JPS63170997A - Joint and box for home appliance case - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a joint for a case. More particularly, it relates to joints for cases for household appliances, such as microwave ovens, and such cases.

[Conventional technology]

In the well-known microwave open case,
A microwave open space of rectangular cross section is provided by an inner structure placed inside the outer covering member. The overmolding member comprises a bottom portion integral with a pair of opposed side walls and a cover portion having a top wall and a pair of opposed side walls and cooperating with the bottom portion. This form of case requires numerous spot welds and continuous seam welds along multiple joints, and is expensive by having both inner and outer structures.

Other cases, such as those disclosed in European Patent Publication No. 0110364, have a main body formed from folded metal sheets and having a rectangular cross section, having a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of opposing vertical side walls. , with a chamber for electrical components separately welded to one of the side walls. The main body and adjacent chambers are themselves open on their remaining sides, and additional walls are fitted onto each of these sides. Each additional wall has a flange along its edge, said flange extending away from the main body and the adjacent chamber, and extending from the edge of the case opening and the edge of the adjacent chamber opening. engaging the inner surface of each peripheral flange around the periphery of the flange. Each of the pair of engagement flanges is gripped by being folded over the other to provide a seam along the edge of the case opening.

This case also has many drawbacks. Seams are aesthetically undesirable and require special tooling to form these seams. Consists of electrical components.

The chamber cannot be removed from the case, making repair of the electrical components difficult. Also, many spot welds are still required, making it difficult to apply the required finish to certain areas of the outer surface.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved joint for a case for a household appliance such as a microwave oven.A further object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the above-mentioned known cases. It is about minimizing.

[Means for solving problems]

According to the invention, a joint for joining an edge of a first portion and an edge of a second portion of sheet material, the joint comprising:
the section has an elongated U-shaped cross-section slot formed by folding said sheet along a plurality of parallel lines, said slot having two opposed side walls, and a slot between said side walls; An edge area of the second portion is held in an engagement manner by a push-fit means, the push-fit means engaging at least one of the opposing walls of the slot and an engaged edge area of the second portion. A joint is provided that collaborates between the two.

The joint according to the invention has the major advantage that it requires no or very little spot welding during manufacture. The joining of said first and second parts is thus effectively achieved and a satisfactory external finish can be obtained.

The first and second portions of sheet material may belong to a case and are selected from a pair of side walls, a side wall and a bottom wall or a top wall, a side wall and a door, an additional wall and a wall of the case defining an opening. Thus, the wall of the main case body can be obtained by molding a single metal sheet, the remaining pair of free edges of the sheet being joined to each other by the joint of the invention. can. Similarly, additional wall panels and/or doors can be added to the molded main case body to complete the case. The ratio of the volume of the inner compartment to the overall cabinet size is preferably increased as a result of the invention compared to previous cases.

Preferred fastening means consist of separate coupling means along the slot wall of the first part and separate coupling means along the adjacent edge area of the second part, with one camp A ring means cooperates with the other coupling means. The first part and the second part are thus securely held together.

Preferably, the coupling means comprises a plurality of spring or resilient projections and a plurality of corresponding holes, each projection and a corresponding hole having a first
provided on different parts of the section and the second section. Preferably, a plurality of regularly spaced projections are arranged in the second portion in a row, and a corresponding plurality of holes are arranged along the slot wall, also in a row and regularly spaced apart.

Advantageously, the slot is integral with the first part and comprises a co-slot defined by a first elongated wall and a second elongated wall spaced apart. Preferably, the first elongated wall is interconnected to the second elongated wall via a folded bend forming a closed end of the slot, and the second elongated wall is interconnected to the first portion via another folded bend. It would be better if they were connected. The slot can thus be formed to extend straight by folding the wall of the first part back on itself twice.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a main body made of walls and a first section of sheet material constituting the walls of the main body.
an elongated sheet formed by folding the sheet along a plurality of parallel lines, the first portion comprising at least one joint for joining an edge of a portion and an edge of a second portion; a slot of U-shaped cross-section, the slot having two opposed side walls between which an edge area of the second portion is engagementably held by force fit means; A case for a household appliance is provided in which the push-fit means cooperates between at least one of the opposing walls of the slot and an engaged edge area of the second part.

Preferably, the slot of the joint according to the invention is spaced from the edge of the first part by a flange which projects outwardly beyond the edge area of the second part when the joint is in the assembled condition.

In a preferred embodiment, the case is made of rectangular cross-section and has a front opening, an added front wall panel secured to the opening by a joint according to the invention, a rear opening, and It comprises an added rear wall panel secured to the opening by a joint according to the invention. This case is especially suitable for microwave opening. A chamber of electrical components may be mounted between the front and rear walls and spaced from the walls of the main body of the case.

The case has a door mounted in the method according to the invention. Such doors provide access to the interior of the case through an opening in the wall of the case.

The door may be mounted with a hinge comprising two mutually pivotally connected hinge plates, one hinge plate being secured along one edge area of the door; The other hinge plate is joined to the facing edge areas of the opening by a joint according to the invention.

The main body of the case is preferably molded from a single sheet of metallic material, the two remaining free edges being joined together in the method according to the invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a joint for joining an edge of a first portion and an edge of a second portion of sheet material, the method comprising: forming a joint along a plurality of parallel lines; 1st
A slot of U-shaped cross section is formed by folding the sheet material of the section, and at least one wall of said slot and a second
Forming push-fit means in the edge regions of the parts, placing the edge regions next to each other, and placing the edge regions of said second part in the slot for securing adjacent edges together by the push-fit means. A method of manufacturing a joint consisting of pressing it into a joint. is provided.

folding the edge area of the first part over the edge area to form a folded bend such that the slot is followed by an elongated wall; and then folding the edge area of the first part to form another folded bend. may be made by reversing the elongated wall in the opposite direction, with another elongated wall being spaced from said elongated wall and defining an elongated slot of U-shaped cross section between the two elongated walls.

The push-fit means may be formed by pressing or stamping a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of holes cooperating with the protrusions in the adjacent edge area, each protrusion and corresponding aperture being formed in the slot wall. and the second
Located in the edge area of the piece.

[Embodiments] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing an embodiment of the joint and case of the present invention.

Note that in the accompanying drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numbers.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first wall 1 and a second wall 3
are connected to each other via a first edge section 5 and a second edge section 7 which cooperate with each other. A narrow slot 19 is arranged along the inner side 13 of the first wall l, with its opening towards the edge of the wall. The slot 19 is spaced from the edge of the wall such that a first portion 11 of the first edge area is formed against the inner surface 13 of the wall l, including the elongated wall of the slot. The part of the wall is folded back along the edge via the folding bend 9 and then the second part 17 of the first edge area.
is formed by folding forward through a second folded bend 15 such that the slot 19 includes opposite elongated walls and is disposed along said first section 11 but spaced apart from said section 11. . The slot 19 is located in the second wall 3.
a second edge area 7 for the purpose of receiving the edge area 7;
are provided at right angles to the plane of the second wall 3. Said slot 19 is just wide enough to accommodate the second edge section 7 and provides a snug engagement.

for fixing the second edge section 7 in the slot 19;
Coupling means in the form of a spring projection 21 are provided which spring projection 21 extends outwardly from and away from the second edge section 7. It is formed by pressing or stamping said second edge area 7 in an inclined manner. The holes in the first part 11 of the first edge section 5 are also formed by pressing or stamping. During the movement of the second edge section 7 into the slot 19 the protrusion springs back into the aforementioned hole;
held within them. In this way, the edge area 5
and the edge area 7 are fixed to each other.

It is clear that the edge sections of the case can be attached to each other or to special doors or wall panels by means of joints as described above. It will be appreciated that the slots 19 and holes 25 are advantageously provided along the rectangular opening and inner surface of a preformed main case body of rectangular cross section as shown in FIG.

A plurality of protrusions 21 can be formed along all four edge areas of the side wall that are to be fitted into the opening. and the side wall edge area 7 has a slot 1 around the opening.
9 and a plurality of protrusions 21 are engaged in the holes 23 to provide a secure engagement of the wall 3 to the main case body.

It is clear that the slots 19 can be formed on the outside of the wall of the case rather than on the inside of the case.

A plurality of protrusions would then be pressed inside the plane of the second edge section 7 in order to engage the holes 23 in the first part 11 of the first edge section 5 . A plurality of protrusions can be made to engage holes in the second portion of the end section.

However, such an arrangement can be employed, although it is less aesthetically pleasing than the previously described arrangement, especially if the slots are arranged on the outside of the case rather than on the inside.

The inside of the case shown in FIG. 3 provides a space 25 for microwave opening. The case has a main body of rectangular cross section consisting of a spaced parallel top wall 29 and a bottom wall 31 joined by a pair of parallel spaced side walls 33, 35 which are erected vertically in use. It consists of 27. The remaining two sides are open and metal sheet walls 37, 39 are fitted into each of those sides.

These additional walls 37, 39 are attached to the open sides of the main body using the joints described above and form the front and rear parts of the microwave open in use. A plurality of slots 5 are arranged around each opening along the inner surface of the edge area of the wall of the main body 27 . Each of the two additional walls has a second edge area 7 along their periphery, along which a plurality of spring projections 21 are arranged in a row and evenly spaced apart. has been done. Each projection engages one of a corresponding row of holes 23 (indicated by dashed lines) in the first portion of the corresponding first edge section 5 .

The main body 27 consists of one metal sheet and four walls 29.
, 31 , 33 , 35 by bending it into a shape. Two walls with free edges are fixed together by a joint according to the invention.

In this embodiment, the two walls to be fixed are the bottom wall 31 and one side wall 35. The inner surface of the side wall i5 has a first edge area 5 provided with a slot 19, and a row of holes 23 are formed in one of its extended walls. An edge area of the side wall 35 cooperates with an opposite edge area 7 on the bottom wall 31, in which a row of spring projections 21 is arranged and a plurality of holes in the corresponding edge area of the side wall. It is fixed in 23.

The front wall 37 has holes 41 for access to the microwave open space. This hole is closed by a door (not shown) placed in the edge area 5 around the front edge of the side wall 33, as described below. The rear wall 39 has a rectangular hole 43.

A chamber 45 consisting of rectangular electrical components is placed in the microwave open space. This chamber 45
After passing through the hole 43 and being fitted, it is fixed to the front wall 41 with a plurality of screws. The rear wall 39 of the chamber 45 has a laterally extending flange 47 that is secured to the rear wall 39 by a plurality of screws. The chamber 45 of electrical components is spaced from the top, bottom and side walls of the main body of the case, thereby allowing circulation of microwave energy around the outside of the chamber 45.

A magnetron 49 is arranged within the chamber 45 (sixth
(See Figures (a) to 6(d)).

A chamber 45 is provided to facilitate repair of electrical components.
can be easily withdrawn from the oven space through holes 43 in the rear wall. The chamber 45 is provided with a louvered rear wall 51 that allows ventilation of the electrical components.

The front wall 37 of the case has an inner protrusion 55 for positioning the chamber 45 prior to securing the chamber 45 to the wall 37 by a plurality of screws. The plurality of screws pass through respective holes 53 in the front wall 37 and engage adjacent walls of the chamber 45. Another hole 57 in the front wall of the case is provided for attaching door latching means.

The case has a door hinge 61 for attaching the door (FIG. 4). The door hinge 61 includes a pair of hinge plates 63 and 65 mounted so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. One plate 63 is attached to the oven door. , while the other plate 65 is fitted into the slot 19 in the first edge section 5 on the adjacent side wall 35 . The slot 19 also accommodates the second edge section 7 of the front wall 37. The plurality of protrusions 21 on the second edge section 7 of the front wall engage in the plurality of holes 23 in the second part 17 of the first edge section 5 of the side wall, while the plurality of protrusions 2 on the plate 65
1 engages in a plurality of holes 23 in the first part 11 of the first edge section 5.

a first edge section 5 into which the hinge plate 65 engages;
By suitably selecting the dimensions of the first part 11 and the second part 17 of the door, it is possible to make the door fit, protrude or recess in the front wall.

The case according to the invention can be used as a case for ovens other than microwave ovens, such as electric ovens, gas ovens, or household appliances with metal cases, such as refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and tumble dryers. The joint according to the invention has a high degree of adhesion.

In connection with the foregoing description, the invention may be defined by the following expressions.

1. a metal sheet formed to provide a cavity of rectangular cross-sectional shape, open at one end thereof and having a top wall, a bottom wall and vertical side walls, suitable for use as a microwave open cavity; In the container, the walls of the cavity are each formed with a flange at an open end of the cavity,
The flange has a first portion extending along the corresponding cavity wall and a second portion extending along the first portion at a side stop remote from the corresponding cavity wall, the first portion and the second portion and forming an outwardly facing slot of the cavity, the first portion of the flange extending from the corresponding cavity wall through a folded bend, while the second portion of the flange
The portion extends from the first portion of the flange through a folded bend, and the other rectangular side wall of the cavity is formed with a flange along each edge thereof, the flange extending from the corresponding wall of the cavity. a coupling provided on each of the two flange portions on one of the two flange portions that additionally engages the slot in the cavity and defines a slot formed in the flange of the other sidewall and extending from the corresponding cavity sidewall; A container characterized in that it is held in a slot by an element.

2. The coupling element comprises a plurality of spring protrusions and a plurality of holes into which the protrusions engage, the plurality of protrusions are formed in a flange on the other side wall, and the plurality of holes have a corresponding cavity. A container characterized in that the container is formed with a flange extending from a side wall.

3. The container, wherein the plurality of protrusions are formed on the plurality of flanges on the other side wall, and the plurality of holes are formed on the plurality of flanges extending from the cavity side wall.

4. A container characterized in that a plurality of protrusions extend from the plurality of flanges of the other plurality of side walls such that the plurality of slots in which the plurality of flanges engage increase in the facing direction.

5. A plurality of spring protrusions are formed as regularly spaced protrusions in a line along the flange on each side of the other rectangular side wall of the cavity, and said plurality of holes are formed on each side of the corresponding cavity side wall. A container characterized in that it is formed as regularly spaced holes extending along the flange and arranged in a row.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a joint according to the present invention used between a pair of walls of a case for household appliances, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the joint shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the microwave open case assembled using the joints shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 details the fitting of the front wall into the case shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating fitting of the rear wall into the case, and FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) are perspective views similar to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows different arrangements of magnetrons in the microweb oven case shown in FIG. The following margins■...First wall, 3...Second wall, 5...
・First edge area, 7... Second edge area, 9.1
5... Curved portion, 11... First portion, 13.
...Inner surface, 17...Second part, 19.
...Slot, 21...Protrusion, 23...
Hole, 25... Space, 27... Main body, 29... Top wall, 31... Bottom wall,
33, 35... side wall.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A joint for joining an edge of a first portion and an edge of a second portion of a sheet material, wherein the first portion connects the sheet along a plurality of parallel lines. an elongated U-shaped cross-section slot formed by folding, the slot having two opposed side walls, between which the second
The edge areas of the portions are held in an engagement manner by push-fit means, the push-fit means being between at least one of the opposing walls of the slot and the engaged edge areas of the second portion. Joints working together. 2. A patent in which the first and second parts of the sheet material belong to a case and are selected from a pair of side walls, a side wall and a bottom wall or a top wall, a side wall and a door, an additional wall and a wall defining an opening. A joint according to claim 1. 3. said push fit means comprising a plurality of separate coupling means along the slot wall of said first part and a plurality of separate coupling means along adjacent edge areas of said second part; 3. A joint according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means on one side cooperate with the coupling means on the other side. 4. The coupling means comprises a plurality of spring protrusions and a plurality of holes corresponding to the spring protrusions, each protrusion and corresponding hole being provided on different parts of the first part and the second part. The joint according to claim 3. 5. A plurality of regularly spaced projections are arranged in the second portion in a row, and a plurality of corresponding holes are arranged in a row and regularly spaced along the slot wall. Joint described in item 4. 6. Claim 1, wherein said slot is integral with the first portion and comprises a single slot defined by spaced apart first and second elongated walls. The joint described in any one of paragraphs 1 through 5. 7. The first elongated wall is interconnected to a second elongated wall via a folded bend forming a closed end of the slot, and the second elongated wall is interconnected to the first portion via another folded bend. A joint according to claim 6, which is connected. 8. comprising a main body made of walls and at least one joint for joining the edges of the first part and the second part of the sheet material constituting the walls of the main body; the first portion has an elongated U-shaped cross-section slot formed by folding the sheet along a plurality of parallel lines, the slot having two opposed side walls; an edge area of said second portion is held in an engaging manner by push-fit means between said push-fit means engages at least one of the opposing walls of the slot with said edge region of said second portion; A case for household appliances that cooperates between edge areas. 9. Its cross-sectional shape is rectangular, and includes a front opening, an attached front wall panel fixed to this opening by the joint, and a rear opening and an attached addition fixed to this opening by the joint. 9. A case as claimed in claim 8, having a rear wall panel with a flat panel. 10. A chamber comprising electrical components is placed between the front wall and the rear wall, and the side of the chamber is spaced from the wall of the main body of the case and is used for microwave opening. The case described in claim 9. 11. An opening is provided in the wall, and the door is placed so that the opening can be opened and closed using a hinge, and the hinge includes two mutually rotatably connected hinge plates. Claim 1, wherein one hinge plate is secured along one edge area of the door and the other hinge plate is joined by the joint to an opposing edge area of the opening. Cases described in paragraph 9 or 10. 12. Claims 8 to 1, wherein the main body is molded from one sheet of material, the remaining two free edges being joined together by the joint.
Cases described in any one of paragraphs up to paragraph 1. 13. A method of manufacturing a joint for joining an edge of a first portion and an edge of a second portion of sheet material, the method comprising folding the sheet material of the first portion along a plurality of parallel lines. forming a slot of U-shaped cross-section, forming a push-fit means in at least one wall of said slot and an edge area of the second part, the edge areas being arranged next to each other, and adjacent edges A method of making a joint comprising pushing an edge area of said second part into a slot for fixing it by force fit means. 14. Folding the edge area of the first portion over the edge area to form a folded bend such that the elongated wall continues, and then reverse the edge area to form another folded bend. 14. A further elongated wall is spaced apart from said elongated wall to define an elongated slot of U-shaped cross section between the two elongated walls. the method of. 15. forming a push-fit means by pressing or stamping a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of holes cooperating with the protrusions in adjacent edge areas, each protrusion and corresponding aperture; 16. A method as claimed in claim 13 or claim 15, in which the edges are located on either of the slot walls and in the edge area of the second part. 16. A method for making a case for household appliances, comprising molding a sheet of material into a main case body and forming a joint between a first part and a second part of the main case body.