WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCES AND METHODS FOR ASSEMBLING CABINETS OF WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCES
Methods for assembling cabinets of washing machine appliances, and washing machine appliances, are provided. A method includes plastically bending a first side portion and a second side portion of a main cabinet panel relative to a central portion of the main cabinet panel until a first corner is defined between the first side portion and the central portion and a second corner is defined between the second side portion and the central portion, the first corner and the second corner each having a plastic inside angle of greater than or equal to 95 degrees. The method further includes elastically bending the first side portion and the second side portion such that the first corner and the second corner each have an elastic inside angle of less than 95 degrees. The method further includes connecting a rear cabinet panel to the first side portion and the second side portion.
The present disclosure relates generally to washing machine appliances, and more particularly to methods for assembling cabinets of washing machine appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWashing machine appliances generally include a cabinet which supports a tub for containing wash fluid, e.g., water and detergent, bleach and/or other wash additives. A basket is rotatably mounted within the tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During operation of such washing machine appliances, wash fluid is directed into the tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. The basket or an agitation element can rotate at various speeds to agitate articles within the wash chamber in the wash fluid, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc.
The structural integrity of washing machine appliances is of importance from both a performance and appearance standpoint. One issue that is of concern with many presently known washing machine appliances, and particularly with respect to the cabinets thereof, is “oil canning”, which is permanent deformation or buckling of portions of the subject component. After installation of a washing machine appliance or when a washing machine appliance is displayed on a showroom floor, a customer or potential customer may contact the cabinet of a washing machine appliance. In some cases, this contact can cause oil canning of the cabinet, which leaves the cabinet and appliance generally having an undesirable appearance.
Accordingly, improved washing machine appliances and methods for assembling cabinets of washing machine appliances are desired in the art. In particular, appliances and methods which provide improved structural integrity, and which result in reduced or eliminated oil canning potential, would be advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a cabinet of a washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes plastically bending a first side portion and a second side portion of a main cabinet panel relative to a central portion of the main cabinet panel until a first corner is defined between the first side portion and the central portion and a second corner is defined between the second side portion and the central portion, the first corner and the second corner each having a plastic inside angle of greater than or equal to 95 degrees. The method further includes elastically bending the first side portion and the second side portion such that the first corner and the second corner each have an elastic inside angle of less than 95 degrees. The method further includes connecting a rear cabinet panel to the first side portion and the second side portion.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet. The cabinet includes a main cabinet panel and a rear cabinet panel, the rear cabinet panel connected to the main cabinet panel, the main cabinet panel including a central portion, a first side portion, a first corner defined between the central portion and the first side portion, an opposing second side portion, and a second corner defined between the central portion and the second side portion, the first corner and the second corner each having a plastic inside angle of greater than or equal to 95 degrees and an elastic inside angle of less than 95 degrees. The washing machine appliance further includes a tub disposed within the cabinet, and a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Lid 62 in exemplary embodiment includes a transparent panel 63, which may be formed of for example glass, plastic, or any other suitable material. The transparency of the panel 63 allows users to see through the panel 63, and into the tub 64 when the lid 62 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the panel 63 may itself generally form the lid 62. In other embodiments, the lid 62 may include the panel 63 and a frame 65 surrounding and encasing the panel 63. Alternatively, panel 63 need not be transparent.
A nozzle 72 is configured for flowing a liquid into tub 64. In particular, nozzle 72 may be positioned at or adjacent top portion 82 of basket 70. Nozzle 72 may be in fluid communication with one or more water sources 75, 76 in order to direct liquid (e.g. water) into tub 64 and/or onto articles within chamber 73 of basket 70. Nozzle 72 may further include apertures 79 through which water may be sprayed into the tub 64. Apertures 79 may, for example, be tubes extending from the nozzles 72 as illustrated, or simply holes defined in the nozzles 72 or any other suitable openings through which water may be sprayed. Nozzle 72 may additionally include other openings, holes, etc. (not shown) through which water may be flowed, i.e. sprayed or poured, into the tub 64.
A main valve 74 (or, alternatively, a plurality of main valves 74) regulates the flow of fluid through nozzle 72. For example, valve 74 can selectively adjust to a closed position in order to terminate or obstruct the flow of fluid through nozzle 72. The main valve 74 may be in fluid communication with one or more external water sources, such as a cold water source 75 and a hot water source 76. The cold water source 75 may, for example, be a commercial water supply, while the hot water source 76 may be, for example, a water heater. Such external water sources 75, 76 may supply water to the appliance 50 through the main valve 74. A cold water conduit 77 and a hot water conduit 78 may supply cold and hot water, respectively, from the sources 75, 76 through valve 74. Valve 74 may further be operable to regulate the flow of hot and cold liquid, and thus the temperature of the resulting liquid flowed into tub 64, such as through the nozzle 72.
An additive dispenser 84 may additionally be provided for directing a wash additive, such as detergent, bleach, liquid fabric softener, etc., into the tub 64. For example, dispenser 84 may be in fluid communication with nozzle 72 such that water flowing through nozzle 72 flows through dispenser 84, mixing with wash additive at a desired time during operation to form a liquid or wash fluid, before being flowed into tub 64. In some embodiments, nozzle 72 is a separate downstream component from dispenser 84. In other embodiments, nozzle 72 and dispenser 84 may be integral, with a portion of dispenser 84 serving as the nozzle 72. A pump assembly 90 (shown schematically in
An agitation element 92, shown as an impeller in
Operation of washing machine appliance 50 is controlled by a processing device or controller 100, that is operatively coupled to the input selectors 60 located on washing machine backsplash 56 (shown in
Controller 100 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 100 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel 58 and other components of washing machine appliance 50 may be in communication with controller 100 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
In an illustrative embodiment, a load of laundry articles are loaded into chamber 73 of basket 70, and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors 60. Tub 64 is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a liquid or wash fluid. Main valve 74 can be opened to initiate a flow of water into tub 64 via nozzle 72, and tub 64 can be filled to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed. Once tub 64 is properly filled with wash fluid, the contents of the basket 70 are agitated with agitation element 92 or by movement of the basket 70 for cleaning of articles in basket 70. More specifically, agitation element 92 or basket 70 is moved back and forth in an oscillatory motion.
After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, tub 64 is drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to tub 64, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user, agitation element 92 or basket 70 may again provide agitation within basket 70. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket 70 is rotated at relatively high speeds.
While described in the context of specific embodiments of washing machine appliance 50, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that washing machine appliance 50 is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations (such as horizontal-axis washing machine appliances), different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well.
Referring now to
As illustrated, a cabinet 52 may include a main cabinet panel 200 and a rear cabinet panel 202. The main cabinet panel 200 may include a central portion 204, a first side portion 206, and an opposing second side portion 208. The central portion 204 may generally be considered the front of the cabinet 52 when assembled, while the first side portion 206 and second side portion 208 are considered the sides of the cabinet 52 when assembled. The rear cabinet panel 202 may be considered the back of the cabinet 52 when assembled.
The main cabinet panel 200 is a single piece of material, typically formed from a metal such as steel or aluminum. As shown in
The rear cabinet panel 202 may be connected to the main cabinet panel 200, such as to the first side portion 206 and the second side portion 208 thereof, to form the four sides of the cabinet 52. In exemplary embodiments, as shown for example in
Cabinet 52 may additionally include corner brackets which are connected to the main cabinet panel 200 and rear cabinet panel 202 to provide additional stability to the cabinet 52. Each corner bracket may, as illustrated, may have two side walls that are set at or approximately at 90 degrees relative to each other. A corner bracket may additionally include a cross-wall extending between the two side walls, forming a triangle shape. In exemplary embodiments, as shown, each corner bracket may be in the shape or approximately in the shape of a right triangle.
As shown in
Notably and advantageously, corners (such as first corner 226, second corner 228, or a corner defined by the connection of the main cabinet panel 200 and the rear cabinet panel 202) of cabinets 52 in accordance with the present disclosure may be free from reinforcement members, such as additional brackets, etc., between the top corner bracket 232 and the bottom corner bracket 234. Further, for example, in exemplary embodiments, an assembled cabinet 52 may be free from internal reinforcement members. Any such reinforcement members are not necessary to the structural integrity of the cabinet 52 due to the assembly of the cabinet 52 as discussed herein. Further, and advantageously, oil canning of the cabinet 52 is reduced or prevented despite the absence of such reinforcement members due to the assembly of the cabinet 52 as discussed herein.
In accordance with the present disclosure, no additional plastic bending, and resulting plastic deformation, of the first side portion 206 and the second side portion 208 with respect to the first corner 226 and the second corner 228 may occur. The present inventors have discovered that by limiting such plastic deformation such that the plastic inside angles 246, 248 are greater than or equal to 95 degrees, oil canning of the resulting assembled cabinet 52 is substantially reduced. Further, oil canning is further reduced as the angle is increased beyond 95 degrees. For example, the present inventors have discovered that oil canning can be virtually eliminated when the plastic inside angles 246, 248 are greater than or equal to 100 degrees, such as approximately 100 degrees.
Referring now to
Referring still to
Referring now to
The present inventors have further discovered that when the side portions 206 and 28 are plastically bent and then elastically bent to the respective angles as discussed above and the rear cabinet panel 202 and corner brackets are connected, as discussed herein, the elastic inside angles 256 and 258 are maintained (due to the corner brackets) at least proximate the top edge 212 and bottom edge 214, but the inside angles of the corners 226, 228 between the top edge 212 and bottom edge 214 become greater than the elastic inside angles 256, 258, due to the outward tensile force of the first side portion 206 and second side portion 208. Bowing of the corners 226, 228 may thus be perceived. The present inventors have discovered that such bowing is particularly advantageous, as it reduces or prevents oil canning Further, such reduction and/or prevention may advantageously be accomplished through the plastic bending, elastic bending and connecting as discussed above, without the need for internal reinforcement members or reinforcement members between top brackets 232 and bottom brackets 234 as discussed above.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Claims
1. A method for assembling a cabinet of a washing machine appliance, the method comprising:
- plastically bending a first side portion and a second side portion of a main cabinet panel relative to a central portion of the main cabinet panel until a first corner is defined between the first side portion and the central portion and a second corner is defined between the second side portion and the central portion, the first corner and the second corner each having a plastic inside angle of greater than or equal to 95 degrees;
- elastically bending the first side portion and the second side portion such that the first corner and the second corner each have an elastic inside angle of less than 95 degrees; and
- connecting a rear cabinet panel to the first side portion and the second side portion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have a plastic inside angle of between 95 degrees and 105 degrees.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have a plastic inside angle of between 98 degrees and 102 degrees.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have a plastic inside angle of greater than or equal to 100 degrees.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have an elastic inside angle of approximately 90 degrees.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the rear cabinet panel is connected to the first side portion proximate an outer edge of the first side portion and the rear cabinet panel is connected to the second side portion proximate an outer edge of the second side portion.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a corner bracket to the main cabinet panel at the first corner and connecting a corner bracket to the main cabinet panel at the second corner.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein each corner bracket is a plurality of corner brackets, the plurality of corner brackets comprising a top corner bracket and a bottom corner bracket.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first corner and the second corner are each free from reinforcement members between the top corner bracket and the bottom corner bracket.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the assembled cabinet is free from internal reinforcement members.
11. A washing machine appliance, comprising:
- a cabinet, the cabinet comprising a main cabinet panel and a rear cabinet panel, the rear cabinet panel connected to the main cabinet panel, the main cabinet panel comprising a central portion, a first side portion, a first corner defined between the central portion and the first side portion, an opposing second side portion, and a second corner defined between the central portion and the second side portion, the first corner and the second corner each having a plastic inside angle of greater than or equal to 95 degrees and an elastic inside angle of less than 95 degrees;
- a tub disposed within the cabinet; and
- a basket rotatably mounted within the tub, the basket defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing.
12. The washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have a plastic inside angle of between 95 degrees and 105 degrees.
13. The washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have a plastic inside angle of between 98 degrees and 102 degrees.
14. The washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have a plastic inside angle of greater than or equal to 100 degrees.
15. The washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the first corner and the second corner each have an elastic inside angle of approximately 90 degrees.
16. The washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the rear cabinet panel is connected to the first side portion proximate an outer edge of the first side portion and the rear cabinet panel is connected to the second side portion proximate an outer edge of the second side portion.
17. The washing machine appliance of claim 11, wherein the cabinet further comprises a corner bracket connected to the main cabinet panel at the first corner and a corner bracket connected to the main cabinet panel at the second corner.
18. The washing machine appliance of claim 17, wherein each corner bracket is a plurality of corner brackets, the plurality of corner brackets comprising a top corner bracket and a bottom corner bracket.
19. The washing machine appliance of claim 18, wherein the first corner and the second corner are each free from reinforcement members between the top corner bracket and the bottom corner bracket.
20. The washing machine appliance of claim 10, wherein the assembled cabinet is free from internal reinforcement members.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 23, 2014
Publication Date: Mar 24, 2016
Inventor: Christopher Gene Vowels (Cox's Creek, KY)
Application Number: 14/493,485