EP3189180A1

EP3189180A1 - Laundry washing and/or drying machine control panel housing fixation system

Info

Publication number: EP3189180A1
Application number: EP14758920.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sema KARACA; Cem SECIM; Baris TEKDEMIR
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2014-09-03
Publication date: 2017-07-12
Also published as: CN107075774A; WO2016034225A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for fixing control panel housing (4) of a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1 ) to the front wall (3) thereof to be secured on multiple axes. The present invention more particularly relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1 ) to effect drying of the laundry placed in a drum, the laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a front door allowing access into the drum, a front wall (3) on which the front door is disposed and a control panel housing (4) connected with the front wall (3) and housing a control panel of the laundry washing and/or drying machine.

Description

LAUNDRY WASHING AND/OR DRYING MACHINE CONTROL PANEL HOUSING FIXATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a system for fixing control panel housing of a laundry washing and/or drying machine to the front wall thereof to be secured on multiple axes.
It is a well-known issue that the multi-sectioned structure of the laundry washing and/or drying machines, i.e. washing machines, drying machines and combo washing and drying machines requires a precise installation. When interconnection of the related parts is not performed accurately due to various structural design weaknesses, having structural connection problems in the long-run will be unavoidable. The manufacturers should therefore solve the problems related with installation of these appliances so that both the installation process can be easier and end-user experience can be improved.
Interengaging mechanisms used in a laundry washing and/or drying machine during installation of different parts in a manner to be mounted to each other is important in many respects because structural integrity of certain parts also affects distant mechanical elements. To this end, an interconnection structure utilized to ensure uniform engagement of a plurality of elements while avoiding occurrence of non-symmetrical split lines between the mounted parts is important not only because serious structural problems may occur in time but also it is undesirable especially in terms of perceptual quality on the part of users, which is an essential quality factor.
Parts making up the installation mechanisms of the laundry washing and/or drying machines affect the manufacturer in many ways like the operation of transportation. Undamaged transportability is an essential criterion in terms of quality for laundry washing and/or drying machines. Split lines encountered between parts mounted to each other may reveal such undesired results very early during transportation tests.
Costs of the materials used for the installation of the parts may also be an important parameter to consider. Some units of the laundry washing and/or drying machines may be mounted using an external material, such as a seal, whereas some units might be interconnected to each other through their special design developed for their mounting without any additional part. That kind of a design may provide substantial cost savings especially when the external materials are more expensive.
Among others, a prior art publication in the technical field of the invention may be referred to as WO2007141135, which discloses a domestic appliance, in particular a device for the care of washed articles, comprising a housing and a panel attached to one edge on a front surface of the housing, wherein the panel, relative to a longitudinal axis, is elongated and is delimited on an end surface corresponding to the edge along the longitudinal axis. The panel on the end surface is attached by means of at least one guide projection and at least one detent hook to the front surface, wherein the guide projection is fitted into a corresponding first recess of a corresponding component in the front surface, and the detent hook is engaged in a corresponding second recess of the component in the front surface.
The present invention, on the other hand, addresses the situation where the upper front part of the laundry washing and/or drying machine where a control panel housing is situated can be fixed to the front wall in a manner to avoid a non-symmetrical split line, which may be resulted due to the tension applied when mounting an upper cover part of the laundry washing and/or drying machine.
This invention provides a robust structure for the laundry washing and/or drying machines through an installation method and system which provides secure installation of the mounted parts to each other in vertical and horizontal directions as well as along the axis perpendicular to the front door surface of the appliance. Uniform placing and installation of separate parts is essential in many respects, and directly affects transportation process of the products.
The washing, drying and combo washing and drying appliances are transported to distant locations and as they should be manufactured to withstand severe transportation conditions, standard quality control tests are performed prior to market delivery to prevent unexpected events that may occur during transportation and installation. These quality control tests according to which the appliances are subjected to extreme treatments like throwing from a high place indicate whether they meet required quality standards. The present invention is designed under the recognition that a laundry washing and/or drying machine having structural durability and mechanical stability on the part of interacting parts during transportation and installation thereof remains a need.
Further, the invention offers a cost effective fixation system allowing easier installation by eliminating the need for additional mechanical parts for the mounting of the front wall and the control panel housing. Mechanical connection elements used for installation are diminished in number, which has a role as a serious cost saving considering that large quantities of those are involved in the manufacturing and installation processes.
The present invention provides a system for fixing control panel housing of a laundry washing and/or drying machine to the front wall thereof to be secured on multiple axes as defined in Claim 1 and subsequent Claims.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide a fixation system by which various parts making up the front side structures of the laundry washing and/or drying machine are mountable in a symmetrical and robust manner.
The present invention proposes a laundry washing and/or drying machine with a fixation system between the front wall and the control panel housing, the system having at least one fixation means latched to a fixation slot. The fixation means is made structurally integral to the control panel housing so that the latter is mountable as a single unit without using additional bearings.
The fixation means extend in vertical direction and engage with the fixation slots on a front wall extension portion of the front wall. This portion of the front wall is an inwardly extending edge portion. Preferably, a plurality of fixation means and more preferably at least three fixation means are provided to be latched to respective fixation slots. However, a single fixation means can also effect fixation of the two parts alone.
The fixation means provides a snap-fit connection by which a retainer thereof is flexed inwardly to be inserted in the fixation slot in a flexible manner for engagement with the slot contour of the fixation slot. The retainer comprises a first axis retaining edge and a second axis retaining edge, both bearing against lateral slot contour such that placement of the front wall and the control panel housing relative to each other is maintained in horizontal and vertical directions.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a laundry washing and/or drying machine, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the Claims, nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the Claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
Fig. 1 demonstrates a general perspective view of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 demonstrates an exploded perspective view of the laundry washing and/or drying machine according to the present invention.
Fig. 3a demonstrates a cross-sectional side view of the laundry washing and/or drying machine according to the present invention. Fig. 3b demonstrates an enlarged view of detail X as shown in Fig. 3a according to the present invention.
Fig. 4a demonstrates a top view of the laundry washing and/or drying machine according to the present invention. Fig. 4b demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the laundry washing and/or drying machine taken along lines B-B in Fig. 4a according to the present invention.
Fig. 5a demonstrates an enlarged view of detail Z as shown in Fig. 4b according to the present invention. Fig. 5b demonstrates an enlarged view of a fixation means (detail Y in Fig. 5a) according to the present invention.
Fig. 6a demonstrates an enlarged view of detail Z as shown in Fig. 4b according to the present invention. Fig. 6b and 6c respectively demonstrate alternative embodiments of the fixation means according to the present invention.
The following numerals are assigned to different part numbers used in the detailed description:

Laundry washing and/or drying machine
Main body
Front wall
Control panel housing
Upper cover
Front wall extension
Fixation means
Fixation slots
Retainer
First axis retaining edge
Second axis retaining edge
Slot contour
Stem portion

The present invention relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) such as a laundry washing, washing-drying or drying machine with a main body (2) comprising a front door allowing access into a drum installed in a tub of the appliance (1). The laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) generally comprises a six-sided cabinet with the front side door by which one can put in a laundry to be treated.
The present invention proposes a fixation mechanism between a front wall (3) portion and a control panel housing (4) of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), the latter typically being a washing, drying or combo washing and drying appliance.
When parts of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) are mounted to each other, an order of steps is performed such that at first the installation of the front wall (3) to the main body (2) is effected. The subsequent steps involved are installation of the control panel housing (4) onto the front wall (3) and finally mounting of the upper cover (5). When the latter is being mounted, it applies a tensile force to the control panel housing (4) such that the housing is elevated in the direction of the upper edge of the front side so that a non-symmetrical split line may appear in between the control panel housing (4) and the front wall (3).
The fixation system in accordance with the invention provides a more robust connection line between the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4), configured to withstand axial as well as radial forces around a set of fixation means (7) as will be delineated hereinafter. Therefore, the force exerted in the upward direction by the upper cover (5) during which it is fixedly attached to the control panel housing (4), is counterbalanced by the fixation means (7) in vertical direction.
The mounting of the fixation system that provides the mounting of the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) is effectuated by utilizing a plurality of fixation means (7) integrally provided on the lower part of the control panel housing (4) to engage with a plurality of corresponding fixation slots (8) on a front wall extension (6) portion of the front wall (3). During the installation process, the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) are mounted to each other in a mutually interlocked manner such that a retainer (9) moves aside for engagement with the mating slot contour (12). Return of the retainer (9) toward its original position accomplishes the interference required to latch the front wall extension (6) and the control panel housing (4) together.
The problems encountered during the installation due to the tension applied by the upper cover (5) to the control panel housing (4) are overcome by the snap-fit design of the fixation system, which provides resistance against the forces that may come from all the three directions thanks to the structure of the fixation means (7). When a fixation means (7) is interlocked with a fixation slot (8), a first axis retaining edge (10) of the retainer (9) provides resistance against horizontal forces and maintains the relative placements of the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4).
The fixation slots (8) are designed in such a way that the fixation means (7) is received within the slot contour (12) in a restricted manner while a second axis retaining edge (11) of the retainer (9) also bears against lateral slot contour (12) and possible movement of the fixation means (7) in the fixation slots (8) in axial and radial directions is prevented.
The fixation system between the control panel housing (4) and the front wall (3) having a snap-fit structure is secured against axial and radial forces thanks to the retainer (9) whose structure fitting into the fixation slot (8) with two parts thereof, namely the first and second axis retaining edges (10, 11) ensuring a fixedly attached connection and resistance against vertical and horizontal forces in both directions. The relative placement of the slot contours (12) with the contact distances c along the direction perpendicular to the front side surface of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), is shown as a lateral cross-sectional view in Fig. 3b.
The fixation means (7) according to the invention constitute integral extensions of the control panel housing (4), a plurality of fixation means (7) extending down into fixation slots (8) disposed on the front wall extension (6). The front wall extension (6) is an inward flange extending into the inner part of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) from the front side thereof. Therefore, a set of fixation means (7) are latched to mating fixation slots (8) in an inner part of the laundry washing and/or drying machine’s (1) main body (2).
The snap-fit structure is particularly advantageous in that while it prevents reverse displacement of the control panel housing (4) in the demounting direction, it also provides a substantially practical and quicker installation of the respective parts in the manufacturing line. The control panel housing (4) can be mounted in one easy step onto the front wall extension (6) by way of snap-fitting all the fixation means (7) at once. The control panel housing (4) remains fixedly attached while the fixation means (7) withstand axial forces applied by the upper cover (5) at the final stage during which it is attached to the control panel housing (4).
The proposed fixation system is more advantageous compared to the situation where a plurality of individual fixating elements are mounted one by one because each single fixating element may individually become loose due to the vibrational effects of the appliance’s operation and as such may break free. In this case a directly noticeable and non-attractive split line will appear on the front side of the appliance, which will be perceived as a direct indication of cheap materials being used and low manufacturing quality.
According to the present invention, while it is much easier and quicker to complete manufacturing line installation of the products, it is not possible that a single fixation means (7) becomes loose alone as it is an integral part of the control panel housing (4) and all the fixation means (7) should be mounted in a simultaneous manner to ensure correct placement. The simultaneous nature of the mounting operation ensures that every single part is appropriately installed and an individual part cannot become loose while other parts remain interconnected.
Further, the structure of the retainer (9) allows for a multi-axis fixation as it bears against the slot contour (12) by two separate edge portions, the first and second axis retaining edges (10, 11). While the first axis retaining edge (10) maintains horizontally fixed position of the control panel housing (4), the second axis retaining edge (11) restricts upward displacement of the control panel housing (4).
In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) to effect washing or drying of the laundry placed in a drum, the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprising a front door allowing access into the drum, a front wall (3) on which the front door is disposed and a control panel housing (4) connected with the front wall (3) and housing a control panel of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1).
In one embodiment of the present invention, a fixation system is provided between the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1); the system comprises at least one fixation means (7) latched to a fixation slot (8).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixation means (7) is structurally integrally provided with the control panel housing (4).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixation means (7) extends in the direction of the front wall (3) to fit into the fixation slot (8) in a direction perpendicular to the base of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixation slot (8) into which the fixation means (7) fits is provided on a front wall extension (6) portion of the front wall (3), the front wall extension (6) constituting an inward flange extending into the inner part of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) from the front side thereof.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of fixation means (7) are provided to be latched to respective fixation slots (8).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a snap-fit connection is provided between the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixation means (7) comprises a stem portion (13) around which a radially flexible retainer (9) is provided.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) are mounted to each other in a mutually interlocked manner such that the retainer (9) of the fixation means (7) moves aside for engagement with the slot contour (12) of the fixation slot (8) and returns toward its original position to latch the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) together.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the retainer (9) comprises a first axis retaining edge (10) bearing against lateral slot contour (12) such that placement of the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) relative to each other in lateral directions is maintained.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the retainer (9) comprises a second axis retaining edge (10) bearing against lateral slot contour (12) such that placement of the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) relative to each other in the direction perpendicular to the base of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) is maintained.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixation means (7) comprises two retainer (9) annularly spaced 180 degrees with respect to each other.
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is much easier and quicker to complete manufacturing line installation of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), because the control panel housing (4) can be mounted on the front wall (3) without using any additional elements and by a practical snap-fit connection. When a multitude of fixation means (7) are fixedly mounted, it is ensured that each fixation means (7) is appropriately installed and an individual part cannot become loose while other parts remain interconnected as each fixation means (7) is an integral part of the control panel housing (4).
Upward and lateral displacement of the control panel housing (4) is simultaneously prevented by the first and second retaining edges (10, 11). When interlocked, the control panel housing (4) will not displace upwards during installation of the upper cover (5).

Claims

A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) to effect washing or drying of the laundry placed in a drum, the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprising a front door allowing access into the drum, a front wall (3) on which the front door is disposed and a control panel housing (4) connected with the front wall (3) and housing a control panel of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), characterized in that

a fixation system is provided between the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), said fixation system comprising at least one fixation means (7) latched to a fixation slot (8).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that said fixation means (7) is structurally integrally provided with the control panel housing (4).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixation means (7) extends in the direction of the front wall (3) to fit into the fixation slot (8) in a direction perpendicular to the base of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the fixation slot (8) into which the fixation means (7) fits is provided on a front wall extension (6) portion of the front wall (3), the front wall extension (6) constituting an inward flange extending into the inner part of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) from the front side thereof.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that a plurality of fixation means (7) are provided to be latched to respective fixation slots (8).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, 2 or 5, characterized in that a snap-fit connection is provided between the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, 2, 5 or 6, characterized in that the fixation means (7) comprises a stem portion (13) around which at least one radially flexible retainer (9) is provided.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 7, characterized in that the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) are mounted to each other in a mutually interlocked manner such that the retainer (9) of the fixation means (7) moves aside for engagement with slot contour (12) of the fixation slot (8) and returns toward its original position to latch the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) together.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 8, characterized in that the retainer (9) comprises a first axis retaining edge (10) bearing against lateral slot contour (12) such that placement of the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) relative to each other in lateral directions is maintained.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 9, characterized in that the retainer (9) comprises a second axis retaining edge (10) bearing against lateral slot contour (12) such that placement of the front wall (3) and the control panel housing (4) relative to each other in the direction perpendicular to the base of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) is maintained.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the fixation means (7) comprises two retainer (9) annularly spaced 180 degrees with respect to each other.