Abstract: The solution according to the invention is based upon the knowledge that the undesirable hysteresis of the force-path function in door locks (1) can be avoided or at least minimised if the (frictional) forces acting during transitions from open positions to closed positions and vice versa are minimised and/or avoided. In this respect, the invention is based upon the starting point of at least reducing (frictional) forces acting in bearings for rotatable components (14, 18, 28) of door locks (1) and/or between surfaces (22, 30) displaceable relative to one another. In this manner, it is attained that forces required for a transition from a closed position to an open position essentially correspond to forces required for a transition from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A simple and cost-effective method is provided, according to which a positive temperature component (PTC) element directly controls the element made of a shape memory alloy. A simple and cost effective device for performing the method has a PTC element series-connected upstream from the element made of a shape memory alloy, in the electric circuit for the element made of a shape memory alloy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for blocking and releasing a door lock of an electrical appliance, such as e.g. a washing machine, a dishwasher or a tumble drier. In said apparatus, use is made of a blocking and release unit, which in a blocking state blocks the locked door lock in order to prevent unlocking of the door lock. In a release state the blocking and release unit enables unlocking of the door lock in that it releases the still locked door lock. Furthermore, an emergency release unit, which is constructed separately from the blocking and release unit, is used to bring the blocking and release unit automatically into the release state in an abnormal operating state of the electrical appliance, such as e.g. in the event of a power failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for a door latch of a household appliance wherein the unit includes at least one memory metal actuator which generates forces desired during use of the door latch.

Abstract: A door lock provides a restart lockout function for an electrical household appliance to prevent an automatic restart by closing the appliance door again after having been opened during operation of the appliance. The door lock comprises a locking device, which in a closed position locks the door and in an open position releases the door, and a restart lockout device, which in a release state enables operation of the appliance and in a lockout state prevents operation of the appliance. Upon a changeover from its closed position to its open position, the locking device brings the restart lockout device out of its release state into its lockout state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a door interlock having a restart lockout function for an electrical appliance in order, after the appliance door has been opened during operation of the electrical appliance, to prevent the electrical appliance from being automatically restarted by closing the appliance door again. For said purpose, the door interlock according to the invention comprises an interlocking device (2), which in a closed position interlocks a door of an electrical appliance and in an open position releases the door, and a restart lockout device (20), which in a release state enables operation of the electrical appliance and in a lockout state prevents operation of the electrical appliance. In the present case, the interlocking device (2) and the restart lockout device (20) are designed in such a way that the interlocking device (2) upon a changeover from its closed position to its open position brings the restart lockout device out of its release state into its lockout state.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for blocking and releasing a door lock of an electrical appliance, such as e.g. a washing machine, a dishwasher or a tumble drier. In said apparatus, use is made of a blocking and release unit, which in a blocking state blocks the locked door lock in order to prevent unlocking of the door lock. In a release state the blocking and release unit enables unlocking of the door lock in that it releases the still locked door lock. Furthermore, an emergency release unit, which is constructed separately from the blocking and release unit, is used to bring the blocking and release unit automatically into the release state in an abnormal operating state of the electrical appliance, such as e.g. in the event of a power failure.

Abstract: The solution according to the invention is based upon the knowledge that the undesirable hysteresis of the force-path function in door locks (1) can be avoided or at least minimised if the (frictional) forces acting during transitions from open positions to closed positions and vice versa are minimised and/or avoided. In this respect, the invention is based upon the starting point of at least reducing (frictional) forces acting in bearings for rotatable components (14, 18, 28) of door locks (1) and/or between surfaces (22, 30) displaceable relative to one another. In this manner, it is attained that forces required for a transition from a closed position to an open position essentially correspond to forces required for a transition from the open position to the closed position.