Corner element, handle profile for a kitchen module, kitchen module

Abstract

Corner element (10) for a handle profile (100) for a kitchen module, in particular for a corner wall cabinet and / or for a corner filler strip, with an essentially L-shaped base body (11) with two legs (11a, 11b), wherein the legs (11a, 11b) each have a handle side (12a, 12b) facing a handle, wherein the legs (11a, 11b) each have at least one channel (13a, 13b) for receiving at least one light source (104) and each have a connection element (14a, 14b) for connecting the light sources (104), wherein the corner element (10) further comprises at least one supply line (15) for the power supply and a distribution element (16) connectable to the supply line (15) for distributing the current to the connection elements (14a, 14b).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a corner element for a handle profile for a kitchen module, a handle profile with such a corner element and a kitchen module with such a handle profile.

[0002] In recent years, the trend in kitchen design and furnishing has been towards handleless kitchens. This means that cabinets, drawers, and other kitchen modules no longer have visible, protruding handles, but are instead opened using recessed handles. A recessed handle, also known as a grip or handle profile, is a groove integrated into the body of a kitchen module, into which one can grasp to open the respective module.

[0003] Furthermore, when designing handleless kitchens, it is often desirable to equip the handle strip with lighting to indirectly illuminate the kitchen. Soft, diffused lighting is often particularly desirable for work surfaces or work areas. The lighting can also be used to accentuate or highlight specific elements or modules.

[0004] With kitchen modules that have a corner, such as corner wall cabinets, problems can arise with the connection of the lighting as well as with uniform lighting of the two legs defining the corner.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a corner element for a handle profile that overcomes the existing disadvantages and can be used flexibly.

[0006] The problem is solved by a corner element with the features according to claim 1, by a handle profile with the features according to claim 7 and by a kitchen module with the features according to claim 12. Advantageous embodiments and further developments result from the dependent claims.

[0007] The corner element according to the invention is designed for a handle profile for a kitchen module, in particular for a corner wall cabinet and / or for a corner filler strip, and comprises a substantially L-shaped base body with two legs, each leg having a handle side facing a handle (for example, formed by a furniture front), each leg having at least one channel for receiving at least one light source and each leg having a connection element for connecting the light source. Furthermore, the corner element comprises at least one supply line and a distribution element connectable to the supply line for distributing the current to the connection elements.

[0008] A kitchen module refers to a single piece of kitchen furniture, an arrangement, or a combination of several kitchen units. Generally, kitchens are modular in design. This means that customers have a wide variety of choices and combinations. However, kitchens are often planned in an L- or U-shape, so there is usually at least one corner.

[0009] The advantages of the invention lie particularly in the fact that the corner element can supply power to a light source in each leg via a single power cable. This ensures uniform illumination in both legs. Since a light source cannot be installed in the corner itself, the corner element allows for almost complete illumination of the handle profile.

[0010] One embodiment of the invention provides that the legs form a 90° angle with each other. In other words, the corner defined by the corner element is a right angle. However, it is also possible to provide alternative embodiments with other angles between the legs of the corner element. The angle can, for example, be acute or obtuse.

[0011] Another design involves the legs being of equal length. In other words, the corner element is isosceles. However, depending on the design of the kitchen modules, the corner element may also be asymmetrical.

[0012] It is possible that the legs on the reverse sides, opposite the handles, have at least one fixing element, which is designed to form a connection with a kitchen module. The fixing element could, for example, be a pin or a pin profile that fits into a corresponding recess in the kitchen module. To improve the fixing, an additional adhesive connection may also be provided. A purely adhesive connection or a screw connection are also conceivable.

[0013] It is also possible that a cover element shaped to match the base body is provided to cover the channels, the cover element having at least one connecting element for connection to the base body. The cover element can serve, firstly, to fix the light sources and / or to protect the light sources and the connection elements. Secondly, the cover element can also act as a light diffuser, thus scattering the light from the light sources and enabling softer illumination. The connecting element is designed, for example, to allow a detachable clamp connection with the base body.

[0014] The corner element may also include a control unit, which is designed to control the light intensity and / or color and / or temporal and / or spatial light distribution of the light sources. This is advantageous when personalized lighting characteristics are required, for example, for greetings or farewells, as well as accent lighting triggered by movement or similar situations. The control unit may also be integrated into the kitchen module and control the lighting of multiple corner elements and / or handle profiles.

[0015] A subordinate aspect of the invention relates to a handle profile. The handle profile is intended for a kitchen module, in particular for a corner wall cabinet, and comprises at least one corner element of the type mentioned above, at least one longitudinal element, wherein the longitudinal element comprises a base body with a handle side facing a handle (for example formed by a furniture front), a channel for receiving at least one light source and a cover element, and at least one light source.

[0016] One embodiment provides that the base body of the longitudinal element has at least one fixing element on a rear side opposite the handle for connection to a kitchen module. The fixing element can, for example, be a pin or a pin profile that can be inserted into a corresponding receptacle in the kitchen module.

[0017] It is possible that the fixing element has at least one undercut. This allows for a good and secure hold of the longitudinal element while simultaneously enabling easy installation and the possibility of replacing the longitudinal element and / or the light source.

[0018] One embodiment of the invention provides that the light source is or comprises an LED strip. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are very energy-efficient and robust, generate hardly any heat, and allow for flexible design options, for example, with regard to light color, brightness, or light gradients.

[0019] It is possible that the cover element of the longitudinal element has at least one connecting element for attachment to the base body. The cover element can serve, firstly, to secure the light source and / or protect the light source and the connection elements. Secondly, the cover element can also act as a light diffuser or prism, thus scattering the light from the light source and enabling softer illumination. The connecting element is, for example, designed to allow a detachable clamp connection with the base body.

[0020] A further subordinate aspect of the invention relates to a kitchen module, in particular a corner wall cabinet, comprising at least one handle profile of the type mentioned above and / or at least one corner element of the type mentioned above.

[0021] The invention is further explained below with regard to other features and advantages by means of a description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

[0022] This shows Fig. 1 in a perspective exploded view an embodiment of the corner element according to the invention, Fig. 2 in a schematic bottom view of the embodiment of the corner element according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 in a perspective exploded view an embodiment of the handle profile according to the invention with a corner element according to the invention. Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 in a schematic side view the embodiment of the handle profile according to Fig. 3.

[0023] Corresponding parts and components are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and scales may vary between figures.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a corner element 10 according to the invention. The corner element comprises an L-shaped base body 11 with two legs 11a, 11b that are at right angles to each other. Each leg 11a, 11b has a handle side 12a, 12b facing a handle (for example, formed by a furniture front) and each has a channel 13a, 13b. Light sources can be accommodated in the channels 13a, 13b. The corner element 10 also includes a supply line 15 for the light sources. The corner element can be attached to or in a kitchen module using fixing means 18. Corresponding receptacles for the pin-like fixing means 18 are provided in the kitchen module for this purpose. To improve the hold, this plug connection can also be secured by means of an adhesive bond.

[0025] Furthermore, the corner element includes a cover element 19, which covers channels 13a and 13b during operation. The cover element 19 serves two purposes: firstly, to secure the light sources and / or to protect the light sources 104 and the connection elements 14; and secondly, to act as a light diffuser, thus scattering the light from the light sources 104 and providing softer illumination. Connecting elements 20 are provided on the cover element 19 to enable a detachable clamp connection with the base body 11.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic bottom view of an embodiment of the corner element 10 according to the invention. The two channels 13a, 13b of the legs 11a, 11b of the base body 11 of the corner element 10 each comprise a connection element 14a, 14b for connecting a light source 104. The connection elements 14a, 14b are connected to the distribution element 16. The distribution element 16 is a so-called Y-splitter, which distributes the current from the supply line 15 to both connection elements 14a, 14b. This simplifies cable routing in kitchen design, since only one cable is needed to power two handle profiles.

[0027] In Fig. 3 is a handle profile 100 with a corner element 10 and two longitudinal elements 100a. The longitudinal elements 100a are of different lengths. Each longitudinal element 100a comprises an elongated base body 101 with a handle side 102 facing a handle (for example, formed by a furniture front) and a channel 103 for receiving a light source 104. The light sources 104 are connected to the connection elements 14a, 14b of the corner element 10 for power supply. The longitudinal elements 100a also include fixing elements 118 and a cover element 119.

[0028] The fixing devices 118 are also shown in the schematic side view in Fig. 4 shown. The fixing means 118 include at least one undercut 118a for forming a good and secure connection with a kitchen module.

[0029] Furthermore, it shows Fig.4, that the light source 104 is held in the channel 103 by the provided retaining elements 121. Thus, the light source 104, designed as an LED strip, can be inserted or slid into the longitudinal element 100a and is thereby securely fixed. In addition, the cover element 119 can also be used to fix the light source 104. The cover element 119 has connecting elements 120 for forming a clamping or plug connection in the channel 103 of the longitudinal elements 100a. Reference symbol list 10 corner elements 11 Basic shapes 11a first leg 11b second thigh 12 Handle side 12a Grip side (first leg) 12b Grip side (second leg) Channel 13 13a Canal (first leg) 13b Canal (second leg) 14 Connection element 14a Connection element (first leg) 14b Connection element (second leg) 15 Supply line 16 Distribution element 17 reverse 17a Reverse side (first leg) 17b Back (second leg) 18 Fixatives 19 Cover element 20 fasteners 100 handle profiles 100a Longitudinal element 101 Basic shapes 102 Handle side Channel 103 104 light bulbs 117 reverse 118 Fixatives 118a Undercut 119 Cover element 120 fasteners

Claims

Corner element (10) for a handle profile (100) for a kitchen module, in particular for a corner wall cabinet and / or for a corner filler strip, with a substantially L-shaped base body (11) with two legs (11a, 11b), wherein the legs (11a, 11b) each have a handle side (12a, 12b) facing a handle, wherein the legs (11a, 11b) each have at least one channel (13a, 13b) for receiving at least one light source (104) and each have a connection element (14a, 14b) for connecting the light sources (104), wherein the corner element (10) further comprises at least one supply line (15) for the power supply and a distribution element (16) connectable to the supply line (15) for distributing the current to the connection elements (14a, 14b). Corner element according to claim 1, characterized in that the legs (11a, 11b) form an angle of 90° to each other. Corner element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the legs (11a, 11b) have the same length. Corner element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (11a, 11b) have at least one fixing means (18) on the rear sides (17a, 17b) opposite the handle sides (12a, 12b), wherein the fixing means (18) is designed to form a connection with a kitchen module. Corner element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover element (19) shaped to correspond to the base body is provided for covering the channels (13a, 13b), wherein the cover element (19) has at least one connecting means (20) for connection with the base body (11). Corner element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the corner element (10) further comprises a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control a luminous intensity and / or a luminous color and / or a temporal luminous profile and / or a spatial luminous profile of the light sources (104). Handle profile (100) for a kitchen module, in particular for a corner wall cabinet, comprising at least one corner element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, at least one longitudinal element (100a), wherein the longitudinal element comprises a base body (101) with a handle side (102) facing a handle, a channel (103) for receiving at least one light source (104) and a cover element (119), and at least one light source (104). Handle profile according to claim 7, characterized in that the base body (101) of the longitudinal element (100a) has at least one fixing means (118) for connection with a kitchen module on a rear side (117) opposite the handle side (102). Handle profile according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the fixing means (118) has at least one undercut (118a). Handle profile according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the light source (104) is or comprises an LED strip. Handle profile according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the cover element (119) of the longitudinal element (100a) has at least one connecting means (120) for connection with the base body (101). Kitchen module, in particular a corner wall cabinet, comprising at least one handle profile (100) according to one of claims 7 to 11 and / or at least one corner element (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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