Patent Application
20170234605
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German application DE 10 2016 202 191.5, filed Feb. 12, 2016; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to a household appliance apparatus.
Refrigerators with holders for shelves, which are arranged on a rear wall of a refrigerator body, are already known from the prior art.
The object of the invention is especially to provide a generic apparatus with enhanced characteristics in respect of operating convenience.
The invention is based on a household appliance apparatus, in particular a household refrigeration appliance apparatus, with at least one appliance body or framework that has at least one rear wall and defines an access opening, with at least one storage unit and with at least one holder unit arranged in an area of the rear wall, which holds the storage unit in at least an installed state.
It is proposed that the storage unit has at least one pull-out element able to be pulled out in the direction of the access opening.
A “household appliance apparatus” is in particular to be understood in this context as at least a part, in particular a sub module, of a household appliance, in particular of a household refrigeration appliance. In particular the household appliance apparatus can also contain the entire household appliance, in particular the entire household refrigeration appliance. Especially preferably the household appliance is embodied as a refrigerator or freezer, such as in particular as a refrigerator cabinet, chest refrigerator, freezer cabinet, chest freezer, fridge/freezer combination and/or wine storage cabinet. In particular the household appliance apparatus includes at least one appliance body, which in particular delimits and/or defines an interior space, preferably at least one usable space, and in particular features the access opening. An “appliance body” is in particular to be understood as a unit, which in at least one installed state, embodies a part, in particular a large part of an outer delimitation, in particular of a housing, advantageously of a household appliance, preferably of a household refrigeration appliance, and which in the installed state, defines a part, in particular a large part, of an outer delimitation of at least one useful space, preferably of a refrigeration space and especially preferably of a refrigerator space and/or of a freezer space. Especially advantageously the appliance body surrounds the interior space on an upper side, on a lower side, on two opposite sides and on the rear side, wherein in particular a front side remains open. In particular a door arranged on the front side is embodied differently from the appliance body. An “access opening” is in particular to be understood as an area defined by the appliance body, which must be penetrated in order to reach the useful space, in particular a rectangular opening, preferably in the front side of the appliance body, especially preferably with a surface which allows objects such as in particular foodstuffs to be introduced into the interior space.
A “storage unit” is in particular to be understood as a unit that is provided for objects, in particular foodstuffs, to be placed or laid thereon. In particular the storage unit is at least essentially embodied in the shape of a plate and/or at least features at least one element essentially embodied as a type of plate and can in particular be provided for objects, in particular foodstuffs, to be placed or laid thereon in an area embodied in a plate shape. A plate-shaped object in this case is in particular to be understood as an object that has a significantly greater extent in a first spatial direction and in a second spatial direction than it does in a third spatial direction, preferably an extent greater by at least a factor of 5, advantageously an extent greater by at least a factor of 10 and especially advantageously an extent greater by at least a factor of 20, wherein pairs of the three spatial directions are to be at right angles to one another in each case. “Extent of a direction” of an element is in particular to be understood in this context as a maximum spacing between two points of a right angle projection of the element on one plane that lies in parallel to the direction. “Provided” is in particular to be understood as specifically designed and/or equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function is in particular to be understood as the object fulfilling and/or carrying out this specific function in at least one application and/or operating state.
The fact that the holder unit is “arranged in an area of the rear wall” is in particular to be understood as the point on the holder unit furthest away from the rear wall being located at most 25 cm, preferably at most 15 cm, advantageously at most 10 cm, especially advantageously at most 5 cm from at least one point on the rear wall. In particular a main extent plane of the holder unit runs at least essentially in parallel to a main extent plane of the rear wall. A “main extent plane” of an object is in particular to be understood as a plane, which is parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid that just still completely encloses the object, and in particular runs through the central point of the cuboid. “At least essentially in parallel” is in particular to be understood here as an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in one plane, wherein the direction has a deviation relative to the reference direction in particular of less than 8°, advantageously of less than 5° and especially advantageously of less than 2°.
The fact that the pull-out element is able to be pulled out “in the direction of the access opening” is in particular to be understood as the pull-out element being movably supported in a direction parallel to a surface normal of the main extent plane of the rear wall.
The inventive embodiment in particular enables enhanced operating convenience to be achieved. Furthermore easier access to objects placed in a rear area of a household appliance interior space can be made possible in an advantageous manner. In addition storage units can be easily cleaned in an advantageous manner. In particular differently embodied storage units, such as in particular shelves, bottle storage, or goods containers, can be arranged as pull-out units in a household appliance in an advantageous manner. Furthermore storage units can be arranged in a household appliance body with predominantly smooth inner walls, which means in particular that the walls are easy to clean. In addition a modern attractive design is advantageously obtained.
It is further proposed that the storage unit has at least one base element, which in the installed state is mounted on the holder unit. Preferably the pull-out element is supported movably on the base element. Especially preferably the pull-out element has a captive connection to the base element and/or is able to be pulled out up to a stop point. Advantageously the base element has a frame element. Especially advantageously a projection of the base element onto a main extent plane of the base element has at least essentially a rectangular outline. In particular the frame element can have a lower shelf. Advantageously the lower shelf, in a completely pushed-in state, is at least partly covered by the pull-out element. Especially advantageously the lower shelf, in a completely pulled-out state of the pull-out element, is at least partly uncovered. A “shelf” is in particular to be understood here as a plate-type element that is provided so that objects, in particular foodstuffs, can be placed or laid thereon. In particular the base element can be made at least to a large extent from plastic. However it is also conceivable for the base element to be made at least to a large extent from a metal, for example from aluminum and/or stainless steel and/or steel. Advantageously the base element is embodied in one piece. In particular differently embodied storage units can have at least essentially identically embodied base elements. “In one piece” is in particular to be understood as being connected by a material-to-material bond, for example by a welding process, a gluing process, an injection process and/or by another process appearing sensible to the person skilled in the art, and/or advantageously molded in one piece, such as for example by being manufactured from a mold or being manufactured in a single or multi component injection process, advantageously from an individual blank. “At least essentially identical objects” is in particular to be understood in this context as the objects being constructed such that they can fulfill a common function and do not differ in their construction or only differ by single elements that are not of any significance for the common function. The expression “at least to a large extent” is in particular to be understood in this context as at least 55%, advantageously as at least 65%, preferably as at least 75%, especially preferably as at least 85% and especially advantageously as at least 95%. This advantageously enables a secure fixing of the storage unit to be achieved. Furthermore this enables a variable attachment system to be achieved.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the holder unit has at least one holder profile with at least one holder recess, into which at least a part of the base element can be plugged. The holder profile in this case can in particular have an at least essentially constant cross section. An at least essentially constant cross section of an object is in particular to be understood in this context as, for any given first cross section of the object in at least one direction and any given second cross section of the object in the direction as a minimum surface content of a difference surface that is formed for a superimposition of the cross sections, amounts to maximum 20%, advantageously maximum 10%, especially advantageously maximum 5% of the surface content of the larger of the two cross sections. In particular the holder profile can be an element able to be manufactured by extrusion. Advantageously the holder profile is a continuously molded profile. It is also conceivable however for the holder profile to be an element able to be manufactured from a sheet of metal. Advantageously the holder profile extends over at least a large part of a width of the interior space of the appliance body. Especially advantageously the part of the base element able to be plugged into the holder recess has a width that at least essentially corresponds to an extent of the holder profile in the direction of a main extent direction of the holder profile. Preferably the base element has a hook profile element, which in an installed state is connected in a form fit to at least one part of the holder profile. A “main extent direction” of an object is in particular to be understood in this context as a direction, which runs in parallel to a longest edge of a smallest imaginary cuboid, which still just completely surrounds the object. The fact that at least one part of the base element is able to be “plugged into” the holder recess is in particular to be understood as, in a plugged-in state, at least one part of the base element being connected in a form fit to at least one part of the holder profile. Advantageously at least one part of the base element is able to be plugged into the holder recess without tools. Especially advantageously at least one part of the base element is able to be plugged into the holder recess by at least one linear movement and/or at least one tilting movement of the storage unit relative to the holder unit. This advantageously enables a secure holding of the storage unit to be achieved. In particular simple installation or removal of the storage unit can be made possible in an advantageous manner.
In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the base element has at least one support element, which, in an installed state, acts against a torque arising when the storage unit is held. Advantageously the support element is connected in one piece to the base element. In particular the support element is intended to divert forces occurring when the element is held at least to a large extent into the holder profile. Preferably the support element is designed in the manner of a console support. Especially preferably a lateral projection of the support element has at least essentially the shape of a right-angle triangle, wherein in particular a hypotenuse runs obliquely, a shorter leg in parallel, and a longer leg at right angles to a surface normal of a main extent plane of the storage unit. In particular the support element in this case rests against the holder profile on one side of the shorter leg. Advantageously the base element has two support elements, which are arranged on opposite sides of the base element. Especially advantageously the base element is embodied as a type of frame, the front side of which faces towards a user, the rear side of which rests against the holder profile, and the sides of which are formed by one support element in each case. This in particular enables an advantageous static to be achieved. Furthermore this advantageously enables a secure holding of the storage unit to be achieved.
It is further proposed that a main extent direction of the holder recess runs in an at least essentially horizontal direction and at least essentially in parallel to a main extent direction of the holder profile. Advantageously the holder profile forms a holder recess with a plug-in pocket, which has an essentially constant cross section and extends over at least a large part of the extent of the holder profile in the direction of the main extent direction of the holder profile, and into which at least a continuation of the base element is able to be plugged in a form fit. “In an at least essentially horizontal direction” is in particular to be understood in this context as an alignment relative to a surface normal of a ground, in particular a ground surface, in particular in a normal operating state of the household appliance apparatus, wherein the direction, compared to a direction at right angles to the surface normal of the ground, has a deviation of in particular less than 8°, advantageously of less than 5° and especially advantageously of less than 2°. “At least essentially in parallel” is in particular to be understood here as an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in one plane, wherein the direction, compared to the reference direction, has a deviation of in particular less than 8°, advantageously of less than 5° and especially advantageously of less than 2°. This advantageously enables an easy-to-produce holder profile to be provided. Furthermore this especially allows a very clear view of a household appliance interior space to be obtained.
It is further proposed that the storage unit has at least one first slide rail element, which is connected to the base element, and at least one second slide rail element, which is connected to the pull-out element and is movably supported relative to the first slide rail element. In particular the first slide rail element can be connected in one piece to the base element. Advantageously the slide rail element is arranged in at least one trough and/or a return and/or a cutout of the base element. Furthermore especially preferably the second slide rail element can in particular be connected in one piece to the pull-out element. Advantageously, in at least one installed state, a main extent direction of the first slide rail element runs in parallel to a surface normal of the rear wall and in parallel to a main extent direction of the second slide rail element. Especially advantageously, in at least one installed state, the second slide rail element is supported movably relative to the first slide rail element in a direction in parallel to the surface normal of the rear wall. Preferably the storage unit, on two opposite sides in each case, has a first slide rail element and a second slide rail element in each case, which support the pull-out unit to allow movement relative to the base unit. Advantageously the first slide rail element and/or the second slide rail element have a stop element, which limits a maximum amount of movement of the second slide rail element relative to the first slide rail element. Preferably a maximum coefficient of static friction between the slide rail elements amounts to 0.5, advantageously to 0.3 and especially advantageously to 0.2. Preferably a maximum coefficient of sliding friction between the slide rail elements amounts to 0.3, advantageously to 0.2 and especially advantageously to 0.1. In particular at least one of the slide rail elements has a slide bearing, in particular a plastic slide bearing. However it is also conceivable for at least one of the slide rail elements to have at least one roller, which, when the pull-out element is pulled out and/or pushed in, rolls over another slide rail element. In particular the first slide rail element and/or the second slide rail element is made of plastic, in particular of polyoxymethylene. In particular this advantageously enables less force to be expended when pulling the element out. Furthermore a secure guidance of pull-out parts can be advantageously guaranteed in this way.
Advantageously the pull-out element has at least one shelf. In particular the shelf is at least partly transparent and/or at least partly translucent. At least partly “transparent” is in particular to be understood in this context as being at least partly transparent for visible light, in particular a transparency of at least 5%, preferably of at least 10%, especially preferably of at least 20%, advantageously of at least 50% and especially advantageously of at least 80%, wherein a transmitted light is at least essentially parallel to an incident light. At least partly “translucent” is in particular to be understood in this context as at least partly translucent for visible light, in particular a translucence of at least 5%, preferably of at least 10%, especially preferably of at least 20%, advantageously of at least 50% and especially advantageously of at least 80% for an incident light, wherein an emerging light is scattered at least essentially at an angle different from 0 relative to the incident light. Advantageously the shelf is embodied from glass. It is however also conceivable for the shelf to be embodied from a plastic. This advantageously enables an area to be provided on which foodstuffs can be securely placed. This further enables operating convenience to be enhanced in an advantageous manner.
In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that, in a fully pushed-in state of the pull-out element, a projection of the pull-out element on a main extent plane of the storage unit corresponds at least essentially to a projection of the storage unit on the main extent plane of the storage unit. In particular the projection of the shelf of the pull-out element on a main extent plane of the storage unit corresponds at least essentially to a projection of the storage unit on the main extent plane of the storage unit. This advantageously enables a large storage surface to be made easily accessible.
Preferably the pull-out element has at least one grip element. In particular the grip element is arranged on a front side of the pull-out element. Advantageously the grip element is connected in one piece to the pull-out element. Especially advantageously the grip element is embodied as a grip bar with an essentially constant rectangular cross section. Preferably the grip element extends over at least a large part of the width of the pull-out element. Preferably the grip element, in an installed state, is pointing towards the access opening. This advantageously enables an enhanced operating convenience to be achieved.
Especially preferably the storage unit has provision for installation and/or removal on/from the holder unit without using tools. In particular the storage unit is embodied so as to be installed and/or removed by at least one linear movement and/or at least one tilting movement of the storage unit relative to the holder unit. This advantageously enables a simple height adjustment of the storage unit to be achieved. This further advantageously enables an arrangement of storage units to be conveniently adapted.
The household appliance apparatus is not intended to be restricted here to the application and form of embodiment described above. In particular the household appliance, to fulfill a manner of functioning described herein, can have a number of elements, components and units that differs from the number of individual elements, components and units described herein.
Further advantages emerge from the description of the drawing given below. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and group them into sensible further combinations.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a household appliance apparatus, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
In the exemplary embodiments described below different constructional units and/or components are present a number of times. For the sake of simplicity, components and/or constructional units embodied in a similar way that are provided with the same reference characters in the drawings will only be described once in the description of the drawings given below.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to
Furthermore the storage unit 16a is intended to be installed on and/or removed from the holder unit 18a without tools. In the present case it is possible to install the storage unit 16a by introducing the hook profile 26a of the base element 22a of the storage unit 16a into an upper area of the holder recess 26a and subsequently engaging the hook profile 26a into the plug-in pocket 60a of the holder profile 24a of the holder unit 18a.
A further exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2016 202 191.5 | Feb 2016 | DE | national |
