EP3891331A1

EP3891331A1 - A household appliance with a sliding front panel

Info

Publication number: EP3891331A1
Application number: EP19798263.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hazal Ece OZTURK; Yalcin Yaman; Turgut YERLIKAYA; Osman Cengiz; Yasin Sedat Yirmili
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-12-04
Filing date: 2020-01-20
Publication date: 2021-10-13
Also published as: WO2020135941A1; TR201818477A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a front panel (2) which has a fixed section (3) and a moving section (4); a linear drive mechanism (5) driving the moving section (4) which can slidably move between a closed position wherein the moving section (4) is positioned in the same plane as the fixed section (3) so as to be positioned end to end and an open position wherein the moving section (4) is parallel to the fixed section (3) such that at least some part of both sections (3 and 4) overlaps; a control interface (6) transmitting a command to the linear drive mechanism (5) such that the linear drive mechanism (5) moves the moving section (4) to the closed position or the open position; an opening (7) which is closed by the moving section (4) in the closed position and which can be accessed when the moving section (4) is in the open position so as to load an agent; and at least one contact/limit switch (8) which is provided on the linear drive mechanism (5) so as to stop the movement of the linear drive mechanism (5). The household appliance (1) further comprises at least one adjustment apparatus (9) which is rotatably fixed to the linear drive mechanism (5) at a pivot point and which has at least two abutment surfaces with different perpendicular distances from the pivot point, wherein one of the abutment surfaces aligns with the contact/limit switch (8) so as to trigger the latter and serves as a switch abutment.

Description

A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH A SLIDING FRONT PANEL

The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising a sliding front panel.
Most of the household appliances comprise a front panel. The front panel may be used for aesthetic purposes on the household appliances, but generally supports the control interface. Moreover, the panel may comprise an inlet for loading agents into the household appliance which are to be provided by the user from the outside. The inlets, for example, can be the dispenser inlet which provides the loading of the cleaning agents in washing machines, or the water receptacle inlet which provides the loading of the water (agent) to be used by the ice making unit in refrigerators or the steam unit in steam ovens. In conventional household appliances, the inlet is in the form of a drawer, and the handle of the drawer is part of the front panel. In modern household appliances, the front panel is in the form of a sliding panel composed of two sections, one moving and the other fixed. The moving section is generally smaller than the fixed section, and the moving section serves as a cover which closes the inlet. The moving section is moved forwards from the panel surface by means of a linear drive mechanism and then slid right or left so as to allow the user to access the inlet. The drive mechanism is generally controlled by the user via a control interface provided on the fixed section. In the state of the art embodiments, the moving section and the fixed section which form the front panel are first positioned end to end and almost at the same level. The inlet is covered/concealed by the moving section. By means of the control interface provided on the fixed section of the panel, for example by pressing a touch button, the user enables the transmission of an "open" command to the drive mechanism. After receiving the command, the drive mechanism first moves the moving section forwards, away from the front panel plane and then slides the same towards the fixed section and over the fixed section. Thus, the moving section and the fixed section become parallel such that at least some part thereof overlaps and the inlet becomes accessible. Afterwards, the user accesses the inlet and loads the agent into the household appliance. After the loading of the agent, the user, by means of the control interface provided on the fixed section of the panel, for example by pressing a touch button, enables the transmission of a "close" command to the drive mechanism to close the moving section. The moving section moves towards the inlet so as to be aligned with the inlet, and then the moving section moves backwards and becomes flush with the fixed section. Thus, an aesthetic appearance is obtained since the inlet is concealed and the panel has a smooth surface in a single plane. The drive of the drive mechanism is ended by means of a contact/limit switch provided on the drive mechanism. By triggering/pushing a switch abutment of the contact/limit switch, the drive of the drive mechanism is ended, and the moving section stops, reaching the final position. Thus, the position of the switch abutment determines the final position of the moving section. With the drive mechanism stopping the moving section at a correct/precise stopping position, the moving section closes the inlet and is aligned with the fixed section. If the drive mechanism does not stop the moving section at the correct stopping position, an alignment problem arises between the moving section and the fixed section of the panel. Small shifts in position during the production/assembly of the household appliance components, especially of the switch abutment change the correct stopping position, preventing the alignment of the moving section and the fixed section. As a result, the moving section and the fixed section do not align in the same plane so as to be end to end, causing aesthetic problems. Moreover, functional problems such as the moving section being damaged from external factors due to the position thereof as a protrusion are encountered. Another problem is that if the drive mechanism continues to provide drive after the alignment of the moving section and the fixed section, the components of the drive mechanism are damaged.
In the state of the art Patent Application No. DE102007041822A1, a cooking device is disclosed, comprising a water receptacle positioned behind a front control panel. The front panel is opened like a drawer and the water receptacle positioned behind the panel becomes accessible.
In the state of the art Patent Application No. EP2466214A1, a water tank for steam cooking devices is disclosed. The water tank is placed into the front panel of the steam cooking device which can be opened like a drawer.
In the state of the art Patent Application No. EP2463585A1, a water tank for steam cooking devices is disclosed. The water tank is concealed behind the front panel. The water tank is accessed by means of a cover which is provided on the front panel and which can be opened like a diaphragm.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a household appliance comprising an adjustment apparatus which provides the alignment of the moving section and the fixed section which together constitute the front panel.
The household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a front panel which has a fixed section and a moving section; a linear drive mechanism driving the moving section which can slidably move between a closed position wherein the moving section is positioned in the same plane as the fixed section so as to be positioned end to end and an open position wherein the moving section is parallel to the fixed section such that at least some part of both sections overlaps; a control interface transmitting a command to the linear drive mechanism such that the linear drive mechanism moves the moving section to the closed position or the open position; an opening which is closed by the moving section in the closed position and which can be accessed when the moving section is in the open position so as to load an agent; and at least one contact/limit switch which is provided on the linear drive mechanism so as to stop the movement of the linear drive mechanism. The fixed section is fixed to the body of the household appliance while the moving section is connected to the linear drive mechanism. Thus, the moving section moves right or left with the movement of the linear drive mechanism. The movement of the linear drive mechanism is ended with the actuation/closing of the contact/limit switch provided thereon. As the movement of the linear drive mechanism is ended, the movement of the moving section is also ended.
The household appliance of the present invention comprises at least one adjustment apparatus which is rotatable fixed to the linear drive mechanism at a pivot point and which has at least two abutment surfaces with different perpendicular distances from the pivot point, wherein one of the surfaces aligns with the contact/limit switch so as to trigger the latter and serves as a switch abutment. The perpendicular distances of the at least two abutment surfaces suitable for triggering the control/limit switch to the pivot point are different. Since the adjustment apparatus is rotatably fixed, the abutment surface which is intended to trigger the control/limit switch is rotated towards the contact/limit switch so as to align with the control/limit switch. Thus, the stopping position of the linear drive mechanism and hence the last position of the moving section are changed. For example, if the abutment surface at a larger perpendicular distance from the pivot point triggers the control/limit switch, the moving section is stopped at an earlier position with respect to the abutment surface with less perpendicular distance. By selecting the desired abutment surface, the moving section can be stopped at different positions. Thus, the problems of alignment and the components of the linear drive mechanism being damaged are eliminated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the front panel comprises a display panel. Since the display panel requires no additional space, the inner volume of the household appliance can be increased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance comprises a support bracket which supports the fixing of the fixed section to the body of the household appliance. By means of the support bracket, vibrations which may occur in the fixed section during the movement of the moving section are prevented and the strength of the front panel is increased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the linear drive mechanism comprises a moving part and a fixed part. The moving part moves over the fixed part, thus providing linear movement. Linear motors or rack and pinion gear and rotary motor system can be given as examples for the linear drive mechanism in this embodiment of the present invention in a manner not to limit the scope of the present invention.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the linear drive mechanism comprises a rack and pinion gear system and a rotary motor. As the pinion gear connected to the shaft of the rotary motor fixed to the body of the household appliance engages with a rack mounted to the moving part, the moving part moves linearly. In different variations of this embodiment of the present invention, the rotary motor comprising the pinion gear is provided on the moving section, and the rack is positioned on the body of the household appliance.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the control/limit switch is provided on the moving part while the adjustment apparatus is disposed on the fixed part. In this embodiment, the control/limit switch moves towards the adjustment apparatus.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment apparatus is provided on the moving part while the control/limit switch is disposed on the fixed part. In this embodiment, the adjustment apparatus moves towards the control/limit switch.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance is a steam oven or a washing machine or a dishwasher or a refrigerator.
By means of the present invention, by gradually adjusting the closing position of the moving section which is a part of the front panel, a household appliance is realized, wherein possible alignment problems in the sliding front panel are eliminated.
The model embodiments related to a household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the household appliance which is a steam oven in a representative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the view of the front panel wherein the moving section is closed and the inlet is concealed in a representative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the view of the front panel wherein the moving section is open and the inlet is visible and accessible in a representative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the view of the front panel, the linear drive mechanism, the support bracket, the control/limit switch and the adjustment apparatus in a representative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the view of the linear drive mechanism, the control/limit switch and the adjustment apparatus in a representative embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the detailed view of the control/limit switch and the adjustment apparatus in a representative embodiment of the present invention.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Household appliance
Front panel
Fixed section
Moving section
Linear drive mechanism
Control interface
Opening
Contact/limit switch
Adjustment apparatus
Pivot point
Abutment surface
Support bracket

The household appliance (1) comprises a front panel (2) which has a fixed section (3) and a moving section (4); a linear drive mechanism (5) driving the moving section (4) which can slidably move between a closed position wherein the moving section (4) is positioned in the same plane as the fixed section (3) so as to be positioned end to end and an open position wherein the moving section (4) is parallel to the fixed section (3) such that at least some part of both sections (3 and 4) overlaps; a control interface (6) transmitting a command to the linear drive mechanism (5) such that the linear drive mechanism (5) moves the moving section (4) to the closed position or the open position; an opening (7) which is closed by the moving section (4) in the closed position and which can be accessed when the moving section (4) is in the open position so as to load an agent; and at least one contact/limit switch (8) which is provided on the linear drive mechanism (5) so as to stop the movement of the linear drive mechanism (5)
The household appliance (1) of the present invention comprises at least one adjustment apparatus (9) which is rotatable fixed to the linear drive mechanism (5) at a pivot point (10) and which has at least two abutment surfaces (11) with different perpendicular distances from the pivot point (10), wherein one of the abutment surfaces (11) aligns with the contact/limit switch (8) so as to trigger the latter and serves as a switch abutment. By rotating the adjustment apparatus (9), it is determined with which surface the control/limit switch (8) will align and which surface will trigger the same. Thus, the control/limit switch (8) can be triggered on different surfaces, in other words in different positions. The switch abutment preferably comprises five surfaces (in the form of a pentagon) (see Figure 6).
The perpendicular distances of the at least two abutment surfaces (11) suitable for triggering the control/limit switch (8) to the pivot point (10) are different. Since the adjustment apparatus (9) is rotatable fixed, the abutment surface (11) which is intended to trigger the control/limit switch (8) is rotated towards the contact/limit switch (8) so as to align with the control/limit switch (8). As a result, by changing the abutment surface (11) triggering the control/limit switch (8), the stopping position of the linear drive mechanism (5) and hence the last position of the moving section (4) are changed. As an example which does not limit the scope of the present invention, if an alignment problem between the moving section (4) and the fixed section (3) arises when the moving section (4) is closed or intended to be shifted to the closed position, in other words if the moving section (4) is not positioned end to end with the fixed section (3) when the moving section (4) is closed, it means that the control/limit switch (8) is prematurely triggered and the linear drive mechanism (5) prematurely ends the movement/drive thereof. In this case, the abutment surface (11) aligned with the control/limit switch (8) is changed with an abutment surface (11) with less perpendicular distance to the pivot point (10). Since the adjustment apparatus (9) is fixed so as to be rotated around the pivot point (10), the abutment surface (11) which is intended to align with and trigger the control/limit switch (8) can be changed by rotation. In another example, if the linear drive mechanism (5) continues the movement/drive thereof although the moving section (4) is positioned in the same plane so as to be end to end with the fixed section (3) when the moving section (4) is closed, it means that the control/limit switch (8) is triggered late or is not triggered. In this case, the abutment surface (11) aligned with the control/limit switch (8) is changed with an abutment surface (11) with a larger perpendicular distance to the pivot point (10).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the front panel (2) comprises a display panel whereon the technical values of the household appliance (1) are shown. Since the display panel requires no additional space, the largest space is provided for the inner volume of the household appliance (1).
In an embodiment of the present invention, household appliance (1) comprises a control interface (6). Since no additional space is used for the control interface (6), the largest space is provided for the cooking cavity.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance (1) comprises a support bracket (12) which supports the fixing of the fixed section (3) to the body of the household appliance (1). By means of the support bracket (12), vibrations which may occur in the fixed section (3) during the movement of the moving section (4) are prevented and the strength of the front panel (2) is increased.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the linear drive mechanism (5) comprises a moving part and a fixed part. The moving part moves over the fixed part, thus providing linear movement. Linear motors or rack and pinion gear and rotary motor system can be given as examples for the linear drive mechanism (5) in this embodiment of the present invention in a manner not to limit the scope of the present invention.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the linear drive mechanism (5) comprises a rack and pinion gear system and a rotary motor. As the pinion gear connected to the shaft of the rotary motor fixed to the body of the household appliance (1) engages with a rack mounted to the moving part (4), the moving part (4) moves linearly. In this embodiment, as the pinion gear connected to the rotary motor, the rack moves right or left (opening/closing, closing/opening). With the movement to right or left, the moving section (4) connected to the rack shifts to the open position or the closed position. In a variation of this embodiment of the present invention, the rotary motor comprising the pinion gear is provided on the moving section (4), and the rack is positioned on the body of the household appliance (1).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the control/limit switch (8) is provided on the moving part while the adjustment apparatus (9) is disposed on the fixed part. In this embodiment, the control/limit switch (8) moves towards the adjustment apparatus (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment apparatus (9) is provided on the moving part while the control/limit switch (8) is disposed on the fixed part. In this embodiment, the adjustment apparatus (9) moves towards the control/limit switch (8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the household appliance (1) is a steam oven or a washing machine or a dishwasher or a refrigerator.

Claims

A household appliance (1) comprising a front panel (2) which has a fixed section (3) and a moving section (4); a linear drive mechanism (5) driving the moving section (4) which can slidably move between a closed position wherein the moving section (4) is positioned in the same plane as the fixed section (3) so as to be positioned end to end and an open position wherein the moving section (4) is parallel to the fixed section (3) such that at least some part of both sections (3 and 4) overlaps; a control interface (6) transmitting a command to the linear drive mechanism (5) such that the linear drive mechanism (5) moves the moving section (4) to the closed position or the open position; an opening (7) which is closed by the moving section (4) in the closed position and which can be accessed when the moving section (4) is in the open position so as to load an agent; and at least one contact/limit switch (8) which is provided on the linear drive mechanism (5) so as to stop the movement of the linear drive mechanism (5), characterized by at least one adjustment apparatus (9) which is rotatable fixed to the linear drive mechanism (5) at a pivot point (10) and which has at least two abutment surfaces (11) with different perpendicular distances from the pivot point (10), wherein one of the abutment surfaces (11) aligns with the contact/limit switch (8) so as to trigger the latter and serves as a switch abutment.
A household appliance (1) as in Claim 1, comprising the front panel (2) having a display panel.
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, comprising a support bracket (12) which supports the fixing of the fixed section (3) to a body of the household appliance (1).
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, comprising the linear drive mechanism (5) having a moving part and a fixed part.
A household appliance (1) as in Claim 4, comprising the linear drive mechanism (5) wherein the moving part is a rack and pinion gear system and the fixed part is a rotary motor.
A household appliance (1) as in Claim 4 or 5, comprising the control/limit switch (8) provided on the moving part and the adjustment apparatus (9) provided on the fixed part.
A household appliance (1) as in Claim 4 or 6, comprising the adjustment apparatus (9) provided on the moving part and the control/limit switch (8) provided on the fixed part.
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, which is a steam oven.
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, which is a washing machine.
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, which is a dishwasher.
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 7, which is a refrigerator.