Household appliance apparatus, household appliance having the household appliance apparatus and method for mounting a household appliance apparatus

A household appliance apparatus, in particular a household refrigeration appliance apparatus, has at least one supporting unit for contacting with a supporting surface, and with a housing base unit which has a first base portion and at least one second base portion which define an intermediate space in at least one region. Accordingly, the supporting unit is arranged at least partially in the intermediate space and thus a reduced installation space relative to the supporting unit is needed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German application DE 10 2018 201 099.4, filed Jan. 24, 2018; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a household appliance apparatus.

A household appliance apparatus with a supporting unit having a supporting roller for contact with a supporting surface is known from the prior art. The supporting unit is mounted on a compressor support rail. Additionally, household appliances with household appliance apparatuses which have a roller unit are known, wherein in order to alter the position of the household appliance the household appliance has to be tilted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention, in particular, is to provide a generic household appliance apparatus with improved properties with regard to the use of the installation space. The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent claim, while advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention may be derived from the subclaims.

The invention is based on a household appliance apparatus, in particular a household refrigeration appliance apparatus, with at least one supporting unit for contact with a supporting surface, and with a housing base unit which has a first base portion and at least one second base portion which define an intermediate space in at least one region.

It is proposed that the supporting unit is arranged at least partially, and preferably at least to a large part, in the intermediate space.

A “household appliance apparatus” is intended to be understood, in particular, as at least one part, in particular a subassembly, of a household appliance, in particular of a household refrigeration appliance. In particular, the household appliance apparatus may also encompass the entire household appliance, in particular the entire household refrigeration appliance. Particularly advantageously, a household appliance which is configured as a household refrigeration appliance is provided to refrigerate, in the at least one operating state, refrigerated goods, in particular food, such as for example beverages, meat, fish, milk and/or dairy products, in particular in order to provide a longer shelf life of the refrigerated goods. The household appliance which is configured as a household refrigeration appliance, in particular, may be a chest freezer and advantageously a refrigerator and/or upright freezer. Alternatively, the household appliance may be configured as a cooking appliance, in particular an oven, as a dishwasher, as a laundry treatment appliance, in particular a washing machine and/or a laundry dryer, and/or as a further appliance which appears expedient to the person skilled in the art.

The first base portion and the second base portion are, in particular, part of a lower face of the household appliance. A “lower face” is intended to be understood, in particular, as a side of an outer wall and/or a housing, in particular of the household appliance, at least substantially facing a supporting surface in an installed position and in at least one operating state, a gravitational force being effective in the direction thereof. In particular, the first base portion may preferably be configured in one piece from sheet metal and have a plurality of partial regions. Preferably, the household appliance contains at least one machine space. In particular, the first base portion may define the machine space of the household appliance on a front face of the household appliance. The machine space which, in particular, contains at least one fan unit and/or a compressor unit and/or a condenser unit, is in particular defined by the second base portion on a side facing the supporting surface in at least one operating state. A “front face” is intended to be understood, in particular, as a freely accessible side of an outer wall, in particular of the household appliance, at least substantially facing an operator in an installed position and in at least one operating state, in particular not concealed by a region of a kitchen unit or a room wall or a further surface defining an alcove, wherein the side preferably has a door, in particular a refrigerator door or upright freezer door. A “rear face” is intended to be understood, in particular, as a side of an outer wall, in particular of the freestanding household appliance, at least substantially remote from the front face. The terms “top”, “bottom” and “above” and “below” refer, in particular, to an installed position, in particular of the freestanding household appliance, in at least one operating state.

“Provided” is intended to be understood as specifically designed and/or equipped. An object being provided for a specific function is intended to be understood, in particular, as the object fulfilling and/or carrying out this specific function in at least one use state and/or operating state.

A “supporting unit” is intended to be understood here, in particular, as a component of a household appliance apparatus and/or a household appliance, wherein the supporting unit in at least one operating state is in contact with a supporting surface and is at least partially loaded with a weight force of the household appliance apparatus and/or the household appliance. In particular, the supporting unit is provided to support at least partially a household appliance. A “supporting surface” is intended to be understood here, in particular, as a surface, preferably a floor surface or kitchen unit bottom surface, on which the household appliance is positioned, wherein this household appliance is in contact with the surface, at least in a region of the surface, preferably by the supporting unit, due to a gravitational force acting in a gravitational field, wherein the surface is oriented at least substantially transversely to a direction of the acting gravitational force, wherein the freestanding household appliance may advantageously adopt a stable position.

A “housing base unit” is intended to be understood, in particular, as a part of a housing outer wall of a household appliance and, in particular, as a part of a lower face of the housing outer wall of the housing appliance. An “outer wall” is intended to be understood here, in particular, as a surface of a household appliance which is oriented outwardly and which encloses an interior of the household appliance at least substantially in at least one operating state.

The expression “at least to a large part” is intended to be understood in this case, in particular, as having a mass component and/or volume component of at least 55%, advantageously of at least 65%, preferably of at least 75% and particularly preferably of at least 85%.

By means of the embodiment according to the invention, in particular, an optimized and/or improved design may be achieved and, in particular, a space-saving arrangement may be achieved, in particular of the supporting unit. In particular, the complexity of a construction may be reduced, whereby the cost of production is reduced, both in terms of operation and also maintenance. Additionally, an advantageously simple mobility of a household appliance with a space-saving arrangement of the supporting unit may be obtained. In particular, for changing the position of the household appliance it is not necessary to tilt the household appliance, whereby the risk of accidents may be advantageously minimized.

Additionally, it is proposed that in an installed position the first base portion extends in a first partial region at least substantially parallel to the supporting surface and in a second partial region is oriented at an angle to the supporting surface. “Substantially parallel” is intended to be understood here, in particular, as an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in one plane, wherein the direction has a deviation relative to the reference direction, in particular, of less than 8°, advantageously less than 5° and particularly advantageously less than 2°. By a first and a second region extending “at an angle” to one another is intended to be understood here, in particular, that a surface normal of the first region and a surface normal of the second region enclose an angle which differs from 0°, and in particular are not parallel, wherein the respective surface normal is defined relative to a main extension plane of the respective region. A “main extension plane” of an object is intended to be understood, in particular, as a plane which is parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary geometric rectangular parallelepiped which only just fully encloses the object and, in particular, runs through the central point of the rectangular parallelepiped. The intermediate space may be advantageously defined thereby. Additionally, a space-saving construction may be implemented since, in particular, further components are able to be arranged in a space produced by an angled design. In particular, the second partial region has a first and a second lower portion. In particular, a first angle enclosed by a surface normal of the first partial region and by a surface normal of the first lower portion of the second partial region may have a value of between 30° and 60°, wherein the surface normals are arranged on an outer face or inner face of the first base portion. In particular, a second angle enclosed by a surface normal of the first partial region and by a surface normal of the second lower portion of the second partial region may have a value of between 0° and 120°, wherein the surface normals are arranged on an outer face or inner face of the first base portion. Preferably, the second angle ranges between 45° and 90°, particularly preferably the second angle is equal to 90°.

Preferably, the first and the second angle are constant over an entire width of the housing base unit. In particular, in a region in which the first partial region and the second partial region come together, the first partial region and the second partial region form an edge which runs over the entire width of the housing base unit. A “width of the housing base unit” is intended to be understood, in particular, as an extent of the housing base unit at least substantially parallel to the supporting surface, in an installed position and in at least one operating state, at least substantially along the rear face of the household appliance in a partial region of the outer wall.

It is further proposed that the intermediate space extends over an entire width of the housing base unit. As a result, a production process of the household appliance apparatus, in particular the forming of the intermediate space, may be simplified since a plurality of intermediate spaces which are provided, for example, for each supporting unit do not have to be formed in a plurality of method steps. Moreover, a variable arrangement with regard to a positioning of one or more supporting units is possible, for example, depending on the nature of the supporting surface over an entire extent of the intermediate space. Preferably, the intermediate space in its longitudinal extent is oriented at least substantially parallel to the front face of the household appliance. In particular, a plurality, preferably two, supporting units may be arranged in the intermediate space, wherein the supporting unit, in particular, may permit a movement of the household appliance in a preferred direction of movement. A “longitudinal extent” of an object is intended to be understood, in particular, as a length of a longest edge of a smallest imaginary geometric rectangular parallelepiped which only just fully encloses the object.

It is further proposed that the intermediate space, viewed along its longitudinal extent, has a triangular or quadrangular cross-section. As a result, a simple design may be produced. In particular, one or more supporting units may be mounted in a simple and rapid manner, whereby a saving in terms of time and cost may be achieved. The cross-section may, in particular, be of trapezoidal configuration. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cross-section may be of circular arc-shaped configuration. By an embodiment of the intermediate space which is specific to requirements, an arrangement of different sizes of supporting units in the intermediate space may be possible. Additionally, in particular, differently configured supporting unit fastenings may be used.

It is further proposed that the supporting unit is in contact with the first base portion. As a result, in particular, an advantageous mounting and a space-saving arrangement of the supporting unit may be implemented. In particular, a permanent, releasable or nonreleasable connection between the supporting unit and the first base portion may be produced thereby. The connection may be a material, non-positive and/or positive connection. By the contact of the supporting unit with the first base portion a weight of the household appliance may be supported on a non-load-critical unit of the household appliance. A region of the first base portion in which the contact is made, in particular, is dependent on a region determined by a weight distribution of the household appliance so that an optimal weight distribution is implemented on all supporting units arranged on the household appliance.

When the application recites a positive connection, also known as a form-locking connection, it is a connection that connects two elements together due to the shape of the elements themselves (e.g. ball and socket), as opposed to a force-locking connection, also known as a non-positive connection, which locks the elements together by force external to the elements (e.g. screw).

For example, the supporting unit could have at least one screw fastening portion with at least one recess for receiving a fastening screw. As a result, a safe, load-bearing and cost-effective fastening of the supporting unit may be achieved. In particular, the supporting unit is fastened to the second partial region of the first base portion by at least one screw connection. In particular, the screw fastening portion has a plate-like screw fastening lower portion and a connecting lower portion. The screw fastening lower portion may also have a further shape which is different from a plate-like embodiment. In particular, the main extension plane of the screw fastening lower portion in an installed position of the household appliance and/or in at least one operating state may be oriented at least substantially at an angle to the supporting surface. In particular, the screw fastening lower portion has the recess. The recess preferably has a recess diameter corresponding to a diameter of the fastening screw. It is also conceivable that the recess has an elongated shape in order to be able to compensate for tolerances due to inaccuracies, for example, during mounting of the supporting unit.

Moreover, it is proposed that the supporting unit has at least one positive connection fastening portion with at least one positive connection element for producing a positive connection. As a result, a cost-effective and secure connection may be produced. Additionally, the supporting unit may be mounted in a simple and time-saving manner. The positive connection fastening portion is preferably arranged on the first partial region of the first base portion. Preferably, the positive connection fastening portion is configured at least to a large part to be plate-like. The positive connection fastening portion may also have a further shape which is different from a plate-like embodiment. In particular, the positive connection element is configured as a hook element which protrudes from a main extension plane of the positive connection fastening portion. In particular, the positive connection fastening portion has two hook elements which engage through the first partial region of the first base portion.

If the screw fastening portion and the positive connection fastening portion are arranged at an angle to one another, in particular, advantages may be achieved relative to a space-saving arrangement of the supporting unit in the intermediate space. In particular, a third angle enclosed by a surface normal of the screw fastening portion, in particular the connecting lower portion, and by a surface normal of the positive connection fastening portion may have a value of between 30° and 60°, wherein the surface normals are arranged on a side facing the first base portion. In particular, a fourth angle enclosed by a surface normal of the screw fastening portion, in particular of the screw fastening lower portion, and by a surface normal of the positive connection fastening portion may have a value of between 0° and 120°, wherein the surface normals are arranged on a side facing the first base portion. Preferably, the fourth angle ranges between 45° and 90°, particularly preferably the fourth angle is equal to 90°.

An improved stability and an additional advantageous reinforcement of the first base portion may be achieved if the household appliance apparatus has at least one backing piece which is in contact with the first base portion on a side remote from the supporting surface. A longer service life and thus reduced maintenance effort and a cost reduction may be advantageously achieved thereby. By an arrangement of the backing piece on the side remote from the supporting surface, additionally a space-saving design may be achieved. In particular, the backing piece may be connected on at least one contact point by a material, positive and/or non-positive connection, preferably by means of clinching, to the first base portion. Preferably, a plurality of backing pieces is in contact with the first base portion, wherein one respective backing piece is provided for a supporting unit. The backing piece is provided to redistribute a load substantially at specific points due to the weight force of the household appliance and/or due to a shearing load and/or a torsional stress, for example when displacing the household appliance, over a larger surface and thus to reduce and/or to prevent material stress which leads to damage and/or irreversible plastic deformation of a region of the first base portion. As a result, reinforcement may be achieved at specific points in a few regions of the first base portion with a simultaneous weight reduction of the first base portion due to an advantageously low material thickness in other regions of the first base portion.

It is additionally proposed that the backing piece has at least one backing piece recess for receiving the fastening screw, wherein in a mounted state the recess of the screw fastening portion and the backing piece recess are arranged so as to be aligned with one another. In particular, the fastening screw connects the backing piece to the screw fastening portion, wherein the fastening screw engages through the first base portion which is located between the screw fastening portion and the backing piece. The backing piece recess preferably has a thread corresponding to the fastening screw. Thus, in particular, the screw fastening portion of the supporting unit may be connected fixedly to the first base portion. As a result, it is possible to mount the supporting unit in a time-saving manner. Moreover, as a result, a risk of injury to a fitter during the mounting of the supporting unit may be reduced.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the positive connection fastening portion has at least one screw recess and the backing piece has a fastening recess corresponding to the screw recess for receiving a fixing screw, wherein the positive connection fastening portion recess and the recess corresponding to the positive connection fastening portion recess are arranged so as to be aligned with one another. In particular, the fixing screw connects the backing piece to the positive connection fastening portion, wherein the fixing screw engages through the first base portion which is located between the positive connection fastening portion and the backing piece. The fastening recess of the backing piece preferably has a thread corresponding to the fixing screw. Thus, in particular, the positive connection fastening portion of the supporting unit may be fixedly connected to the first base portion. As a result, the supporting unit may be mounted in a time-saving manner and a greater stability of the connection may be achieved. Moreover, as a result, a risk of injury to a fitter during the mounting of the supporting unit may be reduced.

It is further proposed that the backing piece has at least one further positive connection element corresponding to the positive connection element of the supporting unit for producing a positive connection. In particular, the further positive connection element is configured as a stamped-out opening through which the positive connection element, which is preferably configured as a hook element, engages and produces a positive connection. Preferably, a backing piece has two stamped-out openings, wherein one respective stamped-out opening is provided for a hook element. During the mounting of the supporting unit the hook elements are able to be hooked into the stamped-out openings. Thus, in particular, an aligned arrangement of the backing piece recess with the recess of the screw fastening portion and an aligned arrangement of the screw recess with the fixing recess corresponding thereto is advantageously possible. As a result, in particular, a cost-effective connection may be produced. Moreover, a simple and rapid mounting of the supporting unit may be implemented thereby.

Moreover, it is proposed that the supporting unit has at least one roller. Preferably, the supporting unit has a rolling element, in particular a ball and preferably a wheel and/or particularly advantageously a roll, and in each case bearing elements required therefor. In particular, the household appliance is movable in a direction on the supporting surface which is fixed by the roller or the rolling element, so that a movement in all other directions in a supporting surface plane is able to be prevented. It is also conceivable that the supporting unit has a supporting foot. As a result, an advantageous positioning of the household appliance may be possible.

Moreover, a household appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, which has at least one household appliance apparatus is proposed.

A simple and time-saving fastening of the supporting unit may be carried out, in particular, by a method for mounting a household appliance apparatus, in particular a household refrigeration appliance apparatus. The backing piece is fastened to an inner face of the first base portion and subsequently the supporting unit is connected to the backing piece on an outer face of the first base portion through said base portion.

The household appliance apparatus in this case is not intended to be limited to the above-described use and embodiment. In particular, in order to fulfill a mode of operation described herein the household appliance apparatus may have a number of individual elements, components and units which is different from that cited herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly toFIG. 1thereof, there is shown a household appliance54, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, in a side view. The household appliance54has a household appliance apparatus10. The household appliance54is configured as a combined refrigerator/freezer64. The combined refrigerator/freezer64has an outer wall78. The combined refrigerator/freezer64has on a front face66a divided door68for a refrigerator and an upright freezer. The door68is, in particular, part of the outer wall78.

FIG. 2shows a lower face114of the combined refrigerator/freezer64. The combined refrigerator/freezer64contains a housing base unit16. The housing base unit16has, in particular, a first base portion18and a second base portion20. The second base portion20contains, in particular, a compressor support rail74.

The compressor support rail74is, in particular, provided to define downwardly a machine space72. The machine space72is arranged in a lower region of a rear face70of the combined refrigerator/freezer64. In the machine space72, in particular, a condenser unit, a compressor unit and a fan unit are arranged. The machine space72is defined to the rear by a machine space outer wall76. The machine space72is at least partially defined to the front by a region of the first base portion18. The machine space outer wall76is a part of the outer wall78of the combined refrigerator/freezer64.

Preferably, the first base portion18has a first partial region24. Preferably the first base portion18has a second partial region26. The first base portion18extends in the first partial region24at least substantially parallel to a supporting surface14. The first base portion18extends in the second partial region26at an angle to the supporting surface14. In particular, the second partial region26has a first and a second lower portion104,106. The second lower portion106has a vertical path, at least substantially in its main extension plane.

In particular, a first angle84enclosed by a surface normal80of the first partial region24and by a surface normal82of the first lower portion104of the second partial region26has a value of between 30° and 60°.

In particular, a second angle62enclosed by a surface normal80of the first partial region24and by a surface normal60of the second lower portion106of the second partial region26has a value of 90°.

In particular, the first base portion18has a further partial region108.

The combined refrigerator/freezer64has a supporting unit12. The supporting unit12is provided for contact with the supporting surface14. The supporting unit12has at least one roller52. It is also conceivable that the supporting unit12contains a rolling element which is different from the roller52, for example a ball, a roll or a wheel.

The first base portion18and the second base portion20define an intermediate space22in one region. In particular, the intermediate space22is configured as a recess of the housing base unit16oriented inwardly relative to a housing116of the combined refrigerator/freezer64. The housing116of the combined refrigerator/freezer64is defined at least substantially by the outer wall78. The intermediate space22extends over an entire width of the housing base unit16. The intermediate space22extends in a rear half of the housing base unit16.

Viewed along a longitudinal extent of the intermediate space22, the intermediate space22has a triangular cross-section28. In particular, the cross-section28has at least substantially a shape of a right-angled triangle.

Preferably, the shape and size of the cross-section28are at least substantially constant over the entire width of the housing base unit16. It is also conceivable that the intermediate space22has a further cross-section, for example a quadrangular, in particular trapezoidal, cross-section28.

FIG. 5shows a view of the supporting unit12. In particular, the supporting unit12contains a screw fastening portion30. In particular, the supporting unit12comprises a form-locking connection fastening portion36.

Preferably, the screw fastening portion30and the form-locking connection fastening portion36are arranged at an angle to one another.

The screw fastening portion30has a screw fastening lower portion110.

A fourth angle90enclosed by a surface normal86of the screw fastening lower portion110with a surface normal88of the positive connection fastening portion36is approximately 90°. The supporting unit12has a connecting lower portion92. In particular, a surface normal94of the connecting lower portion92encloses a third angle96with the surface normal88of the positive connection fastening portion36. The third angle96and the first angle84are preferably of the same size. The fourth angle90and the second angle62are preferably of the same size. It is also conceivable that the first angle84, the second angle62, the third angle96and the fourth angle90are of the same size.

Two supporting units12are arranged at least partially in the intermediate space22(FIG. 2). Advantageously, the supporting units12are arranged at least to a large part in the intermediate space22. In particular, the supporting units12are in contact with the first base portion18, in particular on the outer face58thereof (seeFIG. 4).

In particular, the form-locking connection fastening portion36is in contact with the first partial region24. In particular, the screw fastening lower portion110is in contact with the first lower portion104of the second partial region26.

In particular, the screw fastening lower portion110has a recess32. The recess32is provided for receiving a fastening screw34. The recess32is configured to be circular. It is also conceivable that the recess32has a different shape, for example an elongated shape.

In particular, the form-locking connection fastening portion36has at least one screw recess44. The screw recess44is provided for receiving a fixing screw48. The screw recess44is configured to be circular. It is also conceivable that the screw recess44has a different shape, for example an elongated shape.

In particular, the form-locking (also known as positive) connection fastening portion36has two form-locking connection elements38. The form-locking connection elements38are configured as hook elements98. The hook elements98are provided for producing a form-locking connection.

The household appliance apparatus10has a backing piece40(seeFIG. 6). The backing piece40is in contact, in particular, with the first base portion18on a side (seeFIG. 3) remote from the supporting surface14. In particular, the backing piece40is connected by means of a form-locking and/or force-locking connection, preferably by means of a clinched connection, to the first base portion18.

In particular, the backing piece40has a backing piece recess42. The backing piece recess42is provided for receiving the fastening screw34. The backing piece recess42is configured to be circular. Preferably, the backing piece recess42has a thread112. The recess32of the screw fastening lower portion110and the backing piece recess42are arranged so as to be aligned with one another in an assembled state.

In particular, the backing piece40has a fixing recess46corresponding to the screw recess44. The fixing recess46is provided for receiving the fixing screw48. Preferably, the fixing recess46has a thread118. The screw recess44and the fixing recess46are arranged so as to be aligned with one another.

In particular, the backing piece40has two further positive connection elements50corresponding to the positive connection element38of the supporting unit12. The further form-locking connection elements50are provided for producing a positive connection. In particular, the further form-locking connection elements50are configured as stamped-out openings.

In particular, the supporting unit12is connected to the backing piece40on the first base portion18by means of a form-locking and/or force-locking connection passing through the first base portion18. The first base portion18is clamped between the supporting unit12and the backing piece40.

Preferably, two backing pieces40and two supporting units12are arranged on the first base portion18in the intermediate space22. Depending on requirements, any number of backing pieces40and supporting units12may be arranged on the first base portion18in the intermediate space22, this number being different from two.

FIG. 7shows a sketch of a method for the mounting of the household appliance apparatus10. The following method steps100,102apply both to a backing piece40and a supporting unit12and also to a plurality of backing pieces40and a plurality of supporting units12. A method for one backing piece40and one supporting unit12is described hereinafter.

In a first method step100the backing piece40is fastened to an inner face56of the first base portion18, preferably by means of a clinched connection. In a further method step102, in particular, the supporting unit12is connected on an outer face58of the first base portion18to the backing piece40by the hook elements98, through the base portion. Subsequently, in particular, the form-locking connection fastening portion36may be connected on the outer face58of the first base portion18to the backing piece40by the fixing screw48, through the base portion. Subsequently, in particular, the screw fastening portion30is connected on the outer face58of the first base portion18to the backing piece40by means of the fastening screw34, through the base portion.