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EP 0 937 809 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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02.05.2003 Bulletin 2003/18 |
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Date of filing: 12.02.1999 |
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Domestic appliances using water, such as washing machines, tumbledriers and dishwashers
Wasserverbrauchende Haushaltmaschinen wie Waschmaschinen, Waschtrockner und Geschirrspülmaschinen
Appareils domestiques consommateurs d'eau, tels que machines à laver, sèche-linge
et lave-vaisselle
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Designated Contracting States: |
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DE ES FR GB IT SE |
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Priority: |
21.02.1998 DE 19807401
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Date of publication of application: |
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25.08.1999 Bulletin 1999/34 |
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Proprietor: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION |
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Benton Harbor
Michigan 49022 (US) |
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Inventors: |
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- Mäntele, Gerd
Whirlpool Europe srl Patent Dept.
21025 Comerio (IT)
- Noceroni, Michele
Whirlpool Europe srl Pat. Dept.
21025 Comerio (IT)
- Nagel, Thomas
Whirlpool Europe srl Patent Dept.
21025 Comerio (IT)
- Prete, Michele
Whirlpool Europe srl Patent Dept.
21025 Comerio (IT)
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Representative: Guerci, Alessandro |
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Whirlpool Europe S.r.l.
Patent Department
Viale G. Borghi 27 21025 Comerio (VA) 21025 Comerio (VA) (IT) |
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References cited: :
DE-A- 1 474 233 US-A- 3 461 906 US-A- 3 880 188 US-A- 4 715 402
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US-A- 3 456 680 US-A- 3 760 838 US-A- 3 897 923 US-A- 4 870 988
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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).
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[0001] The invention relates to domestic appliances, such as washing machines, tumble-driers,
dishwashers and the like, with a water outlet system with outlet hose.
[0002] In installing domestic appliances the outlet hose should be easily accessible after
the removal of the packaging and be capable of being easily extended to the correct
length for attachment to the local outlet system. In addition, the outlet hose already
led out of the casing of the appliance, requires a larger pack for outlet hose arranged
on the rear panel of the machine housing for the packaging, storage and transport.
[0003] US-A-4 715 402 discloses an appliance having a hose retainer for removably receiving
the outlet hose within a cabinet of the appliance. The appliance includes accen parts
for affording access to a portion of the hose for pulling it outwardly.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to arrange the outlet hose for a domestic appliance
of the above-mentioned type for packaging, storage and transport, so that the size
of the packaging is determined only by the dimensions of the appliance housing and
that the outlet hose can be rapidly and simply connected with the local outlet system
at the point of use.
[0005] This object is met by the invention in, by providing in the rear panel of the appliance
housing, an outwardly open receiving assembly for the end of the outlet hose and the
outlet hose installed so that it can be drawn out, is introduced into the receiving
assembly through an inlet and is set up for packaging, storage and transport of the
domestic appliance with its end in an outlet.
[0006] The end of the outlet hose is inserted in the receiving assembly and arranged in
such a way that it is lightly held and can be withdrawn from the appliance housing.
In this way the size of the packaging required can be reduced to the dimensions of
the appliance casing, without hindering connection of the outlet hose to the local
outlet system. All that is required is simply to withdraw the outlet hose from the
appliance casing until there is a sufficient length free for connection. Handling
is simplified as a result of the fact that the end of the outlet hose is held in an
arcuate holder, which extends with the end of the outlet hose in the receiving assembly
from entry to exit and does not extend with the outlet hose beyond the receiving assembly.
The end of the outlet hose can then be easily held.
[0007] For safety reasons it is envisaged that the part of the outlet hose introduced into
the appliance casing should be provided with a stop which, after removal of the end
of the outlet hose from the receiving assembly, limits the extraction movement of
the outlet hose through impact of the stop against the inlet, so that the connection
of the outlet hose to the internal outlet of the appliance within the appliance casing
is not subjected to an unnecessary tensile force.
[0008] If the outlet hose is not firmly attached to a local outlet system then it is advantageous
to provide an embodiment which is characterised by the provision of a suspension lug
on the holder. The outlet hose can then be suspended after use.
[0009] In accordance with a further embodiment retaining elements are provided, preferably
moulded-on formed, on the receiving assembly to fix the outlet hose in the operating
position and for fixing the mains plug of the appliance connecting cable. The mains
plug of the appliance connecting cable will then also be accepted by the receiving
assembly and held securely at least in the packed condition of the domestic appliance.
It is thus envisaged that the retaining device for the appliance connecting cable
is covered with the holder so that the domestic appliance can only be electrically
connected when the outlet hose has been removed from its not-in-service position in
the receiving assembly.
[0010] The entry and the exit for the outlet hose is preferably moulded-on formed in the
receiving assembly.
[0011] The incorporation of the receiving assembly into the rear panel is preferably done
in such a way that the receiving assembly is provided with entry and exit openings
positioned vertically above one another in a marginal area of the rear panel. Adequate
space is then available between the appliance unit and the adjacent side wall of the
appliance casing for the extractable storage of the outlet hose.
[0012] For the incorporation of the receiving assembly in the rear panel it is envisaged,
in one embodiment, that the receiving assembly be provided with a circumferential
attachment flange in which the fastening seating for connecting the receiving assembly
inserted in a recess in the rear panel with the rear panel is built in.
[0013] To enable the exit aperture for the outlet hose in the receiving assembly which is
no longer required in the operating condition to be closed, one embodiment envisages
that a closure lid for the exit is provided by means of an elastic connecting member,
in particular moulded-on.
[0014] If the appliance outlet system has an extraction pump, the outlet hose is connected
to the outlet of this extraction pump.
[0015] The invention will be illustrated in more detail by way of an example of an embodiment
with the aid of the drawings.
- Fig. 1
- shows a perspective view of the rear panel of the appliance casing of an electrical
domestic appliance using water with outlet hose and appliance connecting cable.
- Fig. 2
- in a larger perspective representation of the receiving assembly with the end of the
outlet hose secured therein and
- Fig. 3
- a partial view of the domestic appliance with the outlet hose in the ready-for-use
position.
[0016] The domestic appliance with the machine assembly is enclosed in an appliance casing
10 where the machine assembly is adapted according to the function of the domestic
appliance as a washing machine, tumble-drier, dishwasher and the like. The design
of the machine assembly is not of significance for the purposes of the present invention
and is not therefore explained in more detail.
[0017] 11 indicates the rear panel of the appliance casing 10. An outwardly opening, trough-like
receiving assembly 20 is set into this rear panel 11. If the internal outlet system
within the appliance is provided with an extraction pump 13, then an outlet hose with
the end 17 (Fig. 2) turned towards it is connected to the outlay from this extraction
pump 13. The receiving assembly 20 is arranged in a vertical boundary region of this
rear panel 11 and has an entry 21 and an exit 22 for the end of the outlet hose 14.
The entry 21 serves to introduce the outlet hose 14 into the receiving assembly 20
and the end of the outlet hose 14 can be inserted into the exit 22 and held in the
receiving assembly 20. Entry 21 and exit 22 can be integrally formed in one piece
as sleeves on the receiving assembly 20.
[0018] The end of the outlet hose 14 can be held in an arcuate holder 16 which extends from
the entry 21 to the exit 22 and which holds the outlet hose 14 on removal from the
receiving assembly 20. The holder 16 may be clamped only to the end of the outlet
hose 14, so that it can be removed when the outlet hose 14 is attached to the local
outlet system. If the connection of the outlet hose to the local outlet system is
not fixed, then it can be hung on the holder 16 provided with a suspension lug 17.
[0019] The receiving assembly 20 may comprise a retaining member 28 covered by the holder
16 which can be employed to receive the mains plug of the appliance connecting cable
30, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Before the plug of the appliance power cable can be
accessed the end of the outlet cable 14 held in the receiving assembly 20 must be
removed and the holder 16 taken out of the receiving assembly 20. This will release
the exit 22 and can be covered with a closure cap 26, as shown in Fig. 3.
[0020] This closure cap 26 is moulded-on through an elastic connecting member 27 on the
receiving assembly 20.
[0021] The outlet hose 14 is withdrawn from the appliance casing 10 until the length required
for connection to the local outlet system is attained, where the outlet hose is led
into the entry 21. A stop 15 provided on the outlet hose 14 limits the maximum extractable
length. As made clear in Fig. 1, the outlet hose 14 can be stowed extractably in a
sufficient length between the machine assembly and the adjacent side wall 12 of the
appliance casing 10.
[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the receiving assembly 20 is provided with a circumferential
attachment flange 31 in which the apertures 23 and 24 required for attachment to the
rear panel 11 are provided. The receiving assembly 20 is inserted in a cut-out in
the rear panel 11. In addition, the receiving assembly 20 may comprise additional
retaining elements 25 which may be employed to hold the outlet hose 14 in its operating
position. The holder 16 may also be held in additional retaining elements in the receiving
assembly 20.
1. Domestic appliances using water, such as washing machines, tumble-driers, dishwashers
and the like with a water outlet system with outlet hose, the outlet hose being stowed
extractably in a casing of the applicance,
characterised in that
an outwardly open receiving assembly (20) for the free end of the outlet hose (14)
is provided in the rear panel (11) of the appliance casing (10), such receiving assembly
having an entry (21) and an exit (22), and in that
the outlet hose (14) is brought out through the entry (21) into the receiving assembly
(20) and fixed with its free end in an exit (22) for packaging, storage and transport
of the domestic appliance.
2. Domestic appliance in accordance with Claim 1
characterised in that
the free end of the outlet hose (14) is held in an arcuate holder (16) which extends
from the entry (21) to the exit (22) and which holds the outlet hose (14) when the
free end of the outlet hose (14) is fixed in the receiving assembly (20) and which
does not project out of the receiving assembly (20) when the outlet hose (14) is in
place.
3. Domestic appliance in accordance with Claim 1 or 2
characterised in that
the part of the outlet hose (14) comprised within the appliance casing (10) is provided
with a stop (15) which through impact of the stop (15) against the entry (21) limits
the withdrawal of the outlet hose (14) after the removal of the free end of the outlet
hose (14) from the receiving assembly (20).
4. Domestic appliance in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 3
characterised in that
the holder (16) is provided with a suspension lug (17).
5. Domestic appliance in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 4
characterised in that
fixing elements (25, 28) are provided, preferably integrally, on the receiving assembly
(20) for fixing the outlet hose (14) in the operating position and for fixing the
mains plug of the appliance connecting cable (30).
6. Domestic appliance in accordance with Claim 5
characterised in that
the fixing elements (28) for the appliance connecting cable (30) is covered by the
end of the outlet hose (14) with the holder (16) fixed in the receiving assembly (20).
7. Domestic appliance in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 6
characterised in that
the entry (21) and exit (22) on the receiving assembly (20) are formed as one piece.
8. Domestic appliance in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 7
characterised in that
the receiving assembly (20) is provided with entry (21) and exit (22) arranged vertically
one above the other and in a vertical edge region of the rear panel (11).
9. Domestic appliance in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 8
characterised in that
the receiving assembly (20) is provided with a circumferential fixing flange (29)
in which fixing holes (23, 24) for connecting the receiving assembly (20) inserted
in a cut-out in the rear panel (11) with the rear panel (11) are provided.
10. Domestic appliance in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 9
characterised in that
a closure cap (26) for the exit (22) is provided on the receiving assembly (20), particularly
moulded-on, on an elastic connecting member (27).
11. Domestic appliance in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 10
characterised in that
where there is an extraction pump (13) in the outlet system within the machine, the
outlet hose (14) is connected to the outlet from the extraction pump (13).
1. Haushaltsmaschine wie Waschmaschine, Wäschetrockner, Geschirrspüler und dergleichen,
die Wasser benutzt und mit einem einen Ablassschlauch aufweisenden Wasserablasssystem
versehen ist, wobei der Ablassschlauch in einem Gehäuse der Haushaltsmaschine ausziehbar
untergebracht ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass eine nach außen offene Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) für das freie Ende des Ablassschlauchs
(14) in der Rückwand (11) des Maschinengehäuses (10) vorgesehen ist, wobei diese Aufnahmevorrichtung
einen Eingang (21) und einen Ausgang (22) aufweist, und dass der Ablassschlauch (14)
über den Eingang (21) in die Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) gebracht ist und mit seinem
freien Ende im Ausgang (22) zur Verpackung, Lagerung und zum Transport der Haushaltsmaschine
befestigt ist.
2. Haushaltsmaschine nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das freie Ende des Ablassschlauchs (14) in einem bogenförmigen Halter (16) gehalten
wird, der vom Eingang (21) zum Ausgang (22) verläuft und den Ablassschlauch (14) hält,
wenn das freie Ende des Ablassschlauchs (14) in der Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) befestigt
ist, und der nicht aus der Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) herausragt, wenn der Ablassschlauch
(14) installiert ist.
3. Haushaltsmaschine nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der im Maschinengehäuse (10) enthaltene Teil des Ablassschlauchs (14) mit einem Anschlag
(15) versehen ist, der durch den Anstoß des Anschlags (15) am Eingang (21) das Ausziehen
des Ablassschlauchs (14) nach der Entfernung des freien Endes des Ablassschlauchs
(14) aus der Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) begrenzt.
4. Haushaltsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Halter (16) mit einer Aufhängeöse (17) versehen ist.
5. Haushaltsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass Befestigungselemente (25, 28) vorzugsweise integriert an der Aufnahmevorrichtung
(20) zur Befestigung des Ablassschlauchs (14) in der Betriebsposition und zur Befestigung
des Netzsteckers des Maschinenverbindungskabels (30) vorgesehen sind.
6. Haushaltsmaschine nach Anspruch 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Befestigungselemente (28) für das Maschinenverbindungskabel (30) durch das Ende
des Ablassschlauchs (14) mit dem Halter (16) verdeckt sind, der in der Aufnahmevorrichtung
(20) befestigt ist.
7. Haushaltsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Eingang (21) und der Ausgang (22) an der Aufnahmevorrichtung einstückig angeformt
sind.
8. Haushaltsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) mit einem Eingang (21) und mit einem Ausgang(22) versehen
ist, die beide vertikal übereinander und in einem vertikalen Eckbereich der Rückwand
(11) angeordnet sind.
9. Haushaltsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) mit einem peripheren Befestigungsflansch (29) versehen
ist, in dem Befestigungslöcher (23, 24) zur Verbindung der in einer Ausnehmung der
Rückwand (11) eingefügten Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) mit der Rückwand (11) vorgesehen
sind.
10. Haushaltsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass eine an der Aufnahmevorrichtung (20) vorzugsweise angeformte Verschlusskappe (26)
vorgesehen ist, die mittels eines elastischen Verbindungsglieds (27) mit der Aufnahmevorrichtung
(20) verbunden ist.
11. Haushaltsmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass bei der Ausrüstung des Ablasssystems in der Maschine mit einer Saugpumpe (13) der
Ablassschlauch (14) mit dem Ausgang der Saugpumpe (13) verbunden ist.
1. Appareil domestique utilisant de l'eau, tel qu'un lave-linge, un séchoir rotatif,
un lave-vaisselle ou analogue ayant un système de sortie d'eau avec un tube souple
de sortie, le tube souple de sortie étant rangé dans une cavité de l'appareil afin
qu'il puisse être extrait,
caractérisé en ce que
un ensemble de réception (20) ouvert vers l'extérieur et destiné à l'extrémité
libre du tube souple de sortie (14) est formé dans le panneau arrière (11) du boîtier
(10) de l'appareil, l'ensemble de réception ayant une entrée (21) et une sortie (22),
et en ce que
le tube souple de sortie (14) est conduit par l'entrée (21) dans l'ensemble de
réception (20) et est fixé avec son extrémité libre dans une sortie (22) pour le conditionnement,
le stockage et le transport de l'appareil domestique.
2. Appareil domestique selon la revendication 1,
caractérisé en ce que
l'extrémité libre du tube souple de sortie (14) est maintenue dans un support courbe
(16) qui s'étend de l'entrée (21) à la sortie (22) et qui supporte le tube souple
de sortie (14) lorsque l'extrémité libre du tube souple de sortie (14) est fixée dans
l'ensemble de réception (20), et qui ne dépasse pas à l'extérieur de l'ensemble de
réception (20) lorsque le tube de sortie (14) est en place.
3. Appareil domestique selon la revendication 1 ou 2,
caractérisé en ce que
la partie du tube souple de sortie (14) placée dans le boîtier d'appareil (10)
a un organe d'arrêt (15) qui, par choc de l'organe d'arrêt (15) contre l'entrée (21),
limite l'extraction du tube souple de sortis (14) après l'extraction de l'extrémité
libre du tube souple de sortie (14) de l'ensemble de réception (20).
4. Appareil domestique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que
le support (16) possède une patte de suspension (17).
5. Appareil domestique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4,
caractérisé en ce que
des éléments de fixation (25, 28) sont incorporés sur l'ensemble de réception (20),
de préférence sous forme solidaire, pour la fixation du tube souple de sortie (14)
en position de fonctionnement et pour la fixation de la fiche principale du câble
de connexion de l'appareil (30).
6. Appareil domestique selon la revendication 5,
caractérisé en ce que
les éléments de fixation (28) du câble de connexion de l'appareil (30) sont couverts
par l'extrémité du tube souple de sortie (14) avec le support (16) fixé dans l'ensemble
de réception (20).
7. Appareil domestique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6,
caractérisé en ce que
l'entrée (21) et la sortie (22) placées sur l'ensemble de réception (20) sont formées
en une seule pièce.
8. Appareil domestique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7,
caractérisé en ce que
l'ensemble de réception (20) a une entrée (21) et une sortie (22) disposées verticalement
l'une au-dessus de l'autre et dans la région du bord vertical du panneau arrière (11).
9. Appareil domestique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8,
caractérisé en ce que
l'ensemble de réception (20) est muni d'un flasque circonférentiel (29) de fixation
dans lequel sont formés des trous (23, 24) de fixation destinés à raccorder l'ensemble
de réception (20) inséré dans une découpe du panneau arrière (11), au panneau arrière
(11).
10. Appareil domestique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9,
caractérisé en ce que
un capuchon de fermeture (26) de la sortie (22) est disposé sur l'ensemble de réception
(20), en particulier sous forme moulée, sur un organe élastique de raccordement (27).
11. Appareil domestique selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10,
caractérisé en ce que
une pompe d'extraction (13) est disposée dans le système de sortie à l'intérieur
de la machine, et le tube souple de sortie (14) est raccordé à la sortie de la pompe
d'extraction (13).