EP2038471B1 - Domestic appliance with a door - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a door for a domestic appliance (1), comprising a displaceable handle element (23) that is mounted essentially above the horizontal centre line of the door (2), a hinge device (24) that can rotate about an essentially vertical hinge axis (241) and that is used to couple the door (2) to the domestic appliance (1) and a latch device (27), that has a displaceable latch bolt (272a) and that can be mechanically coupled to the handle element (23) in such a way that the actuation of the handle element (23) allows the latch device (27) to be actuated. The latch device (27) is mounted on the door (2) in such a way that when said door (2) is closed, the latch bolt (272a) lies on an essentially horizontal centre line of the opening of the domestic appliance (1) that may be closed by the door (2). The invention also relates to a laundry care appliance comprising a door of this type.

Description

The invention relates to a domestic appliance with a flap, in particular a washing machine, according to the preamble of the independent claim 1.

From the German patent application DE 38 09 998 A1 an assembly for a window or flap of a household washing machine is known. The assembly includes a latch pin and a handle member rotatably disposed about a common axis fixed within the frame or flap. The latch bolt has a hook-like shape and is held by a spring against a stop in a rest position. In the rest position the catch bolt holds the closed window locked. By an actuation of the grip element, the grip element causes a movement of the Schnäpperbolzens out of its rest position, whereby the locking of the window is released and the window can be opened. The assembly is designed only for a possible type of actuation of the handle member, that is, the movement of the Schnäpperbolzens is only effected when the directed towards the window center handle member is pulled forward or the handle member is rotated counterclockwise about its axis.

Known front-loading washing machines have an assembly according to DE 38 09 998 A1 on, in which the latch bolt is arranged on a horizontal center line of a window opening of the washing machine and symmetrically to a vertical hinge axis of the window. By such a symmetrical arrangement, the window can be uniformly pressed against a seal arranged between the window and the washing machine housing. The freedom of design of a window with a Such assembly is significantly limited with respect to the handle assembly on the window, especially with regard to an ergonomically favorable arrangement.

In addition, is off EP 728 861 A1 a washing machine is known, which has a handle element for actuating a Schnäpperschlosses. By operating the grip element, which is arranged on a window frame of a window or a flap frame of a flap of the washing machine, an opening of the window or the flap can be initiated. The grip element is arranged on a substantially annular window or window frame. The window or the flap is movably attached to the washing machine by means of a hinge device. In the washing machine, the handle member is arranged asymmetrically to these hinge devices, whereby an ergonomically favorable opening operation is provided. In this case, the grip element is arranged substantially in a two-o'clock position on the annular window frame.

The handle member can only be operated in one direction to operate the Schnäpperschloss. It allows only a very limited operation with regard to opening and / or closing of such a window of a washing machine. In the EP 728 861 A1 disclosed window construction is not suitable to equip the window with a handle member having a further type of actuation. Therefore, for each design or equipment variant of the washing machine, which require a different type of actuation of the grip element, each a separate window variant must be created because different types of components of the Schnäppervorrichtung must be provided for each variant. Thus, less common parts can be used in the manufacture of washing machines of different designs, whereby the creation of such design variants are costly.

In addition, the latch bolt, which keeps the window closed, is also arranged asymmetrically or above the horizontal center line of the window opening. Such an arrangement results in that in the lower window area, a small contact force can be ensured at a arranged between the window and the washing machine housing seal. As a result, in the operation of the washing machine laundry, which presses against the window from the inside, the window in the bottom Press lightly on the area, whereby water present in a washing drum can escape from the washing machine.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flap for a household appliance, in particular a laundry care device, with a handle ergonomically favorable for a user grip element, wherein the flap can reliably ensure a sealing seat on one with the same to be closed opening of the household appliance.

This object is achieved by a household appliance having the features of claim 1, and by a laundry care device according to claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are listed in the subclaims.

The household appliance according to the invention is provided with a flap, which is coupled to a hinged about a substantially vertical hinge axis hinge device to the household appliance. It is further arranged a Schnäppervorrichtung comprising a Schnäpbolbolzen for holding an opening of the household appliance to the flap, wherein on the flap beyond a handle element is arranged movable and the handle element with the Schnäppervorrichtung is mechanically coupled. This mechanical coupling or this mechanical operative connection is designed such that by actuation of the gripping element, the Schnäppervorrichtung can be actuated. An essential idea of the invention is to arrange the catch bolt of the catch device and the grip element substantially spatially separated from one another on the flap. That is, the handle is substantially above a center line of the flap on an ergonomically favorable for the actuation of the handle member position and the latch bolt is arranged with the flap closed on a substantially horizontal center line of the flap to be closed opening of the household appliance. Only by such an arrangement of the Schnäpperbolzens can be achieved with such an asymmetrical arrangement of the handle member on the flap that a symmetrical to the hinge device support of the flap with respect to the opening or a seal arranged at the opening can be maintained, whereby the sealing seat of the closed flap can be optimally guaranteed. The position of the handle element is related to the horizontal center line of the flap the horizontal axis of symmetry of the flap part corresponding to the opening to be closed. The position of the Schnäpbolbolzen is based on the horizontal center line of the opening, since the outer contour of the flap for ergonomic or functional reasons can be arranged offset relative to the opening to be closed.

The Schnäppervorrichtung has advantageously at least one trigger element, with the handle member and the Schnäpperbolzen can cooperate such that the Schnäpperbolzen is triggered by an actuation of the handle member. The triggering element can be arranged within the Schnäppervorrichtung such that it can be coupled simultaneously with the Schnäpperbolzen and the handle element, whereby the spatial separation of handle element and Schnäpbolbolzen is easily possible.

The Schnäppervorrichtung comprises a Schnäpperträger on which the Schnäpbolbolzen and the trigger element are arranged. The mechanism of the Schnäppervorrichtung is designed on the one hand with little effort, on the other hand, however, ensures a high reliability in terms of safe operation of the Schnäppervorrichtung.

Particularly advantageous is a development in which the latch bolt (272a) is mounted rotatably about a latch axis (271) which is arranged substantially parallel to the hinge axis, that is to say that the latch axis has a substantially vertical orientation. In such an arrangement, the Schnäpbolbolzen when opening or closing the flap can be inserted into a cooperating with the Schnäpperbolzen Zuhaltevorrichtung of the household appliance or run from the same, without the Schnäpperbolze thereby grinds or jammed on the Zuhaltevorrichtung.

Advantageously, the grip element also has a handle axis whose position deviates from the position of the catch axis. Thus, the catch bolt encompassed by the catch device can be arranged at the optimum position for the tumbler or sealing seat of the flap, even if the grip element is arranged above the center line of the horizontal center line of the opening. The Schnäpbolbolzen can thus be clearly spaced away from the handle element attached to the flap. In addition, such a configuration is particularly advantageous in a flap which has a window held by a window ring and in which the axes of the handle member and the Schnäpperbolzens are arranged on the window ring, since the handle member is positioned very variable at the window ring in a spatially predetermined by the window ring restriction.

The handle axis of the gripping element is preferably arranged at an angle α to a Schnäpperachse the Schnäppervorrichtung. Preferably, the angle between the handle axis and the Schnäpperachse is about 75 °. It can also be provided that the angle α is in the range of about 65 ° to 85 °, in particular in the range between 70 ° and 80 °. Preferably, the Schnäpperachse is oriented substantially vertically. With such an arrangement of the axes, the gripping element can be arranged in an ergonomically favorable position.

The grip element is advantageously arranged on a frame element of the flap. The Schnäppervorrichtung itself is preferably arranged on a support element of the flap. The support member and the handle member are preferably mechanically fixed together. It may further be provided that the flap is substantially annular and the support member is a so-called flap ring.

On the flap, the Schnappervorrichtung is preferably arranged opposite to the hinge device. The Schnäppervorrichtung and the hinge device are thus positioned substantially symmetrically to a vertical axis of symmetry of the flap part corresponding to the opening to be closed. Preferably, the grip element is then arranged asymmetrically to the hinge device. The asymmetry is indicated with respect to a vertical and / or horizontal line of symmetry of the opening.

The inventive household appliance, on which a flap is arranged, is designed in particular as a household appliance for the care of items of laundry or as a laundry care device. In this case, a tumble dryer or a washing machine may preferably be formed, the flap serving to close a charging opening of a laundry treatment room, in particular a laundry drum. Such laundry care devices thus have flaps which are ergonomically favorable for a user to operate and at the same time have an optimum sealing seat on an opening of the laundry care device to be closed.

In particular, the user need not to stoop to open a vertically arranged laundry door of a laundry care device, for example in a so-called front loader, since the handle element can be arranged correspondingly far above on such a flap.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Waschmaschine,

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Klappe der Waschmaschine gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

ein Trägerelement der Klappe gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Teilbereichs einer Schnäppervorrichtung,

Fig. 5

eine Explosionsdarstellung der Schnäppervorrichtung mit einem Griffelement und

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht der Klappe gemäß der Figuren 2 und 3.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a washing machine,

Fig. 2

an exploded view of a flap of the washing machine according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a carrier element of the flap according to Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a portion of a Schnäppervorrichtung,

Fig. 5

an exploded view of the Schnäppervorrichtung with a handle element and

Fig. 6

a view of the flap according to the Figures 2 and 3 ,

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of a household appliance for the care of laundry items shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the household appliance is a washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 has on its front side 11 a charging opening, which can be closed by a flap 2. The flap 2 is designed as a loading door. As from the illustration in Fig. 1 can be seen, the flap 2 is formed substantially annular and has an outer frame member 21 and a sight glass 22. The sight glass 22 is the corresponding to the opening to be closed flap part which cooperates with a disposed between the opening and the sight glass 22 seal for sealing the opening. In addition, a handle member 23 is movably disposed on the outer frame member 21. The flap 2 is connected to a hinge device 24 on the washing machine. 1 movably attached. Thus, the flap 2 can be pivoted about this hinge device 24, wherein a hinge axis 241 extends vertically in the embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the grip element 23 is positioned substantially asymmetrically with respect to the hinge device 24 with respect to a vertical and / or a horizontal axis of symmetry of the sight glass 22.

In Fig. 2 an exploded perspective view of the flap 2 is shown. The flap 2 in this case comprises the outer frame member 21, on which the arc segment-like shaped handle member 23 is movably arranged. The grip element 23 is rotatably movably arranged about a handle axis 231 shown on the grip element 23. In addition, the flap 2 comprises the sight glass 22 and a spacer ring 25, on which the hinge device 24 is arranged. As can be seen, the spacer ring 25 is positioned between the outer frame member 21 and the sight glass 22.

Moreover, the flap 2 also has a flap ring 26, wherein the sight glass 22 is arranged in the peripheral edge region between the spacer ring 25 and the flap ring 26. On the flap ring 26, a Schnäppervorrichtung 27 is arranged. The catch device 27 is positioned substantially opposite the hinge device 24 and has a catch axis 271 extending substantially parallel to the hinge axis 241.

The Schnäppervorrichtung 27 includes a Schnäpperträger 272, on which a Schnäpperbolzen 272 a is arranged. The Schnäpbolbolzen 272a is hook-shaped. The Schnäpperträger 272 is mounted in a Schnäpperhalter 273, wherein the Schnäpperhalter 273 is disposed on the flap ring 26. Preferably, the Schnäpperhalter 273 is integrated into the flap ring 26 and preferably formed integrally with the flap ring 26. The flap ring 26 has an opening 261, through which the latch pin 272 a protrudes in the assembled state of the flap 2. The exploded view of the Fig. 2 shown partial elements of the flap 2 are stably connected together in the assembled state of the flap 2, so that the flap 2 represents a single overall system.

As already from the representation in Fig. 2 can be seen, the handle axis 231 is an angle α (shown in FIG Fig. 3 ) rotated relative to the Schnäpperachse 271.

As further from the representation in Fig. 2 can be seen, the outer frame member 21 has a recess 211 in which the handle member 23 is arranged. The handle member 23 is arranged movable in the embodiment in an actuation relative to the outer frame member 21. The movement is thereby a rotary movement about the handle axis 231. The handle element 23 can be pulled away on the sight glass 22 projecting or inner edge 234 of the handle element of the washing machine 1 away. In this case, the outer edge 233 of the handle member 23 is practically moved toward the washing machine 1, whereby a rotational movement of the handle member 23 around the handle axis 231 in the direction of arrow 232 is formed.

In Fig. 3 a flap ring 26 of the flap 2 is shown. It is clarified here that the handle axis 231 is arranged at an angle α in comparison to the catch axis 271 arranged vertically in the exemplary embodiment. The catch axis 271 is substantially parallel to the vertical axis of symmetry 2a of the sight glass 22. The grip element 23 is positioned both asymmetrically with respect to the vertical axis of symmetry 2a and to the horizontal symmetry axis 2b of the sight glass 22 with respect to the hinge device 24 and / or the latch device 27. In the exemplary embodiment, the grip element 23 is arranged substantially in a two o'clock position. The handle axis 231 is tilted in the embodiment with respect to the horizontal axis of symmetry 2b of the sight glass 22 by an angle β of about 165 ° counterclockwise. The angle α between the Schnäpperachse 271 and the handle axis 231 is about 75 ° in the embodiment.

In the embodiment, the grip element 23 and the Schnäppervorrichtung 27 in in Fig. 3 shown first quarter of a segment-like division of the flap 2 arranged.

In Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the Schnäpperträgers 272 of the Schnäppervorrichtung 27 shown. The spider carrier 272 in the exemplary embodiment has an elongated structure, which is formed by the main carrier 272b. On this main carrier 272b, the catch bolt 272a is fixed at a first end, which is movably arranged or mounted with the main carrier 272b via a spring coupling. Of the Hook-shaped latch bolt 272a is mechanically coupled to a first trigger member 272d.

As from the illustration in Fig. 4 can be seen, the trigger element 272d plate-shaped and arranged on the main carrier 272b.

In the exemplary embodiment, the in Fig. 5 shown arrangement of the trigger element 272d such that when the handle member 23 in the direction A, ie moved away from the washing machine 1 or pulled, the first trigger element 272d is actuated. In this case, a force is introduced in accordance with the direction of arrow B from above onto the first triggering element 272d.

In the mode of actuation, the mechanical coupling is thus such that the grip element 23 presses the trigger element 272d from top to bottom.

The FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of the handle member 23 on the flap 2, wherein the handle member 23 to the valve center shows.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Washing machine

2

Flap with handle element 23

2a

Vertical axis of symmetry of sight glass 22

2 B

Horizontal symmetry axis of the sight glass 22

21

Outer frame element

211

Recess in the outer frame member 21st

22

sight glass

23

Handle element (version A)

231

handle axis

232

Arrow direction of the rotation of the handle member 23 in an actuation

233

Outer wall of the grip element 23

234

Inner edge of the handle element 23rd

24

hinge device

241

hinge axis

25

spacer

26

valve ring

261

Opening in the valve ring 26th

27

Schnäppervorrichtung

271

Schnäpperachse

272

Schnäpperträger

272a

latch bolt

272b

main carrier

272c

first trigger element

272d

second trigger element

273

Schnäpperhalter

A

Arrow direction of a type of actuation on the handle element 23rd

B

Arrow direction of a force on the trigger element 272d

C

Arrow direction of a force on the trigger element 272c

α

Angle between the handle axis 231 and the catch axis 271 '

β

Angle between the horizontal axis of symmetry 2b and the handle axis 231

Claims (12)

1. Domestic appliance (1) with a door for closing and opening of the domestic appliance, the door (2) comprising

   - a movable grip element (23) arranged substantially above the horizontal centre line (2b) of that door part which corresponds with the opening to be closed,

   - a hinge device (24) which is rotatable about a substantially vertical hinge axis (241) and by which the door (2) is coupled to the domestic appliance (1) and

   - a snap-action catch (27) which comprises a movable catch pin (272a) and which is so mechanically coupled with the grip element (23, 33) that the snap-action catch (27) is actuable by actuation of the grip element (23),

   characterised in that the snap-action catch (27) is so arranged at the door (2) that the catch pin (272a) when the door (2) is closed lies on the horizontal centre line (2b) of the opening, which is to be closed by the door (2), of the domestic appliance (1).
2. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the snap-action catch (27) comprises at least one trigger element (272d) which for actuation of the catch pin (272a) can be triggered by actuation of the grip element (23).
3. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the snap-action catch (27) comprises a catch carrier (272) at which the catch pin (272a) and the trigger element (272d) are arranged.
4. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the catch pin (272a) is mounted to be rotatable about a catch axis (271) arranged substantially parallel to the hinge axis (241).
5. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the grip element (23) is arranged to be rotatable about a grip axis (231) and that the grip axis (231) and the catch axis (271) have positions differing from one another.
6. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the grip axis (231) and the catch axis (271) are arranged at an angle α to one another.
7. Domestic appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the angle α lies in a range of 65° to 85°, particularly in a range between 70° and 80°.
8. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the door (2) is of annular construction.
9. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the grip element (23) is arranged at an outer frame element (21) of the door (2).
10. Domestic appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the snap-action catch (27) is arranged at a support element of the door (2), particularly at a door ring (26).
11. Laundry care appliance, particularly washing machine, characterised in that the laundry care appliance is constructed as a domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims.
12. Laundry care appliance according to claim 11, characterised in that the door (2) is constructed for closing a loading opening of a laundry treatment space, particularly of a laundry drum.

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