SINK WITH A MOVABLE INSERT PLATE AND ACTIVE DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR RESIDUAL MEDIA ON THE INSERT PLATE

Abstract

A sink includes a basin which includes 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. A residual media discharge device discharges residual media from a top of the insert plate.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. 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 a residual media discharge device configured to discharge residual media from a top of the insert plate.

13. The sink of claim 12, wherein the residual media discharge device includes a movement unit to move the insert plate in a defined manner for discharge of residual media.

14. The sink of claim 13, wherein a movement of the insert plate as initiated by the movement unit for discharge of residual media is a tilting movement of the insert plate relative to a horizontal plane and/or a rotation about a vertical axis.

15. The sink of claim 12, wherein the residual media discharge device includes an airflow generation unit to generate an airflow for flowing onto the top of the insert plate.

16. The sink of claim 12, wherein the residual media discharge device includes a slide which is slidable over the top of the insert plate for discharge of residual media.

17. The sink of claim 16, further comprising a motor operably connected to the slide for slidably driving the slide.

18. The sink of claim 12, wherein the residual media discharge device includes a movable flap or a slide to release or block a discharge conduit in the insert plate for discharge of residual media from the top via the discharge conduit.

19. The sink of claim 12, wherein the residual media discharge device includes a vibration unit to set the insert plate in vibration.

20. The sink of claim 12, wherein the residual media discharge device includes a deformation unit to deform the top of the insert plate in a temporarily defined manner for discharge of residual media.

21. The sink of claim 20, wherein the deformation unit includes a movable punch which acts on the insert plate.

22. The sink of claim 12, wherein the residual media discharge device is an electromechanical device.

23. The sink of claim 12, wherein the top of the insert plate has 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.

24. The sink of claim 12, wherein the top of the insert plate has 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.

25. The sink of claim 12, wherein the top of the insert plate has 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

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. In the drawings:

[0030] 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;

[0031] 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;

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a sink; and

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view through a further exemplary embodiment of a sink according to the invention with an insert plate in a tilted position.

[0034] Elements which are the same or functionally the same are provided with the same reference characters in the figures.

[0035] 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 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 is 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.

[0036] 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 be, for example, 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.

[0037] 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, the receiving housing 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.

[0038] Thus the receiving volume 20 is separated from the receiving area 8 of the basin.

[0039] 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 a top 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 a top 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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 an operating state of at least one such functional unit of the sink 1.

[0045] 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.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment it is provided that the surface shown in FIG. 3 (depth direction z and width direction x) of the top 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 top 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.

[0047] 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. It is possible for media to drain out of the receiving area 8 from the basin 2 through this outlet opening 27.

[0048] In FIG. 4 a sink 1 with a residual media discharge device 28 is shown in a schematic view. The residual media discharge device 28 is configured for the defined discharge of residual media on the top 10a of the insert plate 10. It may be provided that the sink 1 has a control unit 29. The residual media discharge device 28 may be controlled by this control unit 29, in particular in this context it is possible to set a discharge mode of the sink 1 in which the residual media discharge device 28 is activated. In particular, the residual media discharge device 28 may be an electromechanical device.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the residual media discharge device 28 is configured to tilt the insert plate 10 relative to a horizontal plane. In this context, the residual media discharge-tilted position of the insert plate 10 is shown in FIG. 4. In particular, this is a tilted position which involves a relatively small lift relative to the horizontal position H. The horizontal position H is illustrated here in dashed lines. In particular, a height difference d of an edge 25 of the insert plate 10 between the horizontal position and the residual media discharge-tilted position is 5 mm, in particular is between 2.5 mm and 4 mm.

[0050] In particular, the residual media discharge device 28 has a movement unit 30 for carrying out such a tilting movement of the insert plate 10.

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the residual media discharge device 28 has a rotational unit 31 for the defined discharge of residual media from the top 10a of the insert plate 10. This may be a component of the movement unit 30 or a unit which is separate therefrom. The insert plate 10 may be rotated about the axis A by this rotational unit 31. This may also be carried out, in particular, in a discharge mode. Both the movement unit 30 and the rotational unit 31 may be controlled via the control unit 29.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the sink 1, in particular the residual media discharge device 28, has an airflow generation unit 32. This is to be understood merely symbolically by the box in FIG. 4, both in terms of the position and the embodiment thereof. An airflow may be generated in a targeted manner by this airflow generation unit 32 and directed in order to flow onto the top 10a of the insert plate 10. Thus residual media may be blown off the top 10a.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, it may also be provided that the residual media discharge device 28 has a slide 33. This slide may be positioned directly on the top 10a and displaced or rotated relative to the top 10a. In particular, a motor, not shown, may be provided therefor. Thus the slide 33 may also be controlled, in particular, via the control unit 29.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively, it may also be provided that the residual media discharge device 28 has a movable flap or a slide. This slide may be opened or closed for releasing or blocking a discharge conduit which is configured in the insert plate 10. The discharge conduit may be a channel which is open toward the top 10a and which runs, in particular, toward the edge 25. This discharge conduit, however, may also have a through-hole of the insert plate 10 as a terminal piece terminating before the edge 25. It may also be provided that the discharge conduit, when viewed in terms of its length, is not an upwardly open channel but a duct which is closed toward the top 10a. This embodiment is thus configured such that a start of the discharge conduit is open toward the top 10a and otherwise this discharge conduit is closed toward the top 10a. Thus a duct which is virtually integrated and internal in the insert plate 10 is formed. This duct may lead to the edge 25 at its opposing end and have the outlet there. However, additionally or alternatively, it may also be provided that the duct has an opening toward the bottom 10b spaced apart from the edge 25.

[0055] Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the residual media discharge device 28 has a vibration unit 34. The insert plate 10 may be set in vibration by this vibration unit 34, which may be controlled in particular via the control unit 29, in order to discharge residual media from the top 10a.

[0056] Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the residual media discharge device 28 has a deformation unit 35. The top 10a of the insert plate 10 may be deformed thereby in a temporarily defined manner for the discharge of residual media. This deformation unit 35 may be, for example, a bar which presses from below onto the insert plate 10. This insert plate may then be deformed as a symmetrical or asymmetrical dome. This deformation unit 35, however, may also act in a manner which pulls downwardly, so that the top 10a is deformed as a funnel or as a channel. For example, instead of a bar, the deformation unit 35 may be configured as a pressure punch or suction punch.

[0057] A dismantling mode which is different from the normal mode of the lifting unit of the lifting device 11 may also be set. In this dismantling mode, the lifting unit is set in an even higher position in the vertical direction above the maximum lifted position of the lifting unit in normal mode and thus also the corresponding position of the insert plate 10. In the maximum lifted position in normal mode, in particular, it is provided that the top 10a of the insert plate 10 is flush with the top 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 bottom 10b higher than this upper edge 2a by 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 by a hand on its edge 25 and securely held for removal from the lifting unit. The dismantling position is, in particular, a horizontal position of the insert plate 10. The bottom 10b of the insert plate 10 is thus positioned entirely above the upper edge 2a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0058] 1 Sink [0059] 2 Basin [0060] 2a Upper edge [0061] 3 Base wall [0062] 4 Lateral wall [0063] 5 Lateral wall [0064] 6 Lateral wall [0065] 7 Lateral wall [0066] 8 Receiving area [0067] 9 Loading opening [0068] 10 Insert plate [0069] 10a Top [0070] 10b Bottom [0071] 11 Lifting device [0072] 12 Interaction unit [0073] 13 Display unit [0074] 14 Operating device [0075] 15 Operating panel [0076] 16 Optical detection unit [0077] 17 Acoustic unit [0078] 18 Identification unit [0079] 19 Receiving housing [0080] 20 Receiving volume [0081] 21 Control unit [0082] 22 Faucet [0083] 23 Finger [0084] 24 Memory unit [0085] 25 Edge [0086] 26 Gap [0087] 27 Outlet opening [0088] 28 Residual media discharge device [0089] 29 Control unit [0090] 30 Movement unit [0091] 31 Rotation unit [0092] 32 Airflow generation unit [0093] 33 Slide [0094] 34 Vibration unit [0095] 35 Deformation unit