MAJOR HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE IN THE FORM OF A REFRIGERATOR

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a large household appliance comprising a body and a closure element attached thereto by at least one hinge.

[0002] Large household appliances typically have a storage compartment arranged within a body and a closure element arranged on the body for opening and closing the storage compartment. Examples of such large household appliances include refrigeration appliances (refrigerators, freezers, wine storage cabinets, and fridge-freezer combinations).

[0003] In a refrigeration appliance, the locking element (e.g., a door or flap) can exert a significant weight on the hinge, which is then transferred from the hinge into the cabinet. This weight results not only from the weight of the locking element itself. Rather, it also results from, among other things, the loading of the locking element with refrigerated goods and, if the refrigeration appliance is a built-in refrigeration appliance, from a furniture panel arranged on the outside of the locking element as a decorative element.

[0004] EP 3 032 197 A1 discloses a support element which can be connected to the household appliance hinge to increase mechanical stability.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to improve a generic large household appliance.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the independent claim. Accordingly, in a large household appliance comprising a body and a closure element attached thereto by at least one hinge, a support element coupled to the hinge is provided.

[0007] The hinge can be made of metal, at least in part. For example, a body connecting part and a closure element connecting part can be made of metal. These connecting parts can each have at least one or two, or three or more through-openings to enable the hinge to be screwed to the body or the closure element. The hinge can enable a pivoting movement of the closure element relative to the body about a preferably vertical pivot axis. Furthermore, the hinge can simultaneously enable a translational movement of the closure element relative to the body. It is conceivable for the large household appliance to have two or more hinges. If the closure element is articulated by two hinges, for example, their pivot axes are coaxial.If the locking element is formed by a door, the pivot axis of a properly installed built-in household appliance is, for example, vertically aligned.

[0008] The present invention is based on the assumption that, for optimal operation of the large household appliance, a precise arrangement of the closure element relative to the body is necessary, particularly when the closure element is closed. The present invention is based on the discovery that even slight twisting of the hinge due to the weight force introduced by the closure element can have adverse effects on the operation of the large household appliance. Such twisting has been observed in a large household appliance with a vertical pivot axis of the closure element about a horizontally arranged axis. In a refrigeration appliance, such twisting of the hinge can lead to a closure element that is not optimally aligned when closed. In the worst case, this can lead to leaks and thus reduce the efficiency of the large household appliance.On the other hand, in a built-in appliance, these twisting of the hinge can lead to uneven gaps between the locking element (or a furniture panel in front of the locking element) and adjacent locking elements or furniture.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, it is provided that the support element is coupled to the body. In particular, it can be provided that the support element has at least one coupling section by means of which the support element is coupled to the body. The support element can be directly coupled to the body, i.e. contact it at least in sections. It is certainly conceivable for the support element to be materially coupled to the body. For example, the support element can be glued, welded or soldered to the body. However, according to the invention, it is provided that the support element is positively and / or non-positively coupled to the body. In particular, a force transmission of weight forces and / or torques which the door exerts on the hinge can be transmitted to the body by the support element or introduced into it.To facilitate a door change, the support element can be detachable from the hinge without causing damage. This means that the support element can be removed from the hinge.

[0011] According to the invention, the at least one coupling section has a contact surface in contact with the body. The contact surface can serve as a support surface to divert forces from the closure element via the support element into the body. The contact surface is preferably flat and / or has a size of at least 0.5 square centimeters, or of at least 1 square centimeter, or of at least 2 square centimeters, or of at least 4 square centimeters or of at least 5 square centimeters. Adequate coupling can be achieved if the contact surface has an area of ​​less than 15 square centimeters or less than 13 square centimeters. The contact surface can contact a front surface and / or a side surface of the body. The contact surface can be formed on a contact leg of the support element. The contact surface can be free of further coupling elements, such as form-fitting coupling elements.It is also conceivable to provide additional coupling elements within the contact surface. According to the invention, a screw opening is provided within the contact surface to form a screw connection between the support element and the body.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the support element has at least two coupling sections, each with a contact surface in contact with the body, wherein the contact surfaces are arranged at an angle to one another. In this way, the two contact surfaces can enable positioning of the support element on the body. This, on the one hand, simplifies the assembly of the support element and enables more precise assembly. On the other hand, a more stable coupling of the support element to the body is enabled over the service life of the large household appliance. The two contact surfaces can be formed separately from one another or, alternatively, can be directly connected to one another.

[0013] It can be provided that the contact surfaces contact two adjacent surfaces of the body and, for example, an abutting edge of the surfaces of the body is enclosed by the support element. The abutting edge refers to the edge that connects the two surfaces of the body that are at an angle to one another. In this way, the support element can be coupled to a corner section of the body, enabling precise positioning. The two contact surfaces are, for example, at an angle of 90 degrees or at least essentially of 90 degrees to one another. The two contact surfaces can be formed on two contact legs that are positioned at an angle to one another. The contact surface is particularly those sections of the coupling sections that contact the body.It is also conceivable for one or both contact surfaces to be formed by surfaces of claws, hooks, or tabs, each having a contact surface of less than 2 square centimeters. It is conceivable for the support element to have three, four, or more than four contact surfaces arranged one after the other along a longitudinal extent of the support element and / or along a vertical extent of the support element. In particular, these contact surfaces can be arranged one after the other essentially or completely without spacing. In this way, the manufacture of the support element as a stamped and bent component is simplified in that the outer contours of the contact surfaces can be stamped from a flat material. The three, four, or more than four contact surfaces can contact the two surfaces of the body that are at an angle, in particular alternately.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the coupling section has a plug-in section. The plug-in section can, in particular, create a positive coupling with the body. For example, the plug-in section can be received in a receptacle of the body. It is conceivable that the plug-in section is received in the receptacle without play or at least essentially without play, e.g. by means of a press fit. This enables secure and captive holding of the support element even during assembly. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the plug-in section is received in the receptacle with play and, for example, contributes to the rough alignment of the support element during assembly. The plug-in section can be formed by an end section of the support element and / or by a flat section (i.e. ratio of the thickness to the other extensions less than 5 or less than 3). The end section can be flat.If the plug-in section adjoins a contact surface of the support element, the plug-in section can be designed to project from the contact surface or have a height offset relative to the contact surface. The plug-in section can engage behind a wall section of the body surrounding the opening.

[0015] In addition to the inventive coupling of the support element to the body via a screw connection, the support element can be coupled by means of a contact surface and / or a plug-in section. Thus, the invention provides that the coupling section has a screw opening and the large household appliance further comprises a screw penetrating the screw opening, by means of which the support element is screwed to the body. In order to ensure improved rotational security of the support element relative to the body, it can be provided that the coupling section has two (or three or more than three) screw openings, each of which is penetrated by a screw and by means of which the support element is screwed to the body. Several screw openings can be arranged in the same position in the width direction and offset from one another in the height direction in order to enable a compact design.According to the invention, the screw opening is formed in a coupling section already configured as a contact surface. The screw opening can, in particular, be closed at the edge, i.e., formed by a hole. A longitudinal axis of the screws can be aligned perpendicular to a front wall or front surface or perpendicular to a side wall or side surface of the body, so that the support element is screwed to the front surface and / or the side surface of the body. The screw opening can have a chamfer, and the screw can be a countersunk screw.

[0016] To improve the force transmission into the body, the body may be provided with a backing piece coupled to the coupling section. The backing piece may, for example, have a screw opening and / or form or define a receptacle for the plug-in section.

[0017] It has been shown that an improvement in the load-bearing capacity of the hinge and a concomitant improvement in the functionality of the large household appliance can be achieved in particular if, in addition to supporting the hinge against weight forces, a reduction in the torque acting on the hinge is also achieved. Such a torque acts in particular about a horizontal axis running in the width direction, which extends through the fastening point of the hinge on the carcass. According to one embodiment, the carcass connecting part has at least one through-opening for screwing to a carcass. In the projection representation in a plane comprising the height direction (X) and the depth direction (Z), different distances result between a center point of the at least one through-opening on the one hand and different sections of the coupling section on the other.According to one embodiment, a maximum distance between these different distances, i.e. the greatest value of the distances, should be at least 3 cm. The maximum distance thus represents the distance between the center point and the section of the coupling section furthest away from it in the projection representation. According to further embodiments, the maximum distance is at least 4 cm or at least 5 cm or at least 8 cm or at least 9 cm. In principle, the leverage of the support element increases with a larger maximum distance. In order to nevertheless enable a space-saving hinge, one embodiment provides that the maximum distance is a maximum of 30 cm or a maximum of 25 cm or a maximum of 20 cm or a maximum of 15. It has been shown that sufficient support of the hinge can already be achieved with such maximum distances.The maximum distance can be determined in particular as the greatest distance in the projection representation between the center point on the one hand and a section of the coupling section, in particular a contact surface or a plug-in section or a screw opening, on the other hand.

[0018] In order to prevent unwanted displacement of the large household appliance, for example in a niche accommodating the large household appliance, the large household appliance can have a mounting section by means of which the large household appliance can be coupled to a wall to be arranged laterally next to the large household appliance. The mounting section can be designed for a positive and / or non-positive and / or materially bonded coupling to the wall. For example, the mounting section can have one or more recesses (for example holes) by means of which the large household appliance can be fixed to the wall by screws. According to one embodiment, it is provided that the support element has the mounting section for coupling the large household appliance to a wall to be arranged laterally next to the large household appliance. In particular, it can be provided that the mounting section has at least one recess, e.g.a hole with a closed edge for receiving a fastening means, e.g. a screw, for coupling the large household appliance to the wall to be arranged laterally next to the large household appliance. The mounting section can furthermore have a contact surface for direct contact with the wall. The contact surface is preferably flat and / or protrudes in the width direction beyond a surface of a body side wall. It is conceivable that the recess in the mounting section of the support element coincides with a recess in the hinge. This makes it possible to fix the body to the wall and also to couple the support element to the hinge by means of a screw connection. According to one embodiment, it is provided that the mounting section is formed on a component or assembly that is separate from both the hinge and the support element.In this case, the coupling to the wall can be separate from the hinge support, both in terms of location and force flow. In particular, it can be provided that the hinge and the support element do not have a mounting area or do not have a mounting area that allows coupling, e.g., screwing, to the wall.

[0019] In order to improve the visual appearance in a simple and cost-effective manner on the one hand, and to prevent the accumulation and adhesion of dirt on the other, the large household appliance according to one embodiment has a cover element which at least partially covers the support element. The cover element is in particular a separate component from the support element and / or is preferably formed in one piece. The cover element can be made of plastic, for example. According to one embodiment, it is provided that the cover element at least partially covers the mounting section. It is conceivable that the cover element only covers a surface of the support element, for example the mounting section, which faces the center of the body in the width direction. It is also conceivable that the cover element covers the support element, for example the mounting section, on both sides in the width direction.In particular, a surface of the cover element facing away from the center of the body in the width direction can provide a contact surface for engagement with the wall. In this way, a defined contact surface can be provided which, with regard to the material selected for the cover element, is gentle on the wall. The cover element can be positively coupled to the hinge and / or the support element, in particular fastened in a captive manner. If the support element is a separate component from the hinge and is coupled to the hinge by means of a connecting section, the cover element can at least partially or completely cover this connecting section. The advantages of the cover element are essentially already achieved when the cover element is arranged at least 80% or at least 90% or completely in front of a front surface of the body in the depth direction.In particular, sections of the support element which are arranged in the depth direction behind the front surface of the body can be designed to be exposed, i.e. not covered by the cover element. For example, it is possible for a coupling section of the support element which extends in the depth direction behind the front surface of the body (in order to provide a coupling to a side wall of the body) to be designed to be exposed. The cover element can have a base body and a cover. The cover can be articulated to the base body in particular by means of a film hinge and / or have a screw opening which enables a captive holding of a screw.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the support element is formed by a component that is separate from the hinge. The support element can in particular be formed in one piece, i.e. made from a single component. It is also conceivable for the support element to be formed by a structural unit that is separate from the hinge. In this case, the support element comprises two, three or more components. The support element can be made of metal or comprise a metallic component. The support element can be or comprise a stamped and bent component. The stamped and bent component preferably has a constant thickness of at least 2 mm, or at least 3 mm, or at least 4 mm, or at least 5 mm. Adequate support can be ensured if the thickness is less than 15 mm, or less than 10 mm, or less than 8 mm.

[0021] According to the invention, the support element, which is separate from the hinge, has a connecting section for coupling to the hinge. The connecting section can be designed for a captive coupling of the support element to the hinge. According to a first alternative, the invention provides that the connecting section has one, two or more pins that engage in receptacles in the hinge. According to a second alternative, the invention provides that the connecting section has one, two or more receptacles (for example holes) that are aligned with receptacles (for example holes) in the hinge in order to enable a screw connection between the support element and the hinge. This screw connection can be made by one or more screws that only connect the support element to the hinge. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the screw orthe screws additionally enable the large household appliance to be fixed to the wall. If the support element has a mounting section or at least a contact surface for contact with the wall, the connecting section can be designed to be bent relative to the mounting section or the section forming the contact surface. This means that the connecting section has a height offset relative to the mounting section or the section. This enables the connecting section to cover and / or bear against an extension of the hinge in the width direction of the large household appliance on a side facing the center of the appliance.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the support element is mirror-symmetrical with respect to at least one plane. This allows the support element to be used to support both an upper hinge and a lower hinge, thus reducing the required number of parts.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the support element is permanently fixed relative to the body connecting part. In particular, the relative position of the support element relative to the body connecting part is unchangeable. In this way, a secure and reliable support of the hinge can be achieved, which is not compromised by an unintentional change in the position of the two elements relative to each other.

[0024] The large household appliance according to the invention is a refrigeration appliance (e.g. a refrigerator, a freezer, a wine storage cabinet, a fridge-freezer combination).

[0025] In particular, the large household appliance can be a built-in appliance. A "built-in appliance" is understood to mean a large household appliance that is accommodated or installed in a niche for its intended use. The niche can be defined, for example, by furniture walls, especially kitchen furniture walls. The niche can, in particular, include niche side walls arranged at least laterally next to the built-in appliance.

[0026] An arrangement according to the invention comprises a large household appliance according to the invention in the form of a built-in appliance and, in particular, a wall arranged adjacent to the large household appliance, in particular a furniture wall. The wall can, in particular, be a left or right side wall of a niche accommodating the built-in appliance.

[0027] The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "horizontal", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" etc. indicate the positions and orientations given when the refrigeration appliance is used and arranged as intended and when an observer is standing in front of the refrigeration appliance and looking in the direction of the refrigeration appliance.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a large household appliance according to the invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 shows detailed representations of the large household appliance according to the first exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3 shows detailed representations of a large household appliance according to a second exemplary embodiment; Fig. 4 shows detailed representations of a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows detailed representations of a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention; Fig. 6 shows detailed representations of a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention; and Fig. 7 shows detailed representations of a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention.

[0029] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are identified below by the same reference symbols.

[0030] In Fig. 1 1 shows a large household appliance 1 according to the invention in the form of a refrigerator, which is designed for storing and preserving food. X denotes a height direction, Y a width direction, and Z a depth direction. In this exemplary embodiment, the large household appliance 1 is designed as a built-in appliance and is intended to be accommodated in a niche (not shown). Such a niche can be formed by kitchen furniture and have a base wall, side walls, and a top wall. The walls of the niche are not part of the built-in appliance 1 and are made of wood, for example.

[0031] A body 2 of the large household appliance 1 has a storage compartment 3 located therein for storing refrigerated goods. The storage compartment 3 can be closed by a closure element 4. The closure element 4 is formed by a door and is hinged to the body 2 via two hinges 5, 6. The closure element 4 can be covered at the front by a furniture panel (not shown), in particular a furniture front.

[0032] The body 2 has inner walls, which are formed in particular by an integrally formed inner container and delimit the storage space 4 at least in sections. Fastening means 7 in the form of receiving grooves are arranged on the lateral inner walls of the body 2 in order to attach shelves (not shown) for storing refrigerated goods. The inner walls of the body 2 are enclosed by outer walls 8, 9, 10, 11 of the body 2, with thermal insulation material arranged in a cavity between the inner walls and the outer walls. The outer walls 8, 9, 10, 11 are formed by a top wall 8, a bottom wall 9, a left side wall 10, and a right side wall 11.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows the closure element 4 in an open position. The closure element 4 has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced therefrom. Thermal insulation material is arranged in a cavity between the inner wall and the outer wall of the closure element 4. The closure element 4 has a plurality of receptacles 12 for receiving door racks (not shown). When the closure element 4 is closed, a seal 13, which is mounted on the closure element 4, contacts a front surface 14 of the body 2 that encloses the receiving space 3.

[0034] The Fig. 2 and 3 show the Fig. 1 framed cutouts in the area of ​​the upper hinge 5 and the lower hinge 6. As shown in the enlarged view of the Fig. 2 of the upper hinge 5, the hinge 5 comprises a body connecting part 15 and a closure element connecting part 16. The body connecting part 15 is fixedly attached to the body 2 by means of screws 17 and sits on the front surface 14 of the body 2. The closure element connecting part 16 is fixedly attached to a front side of the outer wall of the closure element 4. The hinge 5 furthermore has a coupling unit 19 which connects the body connecting part 15 and the closure element connecting part 16 to one another in an articulated manner. The hinge 5 is a multi-joint hinge. The hinge 5 has a vertical pivot axis 20, i.e. aligned parallel to the height direction X.

[0035] In Fig. 3 For illustration purposes, the screws for attaching the body connecting part 15 of the lower hinge 6 to the body 2 are not shown. As can be seen, the body 2 has openings 21 on the front surface 14 for receiving the screws. The openings 21 are aligned with through-openings 89 of the body connecting part 15. In a projection view in a plane encompassing the height direction (X) and the depth direction (Z), the centers 90 of the two through-openings 89 lie one above the other.

[0036] For both the upper hinge 5 and the lower hinge 6, the openings 21, the through-openings 89 and the screws 17 inserted therein are spaced apart from one another in the width direction Y and arranged at the same height in the height direction X.

[0037] Weight forces generated by the locking element 4 are introduced into the body 2 via the hinges 5, 6. In addition, torques act on the body connecting parts 15 around a horizontal axis 22. The axis 22 runs in the width direction through the centers 90 of the through openings 89 of the body connecting parts 15.

[0038] In order to reduce the effects of these weight forces and torques on the screw connection of the body connecting parts 15 with the body 2, each hinge 5, 6 is coupled to a support element 24, 25.

[0039] The support elements 24, 25 are made of metal and each have a base body 26, which is a stamped and bent part. The base body 26 has a constant thickness. The support elements 24, 25 are formed separately from the hinge and can be detached from it without causing damage if necessary (e.g., to change the door hinge). Each support element 24, 25 also has two conical pins 27, which are fixed in openings 28 in the base body 26 by means of a press fit.

[0040] The coupling is identical to the second embodiment according to the Fig. 3 by receiving the pin ends protruding from the base body 26 in openings 29 of the body connecting part 15. Due to the conical shape of the pins 27, this coupling is achieved by pressing or forcing the pins 27 into the openings 29, thus creating a positive and non-positive coupling. The pins 27 are formed on connecting sections 30 of the base body 26.

[0041] The support elements 24, 25 further comprise coupling sections 31, each formed by a flat, substantially rectangular section of the base body 26. The flat coupling sections 31 lie in a plane encompassing the width direction Y and the height direction X. On an upper side facing the body 2, the coupling sections 31 form contact surfaces 32, which make planar contact with the front surface 14 of the body 2. The contact surface 32 of the upper support element 24 allows the torque acting on the upper hinge 5 to be reduced.

[0042] The coupling sections 31 further each have two screw openings 33. Screws 34 penetrate the screw openings 33 and screw the support elements 24, 25 to the front of the body 2. By means of this screw connection, the lower support element 25 can reduce the torque acting on the lower hinge 6.

[0043] The base body 26 of the support elements 24, 25 has a mounting section 35 arranged at right angles to the coupling section 31. The mounting section 35 is flat and serves to couple the large household appliance 1 to a wall to be arranged laterally next to the large household appliance 1, e.g., a side wall of a niche accommodating the large household appliance 1. Each mounting section 35 has two recesses 94 in the form of holes. Screws (not shown) can be used to couple the support element 24, 25, and thus the large household appliance 1, to the wall. These mounting sections 35 of the two support elements 24, 25 are optional, and the support elements 24, 25 can also be designed without the mounting sections 35 in order to already provide support for the hinges 5, 6.

[0044] The connecting sections 30 are each offset relative to the mounting section 35. The height difference measured in the width direction Y between the connecting section 30 and the mounting section 35 corresponds to the thickness of an extension 91 of the body connecting part 15.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the support elements 24, 25 are each arranged completely in the depth direction in front of the front surface 14 of the body 2.

[0046] The Fig. 3A bis 3C show a second embodiment, which differs from the first embodiment only in that it has different support elements. Fig. 3A und 3B A section of the large household appliance 1 in the area of ​​the upper hinge 5 is shown in two perspectives. In Fig. 3C the support element 36, which is coupled to the upper hinge 5, is shown alone.

[0047] In contrast to the first embodiment, the support element 36 has two separate coupling sections 37, 38 arranged at a distance from one another. Each coupling section 37, 38 is flat, and both lie in a plane encompassing the width direction Y and the height direction X. Both coupling sections 37, 38 have contact surfaces on their upper sides facing the body 2, which contact the front surface 14 of the body 2. Each coupling section 37, 38 has a screw opening 39, through which a screw 40 penetrates and through which the support element 36 is screwed to the front of the body.

[0048] The support element 36 further comprises two flat contact legs 41, 42 extending in the depth direction Z. The contact legs 41, 42 extend in the depth direction Z behind the front surface 14 and lie flat against a surface 62 of the right side wall 11 of the body 2. The contact legs 41, 42 serve to improve the alignment of the support element 36, particularly during its assembly. In the height direction X, i.e., along a longitudinal extent of the support element 36, the coupling sections 37, 38 and the contact legs 41, 42 are arranged alternately.

[0049] The Fig. 4A bis 4D show a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention and which differs from the first embodiment by different support elements. Fig. 4A und 4B A section of the large household appliance 1 in the area of ​​the upper hinge 5 is shown in two perspectives. In Fig. 4C the support element 43, which is coupled to the upper hinge 5, is shown alone. In Fig. 4D the support element 45, which is coupled to the lower hinge 6, is shown alone.

[0050] The support element 43 is coupled to the hinge 5 by two screws 44. The screws 44 penetrate openings 92 in the support element 43, namely in the connecting section 92, and thus aligned openings 29 in the extension 91 of the body connecting part 15.

[0051] The support element 43, largely comparable to the support element 36 of the second embodiment, has two coupling sections 37, 38 and two contact legs 41, 42. However, unlike the second embodiment, the coupling sections 37, 38 do not have screw openings.

[0052] The support elements 43, 45 are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a horizontal plane and can therefore be inserted interchangeably on the left side of the body 2 when the door hinge is changed.

[0053] The coupling sections 37, 38 on the illustrated upper support element 43 enable a sufficient reduction of the torque acting on the upper hinge 5. To also provide this effect for the lower support element 45, the support elements 43, 45 each have a plug-in section 47 at their end sections 46. The end sections 46 are arranged opposite the connecting sections 93 in the vertical direction X. In this way, a maximum distance is created between the plug-in sections 47 and the hinges 5, 6. The plug-in sections 47 are received in receptacles 48 on the body 2.

[0054] The Fig. 5A bis 5D show a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention and which differs from the first embodiment by different support elements. Fig. 5A und 5B A section of the large household appliance 1 in the area of ​​the upper hinge 5 is shown in two perspectives. In Fig. 5C is one to Fig. 5B A comparable illustration with an additional cover element can be seen. In Fig. Fig. 5D the support element 49, which is coupled to the upper hinge 5, and the cover 50 are shown alone.

[0055] The support element 49 is a one-piece component in the form of a stamped and bent component. The support element 49 is essentially plate-shaped and has two pins 61 on the connecting section 54, which are received in the openings 29 of the body connecting part 15.

[0056] The support element 49 is not coupled or attached to the front or front surface 14 of the body 2. Rather, the support element 49 is only connected to the right side wall 11 of the body 2 via two screws 51. The support element 49 has corresponding screw openings 53 on the coupling section 52.

[0057] In the Fig. 5A A right-hand furniture wall 58 and a furniture ceiling 59 are shown, which define a niche 60 in which the large household appliance 1 is accommodated. The support element 49 has a mounting section 55 with a recess 56 in the form of a closed-edge hole. By means of a screw 57, the support element 49 and thus the large household appliance 1 can be coupled to the wall arranged or to be arranged laterally next to the large household appliance, namely the furniture wall 58.

[0058] The representation in Fig. 5A und 5B show the already functional support element 49, which serves the purpose of supporting the hinge 5 and is attached to the body 2. Optionally, this can be covered, at least in sections, with a cover 50. The cover 50 is formed by a separate plastic component from the support element 49.

[0059] Fig. 5C shows the support element 49 provided with the cover 50 and attached to the body 2. The cover 50 is attached only to the support element 49 and the body connecting part 15 of the hinge 5. In particular, the cover 50 extends in the depth direction Z exclusively in front of the front surface 14 of the body 2.

[0060] While Fig. 5D left shows the support element 49 alone, is in Fig. 5D The cover 50 is shown on its own on the right. The cover has a base body 63 and a lid 64, which is pivotally connected to the base body 63 by means of a film hinge 65. In Fig. 5D an open position is shown, ie before assembly on the support element 57 or the body connecting part 15. In the closed position (see Fig. 5C ) locking lugs 66 and locking recesses 67 ensure that the cover 50 remains closed. In the base body 63 and in the cover 64 there are screw openings 68, 69 for the screw 57 to pass through. The diameter of the screw opening 69 is such that the screw 57 is held captively even before assembly. On the side facing away from the center of the appliance in the width direction Y, i.e. the side facing outwards, the cover 50 has a surface 70. This surface 70 can be in direct contact with the right-hand furniture wall 58 and, for example, determine a position of the large household appliance 1 within the niche 60.

[0061] In the closed position, the cover 50 engages the support element 59 from two opposite sides. The attachment to the support element 49 and to the body connecting part 15 is achieved, on the one hand, by this engagement. On the other hand, a locking lug 71 of the cover 50 enables direct, form-fitting attachment to the body connecting part 15.

[0062] The Fig. 6A bis 6C show a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention and which differs from the first embodiment by different support elements. Fig. 6A und 6B A section of the large household appliance 1 in the area of ​​the upper hinge 5 is shown in two perspectives. In Fig. Fig. 6C the support element 72, which is coupled to the upper hinge 5, is shown alone.

[0063] The support element 72, which is again made of metal in one piece, is attached exclusively to the right side wall 11 of the body 2 by means of two screws 73. Both screws 73 are located at the same height in the vertical direction X.

[0064] The coupling section 74 of the support element 72 comprises, in addition to screw openings 75 for the screws 73, two claws 76. The claws 76 engage around the abutting edge 77 and contact the front surface 14. In particular, the lower claw 76 of the support element 72 shown thus reduces - in addition to the screw connection on the side wall 11 - a tilting of the upper hinge 5.

[0065] An identical support element 72 is coupled to the lower hinge 6. For this purpose, the support element is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the support element 72.

[0066] The coupling of the support element 72 is similar to the second embodiment according to the Fig. 3 by receiving pins 78 in openings 29 of the body connecting part 15. The pins 78 are formed on connecting sections 79 of the base body 26. Each support element 72 has two connecting sections 79, each with two pins 78, whereby, depending on the coupling with the upper hinge 5 or the lower hinge 6, only two pins 78 of a connecting section 79 are coupled to the hinge.

[0067] A mounting section 80 is arranged in the height direction X between the two connecting sections 79 and comprises a recess 81 for receiving a screw with which the support element can be screwed to the wall.

[0068] The Fig. 7A bis 7C show a large household appliance which is not part of the present invention and which differs from the first embodiment by different support elements. Fig. 7A und 7B A section of the large household appliance 1 in the area of ​​the upper hinge 5 is shown in two perspectives. In Fig. Fig. 7C The support element 82, which is coupled to the upper hinge 5, is shown alone. An identical support element 82 is coupled to the lower hinge 6.

[0069] The support element 82, which is made in one piece from metal, has a coupling section 88, comprising a plug-in section 83, which is received in a receptacle 84 of the body 2. The receptacle 84 is formed in the right side wall 11 (for illustration purposes, the right side wall 11 is shown in Fig. 7B displayed partially transparently).

[0070] Each support element 82 has two connecting sections 85, each with two receptacles 86. Depending on the coupling to the upper hinge 5 or the lower hinge 6, only two of the receptacles 86 of a connecting section 85 are coupled to the hinge via screws 87. The length of the screws 87 is dimensioned such that they extend only through the extension 91 and the connecting section 85.

[0071] The plug-in portion 83 is formed at an end portion of the support element 82 opposite the connecting portions 85.

[0072] The support elements 82 have the claws 76 already described in connection with the fifth embodiment.

[0073] The hinges 5, 6 are identical in all embodiments. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0074] 1Large household appliance 2Carcass 3Storage space 4Locking element 5Top hinge 6Lower hinge 7Fasteners 8Top wall 9Bottom wall 10Left side wall 11Right side wall 12Receptacle 13Seal 14Front surface 15Carcass connecting part 16Locking element connecting part 17Screw 19Coupling unit 21Opening 22Axis 23Screw head 24Support element 25Support element 26Base body 27Pin 28Opening 29Opening 30Connecting section 31Coupling section 32Contact surface 33Screw opening 34Screw 35Mounting section 36Support element 37Coupling section 38Coupling section 39Screw opening 40Screw 41Contact leg 42Contact leg 43Support element 44Screw 45Support element 46End section 47Plug-in section 48Receptacle 49Support element 50Cover 51Screw 52Coupling section 53Screw opening 54Connecting section 55Assembly section 56Receptacle 57Screw 58Furniture wall 59Support element 60Niche 61Tee 62Surface 63Base body 64Cover 65Film hinge 66Locking lug 67Locking recess 68Screw opening69Screw opening 70Surface 71Locking lug 72Support element 73Screw 74Coupling section 75Screw opening 76Claw 77Abutting edge 78Tee 79Connecting section 80Mounting section 81Recess 82Support element 83Plug section 84Receptacle 85Connecting section 86Receptacle 87Screw 88Coupling section 89Through opening 90Center point 91Extension 92Opening 93Connecting section 94Recess

Claims

1. Large household appliance (1) in the form of a refrigeration appliance, comprising a carcass (2) and a closure element (6) fastened thereto with at least one hinge (5, 6), the large household appliance (1) further comprising a support element (24, 25, 36) coupled to the hinge (5, 6), wherein the support element (24, 25, 36) which is separate with respect to the hinge (5, 6) has a connecting segment (30) for coupling to the hinge (4, 5) and the connecting segment (30) has one, two or more pins (27), which engage in receptacles of the hinge (5, 6) or the connecting segment (30) has one, two or more receptacles, which are flush with receptacles of the hinge (5, 6), in order to enable a screw connection between the support element (24, 25, 36) and the hinge (5, 6), wherein the support element (24, 25, 36) has at least one coupling segment (31, 37, 38, 52, 74), by means of which the support element (24, 25, 36) is coupled to the carcass (2), in particular in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner, and wherein the at least one coupling segment (31, 37, 38) has a bearing surface (32) in contact with a front surface (14) of the carcass (2), characterised in that a screw opening (39) is provided within the bearing surface (32) in contact with the front surface (14) of the carcass (2) in order to embody a screw connection between the support element (24, 25, 36) and the carcass (2).

2. Large household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the support element (43, 45) has at least two coupling segments (37, 38) with a bearing surface in contact with the carcass (2) in each case, wherein the bearing surfaces are arranged at an angle to one another.

3. Large household appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the bearing surfaces contact two adjacent surfaces (14, 62) of the carcass (2) and an abutting edge (77) of the surfaces (14, 62) of the carcass (2) is surrounded by the support element (43, 45, 49, 59, 72, 82).

4. Large household appliance (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the coupling segment (38, 88) has a plug-in segment (47, 83), which is received in a receptacle (48, 84) of the carcass (2).

5. Large household appliance (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the coupling segment (31, 37, 38, 52, 74) has a screw opening (33, 39, 53, 75) and the large household appliance (1) further comprises a screw (34, 40, 51, 73) which penetrates the screw opening (33, 39, 53, 75), by means of which the support element is screwed onto the carcass (2).

6. Large household appliance (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that a carcass connecting part (15) of the hinge (5, 6) has at least one through-hole (89) for screwing onto a carcass (2) and that a maximum distance of the support element (24, 25, 36, 43, 45, 49, 59, 72, 82) in a projection representation in a plane, encompassing the height direction (X) and the depth direction (Z), with respect to a central point (90) of the through-hole (89) amounts to at least 3 cm or at least 4 cm or at least 5 cm or at least 8 cm or at least 9 cm.

7. Large household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the support element (24, 25, 36, 43, 45, 49, 59, 72, 82) has an assembly segment (55, 80) for coupling the large household appliance (1) to a wall (58) that is to be arranged laterally adjacent to the large household appliance (1).

8. Large household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the large household appliance (1) has an assembly segment for coupling the large household appliance (1) to a wall (58) that is to be arranged laterally adjacent to the large household appliance (1), wherein the assembly segment is embodied by a component or an assembly which is separate both with regard to the hinge (5, 6) and also with regard to the support element (24, 25, 36, 43, 45, 49, 59, 72, 82).

9. Large household appliance (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the assembly segment (55, 80) has at least one cut-out (56), e.g. a closed-edge hole, for receiving a fastening means, e.g. a screw (57), for coupling the large household appliance (1) to the wall (58) that is to be arranged laterally adjacent to the large household appliance (1).

10. Large household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by a cover element (50), which at least partially covers the support element (49).

11. Large household appliance (1) according to claim 10 and one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the cover element (50) covers the assembly segment (55) at least partially, in particular on both sides in the width direction (Y).

12. Large household appliance (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the cover element (50) in the depth direction (Z) is arranged at least up to 80% or at least 90% or completely in front of a front surface (14) of the carcass (2).