EP3508676B1 - Hinge for a domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a hinge for a household appliance according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such a hinge for a household appliance, for example, is already the EP 2 759 669 A2 to be taken as known. The hinge comprises a hinge housing and a swivel arm which is pivotably held at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the hinge housing. Thus, the hinge arm can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis relative to the hinge housing while the pivot arm is held on the hinge housing. Furthermore, the hinge comprises a drive device, which has an electric motor, by means of which the swivel arm can be swiveled relative to the hinge housing.

Furthermore, the DE 296 05 182 U1 an electromotive furniture drive in the form of a single or double drive.

In addition, from the U.S. 2007/0267401 A1 a motorized hinge system for an oven door is known. In addition, the EP 2 784 257 A1 a movement system for a door or an openable part of an electrical household appliance. Furthermore, the not prior disclosed EP 3 438 391 A2 a hinge for connecting a door to a household appliance compartment.

The object of the present invention is to further develop a hinge of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the hinge can be mounted particularly easily.

This problem is solved by a hinge with the features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the remaining claims.

A hinge according to the invention for a household appliance comprises a hinge housing and a swivel arm which is pivotably held on the hinge housing. The hinge arm can thus be pivoted about at least or precisely one pivot axis relative to the hinge housing, that is to say it can be moved rotationally, while the pivot arm is held at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the hinge housing. Furthermore, the hinge includes a drive device, which is also referred to as an actuator. The drive device comprises at least or precisely one electric motor, by means of which the swivel arm can be swiveled relative to the hinge housing. For this purpose, for example, the swivel arm can be or is coupled at least indirectly, in particular directly, to the electric motor.

In order to be able to mount the hinge in a particularly simple and therefore time-saving and cost-effective manner, in particular on the household appliance, it is provided according to the invention that the drive device is designed separately from the hinge housing, is provided in addition to the hinge housing and is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, comprises the drive housing following the hinge housing, in which the electric motor is accommodated at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely. According to the invention, the drive device also comprises a threaded spindle which is accommodated at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, in the hinge housing, which can be driven by means of the electric motor and is therefore rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the hinge housing and preferably relative to the drive housing.

According to the invention, the drive device also comprises at least one screw element which is screwed to the threaded spindle, in particular screwed onto the threaded spindle, which screw element is designed, for example, as a nut. The screw element is secured against rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the hinge housing and preferably relative to the drive housing, so that a relative rotation about the axis of rotation between the threaded spindle and the screw element can cause a translatory movement of the screw element relative to the hinge housing, whereby the swivel arm can be pivoted relative to the hinge housing by means of the screw element. For example, if the threaded spindle is rotated in a first direction of rotation about the axis of rotation relative to the hinge housing, the screw element is thereby moved in a translatory manner in a first direction relative to the hinge housing, for example. As a result, for example, the swivel arm is swiveled in a first swiveling direction relative to the hinge housing. If, for example, the threaded spindle is rotated by means of the electric motor in a second direction of rotation, opposite the first direction of rotation, about the axis of rotation relative to the hinge housing, the screw element is thereby moved in a translatory manner, for example, in a second direction opposite the first direction relative to the hinge housing. As a result, for example, the swivel arm is swiveled relative to the hinge housing in a second swiveling direction opposite to the first swiveling direction.

The invention also includes, for example, a household appliance which comprises an appliance housing and an appliance door which is held pivotably on the appliance housing and which can be pivoted between a closed position and at least one open position relative to the appliance housing. The household appliance also includes at least one hinge according to the invention. In this case, for example, at least the hinge housing is attached to the appliance housing, and the swivel arm is connected, for example, to the appliance door. If the pivoting arm is thus pivoted relative to the hinge housing, this causes the appliance door to pivot relative to the appliance housing. For example, by pivoting the pivoting arm in the first pivoting direction, the appliance door can be opened at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely moved away from the device housing and thereby moved, for example, from the closed position to the open position. By pivoting the pivoting arm in the first pivoting direction, for example, the appliance door can be moved from the open position to the closed position. As a result, particularly convenient operation or handling of the household appliance can be achieved.

Since the electric motor is at least partially accommodated in the drive housing and is preferably held at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the drive housing, the electric motor and the drive housing form a first module part, for example, or the drive housing and the electric motor are components of a first module part. The threaded spindle and the screw element are held at least indirectly on the hinge housing, it being possible for the screw element to be arranged at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, in the hinge housing. Since the swivel arm is also held on the hinge housing, the hinge housing, the threaded spindle, the screw element and the swivel arm form a second module part or the hinge housing, the threaded spindle, the screw element and the swivel arm are components of a second module part. The module parts can, for example, be manufactured or preassembled and/or handled independently of one another.

The respective module part forms an assembled or preassembled structural unit, which can be handled independently of the respective other structural unit and, in particular, can be mounted on the device housing. It is thus possible, for example, to first move or handle the first module part independently of the second module part relative to the device housing and in particular to mount it on the device housing, in particular while the first module part is detached from the second module part. After the first module part has been mounted on the device housing, the second module part can, for example, be moved and handled independently of the first module part and in particular in the detached state from the first module part and thus in particular moved relative to the device housing and in particular on the device housing can be mounted. As part of the assembly of the second module part on the device housing, the module parts are, for example, put together or assembled, whereby for example the electric motor is at least indirectly, in particular directly, coupled to the threaded spindle. In the assembled or assembled state of the module parts, the electric motor can drive the threaded spindle and thereby rotate about the axis of rotation relative to the hinge housing and in particular relative to the drive housing, in order thereby to pivot the swivel arm.

The hinge according to the invention can thus have a modular structure, which allows a particularly simple assembly of the hinge as a whole. Since the module parts can be handled independently of one another, and since the respective module part has smaller external dimensions than the hinge as a whole in a state in which the module parts are assembled or assembled, the respective module part can be used in a separate state from the other module part in particular easy to handle and easy to install, even in tight spaces, which saves time and money.

A particularly simple assembly of the hinge can be realized in particular by the drive housing adjoining the hinge housing in the longitudinal direction of the hinge housing when the hinge is in the fully manufactured state, ie when the module parts are assembled or assembled. As a result, the installation space required by the hinge in a direction running obliquely or perpendicularly to the direction of longitudinal extension of the hinge housing can be kept particularly small. In other words, the overall height of the hinge can be kept particularly low, so that the hinge can be accommodated or mounted particularly well even in tight spaces. The direction of longitudinal extent of the hinge housing coincides in particular with a direction of movement which coincides with the first and with the second direction, along which the screw element can be moved relative to the hinge housing by rotating the threaded spindle.

The invention is based on the finding that the hinge may not be able to be installed in a state in which the module parts are assembled, for reasons of space. Another problem is that a common assembly sequence is to always assemble the hinge on the appliance door last. As a result, there is already very little space when installing the hinge, so that the hinge, also referred to as an actuator, can no longer be installed or can only be installed with great difficulty. However, these problems and disadvantages can now be avoided by the modular design of the hinge according to the invention. The second module part preferably includes power-transmitting components such as the threaded spindle, the screw element and, for example, at least one or more axial bearings and/or at least one or more radial bearings and/or at least one ram. The threaded spindle is mounted on the hinge housing, for example, via the at least one axial bearing in the axial direction of the threaded spindle. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the threaded spindle is mounted on the hinge housing via the at least one radial bearing in the radial direction of the threaded spindle. Forces are, for example, transmitted from the screw element to the swivel arm via the mentioned tappet, so that, for example, the swivel arm can be pivoted relative to the hinge housing via the tappet by means of the screw element, in that the screw element and with it, for example, the tappet, can be moved in the respective direction relative to the Hinge housing are moved translationally.

The electric motor can, for example, be fastened or mounted on the device housing via the drive housing. In particular, for example, the electric motor can be mounted on or on a floor pan of the device housing via the drive housing. The drive housing thus acts as a motor mount, which is also simply referred to as a mount.

In particular, it is conceivable to first mount the first module part and thus the electric motor and the drive housing independently and in a state detached from the second module part on the device housing, in particular on the floor pan. For this purpose, for example, the first module part is first handled independently of the second module part and in particular in the detached state from the second module part and in particular relative to the second module part and relative to the device housing moved and mounted on the device housing. Then, for example, the second module part is handled independently of the first module part and in the detached state from the first module part and is thereby moved relative to the first module part and relative to the device housing, in particular while the first module part is already mounted on the device housing. The second module part is then, for example, at least indirectly, in particular directly, mounted on the device housing and assembled or assembled with the first module part already mounted on the device housing, whereby the threaded spindle is coupled to the electric motor, for example. The module parts can thus be handled independently of one another and mounted on the device housing. In particular, the module parts can be handled in a detached or separated state and mounted on the device housing, so that the hinge can be mounted easily and in a time-saving and cost-effective manner.

For example, after the first module part has been mounted on the device housing, the second module part and thus the hinge housing, the threaded spindle, the screw element and the hinge arm can be at least partially inserted from a front side of the device housing through a front panel into the device housing, and the threaded spindle can are at least indirectly connected or coupled to the electric motor. In particular, there is an at least indirect non-rotatable coupling or connection of the threaded spindle to the electric motor, in particular to a rotor of the electric motor. The electric motor is designed, for example, as a rotary motor and includes a stator and a rotor, which can be driven by the stator and is therefore rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the stator. The electric motor can, for example, provide torque via the rotor, by means of which the threaded spindle can be rotated.

In the assembled or assembled state of the module parts, for example, the threaded spindle is positively coupled to the rotor. In particular, in the case of the hinge, for example, the threaded spindle is connected, in particular non-rotatably, to the electric motor, in particular to the rotor, via a toothed connection, in particular via a multi-toothed connection. The The drive housing and thus the electric motor are fastened or can be fastened to the device housing, for example via the holder. In other words, for example, the first module part includes the holder, via which the electric motor can be attached to the device housing. The holder is preferably funnel-shaped, at least in a partial area, so that it guides and centers the hinge housing, for example, when the hinge housing is at least partially pushed or plugged into the drive housing. By means of this centering, for example, respective toothings of the rotor and the threaded spindle, in particular designed as serrations, can be centered or aligned relative to one another. The toothings are, for example, splines, which can be plugged into one another, in particular along the direction of movement, in order to thereby connect the threaded spindle to the rotor in a form-fitting manner. This connection is supported by the funnel-shaped holder.

The hinge housing is preferably supported directly or directly on the drive housing, so that, for example, the hinge housing touches the drive housing directly or directly. In this way, for example, a support torque of the electric motor can be transmitted from the electric motor to the drive housing and from the drive housing directly into the hinge housing, so that the electric motor can be particularly advantageously supported against undesired rotation relative to the drive housing, especially when the threaded spindle is being turned by means of the electric motor is driven.

Due to the modular structure of the hinge according to the invention, the usual assembly sequence can be maintained. Furthermore, protruding components of the hinge can be avoided. A further advantage is that the electric motor, which represents a potential source of noise, can be arranged particularly far back in the device housing in the longitudinal direction of extent of the hinge housing, so that excessive noise development can be avoided. Furthermore, as a result, the electric motor can be arranged at such a point at which the electric motor can be particularly advantageously insulated against structure-borne noise. In comparison compared to conventional hinges, the drive device sits further down, as a result of which a temperature load acting on the drive device can be kept particularly low, in particular when the household appliance is designed as an oven or other cooking appliance. In addition, a particularly advantageous accessibility to the hinge can be ensured, in particular in the event of service or repairs.

The household appliance mentioned above is, for example, a cooking appliance such as in particular a cooker, in particular an electric cooker or a gas cooker. In particular, the domestic appliance can be an oven. However, the hinge can also be used for other household appliances without further ado.

The feature that the drive housing is designed separately from the hinge housing and is provided in addition thereto can be understood in particular to mean that the hinge housing and the drive housing are two components that are designed separately from one another and are connected or can be connected to one another. Furthermore, the feature that the drive housing at least partially follows the hinge housing in the direction of longitudinal extent of the hinge housing means that the drive housing at least partially adjoins the hinge housing in the direction of longitudinal extent of the hinge housing, so that the drive housing at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, is arranged outside of the hinge housing, in particular in relation to the direction of longitudinal extent of the hinge housing.

The drive housing and/or the electric motor is at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, covered by the hinge housing along the axis of rotation towards the swivel arm. This means that the drive housing and the electric motor are not arranged completely offset from the hinge housing in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, but rather the drive housing and the electric motor are connected to the hinge housing as an extension of the latter, in particular on one of the Swivel arm opposite side of the hinge housing. As a result, the hinge can be mounted particularly easily.

In order to be able to handle and assemble the module parts independently of one another in a particularly simple manner, it is provided that a longitudinal area of the threaded spindle protrudes from the hinge housing and is accommodated in the drive housing. In particular, the threaded spindle is coupled over the length range to the electric motor, in particular to the rotor, in particular connected in a rotationally fixed manner.

Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that the hinge housing is also referred to as the first housing or is a first housing of the hinge, with the drive housing being a second housing of the hinge or is also referred to as the second housing, and with a longitudinal area of one of the housings in the each other housing is added. In this way, for example, the module parts can be assembled in a particularly simple manner by inserting the length of one housing, in particular along the axis of rotation, into the other housing. Here, for example, the funnel-shaped holder acts as a guide to guide one housing when its length is inserted into the other housing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the threaded spindle is accommodated at least predominantly, in particular completely, in the hinge housing along the axis of rotation. As a result, the second module part can be handled particularly easily and thus assembled in a time-saving and cost-effective manner.

In order to achieve particularly simple assembly, the electric motor and the drive housing are connected to the hinge housing at an end of the hinge housing opposite the swivel arm.

A further embodiment is characterized in that the threaded spindle via a plug connection, in particular reversibly detachable, non-rotatable with the Electric motor, in particular with the rotor, is connected. In this way, the module parts can be assembled or put together in a particularly simple manner, for example, by the module parts, in particular the threaded spindle and the rotor, being plugged together or plugged into one another, in particular by moving the threaded spindle along the axis of rotation relative to the rotor and, for example, into the drive housing is plugged in.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive housing is connected to the hinge housing, in particular in a reversibly detachable manner. As a result, the module parts can be assembled or assembled and detached again from one another in a particularly simple manner, so that the hinge as a whole can be easily assembled on the device housing and disassembled from the device housing.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive device comprises a gear which has a gear ratio different from 1 and is accommodated at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, in the drive housing. The transmission is preferably held at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the drive housing. The gear is preferably also part of the previously mentioned first module part, so that the gear can be assembled in a simple manner. The threaded spindle can be driven by the electric motor via the transmission. By using the gear, the electric motor can be designed to be particularly light and space-saving, so that the weight and the space requirement of the hinge can be kept particularly low overall. As a result, the hinge can be fitted particularly easily and thus in a time-saving and cost-effective manner.

Finally, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the transmission is accommodated at least predominantly, in particular completely, in the drive housing along the axis of rotation. As a result, a particularly compact design can be implemented, so that the hinge can be mounted particularly easily.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and from the drawing. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Fig. 1

eine schematische und perspektivische sowie teilweise geschnittene Explosionsansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Scharniers; und

Fig. 2

eine schematische und teilweise geschnittene Explosionsseitenansicht des Scharniers.

The drawing shows in:

1

a schematic and perspective and partially sectioned exploded view of a hinge according to the invention; and

2

a schematic and partially sectioned exploded side view of the hinge.

Elements that are the same or have the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 and 2 each show a schematic exploded view of a hinge 10 for a household appliance. The hinge 10 comprises a hinge housing 12 which is 2 is shown transparently. In addition, the hinge 10 comprises a pivot arm 14 which is arranged, for example, at a first end 16 of the hinge housing 12 and is held at the end 16 of the hinge arm on the hinge housing. This means that the pivot arm 14 pivots about a pivot axis defined by a bolt 18 relative to the hinge housing 12, i.e. can be moved rotationally, while the pivot arm 14, which is also referred to as a hinge arm, is held on the hinge housing 12. The swivel arm 14 is pivotably held on the hinge housing 12 at least via the bolt 18 . The hinge 10 also includes a drive device 20, also referred to as an actuator, which has a rotary motor, for example trained electric motor 22 has. The pivot arm 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis relative to the hinge housing 12 by means of the electric motor 22 .

The swivel arm 14 can be swiveled relative to the hinge housing 12, for example between at least a first position and at least a second position. The pivot axis defined by bolt 18 is in 2 labeled 24. The hinge 10 also includes a particularly good 2 recognizable carriage 26. The carriage 26 is mounted on the hinge housing 12 relative to the hinge housing 12 in a translationally movable manner and is in particular at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, arranged or accommodated in the hinge housing 12. In other words, the carriage 26 is mounted on the hinge housing 12 in a longitudinally displaceable manner. In 2 An arrow 28 illustrates a first direction in which the carriage 26 is translatable relative to the hinge housing 12 . Further, an arrow 30 illustrates a second direction, opposite the first direction, in which the carriage 26 is translationally movable relative to the hinge housing 12 .

Furthermore, an arrow 32 illustrates a first pivoting direction, in which the pivoting arm 14 can be pivoted about the pivot axis 24 relative to the hinge housing 12 . Furthermore illustrated in 2 an arrow 34 a second pivoting direction opposite to the first pivoting direction, in which the pivoting arm 14 can be pivoted about the pivoting axis 24 relative to the pivoting housing 12 . The carriage 26 is at least indirectly, in particular directly, coupled to the pivoting arm 14 so that the pivoting arm 14 is pivoted in the first pivoting direction when the carriage 26 is moved in the first direction. If the carriage 26 is moved in the second direction, the pivoting arm 14 is thereby pivoted in the second pivoting direction. The electric motor 22 comprises a stator, which cannot be seen in more detail in the figures, and a rotor which can be driven by the stator and is therefore rotatable about an axis of rotation 36 relative to the stator and in particular relative to the hinge housing 12 . The rotor can be rotated about the axis of rotation 36 in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

Said household appliance comprises an appliance housing and an appliance door, which is simply referred to as a door. The door is at least indirectly, in particular directly, pivotably held on the device housing and can thus be pivoted between a closed position and at least one open position relative to the device housing. Here, for example, the hinge housing 12 is at least indirectly, in particular directly, held or fastened to the appliance housing, while for example the swivel arm 14 is at least indirectly, in particular directly, connected to the appliance door. If, for example, the pivoting arm 14 is moved in the first pivoting direction, the appliance door can thereby be moved from the closed position into the open position. If, for example, the pivoting arm 14 is pivoted in the second pivoting direction, the door is thereby moved from the open position into the closed position, for example. Moving the door from the closed position to the open position is also referred to as opening the door, while moving the door from the open position to the closed position is also referred to as closing the door.

In order to be able to mount the hinge 10 in a particularly simple and thus time-saving and cost-effective manner, in particular on the device housing, the drive device 20 comprises a drive housing 38 which is designed separately from the hinge housing 12 and is provided in addition to the hinge housing 12, which acts as a holder, for example. The holder is also referred to as a motor holder. How particularly good looking 1 and 2 As can be seen, drive housing 38 follows hinge housing 12 at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, in the longitudinal direction of extent of hinge housing 12, with electric motor 22 being arranged or accommodated at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, in drive housing 38. In 1 and 2 the direction of longitudinal extent of the hinge housing 12 is illustrated by a double arrow 40 , the direction of longitudinal extent of the hinge housing 12 coinciding with the axis of rotation 36 or running along the axis of rotation 36 , for example. The drive device 20 also includes a threaded spindle 42, which is accommodated at least partially, in particular at least predominantly, in the hinge housing 12 and can be driven by means of the electric motor 22, in particular by means of the rotor and thereby rotatable about a spindle axis of rotation relative to the hinge housing 12 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the spindle axis of rotation coincides with the axis of rotation 36 so that the threaded spindle 42 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 36 relative to the hinge housing 12 . Thus, the threaded spindle 42 is arranged coaxially to the electric motor 22, in particular to its rotor. The threaded spindle 42 can thus be driven by the stator via the rotor. Thus, the rotor and, via it, the threaded spindle 42 can be rotated about the axis of rotation 36 in a first direction of rotation and in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation relative to the hinge housing 12 and in particular relative to the drive housing 38 .

Drive device 20 also includes a screw element in the form of a spindle nut 44, which is accommodated at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, in hinge housing 12 and is screwed to threaded spindle 42 to the drive housing 38 is secured. A relative rotation between the threaded spindle 42 and the spindle nut 44 around the axis of rotation 36 can thus cause a translational movement of the spindle nut 44 relative to the hinge housing 12, as a result of which the pivot arm 14 can be pivoted relative to the hinge housing 12 by means of the spindle nut 44.

The spindle nut 44 has, for example, a first thread in the form of an external thread. The spindle nut 44 has, for example, a second thread in the form of an internal thread that corresponds to the external thread. The spindle nut 44 is screwed to the threaded spindle 42 via the thread and in particular screwed onto the threaded spindle 42 . If, for example, the threaded spindle 42 is rotated in the first direction of rotation about the axis of rotation 36 relative to the hinge housing 12, the spindle nut 44 is thereby moved translationally relative to the hinge housing 12 in the first direction illustrated by the arrow 28. If the threaded spindle 42 is rotated, for example, in the second direction of rotation, as a result, for example, the spindle nut 44 in the through second direction illustrated by arrow 30 is translated relative to hinge housing 12 .

The spindle nut 44 is connected, for example, at least indirectly, in particular directly, to the carriage 26 . Thus, when the spindle nut 44 is moved in the first direction, the carriage 26 is thereby moved in the first direction. Consequently, if the spindle nut 44 is moved in the second direction, the carriage 26, for example, is thereby moved in the second direction. In particular, spindle nut 44, for example, is coupled or connected to carriage 26 via a coupling element 46, the coupling element being embodied, for example, as a plate, in particular as an actuating plate, and like spindle nut 44 and carriage 26 along one with the first direction and with the second direction coincident direction of movement relative to the hinge housing 12 and relative to the drive housing 38 is movable in translation.

In addition, the hinge 10 includes, for example, a spring 48 which is coupled or connected at least indirectly, in particular directly, to the carriage 26 on the one hand and at least indirectly, in particular directly, to the hinge housing 12 on the other hand. For example, the first position of the swivel arm 14 is in 1 and 2 shown. If the pivoting arm 14 is pivoted in the first pivoting direction, as a result of which the pivoting arm 14 is moved, for example, from the first position into the second position, the spring 48 is tensioned as a result. By pivoting the pivoting arm 14 in the first pivoting direction, the door is opened, for example. By tensioning the spring 48, it provides a spring force which acts on the swivel arm 14 via the carriage 26 and on the door via this. This spring force results in a first torque, for example, which acts about the pivot axis 24 in the second pivot direction. The first torque is also referred to as the closing torque, since it is used to close the door or because the door can be moved into the closed position by means of the closing torque. Relative to the image plane in 2 the closing torque acts counterclockwise.

At least in the open position, the weight of the door causes a second torque, which acts about the pivot axis 24 in the first pivoting direction opposite the second pivoting direction and is also referred to as the opening moment, since the door can be moved into the open position by means of the opening moment. The opening moment is opposite to the closing moment.

If the door is moved from the open position in the direction of the closed position, so that the pivoting arm 14 is moved from the second position in the direction of the first position, then the closing moment becomes different from the closed position and the open position and becomes a pivoting range in which the pivoting arm 14 and the door are pivotable associated first intermediate position is greater than the opening moment, so that the door from the first intermediate position by means of the closing moment or by means of the spring force is completely moved, in particular pulled, into the closed position. If the door is moved from the closed position in the direction of the open position, so that the swivel arm 14 is moved from the first position in the direction of the second position, the opening moment from one of the closed position and the open position or the first position and the second position is different and the second intermediate position belonging to the pivoting range is greater than the closing moment, so that from the second intermediate position the door is moved fully into the open position by means of the opening moment or by means of the weight force and thus due to the force of gravity. For example, the intermediate positions differ from each other.

The drive device also includes a gear 50, which has a gear ratio that differs from 1 and is accommodated at least partially, in particular at least predominantly or completely, in the drive housing 38. The threaded spindle 42 can be driven via the transmission 50 by the electric motor 22, in particular by the rotor. The electric motor 22 and the transmission 50 are each held at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the drive housing. Furthermore, the threaded spindle 42, the spindle nut 44, the carriage 26, the "pivot arm 14, the spring 48 and the coupling element 46 are each held at least indirectly on the hinge housing 12. Thus, for example, the drive housing 38, the electric motor 22 and the gear 50 form a first module part 52.

The hinge housing 12, the swivel arm 14, the carriage 26, the threaded spindle 42, the spindle nut 44, the coupling element 46 and the spring 48 form, for example, a second module part 54, with the module parts 52 and 54 being respective coherent or assembled structural units . The respective module part 52 or 54 can be handled and moved independently of the respective other module part 54 or 52, so that the respective module part 52 or 54 can be moved relative to the respective other module part 54 or 52. In particular, the module parts 52 and 54 can be moved relative to one another and independently of one another in a detached state, ie in a state in which the module parts 52 and 54 are separated or detached from one another, ie not assembled or assembled.

In this way it is possible, for example, to initially move module part 52 in the detached state from module part 54 relative to module part 54 and relative to the device housing and thus independently of module part 54 and to mount it on the device housing, in particular while module part 54 is separated or detached from the module part 52 . The drive housing 38 acts as a holder, in particular as a motor holder, since the electric motor 22 and the gear 50 can be fastened or are fastened to the device housing via the drive housing 38 .

After the module part 52 has been attached to the device housing via the drive housing 38, the module part 54 can be moved relative to the device housing and relative to the module part 52 already attached to the device housing and, in particular, fastened to the device housing when it is detached or separated from the module part 52 be, while the module part 52 is already attached to the device housing. As part of the attachment of the module part 54 to the device housing, the module parts 52 and 54 are connected to one another, that is to say put together or assembled. Here, for example, the threaded spindle 42, in particular positively connected to the gear 50 and thus to the electric motor 22, in particular non-rotatably connected, so that the threaded spindle 42 via the gear 50 from the Electric motor 22 is driven and can thus be rotated about the axis of rotation 36 relative to the hinge housing 12 .

Out of 1 and 2 It can be seen particularly well that the threaded spindle 42 is accommodated at least predominantly in the hinge housing 12 along the axis of rotation 36 . Furthermore, the module part 52 adjoins the hinge housing 12 in the direction of longitudinal extent of the latter in such a way that the drive housing 38 and/or the electric motor 22 and, if applicable, the transmission 50 along the axis of rotation 36 and thus in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the hinge housing 12 toward the swivel arm 14 are at least partially guided by the Hinge housing 12 is covered. The electric motor 22 and the transmission 50 are accommodated at least predominantly, in particular completely, in the drive housing 38 along the axis of rotation 36 .

In addition, a longitudinal area L1 of the threaded spindle 42 projects out of the hinge housing 12 in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the hinge housing 12 or along the axis of rotation 36 and is accommodated in the drive housing 38 . The threaded spindle 42 is connected, in particular in a form-fitting manner, to the transmission 50 and thus to the electric motor 36, in particular to the rotor, over the length region L1. For this purpose, for example, the threaded spindle 42 has a first toothing, at least in the length region L1, which is designed, for example, as a plug-in toothing. The transmission 50 or the electric motor 22, in particular the rotor, has, for example, a second toothing which corresponds to the first toothing and which is also designed as a plug-in toothing, for example. The threaded spindle 42 can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the electric motor 22, in particular to the rotor, in such a way that the toothings are inserted into one another along the axis of rotation 36. As a result, the threaded spindle 42 is connected to the electric motor 22 in a reversibly detachable manner, so that the module parts 52 and 54 can be connected to one another and detached from one another in a simple manner and as required.

In addition, provision is preferably made for the drive housing 38 to be connected to the hinge housing 12 in a reversibly detachable manner, at least indirectly, in particular directly. This allows, for example, the torque particularly advantageously transferred from the electric motor 22 to the drive housing 38 and introduced directly into the hinge housing 12 by this.

Furthermore, the hinge housing 12 has a length region L2 which is accommodated in the drive housing 38 . Particularly good looking 2 It can be seen that the module parts 52 and 54 are connected to one another, i.e. put together or assembled in such a way that the longitudinal region L2 of the hinge housing 12 is inserted into the drive housing 38 along the axis of rotation 36 in order to thereby insert the splines into one another. The drive housing 38 is funnel-shaped at least in a length region L3, in which the length region L2 is accommodated or through which the length region L2 is inserted, so that wall regions 56 of the drive housing 38 taper along the axis of rotation 36 towards the electric motor 22 or towards one another get lost. The wall areas 56 delimit an insertion opening 58 via which the length area L2 is inserted or can be inserted into the drive housing 38 . The wall areas 56 act as insertion funnels or insertion aids, by means of which the hinge housing 12 is aligned or centered relative to the drive housing 38 when it is inserted into the drive housing 38 via the insertion opening 58 . As a result, the toothings find one another particularly easily and can be plugged into one another along the axis of rotation 36 . As a result, the module parts 52 and 54 can be connected to one another in a particularly simple manner and thus in a time-saving and cost-effective manner.

The transmission 50 has a gear ratio that differs from 1, so that the weight and the installation space requirement of the electric motor 22 and thus of the drive device 20 overall can be kept particularly low. The transmission 50 is also accommodated at least predominantly, in particular completely, in the drive housing 38 along the axis of rotation 36 .

In particular, for example, the coupling element 46 is coupled to the spindle nut 44 on the one hand and to the carriage 26 on the other hand in such a way that the coupling element 46 is coupled via the spindle nut 44 and the threaded spindle 42 by means of the electric motor 22 along the direction of movement in a translatory manner relative to the hinge housing 12 into at least one neutral position, in which the swivel arm 14 and via this the carriage 26 can be moved independently of the drive device 20 relative to the hinge housing 12 and relative to the drive device 20. In other words, if the coupling element 46 is in the neutral position, the swivel arm 14 can be swiveled relative to the hinge housing 12 and the carriage 26 can be moved in a translatory manner via the swivel arm 14 relative to the hinge housing 12, while the drive device 20 does not move, that is means that there are no rotations of the threaded spindle 42 and the rotor about the axis of rotation 36 and no translational movements of the spindle nut 44 and the coupling element 46 relative to the hinge housing 12 along the direction of movement. This means that drive device 20, in particular coupling element 46, is not moved via carriage 26 and swivel arm 14 when coupling element 46 is in the neutral position and carriage 26 and swivel arm 14 are being moved relative to hinge housing 12 . This also means that the drive device 20 does not affect movements of the carriage 26 and the swivel arm 14 when the coupling element 46 is in the neutral position. In this way, for example, particularly in the event of a power failure, the appliance door can be opened and/or closed manually by a person—while the coupling element 46 is in the neutral position—without the drive device 20 preventing the closing or opening of the appliance door. As a result, particularly convenient operation can be implemented.

Claims (7)

1. A hinge (10) for a household appliance, with a hinge housing (12), with a pivot arm (14), which is pivotably retained on the hinge housing (12), and with a drive device (20), which comprises an electric motor (22), by means of which the pivot arm (14) is pivotable in relation to the hinge housing (12), wherein the drive device (20) includes:

   - a drive housing (38), in which the electric motor (22) is accommodated, formed separately from the hinge housing (12), provided in addition thereto and at least partially following the hinge housing (12) in longitudinal extension direction (40) of the hinge housing (12);

   - a threaded spindle (42) at least partially accommodated in the hinge housing (12), which is drivable by means of the electric motor (22) and thereby rotatable around a rotational axis (36) in relation to the hinge housing (12); and

   - at least one screw element (44) screwed to the threaded spindle (42), which screw element is secured against a rotation around the rotational axis (36) in relation to the hinge housing (12), such that a translational movement of the screw element (44) in relation to the hinge housing (12) can be effected by a relative rotation between the threaded spindle (42) and the screw element (44) effected around the rotational axis (36), whereby the pivot arm (14) is pivotable in relation to the hinge housing (12) by means of the screw element (44), wherein the drive housing (38) and/or the electric motor (22) are at least partially covered by the hinge housing (12) along the rotational axis (36) towards the pivot arm (14),

   characterized in that

   a length area (L1) of the threaded spindle (42) protrudes from the hinge housing (12) and is accommodated in the drive housing (38), and/or the hinge housing (12) is a first housing and the drive housing (38) is a second housing of the hinge (10),

   wherein a length area (L2, L3) of one of the housings is accommodated in the other housing.
2. The hinge (10) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the threaded spindle (42) is at least predominantly accommodated in the hinge housing (12) along the rotational axis (36).
3. The hinge (10) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that
   the electric motor (22) is at least predominantly, in particular completely, accommodated in the drive housing (38) along the rotational axis (36).
4. The hinge (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the threaded spindle (42) is, in particular reversibly detachably, non-rotatably connected to the electric motor (22) via a plug connection.
5. The hinge (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the drive housing (38) is, in particular reversibly detachably, connected to the hinge housing (12).
6. The hinge (10) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the drive device (20) includes a transmission (50) having a gear ratio different from 1 and at least partially accommodated in the drive housing (38), via which transmission the threaded spindle (42) is drivable by the electric motor (22).
7. The hinge (10) according to claim 6,
   characterized in that
   the transmission (50) is at least predominantly, in particular completely, accommodated in the drive housing (38) along the rotational axis (36).

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