Household appliance and method for operating

Abstract

Household appliance (1) comprising a housing assembly (2), a treatment chamber (3) with a loading opening (4), a closing device (5) for closing the loading opening (4), and a locking device (6) for the closing device (5), wherein the locking device (6) is arranged section by section in a housing structure (8) of the housing assembly (2). The locking device (6) comprises a locking element (7) displaceable about a pivot axis (9) and a displacement device (10) for the locking element (7), wherein the locking element (7) is displaceable between a closed position (12), an open position (13), and a holding position (14) between the closed position (12) and the open position (13). A seal (11) is associated with the closing device (5). Furthermore, the displacement device (10) is suitable and designed so that the axis of rotation (9) is in a different height position (15, 16, 17) depending on the position (12, 13, 14).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising at least one housing assembly, at least one processing chamber with at least one loading opening, at least one closing device for closing the loading opening, and at least one locking device for the (closed) closing device. The locking device is arranged at least partially within at least one housing structure of the housing assembly, and the locking device comprises at least one locking element displaceable about at least one axis of rotation and at least one displacement device for the locking element. The locking element is displaceable between at least one closed position, at least one open position, and at least one holding position between the closed position and the open position. Furthermore, at least one seal is associated with the closing device.The present invention also relates to a method for operating such a household appliance.

[0002] Household appliances often have a treatment chamber. For example, some cooking appliances include a treatment chamber designed as a cooking area with a loading opening through which food can be added. Other types of household appliances, such as washing machines and refrigerators, also have a treatment chamber. The function of the treatment chamber varies depending on the appliance.

[0003] The treatment rooms are typically closed and locked during operation by a door, flap, cover, and / or other type of closure. Often, a seal is also provided to ensure the best possible seal of the treatment room or the loading opening.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2021 201 949 A1 discloses a cooking drawer which has a cooking tray with a loading opening on the top and a lid to cover the loading opening. The lid is horizontally movable between a closed and an open position.

[0005] Documents US 2003 116 974 A1 and DE 11 2013 000 018 A1 show locking systems for door devices, for example of an oven.

[0006] A disadvantage of common household appliances is that users often have to exert a relatively large amount of force to properly close the treatment chamber. To achieve a good seal, a gasket between the door or lid and the loading opening, or the housing that forms the loading opening, usually needs to be compressed. This requires the user to press against the door or lid with sufficient force at the correct point. This is often uncomfortable, and excessive force can also negatively impact the lifespan of the components.

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a household appliance in which a treatment room can be more conveniently closed by a user.

[0008] This problem is solved by a household appliance having the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating a household appliance having the features of claim 15. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments.

[0009] The household appliance according to the invention comprises at least one housing assembly, at least one treatment chamber with at least one loading opening, at least one closing device for closing the loading opening, and at least one locking device for the (closed) closing device, wherein the locking device is arranged at least partially within at least one housing structure of the housing assembly. The locking device comprises at least one locking element displaceable about at least one axis of rotation and at least one displacement device for the locking element. The locking element is displaceable between at least one closed position, at least one open position, and at least one holding position, which is provided between the closed position and the open position. Furthermore, at least one sealing device is associated with the closing device.The relocation device is suitable and designed to arrange the axis of rotation of the locking element in a different height position depending on the position, or to ensure that the axis of rotation is in a different height position depending on the position.

[0010] A closed position of the locking element is, in particular, a position in which the locking element is engaged with a locking device and the locking device is drawn into the sealing device or is positioned in such a way that the seal is compressed between the feed opening and the locking device.

[0011] In the open position, the locking element is in particular not engaged with the locking device and is preferably swung back so that the locking device can be opened and / or opens automatically or independently, depending on the design.

[0012] The holding position is in particular an engagement position in which the locking element is preferably already engaged with the locking device, but the locking device has not yet been drawn into the seal or the sealing device is not yet or only partially compressed.

[0013] The locking element is, in particular, at least partially provided within the housing assembly or arranged in a housing structure of the housing assembly. The locking element preferably extends, at least partially, through at least one opening in at least one wall of the housing structure from the interior of the housing structure towards the locking device. This makes it possible to provide a locking element that is as concealed as possible and does not negatively affect access to the treatment area or the general handling of the device.

[0014] The pivot point of the locking element is preferably arranged on the effective axis.

[0015] The household appliance according to the invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is that it reduces the strain on the entire system, which in particular simplifies user handling and significantly increases comfort.

[0016] The different positions of the locking element allow the user to require minimal force to lock the appliance. The design allows the user to, for example, only lightly press the locking mechanism closed, so that the locking element is in the holding position. The necessary force to fully close the locking mechanism, pull it into the seal, or compress the sealing mechanism is provided by the displacement mechanism and the locking mechanism itself, enabling the user to close the appliance with minimal effort.

[0017] The special design also increases the service life of the locking mechanism, the seal and / or the hinges, as a defined force can be applied to fully close the locking device.

[0018] In particular, it is provided that a locking device or a cover is initially closed slightly against the seal, whereby a subsequent tightening or displacement of the control element pulls the locking device downwards or in a specific direction into the seal.

[0019] Preferably, the locking element comprises at least one preloading device, wherein the locking element is preloaded at least section by the force of the preloading device in the direction of the closed position. In particular, the locking element is preloaded into the holding position. Such a design makes it possible, for example, for the locking device to be brought into the holding position by a user simply pressing it lightly, since the locking element is preloaded into the holding position and thus, for example, the locking element engages in the locking device.

[0020] The displacement device preferably comprises at least one cam guide for the axis of rotation. The cam guide for the axis of rotation can be oriented upwards or downwards, or substantially vertically, or oriented such that the locking element is moved or, in particular, pulled from the holding position to the closed position by moving the axis of rotation.

[0021] In suitable embodiments, the axis of rotation is located in a lower end position in the cam guide in the lower height position in the closed position, the axis of rotation is located in an upper end position in the cam guide in the upper height position in the open position, and the axis of rotation is located in a middle position in the cam guide in the middle height position in the holding position.

[0022] Preferably, the cam guide is formed in and / or on the housing structure of the housing device. This ensures reliable guidance of the locking element or the axis of rotation.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the locking element is guided, at least partially, within the housing structure. It is especially preferred that the locking element is supported in all necessary directions by or within the housing structure.

[0024] In suitable further developments, the displacement device comprises at least one toggle lever mechanism, wherein the locking element is connected to the toggle lever mechanism at least via the axis of rotation. A toggle lever mechanism is particularly suitable for achieving a corresponding displacement in the desired directions.

[0025] Preferably, the toggle lever mechanism comprises at least one displacement element, which is preferably designed as a partial circle segment.

[0026] Preferably, the displacement element is connected to the axis of rotation via at least one (rotatable) connecting element. This connecting element is also, in particular, part of the toggle lever mechanism.

[0027] In advantageous embodiments, the displacement element has at least one toothed section on a radially outer portion, via which the displacement element can be moved or is moved by means of at least one gear. A radially inner portion of the displacement element then preferably serves as a bearing point or is, for example, rotatably mounted on an axis.

[0028] Preferably, at least one safety device is included which prevents unintentional (upward) movement of the axis of rotation in the closed position. Such a safety device can, in particular, be designed as a lock, which preferably includes at least one stop and is preferably self-locking.

[0029] Preferably, the locking device comprises at least one tab in the displacement element which, in the closed position, engages at least partially around the axis of rotation. By engaging the axis of rotation with the displacement element, movement of the axis of rotation within the cam guide can be effectively prevented.

[0030] Particularly preferred is at least one sensor system which is suitable and configured to check whether the locking element is in the closed position, the holding position and / or the open position. Such a sensor system may, for example, include at least one contact switch and / or other sensors.

[0031] Preferably, the household appliance is designed as a cooking drawer, with the treatment space being designed as a cooking chamber and the closing device being designed as a (swivelable) lid.

[0032] The inventive method for operating a household appliance, as described above. A user closes the locking device (lightly) so that the locking element is in the holding position and engaged with the locking device, the locking element then being moved into the closed position by means of the displacement device.

[0033] The household appliance according to the invention also offers the advantages that have already been described previously regarding the household appliance according to the invention.

[0034] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0035] The figures show: Figure 1 is a purely schematic representation of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention in a side view; Figure 2 is a further purely schematic representation of the embodiment according to Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a further purely schematic representation of the embodiment according to Figure 1Figure 4 is a purely schematic representation of a locking device in a household appliance according to the invention in (partially) cutaway side view; and Figure 5 is a purely schematic representation of a locking device in a household appliance according to the invention with a locking element in different positions in three (partially) cutaway side views.

[0036] In the Figures 1 to 3 The same embodiment of a household appliance 1 according to the invention is shown purely schematically, wherein the locking device 5 and the locking element 7 are in different positions.

[0037] The household appliance 1 shown here is designed as a cooking appliance 200, with a cooking drawer 100 being depicted. The appliance comprises a housing 2 in which a cooking chamber 3 with a loading opening 4 is formed. Depending on the design of the household appliance 1, the cooking chamber 3 can be loaded via the loading opening 4. If the household appliance 1 is designed as a cooking appliance 200, as in the illustrated embodiment, here as a cooking drawer 100, the cooking chamber 3 is accordingly designed as a cooking chamber 101, with the closing device 5 in this illustrated embodiment being a pivoting lid 102. The cooking chamber 101 can then be loaded with food via the loading opening 4.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, a locking device 6 is provided on the side opposite the pivot axis 33 of the locking device 5, which is arranged within a housing structure 8 of the housing structure 2. The locking device 6 comprises a locking element 7 for locking the locking device 5 or the cover 102, wherein the locking element 7 extends through an opening 34 in the wall 35 of the housing structure 8 from the interior 36 of the housing structure 8 towards the locking device 5.

[0039] In Figure 1 An open position 13 is shown in which the locking device 6 or the locking element 7 has released the locking device 5 or the cover 102, so that the cover 101 pivots upwards. In this open position 13, the locking element 7 is pivoted back almost entirely into the interior 11 of the housing structure 8.

[0040] In Figure 2A so-called holding position 14 is shown, in which the closing device 5 or the cover 102 is already closed and held by the control element 7, but a seal 11 arranged between the feed opening 4 and the closing device 5 is not yet or only partially compressed.

[0041] In Figure 3 A so-called closed position 12 is shown, in which the locking element 7, as already in the holding position 14, is pivoted forward in the direction of the locking device 5 out of the interior 36 of the housing structure 8, wherein in the closed position 12 the locking element 7 is shifted slightly downwards, so that the seal 11 between the locking device 5 and the loading opening 4 or housing device 2 is compressed.

[0042] Thus, in the embodiment shown here, the locking element 7 moves at least forwards and backwards and upwards and downwards. To achieve this, the locking device 6 includes a correspondingly designed displacement device 10.

[0043] In Figure 4 The figure shown is a purely schematic embodiment of a locking device 6 according to the invention in a side view, wherein the locking device 6 is arranged here in a housing structure 8 of the housing device 2 of the household appliance 1 according to the invention.

[0044] The locking element 7 of the locking device engages, as previously described, through an opening 34 in a wall 35 of the housing structure 8 from the interior 36 of the housing structure 8 towards a locking device 5 to be locked. This opening 34, in conjunction with the locking element 7, can preferably be sealed by a sealing device 37, so that, in particular, no moisture can penetrate through the opening 34 into the interior 36 of the housing structure 8.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking element is in the holding position 14. In this position 14, the pivot axis 9 of the locking element 7 is arranged in a central position 22 in a cam guide 19 of a toggle lever mechanism 23 provided here. The further design is described in Figure 5 shown in detail.

[0046] In Figure 4It is further shown that a sensor 32 is provided which detects the position 12, 13, 14 of the locking element 7. Certain functionalities of the household appliance 1 can be linked to such detection or to a position 12, 13, 14 of the locking element 7 thus determined. For example, the operation of the household appliance 1 can only be enabled when it is ensured that the locking element 7 is in the closed position 7 or that the locking device 5 is properly closed. Other functionalities, in particular for releasing the locking device, can also be linked to the detection of position 12, 13, 14 by means of a sensor 32. In the illustrated embodiment, a lever is provided which can actuate a microswitch.

[0047] In Figure 5Three different positions of a locking element 7 of a locking device 6 for a household appliance 1 according to the invention are shown purely schematically in a side view.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the locking device 5 comprises, in addition to the locking device 6, a preloading device 18, which here is designed as a spring, by means of which the locking element 7 is preloaded in the direction of the closed position 12 or the holding position 14.

[0049] In the left illustration, the locking element 7 is shown in the open position 13, while the holding position 14 of the locking element 7 is shown in the middle illustration and the closed position 12 in the right illustration.

[0050] For moving the locking element 7 back and forth, and here for raising and lowering it, a toggle lever mechanism 23 with a displacement element 24 is provided in the illustrated embodiment. The toggle lever mechanism 23 or the displacement element 24 is connected to the locking element 7 or the pivot axes 9 of the locking element 7 via a connecting element 26.

[0051] In the embodiment shown here, the displacement element 24 is provided as a pitch circle segment 25, wherein the pitch circle segment 25 has a toothing 28 on a radially outer section 27, which here interacts with a driven gear 29, thus enabling automatic or automated movement of the locking element 7. The displacement element 24 is rotatably mounted about an axis 39 on a radially inner section 38.

[0052] Furthermore, it is shown that the axis of rotation 9 is provided in a lower height position 15 in the closed position 12 in a lower end position 20 in a cam guide 19, wherein the cam guide 19 is formed here in or on the housing structure 8.

[0053] This cam guide 19 defines and specifies an upward and downward movement of the locking element 7 depending on the position 12, 13, 14, so that the locking element 7 is moved downwards in the closed position 12 by the toggle lever mechanism 23, whereby the locking element 7 pulls the locking device 5 or the cover 102 into the seal 11, or compresses it.

[0054] Depending on the design, a different orientation of the cam guide 19 may be provided, for example, if the household appliance 1 is designed as an oven. In that case, the locking element 7 must preferably be pulled approximately horizontally from the holding position to the closed position.

[0055] In the middle view, the locking element 7 is shown in the holding position 14, with the axis of rotation 9 in a middle height position 17 in the cam guide 19 in a middle position 22.

[0056] The left illustration shows the raised and retracted position of the locking element 7, namely the open position 13, in which the axis of rotation 9 is in an upper height position 16 in an upper end position 21 in the cam guide 19.

[0057] Furthermore, it is shown that a locking device 30 can be provided, which here is provided by a tab 31 in the displacement element 24. If the displacement element 24 is displaced such that the locking element 7 is in the closed position 12, the tab 31 engages the axis of rotation 9 of the locking element 7, so that the vertical position of the locking element 7 is fixed. Reference symbol list

[0058] 1 Household appliance 2 Housing assembly 3 Treatment chamber 4 Loading opening 5 Locking device 6 Latch assembly 7 Latch element 8 Housing structure 9 Rotary axis 10 Displacement device 11 Seal 12 Closed position 13 Open position 14 Holding position 15 Lower height position 16 Upper height position 17 Middle height position 18 Preloading device 19 Slide guide 20 Lower end position 21 Upper end position 22 Middle position 23 Toggle mechanism 24 Displacement element 25 Pitch circle segment 26 Connecting element 27 Radial outer section 28 Toothing 29 Gear 30 Safety device 31 Tab 32 Sensor 33 Swivel axis 34 Opening 35 Wall 36 Inner of 8 37 Sealing device 38 Radial inner section 39 Axis 100 Cooking drawer 101 Cooking chamber 102 Lid

Claims

1. Household appliance (1) comprising at least one housing assembly (2), at least one treatment chamber (3) with at least one loading opening (4), at least one closing device (5) for closing the loading opening (4) and at least one locking device (6) for the (closed) closing device (5), wherein the locking device (6) is arranged at least sectionally in at least one housing structure (8) of the housing assembly (2), wherein the locking device (6) comprises at least one locking element (7) displaceable about at least one axis of rotation (9) and at least one displacement device (10) for the locking element (7), wherein the locking element (7) is displaceable between at least one closed position (12), at least one open position (13) and at least one holding position (14) between the closed position (12) and the open position (13), and wherein at least one seal (11) is associated with the closing device (5), characterized by that the displacement device (10) is suitable and designed to arrange the axis of rotation (9) in different height positions (15, 16, 17) depending on the position (12, 13, 14).

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the locking device (6) comprises at least one preloading device (18) and wherein the locking element (7) is preloaded at least sectionally in the direction of the closed position (12) by the force of the preloading device (18).

3. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement device (10) comprises at least one cam guide (19) for the axis of rotation (9).

4. Household appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the axis of rotation (9) in the closed position (13) is in a lower end position (20) in the cam guide (19) in the lower height position (15), wherein the axis of rotation (9) in the open position (13) is in an upper end position (21) in the upper height position (16) and / or wherein the axis of rotation (9) in the holding position (14) is in a middle position (22) in the cam guide (19) in the middle height position (18).

5. Household appliance (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the cam guide (19) is formed in and / or on the housing structure (8).

6. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking element (7) is guided in the housing structure (8).

7. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement device (10) comprises at least one toggle lever mechanism (23), wherein the locking element (7) is connected to the toggle lever mechanism (23) at least via the axis of rotation (9).

8. Household appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the toggle lever mechanism (23) comprises at least one displacement element (24) which is designed as a partial circle segment (25).

9. Household appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the displacement element (24) is connected to the axis of rotation (9) via at least one connecting element (26), in particular rotatably.

10. Household appliance (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the displacement element (24) has at least one toothing (28) on a radially outer section (27) over which the displacement element (24) is moved by means of a gear (29).

11. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one safety device (30) which prevents an unintentional movement of the axis of rotation (9), in particular upward movement of the axis of rotation (9), in the closed position (12).

12. Household appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the locking device (30) comprises at least one tab (31) in the displacement element (24) which engages at least sectionally around the axis of rotation (9) in the closed position (12).

13. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one sensor (32) which is suitable and designed to check whether the locking element (7) is in the closed position (12), the holding position (14) or the open position (13).

14. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1) is designed as a cooking drawer (100), wherein the treatment chamber (3) is designed as a cooking chamber (101) and the closing device (5) is designed as a lid (102), in particular a pivotable lid.

15. Method for operating a household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a user closes the locking device (5), in particular lightly, so that the locking element (7) is in the holding position (14) in engagement with the locking device (5) and that the locking element (7) is subsequently moved into the closed position (12) by means of the displacement device (10).

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