DOMESTIC APPLIANCE DEVICE AND REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE HAVING THE DOMESTIC APPLIANCE DEVICE

Abstract

A domestic appliance device, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance device, has an appliance body which defines at least one storage space, at least one insertion unit which is movable at least partially parallel to a direction of insertion into the storage space and parallel to a direction of extension out of the storage space, and at least one coupling unit which couples the insertion to the appliance body. The coupling unit has at least one roller rail and at least one roller element cooperating with the roller rail. In order to achieve greater ease of operation, the roller element is fastened to the appliance body.

Claims

1. A domestic appliance device, comprising: an appliance body defining at least one storage space; at least one insertion unit being movable at least partially parallel to a direction of insertion into said storage space and parallel to a direction of extension out of said storage space; and at least one coupling unit coupling said insertion unit to said appliance body and having at least one roller rail and at least one roller element cooperating with said roller rail, said roller element fastened to said appliance body.

2. The domestic appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said roller element is a toothed wheel and said roller rail is a toothed rod.

3. The domestic appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said coupling unit contains at least one further roller rail and at least one further roller element cooperating with said further roller rail.

4. The domestic appliance device according to claim 3, wherein said roller element and said further roller element are mechanically coupled together.

5. The domestic appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said roller rail is connected to a lower face of said insertion unit.

6. The domestic appliance device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cover element which, viewed in the direction of insertion, is disposed at least partially upstream of said roller element.

7. The domestic appliance device according to claim 6, wherein said appliance body a has a first side wall and a second side wall, said cover element extends between said first side wall of said appliance body and said second side wall of said appliance body opposing said first side wall.

8. The domestic appliance device according to claim 6, wherein said cover element forms a part of said appliance body.

9. The domestic appliance device according to claim 6, wherein said cover element divides said storage space into at least one first partial storage space and at least one second partial storage space.

10. The domestic appliance device according to claim 9, wherein said roller element is at least partially embedded in said cover element.

11. The domestic appliance device according to claim 1, wherein relative to the direction of insertion, said roller element is disposed in a first half of said appliance body.

12. The domestic appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said insertion unit is configured as a drawer.

13. A domestic refrigeration appliance device, comprising: an appliance body defining at least one storage space; at least one insertion unit being movable at least partially parallel to a direction of insertion into said storage space and parallel to a direction of extension out of said storage space; and at least one coupling unit coupling said insertion unit to said appliance body and having at least one roller rail and at least one roller element cooperating with said roller rail, said roller element fastened to said appliance body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a domestic appliance with a domestic appliance device which contains an appliance body according to the invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a detail of a perspective view of the domestic appliance, focusing on a coupling unit of the domestic appliance device which is provided for coupling an insertion unit of the domestic appliance device to the appliance body;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the appliance body and a bottom view of the insertion unit;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a partial bottom view of the insertion unit in an enlarged scale, focusing on a roller rail and a roller element of the coupling unit;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the appliance body and the insertion unit in a direction of insertion; and

[0033] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view through an appliance body and an insertion unit in a direction of insertion of a further domestic appliance device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a domestic appliance. The domestic appliance is configured as a domestic refrigeration appliance. The domestic appliance has a domestic appliance device. The domestic appliance device contains an appliance body 10a which defines the domestic appliance outwardly on five sides. The appliance body 10a serves as temperature insulation of a storage space 12a located in the interior.

[0035] The domestic appliance device has two insertion units 14a, 16a. A front face of the domestic appliance in this exemplary embodiment forms two door leaves 42a, 62a which belong to the insertion units 14a, 16a and which serve for insulating the storage space 12a located in the interior and in each case contain a door handle 44a, 64a. Viewed in the direction of installation, a refrigeration appliance door 40a of the domestic appliance device is located below the lower insertion unit 16a. The refrigeration appliance door 40a is fastened at least partially to the appliance body 10a. The refrigeration appliance door 40a may, in particular, be pivotably mounted about an axis located substantially perpendicular to a direction of insertion 18a of the insertion units 14a, 16a and serves for the insulation of the storage space 12a located on the inside.

[0036] The insertion unit 14a is configured identically to the insertion unit 16a. Hereinafter, therefore, only the insertion unit 14a is described.

[0037] The insertion unit 14a may be moved in the direction of insertion 18a relative to the appliance body 10a. Additionally, the insertion unit 14a may be moved in a direction of extension 20a relative to the appliance body 10a. In this case, the insertion unit 14a moves into the storage space 12a and/or out of the storage space 12a. These movements take place at least partially parallel to the direction of insertion 18a and/or direction of extension 20a. The door leaf 42a, on the side of the insertion unit 14a located at the front in the direction of extension 20a, has a door handle 44a which may serve as a gripping surface for an operator. The insertion unit 14a is configured as a drawer.

[0038] The section shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 extends along the cutting plane V shown in FIG. 1, parallel to one of two side surfaces 46a, 48a of the appliance body 10a.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a detail of the appliance body 10a which is partially cut out at the side in order to permit a view into an interior. The insertion unit 14a is located in a partially extended state. The insertion unit 16a is located in a fully inserted state.

[0040] The insertion unit 14a has three side walls 50a, 58a and 60a. The door leaf 42a, the side walls 50a, 58a, 60a and a storage element 66a of the insertion unit 14a form a box which is open at the top and which is provided for storing refrigerated goods. Due to the box-like design, a closed region may be advantageously produced in which refrigerated goods may be securely stored when the insertion unit 14a is moved. Via a seal 78a fastened to the appliance body 10a an effective insulation is achieved when the insertion unit 14a is fully inserted.

[0041] The domestic appliance device contains a coupling unit 80a which couples the insertion unit 14a to the appliance body 10a. The coupling unit 80a has at least one roller rail 22a and at least one roller element 24a cooperating with the roller rail 22a. The coupling unit 80a has at least one guide rail 52a. The guide rail 52a of the coupling unit 80a is fastened to a side wall 50a of the insertion unit 14a. The guide rail 52a may cooperate with a further guide rail, not shown, of the coupling unit 80a fastened to an opposing inner wall of the appliance body 10a. As a result, an improved fit and increased stability of the insertion unit 14a is achieved.

[0042] For the person skilled in the art, an embodiment is also conceivable in which, for example, a step engages in one or both side walls 32a, 34a of the appliance body 10a below and/or above the insertion unit 14a. Alternatively, at least one guide rail belonging to the coupling unit 80a is fastened on a lower face of the insertion unit 14a, the guide rail cooperating with a further guide rail fastened to the appliance body 10a and belonging to the coupling unit 80a. It is also conceivable that a groove of the appliance body 10a receives a convex portion on the side wall 50a of the insertion unit 14a.

[0043] The roller rail 22a is fastened to a lower lateral edge of the insertion unit 14a. When moving the insertion unit 14a, the roller rail 22a moves horizontally across the roller element 24a. In this case, the roller element 24a is brought into rotation. The rotation takes place about a fixed rotational axis 82a. The rotation is produced by a form-locking connection and/or force-locking connection of the roller element 24a and the roller rail 22a. A form-locking connection is one that connects two elements together due to the shape of the elements themselves (e.g. a ball and socket), as opposed to a force-locking connection, which locks the elements together by force external to the elements (e.g. a screw).

[0044] The fastening of the roller element 24a to the appliance body 10a is implemented by a pivot pin element 70a. The pivot pin element 70a is advantageously fixedly connected, in particularly integrally, to the appliance body 10a. FIG. 4 shows the partial region IV identified in FIG. 3 and thus also the pivot pin element 70a in an enlarged scale.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the roller element 24a is configured as a toothed wheel. The roller rail 22a is configured as a toothed rod. The engagement of the teeth of the roller element 24a and the roller rail 22a produces contact without slippage.

[0046] The domestic appliance device contains a cover element 30a which divides the storage space 12a into at least one first partial storage space 36a and at least one second partial storage space 38a. The domestic appliance device contains a further cover element 74a which divides the storage space 12a into at least one second partial storage space 38a and at least one third partial storage space 76a (see FIG. 5).

[0047] The cover element 30a covers the entire surface of a cross-section through the appliance body 10a. The cover element 30a entirely separates the partial storage space 36a which is located above from the partial storage space 38a which is located below. The cover element 30a is free from holes and/or recesses passing through the cover element 30a. This is visible, in particular, in FIG. 3 in a section through the domestic appliance device along the plane III shown in FIG. 5, which extends parallel to the direction of insertion 18a of the insertion unit 14a level with the cover element 30a. The viewing direction of the section shown in FIG. 3 extends from bottom to top viewed in the installation direction.

[0048] The cover element 30a extends from a first side wall 32a of the appliance body 10a to a second side wall 34a of the appliance body 10a opposing the first side wall 32a.

[0049] A part of the roller element 24a protrudes vertically beyond a surface 56a of the cover element 30a. The roller rail 22a cooperates with the part of the roller element 24a protruding from the cover element 30a. The cover element 30a is arranged at least partially upstream of the roller element 24a viewed in the direction of insertion 18a.

[0050] The roller element 24a, relative to the direction of insertion 18a, is arranged in a front half of the appliance body 10a. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the roller element 24a is arranged at the front end of the cover element 30a.

[0051] The cover element 30a has a recess 54a. The roller element 24a is countersunk in this recess 54a. The recess 54a represents an indentation in the cover element 30a. The recess 54a does not form, in particular, an opening passing fully through the cover element 30a. The recess 54a is arranged relative to the direction of insertion 18a in a front half of the appliance body 10a. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the recess 54a is arranged at the front end of the cover element 30a.

[0052] The recess 54a is at least partially covered on the side of the cover element 30a facing the insertion unit 14a by a cap element 72a of the cover element 30a. The cap element 72a may preferably be connected integrally to the cover element 30a. Advantageously, the penetration of dirt into the recess 54a may be prevented at least partially by the cap element 72a. Additionally, an increased stability of the cover element 30a may be achieved.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a section viewed from below through the domestic appliance device along the cutting axis III shown in FIG. 5. The coupling unit 80a has a further roller rail 26a in addition to the roller rail 22a. The roller rail 22a and the further roller rail 26a in each case are fastened to the lateral edges of the lower face of the insertion unit 14a. The coupling unit 80a has a further roller element 28a on the inner side wall 34a of the appliance body 10a, opposing the roller element 24a and the side wall 32a. The further roller element 28a is fastened to the appliance body 10a. The further roller element 28a cooperates with the further roller rail 26a.

[0054] The roller rail 22a extends over the entire depth of the insertion unit 14a. The further roller rail 26a extends over the entire depth of the insertion unit 14a.

[0055] The roller element 24a and the further roller element 28a are mechanically coupled together. The mechanical coupling of the roller element 24a with the further roller element 28a takes place via a connecting element 68a of the coupling unit 80a. The connecting element 68a is configured as a connecting rod.

[0056] The connecting element 68a is located inside the cover element 30a. The connecting element 68a is located entirely in the recess 54a of the cover element 30a. The recess 54a extends over the entire region between the roller element 24a and the further roller element 28a. The connecting element 68a transmits a rotational movement from the roller element 24a to the further roller element 28a and vice versa. The connecting element 68a is rotatably mounted. The connecting element 68a rotates together with the roller element 24a and the further roller element 28a.

[0057] A further exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6. The following descriptions are substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein relative to components, features and functions which remain the same, reference may be made to the description of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5. In order to differentiate between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a in the reference characters of the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 5 is replaced by the letter b in the reference characters of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6. Relative to components which are denoted the same, in particular relative to components with the same reference characters, in principle reference may also be made to the drawings and/or the description of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a vertical section along a cutting plane V of a further exemplary embodiment. A cover element 30b of the domestic appliance device does not fully separate a first partial storage space 36b of a storage space 12b from a second partial storage space 38b of the storage space 12b. In this embodiment, the cover element 30b is configured as a transverse bar, the depth thereof being shorter than a depth of the storage space 12b. A front face of the cover element 30b is at least substantially flush with a front face of an appliance body 10b. The cover element 30b, viewed in a direction of insertion 18b, is arranged upstream of a roller element 24b belonging to a coupling unit 80b, so that the roller element 24b is covered by the cover element 30b at the front.

[0059] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0060] 10 Appliance body [0061] 12 Storage space [0062] 14 Insertion unit [0063] 16 Insertion unit [0064] 18 Direction of insertion [0065] 20 Direction of extension [0066] 22 Roller rail [0067] 24 Roller element [0068] 26 Roller rail [0069] 28 Roller element [0070] 30 Cover element [0071] 32 wall [0072] 34 Side wall [0073] 36 Partial storage space [0074] 38 storage space [0075] 40 Refrigeration appliance door [0076] 42 Door leaf [0077] 44 Door handle [0078] 46 Side surface [0079] 48 Side surface [0080] 50 Side wall [0081] 52 Guide rail [0082] 54 Recess [0083] 56 Surface [0084] 58 Side wall [0085] 60 Side wall [0086] 62 Door leaf [0087] 64 Door handle [0088] 66 Storage element [0089] 68 Connecting element [0090] 70 Pivot pin element [0091] 72 Cap element [0092] 74 Cover element [0093] 76 Partial storage space [0094] 78 Seal [0095] 80 Coupling unit [0096] 82 Rotational axis