SINK WITH MOVABLE INSERT PLATE AND SEALING SLEEVE FOR A LIFTING UNIT

Abstract

A sink includes a basin including a base wall and lateral walls adjoining the base wall. The basin includes a receiving area which is delimited by the base wall and the lateral walls. An insert plate separate from the basin is inserted into the receiving area and moved by a lifting device relative to the basin. The lifting device includes a lifting unit which is surrounded by an elastic sealing sleeve.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A sink, comprising: a basin including a base wall and lateral walls adjoining the base wall, said basin including a receiving area delimited by the base wall and the lateral walls; an insert plate separate from the basin and inserted into the receiving area; a lifting device configured to move the insert plate relative to the basin and including a lifting unit; and an elastic sealing sleeve separate from the lifting unit and surrounding the lifting unit.

16. The sink of claim 15, wherein the sealing sleeve is configured to be longitudinally adjustable in a vertical direction of the sink.

17. The sink of claim 15, wherein the sealing sleeve is configured as a hollow cylinder.

18. The sink of claim 15, wherein the sealing sleeve has at least one region which is configured as a folding bellows.

19. The sink of claim 15, wherein the sealing sleeve is arranged spaced apart from an outer face of the lifting unit, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a vertical direction of the sink.

20. The sink of claim 15, wherein the lifting unit includes a housing, said sealing sleeve being arranged spaced apart from an outer face of the housing, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a vertical direction of the sink.

21. The sink of claim 15, further comprising an adapter, said sealing sleeve including a lower edge which is clamped between the base wall of the basin and the adapter.

22. The sink of claim 15, wherein the base wall includes a feedthrough for passage of the lifting unit, said sealing device having a lower edge configured to form a seal for sealing the feedthrough in the base wall.

23. The sink of claim 15, further comprising a plate receiver, said sealing sleeve including an upper edge which is clamped between the plate receiver and an upper face of an upper lifting segment of the lifting unit.

24. The sink of claim 23, wherein the lifting unit includes a housing, said upper lifting segment being an upper housing segment of the housing of the lifting unit.

25. The sink of claim 15, wherein, in a pulled-apart state in a vertical direction of the sink, the sealing sleeve is tapered, when viewed from top to bottom.

26. The sink of claim 15, wherein the sealing sleeve is configured in one piece.

27. The sink of claim 15, wherein the lifting unit and the sealing sleeve define a volume space there between, said lifting unit including a ventilation opening for allowing air in the volume space to be conducted into an interior of the lifting unit, or from the interior into the volume space.

28. The sink of claim 27, wherein the lifting unit includes a housing, said volume space being defined between the sealing sleeve and the housing of the lifting unit.

29. The sink of claim 27, further comprising a closure element to close the ventilation opening.

30. The sink of claim 15, further comprising a detector configured to detect water in a volume space between the sealing sleeve and the lifting unit.

31. The sink of claim 15, wherein the insert plate includes an upper face having a surface which is at least 80% of a surface of the receiving area in a horizontal plane but less than 99% of the surface of the receiving area.

32. The sink of claim 15, wherein the insert plate includes an upper face having a surface which is at least 90% of a surface of the receiving area in a horizontal plane but less than 99% of the surface of the receiving area.

33. The sink of claim 15, wherein the insert plate includes an upper face having a surface which is at least 95% of a surface of the receiving area in a horizontal plane but less than 99% of the surface of the receiving area.

Description

[0037] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view through an exemplary embodiment of a sink according to the invention with an insert plate in a first position;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the view of the sink according to FIG. 2 with the insert plate in a second position which is different from FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a sink;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a perspective partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a sink with an exemplary embodiment of support vanes of a lifting device;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a perspective sectional view of a partial region of the arrangement in FIG. 4 with a sealing sleeve around a lifting unit of the lifting device;

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the sink with a lifting unit extended to a maximum and a sealing sleeve pulled out to a maximum.

[0044] Elements which are the same or functionally the same are provided with the same reference characters in the figures.

[0045] A sink 1 is shown in FIG. 1 in a schematic vertical sectional view (x-y plane with the vertical direction y and width direction x). The sink 1 has a basin 2. The basin 2 has a base wall 3 and adjoining and upwardly extending lateral walls 4, 5, 6 (FIG. 3) and 7 (FIG. 3). The basin 2 is configured, in particular, in one piece. The basin is preferably configured from metal. The basin 2 has a receiving area 8. The receiving area 8 is delimited by the aforementioned walls 3 to 7. Thus the basin 2 has an upper loading opening 9. The sink 1 also has an insert unit. The insert unit is, in particular, an insert plate 10. The insert plate 10 is configured, in particular, in one piece. The insert plate may be configured from an upper plate and a lower plate connected such that it cannot be released in a non-destructive manner. The insert plate 10 is a component of the sink 1 which is separate from the basin 2. The sink 1 also has a lifting device 11. The insert plate 10 is arranged on the lifting device 11. In particular, the insert plate arranged on the lifting device 11 such that it can be released in a non-destructive manner. The insert plate 10 is movable relative to the basin 2 by the lifting device 11. In this context, a movement may take place in the vertical direction (y-direction) of the sink 1. Additionally or alternatively, a rotation may take place about a vertical axis A of the lifting device 11. Additionally or alternatively, a tilting of the insert plate 10 may take place. This means that the insert plate 10 may be set with its plane at an angle to a horizontal plane. It may thus be positioned in an inclined or oblique manner. In FIG. 1 the insert plate 10 is shown in an exemplary position in the receiving area 8. In particular, this is a position which has been moved downwardly. In this regard, the insert plate 10 is arranged directly adjacent to the base wall 3.

[0046] Preferably, the sink 1 has an interaction unit 12. The interaction unit 12 may have a display unit 13 (FIG. 3). The interaction unit 12 may have an operating device 14. The operating device 14 may have one or more operating elements. The operating elements may be push buttons or switches or toggle elements or rotary knobs. The operating device 14, however, may also additionally or alternatively have a touch-sensitive operating panel 15. In an advantageous embodiment it may be provided that the interaction unit 12 has at least one optical detection unit 16. The optical detection unit 16 may, for example, be a camera. The camera may be sensitive in the spectral range visible to humans. The interaction unit 12, however, may also additionally or alternatively have an acoustic unit 17. This acoustic unit 17 may be configured for the reception and/or for the output of speech signals. Moreover, the interaction unit 12 may have an identification unit 18. The identification unit 18 is configured for identifying, or for the identification of, a user of the sink 1. The identification unit 18 may also be formed, for example, by the optical detection unit 16. Additionally or alternatively, however, the identification unit 18 may also have, for example, the acoustic unit 17. As a result, for example, the user may be identified by the evaluation of a speech signal of a user. Additionally or alternatively, the identification unit 18 may be configured as a unit for detecting and evaluating a biometric feature of a user. For example, this may be a fingerprint sensor or a sensor for identifying an iris pattern.

[0047] As may be identified in FIGS. 1 to 3, the interaction unit 12 may be configured at the side and directly adjacent to the basin 2. For example, a receiving housing 19 which is open at the top may be provided here. The receiving housing 19 may be configured separately from the basin 2. However, it may also be formed with the basin 2 such that it cannot be released in a non-destructive manner. In particular, the receiving housing 19 may also be configured in one piece with the basin 2. The lateral wall directly adjoining the receiving housing 19, in the example here the lateral wall 5, also forms a defining wall for the receiving volume 20 of the receiving housing 19.

[0048] Thus the receiving volume 20 is separated from the receiving area 8 of the basin.

[0049] In FIG. 2 the view according to FIG. 1 is shown, but the insert plate 10 is shown in a different position from FIG. 1. In FIG. 2 the insert plate 10 is oriented horizontally but moved upwardly. In particular, this position represents the maximum possible vertical position in normal mode. In particular, in this position an upper face 10a of the insert plate 10 is flush with an upper edge 2a of the basin 2. In particular, in this position the insert plate 10 forms a cover or a lid for the receiving area 8. This upper edge 2a, however, may also be for example an upper face of a mounting frame or a decorative frame which is a constituent part of the sink 1. The sink 1, in particular the basin 2, may be mounted with the mounting frame in a cutout of a worktop. The basin 2 may be covered from above with a decorative frame. A gap between the basin 2 and a defining wall in the worktop, which defines the cutout, thus may be covered from above. Such a decorative frame, in particular, represents an upper visible component of the arrangement.

[0050] In particular, the sink 1 also has a control unit 21 (FIG. 3). The lifting device 11 may be operated by the control unit 21. In particular, the interaction unit 12 may also be operated by the control unit 21.

[0051] The sink 1 may preferably also have a faucet 22, as may be identified in the simplified plan view in FIG. 3. The faucet 22 represents a functional unit of the sink 1. The interaction unit 12, in particular the operating device 14, may also be viewed as a functional unit of the sink 1. A further functional unit of the sink 1 may be the insert plate 10. A further functional unit of the sink 1 may be the lifting device 11.

[0052] The lifting device 11 preferably has a lifting unit and a motor. As a result, the lifting device may be changed in terms of its length or height in the direction of the vertical axis A. Moreover, the lifting device may be additionally or alternatively rotated about the vertical axis A. As a result, a rotational movement about this vertical axis A is also possible as a position, or as a change in the position, of the insert plate 10. Last but not least, the lifting device 11 may also be set such that the insert plate 10 may be set in an oblique or inclined manner relative to a horizontal plane.

[0053] An operating state of the sink 1 may be identified and/or a change in the operating state of the sink 1 may be identified and/or an operation of a user who operates the sink 1, in particular at least one functional unit of the sink 1, may be identified by the interaction unit 12. Depending on the identification by the interaction unit 12, the lifting device 11 is able to be operated for automatically changing the position of the insert plate 10. In FIG. 3 a schematic view of a finger 23 of a user is also shown. The interaction unit 12 is preferably configured for detecting a gesture of the user, in particular of the finger 23. In particular, the gesture is a contactless gesture. Additionally or alternatively, however, a direct operation of the operating device 14 may also be carried out with the finger 23. It is provided that an operating state and/or a change in the operating state may be detected by the camera 16 and/or the acoustic unit 17 and/or the operating device 14. An operating state may be, for example, a setting of the operating device 14 and/or a change in the operating state may be a change in the setting of the operating device 14.

[0054] A change in the position of the insert plate 10 may be dependent on the type and/or intensity and/or duration of an operating state of at least one functional unit of the sink 1 and/or a change in the position may be dependent on the type and/or intensity and/or duration of a change in the operating state of at least one such functional unit of the sink 1.

[0055] The interaction unit 12 has a normal mode. The actual operation of the sink 1 is also detected in this normal mode. Moreover, the interaction unit 12 has a defining mode which is different from the normal mode. This defining mode may be set, for example, by a user. In this defining mode it is possible that at least one user defines or predetermines at least one reference position of the insert plate 10. In particular, in this defining mode such a reference position may be linked with a specific operating state of at least one functional unit of the sink 1 and/or with a defined change in the operating state of at least one functional unit of the sink 1. At least one such reference position may be stored as a user profile in a memory unit 24 of the interaction unit 12.

[0056] In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the surface shown in FIG. 3 (depth direction z and width direction x) of the upper face 10a is at least 80 percent, in particular at least 90 percent, in particular at least 95 percent, of the surface of the receiving area 8 which is viewed in a horizontal plane (in FIG. 3 the plane of the figures). In particular, however, this surface of the upper face 10a is less than 99 percent of this surface of the receiving area 8 in the aforementioned horizontal plane. As a result, it is achieved that a peripheral edge 25 of the insert plate 10 is spaced apart from the lateral walls 4, 5, 6 and 7. In particular, a peripheral gap 26 between the insert plate 10 and the lateral walls 4 to 7 is formed thereby. The gap 26 may be between 3 mm and 15 mm. Preferably, this gap 26 is sufficiently small, at least in the horizontal position of the insert plate 10, that objects such as cutlery or the like are not able to slip through. Moreover, it is thus possible to avoid the situation where a finger 23 is trapped in this horizontal position of the insert plate 10.

[0057] As is also shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sink 1 has an outlet opening 27, for example a drain. This outlet opening is configured, in particular, in the base wall 3. Media may drain out of the receiving area 8 from the basin 2 through this outlet opening 27.

[0058] An exemplary embodiment of a sink 1 is shown in FIG. 4 in a perspective view. The lifting device 11 is shown. The lifting device 11 has a lifting unit 28. This lifting unit is fastened, in particular, centrally in the middle of the base wall 3. The lifting unit 28 may be moved in the direction of the axis A. In this context, the lifting unit 28 has a plurality of lifting segments. The lifting unit 28 is shown in the fully moved-together state or in a defined lowered position of the normal mode in FIG. 4. This means that it is retracted to a maximum extent downwardly into the receiving area 8. Preferably, this lifting unit 28 has an upper lifting segment which is formed by an upper housing segment 29 of a housing 40 of the lifting unit 28. A plate receiver 31 is arranged in an upper region 30 of this upper lifting segment. The plate receiver 31 in this case is a flat cylindrical disk. This plate receiver 31 has a central projection 32. A first support vane 33 is arranged on this central projection 32. In particular, the support vane 33 is mounted on the central projection 32 so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis B. The preferably one-piece support vane 33 is positioned from above on the plate receiver 31. An upper face 34 of this plate receiver 31 has upper face regions 34a and 34b. These upper face regions are offset downwardly relative to the central projection 32. The support vane 33 is positioned on this upper face region 34a. For the sake of improved clarity, however, a second support vane, not shown, which is separate from the first support vane 33 but in particular has the same size and the same shape is arranged thereon. This second support vane is mounted on the central projection 32 so as to be pivotable about a further horizontal axis C. The horizontal axes B and C are oriented parallel to one another. The second support vane is positioned from above on the second upper face region 34b. In the horizontal basic position, an upper face 33a of the support vane 33 is flush with an upper face 32a of the central projection 32. Accordingly, this is configured with an upper face of the second support vane.

[0059] The support vane 33 and the second support vane, not shown, are arranged spaced apart from one another by the central projection 32. They may be pivoted independently of one another about their axes B and C. Thus individual tilted positions of a support vane 33 may also be set relative to the horizontal plane. In particular, the plate receiver 31 also has a through-passage 35. An actuating element of the sink 1 may extend from below through the plate receiver 31 through this through-passage 35, and thus in this case come into contact with the second support vane from below and lift it up, so that it is pivoted about its horizontal axis C. Accordingly, a further through-passage which is below the first support vane 33 is configured on the side opposing the through-passage 35. This may also be accordingly lifted, as has been described above. Preferably, it is provided that the through-passage 35 is covered from above by an elastic cover 36. The elastic cover 36 permits the actuating element to be able to protrude through the through-passage 35 and to be positioned further up relative to the upper face region 34b, and a corresponding protruding of the actuating element may result due to the elastic deformation of the elastic cover 36. As a result, therefore, the corresponding second support vane may also be lifted. The plate receiver 31 is configured with the cover 36 as a 2K injection-molded part.

[0060] A partial region of the arrangement in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 5 in a perspective sectional view.

[0061] It may be identified that the plate receiver 31, which is configured as a flat cylinder, is positioned from above on an upper face 37 of the upper lifting segment of the lifting unit 28. This upper face 37 is, in particular, an upper face of an upper cover plate 38.

[0062] The lifting unit 28 has a lifting apparatus 39. The lifting apparatus 39 may be a spindle drive. However, it may also be a feed chain, for example. The lifting unit 28 also has a housing 40. The housing 40 surrounds this lifting apparatus 39 over the periphery. The housing 40 is, in particular, a telescopic housing. This means that it has a plurality of housing segments. In the exemplary embodiment, these lifting segments are configured as hollow cylinders. In the exemplary embodiment an upper housing segment 29 is configured in an extended state, a second housing segment 41 following downwardly, a further housing segment 42 following downwardly, a further housing segment 43 following downwardly and then a lower housing segment 44. The fully retracted position of the lifting unit 28 is shown in FIG. 5. The lifting unit 28 is thus moved entirely downward. In this state the housing 40 is fully telescoped and in a vertically minimized position. The housing segments 29 and 41 to 44 are thus fully telescoped as shown in FIG. 5. If the lifting unit 28 is extended out of this downwardly moved state in which the insert plate 10 is also arranged in the lowered position, and thus moved upwardly, the housing segments 29 and 41 to 44 are pulled apart. This is shown by way of example in the sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the sink 1 in FIG. 6. The lifting apparatus 39 is arranged in an interior 45 of this housing 40. The lifting unit 28 extends through a through-passage or feedthrough 46 in the base wall 3. The lifting unit 28 is thus arranged on either side of this base wall 3.

[0063] Moreover, the lifting device 11 has a sealing sleeve 47. The sealing sleeve 47 is a separate component from the housing 40. The sealing sleeve 47 surrounds that partial region which extends over the periphery in the receiving area 8 of the lifting unit 28. The sealing sleeve 47 is elastically configured. The sealing sleeve may be configured in one piece. The sealing sleeve may be configured, for example, as a folding bellows. However, other specifications are also possible in terms of material and geometry.

[0064] In FIG. 5 the sealing sleeve 47 is configured as a folding bellows. In FIG. 5 the sealing sleeve is shown in the fully compressed or folded-up state. The sealing sleeve 47 has an upper edge 48. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the upper edge 48 is clamped between the plate receiver 31 and the cover 38. In particular, this upper edge 48 is also arranged so as to form a seal between the plate receiver 31 and the cover 38. The cover 38 may also be denoted as a lifting plate.

[0065] Moreover, this sealing sleeve 47 has a lower end 49. This lower end 49 is positioned directly on the inner face of the base wall 3. Moreover, it is provided that the sink 1 has an adapter 50. This adapter 50 is preferably a separate component. The adapter 50 is preferably designed as a circumferential adapter ring which is configured without interruption. The adapter 50 is positioned from above on this lower edge 49 of the sealing sleeve 47. As may be identified, the lower edge 49 is clamped between this adapter 50 and the base wall 3. In particular, a sealed clamping is also configured here.

[0066] In particular, the adapter 50 is fastened to the base wall 3 such that it can be released in a non-destructive manner, in particular screwed by screw connections. To this end, for example, a counter bearing 51 may be arranged below the base wall 3. This counter bearing 51 may be a bearing ring. At the same time, the counter bearing may be configured as an acoustic damping unit.

[0067] A seal 56 may be arranged between the adapter 51 and an outer face of the housing segment 44.

[0068] In FIG. 6 the sink 1 is shown in a vertical sectional view. In the case of this sink 1, the lifting unit 28 is shown in the fully extended position in normal mode of the sink 1. In this position, in an advantageous embodiment the sealing sleeve 47 is also fully pulled apart, when viewed in the vertical direction. In particular, it is provided that in this state an outer face 47a of the sealing sleeve 47 is fully pulled apart and in this regard is smooth. Thus folds are no longer present.

[0069] As may also be identified in FIG. 6, a volume space 52 is configured between the lifting unit 28, in particular the housing 40, and the sealing sleeve 47. This means that in the radial direction the sealing sleeve 47 is arranged spaced apart from the lifting unit 28, in particular the housing 40. As may also be identified in FIG. 6, in this pulled-out state of the sealing sleeve 47, this sealing sleeve is configured to be tapered when viewed from top to bottom.

[0070] The lifting unit 28 also has at least one motor 53. This motor 53 drives the lifting apparatus 39.

[0071] In the pulled-out state of the sealing sleeve 47, this sealing sleeve is designed, in particular, as a hollow cylinder or in the manner of a hollow cylinder. In particular, the cover 38 is a component of the upper housing segment 29.

[0072] In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the lifting unit 28 has at least one ventilation opening 54. The ventilation opening 54, as shown symbolically and by way of example in FIG. 6, is there so that air which is contained in the volume space 52 may be discharged out of the volume space 52 into the interior 45 when the insert plate 10 is moved downwardly, the sealing sleeve 47 is folded up and the volume space 52 is reduced. Similarly, air may be introduced via the interior 45 into the volume space 52 when the insert plate 10 is moved out of the lowered position, shown by way of example in FIG. 5, upwardly into the maximum vertical position shown in FIG. 6. A plurality of ventilation openings 54 may also be provided. In particular, it is possible that this at least one ventilation opening 54 is able to be closed by a closure element, not shown.

[0073] It may also be provided that the sink 1 has at least one detector 55, water in the volume space 52 being able to be detected thereby. The embodiment in FIG. 6 is different from FIG. 5 with regard to the design of the adapter ring 50. It may also be provided in FIG. 6 that an upper edge 48 is fastened differently from that shown in FIG. 5. This is only shown symbolically in FIG. 6, however. This is not to be understood to mean that the upper edge 48 would be fastened directly to the insert plate 10. A detector 55 is shown symbolically and by way of example with regard to the position.

[0074] A dismantling mode which is different from the normal mode of the lifting unit 28 may also be set. In this dismantling mode, the lifting unit 28 is set in a position located even higher in the vertical direction above the maximum lifted position of the lifting unit 28 in normal mode and thus also the corresponding position of the insert plate 10. In the maximum lifted position in normal mode it is provided, in particular, that the upper face 10a of the insert plate 10 is flush with the upper face of the upper edge 2a of the basin 2 or a decorative frame or a mounting frame. In the dismantling position which is higher for this purpose, the insert plate 10 is preferably positioned such that it is arranged with its lower face 10b higher than this upper edge 2a with a vertical spacing. In particular, this vertical spacing is at least 2 cm, in particular at least 3 cm. As a result, the insert plate 10 may be gripped on its edge 25 by a hand and securely held for removing from the lifting unit 28. The dismantling position is, in particular, a horizontal position of the insert plate 10. The lower face 10b of the insert plate 10 is thus positioned entirely above the upper edge 2a.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0075] 1 Sink [0076] 2 Basin [0077] 2a Upper edge [0078] 3 Base wall [0079] 4 Lateral wall [0080] 5 Lateral wall [0081] 6 Lateral wall [0082] 7 Lateral wall [0083] 8 Receiving area [0084] 9 Loading opening [0085] 10 Insert plate [0086] 10a Upper face [0087] 10b Lower face [0088] 11 Lifting device [0089] 12 Interaction unit [0090] 13 Display unit [0091] 14 Operating device [0092] 15 Operating panel [0093] 16 Optical detection unit [0094] 17 Acoustic unit [0095] 18 Identification unit [0096] 19 Receiving housing [0097] 20 Receiving volume [0098] 21 Control unit [0099] 22 Faucet [0100] 23 Finger [0101] 24 Memory unit [0102] 25 Edge [0103] 26 Gap [0104] 27 Outlet opening [0105] 28 Lifting unit [0106] 29 Upper housing segment [0107] 30 Upper region [0108] 31 Plate receiver [0109] 32 Central projection [0110] 32a Upper face [0111] 33 First support vane [0112] 33a Upper face [0113] 34 Upper face [0114] 34a Upper face region [0115] 34b Upper face region [0116] 35 Through-hole [0117] 36 Cover [0118] 37 Upper face [0119] 38 Cover plate [0120] 39 Lifting apparatus [0121] 40 Housing [0122] 41 Housing segment [0123] 42 Housing segment [0124] 43 Housing segment [0125] 44 Housing segment [0126] 45 Interior [0127] 46 Feedthrough [0128] 47 Sealing sleeve [0129] 47a a Outer face [0130] 48 Upper edge [0131] 49 Lower end [0132] 50 Adapter ring [0133] 51 Counter bearing [0134] 52 Volume space [0135] 53 Motor [0136] 54 Ventilation opening [0137] 55 Detector [0138] 56 Seal