EP2510144B1 - Door for a household appliance having a viewing window and method for production of said door - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a door for a household appliance, in particular laundry treatment appliance, with a viewing window and a method for producing such a door.

• Herstellen eines ersten Türteils aus Kunststoff mit einem blickdurchlässigen ersten Sichtfensterbereich und einem den ersten Sichtfensterbereich umgebenden blickdichten Randbereich,
• Herstellen eines zweiten Türteils mit einem blickdurchlässigen zweiten Sichtfensterbereich und einer den zweiten Sichtfensterbereich umgebenden blickdichten Abdeckung, und
• Permanentes Verbinden des ersten Türteils und des zweiten Türteils so, dass ein Ausschnitt der Abdeckung im Wesentlichen den ersten Sichtfensterbereich freilässt.

From the DE 10 2005 023 445 A1 shows a door with a viewing window for a laundry machine, wherein the door has a first door part with a translucent first viewing window area and an opaque edge region surrounding the first viewing window area and a second door part with a view-permeable second viewing window area and an opaque cover surrounding the second viewing window area. Also, this document discloses a method for manufacturing a door having a viewing window for a laundry drying machine, comprising the following steps:

• Producing a first door part made of plastic with a view-permeable first viewing window area and an opaque edge area surrounding the first viewing window area,
• Producing a second door part with a view-permeable second viewing window area and an opaque cover surrounding the second viewing window area, and
• Permanently connecting the first door part and the second door part so that a section of the cover leaves substantially free the first viewing window area.

From the DE 20 2009 005678 U1 is a door for a household appliance, which comprises a first door part and a second door part, which are each carried out in two pieces by the respective viewing window area was made separately from the opaque edge portion or the cover and the door parts were assembled only afterwards.

So far, household appliance doors are constructed with a viewing window so that the viewing window and a rim for holding the viewing window are manufactured separately and then connected to each other. The edge has two rings, between which the Viewing window is trapped. The rim can also hold a door handle or door lock and a door hinge. The edge is at least partially covered by a peripheral decorative ring for privacy. In the known doors is disadvantageous that a manufacturing cost of at least the comparatively complex shaped viewing window and also an assembly effort, in particular for precise positioning of the viewing window with respect to the rings and secure fixing of the parts is relatively high.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a household appliance door with a viewing window, which can be produced with a comparatively low outlay and with high precision.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims and / or the following description removable.

The object is achieved by a door for a domestic appliance, in particular laundry treatment device (including washing machine, tumble dryer, washer dryer, etc.) with a viewing window, the door having at least: a first door part made in one piece from at least two different material components from a view-permeable first viewing window area and a the first viewing window area laterally surrounding opaque edge region and an integrally made of at least two different material components second door part of a view permeable second viewing window area and the second viewing window area partially covering opaque cover.

An at least two-component door part is understood to be a door part which has been produced in one piece from at least two different material components. However, three- or multi-component door parts can be used.

This door has the advantage that it can be manufactured at a lower manufacturing cost than conventional doors. For example, the first door part and the second door part are manufacturable in a single respective production step, so that a positioning and fixing is limited to two parts. So now no spacers are needed for an assembly. Also contributes to the advantage that the viewing window is now divided into two parts on the first door part and the second door part, these two door parts can now be easily shaped and finished with a high precision at the same time a little effort. Thus, among other things, small gap tolerances can be achieved, which in turn allows better insulation through a higher density of the two-component parts (for example against air, moisture, lint, etc.). Also, no spacers are needed for assembly. In addition, can be dispensed with by the provision of the cover on a previously necessary printing for producing a screen or for lamination. Furthermore, the door can be formed more diverse than in the conventional fixed division into viewing window and double ring holder.

It is a preferred embodiment that the first door part is intended to point in a closed position of the door in the direction of the domestic appliance, and the second door part is intended to point at a closed position of the door to the outside.

It is a further preferred embodiment that the first viewing window area is provided to be fitted in a loading position of the household appliance in a closed position of the door. Thus, the material of the first viewing window area does not need to be mechanically resistant and can be selected correspondingly inexpensively.

It is still a preferred embodiment that the first viewing window area and the edge area consist of plastic and are produced by means of a two-stage injection molding process. This allows the first door part by known means, inexpensively and with high precision are made in one piece from two materials.

It is yet another preferred embodiment that the first viewing window area made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and / or the edge region consists of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS). Both PC and PMMA are thermoplastic and can be designed as opaque materials. Polycarbonates are crystal-clear, can be dyed, welded and adhesively bonded, and are very dimensionally stable and have high impact strength and rigidity. PMMA transmits light better than normal glass, is resistant to weathering and aging, is resistant to acids and alkalis of medium concentration as well as to gasoline and oil and comparatively scratch-resistant. Amongst others, ABS has the advantages of a high surface hardness, a good impact resistance and / or a scratch-resistant and matt-glossy surface and is therefore particularly suitable as a mechanically loaded contact surface, such as the edge region, e.g. can train against a bearing plate.

It is also a preferred embodiment that the first viewing window area has a pot-like basic shape, wherein the edge area attaches to its side wall. As a result, the first viewing window area can be well immersed in a loading opening or door opening. The fact that the edge region attaches to the side wall, it can be direct and straight lead to the outside, the edge area can serve as a visual protection against the feed opening and can be the area of large area connected to the first field of view.

The edge region may, in particular, have an area that conforms to the side wall and an area that is essentially perpendicular to it or that extends laterally outwards. Due to the laterally outgoing region, the loading opening can be covered in particular at its edge.

It is also a preferred embodiment that the second viewing window area and the cover each consist of plastic and are produced by means of a two-stage injection molding process. This also allows the second door part with known means, inexpensive and manufactured with high precision in one piece from two materials. Through the cover can be dispensed with a subsequent lamination of the second viewing window area.

It is still another preferred embodiment that the second viewing window area of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is and / or the cover of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) consists.

It is a particular preferred embodiment that the cover has a cutout which essentially leaves free the second viewing window area or allows essentially only the view of the second viewing window area.

Moreover, it is a preferred embodiment that the second viewing window area has a substantially arched, in particular to the first door part arched, plate-like basic shape. As a result, a visually elegant-looking door can be created in a simple manner.

It is also a preferred embodiment that the first door part and the second door part welded together, in particular plastic welded, are. So a firm and tight connection between the two door parts is achieved. However, the attachment of the two door parts with each other is not limited thereto. So these can also be glued together, connected with hot-caked plastic rivets, etc.

It is advantageous for a simple yet secure connection, when the first door part and the second door part are connected to one another at a circumferential line of joints, in particular welded. Due to the peripheral joint line, penetration of moisture and contaminants into a cavity between the first viewing window area and the second viewing window area can be easily prevented. In particular, such a joint line is easy to weld. The joint line can in particular be formed with a free edge of the first viewing window area, where the free edge contacts the second door part.

It is yet another preferred embodiment that the door has a cover ring for covering at least one lateral edge of the door. This will be a View into a door edge between the two door parts and prevents ingress of dirt.

It is a particular preferred embodiment that the cover ring compresses the first door part and the second door part. Thus, the connection between the two door parts is further improved and possibly existing gaps can be closed.

It is still a particular preferred embodiment that the cover ring is secured by means of a bayonet mount, in particular lockable bayonet mount, to the first door part and the second door part. Thus, the cover ring can also be attached without or without expensive tools, which further reduces installation costs.

• Herstellen eines einstückigen ersten Türteils aus Kunststoff aus mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Materialkomponenten mit einem blickdurchlässigen ersten Sichtfensterbereich und einem den ersten Sichtfensterbereich seitlich umgebenden blickdichten Randbereich mittels eines zweistufigen Spritzgussverfahrens;
• Herstellen eines einstückigen zweiten Türteils aus Kunststoff aus mindestens zwei unterschiedlichen Materialkomponenten mit einem blickdurchlässigen zweiten Sichtfensterbereich und einer den zweiten Sichtfensterbereich teilweise abdeckenden blickdichten Abdeckung mittels eines zweistufigen Spritzgussverfahrens; und
• Permanentes Verbinden des ersten Türteils und des zweiten Türteils so, dass ein Ausschnitt der Abdeckung im Wesentlichen den ersten Sichtfensterbereich frellässt.

The object is also achieved by a method for producing a door for a domestic appliance, wherein the method has at least the following steps:

• Producing a one-piece plastic first door part from at least two different material components with a view-permeable first viewing window area and an opaque edge area laterally surrounding the first viewing window area by means of a two-stage injection molding process;
• Producing a one-piece second door part made of plastic from at least two different material components with a view-permeable second viewing window area and an opaque cover partially covering the second viewing window area by means of a two-stage injection molding process; and
• Permanently connecting the first door part and the second door part so that a section of the cover substantially leaves the first viewing window area.

• Aufsetzen eines Abdeckrings an einem Rand des verbundenen ersten Türteils und zweiten Türteils; und
• Befestigen des Abdeckrings an den Türteilen mittels eines folgenden Verdrehens des Abdeckrings unter Zusammenpressen des ersten Türteils und des zweiten Türteils durch den Abdeckring.

It is a preferred development that the method further comprises the following steps:

• Placing a cover ring on an edge of the connected first door part and second door part; and
• Attaching the cover ring to the door parts by means of a subsequent twisting of the cover ring while compressing the first door part and the second door part by the cover ring.

Thus, the connection between the two door parts is further improved and possibly existing gaps can be closed.

Fig.1

zeigt als Schnittdarstellung in Schrägansicht eine linke Hälfte einer erfindungsgemäßen Tür für ein Wäschebehandlungsgerät;

Fig.2

zeigt die erfindungsgemäße Tür in einer Explosionsdarstellung als Schnittansicht von schräg vorne ähnlich zu Fig.1;

Fig.3

zeigt als Schnittdarstellung in Seitenansicht einen oberen Ausschnitt und einen unteren Ausschnitt aus der erfindungsgemäßen Tür;

Fig.4

zeigt den oberen Türausschnitt aus Fig.3 in einer vergrößerten Darstellung;

Fig.5

zeigt den unteren Türausschnitt aus Fig.3 in einer vergrößerten Darstellung; und

Fig.6

zeigt die erfindungsgemäße Tür anliegend an einem Lagerschild des Wäschebehandlungsgeräts.

In the following figures, the invention will be described schematically with reference to an embodiment schematically. In this case, the same or equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals for clarity.

Fig.1

shows a sectional view in an oblique view of a left half of a door according to the invention for a laundry treatment appliance;

Fig.2

shows the door according to the invention in an exploded view as a sectional view of obliquely forward similar to Fig.1 ;

Figure 3

shows a sectional view in side view of an upper cutout and a lower section of the door according to the invention;

Figure 4

shows the upper door opening Figure 3 in an enlarged view;

Figure 5

shows the lower door opening Figure 3 in an enlarged view; and

Figure 6

shows the door according to the invention adjacent to a bearing plate of the laundry treatment appliance.

Fig.1 shows a sectional view in an oblique view, a left half of a door 1 of a laundry treatment device W, for example a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer. Fig.2 shows this door 1 in an exploded view.

The door 1 has a first door part 2 and a second door part 3, which are covered on the edge together by a cover ring 4. On the cover ring 4, a door handle 5 is attached to the right half, not shown, for example, can be a door hinge. The first door part 2 has a two-component structure comprising a view-permeable first viewing window region 6 and an opaque edge region 7 laterally surrounding the first viewing window region 6. The second door part 3 is also of two-component design, namely a view-permeable second viewing window region 8 and a partially covering the second viewing window region 8 opaque cover 9. Through a cutout 10 in the cover 9, an insight into the first viewing window area 6 and further into a laundry treatment room, for example an interior of a laundry drum, of the laundry treatment appliance W is made possible.

The first door part 2 is intended to point in the direction of the domestic appliance W in a closed position of the door 1, and the second door part 3 is intended to face outwards at a closed position of the door 1, as more precisely in connection with FIG Figure 6 is described. The first door part 2 is made entirely of plastic, the first viewing window area 6 being made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and the opaque edge area 7 being made of ABS. The first door part 2 has been produced by means of a two-stage injection molding process (bi-injection process). The first door part 2 is produced in such a way that the first viewing window region 6 has a pot-like basic shape with a bottom 11 and a circumferential side wall 12 protruding thereon, wherein the edge region 7 adjoins an outer side of the side wall 12.

Also, the second door part 3 is completely made of plastic by means of a two-stage injection molding process, in which case the second viewing window area 8 may consist of PC or PMMA and the cover 9 may consist of ABS. The cover 9 lies flat and parallel to the second viewing window area 8 and is correspondingly conforming to the shape of the adjacent second viewing window area 8, wherein the second viewing window area 8 here has a substantially curved plate-like basic shape. In other words, the second door part 3 or the second viewing window area 8 bulges slightly in the direction of the first door part 2, resulting in an elegant appearance.

The first door part 2 and the second door part 3 are plastic-welded together, namely at a contact area or a joint line, which by an edge 13 of the first viewing window area 6 and a front edge 14 adjacent to the edge region 7 on the one hand and by an inner, rear edge 15 of the opaque cover 9 is formed. As a result, in other words, the welding is approximately at a contour of the cutout 10 of the cover 9, which substantially corresponds to the outer edge of the first viewing window region 6. Since the joint line is circumferential, the cavity thus welded between the first viewing window area 6 and the second viewing window area 8 is sealed tight.

Furthermore, a user of the door 1 is given the impression that the first viewing window area 6 and the area ('viewing area') 16 of the second viewing window area 8 remaining within the cutout 10 of the cover 9 form a uniform or integral viewing window 6, 16, while the border area 7, covered by the cover 9 part 17 of the second viewing window area 8 and the cover 4 seem to form a single or even integral edge 4, 7, 17 for the viewing window. The cover ring 4 forms a lateral edge 18 of the door 1 as well as a narrow outer and front edge 19 or edge region of the door first

Figure 3 shows a sectional side view of an upper section 1 a and a lower section 1b of the door 1, wherein Figure 4 the upper door opening 1a in an enlarged view and Figure 5 shows the lower door opening 1b in an enlarged view.

The first viewing window region 6 is arranged such that its bottom 11 points in a rearward direction and thus in the direction of the laundry treatment appliance W when the door 1 is closed. Consequently, the first viewing window area 6 is open to the front. On an outer side of the side wall 12 of the first viewing window area 6, the edge area 7 is integrally connected to the first viewing window area 6 by means of the two-stage plastic injection molding process, in such a way that the free edge 13 of the first viewing window area 6 and the front edge 14 of the edge area 7 are substantially flush lie adjacent to each other.

The edge region 7 extends from above (as shown in the upper cutout 1a) downwards (as shown in the lower section 1 b) extending further in a rearward direction, so that the edge region 7 further covers the first viewing window region 6 below as above. The edge region 7 thus has a region 20 which conforms to the surface of the side wall 12 of the first viewing window 6 which it covers, and a region 21 which projects laterally laterally outwards from this region 20. The conformal region 20 and the laterally outgoing region 21 are here almost perpendicular to one another. The outgoing region 21 has substantially the shape of a circular disc provided with an eccentric circular recess. Seen from the front, the second door part 3 is placed on the first door part 2 so that these two parts 2, 3 in the region of their edges 13, 14, 15 are welded together. The second viewing window area 8 of the second door part 3 is designed as a plate bent backwards or inwards, whose viewing surface 16 when viewed from the front (here from the left in the image plane) essentially has the same base area as the first viewing window area 6.

The peripheral edges of the edge portion 7 (outer free edge of the perpendicular portion 21) and the second field of view 8 (side edge) are spaced from each other. To cover these peripheral edges to allow privacy and to prevent ingress of dirt, they are covered by the cover ring 4. The cover ring 4 may for example be fixed by means of a bayonet-type fastening, e.g. by being inserted or set in a recess or guide in the edge region 7 and / or in the second viewing region 8 and subsequently twisted. The attachment may further be configured so that with the rotation of the cover 4, the first door part 2 and the second door part 3 or the edge portion 7 and the second field of view 8 are compressed, so that there is an even firmer connection, which also has an intrusion of water or pollution in the cavity formed by the first viewing area 6 and the second viewing area 8 and its visible surface 16 can suppress even more effectively. Upon reaching its desired position of the cover 4 can lock releasably or permanently.

Figure 6 shows the door 1 in a closed state relative to a bearing plate 22. The edge region 7 rests with the door closed on the end plate 22, wherein the use of ABS as the material of the edge region 7 has a good mechanical and thermal resistance. The pot-shaped first viewing area 6 of the first door part 2 protrudes into a loading opening 23 of the laundry treatment appliance W, thereby closing off a laundry treatment room in the form of a rotatable laundry drum T.

The second door part 3 covers the first door part 2 from the front and offers, together with the cover 4, a privacy screen and access protection for the first door part 2. The first door part 2 can thus also be referred to as a rear door part, while the second door part 3 also may be referred to as a front door part, in particular when viewing the closed door 1 from outside the laundry treating appliance W.

This door has the advantage that it is manufacturable with a low production cost. Thus, the first door part 2 and the second door part 3 are each manufactured in a single two-stage plastic injection molding step, so that a positioning and fixation on the two door parts 2, 3 limited. There are no spacers or similar. needed for an assembly. Also, there is the advantage that the viewing window 6, 16 is now divided into two parts on the first door part 2 and the second door part 3, and each having a simple producible shape. The two door parts 2, 3 are manufactured with high precision at the same time low effort. Thus, among other things, small gap tolerances can be achieved, which in turn allows for better insulation through a higher density of the two-component parts (eg against air, moisture, lint, etc.), in particular the cavity between the first viewing window area 6 and the visible surface 16 of the second door part 3 Also, spacers are no longer needed for assembly. In addition, can be dispensed with by the provision of the cover 9 on a previously necessary printing of the second viewing window area 8 for producing a screen or for lamination. Further, the door 1 can be formed vielgestaltiger as in the conventional fixed division into viewing window and double ring holder.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

door

1a

Upper door opening

1b

lower door opening

2

first door part

3

second door part

4

cover ring

5

door handle

6

first viewing window area of the first door part

7

Edge area of the first door part

8th

second viewing window area of the second door part

9

cover

10

Detail of the cover

11

Floor of the first viewing window area

12

Sidewall of the first viewing window area

13

Edge of the first viewing window area

14

front edge of the edge area

15

inner, rear edge of the opaque cover

16

Visible surface of the second viewing window area

17

Covered by the cover part of the second viewing window area

18

lateral edge of the door

19

front edge of the door

20

compliant area of the edge area

21

vertical or laterally outgoing area of the edge area

22

end shield

23

loading port

T

washing drum

W

Laundry treatment device

Claims (14)

1. Door (1) for a domestic appliance (W), particularly laundry treatment appliance (W), with a viewing window (6, 16), wherein the door (1) at least comprises:

   - a first door part (2), which is produced integrally from at least two different material components, of a view-permitting first viewing window region (6) and a view-precluding edge region (7) laterally surrounding the first viewing window region (6), and

   - a second door part (3), which is produced integrally from at least two different material components, of a view-permitting second viewing window region (8) and a view-precluding cover (9) partly covering the second viewing window region (8).
2. Door (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first door part (2) is provided for the purpose of facing in the direction of the domestic appliance (W) in a closed setting of the door (1) and the second door part (3) is provided for the purpose of facing outwardly in a closed setting of the door (1).
3. Door (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first window viewing region (6) is provided for the purpose of being fitted in a loading opening of the domestic appliance (W) in a closed setting of the door (1).
4. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first viewing window region (6) and the edge region (7) consists of plastics material and are produced by means of the two-stage injection-moulding process.
5. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first viewing window region (6) consists of PC or PMMA and the edge region (7) consists of ABS.
6. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first viewing window region (6) has a pot-like basic shape, wherein the edge region (7) is positioned against the side wall (12) thereof.
7. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second viewing window region (8) and the cover (9) each consist of plastics material and are produced by means of a two-stage injection-moulding process.
8. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second viewing window region (8) has a substantially convexly curved plate-shaped basic shape.
9. Door (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first door part (2) and the second door part (3) are welded together.
10. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover ring (4) for covering of at least a lateral edge of the door (1).
11. Door (1) according to claim 10, in which the cover ring (4) presses the first door part (2) and the second door part (3) together.
12. Door (1) according to one of claims 10 and 11, in which the cover ring (4) is fastened to the first door part (2) and the second door part (3) by means of a bayonet coupling, particularly detentable bayonet coupling.
13. Method of producing a door (1) for a domestic appliance (W), comprising at least the following steps:

    - producing an integral first door part (2) of plastics material of at least two different material components with a view-permitting first viewing window region (6) and a view-precluding edge region (7), which laterally surrounds the first viewing window region (6), by means of a two-stage injection-moulding process;

    - producing an integral second door part (3) of plastics material of at least two different material components with a view-permitting second viewing window region (8) and a view-precluding cover (9), which partly covers the second viewing window region (8), by means of a two-stage injection-moulding process; and

    - permanently connecting the first door part (2) and the second door part (3) so that a section of the cover substantially leaves free the first viewing window region (6).
14. Method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps:

    - positioning a cover ring (4) at an edge of the connected first door part (2) and second door part (3); and

    - fastening the cover ring (4) to the door parts (2, 3) by means of a subsequent turning of the cover ring (4) while pressing together the first door part (2) and the second door part (3) by the cover ring (4).

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