DK2407625T3

DK2407625T3 - Automatic door lock for a home appliance

Info

Publication number: DK2407625T3
Application number: DK11008052.0T
Authority: DK
Inventors: Ernst Dober; Albert Johann Loichinger; Oliver Buschor; Liebmer Trauschein
Original assignee: V Zug Ag
Priority date: 2011-10-05
Filing date: 2011-10-05
Publication date: 2017-05-01
Also published as: SI2407625T1; CN103099593B; EP2407625B1; PL2407625T3; EP2407625A3; AU2012233035B2; CN103099593A; AU2012233035A1; EP2407625A2

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a household device with a door and a corresponding method for closing the door of the household device.

Background

Household devices freguently have a device housing and a charging door. Depending on a function of the household device a door closing mechanism for such a household device shall satisfy different criteria. Particularly, in case of dishwashers there has been the desire to enable an automatic door closing, at least for the last distance, because of comfort reasons. WO 2009/133022 A1 shows a door opening mechanism for a refrigerator. A plunger is attached on the refrigerator door, the free end of which can be received by door-side grippers when the door is not entirely closed. The grippers retaining the plunger are drawn in by a spring force, such that the door is entirely closed. Furthermore a push rod is provided, which is also coupled to the the grippers and acts against the spring force.

Description of the invention

In view of the described background it is the objective of the present invention to develop a household device with an automatic door closing mechanism.

This objective is reached by the household device according to claim 1. Such a household device can be operated by the method according to claim 15.

The household device preferably has a clamping yoke arranged on the device side, which clamping yoke is movably mounted. A pivot lever is arranged at a charging door of the household device, which charging door is preferably attached to the household device in a pivotable way. The pivot lever is connected to the clamping yoke, and is mounted pivotably around a first rotation axis at least between a first position and a second position. An actuator arranged at the side of the pivot lever serves to pull the door towards the household device by transferring the pivot lever from its first position into its second position when the clamping yoke is connected/coupled to the pivot lever.

The pivot lever and the actuator may be arranged in/at the door. However, it is also conceivable that the pivot lever and the actuator are arranged at the device and the clamping yoke is arranged at the door. This variant shall also fall within the scope of the claims .

Preferably, the clamping yoke is mounted in a movable way and particularly in a pivotable way around a second rotation axis. Also, in this embodiment the clamping yoke may have an additional clearance in the direction of the second rotation axis. By way of the clamping yoke and the pivot lever being designed pivotably, advantageous lever ratios can be attained. The clamping yoke is e.g. at least three times longer than the pivot lever. The pivot lever and the clamping yoke are typically elongated elements made of metal or plastics, which are rotatably mounted. The clamping yoke is called clamping yoke because the actuated pivot lever typically substantially tensions the clamping yoke.

Preferably, the actuator is formed in such a way that the first and the second position of the pivot lever are idle positions. The pivot lever can be transferred from its first position into its second position by the actuator and preferably also back from its second position into its first position. Provided that the clamping yoke and the pivot lever are connected to one another, the first position of the pivot lever preferably represents a state of the door in which the door is located close to the household device, however a vat opening of the household device is not yet entirely and particularly is not tightly closed by the door. In this first position a slit between the door and the device may e.g. still be between 0.1 cm and 5 cm at the location of the pivot lever. Preferably, the door has been brought into this position by the user and the clamping yoke has been engaged with the pivot lever. The second position of the pivot lever then represents the state of the closed door. The closing mechanism keeps the door closed against e.g. the pressure of a gasket between the door and a vat of the device.

If the actuator is arranged at the side of the door, a free end of the pivot lever, in which the clamping yoke has been engaged, is transferred from its first position into its second position, preferably by means of the actuator, wherein the pivot lever moves away from the device with its free end. Thereby, the door is moved towards the device. A hold-down device is provided at the pivot lever, which causes a pressing force between the clamping yoke and the pivot lever when the pivot lever and the clamping yoke are coupled to one another. The hold-down device therefore presses together the free ends of the pivot lever and the clamping yoke, which are coupled to one another, e.g. against a rest. Preferably, a lower pressing force is generated in the first position of the pivot lever than in its second position. The pressing force increases preferably steadily in intermediate positions. Such a pressing force which varies depending on the position of the pivot lever preferably accounts for the desired operation scenarios. The door, which is still opened in the first position of the pivot lever when the clamping yoke and the pivot lever are coupled, shall preferably be transferred into a closed and locked state. Nevertheless, the coupling between the pivot lever and the clamping yoke shall still be detachable by the user in this first position of the pivot lever, e.g. in case additional objects to be rinsed shall be received by the vat. Thus, the necessary tensile force for opening the door starting from this position shall preferably be small, e.g. in the range between 5N and 15N. This necessary tensile force is on the one hand determined by the force caused by the hold-down device, on the other hand by further means, as the case may be, e.g. by the mechanic form of the coupling between the clamping yoke and the pivot lever. If for example the clamping yoke has a protrusion which cooperates with a cavity in the pivot lever in the coupled state and thus engages therein, forces to be overcome in order to decouple these elements also determine the force which is necessary for opening the door. Preferably, a lateral wall of the cavity and/or a lateral wall of the protrusion are made to be inclined in the sense of ramps. In case of a flat inclination angle of these elements, the coupling forces to be overcome are e.g. small and facilitate an easy opening of the door.

However, in the second position of the pivot lever, in which the door closes the vat opening and in case of a dishwasher closes it tightly, the tensile force required for opening the door shall be dimensioned to be preferably large because an opening of the door may not be desired in the respective program of operation of the household device. Notwithstanding, it shall also be possible to open the door from this position, if necessary. This opening shall however only be preferably possible with a relatively high effort, e.g. with 60N to 100N. Therefore the hold-down device - wherein the term hold-down device shall encompass all means for generating the associate pressing force - is preferably formed in such a way that the pressing force caused by it is significantly higher in the second position of the pivot lever than in the first position of the pivot lever. This may e.g. be reached in such a way that a force introduction point at the hold-down device for generating the pressing force has a smaller distance to the free end of the pivot lever in its second position than in its first position.

When the door is opened from this position, the coupling force between the clamping yoke and the pivot lever has also to be overcome. In this case, the clamping yoke and the pivot lever can be formed in such a way that this coupling force is higher than in the first position of the pivot lever. Thus, the section (s) of the lateral walls of the cavity of the pivot lever cooperating in the second position of the pivot lever and of the protrusion at the clamping yoke may have a steeper inclination angle than the sections cooperating in the first position of the pivot lever.

If the door shall be opened in a normal way from its closed position, a separate push rod may be provided in a further embodiment. In another further embodiment the door closing mechanism is adapted to itself facilitate an opening of the door. For this, the actuator of the present closing mechanism is e.g. controlled in such a way - program controlled or initiated by a suitable sensors which detect an opening intention of the user - that it transfers the pivot lever from its second position into a third position. This third position is characterized by a higher rotation angle with respect to the first position of the pivot lever than its second position. The hold-down device is preferably formed in such a way that it causes a lower pressing force onto the pivot lever in its third position than in its second position and preferably no pressing force at all. Additionally, the connecting force between the clamping yoke and the pivot lever, which has to be overcome, may be dimensioned in such a way that, similarly to the first position of the pivot lever, only a low force between around 5 and 15N is required to open the door manually. Alternatively, in the third position of the pivot lever, the clamping yoke may not be coupled to the pivot lever anymore. Particularly, the hold-down device may therefore have a second planar section having a different level than a first level of a first planar section, wherein the second section of the hold-down device cooperates with the pivot level which is coupled to the clamping yoke between its second and its third position, and, as the case may be, does not exert a pressing force anymore. Contrary to this, the first planar section cooperates with the pivot level which is coupled to the clamping yoke between its first and its second position. Thus, the second section may be regarded as a cavity in the hold-down device, in which the clamping yoke/pivot lever combination is transferred and which causes a significantly lower pressing force or no pressing force at all. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for closing the door of such a household device. For this, a first door position is sensed, in which the pivot lever is coupled to the clamping yoke and the pivot lever is arranged in its first position. For doing so, a first position sensor may be provided at the door. If this sensor signals such a state, the pivot lever is activated in a rotation direction of the door, which results in an automatic pulling of the door towards the device. If a second door position is sensed, e.g. with a second position sensor, in which the pivot lever is coupled to the clamping yoke and the pivot lever is situated in its second position, the actuator is deactivated.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Short description of the drawings

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention result from the dependent claims as well as from the now following description by means of the figures.

Fig. 1 to 9 show a door closing mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention in nine different states. Diagram e) shows the door closing mechanism in a perspective view, diagram d) shows the door closing mechanism in a cut side view, diagram a) shows the door closing mechanism in a section view along A-A in diagram d) , diagram b) shows the door closing mechanism in a cut top view along B-B according to diagram d), and diagram c) shows the door closing mechanism in a longitudinal section view along C-C of diagram b).

Particularly, Fig. 1 to 9 show the door closing mechanism in the following states:

Fig. 1 in an entirely opened state without coupled clamping yoke,

Fig. 2 during coupling the clamping yoke,

Fig. 3 with coupled clamping yoke and a 0-degree position of the pivot lever, also called first position,

Fig. 4 with coupled clamping yoke and a 30- degrees position of the pivot lever,

Fig. 5 with coupled clamping yoke and a 60- degrees position of the pivot lever,

Fig. 6 with coupled clamping yoke and a 90- degrees position of the pivot lever, also called second position,

Fig. 7 during decoupling of the clamping yoke from a 90-degrees position of the pivot lever,

Fig. 8 with coupled clamping yoke and a 100-degrees position of the pivot lever, also called third position,

Fig. 9 during decoupling of the clamping yoke from a 100-degrees position of the pivot lever, also called regular opening.

Fig. 10 shows a closing mechanism for the door of a dishwasher according to a further embodiment of the invention, in diagram a) in perspective view in a first state, in diagram b) in perspective, section view in the first state, and in diagram c) in perspective section view in a second state.

Fig. 11 shows the closing mechanism according to Fig. 10 in section images in the diagrams a), b) and c) in three different states.

Fig. 12 shows the closing mechanism according to Fig. 10 in perspective view in operation in a dishwasher .

Way(s) of carrying out the invention

Fig. 1 shows in diagram e) a closing device according to an embodiment of the invention in an entirely opened state without a coupled clamping yoke 1 in perspective view, and in diagram d) in an exploded side view. In a household device 2, e.g. a dishwasher, the clamping yoke 1 is supported in a rotational way about a second rotation axis d2 above a bearing point 12 which is e.g. defined by a spindle, on the device side, which can be seen in diagram d) . In an embodiment, the clamping yoke 1 may be arranged at a vat opening like in diagram d) and may protrude with its free end slightly out of the vat opening in the direction of a door 8. In another embodiment, the clamping yoke 1 may e.g. be attached to a slide which is movable sideways, i.e. in the direction of the drawing plane in Fig. Id), and therefore it can follow the lateral deflection of a pivot lever, which will be described later. In another embodiment the clamping yoke may be part of a four-point-hinge which also enables a deflection of the clamping yoke in order to follow the movement of such a pivot lever. At its free end, the clamping yoke has a protrusion 11, e.g. in form of a cone in the shape of a cylinder svat. A function part 3 is arranged in/at the door 8 which is indicated schematically in diagram d) , wherein the function part cooperates with the clamping yoke 1 and is able to cause a retrieving of the door 8 towards the device 2. Thus, a closing of the vat opening by the door, e.g. after charging the vat with dishes, is enabled. The door 8 is normally attached at the device 2 and can be tilted via a hinge. In the present embodiment the door 8 is supported at the device 2 in the base area of it and is thereby tiltable out of its vertical position. Here, the function part 3 may be arranged at an upper edge of the door 8, e.g. in the middle with respect to the door width, and may cooperate with the clamping yoke 1 which in this case is supported on the opposite side in the device 2 (when the door is closed).

The function part 3 has a pivot lever 4 which is supported in a rotational way about a first rotation axis dl, as can be seen in diagram d) , e.g. via an axle 41, as can be seen in diagram a). The pivot lever 4 has a cavity at its free end, in which the clamping yoke 1 with its protrusion 11 may engage. In case of an engagement of the clamping yoke 1 into the pivot lever 4, they are coupled to each other in the sense that the coupled clamping yoke 1 is dragged along during a rotation of the pivot lever 4. This coupling between the pivot lever 4 and the clamping yoke 1 is in principle formed to be detachable .

The first rotation axis dl of the pivot lever 4 and the second rotation axis d2 of the clamping yoke 1 are aligned to be approximately parallel when the door 8 is almost closed or closed. The clamping yoke 1 normally is substantially longer than the pivot lever 4. Preferably, in what regards its length, the clamping yoke 1 is at least three times longer than the pivot lever 4.

The pivot lever 4 in Fig. 1 is aligned in a first position. This first position, also called zero-degree position, is preferably characterized by a parallel orientation of the pivot lever 4 with respect to an inner edge 811 of the upper edge 81 of the door, as can be seen in diagram b). There, the edge 81 of the door 8 is schematically drawn, as well as an inner edge of the door 8, wherein the inner edge 811 is a passage between an inner side of the door and the edge 81 of the door 8. Thus, if the door 8 is moved towards the device 2, and thus the vat opening is progressively closed, the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 approach one another and they are arranged approximately in the same plane when the door 8 is only slightly opened. Then, in order for the clamp yoke 1 to engage with the pivot lever 4 located in its first position, the clamping yoke 1 has itself a first position PT1, see diagram b), wherein the first position PT1 is also called idle position. When the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 each take on at the same time their first position PT1 or PT2 respectively, then the protrusion 11 of the clamping yoke 1 and a reception area of the pivot lever 4 are arranged opposite of one another in this state, wherein the cavity 42 is arranged in the reception area, and they may be coupled to one another when the door 8 and the device 2 are further moved towards one another.

The function part 3 further comprises an actuator 31, particularly an electromotive actuator, which e.g. actuates the spindle 41 of the pivot lever 4 via a friction or a gearbox. In diagram d) connection pins 311 for the electric supply of the actuator 31 are shown. The function part 3 further has a casing 33 which holds the actuator 31, as well as a circuit holder 32, e.g. in form of a PCB circuit board. The spindle 41 of the pivot lever 4 is preferably arranged in the casing 33. The actuator 31 triggers a rotation of the pivot lever 4 about its first axis dl out of its first position. The actuator 31 can also reverse its rotation direction in order to transfer the pivot lever 4 from a deflected position again into its first position.

Preferably, no actuator is assigned to the clamping yoke 1. It is rather to be understood as a passive element which follows with its free end the deflection of the pivot lever 4 in a state of being coupled to the pivot lever. Preferably, the clamping yoke 1 may be deflected about its first rotation axis from its first position PT1 against the force of a spring. The first position may additionally be defined by suitable mechanic means, like for example by a mechanic stop.

The function part 3 further has a support 7 for a hold-down device 5. The support 7 is attached to the casing 33, or may even be formed in one piece with the casing 33. The support 7 has a preferably circle-segment-shaped section, in which the pivot lever 4 can move from its first position into further positions by a rotational movement, in the plane in which also the pivot lever 4 is arranged, see diagram a) . In this embodiment the support 7 serves also as mechanic stop for the pivot lever 4 and limits its maximum deflections. The support 7 further has a bearing position 71 for a rotation axis of the hold-down device 5, in the following called third rotation axis d3, see particularly diagram e) . In the present embodiment the hold-down device 5 has a substantially flat shape which covers at least the maximum deflection area of the pivot lever 4. The holddown device 5 is pivotably supported about the third rotation axis d3, wherein the third rotation axis d3 is orthogonally aligned to the first rotation axis dl for the pivot lever 4. The hold-down device 5 is pushed towards the pivot lever 4 by a force in the direction of the pivot lever 4 and may be or not be in contact with the pivot lever 4, already without the clamp yoke 1 being coupled. This force, also called hold-down force or pressing force, is generated by a spring which is anchored at the hold-down device 5 in the vicinity of the third axis d3 in a force introduction point KP. Preferably, the spring 6 is pre-tensioned and generates a force of the hold-down device 5 which acts in the direction of the pivot lever 4. A stop 72 of the support 7 may limit the deflection of a free end of the hold-down device 5 in the direction of the pivot lever 4 and thereby keep the hold-down device 5 e.g. at a distance from the pivot lever 4 in case the clamping yoke 1 is not coupled. If the stop 72 is formed in this way, it limits a deflection of the free end of the hold-down device 5 away from the pivot lever 4, e.g. for the case that forces acting on the hold-down device 5 are sufficient to overcome the pressing force generated by the spring 6. For this, the stop 72 has the shape of a frame into which the free end of the hold-down device 5 engages.

In the following figures it is refrained from always naming all reference numerals because of clarity reasons. Where they are indicated, same elements are identified by same reference numerals for all figures. The views in the diagrams of the individual figures correspond each to the views of the diagrams of Fig. 1. However, each figure shows another state of the door closing mechanism, wherein the states are representative for the operation of such an automatic door closing mechanism.

Fig. 2 shows the door closing mechanism during the coupling of the clamping yoke 1 into the pivot lever 4. Thus, the door was moved, e.g. manually, a little closer to the device, such that the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 or the clamping yoke 1 and the support 7 contact one another. In Fig. 2 a mechanic resistance between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 or between the clamping yoke 1 and the support 7 was already overcome. Thereby it may be helpful that the pivot lever 4 or the support 7 respectively, has a run-up ramp at least in a section of the anticipated first contact with the clamping yoke 1, such that the cone-shaped protrusion 11 of the clamping yoke 1 can slide up the run-up ramp when pushed further, in order to engage with the pivot lever 4. During this, the clamping yoke 1 can be slightly deflected in vertical direction. During this action the upper side of the clamping yoke 1 comes into contact with the hold-down device 5 and has to be moved further in the direction of the cavity 42 in the pivot lever 4 against the hold-down force exerted by it. The hold-down device 5 may have a cranking and preferably a cranking which is slightly inclined upwards in the direction of the incoming clamping yoke 1, such that the insertion of the clamping yoke 1 is facilitated and a blocking is avoided.

Fig. 2c) shows the clamping yoke 1 in the way being arranged already entirely with its protrusion 11 between an upper side of the pivot lever 4 and the holddown device 5, however not yet being engaged with the cavity 42 in the pivot lever 4.

In this state the clamping yoke 1 is still in its first position PT1 and only executes a substantially linear movement in the direction of the pivot lever 4, however not yet a rotation about its second rotation axis .

In Fig. 3 the clamping yoke 1 is now entirely coupled into the pivot lever, such that the protrusion 11 engages into the cavity 42. The hold-down device 5 generates a pressing force between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 because of its loaded spring 6.

Preferably, a lateral wall of the cavity 42 of the pivot lever 4 is inclined in the section which cooperates, in its first position, with the protrusion 11 of the clamping yoke 1 and has a moderate slope which facilitates a coupling of the clamping yoke 1 into the pivot lever 4, as well as a decoupling of the clamping yoke 1 from the pivot lever 4 against the force of the hold-down device 5.

The force introduction point KP of the spring 6 at the hold-down device 5 is relatively far from the coupling point between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 with respect to the first position PS1 of the pivot lever, as indicated in diagram 3a. Therefore, in this state a relatively small pressing force onto the clamping yoke and the pivot lever is induced by the holddown device 5, e.g. in the order of 10 N. In Fig. 3a) further positions which can be adopted by the pivot lever 4 are shown: particularly, the controlling of the actuator may be dimensioned in such a way that the pivot lever 4 is transferred from its first position PS1 into its second position PS2. The second position PS2 has an angle β of preferably about 90 degrees with respect to the first position PS1. Furthermore, the pivot lever 4 can be transferred into a third position PS3 by the actuator 31, with an angle β between 95 and 110 degrees, and preferably around 100 degrees with respect to its first position PS1.

Presuming that a planar section of the holddown device 5 is present in the pivot area between the first position PS1 of the pivot lever 4 and its second position PS2, it augments, and preferably steadily augments, the pressure between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 during the transfer of the pivot lever 4 from its first position PS1 into its second position PS2. Therefore, the pressure between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 in the second position PS2 of the pivot lever 4 is higher than in its first position PS1. This is intentionally designed in this way because, starting from the coupled state in Fig. 3, the actuator 31 is now activated in order to generate a rotation of the pivot lever 4, wherein the pivot lever 4 is coupled to the clamping yoke 1 and is transferred from its first position PS1 into its second position PS2.

For this, the actuator 31 is preferably activated when a first position switch 34, see diagram la) , detects a clamping yoke 1 coupled into the pivot lever 4 when the pivot lever 4 is at the same time in the first position PS1. The first position switch 34 is preferably electrically coupled to the circuit board 32 and preferably also attached thereon. Furthermore, a controller unit is provided on the circuit board 32, which is coupled to the first position switch 34 and the actuator 31, and which activates the actuator 31 as soon as the first position switch 34 supplies a signal. The first position switch may also be formed as a position sensor, and particularly as a distance sensor, proximity sensor or as another sensor which allows a position estimation .

By this, the pivot lever 4 is now rotated and drags along the clamping yoke 1. By this, also the clamping yoke 1 is rotated around its second rotation axis d2 in the direction of a second position PT2 which is drawn in the diagram Id) . Because of the different lengths of the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4, the reached angles between their first and second positions PT1, PT2 or PS1, PS2 respectively, are different: Thus, the pivot angle β of the pivot lever 4 between its first and its second position PS1, PS2 amounts to around 90 degrees in the embodiment, whereas the pivot angle a of the clamping yoke 1 between its first and its second position PT1, PT2 amounts to around 30 degrees. The pivot lever 4 retrieves the clamping yoke 1. Because of the arrangement of the pivot lever 4 and its actuator 31 in the movable door element, the door 8 is thereby retrieved towards the device 2.

Fig. 4 and 5 show intermediary positions of the pivot lever 4 for angles β of 30 degrees or 60 degrees respectively, with respect to its first position PS1.

Finally, Fig. 6 shows the pivot lever in its second position PS2 of β=90 degrees. In this second position PS2 the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 are now substantially parallel to one another, e.g. with a tolerance range of +/- 15° degrees. Preferably, the motor actuating the pivot lever 4 and an interconnected gearbox are almost load-free in this position of the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4. Then it is also possible to do without a motor brake. The door 8 is entirely closed in this state. The pressing force between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 is substantially increased as compared to the first position PS1 of the pivot lever 4, with the result that it is more difficult to pull open the door of the device 2. Preferably, the door closing mechanism is dimensioned in such a way that in this state a pulling force at the door 8 which is approximately higher than 70 N is required to nevertheless be able to open the door 8 by decoupling the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4.

This high force can be reached by one or more mechanisms. As described above, the pressing force between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4, which is present because of the hold-down device 5 is substantially augmented in the second position PS2 of the pivot lever 4 as compared to the first position PS1 of the pivot lever 4, because of the small distance of the coupling point to the force introduction point KP of the spring 6 at the hold-down device 5. Furthermore, the cavity 42 of the pivot lever 4 may be geometrically designed, in the section - also called second section -which now cooperates with the clamping yoke 1, in such a way that a higher effort is necessary in order to guide the protrusion 11 of the clamping yoke 1 again beyond the inner edge of the pivot lever 4. For this, the slope of the lateral wall of the cavity 42 can be steeper in this second section than in the first section, such that a higher coupling force arises.

An opening of the door 8 out of the second position PS2 of the pivot lever 4, as shown in Fig. 6, is not desired because of said reasons, however it has to be nevertheless possible if necessary. Fig. 7 shows a state in which the pre-set holding force of about 70 N is surpassed by pulling the door 8 strongly, thereby the coupling between the clamping yoke 1 and the pivot lever 4 is overcome, see the slight vertical deflection of the clamping yoke 1 at its free end, denoted by the arrow, and thus the door 8 is manually opened.

Contrary to the opening in case it is necessary, shown in Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and 9 show a normal opening of the door 8. For this, the actuator 31 is controlled in such a way that it rotates the pivot lever 4 with coupled clamping yoke 1 further out of its second position PS2 into the third position PS3. In case of a continuously planar hold-down device 5 an even higher hold-down force in the third position PS3 would be generated than in the second position PS2. However, because the third position PS3 shall be suitable for a normal opening of the door 8 with a small force, such an augmented pressing force is not desired. The hold-down force is significantly decreased in the third position PS3 as compared to the second position PS2 in such a way that the hold-down device 5 has a second section 52 beside the first section 51, which covers the pivot lever 4 between its second and its third position PS2, PS3 and wherein the second section 52 has a higher lever than the level of the first section 51. Particularly, the holddown device 5 is uplifted in the second section 52, wherein this leads to a smaller pressing force, and, in a particularly preferred embodiment doesn't lead to a pressing force caused by the hold-down device anymore. Thus, the clamping yoke 1 can now overcome the coupling by an already small pulling force, as shown in Fig. 9. Additionally, also a third section of the lateral wall of the cavity 42 of the pivot lever 4 may again be adapted to be flatter in order to reduce the coupling forces. In a further embodiment of the invention the coupling to the clamping yoke 1 is entirely freed when transferring the pivot lever 4 from its second into its third position. This may e.g. be reached by the constructive forming of the cavity in the pivot lever 4, which cannot hold the protrusion of the clamping yoke 1 in the third position of the pivot lever 4. If in this position no further pressing force acts between the pivot lever 4 and the clamping yoke 1 anymore, thus also the hold-down device 5 doesn't press the pivot lever 4 and the clamping yoke 1 together, the door can already autonomously jump open by a small distance, caused by a relaxation of the gasket between the door and the vat. Thus, the door is unlocked and slightly opened by the transfer of the pivot lever 4 from its second into its third position. The door may e.g. jump open by up to 10 mm.

Fig. 10 shows a closing mechanism for the door of a dishwasher according to a further embodiment of the invention in diagram a) in perspective view in a first state, in diagram b) in perspective, cut view in the first state, and in diagram c) in perspective cut view in a second state. This embodiment differs from the preceding embodiments substantially in the forming, bearing and force introduction of the hold-down device 5. For the rest, Fig. 10 shows again a function part 3 of an automatic closing mechanism for a dishwasher, wherein the function part cooperates with a clamping yoke 1. It can be seen that the clamping yoke 1 has a pivoting bearing 12, and additionally an elongated hole 13. If the clamping yoke 1 is already coupled to the pivot lever 4 which is hard to identify in Fig. 10, and if a user still pushes the door with high force against the device, a predetermined breaking point between the pivoting bearing 12 and the elongated hole 13 in the clamping yoke 1 may break and ensure the required clearance without the pivot lever 4 and the function part 3 being affected. A support 7 is connected to a casing 33 for an actuator 31 for the pivot lever. The support 7 has a bearing location 71 in form of a cone, which serves to support a hold-down device 5 above its elongated holes 54. By this, the hold-down device 5 is supported in a shiftable way. At its free end the hold-down device 5 has a protrusion which cooperates with a guide 72 of the support 7. The hold-down device 5 has between its pivoting bearing and its free end two sections 51 and 52 which are characterized by different levels. The first section 51 of the hold-down device 5 additionally has a cranking 53 for facilitating the insertion of the clamping yoke 1 into the function part 3.

In Fig. 10a) the clamping yoke 1 is inserted into the function part 3, coupled to the pivot lever and aligned in a second position of the pivot lever. In this second position of the pivot lever the clamping yoke 1 is at least partially still kept down by the first section of the hold-down device 5. Thus, the door is preferably in a closed state in this second position of the pivot lever and the force impact of the hold-down device 5 is formed in such a way that a high force is necessary to open the door out of this closed position. This position is preferably detected by a second position switch 35 which is arranged on a circuit board 32. The second position switch 35 may also be formed as a position sensor, and particularly as a distance sensor, proximity sensor or as another sensor which allows an estimation of the position.

It can be seen in Fig. 10b) that in this embodiment the hold-down force is not only caused by a single spring 6, but in combination with another spring 61 which engages at the free end of the hold-down device 5. Thus, the hold-down device 5 as a whole is supported to a certain extent in a horizontally shiftable way. The force introduction points KP and KP1, which belong to the springs 6, 61, are drawn in Fig. 10b) and 10c) . Typically, the further spring 61 has a significantly lower spring constant than the spring 6 and generates by this a smaller force at its force introduction point than the spring 6.

Fig. 10a) and 10b) show the closing mechanism in a closed position and thereby with a pivot lever in its second position. Fig. 10c) shows the pivot lever in its third position, in which the clamping yoke 1 already cooperates with the second section 52 of the hold-down device 5. As a result of the geometric form of the second section 52 relatively to the first section 51, an only small pressing force onto the clamping yoke 1 can be generated. Fig. 12 shows the closing mechanism according to Fig. 10 in a perspective view in operation in a dishwasher. The clamping yoke 1 arranged on the door side protrudes through a stop 101 of a front wall 10 of the device, which limits the vertical deflection and engages with a pivot lever of a function part 3 arranged on the door side. The function part 3 has a further stop 74 at its support 7, which also limits the vertical deflection of the clamping yoke 1.

Fig. 11 shows the closing mechanism according to Fig. 10 in cut images in the diagrams a), b) and c) in three different states, however without coupled clamping yoke. Fig. 11a) shows a position of the hold-down device, in which the pivot lever 4 is aligned in its first position, however without a clamping yoke being coupled. The pull springs 6 and 61 keep the hold-down device 5 pressed against the support 7 or the pivot lever 4 respectively. The hold-down device 5 takes on its lowest position in vertical direction and is aligned substantially horizontally. Contrary to this, Fig. lib) shows a position of the hold-down device 5, in which the pivot lever 4 is aligned in its first position and is now coupled to the clamping yoke. The hold-down force is now primarily determined by the pull spring 6. As a result, the hold-down device 5 has a tilted position. Fig. 11c) shows a position of the hold-down device, in which the pivot lever is aligned in its second position and is coupled to the clamping yoke. The hold-down force, which is primarily caused by the pull spring 6, pushes the clamping yoke strongly against the pivot lever 4. The further pull spring 61 causes a substantially horizontal orientation of the hold-down device 5.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in the present application, it is clearly noted that the invention is not limited thereto and may also be executed in another ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Household appliance with a door, with a drawbar (1) arranged on the appliance side or door side and mounted movably, with a swivel arm (4) arranged on the door side or when a drawbar (1) is arranged on the door side , mounted on the device side, which can be coupled to the drawbar (1) and mounted pivotally about a first axis of rotation (d1) at least between a first position (PS1) and a second position (PS2), and with a drive (31) positioned on the door side or when a pull bar (1) is arranged on the door side, arranged on the device side, to retract the door (8) to the household appliance (2) by transferring the swivel arm (4) from its first to its second position (PS1, PS2), when the drawbar (1) is coupled to the swivel arm (4), characterized in that a retainer (5) arranged at the swivel arm (4) is designed to generate a compressive force between the drawbar (1). and the swivel arm (4), when the towbar (1) is coupled to the swivel arm (4), at contraction extending free ends of the swivel arm (4) and the drawbar (1) coupled together.

Household appliance according to claim 1, wherein the down holder (5) is designed to generate a greater compressive force in the second position (PS2) of the swivel arm (4) than in the first position (PS1).

Household appliance according to claim 2, wherein the down holder (5) is designed to generate a constant increasing compressive force upon transfer of the swivel arm (4) from the first position (PS1) to the second position (PS2).

Household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, with a force entry point (KP) on the down-holding force (5) for generating the compressive force, which force entry point (KP) has a smaller distance to a free end of the pivot arm (4) in its second position (PS2 ) than in the first position (PS1).

Household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the swivel arm (4) is pivotally mounted between the second position (PS2) and a third position (PS3), which third position (PS3) has a larger angle of rotation (β) relative to it. first position (PS1) than the second position (PS2), where the drive (31) is configured to transfer the swivel arm (4) from the second position (PS2) to the third position (PS3) and where the retainer (5) is configured to generate a lower compressive force in the pivot arm (4) third position (PS3) than in its second position (PS2).

Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the down holder (5) is mounted pivotally about a third axis of rotation (d3) and wherein the third axis of rotation (d3) is oriented orthogonally with respect to the first axis of rotation (d1) and is particularly oriented. parallel to the swivel arm (4) in its second position (PS2).

Household appliance according to claim 6, with a bearing point (71) for displaceable bearing of the third axis of rotation (d3) in a direction determined by the second axis of rotation (d2).

Household appliance according to claim 7, with a stop (73) for limiting a deflection of the down holder (5) in a direction determined by the second axis of rotation (d2).

Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (5) has a first flat area (51) on a first level, which first area (51) of the holder (5) works with the swivel arm (4) coupled with the drawbar (1), between the first position of the swivel arm (PS1) and the second position (PS2).

Household appliance according to claim 5 in combination with claim 9, wherein the down holder (5) has a second area (52) having a level different from the first level, which second area (52) of the down holder (5) acts together with the swivel arm (4) coupled with the drawbar (1), between the second position of the swivel arm (PS2) and the third position (PS3).

Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the swivel arm (4) in the first position (PS1) is arranged parallel to an inner edge (811) of the door (8) on an upper side edge (81) of the door (8), and wherein the pivot arm (4) in the second position (PS2) is displaced 90 degrees relative to the first position (PS1) in the plane of the upper side edge (81).

Household appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the towbar (1) comprises a projection (11) which cooperates with a recess (42) in the swivel arm (4) for releasably coupling the towbar (1) and the swivel arm (4). and, in particular, where a side wall of the recess (42) comprises at least two different angles of inclination, wherein a first inclination angle is formed flatter in a first section of the sidewall than a second inclination angle in a second section of the sidewall, wherein the first section of the sidewall of the pivot arm ( 4) first position (PS1) interacts with the protrusion (11) of the drawbar (1) and the second section of the side wall of the second position (PS2) of the swivel arm (4) interacts with the protrusion (11) of the drawbar (1).

Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drawbar (1) is rotatably mounted about another axis of rotation (d2) and wherein the drawbar (1) is in particular at least three times as long as the swivel arm (4).

A method of closing the door of a home appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: - assuming a first door position, wherein the swivel arm (4) is coupled to the drawbar (1) and disposed in the first position (PS1 ), - actuate the drive (31) with a direction of rotation which causes the automatic retraction of the door (2), - assume a second door position (PS2), where the swivel arm (4) is coupled to the drawbar (1) and is placed in the second position. (PS2), and - disable the drive (31).