Lock for a household appliance

ES 2 415 664 T3

DESCRIPTION

Lock for a household appliance

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

Household appliances, such as a clothes dryer, a washing machine, a dishwasher or the like, have a door, a lid, a hinged door or the like to allow loading and / or unloading. The door, the lid or the hinged door or the like, hereinafter also referred to as a closing element, are provided with a lock.

Such a closure has a retaining element, which is configured for example in the manner of a slide, to cooperate with a latch located on the closure element of the domestic appliance. Furthermore, the closure has a locking device that has two states for the retainer, so that the locking device locks the movement of the retainer in a first state and releases the movement of the retainer in a second state.

Such a lock is known from DE 199 61 083 A1, where the locking device is controlled mechanically with a ratchet actuation between the two states. The disadvantage of this mechanical control is in its complexity and its susceptibility to failure.

A closure of this type is also known from document US 4 314 217 A. This closure has a displaceable interlock. The interlock can be electromagnetically controlled between the two states. For this, a coil of an electromagnet is provided, which can be ordered with electrical voltage.

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

The object of the invention is to improve the locking device closure, in particular in view of protection against errors.

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

In the closure according to the invention, the locking device has a pivotal locking element, the locking element cooperating at one end in the first state with the retaining element, as well as not cooperating with the retaining element in the second state. The interlocking device is controlled directly electromagnetically, that is to say, renouncing other complex mechanics. The dependent claims indicate other embodiments of the invention.

In a very simple first configuration, a permanent magnet is arranged at the other end of the locking element. The permanent magnet cooperates with the electromagnet in such a way that by applying a corresponding current to the electromagnet, the permanent magnet is attracted or repelled for movement of the locking element between the two states.

In a second, also very simple configuration, at the other end of the locking element, a toggle switch switchable between two positions is in active communication with the electromagnet. Active communication is established by means of a pusher that can be moved by the electromagnet, engaging the pusher in an approximately W-shaped slot on the rocker switch for switching.

The first and second embodiments may have a very compact structure, the locking element being pivotally configured.

The closure can be correspondingly controlled by a control on the household appliance. For example, the control cannot allow manual opening of the closing element until the household appliance has finished its operation. For this, it is recommended that a switching element is in active communication with the latching element and / or the interlocking device, so that the switching element generates switching signals as a function of the position of the latching element and / or of the interlocking device. These switching signals are in turn used by the control in the domestic appliance for the corresponding control of the closure.

Generally, the closure element can move between a closed position and an open position, that is, the door in the washing machine can be for example open or closed. Conventionally, it is recommended that a

ES 2 415 664 T3 electric switch serving as door contact cooperates with the closing element for the detection of the closed and / or 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 switched on particularly simply. In this case, the electrical switch is connected in series with a connection for the supply voltage of the coil, that is to say, for the electromagnet for actuating the interlocking device. In this case, the electrical switch is switched on when the closing element is in the closed position, whereby the supply voltage for driving the coil is switched on. The control of the household appliance can then actuate the coil, if necessary via an auxiliary contact. Advantageously, in such a connection arrangement, only a three-pole electrical connection is required for the coil, the door contact, as well as the auxiliary contact, whereas conventionally a four-pole electrical connection is provided here. five poles.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are in particular that the locking device can be controlled in a simple way in an automated way between the two states. Furthermore, the closure is inexpensive despite its high functionality and is therefore suitable in particular for cost-sensitive household appliances. The directly controlled electromagnetic interlocking device is very safe in operation and can therefore also be used in safety-critical applications in the home appliance. Furthermore, a closure configured in this way has a small overall size, making it suitable for narrow installation spaces in household appliances.

The drawings show exemplary embodiments of the invention with different variants and configurations, which will be described in more detail below. They show:

FIG. 1 is a closure in a perspective view according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a closure in a perspective view according to a second embodiment, the locking device being in the first state;

Figure 3 shows the closure of Figure 2 in another perspective view, the locking device being in the first state;

Figure 4 shows the closure of Figure 2, the locking device being in the second state;

Figure 5 shows the closure of Figure 3, the locking device being in the second state;

<td>Figures 6a to 6c</td><td>a section along line 6-6 of Figure 2, the development of the movement for switching the interlocking device being represented;</td>

<td>Figure 7</td><td>a closure in a first perspective view, according to another embodiment;</td>

<td>Figure 8</td><td>the closure of Figure 7 in a second perspective view and</td>

<td>Figure 9</td><td>A connection arrangement for the electrical connection of the closure of Figure 7.</td>

A lock 1 for a door, a lid, a hinged door or other movable part as a closing element, hereinafter called, for simplicity, and only door, in a household appliance, such as a clothes dryer, a washing machine, a dishwasher or the like can be seen in more detail in FIG. 1. The closure 1 has a housing 2, in which a retaining element 3 is movably housed, which in the present case is configured in the manner of a slide. The retaining element 3 cooperates with a latch on the door of the domestic appliance, not shown in detail, to close the door, the latch engaging on the underside of the latch not shown in figure 1 in a recess in the latch element retention 3. Such a recess 16 in the retention element 3 for the bolt can be seen in Figure 7. Furthermore, in the housing 2 there is a locking device 4 that has two states for the retaining element 3, so that the locking device 4 blocks the movement of the retaining element in a first state and releases the movement of the locking element. retention 3 in a second state. The locking device 4 can be controlled electromagnetically directly between the two states, for which a coil is arranged in the housing in the manner of an electromagnet 5 that can be energized.

The locking device 4 has a movable locking element 6, which in the present case is pivotally designed. One end of the locking element 6 cooperates in the first state with the retention element 3, ceasing to cooperate with the retention element 3 in the second state. According to a first embodiment, which can be seen in Figure 1, a magnet is arranged at the other end of the locking element 6.

ES 2 415 664 T3 permanent 7. Permanent magnet 7 cooperates with electromagnet 5 in such a way that by applying a current corresponding to electromagnet 5 permanent magnet 7 attracts and / or repels between the two states for the movement of the element lock 6. Finally, the lock 1 according to Figure 1 has a rotatable emergency unlocking lever 12, with the help of which the locking device 4 can be manually passed into the second state in the event of a power failure.

Figure 2 shows a closure 1 according to a second embodiment. The rotary locking element 6 of the locking device 4 has at one end a locking surface 13, which in the first state seats against the retaining element 3. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the movement of the retaining element 3 relative to a spring 14, so that the door cannot be opened. On the locking element 6, in particular at its other end, there is a rocker switch 8 which can be switched between two positions and which is molded into the locking element 6 and which is in active communication with the electromagnet 5. Active communication with the rocker switch 8 is carried out by means of a pusher 9 that can be moved by means of the electromagnet 5, engaging the pusher 9 in a slot 10 configured approximately in the shape of a W on the rocker switch 8 for switching, as can be seen in the Figure 6a.

By applying current to the electromagnet 5, the rocker switch 8 is switched and the locking device 4 is brought into the second state. As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, in the second state, the locking surface 13 no longer seats against the retainer 3. Therefore, the movement of the retainer 3 relative to the spring 14 is released, so that the door can be opened. In this configuration of the lock 1, the emergency release lever 12 'is displaceably configured.

The switching process of the rocker switch 8 is represented in more detail in Figures 6a to 6c. In Fig. 6a, the locking device 4 is in the second state, so that the locking element 6 releases the movement of the retaining element 3. The pusher 9 is opposite a collet part 10a of the collet 10. When current is applied to the electromagnet 5, the pusher 9 moves into the slide part 10a and rotates the rocker switch 8 during this process, as can be seen in Figure 6b. At the same time, due to this, the locking element 6 pivots to the first state of the locking device 4 in which it locks the retaining element 3. After the end of the application of current, the pusher 9 returns due to the switching spring 15 back to its starting position, which is shown in Figure 6c. There, the pusher 9 is now opposite the other part of the collet 10b. The rocker switch 8 together with the locking element 6 remains in this position while current is reapplied to the electromagnet 5. When current is applied to the electromagnet 5, the pusher 9 moves into the slide portion 10b and switches the rocker switch 8 back to its previous state, so that the locking device 4 returns to the second state shown in Figure 6a.

To monitor the state of the closure 1, a switching element 11 shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 is arranged in the housing 2. The switching element 11 is in active communication with the holding element 3 and / or the locking device 4, so that the switching element 11 generates switching signals as a function of the position of the holding element 3 and / or the interlocking device 4, which are used by the control of the appliance in the domestic appliance for a corresponding control of the electromagnet 5 in the closure 1.

The door is fixed in a known way on the body of the household 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 locking device 4 is in the first state and the door is closed, it is not possible to open the door. Only in the second state of the locking device 4 is an opening of the door possible. The corresponding position of the door is also detected in a known way by means of an electrical switch serving as a door contact, which is arranged for example on the body of the domestic appliance, the door cooperating with the door contact to detect the closed position and / or or open.

According to another exemplary embodiment which is represented in FIGS. 7 and 8, the electrical connection for the power supply for the lock 1 and the door contact can be correspondingly simplified. In this case, a three-pole electrical connection 17 is sufficient. In this case, the electrical switch 18 serving as a door contact is connected in series with a connection 17a for the supply voltage of the electromagnet 5, as can be seen with the aid of the connection diagram in Figure 9. The other connection 17c for the supply voltage is directly connected to the electromagnet 5. When the door is in the closed position, the electrical switch 18 is switched on, whereby supply voltage is applied to the electromagnet 5 for actuation thereof. It can be seen directly that, therefore, a change of the state of the locking device 4 is only possible when the door is closed. In this case, the appliance control in the domestic appliance can actuate by means of an auxiliary contact 19 by means of the other electrical connection 17b the electromagnet 5, to make the interlocking device 4 pass to the desired state. Since in this case only the three poles are needed according to the electrical connections 17a, 17b, 17c, there is a simpler electrical connection 17 than in the case of conventional closures.

ES 2 415 664 T3

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described and represented. On the contrary, it also includes all suitable variants within the framework of the invention defined in the claims. As a result, such a closure 1 can be used not only in household appliances, but also in other appliances provided with a closure element, in particular in narrow installation spaces. Furthermore, thanks to the high operational reliability of the closure 1 according to the invention, it is also possible to use it in automobiles, buildings or the like.

List of reference signs

Closing

Case

Retention element

Interlocking device

Electromagnet

Locking element

Permanent magnet

Rocker switch

Pusher

Colisa

10a, b Colisa part

Switching element

12.12 'Emergency release lever

Locking surface

Spring

Compression spring

Cutout (in retainer)

17, 17a, 17b, 17c Electrical connection

Electrical switch (door contact)

Auxiliary contact