Arrangement of a drive device on a door for an appliance, particularly for a cooling and/or refrigerating appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement of a drive device on a door that can be arranged such that it is pivotable on a housing of an appliance, particularly a cooling and/or refrigerating appliance, in which the drive device designed to pivot the door in relation to the housing is mounted on the door, said drive device comprising: a hinge comprising at least one first hinge part attached to the door and at least one second hinge part which is attached to the housing; at least one drive motor; at least one transmission element which is coupled to the hinge in an at least indirectly articulated manner and can be at least indirectly driven by means of the drive motor; and a coupling device that can switch between at least one coupling state in which the transmission element is coupled to the drive motor and at least one uncoupling state.

Claims

1. An arrangement of a drive device on a door capable of being pivotably arranged on a housing of an appliance, in which the drive device formed for pivoting the door in relation to the housing is retained on the door, the arrangement comprising: a hinge, which comprises at least one first hinge part attached to the door and at least one second hinge part attachable to the housing and coupled to the first hinge part in an articulated manner; at least one drive motor; at least one transmission element at least indirectly coupled to the hinge in an articulated manner, which is at least indirectly drivable by the drive motor for pivoting the hinge parts in relation to each other and thereby is rectilinearly movable in relation to the door to thereby pivot the door in relation to the housing; and a coupling device, which is switchable between at least one coupling state, in which the transmission element is coupled to the drive motor, and at least one uncoupling state, in which the transmission element is uncoupled from the drive motor; wherein the coupling device comprises at least one coupling actuator provided in addition to the drive motor and at least one coupling element, which is movable between at least one coupling position effecting the coupling state and at least one uncoupling position effecting the uncoupling state in relation to the door by the coupling actuator.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a first coupling element is movable in relation to a second coupling element of the coupling device by the coupling actuator cooperating with the corresponding second coupling element in a form-fit manner in the coupling position such that the transmission element is coupled to the drive motor at least in a form-fit manner in the coupling state.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the threaded nut comprises at least two nut elements forming at least respective parts of the internal thread and movable in relation to each other, wherein at least one of the nut elements is formed as the first coupling element and the threaded rod is formed as the second coupling element.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transmission element is formed as a threaded nut, which comprises an internal thread as a first thread, wherein the drive device includes a threaded spindle corresponding to the threaded nut, which comprises an external thread corresponding to the internal thread as a second thread and is drivable by the drive motor and thereby rotatable around a rotational axis in relation to the door and in relation to the threaded nut, whereby the threaded nut is rectilinearly movable along the threaded spindle with form-fit cooperation of the threads.

5. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein at least one angle sensor is provided, by which respective rotational positions of the threaded spindle can be captured, and/or that at least one linear sensor is provided, by which respective linear positions of the threaded nut along the threaded spindle can be captured.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening aid, which comprises at least one opening element, which is movable, into supporting abutment on the housing in relation to the door and the housing, to thereby repel the door from the housing and thereby pivot it from a closed position to an open position.

7. The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the opening element is rotationally fixedly connected to the drive motor, wherein the drive motor and the opening element are rotatable in relation to the door and rotate in a rotational direction in relation to the door upon pivoting the door to the open position to be effected by the torque provided by the drive motor, such that the opening element comes into supporting abutment on the housing, whereupon the torque provided by the drive motor can be supported on the housing via the opening element to thereby pivot the door to the open position by the torque.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, further comprising: at least one stop provided on the door, wherein the drive motor and the opening element rotate further in the rotational direction in relation to the door upon further providing the torque occurring after pivoting the door to the open position effected by the torque such that the opening element and/or the drive motor come into supporting abutment on the stop, whereupon the torque provided by the drive motor can be supported on the stop, to thereby further open the door starting from the open position by the torque.

9. The arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the opening element is formed as a cam.

10. An arrangement of a drive device on a door capable of being pivotably arranged on a housing of an appliance, in which the drive device formed for pivoting the door in relation to the housing is retained on the door, the arrangement comprising: a hinge, which comprises at least one first hinge part attached to the door and at least one second hinge part attachable to the housing and coupled to the first hinge part in an articulated manner; at least one drive motor, by which at least one torque for pivoting the door can be provided; at least one transmission element at least indirectly coupled to the hinge in an articulated manner, which is drivable by the torque provided by the drive motor for pivoting the hinge parts in relation to each other and thereby rectilinearly movable in relation to the door to thereby pivot the door in relation to the housing; and an opening aid, which comprises at least one opening element, which is pivotable into supporting abutment on the housing in relation to the door and the housing to thereby repel the door from the housing and thereby pivot it from a closed position to an open position; wherein the opening element is rotationally fixedly connected to the drive motor, wherein the drive motor and the opening element are rotatable in relation to the door and rotate in a rotational direction in relation to the door upon pivoting the door to the open position to be effected by the torque provided by the drive motor, such that the opening element comes into supporting abutment on the housing, whereupon the torque provided by the drive motor can be supported on the housing via the opening element to thereby pivot the door to the open position by the torque.

11. The arrangement according to claim 10, further comprising: at least one stop provided on the door, wherein the drive motor and the opening element rotate further in the rotational direction in relation to the door upon further providing the torque occurring after pivoting the door to the open position effected by the torque such that the opening element and/or the drive motor come into supporting abutment on the stop, whereupon the torque provided by the drive motor can be supported on the stop, to thereby further open the door starting from the open position by the torque.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the opening element is formed as a cam.

13. An arrangement of a drive device on a door capable of being pivotably arranged on a housing of an appliance, in which the drive device formed for pivoting the door in relation to the housing is retained on the door, the arrangement comprising: a hinge, which comprises at least one first hinge part attached to the door and at least one second hinge part attachable to the housing and coupled to the first hinge part in an articulated manner; at least one drive motor; and at least one transmission element at least indirectly coupled to the hinge in an articulated manner, which is at least indirectly drivable by the drive motor for pivoting the hinge parts in relation to each other and thereby rectilinearly movable in relation to the door to thereby pivot the door in relation to the housing, wherein the transmission element is formed as a threaded nut, which comprises an internal thread as a first thread; and the drive device includes a threaded spindle corresponding to the threaded nut, which comprises an external thread corresponding to the internal thread as a second thread and is drivable by the drive motor and thereby rotatable around a rotational axis in relation to the door and in relation to the threaded nut, whereby the threaded nut is rectilinearly movable along the threaded spindle with form-fit cooperation of the threads.

14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein at least one angle sensor is provided, by which respective rotational positions of the threaded spindle can be captured.

15. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein at least one linear sensor is provided, by which respective linear positions of the threaded nut along the threaded spindle can be captured.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings show in:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of an appliance in particular formed as a cooling and/or refrigerating appliance with at least one arrangement according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 a schematic top view of the arrangement according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 a schematic top view of the arrangement according to a second embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 partially a schematic top view of the arrangement according to a third embodiment;

(6) FIG. 5 partially a further schematic top view of the arrangement according to the third embodiment;

(7) FIG. 6 partially a schematic top view of the arrangement according to a fourth embodiment;

(8) FIG. 7 partially a further schematic top view of the arrangement according to the fourth embodiment;

(9) FIG. 8 partially a schematic top view of the arrangement according to a fifth embodiment;

(10) FIG. 9 partially a further schematic top view of the arrangement according to the fifth embodiment;

(11) FIG. 10 partially a schematic top view of the arrangement according to a sixth embodiment;

(12) FIG. 11 partially a further schematic top view of the arrangement according to the sixth embodiment;

(13) FIG. 12 partially a schematic top view of the arrangement according to a seventh embodiment;

(14) FIG. 13 partially a further schematic top view of the arrangement according to the seventh embodiment;

(15) FIG. 14 partially a schematic front view of the arrangement according to an eighth embodiment;

(16) FIG. 15 partially a further schematic front view of the arrangement according to the eighth embodiment;

(17) FIG. 16 partially a schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to a ninth embodiment;

(18) FIG. 17 partially a further schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to the ninth embodiment;

(19) FIG. 18 partially a further schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to the ninth embodiment; and

(20) FIG. 19 partially a further schematic perspective view of the arrangement according to the ninth embodiment.

(21) In the Figs., identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(22) FIG. 1 shows an appliance 10 in a schematic perspective view, which is in particular formed as an electrical or electronic appliance. In particular, the appliance 10 is formed as a cooling and/or refrigerating appliance, which is also referred to as refrigerator and/or freezer. The appliance 10 includes a housing 12, by which at least one cavity 14 is formed. The cavity 14 is also referred to as trough, space or receiving space and is a cooling and/or refrigerating space in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, in which objects and/or food can be arranged and cooled and/or frozen.

(23) The appliance 10 also includes a door 16, which is a constituent of an arrangement overall denoted by 18. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the door 16 is retained on the housing 12 in articulated and thus pivotable manner, in particular via hinges 20 and 22, such that the door 16 can be pivoted in relation to the housing 12. The door 16 is for example pivotable in relation to the housing 12 between a closed position and an open position O shown in FIG. 1, wherein the open position O and the closed position are for example respective final positions or final postures such that the door 16 can be pivoted in relation to the housing 12 into the final postures, but not beyond the final postures, in its state pivotably retained on the housing 12. In particular, the door 16 can be pivoted into respective intermediate positions located between the open position O and the closed position, wherein the respective intermediate position is for example a respective further or second open position. In the intermediate position, the door 16 is further closed with respect to the open position O, but further opened with respect to the closed position. In the open position O or in the respective closed position, the door 16 uncovers at least a partial area of the cavity 14. In the closed position, the door 16 at least predominantly, in particular completely, covers and closes the partial area or the cavity 14.

(24) As will be explained in more detail in the following, at least the hinge 22 is for example a constituent of the arrangement 18. In the arrangement 18—as is particularly well recognizable from FIG. 2—a drive device 24 is retained on the door 16 such that the drive device 24 is pivotable with the door 16 in relation to the housing 12. Therein, the drive device 24 is formed for pivoting the door 16 in relation to the housing 12. In other words, the door 16 can be pivoted in relation to the housing 12 by means of the drive device 24, in particular by motor and therein preferably by electric motor. In particular, the door 16 can be moved or pivoted from the closed position into the open position O and/or from the open position O into the closed position in relation to the housing 12 by means of the drive device 24, wherein the door 16 comes into the respective intermediate positions on its way from the closed position into the open position O and from the open position O into the closed position, respectively. Thus, the door 16 can also be moved and therein pivoted into the respective intermediate position in relation to the housing 12 by means of the drive device 24.

(25) FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the arrangement 18, wherein the hinge 22 is formed as a single-joint hinge in the first embodiment. It is apparent from FIG. 2, that the drive device 24 includes at least the hinge 22. The hinge 22 comprises at least one first hinge part 26 attached to the door 16 and a second hinge part 28, which is attachable or attached to the housing 12. Therein, the hinge parts 26 and 28 are connected to each other in articulated manner. Since the hinge 22 is formed as a single-joint hinge in the first embodiment, exactly one joint 30 of the hinge 22 is provided. In other words, the hinge 22 includes exactly one joint 30, by means of which or via which the hinge parts 26 and 28 are connected to each other in articulated manner. The joint 30 forms a pivot axis, around which the hinge parts 26 and 28 are pivotable in relation to each other. Therein, the hinge parts 26 and 28 are pivoted in relation to each other around the pivot axis when the door 16 is opened or closed, that is pivoted in relation to the housing 12.

(26) The drive device 24 further includes a drive motor 32, which is for example formed as an electric motor. Thus, the drive motor 32 for example includes a stator and a rotor, which is rotatable around a rotational axis in relation to the stator. Therein, the rotor is drivable by the stator and thereby rotatable around the rotational axis in relation to the stator. The drive motor 32 can provide at least one torque via the rotor, by means of which the door 16 can be pivoted in relation to the housing 12. The stator and the rotor are for example received in a housing 34 of the drive motor 32, wherein the rotor is rotatable around the rotational axis in relation to the housing 34. In particular, the rotor includes a shaft 36, which is also referred to as driven shaft of the drive motor 32. The drive motor 32 can provide the previously mentioned torque for pivoting the door 16 via the driven shaft.

(27) The drive device 24 further includes at least one transmission element at least indirectly coupled to the hinge 22, in particular to the housing-side hinge part 28, in articulated manner, which is formed as a threaded nut 38. The transmission element (threaded nut 38) is drivable for pivoting the hinge parts 26 and 28 in relation to each other and thus for pivoting the door 16 in relation to the housing 12 by means of the drive motor 32, in particular by means of the torque provided by the drive motor 32, and thereby rectilinearly or linearly movable in relation to the door 16 to thereby pivot the door 16 in relation to the housing 12. Therein, the threaded nut 38 comprises a first thread in the form of an internal thread 40. Furthermore, the drive device 24 includes a threaded spindle 42 corresponding to the threaded nut 38, which comprises a second thread in the form of an external thread 44 corresponding to the internal thread 40. The threaded spindle 42 is drivable by means of the drive motor 32 and thereby rotatable around the rotational axis denoted by 46 in FIG. 2 in relation to the door 16 and in relation to the threaded nut 38, whereby the threaded nut 38 is movable rectilinearly along the threaded spindle 42 and in relation to it with form-fit cooperation of the threads. In other words, the threaded spindle 42 is rotated around the rotational axis 46 in relation to the door 16 by means of the drive motor 32, while the threaded nut 38 is for example at least indirectly, in particular directly, supported on the door 16 against a rotation in relation to the door 16 resulting from the rotation of the threaded spindle 42 and is thereby secured, and while the threads engage with each other and thus cooperate in form-fit manner, thus the threads convert the relative rotation between the threaded spindle 42 and the threaded nut 38 into a translational relative movement between the threaded nut 38 and the threaded spindle 42 such that the threaded nut 38 rectilinearly or linearly moves along the threaded spindle 42 and therein in relation to it within the scope of the translational relative movement. Since the threaded nut 38 is therein coupled to the hinge part 28 in articulated manner, a relative movement between the hinge parts 26 and 28 around the mentioned pivot axis is effected by the movement of the threaded nut 38 along the threaded spindle 42, whereby the door 16 is pivoted in relation to the housing 12. The articulated coupling of the threaded nut 38 to the hinge part 28 is realized by at least one connecting lever 48 in the first embodiment, which is coupled to the hinge part 28 in articulated manner on the one hand, in particular at one end, and coupled to the threaded nut 38 in articulated manner on the other hand, in particular at the other end.

(28) In FIG. 2, an arrow 50 illustrates a pivot movement referred to as door opening movement, within the scope of which the door 16 is moved from the closed position into the open position O by means of the drive motor 32 in the described manner. Therein, the closed position is denoted by S in FIG. 2. It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the drive device 24 moreover comprises a coupling device 52, the construction and function of which are explained in more detail in the following. Therein, the threaded spindle 42 is drivable by the shaft 36 and thus by the drive motor 32 via the coupling device 52 such that the door 16 can be driven by the drive motor 32, in particular by the shaft 36, via the threaded nut 38, the threaded spindle 42 and the coupling device 52 and thus can be pivoted in relation to the housing 12.

(29) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the arrangement 18, wherein the door 16 is not illustrated for the sake of clarity in FIG. 2. The second embodiment in particular differs from the first embodiment in that the hinge 22 is not just formed as a single-joint hinge, but as a multi-joint hinge. Therein, the hinge parts 26 and 28 are connected to each other in articulated manner via at least one or multiple intermediate hinge parts 54. The intermediate hinge parts 54 are in turn coupled both to the hinge part 26 in articulated manner and to the hinge part 28 in articulated manner such that the hinge part 26 is connected to the hinge part 28 in articulated manner via the intermediate hinge parts 54. The use of the single-joint hinge is for example suitable in floor-mounted appliances, which are not installed in pieces of furniture such as for example kitchen furniture, but stand separately and alone. By the employment of the single-joint hinge, the number of parts and thus the cost can be kept particularly low. The use of the multi-joint hinge is particularly advantageously suitable for built-in appliances, which can for example be installed in pieces of furniture like kitchen furniture, such that the door 16 can for example be flush in surface with doors and/or drawers adjoining to the door 16 and still be opened without collision.

(30) FIGS. 4 and 5 show a third embodiment of the arrangement 18. As is apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5, the coupling device 52 is switchable between at least one coupling state shown in FIG. 5 and denoted by K and at least one uncoupling state shown in FIG. 4 and denoted by E. In the coupling state, the threaded nut 38 is coupled to the drive motor 32 such that a force or torque transmission path between the door 16 and the drive motor 32 is for example closed. The force or torque transmission path is also referred to as transmission path, via which forces or torques can be transmitted between the door 16 and the drive motor 32. If the transmission path is closed, thus, forces or torques can be transmitted between the door 16 and the drive motor 32 via the transmission path. In the uncoupling state E, the threaded nut 38 is uncoupled from the drive motor 32 such that the transmission path is interrupted. Hereby, forces or torques cannot be transmitted between the door 16 and the drive motor 32 in the uncoupling state E. Thus, it is for example possible in the coupling state K to pivot the door 16 in relation to the housing 12 by means of the drive motor 32 such that the door 16 can be particularly simply and comfortably opened and/or closed. In the uncoupling state E, the door 16 can for example be manually moved in relation to the housing 12 by a person without such a manual movement of the door 16 being impaired or impeded by the drive motor 32. Thus, the person can simply and thus comfortably open and close, respectively, the door 16.

(31) In the third embodiment, the coupling device 52 includes at least one coupling actuator 56 provided in addition to the drive motor 32, which is for example formed as an electrical actuator or in electrically drivable manner. In addition, the coupling device 52 includes a first coupling element 58 and a second coupling element 60 corresponding thereto. In the third embodiment, the coupling element 58 is for example rotationally fixedly connected to the threaded spindle 42. Further, the coupling element 60 is for example rotationally fixedly connected to the rotor or to the shaft 36 of the drive motor 32. By means of the coupling actuator 56, at least one of the coupling elements 58 and 60 is for example movable in relation to the door 16 as well as for example in relation to the respectively other one of the coupling elements 58 and 60, whereby the at least one coupling element 58 or 60 is for example, in particular translationally and/or rotationally, movable between an uncoupling position EK effecting the uncoupling state E and shown in FIG. 4 and a coupling position KK effecting the coupling state K and shown in FIG. 5 in relation to the door 16 and optionally in relation to the respectively other coupling element 60 or 58.

(32) In the coupling state K or in the coupling position KK, the coupling elements 58 and 60 for example cooperate in form-fit manner such that the threaded spindle 42 or the threaded nut 48 is at least form-fit coupled to the drive motor 32 via the coupling device 52 in the coupling state K. Thereby, the torque provided by the drive motor 32 can be efficiently and effectively transmitted from the drive motor 32 via the coupling device 52 to the threaded spindle 42 and further to the threaded nut 38. In the uncoupling state E or in the uncoupling position EK, the coupling elements 58 and 60 are for example spaced from each other such that they do not cooperate, in particular not cooperate in form-fit manner. Thereby, the threaded spindle 42 or the threaded nut 38 is uncoupled from the drive motor 32.

(33) In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coupling elements 58 and 60 are components different from the threaded nut 38, provided in addition to the threaded nut 38. In particular, the at least one coupling element 58 or 60 is, at least translationally, movable in axial direction of the threaded spindle 42 and along the rotational axis 46, respectively, in relation to the threaded spindle 42 and/or in relation to the shaft 36 or the rotor by means of the coupling actuator 56. The coupling device 52 is also referred to as coupling, which is opened in the uncoupling state E and closed in the coupling state K. In order to close the coupling, the coupling elements 58 and 60 are for example compressed by means of the coupling actuator 56, whereby the coupling elements 58 and 60 cooperate in form-fit manner.

(34) The threaded spindle 42 and the corresponding threaded nut 38 form a threaded spindle drive, which does not have self-retention, that is it is free of self-retention, at least in a state, in which the threaded nut 38 is arranged on the threaded spindle 42 such that the threads engage with each other. Hereby, it is basically possible that the threaded nut 38 can be rectilinearly moved along the threaded spindle 42 via the connecting lever 48 and the hinge 22 from the door 16 for example if a person manually pivots the door 16, wherefrom a rotation of the threaded spindle 42 around the rotational axis 46 results. However, the drive motor 32 for example has self-retention such that the previously described, manually effected rotation of the threaded spindle 42 by the drive motor 32, in particular by the self-retention thereof, would for example be prevented. Thus, a person could for example not manually pivot the door 16 or only with very high force input if the drive motor 32 is coupled to the door 16. However, if the coupling is now opened, thus, the door 16 is uncoupled from the drive motor 32 such that the door 16 can be manually moved in the described manner, because the drive motor 32 is not opposed to the described rotation of the threaded spindle 42 with opened coupling.

(35) FIGS. 6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment of the arrangement 18. The fourth embodiment in particular differs from the third embodiment with respect to its construction of the coupling device 52. In the fourth embodiment, the coupling device 52 includes the coupling actuator 56 as well as for example a second coupling actuator 62 provided in addition to the coupling actuator 56 and in addition to the drive motor 32. In addition, it is provided in the fourth embodiment that the threaded nut 38 comprises at least two nut elements 68 and 70 forming at least respective parts 64 and 66 of the internal thread 40, which are movable in relation to each other and in particular in relation to the threaded spindle 42, in particular in radial direction of the threaded spindle 42. Herein, the nut element 68 is for example movable in relation to the threaded spindle 42 and in relation to the door 16, in particular in radial direction of the threaded spindle 42, by means of the coupling actuator 56. Further, the nut element 70 is for example movable in relation to the door 16 and in relation to the threaded spindle 42, in particular in radial direction of the threaded spindle 42, by means of the coupling actuator 62. Therein, the previous and following explanations to the coupling actuator 56 can be readily transferred to the coupling actuator 62 and vice versa.

(36) Now, in order to keep the number of parts particularly low, the nut element 68 is for example formed as the coupling element 58, wherein the threaded spindle 42 is formed as the coupling element 60. Furthermore, the nut element 70 is a third coupling element, wherein the following and previous explanations to the first coupling element 58 can for example also readily be transferred to the third coupling element 72 and vice versa. The nut elements 68 and 70 or the coupling elements 58 and 72 are movable by means of the coupling actuators 56 and 62 between a respective uncoupling position E illustrated in FIG. 6 and effecting the uncoupling state EK and a respective coupling position KK shown in FIG. 7 and effecting the coupling state K in relation to the threaded spindle 62 or in relation to the coupling element 60 and for example in relation to each other. Therein, the connecting lever 48 is for example connected to at least one of the nut elements 68 and 70 in articulated manner such that the hinge 22 or the hinge part 28 is for example connected at least to one of the nut elements 68 and 70 in articulated manner.

(37) In the respective coupling position KK, the nut elements 68 and 70 cooperate with the threaded spindle 42 in form-fit manner via the respective parts 64 and 66 and the external thread 44 of the threaded spindle 42 since the parts 64 and 66 or the internal thread 40 engage or engages with the corresponding external thread 44. If the threaded spindle 42 is then rotated around the rotational axis 46 in relation to the threaded nut 38 in the described manner, thus, the door 16 is thereby pivoted in relation to the housing 12. However, in the respective uncoupling position EK, the parts 64 and 66 are out of engagement with the internal thread 44 such that the nut elements 68 and 70 do not cooperate with the threaded spindle 42. As a result, the threaded nut 38 can be manually moved along the threaded spindle 42 and in relation to it via the door 16 in the described manner without a rotation of the threaded spindle 42 around the rotational axis 46 occurring and thus without the drive motor 32 impairing or influencing the manual pivoting of the door 16. In the fourth embodiment, the threaded spindle 42 is for example still coupled, in particular rotationally fixedly connected, to the drive motor 32 or to the shaft 36 in the uncoupling state E, but the threaded nut 38 is uncoupled from the threaded spindle 42 and thus from the drive motor such that the door 16 is uncoupled from the drive motor 32. Thus, a person can simply and comfortably open and close the door 16, respectively. Overall, it is apparent from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the two- or multi-part formed threaded nut 38 is opened in the uncoupling state E and closed in the coupling state K.

(38) FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fifth embodiment. Therein, the drive device 24 comprises an opening aid 74, which includes at least one opening element 76. As will be explained in more detail in the following, the opening element 76 is movable in relation to the door 16 and in relation to the housing 12 into supporting abutment on the housing 12, wherein the opening element 76 is translationally movable in relation to the door 16 and in relation to the housing 12 into supporting abutment on the housing 12 in the fifth embodiment. Therein, the opening element 76 is movable into supporting abutment on the housing 12 to thereby repel the door 16 from the housing 12 and thereby pivot it from the closed position S into one of the intermediate positions, that is into one of the further open positions. Hereby, the door 16 can be initially opened. Starting from the intermediate position, into which the door 16 can be pivoted by means of the opening aid 74, the door can be further opened with an only low torque by means of the drive motor 32.

(39) In the fifth embodiment, the opening aid 74 comprises an opening aid actuator 78 provided in addition to the drive motor 32, which is for example also provided in addition to the coupling actuator 56 and/or 62. The opening aid actuator 78 can for example be or is supported on the door 16 on the one hand, and the opening aid actuator 78 is or can be supported on the opening element 76, in particular via a tappet 80 of the opening aid 74, on the other hand. In the fifth embodiment, the tappet 80 is, in particular translationally, movable along an opening direction 82 for example extending parallel to the rotational axis 46 by means of the opening aid actuator 78, in particular in relation to the housing 12 and/or in relation to the door 16. Therein, the tappet 80 comprises a first surface 84, which extends obliquely to the opening direction 82. The opening element 76 is, in particular translationally, movable along a repelling direction 86 extending obliquely or presently perpendicularly to the opening direction, in relation to the housing 12 and/or in relation to the door 16. Therein, the opening element 76 comprises a second surface 88 corresponding to the first surface 84, which extends obliquely to the repelling direction 86 and obliquely to the opening direction 82. Further, the surface 84 extends obliquely to the repelling direction 86.

(40) For example, if the tappet 80 is moved into a first direction 90 coinciding with the opening direction by means of the opening aid actuator 78, thus, the surfaces 84 and 88 first come into supporting abutment on each other, and as a result the surfaces 84 and 88 also referred to as inclined planes slide on each other. Thereby, the opening element 76 is moved into a second direction 92 coinciding with the repelling direction 86, which accordingly extends obliquely or perpendicularly to the first direction. By moving the opening element 76 into the second direction, the opening element 76 first comes into supporting abutment on the housing 12, in particular with a front side 94 of the opening element 76. If the opening element 76 is further moved into the second direction by for example moving the tappet 80 further into the first direction, thus in that the opening aid actuator 78 supports itself at least indirectly, in particular directly, on the door 16 on the one hand and on the housing 12 via the tappet 80 and the opening element 76 on the other hand, it is repelled from the housing 12 and thus pivoted from the closed position into one of the intermediate positions and thus initially opened. This is particularly well apparent from FIG. 9, in which the surfaces 84 and 88 already have integrally slid on each other. Therein, the opening aid actuator 78, the tappet 80 and the opening element 76 are at least indirectly retained on the door 16 and pivotable with the door 16. For example, the opening element 76 lifts off from the housing 12, in particular from a corresponding repelling surface 96 of the housing 12, after initially opening the door 16. Overall, it is apparent from FIGS. 8 and 9 that the surfaces 84 and 88 form a wedge system, which is actuated by means of the opening aid actuator 78 to initially open the door 16.

(41) FIGS. 10 and 11 show a sixth embodiment, which differs from the fifth embodiment in particular with respect to the opening aid 74. In the sixth embodiment, the tappet 80 is for example connected to the opening aid actuator 78 in articulated manner on the one hand and to the opening element 76 in articulated manner on the other hand. In addition, a guide link 98 also referred to as control cam is provided, which is also referred to as link track or guide track and at least substantially extends in arcuate manner. Therein, the opening element 76 and/or the tappet 80 engage with the link track 98 such that the tappet 80 and the opening element 76 are guided by means of and along the link track 98 if the tappet 80 and the opening element 76 via it are moved in relation to the door 16 by means of the opening aid actuator 78. Since the tappet 80 is coupled to the opening aid actuator 78 in articulated manner on the one hand and to the opening element 76 in articulated manner on the other hand, the opening element 76 is connected to the opening aid actuator 78 via the tappet 80 in articulated manner. Further, the opening aid actuator 78 is for example coupled to the door 16 in articulated manner and thus supported on it in articulated manner. If the tappet 80 and the opening element 76 via it are moved along the link track 98 by means of the opening aid actuator 78, thus, the opening element 76, in particular via the front side 94 thereof, first comes into supporting abutment on the housing 12, in particular on the surface 96 thereof. Thereupon, the door 16 is repelled from the housing 12 via the opening aid actuator 78, the tappet 80 and the opening element 76 and thus initially opened. By the use of the link track 98, a particularly advantageous force or torque transmission from the opening aid actuator 78 to the housing 12 and thus between the door 16 and the housing 12 can be realized such that the door 16 can be particularly advantageously, in particular fast, opened even if a high negative pressure exists in the cavity 14 with respect to an environment 100 (FIG. 1) of the appliance 10.

(42) FIGS. 12 and 13 show a seventh embodiment of the arrangement 18, wherein the seventh embodiment differs from the fifth and the sixth embodiment in particular in the configuration of the opening aid 74. In the seventh embodiment, the opening element 76 functions as the tappet 80 described with respect to the fifth and the sixth embodiment, such that the opening element 76 is at least translationally movable along the repelling direction 86 by means of the opening aid actuator 78. Since the opening aid actuator 78 is at least indirectly, in particular directly, supported or supportable on the door 16 on the one hand and supportable or supported on the housing via the opening element 76 on the other hand, if the opening element 76 is moved along the repelling direction and therein into the second direction 92, the door 16 is repelled from the housing 12 via the opening aid 74 and thereby initially opened. Upon moving the opening element 76 into the direction 92, the opening element 76 is for example extended from the opening aid actuator 78, in particular from the housing 102 thereof. Thereafter, the opening element 76 can for example be again retracted into the housing 102. In the seventh embodiment, the opening aid actuator 78 and the opening element 76 for example form a lifting cylinder actuator, by means of which a simple, but efficient and effective opening aid can be represented.

(43) FIGS. 14 and 15 show an eighth embodiment, which differs from the fifth, the sixth and the seventh embodiment in particular with respect to the opening aid 74. In the eighth embodiment, the opening element 76 is formed as a cam 104 also referred to as opening cam. Therein, the opening element 76 or the cam 104 is rotationally fixedly connected to the drive motor 32, in particular to the housing 34 of the drive motor 32, wherein the housing 34 and the opening element 76 are rotatable around the rotational axis 46 in relation to the door 16, in particular within certain limits, which is illustrated by a double arrow 106 in FIG. 14.

(44) FIG. 14 for example shows an initial state, in which the opening element 76 is spaced from the housing 12 and thus is not in supporting abutment on the housing 12. Further, the door 16 is for example closed in this initial state such that the door 16 is in the closed position S. In addition, the door 16 is for example coupled to the drive motor 32 in the initial state such that the coupling is for example closed, that is that the coupling device 52 is in the coupling state K.

(45) For example, if the drive motor 32 then provides the previously mentioned torque for pivoting the door 12 via the rotor or the shaft 36, thus, this torque provided by the drive motor 32 via the shaft 36, which in particular acts around the rotational axis 46, is for example supported on the door 16 via the threaded spindle 42, the threaded nut 38 and the hinge 22 on the one hand and for example supported on the housing 12 via the door. However, the torque is not supported on the other hand since the opening element 76 and the housing 34 and thus the stator, from which for example the torque is exerted on the rotor, are rotatable in relation to the door 16 and the opening element 76 is not yet in supporting abutment on the housing 12, in particular on the surface 96, in the initial state. Thereby, first the housing 34 and thus the stator and the opening element 76 rotate around the rotational axis 46 in relation to the door 16 and in relation to the housing 12 into a first rotational direction illustrated by an arrow 108 in FIG. 14, in particular first until the opening element 76 comes into supporting abutment on the housing 12. Then, the torque provided by the drive motor 32 is supported on the housing 12 via the housing 34 and the opening element 76 on the other hand and in particular transmitted to the housing 12. If the torque is further provided by the drive motor 32, thus, the housing 34 and thus the stator rotate around the rotational axis 46 around the opening element 76 rotationally fixedly connected to the housing 34 further into the first rotational direction in relation to the housing 12 and in relation to the door 16, whereby the door 16 is repelled from the housing 12 via the drive motor 32 and the opening element 76 and thereby initially opened. For example, this is illustrated in FIG. 15.

(46) If the torque is further provided by the drive motor 32, thus, the housing 34 and thus the stator and the opening element 76 for example further rotate into the first rotational direction around the rotational axis 46 in relation to the door 16 and for example to the housing 12, in particular until the opening element 76 for example comes into supporting abutment on a stop 110 provided on the door 16 and apparent from FIG. 19. Then, the torque is supported on the stop 110 and thus at least indirectly on the door 16 via the housing 34 and the opening element 76 on the other hand. If the drive motor 32 further provides the torque, thus, the torque results in a rotation of the threaded spindle 42 around the rotational axis 46 in relation to the door 16 in that a further rotation of the stator via the housing 34 and the opening element 76 is prevented by means of the stop 110. As a result, the hinge parts 26 and 28 are pivoted in relation to each other by means of the drive motor 32 in the described manner, whereby the door 16 is pivoted, in particular opened, in relation to the housing 12. The torque for opening the door 16 thus for example acts into the first rotational direction illustrated by the arrow 108. In order to for example close the door 16, the drive motor 32 provides a torque, which acts around the rotational axis 46 into a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, which is for example illustrated by an arrow 112 in FIG. 14.

(47) For example, if the opening element 76 formed as a cam 104 is in supporting abutment on the stop 110, thus, at least one spring element not apparent in the Fig. is tensioned, which thus provides a spring force, which at least indirectly acts on the opening element 76. The opening element 76 is for example retained in supporting abutment on the stop 110 against the spring force by means of the drive motor 32 or by means of the torque provided by the drive motor 32. If providing the torque is terminated, thus, the spring element for example can relax, whereby the opening element 76 and with it the housing 34 and the stator are for example rotated into the second rotational direction in relation to the door 16. In particular, the opening element 76 is rotated or retained in supporting abutment on a second stop 114 provided on the door, opposing the stop 110 by means of the spring force.

(48) In order to close the door 16 by means of the drive motor 32, the drive motor 32 provides the torque also referred to as the second torque, acting into the second rotational direction. By means of the second torque, the opening element 76 and thus the housing 34 or the stator is for example rotated in relation to the door 16 into supporting abutment on the second stop 114 in particular if the opening element 76 is not yet in supporting abutment on the second stop 114. If the opening element 76 is in supporting abutment on the second stop 114, thus—as previously described with respect to the torque for opening the door 16—the second torque is supported on the door 16 via the opening element 76 on the other hand, such that the second torque effects a rotation of the threaded spindle 42 around the rotational axis 46 into the second rotational direction. As a result, the door 16 is pivoted in relation to the housing 12 and therein closed. Since the opening element 76 is in supporting abutment on the stop 114, the opening element 76 assumes an initial position as in the initial state shown in FIG. 14 such that the opening element 76 does not impair or prevent the movement of the door 16 into the closed position S.

(49) FIGS. 16 to 19 show a ninth embodiment, which is or includes for example a combination of the eighth embodiment and the second embodiment. In the ninth embodiment, the hinge 22 is formed as the mentioned multi-joint hinge and the opening aid 74 is formed as in the eighth embodiment. In the ninth embodiment, an angle sensor 116 is provided, by means of which respective rotational positions of the threaded spindle 42 around the rotational axis 46 are or can be captured. Alternatively or additionally, a linear sensor 118 is provided, by means of which respective linear positions of the threaded nut 38 along the threaded spindle 42 are or can be captured.

(50) Furthermore, a housing 120 illustrated transparent in FIGS. 16 and 17 and for example formed of sheet metal is provided, in which the drive device 24 is for example arranged. In particular, the drive device 24 is attached to or supported on the door 16 via the housing 120, wherein the housing 120 is for example at least substantially U-shaped formed. In FIGS. 16 and 17, the coupling actuator 56 is moreover apparent, which is for example formed as a lifting magnet and is supported sliding in at least one or two opposing plastic bowls, of which one plastic bowl denoted by 121 is apparent in the Fig. The coupling actuator 56 is for example formed to translationally displace the drive motor 32 and the opening aid 74 in relation to the housing 120 and thus in relation to the door 16, on which the housing 120 is for example fixed, to thereby for example move the coupling element 60, connected to the rotor both in rotationally fixed manner and in a manner fixed in axial direction of the rotor, in axial direction of the threaded spindle 42 in relation to it and in relation to the coupling element 58 rotationally fixedly connected to the threaded spindle 42 and fixedly connected to the threaded spindle 42 in axial direction of it, between the coupling position KK and the uncoupling position EK. Thus, the coupling actuator 56 is formed as a lifting magnet actuator.

(51) The drive motor 32 is preferably formed as a gear motor, which includes for example the mentioned electric motor and thus the stator and the rotor. The stator and the rotor are received in the housing 34 of the drive motor 32. Further, the gear motor for example includes a gear in particular received in the housing 34, via which the shaft 36 and thus the threaded spindle 42 is for example drivable by the rotor or by the electric motor.

(52) Alternatively or additionally to the plastic bowls or alternatively or additionally to the support of the coupling actuator 56 on the housing 120 movable along the rotational axis 46, it can be provided that the drive motor 32 is supported on the housing 120 via a slider 122 movable along the rotational axis 46 and thus axially in relation to the housing 120 or also referred to as axial slider such that the drive motor 32 can for example be moved along the rotational axis 46 in relation to the housing 120, in particular by means of the coupling actuator 56. Thereby, the coupling element 60 and the entire drive motor 32 with it can be moved between the uncoupling position EK and the coupling position KK by means of the coupling actuator 56.

(53) The coupling element 60 is a so-called drive part of the coupling since the coupling element 60 is drivable by the drive motor 32 and since the coupling element 58 is drivable by the drive motor 32 via the coupling element 60. Thus, the coupling element 58 is for example a driven part of the coupling. In addition, a catch 124 of the coupling is for example provided. Furthermore, at least one spindle bearing 126 is provided, by means of which the threaded spindle 42 is for example supported on the housing 120 and thus on the door 16 in its axial direction and/or in its radial direction. In particular, it can be provided that the spindle bearing 126 is formed as an axial spindle bearing. Alternatively or additionally, a spindle bearing 128 is provided, by means of which the threaded spindle 42 is supported on the housing 120 and thus on the door 16 in its axial direction and/or in its radial direction. In particular, the spindle bearing 128 can be formed as a radial spindle bearing. FIGS. 17 and 16 for example show the open position O of the door 16, while FIG. 18 for example illustrates the closed position S of the door 16. The opening element 76 is particularly well recognizable from FIG. 19, which for example penetrates a passage opening 130 of the housing 120, in particular of a leg 132 of the housing 120.