Household appliance

Abstract

This application discloses a household appliance (1) comprising a frame (2) equipped with an openable door (3) hinged to the frame (2) by at least one hinge (4), the hinge (4) comprising a base (5) connected to the frame (2) or the door (3) and a connector (6) connected to a free other of the frame or the door, the connector (6) being hinged to the base and a pull rod (7) slidably fixed to the base, the pull rod being coupled to a tension spring (8) having a first end (8A) fixed to the base (5); a second end (8B) of the spring being fixed to an intermediate element (9) hinged to the pull rod, the intermediate element (9) having at least one surface (10) engaging with a first cam (13) in the base at at least some locations of the connector to improve the closing of the door.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a household appliance.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a household appliance equipped with at least one openable door, such as an oven, dishwasher, etc. Background Technology

[0003] Modern household appliances have internal compartments (for cooking, washing, etc.), which must be properly isolated from the external environment during use.

[0004] The necessary presence of at least one passageway door in a compartment creates problems regarding the isolation of the compartment.

[0005] In practice, the door must be easy to open, and when in the closed position, it must properly isolate the compartment. For this purpose, one or more seals are conceived between the compartment opening and the door.

[0006] When the door is pressed against the seal in the closed position, the compartment is properly isolated.

[0007] Therefore, in order to achieve this "isolation," it is useful for the door to apply a certain force when pressed against the seal. Historically, measures were taken to calibrate this force, making the main hinge spring "more robust."

[0008] However, problems arise during opening due to the significantly increased opening force required.

[0009] Furthermore, the use of "stronger" springs affects the door's movement, making it less smooth. Therefore, the door is more difficult to balance. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a household appliance that improves upon existing technology.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance equipped with a hinge that improves the stability of the door when it is closed.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance having appropriately isolated compartments that are easy to open and well balanced.

[0013] This and other objectives are achieved through household appliances made in accordance with the technical teachings of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become clearer in the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the device, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 A simplified schematic diagram of a hinge for a household appliance, viewed from the side and in the closed door position;

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A simplified exploded view of the hinge component in the diagram;

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 1 An enlarged diagram of the details circled in the image;

[0018] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 Hinges in different positions;

[0019] Figure 5 for Figure 4 An enlarged diagram of the circled portion;

[0020] Figure 6 and 7 Simplified diagrams of some variations of the hinge according to the invention; and

[0021] Figure 8 A household appliance according to the present invention is shown, the household appliance being equipped with Figure 1 The hinge component in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Referring to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 is generally used to denote household appliances.

[0023] Better in Figure 8 The household appliance 1 shown includes a frame 2 equipped with an openable door 3, which is hinged to the frame 2 by at least one hinge 4. It should be noted that the door 3 may be supported by two hinges that are the same or different from each other.

[0024] Household appliances can include, for example, ovens, dishwashers, etc.

[0025] Within the frame, a compartment 51 is defined, which can be accessed by opening a hatch or door 3. Advantageously, a seal 52 is present between the door and the frame 2, which ensures proper isolation of the compartment 51 when pressed by the door 3.

[0026] The hinge includes a base 5 fixed to the frame 2 or the door 3, and a connector 6 fixed to the door 3 or the frame 2.

[0027] The base 5 can be manufactured by cutting and U-bending a simple sheet of thick metal (properly shaped by the cutting).

[0028] Therefore, in Figure 1 In the middle, the base 5 is open at the bottom and has a bottom 35, which is located at... Figure 1 In the upper portion, two abutting members 36 extend from the bottom 35, and the two abutting members 36 are preferably parallel to each other.

[0029] The connector 6 is hinged to the base 5. Preferably, the hinge can be achieved by a third pin 37.

[0030] In addition, the connector 6 is hinged to the pull rod 7 at reference 370 in the attached drawing, and the pull rod 7 is slidably fixed to the base 5; the pull rod 7 is associated with the tension spring 8, and the first end 8A of the tension spring 8 is fixed to the base 5.

[0031] In one possible configuration, the first end 8A of the spring 8 can be hook-shaped and hooked onto the fastening pin 30 of the base 5.

[0032] The second end 8B of the spring 8 is fixed to a part of the intermediate element 9.

[0033] For example, the second end 8B of the spring can be hook-shaped and can be hooked onto the pin 33 on the intermediate element 9.

[0034] The intermediate element 9 is further characterized by at least one surface 10, which (at least in some positions of the connector 6 where the door is near the closed position) engages with a first cam portion 13 in the base 5 to improve the closing of the door 3.

[0035] The first cam portion 13 can simply be a part of the bottom 35, which is bent to form a recess, the apex of which faces the open portion of the base.

[0036] The shape and height of the first cam section 13 can be easily changed during the design phase to adjust the load applied to the door in the closed position.

[0037] Clearly, the first cam portion 13 can be of any shape and, for example, can have walls that are inclined in the same manner to the left and right sides of the point of maximum height (see...). Figure 3 Alternatively, the walls could be at different angles; grooves could also be conceived to accommodate the surface 10 of the intermediate element 9 in a stable position, and so on.

[0038] The pull rod 7 can be slidably connected to the base 5 via a first pin 11, which protrudes from the pull rod 7 and engages in a first slot 12 in the base 5. Clearly, the slot can be formed in the abutment 36.

[0039] Advantageously, the intermediate element 9 and the pull rod 7 are precisely hinged to each other at the first pin 11, so that the first pin 11 is shared by both elements.

[0040] As in Figure 2 As can be seen, the pull rod can be manufactured in a manner similar to that of the base 5 by cutting and U-bending a thick metal sheet to a suitable shape. Therefore, in this case, the bottom 39 of the pull rod is... Figure 2 The center face downwards, and the open part of the lever is also... Figure 2 The middle side faces upwards.

[0041] As in Figure 6 As can be seen in section 7, the distance between the pull rod abutments 40 can be slightly smaller than the distance between the abutments of the base, so that the pull rod can be precisely accommodated between the two abutments 36 of the base. Furthermore, the abutments 40 can be shaped to be positioned close to each other near the hinge point with the joint 6, in order to replicate the thickness of the joint 6.

[0042] As in Figure 3 As can be clearly seen, the surface 10 of the intermediate element 9 that mates with the first cam portion 13 may include a first roller 10A. This facilitates the sliding of the surface 10 on the first cam portion 13.

[0043] More specifically, as can be seen from the description of the intermediate element 9, point A (fixing the second end 8B of the spring and the intermediate element 9), surface 10 of the intermediate element 9, and the first pin 11 can be spaced apart and advantageously arranged at the apex of a triangle in the side view, wherein the line connecting surface 10 and point A forms the base of the triangle.

[0044] In fact, the relative positions of point A, the first pin 11, and surface 10 (with or without roller 10A) are configured such that spring 8 pushes surface 10 against the bottom 35 of the hinge. For this purpose, intermediate element 9 can take the form of a basically triangular configuration with a rounded vertex.

[0045] By Figure 1 and 3 and Figure 4 and 5 By comparison, the operation of the present invention can be easily understood.

[0046] As mentioned above, Figure 1 and 3 The hinge is shown in the closed position (so when door 3 is closed).

[0047] Spring 8 applies a traction force to the intermediate element, which pushes its surface 10 (or more precisely, roller 10A) against the bottom 35 of the base on the left side of the first cam portion 13.

[0048] When the joint 6 is tilted at an angle (during the opening of door 3 by traction), the pull rod 7... Figure 5 The middle moves to the right, and the first pin 11 moves away from the end 12A of the slot 12 (compare). Figure 3 and Figure 5 (The position of the first pin 11 in the slot 12).

[0049] The rightward movement of the lever 7 is hindered by the action of the spring 8 and is significantly impeded in this step by the height of the first cam portion 13, which engages with the surface 10 of the intermediate element to further brake the door 3 during its opening.

[0050] It is evident how the door 3 can withstand “additional traction” during closing by properly calibrating the position and height of the first cam portion 13 (as seen above in an extremely simple way), which is greater than the traction exerted by the spring alone.

[0051] When the angle of the joint is such that the first cam 13 has been moved past (in...) Figure 3 When the hinge is turned to the right (or to the right in step 5), the operation of the hinge is normal, and therefore it is adjusted only by the force of the spring and by the hinge position between the pull rod and the joint. This is because the first cam portion 13 is spaced apart from the surface 10.

[0052] It should be noted that the tilt of the intermediate element can cause the surface 10 to be spaced apart from the bottom 35 of the hinge unless it engages with the first cam portion 13, or cause the surface 10 to always be in sliding (or rolling) contact with the bottom 35 of the base.

[0053] In addition to the systems described above, the hinge 4 is further characterized by a system referred to as "soft-close" and / or "soft-open," which can be implemented by equipping the tie rod with a damper or shock absorber having a rod that mates with the shaped surface 6A of the joint. The combination of these two systems is particularly effective, especially in the presence of the "soft-close" system.

[0054] Therefore, as described above, the shock absorber 14 can be fastened to the tie rod 7.

[0055] The shock absorber may then include a rod 14A equipped with an end 14B that engages with a shaped surface 6A of a connector 6 to brake the door 3 during closing / opening movements.

[0056] End 14B can also cooperate with a portion of the base to slow down the closing / opening motion of door 3.

[0057] The shock absorber can be connected via at least two fastening pins P (but advantageously via...). Figure 1The four pins P shown in dashed lines in the middle) and / or through at least one window 7A in the pull rod 7 ( Figure 2 The damper is fastened to the tie rod 7, and in the at least one window 7A, the damper is engaged by the undercut.

[0058] Advantageously, the end 14B of the rod that mates with the shaped surface 6A of the connector includes a second roller 15. In this way, the shaped surface 6A of the connector transmits axial compressive force only to the rod 14A of the shock absorber, thereby avoiding damage to the shock absorber itself that would be suffered in the absence of the second roller 15.

[0059] For example, the second roller 15 can be simply attached to the rod of the shock absorber by means of an interference fit (or some other means of fastening) and associated with the rod 14A by means of a fork element.

[0060] An external spring may also be present for resetting the shock absorber 14, the external spring being mounted on the rod 14A and inserted between the surface 50 of the shock absorber and the fork (or end 14B).

[0061] To stabilize the pull rod 7, the pull rod 7 can be slidably constrained to the base 5 by at least a second pin 18, the second pin 18 engaging in a slot 19 in the pull rod 7 and a slot 20 in the base. Figure 6 ).

[0062] Therefore, in Figure 6 In the middle, the second pin 18 moves freely in the slot 20 and then engages with point 20A, which serves as a stop. After contacting point 20A, the second pin 18 begins to slide in the slot 19.

[0063] Advantageously, the second pin 18 is the shaft of the second roller 15 and protrudes laterally from the pull rod 7.

[0064] The second pin 18 may engage in the second slot 20 in the abutment 36 of the base 5 (to restrict its axial movement), or it may engage with the stop 21 made on the base 5.

[0065] In the second case, such as Figure 7 As shown, the pull rod is fixed to the base only by the first pin 11, which engages in the slot 12.

[0066] During opening, the second pin 18 contacts the bottom 20A of the stop 21 or the slot 20, thereby braking (or more precisely, buffering) the opening movement of the door.

[0067] During closing, roller 15 contacts the forming surface 6A of joint 6 to slow down (or more precisely, buffer) the closing movement of the door.

[0068] Various embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, but other embodiments may also be conceived using the same inventive concept.

Claims

1. A household appliance (1) comprising a frame (2) equipped with an openable door (3), the door (3) being hinged to the frame (2) by at least one hinge (4), the hinge (4) comprising a base (5) connected to one of the frame (2) and the door (3) and a connector (6) connected to the other of the door and the frame, the connector (6) being hinged to the base (5) and to a pull rod (7) slidably connected to the base (5), the pull rod (7) being associated with a tension spring (8) equipped with a first end (8A) connected to the base (5), characterized in that, The second end (8B) of the tension spring (8) is constrained to an intermediate element (9) hinged to the pull rod (7), the intermediate element (9) having at least one surface (10) which engages with the first cam portion (13) of the base (5) at least at certain locations of the joint (6) to improve the closed position of the door (3).

2. The household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pull rod (7) is slidably connected to the base (5) by at least a first pin (11), the first pin (11) protruding from the pull rod (7) and slidably engaging in a first slot (12) of the base (5).

3. The household appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, The intermediate element (9) and the pull rod (7) are hinged to each other at the first pin (11).

4. The household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface (10) of the intermediate element (9) that mates with the first cam portion (13) includes a first roller (10A).

5. The household appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connection point (A) between the second end (8B) of the tension spring and the intermediate element (9), the at least one surface (10) of the intermediate element (9) and the first pin (11) are in a spaced-out position and arranged at the vertex of a triangle in a side view, wherein the segment connecting the surface (10) and the connection point (A) forms the main base of the triangle.

6. The household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pull rod (7) includes a damper (14) comprising a rod (14A) equipped with an end (14B) that engages with a shaped surface (6A) of the connector (6) to brake the closing and / or opening movements of the door (3).

7. The household appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that, The damper is fixed to the tie rod (7) by at least two fixing pins (P) and / or by at least one window (7A) of the tie rod (7), in which the damper engages in the undercut of the window.

8. The household appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that, The end (14B) of the rod that mates with the shaped surface (6A) of the joint includes a second roller (15).

9. The household appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second roller (15) is associated with the rod (14A) via a fork-shaped element.

10. The household appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that, The household appliance also includes a second pin (18) protruding from the pull rod (7), which is the shaft of the second roller (15), and the second pin (18) engages in a second slot (20) of the base (5) or cooperates with a retainer (21) made on the base (5).

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