EP2843102A1 - Laundry treating machine comprising a cover supported by a hinge - Google Patents
Laundry treating machine comprising a cover supported by a hinge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2843102A1 EP2843102A1 EP20130182525 EP13182525A EP2843102A1 EP 2843102 A1 EP2843102 A1 EP 2843102A1 EP 20130182525 EP20130182525 EP 20130182525 EP 13182525 A EP13182525 A EP 13182525A EP 2843102 A1 EP2843102 A1 EP 2843102A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- machine
- rotation
- rotation pins
- axis
- 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
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 20
- 210000002105 tongue Anatomy 0.000 description 13
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 9
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010981 drying operation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005489 elastic deformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D5/00—Construction of single parts, e.g. the parts for attachment
- E05D5/10—Pins, sockets or sleeves; Removable pins
- E05D2005/102—Pins
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05D—HINGES OR SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS
- E05D7/00—Hinges or pivots of special construction
- E05D7/10—Hinges or pivots of special construction to allow easy separation or connection of the parts at the hinge axis
- E05D7/1061—Hinges or pivots of special construction to allow easy separation or connection of the parts at the hinge axis in a radial direction
- E05D7/1077—Hinges or pivots of special construction to allow easy separation or connection of the parts at the hinge axis in a radial direction with snap-fitted pins
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y2800/00—Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
- E05Y2800/20—Combinations of elements
- E05Y2800/22—Combinations of elements of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO HINGES OR OTHER SUSPENSION DEVICES FOR DOORS, WINDOWS OR WINGS AND DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION, CHECKS FOR WINGS AND WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
- E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
- E05Y2900/30—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for domestic appliances
- E05Y2900/312—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for domestic appliances for washing machines
Definitions
- the present invention relates in general to the technical field of the household appliance.
- the invention relates to the technical field of laundry treating machines, which typically are household appliance for washing and/or drying goods, for instance clothes.
- the present invention relates to laundry treating machines provided with a cover giving access to internal parts of the machine.
- Laundry treating machines capable of carrying out a treating process on laundry generally comprise a casing that houses a laundry container, like a rotating drum, where laundry to be treated is received.
- Laundry treating machines may comprise laundry washing machines, laundry drying machine or laundry washing and drying machines, i.e., machines provided for performing both washing and drying operations of laundry in a single machine.
- Laundry treating machines of known type typically comprise, further to a main closing door for allowing access to a inner laundry chamber (such as a rotating drum), i.e., to place in it laundry to be treated, a cover associated to the casing which may be opened to reach specific parts of the machine arranged inside the casing.
- a cover is arranged on the lower part of the front upright side wall of the casing which gives access to the filter of the draining water circuit.
- the filter may be advantageously removed and cleaned.
- a cover is typically arranged on the lower part of the front upright side wall of the casing which gives access to a condensing device, like an air-air heat exchanger, or to a water condensing tank.
- a condensing device like an air-air heat exchanger, or to a water condensing tank.
- the condensing device may be advantageously removed and cleaned.
- the tank may be periodically removed and emptied.
- Covers of known type are usually pivotally coupled to the front upright side wall of the machine casing along an horizontal pivoting axis. In jargon, these covers are also called “rotable plinth”.
- Covers are typically connected to the casing by means of hinges.
- the cover may therefore swing and be displaced between a first, or closed, position and a second, or opened, position.
- first, or closed, position When the cover is in its opened position, it typically projects from the front upright side wall and rests on or close to the floor.
- the user hitting the cover may have physical injury.
- Breaking of the cover, or of the hinges, may also happen when the cover in its opened position is incorrectly used as a shelf and the user accidentally puts heavy items on it.
- Breaking of a hinge connecting the cover to the casing is particularly frustrating because at least a part of it is formed as a member piece of a more complex component such as the laundry treating machine basement, and therefore, such breaking is very often irreparable, unless the whole basement or the whole cover is substituted.
- Another drawback of the cover of known type is represented by the fact that the cover may impede easy maintenance operations when it is required to access to the parts inside the machine even if in its opened position. A user or a maintenance worker has to keep him/herself at a certain distance from the machine so as not to hurt against the cover in its opened position. This position of the cover may limit the possibility to access the inner parts inside the casing which are behind the cover itself. So, it would be desirable to detach the cover from the casing, at least in some situations.
- Still another drawback of known covers lies in that the opening rotational movement of the cover itself around its hinges is quite sudden once a lock device keeping the cover in its closed position has been unlocked. This may cause the user to be hit by the cover and/or the cover to hit the floor thereby damaging its front side.
- a drawback of known laundry treating machines lies in that the hinges must be designed with a low clearance, in order to avoid vibrations of the cover during the operation of the laundry treating machines.
- this low clearance can cause frequent breaking of hinges in case of accidental hits to the cover.
- the main object of the present invention is therefore to overcome said drawbacks.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine which is safer compared to the machines of known type.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine which is more user-friendly compared to the machines of known type.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide a laundry treating machine which can be serviced and/or repaired in an easier manner.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine wherein the opening rotational movement of the cover around its hinges is not sudden.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine wherein the hinges have low clearance, in order to avoid vibrations, and they are capable of carrying accidental hits to the cover better than known laundry treating machines.
- a laundry treating machine comprising a casing accommodating a laundry chamber suitable for receiving laundry to be treated and a closing door provided for allowing access to the chamber, said machine being provided with a cover which is removably connected to said casing by means of at least one hinge supporting said cover in rotation around a rotation axis, so that it can swing between a closed position and an opened position around said rotation axis, characterized in that said at least one hinge comprises at least two rotation pins which, in a dismounted configuration of said cover, have respective distinct axes, and, in a mounted configuration of said cover, when they are coupled to at least two respective seats, said at least two rotation pins have said respective axes moved closer than in said dismounted configuration of said cover.
- the laundry treating machine of the invention has increased reliability, it is safer and more user-friendly, and it can be serviced and/or repaired in an easier manner.
- said respective axes of said at least two rotation pins are substantially parallel to each other.
- said respective axes of said at least two rotation pins substantially coincide to said rotation axis of said cover.
- said at least two rotation pins have low manufacture cost and make the assembly of the cover easy.
- said at least one of said at least two rotation pins is mounted or formed on a elastically deformable arm extending from a body of said at least one hinge.
- the elastically deformable arm allows the rotation pins mounted or formed thereon to carry accidental hits to the cover better than known laundry treating machines, without breaking.
- the hinge according the invention is not a totally rigid component, but it allows an elastic deformation.
- the elastically deformable arm allows to have a coupling without clearance between the rotation pins and the seats. More precisely, the elastically deformable arm allows to recover the clearance between the rotation pins and the seats, i.e. to make it zero. Therefore, advantageously, the vibrations of the cover during the operation of the laundry treating machine are extremely low.
- said elastically deformable arm is associated with a central portion of said at least two rotation pins.
- said elastically deformable arm is made of a plastic material.
- said at least one hinge is substantially entirely made of a plastic material.
- said hinge can be obtained by a cheap process, preferably an injection moulding process.
- said body of said at least one hinge is associated with said casing of said machine and said at least two respective seats are mounted or formed on said cover.
- the machine's component which is most subjected to breaking is the hinge (in particular, the elastically deformable arms and the rotation pins thereof), and not the cover (which has a cost much higher than the hinge), due to the structure of the invention.
- the broken hinge can be easily replaced with a new one.
- said machine includes three rotation pins, named a central rotation pin and two lateral rotation pins, which are rotatably received in three respective seats, wherein in said dismounted configuration of said cover the two lateral rotation pins having a substantially common axis which is distinct from the axis of said central rotation pin.
- said central rotation pin and said two lateral rotation pins are mounted on respective elastically deformable arms, and in said mounted configuration of said cover said elastically deformable arms are so configured to be moved with respect to the dismounted configuration, so that all the axes of said central rotation pin and of said two lateral rotation pins are substantially placed along said rotation axis of said cover.
- said hinge is so configured that in said dismounted configuration of said cover the axis of said central rotation pin is placed below the axis of said two lateral rotation pins, and in said mounted configuration of said cover the axis of said central rotation pin is moved upwards and the axis of said two lateral rotation pins is moved downwards.
- said seat receiving said central rotation pin comprises an elementfor moving upwards the axis of said central rotation pin
- said seats receiving said two lateral rotation pins comprise elements for moving downwards the common axis of said two lateral rotation pins.
- said elements of said seats comprise shaped arms extending from a body of said cover.
- said body of said cover comprises a guiding member for at least one of said two lateral rotation pins.
- said guiding member comprises a groove provided on an arm extending from said body of said cover.
- the present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to a laundry drying machine of condenser type provided with an air-air heat exchanger and a collecting tank for the condensed water, which is showed in the attached drawings; however it is clear that the present invention can be applied to any type of laundry treating machine, such as laundry washing machines or laundry washing and drying machines, or laundry drying machines of heat pump or vented type having a cover which gives access to internal parts of the machine.
- the laundry drying machine 1 hereinafter also referred to as dryer 1, comprises a casing 2 formed by a basement portion 10 from which two couples of upright side walls arranged perpendicularly one another (on the dryer front and rear part, and on the lateral side thereof, respectively) extend upwardly.
- a top portion 11 closes the upper part of the box-like structure formed by the basement portion 10 and the upright side walls, thereby completing the machine casing 2.
- a laundry chamber comprising a rotatable drum 7 is provided within the casing 2.
- Door 8 is partly received into a seat 6 formed on the front upright side wall 2a when the door 8 is in its closed position.
- the dryer 1 also comprises a hot-air-generating device (not shown) for generating a drying air stream passing through the laundry drum 7 to dry the laundry contained therein.
- a hot-air-generating device (not shown) for generating a drying air stream passing through the laundry drum 7 to dry the laundry contained therein.
- the dryer 1 here described is of the condenser type, i.e., of the type in which drying air is re-circulated through the drum 7 in a closed loop, and comprises a condensing device 12 arranged along the drying air path downstream the laundry drum 7 considering the direction of the drying air flow.
- the hot air produced by the hot-air-generating device removes moisture from laundry in the drum 7 and the moist air then passes through the condensing device 12.
- the moist air passing through the condensing device 12 is cooled by a separate air cooling flow passing through the condensing device 12 itself.
- the cooled and dehumidified air is then conveyed again to the drum 7 in a closed loop circuit.
- the condensing device 12 condenses the water vapour of the moist air and the water formed therein is collected in a housing arranged below the condensing device, not illustrated.
- the condensing device 12 comprises an air-air heat exchanger.
- the condensing device may comprise an evaporator of a heat pump.
- moist air passes the evaporator and is cooled by the evaporator itself.
- the evaporator condenses the water vapour of the moist air and the water formed therein is collected in a housing arranged below the evaporator. Condensation water from the collecting housing is preferably conveyed to an extractable moisture tank 9 located at the upper portion of the dryer 1.
- the moisture tank 9 is preferably in the form of a drawer slidably arranged on said upper portion of the dryer 1 so that it can be easily and periodically emptied by a user.
- Condensation water from the collecting housing is conveyed to the extractable moisture tank 9 by means of a water-removing unit, not illustrated, associated to the collecting housing.
- the moisture tank may be arranged below the condensing device 12, more preferably in the form of a slidable tank.
- the condensing device 12 is preferably arranged on the bottom part 16 of the dryer 1. More preferably the condensing device 12 is received on a basement portion 10 arranged in a bottom part of the casing 2. The condensing device 12 is preferably slidably arranged over the basement portion 10 of the dryer 1 so that it can be easily and periodically extracted by a user for its cleaning.
- a cover 20 is provided, preferably at the bottom part 16 of the dryer 1, for allowing/preventing access to the condensing device 12.
- the cover 20 is usually maintained in a first operating condition, or closed position, as illustrated for example in figure 2 . In such position the access to the inner operational parts of the machine is prevented.
- the cover 20 is preferably kept locked safely in this position by means of a lock device 19.
- the lock device 19 may be de-activated in order to allow the opening of the cover 20 by acting on resilient tabs 21 arranged on the cover 20, preferably on an edge thereof.
- the lock device may be of different type or even absent.
- the cover 20 is moved in a second operating condition, or opened position, as illustrated for example in figure 1 .
- the cover 20 therefore, swings from the closed position to the opened position, and vice-versa.
- the dryer 1 preferably comprises two hinges 30, 30' which connect the cover 20 to the casing 2.
- the two hinges 30, 30' are preferably identical one to the other, apart from the position. For this reason only one of the two hinges 30, 30' will be described in detail hereinafter.
- the hinges 30, 30' allow the cover 20 to be rotated from the closed position to the opened position and, vice-versa, from the opened position to the closed position around a rotation axis X (visible in figure 9 ), which is substantially horizontal.
- the cover 20 when the cover 20 moves beyond the opened position, the cover 20 is safely disconnected from the casing 2.
- the cover 20 may be moved beyond the maximum opened position if the dryer 1 does not rest on the floor. Instead, the cover 20 may move beyond the opened position when the dryer 1 is positioned on top of another appliance, for example on top of a laundry washing machine. Once the cover 20 has been safely detached, it may be advantageously re-attached to the casing 2 thus integrally restoring its functionality.
- the cover 20 safely detaches from the casing 2, without any damaging.
- the cover 20 safely detaches from the casing 2 without any damaging.
- the cover 20 may be preferably intentionally detached from the casing 2 (for example, by rotating it beyond the opened position) and re-attached when operations are concluded.
- the cover opens differently, for example when the cover is connected to the casing with hinges positioned vertically so that the cover swings with respect to a vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis.
- the cover 20 is safely detached from the casing 2 without damaging of the cover 20 or the hinges 30, 30' and without any physical injury for the user.
- cover 20 may be still intentionally detached from the casing 2 through its rotation beyond the opened position.
- the hinge 30 comprises a body 31 which is associated with the casing 2, preferably on the basement portion 10 thereof.
- the body 31 is removably connected to the casing 2.
- the body 31 is advantageously connected to the casing 2 through its insertion into a receiving seat (not illustrated in detail) opportunely realized on the basement portion 10 of the casing 2.
- the body 31 is preferably slidably arranged in the receiving seat and here maintained by means of a blocking tongue 33 realized at an end 31a of the body 31, as better visible in figure 10 .
- the body 31 may be easily attached or detached from the casing 2. This facilitates mounting and/or substitution of the body 31. It is clear that in different embodiments the connection of the first body to the casing may be obtained in any other ways, for example by means of screws, adhesives, snap-in fasteners, etc..
- the hinge 30 comprises at least two rotation pins which, in a dismounted configuration of the cover 20, have respective distinct axes respectively.
- the rotation pins are three, named a central rotation pin 35 and two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'.
- the two lateral rotation pins 36, 36' In the dismounted configuration of the cover, the two lateral rotation pins 36, 36' have a common axis Z which is distinct from the axis Y of the central rotation pin 35.
- the distinct axes Y and Z are substantially parallel to each other.
- the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are arranged at a free end 31b of the body 31.
- the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are cylindrically shaped.
- the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are mounted on respective elastically deformable arms 35a, 36a and 36a', extending from the body 31, as better visible in figure 8 .
- the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are formed on the respective elastically deformable arms 35a, 36a and 36a'.
- the elastically deformable arms 35a, 36a and 36a' can elastically deform so that they may move, without breaking, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axes Y and Z.
- the elastically deformable arms 35a, 36a and 36a' are made of a plastic material. More preferably, the hinges 30, 30' are substantially entirely made of a plastic material, so that they can be obtained by an injection moulding process.
- the elastically deformable arms 35a, 36a and 36a' are associated with a central portion of the central rotation pin 35 and of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36', respectively.
- the elastically deformable arms 35, 36 and 36' are moved so that all the axes Y and Z of the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are substantially placed along the rotation axis X of the cover 20.
- the respective seats 37, 38 and 38' are configured for rotatably receiving the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36', in the mounted configuration of the cover 20.
- the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' disengage the respective seats 37, 38 and 38'.
- the seats 37, 38 and 38' are substantially aligned along a same axis, which coincides with the rotation axis X of the cover 20 around the casing 2. In this way, in the mounted configuration of the cover 20, all the axes Y and Z of the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are substantially placed along the rotation axis X of the cover 20.
- the axis Y of the central rotation pin 35 is placed below the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'.
- the axis Y of the central rotation pin 35 is placed above the rotation axis X of the cover 20, while the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36' is placed below the rotation axis X of the cover 20.
- the axis Y of the central rotation pin 35 is moved upwards and the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins is moved downwards, so that the axes Y and Z of the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are substantially placed along the rotation axis X of the cover 20.
- the seat 37 comprises an element for moving upwards the axis Y of said central rotation pin 35
- the seats 38 and 38' comprise an element for moving downwards the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'.
- the element for moving upwards of the seat 37 comprises shaped arms 37a extending from a body 22 of the cover 20.
- four shaped arms 37a are provided, which are embodied as four first tongues having the same shape and arranged parallel to each other.
- the four shaped arms 37a comprise a curved profile on which a lower portion of the rotation pin 35 rests. Obviously, a different number of first tongues can be provided, including one single first tongue.
- the element for moving downwards of the seats 38 and 38' comprises shaped arms 38a and 38a', respectively, extending from the body 22 of the cover 20.
- two shaped arms 38a are provided, which are embodied as two second tongues having the same shape and arranged parallel to each other.
- two shaped arms 38a' are provided, which are embodied as two third tongues having the same shape and arranged parallel to each other.
- the two shaped arms 38a and the two shaped arms 38a' comprise a curved profile on which a upper portion of the rotation pins 36 and 36' rest.
- a different number of second and third tongues can be provided, including one single second tongue and one single third tongue.
- the body 22 of the cover 20 preferably comprises a guiding member for the lateral rotation pin 36.
- the body 22 comprises guiding members for both the lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'.
- the guiding member for the lateral rotation pin 36 comprises a groove 40a provided on a arm 40 extending from the body 22 of the cover 20.
- the arm 40 is embodied as a fourth tongue arranged parallel to the second tongues 38a, at a predetermined distance from the more external of the two second tongues 38a.
- the groove 40a is defined by two substantially parallel fins, extending laterally from the fourth tongue.
- the groove 40a is sized to receive the lateral rotation pin 36, i.e. the distance between the two fins is sized accordingly.
- hinges 30 and 30' The operation of the hinges 30 and 30' is hereinafter described.
- the hinges 30, 30' are associated with the basement portion 10 of the casing 2.
- the cover 20 is removably connected - preferably by snapping - to the casing 2 by means of the hinges 30, 30'.
- the hinges 30, 30' support the cover 20 in rotation around the rotation axis X.
- the cover 20 is mounted on the hinges 30, 30' so that the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are received by snapping into the seats 37, 38 and 38'.
- the elastically deformable arms 35a, 36a and 36a' (carrying the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36', respectively) elastically deform and move, without breaking, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis X.
- the elastically deformable arm 35a moves upwards and the elastically deformable arms 36a and 36a' move downwards.
- the cover 20 can swing between the closed position (see figure 2 , for example) and the opened position (see figure 1 , for example).
- the cover 20 therefore, is safely detached from the casing 2 without any breaking or damage to the hinges 30 and 30', the cover 20 or the casing 2.
- the cover 20 may be easily re-attached to the casing 2 by inserting again the the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' of the hinges 30, 30' into the seats 37, 38 and 38' of the cover 20.
- the cover 20 - as the hinges 30, 30' - is made of a plastic material, and is preferably obtained by an injection moulding process.
- the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved.
- it makes it possible to obtain a laundry treating machine with increased reliability compared to the machines of known type.
- the cover could be positioned in any lateral side of the machine and it could open rotating around an axis with any desired direction other than the horizontal one as here described.
- hinges here described advantageously comprise three rotation pins.
- the number of rotation pins may be different, even just two rotation pins.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates in general to the technical field of the household appliance.
- In particular, the invention relates to the technical field of laundry treating machines, which typically are household appliance for washing and/or drying goods, for instance clothes.
- More on particular, the present invention relates to laundry treating machines provided with a cover giving access to internal parts of the machine.
- Laundry treating machines capable of carrying out a treating process on laundry generally comprise a casing that houses a laundry container, like a rotating drum, where laundry to be treated is received.
- Laundry treating machines may comprise laundry washing machines, laundry drying machine or laundry washing and drying machines, i.e., machines provided for performing both washing and drying operations of laundry in a single machine. Laundry treating machines of known type typically comprise, further to a main closing door for allowing access to a inner laundry chamber (such as a rotating drum), i.e., to place in it laundry to be treated, a cover associated to the casing which may be opened to reach specific parts of the machine arranged inside the casing.
- For example, in laundry washing machine of known type, a cover is arranged on the lower part of the front upright side wall of the casing which gives access to the filter of the draining water circuit. The filter may be advantageously removed and cleaned.
- Analogously, in laundry drying machine of condenser type, a cover is typically arranged on the lower part of the front upright side wall of the casing which gives access to a condensing device, like an air-air heat exchanger, or to a water condensing tank. When necessary, the condensing device may be advantageously removed and cleaned. Also the tank may be periodically removed and emptied.
- Covers of known type are usually pivotally coupled to the front upright side wall of the machine casing along an horizontal pivoting axis. In jargon, these covers are also called "rotable plinth".
- Covers are typically connected to the casing by means of hinges.
- The cover may therefore swing and be displaced between a first, or closed, position and a second, or opened, position. When the cover is in its opened position, it typically projects from the front upright side wall and rests on or close to the floor.
- The covers above described belonging to the known art, however, pose some drawbacks.
- One of such drawbacks lies in that a user may accidentally hit the cover when the latter lies in the opened position because in this position the cover protrudes outwardly from the front upright side wall of the machine casing.
- This may cause breaking of the cover and/or breaking of the hinges connecting the cover to the casing, thus determining maintenance and repairing costs.
- Furthermore, the user hitting the cover may have physical injury.
- Breaking of the cover, or of the hinges, may also happen when the cover in its opened position is incorrectly used as a shelf and the user accidentally puts heavy items on it.
- This may happens, for example, when a laundry treating machine is placed on top of another laundry treating machine, typically when a laundry drying machine is placed on top of a laundry washing machine. The cover of the laundry drying machine in its opened position, in fact, projects horizontally as a shelf. Also, breaking of the cover may happen if accidentally a child hangs on the cover while it is in its opened position.
- Breaking of a hinge connecting the cover to the casing is particularly frustrating because at least a part of it is formed as a member piece of a more complex component such as the laundry treating machine basement, and therefore, such breaking is very often irreparable, unless the whole basement or the whole cover is substituted. Another drawback of the cover of known type is represented by the fact that the cover may impede easy maintenance operations when it is required to access to the parts inside the machine even if in its opened position. A user or a maintenance worker has to keep him/herself at a certain distance from the machine so as not to hurt against the cover in its opened position. This position of the cover may limit the possibility to access the inner parts inside the casing which are behind the cover itself. So, it would be desirable to detach the cover from the casing, at least in some situations.
- Still another drawback of known covers lies in that the opening rotational movement of the cover itself around its hinges is quite sudden once a lock device keeping the cover in its closed position has been unlocked. This may cause the user to be hit by the cover and/or the cover to hit the floor thereby damaging its front side.
- Furthermore, a drawback of known laundry treating machines lies in that the hinges must be designed with a low clearance, in order to avoid vibrations of the cover during the operation of the laundry treating machines. However, this low clearance can cause frequent breaking of hinges in case of accidental hits to the cover.
- The main object of the present invention is therefore to overcome said drawbacks.
- In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide a laundry treating machine with increased reliability compared to the machines of known type.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine which is safer compared to the machines of known type.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine which is more user-friendly compared to the machines of known type.
- Still another object of the invention is to provide a laundry treating machine which can be serviced and/or repaired in an easier manner.
- Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine wherein the opening rotational movement of the cover around its hinges is not sudden.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating machine wherein the hinges have low clearance, in order to avoid vibrations, and they are capable of carrying accidental hits to the cover better than known laundry treating machines.
- Advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description and drawings which follow and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.
- The Applicant found that the above objects are achieved by a laundry treating machine comprising a casing accommodating a laundry chamber suitable for receiving laundry to be treated and a closing door provided for allowing access to the chamber, said machine being provided with a cover which is removably connected to said casing by means of at least one hinge supporting said cover in rotation around a rotation axis, so that it can swing between a closed position and an opened position around said rotation axis, characterized in that said at least one hinge comprises at least two rotation pins which, in a dismounted configuration of said cover, have respective distinct axes, and, in a mounted configuration of said cover, when they are coupled to at least two respective seats, said at least two rotation pins have said respective axes moved closer than in said dismounted configuration of said cover.
- Advantageously, compared to the machines of known type, the laundry treating machine of the invention has increased reliability, it is safer and more user-friendly, and it can be serviced and/or repaired in an easier manner.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said respective axes of said at least two rotation pins are substantially parallel to each other.
- Preferably, said respective axes of said at least two rotation pins substantially coincide to said rotation axis of said cover.
- Advantageously, said at least two rotation pins have low manufacture cost and make the assembly of the cover easy.
- Preferably, said at least one of said at least two rotation pins is mounted or formed on a elastically deformable arm extending from a body of said at least one hinge.
- Advantageously, the elastically deformable arm allows the rotation pins mounted or formed thereon to carry accidental hits to the cover better than known laundry treating machines, without breaking. In other words, the hinge according the invention is not a totally rigid component, but it allows an elastic deformation.
- Furthermore, the elastically deformable arm allows to have a coupling without clearance between the rotation pins and the seats. More precisely, the elastically deformable arm allows to recover the clearance between the rotation pins and the seats, i.e. to make it zero. Therefore, advantageously, the vibrations of the cover during the operation of the laundry treating machine are extremely low.
- Preferably, said elastically deformable arm is associated with a central portion of said at least two rotation pins.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said elastically deformable arm is made of a plastic material.
- Preferably, said at least one hinge is substantially entirely made of a plastic material.
- Advantageously, said hinge can be obtained by a cheap process, preferably an injection moulding process.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said body of said at least one hinge is associated with said casing of said machine and said at least two respective seats are mounted or formed on said cover.
- Advantageously, in case of an accidental hit to the cover, the machine's component which is most subjected to breaking is the hinge (in particular, the elastically deformable arms and the rotation pins thereof), and not the cover (which has a cost much higher than the hinge), due to the structure of the invention. The broken hinge can be easily replaced with a new one.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said machine includes three rotation pins, named a central rotation pin and two lateral rotation pins, which are rotatably received in three respective seats, wherein in said dismounted configuration of said cover the two lateral rotation pins having a substantially common axis which is distinct from the axis of said central rotation pin.
- Preferably, said central rotation pin and said two lateral rotation pins are mounted on respective elastically deformable arms, and in said mounted configuration of said cover said elastically deformable arms are so configured to be moved with respect to the dismounted configuration, so that all the axes of said central rotation pin and of said two lateral rotation pins are substantially placed along said rotation axis of said cover.
- Preferably, said hinge is so configured that in said dismounted configuration of said cover the axis of said central rotation pin is placed below the axis of said two lateral rotation pins, and in said mounted configuration of said cover the axis of said central rotation pin is moved upwards and the axis of said two lateral rotation pins is moved downwards.
- Preferably, said seat receiving said central rotation pin comprises an elementfor moving upwards the axis of said central rotation pin, and said seats receiving said two lateral rotation pins comprise elements for moving downwards the common axis of said two lateral rotation pins.
- Preferably, said elements of said seats comprise shaped arms extending from a body of said cover.
- Preferably, said body of said cover comprises a guiding member for at least one of said two lateral rotation pins.
- Preferably, said guiding member comprises a groove provided on an arm extending from said body of said cover.
- Further features and advantages of the present invention shall become clearer from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings and given as an indication and not for limiting purposes.
- In particular, the attached drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, corresponding characteristics and/or components are identified by the same reference numbers. In such drawings:
-
figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a laundry drying machine according to the invention, wherein a cover is shown in its opened position; -
figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of the laundry drying machine offigure 1 , but wherein the cover is shown in its closed position; -
figure 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the cover of the laundry drying machine offigures 1 and2 , together with two hinges mounted thereon (mounted configuration of the cover on the hinges); -
figure 3a schematically shows an enlarged view of the circled detail offigure 3 ; -
figure 4 schematically shows a perspective view of the cover of the laundry drying machine offigures 1 and2 , together with two hinges in a dismounted configuration of the cover; -
figure 4a schematically shows an enlarged view of the circled detail offigure 4 ; -
figure 5 schematically shows a front elevation view of the cover offigures 1-4 ; -
figure 6 schematically shows a cross sectional view of the cover offigure 5 , taken according to the plane VI - VI offigure 5 ; -
figure 7 schematically shows a perspective view of the cover of the laundry drying machine offigures 1-6 ; -
figure 7a schematically shows an enlarged view of the circled detail offigure 7 ; -
figure 8 schematically shows a perspective view of one of the hinges offigures 2-4 ; -
figure 9 schematically shows a front elevation view of the hinge offigure 8 ; -
figure 10 schematically shows a longitudinal sectional view of the cover and of one of the hinges offigure 4 , in a dismounted configuration of the cover; -
figure 10a schematically shows an enlarged view of the circled detail offigure 10 . - The present invention has proved to be particularly successful when applied to a laundry drying machine of condenser type provided with an air-air heat exchanger and a collecting tank for the condensed water, which is showed in the attached drawings; however it is clear that the present invention can be applied to any type of laundry treating machine, such as laundry washing machines or laundry washing and drying machines, or laundry drying machines of heat pump or vented type having a cover which gives access to internal parts of the machine.
- With initial reference to
figures 1 and2 , a laundry drying machine according to the invention is shown, which is globally indicated withreference numeral 1. Thelaundry drying machine 1, hereinafter also referred to asdryer 1, comprises acasing 2 formed by abasement portion 10 from which two couples of upright side walls arranged perpendicularly one another (on the dryer front and rear part, and on the lateral side thereof, respectively) extend upwardly. Atop portion 11 closes the upper part of the box-like structure formed by thebasement portion 10 and the upright side walls, thereby completing themachine casing 2. - In the present description and in the following claims, the words "top", "bottom", "above", "below", "upwards", "downwards" or the like, refer to the relative positions of portions of the
dryer 1 with respect to the ground. - A laundry chamber comprising a
rotatable drum 7 is provided within thecasing 2. Afront door 8, pivotally coupled to the frontupright side wall 2a, is provided for allowing access to the drum interior region to place laundry to be dried therein.Door 8 is partly received into aseat 6 formed on the frontupright side wall 2a when thedoor 8 is in its closed position. - The
dryer 1 also comprises a hot-air-generating device (not shown) for generating a drying air stream passing through thelaundry drum 7 to dry the laundry contained therein. - The
dryer 1 here described is of the condenser type, i.e., of the type in which drying air is re-circulated through thedrum 7 in a closed loop, and comprises a condensingdevice 12 arranged along the drying air path downstream thelaundry drum 7 considering the direction of the drying air flow. The hot air produced by the hot-air-generating device removes moisture from laundry in thedrum 7 and the moist air then passes through the condensingdevice 12. - The moist air passing through the condensing
device 12 is cooled by a separate air cooling flow passing through the condensingdevice 12 itself. The cooled and dehumidified air is then conveyed again to thedrum 7 in a closed loop circuit. - Therefore, the condensing
device 12 condenses the water vapour of the moist air and the water formed therein is collected in a housing arranged below the condensing device, not illustrated. - In the preferred embodiment of the invention here described the condensing
device 12 comprises an air-air heat exchanger. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the condensing device may comprise an evaporator of a heat pump. In this case moist air passes the evaporator and is cooled by the evaporator itself. The evaporator condenses the water vapour of the moist air and the water formed therein is collected in a housing arranged below the evaporator. Condensation water from the collecting housing is preferably conveyed to anextractable moisture tank 9 located at the upper portion of thedryer 1. - The
moisture tank 9 is preferably in the form of a drawer slidably arranged on said upper portion of thedryer 1 so that it can be easily and periodically emptied by a user. - Condensation water from the collecting housing is conveyed to the
extractable moisture tank 9 by means of a water-removing unit, not illustrated, associated to the collecting housing. - In different embodiments, the moisture tank may be arranged below the condensing
device 12, more preferably in the form of a slidable tank. - The condensing
device 12 is preferably arranged on thebottom part 16 of thedryer 1. More preferably the condensingdevice 12 is received on abasement portion 10 arranged in a bottom part of thecasing 2. The condensingdevice 12 is preferably slidably arranged over thebasement portion 10 of thedryer 1 so that it can be easily and periodically extracted by a user for its cleaning. - A
cover 20 is provided, preferably at thebottom part 16 of thedryer 1, for allowing/preventing access to the condensingdevice 12. - The
cover 20 is usually maintained in a first operating condition, or closed position, as illustrated for example infigure 2 . In such position the access to the inner operational parts of the machine is prevented. - The
cover 20 is preferably kept locked safely in this position by means of alock device 19. Thelock device 19 may be de-activated in order to allow the opening of thecover 20 by acting onresilient tabs 21 arranged on thecover 20, preferably on an edge thereof. - In different embodiments, nevertheless, the lock device may be of different type or even absent.
- When the condensing
device 12 has to be extracted for its cleaning, thecover 20 is moved in a second operating condition, or opened position, as illustrated for example infigure 1 . - The
cover 20, therefore, swings from the closed position to the opened position, and vice-versa. - For this purpose, the
dryer 1 preferably comprises two hinges 30, 30' which connect thecover 20 to thecasing 2. - The two hinges 30, 30' are preferably identical one to the other, apart from the position. For this reason only one of the two hinges 30, 30' will be described in detail hereinafter.
- The hinges 30, 30' allow the
cover 20 to be rotated from the closed position to the opened position and, vice-versa, from the opened position to the closed position around a rotation axis X (visible infigure 9 ), which is substantially horizontal. - According to a feature of the present invention, when the
cover 20 moves beyond the opened position, thecover 20 is safely disconnected from thecasing 2. - With "safely disconnected" it is meant that the
cover 20 is detached from thecasing 2 without any damaging to its structure or to thecasing 2 structure, i.e., without breaking, as will be better described later. - Typically, the
cover 20 may be moved beyond the maximum opened position if thedryer 1 does not rest on the floor. Instead, thecover 20 may move beyond the opened position when thedryer 1 is positioned on top of another appliance, for example on top of a laundry washing machine. Once thecover 20 has been safely detached, it may be advantageously re-attached to thecasing 2 thus integrally restoring its functionality. - Advantageously, if someone accidentally puts heavy items on the
cover 20 when it is in its opened position or hits thecover 20, thecover 20 safely detaches from thecasing 2, without any damaging. Analogously, if accidentally a child hangs on thecover 20, thecover 20 safely detaches from thecasing 2 without any damaging. - Furthermore, even if the
cover 20 is in its opened position it could be an obstacle to the removal of the condensingdevice 12, or an obstacle to further maintenance operations inside thecasing 2. In this case, advantageously, thecover 20 may be preferably intentionally detached from the casing 2 (for example, by rotating it beyond the opened position) and re-attached when operations are concluded. The same advantages above mentioned may be obtained in different embodiments in which the cover opens differently, for example when the cover is connected to the casing with hinges positioned vertically so that the cover swings with respect to a vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis. - Advantageously, if the user accidentally hits the
cover 20, thecover 20 is safely detached from thecasing 2 without damaging of thecover 20 or thehinges 30, 30' and without any physical injury for the user. - Furthermore, the
cover 20 may be still intentionally detached from thecasing 2 through its rotation beyond the opened position. - Hereinafter, with particular reference to
figures 3, 3a ,4, 4a ,8-10 and10a , construction and functioning of a preferred embodiment of thehinge 30 according to the invention is described. - The
hinge 30 comprises abody 31 which is associated with thecasing 2, preferably on thebasement portion 10 thereof. Preferably thebody 31 is removably connected to thecasing 2. - The
body 31 is advantageously connected to thecasing 2 through its insertion into a receiving seat (not illustrated in detail) opportunely realized on thebasement portion 10 of thecasing 2. Thebody 31 is preferably slidably arranged in the receiving seat and here maintained by means of a blockingtongue 33 realized at anend 31a of thebody 31, as better visible infigure 10 . - In this way, the
body 31 may be easily attached or detached from thecasing 2. This facilitates mounting and/or substitution of thebody 31. It is clear that in different embodiments the connection of the first body to the casing may be obtained in any other ways, for example by means of screws, adhesives, snap-in fasteners, etc.. - According to a feature of the present invention, the
hinge 30 comprises at least two rotation pins which, in a dismounted configuration of thecover 20, have respective distinct axes respectively. - In the preferred embodiment illustrated in
figures 8 and 9 , the rotation pins are three, named acentral rotation pin 35 and two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'. In the dismounted configuration of the cover, the two lateral rotation pins 36, 36' have a common axis Z which is distinct from the axis Y of thecentral rotation pin 35. Preferably, the distinct axes Y and Z are substantially parallel to each other. - The rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are arranged at a
free end 31b of thebody 31. Preferably, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are cylindrically shaped. - In particular, preferably, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are mounted on respective elastically
deformable arms body 31, as better visible infigure 8 . Alternatively, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are formed on the respective elasticallydeformable arms - The elastically
deformable arms - Preferably, the elastically
deformable arms hinges 30, 30' are substantially entirely made of a plastic material, so that they can be obtained by an injection moulding process. - As better visible in
figure 8 , the elasticallydeformable arms central rotation pin 35 and of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36', respectively. - In a mounted configuration of the
cover 20, the elasticallydeformable arms cover 20. - In the mounted configuration of the
cover 20, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are received intorespective seats lower edge 20a of thecover 20 on a back side thereof, as better visible infigures 5-7, 7a. - The
respective seats cover 20. When thecover 20 swings in a position beyond the opened position, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' disengage therespective seats - The
seats cover 20 around thecasing 2. In this way, in the mounted configuration of thecover 20, all the axes Y and Z of the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are substantially placed along the rotation axis X of thecover 20. - In the illustrated preferred embodiment of
figure 9 , it is clearly visible that, in the dismounted configuration of thecover 20, the axis Y of thecentral rotation pin 35 is placed below the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'. In particular, the axis Y of thecentral rotation pin 35 is placed above the rotation axis X of thecover 20, while the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36' is placed below the rotation axis X of the cover 20.Therefore, in the mounted configuration of thecover 20, the axis Y of thecentral rotation pin 35 is moved upwards and the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins is moved downwards, so that the axes Y and Z of the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are substantially placed along the rotation axis X of thecover 20. - Indeed, the
seat 37 comprises an element for moving upwards the axis Y of saidcentral rotation pin 35, and theseats 38 and 38' comprise an element for moving downwards the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'. - The element for moving upwards of the
seat 37 comprises shapedarms 37a extending from abody 22 of thecover 20. In the preferred embodiment illustrated infigure 7a , four shapedarms 37a are provided, which are embodied as four first tongues having the same shape and arranged parallel to each other. The four shapedarms 37a comprise a curved profile on which a lower portion of therotation pin 35 rests. Obviously, a different number of first tongues can be provided, including one single first tongue. - The element for moving downwards of the
seats 38 and 38' comprises shapedarms body 22 of thecover 20. In the preferred embodiment illustrated infigure 7a , two shapedarms 38a are provided, which are embodied as two second tongues having the same shape and arranged parallel to each other. Furthermore, two shapedarms 38a' are provided, which are embodied as two third tongues having the same shape and arranged parallel to each other. The two shapedarms 38a and the two shapedarms 38a' comprise a curved profile on which a upper portion of the rotation pins 36 and 36' rest. Obviously, a different number of second and third tongues can be provided, including one single second tongue and one single third tongue. - Furthermore, the
body 22 of thecover 20 preferably comprises a guiding member for thelateral rotation pin 36. Alternatively, thebody 22 comprises guiding members for both the lateral rotation pins 36 and 36'. - The guiding member for the
lateral rotation pin 36 comprises agroove 40a provided on aarm 40 extending from thebody 22 of thecover 20. In the preferred embodiment illustrated infigure 7a , thearm 40 is embodied as a fourth tongue arranged parallel to thesecond tongues 38a, at a predetermined distance from the more external of the twosecond tongues 38a. Thegroove 40a is defined by two substantially parallel fins, extending laterally from the fourth tongue. Preferably, thegroove 40a is sized to receive thelateral rotation pin 36, i.e. the distance between the two fins is sized accordingly. - The operation of the
hinges 30 and 30' is hereinafter described. - The hinges 30, 30' are associated with the
basement portion 10 of thecasing 2. - The
cover 20 is removably connected - preferably by snapping - to thecasing 2 by means of thehinges 30, 30'. The hinges 30, 30' support thecover 20 in rotation around the rotation axis X. - In particular, the
cover 20 is mounted on thehinges 30, 30' so that the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are received by snapping into theseats - Since the
seats cover 20 around the casing 2), the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' having two distinct axes Y and Z must be moved to be received in theseats - Therefore, when the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are brought near to the
seats arms seats arms 37a move upwards therotation pin 35 and the shapedarms rotation pin 35 rests on the curved profile of the shapedarms 37a and a upper portion of the rotation pins 36 and 36' rest on the curved profile of the shapedarms - In the above-described mounting step of the
cover 20, the elasticallydeformable arms deformable arm 35a moves upwards and the elasticallydeformable arms - It is thus obtained the mounted configuration of the
cover 20, wherein the axes Y and Z of the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are substantially placed along the rotation axis X of thecover 20. - In the mounted configuration of the
cover 20, thecover 20 can swing between the closed position (seefigure 2 , for example) and the opened position (seefigure 1 , for example). - During the above-described swinging of the
cover 20, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are maintained pressed against theseats deformable arms - The fact that the elastically
deformable arm 35a urges downwards therotation pin 35 and the elasticallydeformable arm rotation pin 35 and the rotation pins 36 and 36' are urged in opposed directions, allows that the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are maintained in engagement with theseats cover 20 between the closed position and the opened position. - If the
cover 20 swings in a position beyond the opened position, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' are disengaged from theseats cover 20 detaches from thecasing 2 without breaking. - In particular, when the
cover 20 swings in a position beyond the opened position, the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' come out of the shapedarms arms cover 20, a lower portion of therotation pin 35 and an upper portion of the rotation pins 36 and 36' rest. - When the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' come out of the
seats deformable arms cover 20. - The
cover 20, therefore, is safely detached from thecasing 2 without any breaking or damage to thehinges 30 and 30', thecover 20 or thecasing 2. - The
cover 20 may be easily re-attached to thecasing 2 by inserting again the the rotation pins 35, 36 and 36' of thehinges 30, 30' into theseats cover 20. - Advantageously, the cover 20 - as the
hinges 30, 30' - is made of a plastic material, and is preferably obtained by an injection moulding process. - It has thus been shown that the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved. In particular, it makes it possible to obtain a laundry treating machine with increased reliability compared to the machines of known type.
- Clearly, changes may be made to the cover, the hinges and the laundry treating machine as described herein. For example, the cover could be positioned in any lateral side of the machine and it could open rotating around an axis with any desired direction other than the horizontal one as here described.
- Furthermore, the hinges here described advantageously comprise three rotation pins. In different embodiments, nevertheless, the number of rotation pins may be different, even just two rotation pins.
- Furthermore, it has been described and illustrated the preferred embodiment wherein the axis Y of the
central rotation pin 35 is placed above the rotation axis X of thecover 20, while the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36' is placed below the rotation axis X of thecover 20. Clearly, it is provided also an opposed embodiment wherein the axis Y of thecentral rotation pin 35 is placed below the rotation axis X, while the axis Z of the two lateral rotation pins 36 and 36' is placed above the rotation axis X. This embodiment and its operation is totally analogous to the preferred described and illustrated embodiment. - Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the attached drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described herein, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims (15)
- A laundry treating machine (1) comprising a casing (2) accommodating a laundry chamber (7) suitable for receiving laundry to be treated and a closing door (8) provided for allowing access to the chamber, said machine being provided with a cover (20) which is removably connected to said casing by means of at least one hinge (30,30') supporting said cover in rotation around a rotation axis (X), so that it can swing between a closed position and an opened position around said rotation axis, characterized in that said at least one hinge (30,30') comprises at least two rotation pins (35; 36,36') which, in a dismounted configuration of said cover, have respective distinct axes (Y;Z), and, in a mounted configuration of said cover, when they are coupled to at least two respective seats (37; 38,38'), said at least two rotation pins have said respective axes moved closer than in said dismounted configuration of said cover.
- Machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein said respective axes (Y;Z) of said at least two rotation pins (35; 36,36') are substantially parallel to each other.
- Machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in said mounted configuration of said cover (20), said respective axes (Y;Z) of said at least two rotation pins substantially coincide to said rotation axis (X) of said cover.
- Machine (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said at least one of said at least two rotation pins (35; 36,36') is mounted or formed on a elastically deformable arm (35a; 36a,36a') extending from a body (31) of said at least one hinge.
- Machine (1) according to claim 4, wherein said elastically deformable arm (35a; 36a,36a') is associated with a central portion of said at least two rotation pins (35;36,36').
- Machine (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said elastically deformable arm (35a; 36a,36a') is made of a plastic material.
- Machine (1) according to claim 6, wherein said at least one hinge (30,30') is substantially entirely made of a plastic material.
- Machine (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said body (31) of said at least one hinge is associated with said casing of said machine and said at least two respective seats (37; 38,38') are mounted or formed on said cover (20).
- Machine (1) according to any one of the previous claims, including three rotation pins (35; 36,36'), named a central rotation pin and two lateral rotation pins, which are rotatably received in three respective seats (37; 38,38'), wherein in said dismounted configuration of said cover the two lateral rotation pins (36,36') have a substantially common axis (Z) which is distinct from the axis (Y) of said central rotation pin (35).
- Machine (1) according to claim 9, wherein said central rotation pin (35) and said two lateral rotation pins (36,36') are mounted on respective elastically deformable arms (35a; 36a,36a'), and in said mounted configuration of said cover said elastically deformable arms are so configured to be moved with respect to said dismounted configuration, so that all the axes of said central rotation pin and of said two lateral rotation pins are substantially placed along said rotation axis (X) of said cover (20).
- Machine (1) according to claim 10, wherein said hinge (30,30') is so configured that in said dismounted configuration of said cover the axis (Y) of said central rotation pin (35) is located below the common axis (Z) of said two lateral rotation pins (36,36'), and in said mounted configuration of said cover the axis (Y) of said central rotation pin (35) is moved upwards and the common axis (Z) of said two lateral rotation pins (36,36') is moved downwards.
- Machine (1) according to claim 11, wherein said seat (37) receiving said central rotation pin (35) comprises an element (37a) for moving upwards the axis (Y) of said central rotation pin, and said seats receiving said two lateral rotation pins comprise elements (38a,38a') for moving downwards the common axis (Z) of said two lateral rotation pins (36,36').
- Machine (1) according to claim 12, wherein said elements (37a; 38a,38a')of said seats comprise shaped arms extending from a body (22) of said cover.
- Machine (1) according to claim 13, wherein said body (22) of said cover (20) comprises a guiding member for at least one of said two lateral rotation pins.
- Machine (1) according to claim 14, wherein said guiding member comprises a groove (40a) provided on an arm extending from said body of said cover.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP13182525.9A EP2843102B1 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2013-08-30 | Laundry treating machine comprising a cover supported by a hinge |
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EP13182525.9A EP2843102B1 (en) | 2013-08-30 | 2013-08-30 | Laundry treating machine comprising a cover supported by a hinge |
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EP2843102A1 true EP2843102A1 (en) | 2015-03-04 |
EP2843102B1 EP2843102B1 (en) | 2016-07-20 |
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105455485A (en) * | 2016-01-26 | 2016-04-06 | 重庆工业职业技术学院 | Height-changeable and width-changeable innovative educational training stool and use method |
CN105455485B (en) * | 2016-01-26 | 2024-04-05 | 重庆公共运输职业学院 | Innovative education and training stool capable of changing height and width and use method |
WO2021032586A1 (en) * | 2019-08-20 | 2021-02-25 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Automatic washing machine and/or dryer |
CN114269980A (en) * | 2019-08-20 | 2022-04-01 | 美诺两合公司 | Automatic washing and/or drying machine |
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