(19)
(11)EP 3 819 418 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
06.09.2023 Bulletin 2023/36

(21)Application number: 20203792.5

(22)Date of filing:  26.10.2020
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
D06F 37/26(2006.01)
D06F 23/02(2006.01)
D06F 39/08(2006.01)
(52)Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
D06F 23/02; D06F 37/267; D06F 39/083; D06F 39/088

(54)

A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING A RETAINER

WASCHMASCHINE MIT EINEM HALTER

MACHINE À LAVER COMPRENANT UN DISPOSITIF DE RETENUE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 08.11.2019 TR 201917370

(43)Date of publication of application:
12.05.2021 Bulletin 2021/19

(73)Proprietor: Arçelik Anonim Sirketi
34445 Istanbul (TR)

(72)Inventors:
  • CATALTEPE, Servet
    34445 Istanbul (TR)
  • AYAS, Recep
    34445 Istanbul (TR)
  • METIN, Ergin
    34445 Istanbul (TR)
  • BAYHAN, Ismet
    34445 Istanbul (TR)
  • AYHAN, Adem
    34445 Istanbul (TR)


(56)References cited: : 
WO-A1-2018/221846
US-A1- 2015 082 838
KR-A- 20030 055 972
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a retainer which enables the hose to be easily mounted onto the tub.

    [0002] In washing machines, a hose is used for delivering the mains water to the drum through the tub and for discharging the dirty water at the end of the washing process in the drum. Hoses or pipes used for discharging the water from the washing machine or delivering the same from the mains to the washing machine are grouped together and mounted to the washing machine. The use of locking members during the grouping and fixing operations is known. The dislodging of the hoses from the mounting position on the body causes the washing machine to be damaged during the washing process as well as loss of time and energy. Therefore, said hoses must be mounted to the washing machine in the correct mounting direction and properly fixed.

    [0003] In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP0915197, a household appliance for laundry washing/drying is disclosed, comprising a retainer having a U-shaped bend and two hose-fixing housings.

    [0004] In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US2012255330, a household appliance is disclosed, comprising a hose retainer composed of a first part having a guiding member at one end and a second part having a connection member at one end. In the state of the art US2015/082838A1 discloses a washing machine having a hose fixing structure to prevent collision noise caused when a hose collides with other interior components of the washing machine due to rotational vibration of a drum and WO 2018/221846A1 discloses a washing machine including an improved holder for preventing vibration transmitted from a drain hose to a cabinet.

    [0005] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine, according to claim 1, comprising a hose retainer which is firmly mounted in the direction predetermined by the producer.

    [0006] The washing machine of the present invention comprises a single-piece hose retainer in the form of a clamp and a tub to which the retainer is fixed.

    [0007] A pin is provided on the retainer, and a housing with the suitable for the placement of the pin is provided on the tub. Thus, the pin is seated into the housing and the retainer is aligned with the tub at a correct angle.

    [0008] The retainer comprises a first plate and a second plate which can move away/towards each other, and a C-shaped clamp which connects the first and second plates to each other and which is suitable for the fitting of the hose. The clamp is disposed on a region of the hose and then aligned with the tub.

    [0009] The first and second plates are aligned such that two holes provided thereon overlap. The tub further comprises a protrusion and an opening in the form of a connection hole which is provided on the protrusion. Said opening and the holes on the retainer are aligned and then fixed to each other by means of a connection member such as screw, etc.

    [0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the hose is corrugated. In said embodiment, the clamp has an extension in the form of a continuous protrusion on the inner surface thereof which is in contact with the hose. The corrugations on the hose are seated on this extension, thus providing a more durable mounting.

    [0011] By means of the present invention, a washing machine is realized, comprising a hose which is prevented from dislodging from the retainer due to water pressure during operation and for which the mounting direction is correctly determined.

    [0012] The model embodiments relating to the washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

    Figure 1 - is the general front view of the washing machine of the present invention.

    Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the washing machine of the present invention in an embodiment wherein the tub, the hose and the hose retainer are mounted.

    Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the hose retainer of the washing machine in an embodiment of the present invention.

    Figure 4 - is the detailed view of a region of the tub where the hose retainer is mounted shown in the Region A in Figure 2.



    [0013] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
    1. 1. Washing machine
    2. 2. Tub
    3. 3. Hose
    4. 4. Housing
    5. 5. Protrusion
    6. 6. First plate
    7. 7. Clamp
    8. 8. Second plate
    9. 9. Extension
    10. 10. Pin
    11. 11. Hole
    12. 12. Retainer
    13. 13. Screw
    14. 14. Opening


    [0014] The washing machine (1) comprises a tub (2) wherein the laundry is washed; a hose (3) which is used for delivering the mains water to the tub (2) and for discharging the dirty water collected in the tub (2) at the end of the washing process; and a retainer (12) which enables the hose (3) to be fixed to the tub (2).

    [0015] The washing machine (1) of the present invention comprises a housing (4) which is arranged on the tub (2) and which enables the hose (3) to be fixed to the tub (2) in the mounting direction predetermined by the producer and the retainer (12) having a pin (10) fitted into the housing (4). Thus, the retainer (12) is firmly aligned with the tub (12) by the operator in the mounting direction determined by the producer.

    [0016] The washing machine (1) comprises the retainer (12) having a clamp (7) in the form of a C-shaped ring which is at least partially open, a first plate (6) which is integrated with the clamp (7) and which extends towards the tub (2) from an open end of the clamp (7) and a second plate (8) which is integrated with the clamp (7), which overlaps with the first plate (6) and which extends towards the tub (2) from the other open end of the clamp (7). The retainer (12), by means of said form thereof, can be flexibly opened by holding the first plate (6) and the second plate (8) such that the hose (3) can be easily placed. Moreover, by means of said structure, the mounting region of the hose (3) is firmly gripped by the retainer, thus preventing the hose (3) from dislodging from the retainer (12).

    [0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the retainer (12) having a pin (10) which is provided on the first plate (6) or the second plate (8). Thus, the hose (3) is enabled to be aligned with the housing (4) on the tub (2) in the correct mounting angle.

    [0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the hose (3) having an indented, curved form such that the discharge or supply water is taken from the mains or discharged at the end of the washing process in a pressurized manner.

    [0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises the retainer (12) having the clamp (7) having an extension (9) whereon the recesses on a corrugated hose (3) can be fitted. Thus, the inner surface of the clamp (7) at the ring section supports the fixing of the hose (3).

    [0020] The washing machine (1) comprises the tub (2) having a protrusion (5) and an opening (14) arranged on the protrusion (5); one hole (11) on the first plate (6) and the second plate (8) for mounting the retainer (12) to the opening (14) on the protrusion (5); and a screw (13) for fixing the opening (14) and the holes (11). Thus, after the retainer (12) is aligned with the tub (2), the tub (2) and the retainer (12) are fixed to each other.

    [0021] By means of the present invention, a washing machine (1) is realized, comprising a retainer (12) which can be mounted to the tub (2) at the mounting angle predetermined by the producer.


    Claims

    1. A washing machine (1) comprising a tub (2) in which the laundry is washed; a hose (3) which is used for delivering the mains water to the tub (2) and for discharging the dirty water collected in the tub (2) at the end of the washing process; a retainer (12) which enables the hose (3) to be fixed to the tub (2); and a housing (4) which is arranged on the tub (2) and which enables the hose (3) to be fixed to the tub (2) in a mounting direction predetermined by the producer and the retainer (12) having a pin (10) fitted into the housing (4), characterized by: the retainer (12) having a clamp (7) in the form of a C-shaped ring which is at least partially open, a first plate (6) which is integrated with the clamp (7) and which extends towards the tub (2) from an open end of the clamp (7) and a second plate (8) which is integrated with the clamp (7), which overlaps with the first plate (6) and which extends towards the tub (2) from the other open end of the clamp (7) and the tub (2) having a protrusion (5) and an opening (14) arranged on the protrusion (5); one hole (11) on the first plate (6) and one hole (11) on the second plate (8) for mounting the retainer (12) to the opening (14) on the protrusion (5); and a screw (13) for fixing the opening (14) and the holes (11).
     
    2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the retainer (12) having the pin (10) which is provided on the first plate (6) or the second plate (8).
     
    3. A washing machine (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the hose (3) being corrugated hose and by the retainer (12) comprising the clamp (7) having an extension (9) whereon the recesses on the corrugated hose (3) is configured to be fitted.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Eine Waschmaschine (1) umfasst eine Trommel (2), in der die Wäsche gewaschen wird; einen Schlauch (3), der zum Zuführen des Leitungswassers zur Trommel (2) und zum Ablassen des Schmutzwassers, das am Ende des Waschvorgangs in der Trommel (2) gesammelt wurde, verwendet wird; eine Halterung (12), die es ermöglicht, den Schlauch (3) an der Trommel (2) zu befestigen; und ein Gehäuse (4), das auf der Trommel (2) angeordnet ist und den Schlauch (3) in einer vom Hersteller vorgegebenen Montagerichtung an der Trommel (2) befestigt, wobei die Halterung (12) einen Bolzen (10) aufweist, der in das Gehäuse (4) eingesetzt ist, gekennzeichnet durch: die Halterung (12), die eine Klemme (7) in Form eines C-förmigen Rings hat, die zumindest teilweise offen ist, eine erste Platte (6), die mit der Klemme (7) verbunden ist und sich von einem offenen Ende der Klemme (7) zur Trommel (2) erstreckt, und eine zweite Platte (8), die mit der Klemme (7) verbunden ist, die sich mit der ersten Platte (6) überlappt und sich von dem anderen offenen Ende der Klemme (7) zur Trommel (2) erstreckt, und die Trommel (2) hat einen Vorsprung (5) und eine Öffnung (14), die auf dem Vorsprung (5) angeordnet ist; ein Loch (11) auf der ersten Platte (6) und ein Loch (11) auf der zweiten Platte (8) zur Befestigung der Halterung (12) an der Öffnung (14) auf dem Vorsprung (5); und eine Schraube (13) zum Fixieren der Öffnung (14) und der Löcher (11).
     
    2. Eine Waschmaschine (1) gemäß Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch den Stift (10), der an der ersten Platte (6) oder der zweiten Platte (8) angebracht ist.
     
    3. Eine Waschmaschine (1) gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch den Schlauch (3), der ein gewellter Schlauch ist, und durch die Halterung (12), die die Klemme (7) mit einer Erweiterung (9) umfasst, auf der die Vertiefungen am gewellten Schlauch (3) eingepasst sind.
     


    Revendications

    1. Une machine à laver (1) comprenant une cuve (2) dans laquelle le linge est lavé ; un tuyau (3) utilisé pour amener l'eau du réseau à la cuve (2) et pour évacuer l'eau sale collectée dans la cuve (2) à la fin du processus de lavage ; un dispositif de retenue (12) permettant de fixer le tuyau (3) à la cuve (2) ; et un boîtier (4) qui est disposé sur la baignoire (2) et qui permet de fixer le tuyau (3) à la baignoire (2) dans une direction de montage prédéterminée par le producteur et le dispositif de retenue (12) ayant une goupille (10) montée dans le boîtier (4), caractérisé par : le dispositif de retenue (12) ayant un collier (7) en forme d'anneau en C qui est au moins partiellement ouvert, une première plaque (6) qui est intégrée au collier (7) et qui s'étend vers la baignoire (2) à partir d'une extrémité ouverte du collier (7) et une deuxième plaque (8) qui est intégrée au collier (7), qui chevauche la première plaque (6) et qui s'étend vers la baignoire (2) à partir de l'autre extrémité ouverte de la pince (7) et la baignoire (2) ayant une protubérance (5) et une ouverture (14) disposée sur la protubérance (5) ; un trou (11) sur la première plaque (6) et un trou (11) sur la deuxième plaque (8) pour fixer le dispositif de retenue (12) à l'ouverture (14) sur la saillie (5) ; et une vis (13) pour fixer l'ouverture (14) et les trous (11).
     
    2. Une machine à laver (1) selon la déclaration 1, caractérisée par le dispositif de retenue (12) comportant la goupille (10) qui est prévue sur la première plaque (6) ou la deuxième plaque (8).
     
    3. Une machine à laver (1) selon l'une quelconque des déclarations précédentes, caractérisée par le fait que le tuyau (3) est un tuyau ondulé et par le dispositif de retenue (12) comprenant la pince (7) ayant une extension (9) sur laquelle les évidements sur le tuyau ondulé (3) sont configurés pour être montés.
     




    Drawing














    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description