DOOR LOCK FOR A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING THE DOOR LOCK

Abstract

An appliance door lock includes a frame at a housing and a U-shaped latch for a clamp at a door, locking along an insertion direction. The latch, moving in a lock plane along insertion direction, includes a first guiding pin and linear first guide section parallel to insertion direction with a stop for the first guiding pin at a distal end along insertion direction, and a second guiding pin and second guide section curved >90° parallel to the lock plane and outwardly from insertion direction. A spring between frame and latch biases the latch in insertion direction. The latch includes a first tab gripping the clamp and second tab pushed by the clamp, by movement along insertion direction. The second guide section provides an arrest point for the second guiding pin at a petal end along insertion direction. A household laundry care or drying appliance includes the door lock.

Claims

1. A door lock, comprising: a frame configured to be fixed to a housing of a household appliance, said frame including a guide having a linear first guide section being parallel to an insertion direction, said linear first guide section including a stop point at a distal end defined by said insertion direction, and said frame including a curved second guide section being curved by more than 90° parallel to a lock plane and outwardly from said insertion direction, said second guide section having an arrest point at a petal end defined by said insertion direction; a U-shaped latch for cooperating with a clamp attached to a door pivotably connected to the housing for locking the door by inserting the clamp in said U-shaped latch along said insertion direction; said U-shaped latch being movable in said lock plane parallel to said insertion direction, said U-shaped latch including at least one first guiding pin slidable in said linear first guide section and being stopped by said stop point, and said U-shaped latch including at least one second guiding pin slidable in said curved second guide section and stopped at said arrest point; said U-shaped latch including a first tab configured for gripping the clamp by movement along said insertion direction, and a second tab configured for being pushed by the clamp by movement along said insertion direction; and a spring device attached between said frame and said U-shaped latch and biasing said U-shaped latch in said insertion direction.

2. The door lock according to claim 1, wherein said second guide section is curved by between 100° and 150°.

3. The door lock according to claim 2, wherein said second guide section is curved by approximately 120°.

4. The door lock according to claim 1, wherein said second guide section is open against said insertion direction.

5. The door lock according to claim 1, wherein said frame has at least one inner side being plane and parallel to said lock plane, and said U-shaped latch is placed adjacent to said at least one inner side.

6. The door lock according to claim 5, wherein said at least one inner side of said frame includes two mutually parallel inner sides, and said U-shaped latch is placed between said two mutually parallel inner sides of said frame.

7. The door lock according to claim 6, wherein: said frame includes a flat section and an outer side opposite to said inner side; said inner side is formed at said flat section; said guide is formed as a cut-out in said flat section; and said first guiding pin and said second guiding pin protrude through said guide and are exposed from said flat section at said outer side of said frame.

8. The door lock according to claim 7, which further comprises a lug fixed at said outer side of said frame, said spring device including a helical spring having holders respectively fastened to said lug and to said second guiding pin.

9. The door lock according to claim 1, wherein said first guide section and said second guide section are combined into a single structure for guiding both said first guiding pin and said second guiding pin.

10. The door lock according to claim 9, wherein said single structure is J-shaped.

11. The door lock according to claim 1, wherein: when said first guiding pin is located at or near said stop point, each of said first tab and said second tab extends substantially orthogonal to said insertion direction; and when said second guiding pin is located at or near said arrest point, each of said first tab and said second tab extends at an acute angle with said insertion direction, said acute angle opening backwards of said insertion direction, and said second tab being exposed by said first tab along said insertion direction.

12. The door lock according to claim 11, wherein said acute angle is between 45° and 60°.

13. The door lock according to claim 1, which further comprises a casing fixed to said frame and enclosing said frame.

14. A household appliance, comprising: a housing; a door pivotable around a door axis for closing said housing; a door locking device for locking said door, said door locking device including the door lock according to claim 1 being fixed to said housing; a clamp fixed to said door for cooperating with said door lock, said clamp including an eyelet configured for cooperating with said latch upon said door being opened by said eyelet pushing said second tab for moving said second guiding pin from said arrest point, and by said eyelet being gripped by said first tab for pulling said clamp along said insertion direction for said first guiding pin to reach said stop point and lock said door.

15. The household appliance according to claim 14, wherein said clamp is configured for cooperating with said latch upon said door being locked by said eyelet pulling said first tab against said insertion direction and moving said second guiding pin to said arrest point for opening said door.

16. The household appliance according to claim 15, wherein said clamp is movably fixed to said door for alignment with said insertion direction upon being inserted into said door lock.

17. The household appliance according to claim 14, wherein said door axis is orthogonal to said insertion direction.

18. The household appliance according to claim 14, wherein the household appliance is a laundry care machine.

19. The household appliance according to claim 18, wherein the laundry care machine is a laundry drying machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a household appliance including a door lock;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of a door lock;

[0033] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views showing cooperational states of a door lock and a clamp;

[0034] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of a door lock within a casing; and

[0035] FIGS. 8 and 9 are elevational views of an alternative embodiment of a door lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a household appliance 1 which is embodied as a laundry care machine 1, specifically as a laundry drying machine 1. The machine 1 includes a housing 2 having a circular access opening which is to be sealed by a door 3 pivotable around door axis 4. A clamp 5 having an eyelet 6 is attached to the door 3, with the clamp 5 provided for being inserted into a door lock 7 shown diagrammatically at the left of the access opening. A direction of insertion 12 of clamp 5 into door lock 7 is oriented orthogonally to the door axis 4, as shown in the figures subsequent to FIG. 1.

[0037] Function and applicability of household appliance 1 are not limited presently except by its suitability to have its door 3 locked by a door lock 7 as exhibited by the figures subsequent to FIG. 1. Of course, door lock 7 may be complemented by an electric switch or relay to be operated upon opening and/or closing door 3, or by an additional locking device preventing opening door 3 while household appliance 1 executes an operating process as provided for its regular use. Examples of such switch are a switch to terminate or suspend operation such as in a laundry dryer, or a switch enabling internal lighting in a refrigerator or freezer. Example of an additional locking device is such a locking device applied in a washing machine or washer-dryer for preventing opening while suds for washing or rinsing have been admitted into the appliance, and such locking device applied in an oven for preventing opening while a self-cleaning process such as pyrolysis treatment is operating in a kitchen oven.

[0038] FIG. 2 exhibits several components of the novel door lock 7 as disclosed herein, including a latch 11 having a first tab 13 and a second tab 14 for cooperating with clamp 5 as mentioned above according to explanations following hereinbelow, and having first guiding pins 15 and second guiding pins 16 which are guided in a guide 17 for moving and rotating latch 11 as detailed hereinbelow. Spring devices 22 including helical springs 23 and holders 24 are attached to the second guiding pins 16 for biasing latch 11 in the direction of insertion 12 specifically as detailed hereinbelow.

[0039] FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 exhibit cooperational states of door lock 7 and a clamp 5, with FIG. 3 showing the configuration in an open state of door lock 7 wherein door 3 is free to be swiveled around its door axis 4, FIG. 4 showing the same configuration in an intermediate state wherein clamp 5 is held by latch 11 to keep door 3 in a state near to being closed but being easily opened by a small force to be exerted by a user, and FIG. 5 showing the same configuration in a closed state wherein door 3 is closed with a considerable degree of security, and may be opened by a user by exerting a considerable but not so small force only.

[0040] According to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, door lock 7 has a frame 8 configured to be fixed to housing 2 of household appliance 1 (see also FIG. 1) and includes latch 11 for cooperating with clamp 5 attached to door 3, door 3 being pivotably connected to housing 2, and for locking door 3 by being inserted along an insertion direction 12. In FIGS. 3 to 5 door 3 is represented by a foot associated with clamp 5 and to be anchored in door 3 as commonly known. Clamp 5 may be movable in the foot to some extent, allowing for alignment to door lock 7. Latch 11 is movable in a lock plane parallel to the insertion direction 12 and includes at least one first guiding pin 15 slidable in a linear first guide section 18 of a guide 17 included in frame 8. First guide section 18 is parallel to insertion direction 12 and includes stop point 19 for first guiding pin 15 at a distal end defined by the insertion direction 12. The at least one second guiding pin 16 is slidable in curved second guide section 20 of guide 17, second guide section 20 curved parallel to the lock plane and outwardly from insertion direction 12. Spring devices 22 are attached between frame 8 and latch 11, and biasing latch 11 in the insertion direction 12.

[0041] Latch 11 is U-shaped and includes a first tab 13 configured for gripping clamp 5 by movement along insertion direction 12, and a second tab 14 configured for being pushed by clamp 5 by movement along insertion direction 12. Second guide section 20 is curved by more than 90° and provides an arrest point 21 for second guiding pin 16 at a petal end defined by insertion direction 12.

[0042] Second guide section 20 is curved by between 100° and 150° in general, and by about 120° in particular. Thereby arrest point 21 is defined by the curvature of second guide section 20.

[0043] First guide section 18 and second guide section 20 may be concatenated or combined to a guide 17 being a single structure for guiding both a respective first guiding pin 15 and a respective second guiding pin 16, such as in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Alternatively first guide section 18 and second guide section 20 may also be separate from each other, provided that the geometry of latch 11 with placement of first guiding pins 15 and second guide pin 16 allowing. As readily apparent from FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, guide 17 is a J-shaped single structure.

[0044] Frame 8 which represents a section of door lock 7 which is immobile with respect to housing 2 and provides fastening and guidance to the movable components of door lock 7 may be provided so as to have latch 11 placed adjacent to at least one inner side 9 of frame 8 which is plane and parallel to the lock plane, or even placed between two mutually parallel inner sides 9 of frame 8 so as to provide full lateral enclosure of latch 11 by frame 8. Inner side 9 is formed at a flat section of the frame 8, guide 17 is formed as a cut-out in the flat section. First guiding pin 15 and the second guiding pin 16 protrude through guide 17 and are exposed from the section at an outer side 10 opposite to the inner side 9.

[0045] Spring devices 22 present as a pair in door lock 7 includes a helical spring 23 having holders 24 fastened to a lug 25 fixed at outer side 10 and to second guiding pin 16, respectively. In the embodiments shown spring devices 22 include helical springs 23 which provide bias force by being expanded. Of course, it is also possible to include helical springs 23 which are to be compressed for providing bias force, or other types of springs, as alternatives.

[0046] As readily apparent from FIG. 5 showing door lock 7 and clamp 5 in a closed state, when first guiding pin 15 is located at or near stop point 19 each of first tab 13 and second tab 14 extends substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction 12.

[0047] As readily apparent from FIG. 3 showing door lock 7 and clamp 5 in an open state, when second guiding pin 16 is located at or near arrest point 21 each of first tab 13 and second tab 14 extends at an acute angle with insertion direction 12, the acute angle opening backwards of insertion direction 12, and second tab 14 being exposed by first tab 13 along insertion direction 12. This acute angle may be between 45° and 60°.

[0048] Integrated into household appliance 1 of FIG. 1 are housing 2, door 3 pivotable around door axis 4 for closing the housing 2, and a door locking device for locking door 3 including door lock 7 as detailed hereinabove and fixed to housing 2, and clamp 5 fixed to door 3 for cooperating with door lock 7. Clamp 5 including eyelet 6 is configured for cooperating with latch 11 in case of door 3 being opened as in FIG. 3 by pushing second tab 14 for moving second guiding pin 11 from the arrest point 21, and by being gripped by first tab 13 for pulling clamp 5 along insertion direction 12 for first guiding pin 15 to reach stop point 19 and locking door 3.

[0049] Clamp 5 is also configured for cooperating in case of door 3 being locked with latch 11 as in FIG. 5 by pulling first tab 13 against insertion direction 12 by eyelet 6 and moving second guiding pin 11 to arrest point 21 for opening door 3.

[0050] Clamp 5 may be movably fixed to door 3 for aligning to insertion direction 12 upon being inserted into door lock 7.

[0051] While it is preferred to connect door 3 to household appliance 1 by having door axis 4 orthogonal to insertion direction 12, this is not mandatory, but deviations to the orthogonal may be applied as appropriate in the individual case.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 the door lock 7 as described above may include a casing 26, with frame 8 enclosed by and fixed to casing 26. Casing 26 may provide an enclosure for the movable parts of door lock 7 and thus provide for protection against damage during manufacture, storing, transport and integration into a household appliance 1.

[0053] FIGS. 6 to 9 in general and FIGS. 8 and 9, in particular, exhibit a variant of door lock 7 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, wherein second guide section 20 is open against insertion direction 12. In this embodiment, advantage is taken of the biasing of latch 11 in the insertion direction 12 by spring devices 22, although the latter are not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Due to such a bias, second guiding pin 16 is forced against frame 8 as readily apparent from FIG. 8 that shows second guiding pin 16 to rest at arrest point 21. In this variant and as best seen in FIG. 6, arrest point 21 is not provided by and end of guide 17 but by an edge provided in casing 26 which is contacted by latch 11 in its open state. As apparent from FIG. 9, when arrived in first guide section 18 however, second guiding pin 16 receives pull by spring devices 22 along second guide section 18, thereby necessitating guidance by two sides in guide 17.

[0054] Door lock 7 of FIGS. 8 and 9 is also enclosed by casing 26, though casing 26 is shown only fragmentarily. Yet casing 26 includes an insertion opening 27 placed below latch 11 as seen along insertion direction 12, insertion opening 27 serving as a guiding and alignment device for clamp 5 to enter door lock 7.

[0055] Advantages of the novel door lock 7 include simplicity in construction and ease of manufacture attained by providing only one latch 11 for engaging clamp 5, and shaping latch 11 in hook-fashion, and clamp 5 cooperating with latch 11 by eyelet 6 for providing a solid and reliable grip between latch 11 and clamp 5. Simplicity of manufacture is also provided by having latch 11 move in a plane parallel to insertion direction 12, which lends itself to a particularly compact space-saving construction. Reliability of function is also attained by providing arrest point 21 for second guiding pin 16 which defines an open position for door lock 7 that is reliably stable over time.

[0056] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0057] 1 Household appliance [0058] 2 Housing [0059] 3 Door [0060] 4 Door axis [0061] 5 Clamp [0062] 6 Eyelet [0063] 7 Door lock [0064] 8 Frame [0065] 9 Inner side [0066] 10 Outer side [0067] 11 Latch [0068] 12 Insertion direction [0069] 13 First tab [0070] 14 Second tab [0071] 15 First guiding pin [0072] 16 Second guiding pin [0073] 17 Guide [0074] 18 First guide section [0075] 19 Stop point [0076] 20 Second guide section [0077] 21 Arrest point [0078] 22 Spring device [0079] 23 Helical spring [0080] 24 Holder [0081] 25 Lug [0082] 26 Casing [0083] 27 Insertion opening