A WASHING MACHINE

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a control panel (1); a dispenser panel (2); a detergent dispenser (3) which is coaxially centered to the dispenser panel (2), which is centered to the control panel (1); and a housing (4) which is arranged on the control panel (1) and which receives the detergent dispenser (3) together with the dispenser panel (2). By means of the present invention, instead of centering the control panel (1), the dispenser panel (2) and the detergent dispenser (3) individually, all the components, that is the control panel (1), the detergent dispenser (3) and the dispenser panel (2) are coaxially centered at the same region.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a dispenser panel and a detergent dispenser which are mounted to the control panel.

[0002] Household appliances, for example washing machines, dryers, cooking appliances, and dishwashers, comprise a control panel that enables the functions thereof to be monitored and controlled by the user. Especially in washing machines, the detergent dispenser, the dispenser panel and the control panel are mounted to each other. The dispenser panel, which has a handle thereon, is fixed onto the detergent dispenser, enabling the same to be slid in the horizontal direction to be shifted to the open or closed position. The detergent dispenser enables the cleaning agents such as detergent and softener, which are placed therein before the washing machine starts the washing process, to be delivered into the drum.

[0003] In the state of the art, the dispenser panel is centered on the part that the former gets into contact with first. Therefore, in the state of the art, one part is usually centered with another part. In other words, the centering of each part is performed on separate parts and at separate regions. In this case, since the centering regions are different, the centering members do not fulfill their duties in case of possible tolerance changes and assembly problems arise. These assembly-related problems directly and adversely affect the perceived quality of the washing machine.

[0004] The assembly-related problems are as follows: The dispenser panel is not flush with the control panel, but remains in front of or behind the control panel. The gap between the dispenser panel and the control panel is not homogeneous and the gap is too much. The dispenser panel protrudes from the body. The gap between the dispenser panel and the surrounding parts is not homogeneous. These assembly-related problems also cause various problems in mass production conditions.

[0005] In the state of the art German Patent Application No. DE102005011046, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the dispenser panel is centered by means of ribs on an intermediate member.

[0006] In the state of the art South Korean Patent Application No. KR20040046926, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the dispenser panel and the detergent dispenser are centered on the control panel by means of a support member provided on the control panel.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine wherein the control panel, the dispenser panel and the detergent dispenser are coaxially centered.

[0008] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a control panel; a dispenser panel and a detergent dispenser which is coaxially centered to the control panel and the dispenser panel. By means of the present invention, instead of centering each component individually, all components are centered at the same region. Thus, assembly problems caused by tolerance changes are minimized.

[0009] By means of the present invention, the control panel, the dispenser panel and the detergent dispenser are fixed to each other by being centered concentrically from a single point.

[0010] The control panel is a panel whereon control buttons and displays are located, and the washing machine comprises a housing which is arranged on the control panel and which receives the detergent dispenser together with the dispenser panel, and two first centering members on each of the two opposite walls of the housing, positioned parallel to each other in the horizontal plane. The first centering member is in the form of a protrusion on the side wall, extending outward from the control panel, and the two first centering members on the same side wall form a "C" shaped structure. In other words, there is a gap between the two first centering members. In the embodiment of the present invention, the pairs of first centering members on both side walls are parallel to each other in the horizontal plane.

[0011] The dispenser panel is a part which has a handle thereon, which is attached to the front of the detergent dispenser and which ensures that the control panel and the detergent dispenser are flush. The washing machine comprises two second centering members on each of the two side walls of the dispenser panel, positioned parallel to each other in the horizontal plane, so as to align with the first centering members on the control panel. The second centering member is in the form of a protrusion on the side wall, extending outward from the dispenser panel towards the control panel, and the two second centering members on the same side wall form a "C" shaped structure. In other words, there is a gap between the two second centering members. In the embodiment of the present invention, the pairs of second centering members on both side walls are parallel to each other in the horizontal plane.

[0012] In this embodiment of the present invention, the gap between the first centering members is larger than the gap between the second centering members. In this embodiment, the second centering members face the first centering members, and the second centering members are disposed between the first centering members.

[0013] The detergent dispenser is a box in the form of a drawer, which moves back and forth in the horizontal direction and which receives liquid, gel or solid cleaning agents such as detergent and softener. The washing machine comprises a third centering member on each side wall of the front frame of the detergent dispenser, extending towards the dispenser panel. The third centering member is in the form of a protrusion.

[0014] In the embodiment of the present invention, the third centering members located on both sides of the detergent dispenser are inserted between the pairs of second centering members located on both sides on the dispenser panel. Thus, the detergent dispenser and the dispenser panel are centered to each other. The two second centering members bear against the third centering member from below and above. Thus, the detergent dispenser and the dispenser panel are centered and fixed to each other. Afterwards, the dispenser panel and the detergent dispenser, which are fixed together, are inserted into the housing on the control panel and slid into the washing machine. The second centering members, which surround the third centering member, are inserted between the two pairs of first centering members disposed on the control panel side wall, above and below, and the sliding movement ends when the contact surface of the first centering members and the contact surface of the second centering members exactly overlap.

[0015] In this case, the detergent dispenser and the dispenser panel, which are centered to each other by means of the third and second centering members, are mounted on the control panel by being centered coaxially with the third and second centering members, by means of the first centering members. As the detergent dispenser, the dispenser panel and the control panel are centered to each other by means of the first, second and third centering members coaxially inside each other, from the same point such that the control panel and the dispenser panel are centered and fixed to each other in a flush manner. Thus, three components are centered on a common axis. Consequently, no protrusion is formed on the control panel, improving the quality perception.

[0016] A washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the front view of a control panel and a dispenser panel.

Figure 2 - is the top view of the control panel, the dispenser panel and the detergent dispenser.

Figure 3 - is the view of the cross-section L-L in Figure 1.

Figure 4 - is the view of the cross-section K-K in Figure 1.

Figure 5 - is the view of detail T in Figure 3.

Figure 6 - is the front view of the control panel.

Figure 7 - is the front view of the control panel and a dispenser panel.

Figure 8 - is the view of the cross-section B-B in Figure 7.

Figure 9 - is the view of the cross section C-C in Figure 7.

Figure 10 - is the perspective view of the control panel and a dispenser panel.

Figure 11 - is the front perspective view of the dispenser panel.

Figure 12 - is the rear perspective view of the dispenser panel.

Figure 13 - is the front view of the detergent dispenser.

Figure 14 - is the top view of the detergent dispenser.

Figure 15 - is the top perspective view of the detergent dispenser.

Figure 16 - is the top perspective view of the detergent dispenser and the dispenser panel.

Figure 17 - is the view of detail W in Figure 16.

[0017] T: is the partial detailed view of the dispenser panel and the detergent dispenser.

[0018] W: is the partial detailed view of the detergent dispenser.

[0019] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Control panel

2. Dispenser panel

3. Detergent dispenser

4. Housing

5. First centering member

6. Second centering member

7. Third centering member

8. First contact surface

9. First gap

10. Second contact surface

11. Second gap

[0020] The washing machine of the present invention comprises a control panel (1); a dispenser panel (2); a detergent dispenser (3) which is coaxially centered to the dispenser panel (2), which is centered to the control panel (1); and a housing (4) which is arranged on the control panel (1) and which receives the detergent dispenser (3) together with the dispenser panel (2). By means of the present invention, instead of centering the control panel (1), the dispenser panel (2) and the detergent dispenser (3) individually, all the components, that is the control panel (1), the detergent dispenser (3) and the dispenser panel (2) are coaxially centered at the same region. Thus, assembly problems caused by tolerance changes are minimized (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0021] By means of the present invention, the control panel (1), the dispenser panel (2) and the detergent dispenser (3) are fixed to each other by being centered concentrically from a single point.

[0022] The control panel (1) is a panel whereon control buttons and displays are located, and the washing machine comprises two first centering members (5) on each of the two opposite walls of the housing (4) on the control panel (1), positioned parallel to each other. The first centering member (5) is in the form of a protrusion on the side wall of the housing (4), extending outward from the control panel (1), and the two first centering members (5) on the same side wall form a "C" shaped structure. The washing machine further comprises two first contact surfaces (8) forming the surfaces of the first centering members (5) facing each other and a first gap (9) remaining between said two first contact surfaces (8). In the embodiment of the present invention, the pairs of first centering members (5) on both side walls are parallel to each other in the horizontal plane (Figure 6).

[0023] The dispenser panel (2) is a part which has a handle thereon, which is attached to the front of the detergent dispenser ()3) and which ensures that the control panel (1) and the detergent dispenser (3) are flush. The washing machine comprises two second centering members (6) on each of the two side walls of the dispenser panel (2), positioned parallel to each other, so as to align with the first centering members ()5) on the control panel (1). The second centering member (6) is in the form of a protrusion on the side wall of the dispenser panel (2), extending outward from the dispenser panel (2) towards the control panel (1), and the two second centering members (6) on the same side wall form a "C" shaped structure. The washing machine further comprises two second contact surfaces (10) forming the surfaces of the second centering members (6) facing outwards and a second gap (11) remaining between the second centering members (6). In the embodiment of the present invention, the pairs of second centering members (6) on both side walls are parallel to each other in the horizontal plane (Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10).

[0024] In this embodiment of the present invention, the first gap (9) between the first centering members (5) is wider than the second gap (11) between the second centering members (6). In this embodiment, the second centering members (6) face the first centering members (5) and the second centering members (6) are placed into the first gap (9) between the first centering members (5) (Figure 11, Figure 12 and Figure 13).

[0025] The detergent dispenser (3) is a box in the form of a drawer, which moves back and forth in the horizontal direction and which receives liquid, gel or solid cleaning agents such as detergent and softener. The washing machine comprises a third centering member (7) on each side wall of the front frame of the detergent dispenser (3), extending towards the dispenser panel (2). The third centering member (7) is in the form of a protrusion (Figure 14, Figure 15, Figure 16, Figure 17 and Figure 18).

[0026] In the embodiment of the present invention, the third centering members (7) located on both sides of the detergent dispenser (3) are inserted into the second gap (11) between the pairs of second centering members (6) located on both sides on the dispenser panel (2). A second centering member (6) bears against the third centering member (7) from below and the other second centering member (6) from above. Thus, the detergent dispenser (3) and the dispenser panel (2) are centered and fixed to each other. Afterwards, the dispenser panel (2) and the detergent dispenser (3), which are fixed together, are inserted into the housing (4) on the control panel (1) and slid into the washing machine. The second centering members (6), which surround the third centering member (7), are inserted into the first gap (9) between the two pairs of first centering members (5) disposed on the control panel (1) side wall, above and below, and the sliding movement ends when the first contact surface (8) completely overlaps with the second contact surface (10) of the second centering members (6). In this case, there is a third centering member (7) between the two second centering members (6), and the second contact surface (10) on the second centering member (6) contacts the first contact surface (8) of the first centering member (5) above, and the second contact surface (10) on the second centering member (6) below contacts the first contact surface (8) of the first centering member (5) below. The second centering members (6), which are seated in the first gap (9) between the first centering members (5), are centered to each other even though there is the third centering member (7) therebetween. Thus, the first centering members (5) are coaxially centered both in the horizontal and vertical directions in a simple manner over a single region (Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5).

[0027] In this case, the detergent dispenser (3) and the dispenser panel (2), which are centered to each other by means of the second and third centering members (6 and 7), are mounted on the control panel (1) by being centered coaxially with the second and third centering members (6 and 7), by means of the first centering members (5).

[0028] As the detergent dispenser (3), the dispenser panel (2) and the control panel (1) are centered to each other by means of the first, second and third centering members (5, 6 and 7) coaxially inside each other, from the same point such that the control panel (1) and the dispenser panel (2) are centered and fixed to each other in a flush manner. Thus, three parts, that is the control panel (1), the dispenser panel (2) and the detergent dispenser (3), are centered on a common axis. Consequently, no protrusion is formed on the control panel (1), improving the quality perception.

Claims

1. A washing machine comprising a control panel (1); a dispenser panel (2); a detergent dispenser (3) and a housing (4) which is arranged on the control panel (1) and which receives the detergent dispenser (3) together with the dispenser panel (2), characterized by the detergent dispenser (3) which is coaxially centered to the dispenser panel (2), which is centered to the control panel (1).

2. A washing machine as in Claim 1, characterized by two first centering members (5) on each of the two opposite walls of the housing (4) on the control panel (1), positioned parallel to each other.

3. A washing machine as in Claim 2, characterized by the two first centering members (5) which are in the form of a protrusion on the side wall of the housing (4), extending outward from the control panel (1), forming a "C" shaped structure on the same wall.

4. A washing machine as in Claim 3, characterized by two first contact surfaces (8) arranged on the surfaces of the first centering members (5) facing each other and a first gap (9) remaining between said two first contact surfaces (8).

5. A washing machine as in any one of Claim 2 to Claim 4, characterized by two second centering members (6) on each of the two side walls of the dispenser panel (2), positioned parallel to each other, so as to align with the first centering members ()5) on the control panel (1).

6. A washing machine as in Claim 5, characterized by the second centering members (6) which are in the form of a protrusion on the side wall of the dispenser panel (2), extending outward from the dispenser panel (2) towards the control panel (1), forming a "C" shaped structure on the same side wall.

7. A washing machine as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by two second contact surfaces (10) which are the surfaces of the second centering members (6) facing outward and a second gap (11) remaining between said second centering members (6).

8. A washing machine as in Claim 7, characterized by the first gap (9) which is wider than the second gap (11) between the second centering members (6).

9. A washing machine as in any one of the Claims 1 to 8, characterized by a third centering member (7) on each side wall of the front frame of the detergent dispenser (3), extending towards the dispenser panel (2).

10. A washing machine as in Claim 8, characterized by the second centering members (6) which face the first centering members (5) and which are placed into the first gap (9) between the first centering members (5)

Drawing