EP2896739A1 - Method for operating a water-conducting domestic appliance and water-conducting domestic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance and a method for operating a water-conducting household appliance. The water-conducting domestic appliance has a cleaning container for receiving objects to be cleaned, a door for closing the cleaning container and a closure mechanism (10) for closing and locking the door. The shutter mechanism (10) has a pre-closing mechanism which is configured to keep the door closed in a live state of the shutter mechanism (10) after closing the door and activating the pre-closing mechanism. The shutter mechanism (10) further includes a main shutter mechanism which is configured to keep the door closed in a de-energized state of the shutter mechanism (10) after closing the door and activating the main shutter mechanism.

Description

The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance and a method for operating a water-conducting household appliance.

Closure mechanisms for water-bearing household appliances, especially for washing machines, have a critical function. On the one hand, such a closure mechanism should ensure that the cleaning container of the household appliance, in a washing machine that is the tub, safely closed by the door of the household appliance and remains reliably closed during the entire cleaning program. The door should therefore also at elevated pressure from the cleaning container, for example, while the tub is filled with hot water or during an intense spin phase, do not jump. On the other hand, today's household appliances are often placed in household locations that are easily accessible to infants. It can easily happen that a curious toddler gets through an open door into the household appliance. If the door closes or closes accidentally, it can cause suffocation.

One way to prevent such Erstickungsgefahr is to provide ventilation channels from the cleaning tank to the environment. However, in certain wash programs or program sections, such as during a spin cycle, foam may leak out through such ventilation channels. In addition, there is the disadvantage that in this way a risk of injury and suffocation, especially when starting the household appliance is not banned.

The object of the invention is to provide a water-conducting domestic appliance and method for operating the same, in which the risk of injury or asphyxiation for an accidental passing into the cleaning container living beings, especially a small child to reduce.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a water-conducting domestic appliance having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The invention is based on the consideration to provide a two-stage locking mechanism for closing the door of the household appliance. So this includes one Vorschließmechanismus and a main locking mechanism. The Vorschließmechanismus is designed such that it is activated after closing the door and ensures that the door remains closed. The closed keeping happens here in a current-carrying state of the closure mechanism. This means that the door is kept closed by the Vorschließmechanismus as long as the shutter mechanism is powered. If, for some reason, the power supply to the household appliance or at least the power supply to the shutter mechanism is interrupted, for example in the event of a power failure or because the plug has been pulled, then the pre-closing mechanism may be deactivated so that the door is released. Preferably, the door is even pressed in this state, for example by means of a biased return spring, so that the cleaning container of the household appliance is ventilated.

Unlike the Vorschließmechanismus, the main closing mechanism is designed such that when it is activated, the door is kept closed in a de-energized state of the shutter mechanism. In other words, the door is still kept closed by means of the main locking mechanism even when the shutter mechanism is no longer supplied with power. As a result, a secure locking of the door is guaranteed even in the event that the power supply to the household appliance or to the shutter mechanism is interrupted. This is particularly necessary when the home appliance is running a wash program in which the cleaning tank is just filled with hot washing liquid or with a lot of foam. It is thus prevented that the door can be opened in this washing phase.

The method for operating the water-conducting household appliance described here, in particular the washing machine, serves to safely and safely close and lock the household appliance. For this purpose, it is first determined that the door is closed or was closed. Then the Vorschließmechanismus and then the main locking mechanism are activated.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the Vorschließmechanismus is formed as part of the main closing mechanism. This means, in particular, that some or all components of the pre-closing mechanism are also components of the main locking mechanism.

In an advantageous development it is provided that the Vorschließmechanismus has a closing body which is movable between an open position in which a closing element of the door is released for opening the door, and a closed position in which the closing element is locked for keeping the door closed , and the main closing mechanism comprises a locking body which is interposed between a Entriegeltstellung in which a movement of the closing body between its closed position and its open position is possible, and a locked position is movable, in which a movement of the closing body is prevented from its closed position in its open position. In this case, too, the closing body can be regarded as a component of the main closing mechanism because, in cooperation with the locking body, it is able to keep the door closed in an energized state of the closing mechanism. The closing element may in particular be a closing block of the door.

In certain embodiments, the movement of the closing body between its closed position and its open position and / or the movement of the locking body between its locked position and its unlocked position may be essentially translatory movements. Preferably, in this case, the movement of the closing body extends transversely to or even substantially perpendicular to the movement of the locking body.

In any case, the closing body and / or the locking body are preferably moved by means of electromagnetic actuators between the respective positions, in particular by means of lifting magnets.

According to an expedient embodiment, it is provided that the locking body in its locked position holds the closing body in its closed position and mechanically blocks movement of the closing body into the open position. This can be achieved, for example, by the locking body is pushed in the movement in its locked position to the closing body or near the closing body and the closing body is so in its movement back into the open position in the way.

Preferably, it is provided that the closing body is displaceable from its closed position into a blocking state, in which the closing body holds the locking body in its locked position and mechanically blocks a movement of the locking body into the unlocked position. In this way, it is possible that the closing body and the locking body mechanically lock each other. This manifests itself in particular when the supply voltage to the closing mechanism is switched off without the closing element being released and the door being opened in this way. Preferably, the closing body is designed and arranged so that it blocks in its blocking state, similar to in its closed position, the closing element for keeping the door closed. In its blocking state, the closing body thus blocks both the closing element and the locking body.

In an expedient embodiment, it is provided that, in its locked state with the locking body in its locked position, the closing body forms a level contact surface with a normal vector, which is oriented obliquely to a closing body movement direction and a locking body movement direction. Characterized in that the movement of the closing body is possible only along the closing body movement direction and that the movement of the locking body is possible only along the locking body movement direction, the inclined contact surface causes the closing body and locking body effectively block. Preferably, the normal vector of the contact surface forms an angle to the closing body moving direction or the locking body moving direction in a range between about 5 ° and 85 °, preferably between about 10 ° and 80 °, more preferably between about 15 ° and 75 °.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the closure mechanism is designed such that when closing the door, the closing element directly or via a movement of a locking element activates a first electrical contact and that upon activation of the first electrical contact of the closing body from its open position to its closed position is moved. For this purpose, the contact may be designed to close a circuit for a closing body lifting magnet, which moves the closing body from its open position to its closed position. Alternatively, a controller may be provided which checks the state of the first electrical contact and moves the closing body in response to its activation.

In particular, the locking element may be an element which, when the closure element is introduced into the closure mechanism, is preferably rotated about an axis of rotation in order to engage in the closure element or to engage around the closure element. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that upon release of the closing element, the locking element pushes the closing element out of the closing mechanism, for example due to a locking element return element engaging the locking element, and thus leads to partial opening of the door.

According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the closure mechanism is designed such that upon movement of the locking body from its unlocked position into its locked position, a second electrical contact is activated. The closure mechanism may be further configured such that activation of the second electrical contact results in the closure body being transferred to its blocking state. For this purpose, for example, the second electrical contact in its activation open a circuit of a closing body lifting magnet, so that the closing body is released and, for example, due to a return spring in the Blocking condition is moving. Alternatively, here too, a controller can detect the state of the second electrical contact and in response move the closing body into its blocking state.

Advantageously, a control device is provided, which is designed to first activate the closing mechanism when the door is closed or when the door is closed and then to activate the main locking mechanism. The activation of the Vorschließmechanismus can be initiated by closing the door or by starting a wash program. In the embodiments described above, activating the pre-closing mechanism may include moving the closing body to its closed position. Accordingly, activating the main locking mechanism may include moving the locking body to its locked position.

According to a preferred embodiment it is provided that the control device is designed to perform a living entity recognition after activating the Vorschließmechanismus and before activating the main closing mechanism, in which it is determined whether there is a living being in the cleaning container. The living entity recognition is a process step which is designed to detect the presence of a living being in the cleaning container of the household appliance or to ensure that no living being is in the cleaning container. The creature to be recognized may be, in particular, a toddler or a pet.

According to one embodiment, motion detection is performed in the subject recognition. This means that it is determined, for example by means of a motion sensor, whether a movement takes place in the cleaning container. Alternatively or additionally, a movement of the cleaning container can be determined from its rest position and interpreted as an indication of the presence of a living being, in particular if the cleaning container is suspended swinging, for example on retaining springs. Alternatively or additionally, a drum located in the cleaning container may be deflected from its rest position and its decaying rocking motion analyzed to detect the presence of a living being.

In all embodiments of the living thing recognition, in particular in the above-mentioned embodiments, as part of the living thing recognition, first a small amount of a liquid to be directed into the cleaning container to wake a living being possibly therein, if it has fallen asleep.

Preferably, the living entity recognition, or the exclusion of the presence of a living being takes place in several steps. For example, this can be done in a first step, a movement of the cleaning container and / or a rotatably arranged therein drum are determined. If such a movement is not present, then in a second step, a deflection of the drum take place in order to investigate a consequent decaying movement of the cleaning container and / or the drum. Subsequently, in a third step, a movement of the cleaning container and / or the drum can be determined again. Finally, in a fourth step, a liquid can be introduced into the cleaning container in order to frighten a potentially dormant living being and to determine a movement of the cleaning container and / or the drum with a further movement determination. The above-mentioned steps may be used alone, in twos, threes, or all four in any meaningful order.

The movement of the drum is preferably carried out by evaluation of a voltage which is applied to a provided for driving the drum drive drum motor or to a tachogenerator connected to the drum.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform eines Verschlussmechanismus bei offener Tür,

Fig. 2

den Verschlussmechanismus aus Fig. 1 bei zugeklappter Tür,

Fig. 3

den Verschlussmechanismus aus Fig. 2 bei aktiviertem Vorschließmechanismus,

Fig. 4

den Verschlussmechanismus aus Fig. 3 bei aktiviertem Hauptschließmechanismus,

Fig. 5

den Verschlussmechanismus aus Fig. 4 im stromlosen Zustand,

Fig. 6

den Verschlussmechanismus aus Fig. 5 bei angezogenem Schließkörper zur Entriegelung des Verschlussmechanismus,

Fig. 7

den Verschlussmechanismus aus Fig. 6 bei gelöstem Verriegelungskörper,

Fig. 8

den Verschlussmechanismus aus Fig. 7 bei geöffneter Tür,

Fig. 9

ein Flussdiagramm eines ersten Teils eines Schließvorgangs einer Tür eines Haushaltsgerätes,

Fig. 10

ein Flussdiagramm eines zweiten Teils des Schließvorgangs,

Fig. 11

ein Flussdiagramm eines dritten Teils des Schließvorgangs,

Fig. 12

ein Flussdiagramm eines vierten Teils des Schließvorgangs.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an embodiment of a locking mechanism with the door open,

Fig. 2

the locking mechanism off Fig. 1 with the door closed,

Fig. 3

the locking mechanism off Fig. 2 with pre-closing mechanism activated,

Fig. 4

the locking mechanism off Fig. 3 with the main locking mechanism activated,

Fig. 5

the locking mechanism off Fig. 4 in the de-energized state,

Fig. 6

the locking mechanism off Fig. 5 when the closing body is tightened to unlock the locking mechanism,

Fig. 7

the locking mechanism off Fig. 6 when the locking body is released,

Fig. 8

the locking mechanism off Fig. 7 with the door open,

Fig. 9

a flow chart of a first part of a closing operation of a door of a household appliance,

Fig. 10

a flow chart of a second part of the closing process,

Fig. 11

a flowchart of a third part of the closing process,

Fig. 12

a flowchart of a fourth part of the closing operation.

In the Fig. 1 the closure mechanism 10 is shown schematically according to a preferred embodiment. It has a closing element 3 in the form of a closing bolt, which is connected to a door of a water-conducting household appliance, in this case a washing machine. Furthermore, a locking element 4 is provided which is rotatably mounted about a locking element rotation axis 42 and with a locking element return spring 41st and a first electrical contact 5 is connected. Further, the shutter mechanism 10 has a Vorschließmechanismus and a main locking mechanism. The Vorschließmechanismus includes a closing body 1 and a closing body lifting magnet HM1.

The closing body lifting magnet HM1 is composed of a coil 111, a magnetic core 112 movably mounted in the coil 111, and a spring 113 which is disposed in the coil 111 and presses against the magnetic core 112 to push it out of the coil 111. When the closing body solenoid HM1 is activated, it means that the coil 111 is supplied with current. As a result, the magnetic core 112 is drawn into the coil 111, thereby compressing the spring 113. If the closing body lifting magnet HM1 is deactivated, this means that the current through the coil 111 is switched off, so that the spring 113 pushes the magnetic core 112 out of the coil 111 again. The magnetic core 112 is connected to the closing body 1 or engages in the closing body 1, so that the movement of the magnetic core 112 simultaneously leads to a movement of the closing body 1. The activation or deactivation of the closing body lifting magnet HM1 thus correspondingly means that the closing body 1 is moved into a closed position or into an open position if it is not blocked.

The closing body 1 with the closing body lifting magnet HM1 is also part of the main closing mechanism. The main locking mechanism further comprises a locking body 2 and a locking body lifting magnet HM2, which is constructed like the closing body lifting magnet HM1 and can move upon activation or deactivation according to the locking body 2 in a locked position or Entriegeltstellung.

Instead of the lifting magnets described here HM1, HM2, other suitable actuators, in particular electromechanical actuators, can be used to move the closing body 1 and the locking body 2.

The Fig. 1 to 8 show the shutter mechanism 10 at intermediate stages in a closing operation and a subsequent opening operation of the door of the household appliance. In the Fig. 1 the initial situation is shown, in which the door is open and the closing element 3 is therefore pulled away from the locking element 4.

When the door is closed, the closing element 3 fastened to the door presses against the locking element 4. The locking element 4 thereby rotates about its locking element rotation axis 42, thereby pressing the locking element return spring 41 together. In addition, the rotation of the locking element 4 causes the first electrical contact 5 to be closed becomes. This situation will be in the Fig. 2 shown. In the in Fig. 2 shown state, the closing body 1 is still in its open position.

The closing of the first electrical contact 5 causes the closing body lifting magnet HM1 is activated and moves the closing body 1 in its closed position along a closing body-moving direction 11 shown here as an arrow (in the illustration in FIG Fig. 3 to the right). As a result, the closing body 1 penetrates as in FIG Fig. 3 shown, in an opening or recess of the closing element 3 and holds the closing element 3 so firmly or prevents such an opening of the door. The door is thus closed, but only as long as the closing body solenoid HM1 remains activated. If the closing body solenoid HM1 is deactivated, for example due to a power failure, which causes the flow of current through the coil 111 of the closing body lifting magnet HM1 is interrupted, then the closing body 1 due to the bias of the spring 113 of the closing body lifting magnet HM1 in the moves opposite direction and releases the closing element 3 again.

In the in Fig. 3 shown state, the locking body 2 is in its unlocked position. Therefore, it is possible for the closing body 1 to take the deactivation of the closing body lifting magnet HM1 again the open position. In a subsequent step, the locking body solenoid HM2 is activated, so that the locking body 2 as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown moved into a locked position. This movement is along a locking body moving direction 21 (in the Fig. 4 downward). This movement of the lock body 2 causes a second electrical contact 6 to close, indicating that the lock body 2 is in the locked position.

One function of the contact 6 is the detection of the lock. In response to the closed second electrical contact 6 or after a certain time (for example between 10 and 1000 ms), the closing body solenoid HM1 is deactivated again. As a result, the closing body 1 is moved along the closing body movement direction 11 in the direction of its open position. However, since now the locking body 2 is in its locked position, it blocks by its presence mechanically the closing body 1, as in the Fig. 5 is stopped in a blocking state is stopped. Even in the blocking state holds the closing body 1 as in its closed position, the closing element 3 and thus the door closed. In this state, the closing body 1 and the locking body 2 touch each other at a common contact surface 12. Because the contact surface 12 or its normal vector (in the Fig. 5 not shown) to both the closing body moving direction 11 and the locking body moving direction 21 runs obliquely, ie not parallel to one of the directions of movement 11, 21, the closing body 1 and the locking body 2 block each other. Now, therefore, the locking body solenoid HM2 can be disabled, either on schedule or unintentionally, for example due to a power failure, without the blocking is resolved and the door is released.

To be able to release the door again, this blockage must be resolved again. For this purpose, the basis of the Fig. 2 to 5 go through the steps described in reverse order. First, the closing body solenoid HM1 is activated in order to move the closing body 1 from its blocking state back to its closed position. As a result, the closing body 1 and the locking body 2, as in the Fig. 6 shown. In a next step, the locking body lifting magnet HM2 is deactivated, so that the locking body 2 as in the Fig. 7 shown falls back into its Entriegeltstellung and while the second electrical contact 6 is opened. Now, the closing body 1 is free again and can be moved by deactivating the closing body lifting magnet HM1 in its open position, as in the Fig. 8 shown. Since now the closing element 3 is no longer held by means of the closing body 1, it is reflected by a rotation of the locking element 4 due to the locking element return spring 41 and the door opens.

The Fig. 9 to 12 show a flowchart of a method for operating a water-conducting household appliance. It is here in particular the process of closing and locking the door of the household appliance by means of the shutter mechanism according to the in Fig. 1 to 8 illustrated embodiment explained. In this case, the household appliance or the closure mechanism has a control.

In a first step 201, it is determined that the door has been closed. This happens, for example, by the closing of the first electrical contact 5 is detected. In a next step 202, the closing body solenoid HM1 is activated, as shown in FIG Fig. 3 to move the closing body 1 in its closed position and to keep the door closed. Subsequently, a living entity recognition is performed. For this purpose, in an initiation step 203, a timer or timer for a motion detection is started and measured in a measuring step 204, the effective value of the voltage on a drum drive motor or on a tachogenerator connected to the drum. In a comparison step 205, it is then checked whether this measured effective value exceeds a threshold value. If so, then it is concluded that a living being is in the cleaning container and the lifter lifting magnet HM1 is deactivated 206 to open the door. If the threshold is not exceeded was, then the measurement 204 is repeated until a predetermined period of time has expired 207.

Subsequently, a living thing recognition is performed by detecting a pendulum movement of the drum. For this purpose, in a further initiation step 301, a timer for pendulum recognition is started and the drum is deflected 302 by a fixed angle, in this case by about 30 °. In a further measuring step 303, the effective value of the voltage is then measured on a drum drive motor or on a tachogenerator connected to the drum. In a further comparison step 304, it is then checked whether this measured effective value exceeds a threshold value. If the threshold has not been exceeded, then the deflection 302 and the subsequent measurement 303 are repeated until a predetermined period of time has elapsed 305. In this case, it is initially concluded that there is no living being in the cleaning container, and the door is locked 306 by putting in the Fig. 4 and 5 be performed steps shown.

Subsequently, another living creature similar to the recognition in Fig. 9 performed steps shown. For this purpose, a timer for a further motion detection is started in a renewed initiation step 401, and the effective value of the voltage on a drum drive motor or on a tachogenerator connected to the drum is measured in a measuring step 402. In a comparison step 403, it is then checked whether this measured effective value exceeds a threshold value. If so, then it is concluded that a living being is in the cleaning container and the lifter solenoid HM1 is deactivated 404 to open the door. If the threshold has not been exceeded, then the measurement 402 is repeated until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed 405. Finally, it is checked 406 whether a wash program has been started.

If the washing program has been started, it is first determined 501 whether it is a washing program in which a water supply is provided in the cleaning container. If this is the case, then in a water inlet step 502 water is introduced into the cleaning tank. Subsequently, a living creature similar to the recognition in Fig. 9 or 11 performed steps shown. In this case, in an additional initiation step 503, a timer for additional motion detection is started and in a measuring step 504 the effective value of the voltage is measured on a drum drive motor or on a tachogenerator connected to the drum. In a comparison step 505, it is then checked whether this measured effective value exceeds a threshold value. If so, then it is concluded that a living being is in the cleaning container and the lifter lifting magnet HM1 is deactivated 506 to open the door. If the threshold is not exceeded measure 504 is repeated until a predetermined amount of time has elapsed 507. Finally, the door is locked 508, if not already done, and the wash program continues.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

locking mechanism

1

closing body

11

Closing body movement direction

HM1

Closing body Solenoid

12

Touchpad

2

locking body

21

Locking body movement direction

HM2

Locking solenoid body

3

closing element

4

locking element

41

Locking member return spring

42

Locking element axis of rotation

5

first electrical contact

6

second electrical contact

111

Kitchen sink

112

magnetic core

113

feather

Claims (11)

A water-conducting household appliance with a cleaning container for receiving objects to be cleaned, a door for closing the cleaning container and a closure mechanism (10) for closing and locking the door, wherein the closure mechanism (10) comprises a Vorschließmechanismus, which is formed after closing the door and activating the pre-closing mechanism to keep the door closed in a live state of the shutter mechanism (10), and having a main closing mechanism which is configured to close the door in a de-energized state of the shutter mechanism (10) after closing the door and activating the main closing mechanism. to keep closed. Domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the Vorschließmechanismus is formed as part of the main closing mechanism. Domestic appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the Vorschließmechanismus a closing body (1) which is movable between an open position in which a closing element (3) of the door is released for opening the door, and a closed position in which the closing element (3) is locked for keeping the door closed, and the main closing mechanism comprises a locking body (2) movable between an unlocking position, in which movement of the closing body (1) between its closed position and its open position is possible, and a locked position, in which a movement of the closing body (1) is prevented from its closed position in its open position. Domestic appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking body (2) holds in its locked position the closing body (1) in its closed position and mechanically blocks a movement of the closing body (1) in the open position. Domestic appliance according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the closing body (1) is displaceable from its closed position into a blocking state, in which the closing body (1) holds the locking body (2) in its locked position and a movement of the locking body (2) in the unlocked position mechanically blocked. Domestic appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the closing body (1) in its locked state with the locking body (2) in its locked position a plane contact surface (12) forms with a normal vector, which is aligned obliquely to a closing body moving direction (11) and a locking body moving direction (21). Domestic appliance according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the closure mechanism (10) is designed such that when closing the door, the closing element (3) directly or via a movement of a locking element (4) has a first electrical contact (5) activated and that upon activation of the first electrical contact (5) of the closing body (1) is moved from its open position to its closed position. Domestic appliance according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the closure mechanism (10) is designed such that upon movement of the locking body (2) from its unlocked position in its locked position, a second electrical contact (6) is activated. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device which is designed, upon closing of the door or with the door first to activate the Vorschließmechanismus and then to activate the main closing mechanism. Domestic appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the control device is designed to perform after activating the Vorschließmechanismus and before activating the main locking mechanism a living thing detection, in which it is determined whether there is a living being in the cleaning container. A method of operating a water-conducting domestic appliance with a cleaning container for receiving objects to be cleaned, a door for closing the cleaning container and a closure mechanism (10) for closing and locking the door, the method comprising the steps of: - determining that the door is closed or closed; - activating a Vorschließmechanismus of the shutter mechanism (10) such that the door is kept closed in a current-carrying state of the shutter mechanism (10); and - Activation of a main closing mechanism of the shutter mechanism (10) such that the door is kept closed in a de-energized state of the shutter mechanism (10).

Images