof and which bear against the retainers from below and thus, guide the movement during the mounting of the absorber into its place. Thus, during the mounting of the absorber to the housing, the absorber is provided to be moved easily.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bracket comprises at least one hole which enables it to be mounted onto the receptacle; and the receptacle comprises at least one detent means which is located at its base and which fits into the hole and thus, provides fixing.
In this embodiment, the detent means comprises a rib which leans against the edges of the hole and thus, minimizes the movement of the receptacle in the horizontal direction.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle comprises at least one stopper which is located at the base of the housing and which provides the absorber to be locked in the proper position while it is disposed into the housing; and the absorber comprises a recess which is located at its base and wherein the stopper fits for the said locking. Thus, when the absorber comes to the required position in the housing, the stopper fits into the recess and fixing is provided.
In this embodiment, the absorber comprises an entering end which facilitates the leaping of the absorber over the stopper during the entering into the housing and which is suitably inclined for the shape of the stopper. In this embodiment, the absorber furthermore comprises a channel which is located after the entering end in the assembly direction and wherein the stopper moves forward. The channel comprises a ramp which is located at its end and which is suitably inclined for the shape of the stopper. The ramp provides the stopper moving forward in the channel during assembly to exit the channel and to settle into the recess and thus, provides the fixing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the panel comprises at least one extension which extends from the flange towards the bracket and which provides the panel to be fixed onto the bracket. In this embodiment, the receptacle comprises at least one opening wherein the extension fits when the support member is mounted into its place.
The model embodiments relating to the washer/dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a washer/dryer.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a washer/dryer the upper table of which has been removed
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of a support member.
Figure 4 - is the exploded top view of the support member.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the support member while the absorber is disposed to the housing.
Figure 6 - is the detailed front view of the front wall, panel, bracket and support member.
Figure 7 - is the detailed rear view of the front wall, panel, bracket and support member.
Figure 8 - is the detailed rear view of the front wall, panel and bracket.
Figure 9 - is the bottom perspective view of the receptacle.
Figure 10 - is the front cross-sectional view of the support member.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Washer/dryer
2.: Side wall
3.: Front wall
4.: Bracket
5.: Panel
6.: Upper table
7.: Flange
8.: Support member
9.: Absorber
10.: Receptacle
11.: Housing
12.: Retainer
13.: Step
14.: Hole
15.: Detent means
16.: Rib
17.: Stopper
18.: Recess
19.: Entering end
20.: Channel
21.: Ramp
22.: Extension
23.: Opening

The washer/dryer (1) comprises

at least two side walls (2) covering the volume from sides wherein the drum, in which the laundry is emplaced, and other machine elements are located,
a front wall (3) mounted onto the side walls (2) and covering the said volume from front up to a certain height,
a bracket (4) hung between the side walls (2) from a point near the front edge of the side walls (2),
a panel (5) covering the space that remains above the front wall (3) from front,
a flange (7) extending from the upper edge of the panel (5) towards the back,
an upper table (6) seating onto the upper edges of the side walls (2), onto the bracket (4) and flange (7) and thus, covering the top of the side walls (2) and of the panel (5), and
at least one support member (8) disposed between the bracket (4) and/or flange (7) and the upper table (6).

The support member (8) comprises

at least one absorber (9) which is produced from a material having absorbing feature, and
a receptacle (10) which is mounted onto the bracket (4) and/or flange (7), wherein the absorber (9) is disposed and which is produced from a rigid material.

The support member (8) bears against the upper table (6) from below and thus, supports the upper table (6). Thus, on the one hand, the upper table (6) acquires additional resistance by the receptacle (10) and on the other hand, the transfer of the vibration generated during the operation of the washer/dryer (1) to the upper table (6) is reduced by the absorber (9).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing (11) is shaped as a groove which is formed longitudinally on the upper wall of the receptacle (10). The absorber (9) is seated into the housing (11) slidably.
In this embodiment, the housing (11) comprises at least one retainer (12) which extends from the side edges of the housing (11) towards the inside almost vertically to these edges, and which prevents the absorber (9) disposed into the housing (11) from being detached. The absorber (9) comprises two steps (13) which extend longitudinally at its both sides and which bear against the retainers (12) from below and thus, facilitate the movement during the slidable seating of the absorber (9) into its place. Thus, while the absorber (9) is slidably seated to the housing (11), the step (13) bears against the retainers (12) from below and the absorber (9) is provided to be firmly clasped by the retainers (12).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bracket (4) comprises at least one hole (14) which is located almost at its center and which enables it to be mounted onto the receptacle (10). In this embodiment, the receptacle (10) comprises at least one detent means (15) which extends from the lower edge of the receptacle (10) downwards and which is V-shaped such that it will easily enter into the hole (14) but will not be easily detached when pulled back. Thus, the receptacle (10) is provided to be easily locked onto the bracket (4) by snap-fitting and thus, to be fixed thereto.
In this embodiment, the receptacle (10) comprises a rib (16) which bears against the edges of the hole (14) and provides the receptacle (10) to be fixed in the horizontal direction. Thus, exposure of the support member (8) to the vibrations generated during operation is minimized.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (10) comprises at least one stopper (17) which is located at the base of the housing (11), which provides the absorber (9) to be stopped when it reaches the desired position while being disposed into the housing (11), and which prevents the absorber (9) from being detached by moving in the opposite direction. In this embodiment, the absorber (9) comprises a recess (18) which is located at its base and wherein the stopper (17) fits when the absorber (9) reaches the desired position while being disposed into the housing (11). Thus, when the absorber (9) comes to the desired position in the housing (11), the stopper (17) is provided to be fit into the recess (18) and thus, to be easily fixed therein.
In this embodiment, the absorber (9) comprises an entering end (19) which provides the absorber (9) to easily leap over the stopper (17) while being disposed in the housing (11), which facilitates the sliding movement and which is suitably inclined for the shape of the stopper (17). Thus, while the absorber (9) is disposed into the housing (11), its movement is prevented from being hindered by the stopper (17).
In this embodiment, the absorber (9), furthermore, comprises a channel (20) which is located between the entering end (19) and the recess (18), and wherein the stopper (17) moves forward while the absorber (9) is disposed into the housing (11). The absorber (9), furthermore, comprises a ramp (21) which is located at the end of the channel (20) in the disposing direction of the channel (20) into the housing (11), and which is suitably inclined for the shape of the stopper (17). Thus, when the stopper (17) moving forward in the channel (20) arrives at the ramp (21), it easily exits the channel (20) and settles into the recess (18) and thus, fixing is provided.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the panel (5) comprises at least one extension (22) which provides it to be fixed onto the bracket (4) and which extends from the flange (7) towards the bracket (4). In this embodiment, the receptacle (10) comprises at least one opening (23) which is located at its base and/or at the portion of its side walls that is near the base, wherein the extension (22) fits when the support member (8) is mounted into its place, and thus, which provides the support member (8) to be fixed to the flange (7).
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle (10) is produced from a plastic material and the absorber (9) is produced from a rubber or Styrofoam material.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the upper table (6) comprises a depression which is located at its lower surface, at the area the support member (8) contacts, and wherein the support member (8) will at least partially fit.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the portion of the upper table (6) that is in alignment with the panel (5) is shaped curvedly towards the panel (5). In this embodiment, the support member (8) is disposed behind the said curved portion, to the flat portion of the upper table (6).
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments.

Claims

A washer/dryer (1) comprising at least two side walls (2) covering the volume from sides wherein the drum, in which the laundry is emplaced, and other machine elements are located, a front wall (3) mounted onto the side walls (2) and covering the said volume from front up to a certain height, a bracket (4) hung between the side walls (2) from a point near the front edge of the side walls (2), a panel (5) covering the space that remains above the front wall (3) from front, a flange (7) extending from the upper edge of the panel (5) towards the back, an upper table (6) seating onto the upper edges of the side walls (2), onto the bracket (4) and flange (7) and thus, covering the top of the side walls (2) and of the panel (5), and at least one support member (8) disposed between the bracket (4) and/or the flange (7) and the upper table (6), wherein the support member (8) has at least one absorber (9) which is produced from a material having absorbing feature, characterized in that
- the support member (8) comprises a receptacle (10) having a housing (11) the receptacle (10) being mounted onto the bracket (4) and/or the flange (7), the absorber (9) being disposed in the housing (11) of the receptacle (10) and the receptacle (10) being produced from a rigid material, and

- the support member (8) bears against the upper table (6) from below and thus, supports the upper table (6).
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the housing (11) that is shaped as a groove which is formed longitudinally on the upper wall of the receptacle (10), and by the absorber (9) that is seated into the housing (11) slidably.
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the housing (11) that comprises at least one retainer (12) which extends from the side edges of the housing (11) towards the inside almost vertically to these edges, and which prevents the absorber (9) disposed into the housing (11) from being detached, and by the absorber (9) that comprises two steps (13) which are formed longitudinally at its both sides and which bear against the retainers (12) from below and thus, facilitate the movement during the slidable seating of the absorber (9) into its place.
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the bracket (4) that comprises at least one hole (14) which is located almost at its center and which enables it to be mounted onto the receptacle (10), and by the receptacle (10) that comprises at least one detent means (15) which extends from the lower edge of the receptacle (10) downwards and which is V-shaped such that it will easily enter into the hole (14) but will not be easily detached when pulled back.
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the receptacle (10) that comprises at least one rib (16) which bears against the edges of the hole (14) and provides the receptacle (10) to be fixed in the horizontal direction.
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the receptacle (10) that comprises at least one stopper (17) which is located at the base of the housing (11) and which provides the absorber (9) to be stopped in the housing (11) at the desired position, and by the absorber (9) that comprises a recess (18) wherein the stopper (17) fits when the absorber (9) reaches the desired position while being disposed into the housing (11), and which is located at the base of the absorber (9).
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the absorber (9) that comprises an entering end (19) which provides the absorber (9) to easily leap over the stopper (17) while being disposed into the housing (11), which facilitates the sliding movement and which is suitably inclined for the shape of the stopper (17).
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 6 or 7, characterized by the absorber (9) that comprises a channel (20) which is located between the entering end (19) and the recess (18), and wherein the stopper (17) moves forward while the absorber (9) is disposed into the housing (11).
A washer/dryer (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by the absorber (9) that comprises a ramp (21) which is located at the end of the absorber (9) in the disposing direction of the absorber (9) into the housing (11), and which is suitably inclined for the shape of the stopper (17).
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the panel (5) that comprises at least one extension (22) which provides it to be fixed onto the bracket (4) and which extends from the flange (7) towards the bracket (4), and by the receptacle (10) that comprises at least one opening (23) which is located at its base and/or at the portion of its side walls that is near the base, wherein the extension (22) fits when the support member (8) is mounted into its place, and thus, which provides the support member (8) to be fixed to the flange (7).
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the upper table (6) that comprises a depression which is located at its lower surface, at the area the support member (8) contacts, and wherein the support member (8) will at least partially fit.
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the upper table (6), wherein its portion that is in alignment with the panel (5) is shaped curvedly towards the panel (5), and by the support member (8) that is disposed behind the said curved portion, to the flat portion of the upper table (6).
A washer/dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the receptacle (10) from a plastic material and by the absorber (9) from a rubber or Styrofoam material.