EP2402499A1 - Laundry processing apparatus - Google Patents
Laundry processing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2402499A1 EP2402499A1 EP11170842A EP11170842A EP2402499A1 EP 2402499 A1 EP2402499 A1 EP 2402499A1 EP 11170842 A EP11170842 A EP 11170842A EP 11170842 A EP11170842 A EP 11170842A EP 2402499 A1 EP2402499 A1 EP 2402499A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- door
- lock
- housing
- arm
- closing position
- 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
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Classifications
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/12—Casings; Tubs
- D06F39/14—Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
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- 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
- D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
- D06F34/20—Parameters relating to constructional components, e.g. door sensors
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- 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
- D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2103/40—Opening or locking status of doors
-
- 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
- D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F2105/44—Opening, closing or locking of doors
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/42—Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door
Abstract
Description
- The present invention is related to a laundry processing apparatus which has a door for closing and opening an opening to take laundry in and out.
- Laundry processing apparatuses such as washing machines, laundry dryers, and washing and drying machines which subject laundry to predetermined processes (washing, dewatering, rinsing, and drying processes) typically have a housing and a processing tub (a washing tub, a dewatering tub, or a drying tub) stored in the housing. The processing tub is rotated to perform the predetermined processes such as washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying processes. An opening for taking laundry in and out the processing tub is formed on the housing.
- A washing machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2000-279679 2009-95529 - The washing machine disclosed in these patent documents has a lock mechanism configured to lock the door at the closing position. The lock mechanism prevents the door from accidentally rotating from the closing position to the opening position.
- After unlocking the lock mechanism, a user may hold a handle attached to the outer surface of the door and turn the door from the closing position to the opening position.
- The door of each washing machine is sensitive to a wrong operation by the user. As the wrong operation, it may be exemplified that the user attempts to turn the door to the opening position without unlocking the lock mechanism. In this case, relatively high local stress is caused in a connection between the handle attached to the outer surface of the door and the door, which results in damage to the handle and/or the door.
- The aforementioned drawbacks on the damage to the handle and/or the door are also in common with laundry processing apparatuses such as laundry dryers, and washing and drying machines.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry processing apparatus which has an attachment structure of a handle to suitably prevent damage to the handle and/or a door.
- A laundry processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has: a housing in which an opening for taking laundry in and out is formed; a door configured to rotate between a closing position where the door closes the opening and an opening position where the door opens the opening; and a handle used for rotating the door between the closing position and the opening position, wherein the handle includes a first piece pivotally supported by the door and a second piece protruding from the first piece and exposed outside the housing when the door is at the closing position, the door includes a restricting surface facing the housing when the door is at the closing position and restricting an angular motion of the first piece, and the first piece is positioned between the housing and the restricting surface when the door is at the closing position, and the first piece abuts the restricting surface when the door is rotated from the closing position to the opening position to restrict an angular motion of the handle.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing and drying machine according to one embodiment of a laundry processing apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is a front view of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a door of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the exploded door shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is an inner perspective view of the door shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an attachment ring of the door shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the attachment ring of the door shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view showing the door around a handle of the door shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the door around the handle shown inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the door around the handle shown inFIG. 9 ; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between the handle shown inFIG. 9 and a lock mechanism; -
FIG. 13A-13C are schematic cross-sectional views of a lock control unit which forms a lock hole on the housing of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a detector of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically showing operations of the detector shown inFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view around a connection between the door and the housing of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 17 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view around the connection between the door and the housing of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of a exploded left-hand door. - The laundry processing apparatus according to one embodiment is described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that directional terms such as "upper/above," "lower/below," "left" and "right" hereinafter is to merely clarify the descriptions and not to limit the methodologies of the laundry processing apparatus in any way.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing and drying machine exemplified as the laundry processing apparatus.FIG. 2 is a front view of the washing and drying machine shown inFIG. 1 . In the following descriptions, the washing and drying machine is exemplified as the laundry processing apparatus. However the laundry processing apparatus may be a washing machine without a drying function or a laundry dryer without a washing function. It should be noted that the term "washing and drying machine" means an apparatus which has both the washing function and the drying function. - A washing and
drying machine 100 has ahousing 200 and adoor 300. The rectangular-boxed housing 200 includes anupright front wall 210, aback wall 220 opposite to thefront wall 210, left andright walls back walls top wall 250 which forms the upper surface of thehousing 200, and abottom wall 260 which forms a bottom surface of thehousing 200. - The
front wall 210 includes alower wall 211 disposed on a lower portion of the washing anddrying machine 100, amain wall 212 disposed above thelower wall 211, and anupper wall 213 disposed above themain wall 212. The main andupper walls back wall 220. In the present embodiment, the outer surface of themain wall 212 is exemplified as the first surface. The outer surface of theback wall 220 is exemplified as the second surface. - The
main wall 212 includes an annularconcave surface 214 which forms a concave area complementary to a substantially disc-shaped door 300. Theconcave surface 214 surrounds anopening 215 formed on substantially the center of themain wall 212. The opening 215 is communicated with a washing and drying tub (described later) stored in thehousing 200. A user may take laundry (clothes and alike) in and out thehousing 200 through theopening 215. In the present embodiment, the washing and drying tub is exemplified as the processing tub. If the laundry processing apparatus is a washing machine without a drying function, a washing tub configured to perform wash, rinsing and/or dewatering processes may be used as the processing tub. If the laundry processing apparatus is a laundry dryer without a washing function, a drying tub configured to agitate the laundry to facilitate drying thereof may be used as the processing tub. - The washing and
drying machine 100 has ahinge structure 400 configured to pivotally connect thedoor 300 to thehousing 200. Thehinge structure 400 allows thedoor 300 to rotate between a closing position where thedoor 300 closes the opening 215 and an opening position where thedoor 300 opens theopening 215. Thedoor 300 rotated to the closing position is stored in the concave area surrounded by theconcave surface 214. It should be noted that thedoor 300 shown inFIGS. 1 and2 are positioned at the opening position. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing and dryingmachine 100 with thedoor 300 at the closing position. The entire structure of the washing and dryingmachine 100 is further described usingFIGS. 1 to 3 . It should be noted that other structures than the internal structure of thehousing 200 shown inFIG. 3 may be applied to the laundry processing apparatus. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the washing and dryingtub 110 is disposed in thehousing 200. The washing and dryingtub 110 includes a one-end bottomedcylindrical water tub 111 which is supported in thehousing 200 and allowed to be rolling, and a one-end bottomed cylindricalrotary drum 112 which is rotatably supported in thewater tub 111. Amotor 113 configured to rotate therotary drum 112 is also disposed in thehousing 200. Themotor 113 is attached to the outer surface of the bottom of thewater tub 111. An opening of thewater tub 111 is formed by a substantially cylindricaltubular port 114 which projects toward thedoor 300 at the closing position. A substantiallycylindrical seal member 115 is fitted into thetubular port 114. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and2 , thedoor 300 includes a one-end bottomedtransparent window 310 which is in the shape of a substantially trapezoidal cone, and a substantially disc-shapedsupport frame 320 configured to support thewindow 310. As shown inFIG. 3 , when thedoor 300 is situated at the closing position, thewindow 310 is inserted into theopening 215 formed on thehousing 200 to push theseal member 115 attached to thewater tub 111. Accordingly, a watertight seal structure is formed between thewater tub 111 and thewindow 310. A user may observe laundry in the washing and dryingtub 110 through thetransparent window 310 while thedoor 300 is at the closing position. It should be noted that a surface of thedoor 300 which faces theopening 215 and/or theconcave surface 214 when thedoor 300 is at the closing position is referred to as "inner surface 313". - As shown in
FIG. 3 , adrain port 116 configured to drain washing liquid and aninflow port 117 into which the washing liquid flows are formed on thewater tub 111. The washing liquid used for washing the laundry is circulated between thedrain port 116 and theinflow port 117. - The
housing 200 further stores awater supply system 120 configured to supply water into thewater tub 111, adrainage system 130 configured to drain or circulate the washing liquid in thewater tub 111, and adrying system 140 configured to send hot air to the washing and dryingtub 110 to dry laundry. It should be noted that thedrying system 140 is not required if the laundry processing apparatus is a washing machine without a drying function. Also, thewater supply system 120 or thedrainage system 130 may not be used if the laundry processing apparatus is a laundry dryer without a washing function. - The
drying system 140 includes acirculation pipeline 142 which has one end connected to anexhaust port 141 of thewater tub 111 and a vent for sending drying air from the bottom of thewater tub 111, and ablower 143 disposed in thecirculation pipeline 142 and allowing the air to flow in thecirculation pipeline 142. Optionally, thedrying system 140 may also include a filter for recovering lint to remove dust, a dehumidifier configured to dehumidify the air introduced after the dust removal, and a heater configured to heat the air after the dust removal to generate the dry and hot air. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the washing and dryingmachine 100 has anoperation panel 500 disposed on theupper wall 213. Theoperation panel 500 allows a user to select a mode of an operation course or various other functions of the washing and dryingmachine 100. As shown inFIG. 3 , theoperation panel 500 includes acontrol circuit 510. Thecontrol circuit 510 displays information input by the user on a display of theoperation panel 500. If a start of an operation of the washing and dryingmachine 100 is set by theoperation panel 500, for example, detection signals are received from a liquid level sensor, which detects a liquid level of thewater tub 111, anoptical sensor 131, which is used as a turbidity sensor for detecting turbidity of the washing liquid, as well as from anelectrode sensor 132, which is used as an electrical conductive sensor for detecting the electrical conductivity of the washing liquid. Based on these detection signals, devices such as a solenoid valve included in thewater supply system 120 and adrain valve 133 included in thedrainage system 130 are controlled. Themotor 113, thewater supply system 120, thedrainage system 130 and thedrying system 140 are automatically controlled by thecontrol circuit 510 in accordance with the mode setting or a control program, so that the washing, rinsing, dewatering and drying processes may be executed. - As schematically shown in
FIGS. 1 and2 , the washing and dryingmachine 100 has alock mechanism 600 configured to lock thedoor 300 at the closing position. Thecontrol circuit 510 is used as a control element configured to control a lock control unit (described later), which locks the door at the closing position in cooperation with thelock mechanism 600. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , thewater supply system 120 includes awater supply pipeline 121 connected to thewater tub 111, and adetergent storage 122 configured to store detergent. As shown inFIG. 1 , acover 251 configured to close thedetergent storage 122 is attached to thetop wall 250 of thehousing 200. - The
water supply system 120 shown inFIG. 3 may supply water to thewater tub 111 via thewater supply pipeline 121 at appropriate timings by means of opening/closing operations of the solenoid valve (see the solid arrows inFIG. 3 ). In addition, the washing and dryingmachine 100 may introduce, into thewater tub 111 at appropriate timings, the detergent stored in thedetergent storage 122, which partially crosses thewater supply pipeline 121, using water supplied by thewater supply system 120. - The
drainage system 130 includes afirst pipeline 134 which has one end connected to thedrain port 116 of thewater tub 111, adrainage control unit 135 which is connected to the other end of thefirst pipeline 134 to receive the washing liquid from thewater tub 111, and asecond pipeline 137 which extends between acirculation pump 136 of thedrainage control unit 135 and thewater tub 111. Thecirculation pump 136 is fixed to aboard 138 disposed in thehousing 200. One end of thesecond pipeline 137 is connected to an ejection port of thecirculation pump 136 while the other end of thesecond pipeline 137 is connected to theinflow port 117 of thewater tub 111. Thewater tub 111, thefirst pipeline 134, thedrainage control unit 135 and thesecond pipeline 137 form a circulation path for the washing liquid. Thecirculation pump 136 allows the washing liquid to flow and circulate from thedrain port 116 toward theinflow port 117 in the circulation path. - In addition to the
circulation pump 136, thedrainage control unit 135 includes theoptical sensor 131 which is used as a turbidity sensor for detecting turbidity of the washing liquid, theelectrode sensor 132 which is used as an electrical conductive sensor for detecting the electrical conductivity of the washing liquid, adrainage pipeline 139 for draining the washing liquid to the outside, thedrain valve 133 which is disposed in the middle of thedrainage pipeline 139 and opens/closes thedrainage pipeline 139, and afilter 191 which recovers lint (yarn wastes and alike) contained in the washing liquid flowing from thefirst pipeline 134. - The
drain valve 133 opens as appropriate, for example, at the end of the washing or rinsing process. Consequently, washing water flowing from thefirst pipeline 134 into thedrainage control unit 135 is subjected to a lint removal process by thefilter 191, and then discharged to the outside. - If the
drain valve 133 is closed and thecirculation pump 136 is activated, the washing liquid in thewater tub 111 flows into thedrainage control unit 135 via thefirst pipeline 134. Thereafter, the washing liquid passes through thefilter 191 in thedrainage control unit 135, and is subjected to impurity removal. After passing through thefilter 191, the washing liquid flows into thecirculation pump 136 through asuction pipeline 192 connected to a suction port of thecirculation pump 136, and then is returned to thewater tub 111 through thesecond pipeline 137 connected to the ejection port of thecirculation pump 136. The washing and rinsing processes are effectively performed by repeatedly carrying out this circulation of the washing liquid as appropriate during the washing or rinsing process. - The
circulation pump 136 may vary in rotational speed. In the case of higher rotational speed of the circulation pump 136 (e.g., 3500 rpm), the washing liquid which flows into theinflow port 117 of thewater tub 111 moves along a trajectory toward the rotary drum 112 (see the arrow Fi inFIG. 3 ). On the other hand, in the case of lower rotational speed of the circulation pump 136 (e.g., 1000 rpm), the washing liquid which flows into theinflow port 117 of thewater tub 111 moves toward a space between therotary drum 112 and the water tub 111 (see the arrow Fo inFIG. 3 ). - For example, the
circulation pump 136 is rotated at lower speed at the beginning of at least one of the washing and rinsing processes, so that it becomes less likely that unresolved detergent remaining after the washing process or highly concentrated softener immediately after its introduction into thewashing tub 111 spreads over the laundry in therotary drum 112. - The washing liquid flowing into the space between the
rotary drum 112 and thewater tub 111 is drained from thedrain port 116 to thedrainage system 130, and again returns to theinflow port 117 of the water tub 111 (a water tub circulation process). It is likely that the repetitive water tub circulation process completely dissolves the detergent and makes the concentration of the softener uniform. Therefore it is less likely that problems such as stain on the laundry are caused by the unresolved detergent or the highly concentrated softener. - The water tub circulation process is preferably set to start, for example, about 10 seconds after the water supply process for the washing and/or rinsing processes. Alternatively, the water tub circulation processes is preferably started, for example, when a liquid level of about 40 mm from the lower end of the
water tub 111 is detected. Thus it is less likely that thecirculation pump 136 is activated without a sufficient amount of the washing liquid therein, so that abnormal noise such as bubble intrusion sound in thecirculation pump 136, an abnormal temperature of thecirculation pump 136 generated because of an insufficient amount of the washing liquid, and the activation of thecirculation pump 136 under such abnormal temperature are less likely to occur. - The washing and drying
machine 100 may further have a pump configured to supply bathwater to thewater tub 111. In this case, it is preferred that the water tub circulation process is performed after supplying the bathwater to the water tub using the bathwater supply pump in order to prevent simultaneous operation of the bathwater supply pump and thecirculation pump 136, which causes loud noise and makes a user uncomfortable. - A user may operate the
operation panel 500 to set reserved operations on the washing and dryingmachine 100. Once the reserved operation is set on the washing and dryingmachine 100, for example, the water tub circulation process is preferably performed for a period of time, which is twice as long as usual. Consequently, the detergent solidified while the washing and dryingmachine 100 is on reservation standby (during a period of time from setting the reservation to actually starting the operation of the washing and drying machine 100) is dissolved thoroughly. This may not only cause great washing power but also prevent unresolved detergent during the reserved operation. - Optionally, the washing and drying
machine 100 may further have a temperature sensor. The duration of the water tub circulation process may be changed according to the temperature of the washing water, which is measured by the temperature sensor. For instance, if the temperature sensor detects 5°C of the washing water temperature, the washing and dryingmachine 100 may execute the water tub circulation process for a period of time which is, for example, twice as long as the water tub circulation process executed when 20°C is detected as the washing water temperature. Therefore, the detergent may be dissolved thoroughly even under low water temperature. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and2 , the washing and dryingmachine 100 has ahandle 700 attached to thesupport frame 320 of thedoor 300 beside thelock mechanism 600. A user may hold thehandle 700 projecting from thesupport frame 320 to rotate thedoor 300 between the closing position and the opening position. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of thedoor 300.FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the explodeddoor 300. Thedoor 300 is described usingFIGS. 1 ,4 and5 . - The
door 300 has thewindow 310 and thesupport frame 320, as described above. The glass-madewindow 310 is in the shape of a substantially trapezoidal cone. A leadingwall 311, which is inserted first into the opening 215 (seeFIG. 1 ) when thedoor 300 is rotated to the closing position, is smaller in diameter than a circular space surrounded by a substantiallycircular rim 312 connected to thesupport frame 320. As described above, the seal member 115 (seeFIG. 4 ) abuts a substantially annularinclined wall 314, which extends from the substantially circular leadingwall 311 to therim 312. - The
support frame 320 includes a substantiallyannular attachment ring 321, acover disc 322 which externally covers theattachment ring 321, and a substantiallyannular edge ring 323 which is fitted into the periphery of thecover disc 322. A surface of thecover disc 322 has substantially the same curved surface as the curvedmain wall 212. Because the surface of thecover disc 322 is curved along themain wall 212, a user may easily clean thecover disc 322. Thehandle 700, thelock mechanism 600 and thehinge structure 400 are attached to theattachment ring 321 in addition to thewindow 310. Thehinge structure 400 and thelock mechanism 600 are roughly aligned along the horizontal diameter of thedoor 300. As shown inFIG. 1 , thehinge structure 400 and thelock mechanism 600 are disposed on either end of the diameter of thedoor 300. Thehandle 700 is disposed adjacent to and above thelock mechanism 600. - As shown in
FIGS. 4 and5 , thesupport frame 320 further has a substantiallyannular holding ring 324. The holdingring 324 nips therim 312 of thewindow 310 with theattachment ring 321. Theattachment ring 321 and the holdingring 324 are used as supporting portions configured to support thehandle 700, thelock mechanism 600 and thehinge structure 400. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , the holdingring 324 has a substantially L-shaped cross section. Aflat surface 325 of the holdingring 324 and a surface of the leading wall 31 of thewindow 310, which face the inside of thehousing 200 when thedoor 300 is at the closing position, form theinner surface 313 of thedoor 300. Aninclined surface 326 that extends at an angle from theflat surface 325 of the holdingring 324 toward theattachment ring 321 forms a part of the periphery zone of thedoor 300. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , theconcave surface 214 of thehousing 200 includes a connectingsurface 216, which faces theflat surface 325 of the holdingring 324 when thedoor 300 is at the closing position, and an opposingsurface 217, which faces theinclined surface 326 of the holdingring 324 when thedoor 300 is at the closing position. As shown inFIGS. 1 and4 , the opposingsurface 217 faces the periphery of thedoor 300. As shown inFIG. 5 , thehinge structure 400 has first and second connectingmembers FIG. 1 , the first connectingmember 410 is connected to the connectingsurface 216. The second connectingmember 420 is connected to asurface 327 of theattachment ring 321 facing the holding ring 324 (seeFIG. 5 ). -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of thedoor 300 viewed from a side of theinner surface 313. It should be noted that the holdingring 324 and thehandle 700 are removed from thedoor 300 shown inFIG. 6 .FIGS. 7 and8 are perspective views of theattachment ring 321 attached with thehinge structure 400, thelock mechanism 600 and thehandle 700. The attachment rings 321 shown inFIGS. 7 and8 are depicted from different angles. The structure of thehinge structure 400 is described with reference toFIGS. 5 to 8 . - The
hinge structure 400 includes a pair ofarm pieces 430, which project toward the second connectingmember 420 from the substantially crescent-shaped and highly rigid first connectingmember 410, which is made of zinc alloy and attached to the connectingsurface 216. Thehinge structure 400 also includes asupport shaft 440 of which ends are supported by the pairedarm pieces 430, and atorsion coil spring 450 which is wound around thesupport shaft 440 between the pairedarm pieces 430. Thetorsion coil spring 450 is exemplified as the biasing member through which thesupport shaft 440 extends and which biases thedoor 300 toward the opening position using the first and second connectingmembers - In the following descriptions, an open angle of the
door 300 at the closing position defined as "0 degree" If the open angle of thedoor 300 is 30 degrees or more, thetorsion coil spring 450 biases thedoor 300 toward the opening position. If the open angle of thedoor 300 is from 0 to 30 degrees, thedoor 300 moves toward the closing position. If the open angle of thedoor 300 is 30 degrees or less and a user releases his/her hand from thedoor 300, thedoor 300 gradually rotates to the closing position and then stops near the closing position. Thus, it becomes less likely that thedoor 300 rotates to the opening position when the user unintentionally releases his/her hand from thedoor 300. - The paired
arm pieces 430 support the support shaft which is away from the first connectingmember 410 attached to the connectingsurface 216. The second connectingmember 420 is highly rigid because it is formed from a galvanized steel plate with bending and drawing processes. The second connectingmember 420 includes a connectingpiece 422 in which anopening 421 is formed so that an end of thesupport shaft 440 is fitted into theopening 421. Thestainless support shaft 440 is pivotally fitted to theopening 421 of the connectingpiece 422. Therefore, since thesupport shaft 440 pivotally supports the second connectingmember 420 connected to thedoor 300, thedoor 300 is pivotally attached to thehousing 200 by thehinge structure 400. It should be noted that thearm pieces 430 are preferably made of metal. Thehinge structure 400 may be downsized if thearm pieces 430 are made of highly rigid metal. Thesmall hinge structure 400 may appropriately hold thedoor 300. In the present embodiment, thearm pieces 430 are formed by casting zinc alloy. Alternatively, the arm pieces may also be formed by using other metal. In addition, because the second connectingmember 420 is formed by bending a metallic steel plate, the second connectingmember 420 may appropriately hold theheavy door 300 with the glass-madewindow 310 in cooperation with thearm pieces 430. - Substantially
rectangular notches 328, into which thearm pieces 430 are inserted, are formed on the holdingring 324. Accordingly, the second connectingmember 420 disposed inside thedoor 300 may be suitably coupled to the first connectingmember 410 outside thedoor 300. - As shown in
FIGS. 5 and6 , an outer rim area of thesurface 327 of theattachment ring 321 facing the holdingring 324 includes a substantially flat restrictingsurface 329 andconcave side surface 331, which form a recessed area to store thehandle 700. When thedoor 300 is at the closing position, the restrictingsurface 329 faces the connectingsurface 216 of the housing 200 (seeFIG. 1 ). -
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the washing and dryingmachine 100 around thehandle 700. It should be noted that thedoor 300 shown inFIG. 9 is present at the closing position. Thehandle 700 is described usingFIGS. 1 and5 to 9 . - The
handle 700 includes afirst piece 710 between an enclosure, which includes theattachment ring 321, thecover disc 322 and theedge ring 323, and the connectingsurface 216 forming theconcave surface 214, and asecond piece 720 which bends away from the opposingsurface 217 forming theconcave surface 214. Thefirst piece 710 is situated between the restrictingsurface 329 and thehousing 200 while thedoor 300 is at the closing position. Thesecond piece 720 includes an exposedpiece 721, which appears on the outer surface of thehousing 200 when thedoor 300 is at the closing position, and a connectingpiece 722 which connects the exposedpiece 721 with thefirst piece 710. As shown inFIG. 6 , anotch 332 is formed on the periphery of the holdingring 324. Thenotch 332 is depressed toward the center of thedoor 300. The connectingpiece 722 along the periphery of thedoor 300 projects to the outside of thehousing 200 through thenotch 332. When thedoor 300 is at the closing position, a gap of about 20 mm is provided between the exposedpiece 721 and thehousing 200. A finger of a user may be easily inserted into this gap. In addition, the exposedpiece 721 protrudes by about 20 mm from the periphery of thedoor 300. The user may turn thehandle 700 and an insertion piece 190 (described later) with small force. The exposedpiece 721 is visible from the front, and so easily operated. In addition, thefirst piece 710 is positioned on the back of thedoor 300 without hiding thedoor 300 and theedge ring 323, which results in quality design of the periphery of thedoor 300. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , a pair ofsupport shafts 711 project from both edges of thefirst piece 710, respectively. Thesupport shafts 711 are pivotally supported on theconcave side surface 331. Accordingly, thefirst piece 710 is pivotally supported by theattachment ring 321. It should be noted that thefirst piece 710 between theattachment ring 321 and the holdingring 324 may be pivotally supported by the holdingring 324. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , asurface 333 of theattachment ring 321 facing thefirst piece 710 near the periphery of theattachment ring 321, and arim surface 334 on the periphery of theattachment ring 321 facing thefirst piece 710, are substantially flush with each other to form the aforementioned restrictingsurface 329. - A user may pinch or hold the exposed
piece 721 of thesecond piece 720 to rotate thedoor 300 from the closing position to the opening position. Meanwhile thefirst piece 710 pivotally supported by theattachment ring 321 turns to approach the restrictingsurface 329. Subsequently, thefirst piece 710 abuts the restrictingsurface 329, so that the angular motion of thefirst piece 710 is restricted. It should be noted that, for example, a torsion coil spring may be attached to thesupport shafts 711 so that thehandle 700 is biased in a direction in which thefirst piece 710 moves away from the restrictingsurface 329. -
FIGS. 10 and11 are enlarged perspective views of thedoor 300 around thelock mechanism 600. Thedoor 300 shown inFIGS. 10 and11 are depicted from different angles. Thelock mechanism 600 is described usingFIGS. 5 ,7 ,8 ,10 and11 . - The
lock mechanism 600 has alock arm 610. Thelock arm 610 forms theinsertion piece 190 with adetection arm 810 provided beside thelock arm 610. Thedetection arm 810 integrally formed with thelock arm 610 is used for detecting position of thedoor 300. The washing and dryingmachine 100 may use thedetection arm 810 to detect whether thedoor 300 is present in the opening or closing position. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , a substantiallyrectangular opening 335 is formed on the holdingring 324. The lock anddetection arms support frame 320 through theopening 335 formed on the holdingring 324 as shown inFIGS. 10 and11 ,. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thelock mechanism 600 has ashaft 620 configured to pivotally support theinsertion piece 190, and atorsion coil spring 630 wound around theshaft 620. Theattachment ring 321 has a pair ofribs 336 projecting toward the holdingring 324.Notches 337 are formed in the pairedribs 336, respectively. Both ends of theshaft 620 are inserted into thenotches 337 and pivotally connected to theattachment ring 321. Theinsertion piece 190 is pivotally connected to theshaft 620 with thetorsion coil spring 630. As shown inFIGS. 10 and11 , theinsertion piece 190 turns about theshaft 620 between an engaging position and a disengaging position. When theinsertion piece 190 turns toward the periphery of thedoor 300, a tip end of theinsertion piece 190 moves toward the engaging position in which thedoor 300 is locked. When theinsertion piece 190 turns toward the center of thedoor 300, the tip end of theinsertion piece 190 moves toward the disengaging position in which thedoor 300 is unlocked. Thetorsion coil spring 630 biases theinsertion piece 190 towards the engaging position. -
FIG. 12 schematically shows a positional relationship between thehandle 700 and theinsertion piece 190. Thelock mechanism 600 is further described usingFIGS. 1 ,3 ,5 ,7 ,8 , and10 to 12 . - The
insertion piece 190 includes a substantiallyrectangular base plate 611. Thebase plate 611 is used as a base shared by the lock anddetection arms detection arms base plate 611. Theshaft 620 pierces through thebase plate 611. Atip end 612 of thelock arm 610 is formed into a hook which projects toward the periphery of thedoor 300. Thebase plate 611 is wider than theopening 335. Therefore, even if thelock mechanism 600 comes off inside thedoor 300, thelock mechanism 600 stays inside thedoor 300. Consequently it becomes less likely that thelock mechanism 600 remains in alock hole 218 while thedoor 300 is at the opening position. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , a corner of the base plate 611 (the corner closer to the center of thedoor 300 than the rotational axis C1 (the same as the shaft 620) of the insertion piece 190) is disposed between theattachment ring 321 and thefirst piece 710 of thehandle 700. As shown inFIGS. 10 and11 , when thedoor 300 is rotated from the closing position to the opening position, thehandle 700 is turned so that thefirst piece 710 approaches the restrictingsurface 329 formed in theattachment ring 321. Consequently the corner of thebase plate 611 is pressed by thefirst piece 710 at a more central side of thedoor 300 than theshaft 620, so that thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 moves toward the disengaging position (i.e., toward the center of the door 300). - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the substantiallyrectangular lock hole 218 and adetection hole 219 are formed on the connectingsurface 216 of thehousing 200. Alock control unit 640 is disposed inside the housing 200 (seeFIG. 5 ). Thelock control unit 640 is fixed to the inner surface of thehousing 200. Thelock control unit 640 incorporated in thehousing 200 forms thelock hole 218 and thedetection hole 219. It should be noted that thelock hole 218 and thedetection hole 219 may be formed as an integrated opening or partitioned from each other by a wall portion of thehousing 200. Thelock control unit 640 is controlled by thecontrol circuit 510. -
FIG. 13A-13C are schematic cross-sectional views of thelock control unit 640. Operations performed by thelock control unit 640 are sequentially shown inFIGS. 13A to 13C . The right drawings fromFIGS. 13A to 13C show thelock arm 610 inserted into thelock control unit 640, respectively. The left drawings fromFIGS. 13A to 13C show thedetection arm 810 inserted into thelock control unit 640, respectively. Thelock control unit 640 is described usingFIGS. 1 ,3 ,10 11 and13A-13C . - As described above, the
lock control unit 640 attached to the inner surface of thehousing 200 forms thelock hole 218 on thehousing 200. Thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 is inserted into thelock hole 218. Thelock control unit 640 forms thedetection hole 219 on thehousing 200. When thedoor 300 is at the closing position, the tip end of thedetection arm 810 is inserted into thedetection hole 219. - The
lock control unit 640 includes ahousing 641 for storing a circuit or part for operating thelock control unit 640, and alock box 642 disposed in thehousing 641. In thehousing 641, thelock box 642 forms a common internal space for storing thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 and the tip end of thedetection arm 810. - The position of the
lock box 642 shown inFIG. 13A is called "allowable position." If thelock box 642 is at the allowable position, thelock arm 610 and thedetection arm 810 may be removed from thelock hole 218 and thedetection hole 219, respectively, as thedoor 300 is rotated from the closing position to the opening position. The position of thelock box 642 shown inFIG. 13C is called "unallowable position." If thelock box 642 is at the unallowable position, thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 engages with thehousing 641 of thelock control unit 640 and/or thehousing 200 of the washing and dryingmachine 100 to prevent a user from rotating thedoor 300 from the closing position to the opening position. The position of thelock box 642 shown inFIG. 13B is called "intermediate position." When thelock box 642 is at the intermediate position, the internal space of thelock box 642 is partially communicated with thelock hole 218 and thedetection hole 219. When thedoor 300 is rotated from the opening position to the closing position, thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 and the tip end of thedetection arm 810 may enter the internal space of thelock box 642 through thelock hole 218 and thedetection hole 219, respectively. Meanwhile thelock box 642 comes contact with thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 and instantaneously moves to the allowable position shown inFIG. 13A . The gentle curved shape of thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 facilitates entry of thelock arm 610 into thelock box 642 and the instantaneous movement of thelock box 642 to the allowable position. Thereafter, thelock box 642 is returned to the intermediate position by biasing force acting on thelock arm 610 toward the engaging position (seeFIGS. 10 and11 ). While thelock box 642 is at the intermediate position, thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 slightly engages with thehousing 641 of thelock control unit 640 and/or thehousing 200 of the washing and dryingmachine 100. - The
housing 641 stores a drive source (e.g., a solenoid switch, a spring and alike although it is not shown) for moving thelock box 642. Thecontrol circuit 510, for example, controls the solenoid switch to move thelock box 642 in thehousing 641 between the intermediate and unallowable positions. For instance, if a user operates the operation panel 500 (seeFIG. 1 ) to rotate the washing and drying tub 110 (e.g., in order to perform the washing, rinsing or drying process), thecontrol circuit 510 moves thelock box 642 to the unallowable position. Once the washing, rinsing or dry process is completed and the rotation of the washing and dryingtub 110 is stopped, thecontrol circuit 510 moves thelock box 642 to the intermediate position. - If the
lock box 642 moves from the intermediate position to the unallowable position, thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 is pushed by the inner surface of thelock box 642. Consequently thelock arm 610 turns around theshaft 620. Meanwhile thedetection arm 810, which is integrally formed with thelock arm 610 via thebase plate 611, turns around theshaft 620 piercing through theinsertion piece 190 together with thelock arm 610. Once thelock box 642 reaches the unallowable position, the hooked protrusion of thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 completely engages with thehousing 641 of thelock control unit 640 and/or thehousing 200 of the washing and dryingmachine 100. Meanwhile even if a user holds thesecond piece 720 of thehandle 700 to turn thehandle 700 so that thefirst piece 710 approaches the restrictingsurface 329, thelock control unit 640 keeps thelock box 642 at the unallowable position. Therefore, the user may not rotate thedoor 300 to the opening position. Consequently, in cooperation with thelock arm 610, thelock hole 218 locks thedoor 300 at the closing position. - If the user holds the
second piece 720 of thehandle 700 to turn thehandle 700 so that thefirst piece 710 approaches the restrictingsurface 329 after thelock box 642 is moved to the intermediate position under control of thecontrol circuit 510, thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 moves toward the disengaging position. Meanwhile thetip end 612 of thelock arm 610 abuts the inner surface of thelock box 642, so that thelock box 642 moves to the allowable position. If thedoor 300 is rotated to the opening position thereafter, the lock anddetection arms lock hole 218 and thedetection hole 219, respectively. Thus in conjunction with the angular motion of thefirst piece 710 approaching the restrictingsurface 329, thelock arm 610 of thelock mechanism 600 may unlock thedoor 300 at the closing position. -
FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a detector configured to detect the position of thedoor 300. The detector is described with reference toFIGS. 1 ,3 and13A-14 . - A
detector 800 has afirst detection element 820 configured to detect existence of thedetection arm 810 in the lock box 642 (i.e., the detection hole 219). Thefirst detection element 820 may be a transmissive optical sensor attached to thelock box 642, a push-button switch element, or any other element for detecting the existence of thedetection arm 810 in thelock box 642. If the transmissive optical sensor is used as thefirst detection element 820, thedetection arm 810 inserted in thelock control unit 640 interferes with an optical path of the optical sensor, so that thedetection arm 810 inserted in thelock box 642 is detected. If the push-button switch element is used as thefirst detection element 820, thedetection arm 810 inserted in thelock control unit 640 presses the switch element, so that thedetection arm 810 inserted in thelock box 642 is detected. - The
detector 800 has asecond detection element 830 configured to detect existence of thelock arm 610 in the lock box 642 (i.e., the lock hole 218). Thesecond detection element 830 may be a transmissive optical sensor attached to thelock box 642, a push-button switch element, or any other element for detecting the existence of thelock arm 510 in thelock box 642. If the transmissive optical sensor is used as thesecond detection element 830, thelock arm 610 inserted in thelock control unit 640 interferes with an optical path of the optical sensor, so that thelock arm 610 inserted in thelock box 642 is detected. If the push-button switch element is used as thesecond detection element 830, thelock arm 610 inserted in thelock control unit 640 presses the switch element, so that thelock arm 610 inserted in thelock box 642 is detected. - The
control circuit 510 shown inFIG. 3 may be used as a part of thedetector 800. Thecontrol circuit 510 has adetermination portion 511 and acontroller 512. Detection signals are input from the first andsecond detection elements determination portion 511. Operation information, which is input to theoperation panel 500, may be output to thedetermination portion 511. Based on the detection signals from the first andsecond detection elements determination portion 511 determines condition of thedoor 300 and outputs a result of the determination to thecontroller 512. - The
detector 800 may have awarning portion 840 configured to warn a user about an abnormal condition of the door 300 (e.g., damage to the lock mechanism 600). For example, a buzzer configured to warn about the abnormal condition of thedoor 300 using sound or a lamp configured to warn about the abnormal condition of thedoor 300 using light may be used as thewarning portion 840. If thedetermination portion 511 determines that thedoor 300 is abnormal, thecontroller 512 outputs, to thewarning portion 840, a signal including information on the abnormality of thedoor 300. Thereafter, thewarning portion 840 accordingly warns the user about the abnormality of thedoor 300. The determination portion 51 then outputs a result of the determination on the position of the door 300 (the closing position or the opening position) to thecontroller 512. If thedoor 300 is at the closing position, thecontroller 512 outputs an activation signal to themotor 113 for rotating the washing and dryingtub 110 in accordance with inputs onto the operation panel 500 (seeFIG. 1 ) by the user, so that themotor 113 rotates. On the other hand, if thedoor 300 is at the opening position, thecontroller 512 does not output the activation signal to themotor 113 for rotating the washing and dryingtub 110, despite operation on the operation panel 500 (seeFIG. 1 ) performed by the user. Thus the washing and dryingtub 110 is inhibited from rotating while thedoor 300 is at the opening position. In addition, if the user operates theoperation panel 500 to rotate the washing and dryingtub 110 while thedoor 300 is at the opening position, a signal indicating the presence of thedoor 300 at the opening position may be output to thewarning portion 840. Consequently, thewarning portion 840 outputs sound or light for warning the user about the presence of thedoor 300 at the opening position. -
FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically showing operations of thedetector 800. The operations of thedetector 800 are described with reference toFIGS. 13A to 15 . - A user uses the
operation panel 500 to input operation information for causing the washing and dryingmachine 100 to perform a desired operation (S100). Based on the detection signal from thefirst detection element 820, thedetermination portion 511 determines the position of the door 300 (S110). If the detection signal from thefirst detection element 820 includes information indicating the presence of thedetection arm 810 in thelock box 642, thedetermination portion 511 determines that thedoor 300 is at the closing position. If the detection signal from thefirst detection element 820 includes information indicating the absence of thedetection arm 810 from thelock box 642, thedetermination portion 511 determines that thedoor 300 is at the opening position. - After determining that the
door 300 is at the closing position, thedetermination portion 511 determines whether or not the operation information, which is input to theoperation panel 500, includes information requesting rotation of the washing and drying tub 110 (S120). If thedetermination portion 511 determines that the operation information, which is input to theoperation panel 500, includes the information requesting the rotation of the washing and dryingtub 110, thecontroller 512 activates themotor 113 on the basis of this determination result, and rotates the washing and dryingtub 110 according to the operation information (S130). If thedetermination portion 511 determines that the operation information, which is input to theoperation panel 500, does not include the information requesting the rotation of the washing and dryingtub 110, thecontroller 512 performs control according to the operation information to cause the washing and dryingmachine 100 to execute an operation other than the rotation of the washing and drying tub 110 (S140). - After determining that the
door 300 is at the opening position, thedetermination portion 511 determines whether the detection signal from thesecond detection element 830 includes information indicating the presence of thelock arm 610 in the lock box 642 (S150). If the detection signal from thesecond detection element 830 indicates absence of thelock arm 610 from thelock box 642, thedetermination portion 511 determines whether or not the operation information, which is input to theoperation panel 500, includes the information requesting the rotation of the washing and drying tub 110 (S160). If thedetermination portion 511 determines that the operation information, which is input to theoperation panel 500, does not include the information requesting the rotation of the washing and dryingtub 110, thecontroller 512 performs control according to the operation information to cause the washing and dryingmachine 100 to execute an operation other than the rotation of the washing and drying tub 110 (S140). If thedetermination portion 511 determines that the operation information, which is input to theoperation panel 500, includes the information requesting the rotation of the washing and dryingtub 110, thecontroller 512 outputs a signal, which includes the information indicating the presence of thedoor 300 at the opening position, to thewarning portion 840, instead of rotating the washing and dryingtub 110. Accordingly, thewarning portion 840 warns the user about the presence of thedoor 300 at the opening position and encourages the user to rotate thedoor 300 to the closing position (S170). Thedetermination portion 511 then determines the position of thedoor 300 again (S110). - If the
determination portion 511 outputs a determination result showing that the detection signal from thesecond detection element 830 indicates the presence of thelock arm 610 in thelock box 642, thecontroller 512 outputs a signal, which includes information indicating damage to thelock mechanism 600, to thewarning portion 840. Thereafter, thewarning portion 840 warns the user about the damage to the lock mechanism 600 (S 180). As a result, the user is encouraged to replace thelock mechanism 600. -
FIGS. 16 and17 are schematic enlarged views showing a connection between thedoor 300 and thehousing 200. Thedoor 300 shown inFIG. 16 is present at the closing position. Thedoor 300 shown inFIG. 17 is present at the opening position. The connection structure between thedoor 300 and thehousing 200 is described with reference toFIGS. 16 and17 . - As described above, the
door 300 is connected to thehousing 200 by thehinge structure 400. The first connectingmember 410 of thehinge structure 400 is made of zinc alloy and connected to the connectingsurface 216 of thehousing 200. The highly rigid second connectingmember 420 formed from a galvanized steel plate by means of bending and drawing processes is connected to theattachment ring 321, Thearm pieces 430, which project from the first connectingmember 410 toward the second connectingmember 420, support thesupport shaft 440 at a position away from the first connectingmember 410 and/or the connectingsurface 216. Thestainless support shaft 440 is kept at a position so that thestainless support shaft 440 projects from the concave area formed by theconcave surface 214. The peripheries of thecover disc 322 and theedge ring 323 become acurved rim 338 which partially surrounds thesupport shaft 440. - The
outer edge 423 of the second connectingmember 420 turns as thedoor 300 rotates. Theouter edge 423 abuts receivingedge 433 of eacharm piece 430 to restrict the angular motion of thedoor 300. In addition, outer edges of thearm pieces 430 includecurved edges 431, respectively, so that atip end 339 may be moved therein as thedoor 300 is rotated. As shown inFIG. 16 , thecurved edge 431 is recessed toward the center of thedoor 300 present at the closing position (curved away from the opposing surface 217). If thedoor 300 is rotated to the opening position, thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 is moved into the recess of thecurved edge 431. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 is made of resin and corresponds to the periphery of theedge ring 323. Thus theouter edge 423 abuts the receivingedge 433 of eacharm piece 430 to restrict the angular motion of thedoor 300 from the closing position, so that theouter edge 423 fixes the opening position in a predetermined position. - As shown in
FIG. 16 , if thedoor 300 is at the closing position, thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 is positioned between the opposingsurface 217, which forms abank 221 raised near each of right and left edge of themain wall 212, and thearm pieces 430. A distance between thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 and the opposing surface 217 (the shortest distance) is preferably 5 mm or less. Therefore, a void between eacharm piece 430 and the opposingsurface 217 is narrowed by thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338. In addition, thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 protrudes into the concave area formed by theconcave surface 214 and is closer to a virtual planar surface P along the connectingsurface 216 than thesupport shaft 440. - As shown in
FIGS. 16 and17 , thecurved edge 431 of eacharm piece 430 forms a space R with the opposingsurface 217 in which thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 moves. If thedoor 300 is rotated between the closing position and the opening position, thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 moves in the space R. Thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 moves along an arc trajectory toward thecurved edge 431 while thedoor 300 is rotated from the closing position to the opening position. Even when thedoor 300 reaches the opening position, thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 does not abut thecurved edge 431. Therefore, it is less likely that damage to thetip end 339 because of the contact between theresin tip end 339 and the metalliccurved edge 431 happens. In the present embodiment, thetip end 339 of thecurved rim 338 does not abut thecurved edge 431 even after thedoor 300 is rotated by 90° from the closing position (e.g., when thedoor 300 is rotated by 105° from the closing position) whereas theouter edge 423 of the second connectingmember 420 abuts the receivingedge 433 of eacharm piece 430 to restrict the angular motion of thedoor 300. - The connection between the
door 300 and thehousing 200 is further described with reference toFIGS. 2 and5 . -
FIG. 2 shows a vertical line V and an inclined line L inclined from the vertical line V by an angle θ.FIG. 2 also shows a vertical line V0 which passes through the center of theopening 215 formed on thehousing 200. The inclined line L is a virtual line which passes through the central axis of thesupport shaft 440 of thehinge structure 400 attached to thehousing 200. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thesupport shaft 440 includes afirst end 441 and asecond end 442 opposing thefirst end 441. Thefirst end 441 is located above thesecond end 442 on the inclined line L shown inFIG. 2 . Also, on the inclined line L shown inFIG. 2 , thesecond end 442 is closer to the vertical line V0 than thefirst end 441. Thus, thedoor 300 in the opening position is kept there by the gravitational action. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the first connectingmember 410 of thehinge structure 400 is fixed to the connectingsurface 216 by, for example, a screw 411 (or other appropriate fixture for attaching the first connectingmember 410 to the connecting surface 216). Therefore, an attachment hole, which extends in a substantially perpendicular direction to the connectingsurface 216, is formed on the connectingsurface 216. This attachment hole is preferably positioned such that thewindow 310, which projects from the holdingring 324 of thedoor 300 turned by 90° from the closing position, does not interferes with the line of the central axis of the attachment hole (a virtual line which extends in a substantially perpendicular direction to the connecting surface 216). Thus thedoor 300 may be appropriately connected to thehousing 200 without any interference of thewindow 310. -
FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of an exploded left-hand door. It should be noted that the washing and dryingmachine 100 described in the context ofFIGS. 1 to 17 has the right-hand door 300. The left-hand door is described by comparingFIG. 18 withFIG. 5 . - The
arm pieces 430 and thesupport shaft 440 supported by thearm pieces 430 are preferably formed in a substantially central position of an arc profile of the first connectingmember 410. Thus parts other than anattachment ring 321A may be shared by the left-hand door 300A and the right-hand door 300. - The aforementioned embodiment includes a laundry processing apparatus which mainly has the following configurations. The laundry processing apparatus with the following configurations appropriately prevents damage to the handle and/or the door.
- A laundry processing apparatus according to one aspect of the above embodiment has: a housing in which an opening for taking laundry in and out is formed; a door configured to rotate between a closing position where the door closes the opening and an opening position where the door opens the opening; and a handle used for rotating the door between the closing position and the opening position, wherein the handle includes a first piece pivotally supported by the door and a second piece protruding from the first piece and exposed outside the housing when the door is at the closing position, the door includes a restricting surface facing the housing when the door is at the closing position and restricting an angular motion of the first piece, and the first piece is positioned between the housing and the restricting surface when the door is at the closing position, and the first piece abuts the restricting surface when the door is rotated from the closing position to the opening position to restrict an angular motion of the handle.
- According to the aforementioned configuration, a user may put laundry in and out the housing through the opening formed on the housing. The door of the laundry processing apparatus is rotated between the closing position where the door closes the opening and the opening position where the door opens the opening. The door at the closing position prevents the laundry from bouncing out the housing. In addition, the door at the opening position allows the user to take the laundry in and out the housing. The handle used for rotating the door between the closing position and the opening position includes the first piece pivotally supported by the door, and the second piece protruding from the first piece. The second piece is exposed outside the housing when door is at the closing position. The user may use the second piece exposed outside the housing to rotate the door from the closing position to the opening position. When the door is situated at the closing position, the restricting surface of the supporting portion faces the housing. Meanwhile the first piece is positioned between the housing and the restricting surface. When the door is turned from the closing position to the opening position, the first piece abuts the restricting surface to restrict the angular motion of the handle. Therefore, even if an excessively large force is applied to the handle as a result of a wrong operation performed by the user, the entire first piece comes into contact with the supporting portion to prevent a high local stress on the handle and/or the door. Thus, preferably, it is less likely that the handle and/or the door are damaged.
- In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the laundry processing apparatus further have a lock mechanism configured to lock the door at the closing position, wherein the lock mechanism unlocks the door at the closing position in conjunction with the angular motion of the first piece toward the restricting surface.
- According to the aforementioned configuration, the lock mechanism configured to lock the door at the closing position works with the angular motion of the first piece toward the restricting surface of the door to unlock the door at the closing position. As a result, the door is unlocked in conjunction with an operation for rotating the door to the opening position, so that it becomes less likely that a wrong operation performed by the user causes an excessively large force.
- In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that a lock hole for locking the door at the closing position in cooperation with the lock mechanism is formed on the housing, the lock mechanism has a lock arm which includes a base end pivotally connected to the door and a tip end inserted into the lock hole to engage with the housing when the door is at the closing position, the first piece approaching the restricting surface presses the base end of the lock arm so that the tip end of the lock arm is turned from an engaging position where the tip end engages with the housing, to a disengaging position where the tip end disengages from the housing, and the lock arm is removed from the lock hole by rotation of the door from the closing position to the opening position.
- According to the aforementioned configuration, the lock hole for locking the door at the closing position in cooperation with the lock mechanism is formed on the housing. The lock arm of the lock mechanism includes the base end pivotally connected to the door and the tip end inserted into the lock hole and engaged with the housing when the door is at the closing position. The first piece approaching the restricting surface presses the base end of the lock arm so that the tip end of the lock arm is turned from the engaging position where the tip end engages with the housing, to the disengaging position where the tip end disengages from the housing. Thus, the lock mechanism may unlock the door at the closing position in conjunction with the angular motion of the first piece toward the supporting portion of the door. Then, when the user turns the door from the closing position to the opening position, the lock arm is removed from the lock hole, so that it becomes less likely that a wrong operation performed by the user causes an excessively large force.
- In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the laundry processing apparatus further have a detector configured to detect a position of the door; and a processing tub stored in the housing, wherein the door has a supporting portion configured to support the lock mechanism, and a detection arm projecting from the supporting portion, a detection hole, into which the detection arm is inserted when the door is at the closing position, is formed on the housing, when the door is at the opening position, the detection arm is removed from the detection hole, the detector includes a first detection element configured to detect existence of the detection arm in the detection hole, and a controller configured to control rotation of the processing tub based on the existence of the detection arm in the detection hole, and if the detection arm is absent from the detection hole, the controller inhibits rotation of the processing tub.
- According to the aforementioned configuration, the detection arm projects from the supporting portion configured to support the lock mechanism. When the door is at the closing position, the detection arm is inserted into the detection hole formed in the housing. When the door is at the opening position, the detection arm is removed from the detection hole. Thus, the detector may detect the position of the door by causing the first detection element to detect the existence of the detection arm in the detection hole. The controller of the detector inhibits the rotation of the processing tub if the detection arm is absent from the detection hole. It makes the laundry processing apparatus safer that the rotation of the processing tub is inhibited when the door is at the opening position
- In the aforementioned configuration, it is preferred that the detector includes a second detection element configured to detect existence of the lock arm in the lock hole, and if the detection arm is absent from the detection hole whereas the lock arm is present in the lock hole, the controller outputs information on damage to the lock mechanism.
- According to the aforementioned configuration, the detector includes the second detection element configured to detect the existence of the lock arm in the lock hole. If the detection arm is absent from the detection hole whereas the lock arm is present in the lock hole, the controller outputs information on damage to the lock mechanism, and so it becomes less likely that the laundry processing apparatus with the damaged lock mechanism is operated. Therefore the laundry processing apparatus becomes safer.
- In the configuration described above, it is preferred that the detection arm is integrally formed with the lock arm adjacent to the detection arm.
- According to the aforementioned configuration, because the detection arm is integrally formed with the lock arm adjacent to the detection arm, the lock and detection arms are situated under substantially the same dynamic environment. Therefore, stress on the detection arm is kept lower than that on the lock arm engaged with the housing. Thus, it becomes less likely that the detection arm is damaged earlier than the lock arm, which results in more accurate detection for damage to the lock mechanism. It becomes less likely that the laundry processing apparatus with the damaged lock mechanism, so that the laundry processing apparatus becomes safer.
- The methodologies according to the present embodiment are suitably utilized in washing machines, laundry dryers, and washing and drying machines.
Claims (6)
- A laundry processing apparatus (100), comprising:a housing (200) in which an opening (215) for taking laundry in and out is formed;a door (300, 300A) configured to rotate between a closing position where the door (300, 300A) closes the opening (215) and an opening position where the door (300, 300A) opens the opening (215); anda handle (700) used for rotating the door (300, 300A) between the closing position and the opening position,wherein the handle (700) includes a first piece (710) pivotally supported by the door (300, 300A) and a second piece (720) protruding from the first piece (710) and exposed outside the housing (200) when the door (300, 300A) is at the closing position,the door (300, 300A) includes a restricting surface (329) facing the housing (200) when the door (300, 300A) is at the closing position and restricting an angular motion of the first piece (710), andthe first piece (710) is positioned between the housing (200) and the restricting surface (329) when the door (300, 300A) is at the closing position, andthe first piece (710) abuts the restricting surface (329) when the door (300, 300A) is rotated from the closing position to the opening position to restrict an angular motion of the handle (700).
- The laundry processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, further comprising:a lock mechanism (600) configured to lock the door (300, 300A) at the closing position,wherein the lock mechanism (600) unlocks the door (300, 300A) at the closing position in conjunction with the angular motion of the first piece (710) toward the restricting surface (329).
- The laundry processing apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein
a lock hole (218) for locking the door (300, 300A) at the closing position in cooperation with the lock mechanism (600) is formed on the housing (200),
the lock mechanism (600) has a lock arm (610) which includes a base end (611) pivotally connected to the door (300, 300A) and a tip end (612) inserted into the lock hole (218) to engage with the housing (200) when the door (300, 300A) is at the closing position,
the first piece (710) approaching the restricting surface (329) presses the base end (611) of the lock arm (610) so that the tip end (612) of the lock arm (610) is turned from an engaging position where the tip end (612) engages with the housing (200), to a disengaging position where the tip end (612) disengages from the housing (200), and
the lock arm (610) is removed from the lock hole (218) by rotation of the door (300, 300A) from the closing position to the opening position. - The laundry processing apparatus (100) according to claim 3, further comprising:a detector (800) configured to detect a position of the door (300, 300A); anda processing tub (110) stored in the housing (200),wherein the door (300, 300A) has a supporting portion (321, 321A, 324) configured to support the lock mechanism (600), and a detection arm (810) projecting from the supporting portion (321, 321A, 324),a detection hole (219), into which the detection arm (810) is inserted when the door (300, 300A) is at the closing position, is formed on the housing (200),when the door (300, 300A) is at the opening position, the detection arm (810) is removed from the detection hole (219),the detector (800) includes a first detection element (820) configured to detect existence of the detection arm (810) in the detection hole (219), and a controller (512) configured to control rotation of the processing tub (110) based on the existence of the detection arm (810) in the detection hole (219), andif the detection arm (810) is absent from the detection hole (219), the controller (512) inhibits rotation of the processing tub (110).
- The laundry processing apparatus (100) according to claim 4, wherein
the detector (800) includes a second detection element (830) configured to detect existence of the lock arm (610) in the lock hole (218), and
if the detection arm (810) is absent from the detection hole (219) whereas the lock arm (610) is present in the lock hole (218), the controller (512) outputs information on damage to the lock mechanism (600). - The laundry processing apparatus (100) according to claim 5, wherein the detection arm (810) is integrally formed with the lock arm (610) adjacent to the detection arm (810).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP2010152315A JP5583499B2 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2010-07-02 | Clothing processing equipment |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2402499A1 true EP2402499A1 (en) | 2012-01-04 |
EP2402499B1 EP2402499B1 (en) | 2014-04-02 |
Family
ID=44512579
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP11170842.6A Active EP2402499B1 (en) | 2010-07-02 | 2011-06-22 | Laundry processing apparatus |
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Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP2402499B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5583499B2 (en) |
CN (2) | CN102312363B (en) |
RU (1) | RU2467107C1 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI445866B (en) |
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EP2740834A1 (en) * | 2012-12-06 | 2014-06-11 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry machine |
EP2824233A1 (en) * | 2013-07-08 | 2015-01-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Washing machine |
EP2848727A1 (en) * | 2013-08-27 | 2015-03-18 | Panasonic Corporation | Front-loading-type washing machine |
EP2682512A3 (en) * | 2012-07-06 | 2015-07-15 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Washing machine |
US20150368947A1 (en) * | 2011-09-26 | 2015-12-24 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Reversible door |
CN105361470A (en) * | 2015-12-04 | 2016-03-02 | 四川有获科技有限公司 | Storage cabinet for community service |
CN105380424A (en) * | 2015-12-04 | 2016-03-09 | 四川有获科技有限公司 | Storage cabinet applied to community service |
WO2016050310A1 (en) * | 2014-10-02 | 2016-04-07 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Laundry washing/drying machine having an improved locking mechanism |
US10060069B2 (en) | 2012-10-25 | 2018-08-28 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treatment machine |
EP2843110B1 (en) * | 2013-08-30 | 2020-04-15 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment machine |
US10640907B2 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2020-05-05 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment machine |
US10745843B2 (en) | 2015-12-23 | 2020-08-18 | Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. | Drum washing machine with inner and outer door |
DE102014205224B4 (en) * | 2013-03-21 | 2021-02-11 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treating device |
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JP5583499B2 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2014-09-03 | パナソニック株式会社 | Clothing processing equipment |
JP6145714B2 (en) * | 2014-04-17 | 2017-06-14 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Washing machine |
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JP2000279679A (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2000-10-10 | Toshiba Corp | Drum type washing machine |
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WO2007110441A1 (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2007-10-04 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | A household appliance |
JP2009095529A (en) | 2007-10-18 | 2009-05-07 | Panasonic Corp | Drum type washing machine |
EP2243874A1 (en) * | 2009-04-22 | 2010-10-27 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Porthole door for laundry washing machines and household appliance provided with said porthole door |
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JPS6089377U (en) * | 1983-11-18 | 1985-06-19 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Equipment lid locking device |
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JP3747895B2 (en) * | 2002-08-22 | 2006-02-22 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Washing machine |
JP4007147B2 (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2007-11-14 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Control device for laundry equipment |
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EP1961856B1 (en) * | 2007-02-23 | 2010-06-09 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Electrical appliance with an improved door mechanism |
JP4711268B2 (en) * | 2008-08-28 | 2011-06-29 | シャープ株式会社 | Drum washing machine |
JP5583499B2 (en) * | 2010-07-02 | 2014-09-03 | パナソニック株式会社 | Clothing processing equipment |
-
2010
- 2010-07-02 JP JP2010152315A patent/JP5583499B2/en active Active
-
2011
- 2011-06-22 EP EP11170842.6A patent/EP2402499B1/en active Active
- 2011-06-27 TW TW100122451A patent/TWI445866B/en active
- 2011-06-30 CN CN2011101846907A patent/CN102312363B/en active Active
- 2011-06-30 CN CN2011202314630U patent/CN202148428U/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-07-01 RU RU2011127170/12A patent/RU2467107C1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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JP2000279679A (en) | 1999-03-31 | 2000-10-10 | Toshiba Corp | Drum type washing machine |
WO2003004754A1 (en) * | 2001-07-05 | 2003-01-16 | Arçelik, A. S. | Washing machine door |
WO2007110441A1 (en) * | 2006-03-29 | 2007-10-04 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | A household appliance |
JP2009095529A (en) | 2007-10-18 | 2009-05-07 | Panasonic Corp | Drum type washing machine |
EP2243874A1 (en) * | 2009-04-22 | 2010-10-27 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Porthole door for laundry washing machines and household appliance provided with said porthole door |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9752272B2 (en) * | 2011-09-26 | 2017-09-05 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Reversible door |
US20150368947A1 (en) * | 2011-09-26 | 2015-12-24 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Reversible door |
EP2682512A3 (en) * | 2012-07-06 | 2015-07-15 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Washing machine |
US10060069B2 (en) | 2012-10-25 | 2018-08-28 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treatment machine |
WO2014086986A1 (en) * | 2012-12-06 | 2014-06-12 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry machine |
EP2740834A1 (en) * | 2012-12-06 | 2014-06-11 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry machine |
US9617677B2 (en) | 2012-12-06 | 2017-04-11 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry machine |
DE102014205224B4 (en) * | 2013-03-21 | 2021-02-11 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Laundry treating device |
EP2824233A1 (en) * | 2013-07-08 | 2015-01-14 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd | Washing machine |
US9487901B2 (en) | 2013-07-08 | 2016-11-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine |
EP2848727A1 (en) * | 2013-08-27 | 2015-03-18 | Panasonic Corporation | Front-loading-type washing machine |
EP2843110B1 (en) * | 2013-08-30 | 2020-04-15 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment machine |
US10640907B2 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2020-05-05 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment machine |
WO2016050310A1 (en) * | 2014-10-02 | 2016-04-07 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Laundry washing/drying machine having an improved locking mechanism |
CN105380424A (en) * | 2015-12-04 | 2016-03-09 | 四川有获科技有限公司 | Storage cabinet applied to community service |
CN105361470A (en) * | 2015-12-04 | 2016-03-02 | 四川有获科技有限公司 | Storage cabinet for community service |
US10745843B2 (en) | 2015-12-23 | 2020-08-18 | Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. | Drum washing machine with inner and outer door |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN202148428U (en) | 2012-02-22 |
CN102312363B (en) | 2013-05-08 |
JP5583499B2 (en) | 2014-09-03 |
CN102312363A (en) | 2012-01-11 |
TW201207190A (en) | 2012-02-16 |
TWI445866B (en) | 2014-07-21 |
RU2467107C1 (en) | 2012-11-20 |
JP2012011092A (en) | 2012-01-19 |
EP2402499B1 (en) | 2014-04-02 |
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