EP2607545A1 - Aperture, in particular for domestic appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

The diaphragm (3) has an operation panel (5) that is insertable into a holding element (7). The holding element is positively held in a direction (23) of a diaphragm front (11) by the operation panel. The holding element encloses the operation panel like a frame. The holding element comprises two frame portions (8, 9). One frame portion is elastically deformable, formed in a height direction of the operation panel and transferable between a locking position and a releasing position. The operation panel cooperates with the respective frame portions.

Description

The invention relates to a panel, in particular for household appliances, with a holding element into which a control panel can be inserted and by means of which the control panel is held positively in the direction of the front panel, wherein the holding element surrounds the control panel like a frame.

Blends of the type described above are known per se from the prior art, for example from the DE 34 13 194 C2 ,

Domestic appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and / or the like, are typically equipped on the door side with a panel. This carries the so-called control panel, which in turn has controls for a user-side operation of the household appliance. Depending on the configuration of the household appliance, the panel may also be formed as part of the door of the household appliance. In this case, it is typically envisaged that the bezel will provide a handle for the purpose of user-side door operation.

The panel may be formed in the manner of a housing which carries the front panel of the control panel. For the purpose of arranging the control panel on the panel, the panel has a holding element. In the final assembled state, the control panel is bordered by the holding element and is held by this form-fitting in the direction of the front panel. To ensure a positionally secure arrangement of the control panel on the panel, is from the DE 34 13 194 C2 a support member has become known, which supports the control panel in the final assembled state backwards. The support member is provided with a spring element which presses the control panel in the direction of the front panel. In order to cause an unintentional release of the control panel against the force applied by the spring element spring force, a securing element may be provided which prevents a pivoting movement of the spring element against the force acting on the control panel spring force.

From the prior art further diaphragm constructions have become known. So are in departure to that from the DE 34 13 194 C2 known aperture also such screens have been developed, which are less large, thus requiring less installation space. In the case of such diaphragms, a spring device formed under certain circumstances from a plurality of spring elements is used for the positionally reliable arrangement of the control panel on the diaphragm, which spring device does not support the control panel in the rearward direction but rather on the front side. Such spring elements are preferably formed from steel and have a groove for the frontal recording of a peripheral edge of the control panel. The control panel becomes the Purpose of assembly used in the groove of the spring elements and then moved against the spring force provided by the spring elements. Furthermore, the control panel with its edge elements opposite the spring elements can then be pivoted into the retaining element of the panel, as a result of which the spring elements displace the control panel in correspondence with the effective direction of the spring force provided by the spring elements, so that the edge of the control panel opposite to the spring elements engages comes in a designated groove of the retaining element. As a consequence, the control panel is permanently spring-loaded in a groove provided by the spring elements, on the one hand, and a groove lying opposite this groove and provided by the retaining element of the panel, on the other hand.

Although such diaphragm constructions have proven themselves in everyday practical use, they are not free from disadvantages. Thus, it is particularly considered disadvantageous that in the final assembled state, a gap between the control panel and panel remains, which is structurally determined by the mandatory for the purpose of mounting spring travel of the spring elements. The design of this gap should be avoided, which is why the object of the invention is to propose a diaphragm, which allows a largely gap-free arrangement of the control panel on the panel.

To solve this problem, a diaphragm of the type mentioned is proposed with the invention, which is characterized in that the holding element has a first and a second frame portion, wherein one of the two frame sections in the height direction of the control panel resiliently deformable and from a locking position into a release position and conversely formed convertible.

The holding element of the panel, which encloses the control panel in the final assembled state like a frame, according to the invention has a first and a second frame portion. These frame sections are formed opposite each other and support the control panel in the final assembled state, preferably on a top edge in the vertical direction on the one hand and a lower peripheral edge on the other.

One of the two frame portions is formed elastically deformable, in the height direction, which allows to transfer the frame portion from a locking position to a release position and vice versa. In this case, the frame portion is elastically deformed during a transfer from the locking position into the release position against the spring force provided by the frame portion.

In contrast to the prior art, the embodiment according to the invention does not provide any spring elements which are present as separate components. It can be dispensed with in particular on the previously used according to the prior art spring elements made of steel. It is the at least one frame portion of the holding member provided by the bezel and receiving the operation panel in the final assembled state that allows resilient deformation so that a control panel is easily mounted and securely held in the final assembled state. In this case, the frame portion for the purpose of assembly from its locked position to transfer to its release position. In this position, the elastically deformable frame portion is an assembly, ie an insertion of the control panel in the holding element of the aperture possible. Once the panel is received in the intended manner by the holding element, the frame portion can be transferred from its release position back into its locking position, which is due to the elastic deformation of the panel in an automatic manner, ie without addition of additional assembly forces. In the locking position, the control panel is held by the frame portions of the support member positively and securely in position relative to the panel.

The construction according to the invention proves to be particularly easy both in production and in operation. Not least because the design of spring elements in the form of separate components is completely eliminated. For the purpose of assembly or disassembly, it only requires a resilient deformation of a frame portion. This is transferred as a result of its deformation from a locking position into a release position, which then allows a simple way assembly or disassembly of the control panel.

Another advantage of the construction according to the invention results from the fact that a gap-free arrangement of the control panel is permitted on the panel. This gap-free arrangement of the control panel, in contrast to the prior art, is achieved in that, for lack of corresponding spring elements, a spring travel to be provided for the purpose of mounting is not required. As a consequence, this allows an embodiment of a holding element, which is matched in its dimensions to the male from the holding panel in such a way that after proper insertion of the control panel in the holding element a gap-free recording of the control panel is ensured by the holding element. The mounting space for a proper insertion of the control panel in the holding element is realized with the inventive design by the resiliently deformable frame portion. In the final assembled state, the frame sections support the control panel in a form-fitting manner by means of an undercut design. As part of an assembly or disassembly, an assembly space is provided by an elastic deformation of the at least one of the two frame portions of the support member, which makes it possible, the control panel in case of mounting in engagement with the support provided by the undercut or at a Disassembly out of engagement with the support provided by the undercut to bring.

In contrast to the prior art, the construction according to the invention does not provide for fixing the control panel under constant action of spring force relative to the diaphragm. Rather, there is a gap-free arrangement of the control panel, so that due to a position-safe arrangement of the control panel is ensured relative to the panel. In order to allow this gap-free arrangement, one of the two frame portions of the holding element is elastically deformable, so that it can be transferred from a locking position to a release position and vice versa, being provided in the release position of the frame portion of the assembly space required for mounting or dismounting the mounting space ,

The panel has according to a further feature of the invention on a support surface for rearward support of the control panel. By this support surface, the force acting on the control panel in the case of intended use of the panel is intercepted. This force acting on the control panel in the intended use arises in particular by a user of a household appliance equipped with a panel according to the invention, which actuates keys and / or the like provided by the control panel.

The support surface is structurally provided according to a further feature of the invention by wall sections which are formed integrally with the holding element. Thereafter, the holding element, d. H. the frame sections forming the retaining element, on the one hand, and the wall sections which provide the supporting surface, on the other hand, form a common, integrally formed structural unit. A simple and in particular cost-effective production is achieved in an advantageous manner.

According to a further feature of the invention, a spring element acting on the resiliently deformable frame section is provided. By this spring element, the elastic deformability of the frame section is supported. In this case, the spring element is used, in particular, to keep the frame section dimensionally accurate in its locking position. Optionally, it may also be provided that by means of the spring element of the frame portion is held in a locking position, which generates a certain undersize in terms of the distance between the two frame portions of the support member for receiving the control panel, which supports the gap-free arrangement of the control panel on the panel.

According to a preferred proposal of the invention, the spring element is designed as a wall section. Accordingly, the spring element is not only the spring-elastic support the frame portion, it also provides a rear support surface for the control panel.

The spring element may have an L-shaped contour in front view. This embodiment is on the one hand advantageous because it supports the elastic deformability of the spring element and thus the action of the spring force on the resiliently deformable frame portion of the retaining element. On the other hand, this contour configuration is comparatively space-saving, so that the rear of the control panel provided installation space for receiving z. B. electronic components is maximized.

The control panel has, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, a peripheral edge cooperating with the respective frame section and respectively providing a shoulder. In this case, the paragraph design is used in particular to form an undercut between the control panel on the one hand and provided by the diaphragm for receiving the control panel holding member on the other hand in the final assembled state of the control panel and panel. Accordingly, it is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the frame sections each have a cooperating with the shoulder of the respective edge of the control panel groove. In the final assembled state, the respective marginal edges of the control panel engage in this groove.

It is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the shoulder of the peripheral edge of the control panel, which peripheral edge is assigned to the elastically deformable edge portion of the holding element, has a wavy contour. This embodiment provides the advantage of simplified assembly. This is because a deformation of the resiliently deformable frame portion for the purpose of panel mounting is only to be made in those areas in which the control panel has a provided for forming an undercut paragraph. Consequently, this embodiment makes it possible to support the resiliently deformable edge section, so that a dimensionally accurate locking position is ensured. In the support points, an elastic deformation of the frame portion is not possible. This circumstance is taken into account by the wave-shaped contour design of the associated paragraph of the peripheral edge of the control panel.

With the invention it is further proposed to integrally form the frame sections of the retaining element, the spring element and the wall sections made of plastic. A simplified and thus inexpensive production is guaranteed. In addition, there is also a simple installation, since it is completely dispensed with additional attachments and / or the like.

Figur 1:

in schematischer Frontansicht eine Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer erfindungsgemäß ausgebildeten Blende;

Figur 2:

in schematisch perspektivischer Darstellung eine Blende nach der Erfindung ohne Bedienfeld;

Figur 3:

in schematischer Seitenschnittdarstellung eine Blende nach der Erfindung mit Bedienfeld;

Figur 4:

in einer Ausschnittsdarstellung die Blende nach der Erfindung gemäß Ausschnitt IV nach Figur 3 und

Figur 5:

in schematischer Perspektivdarstellung ein Bedienfeld nach der Erfindung.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

FIG. 1:

in a schematic front view of a dishwasher with an inventively designed aperture;

FIG. 2:

in a schematic perspective view of a panel according to the invention without control panel;

FIG. 3:

in a schematic side sectional view of a panel according to the invention with control panel;

FIG. 4:

in a sectional view of the diaphragm according to the invention according to section IV according to FIG. 3 and

FIG. 5:

in schematic perspective view of a control panel according to the invention.

FIG. 1 can be seen in a schematic front view of a household appliance in the form of a dishwasher 1. The dishwasher 1 provides a washing compartment for items to be cleaned in a manner known per se. About a pivotally arranged door 2 is the in FIG. 1 Dishwasher not shown in detail accessible.

The door 2 of the dishwasher 1 is equipped with a panel 3 according to the invention. In this case, the panel 3, a recessed grip 4 and a control panel 5 ready.

FIG. 2 lets the panel 3 in a schematic perspective view recognize.

The panel 3 is preferably formed as a one-piece plastic part and provides a holding element 7 ready, the position-safe recording of in FIG. 2 not shown in detail panel 5 is used. When fully assembled, the holding element 7 grips the control panel 5 like a frame.

The holding member 7 has a first frame portion 8 and a second frame portion 9. With respect to the height direction 10, the first frame portion 8 may be referred to as the upper frame portion and the second frame portion 9 as the lower frame portion.

The holding element 7 furthermore has two stops 20, which move with respect to the image plane FIG. 2 left and right sides of the frame sections 8 and 9 are formed. In the final assembled state, these stops 20 serve for lateral support of a control panel 5 received by the retaining element 7 of the panel 3, ie a support of a control panel 5 in the width direction 21.

A ready-mounted panel 3 is in a schematic side sectional view in FIG. 3 shown. As can be seen from this illustration, the diaphragm 3 has a This provides the recessed grip 4 and provided for receiving the control panel 5 retaining element 7 ready. In the final assembled state, the control panel 5 is inserted into the holding element 7 and it is held by the retaining element 7 in the direction of the front panel 23 11 positively. In this case, close the front panel 11 and the front of the panel 5 flush, which in particular the representation after FIG. 3 lets recognize.

The holding element 7 receives the control panel 5 without gaps. In particular, there are no gaps at the in FIG. 3 Arranged by arrows, ie formed between the control panel 5 and the first frame section 8 on the one hand and the control panel 5 and the second frame section 9 on the other. The support member 7 surrounds the control panel 5 with its frame sections 8 and 9 and with its stops 20 rather accurately, ie without a gap.

The panel 3 provides wall sections 14. These may be formed partially as spring elements 15. The wall sections 14 in turn provide a supporting surface 13, on which the control panel 5 is supported rearwardly in the final assembled state. In a front-side application of force to the control panel 5 is a force-absorbing support of the same through the wall sections 14, whereby a force transmission is ensured in the base body 12 of the panel 3.

In the height direction 10, the control panel 5 is supported by the first frame section 8 and the second frame section 9. The supports 20 provided by the holding element 7 provide support for the control panel 5 in the direction of thickness 23 the wall sections 14 results in particular from the illustration FIG. 3 ,

For a support of the control panel 5 in the direction of the front panel 11, ie with respect to the page level FIG. 3 to the right, the frame sections 8 and 9 ensure that form an undercut with the upper edge 16 and the lower edge 17 of the panel 5 and so hold the panel 5 form-fitting, as can be seen in particular from the illustrations according to the Figures 3 and 4 results.

The example in FIG. 5 shown control panel 5 has an upper peripheral edge 16 and a lower peripheral edge 17. In the final assembled state, the upper peripheral edge 16 cooperates with the first frame portion 8 of the support member 7 and the lower peripheral edge 17 with the second frame portion 9 of the support member 7 together. The two marginal edges 16 and 17 each provide a paragraph 18 or 19 ready. In this case, the shoulder 18 of the upper peripheral edge 16 in the width direction 21 is preferably wave-shaped, as seen from FIG. 5 seen.

The first frame section 8 and the second frame section 9 each provide a groove 22 which cooperates with the respective shoulder 18 or 19 of the peripheral edge 16 or 17. In the final assembled state, as this with respect to the lower edge 17 of the panel 5 by way of example in FIG. 4 is shown, the paragraph 19 of the lower peripheral edge 17 engages in the corresponding groove 22 of the second frame portion 9, whereby the undercut of the control panel 5 and aperture 3 is formed.

For the purpose of assembly or disassembly of the control panel 5, the first frame section 8, that is, with respect to the drawing plane to FIG. 2 Upper frame portion 8 of the support member 7 formed elastically deformable. It can be deflected for the purpose of assembly or disassembly in the height direction 10 upwards, that is elastically deformed. In the deformed position, the frame portion is in its so-called release position, in which the first frame portion 8 and the second frame portion 9 due to the elastic deformation of the first frame portion 8 in the height direction 10 are far apart from each other so that the control panel 5 are inserted into the holding element 7 can. The elastic deformation of the first frame portion 8 can then be canceled again, causing a deformation of the first frame portion 8 in the locked position. This locking position is in FIG. 3 shown. In this position, the frame section 8, the paragraphs 18 and 19 of the marginal edges 16 and 17 of the control panel 5 in the grooves 22 of the frame sections 8 and 9, whereby the already above-described positive fixing of the control panel 5 relative to the panel 3 is reached.

In order to support the elastic return transfer of the first frame section 8 from the release position into the locking position, spring elements 15 are provided. These are L-shaped in front view and support the first frame section 8 optionally with the interposition of further wall sections 14 relative to the second frame section 9, as can be seen in particular from the illustration FIG. 2 results.

In the transition region to the spring elements 15, an elastic deformation of the first frame section 8 is not possible. For this reason, the first frame section 8 associated paragraph 16 of the peripheral edge 18 of the control panel 5 is wave-shaped, with a trough with a pivot point, d. H. a connection point between frame portion 8 and spring element 15 coincides.

The above-described embodiment provides the significant advantage that a gap-free arrangement of the control panel 5 is allowed on the panel 3. Incidentally, can be completely dispensed with spring elements in the form of separate components, which simplifies the manufacture and assembly and designed more cost-effective.

reference numeral

1

dishwasher

2

door

3

cover

4

grip

5

Control panel

6

panel receptacle

7

retaining element

8th

first frame section

9

second frame section

10

height direction

11

bezel front

12

body

13

supporting

14

wall section

15

spring element

16

edge

17

edge

18

paragraph

19

paragraph

20

attack

21

width direction

22

groove

23

thickness direction

Claims (10)

Aperture (3), in particular for household appliances, with a holding element (7), in which a control panel (5) can be inserted and by means of which the control panel (5) in the direction (23) of the Aperture (11) is held positively, wherein the holding element (7) framing the control panel (5),
characterized,
in that the holding element (7) has a first and a second frame section (8, 9), one of the two frame sections (8) being resiliently deformable in the vertical direction (10) of the control panel (5) and being convertible from a locking position into a release position and vice versa is. Aperture (3) according to claim 1,
characterized by a support surface (13) for rearward support of the control panel (5). Aperture (3) according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that the support surface (13) is provided by wall sections (14) which are formed integrally with the retaining element (7). Aperture (3) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by a spring element (15) acting on the resiliently deformable frame section. Aperture (3) according to claim 4,
characterized,
that the spring element (15) is formed as a wall portion (14). Aperture (3) according to claim 4 or 5,
characterized,
that the spring element (15) has an L-shaped contour in a front view. Aperture (3) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the control panel (5) has a with the respective frame portion (8, 9) cooperating respectively and a shoulder (18, 19)-providing edge (16, 17). Aperture (3) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the frame portions (8, 9) each one with the shoulder (18, 19) of the respective edge (16, 17) of the panel (5) have cooperating groove (22). Aperture (3) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the step (18), has a wave-shaped contour of the edge (16) which is associated with the resiliently deformable shaped frame portion (8). Aperture (3) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the frame portions (8, 9) of the retaining element (7), the spring element (15) and the wall sections (14) are integrally formed as a plastic part.

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