IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0124550
(2008-05-21)
|
등록번호 |
US-8460479
(2013-06-11)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Haeberle, Robert
- Poyner, Dennis A.
- Sumner, David
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
3 인용 특허 :
13 |
초록
▼
A door assembly and associated components for a dishwashing appliance are provided, wherein the dishwashing appliance includes a tub portion defining a forward access opening. The door assembly is pivotably engaged with the tub portion and cooperates therewith to cover the forward access opening. Th
A door assembly and associated components for a dishwashing appliance are provided, wherein the dishwashing appliance includes a tub portion defining a forward access opening. The door assembly is pivotably engaged with the tub portion and cooperates therewith to cover the forward access opening. The door assembly includes an integrally formed and structurally reinforced inner door member, without a separate reinforcement panel. The inner door member includes at least one reinforcing member integrally formed therewith and along a contour thereof so as to provide reinforcement thereof. The dishwashing appliance further includes a covering member configured to encompass a wiring arrangement associated with the inner door member, for protecting the wiring arrangement within the dishwashing appliance. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.
대표청구항
▼
1. A door assembly for a dishwashing appliance having a tub portion defining a forward access opening, the door assembly being pivotably engaged with the tub portion and adapted to cooperate with the tub portion to cover the forward access opening, the door assembly comprising: an integrally-formed
1. A door assembly for a dishwashing appliance having a tub portion defining a forward access opening, the door assembly being pivotably engaged with the tub portion and adapted to cooperate with the tub portion to cover the forward access opening, the door assembly comprising: an integrally-formed inner door member having a liner surface facing toward the tub portion and an opposing structural surface, the inner door member being adapted to pivotably engage the tub portion about a lower end thereof, the liner surface defining at least one contour, and the structural surface having at least one reinforcing member integrally engaged therewith in correspondence with the at least one contour defined by the liner surface, so as to structurally reinforce the inner door member; andat least one attachment structure associated with the at least one reinforcing member, wherein the at least one attachment structure comprises at least one engagement feature configured to cooperate with the tub portion to provide the pivotable engagement therebetween;wherein the at least one reinforcing member defines a plurality of vertical ribs and a plurality of transverse buttress ribs extending therebetween to provide structural reinforcement for the engagement feature;wherein the at least one attachment structure further defines at least one hook configured to engage a complementary engagement portion associated with an outer decorative panel member to secure the outer decorative panel member to the inner door member by the effect of gravity or an interference fit. 2. A door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outer decorative panel member has opposed interior and exterior surfaces, the outer decorative panel member being configured to engage the inner door member such that the interior surface of the outer decorative panel member substantially opposes the structural surface and covers the at least one reinforcing member associated therewith. 3. A door assembly according to claim 2, further comprising: an elongate wiring arrangement at least partially disposed between the inner door member and the outer decorative panel member; anda covering member configured to encompass the wiring arrangement along a length thereof, and comprising at least one of a flame-resistant material and a chemical-resistant material. 4. A door assembly according to claim 3, wherein the covering member further comprises a chafe-resistant material. 5. A door assembly according to claim 3, wherein the covering member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer material. 6. A door assembly according to claim 3, wherein the covering member is tubular and is configured to receive substantially the entire length of the wiring arrangement. 7. A door assembly according to claim 3, wherein the covering member comprises a substrate material coated with at least one of the flame-resistant material and the chemical-resistant material. 8. A door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner door member is integrally formed of one of a polymeric material, a composite material, and a combination thereof. 9. A door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is integrally formed with the structural surface of the inner door member about the perimeter thereof, and wherein the at least one reinforcing member extends in a non-parallel direction from the structural surface away from the liner surface. 10. A door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment structure of the inner door member is adapted to receive a hinge member in engagement therewith for facilitating the pivotable engagement between the inner door member and the tub portion. 11. A door assembly according to claim 10, wherein the at least one attachment structure is integrally formed with the at least one reinforcing member. 12. A door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is integrally molded with the structural surface substantially in opposition to the at least one contour defined by the liner surface such that any mold shrinkage associated with the at least one reinforcing member is substantially visibly concealed. 13. A door assembly according to claim 12, wherein the at least one reinforcing member extends in a non-parallel direction from the structural surface and away from the liner surface. 14. A door assembly according to claim 12, wherein the at least one reinforcing member comprises at least one horizontal rib extending substantially across a width of the structural surface. 15. A door assembly according to claim 14, wherein the at least one reinforcing member comprises at least one vertical rib extending vertically along the structural surface and at least one buttress rib extending from the vertical rib. 16. A door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner door member is further configured to receive a latch device in operable engagement therewith, the latch device being adapted to cooperate with the tub portion to selectively maintain the inner door member in a closed position with respect to the forward access opening. 17. A door assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inner door member is further configured to define a component structure, the component structure being adapted to receive at least one operative component of the dishwashing appliance. 18. A door assembly according to claim 17, wherein the component structure comprises an opening configured for receiving a dispenser device and at least one integrally-formed attachment structure configured to facilitate attachment to the dispenser device. 19. A door assembly according to claim 18, wherein the integrally-formed attachment structure extends at least partially into the opening and is further configured to receive the dispenser device. 20. A door assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a control assembly operably engaged with the inner door member and adapted to selectively direct operation of at least one operational component of the dishwashing appliance. 21. A dishwashing appliance comprising: a tub portion having a plurality of wall members defining a forward access opening; anda door assembly configured to cooperate with the tub portion to cover the forward access opening, the door assembly comprising: an integrally-formed inner door member having a liner surface facing toward the tub portion and an opposing structural surface, the inner door member being configured to pivotably engage the tub portion about a lower end thereof, the liner surface defining at least one contour, and the structural surface having at least one reinforcing member integrally engaged therewith in correspondence with the at least one contour defined by the liner surface so as to structurally reinforce the inner door member; andat least one attachment structure associated with the at least one reinforcing member, wherein the at least one attachment structure comprises at least one engagement feature configured to cooperate with the tub portion to provide the pivotable engagement therebetween;wherein the at least one reinforcing member defines a plurality of vertical ribs and a plurality of transverse buttress ribs extending therebetween to provide structural reinforcement for the engagement feature;wherein the at least one attachment structure further defines at least one hook configured to engage a complementary engagement portion associated with an outer decorative panel member to secure the outer decorative panel member to the inner door member by the effect of gravity or an interference fit. 22. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, wherein the outer decorative panel member has opposed interior and exterior surfaces, the outer decorative panel member being configured to engage the inner door member such that the interior surface of the outer decorative panel member substantially opposes the structural surface and covers the at least one reinforcing member associated therewith. 23. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 22, further comprising: an elongate wiring arrangement at least partially disposed between the inner door member and the outer decorative panel member; anda covering member configured to encompass the wiring arrangement along a length thereof, and comprising at least one of a flame-resistant material and a chemical-resistant material. 24. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 23, wherein the covering member further comprises a chafe-resistant material. 25. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 23, wherein the covering member comprises a thermoplastic elastomer material. 26. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 23, wherein the covering member is tubular and is configured to receive substantially the entire length of the wiring arrangement. 27. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 23, wherein the covering member comprises a substrate material coated with at least one of the flame-resistant material and the chemical-resistant material. 28. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, wherein the inner door member is integrally formed of one of a polymeric material, a composite material, and a combination thereof. 29. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is integrally formed with the structural surface of the inner door member about the perimeter thereof, and wherein the at least one reinforcing member extends in a non-parallel direction from the structural surface away from the liner surface. 30. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, wherein the at least one attachment structure of the inner door member is configured to receive a hinge member in engagement therewith for facilitating the pivotable engagement between the inner door member and the tub portion. 31. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 30, wherein the at least one attachment structure is integrally formed with the at least one reinforcing member. 32. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, wherein the at least one reinforcing member is integrally molded with the structural surface substantially in opposition to the at least one contour defined by the liner surface such that any mold shrinkage associated with the at least one reinforcing member is substantially visibly concealed. 33. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, wherein the inner door member is further configured to receive a latch device in operable engagement therewith, the latch device being configured to cooperate with the tub portion to selectively maintain the inner door member in a closed position with respect to the forward access opening. 34. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, wherein the inner door member is further configured to define a component structure, the component structure being configured to receive at least one operative component of the dishwashing appliance. 35. A dishwashing appliance according to claim 21, further comprising a control assembly operably engaged with the inner door member and configured to selectively direct operation of at least one operational component of the dishwashing appliance. 36. A method of forming a dishwashing appliance, the dishwashing appliance including a tub portion having a plurality of wall members and defining a forward access opening, the method comprising: pivotably engaging a door assembly with the tub portion about a lower end thereof such that the door assembly cooperates with the tub portion to cover the forward access opening thereof, the door assembly comprising: an integrally-formed inner door member having a liner surface facing toward the tub portion and an opposing structural surface, the inner door member being configured to pivotably engage the tub portion about a lower end thereof, the liner surface defining at least one contour, and the structural surface having at least one reinforcing member integrally engaged therewith in correspondence with the at least one contour defined by the liner surface so as to structurally reinforce the inner door member; andat least one attachment structure associated with the at least one reinforcing member, wherein the at least one attachment structure comprises at least one engagement feature configured to cooperate with the tub portion to provide the pivotable engagement therebetween;wherein the at least one reinforcing member defines a plurality of vertical ribs and a plurality of transverse buttress ribs extending therebetween to provide structural reinforcement for the engagement feature;wherein the at least one attachment structure further defines at least one hook configured to engage a complementary engagement portion associated with an outer decorative panel member to secure the outer decorative panel member to the inner door member by the effect of gravity or an interference fit. 37. A method according to claim 36, further comprising engaging the outer decorative panel member, the outer decorative panel member having opposed interior and exterior surfaces, with the inner door member such that the interior surface of the outer decorative panel member substantially opposes the structural surface and covers the at least one reinforcing member associated therewith. 38. A method according to claim 37, further comprising engaging the hook of the at least one attachment structure associated with the at least one reinforcing member with the complementary engagement portion associated with the outer decorative panel member, so as to secure the outer decorative panel member to the inner door member. 39. A method according to claim 37, further comprising at least partially disposing an elongate wiring arrangement between the inner door member and the outer decorative panel member. 40. A method according to claim 39, further comprising operably engaging a covering member about the wiring arrangement along a length thereof, the covering member being comprised of at least one of a flame-resistant material, a chemical-resistant material, and a chafe-resistant material. 41. A method according to claim 36, further comprising pivotably engaging the at least one attachment structure associated with the at least one reinforcing member, with the tub portion, so as to provide the pivotable engagement therebetween. 42. A method according to claim 41, wherein pivotably engaging at least one attachment structure with the tub portion further comprises engaging the at least one attachment structure of the inner door member with a hinge member in engagement with the tub portion so as to facilitate the pivotable engagement between the inner door member and the tub portion. 43. A method according to claim 42, further comprising integrally forming the at least one attachment structure with the at least one reinforcing member. 44. A method according to claim 36, further comprising integrally forming the inner door member of one of a polymeric material, a composite material, and a combination thereof. 45. A method according to claim 36, further comprising integrally forming the at least one reinforcing member with the structural surface of the inner door member, about the perimeter thereof, such that the at least reinforcing member extends in a non-parallel direction from the structural surface away from the liner surface. 46. A method according to claim 36, further comprising integrally molding the at least one reinforcing member with the structural surface, substantially in opposition to the at least one contour defined by the liner surface, such that any mold shrinkage associated with the at least one reinforcing member is substantially visibly concealed. 47. A method according to claim 36, further comprising operably engaging a latch device with the inner door member, the latch device being configured to cooperate with the tub portion to selectively maintain the inner door member in a closed position with respect to the forward access opening. 48. A method according to claim 36, further comprising engaging at least one operative component of the dishwashing appliance with a component structure defined by the inner door member. 49. A method according to claim 36, further comprising operably engaging a control assembly with the inner door member, the control assembly being configured to selectively direct operation of at least one operational component of the dishwashing appliance.
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