U.S. patent application number 15/430717 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-17 for domestic appliance apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is BSH HAUSGERAETE GMBH. Invention is credited to BORIS ANGELE, CHRISTOPH BECKE, MAX EICHER, CHRISTINE HARTWEIN.
Application Number | 20170234604 15/430717 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57882000 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170234604 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EICHER; MAX ; et
al. |
August 17, 2017 |
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE APPARATUS
Abstract
A domestic appliance apparatus, in particular a domestic
refrigeration appliance apparatus, has at least one storage unit
and at least one retaining unit. The retaining unit has at least
one vertical rail element and at least one retaining element
connected to the rail element and retaining the storage unit. In
order to provide a generic apparatus with improved characteristics
in respect of an advantageous mounting of storage units, the
retaining element is supported on the rail element in such a manner
that its height can be adjusted in an at least essentially vertical
direction.
Inventors: |
EICHER; MAX; (MUNICH,
DE) ; HARTWEIN; CHRISTINE; (NANDLSTADT, DE) ;
BECKE; CHRISTOPH; (GROSSKAROLINENFELD, DE) ; ANGELE;
BORIS; (DIESSEN, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BSH HAUSGERAETE GMBH |
MUNICH |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
57882000 |
Appl. No.: |
15/430717 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/330.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 57/545 20130101;
A47B 96/027 20130101; F25D 23/067 20130101; F25D 25/02 20130101;
F25D 25/024 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/06 20060101
F25D023/06; A47B 57/54 20060101 A47B057/54; A47B 96/02 20060101
A47B096/02; F25D 25/02 20060101 F25D025/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 12, 2016 |
DE |
10 2016 202 190.7 |
Claims
1. A domestic appliance apparatus, comprising: at least one storage
unit; and at least one retaining unit having at least one vertical
rail element and at least one retaining element connected to said
vertical rail element and retaining said storage unit, said
retaining element is supported on said vertical rail element in
such a manner that a height of said retaining element can be
adjusted in an at least generally vertical direction.
2. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said retaining element is supported on said vertical rail element
such that said retaining element can be moved in a guided manner in
the vertical direction.
3. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said retaining unit has at least one slide element supported such
that said slide element can be moved in a guided manner along a
main extension direction of said vertical rail element and to which
said retaining element is fastened in at least one mounted
state.
4. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising at least one appliance carcass having at least one rear
wall, in proximity to which said retaining unit is disposed.
5. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, further
comprising at least one panel element, which is disposed at least
partially on a face of said retaining unit facing away from said
rear wall.
6. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said retaining element is disposed at least partially on a face of
said panel element facing away from said rear wall.
7. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said retaining element has a main extension direction running in an
at least horizontal direction in at least one mounted state.
8. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 7, wherein
in a mounted state, the storage unit is supported on said retaining
unit in such a manner that said storage unit can be displaced in a
direction parallel to the main extension direction of said
retaining element.
9. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said vertical rail element has at least one latching device, which
provides at least two different latching positions for said
retaining element.
10. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
a latching position of said retaining element can be changed
without tools.
11. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
said retaining element is supported in such a manner that said
retaining element can be tilted in relation to said vertical rail
element to change the latching position.
12. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
said storage unit locks at least one latching position of said
retaining element in at least one mounted state.
13. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said storage unit can be mounted on said retaining unit and/or
removed from said retaining unit without tools.
14. A domestic appliance, comprising: a domestic appliance
apparatus, containing: at least one storage unit; and at least one
retaining unit having at least one vertical rail element and at
least one retaining element connected to said vertical rail element
and retaining said storage unit, said retaining element is
supported on said vertical rail element in such a manner that a
height of said retaining element can be adjusted in an at least
generally vertical direction.
15. A method for mounting a domestic appliance apparatus, which
comprises the steps of: providing at least one vertical rail
element, at least one retaining element, at least one slide element
and at least one fastening element, it being possible to connect
the slide element and the fastening element to one another;
disposing the retaining element on the fastening element by means
of a movement in a horizontal direction; and disposing the slide
element on the vertical rail element by means of a further movement
in the horizontal direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119, of German application DE 10 2016 202 190.7, filed Feb.
12, 2016; the prior application is herewith incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a domestic appliance apparatus, in
particular a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus and a
method involving a domestic appliance apparatus.
[0004] Refrigerators with retaining profiles are already known from
the prior art, in which shelves can be inserted in a latching
position of the retaining profile. To adjust the height of the
shelves, the shelves can be taken out and re-inserted in a
different latching position of the retaining profile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the invention is in particular to provide a
generic apparatus with improved characteristics in respect of the
mounting of storage units. The object is achieved according to the
invention by the characterizing features of the main apparatus
claim and the main method claim, while advantageous embodiments and
developments of the invention will emerge from the subclaims.
[0006] The invention is based on a domestic appliance apparatus, in
particular a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, with at
least one storage unit and with at least one retaining unit, which
has at least one vertical rail element and at least one retaining
element connected to the rail element and provided to retain the
storage unit.
[0007] It is proposed that the retaining element is supported on
the rail element in such a manner that its height can be adjusted
in an at least essentially vertical direction.
[0008] The term "provided" here means in particular specifically
designed and/or equipped. That an object is provided for a defined
function here means in particular that the object fulfils and/or
performs the defined function in at least one state of use and/or
operation. A "domestic appliance apparatus" in this context refers
in particular to at least one part, in particular a sub-assembly,
of a domestic refrigeration appliance, in particular a domestic
refrigeration appliance. The domestic appliance apparatus can in
particular also comprise the entire domestic appliance, in
particular the entire domestic refrigeration appliance. The
domestic appliance is particularly preferably configured as a
refrigeration and/or freezer appliance, in particular for example a
refrigeration cabinet, a refrigerator, a freezer cabinet, a chest
freezer, a combined refrigeration/freezer appliance and/or a wine
storage cabinet.
[0009] A "storage unit" refers in particular to a unit provided for
holding or storing items, in particular food. In particular the
storage unit can be configured at least essentially in the manner
of a plate and/or can have at least one element configured at least
essentially in the manner of a plate. A "plate-type" object refers
in particular to an object that has a significantly larger
extension along a first spatial direction and a second spatial
direction than along a third spatial direction, preferably an
extension that is larger by at least a factor 5, advantageously by
at least a factor 10 and particularly advantageously by at least a
factor 20, with pairs of the three spatial extensions being
positioned perpendicular to one another. An "extension along a
direction" of an object in this context refers in particular to a
maximum distance between two points of a perpendicular projection
of the object onto a plane, which is parallel to the direction.
[0010] The retaining element preferably has an at least essentially
rectangular cross section. An "at least essentially rectangular
cross section" of an object here means in particular that for at
least 80% of all the cross sections of the object along at least
one direction a surface area of a difference in area between the
cross section and a smallest rectangle containing the cross section
amounts to maximum 20%, advantageously maximum 10% and particularly
advantageously maximum 5% of the surface area of the rectangle. In
particular the retaining element is configured as a rectangular
retaining strip, advantageously as a retaining strip that can be
produced by extrusion. In particular the retaining element can be
made essentially of a metal and/or a plastic material. The
retaining element is preferably configured as a hollow profile. "At
least essentially" in this context means in particular at least
75%, preferably at least 85% and particularly preferably at least
95%.
[0011] The inventive embodiment in particular allows an
advantageous mounting of storage units. Simple and reliable
adjustment of the height of storage units can advantageously be
achieved. In particular a vertical position of storage units can
easily be adjusted based on the size of items standing therein, in
particular food. A high level of flexibility in particular can be
achieved. An interior compartment can advantageously be adjusted
easily to the needs of an operator and/or user. Ease of use in
particular can also be achieved. In particular a retaining system
can advantageously be provided for differently configured storage
units. Also the use of largely flat interior walls is possible,
these being in particular easy to clean. In particular a novel,
extremely high quality appearance can be achieved.
[0012] In one advantageous embodiment of the invention it is
proposed that the retaining element is supported on the rail
element such that it can be moved in a guided manner in the
direction.
[0013] That an object is "supported such that it can be moved in a
guided manner" here means in particular that the object can be
moved relative to the second object in at least one normal
operating state, in particular along a trajectory predefined by the
second object, in particular subject to the influence of forces
which average humans can apply without significant effort, for
example using a hand and/or arm and/or one or more fingers. The
retaining unit advantageously has at least one slide element that
is supported such that it can be moved in a guided manner along a
main extension direction of the rail element and to which the
retaining element is fastened in at least one mounted state. A
"main extension direction" of an object here refers in particular
to a direction that runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest
notional square that just encloses the object completely. The
retaining unit advantageously has at least one fastening element,
which connects the retaining element in at least one mounted state
to the slide element. Two fastening elements are particularly
advantageously assigned to each retaining element, holding the
retaining element on two opposing sides, in particular at a
distance that corresponds at least essentially to a length of the
retaining element along a main extension direction of the retaining
element. The fastening element is advantageously connected as a
single piece to the retaining element. "As a single piece" means in
particular connected at least with a material fit, for example by a
welding process, a bonding process, a spraying process and/or
another process that appears expedient to the person skilled in the
art, and/or advantageously molded in one piece, for example by
being produced from one casting and/or by being produced using a
single or multiple component injection method and advantageously
from a single workpiece. In particular the retaining element is
guided by the slide element, in particular during displacement of
the retaining element in a vertical direction. In particular the
slide element is connected to the fastening element, in particular
as a single piece.
[0014] The domestic appliance apparatus advantageously contains at
least one appliance carcass with at least one rear wall, in
proximity to which the retaining unit is arranged. In particular
the appliance carcass of the domestic appliance apparatus delimits
and/or defines in particular an interior compartment, preferably at
least one useful space, and has in particular an access opening. In
particular a door of the domestic appliance apparatus arranged on a
front face of the appliance carcass is configured differently from
the appliance carcass. "Proximity" in this context refers in
particular to a spatial region, the points of which are located at
most 20 cm, advantageously at most 15 cm, particularly
advantageously at most 10 cm and preferably at most 7 cm from the
rear wall. The retaining unit is advantageously connected to the
rear wall. The rail element of the retaining unit is particularly
advantageously connected to the rear wall. This in particular
allows advantageous utilization of the interior compartment. It
also allows advantageous characteristics to be achieved in respect
of the cleaning of storage units retained at the rear.
[0015] It is further proposed that the domestic appliance apparatus
has at least one panel element, which is arranged at least
partially on a face of the retaining unit facing away from the rear
wall. In particular at least 70%, advantageously at least 80%,
particularly advantageously at least 90% and particularly
preferably at least 95% of all points of the panel element on a
respective straight line perpendicular to the rear wall through the
corresponding point are located further from the rear wall than the
point of the retaining unit on the respective straight line
furthest from the rear wall. In particular the panel element is
connected to the retaining unit. The panel element is
advantageously connected as a single piece to the retaining unit.
In particular the panel element in a mounted state forms a rear
wall element arranged in front of the rear wall of the appliance
carcass. The panel element advantageously has a height and width
which correspond at least essentially to a height and width of the
rear wall of the appliance carcass. "At least essentially" in this
context means in particular a deviation of the height/width of the
panel element from the height/width of the rear wall of maximum
20%, advantageously maximum 10% and particularly advantageously
maximum 5%. This advantageously provides an interior compartment
that is easy to clean. It can also advantageously prevent damage to
and/or soiling of the retaining unit. It can also advantageously
allow the provision of a rear wall element with specific material
and/or lighting options, which can be produced independently of a
rear wall of a domestic appliance carcass.
[0016] It is advantageously proposed that the retaining element is
arranged at least partially on a face of the panel element facing
away from the rear wall. In particular at least 70%, advantageously
at least 80%, particularly advantageously at least 90% and
particularly preferably at least 95% of all the points of the
retaining element on a respective straight line perpendicular to
the rear wall through the corresponding point are located further
from the rear wall than the point of the panel element on the
respective straight line furthest from the rear wall. Two fastening
elements of the retaining unit are advantageously assigned to each
retaining element. The two fastening elements of the retaining unit
particularly advantageously project past the panel element in the
direction of the face of the panel element facing away from the
rear wall on each side of the panel element and retain the
retaining element on the face of the panel element facing away from
the rear wall. The panel element is preferably connected to the
rail element. The panel element particularly preferably covers the
retaining unit at least partially in the direction of a face of the
retaining unit facing away from the rear wall. In particular the
panel element covers all parts of the retaining unit apart from the
retaining elements and the fastening elements in the direction of
the face of the retaining unit facing away from the rear wall. This
advantageously prevents soiling of the retaining unit. It also
advantageously allows the use of a panel element that is cheap and
easy to produce.
[0017] In one advantageous embodiment of the invention it is
proposed that a main extension direction of the retaining element
in at least one mounted state runs in an at least essentially
horizontal direction. An "at least essentially horizontal
direction" here means in particular an alignment relative to a
surface normal of the ground, in particular of a surface of the
earth, in particular in at least one normal operating state of the
domestic appliance apparatus, the direction having a deviation in
particular smaller than 8.degree., advantageously smaller than
5.degree. and particularly advantageously smaller than 2.degree.,
from a direction perpendicular to the surface normal of the ground.
The main extension direction of the retaining element
advantageously runs at least essentially parallel to the rear wall
of the appliance carcass. "At least essentially parallel" here
means in particular an alignment of a direction relative to a
reference direction, in particular in a plane, the direction having
a deviation in particular smaller than 8.degree., advantageously
smaller than 5.degree. and particularly advantageously smaller than
2.degree., from the reference direction. This allows advantageous
static equilibrium in particular to be achieved. It also means that
the retaining elements are easy to clean.
[0018] It is further proposed that the storage unit in the mounted
state is supported on the retaining unit, in particular on the
retaining element, in such a manner that it can be displaced in a
direction parallel to the main extension direction of the retaining
element. In particular during displacement a position of the object
relative to the second object remains at least essentially the same
when viewed parallel to the direction, while a position of the
object relative to the second object changes when viewed
perpendicular to the direction. "At least essentially the same" in
this context means in particular that the position of the object
relative to the second object changes by less than 10 mm,
advantageously less than 5 mm and particularly advantageously less
than 1 mm. In particular the storage unit is supported in such a
manner that it can be displaced in a loaded state and in an
unloaded state. This allows a high level of flexibility in respect
of storage unit arrangement. In particular a domestic appliance
apparatus can be adjusted based on an arrangement and/or size of
items standing and/or lying therein, for example food. Ease of use
can also advantageously be achieved.
[0019] The rail element advantageously has at least one latch,
which provides at least two different latching positions for the
retaining element. In particular the latch is configured as at
least part of a toothed rack. The rail element preferably has at
least one rail profile, in particular a rail profile that is open
in the direction of its longitudinal sides. A number of latches
particularly preferably form the rail profile. However it is also
conceivable for the latch to be arranged within the rail profile.
The rail element advantageously has a cover profile, which at least
largely covers the open longitudinal side of the rail profile. The
cover profile particularly advantageously at least largely covers
the latch and the open longitudinal side of the rail profile. The
expression "at least largely" here means in particular at least
55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%,
particularly preferably at least 85% and particularly
advantageously at least 95%. This advantageously allows a vertical
position of a storage unit to be fixed. It also advantageously
allows a storage unit to be retained securely.
[0020] A latching position of the retaining element can
particularly advantageously be changed without tools. A latching
position of the retaining element is advantageously possible with
single-handed actuation, in particular for an average person, in
particular without significant effort. This allows ease of use.
[0021] It is further proposed that the retaining element is
supported in such a manner that it can be tilted in relation to the
rail element to change the latching position. In particular the
retaining element is supported in such a manner that an upper edge
of the retaining element is tilted in a direction toward to the
rear wall and/or a lower edge is tilted in a direction away from
the rear wall to change the latching position. In particular the
slide element has at least one latching lug, which is moved out of
a latching position of the latching rail when the retaining element
is tilted. The slide element can advantageously be displaced along
a main extension direction of the rail element when the retaining
element is tilted. In particular when the retaining element is not
tilted movement of the slide element along a main extension
direction of the rail element is locked, in particular by latching
the latching lug in a latching position. The retaining unit
preferably has at least one spring element, which is provided to
tilt the retaining element automatically into a not tilted state. A
minimum distance between the retaining element and the panel
element is preferably smaller than a diameter of an average human
finger, in particular much smaller, particularly when the retaining
element is not tilted. It is however also conceivable for a minimum
distance between the retaining element and the panel element to be
larger, in particular much larger, than a diameter of an average
human finger, particularly when the retaining element is tilted.
This in particular makes height adjustment easy to perform. It
advantageously allows a safe mechanism to be provided for height
adjustment. It also advantageously prevents fingers being
trapped.
[0022] In one preferred embodiment of the invention it is proposed
that the storage unit is provided to lock at least one latching
position of the retaining element in at least one mounted state. In
particular the storage unit has at least one projection, which
locks a tilting movement of the retaining element relative to the
rear wall. The projection is advantageously configured as a hook
profile, which is connected to the retaining element with a form
fit in a mounted state. In a mounted state the projection is
particularly advantageously connected with a form fit to a panel
element of the retaining unit. This advantageously prevents
inadvertent height adjustment. In particular it advantageously
secures a position of a storage unit. It also allows storage units
to be secured so that they cannot fall out. This advantageously
provides a very stable system with little tolerance.
[0023] In one preferred embodiment of the invention it is proposed
that the storage unit is provided for mounting on and/or removal
from the retaining unit without tools. In particular the storage
unit is configured in such a manner that it can be mounted and/or
removed by a linear movement and/or a tilting movement of the
storage unit relative to the retaining unit. This advantageously
allows simple adjustment of the height of the storage unit. It also
allows an arrangement of storage units to be easily adjusted.
[0024] The storage unit advantageously has at least one shelf. A
"shelf" here refers in particular to a plate-type element, which is
provided to hold items standing or lying thereon, in particular
food. This advantageously allows secure storage of standing items,
in particular food, on the storage unit. It advantageously means in
particular that the storage unit is easy to clean.
[0025] The shelf is preferably configured to be at least partially
transparent and frameless and/or at least partially translucent and
frameless. At least partially "transparent" here means in
particular at least partially transparent for visible light, in
particular a transparency of at least 5%, preferably at least 10%,
particularly preferably at least 20%, advantageously at least 50%
and particularly advantageously at least 80%, with a transmitted
light at least essentially parallel to an incident light. At least
partially "translucent" here means in particular at least partially
translucent for visible light, in particular a permeability of at
least 5%, preferably at least 10%, particularly preferably at least
20%, advantageously at least 50% and particularly advantageously at
least 80% for incident light, emitted light being scattered at
least essentially at an angle other than 0 relative to the incident
light. "Frameless" here means in particular that the entire shelf
is made of one material. In particular the shelf has the same cross
section toward its edges as at its edges. In particular the shelf
is made at least partially of glass, advantageously at least
partially of safety glass. In particular the shelf can be made at
least partially of at least partially cloudy glass, in particular
frosted glass. The shelf is advantageously configured as a
frameless glass plate. It is however also conceivable for the shelf
to be made of a plastic material. This advantageously allows items
below the shelf to be visible through the shelf. This in particular
enhances ease of use.
[0026] The invention is also based on a method for mounting a
domestic appliance apparatus, in particular a domestic
refrigeration appliance apparatus, in particular according to one
of the embodiments described above. The method contains the steps
of: providing at least one vertical rail element, at least one
retaining element, at least one slide element and at least one
fastening element, it being possible to connect the slide element
and the fastening element to one another; arranging the retaining
element on the fastening element by means of a movement in a
horizontal direction; and arranging the slide element on the
vertical rail element by means of the movement in a horizontal
direction.
[0027] The arrangement of the retaining element on the fastening
element is preferably achieved by a movement in a horizontal
direction by way of a connection by pushing in and/or engaging.
[0028] The arrangement of the slide element on the vertical rail
element is preferably achieved by the movement in a horizontal
direction by pushing, preferably laterally pushing, a latching lug
of the slide element into a latching position of the vertical rail
element.
[0029] The method preferably contains the further step of arranging
a storage unit on the retaining element.
[0030] The arrangement is preferably achieved by suspending a hook
profile of the storage unit from the retaining element.
[0031] It is proposed that the retaining element is mounted in a
supported manner on the rail element so that its height can be
adjusted in an at least essentially vertical direction.
[0032] This provides advantageous mounting of storage units. Simple
and reliable adjustment of the height of storage units can
advantageously be achieved. In particular a vertical position of
storage units can be easily adjusted based on items standing
therein, in particular food. In particular a high level of
flexibility can be achieved. An interior compartment can
advantageously be easily adjusted based on the needs of a user.
Ease of use can also be achieved in particular. In particular a
retaining system for differently configured storage units can
advantageously be provided. Storage units can also advantageously
be arranged in an appliance carcass with predominantly flat
interior walls, with the result that the walls in particular are
easy to clean. In particular a novel, extremely high quality
appearance can be achieved.
[0033] The domestic appliance apparatus here should not be limited
to the application and embodiment described above. In particular
the domestic appliance apparatus can have a number of individual
elements, components and units that is different from the number
cited here, to fulfill a mode of operation described here.
[0034] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0035] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a domestic appliance apparatus, it is nevertheless
not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various
modifications and structural changes may be made therein without
departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and
range of equivalents of the claims.
[0036] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a domestic
refrigeration appliance with a domestic appliance apparatus
according to the invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interior compartment of
the domestic appliance apparatus;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a retaining unit, a panel
element and a number of storage units of the domestic appliance
apparatus;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retaining unit;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the slide element and the rail
element of the retaining unit taken along the section plane V shown
in FIG. 4;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the retaining unit as the
height of a retaining element of the retaining unit is
adjusted;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the slide element and the rail
element of the retaining unit as the height of the retaining
element is adjusted and taken along the section plane V in FIG. 4;
and
[0044] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the retaining
unit, the panel element and a storage unit of the domestic
appliance apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] The exemplary embodiments described below feature various
structural units and/or components a number of times. Similarly
configured components and/or structural units, which are shown with
the same reference characters in the drawings, are only described
once in the following description of the drawings for the sake of
simplicity.
[0046] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and
first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a perspective
view of a domestic appliance 32 configured as a refrigerator with a
domestic appliance apparatus with an appliance carcass or frame
10.
[0047] FIG. 2 shows an interior compartment 34 of the appliance
carcass 10 of the domestic appliance apparatus. The appliance
carcass 10 has a rear wall 12, which is covered by a panel element
28 of the domestic appliance apparatus. A retaining unit 16 of the
domestic appliance apparatus is arranged in a region of the rear
wall 12. The panel element 28 is at least partially arranged on a
face of the retaining unit 16 facing away from the rear wall 12.
The retaining unit 16 has a number of retaining elements 18, the
main extension direction of which runs in a horizontal direction
17. The retaining elements 18 are arranged on a face of the panel
element 28 facing away from the rear wall 12. The domestic
appliance apparatus has two storage units 14, 38, each with a shelf
30, 40. In the present instance the shelves 30, 40 are configured
as frameless safety glass plates. The domestic appliance apparatus
also has a storage unit 36 configured as a bottle holder. The
storage units 14, 36, 38 are each suspended from a retaining
element 18, which retains the corresponding storage unit 14, 36, 38
along a rear face 42, 44, 46 of the storage unit 14, 36, 38. The
storage units 14, 36, 38 can be mounted on each of the retaining
elements 18 without tools. The storage units 14, 36, 38 can be
removed from the corresponding retaining element 18 without tools.
In the present instance the storage units 14, 36, 38 can be hooked
onto the retaining elements 18. It is however also conceivable for
the storage units to be configured in such a manner that they can
be pushed in.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the retaining unit 16,
the panel element 28 and the three storage units 14, 36, 38. The
storage units 14, 36, 38 each have a hook profile 48, 50, 52, which
engages at least partially around the corresponding retaining
element 18 from an upper face 53. The upper face 53 here is a face
of the storage units, 14, 36, 38 facing away from a base, on which
the domestic appliance 32, stands in a normal operating state. The
retaining unit 16 is provided to support the storage units 14, 36
in such a manner that they can be displaced in at least one
direction, which runs at least essentially parallel to the main
extension axis of the respective retaining element 18. In the
present instance the storage units 14, 36 have a width, which
corresponds to approximately half the length of one of the
retaining elements 18. Also in the present instance the storage
units 14, 36 can be displaced along the corresponding retaining
element 18 in a mounted state, in which the respective hook profile
48, 50 engages at least partially around the corresponding
retaining element 18 from above. The storage units 14, 36 are
supported in such a manner that they can be displaced in a leftward
direction 76 and a rightward direction 78. The leftward direction
76 and the rightward direction 78 run parallel to the horizontal
direction 17. The storage units 14, 36 are supported in such a
manner that they can be displaced in a loaded state and in an
unloaded state.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the retaining unit 16 of
the domestic appliance apparatus. The retaining unit 16 has a
vertical rail element 20 on one face. The retaining element 18 is
supported on the rail element 20 in such a manner that its height
can be adjusted in an at least essentially vertical direction 19.
The rail element 20 has a latching device 22 configured as a
latching rail, providing a number of latching positions 24, 26
along a main extension direction of the rail element 20. The
retaining unit 16 also has a slide element 54, which is supported
such that it can be moved in a guided manner along the rail element
20. The slide element 54 is connected to a fastening element 56,
which retains the retaining element 18 in front of the panel
element 28. In the present instance the slide element 54 and the
fastening element 56 are configured as a single part. In the
present instance the retaining unit 16 has a further rail element
58 as well as a further slide element 60 and a further fastening
element 62 on another face (see FIG. 8).
[0050] FIG. 5 shows the slide element 54 and the rail element 20 of
the retaining unit 16 in a sectional view along the section plane V
in FIG. 4. The slide element 54 has a latching lug 64, which
latches into the latching positions 24, 26 of the latching device
22 in a latched state. Retaining forces that result when the
storage units 14, 36, 38 are retained can thus be induced into the
rail element 20 by way of the slide element 54.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment the slide element 54
can preferably have an insertion aid 65. In particular the
insertion aid 65 can be provided on the latching lug 64. The
insertion aid 65 advantageously facilitates latching into a
latching position 24, 26 or unlatching/removal from a latching
position 24, 26.
[0052] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the retaining unit 16 as
the height of a retaining element 18 of the retaining unit 16 is
adjusted. The retaining element 18 is supported on the rail element
20 in such a manner that it can be tilted. The retaining element 18
can be tilted in such a manner that an upper face 66 of the
retaining element 18 in a tilted state is closer to the panel
element 28 than a lower face 68 of the retaining element 18. The
height of the retaining element 18 can be adjusted in the tilted
state. During a height adjustment the slide element 54 is moved up
or down along the main extension direction of the rail element 20
in a vertical direction. In this process the retaining element 18
is supported by means of the fastening element 56 and the slide
element 54 such that it can be moved in a guided manner along the
rail element 20. Tilting of the retaining element 18 and subsequent
adjustment of the height of the retaining element 18 are possible
without tools.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows the slide element 54 and the rail element 20 of
the retaining unit 16 as the height of the retaining element 18 is
adjusted in a sectional view along the section plane V in FIG. 4.
As the retaining element 18 is tilted, in particular by a user, the
slide element 54 tilts. As the slide element 54 tilts, the latching
lug 56 is released from the corresponding latching position 26 of
the latching device 22. The slide element 54 can then be moved
along the rail element 20 and can be relatched in any other
latching position 26.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, in one embodiment the slide element 54
can preferably have a bearing surface 55. The bearing surface 55
preferably faces the panel element 28. In other words the bearing
surface 55 is arranged on a side of the slide element 54 opposite
the latching lug 64. During a height adjustment the bearing surface
55 can be brought into contact with the panel element 28. The panel
element then advantageously serves as a stop so that during tilting
a user knows that maximum tilt has been reached and a problem-free
height adjustment can be performed.
[0055] Latching is achieved by tilting the retaining element 18
back, causing the slide element 54 to tilt back. As the slide
element 54 tilts back, the latching lug 56 latches in a latching
position 24, 26. In the present instance the retaining element 18
is tilted back by the force of gravity of the retaining element 18
in particular automatically, in particular as soon as the user
releases the retaining element 18.
[0056] FIG. 8 shows an exploded diagram of the retaining unit 16,
the panel element 28 and a storage unit 38 of the domestic
appliance apparatus. The retaining unit 16 has the two rail
elements 20, 58. The rail elements 20, 58 each have a cover profile
70, 72, which at least partially cover the latching device 22, 74
of the rail elements 20, 58. The slide elements 54, 60 of the
retaining unit 16 are each configured as a single part with a
fastening element 56, 62 of the retaining unit 16. The fastening
elements 56, 62 can be pushed into the retaining element 18
laterally. The hook profile 52 of the storage unit 38 is connected
with a form fit to the retaining element 18 in a mounted state. The
hook profile 52 of the storage unit 38 is also connected with a
form fit to the panel element 28 in a mounted state. This means
that the latching position 24, 26 of the retaining element 18 is
locked by the storage unit 38 in a mounted state. Before the height
of a retaining element 18 can be adjusted, a storage unit 14, 36,
38 suspended from the retaining element 18 must first be removed
from the retaining element 18.
[0057] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and
the corresponding structure used in the above description of the
invention: [0058] 10 Appliance carcass [0059] 12 Rear wall [0060]
14 Storage unit [0061] 16 Retaining unit [0062] 17 Direction [0063]
18 Retaining element [0064] 19 Direction [0065] 20 Rail element
[0066] 22 Latching means [0067] 24 Latching position [0068] 26
Latching position [0069] 28 Panel element [0070] 30 Shelf [0071] 32
Domestic appliance [0072] 34 Interior compartment [0073] 36 Storage
unit [0074] 38 Storage unit [0075] 40 Shelf [0076] 42 Rear face
[0077] 44 Rear face [0078] 46 Rear face [0079] 48 Hook profile
[0080] 50 Hook profile [0081] 52 Hook profile [0082] 53 Face [0083]
54 Slide element [0084] 55 Bearing surface [0085] 56 Fastening
element [0086] 58 Rail element [0087] 60 Slide element [0088] 62
Fastening element [0089] 64 Latching lug [0090] 65 Insertion aid
[0091] 66 Upper face [0092] 68 Lower face [0093] 70 Cover profile
[0094] 72 Cover profile [0095] 74 Latching means [0096] 76
Direction [0097] 78 Direction
* * * * *