A water-using household appliance includes an electrically controllable actuator, a first voltage source designed to provide a switch-on power amount to the actuator, a second voltage source designed to provide a holding power amount to the actuator, and a control unit designed to electrically connect the first voltage source to the actuator in order to switch on the actuator and, after a switch-on interval, to electrically disconnect the first voltage source from the actuator and to electrically connect the second voltage source to the actuator.

A latch module incorporated with an automatic opening function and a secure lock function includes a latch, a spring that applies a force to move the latch in a first direction, a drive to move the latch in a second direction, a cam that transmits power of the drive to the latch, and first and second switches that are turned on and off by the cam. The first and second switches are in a first mode in which the two switches are turned on and the latch is disposed at a manual lock position, a second mode in which the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off and the latch is disposed at an opening position, a third mode in which the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on and the latch is in a secure lock position.

A dish treating appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior with an access opening. A door is hingedly mounted to the cabinet for pivoting movement about a pivot axis between closed and opened positions to selectively close and open the access opening. A door opener includes a housing mounted to the cabinet and defining a pin opening facing the door. An opening pin is located within the housing and aligned with the pin opening. A lever is rotatably mounted to the housing to define a rotation axis and is selectively operably coupled to the opening pin. An actuator having a reciprocating shaft is connected to the lever.

The present disclosure discloses a door lock, comprising a cam having a notch, wherein the door hook is fixed in the cam when a door hook mounted on the door is inserted into the notch of the cam; driving means actuated by a push force from outside of the door, a pull force from outside of the door, a push from inside of the door, or by a control signal, wherein the driving means moves the cam from a locked position to an unlocked position.

An automated door assembly for a dishwasher appliance includes a door frame pivotally mounted to the cabinet. An extension arm is mounted to and extends away from the door frame at approximately 90 degrees. A motor is mounted to the cabinet and is coupled to a distal end of the extension arm by a cable. The motor is selectively rotated to wind and unwind the cable to move the door frame between the closed position and the open position. A latch assembly engages a striker mounted on the door frame to initiate the opening and closing process.

A door mechanism, for example for a domestic dishwasher, is disclosed, wherein the door mechanism includes a door latch for holding a door of the dishwasher closed in a closed position, and an electrically controllable door opener for the mechanized partial opening and subsequent closing of the door. The door opener includes coupling members, which can be brought into push- and pull-transmitting but releasable coupling engagement with one another, on the door and on an appliance main body of the dishwasher on which the door is movably mounted. The coupling members, when in coupling engagement, allow forces to be transmitted between the door and the appliance main body in a force transmission path which runs past the door latch. The pull strength of the coupling engagement of the coupling members can be variable in dependence on the position of the door.

The present disclosure relates to an auto-open door lock apparatus including a main body cover having a space therein, and a motor installed inside the main body cover to provide a driving force, the auto-open door lock apparatus comprising: a locker which is coupled to or separates from a hook that is introduced from the outside through rotation; a locker shaft having one end connected to the locker, and formed in the center of rotation of the locker; a clutch gear connected to the other end of the locker shaft to induce rotation of the locker; a locker spring connected to one side of the locker to provide a rotational restoring force to the locker; a rack slide which provides a rotational force of the motor to the locker through the clutch gear; and a pinion gear which transmits the rotational force of the motor to the rack slide.

A household appliance includes a housing, a door pivotably connected to the housing, a cable having one end connected to the door, a motor, and a cable drum onto which the cable can be unwound at least in partial and from which the cable can be unwound at least in part. The cable and the motor interact such that the door pivots when winding the cable onto the cable drum or when the cable unwinds from the cable drum.

A light sensor device is disclosed for installation in a heat-using domestic electrical appliance such as, for example, a washing machine or a dishwasher and permits the implementation of a touch-free operating function, for example an automatic door opening function. The light sensor device includes in some embodiments: a window element which is formed of light-permeable material and is arranged with space on a first window side for hand movements; a first light source arrangement arranged to radiate visible light into the window element; a second light source arrangement which is arranged to radiate infrared light through the window element from a second window side opposite the first window side; and a photodetector arrangement which is sensitive to infrared light of the second light source arrangement and is arranged on the second window side, for detecting infrared light which strikes the photodetector arrangement from the window element.

A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack in one or more positions. A release mechanism and/or a reset mechanism may be used to control the retracting cycle of the rack.