EP2975172B1 - Method for manufacturing the cabinet of a household appliance and such a cabinet - Google Patents
Method for manufacturing the cabinet of a household appliance and such a cabinet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2975172B1 EP2975172B1 EP14177372.1A EP14177372A EP2975172B1 EP 2975172 B1 EP2975172 B1 EP 2975172B1 EP 14177372 A EP14177372 A EP 14177372A EP 2975172 B1 EP2975172 B1 EP 2975172B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cabinet
- inner portion
- frame
- metal sheet
- back panel
- 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
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 31
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 65
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 47
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 42
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000010412 laundry washing Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 4
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000003923 scrap metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000975 Carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010962 carbon steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005923 long-lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001331 nose Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000243 solution Substances 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
Definitions
- a cabinet is provided to protect the mechanical and electrical components of the machine.
- On top of the machine usually a work top is mounted.
- laundry washing machine includes washing machines as such but also combined washing/drying machines that can incorporate both functionalities. Also the terms laundry washing machine and washing machine are used interchangeably.
- the laundry machine can be designed as a front-loading laundry washing machine as well as a top-loading laundry washing machine
- the cabinet usually is made of sheet metal or carbon steel.
- the sheet metal of the cabinet is often made by shearing and other typical and related processes. Particularly, a back opening for maintenance, closable by a removable back panel is made in the cabinet by shearing or other known processes.
- the cabinet usually comprises a removable back panel. It is removed for maintenance and/or assembly of the components inside the cabinet.
- the back panel is made of plastic material or is built as a metal sheet. The shearing process can generate wrinkling, burr and clearance. Usually the metal sheet obtained from the shearing process represents a scrap and thus leads to additional costs.
- the back panel can be made of plastic material, usually polypropylene (PP) or recycled PP.
- the scrap can be used to obtain the back panel as a metal sheet: the scrap can be crushed and then stretched in such a way that a component with the desired dimensions is produced.
- the back cover Since the back cover has to cover fully or completely the back opening, in case screws are used for its fixation to the peripheral border of the opening, the scrap has to be stretched in order to obtain an overlapping region.
- a back panel made of a metal sheet is usually assembled to the cabinet by screws, which puts limitations on the design of the back panel.
- the stretching or flattening process can generate more scrap, reduction of thickness, internal tensions and constrains the cabinet design.
- Document EP 0 561 201 A1 discloses a rear panel of a washing machine or a dish washer with an aperture closable by a cover of plastic material suitable to improve the sound insulation of the machine; the cover can comprise a metal net embedded on the plastic material to allows the electrical connection between the grounding terminals.
- Document GB 2 168 387 A discloses an enclosing structure of a domestic appliance such as a washing machine comprising a rear panel with an aperture closed by a cover obtained by the cut of the aperture on the rear panel; in the aperture as well as in the cover, suitable rims for the cover positioning are provided.
- a washing machine is provided of a vibration proof plate arranged on a lateral/rear wall of the machine cabinet; between the vibration proof plate and the lateral/rear wall, a pair of vibration-adsorbing members of sponge or rubber material can be provided.
- this aim is solved by a method of manufacturing a rear part of a cabinet of a household appliance provided with a back opening and a back panel for closing said back opening, the method comprising the following steps:
- the invention is based on the consideration that in regular design choices of rear parts of cabinets of household appliances and corresponding back panels, there is presently a conflict of objectives with respect to the used materials. If, on the one hand, a back panel is made completely of plastic material, the metal scrap available from the part removed from the rear part to form an opening for the back panel to be inserted is basically lost, and the plastic material is additionally needed. If the back panel, on the other hand, is made of the metal scrap, in order to be able to be attached to the rear part by screws or similar fixing means, it has to be stretched and flattened, leading to reduced thickness and internal tensions.
- the rear part of the cabinet hereby denotes the back wall which has adjacent pieces that - in a folded state - build the side walls of the cabinet. It does not comprise the front part or the bottom or top parts of casing of the household appliance.
- the method comprises a further step of e) fixing a back panel obtained according to steps a) to d) to close the back opening of a rear part of a cabinet of a household appliance obtained according to steps a) to c).
- a complete rear part of a cabinet is obtained.
- the frame is fixed to the removed inner portion by the steps of:
- the injected material is polypropylene.
- suitable materials are polyamide, polyester, polyphenylsulfide (PPS), and also their filled and reinforced compounds.
- the mould advantageously comprises a core and a cavity, wherein the core comprises at least one positioning element for positioning the inner portion.
- the metal sheet then is positioned in a mould cavity which is formed between cavity and core, and after closing, melted plastic material can be injected.
- the positioning element advantageously comprises at least one magnetic plate.
- the positioning element or position means can comprise cams or racks extruding from the core of the mould.
- the cavity and the core comprise at least one recess configured for inserting the melted material and for allowing the material to encompass the at least a part of the edge of the inner portion.
- the frame totally encompasses the peripheral edge of the inner portion.
- the frame connects to the border of the opening in the rear part. Additionally, the sharp edge of the metal sheet is fully covered by the frame which improves the handling of the back panel.
- cabinet for a household appliance comprising a rear part having a back opening and a back panel for closing said back opening, wherein the back panel comprises an inner portion made of metal which at its peripheral edge is at least partially encompassed by a frame made of a plastic material.
- This partial encompassing is preferably achieved in a sandwiched manner, where the peripheral part is surrounded by the frame on both sides by side parts which are connected by a border piece. This leads to an integrally built single-piece design of the frame.
- the frame is fixed to the inner portion by injection moulding the frame on at least a part of the peripheral edge of the inner portion.
- the frame is removably fixable to the inner portion, allowing its replacement in case of malfunction or damage.
- a form-locking connection is provided between the inner portion and the frame.
- This form-locking connection is preferably realized by an undercut.
- the frame is made of polypropylene.
- the frame totally encompasses the peripheral edge of the inner portion.
- a household appliance comprising a cabinet described above or comprising a cabinet having a rear part manufactured according to the method described above.
- the household appliance is a laundry washing machine or a tumble drier or a laundry washer-drier.
- the advantages of the invention are especially as follows. Due to the hybrid design of the back panel, a recovery of the cabinet scrap and a reduction of plastic material consumption are achieved, which can result in a considerable reduction of costs.
- features such as snaps, clips holes etc. can be integrated.
- operations on the metal sheet such as shearing or punching can be performed.
- Metal sheet and frame can be seamlessly integrated and connected.
- the hybrid design of the back panel reduces design constraints for the rear part of the cabinet. Also, a pre-assembly of the back panel is possible. The resulting back panel is especially easy and convenient to handle since due to an attached plastic frame no sharp edges of the metal sheet are accessible.
- a metal sheet 2 is shown which is used to build a rear part 6 of a cabinet 10 of a household appliance.
- several structures have been formed by the process of shearing or punching, such as ribs 14, holes 20, and contours 24, 28, 32, 36, 40.
- rear part 2 comprises a back part 70 or back wall and two side parts 74, 78 or side walls.
- metal sheet 2 has been bent around edges 74, 78, leading to a cabinet with three adjacent parts 74, 70, 78 which essentially form three sides of a cuboid.
- FIG. 4 on its left side shows inner portion 52 of metal sheet 2 before it is framed at its periphery 82 or peripheral edge by a plastic frame.
- a back panel 90 results which is shown on the right side.
- a frame 94 or plastic material or plastic frame Around its entire periphery 82 or peripheral edge, a frame 94 or plastic material or plastic frame has been fixed.
- Frame 94 comprises preferably several ears 98 (10 ears in the present case), dimensioned and positioned in such a way to be able to be superimposed to holes 44, so as to allow their fixing to the latter, for example by screws, not illustrated.
- FIG 5 the process, indicated by arrow 100, of inserting back panel 90 as shown on the left into the opening 56 in metal sheet 2, which is shown in its folded state on the right side to build cabinet 10, is illustrated.
- Back panel 90 is inserted into opening 56 in such a way that parts of frame 94, especially ears 98, remain on the outside of opening 56 in its inserted state.
- a scrap metal sheet 54 is shown in an alternative preferred embodiment. While inner portion 52 according to the previous figures has been symmetric with respect to two orthogonal symmetry axes, scrap in metal sheet 54 is not symmetric with respect to line A-A but is still symmetric with respect to an orthogonal line B-B.
- the present invention comprises inner portions 52 and scrap metal sheets 54 of any geometrical dimension or shape as long as they are adapted to serve as a component for a back panel 90 for a rear part 6 of a cabinet 10.
- Metal sheet 54 comprises a body 102, preferably with two structures 106 on its first side 110 and five structures 114 on its opposite second side 118.
- metal sheet 54 is shown with a frame 94 made preferably of PP material fixed around its periphery 82.
- Frame 94 comprises several recesses 120 and bores 124 which serve to fix back panel 90 to rear part 6 of a cabinet 10.
- Back panel 90 of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 9 in a section through line A-A in FIG. 8 .
- Frame 94 of back panel 90 in a preferred embodiment, is manufactured by an injection moulding process which will be described in conjunction with the following FIGs.
- a mould 130 which allows an injection moulding process for producing or manufacturing frame 94.
- Mould 130 comprises preferentially essentially two components or building blocks, namely the cavity 132 and the core 134.
- Cavity 132 comprises a filling system 138 which permits filling at least one recess 140 in core 134 with the material to be injected.
- Recess 140 is filled with the material through an injection point 144 which essentially is an opening in cavity 132.
- the material in the preferred embodiment described here for frame 94 is polypropylene (PP).
- PP polypropylene
- Other materials that can be used for frame 94 are polyamide, polyester, polyphenylsulfide (PPS), and also their filled and reinforced compounds.
- a, preferably magnetic, plate 148 is arranged and/or fixed which permits the positioning of metal sheet 54 and fix it so it won't change its position during the injection moulding process.
- other positioning means can be provided such as protrusion, projections, lugs, noses, or other, preferably magnetic, elements etc. that spatially fix metal sheet 54.
- Metal sheet 54 will be inserted and fixed in the way described above while mould 130 is open. When cavity 132 and core 134 are closed, they define a mould cavity 150 into which metal sheet 54 can be inserted.
- mould 130 is displayed in an open state.
- Scrap in metal sheet 54 is positioned in mould 130.
- Magnetic plate 148 allows the desired and accurate positioning of metal sheet 54 in mould cavity 150.
- mould 130 is displayed in a closed state.
- Cavity 132 and core 134 in closed configuration of mould 130 define the shape 154 or geometry enclosed by recess 140 or cavity in core 134.
- Metal sheet 54 is stopped or entirely held between cavity 132 and core 134 to avoid that the melted plastic material which enters mould cavity 150 via injection point 144 penetrates cavity 150 in such a way that is moves across or covers metal sheet 54. Thus, the melted material is only allowed to flow into recess 140. In the configuration shown, the plastic material can be injected into mould 130.
- plastic material 158 into mould 130 is illustrated in FIG. 13 .
- filling system 138 which is preferably built as a hot runner, the melted plastic material 158 fills cavity or recess 140 by passing through injection point 44.
- the plastic material assumes geometry or shape 154 which is defined by the outer contour or shape of recess 140 and thereby generates the profile or frame 94.
- mould 130 is shown after the injection moulding process and after plastic material 158 has hardened and thus keeps its shape.
- Back panel 90 obtained in this way can now be extracted from mould 130. It is adapted for insertion into the back opening of cabinet 10.
- FIG. 15 A section through back panel 90 obtained by the injection moulding process described above is shown in FIG. 15 .
- Frame 94 or profile made of plastic material blocks scrap in metal sheet 54 by means of an undercut 162. This way, a form-locking connection between frame 94 and metal sheet 54 is achieved, preventing components 54, 94 to loosen with respect to each other.
- Metal sheet 54 is surrounded on three sides by the plastic material.
- Such a firm connection is important since back panel 90 is temporarily inserted and removed from the opening in rear part 6 of cabinet 10 when needed, which puts stress on the connection between components 54, 94.
- the invention is not limited to such type or design of form-locking connection. Other possibilities include, for instance, protrusions formed in metal sheet 54 and corresponding recesses in frame 94.
- the advantage of the solution presented is that no chemical compounds or glues are necessary.
- the present invention also comprises such fixation means.
- Frame 94 comprises an outer frame part 166 and an inner frame part 170.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Description
- In known household appliances such as laundry washing machines or tumble dryers, a cabinet is provided to protect the mechanical and electrical components of the machine. On top of the machine, usually a work top is mounted.
- The term laundry washing machine includes washing machines as such but also combined washing/drying machines that can incorporate both functionalities. Also the terms laundry washing machine and washing machine are used interchangeably. The laundry machine can be designed as a front-loading laundry washing machine as well as a top-loading laundry washing machine
- The cabinet usually is made of sheet metal or carbon steel. The sheet metal of the cabinet is often made by shearing and other typical and related processes. Particularly, a back opening for maintenance, closable by a removable back panel is made in the cabinet by shearing or other known processes.
- As mentioned above, the cabinet usually comprises a removable back panel. It is removed for maintenance and/or assembly of the components inside the cabinet. In conventional laundry machines, the back panel is made of plastic material or is built as a metal sheet. The shearing process can generate wrinkling, burr and clearance. Usually the metal sheet obtained from the shearing process represents a scrap and thus leads to additional costs. Alternatively, the back panel can be made of plastic material, usually polypropylene (PP) or recycled PP.
- The scrap can be used to obtain the back panel as a metal sheet: the scrap can be crushed and then stretched in such a way that a component with the desired dimensions is produced.
- Since the back cover has to cover fully or completely the back opening, in case screws are used for its fixation to the peripheral border of the opening, the scrap has to be stretched in order to obtain an overlapping region.
- This procedure of crushing and stretching leads to a reduction of the thickness of the metal sheet and usually also produces internal tensions. A back panel made of a metal sheet is usually assembled to the cabinet by screws, which puts limitations on the design of the back panel.
- There are basically two methods to obtain a back panel:
- 1. Shearing of a metal sheet leading to scrap, whereby by the process of injection moulding a back panel made of plastic material is produced.
- 2. Shearing of a metal sheet leading to scrap, which is crushed and flattened, resulting in a back panel made of metal.
- In the first case, a new process and a new component are necessary to re-place the scrap. In the second case, the stretching or flattening process can generate more scrap, reduction of thickness, internal tensions and constrains the cabinet design.
- Document
EP 0 561 201 A1 discloses a rear panel of a washing machine or a dish washer with an aperture closable by a cover of plastic material suitable to improve the sound insulation of the machine; the cover can comprise a metal net embedded on the plastic material to allows the electrical connection between the grounding terminals. -
Document GB 2 168 387 A -
Documents EP 2 626 854 A1 andWO 2014/053179 A1 disclose a sound/thermal insulating layer installed to the machine components, said layer being made of plastic-based material. -
Documents DE 10 2008 044 323 A1 andDE 20 2008 016 959 U1 disclose a drier having on the aperture of the cabinet rear wall a section for the process air guide made of plastic material. - In document
US 2002/0008448 A1 a washing machine is provided of a vibration proof plate arranged on a lateral/rear wall of the machine cabinet; between the vibration proof plate and the lateral/rear wall, a pair of vibration-adsorbing members of sponge or rubber material can be provided. - It is the aim of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a rear part of a household appliance which eliminates the disadvantages of a metal panel while at the same time reduce the needed amount of plastic material.
- It is another aim of the present invention to provide a cabinet of a household appliance.
- It is still another aim of the present invention to provide a household appliance with such a cabinet.
- Referring to the method, this aim is solved by a method of manufacturing a rear part of a cabinet of a household appliance provided with a back opening and a back panel for closing said back opening, the method comprising the following steps:
- a) providing a metal sheet adapted to form said rear part;
- b) providing an opening in said metal sheet by removing an inner portion of the latter;
- c) deforming said metal sheet so as to form said rear part, in such a way that in the deformed condition of said metal sheet, said opening defines said back opening; with the further step of
- d) fixing a frame made of plastic material along at least a part of the peripheral edge of said removed inner portion or another metal sheet with same dimensions, so as to form said back panel.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in relation to the dependent claims and the description in relation to the enclosed drawings.
- The invention is based on the consideration that in regular design choices of rear parts of cabinets of household appliances and corresponding back panels, there is presently a conflict of objectives with respect to the used materials. If, on the one hand, a back panel is made completely of plastic material, the metal scrap available from the part removed from the rear part to form an opening for the back panel to be inserted is basically lost, and the plastic material is additionally needed. If the back panel, on the other hand, is made of the metal scrap, in order to be able to be attached to the rear part by screws or similar fixing means, it has to be stretched and flattened, leading to reduced thickness and internal tensions.
- Applicant has found that by realizing the back panel in a hybrid design, this conflict of aims can be solved or at least essentially reduced. By using the scrap for the interior part of the back panel which is framed by a plastic frame, the dimensions of the back panel are reached in such a way that stretching procedure is not necessary since the plastic frame is adapted to allow the insertion and detachable fixing of the back panel in the rear part. Since plastic material is only used for the frame, the amount of needed material is quite low compared to cases where the entire back panel would be made of plastic.
- The rear part of the cabinet hereby denotes the back wall which has adjacent pieces that - in a folded state - build the side walls of the cabinet. It does not comprise the front part or the bottom or top parts of casing of the household appliance.
- Preferably, the method comprises a further step of e) fixing a back panel obtained according to steps a) to d) to close the back opening of a rear part of a cabinet of a household appliance obtained according to steps a) to c). With this additional step, a complete rear part of a cabinet is obtained.
- Advantageously, the frame is fixed to the removed inner portion by the steps of:
- d1) positioning the inner portion in a mould, and
- d2) within this mould, injecting a melted plastic material on at least a part of the peripheral edge of the inner portion. The process of injection moulding is especially suited for attaching a frame to the metal sheet, since it allows for the plastic material to seamlessly surround the peripheral edge of the metal sheet.
- In a preferred embodiment, the injected material is polypropylene. Other suitable materials are polyamide, polyester, polyphenylsulfide (PPS), and also their filled and reinforced compounds.
- The mould advantageously comprises a core and a cavity, wherein the core comprises at least one positioning element for positioning the inner portion. The metal sheet then is positioned in a mould cavity which is formed between cavity and core, and after closing, melted plastic material can be injected.
- The positioning element advantageously comprises at least one magnetic plate. Alternatively or in combination thereto, the positioning element or position means can comprise cams or racks extruding from the core of the mould.
- Advantageously, the cavity and the core comprise at least one recess configured for inserting the melted material and for allowing the material to encompass the at least a part of the edge of the inner portion.
- In a preferred embodiment, the frame totally encompasses the peripheral edge of the inner portion. With such a design, the frame connects to the border of the opening in the rear part. Additionally, the sharp edge of the metal sheet is fully covered by the frame which improves the handling of the back panel.
- Referring to the cabinet, the aim is solved by cabinet for a household appliance comprising a rear part having a back opening and a back panel for closing said back opening, wherein the back panel comprises an inner portion made of metal which at its peripheral edge is at least partially encompassed by a frame made of a plastic material.
- This partial encompassing is preferably achieved in a sandwiched manner, where the peripheral part is surrounded by the frame on both sides by side parts which are connected by a border piece. This leads to an integrally built single-piece design of the frame.
- In a preferred embodiment, the frame is fixed to the inner portion by injection moulding the frame on at least a part of the peripheral edge of the inner portion.
- Preferably, the frame is removably fixable to the inner portion, allowing its replacement in case of malfunction or damage.
- In order to provide a stable and long-lasting configuration, advantageously a form-locking connection is provided between the inner portion and the frame. This form-locking connection is preferably realized by an undercut. Preferably, the frame is made of polypropylene.
- In a preferred embodiment of the cabinet, the frame totally encompasses the peripheral edge of the inner portion.
- Referring to the household appliance, the aim is solved by a household appliance comprising a cabinet described above or comprising a cabinet having a rear part manufactured according to the method described above.
- In a preferred embodiment, the household appliance is a laundry washing machine or a tumble drier or a laundry washer-drier.
- The advantages of the invention are especially as follows. Due to the hybrid design of the back panel, a recovery of the cabinet scrap and a reduction of plastic material consumption are achieved, which can result in a considerable reduction of costs. Into the plastic frame, features such as snaps, clips holes etc. can be integrated. During the injection moulding process, operations on the metal sheet such a shearing or punching can be performed. Metal sheet and frame can be seamlessly integrated and connected.
- The hybrid design of the back panel reduces design constraints for the rear part of the cabinet. Also, a pre-assembly of the back panel is possible. The resulting back panel is especially easy and convenient to handle since due to an attached plastic frame no sharp edges of the metal sheet are accessible.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings. In said drawings:
- FIG. 1
- shows a metal sheet for building the rear part of a cabinet with several structures formed in a preferred embodiment;
- FIG. 2
- the metal sheet according to
FIG. 1 with an inner portion removed; - FIG. 3
- the metal sheet according to
FIG. 2 with its outer portions bend or folded to build a cabinet; - FIG. 4
- the inner portion after being removed and after being framed with a plastic profile made by injection moulding;
- FIG. 5
- the inner portion with a plastic frame as it is inserted into the back opening of the rear part;
- FIG. 6
- a metal sheet in a second preferred embodiment;
- FIG. 7
- the metal sheet of
FIG. 6 in a cross-sectional view; - FIG. 8
- a back panel comprising the metal sheet according to
FIG. 6 framed with a plastic frame to obtain a back panel; - FIG. 9
- the back panel of
FIG. 8 in a cross-sectional view; - FIG. 10
- a mould in an open state with a cavity and a core and a filling system and a magnetic plate in a preferred embodiment for manufacturing a back panel;
- FIG. 11
- the mould according to
FIG.8 in an open state with the metal sheet being inserted; - FIG. 12
- the mould according to
FIG. 11 in a closed state; - FIG. 13
- the mould according to
FIG. 12 with plastic material being injected; - FIG. 14
- the mould according to
FIG. 13 in an open state with the back panel being extracted; - FIG. 15
- a magnified close sectional view of the rim of the back panel.
- Identical parts are labelled with the same reference numerals.
- With reference to
FIG. 1 , ametal sheet 2 is shown which is used to build arear part 6 of acabinet 10 of a household appliance. In themetal sheet 2, several structures have been formed by the process of shearing or punching, such asribs 14, holes 20, andcontours - As shown in
FIG. 2 , close tocontour 28,several holes 44 are punched intometal sheet 2. Alongcontour 28,metal sheet 2 is cut, and, as indicated by anarrow 48, aninner portion 52 which is essentially ascrap metal sheet 54 is removed frommetal sheet 2 which leaves anopening 56 for later insertion of a back panel.Edges metal sheet 2 around whichmetal sheet 2 will be bended or folded by angles of 90°, respectively. In such a way,rear part 2 comprises aback part 70 or back wall and twoside parts - With reference now to
FIG. 3 ,metal sheet 2 has been bent around edges 74, 78, leading to a cabinet with threeadjacent parts -
FIG. 4 on its left side showsinner portion 52 ofmetal sheet 2 before it is framed at itsperiphery 82 or peripheral edge by a plastic frame. After a process of building this plastic frame or profile of polypropylene (PP) material by injection moulding, as indicated byarrow 86, aback panel 90 results which is shown on the right side. Around itsentire periphery 82 or peripheral edge, aframe 94 or plastic material or plastic frame has been fixed.Frame 94 comprises preferably several ears 98 (10 ears in the present case), dimensioned and positioned in such a way to be able to be superimposed toholes 44, so as to allow their fixing to the latter, for example by screws, not illustrated. - In
FIG 5 , the process, indicated byarrow 100, of inserting backpanel 90 as shown on the left into theopening 56 inmetal sheet 2, which is shown in its folded state on the right side to buildcabinet 10, is illustrated.Back panel 90 is inserted into opening 56 in such a way that parts offrame 94, especiallyears 98, remain on the outside of opening 56 in its inserted state. - In
FIG. 6 , ascrap metal sheet 54 is shown in an alternative preferred embodiment. Whileinner portion 52 according to the previous figures has been symmetric with respect to two orthogonal symmetry axes, scrap inmetal sheet 54 is not symmetric with respect to line A-A but is still symmetric with respect to an orthogonal line B-B. The present invention comprisesinner portions 52 andscrap metal sheets 54 of any geometrical dimension or shape as long as they are adapted to serve as a component for aback panel 90 for arear part 6 of acabinet 10. - In
Fig. 7 , a section through line A-A ofFIG. 6 is displayed.Metal sheet 54 comprises abody 102, preferably with twostructures 106 on itsfirst side 110 and fivestructures 114 on its oppositesecond side 118. - In
FIG. 8 ,metal sheet 54 is shown with aframe 94 made preferably of PP material fixed around itsperiphery 82.Frame 94 comprisesseveral recesses 120 and bores 124 which serve to fix backpanel 90 torear part 6 of acabinet 10.Back panel 90 ofFIG. 8 is shown inFIG. 9 in a section through line A-A inFIG. 8 . -
Frame 94 ofback panel 90, in a preferred embodiment, is manufactured by an injection moulding process which will be described in conjunction with the following FIGs. - In
FIG. 10 , amould 130 is shown which allows an injection moulding process for producing ormanufacturing frame 94.Mould 130 comprises preferentially essentially two components or building blocks, namely thecavity 132 and thecore 134.Cavity 132 comprises afilling system 138 which permits filling at least onerecess 140 incore 134 with the material to be injected.Recess 140 is filled with the material through aninjection point 144 which essentially is an opening incavity 132. The material in the preferred embodiment described here forframe 94 is polypropylene (PP). Other materials that can be used forframe 94 are polyamide, polyester, polyphenylsulfide (PPS), and also their filled and reinforced compounds. - In
core 134, a, preferably magnetic,plate 148 is arranged and/or fixed which permits the positioning ofmetal sheet 54 and fix it so it won't change its position during the injection moulding process. Alternatively or in addition, other positioning means can be provided such as protrusion, projections, lugs, noses, or other, preferably magnetic, elements etc. that spatially fixmetal sheet 54.Metal sheet 54 will be inserted and fixed in the way described above whilemould 130 is open. Whencavity 132 andcore 134 are closed, they define amould cavity 150 into whichmetal sheet 54 can be inserted. - In
FIG. 11 ,mould 130 is displayed in an open state. Scrap inmetal sheet 54 is positioned inmould 130.Magnetic plate 148 allows the desired and accurate positioning ofmetal sheet 54 inmould cavity 150. - In
FIG. 12 ,mould 130 is displayed in a closed state.Cavity 132 andcore 134 in closed configuration ofmould 130 define theshape 154 or geometry enclosed byrecess 140 or cavity incore 134.Metal sheet 54 is stopped or entirely held betweencavity 132 andcore 134 to avoid that the melted plastic material which entersmould cavity 150 viainjection point 144 penetratescavity 150 in such a way that is moves across or coversmetal sheet 54. Thus, the melted material is only allowed to flow intorecess 140. In the configuration shown, the plastic material can be injected intomould 130. - The injection process of
plastic material 158 intomould 130 is illustrated inFIG. 13 . Through fillingsystem 138, which is preferably built as a hot runner, the meltedplastic material 158 fills cavity orrecess 140 by passing throughinjection point 44. This way, the plastic material assumes geometry orshape 154 which is defined by the outer contour or shape ofrecess 140 and thereby generates the profile orframe 94. - In
Fig. 14 ,mould 130 is shown after the injection moulding process and afterplastic material 158 has hardened and thus keeps its shape.Back panel 90 obtained in this way can now be extracted frommould 130. It is adapted for insertion into the back opening ofcabinet 10. - A section through
back panel 90 obtained by the injection moulding process described above is shown inFIG. 15 .Frame 94 or profile made of plastic material blocks scrap inmetal sheet 54 by means of an undercut 162. This way, a form-locking connection betweenframe 94 andmetal sheet 54 is achieved, preventingcomponents Metal sheet 54 is surrounded on three sides by the plastic material. Such a firm connection is important sinceback panel 90 is temporarily inserted and removed from the opening inrear part 6 ofcabinet 10 when needed, which puts stress on the connection betweencomponents metal sheet 54 and corresponding recesses inframe 94. The advantage of the solution presented is that no chemical compounds or glues are necessary. The present invention, however, also comprises such fixation means. -
Frame 94 comprises anouter frame part 166 and aninner frame part 170.
Claims (15)
- Method of manufacturing a rear part (6) of a cabinet (10) of a household appliance provided with a back opening (56) and a back panel (90) for closing said back opening (56), the method comprising the following steps:a) providing a metal sheet (2) adapted to form said rear part (6);b) providing an opening (56) in said metal sheet (2) by removing an inner portion (52) of the latter;c) deforming said metal sheet (2) so as to form said rear part (6), in such a way that in the deformed condition of said metal sheet (2), said opening (56) defines said back opening (56);the method being characterized by comprising the step of:
d) fixing a frame (94) made of plastic material along at least a part of the peripheral edge (82) of said removed inner portion (52) or another metal sheet with essentially the same dimensions, so as to form said back panel (90). - Method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:
e) fixing a back panel (90) obtained according to steps a) to d) of claim 1 to close the back opening (56) of a rear part (6) of a cabinet (10) of a household appliance obtained according to steps a) to c) of claim 1. - Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said frame (94) is fixed to said removed inner portion (52) by the steps of:d1) positioning said inner portion (52) in a mould (130),
andd2) within said mould (130), injecting a melted plastic material (158) on said at least a part of the peripheral edge (82) of said inner portion (52). - Method according to claim 3, wherein said injected melted plastic material (158) is polypropylene.
- Method according to one or more of claims 3 or 4, wherein said mould (130) comprises a core (134) and a cavity (132), wherein said core (134) comprises at least one positioning element (148) for positioning said inner portion (52).
- Method according to claim5, wherein said cavity (132) and said core (134) comprises at least one recess (140) configured for inserting said melted material (158) and for allowing said material (158) to encompass said at least a part of the edge (82) of said inner portion (52).
- Method according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said frame (94) totally encompasses the peripheral edge (82) of said inner portion (52).
- Cabinet (10) for a household appliance, said cabinet (10) comprising a rear part (6) having a back opening (56) and a back panel (90) for closing said back opening (56), whereby said rear part (6) is manufactured according to the method of one of claims 1 to 7, and whereby said back panel (90) comprises an inner portion (52) made of metal sheet which at its peripheral edge (82) is at least partially encompassed by a frame (94) made of a plastic material.
- Cabinet (10) according to claim 8, wherein said frame (94) is fixed to said inner portion (52) by injection moulding said frame (94) on at least a part of said peripheral edge (82) of said inner portion (52).
- Cabinet (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said frame (94) is removably fixable to said inner portion (52).
- Cabinet (10) according to one of the claims 8 to 10, wherein a form-locking connection is provided between said inner portion (52) and said frame (94).
- Cabinet (10) according to one of the claims 8 to 11, wherein said frame (94) is made of polypropylene.
- Cabinet (10) according to one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said frame (94) totally encompasses said peripheral edge (82) of said inner portion (52).
- Household appliance comprising a cabinet (10) according to one of claims 8 to 13.
- Household appliance according to claim 14, wherein said household appliance is a laundry washing machine or a tumble drier or a laundry washer-drier.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP14177372.1A EP2975172B1 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2014-07-17 | Method for manufacturing the cabinet of a household appliance and such a cabinet |
PL14177372T PL2975172T3 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2014-07-17 | Method for manufacturing the cabinet of a household appliance and such a cabinet |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP14177372.1A EP2975172B1 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2014-07-17 | Method for manufacturing the cabinet of a household appliance and such a cabinet |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2975172A1 EP2975172A1 (en) | 2016-01-20 |
EP2975172B1 true EP2975172B1 (en) | 2021-09-08 |
Family
ID=51210312
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14177372.1A Active EP2975172B1 (en) | 2014-07-17 | 2014-07-17 | Method for manufacturing the cabinet of a household appliance and such a cabinet |
Country Status (2)
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EP (1) | EP2975172B1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2975172T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3260594A1 (en) * | 2016-06-20 | 2017-12-27 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Component for household appliances made from recycled polyolefin |
CN110158284A (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2019-08-23 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | A kind of device for clothing processing shell structure and device for clothing processing |
KR102524913B1 (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2023-04-24 | 칭다오 하이어 드럼 워싱 머신 캄파니 리미티드 | Housing Structure of Garment Handling Apparatus and Garment Handling Apparatus |
CN110306326A (en) * | 2018-03-20 | 2019-10-08 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | A kind of washing machine back shroud, washing machine shell and washing machine |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES283444Y (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1985-12-16 | Domar Sa | FURNITURE HOUSING FOR CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE |
IT229031Y1 (en) * | 1992-03-16 | 1998-06-24 | Zanussi Elettrodomestici | WASHING MACHINE WITH PERFECTED STRUCTURES |
KR100353026B1 (en) * | 2000-07-20 | 2002-09-16 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Cabinet of clothes washing machine |
DE102008044323A1 (en) * | 2008-12-03 | 2010-06-10 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Condensation dryer with a housing |
DE202008016959U1 (en) * | 2008-12-20 | 2009-03-12 | Eichenauer Heizelemente Gmbh & Co. Kg | Household appliance for laundry care |
PL2626854T3 (en) * | 2012-02-09 | 2015-12-31 | Electrolux Home Products Corp Nv | Insulated component of a household appliance, in particular of a dishwasher, and method for manufacturing such a component |
EP2903817B1 (en) * | 2012-10-04 | 2020-03-25 | Sika Technology AG | Sound dampening sandwich sheet |
-
2014
- 2014-07-17 PL PL14177372T patent/PL2975172T3/en unknown
- 2014-07-17 EP EP14177372.1A patent/EP2975172B1/en active Active
Also Published As
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EP2975172A1 (en) | 2016-01-20 |
PL2975172T3 (en) | 2022-01-24 |
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