EP2050860A2

EP2050860A2 - Drum type washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP2050860A2
Application number: EP08166793A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kazunori Maeda; Hiroshi Kajihara
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2007-10-18
Filing date: 2008-10-16
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Also published as: DE202008013979U1; RU2381316C1; CN201284425Y; JP2009095530A; CN101413203A; CN101413203B; JP4475317B2; TWI345012B; TW200934916A

Abstract

The drum type washing machine includes a drum type washing tank (202), a front panel (208) around an inlet (211), a washing machine outer case (201), a front frame reinforcing plate (210), a door body (209), a hinge (214), a detent part (215), and an opening cover. A door body of first layout type (209R) where the hinge is placed at a first side of a perpendicular line passing through the central point of the inlet, and a door body of second layout type (209L) where the hinge is placed at a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the perpendicular line are selectable. The plane shape of the front frame reinforcing plate (210), opening cover and door body (209) is formed of different symmetrical components to the central point in the door body of first layout type and the door body of second layout type. The washing machine outer case (201) and the front panel (208) are formed of same components in the door body of first layout type and the door body of second layout type.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drum type washing machine provided with a clothes inlet opened and closed by a door disposed at the front side of a washing machine outer case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, in the drum type washing machine of this kind, the clothes inlet for putting in and out the clothes in the drum is formed at the front side of the washing machine outer case, and a lateral opening door (door body) for opening and closing the clothes inlet is provided in the outer case. In an ordinary drum type washing machine, the door is designed in the left-opening specification, but in a general household, due to limits in the place of installation, when the door is opened to the left side, the user's standing position may not be provided at the opening side. As a countermeasure, a drum type washing machine designed to be opened to the right side or left side selectively in the manufacturing process is known.
FIG. 5 is a perspective outline view of a conventional drum type washing machine disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-195859 . Clothes inlet 1b of nearly circular shape is formed at front side 1a of outer case 1 of a drum type washing machine. Clothes inlet 1b is opened and closed by door (door body) 2 free to revolve in the lateral direction by means of hinge mechanism 60, and operation button 8 for releasing door 2 in closed state is provided at the right side of door 2.
FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of outer case structure of a conventional drum type washing machine. Outer case 1 is essentially composed of a symmetrical pair of left side plate 101 and right side plate 102, front frame reinforcing plate 103, front part reinforcing plate 104 stretched and fixed between front edge lower parts, and upper front part reinforcing plate 105 stretched and fixed between upper edge front parts. Specifically, front frame reinforcing plate 103 is stretched and fixed between front edge upper parts of left side plate 101 and right side plate 102, and serves also as a mounting frame of door 2. Clothes inlet 1b is formed in the center of front frame reinforcing plate 103.
Door 2 is mounted on front frame reinforcing plate 103 formed of a material of relatively high strength such as steel plate. The mounting state of door 2 is in right-opening specification for opening door 2 from the right side as seen in a front view of door 2 in both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Herein, door 2 is designed to be selectable between the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification in the manufacturing process.
FIG. 7A is a door front view of a conventional drum type washing machine, and FIG. 7B is a schematic top view showing the opening and closing structure of the door (door body) of the conventional drum type washing machine. As shown in FIG. 7A, door 2 has a rectangular shape in a front view. Door main body 51 is essentially composed of door frame body 52 having a circular opening formed in the center, see-through window body 53 formed of a transparent member such as heat-resistant glass provided in the opening of door frame body 52, and door cover part 54 formed of a synthetic resin covering the front side of see-through window body 53 being nearly circular and translucent in the center and opaque in the circumference. As a result, a see-through window is formed in the center of door 2, and if door 2 is closed, the inside of the washing machine can be seen through by way of this see-through window.
In the straight part in longitudinal direction of the edge at one side of door main body 51 (the left side in the right-opening specification), that is, at the left side of the rectangular shape in FIG. 7A, hinge arm mounting parts 63a for mounting one end of hinge arm 63 in arc shape in FIG. 7B are provided above and below at two positions. Other end of hinge arm 63 is fixed to the reverse side of door frame body 52 by screws or the like.
On the other hand, in the straight part in longitudinal direction of the edge at one side of door main body 51 at the opposite side of hinge arm mounting part 63a, at the right side of the rectangular shape in FIG. 7A, hook 55 of crooked shape as fixing part and working body receiving part 56 are formed. Herein, hook 55 is provided to project backward from door frame body 52 on horizontal central line F passing through central point G of the circular opening of door frame body 52. Working body receiving part 56 is formed nearly at symmetrical positions above and beneath hook 55 to be engaged with door latch mechanism 70 of the outer case side.
Door 2 has a nearly upper and lower symmetrical shape to horizontal central line F. That is, the positions of two hinge arm mounting parts 63a, and two working body receiving parts 56 are nearly equal intervals vertically from horizontal central line F, and hook 55 is positioned on horizontal central line F.
Therefore, if door 2 is turned upside down by rotating 180 degrees (turning upside down) on the nearly perpendicular plane passing central point G, in appearance, it is same as when door 2 is turned right and left from vertical line F'.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing a mounting structure of front frame reinforcing plate in a conventional drum type washing machine. Front frame reinforcing plate 103 is formed of steel plate or the like, and circular opening 41 corresponding to clothes inlet 1b in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is formed in the center. At both ends of front frame reinforcing plate 103, mounting parts 44 slender in longitudinal direction are formed. Front frame reinforcing plate 103 is fixed to a flange formed at the front edge of left side plate 101 and right side plate 102 of outer case 1 in mounting parts 44.
In the right-opening specification of door 2, hinge fitting part 42 for mounting hinge mechanism 60 including hinge arm 63 is provided between mounting part 44 positioned at the left side and opening 41. Between mounting part 44 positioned at the right side and opening 41, door latch fitting part 43 is provided for mounting door latch mechanism 70 for locking hook 55 provided in door 2.
The outer shape of front frame reinforcing plate 103 is nearly symmetrical above and beneath horizontal central line F, and the positions of hinge fitting part 42 and door latch fitting part 43 are similarly symmetrical above and beneath horizontal central line F.
Therefore, if front frame reinforcing plate 103 is turned 180 degrees on the nearly perpendicular plane passing central point G same as door 2, in appearance, it is same as when front frame reinforcing plate 103 is turned right and left from vertical line F'. When door 2 is assembled in front frame reinforcing plate 103, by turning 180 degrees on the nearly perpendicular plane passing central point G as mentioned above, the right-opening specification is changed to the left-opening specification.
However, when door 2 is turned 180 degrees, positions of screw holes or the like for bundling and fixing front frame reinforcing plate 103, left side plate 101, and right side plate 102 may be deviated due to manufacturing errors or the like, and correct assembling may be difficult.
In the prior art, therefore, instead of sharing the mounting holes, from the beginning, the mounting screw positions are manufactured separately for the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification of door 2. That is, front frame reinforcing plate 103 is manufactured by using different dies for the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification of door 2. To distinguish the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, punch marks 45 are provided, such as screw hole 44R for the right-opening specification and screw hole 44L for the left-opening specification.
In such conventional configuration, however, between the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification of door 2, fixing positions of front frame reinforcing plate 103, and a pair of left side plate 101 and right side plate 102 of outer case 1 are different. In a general production line, the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification of door 2 are often manufactured in the same position line, and the working positions are not stable if the mounting positions are different, and setting for automation of drilling of screw holes or the like is complicated, and the productivity is lowered.
Besides, in the assembled state of front frame reinforcing plate 103, left side plate 101 and right side plate 102, by composing outer case 1 of drum type washing machine, strength and vibration-proof structure should be demanded. Accordingly, in the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification of door 2, the rigidity of outer case 1 should not be different depending on the mounting position of door 2. It was hence forced to increase the number of screws for bundling and fixing, or make other proper measures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The drum type washing machine of the present invention includes a drum type washing tank for containing and washing clothes, a front panel around an inlet as an opening for putting in and out the clothes, a washing machine outer case incorporating the drum type washing tank together with the front panel, a front frame reinforcing plate disposed between the front panel and the drum type washing tank, a door body for opening and closing the inlet, a hinge for holding the door body rotatably, a detent part for fixing the door body in a closed state, and an opening cover formed at the peripheral edge of the inlet of the front panel A door body of first layout type where the hinge is placed at a first side of a perpendicular line passing through the central point of the inlet, and a door body of second layout type where the hinge is placed at a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the perpendicular line are selectable. The plane shape of the front frame reinforcing plate, opening cover and door body is formed of different symmetrical components to the central point in the door body of first layout type and the door body of second layout type The washing machine outer case and the front panel are formed of same components in the door body of first layout type and the door body of second layout type.
By this configuration, fixing of front frame reinforcing plate and washing machine outer case is achieved at the same position regardless of right-opening specification or left-opening specification of the door body, the strength of the washing machine outer case is assured by a minimum limit of mounting screws, and the mounting operations can be automated easily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum type washing machine in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is an outline view of right-opened door body of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 2B is a front view of mounting structure of front frame reinforcing plate of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 3A is an outline view of left-opened door body of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 3B is a front view of mounting structure of front frame reinforcing plate of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of door body portion of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 5 is a perspective outline view of a conventional drum type washing machine.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of outer case structure of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 7A is a front view of door of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 7B is a schematic top view of opening and closing structure of door (door body) of the same drum type washing machine.
FIG. 8 is a front view of mounting structure of front frame reinforcing plate of the same drum type washing machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is specifically described below while referring to the accompanying drawings. It must be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated preferred embodiment alone.

(Preferred Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drum type washing machine in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The inside of washing machine outer case 201 incorporates water tank 203 for rotatably supporting drum type washing tank 202 which contains and washes clothes. On the outer bottom of water tank 203, vibration-proof device 204 is disposed, and the entire structure of water tank 203 is supported and protected from vibration by the bottom of washing machine outer case 201. Motor 205 is affixed to the outer bottom of water tank 203, and its rotation is transmitted to rotary shaft 207 by way of belt 206, and washing and dewatering are operated by rotation of drum type washing tank 202.
The front side of washing machine outer case 201 (the left side in FIG. 1) is provided with front panel 208 for covering nearly the entire front side of washing machine outer case 201, and door body 209 of nearly circular shape for releasing and closing inlet 211 is provided in the center of front panel 208 so as to be free to open and close. Between door body 209 and front panel 208, and drum type washing tank 202, front frame reinforcing plate 210 formed of steel plate or the like is fixed and disposed on washing machine outer case 201.
At the side of door body 209 of water tank 203, inlet 211 is formed as an opening for putting in and out the clothes. Between inlet 211 and the peripheral edge of front panel opening 212 formed nearly in the center of front frame reinforcing plate 210, door body 209 manufactured of rubber or other elastic material is coupled water-tightly by means of nearly cylindrical bellows 213 having a bent part. Herein, front panel 208 is a panel around inlet 211. Front panel 208 and washing machine outer case 201 incorporate drum type washing tank 202 together.
Therefore, the oscillation of water tank 203 caused by rotary motions of drum type washing tank 202 is absorbed by vibration-proof device 204 and bellows 213 so as to support and protect from vibration.
The opening and closing structure of door body 209 is explained by referring to FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B. FIG. 2A is an outline view of right-opened door body of the drum type washing machine in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a front view of mounting structure of front frame reinforcing plate of the same drum type washing machine. In the drawings, letters R and L are attached to the end of reference numerals of components such as door body 209R or door body 209L, which is intended to display the right-opening specification and the left-opening specification clearly, and the functions are identical in door body 209 regardless of right-opening specification and left-opening specification.
In FIG. 2A, in right-opening door body 209R for closing or releasing inlet 211, one or a plurality of hinges 214 are affixed at the left side as seen from the front side, and detent part 215 is provided at the right side. Herein, hinge 214 holds right-opening door body 209R rotatably nearly in horizontal direction, and detent part 215 stops right-opening door body 209R in closed state.
On the outer circumference of right-opening door body 209R, opening cover in ring shape for right 218R is disposed ahead of front panel 208 as opening cover, and door body opening and closing button for right 216R is provided as door body opening and closing button is provided in right notch part 219R partly cutting open in opening cover in ring shape for right 218R above right of right-opening door body 209R. Further, door body opening and closing button for right 216R forms a part of detent part 215, and selects the closed state or the released state of inlet 211. Specifically, opening cover in ring shape for right 218R is formed in the peripheral edge of inlet 211 of front panel 208.
The inside of front panel 208 is provided with front panel reinforcing plate for right 210R as front frame reinforcing plate indicated by dotted line, and its right flange portion is affixed to the right edge of washing machine outer case 201.
In FIG. 2B, front panel reinforcing plate for right 210R is formed nearly in a plane shape, hinge 214 is affixed to the left side on the sheet of paper, and the peripheral edge of front frame opening 212 for fixing the outer circumference of bellows 213 is formed nearly in the center. Above right of the sheet of paper, door body opening and closing button for right 216R is disposed, and at the right side surface, detent device 217 acting on detent part 215 coupled to door body opening and closing button for right 216R is disposed.
Affixing of front panel reinforcing plate for right 210R and washing machine outer case 201 achieved by positioning and mounting edge part 231R of front panel reinforcing plate for right 210R to flange part 229 of washing machine outer case 201, and tightening by a plurality of screws 230.
FIG. 3A is an outline view of left-opened door body of the drum type washing machine in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a front view of mounting structure of front frame reinforcing plate of the same drum type washing machine. In FIG. 3A, left-opening door body 209L has one or a plurality of hinges 214 affixed to the right side as seen from the front side, and has detent part 215 provided at the left side. Herein, hinges 214 hold left-opening door body 209L rotatably in nearly horizontal direction, and detent part 215 stops left-opening door body 209L in closed state.
On the outer circumference of left-opening door body 209L, opening cover in ring shape for left 218L as opening cover is disposed ahead of front panel 208, and in notch part for left 219L partly cutting off opening cover in ring shape for left 218L left above left-opening door body 209L, door body opening and closing button for left 216L is provided as door body opening and closing button. Door body opening and closing button for left 216L forms a part of detent part 215, and selects the closed state or released state of inlet 211. Opening cover in ring shape for left 218L is formed on the peripheral edge of inlet 211 of front panel 208.
The inside of front panel 208 is provided with front panel reinforcing plate for left 210L as front panel reinforcing plate indicated by dotted line, and its left flange portion is affixed to the left edge part of washing machine outer case 201.
In FIG. 3B, front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L is formed nearly in a plane shape, and hinge 214 is affixed to the right side on the sheet of paper, and the peripheral edge part of front frame opening 212 for fixing the outer circumference of bellows 213 is formed nearly in the center. Left above on the sheet of paper, door body opening and closing button for left 216L is disposed, and at the left side surface, detent device 217 acting on detent part 215 coupled to door body opening and closing button for left 216L is disposed.
Affixing of front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L and washing machine outer case 201 is achieved by positioning edge part 231L of front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L to flange part 229 of washing machine outer case 201, and tightening a plurality of screws 230. The tightening position of screws 230 is common in left-opening type and right-opening type of door body 209.
Explanation of affixing of front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L and washing machine outer case 201 relates to the right side in FIG. 3B, but the mounting manner is the same in the left side flange part.
FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of door body portion of the drum type washing machine in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a right-opening door body. On the outer circumference of right-opening door body 209R disposed on the upside of front panel 208, opening cover in ring shape for right 218R is disposed, and above the right side, notch part for right 219R of opening cover in ring shape for right 218R provided with door body opening and closing button for right 216R is formed. Meanwhile, door body opening and closing button for right 216R is composed on front frame reinforcing plate for right 210R disposed inside of front panel 208, and is not related to front panel 208.
Outward of the peripheral edge of front frame opening 212 of front frame reinforcing plate for right 210R, hinge mounting part for right 220R for supporting hinge 214 is provided at the left side, and hinge cover plate for right 221R is disposed from the front side so as to cover hinge mounting part for right 220R.
Next, the shape of front frame reinforcing plate for right 210R shown in FIG. 2B and front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L shown in FIG. 3B is explained. The plane shape of front frame reinforcing plate for right 210R and front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L is formed in a symmetrical shape about central point K of front frame opening 212 and inelt 211 in the central part. Front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L or front frame reinforcing plate for right 210R is formed by pressing a steel plate or the like. Accordingly, procurement of materials, and "total blanking pressing process" in the first process of pressing process are common for left-opening type and right-opening type of door body 209. The subsequent processes such as drilling, bending and finishing are different in left-opening type and right-opening type of door body 209 by using different dies.
In the drum type washing machine having such configuration, the operation, action and effect are explained below.
Door body 209 of nearly circular shape is composed in ring-shaped opening cover 218, and is selectable between first layout type in which hinge 214 is disposed at the left side, that is, the first side of perpendicular line 250 passing the central point of inlet 211, and second layout type in which hinge 214 is disposed at the right side, that is, the second side of perpendicular line 250 at the opposite side of the first side. The plane shape of front frame reinforcing plate 210, ring-shaped opening cover 218, and door body 209 is formed of different symmetrical components to central point K of inlet 211, respectively in the right-opening type and the left-opening type of door body 209. Washing machine outer case 201 and front panel 208 are formed of same components in the right-opening type and the left-opening type of door body 209.
Door body opening and closing button for right 216R and door body opening and closing button for left 216L may be respectively disposed on notch part for right 219R and notch part for left 219L at upper positions from the central horizontal line of door body 209 of nearly circular shape.
Front frame reinforcing plate for right 210R and front frame reinforcing plate for left 210L may be formed by pressing steel plates, and door body 209 of first layout type and door body 209 of second layout type may be formed in identical overall outer shape.
Accordingly, fixing of front frame reinforcing plate 210 and washing machine outer case 201 is determined at the same position regardless of the left-opening type or right-opening type of door body 209. Since the strength of washing machine outer case 201 is assured by a minimum limit of mounting screws, the strength of mounting parts of front frame reinforcing plate 210 and washing machine outer case 201 receiving vibrations from water tank 203 through bellows 213 is similarly assured in the left-opening type and right-opening type of door body 209, and the mounting operation can be easily automated.
Besides, since door body opening and closing button 216 is disposed in notch part 219 of ring-shaped opening cover 218 at a position above the central horizontal line of door body 209 of nearly circular shape, door body opening and closing button 216 can be disposed at an upper position, and it can be easily handled by the user. Moreover, the position of door body opening and closing button 216 is formed on the circumference of ring-shaped opening cover 218, and can be freely disposed on the circumference only by changing corresponding front frame reinforcing plate 210, and the degree of freedom of design is enhanced.
Front frame reinforcing plate 210 is formed by pressing steel plates, and formed in the same overall outer shape in the left-opening type and the right-opening type of door body 209, and the processing preparation process of front frame reinforcing plates formed by pressing steel plates, the die for total blanking process, and the processing job are common, and the material procurement is simplified, and the productivity is enhanced.
The ring-shaped opening cover 218 and door body 209 are shown in circular shape, but the shape is not particularly specified, and, for example, the outer shape may be formed nearly straightly.

Claims

A drum type washing machine comprising:
a drum type washing tank for containing and washing clothes;

a front panel around an inlet as an opening for putting in and out the clothes;

a washing machine outer case incorporating the drum type washing tank together with the front panel;

a front frame reinforcing plate disposed between the front panel and the drum type washing tank;

a door body for opening and closing the inlet;

a hinge for holding the door body rotatably;

a detent part for fixing the door body in a closed state;

and an opening cover formed at the peripheral edge of the inlet of the front panel,

wherein a door body of first layout type where the hinge is placed at a first side of a perpendicular line passing through the central point of the inlet, and a door body of second layout type where the hinge is placed at a second side opposite to the first side with respect to the perpendicular line are selectable,

the plane shape of the front frame reinforcing plate, opening cover and door body is formed of different symmetrical components to the central point in the door body of first layout type and the door body of second layout type, and

the washing machine outer case and the front panel are formed of same components in the door body of first layout type and the door body of second layout type.
The drum type washing machine of claim 1,
wherein the opening cover has a notch part being partly cut out, and a door body opening and closing button, which forms a part of the detent part and selects the closed state or a released state of the inlet, is disposed in the notch part at a higher position than the central horizontal line of the door body.
The drum type washing machine of claim 1 or 2,
wherein the front frame reinforcing plate is formed by pressing a steel plate, and
an overall outer shape of the door body of first layout type and an overall outer shape of the door body of second layout type are formed in an identical shape.