A household appliance comprising a counterweight

Abstract

The present invention discloses a household appliance (E) comprising at least one body (G); at least one inner compartment within the body (G); at least one door (K) controlling access to the inner compartment, and preferably connected to a lower section of the body (G) to perform a rotational movement along an axis, preferably via at least one hinge, wherein the household appliance (E) is prevented from tipping during a movement of the door (K). Said household appliance (E) comprises at least one rear opening (1) provided at a lower section of the rear side of the body (G); at least one rear cover (2) suitable for closing said rear opening (1), and which has at least one base plate (2) and at least one weight compartment (2b) attached to the base plate (2a); and at least one counterweight located in the weight compartment (2b).

Description

[0001] A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING A COUNTERWEIGHT

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising a counterweight.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Particularly, a household appliance such as an oven or a dishwasher comprises a body; an inner compartment within the body; and a door providing access to the inner compartment. Here, to facilitate easier access to the inner compartment and allow more convenient use of the inner compartment’s volume, said door is connected to a lower section of the body by means of, for example, a hinge, so as to rotate along a horizontal axis or a vertical axis.

[0006] During such a rotational movement of the door in the household appliance, due to the weight of the door, the center of gravity of the household appliance shifts toward the door. In such cases, there is a risk of the household appliance tipping forward due to both the weight of the door and the force applied thereto. To address this problem, the known technique employs counterweights within the body (at the rear side of the body), which are typically made of a material such as concrete. These counterweights prevent the household appliance from tipping over by ensuring that the center of gravity remains within the body even when the door is moved to the open position.

[0007] In applications of the known art, said counterweights are produced by pouring concrete into a mold and allowing it to dry and solidify. Here, the solidified concrete is attached to the rear section of the body through fastening elements. However, in such applications, the use of concrete necessitates first pouring it into a mold and waiting for it to dry. Therefore, a high number of molds are required for mass production, and issues such as the breaking of the concrete during its removal from the mold are encountered. Such situations lead to increased production costs. Moreover, during the transportation of the household appliance, vibrations and impacts can cause problems such as crumbling of the counterweight. In such cases, not only can other components of the household appliance or surrounding objects be damaged due to the crumbled parts, but also issues such as the detachment of the counterweight from said fastening elements may arise.

[0008] Brief Description of the Invention

[0009] The present invention discloses a household appliance comprising at least one body; at least one inner compartment within the body; at least one door controlling access to the inner compartment, and preferably connected to a lower section of the body to perform a rotational movement along an axis, preferably via at least one hinge, wherein the household appliance is prevented from tipping during a movement of the door. Said household appliance comprises at least one rear opening provided at a lower section of the rear side of the body; at least one rear cover suitable for closing said rear opening, and which has at least one base plate and at least one weight compartment attached to the base plate; and at least one counterweight located in the weight compartment.

[0010] In the household appliance according to the present invention, the counterweight for preventing tipping during the opening movement of the door is located in the weight compartment that is provided in the rear cover for closing the rear opening. In this way, the counterweight is attached to the household appliance in both a practical and reliable manner.

[0011] Object of the Invention

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance that is prevented from tipping over.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance comprising a counterweight.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance that is easy and practical to produce, and also has a durable and long-lasting structure. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance comprising a counterweight that is resistant to breakage and avoids pollution of the surrounding environment.

[0015] Description of the Drawings

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the household appliance according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of the household appliance according to the invention, in a partially assembled state.

[0018] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rear cover of the household appliance according to the invention.

[0019] Figure 3 is a detailed rear view of the household appliance according to the invention, in a partially assembled state.

[0020] Figure 4 is a detailed view of a rear cover connection of the household appliance according to the invention.

[0021] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

[0022] Household appliance (E)

[0023] Body (G)

[0024] Door (K)

[0025] Rear opening (1)

[0026] Rear cover (2)

[0027] Base plate (2a)

[0028] Weight compartment (2b)

[0029] Drain (2c)

[0030] Connection plate (2d)

[0031] Mounting hole (2e)

[0032] Protrusion (2f)

[0033] Through hole (2g)

[0034] Lower body (3) Connection hole (3a) of the Invention

[0035] A household appliance such as an oven or a dishwasher may comprise a door attached to the body to rotate on a horizontal or vertical axis. Here, when the door is opened, a center of gravity of the household appliance may move outside the body due to the weight of the door and the force applied thereto, causing the household appliance to tip over. Therefore, the present invention discloses a household appliance which is prevented from tipping over due to the movement of the door.

[0036] The household appliance (E) according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1- 4, comprises at least one body (G); at least one inner compartment within the body (G); at least one door (K) controlling access to the inner compartment, and preferably connected to a lower section of the body (G) to perform a rotational movement along an axis (e.g. a horizontal or vertical axis), preferably via at least one hinge; at least one rear opening (1) provided at a lower section of the rear side of the body (G); at least one rear cover (2) suitable for closing said rear opening (1), and which has at least one base plate (2) and at least one weight compartment (2b) attached to the base plate (2a); and at least one counterweight located in the weight compartment (2b).

[0037] In various embodiments of the invention, the household appliance (E) may be an oven or a dishwasher. In embodiments where the household appliance (E) is an oven, a heating system is provided in the body (G), while in embodiments where it is a dishwasher, a washing system is provided in the body (G). Here, the door (K) of the household appliance (E) is connected to the lower section of the front face of the body (G) via at least one hinge, so as to perform a rotational movement along a horizontal axis. This enables convenient access to the inner compartment when the door (K) is moved to the open position. When the door (K) is opened and positioned horizontally, the center of gravity of the household appliance (E) shifts toward the door (K). If said center of gravity extends beyond the limits of the body (G), there is a risk of the household appliance (E) tipping over. For this reason, the household appliance (E) according to the present invention uses a counterweight at the rear section of the body (G). Said counterweight is provided within a weight compartment (2b) in a rear cover (2) that closes a rear opening (1) located at the lower section of the rear side of the body (G). The weight compartment (2b) and the rear cover (2) can be produced, for instance, by cutting and bending a metal sheet material using a method such as laser cutting or by employing a molding technique. The counterweight, for example, is made of concrete, which is poured into the weight compartment (2b) and allowed to dry and solidify in place. Once solidified, the counterweight integrates with the rear cover (2). When the rear cover (2) is attached to the body (G) to close the rear opening (1), the counterweight is securely and reliably connected to the household appliance (E). Additionally, since the counterweight is provided within the weight compartment (2b), it is protected from damage during manufacturing and transportation processes. This ensures that the household appliance (E) has a more durable structure.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said weight compartment (2b) is attached to the base plate (2a) such that the counterweight is positioned between the weight compartment itself and the base plate (2a). In this embodiment, the rear cover (2) comprises at least one connection plate (2d) attached to the weight compartment (2b). During the production of the household appliance (E), the counterweight material (e.g., concrete mix) is first poured into the weight compartment (2b), and subsequently, the weight compartment (2b) is connected to the base plate (2a), for example, using a welding method via the connection plate (2d). This ensures that the counterweight is securely enclosed within the weight compartment (2b). Here, the weight compartment (2b) is attached to the middle part of the base plate (2a) (ensuring equal distance from the left and right sides). In this way, when the rear cover (2) is connected to the body (G), the center of gravity of the household appliance (E) is prevented from shifting towards right or left side, thereby avoiding unwanted conditions such as load imbalance especially during transportation or storage of the appliance. In this embodiment, for example, when concrete is used as the counterweight, it is possible to attach the rear cover (2) to the body (G) to close the rear opening (1) without waiting for the concrete mix to dry. This allows the production of the household appliance (E) to be completed more quickly and efficiently.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, said rear cover (2) comprises at least one drain (2c). The drain, provided at an upper part of the rear cover (2) and preferably in a "II" shape, allows the passage of components such as electrical wiring and / or water pipes that need to extend from the household appliance (E). The drain (2c) may be provided at the base plate (2a) and / or the connection plate (2d).

[0040] Yet in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear cover (2) comprises at least one mounting hole (2e) provided on the base plate (2a). In this embodiment, the household appliance (E) comprises at least one fastening element, preferably a screw, which is inserted through the mounting hole (2e) for connection to the body (G). Therefore, the rear cover (2) can be attached to the body (G) for closing the rear opening (1), in a practical and reliable manner.

[0041] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear cover (2) comprises at least one protrusion (2f) provided at a lower section thereof. In this embodiment, the body (G) comprises at least one lower body (3) with at least one connection hole (3a) suitable for the placement of the protrusion (2f). In this embodiment, when the rear cover (2) is attached to the body (G), the protrusion (2f) is first placed into the connection hole (3a), positioning the rear cover (2) on the lower body (3). Then, for example, using said fastening element, the rear cover (2) is fixed to the body (G). By first placing the protrusion (2f) into the connection hole (3a) and positioning the rear cover (2) on the lower body (3), the relatively heavy rear cover (2), which contains the counterweight, is reliably supported during installation onto the body (G). Additionally, the protrusion (2f) and connection hole (3a) prevent any backward flexing of the rear cover (2) connected with the counterweight, due to the forces that may act from the front, for example, during the transportation of the household appliance (E).

[0042] Still in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear cover (2) comprises at least one through hole (2g) on the weight compartment (2b). In this embodiment, particularly when concrete is used as the counterweight, a rod or screw is passed through the through hole (2g) either while the concrete mix is being filled into the weight compartment (2b) or after it has been filled. Once the concrete mix is dried, the rod or screw remains embedded within the concrete. Therefore, the concrete can be securely attached to the weight compartment (2b).

[0043] In the household appliance (E) according to the present invention, the counterweight for preventing tipping during the opening movement of the door (K) is located in the weight compartment (2b) that is provided in the rear cover (2) for closing the rear opening (1). In this way, the counterweight is attached to the household appliance in both a practical and reliable manner.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A household appliance (E) comprising at least one body (G); at least one inner compartment within the body (G); at least one door (K) controlling access to the inner compartment, and preferably connected to a lower section of the body (G) to perform a rotational movement along an axis, preferably via at least one hinge; characterized by comprising: at least one rear opening (1) provided at a lower section of the rear side of the body (G); at least one rear cover (2) suitable for closing said rear opening (1), and which has at least one base plate (2) and at least one weight compartment (2b) attached to the base plate (2a); and at least one counterweight located in the weight compartment (2b).

2. A household appliance (E) according to claim 1, characterized in that said weight compartment (2b) is attached to the base plate (2a) such that the counterweight is positioned between the weight compartment itself and the base plate (2a).

3. A household appliance (E) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear cover (2) comprises at least one connection plate (2d) attached to the weight compartment (2 b).

4. A household appliance (E) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the weight compartment (2b) is attached to the middle part of the base plate (2a)5. A household appliance (E) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear cover (2) comprises at least one drain (2c).

6. A household appliance (E) according to claim 5, characterized in that said drain (2c) has a "U" shape.

7. A household appliance (E) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear cover (2) comprises at least one mounting hole (2e) provided on the base plate (2a).

8. A household appliance (E) according to claim 7, characterized in that the household appliance (E) comprises at least one fastening element, which is inserted through the mounting hole (2e) for connection to the body (G).

9. A household appliance (E) according to claim 8, characterized in that said fastening element is a screw.

10. A household appliance (E) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear cover (2) comprises at least one protrusion (2f) provided at a lower section thereof.

11. A household appliance (E) according to claim 10, characterized in that said body (G) comprises at least one lower body (3) with at least one connection hole (3a) suitable for the placement of the protrusion (2f).

12. A household appliance (E) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear cover (2) comprises at least one through hole (2g) on the weight compartment (2b).

13. A household appliance (E) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (E) is an oven.

14. A household appliance (E) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the household appliance (E) is a dishwasher.

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