DK2336469T3 - Dishwasher with self-locking door - Google Patents

Description

Technical Field

The invention relates to a dishwasher with a pivoting, self-locking user door.

Background Art EP 541 974 describes a dishwasher with a pivot actuator. It serves for moving the door from a completely open position to a partially closed position and must be controlled by a switch. EP 437 815 discloses a dishwasher with a door, wherein a user can swing the door around a horizontal pivot axis. The door is connected on both sides to a pulley mechanism, which translates the motion of the door into a longitudinal motion of a rope. The back end of the rope is connected to the front end of a tension spring. The back end of the tension spring is anchored to a housing. For this structure, the tension spring generates a force, which counteracts the gravitational force exerted on the door. In this way it is possible, to adapt the door at least over a certain range of a pivot angle self-lockingly, such that the door does not continue to move if it is released.

However this requires, that the pulley mechanism and the spring are carefully adjusted und fitted to the type of door respectively its cover, since the size and weight of the door cover differs depending on its structure and material. The power requirement is not linear over the whole pivoting motion. Thus, even if the settings are carefully adjusted, a self-locking is only possible, if static friction in the pivoting motion of the door is relatively large, such that the user must exert a relatively large force to move the door.

Disclosure of the Invention

Against this background, the problem to be solved is to provide a dishwasher for which independently of the weight of the door, a smoothly moving door with a self-locking effect can be realized.

The problem is solved by a dishwasher according to claim 1. Accordingly, at least one pivot actuator connected to the door is provided, as well as an actuator control for the pivot actuator. The term pivot actuator describes thereby an active actuator, which exerts a force to the door, which force can be altered by an electrical control. The actuator control and the pivot actuator are adapted to retain the door at least over a range of a pivot angle in a self-locking manner, by changing the force exerted on the door by the pivot actuator dependent on the angle.

In a self-locking manner means that the door holds its pivoted position in a certain, not arbitrarily small range of angles, if the user releases it and it has come to a standstill. The range of angles is preferably at least 50°, in particular at least 80°.

By providing an active pivot actuator, the device can be adjusted much more precisely and more easily compared to what would be possible with a simple spring mechanism.

For detecting the pivoted position, viz. the pivot angle, of the door preferably a sensor is provided, wherein its signal can be analysed by the actuator control for controlling the pivot actuator.

Preferably, a further spring mechanism is provided, which counteracts an opening swing of the door due to gravity, and the pivot actuator has an effect on this spring mechanism, such that the force exerted by the spring mechanism can be varied. Thereby, a large part of the force exerted against gravity can be taken by the spring mechanism, such that the actuator only needs to slightly correct this force. Thereby, the requirements for the actuator, for example regarding the stroke-length and the power, are reduced and, in addition, the operation of the device becomes safer by ensuring a certain compensation of the gravitational force by the spring mechanism in case the actuator has a failure.

The actuator control has preferably a memory with calibration data, which defines a position or a force of the pivot actuator as a function of the position of the door, in which the door in the respective position is retained in self-locking manner. In other words, the memory comprises data, that allows to determine a weight of the door, conditions of friction, the position to be taken by the pivot actuator or the force exerted by the pivot actuator depending on the particular door position.

Thereby, it is possible to easily adjust the device solely by changing the calibration data to the particular conditions, e.g. to a specific type of cover.

In a particularly preferable embodiment, the control is adapted to measure the calibration data in a calibration mode on its own.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention arise from the dependent claims and from the following description based on the figure, which shows a side view of the hinge region of a dishwasher for a plurality of angle positions of the door.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a side view of the hinge region of a dishwasher. Illustrated is the door 1 (dashed line) of the device and the hinge mechanism 2. Not shown is the cover, which is arranged at the outside of the door 1.

The hinge mechanism 2 is assembled similarly to the mechanism described in EP 437 815. It is shown in

Fig. 1 in a plurality of pivot positions, wherein the closing pivoted position of the door is drawn in bold lines. The hinge mechanism comprises two double hinged brackets 3, 4. Each double hinged bracket 3, 4 is pivotably borne around a respective horizontal axis at a first end in a first pivot bearing 5a respectively 5b at a stationary housing frame 7. At its second end, each double hinged bracket 3, 4 is hinged in a second pivot bearing 8a respectively 8b to a foot of a door 9, again pivotably around a respective horizontal axis. The foot 9 of the door bears the door 1. A pulling arm 10 is mounted to the foot of the door 9, which pulling arm 10 is pivoting together with the foot of the door 9 and is connected to the rope 12 of a pulley mechanism 13 at its free end 11. The pulley mechanism 13 comprises further two deflection rollers 26, 27 which are mounted to the housing frame 7, wherein the rope 12 is guided around them. The end of the rope 12 opposite to the pulling arm 10 is connected to the first end 14 of a tension spring 15, which is horizontally arranged in an area of the housing floor and forms a spring mechanism for the device. The second end 16 of the tension spring 15 opposite to the first end 14 is connected to an auxiliary rope 17, which is coiled up on a rope pulley 18 of a pivot actuator 19. Also the pivot actuator 19 is tightly connected with the housing frame 7.

The pivot actuator 19 is controlled by an actuator control 20. For reasons, which become clearer from the description below, a memory 21 is arranged in the actuator control 20. Furthermore, the actuator control is connected to a sensor 22 for detecting the actuator position or the motion of the door 1.

The function of the arrangement according to Fig. 1 is described hereinafter. In doing so, the movement of the pivot actuator 19 is initially not considered .

The pivoting motion, which is illustrated by a plurality of positions of the foot of the door 9 in Fig. 1, occurs about a horizontal axis of rotation in a lower region of the door 1. In the course of this, the position of the rotation axis moves in a similar manner as shown in EP 437 815, such that complex motion sequences are possible.

In the course of the pivoting motion of the door from the vertical, closing position to the horizontal, completely open position, the rope 12 is entrained by the pulling arm 10 and is moved in a longitudinal direction of the rope, whereby the spring 15 is more or less stretched. This is illustrated by the arrows 25 underneath of the spring 15, wherein the right ends of the arrows show qualitatively the position of the right end of the spring 15 depending on the pivoted position of the door 1. Apparently, the spring is a bit relaxed at an initially low opening angle and still almost vertical door, wherein the tension steadily increases, until the maximal tension is reached when the door 1 is fully open. Accordingly, the restoring force exerted on the door 1 by the spring 15 initially slightly decreases with an increasing door opening angle, but then increases over the largest part of the travel, such that the gravity of the door is counteracted according to the friction force of the rollers or to the friction involving deflection mechanisms.

The force progression realized this way results normally not in a complete self-locking manner of the door with a given cover, but the force exerted by the spring would be, without further measures, depending on the opening angle of the door mostly a little bit too large or too small for self-locking. Preferably, the spring 15 and the geometry of the pulley mechanism and of the hinge mechanism are however selected such that the force of the spring deviates only a little from the force which is required for self-locking. Therefore, the force exerted on the door by the spring 15 in a center position of the pivot actuator 19 at a certain first opening angle of the door (preferably not exceeding 20°) should essentially constantly increase until at least a second particular opening angle of the door (preferably at least 70°) .

For ensuring a complete self-locking of the door, the pivot actuator 19 is provided, with which a rope pulley 18 can be rotated, such that more or less auxiliary rope 17 is coiled up. In other words, the position of the second end 16 of the spring 15 can be changed with the pivot actuator 19, as illustrated in Fig. 1 with the right ends of the arrows 25 for a plurality of opening angles of the door 1. In this way, the force exerted to the rope 12 by the spring 15 can be varied by the pivot actuator 19.

Now the actuator control 20, as mentioned above, in a normal operation mode is adapted to adjust the force exerted on the door by the pivot actuator 19 via the spring 15 and the rope 12 such that the door is retained in a self-locking manner. For moving, the actuator can position the spring element in such a manner that a small operational force is sufficient, for moving the door in the intended direction. Therefore, calibration data is stored in the memory 21, which indicates the position or the exerted force of the pivot actuator 19 as a function of the position of the door. The calibration data can e.g. be stored as an interpolating table or as a parameter of a calibration function.

The calibration data is depending on the weight of the door 1 and in particular depending on the cover, such that it should be adjusted accordingly to the particular requirements. Therefore, the actuator control 20 can be equipped with a calibration mode, which can be activated e.g. by a particular combination of inputs. In this calibration mode, the actuator control 21 finds the particular pivot actuator position or force for a plurality of pivot positions of the door, for which the door retains in a self-locking manner, viz. does not move anymore .

Therefore, e.g. the equipment installer can bring the dishwasher in the calibration mode and then bring the door in different pivoted positions one after the other. For each pivoted position, the actuator control 20 varies the position of the pivot actuator until the door does not move anymore. Alternatively, the actuator control 20 itself can bring the door into different pivoted positions by applying the force of the pivot actuator 19 for moving the door actively.

The pivoted position of the door 1 is recorded with a sensor 22. This can e.g. be a sensor of one of the following type:

The sensor 22 can be an angle sensor, which measures the pivot angle of a hinge of the hinge mechanism 2 of the door. For example, the sensor can be arranged at the hinge 5a or at the rolls 26, 27.

The sensor 22 can be a tilt sensor, for measuring the tilt angle of the door 1 relatively to the gravitational vertical axis. Such a sensor can be mounted somewhere in the door.

The sensor can be arranged at the pulley mechanism 13. In particular, it can be a travel sensor, which measures the position of a mark arranged at the rope 12, or a motion sensor, which measures a movement of the rope or the deflecting rolls.

The sensor can be a motion sensor or a acceleration sensor.

The embodiment according to Fig. 1 shows only one side of the device. Preferably, a pulley mechanism 13 is provided on each side, such that equivalent forces are exerted on the door. Thereby, a particular pivot actuator 19 is assigned to each pulley mechanism 13, viz. the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is provided on each side of the device. It is also possible that the two pulley mechanisms 13 are guided to a common pivot actuator 19, which e.g. is arranged in the centre of a rear bottom area of the device. In this way, an adjustable force can be exerted to the ropes 12 of both pulley mechanisms 13 with only one common pivot actuator 19.

For moving the door, the user catches it and applies a pivot force to it. The resulting movement is recorded by a actuator control 20 via the sensor 22 and the actuator control 20 adjusts the position of the pivot actuator 19 according to the particular angle position automatically, such that if the door is released, the door automatically comes to a standstill.

Annotations :

The term "rope" mentioned above is to be understood in a broad sense. It can refer to a real rope, but also e.g. to a wire, a chain, or a ribbon, or to another flexible, longitudinal element, which is in a condition to receive the tension force between the door 1 and the tension spring 15.

Preferably, the pivot actuator 19 is realized in a self-locking manner, e.g. by means of a high reduction ratio, such that it can retain its position without power also under tension force of the spring 15.

The pivot actuator 19 can e.g. be adapted as a servo actuator or a stepping motor or as a spindle drive (in this case, the rope pulley 18 can be omitted) or as a lever system.

Although the hinge mechanism 2 as described above is advantageous, the hinge of the door 1 can also be built in a different way, e.g. according to EP 437 815 .

Possibly, the pivot actuator 19 acts also directly and not via a spring on the hinge mechanism or directly on the door. In this case, a spring mechanism can essentially be even omitted completely - however, for above mentioned reasons is the use of a spring or a spring mechanism advantageous.

The embodiment described above relates to a four point hinge. However, the exact type of the hinge is for the present invention of minor significance. It can be applied e.g. also for a one point hinge.

The term "pivot actuator" is meant to be broadly interpreted. In particular, the motion of the door is not generated by the actuator alone, but results from the forces exerted by the pivot actuator and the user .

Whereas preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be explicitly notified, that the invention is not limited to those and can also be realized in any other manner within the full extent of the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. Opvaskemaskine med en drejelig, selvbremsende dør (1), der kan drejes omkring en horisontal rotationsakse i et nedre område af døren, idet en bruger tager fat i den og udøver en drejekraft derpå, hvor opvaskemaskinen omfatter et drejedrev (19), der er forbundet med døren (1), samt en drevstyreenhed (20) til drejedrevet (19), kendetegnet ved, at drevstyreenheden (20) og drejedrevet (19) er udformet til at holde døren (1) selvbremsende i det mindste over et drejevinkelområde ved ændring af en kraft, der udøves på døren (1) af drejedrevet (19), på en sådan måde, at døren bibeholder sin dre-jestilling, når brugeren giver slip på den, idet kraften, der udøves på døren af drejedrevet, ændres vinkelafhængigt ved elektrisk styring.A dishwasher with a rotatable, self-braking door (1) that can be rotated about a horizontal axis of rotation in a lower region of the door, a user grasping it and exerting a pivot force thereon, the dishwasher comprising a pivot drive (19), which is connected to the door (1) and a drive control unit (20) to the pivot drive (19), characterized in that the drive control unit (20) and the pivot drive (19) are designed to hold the door (1) self-braking at least over a pivot angle range at changing a force exerted on the door (1) by the pivot drive (19) in such a way that the door retains its pivot position when the user releases it, the force exerted on the door by the pivot gear changing by electrical control. 2. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 1, hvor drevstyreenheden (20) og drejedrevet (19) er udformet til at holde døren (1) selvbremsende over et drejevinkelområde på mindst 50°, især mindst 80°.A dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the drive control unit (20) and the pivot drive (19) are designed to hold the door (1) self-braking over a pivot angle range of at least 50 °, especially at least 80 °. 3. Opvaskemaskine ifølge et af de foregående krav, med en sensor (22) til detektering af dørens (1) drejeposition.Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, with a sensor (22) for detecting the turning position of the door (1). 4. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 3, hvor sensoren (22) er en vinkelsensor, med hvilken en drejevinkel af et af dørens (1) drejeled (5a) kan måles.The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the sensor (22) is an angle sensor by which a pivot angle of one of the pivot joints (5a) of the door (1) can be measured. 5. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 3, hvor sensoren (22) er en vippesensor, med hvilken en vippevinkel af døren (1) i forhold til en tyngdekraftsvertikal kan måles.A dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the sensor (22) is a tilt sensor with which a tilt angle of the door (1) relative to a gravity vertical can be measured. 6. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 3, hvor sensoren (22) er en vejsensor eller bevægelsessensor på en kabeltrækmekanisme (13), der er forbundet med døren (1).A dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the sensor (22) is a road sensor or motion sensor on a cable pulling mechanism (13) connected to the door (1). 7. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 3, hvor sensoren (22) er en accelerationssensor.A dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the sensor (22) is an acceleration sensor. 8. Opvaskemaskine ifølge et af de foregående krav med en fjedermekanisme (15), der modvirker, at døren (1) svinger op på grund af tyngdekraften, hvor kraften, der udøves på døren (1) af fjedermekanismen (15), kan varieres med drejedrevet (19).Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, with a spring mechanism (15) which prevents the door (1) from swinging up due to gravity, whereby the force exerted on the door (1) by the spring mechanism (15) can be varied by pivot drive (19). 9. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 8, hvor en kraft, der udøves på døren af fjedermekanismen (15), ved åbning af døren fra en første åbningsvinkel af døren (1) tiltager konstant til en anden åbningsvinkel af døren, og især hvor den første åbningsvinkel højst er 20°, og den anden åbningsvinkel mindst er 70°.Dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein a force exerted on the door by the spring mechanism (15), when opening the door from a first opening angle of the door (1), constantly increases to a second opening angle of the door, and especially where the first opening angle is at most is 20 ° and the second opening angle is at least 70 °. 10. Opvaskemaskine ifølge et af de foregående krav med en kabeltrækme-kanisme (13), der er forbundet med døren (1), med et kabel (12), der kan bevæges ved at dreje døren (1) i kablets langsgående retning, hvor en kraft, der kan ændres, kan udøves på kablet (12) med drejedrevet (19).Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, with a cable pull mechanism (13) connected to the door (1) with a cable (12) which can be moved by turning the door (1) in the longitudinal direction of the cable, wherein an adjustable force can be exerted on the cable (12) with the pivot drive (19). 11. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 10, hvor kablet (12) er forbundet med en trækfjeder (15), der er fastgjort til drejedrevet (19).Dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein the cable (12) is connected to a tension spring (15) attached to the pivot drive (19). 12. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 11, hvor trækfjederen (15) i en første ende (14) er forbundet med kablet (12), og hvor en position af en anden ende (16) af trækfjederen (15) kan varieres med drejedrevet (19).Dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the tension spring (15) is connected to the cable (12) at a first end (14) and wherein a position of a second end (16) of the tension spring (15) can be varied with the pivot drive (19). . 13. Opvaskemaskine ifølge et af kravene 10 til 12 med to kabeltrækmeka-nismer (13) på begge sider af døren (1), hvor kabeltrækmekanismerne (13) er ført hen til et fælles drejedrev (19), således at kraften, der kan ændres, kan udøves på kablerne (12) ved kabeltrækmekanismerne (13) med det fælles drejedrev (19).Dishwasher according to one of claims 10 to 12, with two cable pulling mechanisms (13) on both sides of the door (1), wherein the cable pulling mechanisms (13) are led to a common turning drive (19) so that the force which can be changed , can be exerted on the cables (12) by the cable pulling mechanisms (13) with the common pivot drive (19). 14. Opvaskemaskine ifølge et af kravene 10 til 12 med to kabeltrækmeka-nismer (13) på begge sider af døren (1), hvor der er tilordnet et drejedrev (19) til hver kabeltrækmekanisme (13).Dishwasher according to one of claims 10 to 12, with two cable pulling mechanisms (13) on both sides of the door (1), with a pivot drive (19) for each cable pulling mechanism (13). 15. Opvaskemaskine ifølge et af de foregående krav, hvor drevstyreenheden (20) omfatter en hukommelse (21) med kalibreringsdata, der som funktion af dørpositionen fastlægger en drejedrevposition eller -kraft, ved hvilken døren (1) holdes selvbremsende i den pågældende dørposition.Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive control unit (20) comprises a memory (21) with calibration data which, as a function of the door position, determines a pivot drive position or force at which the door (1) is kept self-braking in that door position. 16. Opvaskemaskine ifølge krav 15, hvor drevstyreenheden (20) er udformet til i en kalibreringsmodus at måle kalibreringsdataene, og især hvor drevstyreenheden (20) er udformet til i kalibreringsmodus at finde den drejedrevsposition eller -kraft, hvor døren (1) holdes, til flere dreje-positioner af døren (1).Dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the drive controller (20) is designed to measure the calibration data in a calibration mode, and in particular where the drive controller (20) is designed to find in the calibration mode the pivot drive position or force at which the door (1) is held. several turning positions of the door (1).