IT201900010305A1 - MOTORIZED HINGE - Google Patents

Description

The present patent application for industrial invention in Italy is a division of patent application No. 102017000090723 of 04/08/2017. The claims of the present patent application are based on the description and claims of the initial patent application as originally filed.

DESCRIPTION of the invention entitled:

"MOTORIZED HINGE"

Field of the invention

The present invention refers to the field of hinges. This invention is mainly used in the field of manufacturing hinges for connecting a door to a compartment of an electrical appliance, for example for connecting a door to the compartment of an oven.

It should be noted that here and in the following the term "household appliance" will generally refer to an appliance or machinery for domestic use of the predominantly electrically or gas operated type, such as for example a refrigerator, a dishwasher, an oven, a washing machine, etc.

Prior art known

Hinges are known in the art by means of which it is possible to connect a door to the compartment of an electrical appliance such as for example a compartment of an oven, dishwasher and the like.

These hinges typically comprise a fixing bracket, designed to be fixed to the appliance compartment, and a mobile support to swivel the door to this bracket. In particular, the mobile support of the hinge, fixed to the door, is hinged to the fixing bracket in such a way that the door can rotate around an axis of rotation (for example horizontal or vertical) between an open position and a closed position. .

Known hinges can also be provided with elastic means for bringing the door towards the closed position. For example, in the case of ovens, the elastic means can be coupled to an actuation arm comprising a first terminal portion constrained to the door, or better to the relative mobile support, and a second terminal portion coupled to the fixing bracket. The elastic means can, for example, act on the first terminal portion so as to move it

door towards the closed position.

To facilitate the opening of the door, hinges equipped with a motor drive, typically electric, are known to perform the functions of opening / closing the door. For example, these hinges can provide a manual control for the user who, once activated, activates an electric motor to open or close the door. The electric motor, acting directly on the door hinge, is normally sized to move the door completely autonomously between the open position and the closed position.

In particular, in order to be able to move the door from the closed to the open position, counteracting the force exerted by the elastic means, the motor used in known hinges can be a large, expensive motor with a high electrical energy consumption.

The known motorized hinges could also suffer from a difficult opening and closing of the door (not fluid or tiring for the user) in case of motor malfunctions or lack of electric current. In some cases, the known motorized hinges could remain blocked in the absence of electricity. This problem is particularly troublesome in the case of motorized hinges installed in an oven. In this case, the possible lack of electricity during the cooking of a food, or even the malfunction of the hinge motor, could prevent the opening of the oven door with consequent excessive cooking time (also due to inertia oven) which could ruin or burn the food inside the oven itself.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems and to provide a hinge for connecting a door to the compartment of an appliance capable of being motorized and at the same time allowing a user to move the door freely when the door is stopped.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hinge that can be motorized using an electric motor of reduced dimensions and with a reduced consumption of electrical energy.

These and further objects are achieved by the present invention thanks to a hinge according to claim 1, and to a household appliance according to claim 15. Preferred aspects are indicated in the dependent claims.

In particular, according to an aspect of the present invention, the hinge for connecting a door to a compartment of a household appliance, comprises a fixing bracket adapted to be fixed to the compartment of the household appliance, and a movable support for rotating it door to the fixing bracket.

The hinge further comprises an actuation arm coupled to the fixing bracket, handling means adapted to move the actuation arm.

The actuation arm comprises a first end portion adapted to be constrained to the mobile support of the door and a second end portion adapted to be coupled to the handling means for moving the actuation arm between an opening position of the door and a closing position of the door. door.

According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the handling means comprise an electric motor and reversible connection means for the selective coupling and uncoupling between the electric motor and the actuating arm, and in particular these means allow coupling or direct or indirect decoupling between the drive shaft of said electric motor, and the aforementioned second end portion of the actuation arm.

The hinge is configured in such a way that when the electric motor is coupled to the second terminal portion of the operating arm, the electric motor causes the movement of the operating arm, in particular by pushing or pulling on the movable support of the door to cause its rotation, while when the electric motor is decoupled from the second terminal portion, the manual movement of the first terminal portion of the actuation arm occurs independently of the electric motor (i.e. without operating on the motor) to allow a user to freely move the door.

In this way the second end portion of the actuating arm can

be coupled to the electric motor only when a door movement is required, a movement which is physically carried out by means of suitable movement means.

Preferably, the handling means comprise a slider which is moved linearly, for example by means of a screw, by means of the electric motor. The slider is constrained to the second terminal portion of the actuating arm.

In particular, according to an aspect of the present invention, the second end portion can be fastened to the slider by means of a connecting lever comprising a first end rotatably fastened to the fixing bracket and a second end rotatably fastened to the slider. The second terminal portion of the actuation arm is advantageously rotatably constrained to an intermediate portion of the connecting lever between the first end and the second end of the connecting lever.

Preferably, the second terminal portion of the actuation arm is rotatably constrained to the intermediate portion of the connecting lever by means of a pin slidably constrained along a guide (for example a slot) arranged in the intermediate portion of the connecting lever. The guide is advantageously shaped to impose a determined motion law on the actuation arm along its path between the open position and the closed position of the door.

Some embodiments may provide that the electric motor is a magnetic linear motor, alternatively, as already mentioned, the movement means comprise a reversible screw capable of being rotated by means of the electric motor (for example a direct current electric motor ). The slider is then coupled to the screw, preferably by means of a screw-nut screw coupling, so as to transform the rotation of the screw into a translation of the slider. In this embodiment, the reversible connection means are configured for selective coupling and decoupling between the electric motor and the screw.

Preferably, the actuation arm is subjected to an elastic force of

contrast able to bring said operating arm towards the closing position of the door. More preferably, the aforementioned elastic contrast force is provided by elastic contrast means housed inside the door and acting on the first terminal portion, or rather on one of its branches, of the operating arm.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the reversible connection means comprise a coupling of the plug-in type, for example by means of complementary toothing, provided with a first member constrained to a driven member kinematically coupled to the actuation arm, for example a screw, and a second member bound to the motor shaft of the electric motor. The second member is movable with respect to the first member and / or vice versa between a mutual engagement configuration, in which the rotation of the motor shaft of the electric motor is transferred to the drive arm, for example by means of the screw, and a disengagement configuration reciprocal, in which the actuation arm, and the member to which it can be constrained, such as a screw, is free to move independently of the rotation of the motor shaft of the electric motor.

Advantageously, the reversible connection means comprise elastic means configured to bring the second member and / or the first member of the clutch into the mutual disengagement configuration.

Preferably, the reversible connection means comprises an electromagnet (or any electromechanical actuator known in the art) for bringing the second member and / or the first member of the plug-in joint into the mutual engagement configuration.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the reversible connection means are configured to couple the electric motor to the drive arm, and in particular to the second end portion of the drive arm, in response to an actuation command from a user.

Preferably, the actuation arm comprises a sliding surface which slidably rests on an idle roller fixed to the fixing bracket during at least part of its path between the door opening position and the aforesaid door closing position. The surface of

sliding advantageously has at least one cam. The hinge can preferably comprise means for detecting the electric current absorption of the electric motor. The presence of at least one cam resting on the idle roller during the movement of the operating arm and / or the position assumed by the door during the path between the opening and closing position, causes a variation in the electric current absorption of the electric motor easily detectable which can be advantageously used to determine the position of the actuation arm.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the handling means comprise a connection bracket configured to rotatably link the electric motor to the appliance compartment.

A further object of the present invention is a household appliance comprising at least one hinge according to the present invention.

Brief description of the figures

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, given for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

- Figures 1A and 1B are side views of a particular embodiment of the hinge according to the present invention when the operating arm is in the closed and open position of the door, respectively;

Figure 2A is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the hinge according to the present invention when the operating arm is in an intermediate position between the closed and open position of the door;

Figure 2B is an enlargement of the view shown in Figure 2A;

Figure 3A is an exploded view of a particular embodiment of the reversible connection means of the hinge according to the present invention;

Figure 3B is an enlargement of the view shown in Figure 3A;

Figures 4A, 4B are longitudinal section views of a particular embodiment of the means for moving the hinge according to the present invention when the reversible connection means are in a configuration of mutual engagement and in a configuration of disengagement, respectively.

Embodiments of the invention

Figures 1A and 1B show a particular embodiment of the hinge 1 according to the present invention for connecting a door to a compartment of a household appliance. In particular, in figure 1A the hinge 1 is shown when the door is in a closed position P1, in figure 1B the hinge 1 is shown when the door is in an open position P2.

The hinge 1 comprises a fixing bracket 2 suitable for being fixed to the appliance compartment, for example by means of screws or other known fixing means. The door is configured to be rotatably linked to the fixing bracket 2 by means of a movable support 3. This movable support 3, which can be constituted by a further bracket or by a box-like body for housing various optional components of the lock, is stably fixed to the door, for example inside a housing provided within the same door, and is rotatably connected to the fixing bracket 2, for example by means of a pin 4, so that the door can rotate around a rotation axis (for example a horizontal axis) with respect to the fixing bracket 2.

In the embodiment illustrated here, the mobile support 3 is hinged to the fixing bracket 2, so that when the mobile support 3 is fixed to a relative door, the door is rotatably constrained, around a horizontal axis, to the fixing bracket 2.

Further embodiments can however provide that the mobile support 3 is shaped in various ways and is made integral with the door in ways known per se in the art, as well as being hinged to the fixing bracket 2 in various ways, while remaining within the protection scope of the present invention.

The hinge 1 further comprises an actuation arm 5 which can

be coupled to the fixing bracket 2 and which is constrained to the mobile support 3, or directly to the door, and movement means 6 adapted to move the operating arm 5 between an opening position of the door P2 (shown by way of example in figure 1B ) and a closing position of the door P1 (shown by way of example in Figure 1A). In particular, the actuation arm 5 comprises a first portion 5a rotatably constrained to the mobile support 3 (for example by means of pins 8), and a second portion 5b adapted to be coupled to the handling means 6. The handling means 6, act on the second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5 in such a way as to move the actuation arm 5 between the opening position P2 and the closing position P1 of the door. It should be noted that in the embodiment illustrated here such first portion 5a and second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5 are terminal portions, that is substantially at the ends, of this arm 5. However, other configurations of the arm 5 which provide a first portion thereof 5a constrained to the mobile support 3 and a different second portion 5b thereof which can be reversibly coupled to the aforementioned movement means 6, however fall within the scope of protection required here.

The handling means 6 comprise an electric motor 10 and reversible connection means 9 for selective, or reversible, coupling and uncoupling between the electric motor 10 and the operating arm 5, and in particular between this electric motor 10 and the second portion 5b of the operating arm 5.

The hinge 1 is therefore configured in such a way that when the electric motor 10 is coupled to the second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5, the actuation of the electric motor 10 causes the actuation arm 5 to move, while when the electric motor 10 is decoupled from this second portion 5b, the manual movement of the actuation arm 5, and therefore of its first portion 5a occurs independently of the electric motor 10 (i.e. without acting on the electric motor 10) so as to allow a user to move the appliance door freely.

In other words, when the second portion 5b of the operating arm 5 is decoupled from the electric motor 10, the user can freely move the door substantially as if there were no moving means 6, i.e. as if the hinge 1 were a non-motorized hinge. The second portion 5b can therefore be coupled to the electric motor 10 only when a movement of the actuation arm 5 is required to the movement means 6.

As will be seen better in the following, these reversible connection means 9, which can be constituted by a joint, for example of the plug-in type, functionally interposed between the electric motor 10 and the operating arm 5, can be controlled by a special member electromagnetic through, for example, a manual switch or a door movement sensor or a detector of the electric current absorption by the same electric motor 10, so as to determine the mechanical coupling or uncoupling of the motor 10 from the arm 5 according to the operational requirements of the household appliance to which the hinge 1 is applied.

Preferably, said movement means 6 comprise a slider 11 moved linearly by means of the electric motor 10. Said slider 11 is constrained to the second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5 to move, for example by pushing or pulling, said actuation arm 5 between the opening position P2 and the closing position P1 of the door.

In particular, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the second portion 5b of the actuating arm 5 is constrained to the slider 11 preferably by means of a connecting lever 13, which comprises a first end 13a constrained in pivotally to the fixing bracket 2 and a second end 13b pivotally constrained to the slider 11. The second portion 5b of the operating arm 5 is constrained, for example and preferably in a pivotable and sliding manner, to an intermediate portion 13c of the operating lever connection 13 between the first and second ends 13a, 13b of the connection lever 13.

The first end 13a of the connecting lever acts as a fulcrum, the second

end 13b acts as a driving force and the intermediate portion 13c acts as a resisting force, thus realizing a lever of the second kind.

The second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5 is preferably rotatably and slidably constrained to the intermediate portion 13c of the connecting lever 13 by means of a pin 14 slidably constrained along a guide 15.

The guide 15 is made in the intermediate portion 13c of the connecting lever 13, and for example can be shaped as a slot within which the pin 14 is slidably housed. In figure 2A and in figure 2B, the pin 14 is shown outside the guide 15, to show more clearly the connection between the second portion 5b of the operating arm 5 and the connecting lever 13.

The slot, or in general the guide 15, is advantageously shaped to impose a certain motion law on the operating arm 5 along its path between the opening position P2 and the closing position P1 of the door and to transmit the motion from the slider 11 to the second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5 according to certain predefined lever ratios. The shape of the slot is chosen during the design phase to obtain a smooth movement of the door during opening and closing of the same.

For example, the shape of the slot 15 can be obtained by simulating a certain law of motion of the door as a function of the movement of the connecting lever 13. In particular, the simulation can be carried out by keeping the second portion 5b disconnected from the connecting lever 13, and by carrying out a certain movement of the door between the closing position P1 and the opening position P2 as a function of a certain movement of the connection lever 13. Tracing the path taken by the constraint point (the through hole through which the pin is passed 14) of the second portion 5b, it is possible to obtain the shape of the slot 15 to be made on the portion 13c of the connecting lever 13 to thus obtain the determined law of motion which binds a predefined movement of the connecting lever 13 to a determined movement of the door.

This configuration, in addition to allowing a reduction in the force required for

the movement of the actuation arm 5 by the handling means 6, allows to obtain a movement of the door with a determined trend, for example with certain accelerations or decelerations or substantially uniform (i.e. without acceleration or deceleration) during its own movement path between the closed position P1 and the open position P2.

It should be noted that, according to the Applicant, the connection lever 13 is inventive in itself and can be used in further embodiments of motorized hinges regardless of the presence of the reversible connection means 9 described in the present disclosure.

In other words, the present invention further provides for an embodiment in which the hinge 1 comprises the aforementioned fixing bracket 2 adapted to be fixed to the compartment of a household appliance, the aforementioned operating arm 5 and movement means 6 comprising an electric motor 10 and a slider 11 moved, preferably but not exclusively in a linear way, by means of the electric motor 10 in order to move the operating arm 5 between an opening position P2 and a closing position P1 of the door. This embodiment provides for the presence of the aforementioned connection lever 13 which connects the operating arm 5 to the slider 11, so as to transform the motion of the slider 11 into a predefined motion of the operating arm 5 according to a law of motion and transformation of motion - preset by the designer, and only optionally provides for the presence of the aforementioned reversible connection means 9, capable of coupling or uncoupling the motor 10 from the operating arm 5.

Further embodiments can in any case provide that the second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5 is, for example, directly constrained to the slider 11 of the movement means 6, and is therefore directly actuated by said slider 11, while remaining within the protection scope of the present invention. invention.

Thus, by way of example, some embodiments may provide that the electric motor 10 is a magnetic linear motor which typically comprises a slider 11 arranged on a sliding guide (stator) integrated in the magnetic linear motor. The cursor 11 is moved along the sliding guide for

by means of a magnetic field provided by coils arranged on the sliding guide. In this case, the slider and slide rail are magnetically coupled to each other when the coils are activated. When the magnetic linear motor is deactivated, the cursor 11 slides freely on the sliding guide, in particular in the case in which this cursor and the relative guide are shaped to be mutually separated by a layer of air. In this embodiment, the handling means 6 have the aforementioned reversible connection means (consisting for example of a switch for selectively activating and deactivating the power supply of the magnetic linear motor) which are configured for magnetic coupling and selective magnetic decoupling. between the sliding guide and the cursor 11.

With reference to Figures 1A, 1B and 2A, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated here, the movement of the slider 11 preferably takes place by means of a screw 12, of the reversible type, rotated by the electric motor 10. The slider 11 is coupled , for example by means of a nut screw 11a complementary to the screw 12, in such a way as to transform the rotation of the screw 12 into a translation of the slider 11.

Surprisingly, a multi-start 12 screw, preferably with a number of starts greater than two (for example five-start) and with a pitch between 15 mm and 35 mm, preferably with a pitch between 20 mm and 30 mm (for example with a pitch of about 25 mm), it provides optimal performance in terms of reversibility and reduction of friction between slider 11 and screw 12 (with screw-nut coupling). In particular, when the reversible connection means 9 uncouple the second portion 5b of the operating arm 5 from the electric motor 10, the translation of the slider 11, due to a manual movement of the door, causes a rotation of the screw 12 with reduced friction. In other words, the transformation of the translational motion of the slider 11 into a rotary motion of the screw 12 produces a substantially negligible frictional force.

With reference to the embodiment of Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, the actuation arm 5 can also preferably lean in a sliding manner on an idle roller 7 fixed to the fixing bracket 2 during at least part of its path between the

opening position P2 and closing position P1 of the door. Preferably, the actuation arm 5 comprises a sliding surface 17 adapted to lean in a sliding manner on the roller 7. This sliding surface 17 is preferably shaped according to a profile or more cam profiles, so as to engage in support of the idle roller 7 in various ways, when the actuation arm 5 reaches certain reference positions. For example, with reference to Figure 2B, the actuation arm 5 can comprise a first cam profile 17a adapted to rest on the idle roller 7 when the actuation arm 5 reaches the opening position P2 and a second cam profile 17b adapted to lean on the idle roller 7 when the operating arm 5 reaches the closing position P1. Further embodiments can provide, in addition or alternatively, that the sliding surface of the actuation arm 5 has a cam profile (not shown) arranged in such a way as to rest according to a certain trajectory to the roller 7 when the actuation arm 5 it reaches a certain reference position intermediate between the opening position P2 and the closing position P1 of the door.

According to a preferred aspect of this invention, the hinge 1 can comprise a logic control unit 16 which is designed to control, in response to one or more control signals of the manual type and / or of the type automatically generated by suitable sensors or detectors of state of the system, the means 6 for moving the actuation arm 5 and in particular at least the aforementioned reversible connection means 9 for coupling or uncoupling the electric motor 10 from the actuation arm 5.

This logic control unit 16, according to an aspect of the present invention, can preferably be configured to operate the handling means 6, and / or in particular the aforementioned reversible connection means 9, in response to an actuation command from a user. . This actuation command can for example be given by means of a button, and / or by means of a voice command or the like.

The logic unit 16 can preferably be configured to control at least the reversible connection means 9 in such a way as to couple the motor

electric 10 to the second portion 5b of the actuation arm 5 in response to the aforementioned actuation command.

Alternatively, or in conjunction with a manual command, the command to actuate the logic unit 16 can be, as mentioned, given by sensors or other means for detecting the state of the system capable of detecting the need for the actuation of the control means. movement 6 and / or the actuation, in coupling or uncoupling, of the reversible connection means 9.

For example, as already mentioned above, some embodiments of this invention can provide that the hinge 1 is provided with means 18 for detecting the current absorption of the electric motor 10 (shown symbolically with a rectangle), for example an ammeter or similar means. This embodiment can also provide that the aforementioned means 18 for detecting the current absorption of the electric motor 10 provide an absorption value indicative of the position assumed by the actuating arm 5 during its path between the open position P2 and the closed position. P1 of the door.

In particular, the weight force of the door generates a moment which varies according to the position assumed by the door and which causes a different current absorption of the electric motor. In other words, as the door rotates from the closed position P1 towards the open position P2, the weight force acting on the door generates an increasing moment which can be detected by the current absorbing means 18 of the electric motor. Furthermore, by means of one or more cam profiles 17a, 17b provided on the sliding surface of the actuation arm 5, it is possible to cause variations in the current absorption of the electric motor 10 during the path taken by the actuation arm 5 between the position P1 and P2 position easily detectable. These variations can be recognized by a logic control unit 16 (also shown symbolically with a rectangle) and therefore be associated with one or more of the aforementioned reference positions of the actuation arm 5. In this way it is thus possible to obtain a indication of the actual position of the operating arm 5 with respect to the fixing bracket 2.

Note that further embodiments of the hinge 1 according to the present invention may provide that the hinge 1 is not directly provided with a logic control unit 16 and / or means 18 for detecting the electric current absorption of the electric motor. Such components can however be provided for example in a household appliance (for example an oven) which comprises the hinge according to the present invention. In this case the logic control unit 16 and / or the means 18 for detecting the current absorption of the electric motor can be connected to the electric motor 10 of the hinge 1, and / or to the reversible connection means 9, for example by means of of electric cables, or in another way known in the art.

With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, the reversible connection means 9, which as said are configured for selective coupling and uncoupling between the electric motor 10 and the actuating arm 5, are functionally interposed, in this embodiment of the invention, between this motor 10 and a screw 12 which, as mentioned, allows the actuation of a slider 11 intended to transmit the push or pull motion, or any other motion that allows the rotation of the door, to the operating arm 5 In this embodiment, the reversible connection means 9 comprise a coupling 19 provided with a first member 19a constrained to said screw 12 and a second member 19b constrained to the motor shaft 10a of said electric motor 10.

Said coupling 19 can be for example of the type comprising, on the relative rotating members 19a, 19b, complementary coupling profiles, for example with teeth or of the type with protrusions and recesses, capable of transmitting a torque from one to the other. member 19a, 19b, when they are mutually committed.

It should be noted that a coupling 19 of this type, and in particular of the type described below, can be interposed to selectively couple or uncouple any two rotating members located downstream of the electric motor 10, regardless of the use of a screw 12 to transform the rotary motion of the drive shaft of the motor 10 into the translational, or roto-translational or even rotary motion, of the drive arm 5. In other words, regardless of the device used for the eventual transformation of the rotary motion of the electric motor 10 into the required motion from the arm

5, this coupling 19, which belongs to a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned reversible connection means 9, can be interposed between any two rotating members, for example two shafts, which transmit the rotary motion generated by the electric motor 10 to the motion transformation device possibly placed upstream of the aforementioned actuation arm 5.

With reference to Figures 4A and 4B, in the embodiment shown here, the second member 19b is movable, for example axially, with respect to the first member 19a between a mutual engagement configuration C1, in which the rotation of the shaft motor 10a of the electric motor 10 is transferred to the screw 12, and a disengagement configuration C2, in which the screw 12 is free to rotate independently from the rotation of the motor shaft 10a.

Preferably, a planetary reduction gear 20 can be interposed between the second member 19b of the coupling 19 and the electric motor 10, suitable for reducing the number of revolutions of the motor shaft of the electric motor 10. The reference 10a therefore generally indicates the driving shaft moved by means of the electric motor 10, said driving shaft 10a can therefore be the driving shaft at the output of the planetary reduction gear 20 or at the output of further stages arranged between the electric motor 10 and the second member 19b of the coupling 19.

Although the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B provides that the second member 19b is movable with respect to the first member 19a of the coupling 19, further embodiments can provide that the first member is movable with respect to the second member or that it is the first and the second member are movable with respect to each other while remaining within the scope of protection of the present invention.

The first and second members 19a, 19b have complementary edges, preferably provided with slightly tapered teeth (visible for example in Figure 3B) adapted to engage with each other in the mutual engagement configuration C1 shown in Figure 4A.

Preferably, the reversible connection means 9 comprise elastic means 22 configured to bring the first and second members of the coupling 19 into the disengagement configuration C2. For example, the elastic means 22 can

comprise a spring arranged between the first and second members 19a, 19b of the coupling 19, shaped to push a member 19a away from, and therefore in disengagement, from the other member 19b.

With reference to Figure 3A, the reversible connection means 9 also comprise, in this embodiment, an electromagnet 23 for bringing, when operated, the first and second members 19a, 19b of the coupling 19 in the mutual engagement configuration C1 . This actuator 23 is preferably controlled by the control logic unit 16 (as shown symbolically in figures 1A, 1B and 2A).

In particular, in response to an actuation command from a user, and / or in response to an actuation command generated automatically by sensors or detectors of the hinge 1 or of the household appliance, the control logic unit 16 activates (i.e. energizes ) the electromagnet 23 which moves the second member 19b of the clutch 19 towards the mutual engagement configuration C1 shown in figure 4A. Once the mutual engagement configuration C1 has been reached, the control logic unit 16 commands the operation of the electric motor 10. In particular, in the embodiment of the invention shown here, the electric motor 10 is operated to rotate the screw 12 in one way or the opposite depending on the position reached by the door. This position can for example be detected with an encoder configured to detect the number of revolutions performed by the electric motor 10 or with known means for detecting the position of the door, or by means of microswitches activated automatically according to the position reached by the door itself, or even preferably by means 18 for absorbing the electric current of the motor 10 described above.

When the electric motor 10 is operated, the rotation of the drive shaft 10a, i.e. the relative torque, is transferred from the second member 19b to the first member 19a of the joint 19 and then to the screw 12 which translates the slider 11 to move the actuation arm 5 between the closing position P1 and the opening position P2 of the door.

Reached one of the aforementioned positions P1, P2, variously detected as above

indicated, the logic unit 16 controls the shutdown of the electric motor 10 and of the electromagnet 23. By means of the spring 22 arranged between the first and second members 19a, 19b of the coupling 19 (and possibly by means of a spring 22 provided on the electromagnet 23), the coupling 19 is brought into the disengagement configuration C2 in which the electric motor 10 and the screw 12 are decoupled.

In this configuration, the manual movement of the door by a user can be carried out without any effort, substantially as if the movement means 6 were absent.

This solution is also advantageous in the case of an absence of electric current occurring during the movement of the door by means of the handling means 6. In particular, if during the movement of the door by means of the electric motor 10 there is a lack of electric current, there is that the electromagnet 23 is no longer energized, the electric motor is inactive and the screw 12 stops. In this circumstance, the elastic force of the spring 22 moves the first member 19a away from the second member 19b of the clutch 19 bringing them into the disengagement configuration C2 and thus decoupling the electric motor 10 from the screw 12.

In this configuration, the door can for example be brought back towards the closing position P1 by means of an elastic contrast force acting on the operating arm 5. For example, the elastic contrast force can be provided by elastic contrast means (not shown in the figures) housed for example inside the door (or inside the mobile support 3) and acting on the first portion 5a of the operating arm 5.

With reference to Figures 1A, 1B and 2A, the elastic contrast means can be housed inside the housing 24 of the mobile support 3. In particular, the elastic contrast means can comprise a spring fixed to a stop 25 of the housing 24 and a stop 26 of the first portion 5a of the operating arm 5. The spring, acting by expansion, tends to bring the operating arm towards the closed position of the door, preferably when it

door reaches a certain opening angle (for example less than 45 °). To simplify the design of the hinge 1, the handling means 6 can advantageously comprise a connection bracket 27 configured to rotate the electric motor 10 to the appliance compartment. In particular, between the closed position P1 and the open position P2 of the door, the movement of the actuation arm 5 produces a rotation of the connection bracket 27 on which the electric motor 10 is fixed.

This rotation, in the case in which the movement means 6 include by way of example the screw 12 of the embodiment shown here, occurs both in the case in which the electric motor 10 is coupled to the screw 12 and in the case in which the electric motor 10 it is decoupled from it.

In particular, during the disengagement configuration C2 between the first and second members 19a, 19b of the coupling 19, the screw 12 can rotate freely following the translation of the slider 11 caused by the manual movement of the door. To further reduce friction, the screw 12 can preferably be supported by means of a ball bearing 28 (visible in figure 3B) arranged inside a casing 29 inside which the same screw 12 is housed. The slider 11 also comprises a tubular element 30 arranged inside the casing 29 coaxially with the screw 12. The rotation of the connecting bracket 27 allows the tubular element 30 of the slider 1 to be kept substantially coaxial with the screw 12, further reducing the '' friction and increasing the fluidity of the manual movement of the door when the electric motor is decoupled from the operating arm 5.

Finally, it should be noted that, although selective connection means 9 of the type comprising a coupling 19 have been described here, other selective connection means, for example acting directly on the electric motor 10, or on its components as in the cited case of a magnetic linear motor, a linear electric motor, or of any other type known in the art capable of interrupting or connecting together mechanical members responsible for transmitting motion, can be used without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

CLAIMS 1. Hinge (1) for connecting a door to a compartment of a household appliance, comprising a fixing bracket (2) adapted to be fixed to the compartment of said appliance, a movable support (3) for pivotally securing said door to said fixing bracket (2), an actuation arm (5) coupled to said fixing bracket (2), handling means (6) adapted to move said actuation arm (5), said actuation arm (5) comprising a first portion (5a) adapted to be constrained to said movable support (3), and / or to said door, and a second portion (5b) adapted to be coupled to said moving means (6 ) to move said operating arm (5) between an opening position (P2) of the door and a closing position (P1) of the door, and in which said handling means (6) comprise an electric motor (10), the hinge being characterized in that said handling means (6) also comprise reversible connection means (9) for selective coupling and uncoupling between said electric motor (10) and said second portion (5b) of the actuation arm (5), said electric motor (10) causing the movement of the actuation arm (5) and said reversible connection means (9) determine the coupling between said electric motor (10) and said second portion (5b) of the actuation arm (5), the movement of the actuation arm (5) occurs freely when said reversible connection means (9) determine the decoupling of said electric motor ( 10) by said actuating arm (5), in which said reversible connection means (9) comprise a coupling joint (19) provided with a first member (19a) constrained, indirectly te, to said actuating arm (5) and a second member (19b) constrained, directly or indirectly, to the drive shaft (10a) of said electric motor (10), said second member (19b) being movable with respect to said first member (19a) and / or vice versa between a configuration reciprocal engagement (C1) in which the rotation of the motor shaft (10a) of the electric motor (10) is transferred and transformed into at least partly translational motion to said actuation arm (5) and a disengagement configuration (C2) in which the actuation arm (5) is free to move independently from the rotation of the motor shaft (10a) of said electric motor (10). 2. Hinge (1) according to claim 1 wherein, said moving means (6) comprise a slider (11) moved linearly by means of said electric motor (10), said slider (11) being constrained to said second portion ( 5b) of the operating arm (5). 3. Hinge (1) according to claim 2, wherein said second portion (5b) of the actuating arm (5) is constrained to said slider (11) by means of a connecting lever (13) comprising at least one first end ( 13a) rotatably constrained to said fixing bracket (2), and at least a second end (13b) rotatably constrained to said slider (11), said second portion (5b) of said actuating arm (5) being constrained rotatably to an intermediate portion (13c) of said connecting lever (13) between said first end (13a) and said second end (13b) of said connecting lever (13). 4. Hinge (1) according to claim 3, wherein said second portion (5b) of the actuating arm (5) is rotatably constrained to said intermediate portion (13c) of said connecting lever (13) by means of a pin (14) slidably constrained along a guide (15) arranged in said intermediate portion (13c) of said connecting lever (13), said guide (15) being shaped to impose a certain law of motion on said actuating arm (5) along its path between said open position (P2) of the door and said closed position (P1) of the door. 5. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein said electric motor (10) is a magnetic linear motor. 6. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 4, wherein said movement means (6) comprise a reversible screw (12) able to be rotated by means of said electric motor (10), said slider (11) being coupled to said screw (12) so as to transform the rotation of the screw (12) into a translation of the slider (11), said reversible connection means (9) being configured for selective coupling and uncoupling between said electric motor (10) and said screw (12). 7. Hinge (1) according to claim 6, wherein said first member (19a) is constrained to said screw (12), said second member (19b) being constrained to the motor shaft (10a) of said electric motor (10 ), said second member (19b) being movable with respect to said first member (19a) and / or vice versa between said mutual engagement configuration (C1) in which the rotation of the motor shaft (10a) of the electric motor (10) is transferred to the screw (12) and said disengagement configuration (C2) in which the screw (12) is free to rotate independently from the rotation of the motor shaft (10a) of said electric motor (10). 8. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reversible connecting means (9) comprise elastic means (22) configured to carry said second member (19b) and / or said first member (19a) of said joint clutch (19) in said disengagement configuration (C2). 9. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said reversible connection means (9) comprise an electromagnet (23) for bringing said second member (19b) and / or said first member (19a) of said joint to graft (19) in said mutual engagement configuration (C1). 10. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in which, said reversible connection means (9) are configured to couple said electric motor (10) to said second portion (5b) of said actuation (5) in response to an actuation command from a user. 11. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said actuating arm (5) is subjected to an elastic contrast force capable of bringing said actuating arm (5) towards said closing position (P1) of the door . Hinge (1) according to claim 11, wherein said elastic contrast force is provided by elastic contrast means housed inside said door and acting directly or indirectly on said first portion (5a) of said operating arm ( 5). 13. Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said actuation arm (5) comprises a sliding surface (17) which slides against an idle roller (7) fixed to said fixing bracket ( 2) during at least part of its path between said opening position (P2) of the door and said closing position (P1) of the door, said sliding surface (17) comprising at least one cam profile (17a, 17b). Hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said moving means (6) comprise a connecting bracket (27) configured to rotatably fasten said electric motor (10) to the compartment of said household appliance. 15. Hinge (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means (18) for detecting the absorption of electric current of said electric motor (10). 16. Household appliance comprising at least one hinge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.