EP4166852A2 - Domestic appliance, domestic appliance, domestic appliance system, modular system for assembling a domestic appliance and method for fixing a domestic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is based on a household appliance device (14a-b), in particular a hob device, for fixing a household appliance (12a-b), in particular a hob, in a recess (18a-b) in a unit (16a-b), in particular a worktop , with at least one fixing unit (20a-b) which, in an assembled state, generates a holding force for the household appliance (12a-b) which at least exceeds the pure weight of the household appliance (12a-b) and is at least essentially in the direction of the Weight of the household appliance (12a-b) directed fixing force component (24a-b).

In order to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of construction, it is proposed that the fixing unit (20a-b) for generating at least the fixing force component (24a-b) in the mounted state along a height direction (36a-b) at least on a bottom ( 28a-b) of the unit (16a-b) is pressed.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a household appliance device according to the preamble of claim 1, a household appliance according to claim 12, a household appliance system according to claim 13, a modular system for assembling a household appliance device according to claim 14 and a method for fixing a household appliance using a household appliance device according to claim 15.

A holding system for holding a hob in a recess of a kitchen worktop is already known from the prior art, in which a support rail is arranged on two opposite sides of the recess, namely the sides of the kitchen worktop facing the recess, with which the hob can be mounted in is locked in the recess when installed.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of construction. The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1, 12, 13, 14 and 15, while advantageous configurations and developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

Advantages of the Invention

The invention is based on a household appliance device, in particular a hob device, for fixing a household appliance, in particular a hob, in a recess in a unit, in particular a worktop, with at least one fixing unit which, in an assembled state, generates a holding force for the household appliance which is at least one that goes beyond the pure weight of the household appliance and has a fixing force component directed at least essentially in the direction of the weight of the household appliance.

It is proposed that the fixing unit is pressed at least on an underside of the unit along a vertical direction in order to generate at least the fixing force component in the assembled state.

Such a design allows a construction, specifically a fixation of a household appliance in a recess of a unit, to be provided with particularly advantageous properties. In addition, efficiency can be increased, specifically with regard to product efficiency and/or work efficiency and/or assembly efficiency and/or disassembly efficiency and/or cost efficiency. Using such a fixing unit, the fixing of the household appliance in the recess can be improved, in fact simplified, and the household appliance can be held securely in the recess of the unit while avoiding additional and more complex fastening units that differ from the proposed fixing unit, such as drilling and/or screwing and / or gluing devices can be achieved. Furthermore, by means of the proposed fixing unit, a force that acts in addition to the weight of the household appliance and points at least essentially in the direction of the weight can be provided, which is so strong that a planar arrangement of the household appliance in the recess and optimal sealing of the household appliance can be provided. In addition, due to the fixing unit being pressed against an underside of the unit, damage, for example scratching, to an upper side of the unit can be avoided. This in turn can increase comfort in terms of user comfort. In addition, the household appliance can preferably be fixed in the recess independently of a material thickness and/or material composition of the unit. A high level of functionality and applicability of the fixing unit can thus be guaranteed. The household appliance could possibly be arranged in the recess in an at least partially self-fixing manner by means of the fixing unit, so that an additional action by a fitter, in addition to inserting the household appliance in the recess, can be dispensed with. Flexibility can thus be increased and assembly and/or disassembly effort can be reduced.

The domestic appliance device could, for example, be a cooking appliance device, possibly a microwave device and/or a grill device and/or a Steam appliance device and/or an oven device and/or preferably the hob device. Alternatively and/or additionally, the household appliance device could also be a household refrigeration appliance device, in particular a refrigerator and/or freezer device, and/or a household cleaning appliance device, for example a dishwasher device and/or a washing machine device and/or a tumble dryer device. In one installed position, the household appliance device forms a subassembly of a household appliance, in particular a household refrigerator and/or a household cleaning appliance, for example a dishwasher and/or a washing machine and/or a tumble dryer, and/or a cooking appliance, such as a microwave and/or a grill and /or a steamer and/or an oven and/or preferably a hob. In particular, the cooktop device designed as an induction cooktop device could be a subassembly of an induction cooktop, with accessory units for the cooktop possibly also being able to be included, such as a sensor unit for measuring the temperature of cookware and/or food to be cooked. It would also be conceivable for the household appliance device to include the entire household appliance, in particular the entire hob.

The household appliance device and/or the household appliance is/are part of a household appliance system. The household appliance system is preferably designed as a hob system. The hob system, in particular the induction hob system, is intended for use and/or arrangement in a kitchen. The hob system could have a multiplicity of units and/or devices which can be used to treat and/or process food. For example, the hob system could be part of a kitchen appliance and in particular additionally have at least one extractor unit and/or at least the sensor unit, in particular a temperature sensor, which could be provided for placement in the cookware and/or in the food to be cooked, for example in the form of a frying pan. sweet

The household appliance advantageously has a housing unit, in particular a hob housing unit, and/or household appliance electronics, in particular hob electronics. In particular, the household appliance electronics are arranged in the housing unit. The household appliance can have a heating device with at least one heating unit include, which can be controlled by the household appliance electronics to heat a cooking utensil. It would be conceivable for the household appliance to have a mounting plate, in particular a hob plate and/or a kitchen worktop, which could possibly be part of the housing unit. In the case of the set-up plate designed as a hob plate, the hob plate could be part of the hob and in particular limit the heating device towards an operator, in particular upwards along the height direction. The set-up plate is advantageously a particularly plate-like unit which is provided for setting up at least one small household appliance and/or the cooking utensil and/or for placing at least the food to be cooked on it. The mounting plate could, for example, be made at least partially and preferably at least to a large extent from wood and/or from a mineral, in particular granite and/or glass and/or from ceramic and/or from marble and/or from stone, in particular from natural stone, and/or or made of Neolith and/or Dekton and/or a laminate and/or plastic and/or a composite material. It would be conceivable for the mounting plate to have engravings and/or imprints, in particular for marking at least one heating unit, but the mounting plate is preferably free of engravings and/or imprints.

The unit is advantageously designed like a plate. The unit could be part of the household appliance device. The unit can be a piece of furniture, preferably a piece of kitchen furniture and preferably a worktop, in particular a kitchen worktop. It would also be conceivable for the unit to have a further mounting plate, in particular a further hob plate. Preferably, the installation plate designed as a kitchen worktop, in particular in contrast to the installation plate designed as a hob plate, is additionally provided to provide a food preparation area, in particular in which, for example, food could be cut and/or mixed and/or pounded and/or peeled. The mounting plate and/or the kitchen worktop is part of the kitchen and in particular delimits and/or closes part of an assembly of kitchen cabinets and/or other household appliances at the top.

The recess of the unit is to be understood as a recess in the unit and preferably as a recess completely penetrating the unit, in particular a hole in the worktop. The household appliance can be inserted into the recess be. In the assembled state, the household appliance is at least partially inserted into the recess. In particular in a method for fixing the household appliance using the household appliance device, the household appliance is inserted into the recess and fixed in the recess. The domestic appliance could be inserted into the recess from above and/or from below along the height direction. In the method, the household appliance is preferably inserted from above along the height direction, specifically along an assembly direction, into the recess. The unit could, for example, be made at least partially and preferably at least to a large extent from wood and/or from a mineral, in particular granite and/or glass and/or from ceramic and/or from marble and/or from stone, in particular from natural stone, and/or or consist of a laminate and/or plastic and/or a composite material. The expression "for the most part" should be understood to mean, for example, at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85% and particularly advantageously at most 95% of a volume and/or mass fraction.

In contrast to an unassembled state and/or a preassembled state, the assembled state is a state in which the household appliance, in particular together with the fixing unit, is assembled in the recess of the unit, in particular by the fixing unit by means of the holding force in the recess at least partially is fixed and in particular for an operation, in particular a heating operation, is ready for operation. With regard to a time course, the pre-assembled state is before the assembled state. The fixing unit is advantageously attached to the household appliance in at least the preassembled state. In the method for fixing the household appliance, the fixing unit could be attached to the household appliance. In this context, the preassembled state is to be understood as a state before the household appliance is installed in the recess, in particular in which the fixing unit is installed on the household appliance. In at least the preassembled state, the fixing unit can be connected to the household appliance by means of a force fit and/or form fit and/or material bond. In particular, the fixing unit can be permanently attached to the household appliance, in particular by an adhesive, welded, riveted and/or soldered connection or by moulding, or it can be removed again, in particular by a screw connection and/or a plug-in connection and/or a snap-in connection.

In at least the preassembled state, the fixing unit is preferably attached to a part of the housing unit and/or to an assembly frame of the household appliance.

A "holding force" is to be understood here and below as a force that goes beyond the pure weight of the household appliance and by means of which the household appliance is fixed in the recess in at least one spatial direction in the assembled state. In the mounted state, the fixing force component acts at least essentially in the direction of the weight of the household appliance, with a direction of the fixing force component parallel to the direction of the weight being less than 10%, preferably less than 5% and particularly preferably less than 2% from the direction of the weight deviates. In principle, “at least essentially” should be understood in this context to mean that a deviation from a specified value deviates in particular by less than 20%, preferably less than 10% and particularly preferably less than 5% of the specified value.

In the mounted state, specifically in which the household appliance is inserted into the recess, the fixing unit presses at least on the underside of the unit to generate the fixing force component. In the assembled state, the fixing unit grips the underside and makes contact with it. It would be conceivable for a user and/or a fitter to arrange the fixing unit at least partially on the underside of the unit in order to use it to fix the household appliance in the recess. The fixing unit is preferably self-fixing on the unit and is pressed at least on the underside in particular after the household appliance has been inserted into the recess, advantageously without any further action by the user and/or the fitter.

As used herein, "designated" is intended to mean specifically programmed, designed, and/or equipped, here and hereinafter. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function should be understood to mean that the object fulfills and/or executes this specific function in at least one application and/or operating state.

It would be conceivable for the fixing unit to have at least one screw and/or clamping elements and/or latching elements and/or plug-in elements for fixing the household appliance in the recess. In order to provide a particularly convenient construction, it is proposed that the fixing unit has a fixing arm which is mounted in the State pressed to the bottom of the unit along the height direction. As a result, a particularly stable fixing of a household appliance can be provided and the household appliance can preferably be prevented from slipping in a recess. In this way, comfort, in particular user comfort, can be further increased. In addition, assembly and/or disassembly can be improved, specifically the assembly and/or disassembly effort can be reduced.

In particular, the fixing arm is provided for generating the fixing force component. The fixing arm can generate the fixing force component by pressing the underside of the unit and thus advantageously pull the household appliance downwards in the mounted state in addition to the weight of the household appliance in order to at least partially fix the household appliance in the recess. The fixation arm can be bendable. At least the fixing arm is advantageously an elastic, in particular spring-elastic element. The fixing arm can have a straight shape and/or a curved shape, at least in sections. The fixing arm preferably has an L-shape. The fixing arm could have at least two rod elements which are connected to one another at least partially in one piece and preferably in one piece. If the fixing arm is L-shaped, the fixing arm can have a longer rod element with respect to a main extension of the rod element and a rod element that is shorter than the longer rod element. The fixing arm can be made at least partially or for the most part or completely from a mineral and/or a plastic and/or preferably a metal, in particular spring steel or stainless steel.

“In one piece” is to be understood as being at least materially connected, for example by means of an adhesive process, an injection molding process and/or another process which a person skilled in the art deems appropriate. By "integral" is meant molded in one piece. This one piece is preferably produced from a single blank, a mass and/or a cast, particularly preferably in an injection molding process, in particular a single-component and/or multi-component injection molding process.

The first fixing arm could be pressed against the underside of the unit along at least one side surface, in particular a side surface along its main extension plane, in the installed state. Preferably, the fixing arm is in the mounted state with one end portion pressed to the bottom of the unit. As a result, a particularly efficient, stable and comfortable construction can be provided. Furthermore, a selective pressure can be generated on an underside of a unit. In addition, fixing a household appliance can be further improved and advantageously simple assembly and/or disassembly of the household appliance in and out of a recess in the unit can be made possible. The end portion may be a portion of an end of the fixation arm. The end section is advantageously a section of an end of the L-shaped fixing arm. Possibly the end section is part of the longer rod element. The shorter rod element preferably has the end section. The end portion of the fixation arm may have a tip of the fixation arm. In particular, the tip of the fixing arm is pressed against the underside of the unit in the assembled state. The end section of the fixing arm can extend over at least 2%, advantageously at least 5% and preferably at most 30% of an extent of the fixing arm.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the fixing unit has a further fixing arm for bracing the fixing arm in a fixing position. With this, a construction can be further improved in terms of fixing a household appliance in a projection of a unit. In addition, an advantageously simple assembly and/or disassembly of the household appliance in and out of the cutout of the unit can be made possible, which in particular can be carried out without tools. This in turn can reduce the effort, namely assembly and/or disassembly effort, and increase efficiency. The configuration of the further fixing arm can deviate at least partially from the configuration of the fixing arm. The further fixing arm can have a straight shape and/or a curved shape, at least in sections. The further fixing arm advantageously has an L-shape. The further fixing arm is advantageously configured at least essentially identically to the fixing arm. The fixing arm and the further fixing arm could differ, in particular only in their size and/or length. In particular, the further fixing arm is designed to be smaller than the fixing arm.

In the assembled state, the further fixing arm braces the fixing arm in the fixing position, in particular the further fixing arm holds and/or secures and/or fixes the fixing arm in the fixing position. The fixing position is preferably that position which the fixing arm has in the assembled state on the underside of the unit. The other The fixing arm is advantageously provided for holding and/or securing and/or fixing the fixing arm on the underside of the unit in the assembled state. The additional fixing arm can exert a clamping force on the fixing arm and thus fix and/or secure it in the fixing position. The additional fixing arm can be latched and/or clamped. The additional fixing arm could be latched and/or secured by the user and/or installer in order to thereby fix and/or secure the fixing arm in the fixing position. Alternatively, the additional fixing arm could latch and/or jam without any action on the part of the user and/or fitter. The household appliance could possibly be arranged in the recess in an at least partially self-fixing manner by means of the fixing unit, at least by clamping the further fixing arm, so that an additional action by the user and/or fitter, in addition to inserting the household appliance in the recess, can preferably be dispensed with. In the method for fixing the household appliance in particular, the further fixing arm is latched and/or clamped in the fixing step in order to hold the fixing arm in the fixing position.

In addition, it is proposed that the holding force in the mounted state comprises a further fixing force component which extends at least essentially perpendicularly to the fixing force component. A particularly comfortable and safe construction can thus be provided. Furthermore, optimal sealing of a household appliance in a recess can be ensured and the household appliance can be prevented from slipping in the recess. A complex manual centering of the household appliance in the recess can thus be dispensed with.

The additional fixing force component can extend parallel to a main extension plane of the household appliance and/or the unit. The main extension plane of the household appliance and/or the unit, in particular the worktop, is to be understood here as a plane whose normal vector is aligned at least essentially parallel to the height direction in the assembled state. In particular, the main extension plane of the household appliance is a plane which has the greatest number of intersections with elements of the household appliance of all planes. If several planes have the greatest number of intersection points, a plane that intersects at least one element of the household appliance and for all these planes, in particular for intersection lines of any pairs of these planes, should have a lowest average Has distance, be understood as the main plane. If the domestic appliance is designed as a hob, the main extension plane lies in particular within the hob plate and advantageously extends parallel to its largest surface.

The further fixing force component, which extends at least essentially perpendicularly to the fixing force component, can be directed towards the household appliance or away from the household appliance in the assembled state. In particular, an infinite extension of the second fixing force component intersects the household appliance in at least one point. The second fixing force component is preferably aligned at least essentially perpendicular to at least one edge region of the unit adjoining the recess. In this context, “at least essentially perpendicular” should be understood to mean an angle of between 85° and 95°, preferably between 88° and 92° and particularly advantageously of 90°.

In addition, it is proposed that the further fixing arm for generating the further fixing force component rests in the mounted state on a side of the unit facing the recess. As a result, a design can be further optimized and a household appliance can be fixed in a recess of a unit in a particularly simple and secure manner. Furthermore, correct positioning of the household appliance in the cutout can be ensured and comfort can thus be improved. In addition, effort, namely assembly and/or disassembly effort, can be reduced since the domestic appliance itself can be fixed in place by inserting it into the cutout using a further fixing arm. When the household appliance is inserted into the cutout, the further fixing arm can be clamped between the unit and the household appliance and the household appliance can thus be at least partially fixed in the cutout, so that an additional action by a user and/or fitter in addition to inserting the household appliance in the cutout is dispensed with can be. Furthermore, the household appliance can be installed and/or fixed exclusively from above in the recess and does not require access from below the recess for further actions by the user and/or fitter. Flexibility can thus be increased.

In the installed state, the further fixing arm can be in the recess, namely between the household appliance and the unit, in particular facing the recess side of the unit, pinched and/or dented. Particularly in the method for fixing the household appliance in place, the further fixing arm is advantageously clamped and/or pressed in between the household appliance and the unit when the household appliance is inserted into the recess.

In addition, it is proposed that the fixing unit includes a holding unit which can be connected to the household appliance, in particular reversibly. A comfortable and stable construction can thereby be provided. Furthermore, flexibility can be increased. The holding unit can be connected to the household appliance, in particular the housing unit, for example by means of a force-fit connection and/or a form-fit connection, for example a plug-in and/or screw connection and/or snap-in connection, and/or a material connection, in particular an adhesive connection. In at least the installed state, the holding unit can be connected to the household appliance, specifically arranged on the household appliance. The holding unit is advantageously arranged on the domestic appliance in at least the preassembled state. The holding unit can be connected to the household appliance in the method for fixing the household appliance in place. The holding unit can preferably be detached, in particular detached in a non-destructive manner, and can be connected to the household appliance. The holding unit can be mounted and/or removed on the household appliance and/or from the household appliance in a reversible manner and preferably non-destructively. In the assembled state, the holding unit is particularly preferably connected to the household appliance in a non-positive and/or positive manner by means of a plug-in and/or snap-in connection. The holding unit can be inserted and/or clipped and/or snapped into the domestic appliance, in particular the housing unit. In addition, further screw and/or material connections for arranging the holding unit on the household appliance, in particular the housing unit, could be conceivable.

The holding unit can be formed at least partially or at least for the most part from a mineral, for example glass, and/or from metal and/or preferably from plastic and/or a composite material. The holding unit could, for example, consist at least to a large extent of a plastic and have at least one metal reinforcement. The holding unit could be produced at least partially or for the most part by means of a 3D printing process, by means of a sheet metal bending process or preferably by means of an injection molding process. Possibly the holding unit formed in one piece and advantageously in one piece. It would also be conceivable for the holding unit to be formed at least partially in one piece and in particular in one piece with the household appliance, in particular the housing unit. The holding unit and the housing unit could have at least one common component and be able to be produced at least partially or for the most part by means of a 3D printing process, by means of a sheet metal bending process or preferably by means of an injection molding process.

The fixing unit can have at least one spring element of a spring or the entire spring. The spring could be, for example, a wave spring and/or a helical spring and/or a bar spring and/or a torsion spring. The fixing unit advantageously has a torsion spring. If the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm at least partially forms the torsion spring, a compact and simple construction can be provided. In addition, assembly and/or disassembly can be simplified and effort in terms of assembly and/or disassembly effort can be reduced.

In particular, the torsion spring is a helically wound, in particular coiled, wire spring with protruding straight ends, in particular legs. The fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm preferably form(s) at least one leg of the leg spring. In particular, the legs serve to introduce a torque that bends a wire forming the legs. The legs, in particular the fixing arm and the further fixing arm, can be connected to one another via at least one winding. The torsion spring could, for example, have at least one turn, advantageously at least two turns and preferably at least three turns. The torsion spring can be formed at least partially in one piece and preferably in one piece.

In further configurations of the invention it is proposed that the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm is/are movably mounted on the holding unit. A simple construction can thus be provided and efficiency and flexibility can be increased. The holding unit can be provided to hold the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm in the assembled state, in particular on the household appliance. Arranged on the holding unit, the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm can/could move about an axis of rotation. The fixation arm and the further fixation arm could move relative to one another about an axis of rotation. The fixing arm preferably follows or the further fixing arm when rotated about the axis of rotation of a movement of the further fixing arm or the fixing arm. In particular, the fixing arm and the further fixing arm are movably mounted on the holding unit in relation to one another. It would also be conceivable for the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm to be part of the holding unit.

The holding unit could comprise a plug-in element. The first fixing arm and/or the second fixing arm, in particular the torsion spring, can/could be arranged and preferably plugged onto the plug-in element. In at least the assembled state, the first fixing arm and/or the second fixing arm, in particular the torsion spring, is arranged on the plug-in element, in particular plugged on. The torsion spring is advantageously wound, in particular twisted, around the plug-in element. The axis of rotation can run through the plug-in element, so that in particular the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm are rotatably mounted about the plug-in element.

In the method for fixing the household appliance, the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm, in particular the torsion spring, could be movably arranged on the holding unit, in particular the plug-in element. In particular, the fixing arm and/or the further fixing arm, in particular the torsion spring, is placed on the plug-in element in the fixing step. Advantageously, at least in the preassembled state, the first fixing arm and/or the second fixing arm, in particular the torsion spring, is arranged on the plug-in element, preferably plugged on.

In order to provide a particularly stable construction, it is proposed that the holding unit has at least one clamping element for fixing the further fixing arm. As a result, a particularly safe construction can be provided. In addition, fixing a household appliance in a recess can be improved and the household appliance can be prevented from slipping in the recess. Furthermore, an advantageously large holding force can be generated.

The clamping element can function as a safety element and, in the installed state, can fix the further fixing arm in at least one clamping position. The clamping element can be designed in one piece and preferably in one piece, in particular with the plug-in element. The holding unit could be mirror-symmetrical at least with respect to the holding element. The holding element could have at least one holding lug, by means of which the further fixing arm is held in the clamping position. At the fixing method, the user and/or fitter could jam the further fixing arm with the clamping element.

The fuser unit could be preinstalled and/or retrofittable to the household appliance. It would be conceivable for the fixing unit to be pre-installed on at least the household appliance ex works. The fixing unit is preferably designed as a retrofit part and/or accessory part for fixing the household appliance. In order to provide a particularly high level of security and stable construction, it is proposed that the fixing unit be provided for fixing in the corner area of the household appliance. It is possible that a relatively small number of fixing units can already ensure that the domestic appliance is securely fixed in the recess. Furthermore, when using at least two and preferably at least four fixing units, the household appliance can be centered in the recess of the unit and the household appliance can advantageously be prevented from slipping. The household appliance devices could have at least two, advantageously at least three and preferably at least four fixing units, which are each arranged in the corner areas of the household appliance.

In addition, a modular system for assembling a household appliance device, in particular the aforementioned household appliance device, is proposed, comprising a set of differently configured holding units and a set of differently configured fixing arms, in particular a set of differently configured torsion springs, which are interchangeable with at least one holding unit of the Set of holding units for fixing the household appliance can be combined. As a result, convenience, in particular ease of assembly and/or user convenience, can advantageously be increased and an advantageously high degree of flexibility, in particular modularity, of a household appliance device can be achieved. In this case, fixing arms and holding units can be flexibly and individually connected and/or combined with one another, depending on the respective household appliance that needs to be fixed. A particularly simple and compact construction can thus be provided.

At least two fixing arms of the set of fixing arms and/or at least two holding units of the set of holding units could possibly differ in terms of a material composition and/or a size and/or shape. Advantageous the modular system has the fixing arm described above and the further fixing arm, in particular the leg panels, and/or the holding unit mentioned above. A "set" of objects is to be understood in particular as meaning a plurality of objects of the same type which have different characteristic features, for example different sizes, different material compositions, different shapes or the like. The objects in one set can advantageously be combined with one another in a number of different ways and/or combined with objects in a further set in a number of different ways, thereby forming a plurality of different but similarly combined objects, in particular the household appliance devices.

It would be conceivable for the fixing arms of the set of fixing arms to differ in terms of shape and/or length and/or size and/or material composition. In addition, the fixing arm and the further fixing arm could be connected to one another with a different number of windings. It would also be conceivable for the holding units of the set of holding units to differ in terms of shape and/or length and/or size and/or material composition.

In addition, the invention is based on a method for fixing a household appliance, in particular the aforementioned household appliance, in a recess of a unit, in particular the aforementioned unit, by means of a household appliance device, in particular an aforementioned household appliance device, comprising a fixing unit, with a holding force for the household appliance is produced, which has at least one fixing force component that goes beyond the pure weight of the household appliance and is directed at least essentially in the direction of the weight of the household appliance, the fixing unit being pressed at least on an underside of the unit in order to produce at least the fixing force component along a height direction.

A particularly simple, convenient, efficient and secure fixing of a household appliance in a recess of a unit can be provided by such a method. In addition, an effort in terms of assembly and/or disassembly effort can be reduced. Furthermore, the household appliance can be optimally positioned in the recess and slipping can be prevented. Furthermore, a seal improved and a flat arrangement of the household appliance can be ensured in the recess.

The method for fixing the household appliance using the household appliance device could have a number of method steps and/or method sub-steps. The method preferably comprises at least the fixing step described above. The fixing step could in turn consist of several fixing sub-steps. In a first partial fixing step, the holding unit could be mounted and/or arranged on the household appliance. In a second partial fixing step, the household appliance could be inserted into the recess and fixed in the recess of the unit by means of the fixing unit.

The household appliance device and/or the household appliance and/or the method should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the household appliance device and/or the household appliance and/or the method for fulfilling a functionality described herein can have a number of individual elements, components, units and method steps that differs from the number specified herein. In addition, in the value ranges specified in this document, values lying within the stated limits should also be considered disclosed and can be used as desired.

drawings

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawings. Two exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into further meaningful combinations.

Fig. 1

ein Haushaltsgerätesystem mit einem als Kochfeld ausgebildeten Haushaltsgerät und mit einer als Arbeitsplatte ausgebildeten Einheit, in welche das Haushaltsgerät in einem montierten Zustand eingesetzt ist,

Fig. 2

einen Teil des Haushaltsgeräts mit einer Haushaltsgerätevorrichtung umfassend eine Fixiereinheit zur Fixierung des Haushaltsgeräts in einer Aussparung der Einheit,

Fig. 3

eine Fixierung des Haushaltsgeräts in der Aussparung mittels der Fixiereinheit, dargestellt anhand von einer Schnittdarstellung,

Fig. 4

ein schematisch dargestelltes Verfahrensfließbild zur Fixierung des Haushaltsgeräts mittels der Haushaltsgerätevorrichtung,

Fig. 5

ein Baukastensystem zur Zusammenstellung der Haushaltsgerätevorrichtung,

Fig. 6

ein System mit einer eine Aussparung aufweisenden Einheit und einem Haushaltsgerät zur Fixierung in der Aussparung mittels einer Haushaltsgerätevorrichtung in einem alternativen Ausführungsbeispiel und

Fig. 7

eine Fixierung des Haushaltsgeräts in der Aussparung mittels der Haushaltsgerätevorrichtung gemäß Figur 5.

Show it:

1

a household appliance system with a household appliance designed as a hob and with a unit designed as a worktop, into which the household appliance is inserted in an assembled state,

2

a part of the household appliance with a household appliance device comprising a fixing unit for fixing the household appliance in a recess of the unit,

3

a fixation of the household appliance in the recess by means of the fixing unit, illustrated by a sectional view,

4

a schematically illustrated process flow diagram for fixing the household appliance by means of the household appliance device,

figure 5

a modular system for assembling the household appliance device,

6

a system with a unit having a recess and a household appliance for fixing in the recess by means of a household appliance device in an alternative embodiment and

7

according to a fixation of the household appliance in the recess by means of the household appliance device figure 5 .

Description of the exemplary embodiments

In the following, only one of the multiple objects in the figures is provided with a reference number. Furthermore, the present figures are schematic representations that are not true to scale.

The figure 1 shows a domestic appliance system 10a designed as a hob system with a domestic appliance 12a and a unit 16a designed as a worktop in the present case. The household appliance 12a is accordingly designed as a hob and includes a hob plate 72a. The hob plate 72a consists of a glass ceramic, for example. In a known manner, heating zones 70a are marked on the hob plate 72a, which are provided when the hob 12a is in an operational state for placing cooking utensil for the purpose of heating the cooking utensil (cooking utensil not shown). In the figure 1 only one heating zone is provided with a reference number by way of example. Furthermore, the household appliance 12a includes a housing unit 76a, which is arranged below the hob plate 72a in the assembled state and is connected to the hob plate 72a.

The unit 16a has a recess 18a. In an assembled state, the household appliance 12a is inserted into the recess (cf. figure 1 and 3c ). To fix the Household appliance 12a in the recess 18a, the household appliance 12a has a household appliance device 14a. The household appliance device 14a includes at least one fixing unit 20a, which generates a holding force for the household appliance 12a in an assembled state. The fixing unit 20a is arranged on the housing unit 76a in at least one preassembled state (cf. figure 2 ). Furthermore, the fixing unit 20a is arranged on the housing unit 76a in the assembled state. In the assembled state, the fixing unit 20a generates a holding force for the household appliance 12a, the holding force having at least one fixing force component 24a that goes beyond the pure weight of the household appliance 12a and is directed at least essentially in the direction of the weight of the household appliance 12a (cf. Figure 3c ). As in Figure 3c As can be seen, in order to generate at least the fixing force component 24a in the installed state, the fixing unit 20a is pressed along a height direction 36a at least against an underside 28a of the unit 16a.

For the sake of clarity, only the housing unit 76a is shown in the following drawings as part of the household appliance 12a, without the hob plate 72a (cf. an example figures 2 and 3a-c) . figure 2 it can be seen that the fixing unit 20a is provided for fixing in a corner area 60a of the household appliance 12a. In this exemplary embodiment, four fixing units 20a are provided in each of a corner area 60a, namely an edge area, of the rectangular domestic appliance 12a. In the present case, the four fixing units 20a are all configured identically, so that only one fixing unit 20a is provided with a reference number and is described further below. The Figures 3a to 3c illustrate a fixation of the household appliance 12a in the recess 18a of the unit 16a, wherein the Figure 3a shows the pre-assembled state in which the fixing unit 20a is arranged on the housing unit 76a and the Figure 3c represents the assembled state in which the household appliance 12a is fixed in the recess 18a by means of the fixing unit 20a. Fener is in figure 4 schematically shows a process flow diagram of a method for fixing the household appliance 12a in the recess 18a of the unit 16a by means of the household appliance device 14a. The fixing method could comprise several method steps and/or partial method steps. In the present case, the method is only described by way of example on the basis of a method step 100a. The method step 100a is referred to here as the fixing step. The figure 5 shows a modular system for compilation the domestic appliance device 14a, which will be described in more detail below.

The fixing unit 20a has a holding unit 50a which can be connected to the household appliance 12a. In the present case, the holding unit 50a can be reversibly connected to the household appliance 12a, namely the housing unit 76a. In at least the preassembled state, the holding unit 50a is connected to the housing unit 76a. Furthermore, the holding unit 50a is connected to the housing unit 76a in the assembled state. The holding unit 50a could, for example, be connected to the housing unit 76a by means of a force-fit connection and/or a form-fit connection and/or a material connection. In this exemplary embodiment, the holding unit 50a is connected to the household appliance 12a by means of a plug-in and/or snap-in connection. The holding unit 50a is clipped and/or snapped into the housing unit 76a. In addition, further screw and/or frictional connections could be conceivable for arranging the holding unit 50a on the household appliance 12a.

figures 2 and 3a to 3b show that the fixing unit comprises a fixing arm 30a and a further fixing arm 32a. The fixing arm 30a and the further fixing arm 32a are movably mounted on the holding unit 50a. For this purpose, the holding unit 50a has a plug-in element 52a. The first fixing arm 30a and/or the second fixing arm 32a is/are arranged on the plug-in element 52a and plugged onto the plug-in element 52a at least in the preassembled state. Arranged on the holding unit 50a, the fixing arm 30a and/or the further fixing arm 32a move about an axis of rotation. The fixing arm 30a and the further fixing arm 32a move relative to one another during a movement about the axis of rotation. In the present case, the fixing arm 30a or the further fixing arm 32a follows a movement of the further fixing arm 32a or the fixing arm 30a when rotating about the axis of rotation. The axis of rotation runs through the plug-in element 52a, so that the fixing arm 30a and the further fixing arm 32a are rotatably mounted about the plug-in element 52a (cf. Figures 3a-c ). In the present case, the fixing arm 30a and/or the further fixing arm 32a at least partially form a leg spring 62a.

In the fixing step 100a, the holding unit 50a is mounted on the household appliance 12a, namely the housing unit 76a. Furthermore, the fixing arm 30a and the further fixing arm 32a, specifically the torsion spring 62a, are arranged on the holding unit 50a. present the torsion spring 62a is plugged onto the plug-in element 52a. In at least the pre-assembled state, the fixing unit 20a is attached to the household appliance 12a.

To fix the household appliance 12a in the recess 18a, the household appliance 12a is inserted into the recess 18a in the fixing step 100a. The Figure 3a shows the household appliance 12a inserted into the recess 18a, which, as already explained above, is only represented by the housing unit 76a.

The holding force for the household appliance 12a is generated by means of the fixing unit 20a. To generate at least the fixing force component 24a along the vertical direction 36a, the fixing unit 20a is pressed at least against the underside 28a of the unit 16a. For this purpose, the further fixing arm 32a is pressed downwards with respect to the vertical direction 36a. Due to the design as a torsion spring, when the further fixing arm 32a moves, the fixing arm 30a rotates upwards, namely in the direction of the underside 28a of the unit 16a (cf. Figure 3a and 3b ). In the assembled state according to Figure 3c the fixing arm 30a is pressed against the underside 28a of the unit 16a along the height direction 36a. In the present case, the fixing arm 30a in the installed state is pressed with an end section 35a against the underside 28a of the unit 16a. The end portion 35a is the tip of the fixing arm 30a. In the assembled state, the fixing arm 30a presses with the tip against the underside 28a of the unit 16a.

The further fixing arm 32a is provided for bracing the fixing arm 30a and braces the fixing arm 30a in the mounted state in a fixing position. The fixing position is that position in which the fixing arm 30a is pressed against the underside 28a of the unit 16a in the assembled state (cf. Figure 3c ). The holding unit 50a has at least one clamping element 56a for fixing the further fixing arm 32a (cf. Figures 3a to 3c ). In the present case, the clamping element 56a functions as a safety element for fixing the further fixing arm 32a in at least one clamping position. Figure 3c represents the clamping position of the further fixing arm 32a. If the further fixing arm 32a is clamped in the clamping position by means of the clamping element 56a, the fixing arm 30a is also fixed in its fixing position and presses with the end section 35a against the underside 28a of the unit 16a (cf. Figure 3c ).

This in figure 5 shown modular system for assembling a household appliance device 14a presently comprising a set of differently designed holding units 50a and a set of differently configured fixing arms 30a, 32a, namely a set of differently configured torsion springs 62a, which can be combined interchangeably with at least one holding unit 50a of the set of holding units 50a for fixing the household appliance 12a. In the present case, the fixing arms 30a, 32a of the set of fixing arms 30a, 32a differ in terms of their size, for example, so that the set of fixing arms 30a, 32a consists of fixing arms 30a, 32a of different lengths. Alternatively and/or additionally, the fixing arms 30a, 32a could also differ based on a material composition and/or a shape and/or a number of coils of the torsion spring 62a, with the fixing arm 30a and the further fixing arm 32a being connected to one another via at least one coil. The holding units 50a of the set of holding units 50a differ in the present example by a positioning of the plug-in element 52a. Alternatively and/or additionally, the holding units 50a could also differ based on a material composition and/or a shape and/or a size.

In figures 6 and 7 another embodiment of the invention is shown. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, with regard to components, features and functions that remain the same on the description of the exemplary embodiment of FIG Figures 1 to 5 can be referred. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a is in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS Figures 1 to 5 by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment of FIG figures 6 and 7 replaced. With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference symbols, reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and/or the description of the exemplary embodiment of FIG Figures 1 to 5 to get expelled.

That in the figures 6 and 7 Household appliance system 10b shown is designed as a hob system and has a household appliance 12b and a unit 16b. In this exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 12b can be arranged in a self-fixing manner in a recess 18b in the unit 16b. The household appliance 12b has a household appliance device 14b which includes a fixing unit 20b. When the household appliance 10b is inserted into the recess 18b, the household appliance 12b can be fixed in place by means of a fixing unit 20b. In a mounted state, the fixing unit 20b generates a holding force for the household appliance 12b, with the holding force at least exceeding a pure weight force of the household appliance 12b and has a fixing force component 24b that is directed at least essentially in the direction of the weight of the household appliance 12b (cf. Figure 7e ).

In figure 6 the household appliance 12b is shown in an unassembled state relative to the unit 16b. The household appliance 12b is inserted into the recess 18b in the insertion direction 66b. The Figures 7a to 7e serve to clarify the fixing of the household appliance 12b in the recess 18b by means of the fixing unit 20b.

The fixing unit 20b has a fixing arm 30b and a further fixing arm 32b. In this exemplary embodiment, the holding force in the installed state comprises a further fixing force component 26b which extends at least essentially perpendicularly to the fixing force component 24b. When the household appliance 12b is inserted into the recess 18b, the further fixing arm 32b is clamped between the household appliance 12b and the unit 16b (cf. Figures 7a to 7e ). In the installed state, the further fixing arm 32b rests against a side 38b of the unit 16b facing the recess in order to generate the further fixing force component 26b. As a result, assembly and/or disassembly of household appliance 12b can be improved and simplified, since to fix household appliance 12b in recess 18a, the user and/or fitter only has to insert household appliance 12b along the insertion direction into recess 18b and the Household appliance 12b fixed in the recess 18b by means of the fixing unit 20b itself.

Reference sign

10

household appliance system

12

household appliance

14

household appliance device

16

Unit

18

recess

20

fuser unit

24

fixation force component

26

fixation force component

28

bottom

30

fixation arm

32

fixation arm

35

end section

36

height direction

38

Page

50

holding unit

52

plug-in element

56

clamping element

60

corner area

62

Leg spring

66

insertion direction

70

heating zone

72

hob plate

76

housing unit

100

fixation step

Claims (15)

Household appliance device (14a-b), in particular a hob device, for fixing a household appliance (12a-b), in particular a hob, in a recess (18a-b) in a unit (16a-b), in particular a worktop, with at least one fixing unit (20a -b) which, in an assembled state, generates a holding force for the household appliance (12a-b) which at least exceeds the pure weight of the household appliance (12a-b) and is at least essentially in the direction of the weight of the household appliance (12a-b ) directed fixing force component (24a-b), characterized in that the fixing unit (20a-b) for generating at least the fixing force component (24a-b) in the assembled state along a height direction (36a-b) at least on a bottom (28a- b) the unit (16a-b) is pressed. Household appliance device (14a-b) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fixing unit (20a-b) has a fixing arm (30a-b) which in the installed state along the height direction (36a-b) on the underside (28a-b ) of the unit (16a-b) is pressed. Domestic appliance device (14a-b) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the fixing arm (30a-b) is pressed in the assembled state with an end section (35a-b) against the underside (28a-b) of the unit (16a-b). . Household appliance device (14a-b) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fixing unit (20a-b) has a further fixing arm (32) for bracing the fixing arm (30a-b) in a fixing position. Household appliance device (14b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding force in the assembled state comprises a further fixing force component (26b) extending at least substantially perpendicularly to the fixing force component (24b). Household appliance device (14b) according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the further fixing arm (32b) for generating the further fixing force component (26b) in the installed state bears against a side (38b) of the unit (16b) facing the recess. Household appliance device (14a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing unit (20a-b) comprises a holding unit (50ab) which can be connected to the household appliance (12a-b), in particular reversibly. Household appliance device (14a-b) at least according to Claims 2 and 7, characterized in that the fixing arm (30a-b) and/or the further fixing arm (32a-b) is/are movably mounted on the holding unit (50a-b). Household appliance device (14a-b) at least according to Claim 2 or 4, characterized in that the fixing arm (30a-b) and/or the further fixing arm (32a-b) at least partially forms/form a torsion spring (62a-b). Household appliance device (14a) at least according to Claims 4 and 7, characterized in that the holding unit (50a) has at least one clamping element (56a) for fixing the further fixing arm (32a). Household appliance device (14a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing unit (20a-b) is provided for fixing in the corner region (60a-b) of the household appliance (12a-b). Household appliance (12a-b), in particular a hob, with a household appliance device (14a-b) according to one of the preceding claims. Household appliance system (10a-b), in particular a hob system, with a household appliance (12a-b) according to Claim 12 and with the unit (16a-b). Modular system for assembling a household appliance device (14ab), at least according to Claims 2, 4 and 7, comprising a set of differently configured holding units and a set of differently configured fixing arms which are interchangeable with at least one holding unit of the set of holding units for fixing the household appliance can be combined. Method for fixing a household appliance (12a-b) in a recess (18ab) of a unit (16a-b) by means of a household appliance device (14a-b), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a fixing unit (20ab), wherein a Holding force for the household appliance (12a-b) is generated, which has at least one fixing force component (24a-b) that goes beyond the pure weight of the household appliance (12a-b) and is directed at least essentially in the direction of the weight of the household appliance (12a-b). , wherein the fixing unit (20a-b) to generate at least the fixing force component (24a-b) along a height direction (36a-b) is pressed at least on an underside (28ab) of the unit (16a-b).

Images