FASTENING DEVICE, ASSEMBLY ARRANGEMENT AND DOMESTIC APPLIANCE

Abstract

A fastening device for fastening a masking plate to an assembly strip of a household appliance includes a base body, an eccentric body receivable in a receiving section of the base body, and a hinge section designed to connect the eccentric body with the base body and to enable the eccentric body to be folded from an initial state, in which the eccentric body is arranged outside of the receiving section, into an end state, in which the eccentric body is received in the receiving section.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A fastening device for fastening a masking plate to an assembly strip of a household appliance, said fastening device comprising: a base body; an eccentric body receivable in a receiving section of the base body; and a hinge section designed to connect the eccentric body with the base body and to enable the eccentric body to be folded from an initial state, in which the eccentric body is arranged outside of the receiving section, into an end state, in which the eccentric body is received in the receiving section.

17. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the eccentric body is located in the end state in a zero position and rotatable out of the zero position into any angular position, said hinge section shearing off from the zero position when the eccentric body is rotated out.

18. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the base body includes a suspension section for suspending the fastening device in an assembly aperture on the assembly strip.

19. The fastening device of claim 18, wherein the base body includes a locking section for engaging the fastening device in the assembly aperture.

20. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the fastening device is a singlepiece.

21. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the fastening device is an integral, plastic component.

22. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the base body includes resiliently deformable snap-fit arms, which are designed to snap fit into the masking plate in a form-fit manner.

23. The fastening device of claim 22, wherein the snap-fit arms are connected to one another via a resiliently deformable spring section.

24. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the base body has a height position section for positioning the fastening device on the masking plate, with the height position section designed to engage in a form-fit manner in cut-outs on the masking plate.

25. The fastening device of claim 16, wherein the eccentric body includes an engaging section designed to engage in a form-fit manner into the receiving section.

26. The fastening device of claim 25, wherein the engaging section includes a tool cut-out, in which a tool for rotating the eccentric body is receivable.

27. The fastening device of claim 25, wherein the eccentric body includes a cylindrical eccentric section which is connected eccentrically with the engaging section.

28. The fastening device of claim 27, wherein the eccentric section includes a tool cut-out, in which a tool for rotating the eccentric body is receivable.

29. An assembly arrangement for a household appliance, said assembly arrangement comprising: an assembly strip; and a fastening device designed for fastening to the assembly strip and comprising a base body, an eccentric body receivable in a receiving section of the base body, and a hinge section designed to connect the eccentric body with the base body and to enable the eccentric body to be folded from an initial state, in which the eccentric body is arranged outside of the receiving section, into an end state, in which the eccentric body is received in the receiving section, said fastening device being transferred into the end state and moving in a linear manner with respect to the assembly strip when the eccentric body is rotated relative to the base body.

30. The assembly arrangement of claim 28, further comprising a masking plate connected to the assembly strip by the fastening device.

31. A household appliance, comprising: a fastening device for fastening a masking plate to an assembly strip of the household appliance, said fastening device comprising a base body, an eccentric body receivable in a receiving section of the base body, and a hinge section designed to connect the eccentric body with the base body and to enable the eccentric body to be folded from an initial state, in which the eccentric body is arranged outside of the receiving section, into an end state, in which the eccentric body is received in the receiving section; and/or an assembly arrangement as set forth in claim 29.

Description

[0037] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the fastening device, the assembly arrangement and/or the household appliance form the subject matter of the subclaims and the exemplary embodiments of the fastening device, the assembly arrangement and/or the household appliance described below. The fastening device, the assembly arrangement and/or the household appliance are further explained in greater detail below on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the appended figures.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of the household appliance according to FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of an embodiment of an assembly arrangement for the household appliance according to FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fastening device for the assembly arrangement according to FIG. 3;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows a further schematic perspective view of the fastening device according to FIG. 4;

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a schematic front view of the fastening device according to FIG. 4;

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a schematic rear view of the fastening device according to FIG. 4;

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a schematic detailed view of the assembly arrangement according to FIG. 3;

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a schematic rear view of an embodiment of a masking plate for the assembly arrangement according to FIG. 3;

[0047] FIG. 10 shows the detailed view X according to FIG. 9; and

[0048] FIG. 11 shows the detailed view XI according to FIG. 9.

[0049] In the figures, elements that are identical or have the same function have been provided with the same reference characters unless otherwise stated.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance 1. The household appliance 1 can be an oven, a combination microwave oven, a double oven, a microwave, a refrigerator, a fully automatic coffee machine, a warming drawer, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer or the like. Subsequently it will be assumed, however, that the household appliance 1 is a household cooking appliance, such as an oven, for instance.

[0051] The household appliance 1 has a cooking compartment 2, which can be closed with the aid of a door 3. The cooking compartment 2 can also be referred to as a muffle or oven muffle. The cooking compartment 2 can be arranged in the inside of a housing of the household appliance 1. The door 3 is shown in a closed position in FIG. 1. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis provided on a lower end of the door 3 or a lower edge 4 of the door 3. Alternatively, the door 3 can be attached laterally to the cooking compartment 2. Furthermore, the door 3 can be arranged on a baking tray which can be pulled out from the receiving space 2.

[0052] A handle 6 can be provided on an upper section or on an upper edge 5 of the door 3. The cooking compartment 2 has a base 7, a ceiling 8 arranged opposite to the base 7, a rear wall 9 arranged facing the closed door 3 and two side walls 10, 11 arranged facing one another. The cooking compartment 2 is preferably box- or cube-shaped. The cooking compartment 2 can be produced from a metal material, in particular from sheet steel.

[0053] The household appliance 1 further comprises control knobs 13, 14 provided on an operating panel or control panel 12. The control knobs 13, 14 can be rotatable, for instance. A control facility 15, only shown schematically, for controlling the household appliance 1 can be provided on the rear of the control panel 12. The control facility 15 can be a regulating and/or control facility. A display 16 can also be provided on the control panel 12. An operating state of the household appliance 1 can be displayed with the aid of the display 16. For instance, a temperature set with the aid of one of the control knobs 13, 14 can be displayed with the aid of the display 16.

[0054] As FIG. 2 shows, the household appliance 1 can be integrated into an item of furniture 17, of which only two side walls 18, 19 opposing one another are shown, however. In order to conceal a respective intermediate space between the household appliance 1 and the side wall 18, 19 of the item of furniture 17, the household appliance 1 comprises masking plates 20, 21. The masking plates 20, 21 conceal the intermediate spaces between the side walls 18, 19 of the item of furniture 17 and the household appliance 1. The masking plates 20, 21 can also be referred to as decorative panels, design panels, masking pilasters, design pilasters or decorative pilasters. In order to achieve a visually appealing design of the household appliance 1 integrated into the item of furniture 17, it is necessary for a uniform gap which extends over the entire length of the masking plate 20 to be provided between the side wall 18 and the masking plate 20 and between the masking plate 20 and the control panel 12 and the door 3 in each case. The same applies to the masking plate 21.

[0055] A coordinate system with an x-direction or width direction x, a y-direction or height direction y and a z-direction or depth direction z is assigned to the household appliance 1. The directions x, y, z are positioned at right angles to one another. The masking plates 20, 21 run as elongated components along the height direction y. In order to be able to adjust the previously mentioned gap, it is advantageous to be able to linearly adjust the masking plates 20, 21 along the width direction x.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of an assembly arrangement 22 for the household appliance 1. Two assembly arrangements 22 of this type which are arranged on both sides of the household appliance 1 are preferably provided. The assembly arrangement 22 shown in FIG. 3 is assigned to the side wall 10 for instance and screwed hereto. Only an assembly arrangement 22 is assumed below.

[0057] The assembly arrangement 22 comprises an assembly strip 23 in addition to the masking plate 20. The assembly strip 23 can also be referred to as technical pilaster or be a technical pilaster. The assembly strip 23 can be a bent sheet metal component. The assembly strip 23 comprises a flat assembly surface 24, on which the masking plate 20 can be assembled. Two assembly apertures 25, 26 are provided on the assembly surface 24. The assembly apertures 25, 26 are preferably embodied to be identical. The assembly apertures 25, 26, viewed along the height direction y, are arranged at a distance from one another.

[0058] A fastening device 27 is assigned to each assembly aperture 25, 26. The fastening devices 27 are of the same construction. The masking plate 20 is connected to the assembly strip 23 with the aid of the fastening devices 27. In this way the fastening device 27 allows the masking plate 20 to be adjusted along the width direction x, in order to adjust the gaps between the side wall 18 of the piece of furniture 17 and the masking plate 20 or between the masking plate 20 and the control panel 12 and the door 3. The fastening devices 27 are positioned between the assembly surface 24 and the masking plate 20. The same applies to the masking plate 21. Reference is made below to just one fastening device 27.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a fastening device 27. FIG. 5 shows a further schematic perspective view of the fastening device 27. FIG. 6 shows a schematic front view of the fastening device. FIG. 7 shows a schematic rear view of the fastening device 27. Reference is made below simultaneously to FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0060] The fastening device 27 is single piece, in particular integral plastic component. “Single piece” or “integral” means here that the fastening device 27 is not composed of several components but instead that the fastening device forms a single component. “Integral” means here that the fastening device 27 is manufactured continuously from the same material. For instance, the fastening device 27 can be manufactured from polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP) or from any other suitable plastic material.

[0061] The fastening device 27 comprises a base body 28. The base body 29 is essentially rectangular or plate-shaped. The base body 28 has a receiving section 29 in the form of a borehole which penetrates the base body 28. The receiving section 29 can be circular. In the orientation in FIGS. 5 and 7, a further receiving section 30 is provided to the rear of the base body 28. The receiving section 30 does not fully penetrate the base body 28, however, but is instead embodied as a pocket provided on the basis body 28.

[0062] A hook-shaped suspension section 31 which enables the fastening device 27 to be suspended in the respective assembly aperture 25, 26 is provided on the base body 28. In the orientation in FIGS. 4 to 7, the suspension section 31 extends out from the base body 28 from below and away herefrom. The suspension section 31 can be deformed in a resilient manner. A strip-shaped height position section 32 adjoins the suspension section 31. The height position section 32 extends laterally out from the base body 28 on both sides and is suited to engaging in a form-fit manner into corresponding cut-outs provided on the masking plate 20. A form-fit connection is produced by way of the interlocking or rear engagement of at least two connection partners, in the present case the height position section 32 and the cut-outs of the masking panel 20.

[0063] Two resiliently deformable snap-fit arms 33, 34 are provided on an end section of the base body 28 which faces away from the suspension section 31 and the height position section 32 and which are designed to snap-fit or engage in a form-fit manner into the masking plate 20. The snap-fit arms 33, 34 are connected in one piece, in particular integrally, with the aid of a resiliently deformable spring section 35. The spring section 35 is curved in the shape of an arch. The snap-fit arms 33, 34 and the spring section 35 thus enclose a cut-out 36 which penetrates the base body 28.

[0064] A resiliently deformable locking section 37 extends into the cut-out 36 and out from the base body 28. The locking section 37 is preferably embodied as a locking latch or snap-fit hook. The locking section 37 is suited to engaging in a form-fit manner into the corresponding assembly aperture 25, 26. Display symbols 38, of which only one in FIGS. 4 and 6 is provided in each case with a reference character, are distributed about the receiving section 29. The display symbols 38 can be embodied in the shape of an arrow, triangle or strip.

[0065] In addition to the base body 28, the fastening device comprises an eccentric body 39. The eccentric body 39 in turn comprises an engaging section 40, which is cylindrical. The engaging section 40 can be pressed into the receiving section 29, so that the eccentric body 39 locks into the receiving section 29. In other words, the engaging section 40 engages in the receiving section 29 in a form-fit manner. The engaging section 40 comprises a tool cut-out 41, in which a tool for rotating the eccentric body 39 can be received. The tool cut-out 41 can be suited to receiving a blade of a slot-head screwdriver. Furthermore, the engaging section 40 comprises a display symbol 42 and a display symbol 43 which displays a possible direction of rotation of the eccentric body 39. The display symbol 42 can be in the shape of an arrow or triangle.

[0066] Aside from the engaging section 40, the eccentric body 39 comprises a cylindrical eccentric section 44. The eccentric section 44 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the engaging section 40. In other words, the engaging section 40 and the eccentric section 44 do not have a shared center axis or axis of symmetry, but instead an axis of symmetry of the engaging section 40 and an axis of symmetry of the eccentric section 44 are at a distance from one another or positioned offset from one another. The eccentric section 44 likewise comprises a tool cut-out 45, in which a tool for rotating the eccentric body 39 can be received. In particular, the tool cut-out 45 is suited to receiving a blade of a Phillips screwdriver.

[0067] There is provision for a disk-shaped intermediate section 46 between the engaging section 40 and the eccentric section 44. The intermediate section 46 is cylindrical. The intermediate section 46 and the engaging section 40 have a shared axis of symmetry. Here a diameter of the intermediate section 46 is larger than a diameter of the engaging section 40 or larger than a diameter of the receiving section 29. The diameter of the intermediate section 46 is marginally smaller than a diameter of the receiving section 30 so that the intermediate section 46 can be received in the receiving section 30.

[0068] The eccentric body 39 and the base body 28 are connected to one another in one piece, in particular integrally, with the aid of a hinge section 47. The hinge section 47 is in particular a film hinge. A “film hinge” is currently understood to mean a material constriction or material restriction which can be deformed elastically. The eccentric body 39 can therefore be pivoted with respect to the base body 28 with the aid of the hinge section 47.

[0069] The functionality of the fastening device 27 is explained below. The eccentric body 39 is firstly pivoted with respect to the base body 28 with the aid of the hinge section 47 such that the eccentric body 39, in particular the engaging section 40 of the eccentric body 39, is received in the receiving section 29 of the base body 28. To this end, the eccentric body 39 is pressed into the receiving section 29 where it locks. In this regard, the intermediate section 46 is also received in the receiving section 30 provided on the rear of the base body 28.

[0070] With the aid of the hinge section 47 the eccentric body 39 is therefore transferred from an initial state Z1, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the eccentric body 39 is arranged outside of the receiving section 29, into an end state Z2, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which the eccentric body 39, in particular the engaging section 40 of the eccentric body 39, is received in the receiving section 29 and in particular locks herein.

[0071] As FIG. 6 shows, the eccentric body 39 in the end state Z2 is firstly disposed in a zero position NP, in which the display symbol 38 points to the display symbol 42. In the zero position NP, the eccentric section 44, as shown in FIG. 7, is arranged centrally on the base body 28 with respect to the width direction x. A fastening device 27 is then suspended in each assembly aperture 25, 26 of the assembly strip 23 with the aid of the suspension section 31. With the aid of impressing the respective fastening device 27 in the respective assembly aperture 25, 26, the locking section 37 deforms resiliently and snap fits into the respective assembly aperture 25, 26. The fastening devices 27 are now connected in a form-fit manner with the assembly strip 23.

[0072] The eccentric body 39 can then be rotated out of the zero position NP either in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction with the aid of a tool inserted into the tool cut-out 41. In this way, as shown in FIG. 8, the eccentric body 39 rests on side contours 48, 49 of the respective assembly aperture 25, 26. When the eccentric body 39 is twisted, the eccentric section 44 moves in the width direction x either to the left or to the right, so that the fastening device 27 itself also moves linearly along the width direction x with respect to the assembly strip 23. To this end, there is provision for adequate play between the side contours 48, 49 of the respective assembly aperture 25, 26 and the suspension section 31 received herein and the locking section 37, which enables a movement of the fastening device 27 with respect to the assembly strip 23 along the width direction x. With the aid of a different adjustment of the two fastening devices 27, the masking plate 20 can be tilted.

[0073] After adjusting the fastening devices 27, the masking plate 20 can be clipped onto the fastening devices 27. Here cut-outs 50 to 53 are provided to the rear of the masking plate, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The height position sections 32 of the fastening devices 27 can be received in the cut-outs 50 to 53. The upper cut-outs 50, 51 shown in FIG. 10 act here as fixed bearings for the masking plate 20, and elongated lower cut-outs 52, 53 shown in FIG. 11 act as loose bearings for the masking plate 20.

[0074] Alternatively, the masking plate 20 can also be assembled hereon before adjusting the fastening devices 27. In this case, in the orientation in FIG. 3 an adjustment of the fastening devices 27 is possible from the rear with the aid of a tool inserted into the tool recess 45.

[0075] The fastening devices 27 are concealed and not visible, as a result of which a visually appealing design is enabled. It is possible to adjust the fastening device 27 gradually. The adjustment range is shown by way of the display symbols 38, 42. Once adjusted, the angular position of the eccentric body 39 and thus also the position of the masking plate 20 remains the same. As a result of two fastening devices 27 being provided for each masking plate 20, 21, an accurate adjustment is enabled. As a result of the fastening devices 27 being single-piece components, these can be established particularly cost-effectively, for instance as a plastic injection molded component. Furthermore, the eccentric body 39 is connected undetachably with the base body 28 with the aid of the hinge section 47.

[0076] Although the present invention was described on the basis of exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in a variety of ways.

TABLE-US-00001 Reference Characters Used 1 Household appliance 2 Cooking compartment 3 Door 4 Lower edge 5 Upper edge 6 Handle 7 Base 8 Ceiling 9 Rear wall 10 Side wall 11 Side wall 12 Control panel 13 Operating knob 14 Operating knob 15 Control facility 16 Display 17 Piece of furniture 18 Side wall 19 Side wall 20 Masking plate 21 Masking plate 22 Assembly arrangement 23 Assembly strip 24 Assembly surface 25 Assembly aperture 26 Assembly aperture 27 Fastening device 28 Base body 29 Recieving section 30 Recieving section 31 Suspension section 32 Height position section 33 Snap-fit arm 34 Snap-ft arm 35 Spring section 36 Cut-out 37 Locking section 38 Display symbol 39 Eccentric body 40 Engaging section 41 Tool cut-out 42 Display symbol 43 Display symbol 44 Eccentric section 45 Tool cut-out 46 Intermediate section 47 Hinge section 48 Side contour 49 Side contour 50 Cut-out 51 Cut-out 52 Cut-out 53 Cut-out NP Zero position x Width direction y Height direction z Depth direction Z1 Initial state Z2 End state