Patent Application
20110296630
The present invention relates generally to washing machines and, more particularly, to improved designs for washing machine lids.
Washing machines perform a number of cycles to complete a wash operation including a wash cycle and one or more rinse and spin cycles. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,298, incorporated by reference herein. Washing machines can generally be classified as a top loading washing machine or a front loading washing machine, depending on where the laundry is loaded into the washing machine.
Top loading washing machines generally have a housing or cabinet with a tub contained therein where the washing is performed. The housing includes a top cover with an opening to provide access to the tub. A lid is attached to the top cover for movement between open and closed positions of the washing machine. Lids often have a mechanism that prevents the washing machine from operating when the lid is open, to prevent injury to the user.
Typically, when the lid is in a closed and operational position, users are unable to see their clothes while they are being washed. With prior designs, users had to open the lid to observe the clothing inside, thereby suspending operation of the washing machine. A need therefore exists for an improved lid design that allows users to observe the clothing while a top loading washing machine is operating.
As described herein, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention overcome one or more disadvantages known in the art.
One aspect of the present invention relates to an appliance lid comprising a viewing window; and at least one clamshell providing partial encapsulation of the viewing window using at least two parts surrounding the viewing window. The viewing window allows operation of an appliance to be observed. In one embodiment, the clamshell comprises a top piece and a bottom piece encapsulating the viewing window. The appliance may be, for example, a top loading washing machine.
The top and bottom pieces can be fastened to one another, for example, using an adhesive or one or more mechanical fasteners. One or more gaskets can optionally be provided along at least one edge of the viewing window. A magnet can optionally be embedded in the clamshell to provide a safety system for the appliance. For example, the magnet can activate a switch to turn off the appliance when the lid is opened.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to washing machine having an appliance lid comprising a viewing window; and at least one clamshell providing partial encapsulation of the viewing window using two parts surrounding the viewing window.
Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a washing machine comprised of a housing having an opening to provide access to a tub. The disclosed method comprises the steps of providing a lid for covering the opening, wherein the lid comprises a viewing window encapsulated between at least one clamshell, wherein the at least one clamshell comprises at least two parts surrounding the viewing window, and wherein a user can observe operation of the washing machine through the viewing window; and suspending operation of the washing machine if the lid is opened.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. Moreover, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.
In the drawings:
The present invention provides an improved appliance lid, for use with washing machines and the like. According to one aspect of the invention, the appliance lid includes a viewing window that is partially encapsulated between at least one clamshell. As used herein, a clamshell provides partial encapsulation using two parts that surround another part.
The construction of the exemplary multi-piece clamshell assembly 130-1, 130-2 is discussed further below in conjunction with
The viewing window 120 is comprised of glass or another transparent or semi-transparent material. As previously noted, the viewing window 120 allows observation of the wash cycle without opening the lid 110. In this manner, the user can safely observe the wash, without interfacing with the wash load during an operating cycle. The viewing window 120 provides a structural component attaching the front and rear clamshell assemblies 130-1, 130-2.
In the exemplary embodiment, the top piece 130-1-top and bottom piece 130-1-bottom in the first clamshell 130-1 are held together using screws. Likewise, the top piece 130-2-top and bottom piece 130-2-bottom in the second clamshell 130-2 are held together using screws. Alternatively, the top and bottom pieces of the clamshells 130-1, 130-2 may lock together along an edge to minimize the need of fastening.
The exemplary multi-piece clamshell 130-1, 130-2 can be comprised of one or more materials for optimal chemical and corrosion resistance. The finish of the clamshell pieces 130-1, 130-2 can be selected to ensure that the appearance of sink marks and other defects is hidden or masked.
In the exemplary embodiment, the first (rear) clamshell 130-1 and second (front) clamshell 130-2 are attached to the viewing window 120 using an adhesive, such as Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) elastomer sealant. The adhesive is the primary mechanical attachment between the viewing window 120 and the multi-piece clamshell 130-1, 130-2. Among other benefits, the adhesive adds strength to the exemplary multi-piece clamshell assembly and prevents water from running into the multi-piece clamshell 130-1, 130-2.
As shown in
One or more bumpers (not shown in
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a magnet (not shown in
From a process perspective, lids 110, 605 in accordance with the present invention can optionally be fabricated in an integrated line allowing direct transfer from an injection machine to assembly stations. The transfer may or may not include cooling mechanisms or fixturing to prevent distortion of parts.
Adhesive or tape bond-enhancing operations may optionally be integrated into adhesive or tape or assembly operation or fixturing. Parts are fixtured for automated or manual assembly. Other fastening methods may include ultrasonic welding and/or hot-plate welding of the clamshell pieces, as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Among other benefits, the disclosed lids 110, 605 do not require paint, making the assembly more robust to scratches and paint chipping off.
Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
