EP3881015A1

EP3881015A1 - A household appliance having a cleaning means

Info

Publication number: EP3881015A1
Application number: EP19779424.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Anil YESIL; Mehmet YASAR; Davut MERIC; Ibrahim Yilmaz Evren; Bilun YUZUGULLU
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-11-13
Filing date: 2019-09-24
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-24
Also published as: WO2020099003A1; EP3881015B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a body (2) at least a pair of feet (3) elevating the body (2) from the ground and forming a volume in between.

Description

A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING A CLEANING MEANS

The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular to a household appliance having a cleaning device.
In household appliances, after placing the household appliances to their designated place such as kitchen or the bathroom, it is relatively hard to pull the household appliance and clean the floor underneath it. After a long time of use, dust, hair, dirt etc. is accumulated on the floor underneath the household appliance or behind the kick-plate. The user may remove the kick-plate and vacuum or sweep the area underneath the household appliances but due to the limited height it is relatively hard to vacuum or sweep the area underneath the household appliances which causes inconvenience to the user. In most cases, it is not possible to use a conventional vacuum cleaner inside such restricted volumes, therefore the user may have to use special extension parts for the vacuum cleaner which creates an additional expense. Another method widely used by the user in order to clean the aforementioned area is that the user pulls the household appliance, clean the aforementioned area and return the household appliance back to its previous position. This procedure requires intense physical effort causing further inconvenience to the user.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as WO2014053366A1among others, the document disclosing a cooling appliance having a cleaning member
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as KR20080003667 among others, the document disclosing a refrigerator having function for removing dust.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as US2017343256A1 among others, the document disclosing a refrigeration appliance comprising a cleaning device.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a household appliance having a cleaning means for removal of dust, hair, dirt or similar particles accumulated underneath the household appliance without being have to move the household appliance or bend down.
The method realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims comprises a household appliance having a body wherein the basic functional operations of the household appliance take place. The body is placed on to the ground via a plurality of feet. The number of feet may vary according to the shape and the horizontal cross-sectional area of the household appliance. In a preferred embodiment the number of the feet is four with each foot being placed at a corner of the household appliance. In another preferred embodiment, the feet may be formed as a plate extending downward towards ground, contacting the ground along the periphery of the household appliance. By use of the feet, the household appliance is elevated from the ground by a height thereby forming a volume underneath the household appliance. A cleaning means is placed underneath the household appliance inside the aforementioned volume. The cleaning means comprises a pair of springs, attaching the cleaning means to the household appliance. In a preferred embodiment the springs are attached to the household appliance via the pair of feet provided at the rear of the household appliance in a flexible manner. In another embodiment the pair of springs are attached directly to the household appliance. The cleaning means further comprises a pair of holders attached on to the pair of springs. The holders are utilized to connect a string to the springs via itself, and hold a sweeper between the two holders placed on the opposite side walls of the household appliance. The string is attached to the pair of springs and extends almost along the depth of the household appliance and reaches the front corners of the household appliance whereon the string is bent and diverted so as to extend along the width of the household appliance via a pair of guides. In a preferred embodiment the pair of guides are a pair of pulleys. The string, forming an angle equal or close to ninety degree extends almost parallel to the front of the household appliance. An aperture is provided at the front of the household appliance or at the kick plate of the household appliance through which the string reaches out. Upon pulling the string, the string starts to move out of the aperture. The tension created on the string is directed around the corners of the household appliance via the pair of guides to the pair of holders and the springs. The tension stretches the springs storing potential energy within. During the pull of the string, the depthwise length of the string is shortened as some of this distance is now covered with the pair of springs provided at the opposite sides of the household appliance. Meanwhile the widthwise length of the string remains the same. As the string is being pulled, the holders starts to move forward along with the sweeper. The sweeper is in linear shape and contacts the ground along the width of the household appliance in a continuous manner. During this forward movement, the sweeper sweeps the dust, hair, dirt and other particles accumulated on the floor underneath the household appliance. Upon releasing the string, the potential energy stored at the pair of springs forces the holders and along with the holders to return back to the initial conditions. On regular time intervals, the user may pull the string protruding from the front plate or the kick plate of the household appliance. During the sweep operation, aforementioned particles are caught by the sweeper and are forced towards the front plate or the kick plate of the household appliance. Afterwards the user may easily vacuum or swipe the aforementioned particles. By using the cleaning means, convenience is provided for the user.
In another embodiment of the invention a pair of pulleys is placed behind or close to the aperture. After a long term of use, the cleaning means may wear out due to the constant contact and friction between the aperture and the string. Use of pulleys provides a smooth operation, thereby prolonging the usage period of the holding part.
In another embodiment a handle is attached to the part of the string protruding outwards from the aperture. An advantage of the handle is that it provides ease of use and also prevents the string to slip back and fall inside the volume.
In another embodiment of the invention a pair of guideways are placed underneath the household appliance so as to extend lengthwise along the depth of the household appliance. The guideways may be attached to the rear feet or the plate acting as the rear feet and the front plate, kick plate or the front feet or any combination thereof. The pair of holders are attached to the guideways in a slidable manner. Therefore, use of guideways provides the holders and as a result the sweeper to be pulled in a linear manner increasing the sweeping efficiency of the cleaning means.
In another embodiment of the invention, the household appliance is a cooling appliance.
In another embodiment of the invention, the household appliance is a washing machine or a tumble dryer.
In another embodiment of the invention, the household appliance is a cooking appliance.
In another embodiment of the invention, the household appliance is a dishwasher.
A major advantageous effect of using the cleaning means is that the ground underneath the household appliances can be swept in an easy manner upon pulling the string which is connected to the pair of springs and via the pair of holders which are used to hold the sweeper in place.
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 crossectional view of A-A in Figure 1 wherein the cleaning means is in rest position.
Figure 3 – is a crossectional view of A-A in Figure 1 wherein the cleaning means is pulled.
Figure 4 – is side view of B-B section in Figure 2
Figure 5 – is side view of C-C section in Figure 3
The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings and referred to in the present detailed description of the invention:

Household appliance
Body
Foot
Cleaning means
Spring
Holder
Sweeper
Guide
String
Aperture
Pulley
Guideway

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a body (2), at least a pair of feet (3) elevating the body (2) from the ground and forming a volume in between.
The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) further comprising a cleaning means (4) comprising; a pair of springs (5) connected to the two opposite ends of the rear of the household appliance (1) from one end, a pair of holders (6) connected to the other ends of the pair of springs (5), a sweeper (7) attached on to the pair of holders (6) so as to extend almost along the width of the household appliance (1), a pair of guides (8) provided in close vicinity of the pair of feet (3) towards the front of the household appliance (1), a string (9) connected to the pair of holders (6) and extending almost along the depth of the household appliance (1) and towards the pair of guides (8) via which the string (9) is bent and continues to extend almost along the width of the household appliance (1), an aperture (10) at the front of the household appliance (1) through which the string (9) reaches out and which upon being pulled, moves the pair of holders (6) and the sweeper (7) along the depth of the household appliance (1). The pair of springs (5) are attached to the rear of the household appliance (1). The location of the attachment of the pair of springs (5) may a pair of feet (3) or a plate of the household appliance (1) extending downwards towards the ground so as to elevate the household appliance (1) from the ground. The pair of springs (5) are attached to the two opposite ends of the rear of the household appliance (1) so as to create a distance in between and the pair of springs (5) extends towards the front of the household appliance (1). The pair of springs (5) are connected to the pair of holders (6). The pair of holders (6) are used to interconnect the pair of springs (5) and the string (9). Additionally, the sweeper (7) is attached to the pair of holders (6) and as a result, the sweeper (7) extends along the width of the household appliance (1). The string (9) extends towards the front of the household appliance (1) and towards the pair of guides (8) inside the said volume. The string (9) is bent by partially turning around the pair of guides (8). The string (9) after being bent extends almost along the width of the household appliance (1) in a direction almost parallel to the front of the household appliance (1). The string (9) extends towards the front of the household appliance (1) and reaches outwards through the aperture (10) provided at the front of the household appliance (1). Upon pulling the string (9), the string (9) starts to move outwards from the aperture (10) therefore creating a tension along the string (9) which in turn is passed to the pair of holders (6) and the pair of springs (5). Upon release of the string (9), the potential energy stored along the pair of springs (5) forces the cleaning means (4) to return to initial conditions prior the pull of the string (9). A handle can be attached on to the part of the string (9) extending outwards from the aperture (10). The pair of holders (6) are used to hold the sweeper (7) and moves the sweeper (7) towards the front of the household appliance (1) upon the pull of the string (9) through the aperture (10). The sweeper (7) is in contact with the ground and sweeps the ground collecting dust and foreign particles and forcing them to move towards the front of the household appliance (1). The user may use a vacuum cleaner or another cleaning means to remove the accumulated dust and foreign particles in an easy and efficient manner. By this means, the users clean the ground underneath the household appliance (1) in an easy and efficient way without being have to move the household appliance.
In another embodiment of the invention, a pair of pulleys (11) are being placed side by side, behind and in the vicinity of the aperture (10), the string (9) passing in between. The pair of pulleys (11) are placed next to the aperture (10) and are free to rotate. The string (9) passes between the pair of pulleys (11) and abuts against the pulleys (11). As the user pulls the string (9) to swipe the dust underneath the household appliance (1) the string (9), depending on the angle the user pulls, abuts against one of the pair of the pulleys (10) and smoothly slides through the aperture (10). By means of the pair of pulleys (11) ease of use along with extended service life is provided for the cleaning means (4) as the friction which will wear out the holding part (7) is minimized if not totally eliminated.
In another embodiment of the invention, a pair of guideways (12) in the form of a rectangular plate, attached to the bottom of the household appliance (1) extending along the depth of the household appliance (1) onto which the pair of holders (6) are slidably attached. The guideways (12) are placed opposite to each other and underneath the household appliance (1) and are configured extend along the depth of the household appliance (1). The guideways (12) are directly attached to the household appliance (1) or to the pair of feet (3) preferably located at the corners of the body (2). The pair of holders (6) are attached onto the guideways (12) is a manner suitable for sliding. Upon pulling the string (9), the pair of holders (6) along with the sweeper (7) slides almost perpendicular to the direction of the movement and the guideways (12) which helps collect and move the dust and foreign particles underneath the household appliance (1) to the front of the household appliance (1) in an efficient way.
In an embodiment of the invention, the household appliance (1) is a cooling appliance. Cooling appliances utilize cooling fluids compressed via a compressor. Piping, carrying the cooling fluids is subject to high pressure. The cleaning means (4) provides the user with a means via which the user may clean the ground underneath the cooling appliance meanwhile moving the cooling appliance at least, extending the lifetime of piping and therefore that of the cooling appliance.
In an embodiment of the invention, the household appliance (1) is a washing machine or a tumble dryer. During loading and unloading of the washing machines or tumble dryers, pieces of thread, lint and particles of the fabric fly about the appliance and fall to the ground where they accumulate. Use of the cleaning means (4) helps the user to remove aforementioned particles in an easy and convenient way.
In an embodiment of the invention, the household appliance (1) is a cooking appliance. Cooking appliances are generally placed inside the designated volumes in kitchens and thanks to the cleaning means (4), the floor underneath the household appliance (1) is easily cleaned without being have to pull the household appliance (1). Another advantageous effect of using the cleaning means (4) for cleaning the area underneath the household appliance (1) is that the gas and electricity connections of the household appliance (1) are kept intact during the cleaning operation.
In an embodiment of the invention, the household appliance (1) is a dishwasher. Use of the cleaning means (4) for dishwashers helps the user clean the ground underneath the dishwasher conveniently.
By means of this invention, a household appliance (1) having the cleaning means (4) comprising the sweeper (7) attached on to the pair of holders (6) so as to extend along the width of the household appliance (1) wherein the pulling of the cleaning means (4) moves the sweeper (7) therefore the dust, hair, dirt or similar particles accumulated underneath the household appliance (1) towards the front of the household appliance (1) is achieved.

Claims

A household appliance (1) comprising a body (2), at least a pair of feet (3) elevating the body (2) from the ground and forming a volume in between, characterized by

- a cleaning means (4) comprising;

- a pair of springs (5) connected to the two opposite ends of the rear of the household appliance (1) from one end,

- a pair of holders (6) connected to the other ends of the pair of springs (5),

- a sweeper (7) attached on to the pair of holders (6) so as to extend almost along the width of the household appliance (1),

- a pair of guides (8) provided in close vicinity of the pair of feet (3) towards the front of the household appliance (1),

- a string (9) connected to the pair of holders (6) and extending almost along the depth of the household appliance (1) and towards the pair of guides (8) via which the string (9) is bent and continues to extend almost along the width of the household appliance (1),

- an aperture (10) at the front of the household appliance (1) through which the string (9) reaches out and which upon being pulled, moves the pair of holders (6) and the sweeper (7) along the depth of the household appliance (1).
A household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a pair of pulleys (11) being placed side by side, behind and in the vicinity of the aperture (10), the string (9) passing in between.
A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a pair of guideways (13) in the form of a rectangular plate, attached to the bottom of the household appliance (1) extending along the depth of the household appliance (1) onto which the pair of holders (6) are slidably attached.
A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the household appliance (1) being a cooling appliance.
A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the household appliance (1) being a washing machine or a tumble dryer.
A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the household appliance (1) being a cooking appliance.
A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the household appliance (1) being a dishwasher.