DE102017211069A1 - Laundry care device with an opening device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laundry care device (100) having a device door (103) for closing a device opening (105) of the laundry care device (100), and an opening device (111) for opening the appliance door (103), wherein the appliance door (103) has a contact area (123), and wherein the opening device (111) comprises a movable opening member (121), wherein the movable opening member (121) is adapted to engage the contact portion (123) and to urge the appliance door (103) to open the appliance door (103).

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry care device with an opening device.

In a conventional laundry care appliance, laundry is introduced through a device opening of the laundry care appliance into a laundry drum of the laundry care appliance. Here, the device opening is closed by a door. To ensure after the end of the laundry care process that the door can be opened and that the laundry can be removed, conventional laundry care devices, for example, a lifting magnet as an opening device.

In the DE 10 2013 225 347 A1 discloses a closure device of a household appliance with at least one permanent magnet for exerting a holding force for holding the door and with a coil for generating a counter magnetic field for applying the holding force.

In the DE 40 40 291 A1 discloses a household appliance with a door opener, which braces the door under spring force.

It is the object underlying the invention to provide a laundry care device with an advantageous opening device for opening a door of the laundry care device.

This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to one aspect, the object according to the invention is achieved by a laundry care device having a device door for closing a device opening of the laundry care device, and an opening device for opening the appliance door, wherein the appliance door has a contact region, and wherein the opening device has a movable opening element, wherein the movable opening element is formed is to engage the contact area and apply a force to the appliance door to open the appliance door.

This achieves the technical advantage that an effective contact between the movable opening element and the contact area of the appliance door ensures that upon a subsequent movement of the movable opening element, the opening element can exert a force on the appliance door in order to open the appliance door.

Characterized in that the movable opening element engages the contact area of the appliance door, a movement of the movable opening element is effectively transmitted to the appliance door.

The movable orifice member according to the present disclosure offers the following advantages over conventionally used orifice members with solenoid. A path-controlled opening of the appliance door ensures that the appliance door can be opened with the minimum necessary opening angle. On the other hand, it ensures that the appliance door does not swing too far. In addition, a relatively slow opening movement of the door without loud noises is possible.

A laundry care appliance is understood to mean a device which is used for laundry care, such as e.g. a washing machine or a tumble dryer. In particular, such a laundry care appliance is understood as a household laundry care appliance. So a laundry care device, which is used in the context of household management, and is treated with the laundry in normal household quantities.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the contact region has a friction surface, and the movable opening element has a movable friction element, wherein the movable friction element bears against the friction surface and is designed to force the appliance door with a force by friction occurring between the friction surface and the friction element to act on.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that formed as a friction element movable opening element can transfer by friction particularly effective force on the door. The friction surface of the contact region of the appliance door is in this case roughened in such a way that the friction element which is moving over the friction surface and also roughened on the surface does not easily slide over the friction surface without resistance, but because of the friction between the friction surface and the friction element force on the friction surface and thus transmits to the door, whereby the door opens during movement of the movable friction element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care apparatus, the movable friction member is formed as a movable friction wheel which is configured to rotate about a rotation axis in a rotational opening direction, to force the appliance door and open the appliance door, and / or is the movable friction member formed as a movable friction wheel, which is formed about an axis of rotation in one of Rotate the rotational opening direction opposite rotational closing direction to apply a force to the door and close the door.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that by the rotation of the movable friction wheel about the axis of rotation and by the contact between the friction wheel and the friction surface mediated by the rotational force force can be transmitted from the friction wheel to the door to open the door. When the friction wheel rotates in a rotational opening direction, the door is opened. When the friction wheel is rotated in a rotational closing direction opposite to the rotational opening direction, the door is closed. As a result, by changing the direction of rotation of the friction wheel, either the appliance door can be opened or closed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the contact region has at least one recess, and the movable opening element has at least one projection which engages in the at least one recess in order to apply a force to the appliance door.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the projection of the movable opening element can effectively transfer force to the door. The at least one projection engages in the at least one recess of the contact region of the appliance door, so that upon movement of the movable opening element force is transmitted from the movable opening element to the appliance door and the appliance door opens. In this case, the contact region can have a plurality of recesses, which are designed in particular as grooves, recesses and / or grooves, in which in turn engages a plurality of projections of the movable opening element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care apparatus, the movable opening member is formed as a movable gear having at least one projection formed as a tooth, wherein the movable gear is adapted to rotate a rotation axis in a rotational opening direction, to apply a force to the door and to open the appliance door, and / or the movable gear is adapted to rotate about a rotational axis in a rotational closing direction opposite to the rotational opening direction, to apply a force to the appliance door and to close the appliance door.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that by the rotation of the movable gear around the axis of rotation and by the engagement of the projections of the gear in the recesses at the contact area, the force mediated by the rotational movement force can be transmitted from the gear to the door to the door to open. When the gear rotates in a rotational opening direction, the door is opened. When the gear rotates in a rotational closing direction opposite to the rotational opening direction, the door is closed. This can be opened or closed by a mere change in the direction of rotation of the gear either the door.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the appliance door has a device door axis which extends from a rear side of the laundry care appliance to a center of the appliance opening, wherein the axis of rotation extends at an angle, in particular at right angles, to the appliance surface.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective power transmission from the gear or friction wheel can be ensured on the door by the angular, in particular rectangular, arrangement of the axis of rotation relative to the device door axis. In this case, the device door axis extends in particular from a center of the rear side of the laundry care device to a center of the device opening. Due to the contact between the edge of the toothed wheel or the edge of the friction wheel with the contact region, rotation of the toothed wheel or the friction wheel about the rotation axis leads to a force which acts in the direction of the device surface, in particular parallel to the device door axis, on the door to open the appliance door or to close the appliance door.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the movable opening element is arranged in or on a housing of the laundry care device, wherein the movable opening element is arranged on the device opening of the laundry care device, and wherein the movable opening element in particular on one of a bottom or top of the laundry care device facing side of the device opening of the Laundry care device is arranged.

This achieves the technical advantage that an effective contact between the movable opening element and the appliance door, which closes the appliance opening, can be provided by the positioning of the movable opening element on the appliance opening. Here, the movable opening element is arranged in particular on one of the underside or the top of the laundry care device facing side of the device opening of the laundry care device to allow an effective opening, or closing the door.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care device, the opening device is mechanically connected to a drive, wherein the drive is designed to move the movable opening element, and wherein the drive in particular a motor, in particular an electric motor having.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the drive can be transmitted by the mechanical connection with the opening element effectively a force on the movable opening element to move the movable opening element. Here, the motor, in particular electric motor, in particular a non-movable stator and a movable rotor, wherein the rotor is adapted to transmit a rotational movement of the rotor to the movable opening element to rotate the movable opening element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the electric motor is designed as an electric stepping motor, in particular can-stack stepping motor.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an electrically operable stepper motor, in particular can-stack stepper motor, an effective movement, in particular rotation, of the mechanically mechanically connected to the stepper motor opening element ensures and thus an effective opening, or closing the door is ensured.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the drive has a transmission which is mechanically connected to the motor and which is connected to the movable opening element.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the transmission ensures a particularly advantageous transmission of power from the engine to the movable opening element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the drive has a coupling which is mechanically connected to the motor and which is connected to the movable opening element.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the coupling between the engine on the movable opening element can be interrupted by the coupling, for. to overcome a possibly occurring resistance when changing between an opening operation and a closing operation of the door.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the movable opening element is designed to transfer the appliance door along an opening direction from a closed position into an open position.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that an effective opening of a closed door is ensured. In this case, the appliance door at the beginning of the opening operation can either be in the closed position in which the appliance door is fully closed, or the appliance door can be in a provisional closed position at the beginning of the opening operation, in which the appliance door is not completely closed, but in a small Dimensions of the device opening is spaced.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care apparatus, the movable opening element is further configured to move the appliance door along a closing direction opposite to the opening direction in order to move the appliance door from an open position to a closed position to close the appliance door.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the movable opening element ensures both the opening of the door and the closing of the door. When the movable opening member is moved along the opening direction from the closed position to the open position, the door of the appliance is opened. When the movable opening member is moved from the open position to the closed position opposite to the opening direction in the closing direction, the appliance door is closed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry care appliance, the appliance door has a door edge which peripherally delimits the appliance door at least in sections, the contact area being formed on the edge of the door.

Thereby, the technical advantage is achieved that the movable opening element can effectively engage in the arranged on the edge of the door contact area to open the door or close. The door edge surrounding the appliance door, at least in sections, thus delimits the outer edge of the appliance door and is in this case arranged, in particular, between a door inner side facing the appliance opening and a door outside facing away from the appliance opening.

In an advantageous embodiment of the laundry-care appliance, the laundry-care appliance has an activation element which can be actuated by a user of the laundry-care appliance, in particular one on a housing of the laundry-care appliance arranged activation key, wherein the activation element is configured to activate the opening device to open or close the door.

As a result, the technical advantage is achieved that the user can start an opening, or a closing operation of the door by simply pressing the activation element. In this case, the laundry care device in particular has a control which is connected to the activation element and to the movable opening element in order to receive an activation signal from the activation element and, in response, to initiate a corresponding movement of the movable opening element.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts mit einer Öffnungsvorrichtung in einer Vorderansicht;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts mit einer Öffnungsvorrichtung in einer seitlichen Ansicht; und
• 4 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht eines Wäschepflegegeräts mit einer Öffnungsvorrichtung in einer seitlichen Ansicht.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of a laundry care device;
• 2 a perspective view of a laundry care device with an opening device in a front view;
• 3 a perspective view of a laundry care device with an opening device in a side view; and
• 4 a further perspective view of a laundry care device with an opening device in a side view.

1 shows a schematic view of a general laundry care device 100 , such as a washing machine. The laundry care device 100 includes a reservoir 101 , which is also referred to as Einspülschale, and can be filled in the detergent or other Wäschepflegesubstanzen. The laundry care device 100 has a housing 102 on and includes a door 103 for loading the laundry care device 100 with laundry. The appliance door 103 closes a device opening 105 on a front side 107 of the laundry care device 100 ,

Here is the appliance door 103 through a door hinge 109 movable on the laundry care device 100 attached, with the appliance door 103 by a lateral swinging the door 103 can be opened, or where the open door 103 by a lateral swiveling the appliance door 103 can be closed again. An opening device 111 for opening the appliance door 103 , which at the front 107 at the device opening 105 of the laundry care device 100 is arranged in is 1 shown only schematically. The laundry care device 100 has a bottom 112 and a top 114 on. Here is the opening device 111 especially at one of the bottom 112 of the laundry care device 100 facing side of the device opening 105 arranged. Alternatively, the opening device 111 especially on one of the top 114 of the laundry care device 100 facing side of the device opening 105 be arranged.

Moreover, in the 1 schematically a device door axis 113 shown, which is from a back 115 , in particular a center of the back 115 , the laundry-care appliance 100 to a center 117 the device opening 105 extends.

2 shows a perspective view of a laundry care device with an opening device in a front view. In the 2 illustrated appliance door 103 closes a device opening 105 at one in the 2 only partially shown front side 107 of the laundry care device 100 , The appliance door 103 has a door edge 119 on which the appliance door 103 at least partially circumferentially limited.

A device door axis 113 extends from a back 115 of the laundry care device 100 to a center 117 the device opening 105 ,

An opening device 111 for opening the appliance door 103 is at the device opening 105 on the housing 102 of the laundry care device 100 arranged. The opening device 111 has a movable opening element 121 on which a contact area 123 the appliance door 103 contacted. This acts on the movable opening element 121 the appliance door 103 with a force around the door 103 to open.

The contact area 123 the appliance door 103 can also have a friction surface 123-1 and the movable opening element 121 can be a movable friction element 121 - 1 , in particular a movable friction wheel, which, on the friction surface 123-1 abuts and is formed by a between the friction surface 123-1 and the movable friction element 121 - 1 friction occurs the appliance door 103 to apply a force. Here, designed as a movable friction wheel movable friction element rotates 121 - 1 around a rotation axis 125 in the rotational opening direction 127 to the appliance door 103 to apply a force and the appliance door 103 to open.

Here, the contact area 123 the appliance door 103 at least one recess 123 -2 and includes the movable opening element 121 in particular a movable gear 121 - 2 with at least one projection, wherein the at least one projection in the at least one recess 123 - 2 engages the appliance door 103 to apply a force. This rotates as a movable gear 121 - 2 trained movable opening element 121 around the axis of rotation 125 in a direction of rotation opening 127 to the appliance door 103 to apply a force and the appliance door 103 to open.

To a particularly effective power transmission from that about the axis of rotation 125 rotating movable friction element 121 - 1 , or movable gear 121 - 2 , on the appliance door 103 to allow the axis of rotation extends 125 angled, in particular at right angles, to the device surface 113 ,

Alternatively, as a gear 121 - 2 or friction wheel formed movable opening element 121 also in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation opening 127 extending rotational closing direction 129 rotate around an open appliance door 103 from the open position to the closed position to transfer.

Here, the laundry care device 100 a by a user of the laundry care device 100 actuatable activation element 131 , in particular one on the housing 102 of the laundry care device 100 arranged activation button, wherein the activation element 131 is formed, the opening device 111 to activate the appliance door 103 to open or close.

To the movable opening element 121 to move effectively is the opening device 111 with a drive shown only schematically 133 for moving the movable opening element 121 connected. By the drive 133 can the movable opening element 121 the appliance door 103 from the in 2 shown closed position in the in 2 Transfer opening position, not shown. The drive 133 in this case comprises in particular an electric motor 135 , such as an electric stepping motor, in particular can-stack stepper motor, and may be a transmission 137 , as well as a clutch 139 each having the engine 135 with the movable opening element 121 connect.

Thus, through the opening device 111 with the movable opening element 121 the minimum required opening angle for opening the appliance door 103 be ensured and too much swinging the door 103 be prevented. In addition, a relatively slow opening operation and / or closing operation of the door 103 possible without causing loud noises.

3 shows a perspective view of a laundry care device 100 with an opening device in a side view. For details on the remarks in relation to the 2 directed.

A device door 103 closes a device opening 105 of the laundry care device 100 , A device door axis 113 extends from one in 3 not shown back 115 of the laundry care device 100 to a center 117 the device opening 105 ,

An opening device 111 for opening the appliance door 103 is at the device opening 105 on the housing 102 of the laundry care device 100 arranged. The opening device 111 has a movable opening element 121 on which a contact area 123 the appliance door 103 contacted. This acts on the movable opening element 121 the appliance door 103 with a force around the door 103 to open.

As already in relation to the 2 has been executed, the movable opening element 121 a movable friction element 121 - 1 , in particular a movable friction wheel, which, on a friction surface 123 -1 is applied, and / or may be the movable opening element 121 a movable gear 121 - 2 comprise, which in at least one recess 123 - 2 of the contact area 123 intervenes.

Both a friction wheel and a gear 121 - 2 rotates here about the axis of rotation 125 in a direction of rotation opening 127 around the appliance door 103 to apply a force to the appliance door 103 to open, or rotated around the axis of rotation 125 in a rotational closing direction 129 around the appliance door 103 to apply a force to the appliance door 103 close.

In the in 3 illustrated embodiment is the appliance door 103 shown in a closed position.

4 shows a perspective view of a laundry care device 100 with an opening device in a side view. For details on the remarks in relation to the 2 and on the 3 directed.

A device door 103 closes a device opening 105 of the laundry care device 100 , A device door axis 113 extends from one in 3 not shown back 115 of the laundry care device 100 to a center 117 the device opening 105 ,

An opening device 111 for opening the appliance door 103 is at the device opening 105 on the housing 102 of the laundry care device 100 arranged. The opening device 111 has a movable opening element 121 on which a contact area 123 the appliance door 103 contacted. This acts on the movable opening element 121 the appliance door 103 with a force around the door 103 to open.

In the in 4 illustrated embodiment is the appliance door 103 shown in the transition from a closed position to an open position.

As already in relation to the 2 and 3 has been executed, the movable opening element 121 a movable friction element 121 - 1 , in particular a movable friction wheel, which, on a friction surface 123 -1 is applied, and / or may be the movable opening element 121 a movable gear 121 - 2 comprise, which in at least one recess 123 - 2 of the contact area 123 intervenes.

Both a friction wheel and a gear 121 - 2 rotates here about the axis of rotation 125 in a direction of rotation opening 127 around the appliance door 103 to apply a force to the appliance door 103 to open.

This swings the appliance door 103 in an opening direction 141 on to the appliance door 103 to transfer to the open position. The opening direction 141 does not extend parallel to the device door axis 113 but the opening direction 141 runs on a circular track to effectively swing up the door hinges 109 on the housing 102 attached appliance door 103 sure.

All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention may be provided in different combinations in the article according to the invention, in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features illustrated in the specification or shown in the figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Laundry care device

101

reservoir

102

casing

103

door

105

opening devices

107

Front of the laundry care appliance

109

door hinge

111

opening device

112

Bottom of the laundry care device

113

Door axis

114

Top of the laundry care appliance

115

Rear of the laundry care device

117

Center of device opening

119

door edge

121

Movable opening element

121-1

friction

121-2

gear

123

contact area

123-1

friction surface

123-2

recess

125

axis of rotation

127

Rotary opening direction

129

Rotary closing direction

131

energizer

133

drive

135

engine

137

transmission

139

clutch

141

opening direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102013225347 A1 [0003]
• DE 4040291 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

A laundry care appliance (100) having a device door (103) for closing a device opening (105) of the laundry care device (100), and an opening device (111) for opening the appliance door (103), characterized in that the appliance door (103) has a contact region (123 ), and in that the opening device (111) has a movable opening element (121), wherein the movable opening element (121) is adapted to engage the contact area (123) and to apply a force to the appliance door (103) to open the appliance door (103). Laundry care appliance (100) after Claim 1 characterized in that said contact portion (123) has a friction surface (123-1), and said movable opening member (121) comprises a movable friction member (121-1), said movable friction member (121-1) being fixed to said friction surface (121-1). 123-1) abuts and is configured to apply a force to the appliance door (103) by friction occurring between the friction surface (123-1) and the movable friction element (121-1). Laundry care appliance (100) after Claim 2 characterized in that the movable friction member (121-1) is formed as a movable friction wheel configured to rotate about a rotation axis (125) in a rotation opening direction (127) to apply a force to the equipment door (103) and open the appliance door (103), and / or wherein the movable friction member (121-1) is formed as a movable friction wheel which is formed around a rotational axis (125) in a rotational closing direction (129) opposite to the rotational opening direction (127) rotate to apply a force to the appliance door (103) and close the appliance door (103). Laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact region (123) has at least one recess (123-2), and that the movable opening element (121) has at least one projection which in the at least one recess (123 -2) engages to apply a force to the appliance door (103). Laundry care appliance (100) after Claim 4 characterized in that the movable opening member (121) is formed as a movable gear (121-2) having at least one projection formed as a tooth, the movable gear (121-2) being formed to rotate about an axis of rotation (125). rotate in a rotational opening direction (127) to force the appliance door (103) and open the appliance door (103), and / or wherein the movable gear (121-2) is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (125) rotate in a direction of rotation (129) opposite to the direction of rotation of the opening (127) in order to force the door (103) of the appliance and close the appliance door (103). Laundry care appliance (100) after Claim 3 or 5 , characterized in that the appliance door (103) has a device door axis (113) which extends from a rear side (115) of the laundry care device (100) to a center (117) of the appliance opening (105), wherein the axis of rotation (125) extends at an angle, in particular at right angles, to the device door axis (113). The laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable opening element (121) is arranged in or on a housing (102) of the laundry care appliance (100), wherein the movable opening element (121) on the appliance opening (105) of the Laundry care device (100) is arranged, and wherein the movable opening element (121) in particular on one of a bottom (112) or top (114) of the laundry care device (100) facing side of the device opening (105) of the laundry care device (100) is arranged. The laundry care appliance (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening device (111) is mechanically connected to a drive (133), wherein the drive (133) is adapted to move the movable opening element (121), and wherein Drive (133) in particular a motor (135), in particular an electric motor having. Laundry care appliance (100) after Claim 8 , characterized in that the electric motor is designed as an electric stepping motor, in particular can-stack stepping motor. Laundry care appliance (100) after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the drive (133) comprises a gear (137) which is mechanically connected to the motor (135) and which with the movable opening element (121). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of Claims 8 to 10 , characterized in that the drive (133) has a coupling (139) which is mechanically connected to the motor (135) and which with the movable opening element (121). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable opening element (121) is configured to transfer the appliance door (103) along an opening direction (141) from a closed position to an open position. Laundry care appliance (100) after Claim 12 characterized in that the movable opening member (121) is further configured to move the appliance door (103) along a closing direction opposite to the opening direction (141) to move the appliance door (103) from an open position to a closed position Close the appliance door (103). Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the appliance door (103) has a door edge (119), which peripherally delimits the appliance door (103) at least in sections, the contact area (123) being formed on the door edge (119) is. Laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laundry care appliance (100) activating element (131) actuatable by a user of the laundry care appliance (100), in particular an activation key arranged on a housing (102) of the laundry care appliance (100), wherein the activation element (131) is designed to activate the opening device (111) in order to open or close the appliance door (103).

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