EP3037733A1

EP3037733A1 - A home appliance having a support element

Info

Publication number: EP3037733A1
Application number: EP15197441.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aytaç Balkan; Hakki Çagatay Kartal; Mustafa Mert; Serhat Yavuz
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2014-12-25
Filing date: 2015-12-02
Publication date: 2016-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-02
Also published as: EP3037733B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a home appliance (1) having a body (10), a flange (11) provided on said body (10), and a panel (30) connected to said flange (11). As an improvement, the present invention is characterized in that, it comprises a support element (40) which at least partially fills the clearance left between the flange (11) and a front wall (31) of the panel (30) when the panel (30) is mounted to the flange (11).

Description

The present invention relates to a home appliance having a support element provided between the panel and the body.
Front panels of ovens, one of home appliances realizing cooking process, are connected to the flange piece, provided at the body, by means of a sheet piece. The sheet pieces provide resistance to forces onto the panel, however, an additional welding operation is needed for the assembly of the sheet piece to the panel. Moreover, since they are complicated pieces in terms of design, they lead to additional cost. Besides, in case of any deterioration which may occur on the sheet pieces in time, the front panel shall be completely changed since it is not possible to remove the welding for changing the pieces. In case of elimination of the sheet pieces, the front panel cannot provide sufficient resistance to the forces exerted thereon.
In the application TR2011/05058 , an oven is disclosed comprising a flange having a front opening providing access into the body by forming the front wall of a body wherein the items to be cooked are placed; a front panel fixed by means of resting to the flange from a rear surface thereof; and at least one first flap formed by means of bending the front panel into the body so as to form a bracket.
The object of the present invention is to provide a home appliance with a front panel which is resistant to bending rearward and being depressed when force is exerted thereon.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce panel cost.
The present invention is a home appliance having a body, a flange provided on said body, and a panel connected to said flange. Accordingly, the home appliance comprises a support element which at least partially fills the clearance left between the flange and a front wall of the panel when the panel is mounted to the flange. Thus, since the clearance behind the panel is at least partially filled, the rearward bending of the panel and the embossment of the panel are prevented.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support element comprises a body extending in the direction of the height of the front wall. Thus, the front wall of the panel is supported in the direction of the height thereof. By means of this, the panel is supported through a substantially wide region. Thus, panel becomes more resistant to the forces possible to be exerted thereon.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support element is rested to a support edge of the flange from one side, and it is rested to a rear face of the front wall from the other side. Thus, the support element is supported by the flange. When an external force is exerted to the panel, the bending and deforming of the panel is prevented since the force is transferred from the support element to the flange.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to provide fixation of the support element on the flange, at least one coupling tab is provided on one of the support edge and the support element and at least one housing is provided on the other one of the support edge and the support element. Thus, the support element is fixed between the panel and the flange. In alternative applications of the present invention, the support element can be secured to the panel or to the flange by means of alternative methods like adhesion, etc.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing is a channel provided on the support edge and accordingly, the support element comprises a couple of coupling tabs which are spaced apart from each other and which extend outwardly from the body of the support element. Thus, since the support element is fixed by means of two coupling tabs, the rotation or accidental movement of the support element is prevented. By means of this, the support piece is prevented from losing the function thereof after the mounting process.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each coupling tab is provided with at least one inclined surface each formed at the end of its respective coupling tab as being opposite sides with respect to each other. Thus, the coupling tabs bend towards each other, inserting into the housing when the support element is pressed towards the flange after aligning coupling tabs with the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each coupling tab comprises at least one locking protrusion formed on opposite sides with respect to each other. Thus, the coupling tabs are fixed to the housing, and the removal of the support element from the flange is prevented.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one indicator, which indicates direction, is provided on the support element. Thus, the fixation direction of the support element to the flange is indicated. Thus, piece damages and time losses, which may occur due the mounting faults, are prevented.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one check tab is provided in the vicinity of one of the support edge and an end of the support element, and at least one check hole is provided in the vicinity of the other one of the support edge and an end of the support element. Thus, the faulty mounting of the support element to the flange is prevented.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the check tab is provided on the support element. Thus, the check tab is produced together with the support element.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one cutout is provided on the support element. Thus, the support element is obtained by using less material and in a lighter manner.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support element is made of a plastic based material. Thus, the check tab, formed on the support element, can be simply produced in a one-piece manner together with the coupling tabs and the cutout.

Figure 1 is a representative view of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 2 is a representative exploded view of the connection of the body to the panel of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 3a and 3b are the representative views of the support element used in the connection illustrated in Figure 2.
Figure 4a and 4b are the representative assembly views of the connection of the body to the panel of the subject matter home appliance.

In this detailed description, the subject matter home appliance (1) is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.
With reference to Figure 1, a home appliance (1) realizing the cooking process, particularly an oven has a body (10) and a panel (30) connected to said body (10). With reference to Figure 2, the panel (30) comprises a front wall (31), an upper wall (33) extending towards the body (10) from the two mutual edges of the front wall (31) and a lower wall (35). The side of the front wall (31) facing the body (10) is defined as a rear face (32). A coupling tab (34) is formed vertically by means of partially bending one end of the front wall (33) towards the lower wall (35). The edge of the lower wall (35), where the coupling tab (34) is provided, is partially bent towards the upper wall (33), and a coupling flap (36) is formed. At least one opening (37) is provided on the coupling flap (36).
A flange (11) is provided on the body (10) of the home appliance (1). Said flange (11) is provided so as to stay behind the panel (30) provided on the front face of the home appliance (1). The flange (11) extends upwardly from the upper ends of the body (10) at the two sides of the body (10). Control knobs, which control the functions of the home appliance (1), are positioned on the panel (30) positioned on the flange (11). The flange (11) comprises a support edge (14) and a mounting edge (12) provided essentially orthogonally with respect to each other. Said support edge (14) extends in an essentially parallel manner with respect to the panel (30), and the mounting edge (12) extends in an essentially parallel manner with respect to the panel (30) and to the support edge (14). At least one fixation hole (13) is provided on the mounting edge (12). There is a coupling tip (15), embodied in recess form, at the upper end of the support edge (14). At least one housing (16) is provided on the support edge (14). Said housing (16) is provided in an opening form. Moreover, the housing (16) is in the form of a channel extending in the extension direction of the flange (11). The coupling tip (15) is provided at the alignment of the upper wall (33) of the panel (30), and the housing (16) is provided preferably so as to be close to the lower wall (35) of the panel (30). There is a check hole (17) preferably provided at the lower vicinity of the housing (16).
With reference to Figure 2, 3a and 3b, there is a support element (40) provided between the panel (30) and the support edge (14). The support element (40) has a body (41) extending in the direction of the height of the front wall (31). The body (41) has a rectangular prism-like form. At least one coupling tab (42) is provided extending outwardly from one face of the body (41). In the preferred application, a couple of coupling tabs (42) is embodied on the face facing the support edge (14) such that there is a specific distance between said coupling tabs (42). At the ends of the coupling tabs (42), there is one each inclined surfaces (43) provided so as to be on opposite sides with respect to each other. There is at least one each locking protrusions (44) on the opposite sides of the coupling tabs (42) with respect to each other. The locking protrusions (44) are embodied at the continuation of the inclined surfaces (43). There is a check tab (45) extending outwardly from one end of the support element (40). In a preferred application, the check tab (45) has an L-like form, and it extends towards the direction where the coupling tabs (42) extend. At least one indicator (46), which indicates direction, is provided on the support element (40). A cutout (47) is provided on one side of the support element (40). The cutout (47) is embodied on the side of the support element (40) which faces the panel (30).
With reference to Figure 4a and 4b; the support element (40) is placed between the flange (11) and the panel (30). First of all, the support element (40) is connected to the flange (11), and afterwards, the panel (30) is fixed to the flange (11), and thus it is fixed to the body (10). The connection of the support element (40) to the flange (11) is as follows. The indicator (46), provided on the support element (40), illustrates the direction of connection of the support element (40) to the flange (11). The check tab (45), provided on one side of the support element (40), engages to the check hole (17) provided on the support edge (14). Thus, the faulty fixation of the support element (40) to the flange (11) is prevented. In case the support element (40) is placed in a faulty manner, the support edge (14) pushes the support element (10), and it indicates that the support element (40) is tried to be placed in a faulty manner. In the preferred application, the support element (40) is preferably made of a plastic based material, and the check tab (45) can be obtained without needing an additional process during the production of the support element (40). Alternatively, the check tab (45) can be embodied on the support edge (14), and the check hole (17) is embodied on the support element (40). The coupling tabs (42), provided on the support element (40), engage to the housing (16) provided at the support edge (14) of the flange (11). Accordingly, the distance between the coupling tabs (42) is provided so as to be compliant to the length of the housing (16). Thus, when the support element (40) is corresponded onto the flange (11) such that the coupling tabs (42) correspond to the housing (16), the inclined surfaces (43) are rested onto the upper and lower edge of the housing (16). Afterwards, the support element is pressed towards the flange (11), and the coupling tabs (42) bend towards each other, and they engage to the housing (16). The locking protrusions (44), provided on the coupling tabs (42), provide the coupling tabs (42) to be fixed to the housing (16), and they prevent the removal of the coupling tabs (42) from the flange (11). Thus, the support element (40) is fixed between the panel (30) and the flange (11). Since the support element (40) is fixed to the flange (11) by means of a couple of coupling tabs (42), the rotation or accidental movement of the support element (40) is prevented. In the opposite case, the coupling tabs (42) can be provided on the support edge (14), and the housing (16) can be provided on the support element (40).
After the support element (40) is connected to the flange (11), the panel (30) is fixed onto the body (10) of the home appliance (1). The coupling tab (34), embodied on the upper wall (33), is inserted into the coupling tip (15) provided at the upper section of the support edge (14). In the connection of the coupling tab (34) to the coupling tip (15), an additional connection element (not illustrated in the figures) can be used. The coupling flap (36), provided on the lower wall (35), and the mounting edge (12) are aligned. A connection element is passed through the opening (37), provided on the coupling flap (36), and through the fixation hole (13) provided on the mounting edge (12).
When the panel (30), the support element and the body (10) are connected to each other, since the support element (40) is fixed to the flange (11), it is rested to the support edge (14) from one side thereof, and it is fixed to the rear face (32) of the front wall (31) of the panel (30) from the other side. When an external force is exerted on the panel (30), the bending and deforming of the panel (30) is prevented since said force is transferred to the flange (11) through the support element (40). The clearance, existing behind the panel (30), is filled by the support element (40). Since the support element (40) extends in the direction of the height of the front wall (31), the panel (30) is supported in the direction of the height of the front wall (31). Cutout (47) is provided on the support element (40), and less material is used, and a lighter embodiment is obtained. Moreover, the cost is also reduced. The support element (40) can be produced with the desired color. The support element (40) is also made of a material which is resistant to the operating temperature of the home appliance (1).
Since the support element (40) supports the panel (30) for providing more resistance, the material of the panel (30) can be made thinner, and cost saving can also be provided. Since the support element (40) is a piece which can engage to the panel (30), it can be changed when desired. Meanwhile, since the support element (40) and the panel (30) are not integrated, there remains no need to change the panel (30) when the support element (40) is changed.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.: Home appliance

10.: Body
11.: Flange
12.: Mounting edge
13.: Fixation hole
14.: Support edge
15.: Coupling tip
16.: Housing
17.: Check hole

30.: Panel
31.: Front wall
32.: Rear face
33.: Upper wall
34.: Coupling tab
35.: Lower wall
36.: Coupling flap
37.: Opening

40.: Support element
41.: Body
42.: Coupling tab
43.: Inclined surface
44.: Locking protrusion
45.: Check tab
46.: Indicator
47.: Cutout

Claims

A home appliance (1) having a body (10), a flange (11) provided on said body (10), and a panel (30) connected to said flange (11), characterized in that, it comprises a support element (40) which at least partially fills the clearance left between the flange (11) and a front wall (31) of the panel (30) when the panel (30) is mounted to the flange (11).
A home appliance according to Claim 1, wherein the support element (40) comprises a body (41) extending in the direction of the height of the front wall (31).
A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (40) is rested to a support edge (14) of the flange (11) from one side, and it is rested to a rear face (32) of the front wall (31) from the other side.
A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in order to provide fixation of the support element (40) on the flange (11), at least one coupling tab (42) is provided on one of the support edge (14) and the support element (40) and at least one housing (16) is provided on the other one of the support edge (14) and the support element (40).
A home appliance according to Claim 4, wherein the housing (16) is a channel provided on the support edge (14) and accordingly, the support element (40) comprises a couple of coupling tabs (42) which are spaced apart from each other and which extend outwardly from the body (41) of the support element (40).
A home appliance according to Claim 5, wherein each coupling tab (42) is provided with at least one inclined surface (43) each formed at the end of its respective coupling tab (42) as being opposite sides with respect to each other.
A home appliance according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein each coupling tab (42) comprises at least one locking protrusion (44) formed on opposite sides with respect to each other.
A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one indicator (46), which indicates direction, is provided on the support element (40).
A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one check tab (45) is provided in the vicinity of one of the support edge (14) and an end of the support element (40), and at least one check hole (17) is provided in the vicinity of the other one of the support edge (14) and an end of the support element (40).
A home appliance according to Claim 9, wherein the check tab (45) is provided on the support element (40).
A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one cutout (47) is provided on the support element (40).
A home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (40) is made of a plastic based material.