EP3323927B1 - Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge - Google Patents

Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3323927B1
EP3323927B1 EP16199821.6A EP16199821A EP3323927B1 EP 3323927 B1 EP3323927 B1 EP 3323927B1 EP 16199821 A EP16199821 A EP 16199821A EP 3323927 B1 EP3323927 B1 EP 3323927B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
door assembly
supporting structure
radially outer
outer edge
opaque
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16199821.6A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3323927A1 (fr
Inventor
Dario BRACONI
Luca Pradal
Marco Santarossa
Danny Buso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances AB filed Critical Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority to EP16199821.6A priority Critical patent/EP3323927B1/fr
Priority to PL16199821T priority patent/PL3323927T3/pl
Publication of EP3323927A1 publication Critical patent/EP3323927A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3323927B1 publication Critical patent/EP3323927B1/fr
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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/12—Casings; Tubs
    • D06F39/14—Doors or covers; Securing means therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a door assembly for a laundry treating machine, in particular for a dryer, a washer-dryer or a washing machine.
  • the door assembly is so construed to have an appealing aesthetic appearance.
  • laundry treating machines include a casing within which a laundry treatment chamber, such as a drum, is located.
  • a laundry treatment chamber such as a drum
  • an opening is made, which gives access to the treatment chamber to load or unload the laundry before and after the drying and/or washing cycle(s).
  • a door assembly also called porthole, is rotatably fixed, for example hinged, to the casing and it is apt to open and close the mentioned opening.
  • Door assemblies of known types typically comprise a front frame forming a front transparent surface of the door assembly and a rear annular frame forming a rear surface of the door assembly.
  • a closing element typically a glass, is interposed between the rear frame and the front frame for closing the rear annular frame.
  • an annular aesthetic covering element may be interposed between the closing element and the front frame.
  • the front frame which may be transparent to advantageously allow to see through, can comprises a supporting structure and a transparent cap element.
  • the various parts of the door assembly are properly assembled together such that all components are firmly connected one another.
  • the aesthetic appearance of the laundry treating machine is important and represents a characteristic that might determine the machine choice by the user.
  • the necessity of hiding imperfections or mechanical arrangements for connecting the door components, which can be seen through a cap element when it is transparent to light is particularly important.
  • Imperfections may comprise, for example, accumulated dust, moisture and/or scratches over the surfaces of elements which may be caused by handling, door assembling phases or by regular use during machine life. Therefore, it would be desired to have such imperfections reduced and/or prevented from being generated.
  • Technical issues may arise when an at least transparent cap is used in a door assembly and further door components should be arranged behind such transparent cap with connections that are desired to be hidden to a user view.
  • US2007075614A1 discloses a front face for an appliance that is one of a washing machine and a clothes dryer including a door panel having a transparent window defined thereon, a door handle including a handle body having an inner surface, an outer surface, and two end portions. The handle is coupled to the door panel and is configured such that a portion of the handle does not contact the door panel and defines an opening between the inner surface of the handle body and the door panel.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawback posed by the known door assemblies.
  • a further object of the invention is preventing the above mentioned imperfections to be generated and/or limiting their occurrence.
  • the present invention relates, therefore, to a door assembly for a laundry treating machine, apt to open and/or close an opening defined in a wall of the laundry treating machine, the door assembly comprising:
  • the opaque element totally fills the gap.
  • the outermost front side surface of the covering element shaped portion may extend between a radially inner border line and a radially outer border line.
  • the opaque element includes an opaque element radially inner edge defining an opaque element aperture.
  • the opaque element radially inner edge is located between the radially inner border line and the radially outer border line of the covering element shaped portion outermost front side surface.
  • opaque element radially inner edge is placed in a position that is radially outer than the radially outer border line of the covering element shaped portion outermost front side surface.
  • the opaque element inner radially edge may be aligned to the inner border line of the outermost front side surface.
  • the front supporting structure may have a front supporting structure radially outer edge and the cap element has a cap element radially outer edge.
  • the front supporting structure radially outer edge matches in shape and size the cap element radially outer edge.
  • the opaque element comprises an opaque element radially outer edge which is overlaid by either the cap element radially outer edge or the front supporting structure radially outer edge.
  • the opaque element may comprise an opaque element radially outer edge that is interposed between the cap element radially outer edge and the front supporting structure radially outer edge.
  • the closing element is at least partially transparent to light.
  • the closing element is shaped so as to protrude within the opening defined in the wall of the laundry treating machine.
  • the second surface of the covering element includes a tapered surface extending towards the closing element.
  • the tapered surface ends by forming a covering element rear aperture facing the closing element.
  • the tapered surface includes a plurality of ribs facing the cap element rear side.
  • the covering element is opaque.
  • the door assembly may comprise a fastening device for reciprocally fixing the rear frame and the front frame.
  • the covering element and the closing element are sandwiched between the rear frame and the front frame.
  • the fastening device comprises coupling elements formed in the front supporting structure and corresponding coupling counter-elements formed in the rear frame.
  • the covering element includes a plurality of holes that are passed through by coupling elements of the front supporting structure.
  • the fastening device allows reciprocal coupling of the rear frame to the front frame in a removable manner.
  • the opaque element may be over-molded on the rear side of the cap element so as to be seen through the cap element and to form a single unitary body therewith.
  • the unitary body is further connected by welding to the front frame via the opaque element.
  • the covering element may comprise a seat for receiving a portion of the front supporting structure, an interspace being defined between the front supporting structure and the covering element seat.
  • said interspace is covered by an opaque element arranged at the rear side of the cap element.
  • the handle of the door assembly is delimited by a radially outer edge of the front supporting structure and/or the cap element wherein said radially outer edge extends, for the most part thereof, in a circular path around a longitudinal axis X of the door assembly at a first distance therefrom, and a portion of said radially outer edge extends around the longitudinal axis X of the door assembly at a second distance therefrom, said second distance being greater than the first distance.
  • a laundry treating machine comprising a cabinet including a wall on which an opening is formed, characterized by comprising a door assembly according to one or more of the above mentioned features, said door assembly being apt to open and/or close said opening.
  • the present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when applied to a laundry dryer, as described below.
  • the present invention is not limited to laundry dryers.
  • the present invention can be conveniently applied to laundry washing machines or washer-dryers (i.e. laundry washing machines which can also dry laundry).
  • an embodiment of a laundry treating machine realized according to the present invention is globally indicated with 1.
  • the laundry treating machine 1 is a laundry dryer, however the present teaching can be applied to laundry washing machines or washer-dryers as well.
  • the dryer 1 comprises an outer box casing 7 preferably but not necessarily parallelepiped-shaped, and a treatment chamber, such as a drum (not visible in the Figure), for example having the shape of a hollow cylinder, for housing the laundry and in general the clothes and garments to be dried and/or washed.
  • a treatment chamber such as a drum (not visible in the Figure), for example having the shape of a hollow cylinder, for housing the laundry and in general the clothes and garments to be dried and/or washed.
  • the drum is preferably contained into the casing 7.
  • the drum can rotate around a preferably horizontal axis (in alternative embodiments, rotation axis may be vertical or tilted).
  • Opening 4 preferably faces drum and it is apt to be closed - or even sealed - by a door assembly 10.
  • the door assembly 10 is adapted to alternatively open and close the laundry loading opening 4 of the dryer 1 and is advantageously pivotally mounted, for example hinged, and thus supported at the casing 7 of the machine 1.
  • Door assembly 10 can be preferably operated by a handle 50, as better detailed below.
  • casing 7 generally includes a front wall 2 to which the door assembly 10 is pivotally mounted.
  • the door assembly 10 can have two different operative positions or configurations: a closed position in which it is abutting against the front wall 2 and an open position in which it is separated from the front wall 2, with the exception of the connecting element (e.g. hinge) location.
  • handle 50 is used in order to move the door assembly 10 from the closed to the open configuration or vice-versa.
  • Handle 50 preferably belongs to a system which may be named "pull-to-open" door opening system: the door assembly 10 is provided with a latch 19 and the casing 7, preferably the front wall 2, is provided with a latch retaining mechanism (not shown) that includes a mobile part which is configured to be movable between a retaining position, in which it engages the latch 19 so as to retain the door assembly 10 in the closed condition, and an opening position in which it releases the latch 19 so as to allow the opening of the door assembly 10.
  • the mobile part of the latch allows the releasing of the latch when a releasing force is applied which is greater than a threshold force.
  • the door assembly 10 is therefore opened by pulling it outwards with enough force and can be closed by pushing it towards the inside of the treatment chamber.
  • the door assembly 10 comprises a rear frame 5, a front frame 6 arranged on a front side 5a of the rear frame 5, a closing element 40 and a covering element 60.
  • the closing element 40 is interposed between the rear frame 5 and the front frame 6 and the covering element 60 is interposed between the closing element 40 and the front frame 6.
  • the covering element 60 at least partly covers the closing element 40.
  • the rear frame 5 is defined as the portion of the door assembly 10 a side of which, called rear side 5b, is substantially in contact with, or immediately in front of, the casing 7 when the door assembly 10 is in the closed operative position, while the front frame 6 is defined as the portion of the door assembly 10 arranged outwardly when the door assembly 10 is closed onto casing 7, i.e. it faces a direction opposite to the casing 7.
  • the rear frame 5 includes a rear frame inner edge 8a defining a rear aperture 8.
  • the front frame 6 preferably comprises a front supporting structure 70 and a cap element 33.
  • the front supporting structure 70 preferably has a front side 70a, a rear side 70b and an inner edge 9a defining a front aperture 9.
  • the cap element 33 is at least partially transparent and overlays the front side 70a of the front supporting structure 70 and extends over the front aperture 9.
  • the cap element 33 has a rear side 33b and a front side 33a, the latter forming the front surface of the door assembly 10.
  • Transparency allows light to pass through the cap element 33 so that bodies situated behind can be seen.
  • the cap element 33 apart from maintaining its at least partial transparency, may also comprise further aesthetic characteristics, such as coloured areas, images, areas with different degree of transparency, etc.
  • the apertures 8, 9 are advantageously defined so that a user can at least partially view the laundry from outside the casing 7 during the treatment cycles, in particular when both the closing element 40 and the cap element 33 are at least partially transparent.
  • Rear and front frames 5, 6, in particular the rear frame 5 and the front supporting structure 70, are therefore so mounted that the two apertures 8, 9 overlap, at least partially.
  • rear and front frames 5, 6 are coaxial and/or concentric.
  • apertures 8, 9 are coaxial and/or concentric.
  • rear and front frames 5, 6 and rear and front apertures 8, 9 of door assembly 10 have an arbitrary geometrical shape, for example can be substantially polygonal, such as rectangular, quadratic, triangular, or elliptic when a front view of the same is considered.
  • rear and front frames 5, 6 and rear and front apertures 8, 9 are circular, or substantially circular.
  • the rear aperture 8 in the rear frame 5 is closed by the closing element 40.
  • the closing element 40 is preferably at least partially transparent.
  • the closing element 40 is preferably made of plastic and even more preferably it is made of a transparent, or at least semi-transparent, plastic material.
  • the closing element 40 can however be made of glass.
  • the closing element 40 is also partially covered by the cap element 33.
  • the temperature of the drying air can reach rather high values, thus the closing element 40 can also reach a substantially elevated temperature which can harm the user in case of contact between a user's body part and the closing element 40.
  • a protective element is interposed between the user and the closing element 40. This protective element is the cap element 33.
  • the temperature of the water can often reach rather high values, thus the closing element can also reach a substantially elevated temperature that can harm the user in case of contact between a user's body part and the closing element.
  • a protective element is interposed between the user and the closing element, i.e. a protective cap element.
  • the closing element is preferably made of glass.
  • the closing element 40 preferably has a bowl shape. In general, preferably, the closing element 40 is shaped so as a portion thereof 41 protrudes within the opening 4 of the front wall 2 of dryer 1.
  • the protruding portion 41 preferably comprises a substantially flat horizontal portion 41a which, when the door assembly 10 is in the closed operative position, is arranged above a filter arrangement of the dryer (not shown) typically arranged downwardly in close proximity of, and accessible from the opening 4, inside the casing 7.
  • the covering element 60 is interposed between the closing element 40 and the front frame 6, preferably between the closing element 40 and the supporting structure 70 of the front frame 6.
  • the covering element 60 is opportunely shaped so as to at least partly cover the closing element 40.
  • the covering element 60 is provided for keeping the closing element 40 in the correct position in the door assembly and, preferably, has the function of improving the aesthetic appearance of the dryer 1, as better explained below.
  • the covering element 60 and the closing element 40 are preferably sandwiched between the rear frame 5 and the supporting structure 70 of the front frame 6 and kept firmly in position therebetween. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, no fastening device is used. In further preferred embodiments of the invention, fastening devices may be provided for fixing the covering element and/or the closing element to the rear frame and/or to the supporting structure of the front frame, such as welding, screws, snap devices, etc.
  • the rear frame 5 and the front frame 6 are coupled one to the other, preferably in a removable manner, by means of a fastening device 200.
  • the rear frame 5 and the supporting structure 70 of the front frame 6 are coupled one to the other, preferably in a removable manner, by means of the fastening device 200.
  • the fastening device 200 preferably comprises coupling elements 121 and corresponding coupling counter-elements 122 formed in the supporting structure 70 and the rear frame 5, respectively.
  • said coupling elements 121 extend from the rear side 70b of the supporting structure 70 while said coupling counter-elements 122 extend from the front surface 5a of the rear frame 5.
  • each coupling element 121 includes a protruding element.
  • the protruding element 121 includes a tubular sleeve having an open end.
  • each coupling counter-element 122 includes a protruding element.
  • the protruding element 121 includes a tubular sleeve having an open end.
  • the dimensions of the sleeves are such that the coupling elements 121 can be preferably inserted within the coupling counter-elements 122 or vice-versa.
  • Fastening screws 25 are preferably inserted from rear surface 5b of rear frame 5 into the through-holes defined by coupling counter-elements 122 and then screwed into the tubular sleeves of coupling elements 121 to fix the supporting structure 70 to the rear frame 5.
  • the insertion of the coupling elements into the coupling counter-elements or vice-versa is obtained with interference so that, when a coupling element is inserted in a coupling counter element (or vice-versa) the removal requires the application of a non-negligible force, so that the possibility of accidental removals is minimized.
  • the coupling elements 121 and coupling counter-elements 122 are angularly spaced one from the other, even more preferably with a substantially constant spacing one from the other so that the contour of the door assembly 10 is provided with coupling elements and coupling counter-elements.
  • the coupling elements 121 and the coupling counter-elements 122 are twelve angularly spaced one from the other of an angle of 30°.
  • the rear frame 5 and the front frame 6 can be assembled together in different reciprocal angular positions or, in particular, the rear frame 5 and the supporting structure 70 of the front frame 6 can be assembled together in different reciprocal angular positions, as explained in detail later.
  • Assembling of the rear frame 5 to the front frame 6 is carried out by rotating the rear frame 5 and the front frame 6 reciprocally up to the desired reciprocal position, aligning the coupling elements 121 to the coupling counter-elements 122 and fixing the rear frame 5 to the front frame 6 by screwing the screws 25.
  • the rear frame 5 and the front frame 6 can be assembled together in different reciprocal angular positions which differ of an adjustment angle AN of 30° one to the other.
  • the adjustment angle AN may be differently set, for example increasing or decreasing the number of coupling elements and coupling counter-elements along the contour of the door assembly.
  • the adjustment angle AN is preferably comprised between 0° and 180°.
  • the covering element 60 which is sandwiched between the rear frame 5 and the supporting structure 70 preferably peripherally comprises holes 63, which are passed through by coupling elements 121 (protruding elements) of the supporting structure 70.
  • This arrangement has the function of supporting the covering element 60 and/or improving the centering of the covering element 60 and to avoid rotations of the same.
  • the covering element 60 preferably comprises a shaped portion 67 which extends at least partly through the front aperture 9 of the supporting structure 70 of the front frame 6.
  • the shaped portion 67 preferably comprises an outermost front side surface 64 which faces the rear side 33b of the cap element 33.
  • the outermost front side surface 64 of the shaped portion 67 represents the surface which is arranged most outwardly with respect to the casing 7 when the door assembly is in its closed position.
  • the outermost front side surface 64 represents also the surface of the shaped portion 67 which the closest surface to the rear side 33b of the cap element 33.
  • the outermost front side surface 64 preferably extends between a radially inner border line 64a and a radially outer border line 64b.
  • Inner border line 64a and outer border line 64b are preferably circular and the outermost front side surface 64 is consequently preferably an annular rim.
  • the shaped portion 67 further preferably comprises a second surface 66 extending away from the first side surface 64 towards the closing element 40.
  • the second surface 66 is a tapered surface which ends rearwardly by forming a covering element rear aperture 68 facing the closing element 40.
  • the second surface 66 therefore extends partially over the closing element 40 which is partially visible through the covering element rear aperture 68 when viewed laterally outwardly from the door assembly 10, i.e. from outside the casing 7.
  • the tapered second surface 66 preferably includes a plurality of ribs 66a facing the cap element rear side and at least partially visible through the cap element 33, such ribs 66a give a pleasant aesthetic appearance to the door assembly 10.
  • the shaped portion 67 advantageously overlaps the peripheral zone of the front side 5a of the rear frame 5.
  • the shaped portion 67 hides said peripheral zone of the front side 5a of the rear frame 5 and gives a better aesthetic appearance to the door assembly 10, covering all possible elements that are present in said peripheral zone of the front side 5a of the rear frame 5.
  • the covering element 60 comprises an outer edge 69, preferably a substantially cylindrical edge, which delimits a seat 80 facing the inner edge 9a of the front supporting structure 70 and receiving a portion thereof.
  • An unfilled interspace 120 is preferably defined between the edge 69 of covering element 60 and the inner edge 9a of the front supporting structure 70.
  • a gap 100 is defined between the outermost front side surface 64 of the shaped portion 67 of the covering element 60 and the rear side 33b of the cap element 33 .
  • the outermost front side surface 64 of the shaped portion 67 of the covering element 60 is therefore at a given distance from the rear side 33b of the cap element 33.
  • the outermost front side surface 64 of the shaped portion 67 is visible at a lower degree (as viewed from the front of the door assembly 10) compared to known system, where the outermost front side surface is in contact with the transparent cap element.
  • the visibility of dust and/or dirt which accumulates over the outermost front side surface 64 of the shaped portion 67 and/or scratches over the outermost front side surface 64 of the shaped portion 67 caused by handling is minimized and, therefore, the aesthetic appearance of the door assembly 10 is improved.
  • the supporting structure 70 comprises an outer edge 61 and the cap element 33 comprises an outer edge 62.
  • outer edge 62 of the cap element 33 matches in shape and size outer edge 61 of the supporting structure 70.
  • Outer edge 62 of the cap element 33 and outer edge 61 of the supporting structure 70 defines the outer contour of the door assembly 10.
  • the cap element 33 and the supporting structure 70 preferably comprise a sector 150, 151 which defines the handle 50 for the door assembly 10. More preferably, a sector 150 is defined on the outer edge 62 of the cap element 33 and a sector 151 is defined on the outer edge 61 of the supporting structure 70. Said sectors 150, 151 preferably both define the handle 50 for the door assembly 10.
  • said sector 150 of the outer edge 62 of the cap element 33 preferably comprises a portion of the outer edge 62 which projects from the remaining contour of the cap element 33, as a radial protrusion.
  • Figure 2 shows the sector 150 embodied as a projecting portion, wherein the remaining contour RC of the cap element 33 is indicated with a dashed line RC.
  • the contour RC is preferably circumferentially shaped and the sector 150 embodied as a projecting portion is substantially and preferably defined by an annular rim portion.
  • the annular rim portion extends over an angle of about 90°.
  • the sector 150 embodied as a projecting portion is preferably inclined relative to the front wall 2 of the casing 7, i.e. towards the volume surrounding the cabinet 7 of the dryer 1, so as to define a bulge in the overall contour of the cap element 33. Inclination of the sector 150 embodied as a projecting portion is better visible in Figure 7 .
  • said sector 151 of the outer edge 61 of the supporting structure 70 preferably comprises a portion of the outer edge 61 that projects from the remaining contour of the supporting structure 70, as a radial protrusion.
  • Figure 11a shows sector 151 embodied as a projecting portion, wherein also the remaining contour RC' of the supporting structure 70 is depicted.
  • the contour RC' is preferably circumferentially shaped and the sector 151 embodied as a projecting portion is substantially preferably defined by an annular rim portion.
  • the annular rim portion extends over the same angle (of about 90°) of the annular rim portion 150 of the cap element 33.
  • the sector 151 embodied as a projecting portion is preferably inclined relative to the front wall 2 of the casing 7, i.e. towards the volume surrounding the cabinet 7 of the dryer 1, so as to define a bulge in the overall contour of the supporting structure 70. Inclination of sector 151 embodied as a projecting portion is better visible in Figure 7 .
  • the inner side 151a of sector 151 embodied as a projecting portion preferably defines the gripping portion for user fingers.
  • Sector 150 of the cap element 33 and sector 151 of the supporting structure 70 which define said handle 50, as described above, are preferably defined by both a radial protrusion and a bulge in the overall contour of the cap element 33 and/or supporting structure 70.
  • the sectors 150, 151 may be defined only by a radial protrusion or only by a bulge.
  • the cap element and the supporting structure could be substantially flat with radial protrusions defining the handle or in further preferred embodiments the cap element and the supporting structure could be circular with bulges defining the handle.
  • the handle 50 is only provided as a gripping portion to open the door by simply pulling it or closing the door by simply pushing it.
  • the pulling or pushing action will cause the latch 19 to actuate a latch retaining mechanism provided in the casing 7.
  • the handle 50 during opening and/or closing movement, does not perform any movement relative to the rear frame 5 and/or the supporting structure 70.
  • the handle 50 is defined only by the supporting structure 70 and the cap element 33 of the door assembly 10. Realization of the handle 50 as described above allows to reduce the complexity of the door assembly 10 and therefore of the dryer 1.
  • the complexity of the door assembly 10 can be further reduced by embodying the handle 50 either on the front supporting structure 70 or on the cap element 33.
  • the handle is delimited by a radially outer edge of the front supporting structure and/or the cap element wherein said radially outer edge extends, for the most part thereof, in a circular path around a longitudinal axis (X) of the door assembly at a first distance therefrom, and a portion of said radially outer edge extends around the longitudinal axis (X) of the door assembly at a second distance therefrom, said second distance being greater than the first distance.
  • an opaque element 90 is arranged between the supporting structure 70 and the cap element 33.
  • Opacity does not allow or highly reduces an incident light to pass through the opaque element 90 so that it is difficult, or impossible, for a viewer to see any object placed behind the opaque element 90.
  • the opaque element 90 is fixed to the rear side 33b of the cap element 33, as depicted in Figures 7 and 9 , and contribute to form the handle 50..
  • the opaque element 90 preferably has, for the most part thereof, an annular shape and comprises a radially outer edge 71 and a radially inner edge 72.
  • the inner edge 72 preferably defines an aperture 73 for the opaque element 90, as indicated in Figure 9 .
  • the opaque element 90 is, for the most part thereof, substantially ring-shaped.
  • the outer edge 71 of the opaque element 90 is preferably, for the most part thereof, rounded-shaped.
  • the opaque ring 90 is visible from outside, i.e. when viewed laterally outwardly from the door assembly 10 (i.e. according to the viewing direction indicated with "V" in Figures 7 and 9 ).
  • the outer edge 71 of the opaque ring 90 preferably borders the outer edge 62 of the cap element 33.
  • the outer edge 71 of the opaque ring 90 borders also the border edge 62 of the projecting portion 150, as illustrated in particular in Figure 7 .
  • the opaque ring 90 is made of a plastic material and is over-molded on the rear side 33b of the cap element 33 to preferably define a complete, integral, unitary body therewith.
  • the opaque ring may be differently fixed to the cap element in order to define a completed, integral, unitary body therewith, for example by glueing.
  • the opaque ring 90 and the cap element 33 are connected to the front side 70a of the supporting structure 70. More preferably, the opaque ring 90 and the cap element 33 are fixedly connected to the supporting structure 70 in order to define a complete, integral, unitary member.
  • the opaque ring 90 at rear side 90b thereof comprises one or more ribs 35, facing the supporting structure 70, the ends of which allow welding of the opaque ring 90 to the supporting structure 70, for example through ultrasonic or vibration welding.
  • the unitary body including the opaque ring 90 and the cap element 33 is therefore welded to the supporting structure 70 via the opaque ring 90.
  • the opaque ring 90 at rear side 90b thereof also comprises centering means 36 comprising pins 36a facing the supporting structure 70 and apt to be received in holes 36b realized in the supporting structure 70.
  • Centering means 36 allow correct alignment of opaque ring 90 to the supporting structure 70 during manufacturing step, preferably during welding.
  • the opaque ring 90 overlaps the peripheral zone of the front side 70a of the supporting structure 70.
  • the opaque ring 90 hides said peripheral zone of the front side 70a of the supporting structure 70, which is therefore not visible from outside.
  • the opaque ring 90 also hides ribs 35 for connecting the opaque ring 90 to the supporting structure 70.
  • the opaque ring 90 therefore, not only gives a pleasant aesthetic appearance to the door assembly 10, but also covers all possible elements which are present in the peripheral zone of the front side 70a of the supporting structure 70 and/or in the rear side 90b of the opaque ring 90.
  • the outer edge 62 of the cap element 33 extends radially outwardly with respect to the outer edge 71 of the opaque ring 90, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 , i.e. a peripheral portion of the cap element 33 extends radially beyond the opaque ring 90.
  • the outer edge 61 of the supporting structure 70 also extends radially outwardly with respect to the outer edge 71 of the opaque ring 90, i.e. a peripheral portion of the supporting structure 70 extends radially beyond the opaque ring 90.
  • cap element 33 is at least partially transparent, it is possible to see the peripheral zone of the supporting structure 70 through the portion of the cap element 33 that extends beyond the opaque ring 90 when viewed laterally outwardly from the door assembly 10.
  • cap element 33 is at least partially transparent, it is possible to see the outer edge 71 of the opaque ring 90, through the portion of the cap element 33 which extends beyond the opaque ring 90 when viewed laterally outwardly from the door assembly 10.
  • the opaque element 90 at least partly fills the gap 100 defined between the outermost front side surface 64 of the shaped portion 67 of the covering element 60 and the rear side 33b of the cap element 33.
  • the inner edge 72 of the opaque element 90 is located between the inner border line 64a and the outer border line 64b of the outermost front side surface 64.
  • the opaque element 90 therefore covers the interspace 120 defined between the outer edge 69 of covering element 60 which delimits a seat 80 facing the inner edge 9a of the front supporting structure 70 and receiving a portion thereof.
  • the opaque ring 90 hides the interspace 120, which is therefore not visible from outside. This not only provide a pleasant aesthetic appearance to the door assembly 10, but also prevents dust, moisture or other foreign matter from accumulating within the interspace 120 and being visible through the cap element, and further avoids that connections of door assembly components, such as the front and rear frames 6, 5 are visible through the cap element.
  • the opaque element totally fills the gap defined between the outermost front side surface of the shaped portion of the covering element and the rear side of the cap element. Referring to Figure 9 , this means that the radially inner edge 72 of the opaque element 90 is aligned to the radially inner border line 64a of the outermost front side surface 64.
  • the opaque element therefore still covers the interspace 120 defined between the outer edge 69 of covering element 60 and the inner edge 9a of the front supporting structure 70.
  • the opaque ring 90 hides the interspace 120, which is therefore not visible from outside. This, again, not only gives a better aesthetic appearance to the door assembly 10, but also prevents dust, moisture or other foreign matter from accumulating within the interspace 120 and being visible through the cap element, and further avoids that connections of door assembly components, such as the front and rear frames 6, 5 are visible through the cap element.
  • the opaque element may not fill the gap defined between the outermost front side surface of the shaped portion of the covering element and the rear side of the cap element.
  • the inner edge 72 of the opaque element 90 is radially outer than the outer border line 64b of the outermost front side surface 64.
  • this embodiment of the invention avoids that connections of door assembly components, such as the front and rear frames 6, 5 are visible through the cap element. In this way, the mechanical arrangements for connecting the door assembly components should not be designed to be, by themselves, hidden to a viewer looking at the door assembly. The choice of such mechanical arrangements is therefore wider.
  • the door assembly 10 is preferably provided with an actuator 95 which interacts with a safety device of the dryer 1 (not illustrated), preferably fixed to the casing 7.
  • the actuator 95 preferably comprises a fin protruding from the rear side 5b of the rear frame 5.
  • the protruding fin 95 is apt to operate a switch of the safety device when the door assembly 10 is in the closed position.
  • the safety device can therefore advantageously detect if the door assembly 10 is in the closed or in the opened position.
  • the protruding fin 95 is preferably arranged at the rear side 5b of the rear frame 5 in a vertical upward position.
  • a first seat 95a is preferably realized vertically upward at the rear side 5b of the rear frame 5 for the connection of the fin 95 thereto.
  • a second seat 95b is also preferably realized vertically downward at the rear side 5b of the rear frame 5.
  • the second seat 95b is also apt for the connection of the fin 95 thereto. Use of the second seat 95b will be better described later.
  • the door assembly 10 is advantageously hinged and supported at the casing 7 of the machine 1, preferably at front wall 2 of the casing 7.
  • Door assembly 10 therefore, preferably comprises a hinge device 160 that is provided to pivot the door assembly 10 to the casing 7 so that it can be opened by rotating it about a hinge axis H, or axis of opening H of the door assembly 10.
  • Hinge device 160 may be any conventional hinge, preferably of the type that is not visible when the door assembly 10 is closed.
  • hinge device 160 preferably comprises a base portion 161 apt to be fixed to the front wall 2 of the casing 7 (for example with screws 163a, 163b) and two knuckles 162a, 162b extending from the base portion 161 which receive a pivot pin (not visible).
  • Knuckles 162a, 162b are advantageously received in the door assembly 10.
  • the rear frame 5 comprises two apertures 152a, 152b apt to receive knuckles 162a, 162b therethrough.
  • the covering element 60 comprises two seats 171a, 171b apt to receive knuckles 162a, 162b therethrough.
  • the supporting structure 70 comprises two seats 181a, 181b apt to receive knuckles 162a, 162b, in particular to receive outer portions of knuckles 162a, 162b when the door assembly 10 is in its closed position.
  • Knuckles 162a, 162b and outer portions thereof are advantageously not visible from outside since opaque ring 90 preferably hides the same.
  • the latch 19 and the hinge device 160 are arranged at opposite side of the door assembly 10 and are preferably aligned along a center line C of the door assembly 10 substantially perpendicular to the axis of opening H of the door assembly 10.
  • a vertical median axis V is also defined as the axis parallel to the axis of opening H and passing through the geometrical center O of the door assembly 10, which is a point of the longitudinal axis X of the door assembly.
  • a conventional angular reference system is defined by the center line C and the vertical median axis V. The axes C and V identify four quadrants for the door assembly 10.
  • the handle 50 of the door assembly 10 illustrated and described herewith is preferably arranged offset with respect to the center line C, preferably at an upper position thereof and preferably arranged in the first quadrant, i.e. between 0° and 90°.
  • the handle 50 extends over an angle of about 90° and its central portion is preferably centrally positioned in the first quadrant. This position is indicated with "L1" and it preferably forms an angle of 45° with respect to the center line C.
  • Reciprocal arrangement of the handle 50 and of the hinge device 160 as described above, allows to obtain a left-swing configuration for the door assembly 10.
  • the door assembly 10 of the invention allows reversibility of the same, i.e. the door assembly 10 may be reversed from a left-swing configuration to a right-swing configuration or vice-versa.
  • the door assembly 10 of the invention allows positioning of the handle 50 in a plurality of positions with respect to the center line C of the door assembly 10.
  • Figures 10a and 10b illustrate two possible positions for the handle 50 in the left-swing configuration of the door assembly 10 (wherein Figure 10a corresponds to Figure 2 ).
  • Figures 10c and 10d illustrate two possible positions for the handle 50 in the right-swing configuration of the door assembly 10.
  • Figure 10a shows the left-swing configuration of the door assembly 10 according to the preferred embodiment above described with the handle 50 arranged at an upper position with respect to the center line C (position L1).
  • Figure 10b shows the left-swing configuration of the door assembly 10 with the handle 50 arranged at a lower position with respect to the center line C (position L2).
  • Figure 10c shows the right-swing configuration of the door assembly 10 with the handle 50 arranged at an upper position with respect to the center line C (position L3).
  • Figure 10d shows the right-swing configuration of the door assembly 10 with the handle 50 arranged at a lower position with respect to the center line C (position L4).
  • Figures 11a to 11d show the perspective views of the door assembly configurations illustrated in Figures 10a to 10d , respectively Reversibility of the door assembly 10, from a left-swing configuration to a right-swing configuration or vice-versa, is obtained by disassembling the door assembly 10 from the casing 7, preferably unscrewing screws 163a, 163b of the hinge device 160, rotating and repositioning the door assembly 10 in a position at 180° with respect to the original position and assembling the door assembly 10 to the casing 7, preferably screwing screws 163a, 163b of the hinge device 160.
  • This can be appreciated, for example, by comparing Figure 11a or 11b to Figure 11c or 11d .
  • the position of the fin 95 is also moved to another fin seat when passing from a left-swing configuration to a right-swing configuration.
  • the fin 95 is disconnected from the first seat 95a at the rear side 5b of the rear frame 5 and connected to the second seat 95b, which is formed in the rear frame 5 in an opposite position relative to the first seat 95a.
  • the position of the fin 95 relative to the machine cabinet 7 remains constant when passing from a left-swing configuration to a right-swing configuration. In this way, there is no necessity to change the position of the safety device, which is preferably fixed to the casing 7.
  • Positioning of the handle 50 in different positions is preferably obtained thanks to the fastening device 200 of the door assembly 10.
  • the handle can be positioned in a higher number of different positions, for example by varying the number of coupling elements and coupling counter-elements along the contour of the door assembly, as explained above.
  • the present invention allows all the set objects to be achieved.
  • it makes possible to prevent dust, moisture or other foreign matter from accumulating within the door assembly and being visible through an at least partly transparent cap element, and further avoids that connections of door assembly components, such as the front and rear frames thereof are visible through the at least partly transparent cap element.
  • a laundry treating machine comprising a door assembly according to the invention contributes to have an improved aesthetic appearance compared to machines of known type.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Ensemble porte (10) pour machine de traitement de linge (1), pouvant ouvrir et/ou fermer une ouverture (4) définie dans une paroi (2) de la machine de traitement de linge (1), l'ensemble porte (10) comprenant :
    un cadre arrière (5) formant une surface arrière de l'ensemble porte (10) pouvant faire face à ladite paroi (2) lorsque l'ensemble porte (10) ferme l'ouverture (4), le cadre arrière (5) comprenant un bord radialement intérieur de cadre arrière (8a) définissant une ouverture arrière (8) ;
    un élément de fermeture (40) relié au cadre arrière (5) pour fermer l'ouverture arrière (8) du cadre arrière (5) ;
    un cadre avant (6) disposé sur un côté avant (5a) du cadre arrière (5) et comprenant :
    une structure de support avant (70) ayant un bord radialement intérieur (9a) définissant une ouverture avant (9) ;
    un élément couvercle (33) au moins partiellement transparent recouvrant un côté avant (70a) de la structure de support avant (70), et s'étendant sur l'ouverture avant (9), l'élément couvercle (33) ayant un côté arrière (33b) et un côté avant (33a), ce dernier formant la surface avant de l'ensemble porte (10) ;
    une poignée (50) disposée sur la structure de support avant (70) et/ou l'élément couvercle (33) ;
    moyennant quoi l'ensemble porte (10) comprend en outre :
    un élément de couverture (60), couvrant au moins partiellement l'élément de fermeture (40), interposé entre le cadre arrière (5) et le cadre avant (6), l'élément de couverture (60) ayant une partie formée (67) s'étendant au moins partiellement à travers l'ouverture avant (9) de la structure de support (70) du cadre avant (6), la partie formée (67) comprenant une surface latérale avant (64) la plus extérieure faisant face au côté arrière (33b) de l'élément couvercle (33) et au moins une seconde surface (66) s'étendant à l'opposé de la première surface latérale (64) et vers l'élément de fermeture (40) ;
    un espace (100) étant défini entre la surface latérale avant (64) la plus extérieure de la partie formée (67) de l'élément de couverture (60) et le côté arrière (33b) de l'élément couvercle (33) et l'ensemble porte (10) comprenant en outre un élément opaque (90) disposé au niveau du côté arrière (33b) de l'élément couvercle (33) et entre la structure de support avant (70) et l'élément couvercle (33), l'élément opaque (90) remplissant au moins partiellement l'espace (100).
  2. Ensemble porte (10) selon la revendication 1, l'élément opaque (90) remplissant totalement l'espace (100) .
  3. Ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, la surface latérale avant (64) la plus extérieure de la partie formée de l'élément de couverture (67) s'étendant entre une ligne de bordure radialement intérieure (64a) et une ligne de bordure radialement extérieure (64b).
  4. Ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, l'élément opaque (90) comprenant un bord radialement intérieur d'élément opaque (72) définissant une ouverture d'élément opaque (73).
  5. Ensemble porte (10) selon les revendications 3 et 4, le bord radialement intérieur d'élément opaque (72) étant situé entre la ligne de bordure radialement intérieure (64a) et la ligne de bordure radialement extérieure (64b) de la surface latérale avant (64) la plus extérieure de la partie formée de l'élément de couverture.
  6. Ensemble porte selon les revendications 3 et 4, le bord radialement intérieur d'élément opaque (72) étant placé dans une position qui est radialement extérieure à la ligne de bordure radialement extérieure (64b) de la surface latérale avant la plus extérieure (64) de la partie formée de l'élément de couverture.
  7. Ensemble porte selon les revendications 3 et 4, le bord radialement intérieur d'élément opaque (72) étant aligné sur la ligne de bordure intérieure de la surface latérale avant (64) la plus extérieure.
  8. Ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, la structure de support avant (70) ayant un bord radialement extérieur de structure de support avant (61) et l'élément couvercle (33) ayant un bord radialement extérieur d'élément couvercle (62).
  9. Ensemble porte (10) selon la revendication 8, le bord radialement extérieur de structure de support avant (61) correspondant en forme et en taille au bord radialement extérieur d'élément couvercle (62).
  10. Ensemble porte (10) selon la revendication 9, l'élément opaque (90) comprenant un bord radialement extérieur d'élément opaque (71) qui est recouvert soit par le bord radialement extérieur d'élément couvercle (62) soit par le bord radialement extérieur de structure de support avant (61).
  11. Ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, l'élément opaque (90) comprenant un bord radialement extérieur d'élément opaque (71) qui est interposé entre le bord radialement extérieur d'élément couvercle (62) et le bord radialement extérieur de structure de support avant (61).
  12. Ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
    l'élément de couverture (60) comprenant un siège (80) pour recevoir une partie de la structure de support avant (70), un espace intermédiaire (120) étant défini entre la structure de support avant (70) et le siège (80) de l'élément de couverture (60).
  13. Ensemble porte (10) selon la revendication 12, ledit espace intermédiaire (120) étant couvert par ledit élément opaque (90) disposé au niveau du côté arrière (33b) de l'élément couvercle (33).
  14. Ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, la poignée (50) étant délimitée par un bord radialement extérieur (61) de la structure de support avant (70) et/ou de l'élément couvercle (33), ledit bord radialement extérieur (61) s'étendant, pour la plus grande partie de celui-ci, dans une trajectoire circulaire autour d'un axe longitudinal (X) de l'ensemble porte (10) à une première distance de celui-ci, et une partie dudit bord radialement extérieur (61) s'étendant autour de l'axe longitudinal (X) de l'ensemble porte (10) à une seconde distance de celui-ci, ladite seconde distance étant supérieure à la première distance.
  15. Machine de traitement de linge (1) comprenant une armoire (7) comprenant une paroi (2) sur laquelle une ouverture (4) est formée, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend un ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, ledit ensemble porte (10) pouvant ouvrir et/ou fermer ladite ouverture (4).
EP16199821.6A 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge Active EP3323927B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16199821.6A EP3323927B1 (fr) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge
PL16199821T PL3323927T3 (pl) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Zespół drzwiczek do urządzenia pralniczego

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16199821.6A EP3323927B1 (fr) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3323927A1 EP3323927A1 (fr) 2018-05-23
EP3323927B1 true EP3323927B1 (fr) 2021-11-10

Family

ID=57354284

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16199821.6A Active EP3323927B1 (fr) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3323927B1 (fr)
PL (1) PL3323927T3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11492748B2 (en) 2019-09-30 2022-11-08 Whirlpool Corporation Appliance lid that incorporates interior structural foam reinforcement

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7802855B2 (en) * 2005-09-30 2010-09-28 General Electric Company Home appliance having a door
US20110025178A1 (en) * 2009-07-30 2011-02-03 Bsh Home Appliances Corporation Door frame for a household appliance door
EP2740833B1 (fr) * 2012-12-06 2017-04-12 Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. Dispositif de traitement du linge avec ensemble de porte
PL2843108T3 (pl) * 2013-08-30 2017-06-30 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Maszyna do obróbki prania
US9920466B2 (en) * 2015-02-24 2018-03-20 Clarion Technologies, Inc. Structural foam-core panels

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL3323927T3 (pl) 2022-04-19
EP3323927A1 (fr) 2018-05-23

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