Door lock with self-repairing function

Abstract

A household appliance, such as a dishwasher, is disclosed in which a door lock (12) is mounted in a profile bar (24) of the appliance body. The door lock comprises a lock housing (50) in which, in some embodiments, a rotary clamp (62) and a leg torsion spring (64) serving as a closing spring are accommodated. In one embodiment, the door lock (12) as a whole is movable in the profile bar (24) in its longitudinal direction in order to realize a self-repair function which allows the door to be closed even if the door lock has been moved into the closed state and the door is not closed. In another embodiment, the housing main part (58) of the lock housing (56) is mounted on the profile bar (24) in a longitudinally fixed manner, but the housing cover of the lock housing is longitudinally movable relative to the housing main part, and the torsion spring (64) and the rotary clamp (62) are retained on the housing cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a door lock for household appliances. Specifically, it relates to a door lock that provides a self-healing function. Background Technology

[0002] Household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, tumble dryers, washer-dryers (i.e., combination appliances with washing and drying functions), and microwave ovens are typically equipped with door locks that allow the door to remain closed, enabling the appliance's working chamber to be closed. Door locks are usually adjustable to two stable states: open and closed. In the closed state, the lock securely holds a corresponding component that approaches and engages with the lock when the door is closed. In the open state, the corresponding component can disengage from the lock. Traditional door locks include a closing spring assembly, which consists of one or more spring elements and provides resistance to opening the door when it is closed—that is, when the lock is in its closed state. When a user pulls the door to open it, they must overcome this so-called holding force of the lock.

[0003] For existing technologies related to door locks for household appliances, please refer to DE 10 2016 008044B4, US2015 / 0238065 A1, DE 10 2020 122 689 B3, DE 195 04 797C2, DE 10 2020 124 399B3, DE10 2010 051 518A1 and DE 198 37 248A1, etc.

[0004] Due to operation (e.g., by a child playing), the door lock may intentionally or unintentionally change from the open to the closed state without any attempt to close the door. It's easy to understand that it would be quite inconvenient for the user to have to call a service engineer and pay for the necessary work to restore the lock to a usable state (i.e., the lock is open when the door is opened) every time this happens.

[0005] To address this, door locks with a so-called self-healing function have been developed in the prior art, allowing the door to close even when it is already in the closed position. Therefore, even if the door lock accidentally moves to the closed position while the door is still open, the user can manually push the door closed to properly close it, and the corresponding component can be properly engaged with the door lock. In this self-closing operation, when the corresponding component enters the door lock due to the attempt to close the door, one or more components within the door lock typically undergo a yielding movement. This yielding movement allows the corresponding component to reach its intended position within the door lock and be captured therein in the intended manner.

[0006] The documents DE 10 2016 008 044 B4, US 2015 / 0238065 A1, DE 10 2020 122 689 B3, DE 195 04 797 C2 and DE 10 2020 124 399 B3, already mentioned, show examples of conventional door locks with a self-repairing function.

[0007] However, the structure disclosed in the last-mentioned document cannot or is not easily converted into the lock type as disclosed in DE 198 37 248 A1 and DE 10 2010 051 518 A1. In these documents, the lock contains a rotary holder which is arranged rotatable between an open rotary position and a closed rotary position and which, when rotated from the open rotary position to the closed rotary position, supports a seating surface formed by the lock housing with a radially more outer peripheral portion. Upon reaching the closed rotary position, the radially more outer peripheral portion of the rotary holder comes out of contact with the seating surface, so that a closing spring can suddenly relax and the rotary holder performs a translatory pull-to-close movement by which the door is pulled shut with compression of a door seal. In conventional door locks, the pull-to-close movement ends when the radially more inner peripheral portion of the rotary holder strikes the seating surface under the action of the relaxing closing spring. In this type of lock, the rotary movement of the rotary holder is largely or even completely independent of the translatory pull-to-close movement. This makes it possible to ensure a relatively high pull-to-close force by the lock while having a relatively low closing force exerted by the user to close the door. SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to show a way in which a reliable self-repairing function can be realized in a structurally simple manner even in a door lock which ensures a relatively high pull-to-close force while having a relatively low closing force.

[0009] To achieve this object, according to a first aspect, the invention provides a door lock for a household appliance, comprising: a closing spring assembly; a gripper arranged movable between an open position and a closed position, and in the open position the gripper is urged into supporting contact with a support structure by the closing spring assembly, thereby preventing the closing spring assembly from relaxing, wherein the gripper has a gripping opening defined by two jaws for capturing a closing member, which closing member approaches the rotating gripper along a closing path upon closing of the door, wherein upon closing of the door, the closing member hits the first jaw in the open position of the gripper, and this initiates a movement of the gripper into the closed position, wherein the movement of the gripper comprises a first part of movement starting from the open position and a second part of movement into the closed position, wherein the first part of movement comprises a rotational movement of the gripper (without or without significant relaxation of the closing spring assembly) until the gripper loses the supporting contact with the support structure (for a short time, or because the gripper supports another structure in the closed position permanently), wherein during the first part of movement the second jaw engages behind the closing member, and this captures the closing member in the gripping opening, wherein the second part of movement comprises a translational movement of the gripper along the closing path with relaxation of the closing spring assembly. According to the invention, in such a door lock, the gripper and the support structure are arranged for a joint yielding movement, in particular a linear yielding movement, transverse to the closing path into a yielding position, in order to allow closing of the door in the closed position.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the closing spring assembly is further arranged for the joint yielding movement with the gripper and the support structure.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the gripper and the support structure, and if required also the closing spring assembly, are arranged on a common carrier, which carrier is movably arranged to perform the yielding movement. Here the door lock comprises a return spring separate from the closing spring assembly for returning the carrier from the yielding position.

[0012] In some embodiments, the door lock comprises a lock housing in which the gripper and the closing spring assembly are accommodated. The lock housing comprises a housing main part and a cover portion for closing the housing main part. In such embodiments, either the carrier can be formed by the cover portion, in which case the cover portion is arranged movable relative to the housing main part for the yielding movement. Or the carrier is formed by the housing main part, in which case the lock housing is intended and configured to be arranged movable relative to a superior part of the household appliance, for example relative to a profile bar which is part of a reinforcement structure of an appliance body of the household appliance, to which the door is pivotably mounted, in this way the yielding movement is made possible by the relative movability between the lock housing and the superior part.

[0013] Some embodiments provide that the closing spring assembly comprises a torsion spring which is formed by a spring coil having two spring legs which specifically project tangentially from the spring coil. The torsion spring is arranged with its coil axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane of the holder and one of the spring legs is coupled to the holder. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the configuration of the closing spring assembly with such a torsion spring is independent of whether the holder and the support structure are arranged for joint self-repairing yielding movement. The torsion spring allows a relatively high spring force to be generated in a compact structure without the risk of buckling, as is occasionally observed in the case of a helical compression spring.

[0014] For the high force action of the torsion spring on the holder during the second partial movement thereof, an arrangement of the torsion spring can be chosen in which, in the closed position of the holder, the spring leg of the torsion spring coupled to the holder is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of the closing path when viewed perpendicular to its rotation plane. This arrangement of the torsion spring can make it possible for the door lock to have a high hold-closed force. However, if play is intended to be provided for this purpose of the movable support point of the holder relative to the other spring leg of the torsion spring, this can also lead to the difficulty of achieving self-repairing possibilities. However, if the holder and the torsion spring (and if necessary also the support structure) are arranged on a common carrier, the other spring leg of the torsion spring also supports this carrier, and if the carrier is arranged to have a yielding movability transverse to the closing path, the self-repairing possibilities of the door lock can be achieved without any problems.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the holder is designed with an elongated hole into which a support member fixedly arranged relative to the support structure engages with a play for movability in the longitudinal direction of the hole, wherein, in the closed position of the holder, the elongated hole extends with its longitudinal direction substantially along the closing path. The elongated hole in the holder allows translational movement of the holder during the second partial movement thereof. This can be achieved regardless of whether the closing spring assembly comprises a torsion spring and regardless of whether the holder and the support structure are arranged for joint yielding movement. For example, the support member can be formed by a roller mounted on an anti-friction bearing. This makes it possible for the holder to have a low-friction rotation during the first partial movement.

[0016] It should be noted that the first part movement of the clamp need not consist solely of a rotational movement of the clamp. Rather, in addition to the rotational movement, the first part movement can include a certain translational movement of the clamp, although at least in some embodiments, any such translational movement during the first part movement of the clamp is of lesser, in particular much lesser, extent than the translational movement of the clamp in the second part movement. Similarly, it is likewise possible that the second part movement of the clamp includes a certain rotational movement of the clamp, although at least in some embodiments, any such rotational movement during the second part movement of the clamp is of lesser, in particular much lesser, extent than the rotational movement of the clamp in the first part movement, at least in some embodiments.

[0017] According to another aspect, the present application provides a domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, comprising a main body having a work chamber formed therein, a door for closing the work chamber, the door being pivotably mounted on the main body and carrying a closing member, and a door lock mounted in a main wall, in particular a top wall, of the main body, wherein the door lock comprises a closing spring assembly and a clamp, the clamp being arranged movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the clamp has a clamping opening defined by two clamp jaws for capturing the closing member, the closing member approaching the rotating clamp along a closing path when the door is closed, wherein upon closing of the door, the closing member hits the first clamp jaw in the open position of the clamp and this initiates a movement of the clamp into the closed position, wherein the movement of the clamp from the open position to the closed position comprises a rotational movement of the clamp in which the second clamp jaw engages behind the closing member and this captures the closing member in the clamping opening, wherein in the closed position of the clamp, the closing spring assembly counteracts a return movement of the clamp in direction towards the open position, wherein the door lock further comprises a lock housing in which the clamp and the closing spring assembly are accommodated, wherein the clamp and the closing spring assembly are arranged on a common carrier, the carrier being movably arranged so as to perform a yielding movement, in particular a linear yielding movement, relative to the main wall, wherein the yielding movement of the carrier comprises a corresponding joint yielding movement of the clamp and the closing spring assembly transversely to the closing path so as to allow closing of the door when the clamp is in the closed position.

[0018] Likewise, the joint yielding movement of the clamp and the closing spring assembly is an operation in which the clamp and the closing spring assembly move together with the carrier as a whole in a direction transversely to the closing path, thereby allowing self-repair of the door lock.

[0019] Generally, the household appliance can be of many different kinds and, as an alternative to a dishwasher, can be formed by a laundry treatment machine (for washing only, for drying only, or for a combination of washing and drying), etc. Some household appliances, in particular dishwashers, generally have a design in which the main body comprises a profile bar in the main body wall in which a door lock is mounted, which profile bar extends at least over a partial width of the main body wall and, in particular, substantially over the entire wall width. Such a profile bar, which is generally of a substantially U-shaped cross-section, is generally used for reinforcement purposes and can be part of a reinforcement frame which extends at least partially around an access opening formed in the main body to the work chamber. In the case of a household appliance having such a profile bar (which can also be referred to as a profile rail or reinforcement bar), by fastening the door lock to the profile bar, the door lock can be stably and securely mounted in place.

[0020] In this respect, the present application provides two alternative embodiments which both ensure a combined yielding movement of the clamp and the closing spring assembly for self-repairing purposes of the door lock. According to one possible embodiment, the lock housing comprises a housing part which can in particular form a main housing part and which is designed with a mounting structure for mounting on the profile bar. In this case, a common carrier for the clamp and the closing spring assembly can be formed by the housing part which is designed with the mounting structure, wherein the housing part has a play for mobility in the bar longitudinal direction relative to the profile bar which ensures the yielding movement. According to some embodiments, at least one mounting channel is formed in the profile bar into which the housing part is inserted with a play for mobility in the bar longitudinal direction. A support structure for a return spring can additionally be provided on the profile bar which supports the housing part on the other side and biases the housing part in the direction towards a rest position from which the housing part (together with the clamp and the closing spring assembly) can yield to a yielding position against the action of the return spring when self-repairing is attempted.

[0021] According to another possible embodiment, the lock housing comprises a first housing part which can also form a main housing part and which is designed with a mounting structure for mounting on the profile bar. The lock housing further comprises a second housing part which is formed separately from the first housing part and which can for example serve as a housing cover of the lock housing. In this embodiment, a common carrier for the clamp and the closing spring assembly is formed by the second housing part, wherein the second housing part has a play for mobility in the bar longitudinal direction relative to the first housing part which ensures the yielding movement.

[0022] Thus, in both possible embodiments, one shell part of the lock housing serves as a carrier for the gripper and the closing spring assembly. In one variant, the lock housing as a whole is movable relative to the profile bar, while in the other variant only the part of the lock housing that is not used for mounting the lock housing on the profile bar is movable relative to the profile bar.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the gripper is mounted in the body wall with its rotation plane parallel to the wall plane of the body wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The application will be further explained below with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A domestic dishwasher according to exemplary embodiments is shown schematically;

[0026] Figure 2 A door lock according to exemplary embodiments is shown in perspective view, mounted in a profile bar and suitable for use in Figure 1 a dishwasher;

[0027] Figure 3a A perspective view of the profile bar of Figure 2 is shown from below and obliquely;

[0028] Figure 3b The profile bar of Figure 3a is shown in the same perspective view, but after the door lock of Figure 2 has been mounted in the profile bar and after the door lock has been moved into the yield position;

[0029] Figure 4a An internal view of the door lock of Figure 2 in the open state (after removal of the shell cover) is shown before the closing shackle mounted on the door enters the door lock;

[0030] Figure 4b A view of the door lock of Figure 4a in an intermediate state is shown after the closing shackle has entered the door lock but the door lock has not yet reached its final closed state;

[0031] Figure 4c The door lock of Figure 4b is shown after reaching the closed state;

[0032] Figure 5a An internal view of the door lock of Figure 2 in the first phase of a self-repairing operation is shown in perspective view;

[0033] Figure 5b A view corresponding to that of Figure 5a but in the subsequent second phase of the self-repairing operation is shown;

[0034] Figure 6 A door lock according to another exemplary embodiment is shown in perspective view, which is mounted in a profile strip and is suitable for use in a dishwasher of the type Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 7a A door lock according to another exemplary embodiment is shown in perspective view, which is mounted in a profile strip and is suitable for use in a dishwasher of the type Figure 6 ;

[0036] Figure 7b A door lock according to another exemplary embodiment is shown in perspective view, which is mounted in a profile strip and is suitable for use in a dishwasher of the type Figure 6 ;

[0037] Figure 8a A door lock according to another exemplary embodiment is shown in perspective view, which is mounted in a profile strip and is suitable for use in a dishwasher of the type Figure 6 ;

[0038] Figure 8b A perspective view corresponding to Figure 8a is shown, but wherein the cap has been moved relative to the main part of the housing into a yield position; and

[0039] Figure 8c A door lock according to another exemplary embodiment is shown in perspective view, which is mounted in a profile strip and is suitable for use in a dishwasher of the type Figure 6 ; Figure 8b corresponding to a yield position of the cap of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Reference will first be made to Figure 1 . The dishwasher for private households shown therein is generally designated 10. This is an example of a household appliance in which a door lock 12 according to the application can be used. The dishwasher 10 comprises a dishwasher vessel (body) 14 having a dishwasher chamber (work chamber) 16 formed therein, which is accessible by a user through a front access opening 18. The access opening can be closed by a door 20, which is mounted in the bottom region of the dishwasher vessel 14 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis (not shown in detail).

[0041] The door lock 12 is mounted in the vessel top (body top) of the dishwasher vessel 12, designated 22. In the vessel top 22, in the front, that is to say in the vicinity of the access opening 18, there is a profile strip or profile rail (generally referred to as: reinforcing strip) 24, which extends substantially over the entire front width of the vessel top 22 and serves as a reinforcing structural element of the vessel top 22. In each of the opposite side walls of the dishwasher vessel 14 (in the Figure 1The front wall region of the container 14 (indicated by 26, 28) can also have a reinforcing bar (not shown here). The horizontally extending profile strip 24 of the container top 22, together with such laterally, vertically extending reinforcing bars of the side walls 26, 28, can form a front reinforcing frame of the dishwashing container 14 or be part of such a reinforcing frame. In the example shown, the profile strip 24 is in the form of an open-top U-shaped profile strip. This U-shaped form of the profile strip 24 and this mounting position are also taken as a starting point in the following figures. It is understood, however, that other profile cross sections of the profile strip 24 and other mounting positions are readily conceivable.

[0042] Arranged on the door 20 is a closing member 30, which enters the door lock 12 and is captured therein when the door 20 is closed. When the door 20 is properly closed, the door lock 12 provides a resistance to opening of the door 20 based on a spring force, a so-called hold- closed force. This must be overcome by the user pulling on the door 20 in order to be able to open the door 20.

[0043] Reference will be made in the following to Figure 2 , Figure 3a and Figure 3b In the exemplary embodiment shown in these figures, the door lock 12 is inserted into the interior space, defined between the two lateral strip walls (indicated by 32, 34) of the U-shaped profile strip 24, and is held on the strip base (indicated by 36) of the U-shaped profile strip 24. In the strip base 36, the profile strip 24 has at least one and in the example shown two mounting channels 38 for attaching the door lock 12 to the profile strip 24. The mounting channels 38 serve to hold the door lock 12 such that it is longitudinally movable (i.e., movable in the strip longitudinal direction) and forms an opening in the strip material of the profile strip 24. They each have a narrower channel region 40 and a wider channel region 42 adjacent thereto in the strip longitudinal direction. On the lower side of the door lock 12 (based on its mounting position in the dishwasher 10), there is formed a mounting leg 44 associated with each mounting channel 38, which is guided on the opposite channel edge of the narrower channel region 40 so as to be displaceable in the strip longitudinal direction. Guiding the door lock 12 on the channel edges of the mounting channels 38 ensures secure holding in the vertical direction (i.e., perpendicular to the strip base 36) and in the horizontal lateral direction (i.e., transverse to the strip longitudinal direction).

[0044] To mount the door lock 12 on the profile strip 14, the mounting leg 44 is first inserted into the wider channel region 42 of the mounting channel 38. Then, the lock 12 is moved relative to the profile strip 14 in the profile strip longitudinal direction until the mounting leg 44 comes into guided engagement with the channel edge of the narrower channel region 40. When the mounting leg 44 is pushed further into the narrower channel region 40, the resilient locking tab 46 formed on the door lock 12 snaps into the wider channel region 42 of one of the mounting channels 38 and prevents the mounting leg 44 from moving back into the wider channel region 42. Thus, although the lock 12 has a play for mobility in the longitudinal direction of the profile strip 24, it is capturedly held on the profile strip.

[0045] Figure 2 The lock 12 is shown in a starting or rest position relative to the profile strip 24. The door lock 12 is biased into this position by a return spring 48 which supports the lock housing 50 of the door lock 12 on the one hand and a support plate 52 which is fixedly arranged relative to the profile strip 24 on the other hand. In the rest position according to Figure 2 the locking tab 46 is located directly in front of the rear channel edge of the wider channel region 42 of one of the mounting channels 38. On the other hand, in Figure 3b the door lock 12 is shown in a yield position in which the door lock 12 has been moved relative to the profile strip 24 in the direction of the front channel end of the mounting channel 38 against the action of the return spring 48; in the yield position, the locking tab 46 is at a certain longitudinal distance from the rear channel edge of the mounting channel 38 in question. The yield position according to Figure 3b allows self-repairing of the door lock 12, that is to say, after a previous, usually unintentional change of the door lock 12 from the open state to the closed state, the door 20 is closed without the door 20 being closed as a result.

[0046] The mounting channels 38 with the narrower and wider channel regions 40, 42 can be formed by separate plastic insert elements which are inserted into larger openings produced, for example, by stamping in the metal base material of the profile strip 24. One of these insert elements can additionally form the support plate 52. Alternatively, it is conceivable to omit such an additional insert element and to form the channel edges of the mounting channels 38 as well as the support plate 52 directly from the metal material of the profile strip 24.

[0047] The cutout 54 in the profile bar 24 also allows the closing shackle 30 to enter the interior of the profile bar 24 and thus the operating area of the door lock 12. In the example shown, the closing shackle 30 has a shackle rung 56 which, when the door 20 is upright, is oriented substantially vertically and which, when the door 20 is closed, engages from behind and is held firmly by a rotary gripper located in the door lock 12. As an alternative to the closing shackle 30 shown, it is conceivable that the door 20 is provided with a closing pin which, when the door 20 is upright, is likewise oriented substantially vertically correspondingly. The precise configuration of the closing member attached to the door 20, whether as a closing shackle 30, whether as a closing pin or whether as another design, is not important to the invention. The only important factor is that a suitable closing member is arranged on the door 20 which can be held firmly by the door lock 12 when the door 20 is closed.

[0048] Further details of the door lock 12 will now be explained with reference to Figures 4a to 4c In these figures, the profile bar 24 is omitted for the sake of clarity. Figure 4a The door lock is shown in the described open state, as long as the door 20 has not yet been closed and as long as the door lock 12 has not yet been switched to the closed state by other intentional or unintentional operation without the door 20 being closed. The door lock is in the open state as long as the closing shackle 30 is not in the closed position. Figures 4a to 4c The inner side view of the door lock 12 visible in Figure 2 is created by omitting the housing cover 56 ) which forms the lock housing 50 together with the housing main part 58 and which can be fitted and fastened on the housing main part 58 in order to close the lock housing 50. The housing main part 58 is designed with the mounting leg 44 and the locking tab 46 and forms a spring chamber 60 for accommodating the return spring 48.

[0049] In the housing main part 58, space is additionally provided for accommodating and holding the rotary gripper 62 and the torsion spring 64 which serves as a closing spring and generates the holding-closed force already explained. The rotary gripper 62 has a gripper opening 66 which is defined by a front gripper jaw 68 and a rear gripper jaw 70 and in which the shackle rung 56 of the closing shackle 30 is captured when the door 20 is closed. In the open state of the door lock 12 according to Figure 4a , the rotary gripper 62 is in an open position in which the shackle rung 56 can enter the gripper opening 66 when the door 20 is closed. When the door 20 is closed, the shackle rung 56 hits the rear gripper jaw 70 and this causes the rotary gripper 62 to rotate about a rotation centre which is fixed relative to the lock housing 50, more particularly relative to the housing main part 58, and which in the example shown is formed by a bearing roller 72. The rotation axis of the rotary gripper 62 extends perpendicular to the container top 22; in other words, the rotation plane of the rotary gripper 62 is parallel to the top plane of the container top 22. This makes the installation height of the door lock 12 smaller. SeeFigure 4b During the rotation of the rotary gripper 62, the front jaw 68 is moved behind the shackle crosspiece 56, whereby the shackle crosspiece 56 is captured in the gripper opening 66.

[0050] The torsion spring 64 biases the rotary gripper 62 in the open position according to Figure 4a the torsion spring 64 biases the rotary gripper 62 in the open position according to Figure 4a the torsion spring 64 biases the rotary gripper 62 in the open position according to Figure 4b the torsion spring 64 biases the rotary gripper 62 in the open position according to Figure 4a the torsion spring 64 biases the rotary gripper 62 in the open position according to Figure 4c the torsion spring 64 biases the rotary gripper 62 in the open position according to

[0051] The torsion spring 64 is supported between the shell main part 58 and the rotary gripper 62. In the example shown, it is in the form of a leg spring having two spring legs 84, 86 projecting tangentially from a spring coil 82, wherein one spring leg, here the spring leg 84, is coupled in force transmitting fashion with the shell main part 58 and the other spring leg, here the spring leg 86, is coupled in force transmitting fashion with the rotary gripper 62. In the example shown, the spring legs 84, 86 have a leg angle which is greater than 90° and less than 180°. It is to be understood that this leg angle is not limiting. The coil axis of the spring coil 82, indicated at 88 in the drawing plane according to Figure 4c Figure 4c extends essentially parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary gripper 62 and thus essentially perpendicular to the top plane of the container top 22. ​

[0052] As can be seen from Figure 4c the closing position of the gripper 62, the spring leg 86 coupled thereto is approximately perpendicular to the direction of the closing path 78, so that, in this state of the door lock 12, i.e. the closed state, the torsion spring 64 exerts a force on the gripper 62 which is essentially along the closing path 78. In the closed state, this force urges the gripper 62 to support the bearing roller 74 or / and the bearing roller 72 and corresponds to the hold- closed force which has to be overcome for opening the door 20. In contrast, a component of the force which is perpendicular to the direction of the closing path 78 in the plane of rotation of the rotating gripper 62, if such a force acts on the rotating gripper 62 in the closed state of the door lock 12, is at most very small. Thus, the torsion spring 64 in the shown relative mounting position is not suitable for exerting the resetting force required for the self-repairing operation on the rotating gripper 62. On the other hand, the orientation of the spring leg 86 essentially perpendicular to the direction of the closing path 78 in the closed state of the door lock facilitates a maximum pull-to-close force of the door lock 12.

[0053] However, in order to make self-repairing of the door lock 12 possible, the housing main part 58 together with the gripper 62 and the torsion spring 64, both of which are held and supported on the housing main part 58, can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the profile strip 24 from the rest position according to Figure 2 to the yield position according to Figure 3b as a unit and without relative movement to each other. Figure 5a , Figure 5b This self-repairing operation is shown. If the rotating gripper 62 is changed from the open position according to Figure 4a to the closed position according to Figure 4c without the door 20 being closed at the same time, self-repairing becomes necessary. Self-repairing means that the door 20 can still be closed in the closed position of the rotating gripper 62 and that the closing shackle 30 can be brought into a proper clamping engagement with the rotating gripper 62. This is possible because by a proper shaping of the front side of the front gripper jaw 68 it is ensured that when the closing shackle 30 encounters this gripper jaw front side (see Figure 5a ), a force component transverse to the direction of the closing path 78 is generated on the gripper 62. This force will advance the whole of the housing main part 58, the torsion spring 64 and the rotating gripper 62 from the rest position according to Figure 5a to the yield position according to Figure 5b . In the yield position, the shackle crosspiece 56 is able to move past the front gripper jaw 68 and into the clamping opening 66. The return spring 48 effects the return of the whole of the housing main part 58, the torsion spring 64 and the rotating gripper 62 to the rest position according to Figure 5a .

[0054] In the already stated case, the whole of the housing main part 58, the torsion spring 64 and the rotating gripper 62 can be moved from the rest position according toFigure 5a the rest position to the yield position according to Figure 5b This does not mean that no such relative movement occurs in the specific self-repairing operation in which the closing shackle 30 hits the front jaw 68 of the rotary holder 62. As a result of the closing shackle 30 hitting the front jaw 68 of the rotary holder 62, the rotary holder can experience a certain, relatively slight rotation, which naturally goes along with a relative movement of the rotary holder 62 with respect to the torsion spring 64. However, the torsion spring 64 and the rotary holder 62 are arranged on the housing main part 58 in such a way that, in principle, the housing main part 58 can be moved together with the torsion spring 64 and the rotary holder 62 as a unit without the components of this unit needing to move relative to one another in the strip longitudinal direction.

[0055] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of Figures 6 to 8c In these figures, elements that are identical or have the same effect have the same reference signs as in the preceding figures, but with the addition of a lower case letter. Unless stated otherwise in the following, the explanations for elements that are identical or have the same effect refer to the preceding comments.

[0056] In contrast to the door lock 12 of Figures 2 to 5b The basic difference between the door lock 12a of Figures 6 to 8c In the door lock 12a, the entire lock housing 50a, including the housing main part 58a, is not longitudinally movable in the profile strip 24a. Rather, in the door lock 12a, the housing main part 58a is fastened to the profile strip 24a in a longitudinally fixed manner, and only the housing cover 56a remains on the main housing part 58a with play for mobility in the strip longitudinal direction with respect thereto. At the same time, Figures 6 to 8c The housing cover 56a in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 2 to 5b Rather than being mounted on the housing main part 58a as in the exemplary embodiment of

[0057] In order to fasten the housing main part 58a to the profile strip 24a, fastening holes 90a Figure 6 , Figure 8c) set in the shell main part 58a, which fastening hole is used to accommodate a fastening bolt (not shown in detail) by which the shell main part 58a can be screwed onto the profile bar 24a. In order to connect the shell main part 58a to the shell cover 56a such that the shell cover has play for mobility but is captured, in the example shown a plurality of elastic clamping hooks 92a are provided on the shell main part 58a, by which the shell cover 56a can be clamped to the shell main part 58a. The clamping hooks 92a define a play path along which the shell cover 56a can move in the bar longitudinal direction relative to the shell main part 58a. In the lock 12a, the return spring 48a is supported between the shell main part 58a and the shell cover 56a (the return spring 48a is shown in Figure 7a and Figure 7b are described; this does not mean that it occurs twice, it is simply shown in both figures).

[0058] Figure 8a The door lock 12a is shown in the start or rest state, in which the shell cover 56a (together with the components held thereon, including the torsion spring 64a and the rotary clamp 62a) is pushed by the return spring 48a into the rest position relative to the shell main part 58a. This corresponds to the normal state of the door lock 12a during correct opening and closing of the door of the dishwasher. On the other hand, Figure 8b The door lock 12a is shown in the yield state, in which the shell cover 56a (together with the components held thereon) has been moved relative to the shell main part 58a and has overcome the force of the return spring 48a into the yield position. In this yield position, the front clamping jaw 68a of the rotary clamp 62a is in a position corresponding to Figure 5b that the closing shackle is able to move with its shackle rung past the front clamping jaw 68a and into the clamping mouth 66a in the yield position of the shell cover 56a.

[0059] In this case, the shell cover 56a together with the torsion spring 64a and the rotary clamp 62a as a unit and without necessary mutual relative movement can be moved relative to the profile bar 24a in the bar longitudinal direction, thus allowing self-repair of the door lock 12a.

Claims

1. A door lock for a domestic appliance, comprising: a closing spring assembly, a gripper arranged movable between an open position and a closed position, and in the open position the gripper is urged by the closing spring assembly into supporting contact with a support structure, thereby preventing the closing spring assembly from relaxing, wherein the gripper has a gripping opening defined by two jaws for capturing a closing member approaching the gripper along a closing path when the door is closed, wherein in the open position of the gripper when the door is closed, the closing member hits a first jaw and this initiates a movement of the gripper into the closed position, wherein the movement of the gripper comprises a first partial movement from the open position and a second partial movement into the closed position, wherein the first partial movement comprises a rotational movement of the gripper until the gripper loses supporting contact with the support structure, wherein during the first partial movement a second jaw engages behind the closing member and this captures the closing member in the gripping opening, wherein the second partial movement comprises a translational movement of the gripper along the closing path with relaxation of the closing spring assembly, wherein in a state of the gripper in the closed position and not capturing the closing member, the gripper and the support structure are arranged for a linear combined yielding movement transverse to the closing path to a yielding position in order to allow the door to be closed in the closed position; wherein the second jaw is shaped to generate a force component on the gripper transverse to the closing path direction when the closing member encounters the second jaw; in the yielding position the closing member can move past the second jaw and into the gripping opening, wherein a return spring effects a return movement of the gripper and the support structure in the yielding position.

2. The door latch defined in claim 1, characterised in that the closing spring assembly is further arranged for the combined yielding movement of the gripper and the support structure.

3. The door latch defined in claim 1, wherein the gripper and the support structure and if necessary also the closing spring assembly are arranged on a common carrier which is movably arranged in order to perform the yielding movement, and the door lock comprises the return spring separate from the closing spring assembly for returning the carrier from the yielding position.

4. The door latch defined in claim 3, characterised in that a lock housing in which the gripper and the closing spring assembly are accommodated, wherein the lock housing comprises a housing main part and a cover part for closing the housing main part, wherein the carrier is formed by the cover part and the cover part is arranged movable relative to the housing main part in order to perform the yielding movement, or the carrier is formed by the housing main part and the lock housing is intended and configured to be movably arranged relative to a superior part in order to perform the yielding movement.

5. The door lock according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The closing spring assembly comprises a torsion spring formed by a spring coil having two spring legs, in particular projecting in tangential direction from the spring coil, wherein the torsion spring is arranged with its coil axis substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane of the holder and one of the spring legs is coupled with the holder.

6. The door latch defined in claim 5, characterised in that In the closed position of the holder, the spring leg coupled with the holder is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the closing path when viewed perpendicular to its rotation plane.

7. The door latch of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The holder is designed with an elongated hole into which a support member fixedly arranged relative to the support structure engages with a play for movability in the hole longitudinal direction, wherein in the closed position of the holder the elongated hole extends with its hole longitudinal direction substantially along the closing path.

8. A domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, comprising a main body with a working chamber formed therein, a door for closing the working chamber, the door being pivotably mounted on the main body and carrying a closing member, and a door lock mounted in a main body wall, in particular a top wall, of the main body, wherein The door lock comprises a closing spring assembly and a holder arranged movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the holder has a clamping opening defined by two clamping jaws for capturing a closing member approaching the holder along a closing path when the door is closed, wherein in the open position of the holder the closing member hits a first clamping jaw when the door is closed and this initiates a movement of the holder into the closed position, wherein the movement of the holder from the open position to the closed position comprises a rotational movement of the holder in which a second clamping jaw engages behind the closing member and this captures the closing member in the clamping opening, wherein in the closed position of the holder the closing spring assembly resists a return movement of the holder in direction towards the open position, wherein the door lock further comprises a lock housing in which the holder and the closing spring assembly are accommodated, wherein the holder and the closing spring assembly are arranged on a common carrier which is movably arranged so as to perform a yielding movement, in particular a linear yielding movement, relative to the main body wall, wherein the yielding movement of the carrier comprises a corresponding joint yielding movement of the holder and the closing spring assembly transversely to the closing path so as to allow the door to be closed when the holder is in the closed position; wherein the second clamping jaw is shaped so as to generate a force component on the holder transversely to the closing path direction when the closing member encounters the second clamping jaw; In the yielding position the closing member is movable past the second clamping jaw and into the clamping opening, wherein a return movement of the holder, the closing spring assembly and the carrier in the yielding position is effected by a return spring.

9. The domestic appliance according to claim 8, wherein, The main body comprises a profile strip in the main body wall, which extends over a partial width of the main body wall, in particular substantially over the entire width of the main body wall, and in particular is U-shaped in cross section, the door lock being mounted on the profile strip.

10. The domestic appliance according to claim 9, wherein, The lock housing comprises a housing part, in particular a housing main part, which is designed with a mounting structure for mounting on the profile strip, wherein the common carrier for the clamp and the closing spring assembly is formed by the housing part, and wherein the housing part has a play for mobility in the strip longitudinal direction relative to the profile strip, which ensures the yielding movement.

11. The domestic electrical appliance of claim 10, wherein, At least one mounting channel is formed in the profile strip, into which the housing part is inserted, wherein a play for mobility in the longitudinal direction of the strip is provided, wherein a support structure for the return spring is provided on the profile strip, the return spring being supported between the housing part and the profile strip.

12. The domestic appliance of claim 9, wherein, The lock housing comprises a first housing part, in particular a housing main part, which is designed with a mounting structure for mounting on the profile strip, wherein the lock housing further comprises a second housing part formed separately from the first housing part, in particular the second housing part serving as a housing cover of the lock housing, wherein the common carrier for the clamp and the closing spring assembly is formed by the second housing part, and wherein the second housing part has a play for mobility in the strip longitudinal direction relative to the first housing part, which ensures the yielding movement.

13. The domestic appliance according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein, The clamp is mounted in the main body wall with its rotation plane parallel to the wall plane of the main body wall.

Images