EP2280632B1 - Dishwasher having a device for opening the door in gaps - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a washing tub, a latch keeper disposed on the washing tub and mounted on a push rod, and a pivotable door configured to close the washing tub. The door includes a latching mechanism configured to engage the latch keeper in accordance with a closing of the door. An actuator is configured to move the push rod in an opening direction so as to open the door to an ajar position. A return device is configured to return the latch keeper in a direction opposite to the opening direction approximately at least to an initial position upon a further opening of the door.

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a washing container, which can be closed by a hinged door, wherein for locking a door arranged on the locking device engages in a arranged on the Spülbehälter closing block, and wherein the gap-wise opening of the door of the lock on a means of a drive in the opening direction adjustable push rod is arranged.

From the DE 44 43 849 A1 a push rod is known, which is eccentrically mounted on an engine and thus the rinse tank door can automatically open a gap after a cleaning and rinsing cycle, so that the remaining moisture escapes due to natural convection. Although the opening mechanism described there for the drying process is an improvement, nevertheless, there are problems that are seen in the fact that the opening device described therein only allows an opening gap of ten millimeters. A larger opening path is required especially when the dishwasher is installed in a kitchenette and is covered at the top by a worktop. In the in the DE 44 43 849 A1 illustrated embodiment condenses the hot, moisture-laden air on the underside of the cold worktop, which can lead to their damage.

From the EP 0 687 439 A1 a dishwasher is known in which also after the completion of the rinsing and drying process, the door is opened in columns by way of a motor-driven locking cam. Here the locking pin remains after the end of the program in this slightly open position. The user should thereby facilitate the closing after unloading the device, because then the push rod is pulled by the motor in the end position. A disadvantage of this solution is that during the support of the drying process, the opening gap must be large (see above) and therefore the locking block even after opening by the operator far into the room protrudes in this position, the block creates a risk of injury and also easy to be damaged.

From the DE 10 2005 028 449 B4 For example, a dishwasher is known in which the locking bolt can be moved by an electric motor in three different positions. In the first position, the locking block is in its initial position, in which the door is completely closed to carry out the flushing operation. From there, the locking pin is moved to the end of the program in a second position, in which the door to a relatively large gap is opened. This serves to support drying. After opening the door, the locking cam is moved back to a third position. The locking block projects now only so far out of the housing that the door is only opened by a small gap when closing. In this position, the risk of injury is reduced. In addition, an automatic retraction of the locking pin in the first position supports the user when closing the door, because he no longer has to press against the force of the door seal.

The above-described dishwashers use an electric geared motor as a drive. This is an expensive and wear-prone component. In addition, two position switches are used.

The invention has the problem to disclose a dishwasher of the type mentioned, in which even when replacing the electric gear motor by a cheaper drive an automatic retraction of the lock is guaranteed.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a dishwasher having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The achievable with the invention advantages result in particular by means of which the locking block by a further opening movement of the door back against the. Move back opening direction at least approximately in its initial position. As a result, less expensive and more robust drives can be used instead of an electric motor.

In an advantageous embodiment, the means comprise a cable or Bowden cable coupled to the door. This results in a simple mechanical coupling, by which the force applied by the user at the opening on the door force can be used to move back the Schließklobens.

It is particularly advantageous if the door actuates the cable or Bowden cable via a rotatably mounted reversing lever. An essential feature of this device is that the retraction mechanism is not permanently coupled to the door. This minimizes wear because the push rod is retracted only once per program cycle. In addition, the disadvantage is removed, which results from the unfavorable direction of movement of the door in the hinge area with respect to the desired withdrawal direction. By the lever, the upward movement of the door hinge is directed downward and thus automatically reversed in a pulling movement. As a result, more pulleys can be omitted. It is useful if the reversing lever is formed with two arms, wherein the first Arm is movable through the door and wherein the second arm of the cable or Bowden cable is attached.

A simple mechanical construction is achieved when the lever is mounted on a support plate. Such a plate can be attached in a simple manner to the side wall of the washing container or a component fastened to the side wall, so that no further changes in the construction of the dishwasher are necessary.

An inexpensive and simply constructed drive for moving the push rod comprises at least one spring. This can be tensioned against the opening direction of the push rod upon further opening of the door. It is expedient if the push rod in at least one position in which the spring is tensioned, can be locked.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the push rod can be locked in the starting position and in a pre-locking position lying in front of the starting position. In this way, even with a door lock, the locking device has a small idle stroke, ensures that the latch can engage in the lock. To ensure that the door is tightly closed during the cleaning operation, it is advantageous if the push rod when opening the door by a predetermined minimum angle from the pre-locking position can be converted to the starting position.

In order to enable a program-controlled opening of the door to the end of the program without intervention of a user, it is advantageous if there are means actuatable by a control device, by means of which the locking of the push rod is releasable. In a first embodiment, a thermoactor can be used to release the push rod lock. It is advantageous if the push rod remains after releasing the lock until the cooling of the thermoactuator in an intermediate position. This ensures that the locking of the push rod is functional again as soon as the lock has left the intermediate position. The user can therefore close them immediately after the door has been opened automatically.

In a second embodiment, an electromagnet is used to release the push rod lock.

Figur 1

eine Geschirrspülmaschine mit einer Vorrichtung zur automatischen Türöffnung;

Figur 2

die Tür und die Schließkloben-Rückführung bei geschlossener Tür in der Seitenansicht;

Figuren 3a, b

die Tür und die Schließkloben-Rückführung bei spaltweise geöffneter Tür in der Seitenansicht und in der Draufsicht;

Figuren 4a, b

die Tür und die Schließkloben-Rückführung bei vollständig geöffneter Tür in der Seitenansicht und in der Draufsicht;

Figuren 5a, b eine

Umlenkhebel-Baugruppe in der Vor- und Rückansicht;

Figur 6

den Spülbehälter einer Geschirrspülmaschine vor der Montage der Umlenkhebel-Baugruppe;

Figur 7

den Spülbehälter der Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß Figur 6 mit Umlenkhebel-Baugruppe und geschlossener Tür;

Figur 8

den Spülbehälter der Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß Figur 6 mit Umlenkhebel-Baugruppe und spaltweise geöffneter Tür;

Figur 9

den Spülbehälter der Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß Figur 6 mit Umlenkhebel-Baugruppe und um 45° geöffneter Tür;

Figur 10

den Spülbehälter der Geschirrspülmaschine gemäß Figur 6 mit Umlenkhebel-Baugruppe und vollständig geöffneter Tür

Figur 11

eine isometrische Darstellung der Schubstange mit Arretiereinrichtung;

Figur 12

die Baugruppe nach Figur 11 mit herumgeklappter Schubstange;

Figuren 13 bis16

die Schubstange und Teile der Arretiereinrichtung während verschiedener Einrastpositionen.

Embodiments of the invention are shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

FIG. 1

a dishwasher with an automatic door opening device;

FIG. 2

the door and the locking cam return with the door closed in the side view;

FIGS. 3a, b

the door and the closing cam return when the door is open in a split manner in the side view and in the plan view;

FIGS. 4a, b

the door and the deadbolt return with the door fully open in side view and in plan view;

Figures 5a, b a

Lever assembly in front and rear view;

FIG. 6

the washing compartment of a dishwasher before the assembly of the lever assembly;

FIG. 7

the washing container of the dishwasher according to FIG. 6 with bell crank assembly and closed door;

FIG. 8

the washing container of the dishwasher according to FIG. 6 with bell crank assembly and slit open door;

FIG. 9

the washing container of the dishwasher according to FIG. 6 with bell crank assembly and 45 ° open door;

FIG. 10

the washing container of the dishwasher according to FIG. 6 with bell crank assembly and fully opened door

FIG. 11

an isometric view of the push rod with locking device;

FIG. 12

the module after FIG. 11 with folded push rod;

FIGS. 13 to 16

the push rod and parts of the locking device during different latching positions.

The FIG. 1 shows purely schematically parts of a dishwasher 1, namely the washing compartment 2, the underlying base 3 and pivotally mounted in the lower part of the washing compartment 2 door 4. A more detailed illustration of these components can be found in the FIGS. 7 to 10 , The door 4 has in a known manner (see for example DE 10 2006 054 414 B3 ) in the drawings not shown in detail door lock, in which a locking pin 5 (see FIGS. 4b and 11 to 16 ) intervenes.

So that the door can be automatically and programmatically opened a gap, the closing cam 5, which is located between the Deckelbreich (not shown) and the washing compartment 2 of the dishwasher 1, about a 100 mm long, movable in the opening and closing direction push rod 6 expanded. This push rod 6 is housed movable in a housing 7 and is closed with the door 4, see FIG. 2 , biased in the retracted state via two tension springs 8. The locking of the push rod 6 at tensioned tension springs 8 takes a in the FIGS. 11 to 16 shown in more detail and described later locking device 9, in turn, from a control device, not shown, preferably the program control, via a trigger 15th (eg with thermo, bimetal or memory metal actuator, electromagnet) can be unlocked. After releasing the locking device 9, the tension springs 8 move the push rod 6 by about 100 mm in the open position and thereby open the door 4 with the locking bolt 5 locked in the lock by a gap in this direction, see FIG. 1 and FIGS. 3a and b. The preferably open at the end of the program around the gap door 4 allows a larger exchange of air in the washing compartment 2 and thus improves the drying and cooling of the dishes, not shown. After the door 4 has been opened automatically, the locking pin 5 remains in the door lock until the user actuates a door opening mechanism and completely opens the door 4.

In order to enable a new automatic opening of the door 4 at the next wash program, the tension springs 8 must be tightened again. For this purpose, the rear portion of the push rod 6 is connected via a cable system 10 with a boom 11 in the region of the door hinge 12. This boom is also in a known manner via another cable 13 with another tension spring 14 (FIG. FIGS. 2 to 4 ) coupled. The spring 14 balances the weight of the door 4 to facilitate the user's opening. Through the complete opening of the door 4, the push rod 6 is retracted so far about the cable system 10 until the locking device 9 engages again. The system will then be ready for the next automatic opening operation at the end of the program.

A blocking of the door 4, for example by an obstacle or a person standing in front of the machine, is not a problem and is intercepted by the tension springs 8, which can be dispensed with a slip clutch or other safety device. In the case of a manual opening of the door 4 during the program sequence, the push rod 6 remains in the locked position.

The system comes with a cheap drive and needs next to the cable 10 and the springs 8 only one position switch (not shown) for the position sensing "door closed". On a second position switch and an expensive geared motor can then be dispensed with.

The FIGS. 5 to 10 show a further embodiment of a device by means of which the locking pin 5 is moved back against the opening direction at least approximately in its initial position upon further opening of the door. Here, a reversing lever 20 is used instead of the direct cable coupling.

Embodiment reversing lever, mechanical construction:

The lever 20 is rotatably mounted on a support plate 22 via a bearing pin 21, see FIG. 5a , It is designed with two arms, the first arm 23 being movable through the door 4 as described later, and a Bowden cable 25 being fastened on the second arm 24. The Bowden cable 33 is attached to a guide 26 of a boom 27 on the support plate 22. The so guided Bowden cable 25 is connected in the upper part of the push rod 6, see FIGS. 1 to 4 ,

The holding plate 22 is on its rear side ( FIG. 5b ) are formed so that they on an angle plate 28 (see FIG. 7 ) can be snapped in the front area of the dishwasher 1, which serves as a support. For this purpose, the retaining plate at two corners surrounding the angle plate 28 corresponding latching lugs 29 and 30. In order to achieve the necessary stability for the return movement of the push rod 6, also the back contour of the support plate 22 is adapted to the contour of the angle plate 28, also a hole 31st , which is contained in the angle plate 28 due to production, used by a pin 32 as a further support element.

Umlenkhebel 20 and retaining plate 22 are designed in their geometry so that a door opening angle of about 45 ° sufficient to apply the necessary way of about 100mm for the retraction movement of the push rod 6. Both end positions of the reversing lever 20 are in line with the guide of the Bowden cable 25, so that the sheath 33 is neither bent during insertion nor the extract of the Bowden cable 25, which has a positive effect on the life. On the retaining plate 22 integrally formed stop elements 34 and 35 can serve as end stops for the lever 20, thereby the assembly of the assembly is simplified to the angle plate 28.

The contour 36 of the first arm 23, which comes into contact with the boom 11 of the door hinge 12, is designed for reasons of wear so that the boom 11 can slide there. The Bowden cable 25 can be connected to the second arm 24 via a shaped piece, an eyelet or only via a Z-shaped wire end (not shown). Although almost no tolerance variations are expected due to the mechanical structure, it may be useful to provide an element with which tolerances can be compensated. This could e.g. by means of a clamping nut, not shown, which e.g. is arranged on the arm 27 of the holding plate 22, done. With the clamping nut then the Bowden cable 33 could be moved relative to the support plate 22, so that the desired retraction length is achieved at different positions of the reversing lever 20.

Trajectory:

FIG. 7 shows the door 4 and the lever 20 in a dishwasher 1, whose program is currently running. The push rod 6 is in the rear position, as in FIG. 2 shown, accordingly, the reversing lever 20 abuts against the lower end stop 35. The door 4 is closed. The boom 11 of the door hinge 12 is in the 9 o'clock position and is not in engagement with the lever 20.

After or at the end of the program, the push rod 6 is moved by the tension springs 8 by about 100mm from the device, as in the FIGS. 3a and 3b shown. This movement is completed both by the door 4, as well as by the connected to the push rod 6 Bowden cable 25 and lever 20, see FIG. 8 , The lever 20 is now applied to the upper end stop 34 and the boom 11 of the door hinge 12 is in the 10 o'clock position in contact with the first arm 23 of the reversing lever 20th

Now, if the door lock unlocked by the operator and the door 4 is opened, the boom 11 pivots in the clockwise direction on the 11 o'clock position, see FIG. 9 , until the 12 o'clock position, see FIG. 10 , In this case, the first arm 23 of the reversing lever 20 is rotated by the arm 11 of the door hinge 12 counterclockwise and pulls with its second arm 24 on the Bowden cable 25. The Bowden cable 25 pulls the push rod 6 against the force of the springs 8 back to the rear position where it will be locked again for the next automatic opening, see FIGS. 4a and 4b , In order to ensure a secure locking of the push rod 6, an overstroke of a few millimeters is provided, then the boom 11 slides over the contour 36 of the first arm 23. As soon as a door opening angle of about 45 ° is reached, the boom 11 lifts from the lever 20 off, as in the FIG. 10 for the completely open door 4 can be seen.

Holding plate 22 and lever 20 can be inexpensively manufactured as plastic elements and be mounted without further structural changes of the dishwasher 1 at this. The geometry of retaining plate 22 and lever 20 ensures a kink-free movement of the Bowden cable 25 and allows a path of the push rod 6 of about 100mm. The need for an overstroke of a few millimeters to lock the push rod 6, results in a contact of the boom 11 with the lever 20. This allows an intermediate latching of the door 4 in an opening position of about 45 °, the operator filling the storage containers facilitated for metering in the door 4.

• In den Figuren 11 und 12 sind die Schubstange 6 mit angeformtem Schließkloben 5 und ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Arretiereinrichtung 9 dargestellt. Der Schließkloben 5 besitzt eine rechteckige Öffnung 40, in die das Schloss der Tür 4 eingreift. An dem dem Schließkloben 5 gegenüberliegenden Ende der Schubstange 6 sind seitlich jeweils Haltebolzen 41 für die Zugfedern 8 (siehe Figuren 2 bis 4) angeformt. Auf der zur Arretiereinrichtung 9 gewandten Fläche weist die Schubstange 6 eine langgestreckte Kulisse 42 mit Vorsprüngen 43 bis 46 und dazwischen liegenden Vertiefungen auf. In diese greifen verschiedene Arretierelemente 47 bis 50 ein. Weitere Bestandteile sind ein Schlitten 51, eine Haltestange 52 und eine Feder 53. Die Haltestange 52 ist federnd in dem Schlitten 51 gelagert, an ihrem Ende befinden sich die Arretierelemente 47 bis 50. Letztere umfassen zwei dreieckige Nasen 47 und 48 und zwei rechteckige Nasen 49 und 50, die in unterschiedliche Richtungen wirken, wobei die rechteckigen Nasen 49 und 50 die nebeneinander angeordneten dreieckigen Nasen 47 und 48 einfassen. Der gesamte Schlitten 51 wird durch einen Aktor 15 in Richtung der Haltestange 52 und damit quer zur Bewegungsrichtung der Schubstange 6 bewegt.

In the apparatus according to the invention for gap-wise opening of the door 4, a pawl is released via an actuator 15 (thermo, bimetallic or memory metal actuator), so that the push rod 6 is raised by spring force for the purpose of opening the door. The following will be This mechanism is described in detail, as it solves some important detail issues:

• In the FIGS. 11 and 12 the push rod 6 are shown with integrally formed locking pin 5 and an embodiment of a locking device 9. The locking bolt 5 has a rectangular opening 40 into which the lock of the door 4 engages. At the opposite end of the locking pin 5 of the push rod 6 are each side retaining bolts 41 for the tension springs 8 (see FIGS. 2 to 4 ) are formed. On the surface facing the locking device 9, the push rod 6 has an elongated slide 42 with projections 43 to 46 and recesses lying therebetween. In this different locking elements 47 to 50 engage. Further components are a carriage 51, a support rod 52 and a spring 53. The support rod 52 is resiliently mounted in the carriage 51, at its end are the locking elements 47 to 50. The latter comprises two triangular lugs 47 and 48 and two rectangular lugs 49th and 50, which act in different directions, with the rectangular tabs 49 and 50 bordering the juxtaposed triangular tabs 47 and 48. The entire carriage 51 is moved by an actuator 15 in the direction of the support rod 52 and thus transversely to the direction of movement of the push rod 6.

The actuator 15 has the task of releasing the locking of the push rod 6, so that it performs by the spring force a distance of about 100 mm. When using a simple pawl, the problem would arise that in slow actuators 15 a reset time, in the case of thermal actuators at least a few seconds pass. During this reset time, the pawl would not have returned to the locked position for the push rod 6 yet. This would result in the operator being unable to close the door 4 during the reset time because the push rod 6 can not be locked in the closed position. However, this feature is very important.

This problem is solved by the fact that not the extension movement of the actuator 15, but with its return movement, the locking of the push rod 6 is released. Starting from the in FIG. 13 the actuator 15 pushes the carriage 51 with the triangular lugs 47 and 48 from a starting position (first detent position) down from the projections 43 and 44 and with the rectangular tabs 49 and 50 in a second latching position on the projections 45 and 46, please refer FIG. 14 , With the return movement of the actuator 15, the carriage 51 is pulled out of the second latching position and the push rod 6 is released, so that the force of the tension springs 8 causes the movement of the push rod 6, see FIG. 15 , and the door 4 is opened by a gap of about 100 mm. The push rod 6 can be immediately brought back into the first latching position, since the resiliently mounted in the carriage 51 triangular lugs 43 and 44th can engage in the first latching position. This is made possible by the spatial arrangement of the first and second latching positions.

The usual mode of operation is that the push rod 6 is brought via one of the above-described restoring devices through the opening of the door 4 in the starting position. There, both triangular noses 47 and 48 ( FIG. 13 ) in the projections 43 and 44 a.

In a further requirement, however, it is possible that the door 4, after the push rod 6 is about 100 mm extended ( FIG. 13 ), not unlocked by the user, but from the in FIG. 1 shown position together with the push rod 6 back to the closed position ( FIG. 2 ) is pushed. Here, there is the problem that can not be achieved by the game between push rod 6 and door lock the latching position 1, since the opposing forces that the door seal (not shown) exerts on the door 4, are too large.

That is why the in FIG. 16 shown pre-locking position (third latching position) created, which is about 5 mm from the initial position and in which only the upper triangular nose 47 engages behind the lower projection 44. In this position, the door sealing forces do not work yet. However, the push rod 6 is pushed back so far that it does not disturb the user in the case of manual unlocking. The final starting position ( FIG. 13 ) is reached when the user opens the door for clearing so far that the usual operation described above can proceed.

The described functions can be realized by different types of contours. It is preferred that the link 42 is arranged as a groove within the push rod 6. This is very advantageous for reasons of space. But it is also conceivable that corresponding contours are generated on the side edge of the push rod 6.

Instead of a thermoactor, it is also conceivable to use an electromagnet for moving the carriage 51.

Claims (15)

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising a washing tub (2) which can be closed by a pivotable door (4), the closing being accomplished by engagement of a latching mechanism disposed on the door (4) with a latch keeper (5) disposed on the washing tub (2), the latch keeper (5) being mounted on a push rod (6) which can be moved in the opening direction by an actuator to open the door to an ajar position,
   characterized by means which return the latch keeper (5) in a direction opposite to the opening direction to at least approximately its initial position as the door (4) is opened further.
2. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 1,
   wherein said means include a cable or Bowden cable (10, 25) coupled to the door (4).
3. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 2,
   wherein the door (4) operates the cable or Bowden cable (10, 25) via a pivoted direction-changing lever (20).
4. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 3,
   wherein the direction-changing lever (20) has two arms, the first arm (23) being movable by the door (4), and the second arm (24) having the cable or Bowden cable (10, 25) attached thereto.
5. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 4,
   wherein the direction-changing lever (20) is mounted to a support plate (22).
6. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 5,
   wherein the support plate (22) is attached to the side wall of the washing tub (2), or to a component (28) mounted on the side wall.
7. The dishwasher (1) as recited in at least one of claims 1 through 6,
   wherein the actuator includes at least one spring (8).
8. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 7,
   wherein at least one spring (8) can be stretched in a direction opposite to the opening direction of the latch keeper (5) as the door (4) is opened further.
9. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 8,
   wherein the push rod (6) is lockable in at least one position in which the spring (8) is tensioned.
10. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 9,
    wherein the push rod (6) is lockable in the initial position and in a pre-latched position located before the initial position.
11. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 10,
    wherein the push rod (6) can be moved from the pre-latched position to the initial position as the door (4) is opened to a predetermined minimum angle.
12. The dishwasher (1) as recited in at least one of claims 9 through 11,
    characterized by means which are actuatable by a controller and which allow position-locking means (9) of the push rod (6) to be released.
13. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 12,
    wherein a thermal actuator (15) is used for releasing the position-locking means (9) of the push rod.
14. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 13,
    wherein, after the position-locking means (9) is released, the push rod (6) remains in an intermediate position until the thermal actuator (15) cools down.
15. The dishwasher (1) as recited in claim 12,
    wherein a solenoid is used for releasing the position-locking means (9) of the push rod.

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