COOKING APPLIANCE WITH A SPECIFIC DAMPING UNIT BETWEEN GUIDE TRACKS OF A GUIDE DEVICE FOR A RETRACTABLE DOOR

Description

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance with a cooking chamber. The cooking appliance further comprises a door designed to close the cooking chamber. Furthermore, the cooking appliance has a storage compartment separate from the cooking chamber, into which the door can be lowered when open. During movement into and / or out of the storage compartment, the door is guided by a guide device of the cooking appliance. The guide device has a guide unit having two separate guide elements and at least one guide slot in which the guide unit of the guide device is guided, wherein the guide unit is connected to the door.The guide unit has a guide bracket on which the two separate guide elements are arranged, which are arranged at different heights viewed in the height direction, wherein the guide element at the lower height moves on a lower guide track and is arranged without contact to a separate upper guide track, and the guide element at the upper height moves on the upper guide track and is arranged without contact to the lower guide track.

[0002] One embodiment of a cooking appliance is known, for example, from DE 7042009 U. This device provides a guide device. Guide rollers are guided along lateral guide rails. These rollers are firmly connected to a hinge plate, which is connected to the door. When the door is retracted, the guide rail, in which the rollers are guided, is located below the door. Viewed in the width direction, the door overlaps this guide rail.

[0003] Furthermore, a device with a door is known from DE 10 2006 002 409 A1. The cooking appliance therein has a door that can be lowered into a storage space. Here, too, a guide track is provided, along which a sliding gate slide moves. The guide track is formed on a side wall that defines the storage space. The guide track is spaced from a floor that defines the storage space at the bottom and is offset upwards. This means that the guide track is positioned relatively high. When the door is retracted into the storage space, these guide tracks and the gate, in which the sliding gate slide moves, are arranged next to one another in the width direction and thus at the same height. This means that doors with a limited width can only be used.

[0004] DE 10 2011 086 970 A1 discloses a household appliance with a retractable appliance door. The door can only be damped by a damping element during an opening movement. The design provides for only one guide groove, in which a guide element designed as a slide is guided. The guide element is coupled to the damping element to dampen the opening movement. The damping element has a complex structure and comprises a multitude of interacting and meshing elements. This makes it space-intensive.

[0005] DE 10 2015 222 796 A1 describes a cooking appliance with a cooking chamber and a door for closing the cooking chamber, and with a storage compartment into which the door can be moved from an open position, wherein the door can be pivoted outside the storage compartment between a fully open and fully closed position. Furthermore, the door is coupled to a carriage by means of which the door can be moved from an outer storage compartment position to an inner storage compartment position, wherein the door is prevented from retracting into the storage compartment by a magnetic device when pivoting between the closed position and the open position. In order to prevent damage to the magnetic device when pulling the door out from the inner storage compartment position to the pulled-out outer storage compartment position, an elastic stop is provided.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance in which the guidance of a door from a storage space into the closed end position is improved.

[0007] This object is achieved by a cooking appliance having the features of claim 1.

[0008] One aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance with a cooking chamber. The cooking appliance also has a door which is designed and arranged to close the cooking chamber. Furthermore, the cooking appliance has a storage compartment separate from the cooking chamber. The door can be lowered into this storage compartment when open. When the door is moved into and / or out of the storage compartment, the door is guided by a guide device of the cooking appliance. The guide device has a guide unit having at least two separate guide elements and preferably at least one guide slot in which the guide unit of the guide device is guided. The guide unit is thus movable in the guide slot relative to the guide slot. The guide unit in question is connected to the door and thus mechanically coupled.The guide unit has a guide bracket on which the at least two separate guide elements are arranged. These guide elements are arranged at different heights, viewed in the vertical direction of the cooking appliance. Preferably, the guide element at the lower height moves along a guide track and is arranged without contact with a separate, further guide track of the guide device. Preferably, the guide element at the upper height moves along the further guide track and is arranged without contact with the other guide track.The cooking appliance has at least one damping unit which is coupled to the guide unit from an intermediate position of the door on the closing path of the door between a fully open end position of the door and a fully closed end position of the door, so that at least a partial closing path is damped when closing the door between the intermediate position and the fully closed end position of the door.

[0009] This design improves door guidance when moving out of the storage compartment. Furthermore, the damping unit can be quickly replaced for maintenance purposes or in the event of a replacement.

[0010] In this context, wider doors can also be used, as the guide rail is preferably located below the door. This allows for doors that at least overlap the guide rail, viewed in the width direction of the cooking appliance.

[0011] Advantageously, it is provided that the at least one damping unit is arranged between the upper guide track and the lower guide track arranged vertically below it, as viewed in the vertical direction of the cooking appliance. By arranging the damping unit in such an intermediate position, the installation space between the guide tracks can be used to attach an additional, separate unit there. On the one hand, this creates a contact structure for the entire arrangement, and on the other hand, this design means that the damping unit is arranged directly adjacent to these guide tracks, in particular the upper guide track. A corresponding coupling of the damping unit to the moving guide unit is then made very simple and reliable.The inherent possibility of the design with two guideways offset vertically from each other now also allows for the advantageous installation of the damping unit. This allows the damping unit itself to be very small and compact, yet still allows for reliable coupling with the guide unit. In particular, this in turn enables very precise and highly functional damping on this defined partial closing path.

[0012] Preferably, the storage space is delimited by a vertical side wall, with the upper guide track formed in the side wall and the damping unit arranged in this side wall. Such a configuration allows the damping unit to be installed in a very stable and robust component, namely the side wall. This also achieves a high level of positional stability. Furthermore, this position of the damping unit also enables a quasi-lateral installation with regard to the storage space. The storage space itself, in particular with regard to the movement of the door into or out of the storage space, is not impaired and does not have to be reduced.

[0013] Preferably, the storage space is delimited by a further vertical side wall opposite in the width direction. In an advantageous embodiment, a further separate damping unit can also be arranged on this side wall. In particular, it is provided that the storage space is delimited to the rear by an additional rear wall. Furthermore, the storage space can be delimited by a floor wall and a ceiling wall.

[0014] Advantageously, the upper guide track has a front third of its length, viewed in the depth direction of the cooking appliance. The damping unit is arranged below the upper guide track and, viewed in the depth direction, is arranged in this front third of its length. In particular, the damping unit, with its length viewed in the depth direction, is arranged entirely in this third of its length. Such a specified positioning of the damping unit relative to the upper guide track, viewed in the depth direction, also makes it possible to construct the damping unit particularly compactly and yet to generate the damping effect only via this aforementioned partial closing path when closing the door. In this context, no extensive and complex additional coupling devices need to be provided between the damping unit and the guide unit.This also enables a more direct coupling and minimizes the coupling paths or the coupling chain between the damping unit and the guide unit.

[0015] Advantageously, the damping unit is designed as a pneumatic or hydraulic damper. Such designs are compact, mechanically robust, and highly functional. This provides a particular advantage over other types of damping units, such as electrical or magnetic damping units. Another advantage is their low maintenance requirements.

[0016] Additionally or instead, the damping unit can be designed with a cartridge-like housing. Such a tubular or cylindrical housing design enables a correspondingly compact construction while still maintaining a highly functional damping effect. The functionality required, particularly in a pneumatic or hydraulic damper, can be implemented particularly compactly in such a cartridge-like housing.

[0017] Preferably, the damping unit is directly coupled to the guide unit on the partial closing path. This also promotes a compact and space-saving design and provides a very direct and low-tolerance damping effect.

[0018] Preferably, the damping unit is directly connected to a transmission element, wherein the transmission element is directly coupled to the guide unit on the partial closing path. This makes it possible to specifically enable direct mechanical coupling to the guide unit at specific locations, in particular in the vertical direction in the region of the upper guide track. Other components then remain unaffected in this context. In particular, the transmission element can be designed as a bracket. For example, an L-shaped design of the bracket can be provided here. This design allows the damping unit to be installed in the aforementioned vertical side wall, viewed in the width direction of the cooking appliance, in particular to be embedded at least 50 percent, in particular at least 70 percent, in particular at least 90 percent in this vertical side wall.As a result, it is arranged so as not to protrude into the storage space at all or only minimally in the width direction. With such a recessed or embedded arrangement of the damping unit, this transmission element in particular nevertheless creates the possibility of directly mechanically contacting the guide unit arranged at least partially laterally to the damping unit, in particular a guide bracket of this guide unit, when this guide unit, in particular the guide bracket, moves in the depth direction of the cooking appliance relative to the vertical side wall.

[0019] Preferably, the transmission element is arranged to be displaceable in the depth direction, so that when the guide unit is coupled to the transmission element and the guide unit is then further moved along the partial closing path in the depth direction, the transmission element is guided forward with the guide unit, and this movement, as well as during this movement, activates or actuates the damping unit for damping. A relatively small element, such as the transmission element, can thus enable highly effective coupling with the guide unit and very precise movement, whereby the damping is also applied and effected very precisely along this defined partial closing path.

[0020] Preferably, the transmission element has at least one guide web, which provides anti-twist protection for the transmission element during its movement in the depth direction. In particular, anti-twist protection around an axis extending in the depth direction or substantially in the depth direction is prevented. This prevents unwanted mechanical contact with other components of the door when the door is moved in the storage space. Damage or functional impairments are thus avoided.

[0021] Preferably, the coupling of the guide unit to the damping unit for damping the movement of the door on the partial closing path is designed at a distance, measured in the depth direction, from the front end of the upper guide track of between 20 mm and 30 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 25 mm. By positioning the components in this way in the depth direction of the cooking appliance, a defined partial closing path is achieved in a particularly precise manner, which is not too short on the one hand, and not too long on the other. Especially with such partial closing paths, which are relatively small in relation to the entire movement path of the door between an open position and a closed position, it is therefore particularly important and advantageous that only minimal or no tolerances arise with regard to the adjustment of the damping effect.Otherwise, if the damping action kicks in too early and occurs over a relatively long distance, the door could close too slowly and forcefully. On the other hand, if the damping action kicks in too late, an undesirably hard impact could occur in the closed end position. This depth-direction positioning, as described above, achieves a very advantageous position for the damping unit, which takes these aspects into account.

[0022] Preferably, the partial closing path begins when the door is closed at an angular position of the door between 20° and 12°, in particular between 17° and 13°, relative to the vertical. The partial closing path is therefore defined over a relatively small angular interval. This also achieves the aforementioned advantages. Especially with such small partial closing paths, the precise and accurate application of the damping effect is possible, and the precise damping effect over the partial closing path is also advantageous.

[0023] Preferably, the partial closing path does not extend to the fully closed end position of the door, so that a final closing path that follows the partial closing path when the door is closed and extends to the fully closed state of the door is undamped. This accelerates the closing process of the door while still preventing an undesirably hard impact in the fully closed end position.

[0024] In particular, damping of the movement of the door during a closing process between the fully open end position and the fully closed end position is only implemented on the partial closing path.

[0025] Advantageously, the damping unit is provided with a freewheel, so that the damping effect is deactivated on the final closing travel. This allows this non-damping on the final closing travel to be achieved in a very simple yet highly functional and precise manner. No additional unit is required to prevent damping in this regard; instead, the damper is designed so that it no longer dampens beyond this final closing travel.

[0026] Preferably, the final closing travel extends over an angular interval between 8° and 12° relative to the vertical. It may be provided that the damping unit is coupled directly to the door for the damping effect or, as already mentioned above, coupled to this door or guide unit via a transmission element, which is particularly integrally formed, in particular a bracket.

[0027] It can be provided that the damping unit itself has such a transmission element integrated and thus formed integrally with it. However, the transmission element can also be a separate component from the damping unit, which is connected to it. In such a configuration, the transmission element can be connected to the damping unit in a non-destructively detachable manner. For example, a plug-on, screw-on, latching, or similar connection can be provided.

[0028] In particular, it is provided that the damping unit has a transmission ratio such that damping of the door movement occurs over the aforementioned partial closing travel. In particular, in this context, it can be provided that damping occurs for a partial closing travel that is a maximum of between 45° and 0° relative to the vertical. The transmission ratio of the damping travel of the damping unit and a lever arm to the pivot point of the door can provide a damping effect for the door over this partial closing travel.

[0029] In particular, during the closing movement of the door, after a remaining opening angle of preferably 15° (beginning of the partial closing path) has been set, and a remaining distance of the coupling element of the damping unit of preferably 23 mm, viewed in the depth direction, to a front end of the upper guide track is established, the coupling between the damping unit and the guide unit, in particular a guide bracket of the guide unit, is formed. At this angular position and the distance, the coupling point is between the damping unit and the guide unit.

[0030] This design of the specific damping of the door over the partial closing path also makes it possible to reduce noise when the door is brought into its closed end position. In addition, the slow closing of the door is beneficial for the tightness of the door when closed at the interface between the door and the muffle of the cooking appliance or a front flange of the muffle. In addition, this slow closing of the door over this partial closing path also ensures that the air is displaced more slowly between the door and the muffle and thus also from the cooking chamber. This has the positive effect of preventing the door from rattling when closing, especially during the final part of the closing movement.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the cooking appliance also has a steam cooking function.

[0032] Viewed in the vertical direction of the cooking appliance, a guide track, in particular the guide slot, is arranged in the storage space below the door, at least in a retracted end position of the door.

[0033] In particular, the guide track and the further guide track are arranged at different heights and in particular on the same side of the cooking appliance.

[0034] The different heights of the guide elements are designed so that, viewed vertically, the guide elements do not overlap. This also means that, viewed vertically, the guide elements are spaced apart from one another along their entire height dimensions. The guide elements are therefore dimensioned and arranged on the guide bracket so that they do not overlap vertically. This applies in particular to the entire movement path of the guide elements in the depth direction.

[0035] This can lead to increased weight, particularly with doors of this type, which must be at least partially absorbed by the guide device when tilting and retracting into the storage space. The specific guide device is designed to avoid undesirable tipping moments. In particular, to improve these technical conditions, the specific guide element is provided, namely the guide bracket and the at least two separate guide elements arranged thereon, which are located at different heights and which individually couple to guide tracks arranged at different heights. A guide bracket is to be understood in particular as a configuration of a separate element of the guide device which is designed in the shape of a rod. In particular, a non-rectilinear rod-like configuration can be provided here.The guide elements are, in particular, separate components from the guide bracket, which are arranged on the guide bracket, in particular are arranged to be movable relative thereto.

[0036] Preferably, the guideway is a lower guideway in the vertical direction. In particular, the additional separate guideway is an upper guideway in the vertical direction. The upper guideway is therefore higher than the lower guideway.

[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, the guide element located at the lower height moves along a lower guideway and is arranged without contact with an upper guideway. The guide element located at the upper height moves along the upper guideway and is arranged without contact with the lower guideway.

[0038] It can be provided that the upper guide element rests from below on an upper guide track located above it and is guided along it. It can be provided that the lower guide element rests from above on an underlying lower guide track and is guided along it.

[0039] Alternatively, it can be provided that the upper guide element rests from above on an upper guide track located below and is guided along it. It can be provided that the lower guide element rests from below on an upper guide track located above and is guided along it.

[0040] Preferably, a cavity is formed under the lower guide track and preferably up to the bottom of the storage space, in which the lower guide element is arranged.

[0041] It can be provided that the upper guideway is the upper side of a solid web, and the lower guideway is the underside of this web. Thus, the guideways are formed close to one another and are formed on one component, the web.

[0042] In particular, the guideways are arranged parallel to each other in some areas, but are non-parallel over the entire length.

[0043] It can be provided that at least two upper guide elements and / or at least two lower guide elements are formed, which are arranged on a guide unit. The upper guide elements can be rollers. However, they can also be plain bearings, ball bearings, or a rigid element such as a guide pin. The second guide element can also be a roller, a plain bearing, a ball bearing, or a guide pin.

[0044] In particular, the lower guide track, in particular the entire lower guide slot, is arranged over its entire length in the depth direction of the device, completely below the door (at least in its end position).

[0045] Preferably, the guide elements are arranged at different heights along the guide slot during the entire movement between end positions of the guide bracket. This creates a movement path for both guide elements that is very simply constructed and thus does not cause any undesired jamming or spreading during this simultaneous movement of the guide elements on the individual guideways. In particular, this prevents the guide elements from crossing each other during this movement along the aforementioned guideways. This reduces the complexity of the movement and enables a very simple movement sequence. This further enhances the aforementioned advantages.

[0046] Preferably, the guide bracket is angled. In particular, the guide bracket has a V-shape or is boomerang-like. This type of design enables a mechanically very stable guide bracket. In particular, this shape already specifies a support unit for the guide device that particularly favors guide elements arranged at different heights. By appropriately installing a guide bracket with this geometric design, the different heights of the guide elements can then be easily specified by specifically positioning the guide elements on this guide bracket. However, a different geometry of the guide bracket, in particular a one-piece one, can also be provided, which allows the guide elements to be attached at different heights.

[0047] Preferably, one of the guide elements is arranged at the V-tip of the V-shape. Such a quasi-central arrangement of a guide element and the coupling of the guide element to an individual guide track then also enables a corresponding tilting movement of the guide bracket, virtually around the axis of rotation defined by the guide element at the V-tip. This also improves the relative movement of the guide bracket relative to other components of the cooking appliance via this guide element arranged at the V-tip.

[0048] In particular, it is provided that the lower guide element is arranged in the V-tip. This is a particularly suitable embodiment in view of the advantages mentioned above.

[0049] Preferably, one guide element is arranged at a first end of the guide bracket and the other guide element is arranged on the guide bracket at a distance from the two ends of the guide bracket. By means of such an exposed, end-side arrangement of a guide element, the arrangement at different heights can be advantageously achieved and the individual movement guidance of the guide elements on the guide tracks can be improved. In particular, this can also better prevent an undesirable tilting moment of the door when retracting into the storage space. By means of this exposed position of the guide element at the end on the guide bracket, a certain amount of support can also be provided via this end-side guide element, so that the guide bracket is not undesirably rotated by the weight of the door, but rather a defined tilt limit is formed for the guide bracket.

[0050] Preferably, the guide element at the first end of the guide bracket is the upper guide element, viewed in the vertical direction. This further enhances the aforementioned advantages.

[0051] In particular, it is provided that the guide elements have different sizes. This also allows the aforementioned advantages to be taken into account in a further advantageous embodiment.

[0052] Advantageously, at least one guide element is a roller. This enables particularly smooth and continuous movement along the guide tracks. This also ensures advantageous movement guidance of the door itself.

[0053] At least one guide element can be a plain bearing or a ball bearing or a rigid guide pin.

[0054] Advantageously, the rollers have different diameters rather than different sizes. In particular, in this context, the lower roller has a larger diameter than the upper roller when viewed in the vertical direction. The lower roller in vertical position is then in particular the one that is arranged rotatably on the guide bracket at a distance from the end sides of the guide bracket. It is then in particular the roller that provides the main movement guidance. The then smaller upper roller, which then runs along the upper guide track during displacement, is then designed to support movement and in particular to limit tilting of the guide bracket when it rotates around the lower roller.

[0055] In an advantageous embodiment, the guide device has a first, lower guide slot, and the lower guide track is a, in particular lower, limit of the first guide slot. In an advantageous embodiment, the guide device has a second, upper guide slot separate from the first guide slot, wherein the upper guide track is a, in particular upper, limit of the second guide slot. In particular, the lower guide slot is a lower limit of the lower guide slot, and the upper guide track is an upper limit of the upper guide slot, viewed in the vertical direction. The guide slots are, in particular, groove-like or trough-like devices.

[0056] In particular, it is provided that the lower guide element is guided in the lower guide slot and the upper guide element is guided in the upper guide slot.

[0057] The guide slots are arranged vertically spaced from each other. The guide slots are designed to be non-overlapping, particularly over their entire length.

[0058] Preferably, the lower guide track is formed directly on a floor that delimits the storage space and / or a front end of the lower guide track in the depth direction opens directly onto the floor and / or a rear end of the lower guide track opens directly onto the floor. As a result, the lower guide track is laid as far downwards as possible and is formed, at least in sections, virtually directly on the floor. With such a design, on the one hand, especially when the guide track is formed completely below the door when the door is pushed in, a structure can be achieved in the height direction such that the cooking space is not undesirably restricted when viewed across the entire height of the cooking appliance.

[0059] Preferably, it is provided that the two guide tracks are not designed to run parallel to one another, this being viewed in the depth direction. In addition to or instead of this, it can be provided that the lower guide track is at least partially convexly curved upwards. In this way, the movement of the guide bracket is first guided upwards from the front starting point, viewed in the depth direction, before reaching a maximum and then being guided backwards to the rear end, viewed in the depth direction. In addition to or instead of this, it can be provided that the upper guide track is designed to be straight, in particular as viewed in the depth direction of the cooking appliance. It is precisely through this interaction of the non-parallel and in particular individually shaped guide tracks that an individual movement of the guide bracket, namely an individual twisting during the movement along the guide tracks, can be achieved.Such a tilting movement around a horizontal axis oriented in the width direction can then facilitate the insertion of the door into the storage compartment and / or the removal of the door from the storage compartment. This is particularly advantageous for doors that are correspondingly wide and therefore potentially heavier, in particular to prevent undesirable tilting moments.

[0060] Preferably, it is provided that, viewed in the width direction of the cooking appliance, at least one front pane of the door is wider than a distance between two guide slots located opposite one another in the width direction. In particular, the front pane is thus arranged so as to overlap the guide tracks, viewed in the width direction. Additionally or instead of this, it can be provided that a front pane of the door has a width greater than 85 cm, in particular greater than 89 cm, for example 90 cm. The front pane is in particular a partial element of a pane package which has several separate panes. In this context, the front pane can have a greater width than the other panes of this pane package.

[0061] A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance with a cooking chamber. The cooking appliance also has a door which is designed and arranged to close the cooking chamber. Furthermore, the cooking appliance has a storage compartment separate from the cooking chamber. The door can be lowered into this storage compartment when open. When the door is moved into and / or out of the storage compartment, the door is guided by a guide device of the cooking appliance. The guide device preferably has at least one guide slot in which a guide unit of the guide device is guided. The guide unit is thus movable in the guide slot relative to the guide slot. The guide unit in question is connected to the door and thus mechanically coupled.Viewed in the vertical direction of the cooking appliance, a guide track, in particular the guide slot, is arranged in the storage space below the door, at least in a retracted end position of the door. The guide unit has a guide bracket on which at least two separate guide elements are arranged. These guide elements are arranged at different heights, viewed in the vertical direction of the cooking appliance. The guide device has two separate guide slots, which are arranged at different heights in the vertical direction. A lower guide element engages in the lower guide slot and is guided on a lower guide track, and the upper guide element engages in the upper guide slot and is guided on the upper guide track. Embodiments of the above-mentioned aspect are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the further independent aspect.

[0062] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a cooking appliance, which is designed according to the above-mentioned aspect or an advantageous embodiment, wherein, from an intermediate position of the door on its closing path, a damping unit of the cooking appliance is coupled to the guide unit so that at least a partial closing path is damped when closing the door between the intermediate position and the fully closed end position. Advantageous embodiments of the cooking appliance are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method, wherein the objective components are provided for carrying out the respective sub-steps of the method and the sub-steps are carried out with the components.

[0063] The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" indicate the positions and orientations given when the device is used and arranged as intended.

[0064] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Embodiments are therefore also to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed which therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.

[0065] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cooking appliance according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a base assembly of the cooking appliance according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a simplified representation of subcomponents of a guide device for guiding a door of the cooking appliance into a storage space or out of a storage space with a representation of a guide bracket in two different end positions; Fig. 4 an exploded view of subcomponents of the floor assembly according to Fig. 2 ; Fig. 5 a perspective view of another embodiment of a base assembly of the cooking appliance according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6 an exploded view of subcomponents of the floor assembly according to Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 a sectional view through subcomponents of the floor assembly according to Fig. 5 and6 ; Fig. 8 a more detailed representation of a sub-area of Fig. 3 , in which a damping unit is shown and the door of the cooking appliance is shown in a position on its closing path in which the damping of the damping unit is not yet effective; Fig. 9 the representation according to Fig. 8 , in which the door is shown in a position in which it is in comparison to Fig. 8 is already further closed and the damping of the damping unit is active; Fig. 10 a representation of a side wall that limits the storage space for the door, with the damping unit arranged on the side wall; Fig. 11 a perspective representation of Fig. 10 with additional components of the cooking appliance; Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of a damping unit with a transmission element; and Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of a damping unit with a transmission element.

[0066] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0067] In Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a cooking appliance 1 is shown, which can be, for example, an oven or a microwave cooking appliance or a steam cooking appliance or a combination appliance thereof.

[0068] The cooking appliance 1 has a housing 2 in which a muffle 3 is arranged. The muffle 3 defines a cooking chamber 4 with its walls. The cooking appliance 1 also has a door 5, which is movably arranged on the housing 2. In particular, a muffle of the cooking appliance 1, which defines the cooking chamber 4 with its walls, is also assigned to the housing 2. Therefore, the door 5 can also be arranged on the muffle. The door 5 is arranged to close the cooking chamber 4 from the front.

[0069] Furthermore, the cooking appliance 1 has a storage space 6 that is separate from the cooking chamber 3 and thus from the cooking chamber 3. This storage space 6 is formed vertically (y-direction) below the cooking chamber 3. The storage space 6 is designed to accommodate the door 5 when the door 5 is open. The door 5 can be retracted into the storage space 6 when opened.

[0070] In Fig. 2 A perspective view of an embodiment of a floor assembly 7 of the cooking appliance 1 is shown. The storage space 6 is shown here, which is delimited by a floor 8, a ceiling wall 9 and side walls 10 and 11. The door 5 is in Fig. 2 not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0071] In Fig. 2 Opposing hinges 12 and 13 are shown, which are arranged on top of the side walls 10 and 11. The hinges 12 and 13 are of identical construction, so that the further explanation is only for the hinge 12. This has a hinge housing 14 and a hinge bracket 15 rotatably arranged thereon. The hinge bracket 15 is here in particular U-shaped. The hinge bracket 15 is coupled to the door 5. The door 5 has, for this purpose, guide slots on opposite vertical side edges 5a, 5b which are open to the side, of which a guide slot 16 in Fig. 3 is shown. Rollers 17 and 18, which are rotatably arranged on the hinge bracket 15, engage in this guide slot 16.

[0072] In Fig. 3 1 shows a simplified side view of the side wall 11 looking out of the storage space 6. As can be seen here, the door 5 is connected at its lower end 19 to a coupling rod 20 which extends in the width direction (x-direction). A guide unit 21, which is part of a guide device 22 of the cooking appliance 1, is connected to this coupling rod 20. The guide device 22 guides the door 5 into the storage space 6 or out of this storage space 6. The guide unit 21 has a one-piece guide bracket 23, which here is particularly V-shaped or boomerang-like. For this purpose, a first V-leg 23a and a second V-leg 23b opening out at a corresponding angle thereto are provided. The guide bracket 23 is movably connected, in particular rotatably connected, directly to the coupling rod 20, in particular by a free end 23d.A relative movement between the door 5 and the guide bracket 23 is possible around the axis of rotation defined by the coupling rod 20.

[0073] The guide unit 21 in the embodiment of the guide bracket 23 has a separate lower guide element 24, viewed in the vertical direction, which is a roller here. The lower guide element 24 is rotatably mounted on the guide bracket 23. In particular, this lower guide element 24 is arranged at a distance from the free ends 23c and 23d of the V-shaped legs 23a, 23b of the guide bracket 23. In particular, this lower guide element 24 is rotatably mounted in a V-tip 25 of the V-shape of the guide bracket 23.

[0074] In addition, a second, separate guide element 26 is arranged on the guide bracket 23. This second guide element 26 is preferably also a roller and is arranged relatively movable, in particular rotatably, on the guide bracket 23. In the exemplary embodiment, this second, upper guide element 26, viewed in the vertical direction, is rotatably arranged at the end 23c of the guide bracket 23. It is therefore positioned at the end of the guide bracket 23.

[0075] As in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the two separate guide elements 24 and 26 are arranged at different heights when viewed in the vertical direction. The guide bracket 23 is therefore positioned in such a way that it specifies the different heights of the guide elements 24 and 26. Fig. 3 The guide bracket 23 is shown in two different end positions—in the depth direction, which corresponds to the z-direction. On the one hand, the front end position, in which the door 5 is completely closed, is shown. This is represented by position I. On the other hand, position II represents the second, rear end position of the guide bracket 23.

[0076] As can be seen, the two guide elements 24 and 26 have different sizes, in particular different diameters. In this context, the lower guide element 24 has a larger diameter than the upper guide element 26.

[0077] As can also be seen, this different height position of the guide elements 24 and 26 is preferably not only present in the end positions shown, but in particular over the entire movement path of the guide bracket 23 between the end positions shown.

[0078] The guide device 22 further comprises a first, lower guide slot 27. This lower guide slot 27 is formed close to the floor and has a guide track 28, which constitutes a lower guide track. In this context, this lower guide track 28 is formed, at least in part, directly on the floor 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower guide track 28 opens directly onto the floor 8 at a front end 29. Additionally or instead, it can be provided that the lower guide track 28 opens directly onto the floor 8 at a rear end 30, viewed in the depth direction.

[0079] In particular, the guide track 28 is not linear. It is preferably convexly curved upwards. As shown in Fig. 3 As can be seen, the lower guide element 24 is coupled to this lower guide track 28. This means in particular that this lower guide element 24 runs directly along this lower guide track 28. The lower guide track 28 is a lower limit of the lower guide slot 27, viewed in the vertical direction. The guide slot 27 is also limited by an upper limit 31. The lower guide slot 27 is therefore designed like a groove. As can be seen, the diameter of the lower guide element 24 is advantageously dimensioned such that it is arranged in the guide slot 27 with essentially relatively free of play. This means that play in the vertical direction is minimized, but the rolling behavior of the guide element 24 in the guide slot 27 is not impaired.

[0080] Furthermore, it is preferably also provided that the guide device 22 has an upper guide track 32. This upper guide track 32 is in particular a component of an upper guide slot 33. The upper guide slot 33 is spaced apart in the vertical direction and arranged without contact with the lower guide slot 27. The upper guide slot 33 is advantageously limited at the top by the upper guide track 32. In particular, the upper guide slot 33 is limited at the bottom by a lower limit 34. The upper guide slot 33 therefore also represents in particular a groove-like or channel-like design in the side wall 11. As can be seen, the courses of the two guide tracks 28 and 32 are different in the depth direction. They are therefore not parallel to one another. It can preferably be provided that the upper guide track 32 is rectilinear, in particular is oriented completely horizontally.

[0081] As can be seen, the upper guide element 26 is coupled to the upper guide track 32 and is thus directly adjacent to this guide track 32, in particular, coming from below, or, in the design of the guide element, is designed as a roller, rolling directly thereon. Here, too, it is particularly provided that the diameter of the upper guide element 26 is dimensioned such that a relatively precise insertion into the upper guide slot 33 is possible. This also means that a minimized play is formed in such a way that this upper guide element 26 can roll smoothly in the guide slot 33, but the play in the vertical direction is minimized.

[0082] Advantageously, it is provided that the door 5 has a width b ( Fig. 1 ) which, viewed in this width direction, is greater than a distance provided in this regard between the guide tracks 28 and 32 on the side wall 11 and the corresponding guide tracks on the opposite side wall 10. Thus, viewed in the width direction, an overlap of the door 5 with these guide tracks 28 on the opposite side walls 11 and 10 and / or between the upper guide tracks 32 on the opposite side walls 10 and 11 is formed. This is particularly true for a front pane 35 ( Fig. 1 ) of the door 5. Thus, doors 5 having a relatively large width can also be installed, wherein the width b can be greater than 85 cm, in particular greater than 89 cm, in particular 90 cm.

[0083] In particular, it is also provided that, especially in such designs of doors 5, but not only in these, the door 5, when pushed into the storage space 6, is arranged completely above at least the lower guide track 28 in the vertical direction. This can also be achieved by the position of the guide bracket 23 in its pushed-in end position in Fig. 3 can be recognized. A coupling point 36 of the guide bracket 23, at which the guide bracket 23 is coupled to the coupling rod 20, is located higher here than the guide track 28.

[0084] In Fig. 4 The base assembly 7 is shown in an exploded view in its subcomponents. The side wall 11 can be made of metal or plastic, for example. It can be formed as a single piece or in multiple pieces. For example, it can be designed as a two-piece or three-piece assembly. A design made of a fiber-containing semi-finished product, such as BMC (Bulk Molding Compound), can also be provided.

[0085] In Fig. 5 1 shows a perspective view of a base assembly 7 according to a further embodiment of a cooking appliance 1. In contrast to the design in Fig. 2 bis 4 Here, the guide device 22 is designed differently. The guide unit 21 also has a guide bracket 23. However, this is straight and inclined. In this embodiment, two upper guide elements 26 ( Fig. 7 ). Here, too, the guide elements 26 can be rollers, plain bearings, or ball bearings. The two upper guide elements 26 are arranged, in particular, at the same height relative to one another. Furthermore, the guide device 21 has lower guide elements 24 ( Fig. 7 ), here two. These are designed here as rigid elements, in particular guide pins. The lower guide elements 24 are formed integrally with the guide bracket 23. In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 2 bis 4 are in the embodiment according to Fig. 5 bis 7 The upper guide elements 26 are arranged so as to rest on the upper guide track 32 from above, and the upper guide elements 26 are arranged at a distance from the lower guide track 28. Furthermore, it is provided here that the lower guide elements 24 rest on the lower guide track 28 from below and are arranged at a distance and without contact with the upper guide track 32.

[0086] A bridge 37 ( Fig. 7 ), the upper side of which forms the upper guide track 32 and the underside of which forms the lower guide track 28, is thus engaged by the lower guide elements 24. This also prevents an undesirable tilting moment of the guide bracket 23.

[0087] As in Fig. 6 , which is an exploded view of subcomponents of the assembly in Fig. 5 As can be seen, a cavity 38 is formed between the lower guide track 28 and a base part 40, which forms a guide slot 39. The lower guide elements 24 are arranged and guided in this guide slot 39.

[0088] As furthermore in Fig. 6 As can be seen, the guide slot 39 and the base part 40 are formed in one piece in a component 41 that is separate from the base 8. The component 41 then sits on the base 8 in the assembled state.

[0089] In Fig. 7 a sectional view of the guide bracket 23, the upper guide elements 26, the lower guide elements 24, the guide tracks 28, 32 and other areas is shown.

[0090] The to Fig. 5 bis 7 The components of the guide device 22 explained are arranged on a side area of ​​the base assembly 7. A corresponding arrangement is provided on the opposite side area of ​​the base assembly 7 in the width direction. This also applies to the example according to Fig. 2 bis 4 .

[0091] In Fig. 8 A partial representation shows a side view in which the door 5 is, in particular and by way of example, moved from the fully open end position towards the fully closed end position. In particular, an angle α between the plane in which the door 5 extends with its plate-like or planar configuration and a vertical V has a specific value. Fig. 8 In the embodiment shown, it is shown that the door 5 is moved from the open position to the fully closed position. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 In the illustration shown, an intermediate position is reached in which the movement of the door 5 is not yet dampened.

[0092] The cooking appliance 1 has at least one damping unit 42. This damping unit 42 is a separate component which, viewed in the vertical direction (y-direction), is arranged between the upper guide slot 33 and the lower guide slot 27. It can be provided here that this damping unit 42 is arranged without overlapping with this upper guide slot 33 and / or the lower guide slot 27, viewed in the vertical direction. In particular, this damping unit 42 is arranged in a free space between the upper guide track 32 and the lower guide track 28, in particular without overlapping with the upper guide track 32 and / or the lower guide track 28. The damping unit 42 is arranged in particular on the side wall 11. It can be arranged at least partially, viewed in the width direction, countersunk or embedded therein.The side wall 11 forms in particular the support part for the damping unit 42.

[0093] The damping unit 42 may preferably be a pneumatic or hydraulic damper.

[0094] Advantageously, the damping unit 42 is positioned such that it is arranged in the depth direction (z-direction) in a front third of the entire length of the upper guide slot 33, in particular the upper guide track 32, facing the door 5.

[0095] The damping unit 42 is designed and arranged so that the door 5 is coupled to the guide unit 21, in particular the guide bracket 23, from an intermediate position on its closing path and from this coupled state on the further closing path towards the completely closed end position of the door 5 at least one relevant partial closing path 43 ( Fig. 9 ) when closing the door 5 between the intermediate position and the fully closed end position. In an advantageous embodiment, the damping unit 42 is directly coupled to the guide unit 21, in particular the guide bracket 23, on this partial closing path 43. It can also be provided that the cooking appliance 1 has a transmission element 44 ( Fig. 8 ) which is directly connected to the damping unit 42. In this context, an integrated and thus integrally formed design can also be provided. In this design, the transmission element 44 is then a component of the damping unit 42 and belongs to it. However, it can also be provided that the transmission element 44 is a separate component. This can then, for example, also be arranged on the damping unit 42 in a non-destructively detachable manner.

[0096] In particular, the transmission element 44 is formed in one piece. Fig. 8 In the embodiment shown, the transmission element 44 extends upwards in the vertical direction and is preferably arranged overlapping with the upper guide slot 33. In particular, however, even in this embodiment there is no overlap in this vertical direction with the upper guide track 32.

[0097] If door 5 is now shown starting from the exemplary illustration in Fig. 8 further closed, an angular position with the angle α1 is reached, as shown in Fig. 9 is shown. From this angular position of the door 5, the coupled state between the guide unit 21, in particular the guide bracket 23, and the damping unit 42 is achieved. In particular, this can be achieved by a direct coupling between the guide bracket 23 and the transmission element 44. This is shown in Fig. 9 shown. In this state, in which the direct mechanical coupling between the guide bracket 23 and the damping unit 42, in particular the transmission element 44, occurs, the damping unit 42, in particular the transmission element 44, has a depth-measured distance 45 from a front end 46 of the upper guide slot 33, in particular the upper guide track 32. This distance 45 is preferably between 20 mm and 25 mm, in particular 23 mm.

[0098] The partial closing path also begins when this contact occurs between the guide bracket 23 and the damping unit 42, in particular the transmission element 44. The associated angular position with the angle α1 of the door 5 to the vertical V is preferably between 20° and 12°, in particular between 17° and 13°, for example 15°.

[0099] If door 5 is now opened from the Fig. 9 shown intermediate position, in which the partial closing path 43 towards the closed position begins, closed and towards a flange 47 ( Fig. 8 ) of the housing 2, on which a seal 48 is preferably arranged, the guide unit 21, in particular the guide bracket 23, is moved further forward in the depth direction, whereby the guide bracket 23 actuates the damper or damping unit 42 in contact with it. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuation in this regard is carried out by the driver or the transmission element 44, which is displaced towards the front end 46 by the movement of the guide bracket 23. The damping effect of the damping unit 42 occurs here, so that the door 5 is damped on its partial closing path towards the closed position.

[0100] In an advantageous embodiment, this damping effect occurs on a partial closing path 43 that does not extend to the fully closed end position of the door 5. In particular, it can be provided that a final closing path 56, which adjoins the partial closing path during closing and extends from the end of the partial closing path to the fully closed position of the door 5, does not dampen the movement of the door 5. For example, it can be provided in this context that the damping unit 42 has a freewheel, so that this final closing path 56 is not damped. The final closing path 56 preferably has a path length that corresponds to an angular interval between 8° and 12° starting from the vertical V. In such an embodiment, the partial closing path then extends over an angular interval of preferably between 12° and 4°.

[0101] Preferably, a further damping unit 42 is additionally arranged on the opposite side wall 10, which is not shown in the figures.

[0102] In Fig. 10 The side wall 11 is shown in a side view. Only the module with the side wall 11 and the damping unit 42 is shown here. In particular, the transmission element 44 is also arranged and shown here. The other components are shown in Fig. 10 not shown.

[0103] In Fig. 11 The arrangement of the damping unit 42 and the transmission element 44 is shown in a perspective view. Other components, as also shown in Fig. 8 are also shown. In the illustration in Fig. 11 It can also be seen that, in an advantageous embodiment, the transmission element 44 is a bracket. In particular, the bracket has an upside-down L-shape. It is oriented in the width direction with a corresponding base leg 49 of the L-shape and protrudes into the path of movement of the guide bracket 23 when the latter moves in the depth direction. A base leg 50 of this L-shape is oriented in the height direction and extends upward.

[0104] In this embodiment, the transmission element 44 is a separate component. The transmission element 44 can be arranged on the damping unit 42 in a non-destructively detachable manner. As shown in Fig. 10 und Fig. 11 As can be seen, the damping unit 42 has a cartridge-like housing 51. This means that it is tubular or cylindrical in shape. This housing 51 extends in the depth direction, in particular parallel or substantially parallel to the guide slots 27 and / or 33.

[0105] In particular, this housing 51 is arranged in a vertical direction without overlapping with these guide slots 27 and / or 33. As shown in Fig. 10 und Fig. 11 As can be seen, the side wall 11 has a receptacle 52, which is a depression or a trough. The damping unit 42, in particular the housing 51, is arranged at least partially recessed or embedded in this receptacle 52.

[0106] In addition, Fig. 11 It can be seen that the transmission element 44 has an anti-twist device 53. In the illustrated embodiment, this is formed by two upwardly and downwardly projecting webs 54 and 55, which bear against the side wall 11. Rotation of the transmission element 44 about an axis oriented in the depth direction can thus be prevented.

[0107] In contrast, Fig. 10 An embodiment is shown in which the transmission element 44 is formed integrally with the damping unit 42, in particular the housing 51. In particular, such an anti-twist device 53 is therefore not required and not formed in this embodiment.

[0108] In Fig. 12 the design of the damping unit 42 with the transmission element 44 is according to Fig. 11 shown in an enlarged view.

[0109] In Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the design of the damping unit 42 according to Fig. 10 shown. Bezugszeichenliste

[0110] 1Gargerät 2Gehäuse 3Muffel 4Garraum 5Tür 5a,5bSide edges 6Storage space 7Floor assembly 8Floor 9Ceiling wall 10Side wall 11Side wall 12Hinge 13Hinge 14Hinge housing 15Hinge bracket 16Guide slot 17Roller 18Roller 19Lower end 20Coupling rod 21Guide unit 22Guide device 23Guide bracket 23aFirst V-leg 23bSecond V-leg 23cFree end 23dFree end 24Lower guide element 25V-tip 26Upper guide element 27Lower guide slot 28Guide track 29Front end 30Rear end 31Limitation 32Upper guide track 33Upper guide slot 34Lower limit 35Front window 36Coupling point 37Web 38Cavity 39Guide slot 40Base part 41Component 42Damping unit 43Partial closing travel 44Transmission element 45Distance 46Front end 47Flange 48Seal 49Base leg 50Base leg 51Housing 52Receptacle 53Anti-twist device 54Web 55Web 56End closing travel IFirst position IISecond position αAngle α1Angle bWidth xWidth direction yHeight direction zDepth direction VVertical,

Claims

1. Cooking appliance (1) comprising a cooking chamber (4), and comprising a door (5) which is designed to close the cooking chamber (4), and comprising a stowing space (6) which is separate from the cooking chamber (4) and into which the door (5) can be lowered in the open state, wherein the door (5) is guided by a guide device (22) of the cooking appliance (1) as the door is moved into the stowing space (6) or out of the stowing space (6), and the guide device (22) has a guide unit (21) having two separate guide elements (24, 26), and the guide device (22) has at least one slotted guide (27, 33, 39) in which a guide unit (21) of the guide device (22) is guided, and the guide unit (21) is connected to the door (5), wherein the guide unit (21) has a guide bracket (23), the two separate guide elements (24, 26) being arranged thereon, and said guide elements being arranged at different height positions, when viewed in the height direction (y), wherein the guide element (24) which is lower in the height position moves on a lower guide track (28) and is arranged without contact with an upper guide track (32), which is separate from the lower guide track, and the guide element (26) which is higher in the height position moves on the upper guide track (32) and is arranged without contact with the lower guide track (28), characterised in that the cooking appliance (1) has at least one damping unit (42) which, starting from an intermediate position of the door (5) which is between a completely open end position of the door (5) and a completely closed end position of the door (5) on the closing path of the door, is coupled to the guide unit (21) such that at least a partial closing path (43) is damped as the door (5) is closed between the intermediate position and the completely closed end position of the door (5).

2. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the damping unit (42), when viewed in the height direction (y), is arranged between the upper guide track (32) and the lower guide track (28).

3. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the stowing space (6) is defined by a vertical side wall (11, 12), wherein the upper guide track (32) is configured in the side wall (11, 12) and the damping unit (42) is arranged on this side wall (11, 12).

4. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper guide track (32), when viewed in the depth direction (z) of the cooking appliance (1), has a front longitudinal third and the damping unit (42) is arranged below the upper guide track (32) and, when viewed in the depth direction (z), is arranged, in particular, completely in this longitudinal third.

5. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the damping unit (42) is configured as a pneumatic or hydraulic damper and / or is configured with a cartridge-like housing (51).

6. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the damping unit (42) is coupled directly to the guide unit (21) on the partial closing path (43).

7. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the damping unit (42) is directly connected to a transmission element (44), wherein the transmission element (44) is directly coupled to the guide unit (21) on the partial closing path (43).

8. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the transmission element (44) is configured as a bracket, in particular an L-shaped bracket.

9. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the transmission element (44) is displaceably arranged in the depth direction (z) such that, with the coupling of the guide unit (21) to the transmission element (44) and the further movement of the guide unit (21) guided on the partial closing path (43) in the depth direction (z), the transmission element (44) is guided forward with the guide unit (21) and the damping unit (42) is activated for the damping by this movement and with this movement.

10. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the transmission element (44) has at least one guide web (54, 55), an anti-rotation device (53) being formed thereby for the transmission element (44) as the transmission element (44) moves in the depth direction (z) about an axis oriented in the depth direction (z).

11. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coupling of the guide unit (21) to the damping unit (42) for damping the movement of the door (5) on the partial closing path (43) is configured at a distance (45) measured in the depth direction (z) from the front end (46) of the upper slotted guide (33) of between 20 mm and 30 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 25 mm.

12. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an initial portion of the partial closing path (43) as the door (5) is closed is configured at an angular position of the door (5) of between 20° and 12°, in particular between 17° and 13°, relative to the vertical (V).

13. Cooking appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the partial closing path (43) is not formed as far as the completely closed end position, such that an end closing path (56) which adjoins the partial closing path (43) as the door (5) is closed and extends as far as the completely closed end position of the door (5) is undamped.

14. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterised in that the damping unit (42) has a freewheel such that the damping action is deactivated on the end closing path (56).

15. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the end closing path (56) is dimensioned over an angular interval of between 8° and 12° relative to the vertical (V).