Home appliance device

Abstract

For the purpose of improving a protective effect of a home appliance device, in particular a home appliance chiller device, is proposed comprising: a telescopic guiding unit, which is convertible at least from a fully contracted state to a fully extracted state and vice versa, and has at least one stationary guiding element; and comprising a cover unit, which at least mostly covers the stationary guiding element at least in the fully extracted state.

Claims

1. A home appliance device, comprising: a telescopic guiding unit configured to be convertible at least from a fully contracted state to a fully extracted state and vice versa and having at least one stationary guiding element; and a cover unit, which at least mostly covers the stationary guiding element at least in the fully extracted state, the cover unit having a first cover element and a second cover element, which are movably coupled to each other by the guiding unit, the first cover element having a cross section which is at least substantially spiral-shaped.

2. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the first cover element and the second cover element at least partly overlapping in the fully contracted state.

3. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the first cover element and the second cover element at least partly overlapping in the fully extracted state.

4. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the second cover element at least partly enclosing the first cover element from at least one side in the fully contracted state.

5. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the second cover element at least partly engaging into the first cover element from at least one side in the fully contracted state.

6. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the first cover element and the second cover element together at least mostly covering the guiding unit from at least one side in the fully extracted state.

7. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the first cover element enclosing the guiding unit from at least three sides, viewed along an extraction direction of the guiding unit.

8. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the second cover element enclosing the guiding unit from at least one side, viewed along an extraction direction of the guiding unit.

9. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the guiding unit comprising at least one movable guiding element, which is movably coupled to the stationary guiding element, wherein the first cover element is coupled to the stationary guiding element and the second cover element is coupled to the movable guiding element.

10. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the first cover element being configured for coupling with an inner liner and the second cover element being configured for coupling with an insert.

11. The home appliance device according to claim 1, the first cover element having a first wall section, by means of which the first cover element is configured to be coupled to the inner liner, and having a second wall section, by means of which the first cover element is coupled to the guiding unit, wherein the first wall section and the second wall section are arranged opposite each other.

12. The home appliance device according to claim 1, further comprising an insert, which is embodied as a bottle holder and is coupled to the guiding unit.

13. The home appliance device according to claim 1, configured as a home appliance chiller device.

14. A home appliance, in particular a home chiller appliance, comprising at least one home appliance device according to claim 1.

15. The home appliance according to claim 14, configured as a home appliance chiller device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a home appliance comprising a home appliance device according to the invention,

(2) FIG. 2 a portion of the home appliance device, comprising a guiding unit in a contracted state, an insert and a cover unit, in a perspective view,

(3) FIG. 3 a portion of the home appliance device, comprising the guiding unit in an extracted state, the insert and the cover unit, in a perspective view,

(4) FIG. 4 the guiding unit and a portion of the cover unit comprising a first cover element, in a perspective view,

(5) FIG. 5 a portion of the cover unit, comprising a second cover element, in a perspective view,

(6) FIG. 6 a portion of the home appliance device, comprising the cover unit and the guiding unit, in cross-sectional view,

(7) FIGS. 7-9 further embodiments of a home appliance device comprising a cover unit in a schematic cross-sectional view, and

(8) FIG. 10 another embodiment of a home appliance device, comprising a cover unit and a guiding unit, in a cross-sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a home appliance 45a comprising a home appliance device, in a schematic perspective view. The home appliance 45a is embodied as a wine cooler. The home appliance 45a could further be embodied as a refrigerator, a climate cabinet, an ice-box, a freezer and/or a refrigerator-freezer combination.

(10) 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 46a. The home appliance device comprises a housing 48a. The housing 48a is installed upright on the base. The home appliance device comprises an inner liner 36a. The inner liner 36a is arranged inside the housing 48a. The inner liner 36a defines a storage space 50a. The inner liner 36a comprises walls 52a, 54a, 56a, 58a, which delimit the storage space 50a. The inner liner 36a has two lateral walls 52a, or in addition opposite each other. The inner liner 36a has a rear wall 54a. The inner liner 36a has a bottom wall 56a. The inner liner 36a has a top wall 58a, or in addition opposite the bottom wall 56a.

(11) The home appliance device comprises at least one insert 38a. In the present case the home appliance device comprises six inserts 38a. It is conceivable that the home appliance device may comprise a deviating number of inserts 38a as deemed advantageous by someone skilled in the art. The insert 38a is embodied as a bottle holder. The home appliance device may comprise a combination of different embodiments of inserts, for example at least one insert embodied as a shelf and at least one further insert embodied as a bottle holder. For the sake of clarity, in the following only one insert 38a is given a reference numeral and is described in detail. The following description may be transferred to further inserts accordingly.

(12) The insert 38a is configured for depositing bottles. The insert 38a comprises a frame 60a. The insert 38a comprises at least two elongate deposit elements 62a. The deposit elements 62a are fixed to the frame 60a. The deposit elements 62a are arranged offset to each other in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to a main extension direction of the deposit elements 62a. The deposit elements 62a are implemented as slats and/or rods. The deposit elements 62a are made of wood. Alternatively or additionally the insert 38a may comprise a profile which is at least partly shaped corresponding to a contour of a bottle. The insert 38a is coupled to a guiding unit 10a of the home appliance device.

(13) FIG. 2 shows a portion of the home appliance device comprising the guiding unit 10a. In the present case the home appliance device comprises at least two guiding units 10a, in particular for each insert 38a. The home appliance device comprises one guiding unit 10a for each lateral wall 52a of the inner liner 36a and/or for each lateral side of the insert 38a. For the sake of clarity, in the following only one guiding unit 10a is given a reference numeral and is described in detail. The following description can be transferred to further guiding units accordingly.

(14) The guiding unit 10a is a telescopic guiding unit. The guiding unit 10a is configured for extraction and/or contraction of the insert 38a out of and/or into the inner liner 36a. The guiding unit 10a is convertible at least from a fully contracted state to a fully extracted state and vice versa. In FIG. 2 the guiding unit 10a is shown in the fully contracted state. In FIG. 3 the guiding unit 10a is shown in the fully extracted state. The guiding unit 10a may be mechanically fixable in the fully extracted state and/or the fully contracted state. The insert 38a is slidable between the fully contracted ad the fully extracted states by means of the guiding unit 10a. The guiding unit 10a is extractable in an extraction direction 28a. The extraction direction 28a is at least substantially parallel to a main extension of the guiding unit 10a and in particular at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane 46a. The guiding unit 10a is contractible in a contraction direction 29a. The extraction direction 28a and the contraction direction 29a are antiparallel directions. A main extension of the guiding unit 10a in the fully extracted state is longer than a main extension of the guiding unit 10a in the fully contracted state. In the present case the main extension of the guiding unit 10a in the fully extracted state is by at least 95% longer than the main extension of the guiding unit 10a in the fully contracted state.

(15) The guiding unit 10a has at least one stationary guiding element 12a. The stationary guiding element 12a is indirectly coupled to the inner liner 36a. The guiding unit 10a comprises at least one movable guiding element 32a. The movable guiding element 32a is indirectly coupled to the insert. Further, the movable guiding element 32a is movably coupled to the stationary guiding element 12a. The movable guiding element 32a is movable with respect to the stationary guiding element 12a. The guiding unit 10a comprises at least one further movable guiding element 34a. The further movable guiding element 34a couples the movable guiding element 32a to the stationary guiding element 12a. The further movable guiding element 34a is arranged at least partly between the stationary guiding element 12a and the movable guiding element 32a. The guiding elements 12a, 32a, 34a are supported movably with respect to each other by bearing elements 70a. The bearing elements 70a may be implemented as ball bearings. Alternatively, the movable guiding element 32a and the stationary guiding element 12a may in particular be coupled to each other directly. It is conceivable that the home appliance device may comprise a deviating number of guiding elements 12a, 32a, 34a as deemed advantageous by someone skilled in the art.

(16) The home appliance device comprises at least one cover unit 14a. In the present case the home appliance device comprises at least two cover units 14a, in particular one for each guiding unit 10a. For the sake of clarity, in the following only one cover unit 14a is given a reference numeral and is described in detail. The following description can be transferred to further cover units accordingly. The cover unit 14a at least mostly covers the stationary guiding element 12a at least in the fully extracted state.

(17) The cover unit 14a comprises a first cover element 16a. The first cover element 16a is coupled with the inner liner 36a. The first cover element 16a comprises a first wall section 40a. By means of the first wall section 40a, the first cover element 16a is coupled to the inner liner 36a. The first cover element 16a is connected to the lateral wall 52a of the inner liner 36a in a force-fit and/or form-fit manner. Alternatively the first cover element 16a may be implemented integrally with the inner liner 36a, in particular with the lateral wall 52a. The first cover element 16a is coupled to the guiding unit 10a, preferably to the stationary guiding element 12a. The first cover element 16a comprises a second wall section 42a. By means of the second wall section 42a, the first cover element 16a is coupled to the guiding unit 10a. The first wall section 40a and the second wall section 42a are arranged opposite each other. Alternatively, the first cover element 16a may be coupled to the inner liner 36a and the guiding unit 10a by means of only one wall section, in particular the first wall section 40a.

(18) Viewed along the extraction direction 28a, the first cover element 16a covers and/or encloses the guiding unit 10a, in particular the stationary guiding element 12a at least in the fully extracted state, from at least three sides 22a, 24a, 26a, namely a first side 22a, a second side 24a, and a third side 26a (see FIG. 6). The first side 22a is at least substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane 46a. The second side 24a is at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane 46a. The third side 26a is at least substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane 46a. The first side 22a and the third side 26a are situated opposite each other. Additionally or alternatively the first cover element 16a may enclose the guiding unit 10a, in particular the stationary guiding element 12a at least in the fully extracted state, from four sides 20a, 22a, 24a, 26a. In this case the fourth side 20a would in particular be at least substantially parallel to the horizontal plane 46a. Furthermore, the second side 24a and the fourth side 20a would in particular be situated opposite each other. The first cover element 16a has a cross-section which is at least substantially spiral-shaped. The first cover element 16a comprises five consecutive wall sections 40a, 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a. The consecutive wall sections 40a, 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a are straight. The consecutive wall sections 40a, 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a are connected to each other. Respectively two consecutive wall sections 40a, 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a include an angle of 90°. The consecutive wall sections 40a, 41a, 42a, 43a, 44a converge into a center point. The center point is the geometric center point of the first cover element 16a.

(19) FIG. 5 shows a portion of the cover unit 14a which comprises a second cover element 18a in a perspective view. The second cover element 18a and the first cover element 16a are movably coupled to each other by means of the guiding unit 10a (see FIG. 6). The second cover element 18a is configured for coupling with the insert 38a. The second cover element 18a has a first wall section 66a. By means of the first wall section 66a, the second cover element 18a is coupled to the insert 38a. Alternatively the second cover element 18a may be integrally implemented with the insert 38a. The second cover element 18a is coupled to the movable guiding element 32a. The second cover element 18a has a second wall section 64a. By means of the second wall section 64a, the second cover element 18a is coupled to the guiding unit 10a, in particular to the movable guiding element 32a. The first wall section 66a and the second wall section 64a of the second cover element 18a are arranged opposite each other.

(20) Viewed along the extraction direction 28a, the second cover element 18a encloses the guiding unit 10a from at least one side 20a. Additionally or alternatively the first cover element 16a may enclose the guiding unit 10a from three sides 20a, 22a, 26a. The second cover element 18a has a cross-section which is at least substantially u-shaped. The second cover element 18a comprises three consecutive wall sections 64a, 65a, 66a. The consecutive wall sections 64a, 65a, 66a are straight. The consecutive wall sections 64a, 65a, 66a are connected to each other. Respectively two consecutive wall sections 64a, 65a, 66a include an angle of 90°.

(21) The second cover element 18a at least partly engages into the first cover element 16a from at least one side 20a at least in the fully contracted state. The first cover element 16a delimits a receiving region 68a into which the second cover element 18a at least partly extends. The receiving region 68a is delimited at least by the wall sections 40a and 44a of the first cover element 16a. The second wall section 64a of the second cover element 18a extends into the receiving region 68a. Viewed in the extraction direction 28a, the second wall section 64a of the second cover element 18a is arranged in between the wall sections 40a, 44a of the first cover element 16a.

(22) Viewed at least substantially perpendicularly to the extraction direction 28a, the first cover element 16a and the second cover element 18a at least mostly overlap in the fully contracted state (see FIG. 2). Viewed at least substantially perpendicular to the extraction direction 28a, the first cover element 16a and the second cover element 18a at most minorly overlap in the fully extracted state (see FIG. 3). The wall section 64a of the second cover element 18a overlaps with the wall section 44a of the first cover element 16a. The wall section 65a of the second cover element 18a overlaps with the wall section 43a of the first cover element. The wall section 66a of the second cover element 18a overlaps with the wall section 42a of the first cover element 16a. In the fully extracted state, the first cover element 16a and the second cover element 18a together at least mostly cover the guiding unit 10a from the first side 20a.

(23) FIGS. 7 to 10 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 to e in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 10. 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.

(24) FIGS. 7 to 9 show a portion of a further home appliance device comprising a cover unit 14b-d. The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 9 differ from the preceding exemplary embodiment at least substantially by their respective implementations of a first cover element 16b-d and a second cover element 18b-d. The different implementations may in particular be transferred into each other by reflections across the marked axis. In some cases of these embodiments the properties of the first cover element and the second cover element are swapped, such that the second cover element may be configured to be coupled to an inner liner, while the first cover element is configured to be coupled to an insert. Furthermore, in some cases the first cover element 16b-d may be configured to be coupled to a movable guiding element, while the second cover element 18b-d may be configured to be coupled to a stationary guiding element.

(25) FIG. 10 shows a portion of another exemplary embodiment of a home appliance device, comprising a cover unit 14e. The cover unit 14e at least mostly covers a stationary guiding element 12e at least in the fully extracted state. Viewed along an extraction direction 28e, a first cover element 16e covers and/or encloses a guiding unit 10e, in particular the stationary guiding element 12a, at least in the fully extracted state, from at least three sides 22e, 24e, 26e, namely a first side 22e, a second side 24e, and a third side 26e (see FIG. 6). The first side 22e is at least substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane 46e. The second side 24e is at least substantially parallel to a horizontal plane 46e. The third side 26e is at least substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane 46e. The first side 22e and the third side 26e are situated opposite each other.

(26) The first cover element 16e has a cross-section which is at least substantially u-shaped. The first cover element 16e comprises three consecutive wall sections 40e, 41e, 42e. The consecutive wall sections 40e, 41e, 42e are straight. The consecutive wall sections 40e, 41e, 42e are connected to each other. Respectively two consecutive wall sections 40e, 41e, 42e include an angle of 90°.

(27) A second cover element 18e at least partly engages into the first cover element 16e from at least one side 20e, in particular a fourth side 20e, at least in the fully contracted state. The first cover element 16e delimits a receiving region 68e into which the second cover element 18e at least partly extends. The receiving region 68e is delimited at least by the wall sections 40e and 42e of the first cover element 16e. A second wall section 64e of the second cover element 18e extends into the receiving region 68e. Viewed in the extraction direction 28e, the second wall section 64e of the second cover element 18e is arranged in between the wall sections 40e, 42e of the first cover element 16a.

(28) The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention: 10 guiding unit 12 stationary guiding element 14 cover unit 16 first cover element 18 second cover element 20 fourth side 22 first side 24 second side 26 third side 28 extraction direction 29 contraction direction 32 movable guiding element 34 further movable guiding element 36 inner liner 38 insert 40 wall section 41 wall section 42 wall section 43 wall section 44 wall section 45 home appliance 46 horizontal plane 48 housing 50 storage space 52 wall 54 wall 56 wall 58 wall 60 frame 62 deposit element 64 wall section 65 wall section 66 wall section 68 receiving region 70 bearing element