The present invention relates to a laundry washing and/or drying machine comprising a front door having a handle assembled by way of slidingly fitting tab connections in an inter-engaged manner.
Laundry machines such as for instance washing machines, drying machines and washing/drying machines comprise a rotary drum in which cloth items are placeable and accessible via a front door, a water tub in which the rotary drum is rotatable and a motor providing the rotary drum to be driven by means of a pulley mechanism or direct drive mechanism, the latter being disposed outside the tub. To this end, laundry treatment appliances have front doors typically allowing access into the rotary drum for loading and unloading the laundry to be processed. Alternatively, a direct drive mechanism can be used instead of a pulley mechanism.
A front door opening mechanism typically functions in the manner that a handle associated with a handle lever is rotatable to drive a hook lever, the latter being actuatable to lock or unlock the front door. Generally, rotation of the handle provides that a contact portion leans on the hook lever in the direction to engage with a female member for effectuating locking of the front door. The force exerted by the contact portion on the hook lever either releases the locking mechanism or provides positioning of the hook lever in the engaging state. In other words, the front door provides access to washing chamber by means of the handle.
A handle portion can be mounted on the outer surface of the front door's outer lid by means of different connection structures. The external handle portion however is the outer visible portion and a non-uniform and asymmetrical engagement with the outer lid and the interior handle portion of the handle as the machine ages may create a low quality impression on the part of end-users. This non-uniformity effect is overcome by installation of the handle's external handle portion in a slidingly snug-fit manner so as to establish mutual inter-engagement with external lid tab connections.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as
The present invention provides a laundry machine handle assembly with a mounting mechanism ensuring a strengthened mechanical structure as defined by the characterizing features in Claim 1.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved handle assembly of the laundry machine front door.
The present invention proposes a laundry machine having a handle effecting locking and unlocking of a front door and having an interior handle portion and an exterior handle portion. The external handle portion is slidably sequentially fixedly mountable during the advancement thereof relative to the interior handle portion in a mounting direction such that a multitude of latching members of the external handle portion engage with latching enclosures of the interior handle portion so as to provide a fixed multi-axis engagement on the vertical axis as well as in the mounting direction.
The external handle portion as well as the interior handle portion has two-staged structures with a first level and a raised surface second level whereby a pair of alignment units of the external handle portion partially lying on both levels slidably communicates with a pair of guideway portions of the interior handle portion so as to produce an improved engagement structure due to level differences in the mounting direction.
The alignment units designed in the form of consecutive U-form structures with the arm portions of each U-form extending perpendicular to the guideway portion slidably in contact therewith produces an alignment effect without causing frictional contact.
A pair of resting portions of the external handle portion in the form of raised linear elements extending along the mounting axis between the alignment units fit to the interior handle portion such that a respective pair of alignment unit and resting portion surrounds a respective guideway portion in the mounting direction so that the three parts on different handle portions relatively slide in the mounting direction on accurate axes in an aligned manner.
A linear engagement portion of the external handle portion in the form of a raised longitudinal L-cross-section extension perpendicular to the mounting axis is slidably continuously engaged with a corresponding form fastener strip of the interior handle portion, the engagement portion being arranged adjacent to a first edge of the interior handle portion. On the other hand, the latching members as well as a pair of attachment housings in the form of L-cross-section surface projections cooperating with attachment portions of the interior handle portion are situated at the second level of the external handle portion proximate the opposite edge of the first edge. The provision of different connection elements on the first and second levels and proximate opposite edges is advantageous in that a sturdy and more robust connection is achieved.
The latching enclosures and the latching members are L-cross-section structures in the form of open-sided structures such that a latching enclosure engagingly encloses a latching member therein. The fact that the two parts have L-cross-section structures extending perpendicular to each other provides that when engaged, the two parts are inter-locked both in the mounting direction and in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the handle portions.
A pair of fixation tabs of the external handle portion engages with fixation portions of the interior handle portion. The fixation portions have triangular side-walls on the mounting axis with inclined upper edges and the fixation tab in the form of a vertical wall extending perpendicular to the mounting direction is slidable over the side-walls to rest on a release ridge. A receiving section in the form of a cavity adjacent to the release ridge advantageously allows a screwdriver tip for insertion therein to release the fixation tab thanks to the U-form structure thereof.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a laundry machine front door handle assembly, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:
The present invention relates to a laundry machine (1) such as a laundry washing or washing/drying machine comprising a water tub, a rotary drum, in which the laundry is to be placed and an electric motor rotating the drum. The laundry machine (1) has a front door (3) installed on a front wall (2) of the machine. The front wall (2) attached to a main body covered with an upper cover (5) comprises a control display (4) to enable programming of the laundry machine (1).
The front door (3) of the laundry machine (1) comprising an inner lid (7), an outer lid (9) and an intermediary lid (8) attached thereinbetween provides access into the drum by way of operating a handle (16). The front door (3) is installed on the front wall (2) of the machine by a hinge portion (6) so as to ensure rotation of the front door (3) to effect locking and unlocking. The handle (16) on the other hand comprising external and interior handle portions (10, 11) operates so as to either release a locking mechanism or provides positioning of a respective hook (13) in the engaging state.
The front door (3) opening mechanism typically functions in the manner that the handle (16) is operable to lock or unlock the front door (3). The mounting of the external handle portion (11) to the interior handle portion (10) is accomplished by way of coupling the two parts in the manner that a hook (13) rotating around a hook pin (15) in association with a hook spring (14) is operatively installable.
The interior handle portion (10) connects to the intermediary lid (8) by means of several connection elements. The rotational movement of the interior handle portion (10) around a handle pin (12) passing through respective connection openings of the interior handle portion (10) attached to the intermediary lid (8) provides rotation of the handle (16) during opening and closing of the front door (3).
The handle (16) effectuating opening and closing of the front door (3) is assembled by way of slidingly fitting tab connections between interior and external handle portions (10, 11) of the front door (3) as will be delineated below.
The external handle portion (11) connects to the interior handle portion (10) that is in mechanical communication with the intermediary lid (8) through respective connection elements. The external handle portion (11) comprises a two-staged structure, namely a first level (33) and a second level (34), the latter forming a raised surface portion with respect to the first level (33). The components positioned on both levels of the external handle portion (11) engage with the corresponding stages of the interior handle portion (10) also having respective first level and second levels (33, 34), thereby ensuring a rigid assembly of the handle (16).
A pair of alignment units (25) of the external handle portion (11) situated as rectangular blocks with open-sided divisions forming consecutive U-form structures communicates with the first and second level (33, 34). The alignment units (25) assist in centering of the external handle portion (11) to provide engagement with the corresponding connection elements of the interior handle portion (10).
The alignment units (25) slide relative to a pair of guideway portions (28) of the interior handle portion (10) cooperatively aligning the two parts, while a plurality of resting portions (26) of the external handle portion (11) in the form of raised linear elements fit to the interior handle portion (10). The divisions of the alignment units (25) correspond to the structural level differences of the guideway portion (28) to provide a reciprocally interconnected network of elements allowing linear movement of the external handle portion (11) relative to the interior handle portion (10).
Resting portions (26) are formed as linearly extending raised surface elements in parallel with the guideway portion (28) at the first level (33) of the interior handle portion (10). Additional resting portions (26) between two latching members (23) as well as those between the alignment units enables accurate alignment of the two handle parts relative to each other during the mounting of the external handle portion (11) such that all other parts sequentially engage with each other by the advancement of the external handle portion (11) in the radial direction of the front door (3) towards the interior handle portion's (10) linear edge.
By the advancement of the external handle portion (11), a linear engagement portion (21) thereof slides into a fastener strip (22) of the interior handle portion (10), the engagement portion (21) being arranged adjacent to the linear edge of the interior handle portion (10). The engagement portion (21) is a raised longitudinal L-cross-section extension proximate the linear edge of the first level (33) extending perpendicular to the alignment units (25). The engagement portion (21) is structured to fit into the interior handle portion's (10) fastener strip (22) in a continuous manner.
A pair of latching members (23) is situated on the center of the second level (34) of the external handle portion (11) proximate the semi-circular edge thereof and neighboring the resting portions (26). The L-cross-section structures of the latching members (23) engage with latching enclosures (24) of the interior handle portion (10) providing fixation of the external handle portion (11) during the advancement thereof in a mounting direction (35) perpendicular to the engagement portion (21) or the fastener strip (22).
The latching enclosures (24) are also L-shaped structures positioned adjacently to the guideway portions (28) in the form of an open-sided structure engagingly enclosing a latching member (23) therein. The L-cross-section forms of the latching member (23) and the latching enclosures (24) extend perpendicular to each other so that mating of the two parts ensures a fixed multi-axis engagement on the vertical axis as well as in the mounting direction (35), i.e. while the external handle portion (11) is slidably mounted with its linear edge being moved towards the linear edge of the interior handle portion (10).
Further, a pair of fixation tabs (19) laterally situated on the inner face of the first level (33) of the external handle portion (11) engages with a fixation portion (18) of the interior handle portion (10). The fixation portion (18) of the interior handle portion (10) having a pair of vertical side-walls having inclined upper edges with respect to the surface of the interior handle portion (10) engages with a respective fixation tab (19) in the manner that the fixation tab (19) in the form of a vertical wall extending perpendicular to the mounting direction (35) is slid over the side-walls having inclined upper edges. When the fixation tab (19) is slid over the side-walls of the fixation portion (18), it rests on a release ridge (17) positioned adjacent to a receiving section (20) in the form of a cavity suitable for detaching the fixation tab (19) from the fixation portion (18) by way of using a suitable object such as screwdriver tip.
The fixation tabs (19) are in the form of U-shaped structures having shorter arm portions and a larger base portion of the U-form being positioned in a way that the cavity of the U-form faces towards the engagement portion (21). Therefore an operator can use a suitable tool to force an engaged fixation tab (19) upwardly thanks to the arm portions of the U-form. The connection of the fixation tabs (19) with the fixation portions (18) provides a fixedly assembled structure on the mounting axis in both directions.
A pair of restriction panels (30), each being situated at the outer sides of the alignment units (25) in the form of planar panels, communicates with stoppers (29) of the interior handle portion (10). The stoppers (29) are disposed as pairs alongside each guideway portion (28) and at the longitudinal border of the first level (33).
Further, a restriction portion (27) determines the extent at which the external handle portion's (11) advancement is restricted by a blocking cavity (36) mating with the restriction portion (27). The blocking cavities (36) are positioned at both sides of the fastener strip (22) at the corners of the interior handle portion's (10) linear edge.
Finally, a pair of attachment housings (31) situated at the second level (34) of the external handle portion (11) laterally provides additional connection lines on the opposite side of the fastener strip (22) on the mounting axis, also effectuating an engagement of the two handle portions. The attachment housings (31) are L-cross-section surface projections cooperating with the attachment portions (32) defined as corner portion structures of the interior handle portion (10) on the opposite side corners of the linear edge thereof.
In summary, the present invention proposes a laundry machine (1) comprising a water tub, a rotary drum, in which the laundry is to be placed, an electric motor rotating the drum and a front door (3) allowing access into the rotary drum for loading or unloading laundry, the laundry machine (1) further comprising a handle (16) effecting locking and unlocking of the front door (3) and having an interior handle portion (10) and an exterior handle portion (11).
In one embodiment of the invention, the external handle portion (11) is fixedly mounted to the interior handle portion (10) such that the external handle portion (11) is slidably sequentially engaged during the advancement thereof with the interior handle portion (10) in a mounting direction (35) while a multitude of latching members (23) of the external handle portion (11) engage with latching enclosures (24) of the interior handle portion (10) providing fixation of the two portions whereby a fixed multi-axis engagement on the vertical axis as well as in the mounting direction (35) is obtainable.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the external handle portion (11) and the interior handle portion (10) comprise a two-staged structure in the form of a first level (33) and a second level (34), the latter forming a raised surface portion with respect to the first level (33).
In a further embodiment of the invention, a pair of alignment units (25) of the external handle portion (11) extending parallel to the mounting direction (35) and partially lying both on the first and second levels (33, 34) slidably communicates with a pair of guideway portions (28) of the interior handle portion (10) cooperatively aligning the external handle portion (11) and the interior handle portion (10).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the alignment units (25) of the external handle portion (11) are rectangular blocks with open-sided divisions forming at least two consecutive U-form structures, the ends of the arm portions of the U-form structures perpendicularly contacting the guideway portion (28) during the advancement of the external handle portion (11) relative to the interior handle portion (10).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the alignment units (25) communicate with the guideway portions (28) partially lying both on the first and second levels (33, 34) of the interior handle portion (10).
In a further embodiment of the invention, a pair of resting portions (26) of the external handle portion (11) in the form of raised linear elements extending along the mounting direction (35) between the alignment units (25) fit to the interior handle portion (10) so as to partially surround a respective guideway portion (28) from the inner side thereof.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a linear engagement portion (21) of the external handle portion (11) extending perpendicular to the mounting direction (35) is slidably engaged with a fastener strip (22) of the interior handle portion (10), the engagement portion (21) being arranged adjacent to a first edge of the interior handle portion (10).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the engagement portion (21) is a raised longitudinal L-cross-section extension structured to fit into the interior handle portion's (10) fastener strip (22) in a continuous manner.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the latching members (23) are situated on the second level (34) of the external handle portion (11) proximate a second edge thereof.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the latching enclosures (24) are L-cross-section structures in the form of an open-sided structure engagingly enclosing a latching member (23) therein.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the latching members (23) and the latching enclosures (24) have L-cross-section structures and the L-cross-section forms of the latching member (23) and the latching enclosure (24) extend perpendicular to each other.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a pair of fixation tabs (19) situated on the inner face of the external handle portion (11) engages with fixation portions (18) of the interior handle portion (10), the fixation portions (18) having a pair of vertical side-walls having inclined upper edges with respect to the surface of the interior handle portion (10).
In a further embodiment of the invention, the fixation tab (19) in the form of a vertical wall extending perpendicular to the mounting direction (35) is slid over the side-walls having inclined upper edges such that when the fixation tab (19) is slid over the side-walls of the fixation portion (18), it rests on a release ridge (17) positioned adjacent to a receiving section (20) in the form of a cavity.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the fixation tabs (19) are in the form of U-shaped structures having shorter arm portions and a larger base portion of the U-form being positioned in a way that the cavity of the U-form faces towards the first edge.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a pair of attachment housings (31) in the form of L-cross-section surface projections situated at the second level (34) of the external handle portion (11) laterally provides additional connection lines so as to cooperate with attachment portions (32) defined as corner portion structures of the interior handle portion (10) on the opposite edge corners of the fastener strip (22).
The present invention therefore provides a handle structure allowing easy mounting and detaching so that rework operations may be performed advantageously quickly. Furthermore, once mounted, the components will not be subject to deformation over time or lose their fixation axes.
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.