Door lock for an electric household appliance

Abstract

A door lock for an electrical household appliance comprises a rotatably mounted rotary gripper (30) which, when the appliance door is closed, moves from an open rotary position to a closed rotary position and, in the closed rotary position, holds a locking element that moves relatively close to the rotary gripper as the door closes, thus keeping the door closed. Furthermore, the door lock comprises a movably arranged, in particular linearly guided, locking element which, when the door is closed, moves from a ready position, in which the locking element is supported against the rotary gripper, to a locking position under the influence of a spring preload, in which the locking element blocks the rotary gripper from rotating into the open rotary position. According to the invention, when the door is closed, the locking element is supported against the locking element in the locking position.This allows the presence / absence of the locking mechanism to be additionally detected using the locking element, which already provides a blocking function for the rotary gripper when the door is closed. A simple door lock design with minimal component and assembly effort is possible.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a door lock for an electrical household appliance.

[0002] The door lock in question here features a rotary gripper, which serves to grip and hold a locking element when closing a household appliance door, thereby keeping the door closed. When the door is closed, a spring-loaded locking element slides into a locking position, preventing the rotary gripper from rotating backward.

[0003] For the state of the art regarding such door locks, reference is made to WO 2011 / 132213 A1 and WO 2013 / 109585 A2, for example. According to WO 2011 / 132213 A1, a rotating body serving as a gripper is designed with a so-called cavity into which a blocking slide engages when the door is closed. When the door is properly closed, the blocking slide rests in the cavity on the rotating body. The door lock according to WO 2013 / 109585 A2 also features a blocking slide that moves into the rotational movement range of a rotary gripper when the door is closed and blocks it from rotating backward. However, when the door is properly closed, the blocking slide rests not on the rotary gripper, but on a housing component of the door lock.

[0004] DE 10 2015 011 809 A1 shows a door lock with a gripper unit and a handle control element. In an open rotational position of the gripper unit or a first control position, the handle control element rests on the gripper unit under spring preload. By rotating the gripper unit with the aid of a locking element, the handle control element can pass the gripper unit until it strikes the locking element in a second control position. In this case, the handle control element moves a handle, which causes a switch state change. Furthermore, a third control position is provided for the case that the gripper unit rotates without a locking element and the handle control element moves from the first control position beyond the second control position.

[0005] It cannot be ruled out that the rotary gripper, for example due to manipulation, could move into a closed position without the door actually being closed. Likewise, it cannot be ruled out that forcible pulling on the closed door could cause a piece of the rotary gripper to break off, causing the door to open but the rotary gripper remaining in its closed position. For safety reasons, it may be desirable in such cases to prevent the appliance from being started up (if the rotary gripper is manipulated without the door being closed) or to interrupt ongoing operation of the household appliance (if the door is opened forcibly). In the solutions according to WO 2011 / 132213 A1 and WO 2013 / 109585 A2, the blocking slide is not suitable for ensuring the desired level of safety. In both documents, the scenarios mentioned (manipulation, use of force) have no influence on the position of the blocking slide.Therefore, other, additional mechanisms are required to detect these scenarios. Such additional mechanisms increase the component and manufacturing costs for the door lock.

[0006] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a door lock of the type considered at the outset which allows reliable detection of a fault condition of the door lock with little construction effort.

[0007] To achieve this object, the invention provides, according to certain embodiments, a door lock for an electrical household appliance, comprising: a rotatably mounted rotary gripper which, when a door of the household appliance is closed, moves from an open rotary position into a closed rotary position and, in the closed rotary position, holds a locking body, e.g. a bow-shaped or pin-shaped locking body, which approaches the rotary gripper relatively when the door is closed, in order to keep the door closed; and a movably arranged, in particular rectilinearly guided locking element which, when the door is closed, moves from a ready position, in which the locking element is supported on the rotary gripper, under the action of a spring preload into a locking position in which the locking element blocks the rotary gripper against rotation into the open rotary position.According to the invention, the locking element rests on the locking body when the door is closed in the locking position.

[0008] When the door is properly closed and the locking body is caught by the rotary gripper, the locking element rests against the locking body, allowing the presence of the locking body to be detected with the aid of the locking element. Only when the locking body is inserted into the rotary gripper can the locking element rest against the locking body and stably assume the locked position. However, if the rotary gripper is manipulated without closing the door and without inserting the locking body into the rotary gripper, the locking body is no longer there to support the locking element in the locked position. The locking element, which is subject to the action of the spring preload, is then not stopped by the locking body and is held stably in the locked position. Instead, the locking element can move further into an error position under the action of the spring preload, which is a different position from the locked position.

[0009] The same applies if the rotary gripper is destroyed by the application of force, in which the locking body leaves the rotary gripper without the latter transitioning to its open, rotating position. In this situation, too, the locking body is no longer available to support the locking element, which is why the locking element leaves the locking position, in which it was previously held by the locking body, under the effect of the spring preload and transitions to the fault position. In the solution according to the invention, the locking element therefore has, on the one hand, a blocking function for the rotary gripper and, on the other hand, a mechanical detection function for the locking body. Additional mechanisms for detecting the locking body are not required.

[0010] According to the invention, the locking element is arranged for movement from the ready position beyond the locking position into the aforementioned fault position, wherein, in the closed rotary position of the rotary gripper, the spring preload urges the locking element into the fault position in the absence of the closing body, and wherein the movement of the locking element from the locking position into the fault position enforces a defined switching state of at least one electrical switch, and in particular two electrical switches. The movement of the locking element from the locking position into the fault position can thereby cause a switching state change of the respective switch into the defined switching state. In these embodiments, the position of the locking element therefore controls (at least) one electrical switch.In the fault position, the locking element forces a specific, predetermined switching state of the electrical switch; in the locking position of the locking element, the switch has a different switching state or is at least free to assume a different switching state. The position of the locking element and thus the presence or absence of the locking body in the closed rotary position of the rotary gripper can thus be detected electrically. Forcing the defined switching state in the fault position of the locking element can, for example, immediately stop or prevent the household appliance from operating, for example if the switch in question is located in a path of an electrical circuit that must be energized in order for the household appliance to operate.Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that an electronic control unit of the household appliance electrically detects the enforcement of the defined switching state and, depending on the detected switching state or the detected switching state change, generates a control signal acting in the sense of an operation stop or an operation prevention.

[0011] According to the invention, the at least one switch comprises a switch which carries out a switching state change depending on the closing of the door.

[0012] The switch in question responds to a movement of the locking element between the locking position and the fault position as well as to a movement of the locking element between the ready position and the locking position, each with a change of switching state.

[0013] The switch can also be referred to as a door switch because it switches when the door is closed, thus allowing detection of whether the door is still open (locking element in the standby position) or whether it is properly closed (locking element firmly in the locked position). In the standby position and the fault position of the locking element, the switch can have the same switching state; considering the requirement that operation of the household appliance should be prevented or interrupted, both positions of the locking element can be considered equivalent.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, the at least one switch comprises a switch that performs a switching state change depending on the establishment of a blockage of the locking element against movement from the locked position to the standby position. Such a switch can also be referred to as a locking switch - it switches when the locking element is blocked (locked) and therefore allows detection of whether the door lock is still unlocked or whether it is locked. In the fault position of the locking element, the switch can have the same switching state as in the locked position in the unblocked (unlocked) state; in view of the requirement that operation of the household appliance should be impossible or interrupted, both states of the door lock can be considered equivalent.

[0015] Certain embodiments provide that the locking element, associated with at least one (and in particular associated with each) of the at least one electrical switch, has position control surfaces for a movably arranged switch actuating body. Such position control surfaces can, for example, comprise one or more ramp surfaces that form a slideway for the switch actuating body. The switch actuating body can, for example, interact with a resiliently deflectable conductor element (e.g., in the form of an electrically conductive leaf spring), which forms a switching contact of the switch and, depending on the position of the switch actuating body, is in or out of contact with another switching contact of the switch. The switch actuating body can actuate a single electrical switch, or it can actuate several electrical switches together.

[0016] According to certain embodiments, the locking element is supported in the fault position on a housing component of the door lock or on the rotary gripper.

[0017] Certain embodiments provide for the door lock to comprise a movably arranged locking element and an electromechanical actuator, for example, an electromagnetic or electromotive actuator, for driving the locking element. In an unlocked position, the locking element allows movement of the locking element from the locking position to the standby position; in a locked position, the locking element blocks the locking element from moving from the locking position to the standby position. The locking element indirectly locks the rotary gripper in its closed-rotary position by mechanically blocking the locking element in its locked position, which in turn mechanically blocks the rotary gripper in its locked position.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the locking element is guided obliquely to a rotational axis of the rotary gripper on a housing component of a locking housing of the door lock. The oblique guidance of the locking element on the housing component is particularly useful in door lock designs with indirect locking because it provides partial force dissipation into the locking housing and thus protects the locking element from excessive force when an attempt is made to forcefully open the door with the door closed and the door lock locked. In this regard, reference is made to DE 10 2015 002 538 B3, the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by express reference.

[0019] In the ready position, in certain embodiments, the locking element is supported on a side surface of the rotary gripper that is axial with respect to a rotational axis of the rotary gripper.

[0020] According to certain embodiments, the door lock further comprises a spring device that biases the rotary gripper in its closed position against rotation toward the open position. When the rotary gripper moves between the open position and the closed position, the spring device can pass through a snap point at which the direction of the spring preload applied to the rotary gripper reverses. In such a case, a spring preload acts in the open position, biasing the rotary gripper against leaving the open position.

[0021] The rotary gripper can form a gripping jaw defined by two jaws. When the door closes, the locking body impacts against a first jaw of the gripping jaw, causing the rotary gripper to rotate. As a result, the second jaw of the gripping jaw moves behind the locking body and holds it in the gripping jaw.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the door lock comprises a lock housing in which the rotary gripper, the locking element, and a locking module prefabricated as a mechanically functional unit are accommodated. The locking module comprises a module housing in which an electromechanical actuator, a locking element movably arranged between an unlocked position and a locked position, drivable by the actuator, and serving to block the locking element against movement from the locked position to the ready position, as well as two movably arranged switch actuating bodies protruding from the module housing over at least part of their range of movement, which are designed and arranged to actuate a respective electrical switch formed in the locking module.Both switch actuating bodies are jointly position-controllable by means of a control slide accommodated in the lock housing but arranged outside the locking module. The concept of controlling the position of both switch actuating bodies by a common, for example, linearly movable control slide can be implemented together with, but also independently of, the concept according to which the locking element rests against the locking body in the locked position when the door is closed. In certain embodiments, the control slide is formed by the locking element; however, this is not necessary; instead, the control slide can be formed by a slide component separate from the locking element, which is responsible for a different function within the door lock than the locking element.

[0023] The invention also relates to an electrical household appliance, in particular a laundry treatment appliance. The household appliance comprises a main appliance body with a working space formed therein, a door movably, in particular pivotably, attached to the main appliance body for closing the working space, and a door lock of the type described above. A washing machine, for example, is a possible laundry treatment appliance. However, a design as a tumble dryer is not excluded.

[0024] The invention is further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 schematically shows a household washing machine according to an embodiment; Figures 2a to 2c schematically shows components of a door lock according to an embodiment in an open state, a closed state and a fault state of the door lock, Figures 3a to 3cInternal views of components of a door lock according to another embodiment in three different states corresponding to Figures 2a to 2c , Figures 4a and 4b an external view or an internal view of a locking module of the door lock of the Figures 3a to 3c .

[0025] It will initially be Figure 1There, a front-loading washing machine 10 is schematically shown as an exemplary embodiment of an electrical household appliance in which a door lock according to the invention can be used. The washing machine 10 has a machine body (main appliance body) 12 with a washing drum 14 rotatably mounted therein. The interior (working space) of the washing drum 14 is accessible for loading and unloading laundry items through an access opening 18 formed in a front wall 16 of the machine body 12. The access opening 18 can be closed in a liquid-tight manner by means of a door 20 pivotally attached to the machine body 12.

[0026] A door lock 22 serves to keep the closed door 20 closed. The door lock 22 interacts with a locking body 24 which, in the example shown, is designed in the form of a U-shaped bracket, but alternatively, for example, is pin-shaped, which, when the door 20 is closed, plunges into an insertion opening 26 of the door lock 22 and is held in the door lock 22 by a Fig. 1not shown, but shown in the other figures, and is thereby secured against escaping from the door lock 22. The door lock 22 is of the so-called push-pull type, i.e. the door lock 22 can be closed by pressing against the door 20, and the door lock 22 can be opened again by subsequently pulling on the door 20. In the example shown, the door lock 22 is mounted on the machine body 12 of the washing machine 10, while the locking body 24 is attached to the door 20. It is understood that a reversed arrangement of the door lock 22 and the locking body 24 on the machine body 12 and door 20 is also possible.

[0027] An electrical, for example microprocessor-based, control unit 28 serves to control and, if necessary, supply power to one or more electrical and / or electronic components of the door lock 22, for example to control an electromechanical (e.g. electromotive or electromagnetic) actuator of the door lock 22.

[0028] Next, the Figures 2a to 2c which will explain the functional principle of an embodiment of the door lock 22 constructed according to the invention. Figure 2a the door lock 22 is in an open state, which the door lock 22 assumes when the door 20 is open and otherwise in proper condition. If the door 20 is closed, the door lock 22 changes to a closed state, which Figure 2b In the closed state, the closing body 24 is caught by the mentioned rotary gripper - designated 30. In Figure 2cFinally, a fault condition is shown which the door lock 22 can reach if, with the door 20 open and without closing the same, the rotary gripper 30 is moved by manipulation or other circumstances from an open rotary position which the rotary gripper 30 has in the open state of the door lock 22 according to Figure 2a occupies, changes into a closed rotary position, which the rotary gripper 30 assumes when it is in the closed state of the door lock 22 according to Figure 2b properly holds the locking body 24. The door lock 22 can also enter the fault state if, in the closed state according to Figure 2bby forcibly pulling on the door 20, such a strong force is exerted on the rotary gripper 30 that it breaks and the locking body 24 can be pulled out of the door lock 22. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment under consideration, the fault condition is characterized in that the rotary gripper 30 is in its closed rotary position, but at the same time the locking body 24 is not caught in the rotary gripper 30, either because the rotary gripper 30 was destroyed or because the rotary gripper 30 was moved into its closed rotary position without the door 20 being closed.

[0029] The door lock 22 according to the embodiment of the Figures 2a to 2c comprises a closure housing 32 in which the rotary gripper 30 is pivoted about a Figure 2aat 34 indicated rotation axis is rotatably mounted. The rotary gripper 30 is mounted, for example, translationally fixed relative to the breech housing 32, ie the rotary gripper 30 can only perform a rotational movement about the rotation axis 34, but not a translational movement relative to the breech housing 32. In addition, a locking slide 36 is accommodated in the breech housing 32, which in a linear, in Figure 2a by a double arrow 38 indicated sliding direction relative to the rotary gripper 30 between a standby position ( Fig. 2a ), a locking position ( Fig. 2b ) and an error position ( Fig. 2c ) is movably guided.

[0030] In the open state of the door lock 22, the locking slide 36 rests against a side surface 40 of the rotary gripper 30 under the effect of a spring preload. The spring preload is provided by a Figures 2a to 2cnot shown in detail, which is supported, for example, between the locking slide 36 and the breech housing 32 and the locking slide 36 for a movement from the ready position according to Figure 2a in the direction of the fault position according to Figure 2c pre-tensioned. In the open rotational position of the rotary gripper 30, a gripping mouth 42 formed by the rotary gripper 30 is open toward the closing body 24 approaching when the door 20 is closed, ie, the closing body 24 can plunge into the gripping mouth 42 when the door 20 is closed. The gripping mouth 42 is delimited by two jaws 44, 46, namely a rear jaw 44 and a front jaw 46.

[0031] When the closing body 24 enters the gripping jaw 42, it strikes the rear jaw 44 and thereby causes the rotary gripper 30 to rotate. During the rotation of the rotary gripper 30 into the closed-rotational position, the front jaw 46 moves in front of the closing body 24 and thereby holds it captive in the gripping jaw 42. The rotation of the rotary gripper 30 also causes the locking slide 36 to lose its support on the side surface 40 of the rotary gripper 30 and, under the effect of the spring preload, slides forward into the rotational movement path of the rotary gripper 30 until it comes into supporting contact with the closing body 24 with a stop shoulder 48 or another formation enabling support of the locking slide 36. This situation is in Figure 2bshown. The support of the locking slide 36 on the locking body 24 when the door 20 is properly closed defines the locking position of the locking slide 36. In the locking position, the locking slide 36 blocks the rotary gripper 30 from rotating backward from the closed position to the open position.

[0032] However, by pulling on the closed, unlocked door 20, the locking slide 36 can be pushed back from the locking position to the ready position. For this purpose, engagement surfaces can be formed on the rotary gripper 30 and on the locking slide 36 (in the Figures 2a to 2cnot shown in detail), which, in an attempt to rotate the rotary gripper 30 back from the closed position to the open position, interact in the manner of a wedge engagement and generate a force component acting along the sliding direction 38, which counteracts the spring preload acting on the locking slide 36 and pushes the locking slide 36 back into the ready position. The force component acting along the sliding direction 38 does not have to be the only force component generated by the engagement of the engagement surfaces of the rotary gripper 30 and the locking slide 36; an additional force component can be generated, which runs transversely to the sliding direction 38 and is diverted from the locking slide 36 directly into the lock housing 32. Further details on this type of force splitting in an attempt to open the closed door 20 by pulling on it can be found in DE 10 2015 002 538 B3.

[0033] If the rotary gripper 30 is moved from the open position to the closed position by manipulation without closing the door 20, the locking slide 36 is not stopped by the locking body 24 when it slides forward from the ready position toward the locking position. The locking slide 36 therefore slides beyond the locking position and reaches the fault position according to Figure 2cThe same applies if, due to excessive force acting on the closed door 20, the locking body 24 is forcibly pulled out of the handle of the rotary gripper 30, causing the front jaw 46 of the rotary gripper 30 to break off. The locking slide 36 then loses support from the locking body 24, causing the locking slide 36 to slide further into the fault position. The fault position is defined by the supporting contact of the locking slide 36 against the lock housing 32 or another component of the door lock 22, for example the rotary gripper 30. This means that the locking slide 36 slides from the locking position until it strikes a stop structure defining the fault position.

[0034] The support of the locking slide 36 on the locking body 24 when the door 20 is properly closed assigns the locking slide 36, in addition to blocking the rotary gripper 30, a function for (mechanical) sensing the locking body 24. If the locking body 24 is properly caught in the gripping jaw 42 in the closed rotary position of the rotary gripper 30, the locking slide 36 is held stably in the locked position (by being supported on the locking body 24). If, however, the locking body 24 is absent in the closed rotary position of the rotary gripper 30, the locking slide 36 can only temporarily pass through the locked position, but is not held in the locked position. Instead, the locking slide 36 moves to the fault position according to Figure 2cIn order to convert the mechanical sensing of the presence or absence of the closing body 24 by the locking slide 36 in the closed rotational position of the rotary gripper 30 into an electrical signal usable by the control unit 28 of the washing machine 10, the locking slide 36 acts as a control slide for controlling (at least) one electrical switch 50 of the door lock 22. In the Figures 2a to 2c Only one such electrical switch 50 is shown. However, the door lock 22 may comprise several electrical switches, the switching state of which can be controlled by the locking slide 36. In the case of the Figures 3a to 4b In the embodiment explained, there are two electrical switches that can be jointly controlled by the locking slide 36.

[0035] In the example case shown, the Figures 2a to 2cThe locking slide 36 controls the electrical switch 50 by means of a switch actuating body 52, which is separate from the locking slide 36 and movably arranged and is shown here as a pin or bolt, for example. The electrical switch 50 comprises two electrical switching contacts 54, 56, which can be brought into contact with or out of contact with one another to close and open the electrical switch 50. One of the switching contacts, here the switching contact 54, is formed on a spring blade 57, which interacts with the switch actuating body 52 and, depending on the position of the switch actuating body 52, closes or opens the switch 50. Optionally, the spring blade 57 can be preloaded into contact with the switching contact 56 by its inherent stress and can be lifted out of contact with the switching contact 56 by the switch actuating body 52.Or the spring blade 57 can be preloaded out of contact with the switching contact 56 and can be urged into contact with the switching contact 56 by the switch actuating body 52. In the case shown in the . Figures 2a to 2c In the embodiment shown, the residual stress prestresses the spring blade 57 in contact with the switching contact 56.

[0036] The locking slide 36 interacts with the switch actuating body 52 in the manner of a cam-cam follower pairing. For this purpose, the locking slide 36 forms a position control path 58 ( Fig. 2c ), along which the switch actuating body 52 can slide. The position control track 58 has a height profile such that when the locking slide 36 moves into the fault position according to Figure 2ca defined, for example, open switching state of the electrical switch 50 is enforced. For this purpose, the position control path 58 in the example shown has a high plateau 60, which is effective in the fault position of the locking slide 36 and enforces an open state of the switch 50. Adjacent to the high plateau 60 in the example shown, the position control path 58 forms a valley 62, which is connected to the high plateau 60 by a ramp 64. On the other side, the valley is also connected to a high plateau 68 via a ramp 66. The high plateaus 60, 68 and the ramps 64, 66 form exemplary position control surfaces within the meaning of the invention.

[0037] Such a design of the position control track 58 with a valley enclosed on both sides by a high plateau is suitable, for example, when the switch 50 is to serve as a so-called door switch, which changes its switching state when the door 20 is closed and can thereby signal the closed door state to the control unit 28. The high plateau 68 is effective in the ready position of the locking slide 36 and forces the same, namely open, switching state of the switch 50 as the high plateau 60 in the fault position of the locking slide 36. In contrast, the valley 62 is effective in the locked position of the locking slide 36; it provides a free space into which the switch actuating body 52 can deflect under the action of the spring tension of the spring lamella 57, so that the switch 50 can close.When the door 20 is closed, the switch 50 changes its switching state from open to closed accordingly, and in the event of a fault, the position control track 58 with the ramp 64 and the high plateau 60 forces a switching state change of the switch 50 from closed (in the locking position of the locking slide 36) to open (in the fault position of the locking slide 36).

[0038] It goes without saying that the height profile of the position control track 58, with the valley depression 62 enclosed on both sides by a high plateau, can alternatively have a high plateau bordered on both sides by a valley and connected to the valleys by a ramp, wherein the two valleys are effective in the ready position and in the fault position of the locking slide 36, and the high plateau is effective in the locking position of the locking slide 36. Such an inverted height profile of the position control track 58 can be selected, for example, when the spring blade 57 is forced out of contact with the switching contact 56 by its inherent stress.

[0039] The switch 50 can alternatively serve as a so-called locking switch, which carries out a switching state change depending on the establishment of a blockage of the locking element 36 against movement from the locking position to the ready position. Figure 2bA locking element 70, for example, designed in the shape of a pin, is shown in dashed lines, which is movable by means of an actuator (not shown in detail) in a direction transverse to the sliding direction 38 of the locking slide 36 between an unlocking position and a locking position. The direction of mobility of the locking element 70 is illustrated by a double arrow 72. In the ready position of the locking slide 36, the locking element 70 is in its unlocking position; in this position, the locking element 70 is ineffective relative to the locking slide 36. Only when the locking slide 36 reaches its locking position can the locking element 70 be moved from the unlocking position into the locking position by actuating the actuator. This situation is in Figure 2bshown schematically. In the locked position, the locking element 70 is moved into the path of movement of the locking slide 36 in such a way that the locking slide 36 is prevented from moving back from the locked position to the ready position. As a locking switch, the switch 50 signals via its switching state whether the locking element 70 is in its unlocked position or in its locked position.

[0040] When switch 50 is used as a locking switch, in the event of a fault, position control path 58 forces a switching state of switch 50 that corresponds to the switching state that switch 50 assumes in the unlocked position of locking element 70. If the locking slide 36 is locked (i.e., locking element 70 is in its locked position), in the event of a fault, position control path 58 forces a switching state change. When using switch 50 as a locking switch, it is sufficient, for example, to design position control path 58 with two plateaus connected by a ramp.One of these plateaus, for example a valley plateau, is effective in the ready position and in the locked position of the locking slide 36 and allows the switch 50 to be set to both switching states (closed, open), depending on whether the locking element 70 is in the unlocked position or in the locked position. The other plateau, for example a high plateau, is effective in the fault position of the locking slide 36 and forces the same switching state that the switch 50 assumes in the unlocked position of the locking element 70. In order to control the position control path 58 of the . Figures 2a to 2c To redesign it for the purposes of a locking switch, for example, the high plateau 60 and the ramp 64a can be omitted and instead the valley depression 62 can be extended to the left end of the locking slide 36 in the drawings.

[0041] The locking slide 36 can control not only a switch serving as a door switch or a switch serving as an interlock switch in the event of a fault. It can control both types of switches together. Thus, it is conceivable for the door lock 22 to be equipped with both a door switch and an interlock switch, with the locking slide 36 being able to control each of the two switches in the event of a fault via a separate switch actuating body. The door lock 22 can, for example, comprise an electrical circuit with a circuit configuration as shown in Figure 8 of WO 2006 / 063684 A1.

[0042] We will now turn to the embodiment of the Figures 3a to 4b In these figures, identical or equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals as in the Figures 1 to 2c, but supplemented by a lowercase letter. Unless otherwise stated below, reference is made to the above explanations for explanations of such identical or equivalent elements.

[0043] The door lock 22a according to the embodiment of the Figures 3a to 4bcomprises a locking module 74a, which can be preassembled as a mechanically functional unit and is inserted as a preassembled unit into the lock housing 32a during assembly of the door lock 22a. The rotary gripper 30a and the locking slide 36a are separate components arranged outside the locking module 74a, but are installed together with the locking module 74a in the lock housing 32a. The sliding direction (guide direction) 38a of the locking slide 36a runs obliquely to the rotational axis 34a of the rotary gripper 30a, as shown and described, for example, in the above-mentioned DE 10 2015 002 538 B3. A preload spring 76a, designed as a helical compression spring in the example shown, preloads the locking slide 36a toward the fault position.

[0044] The locking module 74a comprises a module housing 78a which is separate from the locking housing 32a and in which the locking element 70a and two switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a" are accommodated. The locking element 70a and the two switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a" are in the Figures 3a to 3c For reasons of clarity, the locking module 74a is shown in isolation and without the remaining components. In the locked position, the locking element 70a protrudes from the module housing 78a and into the path of movement of the locking slide 36a to prevent it from moving back into the ready position. In the unlocked position, the locking element 70a does not protrude from the module housing 78a, or protrudes less than in the locked position, and allows the locking slide 36a to move back into the ready position.

[0045] In the example shown, the two switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a" both protrude from the module housing 78a on the same housing side as the locking element 70a (see Fig. 4a ). They are used to operate two electrical switches contained in the locking module 74a, which are not shown in detail in the drawings. However, Fig. 4bTwo spring blades 57a', 57a" are visible, each carrying one of the switching contacts of a respective one of the two switches and being liftable by means of the switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a" to open the respective switch. On the locking slide 36a, a position control track 58a is formed, which serves to control the position of the switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a", with several plateaus (high and / or valley plateaus) and ramps. At least some of these plateaus and ramps are used jointly by both switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a". It is understood that, alternatively, separate position control tracks for the two switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a" can be formed on the locking slide 36a. In any case, the locking slide 36a in the embodiment of the Fig. 3a to 4bdesigned to jointly control both switch actuating bodies 52a', 52a" and thus both electrical switches with regard to their switching state. One of the electrical switches can, for example, serve as a door switch, the other as a locking switch, as explained.

[0046] Furthermore, an electromechanical actuator 80a is accommodated in the module housing 78a of the locking module 74a, which is coupled to the locking element 70a via an actuating mechanism, the details of which require no further explanation here. The actuator 80a is formed by an electromagnet in the example shown, but can alternatively comprise, for example, an electric motor.

[0047] Fig. 3a shows the locking slide 36a in its ready position. In Fig. 3bthe locking slide 36a is in its locking position, wherein the closing body 24a is caught in the gripping mouth 42a of the rotary gripper 30a and the locking slide 36a is supported with its stop shoulder 48a on the closing body 24a. Fig. 3c Finally, it shows the locking slide 36a in its faulty position; a wall projection 82a of a housing wall 84a of the breech housing 32a, which projects into the interior of the housing, serves as an abutment against which the locking slide 36a is supported in the faulty position and which prevents further movement of the locking slide 36.

[0048] In the example shown, a torsion spring (leg spring) 86a bistable preloads the rotary gripper 30a into its two rotational positions (open rotation position, closed rotation position). This means that in the open rotation position and in the closed rotation position of the rotary gripper 30a, the torsion spring 86a preloads the rotary gripper 30a against leaving the respective rotational position. Alternatively, embodiments are also conceivable in which the rotary gripper 30a is permanently spring-preloaded toward its open rotational position.

Claims

1. Door lock (22) for an electrical household appliance, comprising a rotatably mounted rotary gripper (30) which, when a door (20) of the household appliance is closed, moves from an open rotational position into a closed rotational position and, in the closed rotational position, holds a closing body (24), which approaches the rotary gripper (30) relatively when the door (20) is closed, in order to keep the door (20) closed, a movably arranged, in particular rectilinearly guided locking element (36) which, when the door (20) is closed, moves out of a standby position in which the locking element (36) is supported on the rotary gripper (30), moves under the effect of a spring bias into a locking position in which the locking element (36) blocks the rotary gripper (30) against rotation into the open rotational position, wherein the locking element (36) is supported on the closing body (24) in the locking position when the door (20) is closed, wherein the locking element (36) is arranged for a movement starting from the standby position beyond the locking position into an fault position, wherein in the closed rotational position of the rotary gripper (30) the spring bias urges the locking element (36) into the fault position in the absence of the closing body (24), characterised in that, the movement of the locking element (36) from the locking position into the fault position forces a defined switching state of at least one electrical switch (50) and in particular of two electrical switches (50), wherein the at least one switch (50) comprises a switch which executes a switching state change depending on the production of a blocking of the locking element (36) against movement from the locking position into the standby position.

2. Door lock (22) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one switch (50) comprises a switch which executes a switching state change depending on the closing of the door (20).

3. Door lock (22) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the locking element (36) comprises position control surfaces (58) for a movably arranged switch actuator (52) in association with at least one of the at least one electrical switch (50).

4. Door lock (22) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking element (36) is supported in the fault position on a housing component of the Door lock (22) or on the rotary gripper (30).

5. Door lock (22) according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a movably arranged bolt element (70) and an electromechanical actuator (80a) for driving the bolt element (70), wherein the bolt element (70) in an bolt unlocked position permits a movement of the locking element (36) from the locking position into the standby position and in a bolt locked position effects a blocking of the locking element (36) against movement from the locking position into the standby position.

6. Door lock (22) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking element (36) is guided movably at an angle to an axis of rotation of the rotary gripper (30) on a housing component of a lock housing (32) of the door lock.

7. Door lock (22) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the locking element (36) is supported in the standby position on an axial side surface of the rotary gripper (30) with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotary gripper (30).

8. Door lock (22) according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a spring device which biases the rotary gripper (30) in its closed rotational position against rotation in the direction of the open rotational position.

9. Door lock (22) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a lock housing (32), in which the rotary gripper (30), the locking element (36) and a locking module (74a) prefabricated as a mechanically functional structural unit are accommodated, the locking module (74a) comprising a module housing (78a), in which an electromechanical actuator (80a), a bolt element (70), which is movably arranged between an unlocking position and a locking position, can be driven by means of the actuator (80a) and serves to block the locking element (36) against movement from the locking position into the standby position, and two movably arranged locking elements (70), which are arranged at least over part of their range of movement, are accommodated, at least over part of their range of movement, projecting out of the module housing (78a), which are designed and arranged for actuating action on a respective electrical switch (50) formed in the locking module (74a), the door lock having a control slide, which is accommodated in the lock housing (32) but is arranged outside the locking module (74a), for controlling the position of both switch actuating bodies 52.

10. Electrical household appliance, in particular laundry treatment appliance, - comprising an appliance main body (12) with a working space formed therein, - a door (20) mounted movably, in particular pivotably, on the main body (12) of the appliance for closing the working chamber, - a door lock (22) according to one of the preceding claims.

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