US 12,379,150 B2
Method for determining an actuation of a door of a household appliance by a user, apparatus for this purpose and also household appliance having the apparatus
Peter Hellwig, Dischingen (DE); and Simon Mayer, Dornstadt (DE)
Assigned to BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Munich (DE)
Filed by BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Munich (DE)
Filed on May 2, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/310,632.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2022 204 323.5 (DE), filed on May 2, 2022; application No. 10 2022 204 324.3 (DE), filed on May 2, 2022; application No. 10 2022 204 325.1 (DE), filed on May 2, 2022; application No. 10 2022 204 327.8 (DE), filed on May 2, 2022; and application No. 10 2022 204 328.6 (DE), filed on May 2, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0349630 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. E05F 15/616 (2015.01); F25D 23/02 (2006.01); F25D 29/00 (2006.01)
CPC F25D 23/028 (2013.01) [E05F 15/616 (2015.01); F25D 29/005 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/31 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A door opening apparatus for causing a door of a household appliance to open, the door opening apparatus comprising:
a plunger disposed in a direction of a longitudinal axis of said plunger, wherein the longitudinal axis of said plunger is oriented in a transverse manner with respect to a door inner side in a closed state of the door, and on a side adjacent said door said plunger having a first plunger end with a plunger head;
a rotating electric machine having a rotor disposed rotatably relative to a stator having a stator winding;
a gearing mechanism mechanically coupled to said rotor and said plunger for mechanically coupling said rotor to said plunger;
a controller electrically coupled to said stator winding of said stator and configured to apply an electrical voltage to said stator winding to assist an opening of the door at least during a temporary bracing abutment of said plunger head against the door inner side;
a mechanical bracing unit configured so as to influence said plunger using a force so as to mechanically brace said plunger head against the door inner side at least in the closed state of the door and at least in an absence of an application of the electrical voltage to said stator winding; and
a circuit configuration electrically coupled to said stator winding for detecting an induced voltage of said stator winding in the absence of the application of the electrical voltage to said stator winding.