Patent Publication Number: US-11029082-B2

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

Description:
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. 
     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 household 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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic, side view of a household appliance configured as a combined refrigerator/freezer with a household appliance apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a lower face of the household appliance; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective, side view of a housing base unit of the household appliance apparatus with backing pieces and a machine space; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective, side view of the housing base unit of the household appliance apparatus and supporting units fastened to the housing base unit, obliquely from the rear; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the supporting unit; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the backing piece; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of a method for the mounting of the household appliance apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown a household appliance  54 , in particular a household refrigeration appliance, in a side view. The household appliance  54  has a household appliance apparatus  10 . The household appliance  54  is configured as a combined refrigerator/freezer  64 . The combined refrigerator/freezer  64  has an outer wall  78 . The combined refrigerator/freezer  64  has on a front face  66  a divided door  68  for a refrigerator and an upright freezer. The door  68  is, in particular, part of the outer wall  78 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a lower face  114  of the combined refrigerator/freezer  64 . The combined refrigerator/freezer  64  contains a housing base unit  16 . The housing base unit  16  has, in particular, a first base portion  18  and a second base portion  20 . The second base portion  20  contains, in particular, a compressor support rail  74 . 
     The compressor support rail  74  is, in particular, provided to define downwardly a machine space  72 . The machine space  72  is arranged in a lower region of a rear face  70  of the combined refrigerator/freezer  64 . In the machine space  72 , in particular, a condenser unit, a compressor unit and a fan unit are arranged. The machine space  72  is defined to the rear by a machine space outer wall  76 . The machine space  72  is at least partially defined to the front by a region of the first base portion  18 . The machine space outer wall  76  is a part of the outer wall  78  of the combined refrigerator/freezer  64 . 
     Preferably, the first base portion  18  has a first partial region  24 . Preferably the first base portion  18  has a second partial region  26 . The first base portion  18  extends in the first partial region  24  at least substantially parallel to a supporting surface  14 . The first base portion  18  extends in the second partial region  26  at an angle to the supporting surface  14 . In particular, the second partial region  26  has a first and a second lower portion  104 ,  106 . The second lower portion  106  has a vertical path, at least substantially in its main extension plane. 
     In particular, a first angle  84  enclosed by a surface normal  80  of the first partial region  24  and by a surface normal  82  of the first lower portion  104  of the second partial region  26  has a value of between 30° and 60°. 
     In particular, a second angle  62  enclosed by a surface normal  80  of the first partial region  24  and by a surface normal  60  of the second lower portion  106  of the second partial region  26  has a value of 90°. 
     In particular, the first base portion  18  has a further partial region  108 . 
     The combined refrigerator/freezer  64  has a supporting unit  12 . The supporting unit  12  is provided for contact with the supporting surface  14 . The supporting unit  12  has at least one roller  52 . It is also conceivable that the supporting unit  12  contains a rolling element which is different from the roller  52 , for example a ball, a roll or a wheel. 
     The first base portion  18  and the second base portion  20  define an intermediate space  22  in one region. In particular, the intermediate space  22  is configured as a recess of the housing base unit  16  oriented inwardly relative to a housing  116  of the combined refrigerator/freezer  64 . The housing  116  of the combined refrigerator/freezer  64  is defined at least substantially by the outer wall  78 . The intermediate space  22  extends over an entire width of the housing base unit  16 . The intermediate space  22  extends in a rear half of the housing base unit  16 . 
     Viewed along a longitudinal extent of the intermediate space  22 , the intermediate space  22  has a triangular cross-section  28 . In particular, the cross-section  28  has at least substantially a shape of a right-angled triangle. 
     Preferably, the shape and size of the cross-section  28  are at least substantially constant over the entire width of the housing base unit  16 . It is also conceivable that the intermediate space  22  has a further cross-section, for example a quadrangular, in particular trapezoidal, cross-section  28 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a view of the supporting unit  12 . In particular, the supporting unit  12  contains a screw fastening portion  30 . In particular, the supporting unit  12  comprises a form-locking connection fastening portion  36 . 
     Preferably, the screw fastening portion  30  and the form-locking connection fastening portion  36  are arranged at an angle to one another. 
     The screw fastening portion  30  has a screw fastening lower portion  110 . 
     A fourth angle  90  enclosed by a surface normal  86  of the screw fastening lower portion  110  with a surface normal  88  of the positive connection fastening portion  36  is approximately 90°. The supporting unit  12  has a connecting lower portion  92 . In particular, a surface normal  94  of the connecting lower portion  92  encloses a third angle  96  with the surface normal  88  of the positive connection fastening portion  36 . The third angle  96  and the first angle  84  are preferably of the same size. The fourth angle  90  and the second angle  62  are preferably of the same size. It is also conceivable that the first angle  84 , the second angle  62 , the third angle  96  and the fourth angle  90  are of the same size. 
     Two supporting units  12  are arranged at least partially in the intermediate space  22  ( FIG. 2 ). Advantageously, the supporting units  12  are arranged at least to a large part in the intermediate space  22 . In particular, the supporting units  12  are in contact with the first base portion  18 , in particular on the outer face  58  thereof (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     In particular, the form-locking connection fastening portion  36  is in contact with the first partial region  24 . In particular, the screw fastening lower portion  110  is in contact with the first lower portion  104  of the second partial region  26 . 
     In particular, the screw fastening lower portion  110  has a recess  32 . The recess  32  is provided for receiving a fastening screw  34 . The recess  32  is configured to be circular. It is also conceivable that the recess  32  has a different shape, for example an elongated shape. 
     In particular, the form-locking connection fastening portion  36  has at least one screw recess  44 . The screw recess  44  is provided for receiving a fixing screw  48 . The screw recess  44  is configured to be circular. It is also conceivable that the screw recess  44  has a different shape, for example an elongated shape. 
     In particular, the form-locking (also known as positive) connection fastening portion  36  has two form-locking connection elements  38 . The form-locking connection elements  38  are configured as hook elements  98 . The hook elements  98  are provided for producing a form-locking connection. 
     The household appliance apparatus  10  has a backing piece  40  (see  FIG. 6 ). The backing piece  40  is in contact, in particular, with the first base portion  18  on a side (see  FIG. 3 ) remote from the supporting surface  14 . In particular, the backing piece  40  is connected by means of a form-locking and/or force-locking connection, preferably by means of a clinched connection, to the first base portion  18 . 
     In particular, the backing piece  40  has a backing piece recess  42 . The backing piece recess  42  is provided for receiving the fastening screw  34 . The backing piece recess  42  is configured to be circular. Preferably, the backing piece recess  42  has a thread  112 . The recess  32  of the screw fastening lower portion  110  and the backing piece recess  42  are arranged so as to be aligned with one another in an assembled state. 
     In particular, the backing piece  40  has a fixing recess  46  corresponding to the screw recess  44 . The fixing recess  46  is provided for receiving the fixing screw  48 . Preferably, the fixing recess  46  has a thread  118 . The screw recess  44  and the fixing recess  46  are arranged so as to be aligned with one another. 
     In particular, the backing piece  40  has two further positive connection elements  50  corresponding to the positive connection element  38  of the supporting unit  12 . The further form-locking connection elements  50  are provided for producing a positive connection. In particular, the further form-locking connection elements  50  are configured as stamped-out openings. 
     In particular, the supporting unit  12  is connected to the backing piece  40  on the first base portion  18  by means of a form-locking and/or force-locking connection passing through the first base portion  18 . The first base portion  18  is clamped between the supporting unit  12  and the backing piece  40 . 
     Preferably, two backing pieces  40  and two supporting units  12  are arranged on the first base portion  18  in the intermediate space  22 . Depending on requirements, any number of backing pieces  40  and supporting units  12  may be arranged on the first base portion  18  in the intermediate space  22 , this number being different from two. 
       FIG. 7  shows a sketch of a method for the mounting of the household appliance apparatus  10 . The following method steps  100 ,  102  apply both to a backing piece  40  and a supporting unit  12  and also to a plurality of backing pieces  40  and a plurality of supporting units  12 . A method for one backing piece  40  and one supporting unit  12  is described hereinafter. 
     In a first method step  100  the backing piece  40  is fastened to an inner face  56  of the first base portion  18 , preferably by means of a clinched connection. In a further method step  102 , in particular, the supporting unit  12  is connected on an outer face  58  of the first base portion  18  to the backing piece  40  by the hook elements  98 , through the base portion. Subsequently, in particular, the form-locking connection fastening portion  36  may be connected on the outer face  58  of the first base portion  18  to the backing piece  40  by the fixing screw  48 , through the base portion. Subsequently, in particular, the screw fastening portion  30  is connected on the outer face  58  of the first base portion  18  to the backing piece  40  by means of the fastening screw  34 , through the base portion. 
     The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
       10  Household appliance apparatus     12  Supporting unit     14  Supporting surface     16  Housing base unit     18  First base portion     20  Second base portion     22  Intermediate space     24  First partial region     26  Second partial region     28  Cross-section     30  Screw fastening portion     32  Recess     34  Fastening screw     36  Positive connection fastening portion     38  Positive connection element     40  Backing piece     42  Backing piece recess     44  Screw recess     46  Fixing recess     48  Fixing screw     50  Further positive connection element     52  Roller     54  Household appliance     56  Inner face     58  Outer face     60  Surface normal     62  Second angle     64  Combined refrigerator/freezer     66  Front face     68  Door     70  Rear face     72  Machine space     74  Compressor support rail     76  Machine space outer wall     78  Outer wall     80  Surface normal     82  Surface normal     84  First angle     86  Surface normal     88  Surface normal     90  Fourth angle     92  Connecting lower portion     94  Surface normal     96  Third angle     98  Hook element     100  Method step     102  Method step     104  First lower portion     106  Second lower portion     108  Partial region     110  Screw fastening lower portion     112  Thread     114  Lower face     116  Housing     118  Thread