HOME APPLIANCE DEVICE WITH A DOOR RACK CONTAINER AND HOME APPLIANCE INCLUDING THE HOME APPLIANCE DEVICE

Abstract

A home appliance device, in particular a home appliance chiller device, with improved efficiency, includes a door rack container having an access opening and a pivot unit which is pivotably coupled to the door rack container about a pivot axis. The pivot unit includes a container door for closing the access opening and a receptacle coupled to the container door for storing products. The receptacle includes an extension which is at least substantially parallel to a main extension plane of the access opening and at least substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis. The extension of the receptacle is at least 5% shorter than a corresponding extension of the container door in a closed state of the container door. A home appliance, in particular a home chiller appliance, including a home appliance device, is also provided.

Claims

1. A home appliance device or home appliance chiller device, comprising: a door rack container having an access opening defining a main extension plane; a pivot unit being pivotably coupled to said door rack container about a pivot axis, said pivot unit including a container door for closing said access opening and a receptacle coupled to said container door for storing products, said container door having an extension; said receptacle having an extension being at least substantially parallel to said main extension plane and at least substantially perpendicular to said pivot axis; and said extension of said receptacle being at least 5% shorter than said extension of said container door in a closed state of said container door.

2. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said pivot axis is horizontally disposed in an installation position.

3. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said door rack container has a lower portion, and said pivot axis is disposed at said lower portion of said door rack container in an installation position.

4. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said pivot unit has an at least substantially L-shaped contour along a direction of said pivot axis.

5. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said door rack container has an upper portion, said container door has a door section being at least substantially flush with said upper portion of said door rack container, and said door section forms a handle.

6. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said receptacle is disposed at least mostly inside said door rack container in said closed state of said container door.

7. The home appliance device according to claim 1, which further comprises: a bearing unit configured to pivotably couple said pivot unit to said door rack container; said bearing unit including a first bearing element coupled to said pivot unit and a second bearing element coupled to said door rack container; said first bearing element and said second bearing element being detachable from each other by moving said container door relative to said door rack container in a direction at least substantially parallel to said main extension plane of said access opening.

8. The home appliance device according to claim 1, which further comprises a closure unit configured for at least one of supporting a closing operation of said pivot unit or securing said pivot unit in a closed state.

9. The home appliance device according to claim 8, wherein said closure unit includes a counterweight being coupled to said receptacle for adjusting a center of mass of said pivot unit relative to said pivot axis.

10. The home appliance device according to claim 9, wherein said counterweight is disposed opposite to said container door.

11. The home appliance device according to claim 8, wherein said closure unit includes a first closing element connected to said door rack container and a corresponding second closing element connected to said container door, said first and second closing elements interacting with one another for at least one of supporting a closing operation of said container door or securing said container door in said closed state.

12. The home appliance device according to claim 11, wherein said first closing element and said second closing element are at least partly made of a magnetic material.

13. The home appliance device according to claim 1, which further comprises a damping unit for damping a pivot movement of said pivot unit during at least one of an opening or closing operation of said container door.

14. The home appliance device according to claim 13, wherein said damping unit includes a damping element for damping a pivot movement of said container door during said closing operation of said container door.

15. The home appliance device according to claim 13, wherein said damping unit includes a further damping element for damping a pivot movement of said receptacle during said opening operation of said container door.

16. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said pivot unit is at least partly translucent.

17. The home appliance device according to claim 1, wherein said door rack container includes a guiding element for centering said container door relative to said access opening.

18. The home appliance device according to claim 1, which further comprises a coupling unit configured for coupling said door rack container to a home appliance door, said coupling unit including an at least partly deformable coupling element supporting said door rack container relative to the home appliance door.

19. A home appliance or home chiller appliance, comprising a home appliance device according to claim 1.

Description

[0031] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a home appliance including a home appliance device;

[0033] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing a portion of the home appliance device, including a door rack bin in an opened state and a closed state;

[0034] FIGS. 3A-3B are cross-sectional views showing a portion of the home appliance device, including the door rack bin in an opened state and a closed state;

[0035] FIGS. 4A-4C are cross-sectional views showing a disassembly of a receptacle and a pivot unit of the door rack bin;

[0036] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view showing a portion of the home appliance device, including a coupling unit;

[0037] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view showing a portion of the home appliance device, including a closing unit and a damping unit;

[0038] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view showing a portion of the home appliance device, including a closing unit; and

[0039] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view showing a portion of the home appliance device, including a damping unit and a guiding element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a perspective view of a home appliance 66 which includes a home appliance device. The home appliance 66 is embodied as a refrigerator. The home appliance 66 could also be embodied as a freezer, a refrigerator-freezer combination, a climate cabinet, an ice-box and/or a wine cooler. In FIG. 1 the home appliance device is shown in an installation position. The home appliance device is installed on a base. The base defines a horizontal plane 68. The home appliance device includes a housing 70. The housing 70 is installed upright on the base. The home appliance device includes a home appliance door 62. The home appliance door 62 is configured for closing the housing 70 in at least one operation state. The home appliance door 62 includes an inner surface 72. The inner surface 72 of the home appliance door 62 faces an inside of the housing 70 in a closed state of the home appliance door 62. In FIG. 1 the home appliance device is shown in an opened state of the home appliance door 62.

[0041] The home appliance device includes at least one door rack bin 8. The door rack bin is disposed at the home appliance door 62. In the present case the home appliance device includes two door rack bins 8. The door rack bins 8 are positioned side-by side. Alternatively or additionally the door rack bins 8 may be positioned one below the other. It is conceivable that the home appliance device may include a deviating number of door rack bins 8 as deemed advantageous by someone skilled in the art. Further, in the present case the door rack bins 8 are embodied at least substantially identical. It is conceivable that the home appliance device preferably includes a combination of different embodiments of door rack bins 8. For the sake of clarity, in the following only one door rack bin 8 is given a reference numeral and is described in detail. The following description may be transferred to further door rack bins accordingly.

[0042] FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS. 3A-2B show the door rack bin 8 in an opened state and a closed state respectively. The door rack bin 8 includes a door rack container 10. The door rack container 10 includes five walls 80, 82, 84, 86 in particular a top wall 80, a bottom wall 82, a back wall 84 and two lateral walls 86. The top wall 80 is at least substantially parallel to the bottom wall 82. The bottom wall 82, the back wall 84 and at least one of the lateral walls 86 are at least substantially perpendicular to one another. The walls 80, 82, 84, 86 are at least substantially translucent. The walls 80, 82, 84, 86 may in particular be made of plastic. The bottom wall 82, the back wall 84 and the lateral walls 86 may in particular be implemented integrally or in one piece. The door rack container 10 includes a frame 88. The frame 88 connects the lateral walls 86 and the back wall 84 to the top wall 80. The frame 88 connects the walls 80, 82, 84, 86 in a form-locking and/or force-locking manner. Alternatively or additionally the frame 88 may connect the walls 80, 82, 84, 86 through substance-to-substance bonding, preferably by adhesive bonding. The frame 88 is made of an opaque material. The frame 88 is made of metal, preferably aluminum. The door rack container 10 includes a receiving space 78. The five walls 80, 82, 84, 86 delimit the receiving space 78. The door rack container 10 has an access opening 12. The access opening 12 is situated opposite the back wall 84. The receiving space 78 is accessible by using the access opening 12. The access opening 12 has a main extension plane 24, which is oriented at least substantially parallel to a main extension plane 74 of the home appliance door 62.

[0043] The door rack bin 8 includes a pivot unit 14. The pivot unit 14 includes a container door 18. The container door 18 closes the access opening 12 in at least one operation state. The container door 18 includes a base body 98. The base body 98 is mostly at least substantially translucent. The base body 98 is made of an at least substantially translucent material, in particular plastic. The container door 18 has a door section 32. The door section 32 is flush with an upper section of the door rack container 10. The upper section of the door rack container 10 is defined by the frame 88. In particular when viewed in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12, the door section 32 and the upper portion of the door rack container 10 overlap with each other. The door section 32 forms a handle 36. The handle 36 has an at least substantially triangle-shaped cross-section. The door section 32, in particular the handle 36, is made of a different material than the base body 98 of the container door 18. The door section 32, in particular the handle 36, is made of the same material as the frame 88 and preferably of an opaque material, in particular metal and advantageously aluminum.

[0044] The pivot unit 14 includes a receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 is configured for storage of products, preferably medicines and/or victuals. In the closed state of the container door 18 the receptacle 20 is disposed at least mostly in the door rack container 10, in particular inside the receiving space 78. The receptacle 20 includes five walls 100, 102, 104, 106, namely in particular a back wall 100, a bottom wall 102, a front wall 104 and two lateral walls 106. At least the bottom wall 102, the back wall 100 and at least one of the lateral walls 106 are disposed at least substantially perpendicular to one another. The receptacle 20 includes a storage space 108. The storage space 108 is delimited by the walls 100, 102, 104, 106 of the receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 includes a storage opening 110 for storing products inside the storage space 108. In a closed state of the container door 18, a main extension plane of the storage opening 110 is in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12 of the door rack container 10 and/or the main extension plane 74 of the home appliance door 62. The receptacle 20 is coupled to the container door 18. The container door 18 and the receptacle 20 of the pivot unit 14 are coupled in such a way that a movement of either one of the receptacle 20 and the container door 18 results in a movement of both the container door 18 and the receptacle 20. The receptacle 20 is coupled to the container door 18 through the front wall 104. The front wall 104 is implemented integrally with the container door 18, in particular the base body 98. Alternatively the receptacle 20 and the container door 18 are connected to each other in a form-locking and/or force-locking manner.

[0045] The receptacle 20 has an extension 22. The extension 22 of the receptacle 20 is at least substantially parallel to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12. The extension 22 of the receptacle 20 is at least substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis 16. The extension 22 is a main extension of the receptacle 20, in particular of the back wall 100 of the receptacle 20. The container door 18 has a corresponding extension 26, which corresponds to the extension 22 of the receptacle 20. The corresponding extension 26 of the receptacle container door 18 is at least substantially parallel to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12. The corresponding extension 26 of the container door 18 is at least substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis 16. The corresponding extension 26 is defined by a main extension of the container door 18. The extension 22 of the receptacle 20 is at least 5% shorter than the corresponding extension 26 of the container door 18 in a closed state of the container door 18.

[0046] The pivot unit 14 is pivotable around the pivot axis 16 with respect to the door rack container 10. The pivot unit 14 has an at least substantially L-shaped contour 30 when viewed in a direction of the pivot axis 16. The pivot axis 16 is horizontally disposed in an installation position. The pivot axis 16 is oriented at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane 68 onto which the home appliance device is installed. The pivot axis 16 is at least substantially parallel to the main extension plane 74 of the home appliance door 62. The pivot axis 16 is disposed at a lower portion 28 of the door rack container 10, in particular in a vicinity of the bottom wall 82 of the door rack container 10 in an installation position. The home appliance device includes a bearing unit 38 for pivotably coupling the pivot unit 14 to the door rack container 10. The bearing unit 38 defines the pivot axis 16.

[0047] FIGS. 4A-4C show the bearing unit 38 in a cross-sectional view. The bearing unit 38 includes a first bearing element 40. The first bearing element 40 is coupled to the pivot unit 14. The first bearing element 40 is implemented integrally with the pivot unit 14. The first bearing element 40 is implemented as a rod and/or pin. The bearing unit 38 includes a second bearing element 42. The second bearing element 42 is coupled to the door rack container 10. The second bearing element 42 is implemented integrally with the door rack container 10. The second bearing element 42 is implemented as a slotted link. The first bearing element 40 and the second bearing element 42 are detachable from each other by moving the container door 18 with respect to the door rack container 10 in a direction at least substantially parallel to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12 and/or by moving the container door 18 with respect to the door rack container 10 in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12. The second bearing element 42 is at least substantially hook-shaped. The second bearing element 42 includes an L-shaped progression. The second bearing element 42 has a main extension which is at least substantially parallel to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12. The second bearing element 42 includes an opening, in particular for pulling the first bearing element 40 out of the second bearing element 42, which opens substantially in a direction of the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12.

[0048] FIGS. 4A-4C show disassembly of the door rack bin 8 by using the bearing unit 38. The door rack bin 8 can be disassembled by moving the pivot unit 14 in a direction which is at least substantially parallel to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12. In particular, the door rack bin 8 can be consecutively disassembled by moving the pivot unit 14 in a direction which is at least substantially perpendicular to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12. An assembly of the door rack bin 8 takes place in the order opposite to the one described above.

[0049] The home appliance device further includes a coupling unit 60 (see FIGS. 3A-3B and 5). Through the use of the coupling unit 60, the door rack bin 8, in particular the door rack container 10, is releasably coupled to the home appliance door 62. The door rack container 10 is coupled to the inner surface 72 of the home appliance door 62. The door rack container 10 is disposed in such a way that a main extension plane 76 of the door rack container 10, in particular of the back wall 84 of the door rack container 10, is oriented at least substantially parallel to the main extension 74 of the home appliance door 62.

[0050] The coupling unit 60 is implemented at least partly integrally with the door rack container 10. The coupling unit 60 includes a mounting element 90. The mounting element 90 is connected to the door rack container 10, in particular to the frame 88. The mounting element 90 is implemented integrally with the door rack container 10, in particular the frame 88. Alternatively the mounting element 90 may be connected to and in particular implemented integrally with the back wall 84 of the door rack container 10. The mounting element 90 is implemented as a hook. The coupling unit 60 is at least partly implemented integrally with the home appliance door 62. The coupling unit 60 includes a corresponding mounting element 92. The corresponding mounting element 92 is connected to the home appliance door 62 (see FIG. 1). The corresponding mounting element 92 may be implemented integrally with the home appliance door 62. The corresponding mounting element 92 is at least substantially shaped corresponding to the mounting element 90. The mounting element 90 and the corresponding mounting element 92 are connected in a form-locking manner. Alternatively or additionally the mounting element 90 and the corresponding mounting element 92 may be connected in a force-locking manner and/or through substance-to-substance bonding, preferably by adhesive bonding. It is also conceivable that the door rack container 10 may be connected to the home appliance door 62 through substance-to-substance bonding, preferably by adhesive bonding, wherein preferably a coupling unit 60 may be redundant or may be dispensed with.

[0051] The coupling unit 60 includes an at least partly deformable coupling element 64. The coupling element 64 is shown in FIG. 5. The coupling element 64 supports the door rack container 10 with respect to the home appliance door 64. In an installation position the coupling element 64 is pressed against the inner surface 72 of the home appliance door 62 by the weight of the door rack bin 8. The coupling element 64 is at least partly implemented integrally with the door rack container 10, in particular the back wall 84 of the door rack container 10. The coupling element 64 includes a corbel 94. The corbel 94 is embodied by a protrusion of the door rack container 10, in particular of the back wall 84 of the door rack container 10. The coupling element 64 includes a deformable element 96. The deformable element 96 is implemented as a silicone plug.

[0052] The home appliance device further includes a closure unit 44. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 each show a portion of the closure unit 44 in a cross-sectional view. The closure unit 44 is configured for supporting a closing operation of the pivot unit 14. Further the closure unit 44 is configured for securing the pivot unit 14 in a closed state. The closure unit 44 includes a counterweight 46 (see FIG. 5). Through the use of the counterweight 46 a center of mass of the pivot unit 14 can be adjusted with respect to the pivot axis 16. The counterweight 46 is disposed opposite the container door 18. The counterweight 46 is coupled to the receptacle 20, in particular the back wall 100 of the receptacle 20. The counter weight 46 is connected to the receptacle in a form-locking and/or force-locking manner (see FIG. 5). The counterweight 46 includes a form-locking element 112, in particular at a lower end of the counterweight 46. The form-locking element 112 is embodied as a groove. The receptacle 20 includes a corresponding form-locking element 114. The corresponding form-locking element 114 is disposed at the bottom wall 102 of the receptacle 20. The corresponding form-locking element 114 is implemented as a tongue. The form-locking element 112 and the corresponding form-locking element 114 interconnect in a form-locking manner. The form-locking element 112 and the corresponding form-locking element 114 form a tongue-and-groove connection. Furthermore, the counterweight 46 is connected to the back wall 100 of the receptacle 20 in a force-locking and form-locking manner, in particular by a bolt connection and/or screw connection (see FIG. 6). The counterweight 46 is connected to the back wall 100 in the form of a sandwich composite. The receptacle 20 includes a back plate 116. The back plate 116 is used as a base for the bolt and/or screw connection. The back wall 100 of the receptacle 20 is disposed between the back plate 116 and the counter weight 46 when they are connected by the bolt and/or screw connection. The counterweight 46 is at least partly made of metal, e.g. zinc, aluminum, magnesium and/or copper and/or preferably of a metal alloy of those metals, advantageously Zamak. It is conceivable that the counterweight 46 may be made of any other material deemed advantageous by someone skilled in the art. The counterweight 46 extends over at least 50% of a surface area of the back wall 100. The weight of the counterweight 46 amounts to at least 40% of a weight of the pivot unit.

[0053] The closure unit 44 includes a first closing element 48 (see FIG. 7). The first closing element 48 is connected to the door rack container 10. The first closing element 48 is located in a vicinity of the access opening 12. The first closing element 48 is disposed inside the frame 88 of the door rack container 10. The frame 88 includes a cavity 118. The first closing element 48 is disposed inside the cavity 118. The closure unit 44 includes a corresponding second closing element 50. The second closing element 50 is connected to the container door 18, in particular at the door section 32. The second closing element 50 faces the access opening 12 in the closed state of the container door 18. The second closing element 50 is connected to the container door 18 in a force-locking and/or form-locking manner. The second closing element 50 is implemented as a screw. The second closing element 50 at least partly protrudes out of a surface of the container door 18 and forms a protrusion 122. The door rack container 10, in particular the frame 88, includes a recess 120 which corresponds to the protrusion 122 of the second closing element 50. The recess 120 is disposed in a vicinity of the first closing element 48. In a closed state of the container door 18, the recess 120 and the protrusion 122 create a form-locking connection. The first closing element 48 and the second closing element 50 interact with one another for supporting a closing operation of the container door 18. The first closing element 48 and the second closing element 50 interact with one another for securing the container door 18 in the closed state. The first closing element 48 and the second closing element 50 are at least partly made of a magnetic material, in particular a ferromagnetic material. The second closing element 50 and the first closing element 48 are, regardless of an operating state, always spaced apart from each other and preferably do not touch.

[0054] The home appliance device further includes a damping unit 52. FIGS. 6 and 8 each show a portion of the damping unit 52 in a cross-sectional view. During an opening and/or closing operation of the container door 18 the damping unit 52 damps a pivot movement of the pivot unit 14. The damping unit 52 includes a damping element 54 (see FIG. 8). During a closing operation of the container door 18 the damping element 54 damps a pivot movement of the container door 18. The damping element 54 is connected to the door rack container 10. The damping element 54 is located at least at one of the lateral walls 86 of the door rack container 10. The damping element 54 is at least partly deformable. In the present case the damping element 54 is implemented as an elastic piston. The damping element 54 may in particular be made at least partly of an elastic material or a spring.

[0055] The damping unit 52 includes a further damping element 56 (see FIG. 6). During an opening operation of the container door 18 the further damping element 56 damps a pivot movement of the receptacle 20. The further damping element 56 is connected to the frame 88, in particular to a side of the frame 88 which faces the inside of the door rack container 10. The further damping element 56 is in particular embodied as a silicone plug. The home appliance device includes a stopping element 124. The stopping element 124 strikes against the further damping element 56 when the container door 18 is opened. The stopping element 124 has an at least substantially triangular cross-section. The stopping element 124 is implemented integrally with the counterweight 46.

[0056] The door rack container 10 includes a guiding element 58 (see FIG. 8). The guiding element 58 centers the container door 18 with respect to the access opening 12. The guiding element 58 is implemented integrally with the door rack container 10, particularly the lateral wall 86 of the door rack container 10. The guiding element 58 is implemented as a ledge. A main extension of the guiding element 58 runs at least substantially parallel to the main extension plane 24 of the access opening 12. The container door 18 includes a corresponding guiding element 126. The corresponding guiding element 126 is embodied by a curved portion of the base body 98 of the container door 18. In a closed state of the container door, the guiding element 58 and the corresponding guiding element 126 align and close the door rack container 10 preferably airtightly.