Household appliance provided with an emergency opening system for door-locking device

Abstract

 The invention relates to a household appliance provided with a door, comprising a door-locking device of the kind provided with an element (4) for permitting activation of emergency opening of said door, and an emergency opening system for said door-locking device (1), said household appliance being characterised in that it provides a slot (5), realized on its outer wall, and in that said system comprises a tool (3), that can be inserted through said slot (5) until interacting with said element (4) in order to permit activation of the system for emergency opening of said door.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance provided with emergency opening system for door-locking device.

[0002] More specifically, the invention concerns a system of the above kind permitting intervening on door-locking devices fully controlled by electronics even in case of sudden lack of electric supply.

[0003] It is to be underlined that door-locking device is not specific object of this invention, and system described and claimed can be applied to every kind of door-locking device.

[0004] In fact, as it is well known, emergency conditions can occur in some door-locking devices, and more particularly on those fully controlled by household appliance electronics, e.g. due to sudden and not foreseen lack of electric supply.

[0005] When this kind of situation occurs, if the door of the household appliance is closed, it is necessary acting from outside with respect to the door-locking device in order to open the same.

[0006] Usually, an emergency opening system is provided in door-locking device.

[0007] At present, emergency opening is made by intervention of maintenance service, opening machine and/or lifting the same. Unlocking mechanism is actuated by a cord or like, which is provided within the household appliance.

[0008] Examples of known documents describing household appliances provided with door-locking emergency opening systems are the US patent 3,841, 518 A1 and GB patent 2279401, providing safety systems with an activation system integrated within the emergency system.

[0009] A further example of known emergency systems is described in DE patent n°3006307 A1, concerning a washing machine having a safety unlocking device for opening the door, provided under the ring of the same door. Said safety unlocking device can be actuated by a tool or like, to be inserted between door ring and the front wall of the washing machine.

[0010] Said solution has the technical drawback due to the fact that it must be reached close to the door. This implies risk of accidental unlocking.

[0011] In this situation it is included the solutions suggested according to the present invention, permitting unlocking the door without the risk of accidental unlocking, but also without it is necessary intervention of assistance, or of opening or moving the machine from its working position.

[0012] It is therefore specific object of the present invention a household appliance provided with a door, comprising a door-locking device of the kind provided with an element for permitting activation of emergency opening of said door, and an emergency opening system for said door-locking device, said household appliance being characterised in that it provides a slot, realized on its outer wall, and in that said system comprises a tool, that can be inserted through said slot until interacting with said element in order to permit activation of the system for emergency opening of said door.

[0013] Always according to the invention, said slot can be realized in the cabinet of said household appliance.

[0014] Preferably, according to the invention, said slot can be realised in joint separating two sheets or parts comprising the householding appliance cabinet.

[0015] Still according to the invention, said tool can be comprised of an element so shaped to interfere with said door-locking element in order to permit activation of the emergency opening.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the invention, said tool can be comprised of a key.

[0017] The present invention will be now described for illustrative and not limitative purposes according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the enclosed drawing, showing an embodiment of the emergency opening system for a door-locking device according to the invention.

[0018] As already said, the system according to the invention applies on a household appliance provided with a door-locking device, generically indicated by reference number 1, that can be of any type, even an already existing and installed door-locking device.

[0019] By the solution according to the present invention, unlocking is carried out outside the household appliance 2, directly acting on door locking device 1, by a suitably shaped tool 3.

[0020] A pushing on element 4 is applied by tool 3 in order to permit activation of emergency opening by door-locking device 1.

[0021] As it can be observed, said action can be carried out by a very small tool 3, which is inserted through e slot 5, practically not visible, realised on household appliance 2. Dimensions of slot 5, which is obviously realised in a suitable position, to reach element 4 by tool 3, will obviously be reduced, and thus it cannot be seen from outside. Particularly, slot 5 can be realised on outer cabinet of household appliance 2. As already said, tool 3 can be suitably shaped at the end inserted though said slot 5, so that it is possible properly interact with said element 4, i.e. by a key (that can be directly provided to the user or to the maintenance service) and that is inserted within said slot 5 obtained in joint of household cabinet. In other words, said slot 5 cannot be distinguished by joint line separating two sheets or parts comprising the household appliance.

[0022] Emergency opening system of said door-locking device 1 can be placed in such a position to prevent any risk of accidental actuation, preferably far from the door, e.g. on lateral surface, on upper base or on the rear.

[0023] The present invention has been described for illustrative, but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that variations and/or modifications can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims

1. Household appliance provided with a door, comprising
a door-locking device of the kind provided with an element (4) for permitting activation of emergency opening of said door, and
an emergency opening system for said door-locking device (1), said household appliance being characterised in that it provides a slot (5), realized on its outer wall,
and in that said system comprises a tool (3), that can be inserted through said slot (5) until interacting with said element (4) in order to permit activation of the system for emergency opening of said door.

2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that said slot (5) is realized in the cabinet of said household appliance.

3. Household appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said slot (5) is realised in joint separating two sheets or parts comprising the householding appliance cabinet.

4. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said tool (3) is comprised of an element so shaped to interfere with said door-locking element in order to permit activation of the emergency opening.

5. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said tool (3) is comprised of a key.

Drawing