ES2346416T3

ES2346416T3 - DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY REMOVING A DISPENSING DRAWER FROM AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE SUCH AS A WASHING MACHINE, AND AN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE THAT PRESENTS SUCH DEVICE.

Info

Publication number: ES2346416T3
Application number: ES03021226T
Authority: ES
Inventors: Dino Chirumbolo
Original assignee: ITW Industrial Components SRL
Current assignee: ITW Industrial Components SRL
Priority date: 2002-09-19
Filing date: 2003-09-18
Publication date: 2010-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-18
Also published as: DE60332903D1; ITTO20020813A1; EP1403415B1; EP1403415A3; EP1403415A2

Abstract

Un dispositivo (2) para extraer automáticamente un cajón (3) que se desliza dentro de un asiento (4), entre una posición extraída, en la cual el cajón emerge desde el asiento, y una posición replegada en la cual el cajón está alojado dentro del asiento, sustancialmente enrasado con una boca (5) del asiento; siendo dicho cajón, en particular, un cajón para dispensar fluidos de proceso de un aparato electrodoméstico (1); y comprendiendo el dispositivo un dispositivo (10) de liberación; medios elásticos (11) para empujar el cajón desde la posición replegada a la posición extraída; y medios (12) de deceleración para oponerse al movimiento deslizante del cajón dentro del asiento; comprendiendo también dicho dispositivo un dispositivo (14) de conversión reversible del movimiento giratorio a lineal; donde dichos medios elásticos y dichos medios de deceleración actúan sobre un miembro giratorio (15) de dicho dispositivo de conversión reversible del movimiento giratorio a lineal; y donde el dispositivo de conversión reversible del movimiento giratorio a lineal está situado entre dicho cajón y un miembro fijo (6) de dicho asiento, de manera que el movimiento del cajón desde la posición extraída a la posición replegada tiene lugar en oposición a dichos medios elásticos (11), mientras que el funcionamiento de dicho dispositivo de liberación produce un movimiento lineal del cajón desde la posición replegada a la posición extraída, como consecuencia de la acción de dichos medios elásticos; donde dicho dispositivo (14) de conversión reversible del movimiento giratorio a lineal es un mecanismo de piñón y cremallera; estando definido dicho miembro giratorio por un engranaje (15) alojado para la rotación dentro de una carcasa (16) y que engrana con una cremallera (18), fuera de la carcasa, a través de una ventana (19) formada a través de la carcasa (16); comprendiendo dicha carcasa (16) dos medias vainas (20, 21), al menos una de las cuales tiene forma de copa; una primera media vaina (20) que soporta libremente a dicho engranaje (15), que está montado de manera que se proyecta hacia la segunda media vaina (21); caracterizado porque, en combinación: - dicho engranaje (15) comprende un cuerpo (25) en forma de copa que tiene una concavidad interior (26) que mira hacia la segunda media vaina (21), comprendiendo dichos medios elásticos (11) un resorte helicoidal empaquetado entre dicha segunda media vaina (21) y dicha concavidad (26) del engranaje (15), y alojado totalmente dentro de la concavidad (26); - dichos medios (12) de deceleración consisten en un desacelerador giratorio por baño de aceite que comprende un cuerpo estanco (42) lleno de aceite de silicona y fijado integradamente dentro de dicha carcasa (16), por debajo de dicho engranaje (15), y un miembro giratorio (43) que gira con un alto grado de resistencia dentro del aceite y que se proyecta de manera estanca desde un lado de dicho cuerpo estanco (42); estando conectado dicho miembro giratorio (43) de dichos medios (12) de deceleración de manera que se engrana indirectamente con dicho engranaje (15), por medio de una transmisión dentada que comprende un piñón (44) angularmente ajustado de manera integrada con el miembro giratorio (43) y que engrana con un piñón (45) formado de una pieza con dicho cuerpo (25) en forma de copa de dicho engranaje (15), sobre el lado opuesto a dicha concavidad (26).A device (2) for automatically removing a drawer (3) that slides into a seat (4), between an extracted position, in which the drawer emerges from the seat, and a stowed position in which the drawer is housed inside the seat, substantially flush with a mouth (5) of the seat; said drawer being, in particular, a drawer for dispensing process fluids from an household appliance (1); and the device comprising a release device (10); elastic means (11) for pushing the drawer from the stowed position to the extracted position; and deceleration means (12) to oppose the sliding movement of the drawer inside the seat; said device also comprising a reversible conversion device (14) of the rotary to linear movement; wherein said elastic means and said deceleration means act on a rotating member (15) of said reversible conversion device of the rotary to linear movement; and wherein the reversible conversion device of the rotary to linear movement is located between said drawer and a fixed member (6) of said seat, so that the movement of the drawer from the extracted position to the retracted position takes place in opposition to said means elastic (11), while the operation of said release device produces a linear movement of the drawer from the retracted position to the extracted position, as a consequence of the action of said elastic means; wherein said reversible conversion device (14) of the rotary to linear movement is a rack and pinion mechanism; said rotating member being defined by a gear (15) housed for rotation inside a housing (16) and which meshes with a rack (18), outside the housing, through a window (19) formed through the housing (16); said housing (16) comprising two half sheaths (20, 21), at least one of which is cup-shaped; a first half sheath (20) freely supporting said gear (15), which is mounted so that it projects towards the second half sheath (21); characterized in that, in combination: - said gear (15) comprises a cup-shaped body (25) having an inner concavity (26) facing the second half-sheath (21), said elastic means (11) comprising a spring helical packaged between said second half sheath (21) and said concavity (26) of the gear (15), and housed entirely within the concavity (26); - said deceleration means (12) consist of a rotary oil bath rotary decelerator comprising a sealed body (42) filled with silicone oil and fixed integrally inside said housing (16), below said gear (15), and a rotating member (43) that rotates with a high degree of resistance within the oil and projects in a sealed manner from one side of said sealed body (42); said rotating member (43) of said deceleration means (12) being connected so that it engages indirectly with said gear (15), by means of a toothed transmission comprising an angularly adjusted pinion (44) integrally with the member rotating (43) and meshing with a pinion (45) formed of a piece with said cup-shaped body (25) of said gear (15), on the opposite side of said concavity (26).

Description

Dispositivo para extraer automáticamente un cajón dispensador de un aparato electrodoméstico tal como una máquina lavadora, y aparato electrodoméstico que presenta tal dispositivo.Device to automatically extract a dispensing drawer of an appliance such as a washing machine, and household appliance presenting such device.

La presente invención se refiere a un dispositivo para extraer automáticamente un cajón, en particular un cajón dispensador de detergente y/u otro fluido de proceso de un aparato electrodoméstico, en particular para una máquina lavadora; y a un aparato electrodoméstico que presenta tal dispositivo.The present invention relates to a device to automatically extract a drawer, in particular a detergent dispenser drawer and / or other process fluid of a home appliance, in particular for a washing machine; and to an appliance that has such a device.

Como es sabido, las máquinas lavadoras y otros aparatos electrodomésticos emplean detergentes y otros aditivos, tales como suavizantes, blanqueadores, etc., que se cargan en un cajón dispensador alojado y deslizante dentro de un asiento formado en el panel frontal de la máquina. El cajón pude ser deslizado manualmente por el usuario desde una posición replegada dentro del asiento, hasta una posición extraída en la cual sobresale desde el asiento, de manera que el detergente (líquido o en polvo) y otros aditivos o fluidos de proceso pueden ser cargados en el cajón desde el exterior. El cajón es empujado después por el usuario para devolverlo a la posición replegada dentro del asiento, donde queda suspendido sobre el depósito de succión para extraer el detergente/aditivos cuando se requiera, por medio de una corriente de agua.As is known, washing machines and others home appliances use detergents and other additives, such as softeners, bleaches, etc., that are loaded into a dispenser drawer housed and sliding inside a formed seat on the front panel of the machine. The drawer could be slid manually by the user from a stowed position within the seat, to an extracted position in which it protrudes from the seat, so that the detergent (liquid or powder) and others additives or process fluids can be loaded into the drawer from the outside. The drawer is then pushed by the user to return it to the stowed position inside the seat, where it remains suspended over the suction tank to remove the detergent / additives when required, by means of a stream of water.

Como el movimiento deslizante del cajón está actualmente guiado únicamente por el asiento, se atasca con frecuencia, tanto cuando se desliza el cajón hacia dentro como hacia fuera, y particularmente si el cajón (que está equipado normalmente con un asa) no es agarrado apropiadamente por el usuario. Más aún, como los topes de límite, si los hay, son del tipo de clic, que se rebasan fácilmente por medio de un tirón excesivo del cajón, el cajón puede incluso salirse accidentalmente del asiento; en cuyo caso la reinserción del cajón en el asiento puede resultar complicada.As the sliding movement of the drawer is currently guided only by the seat, it gets stuck with frequency, both when the drawer slides in and out, and particularly if the drawer (which is equipped normally with a handle) is not properly grasped by the Username. Moreover, as the limit stops, if any, are type of click, which are easily exceeded by means of a pull excessive drawer, the drawer can even accidentally come out of the seat; in which case the reinsertion of the drawer in the seat It can be complicated.

El dispositivo descrito en el documento US-A-48284344 supera parcialmente los inconvenientes anteriores, pero es generalmente voluminoso.The device described in the document US-A-48284344 partially exceeds the above inconveniences, but it is generally bulky.

Es un objeto de la presente invención eliminar los inconvenientes antes mencionados proporcionando un dispositivo de extracción automática del cajón, que permita al usuario manejar el cajón fácilmente y sin esfuerzo con una mano y sin riesgo de atasco, y que al mismo tiempo sea compacto, altamente fiable y económico de fabricar y montar.It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a device Automatic drawer extraction, allowing the user to handle the drawer easily and effortlessly with one hand and without risk of jam, and at the same time be compact, highly reliable and Economical to manufacture and assemble.

De acuerdo con la presente invención, se proporciona un dispositivo para extraer automáticamente un cajón que se desliza dentro de un asiento, entre una posición extraída, en la cual el cajón sobresale desde el asiento, y una posición replegada, en la cual el cajón está alojado dentro del asiento, sustancialmente enrasado con la boca del asiento; siendo dicho cajón, en particular, un cajón para dispensar fluidos de proceso de un aparato electrodoméstico; y comprendiendo el dispositivo un dispositivo de liberación; medios elásticos para empujar el cajón desde la posición replegada a la posición extraída; y medios de deceleración para oponerse al movimiento deslizante del cajón dentro del asiento; el dispositivo tiene las características que se reivindican en la reivindicación 1.In accordance with the present invention, provides a device to automatically extract a drawer that slides into a seat, between an extracted position, in which the drawer protrudes from the seat, and a position folded, in which the drawer is housed inside the seat, substantially flush with the mouth of the seat; being said drawer, in particular, a drawer for dispensing process fluids from an appliance; and the device comprising a release device; elastic means to push the drawer from the stowed position to the extracted position; and means of deceleration to oppose the sliding movement of the drawer inside the seat; the device has the characteristics that claim in claim 1.

El dispositivo de liberación es preferiblemente del tipo de empujar-empujar.The release device is preferably of the push-push type.

Como tal, el cajón se abre lentamente de manera automática por el usuario, simplemente presionando ligeramente sobre el panel frontal, y se cierra empujándolo, de nuevo desde la parte frontal, adentro del asiento, en oposición a los medios elásticos de apertura, para aplicarse al dispositivo de liberación en una configuración de enclavamiento que mantiene cerrado el cajón en la posición correcta. Sin embargo, el movimiento de cierre está guiado por el dispositivo de transmisión del movimiento utilizado para abrir el cajón automáticamente, impidiendo así también que el cajón se atasque cuando se cierra; y se impide que el usuario rebase las posiciones de límite establecidas, que son controladas por los topes de límite del dispositivo de liberación de empujar-empujar.As such, the drawer opens slowly so automatic by the user, simply by pressing lightly on the front panel, and closes by pushing it, again from the front, inside the seat, as opposed to the media opening elastic, to be applied to the release device in an interlocking configuration that keeps the drawer closed in the right position. However, the closing movement is guided by the motion transmission device used to open the drawer automatically, thus preventing the drawer gets stuck when it closes; and the user is prevented from passing the established limit positions, which are controlled by the limit stops of the release device push-push.

Se describirá a modo de ejemplo un modo de realización no limitativo de la presente invención, con referencia a los dibujos que se acompañan, en los cuales:An example of a mode of non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

la figura 1 muestra una vista esquemática parcialmente despiezada en perspectiva frontal de tres cuartos, del dispositivo de acuerdo con la invención;Figure 1 shows a schematic view partially exploded in three-quarter frontal perspective, of device according to the invention;

la figura 2 muestra una vista posterior de tres cuartos del dispositivo de la figura 1 montado;Figure 2 shows a rear view of three quarters of the device of figure 1 mounted;

la figura 3 muestra una sección de un detalle del dispositivo de las figuras 1 y 2;Figure 3 shows a section of a detail of the device of figures 1 and 2;

la figura 4 muestra una sección lateral esquemática de un aparato electrodoméstico, que presenta el dispositivo de las figuras 1 - 3.Figure 4 shows a side section schematic of an appliance, which presents the device of figures 1 - 3.

Con referencia a las figuras 1 a 4, el número 1 indica como un todo un aparato electrodoméstico, que en el ejemplo ilustrado es una máquina lavadora, equipado con un dispositivo 2 para extraer automáticamente un cajón dispensador 3 desde un asiento 4. Más específicamente, el cajón 3 es un cajón para dispensar detergente y otros fluidos de proceso (suavizante, blanqueador, etc.), y que se extrae para la carga desde el asiento 4, a través de una boca 5 del asiento 4 formada en un panel frontal 7 de la máquina 1. Por debajo del cajón 3, el asiento 4 tiene un depósito de succión 6 conocido, por el cual se extrae el detergente y otros aditivos del lavado, durante el uso, desde compartimentos separados conocidos (no ilustrados por razones de simplicidad) del cajón 3, por medio de una corriente de agua.With reference to figures 1 to 4, the number 1 indicates as a whole an appliance, which in the example Illustrated is a washing machine, equipped with a device 2 to automatically remove a dispenser drawer 3 from a seat 4. More specifically, drawer 3 is a drawer for dispense detergent and other process fluids (softener, bleach, etc.), and that is removed for loading from the seat 4, through a mouth 5 of the seat 4 formed in a front panel 7 of machine 1. Below drawer 3, seat 4 has a known suction tank 6, by which the detergent is removed and other washing additives, during use, from compartments known separately (not illustrated for simplicity reasons) of drawer 3, by means of a stream of water.

Por medio del dispositivo 2, el cajón 3 se desliza dentro del asiento 4 entre una posición extraída (no ilustrada), en la cual sobresale del asiento 4 y del panel frontal 7, y una posición replegada (figura 4) en la cual el cajón 3 está alojado dentro del asiento 4, sustancialmente enrasado con la boca 5 y sobre el depósito 6.By means of the device 2, the drawer 3 is slide into seat 4 between an extracted position (no illustrated), in which it protrudes from seat 4 and the front panel 7, and a stowed position (figure 4) in which the drawer 3 is housed inside seat 4, substantially flush with mouth 5 and about the deposit 6.

El dispositivo 2 comprende un dispositivo 10 de liberación, ilustrado parcialmente en la figura 1; medios elásticos 11 para empujar el cajón 3 desde la posición replegada a la posición extraída; y medios 12 de deceleración para oponerse al movimiento deslizante del cajón 3 dentro del asiento 4. De acuerdo con la invención, el dispositivo 2 comprende también un dispositivo 14 de conversión reversible del movimiento giratorio a lineal, y está diseñado de manera que los medios elásticos 11 y los medios 12 de deceleración actúan ambos, directa o indirectamente, sobre un miembro giratorio 15 del dispositivo 14; y el dispositivo 14 está situado entre el cajón 3 y un miembro fijo del asiento 4, definido por el depósito 6, de manera que el movimiento del cajón 3 desde la posición extraída a la posición replegada tiene lugar siempre en oposición a los medios elásticos 11, mientras que el funcionamiento del dispositivo 10 de liberación produce, como se describirá más tarde, un movimiento lineal del cajón 3 desde la posición replegada a la posición extraída, como consecuencia de la acción de los medios elásticos 11.The device 2 comprises a device 10 of release, partially illustrated in Figure 1; elastic means 11 to push the drawer 3 from the stowed position to the position extracted; and deceleration means 12 to oppose the movement drawer slider 3 inside the seat 4. According to the invention, device 2 also comprises a device 14 of reversible conversion of rotary to linear movement, and is designed so that the elastic means 11 and the means 12 of deceleration both act, directly or indirectly, on a rotating member 15 of device 14; and device 14 is located between drawer 3 and a fixed member of seat 4, defined by the tank 6, so that the movement of the drawer 3 from the extracted position to the retracted position always takes place in opposition to the elastic means 11 while the operation of the release device 10 produces, as will be described more late, a linear movement of drawer 3 from the stowed position to the extracted position, as a result of media action elastic 11.

En el ejemplo no limitativo ilustrado, el dispositivo 14 de conversión reversible del movimiento giratorio a lineal es un mecanismo de piñón y cremallera, y el miembro giratorio 15 está definido por un engranaje alojado para la rotación dentro de una carcasa 16 (figuras 2 y 3) y que engrana con una cremallera 18, fuera de la carcasa 16, a través de una ventana 19 formada a través de la carcasa 16. En el ejemplo ilustrado, la carcasa 16 está integrada con el depósito 6, en el cual está alojada justamente por debajo del cajón 3 y cerca de la boca 5, mientras que la cremallera 18 está integrada con el cajón 3 y situada por debajo de él. Obviamente, la configuración anterior puede ser invertida, de manera que la cremallera 18 esté integrada con el depósito 6 y situada por debajo del cajón 3, que está instalado integradamente por debajo de la carcasa 16. El único punto esencial es que el engranaje 15 engrane con la cremallera 18 y esté integrado con un miembro distinto al de esa cremallera 18 de
soporte.In the non-limiting example illustrated, the reversible conversion device 14 of the rotary to linear movement is a pinion and rack mechanism, and the rotating member 15 is defined by a gear housed for rotation within a housing 16 (Figures 2 and 3 ) and which engages with a rack 18, outside the housing 16, through a window 19 formed through the housing 16. In the illustrated example, the housing 16 is integrated with the reservoir 6, in which it is housed precisely below the drawer 3 and near the mouth 5, while the zipper 18 is integrated with the drawer 3 and located below it. Obviously, the above configuration can be reversed, so that the rack 18 is integrated with the reservoir 6 and located below the drawer 3, which is installed integrally below the housing 16. The only essential point is that the gear 15 engages with zipper 18 and be integrated with a member other than that of zipper 18 of
support.

La carcasa 16 comprende dos medias vainas 20, 21, al menos una de las cuales (en el ejemplo ilustrado, ambas) tiene forma de copa. El engranaje 15 está instalado libremente en la media vaina 20, está montado de manera que se proyecta hacia la media vaina 21 por medio de un eje cilíndrico 23 (figura 3) que se aplica a un asiento 24 formado en el lado cóncavo de la media vaina 20, y comprende un cuerpo 25 en forma de copa, que tiene una concavidad interna 26 que mira hacia la media vaina 21 durante el uso. Hay un cierto número de patillas 27, dispuestas en anillo, que se proyectan desde la media vaina 21 hacia la media vaina 20 y dentro de la concavidad 26 del engranaje 15, cuando las medias vainas 20 y 21 están ensambladas. La media vaina 21 está provista también preferiblemente de unas patillas 27 que se proyectan radialmente hacia fuera, con un collarín 29, el cual, durante el uso, penetra en la concavidad 26 y actúa, cuando es necesario, como un soporte y/o una guía para el engranaje 15, que está montado por otra parte para proyectarse libremente.The housing 16 comprises two half sheaths 20, 21, at least one of which (in the illustrated example, both) It has a cup shape. Gear 15 is freely installed in the half sheath 20, is mounted so that it projects towards the half sheath 21 by means of a cylindrical shaft 23 (figure 3) which is applied to a seat 24 formed on the concave side of the half sheath 20, and comprises a cup-shaped body 25, which has a internal concavity 26 looking towards the half sheath 21 during the use. There are a certain number of pins 27, arranged in a ring, which they project from the half sheath 21 to the half sheath 20 and inside the concavity 26 of the gear 15, when the stockings pods 20 and 21 are assembled. Half sheath 21 is provided also preferably of pins 27 projecting radially out, with a collar 29, which, during the use penetrates concavity 26 and acts, when necessary, as a support and / or a guide for the gear 15, which is mounted by another part to project freely.

Los medios elásticos 11 comprenden un resorte helicoidal empaquetado entre la media vaina 21 y la concavidad 26 del engranaje 15, y alojado enteramente dentro de la concavidad 26. El resorte 11 comprende un primer extremo 31 que se aplica a y está angularmente integrado con el engranaje 15; y un segundo extremo 32 que, cuando las medias vainas 20 y 21 están ensambladas, se aplica a una de las patillas 27 de manera que está angularmente integrado con la carcasa 16. Más específicamente, el resorte 11 está instalado en un cubo 33 (figura 3) coaxial con el eje de rotación del engranaje 15, y que se proyecta hacia el interior de la concavidad 26, en el lado opuesto a la media vaina 20, y está sustancialmente definido por una extensión del eje 23, dentro de la concavidad 26. El cubo 33 tiene una ranura diametral 34 a la que está aplicado un extremo 31 del resorte, que está doblado radialmente hacia el eje de simetría del resorte
11.The elastic means 11 comprise a helical spring packed between the half sheath 21 and the concavity 26 of the gear 15, and housed entirely within the concavity 26. The spring 11 comprises a first end 31 that is applied to and is angularly integrated with the gear 15 ; and a second end 32 which, when the half sheaths 20 and 21 are assembled, is applied to one of the pins 27 so that it is angularly integrated with the housing 16. More specifically, the spring 11 is installed in a hub 33 (figure 3) coaxial with the axis of rotation of the gear 15, and which projects into the concavity 26, on the side opposite the half sheath 20, and is substantially defined by an extension of the axis 23, within the concavity 26 The hub 33 has a diametral groove 34 to which an end 31 of the spring is applied, which is bent radially towards the axis of symmetry of the spring.
eleven.

Las medias vainas 20, 21 se unen a presión conjuntamente por medios de sujeción conocidos, y están moldeadas a partir de material plástico sintético, como todas las demás piezas componentes del dispositivo 2, incluyendo la carcasa 16, el engranaje 15 y la cremallera 18. Los medios 12 de deceleración están definidos por un conocido desacelerador giratorio por baño de aceite que comprende un cuerpo estanco 42 lleno de aceite de silicona y fijado integradamente dentro de la carcasa 16, por debajo del engranaje 15 (y por tanto en el lado opuesto de la ventana 19); y un miembro giratorio 43 (figura 3), que gira con un alto grado de resistencia dentro del aceite en el cuerpo 42, y emerge de manera estanca desde un lado del cuerpo 42.Half sheaths 20, 21 snap together together by known fastening means, and are molded to from synthetic plastic material, like all other parts components of device 2, including housing 16, the gear 15 and rack 18. Deceleration means 12 are defined by a known rotary decelerator per bath of oil comprising a sealed body 42 filled with oil silicone and fixed integrally inside the housing 16, by under gear 15 (and therefore on the opposite side of the window 19); and a rotating member 43 (figure 3), which rotates with a high degree of resistance within the oil in the body 42, and emerges tightly from one side of the body 42.

De acuerdo con un aspecto de la invención, el miembro giratorio 43 está conectado para engranar indirectamente con el engranaje 15, por medio de una transmisión dentada que comprende un piñón 44 ajustado de manera angularmente integrada con el miembro giratorio 43 y engranando con un piñón 45 formado de una pieza con el cuerpo 25, en el lado opuesto a la concavidad 26 y angularmente integrado con el eje 23. Consecuentemente, como el piñón 45 es mucho menor que el engranaje 15, el número de revoluciones del engranaje 15 se reduce también con respecto a las del miembro giratorio 43.According to one aspect of the invention, the rotating member 43 is connected to engage indirectly with gear 15, by means of a toothed transmission that comprises a pinion 44 adjusted angularly integrated with the rotating member 43 and engaging with a pinion 45 formed of a piece with body 25, on the opposite side of concavity 26 and angularly integrated with axis 23. Consequently, as the pinion 45 is much smaller than gear 15, the number of revolutions of gear 15 is also reduced with respect to of the rotating member 43.

El dispositivo 10 de liberación está situado cerca de la boca 5, actúa directamente sobre el cajón 3 de acuerdo con un aspecto de la invención, y es preferiblemente del tipo empujar-empujar.The release device 10 is located near the mouth 5, acts directly on the drawer 3 according with an aspect of the invention, and is preferably of the type push-push.

Más específicamente, el dispositivo 10 de liberación comprende un bloque 50, una cara inferior del cual soporta un riel positivo 51 formado, de acuerdo con un aspecto de la invención, en un plano; y una patilla 52 soportada por un resorte laminar 53, que es flexible en un plano perpendicular al eje de la patilla 52 y paralelo al plano único del riel positivo 51. El resorte laminar 53 es transportado integradamente en una sola pieza con la carcasa 16, y se proyecta desde la carcasa 16 hacia la boca 5 del asiento 4; y el riel positivo 51 está integrado con la cremallera 18, estando fijado el bloque 50, junto con la cremallera 18, a la cara inferior del cajón 3, cerca de la superficie frontal del cajón 3, que está sustancialmente enrasada con el panel frontal 7 cuando el cajón 3 está en la posición replegada dentro del asiento 4.More specifically, device 10 of release comprises a block 50, a bottom face of which supports a positive rail 51 formed, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, in a plane; and a pin 52 supported by a laminar spring 53, which is flexible in a plane perpendicular to the axis of pin 52 and parallel to the single plane of positive rail 51. The laminar spring 53 is transported integrally in one piece with the housing 16, and projects from the housing 16 towards the mouth 5 of seat 4; and the positive rail 51 is integrated with the zipper 18, block 50 being fixed, together with the zipper 18, to the underside of drawer 3, near the front surface of drawer 3, which is substantially flush with the front panel 7 when drawer 3 is in the stowed position inside the seat Four.

El riel positivo 51 de un solo plano comprende (figura 1) dos ramas 61, 62; un diente 63; y una superficie inclinada 64 de detención opuesta al diente 63 y entre las ramas 61 y 62.The positive rail 51 of a single plane comprises (figure 1) two branches 61, 62; a tooth 63; and a surface inclined 64 stop opposite tooth 63 and between branches 61 and 62.

En el uso real, cuando el cajón 3 está en la posición replegada, la patilla 52 se aplica al diente 63 y mantiene al cajón 3 en la posición replegada, en oposición al resorte 11, que está precargado para ejercer un par sobre el engranaje 15, por medio del extremo 31. Para abrir el cajón 3, el usuario simplemente empuja ligeramente sobre la superficie frontal del cajón 3, que está enrasada con el panel frontal 7, para superar la resistencia del resorte 11. El ligero movimiento resultante de repliegue del cajón 3 adentro del asiento 4 produce un movimiento relativo entre la patilla 52 (que permanece estacionaria), porque está fijada al depósito 6 por la carcasa 16), y el diente 63 (que se repliega con el cajón 3), liberando por tanto a la patilla 52, que alcanza el reposo contra la superficie inclinada 64 de detención.In actual use, when drawer 3 is in the stowed position, pin 52 is applied to tooth 63 and maintains to drawer 3 in the stowed position, as opposed to spring 11, which is preloaded to exert a torque on the gear 15, by middle of end 31. To open drawer 3, the user simply push lightly on the front surface of drawer 3, which is flush with the front panel 7, to overcome the resistance of spring 11. The slight movement resulting from the withdrawal of the drawer 3 inside seat 4 produces a relative movement between pin 52 (which remains stationary), because it is fixed to the tank 6 by the housing 16), and the tooth 63 (which is retracted with drawer 3), thereby releasing pin 52, which reaches the resting against inclined stop surface 64.

Esto flexiona lateralmente el resorte laminar 53, de manera que la patilla 52 se aplica a la rama 61 del riel positivo 51, liberando así completamente al cajón 3; el resorte 11 está por tanto libre para hacer girar al engranaje 15 y producir así un movimiento lineal de la cremallera 18, que se lleva al cajón 3 con ella; y la dirección de rotación impuesta por la precarga del resorte 11 es tal que desplaza al cajón 3 hacia la posición extraída, durante cuyo movimiento la patilla 52 se desliza a lo largo de la rama 61.This laterally flexes the leaf spring 53, so that pin 52 is applied to branch 61 of the rail positive 51, thus completely freeing drawer 3; spring 11 is therefore free to rotate gear 15 and produce thus a linear movement of the zipper 18, which is carried to the drawer 3 with her; and the direction of rotation imposed by the preload of the spring 11 is such that it moves the drawer 3 towards the position removed, during which movement pin 52 slides to branch length 61.

Una vez que la precarga del resorte 11 se ha agotado, el cajón 3 se detiene en la posición extraída deseada. Para cerrar el cajón 3, el usuario empuja simplemente una vez más sobre la superficie frontal del cajón, para empujarlo y devolverlo a su posición replegada dentro del asiento 4. El movimiento inverso del cajón 3 producido manualmente por el usuario, hace girar el engranaje 15 por medio de la cremallera 18, para superar la resistencia del resorte 11 y empezarlo a cargar de nuevo, cuyo extremo 32 está enclavado angularmente de manera integrada con la carcasa estacionaria 16, y el extremo 31 del cual gira conjuntamente con el engranaje 15 para torcer y precargar el resorte 11.Once the spring preload 11 has been exhausted, drawer 3 stops at the desired removed position. To close drawer 3, the user simply pushes once more on the front surface of the drawer, to push it and return it to its position folded inside the seat 4. The reverse movement of drawer 3 produced manually by the user, rotates the gear 15 by means of rack 18, to overcome the resistance of spring 11 and start loading again, whose end 32 is angularly locked in an integrated manner with the stationary housing 16, and end 31 of which rotates together with gear 15 to twist and preload spring 11.

A medida que el cajón 3 se repliega, la patilla 52 se desplaza relativamente, en la dirección opuesta a la anterior, a lo largo de la rama 62 que está inclinada, a la cual se transfiere la patilla 52 por la recuperación elástica del resorte laminar 53, al final del recorrido de extracción del cajón 3, tan pronto como la patilla 52 se desaplica de la rama 61. Dada la pendiente de la rama 62, el movimiento anterior flexiona el resorte laminar 53 lateralmente en la dirección opuesta a la anterior, de manera que, tan pronto como la patilla 52 se desaplica de la rama 62 cuando el cajón alcanza la posición replegada, la patilla 52 se ajusta con un clic sobre el diente 63 para enclavar el cajón 3 en la posición replegada, en oposición al resorte 11 que ahora está totalmente cargado.As drawer 3 folds, the pin 52 moves relatively, in the opposite direction to the anterior, along the branch 62 that is inclined, to which transfer pin 52 by spring elastic recovery laminate 53, at the end of the extraction path of drawer 3, so soon as pin 52 disengages from branch 61. Given the slope of the branch 62, the previous movement flexes the spring laminate 53 laterally in the opposite direction to the previous one, of so that, as soon as pin 52 disengages from the branch 62 when the drawer reaches the stowed position, pin 52 is click on tooth 63 to lock drawer 3 in the stowed position, as opposed to spring 11 which is now fully charged

Claims

1. A device (2) for automatically removing a drawer (3) that slides into a seat (4), between an extracted position, in which the drawer emerges from the seat, and a stowed position in which the drawer it is housed inside the seat, substantially flush with a mouth (5) of the seat; said drawer being, in particular, a drawer for dispensing process fluids from an household appliance (1); and the device comprising a release device (10); elastic means (11) for pushing the drawer from the stowed position to the extracted position; and deceleration means (12) to oppose the sliding movement of the drawer inside the seat; said device also comprising a reversible conversion device (14) of the rotary to linear movement; wherein said elastic means and said deceleration means act on a rotating member (15) of said reversible conversion device of the rotary to linear movement; and wherein the reversible conversion device of the rotary to linear movement is located between said drawer and a fixed member (6) of said seat, so that the movement of the drawer from the extracted position to the retracted position takes place in opposition to said means elastic (11), while the operation of said release device produces a linear movement of the drawer from the retracted position to the extracted position, as a consequence of the action of said elastic means; wherein said reversible conversion device (14) of the rotary to linear movement is a rack and pinion mechanism; said rotating member being defined by a gear (15) housed for rotation inside a housing (16) and which meshes with a rack (18), outside the housing, through a window (19) formed through the housing (16); said housing (16) comprising two half sheaths (20, 21), at least one of which is cup-shaped; a first half sheath (20) freely supporting said gear (15), which is mounted so that it projects towards the second half sheath (21); characterized in that, in combination:

- said gear (15) comprises a body (25) cup-shaped that has an inner concavity (26) that looks towards the second half sheath (21), said means comprising elastic (11) a helical spring packed between said second half sheath (21) and said concavity (26) of the gear (15), and housed completely within the concavity (26);

- said deceleration means (12) consist in a rotary oil bath decelerator comprising a waterproof body (42) filled with silicone oil and fixed integrally within said housing (16), below said gear (15), and a rotating member (43) that rotates with a high degree of resistance within the oil and projected so sealed from one side of said sealed body (42); being connected said rotating member (43) of said means (12) of deceleration so that it indirectly engages with said gear (15), by means of a toothed transmission comprising an angularly adjusted pinion (44) integrated with the rotating member (43) and meshing with a pinion (45) formed of a piece with said cup-shaped body (25) of said gear (15), on the opposite side of said concavity (26).

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said housing (16) is transported integrally by said fixed member (6) of said seat, and said rack (18) is transported integrally by said drawer (3) and by under it, or vice versa.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the second half sheath (21) has, projecting towards said first half sheath (20), several pins (27) arranged in a ring, and projecting inwards of said concavity (26) of the gear (15) when the half sheaths (20, 21) are assembled.

A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said spring (11) has a first end (31) that is applied to and is angularly integrated with the gear (15), and a second end (32) that is applied to one of said pins (27) when the half sheaths (20, 21) are assembled, so that they are angularly integrated with the housing (16).

A device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said spring (11) is fitted in a hub (33) coaxial with the axis of rotation of said gear (15) and projecting into said concavity ( 26) of the gear, on the opposite side of said first half sheath (20); the hub (33) having a groove (34) to which said first end (31) of the spring (11) is applied, which is bent radially towards the axis of symmetry of the spring (11).

A device as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said half sheaths (20, 21) are joined by a click.

A device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said release device (10) is located near said mouth (5) and acts directly on said drawer (3).

A device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said release device (10) is of the push-push type.

A device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said release device (10) comprises a positive rail (51) formed on a plane; and a pin (52) carried by a leaf spring (53), flexible in a plane perpendicular to said pin (52) and parallel to said plane of the positive rail (51).

A device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said sheet spring (53) is transported integrally in a piece with said housing (16), and said positive rail (51) is integrated with said rack (18).

11. An appliance (1), in particular a washing machine, characterized in that it comprises a device (2) for automatically removing a drawer (3) that slides into a seat (4), as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drawer (3) is a detergent dispensing drawer, and said fixed member of said seat (4) is a detergent suction tank (6).