EP3277878A1

EP3277878A1 - A laundry washing machine with an improved detergent receptacle handle mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP3277878A1
Application number: EP15713496.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Salih YILDIRIM
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2015-04-01
Filing date: 2015-04-01
Publication date: 2018-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-01
Also published as: WO2016155817A1; EP3277878B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry washing machine (1) having a detergent receptacle handle (20) with a mounting mechanism. The present invention more particularly relates to a laundry washing machine (1) comprising a detergent receptacle (2) for providing space to add washing and/or softening agents, the detergent receptacle (2) comprising a detergent receptacle handle (20) mounted on a receptacle panel (3) of the detergent receptacle (2), the detergent receptacle handle (20) at least partially covering a handling space (4) and effecting opening of the detergent receptacle (2).

Description

A LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINE WITH AN IMPROVED DETERGENT RECEPTACLE HANDLE MECHANISM

The present invention relates to a laundry washing machine having a detergent receptacle handle with a mounting mechanism.
Laundry washing machines conventionally comprise a detergent receptacle with a number of divisions to provide space for adding the necessary washing agent and softening agent for the laundry. The detergent receptacle is mounted within the inside region of the upper portion of the front cover in the laundry washing machine.
In laundry washing machines, washing agent is added to the detergent receptacle by way of pulling a handle portion thereof, which enables the divisions of the detergent receptacle to become apparent so that an appropriate amount of washing agent can be loaded into the respective division of the detergent receptacle.
The detergent receptacle’s handle, which is subject to repetitive use, necessitates a robust connection structure. The handle additionally performs as a restriction element between an inner space the user reaches for in order for operating the handle. The inner space, while large enough to provide a convenient handling effect, is provided with additional elements to prevent the user from reaching the inner areas of the laundry washing machine.
The detergent receptacle of the laundry washing machine is conventionally positioned to be mounted into a receptacle panel where connections between elements of the handle mounting mechanism take place. The handle of the detergent receptacle may consist of one or more layers depending on the design-related preferences of the manufacturer. In the event that a handle mechanism with a plurality of layers is in question, the connections between individual parts of the layers is important in the respect that the assembled components should both provide a practically operable handle mechanism and an assembled structure involving a mechanically simple design. The latter is important in that the amount of connection elements or axes and/or lines along which individual parts are assembled act as suitable places where dirt accumulates and these places may become noticeable when the detergent receptacle is pulled out. Due to the fact that the present invention provides a simple connection mechanism for the detergent receptacle handle comprising few components, a relatively more easily cleanable detergent receptacle is obtainable.
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems by means of a mounting mechanism adapted to provide both a robust mounting of the handle to the detergent receptacle as well as a mechanical structure involving no complexity. The present invention therefore provides a handle mechanism not necessitating additional components to prevent the user from reaching to the inner part of the laundry washing machine as well as a cleaner detergent receptacle.
To this end, the present invention is devised under the recognition that an improved detergent receptacle handle mechanism with a plurality of rigidly inter-connected layers, by which the laundry washing machine is protected from possible dirt-related problems on the joint points of the handle mechanism, remains a need.
Among others, a prior art patent publication relevant to the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as CN203065827 U, disclosing a washing machine with a drawer handle. The drawer handle comprises a handle main body, a cover plate and a limiting block, wherein the cover plate is arranged on the handle main body through buckling of clamping buckles and clamping grooves with the limiting block being fixed on the cover plate. The clamping buckles are arranged on the handle main body and the clamping grooves are formed in the cover plate or vice versa. The limiting block is close to the clamping grooves which are formed in the cover plate and the clamping buckles which are arranged on the handle main body are placed between the limiting block and the clamping grooves or the limiting block is close to the clamping buckles which are arranged on the cover plate and the clamping grooves which are formed in the handle main body are placed between the limiting block and the clamping buckles.
The present invention, on the other hand, proposes a laundry washing machine having an improved detergent receptacle handle mechanism in which two handle layers are fixedly attached to each other whereby an assembled structure involving a mechanically simple design is obtained.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide a detergent receptacle handle mechanism for a laundry washing machine, featuring a double-layer handle with an improved connection structure involving no additional components.
The present invention proposes a laundry washing machine with a detergent receptacle having a detergent receptacle handle consisting of an upper handle layer and a lower handle layer. The upper handle layer is mounted onto the lower handle layer in a mechanically engaging relation whereby a substantially planar detergent receptacle handle front surface is formed together by the upper handle layer and the lower handle layer.
The lower handle layer has a J-cross-section body with a lower cavity receiving an upper handle edge of the upper handle layer so that a planar front surface is formed. Lower handle tabs of the lower handle layer connect with upper handle slots of the upper handle layer so that the two handle layers are relatively accurately positioned during mounting of the handle layers to each other.
A pair of lower handle locking means extends from the lower handle layer in the direction of the upper handle on the intermediate surface between the two layers. Preferably, the lower handle locking means are situated at both longitudinal sides of the lower handle layer so as to obtain a balanced and sturdy engagement.
The lower handle layer is slidable face to face with and relative to the upper handle layer so that the two layers are fixed together by a snap-fit connection along the intermediate surface.
Further, two lateral upper handle plates of the upper handle layer on the rear surface thereof rest on oppositely disposed panel supports in respective handling space portions, effecting securing of the assembled detergent receptacle handle.
Again, an upper handle projection is received into a receptacle panel opening so that the assembled detergent receptacle handle is secured and fixedly attached to the receptacle panel.
The detergent receptacle handle is symmetrically slidably mountable to the receptacle panel thanks to lateral guiding channels.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a detergent receptacle handle mechanism for a laundry washing 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 perspective view of a laundry washing machine according to the present invention.
Fig. 2a to 2c respectively demonstrate a front view of an upper panel portion of the laundry washing machine, a cross-sectional view of a receptacle panel along line A-A of Fig 2a and an enlarged view of detail X of Fig. 2b according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the receptacle panel along line B-B according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the receptacle panel along line C-C in unassembled form according to the present invention.
Fig. 5 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the handle mechanism along line F-F according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 demonstrates an inner side perspective view of the handle mechanism in assembled manner according to the present invention.
Fig. 7 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the receptacle panel along line D-D according to the present invention.
Fig. 8 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the handle mechanism along line E-E during assembling thereof according to the present invention.
Fig. 9 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the receptacle panel along line G-G in unassembled form according to the present invention.
Fig. 10 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the receptacle panel along line H-H according to the present invention.
Fig. 11 demonstrates a cross-sectional view of the receptacle panel along line J-J according to the present invention.

Laundry washing machine
Detergent receptacle
Receptacle panel
Handling space
Upper handle layer
Lower handle layer
Upper handle projection
Lower handle tab
Upper handle plate
Lower handle locking means
Guiding channel
Guiding extension
Receptacle panel opening
Receptacle panel support
Upper handle inner tab
Locking opening
Lower handle cavity
Upper handle edge
Upper handle slot
Detergent receptacle handle
Handle mounting mechanism

The present invention provides a detergent receptacle (2) handle mounting mechanism (21) for a laundry washing machine (1) with drying function, to ensure practical operability of the detergent receptacle (2) having an upper handle layer (5) and a lower handle layer (6), providing that a fixedly attached double-layer detergent receptacle handle (20) is obtainable without involving a mechanical design causing dirt accumulation on the joint points of the upper handle layer (5) and the lower handle layer (6). The mounting of the upper handle layer (5) and the lower handle layer (6) to each other, resulting with a detergent receptacle handle (20) and the mounting of the detergent receptacle handle (20) to a receptacle panel (3), thereby making up a detergent receptacle (2) handle mounting mechanism (21), will be explained hereinafter.
A laundry washing machine (1) having a detergent receptacle handle (20) with more than one handle layers, an upper handle layer (5) and a lower handle layer (6), is provided. The mounting of the upper handle layer (5) and the lower handle layer (6) to each other with an improved inter-engaged structure ensures an assembled unitary structure for handling of the detergent receptacle (2) with an inner handling space (4). The two layers can be conventionally provided with various visual effects, colors and patterns to create visual differentiation effect. The locking of the upper handle layer (5) and the lower handle layer (6) to each other without any additional components provides an advantageously practical and simple connection structure as will be delineated hereinafter.
The handle mounting mechanism (21) involves connecting of the upper handle layer (5) with the lower handle layer (6) and mounting of the then-assembled detergent receptacle handle (20) mechanism into the detergent receptacle panel (3). A handling space (4) is provided behind the detergent receptacle handle (20) being mounted into the detergent receptacle panel (3). The handling space (4) is structured as a curved surface cavity forming the lower part of the detergent receptacle (2).
The upper handle layer (5) is mounted onto the lower handle layer (6) such that an upper handle edge (18) of the upper handle layer (5) is fitted into a lower handle cavity (17) of the lower handle layer (6). The lower handle layer (6) has a J-cross-section body into the intermediate cavity of which the upper handle layer (5) is inserted so as to obtain a linear front surface formed by the curving end portion of the J-form together with the upper handle layer (5) in engagement.
During the interlocking of the two handle layers, lower handle tabs (8) of the lower handle layer (6), in the form of upwardly projecting structures disposed nearest to the upper handle layer (5) in the mounting direction of the lower handle layer (6) to the upper handle layer (5), are introduced into respective upper handle slots (19), suitable for fitting of said lower handle tabs (8). The lower handle tabs (8) on the upper side edge of the lower handle layer (6) therefore connect with upper handle slots (19) also on the upper side edge of the upper handle layer (5), receiving said tabs in a guiding manner.
Further, the lower handle layer (6) comprises a pair of lower handle locking means (10) operating at both longitudinal sides of the lower handle layer (6) on the intermediate surface facing the upper handle layer (5) in engaging relation with the respective upper handle inner tabs (15) of the upper handle layer (5). The upper handle inner tabs (15) are received in the locking openings (16) of the lower handle locking means (10) adjacent to the same. Therefore, when the lower handle layer (6) is slid face to face with and relative to the upper handle layer (5), the two handle layers are inter-locked by insertion of the handle inner tabs (15) into the locking openings (16) in the form of a snap-fit connection.
Further, the upper handle layer (5) comprises a pair of longitudinally oppositely disposed upper handle plates (9) in the form of elastic plates extending from the rear surface of the upper handle layer (5). These lateral plates connect with lateral receptacle panel supports (14) at the lateral portions of the handling space (4). When the assembled detergent receptacle handle (20) is slidably mounted to the receptacle panel (3), these supporting receptacle panel supports (14) prevent displacement of the detergent receptacle handle (20) in the reverse, unmounting direction.
Further, an upper handle projection (7) centrally provided on an upper side surface of the upper handle layer (5) to be facing upwardly performs the attachment of the detergent receptacle handle (20) to the receptacle panel (3). A receptacle panel opening (13) situated on the receptacle panel (3), receives the upper handle projection (7).
The mounting of the detergent receptacle handle (20) to the receptacle panel (3) is simplified thanks to laterally extending guiding channels (11) and guiding extensions (12) of the receptacle panel (3), which provide symmetrically guided advancement of the detergent receptacle handle (20) during mounting thereof through sliding the same on the receptacle panel (3).
In summary, the present invention proposes a laundry washing machine (1) with drying function, comprising a detergent receptacle (2) for providing space to add washing and/or softening agents, the detergent receptacle (2) comprising a detergent receptacle handle (20) mounted on a receptacle panel (3) of the detergent receptacle (2), the detergent receptacle handle (20) at least partially covering a handling space (4) and effecting opening of the detergent receptacle (2).
According to one embodiment of the present invention, said detergent receptacle handle (20) comprises an upper handle layer (5) and a lower handle layer (6), the upper handle layer (5) being mounted onto the lower handle layer (6) such that the lower handle layer (6) and the upper handle layer (5) are connected in an inter-engaged manner so as to obtain a substantially planar front surface formed together by said upper handle layer (5) and lower handle layer (6).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the lower handle layer (6) has a J-cross-section body into the intermediate cavity in the form of a lower handle cavity (17) of which an upper handle edge (18) of the upper handle layer (5) is fitted so as to obtain a planar front surface formed by the curving end portion of the J-form together with the upper handle layer (5) in engagement.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, lower handle tabs (8) of the lower handle layer (6) disposed on the upper side edge thereof connect with upper handle slots (19) on the upper side edge of the upper handle layer (5), the upper handle slots (19) receiving lower handle tabs (8) in a guiding manner.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, lower handle tabs (8) of the lower handle layer (6) are upwardly projecting structures disposed nearest to the upper handle layer (5) in the mounting direction of the lower handle layer (6) to the upper handle layer (5).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the lower handle layer (6) comprises a pair of lower handle locking means (10) on the intermediate surface facing the upper handle layer (5) in engaging relation with respective upper handle inner tabs (15) of the upper handle layer (5).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the lower handle locking means (10) are situated at both longitudinal sides of the lower handle layer (6).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the upper handle inner tabs (15) are received in the locking openings (16) of the lower handle locking means (10) adjacent to the same.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the lower handle layer (6) is slidable face to face with and relative to the upper handle layer (5) such that the upper handle layer (5) and the lower handle layer (6) are inter-lockable by insertion of the upper handle inner tabs (15) into the locking openings (16) in the form of a snap-fit connection.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the upper handle layer (5) comprises at least one upper handle plate (9) in the form of elastic plates extending from the rear surface of the upper handle layer (5).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the upper handle layer (5) comprises a pair of longitudinally oppositely disposed upper handle plates (9).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the upper handle plates (9) connect with receptacle panel supports (14) at the lateral portions of the handling space (4) such that when the detergent receptacle handle (20) is slidably mounted to the receptacle panel (3), the receptacle panel supports (14) prevent displacement of the detergent receptacle handle (20) in the reverse, unmounting direction.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, an upper handle projection (7) on an upper side surface of the upper handle layer (5) performs the attachment of the detergent receptacle handle (20) to the receptacle panel (3).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the upper handle projection (7) is centrally provided on the upper side surface of the upper handle layer (5) to be upwardly connecting with a receptacle panel opening (13) of the receptacle panel (3).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the detergent receptacle handle (20) is symmetrically slidably mountable to the receptacle panel (3).
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the receptacle panel (3) comprises guiding channels (11) in connect with lateral edges of the detergent receptacle handle (20) effecting guidably symmetrical mounting of the same.
The present invention therefore proposes an improved detergent receptacle (2) handle mechanism with a plurality of rigidly inter-connected layers as the upper and lower handle layers (5, 6) by which the laundry washing machine (1) is provided with a handle structure involving no separate connection elements and thereby featuring a simplified unitary design having a substantially planar front surface. Further, the inter-engaged structures are assembled such that connection elements as well as axes and/or lines along which individual parts are assembled are also reduced in number.

Claims

A laundry washing machine (1) comprising a detergent receptacle (2) for providing space to add washing and/or softening agents, the detergent receptacle (2) comprising a detergent receptacle handle (20) mounted on a receptacle panel (3) of the detergent receptacle (2), the detergent receptacle handle (20) at least partially covering a handling space (4) and effecting opening of the detergent receptacle (2), characterized in that

the detergent receptacle handle (20) comprising an upper handle layer (5) and a lower handle layer (6), the upper handle layer (5) being mounted onto the lower handle layer (6) such that the lower handle layer (6) and the upper handle layer (5) are connected in an inter-engaged manner so as to obtain a substantially planar front surface formed together by the upper handle layer (5) and lower handle layer (6).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the lower handle layer (6) has a J-cross-section body into the intermediate cavity in the form of a lower handle cavity (17) of which an upper handle edge (18) of the upper handle layer (5) is fitted so as to obtain a planar front surface formed by the curving end portion of the J-form together with the upper handle layer (5) in engagement.
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 2, characterized in that lower handle tabs (8) of the lower handle layer (6) disposed on the upper side edge thereof connect with upper handle slots (19) on the upper side edge of the upper handle layer (5), the upper handle slots (19) receiving lower handle tabs (8) in a guiding manner.
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 3, characterized in that the lower handle tabs (8) of the lower handle layer (6) are upwardly projecting structures disposed nearest to the upper handle layer (5) in the mounting direction of the lower handle layer (6) to the upper handle layer (5).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized in that the lower handle layer (6) comprises a pair of lower handle locking means (10) on the intermediate surface facing the upper handle layer (5) in engaging relation with respective upper handle inner tabs (15) of the upper handle layer (5).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 5, characterized in that the lower handle locking means (10) are situated at both longitudinal sides of the lower handle layer (6).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 6, characterized in that the upper handle inner tabs (15) are received in the locking openings (16) of the lower handle locking means (10) adjacent to the same.
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 7, characterized in that the lower handle layer (6) is slidable face to face with and relative to the upper handle layer (5) such that the upper handle layer (5) and the lower handle layer (6) are inter-lockable by insertion of the upper handle inner tabs (15) into the locking openings (16) in the form of a snap-fit connection.
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 3, 4, 5 or 8, characterized in that the upper handle layer (5) comprises at least one upper handle plate (9) in the form of elastic plates extending from the rear surface of the upper handle layer (5).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 9, characterized in that the upper handle layer (5) comprises a pair of longitudinally oppositely disposed upper handle plates (9).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 10, characterized in that the upper handle plates (9) connect with receptacle panel supports (14) at the lateral portions of the handling space (4) such that when the detergent receptacle handle (20) is slidably mounted to the receptacle panel (3), the receptacle panel supports (14) prevent displacement of the detergent receptacle handle (20) in the reverse, unmounting direction.
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 11, characterized in that an upper handle projection (7) on an upper side surface of the upper handle layer (5) performs the attachment of the detergent receptacle handle (20) to the receptacle panel (3).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 12, characterized in that the upper handle projection (7) is centrally provided on the upper side surface of the upper handle layer (5) to be upwardly connecting with a receptacle panel opening (13) of the receptacle panel (3).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 13, characterized in that the detergent receptacle handle (20) is symmetrically slidably mountable to the receptacle panel (3).
A laundry washing machine (1) as in Claim 14, characterized in that the receptacle panel (3) comprises guiding channels (11) in connect with lateral edges of the detergent receptacle handle (20) effecting guidably symmetrical mounting of the same.