EP1740752B1 - Lock for a household appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a closure according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Domestic appliances, such as a tumble dryer, a washing machine, a dishwasher o. The like., Have a door, a lid, a flap o. The like., To allow loading and / or unloading. The door, the lid, the flap o, the like., Also referred to as a closing element, are provided with a closure.

Such a closure has a holding element, which is configured for example in the manner of a slide, for cooperation with a latch located on the closing element of the domestic appliance. Next, the closure has a two-state possessing lock for the holding element, such that the lock in a first state blocks the movement of the holding element and in a second state, the movement of the holding element releases.

Such a closure is from the DE 199 61 083 A1 known, where there is the lock with a jack drive mechanically controlled between the two states. This mechanical control is disadvantageously complicated and error-prone.

Such a closure is also from the US 4,314,217 A known. This closure has a sliding lock. The lock is electromagnetically controllable between the two states. For this purpose, a coil can be acted upon by electrical voltage of an electromagnet is provided.

Other closures with an electromagnetically movable lock are in the GB 1 178 291 A as well as in the EP 0 483 697 A1 described. In the EP 0 359 728 A2 Finally, a closure is shown with an electromagnetically movable blocking plate for a bolt located on the closing element.

The invention has for its object to further develop the closure with locking, in particular with regard to the error safety.

This object is achieved in a generic closure by the characterizing features of claim 1.

In the closure of the invention, the lock has a pivotally movable blocking element, wherein the blocking element is at one end in the first state in cooperation with the holding element and in the second state out of cooperation with the holding element. The lock is directly controlled electromagnetically, so waiving a more complex mechanism. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a first, very simple embodiment, a permanent magnet is arranged at the other end of the blocking element. The permanent magnet interacts with the electromagnet in such a way that the permanent magnet is attracted or repulsed to move the blocking element between the two states by appropriate energization of the electromagnet.

In a second, also very simple design stands at the other end of the locking element a switchable between two positions rocker switch in operative connection with the electromagnet. The operative connection is made by means of a movable plunger from the electromagnet, wherein the plunger engages in an approximately W-shaped design backdrop on the rocker switch for switching.

The first and the second embodiment can be very compact build by the locking element is designed to pivot.

The closure may be controlled by a controller in the household appliance accordingly. For example, the controller may not manually open the closure member until then release when the appliance has finished its operation. For this purpose, it is advisable that a switching element is in operative connection with the holding element and / or the latch, such that the switching element generates switching signals in dependence on the position of the holding element and / or the locking. These switching signals are then in turn used by the controller in the domestic appliance for the corresponding control of the shutter.

In general, the closing element between a closed position and an open position is movable, so for example, the door can be opened or closed on the washing machine. Conventionally, it then makes sense that an electrical switch serving as a door contact cooperates with the closing element to detect the closed and / or the open position. This electrical switch can be arranged, for example, on the body of the household appliance.

With the aid of the invention, the electrical switch serving as a door contact can be connected in a particularly simple manner. In this case, the electrical switch is connected in series with a terminal for the supply voltage of the coil, that is, for the electromagnet for actuating the lock. The electrical switch is then turned on when the closing element is in the closed position, whereby the supply voltage is applied to actuate the coil. From the control of the domestic appliance, the coil can then be actuated, if necessary, by means of an auxiliary contact. Advantageously, in such a circuit arrangement only a three-pole electrical connection for the coil, the door contact and the auxiliary contact required, while conventionally for this purpose a four- or five-pole electrical connection is provided.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in particular that the lock is automatically controlled in a simple manner between the two states. In addition, the closure is cost-effective despite high functionality and thus particularly suitable for cost-sensitive household appliances. The directly controlled electromagnetic lock is very reliable and can therefore also be used in safety-critical applications in household appliances. In addition, such a closure designed ausgestalteter small construction, and thus suitable for tight installation spaces in household appliances.

Fig. 1

einen Verschluß in perspektivischer Ansicht gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 2

einen Verschluß in einer perspektivischen Ansicht gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel, wobei sich die Verriegelung im ersten Zustand befindet,

Fig. 3

den Verschluß aus Fig. 2 in einer anderen perspektivischen Ansicht, wobei sich die Verriegelung im ersten Zustand befindet,

Fig. 4

den Verschluß wie in Fig. 2, wobei sich die Verriegelung im zweiten Zustand befindet,

Fig. 5

den Verschluß wie in Fig. 3, wobei sich die Verriegelung im zweiten Zustand befindet,

Fig. 6a bis 6c

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie 6-6 aus Fig. 2, wobei der Bewegungsablauf zur Umschaltung der Verriegelung dargestellt ist,

Fig. 7

einen Verschluß in einer ersten perspektivischen Ansicht gemäß noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 8

den Verschluß aus Fig. 7 in einer zweiten perspektivischen Ansicht und

Fig. 9

eine Schaltungsanordnung für den elektrischen Anschluß des Verschlusses aus Fig. 7.

Embodiments of the invention with various developments and refinements are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

Fig. 1

a shutter in perspective view according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

a closure in a perspective view according to a second embodiment, wherein the lock is in the first state,

Fig. 3

the closure off Fig. 2 in another perspective view, with the latch in the first state,

Fig. 4

the closure as in Fig. 2 with the lock in the second state,

Fig. 5

the closure as in Fig. 3 with the lock in the second state,

Fig. 6a to 6c

a section along the line 6-6 Fig. 2 , wherein the movement sequence for switching the lock is shown,

Fig. 7

a closure in a first perspective view according to yet another embodiment,

Fig. 8

the closure off Fig. 7 in a second perspective view and

Fig. 9

a circuit arrangement for the electrical connection of the closure Fig. 7 ,

A closure 1 for a door, a lid, a flap or other movable part as a closing element, hereinafter referred to simply as a door, on a domestic appliance, such as a tumble dryer, a washing machine, a dishwasher o. The like., Is closer in Fig. 1 to see. The closure 1 has a housing 2, in which a holding element 3, which is configured in the present case in the manner of a slide, is movably mounted. The retaining element 3 acts together with a lock on the door of the household appliance, not further shown, for closing the door, wherein the latch on the in Fig. 1 concealed underside of the closure 1 engages in a recess on the holding element 3. Such a recess 16 on the retaining element 3 for the bolt is in Fig. 7 to see. Next located in the housing 2 is a two states owning lock 4 for the support member 3, so that the lock 4 blocks the movement of the holding member 3 in a first state and in a second state, the movement of the holding member 3 releases. The lock 4 is electromagnetically controllable in a direct manner between the two states, for which purpose a coil which can be acted upon by electrical voltage in the manner of an electromagnet 5 is arranged in the housing 2.

The lock 4 has a movable locking element 6, which is configured pivotable in the present case. The one end of the blocking element 6 is in the first state in cooperation with the holding element 3 and in the second state, apart from cooperation with the holding element 3. According to a first embodiment, the in Fig. 1 can be seen, 6 is a permanent magnet 7 is arranged at the other end of the blocking element. The permanent magnet 7 interacts with the electromagnet 5 in such a way that the permanent magnet 7 is attracted and / or repelled between the two states by the energizing of the electromagnet 5 in order to move the blocking element 6. Finally, the closure 1 according to Fig. 1 nor a pivotable emergency release lever 12, by means of which the lock 4 can be manually brought in a power failure in the second state.

A shutter 1 according to a second embodiment is shown in FIG Fig. 2 to see. The pivotable locking element 6 of the lock 4 has, at one end, a blocking surface 13 which rests against the holding element 3 in the first state. Like that Fig. 2 and 3 can be removed, thereby the movement of the holding member 3 against a spring 14 locked so that the door can not be opened. On locking element 6, in particular at its other end, there is a switchable between two positions paddle 8, which is integrally formed on the locking element 6 and is in operative connection with the electromagnet 5. The operative connection to the rocker switch 8 is made by means of a movable plunger 9 by the electromagnet 5, wherein the plunger 9 engages in an approximately W-shaped configured setting 10 on the rocker switch 8 for switching, as based on Fig. 6a can be seen.

By energizing the electromagnet 5, the rocker switch 8 is switched and the lock 4 thereby brought into the second state. Like that Fig. 4 and 5 can be removed, in the second state, the blocking surface 13 no longer on the support member 3. Thus, the movement of the holding member 3 is released against the spring 14, so that the door can be opened. The emergency release lever 12 'is designed to be displaceable in this embodiment of the closure 1.

The switching of the rocker switch 8 is in the Fig. 6a to 6c shown in more detail. In Fig. 6a is the lock 4 in the second state, so that the locking element 6, the movement of the retaining element 3 releases. The plunger 9 is the one slide member 10a of the gate 10 opposite. If the electromagnet 5 is energized, the plunger 9 is moved into the slide part 10 a and thereby twists the rocker switch 8, as the Fig. 6b can be removed. At the same time, the blocking element 6 is thereby pivoted into the first state of the locking 4 blocking the retaining element 3. After the end of the energization of the plunger 9 returns due to the compression spring 15 back to its original position, the in Fig. 6c shown. There, the plunger 9 is now the other backdrop part 10b opposite. The rocker switch 8 together with the blocking element 6 remains in this position until the electromagnet 5 is energized again. If the energization of the electromagnet 5, then the plunger 9 then moves in the gate part 10b and switches the rocker switch 8 back, so that in turn the in Fig. 6a shown second state of the lock 4 is taken.

To monitor the state in which the shutter 1 is located, an in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 visible switching element 11 disposed in the housing 2. The switching element 11 is available the holding element 3 and / or the lock 4 in operative connection, such that the switching element 11 in response to the position of the support member 3 and / or the latch 4 generates switching signals used by a device control in the domestic appliance for the corresponding control of the electromagnet 5 in the shutter 1 become.

The door is secured in a known manner to the body of the domestic appliance by means of a hinge and can be manually moved by the user between a closed position and an open position. However, if the lock 4 is in the first state and the door is closed, the door can not be opened. Only in the second state of the lock 4 an opening of the door is possible. The respective position of the door is also detected in a known manner by means of an electrical switch serving as a door contact, which is arranged, for example, on the body of the domestic appliance, by the door cooperating with the door contact for detecting the closed and / or open position.

According to a further embodiment, the in Fig. 7 and 8th is shown, the electrical connection to the power supply for the shutter 1 and the door contact can be simplified accordingly. It is then sufficient for a three-pole electrical connection 17. In this case, serving as a door contact electrical switch 18 is connected in series with a terminal 17a for the supply voltage of the electromagnet 5, as shown in the circuit diagram in FIG Fig. 9 can be seen. The other terminal 17c for the supply voltage is connected directly to the electromagnet 5. The door is in the closed position, the electrical switch 18 is turned on, whereby the supply voltage is applied to the electromagnet 5 for its actuation. It is immediately apparent that consequently a change in the state of the lock 4 is possible only when the door is closed. In this case, then the device control in the domestic appliance by means of an auxiliary contact 19 via the further electrical connection 17b actuate the solenoid 5 to bring the latch 4 in the desired state. In this case, since only the three poles corresponding to the electrical terminals 17a, 17b, 17c are needed, a simpler electrical connection 17 is provided than in conventional shutters.

The invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments. Rather, it also encompasses all expert developments within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Thus, such a shutter 1 can be found not only in household appliances, but also in other provided with a closing device devices, especially in confined spaces. Furthermore, due to the high reliability of the closure 1 according to the invention also a use in motor vehicles, real estate o. The like .. possible.

Reference numeral list:

1:

shutter

2:

casing

3:

retaining element

4:

lock

5:

electromagnet

6:

blocking element

7:

permanent magnet

8th:

rocker

9:

tappet

10:

scenery

10a, b:

link part

11:

switching element

12.12 ':

emergency release lever

13:

blocking surface

14:

feather

15:

compression spring

16:

Recess (in retaining element)

17,17a, 17b, 17c:

electrical connection

18:

electrical switch (door contact)

19:

auxiliary contact

Claims (9)

1. A lock, in particular for a household appliance, such as a tumble dryer, a washing machine, a dishwasher, or the like, comprising a movable retaining element (3) configured as a slider for cooperating with a locking bar located on a closing element, such as a door, a lid, a shutter, or the like, of the household appliance, and a two-state locking mechanism (4) for the retaining element (3) so that in a first state, the locking mechanism (4) blocks the movement of the retaining element (3), and in a second state, releases the movement of the retaining element (3), wherein the locking mechanism (4) can be controlled electromagnetically between both states by means of a coil of a solenoid (5) to which an electrical voltage can be applied, characterized in that the locking mechanism (4) has a pivotingly movable blocking element (6), and in that the blocking element (6) has a blocking surface (13) at one end, with the blocking surface (13) adjacent to the retaining element (3) in the first state, so that the movement of the retaining element (3) is blocked, and the blocking surface (13) being disengaged from the retaining element (3) in the second state, so that the movement of the retaining element (3) is released.
2. The lock according to claim 1, characterized in that at the other end, on the blocking element (6), a permanent magnet (7) is arranged which cooperates with the solenoid (5) so that adequate energizing of the solenoid (5) attracts or repels the permanent magnet (7) for moving the blocking element (6) between both states.
3. The lock according to claim 1, characterized in that at the other end on the blocking element (6), a rocker switch (8) is located which can be switched between two positions and is operatively connected to the solenoid (5), and in that the operative connection is established by means of a push rod (9) which can be moved by the solenoid (5), said push rod (9) engaging an approximately W-shaped connecting link (10) at the rocker switch (8) for switching.
4. The lock according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that a switching element (11) is operatively connected to the retaining element (3) and/or the locking mechanism (4) so that the switching element (11) generates switching signals depending on the position of the retaining element (3) and/or the locking mechanism (4).
5. The lock according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the closing element is movable between a closed position and an open position, and in that an electric switch (18) used as a door contact cooperates with the closing element for detecting the closed and/or opened position.
6. The lock according to claim 5, characterized in that the switch (18) is arranged on the body of the household appliance.
7. The lock according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the electric switch (18) is series connected to a connection (17a) for the supply voltage of the coil of the solenoid (5).
8. The lock according to claim 7, characterized in that the electric switch (18) is switched on when the closing element is in the closed position, so that the supply voltage is applied to the coil for actuation thereof.
9. The lock according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the coil can be actuated by means of an auxiliary contact (19).

Images