Laundry care appliance with a locking element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry care appliance (100) with an appliance housing (103) which defines an interior space (105) and which has a housing opening (109), and an appliance door (107) which is designed to close the housing opening (109) in a closed state, wherein the appliance door (107) has an interior door area (113) which, in the closed state of the appliance door (107), extends through the housing opening (109) into the interior space (105), and wherein the appliance door (107) has an exterior door surface (111) which defines the exterior of the appliance door (107), wherein the exterior door surface (111) and the interior door surface (113) define a receiving area (115) arranged within the appliance door (107), and wherein the exterior door surface (111) has a pivotable opening area (117) to allow a user of the laundry care appliance (100) To allow access to the admissions area (115).The laundry care appliance (100) has a locking element (119) which is arranged and designed on the pivotable opening area (117) in a closed state of the pivotable opening area (117) to lock the pivotable opening area (117) to the inside of the door (113), wherein the locking element (119) has a release and opening element (121) which can be actuated by a user of the laundry care appliance (100) in order to unlock the door lock in the closed state of the pivotable opening area (117) and which is accessible to the user after unlocking the door lock in order to open the pivotable opening area (117).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry care appliance with a locking element.

[0002] In conventional laundry care appliances, the appliance door has a curved inner door area which, when the appliance door is closed, extends through the housing opening into the interior of the appliance. Between the inner door area and an outer side of the appliance door there is a cavity which is not usually used in conventional laundry care appliances, even though the cavity has a sufficiently large volume to store laundry care substances, for example. In order to store laundry care substances in the cavity, however, it is necessary for a user of the laundry care appliance to have access to the corresponding cavity within the appliance door from the outside of the door in order to, for example, store laundry care substances in the cavity or to remove laundry care substances from the cavity.

[0003] EP 3 502 335 A1 discloses a washing machine with a plurality of containers in a door.

[0004] It is the object underlying the invention to provide a laundry care appliance in which advantageous access to an interior of the appliance door of the laundry care appliance can be obtained.

[0005] This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the object of the invention is achieved by a laundry care appliance having a appliance housing which delimits an interior space of the appliance and which has a housing opening, and an appliance door which is designed to close the housing opening in a closed state, wherein the appliance door has an interior door region which, when the appliance door is in the closed state, extends through the housing opening into the interior space of the appliance, and wherein the appliance door has an exterior door side which delimits the exterior of the appliance door, wherein the exterior door side and the interior door region delimit a receiving area arranged within the appliance door, and wherein the exterior door side has a pivotable opening area to allow a user of the laundry care appliance access to the receiving area, wherein the laundry care appliance has a locking element which is arranged and designed on the pivotable opening area,in a closed state of the pivotable opening area, to lock the pivotable opening area to the door interior, wherein the locking element has an unlocking and opening element which can be actuated by a user of the laundry care appliance to unlock the door lock in the closed state of the pivotable opening area and which can be grasped by the user after unlocking the door lock to open the pivotable opening area.

[0007] This achieves the technical advantage that the locking element, on the one hand, enables a secure closure for the pivoting opening area in the closed state, and that by actuating the unlocking and opening element, the lock can be released in order to open the pivoting opening area and provide the user with access to the receiving area inside the appliance door.

[0008] The unlocking and opening element combines two functions in one component. The first functionality of the unlocking and opening element comprises an unlocking function activated by the user. The second functionality of the unlocking and opening element comprises an opening function, which is achieved by the user being able to grasp the unlocking and opening element after activating the unlocking function in order to open the pivoting opening area by folding it open.

[0009] The locking element thus combines a simplified concept that is easy to integrate into the pivoting opening area, enabling secure locking to prevent unauthorized access to the storage area, for example, by children, so that appropriate laundry care products can be safely stored there. On the other hand, the unlocking and opening element ensures an ergonomically advantageous way to unlock and open the pivoting opening area.

[0010] A laundry care appliance is a device used for laundry care, such as a washing machine or a washer-dryer. In particular, such a laundry care appliance is a household laundry care appliance. That is, a laundry care appliance used in household management and used to treat laundry in normal household quantities.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the unlocking and opening element is pivotally mounted in the locking element, and the unlocking and opening element can be transferred between a locking state and an unlocking state by actuation of the user of the laundry care appliance, wherein the unlocking and opening element is pivotally mounted in particular by a pin on an element holder of the locking element.

[0012] This achieves the technical advantage that the pivoting mounting of the unlocking and opening element enables easy transition between the locked and unlocked states. When activated by the user, the unlocking and opening element, which is in the locked state, is pivoted upwards and transferred into the unlocked state. In the unlocked state, the unlocking and opening element is graspable by the user, allowing the user to effectively open the pivoting opening element.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the unlocking and opening element has at least one locking projection, in particular a locking hook, which is designed to engage behind a locking contour of the door inner region in order to lock the pivotable opening region to the door inner region in the closed state of the pivotable opening region, wherein the unlocking and opening element has an unlocking region which can be actuated by the user of the laundry care appliance in order to release the engagement of the at least one locking projection, in particular a locking hook, behind the locking contour of the door inner region.

[0014] This achieves the technical advantage that the locking projection of the unlocking and opening element can effectively engage behind the locking contour of the interior of the door, ensuring effective door locking. If the user activates the unlocking area of ​​the unlocking and opening element, the door lock can be unlocked.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the unlocking and opening element has a gripping area which can be grasped by the user of the laundry care appliance in order to open the pivotable opening area after unlocking the door lock, wherein the gripping area is arranged in particular at an end of the unlocking and opening element opposite the unlocking area.

[0016] This achieves the technical advantage that the gripping area provides an effective point of engagement for the user to grasp and open the pivoting opening area. In particular, after the user has actuated the unlocking area, the unlocking area located at the opposite end of the unlocking and opening element pivots outward to be grasped by the user, and after the door lock is unlocked, the pivoting opening area is opened.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the unlocking area can be displaced along a first pressure direction when actuated by the user in order to unlock the locking of the pivotable opening area on the door interior area, and by displacing the unlocking area along the first pressure direction, the grip area can be displaced along a second pulling direction opposite to the first pressure direction and can be grasped by the user in order to open the pivotable opening area after unlocking the door lock.

[0018] This achieves the technical advantage that the interplay between the unlocking area and the handle area allows both unlocking and opening of the pivoting opening area to be carried out effectively. If the user presses against the unlocking area along the first pressure direction, the door lock is unlocked and the unlocking and opening element pivots open. The user can then grasp the handle area and pull the pivoting opening element open along the second pull direction, opposite to the first pressure direction.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking element has a spring element which is designed to apply a force to the unlocking and opening element in order to lock the pivotable opening area to the door interior area in the closed state of the pivotable opening area.

[0020] This achieves the technical advantage that the spring element ensures effective engagement of the door lock in the closed state of the pivoting opening area.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking element has an element holder which is fastened to the pivotable opening area, in particular to a recess in the pivotable opening area, wherein the unlocking and opening element is mounted displaceably, in particular pivotably, on the element holder.

[0022] This achieves the technical advantage that the element holder ensures an effective attachment point for the unlocking and opening element on the pivoting opening area.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the element holder has a holder projection which is designed to engage behind a contour of the pivotable opening area in order to fasten the element holder to the pivotable opening area.

[0024] This achieves the technical advantage that the mounting projection ensures effective fastening of the element mounting to the pivoting opening area.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the element holder has a first holder element which is arranged on an outer side of the pivotable opening area facing away from the door inner area, and the element holder has a second holder element which is arranged on an inner side of the pivotable opening area facing the door inner area, and wherein the first and second holder elements are connected to one another in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner.

[0026] This achieves the technical advantage that the two mounting elements can provide advantageous element mounting.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the door interior region has a locking recess which extends in the direction of the pivotable opening region, and wherein a locking contour which can be engaged behind by the locking element is arranged in the locking recess.

[0028] This achieves the technical advantage that the locking contour arranged in the locking recess can be effectively engaged behind by the locking element.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the pivotable opening area comprises an upper area of ​​the outside of the door facing the top of the device, and the locking element is arranged on the upper area of ​​the outside of the door facing the top of the device.

[0030] This provides the technical advantage of providing the user with ergonomically optimal access to the pivoting opening area.

[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the pivotable opening area can be converted from the closed state into an open state by rotation along a horizontal axis of rotation extending through the outside of the door.

[0032] This provides the technical advantage of effectively opening the pivoting opening area.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the pivotable opening area has a rotary hinge which extends along the horizontal axis of rotation.

[0034] This achieves the technical advantage that the rotary hinge ensures easy opening of the pivoting opening area.

[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, the door interior area is designed as a curved door interior area which, when the appliance door is closed, extends through the housing opening into the appliance interior.

[0036] This achieves the technical advantage that the curvature of the interior of the appliance door ensures an advantageously large volume of the receiving area within the appliance door.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance has a storage container for storing laundry care substance, wherein the storage container is arranged in the receiving area.

[0038] This provides the technical advantage of ensuring effective and safe storage of items, such as laundry care products, in the receiving area.

[0039] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0040] They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a laundry care appliance; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a door of a laundry care appliance with a pivotable opening area locked by a locking element; Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the Fig. 2 illustrated locking element in exploded view; Figs. 4A, 4B a schematic view of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown locking element in closed position or open position; Fig. 5 a schematic interior view of the Fig. 2 shown appliance door; and Fig. 6 a sectional view of the Fig. 2 shown appliance door.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care appliance 100, such as a washing machine. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a dispenser tray 101, into which laundry care substance, in particular detergent or other liquid substances, can be poured. The laundry care appliance 100 has a device housing 103, which has a Fig. 1 The laundry care appliance 100 has a door 107 which is shown in the diagrammatically Fig. 1 shown closed state closes a housing opening 109 for loading the laundry care appliance 100 with laundry.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an appliance door of a laundry care appliance with a pivoting opening area locked by a locking element.

[0043] The Fig. 2 The appliance door 107 shown in a closed state has a door outer side 111 which delimits the appliance door 107 on the outside, wherein the door outer side 111 is delimited by a surrounding door frame 112. The appliance door 107 has a Fig. 2 not visible and therefore schematically shown door interior area 113, which extends when the appliance door 107 is closed through the housing opening 109 into the only schematically shown appliance interior 105 of the laundry care appliance 100.

[0044] For further details on the interior door area 113, please refer to the following figures.

[0045] The door outer side 111 and the door inner area 113 delimit a receiving area 115 arranged within the appliance door 107, in which a storage container 118 for storing laundry care substance is arranged.

[0046] In order to allow the user of the laundry care appliance 100 access to the receiving area 115, for example to introduce laundry care substance into the receiving area 115 or into the storage container 118 for storage, or to remove it from the receiving area 115 or the storage container 118 for use, the door outer side 111 has a pivotable opening area 117.

[0047] A locking element 119 is arranged and formed on the pivotable opening area 117, in which Fig. 2 illustrated closed state of the pivotable opening area 117, to lock the pivotable opening area 117 to the door inner area 113.

[0048] The locking element 119 has a Fig. 2 Due to the illustration, it is difficult to recognize an unlocking and opening element 121, which can be actuated by a user of the laundry care appliance 100 in order to Fig. 2 shown closed state of the pivotable opening area 117 to unlock the door lock and which is accessible to the user after unlocking the door lock in order to open the pivotable opening area 117.

[0049] After unlocking the door lock, the unlocking and opening element 121 is accessible to the user to open the pivoting opening area 117. In this case, the pivoting opening area 117 is Fig. 2 shown closed state into one in Fig. 2 not shown opening state by a rotation along a horizontal rotation axis 123 extending through the door outer side 111. Here, the pivotable opening area 117 has a rotary hinge 127 which extends along the horizontal rotation axis 123. The corresponding rotation direction 125 for opening or unfolding the pivotable opening area 117 is shown in Fig. 2 shown.

[0050] For further details on the locking element 119, reference is made to the following figures.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the Fig. 2 illustrated locking element in exploded view.

[0052] The Fig. 3 The locking element 119 shown has an element holder 129 which is fixed to the Fig. 3 pivotable opening region 117 (not shown). The element holder 129 has a first holder element 131, which is arranged on an outer side of the pivotable opening region 117 facing away from the door inner region 113, and the element holder 129 has a second holder element 133, which is arranged on an inner side of the pivotable opening region 117 facing the door inner region 113.

[0053] As from the Fig. 3 As can be seen, the first and second support elements 131, 133 are connected to one another by three screws 135 within the framework of a force-locking connection. Alternatively, however, a material-locking or form-locking connection between the first and second support elements 131, 133 or a one-piece construction of the first and second support elements 131, 133 would also be possible.

[0054] From the Fig. 3 furthermore, a mounting projection 137 of the element holder 129 emerges, which is designed to Fig. 3 not shown contour of the pivotable opening area 117 in order to fasten the element holder 129 to the pivotable opening area 117.

[0055] The locking element 119 further comprises an unlocking and opening element 121, which is pivotally mounted on the element holder 129, in particular by a pin 139.

[0056] The unlocking and opening element 121 has at least one locking projection 141, in particular locking hook, which is designed to have a Fig. 3 to engage behind the locking contour of the door inner region 113 (not shown) in order to lock the pivotable opening region 117 to the door inner region 113 in the closed state of the pivotable opening region 117.

[0057] The unlocking and opening element 121 further comprises an unlocking region 143 which can be actuated by the user of the laundry care appliance 100 in order to release the rear grip of the at least one locking projection 141, in particular locking hook, behind the locking contour of the door inner region 113.

[0058] The unlocking area 143 can be displaced along a first pressure direction 145 when actuated by the user in order to release the locking of the pivotable opening area 117 on the door inner area 113.

[0059] The unlocking and opening element 121 further comprises a gripping region 147 which can be grasped by the user of the laundry care appliance 100 in order to open the pivotable opening region 117 after releasing the door lock, wherein the gripping region 147 is arranged in particular at an end of the unlocking and opening element 121 opposite the unlocking region 143.

[0060] By displacing the unlocking region 143 along the first pressure direction 145, the grip region 147 can be displaced along a second pulling direction 149 opposite the first pressure direction 145 and can be grasped by the user in order to open the pivotable opening region 117 after releasing the lock.

[0061] The locking element 119 further comprises a spring element 151 which is designed to apply a force to the unlocking and opening element 121 in order to lock the pivotable opening area 117 to the door inner area 113 in the closed state of the pivotable opening area 117.

[0062] For further details on locking and unlocking the pivoting opening area 117, reference is made to the following figures.

[0063] The Figuren 4A und 4B show a schematic view of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown locking element in the closed or open position.

[0064] In the Fig. 4A In the closed position of the locking element 119 shown, the unlocking and opening element 121 is not actuated by the user, and the spring force of the spring element 151 generates a restoring force which holds the unlocking and opening element 121 in the Fig. 4A shown vertical position, and ensures locking of the locking element 119 on the door interior area 113.

[0065] In the Fig. 4B In the open position shown, the user actuates the unlocking and opening element 121 by pressing against the unlocking area 143 along the first pressure direction 145, so that the lock is released. By pivoting the unlocking and opening element 121 about a horizontal axis of rotation along the Fig. 4B By means of the pin 139 (not shown), the gripping region 147 is displaced along a second pulling direction 149 opposite to the first pressure direction 145 and can be grasped by the user in order to open the pivotable opening region 117 or to fold it forward after the lock has been released.

[0066] Fig. 5 shows a schematic interior view of the Fig. 2 shown appliance door.

[0067] From the Fig. 5 the inside of the door 113 of the appliance door 107 can be seen, which is curved in the Fig. 5 extends into the not-shown interior compartment 105 of the laundry care appliance 100. The locking element 119 arranged on the opposite outer side 111 of the door is shown schematically.

[0068] From the Fig. 5 It can be seen that the door inner region 113 has a locking recess 153 which extends in the direction of the pivotable opening region 117, and wherein a locking contour 155, which is engaged behind by the locking element 119, is arranged in the locking recess 153.

[0069] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the Fig. 2 shown appliance door.

[0070] From the Fig. 6 It can be seen that when the unlocking and opening element 121 is actuated, the locking contour 155, which is engaged behind by the locking element 119, is released in the locking recess 153 of the door interior region 113, so that the pivotable opening region 117 can then be opened by the user by means of the handle region 147 of the unlocking and opening element 121.

[0071] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0072] The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. Bezugszeichenliste

[0073] 100 Laundry care appliance 101 Dispensing tray 103 Appliance housing 105 Appliance interior 107 Appliance door 109 Housing opening 111 Outside door 112 All-round door frame 113 Inside door 115 Holding area 117 Pivoting opening area 118 Storage container 119 Locking element 121 Unlocking and opening element 123 Horizontal rotation axis 125 Rotation direction 127 Pivoting hinge 129 Element holder 131 First holder element 133 Second holder element 135 Screw 137 Holder projection 139 Pin 141 Locking projection 143 Unlocking area 145 First push direction 147 Grip area 149 Second pull direction 151 Spring element 153Locking recess 155Locking contour

Claims

1. A laundry care appliance (100) comprising an appliance housing (103) which delimits an interior space (105) of the appliance and which has a housing opening (109), and an appliance door (107) which is designed to close the housing opening (109) in a closed state, wherein the appliance door (107) has an interior region (113) which, in the closed state of the appliance door (107), extends through the housing opening (109) into the interior space (105), and wherein the appliance door (107) has an exterior side (111) which delimits the exterior of the appliance door (107), wherein the exterior side (111) and the interior region (113) delimit a receiving region (115) arranged within the appliance door (107), and wherein the exterior side (111) has a pivotable opening region (117) in order to provide a user of the laundry care appliance (100) to allow access to the receiving area (115), characterized in thatthe laundry care appliance (100) has a locking element (119) which is arranged on the pivotable opening area (117) and is designed to lock the pivotable opening area (117) to the door inner area (113) when the pivotable opening area (117) is in a closed state, wherein the locking element (119) has an unlocking and opening element (121) which can be actuated by a user of the laundry care appliance (100) in order to unlock the door lock in the closed state of the pivotable opening area (117) and which can be grasped by the user after the door lock has been unlocked in order to open the pivotable opening area (117).

2. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe unlocking and opening element (121) is pivotally mounted in the locking element (119) and can be transferred between a locking state and an unlocking state by actuation of the user of the laundry care appliance (100), wherein the unlocking and opening element (121) is pivotally mounted in particular by a pin (139) on an element holder (129) of the locking element (119).

3. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe unlocking and opening element (121) has at least one locking projection (141), in particular a locking hook, which is designed to engage behind a locking contour (155) of the door inner region (113) in order to lock the pivotable opening region (117) to the door inner region (113) in the closed state of the pivotable opening region (117), wherein the unlocking and opening element (121) has an unlocking region (143) which can be actuated by the user of the laundry care appliance (100) in order to release the engagement of the at least one locking projection (141), in particular a locking hook, behind the locking contour (155) of the door inner region (113).

4. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe unlocking and opening element (121) has a gripping area (147) which can be grasped by the user of the laundry care appliance (100) in order to open the pivotable opening area (117) after unlocking the door lock, wherein the gripping area (147) is arranged in particular at an end of the unlocking and opening element (121) opposite the unlocking area (143).

5. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe unlocking area (143) is displaceable along a first pressure direction (145) when actuated by the user in order to unlock the locking of the pivotable opening area (117) on the door interior area (113), and that by displacing the unlocking area (143) along the first pressure direction (145), the grip area (147) is displaceable along a second pulling direction (149) opposite the first pressure direction (145) and can be grasped by the user in order to open the pivotable opening area (117) after unlocking the door lock.

6. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (119) has a spring element (151) which is designed to apply a force to the unlocking and opening element (121) in order to lock the pivotable opening area (117) to the door inner area (113) in the closed state of the pivotable opening area (117).

7. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (119) has an element holder (129) which is fastened to the pivotable opening area (117), in particular to a recess in the pivotable opening area (117), wherein the unlocking and opening element (121) is mounted displaceably, in particular pivotably, on the element holder (129).

8. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the element holder (129) has a holder projection (137) which is designed to engage behind a contour of the pivotable opening region (117) in order to fasten the element holder (129) to the pivotable opening region (117).

9. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in thatthe element holder (129) has a first holder element (131) which is arranged on an outer side of the pivotable opening area (117) facing away from the door inner area (113), and that the element holder (129) has a second holder element (133) which is arranged on an inner side of the pivotable opening area (117) facing the door inner area (113), and wherein the first and second holder elements (131, 133) are connected to one another in a form-fitting, force-fitting or material-fitting manner.

10. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door inner region (113) has a locking recess (153) which extends in the direction of the pivotable opening region (117), and wherein a locking contour (155) which can be engaged behind by the locking element (119) is arranged in the locking recess (153).

11. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotable opening area (117) comprises an upper area of ​​the door outer side (111) facing the top of the device, and wherein the locking element (119) is arranged on the upper area of ​​the door outer side (111) facing the top of the device.

12. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivotable opening area (117) can be converted from the closed state into an open state by rotation along a horizontal rotation axis (123) extending through the outside of the door.

13. Laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the pivotable opening area (117) has a rotary hinge (127) which extends along the horizontal axis of rotation (123).

14. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe door inner region (113) is designed as a curved door inner region (113) which, when the appliance door (107) is in the closed state, extends through the housing opening (109) into the appliance interior (105).

15. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance (100) has a storage container (118) for storing laundry care substance, wherein the storage container (118) is arranged in the receiving area (115).

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