Patent Application
20240175626
This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of Turkish patent application TR2022/018197, filed Nov. 30, 2022, and German patent application DE 10 2022 212 864.8, filed Nov. 30, 2022; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.
One aspect relates to a storage plate for storage goods in a household refrigeration appliance. A further aspect relates to a household refrigeration appliance. A further aspect relates to an interface module for integration in a storage plate of a household refrigeration appliance. The interface module comprises a plate which can be touched by a user of the interface module. The interface module is configured to output to the user a haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement of an operation carried out by the user. A further aspect relates to a storage plate for a household refrigeration appliance which has such an interface module, and a household refrigeration appliance.
For household refrigeration appliances it is known and common that in a storage space, such as a cooling compartment or a freezer compartment, storage plates are arranged, on which storage goods may be deposited. For instance, such storage plates may be partition walls or shelves. In this regard therefore storage plates are those that are arranged to be oriented horizontally or substantially horizontally in the storage space. Such storage plates can also be removed from the storage space in a non-destructively detachable way.
German published patent application DE 10 2017 124 402 A1 describes a refrigeration or freezing appliance having a user interface which is configured such that the user can enter inputs or request information by means of the user interface. The user interface is configured as a haptic user interface. The user interface can be arranged in a component, such as for example a door of the appliance.
In the case of common storage plates these are intentionally provided and functionally only intended for receiving storage goods or for same to be placed thereon.
It is an objective to provide a storage plate for storage goods in a household refrigeration appliance, which storage plate is configured to be multifunctional.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an interface module of the type mentioned in the introduction, by which the haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement can be provided in a particularly simple manner, and to specify a storage plate having such an interface module and a household refrigeration appliance having the storage plate.
Accordingly, it is also the objective to provide such a household refrigeration appliance comprising a storage plate.
With the above and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a storage plate for storing goods in a household refrigeration appliance, the storage plate comprising:
There is also provided, in accordance with the invention, an interface module for integration in a storage plate of a household refrigeration appliance, the interface module comprising:
Further, there is provided a storage plate for a household refrigeration appliance, comprising and interface module as mentioned above, wherein the storage plate with the interface module form a separating facility in a receiving space of the household refrigeration appliance, wherein the household refrigeration appliance is configured for receiving refrigerated goods and the separating facility is disposed to delimit a first sub-region of the receiving space from a second sub-region of the receiving space.
Finally there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a household refrigeration appliance, which has a receiving space for refrigerated goods. One or more storage plates as described are disposed to divide the receiving space into sub-regions, with temperatures in the sub-regions being settable to different temperatures during an operation of the household refrigeration appliance.
One aspect of the invention relates to a storage plate for storage goods in a household refrigeration appliance. Therefore the storage plate according to intended use is conceived and provided for storage goods so that they can be deposited or rested thereon. The storage plate is therefore in particular a horizontal storage plate. The storage plate in particular comprises a base plate. This base plate comprises at least one recess. This recess is in particular configured to extend continuously through the material thickness of the base plate. In perpendicular direction relative to the surface in which the base plate is spanned is a hole. The storage plate moreover comprises an interface module. The storage plate moreover comprises a seal. This seal is configured to extend circumferentially around the interface module. The seal and the interface module are arranged in the recess. Therefore a storage plate is provided which is configured to be multifunctional. Besides its basic primary functionality, the capability of holding storage goods attached thereon, it is now also carrier for a interface module contained in this regard. Thus, on the storage plate itself such a interface module may be arranged. It may therefore be moved along together with the storage plate. In particular it may also be removed from the storage space with the storage plate. This is because the interface module, especially display or display unit, is arranged stationary on this base plate. By the interface module being arranged with the seal in the recess, also a compact setup of the entire storage plate can still be realized. By the additional seal it is particularly advantageously achieved that the interface module is also arranged on the base plate. Additionally, thereby a damped bearing of the interface module is advantageously achieved.
The storage plate may be provided as a storage plate for storage goods in a household refrigeration appliance. The storage plate is configured to form a base plate in order to deposit storage goods on the base plate.
The seal is thus arranged with at least one subportion between an edge bounding the recess and the interface module, especially display or display unit. This interface between the edge of the recess and the interface module is therefore particularly advantageously sealed by the seal. Not least, by this seal in this connection also additionally a certain carrier functionality for the interface module may be formed. Also an improved bearing is thereby facilitated. This is because the seal preferably is elastic at least in portions. Thus, also a certain floating or resilient bearing of the interface module on the base plate can be achieved. In the case of short-term force peaks, as they may occur in the case of bumps or upon insertion of the storage plate and an abrupt stopping in the end position, thus in this regard also such force peaks are damped by the seal.
In an embodiment the recess, viewed in the plane of the base plate, is configured to be open towards an edge of the base plate. This is a very advantageous embodiment in that the mounting of the seal and of the interface module is simplified. This is because then the seal and the interface module can be introduced from the front via this open edge into the recess, in particular by a simple linear mounting direction a sliding into the recess be facilitated.
In an embodiment this edge is a front edge. Thus, it is also achieved that the recess in an embodiment is formed in a front portion of the base plate. Thus, in the case of an intended use of the storage plate, in a storage space of a household refrigeration appliance the interface module is also positioned maximally on the front side. Even if storage goods are arranged on the base plate, the interface module, display or display unit, can still be correspondingly viewed and used.
In an embodiment the interface module, viewed in the depth direction of the recess, is arranged in this recess in such a way that it does not extend beyond the edge. Thus, the interface module is arranged within the surface of the base plate, wherein the surface includes the recess. Such an embedded state allows for the compact setup and moreover ensures very simple edge geometries of the base plate together with the seal. In particular this entire module of the base plate with the interface module therefore, in a planar view, remains square.
In an embodiment the storage plate comprises a separate fillet. With this fillet the recess, which is open towards the edge, is covered. In particular, thus, this recess is covered by this fillet on the front side. Also due to the fact that such a fillet is present and separate from the base plate, a simple mounting concept may be realized.
In an embodiment the seal on the side facing away from the recess is covered by the fillet. Thus, the seal also at this place is not exposed towards the outside and thus on the side of the edge towards the storage plate. Thereby, on the one hand, it is arranged to be protected, on the other hand, thereby in particular also the slipping out of the seal and the interface module from the recess beyond this edge that is open towards the front side is prevented. Not least, by this fillet also the fitting of the seal in accurate position can be improved.
In an embodiment the seal in the cross-section is L-shaped. This means that in a sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the seal it has this L-shape. By such a specific shape of the seal, in which this L-shape in the cross-section is provided at least in portions along the longitudinal axis, the seal with regard to its fit and further functionalities can be used in a particularly advantageous way. This is because, on the one hand, thereby a very accurate, in particular a form-fitting, contacting of the edge of the recess is facilitated. Moreover, by this shape itself also a certain stability of the seal in itself is facilitated.
It is particularly advantageous that a leg flank of the L-shape projects under the interface module. This means that the leg flank is arranged to overlap in the horizontal direction with the interface module. Thereby a support platform for the interface module is formed by the leg flank. Thus, the seal is multifunctional. This is because in this connection it not only serves as sealing interface between the interface module and the edge of the recess, but also has a carrier function. Thus, the positioning of the interface module as such is improved.
In an embodiment on this leg flank a cover plate of the interface modul, or display, is arranged resting directly thereon. Thus, in an embodiment it is also achieved that by this seal at least this cover plate at its lateral edge and then towards the bottom is in direct contact with the bottom side. This applies at least in portions circumferentially around the cover plate of this interface module. Not least, thereby also the sealing effect is improved.
In an embodiment the interface module has a holder, in which a interface module unit of the interface module is arranged to plunge in from the top. The holder is in particular configured to be trough-like. Thus, by the holder quasi also an underbody for the interface module is formed. Such a holder in this connection quasi also forms a housing part for the interface module, which also covers the interface module at least from below.
In an embodiment, a snap connection of the holder engages with a snap connection of the interface module, or display unit, in the installed state of the interface module or display inside the holder, so that the interface module, especially the cover plate of the interface module, compresses the seal. The interface module may compress the seal at least slightly. Thus, the display unit is tightly fixed in the holder without screws and sealed from the humid air of the storage space for food. The catch may be arranged on an inner surface of a vertical wall of the accommodation space of the holder. The catch may be configured as a hook projecting into the receiving space of the holder or a local depression. The catch may be formed integrally with the holder. The catch may have a plurality of catches arranged circumferentially and partially along an inner surface of a vertical wall of the receiving space of the holder. The vertical wall extends vertical along the edge of the bottom wall of the holder. The latch is arranged on an outer edge of the interface module or display unit. The latch may have a web and at the free end of the web is arranged a hook facing to the outside or away from the interface module or display unit, respectively. The latch is integrally formed with a interface module housing or display housing surrounding the display unit or interface module. In the installed state of the display unit or interface module, the display housing or interface module housing is received inside the receiving space of the holder. The latch may be formed from a plurality of latches arranged circumferential and partially along the edge of the display unit or interface module housing, respectively.
In an embodiment the holder comprises a collar, which at least in portions extends circumferentially and on which the seal rests. Thus, this holder also serves as mounting for this seal. Particularly advantageously thus the seal can also be supported towards the top so that in particular also at the interface between the edge of the recess and the interface module, in particular the cover plate of the interface module, it remains positioned. In particular in this connection also a support from the bottom can be achieved by this holder so that the seal remains stably positioned also in the height direction.
In an embodiment this collar has an indentation, in particular a groove-like indentation. Therein the seal is received at least in portions. Thereby the accurately positioned fit of the seal on the holder is improved once again. The indentation may extend circumferentially around the interface module or extend completely along the collar.
In an embodiment the collar at least in portions is arranged to contact a bottom side of the base plate, in particular directly. Also thereby, on the one hand, a compact setup and a positionally stable arrangement of the individual components relative to each other is supported. Not least thereby also the sealing effect towards the display unit or interface module, in particular towards the components of the interface module arranged under the cover plate of the interface module, is improved. The cover plate may be made semitransparent.
In an embodiment a top side of the display or interface module is arranged flush with a top side of the base plate. Thus, undesired protrusions can be avoided. Not least, thus also for instance storage goods, which are arranged on the storage plate, can be pulled or pushed over the display or interface module without any bumping or the like.
In an embodiment the storage plate is an insulation plate. This means that it is set up in such a way that it also has a thermal insulation effect. This is to be understood in particular to the effect that such an insulation plate is set up in the form of a sandwich. This means that in comparison with the base plate it comprises additional components, which allow for this sandwich structure and thus also promote the thermal insulation effect.
In particular in this connection in a clearance between the base plate of the storage plate and a bottom wall of the base plate thermally insulating material is arranged at least in portions. The storage plate thus in the height direction has a thickness that is larger, in particular clearly larger, than the thickness of the base plate alone.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance has at least one receiving space for food. Such a receiving space may be a cooling compartment or a freezer compartment. The household refrigeration appliance moreover comprises at least one storage plate, which can be configured according to the above-named aspect or an advantageous embodiment thereof. Such a storage plate may for instance be a partition wall, which is freely accessible on its top side and on which storage goods can be deposited. For instance the storage plate may be a shelf.
In an embodiment, in which the storage plate is an insulation plate, it particularly advantageously serves as insulating partition wall between two receiving spaces. Thus, for instance a receiving space, which is a cooling compartment, can be separated from a further receiving space of the household refrigeration appliance, which is for instance a freezer compartment.
In an embodiment, the display unit or interface module comprises a interface module housing or display housing. The display housing or interface module housing may have a frame formed by a closed vertical wall portion of the display housing or interface module housing. In the customary use, the frame may extend into the receiving space of the holder. The display housing or interface module housing may surround a printed circuit board and a display board. The printed circuit board may be provided with electrical components mounted on the upper surface or lower surface or both surfaces of the printed circuit boards. The printed circuit board may be a control board of the display unit or interface module, e.g. graphical user interface, or a central processing unit of the household refrigeration appliance itself. In the customary use, the display board, e.g. graphical user interface, may be adhered to the bottom wall of the cover plate by an adhesive foil. Between the display board and the cover plate may be arranged a sensor foil, especially of the capacitive type, for detection of users input into the display unit or interface module by touching with the finger on the input area of cover plate. The display housing or interface module housing has a flange at the outer periphery of the display housing or interface module housing formed by a horizontal wall portion of the display or interface module housing protruding 90 degrees away from the frame of the display or interface module housing. The flange may have a seating portion attached to a rear surface of the cover plate by a connection. This connection may be a glue, for instance a liquid glue, or a double-sided adhesive tape. The printed circuit board and the display board are connected electrically by a flexible printed circuit foil for data exchange and electrical supply of the display board.
A further aspect of the invention relates to an interface module for integration in a storage plate of a household refrigeration appliance comprises a plate which can be touched by a user of the interface module. The interface module is configured to output to the user a haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement of an operation carried out by the user. The interface module has at least one sound transducer which is connected to the plate. The at least one sound transducer is configured, as a result of the application of an electrical signal, to bring about an oscillation of the plate which can be haptically and/or acoustically detected by the user.
This is based on the recognition that the haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement can be provided in a particularly simple manner by using the at least one sound transducer. This is because the sound transducer or structure-borne sound transducer is an excitation facility which can also be denoted as an exciter, as is provided for example in a loudspeaker, in order to set a diaphragm of the loudspeaker into oscillation. In the interface module, the plate which is connected to the at least one sound transducer corresponds to a diaphragm, as in the case of the loudspeaker having the diaphragm the diaphragm is set into oscillation by the excitation facility of the loudspeaker by electrical signals being applied to the excitation facility.
Thus by the application of the electrical signal to the sound transducer it can be ensured that the plate, which is rigid per se, is set into oscillation or vibrates by means of the sound transducer. By connecting the sound transducer to the plate, it is ensured that movements of the sound transducer are transmitted into the plate and thus cause the oscillation of the plate or set the plate into oscillation.
The provision of the interface module with the at least one sound transducer which is connected to the plate of the interface module, for example by bonding the at least one sound transducer to the plate, makes it particularly simple to bring about the oscillation of the plate, wherein the oscillation of the plate can be haptically and/or acoustically detected by the user.
Moreover, the activation of the sound transducer, i.e. the application of the electrical signal to the sound transducer, is particularly simple. This applies, in particular, when the interface module has in any case at least one electronic component by which a loudspeaker can be activated. This is because this electronic component can be used in a particularly simple manner to apply the electrical signal to the sound transducer and thus to bring about the oscillation of the plate. Accordingly, no further special electronic component has to be supplied for providing the haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement, such as might be the case for example if a vibrating motor or the like were used for generating the vibration of the plate, the further electronic component serving for the activation thereof. The output of the haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement can thus be implemented in a particularly simple manner by the interface module.
The at least one sound transducer can be configured, as a result of an application of a first electrical signal, to bring about an oscillation of the plate which can be acoustically detected by the user or, as a result of an application of a second electrical signal which differs from the first electrical signal, to bring about an oscillation of the plate which can be haptically detected by the user. Thus, in a particularly simple manner and with little effort, the sound transducer can firstly be used for generating sounds which are audible to the user. Secondly, the at least one sound transducer can be used to bring about the oscillation or vibration of the plate which can be haptically detected or can be felt by the user, for example by the user touching the vibrating plate with a finger or similar body part.
In particular, as a function of the respective electrical signal or the first or second electrical signal it is possible to set a respective output frequency of the sound transducer and thus a respective frequency of the oscillation of the plate which can be used for providing the haptic acknowledgement, on the one hand, and the acoustically detectable acknowledgement, on the other hand. In particular, the plate can be excited by means of the sound transducer with the first electrical signal at frequencies of less than 300 Hertz in order to output the haptic feedback or the haptic acknowledgement. If the sound transducer is accordingly activated by the second electrical signal, the plate is excited by means of the sound transducer at an output frequency of greater than 300 Hertz, whereby the plate can be used for the output of sounds which are audible to the user or can be acoustically detected by the user.
Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous if both the oscillation of the plate which can be haptically detected by the user and the oscillation of the plate which can be acoustically detected by the user can be brought about by means of the at least one sound transducer. This is because an output of the haptic feedback and of the sounds is particularly simple, cost-effective and requires little effort.
In particular, by superimposing the output frequencies or excitation frequencies which are output by the sound transducer, it can be ensured that the acoustically detectable oscillation of the plate and the haptically detectable oscillation of the plate can be brought about simultaneously. Thus the output of acoustically and haptically detectable notifications can take place simultaneously due to the corresponding electrical signals consisting of the first and second electrical signals.
In particular, when the interface module is configured in any case to make the user aware of specific situations by the output of sounds, it is particularly advantageous to use the sound transducer for the output of both the at least one sound and the haptically detectable acknowledgement. For example, when the interface module is integrated in the storage plate of the household refrigeration appliance, it is possible to indicate by means of such a sound that a door of the household refrigeration appliance is opened or remains open.
Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the user can be informed about at least one further situation and/or at least one operation carried out by the user on the interface module by the oscillation of the plate which can be acoustically detected by the user.
For example, an acoustic feedback can be output when the user touches a specific operating region of the interface module or when a clicking noise, such as when actuating a virtual button, is reproduced by means of a sound as an acknowledgement which can be acoustically detected by the user.
Additionally or alternatively, the user can be informed by the acoustically detectable oscillation of the plate that a flap and/or a window of the household refrigeration appliance is opened or closed or remains open, when the storage plate comprising the interface module is integrated in the household refrigeration appliance.
Preferably, the interface module comprises a holding facility with at least one through-opening. In this case, the at least one sound transducer is arranged in the at least one through-opening. Thus the positioning of the at least one sound transducer on the plate is particularly simple in the context of the assembly or manufacture of the interface module. This is because only the at least one sound transducer or structure-borne sound transducer has to be introduced or inserted into the through-opening, in particular after the plate has been arranged on or attached to the holding facility. Moreover, the connection of the at least one sound transducer to the plate, for example by means of an adhesive, is particularly simple when the holding facility has the at least one through-opening provided for the sound transducer. This is because, for example, the adhesive can be very accurately positioned on the plate.
Preferably, the holding facility has a receiving region in which a printed circuit board of the interface module is received. In this manner, the printed circuit board is accommodated in a well-protected manner in the receiving region of the holding facility.
Preferably, a control facility, which is configured for activating the at least one sound transducer, is arranged on the printed circuit board. By the application of electrical signals to the sound transducer, the oscillation of the plate can be brought about in a particularly simple manner by means of the control facility.
Preferably, the plate has at least one light-permeable region, wherein the interface module comprises a display facility. An output side of the display facility is visible to the user at least through the light-permeable region of the plate. Thus the user can very easily gather information which is output by means of the display facility on the output side of the display facility.
It is sufficient if the plate is configured to be light-permeable merely in the region which corresponds in terms of size to an extent of the output side of the display facility. Thus components of the interface module arranged below the plate can be well concealed by means of non-transparent regions of the plate. However, it can also be provided that the plate is entirely light-permeable or light-permeable or transparent in a region which is larger than the display facility.
Preferably, the control facility is configured for activating the display facility. Thus the interface module can be used in a particularly versatile manner. This is because information can be displayed to the user via the display facility and the user can carry out operations, in particular, in response to the displayed information. The acoustic and/or haptic feedback for these operations can be output to the user. This is particularly advantageous.
Preferably, the holding facility has an indentation in which the display facility is received. Thus a very simple and reliable mounting of the display facility on the holding facility of the interface module is achieved.
Preferably, an edge region of the holding facility circulates around the indentation, wherein a bearing surface for the plate is provided by the edge region. As a result, the arrangement of the plate on the holding facility is particularly simple. For example, the plate can be fixed by means of an adhesive to the holding facility, wherein the adhesive is applied to the bearing surface.
Preferably, a sensor facility is arranged on a lower side of the plate facing away from the user, wherein the sensor facility can be used to detect when the user has touched an upper side of the plate. In this manner, by touching the upper side of the plate, it is particularly easy to bring about the oscillation of the plate which can be haptically detected by the user.
Preferably, the plate is formed from a glass or a plastic. As a result, the plate has mechanical properties which are well-suited for bringing about the oscillation of the plate as a result of the application of the electrical signal to the sound transducer.
It has also been shown to be advantageous if the plate formed from the glass or from the plastic has a thickness of approximately 2 millimeters up to approximately 8 millimeters, in particular approximately 4 millimeters or approximately 6 millimeters. Thus, on the one hand, it is ensured that the plate can be very easily set into oscillation by means of the at least one sound transducer. On the other hand, the plate is sufficiently thick in order to ensure a specific breaking strength of the plate.
This applies in particular, when the plate is formed from a safety glass. For example, the safety glass can be configured such that it does not shatter when force is applied by means of a hammer in a standard test procedure.
It has also been shown to be advantageous if the interface module has at least two sound transducers connected to the plate. If an oscillation of the plate can be brought about by means of the at least two sound transducers, which can be acoustically detected by the user, in this manner sounds can be output in stereo. This is advantageous to enable the sounds to be easily detected acoustically.
Moreover, the connection of at least two sound transducers to the plate also means that a particularly pronounced oscillation of the plate can be brought about. This makes it very simple for the user to sense the oscillation of the plate or corresponding vibrations, i.e. to detect haptically or even acoustically. Moreover, by the interference of the vibrations generated by the sound transducers in the plate, it is possible to provide or configure regions which output a particularly high, in particular amplified, haptic acknowledgement.
Moreover, by providing the at least two sound transducers, it is possible to configure regions in the plate in which there is no output or only a small output of a haptic acknowledgement. This can be advantageous, in particular, in order to output a particularly pronounced haptic acknowledgement to the user when specific regions of the plate are touched, and to avoid the output of such a feedback or to particularly substantially prevent the output when other regions are touched.
Moreover, by providing at least two sound transducers it is possible to generate advantageous waveforms of the oscillation of the plate, in particular S-shaped signals or waves, in addition to the sinusoidal waves. This is beneficial for a simple haptic detection of the oscillation of the plate by the user.
Preferably, the interface module comprises a sealing element which circulates around a narrow side of the plate. In this case, the sealing element is configured at least to reduce a transmission of oscillations of the plate to further components of the storage plate. Thus an oscillation barrier can be provided by the sealing element in an advantageous and particularly simple manner, the oscillation barrier preventing the further components of the storage plate being additionally excited during the operation of the sound transducer. Such a damping of vibrations by means of sealing element is advantageous, in particular, in that the output of the haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement thus remains limited to the interface module. This is advantageous for the user to achieve a good understanding of the, in particular haptic, acknowledgement. The sealing element preferably has a horizontal support web which protrudes so as to be inwardly oriented from a side wall of the sealing element circulating around the plate. An edge region of the plate which protrudes in the plane of the plate over an outer edge of the holding facility can bear against this support web. Moreover, an outer side of a vertical side wall can bear against a narrow side of the storage shelf, in particular the glass plate, by which the recess formed in the storage shelf is peripherally delimited. The vertical side wall of the sealing element preferably fills up a gap between the plate and the storage shelf. The vertical side wall and bearing surface of the sealing element are preferably L-shaped in cross section and designed in one piece. The sealing element can form on the inside a curved trough in which an edge of the plate of the interface module, which has a correspondingly curved contour, can be inserted. In particular, by such an arrangement of the sealing element on the interface module, on the one hand, and on the storage shelf, in particular the glass plate, of the storage plate, on the other hand, it can be ensured that oscillations or vibrations introduced into the plate by means of the sound transducer are not transmitted to the storage shelf. Thus it is possible to avoid an occurrence of noise, which is undesirable. Due to the elasticity of the sealing element, the sealing element ensures that vibrations in the region of the interface module, which are desirable for the output of the acoustic and/or haptic acknowledgement to the user of the interface module, do not continue into the storage shelf of the storage plate, and for example cause noise there, which is undesirable. The sealing element is thus configured as a type of vibration barrier.
Moreover, it can thus be particularly substantially prevented that undesired noise occurs due to an oscillation of components of the storage plate adjoining the interface module. Moreover, it is possible to prevent that refrigerated goods, which are deposited on regions of the storage plate adjoining the interface module, are set into oscillation, which is undesirable. It is thus also advantageously possible to prevent an occurrence of noise associated therewith or with the oscillation of the adjacent components.
The sealing element also advantageously ensures the compensation of manufacturing tolerances and/or assembly tolerances of the remaining components of the storage plate.
Moreover, a seal for electronic components or similar sensitive components of the interface module is advantageously ensured by the sealing element, so that a protection against the electronic components being contaminated by water and/or dirt, for example, is ensured. The sealing function of the sealing element namely prevents water and/or dirt from being able to reach the electronic components of the interface module.
The storage plate for a household refrigeration appliance has an interface module. A separating facility is provided by the storage plate having the interface module. The separating facility is configured in a receiving space of the household refrigeration appliance, which is configured for receiving refrigerated goods, to delimit a first sub-region of the receiving space from a second sub-region of the receiving space.
The plate-like separating facility or separating plate can thus advantageously not only be used for depositing refrigerated goods on the separating facility. Rather, the interface module is integrated in the separating facility, which permits the output of the acoustic and/or haptic acknowledgements to the user of the interface module. This is advantageous, in particular, since the interface module can be accessed particularly efficiently and easily by the user. This applies primarily when the separating facility in the household refrigeration appliance delimits the sub-regions of the receiving space, which are arranged one above the other in the height direction, from one another.
Preferably, the storage plate has a plate element with a recess for the interface module. The storage plate comprises a receiving part which is arranged in the recess, the interface module being fixed thereto. Thus an integration of the interface module in the storage plate is achieved, which is particularly advantageous and simple with regard to the assembly.
The recess can be configured, in particular, as a peripheral recess of the plate element. This simplifies an insertion of the interface module in the recess from the side or from the side edge of the plate element.
It has also been shown to be advantageous if a surface of the plate of the interface module is arranged flush with a surface of the plate element. Thus a continuous depositing surface of the storage plate on which refrigerated goods can be easily arranged is advantageously provided.
Preferably, the storage plate has a front panel, a narrow side of the receiving part and/or the interface module being concealed thereby. By the provision of the front panel, in particular, it is possible to allow for the storage plate to have a height of several centimeters, for example a height of approximately 3 centimeters up to approximately 5 centimeters, in particular a height of approximately 4 centimeters. The interface module can be particularly easily integrated in such a storage plate. On the other hand, an attractive appearance of the storage plate is achieved by the front panel.
In one possible embodiment, the storage plate has at least one first latching element on the interface module and a second latching element on the receiving part which is engaged therewith in the assembled state of the interface module, wherein in the assembled state of the interface module the sealing element is at least slightly compressed between the interface module and the receiving part. As a result, a clean seal can be achieved relative to moisture and dirt and the transmission of structure-borne sound from the interface module to the storage shelf, in particular the glass plate, is avoided. The first latching element is preferably integrally formed on a housing which at least partially encloses a printed circuit board of the interface module. The first latching element comprises a web, an outwardly protruding latching hook being provided on the free end thereof. It is possible to provide a plurality of first latching elements which are provided so as to circulate partially around the interface module. The corresponding second latching element is preferably integrally formed with the receiving part. The second latching element is preferably arranged on a vertical inner surface of the receiving part. The second latching element is preferably a local latching projection or local latching indentation protruding into the receiving space of the receiving part. Preferably, a plurality of second latching elements are arranged so as to circulate partially around the vertical inner surface of the receiving part.
The household refrigeration appliance has at least one storage plate. A receiving space of the household refrigeration appliance, which is configured for receiving refrigerated goods, is subdivided into a first sub-region and a second sub-region by means of the storage plate. Temperatures which are different from one another can be set in the sub-regions during the operation of the household refrigeration appliance. Thus the storage plate can be used not only to delimit from one another the sub-regions of different temperatures or different refrigeration temperatures. Rather, at the same time an operating facility for the user of the household refrigeration appliance is provided by the storage plate, wherein the operating facility is configured for the output of an acoustic and/or haptic acknowledgement or a haptic feedback to the user. This is advantageous.
It will be understood that the terms ”top“, ”bottom“, ”front“, ”back”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction” refer to positions and orientations in the case of intended use and intended positioning of the storage plate or the household refrigeration appliance. The positions and orientations provided when the household refrigeration appliance is used as intended and arranged as intended and when an observer is standing, in particular, in front of the household refrigeration appliance and looking in the direction of the household refrigeration appliance are specified by the terms such as “above”, “below”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction” and the like.
Further features of the invention derive from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations previously named in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations named in the following in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without leaving the scope of the invention. Thus, also implementations of the invention are to be considered as comprised and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however derive from separated feature combinations from the explained implementations and can be generated from them. Also explanations and feature combinations are to be regarded as disclosed, which thus do not comprise all features of an originally formulated independent claim.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a storage plate for storage goods in a household refrigeration appliance, as well as household refrigeration appliance, 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.
Identical or functionally identical elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the figures.
Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, in particular, to
In
In an embodiment the storage plate 4 is additionally also configured as partition wall. Thereby in the embodiment shown here the receiving space 3 is separated into a top subspace 3a and into a bottom subspace 3b. In the bottom subspace 3b here first drawer 5 and second drawer 6 are exemplarily arranged side by side in width direction x, in which equally storage goods, in particular food, can be stored. By the storage plate 4 these drawers 5 and 6 separated from the top subportion 3a, in particular also thermally insulated.
This is in particular the case if the storage plate 4 is an insulation plate.
In
The embodiment of an insulation plate shown here is also conceived to the effect that a bottom wall 12 is provided. Between the bottom wall 12 and the base plate 7, which is then a roof wall, a clearance 13 is formed. Same is filled in portions with thermally insulating material, especially extended polystyrol or polyurethan.
In
The circumferentially closed and frame-like seal 9 can be recognized. Moreover, in
The holder 15 has a catch 26. In the installed state of the display unit 16, the catch 26 is in engagement with a latch 25 of the display unit 16. The catch 26 is arranged on an inner surface of a vertical wall of the accommodation space 35 of the holder 15. The catch 26 may be a protrusion or depression on the inner vertical wall of the holder 15 and may be integrally formed with the holder 15. The catch 26 may have a plurality of catches 26 arranged circumferentially and partially on an inner surface of a vertical wall of the accommodation space 35 of the holder 15. The vertical wall extends vertical along the periphery of the bottom wall of the holder 15. The latch 25 is arranged on an outer edge of the display unit 16. The latch 25 has a web and at the free end of the web is arranged a hook facing to the outside or away from the display unit 16, respectively. The latch 25 is integrally formed with a display housing 31 surrounding the printed circuit boards 30, 40 or display unit 16. The latch 25 may be formed from a plurality of latches 25 arranged circumferential and partially along the outer edge of the display unit 16 or display housing 31, respectively.
In
The seal 9 here in this cross-section, which is directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the seal 9, is configured to be L-shaped. An in this regard horizontally oriented leg flank 9a is oriented in such a way that the display 8, in particular a top cover plate 18 of the display unit 16, rests on this leg flank 9a. A vertical flank 9b of this L-shape is arranged in a horizontal plane between the narrow side edge of the cover 16 and a bounding edge 10a bounding the recess 10. By the leg flank 9a a support platform, in particular for the cover plate 18, is formed. The cover plate 18 may have a translucent input portion through which the information of the display unit 16 is shining. The translucent portion is preferably made by a semitransparent material. An opaque portion of the cover plate 18 may circumferentially surround the input area of the cover plate 18 in order to hide electrical or mechanical components behind the cover plate 18. The opaque portion of the cover plate 18 may be made by a color covering on the lower surface of the cover plate 18.
As can be recognized, the collar 17 has an indentation 19, in particular a groove, in which the seal 9 is received, in portions plunging in from the top. Preferably the seal 9 at least in portions circumferentially or only locally comprises a coupling pin 20. This coupling pin may at least in portions pass through a hole-like or slot-like through-hole 21, which is formed at least on sections of the collar 17. Thus, in particular also a specific holding, in particular a snapped arrangement, of the seal 9 on the collar 17 is achieved.
As can be recognized, the holder 15 is supported in the front portion of a support platform 22, which is in particular an integral component of the fillet 11. Moreover, schematically thermally insulating material 23, which for instance may be an insulation body precast in shape, is shown.
As can moreover be recognized, a top side 18a of the display 8 is arranged flush with a top side 7a of the base plate 7.
Moreover, the collar 17 at least in its rear extended portion contacts a bottom side 7b of the base plate 7 directly. For instance here a connection 24 may be configured. This may be a glue, for instance a liquid glue, or a double-sided adhesive tape.
Further, the display unit 16 comprises the display housing 31. The display housing 31 has a frame 32 formed by a vertical wall portion of the display housing 31. The frame 32 extends into the receiving space 35 of the holder 15. The frame 31 circumferentially surrounds a printed circuit board 30 and a display board 40. The printed circuit board 30 may be provided with electrical components mounted on the upper surface or lower surface or both surfaces of the printed circuit board 30. The printed circuit board 30 may be a central processing unit of the display unit or household refrigeration appliance 1. The display board 40 may be adhered to the bottom wall of the cover plate 18 by an adhesive foil 41. Between the display board 40 and the cover plate 18 may be arranged a sensor foil 42, especially of the capacitive type, for detection of users input by touching with the finger onto the input area of the cover plate 18 of the display unit 16. The display housing 31 has a flange 33 at the outer periphery of the display housing 31 formed by a horizontal wall portion of the display housing 31 protruding 90 degrees away from the frame 32. The flange 33 may have a seating portion attached to a rear surface 18b of the cover plate 18 by a connection 34. This connection 34 may be a glue, for instance a liquid glue, or a double-sided adhesive tape.
In
In
A storage plate 4 in a second embodiment which is configured for arranging in a household refrigeration appliance 1 (see
The interface module 103 is configured to output to the user an acoustic and/or haptic acknowledgement. To this end, the interface module 103 has at least one sound transducer 106 which can also be denoted as an exciter or excitation facility. The sound transducer 106 is configured so that electrical signals can be applied thereto and, as a result of the application of electrical signals, to bring about an oscillation, in particular a vibration, of the plate 104. This oscillation or vibration of the plate 104 can be haptically and/or acoustically detected by the user of the interface module 103.
From
The storage plate 4 also comprises a plate element, in the present case in the form of a glass plate 108, in which a peripheral recess 109 is configured. The interface module 103 can be arranged in the region of this peripheral recess 109 of the glass plate 108. A front side of the storage plate 4 is formed in the present case by a front panel 110, the height 111 thereof corresponding to a thickness of the storage plate 4 in the assembled state. The front panel 110 forms in the present case a peripheral delimitation of the laterally open recess 109 which is configured in the glass plate 108.
According to
If the plate 104 is set in oscillation by the application of signals to the at least one sound transducer 106, i.e. when the at least one sound transducer 106 brings about an oscillation of the plate 104, it is desirable if these oscillations are not transmitted to the glass plate 108 of the storage plate 4. To this end, a sealing element 114 is provided in the storage plate 4 (see
The sealing element 114 preferably has a support web 116 which protrudes so as to be oriented inwardly from a side wall 117 of the sealing element 114 circulating around the plate 104. An edge region 118 of the plate 4 can bear against this support web 116, the edge region protruding over an outer edge 19 of the holding facility 113 (see
In particular, by such an arrangement of the sealing element 114 on the interface module 103, on the one hand, and on the glass plate 108 of the storage plate 4, on the other hand, it can be ensured that by means of the sound transducer 106 oscillations or vibrations introduced into the plate 104 do not lead to vibrations of the glass plate 108. Thus it is possible to avoid an occurrence of noise, which is undesirable. Moreover, in this manner it is possible to avoid the generation of vibrations of refrigerated goods which are deposited on a surface 120 or upper side of the glass plate 108 of the storage plate 4, when the storage plate 4 is introduced into the household refrigeration appliance 1, as is illustrated schematically in
Due to the elasticity of the sealing element 114, the sealing element 114 ensures that vibrations in the region of the interface module 103, which are desirable for the output of the haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement to the user of the interface module 103, do not continue into the glass plate 108 of the storage plate 4 and cause noise there, which is undesirable. The sealing element 114 is thus configured in the manner of a vibration barrier.
The sealing element 114 also ensures that further components of the interface module 103, in particular electronic components or other sensitive components, are well-protected from being contaminated by water and/or dirt.
The plate 104 can be very easily set into oscillation by means of the at least one sound transducer 106 or structure-borne sound transducer which is configured in the manner of a loudspeaker without a loudspeaker diaphragm. In other words, an element which is capable of oscillation, such as the diaphragm of a diaphragm loudspeaker, can be provided by the plate, wherein movements of the sound transducer 106, which are brought about by the application of electrical signals, are converted into oscillations of the plate 104. This is achieved by attaching the at least one sound transducer 106 directly to the plate 104, in the present case to the lower side 107 of the plate 104 (see
It is advantageous if the plate 104 has a thickness of, for example, 4 millimeters. This is because when the plate 104 has a high breaking strength it is ensured that the plate 104 can be very easily set into oscillation.
In particular, it can be seen in
This loudspeaker connection 125 can preferably be used in two ways. Firstly, electrical signals can be output to the sound transducer 106 via the loudspeaker connection 125, the electrical signals bringing about the oscillation of the plate 104 which can be haptically and/or acoustically detected by the user of the interface module 103. Secondly, the control facility 124 can apply further electrical signals to the sound transducer 106 in order to bring about an oscillation of the plate 104 which can be acoustically detected by the user.
Depending on an outlet frequency or output frequency of the sound transducer 106, therefore, vibrations of the plate 104 can be haptically detected, for example by means of the finger of the user. Moreover, vibrations of the plate 104 can bring about an output of sounds which are audible to the user. For example, frequencies of less than 300 Hertz can be used in order to output a haptic acknowledgement to the user by means of the plate 104. Accordingly higher frequencies or excitation frequencies can be used in order to achieve an output of audible sounds via the plate, i.e. oscillations of the plate 104, which can be acoustically detected by the user.
By the provision of the at least one sound transducer 106, the plate 104 can be advantageously used firstly for the output of the haptic acknowledgement and secondly for the output of sounds, such as signal sounds. The control facility 124 can comprise, in particular, an amplifier via which the respective electrical signals, which bring about the oscillation of the plate 104, can be output to the sound transducer 106. In particular, when the interface module 103 is configured in any case for the output of sounds, such as for example signal sounds and/or actuating sounds or the like, it is advantageous to use the sound transducer 106 for generating the haptically detectable vibrations of the plate 104.
In the present case, the plate 104 has a light-permeable region 126, wherein the interface module 103 comprises a display facility 127 or a display aligned with this light-permeable region 126. The control facility 124 is also configured in the present case for activating the display facility 127 or the display. As can be seen in
Moreover, a sensor facility 129 is integrated in the interface module 103 in the region of the display facility 127, it being possible to detect thereby when the user touches the upper side 105 of the plate 104. Accordingly, the sensor facility 129 is configured as a touch sensor of the interface module 103. It can also be seen from
A touch screen of the interface module 103 is provided by the sensor facility 129, advantageously in cooperation with the display facility 127. When the user accordingly carries out an operation on the touch screen, a haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgement of this operation can be output to the user, by the plate 104 being set into oscillation by means of the sound transducer 106. In particular, the haptic acknowledgement can be assisted by the output of a preferably simultaneous acoustic acknowledgement.
An electrical cable 131, in particular a flexible conductor foil, is also shown in
In
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In the household refrigeration appliance 1, shown by way of example and schematically in
In the present case, two drawers 140, in which it is possible to accommodate, for example, refrigerated goods which extremely perishable, are arranged in the sub-region 39 arranged below the storage plate 4 or separating facility. Moreover, further refrigerated goods can be deposited on the surface 120 of the glass plate 108 of the storage plate 4. In particular, it can be provided that temperatures which are different from one another can be set in the two sub-regions 138, 139 in a refrigerating operation of the household refrigeration appliance 1.
According to
In the present case, the storage plate 4, in which the interface module 103 is integrated, serves not only for subdividing the receiving space 137 into the first sub-region 138 and the second sub-region 139. Rather, firstly an operating facility for carrying out operations on the household refrigeration appliance 1 is provided by the interface module 103 integrated in the storage plate 4. The interface module 103 is particularly easily accessible to the user, in particular in comparison with a user interface which is arranged on an upper edge of the receiving space 137 and which in the present case can be accordingly dispensed with. This is advantageous, in particular, for a user of small height.
Secondly, operations carried out by the user on the interface module 103 can be output as haptic and/or acoustic acknowledgements by the vibration of the plate 4. Moreover, by corresponding activation of the at least one sound transducer 106, the above-described variant of the interface module 103 enables sounds which are audible to the user to be output by means of the plate 104.
Nevertheless, it is advantageously ensured that vibrations of the plate 104 are not transmitted to the glass plate 108 of the storage plate 4 adjacent to the plate 104 in the peripheral direction. This is ensured by the sealing element 114.
As a whole, the examples show how an improved interface module 103 is provided with haptic and/or acoustic feedback for a user of the household refrigeration appliance 1.
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 2022 212 864.8 | Nov 2022 | DE | national |
| 2022/018197 | Nov 2022 | TR | national |
