EP3619473A1

EP3619473A1 - Household appliance with a flap door

Info

Publication number: EP3619473A1
Application number: EP17725877.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Altan OZKOK; Merih Tarimtoru; Mehmet Murat MAMATOGLU; Fatih Ceylan
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2017-05-04
Filing date: 2017-05-04
Publication date: 2020-03-11
Also published as: WO2018202300A1; TR201801573A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1), in particular to a freestanding oven (1), comprising: a housing (2) which comprises a storage compartment (3); a flap door (4) for opening/closing the storage compartment (3); and one or more hinge assemblies (5) each for pivotably connecting the flap door (4) to the housing (2).

Description

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A FLAP DOOR

The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular to a freestanding oven. The present invention more particularly relates to the flap door of the storage compartment of the household appliance.
Household appliances such as freestanding ovens are commonly known in the art. A freestanding oven generally comprises: a housing which comprises a storage compartment; a flap door for opening/closing the storage compartment; and one or more hinge assemblies each for pivotably connecting the flap door to the housing.
EP0318310(A1) discloses a freestanding oven.
A problem with the prior art oven is that the hinge assemblies of the flap door generally have a complicated structure with a large number of component parts, and thus require extensive effort and time of the assembly operator during the assemblage. In general, freestanding ovens are produced in different dimensions. Therefore, the dimensions of the storage compartments and thus the dimensions of the flap doors may also vary. Therefore, another problem with the prior art oven is that the hinge assemblies generally require modification when the flap door is produced with a larger or smaller height.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a household appliance which solves the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables an improved production and assemblage.
This objective has been achieved by the household appliance as defined in claim 1, and the freestanding oven as defined in claim 15. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.
In the household appliance of the present invention, each hinge assembly comprises: a first hinge bracket and a second hinge bracket which are adapted to be releasably and rigidly joined to the housing and the flap door respectively, wherein the first hinge bracket and the second hinge bracket are adapted to respectively engage with or disengage from each other when they are relatively moved towards or away from each other along the axis of the rotation, wherein the first hinge bracket has a first pivoting element, and wherein the second hinge bracket has a second pivoting element which is adapted to be releasably and rotatably supported by the first pivoting element in the engaged state.
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the hinge assembly can be easily assembled with the housing and the flap door. Thereby, the production and maintenance costs can be reduced both in terms of labor and material. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the hinge assembly can also be easily used with different flap doors that have different heights and/or widths. Thereby, the differences in the production costs of differently dimensioned household appliances can be reduced. Thereby also the stock management can be simplified, and thus the production costs can be further reduced.
In alternative embodiments, the first pivoting element is provided as a pin or a hole whereas the second pivoting element is provided as a hole or a pin respectively. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the pin and the hole can be easily assembled or disassembled through combining or separating the first hinge bracket and the second hinge bracket along the axis of the rotation.
In an embodiment, the first hinge bracket and the pin are provided as a single plastic piece. In an alternative embodiment, the pin is provided as a single metal piece that is embedded into the plastic first hinge bracket during the molding. In an embodiment, the second hinge bracket with the hole is also provided as a single plastic piece.
These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the productions costs can be reduced both in terms of labor and material. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the number of parts of the hinge assembly has been reduced, and thus the assembly can be easily performed by the assembly operator.
In an embodiment, the flap door is held in the closed position by one or more closing means each having a magnet. In an embodiment, the closing means is provided as a plastic piece into which the magnet is embedded. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the flap door can be cost effectively and reliably held in the closed position. Thereby, the need for using springs in the hinge assembly has been obviated. Thereby also the need for using hooks and the like has been obviated.
In an embodiment, the first hinge brackets are each directly joined to the uprights that support the housing. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the uprights are mechanically robust, and thus the flap door can be smoothly opened and closed.
In alternative embodiments, the first hinge brackets and the second hinge brackets are connected to the uprights and the flap door respectively through force-fitting connections such as screw connections and/or form-fitting connections such as first/second protrusions and associated first/second apertures. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the first hinge brackets and the second hinge brackets can be cost effectively and securely assembled in place.
In an embodiment, the first hinge brackets are aligned and received by the respective slots formed into the flap door. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the hinge assembly and the flap door can be more easily assembled.
In an embodiment, the second hinge brackets are each directly joined to the inner side of the flap door. In an embodiment the second hinge brackets are each directly joined to the frame of the flap door which is u-shaped and is inwardly bending. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the hinge assembly and the flap door can be more easily and securely assembled.
In alternative embodiments, the household appliance is provided as a freestanding oven, a washer, a dryer, a refrigerator, and the like. In an embodiment, the storage compartment in the freestanding oven is disposed underneath the cavity for cooking the food.
Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the household appliance of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 – is a schematic partial perspective view of a household appliance, in particular of a freestanding oven according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the flap door is in the closed position;
Figure 2 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the household appliance of Fig. 1, wherein the flap door is in the open position;
Figure 3 – is a schematic partial perspective exploded view of the household appliance of Fig. 1.
The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Household appliance (oven)
Housing
Storage compartment
Flap door
Hinge assembly
First hinge bracket
Second hinge bracket
First pivoting element
Second pivoting element
Pin
Hole
Closing means
Magnet
Plastic piece
Upright
First screw connection
Second screw connection
First protrusion
First aperture
Slot
Second protrusion
Second aperture
Frame
Cavity

A: The axis of the rotation
The household appliance (1) comprises: a housing (2) which comprises a storage compartment (3); a flap door (4) for opening/closing the storage compartment (3); and one or more hinge assemblies (5) each for pivotably connecting the flap door (4) to the housing (2) (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).
In the household appliance (1) of the present invention each hinge assembly (5) further comprises: a first hinge bracket (6) and a second hinge bracket (7) which are adapted to be releasably and rigidly joined to the housing (2) and the flap door (4) respectively (Fig. 2). The first hinge bracket (6) and the second hinge bracket (7) are adapted to respectively engage with or disengage from each other when they are relatively moved towards or away from each other along the axis of the rotation (A) (Fig. 3). The first hinge bracket (6) has a first pivoting element (8), and the second hinge bracket (7) has a second pivoting element (9) which is adapted to be releasably and rotatably supported by the first pivoting element (7) in the engaged state (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3)
In an embodiment, the first pivoting element (8) comprises a pin (10) (Fig. 3). In this embodiment, the second pivoting element (9) comprises a hole (11) for receiving the pin (10) in the engaged state (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
In an embodiment, the first hinge bracket (6) and the pin (10) are provided as a single plastic piece.
In an alternative embodiment, the first hinge bracket (6) is provided as a single plastic piece. And the pin (10) is provided as a single metal piece which is integrated into the first hinge bracket (6) through molding.
In an embodiment, the second hinge bracket (7) with the hole (11) is provided as a single plastic piece.
In an embodiment, the household appliance (1) further comprises one or more closing means (12) each comprising a magnet (13) for keeping the flap door (4) in the closed position (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3). In this embodiment, the closing means (12) is adapted for the attachment to the housing (2) (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the closing means (12) is provided as a plastic piece (14) into which the magnet (13) is embedded (Fig. 3).
In an embodiment, the household appliance (1) further comprises uprights (15) for supporting the housing (2) (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the first hinge brackets (6) are each directly joined to the uprights (15) respectively (Fig.2). In an embodiment, the closing means (12) is also adapted for the attachment to the upright (15) (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the household appliance (1) comprises: one or more first screw connections (16) for connecting the first hinge brackets (6) to the uprights (15) respectively (Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the household appliance (1) further comprises one or more second screw connections (17) for connecting the second hinge brackets (7) to the flap door (4) respectively (Fig.2).
In an embodiment, the household appliance (1) comprises one or more first protrusions (18) which are formed onto the first hinge brackets (6) respectively (Fig. 3). In this embodiment, the household appliance (1) further comprises one or more first apertures (19) which are formed into the uprights (15) respectively for aligning and receiving the first protrusions (18) respectively (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).
In an embodiment, the flap door (4) comprises one or more slots (20) for receiving the edges of the first hinge brackets (6) respectively (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the second hinge bracket (7) comprises one or more second protrusions (21) (Fig. 3). In this embodiment, the flap door (4) comprises one or more second apertures (22) for aligning and receiving the second protrusions (21) respectively (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the second hinge brackets (7) are each directly joined to the inner side of the flap door (4) (Fig. 2).
In an embodiment, the flap door (4) comprises a frame (23) which is u-shaped and inwardly bending (Fig 2). In this embodiment, the second hinge brackets (6) are each directly joined into only one side of the the frame (23).
In an embodiment, the household appliance (1) is provided as a freestanding oven (1) which has a cavity (24) for cooking the food. In this embodiment, the storage compartment (3) is disposed underneath the cavity (24) (Fig. 3).
In the subsequent description the assembly process of the flap door (4) with the housing (2) will be briefly explained. First, the first hinge bracket (6) and the second hinge bracket (7) are combined along the axis of the rotation (A) such that the pin (10) is inserted into the hole (11). Then the first hinge bracket (6) is placed into the slot (20) on the flap door (4). Then the first/second protrusions (18, 21) are inserted into the first/second apertures (19, 22). Then, the first/second screw connections (16, 17) are tightened. In this embodiment, the flap door (4) has two hinge assemblies (5) on each side of the household appliance (1).
A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the hinge assembly (5) can be easily assembled with the housing (2) and the flap door (4). Thereby, the production and maintenance costs can be reduced both in terms of labor and material. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the hinge assembly (5) can also be easily used with different flap doors (4) that have different heights and/or widths. Thereby, the differences in the production costs of differently dimensioned household appliances (1) can be reduced. Thereby, also the stock management can be simplified, and thus the production costs can be further reduced. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above described embodiments.

Claims

A household appliance (1), in particular a freestanding oven (1), comprising: a housing (2) which comprises a storage compartment (3); a flap door (4) for opening/closing the storage compartment (3); and one or more hinge assemblies (5) each for pivotably connecting the flap door (4) to the housing (2), characterized in that each hinge assembly (5) comprises: a first hinge bracket (6) and a second hinge bracket (7) which are adapted to be releasably and rigidly joined to the housing (2) and the flap door (4) respectively, wherein the first hinge bracket (6) and the second hinge bracket (7) are adapted to respectively engage with or disengage from each other when they are relatively moved towards or away from each other along the axis of the rotation (A), wherein the first hinge bracket (6) has a first pivoting element (8), and wherein the second hinge bracket (7) has a second pivoting element (9) which is adapted to be releasably and rotatably supported by the first pivoting element (7) in the engaged state.
The household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first pivoting element (8) comprises a pin (10); and the second pivoting element (9) comprises a hole (11) for receiving the pin (10) in the engaged state.
The household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first hinge bracket (6) and the pin (10) are provided as a single plastic piece.
The household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first hinge bracket (6) is provided as a single plastic piece, and the pin (10) is provided as a single metal piece which is integrated into the first hinge bracket (6) through molding.
The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the second hinge bracket (7) and the hole (11) are provided as a single plastic piece.
The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by further comprising one or more closing means (12) each comprising a magnet (13) for keeping the flap door (4) in the closed position, wherein the closing means (12) is adapted for the attachment to the housing (2).
The household appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the closing means (12) is provided as a plastic piece (14) into which the magnet (13) is embedded.
The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by further comprising uprights (15) for supporting the housing (2), wherein the first hinge brackets (6) are each directly joined to the uprights (15) respectively.
The household appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterized by comprising: one or more first screw connections (16) for connecting the first hinge brackets (6) to the uprights (15) respectively; and one or more second screw connections (17) for connecting the second hinge brackets (7) to the flap door (4) respectively.
The household appliance (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by comprising: one or more first protrusions (18) formed onto the first hinge brackets (6) respectively; and one or more an first apertures (19) formed into the upright (15) respectively for aligning and receiving the first protrusions (18) respectively.
The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the flap door (4) comprises one or more slots (20) for receiving the edges of the first hinge brackets (6) respectively.
The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second hinge bracket (7) comprises one or more second protrusions (21), and the flap door (4) comprises one or more second apertures (22) for aligning and receiving the second protrusions (21) respectively.
The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in the second hinge brackets (7) are each directly joined to the inner side of the flap door (4).
The household appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the flap door (4) comprises a frame (23) which is u-shaped and bends inwardly, wherein the second hinge brackets (6) are each directly joined only to one side of the the frame (23).
The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by being provided as a freestanding oven (1) which has a cavity (24) for cooking the food, wherein the storage compartment (3) is disposed underneath the cavity (24).