The present disclosure generally relates to laundry appliances, and more specifically, a hinge for attaching a rotationally operable door to a structural cabinet for an appliance, where the door includes a sheet metal hinge and an integral feature for limiting rotational operation of the door toward an open position.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes an outer cabinet having a front aperture for accessing a processing space. A door selectively engages the front aperture in a closed position to enclose the processing space. A hinge includes a cabinet mount attached to the outer cabinet and having a stop that defines an open position of the door. A hinge pin extends through the cabinet mount to define a rotational axis of the hinge. A sheet metal flange is press fit onto the hinge pin and is fixedly attached to the door. The sheet metal flange is wrapped around the hinge pin and is attached to the door via fasteners. The pin includes a protrusion that selectively engages the stop of the cabinet mount in the open position.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for attaching a door to an appliance cabinet includes steps of placing a bushing within a bracket portion of a cabinet mount for a hinge, and inserting a hinge pin within a central bore of the bushing. Opposing ends of the hinge pin extend outward from the bracket portion and the bushing. A cam portion of the hinge pin is located to abut a stop to define an open position of the hinge. The stop is located within the central bore of the bushing. Attachment members of a sheet metal flange are located on the opposing ends of the hinge pin. The attachment members are press fit around the opposing ends of the hinge pin to fixedly secure the sheet metal flange to the hinge pin and fixedly secure the busing to the cabinet mount.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for attaching a door to an appliance cabinet includes placing a bushing within a bracket portion of a cabinet mount for a hinge. A hinge pin is inserted within a central bore of the bushing. Opposing ends of the hinge pin extend outward from the bracket portion and the bushing. The hinge pin includes a cam member. An abutment portion of the cam member selectively engages a stop of the bracket portion in an open position of the hinge. Attachment members of a sheet metal flange are located on the opposing ends of the hinge pin. The cam member is located between the bracket portion and one of the attachment members. The attachment members are press fit onto the opposing ends of the hinge pin to fixedly secure the sheet metal flange to the hinge pin and fixedly secure the bushing to the cabinet mount.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a hinge for a door of a laundry appliance having a sheet metal portion and an integral stop mechanism. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to
When the door 12 is in the closed position 18, various locking mechanisms 50 can be used to secure the door 12 in the closed position 18 with respect to the cabinet 14 for enclosing the processing space 22. This allows for the articles being processed and the processing media to be contained within the processing space 22. One or more controllers 52 can be used for operating this locking mechanism 50 and allowing the door 12 to be moved from the closed position 18 to the open position 16. In the open position 16, the hinge pin 32, which is attached to the sheet metal flange 36, rotates about the rotational axis 34 relative to the cabinet mount 28. As will be described more fully below, portions of the hinge pin 32 engage integral features incorporated within the cabinet mount 28 that form the stop 30 to define the open position 16 of the door 12 and prevent over rotation of the door 12 beyond the open position 16. In addition, use of the integral stop 30 that is incorporated within the hinge pin 32 and the cabinet mount 28 minimizes eccentric rotational forces that are exerted on the hinge 26 when the door 12 is moved to the open position 16.
To assist in confining moment forces to the engagement between the hinge pin 32 and the integral stop 30 included within the cabinet mount 28, the cabinet mount 28 includes a bushing 60 that is secured within a borehole 62 of the bracket portion 64 of the cabinet mount 28. The hinge pin 32 extends through a central bore 66 of the bushing 60 and is rotationally operable within the bushing 60 between the open and closed positions 16, 18. The bushing 60 is secured to the cabinet mount 28. In this manner, the sheet metal flange 36 and the hinge pin 32 rotate as a unit and the bushing 60 and the cabinet mount 28 are fixed to one another and remain stationary during operation of the door 12 between the open and closed positions 16, 18. To assist in the rotational operation of the door 12, the bushing 60 includes an end flange 68 that is positioned at one side of the bracket portion 64. A washer 70 is positioned at an opposing side of the bracket portion 64. As will be more fully described below, this washer 70 can take various forms, and in certain aspects of the device, can be incorporated within a portion of the integral stop 30 of the sheet metal hinge 10.
Referring again to
As exemplified in
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To assist in the press fit operation, each hinge pin 32 can include a textured portion 102 that receives at least one attachment member 80 of the opposing attachment members 80 for the sheet metal flange 36. This textured portion 102 defines an increased structural engagement between the hinge pin 32 and the sheet metal flange 36 to increase the structural integrity of this connection. This textured portion 102 can include knurling, etching, scoring, protuberances, corners, surface patterns and other texturing features that can be used to enhance the attachment between the hinge pin 32 and the attachment members 80 of the sheet metal flange 36.
Referring now to
As exemplified in
Referring now to
The central bore 66 of the bushing 60 includes a guide section 140 that engages the cylindrical outer surface 142 of the hinge pin 32 and guides operation of the hinge pin 32 about the rotational axis 34. The enlarged section 112 accommodates rotation of the abutment flange 110 about the rotational axis 34. The guide section 140 and the enlarged section 112 are configured to be concentric about the rotational axis 34 of the hinge pin 32. In addition, the guide section 140 and the enlarged section 112 of the central bore 66 for the bushing 60 are configured to typically extend entirely through the length of the bushing 60. In certain aspects of the device, the guide section 140 can extend entirely through the length of the bushing 60 and the enlarged section 112 can extend from one end of the bushing 60 and through a majority of the length of the bushing 60. Such configuration can be used to provide a single point of entry for the hinge pin 32 relative to the bushing 60. This configuration can be used to assist in securing the axial alignment of the hinge pin 32 and the bushing 60 relative to the rotational axis 34.
Referring again to
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As exemplified in
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According to the method 400, after the press fitting of the attachment members 80 around the opposing ends 82 of the hinge pin 32 is complete, the cabinet mount 28 of the hinge 26 is attached to the appliance cabinet 14 (step 412). In addition, the sheet metal flange 36 is attached to the door 12 (step 414). In attaching the sheet metal flange 36 of the hinge 26 to the door 12 and the cabinet mount 28 to the appliance cabinet 14, screws, bolts or other fasteners 38 are typically used. According to various aspects of the device, various covers or other concealing members can be used for hiding the presence of the fasteners 38 that attach the various components of the hinge 26 to the door 12 and the appliance cabinet 14.
Referring now to
In locating the abutment portion 174 of the cam member 170, the spacer portion 172 of the cam member 170 is positioned to one side of the bracket 90 and the end flange 68 of the bushing 60 is positioned at the opposing side of the bracket 90. In this manner, the spacer portion 172 of the cam member 170 and the end flange 68 of the bushing 60 space apart the various components of the hinge 26 to prevent direct engagement of the sheet metal flange 36 with the cabinet mount 28.
Referring again to
After the press fitting of the attachment members 80 onto the opposing ends 82 of the hinge pin 32 is complete, the cabinet mount 28 of the hinge 26 is attached to the appliance cabinet 14 (step 512). The sheet metal flange 36 is also attached to the door 12 (step 514). Again, these attachments are typically accomplished through various fasteners 38.
According to various aspects of the device, as exemplified in
Typically, the door 12 will be used for a horizontal axis washing machine where the door 12 rotates about the rotational axis 34 that is either vertical or near vertical. Accordingly, when the door 12 is away from the closed position 18, certain moment forces are exerted upon the hinge 26 as the door 12 hangs from the hinge 26 in the open position 16 or one of the intermediate positions that is away from the closed position 18. The robust configuration of the hinge 26, as described herein, accommodates these moment forces to prevent sagging or other downward deflection of the door 12 over time. In addition, when the door 12 is moved to the open position 16 and certain abuse loads are placed upon the door 12, these abuse loads are placed directly upon the hinge pin 32 and the integral stop 30 that is formed between the hinge pin 32 and the cabinet mount 28. Accordingly, these abuse forces are generally directed through more robust components of the hinge 26.
In forming the sheet metal flange 36, the sheet metal flange 36 is typically stamped, cut or otherwise formed out of a sheet of sheet metal and then formed into the desired configuration through an additional stamping process or other similar forming processes that produce the various undulations and support flanges that are formed within the sheet metal flange 36. Using this forming operation, the sheet metal flange 36 can be formed through the use of minimal materials as well as a minimal amount of time and resources.
According to various aspects of the device, the configuration of the sheet metal flange 36 and the cabinet mount 28 are similar in each configuration of the sheet metal hinge 10 described herein. The engagement between the hinge pin 32, the bushing 60 and the washer 70 can vary between the various aspects of the device. In this manner, the integral stop 30 that is formed between the sheet metal flange 36 and the cabinet mount 28 can be defined by the configuration of the hinge pin 32, the bushing 60 and the washer 70 that are used to separate the sheet metal hinge 10 and the cabinet mount 28 from one another. In addition, the hinge pin 32, the bushing 60 and the washer 70 also serve to align the sheet metal hinge 10 and the cabinet mount 28 with one another to provide for rotation of the door 12 around the rotational axis 34 of the hinge pin 32. This configuration of the sheet metal hinge 10 provides robust engagement between the door 12 and the outer cabinet 14 that is able to significantly resist conventional loads as well as certain abuse loads that are placed on the door 12 over the life of the appliance. In addition, the use of the sheet metal flange 36 in combination with the integral stop 30, provides for a more efficient use of time and resources in manufacturing the sheet metal hinge 10 and the appliance in general.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an appliance includes an outer cabinet having a front aperture for accessing a processing space. A door selectively engages the front aperture in a closed position to enclose the processing space. A hinge includes a cabinet mount attached to the outer cabinet and having a stop that defines an open position of the door. A hinge pin extends through the cabinet mount to define a rotational axis of the hinge. A sheet metal flange is press fit onto the hinge pin and is fixedly attached to the door. The sheet metal flange is wrapped around the hinge pin and is attached to the door via fasteners. The pin includes a protrusion that selectively engages the stop of the cabinet mount in the open position.
According to another aspect, the cabinet mount includes a bushing that is secured within a bracket portion of the cabinet mount. The hinge pin extends through a central bore of the bushing and is rotationally operable within the bushing between the open and closed positions.
According to yet another aspect, the bushing includes an end flange positioned at one side of the bracket portion. A washer is positioned at an opposing side of the bracket portion.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the hinge pin includes an abutment flange that engages the stop in the open position of the door. The central bore of the bushing includes a an enlarged section that accommodates the abutment flange. The enlarged section includes a radial surface that defines the stop.
According to another aspect, the hinge pin includes a cam member and the stop is formed within the bracket portion of the cabinet mount. Rotation of the door to the open position engages the cam member of the pin with the stop of the cabinet mount.
According to yet another aspect, the cam member includes a spacer portion and an abutment portion that selectively engages the stop.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the bushing includes an end flange that includes a notch. The notch engages a locating tab of the bracket portion of the cabinet mount that at least partially attaches the bushing to the cabinet mount.
According to another aspect, the sheet metal flange includes opposing attachment members that are press fit onto opposing ends of the hinge pin.
According to yet another aspect, the opposing attachment members of the sheet metal flange are configured to be press fit onto the opposing ends of the hinge pin when the pin is positioned within the bushing and the bracket portion.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cabinet mount is made of cast metal.
According to another aspect, a method for attaching a door to an appliance cabinet includes steps of placing a bushing within a bracket portion of a cabinet mount for a hinge, and inserting a hinge pin within a central bore of the bushing. Opposing ends of the hinge pin extend outward from the bracket portion and the bushing. A cam portion of the hinge pin is located to abut a stop to define an open position of the hinge. The stop is located within the central bore of the bushing. Attachment members of a sheet metal flange are located on the opposing ends of the hinge pin. The attachment members are press fit around the opposing ends of the hinge pin to fixedly secure the sheet metal flange to the hinge pin and fixedly secure the busing to the cabinet mount.
According to yet another aspect, the step of placing the bushing within the bracket portion includes locating a notch that is defined within an end flange of the bushing to engage a locating tab of the bracket portion.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cabinet mount of the hinge is attached to said appliance cabinet. The sheet metal flange of the hinge is attached to said door.
According to another aspect, the cam portion of the hinge pin is located within an enlarged section of the central bore for the bushing. Engagement of an abutment flange with the stop of the enlarged section defines the open position of the hinge.
According to yet another aspect, the cam portion of the hinge pin is an elongated flange and the enlarged section extends through at least a majority of the bushing to receive the elongated flange.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for attaching a door to an appliance cabinet includes placing a bushing within a bracket portion of a cabinet mount for a hinge. A hinge pin is inserted within a central bore of the bushing. Opposing ends of the hinge pin extend outward from the bracket portion and the bushing. The hinge pin includes a cam member. An abutment portion of the cam member selectively engages a stop of the bracket portion in an open position of the hinge. Attachment members of a sheet metal flange are located on the opposing ends of the hinge pin. The cam member is located between the bracket portion and one of the attachment members. The attachment members are press fit onto the opposing ends of the hinge pin to fixedly secure the sheet metal flange to the hinge pin and fixedly secure the bushing to the cabinet mount.
According to another aspect, the cam member includes a spacer portion that is fixedly attached to an outer surface of the hinge pin.
According to yet another aspect, the abutment portion extends radially outward from the spacer portion.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the step of placing the bushing within the bracket portion includes locating a notch that is defined within an end flange of the bushing to engage a locating tab of the bracket portion. The end flange opposes the spacer portion of the cam member.
According to another aspect, the cabinet mount of the hinge is attached to said appliance cabinet. The sheet metal flange of the hinge is attached to said door.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.