Patent ID: 7549685
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: D06F,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A lock for a household appliance, the lock comprising: a movable retaining element for interaction with a locking bar located on a closing element of the household appliance, the retaining element being movable a distance along a path of movement; and a two-state locking mechanism for the retaining element, the locking mechanism comprising a pivotable blocking element including a cylindrical portion, a blocking surface located at a first end of the cylindrical portion, and a rocker element located at a second end opposite the first end, the rocker element being connected to and separated from the blocking surface by the cylindrical portion, the blocking surface being pivotable between a first state into the path of movement and a second state out of the path of movement, in the first state, the blocking surface engages with the retaining element to block the movement of the retaining element along the path of movement, and in the second state, the blocking surface is free from engagement with the retaining element allowing the retaining element to move freely along the distance, wherein the locking mechanism is electromagnetically controlled between the first state and the second state, the electromagnetic control of the locking mechanism being an electrically energizable coil in the style of an electromagnet and wherein the rocker element has a first and second setting and is operatively connected to the electromagnet, the operative connection being established by means of a push rod movable by the electromagnet, the push rod engaging for moving purposes between first and second settings in a connecting link on the rocker element wherein when the rocker element is in the first setting the blocking surface is in the first state and when the rocker element is in the second setting the blocking surface is in the second state.