HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITHOUT A HANDLE

• US 20120055091A1
• Filed: 09/07/2011
• Published: 03/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Miele & CIE KG
• Original Assignee: Miele & CIE KG
• Inventors: Beier, Dominic, Tiekoetter, Stefan, Backherms, Volker
• Granted Patent: US 8,758,524 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/31
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4259 Arrangements of locking or security/safety devices for doors, e.g. door latches, switch to stop operation when door is open
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4265 Arrangements of door covering/decoration panels or plinths, e.g. for integrated dishwashers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/32 Vibration or sound detection
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/22 Loading doors, e.g. door latches, inflatable door seals
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/79 using time control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/852 Sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/113 Power assistance
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/73 Single use of elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/304 for dishwashers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details

Abstract

A household appliance includes a door, an opening drive configured to move the door from a closed position into an at least partially open position and a door-opening sensor coupled to the door. The door opening sensor is configured to recognize an acoustically expressed door-opening command and includes a three-axis sensor.

Claims

1. :

A household appliance comprising;

a door;

an opening drive configured to move the door from a closed position into an at least partially open position; and

a door-opening sensor coupled to the door and configured to recognize an acoustically expressed door-opening command, the door-opening sensor including a three-axis sensor.

2. :

The household appliance recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance includes a dishwasher without a handle.

3. :

The household appliance recited in claim 1, wherein the appliance includes a refrigerator without a handle.

4. :

The household appliance recited in claim 1, further comprising a decorative panel, wherein the door-opening sensor is mechanically uncoupled from the decorative panel.

5. :

The household appliance recited in claim 4, wherein the decorative panel is connected to the door by a fastener.

6. :

The household appliance recited in claim 4, wherein the decorative panel includes a metal.

7. :

The household appliance recited in claim 1, wherein the door-opening sensor is a three-axis acceleration sensor.

8. :

The household appliance recited in claim 1, wherein the door-opening sensor is a three-axis vibration sensor.

9. :

A method for operating a door-opening mechanism of a household appliance, the method comprising;

providing a first signal using a door-opening sensor;

providing a second signal using the door-opening sensor;

providing a third signal using the door-opening sensor; and

calculating a total signal based on the first, second and third signals so as to determine a spatial direction from which a signal source originates.

10. :

The method recited in claim 9, wherein the first, second and third signals are filtered so as to provide a limited frequency band.

11. :

The method recited in claim 9, wherein a spectral analysis of the first, second and third signals is calculated or evaluated.

12. :

The method recited in claim 9, wherein acceleration integrals of the first, second and third signals are calculated or evaluated.