Mechanism for door of household appliance

Abstract

A mechanism (26) for a door (18) of a household appliance (10), comprising an opener (24), where the opener comprises an opener housing and a pusher housed therein, the pusher being arranged for a linear push opening movement, and a motor drive for the pusher; the invention relates to a door lock comprising a housing, a door, and a latch, the latch comprising a latch housing and a movably arranged closing element accommodated in the latch housing, the closing element being provided for engaging with an opposing body when the door is closed, thereby keeping the door closed. The opener housing and the latch housing each have a coupling portion that cooperates to mechanically couple the opener housing and the latch housing. Furthermore, the opener housing has a first fastening means designed to fasten the mechanism to the household appliance when the coupling portions of the opener housing and the latch housing are mechanically coupled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanism for a door of a household appliance. Background Art

[0002] Household appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, washer-dryers (i.e. combined appliances for washing and drying clothes), ovens, etc., have a workroom that can be closed by a door. In order to keep the door closed, these household appliances are equipped with a latch, which engages with a nearby counter-body when the door is closed and holds it in the closed state of the latch. In its closed state, the latch usually resists the opening of the door with a certain resistance (closing retention force), which is due to the need to first tighten the closing spring device of the latch more strongly when the door is opened, until the counter-body is finally released from the latch again.

[0003] In household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, the use of openers that allow closed doors to be opened in a controlled manner without the need for the user to manually pull on the door is also becoming more common. This opener function can be fully programmable or executed by the user upon input of a corresponding opener command, and it allows the door to be opened slightly after the working program of the household appliance is completed, for example to allow moisture to escape from the working area and / or to allow the working area to cool down more quickly.

[0004] For easier installation, the latch and the opener can be designed as a common component in some household appliances. For example, this can save additional work steps by installing the opener separately. In addition, the latch and the opener can be accommodated in a common housing.

[0005] However, the latching and opening appliances have functional differences which also affect the corresponding housing parts of the common housing. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to show a way in which, despite the structural combination of latch and opener, the functional integrity of the individual units can be maintained.

[0007] In order to solve this task, according to the present invention, a mechanism for a door of a household appliance is provided, which includes an opener for pushing the door open, wherein the opener includes an opener housing and a pusher accommodated in the opener housing, the pusher is arranged for, in particular, a linear pushing opening movement, and a drive for the pusher, in particular a motor drive; and a latch for keeping the door closed, wherein the latch includes a latch housing and at least one movably arranged closing element accommodated in the latch housing, wherein the at least one closing element is configured to engage with an opposing body close to the closing element when the door is closed, thereby keeping the door closed.

[0008] In such a mechanism, the opener housing and the latch housing each have a coupling portion that cooperates to achieve mechanical coupling of the opener housing to the latch housing, and the opener housing has at least one first fastening device that is arranged to fasten the mechanism to the household appliance when the coupling portion of the opener housing is mechanically coupled to the coupling portion of the latch housing. This ensures that both the opener and the latch obtain the housing required for their respective functions. In other words, the housings of the opener and the latch can be optimized for their respective functions.

[0009] In addition, assembly is still simple and fast, because only one assembly step is required to attach the opener housing to the household appliance. For example, the latch housing can be preassembled to the opener housing via the cooperating coupling part, and the assembled unit (mechanism) can be attached to the household appliance.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the opener housing and the latch housing can be made of different materials. Although the different materials can all be plastics, different plastics or plastic combinations are possible for each of the two housings. Of course, at least a portion of one or both housings (opener housing and / or latch housing) can also be made of metal, or include an internal or external metal coating or metal core.

[0011] For example, the components of the opener are subjected to greater forces than the components of the latch. In particular, since the pusher overcomes the closure of at least one closing element to remain engaged, the forces applied in the opener are greater than those applied by the movable closing element. Therefore, the opener housing can be made of a material designed for these higher forces. The opener housing can also be optimized to accommodate a motor drive or guide other components, such as a gear element. On the other hand, the components of the latch can be moved in the latch housing, thereby guiding them through the latch housing / wherein they are guided by the latch housing. By selecting a suitable material for the latch housing, the friction caused thereby can be reduced. If a common housing is provided for the opener and the latch, it will not be able to perform different tasks.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the opener housing comprises a reinforced, in particular glass-fiber reinforced material. Due to the reinforcement of the opener housing material, greater forces of the opener components can be absorbed. This makes the opener more durable. In addition, smaller tolerances and smaller deformations can be achieved.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the latch housing may be a low friction material. For example, the latch housing may include polyoxymethylene (POM). This facilitates the movement of the latch components in the latch housing, which on the one hand also increases the life of the latch. On the other hand, the user of the household appliance will feel the smooth movement of the latch when manually opening and closing the door. Merely as an example, it should be mentioned that glass fiber reinforced plastic has a higher friction, making the material of the opener housing less suitable for the latch housing.

[0014] According to some embodiments, at least one of the coupling portions may form an arresting device. Here, an arresting device refers to a mechanical connection / mechanical connector between the opener housing and the latch housing, which prevents or blocks the latch housing from disengaging from the opener housing in at least one direction. By way of example only, the arresting device may include an undercut, a tab / lug, a catch, a guide rail and / or a clamping hook. Of course, both housings may have coupling portions forming corresponding arresting devices. For example, the latch housing may only be separated from the opener housing by releasing the catch formed by the arresting device (optionally also with the aid of a corresponding tool).

[0015] According to some embodiments, the opener housing may have at least one second fastening device, which is arranged to attach the mechanism to the household appliance when the coupling portion of the opener housing is mechanically coupled to the coupling portion of the latch housing. Thus, at least two-point fixation of the mechanism to the household appliance can be achieved, while the latch does not have to be fastened to the household appliance separately. Instead, the latch is attached via the opener housing or retained via the coupling portion.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the latch housing may have at least one third fastening device, which is arranged to attach the mechanism to the household appliance when the coupling portion of the opener housing is mechanically coupled to the coupling portion of the latch housing. This also allows at least two-point fixation of the mechanism to the household appliance (the term "third fastening device" is not intended to define the number of fastening points as three, but is only used to distinguish the second fastening device on the opener housing). The mechanism can only be firmly fixed to the household appliance in the interaction between the opener housing and the connector housing / latch housing. Due to the mechanical coupling between the opener housing and the latch housing, the two housings form an assembly for the mechanism, which can be attached to the household appliance via two fastening devices (the first fastening device on the opener housing and the third fastening device on the latch housing).

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the opener housing and the latch housing can also each have an additional coupling portion, which interacts to provide an additional mechanical coupling of the opener housing and the latch housing. In particular, the (first) coupling portion and the additional (second) coupling portion can be arranged on different sides of the latch housing, preferably on opposite sides of the latch housing. This enables the latch housing to be securely fixed to the opener housing. On the one hand, there is no need to attach the latch housing separately to the household appliance. On the other hand, the latch housing coupled in this way can also be attached to the household appliance by a corresponding third fastening device.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the mechanism may further include a door sensor, which is arranged in the opener housing. The latch may include a movable element, which is suitable for transmitting the movement of the door to the portion of the movable element that cooperates with the door sensor when the door is closed. The door sensor can be, for example, a micro switch, a light sensor, a motion sensor, a touch sensor, a proximity sensor, or a similar element, which can detect associated changes by the movement of a portion of the movable element. For example, a portion of the movable element can move the micro switch between two switching positions. Similarly, a portion of the movable element can cover a light sensor, a motion sensor, a touch sensor, a proximity sensor, etc. in a first position, and touch, approach, and move away from it in a second position. By way of example only, when the door is in its latched position (when the latch is holding the door closed), the first position can be occupied by the movable element, and when the door is open, the second position can be occupied by the movable element.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the movable element may include a rocker arm and / or a slider. In this case, the portion of the movable element that cooperates with the door sensor may be arranged on one side or end of the rocker arm and / or the slider. By way of example only, once the door has almost reached its latched position until the latched position of the door, the rocker arm may contact the door at one end. A (small) movement of the door in this area will also cause the rocker arm to move between two positions. The opposite end of the rocker arm facing away from the door may form the portion of the movable element that interacts with the door sensor. Alternatively, the slider may also be arranged at the end of the rocker arm facing away from the door, so that the end of the rocker arm facing away from the door moves the slider between two positions (e.g., causes it to move linearly). In this case, the portion of the movable element that interacts with the door sensor is formed by a portion of the slider.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the movable element can be equipped with a spring element. The spring element can be coupled to the movable element in such a way that the spring element pushes the movable element to a position corresponding to the open position of the door. This means that when the door is closed, the movable element can move against the spring force of the spring element, and when the door is opened, the movable element can move in the opposite direction due to the spring force of the spring element. This reciprocating movement allows the door sensor to be set to two different states.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the portion of the movable element that interacts with the door sensor can be arranged in an area of ​​the latch housing facing away from the door. This allows the door sensor to be arranged in an area of ​​the mechanism that is at a distance from the door. This makes it easier to route the cables to the sensor and to arrange the sensor in the mechanism, since several other components for opening and closing the door must be arranged in the front area of ​​the mechanism (the area of ​​the mechanism facing the door). In other words, the movable element (at least partially) penetrates the latch housing to transmit the movement of the door to the side of the latch housing facing away from the door.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the movable element may include a portion cooperating with the closing element, which portion is adapted to mechanically transmit the movement of the closing element to the portion cooperating with the door sensor when the door is closed. Since the closing element (when it engages with the counterbody) is moved by the counterbody when the door is closed, the portion of the movable element cooperating with the closing element can receive this movement and mechanically transmit it to the portion of the movable element cooperating with the door sensor. Therefore, no sensors or electrical / electronic components are required in the latch.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the movable element may include a portion protruding from the latch housing, which is suitable for mechanically transmitting the movement of the door to a portion cooperating with the door sensor when the door is closed. The portion protruding from the latch housing may protrude into an opening of the sink (appliance body) which is closed by the door. As a result, the door contacts the protruding portion of the movable element shortly before its latched position and moves along it until it reaches its final latched position. The remaining movable element mechanically transmits this movement to the door sensor.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the latch may not include any electrical and / or electronic components. In particular, no sensors or electronic or electric actuators are required in the latch. The latch may be operated and work mechanically alone.

[0025] Furthermore, only the opener can include an electrical connection. For example, a door sensor that can be arranged in the opener can be electric. In particular, due to the electric drive of the pusher, an electrical connection must be provided in the opener. The door position can be detected via a movable element in the latch and a door sensor that interacts therewith. This means that the entire mechanism can be equipped with a single electrical connection, which is located in any area of ​​the opener housing. Similarly, if necessary, a single printed circuit board of the mechanism can be arranged exclusively in the opener housing. For example, a door sensor can be mounted and electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0026] According to certain embodiments, the latch may have a function for mechanically influencing at least one motion characteristic of the pusher. This ensures that the latch contributes to the intended function of the opener, or even is a prerequisite for the opener.

[0027] For example, at least one motion feature of the pusher can be related to blocking the pusher from extending from an initial position to the feed position required for pushing the door open as expected. According to some embodiments, the latch has the function of mechanically releasing this motion blocking of the pusher. In these embodiments, the latch therefore eliminates the restriction on the movement of the pusher. This means that the latch is needed to allow the opener to achieve its intended function (pushing to open the door). For example, the motion blocking of the pusher is only released by the mechanical coupling of the corresponding coupling parts of the opener housing and the latch housing. As long as the latch is not attached to the opener or coupled with the opener, the opener cannot be operated as expected in such an embodiment.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the movement block of the pusher can only be released by installing the latch and the opener on the household appliance as expected. As long as the latch is not installed on the household appliance, or as long as the opener is not installed on the household appliance, the expected operation of the opener in such an embodiment is just impossible.

[0029] In some embodiments, the latch has a release element, which, when the latch and the opener are coupled, pushes a movably arranged blocking element from a blocking position to a release position, in which the blocking element is positioned to block the pusher, and in which the blocking element is positioned to release the pusher. The release element can be arranged fixedly relative to the latch of the housing; for example, the release element is formed directly by the latch housing. The blocking element can be part of the opener; in this case, it may be necessary to mount the opener on the household appliance to release the movement block of the pusher. In these cases, when the mechanism is mounted, the coupling of the latch to the opener is a prerequisite for the pusher to be released for the intended movement.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, at least one movement feature of the pusher may relate to its guidance in the direction of movement. Thus, in some embodiments, the latch has the function of guiding the movement of the pusher. In this regard, some embodiments provide a solution in which the pusher is designed as an elongated push rod, wherein the latch is designed with a guide lug, in particular formed by the latch housing, which is arranged to engage in a guide groove of the push rod extending in the longitudinal direction of the rod for longitudinally guiding it.

[0031] The invention also provides a household appliance comprising an appliance body and a door movably mounted on the appliance body for closing an access opening to a working chamber formed in the appliance body. A mechanism of the above type is attached to the body of the appliance.

[0032] The invention also provides a method of assembling a household appliance of the above type, in which method the latch is coupled to the opener and mounted together on the appliance body as a preassembled component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present invention is further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They represent:

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a household dishwasher.

[0035] Figure 2a Is used to install Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the latch in a dishwasher.

[0036] Figure 2b Is used to install Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the opener in a dishwasher,

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the mechanism of an opener coupled to a latch, wherein the opener is shown without a housing cover,

[0038] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the exploded view of the mechanism in

[0039] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another mechanism consisting of an opener coupled to a closer, the other mechanism being attached to a profile rail of a household appliance,

[0040] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded view of another mechanism in

[0041] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another mechanism of the latch in FIG.

[0042] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Schematic diagram of an opener of another mechanism in which the opener is shown without a housing cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] First reference Figure 1 The dishwasher shown in the figures, intended for use in a private household, is generally designated 10. This is an example of a household appliance in which the mechanism comprising an opener and a latch according to the invention may be used. However, Figure 1 The embodiment examples shown are by no means intended to limit the field of application of the mechanism according to the invention to dishwashers. The dishwasher 10 comprises a washing tub 12 (the main body of the appliance) in which a water tub 14 is formed, which is accessible to the user through a front access opening 16. The access opening 16 can be closed by a door 18 which is attached to the bottom region of the washing tub 12 so as to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation (not shown in detail).

[0044] The door mechanism, marked 26, is generally mounted in the top (marked 20) of the washing tank 12, and has a closing function for keeping the door 18 closed and an opener function for mechanically (i.e., non-manually) opening the door 18. The closing function is performed by one of the components (in this regard, component 22 is assumed below), while the opening function is performed by another component (assembly 24 is assumed below). Therefore, component 22 may also be referred to as a latch assembly or latch for short, and component 24 may be referred to as an opener assembly or opener for short. When the door 18 is closed, the latch 22 interacts with an opposing body 28 arranged on the door 18, which is in the form of a bracket in the example shown, and the latch 22 grasps and holds the opposing body 28 to keep the door 18 closed.

[0045] The door mechanism 26 is built into the tank top (main body top) of the washing tank 12, which is marked as 20. In front of the tank top 20, that is, adjacent to the access opening 16, there is a profile rail (usually: reinforcement strip) 60, which extends substantially over the entire front width of the tank top 20 and serves as a reinforcing structural element of the tank top 20. In the example shown, the profile rail 60 is designed as a U-shaped profile rail that opens upward. This U-shaped design and this installation position of the profile rail 60 are also assumed in the following figures. However, it should be understood that other profile cross sections of the profile rail 60 and other installation positions are easily conceivable.

[0046] A variety of configurations of the latch assembly 22 are contemplated to achieve the closing function. Figure 2aAn exemplary embodiment is schematically shown, in which the latch 22 accommodated in the latch housing 30 has a rotatably arranged rotary clamp or turntable 32, which serves as a latch element in the sense of the invention, and the latch spring 34 is designed as a torsion spring in the example shown. The rotary clamp 32 has a clamp opening 40 delimited by two clamping jaws 36, 38, into which the counter body 28 with a center rod 42 is inserted when the door 18 is closed (in the direction of the arrow 44). The center rod 42 thereby abuts against the rear clamping jaw of the clamping jaws (here the clamping jaw 38), thereby rotating the rotary clamp 32. The rotation of the rotary clamp 32 causes the front part of the clamping jaw (here the clamping jaw 36) to engage behind the center rod 42 of the counter body 28, thereby keeping the counter body 28 restrained in the clamp opening 40. Further details of a latch having such a rotary clamp can be found, for example, in DE 19837248 A1, DE 102016008044 B4 or DE 102020124

[0047] 399 B3; the contents of these documents are fully incorporated into the present disclosure by explicit reference. An alternative embodiment has an elongated closing body instead of a rotating clamp, which engages with a front clamping nose formed in a recess on the door when the door is closed, see for example DE 10 2006 037 494 B4, the contents of which are also fully incorporated into the present disclosure by explicit reference.

[0048] In accordance with Figure 2a In the latch 22, the rotating clamp 32 is moved from its Figure 2a After the release position shown is rotated into the clamping position in which it holds the counter body 28 restrained, the latch spring 34 resists the return rotation of the rotary clamp 32 in the direction of the release position. Therefore, in order to open the door 18, this resistance of the latch 22 must be overcome. When manually opening the door 18, the user must pull the door 18 with a corresponding force in order to overcome the latching force of the latch spring 34. During the mechanical opening process with the help of the opener 24, the necessary force is applied by the opener. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. Figure 2bAs shown, the opener 24 is designed with a pusher 50, which is contained in the opener housing 48, so that (along the double arrow 46) linear movement, in the example shown, the pusher is designed to be in the form of an elongated push rod, and is mechanically connected to a driver 52, which is also contained in the opener housing 48. In certain embodiments, the driver 52 is a motor driver with a motor, and if necessary, also has a reduction gear. In this embodiment of the driver 52, the pusher 50 can be designed to have a toothed portion, and the pinion on the output side of the reduction gear meshes with the toothed portion. Alternatively, it can be envisioned that the driver 52 is designed as, for example, an electromagnetic driver or a spring driver. In this respect, the present invention is not subject to any restriction.

[0049] By actuating the driver 52, the pusher 50 can be moved from Figure 2b The pusher 50 is moved from the retracted position (initial position) shown in FIG. 2 to the feeding position shown in dashed lines. When the opener 24 is installed in the dishwasher 10, this feeding movement of the pusher 50 causes the door 18 to be pushed open when the door 18 is closed, whereby the opener 24 overcomes the closing holding force of the latch 22. In this case, the pusher 50 can be pressed directly on the door 18 with the front rod end, such as Figure 2b shown.

[0050] In accordance with Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , an exemplary mechanism 26 is shown, which includes a latch 22, such as Figure 2a Shown schematically. Figure 3 The mechanism 26 is schematically shown with the latch 22 coupled to the opener 24, wherein the opener 24 is shown without the housing cover 250. Figure 4 An exploded view of the mechanism 26 and a profile rail 60 to which the mechanism 26 can be attached is schematically shown.

[0051] The opener housing 48 has a coupling portion 442, and the latch housing 30 also has a coupling portion 321, wherein the respective coupling portions 321, 442 cooperate to provide a mechanical coupling of the opener housing and the latch housing. At least one of the coupling portions 321, 442 can form an arresting device. For example, the coupling portion 442 of the opener housing 48 is Figure 4 A pair of tongues or clamping hooks are shown in FIG. 3, into which the coupling portion 321 of the closer housing 30 can be inserted (from Figure 4 and engage into the tabs or clamping hooks. This in at least one direction ( Figure 4 The latch housing 30 is locked upwardly in the middle.

[0052] The latch housing 30 shown also has an optional further coupling portion 322, which can be arranged, for example, on the side of the latch housing 30 opposite to the (first) coupling portion 321. Thus, the opener housing 48 also has a coupling portion 443, into which the coupling portion 322 of the latch housing 30 can be inserted and, for example, can engage. The coupling portion 443 of the opener housing 48 is also shown in the form of a pair of tongues or clamping hooks.

[0053] The housings 30, 48 coupled in this way are mechanically connected to each other. In other words, the latch housing 30 can be separated from the opener housing 48 only when the corresponding coupling parts 321, 442, 322, 443 are released from each other. This can be achieved by, for example, releasing the catch device. The two housings 30, 48 thus form a structural unit and can be attached to the household appliance 10 in a pre-assembled state.

[0054] For fastening, at least one first fastening device 243 is provided on the opener housing 48, which is arranged to fasten the mechanism 26 to the household appliance 10 when the coupling parts 321, 442 of the opener housing 48 and the coupling parts 322, 443 of the latch housing 30 are mechanically coupled. The at least one first fastening device 243 can be realized, for example, by a mounting foot (not explicitly shown), which can be inserted into an opening in the guide rail material in the guide rail base of the profile rail 60. Merely by way of example, the first fastening device 243 can include lugs, clamping hooks and / or elastic locking tongues, which can engage and / or snap into holes in the profile rail or corresponding strips or lugs 62 in the profile rail 60. Further details on the attachment of the mechanism 26 to the profile rail 60 can be found, for example, in DE 102022116999A1; the content of this document (in particular the contents of this document) is described in detail ... Figure 3 The details and related explanations contained in 3a and 3b) are incorporated into the present disclosure in their entirety by explicit reference.

[0055] The latch housing 30 is also attached to the profile rail 60 by means of said first fastening means 243 .

[0056] In addition, the opener housing 48 may include at least one second fastening device 422, which is suitable for attaching the mechanism 26 to the household appliance 10 when the coupling parts 321, 442 of the opener housing 48 and the coupling parts 322, 443 of the latch housing 30 are mechanically coupled. The second fastening device 243 can be designed in the same way as the first fastening device.

[0057] The latch housing 30 is also attached to the profile rail 60 via the second fastening means 243. If the first fastening means 243 and the second fastening means 422 are fastened to the profile rail 60, a two-point fixation of the mechanism 26 to the profile rail 60 can be achieved, which enables the mechanism 26 to be held securely.

[0058] Since the latch housing 30 can be made independently of the opener housing 48, it can be made of a different material from the opener housing 48. Therefore, in order to avoid or at least reduce the friction between the rotating clamp 32 and the corresponding part of the latch housing 30, a low friction material such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or a material filled or coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) can be used to manufacture the latch housing 30.

[0059] On the other hand, opener housing 48 can be made of reinforcement material, for example glass fiber reinforced or mineral filled plastic. This reinforcement material is suitable for absorbing the high force produced in the motion process of pusher 50. Reinforcement material is particularly conducive to accommodating motor 52 (drive of pusher 50), gear unit 53 and pusher 50.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment, no electrical components are provided in the latch 22. This makes it possible to dispense with the electrical connections of the latch 22 and only the opener 24 has the electrical connections 249. However, in order to be able to detect the closed state of the door 18, the opener 24 also has a door sensor 248. For example, the door sensor 248 can be arranged in the opener housing 48. For example, in Figure 3 In the embodiment, a door sensor 248 is shown to be arranged on the printed circuit board 247 for controlling the motor 52. The door sensor 248 is arranged to detect the state of the door 18, in particular whether the door 18 is in a latched position, in which the access opening 16 is tightly closed, or whether the door 18 is open, i.e. not in a latched state. In this case, it is sufficient for the door sensor 248 to detect that the door 18 is open by a few millimeters or centimeters.

[0061] For this purpose, a movable element 427 is provided in the opener 24, which is arranged to transmit the movement of the door 18 when the door 18 is closed to a portion 429 of the movable element 427 that cooperates with the door sensor 248. The portion 429 that cooperates with the door sensor 248 is shown as a protrusion and can, for example, cooperate with a door sensor 248 designed as a micro switch. The portion 429 can, for example, switch the micro switch 248 back and forth between two positions.

[0062] In order to support this movement of the movable element 427, a spring element 428 can be provided, which pushes the movable element 427 to a position that the movable element 427 can occupy when the door 18 is open. If the door 18 is closed, the movable element 427 moves (pushes) against the spring force of the spring 428 and can thus move the door sensor 248 to a position corresponding to the latched position of the door 18. For this purpose, the movable element 427 has a portion coupled to the closing element 32, which is arranged to mechanically transmit the movement of the closing element 32 to a portion 429 that cooperates with the door sensor 248 when the door 18 is closed. Figure 2a As shown, when the door 18 is closed, the closing element 32 moves in the movement direction 44. This movement can be transmitted to the movable element 427 by simple contact of the closing element 32 with the movable element 427.

[0063] The mechanism 26 also has a housing cover 250. This can be particularly associated with the opener 24. Of course, the housing cover 250 can also include a portion covering at least a portion of the latch 22. The housing cover 250 can be attached to the opener housing 48 via a latch tab 251 or the like. Clamped to the opener housing 48.

[0064] The profile guide 60 can have further openings 61 , 66 , through which the pusher 50 can be moved or through which the counterbody 28 can engage with the closing element 32 .

[0065] Figures 5 to 8 Another exemplary mechanism 26 is schematically shown, wherein Figure 5 The mechanism 26 is schematically shown installed in a profile rail 60. Figure 6 Schematically shows an exploded view of the mechanism 26, Figure 7 The latch 22 is schematically shown, and Figure 8 The opener 24 is schematically shown with the cover 250 removed. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Elements and components in the description which correspond to or are at least functionally equivalent are provided with the same reference numerals. In order to avoid redundant explanations, the description of these elements and components is not repeated here.

[0066] Figures 5 to 8 The exemplary mechanism 26 shown has an elongated closing body 225, rather than a rotating clamp 32 (such as Figure 2a , Figure 3 and Figure 418 ), when the door 18 is closed, the elongated closing body 225 engages with the aid of a front clamping nose in a recess formed on the door 18 (not explicitly shown). Such an elongated closing body 225 is guided in the latch housing 30. Therefore, a low-friction material for the latch housing 30 is particularly advantageous here, on the one hand making it easier for the user to open and close the door 18 and on the other hand making the latch 22 durable. The closing body 225, in particular its clamping nose, can be guided through an opening (not shown in the figure) in the bottom of the profile guide 60, which is not shown (or not visible), so that the clamping nose can engage there in a recess in the door 18.

[0067] The latch 22 has at least one coupling portion 221 that interacts with an associated coupling portion 241 of the opener housing 48 to form a mechanical coupling. In the example shown, the coupling portion 241 of the opener housing 48 is designed as a tongue or catch, which can be engaged in a coupling portion 221 of the latch housing 30, which is formed as an opening or hole. The coupling portion 221 can also be arranged in a deeper position in the latch housing 30, so that the coupling portion 241 of the opener housing 48 does not protrude through the opening in the latch housing 30, but can be reached through the opening, for example, in order to release it. Therefore, the mechanical coupling occurs within the latch housing 30.

[0068] The opener housing 48 may optionally have an additional coupling portion 242 that may enable mechanical coupling with an associated coupling portion (not explicitly shown) in the latch housing 30. This may be accomplished in the same or similar manner as between the coupling portions 221, 241.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the opener housing 48 may also have a coupling portion 244, which is implemented in the form of a guide rail. By means of a corresponding coupling portion (not visible in the figure) on the latch housing 30, the latch housing 30 can be guided into the correct position by a linear movement for the mechanical coupling between the latch housing 30 and the opener housing 48. In addition, the guide rail 244 allows further locking in at least one direction.

[0070] The latch housing 30 can be attached to the opener housing 48 by means of one or more coupling parts 221, 241 (242), so that the two housings together form a preassembled component. The fastening to the profile rail 60 is achieved by at least one first fastening device 243 on the opener housing 48 (see in particular Figure 6 and Figure 8 ). This allows the mechanism 26 to be securely fastened to the household appliance 10.

[0071] In addition, the latch housing 30 may include at least one third fastening device 222, which is suitable for fixing the mechanism 26 to the household appliance 10 when the coupling portion 221 of the latch housing 30 and the coupling portion 241 of the opener housing 48 are mechanically coupled. If the first fastening device 243 and the third fastening device 222 are fastened to the profile rail 60, a two-point fixation of the mechanism 26 to the profile rail 60 can be achieved, which enables the mechanism 26 to be firmly held.

[0072] exist Figures 5 to 8 In the embodiment shown, no electrical components are provided in the latch 22. Therefore, the electrical connections of the latch 22 can be omitted, and only the opener 24 has the electrical connections 249.

[0073] Optionally, the door sensor 248 may be disposed in the opener housing 48. Figure 6 and Figure 8 2, a door sensor 248 is shown arranged on the printed circuit board 247 for controlling the motor 52. The door sensor 248 is arranged to detect the state of the door 18, in particular whether the door 18 is in a latched position, in which the access opening 16 is tightly closed, or whether the door 18 is open, i.e. not in the latched position. In this case, it is sufficient for the door sensor 248 to detect that the door 18 is open by a few millimeters or centimeters.

[0074] For such detection of the door sensor 248, in the present embodiment, a movable element 229 is provided in the connection member 22, which is arranged to transmit the movement of the door 18 to a portion 229a of the movable element 229 that cooperates with the door sensor 248 when the door 18 is closed. The portion 229a that cooperates with the door sensor 248 is shown as an attachment or a protrusion, and can cooperate with a door sensor 248 designed as a micro switch (e.g., a magnetic micro switch), a light sensor, a motion sensor, a touch sensor, a proximity sensor, or a similar element, for example. For example, the portion 229a can move back and forth (perform a linear movement), which changes the state of the micro switch 248. This can include a magnet that is formed or provided in the portion 229a and whose position is detected by the door sensor 248. Of course, any other element or material can be arranged on the portion 229a so that its position can be detected by the door sensor 248.

[0075] In order to transmit this movement of the door 18 to the movable element 229 during the closing process, the movable element has a rocker arm 228. The rocker arm 228 can be rotatably connected to the movable element 229 via a joint 227. The rocker arm 228 is rotatably mounted around an axis of rotation (not shown separately) arranged below the joint 227. The lower end of the rocker arm 228 can protrude through a hole or opening provided in the bottom of the profile guide 60. There, the lower end of the rocker arm 228 is located in the opening 16 and the rocker arm 228 can be contacted by the upper side of the door 18. During the closing process of the door 18, the lower end of the rocker arm 228 moves in the direction of the barrel 14. The rotational movement of the rocker arm 228 is transmitted to the movable element 229 via the joint 227. For example, when the door 18 is closed, the movable element 229 moves (linearly) toward the door 18.

[0076] When the door 18 is opened, the movable element 229 can return to its initial position. To this end, the movable element 229 can be moved backwards, i.e., moved away from the door 18, via a spring (not shown separately). In other words, once the movement space of the free end of the rocker arm 228 is released from the door 18, the spring can move the movable element 229, and thus also the rocker arm 228, back to its initial position (corresponding to the open position of the door 18). Of course, the rocker arm 228 can also be moved back to the initial position by a spring (e.g., a torsion spring) (in addition to or instead of the spring that moves the movable element 229).

[0077] Furthermore, the portion 229a of the movable element 229 that cooperates with the door sensor 248 may also be arranged in the opener 24 or in the opener housing 48. For the (linear) movement of the portion 229a during closing and opening of the door 18, it may mechanically cooperate with a corresponding element in the latch 22 or the latch housing 30. For example, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The movable element 229 shown can be divided into (two parts), one of which is arranged in the latch 22 or the latch housing 30, and the other part is arranged in the opener 24 or the opener housing 48. Alternatively, the part of the movable element 229 arranged or held in the opener 24 or the opener housing 48 can also extend upward to the rocker arm 228 and cooperate mechanically with it. By way of example only, the rocker arm 228 can rest on the movable element 229 (i.e., only contact the movable element), or be coupled to the movable element by a joint.

[0078] regardless Figure 3 and Figure 4 or Figures 5 to 8In the embodiment of the present invention, during the assembly process of the dishwasher 10, a possible series of events may be that the latch 22 is first inserted into the opener 24, in particular into the opener housing 48, and there is mechanically coupled to the opener 24 by the coupling part (241, 242, 244, 321, 322, 442, 443), and can also be locked in place. At a later stage of the assembly process, the parts coupled in this way, that is, the assembled mechanism 26, are then installed in the top 24 of the washing tank 12.

Claims

1. A mechanism for a door of a household appliance, include: a) an opener for pushing the door open, the opener comprising: an opener housing, a pusher accommodated therein, and a drive for the pusher, the pusher being arranged for a push-open movement, in particular a linear one, the drive being in particular an electric motor drive, b) a latch for holding the door closed, wherein the latch comprises a latch housing and at least one movably arranged closing element accommodated therein, wherein the at least one closing element is arranged to engage with a counter-body approaching the closing element when the door is closed, in order to hold the door closed, wherein the opener housing and the latch housing each have a coupling portion, the coupling portions working together to achieve mechanical coupling of the opener housing and the latch housing, and wherein the opener housing includes at least a first fastening device, the at least first fastening device being suitable for attaching the mechanism to the household appliance when the coupling portion of the opener housing is mechanically coupled to the coupling portion of the latch housing.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, in, The opener housing and the latch housing are made of different materials.

3. The mechanism according to claim 2, in, The opener housing comprises a reinforced, in particular glass-fiber reinforced material and / or wherein the closer housing is a low-friction material, in particular comprises polyoxymethylene.

4. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, At least one of the coupling parts forms a catch means and preferably comprises an undercut, a tongue, a catch, a guide and / or a clamping hook.

5. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The opener housing comprises at least one second fastening device, which is suitable for attaching the mechanism to the household appliance when the coupling part of the opener housing is mechanically coupled to the coupling part of the latch housing, and / or, wherein the latch housing has at least one third fastening device, which is suitable for fastening the mechanism to the household appliance when the coupling part of the opener housing is mechanically coupled to the coupling part of the latch housing, and / or, wherein the opener housing and the latch housing each have another coupling part, and the other coupling parts cooperate together to achieve another mechanical coupling of the opener housing and the latch housing.

6. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Further including: A door sensor is disposed in the opener housing, wherein the latch or the opener includes a movable member adapted to transmit movement of the door to a portion of the movable member that cooperates with the door sensor when the door is closed.

7. The mechanism according to claim 6, in, The movable element comprises a rocker arm and / or a slide, wherein preferably the part of the movable element cooperating with the door sensor is arranged in a region of the latch housing facing away from the door.

8. The mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, in, The movable element comprises a portion coupled to the closing element, the portion being arranged to mechanically transmit the movement of the closing element to the portion cooperating with the door sensor when the door is closed, or wherein the movable element comprises a portion protruding from the latch housing, the portion being suitable for mechanically transmitting the movement of the door to the portion cooperating with the door sensor when the door is closed.

9. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The latch comprises no electrical and / or electronic components and wherein only the opener comprises electrical connections.

10. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The latch has the function of mechanically influencing at least one movement characteristic of the pusher, in particular has the function of mechanically releasing a movement blockage of the pusher.

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