Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fixing system which is used to fix the hinge and indirectly the doors connected to the hinge in the desired position.

Background of the Invention

Today, hinge mechanisms enabling to open and close the door are used in household appliances such as dishwashers. The collapsible door is connected on the body with hinge system from its one side, and it is opened with a hinge- centered rotational movement. One end of the hinge mechanism is fixed on the door and the other end is fixed on the appliance body. There are elastic spring members in the hinge mechanisms, which are used in order to balance momentum and loads occurring due to the weight of the door and connected to inside or outside the hinge mechanism. During mounting the hinge on the household appliances, the movable parts of the hinge must maintain its position against the spring force. Especially in hinge systems which are connected to the door with a flexible spring fixed on a shaft in vertical direction to the appliance body and an intermediate arm connected to the shaft (for example door hinge of a dishwasher), the hinge movable arm and therefore the hinge assembly should be fixed in a certain position (semi-open position) during mounting the hinge. After the mounting process, the fixing process should be terminated and the hinge system and the door should be able to continue their normal functions. A stopper is needed so that the movable parts of the hinge system do not move under the spring force and the hinge maintains its position. United States patent document no US10295194B2, an application known in the state of the art, relates to a door hinge assembly for appliances such as dishwashers. In the said document, an arm fixed to the door is limited by means of a pin. It is mentioned that the pin can be of a pivotable structure.

The Problems Solved with the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to provide a fixing system which is used to keep the movable parts of the hinge in a specific position under a spring force.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a fixing system which is used to keep the movable parts of the hinge fixed in a specific position for hinge systems comprising balancing system comprising a vertical shaft-spring group, such as a dishwasher.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a fixing system which enables the movable parts of the hinge to be locked in a specific position easily and practically and to unlock the lock easily.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Fixing system developed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures wherein:

Figure 1 is the front view of unlocked position of the fixing system according to present invention.

Figure 2 is the front view of locked position of the fixing system according to present invention.

Figure 3 is the front view of unlocked position of the fixing system according to present invention for different opening distance. Figure 4 is the front exploded perspective view of the fixing system according to present invention.

Figure 5 is the front view of lock bolt provided in the fixing system according to present invention.

The components given in the figures are individually numbered where the numbers refer to the following.

1. Fixing system

2. Moving arm 21. Lock strike plate

3. Lock bolt

31. End part

32. Channel 321. Slot

4. Pin

5. Vertical shaft

6. Vertical spring

7. Intermediate arm A. Hinge bracket P. Hinge pin

Fixing system (1), which is used to fix the hinge assembly in the desired position in hinge assemblies used in devices such as household appliances, comprises o at least one moving arm (2) which is connected onto an appliance door and which can perform rotational movement around the center where the appliance body is connected, o at least one lock strike plate (21) which is provided on the opposite part of the moving arm (2) that is connected to the door, o at least one lock bolt (3) which is used for fixing the moving arm (2), which is connected on a hinge bracket (A) used by being fixed on the appliance body or connected on the appliance body, and which is movable on the lock strike plate (21). The fixing system (1) of the present invention is used for fixing the moving arm (2) of the hinge rotating with the door and thus fixing the other moving parts connected to the moving arm (2) of the hinge, and the fixing system (1) is comprised of a lock strike plate (21) provided on the rear part of the moving arm (2) of the hinge, and a lock bolt (3) used in fixing the hinge by being engaged to the lock strike plate (21) and movable on the lock strike plate (21). When the hinge is desired to be fixed, the lock bolt (3) is pushed by the user or released by the user, and the lock bolt (3) is placed on the lock strike plate (21) on the moving arm (2), thereby locking the moving arm (2) and preventing the moving arm (2) from rotating. In order to release the moving arm (2) again, the lock bolt (3) is moved or released by the user and the contact of the lock bolt (3) with the lock strike plate (21) is cut off. Therefore, the moving arm (2) can rotate again. The said lock strike plate (21) is located on the part of the moving arm (2) that is not mounted on the door centered on a hinge pin (P), that is, at the end that moves towards the hinge bracket (A). The said lock bolt (3) is fixed to the hinge bracket (A) (fixed arm) of the hinge system or to the body of the appliance in alignment with the moving arm (2). The lock bolt (3) is integrated onto the hinge or the appliance. During the mounting of the hinge, the lock bolt (3) is moved in the direction of the hinge pin (P) and it prevents the movement of the hinge by engaging on the lock strike plate (21) provided on the moving arm (2). After the hinge is mounted on the appliance, it is sufficient to move the lock bolt (3) linearly on the appliance body and bring it to the closed position in order for the hinge to perform its normal opening and closing movement (d).

In one embodiment of the invention, the lock strike plate (21) is a protrusion. The lock strike plate (21) which is a protrusion is provided on the end part of the moving arm (2) that is not fixed with the door. In this way, when the lock bolt (3) moves on the lock strike plate (21) which is a protrusion, it is placed in the lower or upper part of the protruding lock strike plate (21), and the lock bolt (3) prevents the upwards or downwards movement of the protrusion, which is the lock strike plate (21), and fixes the movement of the moving arm (2) connected to the lock strike plate (21) In another embodiment of the present invention, there are more than one lock strike plate (21) in the form of a protrusion located in rows on the moving arm (2).

In one embodiment of the invention, the lock strike plate (21) is a recess. The lock strike plate (21) which is a recess is provided on the end part of the moving arm (2) that is not fixed with the door. In this way, when the lock bolt (3) is inserted into the lock strike plate (21) in recess form, it contacts the lower or upper part of the lock strike plate (21) in recess form, and fixes the movement of the moving arm (2) connected to the lock strike plate (21). In another embodiment of the present invention, there is more than one lock strike plates (21) in the form of a recess located in rows on the moving arm (2).

In one embodiment of the invention, the end part of the lock bolt (3) matching with the lock strike plate (21) comprises at least one incline. The end part (31) of the lock bolt (3) is provided to contact vertically on the lock strike plate (21) relative to the rotational movement by means of the incline that is formed. In another embodiment of the invention, the end part (31) is in the form of a triangle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one pin (4) fixed on the hinge bracket (A) (fixed arm) and used for fixing the lock of the lock bolt (3) and determining its direction.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is at least one channel (32) which is in the form of a longitudinal hole on the lock bolt (3) and through which the pin (4) fits. The lock bolt (3) is fixed to the hinge bracket (A) or on the appliance body by fitting the pin (4) into the channel (32), and thus the lock bolt (3) can be moved in the direction of the channel (32). The length of the channel (32) determines the movement area of the lock bolt (3).

When the fixing system (1) of the present invention is desired to be brought to the hinge angle, the lock bolt (3) is moved along the channel (32) and the lock strike plate (21) is contacted. The movement of the lock strike plate (21), which is forced to move in the closing direction, is limited by the lock bolt (3), and therefore it is ensured that the lock strike plate (21) and the hinge moving parts maintain their position against the angle of the hinge.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one channel (32) in the form of a longitudinal hole on the hinge bracket (A) (fixed arm) or appliance body.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one pin (4) which is provided on the lock bolt (3) and fits into the channel (32). The lock bolt (3) moves backwards and forwards by moving the pin (4) inside the channel (32). The length of the channel (32) determines the movement area of the lock bolt (3).

In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one slot (321) which is for the pin (4) to be inserted therein on the channel (32) and which is used for fixing the lock bolt (3) in fully open position. In another embodiment of the invention, the slot (321) is located on the upper part of the channel (32), and the channel (32) slot (321) of the lock bolt (3) passes over the pin (4) with the force of gravity and thus prevents the back and forth movement of the lock bolt (3). In one embodiment of the invention, there is at least one slot (321) which is for the pin (4) to be inserted therein on the channel (32) and which is used for fixing the lock bolt (3) in fully closed position. In one embodiment of the invention, the slot (321) is provided at the front end of the channel (32). In another embodiment of the invention, the slot (321) is provided at the rear end of the channel (32). In another embodiment of the present invention, there is one slot (321) at each one of the ends of the channel (32).

In another embodiment of the present invention, there are two channels (32) for moment balance on the lock bolt (3) and there is one slot (321) on each channel (32).

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one bolt recess for positioning the lock bolt (3) on the hinge bracket (A) (fixed arm) or the appliance body. The bolt recess is preferably in the form of a dent on the hinge bracket (A) (fixed arm) or the appliance body.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the lock bolt (3) or the end part of the lock bolt (3) is formed of a plastic material to increase the friction.

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one spring which is connected to the lock bolt (3) from one side and which is used to push the lock bolt (3) forward. The said spring continuously exerts a force in the opening direction of the lock bolt (3), and when the lock bolt (3) slot (321) is released from the pin (4), it moves the lock bolt (3) over the lock strike plate (21).

In an embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one spring which is connected to the lock bolt (3) from one side and which is used to push the lock bolt (3) backwards. The said spring continuously exerts a force in the closing direction of the lock bolt (3), and when the lock bolt (3) slot (321) is released from the pin (4), it moves the lock bolt (3) in opposite direction of the lock strike plate (21).

Fixing system (1), which is used to fix the hinge assembly in the desired position in hinge assemblies used in devices such as household appliances, comprises o at least one lock strike plate (21) which is provided on the lower end part of an appliance door, o at least one lock bolt (3) which is used by being fixed on the appliance body in order to fix the door, and which is connected on a hinge bracket (A) or connected on the appliance body, and which is movable on the lock strike plate (21).

In one embodiment of the invention, the fixing system (1); which is used to fix the hinge assembly in the desired position in hinge assemblies especially used in dishwasher and comprising a vertical spring (6) fixed on the hinge bracket (A) or the appliance body, a vertical shaft (5) passing through the vertical spring (6), an intermediate arm (7) connected to the hinge moving arm (2) on one side and to the vertical shaft (5) on the other side; comprises o at least one moving arm (2) which is connected onto an appliance door and which can perform rotational movement around the center where the appliance body is connected, o at least one lock strike plate (21) which is provided on the opposite part of the moving arm (2) that is connected to the door, o at least one lock bolt (3) which is used for fixing the moving arm (2), and which is connected on a hinge bracket (A) used by being fixed on the appliance body or connected on the appliance body, and which is movable on the lock strike plate (21).

With the implemented fixing system (1), the moving parts in the hinge system such as intermediate arm (7), vertical shaft (5) and vertical spring (6) are prevented from moving, and the appliance door and moving parts are enabled to be kept fixed for the repair of the hinge and mounting operations of the hinge.