Household appliance having latching and opening functions for a door of the household appliance

Abstract

A mechanism for a door of a household appliance (such as a dishwasher), comprising: a door latch for holding the door closed; a latch opener mechanism, which is capable of switching from a deactivated position to an activated position when the door is closed while at least partially overcoming the hold-closed effect of the door latch; an electrically controlled actuator, which is used to shift the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position to the activated position; a pusher, which is arranged to be movable, in particular linearly movable, which is separated from the latch opener mechanism and decoupled from the latch opener mechanism when moving, for force transmission in a force transmission path across the door latch in the sense of opening the door; and a spring drive, which is used to provide a spring force, which acts on the pusher and allows the door to be pushed open by the pusher after the hold-closed effect of the door latch has been overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to household appliances having a door for selectively closing and releasing access to a process chamber forming an interior of the main body of the household appliance. In particular, the present invention relates to household appliances equipped with a door latch that allows a closed door to remain closed, and the household appliance is designed with suitable means for overcoming the hold-closed effect of the door latch and allowing the door to be at least slightly opened without user intervention. Background Art

[0002] In domestic washing machines and dishwashers, there is an increasing need for solutions that automatically slightly open the door of the machine at the end of the cleaning program so that heat and / or moisture can escape from the interior of the machine. In dishwashers, this helps to carry out the required drying of dishes that are still damp at the end of the cleaning program and allows the energy consumption required for actively drying the dishes to be reduced. Against the background of general efforts to reduce the energy consumption of household appliances, the drying phase at the end of the program operation of dishwashers has become a possible relevant source of savings. However, sufficient cooling and ventilation of the dishwashing chamber of the dishwasher can only be ensured if the door is opened with a gap of more than a few millimeters. Usually, an opening gap of several centimeters is required at least in the top edge area of ​​the door (assuming that the door (as a conventional door in domestic dishwashers) is pivotally mounted on the dishwashing container of the dishwasher in the area of ​​its bottom edge) in order to ensure a sufficient amount of air exchange between the dishwashing chamber and the external environment.

[0003] Some conventional dishwashers have one or more hinge springs in the area of ​​the door hinge, by means of which the door is mounted on the dishwashing container, which hinge springs exert a biasing force on the closed door that acts in the opening direction. When the door is closed, the strength of the hinge springs is not sufficient to overcome the hold-closed effect of the door latch, i.e. the door latch resists attempts to open the closed door. However, if the hold-closed effect is overcome in a different way (e.g. by manual intervention of the user or by a motor-driven pusher), the force of the hinge springs may be sufficient in such conventional dishwashers to open the door driven by the spring force from a still substantially vertical position in which the force transmission via the door latch is only just released to such an extent that the air exchange required for air drying of the dishes can pass through the already formed opening gap.

[0004] However, in the case where the dishwasher is not equipped with such a hinge spring acting in the opening direction of the door, other solutions are required in order to allow the door to be opened the required amount without the help of the user. Summary of the invention

[0005] One object of the invention is to demonstrate a manner in which, in a domestic appliance, in particular in a domestic dishwasher, a door can be opened automatically to a sufficient extent without requiring a door opening hinge spring.

[0006] To achieve this object, the present invention provides a mechanism for a door of a household appliance, wherein the mechanism includes: a door latch for keeping the door closed; a latch opener mechanism, which is configured to switch from a deactivated position to an activated position when the door is closed, while at least partially overcoming the keeping-closed effect of the door latch; an electrically controlled actuator, which is used to move the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position to the activated position; a pusher, which is arranged to be movable, especially linearly movable, and is separated from the latch opener mechanism and decoupled from the latch opener mechanism when moving, so as to transmit force in a force transmission path that bypasses the door latch in the sense of opening the door; and a spring drive, which is configured to provide a spring force that acts on the pusher and allows the door to be pushed open by the pusher after overcoming the keeping-closed effect of the door latch.

[0007] When the door is closed, the door latch provides resistance against attempts to open the door. This resistance can be referred to as the hold-close action of the door latch. In order to open the door, this resistance must be overcome. At least under normal conventional operating conditions, the strength of the spring driver is not enough to overcome the hold-close action of the door latch. Nevertheless, in order to be able to automatically overcome the hold-close action of the door latch, the mechanism according to the present invention includes a latch opener mechanism with an associated electrically controlled actuator. The actuator and the latch opener mechanism provide at least a portion of the force required to overcome the hold-close action of the door latch from the closed door. By operating the actuator when the door is closed, the door latch is therefore brought into a state in which the resistance to opening the door provided by the door latch is at least partially overcome. In some embodiments, the actuator and the latch opener mechanism are intended and adapted to completely overcome the hold-close action of the door latch. After the hold-close action of the door latch has been overcome, no further force assistance from the actuator and the door latch opener mechanism is required. On the contrary, after the hold-close action of the door latch has been overcome, the force of the spring driver is sufficient to push the door open wide enough.

[0008] The door latch comprises at least one component which is arranged on the door and which, when the door is closed, is in closing engagement with at least one component arranged on the body of the household appliance. A treatment chamber is formed in the body, which is, for example, a dishwashing chamber in the case of a dishwasher; the door is usually pivotably mounted on the body and, when the door is closed, closes an access opening to the treatment chamber. The latch opener mechanism is capable of overcoming at least a portion of the resistance of the door latch when switching from the inactive position to the active position when the door is initially closed, wherein the user must overcome the resistance if the user must open the closed door without any technical assistance. At least partially overcoming the resistance of the door latch may include, for example, a relative displacement of a component of the door latch in the closing engagement against a closing spring force. Alternatively or additionally, at least partially overcoming the resistance of the door latch may include, for example, a common displacement of a component of the door latch in the closing engagement against a closing spring force.

[0009] In some embodiments, the door latch comprises a pair of latch arms, which clamp the latch head when the door is closed, and thereby keep the door closed, as shown and described in DE 10 2012 016 541 A1, for example. In such an embodiment, the operation of the actuator from the inactive position of the latch opener mechanism can, for example, cause the latch opener mechanism to drive the latch arms apart in opposition to the closing spring force. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the latch opener mechanism can push the latch head out of the clamping of the latch arms transverse to the pivot plane of the latch arm. In other embodiments, the door latch comprises a pair of latch arms, which are stuck in the closing mouth when the door is closed, as shown and described in DE 10 2011 011 662 A1, for example. In such an embodiment, the operation of the actuator from the inactive position of the latch opener mechanism can, for example, cause the latch opener mechanism to push the latch arms together in opposition to the closing spring force, so that at least the removal of the latch arms from the closing mouth is facilitated. In further embodiments, the latch opener mechanism can, for example, displace a rotary gripper in a rotational and / or translational manner against the force of one or more closing springs of the door latch, wherein the rotary gripper forms a gripping opening for capturing a stirrup-shaped web entering the gripping opening when the door is closed (as shown and described, for example, in DE 198 37 248 A1). In all these examples, the actuator-driven displacement of the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position to the activated position causes the hold-closed effect of the door latch to be at least partially overcome. The content of the DE specification mentioned is hereby expressly incorporated herein.

[0010] The latch opener mechanism can be a single component or a multi-component mechanism. In some embodiments, the latch opener mechanism includes a single latch opener component arranged to be movable, which can be driven by an actuator along a straight path or a curved path and directly cooperate with a target component in a force-transmitting manner. An example of such a single-component construction of a latch opener mechanism is a linear slider and an operating rod. In other embodiments, the latch opener mechanism is formed by a structure of multiple components that can be moved relative to each other, wherein the structure as a whole ensures force transmission from the actuator to one or more target components. An example of a multi-part latch opener mechanism is a curved operating rod mechanism.

[0011] The pusher is a mechanical component through which a force transmission path extends, which allows the transmission of force across the door latch between the door and the main body of the household appliance in the sense of opening the door. In the inactive position of the latch opener mechanism, and in the case of the door being closed, this force transmission path extending through the pusher can still be opened, for example because the pusher is still at a distance from the pressure receiving part, however, the pusher must be in contact with the pressure receiving part so that the spring force provided by the spring driver can be transmitted to the pressure receiving part component and thus push the door open. However, in the inactive position of the latch opener mechanism, and in the case of the door being closed, the force transmission path extending through the pusher may have been closed, but in this state, there is still no or only a relatively small force transmitted via the pusher. In the case where the pusher and the spring driver are arranged on the main body of the household appliance, the pressure receiving part is arranged on the door or formed by the door. However, the pusher and the spring driver can be arranged on the door; in this case, the main body of the household appliance forms or includes the pressure receiving part.

[0012] The spring drive may have a single spring element for generating the entire driving force provided by the spring drive for pushing out the pusher and thus for pushing open the door. Alternatively, the spring drive may comprise a plurality of spring elements for this purpose, which cooperate to generate such a driving force. An example of a configuration of a spring element of a spring drive is a helical spring which is placed under compressive or tensile stress in order to generate at least a portion of the driving force of the spring drive and which, when relaxed, can transmit a moving force directed toward the pusher along its helical axis. An optional configuration of a spring element of a spring drive is a helical spring which is placed under tension by being wound around its helical axis and which, when relaxed, can drive, for example, a drive pinion which is meshed with the pusher.

[0013] When the door is closed and the latch opener mechanism is deactivated, the spring drive can be substantially free of tension or already under spring tension. If the spring drive is substantially free of tension when the door is closed and the latch opener mechanism is deactivated, then with the activation of the latch opener mechanism, i.e. the transition of the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position to the activated position, an action is taken on the spring drive, wherein at least one spring element of the spring drive is placed under spring tension by means of said action. At the latest when the activated position of the latch opener mechanism is reached, the spring drive has sufficient spring tension to allow the desired pushing of the door. If the spring drive already has spring tension when the door is closed and the latch opener mechanism is deactivated, this spring tension increases with the activation of the latch opener mechanism; however, the spring tension that prevails when the door is closed and the latch opener mechanism is deactivated can optionally already be the maximum tension that the spring drive is subjected to under normal conventional operating conditions of the mechanism according to the invention.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the spring force (driving force) provided by the spring driver is large enough to move a distance of the pusher, so that the opening gap of at least 3cm or at least 4cm or at least 5cm or at least 6cm is formed between the door and the main body of the household appliance. On the other hand, the actuator only needs to be able to switch the latch opener mechanism from the inactive position to the enabled position. In certain embodiments, this requires the actuation stroke of the actuator to be shorter than the distance that the pusher must be advanced by the spring driver, especially quite short, so as to obtain the described size of the opening gap of the door. In certain embodiments, the stroke required for switching the latch opener mechanism from the inactive position to the enabled position can be limited to, for example, several millimeters to about 1cm to 2cm. Therefore, in certain embodiments, it is sufficient to use a relatively short-stroke linear actuator, such as the form of a wax motor. It should be understood that other types of actuators, such as electric motors, are not excluded for operating the latch opener mechanism.

[0015] In some embodiments, the door latch's hold-close action is overcome in the enabled position of the latch opener mechanism. In other embodiments, when the latch opener mechanism reaches the enabled position, a portion, particularly a majority, of the door latch's hold-close action has been overcome. However, when the latch opener mechanism reaches the enabled position, the remainder of the door latch's hold-close action may still exist, although the remainder is weak enough to be overcome by the force of the spring driver.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mechanism according to the present invention also includes a blocking member that is arranged to be movable, which is separated from the latch opener mechanism, and in the blocking position and when the door is closed, the blocking member can apply a blocking effect on the pusher, so as to prevent the relaxation of the spring driver required to push the door. When the door is initially closed, the blocking member moves to a release position according to the displacement of the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position in the direction toward the enabled position, and in this release position, the blocking effect of the blocking member on the pusher is released. When the blocking member is in the blocking position (and the door is closed), the force transmission path of the pusher can not be force-transmitted. In particular, in this case, the pusher can be at a distance from the pressure receiving part, and when the pusher pushes the door open, the pusher transmits the force of the spring driver to the pressure receiving part. This allows the predetermined specification of the force condition of the door latch to be accurately observed even in the case of mass production.

[0017] In some embodiments, by closing the previously pushed open door, the blocking member can be moved back to the blocking position. This allows the pusher to be converted to a retracted position by subsequently manually closing the door after the door has been automatically pushed open, in which the pusher is kept in the retracted position due to the blocking of the blocking member, and if the door is then manually opened again by the user, the pusher will not be driven forward again by the force of the spring driver. Each time the user wants to put individual dishes into the dishwasher, the user opens the door, optionally pulls out the cutlery basket located in the dishwashing container, puts the dishes into the cutlery basket, pushes the cutlery basket back and closes the door again. This operation can be repeated several times before the machine is fully filled and the user starts running a new program. Advantageously, the pusher is not moved from the retracted position to the advanced position by the spring driver each time the door is opened by hand. This can be prevented by closing the previously pushed open door to achieve the return of the blocking member to the blocking position. The blocking member is then kept blocking the pusher until the latch opener mechanism is activated again.

[0018] In some embodiments, as a result of the door being pushed open, the pusher moves to an advanced position in which the pusher is within reach of an operator of the household appliance. On the other hand, in the blocking position of the blocking member, the pusher can be fixed in a retracted position in which the pusher is not within reach of the operator. In the retracted position, for example, the pusher is arranged so that the pusher is sufficiently recessed so that when the user loads or unloads the household appliance, the pusher is not within reach of the user's hand.

[0019] In some embodiments, when the latch opener mechanism is displaced from the deactivated position in the direction toward the enabled position when the door is closed, the latch opener mechanism acts on the parts of the door latch in a force-applying manner. For example, in the case where the door latch is configured with a pair of spring-biased latch arms that are movable relative to each other (as disclosed in DE 10 2012 016 541A1 or DE 10 2011 011 662 A1), the latch opener mechanism can act on one or two latch arms when activated. In such an embodiment, according to the displacement of the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position in the direction toward the enabled position, the blocking member can be pushed to the release position from the blocking position by the latch opener mechanism, wherein the blocking member allows the latch opener mechanism to be displaced back to the deactivated position in the release position. For example, the latch opener mechanism can have a latch opener component that is arranged to be movable, and the latch opener component has a control slope, and the control slope extends in a manner that is at an angle to its moving direction, for controlling the position of the blocking member.

[0020] In other embodiments, the latch opener mechanism can act on the pusher in a force-exerting manner when the latch opener mechanism is displaced from the deactivated position in the direction toward the activated position when the door is closed. In these embodiments, the latch opener mechanism works indirectly against the resistance of the door latch because the latch opener mechanism does not act directly on the components of the door latch by physical contact, but initiates the opening of the door by force transmission in a force transmission path containing the pusher. The blocking member can thus be pushed from the blocking position to the release position by the latch opener mechanism exerting a force on the pusher.

[0021] In some embodiments, the blocking member has or includes a linearly movable slider component, in particular a slider component that can be shifted between a blocking position and a release position in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the pusher. In other embodiments, the blocking member is or includes a pivoting component or a rotating component.

[0022] For example, the blocking member can be under a spring bias that biases the blocking member to the blocking position. In some embodiments, the blocking member can also be under a spring bias in the release position, which biases the blocking member to prevent leaving the release position. Therefore, the blocking member can be spring biased in a monostable or bistable manner.

[0023] In some embodiments, a coupling assembly is arranged between the latch opener mechanism and the spring driver so as to establish or increase the spring tension of the spring driver according to the displacement of the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position in the direction towards the activated position when the door is closed. The coupling assembly comprises, for example, a tensioning operating lever which is pivotable about an operating lever axis and can be kinematically coupled to the latch opener mechanism at a point relatively close to the axis and can act on the spring driver at a point relatively far from the axis. In the region of the point relatively far from the axis, the tensioning operating lever can be kinematically coupled to a support member which is arranged to be linearly movable in the same direction of movement as the pusher, wherein a drive spring of the spring driver is supported between the support member and the pusher. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the drive spring of the spring driver is supported directly on the tensioning operating lever without the need for inserting a separate support member.

[0024] Some embodiments provide that the door latch comprises a closing mechanism which is arranged to be displaceable between a closed state and an open state and which in the closed state holds a counterpart to hold the door closed, the counterpart being in closing engagement with the closing mechanism when the door is closed, and in the open state the closing mechanism releases the counterpart to open the door. The closing mechanism may have, for example, a pair of latch arms which are arranged to be movable relative to each other, as disclosed in DE 10 2012 016 541 A1 or DE 10 2011 011 662 A1. In such embodiments, the counterpart may be formed by a latch head according to DE 10 2012 016 541 A1 or by a mouth-shaped body forming a closing mouth according to DE 10 2011 011 662 A1, depending on the direction of the spring bias of the latch arms (towards each other or away from each other). Alternatively, the closing mechanism can include a rotary clamp which can clamp a stirrup-shaped web serving as a counterpart with a clamping mouth according to DE 198 37 248 A1. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to these exemplary configurations of closing mechanism and counterpart, and other configurations of the door latch are possible at any time.

[0025] In some embodiments, the door latch further comprises a closing spring assembly that provides resistance to displacement of the closing mechanism from the closed state in a direction toward the open state. In such embodiments, the latch opener mechanism is capable of overcoming the resistance of the closing spring assembly to push the closing mechanism from the closed state in a direction toward the open state by physical contact. In some embodiments, the displacement travel of the latch opener mechanism between the deactivated position and the activated position is at least sufficient to achieve the conversion of the closing mechanism from the closed state to the open state when the door is closed.

[0026] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a mechanism for a door of a household appliance, which can be implemented independently of a latch opener mechanism driven by an actuator, the mechanism comprising: a door latch for holding the door closed; a pusher, which is arranged to be movable, in particular linearly movable; a pressure receiver, wherein one of the pusher and the pressure receiver is arranged on the door, and the other of the pusher and the pressure receiver is arranged on the main body of the household appliance, which holds the door in a movable manner; a spring drive, which is used to provide a spring force acting on the pusher and allow the door to be pushed open by the pusher after the holding action of the door latch has been overcome, wherein, in order to push open the door, the pusher is configured to transfer the spring force to the pressure receiver by making physical contact in a force transmission path that bypasses the door latch, wherein when the door is closed, the pusher and the pressure receiver can be moved to a relative standby position, in which the pusher and the pressure receiver do not perform force transmission.

[0027] This relative position of the pusher and the pressure receiver in which no force is transmitted exists in particular when there is no physical contact between the pusher and the pressure receiver, that is, when the pusher and the pressure receiver are arranged at a distance from each other. A non-transmitted force situation may also exist when the pusher and the pressure receiver are in contact with each other but no propulsion force is transmitted between the pusher and the pressure receiver. The non-transmitted force state between the pusher and the pressure receiver (when the door is closed) helps to comply with the predetermined specifications regarding the force conditions of the door latch.

[0028] The pressure receiver is a body to which the pusher transmits the spring force of the spring drive to push the door open. If the pusher is arranged on the body of the household appliance (for example, on the dishwashing container in the case of a dishwasher), the pressure receiver can be formed, for example, by a lining plate which lines the door on the inner side of the door facing the body.

[0029] In some embodiments, the pusher has an associated spring-loaded retraction member that, upon closing of the door and in opposition to the spring action of the spring driver, can urge the pusher out of physical contact with the pressure receiver. The retraction member ensures that the pusher is at a distance from the pressure receiver after the door has been closed.

[0030] In some embodiments, the retracting member has a blocking function for the pusher and is arranged to be movable between a blocking position and a release position. In the blocking position and when the door is closed, the retracting member can apply a blocking effect on the pusher so as to prevent the relaxation of the spring driver required to push the door. On the other hand, in the release position of the blocking member, the blocking effect on the pusher is released. Based on the closing of the door, the retracting member can perform a movement from the release position to the blocking position, wherein, when moving from the release position to the blocking position, the retracting member can apply a retraction stroke to the pusher. By configuring the retracting member to have such a blocking function, it is possible to ensure that the physical distance between the pusher and the pressure receiver is maintained after the door has been closed, because the retracting member moves to its blocking position according to the closing of the door and blocks the pusher in the blocking position. After the operation of the pusher that has caused the door to be pushed open, the pusher can be entered into the retracted position and locked in this position by manually closing the door once. Therefore, when the door is subsequently opened manually, the pusher remains in its retracted position and does not protrude into the space in which the user moves the user's hand in a manner that may cause harm, such as to load or unload household appliances.

[0031] In other embodiments, the spring driver has a drive spring supported between the pusher and a support member arranged to be movable. The support member is connected to an electrically controlled actuator in terms of driving, by which the support member can be moved from a relative static position relative to the pusher to a relative tensioning position in order to establish or increase the spring tension of the driver spring. In the relative static position of the support member, the pusher and the pressure receiver can assume a relative active position when the door is closed. In these embodiments, when the support member is in the relative static position and the pusher and the pressure receiver are in the relative active position, the spring driver can be without tension or already under spring tension.

[0032] For example, the support member can be coupled to the actuator via an operating rod drive. By appropriately configuring the operating rod drive, a relatively large movement stroke of the support member and thus a sufficient build-up or increase of tension in the spring drive can be achieved via a relatively small actuation stroke of the actuator.

[0033] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a mechanism for a door of a household appliance, wherein the mechanism includes: a door latch for keeping the door closed, wherein the door latch includes a pair of spring-biased latch arms, the latch arms being arranged to pivot relative to each other between a closed state and an open state, and in the closed state, the latch arms hold a counterpart to keep the door closed, the counterpart forming a closed engagement with the latch arms when the door is closed, and in the open state, the latch arms release the counterpart to open the door; a latch opener mechanism, the latch opener mechanism mechanically cooperates with the latch arms, and the latch opener mechanism is configured to switch from a deactivated position to an activated position when the door is closed, thereby pushing the latch arms from the closed state in a direction toward the open state; and a wax motor, the wax motor being used to drive the latch opener mechanism.

[0034] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a mechanism for a door of a household appliance, the mechanism comprising: a pusher, which is arranged to be movable, in particular linearly movable; a spring driver acting on the pusher; a blocking member, which is arranged to be movable, wherein in a blocking position and with the door closed, the blocking member can exert a blocking effect on the pusher to prevent relaxation of the spring driver required to push open the door; and an electrically-controlled actuator, which is used to exert a force on the pusher to overcome the blocking effect of the blocking member on the pusher.

[0035] Another aspect of the present invention provides a mechanism for a door of a household appliance, the mechanism comprising: a pusher, which is arranged to be movable, in particular linearly movable; a spring driver acting on the pusher; a blocking member, which is arranged to be movable and is configured to apply a blocking effect to the pusher in a blocking position and when the door is closed, so as to prevent relaxation of the spring driver required to push open the door; a control member, which is arranged to be movable and separated from the pusher for controlling the position of the blocking member; and an electrically-controlled actuator, which is used to apply a force on the control member to overcome the blocking effect of the blocking member on the pusher.

[0036] Finally, the invention also provides a domestic dishwasher comprising: a dishwashing container delimiting a dishwashing chamber; a door mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis close to the floor; and a mechanism of the above-described type. Optionally, the door is not acted upon by a hinge spring assembly, which biases the closed door in the opening direction. Such a hinge spring assembly for the door can thus be omitted. Even in the absence of a hinge spring with an opening action, a sufficiently large opening clearance of the door can be obtained by the mechanism according to the invention without the aid of the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 A domestic dishwasher according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in a perspective view;

[0039] Figure 2a According to an exemplary embodiment, a suitable Figure 1 An integrated latch and opener module for a dishwasher of the type described herein, wherein the integrated latch and opener module is in a state where the door is closed and the door opening function is disabled;

[0040] Figure 2b Shown in perspective Figure 2a a latch and opener module in a state after activation of a door opening function;

[0041] Figure 2c The perspective diagram shows the Figure 2b The situation starts after the door opening function has been deactivated Figure 2a The latch and opener module is not working, but the door still opens;

[0042] Figure 2d The perspective diagram shows the Figure 2c The situation starts after the door is almost completely closed. Figure 2a latch and opener modules;

[0043] Figure 3 Shown in perspective Figure 2a A latch and opener module of the present invention, but some internal components of the latch and opener module are omitted for clarity;

[0044] Figure 4a With Figure 2a The same situation and the same plan view show Figure 2a A latch and opener module, wherein for clarity, the latch head of the door latch is not shown, but the details of the push slider and the blocking slider of the door opening function are shown more clearly;

[0045] Figure 4b With Figure 4a Same plan view and Figure 4a The same level of detail shows the door opening function after activation. Figure 2a latch and opener modules;

[0046] Figure 5 Shown in accordance with Figure 4a In the case Figure 2a an enlarged detail of a wedge engagement between a push slide and a blocking slide of a latch and opener module;

[0047] Figure 6 Shows Figure 2a Modified examples of engagement between a push slider and a blocking slider of a latch and opener module;

[0048] Figure 7 An integrated latch and opener module according to another exemplary embodiment is shown in perspective view;

[0049] Figure 8a An integrated latch and opener module according to yet another exemplary embodiment is shown in perspective view;

[0050] Figure 8b Shown in plan view Figure 8a latch and opener modules;

[0051] Figure 9a A door opener module is shown in perspective view in a deactivated state according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0052] Figure 9b A perspective view showing the activated Figure 9a Door opener module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] First reference Figure 1 . The domestic dishwasher shown therein is generally designated by 10. The dishwasher comprises a dishwashing container (appliance body) 12 having a container top 14 and a dishwashing chamber 16 which is laterally delimited by the dishwashing container 12 at the top, bottom and rear and is open at the front and in which one or more crockery baskets 18 and, if desired, a carrier for tableware items (e.g. a cutlery drawer) can be accommodated in a manner known per se. A door 22 is mounted on the dishwashing container 12 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis 20 close to the floor, wherein the dishwashing chamber 16 can be closed at the front by means of the door 22. Close to the floor here means that the pivot axis 20 extends close to the foot region of the dishwashing container 12 which stands on the ground (floor).

[0054] exist Figure 1 , the door 22 is shown in a fully open position in which, from the perspective of a user standing in front of the dishwasher 10, the door has been folded forward and downward into a generally horizontal orientation. By folding upward, the door 22 can be brought into a closed position in which it is oriented generally vertically relative to its door plane. 24 denotes a door hinge for pivotally mounting the door 22 on the dishwashing container 12. The door hinge 24 may have an associated hinge spring ( Figure 1The door 22 is not shown in detail in the drawings, and the hinge spring applies a spring bias to the door 22 at least in some positions of the door 22. However, the dishwasher 10 does not have a hinge spring that applies a spring bias that acts in the opening direction when the door 22 is in the closed position (i.e., the vertical position). Therefore, after the holding closed force of the door latch that can hold the door 22 in its closed position has been overcome, and after the door seal (which extends around the access opening to the dishwashing chamber 16 on the front side of the dishwashing container 12 and is compressed when the door 22 is closed) has been compressed, there is no bias acting on the door 22 that would be strong enough to open the door 22 further without other assistance, wherein the door seal 6 is compressed when the door 22 is closed. Figure 1 It is not shown in detail but is generally conventional in domestic dishwashers.

[0055] The door latch is composed of two basic components, namely, a latch unit 26 and a counter-body 27, which engage with each other when the door 22 is closed to keep the door 22 closed. Figure 1 , the latch unit 26 and the counterpart 27 are only schematically shown; possible specific configurations will be explained in conjunction with other figures. In the example shown, the latch unit 26 is arranged on the dishwashing container 12 at a point above the dishwashing chamber 16 and below the container top 14, while the counterpart 27 is arranged on the door 22 in the area of ​​the upper door edge away from the floor. It is understood that this arrangement mode of the latch unit 26 and the counterpart 27 is exemplary, and in other embodiments, the latch unit 26 can be arranged on the door 22, while the counterpart 27 can be arranged on the dishwashing container 12.

[0056] When the counterpart 27 is stuck in the latch unit 26 when the door 22 is closed, the latch unit 26 provides a resistance to the opening of the door 22. The user who wishes to open the door 22 by hand must overcome this resistance. To do this, the user must manually apply a certain opening force.

[0057] The dishwasher 10 additionally has an automatic door opening function, which allows the door 22 to be at least slightly opened without manual intervention by the user. Due to the lack of a hinge spring with an opening biasing effect, the door opening function of the dishwasher 10 is not sufficient to simply overcome the hold-closed effect of the latch unit 26, because there is still no sufficiently large opening gap between the door 22 and the dishwashing container 12. Instead, the door opening function of the dishwasher 10 must be appropriately configured to provide a certain moving impetus to the door 22, by which the door 22 is pushed open by the required amount after the hold-closed effect of the latch unit 26 is overcome.

[0058] In order to realize the door opening function, the dishwasher 10 has an opener unit 28, which is Figure 1In the example shown, the opener unit is arranged on the dishwashing container 12 and comprises a pusher ( Figure 1 The pusher 28 is not shown in the figure, and the moving driving force can be applied to the pusher by the spring driver. When the opener unit 28 is activated, the pusher transmits the driving force provided by the spring driver to a pressure receiver, which is arranged on the door 22 in the example shown and is formed by, for example, an inner lining plate 29 of the door 22. The door 22 is pushed open by the forward push of the pusher when the spring driver is relaxed. The force transmission path in which the driving force of the spring driver is transmitted from the pusher to the door 22 crosses the force transmission path in which the holding closing force is transmitted between the latch unit 26 and the counterpart 27. Therefore, two mechanically parallel force transmission paths between the dishwashing container 12 and the door 22 are defined, one through the latch unit 26 and the other through the opener unit 28.

[0059] It will be understood that the opener unit 28 can alternatively be arranged on the door 22. In this case, a portion of the container wall of the dishwashing container 12 serves as a pressure receiver, for example a portion of the front wall of the dishwashing container 12 located below the container top 14 but above the dishwashing chamber 16. If both the latch unit 26 and the opener unit 28 are arranged on the dishwashing container 12 or both are arranged on the door 22, the two units 26, 28 can be structurally integrated in a common latch and opener module. However, it is of course also possible to design the latch unit 26 and the opener unit 28 as separate structural modules that are mounted separately from each other on the dishwashing container 12 or on the door 22.

[0060] The other figures show various exemplary embodiments that provide the door opening function that has been explained. For all figures, the same components or components with the same function are provided with the same reference numerals, wherein an additional lower case letter indicates that the lower case letter is a different exemplary embodiment. Unless otherwise stated in the description of a specific exemplary embodiment, reference is made to the explanation of these same components or components with the same function as the comments made in conjunction with the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0061] Now refer to Figure 2a to Figure 2d and an exemplary embodiment of an integrated latch and opener module 30 shown therein. The latch and opener module 30 incorporates Figure 1 The latching function of the latch and opener module 30 cooperates with the latch head 32, which represents the latch head 32. Figure 1 The latch and opener module 30 is an independent structural unit with a module housing 34, wherein the latch and opener module 30 is fastened to the upper-level component by means of the module housing 34, for example Figure 1 The dishwashing container 12. In order to keep the door of the household appliance (e.g. Figure 1In order to close the door 22 of the door 20 and provide the automatic opening function for the door, all mechanical and electromechanical components required to cooperate with the latch head 32 are accommodated in the module housing 34. In order to realize the latching function, a pair of latch arms 36 are accommodated in the module housing 34 so as to be rotatable around the corresponding arm rotation axis 38. The latch arms 36 are biased in the direction toward each other by the closing spring 40. When the door is closed, the latch arms 36 clamp the latch head 32 on both sides; in order to open the door, the latch arms 36 must be pushed away from each other against the force of the closing spring 40 so that a sufficiently large gap is formed between the free arm ends (labeled 42) of the latch arms 36 to allow the latch head 32 to be released from the clamping of the latch arms 36 and move out between the two latch arms 36. This latching function of the latch and opener module 30 corresponds to the latch unit 24 shown in Figure 2 of DE 10 2012 016 541 A1 and is explained in the description of this document. The latch arm 36 forms or is part of a closing mechanism within the meaning of the present disclosure.

[0062] The door opening is possible because the user pulls on the door and thereby frees the lock head 32 from being caught by the two latch arms 36. In addition to this manual opening possibility, the latch and opener module 30 also provides an automatic opening function. For this purpose, the latch assembly 30 is designed with an arm ram 44 that can be moved back and forth in a linear direction via an electrically controlled actuator 46. The arm ram 44 is in contact with a piston 47 ( Figure 2b ) connection for push-pull transmission. Figure 2a In the case of the arm striker 44, the arm striker 44 is shown in a retracted inactive position. The arm striker 44 can be activated by operating an actuator 46, which can include, for example, a wax motor, wherein the arm striker 44 moves together with the pusher end 48 between the two arm protrusions 50 facing each other of the latch arm 36 and thereby drives the two latch arms 36 apart against the force of the closing spring 40.

[0063] Figure 2b The arm striker 44 is shown in its advanced position, i.e. the activated position, wherein the latch arm 36 is deployed so far in the region of its arm ends 42 that the latch head 32 can be moved out between the arm ends 42. Within the meaning of the present disclosure, the arm striker 44 forms or is part of a latch opener mechanism. Instead of an electrically controlled wax motor, the actuator 46 can of course also comprise a different type of motor, such as an electric motor. Non-motor actuator types, such as electromagnetic actuators, are also not excluded within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] The arm striker 44 acts on the position of the blocking slide 52 in a mechanically controlled manner, and the blocking slide 52 can fix the push slide 54 in the Figure 2aThe retracted position shown in FIG. 1 prevents the push slider 54 from moving to the Figure 2b In the example shown, the push slider 54a can be linearly moved substantially parallel to the moving direction of the arm striker 44, while the blocking slider 52 can be linearly moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the arm striker 44 and the moving direction of the push slider 54. The blocking slider 52 occupies Figure 2a In this position, the blocking slide 52 blocks the push slide 54 from moving from the retracted position to the advanced position. By activating the arm striker 44, the blocking slide 52 can be pushed from the blocking position to the release position, in which the blocking of the push slide 54 by the blocking slide 52 is released. Therefore, the arm striker 44, in addition to its function of at least partially opening the latch arm 36, also forms a control member for controlling the position of the blocking slide 52. Figure 2b In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the blocking slide 52 is in its release position.

[0065] In order to control the position of the blocking slide 52, the arm striker 44 is designed with a control ramp 56 forming an inclined path, which extends at an angle to the direction of movement of the arm striker 44 and along which the blocking slide 52 slides in a path-path follower engagement when the arm striker 44 is pushed from the deactivated position to the activated position. The blocking slide 52 is thereby pushed to the side and thus releases the push slide 54. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the blocking slide 52 is designed with an inclined surface 57, which extends at approximately the same angle as the control ramp 56 relative to the direction of movement of the arm striker 44. The inclined surface 57 cooperates with the control ramp 56 of the arm striker 44 in the manner of a wedge surface, which slides on each other so as to convert the movement of the arm striker 44 into a lateral movement of the blocking slide 52.

[0066] After the push slider 54 is unblocked, the opener spring 58, which serves as a spring driver and is formed by a helical compression spring in the example shown, can relax by expanding along its helical axis and thereby push the push slider 54 forward. The push slider 54 thereby strikes a pressure receiver and transmits an opening force to the pressure receiver, thereby pushing the door open. Assuming that the latch and opener module 30 is arranged in Figure 1 On the dishwashing container 12 of the dishwasher 10, the pressure receiver is part of the door 22. The force transmission path of the opener spring 58 to the pressure receiver passes over the force transmission path in which the force between the latch arm 36 and the latch head 32 is effectively transmitted when the door is closed.

[0067] The blocking slider 52 is under the bias of the biasing spring 60, and the biasing spring 60 is directed toward Figure 2a In order to bias the blocking slider 52 from the blocking position according to Figure 2aThe blocking position is converted to Figure 2b The release position of the blocking slide 52 must therefore overcome the biasing action of the biasing spring 60. Once the push slide 54 has been moved from the release position of the blocking slide 52 according to Figure 2a The retracted position jumps to the Figure 2b The blocking slider 52 is blocked by the push slider 54 to prevent it from moving back to the blocking position. Only when the push slider 54 is pushed (overcoming the effect of the opener spring 58, wherein the opener spring 58 is tensioned again) back to the position according to Figure 2a When the blocking slider 52 is in the retracted position, it can return from the release position to the blocking position under the action of the biasing spring 60.

[0068] The blocking of the blocking slide 52 by the push slide 54 when the push slide 54 is in the advanced position does not prevent the arm striker 44 from being able to move back to its inactive position by operation of the actuator 46 after the opening function of the latch and opener module 30 is activated (i.e. after the door has been automatically pushed open). The latch arm 36 is then no longer pushed open by the arm striker 44 and can return to its closest possible rest position under the action of the closing spring 40. This situation is as follows Figure 2c The push slide 54 is in its advanced position and, because the door is open, the latch head is out of reach of the latch arm 36. The arm striker 44 has moved back to its inactive position, but the blocking slide 52 is still prevented from returning to its blocking position by the push slide 54.

[0069] If according to Figure 2c Starting from the situation that the door is manually closed by the user, the push slider 54 is pushed back to the retracted position by the closing of the door. The blocking slider 52 thus becomes free and can move back to the position according to Figure 2a As the door is closed, the latch head 32 is squeezed between the latch arms 36 at the same time. Figure 2d The situation during such a closing operation of the door is shown shortly before the fully closed door position is reached (that is, shortly before the latch arms 36 snap together behind the latch head 32 and again clamp the latch head 32 between the latch arms 36).

[0070] Because the push slider 54 is pushed back to its retracted position by this manual closing of the door, and the blocking slider 52 is thereby moved back to its blocking position, the push slider 54 is kept blocked in the position according to the following manual opening of the door. Figure 2a Thus, after the opening function of the latch and opener module 30 has been activated, the push slide 54 can be fixed in its retracted position again by closing the door once. Thus, a user is not hindered from working in the dishwasher area, for example to load or unload dishes.

[0071] Now we will refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4a , Figure 4b and Figure 5 . As can be seen in these figures, another pair of mating wedge surfaces 62, 64 are formed on the blocking slider 52 and the push slider 54. If the door is closed again by the user after the door opening function of the latch and opener module 30 is activated, the pressure receiver pushes the push slider 54. The push slider 54 is thus pushed from the advanced position into the module housing 34 in the direction toward the retracted position. The opener spring 58 is thereby tensioned again. Once the blocking slider 52 is no longer held in the release position by the push slider 54 during the rearward movement of the push slider 54, the biasing spring 60 pushes the blocking slider 52 from the release position to the blocking position. During this movement of the blocking slider 52, the two wedge surfaces 62, 64 are wedged into each other, as shown in FIG. Figure 4a As shown. The wedging occurs even before the blocking slider 52 finally reaches its blocking position. In the subsequent part of the movement path of the blocking slider 52 until the blocking slider 52 reaches the blocking position, the wedging engagement of the wedge surfaces 62, 64 causes the push slider 54 to be pushed slightly further in the direction of entering the module housing 34 (overcoming the force of the opener spring 58) compared to the case where the closing movement of the door alone is performed. This retraction stroke imposed by the blocking slider 52 on the push slider 54 releases the physical contact between the push slider 54 and the pressure receiver that initially still exists when the door is closed. The force transmission path between the push slider 54 and the pressure receiver is thereby interrupted.

[0072] Therefore, the blocking slider 52 simultaneously acts as a retracting member for the push slider 54. However, the retracting effect of the blocking slider 52 on the push slider 54 depends on the push slider 54 first being moved by the closing of the door to a position where the blocking slider 52 is no longer held in the released position by the push slider 54. The biasing spring 60 will be designed to have sufficient strength so that it can overcome the force of the opener spring 58 to push the blocking slider 52 into the blocking position and thus push the push slider 54 over the last path portion into the deactivated position.

[0073] In accordance with Figure 6In the modified example, the auxiliary slider 52a does not have a retraction function for the push slider 54a. However, the push slider 54a is designed to have a plurality of latch recesses 66a along its longitudinal extension (in accordance with its movement direction between the retracted position and the advanced position), and the latch recesses 66a allow the push slider 54a to be gradually locked when the push slider 54a returns from the advanced position in the direction toward the retracted position. If the push slider 54a is slightly pushed from the advanced position in the direction toward the retracted position until the blocking slider 52a can fall into the first locking recess 66a, the push slider 54a remains locked in this position, even if the push slider 54a is not further pushed in the direction toward the retracted position. However, the push slider 54a at least does not move back to the advanced position. If the push slider 54a is then slightly further pushed in the direction toward the retracted position until the blocking slider 52a can fall into the next latch recess 66a, the latch recess 66a again realizes the locking of the push slider 54a. This continuous multi-step locking of the push slider 54a is advantageous if, for example, after activation of the automatic door opening function, a child who is playing leans against the door and thereby partially closes it, but the child leaves the door again shortly before the fully closed door position is reached. The push slider 54a then does not jump back into its advanced position and suddenly push the door open again, which in certain circumstances could involve a risk of injury to the child. Instead, the push slider 54a remains in the last locked position reached.

[0074] It will be appreciated that the number of latch recesses 66a is not limited to three. Figure 6 As shown. In some embodiments, only a single locking position of the push slider 54a may be achieved before reaching the fully retracted position (in this case, two locking protrusions 66a on the push slider 54a are sufficient), while in other embodiments, the push slider 54a may pass through more than two locking positions before reaching the fully retracted position (in this case, four or more locking recesses 66a may be formed on the push slider 54a). It will also be understood that the configuration of the latch structure that allows the push slider 54a to be locked before reaching the retracted position may be different from the form of the latch recess 66a specifically shown. In particular, it will be understood that at least the latch recess 66a that locks the push slider 54a in the retracted position (in Figure 6 , which is the left latch recess of the three latch recesses 66a shown) can be appropriately configured to achieve the same Figure 5 The wedge-shaped surfaces 62 and 64 have a corresponding wedge-shaped effect. Figure 3 , Figure 4a , Figure 4b , Figure 5 The described retraction function of the blocking slide 52 for pushing the slide 54 can thus be easily combined with Figure 6The push slider 54a is combined with the principles explained in the multi-stage locking on the way from the advanced position to the retracted position.

[0075] exist Figure 7 In the exemplary embodiment of , a coil spring is again used as the opener spring 58b to drive the push slider 54b. However, this is tensioned by being wound around the spiral axis of the coil spring so that when the opener spring 58b is released, the drive pinion 68b can be driven by the released spring energy to rotate around the spiral axis. The drive pinion 68b meshes with the teeth 70b formed on the push slider 54b. In order to generate a sufficiently large tension in the opener spring 58b, a relatively large length of the opener spring 58b along its spiral axis may be required. When the opener spring 58b is arranged with its spiral axis approximately perpendicular to the moving direction of the push slider 54b (such as Figure 7 ), the latch and opener module 30b can still be assembled into the dishwashing container of the dishwasher in a relatively uncomplicated manner, because there can be sufficient installation space in the horizontal lateral direction below the container top of the dishwashing container to accommodate the opener spring 58b in the installation space.

[0076] exist Figure 8a and Figure 8b In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the arm striker 44c is coupled in terms of movement to a coupling operating lever (tensioning operating lever) 74c mounted on the module housing 34c so as to be pivotable about the operating lever axis 72c. Thus, the movement of the arm striker 44c is accompanied by the pivoting of the coupling operating lever 74c. A support member 76c may also be coupled to the coupling operating lever 74c, which may also be referred to as a tensioning slider and is arranged parallel to the push slider 54c so as to be movable relative to the push slider 54c. The opener spring 58c is supported between the push slider 54c and the tensioning slider (support member) 76c.

[0077] exist Figure 8a , Figure 8b In the figure, the two slides 54c, 76c are shown in a relative static position, wherein the two slides 54c, 76c are at a defined maximum possible distance from each other and the opener spring 58c is in a state of minimum spring tension. This state can be a substantially tension-free state, or the opener spring 58c can already be under a certain spring tension in the relative static position of the slides 54c, 76c. The defined maximum possible distance of the slides 54c, 76c can be provided by cooperating stop surfaces (not shown in detail in the figure) on the two slides 54c, 76c.

[0078] When the arm striker 44c is driven, the tensioning slider 76c moves synchronously due to the mobile connection via the connecting operating rod 74c. If the arm striker 44c is driven from its inactive position and if the door is still closed, the tensioning slider 76c moves closer relative to the push slider 54c. The opener spring 58c is thereby tensioned more. However, the spring tension established in the opener spring 58c cannot be released, because the push slider 54c is prevented from jumping forward by the still closed door. It is conceivable that in the inactive position of the arm striker 44c, the push slider 54c is already in physical contact with the pressure receiver. However, in some embodiments, in the inactive position of the arm striker 44c, the push slider 54c is not in physical contact with the pressure receiver, that is, the push slider 54c is at a distance from the pressure receiver. In such an embodiment, when the arm striker 44c is activated, the "group" of the push slider 54c, the opener spring 58c and the tensioning slider 76c first moves forward together, while the blocking slider 76c does not move relatively closer to the push slider 54c. Only when the push slider 54c strikes the pressure receiver can the tensioning slider 76c move relatively closer to the push slider 54c, because the still closed door prevents further forward movement of the push slider 54c. As the blocking slider 76c moves relatively closer, the two sliders 54c, 76c move from a relative rest position to a relative tensioned position.

[0079] As explained in conjunction with the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the activation of the arm striker 44c simultaneously causes the latch arm 36c to be at least partially forced open. The holding-closed effect of the latch arm 36c thus becomes weaker. Based on the specific degree to which the latch arm 36c is forced open by the arm striker 44c, the spring tension that has been built up in the opener spring 58c is large enough to suddenly push the push slider 54c relative to the tensioning slider 76c (into a relative static position), thereby pushing the door open. It is possible that, when the opener spring 58c relaxes, the latch arm 36c has not yet been opened far enough by the arm striker 44c so that the latch head ( Figure 8a and Figure 8b 36c) can be moved out of the grip of the latch arm 36c. However, the spring tension already established in the opener spring 58c can be large enough to overcome any remaining portion of the hold-closed effect of the latch arm 36c.

[0080] The distance between the tensioning body 76c and the operating rod axis 72c is greater than the distance between the arm ram 44c and the operating rod axis 72c. In the example shown, the distance between the tensioning body 76c and the operating rod axis 72c is approximately more than twice the distance between the arm ram 44c and the operating rod axis 72c. By appropriately determining the dimensions of the operating rod length of the arm ram 44c and the tensioning body 76c, a relatively large stroke of the tensioning body 76c can be achieved with a relatively small stroke of the arm ram 44c. Even when a wax motor with a shorter stroke is used as the actuator 46c, a sufficiently large stroke of the tensioning body 76c to fully tension the tension opener spring 58c can be achieved.

[0081] Finally, reference Figure 9a and Figure 9b The door opener module shown therein (generally designated 78d) does not have a latching function, but only provides an automatic door opening function. Figure 1 In the dishwasher 10 of the embodiment of the present invention, the door opener module 78d realizes the function of the opener unit 28, but does not provide the function of the latch unit 26. The household appliance equipped with the door opener module 78d has a latching function for keeping the door of the household appliance closed. This latching function can be implemented structurally separately from the door opener module 78d in a separate latching module (not shown in detail in the figure), which provides, for example, Figure 1 The function of the latching unit 26 of the dishwasher 10. The individual latching modules can have a conventional configuration, for example corresponding to the latching unit 24 shown in FIG. 2 of DE 10 2012 016 541 A1.

[0082] The door opener module 78d is a separate structural unit having a module housing 80d by which the door opener module 78d can be fastened to a superordinate component (e.g., Figure 1 for a dishwashing container 12). For use as a door for a household appliance (e.g. Figure 1 All necessary mechanical and electromechanical components to provide the automatic opening function of the door 22) are housed in the module housing 80d.

[0083] In accordance with Figure 9a In the deactivated state, the push slider 54d of the door opener module 78d is in its retracted position; Figure 9b The push slider 54d is shown in its advanced position after activation of the opening function. In the door opener module 78d, the piston 47d is driven by the actuator 46d and acts mechanically directly on the push slider 54d within the meaning of the present disclosure as a latch opener mechanism. The strength of the actuator 46d is sufficient to move the push slider 54d by driving the piston 47d (and assisted by the opener spring 58d), which is consistent with the latch function of the household appliance, which is based on the principle of the latch function. Figure 9a The retracted position is in the direction according to Figure 9b The movement is assisted by the force of the opener spring 58d. Once the hold-close effect of the latch function is completely overcome, the push slider 54d driven by the opener spring 58d will suddenly jump forward to the advance position and thus push the door open.

[0084] In order to keep the push slide 54d in its retracted position, the door opener module 78d has a rotary member 84d which is rotatably mounted on the module housing 80d and is spring-biased in a bistable manner by a spring element 82d which, in the example shown, is in the form of a leg spring. The rotary member 84d serves as a blocking member within the meaning of the present disclosure and can be moved in a bistable manner. Figure 9a The blocked rotational position shown is Figure 9b In both rotational positions, the rotating member 84d is biased by the spring element 82d to prevent it from leaving the rotational position. Figure 9a Starting from the locked rotational position of the spring element 82d, an external force must be applied to convert the rotating member 84d to the released rotational position. Vice versa. After having exceeded the engagement point of the spring element 82d, the rotating member 84d then automatically snaps into the corresponding new position.

[0085] The rotating member 84d has a clamping structure 86d which clamps and engages with an appropriately constructed engagement structure 88d of the push slider 54d in the blocking rotational position. The strength of the spring element 82d is sufficient to secure the push slider 54d to prevent it from leaving the retracted position in the blocking rotational position of the rotating member 84d. Therefore, when the rotating member 84d is in the blocking rotational position, the force of the opener spring 58d is insufficient to overcome the blocking effect of the rotating member 84d alone, that is, without the help of the actuator 46d. Only when the actuator 46 is additionally operated can the blocking effect of the rotating member 84d be overcome and the rotating member 84d be rotated to the releasing rotational position. During this rotation of the rotating member 84d, the engagement between the clamping structure 86d and the engagement structure 88d is released, as shown in FIG. Figure 9b In the illustrated example, the clamping structure 86d of the rotating member 84d is configured as a clamping opening defined by two claws, and the engaging structure 88d is configured as a head component entering the clamping opening. It will be understood that this configuration of the clamping structure 86d and the engaging structure 88d is exemplary and can be easily modified.

[0086] If the door is then closed manually by the user, the pressure receiver will push the slider 54d from the Figure 9b The propulsion position is in the direction according to Figure 9a84d is pushed in the direction of the retracted position. Therefore, the engagement structure 88d of the push slider 54d will slightly engage with the clamping structure 86d of the rotating member 84d again before reaching the retracted position. Once the biasing action of the spring element 82d that attempts to keep the rotating member 84 in the released rotation position is overcome, the rotating member 84d will suddenly snap into the locked rotation position. The push slider 54d is actively pushed into the retracted position by the rotating member 84d driven by the spring element 82d. This active retraction movement on the last part of the moving path of the push slider 54d from the advancing position to the retracted position can be used to disengage the push slider 54d from contact with the pressure receiver. In the deactivated state of the door opener module 78d, and when the door is closed, the push slider 54d is then at a distance from the pressure receiver.

Claims

1. A mechanism for a door of a household appliance, comprising: a door latch for holding said door closed; a latch opener mechanism configured to transition from a deactivated position to an activated position while at least partially overcoming a hold-closed action of the door latch when the door is closed; an electrically controlled actuator for displacing the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position to the activated position; a pusher arranged to be movable, the pusher being separate from the latch opener mechanism and being decoupled from the latch opener mechanism when moved for transmitting force in a force transmission path bypassing the door latch when opening the door; a spring driver configured to provide a spring force that acts on the pusher and enables the door to be pushed open by the pusher after the hold-closed action of the door latch has been overcome; and A blocking member, which is arranged to be movably separated from the latch opener mechanism and, in a blocking position and with the door closed, is capable of exerting a blocking effect on the pusher so as to prevent the spring drive from slackening required for pushing the door open, wherein, when the door is initially closed, based on the displacement of the latch opener mechanism from the deactivated position in the direction toward the activated position, the blocking member moves to a released position in which the blocking effect of the blocking member on the pusher is released.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The hold closed action of the door latch is overcome in the activated position of the latch opener mechanism.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: By closing the door that was previously pushed open, the blocking member can be moved back to the blocking position.

4. The mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: The pusher moves to an advanced position due to the door being pushed open, in which the pusher is within the reach of an operator of the household appliance, wherein in the blocking position of the blocking member the pusher can be fixed in a retracted position, in which the pusher is not within the reach of the operator.

5. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: When the latch opener mechanism is displaced from the deactivated position in the direction toward the activated position with the door closed, the latch opener mechanism acts on a component of the door latch in a force-exerting manner.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5, wherein: When the latch opener mechanism is displaced from the deactivated position in the direction toward the activated position, the blocking member can be pushed by the latch opener mechanism from the blocking position to the released position, and in the released position, the blocking member allows the latch opener mechanism to be displaced back to the deactivated position.

7. The mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: The latch opener mechanism has a latch opener component which is arranged to be movable, and has a control slope which extends at an angle to the moving direction of the latch opener component for controlling the position of the blocking member.

8. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: When the latch opener mechanism is displaced from the deactivated position in the direction toward the activated position with the door closed, the latch opener mechanism acts on the pusher in a force-exerting manner.

9. The mechanism according to claim 8, wherein: The blocking member can be pushed from the blocking position to the releasing position by applying a force on the pusher using the latch opener mechanism.

10. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The blocking member is or comprises at least one of the following components: a linearly movable slide component, a pivoting component or a rotating component.

11. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The blocking member may be spring biased in a monostable manner or may be spring biased in a bistable manner.

12. The mechanism according to claim 1 or 2 includes a connecting assembly, which is located between the latch opener mechanism and the spring driver to establish or increase the spring tension of the spring driver based on the displacement of the latch opener mechanism from the disabled position in the direction toward the enabled position when the door is closed.

13. The mechanism of claim 12, wherein: The coupling assembly includes a tensioning lever that is pivotable about a lever axis and, when moved, couples with the latch opener mechanism at a point relatively close to the axis and acts on the spring driver at a point relatively far from the axis.

14. A mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and 10 to 13, wherein: The door latch includes a closing mechanism, which is arranged to be able to shift between a closed state and an open state, and in the closed state, the closing mechanism holds a counterpart to keep the door closed, the counterpart being in closing engagement with the closing mechanism when the door is closed, and in the open state, the closing mechanism releases the counterpart to open the door, wherein the door latch also includes a closing spring assembly, which provides resistance to the displacement of the closing mechanism from the closed state in a direction toward the open state, and wherein the latch opener mechanism is capable of overcoming the resistance of the closing spring assembly in the direction toward the open state and pushing the closing mechanism out of the closed state by physical contact.

15. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein: The displacement stroke of the latch opener mechanism between the deactivated position and the activated position is sufficient to effectuate a transition of the closing mechanism from the closed state to the open state when the door is closed.

16. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The actuator comprises a wax motor or an electric motor.

17. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The pusher is arranged to be linearly movable.

18. The mechanism of claim 11, wherein: The blocking member is spring biased into the blocking position in a monostable manner.

19. A mechanism for a door of a household appliance, comprising: a door latch for keeping the door closed; a pusher, the pusher being arranged to be movable; a pressure receiver, wherein one of the pusher and the pressure receiver is arranged on the door, and the other of the pusher and the pressure receiver is arranged on a body of the household appliance, the body movably holding the door; a spring driver for providing a spring force that acts on the pusher and allows the door to be pushed open by the pusher after the hold-closed action of the door latch has been overcome; wherein, in order to push open the door, the pusher is configured to transmit the spring force to the pressure receiver through physical contact in a force transmission path that bypasses the door latch, Therein, the pusher and the pressure receiver are movable into respective standby positions, in which the pusher and the pressure receiver do not transmit force when the door is closed.

20. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein: The pusher has an associated spring-loaded retraction member capable of urging the pusher out of physical contact with the pressure receiver upon closing of the door and opposing the spring action of the spring driver.

21. The mechanism of claim 20, wherein: The retraction member has a blocking function for the pusher and is arranged to be movable between a blocking position and a release position, wherein in the blocking position and when the door is closed, the retraction member can apply a blocking effect to the pusher to prevent the spring drive from relaxing required to push open the door, wherein in the release position of the retraction member, the blocking effect of the retraction member on the pusher is released, wherein based on the closing of the door, the retraction member can perform a movement from the release position to the blocking position, and when moving from the release position to the blocking position, the retraction member can apply a retraction stroke to the pusher.

22. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein: The spring driver has a drive spring supported between the pusher and a support member arranged in a movable manner, wherein the support member is connected to an electrically controlled actuator when driven, with the help of which the support member can be moved from a relative static position to a relative tensioning position relative to the pusher to establish or increase the spring tension of the drive spring, wherein in the relative static position of the support member, when the door is closed, the pusher and the pressure receiver can assume the corresponding standby positions.

23. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein: The support member is coupled to the actuator via a lever driver.

24. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein: The pusher is arranged to be linearly movable.

25. The mechanism of claim 19, wherein: The pusher and the pressure receiver are not in physical contact when the door is closed.

26. A mechanism for a door of a household appliance, comprising: a door latch for holding the door closed, wherein the door latch comprises a pair of spring-biased latch arms arranged to be pivotable relative to each other between a closed state and an open state, and in the closed state the pair of latch arms hold a counterpart body to hold the door closed, the counterpart body being in closing engagement with the latch arms when closing the door, and in the open state the latch arms release the counterpart body to open the door; a latch opener mechanism that mechanically cooperates with the latch arm and is configured to transition from a deactivated position to an activated position when the door is closed, thereby urging the latch arm away from the closed state in a direction toward the open state; and A wax motor is used to drive the latch opener mechanism.

27. A mechanism for a door of a household appliance, comprising: a pusher, the pusher being arranged to be movable; a spring driver, the spring driver acting on the pusher; a blocking member, which is arranged to be movable and which, in a blocking position and with the door closed, is able to exert a blocking action on the pusher in order to prevent the spring drive from relaxing, which is necessary for pushing open the door; and An electrically controlled actuator is used to apply a force to the pusher to overcome the blocking effect of the blocking member on the pusher.

28. The mechanism of claim 27, wherein: The pusher is arranged to be linearly movable.

29. A mechanism for a door of a household appliance, comprising: a pusher, the pusher being arranged to be movable; a spring driver, the spring driver acting on the pusher; a blocking member, the blocking member being arranged to be movable and being configured to exert a blocking action on the pusher in a blocking position and when the door is closed, so as to prevent the spring drive from relaxing as required to push open the door; a control member, the control member being arranged to be movable, the control member being separated from the pusher, the control member being used to control the position of the blocking member; and An electrically controlled actuator is used to apply a force on the control member to overcome the blocking effect of the blocking member on the pusher.

30. The mechanism of claim 29, wherein: The pusher is arranged to be linearly movable.

31. A household dishwasher, comprising: a dishwashing container defining a dishwashing chamber; a door mounted on the dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis close to the floor; and A mechanism according to any preceding claim.

32. A domestic dishwasher according to claim 31, wherein: The door is not subject to the influence of a hinge spring assembly biasing the door closed in an opening direction.

33. A mechanism for a door of a household appliance, comprising: a door latch comprising a latch unit and a counterpart, the latch unit being adapted to be mounted on one of an appliance body and the door, the counterpart being adapted to be mounted on the other of the appliance body and the door, the door being movably supported on the appliance body, wherein when the door is closed, the latch unit and the counterpart are brought into closing engagement with each other to hold the door closed, wherein when the door is closed, when the counterpart is caught in the latch unit, the latch unit provides resistance to opening the door; an opener unit including a pusher arranged in a movably manner and configured to push open the door by transmitting a pushing force to a pressure receiver, wherein the force transmission path along which the pushing force is transmitted from the pusher to the pressure receiver bypasses the force transmission path along which the force of the door latch to keep it closed is transmitted between the latch unit and the counterpart, thereby defining two mechanically parallel force transmission paths between the appliance body and the door, one force transmission path passing through the latch unit and the other force transmission path passing through the opener unit, Therein, the latch unit and the opener unit are structurally integrated in a common latch and opener module.

34. The mechanism of claim 33, wherein the latch and opener module comprises a module housing adapted to be secured to a portion of the appliance body, the module housing jointly accommodating the pusher, a drive for the pusher and all mechanical components of the latch unit required to cooperate with the counterpart in order to keep the door closed.

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