EP3948118A1

EP3948118A1 - A cooling appliance having a water dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP3948118A1
Application number: EP20707053.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mehmet Ercan KAYMAK; Hamdi GUNDOGAN; Onur OZCAN; Tamer Tombuloglu; Serdar KANTIK
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-02-21
Publication date: 2022-02-09
Also published as: WO2020200581A1; TR201905011A2

Abstract

Cooling appliance (1) comprising; a water dispenser (2) wherein the water dispenser (2) comprises a water dispensing lever (3) pivotably attached onto the water dispenser (2) and is configured to supply water to the water dispenser (2) upon being pivoted along an arc (A) and a locking mechanism (4) placed in close vicinity of the water dispensing lever (3).

Description

A COOLING APPLIANCE HAVING A WATER DISPENSER

The present invention relates to a cooling appliance, in particular to a cooling appliance having an improved water dispenser locking mechanism.
The modern cooling appliances are provided with multiple additional features, the water and ice dispensers being one of these additional features. The water dispensers are connected to the main or to an external or internal water reservoir, allowing the cooling appliance to provide the users with water and ice. The users need to activate the water dispenser by pushing a water dispensing lever so as to open the water outlet provided inside the water dispensers. One of the problems encountered with such water dispensers is that the untrained users, children for instance, may open the water outlet by pushing the water dispensing lever. In such cases, the reservoir provided below the water outlet to collect the spilled water fills and overflows in a relatively short time causing the water to flow through the front panel of the cooling appliance. This in turn causes the oxidation of the front panels and formation of puddles of water on the ground. Water flow, if allowed to continue for a longer time, may cause all the water stored inside water reservoir to pour outside the cooling appliance causing material damage to the cooling appliance and to the living environment of the user. In order to overcome the aforementioned problems, the water dispensers are provided with locking mechanisms which are prone to get damaged or malfunction after a long time of use
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as KR20120091532A among others, the document disclosing a locking device of a water dispenser of a cooling appliance.
An objective of the present invention is to prevent water leakages by prevention of the activation of the water dispensers by untrained users in an effective and easily reproducible manner.
The method realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims comprises a cooling appliance having a water dispenser. The water dispenser comprises a water dispensing lever which upon being activated opens a water outlet provided hidden and inside the water dispenser. Therefore, as the user activates the water dispenser lever, water starts to flow out of the water outlet. The water dispenser is provided with a locking mechanism placed close to the water dispenser lever. The locking mechanism moves along an axis. The position of the locking mechanism changes between a first position and a second position wherein the locking mechanism is closer to and away from the water lever dispenser in said positions respectively. The water dispensing lever is pivotably attached onto the water dispenser and the pivot movement forms an arc. Upon pushing the water dispenser lever, the water dispensing lever pivots along the arc and towards the cooling appliance. In the first position of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism slides along the said axis and towards the water dispensing lever preventing the pivot movement of the water dispensing lever by abutting it. As a result, in the first position of the locking mechanism, the water dispensing lever is obstructed to move thus locking the water dispenser. In the second position of the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism slides along the said axis and away from the water dispensing lever allowing the pivot movement of the water dispenser lever. As a result, in the second position of the locking mechanism, the water dispensing lever can pivot thus allowing the water to pour out of the water dispenser. By means of the locking mechanism, untrained users are prevented to activate the water dispenser which in turn helps prevent water leakages.
In an embodiment of the invention, the axis that the locking mechanism moves along, lies behind the water dispenser lever. By this means, the locking mechanism is hidden from the view, improving products’ quality perception.
In an embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism is slidably placed inside a channel. The channel extends along the said axis. An end of the channel is adjacent to the water dispenser lever. As the locking mechanism slides along the channel towards the first position, the locking mechanism contacts the water dispenser lever, blocking its movement. By means of the channel, the locking mechanism is guided.
In an embodiment of the invention, the channel is accommodated inside a protective cover. The protective cover partly covers the water dispensing lever improving products’ quality perception. Another advantageous effect provided by the protective cover is that the protective cover can be easily replaced in case the of a damaged locking mechanism, making maintenance easier.
In an embodiment of the invention, an opening is provided on the protective cover. Therefore, the user and also the assembly worker may easily slide the protective to its designated place provided on the water dispenser.
In an embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a first protrusion configured to extend along the said axis. The first protrusion extends along the channel and towards the water dispenser lever. The first protrusion comprises a catching means protruding towards the water dispensing lever in the first position. The catching means is seated inside an indent in the first position should the user push the water dispenser lever. The catching means stabilizes the position of the locking mechanism with respect to the water dispensing lever as the user pushes the water dispenser lever. In such case, accidental activation of the water dispensing lever is prevented. By means of the catching means, the locking mechanism does not slip.
In an embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a second protrusion wherein the second protrusion abuts against the water dispensing lever in the first position, limiting movement of the locking mechanism inside the channel. Therefore, the locking mechanism is prevented to go further than intended and slip out of the channel.
In an embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism comprises a third protrusion wherein the third protrusion protrudes from the channel. The user may easily slide the locking mechanism by holding or sliding the third protrusion.
By means of this invention, a cooling appliance with a water dispenser wherein the water dispenser comprises a locking mechanism that is economical to produce, robust and easy to replace is achieved.
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 cooling appliance
Figure 2 – is an enlarged view of dashed lines C-C in figure 1
Figure 3 – is an enlarged view of dashed lines D-D in figure 2
Figure 4 – is an exploded view of the water dispenser, the protective cover and the locking mechanism
Figure 5 – is a side view of the locking mechanism
Figure 6 – is a side view of the protective cover
Figure 7 – is a side and isolated view of the water dispenser and the arc.
The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings and referred to in the present detailed description of the invention:

Cooling appliance
Water dispenser
Water dispensing lever
Locking mechanism
Channel
Protective cover
Opening
First protrusion
Catching means
Indent
Second protrusion
Third protrusion

A : Arc
B : Axis
The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; a water dispenser (2) wherein the water dispenser (2) comprises a water dispensing lever (3) pivotably attached onto the water dispenser (2) and is configured to supply water to the water dispenser (2)upon being pivoted along an arc (A) and a locking mechanism (4) placed in close vicinity of the water dispensing lever (3).
The present invention relates to a cooling appliance (1) comprising; the locking mechanism (4) configured to move along an axis (B) almost perpendicular to the arc (A) and wherein the locking mechanism (4) slides between a first position during which the locking mechanism (4) abuts against and prevents the pivot movement of the water dispensing lever (3) and a second position during which the locking mechanism (4) allows pivot movement of the water dispensing lever (3). The water dispenser (2) is provided on the front plate of the cooling appliance (1). The water dispenser (2) is preferably provided in a recesses volume. The water dispensing lever (3) is pivotable attached to the water dispenser (2) via a hinge or a circular bar. A part of the water dispensing lever (3) is hidden inside the water dispenser (2) and the remaining part of the water dispensing lever (3) protrudes downwardly from the water dispenser (2). The user may activate the water dispensing lever (3) by pushing the water dispensing lever (3) therefore opening the water outlet. As the water dispensing lever (3) is being pushed, it moves along the arc (A). The water outlet opens when the angle between the water dispensing lever (3) reaches an angle predetermined by the manufacturer. The locking mechanism (4) slides along the axis (B), said axis (B) being almost perpendicular to the arc (A). The arc (A) and the axis (B) are perpendicular to each other when the aforementioned angle predetermined by the manufacturer is reached. The locking mechanism (4) slides along the axis (B) between the first position and the second position. In the first position, the locking mechanism (4) abuts against the water dispensing lever (3) preventing its backwards motion. As a result, the water dispensing lever (3) is obstructed to open the water outlet. In the second position, the locking mechanism (4) slides along the axis (B) and away from the water dispensing lever (3). As a result, the water dispensing lever (3) is allowed to open the water outlet should the user force the water dispensing lever (3) to move along the arc (A). By means of the locking mechanism (4), a child-proof water dispensing cooling appliance (1) is achieved.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism (4) moves along the axis (B) wherein the said axis (B) lies behind the water dispensing lever (3). In the first position, the locking mechanism (4) is positioned behind the water dispensing lever (3). In this case, the locking mechanism (4) is caught between the water dispensing lever (3) and the water dispenser (2). As a result, the locking mechanism (4) provides a child-proof water dispensing cooling appliance (1) meanwhile making the locking mechanism (4) hard to detect. Another advantageous effect of providing the water dispenser (2) with the locking mechanism (4) being located behind the water dispensing lever (3) is that the visual perception of the cooling appliance (1) is improved.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism (4) is placed inside a channel (5) extending along the axis (B) and wherein an end of the channel (5) is adjacent to the water dispensing lever (3). The locking mechanism (4) is provided inside the channel (5), therefore, the locking mechanism (4) is better aligned with respect to the water dispensing lever (3).
In a preferred embodiment, the cooling appliance (1) comprises a protective cover (6) accommodating the channel (5). The protective cover (6) partly encloses the water dispensing lever (3) and the channel (5) extends on the protective cover (6). An advantageous effect of providing the channel (5) on the protective cover (6) is that the user may easily replace the protective cover (6) along with the channel (5) and the locking mechanism (4) should the locking mechanism (4) wears out due to use.
In a preferred embodiment, the protective cover (6) is provided with an opening (7) through which the water dispensing lever (3) passes through. The protective cover (6) is provided with an opening (7) and is attached onto the water dispenser (2) by inserting the water dispensing lever (3) through the opening (7). As a result, the movement of the water dispensing lever (3) is not hindered and the protective cover (6) partly surrounds the water dispensing lever (3), hiding the operational parts of the water dispensing lever (3).
In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism (4) comprises a first protrusion (8) extending along the axis (B) and wherein the first protrusion (8) comprises a catching means (9) extending along the arc (A) and is configured to be seated in an indent (10) provided at the rear surface of the water dispensing lever (3) in the first position. The first protrusion (8) comprises the catching means (9) and the catching means (9) protrudes towards the rear side of the water dispensing lever (3) and is form fittingly inserted inside the indent (10). As a result, the locking mechanism (4) holds onto the water dispensing lever (3) robustly, eliminating the possibility of the locking mechanism (4) to slip sideways as the user pushes the water dispensing lever (3) in the first position of the locking mechanism (4).
In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism (4) comprises a second protrusion (11) abutting against the side surface of the water dispensing lever (3) in the first position. The second protrusion (11) abuts against the water dispensing lever (3) limiting the movement of the locking mechanism (4) inside the channel (5). By means of the second protrusion (11), the locking mechanism (4) is prevented to go out of the channel (5).
In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism (4) comprises a third protrusion (12) protruding perpendicularly and away from the channel (5). The third protrusion (12) provides easy displaceability for the locking mechanism (4).
It is to be understood that the locking mechanism (4) can also be used in a cooling appliance (1) having a dispenser wherein the dispenser is used for dispensing ice.
In the cooling appliance (1) of the present invention, an ergonomic, robust and easily reproducible locking mechanism for the water dispenser (2) is provided. Another advantageous effect of the locking mechanism (4) of the present invention is that the worn-out locking mechanism (4) can be easily replaced removing the need for maintenance which helps reduce the costs.

Claims

A cooling appliance (1) comprising; a water dispenser (2) wherein the water dispenser (2) comprises a water dispensing lever (3) pivotably attached onto the water dispenser (2) and is configured to supply water to the water dispenser (2) upon being pivoted along an arc (A) and a locking mechanism (4) placed in close vicinity of the water dispensing lever (3),

characterized in that

the locking mechanism (4) is configured to move along an axis (B) almost perpendicular to the arc (A) and wherein the locking mechanism (4) slides between a first position during which the locking mechanism (4) abuts against and prevents the pivot movement of the water dispensing lever (3) and a second position during which the locking mechanism (4) allows pivot movement of the water dispensing lever (3).
A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (4) moves along the axis (B) wherein the said axis (B) lies behind the water dispensing lever (3).
A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (4) is placed inside a channel (5) extending along the axis (B) and wherein an end of the channel (5) is adjacent to the water dispensing lever (3).
A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a protective cover (6) accommodating the channel (5).
A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the protective cover (6) is provided with an opening (7) through which the water dispensing lever (3) passes through.
A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (4) comprises a first protrusion (8) extending along the axis (B) and wherein the first protrusion (8) comprises a catching means (9) extending along the arc (A) and is configured to be seated in an indent (10) provided at the rear surface of the water dispensing lever (3) in the first position.
A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (4) comprises a second protrusion (11) abutting against the side surface of the water dispensing lever (3) in the first position.
A cooling appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (4) comprises a third protrusion (12) protruding perpendicularly and away from the channel (5).