WO2016095991A1

WO2016095991A1 - Built-in type dishwasher with a decorative panel assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2016095991A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/078266
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ismail Demircioglu; Erol TOGAY; Hasret GURSOY
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-17
Publication date: 2016-06-23
Also published as: TR201515469A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a built-in type dishwasher comprising a tub and a pivotable door for accessing the tub. The built-in type dishwasher of the present invention comprises a rear decorative wooden panel (1) which is fixed onto the front surface of the door; a front decorative wooden panel (2) and a connecting means (3) for releasably connecting the front decorative wooden panel (2) onto the front surface of the rear decorative wooden panel (1).

Description

BUILT-IN TYPE DISHWASHER WITH A DECORATIVE PANEL ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a built-in type domestic dishwasher, in particular to a fully-integrated or a semi-integrated domestic dishwasher. The present invention more particularly relates to the decorative panel assembly of the built-in type domestic dishwasher.

Built-in type domestic dishwashers are commonly known. It is customary to install a built-in type domestic dishwasher underneath the kitchen counter, particularly between the cabinets and to integrate it with the kitchen furniture. A built-in type domestic dishwasher is generally concealed, in accordance with the choice of the customer with a decorative panel that matches the design of the kitchen furniture and the dimensions of the door. In general, the control panel of a built-in type domestic dishwasher is either arranged on the front surface or on the upper lateral surface of the front door. The access to the control panel must not be obstructed by the decorative panel. Thus, depending on the specific arrangement of the control panel, the built-in type dishwasher can be either fully integrated or semi-integrated with the kitchen furniture. A customer generally purchases a built-in type dishwasher and a matching decorative panel in the unassembled state. After delivery of the goods, the decorative panel must be fixed onto the front door in accordance with the place of installation by using the mounting assembly provided by the manufacturer.

Various mounting assemblies are known from the prior art for fixing a decorative panel to an appliance door. These mounting assemblies generally have a large number of components with complicated mechanical parts. The appliance door of the built-in dishwasher is generally provided with several openings for receiving the corresponding parts of the mounting assembly. In most cases an accurate and fast fixing of the decorative panel requires the involvement of a qualified technician who performs the measurement and adjustment work. Thus, a drawback of the prior art built-in type domestic dishwasher is that a customer with an average skill is likely to encounter difficulties when assembling the decorative panel with the appliance door. Another drawback of the prior art built-in type domestic dishwasher is that the sound generated by the spraying arms, the pump and the like during the operation generally leaks from the aforementioned openings of the door into the kitchen environment. Thus the noise produced by the dishwasher can easily reach unconformable levels.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a built-in type domestic dishwasher which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which has an improved soundproof decorative panel assembly.

This objective has been achieved by the built-in type domestic dishwasher as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The built-in type domestic dishwasher of the present invention comprises a rear decorative wooden panel, a front decorative wooden panel and a connecting means for releasably connecting the front decorative wooden panel onto the front surface of the rear decorative wooden panel. The rear decorative wooden panel is fixed onto the front surface of the door.

With the present invention, particularly by virtue of the double panel assembly, the sound waves can be more effectively prevented from leaking into the kitchen environment. Thereby, the noise emission of the built-in type domestic dishwasher can be reduced to desired and bearable levels which comply with the standards. Thereby, the built in type domestic dishwasher can be prevented from causing any acoustic discomfort to the user. In addition, with the present invention, particularly by virtue of the double panel assembly, the total weight of the decorative panel assembly can be comparatively increased. Due to the increased door-weight, the door can be more stably held at any desired angle by the door-weight compensating means and, thus the user can more smoothly manipulate the door when loading unloading the article racks inside the tub. In addition, with the present invention particularly by virtue of the double panel assembly, the dishwasher can be more flexibly designed. For instance, the rear decorative wooden panel can be made comparatively heavier than the front decorative wooden panel which has a relatively larger exposed area and thus a more expensive finish. Thereby, the production costs for the front decorative wooden panel can be comparatively reduced. In addition the comparatively lighter front decorative wooden panel can be more easily and quickly mounted onto the rear panel. With the present invention, the customer satisfaction can be increased.

In an embodiment, the two decorative panels are interconnected by the engagement of at least one double-ball catch and a counterpart stud which are respectively fixed on their mutually opposing surfaces. Alternatively, snap-fit connectors can be used. Thereby, the customer can connect the panels simply by way of pushing one into the other.

In a version of this embodiment, two double-ball catches and two studs are respectively disposed close to the lower ends of the two panels.

In another version of this embodiment, the double-ball catches and the studs are partly fixed into recesses which are formed into the mutually opposing surfaces of the two panels. The grooves are particularly useful in positioning the double-ball catches and the studs on the panels prior to fixing them. The double-ball catches and the studs can be fixed to the panels by screws.

In another embodiment, the front decorative wooden panel is hangingly attached to the rear decorative wooden panel by means of a holder. The holder is made from a high quality corrosion free material. Alternatively, plastic material can be used. Thereby the front decorative panel can be prevented from falling during the assembly process of the panels.

In a version of this embodiment, the holder has a flange which rides over the upper end of the rear decorative wooden panel and sits into a slot thereof.

In another version of this embodiment, the holder is fixed to the front decorative wooden panel by means of screws.

In another embodiment, the two wooden panels comprise chip boards. Alternatively plywood boards can be used.

Additional advantages of the built-in type domestic dishwasher according to the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic rear perspective view of the rear decorative wooden panel and the front decorative wooden panel in the releasably connected state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic rear perspective view of the rear decorative wooden panel as shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 – is a schematic rear perspective view of the front decorative wooden panel as shown in Fig. 1;

Figure 4 – is a schematic rear perspective view of a holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Rear panel
Front panel
Connecting means
Counterpart groove
Holder
Slot
Bracket
Flange
Screw hole
Screw
Chip board

The built-in type dishwasher (not shown) comprises a tub (not shown) and a pivotable door (not shown) for accessing the tub.

The built-in type dishwasher of the present invention comprises a rear decorative wooden panel (1) and separately therefrom, a front decorative wooden panel (2) which is exposed to the user side. The rear decorative wooden panel (1) is fixed onto the front surface of the door (not shown) by utilizing a fixing means (not shown). The built-in type dishwasher of the present invention further comprises a connecting means (3) for releasably connecting the front decorative wooden panel (2) onto the front surface (not shown) of the rear decorative wooden panel (1) (Fig. 1 to 4).

In an embodiment, the connecting means (3) comprises one or more than one double-ball catch (not shown) and one or more than one stud (not shown) for engaging with the counterpart double-ball catch. In this embodiment, each double-ball catch is fixed to the front surface of the rear decorative wooden panel (1). Each counterpart stud is fixed to the rear surface of the front decorative wooden panel (2).

In another embodiment, the connecting means (3) comprises exactly two double-ball catches and two studs which are respectively disposed close to the lower ends of the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and the front decorative wooden panel (1) so as to oppose each other.

In another embodiment, the rear decorative wooden panel (1) comprises one or more than one groove (not shown) which is recessed into its front surface. Each double-ball catch is accommodated in one groove of the rear decorative wooden panel (1). The front decorative wooden panel (2) comprises also one or more than one counterpart groove (4) which is recessed into its rear surface. Each stud is accommodated in one counterpart groove (4) of the front decorative wooden panel (2).

In another embodiment, the connecting means (3) further comprises a holder (5) for hangingly attaching the front decorative wooden panel (2) onto the rear decorative wooden panel (1).

In another embodiment, the rear decorative wooden panel (1) has a slot (6) which is formed into an uppermost section of its rear surface. In this embodiment, the holder (5) comprises a horizontal elongated bracket (7) which has a downwardly bent flange (8) that sits into the slot (6). The horizontal elongated bracket (7) is fixed to the upper lateral surface of the front decorative wooden panel (2) and conceals also the upper lateral surface of the rear decorative wooden panel (1).

In another embodiment, the horizontal elongated bracket (7) has a plurality of screw holes (9) for fixing the same to the upper lateral surface of the front decorative wooden panel (2) by means of screws (10).

In another embodiment, the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and the front decorative wooden panel (2) both comprise chip boards (11). Alternatively, plywood boards (not shown) can be used.

In another embodiment, the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and the front decorative wooden panel (2) have the same rectangular outline (Fig. 1 to 4). The surfaces of the panels (1,2) which are exposed to the outside have a high quality finish.

Claims

A built-in type dishwasher comprising a tub and a pivotable door for accessing the tub, characterized in that a rear decorative wooden panel (1) which is fixed onto the front surface of the door, a front decorative wooden panel (2) and a connecting means (3) for releasably connecting the front decorative wooden panel (2) onto the front surface of the rear decorative wooden panel (1).
The built-in type dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting means (3) comprising one or more than one double-ball catch and one or more than one stud for engaging with the counterpart double-ball catch, wherein each double-ball catch is fixed to the front surface of the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and each counterpart stud is fixed to the rear surface of the front decorative wooden panel (2).
The built-in type dishwasher according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means (3) comprising two double-ball catches and two studs which are respectively disposed close to the lower ends of the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and the front decorative wooden panel (1).
The built-in type dishwasher according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the rear decorative wooden panel (1) comprising one or more than one groove which is recessed into its front surface, wherein each double-ball catch is accommodated in one groove of the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and the front decorative wooden panel (2) comprising one or more than one counterpart groove (4) which is recessed into its rear surface, wherein each stud is accommodated in one counterpart groove (4) of the front decorative wooden panel (2).
The built-in type dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting means (3) further comprising a holder (5) for hangingly attaching the front decorative wooden panel (2) onto the rear decorative wooden panel (1).
The built-in type dishwasher according to claim 5, characterized in that the rear decorative wooden panel (1) has a slot (6) which is formed into an uppermost section of its rear surface and the holder (5) comprising a horizontal elongated bracket (7) which has a downwardly bent flange (8) that sits into the slot (6), wherein the horizontal elongated bracket (7) is fixed to an upper lateral surface of the front decorative wooden panel (2).
The built-in type dishwasher according to claim 6, characterized in that the horizontal elongated bracket (7) has a plurality of screw holes (9) for fixing the same to the upper lateral surface of the front decorative wooden panel (2) by means of screws (10).
The built-in type dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and the front decorative wooden panel (2) respectively comprising chip boards (11).
The built-in type dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rear decorative wooden panel (1) and the front decorative wooden panel (2) have a same outline.