EP3947801B1

EP3947801B1 - A washing machine comprising a housing

Info

Publication number: EP3947801B1
Application number: EP20713281.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Servet CATALTEPE; Filiz CELIK; Eren MUTLU; Fatih KASAP; Ahmet Burak TOP
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-03-23
Publication date: 2023-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-23
Also published as: EP3947801A1; WO2020200875A1

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a housing which enables a sensor to be mounted without any errors at the proper operation position predetermined by the producer.
In washing machines, sensors are used for measuring any parameter such as temperature, pressure, position, etc. For example, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the water and a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the same are placed at different areas of the washing machine. It is critical to mount said sensors in a proper and durable manner so as to make proper measurements and so as not to be affected by the power of the machine during the washing cycle.
In the state of the art, there are sensors which detect the position of the baffle with respect to teh tub by means of a magnet such that the water is delivered from the baffle in the drum into the drum at a certain angle. The positions of the baffle and the drum are detected and the washing cycle is started by means of said sensors, the magnetic field generated by the magnet positioned on the tub and the control unit. In these embodiments, it is critical that the sensor is properly mounted by the operator, that the desired parameter is measured and detected, and that the washing machine operates without any errors.
In the state of the art Korean Patent Document No. KR100724673 , a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the holder for receiving a sensor for measuring the pressure of the water and the mounting structure of the sensor are described.
Prior art document KR20030055972A discloses a sensor mount structure for washing machine wherein a cylindrical housing has a hole for inserting a sensor therein.
Prior art document WO03056094A1 discloses a structure for mounting a temperature sensor in a drum type washing machine. The structure comprises a fastening portion in the form of a bracket with a hole thereon, and a wire holder for fixing sensor wire.
Prior art document WO201013351 0A1 discloses a laundry machine comprising a sensor mounting portion. The mounting portion comprises a housing in the form of securing ribs for placing the sensor, and a hole on the tub-back for fastening lines connecting the sensor.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein a sensor used for measuring any parameter such as temperature, position, pressure, etc. is mounted in a correct and easy manner.
The washing machine of the present invention comprises a housing which is suitable for receiving the sensor and which has an opening for guiding the cable for the proper attachment of the sensor by the operator.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises the housing which is composed of two lateral sides, a lower side and an upper side for receiving the sensor and which has the opening at a region of the sides which are not parallel to each other. Thus, during the placement of the sensor into the housing, the cable is taken out through the opening, enabling the operator to mount the sensor in the correct position.
The housing has a structure matching the geometric shape of the sensor for the placement of the sensor.
The opening is a gap formed as a result of the first or second lateral side not joining with the lower or upper side which is perpendicular to said lateral side. By means of the opening, the producer predetermine the position of the connection cables of the sensor on the housing, thus facilitating the mounting process for the operator.
A guide rod is provided close to the housing in the vicinity of the first lateral side or the second lateral side at the position of the opening at a distance so as to prevent the cable from twisting and being damaged during the assembly. Said rod functions as a stopper for the cable.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first lateral side, the second lateral side, the lower side and the upper side are in the form of walls protruding upwards from the surface of the tub or the balance weight. Thus, the sensor is enabled to be placed into the housing in an enclosed and more durable manner.
In order to fix the sensor in the housing without applying any pressure thereon after the placement of the sensor into the housing, a fixing member produced from a soft insulation material such as sponge, styrofoam, etc. is used. Said soft material comes into direct contact with the sides in the form of elevation and does not exert pressure on the sensor surface.
By means of the present invention, a washing machine is realized, comprising the housing and the sensor which can be quickly mounted without causing any detecting errors as a result of incorrect mounting.
The model embodiments relating to the washing machine 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 washing machine of the present invention after the front panel is removed.
Figure 2 - is the exploded view of the tub, the sensors, the fixing member and the balance weight in an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the tub in an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention.
Figure 4 - is the detailed view of the A region in Figure 3.
Figure 5 - is the top perspective view of the sensors after being mounted and fixed in an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the exploded view of the balance weight, the sensors and the fixing member in another embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine
2. Body
3. Tub
4. Balance weight
5. Sensor
6. Housing
7. Claw
8. Opening
9. Cavity
10. Guide rod
11. First lateral side
12. Second lateral side
13. Lower side
14. Upper side
15. Fixing member
16. Cable

The washing machine (1) comprises a body (2); a tub (3) which is provided in the body (2); a balance weight (4) which is provided on the tub (3) to compensate the vibrations generated in the body (2) during operation; and at least one sensor (5) which is provided in the body (2) so as to measure or detect any parameter such as temperature, position, pressure, etc. related to the washing process and which has a cable (16).
The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a housing (6) which enables the sensor (5) to be mounted in the correct position predetermined by the producer and which has an opening (8) guiding the cable (16) of the sensor (5).
The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises the housing (6) wherein the sensor (5) is placed. The opening (8) is positioned at a region on the sides (11, 12, 13, 14) forming the housing (6) so as to allow the passage of the cable (16) of the sensor (5). By means of said opening (8), during the assembly the operator can mount the sensor (5) into the housing (6) in the position predetermined by the producer so as to ensure the proper operation of the sensor (5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing (6) comprises a first lateral side (11) and a second lateral side (12) which are parallel to each other; a lower side (13) and an upper side (14) which are positioned at the upper and lower regions of said sides (11, 12) so as to join the lateral sides (11, 12); and the opening (8) which is formed between the first lateral side (11) and the lower side (13) or the upper side (14) which are not parallel to each other or between the second lateral side (12) and the upper side (14) or the lower side (13) which are not parallel to each other. By means of the opening (8), the cable (16) and the body of the sensor (5) can be placed into the housing (6) in the correct operation position predetermined by the producer.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a guide rod (10) which enables the placement of the cable (16) of the sensor (5) during the assembly and which is positioned so as to be parallel to the first lateral side (11) or the second lateral side (12) where the opening (8) is positioned. The cable (16) passed through the opening (8) by means of the guide rod (10) is placed into a connection path, thus enabling the sensor (5) to be mounted in a durable manner.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the housing (6) having a claw (7) for fixing the sensor (5). The claw (7) in the housing (6) holds and fixes the sensor (5) in place. In case there is a connection gap on the sensor (5), the claw (7) and said gap can be joined with each other in a plug-socket connection.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a housing (6) which is provided on the tub (3) for receiving the sensor (5). In case the sensor (5) is required to be mounted onto the tub (3) depending on the parameter to be measured or detected, the sensor (5) is mounted onto the tub (3) by means of the housing (6).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a housing (6) which is provided on the balance weight (4) for receiving the sensor (5). Thus, in case the sensor (5) is required to be mounted onto the balance weight (4) depending on the parameter to be measured or detected, the sensor (5) is mounted onto the balance weight (4) by means of the housing (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the tub (3) or the balance weight (4) having at least one cavity (9) which enables the cable (16) to be fitted and fixed after the sensor (5) is mounted into the housing (6). Thus, the risk of the cable (16) dislodging due to vibrations after the sensor (5) is mounted into the housing (6) is eliminated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a fixing member (15) which comes into contact with the sides (11, 12, 13, 14) forming the housing (6) and which fixes the sensor (5) in the housing (6) so as not to exert pressure onto the sensor (5) after the sensor (5) is mounted into the housing (6). The fixing member (15) functions as a lid covering the housing after the mounting of the sensor (5), thus keeping the sensor (5) in the housing (6) without getting damaged.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a fixing member (15) produced from a non-rigid insulation material such as sponge, styrofoam, etc. By means of the characteristics of said materials, the sensor (5) is prevented from dislodging from the housing (6) during the operation of the washing machine (1) without exerting any additional pressure on the sensor (5) in the housing (6) or without affecting the detection process of the sensor (5).
By means of the present invention, a washing machine (1) is realized, wherein a sensor (5) is mounted in a durable and correct manner.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a body (2); a tub (3) which is provided in the body (2); a balance weight (4) which is provided on the tub (3) to compensate the vibrations generated in the body (2) during operation; at least one sensor (5) which is provided in the body (2) so as to measure or detect any parameter such as temperature, position, pressure, etc. related to the washing process and which has a cable (16); and a housing (6) which enables the sensor (5) to be mounted in the correct position predetermined by the producer and which has an opening (8) for guiding the cable (16) of the sensor (5), characterized by the housing (6) comprising a first lateral side (11) and a second lateral side (12) which are parallel to each other, a lower side (13) and an upper side (14) which are positioned at the upper and lower regions of said lateral sides (11, 12) so as to join the lateral sides (11, 12); the opening (8) which is formed between one of the lateral sides (11, 12) and the lower side (13) or the upper side (14); and a guide rod (10) positioned parallel to one of the lateral sides (11, 12) such that a connection path for placement of the cable (16) is formed between the guide rod (10) and said one of the lateral sides (11, 12).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the housing (6) comprising a claw (7) for fixing the sensor (5).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a housing (6) which is provided on the tub (3) for receiving the sensor (5).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a housing (6) which is provided on the balance weight (4) for receiving the sensor (5).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the tub (3) or the balance weight (4) having at least one cavity (9) which enables the cable (16) to be fitted and fixed after the sensor (5) is mounted into the housing (6).
A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a fixing member (15) which comes into contact with the sides (11, 12, 13, 14) forming the housing (6) and which fixes the sensor (5) in the housing (6) so as not to exert pressure onto the sensor (5) after the sensor (5) is mounted into the housing (6).
A washing machine (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by a fixing member (15) which is produced from a non-rigid insulation material such as sponge, styrofoam, etc.