Plug for a worktop and household appliance comprising the same

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, in order to solve the problem of poor safety caused by the gap existing in the corner of the existing washing machine table, a plug cover for the table and a household appliance containing the plug cover are provided, the table includes a main body, the main body has side walls, the intersection of the two side walls is formed with a cutout by removing material, the plug cover can be installed at the cutout and block the cutout, the plug cover includes a support part and a connecting part, the support part is used for supporting the connecting part, the connecting part includes: a first connecting part connected to the cutout and limited in the first direction, the second direction and the opposite direction of the two; a second connecting part connected to the cutout and limited in the third direction with an included angle with the second direction and the opposite direction thereof corresponding to the structure near the cutout. The plug cover for the table provided by the present application can realize stable connection of the plug cover and the table, can reduce the risk of scratching the operator, can play the effect of dustproof, waterproof and the like.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a plug cover for a table top and a household appliance comprising the plug cover. BACKGROUND

[0002] Household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, etc. have become an indispensable part of modern families, bringing great convenience to people's lives.

[0003] Taking a washing machine as an example, the existing drum washing machine is usually configured with a plate-shaped table top which is processed by punching, flanging and other processes on a sheet metal part. The side wall of the finished table top is formed by bending the whole sheet metal part multiple times, so there will inevitably be a gap at the intersection of two adjacent side walls. This gap cannot be removed by welding and other processes, so it is easy to scratch the operator during assembly, which poses a certain safety risk, and the existence of the gap will affect the flatness of the table top as a whole.

[0004] Correspondingly, there is a need in the art for a plug cover for a table top to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0005] In order to solve the above problems in the prior art, i.e. to solve the problem of poor safety caused by the existence of gaps at the corners of the existing washing machine table top, the first aspect of the present application provides a plug cover for a table top, the table top comprising a main body, the main body having side walls, the intersection of two side walls adjacent to each other being formed with a cutout by removing material, the plug cover being capable of being installed at the cutout and plugging the cutout, the plug cover comprising a support part and a connecting part, the support part being used to support the connecting part, the connecting part comprising: a first connecting part connected to the cutout and limited in a first direction, a second direction having an included angle with the first direction, and the opposite directions of the two directions by a structure corresponding to the vicinity of the cutout; a second connecting part connected to the cutout and limited in a third direction having an included angle with the second direction and the opposite direction thereof by a structure corresponding to the vicinity of the cutout.

[0006] The plug for the countertop provided by the application can be stably connected with the countertop, and will not fall off without being damaged, thereby achieving persistent plugging of the cutout, which can prevent the operator from being cut by the sharp edge of the gap during assembly, prevent dust from entering the countertop, and maintain the flatness of the countertop as a whole, so that the corners of the countertop are more beautiful.

[0007] For the plug for the countertop described above, in a possible implementation, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, the first connecting part includes a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure,

[0008] In the installed state, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure abut against the corresponding side walls, respectively, to achieve limiting in the first direction and the second direction and the reverse directions of the two directions by the side walls based on the abutment.

[0009] By providing the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure, the abutment of the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure with the side walls of the cutout achieves limiting of the plug in the first direction and the second direction and the reverse directions of the two directions, thereby achieving tight connection of the plug with the corners of the countertop.

[0010] It can be understood that the structure of the side wall can be a planar plate structure, an arc plate structure, etc., and the abutment can occur at the inner side surface, the outer side surface, the end surface, etc. of the side wall.

[0011] For the plug for the countertop described above, in a possible implementation, the side wall is a plate structure, the first limiting structure includes two first working surfaces perpendicular to each other,

[0012] In the installed state, the two first working surfaces abut against the inner side surfaces of the two plate structures, respectively, to achieve limiting in the first direction and the second direction by the inner side surfaces based on the abutment.

[0013] By providing two first working surfaces perpendicular to each other on the first limiting structure and abutting the two first working surfaces on the inner side surfaces of the side wall, the plug can be limited in the first direction and the second direction at the cutout by the resistance provided by the inner side surfaces of the side wall, thereby achieving the purpose of tightly connecting the end cover to the corners of the countertop.

[0014] For the above-mentioned plug cover for the countertop, in an implementable embodiment, the side wall further has an end surface adjacent to the inner side surface, the second limiting structure comprises two second working surfaces perpendicular to each other,

[0015] In the installed state, the two second working surfaces abut against the end surface respectively, so as to be limited by the end surface in the reverse direction of the first direction and the second direction based on the abutment.

[0016] By setting two second working surfaces perpendicular to each other on the second limiting structure and abutting the two second working surfaces against the end surface of the side wall adjacent to the inner side surface, the plug cover can be limited at the cutout in the reverse direction of the first direction and the reverse direction of the second direction by means of the resistance provided by the end surface of the side wall, so as to achieve the purpose of tightly connecting the end cover to the corner of the countertop.

[0017] For the above-mentioned plug cover for the countertop, in an implementable embodiment, the first limiting structure comprises two first extending arms, the two first extending arms are arranged on the support part in a relatively movable manner, and the first working surface is formed on the first extending arm.

[0018] It should be noted that the relative movability in the present application refers to the tendency of the first extending arm to restore to the original state after the change of the pose of the first extending arm relative to the support part, i.e., the connection between the first extending arm and the support part is an elastic connection, for example, the first extending arm is made into an elastic fin structure, or a structure capable of enabling the first extending arm to elastically move relative to the support part is arranged at the connection between the first extending arm and the support part, such as a spring structure.

[0019] For the above-mentioned plug cover for the countertop, in an implementable embodiment, the second limiting structure comprises two second extending arms, the two second extending arms are arranged on the support part in a relatively fixed manner, and the second working surface is formed on the second extending arm.

[0020] By arranging the second working surface on the second extending arm arranged on the support part in a relatively fixed manner, in combination with the elastic connection between the first extending arm where the first working surface is located and the support part, the quick and stable connection between the plug cover and the countertop can be achieved.

[0021] For the above-mentioned plug cover for the countertop, in an implementable embodiment, the second connecting part comprises a third limiting structure, the third limiting structure has two third working surfaces, the two third working surfaces are connected to the cutout in a manner of facing away from each other, so as to be limited in the third direction by the structure corresponding to the vicinity of the cutout.

[0022] By setting in this way, the stopper cover is limited in the third direction, and when the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the stopper cover can be stably limited in the space range and stably connected with the cutout.

[0023] For the stopper cover for the table top, in a feasible implementation, at least one of the third working surfaces extends a buckle opposite to the mounting direction of the stopper cover, and the buckle is clamped with the table top to limit the stopper cover in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the stopper cover based on the clamping.

[0024] By setting the buckle, the stopper cover can be limited by the structure at the cutout in a fourth direction other than the first direction, the second direction, the third direction and the reverse directions of the three directions, so that the connection stability of the stopper cover and the table top can be further improved.

[0025] For the stopper cover for the table top, in a feasible implementation, the stopper cover further comprises a shielding part capable of shielding at least part of the edge of the cutout.

[0026] By setting the shielding part, the stopper cover is stably connected to the cutout, and at least part of the edge of the cutout is shielded to reduce the probability of the operator contacting the edge of the cutout, so that the possibility of the operator being injured can be reduced, the cutout in the connected state can be kept flat and beautiful, and the dust, liquid and the like can be prevented from entering the table top.

[0027] The second aspect of the present application further provides a household appliance, which comprises a table top provided with the stopper cover for the table top according to any one of the preceding technical solutions.

[0028] Those skilled in the art can understand that, since the household appliance is provided with the stopper cover, the household appliance has all the technical effects of the stopper cover, which will not be described here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The stopper cover for the table top of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the table top of a washing machine, and the drawings show:

[0030] Figure 1 Fig. 1 is a structure schematic view of a part of the table top of the washing machine and the stopper cover in an un-assembled state according to the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 Fig. 2 is another structure schematic view of a part of the table top of the washing machine and the stopper cover in an un-assembled state according to the present application;

[0032] Figure 3 Fig. 3 is a structure schematic view of a part of the table top of the washing machine and the stopper cover in an assembled state according to the present application;

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the structure of the plug cover of the present application;

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic view of the structure of the plug cover of the present application;

[0035] Figure 6 is a side view of the plug cover and the top panel of the washing machine in an assembled state;

[0036] Figure 7 is a sectional view along A-A in Figure 6

[0037] Figure 8 is a partial enlarged view of B in Figure 7

[0038] List of reference signs:

[0039] 1, plug cover; 10, support portion; 11, first extending arm; 110, first working surface; 12, second extending arm; 120, second working surface; 13, third working surface; 14, clamping buckle; 15, shielding portion; 16, guiding surface; 2, top panel; 21, first side wall; 22, second side wall; 220, inner side surface; 221, end surface; 23, cutout; 24, first flange; 25, second flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The preferred embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. For example, although the embodiments described below are explained in connection with the top panel of a washing machine, this is not intended to be limiting, and the technical solutions of the present application are equally applicable to other types of household appliances, such as a clothes dryer, a washer-dryer, a dishwasher, a shoe washer, etc., and such changes in the application object do not deviate from the principles and scope of the present application.

[0041] In addition, in order to better illustrate the present application, numerous specific details are given in the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present application can be practiced without some of the specific details. In some instances, certain

[0042] ​​It should be noted that in the description of the present application, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating the direction or positional relationship are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is merely for the convenience of description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0043] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connecting" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0044] Based on the problem of poor safety caused by the gap at the corner of the existing washing machine platform indicated in the background art, the embodiment of the present application provides a plug cover for the platform, which enlarges the gap at the corner of the platform into a notch, and then plugs the gap with the plug cover. The plug cover can not only shield the edge of the notch to reduce the safety risk existing in the assembly process, but also make the whole platform more flat and beautiful.

[0045] The plug cover provided by the present application will be described in detail below. Figures 1-8 Fig. 1 is a structure schematic view of a part of the washing machine platform and the plug cover in an unassembled state according to the present application; Figure 2 Fig. 2 is another structure schematic view of a part of the washing machine platform and the plug cover in an unassembled state according to the present application; Figure 3 Fig. 3 is a structure schematic view of a part of the washing machine platform and the plug cover in an assembled state according to the present application; Figure 4 Fig. 4 is a structure schematic view of the plug cover according to the present application; Figure 5 Fig. 5 is another structure schematic view of the plug cover according to the present application; Figure 6 Fig. 6 is a side view of a part of the washing machine platform and the plug cover in an assembled state according to the present application; Figure 7 Fig. 7 is a sectional view along A-A direction in Fig. 6; Figure 6 Fig. 8 is an enlarged schematic view of a part B in Fig. 7. Figure 8 Fig. 9 is a sectional view along B-B direction in Fig. 7; Figure 7 Fig. 10 is an enlarged schematic view of a part C in Fig. 7.

[0046] It should be noted that the following embodiments are described based on the local of the table top, specifically the right front corner of the table top, and it can be understood that the plug cover in the present application can also be applied to other corners of the table top, which should not constitute a limitation to the protection scope of the present application.

[0047] Referring to Figures 1-3 As shown in the drawings, the plug cover 1 in the present application is connected to the corner of the table top 2 in a hollow plate structure, and is used to block the cutout 23 formed at the corner. Through the structural design of the plug cover 1, the corner removed when the cutout 23 is made can also be compensated. Specifically, the table top 2 includes a main body, and the main body can be connected with decorative parts, fasteners and the like. The main body of the table top 2 is a sheet metal part, which is made through punching, flanging and other processes. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the drawings, the two adjacent side edges of the main body of the table top 2 are bent downward to form two adjacent first side walls 21 and second side walls 22, and the first side wall 21 and the second side wall 22 are plate structures. The edge of the first side wall 21 extends and is inwardly folded to form a first flange 24, and the edge of the second side wall 22 extends and is inwardly folded to form a second flange 25. The first flange 24 and the second flange 25 are also plate structures. Before forming the two side walls and the two flanges, a punching process is required to remove part of the material, so that the cutout 23 shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be constructed in the process of forming the side walls and the flanges. It can be understood that the material removed to form the cutout 23 in the present application is more than that removed in the prior art scheme to form the gap. Referring to Figure 2 , the first flange 24 and the second flange 25 are partially overlapped, which can not only improve the strength of the table top 2, but also facilitate the assembly between the table top 2 and other parts, and also make the profile of the cutout 23 closed, facilitating the installation of the plug cover 1.

[0048] The plug cover 1 in the present embodiment includes a support part 10 and a connecting part, the support part 10 is used to support the connecting part, and the connecting part is used to stably connect the entire plug cover 1 to the cutout 23.

[0049] The connecting portion in the embodiment comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion limits the plug cover 1 connected to the cutout 23 in the first direction and the second direction and the reverse directions of both, corresponding to the structure near the cutout 23. The second connecting portion limits the plug cover 1 connected to the cutout 23 in the third direction and the reverse direction thereof, corresponding to the structure near the cutout 23. Specifically, the first connecting portion comprises a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure. The first limiting structure can realize the limiting of the plug cover 1 in the first direction and the second direction, which is mainly realized by the first working surface 110 formed on the plug cover 1. The second limiting structure can realize the limiting of the plug cover 1 in the reverse directions of the first direction and the second direction, which is mainly realized by the second working surface 120 formed on the plug cover 1.

[0050] The first direction in the embodiment is perpendicular to the second direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, because the mesa 2 to be installed with the plug cover 1 has a straight-angle structure. For the convenience of description, the first direction in the embodiment is set as the reverse direction of the X direction, the second direction is set as the reverse direction of the Y direction, and the third direction is set as the Z direction. The directions opposite to the respective directions are the reverse directions thereof. It can be understood that the first direction and the second direction can be any angle other than a straight angle, and the third direction can also be any angle other than a straight angle with the plane formed by the first direction and the second direction.

[0051] Specifically, referring to Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 , the support portion 10 of the plug cover 1 has a plate-shaped structure. When viewed in the installation direction of the plug cover 1, the front end of the support portion 10 extends rearward to form two first extension arms 11. The root of the first extension arm 11 (i.e., the connection between the first extension arm 11 and the support portion 10) is an elastic structure, and the surface of the free end of the first extension arm 11 is an arc surface and a planar surface spliced together, on which the first working surface 110 is formed. The two first working surfaces 110 are perpendicular to each other.

[0052] Continuing to refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 , the middle part of the support portion 10 extends to form two second extension arms 12, and the extension directions of the two second extension arms 12 are similar to those of the two first extension arms 11. The two second extension arms 12 are fixed relative to the support portion 10 and constitute the second limiting structure of the plug cover 1, on which the two second working surfaces 120 are formed. The two second working surfaces 120 are perpendicular to each other.

[0053] Continuing to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5, two upper end faces and two lower end faces of the two second extending arms 12 respectively form two planes facing away from each other in the Z direction, so that a third plane for limiting the plug cover 1 in the third direction and the opposite direction is formed on the two planes facing away from each other, one of the planes faces upward, and the other plane faces downward. Figure 5 In order to further enhance the stability of the connection between the plug cover 1 and the table top 2, one of the third planes in the embodiment further extends a buckle 14 in a direction opposite to the mounting direction of the plug cover 1, and the buckle 14 can be matched with the clamping groove provided on the first flange 24 or the second flange 25, so as to realize the limiting in the direction opposite to the mounting direction. It can be understood that the number of the buckle 14 can be any, and a person skilled in the art can configure the specific number of the buckle 14 according to the needs. Further, in order to facilitate the clamping of the plug cover 1, the plug cover 1 is guided by the guide surface 16 before the third working surface 13 starts to enter the cutout 23 and is matched with the table top 2, so that the assembly process of the plug cover 1 is smoother.

[0054] In addition, the plug cover 1 is further provided with a shielding part 15, and the shielding part 15 can shield at least part of the edge of the cutout 23. In the embodiment, the shielding part 15 is designed in the shape of the corner of the table top 2 which is cut, and is designed to shield all edges of the cutout 23, so as to play a dustproof role, avoid the edge of the cutout 23 scratching the operator, and also compensate for the corner cut off, and maintain the integrity of the table top 2.

[0055] The mounting process of the plug cover 1 is described below.

[0056] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 6-8As shown, the first side wall 21 at the cutout 23 has an inner side facing the interior of the table top 2 and an end surface adjacent to the inner side, and the second side wall 22 has an inner side 220 facing the interior of the table top 2 and an end surface 221 adjacent to the inner side 220. During the installation of the plug cover 1 to the cutout 23, the first extending arm 11 is gradually moved from the root to the free end under the action of the table top 2 side wall, and during the process, the free end is first retracted towards the support part 10, and after the free end is completely out of the constraint of the side wall, it will return to the original position, so that the first working surface 110 abuts on the inner side of the side wall, and based on the abutment, the plug cover 1 is limited in the -X direction and the -Y direction by the inner side. At this time, the two second working surfaces 120 respectively abut on the end surfaces of the first side wall 21 and the second side wall 22, and based on the abutment, the plug cover 1 is limited in the X direction and the Y direction by the end surfaces. During the installation, the third working surface 13 of the plug cover 1 respectively abuts on the lower surface of the table top 2 and the upper surface of the first flange 24 or the second flange 25, so that the plug cover 1 is limited in the Z direction and the -Z direction by the table top 2, and the buckle 14 can further limit the plug cover 1 in the opposite direction of the installation direction by being buckled to the clamping groove on the first flange 24 or the second flange 25, further preventing the plug cover 1 from being pulled out, so that after the plug cover 1 is installed to the cutout 23, it is omnidirectionally limited, so as to be stably connected with the table top 2.

[0057] So far, the technical solutions of the present application have been described in combination with the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, but those skilled in the art can easily understand that the protection scope of the present application is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or replacements to the related technical features without departing from the principles of the present application, and the technical solutions after the changes or replacements will fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A plug for a countertop, comprising: The countertop includes a main body with side walls. A cutout is formed at the intersection of two adjacent side walls by removing material. A plug can be installed at the cutout and seal it. The plug includes a support portion and a connecting portion, the support portion supporting the connecting portion. The connecting part includes: A first connecting portion, which connects to the cut and is constrained by a structure corresponding to the vicinity of the cut in a first direction, a second direction having an angle with the first direction, and the opposite direction of both; and The second connecting portion is connected to the cut and is constrained by a structure corresponding to the vicinity of the cut in a third direction that has an angle with the second direction and in the opposite direction. Wherein, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.

2. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 1, wherein, The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the first connecting portion includes a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure. In the installed state, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure respectively abut against the corresponding side wall, so as to be limited by the side wall in the first direction, the second direction and the opposite direction of the two.

3. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 2, wherein, The sidewall is a plate-like structure, and the first limiting structure includes two first working surfaces that are perpendicular to each other. In the installed state, the two first working surfaces respectively abut against the inner sides of the two plate-like structures, so as to be limited by the inner sides in the first and second directions based on the abutment.

4. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 3, wherein, The sidewall also has an end face adjacent to the inner side face, and the second limiting structure includes two second working surfaces perpendicular to each other. In the installed state, the two second working surfaces abut against the end face respectively, so as to limit the first direction and the second direction in opposite directions based on the abutment.

5. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 4, wherein, The first limiting structure includes two first extension arms, which are disposed on the support in a positionally relative and movable manner, and the first working surface is formed on the first extension arms.

6. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 5, wherein, The second limiting structure includes two second extension arms, which are disposed on the support portion in a relatively fixed position, and the second working surface is formed on the second extension arms.

7. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 6, wherein, The second connecting portion includes a third limiting structure having two third working surfaces connected to the cut in a way that they are facing away from each other, so as to be limited in a third direction by a structure corresponding to the vicinity of the cut.

8. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 7, wherein, At least one of the third working surfaces extends a latch with a limiting direction opposite to the installation direction of the plug, the latch engaging with the table surface to achieve limiting by the table surface in a direction opposite to the installation direction of the plug.

9. A plug for a countertop as defined in claim 8, wherein, The plug also includes a shielding portion that can cover at least a portion of the edge of the cut.

10. A domestic appliance characterized in that, The household appliance includes a countertop, which is provided with a cover for the countertop including any one of claims 1 to 9.

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