Household appliance with a locking element with a handle element

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance (1), particularly preferably a kitchen appliance (1), most preferably a cooking appliance (1), with an interior having an access opening and with a closing element (12) which is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element (13) in order to close and release the access opening of the interior, wherein the handle element (13) has at least one inner part (14) which is fixedly connected to the closing element (12) and at least one outer part (15) which is fixedly connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13).The household appliance (1) is characterized in that the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) by means of at least one connecting element (18), preferably by means of at least one screw (18), wherein the connecting element (18) is guided away from the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) through a through-opening (14c) of the inner part (14) and holds the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) by engaging in a blind hole bore (15c) of the outer part (15).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a household appliance with a closure element with a handle element.

[0002] In many technical fields, household appliances are known that have an interior space or the like, the opening of which can be opened and closed by a movable closure element. Such a closure element can be a door, a flap, or the like. The movement between the opened or open state and the closed state can be rotational by pivoting or folding the closure element around a rotational axis, for example, by means of hinges or the like, or translational by pulling or pushing along an axis. Combined movements are also possible using appropriate mechanisms.

[0003] In any case, it is known and common practice for this movement of the closure element to be carried out by a person as the user. For this purpose, a grip element is usually arranged on the front side of the closure element, which faces the user, and can be grasped by the user with the hand or at least with the fingers to move the closure element. Such grip elements can be designed as handles or handgrips, in particular to be grasped around or grasped behind by the user, which enables the user to securely grip and hold the handle element and can thereby enable or promote secure and defined guidance of the closure element during movement.

[0004] In addition to their technical function of being gripped and moved by the user, such handle elements should also be visually appealing and unobtrusive, as the handle elements, as a component or attachment of the closure element, face the user and are usually arranged in a visually prominent manner. The handle elements can therefore strongly influence the external appearance of the closure element. This applies in particular to kitchen appliances and in particular to built-in kitchen appliances, where the closure element usually forms or occupies essentially or even entirely the front. Built-in kitchen appliances can also be raised above the surface and thus positioned more at the user's eye level, which can further increase the user's attention to the appearance of the built-in kitchen appliance. The handle element of a closure element can therefore be of great visual and aesthetic importance.

[0005] For example, it is known for cooking appliances to design the handle element of the closure element in several parts. The document DE 10 2020 207 166 A1 discloses that an inner part can be designed as a holding part of the handle element in a technically functional manner and can be defined and fixedly mounted on the closure element in order to transmit the forces of the user's movement. The inner part of the closure element can then be at least partially enclosed and concealed by an outer part as a decorative part of the handle element, so that only the outer part is essentially or completely visually perceived by the user and can be designed accordingly in an appealing, high-quality and aesthetic manner. In this way, both objectives or functions of a handle element of the closure element can be combined. A handle element of this type is also disclosed in the document DE 10 2010 043 340 A1.

[0006] The problem here, however, is that the connection between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the closure element must also be fixed and, at the same time, visually appealing and unobtrusive in order to achieve both goals and ensure functionality. This creates a gap between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the closure element at the contact points or contact surfaces, which should therefore also be visually appealing and unobtrusive.

[0007] In addition, visible screw connections between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the locking element should be avoided, as these could be perceived as visually disturbing by the user.

[0008] A screw connection between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the closure element by means of a grub screw, in particular along the vertical axis from below, could make the screw connection visually disappear, but would involve increased manufacturing and assembly effort, which would lead to increased production costs.

[0009] Accordingly, at least in cooking appliances, gluing and locking are known to fasten the outer part to the inner part of the handle element of the closure element.

[0010] A disadvantage of bonding the outer part to the inner part of the handle element of the closure element is that the gap between the outer and inner parts, which are components to be joined, can be subject to significant process fluctuations during bonding, which can result in an uneven gap. In this case, the gap or joint can also widen under the application of the subsequent live load if the adhesive cannot withstand the stresses, at least not in the long term. This could impair the visual impression for the user.

[0011] A disadvantage of locking or snap-locking the outer part with the inner part of the handle element of the closure element is that this cannot reliably prevent the joined components from shifting relative to each other. Locked components also tend to generate friction and clicking noises during subsequent handling due to play between the connected components, which can be perceived as annoying by the user and considered to be of inferior quality.

[0012] In any case, glued or locked components cannot be separated from each other without causing damage, which can make it difficult or even impossible to disassemble the outer part from the inner part of the handle element of the locking element, for example to remove the outer part for repair or replacement.

[0013] In any case, it is necessary that the outer part, as a decorative element, can be attached to the inner part of the handle element of the closure element over a longer surface or via an angular contour, and that both components can be precisely positioned relative to each other. Failure to achieve this can lead to visual defects in the handle element of the closure element, as previously mentioned.

[0014] The invention therefore addresses the problem of creating a household appliance with a closure element and a handle element, the handle element of which can be mounted to the closure element more easily, quickly, cost-effectively, and / or in a more visually appealing manner than previously known. This should be possible, in particular, for mounting an outer part of the handle element to an inner part of the handle element of the closure element. At the very least, an alternative to the known possibilities should be created.

[0015] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a household appliance, a closure element, and a handle element having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following dependent claims.

[0016] Thus, the invention relates to a household appliance, particularly preferably a kitchen appliance, most preferably a cooking appliance, having an interior with an access opening and having a closure element which is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element in order to close and open the access opening of the interior, wherein the handle element has at least one inner part which is fixedly connected to the closure element and at least one outer part which is fixedly connected to the inner part of the handle element.

[0017] The household appliance according to the invention is characterized in that the outer part of the handle element is connected to the inner part of the handle element by means of at least one connecting element, preferably by means of at least one screw, wherein the connecting element is guided through a through-opening of the inner part facing away from the outer part of the handle element and holds the outer part of the handle element by engaging in a blind hole, groove or undercut of the outer part.

[0018] The connecting element can enable any type of suitable mechanical connection between the outer and inner parts of the handle element, which should, on the one hand, enable secure hold and non-destructive separation and, on the other hand, cannot be seen by the user from the outside, i.e. from the side of the outer part of the handle element. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a screw from the inside, which ends within the outer part of the handle element and holds the outer part of the handle element to the inner part of the handle element by engaging in an internal thread of the blind hole in the outer part of the handle element. This makes it possible to achieve a durable but detachable and, at the same time, visually inconspicuous connection between the outer and inner parts of the handle element.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the front side of the closure element further comprises a through-opening, wherein the connecting element is guided through the through-opening of the closure element, facing away from the outer part of the handle element. In this way, the outer part of the handle element and the inner part of the handle element—and thus the entire handle element—can be connected to the closure element in one step, which can correspondingly reduce or minimize the assembly effort.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element is connected to the inner part of the handle element by means of a plurality of connecting elements, preferably by means of a plurality of screws. Each connecting element is guided through a respective through-opening of the inner part, facing away from the outer part of the handle element, and holds the outer part of the handle element by engaging in a blind hole in the outer part. This can improve the durability of the connection as well as the positioning accuracy of the outer part of the handle element on the inner part of the handle element.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element is non-positively connected to the inner part of the handle element by means of at least one holding element, preferably by means of at least one pin, preferably by means of a plurality of parallel holding elements, preferably pins, perpendicular to the elongated extent of the connecting element. A pin is understood to be a simple machine element for connecting components or workpieces to one another. The pin is formed in one piece, i.e., integrally, and has a rectilinear elongation. The pin can have any suitable shape or contour, but is preferably cylindrical.

[0022] Thus, by using at least one pin as a mechanical connecting element between the inner and outer parts of the handle element of the closure element, in addition to the corresponding spatial direction as the connection or joining direction, a firm, stable, and durable, play-free connection can be created, while simultaneously achieving a defined and highly precise positioning of the two connecting partners. In particular, the connection can also be removed non-destructively and re-established easily and quickly, for example, to replace the outer part.

[0023] The use of a plurality of parallel support elements or pins can increase or improve the stability of the connection as well as the accuracy of the positioning.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the invention, the support elements, preferably pins, are arranged at equal spacing from one another. This can increase or improve the stability of the connection as well as the accuracy of the positioning.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, the support element, preferably the pin, and preferably the support elements, preferably the pins, are made of solid material or are thin-walled. The use of solid material can increase the stability and durability of the connection. The use of thin-walled hollow material can enable a certain spring-elastic compressibility perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction of the support element or pin, which can enhance the frictional connection.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element and the inner part of the handle element have opposing retaining element receptacles, preferably pin bores, wherein the (preferably one) pair of corresponding retaining element receptacles of the handle element jointly receives the (preferably one) retaining element, preferably the (preferably one) pin, in a force-fitting manner. This may represent one possible concrete implementation.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element and the inner part of the handle element have mutually opposite stop edges along the elongated extent of the holding element, preferably the pin, preferably the holding elements, preferably the pins, so that the outer part of the handle element projects beyond the inner part of the handle element at least partially, preferably completely, along the elongated extent of the holding element, preferably the pin, preferably the holding elements, preferably the pins. Thus, the contact of the stop edge of the outer part of the handle element with the stop edge of the inner part of the handle element can limit the movement of the connection or joining by means of the pin or pins.Furthermore, the outer part of the handle element can be shaped in this way such that the outer part of the handle element extends at least partially or completely beyond the edge of the inner part of the handle element, thus concealing it. This creates a uniform surface, particularly towards the user, which can be more visually appealing to the user than simply seeing the inner part of the handle element.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the grip element projects beyond the inner part of the grip element at least along the transverse axis, preferably also along the longitudinal axis. As a result, the outer part of the grip element can close off the grip element to the outside and create a uniform and closed appearance, which can be more visually appealing to the user than seeing the inner part of the grip element.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element is an outwardly visible decorative element of the handle element. This can improve the visual impression and increase the visual design options.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, the outer part of the handle element and the inner part of the handle element form a defined joint between them. This can improve the visual impression.

[0031] According to a further aspect of the invention, the grip element is curved so that the user can grip it with at least one finger, preferably with all fingers, at least partially, preferably completely and continuously. This can make it easier for the user to move the closure element by gripping and pulling or pushing the grip element.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, the gripping element extends substantially horizontally. This can make gripping easier for the user. This can be particularly useful for closure elements in the form of flaps that are movably mounted on the lower edge.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a closure element with at least one handle element for use in a household appliance as described above. This allows a closure element to be created for implementing a household appliance as described above.

[0034] The present invention further relates to a handle element for use with a closure element as described above and / or with a household appliance as described above. This allows a handle element to be created for implementing a household appliance as described above.

[0035] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance according to the invention in the form of a cooking appliance from the front, obliquely from above; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a handle element according to the invention of a closure element according to the invention of the cooking appliance of the Figure 1 ; Figure 3 a longitudinal section through the connected handle element of the Figure 2 in the area of ​​the holding elements; Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section through the connected handle element of the Figure 2 in the area of ​​the connecting elements; and Figure 5 the handle element of the Figure 2 in the connected state.

[0036] The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. There is a longitudinal axis X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X extends a transverse axis Y, which can also be referred to as width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y extends a vertical axis Z, which can also be referred to as height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity. The longitudinal axis X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance 1 according to the invention in the form of a cooking appliance 1 from the front, diagonally above. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a handle element 13 according to the invention of a closure element 12 according to the invention of the cooking appliance 1 of the Figure 1 . Figure 3shows a longitudinal section through the connected handle element 13 of the Figure 2 in the area of ​​the support elements 17. Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section through the connected handle element 13 of the Figure 2 in the area of ​​the connecting elements 18. Figure 4 shows the handle element 13 of the Figure 2 in the connected state.

[0038] A kitchen appliance 1 according to the invention as a household appliance 1 and in particular as a kitchen appliance 1 is considered using the example of a cooking appliance 1. The cooking appliance 1 has a housing 10 which essentially encloses the cooking appliance 1 on the outside. Within the housing 10, the cooking appliance 1 has an interior space (not shown) with an access opening (not shown) and a closure element 12 in the form of a flap 12 which forms the essential part of the front side 12a or the outer side 12a of the cooking appliance 1. The flap 12 is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element 13 in order to close and open the access opening of the interior space. Above the flap 12, the front side 12a of the cooking appliance 1 terminates with a panel 11. The flap 12 is attached to the housing 10 of the cooking appliance 1 at its lower edge in a foldable or pivotable manner.

[0039] The handle element 13 has an inner part 14, which is fixedly connected to the flap 12, and an outer part 15, which is fixedly connected to the inner part 14 of the handle element 13. The outer part 15 of the handle element 13 is non-positively connected to the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 by means of several solid pins 17 as holding elements 17. Furthermore, the connected inner and outer parts 14, 15 of the handle element 13, or the handle element 13 as a whole, are held to the flap 12 by means of a pair of screws 18 as connecting elements 18. The inner part 14 of the handle element 13 can also be referred to as the holding part 14 of the handle element 13. The outer part 15 of the handle element 13 represents a decorative part 15 of the handle element 13.

[0040] The connection by means of pins 17 can be effected in that the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 has a plurality of pin receptacles 14a in the form of pin bores 14a, which in the first embodiment extend along the vertical axis Z and are arranged approximately evenly distributed or evenly spaced from one another in the horizontal X, Y, cf. Figure 2 The pin bores 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 are arranged on a stop edge 14b of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 and point upwards along the vertical axis Z or are open at the top. The outer part 15 of the handle element 13 has corresponding pin receptacles 15a or pin bores 15a, which are arranged along a stop edge 15b of the outer part 15 and are oriented downwards.

[0041] To assemble the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 to the inner part 13 of the handle element 15, the pins 17 can now be inserted from above along the vertical axis Z into the pin holes 14a of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13. The outer part 15 of the handle element 13 can then be placed from above along the vertical axis Z onto the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 in such a way that the pins 17 are also received by the pin holes 15a of the outer part 15 of the handle element 13, cf. Figure 3 . The joining or connection can be carried out under force.

[0042] The movement of the connection or joining is limited by the corresponding stop edges 14b, 15b of the inner part 14 and outer part 15 of the handle element 13. In the final positioning, a defined joint 16 forms between the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 and the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 on its upper side, see. Figure 4. At the same time, the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 is projected over or enclosed by the outer part 15 of the handle element 13 along the longitudinal axis X to the front and along the transverse axis Y to both sides in the horizontal X, Y and thus concealed from the user, which can be visually appealing.

[0043] The assembled handle element 13 can now be mounted on the flap 12 from the inside along the longitudinal axis X. For this purpose, the front side 12a of the flap 12 has two through-openings 12b, which coincide with two corresponding through-openings 14c of the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 and are each opposite a blind hole 15c of the outer part 15 along the longitudinal axis X. Accordingly, a screw 18 as a connecting element 18 can be passed from the inside (not designated) of the flap 12 through the opposite through-openings 12b, 14c of the flap 12 and the inner part 14 of the handle element 13 and screwed into a thread of the blind hole 15c of the outer part 15 in order to hold the handle element 13 to the flap 12 and to completely conceal the screws 18 from the user. List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0044] X Longitudinal axis; Depth; Length Y Transverse axis; Width Z Vertical axis; Height X, Y Horizontal; Horizontal plane 1Household appliance; kitchen appliance; Cooking appliance 10 Housing 11 Panel 12 Locking element or flap 12a Front or outer side of the locking element 12 12b Through-openings of the front side 12a of the locking element 12 13 Handle element 14 Inner part or holding part of the handle element 13 14a Pin receptacles or pin holes of the inner part 14 14b Stop edge of the inner part 14 14c Through-openings of the inner part 14 15 Outer part or decorative part of the handle element 13 15a Pin receptacles or pin holes of the outer part 15 15b Stop edge of the outer part 15 15c Blind holes of the outer part 15 16 Joint between the inner part 14 and the outer part 15 17 Holding elements or pins 18 Fastening elements or screws

Claims

1. A household appliance (1), particularly preferably a kitchen appliance (1), very particularly preferably a cooking appliance (1), having an interior with an access opening and having a closure element (12) which is designed to be moved by a user by means of a handle element (13) in order to close and open the access opening of the interior, wherein the handle element (13) has at least one inner part (14) which is fixedly connected to the closure element (12), and at least one outer part (15) which is fixedly connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13), characterized in thatthe outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) by means of at least one connecting element (18), preferably by means of at least one screw (18), wherein the connecting element (18) is guided through a through-opening (14c) of the inner part (14) facing away from the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) and holds the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) by engaging in a blind hole (15c) of the outer part (15).

2. Household appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the front side (12a) of the closure element (12) further comprises a through-opening (12b), wherein the connecting element (18) is further guided through the through-opening (12c) of the closure element (12) facing away from the outer part (15) of the handle element (13).

3. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) by means of a plurality of connecting elements (18), preferably by means of a plurality of screws (18), wherein each connecting element (18) is guided through a respective through-opening (14c) of the inner part (14) facing away from the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) and holds the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) by engaging in a blind hole (15c) of the outer part (15).

4. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is non-positively connected to the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) by means of at least one holding element (17), preferably by means of at least one pin (17), preferably by means of a plurality of parallel holding elements (17), preferably pins (17), perpendicular to the elongated extent of the connecting element (18) with the inner part (14).

5. Household appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the holding elements (17), preferably pins (17), are arranged at equal distances from one another.

6. Household appliance (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the holding element (17), preferably the pin (17), preferably the holding elements (17), preferably the pins (17), is made of solid material or thin-walled.

7. Household appliance (1) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) and the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) have opposing holding element receptacles (14a, 15a), preferably pin bores (14a, 15a), wherein the, preferably in each case one, pair of corresponding holding element receptacles (14a, 15a) of the handle element (13) together receive the, preferably in each case one, holding element (17), preferably the, preferably in each case one, pin (17), in a force-fitting manner.

8. Household appliance (1) according to one of the four preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) and the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) have mutually opposite stop edges (14b, 15b) along the elongated extent of the holding element (17), preferably pin (17), preferably of the holding elements (17), preferably pins (17), so that the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) projects beyond the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) along the elongated extent of the holding element (17), preferably pin (17), preferably of the holding elements (17), preferably pins (17), at least in sections, preferably completely.

9. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) projects beyond the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) at least along the transverse axis (Y), preferably further along the longitudinal axis (X).

10. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) is an outwardly visible decorative element (15) of the handle element (13).

11. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer part (15) of the handle element (13) and the inner part (14) of the handle element (13) form a defined joint (16) between them.

12. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle element (13) is curved in shape in order to be gripped behind by the user with at least one finger, preferably with all fingers, at least in sections, preferably completely and continuously.

13. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle element (13) extends substantially in the horizontal (X, Y).

14. Closure element (12) with at least one handle element (12) for use in a household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Handle element (13) for use in a closure element (2) according to claim 14 and / or in a household appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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