EP2280631B1 - Dish washer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dishwasher with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

The DE 10 2005 040 990 A1 discloses a dishwasher in which a decorative plate is fixed to a pivotable door. At an upper end face of the door a visual status indicator and several controls are provided. As a result, the decorative panel can cover the appliance door over its entire surface. However, it is necessary to provide a door handle on the decorative panel, since otherwise no attack options are available. A device with a heart curve in which the door is first pressed and then pressed resiliently, can not be used in a dishwasher, because the seal between the door and body body deformation inward not allowed or leaks could occur.

The EP 0 772 996 A2 discloses a dishwasher in which a door is pivotally mounted and has an unlockable door lock. The appliance door is clad with a decorative plate, wherein on the decorative plate, a handle member is mounted to make an opening of the door by a pulling movement on the handle element. The use of a handle element is also necessary here to open the appliance door, as to ensure the tightness of a certain locking force of the seal is required. In this respect, the appliance door should not be pressed against the body.

From the DE 20 2005 011 427 U1 a refrigerator and / or freezer is known in which after actuation of a sensor, the door is automatically opened by a motor. The sensor is located on the side of the device. Since dishwashers are usually installed in a kitchenette, the side walls are not accessible. An arrangement of the sensor on the decorative plate is also not desirable because it is supplied by the manufacturer of the kitchen furniture and therefore would require conversion measures by the furniture stand.

From the EP 1 935 313 A1 (Prior art according to Article 54 (3) EPC) a dishwashing machine is known in which a relative movement between the decorative plate and the door is detected by a sensor. Subsequently, a locking mechanism of the door is released. The door then opens in segments by the restoring forces of the door seal. If these forces are too small, then the door is difficult to grip. If the forces are too great and the compensating mechanism for the weight of the decor panel is set too weak, the door automatically falls into the fully opened state.

From the EP 1 733 675 A1 a dishwasher is known in which a gap-wise opening of the door by a motorized movable locking is possible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher, in which on a pivotable door, a decorative plate can be fixed, which can be mounted visually appealing without handle element and easy opening of the door is guaranteed.

This object is achieved with a household appliance with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, a decorative plate is resiliently mounted on the door and a sensor for detecting a relative movement of the decorative plate to the door is provided, with which an opening drive can be triggered via a controller. As a result, the decorative plate without handle element can be attached to the door and therefore be designed visually appealing. It then forms a uniform surface with adjacent cabinet doors.

• Er zeichnet sich durch eine Bedienhaptik aus, die sich in die Bedienphilosophie von hochwertigen grifflosen Küchenfronten - insbesondere den hier verwendeten Schubkästen - einfügt. Dabei besteht sowohl hinsichtlich des Betätigungswegs als auch bezüglich der Betätigungskraft die Möglichkeit, eine Systemkompatibilität einzustellen.
• Die Betätigungskraft lässt sich einfach über die Federkonstante der Abstandselemente definieren.
• Der Aufbau ist relativ unabhängig von Bauteil- und Aufbautoleranzen.
• Die Dekorplatte ist leicht montierbar und demontierbar, auch nachträglich.
• Es ist ein geringes Spaltmaß (weniger als 3 mm zwischen Blende und Dekorplatte) möglich, was die Lösung auch unter optischen Kriterien interessant erscheinen lässt.

In an advantageous embodiment, the decorative plate is mounted on the door by means of a rotary joint. Parts of the swivel joint may be components of a mounting frame, which may additionally have a suspension engaging in the door and at least one resilient spacer element. Then, the sensor can be designed as a simple switch and the activation of the opening drive is possible by low pressure on the decorative plate. It is advantageous if the hinge is arranged in the lower region of the door and the switch in the upper region of the door. As a result, the force required to operate the switch force is reduced. The above construction has the following advantages:

• It is characterized by an operating feel, which fits into the operating philosophy of high-quality handle-free kitchen fronts - especially the drawers used here. In this case, both with regard to the actuation path and with respect to the actuation force, it is possible to set a system compatibility.
• The actuation force can be easily defined by the spring constant of the spacer elements.
• The structure is relatively independent of component and assembly tolerances.
• The decorative panel is easy to assemble and disassemble, even later.
• It is possible a small gap (less than 3 mm between the panel and decorative panel), which makes the solution appear interesting under optical criteria.

In an alternative embodiment, the sensor is designed as a force sensor. The door may comprise an outside door panel with integrated sensor and the sensor detects an electrostatic field change or a mechanical deformation of the door outer panel.

According to a preferred embodiment, a control panel for the household appliance is arranged on an upper end side of the door. This allows the user to easily select a wash program or enter other control commands.

For easier handling, the door may have a handle element or a recessed grip on its upper front side.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a second sensor is provided, which is preferably also arranged between the door and the decorative plate. Then, a further function can be triggered via the control only in the presence of the signals of the first and the second sensor. Thus, a parental control can be realized in a simple way, with which functions are difficult to turn on with a possible risk to the user. The sensor can be designed as a contact or proximity sensor. then both sensors can be triggered by pressing the decorative panel at a certain point where the second sensor is located.

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgerätes im Türbereich;

Figur 2

einen Öffnungsantrieb einer Geschirrspülmaschine mit entferntem Deckel, entfernter Bedienblende und entferntem Türaußenblech, wobei Figur 2a die geschlossene Tür und Figur 2b die geöffnete Tür zeigt;

Figur 3

den Öffnungsantrieb in geschnittener Seitenansicht;

Figur 4

den Türbereich eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung;

Figur 5

ein Drehgelenk der Dekorplatte als Einzelheit;

Figur 6

die Frontansicht einer Tür mit zwei Sensoren.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it

FIG. 1

a schematic view of a household appliance according to the invention in the door area;

FIG. 2

an opening drive a dishwasher with the lid removed, remote control panel and the outer door panel, wherein FIG. 2a the closed door and FIG. 2b the opened door shows;

FIG. 3

the opening drive in a sectional side view;

FIG. 4

the door area of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5

a hinge of the decorative plate as a detail;

FIG. 6

the front view of a door with two sensors.

A door 1 of a household appliance, in particular a dishwasher 100 (see FIGS. 2a and 2b ) is rotatably mounted about an axis 20 on a body of the household appliance. The door 1 comprises a door inner panel 2 and a door outer panel 3, which form a cavity between them. At the door outer panel 3, a decorative plate 4 is fixed, which can form a uniform surface with adjacent decorative panels of a kitchen.

The decorative panel 4 is fixed to the outer door panel 3 via fastening means 5. In an upper region of the decorative panel 4, a gap 6 between the outer door panel 3 and the decorative panel 4 is provided with the width L, wherein the decorative panel 4 supported by a spring 7 is held on the outer door panel 3. The outer door panel 3 has above the fastening means 5 a bevel 8, which at an angle to the plane of the decorative plate 4th runs to form the gap 6 between the outer door panel 3 and the decorative panel 4 in the upper area.

On the slope 8 of the door outer panel 3, a sensor 9 is provided in the form of a strain gauge, which is connected via a signal line 10 to a control computer 11. The control computer 11 is part of a device control 12, which has display and control elements 13 which are arranged on an upper end side of the door 1. The control triggers a later-described opening drive, by means of which the door 3 is movable from a closed position on the body in an at least slightly open position. In a slightly open position, the user can move the door 1, in which a gripping recess arranged on the upper end side of the door 1 is gripped.

The door 1 can be locked to close in a simple manner to the body. To open the user presses against the decorative plate 4, wherein due to the resilient mounting of the decorative plate 4 in the upper region of the decorative plate 4 by means of the sensor 9 can be detected, since the door outer panel 3 is slightly deformed in the region of the slope 8. This deformation is sufficient, for example, to detect a change in resistance, which then causes the controller, one in the FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3 to trigger the illustrated opening drive.

The FIGS. 2a and 2b show a dishwasher 100, in which for better representation of the closing mechanism of the lid, the control panel, the door outer panel and the decorative panel were removed. The dishwasher 100 has a washing container 101 on which a door 1 is pivotally arranged to close the washing container 101. For this purpose, a fork-shaped locking element 103 is arranged on the door 1, which is rotatably mounted in a known manner and engages in its locking position in a arranged on the washing container 101 closing cam 104. To unlock the user must pull on the door 1 with a force sufficient to rotate the locking member 103 via a mechanism not shown in a position in which it no longer holds the locking pin 104. For this purpose, the door 1 must first be moved to an open position so that the user can bring his hand into the gap between the door 1 and the washing container 101 or can hold a handle 102 provided on the upper edge of the door 1. In order now to be able to open the door 1 by means of the sensor 9 in columns, the closing cam 104 is fastened to a closing plate 106, which is linearly movable approximately ten centimeters in the opening direction of the door 1. The motor 105 is switched on via the device controller 11 of the dishwasher 100 after the presence of the sensor signal.

How the closing plate 106 and its drive are in detail, results from the FIG. 3 , where in a sectional side view of a rack 106 used as a closing plate 107 is shown, at the end of the closing cam 104 is arranged in the form of an eyelet. The rack 107 is arranged in a guide channel 108 above the washing container, wherein the guide channel 108 is mounted slightly inclined on the upper wall 109 of the washing container 101. In the guide channel 108, an opening 110 for a pinion 111 is provided. It also forms the area in which the pinion 111 meshes with the rack 107. The pinion 111 is rotated by the engine 105 formed as a tubular motor, possibly with the interposition of an integrated transmission (not shown). In this case, position switches 113 and 114 are arranged next to the guide channel, which switch off the motor 105 in the end positions of the rack 107, respectively. Alternatively, linear or rotary potentiometer or optical sensors for exact position detection of the rack are conceivable.

For example, an integrated friction clutch (not shown) interacts with the transmission. Alternatively, the rack 107 itself may be formed as a slip clutch. In this case, the teeth of the rack and / or the gear are formed rubber-like to form a friction pairing. In addition or as an alternative, the closing plate may be designed to be toothless over part 115 of its extension, but provided with an elastic covering.

As a further protection against overloading of the motor 105, a current monitor (not shown) is provided which switches it off when a predetermined motor current is exceeded.

In the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, a strain gauge is provided as a sensor 9. It is also possible to connect other sensors to the controller, such as a piezo foil, a capacitor foil or a metal foil, optionally detecting a resistance change, a capacitance change or an electrostatic field change. In the FIG. 1 shown door is provided for a so-called fully integrated dishwasher (not shown), ie, the display and control elements 13 are arranged on the upper end side of the door 1. Alternatively, the above-described opening mechanism at one in the FIGS. 2a and 2b shown door are used, in which the operating and display elements are arranged on the front side above the decorative plate.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a door, here again for a fully integrated dishwasher (not shown). In this, instead of a force sensor 9 (embodiment according to FIG. 1 ) a switch 90 can be used. Alternatively could one from the WO 2008/031748 A1 known electrodynamic sensor can be used. This makes it possible, with a much lower pressure on the decorative plate 4 to reach the triggering of the sensor (switch 90) necessary relative movement. For this is the decorative panel 4 is mounted on the door 1 by means of a hinge 200. Like in the Fig. 4 shown in the side view, the plate 4 is fixed by means of a mounting frame 40 to the door 1. The figure shows the dishwasher door 1 with the decorative panel 4, the door inner panel 2 and the door outer panel 3, here with a separate panel box 130 for receiving the device controller 12 with control computer 11 and the control and display elements 13. The mounting frame 40 is first to the decorative plate 4th screwed. It includes in the middle to upper region on both sides suspensions 41, which engage in holders 31 on the outer door panel 3, eyelets 42 of a rotary joint and spacers 43 and 44 in the form of leaf springs.

After placing the suspensions 41 on the brackets 31, the eyelets 42 reach into the region of two U-shaped brackets 32, which are each attached laterally to the door outer panel 3 in the lower area. For rotatable attachment of the decorative plate 4, two shaft screws 33 (DIN 427) are inserted through the holes 45 of the eyelets 42 and through outer through holes 34 in the brackets 32 and then rotated into internal threaded holes 35 in the brackets. FIG. 5 shows the left bracket 32 (starting from a position in front of the dishwasher standing) with shaft screw 33 and eyelet 42, the right bracket 32 is arranged mirror-inverted on the door outer panel 3.

As sensor 90 is preferably a Folienkurzhubtaster used, which due to its very flat structure - i. d. R. is this at about 1.5 mm - has a very small switching path in the order of less than 1 mm. Furthermore, these buttons prove to be very robust. The film short-stroke key is glued onto the diaphragm box 130. To increase the pressure, a cam (not shown) can be glued to the decorative plate 4 in the sensor area. The pressure force required to actuate the pushbutton is predetermined by the resilient spacer elements 43 and 44, these also provide for a restoring moment on the plate 4. With the configuration according to the invention, actuation paths of less than 3 mm can be realized, preferably between 1.5 and 2 mm , It therefore allows the use of a handle-less decorative plate 4 for a preferably handle-less, fully integrated dishwasher 100, which fits without compromise in the appearance and the actuation haptic handleless drawer fronts.

FIG. 6 shows on the embodiment of a dishwasher 100, a door front, in which a second sensor 91 between the door 1 and the decorative plate 4 is arranged. As a result, two sensitive areas 92 and 93 are created, which generate a sensor signal when pressure is applied to the decorative panel 4. In the embodiment shown, the first sensitive region 92 extends transversely symmetrically over the upper part of the decorative plate 4, the second sensitive region 93 is within the first, ie, it represents a sub-segment of the first region 92 and is preferably off center left or right near the decor panel side edge. The sensors 90 and 91 are in the center of the respective regions 92 and 93. In this case, as the first sensor 90 is preferably a force sensor, for example, from the embodiment according to FIG. 4 known foil short-stroke key used. The second sensor 91 can preferably be operated without power, here is a capacitive nutrient or touch sensor that emits a signal only when touched in the sensitive area. Again, as the first sensor from the WO 2008/031748 A1 known electrodynamic sensor can be used.

If the operator presses on the decorative plate 4 in the first sensitive area 92 in the middle or on the left, ie outside the second sensitive area 93, only the sensor 90 sends a signal to the control computer 11. For this purpose, a certain force is required. On such an operation is on the device control 12 in the Figures 2 and 3 shown opening drive turned on. The second sensor 91 is used to turn on another function by the controller 12. Here functions can be provided by which the user is endangered by improper behavior, such as the program start or program continuation after opening and closing the door 1. In order not to turn on such a function by chance, the control computer 11 checks whether both the first 90 and Also, the second sensor 91 give a signal. This is only the case when with a certain force on the second sensitive area 93 is pressed and consequently both sensors 90 and 91 are activated. About such a function, a child safety device can be realized, which prevents a start-up of the device by unauthorized persons.

By means of from the WO 2008/031748 A1 known electrodynamic sensor can realize a child safety by an actuation profile (speed, force, frequency o. Ä.) Is detected by the control computer 11 and compared with a stored in the device controller 12 profile. If they match, the door 1 is opened, otherwise not.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the formation of only two sensitive areas.

Claims (13)

1. Dishwasher (100) comprising a movable door (1), an opening mechanism (103, 104) being provided, a decorative panel (4) being resiliently mounted on the door (1) and a sensor (9, 90) being provided for sensing a relative movement of the decorative panel (4) with respect to the door (1), operating and display elements (13) being arranged on an upper end face of the door (1) and/or the door (1) comprising a handle element (102) or a recessed handle on the upper end face thereof, characterised in that the sensor (9, 90) is provided for sensing when the decorative panel is pressed inwards, and in that an opening drive (105, 106) can be triggered by means of the sensor (9, 90) in order to move the door (1) from a closed position into an at least partially open position.
2. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the decorative panel (4) is mounted on the door (1) by means of a revolute joint.
3. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 2, characterised in that parts (42) of the revolute joint (200) are components of a mounting frame (40).
4. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that the mounting frame (40) comprises a bracket (41) that engages in the door (1), and at least one resilient spacing element (43, 44).
5. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor (90) is designed as a switch.
6. Dishwasher according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor (90) is designed as an electrodynamic sensor.
7. Dishwasher (100) according to either claim 3 or claim 4 and according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that the revolute joint (200) is arranged in the lower region of the door (1) and the switch (90) is arranged in the upper region of the door (1).
8. Dishwasher (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the sensor (9) is designed as a force sensor.
9. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that the door (1) comprises an outer door plate (3) that has an integrated sensor (9), and a change in an electrostatic field of the outer door plate (3) or a mechanical deformation of the outer door plate can be detected.
10. Dishwasher (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a second sensor (91) is provided.
11. Dishwasher (100) according to claim 10, characterised in that the second sensor (91) is arranged between the door (1) and the decorative panel (4).
12. Dishwasher (100) according to either claim 10 or claim 11, characterised in that a further function can only be triggered by means of the appliance controller (12) when the signals of the first sensor (90) and the second sensor (91) are present.
13. Dishwasher (100) according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the second sensor (91) is designed as a touch sensor or a proximity sensor.

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