DE102020213396A1 - Household refrigeration appliance with a crossbar and a light module specifically attached to it - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigerating appliance (1) with a housing (2) in which a first, upper storage space (3) for food and a separate second, lower storage space (4) for food are formed, the two storage spaces ( 3, 4) are separated from one another at the front by a crossbar (6) of the household refrigeration appliance (1), and with a light module (10) which is arranged on a front side (11) of the crossbar (6), the light module (10) being a Module housing (15), the module housing (15) having a rear housing part (16) which has a rear wall (18) and a plurality of separate snap elements (20, 21, 22), the snap elements (20, 21, 22) being in one piece are formed with the rear housing part (16) and are snapped into snap element receptacles (12, 13, 14) formed in the crossbar (6), the rear housing part (16) having a rear surface (19a) of the rear wall (18 ) flat on the front side ( 11) directly attached.

Description

One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance with a housing. A first upper storage space for food, viewed in the height direction, is formed in the housing. A second, lower receiving space for food, which is separate from the first receiving space, is formed in the housing. Viewed in the depth direction, the two receiving spaces are separated from one another at the front by a crossbeam of the household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance also has a light module, which is arranged on a front side of the crossbeam. The light module has a module housing.

In the case of domestic refrigeration appliances with a plurality of accommodation spaces, it is known for a lighting unit to be arranged on a front side of a cross connection. The cross connection separates a cold room from a freezer room. Light can be emitted downwards through this lighting unit, which is arranged at the front in a locally specified manner. Such is, for example, from the EP 1 956 325 A2 famous. This lamp unit has a one-piece housing. A transparent cover is arranged on this housing. This cover snaps directly to the cross-connection with a projection in the form of a rib. The housing snaps directly to a fastener. The fastener is separate from the housing and separate from the cover. The fastening element is arranged directly on the cross connection. For this purpose, however, fastening lugs of the metallic fastening element must be passed through fastening openings in the cross connection and then bent over the edges of the fastening openings and clamped to them. In addition, it is provided that the cover, which is convex in cross section in the front area, is covered on the inside by a non-transparent apron. This prevents light from escaping to the front.

The lighting unit known from the prior art is made up of a variety of components that have to be individually connected in a very complex manner. The installation effort of the housing on the separate mounting bracket and in particular also the attachment of this mounting bracket to the cross connection are very assembly-intensive. This also results in position tolerances. It is therefore very difficult to permanently position the lighting unit in an accurately positioned position on the cross connection. In addition, the lighting functionality of this lighting unit is limited. Due to the arrangement of the light source in the housing and the shape of the cover, the light can only be emitted downwards with a vertical main emission direction. In a particularly disadvantageous manner, this results in only one lighting option in a very narrow area below the lighting unit. In particular, a bright spot of light forms as a result immediately below the lighting unit and on the front side of the cross connection which is adjacent in this regard. This prevents a homogeneous appearing light image. In addition, water and moisture can get into the housing through the mounting bracket.

It is the object of the present invention to create a household refrigeration appliance in which a light module can be arranged on a housing component in a simple and precisely positioned manner.

This object is achieved by a household refrigeration appliance which has the features according to claim 1.

One aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigeration appliance with a housing. A first upper storage space for food, viewed in the height direction, is formed in the housing. A second, lower receiving space for food, which is separate from the first receiving space, is formed in the housing. Viewed in the depth direction, the two receiving spaces are separated from one another at the front by a crossbeam of the household refrigeration appliance. The household refrigeration appliance also has a light module, which is arranged on a front side of the crossbeam. The light module has a module housing.

The module housing has a rear housing part viewed in the depth direction of the household refrigeration appliance. This rear housing part has a back wall and several separate snap elements. The snap elements are formed in one piece with the rear housing part. The snap elements are snapped into snap element receptacles formed on the cross member. The rear housing part is arranged with a rear surface of the rear wall, viewed in the depth direction, lying flat on the front side of the crossbeam. A configuration of this type enables the light module to be attached directly to the crossbeam in a particularly simple and nevertheless positionally stable manner. The assembly effort is reduced in this regard. A very quick and effective assembly concept can be provided by means of snap connections. In addition, this multiple snap-on elements and multiple snap-on element receptacles also enable the light module to be attached in a permanently fixed position. With this design, the module housing itself is in direct contact with the front side of the crossbeam. Those formed integrally therewith Snaps reach rearwardly through snaps receptacles and are snapped therein. A simple fastening concept is thus made possible. In addition, fastening brackets that are separate from the housing are no longer required, as is necessary in the prior art.

In one embodiment, a first, off-center snap element and a separate second, off-center snap element are formed on the rear wall. This means that these snap elements viewed in the width direction of the household refrigeration appliance and thus also viewed in the width direction of this rear wall are offset to the left and to the right relative to a midpoint or a center of the rear wall. Precisely these two snap elements are arranged symmetrically to a center of the rear housing part in one exemplary embodiment, viewed in the width direction of this rear wall and thus of the rear housing part. This is another very advantageous exemplary embodiment, because it also makes it possible for the rear wall and thus the entire rear housing part to be mounted on the crossbeam in a symmetrically folded manner. This means that it can be locked in a first position as well as in a second position rotated by 180° on the crossbeam. As a result, it is achieved during production that it is not first necessary to check in which single assembly position this rear housing part can be arranged on the crossbeam.

It is particularly advantageous if the snap-in element receptacle in the crossbeam is designed symmetrically to a center point of this crossbeam viewed in the width direction. This then also makes it possible for this crossbeam to be mounted symmetrically in a fold-over position. It is therefore no longer necessary during production to pay close attention to the only single installation position in which the crossbar has to be arranged. Rather, a first position and a second position of the cross member rotated by 180° (again, here about an axis viewed in the depth direction) are also possible. In particular, this also has the advantage that after the installation of a backing part behind the crossbeam, in particular together with an electrical plug, on this center crossbeam or crossbeam, the symmetry of this crossbeam is retained. In particular, therefore, a production worker does not have to pay attention to which side of the crossbar the inner container, which delimits the first receiving space, and on which side the inner container, which delimits the second receiving space, must be arranged.

In an exemplary embodiment, a central snap element is formed on the rear wall and is arranged centrally in the width direction of the rear housing part. As a result, a mechanically stable attachment of the rear housing part directly to the crossbeam is further improved in a particularly advantageous manner. In addition, this arrangement also continues to provide the above-mentioned advantages of the symmetry of the envelope. In particular, a central central snap-in element receptacle is formed in the crossbeam. The central snap element can snap into this. As a result, the crossbeam continues to be designed, in particular, to be symmetrically folded over, so that the above-mentioned advantages are retained.

In one embodiment, the central snap includes two spaced apart snap portions. These snap element parts are each snapped into one, in particular a single central, snap element receptacle of the crossbar. This configuration of the central snap element enables a particularly advantageous mechanical coupling. In addition, these snap element parts can be used in an improved way for additional functions.

In particular, it is provided in one exemplary embodiment that these snap-on element parts have snap-in lugs on the sides facing away from one another. The snap element parts are snapped into the snap element receptacle in the crossbeam with these snap lugs. As a result of these snap-in element noses, which are each oriented outwards in the width direction, the intermediate space between the snap-in element parts remains maximized when viewed in this width direction. This space can thus be better used for the introduction of other components. A particularly compact construction, in particular in the depth direction of the light module, is also made possible as a result.

In one embodiment, the snap element parts are formed with engaging elements on the mutually facing sides. These engagement elements are designed to engage in engagement areas of the circuit board of the light module. This is another very advantageous embodiment. This is because the direct mechanical coupling between this specific central snap element and the circuit board can be achieved in this way. The mechanically holding coupling which is direct in this respect thus also enables a particularly advantageous position-fixed arrangement of the circuit board. The snap element parts thus have multifunctionality. On the one hand, they are intended to be snapped onto the crossbeam itself, on the other hand, they are intended to be directly ten snapping hold of the circuit board intended.

As a result, the board is held securely in position in at least two spatial directions, in particular the depth direction and the width direction. In particular, it extends into the space between the snap element parts. As a result, viewed in the depth direction, the circuit board is arranged in an overlapping manner with this central snap element. In particular, viewed in the width direction, it is also protected laterally by these snap element parts. In one exemplary embodiment, the snap-on element parts extend, viewed in the depth direction, at least over the entire depth of the partial area of the circuit board that extends into the intermediate space between the snap-on element parts.

In one exemplary embodiment, the snap element parts have receiving and guide slots for a partial area of the circuit board on the inner sides facing one another.

In one embodiment, a receiving area for a partial area of the circuit board of the light module is formed between the snap element parts. This receiving area is thus intended to be provided so that this sub-area of the circuit board can be positioned therein.

In one embodiment, a portion of the circuit board is held between the snap member portions. In particular, this partial area is snapped onto it by the engagement of the engagement elements in these engagement areas. The engaging elements extend in the width direction, as do the engaging portions. Thus, an interlocking is formed in the width direction.

The snap-in elements are arranged resiliently on the rear wall, in particular in the width direction. As a result, the snapping process can be implemented in a particularly smooth manner.

In one exemplary embodiment, the crossbeam has a horizontal slot, which is designed to allow the circuit board to extend through. A portion of the circuit board extends through this slot in the cross member. In particular, the slot is formed centrally in the cross member. This makes it possible for the circuit board to extend on both sides of the crossbeam in the assembled state. As a result, a compact construction of the light module can also be achieved and a more secure positioning of the circuit board is achieved.

In one embodiment, the partial area of the circuit board that extends through this slot, which in particular also forms the entrance of the central snap-in element receptacle, of the crossbeam backwards into the housing of the household refrigeration appliance, is designed with electrical contacts that are intended for electrically contacting a plug, which is arranged in the housing are formed. In particular, three electrical contacts are formed in this regard. In particular, electrical contacting with a three-pole plug can thus be made possible. Such a three-pin connector with related contacts on the part of the circuit board, which relates to a central first electrical contact of the first polarity and to the left and right of it a further electrical contact of a second polarity, also enables the above-mentioned symmetrically folded assembly. In particular, the two outer electrical contacts of these three electrical contacts are connected to one another in this context.

This to the effect that the light module is functional regardless of the installation position of the plug. In particular, the positive pole of the electrical plug is arranged in the middle. It is therefore provided that the electrical contact on the partial area of the circuit board that is arranged in the middle is a positive pole and thus has this first polarity.

Viewed in the width direction, that part of the circuit board that extends backwards through the slot in the crossbar into the housing of the household refrigeration appliance is narrower than another part of the circuit board that is arranged in front of the crossbar.

In one embodiment, the circuit board has a T-shape. In particular, a portion of the board is a T-stem. Specifically, this portion is that which extends rearwardly through a slot in the rear wall of the rear housing portion. In particular, this T-stem also extends through the recess or the snap-in element receptacle in the crossbeam. Another part of this T-shape is a T-roof. This further partial area is arranged on the front side of the rear wall of the rear housing part. It thus does not extend through the slot in the rear wall of the rear housing part. Viewed widthwise, the slot in the back panel is narrower than the T-top of the board. Due to this shape and the arrangement of the circuit board relative to this rear wall, it can also be positioned more stably. In particular, a particularly compact structure is also made possible.

In one embodiment, the module housing is in the depth direction of the household Viewed from the front housing part of the refrigeration device. This thus extends further forward than the rear housing part.

In one embodiment, these two housing parts are permanently connected. This means in particular that they are initially manufactured and provided as separate components. In particular, the front housing part and the rear housing part are each formed in one piece. They are then inextricably linked. For example, they can be ultrasonically welded in this context. A non-destructive, detachable separation of these two housing parts is then not possible.

In one exemplary embodiment, the front housing part has a lower wall, viewed in the vertical direction of the domestic refrigeration appliance. This lower wall forms a light exit window of the light module. The lower wall is oriented obliquely upwards relative to a horizontal line. This means that it is oriented obliquely upwards and forwards, starting from that end or that side which faces the crossbar and is closer to the crossbar in this respect. Light emerges downwards from the module housing through this lower wall in particular in such a way that a spatial zone or a volume region that is in front of the lower receiving space in the depth direction of the household refrigeration appliance is illuminated more extensively towards the front. This is another very advantageous embodiment. Because of this oblique orientation, the light with a main emission direction cannot be emitted vertically downwards, but can be emitted obliquely downwards and forwards away from the recording space. A particularly homogeneous illumination of this zone can thus be made possible. Undesirable light spots, which occur directly below the light module, especially on the front side of the crossbeam, can be avoided in this way.

This is particularly advantageous when the household refrigeration appliance has a food storage container which is arranged in a displaceable manner in the second storage space. It is thus then possible for this food receptacle to be uniformly illuminated from above by the light module when it is pulled out in a position that is then also pulled out in this respect. A particularly comprehensive and homogeneous illumination of the interior of this food storage container is thus also made possible in the maximum extension position of this container. The food receiving container is in particular a tray. This can also be pulled out of the second receiving space and pushed in linearly in the depth direction. It is precisely this very advantageous design of the light module with this sloping wall and the corresponding light output that enables the entire interior of this shell to be illuminated as extensively and uniformly as possible, even if this shell is relatively large and is pulled relatively far forward .

In one exemplary embodiment it is provided that the front housing part has an upper wall viewed in the vertical direction. This top wall is opaque. This ensures that no undesired light emerges upwards. A highly directional light extraction via this specified lower wall is thereby made possible. In particular, this also avoids dazzling an observer who is looking at the light module from above or at an angle. In particular, when a shell as explained above is present and this is pulled out and the observer looks into the interior of the shell from above, it is illuminated uniformly and circumferentially and the observer is not dazzled by the light module.

In one exemplary embodiment, this upper wall is oriented obliquely downwards with respect to a horizontal line. This means that viewed in the depth direction, starting from that end or that side which is closer to the crossbeam, it is oriented obliquely downwards and forwards. This geometry achieves a particularly advantageous forward tapering of the front housing part on both sides. This reduces the space required by the light module at the top and bottom. In particular, when the light module is located in the region of a gap between an upper and a lower door, viewed in the depth direction, an advantageous geometry is achieved in this context. Due to this orientation of the front housing part, which is inclined both upwards and downwards, the geometry of this front housing part is tapered in cross section. As a result, only a minimal amount of space is required in the vertical direction between the doors of this front housing part.

In one embodiment, this upper wall is also designed as an information presentation wall due to its defined and intended oblique orientation. Information, in particular text information, is thus intended to be displayed on this information presentation wall. In particular, this text information can also be formed permanently on the top wall. This text information can be information about the light module itself. However, other information may also be included in this Information presentation wall can be displayed.

In one embodiment, an electronic display can also be formed on this top wall. This allows electronic information to be displayed visually.

In one embodiment, the front housing portion is truncated pyramid shaped.

In one exemplary embodiment, a lower wall of the front housing part, viewed in the vertical direction, has a partial area or a partial section. This sub-area is oriented obliquely upwards relative to a horizontal line. This means that viewed in the depth direction, starting from an end or a side of this sub-area that is closer to the crossbar, this sub-area of the lower wall is oriented upwards and forwards. In particular, a rectilinear and continuous oblique orientation is formed here. A light channel is formed inside the module housing. This light channel defines and in accordance with the intended purpose a light outlet and thus in particular a main emission direction of the light out of the module housing through the lower wall at an angle to a vertical. The light module therefore has a very specific, directed light emission downwards and diagonally forwards. As a result, a zone that lies in front of the lower, second receiving space in the depth direction of the household refrigeration appliance is illuminated, in particular homogeneously and relatively large. In particular, the angle between the vertical and the main emission direction is between 20° and 70°, in particular between 25° and 60°.

A particularly efficient avoidance of undesired local bright spots of light, which could arise under the light module on the front side of the crossbeam, as is the case in the prior art, can be avoided in this way. In addition, this design of the very compact light module allows a larger area or a larger zone in front of the recording room to be evenly illuminated.

In one embodiment, the light channel has a reflection wall. This reflection wall is oriented obliquely to the vertical. The light from a light source of the light module is reflected in the module housing by this reflection wall in a direction away from the crossbeam. In particular, the light is reflected into the desired light exit orientation by this one reflection wall.

In one embodiment, the lower wall has a further partial area for light exit. This further sub-area ends at an end of the sloping sub-area that faces away from the crossbeam viewed in the depth direction. In one exemplary embodiment, this further sub-area is more inclined upwards relative to the horizontal than the sloping, first sub-area. As a result, in this exemplary embodiment, there is the possibility that light can also exit to a greater extent to the front. In particular, when the light module is viewed from the front, a light band can be generated by this further partial area, which can be seen from the front and shines forward in this respect. This can also be used to display a line of light, for example. For example, this is provided such that, viewed in the height direction, this line of light is positioned in a gap between the upper door, which closes the upper accommodation space, and the lower door, which closes the lower accommodation space. Even when the doors are closed, the gap between the doors can then be illuminated by this line of light. In this way, for example, the lower edge and the upper edge of these two doors can be optically signaled even when there is a greater distance and/or when visibility is dark.

In one embodiment, the further partial area of this lower wall has a vertically oriented outer side. In addition to or instead of this, this further partial area can also have a vertically oriented inner side. In this regard, a very individual emission of light can then take place towards the front out of the module housing.

In one embodiment, the outside of the sloping first portion of the bottom wall is planar. In one embodiment, the inside of this sloping, first portion of the bottom wall can be oriented parallel to the outside.

In an exemplary embodiment in which this further sub-area is also present, there is a kink or an angular transition between the outside of the oblique, first sub-area and the directly adjoining outside of the further, second sub-area.

In one embodiment, the front housing is formed from plastic with the top wall and the bottom wall. In particular, this housing part is a one-piece component. In particular, it can be a 2K component.

With the information "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" etc. are the intended use and intended the positions and orientations given when arranging the device.

Further features of the invention result from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations, without going beyond the scope of the invention leaving. The invention is therefore also to be considered to include and disclose embodiments that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but that result from the explained embodiments and can be generated by separate combinations of features. Versions and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed which therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim. Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features, in particular through the embodiments presented above, are to be regarded as disclosed which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features presented in the back references of the claims.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltskältegeräts;
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Quertraverse mit einem daran montierten Lichtmodul;
• 3 eine Frontansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Quertraverse;
• 4 eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Lichtmoduls;
• 5 eine Horizontalschnittdarstellung durch die Anordnung gemäß 2;
• 6 eine Vertikalschnittdarstellung durch die Anordnung gemäß 2;
• 7 eine Vertikalschnittdarstellung durch einen Teilbereich des Haushaltskältegeräts gemäß 1 bei geschlossenen Türen; und
• 8 eine vereinfachte Darstellung eines Teilbereichs eines Haushaltskältegeräts mit ausgezogenem Lebensmittel-Aufnahmebehälter.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective view of a crossbeam with a light module mounted thereon;
• 3 a front view of an embodiment of a cross member;
• 4 an exploded view of an embodiment of a light module;
• 5 a horizontal sectional view through the arrangement according to 2 ;
• 6 a vertical sectional view through the arrangement according to 2 ;
• 7 according to a vertical sectional view through a portion of the household refrigeration appliance 1 with closed doors; and
• 8th a simplified representation of a portion of a household refrigeration appliance with the food storage container pulled out.

Elements that are the same or have the same function are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

In 1 an exemplary embodiment of a household refrigeration appliance 1 is shown in a schematic representation. The household refrigeration appliance 1 is designed for storing and preserving food. The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 can be a refrigerator or a freezer or in particular a fridge-freezer combination appliance. In the exemplary embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 is a fridge-freezer combination appliance. The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 has a housing 2 . A first receiving space 3 is arranged in the housing 2 . In addition, a second receiving space 4 separate from the first receiving space 3 is arranged. The two receiving spaces 3 and 4 are intended to be designed for storing and preserving food. In the exemplary embodiment, the two receiving spaces 3 and 4 are arranged in series with one another in the vertical direction (y-direction). The receiving spaces 3 and 4 are each delimited by walls of inner containers. Viewed from the front (in the depth direction—z-direction), the receiving spaces 3 and 4 have charging openings. In this regard, they are delimited at the front by front edges or front flanges 5 . Such a front flange is formed by a cross member 6 in the vertical direction (y-direction) between the two receiving spaces 3 and 4 . The crossbeam 6 is thus oriented in the width direction. In this regard, it is designed as a horizontal rectangular plate. The upper receiving space 3 is separated from the lower receiving space 4 by this crossbar 6 . The crossbeam 6 can be made of metal.

The household refrigeration appliance 1 also has a first door 7 . The first door 7 is arranged on the housing 2 in a pivotable manner. It is arranged to close the upper, first receiving space 3 . In addition, the household refrigeration appliance 1 has a second door 8 that is separate from the first door 7 . The second door 8 is pivotably arranged on the housing 2 . It is intended to be arranged to close the lower receiving space 4 . The two doors 7 and 8 can be moved independently. In the closed state, the two doors 7 and 8 are front-side external parts of the household refrigeration appliance 1. They then extend, in particular, in a common plane.

A gap 9 is formed between the two doors 7 and 8 .

In addition, the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 has a light module 10 . The light module 10 is arranged on the crossbeam 6 at the front.

Viewed in the vertical direction, the light module 10 is positioned in such a way that it is arranged in the area of the gap 9 .

In 2 is shown in a perspective view of the crossbeam 6 with the light module 10 arranged thereon. The crossbeam 6 is in particular made of sheet metal. In particular, it is designed in one piece. The light module 10 is arranged directly on a front side 11 of this crossbeam 6 and is forward when viewed in the depth direction.

In 3 the crossbeam 6 is shown with a view of the front side 11 . It can be seen that snap element receptacles 12 and 13 are formed on the crossbar 6 . In the width direction (x-direction), these two eccentric snap-in element receptacles 12 and 13 are formed symmetrically to a center M of the crossbar 6 . In addition, a central snap element receptacle 14 is formed in the exemplary embodiment. In particular, it is designed centrally and symmetrically to the center M. In this exemplary embodiment of the crossbeam 6, it can thus be installed on the housing 2 in a symmetrical fashion.

It can be provided that the crossbeam 6 only has holes that form entrances for the snap element receptacles 12 , 13 , 14 . These partial elements, on which the snap elements then snap, can then be attached to a further component 6a ( 5 ) be trained. This component 6a can be separate from the crossbeam 6 and can be arranged directly on it. It can also be designed in one piece with the crossbeam 6 .

In 3 an embodiment of the light module 10 is shown in an exploded view. The light module 10 has a module housing 15 . This module housing 15 has a further housing part 16 viewed in the depth direction. In one exemplary embodiment, this rear housing part 16 is designed in one piece. In particular, it is made of plastic. In this regard, it can be an injection molded component.

The housing 15 also has a front housing part 17 viewed in the depth direction. This is in particular formed in one piece. The front housing part 15 and the rear housing part 16 are initially manufactured and provided as individual, one-piece components. In the fully assembled state of the light module 10, these two housing parts 16 and 17 are permanently connected in one embodiment. In particular, they are ultrasonically welded in this regard. In this way, tightness, in particular against moisture, is achieved in the interior of this module housing 15 in a particularly advantageous manner.

The rear housing part 16 has a plate-like rear wall 18 . Provision is made on a rear face 19a of this rear wall 18 for two off-centre snap elements 20 and 21 to be formed. In this regard, they are formed in one piece with the rear wall 18 . The two eccentric snap elements 20 and 21 are in particular arranged symmetrically to a center M1 of the rear housing part 16 . They are intended to be designed to snap into the off-centre snap-in element receptacles 12 and 13 on the crossbar 6 . In one embodiment, the rear housing portion 16 includes a central snap member 22 . This is separated from the off-center snap elements 20 and 21 and formed in addition thereto. The central snap element 22 is formed symmetrically about the center M1. In particular, it has a first snap-on element part 23 and a second snap-on element part 24 that is separate therefrom and spaced apart in the width direction. This central snap element 22 is designed to be snapped into the central snap element receptacle 14 on the crossbeam 6 .

The two snap element parts 23 and 24 are spaced apart from one another in a defined manner in the width direction (x-direction), so that a receiving region 25 is formed between these snap element parts 23 and 24 .

As in 4 As can be seen, the snap element parts 23 and 24 formed in one piece on the rear surface 19a are each formed with snap lugs 26 and 27. These snap lugs 26 and 27 are formed on opposite sides 28 and 29 of the snap element parts 23 and 24 .

In addition, the snap element part 23 has an engagement element 30 . This is oriented toward the other latch part 22 in the width direction. Correspondingly, the further snap element part 24 also has such an engagement element 31 . It is oriented towards the other snap element part 23 . These engagement elements 30 and 31 are intended to engage in engagement areas 32 and 33 of a circuit board 34 of the light module 10 . In this context, the circuit board 34 has a partial area 35 which, in the installed state, extends through a slot 36 in the rear wall 18 . This portion 35 is plate-like. In the mounted state, it then also extends into this receiving area 25 . In the width direction, it is bordered on the left and right by the snap element parts 23 and 24 or also held in this respect. In particular, the snap element parts 23 have guide slots 37 and 38 . This partial area 35, viewed in the width direction, engages in these and is guided accordingly. In the assembled state, the engagement elements 30 and 31 engage in these engagement areas 32 and 33 . In particular, snapping is provided here.

In the exemplary embodiment, the circuit board 34 is T-shaped. In this context, this first partial area 35, which has already been explained, forms a T-trunk. Another portion 39 of this board 34 forms a T-roof. This T-roof represents a narrow strip or web that extends with its longitudinal axis in the width direction. When the circuit board 34 is mounted on the rear housing part 16 , this further partial area 39 is arranged in front of the rear wall 18 when viewed in the depth direction. It therefore does not extend through the slot 36. In the mounted state, the further partial area 29 bears in particular on a front surface 19b of the rear wall 18.

In particular, light sources 40 are arranged on this further partial area 39, which 4 cannot be seen, but are indicated by the reference number. In particular, these light sources are arranged on an underside 41 of this further partial area 39 . The light sources 40 are, in particular, light-emitting diodes.

In addition, in 4 It can also be seen that electrical contacts are arranged on a top side 42 of this first partial area 35 . In the exemplary embodiment, these are three electrical contacts 43, 44 and 45. These electrical contacts are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center M1 if the circuit board 34 has been correspondingly mounted on the rear housing part 16. As a result, the electrical contact 45 is in the middle. It is a first polarity contact. In particular, he is a positive pole in this respect. The two other contacts 43 and 44 are of the second polarity. In particular, they are negative poles. As a result, an electrical plug (not shown), in particular a three-pin plug, which is arranged in the housing 2 , can be electrically contacted with this circuit board 34 in a simple and reliable manner.

Due to this configuration, the circuit board 34 is also held securely and precisely in the module housing 15, in particular on the rear housing part 16, in the assembled state.

In the exemplary embodiment, the front housing part 17 is in the form of a truncated pyramid. It has a top wall 46 in one embodiment. This is opaque. The top wall 46 is opposite a horizontal line H ( 6 ) oriented diagonally downwards and forwards, starting from the side close to the crossbeam. In particular, the upper wall 46 is designed with an outer side 47 as an information presentation wall. As intended, text information 47a can be displayed on this. This can be permanently attached text information. However, electronic information can also be displayed on a display that may be integrated in this regard.

In one exemplary embodiment, the front housing part 17 has a lower wall 48 when viewed in the height direction. The bottom wall 48 is at least partially transparent to light in the visible spectral range. It represents a light emission window 49 ( 6 ) ready. As in 6 , in which a vertical sectional view along the section line VI-VI in 2 is shown, this lower wall 48 is oriented with a portion 50 to the horizontal H obliquely upwards. This means that, starting from a side or an end of this lower wall 48, which is closer to the crossbar 6, an upward and forward orientation is provided. In particular, an outer side 51 of this partial area 50 oriented obliquely upwards is rectilinear in the sectional view. This means that this surface of the partial area 50 is flat in one embodiment. An inner side 52 of this partial area 50 can also be flat.

In 6 It can also be seen that a specific light channel 53 is formed inside the module housing 15 . With this, the light L of the light source 40 is caused to exit the module housing 15 via the lower wall 48 in a targeted manner. In particular, this light channel 53 achieves a defined and directed exit of light from the module housing 15 via this lower wall 48 . For this purpose, this light channel 53 has a reflection wall 54 in one exemplary embodiment. This is oriented obliquely to a vertical V. This is such that the reflected light emerges from this module housing 15 at an angle to the front and downwards relative to this vertical V. A zone 55, which is located in front of the lower receiving space 4 in the depth direction, is thus illuminated homogeneously and also further forward.

In particular, in 6 in this regard, a main direction of emission LH of the light L is shown.

As moreover in 6 is also shown, it is provided in one exemplary embodiment that the lower wall 48 has a further partial area 56 . This sub-area 56 adjoins the oblique first sub-area 48 at the top in the vertical direction. The further partial area 56 is permeable to light in the visible spectral range. This exemplary embodiment also makes it possible for light L to be emitted to the outside not only via the partial area 50 but also via this further partial area 56 . This further sub-area 56 is more inclined relative to the horizontal H than the obliquely oriented sub-area 48. In particular, the further sub-area 56 is oriented vertically. In particular, an outer side 57 is ver vertically oriented. An inner side 58 can also be correspondingly oriented vertically. The outside 57 is preferably flat. In particular, the inside 58 is also flat.

As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment, a kink 59 is formed between the outside 57 and the outside 51 .

In 6 the advantageous geometry of the module housing 15 can also be seen. A maximum distance from the doors 7 and 8 is achieved by these inclined upper and lower walls 46 and 48 . As a result, the freedom of movement of the doors 7 and 8 is not restricted, in particular in the depth direction towards the crossbar 6. In particular, a lowering of the upper door 7 occurring in the height direction can, for example, occur after loading with stored goods in door racks, which occurs over the service life of the household refrigeration appliance 1. Such a movement of the door is then not harmful to the light module 10, so that no undesired contact occurs in this respect.

In 5 is a horizontal sectional view through the arrangement according to FIG 2 shown along section line VV. The mounted end state of the light module 10 on the crossbeam 6 can be seen. As can also be seen here, the rear wall 18 rests flat with the rear surface 19a on the front side 11 of the crossbeam 6 . The off-center snaps 20 and 21 snap into the off-center snap receptacles 12 and 13 . In addition, the snap element parts 23 and 24 are also snapped into the snap element receptacle 24 . The engaged state between the engaging elements 30 and 31 of the engaging portions 32 and 33 is shown.

In addition, it can also be seen that the partial area 35 has further slots 60 and 61 . Webs 63 and 64 engage in these rearwardly open slots 60 and 61, which are formed on a rear edge 62 of the portion 35. These webs 63 and 64 are part of a coupling component with which the light module 10 is coupled in this respect in the assembled final state. These webs 63 and 64 can be integrated into the component 6a. The component 6a can also accommodate the electrical plug.

It can be provided that the snap elements 20 and 21 are hollow. As a result, they are lighter and have a certain deformability. For the sake of clarity, 5 no hatching of the section planes of the individual components is shown.

As in 2 , 4 and 6 can already be seen, viewed in the depth direction, the module housing 15 is designed to taper towards the front.

In 7 a vertical sectional view of the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 in the area of the crossbeam 6 is shown. The doors 7 and 8 are shown here in the closed state. A first illumination area 65 is shown here as an example, which is generated when light L is emitted only over the partial area 50 of the lower wall 48 . Furthermore, an example of a light area 66 is shown, which is emitted when, in addition to the light exiting via the oblique partial area 50, light L is emitted outward via the further partial area 56.

In 8th a vertical sectional view of the household refrigeration appliance 1 is partially shown in a schematic representation. The household refrigeration appliance 1 has a food receptacle 67 here. This is slidably arranged in the lower receiving space 4 in the depth direction. This food accommodating container 67 can be a tray, for example. In 8th he is shown in an undressed state. In this regard, it is still partially arranged inside the receiving space 4, but can be viewed from above and loaded, or stored goods can be removed from it. This maximum extension position, which is shown here in particular, is also such that this shell is located in the area of zone 55 . As a result, the light L is radiated uniformly into the interior of this food accommodating container 67, so that this interior is illuminated homogeneously and extensively.

Due to the above-mentioned advantageous welding between the two housing parts 16 and 17, a minimum size of this module housing 15 is also achieved. This module housing 15 is minimized since there is no longer any need for installation space for separate snap elements, screw bosses and fastening elements or the like.

In addition, a preferred cohesive and stable connection between the two housing halves is thereby achieved. In addition, improved stability with respect to mechanical influences is also achieved by this configuration.

In one exemplary embodiment, the module housing 15 can be designed as a 2K component. As a result, a possible emission angle of the light L in this direction, which is oriented obliquely forwards and downwards, can advantageously be generated.

This further partial area 56 of the lower wall 48 can also be referred to as a diffuser.

Reference List

1

domestic refrigeration appliance

2

Housing

3

recording room

4

recording room

5

front flange

6

crossbeam

6a

component

7

door

8th

door

9

gap

10

light module

11

front

12

snapshot

13

snapshot

14

Snap element recording

15

module housing

16

housing part

17

housing part

18

back panel

19a

back surface

19b

front face

20

snap element

21

snap element

22

snap element

23

snap element part

24

snap element part

25

recording area

26

snap nose

27

snap nose

28

side

29

side

30

engagement element

31

engagement element

32

intervention area

33

intervention area

34

circuit board

35

subarea

36

slot

37

touch slot

38

touch slot

39

subarea

40

light source

41

bottom

42

top

43

Contact

44

Contact

45

Contact

46

Wall

47

outside

47a

text information

48

Wall

49

light emission window

50

subarea

51

outside

52

inside

53

light channel

54

reflection wall

55

Zone

56

subarea

57

outside

58

inside

59

kink

60

slot

61

slot

62

edge

63

web

64

web

65

illumination area

66

light area

67

food storage container

x

latitude direction

y

height direction

e.g

depth direction

LH

main emission direction

H

horizontal

L

light

M

center

M1

center

V

vertical

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• EP 1956325 A2 [0002]

Claims (15)

Household refrigerating appliance (1) with a housing (2) in which a first, upper storage space (3) for food and a separate second, lower storage space (4) for food are formed, the two storage spaces (3, 4) leading through at the front a crossbeam (6) of the household refrigeration appliance (1) are separated from one another, and with a light module (10) which is arranged on a front side (11) of the crossbeam (6), the light module (10) having a module housing (15), characterized in that the module housing (15) has a rear housing part (16) which has a rear wall (18) and a plurality of separate snap elements (20, 21, 22), the snap elements (20, 21, 22) being integral with the rear Housing part (16) are formed and are snapped into snap element receptacles (12, 13, 14) formed on the crossbar (6), the rear housing part (16) having a rear surface (19a) of the rear wall (18) flat the front (11) directly located. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that a first eccentric snap element (20) and a separate second eccentric snap element (21) are formed on the rear wall (18), these two snap elements (20, 21) in the width direction (x) of the rear housing part (16 ) are arranged symmetrically to a center (M1) of the rear housing part (16). Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that on the rear wall (18) a central snap element (22) is formed, which in the width direction (x) of the rear housing part (16) is arranged centrally. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 3 , characterized in that the central snap element (22) has two spaced snap element parts (23, 24) which are snapped into a snap element receptacle (14) on the crossbeam (6). Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 4 , characterized in that the snap element parts (23, 24) on the opposite sides (28, 29) have snap lugs (26, 27) with which they are snapped into the snap element receptacle (14). Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the snap element parts (23, 24) on the mutually facing sides engagement elements (30, 31) for engaging in engagement areas (32, 33) of the circuit board (34) of the light module (10) are formed. Household refrigerating appliance (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that between the snap element parts (23, 24) a receiving area (25) for a portion (35) of the circuit board (34) of the light module (10) is formed. Household refrigerating appliance (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 4 until 7 , characterized in that a partial area (35) of a circuit board (34) of the light module (10) is held between the snap element parts (23, 24), in particular the partial area (35) by the engagement of the engagement elements (30, 31) in the engagement areas (32, 33) is snapped to it. Household refrigerating appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a partial area (35) of a circuit board (34) of the light module (10) extends through a snap-in element receptacle (34) on the crossbeam (6). Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a circuit board (34) of the light module (10) is T-shaped, in particular a portion (35) of the circuit board (34) is a T-trunk, which extends through a Slot (36) in the rear wall (18) of the rear housing part (16) extends backwards through the rear wall (18) and/or a further partial area (39) of the circuit board (34) is a T-roof which is attached to a front surface ( 19b) is arranged adjacent to the rear wall (18) of the rear housing part (16). Household refrigerating appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module housing (15) has a front housing part (17). Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the two housing parts (16, 17) are permanently connected, in particular ultrasonically welded. Household refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the front housing part (17) has a lower wall (48) which is a light exit window (49), the lower wall (48) being inclined upwards relative to a horizontal (H), starting from the side close to the crossbar is oriented, with the light (L) exiting the module housing (15) through the lower wall (48) in such a way that a zone (55) that extends in the depth direction (z) of the household appliance (1) in front of the lower receiving space ( 4) is illuminated. Household refrigerating appliance (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 11 until 13 , thereby characterized in that the front housing part (17) has an upper wall (46) which is opaque, the upper wall (46) being oriented obliquely downwards relative to a horizontal (H), starting from the side close to the crossbar, the upper Wall (46) is designed as an information presentation wall on which text information (47a) is intended to be displayed, in particular text information formed permanently on the upper wall (46) is displayed. Household refrigerating appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front housing part (17) is in the shape of a truncated pyramid.

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