Locking device for a door of an electrical household appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device for a door of an electrical household appliance, which comprises a gripping element which is arranged to be pivotable between a gripping state and a release state and which, in an engaged state, engages in a locking body of a lockable door, wherein the gripping element can be brought from the release state into a final gripping state by means of an electrically drivable sliding mechanism and a pivotable gripping element carrier coupled thereto, and wherein a blocking sliding element which blocks the gripping element in the final gripping state can be blocked in its sliding movement by means of an electrically actuated blocking element.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a locking device for a door of an electrical household appliance, which comprises a gripping element pivotably arranged between a gripping state and a release state, which gripping element engages in a locking body of a lockable door in an engaged state, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Washing machines and tumble dryers for domestic use are known to have door locks that operate by means of a spring-loaded mechanism. Closing the door lock requires an initial push, in which the user presses against a door of the household appliance to close the door. This causes the door lock to enter a state in which it keeps the door closed.

[0003] When applying pressure of this kind, it is desirable that the force applied is not too great so that anyone can close such a door. To do this, a force must be overcome against the resistance of the sealing elements mounted between the door and the casing. If the pressure should not be too great so that anyone can close the door, the resistance of the sealing elements must also not be too great, otherwise the door will not close by engaging with a locking mechanism. This in turn has the consequence that the sealing elements may not be able to develop their sealing properties due to a lack of the compression force that is supposed to act on the sealing elements when the door is closed. This leads to leaks, especially after prolonged use of the electrical household appliance.However, if the sealing elements have been compressed sufficiently to ensure a secure seal, the pressure required by the user to close the door may be too great for weak people.

[0004] To assist with manual operations when closing the doors of such household appliances, motor-driven locking devices are also known. This allows the door to be closed automatically, without the intervention of the person in question, with the necessary compression force for the sealing elements, thus ensuring the required tightness.

[0005] However, such motor-driven locking devices have the disadvantage that in the event of a power outage, they block the locking mechanism, making it impossible to access laundry inside the appliances. This, in turn, results in the laundry remaining wet in the appliances for an inadvertently long time, which can lead to mildew or other damage.

[0006] DE 10 2022 124 424 A1 relates to a locking device for a door of a washing machine, which has a gripping element pivotably arranged between a gripping state and a release state.

[0007] DE 10 2022 127 560 A1 shows an electrical household appliance and a door lock therefor, wherein a rotary gripper is provided which is movably arranged between a gripping position and a release position with at least rotary displaceability.

[0008] DE 10 2015 002 538 B3 relates to a door lock for an electrical household appliance with a door lock housing in which a gripping unit is accommodated.

[0009] DE 10 2016 008 317 B4 shows a door lock for an electrical household appliance with a locking assembly which is designed to hold a locking body for keeping a door of the household appliance closed.

[0010] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a locking device for a door of an electrical household appliance, in which it is possible in a simple manner to close the door with the necessary tightness against water leakage and to open the door mechanically in the event of a power failure.

[0011] This object is achieved by a locking device for a door of an electrical household appliance, comprising a gripping element pivotably arranged between a gripping state and a release state, which, in the gripping state, engages with a locking body of a lockable door. The gripping element can be moved from the release state into a final gripping state by means of an electrically driven sliding mechanism and a pivoting gripping element carrier coupled thereto. A blocking sliding element blocking the gripping element in the final gripping state can be blocked in its sliding movement by means of an electrically actuated blocking element.

[0012] The gripping element is thus brought into its final gripping position by an electrically driven sliding mechanism that engages the locking body, which can be designed as a pin element, for example, and is attached to the door, thus pulling the door firmly against the appliance housing. This ensures the required tightness of the sealing elements between the appliance housing and the door.

[0013] Such locking devices are used in particular for so-called push-push opening and closing processes of doors, ie a slight additional pressure results in the door either being opened or remaining closed.

[0014] The electrically driven sliding mechanism comprises not only a motor and several gear wheels, but also a gear rod which causes the gripping element carrier to move, which, through a simultaneous pivoting movement in a direction perpendicular to this sliding movement, causes the gripping element to rotate or pivot and thus pivots it into a final gripping state.

[0015] Simultaneously with the assumption of this final gripping state, an independently functioning blocking sliding element is moved in such a way that it contacts the front side of the gripping element. Upon completion of the pivoting state and thus the assumption of the final gripping state of the gripping element, the blocking sliding element is blocked in its sliding movement by an electrically actuated blocking element. Such a blocking of the sliding movement of the blocking sliding element results in the gripping element being unable to pivot back, as it is blocked by the front side of the blocking sliding element.

[0016] However, as soon as the blocking element releases the blocked sliding element, it can be moved again and the gripping element can be swung back to reach a release state.

[0017] The blocking element is at least one blocking pin engaging in the blocking sliding element, the electromagnetically activated blocking position of which can be brought into a release position by means of a mechanically actuated sliding lever. Such a sliding lever can be operated manually and functions purely mechanically, i.e. independently of the available power or electricity required to allow the locking device to function normally. In particular, in the event of a power failure or the entire locking device being blocked for another reason, this sliding lever can ensure that the door of the household appliance can still be opened. However, for the door to be opened in this way, the blocking pin or blocking element must be deactivated or released, which can be done purely mechanically.For this purpose, the sliding lever can preferably be designed essentially in the shape of a rod and can be pulled out of a housing surrounding the closure device and thus be displaceable, wherein an end of the sliding lever on the inside of the housing is provided with a contact which moves into a blocking unit by displacing the sliding lever in order to interrupt the electromagnetic activation of the blocking pin.

[0018] Preferably, the sliding lever is additionally connected to the gripping element so that, with a sliding movement, the gripping element moves from the gripping state to the release state simultaneously with the release of the blocking sliding element by the blocking pin. For this purpose, the gripping element is pivoted back by the sliding lever, specifically in such a way that it is now in a release position. This allows the door to be opened again, since the locking body is released by the free gripping element.

[0019] The sliding lever serves as an emergency latch in the event of a blockage or malfunction of the locking device, as can occur during a power failure. In this case, both the blocking pin and the gripping element can be moved into a release position and released in a purely mechanical manner by pulling the sliding lever. Once the blocking pin has reached a release position, the blocked sliding element is released for movement again. This allows the blocked sliding element to be moved backward, so that the gripping element can be pivoted back into the release position by pushing the blocked sliding element backward.

[0020] This so-called backward displacement of the locking sliding element due to the pressure from the gripping element, which occurs when the latter pivots, can be spring-loaded in the opposite direction with a force value so that the locking sliding element is always in contact with the gripping element automatically or automatically during a closing process or when the final gripping position is assumed. This is important once the final gripping position has been assumed, in order to then activate the blocking pin to block the locking sliding element and thus permanently hold the gripping element in the closed position, keeping the door closed until it is actively released again.

[0021] The gripping element is preferably pivotally mounted on a pivot axis running perpendicular to the direction of movement of the blocking sliding element.

[0022] The blocking sliding element can preferably be rod-shaped and is in contact with an outer side of the gripping element at its end face, so that a pivoting movement of the gripping element is impossible because the blocking sliding element cannot be moved. This occurs because the blocking pin currently blocks the blocking sliding element. However, as soon as the blocking pin releases the blocking sliding element, a displacement movement, possibly spring-loaded, takes place, and the gripping element can be moved into a release state.

[0023] The blocking sliding element, like the sliding lever, has a sliding movement direction, whereby both sliding movement directions can be aligned parallel to each other.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the shift lever is connected to the gripping element by means of an intermediate piece, which has various advantages.

[0025] The sliding lever is essentially rod-shaped, but elongated in shape with various recesses and protruding projections. The sliding lever can be pushed out of a housing surrounding the locking device and thus displaced. An end of the sliding lever on the inside of the housing is provided with a contact pin that can be inserted into a blocking unit by moving the sliding lever to release the blocking pin. This is necessary to subsequently displace the blocking sliding element and thereby release the gripping element.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the gripping element is designed as a curved gripping groove for gripping around a pin-like closing element during a pivoting movement of the gripping element.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims in conjunction with the drawing.

[0028] Here we show: Fig. 1 shows a simple perspective schematic representation of a washing machine with a locking device for a door according to the invention; Fig. 2 in a perspective top view of the locking device with housing cover; Fig. 3 in a perspective top view of the locking device with the housing cover removed; Fig. 4 in a perspective top view of the locking device with the housing cover removed and a gripping element in the closed gripping state; Fig. 5 in a side view of the locking device with the gripping element open; Fig. 6 in a side view of the closure device with partially closed gripping element, and Fig. 7 in a side view of the locking device with the gripping element in the final gripping state.

[0029] In Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a washing machine (1). This washing machine (1) comprises a housing (2) and a door (3) which is pivotally attached to the housing (2) by means of hinge elements (4). An internally arranged washing drum (5) has an opening at the front through which the washing drum (5) can be loaded with laundry. The door (3) is closed by means of a locking device (6) and a closing body (33) and is connected to the housing (2) in a sufficiently sealed manner.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective top view of the locking device (6) according to an embodiment of the invention with a housing cover (11). The locking device (6) is usually arranged in the housing (2) of the washing machine (1) and consists of a housing cover (11) which is connected to a housing base (13) by means of plug-in or snap-on connections (12). The housing cover (11) thus covers the housing base (13). Numerous components and elements of the locking device (6) are arranged in the housing base (13). These are shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is shown in more detail.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows in a perspective top view the closure device (6) with the housing cover (11) removed and Fig. 4 shows the locking device (6) with the housing cover (11) removed and a gripping element (20) in the closed gripping state (30).

[0032] A sliding mechanism with the gears (14), a gear rod (16) which is displaceable, and a motor (15) which is directly or indirectly engaged with the gears (14) by means of a worm (19), serves to drive a gripping element (20) which has the task of enclosing and holding the locking body in the form of a pin-like element (33) when the door (3) is closed. The gripping element (20) is moved from a release state (31) as shown in Fig. 5, into a final gripping state (30), as shown in Fig. 7 can be seen.

[0033] The pivotable gripping element carrier (17) can be pivoted upwards by means of a compression spring (18) which, in this illustration, points upwards.

[0034] A shift lever (24) which is attached to a blocking unit (40) on the top side, as shown in Fig. 6, for example, is arranged, serves to manually pull out according to the arrow (25) from the housing (13) a blocking element (35) and a blocking sliding element (22), as shown for example in the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, to release or release the door from a blocked state, thereby providing a type of emergency latch in the event of a power failure. In other words, this emergency latch (24) makes it possible to open the door (3) of the washing machine (1) even in the event of a power failure, since the aforementioned gripping element (20) is released by the locking sliding element (22) and the electrically actuated locking element (35).

[0035] In order to effect such a release or deactivation of the blocking element (35), which blocks the blocking sliding element (22) against a sliding movement (36), the sliding lever (24) has at its end an extension pointing in the direction of pull in the form of a contact pin (39), such as Fig. 6, for example, which is arranged at the end (24a) of the sliding lever (24) on the inside of the housing, in order to be inserted within the blocking unit (40) by moving the sliding lever (24), thereby releasing the blocking of the blocking pin (35). The blocking pin is connected to a spring-loaded rotary lever, by which it is moved up and down. This rotary lever, in turn, is actuated by an electromagnet. A wire bracket is attached to the rotary lever, which runs through a guide rail in the housing of the blocking unit (40) and holds the rotary lever in position. By actuating the magnet, the rotary lever is pulled downwards and the wire bracket leaves the "unlocked" position of the guide rail. After the end of the actuation, the rotary lever is pushed upwards by the spring and moves into the "locked" position. The extension (39) on the sliding lever (24) can engage with the rotary lever in this position and move it downwards.This moves the blocking pin (35) upwards and releases the blockage.

[0036] In addition, the sliding lever (24) is indirectly connected to the gripping element (20) in that an intermediate piece (26) is arranged between the sliding lever (24) and the gripping element (20), which at one end (26a) engages in the upper side of the gripping element (20) in order to pivot it into a release position.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the locking device with the housing cover (11) removed and with a gripping element (20) in the closed gripping state (30). In this view, a door (3) (not shown in detail here) with the locking body (33) is in a closed state. This means that the door (3) in the housing (2) of the washing machine (1) is closed. To achieve this state, the electrically driven sliding mechanism (14, 15, 16, 19) moves the gear rail (16) forward with the aid of the motor (16), as indicated by the arrow (21). At the same time, the gripping element (20) engages in a locking body (33), encompasses it, and pulls it into the locking device (6).

[0038] Due to this movement of the gripping element (20) in the form of a pivoting movement (32), the gripping element (20) has a different pivoting position than in a release state (31). The gripping element (20) is secured in this closed position by a blocking sliding element (22). The blocking sliding element (22) can be moved backwards and forwards along the double arrow (23), with a front end (22a), as in Fig. 5, the gripping element (20) is secured against pivoting back, i.e. against a pivoting movement (32) opposite to the arrow (32) shown, by the end (22) pressing against the outside of the gripping element (20) on the front side.

[0039] The gear rod or gear rail (16) is preferably one-piece and is connected to a component (16a) arranged at the end, which is also displaceable and serves as a holder for the intermediate piece (26) and its movement sequence.

[0040] In Fig. 5, in Fig. 6 and in Fig. 7 shows a lateral cut-out view of the closure device (6), wherein the gripping element (20) is shown in Fig. 5 in the open state, in Fig. 6 in partially closed state and in Fig. 7 is in a final gripping state (30).

[0041] In the side view of the closure device (6) according to Fig. 5, the gripping element (20) is shown in an open state. In this gripping element (20), a closing body (33) can be inserted within a U-shaped recess (41), as in Fig. 7, which in turn represents a part of a closing body assembly (30). This closing body (30, 33) is attached to the door (3) of the washing machine (1) and is pulled into the locking device (6) by the gripping element (20). This is represented by the arrow (32), which represents a pivoting movement (32) of the gripping element (20). When comparing the illustration according to Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 it can be clearly seen that the closing body (33) with the rotating gripping element (20) is pulled into the closure device (6) from bottom to top and in a final gripping state (30) according to Fig. 7 is recorded.

[0042] A pivot axis (37) about which the gripping element (20) is pivotable is preferably arranged perpendicular to a displacement movement (23) of the blocking sliding element (22). Likewise, a pivoting movement (32) of the pivotable gripping element carrier (17) is possible during the assumption of a final gripping state (30) in such a way that the gripping element carrier (17) moves upward while the final gripping state (30) is assumed.

[0043] In a release state (31) of the gripping element (20), as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the gripping element carrier (17) is not pivoted upward, but is in a lower position. This pivoting movement (32) of the gripping element carrier (17) is supported by a spring (18).

[0044] If the gripping element (20) is now pivoted (32) by the electrically driven sliding mechanism (14, 15, 16 and 19) in a motor-driven manner, as indicated by the arrow (32), the closing body (30, 33) is enclosed until the gripping element (20) reaches a final gripping state (30). At the same time or subsequently, the blocking sliding element (22) is displaced according to the arrow (36), so that the blocking sliding element (22), viewed in the plane of the image, is displaced to the right and contacts the gripping element (20) at the front in the region of its end (22a) in such a way that the gripping element (20) can no longer be pivoted back as long as the blocking sliding element (22) remains in this position due to its special design in this area, namely with the aid of a flat outer side.

[0045] The blocking slide element (22) can remain in this position by moving a blocking pin (35), preferably electronically or electromagnetically activated, from top to bottom, blocking the blocking slide element (22) by engaging with it. Thus, the blocking slide element (22) can no longer be moved backward, thus preventing the gripping element (20) from pivoting back. The movement of the blocking slide element (22) to the right is supported by a compression spring element (38).

[0046] Both the blocking sliding element (22) and the blocking pin (35) are part of a blocking unit (40) which can be controlled electromagnetically.

[0047] If the blocking pin (35) in this blocking unit (40) is to be deactivated or released without the necessary electricity being available at that moment, as may be the case during a power failure, the sliding lever (24) is operated by being manually pulled out of the housing (2). The sliding lever (24) then engages within the blocking unit (40) with a contact pin (39) arranged at its end (24a) on the inside of the housing, in order to manually interrupt the electromagnetic activation of the blocking pin (35). In this way, a manually operated unblocking of the blocking pin (35) and the blocking sliding element (22) is possible, whereupon the blocking sliding element (22) can be moved to the left, viewed in the image plane, against the pressure force of the spring (38), when a person pulls on the locking body (30, 33) and thus on the door (3).By pulling on the door (3) and thus the locking body (30, 33), the gripping element (20) pivots into a release position. This pivoting movement (32) runs counter to the pivot arrow (33). This return pivoting movement is facilitated by the intermediate piece (26), which engages the gripping element (20) at the end (26a) and pulls it along.

[0048] A release state (31) of the gripping element (20) is indicated by the reference numeral 31, for example in Fig. 5. A final gripping state (30) of the gripping element (20) is indicated by the reference numeral 30, for example in Fig. 7 shown.

[0049] The blocking sliding element (22) has recesses on the upper side for the engagement of the blocking pin (35) or can alternatively effect a blocking or release or activation or deactivation of a magnetic force between these two components in a simple manner by means of electromagnetic interaction.

[0050] All features listed in the application are considered essential to the invention. List of reference symbols 1 electrical household appliance 2 housings 3 Door 4 hinge elements 5 Washing drum 6 locking device 11 Housing cover 12 plug-in or snap-in connections 13 Lower housing part 14 gears 15 Engine 16 Gear rack 17 gripping element carriers 18 compression spring 19 snail 20 gripping element 21 Arrow 22 Blocking sliding element 23 Direction of displacement 24 shift levers 25 Shifting movement 26 Intermediate piece 30 Gripping state 31 Release status 32 Swivel movement 33 locking bodies 35 Blocking pin 36 Shifting movement 37 Swivel axis 38 spring element 39 contact pin 40 Blocking unit 41 Gripping groove

Claims

[1] Locking device (6) for a door (3) of an electrical household appliance (1), comprising: a gripping element (20) pivotably arranged between a gripping state (30) and a release state (31), which in the gripping state (30) engages in a locking body (33) of a lockable door (3), characterized by , that the gripping element (20) can be brought from the release state (31) into a final gripping state (30) by means of an electrically driven sliding mechanism (14, 15, 16) and a pivotable gripping element carrier (17) coupled thereto, and that a blocking sliding element (22) blocking the gripping element (20) in the final gripping state (30) can be blocked in its sliding movement (36) by means of an electrically actuated blocking element (35), wherein the blocking element is at least one blocking pin (35) engaging in the blocking sliding element (22), the electromagnetically activated blocking position of which can be brought into a release position by means of a mechanically actuated sliding lever (24). [2] Closure device (6) according to claim 1, characterized by that the sliding lever (24) is connected to the gripping element (20) in order to move the gripping element (20) from the gripping state (30) into the release state (31) with a sliding movement (25) at the same time as the release of the blocking sliding element (22) by the blocking pin (35). [3] Closure device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gripping element (20) is pivotally mounted on a pivot axis (37) running perpendicular to the direction of displacement (23) of the blocking sliding element (22). [4] Closure device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the blocking sliding element (22) is rod-shaped and contacts an outer side of the gripping element (20) on the end face (22a) in such a way that a pivoting movement (32) of the gripping element (20) can be blocked and can be released upon a sliding movement (36) of the blocking sliding element (22). [5] Closure device (6) according to claim 4, characterized by that the blocking sliding element (22) can be spring-loaded in the direction of the gripping element (20) with at least one spring element (38). [6] Closure device (6) according to one of claims 1-5, characterized by that the sliding lever (24) is connected to the gripping element (20) by means of an intermediate piece (26). [7] Closure device (6) according to one of claims 2-6, characterized by that the direction of the sliding movement (25) of the sliding lever (24) and the sliding movement direction (23) of the blocking sliding element (22) are aligned parallel to each other. [8] Closure device (6) according to one of claims 1-7, characterized by in that the sliding lever (24) is essentially rod-shaped and can be pulled out of a housing (11, 12) surrounding the closure device and can thus be moved, wherein an end (24a) of the sliding lever (24) on the inside of the housing is provided with a contact pin (39) which can be inserted into a blocking unit (40) by moving the sliding lever (24) in order to interrupt the electromagnetic activation of the blocking pin (35). [9] Closure device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the gripping element (20) is designed as a curved gripping groove (41) for gripping around a pin-like closing element (33) during a pivoting movement (32) of the gripping element (20).

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