Door locking means for a domestic appliance, domestic appliance, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a door locking means (1) for a domestic appliance (H), the door locking means comprising at least one switch (18), a rotary latch (4) having a beak-like opening (6) for an at least L-shaped door latch bolt (2), and a deflecting element (15) which is rotatably attached to the rotary latch (4), wherein, when the rotary latch is in an initial position, the deflecting element (15) protrudes into the beak-like opening (6) and is elastically held there in a basic position, and when the rotary latch is in an end position: if the deflecting element (15) has been displaced from its basic position into an actuation position in which it no longer protrudes into the beak-like opening, the deflecting element (15) actuates the at least one switch (18), and if the deflecting element (15) is still in its basic position, the deflecting element does not actuate the at least one switch. The invention can be particularly advantageously applied to domestic microwave appliances. The invention also relates to a domestic appliance (H) having such a door locking means, and to a method.

Description

[0001] Door locking device for a household appliance and household appliance and method

[0002] The invention relates to a door lock for a household appliance, comprising a switch and a rotary latch with a beak opening for an at least L-shaped door catch. The invention also relates to a household appliance, comprising a treatment chamber for items to be treated, which can be closed by means of a door, and such a door lock arranged on a door flange, wherein the door has a rigid, at least L-shaped door catch, which, when the door is closed, slides or threads into the beak opening of the rotary latch of the door lock, which is in the starting position, and moves the rotary latch into its end position. The invention further relates to a method for locking a door of such a household appliance, in which, when the door is closed, the door catch slides into the beak opening and rotates the rotary latch. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to household microwave appliances.

[0003] EP 1 469 257 A2 discloses a door assembly for a microwave oven, including a door panel on one side of the door, with a slide bar and a latch, both projecting from one side toward a cabinet, and a latch panel with levers each rotatably mounted upon contact with the latch or the slide bar, and switches each operable upon contact with the lever, thereby providing a simple and convenient mounting structure.

[0004] DE 10 2018 214 393 A1 discloses a household microwave appliance. This appliance comprises a microwave generator for generating microwaves, a microwave-fed treatment chamber with a loading opening, a door pivotable via door hinges for closing the loading opening, and at least one door-opening safety switch that interrupts operation of the microwave generator when the door is open. The door does not have a plunger permanently projecting beyond a rear door plane for actuating the at least one door-opening safety switch.

[0005] WO 2005 / 038351 A1 discloses a lock plate of a microwave oven. The lock plate includes a first lever for controlling the on / off operation of a monitor switch. The first lever has an approximately triangular shape and includes a hinge formed on a first edge, a pressing portion formed on a second edge for contacting the monitor switch, and a protrusion formed on a third edge for contacting the lock more quickly. In the lock plate, a difference in the operating time between the monitor switch and the circuit switch can be increased, thus improving the operational stability of the microwave oven.

[0006] EP 0 288 811 A2 discloses an interlock switch assembly having a unitary base plate with relatively few moving parts and utilizing conventional, low-cost miniature switches, each of which is positively positioned and retained with respect to the base plate. First and second actuating elements convert the linear movement of the first and second actuating elements, respectively, into rotary movement to actuate the miniature switches. Switch actuation is prevented unless the actuators receive timely movement from both operators. A third actuator receives the movement of the first operator and, in response, actuates a third switch. In one embodiment, the third actuator is prevented from actuating the third switch until the first and second switches have been actuated.In one embodiment, a primary interlock switch is the first switch deactivated and is preferably capable of interrupting power to the microwave energy source if the door is opened before the cooking cycle is complete. In this embodiment, the next switch to be deactivated is a logic monitor switch, followed by the enabling of a secondary interlock switch that serves as a backup for the primary interlock switch. Finally, an interlock monitor switch is deactivated, preferably applying a short across the load side of a circuit of the switch assembly to blow a fuse if both the primary and secondary interlock switches exhibit a "fail-to-close" condition in the deactivated state.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide an improved possibility for designing a door lock of a household appliance equipped with a rotary latch that is secure against unauthorized manipulation. This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be found in particular in the dependent claims.

[0008] The object is achieved by a door lock for a household appliance, comprising at least one switch, a rotary latch with a beak opening for an at least L-shaped door latch and a deflection bracket which is rotatably attached to the rotary latch, wherein

[0009] - in an initial position of the rotary latch, the deflection bracket is arranged so as to dip into the beak opening and is held there elastically in a basic position and

[0010] - in an end position of the rotary latch:

[0011] - in the event that the deflection bar is displaced from its basic position into an actuating position in which it no longer dips into the spout opening, the deflection bar actuates at least one switch and

[0012] - in the event that the deflection bracket remains in its basic position, the deflection bracket does not actuate at least one switch.

[0013] This has the advantage that the switch can only be operated by sliding in the rigid door latch and cannot be operated by a straight test rod or standard kitchen utensils. This is achieved because, in the initial position of the rotary latch, the beak opening is accessible from the outside for a door latch, but when the rotary latch is turned, the beak opening is no longer accessible because the mouth of the beak opening then turns away or a front border or the beak of the beak opening is turned in front of the beak opening in relation to the direction of penetration. This means that straight test rods or kitchen utensils cannot penetrate the beak opening, or only to a limited extent, when the rotary latch is turned. However, this is possible for a door latch that is at least L-shaped because its sides are guided past the rotary latch. Even if it should be possible to test the rotary latch with a test rod, kitchen utensil or similar.to turn without penetrating the beak opening, the deflection bracket cannot be turned against the rotary latch, but rotates with the rotary latch. This in turn means that it does not reach its operating position in which it could operate the switch. Only when the deflection bracket is displaced from its basic position in or next to the beak opening into its operating position by turning the rotary latch (as is the case when the door latch, which is at least L-shaped, slides in), is the switch operated by means of the deflection bracket in the end position of the rotary latch. A further advantage is that this type of door lock is inexpensive and durable. Furthermore, it can be implemented in a compact manner. Furthermore, this door lock is easy to adjust.

[0014] A locking mechanism is understood here, in particular, to be a mechanism that fixes a movable object in its position. The door locking mechanism ensures that a door serving as the movable object, whose door latch has been inserted into the door lock, does not release itself, thus locking the door in its position, especially if the rotary latch is in its end position.

[0015] The door lock is particularly advantageous for household appliances where only a closed door is required to allow the treatment of items in a treatment chamber that can be locked by the door. If the door is even slightly open, the treatment process cannot proceed. For example, the household appliance could be a microwave oven, where microwave radiation into the treatment chamber (cooking chamber) is only possible if the door is completely closed. Another household appliance could be, for example, a laundry appliance such as a washing machine or washer-dryer, a dishwasher, a sterilizer, etc.

[0016] The switch serves, in particular, to allow at least one functional unit of the household appliance to operate, for example, a microwave generator. The switch can be, for example, a magnetic switch, a mechanical switch, a capacitive switch, an inductive switch, etc. In a further development, the mechanical switch is a microswitch. In a further development, the microswitch has a switching travel of approximately 0.1 mm. This has the advantage that the microswitch is only actuated and switched when the door is practically completely closed, namely in the last 0.1 mm of the door's travel.

[0017] The door lock can have one or more switches. When the deflection bracket is in its home position and the rotary latch is in its end position, at least one switch, several switches, or all switches cannot be operated.

[0018] Rotary latches (also known as locking latches or "catchcams") are commonly known and specifically refer to lock latches into which a bow-shaped door latch or locking latch can engage, whereby the rotary latches rotate. In this case, the door lock has a front insertion opening for the horizontal insertion of a door latch, typically found on a door. The insertion movement of the latch can be considered to be linear with a good approximation. The rotary latch is located behind the insertion opening. This has a slot-shaped recess, the beak opening, which is bordered at its front by a beak-shaped projection, the beak. In its initial position, the beak opening is typically arranged so that its beak opening is directed diagonally upwards from front to back, or in the insertion direction, and the mouth of the beak opening is located behind the insertion opening – at the same height.When the door latch is inserted into the door lock, it slides through the opening into the rotary latch's beak opening, rotating the rotary latch as it slides. When the rotary latch is in its end position, the beak is positioned in front of or in front of the beak opening, shielding it from the door latch's insertion opening.

[0019] The fact that the door latch is "at least L-shaped" particularly includes the fact that the door latch has an element ("cross element") oriented transversely to the insertion direction, which slides into the beak opening of the rotary latch and is held in place, in particular, at the end by at least one, in particular, rod-shaped guide section. The cross element can, for example, be designed as a straight profile, in particular rod-, pin-, or bolt-shaped. If only one guide section is present, which holds the cross element on only one side, the area of ​​the door latch inserted into the locking device can also be referred to as "L-shaped." If the cross element is held at both ends by a respective guide section, a U-shaped or O-shaped area of ​​the door latch results. In all cases, the at least one guide section is located to the side of the rotary latch and thus does not impede its movement.The movement of the cross element is determined by a movement of the door over at least one guide section, or vice versa. The deflection bracket (which can also be referred to as a tilting bracket) corresponds in particular to a component pivotally connected to the rotary latch, which can be rotated in particular in a plane of rotation parallel to the plane of rotation of the rotary latch. This can also be expressed by aligning a rotation axis of the rotary latch parallel to a rotation axis of the deflection bracket.

[0020] The initial position corresponds to the position of the rotary latch when it is not actuated, either properly by a doorknob or improperly, e.g., by a test rod. In the initial position of the rotary latch, the deflection bracket is in its home position.

[0021] The fact that the deflection bar is arranged in its basic position so that it extends into the beak opening means, in particular, that the deflection bar then partially or partially extends into the beak opening. This can include, in particular, two further developments:

[0022] - In a first refinement, the deflection bar protrudes through a slot into the beak opening, wherein the slot is formed, in particular integrated, in the edge or edge section of the beak opening opposite the beak. In this arrangement, the deflection bar is inaccessible to a horizontally inserted, straight object such as a test rod, spoon handle, etc., because it lies within the beak opening and is concealed at the front by the beak. When the deflection bar is displaced from the beak opening, it is in its "actuated position" relative to the rotary latch. Thus, when the cross element of the door latch slides into the beak opening, the cross element also displaces the deflection bar and rotates it relative to the rotary latch.If, on the other hand, only the rotary latch is contacted improperly and the deflection bracket is not displaced, the deflection bracket remains in its basic position relative to the rotary latch, so that the deflection bracket then moves with the movement of the rotary latch, but does not rotate relative to the rotary latch. In a further development, the deflection bracket as such is arranged in the slot of the rotary latch, in particular integrated therein, and is rotatably mounted there. - In a second development, the deflection bracket is located to the side of the rotary latch, with the deflection bracket in the basic position protruding laterally into the beak opening when viewed from the side. In this arrangement, the deflection bracket can be displaced from the path of the cross element following the beak opening by a cross element or similar that slides into the beak opening and also reaches up to the deflection bracket.Using a straight test rod, either the deflection bracket or the rotary latch can be contacted, but not both together.

[0023] A further development is that a front area or end of the tilting bracket—from the perspective of an observer looking into the door lock's insertion opening from the outside—is located in or next to the beak opening of the rotary latch, while a rear area or end, shaped as an actuating bracket, is located at the rear of the rotary latch. In this context, and also in general, "front" or "front" refers to a position closer to an observer looking into the door lock from the outside, while "rear," "rear," or "back" refers to a position further away from the observer or further into the door lock.

[0024] One embodiment provides a V-shaped or L-shaped basic shape for the deflection bar, with a pivot point located particularly at the transition area between the two legs. This provides a particularly simple and compact way of rotating the actuating bar by displacing the front section from an inclined spout opening into a horizontal actuating position.

[0025] The fact that the deflection bracket is held elastically in a basic position includes, in particular, that the deflection bracket is rotated back into its basic position when the force applied for displacement relative to the rotary latch is removed (e.g. because the cross element slides out of the beak opening again).

[0026] This can be achieved, for example, by connecting the rotary latch and the deflection bracket with a spring ("connecting spring"), such as a coil spring or a torsion spring. The end position of the rotary latch corresponds, in particular, to the position in which the rotary latch can no longer be operated. This generally corresponds to the position in which a properly inserted or inserted door latch is fully inserted into the door lock. This, in turn, usually corresponds to a completely closed door, which has this door latch.

[0027] Which of the two cases, namely, that the deflection bracket activates the switch, occurs depends on whether the deflection bracket is rotated relative to the rotary latch into its actuating position or not. Only if the deflection bracket is rotated relative to the rotary latch into its actuating position can it activate the switch; otherwise, it cannot. Since the deflection bracket cannot be actuated when a straight test rod or kitchen utensils are penetrated, or cannot be actuated together with the rotary latch, the switch is only actuated by inserting a door latch fitted with the cross element. In other words, the switch can be actuated by the combination "rotary latch in the end position" and "deflection bracket in the actuating position," but not by the combination "rotary latch in the end position" and "deflection bracket in the home position."

[0028] In one embodiment, the door lock has a stroke transmitter which is intended to switch at least one switch when actuated. The stroke transmitter can be actuated via the deflection bracket (only) when the deflection bracket is in its actuated position, and the stroke transmitter cannot be actuated via the deflection bracket when the deflection bracket is in its basic position. The use of a stroke transmitter advantageously enables flexible positioning of the switch. When the rotary latch is moved into its end position, the deflection bracket in its actuated position moves the stroke transmitter, which transmits the stroke of the deflection bracket to the switch by rotation and / or linear movement, thus switching the switch.

[0029] In one embodiment, the rotary latch can be moved from its initial position to its end position by means of a rotation followed by a displacement, and only the deflection bracket in its actuating position has a solid angle position after the rotary latch has rotated, in which it can contact and actuate the stroke transmitter by means of the subsequent displacement. This is advantageously particularly easy to implement. If the deflection bracket is in its actuating position, it has a solid angle position such that it can contact the stroke transmitter when the rotary latch is moved, and can move it to switch the switch as the displacement continues. However, if the deflection bracket is in its basic position, it has a solid angle position such that it cannot reach the stroke transmitter when the rotary latch is moved.

[0030] One embodiment provides for the stroke transmitter to be a plunger that, for actuating the at least one switch, is linearly movable in the same direction as the rotary latch during the displacement following the rotation. This is advantageously particularly easy to implement.

[0031] In one embodiment, a contact surface of the deflection bracket intended for contact with the stroke transmitter in the actuating position is convexly curved - and thus arched in the direction of the stroke transmitter, in particular the plunger, in the actuating position. This offers the advantage that a practically constant contact point in the insertion direction and thus practically the same distance from the stroke transmitter can be achieved even if the spatial position of the deflection bracket - in particular its relative angle of rotation to the rotary latch - differs due to manufacturing, assembly and / or usage tolerances. In a further embodiment, the curvature is a circular sector-shaped curvature, which in particular corresponds to a sector of a circle drawn around the axis of rotation of the deflection bracket.

[0032] The door lock can be equipped with a spring, in particular a tension spring (then also referred to as the "main tension spring"), which is attached on one side to the rotary latch and on the other side to the housing, in particular at an angle to a direction of insertion. This spring serves in particular to exert a force on the rotated rotary latch, with which the rotary latch can be automatically rotated back to its original position. This spring can also serve to move, in particular to pull, the fully rotated rotary latch into its end position. This also allows the door to be pulled toward the door opening in the final section of the closing path. In a further development, the spring is advantageously relaxed in the initial position of the rotary latch.

[0033] The object is also achieved by a household appliance, comprising a

[0034] Door-lockable treatment room for items to be treated and a door lock arranged on a door flange as described above, wherein the door has a rigid, at least L-shaped door latch which, when the door is closed, slides into the beak opening of the rotary latch of the door lock which is in the starting position and rotates the rotary latch so that it can be brought into its end position.

[0035] The household appliance offers the same advantages as the door lock. Another advantage is that such a locking solution has a high-quality appearance. The household appliance can be designed in a similar way to the door lock, and vice versa.

[0036] The switch can be a mechanical microswitch, particularly with a travel of approximately 0.1 mm. This has the advantage that the microswitch is only activated and switched when the door is practically completely closed, namely in the last 0.1 mm of the door's travel. The door can, in particular, be a pivoting door.

[0037] It is an embodiment that the household appliance is designed so that when the door latch slides into the spout opening, the rotary latch is rotated and the deflection bracket is displaced under relative rotation to the rotary latch and the rotary latch is moved linearly together with the deflection bracket with further closing movement of the door.

[0038] In one embodiment, the household appliance is a microwave oven and the door is a microwave-proof door. The door lock is particularly advantageous for this purpose because it meets known safety requirements for a microwave oven door, in particular, it ensures that the at least one switch is activated in a tamper-proof manner only when the door is practically completely closed. The at least one switch can comprise at least one ("safety") switch, which is designed to enable power to be supplied to a microwave generator only when it is actuated. It can be installed, in particular, as an interrupter switch in a supply circuit of the microwave generator.

[0039] The object is further achieved by a method for locking a door of a household appliance, in which, when the door is closed, the door latch slides into the spout opening and in doing so at least rotates the rotary latch and also forces the deflection bracket, with relative rotation, from its basic position with the arrangement partially immersed in the spout opening into its actuating position. Subsequently, the rotary latch is moved, in particular displaced (e.g. by the door latch and / or a spring), such that the deflection bracket in the actuating position actuates the at least one switch. The method can be designed analogously to the door lock and / or to the household appliance, and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

[0040] In particular, the following door closing movement can be carried out:

[0041] - the open door is, for example, manually moved into its closed position;

[0042] - This pushes the door latch through the insertion opening into the door lock, initially up to the mouth of the inclined opening of the rotary latch in its initial position, into which the deflection bracket, in its home position, is inserted. In this initial position of the rotary latch, any main tension spring is still relaxed;

[0043] - As the door latch is further inserted or pushed in, the door latch rotates the rotary latch and slides into the opening, thereby rotating the deflection bracket of the rotary latch into its actuating position. This, in turn, causes the deflection bracket to be further apart from the rotary latch than in its initial position. This also tensions the connecting spring. Turning the rotary latch also tensions any main tension spring (either extended or compressed depending on the installation method).

[0044] - by further inserting the door latch, the rotary latch reaches an intermediate position where it has reached its maximum rotation or its maximum angle of rotation and can now (and only then) be moved backwards, in particular horizontally and / or in the insertion direction;

[0045] - the rotary latch can now be moved from the intermediate position to the end position, in particular without further rotation. The rotary latch can be moved by the tensioned main tension spring exerting a corresponding force on the rotary latch, e.g., pulling the rotary latch backwards. In this case, the door latch can also be moved with it, so that the door is pulled towards the door flange in its final section of movement. Alternatively or additionally, the door latch can push the rotary latch backwards. Between the intermediate position and the end position, the deflection bracket comes into contact with the stroke transmitter and pushes it further until the end position is reached, in particular against a force exerted by a spring ("return spring").

[0046] - in the end position, the door latch can be held in place in particular by the main tension spring (which is at least still somewhat tensioned), if present.

[0047] In particular, the door can be reopened by the following door opening movement:

[0048] - In the end position of the rotary latch, when the door is opened, the door catch moves it forward again, against the insertion direction, or toward the intermediate position, e.g., by manually pulling on the door or using a motorized door opening device. If a main tension spring is present, this increases the tension and counteracts the movement of the rotary latch.

[0049] - Once the intermediate position is reached, the rotary latch can no longer be moved, but can be rotated again in a direction opposite to the door closing movement. It is supported in this by the main tension spring, if present. However, the angle of rotation is determined by the position of the door block in the door lock. The rotary latch also moves the stroke transmitter, especially the plunger, back again, for example, using the return spring.

[0050] - If the door latch is moved from the intermediate position to the starting position, the rotary latch rotates in the direction opposite to the door closing movement, and the further the door latch is pulled out of the door lock, the further the rotary latch rotates. The rotary movement can be caused by the torque exerted on the rotary latch by the door latch and / or the main tension spring. With this rotary (return) movement of the rotary latch, the door latch slides back out of the jaw opening, whereby the connecting spring pulls the deflection bracket back toward the rotary latch.

[0051] - The rotation is complete when the rotary latch has returned to its original position, in which case the deflection bracket also returns to its home position. The door latch can then be easily pulled out of the insertion opening.

[0052] The reversing of the rotary latch can be supported elastically, for example, by means of an elastic element, such as a helical tension spring, attached to the door lock housing on one side and the rotary latch on the other. This elastic element can also be designed to hold the rotary latch in its end position, thus keeping the door closed.

[0053] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

[0054] Fig.1 shows a sectional view in an oblique view of a section of a laterally opened door lock with a partially inserted door latch;

[0055] Fig.2 shows a sectional side view of another section of the door lock shown in Fig.1;

[0056] Fig.3 shows a sectional view in an oblique view of a section of a laterally opened door lock analogous to Fig.1 with the door latch slid in and the rotary latch thus rotated but not yet moved;

[0057] Fig.4 shows a sectional side view of a door lock analogous to Fig.1 with rotated and shifted rotary latch without door block; and

[0058] Fig.5 shows a sectional view in an oblique view of a section of a door lock 1 analogous to Fig.1 with a rotated and only partially displaced rotary latch with the door block slid in.

[0059] Fig. 1 shows a sectional oblique view of a section of a laterally open door lock 1 with a partially inserted door catch 2. The door lock 1 can be installed in the area of ​​a flange of a cooking chamber (not shown) of a household appliance H, with the door catch 2 protruding from a door T closing the cooking chamber. The door catch 2 can be inserted into the door lock 1 through a front ("introduction") opening 3 in the insertion direction E.

[0060] Behind the insertion opening 3 there is a rotatable rotary latch 4, which is still in its initial position here. The rotary latch 4 has a slot-shaped beak opening 6 which is delimited at the front by a beak 5 and into which the door latch 2 can slide as the door latch 2 is inserted further into the insertion opening 3. In doing so, the rotary latch 4 also rotates, counterclockwise in the view shown. As the rotary latch 4 rotates, the beak 5 also rotates in front of the insertion opening 3. This does not hinder the linear movement of the door latch 2, as it is beam-shaped with an O-shaped recess 7 and the beak 5 engages in the recess 7. The tip-side transverse region of the door latch 2 serves as a transverse element 8, which slides in the beak opening 6. The rotary latch 4 is connected to a housing 10 of the door lock 1 via a main tension spring in the form of a helical tension spring 9.In the initial position, the helical tension spring 9 is particularly relaxed. The rotary latch 4 can therefore be actuated from the outside through the insertion opening 3, as shown, by means of a door latch 2 that is at least L-shaped, namely, here, O-shaped in the tip area.

[0061] The rotary latch 4 further comprises a circumferentially closed ("inner") longitudinal slot 11, into which a first fixed axis 12 is inserted transversely, as well as an open longitudinal slot 13 formed at the rear edge and a second fixed axis 14, which in the initial position engages with the open longitudinal slot. This design allows the rotary latch 4 to rotate about the first axis 12 until the second axis 14 abuts the longitudinal slot 13. The two longitudinal slots 11 and 13 are then arranged one behind the other in the insertion direction E, so that the rotary latch 4 itself can be moved linearly along the length of the longitudinal slot 11 and / or 13 in the insertion direction E, with the longitudinal slots 11 and 13 serving as guides. When the axes 12 and / or 14 abut the front ends of the longitudinal slots 11 and 13, respectively, the end position of the rotary latch 4 is reached. Axles 12 and 14 can be equipped with rollers.

[0062] By turning and by the subsequent displacement of the rotary latch 4 from the starting position, the helical tension spring 9 elongates, so that when the door piston 4 is retracted - e.g. when the door T is opened - it can pull the rotary latch 4 from the intermediate position back into the starting position.

[0063] Furthermore, a deflection bracket 15 is rotatably connected to the rotary latch 4 in such a way that its front section 15a can penetrate into the beak opening 6 through a slot 20 in a rear edge section of the beak opening 6. If the door latch 2 has not slid into the beak opening 6, the deflection bracket 15 is pulled towards the rotary latch 4 by an elastic element such as a spring (not shown) and is then in its basic position shown. In the basic position, a section of the deflection bracket 15 protruding rearward on the other side of the rotary latch and serving as the actuating bracket 15b is arranged closest or closest to the rotary latch 4. The front section 15a and the actuating bracket 15b are arranged perpendicular to one another, so that the deflection bracket has an L-shaped basic shape.

[0064] In the home position, the front portion 15a has an edge shape that allows the cross element 8 of the door latch 2 to slide open. As the cross element 8 slides open, the front portion 15a is displaced from the beak opening 6, and this displacement is complete at the latest when the cross element 8 reaches the end of the beak opening 6. As the front portion 15a is displaced, the deflection bracket 15 rotates clockwise relative to the rotary latch 4, so that the actuating bracket 15b protrudes further from the rotary latch 4 than in the home position. At the latest upon complete displacement, a maximum protruding actuating position of the actuating bracket 15b, and thus also of the deflection bracket 15 as a whole, is reached.

[0065] Using a straight tool such as a test rod, a spoon handle, or similar, it is not possible to simultaneously rotate the rotary latch 4 and displace the deflection bracket 15: Thus, if the test rod is inserted horizontally from the outside through the insertion opening 3, it may be possible to rotate the rotary latch 4, but the front section 15a cannot be reached. If the test rod is inserted diagonally upward into the insertion opening 3, it may be possible to reach the front section 15a and possibly displace it, but the rotary latch 4 can then no longer be rotated.

[0066] Fig. 2 shows a sectional side view of a section of a rear area of ​​the door lock 1, in which two switching units 16 and 17 are located, which can be switched by respective mechanical microswitches 18 (here indicated by the dashed circle K). For example, one of the switching units 16, 17 can connect or interrupt a power supply to a functional unit (not shown) of the household appliance H when its microswitch 18 is actuated.

[0067] The microswitches 18 of both switching units 16 and 17 can be actuated via a stroke transmitter in the form of a plunger 19. The plunger 19, also referred to as a "slider," is linearly movable in the same direction as the rotary latch 4 during the displacement following the rotation, namely in the insertion direction E. The plunger 19 is urged against the insertion direction E by an elastic element (in particular a return spring, not shown), so that a force must be applied to move the plunger 19 to actuate the microswitches 18, and a return of the plunger 19 is also achieved.

[0068] The plunger 19 is moved by moving the rotary latch 4 when the deflection bracket 15 is in its actuating position, as will now be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a sectional oblique view of a section of the laterally opened door lock 1 with the door latch 2 slid into the beak opening 6 and the deflection bracket thus rotated into the actuating position. The rotary latch 4 is fully rotated but not yet moved. In this intermediate position, the actuating bracket 15b is located in front of the plunger 19 in the insertion direction E, at a distance that is less than the displacement distance of the rotary latch 4, the difference between the displacement distance and the distance being sufficient to actuate the microswitches 18.

[0069] By displacing the rotary latch 4 in the insertion direction E, the deflection bracket 15 is displaced in the same direction. The maximum displacement is limited by the length of the longitudinal slots 11 and / or 13. With displacement, the distance between the actuating bracket 15b and the plunger 19 is initially overcome, more precisely between a plunger-side contact surface 21 of the actuating bracket 15b and a bracket-side contact surface 22 of the plunger opposite the contact surface 21 in the actuated position. After contact between the contact surfaces 21 and 22, the plunger 19 is also displaced, thereby actuating the microswitches 18. The maximum displacement of the plunger is limited either by the length of the longitudinal slots 11 and / or 13 or by a stop step 23 hitting the housing 10.

[0070] The displacement of the rotary latch 4 from the intermediate position to the end position is effected here by the elongated helical tension spring 9, for which purpose the attachment point of the helical tension spring 9 on the housing 10 is located, in particular, behind the position of the rotary latch in its end position. This includes, in particular, that the rotary latch 4 is automatically pulled rearward into its end position by the helical tension spring 9 upon reaching the intermediate position. This also attracts the door latch 2 and the door T to the door opening, the cooking chamber, or the associated door flange.

[0071] Specifically, the contact surface 21 of the actuating bracket 15b is convexly curved, which provides the advantage that, in the actuating position, a practically constant distance to the plunger 19 in the insertion direction E can be achieved even with different spatial positions of the deflecting bracket 15. These different spatial positions can be caused, for example, by manufacturing tolerances, wear tolerances, etc. In a further development, a curvature is a circular sector-shaped curvature, which corresponds in particular to a sector of a circle drawn around the rotational axis 24 (see also Fig. 5) of the deflecting bracket 15.

[0072] Fig. 4 shows a sectional side view of another section of the door lock 1 with the rotary latch 4 rotated and moved without the door block 2. This can occur, for example, if the rotary latch 4 has been rotated and moved using an elongated test rod. However, because the beak 5 then lies in front of the beak opening 6 and covers it, the test rod cannot penetrate the beak opening 6 and thus cannot reach the front section 15a of the deflection bracket. Consequently, the deflection bracket 15 remains in its basic position relative to the rotary latch 4 and merely follows the movement of the rotary latch 4 without being spread apart. In the end position shown, the deflection bracket 15 therefore does not contact the plunger 19, so that the microswitches 18 cannot be actuated.

[0073] Fig.5 shows a sectional view in an oblique view of a further section of a door lock 1 with the rotary latch 4 rotated and only moved until the contact surfaces 21 and 22 make contact with the door block 2 slid in.

[0074] The actuating brackets 15b shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to Fig. 5 are each shown as slightly different variants. Thus, the actuating brackets 15b in Figs. 1, 3, and 5 each have a curved contact surface 21, whereas in Fig. 4 they have a straight or flat contact surface 2.

[0075] However, each of the shown variants of the actuating bracket 15b has, for example, a step 25. This serves to ensure, in a particularly simple manner, that the deflection bracket 15, in its basic position, cannot contact the plunger 19 even when the rotary latch 4 is displaced to its maximum extent in the insertion direction E. When (only) the rotary latch 4 is rotated, the plunger 19 plunges into the step 25 without contact.

[0076] In general, a proper door opening can be achieved by pulling or pushing the door T open, whereby the door latch 2 initially pulls the rotary latch 4 from its end position into the intermediate position, counteracting the helical tension spring 9. This also forces the plunger 19 back into its initial position, which no longer actuates at least one microswitch 18. When the intermediate position is reached, a torque is exerted on the rotary latch 4 via the helical tension spring 9 and, if applicable, the door latch 2, which torque rotates it back to its original position as the door latch 2 moves out further. As the door latch 2 moves out of the door lock 1, it also slides out of the beak opening 6, so that the deflection bracket 15 is pulled back towards the rotary latch 4.

[0077] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

[0078] In general, "a", "an", etc., can be understood as a singular or a plural, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more", etc., unless this is explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly one", etc.

[0079] A numerical value may also include the exact number stated as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

[0080] List of reference symbols

[0081] 1 door lock

[0082] 2 doorknobs

[0083] 3 Insertion opening

[0084] 4 rotary latch

[0085] 5 beak

[0086] 6 Beak opening

[0087] 7 Recess

[0088] 8 Cross element

[0089] 9 coil tension spring

[0090] 10 Door lock housing

[0091] 11 Longitudinal slot

[0092] 12 First axis

[0093] 13 Longitudinal slot

[0094] 14 Second axis

[0095] 15 deflection brackets

[0096] 15a Front section of the deflection bracket

[0097] 15b Operating bracket

[0098] 16 Switching unit

[0099] 17 Switching unit

[0100] 18 microswitches

[0101] 19 plungers

[0102] 20 slots

[0103] 21 Contact surface of the operating bracket

[0104] 22 Contact surface of the plunger

[0105] 23 stop level

[0106] 24 Rotation axis of the deflection bracket

[0107] 25th level

[0108] E Insertion direction

[0109] H household appliance

[0110] T Door

Claims

Patent claims 1. Door lock (1) for a household appliance (H), comprising - at least one switch (18), - a rotary latch (4) with a beak opening (6) for an at least L-shaped door latch (2) and - a deflection bracket (15) which is rotatably mounted on the rotary latch (4), wherein - in an initial position of the rotary latch (4), the deflection bracket (15) is arranged so as to dip into the beak opening (6) and is held there elastically in a basic position, and - in an end position of the rotary latch (4): - in the event that the deflection bracket (15) is displaced from its basic position into an actuating position in which it no longer dips into the spout opening (6), the deflection bracket (15) actuates at least one switch (18) and - in the event that the deflection bracket (15) remains in its basic position, the deflection bracket (15) does not actuate the at least one switch (18).

2. Door lock (1) according to claim 1, wherein - the door lock (1) has a stroke transmitter (19) which is intended to switch the switch (18) when actuated, - the stroke transmitter (19) can be actuated via the deflection bracket (15) when the deflection bracket (15) is in its actuating position, and - the stroke transmitter (19) cannot be actuated by the deflection bracket (15) if the deflection bracket (15) is in its basic position.

3. Door lock (1) according to claim 2, wherein - the rotary latch (4) can be moved from the initial position to the end position by means of a rotation and a subsequent displacement, and - only the deflection bracket (15) in its actuating position has a spatial angle position after the rotation of the rotary latch (4) in which it can contact and actuate the stroke transmitter (19) by means of the following displacement.

4. Door lock (1) according to claim 3, wherein the stroke transmitter (19) is a plunger which is linearly movable in the same direction as the rotary latch (4) during the displacement following the rotation in order to actuate the at least one switch (18).

5. Door lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection bracket (15) projects through a slot (20) into the beak opening (16), wherein the slot (20) is formed in the edge of the beak opening (6) opposite the beak (5).

6. Door lock (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deflection bracket (15) has a V-shaped or L-shaped basic shape.

7. Door lock (1) according to claims 2 and 6, wherein a contact surface (21) of the deflection bracket (15) provided for contact with the stroke transmitter (19) in the actuating position is convexly curved, in particular is shaped in the shape of a circular sector with respect to a rotational axis (24) of the deflection bracket (15).

8. Household appliance (H), comprising a treatment chamber for items to be treated, which can be closed by means of a door (T), and a door lock (1) arranged on a door flange according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door (T) has a rigid, at least L-shaped door latch (2) which, when the door (T) is closed, slides into the beak opening (6) of the rotary latch (4) of the door lock (1) which is in the starting position and brings the rotary latch (4) into its end position.

9. Household appliance (H) according to claim 8 with a door lock (1) according to one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the household appliance (H) is designed so that when the door latch (2) slides into the spout opening (6), the rotary latch (4) is rotated and the deflection bracket (15) is displaced under relative rotation to the rotary latch (4) and the rotary latch (4) together with the deflection bracket (15) is displaced, in particular linearly, with further closing movement of the door (T).

10. Household appliance (H) according to one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the household appliance (H) is a microwave oven and the door (T) is a microwave-tight door (T).

11. Method for locking a door (T) of a household appliance (H) according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which, when the door (T) is closed, the door latch (2) slides into the spout opening (6) and in doing so at least rotates the rotary latch (4) and also urges the deflection bracket (15) from its basic position into its actuating position by relative rotation, and subsequently the rotary latch (4) is moved such that the deflection bracket (15) in its actuating position actuates the at least one switch (18).

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