WO2019192881A1

WO2019192881A1 - A washing machine comprising a detergent drawer

Info

Publication number: WO2019192881A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/057551
Authority: WO
Inventors: Salih YILDIRIM; Sema KARACA
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-04-02
Filing date: 2019-03-26
Publication date: 2019-10-10

Abstract

The washing machine (1) of the invention comprises a tub, a drum provided in the tub, in which the laundry items are placed, a detergent drawer (2) in which chemicals used in washing such as detergent and fabric softener are placed, a cover (3) disposed in front of the detergent drawer (2), having a cavity (4) into which a user's hand enters, a handle (5) mounted on the cover (3) so as to partially cover the cavity (4), and a connecting piece (11) fastened on the handle (5) by being slid on the handle (5).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A DETERGENT DRAWER

The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a detergent drawer and a handle enabling opening the detergent drawer.

Washing machines comprise detergent drawers in which chemicals used in washing, such as detergent or fabric softeners, are placed. In order to place detergent, a drawer is pulled forwards and detergent or fabric softener is loaded into a relevant compartment. A handle is provided on the cover to open the drawer. However, details likely to disturb a user, such as burrs or mold related protrusions are not desired on this type of surfaces touched by hands. But in some cases, the design of a part makes it inevitable for such mold related limitations to be present on these surfaces interacted by a user. A handle is a part which a user directly contacts, that also directly affects the general appearance of a washing machine by being produced in various colors and shapes. Since a user holds a handle directly by hand, handles should be robust and access to certain parts thereof should be restricted. A hollow volume is needed on the handle in order to be able to pull the drawer. In order to form this volume, the back part of the portion on the drawer cover where the hand enters, should be hollow when removed from the mold. A core cannot be used here due to this portion being disposed on an inconvenient angle on the mold and due to its geometry. Therefore, a part not allowing a hand to advance farther should be used in a handle. This part also avoids visibility of the connection details located in the seat in which the drawer is placed which are visible when the drawer is opened to load detergent.

In addition, in order to meet the currently increasing user demands for an improved visual quality, an additional decorative piece is also used on handles. Since such a decorative piece can be colored and coated, perceptional quality can be enhanced by using different color combinations. However, in cases having such designs, on the additional parts to be used decoratively, attention should be paid to the design of the areas which a user contacts directly and/or indirectly.

In the state of the art, on the portion of a detergent drawer handle where the hand enters, a hand shield is placed, covering this portion. This piece disposed on the back side of the handle, which is not directly visible to a user, and inhibits the mold related details on the back side of the cover from contacting a user's hand. In cases lacking a hand shield, the details on the back side of the cover, i.e. behind the cosmetic surface, may cut or injure a user's hand when the user attempts to open the drawer.

State of the art German patent application no. DE10141635 discloses a washing machine in which a handle and a cover is integral. In this document, the handle and the cover form a single surface at the portion where a hand enters. Therefore, no protrusion likely to injure a user is disposed on the portion where a user's hand enters.

In another state of the art document, the Chinese utility model application no. CN20365827, a handle is separately mounted on a cover mounted on a detergent drawer.

Another state of the art embodiment is the Chinese patent application no. CN20365827. This document discloses detachably mounting a decorative panel on a drawer cover by means of a detent structure.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a washing machine comprising a handle enabled to be quickly and easily fastened on a detergent drawer cover.

The washing machine realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a cover having a cavity in which a user's hand enters, a handle mounted on the cover so as to partially cover the cover and a connecting piece fastened on the handle by being slid thereon.

In the embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece is mounted on the handle easily and quickly by being slid on the handle. Then, assembly is completed by mounting the handle on the cover with the connecting piece arranged on the handle.

Locking detents are provided on the handle, enabling the connecting piece to be mounted thereon and the handle to be mounted on the cover while the connecting piece is arranged thereon.

On the connecting piece, there are cut-outs enabling the connecting piece to be easily removed from a mold, and there are locking slots enabling the connecting piece to be mounted on both, the handle and the cover, acting in conformity with the locking members provided on the handle.

The handle and the connecting piece are mounted to each other by being slid on each other. Therefore, the locking detents and the locking slots provided on the parts are designed so as to enable this sliding motion.

When the handle and the connecting piece are joined, the result is harmonious so as to enhance the external aesthetic appearance of the washing machine. Therefore, when two pieces are fastened to each other, the outer surface of both parts is flush so as to conform with the outer surface of the washing machine.

The invention enables the connecting piece, the handle and the cover to be mounted to each other quickly and easily. Moreover, the invention enables concealing the mold or design related details located on the surfaces contacted by users which are likely to injure or cause discontent to a user. Since mold related burrs, protrusions and similar details likely to form on a connecting piece are averted by means of the cut-outs enabling the connecting piece to easily be removed from a mold, users' hands are prevented from being injured when they contact such a region, while improving perceptional quality.

A washing machine realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine.

Figure 2 is a frontal view of the detergent drawer.

Figure 3 is a view of the A-A section of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view of the detail C of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the cover, handle and the connecting piece.

Figure 6 is an exploded sectional view of the cover, handle and the connecting piece.

Figure 7 is a frontal exploded view of the handle and the connecting piece.

Figure 8 is a view of the A-A section of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a frontal view of the handle and the connecting piece.

Figure 10 is a view of the A-A section of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the handle.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the handle from another angle.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the handle and the connecting piece prior to mounting on the cover.

Figure 14 is a view of the B-B section of Figure 2.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Washing machine
Detergent drawer
Cover
Cavity
Handle
First wall
Second wall
First locking detent
Second locking detent
Main detent
Connecting piece
Stopper
Locking slot
Auxiliary detent
Stage
Recess
Projection
Support
Cut-out
First opening
Second opening
Chamber
Locking orifice
Arm
Frame

The washing machine (1) comprises a tub, a drum provided in the tub, in which the laundry items are placed, a detergent drawer (2) in which chemicals used in washing such as detergent and fabric softener are placed, a cover (3) disposed in front of the detergent drawer (2), having a cavity (4) into which a user's hand enters, a handle (5) mounted on the cover (3) so as to partially cover the cavity (4), and a connecting piece (11) fastened on the handle (5) by being slid on the handle (5) (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

In the embodiment of the invention, the connecting piece (11) is fastened on the handle (5) by being slid thereon. Then, assembly is completed by mounting the handle (5) on the cover (3) with the connecting piece (11) arranged on the handle (5) (Figure 3).

The washing machine (1) comprises on the handle (5), a first wall (6), first locking detents (8) each one of which is provided behind the first wall (6) and on both sides of the handle (5), at least one main detent (10) disposed on the upper edge preferably at the middle, and second locking detents (9) each one of which is provided behind the first wall (6) and parallel to the lateral edges of the handle (5) (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6).

The washing machine (1) comprises on the connecting piece (11), a second wall (7), a stage (15) extending on the second wall (7) in vertical plane and forming a sliding surface, at least two locking slots (13) provided on the stage (15), in which the second locking detents (9) fit, at least one auxiliary detent (14) provided on the upper edge of the stage (15), and at least two stoppers (12) restricting the first locking detents (8) from escaping the cover (3) once the first locking detents (8) are fitted on the cover (3), by enclosing the first locking detents (8) from sides and from below when the connecting piece (11) is mounted on the handle (5).

In an embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a recess (16) disposed below the first wall (6) and extending along the first wall (6), and a projection (17) disposed on the second wall (7), enabling the first wall (6) and the second wall (7) to be flush by fitting into the recess (16).

In the embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a first opening (20) disposed on the locking slot (13) and on the upper edge of the stage (15), of a size large enough to allow a second locking detent (9) to pass therethrough, a rectangular second opening (21) disposed adjacent to said first opening (20) on the stage (15), and an arm (24) extending from the edge of the first opening (20) towards the second opening (21), sandwiching the second locking detent (9) in between itself and the second opening (21). The handle (5) and the connecting piece (11) are able to slide on each other by means of the first opening (20). The arm (24) is able to flex in horizontal direction due to being connected only from the edge of the first opening (20) with its remaining three edges free, but prevents the second locking detent (9) from escaping the locking slot (13) in vertical direction.

In the embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) further comprises a frame (25) enclosing the periphery of the main detent (10) provided on the handle (5). Two auxiliary detents (14) provided on the stage (15) fit into said frame (25) so as to have the main detent (10) in between.

The connecting piece (11) is mounted on the handle (5) as follows: First, the connecting piece (11) and the handle (5) are placed on top of each other and both pieces are slid on the stage (15). During this movement, the second locking detents (9) pass through the first opening (20) disposed on the locking slot (13) and fit into the locking slot (13) by passing also through the second opening (21). In this state, the second locking detents (9) are sandwiched between the arm (24) and the periphery of the second opening (21). When the second locking detents (9) are fitted into the locking slots (13), the two auxiliary detents (14) on the stage (15) engage the frame (25) so as to have the main detent (10) in between. In this state, the first locking detents (8) are surrounded from their short and long edges by the stoppers (12) with a certain gap in between. Meanwhile, the projection (17) disposed on the second wall (7) completely fits into the recess (16) disposed below the first wall (6). Thus, the connecting piece (11) is mounted on the handle (5) such that the first wall (6) and the second wall (7) are flush, with no gap in between (Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10).

In an embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises one or more supports (18) extending on the handle (5) from the first locking detents (8) towards the stopper (12). The supports (18) reinforce the first locking detents (8) and enable the stopper (12) to support a first locking detent (8) from a plurality of points (Figure 11).

In another embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a plurality of (preferably four, on the lower and upper corners of two locking slots (13)) cut-outs (19) disposed on the connecting piece (11). Said cut-outs (19) facilitate removal of the handle (5) from a mold, thereby averting formation of a mold related mark on the piece. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cut-outs (19) are circular (Figure 12).

In an embodiment of the invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a cavity (4) provided on the cover (3), a chamber (22) provided in the cavity (4), in which a first locking detent (8) fits, and a locking orifice (23) into which the main detent (10) enters.

The joined connecting piece (11) and handle (5) are mounted on the cover (3) as follows: The handle (5) with the connecting piece (11) arranged thereon, is inserted into the cavity (4) provided on the cover (3) and the main detent (10) engages the locking orifice (23). Meanwhile, the first locking detents (8) are fitted into the chamber (22) and the chamber (22) walls support the first locking detents (8) from below. In this state, the chamber (22) wall is arranged between the stopper (12) and the first locking detents (8), and the assembly of the connecting piece (11) and the handle (5) on the cover (3) is thus completed (Figure 13 and Figure 14).

The invention enables the connection piece (11), the handle (5) and the cover (3) to be mounted to each other quickly and easily. Moreover, the invention enables concealing the mold or design related details located on the surfaces contacted by users which are likely to injure or cause discontent to a user. Since burrs, protrusions and similar details likely to form on a connecting piece (11) are averted by means of the cut-outs (19) enabling the connecting piece to easily be removed from a mold, users' hands are prevented from being injured when they contact such a region, while improving perceptional quality.

Claims

A washing machine (1) comprising a tub, a drum provided in the tub, in which the laundry items are placed, a detergent drawer (2) in which chemicals used in washing such as detergent and fabric softener are placed, and a cover (3) disposed in front of the detergent drawer (2), having a cavity (4) into which a user's hand enters, characterized by a handle (5) mounted on the cover (3) so as to partially cover the cavity (4), and by a connecting piece (11) fastened on the handle (5) by being slid on the handle (5).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by a first wall (6), first locking detents (8) each one of which being provided behind the first wall (6) and on both sides of the handle (5), at least one main detent (10) disposed on the upper edge of the handle (5), and second locking detents (9) each one of which is provided behind the first wall (6) and parallel to the lateral edges of the handle (5), all of which are provided on the handle (5).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a second wall (7), a stage (15) extending on the second wall (7) in vertical plane and forming a sliding surface, at least two locking slots (13) provided on the stage (15), in which the second locking detents (9) fit, at least one auxiliary detent (14) provided on the upper edge of the stage (15), and at least two stoppers (12) restricting the first locking detents (8) from escaping the cover (3) once the first locking detents (8) are fitted on the cover (3), by enclosing the first locking detents (8) from sides and from below when the connecting piece (11) is mounted on the handle (5), all of which are provided on the connecting piece (11).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized by a recess (16) disposed below the first wall (6) and extending along the first wall (6), and by a projection (17) disposed on the second wall (7), enabling the first wall (6) and the second wall (7) to be flush by fitting into the recess (16).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized by a first opening (20) disposed on the locking slot (13) and on the upper edge of the stage (15), of a size large enough to allow a second locking detent (9) to pass therethrough, a rectangular second opening (21) disposed adjacent to said first opening (20) on the stage (15), and by an arm (24) extending from the edge of the first opening (20) towards the second opening (21), sandwiching the second locking detent (9) in between itself and the second opening (21).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the arm (24) flexing in horizontal direction.
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 6, characterized by a frame (25) provided on the handle (5), enclosing the periphery of the main detent (10).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the claims 3 to 7, characterized by one or more supports (18), extending on the handle (5) from the first locking detents (8) to the stopper (12).
A washing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of cut-outs (19) provided on the connecting piece (11).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized by four cut-outs (19) disposed on the upper and lower corners of the two locking slots (13).
A washing machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a chamber (22) provided in the cavity (4), in which the first locking detent (8) fits, and by a locking orifice (23) to which the main detent (10) enters.