Abstract
A domestic appliance apparatus, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, includes at least one inner container which defines at least one interior with a height direction and at least one rail element constructed differently than the inner container. The rail element is provided for supporting at least one storage element. At least one fixing unit is provided for fixing the rail element to the inner container. The fixing unit is provided for assembling the rail element from the direction of the interior. A domestic appliance or domestic refrigeration appliance having a domestic appliance apparatus and a method for assembling a domestic appliance apparatus or domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, are also provided.
Claims
1. A domestic appliance apparatus or domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, comprising: at least one inner container defining at least one interior having a height direction; at least one rail element constructed differently than said at least one inner container, said at least one rail element being configured for supporting at least one storage element; and at least one fixing unit provided for fixing said at least one rail element to said at least one inner container, said at least one fixing unit being configured for assembling said at least one rail element from a direction of said at least one interior.
2. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fixing unit has at most one screw for fixing said at least one rail element.
3. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rail element has a main direction of extension running at least substantially parallel to said height direction in at least one assembled state.
4. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fixing unit has at least one fixing element, and said at least one rail element is configured to be fixed to said at least one fixing element from the direction of said at least one interior.
5. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing element at least abuts against a side of said at least one inner container facing away from said at least one interior, in at least one assembled state.
6. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing element has at least one bolt protruding into said at least one interior in at least one assembled state.
7. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least one rail element has at least one aperture configured to be pushed over and anchored to said at least one bolt.
8. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing element has at least one screw mounting being accessible from the direction of said at least one interior in an assembled state.
9. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said at least one rail element has at least one further screw mounting through which said at least one screw mounting is accessible in an anchored state of said at least one rail element.
10. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing unit has at least one further fixing element constructed at least substantially differently than said at least one fixing element.
11. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fixing unit has a bearing unit supporting said at least one rail element in a movable manner at least substantially parallel to said height direction in at least one pre-assembled state.
12. A domestic appliance or domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising a domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1.
13. A method for assembling a domestic appliance apparatus or domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, the method comprising the following steps: providing at least one inner container defining at least one interior with a height direction; providing at least one rail element for supporting at least one storage element, the at least one rail element being constructed differently than the at least one inner container; assembling the at least one rail element on at least one fixing unit from a direction of the at least one interior; and using the at least one fixing unit for fixing the at least one rail element to the at least one inner container.
14. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises providing the at least one fixing unit with at least one fixing element, and fixing the at least one fixing element to the at least one inner container from a direction of a side of the at least one inner container facing away from the at least one interior, prior to the step of assembling the at least one rail element.
15. The method according to claim 14, which further comprises following the step of assembling the at least one fixing element, positioning the at least one inner container in an outer container of the domestic appliance apparatus and filling an interspace between the at least one inner container and the outer container with foam.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a domestic appliance with a domestic appliance apparatus having an inner container;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the inner container;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fixing element of a fixing unit of the domestic appliance apparatus;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further fixing element of the fixing unit;
[0035] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a part of a rail element of the domestic appliance apparatus;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a front-elevational view showing the rail element in a pre-assembled state;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a front-elevational view showing the rail element in an assembled state;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a part of a recess in the assembled rail element;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a covering cap of the fixing unit;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, partly-sectional plan view showing the recess of the domestic appliance apparatus with the assembled rail element; and
[0041] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method for assembling the domestic appliance apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a perspective representation of a domestic appliance 46 realized in the form of a refrigerator with a domestic appliance apparatus 48. The domestic appliance apparatus 48 has an inner container 10 which is assembled in an outer container 50 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48. An interspace 52 between the inner container 10 and the outer container 50 is filled with foam for thermal insulation. The inner container 10 defines an interior or interior space 12 with a height direction 14. Furthermore the inner container 10 defines an access opening 54 to the interior 12. In the present case the height direction 14 runs parallel to the access opening 54 and perpendicular to a top side 56 of the inner container 10. The domestic appliance apparatus 48 has a fixing unit 20 with a rail element 16 realized in a different manner than the inner container 10. A main direction of extension of the rail element 16 runs parallel to the height direction 14. In the present case the rail element 16 is made of stainless steel. The fixing unit 20 fixes the rail element 16 to the inner container 10. Furthermore the fixing unit 20 is provided for an assembly of the rail element 16 from the direction of the interior 12, in particular through the access opening 54. In the present case the rail element 16 is supporting two storage elements 18, 19. In the present case the storage elements 18, 19 are realized in the form of storage shelves.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a rear side 58 of the inner container 10 in a perspective representation. In the present case the inner container 10 has three recesses 60, 62, 64 in each of which a rail element 16 is disposed in an assembled state (see also FIG. 7). The inner container 10 provides the form of the recesses 60, 62, 64 which, in particular, are produced by using a deep-drawing process. In the present case the domestic appliance apparatus 48 has three fixing units 20, 92, 94 which are each provided for fixing one rail element.
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a fixing element 24 of the fixing unit 20 in a diagrammatic representation. The fixing element 24 has a base body 66. The base body 66 is provided with a cylindrical shape. The base body 66 has at least one continuation 70 which is provided to form at least one part of a bayonet connection. Furthermore the fixing element 24 has a bolt 32. In the present case the bolt 32 is formed of metal. Furthermore the bolt 32 in the present case has a mushroom-head-shaped end 68 which protrudes out of the base body 66. The bolt 32 penetrates through a bolt mounting 72 into the base body 66. Furthermore the bolt 32 is connected in a captive manner to the base body 66 and/or fixed to the same. The fixing element 24 has a sealing lip 71 which, in particular, is flexible. In the present case the sealing lip 71 is formed of rubber.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a further fixing element 28 of the fixing unit 20 in a diagrammatic representation. The further fixing element 28 has a base body 74. The base body 74 is realized with a cylindrical shape. The base body 74 has at least one continuation 76 which is provided to form at least one part of a bayonet connection. Furthermore the fixing element 28 has a screw mounting 40. In the present case the screw mounting 40 is realized in the form of an internal thread. The fixing unit 20 has, in particular precisely, one screw 22 which is provided for assembly in the screw mounting 40. In the present case the fixing unit 20 has no further screw apart from the screw 22. The further fixing element 28 has a, in particular flexible, sealing lip 82. In the present case the sealing lip 82 is formed of rubber.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a part of the rail element 16 in a perspective representation. The rail element 16 has at least one aperture 36 which is realized so as to be capable of being pushed over a bolt 32 and anchored to the same. In the present case the aperture 36 is realized so as to be keyhole-shaped. The aperture 36 has a first region 84 with a first diameter 86 and a second region 88 with a second diameter 90 which is smaller than the first diameter 86. In an assembly process a bolt 32 can be put through the first region 84. A displacement of the rail element 16 along the main direction of extension of the rail element 16 then makes it possible for the rail element 16 to be anchored with the bolt 32, in particular in the second region 88.
[0047] FIG. 6 shows the rail element 16 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48 in a pre-assembled state. The rail element 16 has multiple insertion positions 102 in which storage elements 18, 19 can be inserted and/or hung. The fixing unit 20 has two assembled fixing elements 24, 26 (see also FIG. 3) with one bolt 32, 34 in each case. The bolts 32, 34 protrude at least partly into the interior 12. The rail element 16 is introduced into the recess 60 in the pre-assembled state. In the present case the rail element 16 has two apertures 36, 96. Furthermore in the pre-assembled state one bolt 32, 34 in each case passes through one aperture 36, 96 in each case, in particular through a first region 84, 98 in each case, of the respective aperture 36, 96. The domestic appliance apparatus 48 has a bearing unit 44 which supports the rail element 16 in a movable manner at least substantially parallel to the height direction 14 in at least one pre-assembled state. In the present case the bearing unit 44 has the bolts 32, 34. The rail element 16 can be anchored to the bolts 32, 34 by using a displacement along the main direction of extension of the rail element 16. In an anchored state the bolts 32, 34 pass in each case through a second region 88, 100 of the respective aperture 36, 96 (see also FIG. 7). Furthermore the bolts 32, 34 fix the rail element 16 in the anchored state with a mushroom-head-shaped end 68 in each case (see also FIGS. 3 and 7). In this regard the rail element 16 is capable of being completely pre-assembled and/or assembled and/or anchored from the direction of the interior 12.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows the rail element 16 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48 in an assembled state. The fixing unit 20 has the further fixing element 28 with the screw mounting 40 (see also FIG. 4). The screw mounting 40 is accessible from the direction of the interior 12, in particular during an assembly of the rail element 16. Furthermore the fixing unit 20 has the screw 22. The rail element 16 is fixed to the screw mounting 40 with the screw 22. The rail element 16 is completely capable of being assembled from the direction of the interior 12. The rail element 16 is completely capable of being screwed on from the direction of the interior 12.
[0049] FIG. 8 shows a part of the rail element 16 in the assembled state. The rail element 16 is fixed to the screw mounting 40 of the further fixing element 28 with the screw 22. The rail element 16 has a further screw mounting 42 though which the screw mounting 40 is accessible. The screw mounting 40 is accessible through the further screw mounting 42 from the direction of the interior 12, in particular in the pre-assembled state of the rail element 16 and/or in the anchored state of the rail element 16. A region 104 of the recess 60 above the rail element 16 is uncovered in the assembled state. The region 104 extends parallel to the main direction of extension of the rail element 16 at least over a distance by which the rail element 16 is displaced for an anchoring. In order to carry out a pre-assembly process, an upper end 106 of the rail element 16 is introduced into the recess 60 in the region 104. Furthermore the recess 60 has a latch opening 112 for a covering cap 108 (also see FIG. 9).
[0050] FIG. 9 shows the covering cap 108 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48. In an assembled state of the rail element 16, the covering cap 108 can be fixed over the uncovered region 104 of the recess 60. In a fixed state the covering cap 108 at least partly covers the rail element 16, in particular at least the screw mounting 40 and/or the further screw mounting 42. In the present case the covering cap 108 is realized so as to be capable of latching on the recess 60. The covering cap 108 has a latch tongue 110 which is realized so as to be capable of latching with the latch opening 112 of the recess 60.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows the recess 60 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48 with the assembled rail element 16 in a diagrammatic plan view. In an assembled state the further fixing element 28 abuts against a side 30 of the inner container 10, which side faces away from the interior 12. The further fixing element 28 passes through a feed-through 114 of the inner container 10 into the interior 12. The screw mounting 40 is accessible from the direction of the interior 12. The sealing lip 82 of the further fixing element 28 is fed through the feed-through 114 into the interior 12. The sealing lip 82 produces a tight closure between the further fixing element 28 and the inner container 10, in particular from the direction of the interior 12.
[0052] FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of a method for assembling the domestic appliance apparatus 48. In a first method step 116 the further fixing element 28 is fixed to the inner container 10 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48. The further fixing element 28 is fixed from the direction of the side 30 of the inner container 10, which side faces away from the interior 12 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48. In the present case the further fixing element 28 is fed through the feed-through 114 of the inner container 10 and secured by using a bayonet connection. In this regard the sealing lip 82 is fed through the feed-through 114. The sealing lip 82 subsequently produces a tight connection of the further fixing element 28 to the inner container 10 from the direction of the interior 12. Subsequently, the fixing elements 24, 26 are fixed in similar fashion to the inner container 10 at corresponding feed-throughs of the inner container 10.
[0053] In a second method step 118 the inner container 10 is positioned and/or assembled in the outer container 50 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48. The interspace 52 created between the inner container 10 and the outer container 50 is filled with foam.
[0054] In a third method step 120 the rail element 16 is assembled on the fixing unit 20 from the direction of the interior 12. In this regard the rail element 16 is put onto the bolts 32, 34 of the fixing elements 24, 26 from the direction of the interior 12 for a pre-assembly process. The rail element 16 is furthermore anchored on the bolts 32, 34 by using a displacement along the main direction of extension of the rail element 16. The rail element 16 is furthermore screwed on at the screw mounting 42 of the further fixing element 28 with the aid of the screw 22 from the direction of the interior 12. Additionally, the covering cap 108 is fixed over the assembled rail element 16.
[0055] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0056] 10 Inner container [0057] 12 Interior [0058] 14 Height direction [0059] 16 Rail element [0060] 18 Storage element [0061] 19 Storage element [0062] 20 Fixing unit [0063] 22 Screw [0064] 24 Fixing element [0065] 26 Fixing element [0066] 28 Fixing element [0067] 30 Side [0068] 32 Bolt [0069] 34 Bolt [0070] 36 Aperture [0071] 40 Screw mounting [0072] 42 Screw mounting [0073] 44 Bearing unit [0074] 46 Domestic appliance [0075] 48 Domestic appliance apparatus [0076] 50 Outer container [0077] 52 Interspace [0078] 54 Access opening [0079] 56 Top side [0080] 58 Rear side [0081] 60 Recess [0082] 62 Recess [0083] 64 Recess [0084] 66 Base body [0085] 68 End [0086] 70 Continuation [0087] 71 Sealing lip [0088] 72 Bolt mounting [0089] 74 Base body [0090] 76 Continuation [0091] 82 Sealing lip [0092] 84 Region [0093] 86 Diameter [0094] 88 Region [0095] 90 Diameter [0096] 92 Fixing unit [0097] 94 Fixing unit [0098] 96 Aperture [0099] 98 Region [0100] 100 Region [0101] 102 Insertion position [0102] 104 Region [0103] 106 Side [0104] 108 Covering cap [0105] 110 Latch tongue [0106] 112 Latch opening [0107] 114 Feed-through [0108] 116 Method step [0109] 118 Method step [0110] 120 Method step
