Patent Application
20090007374
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to dishwashers and, more particularly, to a hinge mechanism for a dishwasher, and a method associated therewith.
2. Description of Related Art
A dishwasher typically includes a wash tub for containing the dishware to be washed, wherein the tub defines a front opening. The front opening is configured to be engaged by a door for closing/sealing the front opening. The door is typically hinged at the lower end thereof such that the upper end of the door can be pivoted downward so as to permit access to the interior of the tub. The hinge mechanism engaged between the door and the tub (and/or the structure supporting the same) includes two hinge members. One hinge member is connected to the door (or can be the door itself), and the other hinge member is connected to the tub/support structure (or can be the tub/support structure itself). The two hinge members are further joined together by and pivot about a hinge pin.
Typically, the two hinge members and the hinge pin are each formed of a metal, such that the hinge mechanism includes a metal-to-metal contact between the pivoting components. In such instances, the metal-to-metal contact may be between the hinge portions, or between either of the hinge portions and the hinge pin. However, such a metal-to-metal contact may, for example, result in a relatively rough operation of the hinge (which may be manifest as a “rough feel” in the operation of the hinge), a relatively high friction between the pivoting components, and/or a relatively noisy operation. Accordingly, an improved hinge between the door and the tub of a dishwasher would be desirable.
The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in one embodiment, provides a dishwasher, comprising a tub member defining an opening and a door member configured to operably engage the tub member so as to cover the opening. A hinge portion is operably engaged with each of the tub member and the door member, wherein the respective hinge portions are pivotably secured together by a hinge pin so as to pivot about a substantially horizontal hinge axis. The door member hinge portion is over-center biased by a biasing member. A friction-reducing bushing is operably engaged with the hinge pin so as to isolate the hinge pin from direct contact with the door member hinge portion when the hinge portions are secured together.
Another aspect of the present invention comprises a method of engaging a tub member with a door member in a dishwasher, wherein the tub member defines an opening, and the door member is configured to operably engage the tub member so as to cover the opening. Such a method comprises pivotably securing together a first hinge portion operably engaged with the tub member and a second hinge portion operably engaged with the door member with a hinge pin, such that the hinge portions pivot about a substantially horizontal hinge axis. The second hinge portion is over-center biased with a biasing member. A friction-reducing bushing is operably engaged with the hinge pin when the first and second hinge portions are secured together so as to isolate the hinge pin from direct contact with the second hinge portion.
Aspects of the present invention thus provide significant advantages as further detailed herein.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
In order to provide the pivoting engagement between the first and second hinge portions 120, 140, a hinge pin 260 or other suitable pivot member may be operably engaged therebetween. For example, the hinge pin 260 may be provided in the form of a rivet, but generally includes a shaft portion 260A extending from a head portion 260B. In some prior art dishwasher hinge mechanisms, both hinge portions, as well as the hinge pin, are comprised of a metallic material. As such, those prior art hinge mechanisms may be characterized, for example, by relatively high friction between such components, relatively noisy and/or rough operation, and a less-than-robust tactile function. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention implement a bushing member 280 configured to operably engage the hinge pin 260 used to pivotably engage the first and second hinge portions 120, 140. In such instances, the bushing member 280 may be configured to axially extend at least partially along the shaft portion 260A of the hinge pin 260, and radially outward from the shaft portion 260A along the head portion 260B of the hinge pin 260. The bushing member 280, thus configured, isolates the shaft portion 260A of the hinge pin 260 from direct contact with at least the second hinge portion 140 and, in some instances, both of the first and second hinge portions 120, 140 (i.e., the shaft portion 260A of the hinge pin 260 is isolated from contact with the pin bores defined by the first and second hinge portions 120, 140 by the bushing member 280). Further, the bushing member 280 isolates the head portion 260B of the hinge pin 260 from direct contact with the first hinge portion 120 or the second hinge portion 140, with whichever the head portion 260B is configured to bear against (i.e., the head portion 260B of the hinge pin 260 being isolated from the second hinge portion 140 by the bushing member 280, as shown in
In some embodiments, the bushing member 280 may be comprised, for example, of a non-metallic material, such as a polymeric material. However, the bushing member 280 may be comprised of any suitable material, whether metallic (i.e., a brass material), non-metallic (i.e., a ceramic material), or a combination thereof (i.e., a polymer-coated metallic material). In any instance, the bushing member 280 thus disposed between the pivoting components (i.e., between the shaft portion 260A of the hinge pin 260 and at least one the second hinge portion 140, if not both of the first and second hinge portions 120, 140, or between the head portion 260B of the hinge pin 260 and the second hinge portion 140) provides a hinge mechanism 100 with lower friction between the pivoting components, a smoother and/or more tactile function, and/or a less noisy operation.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, in some embodiments, a washer member (not shown) may be disposed between the first and second hinge portions 120, 140, and about the shaft portion 260A of the hinge pin 260, so as to provide further isolation of the first hinge portion 120 from the second hinge portion 140, as both pivot with respect to each other. Such a washer member may be comprised of a metallic material, a non-metallic material, or combinations thereof, as necessary or desired for the particular application. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/888,474, filed Feb. 6, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60888474 | Feb 2007 | US |
