EP2558668A1

EP2558668A1 - Device for guiding the movement of a domestic-appliance door, a domestic-appliance door, a domestic appliance having a domestic-appliance door, and a method for actuating a domestic-appliance door

Info

Publication number: EP2558668A1
Application number: EP11708036A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz Gschwendner; Rainer Lebacher; Peter Mallinger; Tomo Pavlinek
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2010-04-13
Filing date: 2011-03-11
Publication date: 2013-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-11
Also published as: DE102010003897A1; WO2011128161A1; PL2558668T3; EP2558668B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for guiding the movement of a domestic-appliance door, having a hinge (10) which has a rotatably mounted articulation arm (20) and a spring-assisted push rod (35), movable relative to the articulation arm (20) and intended for assisting movement thereof, and which comprises a damper, wherein the push rod (35) is connected permanently to the damper (50, 52) along the movement path of the push rod, and a unit formed from the push rod and the damper can be moved relative to a stop of the device, and the unit is arranged such that, upon reaching a first movement position of the unit along the moving path thereof, the damper is moved, from a contact-free position in relation to the stop, into contact with the stop (60) and, in the in-contact position, any further movement of the push rod along the movement path is damped. The invention also relates to a method for guiding the movement of a domestic-appliance door.

Description

Device for moving a domestic appliance door, domestic appliance door, household appliance with a domestic appliance door and method for operating a domestic appliance door

The invention relates to a device for guiding the movement of a domestic appliance door, a domestic appliance door with such a device, a domestic appliance with a domestic appliance door and a method for actuating a domestic appliance door

It is known from DE 10 2007 041 909 A1 discloses a hinge housing for a household appliance, in particular an oven, in which a top damper is arranged in a receptacle of the hinge housing. Often used in home appliances damper-assisted spring systems, the spring support is used to compensate for the weight of the door. In order to allow a smooth, uniform and impact-free (or poor) closing of the door, the damper support is used, which engages near the closed position of the door and which slows down the closing movement caused by the user and / or the spring support.

Furthermore, from DE 103 60 385 A1 a door hinge for a door of a household appliance is known, which has two hinge parts. In addition, the door hinge comprises a functional part, which can also couple a damping unit at a specific position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a way to simple, flexible, visually discreet and space-saving essay damping of household appliance doors, the damper should also be easily accessible for service purposes. The object is achieved by a device, a domestic appliance door, a domestic appliance and a method according to the independent claims.

A device according to the invention for guiding the movement of a domestic appliance door comprises a hinge which has a rotatably mounted articulated arm and a spring-supported plunger movable relative thereto for supporting the movement of the articulated arm. In addition, the device also includes a damper for damping movement in particular of the plunger and thus coupled further components of the device and the appliance door. The plunger is permanently connected to the damper along the entire movement path of the plunger and thus firmly connected. A decoupling between the plunger and the damper is therefore not provided along the path of movement of the plunger. Under a firm connection of the plunger with the damper is to understand only the permanent mechanical coupling. Such a fixed connection can in particular also be non-destructively detachable mechanically. In this case, for example, a screw connection or the like may be provided. In particular, it can also be provided that the plunger is connected directly to the damper or indirectly connected via other components. A unit formed of the plunger and the damper is positioned relative to a stop of the device and movable. This unit is arranged so that upon reaching a first movement position of the unit along the path of movement of the damper is brought from a non-contact position to the stop in contact with the stop. In the contacted position, further movement of the plunger along the path of travel is damped.

Thus, a device is provided which allows a very precise movement pattern and provides damping only over a portion of the entire path of movement.

In particular, this device also ensures that a conventional hinge with a plunger and a compression spring can be used and can be connected to a damper. In such an embodiment, it is therefore also possible that known and conventional hinges can be retrofitted with such a damper and thus a simple and low cost, a corresponding movement damping a domestic appliance door can be achieved. This can be ensured in terms of the arrangement of the components and in particular the formation of the unit of the plunger and the damper and their related movement guide relative to the attack very advantageous.

In the device according to the invention, therefore, the damper is no longer fixedly arranged in the hinge, but connected in a motion-coupled with the plunger. As a result, a relative movement to other components of the hinge also sets itself through the entire unit, namely the plunger and the damper. It is preferably provided that the unit for supporting and guiding the damper relative to the plunger has an adapter. In this embodiment, the adapter thus represents the link between the damper and the plunger. The damper may be surrounded by this adapter at least partially circumferentially, so that a certain protection of the damper is ensured by the adapter. It is preferably provided that the damper contacts the stop along the path of movement of the plunger and thus in particular the unit when the articulated arm has an angular position less than 30 °, in particular less than 20 ° relative to the axis of the plunger and the damper. In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the stop is integrated in the hinge. Preferably, it is provided that the stopper is a part of the hinge housing, in particular integrally formed in the hinge housing.

As a result, a design that is minimized in terms of components can be created, which, moreover, can also be designed and arranged without assembly tolerances. As a result, the contacting of the damper with the stop can be made even more precise and the motion control to be damped can be carried out more accurately. In addition, the abutment can also be designed and positioned mechanically very stably via such an embodiment, so that no signs of wear occur here, even if the contacting of the damper with the stop is numerous. In addition, the position-safe arrangement remains guaranteed here.

In particular, the plunger, the damper and the stop are arranged in the axial direction in series.

The hinge preferably has a rail-like hollow part as a hinge housing, in which at least the plunger and the damper are received.

In particular, the stop is a wave-shaped embossing in a hinge housing of the hinge. The hinge housing is preferably formed of metal and therefore very robust and mechanically stable.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the hinge housing is a door profile, which is an elongated, hollow leg. This door profile is glued in particular to an inner side of a glass pane of the door. This is especially true for ovens Domestic appliances provided, said door then also a plurality of such glass panes, which are spaced from each other, may have.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for actuating a domestic appliance door, wherein in particular a pivoting of the domestic appliance door is provided by means of a horizontal pivot axis abutted below. The appliance door is connected to a device according to the invention and an advantageous embodiment thereof. The device is formed with a hinge which includes a rotatably mounted articulated arm and a relatively movable, spring-assisted plunger for assisting movement of the articulated arm, and a damper. The plunger is permanently connected to the damper along the path of travel of the plunger. A device, which is formed from the plunger and the damper, is moved relative to a stop of the device. Upon reaching a first movement position of the device along its path of movement of the damper is brought from a non-contact position to the stop in contact with the stop. In the contacted position, further movement of the plunger along the path of travel is then damped.

Since just when opening and closing the door and the movement of the plunger is coupled to the movement of the articulated arm, thus transmits this damped movement of the plunger into a closed end position of the appliance door and thus a closed end position of the plunger on the articulated arm.

If the appliance door is then reopened, the damper contacted with the stop will depend on a certain angular position of the articulated arm and thus also on a certain angular position of the appliance door, which in turn is coupled to a certain movement position of the ram, from the contacted position in a non-contact position over. Until the complete opening of the appliance door then the damper is arranged contactless to the stop.

According to the invention, a hinge for a household appliance door is provided with a hinge arm rotatably mounted on the hinge and a spring-loaded plunger to support the movement of the articulated arm in at least a first end position, wherein the plunger is connected to a damper such that the damper in a movement of the articulated arm in the first end position can be brought into contact with a stop and thereby the said movement can be damped. An advantage of this design is the low cost compared with known embodiments, since according to the invention which is provided on the plunger a receptacle for the damper or a cost-effective adapter, such as a simple injection molded part, can be connected between. This is less expensive than the known from the prior art storage of the damper in the housing of the hinge. When removing the assembly of the male part, the compression spring and the plunger from the hinge housing, the damper is also removed. This facilitates the work in case of service.

Another advantage results from the movement of the plunger. Thus, due to the design of the ram react either with an exclusive axial movement or a combined sliding and pivoting movement on the movement of the articulated arm. Especially in the latter case, the structure described is advantageous because this ensures that acting on the damper exclusively or at least presumptuous axial forces and thus increases the life of the damper.

Another advantage results from the possibility of arranging the damper closer to the pressure spring. In the application of an oven, it is essential not to expose the damper to high temperatures, as an oil damper is usually used up to 150 ° C. Inadmissibly high temperatures are avoided if, with the oven door closed, the damper is arranged as far down as possible, ie directly in extension of the plunger, or in the vicinity of the spring.

In addition, an adapter is used for the storage and management of the actuator or the damping cylinder relative to the plunger. Although the adapter is an additional component, it may still be advantageous because it allows the actuator or the damping cylinder out and protected against lateral forces.

In particular, the adapter is permanently attached to the plunger of the hinge. Suitable connections are screwed connections, gluing, hiding or interference fit. Thus, practically an extension of the plunger is realized, in which the actuator or damping cylinder can be removably received.

Advantageously, the damper comprises an actuator and a damping cylinder and the actuator is mounted on the plunger. In particular, an oil or air damper is used. A damper with damping cylinder is suitable to record over a Dämpfweg of example. 5 mm significant damping forces. Since the actuator has a round cross-section of 1 mm, it is structurally simple, on the plunger (or an adapter, the will be described later) to install a corresponding receiving hole cost. In addition, the structure causes the damping cylinder to include the contact surface for abutment. Since the damping cylinder is often made of a plastic material, noises are effectively damped when in contact pedaling from the damping cylinder and stop.

In an alternative embodiment, the damping cylinder is mounted on the plunger of the hinge. This structure is particularly advantageous when the diameter of the plunger and the damping cylinder are approximately equal, since then the adapter can consist of a piece of pipe in the simplest case.

Advantageously, in at least one angular position of the articulated arm, the distance from the plunger to the stop is sufficiently large so that the damper is manually removable and replaceable. In an alternative embodiment, in which the hinge, so in particular the male part, the compression spring and the plunger is not detachable connected to the hinge housing, ie the part which is glued to the door, a viewing cover in front of the compression spring and the damper arranged be. As will be described in detail later, at certain angles of the articulated arm to the hinge body, the distance from the plunger to the stop is increased. Thus, after removal of the visible cover and without disassembly of other components of the damper can be replaced in case of service. In addition, such a view covering brings the advantage of reducing thermal bridges.

In addition, said stop part of the hinge body, which is inseparably connected to the appliance door - preferably glued - is. Since appreciable forces can be applied to the appliance door, the support of the hinge, which is glued to the door, made of a sufficiently strong sheet metal and it is therefore possible to form the stop on this part with a simple stamping and bending operation. In an alternative embodiment, the articulated arm can be connected to the compression spring inseparably connected to the hinge body. In this case, the stop may be part of the cover, which protects the compression spring and the plunger from the user and after removing this cover, the damper is easily removed. This cover is also to be provided for design reasons and must be removed for service tasks. In order to Removal of the stop is automatically removed, the damper can be removed very easily and without an axial limit.

A household appliance door has at least one and preferably two corresponding hinges and is used with a household appliance, in particular an oven. The household appliance door is opened folding down and the damper is located in partially open angular positions above the plunger so that it can not fall out due to gravity.

It can be provided that the plunger and the damper are arranged in a hinge member which forms the first hinge arm and is secured to a door glass. The articulated arm, which represents the further hinge arm, is then attached to an oven housing. It can also be provided that the articulated arm is attached to the door glass and the plunger and the damper are connected to the oven housing.

In the following, an embodiment of a device will be described in detail. Show it:

1 is an oblique view of a device,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device with an articulated arm in its closed position and

Fig. 3 shows the side view of the device with a by about 30 ° open position of the articulated arm. In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1, a partial section of a oven door 70 is shown in an oblique view. On an inner side 12 of an inner pane 13 of the oven door 70, a first device 1 for moving the oven door 70 is mounted. This device 1 is glued to this contact surface or inner side 12. The device 1 is arranged in an analogous embodiment also parallel to the device 1 shown in FIG. 1 on the other side of the inner pane 13, so that the oven door 70 is arranged and fixed by means of two such devices to other components of the oven, not shown, and relatively is pivotable. The device 1 comprises a hinge 10. The hinge 10 has an articulated arm 20. The articulated arm 20 mounted in the hinge 10 (and thus the entire door) is hung in a corresponding receptacle of the oven (not shown) and locked there. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge 10 is shown in its closed position as the first end position. In such a first end position, the oven door 70 is closed. When the oven door 70 is opened, the angular position of the articulated arm 20 shown in FIG. 3 results at an opening angle of 30 °. The oven door 70 can be further pivoted from this intermediate position into a second end position, which corresponds to a pivoting of the articulated arm 20 through 90 ° , In this second end position, the oven door 70 is placed in a horizontal, completely releasing the oven interior position and thus fully open.

The device 1 comprises a hinge housing 1 1, which also has the same function in the embodiment of the door profile in the embodiment. This hinge housing 1 1 represents an elongated, rail-like hollow profile. In the hinge housing 1 1, a plunger 35, a compression spring 30, an adapter 40 and a damper with a damper cylinder 50 and an actuator 52 are added.

As can be seen according to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 3, the components relating to the plunger 35 and the damper 50 are arranged in series in the axial direction.

The compression spring 30 spirally surrounds the plunger 35. The plunger 35 is permanently connected to the damper over the entire actuation path of the plunger 35, so that the plunger 35 and the damper during the entire actuation path are always in contact.

The plunger 35 is axially displaceable in dependence on the opening angle of the oven door 70 in the hinge niergehäuse 1 1 and thereby biased by the compression spring 30. In the position in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compression spring 30 is maximally relaxed. In an open state of the door 70 or the partially opened state as shown in Fig. 3, the plunger 35 has been moved in the direction of the articulated arm 20 to the left, whereby the compression spring 30 is pressed further together. As part of the weight equalization system, it counteracts the weight force of the oven door 70 as resistance. Design type- Conditionally, a pure displacement movement or a combined displacement and pivoting movement of the plunger 35 may be provided.

In the view shown in Fig. 3, that is, a door opening angle of 30 °, the plunger 35 is moved to the left and the compression spring 30 accordingly stretched more. At the end of the plunger 35, which is spaced from the articulated arm 20, an adapter 40 is provided which serves to receive the damper 50, 52, wherein the actuator 52 is mounted in the adapter 40. The damper 50, 52 is preferably an oil damper, but may also be an air damper. A spring (not shown) provided in the damper 50, 52 acts against the insertion of the actuator 52 into the damping cylinder 50.

If now the oven door 70 is guided from a partially opened position (eg 30 ° as shown in Fig. 3) into a closed position of Fig. 2, the plunger 35 first moves to the right, the compression spring 30 being released becomes. At a certain point in time, the damping cylinder 50 comes into contact with the abutment 60. This abutment 60 is an imprint formed integrally with the hinge housing 11, which, for example, has a wave-shaped configuration.

As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 3, the damper and thus also a unit 14, formed from the damper 50, 52 and the plunger 35, are arranged without contact with the stopper 60 and are guided in movement. This relates in particular to those movement sections of the oven door 70 in which it is opened> 25 ° relative to the vertical closed position. As can already be seen, for example, from the illustration in FIG. 3, with an opening of 30 ° with respect to the vertical, which is also due to the angular position of about 30 ° of the articulated arm 20 with respect to the vertical axis of the unit 14 (in FIG and Fig. 3 runs this horizontally) is formed, the damper 50, 52 already spaced and arranged contactless to the stop 60.

Along the path of movement of the plunger 35 is then in a specific movement position, which is for example at about 25 ° of the inclination between the axis of the unit 14 and the articulated arm 20, the non-contact position of the damper 50, 52 lifted to stop 60 and the damping cylinder 50 comes into contact with the stopper 60. From this point causes the damper 50, 52 a damping force, which counteracts the closing of the oven door 70, against the spring force of the compression spring 30 acts. As a result, the closing speed of the oven door 70 is limited and thus a soft, uniform and impact-free closing of the oven door 70 is achieved. The housing the damper 50, 52 is preferably made of plastic, so that no disturbing noise is generated during the contact contact between the damping cylinder 50 and the stop 60.

Starting from the illustration in FIG. 2, which shows the completely closed state of the oven door 70, the compression spring 30 is then tensioned when the oven door 70 is opened again, and the spring provided in the damper 50, 52 causes the actuator 52 to come out the damping cylinder 50 extends into the position shown in Fig. 3 and this is done in particular on the still contacted movement section between the stopper 60 and the damping cylinder 50.

The actuator 52 is inserted with a play or slight transition fit in the adapter 40, so that preferably both parts can move freely. In case of service, the service employee can easily remove the damper in an open position of the oven door 70. For this purpose, he first removes the oven door 70 from the oven and then he opens the screw 32. Subsequently, he can remove the assembly of the male part 20 with the compression spring 30 and the plunger 35 to the left (see Fig. 1) and thus reaches the damper which he can now easily extract. Gravity acts in the installation against an accidental displacement or falling out of the damper within the adapter. This is also prevented by the internal friction and spatial dimensions. In addition, the damper 50, 52, for example, during a transport of the oven does not fall out, as in this state, the oven door 70 is closed and thus the damper is axially braced.

As an alternative to the described embodiment, an adapter 40 is not absolutely necessary. Rather, the plunger 35 of the hinge 10 may have an axial blind hole (not shown) in which the actuator 52 of the damper is received. Also, (not shown) may be received in the adapter 40 instead of the actuator 52 of the damping cylinder 50, so that the actuator 52 comes into contact with the stopper 60. REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 . contraption

10. hinge

1 1. hinge housing

12. Inside

13. Door inner pane

14th unit

20. Articulated arm

30th compression spring

32. screw connection

35. Pestle

40th adapter

50th damper cylinder

52. Actuator

60th stop

70. Household appliance door / oven door

Claims

Device (1) for guiding the movement of a domestic appliance door (70), comprising a hinge (10), which has a rotatably mounted articulated arm (20) and a spring-supported plunger (35) movable relative thereto, for supporting the movement of the articulated arm (20), and a damper (50, 52), characterized in that the plunger (35) is permanently connected to the damper (50, 52) along the path of travel of the plunger (35), and means (14) formed from the plunger (35 ) and the associated damper (50, 52) is movable relative to a stop (60) of the device (1), and the device (14) is arranged so that along its movement path when reaching a first movement position of the device (14) the damper (50, 52) is brought from a non-contact position to the stop (60) into contact with the stop (60), and in the contacted position the further movement of the plunger (35) along the path of travel is damped.

Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (14) for supporting and guiding the damper (50,52) opposite the plunger (35) has an adapter (40).

Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the adapter (40) on the plunger (35) is permanently attached.

Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the damper (50,52) comprises an actuator (52) and a damping cylinder (50) and the actuator (52) is mounted on the plunger (35).

Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the damper (50,52) comprises an actuator (52) and a damping cylinder (50) and the damping cylinder (50) is mounted on the plunger (35).

Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one angular position of the articulated arm (20) along the non-contact movement between the device (14) and the stop (60), the distance from the plunger (35) to the stop (60) is sufficiently large that the damper (50,52) is manually removable and interchangeable.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (60) on the hinge (10) is arranged, in particular on a hinge housing (1 1).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the stop (60) is a wave-shaped embossing in a hinge housing (1 1).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the stop (60) is arranged outside the hinge.

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plunger (35), the damper (50, 52) and the stop (60) are arranged in the axial direction in series.

1 1. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plunger (35) by a compression spring (30) is surrounded.

12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge (10) has a rail-like hollow part as a hinge housing (1 1), in which at least the plunger (35) and the damper (50, 52) are accommodated ,

13. Domestic appliance door (70) with at least one device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular with a device (1), in which a hinge niergehäuse (1 1) of the hinge (10) is designed as a door profile.

14. Domestic appliance with a domestic appliance door (70) according to claim 13, wherein the domestic appliance door (70) is foldable to open on a horizontal axis down.

15. A method for operating a domestic appliance door (70), wherein the domestic appliance door (70) with a device (1) for moving a household appliance door (70) is connected, and the device (1) with a hinge (10) which rotatably mounted articulated arm (20) and a relatively movable spring-loaded plunger (35) for supporting the movement of the articulated arm (20), and a damper (50, 52) is formed, characterized in that the plunger (35) is permanently connected to the damper (50, 52) along the path of travel of the plunger (35), and means (14) formed by the plunger (35) and the associated damper (50, 52) relative to a stop (60) the device (1) is moved, and along the path of movement of the device (14) upon reaching a first movement position of the device (14), the damper (50, 52) from a non-contact position to the stop (60) in contact with the stop (60 ), and in the contacted position the further movement of the plunger (35) along the path of travel is damped.