Front facade structure for a front door of a dishwasher

Abstract

The front facade structure of a front door of a dishwasher has a wall (1) made of plastic for sealed closure of the washing tank and a facing panel (2, 11) mounted on the outer face of the abovementioned wall (1), at a distance from the wall (1) such that the space that separates them can receive at least one housing (6) enclosing the electronic device for controlling, monitoring and managing the operation of the appliance. The housing (6) is fastened to the facing panel (2, 11) by devices (8) that are accessible and removable from the front face of the facing panel (2).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Nowadays there are two types of dishwashers on the market: autonomous ones and those referred to as integrable or integrated, which are housed in a dedicated space provided in a set of furniture elements constituting the homogeneous equipment of a kitchen.

[0002] Although the functional structure of these two types of appliances is similar, their exterior structure differs substantially depending on the manufacturer, in particular as regards the door facade and the arrangement of the control panel.

[0003] It is therefore necessary to offer the user two types of appliances, and this has an impact on the cost price and therefore the market price of these appliances.

[0004] Moreover, in each type of appliance, the electronic control means are, most of the time, housed in the thickness of the door, which means that in the event of a breakdown, it is necessary to completely dismantle the door to access these means in order to repair or replace them. In addition, it is generally not possible to provide standardized equipment suitable equally for a freestanding dishwasher or a built-in dishwasher. Specifically, the exterior facade of a built-in dishwasher is clad with a facing panel, in harmony with the other furniture elements of the kitchen, leaving no possibility of easily disposing on the facade the various control, selection and display members of the electronic means for managing the operation of the dishwasher. An example of a dishwasher door structure, illustrating certain means that allow this adaptation, is described in document FR 2.465.460. Upon reading the latter, the complexity of this structure will be understood.SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In order to make the job of the installer of an integrated kitchen easier, and to rationalize the manufacture of dishwashers intended for both uses, a subject of the invention is a front facade structure of a front door of a dishwasher having a wall for sealed closure of the washing tank and a facing panel. The facing panel is mounted on the outer face of the abovementioned wall, at a distance from the latter such that the space that separates them can receive at least one housing enclosing the electronic means for controlling, monitoring and managing the operation of the appliance. The housing is fastened to the facing panel by fastening means that are accessible and removable from the front face of the latter.

[0006] Preferably, the electronic means contained in the housing are connected to a flat cable of conductors arriving at and coming from the electronic means through a wall of the housing, the flat cable of conductors being housed in said space.

[0007] Advantageously, the fastening means are constituted by screws that pass through an external peripheral edge of the housing, which are adapted to the material of the facing panel.

[0008] Preferably, the facade structure of the invention has a decorative cover that fits over said peripheral edge so as to conceal the fastening screws. This cover has magnetized pegs situated facing the abovementioned screw heads.

[0009] The invention also relates to a dishwasher appliance having a front door and electronic means for controlling, monitoring and managing the operation of the appliance that are housed in a front facade structure of a front door that has all or some of the above features.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will be better understood with reference to the description and the drawings given below. Reference will be made to the figures, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates, by an exploded front perspective view, a door structure of a dishwasher intended to be an integrated kitchen furniture element,

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates, by an exploded rear perspective view, the door structure in FIG. 1,

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates, by an exploded front perspective view, a door structure of a dishwasher intended to be autonomous,

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates, by an exploded front perspective view, the door structure in FIG. 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wall 1 made of plastic that forms the internal wall of the door of a dishwasher. This wall 1 constitutes the support of a facing panel 2 of which the external face is in harmony with the set of furniture elements in which the dishwasher is to be integrated. The connection between this facing 2 and the wall 1 is ensured by spacers 3, two lateral spacers and one horizontal upper spacer, which are preferably also made of plastic. Before being fastened to the outer face of the wall 1, these spacers are attached to the rear face of the facing panel 2 by means of screws depicted by the lines 5. Thus, the screws cannot be seen on the visible face of the panel 2. The facing equipped with the spacers is fastened to the wall 1 by screws 4.

[0016] The panel 2 is provided with an opening 2a that can be made at the installation location by the installer. This opening 2a can then receive a housing 6, which is preferably made of plastic, containing all the electronic control, monitoring and management elements of the appliance, in particular the printed circuit board and the various indicator lights linked to the operation of the dishwasher. This housing can be easily opened in order to access these various components, once extracted from the opening 2a.

[0017] The housing 6 is provided with a peripheral collar 7 that serves to fasten it to the facing panel 2 by means of screws 8 passing through it, which are adapted, like the others, to the nature of the facing material. The bulk of the housing is thus housed in the space that exists, by virtue of the spacers, between the wall 1 and the panel 2, in which space is also housed a flat cable (or bundle) of conductors arriving at and coming from the electronic components situated in the housing through its lateral wall. As most breakdowns or operating incidents on a household appliance of this type result from the electronic components, it is easy to dismantle the housing 6 in order to extract it from the opening 2a, to open it and to test the operation of the electronics that it contains. Provision may be made for the flat cable of conductors to have a length in excess of that just necessary to connect the electronic components of the housing 6 when the housing 6 is in position, this excess of length making it easier to extract the housing 6. The flat cable of conductors may end in a connector arranged to be connected to a connector that passes through the wall of the housing 6 and that is connected to the electronic components contained in the housing 6.

[0018] The means of the invention finally comprise a decorative Cover 9 that covers the housing 6 and its collar 7, being retained by magnetized studs 10 that, for example, are inserted into the material of the cover and cooperate with corresponding ferromagnetic studs in the collar and in particular on the heads of the screws 8.

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a variant embodiment of a dishwasher door structure according to the invention. Some of the elements already described in the preceding figures bear the same references.

[0020] The facing panel 11 is in this case constituted by a metal sheet folded into an open box with rear rims 11a allowing it to be attached by screwing to the door wall 1. It is then no longer necessary to put spacers in place between these two elements for the passage, for example, of the flat cable of conductors between the housing and the various functional members of the dishwasher.

[0021] This panel 11 is provided with an opening 11b to accommodate the housing 7. The latter is also screwed onto the panel 11 by means of appropriate screws (sheet metal screws) and covered by the decorative cover 9 with holding magnets.

[0022] It will be understood from the above description that the structure according to the invention allows rationalized manufacture of one or other of the types of dishwashers that the market demands. In addition, it is easy for the user (or the kitchen installer) to adapt the facing to the other elements of the kitchen, to modify it over time without having to change the whole appliance, and to act on the control electronics during breakdowns or malfunctions. The structure according to the invention falls within the context of a more constrained economy in which the obsolescence of consumer products tends to be combated.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0015]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wall 1 made of plastic that forms the internal wall of the door of a dishwasher. This wall 1 constitutes the support of a facing panel 2 of which the external face is in harmony with the set of furniture elements in which the dishwasher is to be integrated. The connection between this facing 2 and the wall 1 is ensured by spacers 3, two lateral spacers and one horizontal upper spacer, which are preferably also made of plastic. Before being fastened to the outer face of the wall 1, these spacers are attached to the rear face of the facing panel 2 by means of screws depicted by the lines 5. Thus, the screws cannot be seen on the visible face of the panel 2. The facing equipped with the spacers is fastened to the wall 1 by screws 4.

[0016]The panel 2 is provided with an opening 2a that can be made at the installation location by the installer. This opening 2a can then receive a housing 6, which is preferably made of plastic, containing all the electronic contr...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Nowadays there are two types of dishwashers on the market: autonomous ones and those referred to as integrable or integrated, which are housed in a dedicated space provided in a set of furniture elements constituting the homogeneous equipment of a kitchen.

[0002] Although the functional structure of these two types of appliances is similar, their exterior structure differs substantially depending on the manufacturer, in particular as regards the door facade and the arrangement of the control panel.

[0003] It is therefore necessary to offer the user two types of appliances, and this has an impact on the cost price and therefore the market price of these appliances.

[0004] Moreover, in each type of appliance, the electronic control means are, most of the time, housed in the thickness of the door, which means that in the event of a breakdown, it is necessary to completely dismantle the door to access these means in order to repair or replace them. In addition, it is generally not possible to provide standardized equipment suitable equally for a freestanding dishwasher or a built-in dishwasher. Specifically, the exterior facade of a built-in dishwasher is clad with a facing panel, in harmony with the other furniture elements of the kitchen, leaving no possibility of easily disposing on the facade the various control, selection and display members of the electronic means for managing the operation of the dishwasher. An example of a dishwasher door structure, illustrating certain means that allow this adaptation, is described in document FR 2.465.460. Upon reading the latter, the complexity of this structure will be understood.SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In order to make the job of the installer of an integrated kitchen easier, and to rationalize the manufacture of dishwashers intended for both uses, a subject of the invention is a front facade structure of a front door of a dishwasher having a wall for sealed closure of the washing tank and a facing panel. The facing panel is mounted on the outer face of the abovementioned wall, at a distance from the latter such that the space that separates them can receive at least one housing enclosing the electronic means for controlling, monitoring and managing the operation of the appliance. The housing is fastened to the facing panel by fastening means that are accessible and removable from the front face of the latter.

[0006] Preferably, the electronic means contained in the housing are connected to a flat cable of conductors arriving at and coming from the electronic means through a wall of the housing, the flat cable of conductors being housed in said space.

[0007] Advantageously, the fastening means are constituted by screws that pass through an external peripheral edge of the housing, which are adapted to the material of the facing panel.

[0008] Preferably, the facade structure of the invention has a decorative cover that fits over said peripheral edge so as to conceal the fastening screws. This cover has magnetized pegs situated facing the abovementioned screw heads.

[0009] The invention also relates to a dishwasher appliance having a front door and electronic means for controlling, monitoring and managing the operation of the appliance that are housed in a front facade structure of a front door that has all or some of the above features.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention will be better understood with reference to the description and the drawings given below. Reference will be made to the figures, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates, by an exploded front perspective view, a door structure of a dishwasher intended to be an integrated kitchen furniture element,

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates, by an exploded rear perspective view, the door structure in FIG. 1,

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates, by an exploded front perspective view, a door structure of a dishwasher intended to be autonomous,

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates, by an exploded front perspective view, the door structure in FIG. 3.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wall 1 made of plastic that forms the internal wall of the door of a dishwasher. This wall 1 constitutes the support of a facing panel 2 of which the external face is in harmony with the set of furniture elements in which the dishwasher is to be integrated. The connection between this facing 2 and the wall 1 is ensured by spacers 3, two lateral spacers and one horizontal upper spacer, which are preferably also made of plastic. Before being fastened to the outer face of the wall 1, these spacers are attached to the rear face of the facing panel 2 by means of screws depicted by the lines 5. Thus, the screws cannot be seen on the visible face of the panel 2. The facing equipped with the spacers is fastened to the wall 1 by screws 4.

[0016] The panel 2 is provided with an opening 2a that can be made at the installation location by the installer. This opening 2a can then receive a housing 6, which is preferably made of plastic, containing all the electronic control, monitoring and management elements of the appliance, in particular the printed circuit board and the various indicator lights linked to the operation of the dishwasher. This housing can be easily opened in order to access these various components, once extracted from the opening 2a.

[0017] The housing 6 is provided with a peripheral collar 7 that serves to fasten it to the facing panel 2 by means of screws 8 passing through it, which are adapted, like the others, to the nature of the facing material. The bulk of the housing is thus housed in the space that exists, by virtue of the spacers, between the wall 1 and the panel 2, in which space is also housed a flat cable (or bundle) of conductors arriving at and coming from the electronic components situated in the housing through its lateral wall. As most breakdowns or operating incidents on a household appliance of this type result from the electronic components, it is easy to dismantle the housing 6 in order to extract it from the opening 2a, to open it and to test the operation of the electronics that it contains. Provision may be made for the flat cable of conductors to have a length in excess of that just necessary to connect the electronic components of the housing 6 when the housing 6 is in position, this excess of length making it easier to extract the housing 6. The flat cable of conductors may end in a connector arranged to be connected to a connector that passes through the wall of the housing 6 and that is connected to the electronic components contained in the housing 6.

[0018] The means of the invention finally comprise a decorative Cover 9 that covers the housing 6 and its collar 7, being retained by magnetized studs 10 that, for example, are inserted into the material of the cover and cooperate with corresponding ferromagnetic studs in the collar and in particular on the heads of the screws 8.

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a variant embodiment of a dishwasher door structure according to the invention. Some of the elements already described in the preceding figures bear the same references.

[0020] The facing panel 11 is in this case constituted by a metal sheet folded into an open box with rear rims 11a allowing it to be attached by screwing to the door wall 1. It is then no longer necessary to put spacers in place between these two elements for the passage, for example, of the flat cable of conductors between the housing and the various functional members of the dishwasher.

[0021] This panel 11 is provided with an opening 11b to accommodate the housing 7. The latter is also screwed onto the panel 11 by means of appropriate screws (sheet metal screws) and covered by the decorative cover 9 with holding magnets.

[0022] It will be understood from the above description that the structure according to the invention allows rationalized manufacture of one or other of the types of dishwashers that the market demands. In addition, it is easy for the user (or the kitchen installer) to adapt the facing to the other elements of the kitchen, to modify it over time without having to change the whole appliance, and to act on the control electronics during breakdowns or malfunctions. The structure according to the invention falls within the context of a more constrained economy in which the obsolescence of consumer products tends to be combated.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0015]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wall 1 made of plastic that forms the internal wall of the door of a dishwasher. This wall 1 constitutes the support of a facing panel 2 of which the external face is in harmony with the set of furniture elements in which the dishwasher is to be integrated. The connection between this facing 2 and the wall 1 is ensured by spacers 3, two lateral spacers and one horizontal upper spacer, which are preferably also made of plastic. Before being fastened to the outer face of the wall 1, these spacers are attached to the rear face of the facing panel 2 by means of screws depicted by the lines 5. Thus, the screws cannot be seen on the visible face of the panel 2. The facing equipped with the spacers is fastened to the wall 1 by screws 4.

[0016]The panel 2 is provided with an opening 2a that can be made at the installation location by the installer. This opening 2a can then receive a housing 6, which is preferably made of plastic, containing all the electronic contr...

Claims

1. A front facade structure of a front door of a dishwasher appliance, the structure comprising:a wall for sealed closure of the washing tank,a facing panel, andat least one housing enclosing electronic means for controlling monitoring and managing operation of the appliance,wherein the facing panel is mounted on an outer face of the wall, at a distance from the wall so that a space that separates the facing panel from the wall can receive the at least one housing enclosing the electronic means for controlling, monitoring and managing the operation of the appliance, andwherein the at least one housing is fastened to the facing panel by fasteners that are accessible and removable from a front face of the facing panel.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic means are connected to a flat cable of conductors arriving at and coming from the electronic means situated in the housing through a wall of the housing, the flat cable of conductors being housed in the space.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fasteners include screws that pass through an external peripheral edge of the housing, the screws being adapted to a material of the facing panel.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the structure comprises a decorative cover that fits over the peripheral edge so as to conceal the screws.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cover has magnetized pegs facing heads of the screws.

6. A dishwasher having a front comprising the structure as claimed in claim 1.

7. The structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fasteners include screws that pass through an external peripheral edge of the housing, the screws being adapted to a material of the facing panel.

8. The structure as claimed in claim 7, wherein the structure comprises a decorative cover that fits over the peripheral edge so as to conceal the screws.

9. The structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover has magnetized pegs facing heads of the screws.

10. A dishwasher having a front door comprising the structure as claimed in claim 2.

11. A dishwasher having a front door comprising the structure as claimed in claim 3.

12. A dishwasher having a front door comprising the structure as claimed in claim 4.

13. A dishwasher having a front door comprising the structure as claimed in claim 5.

14. A dishwasher having a front door comprising the structure as claimed in claim 7.

15. A dishwasher having a front door comprising the structure as claimed in claim 8.

16. A dishwasher having a front door comprising the structure as claimed in claim 9.

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