EP2996534B1

EP2996534B1 - A door opening system

Info

Publication number: EP2996534B1
Application number: EP14721843.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erkan Eroglu; Halil SAYIR; Burak AKSU
Original assignee: Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2013-05-16
Filing date: 2014-05-05
Publication date: 2018-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-05-05
Also published as: WO2014184018A1; EP2996534A1

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a door opening system for automatic opening of the doors of the washers.

Prior Art

The washers such as dishwashers comprise an inner volume in which the washing process is performed and a door which allows or prevents accession therein. During the washing process of the washers, the said door is retained in its closed position in which accession to the inner volume is prevented.
In particular, once washing and rinsing processes are completed in dishwashers, the process of drying the dishes that have been washed is performed. During the drying process, since the water that evaporates off the dishes is collected in the inner volume, the rate of evaporation is reduced in time. In this regard, in order to ensure the washer works more efficiently (in other words, in order to have the washed dishes dried more quickly) the water vapor contained in the inner volume must be discharged therefrom. For purposes of solving the said problem, there are available systems for automatic opening of the door of the washer once the washing and drying processes are completed. In these systems, for example during the drying of the dishes, thanks to the opening of the dishwasher's door the vapor present in the inner volume is allowed to be released off.
In the state of art, various applications exist for automatic opening of the doors of the washers. In these applications, the door is generally moved away from the body of the washer by means of a movable arm. EP0711528A1 or EP2130476A2 disclose a dishwasher whose door is also opened automatically by means of a movable arm. In these applications, however, the movable arm, which moves the door, prevents the door being closed while the latter is in its opened position (a position in which the user can access to the inner volume). Therefore, when the door is opened, the user cannot close the door promptly. When the user (for example by involuntarily applying excessive force on the disclose the door, he/she may damage the door and/or the movable arm.

Brief Description of the Invention

The inventive door opening system is suitable for use in a washer comprising at least a body, at least a door which is moved into a closed position or an opened position, and at least a hinge which connects the door to the body in a movable manner, and the said system allows travel of the door from closed to open position. The said door opening system comprises at least a skid mechanism positioned on the door or body such that when one side of the said movable arm is moved away from the skid body, the movable arm exerts force upon the door in such a way that it is moved away from the body, and comprising:

at least a skid body;
at least a gear wheel located inside the skid body;
at least a movable arm, at least one side of which is in the form of a rack contacting with the gear wheel and at least one side of which moves away from or gets close to the skid body by means of the movement of the gear wheel;
at least a displacement member which moves the said gear wheel;
at least a movement transfer member which transfers the movement of the displacement member to the gear wheel, and
at least a flexible member which is located between the skid body and the displacement member and which exerts force upon the displacement member in the direction of the said gear wheel.

Thanks to the inventive door opening system, for instance the door of a dishwasher is moved into its opened position during the drying process thereof, and thus the said drying process is performed with a lower amount of power. Furthermore, thanks to the flexible member comprised in the skid mechanism, even at the instant when the door is moved into its opened position by means of the skid mechanism, the user can close the door in a reliable manner. Therefore, there is provided a reliable and long-lasting door opening system.

Object of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a door opening system for automatic opening of the doors of the washers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a door opening system which reduces the amount of power used by the washer in which it is installed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reliable and long-lasting door opening system.

Description of the Drawings

The exemplary embodiments of the door opening system according to the invention are illustrated in the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the top section of a washer in which the door opening system is installed.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lower section of the washer in which the door opening system is installed.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a skid mechanism comprised in the door opening system.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of detail "A" shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a skid member comprised in the door opening system.

All the parts illustrated in the figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed as follows:

Washer	(M)
Body	(B)
Door	(D)
Hinge	(H)
Protrusion	(H1)
Lock	(1)
Retainer	(2)
Skid mechanism	(3)
Skid member	(4)
Skid body	(5)
Movable arm	(6, 13)
Gear wheel	(7)
Movement transfer member	(8)
Displacement member	(9)
Flexible member	(10, 14)
Cover	(11)
Skid member body	(12)

Description of the Invention

The washers comprise at least an inner volume into which the articles to be washed are placed and at least a door which is used for accessing therein. Particularly, in the washers with drying capability, the door of the washer must be opened automatically after the washing and rinsing processes are completed (for example, during the drying process). Accordingly, the present invention provides a door opening system for opening of the doors of the washers.
The door opening system according to the invention, exemplary views of which are illustrated in Figures 1-5, is suitable for use in a washer (M) comprising at least a body (B), at least a door (D) which is moved into a closed position or an opened position via its movement with respect to the body (B) and at least a hinge (H) which connects the door (D) to the body (B) in a movable manner. When the door (D) is in its closed position, accession to the articles placed into the washer (M) is prevented; and when the door (D) is opened, it is now possible to access the articles therein. The said door (D) is normally retained in its closed position while the washer (M) is working. The door (D) is retained in its closed position mainly through at least a retainer (2) comprised in the body (B) and at least a lock (1) which is comprised in the door (D) and is accommodated by the said retainer (2). The said door opening system has a structure which allows travel of the door (D) into its open position during an operating cycle of the washer (M) ( drying step).
The inventive door opening system comprises at least a skid mechanism (3) which is positioned on the body (B) or the door (D) and is capable of moving the door (D) with respect to the body (B). The said skid mechanism (3) comprises at least a skid body (5); at least a gear wheel (7) located inside the skid body (5); at least a movable arm (6), at least one side of which is in the form of a rack contacting with the gear wheel (7) and at least one side of which moves away from or gets close to the skid body (5) by means of the movement of the gear wheel (7); at least a displacement member (9) which moves the said gear wheel (7); at least a movement transfer member (8) which transfers the movement of the displacement member (9) to the gear wheel (7), and at least a flexible member (10) which is located between the skid body (5) and the displacement member (9) and which exerts force upon the displacement member (9) in the direction of the said gearwheel (7).
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the movable arm (6) of the door opening system is located in a position in which, when one side of the said movable arm (6) is moved away from the skid body (5), it exerts force upon the door (D) in such a way that the latter is moved away from the body (B). In this embodiment, when the door (D) of the washer (M) is to be opened, the said displacement member (9) is powered, which allows the movement of at least a movable portion of the displacement member (9). The movement of the displacement member (9) is transferred to the gear wheel (7) by means of the said movement transfer member (8) and the gear wheel (7) is thus moved. As a result of the movement of the gear wheel (7), one side of the movable arm (6) is moved away from the skid body (5). Hence, the movable arm (6) exerts force upon the door (D) in such a way that the latter is moved away from the body (B). Thanks to the applied force, the said retainer (2) is, for example, released from the lock (1) and thus the door (D) is moved into its opened position.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the said displacement member (9) comprises at least a thermo-actuator. In line with the thermo-actuator of the displacement member (9), the said movement transfer member (8) is in the form of a rack. In this embodiment, when the said displacement member (9) is powered, the movable end of the thermo-actuator is moved, in consequence of which the movement tr
being in the form of a rack is also moved towards the gearwheel (7). In the meantime, the movement transfer member (8) allows the gear wheel (7) to rotate. Once the door (D) is moved into its opened position, when the user is desirous to close the door (D) promptly, he/she can exert a force on the door (D) in the direction opposite to that in which the door is opened. In this case, the side of the movable arm (6) residing outside of the skid body (5) is moved towards the skid body (5) so that it gets close to the latter. As a result of the said movement, the gear wheel (7) is rotated and in consequence of this rotational movement, a force is applied to the displacement member (9) by means of the movement transfer member (8). Since the movable end of the thermo-actuator cannot restore its original position promptly, the said displacement member (9) moves in such a way that it compresses the flexible member (10) and moves away from the gear wheel (7). When the movable end of the thermo-actuator restores its original position, the flexible member (10) exerts a force on the displacement member (9) so that it brings the displacement member (9) back to its original position. In this embodiment, thanks to the said flexible member (10), the door opening system is protected against damages even when the user promptly moves the door (D), which has just been opened, into its closed position. In other words, thanks to the said flexible member (10), a reliable door opening system is provided.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the said displacement member (9) comprises at least a motor. In this embodiment, the said movement transfer member (8) is preferably in the form of a worm gear which is connected to the rotor of the motor. Therefore, when the motor is powered, the movement transfer member (8) which is in the form of a worm gear rotates and moves the gear wheel (7). Also in this embodiment, the user can move the door (D) having been opened into its closed position in a reliable manner by means of the said flexible member (10).
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the said gearwheel (7) comprises at least two gears having different diameters and fixed to each other in their axes of rotation. In this embodiment, the said movable arm (6) contacts with one of the gears while the movement transfer member (8) contacts with the other. Therefore, the ratio of movement quantity (or force) between the movement transfer member (8) and the movable arm (6) is adjusted. Furthermore, since the movement transfer member (8) and the movable arm (6) contact with different gears, the movement transfer member (8) and the movab prevented to contact each other.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the said skid mechanism (3) comprises at least a cover (11) covering the said skid body (5) so as to prevent those members comprised in the skid body (5) from being damaged because of the external environment (for example, in order to prevent the movable components from being damaged as a result of foreign substances such as dust).
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the door opening system comprises two movable arms (6). The said movable arms (6) are positioned in such a way that they are symmetrically located with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to the movement axis of the door (D) and which centers the door (D). Therefore, for each movable arm (6), the reaction forces exerted upon the movable arms (6) by the door (D) as opposed to the force exerted upon the door (D) are equalized. Thanks to the fact that the force applied on a movable arm (6) is equal to that applied on the other movable arm (6), the door opening system is made long-lasting.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the door opening system comprises at least a skid member (4) which exert force upon the door (D) so as to cause the latter to move away from the body (B) (i.e. to move into its open position) and which is exemplified in Figure 5. The force exerted upon the door (D) by the said skid member (4) is not sufficient to release the retainer (2) from the lock (1), but when the door (D) is moved into its opened position by means of the said skid mechanism (3), it assists in movement of the door (D). The said skid member (4) comprises at least a skid member body (12) fixed to the body (B); at least a further movable arm (13) which is connected to the said skid member body (12) so that it is moved away from the skid member body (12) and, when moved away from the skid member body (12), exerts force upon the door (D) so as to move it in its opened position; and at least a further flexible member (14) which exerts force upon the movable arm (13) so that it is moved away from the skid member body (12). The said skid member (4) is preferably located close to the hinge (H) and the movable arm (13) of the said skid member (4) contacts with at least a protrusion (H1) of the hinge (H), as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, by adjustment of the length of the movable arm (13) of the skid member (4) and/or the driving force of th (14) of the skid member (4) the door (D) can be opened to the desired extent.
Thanks to the inventive door opening system, for instance the door (D) of a dishwasher is moved into its opened position during the drying process thereof, and thus the said drying process is performed with a lower amount of power. Furthermore, thanks to the flexible member (10) comprised in the skid mechanism (3), even at the instant when the door (D) is moved into its opened position by means of the skid mechanism (3), the user can close the door (D) in a reliable manner. Therefore, there is provided a reliable and long-lasting door opening system.

Claims

A door opening system which is suitable for use in a washer (M) comprising at least a body (B), at least a door (D) which is moved into a closed position or an opened position via its movement with respect to the body (B) and at least a hinge (H) which connects the door (D) to the body (B) in a movable manner, and which allows travel of the door (D) from closed to open position, wherein the door opening system comprises at least a skid mechanism (3) positioned on the door (D) or body (B) such that when one side of a movable arm (6) is moved away from the skid body (5), the movable arm (6) exerts force upon the door (D) in such a way that it is moved away from the body (B), said skid mechanism (3) comprises:
- at least a skid body (5);

- at least a gear wheel (7) located inside the skid body (5);

- at least a movable arm (6), at least one side of which is in the form of a rack contacting with the gear wheel (7) and at least one side of which moves away from or gets close to the skid body (5) by means of movement of the gear wheel (7);

- at least a displacement member (9) which moves said gear wheel (7);

- at least a movement transfer member (8) which transfers the movement of the displacement member (9) to the gear wheel (7), and

- at least a flexible member (10), characterized in that said flexible member (10) is located between skid body (5) and the displacement member (9) and exerts force upon the displacement member (9) in the direction of said gear wheel (7).
A door opening system according to claim 1, characterized in that said displacement member (9) comprises at least a thermo-actuator.
A door opening system according to claim 2, characterized in that said movement transfer member (8) is in the form of a rack.
A door opening system according to claim 1, characterized in that said displacement member (9) comprises at least a motor.
A door opening system according to claim 4, characterized in that said movement transfer member (8) is in the form of a worm gear which is fixed to the rotor of said motor.
A door opening system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least a cover (11) covering said skid body (5).
A door opening system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two movable arms (6).
A door opening system according to claim 7, characterized in that said movable arms (6) are positioned in such a way that they are symmetrically located with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to the movement axis of the door (D) and which centers the door (D).
A door opening system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least a skid member (4) which exerts force upon the door (D) in such a way that it moves away from the body (B).
A door opening system according to claim 9, characterized in that the skid member (4) comprises at least a skid member body (12) fixed to the body (B); at least a further movable arm (13) which is connected to said skid member body (12) so that it is moved away from the skid member body (12) and, when moved away from the skid member body (12), exerts force upon the door (D) so as to move it into its opened position; and at least a further flexible member (14) which exerts force upon the movable arm (13) so that it is moved away from the skid member body (12).
A door opening system according to claim 1, characterized in that the gear wheel (7) comprises at least two gears having different diameters and fixed to each other in their axes of rotation.