EP4408247A1

EP4408247A1 - Domestic dishwasher

Info

Publication number: EP4408247A1
Application number: EP22773250.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Hader; Daniel Köhler
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2021-09-28
Filing date: 2022-09-07
Publication date: 2024-08-07
Also published as: WO2023052058A1; DE102021210865A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher (1) comprising: a rinsing container (2), which encloses a rinsing chamber (4) of the domestic dishwasher (1); a door (3), which is pivotally fastened to the rinsing container (2); and a door-opening system (17A, 17B) for automatically bringing the door (3) from a closed state into an open state; wherein: the door-opening system (17A, 17B) has a door lock (18A, 18B) and a door-opening module (19A, 19B); the door-opening module (19A, 19B) has a locking head (26, 58) and a drive element (52) for moving the locking head (26, 58); the door lock (18A, 18B) engages around the locking head (26, 58) in the closed state of the door (3); the drive element (52) moves the locking head (26, 58) in order to bring the door (3) from the closed state into the open state such that the locking head (26, 58) becomes disengaged from the door lock (18A, 18B); and the locking head (26, 58), during movement, is fixed in a vertical direction (y) of the door (3).

Description

domestic dishwasher

The present invention relates to a domestic dishwasher.

A dishwasher comprises a washing compartment in which items to be cleaned can be accommodated. A door is pivotally hinged to the wash tub to close and open the wash tub. The door can be opened automatically with the aid of a door opening system in order, for example, to ventilate the washing container after a wash cycle has ended and to initiate a drying process for the moist washware.

DE 10 2012 016 541 A1 describes a dishwasher comprising a body with a washing chamber that is accessible through an access opening, a door attached to the body for closing the access opening, the door on its door side facing the washing chamber being delimited by an inner door wall which has sealing contact surfaces for provides a sealing arrangement attached to the body, a door lock with a locking head attached to the door in a fixed manner relative to it, and a locking unit arranged on the body with two locking arms that can be moved relative to one another and grip the locking head on both sides when the door is closed, the locking head when the door is closed of the door abuts the latch arms and urges them apart from a relative rest position against a spring force and the latch head rises above a surface contour of the door inner panel.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved domestic dishwasher.

Accordingly, a household dishwasher is proposed with a washing compartment that encloses a washing chamber of the household dishwasher, a door pivotably hinged to the washing compartment, and a door opening system for automatically moving the door from a closed state to an open state. The door opening system has a door lock and a door opening mechanism. dul, wherein the door opening module has a locking head and a drive element for moving the locking head, wherein the door lock encompasses the locking head when the door is in the closed state, wherein the drive element moves the locking head to move the door from the closed state to the open state in such a way that that the locking head disengages from the door lock, and wherein the locking head is fixed during movement thereof along a vertical direction of the door.

Because the locking head can be moved automatically with the aid of the drive element, it is possible to implement automated door opening, for example at the end of a washing program in the household dishwasher.

The rinsing container is preferably cuboid or box-shaped. The rinsing space is provided inside the rinsing container. The wash compartment can be delimited or enclosed by the wash compartment and the door attached to the wash compartment. The washing compartment and the door thus determine the boundaries or the spatial extent of the washing area. In the present case, the fact that the door is “hinged” on the washing compartment means in particular that the door can be mounted on the washing compartment so that it can rotate about a pivot axis that is preferably provided on a lower edge of the door. A hinge system can be provided for this purpose, which couples the door to the washing compartment.

An "automated" movement of the door from the closed state to the open state is to be understood here in particular as meaning that the door can be brought from the closed state to the open state without manually moving it, only with the aid of the door opening system. The drive element is used for this. The door lock and the door opening module together form the door opening system. In this case, the door lock preferably has no electrical and/or electronic components and therefore preferably works exclusively mechanically. The door opening module preferably has all electrical and/or electronic components of the door opening system.

The locking head is in particular rod-shaped or cam-shaped and protrudes over an upper edge of the door or over an end face of a housing of the door opening module. The drive element is in particular such with the closure coupled heads that the drive element can either rotate the locking head or performs a linear movement of the locking head in a transverse direction or in a depth direction of the door. In particular, the drive element is not suitable for moving the closure head along the vertical direction.

The door or the door opening system is preferably assigned a coordinate system with the previously mentioned transverse direction or x-direction, the vertical direction or y-direction and the depth direction or z-direction. The directions are oriented perpendicular to each other. The vertical direction of the door is oriented from the bottom edge of the door towards the top edge of the door. The transverse direction, on the other hand, is oriented from a first side edge of the door in the direction of a second side edge of the door. The depth direction extends along a thickness of the door. The door essentially forms a plane spanned by the vertical direction and the width direction. Viewed along the depth direction, the door has a significantly smaller extent than viewed along the transverse direction and the vertical direction.

In the closed state of the door, the door lock preferably encompasses the locking head in a form-fitting manner. A form-fitting connection is created by the interlocking or rear engagement of two components, in this case the locking head and the door lock. A positive connection can be made and released again as often as you like. The fact that the locking head “disengages” from the door lock means in the present case in particular that the locking head is no longer in positive engagement with the door lock after the same has been moved. Once the locking head is disengaged from the door lock, the door can be opened manually or by gravity.

The fact that the locking head is “fixed” while it is being moved along the vertical direction of the door means in the present case in particular that the locking head is not shifted or moved when it is being moved, viewed along the vertical direction. The locking head therefore always protrudes the same distance over the upper edge of the door or over the front side of the housing of the door opening module, even when it is being moved. The locking head is therefore stationary or immovable when viewed along the vertical direction. The bolt head is therefore not moved along the vertical direction. The closure head can in particular only along the Are moved transversely, along the depth direction and rotationally about an axis of rotation. A movement of the closure head along the vertical direction is preferably excluded.

The door lock is preferably arranged on the container side and the door opening module is preferably arranged on the door side. "On the container side" means here that the door lock is arranged on the washing container. The door lock is preferably fixed or immovable with respect to the washing compartment. In particular, the door lock can be permanently connected to the washing compartment. For example, the door lock is connected to a peripheral flange or frame of the washing compartment. In the present case, “on the door” means in particular that the door opening module is attached to the door. In particular, the door opening module is provided in the area of the upper edge of the door. The fact that the door opening module is arranged on the door side makes it possible to accommodate the entire electrics and/or electronics in the door itself.

According to one embodiment, the door lock has a first lock arm and a second lock arm, which are spring-biased against one another with the aid of a spring element, the two lock arms encompassing the lock head when the door is closed, and the lock head moving the two lock arms against one another during the movement of the same pushes apart a spring force of the spring element.

The door lock preferably comprises a housing on which the first lock arm and the second lock arm are each mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. A first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation are provided. The axes of rotation can be bolts or the like, for example, which are mounted on the housing. In addition, the lock arms can also be mounted in a linearly displaceable manner in relation to the housing in the depth direction. The two lock arms can be constructed identically and arranged mirror-symmetrically. However, the lock arms can also each have a different geometry. This means in particular that the first lock arm can differ geometrically from the second lock arm. The spring element is preferably a tension spring that is hooked into both the first lock arm and the second lock arm. The spring element is in particular a cylinder spring. However, the spring element can also be made of an elastomer, for example. to be The fact that the two lock arms are "spring-biased" or "prestressed" against one another with the help of the spring element is to be understood here in particular as meaning that the spring element applies the spring force to the two lock arms in such a way that they are pressed or pressed against one another. As the bolt head moves, it pushes the two lock arms apart, causing the spring element to stretch or lengthen. As soon as the locking head no longer presses the two lock arms apart, for example because it is disengaged from the lock arms, the spring element moves the two lock arms back into an original position. The two lock arms together form a lock arm device of the door lock.

According to a further embodiment, at least one of the lock arms has a holding geometry that encompasses the locking head when the door is in the closed state.

The retaining geometry preferably encompasses the locking head in a form-fitting manner when the door is in the closed state. Each of the two lock arms can have such a holding geometry. Alternatively, only one of the two lock arms, for example the first lock arm, can have such a holding geometry. In a top view, the holding geometry is preferably V-shaped and comprises an inclined first surface, on which the locking head rests when the door is closed, a second surface, preferably arranged perpendicular to the first surface, on which the locking head rests when the door is open of the door, and a curve provided between the first surface and the second surface, over which the locking head slides when it pushes the two lock arms apart against the spring force of the spring element.

According to a further embodiment, the locking head slides off the holding geometry while it is being moved, in order to push the two lock arms apart against the spring force of the spring element.

As previously mentioned, the bolt head can slide on the two surfaces as well as on the curve. Each of the two lock arms can have such a holding geometry. Due to the holding geometry, the lock arms have in particular a hook-shaped geometry. According to a further embodiment, the two lock arms each have a centering geometry in order to align the two lock arms with one another.

The first lock arm preferably has a centering geometry in the form of a cylinder section. The second lock arm, on the other hand, preferably has a roof-shaped or V-shaped centering geometry, which interacts with the centering geometry of the first lock arm. The centering geometries preferably align the two lock arms with one another as soon as the locking head disengages from the lock arms and the spring element moves the lock arms back into their original position.

According to a further embodiment, at least one of the two lock arms has a contact geometry with a centering surface for centering the locking head on the door lock when the door is manually moved from the open state to the closed state.

The contact geometry with the centering surface is preferably provided on the second lock arm. In this case, only the first lock arm has a holding geometry as mentioned above. When the door is manually brought from the open state to the closed state, the centering surface comes into contact with the locking head and aligns the two lock arms, which are aligned with one another with the aid of the aforementioned centering geometry, with respect to the locking head.

According to a further embodiment, one of the two lock arms projects further out of a housing of the door lock than the other of the two lock arms.

The second lock arm preferably projects further out of the housing than the first lock arm. In particular, the previously mentioned contact geometry with the centering surface of the second lock arm protrudes further out of the housing than the first lock arm. However, the first lock arm can also protrude from the housing.

According to a further embodiment, the drive element is set up to move the locking head to bring the door from the closed state into the open th state from a first position in which the door lock engages the locking head to a second position in which the locking head is disengaged from the door lock.

The closure head is preferably rotated through 270° from the first position into the second position. When the locking head is moved from the first position into the second position, the locking head pushes the previously mentioned lock arms apart on the holding geometry or on the holding geometries, so that the lock arms are moved away from one another against the spring force of the spring element. Any number of intermediate positions can be provided between the first position and the second position.

According to a further embodiment, the locking head is provided on an unlocking element which is mounted in or on a housing of the door opening module such that it can rotate about an axis of rotation.

In addition to the locking head, the unlocking element preferably comprises a circular rotary disc, from which the locking head extends on the front side. The turntable is preferably constructed rotationally symmetrically to the axis of rotation. The closure head, on the other hand, is arranged radially offset with respect to the axis of rotation. The drive element is suitable for causing the unlocking element to rotate about the axis of rotation. For this purpose, for example, a gear can be provided between the drive element and the unlocking element. The unlocking element can have teeth which interact with the drive element or with the aforementioned gear. The unlocking element is sealed against the housing. A sealing element, in particular in the form of an O-ring, can be provided for this purpose. The turntable is preferably arranged flush with the end face of the housing of the door opening module. In the present case, "flush" means that the end face of the housing and the rotary disc lie in a common plane. The bolt head extends beyond this plane viewed in the vertical direction. It is also possible for the turntable to protrude slightly, so that only a circular cut-out for the turntable is required in the door. The turntable can then advantageously protect sharp edges of the cutout against access. According to a further embodiment, the drive element is set up to move the locking head linearly from a first position, in which the door lock engages around the locking head, to a second position, in which the locking head exits, in order to bring the door from the closed state to the open state Intervention with the door lock is.

In this case, the bolt head does not perform a rotary movement, but rather a translatory or linear movement from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The closure head is preferably moved linearly along the depth direction or counter to the depth direction. Alternatively, the closure head can also be moved along the transverse direction and counter to the transverse direction in order to move it from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

According to a further embodiment, the door can be brought manually from the closed state to the open state and vice versa, while the locking head is in the first position.

This means in particular that the door cannot only be opened automatically. When the door is manually moved from the closed state to the open state, the lock head is moved against the lock arms, which slide with their holding geometries on the lock head, with the lock arms moving apart against the spring force of the spring element. The same applies when the door is moved from the open state to the closed state.

According to a further embodiment, the locking head pushes itself off the door lock in the second position in order to achieve a lift of the door that is sufficient for the door to be opened by gravity.

For example, the stroke required is about 9 mm. This stroke of the door is sufficient to detach a peripheral sealing device provided between the door and the washing compartment and to initiate an opening movement of the door about the pivot axis by gravity. After the door has been opened, the locking head moves back into its first position, preferably under time and/or sensor control. According to a further embodiment, the household dishwasher includes sensors that are set up to detect when the door lock is approaching the door opening module or vice versa.

In particular, the sensors are also suitable for detecting when the door, in particular the upper edge of the door, is approaching the washing compartment. For example, the door opening module can include the sensors. Alternatively, the door lock can also include sensors. The sensors can, for example, function capacitively, inductively and/or according to the Hall principle. The sensors preferably work without contact. In the simplest case, however, the sensors can also work with contacts, for example in the form of switches.

According to a further embodiment, the door opening module is arranged inside the door, except for the locking head.

This means in particular that only the locking head protrudes over the door, in particular over the upper edge of the door, viewed in the vertical direction. The door opening module is arranged in particular between an inner door and an outer door of the door. Thus, only the locking head is arranged outside the door. Even when the locking head is moved, it always remains outside the door.

According to a further embodiment, the drive element has an electric motor, in particular a rotary electric motor.

In particular, the electric motor is a DC motor. In addition to the electric motor, the drive element can include, for example, a gear mechanism as mentioned above. The drive element itself can also be an electric motor. Alternatively, the drive element can also be a linear motor. Furthermore, the drive element can also be a wax motor or the like.

Further possible implementations of the domestic dishwasher also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In doing so, he will A person skilled in the art can also add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the respective basic form of the domestic dishwasher.

Further advantageous refinements and aspects of the domestic dishwasher are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the domestic dishwasher described below. The domestic dishwasher is explained in more detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a domestic dishwasher;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a door opening system for the domestic dishwasher according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a door opening module for the door opening system according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the door opening module according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a door lock for the door opening system according to FIG. 2;

Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the door lock according to Fig. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic plan view of the door opening system according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 shows a further schematic plan view of the door opening system according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 shows a further schematic plan view of the door opening system according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a door opening system for the domestic dishwasher according to FIG. 1 ; FIG. 11 shows a schematic plan view of the door opening system according to FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 shows another schematic plan view of the door opening system according to FIG. 10.

Elements that are the same or have the same function have been provided with the same reference symbols in the figures, unless otherwise stated.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a domestic dishwasher 1. The domestic dishwasher 1 comprises a washing compartment 2, which can be closed by a door 3, which is in particular watertight. For this purpose, a sealing device can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2 . The washing compartment 2 is preferably cuboid. The washing compartment 2 can be arranged in a housing of the domestic dishwasher 1 . The washing compartment 2 and the door 3 can form a washing chamber 4 for washing items to be washed.

The door 3 is shown in FIG. 1 in its open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at a lower end of the door 3 . With the help of the door 3, a loading opening 6 of the washing compartment 2 can be closed or opened. The washing compartment 2 has a base 7, a cover 8 arranged opposite the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite one another. The bottom 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9 and the side walls 10, 11 can be made from a stainless steel sheet, for example. Alternatively, for example, the bottom 7 can be made of a plastic material.

The household dishwasher 1 also has at least one washware holder 12 to 14 . Preferably, several, for example three, washware holders 12 to 14 can be provided, with washware holder 12 being a lower washware holder or a lower rack, washware holder 13 being an upper washware holder or an upper rack and washware holder 14 being a cutlery drawer. As FIG. 1 also shows, the wash items receptacles 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the wash tub 2 . Each wash item receptacle 12 to 14 can be either in or out of the washing tub 2 this shiftable. In particular, each washware receptacle 12 to 14 can be pushed or moved into the washing compartment 2 in an insertion direction E and pulled out or moved out of the washing compartment 2 in an extension direction A counter to the insertion direction E. The door 3 has an upper edge 15 and a lower edge 16 . The pivot axis 5 is provided on the lower edge 16 .

2 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a door opening system 17A for the automated opening of the door 3. The door opening system is thus suitable for unlocking and opening the door 3 automatically. The door opening system 17A can therefore also be referred to as a door opening and unlocking system.

The door opening system 17A is assigned a coordinate system with a first spatial direction, transverse direction or x-direction x, a second spatial direction, vertical direction or y-direction y and a third spatial direction, depth direction or z-direction z. The directions x, y, z are oriented perpendicular to one another.

The door opening system 17A comprises a door lock 18A which is arranged on the container side. “On the container side” means in particular that the door lock 18A is arranged on the washing container 2 and is in particular firmly connected to it. The door lock 18A works purely mechanically and does not include any electrical or electronic components. The door lock 18A is provided in particular on a frame or flange of the washing compartment 2 and is in particular firmly connected to this frame or flange.

In addition to the door lock 18A, the door opening system 17A includes a door opening module 19A. The door opening module 19A is arranged on the door side. “On the door” means that the door opening module 19A is arranged on the door 3 and, in particular, is firmly connected to it. The door opening module 19A is placed at the top edge 15 of the door 3. FIG. The door opening module 19A is arranged inside the door 3 at least in sections.

The door opening module 19A has a cuboid housing 20 . The case 20 is placed inside the door 3 . The housing 20 can be arranged between an outer door and an inner door of the door 3 . The housing 20 can be a plastic component, in particular a plastic injection molded component. An end face 21 of the housing 20 can be arranged flush with the upper edge 15 of the door 3. "Flush" here means in particular that the end face 21 and the upper edge 15 lie in a common plane and the end face 21 does not protrude beyond the upper edge 15 or is set back behind it. The door opening module 19A is in particular flanged to an underside of the upper edge 15. This means that the door opening module 19A can be lower than the upper edge 15 by a material thickness of the door 3. For this reason, the door opening module 19A has, in particular, two countersinks for screwing to the inner door.

In contrast to the door lock 18A, the door opening module 19A comprises electrical and/or electronic components. These components can include, for example, wiring, switches, sensors, microprocessors, a control unit, a computer unit and/or a drive element. The sensors can include magnetic field sensors, for example. The drive element can be an electric motor or a wax motor. The drive element can be set up to generate a rotary or a translatory movement. The aforesaid electrical and/or electronic components are placed inside the housing 20 . It is thus possible to provide all electrical and/or electronic components required for opening the door 3 exclusively on the door side and not on the container side. The housing 20 can be sealed watertight.

3 shows a schematic plan view of the door opening module 19A. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the door opening module 19A. In the following, reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 4 at the same time.

The housing 20 of the door opening module 19A has a front side 22 which faces the washing compartment 2 and a rear side 23 which faces away from the washing compartment 2 . The z-direction z is oriented from the front side 22 in the direction of the back side 23 . The door opening module 19A has an unlocking element 24 with a rotating disk 25 and a locking head 26 extending out of the rotating disk 25 . The unlocking element 24 is rotatably mounted in the housing 20 and can be rotated relative to the housing 20 with the aid of the previously mentioned drive element. The unlocking element 24 and in particular the turntable 25 is rotationally symmetrical to an axis of rotation 27 . The closure head 26 is offset radially or laterally with respect to the axis of rotation 27 . The unlocking element 24 can be a one-piece component, in particular a one-piece material component. "In one piece" or "in one piece" means that the rotary disc 25 and the locking head 26 form a common component and are not composed of different components. "One-piece material" means that the unlocking element 24 is made of the same material throughout. The unlocking element 24 can be made of a metallic material, for example steel or aluminum, or made of a plastic material. The unlocking element 24 can be a plastic injection molded component.

The unlocking element 24 is sealed against the housing 20 in a watertight manner. A sealing element, for example in the form of an O-ring, can be provided for this purpose. The unlocking element 24 is passed through an opening provided in the end face 21 so that the turntable 25 is arranged flush with the end face 21 . The locking head 26 protrudes in the y-direction y beyond the rotating disk 25 and thus also beyond the end face 21 . In cross section, the closure head 26 has a diamond-shaped geometry.

With the help of the drive element of the door opening module 19A, the locking head 26 together with the unlocking element 24 can be rotated in a direction of rotation D, which is clockwise in the present case, about the axis of rotation 27 from a first position P1 to a second position P2 (shown in phantom) and vice versa. The direction of rotation D can also be oriented counterclockwise. From the first position P1 to the second position P2, the closure head 26 covers an angle of rotation of 270°. Any number of intermediate positions can be provided between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

5 shows a schematic plan view of the door lock 18A. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the door lock 18A. In the following, reference is made to FIGS. 5 and 6 at the same time.

The door lock 18A has a cuboid or box-shaped housing 28 . The housing 28 can be made of a plastic material or of a metallic material. The housing 28 is fixed with respect to the rinsing container 2 . the housing se 28 can be directly connected to the rinsing tank 2. However, this is not mandatory. The housing 28 includes a bottom 29, a front wall 30 facing the door 3, a rear wall 31 facing away from the door 3, and two opposite side walls 32, 33. The front wall 30 includes a rectangular opening or opening 34. The rear wall 31 also includes a rectangular breakout or opening 35.

A first lock arm 36 and a second lock arm 37 are rotatably mounted on the housing 28 . The two lock arms 36, 37 together form a lock arm device 38 of the door lock 18A. The first lock arm 36 is rotatably mounted on the housing 28 about a first axis of rotation 39 . The second lock arm 37 is rotatably mounted on the housing 28 about a second axis of rotation 40 . The axes of rotation 39, 40 can be or include bolts or the like. The two lock arms 36, 37 can also be mounted on the housing 28 in a linearly displaceable manner along and counter to the z-direction z, in addition to the rotational mounting with the aid of the rotary axes 39, 40.

The first lock arm 36 has a V-shaped holding geometry 41 for engaging in or behind the locking head 26 . The holding geometry 41 has two surfaces 42, 43 arranged perpendicularly to one another, in particular in a first approximation, and a rounding 44 at which the surfaces 42, 43 merge into one another. However, the vertical arrangement of the surfaces 42, 43 is not absolutely necessary. The surfaces 42, 43 can be placed at any angle relative to each other. The holding geometry 41 protrudes at least partially through the opening 35 and thus out of the housing 28 .

The first lock arm 36 also includes a centering geometry 45. The centering geometry 45 can be cylindrical. That is, the centering geometry 45 can be part of a circular cylinder. A suspension section 46 is provided on the first lock arm 36, in which a spring element 47 is suspended. The spring element 47 is a tension spring. The spring element 47 can be a cylinder spring.

The second lock arm 37 has a contact geometry 48 which projects out of the housing 28 through the opening 35 . The system geometry 48 protrudes further out of the housing 28 than the holding geometry 41 of the first lock arm 36. The system geometry metry 48 has a centering surface 49 which faces the first lock arm 36 . The second lock arm 37 also includes a centering geometry 50 that corresponds to the centering geometry 45 of the first lock arm 36. However, the centering geometry 50 is V-shaped. The spring element 47 is suspended in a suspension section 51 of the second lock arm 37 .

The functionality of the door opening system 17A is explained below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, which each show schematic top views of the door opening system 17A. The spring element 47 is not shown in FIGS.

The spring element 47 prestresses the lock arms 36, 37 against one another in such a way that the centering geometries 45, 50 rest against one another. The closure head 26 is initially (FIGS. 7 and 8) in its first position P1. The holding geometry 41 of the first lock arm 36 engages behind the locking head 26 in such a way that the surface 42 rests against the locking head 26 . In the first position P1 the locking head 26 thus acts as a holding geometry for the door 3 in the door lock 18A. The locking head 26 is held in the first position P1 without current via the self-locking of a built-in gear mechanism of the door opening module 19A.

A user can now open and close the door 3 manually. To open the door 3 , it is pivoted about the pivot axis 5 , the door opening module 19A being moved together with the door 3 in an opening direction R of the door 3 away from the door lock 18A fixed on the washing compartment 2 . The locking head 26 slides on the surface 42 of the holding geometry 41, as a result of which the two lock arms 36, 37 are moved away from one another and the spring element 47 is stretched or pulled apart. As soon as the locking head 26 is moved over the rounding 44, the spring element 47 shifts the two lock arms 36, 37 in such a way that the centering geometries 45, 50 rest against one another again.

To close the door 3, the door opening module 19A is moved back towards the door lock 18A counter to the opening direction R. The closure head 26 then rests against the surface 43 of the holding geometry 41 and the centering surface 49 . The centering thus takes place with the aid of the centering surface 49 of the second lock arm 37. By applying force to the door 3 counter to the opening direction R, the locking head 26 slides open of the surface 43 and on the centering surface 49, whereby the lock arms 36, 37 are pressed apart and the spring element 47 is lengthened. As soon as the locking head 26 has overcome the rounding 44, the retaining geometry 41 snaps behind the locking head 26 and the door opening system 17A is locked again.

The manual opening and closing of the door 3 is thus made possible by the locking head 26 having to push the lock arms 36 , 37 of the door lock 18A apart against a spring force F of the spring element 47 . The locking head 26 thus either slides into the lock arm device 38 formed by the lock arms 36, 37 when the door 3 is closed, or out of this lock arm device 38 when the door 3 is opened.

The second lock arm 37 is slightly longer compared to the first lock arm 36 viewed in the z-direction z, so that the second lock arm 37 with its centering surface 49 takes over the guidance of the lock head 26 during the closing process and the opening process of the door 3. The second lock arm 37 ensures that both lock arms 36, 37 are centered with respect to the bolt head 26. When the door 3 is open, the centering geometries 45, 50 of the two lock arms ensure that the lock arms 36, 37 are reset.

In addition to the previously explained manual opening and closing of the door 3, however, automated opening and closing of the door 3 is also possible with the aid of the door opening system 17A. For this purpose, the closure head 26 is initially in its first position P1, as shown in FIGS. The holding geometry 41 of the first lock arm 36 engages behind the locking head 26 and the door 3 is closed.

To open the door 3, the locking head 26 is rotated in the direction of rotation D from the first position P1 through any number of intermediate positions P3 to the second position P2. 9 shows an intermediate position P3 of the locking head 26, in which the locking head 26 is rotated by an angle of 90° in the direction of rotation D relative to the first position P1. As can be seen in FIG. 9, the locking head 26 is lifted off the surface 42 of the holding geometry 41 and slides over the rounding 44. In order to reach the second position P2, the locking head 26 is thus rotated with the aid of the door opening module 19A. During the first approximately 150° of its rotary movement from the first position P1 in the direction of the second position P2, the locking head 26 pushes the two pliers-like lock arms 36, 37 of the door lock 18A apart and thereby opens the door lock 18A. A maximum of the deflection of the lock arms 36, 37 is reached at the intermediate position P3 of 90° shown in FIG.

Due to the continuous movement of the locking head 26 up to 270°, i.e. up to the second position P2, the locking head 26 gets in front of the first lock arm 36 of the door lock 18A and then pushes itself off the surface 43 of the holding geometry 41 of the first lock arm 36 ( Not shown). The first lock arm 36 of the door lock 18A is supported in the orientation of FIG. 9 laterally and to the rear in the housing 28 and can therefore no longer deviate.

Since the locking head 26 is fastened to the door 3 with the door opening module 19A, there is a force in the opening direction R of the door 3 which acts on the locking head 26 . This force is used to detach the door 3 from the sealing device mentioned in the introduction, which is arranged between the washing compartment 2 and the door 3, and to push the door 3 open against friction in a hinge system of the door 3.

A distance between the axis of rotation 27 of the turntable 25 and a center point of the locking head 26 when changing from the first position P1 to the second position P2 corresponds to an achievable lift of the door 3. In the present example, the lift of the door 3 is about 9 millimeters. This lift of the door 3 is sufficient to detach the peripheral sealing device and to initiate an opening movement of the door 3 about the pivot axis 5 by gravity.

After the door 3 has been opened, the locking head 26 moves back into its first position P1 under time and/or sensor control. This is done by reversing the direction of rotation D of the unlocking element 24. This means that the locking head 26 is rotated counter to the direction of rotation D from the second position P2 back to the first position P1. Except in the first position P1, there are construction-related states in which the door 3 cannot be closed by the user. These states are comparable to states that are also reached with other door opening systems. Compared to existing door opening systems, however, the door opening system 17A explained above has advantages in these aforementioned states.

On the one hand, it is advantageously easy for the user to see that the locking head 26 is in motion and also when the locking head 26 has reached the first position P1 again. On the other hand, the period of time for the change between the second position P2 and the first position P1 can be very short since only a pivoting movement of the locking head 26 over 270° is required. Traversing movements of plungers or the like over several millimeters or centimeters are not necessary with the door opening system 17A.

Furthermore, the door opening system 17A also has the advantages listed below. Due to the rotational movement of the locking head 26, the door opening module 19A can actively push itself off the door lock 18A and thus the inner door of the door 3 off a frame of the washing compartment 2. As a result, no additional components, such as a spring in the hinge system of the door 3, are required to compensate for an adhesive force of the sealing device between the washing compartment 2 and the door 3 and to overcome a tipping point of the door 3 in order to initiate gravity opening.

A spring used to overcome the adhesive force can generate a counterforce for the door lock when the door 3 is in the closed state. As a result, a special variant of the door lock may be required for use with automated door opening. In the case of the door opening module 19A explained above, no separate door lock variant for domestic dishwashers 1 with automatic door opening is required, since the additional spring force in the hinge system is eliminated.

With the aid of the door opening system 17A presented, it is possible, as an alternative to a thermal actuator, such as a wax motor, to also use a previously mentioned drive element 52 (FIG. 3) in the form of a rotary electric motor, in particular a DC motor for door opening, in particular for driving the unlocking element 24 to use. This drive member 52 may also include the aforementioned self-locking gear. In comparison to a thermal actuator, a comfort opening with short activation times is possible. However, the use of a thermal actuator as a drive element 52 for the door opening module 19A is not ruled out.

The rotational movement of the unlocking element 24 with the locking head 26 allows the door opening module 19A to be sealed better, for example with the aid of an O-ring, with respect to the inner door of the door 3 than with a lifting movement. There is therefore no need for drainage channels inside the door opening module 19A. The door opening module 19A can be encapsulated waterproof. This means that no water enters the inner door.

Through the combination with a sensor 53 (Fig. 3) and/or a sensor 54 (Fig. 5) for measuring the lift of the door 3 in the door opening module 19A and/or in the door lock 18A, for example capacitively, inductively and/or after functioning according to the Hall principle, a so-called push-to-open function can also be implemented if required, in particular in addition to checking the presence of the door 3 . One of the sensors 53, 54 is sufficient. At least the sensor 53 on the door opening module side is preferably provided. The sensors 53, 54 preferably work without contact. In the simplest case, however, the sensors 53, 54 can also work with contacts, for example in the form of switches.

By using sensors 53, 54 as previously mentioned, it is possible to significantly reduce a closing force and also an opening force of the door 3. This can be achieved by an intermediate position P3 of the locking head 26 at a rotation angle of about 30° to 45°, in which the lock arms 36, 37 of the door lock 18A do not have to be pushed apart so far to open and close the door 3.

In addition, it is possible, in combination with these aforementioned sensors 53, 54, to further increase a pressing force of the door 3 against the sealing device arranged between the door 3 and the washing compartment 2 when the door 3 is in the closed state. This can be done by rotating the closure head 26 further beyond the first position P1 happen. If the user then pulls on the door 3 in order to move it in the opening direction R, the door opening module 19A would move the locking head 26 back into the first position P1, in particular based on sensor signals from the sensors 53, 54, in order to facilitate the opening of the door 3 to allow. This allows a larger tolerance range for the components involved in a sealing interface of the door 3 without adversely affecting the opening force of the door 3.

Because the door lock 18A arranged on the container side functions purely mechanically, it is possible to wire the complete electronics of the door opening system 17A in the door 3 using a cable. In particular, a control unit 55 (FIG. 3) of the door opening system 17A can also be assigned to the door opening module 19A. The control unit 55 is then preferably accommodated in the housing 20 of the door opening module 19A.

The control unit 55 can control the drive element 52 and/or evaluate sensor signals from the sensors 53, 54 and control the drive element 52 based on these sensor signals in order to suitably rotate the unlocking element 24 with the locking head 26 and optionally into the positions P1, P2, P3 move. The control unit 55 may include a microprocessor. The control unit 55 can be a control and regulation unit or can be referred to as such. The control unit 55 can be coupled to a control panel (not shown) or a control panel of the domestic dishwasher 1 either in a wired or wireless manner. This control panel is preferably also arranged on the door 3 .

With the aforementioned simple wiring of the door opening system 17A, it is possible to use a simpler wiring harness. This results in cost savings. Furthermore, cabling provided on the ceiling 8 of the washing container 2 can be dispensed with. This results in a simpler grounding and cabling concept. This simplifies the manufacturability of the domestic dishwasher 1 and can lead to a cost reduction.

In the case of the door opening system 17A explained here, it is easy for the user to see why the door lock 18A cannot yet be closed, since the locking head 26 is not yet in the correct first position P1 or is still clearly so visibly moves between the positions P1, P2. Owing to the omission of a container-side door opening module, there is advantageously an increase in available installation space for the cover 8 of the washing container 2 and for a fleece provided on the cover 8 for reasons of insulation.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a further embodiment of a door opening system 17B for the domestic dishwasher 1. FIGS. 11 and 12 each show schematic top views of the door opening system 17B. In the following, reference is made to FIGS. 10 to 12 at the same time. The structure of the door opening system 17B essentially corresponds to the structure of the door opening system 17A. In the following, therefore, only the differences between the two embodiments of the door opening systems 17A, 17B will be discussed.

The door opening system 17B comprises a container-side door lock 18B and a door-side door opening module 19B. The door opening module 19B comprises a housing 20 and an unlocking element 56, movably mounted on the housing 20, with a disk 57 and a locking head 58 extending out of the disk 57. The locking heads 26, 58 can be of identical geometric design. In contrast to the unlocking element 24, the unlocking element 56 cannot be rotated, but can be displaced linearly in a direction of movement B along the z-direction z and counter to the z-direction z. The closure head 58 can thus be moved from a first position P1 shown in FIG. 11 to a second position P2 shown in FIG. 12 and vice versa. The closure head 58 has a diamond-shaped geometry in cross section.

The door lock 18B has a housing 28 as previously mentioned and two lock arms 59, 60 rotatably mounted on the housing 28, in particular a first lock arm 59 and a second lock arm 60. In contrast to the lock arms 36, 37, the lock arms 59, 60 are constructed identically. The lock arms 59, 60 form a lock arm device 61. The lock arms 59, 60 are mounted on the housing 28 so as to be rotatable about pivot axes 39, 40 as previously mentioned. Each lock arm 59, 60 has a holding geometry 62, which can be designed identically to the holding geometry 41. The holding geometry 62 has two surfaces 63, 64 arranged perpendicularly to one another and a rounded portion 65 at which the surfaces 63, 64 merge into one another. Everyone Lock arm 59, 60 includes a suspension section 66, 67, in which a spring element 47, as explained above, is suspended.

If the locking head 58 is in the first position P1 (FIG. 11), the door 3 can be opened manually. The locking head 58 slides on the surfaces 63 of the holding geometries 62 of the two lock arms 59, 60 until the rounding 65 snaps over the locking head 58. The lock arms 59, 60 are thereby moved apart against the spring force F of the spring element 47. When the door 3 is closed, the locking head 58 is pressed against the surfaces 64 of the holding geometries 62, the locking head 58 sliding on the surfaces 64 and the lock arms 59, 60 being pressed apart against the spring force F of the spring element 47. The retaining geometries 62 snap over the locking head 58 and the door 3 is locked again.

For the automated opening of the door 3, the locking head 58 is moved from the first position P1 (FIG. 11) to the second position P2 (FIGS. 10 and 12). A drive element 52 (not shown) as previously mentioned is provided for moving or displacing the closure head 58 . The lock head 58 presses the lock arms 59, 60 apart against the spring force F of the spring element 47 until the holding geometries 62 snap over the lock head 58. The locking head 58 is now in contact with the surfaces 64 of the holding geometries 62 and is pressed off by them in order to achieve a sufficient lift of the door 3 so that it opens by itself due to the force of gravity. The closure head 58 then returns to the first position P1.

The linear movement of the locking head 58 along the direction of movement B can be implemented by a sliding block guide running obliquely to the x-direction x and a plunger coupled to the unlocking element 56 . The link guide mentioned above can be moved along the x-direction x and counter to the x-direction x with the aid of the previously mentioned drive element 52 in order to move the closure head 58 in the direction of movement B. The drive element 52 can be a linear motor or a rotary motor. The drive element 52 can also be a wax motor.

Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. Reference signs used:

1 domestic dishwasher

2 rinsing tanks

3 door

4 washroom

5 pivot axis

6 loading opening

7 floor

8 ceiling

9 back panel

10 side wall

11 side wall

12 items to be washed

13 Items to be washed

14 Items to be washed

15 top edge

16 bottom edge

17A door opening system

17B door opening system

18A door lock

18B door lock

19A door opening module

19B door opening module

20 housing

21 face

22 front

23 back

24 unlocking element

25 turntable

26 bolt head

27 axis of rotation

28 housing

29 floor 30 front wall

31 back panel

32 side wall

33 side panel

34 breakthrough

35 breakthrough

36 lock arm

37 lock arm

38 lock arm assembly

39 axis of rotation

40 axis of rotation

41 holding geometry

42 area

43 area

44 rounding

45 centering geometry

46 hanging section

47 spring element

48 system geometry

49 centering surface

50 centering geometry

51 hanging section

52 drive element

53 sensors

54 sensors

55 control unit

56 unlocking element

57 disc

58 bolt head

59 lock arm

60 lock arm

61 lock arm device

62 holding geometry

63 area 64 area

65 rounding

66 hanging section

67 hanging section

A Pull-out direction

B Direction of movement

D direction of rotation

E insertion direction

F spring force

P1 position

P2 position

P3 intermediate position

R Opening direction x x-direction/transverse direction y y-direction/vertical direction z z-direction/depth direction

Claims

27

PATENT CLAIMS Domestic dishwasher (1) with a washing compartment (2) which encloses a washing chamber (4) of the domestic dishwasher (1), one on the washing compartment

(2) pivotally hinged door (3), and a door opening system (17A, 17B) for automatically moving the door (3) from a closed state to an open state, the door opening system (17A, 17B) having a door lock (18A, 18B) and a door opening module (19A, 19B), the door opening module (19A, 19B) having a locking head (26, 58) and a drive element (52) for moving the locking head (26, 58), the door lock (18A, 18B) in the closed state of the door (3) encompasses the locking head (26, 58), the drive element (52) moving the locking head (26, 58) to move the door (3) from the closed state to the open state in such a way that the locking head (26, 58) disengages from the door lock (18A, 18B), and wherein the locking head (26, 58) is fixed during movement thereof along a vertical direction (y) of the door (3). Domestic dishwasher according to Claim 1, characterized in that the door lock (18A, 18B) has a first lock arm (36, 59) and a second lock arm (37, 60) which are spring-biased towards one another with the aid of a spring element (47), wherein the two lock arms (36, 37, 59, 60) embrace the locking head (26, 58) when the door (3) is closed, and the locking head (26, 58) surrounds the two lock arms (36, 37, 59, 60 ) while moving the same against a spring force (F) of the spring element (47) pushes apart. Domestic dishwasher according to Claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the lock arms (36, 37, 59, 60) has a holding geometry (41, 62) which holds the locking head (26, 58) in the closed state of the door

(3) embraces.

4. Domestic dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking head (26, 58) slides off while moving the same on the holding geometry (41, 62) to the two lock arms (36, 37, 59, 60) against the spring force (F) of the spring element (47) to push apart.

5. Domestic dishwasher according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the two lock arms (36, 37) each have a centering geometry (45, 50) to align the two lock arms (36, 37) to each other.

6. Domestic dishwasher according to one of Claims 2 - 5, characterized in that at least one of the two lock arms (36, 37) has a contact geometry (48) with a centering surface (49) for centering the locking head (26) on the door lock (18A ) when the door (3) is manually moved from the open state to the closed state.

7. Household dishwasher according to one of Claims 2 - 6, characterized in that one of the two lock arms (36, 37) projects further out of a housing (28) of the door lock (18A) than the other of the two lock arms (36, 37) .

8. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the drive element (52) is adapted to move the locking head (26) for bringing the door (3) from the closed state to the open state from a first position (P1), in which the door lock (18A) encompasses the locking head (26), to a second position (P2) in which the locking head (26) is disengaged from the door lock (18A).

9. Household dishwasher according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking head (26) is provided on an unlocking element (24) which is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation (27) in or on a housing (20) of the door opening module (19A). .

10. Domestic dishwasher according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the drive element (52) is adapted to the closure head (58) linearly to bring the door (3) from the closed state to the open state from a first position (P1), in which the door lock (18B) embraces the locking head (58), to a second position (P2). move in which the locking head (58) is disengaged from the door lock (18B).

11. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 8 - 10, characterized in that the door (3) can be brought manually from the closed state to the open state and vice versa, while the locking head (26, 58) is in the first position ( P1) is located.

12. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 8 - 11, characterized in that the locking head (26, 58) in the second position (P2) of the door lock (18A, 18B) pushes itself off in order to open the door by gravity (3) to achieve sufficient lift of the door (3).

13. Household dishwasher according to one of claims 1-12, characterized by sensors (53, 54) which are adapted to detect an approach of the door lock (18A, 18B) to the door opening module (19A, 19B) or vice versa.

14. Domestic dishwasher according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the door opening module (19A, 19B) is arranged up to the locking head (26, 58) inside the door (3).

15. Domestic dishwasher according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that the drive element (52) has an electric motor, in particular a rotary electric motor.