WO2002012613A1

WO2002012613A1 - Washing machine with a loading door that can be opened by a sliding and translatory motion

Info

Publication number: WO2002012613A1
Application number: PCT/TR2001/000037
Authority: WO
Inventors: Engin Kutlay; Bora BÜKÜLMEZ
Original assignee: Arçelik A. S.
Priority date: 2000-08-09
Filing date: 2001-08-07
Publication date: 2002-02-14
Also published as: TR200300614T1; AU2001286379A1

Abstract

A washing machine (1) the door (3) of which can be opened by a sliding and translatory movement comprises a helical spring and a shaft in addition to lifting arms (4) that are attached to the cabinet (2) at one end and to the edges of the door (3) at the other end providing the movement of the door (3), and guide bars (6) with dampers which are fixed to the cabinet (2) preferably at a point below the connection point of the lifting arms (4), at one end providing a movement which is parallel to the front surface of the washing machine.

Description

WASHING MACHINE WITH A LOADING DOOR THAT CAN BE OPENED BY A SLIDING AND TRANSLATORY MOTION

The present invention relates to a washing machine with a loading door that can be opened by a sliding and translatory motion.

The door of the washing machines used in the prior art opens to the right or left by a pivoting motion around the hinges provided on their sides. Due to the space restrictions originating from the objects in the vicinity of the machine, the opening of its door is hindered and the users can not load the laundry to be washed into the machine comfortably.

The object of the present invention is to realize a washing machine door that requires less space to be opened easily.

The washing machine with a loading door that can be opened by a sliding and translatory motion, which has been realized in order to attain the above mentioned object of the present invention, has been illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein;

Figure 1, is the front view of the washing machine when its door: is completely closed.

Figure 2, is the front view of the washing machine when its door is completely open. Figure 3 a, is the schematic side view of the washing machine when its door is open.

Figure 3b, is the schematic side view of the washing machine when its door is partially open.

Figure 3 c, is the schematic side view of the washing machine when its door is completely closed.

Figure 4, is the schematic view of the locking mechanism. The reference numerals of the components shown in the drawings are as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Cabinet

3. Door

4. Lifting arms

5. Shaft 6. Guide bars

7. Wall bellow

8. Opening-closing handle

9. Hook

10. Spring 11. Latch

The washing machine (1) according to the invention, comprises a cabinet (2) which comprises units serving for the functions of washing, and a door (3) formed to provide the loading of the laundry to be washed into and out of the cabinet (2). Said door (3) is provided with lifting arms (4) on its lateral walls. The lifting arms (4) are fixed into the cabinet (2) by means of a shaft (5) around which they can rotate by means of a helical spring. Guide bars (6) with dampers are placed in a region preferably below the area where the lifting arms (4) are fixed, in order to prevent the lifting arms (4) from moving the door (3) to a direction other than the desired path and to enable the door (3) to move in a direction parallel to the front surface of the washing machine, while being opened or closed. The guide bars (6) with dampers provide the motion which is parallel to the front surface, by adjusting their lengths when required. Furthermore, by virtue of the springs or compressed gas to be incorporated to the guide bars (6), the force required to bear the weight of the door (3) is provided. The lateral wall bellows (7) located on the travelling path of the lateral arms (4) and guide bars (6) are formed to prevent the water splashes.

An opening-closing handle (8) comprising a hook (9) and a spring (10), is located on the door (3), preferably on its lower part. Also, a latch (11) or an electromechanical lock is formed on the cabinet (2), which is engaged to the hook

(9) during the closing and releases the hook (9) during the opening. When the user uses the opening-closing handle (8) to open the door (3), the hook (9) is released from the latch (11) or electro mechanical lock which in turn leads to releasing the door (3) and thus it opens upwards by virtue of the shaft (5) moving around the spiral spring (10), at the point where the shaft arms (4) are connected. Meanwhile, the guide bars (6) function as guides by virtue of their dampers, in order to direct the movement of the door (3) in a direction parallel to the front surface. Thus the movement of the door (3) outside the intended direction is prevented. When the user wants to close the door (3), she holds the opening-closing handle (8) and brings it to the closed position and pushes the door (3) until the hook (9) extends over the latch (11) and engages to it or until the electromechanical lock is switched on.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings, the opening-closing handle (8) is opened or closed manually, by the user. Alternatively the opening function can be made automatically without using said handle, as is the case for the electronic washing machines. As the user presses a key for the opening function, the hook is released electromechanically and the cover may be moved slowly by means of the springs and gas dampers. The reason for using dampers is to slow down the motion.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upwards sliding and translatory movement of the door (3) is explained. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, certain modifications, changes or developments can be made provided that they remain in the scope of the claims. For example the location of the lifting arms (4) and guide bars (6) can be changed to provide the sliding and translation of the door (3) in different directions. Moreover it is also possible that the door opens only by a sliding movement.

Although the present invention is used for washing macliines in the preferred embodiment, it can also be used for the driers.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) the door (3) of which can be opened by a sliding and translatory movement; comprising a cabinet (2), a loading door (3), lifting arms (4) that are attached to the cabinet (2) at one end and to the edges of the door (3) at the other end, providing the movement of the door (3), and guide bars (6) with dampers, which are fixed to the cabinet (2) preferably at a point below the connection point of the lifting arms (4), at one end, providing a movement which is parallel to the front surface of the washing machine.

2. A washing machine (1) the door (3) of which can be opened by a sliding and translatory movement as defined in Claim 1, characterized with, a shaft (5) that connects the lifting arms (4) to the cabinet (2), around which said lifting arms (4) can rotate with the help of a helical spring.

3. A washing machine (1) the door (3) of which can be opened by a sliding and translatory movement as defined in Claims 1 and 2, characterized with, lateral wall bellows (7) formed on the travelling path of the lifting arms (4) and guide bars (6).

4. A washing machine (1) the door (3) of which can be opened by a sliding and translatory movement as defined in Claims 1 to 3, characterized with, an opening-closing handle (8) comprising a hook (9) and a spring (10), to fulfill the opening-closing of the door (3) and a latch (11) that engages to the hook (9) for the closing and that extends over the hook (9) and releaeses it for the opening.

5. A washing machine (1) the door (3) of which can be opened by a sliding and translatory movement as defined in Claims 1 to 3 characterized with an opening key which is pressed to fulfill the opening of the door (3) and which drives a system with dampers when pressed, in order to slow down the opening of the door automatically.