EP3003116B1 - Connection arrangement, especially for a household appliance - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection arrangement, in particular for a household appliance.

The publication WO 2008/125472 A1 discloses a method for producing a washing container, in particular for dishwashers, in which an upper part, which comprises at least one or two side walls and / or a rear wall, is placed on a base forming the bottom of the washing container, the upper part and the base are connected to one another, and a seal is inserted between the top and the base. Before placing the top on the base and connecting the top to the base and before inserting the gasket, at least one protrusion securing the gasket in place later is formed. The publication WO 2008/125472 A1 discloses a connection arrangement, in particular for a household appliance, with a seal, a first component which has a U-shaped channel, and a second component which has a U-shaped contour in a first direction in the U-shaped channel the first component is spread apart and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the seal against the U-shaped channel of the first component for a fluidic seal between the first component and the second component presses, wherein the U-shaped contour of the second component has a first , second and third portions, and wherein the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component forms a free end of the second component.

Furthermore, the publication also discloses WO 2007/048697 A1 a connection arrangement for a dishwasher. The disclosed connection arrangement comprises a frame part made of plastic and a container shell made of sheet metal, which are connected to each other via welding pins. The welding pins are formed on the frame part and are inserted through holes in the container shell. Thereafter, the welding pins are reshaped and thus ensure a positive connection between the frame part and the container casing. Between the container shell and the frame part, a sealing element is arranged, which seals these against each other.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection arrangement, which is characterized in particular by a simple manufacturing and assembling.

Accordingly, a connection arrangement, in particular for a domestic appliance, with a seal, a first component and a second component is provided. The first component has a U-shaped channel. The second component has a U-shaped contour which is spread in a first direction in the U-shaped channel of the first component and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction a seal against the U-shaped channel of the first component for a fluidic Sealing between the first and the second component presses. The U-shaped contour of the second component has a first, second and third portion and the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component forms a free end of the second component. According to the second section of the U-shaped contour of the second component relative to the first and the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component is angled in each case, the first portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component has a receptacle in which the Seal is partially received, and the U-shaped channel of the first component has a retaining means, which blocks a movement of the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component against the first direction.

Advantageously, in this type of connection, no complex geometries, such as the aforementioned welding pins, are produced, for which complex forming elements are usually required on a pointed tool. Furthermore, the connection can be produced in only one assembly step, namely by spreading the U-shaped contour of the second component in the first direction. Another advantage of the connection arrangement is that along the U-shaped contour of the second component no positive connection between the first and the second component is received. Thus, the first and the second component can be made of materials which have a very different coefficient of expansion. Despite the sometimes severe temperature fluctuations in a household appliance, such as a dishwasher, this does not lead to unwanted tension between the first and the second component. Furthermore, so can cost-effective Materials, such as plastics, are used in particular for the first component. By reducing tension, the risk of leakage between the first and second components is also reduced.

The first and second sections of the U-shaped contour of the second component and the second and third sections of the U-shaped contour of the second component are preferably arranged at right angles to each other. By a right angle is meant an angle of 90 ° ± 10 °, preferably 90 ° ± 5 ° and more preferably 90 ° ± 1 °. The first, second and third portions of the U-shaped contour of the second component are formed integrally with each other.

The receptacle can be formed by a bead in the first section of the U-shaped contour of the second component. The receptacle prevents the seal from moving along the first portion of the U-shaped contour and out of the U-shaped channel of the first component.

By blocking the movement of the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component against the first direction, a positive connection between the U-shaped channel of the first component and the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component is provided, which further contributes thereto in that the U-shaped contour of the second component and the U-shaped channel of the first component do not disengage.

By "spreading in" is meant that the U-shaped contour of the second component is elastically deformed and inserted into the U-shaped channel of the first component. As a result of the subsequent relaxation of the U-shaped contour of the second component, this forms a positive and / or frictional engagement with the U-shaped channel of the first component, so that the U-shaped contour of the second component in the U-shaped channel of the first component Component is held securely.

"Fluidic seal" means sealing against liquids and / or gases, such as water or water vapor.

According to a further embodiment, the first portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component bears against the seal, wherein the distance between the free end and the second portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component perpendicular to the second portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component is greater than the distance between the seal and the second portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component perpendicular to the second portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component.

The first portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component presses the seal against a side wall of the U-shaped channel of the first component and thus causes a frictional engagement between the first portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component and the side wall. Characterized in that the distance to the free end is greater than the distance to the seal, there is a torque which further compresses the seal in the U-shaped channel of the first component. This reliably prevents the seal from coming into contact with the side wall of the U-shaped channel of the first component, resulting in leaks.

According to a further embodiment, the retaining means is provided in the form of at least one hook, which is formed on a third wall of the U-shaped contour of the second component associated side wall.

Such hooks are easy to make. The hook may have an insertion bevel, which facilitates insertion and deformation of the U-shaped contour of the second component. Downstream of the insertion in the first direction, the hook may have a paragraph behind which the free end of the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component is latched after relaxing the U-shaped contour of the second component.

According to a further embodiment, in an end of the U-shaped channel of the first component, an opening opposite the at least one hook is formed for passing through a shaping element of a casting tool.

As a result, the hook or the first component as a whole can be produced simply in a casting process, in particular in a plastic injection molding process.

According to a further embodiment, a bottom of the U-shaped channel of the first component has at least one spring, which for holding the third portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component against the retaining means on the second portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component acts.

As a result, a backlash in the first direction and thus a reliable seal is achieved.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring is an integral part of the floor.

As a result, the spring does not have to be mounted first. In addition, the spring is so easy to produce. The spring can be produced, in particular in the plastic injection molding process, as part of the U-shaped channel of the first component.

According to a further embodiment, the at least one spring has an S-shape.

The S-shape may be integrally formed at its free ends with the bottom portion. The S-shape has a curved portion with which it acts against the second portion of the U-shaped contour of the second component.

According to a further embodiment, the U-shaped contour of the second component is formed from bent sheet metal.

In particular, stainless steel sheet can be used. Thus, the elasticity required for the spreading can be easily provided.

According to a further embodiment, the U-shaped channel of the first component is formed from plastic.

Preferably, the U-shaped channel of the first component is formed as a one-piece plastic component. The U-shaped channel of the first component can be easily manufactured by injection molding.

According to a further embodiment, the first component is a frame or a rear wall of a dishwasher.

According to a further embodiment, the second component is a hood of a dishwasher.

According to a further embodiment, the seal is formed in the form of a sealing bead.

The sealing bead can be applied before the spreading of the U-shaped contour of the second component in the U-shaped channel of the first component. The sealing bead can enter into a material connection with the U-shaped contour of the second component, so be glued to this. This results in an easily automatable process. For example, a robot can apply the sealing bead. In particular, the sealing bead can be applied in a state to the folded sheet by still unbent. Thereafter, only the folded sheet is bent to form the hood with their angled walls, such as a roof and two side walls.

Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided with the connection arrangement described above.

Fig. 1

zeigt perspektivisch eine Geschirrspülmaschine in einem teilmontierten Zustand;

Fig. 2

zeigt perspektivisch einen horizontalen Schnitt durch die Geschirrspülmaschine aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

zeigt eine vergrößerte Ansicht III aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

zeigt einen gegenüber Fig. 3 vertikal versetzten Schnitt;

Fig. 5

zeigt einen Schnitt V-V aus Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

zeigt die Komponenten aus Fig. 5 perspektivisch;

Fig. 7

zeigt eine vergrößerte Ansicht VII aus Fig. 2; und

Fig. 8

zeigt perspektivisch eine Haube gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the invention described below. Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

Fig. 1

shows in perspective a dishwasher in a partially assembled state;

Fig. 2

shows in perspective a horizontal section through the dishwasher Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

shows an enlarged view III Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

shows one opposite Fig. 3 vertically offset section;

Fig. 5

shows a section VV Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

shows the components Fig. 5 perspective;

Fig. 7

shows an enlarged view VII Fig. 2 ; and

Fig. 8

shows in perspective a hood according to one embodiment.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise.

Fig. 1 shows a partially assembled dishwasher 1 with a Spülbehälterwanne 2, on which a hood 3 is mounted, for example, stainless steel sheet. On the hood 3, a rear wall 4 on the one hand and a frame 5 on the other hand attached. The rear wall 4 and the frame 5 are each preferably made as a plastic injection molded components.

The rear wall 4 and the hood 3 and the frame 5 and the hood 3 each form a connection arrangement 6, 6 '.

The connection arrangement 6 will be described below with reference to FIG Fig. 2 to Fig. 6 explained in more detail.

The hood 3 has on the front side - ie on the side of the Spülbehälteröffnung (not shown) - a U-shaped contour 7. The U-shaped contour 7 continues, as in Fig. 4 shown, a first portion 11, a second portion 12 and a third portion 13 together. The first section 11 of the U-shaped contour 7 adjoins a hood main body 14 which has side walls 15 and a roof 16 connecting them, as in FIG Fig. 1 to recognize.

The first section 11 of the U-shaped contour 7 in this case adjoins the hood main body 14 substantially straight. The second portion 12 of the U-shaped contour 7 is perpendicular to the first portion 11 of the U-shaped contour 7 folded. The third portion 13 of the U-shaped contour 7 is in turn bent at right angles to the second portion 12 of the U-shaped contour 7, so that the U-shape for the U-shaped contour 7 results.

In the first portion 11 of the U-shaped contour 7, a bead 17 is formed, which extends along the frame 5 and receives a sealing bead 21. The sealing bead 21 can be applied, for example, by means of a robot in one step before connecting the hood 3 to the frame 5.

The frame 5 has a U-shaped channel 22 which is composed of a first side wall 23, a bottom 24 provided at right angles thereto and a second side wall 25 arranged at right angles to the bottom 24.

The second side wall 25 comprises, as in FIG Fig. 5 shown a plurality of hooks 26. A respective hook 26 is formed with an insertion bevel 27 and a shoulder 31, such as in Fig. 6 to see. While Fig. 3 shows a section through a portion of the side wall 25 of the U-shaped channel 22, which is formed without hook 26 shows Fig. 4 a section through such a hook 26th

In the bottom 24 openings 32 are formed, which each face an associated hook 26. As a result, a molding element, not shown in the figures, of an injection-molding tool can reach through the openings 32 towards the hooks 26, thus enabling their manufacture in a simple manner.

Further, in the bottom 24 springs 33 are formed, which have an S-shape. The springs 33 are preferably also produced in the casting tool. A respective spring 33 is integrally connected at its free ends 34 with portions 35. The S-shape has a bulge 36 toward the hooks 26. The springs 33 may be formed of the same plastic as the rest of the frame 5. The elasticity results from the S-shape and the plastic used.

For connecting the hood 3 to the frame 5, the U-shaped contour 7 is moved into the U-shaped channel 22. This is done in a first direction 37. The insertion bevels 27 facilitate insertion. The U-shaped can be supportive Contour 7 are pressed manually or by means of a device before moving into the U-shaped channel 22, wherein the third portion 13 of the U-shaped contour 7 is elastically deformed in the direction of the first portion 11 of the U-shaped contour 7.

Relaxes the U-shaped contour 7 now, so the free end 41 of the third portion 13 of the U-shaped contour 7 snaps behind the shoulder 31 and locked with this. This is simply done by driving over the insertion bevels 27 when moving the U-shaped contour 7 in the first direction 37.

The U-shaped contour 7 now relaxes in such a way that the first and third sections 11, 13 of the U-shaped contour 7 press against their respective associated side walls 23, 25 of the U-shaped channel 22. In this case, the first portion 11 of the U-shaped contour 7 presses the sealing bead 21 in a second direction 38 perpendicular to the first direction 37 and fluidly sealing against the side wall 23.

Characterized in that the distance 42 of the free end 41 is provided from the bottom 24 larger than a distance 42 'of the sealing bead 21 from the bottom 24, there is a torque which pushes the sealing bead 21 further into the U-shaped channel 22. The distances 42, 42 'are each measured perpendicular to the second portion 12 of the U-shaped contour 7 here.

Further, the bulges 36 press the springs 33 (see Fig. 6 ) against the second portion 12 of the U-shaped contour 7 as soon as the U-shaped contour 7 is moved far enough into the U-shaped channel 22 and the free end 41 snaps behind the shoulder 31. Thus, the springs 33 hold the U-shaped contour 7 without play against the shoulders 31 of the hook 26 in the first direction 37.

Fig. 7 shows the connection assembly 6 'from Fig. 2 which connects the hood 3 with the rear wall 4. This is done according to the same principle as already for the Fig. 3 to 6 explained.

Fig. 8 shows the hood 3 without the rear wall 4 and without the frame 5. It can be seen that the U-shaped contour 7 in a bent portion 43 which the Side wall 15 connects to the roof 16, in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart segments 44 is formed. Nevertheless, the sealing bead 21 runs uninterruptedly along the bent region 43. The sealing bead 21 is preferably applied in a flat state of the hood 3. The application can then take place in a linear movement and therefore easy to automate. Only after the application, the roof 16 is then bent relative to the side wall 15 to produce the bent portion 43.

reference numeral

1

dishwasher

2

Spülbehälterwanne

3

Hood

4

rear wall

5

frame

6

joint assembly

6 '

joint assembly

7

U-shaped contour

11

section

12

section

13

section

14

Hood base

15

Side wall

16

top, roof

17

Beading

21

sealing bead

22

U-shaped channel

23

Side wall

24

ground

25

Side wall

26

hook

27

chamfer

31

paragraph

32

opening

33

feather

34

The End

35

section

36

bulge

37

direction

38

direction

41

The End

42

distance

42 '

distance

43

Curved area

44

segment

III

view

V V

cut

VII

view

Claims (12)

1. Connection arrangement (6, 6'), especially for a household appliance (1), having a seal (21), a first component (4, 5), which has a U-shaped duct (22), and a second component (3), which has a U-shaped contour (7), which is spread in a first direction (37) into the U-shaped duct (22) of the first component (4, 5) and in a second direction (38) at right angles to the first direction (37) the seal (21) presses against the U-shaped duct (22) of the first component (4, 5) for a fluidic sealing between the first component (4, 5) and the second component (3), wherein the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) has a first, second and third section (11, 12, 13), and wherein the third section (13) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) forms a free end (41) of the second component (3), characterised in that the second section (12) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) is angled in each case compared with the first and the third section (11, 13) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) such that the first section (11) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) has a receptacle (17), in which the seal (21) is partially received, and that the U-shaped duct (22) of the first component (4, 5) has a retaining means (26), which blocks a movement of the third section (13) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) counter to the first direction (37).
2. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to claim 1, characterised in that the first section (11) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) rests against the seal (21), wherein the distance (42) between the free end (41) and the second section (12) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) at right angles to the second section (12) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) is greater than the distance (42') between the seal (21) and the second section (12) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) at right angles to the second section (12) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3).
3. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the retaining means (26) is provided in the form of at least one hook, which is embodied on a side wall (25) of the U-shaped channel (22) of the first component (4, 5) assigned to the third section (13) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3).
4. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to claim 3, characterised in that an opening (32) facing the at least one hook (26) so as to reach through a shaping element of a casting tool is embodied in a base (24) of the U-shaped duct (22) of the first component (4, 5).
5. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a base (24) of the U-shaped duct (22) of the first component (4, 5) has at least one spring (33), which acts on the second section (12) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) in order to hold the third section (13) of the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) against the retaining means (26).
6. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to claim 5, characterised in that the at least one spring (33) is a one-piece component part of the base (24).
7. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the at least one spring (33) has an S shape.
8. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the U-shaped contour (7) of the second component (3) is formed from a bevelled metal sheet.
9. Connection arrangement (6, 6') according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the U-shaped channel (22) of the first component (4, 5) is formed from plastic.
10. Connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seal (21) is formed in the form of a sealing bead.
11. Dishwasher (1) with a connection arrangement (6, 6') according to one of claims 1 to 10.
12. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the first component is a frame (5) or a rear wall (4) of the dishwasher (1) and/or the second component is a hood (3) of the dishwasher (1).

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