DOMESTIC APPLIANCE APPARATUS, DOMESTIC APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A DOMESTIC APPLIANCE APPARATUS
A domestic appliance apparatus, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, includes at least one inner container which defines at least one interior with a height direction and at least one rail element constructed differently than the inner container. The rail element is provided for supporting at least one storage element. At least one fixing unit is provided for fixing the rail element to the inner container. The fixing unit is provided for assembling the rail element from the direction of the interior. A domestic appliance or domestic refrigeration appliance having a domestic appliance apparatus and a method for assembling a domestic appliance apparatus or domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, are also provided.
This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German Patent Application DE 10 2016 225 369.7, filed Dec. 19, 2016; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe invention relates to a domestic appliance apparatus, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, including at least one inner container defining at least one interior having a height direction, at least one rail element constructed differently than the inner container, the rail element being configured for supporting at least one storage element, and at least one fixing unit for fixing the rail element to the inner container. The invention also relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance, including a domestic appliance apparatus, and a method for assembling a domestic appliance apparatus.
Refrigerators with inner containers which are known from the state of the art have support rails for storage shelves installed on their rear walls. During an assembly of an outer side of an inner container of a refrigerator, a support rail of that type is screwed tightly to the inner container prior to the inner container being positioned in an outer container and an interspace being filled with foam.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a domestic appliance apparatus, a domestic appliance and a method for assembling a domestic appliance apparatus, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known apparatuses, appliances and methods of this general type and which provide a generic apparatus with improved properties in terms of a construction of a support for storage elements.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a domestic appliance apparatus, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, including at least one inner container which defines at least one interior with a height direction and which in particular has at least one rear wall, at least one rail element realized in a different manner from the inner container, the rail element being provided for supporting at least one storage element, and at least one fixing unit which is provided for fixing the rail element to the inner container, in particular to the rear wall. It is proposed that the fixing unit is provided for an assembly of the rail element, in particular exclusively, from the direction of the interior.
“Provided” should be understood to mean in particular specially constructed and/or fitted out. The fact that an object is provided for a certain function should be understood to mean in particular that the object fulfills and/or carries out that certain function in at least one application and/or operating state. A “domestic appliance apparatus” should be understood in this connection to mean in particular at least one part, in particular a submodule, of a domestic appliance, in particular of a domestic refrigeration appliance. Particularly preferably the domestic appliance is realized in the form of a refrigerator appliance and/or freezer appliance, such as in particular a refrigerator, chest refrigerator, freezer, chest freezer, combined refrigerator-freezer and/or wine storage cabinet. In particular the domestic appliance apparatus incorporates at least one appliance body which in particular has the inner container and also in particular an outer container inside which the inner container is disposed and in particular connected to the same in an assembled state. Preferably an interspace between the inner container and the outer container is filled with foam in an assembled state. Advantageously the domestic appliance apparatus has the storage element. In particular the storage element can be realized in the form of a storage shelf and/or a bottle holder and/or a storage device and/or a storage container.
In this regard a “height direction” should be understood to mean in particular a direction of a height of the inner container. In particular the height direction runs at least substantially parallel to a surface normal of a substrate, in particular of the ground, in at least one normal operating state of the domestic appliance apparatus. “At least substantially parallel” should be understood in this case to mean in particular an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in one plane, the direction having a deviation in particular of less than 8°, preferably of less than 5°, and particularly advantageously of less than 2° compared with the reference direction.
Advantageously the rail element is realized in the form of a support rail for storage elements. Particularly advantageously the rail element has at least one latching and/or inserting position, in particular on a front side, which is provided for mounting at least one part of a storage element and/or for fixing at least one part of a storage element. Preferably the rail element is provided to absorb forces arising during a supporting of a, in particular loaded, storage element at least partly, in particular at least to a large degree. In this regard the expression “at least to a large degree” should be understood to mean in particular to a level of at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at least 95%. Advantageously the rail element has at least one hollow profile and/or one U profile, the front side of which faces toward the interior in an assembled state and/or the rear side of which faces away from the interior in an assembled state.
Advantageously the fixing unit is provided to fix the rail element solely on the inner container. Particularly advantageously the fixing unit is provided to absorb forces arising during a fixing of the rail element and/or during a supporting of, in particular loaded, storage elements at least to a large degree and/or transfer them to the inner container, in particular to the rear wall. In particular at least one part of the fixing unit is accessible from the direction of the interior, advantageously before and/or after an assembly of the inner container in the outer container. Advantageously at least one part of the fixing unit is disposed on a side of the inner container, which side faces away from the interior, in particular from the rear wall, in an assembled state. Particularly advantageously at least one part of the fixing unit is fixed to the inner container, in particular to the rear wall.
This embodiment of the invention makes it possible to make available in particular a support for storage elements with an advantageous construction. Furthermore a simple and/or cost-effective and/or rapid assembly can be advantageously enabled. Advantageously a high degree of flexibility in terms of the structural embodiment and/or advantageous statics can be achieved, in particular in terms of forces arising during a supporting process. Additionally a domestic appliance interior can be advantageously made available with largely smooth inner walls which in particular are easy to clean. Furthermore assembly errors can be advantageously reduced, in particular due to good accessibility and/or simple handling. Furthermore an assembly of a rail element can be advantageously enabled at a later point in time of a production of a domestic appliance apparatus. Furthermore simple and/or cost-effective and/or rapid maintenance, in particular a swap-out of a rail element, can be advantageously enabled.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the fixing unit is provided for a fixing of the rail element with at most, in particular precisely, one screw. In particular the rail element is not fixed with any further screw in an assembled state. Advantageously the fixing unit has at most, in particular precisely, one screw. As a result a simple and/or rapid and/or cost-effective assembly can be advantageously enabled. Furthermore simple maintenance and/or a simple swap-out of a rail element can be enabled as a result.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention it is proposed that a main direction of extension of the rail element runs at least substantially parallel to the height direction in at least one assembled state. In particular the storage element is supported on the rail element so as to be height-adjustable. Advantageously the inner container has at least, in particular precisely, one recess which in particular is disposed on the rear wall and/or open toward the interior, in which recess the rail element is disposed in the assembled state. Particularly advantageously a main direction of extension of the recess runs at least substantially parallel to the main direction of extension of the rail element in an assembled state. As a result a high degree of flexibility in terms of an interior configuration and/or a high degree of operating convenience can be advantageously achieved. Furthermore a high-value appearance and/or a high degree of convenience during a cleaning process can be achieved as a result.
It is furthermore proposed that the fixing unit has at least one fixing element to which the rail element is capable of being fixed from the direction of the interior. Advantageously the fixing unit has at least two, in particular precisely three, fixing elements. Particularly advantageously, in at least one assembled state, the fixing elements support the rail element in at least two different points which in particular are disposed along a main direction of extension of the rail element. In particular advantageous properties in terms of fixing and/or statics can be achieved as a result.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the fixing element at least abuts against a side of the inner container, which side faces away from the interior, in particular against an outer rear wall, in an assembled state. Advantageously the fixing element is fixed to the inner container. Preferably the fixing element has at least one continuation and/or at least one aperture which is provided for a realization of at least one part of a bayonet connection. Preferably the inner container has at least one feed-through, in particular disposed in the rear wall, which feed-through is provided for pushing in and/or pushing through and/or inserting into and/or putting through at least one part of the fixing element. Particularly preferably the feed-though has at least one aperture and/or at least one continuation which is provided for a realization of at least one part of a bayonet connection. In particular the fixing element is connected to the inner container, in particular to the feed-through, by using a bayonet connection. Advantageously the fixing element has at least one sealing element, in particular a sealing lip, which is provided for an air-tight and/or liquid-tight connection to the inner container, in particular from the direction of the interior. Particularly advantageously the sealing element is realized in an at least partly flexible form. Preferably the sealing element is provided for feeding through the feed-through, in particular into the interior, in particular during an assembly process. Advantageously a high degree of strength and/or tightness and/or advantageous statics can be achieved as a result. Furthermore a fixing for a rail element which enables a flexible interior configuration can be advantageously made available as a result.
Advantageously the fixing element has at least one bolt which protrudes into the interior in at least one assembled state. Preferably the bolt has at least one mushroom-head-shaped and/or nail-head-shaped end with a first diameter and/or at least one further cylinder-shaped end with a second, in particular smaller, diameter. Preferably the bolt is made at least to a large degree out of a metal. It is also conceivable however for the bolt to be made at least to a large degree out of a plastic. Particularly preferably the fixing element has at least one base body, in particular made of a plastic, with which in particular the bolt is connected and/or in which in particular the bolt is anchored. Preferably the bolt protrudes at least partly out of the base body of the fixing element. It is also conceivable however for example for the bolt to be realized at least partly in a single part with the base body. As a result a secure and/or robust support and/or fixing can be advantageously made available, in particular enabling a simple and/or rapid and/or cost-effective assembly.
It is proposed particularly advantageously that the rail element has at least one aperture which is realized so as to be capable of being pushed over the bolt and anchored to the same, in particular by using a displacement of the rail element along the main direction of extension of the rail element, in particular parallel to the height direction, in particular downward. Preferably the aperture is disposed on a rear side of the rail element. Advantageously the aperture is realized so as to be keyhole-shaped, in particular with at least one first region with a first diameter and with at least one second region with a, in particular smaller, second diameter. A rapid and/or simple pre-assembly of the rail element can be advantageously enabled as a result. Furthermore supporting forces can be advantageously absorbed as a result.
Preferably the fixing element has at least one screw mounting which is accessible from the direction of the interior in an assembled state. In particular the screw mounting is realized in the form of an internal thread. It is also conceivable however for the screw mounting to be realized in the form of a region, in particular made of a plastic, which is provided for screwing in at least one screw with a self-tapping and/or self-molding thread, in particular for plastic. An easily accessible fixing and/or non-slip and/or non-twisting fixing for the rail element can be advantageously made available as a result. Furthermore an inadvertent disassembly of the rail element can be prevented as a result.
Particularly preferably the rail element has at least, in particular precisely, one further screw mounting through which the screw mounting of the fixing element is accessible in an anchored state of the rail element. Advantageously the screw mounting is realized as a drilled hole. Preferably the screw mounting is disposed on the rear side of the rail element. Particularly preferably the front side of the rail element has at least one access opening which is disposed opposite the screw mounting and/or through which in particular a screw can be fed through in the direction of the screw mounting and/or through which in particular a screw can be screwed, in particular into the screw mounting of the fixing element. A screw connection of the rail element from the direction of the interior can be advantageously made accessible as a result. Furthermore an assembly can be effected in a particularly convenient and/or simple and/or rapid manner as a result.
It is furthermore proposed that the fixing unit has at least one further fixing element realized at least substantially in a different manner from the fixing element. In particular the fixing element and/or the further fixing element can have at least one bolt and/or at least one screw mounting. Advantageously the fixing unit has at least one, in particular precisely two, fixing elements with at least one bolt and/or at least, in particular precisely, one fixing element with at least one screw mounting. It is also conceivable however for the fixing unit to just have at least one, in particular precisely two or three fixing elements with at least one bolt or to just have at least one, in particular precisely two or three fixing elements with at least one screw mounting. Furthermore it is conceivable for the rail element, in at least one assembled state, to be fixed with at least one fixing element with one bolt and at least one other fixing element which is provided for a latching of the rail element on the further fixing element, for example by using a latching tongue. A flexible embodiment of a rail fixing can be advantageously made available as a result.
It is additionally proposed that the fixing unit has a bearing unit which supports the rail element in a movable manner at least substantially parallel to the height direction, in particular along the main direction of extension of the rail element, in at least one pre-assembled state. Advantageously the bearing unit has at least one, in particular precisely two, bolts, in particular of a fixing element. The rail element can be advantageously aligned and/or supported, in particular in a non-slip and/or non-twisting manner, in particular during a pre-assembly process, as a result.
It is furthermore conceivable for the domestic appliance apparatus to have at least one covering cap which at least partly covers the rail element, in particular at least the screw mounting and/or the further screw mounting, in the assembled state. Advantageously the covering cap is realized so as to be capable of latching on the rail element and/or the recess.
A particularly high degree of maintenance-friendliness and/or advantageous properties in terms of construction can be achieved in particular with a domestic appliance having the domestic appliance apparatus according to the invention.
With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a method for assembling a domestic appliance apparatus, in particular a domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, including at least one inner container which defines at least one interior with a height direction, and which in particular has at least one rear wall, at least one rail element realized in a different manner from the inner container, which rail element is provided for supporting at least one storage element, and at least one fixing unit which is provided for fixing the rail element to the inner container, in particular to an outer rear wall. It is proposed that the rail element is assembled on the fixing unit, in particular exclusively, from the direction of the interior.
The method according to the invention makes it possible in particular to make available a support for storage elements with an advantageous construction. Furthermore a simple and/or cost-effective and/or rapid assembly can be advantageously enabled. Advantageously a high degree of flexibility in terms of construction of the embodiment and/or advantageous statics, in particular with regard to forces arising during a supporting process, can be achieved. Additionally a domestic appliance interior can be advantageously made available with largely smooth inner walls which in particular are easy to clean. Furthermore assembly errors can be advantageously reduced, in particular due to good accessibility and/or simple handling. Furthermore an assembly of a rail element at a later point in time during production of a domestic appliance apparatus can be advantageously enabled. Furthermore simple and/or cost-effective and/or rapid maintenance, in particular a swap-out of a rail element, can be advantageously enabled.
It is furthermore proposed that the fixing unit has at least one fixing element which is fixed to the inner container, in particular at least partly to an outer side of the inner container, in particular to an outer side of the rear wall, from the direction of a side of the inner container, which side faces away from the interior, prior to an assembly of the rail element. Advantageously the fixing element is fixed to the inner container, preferably to a rear wall of the inner container, by using at least one bayonet connection. Alternatively and/or additionally it is conceivable for the fixing element to be stuck and/or screwed at least partly to the inner container. A fixing for the rail element, in particular for a subsequent assembly of the rail element, can be advantageously made available as a result.
It is additionally proposed that following an assembly of the fixing element and in particular prior to the assembly of the rail element, the inner container is positioned in an outer container of the domestic appliance apparatus and an interspace between the inner container and the outer container is filled with foam. Advantageously all of the fixing elements of the fixing unit are assembled prior to the foam filling. Advantageously an appliance body can be completed without a rail element and/or prepared for a subsequent assembly of the rail element as a result.
In particular the inner container has at least one access opening, in particular disposed on a side opposite the rear wall, through which the rail element is introduced into the interior for an assembly process. Advantageously the inner container has at least one recess, in particular disposed on the rear wall, in which the rail element is assembled. In particular a main direction of extension of the rail element runs at least substantially parallel to the main direction of extension of the recess following an assembly. Particularly advantageously the rail element is placed into the recess, in particular from the direction of the interior, and displaced along the main direction of extension of the recess for an assembly process. If the fixing unit has at least one fixing element with at least one bolt, the rail element is advantageously anchored to the bolt by a displacement. If the fixing unit has at least one, in particular further, fixing element with at least one screw mounting, the rail element is advantageously fixed with the screw, in particular through a screw aperture of the rail elements to the, in particular further, fixing element.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a domestic appliance apparatus, a domestic appliance and a method for assembling 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.
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.
Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to
In a second method step 118 the inner container 10 is positioned and/or assembled in the outer container 50 of the domestic appliance apparatus 48. The interspace 52 created between the inner container 10 and the outer container 50 is filled with foam.
In a third method step 120 the rail element 16 is assembled on the fixing unit 20 from the direction of the interior 12. In this regard the rail element 16 is put onto the bolts 32, 34 of the fixing elements 24, 26 from the direction of the interior 12 for a pre-assembly process. The rail element 16 is furthermore anchored on the bolts 32, 34 by using a displacement along the main direction of extension of the rail element 16. The rail element 16 is furthermore screwed on at the screw mounting 42 of the further fixing element 28 with the aid of the screw 22 from the direction of the interior 12. Additionally, the covering cap 108 is fixed over the assembled rail element 16.
The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
- 10 Inner container
- 12 Interior
- 14 Height direction
- 16 Rail element
- 18 Storage element
- 19 Storage element
- 20 Fixing unit
- 22 Screw
- 24 Fixing element
- 26 Fixing element
- 28 Fixing element
- 30 Side
- 32 Bolt
- 34 Bolt
- 36 Aperture
- 40 Screw mounting
- 42 Screw mounting
- 44 Bearing unit
- 46 Domestic appliance
- 48 Domestic appliance apparatus
- 50 Outer container
- 52 Interspace
- 54 Access opening
- 56 Top side
- 58 Rear side
- 60 Recess
- 62 Recess
- 64 Recess
- 66 Base body
- 68 End
- 70 Continuation
- 71 Sealing lip
- 72 Bolt mounting
- 74 Base body
- 76 Continuation
- 82 Sealing lip
- 84 Region
- 86 Diameter
- 88 Region
- 90 Diameter
- 92 Fixing unit
- 94 Fixing unit
- 96 Aperture
- 98 Region
- 100 Region
- 102 Insertion position
- 104 Region
- 106 Side
- 108 Covering cap
- 110 Latch tongue
- 112 Latch opening
- 114 Feed-through
- 116 Method step
- 118 Method step
- 120 Method step
Claims
1. A domestic appliance apparatus or domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, comprising:
- at least one inner container defining at least one interior having a height direction;
- at least one rail element constructed differently than said at least one inner container, said at least one rail element being configured for supporting at least one storage element; and
- at least one fixing unit provided for fixing said at least one rail element to said at least one inner container, said at least one fixing unit being configured for assembling said at least one rail element from a direction of said at least one interior.
2. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fixing unit has at most one screw for fixing said at least one rail element.
3. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rail element has a main direction of extension running at least substantially parallel to said height direction in at least one assembled state.
4. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fixing unit has at least one fixing element, and said at least one rail element is configured to be fixed to said at least one fixing element from the direction of said at least one interior.
5. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing element at least abuts against a side of said at least one inner container facing away from said at least one interior, in at least one assembled state.
6. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing element has at least one bolt protruding into said at least one interior in at least one assembled state.
7. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least one rail element has at least one aperture configured to be pushed over and anchored to said at least one bolt.
8. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing element has at least one screw mounting being accessible from the direction of said at least one interior in an assembled state.
9. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said at least one rail element has at least one further screw mounting through which said at least one screw mounting is accessible in an anchored state of said at least one rail element.
10. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one fixing unit has at least one further fixing element constructed at least substantially differently than said at least one fixing element.
11. The domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fixing unit has a bearing unit supporting said at least one rail element in a movable manner at least substantially parallel to said height direction in at least one pre-assembled state.
12. A domestic appliance or domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising a domestic appliance apparatus according to claim 1.
13. A method for assembling a domestic appliance apparatus or domestic refrigeration appliance apparatus, the method comprising the following steps:
- providing at least one inner container defining at least one interior with a height direction;
- providing at least one rail element for supporting at least one storage element, the at least one rail element being constructed differently than the at least one inner container;
- assembling the at least one rail element on at least one fixing unit from a direction of the at least one interior; and
- using the at least one fixing unit for fixing the at least one rail element to the at least one inner container.
14. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises providing the at least one fixing unit with at least one fixing element, and fixing the at least one fixing element to the at least one inner container from a direction of a side of the at least one inner container facing away from the at least one interior, prior to the step of assembling the at least one rail element.
15. The method according to claim 14, which further comprises following the step of assembling the at least one fixing element, positioning the at least one inner container in an outer container of the domestic appliance apparatus and filling an interspace between the at least one inner container and the outer container with foam.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 13, 2017
Publication Date: Jun 21, 2018
Inventors: ANDREAS LINDEL (HEIDENHEIM), ELMAR FAEHNLE (ELCHINGEN), ANDREAS KEMPTE (GIENGEN AN DER BRENZ), ALEXANDER GOERZ (AALEN)
Application Number: 15/840,436