EP3189181A1

EP3189181A1 - Laundry washing and/or drying machine having a structurally improved front door glass fixation mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP3189181A1
Application number: EP14758574.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Salih YILDIRIM
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: WO2016034224A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a front door glass locking mechanism mechanically improved to withstand axial, transverse as well as radial forces. The present invention more particularly relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprising a front door (2) allowing access into a drum of the appliance through a front door opening (3) and being hinge-connected to the appliance body to be lockable during operation of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), the front door (2) further comprising a front door glass (4) secured onto an inner ring (5).

Description

LAUNDRY WASHING AND/OR DRYING MACHINE HAVING A STRUCTURALLY IMPROVED FRONT DOOR GLASS FIXATION MECHANISM

The present invention relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a front door glass locking mechanism mechanically improved to withstand axial, transverse as well as radial forces.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine comprises a generally six-sided cabinet with a front side door by which one can put in a laundry to be washed. A gasket in communication with the front access opening is connected to a tub opening and a drum opening, the drum being rotatably disposed inside the tub, can be accessed through the front access opening.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine comprises a drum rotatable in the tub such that water and detergent held in a lower part of the tub is used to perform washing of the laundry whereby dirt and filth attached to the laundry is removed as a result of mechanical interaction of cloth items with each other and with the drum surfaces. Typically, an electric motor rotates the drum by means of a driving pulley so that forward and reverse rotation of the drum is effected during the washing and/or drying cycles.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as EP2098627 among others, the document disclosing a machine with a hinged ring provided as a door at a loading opening, and a door glass curved to a drum interior and enclosed in an inner area of the ring. A covering ring is attached to an outer side on the hinged ring such that the hinged ring is formed from a one-piece plastic molding part with a collar. The hinged ring has inside retainers for the door glass at an inner side, where retainers are formed as recesses and at the collar. The retainers and a door glass edge form a bayonet-like closure such that the covering ring is clipped at an outer side on the collar.
The disclosure referred to above is disadvantageous in that securing of the door glass to the inner ring is performed by way of rotating a plurality of projections integral to the door glass in the manner that reciprocating recesses of the inner ring cooperate with the projections. It is to be noted that processing of the door glass, including design and molding processes requires more time as well as resources such as man hour and allocated costs. Therefore, it is desirable to obtain an alternative solution by which existing door glass design is maintained.
The present invention, on the other hand, provides an improved front door glass locking mechanism capable of withstanding axial, transverse as well as radial forces thanks to the components effectuating reciprocal locking in a non-disengageable manner so that dynamic forces caused by the laundry during rotation of the drum are prevented from effecting the front side of the laundry washing and/or drying machine.
The present invention provides an arrangement in relation to a laundry treatment machine with a front door glass locking mechanism, which is defined by the characterizing features as defined in Claim 1 and subsequent Claims.
Primary object of the present invention is hence to provide a laundry treatment machine with an improved front door glass locking mechanism, which ensures operational stability so as to withstand dynamic forces.
The present invention proposes a laundry washing and/or drying machine in which the front door glass is interposed between a front door inner ring and special fixation devices whereby dynamic forces being effective during laundry treatment are prevented from effecting the front door glass’ locked position.
A plurality of discrete fixations devices in the form of arc-shaped annular members extending in alignment with the circular inner ring and having a certain longitudinal length as arc-shaped members effectuates mutual locking with the inner ring.
To this end, a plurality of symmetrically disposed and spaced inner ring devices along the inner ring are present to cooperate with the fixation devices in interengaging manner.
A set of annularly slidable sliding fixation devices and alternatively or additionally a set of radially installable clipping fixation devices are installed along the circumferential line of the inner ring at locations where inner ring devices are present.
Both the sliding fixation devices and the clipping fixation devices comprise a locking element to be engageable with an inner ring device slot of the inner ring devices. The inner ring devices have first restriction members to stop displacement of the sliding fixation device in a locking direction in the case of sliding fixation devices, and first and second restriction members serving for blocking displacement in both annular directions in the case of clipping fixation devices.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a laundry washing and/or drying machine with an improved front door glass fixation mechanism, 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 schematic view of a laundry washing and/or drying machine according to the present invention.
Fig. 2a demonstrates a general perspective view of the laundry washing and/or drying machine door glass before being mounted on an inner ring according to the present invention. Fig. 2b demonstrates an enlarged view of the detail A as indicated in Fig. 2a according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 demonstrates a general perspective view of the door glass after being placed on the inner ring and before installing fixation devices according to the present invention.
Fig. 4a demonstrates a general perspective view of the door glass after being placed on the inner ring and before sliding fixation devices according to the present invention. Fig. 4b demonstrates an enlarged view of the detail B as indicated in Fig. 4a according to the present invention.
Fig. 5a demonstrates a general perspective view of the door glass after the fixation devices are slid according to the present invention. Fig. 5b demonstrates an enlarged view of the detail C as indicated in Fig. 5a according to the present invention.
Fig. 6a demonstrates a front view of the door glass after the fixation devices are slid according to the present invention. Fig. 6b demonstrates a cross-sectional side view along lines F-F in Fig. 6a. Fig. 6c demonstrates an enlarged view of the detail D as indicated in Fig. 6b according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 demonstrates a general perspective view of a fixation device according to the present invention.
Fig. 8a demonstrates a general perspective view of the door glass after being placed on the inner ring and before installing fixation devices according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8b demonstrates an enlarged view of the detail E as indicated in Fig. 8a according to the present invention.
Fig. 9a demonstrates a general perspective view of the door glass after installing fixation devices according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9b demonstrates an enlarged view of the detail F as indicated in Fig. 9a according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 10a demonstrates a front view of the door glass after the fixation devices are installed according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10b demonstrates a cross-sectional side view along lines K-K in Fig. 10a. Fig. 10c demonstrates an enlarged view of the detail G as indicated in Fig. 10b according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
The following part numbers are used in the detailed description of the present invention:

Laundry washing and/or drying machine
Front door
Front door opening
Front door glass
Inner ring
Sliding fixation device
Inner ring device
Inner ring device slot
Locking element
First restriction member
Clipping fixation device
Second restriction member

The present invention relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprising a front door (2) allowing access into a drum installed in a tub of the appliance.
The laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) such as for instance a washing machine functions such that water and detergent held in a lower part of the tub is used to perform washing of the laundry whereby dirt and filth attached to the laundry is removed as a result of mechanical interaction of cloth items with each other and with the drum surfaces. Irrespective of whether a washing, drying or combo washing and drying machine is in question, an electric motor may conventionally rotate the drum by means of a pulley mechanism so that bidirectional rotation of the drum is effectuated during the washing and/or drying cycles.
The laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) generally comprises a six-sided cabinet with a front side door by which one can put in a laundry to be treated through a front door opening (3). The front door (2) is typically hinge-connected to the appliance body to be lockable during operation of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1). The front door (2) of the appliance (1) is therefore openable around a door hinge such that a lock mechanism releasably secures an engagement end part to a locking slot. The front door (2) of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) is typically subject to axial, transverse as well as radial forces caused by the laundry in response to the rotational movement of the drum and as such a front door glass (4) needs to be fixedly securable to ensure leakage-free operation.
In accordance with the present invention, the front door glass (4) of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) being configured to extend into the interior of the drum is secured onto an inner ring (5) by means of a plurality of fixations devices (6, 11) in the form of arc-shaped annular members. The arc-shaped fixations devices (6, 11) mechanically cooperate with inner ring devices (7) of the inner ring (5) such that the front door glass (4) is securely supported to be interposed between the inner ring (5) and respective fixation devices (6, 11) so that a securely locked engagement relationship is obtainable when the parts are in operative position. Therefore, design change and processing of the front door glass (4) in order for shaping additional mechanical engagement elements are avoided while at the same time effectively eliminating any operational problems.
To this end, to protect the front door glass (4) fixation mechanisms against deformation and damage and prevent water to be leaked out, a plurality of fixation devices (6, 11) inter-engage with the inner ring devices (7) as will be delineated hereinafter. According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, a plurality of sliding fixation devices (6) are slidably installed along a circumferential part of the inner ring (5) where an inner ring device (7) is located. Each sliding fixation device (6) is slidable such that it retains its locked position by way of a locking element (9) engaging with an inner ring device slot (8). The fact that the sliding fixation device (6) is annularly slidable per se affords mutually correct positioning of the front door glass (4) relative to the inner ring (5) whereby the front door glass’ (4) leakage-free and problem-free installation is ensured.
When sliding the sliding fixation device (6), a first restriction member (10) of the inner ring device (7) counters and stops displacement of the sliding fixation device (6) in the locking direction, at which point the locking element (9) is inserted in the inner ring device slot (8) in an entrapped condition in such manner that an upwardly inclined edge thereof being slid fits inside the inner ring device slot (8), ensuring that displacement of the sliding fixation device (6) in the reverse unlocking direction is prevented.
The sliding fixation device (6) establishes an interengagement relationship which can withstand axial and radial forces because the device effectuates fixation along the annular sliding direction thanks to the first restriction member (10), along the reverse annular direction thanks to the locking element (9), as well as radial directions thanks to the locking element (9) being retained and radially restricted in the inner ring device slot (8).
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, clipping fixation devices (11) are provided, also having a locking element (9) mating with the inner ring device slot (8). The clipping fixation devices (11) are installed in a radial direction so as to be annularly retained between the first and a second restriction member (10, 12).
Although the slidingly mounted sliding fixation device (6) is more advantageous in ensuring proper positioning of mutual components in the locked state, the clipping fixation devices (11) are advantageous in that the annular displacement of the same is prevented in both annular directions because the arc-shaped clipping fixation device (11) is retained in locked position also by the additional second restriction member (12) restricting displacement of the latter at one end thereof while the first restriction member (10) provides a barrier against displacement in the other annular direction.
Preferably, at least two discrete fixation devices (6, 11) are provided in the manner to be spaced 180 degrees apart around the circumference of the inner ring (5), or alternatively four discrete fixation devices (6, 11) are provided in the manner to be spaced 90 degrees apart around the circumference of the inner ring (5).
In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprising a front door (2) allowing access into a drum of the appliance through a front door opening (3) and being hinge-connected to the appliance body to be lockable during operation of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), the front door (2) further comprising a front door glass (4) secured onto an inner ring (5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the front door glass (4) is configured to be secured onto the inner ring (5) by means of a plurality of discrete fixations devices (6, 11).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the front door glass (4) is securely supported to be interposed between the inner ring (5) and the discrete fixation devices (6, 11).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the discrete fixations devices (6, 11) are in the form of arc-shaped annular members.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixations devices (6, 11) mechanically cooperate with inner ring devices (7) of the inner ring (5) in an interengaging manner.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sliding fixation devices (6) are provided each to be annularly slidable along a circumferential part of the inner ring (5) where an inner ring device (7) is located.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the sliding fixation devices (6) comprise a locking element (9) engaging with an inner ring device slot (8) of the inner ring device (7).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the inner ring devices (7) comprises a first restriction member (10) to stop displacement of the sliding fixation device (6) in a locking direction.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking element (9) is insertable in the inner ring device slot (8) in an entrapped manner
In a further embodiment of the present invention, an inclined edge of the locking element (9) is slidable to fit inside the inner ring device slot (8).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of clipping fixation devices (11) are provided each to be radially installable to a respective inner ring device (7).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the clipping fixation devices (11) are provided with a locking element (9) mating with an inner ring device slot (8).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the clipping fixation devices (11) are each annularly retained between a first and a second restriction member (10, 12) of an inner ring device (7).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least two discrete fixation devices (6, 11) are provided in the manner to be spaced 180 degrees apart around the circumference of the inner ring (5).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, four discrete fixation devices (6, 11) are provided in the manner to be spaced 90 degrees apart around the circumference of the inner ring (5).
In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one slidable sliding fixation device (6) and at least one clipping fixation device (11) are installed along the circumferential line of the inner ring (5).
The present invention therefore provides a front door glass (4) locking mechanism whose leakage prevention performance is ensured, therefore eliminating the need for creating glass element engagement parts. The sliding fixation devices (6) of the invention ensure proper positioning of the front door glass (4) relative to the inner ring (5) during mounting process. Further, axial and radial forces are countered in an improved manner by both of the sliding and clipping fixation devices (6, 11).

Claims

A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprising a front door (2) allowing access into a drum of the appliance through a front door opening (3) and being hinge-connected to the appliance body to be lockable during operation of the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), the front door (2) further comprising a front door glass (4) secured onto an inner ring (5), characterized in that

the front door glass (4) is configured to be secured onto the inner ring (5) by means of a plurality of discrete fixations devices (6, 11).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the front door glass (4) is securely supported to be interposed between the inner ring (5) and the discrete fixation devices (6, 11).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 2, characterized in that the discrete fixations devices (6, 11) are in the form of arc-shaped annular members.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fixations devices (6, 11) mechanically cooperate with inner ring devices (7) of the inner ring (5) in an interengaging manner.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of sliding fixation devices (6) are provided each to be annularly slidable along a circumferential part of the inner ring (5) where an inner ring device (7) is located.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 5, characterized in that the sliding fixation devices (6) comprise a locking element (9) engaging with an inner ring device slot (8) of the inner ring device (7).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the inner ring devices (7) comprise a first restriction member (10) to stop displacement of the sliding fixation device (6) in a locking direction.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 6, characterized in that the locking element (9) is insertable in the inner ring device slot (8) in an entrapped manner
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 6 or 8, characterized in that an inclined edge of the locking element (9) is slidable to fit inside the inner ring device slot (8).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of clipping fixation devices (11) are provided each to be radially installable to a respective inner ring device (7).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 10, characterized in that the clipping fixation devices (11) are provided with a locking element (9) mating with an inner ring device slot (8) of an inner ring device (7).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 11, characterized in that the clipping fixation devices (11) are each annularly retained between a first and a second restriction member (10, 12) of the inner ring device (7).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 1, 4, 5 or 10, characterized in that at least two discrete fixation devices (6, 11) are provided in the manner to be spaced 180 degrees apart around the circumference of the inner ring (5).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 13, characterized in that four discrete fixation devices (6, 11) are provided in the manner to be spaced 90 degrees apart around the circumference of the inner ring (5).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in Claim 5 and 10, characterized in that at least one sliding fixation device (6) and at least one clipping fixation device (11) are installed along the circumferential line of the inner ring (5).