CN113432376B

CN113432376B - Household appliance having a luminous body for treating a space

Info

Publication number: CN113432376B
Application number: CN202110279711.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·迈尔; A·韦伯
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2020-03-18
Filing date: 2021-03-16
Publication date: 2023-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2041-03-16
Also published as: EP3882545A1; CN113432376A

Abstract

A household appliance having a treatment space which can be closed by means of a front door and at least one side wall of which has a through opening for receiving a luminous means, having at least one luminous means for illuminating the treatment space, which projects through the through opening, wherein the at least one luminous means has a first component having a light well which projects through the through opening and an edge of a light-impermeable material which is arranged in the treatment space and laterally surrounds the light well, which edge forms a front face and is flattened obliquely behind the front face, the light well being covered over its opening facing the treatment space by a light-permeable plate, the light-permeable plate having a bridging region which covers at least one edge section located behind the front face and is designed for coupling light out in a planar manner. The invention can be used particularly advantageously in cold storage appliances, in particular in cold storage cabinets.

Description

Household appliance having a luminous body for treating a space

Technical Field

The invention relates to a household appliance having a treatment space which can be closed by means of a front door, at least one side wall of the treatment space having a through opening for receiving a luminous element, and having at least one luminous element for illuminating the treatment space, which luminous element protrudes through the through opening. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to refrigeration appliances, in particular refrigerated cabinets.

Background

DE 10 2012 205 766 A1 discloses a container for a refrigerator, which has a container element, wherein the container element has a flat area with a light-transmitting section. The container element has an illumination device configured for illuminating the light-transmitting section.

EP 2 594 880 A2 discloses a refrigerated cabinet. The refrigerator cabinet comprises: an inner housing seated in an outer housing; a hollow configured in the inner housing and having a predetermined depth; a light source received in the void; and a cover received in the void and surrounding the light source. The light source may direct light towards the rear of the inner housing to illuminate the respective lattice layer formed therein. The cover may have an extension extending substantially parallel to the inner housing and received in the hollow so as to prevent light emitted by the light source from being directed towards the front section of the inner housing.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome at least in part the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a lighting device for a treatment space of a household appliance, which has a particularly large surface emitting effective light in a compact construction without the user being dazzled.

This object is achieved by a household appliance having:

a treatment space which can be closed by means of a front-side door, at least one side wall of which has at least one opening for accommodating at least one luminous body; and

at least one light for illuminating the treatment space, said light projecting through the through-opening,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

at least one of the luminous bodies has a component (hereinafter referred to without general limitation as a "first" component) having a light well which projects through the opening and a rim of a light-impermeable material which is arranged in the treatment space and laterally surrounds the light well,

the edge forms a front face and is obliquely flattened behind the front face,

the light well is covered by a light-transmitting plate over its opening facing the process space, and

the light-transmitting plate additionally has a bridging region which covers at least one edge section located directly behind the front face and which is designed for coupling out light in a surface-mounted manner.

This achieves the advantage that: the light which passes through the translucent plate from the light well is not only incident into the process space, but (after internal light conduction) also enters the process space from a region of the translucent plate which covers a laterally outer edge section of the light well (also referred to below as "overlap region"). This provides, in turn, a particularly large light emission surface in a compact design, which is larger than the treatment space-side opening of the light well. In particular, the passage opening only needs to be relatively small, which enables the additional advantage of particularly good thermal insulation of the treatment space from its surroundings. This also opens up the possibility of retrofitting existing openings for luminaires which emit light in a relatively small area.

The expression "overlap region covers at least one edge section" can also be used: the light-transmitting plate extends from the opening of the light well to beyond the edge section.

A further advantage is achieved by the shape of the front joining edge which is flattened in the rear direction thereof: the light emitted from the light-emitting body does not dazzle the user or significantly dazzle the user.

The "overlap region is configured for surface out-coupling light" may comprise: the overlap region has scattering centers (e.g. particles or air inclusions) and/or is situated on its surface directed into the treatment space or is structured for coupling out light. In particular, the light beam traveling in the overlap region can thus be caused to impinge on the surface facing the process space with a small angle of incidence, so that it can be coupled out of the overlap region into the process space.

In one development, the domestic appliance is a refrigerator (for example a freezer or freezer). The treatment space then corresponds to the available space or refrigerating space of the refrigerator which can be cooled. However, the home appliance is not limited thereto and may be, for example, a cooking appliance, a dishwasher, or the like.

The process space is bounded by walls (also referred to as muffle or furnace tubes in the case of a furnace) and by a closed door on the front side. A "side wall" is to be understood to mean, in particular, a side wall of a wall or of a treatment space on the left, a side wall on the right, a roof and/or a rear wall of a treatment space, as viewed through a charging opening which can be closed by means of a door. One or more of the side walls can each have one or more openings for the respective luminous body. One embodiment provides that the at least one luminous body is arranged on top of the treatment space.

"the luminous body passes through and stretches out" includes: the luminous body is arranged partly inside the treatment space and partly outside the treatment space. In particular, the edge is located inside the treatment space, while the light well is arranged partly inside and partly outside the treatment space. In particular, the light well projects vertically through the opening.

The material that is opaque may be, for example, plastic, enameled metal, etc.

The "edge laterally surrounds the light well" can be embodied in such a way that the region of the first component located in the treatment space is configured shell-like, with a central recess and the light well is connected to the recess in the direction of the passage opening. The central gap corresponds to the process space side opening of the optical well. For mechanical reinforcement, the edge may have one or more ribs connected to the light well.

The edge can in particular have a rectangular basic shape in top view. In this case, its longitudinal sides correspond to the longitudinal sections of the edges.

The "front" of the edge faces the loading opening closable by the door and thus the user looking into the treatment space.

"the edge is flattened obliquely right behind the front" includes in particular: the front edge section of the front face or the front face provided therewith extends furthest into the treatment space. This achieves the advantage that: the region of the luminous body on the treatment space side which is arranged behind it (that is to say further in the direction of the rear wall) is at least partially concealed. In particular, the direct front can conceal the opening of the light well and the light-transmitting plate from the view of the user looking inwards, so that the blinding effect of the luminous body can be significantly reduced or even completely avoided. The "obliquely flattened shape of the edge" includes in particular: the edge becomes flatter in the rearward direction or in the direction of the rear wall. This can also be expressed as: the height of the edge decreases towards the rear.

The light emerging from the light well in the direction of the treatment space can be generated by means of one or more light sources of the luminous body. The at least one light source may comprise, for example, one or more LEDs.

The light-transmitting plate can be made of glass, glass ceramic or plastic, for example. The light-transmitting plate may be transparent or opaque ("opalescent").

In one embodiment, the light-transmitting plate covers the rear edge section as far as the side walls. This achieves the advantage that: the spatial region behind the illuminated space can be illuminated particularly effectively. In this configuration, the light-transmitting plate extends in particular over the rear edge section until it meets the side walls (optionally separated by a gap). The light-transmitting plate can extend in a curved manner from the underside of the edge section to the side wall, whereby the advantage is achieved that: the spatial region located behind the luminaire, i.e. the spatial region between the rear edge section and the rear wall, can also be effectively illuminated.

One embodiment provides that the light-transmitting plate covers the side edge sections up to laterally outer, projecting elevations of the side edge sections. Thus, the advantages of a particularly wide light emission surface and low glare when viewed from the side are achieved.

In one embodiment, the first component comprises a light well, an edge and a light-transmitting plate, which are produced in one piece. This advantageously enables particularly simple and inexpensive production and particularly robust components. One development provides that the first component is a 2K plastic component produced in one piece, wherein the translucent plate consists of a translucent plastic and the remaining component volume consists of a non-translucent plastic. However, the light-transmitting plate can also be produced in general separately and then connected to the remaining first component (e.g. by latching, gluing, etc.).

One embodiment provides that the luminaire has a light source carrier with at least one light source pointing obliquely back into the light well. As a result, the advantages of particularly low glare and particularly good illumination of the treatment space below and behind the luminous body can be achieved. This can also be expressed as: the optical axis or main emission axis of the at least one light source does not extend perpendicularly through the through-opening but is directed in the direction of the rear wall at an oblique angle with respect to said axis. The light source carrier may be a circuit board. The angle of inclination can then be implemented simply by a correspondingly inclined position of the circuit board. A driver can be present on the circuit board for operating at least one light source, in particular an LED.

In one embodiment, the light source carrier is arranged in the light well. Accordingly, it is possible to advantageously reduce light loss and improve light efficiency (lm/W) of effective light incident into the cooking space.

An advantageous development for increasing the light efficiency is that the light well has a mirror-like or diffusely reflecting surface on the inner side. For this purpose, the inner side can have a white surface, for example. In one embodiment, the white surface can have a coating containing a white pigment, for example a coating made of titanium dioxide.

In one embodiment, the edge has a bearing surface for bearing the first component on the inner side of the side wall. The first component can therefore be positioned and fastened particularly simply on the side wall.

One configuration is that the luminous body has a second component arranged outside the treatment space, which second component can be fastened (for example can be snapped on) to the light well and in the fastened state together with the first component holds the luminous body on the side wall in a press fit. This advantageously enables a particularly simple fastening of the luminous body on the side wall.

In one embodiment, the front face is inclined rearward from the side walls. The front face is thereby advantageously particularly clearly visible to a user looking into the filling opening.

In one configuration, the front face has indicia. Thus, information can be presented to the user in a simple and space-saving manner. In one development, the marking can be introduced into the front face by material cutting, for example by means of engraving, pressing, stamping, laser or the like. In one development, the front side has a hot embossing film or a hot embossing film is used to apply the marking. However, the marking may also be embossed, for example.

The object is also achieved by a corresponding luminaire which is provided (i.e. configured and constructed) for installation in a household appliance. The luminous body can be constructed as described above and the same advantages are obtained.

Drawings

The above features, characteristics and advantages of the present invention and the manner and method of how they are accomplished will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following schematic description of embodiments, which is set forth in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a section through a first member of a luminaire according to the invention in an oblique view;

fig. 2 shows a sectional illustration in a side view of a luminous body inserted into a side wall, the luminous body having the first and second component parts of fig. 1;

fig. 3 shows the first component in a top view onto the side facing away from the process space;

fig. 4 shows the first member in an oblique view onto the side facing away from the process space; and

fig. 5 shows the first component in a view from obliquely behind onto the side facing the process space.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a section through a first component 2 of a luminaire 1 for illuminating a treatment space B (here, for example, in the form of a refrigerating space of a refrigerator cabinet) of a household appliance H in an oblique view (see fig. 2). Fig. 2 shows a luminaire 1 with a first component 2 and a second component 3 which are mounted on a side wall (here, for example, the ceiling D) of a process space B. The top D has a through opening L. The treatment space B has a front charging opening which can be closed by means of a door (not shown). Fig. 3 shows the first component 2 in a plan view onto the side facing away from the process space. Fig. 4 shows the first component 2 in an oblique view onto the side facing away from the process space.

The first component has a light well 4 projecting perpendicularly through the through opening L, which light well has a tubular basic shape with a rectangular cross section. The light well 4 is laterally surrounded by an edge 5 over its partial region which projects into the treatment space B. The edge 5 has a rectangular basic shape, in particular a rectangular ring shape, with a front or front edge section 5a, a rear or rear edge section 5b and two lateral edge sections 5c. The light well 4 and the edge 5 are produced in one piece from a light-impermeable plastic, for example by means of an injection molding method.

The front edge section 5a provides a front face 6 which is visible to the user from the front, wherein the front edge section 5a extends furthest from all edge sections 5a to 5c into the treatment space B. The front face 6 is inclined or tilted from the top D and optionally (as shown) has a marking C introduced, for example by means of a hot embossing film.

As is illustrated in particular in fig. 2, the edge 5 is flattened in the rearward direction RR of the treatment space B directly behind the front face 6, in particular similarly to a flat bevel flattening. In other words, the height of the edge 5 or its underside to the top D decreases in the rearward direction RR. The advantages are thus achieved: particularly the front face 6 is visible to the user.

The light well 4 is covered at its opening 7 facing the process space B by a light-transmitting, in particular transparent plate 8. Starting from the central region 9 covering the opening 7, the plate 8 has a lap region 10, in which the plate 8 covers or overlaps a partial area of the side edge section 5c up to the respective, laterally outer bulge 11 and the rear edge section 5b up to the top D. At least the overlap region 10 is specially configured for the surface-bound outcoupling of light into the treatment space 8, for example by means of scattering centers contained therein, surface structuring, surface blasting, etc.

The first component 2 can be produced in one piece as a 2K injection molded component, wherein the light-permeable plate 8 consists of a light-permeable plastic and the remaining component volume, including the light well 4 and the edge 5, consists of a light-impermeable plastic.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a light source carrier 12 in the form of, for example, a circuit board 14 equipped with one or more LEDs 13 is fastened, for example latched and/or glued, in a section of the light well 4 located outside the treatment space B. The circuit board 14 and thus also the LEDs 13 are inclined obliquely backwards, as indicated in fig. 2 by the inclination angle α between the top D and the plane E of the circuit board 14. The probability of dazzling of the user is thereby further reduced, and a spatial region behind the treatment space B can be particularly well illuminated. The circuit board 14 and the edge sections 5b, 5c directly behind the front face 6 are inclined in the same rearward direction RR, but the circuit board 14 is optionally inclined more strongly.

In order to increase the light efficiency of the effective light radiated into the process space B, the light source carrier 12 is arranged in the light well 4, and the light well 4 can be configured to reflect on the inside, for example diffusely by providing white material particles.

In order to fasten the luminous body 1 on the top D, the first component 2 is inserted from the treatment space B with its light well 4 vertically through the through opening L until it rests with its edge 5 on the inside on the top D. For this purpose, the edge sections 5a to 5c provide, on their free edges, in particular circumferentially closed bearing surfaces 15 for bearing on the head D on the side of the passage L.

The second member 3 is resting and fastened to the well 4 of the first member 2 placed on the top D, for example, being snapped onto a corresponding snap nose 16 of the well 4. The second component 3 can also have a "spring region" 17 which is elastically flexible in order to increase the pressing force of the bearing surface 15 against the top D and thus to prevent the luminous body 1 from rocking on the top D particularly effectively. Thus, the luminous body 1 is held on the top D by the press-fit between the first member 2 and the second member 3.

Fig. 5 shows the first component 2 in a view from obliquely behind onto the side facing the process space. With the LEDs 13 switched on, the complete "outer" surface of the light-transmitting plate 8 facing the cooking space serves as a light emission surface 9, 10 for emitting effective light into the treatment space B. The plate 8 is optically divided at least approximately into a central region 9 and a overlap region 10, which covers the side edge sections 5c up to the respective elevations 11 and the rear edge region 5b up to the support surface 15. The light emission surfaces 9, 10 are significantly larger than the area of the opening 7 of the light well 4, which is indicated by dashed lines, or than only the central region 9. Thus, the advantages are achieved: particularly large light emission surfaces 9, 10 are provided with a space-saving installation through the opening L. In particular, the existing openings L can be used for conventional luminaires installed to date with significantly smaller light emission areas, which keeps the construction outlay particularly low.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

Thus, additionally or alternatively, the luminaires may be arranged on a left, right and/or rear wall of the processing space.

Furthermore, the luminous body 1 or its components 2 and 3 can also be inventive independently. The luminous body 1 can be described here, for example, in terms of a support plane defined by the support surface 15, which corresponds to the position or orientation of the top D.

In general, "a" or "an" may be read as singular or plural, especially in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more", etc., as long as this is not explicitly excluded (e.g., by "exactly one", etc.).

The numerical specification may also include the numbers specified and may also include general tolerance ranges, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

List of reference numerals

1. Luminous body

2. First member

3. Second component

4. Light well

5. Edge of a container

5a front edge section

5b rear edge section

5c side edge section

6. Front face

7. Opening of the container

8. Transparent plate

9. Central region

10. Overlap region

11. Bump

12. Light source carrier

13 LED

14. Circuit board

15. Bearing surface

16. Lock nose

17. Spring region

B processing space

C mark

D top

Plane of E circuit board

H household appliance

L-shaped through opening in top

RR backward direction

Angle of inclination alpha

Claims

1. A household appliance (H) having:

-a treatment space (B) which can be closed by means of a front door, at least one side wall (D) of which has a through-opening (L) for introducing a luminous body (1); and

at least one luminous body (1) for illuminating the treatment space (B), which luminous body projects through the through-opening (L),

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

-at least one luminous body (1) has a first component (2) with a light well (4) projecting through the through-opening (L) and a rim (5) of a light-impermeable material arranged in the treatment space (B) laterally surrounding the light well (4),

-said edge (5) forming a frontal face (6) and flattening obliquely behind said frontal face (6),

-the light well (4) is covered by a light-transmitting plate (8) on its opening (7) facing the process space (B), and

-the light-transmitting plate (8) has a overlap region (10) which covers at least one edge section (5 b, 5 c) located behind the front face (6) and which is designed for the area-specific outcoupling of light,

the first component (2) comprises the light well (4), the edge (5) and the light-transmitting plate (8) and is a component produced in one piece.

2. The household appliance (H) according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting plate (8) covers the rear edge section (5 b) up to the side wall (D).

3. The household appliance (H) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-transmitting plate (8) covers the side edge section (5 c) up to a laterally outer, protruding elevation (11) of the side edge section (5 c).

4. Household appliance (H) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the luminaire (1) has a light source carrier (12) with at least one light source (13) directed obliquely backwards into the light well (4).

5. A household appliance (H) as in claim 4, wherein said light source carrier (12) is arranged in said light well (4).

6. Household appliance (H) according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 5, wherein said edge (5) has a bearing surface (15) for bearing said first member (2) on the inner side of said side wall (D).

7. Household appliance (H) according to any of claims 1, 2, 5, wherein the luminaire (1) has a second member (3) arranged outside the treatment space (B), which is fastenable on the light well (4) and holds the luminaire (1) on the side wall (D) in a press fit together with the first member (2) in the fastened state.

8. Household appliance (H) according to any of claims 1, 2, 5, wherein said front face (6) is inclined backwards, starting from said side wall (D).

9. Household appliance (H) according to any of claims 1, 2, 5, wherein said front face (6) has a marking (C).

10. Household appliance (H) according to any of claims 1, 2, 5, wherein at least one light (1) is arranged on the top (D) of the treatment space (B).

11. The household appliance (H) according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, wherein the household appliance (H) is a refrigeration appliance and the process space (B) is a coolable active space of the refrigeration appliance.