A DISHWASHER COMPRISING A DOOR LOCK BOLT WITH IMPROVED ASSEMBLY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a cabinet in which kitchenware to be washed are placed, a door enabling access into the washing environment in the cabinet, and a lock bolt enabling the door to be retained at a closed position so as to be opened when desired.

[0002] The dishwasher comprises a cabinet in which kitchenware to be washed are placed, a door enabling access into the cabinet, opening in up-down direction by pivoting about horizontal axis, and a locking tab fixed on the upper side of the cabinet, enabling the door to be releasably locked to the cabinet and to be retained in closed position by engaging a locking orifice provided on the upper portion of the door when the door is closed to start the washing process or to continue an interrupted washing process. In the dishwasher, when the door is closed to start the washing process, the end of the locking tab extending outwards before the cabinet enters into the locking orifice on the door, and enables the door to be locked on the cabinet so as to be easily opened upon being pulled, by means of spring coupling elements provided in the locking orifice. In addition, a micro switch provided in the locking orifice in the door, to which the locking tab contacts when the door is closed, detects whether the door is open or closed, and enables the washing process to be interrupted when the door is opened by a user during washing, and to be continued when the door is closed again. The locking tab is assembled to the cabinet by means of flexible assembly legs passed through an opening on a crossbar provided on the upper-front portion of the cabinet. Each time the dishwasher door is opened, the locking tab is subjected to an expulsion force. Over time, the locking tab may be displaced due to weakening of its material, operational deformations and the impact of said expulsion force. The door is detected as closed when the locking tab is displaced, leading to the risk of the dishwasher operating with a not fully closed door.

[0003] State of the art patent application no. WO2016192795 (A1) relates to a locking tab used in releasably locking a dishwasher door to its body, fixed on the body, and engaging a locking orifice provided on the door when the door is closed. A support block (B) is used in order to prevent displacement of the assembly legs fixing the locking tab to the cabinet, which enhances rigidity of the assembly zone but occupies a large space in the body. It is observed that said support block (B) shown in Figure 2, is not capable of sufficiently inhibiting the assembly legs from approaching each other by flexing, and that the locking tab displaces over time.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to realize a dishwasher comprising a locking tab enabling a door to be retained in closed position, assembled to the cabinet so as not to be displaced.

[0005] The dishwasher realized to achieve the aim of the present invention comprises a door enabling access into the cabinet, opening in up-down direction by pivoting about horizontal axis, and a locking tab fixed on the upper side of the cabinet, enabling the door to be retained in closed position by engaging a locking orifice provided on the upper portion of the door. The locking tab comprises a first leg and a second leg of flexible structure, passed through the opening, enabling the locking tab to be assembled to the crossbar (tie beam) provided on the upper-front side of the cabinet, by means of the retaining extensions on their ends.

[0006] The locking tab used in the dishwasher of the invention comprises a support arm extending in horizontal direction between the flexible first leg and the flexible second leg, connected to the first leg from one of its ends by means of a pin, and whose free end is fixed to the second leg. After engaging the retaining extensions to the crossbar, the support arm whose one end is connected to the first leg, is rotated by the assembly operator, fixing its free end to the second leg by means of a snap fastener mechanism.

[0007] The dishwasher realized to achieve the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a detail of the dishwasher.

Figure 2 is a view from above of a lock bolt of the prior art and its assembly detail.

Figure 3 is a view from above of the lock bolt of the invention and its assembly detail.

[0008] The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

1. Dishwasher

2. Cabinet

3. Door

4. Locking orifice

5. Locking tab

6. Crossbar

7. Opening

8. First leg

9. Second leg

10. Retaining extension

11. Pin

12. Support arm

13. Snap fastener mechanism

14. Socket

15. Stud

B: Support block

[0009] The dishwasher (1) comprises a cabinet (2) in which kitchenware to be washed are placed, a door (3) enabling access into the cabinet (2), opening in up-down direction by pivoting about horizontal axis, a locking tab (5) fixed on the upper side of the cabinet (2), enabling the door (3) to be releasably locked to the cabinet (2) and to be retained in closed position by engaging a locking orifice (4) provided on the upper portion of the door (3) when the door (3) is closed to start the washing process or to continue an interrupted washing process, a crossbar (6) extending in horizontal direction on the upper-front portion of the cabinet (2), and at least one opening (7) provided on the crossbar (6), enabling the locking tab (5) to be fixed (assembled) to the cabinet (2).

[0010] In the dishwasher (1), when the door (3) is closed to start or to continue the washing process, the end of the locking tab (5) extending outwards the cabinet (2) enters into the locking orifice (4) on the door (3), and enables the door (3) to be locked on the cabinet (2) so as to be easily opened upon being pulled by a user, by means of spring coupling elements (not shown in the figures) provided in the locking orifice (4). In addition, a micro switch (not shown in the figures) provided in the door (3), to which the locking tab (5) contacts, detects whether the door (3) is open or closed, and enables the washing process to be interrupted when the door (3) is opened by a user during the washing process to load new items to be washed.

[0011] The locking tab (5) comprises a flexible first leg (8) and a flexible second leg (9) passed through the opening (7), enabling the locking tab (5) to be assembled to the crossbar (6) by means of the retaining extensions (10) on their ends.

[0012] The locking tab (5) of the invention comprises a support arm (12) extending in horizontal direction between the first leg (8) disposed on the left or the right side, and the second leg (9) disposed opposite thereof, connected (pivoted) from one of its ends to the first leg (8) by means of a pin (11) so as to be rotatable about the pin (11) axis, and whose free end is fixed to the second leg (9) (Figure 3).

[0013] In assembling the locking tab (5), after passing the retaining extensions (10) through the opening (7) and engaging them the crossbar (6), the support arm (12) whose one end is connected to the first leg (8), is rotated by the assembly operator, fixing its free end to the second leg (9). The support arm (12) inhibits the first leg (8) and the second leg (9) from approaching each other, thereby preventing the retaining extensions (10) from escaping the opening (7) and therefore the locking tab (5) from being removed from the cabinet (2).

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the locking tab (5) comprises a snap fastener mechanism (13) enabling an end of the support arm (12) to be fixed to the second leg (9). The snap fastener mechanism (13) comprises a socket (14) provided on the second leg (9) and a stud (15) provided on the free end of the support arm (12), enabling fixing the free end of the support arm (12) to be fixed to the second leg (9) by engaging the socket (14) (Figure 3).

[0015] In the dishwasher (1) of the invention, using an apparatus such as the support block (B) is not required anymore, which enhances the rigidity of the zone where the retaining extensions (10) are mounted to inhibit displacement of the locking tab (5), but which occupies a large space in the cabinet (2). The support arm (12) is a piece extending between the first leg (8) and the second leg (9), having a length of 1 to 2 cm and a diameter or width of 3 to 5 mm, and does not occupy a large space in the cabinet (2).

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising a cabinet (2), a door (3) enabling access into the cabinet (2), opening in up-down direction by pivoting about horizontal axis, a locking tab (5) fixed on the upper side of the cabinet (2), enabling the door (3) to be releasably locked to the cabinet (2) and to be retained in closed position by engaging a locking orifice (4) provided on the upper portion of the door (3), a crossbar (6) extending in horizontal direction on the upper-front portion of the cabinet (2), at least one opening (7) provided on the crossbar (6), enabling the locking tab (5) to be fixed to the cabinet (2), and a first leg (8) and a second leg (9) of flexible structure, passed through the opening (7), enabling the locking tab (5) to be assembled to the crossbar (6) by means of retaining extensions (10),

- characterized by the locking tab (5) comprising a support arm (12) extending in horizontal direction between the first leg (8) and the second leg (9), connected from one of its ends to the first leg (8) by means of a pin (11) so as to be rotatable about the pin (11) axis, and whose free end is fixed to the second leg (9).

2. A dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the locking tab (5) comprising a snap fastener mechanism (13) enabling an end of the support arm (12) to be fixed to the second leg (9).

3. A dishwasher (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the snap fastener mechanism (13) comprising a socket (14) provided on the second leg (9) and a stud (15) provided on the free end of the support arm (12), enabling the free end of the support arm (12) to be fixed to the second leg (9) by engaging the socket (14).

Ansprüche

1. Ein Geschirrspüler (1), umfasst einen Schrank (2), eine Tür (3), die den Zugang in den Schrank (2) ermöglicht und sich durch das Schwenken um eine horizontale Achse in Auf-Ab-Richtung öffnet, eine an der Oberseite des Schranks (2) befestigte Verriegelungslasche (5), die es ermöglicht, die Tür (3) lösbar mit dem Schrank (2) zu verriegeln und durch Eingreifen einer vorgesehenen Verriegelungsöffnung (4) in geschlossener Position am oberen Teil der Tür (3) zu halten, eine Querstange (6), die sich in horizontaler Richtung am oberen vorderen Abschnitt des Schranks (2) erstreckt, mindestens eine an der Querstange (6) vorgesehene Öffnung (7), die es ermöglicht, die Verriegelungslasche (5) am Schrank (2) zu befestigen, und ein erster Schenkel (8) und ein zweiter Schenkel (9) mit flexibler Struktur, die durch die Öffnung (7) hindurchgeführt werden und ermöglichen, dass die Verriegelungslasche (5) mit Hilfe von Haltefortsätzen (10) an der Querstange (6) montiert werden kann,
gekennzeichnet ist er durch die Verriegelungslasche (5), die einen sich zwischen dem ersten Schenkel (8) und dem zweiten Schenkel (9) in horizontaler Richtung erstreckenden Tragarm (12) umfasst, der von einem seiner Enden mit dem ersten Schenkel (8) mittels eines Stifts (11) um die Achse des Stifts (11) drehbar und dessen freies Ende am zweiten Schenkel (9) befestigt ist.

2. Ein Geschirrspüler (1), wie in Anspruch 1 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verschlusslasche (5) einen Schnappverschlussmechanismus (13) umfasst, der es ermöglicht, ein Ende des Stützarms (12) an dem zweiten Schenkel (9) zu befestigen.

3. Ein Geschirrspüler (1), wie in Anspruch 1 aufgeführt, ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schnappverschlussmechanismus (13) eine am zweiten Schenkel (9) vorgesehene Buchse (14) und einen am freien Ende des Tragarms (12) vorgesehenen Bolzen (15) umfasst, wodurch das freie Ende des Tragarms (12) durch Einrasten der Buchse (14) am zweiten Bein (9) befestigt wird.

Revendications

1. Un lave-vaisselle (1) comprenant une enceinte (2), une porte (3) permettant l'accès à l'enceinte (2), s'ouvrant dans la direction haut-bas en pivotant autour d'un axe horizontal, une patte de verrouillage (5) fixée sur le côté supérieur de l'enceinte (2), permettant à la porte (3) d'être verrouillée de manière amovible à l'enceinte (2) et d'être retenue en position fermée en engageant un orifice de verrouillage (4) prévu sur la partie supérieure de la porte (3), une traverse (6) s'étendant en direction horizontale sur la partie supérieure frontale de l'enceinte (2), au moins une ouverture (7) prévue sur la traverse (6), permettant de fixer la patte de verrouillage (5) à l'enceinte (2), et une première branche (8) et une seconde branche (9) de structure souple, passées à travers l'ouverture (7), permettant d'assembler la patte de verrouillage (5) à la traverse (6) au moyen d'extensions de retenue (10),
est caractérisé en ce que la patte de verrouillage (5) comprend un bras de support (12) s'étendant dans la direction horizontale entre la première branche (8) et la seconde branche (9), relié par l'une de ses extrémités à la première branche (8) au moyen d'une broche (11) de manière à pouvoir tourner autour de l'axe de la broche (11), et dont l'extrémité libre est fixée à la seconde branche (9).

2. Un lave-vaisselle (1) selon la déclaration 1, est caractérisé en ce que la languette de verrouillage (5) comprend un mécanisme de fixation par encliquetage (13) permettant à une extrémité du bras de support (12) d'être fixée à la seconde branche (9).

3. Un lave-vaisselle (1) selon la déclaration 2, est caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme de fixation par encliquetage (13) comprend une douille (14) prévue sur la seconde branche (9) et un goujon (15) prévu sur l'extrémité libre du bras de support (12), permettant à l'extrémité libre du bras de support (12) d'être fixée à la seconde branche (9) en engageant la douille (14).

Drawing