WO2018060943A1

WO2018060943A1 - Device for closing and opening panels, in particular panels of electrical household appliances such as washing machines and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2018060943A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/055999
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano ROCCHITELLI; Alessandro Mansutti
Original assignee: Elettrotecnica Rold S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2017-09-29
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Also published as: EP3519654B1; EP3519654A1; IT201600098473A1; CN109844248B; CN109844248A

Abstract

A closing and opening device for doors and/or panels and/or similar components, in particular of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, said device comprising a closing and opening assembly 20 adapted to be alternatively engaged and disengaged from a striker element 11 adapted to be rigidly fixed to a said panel, wherein said closing and opening assembly 20 comprises a first closing and opening element 5 which can be switched between a first position and a second position, said closing and opening elements 5 and striker 11 being shaped so that the reciprocal pushing action of said striker element 11 against said closing and opening assembly 20, between a first engagement and switching surface 51 and a second engagement and switching surface 111 of said closing and opening element 5 and said striker element 11, respectively, results in a first switching of said closing and opening element 5 from said first position to said second position, wherein said closing and opening element 5 can be switched by rotation.

Description

DEVICE FOR CLOSING AND OPENING PANELS, IN PARTICULAR PANELS OF ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES SUCH AS WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and/or similar electrical household appliances. In particular, the present invention relates to a closing and opening device, in particular for panels, doors or the like, for example of electrical household appliances of the aforesaid type. In detail, the present invention relates to a device of the aforesaid type adapted to prevent the accidental opening of a panel or door, for example during the operation of a washing machine, as well as, again in the case of a washing machine or a similar electrical household appliance, to provide the hermetic seal of the panel or door, as well as to allow the easy opening of the panel under special pre-set conditions (for example, when the washing machine or similar electrical household appliance is not in operation). The present invention further relates to a closing and opening system comprising a closing and opening device of the aforesaid type, as well as to an electrical household appliance (for example, a washing machine or a similar electrical household appliance) equipped with a device and/or system of the aforesaid type.

BACKGROUND ART

The most common closing and opening devices and/or systems employed for electrical household appliances, such as, for example, washing machines and/or similar electrical household appliances, essentially comprise an actual closing (and opening) assembly usually applied to the housing of the electrical household appliance and a striker element usually fixed to the panel of the same electrical household appliance. Furthermore, commonly, the closing and opening assembly can be switched between a first closing position and a second opening position, wherein the closing assembly, in the closing position, engages the corresponding striker element stop of the panel, thus securing the closing of the panel itself, while, conversely, in the opening position, it allows the disengagement of the striker element and thus the opening of the panel.

For example, manual switching devices and/or systems are known, i.e. in which the switching of the closing and opening assembly is accomplished manually by a user or operator, devices and/or systems in which the switching of the closing and opening assembly is electromechanically assisted, e.g. by means of small electric motors, solenoids and/or similar components being in fact equally well-known and common.

Furthermore, regardless of the type of switching (manual or electromechanical switching), the most recently developed devices and/or systems were conceived to meet different requirements, said requirements being dictated by both current safety standards and functional needs.

For example, in terms of safety, the devices and/or systems according to the prior art have been conceived so as to prevent the accidental opening of the panel, in particular during the operation of the electrical household appliance, for example, in the case of a washing machine, during the washing cycle steps which provide for the presence of water inside the washing machine, wherein, on the other hand, the safety standards also require the possibility of an easy (simple and fast) opening of the panel, in particular, in case of emergencies.

From the point of view of the functional needs, instead, an essential requirement is that of ensuring the perfect hermetic seal of the panel so as to prevent water or liquid leakages and/or similar drawbacks.

The closing devices and/or systems of the known type, even those according to the most recent prior art, although being appreciable from the "industrial" point of view (construction simplicity and cost-effective manufacturing), also have the drawback of meeting only partially and only some of the requirements and/or needs summarized above, while the demand for devices which are both compliant to safety standards as well as appreciable from the functionality and/or reliability point of view is growing.

It is therefore the main object of the present invention to overcome or at least minimize the drawbacks summarized above and observed in the closing devices and/or systems according to the prior art.

In particular, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a closing and opening device allowing for a reliable closing (in particular, hermetic and not subject to accidental and/or unwanted openings) of the panel, while allowing, in case of emergencies, for a quick and easy opening of the panel. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the above objects must be ensured for a prolonged period of time, in particular, even after a minimum number of closing and opening cycles compatible with market needs.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a closing and opening device and/or system which allows to achieve the above objects, but which may be obtained by means of simple and therefore cost-effective manufacturing methods.

Finally, the closing and opening device and/or system according to the present invention shall be characterized by reduced size and bulk, as well as be applicable to electrical household appliances of the known type according to equally simple and cost-effective modes, as well as not require substantial modifications to said electrical household appliances.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is based on the general consideration according to which it is possible to achieve the above pre-set objects and in particular to meet the functionality and reliability needs in compliance with safety standards by means of a device which provides for two different reciprocal engagement conditions between switching assembly and striker element, the switching assembly and the striker element being simply alternatively engageable (into said first engagement condition) and disengageable (from said first engagement position) by alternatively acting by means of pushing and traction (or internal pushing) on the panel, the switching assembly and the striker element being further alternatively engageable (into said second engagement condition) and disengageable (from said second engagement position) by means of assisted switching of the switching assembly, for example by means of electromechanical means such as electric motors or the like.

A further consideration underlying the present invention is that the assisted switching from said first reciprocal engagement condition to said second reciprocal engagement condition (between the switching assembly and the striker element) may be effectively used to obtain an improved reciprocal engagement between the panel and the main body (in particular, the housing) of the electrical household appliance, thus ensuring, for example, the watertight sealing of the panel itself. Furthermore, being the reciprocal disengagement of the striker element and of the switching assembly (from said second position or engagement condition) possible only by means of the activation of said electromechanical means, the accidental opening of the panel, for example in the presence of water in the electrical household appliance, will be prevented.

Based on the above considerations, and in view of the problems and/or drawbacks observed in the closing and opening devices and/or systems according to the prior art, according to a first embodiment, the present invention relates to a closing and opening device for doors and/or panels and/or similar components, in particular of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, said device comprising a closing and opening assembly adapted to be alternatively engaged and disengaged from a striker element in turn adapted to be rigidly fixed to a said panel, where said closing and opening assembly comprises a first closing and opening element which can be switched between a first position and a second position, said closing/opening elements and striker being shaped so that the reciprocal pushing action of said striker element against said closing and opening assembly, between a first engagement and switching surface and a second engagement and switching surface of said closing and opening element and said striker element, respectively, results in a first switching of said closing and opening element from said first position to said second position, where said closing and opening element can be switched by rotation, where said closing and opening element comprises a through opening, and where with said closing and opening element in said second position, said striker element can be inserted at least partially into said closing and opening element through said through opening.

According to an embodiment, said closing and opening assembly comprises first elastic means, where said first switching of said closing and opening element from said first position to said second position is accomplished against the resistance exerted by said elastic means, and where with said striker element at least partially inserted in said closing and opening element through said through opening, said closing and opening element is switched again from said second position substantially to said first position by virtue of the pushing action of said elastic means.

According to an embodiment, with said striker element at least partially inserted through said through opening and said closing and opening element in said first position, a second engagement and switching surface of said closing and opening element engages a second engagement and switching surface of said striker element so as to prevent said striker element from accidentally exiting from said closing and opening element through said through opening, thus preventing the accidental disengagement of said closing and opening assembly from said striker element.

According to a variant, at least said second engagement and switching surface of said closing and opening element is shaped so that, with said striker element at least partially inserted through said through opening and with said closing and opening element substantially in said first position, a traction with predefined intensity exerted on said striker element in a direction opposite to the insertion direction results in a further switching of said closing and opening element from said first position to said second position, and therefore in the disengagement of said striker element from said closing and opening assembly.

According to an embodiment, said closing and opening element can be further switched by rotation from said first position to a third position opposite to said second position, where at least said second engagement and switching surface of said closing and opening element is shaped so that, with said striker element at least partially inserted into said closing and opening assembly, the switching of said closing and opening element from said second position to said third position results in a further insertion of said striker element into said closing and opening assembly.

According to an embodiment, said closing and opening element can be switched by rotation from said third position to a fourth position, said fourth position being such as to allow said striker element to exit and/or be extracted from said closing and opening assembly through said through opening of said closing and opening element.

According to a variant, the rotation direction for switching said closing and opening element from said third position to said fourth position coincides with the rotation direction for switching from said first position to said third position.

According to an embodiment, said closing and opening assembly further comprises second elastic means, where, with said closing and opening element in each of said third and fourth positions, said second elastic means are elastically engaged by said striker element, and where, with said closing and opening element in said fourth position, the outward movement and/or extraction of said striker element from said closing and opening assembly through said through opening are facilitated by the elastic reaction of said second elastic means.

According to an embodiment, said closing and opening assembly further comprises a switchable operating element coupled to said closing and opening element so that the switching of said operating element results in a switching of said closing and opening element.

According to a variant, said operating element can be switched by rotation, where the switching by rotation of said switching element from a first position to a second position and from said second position to a third position results in the switching of said closing and opening element from said first position to said third position and from said third position to said fourth position, respectively.

According to an embodiment, said device comprises electromechanical means for switching said operating element.

According to an embodiment, said electromechanical means comprise an electric motor and one or more transmission elements interposed between said electric motor and said operating element.

According to a variant, said operating element comprises a circular serrated ring nut, where said serrated ring nut is engaged by at least one of said transmission elements.

The present invention further relates to a closing and opening system for doors and/or panels and/or similar components, in particular of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, said system comprising a striker element adapted to be rigidly fixed to a said panel, where said system comprises a closing and opening device according to one of the variants and/or embodiments summarized above, where the closing and opening assembly of said device is adapted to alternatively engage and disengage said striker element.

The present invention further relates to an electrical household appliance such as, for example, a washing machine, comprising at least one panel, said electrical household appliance comprising a device according to one of the variants and/or embodiments summarized above and a striker element rigidly fixed to said panel. Any further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further clarified below by means of the following detailed description of the possible embodiments depicted in the drawings, in which corresponding or equivalent features and/or component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numerals. It should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and depicted in the drawings; conversely, all those variants and/or modifications of the embodiments described below and depicted in the accompanying drawings, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, fall within the scope of the present invention.

In the drawings:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective and exploded view of a device and a closing and opening system according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Figures from 2 to 10 show perspective views of the device and system according to an embodiment of the present invention during different respective steps of the reciprocal engagement and disengagement thereof;

- Figures from 11 to 16 show perspective views of the device and system according to an embodiment of the present invention during further different respective steps of the engagement thereof;

- Figures from 17 to 22 show side and partial section views of the device and system according to an embodiment of the present invention during some of the different steps of the reciprocal engagement and disengagement of the device, depicted in Figures from 11 to 16;

- Figures from 23 to 26 show plan and partial section views of the device and system according to an embodiment of the present invention during some of the different steps of the reciprocal engagement and disengagement of the device, depicted in Figures from 1 1 to 16;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention finds particular application in the field of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, this being the reason why, below, the present invention will be described with particular reference to the applications thereof in the field of electrical household appliances, in particular of a washing machine.

However, it should be pointed out that the possible applications of the present invention are not limited to those described below. Conversely, the present invention finds convenient application in all cases in which the closing and the opening of a panel are required to be reliable, simple, safe, and in accordance with the safety standards.

In Figure 1 , the device according to the embodiment depicted therein is identified by reference numeral 100 and comprises a support base 10 with a through opening as well as, arranged on the base 10, electromechanical means 6, 7 and 8, a closing and opening element 5 housed in a ring nut 3 (the element 5 and the ring nut 3 being assembled together to form a switching assembly 20) as well as a locking ring 2 and an elastic flap 1 1 . The closing and opening element 5, with a circular external peripheral surface, is housed inside the ring nut 3, which in turn defines a cylindrical internal surface with a radius substantially corresponding to that of the external surface of the element 5, and which is equipped with an external serration 31. The electromechanical means 6, 7 and 8 essentially comprise a small electric motor 6 on the shaft of which a first pinion 7 is fixed, engaging in turn an intermediate gear 8 (serrated wheel), a third intermediate gear being engaged by the second gear, where the third gear comprises a serrated wheel from which a rotation shaft extends with an external surface comprising a helical groove (in practice, a worm gear) which finally engages the external serration of the ring nut 3. It thus appears that the activation of the starter motor 6 with consequent rotation of the shaft and of the pinion 7 results in a rotation of the intermediate transmission gears, and finally in a rotation of the ring nut 3. The closing and opening element 5 is housed, as mentioned above, inside the ring nut 3 and is both rotatable with respect to the ring nut 3 (inside a pre-set circular sector) and rotated by the ring nut 3 according to modes clarified below in greater detail. The element 5 further comprises a through opening 30 of shape and size substantially corresponding to those of the opening obtained in the base 10, i.e. with two opposite straight sides joined by two curved sides which are also opposite. First elastic means are interposed between the element 5 and the ring nut 3 (see in particular, for example, Figures from 2 to 5), which essentially consist of a couple of helical clips 4 arranged in symmetrical positions with respect to a transverse symmetry plane, where the element 5 in non-use conditions (resting) is kept pushed in the end-of-stroke position thereof with respect to the ring nut 3 by the action of the two clips 4. In Figure 1 , reference numeral 9 further identifies a control and management board adjacent the ring nut 3 and comprising external conductive metal foils adapted to be suitably stressed by the ring nut 3 during the rotation thereof, again according to modes clarified below in greater detail.

With reference to Figures from 23 to 26, the macroscopic features and/or peculiarities of both the ring nut 3 and the closing and opening element 5 will be described below. As depicted in Figure 3, the ring nut 3, in addition to the serration 32, comprises a plurality of protrusions 31 adapted, in fact, to engage, during the rotation of the ring nut 3, the conductive metal foils of the board 9, where the engagement of one or more of the metal foils results in the generation of electrical control signals adapted to be received by a control unit (not depicted in the Figures) belonging to the electrical household appliance equipped with the device 100. Furthermore, as for the closing and opening element 5, Figure 26 shows a plan view thereof, in particular, from the bottom with respect to Figure 1 , from which it appears that the element 5 comprises two opposite tapered (inclined) surfaces 51 extending from the opposite longitudinal edges of the opening 30 tightening towards the inside of the opening 30 itself. For clarity, the two opposite tapered surfaces 51 of the element 5 will be also defined below as first striker or engagement surfaces of the closing and opening element 5, where, in element 5 a circular bottom will be identified, which defines the opening 30 and is surrounded and delimited by a cylindrical side wall. The bottom surface facing the base 10 (and possibly partially resting on the base 10 itself) is thus substantially flat (figure 26) without the two opposite tapered surfaces 51 described herein. The bottom of the element 5, on the opposite side of the surface resting on the base 10, is instead shaped so as to define two inclined surfaces (for example, as a cam 52) arranged on the sides of the opening 30, where the thickness of the bottom portions underlaid by the two surfaces 52 varies from a minimum thickness to a maximum thickness, and where the two cam (or simply inclined) surfaces 52 are arranged and oriented symmetrically with respect to the opening 30.

Again with reference to Figure 1 , a latch-shaped striker element 1 1 (substantially "T-shaped", but not limited to in the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 ) is further depicted therein, where the latch is adapted to be fixed to the panel (not depicted) of an electrical household appliance, for example a washing machine or laundry machine. It is thus apparent that the reciprocal engagement and disengagement of the latch 1 1 and of the device 100, according to modes clarified below in greater detail, result in the closing and opening of the panel, respectively.

As previously described, the device according to the present invention allows at least two reciprocal engagement modes between the striker element 1 1 and the device itself, and thus two closing and opening modes, respectively, of the panel provided with the striker element 1 1 ; a first reciprocal engagement and disengagement mode will be clarified below with reference to Figures from 2 to 10, in which component parts and/or features of the device 100 according to the present invention already described above with reference to other Figures are identified by the same reference numerals.

Figures from 2 to 6 depict the progressive engagement of the striker element 1 1 and of the device 100, the progressive engagement being obtained, for example, by the panel progressively approaching the electrical household appliance equipped with the device 100.

In the starting situation depicted in Figure 2, the element 5 is kept in the end-of- stroke position thereof with respect to the ring nut 3 by the springs 4, where, in this situation, the opening 30 of the element 5 is not perfectly aligned with the corresponding opening of the base but, conversely, the bottom of the element 5 at least partially overlaps the opening of the base 10, the opening of the base 10 being thus at least partially obstructed by the element 5 (by the bottom thereof). With the progressive approach of the striker element 1 1 to the device 10 (Figures from 2 to 3), the striker element 1 1 is first inserted into the corresponding opening of the base 10, where the engagement surface 1 1 1 of the element 1 1 is put in contact with the surfaces 51 of the element 5 or at least with the portions thereof placed at the opening of the base 10. It is thus apparent that by exerting a further pushing action on the striker element 1 1 (in the insertion direction), by virtue of the shape of the surfaces 51 (and possibly of a further tapering of the surface 1 1 1 ), the pushing of the striker element 1 1 on the surfaces 51 will result in a switching (rotation) of the element 5 in a rotation direction defined by the orientation of the surfaces 51 and 1 1 1 involved, and thus in a rotation in the counterclockwise direction, in the specific case and with respect to the Figures, with the subsequent substantial alignment of the opening 30 and of the opening of base 10 (Figure 5), and thus with the possibility of further inserting the striker element 1 1 into the closing and opening assembly 20 through the opening 30. It should be noted in particular how the rotation or switching of the element 5 described herein is accomplished against the pushing action exerted by the clips 4 which are thus elastically loaded, being the ring nut 3 still with respect to the base 10 (the electromechanical switching means are deactivated).

With the further insertion of the striker element 1 1 through the opening 30, until positioning the striker head 1 13 (transversely with respect to the rod) of the element 1 1 , in particular the surface 1 12 (opposite to the surface 1 1 1 in the longitudinal development direction of the element 1 1 ) beyond the opening 30, and in particular beyond the end portions of the cam surfaces 52 underlying the portions of the bottom with a minimum thickness, the rotating pushing on the element 5 is stopped, which is thus again switched (rotated) in the opposite direction (clockwise), by virtue of the action of the previously elastically loaded clips 4, where the surfaces 52 engage the surface 1 12 of the striker element 12, thus forming a first reciprocal engagement condition between the device 100 (closing assembly 20) and the striker element 1 1 and thus a closing condition between the panel and the electrical household appliance. This is a particularly advantageous closing condition since it allows to keep the panel in the minimum bulk orientation (against the electrical household appliance) and since it is obtainable without any need to activate the electromechanical means for the assisted switching of the device.

In an equally simple and immediate manner, the reciprocal disengagement between element 1 1 and device 100 or closing assembly 20 can be achieved by simply acting in traction on the striker element 1 1 (for example by acting on the panel) in the opposite direction of the engagement or insertion direction. In fact, as depicted in Figures from 7 to 10, the engagement of the surface 1 12 with the cam surfaces 52, in case of traction on the element 1 1 , results in a new rotation of the element 5 in a counterclockwise direction, with the consequent substantial alignment of the opening 30 with the opening of the base 10 (and thus with the transverse part of the element 1 1 ), and thus with the possibility of extracting the element 1 1 through the opening 30 and the opening of the base 10, where again by virtue of the action of the springs 4, the reciprocal disengagement between the striker element 1 1 and the closing element 5, results in a further rotation (in the clockwise direction) of the element 5, which is thus re-positioned in the starting configuration, in which the closing element 5 is in the end-of-stroke position thereof with respect to the ring nut 3 and partially obstructs the opening of the base 10 (Figure 1 ). The disengagement modes (and thus the opening modes of the panel) described above ensure both a simplified and immediate opening of the panel (for example when the electrical household appliance is to be loaded), and the appropriate guarantees in terms of safety, for example, in emergency conditions, in particular, being the opening of the panel possible according to similar modes, also acting by pushing on the panel from the inside of the electrical household appliance, for example in the unfortunately frequent case of a child trapped in the electrical household appliance.

Once again, it should be further noted that during the closing and opening steps described above, the ring nut 3 has never been rotated, being the switchings only related to rotations of the element 5 with respect to the ring nut 3.

The second reciprocal engagement and disengagement modes of the device 100 (of the assembly 20) and of the striker element 1 1 , and thus the closing and opening modes of the panel, will be described below with reference to Figures from 1 1 to 22; for synthesis purposes, below, it will also be assumed that the striker element 1 1 and the closing and opening assembly 20 are already mutually engaged in the first reciprocal engagement condition depicted in Figure 6.

In the situation depicted in Figure 6, the activation of the starter motor 6, for example automatically controlled by the start of the washing program, results in a rotation of each of the transmission elements, and thus also of the ring nut 3, in particular in a clockwise direction; the rotation of the ring nut 3 in the clockwise direction (note the different arrangement of the protrusions 31 with respect to the control board 9) results first in a progressive compression of the clips 4 (possibly already partially compressed) but also in a progressive feeding, in the clockwise direction, of the element 5, which thus results (Figure 12) in a progressive engagement of the surfaces 52 with the surface 1 12 of the striker element 1 1 and thus in the further movement, in the insertion direction, of the element 1 1 with respect to the element 5, and thus, by virtue of the shape of the surfaces 52, in the progressive approach of the panel to the electrical household appliance, with the subsequent progressive compression of the elastic gasket (if present) interposed between the panel and the electrical household appliance.

The rotation of the ring nut 3 and of the element 5 continues until reaching the final arrangement depicted in Figure 13, i.e. with the opening 30 of the element 5 arranged (substantially) transversely with respect to the head 1 13 of the element 1 1 , where the surface 1 12 is engaged by the portions of the surfaces 52 underlying the portions of the bottom of the element 5 with greater thickness, and where the element 1 1 is thus in the maximum insertion position through the opening 30. At this point, the starter motor 6 is automatically deactivated, in particular by virtue of the engagement of the conductive metal foils of the board 9, where the panel is thus positioned in the sealing condition and the operating cycle of the electrical household appliance may thus begin, for example the actual washing cycle of a washing machine or laundry machine.

It should be noted (see also Figure 21 ) as (at least) in the closing condition of Figure 13, the surface 1 1 1 (at least the flat part thereof) of the head 1 13 of the element 1 1 engages the elastic flap 1 , which is thus elastically loaded and acts by pushing on the element 1 1 in the opposite direction of the insertion direction thereof.

The reciprocal disengagement of the element 1 1 and of the assembly 20 and thus the opening of the panel are shown in Figures from 14 to 15 and provide for the further rotation of the ring nut 3 and of the element 5 (still in the clockwise direction) by virtue of the activation of the starter motor 6 and the subsequent rotation of the transmission elements, the actuation of the starter motor being obtained, for example, automatically at the end of the washing cycle, where, thereby (Figure 16) the opening 30 is again aligned both with the transverse head 1 13 of the element 1 1 and with the opening of the base 10, where the element 1 1 is thus ejected by virtue of the pushing exerted thereon by the elastic flap 1 , and thus disengaged; the panel is thus automatically opened. It should be further noted that with the element 1 1 disengaged (Figure 15), the element 5 is first rotated by a little less than 180 ° with respect to the starting position, where, still with the striker element disengaged, a further rotation of the element 5 with respect to the ring nut 3 occurs, in particular by virtue of the action of the clips 4, where the element 5 reaches the position of Figure 16, in which it is rotated by 180 ° with respect to the starting position.

It has thus been shown, by means of the above detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention depicted in the drawings, that the present invention allows to achieve the desired results and to overcome or at least limit the drawbacks observed in the prior art.

In particular, by means of the present invention, a closing and opening device is provided, which allows for a reliable closing (in particular, hermetic and not subject to accidental and/or unwanted openings) of the panel, while allowing, in case of emergencies, but not only, for a quick, easy and automatic opening of the panel. Furthermore, the above objects are achieved and ensured for a prolonged period of time, in particular, even after a minimum number of closing and opening cycles compatible with market needs, where the device according to the present invention may be achieved by means of simple and therefore cost-effective manufacturing methods, is characterized by reduced size and bulk, and is applicable to electrical household appliances of the known type according to equally simple and cost-effective modes, and does not require substantial modifications to said electrical household appliances.

Although the present invention has been previously clarified by means of the detailed description of the embodiments depicted in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and depicted in the drawings; conversely, all those variants and/or modifications of the embodiments described below and depicted in the accompanying drawings, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the scope of the present invention. For example, according to a variant, a protective lid (not shown in the Figures) may be included, possibly to replace the ring 2, and thus, in this case, with both protection and fixing functions. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the electromechanical means for the assisted switching may be entirely or partially omitted and/or replaced by equivalent components such as transmission belts or the like, the device according to the present invention being however arranged for the manual switching of the closing element 5 by means of the ring nut 5 or, alternatively, directly.

The scope of protection of the present invention is therefore defined by the claims.

Claims

1 . A closing and opening device (100) for doors and/or panels and/or similar components, in particular of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, said device comprising a closing and opening assembly (20) adapted to be alternatively engaged and disengaged from a striker element (1 1 ) adapted to be fixed rigidly to said panel, wherein said closing and opening assembly (20) comprises a first closing and opening element (5) which can be switched between a first position and a second position, said closing and opening element (5) and striker (1 1 ) being shaped in such a way that the reciprocal pushing action of said striker element (1 1 ) against said closing and opening assembly (20), between a first engagement and switching surface (51 ) and a second engagement and switching surface (1 1 1 ) of said closing and opening element (5) and said striker element (1 1 ) respectively, results or translates into a first switching of said closing and opening element (5) from said first position to said second position, characterized in that said closing and opening element (5) can be switched by rotation, in that said closing and opening element (5) comprises a through opening (30) and in that with said closing and opening element (5) in said second position, said striker element (1 1 ) can be inserted at least partially into said closing and opening element (5) through said through opening (30).

2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said closing and opening assembly (20) comprises first elastic means (4), in that said first switching of said closing and opening element (5) from said first position to said second position is accomplished against the resistance exerted by said first elastic means (4), and in that, with said striker element (1 1 ) at least partially inserted in said closing and opening element (5) through said through opening (30), said closing and opening element (5) is switched again from said second position substantially to said first position due to the pushing action of said first elastic means (4).

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, with said striker element (1 1 ) at least partially inserted through said opening (30) and said closing and opening element (5) in said first position, a second engagement and switching surface (52) of said closing and opening element (5) engages a second engagement and switching surface (1 12) of said striker element (1 1 ) so as to prevent said striker element (1 1 ) from accidentally coming out of said closing and opening element (5) through said opening (30), thus preventing the accidental disengagement of said closing and opening assembly (20) from said striker element (1 1 ).

4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that at least said second engagement and switching surface (52) of said closing and opening element (5) is shaped in such a way that, with said striker element (1 1 ) at least partially inserted through said opening (30) and with said closing and opening element (5) substantially in said first position, a traction with predefined intensity exerted on said striker element (1 1 ) in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion results or translates into a further switching of said closing and opening element (5) from said first position to said second position, and therefore into the disengagement of said striker element (1 1 ) from said closing and opening assembly (20).

5. A device according to one of the preceding claims from 3 to 4, characterized in that said closing and opening element (5) can be further switched by rotation from said first position to a third position opposite to said second position, and in that at least said second engagement and switching surface (52) of said closing and opening element (5) is shaped in such a way that, with the striker element (1 1 ) at least partially inserted into said closing and opening assembly (20), the switching of said closing and opening element (5) from said second position to said third position translates into a further insertion of said striker element (1 1 ) into said closing and opening assembly (20).

6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that said closing and opening element (5) can be switched by rotation from said third position to a fourth position, said fourth position being such as to allow said striker element (1 1 ) to come out and/or be extracted from said closing and opening assembly (20) through said opening (30) of said closing and opening element (5).

7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that the direction of rotation for switching said closing and opening element (5) from said third position to said fourth position coincides with the direction of rotation for switching from said first position to said third position.

8. A device according to one of the preceding claims from 5 to 7, characterized in that said closing and opening assembly (20) further comprises second elastic means (1 ), in that with said closing and opening element (5) in each of said third and fourth positions said second elastic means (1 ) are elastically engaged by said striker element (1 1 ), and in that with said closing and opening element (5) in said fourth position the outward movement and/or extraction of said striker element (1 1 ) from said closing and opening assembly (20) through said opening (30) are facilitated by the elastic reaction of said second elastic means (1 ).

9. A device according to one of the preceding claims from 1 to 8, characterized in that said closing and opening assembly (20) further comprises a switchable operating element (3) coupled to said closing and opening element (5) so that the switching of said operating element (3) translates into a switching of said closing and opening element (5).

10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that said operating element (3) can be switched by rotation and in that the switching by rotation of said operating element (3) from a first position to a second position and from said second position to a third position translates into switching of said closing and opening element (5) from said first position to said third position and from said third position to said fourth position respectively.

1 1 . A device according to one of the claims from 9 to 10, characterized in that said device comprises electromechanical means for switching said operating element (3).

12. A device according to claim 1 1 , characterized in that said electromechanical means comprises a motor (6) and one or more transmission elements (7, 8) interposed between said electric motor (6) and said operating element (3).

13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that said operating element (3) comprises a circular serrated ring nut and in that said serrated ring nut is engaged by at least one of said transmission elements (7, 8).

14. A closing and opening system for doors and/or panels and/or similar components, in particular of electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and similar electrical household appliances, said system comprising a striker element (1 1 ) adapted to be rigidly fixed to a said panel, characterized in that said system comprises a closing and opening device according to one of the claims from 1 to 13, wherein the closing and opening assembly of said device is adapted to alternatively engage and disengage said striker element (1 1 ).

15. An electrical household appliance, for example a washing machine including at least one panel, characterized in that said electrical household appliance comprises a device according to one of the claims from 1 to 13 and a striker element (1 1 ) rigidly fixed to said panel.