ES2254486T3 - WASHING MACHINE WITH MONOTORIZED WASH STAPS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is related to a washing machine (16), preferably of the front-loading type, with the control and indicator panel provided on the loading door (1) and which can be monitored from a remote distance. The loading door (1) comprises one or more than one transparent pieces comprising the illuminating, controlling parts and equipment. Required symbols are marked on said pieces, using various printing techniques. Parts that are not desired to be shown are covered, again preferably by using printing techniques or by painting. Said loading door (1) is connected to the cabinet by a hinge (6) and the lighting, controlling parts and equipment can be connected to the required points by means of the hinged region and of the electrical cables (26) in the protecting hose (3). The handle (5) on the frame provides the locking of the loading door (1) and may be detached from the machine after locking, so that it can remotely control the programs by means of the buttons and monitors/controls the program steps by means of the light indicators (15); thus the user is enabled to control and monitor the machine remotely.

Description

Washing machine with monitored washing stages a distance.

The present invention relates to a washing machine, preferably of the front loading type, with the indicator panel and control arranged in the loading door and that can monitored from a remote distance.

Washing machines are controlled by the indicator and control panel that is located in the part top of the front wall of the cabin. The user selects the wash cycle / program using the buttons provided on the panel. The legends that symbolize the programs are arranged on the buttons or on the surfaces on which the buttons / keys The selected program and its phases are understood usually by the positions of the symbols on the keys, during the turning movement of the selected button. Like the Button dimensions are limited with panel size, the phases of the selected program are followed in a limited way, the user is obliged to be near the washing machine in order of performing the functions of control and monitoring.

The object of the present invention is to allow the user monitor the operation and stages of the program appliances, preferably washing machines, from a position distal, that is, at a distance.

The indicator and control panel of the door loading, performed to achieve the aforementioned object of the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in those who:

Figure 1 is a global front view three-dimensional washing machine.

Figure 2 is the plan view of the door of Loading the washer in an open position.

Figure 3 is the front view of a panel indicator and control only with light indicators, located in The loading door.

Figure 4 is the front view of an indicator and control panel with buttons and indicator lights, located in The loading door.

Figure 5 is the front view of a panel indicator and control only with buttons located on the door load.

Figure 6 is the front view of a panel indicator and control only with indicator lights located on the loading door, with buttons and indicator lights located in the shooter fixed on her.

Figure 7 is the front view of a panel indicator and control only with light indicators, located in the loading door with buttons and indicator lights located in the removable handle.

Figure 8 is the front view of a door of load with a removable handle that has buttons and indicators bright.

Figure 9 is the cross-sectional view side of a part of the frame in which they are present light indicators

Figure 10 is the three-dimensional view of the shooter and shooter cavity.

Figure 11 is the schematic view of the pieces that constitute the locking mechanism.

The components shown in the drawings have been listed separately as follows:

one.

    Loading door

2.

    Indicator and control panel

3.

    Protection sleeve

Four.

    Shooter Cavity

5.

    Shooter

6.

    Hinge

7.

    Windows

8.

    Framework

9.

    Front wall

10.

Locking mechanism

eleven.

Frame surface

12.

Frame body

13.

Frame cavity

14.

Compartment

fifteen.

Indicator light

16.

Washing machine

17.

Rib

18.

Button

19.

Contact plate

twenty.

Wall lock handle frontal

twenty-one.

Loading door hook

22

Spring

2. 3.

Tub

24.

Bellows

25.

Circuit board

26.

Cable

27.

Separation button

28.

Hook Cavity shooter

29.

Puller hook.

Appliances, such as washing machines (16) of the front loading type, comprise a loading door (1) to load the dirty clothes to be washed in the washing machine, a tub (23) in which the dirty clothes are placed, a bellows (24) for provide insulation between the loading door (1) and the tub (2. 3). A circular window (7) is provided in the form of a cavity in the center of the loading door (1) in order to avoid  that dirty clothes get caught in the bellows (24) during the cycle washing Said window (7) made circularly in line with that of the loading door, is preferably made of glass due to factors such as scratch resistance and easy monitoring A plastic frame (8) is provided, preferably circularly, around said window (7). Said frame (8) comprises one or more than one piece. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frame surface (11) above the frame (8) and a body (12) of the frame below it. A shooter (5) arranged in the surface (11) of the frame is controlled outside the washing machine (16) and It is located in the cavity (4) of the handle open in the frame (8). One or more of a hinge (s) (6) that are held in the body (12) of the frame below the frame (8), are located preferably right in front of the shooter (5). The door (1) of load is attached to the front wall (9) of the washing machine (16) by said hinge (s) (6) and opens / closes with a rotating movement around the axis of the hinge. Bliss hinge (6) also supports the cables (26) of the panel (2) of control over the loading door (1), to pass towards internal sections of the washing machine (16) in a sleeve (3) of protection in order to provide insulation and to avoid any deformation Said protection sleeve (3) provides the required insulation for cables and prevents any deformation that could occur during the hinge movements. The closing, blocking and opening of the  loading door (1) is guaranteed by a mechanism (10) of lock connected to the handle (5).

The indicator and control panel (2) is located in a cavity (13) of the frame located below the surface (11) of the frame and in the body (12) of the frame. Said indicator and control panel (2) can therefore be made to show only the programs and the washing phases or only to control the washing machine's operating programs or to both show and control the programs and the phases of washing machine The indicator and control panel comprises buttons (18) by which the user determines the programs of the washing machine (16); Indicators (15) that show the course of the program; circuit boards (23) through which the buttons (18) and the light indicators (15) are connected; and cables (26) that connect all the previous components to each other and to the control unit. The cavity (13) of the frame comprises one or more compartments (14) that are divided by ribs (17). The compartments (14) are provided with controllable light indicators (15) such as light emitting diodes or lamps, buttons (18), circuit boards (25) and cables (26). Therefore, in the circuit boards (25) the buttons (18) and the luminous indicators (15) are connected to each other between the compartments (14) by means of cables (26) and reach the programming device and the control unit arranged in the washing machine, on the hinge (6) that is below the body (12) of the frame.
Said programming device and the control unit operate the washing machine (16) according to the instructions received from the control panels (2).

The surface (11) of the frame is made of transparent material or light transmitter, preferably, semi-transmitter or glass, so that the control panel (2) located below can be seen from outside the loading door (1). Depending on the material used, said surface (11) of the frame is attached to the body (12) of the frame adjusted by pressure or mechanically or by various welding techniques such as vibration welding or ultrasound, and the like. The frame (8) or the surface (11) of the frame, before or after joining, depending on the purpose, location and material of use, are preferably painted and / or printed using various techniques. During printing, symbols, signs, legends and letters of a size and color are used that can be easily distinguished from a distance. For indications made in the frame, they can also be used
Badges or material that can be pasted later.

The light indicators (15) on the frame (25) circuit attached to the body (12) of the frame come on according to the stages of the program, in order to illuminate the surface preferably printed with illustrative signs below. The reflectors on the internal surfaces of the compartment (14) and the circuit board (25) are used to direct the light towards the surface (11) of the frame. This way you get a powerful light source consuming little energy. Meanwhile, it provides light leakage to other compartments (14) by the ribs (17) that define the compartments (14) that allow  that different phases of the program separate from each other and show and, therefore, be monitored on the door (1) of load. The surface (11) of the frame, in turn, which is prepared according to the key outside the compartments (14) describes, by symbols or letters, programs and / or washing phases selected by the user for the user, by virtue of the impressions made on the internal and / or external surface of the framework.

In an embodiment in which only monitored the washing machine programs or phases (16), the compartments (14) of the frame (8) are preferably arranged in a order such that show the stages of prewash, main wash, water drain, rinse, water softener application, centrifugation and opening of the door. The indicators (15) lights are "on or off" depending on the order of the phase and / or the washing time. In one embodiment, all indicator lights (15) in the compartment that show the Selected wash program light up when the program button As the wash phases are completed, the indicator lights (15) go to the position of "off", respectively. In another embodiment, only the indicator (15) that shows the current wash phase is illuminated, in order to save energy and to prolong life indicator light (15) useful.

In a preferred embodiment, the indicators (15) lights begin to light according to the washing phases and when a certain phase has been completed, all indicators (15) lights associated with that phase will be illuminated. Therefore the User can easily follow the washing program and check what phase it is in

In the frames in which the programs are controlled and the phases are followed, the indicator and control panel (2) is provided with both light indicators (15) that show the control phases, as well as the buttons (18) that direct the programs and the washing phases (figure 4). Said light indicators (15) and buttons (18) are located in the compartments (14) provided in the body (12) of the frame. Said compartments (14) are positioned so that they can be contained in the circular loading door (1), depending on the phases and times of the program. The user illuminates a light indicator (15) that shows the mode of operation by pressing the button (18) in the compartment that shows the program that has been selected and operates the washing machine (16). During the course of operation, the light indicators (15) present in this compartment (14) illuminate respectively and inform the user about the operating status of this mode. The user can also find out about the operating phases by virtue of these indicator lights (15). The light indicators (15) associated with the current washing stage, during the consecutive course of stages such as washing, rinsing, spinning, etc., preferably
they remain illuminated until said selected group of washing steps has been completed.

In frames (8) in which they are only controlled washing programs, one or more button (ones) are placed (18) in different positions of the frame (8), depending on the end and of the place of use (figure 5). The buttons (18) are placed preferably so that they are located in the sections frame tops (8) for user comfort. This way, the user who has bent down to load dirty clothes in the washing machine (16) and closed the loading door (1), can Select the wash program without standing up again. How  the upper sections of the frame (8) are closer to the upper region of the washing machine (16), the user can reach buttons (18) without bending down if standing or without having to wear standing if you are in a crouched position. In one embodiment Preferred of the present invention, the puller (5), in addition to the Frame (8) is also used for control and / or indication. In that embodiment, the frame (8) and the handle (5) are made of such so that they complement each other and / or can be used separately. The handle (5) can be fixed on the frame (8) or can be separated from the frame (8) to function as a remote control. Therefore the user can remotely monitor the fundamental stages of the program you have selected and can run the washing machine (16) when required, select the programs. Meanwhile, in the cases in which the user can observe the loading door (1) of the washing machine (16), you can follow the phases of the program selected, on the loading door (1), by means of Indicators (15) illuminated.

In one of the embodiments in which they are used both the shooter (5) and the frame (8), the selected program and its stages are followed (monitored) through the indicators lights (15) on the frame (8) and the programs are controlled and select by means of the buttons (18) on the handle (5), in addition of the possibility of monitoring programs and / or stages selected by means of the light indicators (15) in the shooter (5) (figure 8).

In another embodiment, all control and monitoring are performed only on the shooter, preferably of a fixed way (figure 8). For reasons such as practical use and ease of installation, buttons (18) and indicators (15) lights are preferably placed on the handle (5) while that the frame (8) is used to monitor and / or control, according to The characteristics of the washing machine used.

Still in another embodiment, all controls they are made in the frame (8) by means of the buttons (18), and the shooter (5) is only used to monitor by means of Indicators (15) illuminated. In another embodiment, they are selected and / or both programs are controlled by means of the buttons (18) arranged both in the frame (8) and in the handle (5), and monitor the programs and / or their phases through the indicator lights arranged on the frame (8) and on the handle (5) (figure 7). In the embodiments in which the shooter is used (5) for control and / or indication, preferably the shooter (5) cannot be separated before the loading door (1) is closed. When the loading door is closed, the handle (5) remains attached in the cavity (4) of the handle until it is pressed the knob (27) separating the handle (5). When pressed said separation button (27), the handle (5) is released and separate from the loading door (1). After separation of the shooter (5), the loading door (1) cannot be opened before the shooter  (5) get back in place. This is provided preferably by means of the locking mechanism (10) that works mechanically. Therefore, provided that the shooter (5) is located in its cavity, the loading door (1) can be opened by means of the locking mechanism (10), regardless of whether the voltage of Network supply is connected or disconnected.

The handle (5) is connected to a mechanism (10) lock preferably comprising a handle (20) of front wall lock, a hook (21) of the loading door, a cavity (28) of the puller hook on the hook (21) of the loading door, a hook (29) of the handle and springs (22). In a preferred embodiment of the locking mechanism (10), the hook (21) of the loading door fits the handle (20) for locking the front wall when the loading door (1) is closed. In this case, the hook (21) of the loading door remains in a fixed position, parallel to the shooter (5). Meanwhile when press the separation button (27), the handle hook (29) connected to the separation button (27) rotates in one movement rotating around a joint and therefore the tip of the hook (29) of the shooter is released from the cavity (28) of the hook. When the separation button (27) is released, it takes its original position in virtue of the spring provided on its axis of rotation. While in the case in which the loading door (1) is open, the hook (21) of the loading door moves in an opposite direction due to a spring on its axis of rotation and presses the hook (29) of the shooter in its cavity (28) and prevents it from being released.

When the buttons (18) on the shooter (5), the instruction is transmitted to the cables (26) of connection by means of contact plates (19); and the wires (26) connection that pass through the loading door (1) and to Through the region (6) hinge, they reach the control card. When the handle (5) is separated from the loading door (1), the information received by a receiver located in the panel control of the top of the washing machine from the transmitter of the shooter (5), is transmitted to the control unit. Besides program buttons (18), can also be arranged on the handle (5), open / close buttons (18), such as save buttons such as those that provide savings in water intake or Operation with less energy. Since the buttons (18) that indicate the programs are preferably lit, the user You can see which program has been selected. In cases where the buttons are not lit, preferably a indicator (15) light when pressed. The phases of the program are indicated by more than one indicator light (15) arranged preferably in the shooter, and they are used by all program buttons (18). These indicators (15) light they work preferably synchronized with the indicators lights on the loading door (1).

Program control and monitoring of the washing machine program phases (16) by means of a indicator and control panel located on the loading door (1) and / or the handle (5) can also be applied to other appliances such as controllers and the like.

Claims (8)

1. Washing machine (16) whose washing stages can be remotely monitored, which includes a loading door (1) for loading the laundry to be washed in the washing machine, characterized by an indicator / control panel located on said door ( 1) loading, comprising luminous indicators (15) showing the washing program and the stages and / or buttons (16) by which the washing machine operation programs are controlled, allowing said indicator / control panel to be User monitors the operation and program stages of the washing machine from a distal position, that is, from a distance. 2. Washing machine (16) whose washing steps can be remotely monitored according to claim 1, characterized by a loading door (1) comprising a window (7), a plastic frame (8), preferably circular in shape that includes one or more of a piece, arranged around said window (7), a hinge (6) that provides its connection to the front wall (9) and the opening / closing of the door (1), and a handle (5) connected to the frame (8) and that provides the lock and the new opening of the door (1). 3. Washing machine (16) whose washing steps can be remotely monitored according to claim 1, characterized by a frame (8), comprising a surface (11) of the frame above and a body (12) of the frame below it ; a cavity (13) of the frame below the surface (11) of the frame and in the body (12) of the frame, in which the indicator and control panel (2) is located; and one or more of a compartment (s) (17) in the cavity (13) of the frame that is (n) separated by ribs (17), in which luminous indicators (15) are located, buttons (18) ), control panels (25) and controllable cables (26). 4. Washing machine (16) whose washing steps can be remotely monitored according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by a hinge (6) that supports the cables (26) of the control panel (2) on the loading door, to pass towards the internal sections of the washing machine (16) in a protective sleeve (3) in order to provide insulation and avoid any deformation. 5. Washing machine (16) whose washing steps can be remotely monitored according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the surface (11) of the frame made of transparent material or light transmitter, preferably, semi-transmitter or glass, so that the Control panel (2) located below can be seen from outside the loading door (1), attached to the body (12) of the pressure or mechanically adjusted frame or by various welding techniques such as vibration welding or ultrasound, depending Finally, the location and material of use is preferably painted and / or printed using various techniques using symbols, signs, legends and letters of a size and color that can be easily distinguished from a distance. 6. Washing machine (16) whose washing steps can be remotely monitored according to claims 1 to 5, characterized by reflectors located on the internal surfaces of the circuit board (25) and compartments (14) and which are used to direct the light of the surface (11) of the printed frame. 7. Washing machine (16) whose washing steps can be remotely monitored according to claims 1 to 6, characterized by a handle (5) that can preferably be used as a remote control, on which the light indicators (15) showing the program and washing stages, and / or buttons (18) by which the washing machine operation programs are controlled. 8. Washing machine (16) whose washing steps can be remotely monitored according to claim 7, characterized by a locking mechanism (10) connected to the handle, which can open / close the loading door (1) and comprising a handle ( 10) Locking the front wall, a hook (21) of the loading door, a cavity (28) of the handle hook, a hook (29) of the handle and springs (22).