Clip for securing valve to appliance and associated method

An appliance for treatment of items may include: a body defining a chamber to hold the items during treatment; a door to close the chamber during treatment; a base having an opening at an edge of the base, the body being supported on the base; a valve located in the opening; and a clip attached to the base at the opening such that the valve is secured in the opening between the clip and the base.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to appliances, including domestic appliances. The present technology further relates to water-bearing appliances, e.g., dishwashers, washers, refrigerators with an ice maker and/or a water dispenser, etc. The present technology further relates to a clip that may be used to secure a water inlet valve to a base of the appliance.

BACKGROUND OF TECHNOLOGY

Typically, water-bearing, domestic appliances require a connection to an external source of water in the home. Accordingly, a water inlet valve may be attached to the appliance at a base region or on a frame. The attachment of the water inlet valve must be sufficiently secure to prevent rattling of the water inlet valve and any other structured associated with the water inlet valve's attachment. For example, the valve may be external to a treatment chamber of the appliance where there is less sound insulation and the flow of water through the valve may cause it to vibrate and generate noise if it is not secured tightly. Moreover, the valve must be held sufficiently securely to the appliance such that it does not come loose from the appliance once the appliance is installed, e.g., during use.

To secure the water inlet valve to the base of the appliance, prior art technologies have sought to securely attach the water inlet valve to the base, albeit with deficiencies. One prior art technology (see, e.g.,FIG. 2) involves attaching the water inlet valve to a plate with screws or other fasteners and the plate is, in turn, attached to the base of the appliance with more screws or other fasteners. This technology is flawed in that assembly requires numerous tools to attach all of the screws or other fasteners, the screws or other fasteners add further costs, and the assembly requires a great deal of time because of the need to attach several screws or other fasteners

Another prior art technology (see, e.g.,FIGS. 3 and 4) involves attaching the water inlet valve to a flat plate, which is in turn attached to the base of the appliance, but without the use of any screws or other fasteners. A similar prior art technology (see, e.g.,FIGS. 5 and 6), which is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20140174569 and German Patent Application Publication No. DE 10 2012 224 303, involves the attachment of the water inlet valve to an angled plate, which is in turn connected to the base, without the use of any screws or other fasteners. These technologies are deficient in that assembly is difficult and the base must be produced with a large opening to accommodate either the flat plate or the angled plate.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY

The present technology seeks to overcome the deficiencies of prior art technologies by providing a secure attachment for the valve that does not require screws or other fasteners, may be assembled quickly and simply, and does not require that the components have shapes that are complicated and/or difficult to produce.

An aspect of the present technology is directed to a clip to secure a connecting device, e.g., a valve, to a frame or a base of an appliance, such that the connecting device is positioned between the clip and the frame or the base to secure the valve in an opening of the frame or the base. The clip may have a convex portion or a protrusion that can be deformed by contact with the connecting device to maintain a constant force on the connecting device. The valve may be attached to the base by the clip without screws or other fasteners.

Another aspect of the present technology is directed to an appliance having an opening to receive a connecting device, e.g., wherein a clip secures the connecting device to the appliance. The connecting device may be positioned between the clip and a receiving portion of the appliance, e.g., a frame or a base, to secure the connecting device. The valve may be attached to the base by the clip without screws or other fasteners.

Another aspect of the present technology is directed to an appliance for treatment of items. The appliance may comprise: a body defining a chamber to hold the items during treatment; a door to close the chamber during treatment; a base having an opening at an edge of the base, the body being supported on the base; a valve located in the opening and in contact with the base; and a clip attached to the base by the clip at the opening such that the valve is secured in the opening between the clip and the base.

In examples, (a) the clip may comprise a convex portion extending from a central body of the clip, (b) the convex portion may comprise an outer edge, said outer edge being arcuate, (c) the central body of the clip may comprise a gap positioned proximal to the outer edge of the convex portion, (d) the gap may be arcuate, (e) the convex portion may be deformed by contact with the valve when the clip is attached to the base at the opening, (f) the base may comprise a base edge at the opening, and the clip may comprise a first aligning feature, a second aligning feature, and a space defined, at least in part by, the first aligning feature and the second aligning feature, the base edge being received in the space to align the clip with the base in the opening, (g) the base may comprise an aperture, and the clip may comprise a side portion having a base attachment feature structured to releasably engage with the aperture to secure the clip to the base, (h) the base attachment feature may be a cantilever tab, (i) the appliance may be a water-bearing, domestic appliance, (j) the water-bearing, domestic appliance may be a dishwasher, a washer, or a refrigerator, and/or (k) the valve is a water inlet valve or a water outlet valve.

Another aspect of the present technology is directed to a clip to secure a valve in an opening in a base of an appliance. The clip may comprise: a central body; at least one side portion extending from the central body, said at least one side portion being configured to connect with the base; and a portion extending from the central body, said portion being deformable by contact with the valve when the clip is attached to the appliance.

In examples, (a) the convex portion may comprise an outer edge, (b) the outer edge may be arcuate, (c) the central body of the clip may comprise a gap positioned proximal to the outer edge of the convex portion, (d) the gap may be arcuate, (e) the clip may comprise a first aligning feature, a second aligning feature, and a space defined, at least in part by the first aligning feature and the second aligning feature, and the space may be structured to receive an edge of the base to align the clip in the opening, (f) the at least one side portion may have a base attachment feature structured to releasably engage with an aperture of the base to secure the clip to the base, (g) the base attachment feature may be a cantilever tab, and/or (h) the portion may be a convex portion.

Another aspect of the present technology is directed to a method of securing a valve to a base on an appliance. The method may comprise: positioning the valve directly on the base; and securing the valve into position on the base with a clip that separately attaches to the base.

In examples, (a) the clip may comprise a portion extending from the clip to secure the valve in position on the base, and securing the valve into position on the base may comprise deforming the portion by contact with the valve to secure the valve between the clip and the base, (b) the portion may be a convex portion, (c) the convex portion may comprise an outer edge, said outer edge being arcuate, (d) the clip may comprise a gap positioned on a central body of the clip proximal to the outer edge of the convex portion, and the gap may be arcuate, (e) securing the valve into position on the base with the clip may comprise aligning an edge of the base at the opening in a space defined, at least in part by, a first aligning feature of the clip and a second aligning feature of the clip, and/or (f) securing the valve into position on the base with the clip may comprise engaging a base attachment feature of the clip with an aperture of the base to attach the clip to the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGY

FIG. 1shows an appliance5according to an example of the present technology. In further examples the appliance5may be a domestic appliance and/or a water-bearing appliance. In further examples, the appliance may be a dishwasher, a washer, or a refrigerator with an ice maker and/or a water dispenser.

The appliance5shown inFIG. 1may include a body12that defines a chamber15to contain items during treatment by the appliance5. The appliance5may also include a door10to close the chamber15during treatment of the items by the appliance. The appliance5may also include an upper rack20and a lower rack25to support the items being treated by the appliance5. The appliance5may also include a base30that supports the body12. Additionally or alternatively, the appliance may also include a frame (not shown) to support the body12.

To provide water to the appliance for treatment of the items, a valve may be attached to the appliance to connect the internal fluid passages of the appliance to an external source of water. The attachment of the valve must be sufficiently tight to prevent vibration from the appliance from causing the valve to rattle or produce vibration noise. Also, the attachment of the valve must sufficiently secure to withstand the connection and disconnection of the valve from the external source of water by the user. Before describing the present technology, several prior art technologies, which have been developed in attempt to provide a solution, are discussed below along with their respective deficiencies.

FIG. 2depicts a prior art technology that includes screws. The base30of the appliance can be seen in detailed view. A valve45is shown attached to a valve plate55by valve screws40. The valve plate55is in turn attached to the base30with plate screws35. Additionally, a hose50can be seen passing from the valve45to the interior of the appliance. This prior art technology is deficient because the screws35,40add significant cost to the assembly of the appliance. Furthermore, the screws35,40add complexity to the appliance because there are more components. Additionally, the screws35,40add complexity to the assembly of the appliance because the screws35,40must be screwed in. Also, the screws35,40add complexity to the assembly of the appliance because tools are required to attach the screws.

Other prior art technologies sought to improve upon this technology by eliminating the need for screws. However, these technologies have deficiencies as well.FIGS. 3 and 4depict a flat, screwless plate60for attaching a valve75to an appliance5. The flat, screwless plate60includes valve tightening features65that, by virtue of their structure, secure the valve75to the flat, screwless plate60. The flat, screwless plate60also includes plate tightening features70to secure the flat, screwless plate60the appliance5, e.g., at the base30.

FIGS. 5 and 6depict another screwless technology. This prior art technology includes an angled, screwless plate80, instead of the flat, screwless plate60. Similar to the prior art technology described above, the angled, screwless plate80also includes valve tightening features85to secure a valve95to the angled, screwless plate80and plate tightening features90to secure the angled, screwless plate80to the base30of the appliance.

The screwless technologies described above are typically employed because the complex geometric features required for securing the valve are difficult to form on the appliance itself, e.g., the base. Moreover, these geometric features formed on the base may not be able to survive the life of the appliance. Because of these issues, the screwless plate technologies were developed to allow the valve to be attached to the plate, which is in turn attached to the base. These screwless plate technologies are deficient as well. For example, the features that attach the plate to the base require that the plate be rotated into place for attachment, which is a complex assembly step. Furthermore, the opening in the appliance that receives the plate must be large enough to accommodate the plate.

The present technology seeks to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art technologies discussed above. An example of the present technology is depicted inFIGS. 1 and 7-11. According to the depicted example of the present technology, a valve105may be secured to the base30of the appliance5by a clip100. The valve105may be secured to the base30of the appliance5without screws or other fasteners.

FIG. 1shows the appliance5according to the present technology and indicates an exemplary location of the features depicted in greater detail inFIGS. 7-15.FIG. 1shows this exemplary location of these features on a side of the base30of the appliance5. However, it should be understood that these features could be located on a rear portion of the base30(not shown in this view), on the opposite side of the base30, or on the front side of the base30. It may be advantageous to locate the features of the present technology at a region of the base30that will be covered when the appliance5is installed, e.g., by cabinetry, walls, furniture, and/or counter(s). As shown inFIG. 7, the valve105is assembled to the base30and secured in position by the clip100. The valve105may be assembled directly to or positioned directly on at least a portion of the base30, e.g., one or more base edges32. The valve105may be positioned between the clip100and the base30. Furthermore, the valve105may be assembled directly to or in direct contact with the base30. The base30may include an opening31defined, at least in part, by base edges32. The opening31may be formed on the base30such that it opens at a lower edge33of the base30. Once the valve105is inserted into the opening31or positioned directly on the base30, the clip100may be attached to the base30and/or inserted into or slid into the opening31to secure the valve105.

The clip100may include a central body135. A portion120may extend from the central body135. The portion120may be a convex portion. The convex portion120is the portion of the clip100that may contact the valve105to secure the valve105to the base30by urging the valve105against the base30. The convex portion120may include an outer edge130that directly contacts the valve105. The convex portion120and the outer edge130may be arcuate. The central body135may also include a gap125proximal to the outer edge130. The gap125may also have an arcuate shape.

When the valve105is assembled to the base30and secured by the clip100, the convex portion120may be deformed to provide a constant force against the valve105to maintain the valve105in position against the base30in the opening. Also, the convex portion120may be deformed such that it is pushed into the gap125by the valve105, when installed. Also, the convex portion120may have a degree of flexibility to absorb vibration to reduce noise generated by vibration of the valve105and/or the clip100against the base30, e.g., at edges32of the base30.

As can be seen inFIGS. 8-11, the clip100may include at least one first aligning feature110and at least one second aligning feature112. Each pair of the first aligning feature110and the second aligning feature112may define, at least in part, a space114, which receives a corresponding base edge32to align the clip100in the opening31of the base30. The first aligning feature110may extend from the central body135.FIG. 15also shows base alignment features38around which the first aligning feature110of the clip100and the second aligning feature112may be aligned to align and secure the clip100in the opening31of the base30.

The clip100may also include at least one side portion140. The side portion140may extend from the central body135. The clip100may include two side portions140that extend from the central body135in opposite directions. The second aligning feature112may be extend from the side portion140. The side portion140may include a base attachment feature115formed in a cutout117of the side portion140. The base attachment feature115may be a cantilever tab and the base attachment feature115may include a protrusion116at its free end. When the clip100is attached to the base30at the opening31, the protrusion116may extend into a corresponding aperture34on the base30to provide releasable engagement between the clip100and the base30. For example, the engagement of the protrusion116to the aperture34may be accomplished with a snap-fit. Alternatively, the clip100may be secured to the base30at the opening31with a friction fit or a press fit.

The valve105may be secured to the base30of the appliance5by the following method. The valve105may be positioned directly on the base30and the valve105may be secured into position on the base30with a clip100that separately attaches to the base30. The clip100may comprise portion120extending from the clip100to secure the valve105in position on the base30. The valve105may be secured into position on the base30by deforming the portion120by contact with the valve105to secure the valve105between the clip100and the base30. The portion120may be a convex portion. Securing the clip100may include aligning an edge32of the base30in the space114that is defined, at least in part, by the first aligning feature110of the clip100and the second aligning feature112of the clip100. Securing the clip may also include engaging a base attachment feature115of the clip100with an aperture34of the base30to attach the clip100to the base30.

The clip100may be formed from polypropylene, according to an example of the present technology. Polypropylene may provide sufficient flexibility to the clip100, for example, to allow the attachment features115to be deflected and snap back into position when the clip100is secured to the base30. Also, the flexibility provided by polypropylene would allow the portion120to be deformed by contact with the valve105, as described above. According to another example of the present technology, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) may be used for the clip100. ABS may be advantageous if a higher degree of stiffness is desired. It should be understood that other thermoplastic polymers may also be used for the clip100.

FIGS. 12-15depict further exemplary features of the present technology. As discussed above, the clip100may be used to secure the valve105in the opening31of the base. It should also be understood that the clip100may provide additional structural strength and stability to the base30.

The base30may be divided into a supported leg36and an unsupported leg37by the opening31. The supported leg36may have greater structural strength because that portion of the base30may be joined closely to other structural features of the appliance5, such as the frame. The unsupported leg37, however, can be seen extending from the base30at a position that may be further from structural features of the appliance5, e.g., in a cantilever fashion. Therefore, the unsupported leg37may be susceptible to displacement and/or damage resulting from forces applied to the base30. For example, the double arrow X-X shown inFIG. 13indicates that the unsupported leg37may be more likely to be deflected or warped in these directions, if no additional structural support is provided. Also, the double arrow T-T shown inFIG. 14indicates the directions of torque that may be applied to the base30when a user connects or disconnects a hose (not shown) to or from the valve105, e.g., at its threaded connection. The result of the torque in the directions T-T may cause the unsupported leg37to tend to translate away from the base in the Z direction, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15.

The attachment of the clip100to the base30at the opening31, however, may add structural rigidity to the base30, e.g., at the unsupported leg37, by connecting the supported leg36and the unsupported leg37. In other words, once the clip100is attached to secure the valve105in position in the opening31, the unsupported leg37is no longer extending from the base in a cantilever fashion because its free end is joined to the supported leg36. As can be seen inFIG. 13, for example, the first aligning feature110of the clip100and the second aligning feature112of the clip100are engaged with the supported leg36and the unsupported leg37, respectively, such that the supported leg36, the clip100, and the unsupported leg37are aligned along the axis Y-Y. By aligning the supported leg36, the clip100, and the unsupported leg37along the Y-Y axis as shown, the unsupported leg37may be provided with additional structural support and rigidity to resist deformation in the X-X and Z directions, which could cause damage to the base30.

The present technology is an improvement over the prior art technologies, e.g., because it does not require screws or other fasteners. Therefore, cost and complexity of assembly are reduced. Furthermore, the clip100of the present technology may be made smaller than the screwless plate technologies discussed above because the clip100does not need to have the valve105attached directly thereto before being installed on the base30. Additionally, this provides a simpler, quicker installation because the valve105can be inserted into the opening31of the base30or positioned directly on the base30and the clip100can be attached to the base30or slid into or inserted into the opening31to secure the valve105against the base30, rather than the assembler having to rotate a screwless plate into position on the base30. Also, because the clip100can be made smaller than the screwless plate technologies, the appliance5does not need to be tipped over to remove the screwless plate for service. Rather, the base30may be supported sufficiently high off of the floor such that the clip100can be detached and the valve105removed while the appliance5remains on the floor.

The convex portion120also is able to securely hold the valve105against the opening31of the base30to minimize vibration noise that may be caused by vibration of the appliance during use. The clip100may also provide additional structural rigidity to the base30at the opening because it can hold the base edges32on either side of the opening31together and provide support for the base edges32, for example, when the user is connecting or disconnecting the appliance from an external water source.

It should also be understood that the clip100of the present technology may be used to secure other connecting devices. For example, the clip100may be used to secure hoses or lines that transfer water or other fluids. Also, the clip100may be used to secure electrical connections, e.g., electrical sockets. Furthermore, the clip100may provide a secure connection for a valve or other component to other parts of an appliance, e.g., a frame, a body panel, a housing, etc. Additionally, it should be understood that the connection facilitated by the clip100may be internal to the appliance or it may be on an external surface. Also, it should be understood that more than one clip100may be provided to the appliance to offer multiple connections as needed by the configuration of the appliance.