FR3088654A1 - HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING A BODY, A DOOR AND A CONNECTING DEVICE CONNECTING THE DOOR TO THE BODY - Google Patents

Abstract

Household appliance comprising a body, a door (3) and a connecting device (5) connecting the door (3) to the body, the body comprising an external wall (20) extending in a vertical foreground (P1) and in which an opening (21) is formed. The connection device (5) is fixed to the door (3) by a first pivot connection around a front axis (512) and to the bodywork by a second pivot connection around a rear axis (522). The rear axis (522) extends in a first vertical direction (D1) and the front axis (512) extends in a second direction (D2) inclined not parallel to the first direction (D1), the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2) forming between them a first non-zero angle (β). Use of the connecting device to allow the closing of the opening of the household appliance when a prominent part is placed on the periphery of the opening. Figure for the abstract: Figure 4

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Household appliance comprising a body, a door and a connecting device connecting the door to the body The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising a body, a door and a connecting device connecting the door to the body.

In general, a household appliance such as a machine for treating laundry comprises a body in which an opening is formed, and a door for closing the opening.

Conventionally, the opening is formed in an external wall extending in a first vertical plane. When the opening is closed, at least part of the door bears against the bodywork either directly against the external wall, or against a protruding part or prominent part of constant thickness which can be placed on the external wall of the bodywork around the opening and extending in a plane parallel to the first vertical plane of the external wall of the bodywork. The door is configured to ensure proper closure of the opening.

A connecting device generally connects the body to the door and allows the door to rotate relative to the body.

In particular, there is known in the prior art a connecting device described in document EP 3 124 669 and formed of a hinge with two axes connecting a door of a washing machine appliance to its body and allowing the door rotation relative to the body.

More specifically, the connecting device described in this document comprises a first fixing support fixed to the door, a second fixing support fixed to the body and a central part connecting the first and second fixing supports. The first and second fixing supports respectively comprise a first pivot link along a front axis and a second pivot link along a rear axis allowing the door to rotate relative to the body. The two front and rear axes extend in two directions parallel to each other.

This type of connecting device allows good sealing of the opening when the door once in the closed position extends parallel to the external wall of the body and to the protruding part when the latter is formed on the wall external around the opening.

However, for various reasons, it may be advantageous to have only a prominent part on part of the periphery of the opening. In this case, we may want to integrate into the external wall of the body a specific device, for example a lighting and / or laundry detection device which would form the prominent part at the periphery of the opening of a machine. to treat the laundry. Or, for aesthetic reasons for example, it may be advantageous to form a part of variable thickness at the periphery of the opening of the bodywork of the household appliance.

The existence of such prominent parts then makes it impossible to use a connecting device such as that described in document EP 3 124 669. In fact, the door would be hampered by the prominent part when the shutter is closed. 'opening.

Also, there is a need for a connecting device between the body and the door of the household appliance allowing the proper closing of the door and thus a perfect closure of the opening when a prominent part is disposed nearby. of the opening or when a part of variable thickness is formed over the entire periphery of the opening.

The present invention aims to provide such a connecting device.

Thus, the invention relates to a household appliance comprising a body, a door and a connecting device connecting the door to the body. The body includes an outer wall extending in a first vertical plane and in which an opening is formed. The connection device is fixed to the door by a first pivot connection around a first axis called the front axis and to the bodywork by a second pivot connection around a second axis called the rear axis, the door being configured to pivot relative to to the bodywork between a closed position in which the opening is closed and a maximum opening position. The rear axis extends in a first vertical direction and the front axis extends in a second inclined direction not parallel to the first direction, the first direction and the second direction forming between them a first non-zero angle.

The inclination of the front axis relative to the vertical rear axis allows the door not to be hampered by a prominent part disposed on the outer wall at the periphery of the opening. The correct closing of the opening is thus ensured.

According to one characteristic, when the door is in the closed position, the second direction extends in a vertical plane perpendicular to the foreground.

In the closed position, the door thus extends vertically and the opening is therefore well closed.

According to another characteristic, the first angle is greater than or equal to a second angle formed by the intersection of the first plane and a second plane tangent to the part.

The first angle formed between the axes being at least equal to the second angle formed between the planes makes it possible to compensate for the inclination of the second plane and thus guarantee a good closure of the opening.

According to one characteristic, the first angle and the second angle are between 1 ° and 5 °, and preferably equal to 2.5 °.

According to another characteristic, the bodywork includes a prominent part disposed at the periphery of the opening.

According to one characteristic, the part forms a continuous frame over the entire periphery of the opening.

According to another characteristic, the part is arranged only on a part of the periphery of the opening.

According to one characteristic, the part has a variable thickness and comprises a first part having a maximum thickness and a second part having a minimum thickness.

According to another characteristic, the first part is formed in a lower part of the opening and the second part is formed in an upper part of the opening. When the door is in the closed position, the second direction is parallel to a second plane tangent to the first part and to the second part of the room.

The second direction being parallel to the second plane, the first angle and the second angle are thus equal.

According to one characteristic, the connection device comprises a central part connecting the first pivot connection to the second pivot connection.

According to one characteristic, the thickness of the part of variable thickness varies linearly between the first part and the second part.

According to one characteristic, the household appliance is a washing machine.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

[Fig.l] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine according to an embodiment according to the invention;

[Fig.2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a front face of the washing machine of Figure 1 having a connecting device connecting a body to an open door of the washing machine laundry ;

[Fig.3] Figure 3 is a detail view of the connecting device;

[Fig.4] Figure 4 is a broken sectional view along the plane AA of Figure 3 showing the connecting device and the door in a closed position of an opening of the washing machine ;

[Fig.5] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the door of the washing machine in the closed position; and [fig.6] Figure 6 is a detail view, in section, of the connecting device and the door being closed.

Figure 1 shows a washing machine 1 front loading or household appliance 1 according to an embodiment according to the invention.

The washing machine 1 has a body 2 and a door 3.

The body 2 constitutes an outer envelope of a washing tub.

The body 2 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. The body has external walls, and in particular a front external wall.

The outer wall 20 includes a lower edge 201, an upper edge 202 and two side edges 203, 204. The outer wall 20 here extends in a first plane PI. The first plane PI is substantially vertical. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer wall 20 is slightly curved.

The outer wall 20 includes an opening 21, visible in particular in Figure 2. The opening 21 is here circular.

The opening 21 gives access to a frame 22 and a drum 23 in which the linen is treated.

The frame 22 is formed upstream of the drum 23. The frame 22 of the body 2 is here annular. The drum 23 has a cylindrical shape and includes an annular edge 231 forming the inlet of the drum 23. The frame 22 and the annular edge 231 of the drum 23 have substantially the same diameter.

The body 2 has on the outer wall 20 a part 24, clearly visible in Figure 3. The part 24 is formed at the periphery of the opening 21, that is to say near the opening . The part 24 is here formed around the opening 21. The part 24 is prominent from the outer wall 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the part 24 has a variable thickness depending on the parts. In other words, the part 24 comprises at least a first part 241 or thick part having a maximum thickness and at least a second part 242 or thin part having a minimum thickness. The thickness of the piece of variable thickness here varies linearly between the first part 241 and the second part 242.

By thickness is meant the dimension of the part in a direction perpendicular to the first plane PI. The thickness is measured from the external wall 20. By maximum thickness is meant the greatest thickness formed in part 24 and by minimum thickness the smallest thickness formed in part 24. The first part has a thickness greater than the thickness of the second part.

In this embodiment, the part 24 extends in a second plane P2. The second plane P2 is defined as being a plane tangent to the part 24. The second plane P2 is here tangent to the thick part and to the thin part of the part 24. The second plane P2 is inclined relative to the first vertical plane Pl . In other words, the first plane Pl and the second plane P2 are intersecting. The first plane P1 is inclined relative to the second plane P2 at an angle called the second angle a.

The first part 241 or thick part of the part 24 is here formed in a lower part of the opening 21. The second part 242 or thin part is here formed in an upper part of the opening 21.

The part 24 here forms a frame around the opening 21. The part 24 is therefore a continuous part. The part 24 has an annular shape. The opening 21 and the part 24 have substantially the same diameter. In particular, the part 24 has the same internal diameter as a diameter of the opening 21.

Of course, the part 24 can have different shapes and dimensions and can be arranged otherwise. In another embodiment, the part 24 may not completely surround the opening 21. The part 24 disposed only at a part of the periphery of the opening can either have a variable thickness or a constant thickness. Or, in another embodiment, the part 24 may be discontinuous, for example in the form of two separate parts, each having a different thickness.

The door 3 has the shape of a porthole comprising a transparent glass 31 and a frame 32.

The frame 32 has an annular shape and has an outer face 321 and an inner face 322.

The glass 31 is secured to the frame 32 at the periphery of the internal face 322. The glass 31 has the shape of a re-entrant bowl in the direction of the interior of the drum 23 when the door 3 is closed. The glass 31 comprises a lower rounded edge 311 and a curved portion 312. The door 3 takes a closed position when the opening 21 is closed.

The washing machine 1 has a seal commonly called a cuff 4, disposed at the inlet of the drum 23. The cuff 4 has a substantially annular shape. The cuff 4 is made of flexible material.

The cuff 4 is dimensioned so as to match the annular edge 231 of the drum 23. The cuff 4 is also dimensioned to conform to the shape of the rounded lower edge 311 when the door 3 is closed. When the door 3 is closed, the lower rounded edge 311 is in abutment against the cuff 4. The cuff 4 is configured to seal the washing machine.

The washing machine 1 includes a connection device 5 for connecting the car6 body 2 to the door 3.

In the embodiment described and as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the connecting device 5 comprises a first fixing support 51 fixed to the door 3, a second fixing support 52 fixed to the body 2 and a central part 53 connecting the first fixing support 51 to the second fixing support 52.

The first fixing support 51 is fixed to the frame 32 of the door 3. The first fixing support 51 is here fixed to the internal face 322. The first fixing support 51 is fixed to the frame 32 by any means already known in the prior art, for example by means of screws.

The first fixing support 51 includes a first front opening 511.

The second fixing support 52 is fixed to the body 2. The second fixing support 52 is here fixed to the frame 22. As for the first fixing support 51, the fixing of the second fixing support 52 to the bodywork is carried out by any means conventionally used and known in the prior art.

The second fixing support 52 comprises a first rear opening 521.

The central part 53 here has a C shape. The central part 53 comprises a second front port 531 and a second rear port 532. The second front ports 531 and rear 532 are here formed on either side of the central part.

The central part 53 is assembled on the one hand to the first fixing support 51 so that the first front opening 511 of the first fixing support 51 is disposed opposite the second front opening 531 of the central part 53. And on the other hand, the central part 53 is assembled to the second fixing support 52 so that the first rear opening 521 of the second fixing support 52 is arranged opposite the second rear opening 532 of the central part 53.

The first and second front holes 511, 531 of the first fixing support 51 and of the central part 53 are configured to receive a front pivot axis, also called first axis or front axis 512. The first and second rear holes 521, 532 of the second fixing support 52 and of the central part 53 are configured to receive a rear pivot axis, also called the second axis or rear axis 522.

The connecting device 5 thus formed is a hinge with two pivot axes, the front axis 512 and the rear axis 522. The first fixing support 51 and the front axis 512 form a first pivot connection. The second fixing support 52 and the rear axle 522 form a second pivot link.

The connecting device 5 allows the rotation of the door 3 relative to the body 2. When the door 3 is opened and closed, the central part 53 moves in a horizontal plane. In this exemplary embodiment, the frame 22 comprises a cavity 221. The cavity 221 allows the passage of the central part 53. Advantageously, the cavity 221 has dimensions at least equal to those of the central part 53 in order to allow its passage and its rotation.

The connecting device 5 allows the rotation of the door 3 between the closed position or shutter position and a maximum open position. By maximum open position is meant the position in which the central part 53 can no longer move horizontally.

In this embodiment, the door 3 can pivot up to 55 ° along the front axis 512. In other words, the door 3 can rotate 55 ° relative to the central part 53. The part central 53 can pivot up to 70 ° along the rear axis 522. In other words, the central part 53 can pivot by 70 ° relative to the body 2. In other words, the door 3 can pivot from 125 ° to the body 2.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the rear axis 522 extends in a first vertical direction Dl and the front axis 512 extends in a second inclined direction D2. The second direction D2 is inclined towards the thin part having the smallest thickness of the part 24. The second direction D2 is here inclined towards the upper part 242 of the part 24. When the door is in the closed position, the second direction D2 s 'extends in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first plane PI.

The first direction of the rear axis 522 and the second direction D2 of the front axis 512 form an angle called the first angle β. The first angle β is not zero. The first angle β is at least equal to the second angle a formed by the first plane PI and the second plane P2.

The second direction D2 is here parallel to the second plane P2. The first angle β is in this embodiment equal to the second angle a.

The first angle β and the second angle a are between 1 ° and 5 °. Preferably, the first angle β and the second angle a are equal to 2.5 °.

The device thus formed allows complete closure of the door 3 and thus the perfect closure of the opening 21. Indeed, the first angle β being greater than or equal to the second angle a and the front axis being inclined towards the thin part of the part 24, the closing of the door is not hampered by the presence of the part 24 of variable thickness.

The inclination of the front axis 512 along the first angle β greater than or equal to the second angle a compensates for the inclination of the part 24. In addition, this allows a vertical plane support of the door 3 against the cuff 4. In particular, the lower rounded edge 311 bears against the cuff 4. A sealed closure of the opening 21 is thus ensured. Sealing the opening 21 is particularly important for household appliances such as washing machines involving the use of water which can generate leaks.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. In particular, the prominent part has been described as having a variable thickness. The protruding part may indeed have a constant thickness and be formed only at a part of the periphery of the opening. In such an exemplary embodiment, the second angle a is formed between a plane tangent to the prominent part and inclined towards the external wall. The first angle β formed by the first and second directions is greater than or equal to the second angle a. The front axle is tilted so that the door can be closed. The door is no longer hampered by the prominent part.

By way of nonlimiting example, the prominent piece of constant thickness can be formed in the lower part of the opening. In this case, the second direction D2 and the second plane P2 both have an inclination of the protruding part towards the upper part of the opening.

The present description has been made for a washing machine. Of course, this description remains valid for any device comprising a body and a door to be connected together. In particular, the description is valid for any appliance intended for treating laundry, such as a dryer appliance or a washer-dryer appliance.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Household appliance (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) and a connection device (5) connecting said door (3) to said body (2), said body (2) comprising an external wall (20) extending in a first vertical plane (PI) and in which an opening (21) is formed, the connection device (5) being fixed to the door (3) by a first pivot connection around a first axis called the axis front (512) and to the body (2) by a second pivot link around a second axis called the rear axis (522), said door (3) being configured to pivot relative to the body (2) between a closed position in which the opening (21) is closed and a maximum opening position, the household appliance (1) being characterized in that said rear axis (522) extends in a first vertical direction (Dl) and said axis front (512) extends in a second direction (D2) inclined not parallel to said first direction (Dl), said pre first direction (Dl) and said second direction (D2) forming between them a first non-zero angle (β). [Claim 2] Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein when the door is in the closed position, the second direction (D2) extends in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first plane (PI). [Claim 3] Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the first angle (β) is greater than or equal to a second angle (a) formed by the intersection of the first plane (PI) and a second plane (P2) tangent to the part (24). [Claim 4] Household appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first angle (β) and the second angle (a) are between 1 ° and 5 °, and preferably equal to 2.5 °. [Claim 5] Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the bodywork (2) comprises a protruding part (24) arranged at the periphery of the opening (21). [Claim 6] Household appliance (1) according to claim 5, in which the part (24) forms a continuous frame over the entire periphery of the opening (21). [Claim 7] Household appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein the part (24) is arranged only on a part of the periphery of the opening (21). [Claim 8] Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, in [Claim 9] [Claim 10] which the part (24) has a variable thickness and comprises a first part (241) having a maximum thickness and a second part (242) having a minimum thickness. A household appliance (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first part (241) is formed in a lower part of the opening (21) and the second part (242) is formed in an upper part of the opening (21 ), and in that when the door (3) is in the closed position, the second direction (D2) is parallel to a second plane (P2) tangent to the first part (241) and to the second part (242) of the piece (24). Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the household appliance (1) is a washing machine.