Patent Application
20160348919
The present invention relates to a door opening system for a domestic appliance. For example, said domestic appliance may be a cooking oven, a dishwasher or a washing machine.
In known domestic appliances, the door is hinged and pivoting around an either vertical or horizontal axis. If the door is pivoting around the vertical axis, then the domestic appliance does not contain any balancing mechanism against the force of gravity. However, if the door is pivoting around the horizontal axis, in particular at the lower end of said door, then usually the domestic appliance comprises the balancing mechanism against the force of gravity.
At the door hinged around the horizontal axis at the lower end of said door, a door hinge typically provides a closing force that compresses a door gasket in a closed state of the door. In contrast, at the door hinged around the vertical axis, a door latch typically compresses the door gasket in the closed state of the door.
Further, some known domestic appliances include safety locking and unlocking devices for doors. For example, safety locking devices for doors of pyrolytic ovens, programmable child-proof locks for oven doors and safety locks for washing machines comprise hook mechanisms for locking the door, when said door should not be opened by a user or child in a potentially harmful period of an operation cycle. The safety locking and unlocking devices are usually controlled automatically to disengage and set free the door, when a save situation for opening the door occurs.
Moreover, some domestic appliances, such as tumble dryers, comprise a hook mechanism for engaging and blocking the door, wherein the hook may be disengaged from the door by a mechanical actuator pressed by the user. Typically, the doors of such domestic appliances do not contain any door handle.
A usual pyrolytic door lock system keeps the door closed during the pyrolytic cleaning cycle. The lock mechanism comprises an electric motor, a solenoid or a wax motor for moving a mechanical slider. Said mechanical slider can push a hook into a position, in which said hook engages with the door. The hook is disengaged from the door, when the slider is moved back by the electric motor, solenoid or wax motor, respectively, and the hook is pushed back into a passive position. However, the closing and opening of the door lock system by the above motors requires a relative long time, e.g. about two to five seconds.
EP 0 632 180 B1 discloses a door opening system for a domestic appliance. Said door opening system comprises a pair of door hinges and a hook mechanism. The door is pivoting around a horizontal axis at the lower end of said door. Thus, the pair of door hinges is arranged at the lower end of said door. The substantial components of the door hinges are placed inside the door. In the closed state of the door said components are arrange vertically inside the door. A small spring 30 pushes a cam 32 and a surface 8″ with a vertical force. Thus, a rapid start of a door rotation from the closed state to the opened state is not possible. Further, the small spring 30 must be very strong. Moreover, the positions of the rotation axes 5 and 25 contribute that the fast start of the door rotation is not possible. The hook mechanism is arranged at an upper end of the door. The hook 21 is engageable with the door frame covered by the door. The opening of the door is caused by releasing the hook mechanism.
In order to open the door the user has to push onto a button 21′ in an upper front portion of said door. By pushing the button 21′ the hook 21 is lifted from its locking position, so that the door may be opened by a roller 31 stressed by the small spring 30. However, at the same time the user pushes also the upper end portion of the door into its closed position, when pushing said button 21′. Thus, the actual opening of the door depends on a sufficient inertia of the hook 21 and/or on a sufficiently short operation of the button 21′. Moreover, the hook mechanism is manually operated, while an electric operation is not possible.
Such electric operation would require wiring and power supply to the door. At last, the door hinges and the hook mechanism have complex structures.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a door opening system for a domestic appliance, which allows a simple opening and closing of the door by low complexity.
The object of the present invention is achieved by the door opening system according to claim 1.
The door opening system for a domestic appliance according to claim 1 includes at least one pivoting door, wherein
The main idea of the present invention is that the substantial components of the door hinge are placed in the support structure of the domestic appliance, but not in the door. The stationary hinge part 18 is arranged horizontally and the first and second spring elements generate horizontal forces. The second spring element allows a horizontal opening force and a very low spring force, so that the start of the rotation of the door is very fast. Further, the arrangement of the door hinge allows that the pivoting axis is close to the domestic appliance and therefore the door may be rotated very fast.
A roller may be arranged at one end of the second spring element, which end comes into contact with the door or a part being in rigid connection to said door.
Preferably, the door opening system comprises a pair of door hinges having a common pivoting axis.
In particular, the hook mechanism and the hook element are arranged at a chassis of the domestic appliance, while the recess is formed in the door. Alternatively, the hook mechanism and the hook element may be arranged at the door, while the recess may be formed at the chassis of the domestic appliance.
Moreover, the hook mechanism may include a hook spring element pushing the hook element into that position, in which the recess is arranged, if the door is in the closed state. The hook spring element supports the snap-in mechanism of the hook element and the recess.
For example, in the partially opened state of the door an opening angle between the door and a front frame of the domestic appliance is between 10° and 30°, preferably about 20°.
Further, in the completely opened state of the door the opening angle between the door and the front frame of the domestic appliance may be between 80° and 90°, preferably about 85°.
Additionally, the door hinge may include a friction element between a stationary hinge part and a pivoting hinge part of said door hinge, wherein said friction element effects a stop of the door at a predetermined opening angle. When the hook element is released from the recess, then the door is automatically opened and stopped at the predetermined opening angle.
Preferably, the friction element is made of plastics.
Further, the first spring element may keep the door balanced against the force of gravity within the outer opening angular range of said door.
Alternatively or additionally, the first spring element may keep the door balanced against the force of the second spring element within the outer opening angular range of said door.
Preferably, the door is kept closed by the hook element engaged with the recess.
In particular, the door is kept closed only by the hook element engaged with the recess and without any force of the first spring element and second spring element.
For example, the door is pivoting around a horizontal axis.
Furthermore, the door may be pivoting around a vertical axis.
At last the present invention relates to a domestic appliance including at least one door, wherein the domestic appliance comprises a door opening system mentioned above.
Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.
The present invention will be described in further details with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which
The door opening system of the domestic appliance 10 includes a door hinge 14 and a hook mechanism 16. The door hinge 14 forms the pivoting connection between the lower portions of the domestic appliance 10 and the door 12. The hook mechanism 16 forms a snap-in connection between the upper portions of the domestic appliance 10 and the door 12. The hook mechanism 16 is arranged in the domestic appliance 10.
The door hinge 14 includes a stationary hinge part 18 and a pivoting hinge part 20. The pivoting hinge part 20 forms a hinge arm. The pivoting hinge part 20 is rotatably connected to the stationary hinge part 18 at a first pivoting axis 21. Further, the pivoting hinge part 20 is rotatably connected to a first rod 23 at a second pivoting axis 27. The stationary hinge part 18 is arranged in and/or at the domestic appliance 10, while the pivoting hinge part 20 is arranged in and/or at the door 12. Further, the door hinge 14 includes a first spring element 22 and a second spring element 24. In this example, the first spring element 22 and the second spring element 24 are helix compression springs.
The hook mechanism 16 includes a hook element 26. The hook element 26 is pivoting at the hook mechanism 16. The hook element 26 is engageable with a recess 28 formed at and/or in the door 12. In this example, the recess 28 is formed in an upper circumferential side of the door 12. When the hook element 26 is engaged with the recess 28, then the door 12 is locked. The hook mechanism 16 can be triggered mechanically or electromechanically in order to disengage the hook element 26 from the recess 28 and to set free the door 12. Thus, the hook mechanism 16 may be controlled manually by the user or automatically. For example, the hook element 26 may be disengaged from the recess 28 by pressing a button. If the hook element 26 is visible, then the door 12 can be manually opened. Further, the hook element 26 may be disengaged from the recess 28 electromechanically, e.g. by an electric motor, a solenoid or a wax motor.
In particular, the hook mechanism 16 provides a safety lock of the door 12 in potentially dangerous situations. For example, during a pyrolytic cleaning cycle in an oven the door 12 must be locked as a precaution. Further, the door 12 of an oven may provide programmable child safety locks. Moreover, the door 12 of a washing machine may provide a safety lock. In general, the hook mechanism 16 of the inventive door opening system allows an opening of the door 12 of the domestic appliance 10 in any situations, in which the door 12 shall be opened, by operating a control element. The operation of said control element disengages the hook element 26 from the recess 28. The door 12 does not require a handle.
The door hinge 14 provides an unbalanced movement of the door 12 within an inner opening angular range of said door 12. In contrast, the door hinge 14 provides a balanced movement of the door 12 within an outer opening angular range of said door 12.
The inner opening angular range of the door 12 extends from the closed state to a partially opened state of said door 12. The outer opening angular range of the door 12 extends from the partially opened state to the completely opened state of said door 12. The door hinge 14 may be provided for a door 12 hinged around a horizontal axis as well as a vertical axis.
Within the inner opening angular range the movement of the door 12 is unbalanced against the force of gravity and/or the force of the second spring element 24 pushes said door 12 open. In contrast, within the outer opening angular range the movement of the door 12 is at least substantially balanced to equilibrium against the force of gravity and/or against the force of the spring element pushing said door 12 open. Thus, the door hinge 14 allows a rapid movement of the door 12 within the inner opening angular range, after the door 12 has been released by the hook mechanism 16. Afterwards, within the outer opening angular range, the movement of the door 12 is delayed by the balancing force of the door hinge 14 by means of the first spring element 22.
The substantial components of the door hinge 14 are placed in the support structure of the domestic appliance 10, but not in the door 12. Thus, the stationary hinge part 18, the first spring element 22 and the second spring element 24 are arranged horizontally. The second spring element 24 allows a horizontal opening force and a very low spring force. The start of the rotation of the door 12 is very fast. Furthermore, such positioning of the door hinge 14 allows advantageous positions of the first pivoting axis 21 and second pivoting axis 27, which are close to the domestic appliance 10 and therefore the door 12 may be rotated very fast.
The second spring element 24 provides an opening force for the door 12. Said opening force pushes the door 12 into the partially opened state. In order to open the door 12 by a low spring force, a hinge part profile being in contact to a hinge roller is designed in such a way that the second spring element 24 does not provide any closing force, when the door 12 is in the closed state. The door 12 is kept closed only by the hook mechanism 16.
The first spring element 22 mediates the partially opened state of the door 12. Further, the first spring element 22 keeps the door 12 balanced within the outer opening angular range of said door 12. Moreover, the first spring element 22 defines the opening angle of the door 12.
The pivoting hinge part 20 includes a cam 25. A slidable stem 31 with a roller at its end is connected to the second spring element 24. The second spring element 24 provides the opening force for the door 12. Said opening force pushes the door 12 into the partially opened state. The arrangement of the second spring element 24, the slidable stem 31 with the roller and the cam 25 allows the horizontal opening force and the very low spring force, wherein the start of the rotation of the door 12 is very fast.
Alternatively, the door hinge 14 may include a single spring element instead of the first spring element 22 and second spring element 24. In this case, said single spring element provides the opening force within the inner opening angular range and the balancing force within the outer opening angular range.
Furthermore, if the door 12 shall be stopped at an exact opening angle, for example the opening angle 34 of the partially open state, then a friction element may be arranged between the stationary hinge part 18 and the pivoting hinge part 20. For example, the friction element is made of plastics.
The hook mechanism 16 includes the hook element 26. Said hook element 26 is engaged or engageable with the recess 28 formed at the door 12. Further, the hook mechanism 16 includes a hook spring element 36. Said hook spring element 36 effects that the hook element 26 is pushed downwards in the example of
The hook mechanism 16 of the door opening system may be controlled manually by the user or automatically. For example, the hook element 26 is disengaged from the recess 28 by pressing a button. If the hook element 26 is visible, then the door 12 can be manually opened. Further, the hook element 26 may be disengaged from the recess 28 electromechanically, e.g. by an electric motor, a solenoid or a wax motor.
Further, the pivoting hinge part 20 includes the cam 25. The slidable stem 31 with the roller at its end is connected to the second spring element 24. The second spring element 24 provides the opening force for the door 12. Said opening force pushes the door 12 into the partially opened state. The second spring element 24 pushes the slidable stem 31 with the roller at its end against the cam 25 of the pivoting hinge part 20. The second spring element 24 with the slidable stem 31 and the roller pushes the pivoting hinge part 20 with the cam 25 into the partially opened position, until the second spring element 24 being uncompressed. When the door 12 is closed, then the pivoting hinge part 20 with the cam 25 pre-compresses the second spring element 24. In
The first rod 23 is arranged within the stationary hinge part 18. A second rod 29 is serially connected to the first rod 23. The first rod 23 and the second rod 29 extend along a substantially horizontal direction. The first spring element 22 encloses the second rod 29. In
Due to the partially opened state of the door 12, the first rod 23 and the second rod 29 are pulled by the pivoting hinge part 20, so that the first spring element 22 is in a precompressed state. The precompressed state of the first spring element 22 keeps the door 12 balanced within the outer opening angular range of said door 12. In said outer opening angular range the opening angle of the door 12 is bigger that in the partially opened state.
The door opening system according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the door hinge 14 requires only one spring element, i.e. the first spring element 22. The second spring element 24 is formed as a separate part in the second embodiment. In
Further, a pestle 33 is arranged at that end of the second spring element 24, which may come into contact with the door 12 or the flange, respectively. Preferably, the pestle 33 is made of plastics.
The hook element 26 is engaged with the recess 28, so that the door 12 is locked. In
One application of the door opening system is a pyrolytic door lock system. Said pyrolytic door lock system guarantees that the door 12 is kept closed during the pyrolytic cleaning cycle. The door 12 can be closed manually by the user. Then, the hook element 26 engages with the recess 28 automatically by the force of the hook spring element 36. The time for locking the door 12 is less than 0.2 seconds.
Another application of the door opening system is a child lock system, which prevents the opening of the door 12, when a force acts onto the door 12 along the opening direction.
The door opening system according to the present invention allows the domestic appliance 10 may include a door 12 without any door handle. The door opening system allows a very fast opening of the door 12. The door 12 can be opened manually by lifting the hook element 26 by the user or automatically by operating a press button or touch sensor for actuating the hook element 26. The door hinge 14 or door hinges 14 may be realized by low complexity. The door 12 can be stopped at each angle within the outer opening angular range. Any additional damping elements are not required.
Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14163413.9 | Apr 2014 | EP | regional |
| 15151627.5 | Jan 2015 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2015/055215 | 3/12/2015 | WO | 00 |
