EP3899126B1

EP3899126B1 - A laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a hinge group

Info

Publication number: EP3899126B1
Application number: EP19816278.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Faruk SEVEN; Firdevs BASARAN ERTAS; Onur MUHIDDIN
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2018-12-18
Filing date: 2019-12-04
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-04
Also published as: WO2020126491A1; PL3899126T3; EP3899126A1; TR201819730A2

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a hinge group.
In washing and/or drying machines, the drum wherein the laundry is subjected to washing and/or drying process is generally accessed by a door which is opened by being rotated to the right or left around the vertical direction. The rotational movement of the door is usually provided by a hinge group. However, from time to time due to an error in the mounting of the door to the machine body and/or after the door is mounted on the machine body, the center of gravity shifts to a location not predetermined relative to the hinge group over time due to the weight of the door. In such a case, when the door is open, since the center of gravity is at the wrong location, the door will close by itself without applying any force on the door from outside. This causes the door to close by itself while the user loads/unloads the drum, causing the user to reopen the door and thus user dissatisfaction.
In the state of the art Turkish Patent Document No. TR2016/16447 , a laundry washing-drying machine is disclosed, having a door with improved mounting. In the state of the art International Patent Document No. WO2011014018 , a laundry machine is disclosed, having a door positioning unit for positioning the door away from the cabinet. In the state of the art Korean Patent Document No KR20090115004 , a door of a drum type washing device disclosed, having a hinge member and an elastic member.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing and/or drying machine wherein the open door is prevented from closing only by its own weight without applying any external force.
The washing and/or drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof comprises a hinge group as well as at least two bearings each bearing therein the relevant shaft on the hinge arm extending outwards from the hinge body mounted to the machine body and which are fixed to a housing on the door frame and which are connected to the hinge arm such that it is required to apply a threshold force of a predetermined value on at least one thereof so as to rotate around the shaft axis. According to the present invention, the threshold force which enables at least one bearing to perform rotational movement around the shaft axis has a value larger than the value of the force resulting from the momentum which is generated by at least the position of the center of gravity of the door relative to the hinge arm and which causes the door to close by itself without applying any external force onto the door. The door is prevented from unintentionally closing by preventing the door from rotating around the shaft axis of the bearing due to its own weight without any external force being applied onto the door when a door with a center of gravity which has shifted in any manner is open.
According to the present invention, the bearing comprises at least one protrusion, and the hinge arm comprises at least one recess suitable for engaging with said protrusion. In this embodiment, the bearing engages with the corresponding part of the hinge arm as the projection enters the recess. Thus, when the door is desired to be opened or closed, the force applied on the bearing must be at least large enough to release the protrusion from the recess. Consequently, the force applied due to the weight of the door without applying any external force on the bearing is not sufficient to release the protrusion from the recess, and thus the door is prevented from unintentionally closing by preventing the bearing from rotating around the shaft axis.
In an alternative of the present invention, the bearing comprises at least one recess, and the hinge arm comprises at least one protrusion suitable for engaging with said recess. In this embodiment, the bearing engages with the corresponding part of the hinge arm as the projection enters the recess. Thus, when the door is desired to be opened or closed, the force applied on the bearing must be at least large enough to release the protrusion from the recess. Consequently, the force applied due to the weight of the door without applying any external force on the bearing is not sufficient to release the protrusion from the recess, and thus the door is prevented from unintentionally closing by preventing the bearing from rotating around the shaft axis.
According to the present invention, each of the walls defining the housing which is arranged on the frame and which receives the bearing comprises at least one beam on the surface thereof facing the bearing, and the bearing comprises at least one channel at the end thereof not connected to the hinge which receives said beam. In this embodiment, the bearing is fixed to the door frame as said beam enters the channel. Thus, it is provided that the bearing and the door rotate together.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame comprises a first cover and a second cover which is detachably connected to the first cover. In this embodiment, the housing and the hinge group elements which are housed in and around the housing are positioned on the first cover and are not visible from the outside as the second cover is connected to the first cover. Thus, an aesthetic appearance is achieved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least the hinge arm is produced from a wear-resistant material, such as aluminum injection material or glass-filled polyamide material. Thus, the hinge arm is prevented from wearing down during the rotation of the bearing on the hinge arm around the shaft axis while the door is being opened/closed or is enabled to wear down at a minimum, providing a long life.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the bearing is produced from a wear-resistant material such as polyoxymethylene. Thus, the bearing is prevented from wearing down during the rotation of the bearing on the hinge arm around the shaft axis while the door is being opened/closed or is enabled to wear down at a minimum, providing a long life.
By means of the present invention, the bearing is prevented from rotating around the shaft axis on the hinge arm unless a force with a certain threshold is applied onto the bearing. Thus, for example, when a door is in the open position, the center of gravity of which is at the wrong position with respect to the hinge group due to an error after the first assembly or during the first assembly in any way, the effect of a force caused by only the weight of the door does not exceed the threshold force value which allows the bearing to rotate around the shaft axis. Therefore, the bearing is prevented from rotating around the shaft axis due to only the weight of the door, thus preventing the door from unintentionally closing.
The laundry washing and/or drying machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic perspective view of the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention.
Figure 2 - is the front view of the door of the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention.
Figure 3 - is the enlarged view of detail A in Figure 2.
Figure 4 - is the partial perspective view of the door of the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the enlarged view of detail B in Figure 3.
Figure 6 - is the enlarged view of detail C in Figure 4.
Figure 7 - is the exploded view of the door of the laundry washing and/or drying machine of the present invention in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Laundry washing and/or drying machine
2. Opening
3. Body
4. Frame
5. Door
6. Wall
7. Housing
8. Hinge body
9. Hinge arm
10. Shaft
11. Bearing
12. Hinge group
13. Protrusion
14. Recess
15. Beam
16. Channel
17. First cover
18. Second cover

The laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprises a body (3) having a drum (not shown in the figures) wherein the laundry to be treated is loaded and an opening (2) providing access to the drum; at least one door (5) which provides the opening/closing the opening (2) and which has and a frame (4); at least one housing (7) which is arranged on the frame (4) and which is defined by at least two walls (6); and at least one hinge group (12) having at least one hinge body (8) which is fixed onto the body (3), at least one hinge arm (9) which is fixed to the hinge body (8) from one end and which extends outwards from the hinge body (8), at least two shafts (10) which extend in opposite directions from the ends of the hinge arm (9) which are not connected to the hinge body (8), and at least two bearings (11) each connected to the hinge arm (9) from one end so as to house a respective shaft (10) and to rotate around the shaft (10) axis and which are placed into the housing (7) so as to be fixed to the frame (4). In the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), when the door (5) which is closed is desired to be opened to provide access to the drum, a pulling force is applied onto the door (5), and the bearings (11) fixed onto the frame (4) rotate around the shaft (10) axis on the hinge arm (9), thus the door (5) is opened. In the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), when the door (5) is open, at least most of the weight of the door (5) is compensated by the shafts (10) and the bearings (11). In the laundry washing and/or drying machine (1), when the door (5) which is open is desired to be closed, a pushing force is applied onto the door (5), and the bearings (11) fixed onto the frame (4) rotate around the shaft (10) axis on the hinge arm (9) in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotational movement carried out while the door (5) is being opened, thus the door (5) is closed.
In the washing and/or drying machine (1) of the present invention, at least one of the bearings (11) connected to the hinge arm (9) such that a threshold force of a certain amplitude has to be applied onto at least one thereof so as to rotate around the axis of the shaft (10). Thus, when a door (5) with a shifted center of gravity is open, the effect of the momentum caused by the shifting of the center of gravity of the door (5) without applying any external force to the door (5) cannot exceed the threshold force allowing the bearing (11) to rotate around the shaft (10) axis, and the door (5) is prevented from unintentionally closing by preventing the bearing (11) from rotating around the shaft (10) axis.
According to the present invention, the bearing (11) comprises at least one protrusion (13), and the hinge arm (9) comprises at least one recess (14) suitable for engaging with said protrusion (13). In this embodiment, the bearing (11) is connected to the hinge arm (9) as the protrusion (13) is inserted into the recess (14). Thus, when the door (5) is desired to be opened or closed, the force applied on the bearing (11) must be at least large enough to release the protrusion (13) from the recess (14). Consequently, the effect of the momentum to be generated due to the shifting of the center of gravity of the door (5) cannot exceed a force large enough to release the protrusion (13) from the recess (14), and thus, the door (5) is prevented from unintentionally closing by preventing the bearing (11) from rotating around the shaft (10) axis.
In an alternative of the present invention, the bearing (11) comprises at least one recess (14), and the hinge arm (9) comprises at least one protrusion (13) suitable for engaging with said recess (14). In this embodiment, the bearing (11) is connected to the hinge arm (9) as the protrusion (13) is inserted into the recess (14). Thus, when the door (5) is desired to be opened or closed, the force applied on the bearing (11) must be at least large enough to release the protrusion (13) from the recess (14). Consequently, the effect of the momentum to be generated due to the shifting of the center of gravity of the door (5) cannot exceed a force large enough to release the protrusion (13) from the recess (14), and thus, the door (5) is prevented from unintentionally closing by preventing the bearing (11) from rotating around the shaft (10) axis.
According to the present invention, the wall (6) comprises at least one beam (15) extending outwards, and the bearing (11) comprises at least one channel (16) at the end not connected to the hinge arm (9) which receives said beam (15). In this embodiment, when the beam (15) enters the channel (16), the bearing (11), and hence a part of the hinge group (12), is fixed to the frame (4), and the relative speed thereof relative to the door (5) during the movement of the door (5) becomes zero and the door (5) and the bearing (11) rotate as a single piece.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the frame (4) comprises a first cover (17) and a second cover (18) which is detachably connected to the first cover (17). In this embodiment, the housing (7) arranged on the frame (4) is positioned on the first cover (17), and as the second cover (18) is connected to the first cover (17) such that the housing on the first cover (17), the bearings (11) in the housing (7), the shaft (10) and a part of the hinge arm (9) are not visible from the outside, thus providing an aesthetic advantage.
In an embodiment of the present invention, at least the hinge arm (9) is produced from a wear-resistant material, such as aluminum injection material or glass-filled polyamide material. Thus, since said aluminum injection or glass-filled polyamide material is wear-resistant, it is provided that the wear caused by the rotational movement of the bearing (11) at the point where the bearing (11) is connected to the hinge arm (9) is minimized. Thus, the hinge arm (9) is enabled to be used without being damaged for a long time.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the bearing (11) is produced from a polymer-based wear-resistant material such as polyoxymethylene. Thus, by means of said wear-resistant polymer-based material, it is provided that the wear on the bearing (11) caused by the rotational movement of the bearing (11) at the point where the bearing (11) is connected to the hinge arm (9) is minimized. Thus, the bearing (11) is enabled to be used without being damaged for a long time.
By means of the present invention, the bearing ((11) is prevented from rotating around the shaft (10) axis on the hinge arm (9) unless a force with a certain threshold is applied onto the bearing (11). Thus, for example, when a door (5) is in the open position, the center of gravity of which shifts due to an error after the first assembly or during the first assembly in any way, the effect of a force caused by only the shifting of the center of gravity of the door (5) does not exceed the threshold force value which allows the bearing (11) to rotate around the shaft (10) axis. Therefore, the bearing (11) is prevented from rotating around the shaft (10) axis due to only the weight of the door (5), thus preventing the door (5) from unintentionally closing.

Claims

A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) comprising a body (3) having a drum wherein the laundry to be treated is loaded and an opening (2) providing access to the drum; at least one door (5) which provides the opening/closing the opening (2) and which has and a frame (4); at least one housing (7) which is arranged on the frame (4) and which is defined by at least two walls (6); and at least one hinge group (12) having at least one hinge body (8) which is fixed onto the body (3), at least one hinge arm (9) which is fixed to the hinge body (8) from one end and which extends outwards from the hinge body (8), at least two shafts (10) which extend in opposite directions from the ends of the hinge arm (9) which are not connected to the hinge body (8), and at least two bearings (11) each connected to the hinge arm (9) from one end so as to house a respective shaft (10) and to rotate around the shaft (10) axis and which are placed into the housing (7) so as to be fixed to the frame (4), the bearings (11) connected to the hinge arm (9) such that a threshold force of a certain amplitude has to be applied onto at least one thereof so as to rotate around the axis of the shaft (10) characterized by the bearing (11) comprising at least one protrusion (13) or at least one recess (14) and the hinge arm (9) comprising at least one recess (14) suitable for engaging with said protrusion (13) or at least one protrusion (13) suitable for engaging with said recess (14) and each of the walls (6) comprising at least one beam (15) extending outwards, and the bearing (11) comprising at least one channel (16) at the end not connected to the hinge arm (9) which receives said beam (15).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the frame (4) comprising a first cover (17) and a second cover (18) which is detachably connected to the first cover (17).
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the hinge arm (9) which is produced from a wear-resistant material, such as aluminum injection material or glass-filled polyamide material.
A laundry washing and/or drying machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the bearing (11) which is produced from a wear-resistant polymer-based material such as polyoxymethylene.