EP3323928B1 - Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge et procédé pour modifier la position d'une poignée dans ledit ensemble porte - Google Patents

Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge et procédé pour modifier la position d'une poignée dans ledit ensemble porte Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3323928B1
EP3323928B1 EP16199838.0A EP16199838A EP3323928B1 EP 3323928 B1 EP3323928 B1 EP 3323928B1 EP 16199838 A EP16199838 A EP 16199838A EP 3323928 B1 EP3323928 B1 EP 3323928B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
door assembly
rear frame
supporting structure
frame
handle
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
EP16199838.0A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3323928A1 (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 PL16199838.0T priority Critical patent/PL3323928T3/pl
Priority to EP16199838.0A priority patent/EP3323928B1/fr
Publication of EP3323928A1 publication Critical patent/EP3323928A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3323928B1 publication Critical patent/EP3323928B1/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
    • 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
    • D06F58/00—Domestic laundry dryers
    • D06F58/02—Domestic laundry dryers having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
    • D06F58/04—Details 
    • 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
    • D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
    • D06F37/42—Safety arrangements, e.g. for stopping rotation of the receptacle upon opening of the casing door

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 present invention relates to a door assembly for a laundry treating machine wherein the position of the handle may be easily changed. Further, the invention relates to a method to change the location of the handle in a door assembly.
  • 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 by operating a handle associated to the door assembly.
  • the position of the handle in the two configurations typically differs by a rotation of the handle with respect to the machine cabinet.
  • the handle in case the handle is not located along a center line of the door, i.e. a line substantially perpendicular to an axis of opening of the door assembly 10, it is also desired to change the position of the handle from a "lower” position to an "upper” position or vice-versa, in case the machine is mounted on the floor or on top of another appliance or piece of furniture.
  • the circumferential "distance" between the two desired handle positions is less than 180°, generally of about 90°. This need arises for example in case of dryers that are commonly mounted either on the floor of a room or on top of a washing machine.
  • WO2016135285A1 discloses a laundry drying machine comprising a cabinet housing a chamber for treating laundry.
  • a porthole, with a grip-only handle, is used for providing access to and tightly closing the chamber.
  • the porthole comprises a frame assembly comprising at least one frame and the grip-only handle is configured to be alternatively positionable in one of at least two prefixed positions with respect to said at least one frame of the frame assembly.
  • a drawback posed by the known assemblies is therefore constituted by the fact that they are composed by a great number of pieces.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks posed by the known techniques.
  • a door assembly for a laundry treating machine comprising a rear frame having a rear aperture, a closing element for closing the rear aperture, a front frame comprising a front supporting structure and an at least partially transparent cap element overlaying the front supporting structure, a covering element having a shaped portion interposed between the rear frame and the front frame, wherein a fastening device allows either the front frame or the rear frame to be connected to said rear frame or front frame respectively, in at least a first and a second alternative positions, it is possible to overcome drawbacks of known techniques.
  • 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 fastening device comprises coupling elements and corresponding coupling counter-elements formed in the front supporting structure and the rear frame.
  • the coupling elements is inserted within the coupling counter-elements or vice-versa;
  • the coupling elements extend from a rear side of the front supporting structure and said coupling counter-elements extend from a front surface of the rear frame, each coupling element or each coupling counter-element including a protruding element.
  • the protruding element includes a tubular sleeve having an open end. Further preferably, fastening screws are inserted from the rear surface of rear frame into through-holes defined by coupling counter-elements and are screwed into the tubular sleeves of coupling elements to fix the front 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 an extracting force.
  • the covering element comprises an outer edge , which delimits a seat facing an inner edge of the front supporting structure and receiving a portion thereof.
  • an interspace is defined between the outer edge of the covering element and the inner edge of the front supporting structure.
  • the interspace is covered by an opaque element arranged at a rear side of the cap element.
  • the covering element is sandwiched between the rear frame and the front supporting structure and comprises holes, which are passed through by coupling elements of the front supporting structure so as to center the covering element and to avoid rotations of the same.
  • the first and second alternative positions are obtained by rotating reciprocally the front frame and the rear frame by an adjustment angle.
  • the adjustment angle is comprised between 0° and 180°.
  • the first and/or the second position of the handle is located at a given angle between 0° and 90° from a center line of the door assembly substantially perpendicular to an axis of opening of the door assembly.
  • 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.
  • the handle is formed integral to the front supporting structure and the cap element.
  • the closing element is at least partially transparent.
  • the closing element is shaped so as to protrude within the opening of the wall of the laundry treating machine.
  • the fastening device allows reciprocal coupling of the rear frame to the front frame in a removable manner.
  • an opaque element is 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 welded to the front supporting structure via the opaque element.
  • a laundry treating machine comprising:
  • a method to modify the position of a handle in a door assembly associated to a laundry treating machine comprising:
  • 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 is 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 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, 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, 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.
  • 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 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 it possible to provide a laundry treating machine that makes it possible to reduce manufacturing time and costs compared to known technique.

Landscapes

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

Claims (16)

  1. Ensemble porte (10) pour une machine de traitement de linge (1), propre à 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) propre à faire face à ladite paroi (2) lorsque l'ensemble porte (10) ferme l'ouverture (4), le cadre arrière (5) comprenant un bord intérieur de cadre arrière (8a) définissant un orifice arrière (8) ;
    - un élément de fermeture (40) raccordé au cadre arrière (5) pour fermer l'orifice 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) comportant un bord intérieur (9a) définissant un orifice avant (9) ;
    - un élément formant couvercle (33) au moins partiellement transparent recouvrant un côté avant (70a) de la structure de support avant (70) et s'étendant sur l'orifice avant (9), l'élément formant couvercle (33) formant la surface avant de l'ensemble porte (10) ;
    - une poignée (50) placée sur la structure de support avant (70) et/ou l'élément formant couvercle (33) ;
    - un élément de recouvrement (60), recouvrant au moins partiellement l'élément de fermeture (40), interposé entre le cadre arrière (5) et le cadre avant (6) ;
    caractérisé en ce que l'ensemble porte (10) comprend, en outre, un dispositif de fixation (200) qui permet soit au cadre avant (6), soit au cadre arrière (5) d'être raccordé, respectivement, soit audit cadre arrière (5), soit audit cadre avant (6), dans au moins des première et deuxième positions possibles, de telle sorte que la poignée (50) placée dans le cadre avant (6) peut être disposée dans au moins des première et deuxième positions différentes relativement au cadre arrière (5) et de telle sorte que le cadre arrière (5) et le cadre avant (6) peuvent être assemblés dans différentes positions relatives angulaires.
  2. Ensemble porte selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de fixation (200) comprend des éléments d'accouplement (121) et des contre-éléments d'accouplement (122) correspondants, respectivement formés dans la structure de support avant (70) et le cadre arrière (5).
  3. Ensemble porte selon la revendication 2, dans lequel au moins une partie des éléments d'accouplement (121) est insérée à l'intérieur des contre-éléments d'accouplement (122) ou inversement.
  4. Ensemble porte selon la revendication 2 ou 3, dans lequel lesdits éléments d'accouplement (121) s'étendent à partir d'un côté arrière (70b) de la structure de support avant (70) et lesdits contre-éléments d'accouplement (122) s'étendent à partir d'une surface avant (5a) du cadre arrière (5), chaque élément d'accouplement (121) ou chaque contre-élément d'accouplement (122) comprenant un élément saillant.
  5. Ensemble porte selon la revendication 4, dans lequel l'élément saillant comprend un manchon tubulaire comportant une extrémité ouverte.
  6. Ensemble porte selon la revendication 5, dans lequel des vis de fixation (25) sont insérées depuis la surface arrière (5b) du cadre arrière (5) dans des trous débouchants définis par les contre-éléments d'accouplement (122) et sont vissées dans les manchons tubulaires des éléments d'accouplement (121) pour assujettir la structure de support avant (70) au cadre arrière (5).
  7. Ensemble porte selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans lequel l'insertion des éléments d'accouplement (121) dans les contre-éléments d'accouplement (122), ou inversement, est obtenue avec serrage de telle sorte que, lorsqu'un élément d'accouplement (121) est inséré dans un contre-élément d'accouplement (122), ou inversement, le retrait requiert l'application d'une force d'extraction.
  8. Ensemble porte selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 7, dans lequel l'élément de recouvrement (60) comprend un bord extérieur (69), qui délimite un siège (80) faisant face à un bord intérieur (9a) de la structure de support avant (70) et recevant une partie de celui-ci.
  9. Ensemble porte selon la revendication 8, dans lequel un interstice (120) est défini entre le bord extérieur (69) de l'élément de recouvrement (60) et le bord intérieur (9a) de la structure de support avant (70).
  10. Ensemble porte selon la revendication 9, dans lequel ledit interstice (120) est recouvert par un élément opaque (90) disposé au niveau d'un côté arrière (33b) de l'élément formant couvercle (33).
  11. Ensemble porte selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 10, dans lequel l'élément de recouvrement (60) est pris en sandwich entre le cadre arrière (5) et la structure de support avant (70) et comprend des trous (63), qui sont traversés par les éléments d'accouplement (121) de la structure de support avant (70) de façon à centrer l'élément de recouvrement (60) et à éviter des rotations de celui-ci.
  12. Ensemble porte selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les première et deuxième positions possibles sont obtenues en imprimant une rotation relative au cadre avant (6) et au cadre arrière (5) d'un angle d'ajustement (AN) compris entre 0° et 180°.
  13. Ensemble porte selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la première et/ou la seconde position de ladite poignée (50) est située à un angle donné entre 0° et 90° par rapport à une ligne médiane (C) de l'ensemble porte sensiblement perpendiculaire à un axe d'ouverture de l'ensemble porte.
  14. Ensemble porte selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la poignée (50) est délimitée par un bord radialement extérieur (61) de la structure de support avant (70) et/ou de l'élément formant couvercle (33), ledit bord radialement extérieur (61) s'étendant, pour la plus grande partie, de manière 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. Dispositif de traitement de linge comprenant :
    - une caisse (7) contenant une chambre de traitement destinée à recevoir une charge de linge à traiter ;
    - une paroi avant (2) couvrant un côté de ladite caisse (7), ladite paroi avant (2) comprenant une ouverture (4) permettant d'accéder à ladite chambre de traitement ;
    - un ensemble porte (10) associé à ladite caisse (7) pour ouvrir et/ou fermer ladite ouverture (4), ledit ensemble porte (10) présentant les caractéristiques selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 14.
  16. Procédé pour modifier la position d'une poignée (50) dans un ensemble porte (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14 associé à un dispositif de traitement de linge selon la revendication 15, le procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes :
    - actionner le dispositif de fixation (200) pour libérer le cadre avant (6) vis-à-vis du cadre arrière (5) ;
    - imprimer une rotation au cadre avant (6) par rapport au cadre arrière (5) d'une première position à une seconde position ou imprimer une rotation au cadre arrière (5) par rapport au cadre avant (6) d'une première position à une seconde position,
    - disposer l'élément de recouvrement (60) et l'élément de fermeture (40) de telle sorte qu'ils restent dans une position inchangée relativement à une caisse (7) du dispositif de traitement de linge, et
    - actionner le dispositif de fixation (200) pour raccorder le cadre avant (6) au cadre arrière (5) dans la seconde position.
EP16199838.0A 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge et procédé pour modifier la position d'une poignée dans ledit ensemble porte Active EP3323928B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL16199838.0T PL3323928T3 (pl) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Zespół drzwiowy do maszyny do obróbki prania oraz sposób modyfikacji położenia uchwytu w wymienionym zespole drzwiowym
EP16199838.0A EP3323928B1 (fr) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge et procédé pour modifier la position d'une poignée dans ledit ensemble porte

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16199838.0A EP3323928B1 (fr) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge et procédé pour modifier la position d'une poignée dans ledit ensemble porte

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3323928A1 EP3323928A1 (fr) 2018-05-23
EP3323928B1 true EP3323928B1 (fr) 2023-08-30

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16199838.0A Active EP3323928B1 (fr) 2016-11-21 2016-11-21 Ensemble porte pour machine de traitement de linge et procédé pour modifier la position d'une poignée dans ledit ensemble porte

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Country Link
EP (1) EP3323928B1 (fr)
PL (1) PL3323928T3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4365365A2 (fr) * 2020-02-19 2024-05-08 LG Electronics Inc. Appareil de traitement de linge
DE102022205165A1 (de) 2022-05-24 2023-11-30 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Wäschepflegegerät zum Pflegen von Gegenständen
DE102022205164A1 (de) * 2022-05-24 2023-11-30 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Wäschepflegegerät zum Pflegen von Gegenständen

Family Cites Families (4)

* 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
EP3034677B1 (fr) * 2014-12-19 2021-02-17 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Ensemble de porte pour appareil de traitement de linge
CN107257872A (zh) * 2015-02-27 2017-10-17 伊莱克斯家用电器股份公司 衣物干燥机

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EP3323928A1 (fr) 2018-05-23
PL3323928T3 (pl) 2024-02-26

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