HOME APPLIANCE DEVICE

Abstract

For the purpose of improving usability an emergency door handle configured for opening a home appliance, in particular a handle-less home appliance, in particular a home chiller appliance, is proposed, comprising: at least one handle unit having at least one handle element; and at least one opening unit having at least one protrusion element for transmitting an opening force exerted onto the handle element to a door of the home appliance.

Claims

1. An emergency door handle configured for opening a home appliance, in particular a handle-less home appliance, for example a home chiller appliance, comprising: at least one handle unit having at least one handle element; and at least one opening unit having at least one protrusion element for transmitting an opening force exerted onto the handle element to a door of the home appliance.

2. The emergency door handle according to claim 1, the opening unit featuring at least one support element that is connected to the handle unit, the protrusion element being connected to the support element.

3. The emergency door handle according to claim 2, the protrusion element being oriented inclined with respect to the support element.

4. The emergency door handle according to claim 1, the protrusion element being movable into at least one advancement position, in which the protrusion element is at least partly oriented at least substantially parallel to the support element.

5. The emergency door handle according to claim 2, the support element being plate-shaped.

6. The emergency door handle according to claim 1, the protrusion element being at least partly macroscopically deformable.

7. The emergency door handle according to claim 1, the opening unit featuring at least one spring element for restoring the protrusion element into at least one basic position.

8. The emergency door handle according to claim 1, further comprising a stop unit with at least one stop element arranged between the handle unit and the opening unit, the stop unit defining a maximum advancement length of the opening unit.

9. The emergency door handle according to claim 8, the stop element being arranged perpendicularly to the handle element and/or arranged perpendicularly to the opening unit.

10. The emergency door handle according to claim 1, the handle unit comprising a functional unit which provides at least one additional function, in particular at least one additional kitchen tool function.

11. The emergency door handle according to claim 10, the functional unit and the handle element being at least partly implemented integrally with each other.

12. The emergency door handle according to claim 10, the functional unit being at least partly implemented as a bottle opener.

13. A system comprising at least one handle-less home appliance, for example a home chiller appliance, and at least one emergency door handle according to claim 1.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein the home appliance is a home chiller appliance.

15. A method for opening a door of a home appliance, in at least one emergency case, wherein at least one emergency door handle according to claim 1 is used for opening the door.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the home appliance is a handle-less home appliance.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the home appliance is a home chiller appliance.

18. The method according to claim 15, comprising the step of pushing the emergency door handle into an opening of the home appliance along at least one advancement direction, wherein the at least one protrusion element engages behind at least an edge delimiting the opening, followed by the step of pulling the emergency door handle along a direction opposite to the at least one advancement direction, wherein the door will be opened.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0028] FIG. 1 a system comprising a home appliance and an emergency door handle, in a schematic front view,

[0029] FIG. 2 the emergency door handle in a perspective view,

[0030] FIG. 3 a schematic flow chart of a method for opening a door of the home appliance,

[0031] FIG. 4 a portion of the system, with the emergency door handle located outside the home appliance, in a schematic top view,

[0032] FIG. 5 the portion of the system, with the emergency door handle partly located inside the home appliance, in a schematic top view,

[0033] FIG. 6 a portion of the emergency door handle, including a protrusion element of the emergency door handle in an advancement position, in a schematic top view,

[0034] FIG. 7 a first alternative emergency door handle in a perspective view,

[0035] FIG. 8 the first alternative emergency door handle in a schematic lateral view,

[0036] FIG. 9 the first alternative emergency door handle in an opening position, in a schematic top view,

[0037] FIG. 10 the first alternative emergency door handle in a basic position, in a schematic top view,

[0038] FIG. 11 the first alternative emergency door handle in an advancement position, in a schematic top view,

[0039] FIG. 12 a second alternative emergency door handle in a perspective view, and

[0040] FIG. 13 the second alternative emergency door handle in a schematic top view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a system 40a comprising a home appliance 12a and an emergency door handle 10a in a schematic front view. The home appliance 12a is a handle-less home appliance 12a. The home appliance 12a is a home chiller appliance, in particular a refrigerator. The home appliance 12a comprises a door 26a. In the case shown the home appliance 12a comprises an additional door 42a. The home appliance 12a is a french-door refrigerator. However, it is also conceivable that the home appliance is implemented as a different type of home appliance as mentioned above. The home appliance 12a features an electronic door opening assistant 44a configured for opening the door 26a and/or the door 42a upon a user request.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows the emergency door handle 10a in a perspective view. The emergency door handle 10a is configured for opening the home appliance 12a. The emergency door handle 10a comprises a handle unit 14a having at least one handle element 16a. Furthermore, the emergency door handle 10a comprises an opening unit 18a having at least one protrusion element 20a for transmitting an opening force exerted onto the handle element 16a to the door 26a of the home appliance 12a.

[0043] In the case shown the opening unit 18a comprises three protrusion elements 20a, 22a, 24a. The protrusion elements 20a, 22a, 24a are oriented on one axis. The protrusion elements 20a, 22a, 24a are embodied identically.

[0044] The emergency door handle 10a defines at least one advancement direction 48a in which the emergency door handle 10a is to be moved towards and/or into the home appliance 12a prior to opening it.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow chart of a method for opening the door 26a of the home appliance 12a. The method is further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows a portion of the system 40a with the emergency door handle 10a located outside the home appliance 12a, in a schematic top view. FIG. 5 shows the portion of the system 40a with the emergency door handle 10a partly located inside the home appliance 12a, in a schematic top view. In FIG. 5 the emergency door handle 10a is shown in an opening position.

[0046] In an emergency case, for instance in case of a power breakdown, wherein the door opening assistant 44a is in particular without power and thus does not open the door 26a and/or the door 42a upon a user request, the emergency door handle 10a is brought into the opening position in a first method step 50a by moving the emergency door handle 10a in the advancement direction 48a towards the home appliance 12a. In the case shown the emergency door handle 10a is introduced into the home appliance 12a between the doors 26a, 42a of the home appliance 12a. When the emergency door handle 10a has been brought into the opening position, the door 26a is opened in a second method step 52a. A user can open the door 26a at least partly by exerting a pulling force onto the handle element 16a. Once the door 26a is partly open, the user can grab the door 26a on a lateral side and/or on an inside in order to completely open it. Alternatively, the user can completely open the door 26a using the emergency door handle 10a. During opening, the pulling force is transmitted to the door 26a by the protrusion element 20a. During opening, the protrusion element 20a is hooked into the door 26a. In a similar fashion it is conceivable that the additional door 42a is at least partly opened. It is further conceivable that both doors 26a, 42a are at least partly opened.

[0047] It is also conceivable that an emergency door handle is introduced into a home appliance between a door and a housing of the home appliance, in particular if the home appliance features a single door. Furthermore, it is conceivable that an emergency door handle is hooked into or interlocked with a lateral side of a door of a home appliance for opening the door instead of being introduced into the home appliance.

[0048] The handle element 16a is plate-shaped. The handle element 16a is made of plastic. The handle element 16a features a gripping opening 46a. The gripping opening 46a has an extension of approximately 10 cm in a height direction 64a that is perpendicular to the advancement direction 48a. The handle element 16a implements a handle that can be grabbed by a user with one hand. However, other dimensions of a handle element and other elements of an emergency door handle are conceivable. For instance, a handle element can be configured for being grabbed with one or two fingers only and accordingly may be of smaller size.

[0049] The handle element 16a features a gripping surface 54a, which is oriented at least substantially perpendicularly to the advancement direction 48a. The gripping surface 54a faces in the advancement direction 48a. When a user exerts a pulling force onto the emergency door handle 10a, a force is exerted onto the gripping surface 54a.

[0050] The opening unit 18a features a support element 28a that is connected to the handle unit 14a. The protrusion element 20a is connected to the support element 28a. The support element 28a is plate-shaped. The support element 28a is implemented integrally with the handle element 16a. The support element 28a is made of plastic. The protrusion element 20a is implemented integrally with the support element 28a. The protrusion element 20a is made of plastic.

[0051] The protrusion element 20a is oriented inclined with respect to the support element 28a. The protrusion element 20a is inclined rearwards with respect to the advancement direction 48a.

[0052] The protrusion element 20a is movable into at least one advancement position, in which the protrusion element 20a is at least partly oriented at least substantially parallel to the support element 28a. A portion of the emergency door handle 10a including the protrusion element 20a in the advancement position is shown in FIG. 6 in a schematic top view. The support element 28a features a receiving recess 56a in which the protrusion element 20a is at least partly located in the advancement position. The receiving recess 56a is implemented as an opening. In the advancement position the protrusion element 20a can be slid into the home appliance 12a.

[0053] The protrusion element 20a is at least partly macroscopically deformable. In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 the protrusion element 20a is shown in a basic position. The protrusion element 20a is bendable, in particular bendable from the basic position into the advancement position.

[0054] The opening unit 18a features a spring element 30a for restoring the protrusion element 20a into the basic position. In the case shown the spring element 30a is a portion of the protrusion element 20a. The spring element 30a is connected to the support element 28a. The spring element 30a is implemented integrally with the protrusion element 20a and with the support element 28a. The spring element 30a is configured for generating a restoring force when the protrusion element 20a is in the advancement position. When the protrusion element 20a has been introduced into the home appliance 12a, the spring element 30a restores the basic position of the protrusion element 20a. Hence, the protrusion element 20a is hooked to the door 26a when a user pulls on the handle unit 14a.

[0055] The emergency door handle 10a features a stop unit 32a with a stop element 34a. The stop element 34a is arranged between the handle unit 14a and the opening unit 18a. The stop element 34a is integrated integrally with the handle element 16a. The stop element 34a is integrated integrally with the support element 28a. The stop unit 32a defines a maximum advancement length 36a of the opening unit 18a. The maximum advancement length 36a is a distance between a foremost point of the support element 28a and the stop element 34a. The maximum advancement length 36a is equal to a maximum distance by which the support element 28a can be slid into the home appliance 12a.

[0056] The stop element 34a is arranged perpendicularly to the handle element 16a. The stop unit 32a features an additional stop element 35a which is implemented mirror-symmetrically to the stop element 34a.

[0057] FIGS. 7 to 13 show further exemplary embodiments of the invention. The following description is substantially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein regarding structural elements, features and functions that remain the same the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, may be referred to. For distinguishing the exemplary embodiments, the letter a of the reference numerals in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 has been substituted by the letters b and c in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 13. Regarding structural elements having the same denomination, in particular regarding structural elements having the same reference numerals, principally the drawing and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, may be referred to.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows a first alternative emergency door handle 10b in a perspective view. FIG. 8 shows the first alternative emergency door handle 10b in a schematic lateral view. The first alternative emergency door handle 10b is configured for opening a home appliance. The home appliance is not shown. The first alternative emergency door handle 10b comprises a handle unit 14b having a handle element 16b and an opening unit 18b with a protrusion element 20b for transmitting an opening force exerted onto the handle element 16b to a door of the home appliance.

[0059] The opening unit 18b features a support element 28b that is connected to the handle unit 14b. The protrusion element 20b is connected to the support element 28b.

[0060] FIG. 9 shows the first alternative emergency door handle 10b in an opening position, in a schematic top view. FIG. 10 shows the first alternative emergency door handle 10b in a basic position, in a schematic top view. FIG. 11 shows the first alternative emergency door handle 10b in an advancement position, in a schematic top view.

[0061] In the basic position the protrusion element 20b is oriented inclined with respect to the support element 28b. The protrusion element 20b is movable into an advancement position. In the advancement position the protrusion element 20b is oriented at least substantially parallel to the support element 28b. The protrusion element 20b is pivot-mounted to the support element 28b. The protrusion element 20b is supported pivotally about a pivot axis 58b.

[0062] The opening unit 18b features a spring element 30b for restoring the protrusion element 20b into the basic position. The spring element 30b is mounted to the support element 28b. The spring element 30b is pivot-mounted to the support element 28b. The spring element 30b counteracts a force pushing the protrusion element 20b into the advancement position, for instance exerted by the door of the home appliance onto the protrusion element 20b when introducing the opening unit 18b into the home appliance. The support element 28b features a receiving recess 56b in which the spring element 30b is partly located. The receiving recess 56b is implemented as an opening. In the advancement position the spring element 30b and the protrusion element 20b are partly located in the receiving recess 56b.

[0063] The handle unit 14b comprises a functional unit 38b which provides an additional function. In the case shown the additional function is a kitchen tool function, in particular a bottle opener function. The functional unit 38b is at least partly implemented as a bottle opener. The functional unit 38b and the handle element 16b are at least partly implemented integrally with each other. In the case shown the handle element 16b implements the functional unit 38b.

[0064] In addition, the functional unit 38b is magnetic. The functional unit 38b is configured for connecting the first alternative emergency handle element 10b to a metal surface of the door of the home appliance.

[0065] The support element 28b is made of plastic. The handle element 16b is made of metal. The handle element 16b is at least partly inserted in the support element 28b. Furthermore, a magnet 60b is inserted in the support element 28b rendering the handle element 16b magnetic. The handle element 16b features a gripping opening 46b, which implements the bottle opener function.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows a second alternative emergency door handle 10c in a perspective view. FIG. 13 shows the second alternative emergency door handle 10c in a perspective top view. The second alternative emergency door handle 10c is configured for opening a home appliance. The home appliance is not shown. The second alternative emergency door handle 10c comprises a handle unit 14c having a handle element 16v and an opening unit 18c having a protrusion element 20c for transmitting an opening force exerted onto the handle element 16c to a door of the home appliance.

[0067] The opening unit 18c features a support element 28c that is connected to the handle unit 14c. The support element 28c is plate-shaped. The handle element 16c is implemented integrally with the support element 28c. The protrusion element 20c is connected to the support element 28c. The protrusion element 20c is oriented inclined with respect to the support element 28c. The protrusion element 20c is arranged at a tip 62c of the support element 28c.

[0068] The protrusion element 20c is movable into an advancement position in which the protrusion element 20c is at least partly oriented at least substantially parallel to the support element 28c. The protrusion element 20c is partly macroscopically deformable. The protrusion element 20c is bendable towards the support element 28c.

[0069] The protrusion element 20c implements a spring element 30c which is configured for restoring the protrusion element 20c into at least one basic position. The protrusion element 20c is implemented integrally with the spring element 30c.

[0070] The support element 28c is made of plastic. The protrusion element 20c is made of plastic. The protrusion element 20c is at least partly made of a soft plastic, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer. The protrusion element 20c is at least partly made of a different plastic than the support element 28c. During manufacturing of the opening unit 18c, the support element 28c and the protrusion element 20c are fabricated in one common step, for instance using injection molding of two different plastic materials and/or co-extrusion.

[0071] The opening unit 18c features an additional protrusion element 22c. The additional protrusion element 22c is arranged opposite the protrusion element 20c. The additional protrusion element 22c is implemented mirror-symmetrically to the protrusion element 20c. Except for being implemented back-to-front, the additional protrusion element 22c is embodied identically to the protrusion element 20c. The protrusion element 20c and the additional protrusion element 22c form an arrowhead-shape together with the support element 28c.

[0072] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: [0073] 10 emergency door handle [0074] 12 home appliance [0075] 14 handle unit [0076] 16 handle element [0077] 18 opening unit [0078] 20 protrusion element [0079] 22 protrusion element [0080] 24 protrusion element [0081] 26 door [0082] 28 support element [0083] 30 spring element [0084] 32 stop unit [0085] 34 stop element [0086] 35 stop element [0087] 36 maximum advancement length [0088] 38 functional unit [0089] 40 system [0090] 42 door [0091] 44 door opening assistant [0092] 46 gripping opening [0093] 48 advancement direction [0094] 50 method step [0095] 52 method step [0096] 54 gripping surface [0097] 56 receiving recess [0098] 58 pivot axis [0099] 60 magnet [0100] 62 tip [0101] 64 height direction