A door locking arrangement for a dishwasher machine
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GORENJE GOSPODINJSKI APARATI DOO
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing dishwasher machine door lock mechanisms are complex and costly, failing to provide a simple and cost-efficient solution for preventing door opening during operation, which is necessary for safety and sanitary reasons.
A locking arrangement featuring a pair of clamping members that can be moved sideways to secure or release a lock element, combined with a locking plate that moves vertically in response to sideways movement of a sliding member, allowing for a secure and easy-to-operate door lock mechanism.
The solution provides a reliable and cost-efficient safety door lock for dishwasher machines, ensuring the door remains closed during operation while maintaining a simple and efficient design.
Smart Images
Figure EP2023077448_10042025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] A door locking arrangement for a dishwasher machine
[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention relates to a locking arrangement for locking a door of a dishwasher machine. The invention also relates to a dishwasher machine provided with such a locking arrangement.
[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Dishwasher machines typically comprises a washing chamber, a door providing access to the washing chamber, and a lock mechanism arranged to hold the door in a closed position during operation of the dishwasher machine. The lock mechanism often comprises a main lock structure arranged at an upper front side of the main body of the dishwasher machine and a pin or other element arranged on the door in a position corresponding to that of the main lock structure when the door is closed. A common type of main lock structure includes a pair of clamping members arranged to provide a secure grip around the element provided on the door.
[0006] Normally, the dishwasher machine is designed in such a way that it is possible to open the door during operation of the dishwasher machine, which then stops or is set in a stand-by mode and until the door is closed and the machine continues its operation. However, sometimes it is desired to prevent opening of the door during operation for safety reasons, for instance as a child lock or to prevent any user from opening the door because the temperature is very high and may cause bums to a person opening the door. It may also be that the machine operates according to a special sanitary washing procedure, e.g. at a medical laboratory, where opening of the door during operation may affect the washing process in a negative way.
[0007] CN1 12842213A discloses a safety door lock where a pair of clamp members (“jaws”) are prevented from moving freely when the door lock is set in a locked state. The door lock of CN112842213A also provides for opening the door under special conditions without damaging the door lock. Although the safety lock of CN112842213A may suitable for certain dishwasher machines, it has a rather complex structure and there is a need for a more simple and cost-efficient safety door lock structure.
[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention concerns a locking arrangement for locking a door of a dishwasher machine, the locking arrangement comprising:
[0010] - a pair of clamping members configured to be moveable towards and away from each other in a sideways direction, the clamping members further being configured to i) be set in a locked position where the clamping members are located sufficiently close to each other to provide a secure grip onto or around a lock element adapted to be inserted between the clamping members, and ii) be set in an unlocked position where the clamping members are located further away from each other than in the locked position so as to allow release of the lock element;
[0011] - a locking plate configured to be movable in an upwards-downwards direction towards and away from the clamping members, wherein the locking plate is configured to be set in a first (lower) position where an obstruction part of the locking plate is located in the vicinity of an outer side of at least one of the clamping members so as to prevent the obstructed clamping member to move from its locked position to its unlocked position, and wherein the locking plate is configured to be set in a second (upper) position that is further away from the clamping members so that the obstruction part no longer prevents movement of any of the clamping members;
[0012] - a sliding member arranged i association with the locking plate and being configured to be movable in the sideways direction, wherein the locking plate and the sliding member are provided with a guiding structure arranged to provide upwards-downwards movement of the locking plate in response to sideways movement of the sliding member. Typically, the locking arrangement is arranged at a top section of the dishwasher with the clamping members arranged side by side in a horizontal plane. The lock element is then arranged onto the dishwasher door. The locking arrangement according to above is thus in short provided with a locking plate that, due to the guiding structure, is moved in a vertical direction when moving the sliding member in the sideways / horizontal direction. When the locking plate is set in its first (lower) position it prevents at least one of the clamping members from releasing its grip onto the lock element. To release the clamping members and unlock the locking arrangement, the sliding member is moved sideways so as to move the locking plate upwards.
[0013] The above locking arrangement has a relatively simple structure and provides for a reliable and cost-efficient safety door lock.
[0014] In an embodiment, the guiding structure comprises at least a first pair of guide pin and guide slot, wherein the guide slot is adapted to receive and guide movement of the guide pin, wherein the guide slot extends both in the sideways direction as well as in the upwards-downwards direction so that the locking plate can be moved between its first (lower) and second (upper) positions by moving the sliding member sideways between corresponding first and second side positions.
[0015] In an embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises a drive arrangement configured to move the sliding member sideways between its first and second side positions. The drive arrangement may in turn comprise e.g. a toothed wheel connected to an electric motor or a linear actuator. If a linear actuator is used it may be connected to the sliding member so as to directly transmit its linear movement in the sideways direction or it may be oriented in another direction and be connected to the sliding member via a bevel gear.
[0016] In an embodiment, the drive arrangement comprises a toothed wheel operatively connected to a motor, wherein the sliding member is provided with a row of teeth adapted to mesh with the toothed wheel so that the sliding member is forced sideways when the toothed wheel rotates. In this case the motor rotates the toothed wheel and by distributing a row of teeth onto the sliding member along a sideways extending part thereof, the rotating movement of the toothed wheel is converted to a sideways movement of the sliding member. Rotating the motor in different directions then move the sliding member in opposite sideways directions.
[0017] In an embodiment, the locking plate has a lower side provided with an opening that extends in the sideways direction between two opposing locking plate sections, wherein the opening has a length in the sideways direction that corresponds to a width of the clamping members when set in their locked position so that, when the locking plate is set in its first (lower) position and the clamping members are set in their locked position, the two opposing locking plate sections become located on opposite outer sides of the clamping members where each of the opposing locking plate sections forms an obstruction part for the corresponding clamping member.
[0018] In an embodiment, the guide pin is arranged on the locking plate and the guiding slot is arranged on the sliding member.
[0019] In an embodiment, the guiding structure comprises a second pair of guide pin and guide slot. The two pairs of guide pins / slots may be arranged spaced apart in the sideways direction to stabilize the structure. Where the locking plate is provided with an opening as mentioned above, the two pairs of guide pins / slots may be arranged on opposite sides of the opening.
[0020] In an embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises a switch configured to generate a control signal indicative of whether the sliding member is in its first or its second side position, wherein the sliding member is provided with a position indicating part that interacts with of the switch depending on the sideways position of the sliding member. The switch may be provided with a push button and the position indicating part of the sliding member may be a physical structure that mechanically presses directly or indirectly onto the push button. Alternatively, the switch may be provided with a sensor of e.g. an electromechanical type and the position indicating part of the sliding member may comprise a magnet or a magnetic material.
[0021] The invention also concerns a dishwasher machine provided with a locking arrangement according to above.
[0022] In an embodiment, the locking arrangement is arranged on an upper front side of a main body of the dishwasher machine.
[0023] In an embodiment, the dishwasher machine comprises a door provided with a lock element adapted to be inserted between the clamping members when closing and locking the door.
[0024] In an embodiment, the dishwasher machine comprises a control unit configured to control a drive arrangement configured to move the sliding member between its first and second side positions. The control unit may also be configured to control operation of the dishwasher machine.
[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] In the description of the invention given below reference is made to the following figure, in which:
[0027] Figure 1 shows a dishwasher machine provided with a locking arrangement according to this disclosure.
[0028] Figure 2 shows a locking arrangement according to this disclosure.
[0029] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the locking arrangement of figure 2.
[0030] Figures 4-6 show the locking arrangement of figure 2 with a locking plate set in an upper (unlocked) position. Figures 7-8 show the locking arrangement of figure 2 with the locking plate set in a lower (locked) position.
[0031] Figure 9 shows the locking plate, a sliding member and a guiding structure arranged to provide upwards-downwards movement of the locking plate in response to sideways movement of the sliding member.
[0032] DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Figure 1 shows a dishwasher machine 3 provided with a locking arrangement
[0034] I positioned on an upper front side of a main body of the dishwasher machine 3. The dishwasher machine 3 comprises a door 2 provided with a lock element 4 adapted to be inserted between clamping members 10, 11 (see e.g. figure 2) of the locking arrangement 1 when closing and locking the door 2. Baskets 5 and a spray arm 6 are arranged inside a washing chamber of the dishwasher machine 3.
[0035] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the locking arrangement 1 and figure 3 shows an exploded view of the locking arrangement 1. The locking arrangement 1 is typically, but not necessarily, arranged horizontally so that the clamping members 10, 11 are movable (and / or rotatable) sideways in the horizontal plane.
[0036] As shown in figures 2-3 the exemplified locking arrangement comprises a pair of clamping members 10, 11 configured to be moveable towards and away from each other in a sideways direction X (which typically is a horizontal direction). The clamping members 10, 11 are further being configured to i) be set in a locked position where the clamping members 10,
[0037] I I are located sufficiently close to each other to provide a secure grip onto or around the lock element 4 (see e.g. figure 6), and ii) be set in an unlocked position where the clamping members 10, 11 are located further away from each other than in the locked position so as to allow release of the lock element 4. The clamping members 10, 11 form part of a component 41 that includes also a housing and a clamping member mechanism. Clamping member arrangements, such as the component 41 , are known as such and may be structured in somewhat different ways. Such arrangements are commonly used for holding a dishwasher door closed but, as mentioned above, they are usually arranged so as to admit opening of the door also during operation of the dishwasher machine. The present disclosure addresses the problem of preventing opening of a dishwasher door provided with a clamping member arrangement, such as the component 41 .
[0038] The locking arrangement 1 further comprises a locking plate 12 configured to be movable in an upwards-downwards direction Y (which is a vertical direction if the x-direction is horizontal) towards and away from the clamping members 10, 11. The locking plate 12 is configured to be set in a first position (in this example a lower position) where an obstruction part 13, 14 of the locking plate 12 is located in the vicinity of an outer side of at least one of the clamping members 10, 11 so as to prevent the obstructed clamping member 10, 11 to move from its locked position to its unlocked position (see e.g. figure 7). The locking plate 12 is further configured to be set in a second position (in this example an upper position) that is further away from the clamping members 10, 11 so that the obstruction part 13, 14 no longer prevents movement of any of the clamping members 10, 11 (see e.g. figure 4).
[0039] In the example shown here the locking plate 12 has a lower side provided with an opening 25 that extends in the sideways direction between two opposing locking plate sections. As shown in figures 7-8, the opening 25 has a length in the sideways direction that corresponds to a width of the clamping members 10, 11 when set in their locked position so that, when the locking plate 12 is set in its first (lower) position and the clamping members 10, 11 are set in their locked position, the two opposing locking plate sections become located on opposite outer sides of the clamping members 10, 11 where each of the opposing locking plate sections forms an obstruction part 13, 14 for the corresponding clamping member 10, 11.
[0040] In other words, the locking plate has a cut-out / opening 25 at its lower side. On each side of this cut-out / opening 25 there is a part of the locking plate present, i.e. the two opposing locking plate sections. The cut-out / opening 25 is designed so that it fits onto the clamping members 10, 11 when set in their locked position (i.e. more tightly together than when in the unlocked position) with the side edges of the cut-out / opening 25 located on each outer side of the clamping members 10, 11. As a consequence, the clamping members 10, 11 are prevented from separating from each other in the sideways direction to assume their unlocked position because the edges of the cut- out / opening 25 obstruct the sideways movement of the clamping members 10, 11. When the locking plate is lifted to its upper position (which could be a lower position in another embodiment), the locking plate 12 no longer obstruct the movement of the clamping members 10, 11.
[0041] It is not necessary that the locking plate 12 is provided with a cut-out / opening 25 as described above. As an alternative to providing obstruction parts 13, 14 in the form of the opposite edges of an opening it is possible to provide the locking plate with one or more protruding pins or similar located at approximately the same place as one or both of the edges of the cut- out / opening 25 in the example described above. Such a protruding pin may be considered to form a narrow variant of one of the locking plate sections mentioned above.
[0042] The locking arrangement 1 further comprises a sliding member 15 arranged i association with the locking plate 12 and being configured to be movable in the sideways direction X. The locking plate 12 and the sliding member 15 are provided with a guiding structure in the form of first and second pairs of guide pins and guide slots 16, 17, 18, 19 arranged to provide upwards-downwards movement of the locking plate 12 in response to sideways movement of the sliding member 15.
[0043] Each guide slot 17, 19 is adapted to receive and guide movement of its corresponding guide pin 16, 18. Each guide slot 17, 19 extends both in the sideways direction X as well as in the upwards-downwards direction Y (see also figure 9) so that the locking plate 12, that is fixed in the sideways direction X, can be moved between its first (lower) and second (upper) positions by moving the sliding member 15 sideways between corresponding first and second side positions.
[0044] As shown in e.g. figure 9, the guide pins 16, 18 are arranged on the locking plate 12 and the guiding slots 17, 19 are arranged on the sliding member 15. In the example shown this is an advantage since there is more space available for the guide slots on the sliding member 15. However, it is possible to instead arrange the guide pins 16, 18 on the sliding member 15, or arrange one of the guide pins 16, 18 on the locking plate 12 and the other on the sliding member 15. It is also possible to use only one pair of guide pin / slot.
[0045] The locking arrangement 1 further comprises a drive arrangement configured to move the sliding member 15 sideways between its first and second side positions. The drive arrangement comprises in this case a toothed wheel 21 connected to an electric motor 20. Further, the sliding member 15 is provided with a row of teeth 22 adapted to mesh with the toothed wheel 21 so that the sliding member 15 is forced sideways when the toothed wheel 21 rotates.
[0046] As shown in e.g. figure 3, the locking arrangement 1 further comprises a switch 30 configured to generate a control signal indicative of whether the sliding member 15 is in its first or its second side position. The sliding member 15 is provided with a position indicating part 31 that interacts with the switch 30 depending on the sideways position of the sliding member 15. In this example the position indicating part 31 is a specially designed, curved part of the sliding member 15 that presses onto a flexible member 32 connected to the switch 30. If the flexible member 32 is pressed sufficiently close towards the switch 30, the flexible member 32 in turn presses onto a press button (not shown) on the switch 30, which generates a certain control signal. When the sliding member 15 is located in another sideways position where the curved position indicating part 31 does not press the flexible member 32 so much towards the switch 30 and the push button therefore is not pressed onto by the flexible member 32, another control signal is generated by the switch 30. This type of mechanical position indicating system for the sliding member 15 may be arranged in different ways. It is also possible to instead or as a complement use a position indicating system involving e.g. a sensor configured to detect presence of or changes in an electromagnetic field. Such a sensor may be arranged in the switch 30 and the sliding member 15 be provided with a magnet or a piece of iron.
[0047] The dishwasher machine 3 is further provided with a control circuitry (not shown) configured to control the motor 20 and thus to control movement of the sliding member 15 between its first and second side positions. The control circuitry is also configured to receive and handle the position signal generated by the switch 30. Typically, the control circuitry is also configured to control operation of the dishwasher machine.
[0048] As shown in figures 2 and 3, the locking arrangement 1 further comprises parts 40 forming a supporting covering that holds the different components in place.
[0049] Figures 4-6 show the locking arrangement of figure 2 with the locking plate 12 set in the upper (unlocked) position. Some operation cycles of the dishwasher machine 3 may not require that opening of the door 2 is prevented and the machine 3 may then be operated with the locking plate 12 set in this unlocked position. Figures 7-8 show the locking arrangement of figure 2 with the locking plate 12 set in the lower (locked) position. The door 2 can thus not be opened (because the obstructing parts 13, 14 of the locking plate 12 prevent the clamping members 10, 11 from opening and releasing their grip around the lock element 4).
[0050] Figure 9 shows the locking plate 12, the sliding member 15 and the guiding pins / slots, 16, 17, 18, 19 that provide for the upwards-downwards movement of the locking plate 12 in response to sideways movement of the sliding member 15.
[0051] The invention is not limited by the embodiments described above but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A locking arrangement (1 ) for locking a door (2) of a dishwasher machine (3), the locking arrangement (1 ) comprising:- a pair of clamping members (10, 11 ) configured to be moveable towards and away from each other in a sideways direction (x), the clamping members (10, 11) further being configured to i) be set in a locked position where the clamping members (10, 11 ) are located sufficiently close to each other to provide a secure grip onto or around a lock element (4) adapted to be inserted between the clamping members (10, 11 ), and ii) be set in an unlocked position where the clamping members (10, 11 ) are located further away from each other than in the locked position so as to allow release of the lock element (4);- a locking plate (12) configured to be movable in an upwards-downwards direction (y) towards and away from the clamping members (10, 11 ), wherein the locking plate (12) is configured to be set in a first (lower) position where an obstruction part (13, 14) of the locking plate (12) is located in the vicinity of an outer side of at least one of the clamping members (10, 11 ) so as to prevent the obstructed clamping member (10, 11) to move from its locked position to its unlocked position, and wherein the locking plate (12) is configured to be set in a second (upper) position that is further away from the clamping members (10, 11 ) so that the obstruction part (13, 14) no longer prevents movement of any of the clamping members (10, 11 );- a sliding member (15) arranged i association with the locking plate (12) and being configured to be movable in the sideways direction (x) , wherein the locking plate (12) and the sliding member (15) are provided with a guiding structure (16, 17, 18, 19) arranged to provide upwards-downwards movement of the locking plate (12) in response to sideways movement of the sliding member (15).
2. The locking arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the guiding structure comprises at least a first pair of guide pin and guide slot (16, 17, 18,19), wherein the guide slot (17, 19) is adapted to receive and guide movement of the guide pin (16, 18), and wherein the guide slot (17, 19) extends both in the sideways direction (x) as well as in the upwards- downwards direction (y) so that the locking plate (12) can be moved between its first (lower) and second (upper) positions by moving the sliding member (15) sideways between corresponding first and second side positions.
3. The locking arrangement (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking arrangement (1 ) comprises a drive arrangement (20, 21 , 22) configured to move the sliding member (15) sideways between its first and second side positions.
4. The locking arrangement (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the drive arrangement comprises a toothed wheel (21 ) connected to a motor (20), wherein the sliding member (15) is provided with a row of teeth (22) adapted to mesh with the toothed wheel (21 ) so that the sliding member (15) is forced sideways when the toothed wheel (21 ) rotates.
5. The locking arrangement (1 ) according to any of the above claims, wherein the locking plate (12) has a lower side provided with an opening (25) that extends in the sideways direction between two opposing locking plate sections, wherein the opening (25) has a length in the sideways direction that corresponds to a width of the clamping members (10, 11) when set in their locked position so that, when the locking plate (12) is set in its first (lower) position and the clamping members (10, 11) are set in their locked position, the two opposing locking plate sections become located on opposite outer sides of the clamping members (10, 11) where each of the opposing locking plate sections forms an obstruction part (13, 14) for the corresponding clamping member (10, 11 ).
6. The locking arrangement (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the guide pin (16, 18) is arranged on the locking plate (12) and the guiding slot (17, 19) is arranged on the sliding member (15).
7. The locking arrangement (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the guiding structure (16, 17, 18, 19) comprises a second pair of guide pin and guide slot.
8. The locking arrangement (1 ) according to any of the above claims, wherein the locking arrangement (1 ) comprises a switch (30) configured to generate a control signal indicative of whether the sliding member (15) is in its first or its second side position, wherein the sliding member (15) is provided with a position indicating part (31 ) that interacts with the switch (30) depending on the sideways position of the sliding member (15).
9. A dishwasher machine (3) provided with a locking arrangement (1 ) according to any of the above claims.
10. The dishwasher machine (3) according to claim 9, wherein the locking arrangement (1 ) is arranged on an upper front side of a main body of the dishwasher machine (3).
11. The dishwasher machine (3) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the dishwasher machine (3) comprises a door (2) provided with a lock element (4) adapted to be inserted between the clamping members (10, 11) when closing and locking the door (2).
12. The dishwasher machine (3) according to any of claims 9-11 , wherein the dishwasher machine (3) comprises a control unit configured to control a drive arrangement (20, 21 , 22) configured to move the sliding member (15) between its first and second side positions.