Abstract: An ice flap device (10) for a refrigerator comprises a flap unit (14) movable between an open position and a closed position, which unit releases a dispenser aperture for dispensing ice in its open position and blocks the dispenser aperture against dispensing ice in its closed position, as well as a motorized drive mechanism for driving the flap unit (14) between its open and closed position. According to the invention the drive mechanism comprises an a.c. motor (12) as well as a first electrical switch (26), which lies in the supply circuit of the a.c. motor and switches depending on the introduction of a receptacle into an ice dispenser compartment of the refrigerator, and by means of which the a.c. motor (12) can be turned on when the receptacle is introduced into the ice dispenser compartment for a movement of the flap unit (14) from the closed position in the direction of the open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical switch (10), particularly of microswitch design, comprising at least one pair of switching contacts (42, 60), which can be moved, relative to one another, between an in-contact position and an out-of-contact position, for the purpose of making and breaking an electrical path leading via the two switching contacts (42, 60), and comprising spring means (40), which bias at least one of the two switching contacts in the direction of one of the two relative positions, the spring means (40) comprising, according to a preferred design, a helical spring (40), which is made of an electrically conductive material, is loaded substantially in the direction of its spring axis, and is located in the electrical path in series with the switching contact pair (42, 60).

Abstract: A door-closing device for a domestic electrical appliance comprises a frame (12) with an aperture (14) for the introduction of a keeper (16). Arranged on the frame so as to be movable, relative to the latter, is a closing unit (22) which, in a closing position, holds the keeper fast for the purpose of keeping the door closed and, in an open position, releases said keeper for the purpose of opening the door, said closing unit, in the course of its transfer from the open position into the closing position, drawing the keeper along with it along part of said keeper's path of movement. A closing spring arrangement which acts upon the closing unit supplies the force necessary for drawing the keeper along with said unit. The closing unit can be blocked by a blocking system (30) from moving out of the open position and into the closing position, it being possible to set aside the blocking of the closing unit by relative movement of said blocking system and closing unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ice dispenser (10) for a refrigerator that includes a flap unit (24) which is arranged in an ice dispenser shaft and which can be adjusted between a release position which releases the ice dispenser shaft for dispensing ice and a locking position which blocks the ice dispenser shaft against dispensing ice, a pulse-controlled actuating magnet arrangement (58) for actuating the flap unit (24), and mechanical retention means (36, 64, 66) which releasably retain the flap unit (24) in the release position and in the locking position thereof, respectively.

Abstract: Door lock for a door of a household appliance with a first device for detecting a closed state of the door, and a second device for locking the door, wherein the first and second devices are electrically connected in series.

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: 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 latching mechanism for the door of an electric household appliance, in particular a washing machine, is described. The door latching mechanism comprises an element (34) of which at least a deflection part changes its spatial position (C, D) upon a change in temperature of the element (34) and thereby operates a bar element (32) for locking and unlocking the door. The door latching mechanism further comprises an electromagnetic device (46) comprising an actuating member (48) for unlocking the door. The actuating member (48) cooperates with an extension (40A) of the bar element (32).

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.

Abstract: A door latching mechanism for the door of an electric household appliance, in particular a washing machine, is described. The door latching mechanism comprises an element (34) of which at least a deflection part changes its spatial position (C, D) upon a change in temperature of the element (34) and thereby operates a bar element (32) for locking and unlocking the door. The door latching mechanism further comprises an electromagnetic device (46) comprising an actuating member (48) for unlocking the door. The actuating member (48) cooperates with an extension (40A) of the bar element (32).

Abstract: A door lock for an electrical household appliance has a framework 10 with an opening 36 for a hook 38, and in the framework a locking element and a locking spring 16 which is arranged between the locking element and an abutment 18 in the framework and is subjected to stressing when the door lock is in an open position, it being the case that the door lock has a movable gripping device 20 which is connected to the locking element and, when the door lock is in the open position, is pressed by the locking spring 16, at a contact location 28, against a part 26 of the framework or in the framework and thus prevents the spring from being relieved of stressing, and the gripping device 20 has a gripping latch 34 into which the hook can be guided as it comes in through the opening 36 of the framework, and which has a contact surface 42 on which the incoming hook presses and thus causes the gripping device 20 to move, and the gripping device 20 is formed such that, in the event of movement, it loses the contact with th