WO2017152943A1

WO2017152943A1 - Locking claw assembly for laundry drying or washing-drying machine door

Info

Publication number: WO2017152943A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/054840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onur MUHIDDIN; Onur ERCAN; Isik Ozyaka; Ersin BEDIR; Ahmet METIN
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2016-03-08
Filing date: 2016-03-08
Publication date: 2017-09-14
Also published as: TR201703203A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking claw assembly (1) for use in a door (10) of a laundry drying or washing-drying machine. The locking claw assembly (1) comprises a first component (2) and a second component (3) which jointly form, when assembled, a part of the laundry drying or washing-drying machine; a claw (4) which is formed onto the first component (2), wherein the claw (4) has a first undercut (5) and a first abutment (6) which is formed onto the second component (3) and adapted to resiliently abut against the first undercut (5). In the locking claw assembly (1) of the present invention, the claw (4) has a second undercut (7), wherein the first undercut (5) and the second undercut (7) are formed onto the opposite sides of the claw (4) and a second abutment (8) is formed onto the second component (3) and adapted to resiliently abut against the second undercut (7).

Description

LOCKING CLAW ASSEMBLY FOR LAUNDRY DRYING OR WASHING-DRYING MACHINE DOOR

The present invention relates to a locking claw assembly for use in the laundry drying or washing-drying machine door.

Laundry drying or washing-drying machines are commonly known in the art. A laundry drying or washing-drying machine is generally composed of several components which jointly form, when assembled, various parts thereof such as the door, the control knobs, the kick panel or the like. For instance, the door includes, among others, a frame and a decorative member which is commonly ring shaped and assembled with the frame. The decorative member is generally used to improve the visual and tactile quality. The decorative member may be provided from various different materials and in various different colors so as to obtain a variety of different products. The aforementioned two components, namely the frame and the decorative member are generally assembled through a force-fitting connection, a form-fitting connection or a bonding connection. In case of using a screw connection, the assembly process becomes complicated and time consuming. Moreover, the production cost increases both in labor and material. In case of using a snap-fit connection, the undercut of the claw that is formed onto the first component i.e., the decorative member can be easily released from the abutment that is formed onto the second component i.e., the frame when the first component and the second component are pulled apart through a sufficient force. In such incidents, the laundry drying or washing-drying machine poses a risk to the safety of the users, and thus the user satisfaction easily decreases.

WO2013189859 (A1) discloses a laundry treatment appliance which has a door for accessing the drum.

A problem with the prior art laundry drying or washing-drying machine is that the decorative member can be easily released from the frame of the door. An objective of the present invention is to provide a locking claw assembly which overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables an improved and secure assemblage of the components of the laundry drying or washing-drying machine.

These objectives have been achieved by the locking claw assembly as defined in claim 1, and the laundry drying or washing-drying machine as defined in claim 3. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the locking claw assembly of the present invention, at least one claw of the first component has a second undercut, wherein the first undercut and the second undercut are formed onto the opposite sides of the claw. In the locking claw assembly of the present invention, a second abutment is formed onto the second component and adapted to resiliently abut against the said second undercut when the first component and the second component are assembled.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the first component and the second component can be prevented from dismantling under any excessive mechanical stress or even under a deliberate manipulation from the outside. Thereby, the risk to the safety of the user can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the first component and the second component can be securely assembled even when they are relatively small. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the need for assembling the first component and the second component by means of screws or rivets has been obviated. Thereby, the assembly process can be expedited, and the production cost can be reduced both in labor and material. With the present invention, the user satisfaction can be further increased.

In alternative embodiments, the claw is prevented from flexing through one or more supports. The supports may have a triangular shape, a rectangular shape or the like. In addition, the supports may be located on the opposite sides of the claw. These embodiments are particularity advantageous as the integrity of the first component and the second component can be further improved.

In other alternative embodiments, the surfaces of the first/second undercuts and the matching surfaces of the first/second abutments are parallel or inwardly inclined relative to the normal direction. These embodiments are particularity advantageous as the first component and the second component can be more securely locked in place.

In other alternative embodiments, the first component and the second component may be manufactured from plastic or metal. These embodiments are particularity advantageous as the material of the locking claw assembly can be adapted to the ambient conditions.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the locking claw assembly and the laundry drying or washing-drying machine of 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 partial perspective view of the door of laundry drying or washing-drying machine which has a locking claw assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the locking claw assembly in the detail A of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 – is a schematic cross sectional view of the locking claw assembly, taken along the line B-B of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 – is a schematic exploded view of the door in Fig. 1;

Figure 5 – is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the locking claw assembly in the detail C of Fig. 4, prior to inserting the claw between the fırst abutment and the second abutment;

Figure 6 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the door of the laundry treatment appliance which has a locking claw assembly according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 – is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the locking claw assembly in the detail D of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 – is a schematic cross sectional view of the locking claw assembly, taken along the line E-E of Fig. 7;

Figure 9 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the door of the laundry treatment appliance which has a locking claw assembly according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 – is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the locking claw assembly in the detail F of Fig. 9;

Figure 11 – is a schematic cross sectional view of the locking claw assembly, taken along the line G-G of Fig. 10;

Figure 12 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the door of the laundry treatment appliance which has a locking claw assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 – is a schematic perspective enlarged view of the locking claw assembly in the detail H of Fig. 12;

Figure 14 – is a schematic cross sectional view of the locking claw assembly, taken along the line I-I of Fig. 13.

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

Locking claw assembly
1^st component
2^nd component
Claw
1^st undercut
1^st abutment
2^nd undercut
2^nd abutment
Support
Door
Frame
Decorative member

A laundry drying or washing-drying machine comprises a drum for receiving the laundry to be dried or washed and dried, a door (10) for accessing the drum, wherein the door (10) includes a frame (11) and a decorative member (12) which is ring shaped and to be assembled with the frame (11) (Fig. 4).

The locking claw assembly (1) is suitable for use in the door (10) of a laundry drying or washing-drying machine, comprises a first component (2) and a second component (3) for jointly forming, when assembled, a part of the laundry drying or washing-drying machine; a claw (4) which is formed onto the first component (2), wherein the claw (4) has a first undercut (5) and a first abutment (6) which is formed onto the second component (3) and adapted to resiliently abut against the fırst undercut (5) when the first component (2) and the second component (3) are assembled (Fig. 3; Fig. 8; Fig. 11; Fig. 14).

In the locking claw assembly (1) of the present invention, the claw (4) has a second undercut (7), wherein the first undercut (5) and the second undercut (7) are formed onto the opposite sides of the claw (4) and a second abutment (8) is formed onto the second component (3) and adapted to resiliently abut against the second undercut (7) when the first component (2) and the second component (3) are assembled (Fig. 3; Fig. 8; Fig. 11; Fig. 14).

The laundry treatment appliance of the present invention comprises the locking claw assembly (1), wherein the first component (2) is provided as the said decorative member (12), and wherein the second component (3) is provided as the said frame (11) (Fig. 3; Fig. 8; Fig. 11; Fig. 14).

In alternative embodiments, one or more supports (9) are each formed both onto the first component (2) and the claw (4). In these embodiments, each support (9) is further adapted to strengthen the claw (4) against flexing (Fig. 3; Fig. 8; Fig. 11; Fig. 14).

In other alternative embodiments, the surfaces of the first/second undercuts (5,7) and the matching surfaces of the first/second abutments (6,8) are parallel or inwardly inclined relative to the normal direction along which the first component (2) and the second component (3) are to be assembled (Fig. 3; Fig. 8; Fig. 11; Fig. 14).

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the first component (2) and the second component (3) can be prevented from dismantling under excessive mechanical stress or even under deliberate manipulation from the outside. Thereby, the risk to the safety of the user can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the first component (2) and the second component (3) can be securely assembled even when they are relatively small. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the need for assembling the first component (2) and the second component (3) by means of screws or rivets has been obviated. Thereby, the assembly process can be expedited, and the production cost can be reduced both in labor and material. With the present invention, the user satisfaction can be further increased. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above described embodiments.

Claims

A locking claw assembly (1) for use in a door (10) of a laundry drying or washing-drying machine, the locking claw assembly (1) comprising a first component (2) and a second component (3) for jointly forming, a claw (4) which is formed onto the first component (2), wherein the claw (4) has a first undercut (5) and a first abutment (6) which is formed onto the second component (3) and adapted to resiliently abut against the fırst undercut (5) when the first component (2) and the second component (3) are assembled, the locking claw assembly (1) being characterized in that the claw (4) has a second undercut (7), wherein the first undercut (5) and the second undercut (7) are formed onto the opposite sides of the claw (4) and a second abutment (8) is formed onto the second component (3) and adapted to resiliently abut against the second undercut (7) when the first component (2) and the second component (3) are assembled.
The locking claw assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more supports (9) are each formed both onto the first component (2) and the claw (4), and further adapted to strengthen the claw (4) against flexing.
A laundry laundry drying or washing-drying machine comprising a drum for receiving the laundry to be dried or washed and dried, the door (10) for accessing the drum, wherein the door (10) includes a frame (11) and a decorative member (12) which is ring shaped and assembled with the frame (11), characterized in that the locking claw assembly (1) as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first component (2) is provided as the said decorative member (12), and wherein the second component (3) is provided as the said frame (11).