A dishwasher comprising a hinge mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is provided in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a door (4) which enables the washing tub (3) to be isolated from the outer environment and which is opened downwards by rotating around the horizontal axis; a decorative panel (D) which is attached onto the door (4); a hinge (5) which enables the door (4) to be connected so as to move on the body (2) and which has a hinge receptacle (5), a hinge arm (6) connected to the door (4), a movement arm (7) connected to the hinge arm (6) and a transmission member (8) enabling the motion of the movement arm (7) to be transmitted; and a spring group (10) which is provided at one end of the transmission member (8) and which enables the weight of the door (4) to be balanced.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a hinge mechanism.

[0002] In dishwashers, the washing process is performed in the washing tub. The washing tub is isolated from the outer environment by means of a door. In the dishwasher, the door is opened by rotating on the horizontal axis such that the lower edge thereof remains fixed on the body. The door is perpendicular to the floor of the environment in the closed position, and parallel to the floor of the environment in the fully open position. Today, the use of built-in dishwashers is known. The built-in dishwashers are placed in the kitchen furniture and decorative panels compatible with the kitchen furniture are attached onto the door. Thus, the dishwasher is completely hidden in the kitchen and an aesthetic appearance is provided. The decorative panels attached onto the door are selected by the user and mounted on the dishwasher by service staff. The decorative panel attached onto the dishwasher door varies depending on the kitchen structure and the design of the cabinets. The varying weights and sizes of the decorative panel cause difficulties in assembly. Hinge mechanisms which can carry the weight of the door are being developed. Since the hinge mechanisms may undergo deformation over time, the need for service may arise.

[0003] In the state of the art Chinese Utility Model Document No. CN 217631920 U, a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising a hinge mechanism having a spring group which balances the weight of the door.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher comprising a hinge having a spring group which provides ease of assembly and service in the door opening mechanism.

[0005] The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a washing tub which is provided on the body; a door which enables the washing tub to be isolated from the outer environment; a hinge which enables the door to be connected to the body; and a spring group which enables the weight of the door to be balanced. The hinge comprises a hinge receptacle; a hinge arm which is connected to the door, a movement arm to which the motion of the hinge arm is transmitted; and a transmission member which is connected to the movement arm. The spring group is connected to the transmission member. Thus, the movement of the door is balanced.

[0006] The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a spring group having a balancing spring and a balancing member. The balancing spring surrounds the balancing member. The balancing member is removably mounted onto the transmission member. Thus, the entire spring group can be removed and replaced in order to eliminate deformations which may occur on the spring over time.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the connection member which is a screw. By means of the connection member which is screwed onto the transmission member, a secure assembly is provided and the connection member can be easily removed and replaced from the hinge.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a housing which is provided at one end of the balancing member, a fixing member which extends across the housing, and a holding member which is provided at the other end of the balancing member and which prevents the spring from moving out. The housing is a circular member which surrounds the balancing member. One end of the spring is seated onto the housing, and one end of the spring is enabled to be fixed on the balancing member by means of the fixing member extending across the housing. The other end of the spring is held by means of the holding member. Thus, the spring is enabled to move along the balancing member.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the spring group which switches to a first position when the door is brought to the open position, and to a second position when the door is brought to the closed position. In the first position, the balancing member is pulled downward by means of the transmission member, and the balancing spring provided thereon is compressed. Thus, the weight of the door is counterbalanced. Depending on the weight of the decorative panel to be used on the door, springs with different stiffness levels can be used. When the door is brought to the closed position, the balancing member moves upward and the energy stored in the balancing spring is released.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a channel which enables the balancing member to move downward in the first position. The channel enables the fixing member to pass through the balancing member.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the balancing member which can move downward by the length of the channel. The fixing member passes through the channel. When the balancing member reaches the lowest position, the channel bears against the fixing member. Thus, the balancing spring is enabled to be compressed by the length of the channel.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the spring group which is removed from the hinge as a single unit when the connection member is detached from the transmission member. Thus, the spring group can be replaced without requiring any technical operation on the hinge.

[0013] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, comprising a spring group which is removably connected to the transmission member so as to be removed from the hinge.

[0014] A dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: Figure 1 - is the sideways view of the dishwasher. Figure 2 - is the front view of the hinge.

[0015] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows: 1-Dishwasher 2-Body 3-Washing tub 4-Door 5-Hinge receptacle 6-Hinge arm 7-Movement arm 8-Transmission member 9-Hinge 10-Spring group 11-Balancing spring 12-Connection member 13-Balancing member 14-Housing 15-Fixing member 16-Holding member 17-Channel

[0016] The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is provided in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a door (4) which enables the washing tub (3) to be isolated from the outer environment and which is opened downwards by rotating around the horizontal axis; a decorative panel (D) which is attached onto the door (4); a hinge (5) which enables the door (4) to be connected so as to move on the body (2) and which has a hinge receptacle (5), a hinge arm (6) connected to the door (4), a movement arm (7) connected to the hinge arm (6) and a transmission member (8) enabling the motion of the movement arm (7) to be transmitted; and a spring group (10) which is provided at one end of the transmission member (8) and which enables the weight of the door (4) to be balanced. The hinge (9) comprises a hinge receptacle (5), a hinge arm (6) connected to the door (4), a movement arm (7) to which the motion of the hinge arm (6) is transmitted, and a transmission member (8) connected to the movement arm (7). The spring group (10) is connected to the transmission member (8). Thus, the movement of the door (4) is balanced.

[0017] The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises the spring group (10) having a balancing member (13) which enables the weight of the door (4) to be balanced by means of a balancing spring (11) provided thereon and which is connected to one end of the transmission member (8) by means a removable connection member (12). The balancing spring (11) surrounds the balancing member (13). The balancing member (13) is removably connected to one end of the transmission member (8). Thus, if deformed over time, the spring group (10) can be removed from the hinge (9).

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the spring group (10) having the connection member (12) which is a screw. The connection member (12) is a screw. The balancing member (13) can be easily removed by being connected to the transmission member (8) by means of the screw-type connection member (12). Thus, serviceability is improved.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the spring group (10) having a housing (14) which is provided at one end of the balancing member (13) and which enables the balancing spring (11) to be attached to the balancing member (13), a fixing member (15) which passes through the housing (14), and a holding member (16) which is provided at the other end of the balancing member (13) and which ensures that the other end of the balancing spring (11) is fixed. The housing (14) surrounds the balancing member (13). One end of the balancing spring (11) which is wound around the balancing member (13) is surrounded by means of the housing (14). By means of the fixing member (15) which passes across the diameter of the housing (14), one end of the balancing spring (11) is enabled to be fixed on the housing (14). The other end of the balancing spring (11) is positioned on the opposite end of the balancing member (13). By means of the holding member (16) provided there, the balancing spring (11) is prevented from detaching from the balancing member (13).

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the spring group (10) having a first position wherein the balancing member (13) moves downward by means of the transmission member (8) and the balancing spring (11) is compressed when the door (4) is in the open position, and a second position wherein the balancing member (13) moves upward and the balancing spring (11) remains on the balancing member (13) without being energized when the door (4) is in the closed position. As the door (4) is brought to the open position, the hinge arm (6) moves forward together with the door (4) so as to enable the movement arm (7) to rotate and move downward. The movement of the movement arm (7) is transmitted to the transmission member (8), and the balancing member (13) moves downward. The balancing member (13) moves downward from the housing (14) such that the balancing spring (11) thereon is compressed and the spring group (10) shifts to the first position. When the door (4) is in the closed position, the spring group (10) returns to its original state. The balancing member (13) moves upward, and the balancing spring (11) remains on the balancing member (13) without being energized. Thus, the spring group (10) shifts to the second position.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the spring group (10) having a channel (17) through which the fixing member (15) passes so as to allow the balancing member (13) to move downward in the first position. By means of the channel (17) provided on the balancing member (13), the fixing member (15) is enabled to pass through the channel (17) while shifting to the first position. The fixing member (15) passes through the channel (17).

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the spring group (10) having the balancing member (13) which moves downward by the length of the channel (17) while shifting to the first position, and the balancing spring (11) which is compressed on the balancing member (13). The balancing member (13) moves in the vertical plane by the length of the channel (17). Thus, the balancing spring (11) is enabled to be compressed with a specific force. Depending on the weight of the door (4), springs of different thicknesses may be used.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the spring group (10) which is removed as a whole from the housing (14) when the connection member (12) is detached from the transmission member (8). When the connection member (12) is removed, the spring group (10) can be removed from the hinge (9) as a whole. Thus, when deformed, the balancing spring (11) or the balancing member (13) can be replaced easily.

[0024] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, wherein the serviceability is improved by means of the spring group (10) which is removably connected to the transmission member (8). Thus, the spring group (10) can be removed from the hinge (9) and replaced without the need to replace the entire hinge (9). Consequently, cost and usability advantages are achieved.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is provided in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; a door (4) which enables the washing tub (3) to be isolated from the outer environment and which is opened downwards by rotating around the horizontal axis; a decorative panel (D) which is attached onto the door (4); a hinge (5) which enables the door (4) to be connected so as to move on the body (2) and which has a hinge receptacle (5), a hinge arm (6) connected to the door (4), a movement arm (7) connected to the hinge arm (6) and a transmission member (8) enabling the motion of the movement arm (7) to be transmitted; and a spring group (10) which is provided at one end of the transmission member (8) and which enables the weight of the door (4) to be balanced, characterized by the spring group (10) having a balancing member (13) which enables the weight of the door (4) to be balanced by means of a balancing spring (11) provided thereon and which is connected to one end of the transmission member (8) by means a removable connection member (12).

2. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the spring group (10) having a housing (14) which is provided at one end of the balancing member (13) and which enables the balancing spring (11) to be attached to the balancing member (13), a fixing member (15) which passes through the housing (14), and a holding member (16) which is provided at the other end of the balancing member (13) and which ensures that the other end of the balancing spring (11) is fixed.

3. A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the spring group (10) having a first position wherein the balancing member (13) moves downward by means of the transmission member (8) and the balancing spring (11) is compressed when the door (4) is in the open position, and a second position wherein the balancing member (13) moves upward and the balancing spring (11) remains on the balancing member (13) without being energized when the door (4) is in the closed position.

4. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the spring group (10) having a channel (17) through which the fixing member (15) passes so as to allow the balancing member (13) to move downward in the first position.

5. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the spring group (10) having the balancing member (13) which moves downward by the length of the channel (17) while shifting to the first position, and the balancing spring (11) which is compressed on the balancing member (13).

6. A dishwasher (1) as in any one of Claims 3 to 5, characterized by the spring group (10) which is removed as a whole from the housing (14) when the connection member (12) is detached from the transmission member (8).

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