Washing machine and / or tumble dryer

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing machine and / or tumble dryer having - a housing with a front wall (10); - a closure element (11), which in a closed position is arranged beneath the front wall (10), or in the front wall (10), and in an open position is swung out from the front wall (10); - a flexible operating element (1), which is fastened on the closure element (11) and is designed so that, when operated, it causes the closure element (11) to pivot out of the closed position into the open position, wherein the flexible operating element (1) is fixed in terms of its shape and orientation in relation to the closure element (11).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Washing machine and / or dryer

[0003] The invention relates to a washing machine and / or dryer. In particular, the invention relates to a washing machine and / or dryer comprising a housing with a front wall and a base flap which, in a closed position, is arranged below the front wall and, in an open position, is folded out from the front wall. Such a base flap is typically provided as a service flap in the washing machine for a lint filter and, if appropriate, a dosing device, or in the dryer for removing a depth filter. It is typically designed as a flat plate which lies in the same plane as a plate forming the front wall of the washing machine and / or dryer.

[0004] It is known to operate the base flap using push-pull elements, swivel plugs, or recessed grips, spring-loading and unlocking it, or to raise it electromechanically. This results in disadvantages such as visual impairments such as large, sometimes wedge-shaped gaps for operating the push-pull mechanism, disruptive shapes for recessed grips, joints in multi-part implementations, etc., increased complexity in component / assembly tool development, and correspondingly high costs. Furthermore, there is a conflict between minimizing the impact on the visual appearance of the washing machine and / or dryer and ensuring the most obvious and user-friendly operation of the base flap.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a washing machine and / or dryer with a control element that overcomes the described disadvantages, in particular with a visually appealing, obvious and easy-to-use control element for operating the base flap.

[0006] The invention therefore addresses the problem of providing a washing machine and / or dryer with a visually appealing, self-explanatory and easy-to-use control element for operating the base flap.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a washing machine and / or dryer having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following subclaims.

[0008] The advantages achieved with the invention include providing a visually appealing, obvious, and easy-to-use control element for the base flap, enabling an improved user experience, overcoming the disadvantages described above, and allowing the flexible control element to be provided with lettering. The orientation of the flexible control element relative to the front wall can be implemented in the orientation desired by the manufacturer. This ensures an appealing appearance, good legibility of the lettering, and optimal operability. The flexible control element and its orientation are clearly defined so that it extends from the front wall with a predefined direction.

[0009] The invention relates to an automatic washing machine and / or automatic dryer, comprising a housing with a front wall; a closure element which is arranged below the front wall or in the front wall in a closed position and is folded out from the front wall in an open position; a flexible operating element which is fastened to the closure element and is designed to cause the closure element to pivot from the closed position to the open position when operated, wherein the flexible operating element is fixed in its shape and orientation with respect to the closure element.

[0010] The closure element can be arranged as a base flap below the front wall or in the lower section of the front wall. In another design, the closure element can be a door for closing the loading opening. The loading opening provides access to the treatment chamber, i.e., the washing machine drum or the dryer drum.

[0011] The flexible control element is preferably designed as a textile control element. More preferably, the flexible control element is designed as a textile tab.

[0012] There are several options for achieving the manufacturer's desired orientation of the flexible control element. Three of these options are described in more detail below.

[0013] A first possibility for achieving the fixed shape and orientation is through thermal forming during the production of the flexible control element. By applying heat and pressure over a specific period of time using a heating element, the orientation of the flexible control element made of thermoplastic materials or (synthetic) fibers can be changed and fixed. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible control element is made of a thermoplastically deformable material and / or fibers, such as synthetic fibers. These are easily deformable within a predetermined temperature range.

[0014] Preferably, the flexible control element is fixed in its shape and orientation by applying heat and / or pressure over a predetermined period of time using a heating element. For example, the flexible control element is held in a suitable device and ironed to create a defined bend with a predetermined angle. A textile tab is well suited as a control element for this purpose.

[0015] A second possibility for achieving the fixed shape and orientation is the use of an insert component or insert. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible operating element is provided with a rigid insert, which is designed and arranged on the flexible operating element in such a way that it fixes its shape and orientation. The use of the rigid insert, in particular, enforces the orientation of the flexible operating element.

[0016] The flexible operating element preferably has two flexible layers, between which the rigid insert is arranged. This means that the rigid insert is arranged within the two flexible layers. The flexible layers are preferably flexible textile layers. Alternatively or additionally, the rigid insert or another rigid insert can be arranged on an outer side of the flexible operating element. For example, the rigid insert can be arranged above or below the flexible operating element, with the top and bottom of the flexible operating element preferably being flat. Position and direction information refer to a normal operating position of the washing machine and / or dryer.

[0017] The rigid insert can be connected to the flexible operating element in any way. In a preferred embodiment, the rigid insert is connected to the flexible operating element in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. For example, the rigid insert is pressed against the flexible operating element in a force-fitting manner and / or joined by adhesive bonding. The connection can preferably also be made by a material bond, for example, by vulcanization or partial fusing of the insert to the operating element.

[0018] A third possibility for achieving the fixed shape and orientation is the use of shaping base flap components. The base flap preferably has a shaping geometry that fixes the flexible control element in its shape and orientation. With this configuration, no separate components such as the rigid insert and no specific material for the flexible control element are required to fix the flexible control element in its shape and orientation. The base flap preferably has one or more housing components that are used to connect the flexible control element and that have shaping geometries at an opening that define the shape and orientation of the flexible control element.

[0019] Preferably, the flexible control element is attached to an inner side of the base flap, which faces the interior of the washing machine and / or dryer, and is guided from the inner side to an outer side of the washing machine and / or dryer so that it can be operated by a user. Preferably, the base flap or the housing component has an opening through which the flexible control element can be guided.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the flexible operating element is fastened between housing components of the base flap. This prevents and / or reduces damage to their attachment to the housing component. The housing components preferably form a component group that is fastened to another housing component forming the base flap. This component group can be pre-assembled and inserted into the inside of the base flap. Alternatively, the flexible operating element, such as the textile tab, can be fastened directly to the inside of the base flap and / or connected to it. Connection points and shaping geometries can be integrated accordingly into the base flap component.

[0021] Preferably, the base flap or its housing component has an opening through which the concealed functional components, such as filter, pump or storage container for treatment agent, can be accessed.

[0022] Overall, the operating element can be designed as a flexible tab made of textile or fabric, with the rigid insert partially stabilizing the tab such that it protrudes at an angle relative to the plane of the front wall or the front surface of the closure element. Preferably, the operating element is designed such that it protrudes at an angle in the range of 5° to 90°, preferably 10° to 75°, relative to the front plane of the closure element or base flap. Accordingly, the rigid insert can be shaped such that such a positioning of the tab is established when it is exposed or is not bent in one direction by the user.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows schematically and not to scale.

[0024] Fig. 1 is a front view of a washing machine and / or dryer according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of individual components of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1;

[0025] Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or drying machine shown in Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment;

[0026] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1 according to a second embodiment;

[0027] Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1 according to a third embodiment;

[0028] Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1 according to a fourth embodiment; and

[0029] Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or drying machine shown in Fig. 1 according to a fifth embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a front view of an automatic washing machine and / or dryer according to the invention. The automatic washing machine and / or dryer comprises a housing with a front wall 10, a base flap 11, which is arranged below the front wall 10 in a closed position and folds out from the front wall 10 in an open position, and a flexible operating element 1, which is fastened to the base flap 11 and is designed to cause the base flap 11 to pivot from the closed position to the open position when operated. The flexible operating element 1 is fixed in its shape and orientation with respect to the base flap 11.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of individual components of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1. The flexible operating element 1 and two housing components 2, 4 are shown as individual components or individual parts, which are designed to partially house the flexible operating element 1. The housing component 4 has a fastening point 3, to which the flexible operating element 1 can be fastened in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, as well as an opening 9 through which the flexible operating element 1 can be passed. The housing components 2, 4 together with the integrated operating element 1, as shown in Figs. 3 to 7, are fastened to an inner side (not shown) of the base flap (not shown), which faces an interior of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1 and is guided from the inner side to an outer side of the

[0032] Washing machines and / or dryers are guided to be operated by a user. Housing component 2 is an optional component.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1 according to a first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the flexible operating element 1 is formed from a thermoplastically deformable material and / or fibers and is connected to the attachment point 3 in a form-fitting and optionally non-positive manner.

[0034] For production, the flexible control element 1 shown in Fig. 3 was subjected to thermal forming. By applying heat and pressure over a specific period of time using a heating element, the shape and orientation of the flexible control element 1 made of thermoplastic materials or (synthetic) fibers are changed and fixed. The flexible control element 1 is then attached to the attachment point 3, and the housing components 2, 4 are fastened to one another. The resulting component assembly shown in Fig. 3 is then attached to the inside of the base flap as described above for Fig. 2.

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1 according to a second embodiment. The component group shown in Fig. 4 comprises the individual parts shown in Fig. 2 and furthermore a rigid insert 5. The flexible operating element 1 is provided with the rigid insert 5, which is designed and arranged on the flexible operating element 1 in such a way that it fixes the latter in its shape and orientation. The flexible operating element 1 is fastened at the fastening point 3. The housing components 2, 4 are fastened to one another. The component group thus obtained, shown in Fig. 3, is then fastened to the inside of the base flap as described above for Fig. 2. The flexible operating element 1 has a flexible layer 7 and a further flexible layer 8, between which the rigid insert 5 is arranged.

[0036] For production, the rigid insert 5 is inserted between the flexible layer 7 and the further flexible layer 8 and connected with a force-locking and / or positive fit. The flexible control element 1 is then attached to the attachment point 3, and the housing components 2, 4 are fastened together.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or dryer shown in Fig. 1 according to a third embodiment. The embodiment shown in Fig. 5 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, with the difference that the rigid insert 5 is not inserted between two flexible layers, but is attached to an upper side of the flexible control element 1.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or drying machine shown in Fig. 1 according to a fourth embodiment. The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 with the difference that the rigid insert 5 is attached to a bottom side of the flexible operating element 1 rather than a top side. Fig. 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine and / or drying machine shown in Fig. 1 according to a fifth embodiment. The individual parts shown correspond to the individual parts shown in Fig. 2 with the difference that the housing component 4 has a shaping geometry 6 which fixes the flexible operating element 1 in its shape and orientation. The flexible operating element 1 extends through the shaping geometry 6 and is thereby fixed in its shape and orientation. The flexible operating element 1 is fastened to the fastening point 3.The housing components 2, 4 are fastened together. The resulting component assembly shown in Fig. 7 is then attached to the inside of the base flap as described above for Fig. 2.

[0039] List of reference symbols

[0040] 1 control element

[0041] 2 Housing component

[0042] 3 Fastening 4 Housing component

[0043] 5 inserts

[0044] 6 shaping geometry

[0045] 7 layer

[0046] 8 further layer 9 opening

[0047] 10 front wall

[0048] 11 Base flap

Claims

Patent claims 1. A washing machine and / or dryer, comprising a housing with a front wall (10); a closure element (11) which, in a closed position, is arranged below the front wall (10) or in the front wall (10) and, in an open position, is folded out from the front plane of the front wall (10); a flexible operating element (1) which is fastened to the closure element (11) and is designed, when operated, to cause the closure element (11) to pivot from the closed position into the open position, wherein the flexible operating element (1) is fixed in its shape and its orientation in relation to the closure element (11).

2. Washing machine and / or dryer, wherein the closure element (11) is a base flap or a door for closing a filling opening.

3. Washing machine and / or dryer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible operating element (1) is made of a thermoplastically deformable material and / or fibers.

4. Washing machine and / or dryer according to claim 3, characterized in that the flexible operating element (1) is fixed in its shape and orientation by means of a heating element by applying heat and / or pressure over a predetermined period of time.

5. Washing machine and / or dryer according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible operating element (1) is provided with a rigid insert (5) which is designed and arranged on the flexible operating element (1) in such a way that it fixes the latter in its shape and orientation.

6. Washing machine and / or dryer according to claim 5, characterized in that the flexible operating element (1) has two flexible layers, between which the rigid insert (5) is arranged, and / or that the rigid insert (5) is arranged on an outer side of the flexible operating element (1).

7. Washing machine and / or dryer according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the rigid insert (5) is connected to the flexible operating element (1) in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner.

8. Washing machine and / or dryer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (11) has a shaping geometry which fixes the flexible operating element (1) in its shape and orientation.

9. Washing machine and / or dryer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible operating element (1) is arranged on an inner side of the Closure element (11) which points towards an interior of the washing machine and / or dryer.

10. Washing machine and / or dryer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base flap (11) has housing components (2, 4) and the flexible operating element (1) is fastened between the housing components (2, 4) of the base flap (11).

11. Washing machine and / or dryer according to claim 10, characterized in that the housing components (2, 4) form a component group which is fastened to a further housing component forming the base flap (11).

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