WO2012153261A1 - Door for front-loading washing machine - Google Patents
Door for front-loading washing machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012153261A1 WO2012153261A1 PCT/IB2012/052272 IB2012052272W WO2012153261A1 WO 2012153261 A1 WO2012153261 A1 WO 2012153261A1 IB 2012052272 W IB2012052272 W IB 2012052272W WO 2012153261 A1 WO2012153261 A1 WO 2012153261A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- door
- frame
- door frame
- cover
- washing machine
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/12—Casings; Tubs
- D06F39/14—Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
Definitions
- the invention relates to a front-loading washing machine door that comprises an annular door frame, an annular plastic frame cover arranged to cover the door frame, and a circular window component with one edge held between the door frame and the frame cover, with the door frame and cover joined together using fastening elements.
- Patent application WO2009/1251 1 A1 describes a front-loading washing machine door that has a door frame, a glass window component with an edge connected to the door frame, and a lens component that closes off the depression formed by the window component to create a void in the door.
- This door has a frame and cover that are held to a window component by being fastened to each other with screws.
- a normal door can have up to ten screws, which leads to a rather long assembly time.
- the only way to reduce the assembly time is by using automatic screwdrivers. This type of machine requires a large investment that sometimes is not easy to make. For this reason, other assembly alternatives have been sought that do not require such a large investment and that reduce assembly cycle time.
- the object of the invention is to provide a front-loading washing machine door characterized by simple manufacture, reduced cost, and reduced manufacturing cycle time.
- a front-loading washing machine door that has an annular door frame, an annular frame cover arranged to cover the door frame, and a circular window component with an edge held between the door frame and the frame cover, wherein the door frame and the cover are bonded by fastening elements, and wherein the fastening element has a bonding element that is made/bonded integrally as a single piece with the frame cover, and one end of the bonding element that protrudes through a hole in the door frame opposite the frame cover is widened out toward the edge of the hole to form a head, fastening the door frame by a form-fit connection.
- the door frame and the frame cover can be of different materials, and the frame need not even be of plastic but can be made of sheet metal or another lightweight material.
- the heads of the bonding elements that serve as the fastening elements can be simply and quickly widened simultaneously with a simplified tool.
- the number of bonding elements which are needed can be implemented without increasing the cost of manufacturing material.
- the bonding element has a hollow pin, particularly with a cylindrical aperture into which a tool is inserted that melts and pushes the material outwardly, shaping it conformally over the outer wall of the door frame. If needed, it can be reinforced by adding a screw screwed into the cylindrical hole.
- a pin is provided having an outer diameter of at least 4.5 mm, in particular at least 5 mm, preferably 5.5 mm and shaped with at least one cavity, in particular a groove-shaped cavity, which extends in the axial direction x, and being open on the head end.
- this cavity is closed on the end of the pin where it joins the inner part of the frame cover so that from outside the door the hole is not seen.
- it also could be left accessible to insert and fasten a decorative piece viewed from outside of the door.
- ABS plastic A very common technical plastic material for aesthetic parts of washing machine doors is ABS plastic, with which the door cover can be made while the door frame can be made of PP plastic, with poorer aesthetic characteristics than ABS plastic. In this way the price of plastic materials as a whole is reduced.
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a front-loading washing machine door with its parts unassembled
- Figure 2a a schematic cross section of a door before fastening with the separate melting tool
- Figure 2b the schematic cross section of the door of Figure 2a during fastening using the melting tool
- Figure 3 a detailed cross section of a bonding element of the invention unassembled.
- FIG 1 shows a perspective view of a set of parts for door 1 of a front-loading washing machine.
- Doors of this type are circular and include an annular frame assembly formed by door frame 2 and frame cover 4. These close up together so as to grasp edge 31 of concave window component 3, which during machine operation, is introduced into the washing cavity allowing the user to see the wash load.
- From the inner face of frame cover 4 protrude six hollow pins 6 that align the frame cover with door frame 2, and pass through six apertures 7 made in the surface thereof for this purpose.
- the frame cover 4 is a piece that is visible by the user and consequently contributes to the machine's appearance and should be manufactured of ABS plastic for aesthetic reasons.
- Door frame 2 often is of PP because the aesthetic requirement is less and PP is cheaper than ABS.
- Figure 2a is shown a section of the door frame assembly of Figure 1 after aligning frame cover 4 with door frame 2 and with edge 31 of window component 3 bound between them. Bonding element 6 passes for approximately 5 mm through aperture 7 from edge 71 thereof. Plastic melting tool 9 is lined up with end 8 of pin 6.
- Figure 2b shows tool 9 pressing on the end of the pin giving it a head shape which deforms out over edge 71 of the aperture.
- the head prevents the door frame and the frame cover from separating.
- door frame 4 can be made of PP because what is done is "riveting" of the pins of ABS door cover 4 over the PP door frame. In this way, costs are not increased by changing materials and, in addition, there are savings in materials costs.
- Figure 3 shows an enlargement of Figure 2a of the end of pin 6 protruding above edge 71 of aperture 7 of door frame 2.
- the pins need to protrude a minimum of 5 mm above the door frame to obtain a good weld.
- the pin diameter needs to fit the diameter of aperture 7 in door frame 2 as tightly as possible so that melted material will not flow into the inside of the frame assembly. All the melted material should form head 8 of the rivet.
- the outer diameter of the pin should be a minimum of 4.5 mm, preferably 5 mm at a minimum, although ideally it is 5.5 mm to make it stronger.
- the primary advantages are the elimination of screws, with consequent savings in material, and a reduction in assembly cycle time.
- the primary advantage is that the door frame and the frame cover can be of different materials.
- the number of pins can be optionally selected for suitable assembly of door 1. Increasing the number of pins requires no increase in costs. The investment does increase a little but only slightly since the tool is less expensive than an automatic screwing unit.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
Abstract
Front-loading washing machine door that includes an annular door frame (2), a plastic frame cover (4) covering the door frame, and a circular window component (3) with an edge (31) held between the door frame and the frame cover, wherein the door frame and the cover are bound by means of fastening elements (5). The fastening element (5) has a bonding element (6) that is made/bonded integrally as a single piece with the frame cover (4), and one end of the bonding element 6, which protrudes through an aperture (7) in the door frame (2) opposite the frame cover (4), is widened toward the aperture edge (71), forming a head 8 fastening the door frame by a form-fitted connection.
Description
DOOR FOR FRONT-LOADING WASHING MACHINE
The invention relates to a front-loading washing machine door that comprises an annular door frame, an annular plastic frame cover arranged to cover the door frame, and a circular window component with one edge held between the door frame and the frame cover, with the door frame and cover joined together using fastening elements.
Patent application WO2009/1251 1 A1 describes a front-loading washing machine door that has a door frame, a glass window component with an edge connected to the door frame, and a lens component that closes off the depression formed by the window component to create a void in the door.
This door has a frame and cover that are held to a window component by being fastened to each other with screws. A normal door can have up to ten screws, which leads to a rather long assembly time. The only way to reduce the assembly time is by using automatic screwdrivers. This type of machine requires a large investment that sometimes is not easy to make. For this reason, other assembly alternatives have been sought that do not require such a large investment and that reduce assembly cycle time.
One alternative solution that achieves this objective is achieving the bond by welding, with a much lower investment and greatly reduced cycle time. In addition, by eliminating the screws, the materials cost for the completed door assembly is reduced.
There are doors on the market that are welded with hot plate and vibration welding technology. This type of plastic welding requires that both pieces be made of the same material. Since the frame cover is an aesthetic part, the plastic needs to be of higher quality than the conventional plastics used for internal parts, which increases the cost for plastic materials.
The object of the invention is to provide a front-loading washing machine door characterized by simple manufacture, reduced cost, and reduced manufacturing cycle time.
The object is achieved by a washing machine door in accordance with the features of the independent claim attached. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in dependent claims, the subsequent written disclosure or the attached drawing.
Accordingly the object is achieved by a front-loading washing machine door that has an annular door frame, an annular frame cover arranged to cover the door frame, and a
circular window component with an edge held between the door frame and the frame cover, wherein the door frame and the cover are bonded by fastening elements, and wherein the fastening element has a bonding element that is made/bonded integrally as a single piece with the frame cover, and one end of the bonding element that protrudes through a hole in the door frame opposite the frame cover is widened out toward the edge of the hole to form a head, fastening the door frame by a form-fit connection.
In this manner the door frame and the frame cover can be of different materials, and the frame need not even be of plastic but can be made of sheet metal or another lightweight material.
Using the technique of heat deformation, the heads of the bonding elements that serve as the fastening elements can be simply and quickly widened simultaneously with a simplified tool. In addition, the number of bonding elements which are needed can be implemented without increasing the cost of manufacturing material.
In one very convenient embodiment, the bonding element has a hollow pin, particularly with a cylindrical aperture into which a tool is inserted that melts and pushes the material outwardly, shaping it conformally over the outer wall of the door frame. If needed, it can be reinforced by adding a screw screwed into the cylindrical hole.
In order to give the bonding element a rigid configuration, a pin is provided having an outer diameter of at least 4.5 mm, in particular at least 5 mm, preferably 5.5 mm and shaped with at least one cavity, in particular a groove-shaped cavity, which extends in the axial direction x, and being open on the head end. Preferably, this cavity is closed on the end of the pin where it joins the inner part of the frame cover so that from outside the door the hole is not seen. However, it also could be left accessible to insert and fasten a decorative piece viewed from outside of the door.
A very common technical plastic material for aesthetic parts of washing machine doors is ABS plastic, with which the door cover can be made while the door frame can be made of PP plastic, with poorer aesthetic characteristics than ABS plastic. In this way the price of plastic materials as a whole is reduced.
Other advantages of the invention are set out in the following description of preferred embodiments as shown in the figures of the attached drawing. The figures, the description and the claims contain combinations of numerous characteristics. One skilled in the art
could advantageously also consider the characteristics individually and recombine them in other reasonable combinations.
In the drawing:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a front-loading washing machine door with its parts unassembled,
Figure 2a a schematic cross section of a door before fastening with the separate melting tool,
Figure 2b the schematic cross section of the door of Figure 2a during fastening using the melting tool and,
Figure 3 a detailed cross section of a bonding element of the invention unassembled.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a set of parts for door 1 of a front-loading washing machine. Doors of this type are circular and include an annular frame assembly formed by door frame 2 and frame cover 4. These close up together so as to grasp edge 31 of concave window component 3, which during machine operation, is introduced into the washing cavity allowing the user to see the wash load. From the inner face of frame cover 4 protrude six hollow pins 6 that align the frame cover with door frame 2, and pass through six apertures 7 made in the surface thereof for this purpose.
The frame cover 4 is a piece that is visible by the user and consequently contributes to the machine's appearance and should be manufactured of ABS plastic for aesthetic reasons. Door frame 2 often is of PP because the aesthetic requirement is less and PP is cheaper than ABS.
In Figure 2a is shown a section of the door frame assembly of Figure 1 after aligning frame cover 4 with door frame 2 and with edge 31 of window component 3 bound between them. Bonding element 6 passes for approximately 5 mm through aperture 7 from edge 71 thereof. Plastic melting tool 9 is lined up with end 8 of pin 6.
Figure 2b shows tool 9 pressing on the end of the pin giving it a head shape which deforms out over edge 71 of the aperture. When the plastic of fastening element 5 cools, the head prevents the door frame and the frame cover from separating.
With this type of ultrasonic welding of pins 6, door frame 4 can be made of PP because what is done is "riveting" of the pins of ABS door cover 4 over the PP door frame.
In this way, costs are not increased by changing materials and, in addition, there are savings in materials costs.
Figure 3 shows an enlargement of Figure 2a of the end of pin 6 protruding above edge 71 of aperture 7 of door frame 2.
The pins need to protrude a minimum of 5 mm above the door frame to obtain a good weld. The pin diameter needs to fit the diameter of aperture 7 in door frame 2 as tightly as possible so that melted material will not flow into the inside of the frame assembly. All the melted material should form head 8 of the rivet.
The outer diameter of the pin should be a minimum of 4.5 mm, preferably 5 mm at a minimum, although ideally it is 5.5 mm to make it stronger.
Compared to a screwed-in door, the primary advantages are the elimination of screws, with consequent savings in material, and a reduction in assembly cycle time.
Compared to other welding techniques normally used, the primary advantage is that the door frame and the frame cover can be of different materials. In addition, the number of pins can be optionally selected for suitable assembly of door 1. Increasing the number of pins requires no increase in costs. The investment does increase a little but only slightly since the tool is less expensive than an automatic screwing unit.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 Door
2 Door frame
3 Window component
4 Frame cover
31 Window edge
5 Connecting element
6 Bonding element
7 Aperture
71 Aperture edge
8 Head
9 Tool
Claims
Door of a front-loading washing machine comprising:
an annular door frame (2),
an annular frame cover (4) of plastic arranged covering the door frame, and
a circular window component (3) with an edge (31 ) locked between the door frame and the frame cover,
wherein the door frame and the cover are bonded by fastening elements
(5),
characterized in that
the fastening element (5) has a bonding element (6) which is made/bonded integrally as a single piece with the frame cover (4), and one end of the bonding element (6) protruding from an hole (7) in the door frame (2) opposite the frame cover (4) is widened towards the hole edge (71 ) forming a head (8), thereby fastening the door frame by a form-fit connection.
Door of a front-loading washing machine according to claim 1 , characterized in that the head (8) of the bonding element (6) is widened by deformation, in particular heat deformation.
Door of a front-loading washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bonding element (6) has a hollow pin, particularly a cylindrical hole.
Door of a front-loading washing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the pin has a diameter of at least 4.5 mm, in particular of at least 5 mm, preferably of 5.5 mm, and it is shaped to have at least one cavity, in particular a groove-shaped cavity (61 ) extending in the axial direction (x), which is open in the direction of the head (8).
5. Door of a front-loading washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame cover (4) is made of ABS plastic.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201280022690.XA CN103703179A (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2012-05-08 | Door for front-loading washing machine |
| PL12724167T PL2707534T3 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2012-05-08 | Door for front-loading washing machine |
| EP12724167.7A EP2707534B1 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2012-05-08 | Door for front-loading washing machine |
| RU2013151660/12A RU2571015C9 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2012-05-08 | Door of washing machine with front loading |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESU201130510 | 2011-05-11 | ||
| ES201130510U ES1074998Y (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2011-05-11 | Front loading washing machine machine door |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2012153261A1 true WO2012153261A1 (en) | 2012-11-15 |
Family
ID=44189547
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2012/052272 WO2012153261A1 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2012-05-08 | Door for front-loading washing machine |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP2707534B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN103703179A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES1074998Y (en) |
| PL (1) | PL2707534T3 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2571015C9 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2012153261A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014102118A1 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-03 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | A washing machine having a front door |
| EP3070197A1 (en) * | 2015-03-20 | 2016-09-21 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment machine |
| EP3486366A1 (en) * | 2017-11-16 | 2019-05-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance having a user interface within a door assembly |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109468805A (en) * | 2018-12-19 | 2019-03-15 | 杭州金鱼电器集团有限公司 | A kind of installation method of wall-mounted washing machine |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20050262681A1 (en) * | 2004-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Door of drum washer and assembling method for the same |
| EP2243874A1 (en) * | 2009-04-22 | 2010-10-27 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Porthole door for laundry washing machines and household appliance provided with said porthole door |
| EP2405051A1 (en) * | 2010-07-06 | 2012-01-11 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Glass porthole window for laundry washing and/or drying appliance |
| EP2439324A1 (en) * | 2010-10-07 | 2012-04-11 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Door for laundry machine |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4539504B2 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2010-09-08 | パナソニック株式会社 | Drum washing machine |
| DE102007035921B3 (en) * | 2007-07-23 | 2008-11-20 | E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH | Holding device for a door of a household electrical appliance |
| CN201401402Y (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2010-02-10 | 芜湖众力部件有限公司 | Connecting structure for plastic pieces |
-
2011
- 2011-05-11 ES ES201130510U patent/ES1074998Y/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2012
- 2012-05-08 CN CN201280022690.XA patent/CN103703179A/en active Pending
- 2012-05-08 EP EP12724167.7A patent/EP2707534B1/en active Active
- 2012-05-08 WO PCT/IB2012/052272 patent/WO2012153261A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-05-08 PL PL12724167T patent/PL2707534T3/en unknown
- 2012-05-08 RU RU2013151660/12A patent/RU2571015C9/en active
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20050262681A1 (en) * | 2004-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Door of drum washer and assembling method for the same |
| EP2243874A1 (en) * | 2009-04-22 | 2010-10-27 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Porthole door for laundry washing machines and household appliance provided with said porthole door |
| EP2405051A1 (en) * | 2010-07-06 | 2012-01-11 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Glass porthole window for laundry washing and/or drying appliance |
| EP2439324A1 (en) * | 2010-10-07 | 2012-04-11 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Door for laundry machine |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014102118A1 (en) * | 2012-12-28 | 2014-07-03 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | A washing machine having a front door |
| EP3070197A1 (en) * | 2015-03-20 | 2016-09-21 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment machine |
| WO2016150808A1 (en) * | 2015-03-20 | 2016-09-29 | Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag | Laundry treatment machine |
| EP3486366A1 (en) * | 2017-11-16 | 2019-05-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance having a user interface within a door assembly |
| US11118295B2 (en) | 2017-11-16 | 2021-09-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance having a user interface within a door assembly |
| US11959220B2 (en) | 2017-11-16 | 2024-04-16 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance having a user interface within a door assembly |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| PL2707534T3 (en) | 2015-07-31 |
| ES1074998U (en) | 2011-07-12 |
| RU2571015C9 (en) | 2016-09-27 |
| CN103703179A (en) | 2014-04-02 |
| RU2013151660A (en) | 2015-06-20 |
| RU2571015C2 (en) | 2015-12-20 |
| ES1074998Y (en) | 2011-10-10 |
| EP2707534B1 (en) | 2015-04-01 |
| EP2707534A1 (en) | 2014-03-19 |
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