FI ELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combined release door locking device for household appliances, in particular to a combined release door locking device for washing machines; as well as to household appliances equipped with such a device.

PRIOR ART

Many household appliances have doors for accessing the operating compartment; a user opens such a door to load the operating compartment, closes it to start the working cycle of the household appliance and opens it again to unload the operating compartment once the working cycle has ended.

Such household appliances integrate door locking devices to prevent undesired releases of the door during the working cycle.

For example, the door locking devices of self-cleaning ovens prevent releasing of the door during the cleaning cycle. In washing machines, the respective devices prevent the releasing of the door during the washing cycle.

Developments in this sector have focused on a strong integration with the electronics aboard the machine to control the working cycle of such household appliances better. Such electronics also control the door locking devices to manage the normal working cycles and exceptions in case of malfunctioning or unexpected events. In correct operating conditions, the electronics control the closing of the door at the beginning of the cycle and the releasing at the end of it. Continuously evolving safety standards impose a careful, effective management of possible malfunctions. A typical solution adopted by door locking device manufacturers consists in using mechanical only safety means alongside the controlling electronics. Such safety means can be activated in case of malfunctions which would put the control electronics out of service. Indeed, the malfunctions may cause anomalous conditions in the operating compartment of a household appliance such to compromise the controlling electronics circuits.

The mechanical safety means act in these cases to guarantee the closing of the doors to protect the users.

Many countries impose safety standards aimed at improving protection for household appliance users; such standard imply particular functions which the door locking devices must provide. For example, some standards in force require it to be possible to tear a door open, i.e. for the user to open the door by hand applying a given force, during any step of the working cycle. In other cases, it must be possible to open the household appliance door by pulling a cable housed in a niche of the household appliance.

To date, the safety standards are not well harmonized and vary from country to country; consequently, the requirements that the door locking device must satisfy may be very different.

Household appliance manufacturers, in turn, fit door locking devices as a function of the safety standards to be respected in the countries in which they intend to sell, and of the accessory functions to be implemented on their products. For example, many manufacturers provide the electrically controlled door release by pressing a button in addition to "manual" safety releases. Such different solutions require the availability of a multitude of door locking device models.

SUMMARY

The Applicant realized that the known techniques partially described above do not allow to obtain a modular door locking device which can be adapted to multiple release functions.

The known door locking devices are structurally different according to the implemented release functions. One product range comprises door locking devices with the same features, and thus with the same implemented release functions. The manufacturers of such devices must thus provide several ranges of products to guarantee the required availability to household appliance manufacturers. In turn, household appliances manufacturers must choose the model of device with which to equip their products according to the functions to be conferred and the standards to which they are subjected. Such a solution is particularly disadvantageous both for door locking device manufacturers and for household appliance manufacturers. In this manner, the first must foresee a multitude of combinations to determine which devices to produce; the second must consider the concerned markets in advance and the standards to be respected to decide which devices to purchase and stock. Therefore, it is the main object of the present invention to make a combined release door locking device which allows to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art in simple, cost-effective manner.

A first specific object of the present invention is to make a modular combined release door locking device, i.e. which can be selectively configured to implement one or more releases.

A second object of the present invention is to make a combined release door locking device which can be adapted to any type of household appliance which it equips.

The inventive idea underlying the present invention relates to a combined release door locking device designed to cooperate with multiple releasing modules, wherein such modules are installed as a function of the releases which the devices must guarantee.

The invention thus relates to a combined door locking device according to claim 1 . Furthermore, it is the object of the present invention, in particular a washing machine, equipped with a door locking device of the described type.

Further technical features of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

LIST OF FIGURES:

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent in the following detailed description provided by way of non-limitative example and illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

- figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention with some components not installed;

- figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention with some components not installed;

- figure 3 shows some components of the device according to the present invention in a first operating condition;

- figure 4 shows the components of figure 3 in a second operating condition of use; - figure 5 shows an embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

- figure 6 shows some components of the device according to the present invention in a first operating condition; - figure 7 shows the components of figure 6 in a second operating condition of use;

- figure 8 shows other components of the device according to the present invention in a first operating condition;

- figure 9 shows the components of figure 8 in a second operating condition of use; - figure 10 shows an embodiment on enlarged scale of a component according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Such a description and such drawings are provided by way of example only and are consequently non-limiting; therefore, the present invention may be implemented according to other, different embodiments; furthermore, it must be considered that such figures are diagrammatic and simplified.

With reference to figure 1 , figure 1 is a combined release door locking device 1 according to the present invention. The device 1 is intended for household appliances, and in particular is developed for guaranteeing the safety closing and combined release of washing machine doors.

The expression "combined release" indicates the function according to which such a device may release the household appliance door in response to a multitude of different opening commands. For example, a manually opening release control, an electric manual release control and an automatic electric release control.

According to the present invention, the door locking device comprises locking means 5 adapted to reversibly engage door coupling means 40 of the household appliance which equips such a device. Such locking means 5 can be activated in an engaging position, in which the door is closed, and in a disengaging position, in which the door is released. The device 1 comprises a plurality of interfaces 10 operatively connected to the locking means 5. Each of the interfaces 10 is respectively adapted to selectively receive releasing modules 30 for activating the locking means 5 from the disengaging position to the engaging position. In this manner, the releasing modules 30 can be installed for implementing one or more of the required desired controls. According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises emergency unlocking means 85 which can be operated by the user to open the door in case of lack of electrical power of the household appliance.

In the engaging condition, the locking means 5 retain the coupling means 40 of the household appliance door. The coupling means 40 are integral to the household appliance door and are generally an eyelet hook shaped. The locking means 5 assume the engaging condition when the household appliance door is closed, e.g. during the washing cycle of the household appliance.

According to the embodiment in figure 2, the device comprises a supporting surface 6 on which the interfaces 10 are obtained. The locking means 5 comprise an operating wheel 8 rotational about a transverse axis to assume the two engaging and disengaging positions, which correspond to two different angular positions of such a wheel. The coupling means 40 emerge from a mouth 7 obtained on the supporting surface 6 to be engaged by the operating wheel.

Figure 2 again shows an embodiment of a device 1 comprising a first mechanical manually operated interface 11 ; a second electrical manually operated interface 12 and a third electrical automatic operating interface 13. All three interfaces 11 , 12 and 13 are operatively connected to the locking means 5 to activate them from the engaging condition to the disengaging condition and thus to obtain the release. According to an embodiment, the first mechanical manually operated interface 11 comprises first operating means 21 operatively connected to the locking means 5. The second electrical manually operated interface 12 comprises second operating means 22 operatively connected to the locking means 5. The third electrical automatically operated interface 13 comprises third operating means 23 operatively connected to the locking means 5.

The interfaces 11 , 12 and 13 receive the releasing modules, which may be installed selectively according to the releasing control to be implemented. Indeed, the releasing modules allow to activate the operating means of the respective interface on which they are installed, in response to the corresponding releasing control.

According to an embodiment, the releasing modules 30 comprise: a first manual releasing module 31 ; a second electrical manual or automatic releasing module 32 and third door locking and unlocking module 33.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of interfaces 10 are operatively connected to locking means 5 via first moving means 57, which are connected to the locking means 5 themselves. Furthermore, the locking means 5 are also coupled to second moving means 58 to activate them from the engaging position to the disengaging position.

Figures 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the locking means 5 and their interaction with the first and second moving means 57 and 58.

According to an embodiment, the locking means 5 comprise an operating wheel 8 pivoting on the supporting surface 6. In turn, the operating wheel 8 comprises a seat 50 for housing a portion of the coupling means 40, a first coupling cam 8a, a second coupling cam 8b and a tooth 8c.

The first moving means 57 comprise: a compensation spring 51 which has a first end abutting against a wall portion which delimits the device 1 , and a second end, opposite to the first, combined with a compensation lever 52; an operating slider 53 operatively coupled to a first return spring 54; an auxiliary slider 55 operatively coupled to a second return spring 56.

Preferably, the moving means 58 comprise a torsion spring.

The compensation lever 52 translates from a resting position to an operating position according to a predetermined trajectory obtained by means of a guiding pin restrained to the supporting surface 6. The compensation lever 52 operates on the first operating cam 8a. Furthermore, the compensation lever 52 interacts with the operating slider 53. The compensation spring 51 further allows to return the compensation lever 52 to the resting position.

The operating slider 53 translates from a resting position to an operating position according to the directions shown by the arrow 150, acts on the second coupling cam 8b (shown in figure 4) and tends to be returned to the resting position by the first return spring 54.

The auxiliary slider 55 translates according to the engagement and disengagement directions 150 of the coupling means 40 (according to the methods which will be described below) and by effect of the return of the second return spring 56, further interacts with the operating slider 53.

In the engaging position shown in figure 3, the torsion spring 58 is compressed and abuts against a wheel portion 8. The compensation lever 52 is in contact with a first side of the lobe of the first operating cam 8a. The slider 53 is in an advanced position and a portion is in contact with a first side of the lobe of the second cam 8b. An appendix 52b of the compensation lever is in contact with an abutting element 53b of the slider. The wheel 8 is in an angular closing position.

In the disengaging position shown in figure 4, the wheel 8 is in an angular releasing position and is retained in such a position of the spring 58 in expanded condition, which acts on the tooth 8c.

The releasing modules 30 installed on the interfaces 10 activate the respective operating means in response to corresponding release control.

In turn, the operating means of the interfaces 10 activate the moving means 57 of the locking means to release the coupling means 40 and allow the opening of the household appliance door.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a device according to the present invention. The illustrated releasing modules 30 comprise:

- a first manual releasing module 31 ,

- a second electrical manual releasing module 32; and

- a third door locking-unlocking module 33.

The first module 31 can be installed on the first mechanical manually operated interface 11. The second electrical manual releasing module 32 can be installed on the second electrical manual operating interface 12. The third door locking- unlocking module 33 can be installed on the third electrical automatic operating interface 13.

The three interfaces 11 , 12 and 13 are shaped to receive the first, the second and third module, respectively. In this manner, errors caused by the incorrect assembly of a module on an interface for which it is not intended, are excluded. Furthermore, each opening module may be installed on the respective interface regardless of the others.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in figure 6, the first manual releasing module 31 comprises a first operating assembly 310 connected to a first control element 70 external to the household appliance and to the first operating means 21 of the locking element 5. The assembly is adapted to operate the first operating means 21 in response to the activation of the external control element 70. In a preferred embodiment, the operating assembly 310 comprises a manual releasing moveable slide sliding between a resting position (figure 6) and an operating position (figure 7); the control element 70 comprises a cable to which traction can be applied from the outside of the household appliance. The operating means 21 are connected to the compensation lever 52 by means of its connection bridge 52c. In particular, the operating means 21 are restrained to the connecting bridge 52c by means of a pin.

Figure 7 shows part of the device 1 after releasing by exploiting to the first module 31. A user applies a force on the cable 70 according to the direction indicated by the arrow with reference numeral 200. The manual releasing moveable slide 310 translates in linear manner (in the sense indicated by the arrow 200), the operating means 21 , by means of the connecting bridge 52c fed the compensation lever 52. The latter, in turn, works on the operating cam 8a and takes the operating wheel 8 to the second angular disengaging position. After opening and when the traction which ends on the cable 70 is interrupted, the manual opening moveable slide returns to the resting position by effect of the return springs connected to it.

In the embodiment of figure 6 and 7, the operating means 21 comprise a supporting plate provided with a hole adapted to receive the connecting pin to the bridge 52c.

These allow to transmit the translation movement imparted by means of the cable 70 to the compensation lever 52 and consequently to activate the operating wheel 8 to the disengaging position.

Figures 8 and 9 show the releasing made by means of the second manual electrical releasing module 32.

The second manual electrical opening module 32 comprises a second operating assembly 320, said second assembly connected to a second unlocking element external to the household appliance 22, the assembly 320 adapted to operate the second operating means 22 in response to the operation of said external unlocking element. In an embodiment, the external unlocking element comprises a button adapted to supply an electrical control to the second module 32. The second operating assembly 320 comprises a solenoid coupled to a moveable core, the operating means 22 comprise an actuator connected to the moveable core to the bridge 52c of the compensation lever 52. The connection between actuator (i.e. second operating means 22) and the moveable core comprises a spring. As shown in figure 9, when the solenoid of the assembly 320 produces a magnetic field in response to an electrical pulse supplied by means of the provided button (not shown in figure), the magnetic field attracts the moveable core, which in turn feeds the actuator according to the direction shown by reference numeral 300. The actuator connected to the bridge 52c moves the compensation lever 52, according to the direction indicated with reference numeral 301. The compensation lever, by means of the appendix 52b, moves the slider 53 according to the direction indicated by reference numeral 302. The operating wheel 8 is thus free to rotate, in the sense indicated by reference numeral 303, by effect of the thrust force applied on the spring 58 which acts on the tooth 8c. The coupling means 40 may be freed from the seat 50 of the operating wheel 8.

An embodiment of the third module 33 is shown in figure 10. In particular, the third door locking-unlocking module 33 comprises a third operating assembly 43 connected to an electronic control unit of the household appliance and to third operating means 23 (not shown in figure 10). The third assembly 43 is adapted to operate the third operating means 23 in response to a control signal received from the electronic unit.

According to an embodiment, the third operating assembly 43 comprises an electrical unit connected to the electronic control unit of the household appliance. The electric unit controls an actuator 430, a locking latch 431 and an operating cam (not shown in figure). The slider 53 comprises a seat 59 (figure 8) to receive the locking latch 431 and a profile to house the actuator 430. When the washing cycle is started, the electronic control unit of the household appliance controls the third assembly 43 for retaining the locking means 5 in the engaging position. According to an embodiment, such a control is implemented by controlling the operating cam by means of the actuator 430, and then by engaging the seat 59 of the slider 53 with the locking latch 431.

The present invention is further related to a household appliance, in particular a washing machine, comprising closing door of an operating compartment of the household appliance equipped with a door locking device described above.