EP3835477B1

EP3835477B1 - Universal leveling arrangement for a household appliance

Info

Publication number: EP3835477B1
Application number: EP20210267.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hamdi GUNDOGAN; Serdar KANTIK; Murat Ungor; Murat YETILMEZSOY; Recep KARAGOZ; Kemal DINCER
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2019-12-10
Filing date: 2020-11-27
Publication date: 2023-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-27
Also published as: TR201919754A2; EP3835477A1

Description

The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular to a household appliance having height leveling mechanism.
Household appliances such as dishwashers, washing and/or drying machines, ovens and refrigerators, are commonly used in our daily lives. Said household appliances comprises a pair of rear feet via which their height is adjusted in order to balance the household appliance. In order to do so, the user needs to rotate the pair of feet. Depending on the inclination of the ground the household appliance stands on, the user rotates the pair of rear feet clockwise or anti-clockwise until levelness is achieved. However, this method is cumbersome, as the user may need to push and pull the household appliance to a designated area inside the kitchen or the bathroom. It is known from the state of the art that the height adjustment is performed by rotating a shaft. The shaft is coupled to one of the rear foot and extends along the depth of the household appliance, protruding from the front end of the household appliance. The user after pushing the household appliance to the designated area inside the kitchen or the bathroom rotates the aforementioned shaft therefore adjusting the height of the household appliance. Each foot is connected to a shaft; therefore the user has to separately rotate each shaft to adjust the height of the household appliance which creates extra burden for the user. Another problem with the state of the art is the fact that each one of the rear feet requires a separate shaft which increases the cost of the household appliances.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as KR20040046106 among others, the document disclosing a cooling appliance having plurality of support legs in relation with shafts and gears used for height adjustment. Document US 3 673 592 A discloses a household appliance provided with a caster jack mechanism having a shaft extending across the width of the cabinet and having caster wheels at its ends journaled for rotation in opposed walls of the cabinet, whereby the frame of the appliance is lifted from the floor and supported on caster wheels for movement to a new location.
An objective of the present invention is to adjust the height of the household appliances wherein the said adjustment is achieved for every ground surface condition in an easily operable manner that is convenient for the user.
The method realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the independent claim 1 and the dependent claims comprises a household appliance having a body. The body is elevated from the ground via a plurality of feet. A pair of rear feet is provided at a rear end of the household appliance. The pair of rear feet are attached to a lower surface of the body in a rotatably manner. Upon being rotated, the tip of the pair of rear feet provides height adjustment of the household appliance.
Depending on the direction of the rotation, the height of the household appliance changes. By means of the pair of rear feet, the height of the household appliance is leveled overcoming the side effects occurring due to the inclinations, cavities or bumps on the ground. A main shaft is provided and is coupled to a pair of shafts in a rotatably manner. The main shaft upon being rotated, transmits the rotation to the shafts which in turn transmits the rotation to the pair of rear feet thereby adjusting the height and the levelness of the household appliance. The main shaft is connected to the shafts via a transmission unit. The transmission unit comprises necessary equipment to transmit the rotation from the main shaft to the shafts. By means of the transmission unit, the shafts are rotated via a single main shaft which not only helps reduce the material related costs but also provides ease of use for the user.
According to the invention, the main shaft is configured to move along its elongation direction. The main shaft has two different position, neutral position and the pushed-in position. During the neutral position, the pair of rear feet are configured rotate in opposite directions with respect to each other. Meaning that one of the rear feet, heightens the household appliance meanwhile the other one of the rear feet lowers the household appliance.
In the pushed-in position, the pair of rear feet are configured rotate in same direction with respect to each other. Meaning that both of the pair of rear feet heightens or lowers the household appliance. By means of the main shaft being configured to move along its elongation direction, the height and levelness of the household appliance can be adjusted on every ground condition. For instance, if there is an elevation difference between the ground the right rear foot and the left foot is standing on, the user rotates the main shaft in neutral position. Similarly, if the right rear foot and the left foot are standing on a ground having same elevation but the rear side of the household appliance is at a lower or at a higher elevation than the front of the household appliance than the user may use the pushed-in position to adjust the height of the household appliance.
According to the invention, the transmission unit comprises a first connection means, a second connection means, a third connection means and a fourth connection means. Said connection means are coupled with one another in a predetermined manner. As the main shaft is moved between the neutral and the pushed-in position, the way the said connection means are coupled to each other changes. As a result, the pair of rear feet can be rotated in the same direction or in the opposite direction. In the neutral position, the first connection means is coupled to the second connection means, the second connection means to the third connection means and the third connection means to the fourth connection means respectively. In the pushed-in position, the fourth connection means is coupled to the first connection means and the first connection means to the second connection means. During the pushed-in position, the first connection means is in between the fourth connection means and the second connection means. The fourth connection means, and the second connection means are attached to the shafts from one end. The first connection means is attached to the main shaft from one end.
In an embodiment of the invention, connection means are preferably gears but more preferably bevel gears.
In an embodiment of the invention, a biasing means is placed on the main shaft and biases the main shaft towards the neutral position. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing means is a helical spring but it is to be understood that the skilled person in the art can use and any elements suitable for biasing. The biasing means provides an automatic push out mechanism for the main shaft.
In an embodiment of the invention, at least one of the shafts comprises a joint. As the position of the main shaft changes from neutral to pushed-in position or the other way around, an offsetness is formed. The joint forms an elbow overcoming the side effects of being offset.
In an embodiment of the invention, a router joint interconnecting the main shaft to one of the shafts is provided. The router joint, in the shape of an "L", is provided so as to extend in between the main shaft and one of the shafts. As the position of the main shaft changes, the router joint supports the movement and helps overcome the side effects of the aforementioned offsetness.
In an embodiment of the invention, the household appliance comprises a support structure. The support structure is placed onto the bottom of the household appliance. The support structure carries the transmission means and the pair of rear feet.
The support structure provides structural strength for the household appliance.
By means of the present invention, the height of the household appliance can be adjusted without being have to move the household appliance from its current position.
Another advantageous effect of this invention is that the height of the household appliance can be adjusted via a single main shaft which decreases manufacturing costs.
Another advantageous effect of this invention is that the height of the household appliance can be adjusted simply by pushing or pulling and rotating the main shaft which provides convenience for the user.
Another advantageous effect of this invention is that the operational parts of the transmission unit are all mechanical which has the advantage of long lifetime compared to electronic and hydraulic systems.
In the household appliance of the present invention, the levelness of the household appliance is achieved by means of the shaft wherein the shaft is configured to move along its elongation direction between two different positions and the transmission unit within which the shaft and the communication means are accommodated.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Figure 1 - is a front view of the household appliance
Figure 2 - is a view of the transmisiion unit and the shafts from below in neutral position
Figure 3 - is a view of the transmisiion unit and the shafts from below in pushed-in position

The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings and referred to in the present detailed description of the invention:

1. Household appliance
2. Shaft
3. Main shaft
4. Transmission unit
- 4a. First connection means
- 4b. Second connection means
- 4c. Third connection means
- 4d. Fourth connection means
5. Biasing means
6. Joint
7. Router joint
8. Support structure

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising; a body and a pair of rear feet rotatably coupled to a lower surface of the body to adjust the height of the body via a pair of shafts (2).
The present invention relates to a main shaft (3), connected to the pair of shafts (2) via a transmission unit (4) wherein the main shaft (3) is configured to rotate the pair of shafts (2) upon being rotated. The pair of rear feet are rotatably inserted inside the body. As the pair of rear feet rotate, they move towards the inside or outside the body depending on the direction of rotation, therefore adjusting the height of the body. The pair of rear feet are rotatably connected to a pair of shafts (2). The shafts (2) extend towards each other almost along a linear direction. The main shaft (3) is connected to the shafts (2) via the transmission unit (4). As the main shaft (3) is rotated, the transmission unit (4) conveys the rotation to the shafts (2) which in turn forces the pair of rear feet to rotate thereby adjusting the height of the household appliance (1). By means of the transmission unit (4) and the shafts (2,3), the rotation is conveyed to the pair of rear feet, simultaneously adjusting the height of both rear feet providing convenience for the user. Another advantageous effect provided by means of the shafts (2,3) is that the mechanical structure they have is robust and provides long lifetime usage without the need for maintenance.
According to the invention, the main shaft (3) is configured to move along its elongation direction between a neutral position and a pushed-in position during which the pair of rear feet adjusts the height of the body in opposite and in same directions respectively. The main shaft (3) moves along its elongation direction between two positions. During the neutral position, the main shaft (3), upon being rotated, forces the pair of rear feet to rotate in opposite directions. This results in helping to adjust the height of the household appliance (1) if there is a level difference on the ground whereon the pair of rear feet contacts. For instance, one of the rear feet may be standing on a bump whereas the other one of the rear feet may have lost contact with the ground due to a cavity on the ground. During the pushed-in position, the main shaft (3), upon being rotated, forces the pair of rear feet to rotate in the same direction. This results in helping to adjust the height of the household appliance (1) if there is a level difference on the ground between the front of the household appliance (1) and the rear of the household appliance (1). For instance, an inclination towards the rear of the household appliance (1). Likewise, the user may need to use first the pushed-in position and later the neutral position. By means of the main shaft (3) being able to move along its elongation direction two different positions are achieved which helps the user to adjust the height and therefore the levelness of the household appliance (1) in every ground condition.
According to the invention, the transmission unit (4) comprises a first connection means (4a), a second connection means (4b), a third connection means (4c) and a fourth connection means (4d) wherein said connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) rotatably interconnected and wherein some of the said connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) couple and decouple as the position of the main shaft (3) changes. The shafts (2) are rotatably connected to the pair of rear feet from one end. The second connection means (4b) and the fourth connection means (4d) are attached to the shafts (2) from the other end. The main shaft (3) comprises the first connection means (4a) and the fourth connection means (4d) which are separated by a distance. The main shaft (3) has two positioned as it was mentioned before. During the neutral position, the first connection means (4a) is rotatably connected to the second connection means (4b), the second connection means (4b) to the third connection means (4c), the third connection means (4c) to the fourth connection means (4d). By this means, as the main shaft (3) rotates, the rotation is transferred among the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) which in turn will be transferred to the shafts (2) and therefore to the pair of rear feet.
During the pushed-in position, the third connection means (4c) is disconnected from the second connection means (4b) and the fourth connection means (4d). Meanwhile, the first connection means (4a) lays rotatably coupled and in-between the second connection means (4b) and the fourth connection means (4d). By means of the main shaft (3) moving along its elongation direction, the position and the orientation of the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) can be changed which in turn provides the user with the option of changing the relative positions of the pair or rear feet in same and/or in opposite directions.
In another embodiment, the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) are gears. The gears are long lasting and requires minimum maintenance. Another advantageous effect of using gears is the fact that they are an economical solution to adjusting the height of the household appliance (1).
In another embodiment, the gears are bevel gears. Bevel gears have conically shaped tooth bearing surfaces. By means of bevel gear, the shafts (2,3) that intersect each other by 90 degrees or any other angle in-between 0 degree and 180 degrees can be designed to couple with each other. Bevel gears, like regular gears, are long lasting and requires minimum maintenance and an economical solution to adjusting the height of the household appliance (1).
In another embodiment, a biasing means (5) is placed on the main shaft (3) biasing the main shaft (3) towards the neutral position. By means of the biasing means (5), the main shaft (3) is returned to neutral position as soon as the user removes pressure on the main shaft (3) which provides ease of use for the user.
In another embodiment, at least one of the shafts (2) comprises a joint (6). As the position of the main shaft (3) changes, there occurs an offset between the main shaft (3) and the shaft (2) or between the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d). By means of the joint (6), the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) remain aligned as the position of the main shaft (3) changes.
In another embodiment, a router joint (7) is connecting the main shaft (3) to at least one of the shafts (2). The router joint (7) is preferably in the shape of an "L" and connects the main shaft (3) to the shaft (2). As the position of the main shaft (3) changes, the router joint (7) is forced to rotate around an axis. As a result, the shaft (2) connected to the joint router (7) moves, making alignment of the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) easier.
In another embodiment, a support structure (8) carries the transmission unit (4) and the pair of rear feet.
The support structure (9) is in the shape of a plate and is placed to the lower surface of the body. The support structure (9) provides structural support.
In another embodiment, shafts (2) are rotatably coupled with the rear feet via a fifth and a sixth connection means. The said connection means are preferably bevel gears, but it is to be understood that the skilled person in the art can use any elements suitable to transfer the rotation of the shafts (2) to the pair of rear feet.
In another embodiment, a lug is placed onto the end of the main shaft (3) facing the front of the household appliance (1) into which the user may insert a screw or an allen key or a specialized instrument (not shown) provided by the manufacturer to rotate the main shaft (3).
In an embodiment, the main shaft (3) and the shafts (2) are attached to the bottom of the household appliance (1) via hanging means (not shown), rotatably fixing the said shafts (2) to the body.
The household appliance (1) of the present invention is a cooling appliance or a washer or a washer/dryer or an oven or a dishwasher.
In the household appliance (1) of the present invention, the levelness of the household appliance is achieved by means of the main shaft (3) being able to move along its elongation direction which helps the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) to couple and decouple which in turn changes the direction of rotation of the pair of rear feet.
As a result, leveling is achieved independent of the condition of the ground on which the household appliance (1) stands on.

Claims

A household appliance (1) comprising;
a body

a pair of rear feet rotatably coupled to a lower surface of the body to adjust the height of the body via a pair of shafts (2) extending toward one another, and

a main shaft (3), connected to the pair of shafts (2) via a transmission unit (4) wherein the main shaft (3) is configured to rotate the pair of shafts (2) upon being rotated,

characterized in that
- the main shaft (3) is configured to move along its elongation direction between a neutral position and a pushed-in position; wherein during the neutral position, the pair of rear feet rotate in opposite directions with respect to each other; and, wherein during the pushed-in position, the pair of rear feet rotate in the same direction with respect to each other; and

- the transmission unit (4) comprises a first connection means (4a) and a third connection means (4c) which are separated by a distance and attached to the main shaft (3), a second connection means (4b) attached to an end of one of the pair of shafts (2), and a fourth connection means (4d) attached to an end of the other one of the pair of shafts (2), wherein, during the neutral position, the first connection means (4a) is rotatably connected to the second connection means (4b), the second connection means (4b) to the third connection means (4c), the third connection means (4c) to the fourth connection means (4d); and during the pushed-in position, the third connection means (4c) is disconnected from the second connection means (4b) and the fourth connection means (4d), while the first connection means (4a) is rotatably coupled to and in-between the second connection means (4b) and the fourth connection means (4d).
A household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection means (4a,4b,4c,4d) are gears.
A household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the gears are bevel gears.
A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a biasing means (5) placed on the main shaft (3) biasing the main shaft (3) towards the neutral position.
A household appliance (1) according to any of the proceeding claims, characterized in that at least one of the shafts (2) comprises a joint (6) for keeping the connection means (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) aligned as the position of the main shaft (3) changes.
A household appliance (1) according to any of the proceeding claims, characterized by a router joint (7) connecting the main shaft (3) to at least one of the shafts (2).
A household appliance (1) according to any of the proceeding claims, characterized by a support structure (8) carrying the transmission unit (4) and the pair of rear feet.