EP2843109B1 - Machine de traitement du linge - Google Patents

Machine de traitement du linge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2843109B1
EP2843109B1 EP13182528.3A EP13182528A EP2843109B1 EP 2843109 B1 EP2843109 B1 EP 2843109B1 EP 13182528 A EP13182528 A EP 13182528A EP 2843109 B1 EP2843109 B1 EP 2843109B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
handle
porthole
grip
frame
laundry machine
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.)
Active
Application number
EP13182528.3A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2843109A1 (fr
Inventor
Calum Armstrong
Luca Gruppo
Sergio Pillot
Luca Pradal
Daniele Striato
Levente Szabo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances AB filed Critical Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority to EP13182528.3A priority Critical patent/EP2843109B1/fr
Priority to PL13182528.3T priority patent/PL2843109T3/pl
Priority to CN201480048087.8A priority patent/CN105556025A/zh
Priority to AU2014314301A priority patent/AU2014314301B2/en
Priority to PCT/EP2014/068043 priority patent/WO2015028452A1/fr
Priority to US14/915,319 priority patent/US10640907B2/en
Publication of EP2843109A1 publication Critical patent/EP2843109A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2843109B1 publication Critical patent/EP2843109B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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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
    • D06F39/14—Doors or covers; Securing means therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a laundry treatment machine (called also laundry machine) for washing and/or drying laundry.
  • the laundry machine can be a laundry washing machine (or simply washing machine) or a laundry dryer (or simply dryer) or a laundry washing-drying machine (or simply washer/dryer, i.e. a laundry machine which can both wash and dry the laundry).
  • a laundry treatment machine typically includes a cabinet wherein the processing chamber for housing the laundry to be treated is housed, and a door or porthole for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber.
  • the chamber In the case of a washing machine or a washer/dryer, the chamber is usually a drum, rotatably mounted within a washing tub.
  • the chamber In the case of a dryer, the chamber is usually a rotatable drum, there being air circulation ducts, a heater, and a blower for circulating heated air in the ducts and in the chamber.
  • a kind of porthole for laundry treatment machines which is of interest herein comprises an outer frame, an inner frame, and a glass sandwiched between the outer and inner frames.
  • the inner and outer frames are generally annular.
  • radial refers to the axis of rotation of the processing chamber, when the porthole is closed.
  • the glass is generally cup-shaped, having a flange retained between the frames, and protruding towards the inner of the laundry machine.
  • An essentially disc shaped cap e.g. made of transparent plastics, and/or a finishing rim may also be provided.
  • the porthole is typically hinged to the cabinet, so as to rotate (usually about a vertical axis), the hinge being usually arranged across a horizontal centerline or median plane of the porthole.
  • the porthole usually has a handle to be gripped by a user.
  • the porthole usually has an electromechanical lock.
  • the electromechanical lock is usually configured to avoid opening of the porthole during operation of the machine; and to possibly avoid operation of the machine with the porthole open, by issuing a consent signal to an electronic control unit of the machine only when the porthole is closed and/or to delay opening of the porthole after the end of an operation cycle.
  • the electromechanical lock is therefore also an interlock.
  • the porthole is provided with a hook that is moved by pivoting the handle with respect to the porthole
  • the cabinet is provided with an opening that is engaged by the hook on the porthole in a closed condition, not engaged in an open or released condition.
  • the portholes of this type suffer from the important drawback that they cannot be opened from inside the processing chamber (for example by a child who has entered the chamber and has closed the door), since their opening requires pivoting the handle (which can be clearly made only from outside the processing chamber).
  • the porthole is provided with a latch
  • the cabinet is provided with a latch retaining mechanism that includes a mobile part which is configured to be movable between a retaining position, in which it engages the latch so as to retain the porthole in a closed condition, and an opening position in which it releases the latch so as to allow the opening of the porthole.
  • the mobile part of the latch retaining mechanism typically interacts with an elastic element, for example a spring, which allows the releasing of the latch when a releasing force is applied which is greater than a threshold force.
  • the porthole is therefore opened by pulling it outwards with enough force, and can also be opened by pushing it from the inside of the drum, e.g. by a caught child.
  • the latch may be provided in the cabinet and the latch retaining mechanism may be provided in the porthole.
  • the handle of the porthole has only the function of providing a grip to the user, it is fixed to the outer frame of the porthole, and it is typically symmetrical with respect to the latch.
  • US 2011/023561 A1 discloses a glass bowl for a door assembly of a washer including a housing, a tub inside the housing, the tub having a rotating drum, the door assembly having a see-through portion for viewing into the tub, the see-through portion including the glass bowl, the door assembly pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between an open and closed position.
  • the glass bowl includes a base portion for securing the glass bowl to the door assembly, and a bowl portion configured to extend into the interior of the housing, wherein the bowl portion includes a sidewall extending from the base portion toward the interior of the housing, a first bowl face that faces toward the interior of the housing and an indentation formed in an upper surface of the sidewall that guides at least a portion of water or washing fluid flowing downward onto the glass bowl toward the rotating drum.
  • WO 02/14593 A2 discloses a washing machine with a door assembly for monitoring washing steps remotely.
  • a detachable handle of the door assembly is formed as remote controller with buttons for selecting and controlling washing programs and light indicators for monitoring the selected washing program.
  • the frame of the door assembly comprises a handle recess for receiving the handle, which is held in the recess by means of a handle hook.
  • the object of the invention is to improve a grip-only handle of a porthole of a laundry machine having a pull-to-open door opening systems.
  • Applicant found that the above object is achieved by providing a grip-only handle alternatively in one of at least two different angular positions with respect to a frame assembly of the porthole, so that it can be arranged in the more ergonomic position.
  • the invention in a first aspect, relates to a laundry machine comprising a cabinet housing a chamber for treating laundry having a rotation axis, a porthole for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber, a hinge to pivot the porthole to the cabinet, an electromechanical lock comprising a first member on the porthole and a matching member on the cabinet, and a grip-only handle,
  • the handle to be always in the more ergonomic position, depending e.g. on whether the laundry machine is mounted on the floor on arranged on top of another equipment or piece of furniture, like in the case of a dryer arranged on top of a washing machine, and/or on whether the porthole is hinged at the left or at the right, the porthole being possibly reversible.
  • said at least two prefixed positions are such that in any one of these prefixed positions said grip-only handle, when the porthole is closed, has a different angular position with respect to said rotation axis.
  • angular position refers to the rotation axis of the chamber for treating laundry.
  • the at least two prefixed positions are four prefixed positions.
  • the support is preferably rotatably mounted with respect to the rest of the frame assembly.
  • the handle is provided with a coupling element and the frame assembly is provided with a plurality of matching coupling elements, so that the handle can be mounted in said at least two prefixed positions.
  • said grip-only handle and said first member of electromechanical lock are arranged in such a way that, when the porthole is closed, their centers of mass are located, with respect to the rotation axis, at different angular positions.
  • the expression that the centers of mass are "located at different angular positions" means that the centers of mass belong to different half planes each starting from the rotation axis.
  • the described arrangement allows increasing the degree of freedom in designing the grip-only handle by relieving the constraints that would be imposed by the presence, at the frame assembly of the porthole, of the first member of the electromechanical lock at the same position as the handle.
  • the frame assembly comprises an outer frame and an inner frame and a glass is sandwiched between the outer frame and the inner frame.
  • glass has to be read as a protective element supported by at least one frame of the porthole and having the function, together with the rest of the porthole, of tightly closing the processing chamber of the machine and, preferably (if this glass is transparent of partially transparent), to at least partially allow to see the internal of the chamber for treating laundry when the porthole is closed; therefore the glass may be actually made of glass, but also of different material (e.g. plastic material), and it may be transparent, opaque, or partially transparent.
  • the hinge is arranged in such a way that, when the porthole is closed, its center of mass is located, with respect to the rotation axis, at a diametrically opposite angular position with respect to the center of mass of said first member of said electromechanical lock.
  • the expression that the centers of mass are "located at diametrically opposite angular positions" means that the centers of mass belong to a same plane containing also the rotation axis, and are located on the two different half planes thereof starting from the rotation axis.
  • the arrangement of the electromechanical lock diametrically opposite the hinge provides a uniform distribution of the efforts, including the weight of the porthole and the compression resistance of a gasket (if any), provided between the porthole and the border of the loading/unloading opening in the cabinet closed by the porthole.
  • the tightness of the chamber when closed by the porthole is also maximized by the arrangement of the electromechanical lock diametrically opposite the hinge.
  • said grip-only handle and said first member of said electromechanical lock are arranged in such a way that, when the porthole is closed, their centers of mass are located, with respect to the rotation axis, at angular positions that are reciprocally spaced by less than 90°.
  • said grip-only handle is arranged in the half of the porthole about the electromechanical lock. This reduces the effort of the user to pull open the porthole.
  • the hinge and electromechanical lock are each located across and preferably centered across a horizontal median plane of the porthole, and are diametrically opposite to each other with respect to the rotation axis when the porthole is closed, and the grip-only handle is located in one of at least two positions outside of the horizontal median plane.
  • the grip-only handle comprises a body portion that protrudes, when the grip-only handle is assembled to the frame assembly, radially inwardly from the at least one frame and extends along an arc of a circumference, there being a wall of the handle or of the at least one frame crossing the body portion at an intermediate zone of the body portion, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending from the body portion and the wall.
  • the body portion of the grip-only handle is generally flat.
  • "generally flat” means that the handle may depart slightly or locally from a flat configuration, still being prevailingly flat or essentially two-dimensional.
  • the grip-only handle may be slightly curved.
  • the ribs are generally L-shaped flat bodies arranged at a corner between the wall and the body portion, on the inner side of the grip-only handle facing, when the porthole is closed, the chamber and/or the cabinet.
  • the ribs are generally flat.
  • each rib includes a long edge adjoining an inner side of the body portion from the wall towards a free edge of the body portion, more preferably up to the free edge, and a short edge adjoining at least part of the wall.
  • each rib extends parallel to each other.
  • each rib extends in a radial plane.
  • the radial extent of the handle being not constant along said arc of a circumference and the handle comprising a zone having a first radial extent, and a zone adjacent thereto having a second radial extent smaller than the first radial extent, so that when the handle is gripped by a user, the zone having the first radial extent is gripped by the index finger and the medium finger, and the zone having the second radial extent is gripped by the ring finger and the little finger.
  • the grip-only handle comprises a body portion having a first edge that is an arc of circumference and adjoins when the grip-only handle is assembled to the frame assembly, the at least one frame and a free edge that: contacts the first edge at a first end of the handle, is then curved, having a radially inner convexity so that the radial extent of the handle increases to a maximum and then decreases again to a minimum greater than zero at a corner near a second end of the handle, and after the corner is straight along an almost radial direction, until it contacts the first edge at the second end of the handle.
  • the grip-only handle protrudes radially inwards from the at least one frame.
  • the grip-only handle does not protrude outwards of said at least one frame.
  • the hinge is located on a left side of said porthole, as seen from the outside of said laundry machine.
  • the grip-only handle is arranged in such a way to be individually separable from said frame assembly.
  • "Individually" means that the grip-only handle can be separated as a single-body from the rest of the frame assembly, i.e. a separation of other parts of the frame assembly is not required (with the possible exception of screws or other fixing devices) in order to separate the grip-only handle from the frame assembly.
  • the frame assembly comprises an outer frame, an inner frame, and a glass supported by the outer frame and the inner frame
  • the grip-only handle is preferably arranged in such a way to be individually separable from the outer frame and inner frame for allowing to change its position among said at least two prefixed positions.
  • the grip-only handle can be separated from and attached to the inner and outer frame as a single body, which is a much easier operation than, for example rotating a whole outer frame (in case for example the handle is a single body with the latter) with respect to an inner frame.
  • Applicant also found that the above object is achieved by providing a grip-only handle that is reinforced against flexural stress.
  • the invention relates to a laundry machine comprising a cabinet housing a chamber for treating laundry having a rotation axis, a porthole for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber, a hinge to pivot the porthole to the cabinet, an electromechanical lock comprising a first member on the porthole and a matching member on the cabinet, and a grip-only handle,
  • the ribs are generally L-shaped bodies arranged at a corner between the wall and the body portion, on the inner side of the grip-only handle facing, when the porthole is closed, the chamber.
  • each rib includes a long edge adjoining an inner side of the body portion from the wall towards a free edge of the body portion, and a short edge adjoining at least part of the wall.
  • each rib extends parallel to each other.
  • each rib extends in a radial plane.
  • Applicant also found that the above object is achieved by providing an ergonomic grip-only handle.
  • the invention relates to a laundry machine comprising a cabinet housing a chamber for treating laundry having a rotation axis, a porthole for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber, a hinge to pivot the porthole to the cabinet, an electromechanical lock comprising a first member on the porthole and a matching member on the cabinet, and a grip-only handle,
  • the grip-only handle comprises a body portion having a first edge that is an arc of circumference and adjoins the at least one frame and a free edge that: contacts the first edge at a first end of the handle, is then curved, having a radially inner convexity so that the radial extent of the handle increases to a maximum and then decreases again to a minimum greater than zero at a corner near a second end of the handle, and after the corner is straight along an almost radial direction, until it contacts the first edge at the second end of the handle.
  • FIGs. 1 , 2 , and 3 a laundry machine 1 is shown in perspective and front views.
  • the laundry machine 1 is a washing machine, but the laundry machine of the invention can be a washing-drying machine or a dryer.
  • the laundry machine 1 comprises a parallelepiped cabinet (or housing) 2.
  • the cabinet 2 may be advantageously made of a frame covered by a metal sheet, e.g. a steel sheet.
  • Cabinet 2 houses a chamber 3 for treating laundry.
  • rotation axis RR is, when the machine is installed on the floor, in an operative position, like in the example shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 , substantially horizontal, but in a different advantageous embodiment this axis RR can be inclined.
  • the cabinet 2 of the laundry machine 1 may advantageously include a lid 5 for accessing a filter (not shown), a drawer 6 for a detergent, softening agent and/or other additives, as well as a control panel 7. These components may be missing and/or other components may be present on the cabinet 2.
  • a porthole 8 for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber 3 is provided at the front wall of the cabinet 2, specifically at an opening 9 of the cabinet 2 and at an opening 3a of the chamber 3.
  • a gasket (or bellows) 10 is provided at the opening 9 of the cabinet 2 and connects the border of this opening 9 to the inlet opening of the washing tub (not illustrated).
  • a hinge 11 is provided to pivot the porthole 8 to the cabinet 2 so that it can be opened by rotating it about a vertical axis XX, as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the hinge 11 is arranged in such a way that, when the porthole 8 is closed, its center of mass C11 (see e.g. FIG. 3 ) is located, with respect to the rotation axis RR, at a first angular position.
  • hinge 11 is arranged across, and more preferably centered across, a horizontal median plane HH of the porthole 8.
  • Hinge 11 may be any conventional hinge, preferably of the type that is not visible when the porthole 8 is closed.
  • hinge 11 comprises a portion 11a ( FIGs. 9 , 10 , 12 ) fixed to the cabinet 2, a seat 11b ( FIGs. 9 , 10 , 12 ) for housing it provided in the porthole 8, and a hinge pin (not shown) extending in holes of the portion 11a and of the seat 11b, wherein holes 11c of the seat 11b are visible in FIGs. 9 and 12 .
  • An electromechanical lock 12 is provided between the porthole 8 and the cabinet 2.
  • the lock 12 comprises a portion or first member fixed to the cabinet 2 and a portion or second, matching member fixed to the porthole 8 that cooperate with each other.
  • the lock 12 is configured to avoid opening of the porthole during operation of the machine; and to possibly to avoid operation of the machine with the porthole open, by issuing a consent signal to an electronic control unit of the machine only when the porthole is closed and/or delay opening of the porthole after the end of an operation cycle.
  • the electromechanical lock is therefore also an interlock.
  • the first member comprises a latch 13 protruding from the porthole 8 towards the cabinet 2 -visible in FIGs. 2 , 9 , 10 and 12 -, and the second member comprises a latch retaining mechanism 14 for receiving the latch 13, positioned at the cabinet 2.
  • the latch 13 is shown as a protrusion having an aperture 13a.
  • the entire latch retaining mechanism 14 is not visible in the figures, only a seat for receiving the latch 13 is visible.
  • the latch retaining mechanism 14 preferably includes, in a manner known per se, a mobile part which is configured to be movable between a retaining position, in which it engages the latch 13 so as to retain the porthole 8 in a closed condition, and an opening position it which it releases the latch 13 so as to allow the opening of the porthole 8.
  • the mobile part of the latch retaining mechanism 14 at the cabinet 2 preferably interacts with an elastic element, for example a spring, which allows the releasing of the latch 13 when a releasing force is applied which is greater than a threshold force.
  • the porthole 8 is therefore of the "pull-to-open type", opened by applying a force beyond a threshold onto the porthole 8 away from the cabinet 2.
  • the lock 12 is preferably arranged across, and more preferably centered across, the horizontal median plane HH of the porthole 8.
  • the first member 13 of lock 12 is arranged in such a way that, when the porthole 8 is closed, its center of mass C12 (see e.g. FIG. 3 ) is located, with respect to the rotation axis RR, at a different angular position than the center of mass C11 of the hinge 11, preferably at a diametrically opposite angular position with respect to hinge 11.
  • a grip-only handle 15 is provided at the porthole 8, to be gripped by a user for applying a pulling force onto the porthole 8 away from the cabinet 2.
  • the porthole 8 is usually opened by pulling it outwards with enough force through the handle 15, but it can also be opened by pushing it from the inside of the drum 4, e.g. by a caught child thanks to its "pull-to-open type" construction.
  • a grip-only handle 15 in connection with a "pull-to-open" porthole or lock has several advantages. It is easier and less expensive to manufacture than a pivotal handle operating a movable hook at the porthole, especially when it is one piece with a frame of the porthole 8 as discussed below. Moreover it is more robust than a pivotal handle.
  • the grip-only handle 15 protrudes radially inwardly from the frame of the porthole 8, specifically from the inner circumferential edge of an outer frame 30 thereof (see below).
  • the grip-only handle 15 is provided at a position which is not aligned or not corresponding with the position of the lock 12.
  • the grip-only handle 15 is arranged such that, when the porthole 8 is closed, its center of mass C15 is located, with respect to the rotation axis RR, at a different angular position than the center of mass C12 of the first member 13 of the lock 12.
  • the grip-only handle 15 is preferably located or arranged outside the horizontal median plane HH of the porthole 8.
  • the grip-only handle 15 is thus offset with respect to horizontal median plane HH and the lock 12. In case of a large extent of the handle 15 and/or of the lock 12, the two might however overlap in part.
  • the hinge 11 is advantageously centered across a position at 9 o'clock or 180° in a conventional angular reference system, and the lock 12 is across a position at 3 o'clock or 0°.
  • the centers of mass C11 and C12 of hinge 11 and the first member 13 of lock 12 lie on the median plane HH when they are symmetric.
  • the grip-only handle 15 is shown arranged in the first quadrant, i.e. between 0° and 90°.
  • a vertical centerline VV of the porthole 8 is also indicated in FIG. 3 to easily identify the quadrants.
  • the grip-only handle 15 extends for an arc or circumference lying in the generally central portion of the first quadrant.
  • the grip-only handle 15 may be arranged in the fourth quadrant, i.e. between 270° and 360°, as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the grip-only handle 15 may be arranged in the second quadrant, i.e. between 90° and 180° as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the grip-only handle 15 may be arranged in the third quadrant, i.e. between 180° and 270°.
  • the grip-only handle 15 and the first member 13 of electromechanical lock 12 are arranged in such a way that, when the porthole 8 is closed, their centers of mass C15 and C12 are located, with respect to the rotation axis RR, at different angular positions.
  • the hinge 11 is arranged in such a way that, when the porthole 8 is closed, its center of mass C11 is located, with respect to the rotation axis RR, at a diametrically opposite angular position with respect to the center of mass C12 of the first member 13 of the electromechanical lock 12.
  • the grip-only handle 15 and the first member 13 of the lock 12 are arranged such that, when the porthole is closed, their centers of mass C15, C12 are located, with respect to the rotation axis, at angular positions that are reciprocally spaced by less than 90°.
  • the grip-only handle 15 is preferably arranged in the half of the porthole about the electromechanical lock 12.
  • FIGs. 4-6 only an outer frame 30 of the porthole 8 is shown. A glass 32 of the porthole 8 is not shown.
  • the construction of the porthole 8 is better disclosed below with reference to FIGs. 9 , 10 .
  • the position of the hinge 11 and of the lock 12 is indicated with the same reference numbers, even if the two are not visible.
  • FIG. 3-6 an identical handle 15 is shown in all four prefixed positions with respect to the frame 30.
  • the handle 15 can be one piece with the frame 30 or positionable with respect to it.
  • a handle 15a having a shape that is for example the mirror image of that of handle 15 may be provided in the case of porthole 8 hinged at its right, as shown in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8 .
  • the handle may always be configured with an ergonomic shape, as shown by the handle 15 in FIGs. 3 , 4 and the handle 15a in FIGs. 7, 8 .
  • Such handle 15, 15a as shown in FIGs. 3 , 4 , 7, 8 has a body part 16, 16a cantilever or protruding radially inward from the outer frame 30 of the porthole 8, and extending along an arc of a circumference, e.g. of about 40-55°.
  • the body part 16 is preferably generally flat, as defined above.
  • the body part 16, 16a has a first edge 17, 17a that is an arc of circumference and adjoins the inner circumference of a slanted wall 35 (see below) of the outer frame 30 of the porthole 8.
  • the body part 16, 16a has a second or free edge 18, 18a cantilevered from the outer frame 30 of the porthole 8.
  • the body part 16, 16a has a radial extent defined between the first edge 17, 17a and the free edge 18, 18a.
  • the radial extent of the handle 15, 15a is preferably not constant.
  • the free edge 18, 18a preferably adjoins or contacts the first edge 17, 17a at a first end 19, 19a of the handle 15, 15a that is upper in the mounted condition of the handle 15, 15a shown in FIGs. 3 , 4 , 7, 8 , so that the radial extent of the handle 15, 15a at first end 19, 19a is zero.
  • 20a of the handle 15, 15a opposite the first end 19, 19a and lower in the mounted condition of the handle 15, 15a shown in FIGs.
  • the free edge 18, 18a is preferably first curved, having a radially inner convexity so that the radial extent of the handle 15, 15a increases to a maximum and then decreases again to a minimum greater than zero at a corner 21, 21a near the second end 20, 20a of the handle 15, 15a; after the corner 21, 21a the free edge 18, 18a is straight along an almost radial direction, until it adjoins or contacts the first edge 17, 17a at the second end 20, 20a of the handle 15, 15a.
  • the handle 15, 15a thus preferably comprises a zone 22, 22a having a first or comparatively large radial extent, and a zone 23, 23a adjacent thereto having a second or comparatively small radial extent, smaller than the first radial extent, so that when the handle 15, 15a is gripped by a user, the zone 22, 22a having the first or comparatively large radial extent is gripped by the index finger and the medium finger, and the zone 23, 23a having the second or comparatively small radial extent is gripped by the ring finger and the little finger.
  • the handle 15, 15a is therefore ergonomic when in the positions of FIGs. 3 , 4 , 7, 8 , what helps the user to easily apply the required force to pull open the porthole 8.
  • dryer machines have a reversible porthole (left/right hinge), while washing and washing-dryer machines do not. This is because of the need of electrical connections in the latter type of machines to provide for safety closure of the chamber during operation of the machine.
  • electromechanical lock 12 and handle 15 provides several advantages.
  • FIGs. 9-12 An advantageous embodiment of the porthole 8 is now better disclosed with reference to FIGs. 9-12 .
  • the porthole 8 comprises a frame assembly comprising outer frame 30, and an inner frame 31; a glass 32 is advantageously sandwiched between the outer frame and the inner frame.
  • the latch 13 is also shown in an exploded condition in FIGs. 9 , 10 .
  • the outer frame 30 is a preferably generally annular member, having an outer circumferential edge 33 and a preferably beveled inner circumferential edge 34.
  • the outer frame 30 has a preferably slanted wall 35.
  • the slanted wall 35 is preferably closer to the cabinet 2 at the outer circumferential edge 33 than at the inner circumferential edge 34, with reference to the closed condition of the porthole 8 (see FIG. 12 ).
  • the inner frame 31 is also a preferably generally annular member, having a preferably tapered outer circumferential edge 36 and an inner circumferential edge 37. Preferably, between the outer circumferential edge 36 and the inner circumferential edge 37, the inner frame 31 has a flat wall 38.
  • the outer frame 30 and the inner frame 31 are preferably generally concave and advantageously they have a plurality of reinforcing ribs 39, 40, respectively.
  • the outer frame 30 and the inner frame 31 have preferably also a matching system for coupling to each other, with the interposition of the glass 32 and the latch 13.
  • the outer frame 30 has advantageously a plurality of internally threaded bushings 41 and the inner frame 31 advantageously has a plurality of holes 42 in corresponding prefixed positions, for receiving a plurality of screws or bolts (not shown).
  • the ribs 39, 40 preferably extend about the bushings 41 and about the holes 42, respectively.
  • Any other matching system may be suitable, such as snap pins, welding, glueing and similar.
  • the seat 11b for the hinge 11 is advantageously made in the inner frame 31 and partly in the outer frame 30.
  • the inner frame 31 preferably diametrically opposite the centerline of the seat 11b for the hinge 11, there is an apertured seat 44 for the passage of the latch 13.
  • the inner side of the outer frame 30 has a protruding spacer 45 for abutting the latch 13 and keeping it out of the apertured seat 44 in inner frame 31.
  • the glass 32 is preferably generally convex towards the inside of the laundry machine 1, protruding inwards from the inner frame 31.
  • the shape of the glass 32 can depart from that shown.
  • the glass 32 has preferably a circumferential rim 46 that is sandwiched between the outer frame 30 and the inner frame 31.
  • circumferential rim 46 has two diametrically opposite triangular protrusions 47.
  • the inner frame 31 has, on its inner circumferential edge 37, notches 48 for housing the triangular protrusions 47 of the glass 32.
  • the outer frame 30 has, on its inner side, triangular protrusions 49 defining seats for the triangular protrusions 47 of the glass 32.
  • the rotational position of the glass 32 is well defined.
  • further matching lugs 50 and recesses 51 are provided on the inner and outer frames 30, 31, respectively, to define the rotational mutual position thereof.
  • the inner frame 31 has, on its inner circumferential edge 37, elastic retainers 51a defining the axial position of glass 32.
  • the handle 15 is preferably one piece with the outer frame 30 and radially protrudes inward, cantilever from the inner circumferential edge 34. It is noted that in FIG. 10 the protruding portion of the handle 15 is hidden by the outer frame 30.
  • the body part 16 of handle 15 is, advantageously, slightly recessed with respect to the slanted wall 35 of the outer frame 30 near its circumferential inner edge, and ends, at its free edge 18, flush with the slanted wall 35 of the outer frame 30 so as not to protrude from the outer frame 30 outwards, i.e. away from the cabinet 2 in the closed condition of the porthole 8.
  • the beveled inner circumferential edge 34 of the outer frame 30 is, advantageously, interrupted at the handle 15 by a wall 52 extending along part of a cylindrical surface flush with the radially inner edge of the beveled inner circumferential edge 34.
  • Radially outer part 53 of the body portion 16 and lateral walls 54 advantageously fill the gap between the wall 52 and the beveled inner circumferential edge 34.
  • the body portion 16 of the handle 15 is thus crossed by the wall 52 at an intermediate zone of the body portion 16. This enhances the strength of the handle 15.
  • a plurality of reinforcing ribs 55 advantageously extend from the body portion 16.
  • the ribs 55 are generally L-shaped bodies arranged at the corner between the wall 52 and the body portion 16, on the radially inner side of handle 15 facing, when the porthole 8 is closed, the chamber 3 and/or the cabinet 2.
  • Reinforcing ribs 55 are preferably generally flat.
  • Each rib 55 includes a long edge 56 adjoining the inner side of the body portion 16 from the wall 52 towards and preferably up to the free edge 18, and a short edge 57 adjoining at least part of the wall 52.
  • the reinforcing ribs 55 may also extend shorter along the body portion 16 and/or longer along wall 52 (even up to its free edge) than shown.
  • the material flowing in the ribs 55 would tend to make depressions on the opposite side (outer side) of the flat body 16 of the handle 15.
  • the ribs 55 should be made enough thin.
  • the ribs 55 should be made enough thick and/or close to each other as to provide enough reinforcement against the flexural stress during opening of the porthole 8. A skilled in the art will find a proper compromise between the two opposite requirements without the exercise of inventive skills.
  • the reinforcing ribs 55 may have a thickness, e.g. of 1.2 mm, that is at most 40% of the thickness of the body portion 15, the latter being e.g. of 3 mm; the distance between reinforcing ribs 55 may be shorter than or equal to 2.8 mm. With those figures, there are about 25 reinforcing ribs 55 in 100 mm of length of the body portion 16.
  • the ribs 55 may extend parallel to each other as shown, or each rib 55 can extend in a radial plane.
  • the reinforcing ribs 55 also improve the grip on the handle 15 because they avoid slipping of the hand, especially a wet hand as may well occur when dealing with washing laundry.
  • the handle 15, 15a can be made one piece with the outer frame 30 - or generally speaking with the porthole 8 - as shown thus far.
  • the handle 15, 15a mounted in the various prefixed positions disclosed in connection with FIGs. 3-8 , however, two different outer frames 30 for a same handle 15 as shown in FIGs. 3-6 have to be manufactured, four different outer frames 30 for an always ergonomic handle 15, 15a as shown in FIGs. 3 , 4 , 7, 8 .
  • a handle 15, 15a made one piece with the outer frame 30, such as co-molded therewith, is very strong, inexpensive and neat.
  • FIG. 16 is schematic, and does not show several details as shown in FIGs. 9-11 .
  • Outer frame 30a corresponds to the outer frame 30 already disclosed apart from what disclosed below.
  • Handle 15b advantageously includes a body portion 16b similar to body portion 16 of handle 15, advantageously including a zone 22b having a comparatively large radial extent and a zone 23b having a comparatively small radial extent, as well as a wall 52b extending along part of a cylindrical surface and lateral walls 54b one piece therewith, similar to walls 52, 54 just described. Wall 52b crosses body portion 16b at an intermediate zone thereof.
  • the generally flat body portion 16b includes an arc of circumference edge 17b and a free edge 18b having the shape described above.
  • the other parts of handle 15b are labeled similarly to the corresponding parts of handle 15, with a "b" suffix.
  • a pair of bushings 59 advantageously protrudes, preferably generally radially, outwards, but extending parallel to each other and parallel to a median radial plane of the handle 15b.
  • the bushings 59 advantageously insert into bushings 60 having holes 61 that extend from the beveled inner circumferential edge 34a of outer frame 30a.
  • Bushings 60 also advantageously protrude preferably generally radially outwards, but extending parallel to each other and parallel to a median radial plane defined centrally of the two bushings 60.
  • Screws 62 or bolts advantageously retain the handle 15b to the outer frame 30a by passing through holes 61 and engaging bushings 59.
  • Outer frame 30a may include two or four series of holed bushings 60 as shown in FIGs. 14 , 16 for mounting the handle 15b (or a handle having a mirror-image shape similar to that shown in FIGs. 7, 8 ).
  • the holes 61 that are not used for mounting the handle 15b may be advantageously covered with a cap.
  • all the holes 61 may be covered by a thin membrane having a preferential rupture circumference, and during installation of the laundry machine 1, the membrane is removed only at the two holes 61 being actually used for mounting the handle 15b.
  • the free edge 18, 18a, 18b of the body portion 16, 16a, 16b can have a thickening 58, 58b, preferably rounded, on the inner side of the handles 15, 15a, 15b.
  • the handle of the porthole can also be fixed, instead of with screws and threaded holes as just described, with snap action pins, or any other suitable system, in particular suitable coupling element(s) and matching coupling element(s).
  • the position of the handle 15c may also be changed through a rotation of an annular handle support 63, which is part of the frame assembly, to which handle 15c is fixed (for example handle 15c and annular handle support 63 may be a single body or one piece); in this case annular handle support 63 is advantageously sandwiched between the outer and inner frames 30, 30a, 31, and it is arranged in such a way that it can be mounted in at least two different angular positions with respect to the rest of the frame assembly, and in particular to the outer frame 30, so that handle 15c is positionable in at least two prefixed positions by mounting annular handle support 63 in one of these at least two different angular positions.
  • the other parts of handle 15c are labeled similarly to the corresponding parts of handle 15, with a "c" suffix.
  • the grip-only handle 15b, 15c is configured to be alternatively positionable in one of at least two prefixed positions with respect to the frame(s) 30, 30a, 31. Moreover, said at least two prefixed positions are such that in any one of these prefixed positions, said grip-only handle 15b, 15c, when the porthole 8 is closed, has a different angular position with respect to the rotation axis RR.
  • the prefixed positions of the grip-only handle 15b, 15c correspond to those described above with reference to grip-only handles 15, 15a.
  • the porthole can comprise only a single frame and a glass suitably fixed thereto, or even no glass and be one transparent or non-transparent part, being more properly called a door in the latter case.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Machine à laver (1) comprenant une cuve (2) abritant une chambre (3) pour traiter du linge ayant un axe de rotation (RR), un hublot (8) pour fournir un accès à et fermer hermétiquement la chambre (3), une charnière (11) pour faire pivoter le hublot (8) vers la cuve (2), et une poignée manuelle (15b) pour ouvrir le hublot,
    dans laquelle ledit hublot (8) comprend un ensemble cadre comprenant au moins un cadre (30, 30a, 31),
    caractérisée en ce que
    la machine à laver comprend en outre un verrou électromécanique (12) comprenant un premier élément (13) sur le hublot (8) et un élément correspondant (14) sur la cuve (2), ledit verrou électromécanique (12) étant configuré pour être libéré en appliquant une force au-delà d'un seuil sur le hublot (8) en direction inverse de la cuve (2), et
    ladite poignée manuelle (15b) est configurée pour pouvoir être positionnée de façon alternée dans une position parmi au moins deux positions prédéfinies par rapport audit ensemble cadre, ladite poignée manuelle (15b) étant configurée pour pouvoir être individuellement séparée dudit, et fixée audit, ensemble cadre afin de déplacer la poignée (15b) dans une position parmi au moins deux positions prédéfinies.
  2. Machine à laver (1) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle lesdites au moins deux positions prédéfinies sont telles que dans l'une quelconque de ces positions prédéfinies ladite poignée manuelle (15b), quand le hublot (8) est fermé, a une position angulaire différente par rapport audit axe de rotation (RR).
  3. Machine à laver (1) selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans laquelle ladite poignée manuelle (15b) est dotée d'un élément de couplage (59) et ledit ensemble cadre est doté d'une pluralité d'éléments de couplage correspondants (60, 62) de sorte que la poignée manuelle (15b) est configurée pour être placée dans lesdites au moins deux positions prédéfinies.
  4. Machine à laver (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite poignée manuelle (15b) et ledit premier élément (13) dudit verrou électromécanique (12) sont agencés de manière à ce que, quand le hublot (8) est fermé, leurs centres de masse (C15b, C12) sont situés, par rapport avec ledit axe de rotation (RR), dans différentes positions angulaires.
  5. Machine à laver (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite charnière (11) est agencé de telle sorte que, quand le hublot (8) est fermé, son centre de masse (C11) soit situé, par rapport audit axe de rotation (RR), dans une position angulaire diamétralement opposée par rapport au centre de masse (C12) dudit premier élément (13) dudit verrou électromécanique (12).
  6. Machine à laver (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite poignée manuelle (15b) et ledit premier élément (13) dudit verrou électromécanique (12) sont agencés de manière à ce que, quand le hublot (8) est fermé, leurs centres de masse (C15b, C12) soient situés, par rapport audit axe de rotation (RR), dans des positions angulaires qui sont réciproquement espacées de moins de 90°.
  7. Machine à laver (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite poignée manuelle (15b) comprend une portion principale (16b) saillante, quand ladite poignée manuelle (15b) est assemblée audit ensemble cadre, radialement vers l'intérieur depuis ledit au moins un cadre (30, 30a, 31) et s'étend le long d'un arc d'une circonférence, où se trouve une paroi (52, 52b) de la poignée (15b) ou de l'au moins un cadre (30, 30a, 31) traversant la portion principale (16b, 16c) au niveau d'une zone intermédiaire de la portion principale (16b), et une pluralité de membrures de renforcement (55) s'étendant depuis la portion principale (16b) et la paroi (52, 52b) .
  8. Machine à laver (1) selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle les membrures (55) sont généralement des corps en forme de L agencés au niveau d'un coin entre la paroi (52, 52b) et la portion principale (16b), sur la portion interne de la poignée manuelle (15b) faisant face, quand le hublot (8) est fermé, à la chambre (3) et/ou à la cuve (2).
  9. Machine à laver (1) selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle chaque membrure (55) inclut un bord long (56) joignant un côté interne de la portion principale (16b) depuis la paroi (52, 52b) vers un bord libre (18b) de la portion principale (16b), et un bord court (57) joignant au moins une partie de la paroi (52, 52b).
  10. Machine à laver (1) selon la revendication 7, la revendication 8 ou la revendication 9, dans laquelle les membrures (55) s'étendent parallèlement les unes aux autres.
  11. Machine à laver (1) une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite poignée manuelle (15b), quand elle est assemblée audit ensemble cadre, est saillante radialement vers l'intérieur depuis ledit au moins un cadre (30, 30a, 31) et s'étend le long d'un arc d'une circonférence, l'extension radiale de la poignée (15b) n'étant pas constante le long dudit arc d'une circonférence et la poignée (15b) comprenant une zone (22b) ayant une première extension radiale, et une zone (23b) adjacente à celle-ci ayant une deuxième extension radiale plus petite que la première extension radiale, de sorte que quand la poignée (15b) est prise en main par un utilisateur, la zone (22b) ayant la première extension radiale soit prise par l'index et le majeur, et que la zone (23b) ayant la deuxième extension radiale soit prise par l'annulaire et l'auriculaire.
  12. Machine à laver (1) selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle ladite poignée manuelle (15b) comprend une portion principale (16b) ayant un premier bord (17b) qui est un arc de circonférence et, quand ladite poignée manuelle (15b) est assemblée audit ensemble cadre, elle joint au moins un élément parmi ledit un cadre (30, 30a, 31) et un bord libre (18b) qui : entre en contact avec le premier bord (17b) au niveau d'une première extrémité (19b, 19c) de la poignée (15b), est ensuite incurvée, ayant une convexité radiale interne de sorte que l'extension radiale de la poignée (15b) augmente jusqu'à un maximum puis diminue de nouveau jusqu'à un minimum plus grand que zéro au niveau d'un coin (21b) près d'une deuxième extrémité (20b) de la poignée (15b), et après le coin (21b) est droit le long d'une direction presque radiale, jusqu'à ce qu'il entre en contact avec le premier borde (17b) au niveau de la deuxième extrémité (20b, 20c) de la poignée (15b).
  13. Machine à laver (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit ensemble cadre comprend un cadre externe (30, 30a), un cadre interne (31), et une vitre (32) soutenue par ledit cadre externe (30, 30a) et ledit cadre interne (31), et dans laquelle ladite poignée manuelle (15b) est agencée de manière à ce qu'elle soit séparable individuellement dudit cadre externe (30, 30a) et du cadre interne (31) pour permettre de changer sa position parmi au moins deux desdites positions prédéfinies.
EP13182528.3A 2013-08-30 2013-08-30 Machine de traitement du linge Active EP2843109B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13182528.3A EP2843109B1 (fr) 2013-08-30 2013-08-30 Machine de traitement du linge
PL13182528.3T PL2843109T3 (pl) 2013-08-30 2013-08-30 Maszyna do obróbki prania
CN201480048087.8A CN105556025A (zh) 2013-08-30 2014-08-26 衣物处理机器
AU2014314301A AU2014314301B2 (en) 2013-08-30 2014-08-26 Laundry treatment machine
PCT/EP2014/068043 WO2015028452A1 (fr) 2013-08-30 2014-08-26 Machine de traitement de linge
US14/915,319 US10640907B2 (en) 2013-08-30 2014-08-26 Laundry treatment machine

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13182528.3A EP2843109B1 (fr) 2013-08-30 2013-08-30 Machine de traitement du linge

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2843109A1 EP2843109A1 (fr) 2015-03-04
EP2843109B1 true EP2843109B1 (fr) 2022-12-07

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EP13182528.3A Active EP2843109B1 (fr) 2013-08-30 2013-08-30 Machine de traitement du linge

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EP (1) EP2843109B1 (fr)
PL (1) PL2843109T3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015224661B3 (de) * 2015-12-09 2017-05-11 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Haushaltsgerät mit einem Rückstellelement
TR201612495A2 (tr) 2016-09-02 2018-03-21 Arcelik As Tutamak i̇çeren bi̇r çamaşir maki̇nesi̇
CN113087138B (zh) * 2021-03-24 2022-10-28 广州市天河区林和粤财技术服务中心 一种动态旋转膜厌氧生物反应器

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002014593A2 (fr) * 2000-08-11 2002-02-21 Arcelik A.S. Machine a laver a etapes de lavage surveillees a distance

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7997105B2 (en) * 2008-06-30 2011-08-16 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Push-position indicator for appliance door
US8661860B2 (en) * 2009-07-31 2014-03-04 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Door bowl for a household appliance door

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002014593A2 (fr) * 2000-08-11 2002-02-21 Arcelik A.S. Machine a laver a etapes de lavage surveillees a distance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2843109A1 (fr) 2015-03-04
PL2843109T3 (pl) 2023-04-24

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