Dishwasher comprising a locking mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) wherein the stiffness level of the stress means (7) is provided to be kept at different values by means of the adjustment means (8) during the washing cycle, the locking mechanism (4) is provided to remain locked completely by adjusting the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by means of the adjustment means (8) depending on the requirement at the respective stage of the washing cycle, the stiffness level is adjusted to the lowest value before or after the washing process for easily opening the door (3) and the locking mechanism (4) is provided not to open easily in order to prevent escape of steam from inside the body (2) during the washing process by adjusting the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by means of the adjustment means (8).

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) providing access into the body (2) and which opens from the top downwards by rotating around a horizontal axis, and a locking mechanism (4), that provides the door (3) to be locked, the locking mechanism having a bolt (5), a housing (6) wherein the bolt (5) is seated when the door (3) is in the closed position and a stress means (7) that is connected to the bolt (5), an adjustment means exerting force on the stress means (8) to keep the stress means (7) at different stiffness levels by varying an amount of the force exerted on the stress means during a washing cycle.

2. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that provides the stiffness level of the stress means (7) to be decreased in stages wherein the locking mechanism (4) is desired to be opened easily during the washing cycle, and provides the stiffness level of the stress means (7) to be increased in stages wherein the locking mechanism (4) is desired not to be opened or to be opened with difficulty.

3. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the adjustment means (8) which is a mechanical system that can be adjusted manually by the user.

4. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by a sensor (13) that detects the user or the user's hand in its proximity and a control unit (14) that changes the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by actuating the adjustment means (8) depending on the data received from the sensor (13).

5. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the bolt (5) disposed on the body (2) and the housing (6) disposed on the door (3).

6. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the stress means (7), the stiffness level of which is changed more than once by means of the adjustment means (8) during the washing cycle.

7. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a first stiffness level (k1) in the stage of the washing cycle before the washing process is started and at a second stiffness level (k2), a higher value than the first stiffness level (k1), in the washing stage of the washing cycle.

8. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 7, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a third stiffness level (k3) that is at a lower value than the second stiffness level (k2) in the stage of the washing cycle after the washing process is completed.

9. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 8, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a fourth stiffness level (k4), that is the lowest stiffness level of the stress means (7), at the end of the washing process, in the stage after the rinsing step is completed.

10. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a fifth stiffness level (k5), that is the highest stiffness level the stress means (7) is kept, such that the locking mechanism (4) cannot be opened without damage when the door (3) is closed.

11. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 1, characterized by the adjustment means (8) having the plate-shaped stress means (7) and a rod (9) that exerts force on the stress means (7), a bearing (10) positioned so that the rod (9) moves therein and an actuator (11) that changes the position of the rod (9).

12. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 11, characterized by the stress means (7) and the rod (9) that are aligned with each other in the same direction such that the stress means (7) remains at least partially below the rod (9).

13. A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) providing access into the body (2) and which opens from the top downwards by rotating around a horizontal axis, and a locking mechanism (4), that provides the door (3) to be locked, having a bolt (5), a housing (6) wherein the bolt (5) is seated when the door (3) is in the closed position and a stress means (7) that is connected to the bolt (5), an adjustment means (8) to keep the stress means (7) at different stiffness levels during a washing cycle and characterized by the adjustment means (8) that provides the stiffness level of the stress means (7) to be decreased in stages wherein the locking mechanism (4) is desired to be opened easily during the washing cycle, and provides the stiffness level of the stress means (7) to be increased in stages wherein the locking mechanism (4) is desired not to be opened or to be opened with difficulty and characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a first stiffness level (k1) in the stage of the washing cycle before the washing process is started and at a second stiffness level (k2), a higher value than the first stiffness level (k1), in the washing stage of the washing cycle.

14. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 13, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a third stiffness level (k3) that is at a lower value than the second stiffness level (k2) in the stage of the washing cycle after the washing process is completed.

15. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 14, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a fourth stiffness level (k4), that is the lowest stiffness level of the stress means (7), at the end of the washing process, in the stage after the rinsing step is completed.

16. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 15, characterized by the adjustment means (8) that keeps the stress means (7) at a fifth stiffness level (k5), that is the highest stiffness level the stress means (7) is kept, such that the locking mechanism (4) cannot be opened without damage when the door (3) is closed.

17. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 16, characterized by the adjustment means (8) having the plate-shaped stress means (7) and a rod (9) that exerts force on the stress means (7), a bearing (10) positioned so that the rod (9) moves therein and an actuator (11) that changes the position of the rod (9).

18. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 17, characterized by the stress means (7) and the rod (9) that are aligned with each other in the same direction such that the stress means (7) remains at least partially below the rod (9).

19. A dishwasher (1) as in claim 18, characterized by the adjustment means (8) comprising a transmitter (12) that provides transmission of movement between the actuator (11) and the rod (9).

20. A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2), a door (3) providing access into the body (2) and which opens from the top downwards by rotating around a horizontal axis, and a locking mechanism (4), that provides the door (3) to be locked, having a bolt (5), a housing (6) wherein the bolt (5) is seated when the door (3) is in the closed position and a stress means (7) that is connected to the bolt (5), an adjustment means (8) to keep the stress means (7) at different stiffness levels during a washing cycle and characterized by the adjustment means (8) having the plate-shaped stress means (7) and a rod (9) that exerts force on the stress means (7), a bearing (10) positioned so that the rod (9) moves therein and an actuator (11) that changes the position of the rod (9) and characterized by the stress means (7) and the rod (9) that are aligned with each other in the same direction such that the stress means (7) remains at least partially below the rod (9) and characterized by the adjustment means (8) comprising a transmitter (12) that provides transmission of movement between the actuator (11) and the rod (9).

Description

(1) The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

(2) FIG. 1is the schematic isometric view of a dishwasher.

(3) FIG. 2is the sideways schematic view of a dishwasher.

(4) The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

(5) 1. Dishwasher

(6) 2. Body

(7) 3. Door

(8) 4. Locking mechanism

(9) 5. Bolt

(10) 6. Housing

(11) 7. Stress means

(12) 8. Adjustment means

(13) 9. Rod

(14) 10. Bearing

(15) 11. Actuator

(16) 12. Transmitter

(17) 13. Sensor

(18) 14. Control unit

(19) The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2), a door (3) providing access into the body (2) and which opens from the top downwards by rotating around the horizontal axis and a locking mechanism (4) that provides the door (3) to be locked.

(20) The locking mechanism (4) comprises a bolt (5), a housing (6) wherein the bolt (5) is seated when the door (3) is in the closed position and a stress means (7) that is connected to the bolt (5).

(21) In the dishwasher (1), the process that starts with loading the items to be washed into the dishwasher (1) before the washing process is started, that includes the washing process and that is completed with the unloading of the washed items from the dishwasher (1) after the washing process is named as a washing cycle.

(22) The dishwasher (1) comprises an adjustment means (8) that provides the stress means (7) to be kept at different stiffness levels by changing the stiffness level during a single washing cycle. By means of the adjustment means (8), the stiffness level of the stress means (7) is decreased in stages wherein the locking mechanism (4) is desired to be opened easily during the washing cycle. Accordingly, the door (3) is provided to be opened easily. In stages wherein the locking mechanism (4) is not desired to be opened or to be opened with difficulty, the stiffness level of the stress means (7) is increased by the adjustment means (8). Consequently, the door (3) is provided to be opened with difficulty or not to be opened.

(23) In an embodiment of the present invention, in the dishwasher (1), in the stage of the washing cycle before the washing process is started, the stress means (7) is kept at a first stiffness level (k1) by means of the adjustment means (8). In the first stiffness level (k1), an amount of stress is exerted on the bolt (5) by the stress means (7) at a level wherein the locking mechanism (4) can function actively when the door (3) is closed. The bolt (5) is subject to an amount of stress that does not allow it to be dislodged from the housing (6) when the door (3) is closed. However, the user exerts a low level force for dislodging the bolt (5) from the housing (6) or for seating the bolt (5) in the housing (6). In the washing stage of the washing cycle, the stress means (7) is kept at a second stiffness level (k2) by means of the adjustment means (8). The second stiffness level (k2) is a value that is higher than the first stiffness level (k1). Thus, the pressure exerted on the bolt (5) by the stress means (7) increases during the washing process, and the dislodging of the bolt (5) from the housing (6) and opening/closing of the door (3) become difficult. Opening/closing of the door (3) is made difficult during the washing process in order to withstand the pressure exerted by the heat and steam forming inside the body (2).

(24) In a derivative of this embodiment, in the dishwasher (1), in the stage of the washing cycle after the washing process is completed, the stress means (7) is kept at a third stiffness level (k3) by means of the adjustment means (8). The third stiffness level (k3) is a value that is lower than the second stiffness level (k2). Thus, the pressure exerted on the bolt (5) by the stress means (7) decreases at the end of the washing process, and the dislodging of the bolt (5) from the housing (6) and opening/closing of the door (3) are facilitated. Consequently, the user exerts a low level force for dislodging the bolt (5) from the housing (6) or for seating the bolt (5) in the housing (6).

(25) In a derivative of this embodiment, in the dishwasher (1), in the stage of the washing cycle after the rinsing step is completed at the end of the washing process, the stress means (7) is kept at a fourth stiffness level (k4) by means of the adjustment means (8). The fourth stiffness level (k4) is the lowest stiffness level of the stress means (7). In this stage, the door (3) is opened ajar in order to discharge the steam inside the body (2) to the outside by a door opening mechanism (not shown in the figures). Thus, the effectiveness of the rinsing step is increased by discharging the steam inside the body (2). Consequently, the door opening mechanism exerts a low level force for dislodging the bolt (5) from the housing (6).

(26) In a derivative of this embodiment, the stress means (7) is kept at a fifth stiffness level (k5) by means of the adjustment means (8). The fifth stiffness level (k5) is the highest stiffness level whereat the stress means (7) is kept. In the fifth stiffness level (k5), an amount of stress is exerted on the bolt (5) by the stress means (7) at a level whereat the locking mechanism (4) cannot be opened without damage when the door (3) is closed. The bolt (5) is subject to an amount of stress that does not allow it to be dislodged from the housing (6) when the door (3) is tried to be opened while closed. In this stage, uncontrollable access of particularly the children into the body (2) is prevented. When the door (3) is desired to be opened, the stiffness level of the stress means (7) is decreased by means of the adjustment means (8).

(27) In another embodiment of the present invention, the stress means (7) is configured as a plate.

(28) In a derivative of this embodiment, the adjustment means (8) comprises a rod (9) that exerts force on the stress means (7), a bearing (10) positioned so that the rod (9) moves therein and an actuator (11) that changes the position of the rod (9). The stress means (7) and the rod (9) are aligned with each other in the same direction such that the stress means (7) remains at least partially below the rod (9). The point whereon pressure is exerted on the stress means (7) with the linear movement of the rod (9) that is moved by the actuator (11), changes and respectively the stiffness level of the stress means (7) changes.

(29) In a derivative of this embodiment, the adjustment means (8) comprises a transmitter (12) that provides transmission of movement between the actuator (11) and the rod (9). The actuator (11) can be an electric motor or a thermal pusher.

(30) In another embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment means (8) is a mechanical system that can be adjusted manually by the user.

(31) In another embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a sensor (13) that detects the user or the user's hand in its proximity and a control unit (14) that changes the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by actuating the adjustment means (8) depending on the data received from the sensor (13).

(32) In another embodiment of the present invention, the bolt (5) is disposed on the body (2) and the housing (6) on the door (3).

(33) In another embodiment of the present invention, in the dishwasher (1), the stiffness level of the stress means (7) is changed more than once by means of the adjustment means (8) during the washing cycle.

(34) In the dishwasher (1) of the present invention, the stiffness level of the stress means (7) is provided to be kept at different values by means of the adjustment means (8) during the washing cycle. Depending on the requirement at the respective stage of the washing cycle, when the childproof-lock is activated, the locking mechanism (4) is provided to remain completely locked by adjusting the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by means of the adjustment means (8), the stiffness level is adjusted to the lowest value before or after the washing process for easily opening the door (3), the locking mechanism (4) is provided not to open easily in order to prevent steam escape from inside the body (2) during the washing process by adjusting the stiffness level of the stress means (7) by means of the adjustment means (8).

(35) It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.