EP2732088B1 - Loading door for a laundry treatment machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention is in the field of commercial or domestic appliances that serve exclusively or in addition to other functions (multi-purpose machine) for treating, in particular washing and / or drying, laundry or other objects and are generally referred to as laundry treatment machines.

The invention relates to a loading door for a laundry treatment machine with a door frame and a decorative ring which is releasably connectable by means of corresponding door frame-side and decorating ring-side connecting elements with the door frame, wherein the connecting elements pass through a rotational movement of the Dekorrings relative to the door frame in connecting engagement, a further rotational movement the Dekorrings relative to the door frame, the connecting elements disengages again and at least one releasable fixing element, if necessary, prevents further rotation.

From the Scriptures DE 10 2005 023 445 A1 goes out a loading door, which is connected via a hinge to the housing of a clothes dryer and can be pivoted to open and thus to release a feed opening of the clothes dryer to the substantially vertical pivot axis of the hinge. The loading door comprises a door frame with an undercut on which a decorative ring is releasably held by means of a locking rib.

From the German patent DE 101 37 918 C1 goes out a generic loading door for a front-loading drum washing machine. On the laundry drum facing door inside a bullseye is attached. The door is connected to the housing of the washing machine via two hinges located in the left edge area of the inside of the door. On the outside of the door a facing plate (decorative plate) is arranged to the front panel of the machine housing, which has bores for receiving the hinge cups. For positioning and fixing the Portauges a retaining ring is provided with locking elements, the locking elements slide according to the principle of the bayonet lock upon rotation of the retaining ring under corresponding, inside door locking elements. This spans the retaining ring the porthole on the inside of the loading door. On the outer circumference of the retaining ring a plurality of detents are arranged, which serve for attachment of a suitable tool for rotating the retaining ring. In the locked state, a subsequently mounted locking pin engages in such a detent form fit.

To adapt to the respective installation or installation conditions of the laundry treating machine, it may be desirable that the hinge stop can be changed from one to the other side of the door. For this purpose, nothing is stated in the cited Offenlegungsschriften.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide a loading door for a laundry treatment machine, in which the decorative ring can be mounted and dismounted by the operator or user very simple and low effort, for example, a hinge change or a hinge stop change or a change of Easy to make deco ringings.

This object is achieved by a loading door with the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject de dependent claims, the following description and attached drawings.

Accordingly, according to the invention, the connecting elements pass through a rotational movement of the Dekorrings relative to the door frame in connecting engagement, a further rotational movement of the Dekorrings relative to the door frame brings the connecting elements again disengaged and the at least one releasable fixing prevents, if necessary, the further rotational movement. It is provided that the door frame has a first matched to the dimensions of the fixing receptacle into which the fixing element is inserted, and that the fixing element is a connectable to the door frame hinge holder.

As a result, a very simple assembly and disassembly of the decorative ring is possible without about special tools or many and / or simultaneously executed handles are required. The rotational movement can be easily done with one hand, so that the other hand is available for further assembly / disassembly handling.

Thus, advantageously, the user or operator of the laundry treatment machine with a reduced number of mounting parts easily perform a hinge change yourself and little effort.

Particularly preferably, the connecting elements can be designed in the manner of a so-called bayonet closure. Under bayonet is to be understood in a conventional manner, an easily detachable connection of two substantially tubular or circular cylindrical parts after the manner in which bayonets were originally attached to rifles. The connection is essentially via a plug-in rotary movement: The two parts to be joined are set and approximately perpendicular to the insertion direction are elongated elevations or corresponding elevations and / or recesses on both parts at the junction - in the context of the present invention generally as Designated connecting elements - provided.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting elements are each formed by at least one projection and a projection (in the engaged position) receiving recess. These may be, for example, webs arranged at different levels on the decorative ring or on the door frame, which engage one another in the engaged position with their respective free end faces and thus prevent an axial removal of the decorative ring from the feed door frame. Also conceivable, however, are, for example, substantially L-shaped or U-shaped receptacles in which cooperating webs, noses or projections of the connection partner can be brought into engagement by the rotational movement. In the further - preferably executed in the opposite direction of rotation of the first rotational movement - rotational movement, the connecting elements then come back out of engagement and allow easy removal of the decorative ring.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a plurality of connecting elements are arranged distributed over the circumference of the door frame and correspondingly over the circumference of the decorative ring.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is that on the opposite side of the door frame to the recording substantially the same shape further recording is provided.

It is particularly advantageous if a further fixing element is provided in the further receptacle and configured such that it is, if necessary, exchangeable for the hinge holder. Thus, in a hinge stop change namely only on the respective current hinge side, the hinge holder and the hinge receiving side of the loading door is not required can be filled with the further fixing element. At the same time this increases the reliability of the decorative ring fixation.

This embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous when the decorative ring, e.g. due to design specifications only one place contains clearances for the hinge arms. These are then desired only on the current hinge side, including the decorative ring should be mounted rotated by 180 ° depending on the hinge side.

In order to ensure during assembly for a correct fit and a simple advance direction of the fixing or fixing and at the same time ensure a highly reliable prevention of further rotation between decorative ring and door frame, is provided according to a preferred embodiment of the invention that the fixing at least one form element has, which engages in at least one shape element of the decorative ring while preventing rotation.

From a handling point of view, an embodiment of the invention is particularly preferred in which the fixing element or elements are connected to the door frame by a screw connection, a plug connection and / or a latching connection.

In addition, an embodiment of the invention is preferred in which the further fixing element additionally has an actuating or locking element.

Figur 1

eine Beschickungstür in Explosionsdarstellung vor der Montage,

Figur 2

ausschnittweise den Bereich A aus Figur 1 in vergrößerter Darstellung,

Figur 3

die Beschickungstür nach Figur 1 in teilmontiertem Zustand,

Figur 4

eine Beschickungstür in montiertem Zustand und

Figur 5

alternativ ausgestaltete Verbindungselemente einer Beschickungstür.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or functionally identical elements are each provided with the same reference numerals in the figures of the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1

a loading door in exploded view before assembly,

FIG. 2

a section of the area A from FIG. 1 in an enlarged view,

FIG. 3

the loading door after FIG. 1 in partially assembled condition,

FIG. 4

a loading door in the assembled state and

FIG. 5

alternatively designed connecting elements of a loading door.

FIG. 1 shows a loading door, for example, in a laundry treatment machine according to the Scriptures DE 10 2005 043 769 A1 , to which reference is made to the full extent, may be used. Under a laundry treatment machine is present in particular a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a tumble dryer to understand. The material to be treated is introduced through a feed opening in the laundry treatment machine or taken from this, wherein the feed opening is closed by the loading door.

The loading door 1 is in FIG. 1 shown for better illustration in substantially horizontal orientation; when installed, the door is in a vertical orientation so that the axis of rotation defined by the hinge (not shown) extends substantially vertically between the loading door and the laundry treating machine. The loading door 1 comprises a door frame 2 which carries a sight glass 3 with a curvature 4 pointing into the treatment space of the laundry treatment machine (not shown).

A decorative ring 5 can be detachably connected to the door frame 2 via connecting elements which are described in more detail below in detail. The decorative ring 5 has in its peripheral edge 6 clearances 8, 9, engage by the arms of a (not shown) door hinge. In addition, a further recess 10 is provided in the edge 6, through which a recessed grip 12 formed in the door frame 2 is accessible. This is used in very elegant design for gripping or opening and closing the loading door. At the in FIG. 1 lower edge of the door frame 2 are distributed over the circumference 14 of the door frame distributed a plurality of connecting elements 15. The door frame side connecting elements 15 cooperate with each other during assembly with complementary trained connecting elements 16 which are located in a corresponding distribution on the inner periphery 18 of the edge 6 of the decorative ring 5.

Further shows FIG. 1 an insert or first fixing element 20, which, designed as a molded part, fits into a receptacle 21 in the door frame 2 that is exactly matched to the dimensions of the fixing element. In the fixing member 20 can be seen passageways 22, 23 for hinge arms of said hinge, not shown. The fixing element 20 also has a gap or groove 24, which cooperates with a corresponding rib 26 on the inside of the edge 6 of the decorative ring 5 in the manner explained below.

On the opposite side of the door frame 2 to the receptacle 20 is substantially the same shape recess or receptacle 27 is provided. In this fits the fixing member 20 in a similar manner as in the receptacle 21. In the in FIG. 1 illustrated configuration, the hinge is to be located on the left side of the drawing sheet, so that in the receptacle 27 optionally provided space 28 for receiving the hinge is filled by a further fixing element 30 which is formed in its dimensions essential for the space 28 as well as the fixing 20. However, it additionally has an actuation or locking element 31.

To connect the fixing member 20 with the door frame 2 are screws 35 which into corresponding threads in connecting pins 38, 39 (a third connecting pin is in the view of FIG. 1 not visible) can be screwed. Corresponding screws 40 are used to fix the further fixing element 30 by means of door frame-side connecting pins 41, 42 with corresponding threaded holes.

During assembly of the loading door, the door frame 2 is first placed in the direction of the arrow 45 on the decorative ring 5 in such a way that the cooperating connecting elements 15, 16 are positioned close to each other. For this purpose, pre-positioning aids known per se in the form of webs or bevels or also optical markings can be provided.

Subsequently, a relative rotational movement 46 of the door frame 2 to the decorative ring 5 in the direction of rotation 47 (see also Figures 2 and 3 ). The angle of rotation Depending on the configuration of the connecting elements, this rotational movement 46 is advantageously only a few degrees.

The in FIG. 2 in an enlarged view shown detail in the direction of the area A of FIG. 1 illustrates possible embodiments of the connecting elements 15, 16. In this embodiment, the connecting elements 15 are formed as approximately pocket-shaped recesses in the edge of the door frame 2. The cooperating connecting elements 16 of the decorative ring 5 are approximately L-shaped or designed in the form of a lying on one leg "U". When related to FIG. 1 described assembly, the cooperating fasteners (for example, 15 'and 16') positioned in the immediate vicinity and get in the rotational movement 46 of the door frame 2 relative to the decorative ring 5 into engagement by the free leg 51 of the respective connecting element 16 behind a web or bottom 52nd of the connecting element 15 passes. This door frame 2 and decorative ring 5 are pre-connected or pre-fixed with each other. Due to the design of the connecting elements 15, 16, the relative rotational movement 46 is also limited in the direction of rotation 47 to a few degrees, namely until the end of the free leg 51 rests against the wall 53 of the connecting element 15.

FIG. 3 shows the loading door 1, after the door frame and decorative ring are already connected to each other and pre-fixed by the connecting elements as described above. For this purpose, the door frame 2 was rotated as described in the direction of rotation 47 relative to the decorative ring 5. In this position, the fixing element 20 and the further fixing element 30 can now be inserted vertically into the respective door frame-side receptacle 21 and 28 and fixed with the screws 35, 40. In this case, the groove 24 engages with the decor ring-side rib 26. In a corresponding manner, a non-visible groove of the further fixing member 30 and a receiving-side rib with the prevention of a rotational movement cooperate.

FIG. 4 shows the loading door 1 in the assembled state, wherein the fixing elements 20, 30 are screwed by means of screws 35, 40 with the door frame 2. This is a further rotation 48 in the direction of rotation 49 (ie, opposite to the direction of rotation 47) reliably prevented. In a need-based hinge stop change (see also FIG. 3 ) from the left side to the right side of the loading door 1 would that (not shown) hinge and the fixing elements 20, 30 only exchange their positions.

In an asymmetrical design of the engagement recess 12, it may be desirable to rotate the decorative ring by 180 ° to make accessible only the respectively used, formed in the door frame 2 recessed grip and the (asymmetric) other recessed grip with the edge 6 of the decorative ring 5 to conceal. The same could apply if the decorative ring is provided with respect to its orientation decor elements or lettering. Again, this is possible for the user of a laundry treatment machine with the loading door according to the invention simply by the fact that with remote fixing elements 20, 30 by the then possible further, relatively small rotational movement 48 in the direction of rotation 49, the connecting elements 15, 16 (FIG. FIGS. 1 and 2 ) dissolved and the decorative ring can be repositioned in the desired manner.

FIG. 5 shows - before they are connected - a door frame 2 and a decorative ring 5, which are configured substantially in the manner described above. However, alternative possibilities of connecting elements are shown, which also realize a connection in the manner of a bayonet lock 59. For this purpose, for example, on the inner side 60 of the edge 6 of the decoration ring 5, first webs 62 and / or receptacles 63 configured in the form of an inverted "L" can be provided. Under the webs 62 corresponding webs 66 can reach into the connecting position by means of a rotational movement of the door frame in the direction of rotation 65 and / or be picked up by the receptacles 63. By a further rotational movement which, if the first rotational movement in the direction of rotation 65 is limited by stops or the like, in the opposite direction of rotation 70, otherwise continued in the direction of rotation 65 - reach the webs 62, 66 again disengaged from the corresponding connecting elements.

In the loading door presented here, the door frame-side and decor ring-side connecting elements allow a readily detachable connection of decorative ring 5 and door frame 2 by the connecting elements reach by a rotational movement of the decorative ring relative to the door frame in connecting engagement. By the releasable fixing member 20, 30, a further rotational movement is prevented in the assembled state, so that a very simple, yet very reliable connection of the door frame and decorative ring is guaranteed. When the fixing element is removed again, the further rotational movement of the decorative ring relative to the door frame allows a simple disengagement of the connecting elements and thus a simple removal or removal of the decorative ring. This is easily possible in particular when changing the hinge, hinge stop change or when replacing defective or damaged decoration rings or decor ring adaptation to respective design specifications and can also be made by the user or customer. This is achieved by the cooperating in the manner of a bayonet joint fasteners particularly easy to handle.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

loading door

2

doorframe

3

sight glass

4

bulge

5

decorative ring

6

edge

8, 9

clearances

10

another recess

12

grip

14

scope

15, 15 '

fasteners

16, 16 '

fasteners

18

inner circumference

20

first fixing element

21

admission

22, 23

Passage spaces

24

groove

26

rib

27

admission

28

room

30

another fixing element

31

locking element

35

screw

38, 39

connecting pins

40

screw

41, 42

connecting pins

45

arrow

46

rotational motion

47

direction of rotation

48

further rotation

49

direction of rotation

51

leg

52

ground

53

wall

59

bayonet catch

60

inside

61

edge

62

first bridges

63

Recordings

65

direction of rotation

66

Stege

68

further rotation

70

direction of rotation

A

Area

Claims (9)

1. Loading door (1) for a laundry treatment machine, having a door frame (2) and a decorative ring (5), which can be detachably connected to the door frame (2) by means of corresponding door-frame-side (15) and decorative-ring-side connecting elements (16), wherein the connecting elements (15, 16) enter into a connecting engagement through a rotary movement (46) of the decorative ring (5) relative to the door frame (2), a further rotary movement (48) of the decorative ring (5) relative to the door frame (2) brings the connecting elements (15, 16) out of engagement again and at least one detachable fixing element (20) prevents the further rotary movement (48) if necessary,
   characterised in that
   the door frame (2) has a first recess (21) adjusted to the dimensions of the fixing element (20), into which the fixing element (20) can be inserted, and the fixing element (20) is a hinge bracket which can connect to the door frame (2).
2. Loading door according to claim 1, characterised in that the connecting elements (15, 16) are embodied as a type of bayonet catch (59).
3. Loading door according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connecting elements (15, 16) are each formed by at least one projection (66) and a recess (63) accommodating the projection.
4. Loading door according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that a plurality of connecting elements (15) are disposed in a distributed manner around the circumference (14) of the door frame (2) and correspondingly around the circumference (18) of the decorative ring (5).
5. Loading door according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a recess (27) that has essentially the same shape as the recess (20) is provided on the opposing side of the door frame (2).
6. Loading door according to claim 5, characterised in that a further fixing element (30) is provided in the recess (27) and is embodied such that it can be exchanged for the hinge bracket (20) if necessary.
7. Loading door according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fixing element (20) has at least one form element (24) into which at least one form element (26) of the decorative ring (5) engages so as to prevent a rotary movement.
8. Loading door according to at least one of claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the fixing element or elements (20, 30) are connected to the door frame (2) by a screw connection, a plug-in connection and/or a snap-on connection.
9. Loading door according to at least one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the further fixing element (30) additionally has an actuation or locking element (31).

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