EP2638197B1

EP2638197B1 - A dryer comprising a removable piece for accumulating particles contained in the air

Info

Publication number: EP2638197B1
Application number: EP11784465.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Canyigit Atay; Dogan Demirhan; Can Sar; Levent Cinar; Omer Burak Coban
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2010-11-12
Filing date: 2011-11-11
Publication date: 2017-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-11
Also published as: TR201706749T4; WO2012062894A3; EP2638197A2; WO2012062894A2

Description

The present invention relates to a dryer comprising a removable piece.
In state of the art dryers, the wet laundry placed into a rotating drum are provided to be dried by being contacted with hot air. The hot circulation air evaporates the moisture of the laundry that it passes over and sweeps it away from the laundry. While the hot circulation air removes the moisture of the laundry in the drum, the lint and fiber particles formed in clothes due to usage and wearing also mix into the air together with the moisture. These particles accumulate in the course of time on elements like the filter, condenser etc. through which air passes after the drum and can cause the performance to decrease. Therefore, these elements should be taken out of the dryer periodically by the user and cleaned. In order to take out the removable elements from the dryer, the opening formed at the dryer body, preferably in the kick-plate area, is closed by different mechanisms for providing leak-proofing and locked with structures such as latch etc. In state of the art embodiments, on average once at every five cleaning processes, the user opens the outer cover, turns the latches and pulls the removable element out of the dryer. After the cleaning process is completed, the user locks the latches one by one and closes the outer cover while mounting it back into place.
In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1548178 , a condenser is explained that comprises two insertion members and a handle ring. The insertion members rotatably mounted to both sides of the condenser are placed in the grooves in the condenser receiving unit and provide the condenser to be leak-proofingly seated in the condenser receiving unit. The condenser is taken out by being pulled by holding the handle ring after turning the insertion members until they are released from the grooves.
Another state of the art embodiment is explained in the Japanese Patent Application No. JP2008012119 , which discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1. In this application, a dryer that comprises a locking lever used for locking the filter case is explained. When the locking lever is rotated around the central axis, the ends thereof are seated into the housings on the sides of the filter case, thereby providing locking.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dryer comprising a removable piece that can be easily mounted/dismounted for cleaning.
In the dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in the attached claims, the removable piece, whereon the particles in the air leaving the drum accumulate, is mounted to the casing disposed inside the body by means of a locking means. Retainers are disposed on the casing wherein the extensions of the locking means are placed for providing locking.
The locking means is mounted to the front wall from at least two points so as to rotate around its central axis. Accordingly, the load acting on the locking means is decreased and it becomes possible to produce the locking means from material having lower strength.
More in detail, the locking means is mounted on two pins disposed on the front wall. One rail aligned with each pin, providing the locking means to be borne to the pins is disposed on the locking means. The rails are in form of arc segments disposed on a circle the center of which is situated at the center of the locking means.
When the user rotates the locking means, the rails move on the pins and thus the locking means rotates around its center.
In an embodiment, the two pins are not aligned in the horizontal axis and there is a difference of level therebetween, allowing the extensions to be dislodged from inside the retainers. The length of the rails is preferably as much as this level difference between the pins. Thus, when the locking means is in the locked position, one rail bears against the pin from the lower end, the other rail bears against the other pin from the upper end. When the locking means is rotated, the rails move forward on the pins and this time both pins bear against the reverse side of the rail, wherein they are disposed, with respect to the locked position and the extensions are released from the retainers in this position. Thus, the removable piece can be cleaned by being pulled out from the casing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the rails have variable widths, in the open position its portion on the side of the pin wider than thickness of the pins, whereon it moves, and in the locked position its portion on the side of the pin narrower than thickness of the pins, whereon it moves. Thus, when the locking means is rotated to change from the open position to the locking position, the rail fixes the pin whereon it moves.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the retainer is shaped as a tab which comprises an opening that allows one end of the retainer to be inserted between the extensions. In the locking position, the extensions are fixed by being placed under the tab shaped retainers. The retainer has a geometry that narrows preferably in the locking direction so as to fix the extension.
In different embodiments of the present invention, the casing comprises two retainers on both sides, three retainers on both sides and the bottom or four retainers at the sides, top and bottom. In these embodiments, the locking means comprises two, three or four extensions corresponding to the number of retainers.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a handle is disposed on the locking means at the center point. The handle being disposed at the center of the locking means provides the user to rotate the locking means easily.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a cap is mounted on the pins for securing, after the rails are mounted on the pins. The cap is mounted on the end of the pin passing through the rail and is wider than the width of the rail. Thus, the rail can move on the pin in the plane of the front wall, however cannot move perpendicular to the front wall due to the cap and hence does not dislodge entirely from the rail. Both the pin and the cap have a hole each that is aligned when mounted on top of each other. The locking means is provided to be movably secured on the front wall by passing a screw through these holes.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the rail is shaped as an arrow showing the direction of unlocking. Thus, the user can easily distinguish the locking and unlocking directions. A cover that covers the cap and the pin is mounted on the rail.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the removable piece is disposed at the front lower side of the body, on the kick-plate that is at the position close to the floor.
In different embodiments of the present invention, the dryer can be a heat pump or conventional dryer, thus the removable piece can be a condenser, a filter or a filter group containing both the condenser and the filter.
A dryer realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a dryer.
Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a dryer.
Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the dryer while the removable piece is taken out of the casing in an embodiment of the present invention.Figure 4 - is the front view of the casing, the front wall and the locking means when the locking means is open in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 - is the front view of the casing, the front wall and the locking means when the locking means is locked in another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 - is the exploded perspective view of the casing, the front wall and the locking means in an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 - is the exploded sideways view of the front wall, the locking means, the cover, the cap and the screw in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.: Dryer
2.: Body
3.: Drum
4.: Casing
5.: Inlet
6.: Removable piece
7.: Front wall
8.: Retainer
9.: Locking means
10.: Extension
11.: Pin
12.: Rail
13.: Orifice
14.: Handle
15.: Cover
16.: Cap
17.: Screw

The dryer (1) of the present invention comprises,

a body (2),
a drum (3) disposed inside the body (2), wherein the laundry to be dried is placed,
a casing (4) disposed inside the body (2) and having an inlet (5) opening to the outside and
a removable piece (6) having a front wall (7), inserted through the inlet (5) and placed into the casing (4), whereon the particles in the air leaving the drum (3) are accumulated

Figure 1

The dryer (1) of the present invention furthermore comprises at least two retainers (8) disposed on the casing (4) and a locking means (9)

mounted to the front wall (7) from at least two points eccentric with respect its center (C) so as to rotate around the said center (C),
having at least two extensions (10) providing the removable piece (6) to be locked to the casing (4) by locking with the retainers (8).

Less load is provided to act on the extensions (10) and the expected life of the locking means (9) is provided to be prolonged by means of guiding the movement with at least two points eccentric with respect to the center (C) as compared with a connection made from the center (C).
The user turns the locking means (9) when the removable piece (6) is desired to be taken out of the body (2). The locking means (9) moves at the points where it is mounted to the front wall (7) so as to rotate around its center (C). At the end of the movement, the extensions (10) are released from the retainers (8) and thus the freed removable piece (6) can be taken out of the casing (4) by being pulled. The removable piece (6) is placed into the casing (4) again after cleaning. This time, the user turns the locking means (9) in the reverse direction. By the locking means (9) moving on the points from which it is mounted to the front wall (7) and rotating around the axis passing from its center (C), the extensions (10) lock with the retainers (8) again and the locking is provided. In the dryer (1) of the present invention, the locking of the removable piece (6) to the casing (4) from more than one point is provided by a single locking means (9). Accordingly, easy mounting/dismounting of the removable piece (6) by the user is provided.
More in detail, the front wall (7) comprises at least two pins (11) providing the locking means (9) to be borne, and the locking means (9) comprises at least two rails (12) guiding the movement thereof by being fastened on the pins (11). The rails (12) are shaped as arc segments disposed on the same circle and provide the locking means (9) to move by rotating around the center (C) of this circle by guiding it on the pins (11). Thus, the user completes the locking/unlocking process by a single movement when he/she holds the locking means (9) from a point near the center and rotates.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the rails (12) are shaped in narrowing form in the locking direction (LD) so as to provide fastening of the pins (11). Thus, the user can easily detect that the locking means (9) is in place or released during the operations of locking and unlocking.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the retainer (8) is in form of a tab under which the extension (10) enters and is fastened. In this embodiment, the retainer (8) comprises an orifice (13) providing it to be fastened by passing under the extension (10) when the locking means (9) is rotated in the locking direction (LD). The retainer (8) has a geometry that gets narrower after the orifice (13) in the locking direction (LD) so as to provide the extension (10) to be fastened.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the removable piece (6) comprises a gasket (not shown in the figures), disposed on the rear face of the front wall (7) that provides leak-proofing between the front wall (7) and the casing (4). In this embodiment, when the locking means (9) is in locked position, the retainers (8) exert pressure by fastening the extensions (10) and the locking means (9) presses the front wall (7) with the effect of this force. Thus, the gasket is fastened between the front wall (7) and the casing (4) and leak-proofing is provided particularly at the side walls, preventing the circulation air from escaping to the outside.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the casing (4) comprises three retainers (8) in total, one at the bottom and one each on both sides of the inlet (5). In this embodiment, the locking means (9) comprises three extensions (10) that face the sides and downwards so as to correspond with the retainers (8). Thus, each of the three extensions (10) are locked to the retainers (8) and locking is provided by rotating the locking means (9). Thus, besides airproofing, it is also possible to provide the liquid/airproofing required on the lower surface of the inlet (5) as a result of the hot air impacting and condensing on the front wall (7).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the casing (4) comprises four retainers (8) in total, one each at the top and bottom and one each on both sides of the inlet (5). In this embodiment, the locking means (9) comprises four extensions (10) that face the sides, upwards and downwards so as to correspond with the retainers (8). Consequently, locking and leak-proofing is provided on all sides by rotating the locking means (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking means (9) comprises a handle (14) disposed at the level of the rotational motion center (C). Thus, it is possible for the user to grasp and easily rotate the locking means (9).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) comprises a cap (16) mounted on the pins (11) after the rails (12) are mounted on the pins (11) and a screw (17) secured on the pin (11) over the cap (16). Consequently, the locking means (9) is prevented from dislodging due to the rail (12) being released from the pin (11).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the rail (12) is shaped as arrow so as to show the unlocking direction (UD). Thus, the user is provided to easily detect the unlocking direction (UD).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) comprises a cover (15) that covers over the rail (12) so as to hide the pins (11). The cover (15) is preferably bright colored and facilitates the detection of the unlocking direction (UD).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the casing (4) is disposed on the side of the body (2) at the region of the kick-plate, close to its base.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) is of the heat pump type and the removable piece (6) is a filter.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) is of conventional type and the removable piece (6) is a condenser.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the dryer (1) is of conventional type and the removable piece (6) is a condenser group that contains a condenser and filter.
By means of the present invention, a dryer (1) is realized wherein the removable piece (6) can be easily taken out by the user for performing the cleaning operation and wherein the removable piece (6) is locked in place in leak-proof and rigid manner.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A dryer (1) comprising
- a body (2),

- a drum (3) disposed inside the body (2), wherein the laundry to be dried is placed,

- a casing (4) disposed inside the body (2) and having an inlet (5) opening to the outside and

- a removable piece (6) having a front wall (7), placed into the casing (4) by being inserted through the inlet (5), whereon the particles contained in the air leaving the drum (3) are accumulated,

- at least two retainers (8) disposed on the casing (4) and a locking means (9) having at least two extensions (10) providing the removable piece (6) to be locked to the casing (4) by locking with the retainers (8),
characterized in that said locking means (9) is mounted to the front wall (7) at at least two points eccentric with respect to its center (C) so as to rotate around the said center (C),
the front wall (7) comprising at least two pins (11) providing the locking means (9) to be borne and the locking means (9) comprising at least two rails (12) that guide the movement of the locking means (9) by being mounted on the pins (11).
A dryer (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the rails (12) shaped as arc segments disposed on the same circle and that provide the locking means (9) to move by rotating around the center (C) of this circle by guiding it on the pins (11).
A dryer (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the rails (12) shaped in narrowing form so as to provide fastening of the pins (11) in the locking direction (LD).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the retainer (8) in form of a tab under which the extension (10) enters and is fastened.
A dryer (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by the retainer (8) comprising an orifice (13) enabling the locking means (9) to be fastened by passing under the extension (10) when the locking means (9) is rotated in the locking direction (LD).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the casing (4) comprising three retainers (8) in total, one at the bottom and one each on both sides of the inlet (5) and the locking means (9) comprising three extensions (10) that face the sides and downwards so as to correspond with the retainers (8).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the casing (4) comprising four retainers (8) in total, one each at the top and bottom and one each on both sides of the inlet (5) and the locking means (9) comprising four extensions (10) that face the sides, upwards and downwards so as to correspond with the retainers (8).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the locking means (9) comprising a handle (14) disposed at the level of the rotational motion center (C).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 8, characterized by a cap (16) mounted on the pins (11) after the rails (12) are mounted on the pins (11) and a screw (17) secured on the pin (11) through the cap (16).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 9, characterized by the rail (12) shaped as arrow so as to show the unlocking direction (UD).
A dryer (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 9, characterized by a cover (15) that covers over the rail (12) so as to hide the pins (11).
A heat pump type dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the removable piece (6) that is a filter.
A conventional type dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the removable piece (6) that is a condenser.
A conventional type dryer (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the removable piece (6) that is a condenser group containing a condenser and filter.