The present invention relates to a door-locking device, particularly for electrical household appliances.

More specifically, the invention relates to a door-locking device of the type comprising an electromechanical control device including a locking pin adapted to cooperate with a movable latching slider to lock a door of an electrical household appliance, said locking pin being movable between a rest position, wherein the locking pin allows the latching slider to move, and a lock position, wherein the locking pin prevents said latching slider from moving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a door-locking device of this type, which has a compact and reliable geometry.

This and other objects are achieved according to the invention with a door-locking device of the type defined above, characterized in that said electromechanical control device comprises

a yoke of magnetically conductive material;

a magnet part fixed to the yoke and comprising a permanent magnet polarized in a direction substantially perpendicular to the yoke;

two electromagnets arranged on opposite sides of the magnet part, each electromagnet comprising a core of magnetically conductive material fixed to the yoke, and a solenoid wound to the core; and

a rocking keeper of magnetically conductive material, comprising two arms connected at an angle to each other through a corner portion of the keeper, said corner portion resting on a support surface of the magnet part in such a way that the keeper is able to rock around the corner portion, between a first and a second position in contact with one or the other of the cores of the electromagnets, respectively;

wherein the locking pin is connected to one of the arms of the keeper in such a way as to assume the rest position or the lock position when the keeper is in the first position or in the second position, respectively. With such a configuration, it is possible to obtain better performance in terms of accuracy of the movement, immunity from external magnetic fields and costs/dimensions with respect to known direct-voltage solutions which provide, for example, for the use of motors or solenoids.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims, which form an integral part of the present description.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, provided purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a simplified view of a door-locking device according to the present invention;

figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of an electromechanical control device of the door lock of figure 1 ;

figures 4 and 5 are exploded views of the device of figures 2 and 3, without the casing;

figure 6 is an electrical control diagram of the device of figures 2 and 3;

figures 7 and 8 are sectional views representing a magnetic actuator of the device of figures 2 and 3, in two different operating positions;

figures 9 and 10 are sectional views of the device of figures 2 and 3, in a condition corresponding to the state of the electrical diagram shown in figure 6;

figure 11 shows the electrical diagram in a different state from that shown in figure

6; .

figures 12 and 13 are sectional views of the device of figures 2 and 3, in a condition corresponding to the state of the electrical diagram shown in figure 1 1 ;

figure 14 shows the electrical diagram in a different state from that shown in figures 6 and 11 ;

figures 15 and 16 are sectional views of the device of figures 2 and 3, in a condition corresponding to the state of the electrical diagram shown in figure 14;

figure 17 shows a graph illustrating the behavior of a detection switch according to the position of a latching slider of the door-locking device; figures 18 and 19 are perspective and plan views of the device of figures 2 and 3, without casing;

figure 20 represents an alternative embodiment of an electrical control diagram of the device of figures 2 and 3; and

figure 21 is a plan view of an embodiment of the device of figures 2 and 3, which implements the electrical diagram of figure 20.

In figure 1 , a door-locking device is collectively indicated at 1.

The device has an opening 3 adapted to allow the insertion of a coupling member, such as the one indicated at 4 in figure 1.

In a manner known per se, the door-locking device 1 is adapted to be fixed in the proximity of an opening of an electrical household appliance, for example a washing machine, and the coupling member 4 is intended to be connected, for example in an articulated way, to a movable door associated with such opening of the household electrical appliance.

A latching slider, axially movable in a direction which is approximately orthogonal to the direction of insertion of the coupling member 4 in the opening 3, is indicated at 7.

The latching slider 7 has a main opening 8, which, in the various operating conditions or positions of the slider 7, at least partially faces and is aligned with the opening 3 of the door-locking device.

By inserting the coupling member 4 of the door into the opening 3, such coupling member 4 interacts in a manner known per se with the slider 7, causing it to move against the action of elastic means (not shown). When the door is closed, the coupling member 4 of the door is arranged with the end head thereof engaged in the opening 8 of the slider 7. In such condition, a portion of the neck of the coupling member 4 is held between the opening 3 and the slider 7.

The coupling member 4 and the coupling configuration between the slider 7 and the coupling member 4 of figure 1 are shown for illustrative purposes only, and do not form part of the present invention.

The door-locking device I further comprises an electromechanical control device, generally indicated at 10 in the figures.

The electromechanical control device 10 includes a movable locking pin, indicated at 1 1 in figure 2 and subsequent figures. Such member is mounted axially movable, in a vertical direction for those observing figure 1, through an opening 10a made in the casing 10b of the electromechanical device 10, facing the area wherein the latching slider 7 is movable.

The movable locking member 1 1 is movable following an activation command of the household electrical appliance to which the door-locking device 1 is associated, from a rest position, shown in figures 9 and 12, to a lock position, illustrated in figure 15, wherein it is adapted to allow and respectively impede the movement of the latching slider 7. In the locked position, the locking pin 1 1 engages a lock opening 9 formed on the latching slider 7.

The device 10 comprises a magnetic actuator 20, housed in the casing 10b and shown in particular in figures 5 and 7 to 8. The magnetic actuator 20 is provided for controlling the movement of the locking pin 1 1.

The magnetic actuator 20 comprises a plate or yoke 21 fixed to the casing 10b and made of magnetically conductive material, such as iron. The yoke 21 has two through-holes 21a formed on opposite ends of the yoke.

The actuator 20 further comprises a magnet part 22, comprising a permanent magnet 23 and an armature 24. The permanent magnet 23 is fixed approximately to the center of the yoke 21. The armature 24 is made of magnetically conductive material, e.g. iron, and is fixed to an upper surface of the permanent magnet 23. The armature 24 comprises a support surface 25 facing the side opposite to the yoke 21 (upper surface in the illustrated example). The actuator 20 further comprises two electromagnets 26. Each electromagnet 26 comprises a core 27 of magnetically conductive material, such as iron, fixed in a respective through-hole 21a of the yoke 21, and a solenoid 28, wound around the core 27. Each core 27 comprises a retaining surface 27a facing the side opposite to the yoke 21. The two retaining surfaces 27a are coplanar with the support surface 25.

The actuator 20 further comprises a rocking keeper 29. The keeper 29 is made of magnetically conductive material, e.g. iron, and includes a first arm 29a and a second arm 29b. The first arm 29a and the second arm 29b have a planar shape and are joined at an angle to one another, through a corner portion 29c of the keeper. At the corner portion 29c, an edge 29d is formed which rests on the support surface 25 of the magnet part 22. The keeper 29 is preferably formed as a monolithic structure. The second arm 29b of the keeper 29 may be connected to the locking pin 1 1 directly or through an articulation. In the illustrated example, the second arm 29b has an appendage 29e inserted in a seat 1 1a formed on the pin 11.

The actuator 20 further comprises a support structure 31 of electrically insulating material, for example plastic, which is configured in such a way as to insulate the solenoids 28 with respect to the respective cores 27, the yoke 21 and the magnet part 22.

The insulation structure 31 supports two conductor leads 31a and 31b for sending electrical control signals to the electromagnets.

The solenoids 28 of the electromagnets 26 are preferably wound in opposite directions and connected in series, as shown in figure 6.

In a first position (fig. 7), the first arm 29a of the keeper is in contact with the retaining surface 27a of the core 27 spaced apart from the pin 1 1 and with one half of the support surface 25 spaced apart from the pin 1 1. Since the armature 24, the keeper 29, the core 27 and the yoke 21 are all magnetically permeable, the flow of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 23 is as shown with dashed arrows in figures 7 and 8. Consequently, the magnetic force caused by the permanent magnet 23 between the first arm 29a and the respective core 27 is greater than that between the second arm 29b and the respective core 27. The keeper 29, therefore, remains in the first position without applying electrical power external to the device 10.

When it is necessary to switch the actuator 20, a pulse is applied to the electromagnet through the conductor leads 31a and 31b. The electromagnet 26, spaced apart from the pin 1 1 , thus generates a magnetic field, the flow of which is shown with the continuous arrows in figure 7. In this case, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 26, spaced apart from the pin 1 1 , opposes the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 23 between the electromagnet 26, spaced apart from the pin 11 , and the first arm 29a of the keeper. At the same time, the magnetic field generated by the electromagnet 26 near the pin 1 1 (connected in series and with opposite winding) positively overlaps the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 23 between the electromagnet 26 near the pin 1 1 and the second arm 29b of the keeper. Consequently, the magnetic force between the core 27 closer to the pin 1 1 and the second arm 29b is greater than that between the core 27 further from the pin 11 and the first arm 29a, and thus the second arm 29b moves to enter into contact with the core 27, closer to the pin 1 1, by switching the keeper 29 over to a second position (fig. 8).

In the second position, the second arm 29b is in contact with the retaining surface 27a of the core 27 closer to the pin 11 and with the middle of the support surface 24 near the pin 11. To move the armature back to the first position, a pulse is applied, opposite to the preceding one, to the conductor leads 31a and 31b.

With reference in particular to figure 6, the device 10 further comprises a first and a second electrical control terminal 41 , 42 connected to the magnetic actuator 20, respectively at the conductor leads 31a and 31b, by respective first and second lines 41a and 42a.

Moreover, a detection switch 45 is provided, arranged in series with the magnetic actuator 20. As will be explained below, the detection switch 45 is able to switch between an open position (figures 6 and 9) and a closed position (figures 12 and 13) following a movement of the latching slider 7. In particular, the detection switch 45 is adapted to detect a condition of opening/closing of the electrical household appliance door.

A lock switch 47 is also connected to the second terminal 42. As will be explained below, the lock switch 47 is able to switch between an open position (figures 6 and 9) and a closed position (figure 14) following a movement of the locking pin 11. In particular, the lock switch 47 is adapted to detect a condition for locking/unlocking the electrical household appliance door.

In the example of figure 6, the lock switch 47 is connected to the terminals 41 and 42, through a third line 48 arranged in parallel with the magnetic actuator 20. In the third line 48, a diode 49 is also provided, arranged in series with the lock switch 47. A protection thermistor 51, specifically, a PTC, is also provided between the first terminal 41 and the connection between the first line 41a and the third line 48. Alternatively, such thermistor may be arranged on the first line 41a, between the electric actuator 20 and the connection between the first line 41a and the third line 48.

In the illustrated example, the detection switch 45 comprises a flexible elongated leaf 45a of electrically conductive material, which extends along the movement direction of the latching slider 7. The leaf 45a has a fixed end 45b, fixed to the yoke 21 on the side opposite the magnetic actuator 10, and a movable contact element 45c. Via its fixed end 45b, the leaf 45a is conductively connected to the yoke 21 of the magnetic actuator. The detection switch 45 further comprises a fixed leaf 45d, fixed to the casing 10b of the device 10. The fixed leaf 45d has a fixed contact element 45e, which, in the closed position of the detection switch 45, is contacted by the movable contact element 45c of the flexible leaf 45a, and a second end 45f, which is conductively connected by a contact spring 45g (or other types of conductive elements) with one of the conductor leads, 31b, of the magnetic actuator 20.

A control member 46 is provided for closing/opening the detection switch 45. Such control member 46 comprises a lever 46a extending along the direction of movement of the slider 7 and having a pin end 46b around which the lever is able to rotate along an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the slider 7, and a follower end 46c able to engage a cam 7a formed on the face of the latching slider 7 facing the device 10. Such cam 7a essentially comprises a First surface 7b extending parallel to the direction of movement of the slider 7, and a second surface 7c inclined with respect to such direction, which extends from the first surface 7b away from the device 10. A part of the follower end 46c of the lever 46a protrudes through a window 10c formed in the casing 10b of the device 10, in order to be in contact with the slider 7. In the open condition of the detection switch 45 (figure 9), the movable contact element 45c of the flexible leaf 45a is maintained spaced apart from the fixed contact element 45e of the fixed leaf 45d by the engagement with the raised follower end 46c of the control member 46, against the action of the elastic force of the flexible leaf 45a. In the closed condition of the detection switch 45 (figure 12), the follower end 46c of the control member 46 is lowered, allowing the movable contact element 45c of the flexible leaf 45a to be in contact with the fixed contact element 45e of the fixed leaf 45d, due to the elastic force of the flexible leaf 45a.

In the illustrated example, the lock switch 47 comprises a flexible elongated leaf 47a, made of electrically conductive material, which extends transversely to the movement direction of the latching slider 7. The leaf 47a has a fixed end 47b, fixed to the fixed end 45b of the leaf 45a of the detection switch 45, and a movable contact element 47c. Via its fixed end 47b, the leaf 47a is conductively connected to the leaf 45a of the detection switch 45 and to the yoke 21 of the magnetic actuator. The lock switch 47 further comprises a fixed leaf 47d, fixed to the casing 10b of the device 10. The fixed leaf 47d has a fixed contact element 47e, which, in the closed position of the lock switch 47, is contacted by the movable contact element 47c of the flexible leaf 47a, and a second end 47f, which is conductively connected to an end of the diode 49.

A control member is provided for closing/opening the lock switch 47. Such control member comprises an appendage l ib formed integrally with the locking pin 11 extending along the direction of movement of the slider 7. In the open condition of the lock switch 47 (figure 13), the movable contact element 47c of the flexible leaf 47a is spaced apart from the fixed contact element 47e of the fixed leaf 47d by the engagement due to the position of the flexible leaf 47a. In the closed condition of the lock switch 47 (figure 16), due to the movement of the locking pin 1 1, the appendage l ib of the pin engages the flexible leaf 47a, keeping the movable contact element 47c of the flexible leaf 47a in contact with the fixed contact element 47e of the fixed leaf 47d against the action of the elastic force of the flexible leaf 47a.

The lead of the diode 49 not in contact with the fixed leaf 47b of the lock switch 47 is connected with one lead of the protection thermistor 51, which is also connected, via a contact spring 52, with the other conductor lead, 31a, of the magnetic actuator 20.

The other end of the protection thermistor 51 is conductively connected to the first terminal 41, which is fixed to the casing 10b of the device 10. The second terminal 42 is fixed to the yoke 21 and is also conductively connected thereto.

The first line 41a therefore extends from the first terminal 41 , comprising the thermistor 51, the contact spring 52 and one of the conductor leads 31a of the magnetic actuator. The second line 42a extends from the second terminal, comprising the yoke 21, the flexible leaf 45a and the fixed leaf 45d of the detection switch 45, the contact spring 45g and the other conductor lead 31b of the magnetic actuator. The third line, on the other hand, comprises the diode 49, the fixed leaf 47d and the flexible leaf 47a of the lock switch 47.

In resting and open-door conditions (figures 6 and 9 to 10), the latching slider 7 overlaps the opening 10a of the locking pin 11, impeding the movement of the latter, and pushes the follower end 46c of the control member 46, which forces the detection switch 45 to open.

In these conditions, even a possible electrical pulse does not generate any movement as the circuit is open, which may be verified by monitoring the resistance of the circuit through the two terminals 41 and 42.

When the door is closed, the entry of the coupling member 4 in the door-lock mechanism causes a movement of the latching slider 7, which frees the area of the locking pin 1 1 and at the same time frees the follower end 46c of the control member 46 of the detection switch 45. Due to the preloading of the flexible leaf 45a, the detection switch 45 is closed (figures 1 1 to 13). This condition may be controlled by the electronics of the machine by measuring the resistance between the two terminals 41, 42 with a voltage which will result in a resistance equal to the series of resistances of the solenoids 28 with that of the protection PTC 51.

In the state thus described, it is possible to provide a pulsed power supply between the terminals 41 , 42 which causes the activation of the magnetic actuator 20 with the consequent rotation of the keeper 29 and the escape of the locking pin 11 with closure of the lock switch 47 (figures 14 to 16).

This condition may be identified through the electronics by passing a detection current in the circuit with a proper polarity with respect to the operating direction of the diode and measuring the resistance of the circuit, which will have a value equal to that of the protection PTC 51.

To unlock the door, it is sufficient to give a current pulse to the leads of the terminals 41, 42 with polarity opposite to the locking pulse to rotate the keeper 29 into the rest position (first position) and open the lock switch 47.

The device described above makes it possible to increase the hysteresis of the detection switch 45. With reference to the graph of figure 17, the position x of the latching slider 7 is shown in the abscissa. The continuous line A represents the signal provided by the detection sensor 45 when the electrical household appliance door is closed. The dashed line B represents the signal provided by the detection sensor 45 in the step of opening the door in the unlocked door condition. The dashed line and point C represents the signal provided by the detection sensor 45 during the step of opening the door in the locked door condition. The vertical line D represents the position from which the latching slider 7 may be locked by the locking pin 11, i.e., the position from which the lock opening 9 of the slider 7 allows the locking pin 11 to move.

The position of the step of curve A depends on the positioning of the inclined cam 7c with respect to the lock opening 9 of the slider 7. In the unlocked pin condition (curve B), the hysteresis of the detection switch 45 (due to the characteristics of the flexible leaf 45a) is entirely within the lockable range.

In the case of locked conditions (curve C), the detection switch 45 must be kept in a closed condition beyond the position of line D, in order to prevent a false opening signal from impeding the power supply to the domestic appliance.

To this end, an increased hysteresis is created of the detection switch 45 in the condition of a locked door, which allows the state of contact in the closed condition to be maintained. In order to obtain an increased hysteresis, as may be seen from the comparison between figures 12 and 15, the pin end 46b of the control member 46 of the detection switch 45 is arranged to slide within the casing 10b of the device 10 in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the slider 7. The pin end 46b of the drive member 46 is coupled to an inclined cam 1 lc formed on a surface of the locking pin 1 1 facing the pin end 46b of the control member 46. In this way, the movement of the locking pin 1 1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 7 causes a movement of the control member 46 parallel to the sliding direction of the slider 7, such as to move the follower end 46c of the control member 46 away from the inclined cam 7c of the slider 7. Thus, a change in the open position of the detection switch 45 is obtained.

With reference to figures 20 and 21, an alternative embodiment of the electromechanical control device described above is now described.

A feature of the device is in effect the modularity, which allows the configuration with two terminals described above to be transformed into a configuration with three terminals with few changes of the device.

The same reference numbers have been assigned to elements corresponding to those of the preceding embodiment. Such elements will not be further described.

In such an embodiment, the fixed contact element 47e of the lock switch 47 is connected to a third terminal 53, or auxiliary terminal, and no longer to the first line 41a, and therefore the diode is absent. Such additional terminal 53 allows the closing of the lock switch 47 to be monitored, while the function of monitoring the closing of the detection switch 45 and activating/deactivating the door lock remains at the terminals 41 and 42.

As shown in figure 21 , the fixed leaf 47e is conductively connected to one end of a connecting leaf 54, fixed to the casing 10b of the device, the opposite end of which bears the additional terminal 53.