Domestic electrical appliance

Abstract

A domestic electrical appliance includes an appliance main body having an access opening to a usable chamber formed inside the appliance main body, and a door which is movably mounted on the appliance main body and which in an open position frees the access opening and in a closed position closes the access opening, a door latch for holding the door closed in the closed position, and a door opener, structurally separate from the door latch, for opening the closed door. The door opener includes a first coupling structure displaceably arranged on one of the appliance main body and the door, an electrically controllable drive unit for driving the first coupling structure, and a second coupling structure arranged on the other of the appliance main body and the door. The first and second coupling structure are configured for push- and pull-transmitting but releasable coupling engagement with one another.

Claims

1. A domestic electrical appliance, comprising an appliance main body having an access opening to a usable chamber formed inside the appliance main body; a door which is movably mounted on the appliance main body and which in an open position frees the access opening and in a closed position closes the access opening; a door latch for holding the door closed in the closed position; and a door opener for opening the closed door, wherein the door opener includes a first coupling structure displaceably arranged on one of the appliance main body and the door, an electrically controllable drive unit for driving the first coupling structure, and a second coupling structure arranged on the other of the appliance main body and the door, wherein the first and second coupling structure are configured for push- and pull-transmitting, releasable coupling engagement with one another.

2. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the door opener is configured to transfer, by driving of the first coupling structure, from a first opener state in which the door is in the closed position and the first coupling structure is in coupling engagement with the second coupling second opener state in which the door is slightly open and the coupling engagement between the first and second coupling structure is maintained, wherein the door opener, after being transferred from the first opener state into the second opener state, is configured to return, by driving of the first coupling structure, back into the first opener state while maintaining the coupling engagement between the first and second coupling structure.

3. The domestic appliance according to claim 2, wherein a transfer, effected by driving of the first coupling structure, of the door opener from the first into the second opener state separates a force-based connection between the appliance main body and the door via the door latch, wherein a return movement, effected by driving of the first coupling structure, of the door opener from the second into the first opener state, while maintaining the coupling engagement between the first and second coupling structure, re-establishes the force-based connection between the appliance main body and the door via the door latch.

4. The domestic appliance according to claim 2, wherein in the second opener state the coupling engagement between the first and second coupling structures is configured to be released by a user pulling on the door.

5. The domestic appliance according to claim 4, wherein in the first opener state the coupling engagement between the first and second coupling structures is configured to be released by a user pulling on the door.

6. The domestic appliance according to claim 2, comprising a sensor system for detecting q separation of the coupling engagement in the second opener state, wherein the drive unit is controlled in such a manner that, in dependence on the detection of a separation of the coupling engagement in the second opener state, the first coupling structure is moved back in the direction towards a position that the first coupling structure occupies in the first opener state.

7. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second coupling structures are able to be brought into push- and pull-transmitting coupling engagement solely by being moved towards one another, and the coupling engagement is configured to be released solely by moving the first and the second coupling structures away from one another.

8. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second coupling structures are configured to be brought into push- and pull-transmitting coupling engagement by being moved towards one another and overcoming a coupling resistance based on spring action, and the coupling engagement is configured to be released by moving the first and the second coupling structures away from one another and overcoming a coupling holding force based on spring action.

9. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second coupling structures forms a coupling head and the other of the first and second coupling structures forms two coupling arms which are configured to be resiliently deflected away from one another out of a rest position, wherein coupling engagement is configured to be established by relative introduction of the coupling head between the coupling arms.

10. The domestic appliance according to claim 9, wherein the coupling arms are formed by the clasp legs of a spring clasp formed in one piece.

11. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the coupling engagement comprises a magnetic force-based connection between the first and the second coupling structure.

12. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling structure is resiliently mounted on the other of the appliance main body and the door.

13. The domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the door is mounted on the appliance main body so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, and at least one of the first and the second coupling structure provides one of articulation and bending flexibility in a pivot plane orthogonal to the pivot axis.

14. The domestic appliance according to claim 2, comprising a control unit configured to control the drive unit such that, on transfer of the door opener from the second opener state into the first opener state while maintaining the coupling engagement between the first and second coupling structures, the first coupling structure is driven according to a movement profile which comprises at least one of a temporary movement stop and a temporary reversal of the movement direction after the second opener state has been left and before the first opener state is reached.

15. The domestic appliance according to claim 14, wherein the location of the movement stop or/and the location of the reversal of the movement direction along the drive path of the first coupling structure are predefined.

16. The domestic appliance according to claim 14, wherein the control unit is adapted, during the transfer of the door opener from the second opener state into the first opener state, to perform a monitoring function for the door opener and to effect at least one of a temporary movement stop and a temporary reversal of the movement direction of the first coupling structure depending on the detection by the monitoring function of the fulfilment of a given condition.

17. The domestic appliance according to claim 16, wherein the drive unit comprises an electric drive motor and the monitoring function comprises monitoring the power consumption of the drive motor.

18. A domestic electrical appliance comprising: an appliance main body having an access opening to a usable chamber formed inside the appliance main body; a door which is movably mounted on the appliance main body and which in an open position frees the access opening and in a closed position closes the access opening; a door latch for holding the door closed in the closed position; and a door opener for opening the closed door, wherein the door opener comprises on one of the appliance main body and the door a displaceably arranged push-transmitting member and an electrically controllable drive unit for driving the push-transmitting member, wherein the door opener has on the other of the appliance main body and the door a contact structure for push-transmitting cooperation with the push-transmitting member, wherein the contact structure is resiliently mounted on the other of the appliance main body and the door.

19. A domestic electrical appliance comprising: an appliance main body having an access opening to a usable chamber formed inside the appliance main body; a door which is mounted on the appliance main body so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis and which in an open position frees the access opening and in a closed position closes the access opening; a door latch for holding the door closed in the closed position; and a door opener for opening the closed door, wherein the door opener comprises on one of the appliance main body and the door a displaceably arranged push-transmitting member and an electrically controllable drive unit for driving the push-transmitting member, wherein the door opener has on the other of the appliance main body and the door a contact structure for push-transmitting cooperation with the push-transmitting member, wherein at least one of the push-transmitting member and the contact structure provide one of articulation and bending flexibility in a pivot plane orthogonal to the pivot axis.

20. A domestic electrical appliance comprising: an appliance main body having an access opening to a usable chamber formed inside the appliance main body; a door which is movably mounted on the appliance main body and which in an open position frees the access opening and in a closed position closes the access opening; a door opener for opening the closed door, wherein the door opener comprises an opener member displaceably arranged on one of the appliance main body and the door, and an electrically controllable drive unit for driving the opener member, wherein the door opener is configured to transfer, by driving of the opener member, from a first opener state in which the door is in the closed position into a second opener state in which the door is partially open, and, after transferring into the second opener state, to return into the first opener state by driving of the opener component; and a control unit configured to control the drive unit to drive, on transfer of the door opener from the second opener state into the first opener state, the opener member according to a movement profile which comprises at least one of a temporary movement stop and a temporary reversal of the movement direction after the second opener state has been left and before the first opener state is reached.

21. The domestic appliance according to claim 20, comprising a door latch for holding the closed door closed, wherein a transfer, effected by driving of the opener component, of the door opener from the first into the second opener state leaves a force-based connection between the appliance main body and the door via the door latch unaffected.

Description

[0029] The invention will be explained further hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a domestic washing machine of the front-loader type,

[0031] FIG. 2a is a view laterally from the front of the front side of a front-loader washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment with the machine door half open,

[0032] FIG. 2b shows the washing machine of FIG. 2a, again with the machine door half open, looking laterally from the rear, wherein a lateral casing of a machine body of the washing machine has been omitted,

[0033] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a motor-driven opener module of the washing machine of FIGS. 2a, 2b, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0034] FIG. 3b shows the opener module of FIG. 3a in another perspective view, wherein a gear housing of a reduction gear of the opener module has been omitted in part,

[0035] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a coupling unit of the washing machine of FIGS. 2a, 2b which cooperates with the opener module of FIGS. 3a, 3b, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0036] FIG. 4b is a section through the coupling unit of FIG. 4a,

[0037] FIG. 5 is a sectional view which shows the cooperation of the opener module of FIGS. 3a, 3b with the coupling unit of FIGS. 4a, 4b, in order to position the door of the washing machine of FIGS. 2a, 2b in a slightly open position,

[0038] FIG. 6a shows, in perspective, an opener module according to a further exemplary embodiment in a retracted state of a coupling head of the opener module,

[0039] FIG. 6b shows the opener module of FIG. 6a in an advanced state of the coupling head,

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a detail of a door of a dishwasher having a coupling unit, fitted into the door, for cooperation with the opener module of FIGS. 6a, 6b, according to an exemplary embodiment,

[0041] FIG. 8 shows the coupling engagement between the coupling head of the opener module of FIGS. 6a, 6b and the coupling unit of FIG. 7 in a slightly open position of the door.

[0042] Reference will first be made to FIG. 1. The washing machine, designated generally 10, shown therein in highly schematic form has a machine body (appliance main body) 12 in which there is formed a washing chamber, not shown in greater detail in FIG. 1, for receiving laundry to be cleaned. The washing chamber can be formed in a manner known per se in a washing drum which is rotatably accommodated in a liquor container which is accommodated in the interior of a body housing 14 which forms the visible outside surface of the machine body 12. In a front wall 16 of the machine body 12 there is formed an access opening 18 to the washing chamber. A door 20, which is typically in the form of a bullseye door, is mounted on the machine body 12 so as to be pivotable about a vertical pivot axis and allows the access opening 18 to be closed. The access opening 18 is only adumbrated by a broken line in FIG. 1, since it is concealed by the door 20, which is shown as being closed. Although not shown in greater detail in FIG. 1, it is conventional in washing machines of the type shown in FIG. 1 that a bead-like door seal is mounted on the front wall 16 around the access opening 18, which seal is compressed on closing of the door 20 and thereby seals the washing chamber with respect to the outside against the leakage of water when the door 20 is closed.

[0043] In order to hold the door 20 closed after it has been brought into a closed position in which the access opening 18 is closed, the washing machine 10 is equipped with a door latch 22. The door latch 22 is of the pull latch type, for example, which allows a user to open the closed door 20 simply by pulling on the door. In some embodiments, the user must thereby pull on the door 20 with a force that is sufficiently great to overcome a holding-closed force of the door latch 22. The holding-closed force of the door latch 22 is based, for example, on at least one closing spring (not shown in greater detail), which relaxes on closing of the door 20 and must be tensioned (to a greater extent) again in order to open the door latch 22. The relaxing of the closing spring on closing of the door 20 has an effect of pulling the door 20 shut, by means of which the door 20 is pulled more closely towards the machine body 12 against the resistance of the mentioned door seal. Such pull latches are also referred to as push-pull latches.

[0044] Structurally separate from the door latch 22, the washing machine 10 comprises an electrically controlled door opener 24, which provides a function for automatic opening of the door 20. Automatic here means that the user does not himself have to pull or push the door 20 with his own hand. Activation of the door opener 24 can take place under the control of a program; it is also conceivable that the user can activate the door opener 24 as required by pushing an operating button. The door opener 24 is formed of components which are separate from the components of the door latch 22. In FIG. 1, the door latch 22 and the door opener 24 are shown in close proximity to one another, wherein they are arranged substantially diametrically opposite a hinge point at which there is located a pivot hinge (not shown in greater detail) of the door 20, by means of which the door 20 is mounted on the machine body 12. Such an arrangement pattern of the door latch 22 and of the door opener 24 is of course purely by way of example and is not limiting. An example of an alternative position for the door opener 24 is shown in FIG. 1 at 24′, in which position the door opener is arranged angularly offset with respect to the door latch 22 by approximately a quarter circle.

[0045] The door opener 24 is electrically controlled by a control unit, shown at 26, of the washing machine 10. For example, at the end of an operating run of the washing machine 10, the control unit 26 controls the door opener 24, under the control of a program, to open the door 20 slightly in order that moisture or hot steam can escape from the washing chamber and the laundry in the washing chamber does not become musty. The size of the gap by which the door opener 24 opens the door 20 is defined and specified by the programming of the control unit 26. The door opener 24 can establish its own bidirectional force-based connection, which is independent of the door latch 22, between the door 20 and the machine body 12. It not only allows the door 20 to be opened, starting from its closed position, to a defined slightly open position, but also allows the door 20 actively to be returned from the slightly open position into the closed position without the user having to push against the door for that purpose. The door opener 24 is thus capable of closing the door 20 again automatically, after it has previously opened the door 20 and brought it into the slightly open position. In the slightly open position, the force-based connection between the door 20 and the machine body 12 via the door latch 22 is separated; in other words, the door latch 22 is open. On opening of the door 20, the door opener 24 must overcome a certain holding force (holding-closed force) of the door latch 22, which attempts to hold the door 20 closed. Also when the door 20 is subsequently pulled shut from the slightly open position, the door opener 24 must overcome a certain resistance (closing resistance) which the door latch 22 opposes to an attempt to close the door 20. On closing of the door 20 effected by means of the door opener 24, the door latch 22 is closed again and the force-based connection between the door 20 and the machine body 12 via the door latch 22 is re-established.

[0046] FIGS. 2a to 5 show a first concrete exemplary embodiment, wherein the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 have been used for identical components. Unless indicated otherwise hereinbelow, reference is made to the above remarks relating to FIG. 1.

[0047] Reference will first be made to FIGS. 2a and 2b. The door latch 22 of FIG. 1 is composed, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b, of a latch assembly 28 mounted on the machine body 12 and a closing stirrup 32 which is arranged on the rear side of the door 20 facing the body, laterally outside a bullseye window 30. The latch assembly 28 forms an entry mouth 34 which the closing stirrup 32 enters on closing of the door 20. The closing stirrup 32 has a stirrup web 36 which, on closing of the door 20, is gripped by a gripper, not shown in greater detail here, contained in the latch assembly 28. For example, the door latch formed by the latch assembly 28 and the closing stirrup 32 can be configured as is shown and described in DE 198 37 248 A1. The content of this DE specification is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0048] The door opener 24 of FIG. 1 is composed in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a, 2b of an opener module 38 mounted on the machine body 12 and a coupling unit 40 mounted on the door 20. The opener module 38 comprises a coupling head 42 which forms a first coupling structure, or an opener component, within the meaning of the present disclosure and which is movable forwards and backwards in a linear direction, wherein in the example shown the direction of movement of the coupling head 42 is substantially perpendicular to the wall plane of the front wall 16. The coupling unit 40 is configured to enter into coupling engagement with the coupling head 42 such that pushing forces and pulling forces can be transmitted between the coupling head 42 and the coupling unit 40. The possibility of bidirectional force transmission between the coupling head 42 and the coupling unit 40 makes it possible for the door opener 24 not only to open the door but also to pull it shut again. The coupling head 42 can therefore also be referred to as a push-transmitting body with a pull-transmitting function.

[0049] The coupling engagement between the coupling head 42 and the coupling unit 40 is established in that the coupling head 42 enters an entry opening 44 of the coupling unit 40 and comes into engagement with a coupling clasp which is contained in the coupling unit 40 and will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. The displaceability of the coupling head 42 comprises to and fro movability at least between a first head position and a second head position. The first head position corresponds, provided that coupling engagement between the coupling head 42 and the coupling unit 40 has been established, to the closed position of the door 20 (first opener state). The second head position corresponds, again provided that the coupling head 42 and the coupling unit 40 are in coupling engagement, to the mentioned slightly open position of the door 20 (second opener state). In each of the first and second head position, the coupling engagement between the coupling head 42 and the coupling unit 40 can be released by the user at any time if the user pulls on the door 20 in the opening direction. The coupling head 42 thereby slides out of the clasp of the mentioned coupling clasp. For releasing the coupling engagement, the user must overcome a certain holding force (coupling holding force) of the door opener 24; this coupling holding force is based on a spring action of the coupling clasp. Conversely, in each of the first and second head position, coupling engagement between the coupling head 42 and the coupling unit 40 can be established by the user at any time if the user moves the door 20 in the closing direction until the coupling head 42 slides into the coupling unit 40 and is clasped by the coupling clasp. For coupling the coupling head 42 with the coupling unit 40, a certain resistance (coupling resistance) is to be overcome by the user; the coupling resistance is also based on the spring action of the mentioned coupling clasp.

[0050] The second head position is a position in which the coupling head 42—from the point of view of a user standing in front of the washing machine 10—is advanced further forwards than in the first head position. In some embodiments, the coupling head 42 can protrude from the front wall 16 of the machine body 12 at least in the second head position and in some circumstances also in the first head position, as is shown in FIG. 2a. In some embodiments, the coupling head 42 can be retracted further beyond the first head position into a third head position, in which it is possible to close the door 20 fully without the coupling head 42 at the same time entering into coupling engagement with the coupling unit 40. In such embodiments, the signal of an electric door switch (which serves as a detection means for recognising the closed state of the door 20) contained in the door latch 22 can cause the control unit 26 to activate the door opener 24 in order to move the coupling head 42 forwards out of the third head position into the first head position. In such embodiments, if the user wishes to close the door 20 he has to overcome only the closing resistance of the door latch 22 but not the coupling resistance of the door opener 24.

[0051] The opener module 38 is shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b. It comprises an electric motor 46 serving as a drive unit, a reduction gear 48 and the coupling head 42, which is formed at a rod end of a rod body 52 that meshes with a drive pinion 50 of the reduction gear 48. The opener module 38 is a component which is able to be preassembled and is able to be fastened as such to the machine body 12.

[0052] Reference will now additionally be made to FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5. The coupling unit 40 comprises a coupling clasp 54 which forms a second coupling structure within the meaning of the present disclosure and in the example shown forms two clasp arms (spring legs) 56 which are resiliently deflectable away from one another and are connected together via a web region 58. The coupling clasp 54 is a one-piece component which can be produced from a metal material or alternatively from a plastics material. On establishment of coupling engagement, the coupling head 42 is urged between the free ends of the clasp arms 56 and pushes them apart against a restoring spring force generated by the coupling clasp 54, until finally the coupling head 42 has slipped so far into the coupling clasp 54 that the clasp arms 56 engage around the coupling head 42 on both sides and with their free arm ends engage with a snap action into a neck region 58 (FIG. 3a) of tapered cross section, formed behind the coupling head 42, of the rod body 52. FIG. 5 shows the situation of coupling engagement between the coupling head 42 and the coupling clasp 54. The door 20 is thereby in the slightly open position.

[0053] The coupling unit 40 has a clasp housing 60 which forms the entry opening 44 and in which there is movably accommodated a clasp carrier 62, which in the example shown is cup-like. The clasp carrier 62 is biased into an end position by a spring element 64, here a helical compression spring, which is likewise accommodated in the clasp housing 60. From this end position, the clasp carrier 62 is able to be displaced, against the action of the spring element 64, into a displaced position situated deeper in the clasp housing 60. The coupling clasp 54, which forms a contact structure for the coupling head 42 within the meaning of the present disclosure, is in turn held on the clasp carrier 62; for example, it is for this purpose inserted with its clasp arms 56 through a base piece of the clasp carrier 62. Owing to the resilient mounting of the clasp carrier 62, the coupling clasp 54 is able to be displaced backwards in a resilient manner if, for example, the user attempts to slam the door 20 shut with great force. This reduces impacts on the reduction gear 48 and the electric motor 46 of the opener module 38. The clasp housing 60 is formed with suitable mounting structures which allow the coupling unit 40 to be fastened, in particular without screws, to a frame 66 of the door 20 which extends around the bullseye window 30 (FIG. 2b). In the example shown, these mounting structures comprise a plurality of snap-in tongues 68 (FIG. 4a) for the insertion of the coupling unit 40 with a snap action into a seat, not shown in greater detail, formed in the frame 66, for the coupling unit 40.

[0054] The configuration of the coupling engagement in which the clasp arms 56 engage around the coupling head 42 on both sides and project into the neck region 58 not only allows the door 20 to be pushed open by means of the coupling head 42, but also allows the door 20 subsequently to be pulled shut again. The spring force of the coupling clasp 54 is sufficiently strong that, when the door 20 is pulled shut, the closing resistance of the door latch 22 and also the compression resistance of the door seal can be overcome without the coupling head 42 slipping out from between the clasp arms 56 and losing coupling engagement with the coupling clasp 54.

[0055] It must be expected that, in the slightly open position of the door 20, a user or a child who is playing will intentionally or accidentally put a finger or their whole hand into the gap between the door 20 and the machine body 12. If the control unit 26 activates the door opener 24 in this situation in order to close the door 20 again, without the user or child noticing, painful hand injuries may result. Therefore, the control unit 26 can be so programmed that the return of the coupling head 42 from the relatively advanced second head position into the relatively retracted first head position on closing of the door 20 does not take place in a single, continuous movement stroke in the same movement direction, but the coupling head 42 inserts at least once a temporary movement stop or/and performs at least once a temporary reversal of the movement direction, before the coupling head 42 reaches the first head position.

[0056] For example, the coupling head 42—without changing the movement direction—can insert a brief stop one or more times at positions in which the gap that remains between the door 20 and the machine body 12 is still sufficiently large to avoid finger injuries but it is ensured that the user or the child is startled and quickly pulls his hand out of the gap.

[0057] The stop position(s) can be predefined and always stopped at on closing of the door 20, regardless of whether there is an object (e.g. finger) in the gap or not. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the control unit 26 monitors the power consumption of the electric motor 46 on closing of the door 20. An increase in the power consumption can indicate the presence of an object in the gap, which prevents the door 20 from closing completely. As soon as the control unit 26 detects a significant increase in the power consumption, it can temporarily stop the movement of the coupling head 42 from the second head position in the direction towards the first head position in order to give the opportunity for the obstruction to be removed.

[0058] Alternatively or in addition to a temporary movement stop, the control unit 26 can effect a temporary reversal of the movement direction of the coupling head 42 on closing of the door 20, either by default or under the condition that an obstruction situation is detected, for example on the basis of the power consumption of the electric motor 46. For example, a possible movement pattern can be such that the closing process begins with a movement of the coupling head 42 in the closing direction, whereby, however, after a portion of the movement distance until the first head position is reached, the coupling head 42 reverses (optionally accompanied by a short movement stop) and moves a short distance back in the direction towards the second head position again or even as far as the second head position. This is to give the opportunity for the fingers to be pulled out of the gap between the door 20 and the machine body 12. The coupling head 42 then moves in the closing direction again, whereby it either moves to the first head position directly or, before doing so, again performs a temporary movement stop at the same or a different stop position or/and a temporary reversal of the movement direction at the same or a different reversal position.

[0059] The exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7 and 8 relates, as a further concrete exemplary embodiment, to a door opener for automatically opening the door of a domestic dishwasher. Components which are the same or have the same effect are thereby provided with the same reference numerals as in the preceding figures, but with the addition of a lowercase letter. Reference is again made to the preceding remarks, unless indicated otherwise hereinbelow.

[0060] The opener module 38a, shown in perspective in FIGS. 6a, 6b, of the door opener 24a is configured for magnetic coupling with the coupling unit 40a arranged on the door 20a. To this end, the coupling head 42a of the opener module 38a is equipped with a permanent magnet 70a which is able to enter into magnetic force-based connection with a metal body 72, manufactured, for example, from iron material, of the coupling unit 40a. The magnetic force-based connection allows pulling forces to be transmitted between the coupling head 42a and the coupling unit 40a, so that, starting from the situation according to FIG. 8, the door 20a can be pulled from the slightly open position according to FIG. 8 into the fully closed position (closed position) by pulling the coupling head 42a back into the opener module 38a. The magnetic force-based connection between the permanent magnet 70a and the metal body 72a is thereby sufficiently strong to compress a door seal (not shown in greater detail) which acts between the door 20a and a dishwashing container (likewise not shown) of the dishwasher and, when the door 20a is closed, seals a dishwashing chamber formed in the dishwashing container with respect to the outside. The magnetic force-based connection is additionally sufficiently strong to overcome, when the door 20a is pulled shut, a closing resistance which is exerted by a closing spring arrangement of a door latch (not shown in greater detail) which is structurally separate from the door opener 24a.

[0061] The door 20a is—as is conventional in domestic dishwashers—mounted on the mentioned dishwashing container so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 74a shown schematically in FIG. 8. The pivot axis 74a generally extends horizontally and is located in a region of the dishwashing container close to the floor, so that the door 20a can be pivoted downwards from a substantially vertical position, in which the door 20a is closed, in the forwards direction (from the point of view of a user standing in front of the dishwasher) into a substantially horizontal position in which the user has the greatest possible access to the dishwashing chamber. Owing to this pivotable mounting of the door 20a, the coupling unit 40a moves with the metal body 72a along a circular path on opening and closing of the door 20a. In order not to impair the quality of the magnetic force-based connection between the permanent magnet 70a and the metal body 72a, the coupling head 42a in the example shown is pivotably held on the rod body 52a via a pivot hinge 76a. The coupling head 42a is thus able to perform pivoting movements relative to the rod body 52a in the pivot plane of the door 20a and thereby follow the curved path of the coupling unit 40a.

[0062] It will be appreciated that, in a modified embodiment, the coupling unit 40a can contain the permanent magnet 70a and the metal body 72a can be contained in the coupling head 42a.

[0063] FIG. 6a shows the coupling head 42a in its first (retracted) head position. The coupling head 42a occupies this position when the door 20a is in its closed position. In this situation there can already be mechanical stop contact between the coupling head 42a and the coupling unit 40a. Alternatively, it can be that, when the door 20a is closed and the coupling head 42a is in the first head position, there is still no physical contact between the coupling head 42a and the coupling unit 40a. In the latter case, such physical contact, which allows pushing forces to be transmitted from the coupling head 42a to the door 20a and thus allows the door to be opened, is established only when the coupling head 42a is moved forwards out of the first head position according to FIG. 6a in the direction towards the second head position according to FIG. 6b.

[0064] The door opener 24a additionally includes a sensor 78a which is suitably configured and positioned to recognise whether, with the coupling head 42a deployed (that is to say in the second head position corresponding to FIG. 6b), the door 20a is still in the slightly open position according to FIG. 8 or has already been opened further by the user. If the user has already opened the door fully, the coupling head 42a can be moved back into the opener module 38a. This reduces the risk of the user bumping into the protruding coupling head 42a and thereby possibly injuring himself. It also reduces possible risks of damage to the opener module 38a. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 6a to 8, the sensor 78a is in the form of a Hall sensor, for example, which responds to the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 70a fitted into the coupling head 42a. The sensor 78a is mounted on a printed circuit board 80a which, as part of the coupling unit 40a, is fitted into the door 20a. From the printed circuit board 80a, a sensor signal generated by the sensor 78a is sent to a control unit (not shown in greater detail), which controls the operation of the opener module 38a in dependence on the sensor signal. Such a control unit can be arranged in the door 20a in the case of the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 6a to 8. It will be appreciated that, as an alternative, a control unit for the opener module 38a can be fitted in the mentioned dishwashing container.