EP1963749A1

EP1963749A1 - Kitchen appliance

Info

Publication number: EP1963749A1
Application number: EP06830151A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerd Wilsdorf
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2005-12-16
Filing date: 2006-11-28
Publication date: 2008-09-03
Also published as: US20090080178A1; WO2007068584A1; DE102005060359A1; CN101331361A

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance, particularly a kitchen appliance, comprising at least one functional element (3, 1) with a top face (7). Said household appliance (1) is characterized in that the top face (7) of the functional element (3, 1) is made at least in part of a translucent material while at least one illumination device (16) which emits light at least in part in the direction of the top face (7) of the functional element (3, 1) is provided below the top face (7) in the household appliance (1). The invention creates a ceiling light and/or a room light in addition to the normal function of the household appliance (1).

Description

Household appliance for kitchen

The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a kitchen household appliance, such as an extractor hood, which has a functional body with an upper side.

Such a household appliance in the form of an extractor hood is described for example in DE 101 10 818 A1. Here, a lighting device is provided in the hood screen housing the hood. the

Lighting body of the lighting device is assigned a light guide, the light exit surfaces project into an outer region of the hood screen housing. With this hood, a light band running along the edge is created, which optionally also emits light partially in the direction of a cooking hob located below the extractor hood. The disadvantage of this

Extractor hood is that the light intensity of the lighting fixture must be kept low by the arrangement of the light-guiding element in order to avoid blinding the user of the hood. Thus, the lighting device may at best serve as a decorative element of the hood.

Object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance, with an attractive lighting of the environment of the household appliance can be achieved.

The object is achieved by a household appliance, in particular a kitchen household appliance, which has at least one functional body with a top. The household appliance is characterized in that the top of the functional body consists at least partially of a translucent material and in the household appliance below the top at least one

Lighting device is provided which emits at least partially light in the direction of the top of the functional body.

By making the upper side of the functional body, to which at least partial light is emitted by the lighting device transparent, the environment above the functional body can be illuminated. By reflection a ceiling located above the functional body, in particular kitchen ceiling, thus an indirect illumination can be generated.

By integrating the lighting device in the household appliance, this can also be connected to the power supply of the household appliance in a simple manner. It is thereby possible by means of a single power connection on the one hand to provide the function of the household appliance and on the other hand lighting the environment with electricity. A separate outlet and a separate cable for the ambient lighting can be omitted. This is particularly advantageous in kitchens because sockets and cables on the one hand deteriorate the appearance of the kitchen and on the other hand represent safety risks, and must be protected separately against high temperatures and the ingress of liquids and contaminants.

The lighting device may be provided in the household appliance in addition to a functional lighting of the functional body. Such functional lighting can represent a workplace lighting or the interior lighting of the functional body. The functional lighting is usually directed downwards. By the lighting device represents an additional device, it can be controlled separately from the functional lighting. Thus, even when the function lighting is switched off, it is possible to illuminate the surroundings above the functional body and to provide indirect lighting for the kitchen. The separate control also allows a corresponding to the requirements setting the function lighting, without affecting the indirect lighting at the same time. For example, in the case of an extractor hood, functional lighting directed at a cooking surface arranged below the extractor hood can be intensified if a dish is prepared on the hob. The indirect lighting is not necessarily lighter here.

The top of the functional body is in the mounted position of the household appliance above the viewing height of the user. As a result, the light intensity of the light source of the lighting device can be chosen freely without having to fear a glare of the user. Since, according to the invention, the upper side of the functional body is equipped for the passage of the light and, as a rule, neither displays nor operating elements are provided on the upper side of the functional body, which must be visible to the user, This positioning of the household appliance can be realized without sacrificing the ease of use of the household appliance.

The light source of the lighting device is preferably directed upwards. As a result of this alignment, in the case of functional lighting which is provided without separation from the lighting device, the influence of the lighting device on the illumination by the lighting device can be minimized. Thus, the lighting requirements of the functional lighting can continue to be maintained. In addition, the ceiling is usually arranged above the functional body, so that the light source of the lighting device is directed against this wall ceiling and thus the indirect room lighting is improved.

The light source of the lighting device may be configured according to an embodiment so that it emits colored light. This can be realized by light sources, such as LEDs, which emit a light in a certain wavelength. But it is also possible to bring color elements in front of a light source. This has the advantage that the color of the light emitted to the environment can be varied. By colored light, a corresponding mood light can be generated in the environment of the household appliance.

The household appliance may have a storage unit for storing activation scenarios of the illumination device, which is connected to a control device for activating the illumination device. By combining the possibility of control and a memory unit in which control scenarios can be stored, the ease of use is increased. Compared to the prior art, in which the control is limited to the pure turning on or off and possibly dimming the lighting, it is possible to specify defined lighting scenarios in this embodiment of the household appliance. This illumination scenario may relate to the brightness of the illumination, to the hue, to the duration of the illumination and possibly also to the use of only isolated light sources of the illumination device. The scenarios can be stored ex works in the storage unit. But it is also possible to store custom lighting scenarios in the storage unit. The control unit can preferably also be operated manually, that is, the user can turn on or off the lighting device and make different settings without having to provide the memory unit.

According to one embodiment, the household appliance has a time detection unit which is connected to the control unit. By this connection, a stored in the control unit itself or in the associated storage unit lighting can be set at a specific time or season. Thus, for example, in the winter, a lighting with a warm hue, for example, orange and in the summer, a lighting of a cool hue, for example, be generated blue. In addition to the choice of color depending on the season, for example, the illumination duration can be adjusted. For example, be shortened in summer. The time can be taken into account by automatically starting the lighting at certain times.

According to one embodiment, functional body represents the Absaugschirm an extractor hood. The household appliance of an extractor hood is particularly suitable for the present invention, since it is usually mounted at a height at which the top of the Absaugschirms and thus the top of the functional body for the user is not readily visible and so the effect of indirect lighting can be used optimally. Especially with so-called island food, the suction screen can be used ideally for the lighting according to the invention. In the Absaugschirm the filter is provided for filtering sucked vapors. In addition, a function lighting in the form of a work lighting is usually provided on the deduction screen. The light sources used for this purpose radiate light downwards, in particular to the cooking area located below the extractor hood. By the top of the Absaugschirmes is at least partially transparent, even the light emitted from these light sources, in particular upwardly reflected scattered light, can be used for the indirect illumination of the environment. Alternatively, however, separate light sources can be provided for the illumination according to the invention. These can be easily integrated in a take-off screen, since this only serves to guide the vapors in the edge region and the interior of the take-off screen in this area is therefore not claimed for other components. The functional body according to the invention but also a stove, in particular an oven, represent. Even with an oven or a microwave power supply for the other functions is given, so that the lighting of the invention can be easily integrated. The lighting device may be provided between the oven muffle and the top of the oven or the microwave. These household appliances can be attached to a kitchen wall mounted in height, for example, a wall unit. This facilitates the insight into and engagement with the muffle space for the user. Even with these devices, therefore, the upper side is usually not visible to the user and thus a dazzling effect can be avoided. If the lighting device is designed such that it can also generate colored light, in this case, for example, a warm shade of color can be used in order to reproduce the baking or warming up process by means of the color impression even in the surroundings of the household appliance.

Finally, the functional body can also be a cooling device, in particular a refrigerator, with a cooling space. The household appliance, which can be a refrigerator or a freezer, can thus also be used for indirect lighting.

The invention will be explained again in detail below with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective view of an embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view through the embodiment of the

Household appliance in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic front view of another embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention; and

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of the components of an embodiment of the household appliance.

FIG. 1 shows a household appliance 1 according to the invention, in this case an extractor hood. The hood 1 is in this

Embodiment a Wandesse is, which consists of a chimney 2 and arranged below the chimney 2 3 Absaugschirm. In the fireplace 2 can Suction fan and the exhaust pipe (not shown) of the hood 1 may be provided. In the pull-off screen 3, which represents the functional body, a filter (not shown) is accommodated in the area below the chimney 2. On the front side 4 of the pull-off screen 3 controls 5 are provided, can be controlled via the individual functions of the hood 1. These controls 5 may be buttons. But it is also possible to design the controls as a receiver for signals of a remote control.

The vent 3 is usually made of metal, such as stainless steel. In the illustrated embodiment, the sides 6 and the front side 4 are made of such a material. In the top 7 of the deduction screen 3, a plate 8 is made of translucent material. The plate 8 may be made of glass or plastic, for example polycarbonate, in particular Makrolon®. The plate 8 is embedded in the top 7 of the deduction screen 3, that it forms a smooth surface with the upper edge of the sides 6 and the front side 4. For this purpose, 3 inwardly directed bearing surfaces can not be provided on the sides 6 and the front side 4 of the deduction screen, which are formed by a step in the material of the sides 6 and front 4 or by angled areas on the sides 6 and the front 4 can. Due to the smooth surface of the top 7 this can be easily cleaned.

In the section shown in Figure 2 through the deduction screen 3 along the section line A-A in Figure 1, the arrangement of components within the deduction screen 3 can be seen. The extractor hood 1 is attached to a room wall 9 and the chimney 2 extends above the extractor screen 3 up to a ceiling 10. Below the extractor screen 3, a worktop 11 is arranged, in which a hob 12 is inserted.

In the front region of the screen 3, a function lamp 13, which is a radiator, arranged. This function lamp 13 is used in the illustrated embodiment to illuminate the worktop 11 and the hob 12. For this purpose, the function lamp 13 is directed down to the worktop 1 1 and the hob 12. Over the width of the deduction screen 3 and also along its depth more function lights 13 may be provided. The visible in the sectional view of Figure 3 function lamp 13 in the front region of the Abzugsschirmes 3 is mounted so that the light emitted by this light 14 obliquely to the rear, that is in the direction of the room wall. 9 is directed behind the hood 1. The user of the extractor hood 1 and the hob 12 is therefore not dazzled by the functional light 14. The function lights 13 can be actuated via an operating element 5 on the front side 4 of the take-off screen 3.

Furthermore, 3 light sources 15 of the inventively provided lighting device 16 are arranged in the take-off screen. The light sources 15 can be switched on or off, for example via one of the controls 5 on the front side 4 of the deduction screen 3. These light sources 15 are directed upward. Thus, the light sources 15 illuminating light 17 in the direction of the top 7 of the Abzugsschirmes 3 from. The illumination light 17, due to the material of the recessed in the top 7 of the deduction screen 3 plate 8 pass through it. As a result, directed to the ceiling 10 lighting 18 is generated. The illumination 18 acts by reflection on the ceiling 10 as indirect illumination of the environment of the hood 3 and thus the extractor hood. 1

In the extractor 3, a filter 19 is provided below the chimney 2, can be cleaned on the fumes that are sucked. The function lamp 13 is in front of the filter 19, that is, between the filter 19 and the front side 4 of

Abzugsschirmes 3 arranged. The light sources 15 of the lighting device 16 are also partially arranged in this area. In addition, light sources 15 are provided over the depth of the deduction screen 3 next to the filter 19, that is to say between the filter 19 and the side 6 of the deduction screen 3. As a result, the surface of the plate 8 is maximally used to dispense lighting 18 and also laterally to the chimney 2 generates indirect lighting.

The light sources 15 of the illumination device 16 may be radiators, LEDs or other common light sources.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a household appliance 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the household appliance 1 is a stove, such as an oven or a microwave. At the front 4 of the cooker 1 is a door 20, which can be opened by a handle 21, attached. Furthermore, 4 controls 5 are provided on the front, on the example, the temperature can be regulated in the stove. In the illustrated embodiment, a time display 22 is shown below the controls 5.

Inside the oven 1 behind the door 20, a cooking chamber 23, which is also referred to as a muffle, arranged. At the top of the muffle 23 function lights 13 are provided, which serve to illuminate the muffle 23. These function lights 13 can be switched on or off, for example via one of the controls 5 on the front 4 of the cooker 1. The function lights 13 are directed downwards. The top 7 of the hearth 1 is formed by a plate 8, which consists of a translucent material. Between the muffle 23 and the

Plate 8, a plurality of light sources 15 are arranged, which can also be controlled, for example via an operating element 5 on the front 4 of the cooker 1. These are provided distributed over the entire surface of the hearth 1 and are thus arranged in the area of the control elements 5. The light sources 15 are directed upwards on the plate 8. As a result, the light emitted by the light sources 15 can be emitted through the plate 8 into the region above the hearth 1. Even with the stove 1 can thus be achieved by the light sources 15 indirect lighting the environment of the cooker 1.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of some components of the illumination device 16 used according to the invention. Via a control element 5, which can be attached, for example, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 3 on the front 4 of the household appliance 1, a control unit 24 is controlled to control the lighting. This control unit 24 is connected to the light source or sources 15 of the lighting device 16. Furthermore, an optionally provided color adjustment element 25 can be controlled via the control unit 24.

In addition, a memory unit 26 and a time detection unit 27 are shown. These units are also connected to the control unit 24. In the storage unit 26, the lighting sources 15 to be controlled, the intensity of the light output of the individual light sources 15, the duration of the light output, the color of the light output and further parameters can be defined in illumination scenarios. The illumination scenarios may be preset in the memory unit 26 at the factory and selected by the user through a control element 5. However, it is also possible for the user to manually enter one or more illumination scenarios via one of the operating elements 5 into the memory unit 26. Corresponding In these scenarios, the control unit 24 will control the light sources 15 and / or the color adjustment element 25.

For example, the color adjusting element 25 may be a foil plate equipped with different color areas, which is disposed in front of the light source 15 and converts the light emitted from the light source 15 into the desired color tone. However, the color adjustment element can also be a switch which activates a light source 15 designed for the output of this color, depending on the desired light color. For example, a plurality of light sources 15 may be provided, with some outputting a first color, for example blue, and others a further color, for example orange. By the color adjustment member 25, in this embodiment, the color blue is achieved by exclusively driving the light sources 15 with blue light output.

The time recording unit 27 may be connected to the time display 22 of the household appliance 1 and provide it with the current time of day and possibly the current date. Furthermore, the time detection unit 27 serves to supply the control unit 24 of the lighting device 16 with this information. If, for example, it is stated in a lighting scenario stored in the storage unit 26 that the lighting should be turned orange in the winter months, then this setting of the lighting can take place taking into account the time specifications of the time recording unit 27.

However, the light sources 15 of the lighting device 16 can also be activated or deactivated directly by the actuation of a control element 5 by the user. In this case, the control unit 24 can be omitted or serve as a pure forwarding of the actuation signal.

The components shown in Figure 4 may be integrated with other units of the household appliance. The control unit 24 may be integrated, for example, in a control unit for controlling the functional lighting of the household appliance or another control unit of the household appliance.

With the present invention, a household appliance is provided, on the one hand fulfills the functional tasks of the household appliance, for example, the suction of vapors, the lighting of a countertop, the cooking of food and / or the illumination of the cooking chamber. On the other hand, the invention additionally provided a ceiling and / or room lighting. The lighting effect of this lighting can be increased by the use of colored light and light scenarios that may be stored in the household appliance. The advantage of the invention, in addition to the achievable lighting effects is that the user of the household appliance with the existing power supply on the household appliance, for example, by a power plug, at the same time receives the function of the household appliance and a functional lighting and a variable room lighting.

Claims

claims

1. Household appliance, in particular kitchen household appliance having at least one functional body (3, 1) with a top (7), characterized in that the top (7) of the functional body (3, 1) at least partially consists of a translucent material and in the Household appliance (1) below the top (7) at least one lighting device (16) is provided which emits at least partially light in the direction of the top (7) of the functional body (3, 1).

2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting device (16) in addition to a functional lighting (13) of the functional body (3, 1) is provided.

3. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper side (7) of the functional body (3, 1) is mounted with the household appliance (1) above the viewing height of the user.

4. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light source (15) of the lighting device (16) is directed upward.

5. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light source (15) of the lighting device (16) can emit colored light.

6. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the household appliance (1) has a memory unit (26) for storing driving scenarios of the illumination device (16), which with a control unit (24) for driving the illumination device (16) connected is.

7. Household appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the household appliance (1) has a time detection unit (27) which is connected to the control unit (24).

8. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the functional body is the Absaugschirm (3) of a cooker hood (1).

9. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the functional body is a stove (1), in particular an oven.

10. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the functional body is a cooling device, in particular a refrigerator, with a refrigerator.