Household appliance device and household appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance device (12), in particular a hob device, comprising at least one plate unit (14), at least one light source (16) and at least one light-guide unit (18) which is provided for guiding light from the light source (16) to a target region (20) on the plate unit (14), and which has at least one section (26) designed as a hollow light guide (28). According to the invention, in order to provide a generic household appliance device with improved characteristics in terms of illumination, light guiding and efficiency, the household appliance device (12) has a light deflection element (30) which is arranged in front of the light source (16) and in the section (26).

Description

[0001] Household appliance and household appliance

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a household appliance device according to the preamble of claim 1 and a household appliance according to claim 15.

[0004] Household appliance devices are already known from the prior art, which have at least one light source and at least one light guide unit with a hollow light guide channel in order to guide light from the light source to a target area.

[0005] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a generic device with improved properties with regard to illumination, light guidance, and efficiency. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1 and 15, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0006] Advantages of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a household appliance device, in particular a cooking hob device, comprising at least one plate unit, at least one light source and at least one light guide unit which is provided to guide light from the light source to a target area on the plate unit and which has at least one section which is designed as a hollow light guide.

[0008] It is proposed that the household appliance device comprises a light deflecting element which is arranged in front of the light source and in the section.

[0009] Such a configuration can improve lighting and light guidance. Furthermore, efficiency, at least with regard to the lighting, can be increased, specifically light intensity in at least one target area can be increased. In addition, light can be guided and / or amplified more efficiently and precisely along a light guide unit emanating from a light source, and thus the light intensity can in turn be increased. In addition, a compact and efficient design can be provided. Furthermore, efficiency, with regard to product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or design and / or performance and / or energy efficiency, can be increased. In addition, a loss of light intensity between a light source and the target area can be reduced, preferably avoided.Furthermore, light loss and / or a loss of light intensity in at least one section of the light-guiding unit can be reduced and advantageously avoided. This can increase user comfort and provide an improved user experience. Furthermore, the light provided by the light source can be used more efficiently, and the light source can preferably be downsized.

[0010] The household appliance could, for example, be a cooking appliance, possibly a microwave appliance, a grill appliance, a steamer appliance, an oven appliance, and / or preferably a hob appliance. Alternatively and / or additionally, the household appliance could also be a household refrigeration appliance, in particular a refrigerator and / or freezer appliance, and / or a household cleaning appliance, for example a dishwasher appliance, a washing machine appliance, and / or a tumble dryer appliance.In one installed position, the household appliance device forms a subassembly of a household appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance and / or a household cleaning appliance, for example a dishwasher and / or a washing machine and / or a tumble dryer, and / or a cooking appliance, such as a microwave and / or a grill and / or a steamer and / or an oven and / or particularly preferably a hob. The hob is preferably a matrix hob. The hob device could be designed as a resistance hob device and / or preferably as an induction hob device. Advantageously, the hob device designed as an induction hob device is a subassembly of an induction hob.In addition, the hob device could also comprise accessory units for the hob, such as an extractor unit and / or at least one sensor unit, in particular at least one temperature sensor, for measuring the temperature of a mounting unit, in particular a cooking utensil, and / or a cooking item, and / or for placement in the mounting unit and / or in the cooking item, for example in the form of a roasting spit, and / or a detection unit for detecting at least the mounting unit. It would also be conceivable for the household appliance device to comprise the entire household appliance, in particular the entire hob.

[0011] The household appliance device and / or the household appliance is / are intended for use and / or arrangement in a household, in particular a kitchen. The household appliance could in turn be part of a household appliance system, in particular a hob system, wherein the household appliance system could comprise a plurality of units and / or devices that can be used for processing and / or treating and / or storing food. The household appliance system could additionally comprise at least one household appliance object, in particular a hob object. For example, the household appliance object could be at least the installation unit and / or an extraction unit and / or at least the sensor unit, in particular at least one temperature sensor. It would also be conceivable for the household appliance object to be at least partially part of a subgroup of at least the household appliance, in particular the hob.The household appliance object could, for example, comprise at least one control unit, for example a remote control, and / or at least one user interface and / or at least one extractor fan unit and / or at least one heating unit control electronics.

[0012] The plate unit is at least one, in particular plate-like, unit which is provided for setting up at least the setting up unit and / or for placing at least one food item, in particular the food to be cooked, on it. The plate unit could, for example, be designed as a worktop, in particular as a kitchen worktop, or as a partial area of ​​at least one worktop, in particular at least one kitchen worktop. Preferably, the kitchen worktop, in particular in contrast to a hob plate, is additionally provided to provide a food preparation area in which, for example, cutting and / or mixing and / or mashing and / or peeling of food could be carried out. In particular, the kitchen worktop is a piece of furniture, preferably a piece of kitchen furniture.The kitchen worktop is advantageously a part of the kitchen and in particular delimits and / or closes off a part of an assembly of kitchen cabinets and / or kitchen furniture and / or other household appliances, such as a dishwasher and / or a washing machine and / or an oven, at the top.

[0013] Alternatively and / or additionally, the plate unit could be designed as a hob plate. The plate unit designed as a hob plate could form at least part of a hob outer housing of the hob and, advantageously, together with at least one housing unit of the household appliance, to which the hob plate is connected in at least one assembled state, could form at least a large part of the hob outer housing. The plate unit is connected to the housing unit, for example, by means of a force-fit and / or form-fit and / or material connection. The plate unit is preferably made of a non-metallic material.The plate unit could be made at least partially or at least largely from glass and / or glass ceramic and / or Neolith and / or Dekton and / or wood and / or marble and / or stone, in particular natural stone, and / or laminate and / or plastic and / or ceramic and / or a composite material. The expression “largely” should be understood to mean at least 55%, advantageously at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%, and particularly advantageously at most 95% of a volume and / or mass fraction. In a preferred embodiment, the plate unit can have a thickness, in particular a material thickness, of at most 30 mm, preferably of at most 20 mm, and particularly preferably of at most 12 mm.In this document, position designations such as "below" or "above" refer to the mounted state of the disk unit unless explicitly described otherwise.

[0014] The installation unit can comprise a small household appliance and / or the cooking utensil. The small household appliance could, for example, be a coffee maker and / or a toaster and / or a kettle and / or a blender and / or a stirrer. Advantageously, the small household appliance could be supplied with energy at least partially inductively when placed on the installation plate. The cooking utensil can, for example, be in the form of a pot and / or a pan and / or a roasting pan. If the household appliance is designed as an induction hob device, the cooking utensil could, when placed on the kitchen worktop, be supplied with energy at least partially inductively, at least for heating. It would also be conceivable for the installation unit to comprise a base unit which is provided as a base beneath the cooking utensil and / or the small household appliance.Advantageously, the support unit can be arranged between the plate unit and the cooking utensils and / or the small household appliance. In particular, the support unit can be arranged on the plate unit in a cooking surface area.

[0015] The household appliance preferably has at least one heating unit, which is designed as a resistance heating unit and / or preferably as an induction heating unit. In particular, the heating unit is arranged below the plate unit. Advantageously, the heating unit is provided for heating at least the support unit for cooking at least the food in the cooking surface area on the plate unit. Preferably, the heating unit is arranged in the housing unit, specifically in an interior space that is at least partially delimited by the housing unit and the plate unit.

[0016] It would be conceivable for the plate unit to have engravings and / or prints for marking a cooking surface area, in particular the aforementioned cooking surface area, for at least the installation unit. Preferably, however, the plate unit is free of engravings and / or prints. The household appliance device, in particular the plate unit, has at least the cooking surface area. Preferably, the cooking surface area is designed as a variable cooking surface area. A “variable cooking surface area” is to be understood as a cooking surface area that is intended to form at least one heating zone adapted to at least the installed installation unit, in particular the small household appliance and / or the cooking utensil. The heating zone can preferably be adapted to the installation unit with regard to at least one size and / or shape.The variable cooking surface area differs advantageously from a cooking surface area in which heating zones are fixed, in particular by markings on the base plate.

[0017] Preferably, by means of the light provided by the light source, for example, at least the cooking surface area on the plate unit and / or at least one possible placement of at least the installation unit on the plate unit and / or a danger zone, for example a hot spot within the cooking surface area, on the plate unit can be displayed to a user. In particular, the target area can be illuminated by means of the light provided by the light source. The target area on the plate unit can be a partial area within the cooking surface area, for example a single local point in the cooking surface area, or the entire cooking surface area. It would be conceivable for the target area to be a partial area within the cooking surface area which forms at least 1%, advantageously at least 3% and preferably at least 10% of the cooking surface area.Furthermore, the target area formed as a partial area within the cooking surface area could constitute a maximum of 80%, advantageously a maximum of 50%, and preferably a maximum of 30% of the cooking surface area. It would also be conceivable for the target area to be located on the plate unit outside the cooking surface area, for example in an operating area in which a user interface, in particular a cooktop user interface, could be arranged, and / or in an extractor area in which the extractor unit could be arranged, and / or in an electronics area in which at least one electronics unit of the household appliance could be arranged. The plate unit could also have a plurality of target areas, namely at least two target areas or a plurality of target areas. All target areas could be illuminated by means of light provided by the same light source.Alternatively, the target areas could also receive light from different light sources of the household appliance device and / or be illuminated by means of light provided by different light sources of the household appliance device.

[0018] The light source can have at least one illuminant, which comprises, for example, at least one LED, and / or an electronic paper (e-paper, ePaper) and / or liquid crystals and / or at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and / or at least one active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED).

[0019] The light-guiding unit is intended to guide light, preferably the light provided by the light source, in particular directly and possibly unprocessed, toward the target area and preferably to the target area on the plate unit. The light-guiding unit can comprise a plurality of elements and / or units that contribute to guiding and / or directing light from the light source to the target area on the plate unit. It would also be conceivable for the light-guiding unit to have at least one optical element, such as a diffuser unit for converting light into diffused light and / or a beam splitter and / or a color filter and / or a polarization filter and / or another optical element deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art. The light-guiding unit could have at least one planar entry area for the provided light, which is advantageously adapted to a dimension and / or shape and / or size of the light source.

[0020] The light-guiding unit is designed, at least in sections, as a hollow light guide. In addition, the light-guiding unit can be solid and / or filled, at least in sections, at least partially, at least to a large extent, and preferably completely. The section designed as a hollow light guide can, for example, form at least 5%, advantageously at least 10%, and preferably at least 30% of the light-guiding unit and / or extend, in particular along a main direction of extension of the light-guiding unit, over at least 5%, advantageously at least 10%, and preferably at least 30% of the light-guiding unit.

[0021] The light-guiding unit, in particular at least the section, could possibly have a curved and / or straight shape at least in sections. Preferably, the section has a rod-like and / or straight and / or elongated shape. Particularly preferably, an inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section is at least substantially constant and / or consistent, at least in sections along the section, in particular regardless of manufacturing tolerances. The inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section could be at least substantially constant and / or consistent over at least 20%, advantageously at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, and particularly preferably over at least 80% along a main extension direction of the section.

[0022] A "main extension direction" of an object, in particular of a section, is understood here to mean a direction that runs parallel to a longest edge of a smallest geometric cuboid that just completely encloses the object. In particular, the main extension direction of the object extends within a main extension plane of the object. A "main extension plane" of an object, in particular of a section, is understood here to mean a plane that is aligned parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid that just completely encloses the object, and in particular runs through the center of the cuboid.

[0023] Preferably, the section is arranged directly, specifically in direct contact with the light source. In particular, the section has at least the planar entry area for the provided light, which is advantageously adapted to a dimension and / or shape and / or size of the light source.

[0024] The light-deflecting element is an optical element designed to at least partially deflect and / or redirect light, in particular the light provided by the light source. Advantageously, the light-deflecting element is designed to change and / or redirect and / or deflect a beam path of the light emanating from the light source. In particular, the light-deflecting element deflects and / or redirects the light in the section. In the present case, the light provided by the light source, which is deflected by the light-deflecting element, is referred to as deflected light.

[0025] In particular, the light before it hits the light-deflecting element is referred to as the provided light. After being deflected by the light-deflecting element, the light is referred to as the deflected light.

[0026] The light deflecting element is particularly preferably arranged in a light entry region of the section. This allows light guidance in at least one section of a light-guiding unit, specifically starting directly from the light source, to be further improved and made more efficient. This in turn allows lighting to be optimized and comfort to be increased. The light entry region can correspond at least partially and advantageously completely to the aforementioned entry region of the section. Advantageously, the light source is arranged directly on the section, free from any intervening components and / or elements. The light deflecting element is preferably arranged directly in front of the light source in the section, specifically in the light entry region of the section. In particular, the light provided by the light source strikes the light deflecting element.

[0027] Furthermore, here and below, "intended" should be understood as specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood as meaning that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0028] It is also proposed that the light deflection element be at least partially prism-shaped. This allows light guidance in at least one section of a light-guiding unit to be further optimized and a simple and / or compact design to be provided. Furthermore, the efficiency of illumination and the light intensity in a target area can be increased.

[0029] In particular, the light deflecting element refracts the light in the section and deflects it. The light deflecting element could be at least partially reflective prism-shaped. It would be conceivable for the light deflecting element to be prism-shaped only on one side. This side could extend parallel to a main direction of extension of the light deflecting element. In particular, the side is a longitudinal side of the light deflecting element. That part of the light deflecting element which is at least partially and preferably completely prism-shaped could have a width extension of at least 0.7 mm, advantageously at least 0.9 mm and preferably at least 1 mm. Furthermore, the light deflecting element could have a height extension of at least 2 mm, advantageously at least 4 mm and particularly preferably at least 6 mm.

[0030] In order to improve the deflection and / or redirection of light in at least one section of a light-guiding unit and thus in turn the light guidance and efficiency, it is proposed that the light-deflecting element be at least partially designed in the shape of a converging lens. The light-deflecting element could, for example, at least partially have a biconvex and / or concave-convex and / or advantageously plano-convex shape. It would be conceivable for the light-deflecting element to be designed in the shape of a converging lens only on one further side. The further side could extend parallel to the main direction of extension of the light-deflecting element. In particular, the further side is a further longitudinal side of the light-deflecting element. The side and the further side could be opposite one another.That part of the light deflecting element which is at least partially and preferably completely designed as a converging lens could have a further width extension of at least 0.1 mm, advantageously at least 0.2 mm and preferably at least 0.4 mm.

[0031] It would possibly be conceivable for the light deflecting element to be at least partially integrally connected to the light source, in particular as a single piece, and to be part of an assembly of the light source. If the light deflecting element is designed separately from an assembly forming the light source, a design can be reduced in terms of complexity and, in terms of product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or construction and / or labor efficiency, can be further increased. The light deflecting element is designed separately from the light source. Preferably, the light source is provided to emit light mainly along a first direction and the section of the light guide unit extends along a second direction, wherein the second direction is different from the first direction. This makes it possible to provide a compact design and increase efficiency.In particular, the light provided radiates from the light source in the first direction. In particular, the second direction corresponds to the main direction of extension of the section. The first direction and the second direction could together enclose an intersection angle of at least 3°, advantageously at least 5°, preferably at least 10°, and particularly preferably at least 15°. It would also be conceivable for the first direction and the second direction to extend at least substantially perpendicular to one another, wherein an angle between the first direction and the second direction deviates from a right angle by at most 5°, preferably by at most 2°, and particularly advantageously by at most 1°.The expression that “the light source is intended to emit light mainly along a first direction” is to be understood to mean that at least 30%, advantageously at least 50%, preferably at least 50% and particularly preferably at least 80% of the light provided by the light source radiates in the first direction.

[0032] Particularly preferably, the light deflection element is provided to deflect the light from the first direction into a third direction, which is closer to the second direction than the first direction. This allows light guidance in at least one section of a light-guiding unit to be further optimized, thus in turn increasing light intensity in at least one target area. Furthermore, light can be guided and / or amplified more efficiently and precisely along at least the section emanating from a light source, whereby light loss and / or a loss of light intensity in at least the section can be reduced and advantageously avoided.

[0033] The third direction can deviate from the first direction by at least 3%, advantageously at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, and particularly preferably by at least 20%. The third direction preferably corresponds to the second direction. In particular, the light, advantageously the deflected light, radiates in the third direction along at least the section, in particular along the main extension direction of the section. The light deflection element is preferably designed at least partially as a collimator. The light deflection element is provided to adapt a light guide to an orientation of the section.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the light-deflecting element be formed at least partially and advantageously completely in one piece with the light-guiding unit, in particular the section. This allows for an improved design, specifically a compact design. Furthermore, efficiency can be further increased with regard to product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or design efficiency. Furthermore, a light-deflecting element can be lengthened.

[0035] “Integral” should be understood to mean at least materially connected, for example by an adhesive process, an injection molding process and / or welding process and / or another process that appears reasonable to a person skilled in the art. The light-guiding unit and the light-deflecting element could be made at least partially from different material compositions. Preferably, the light-deflecting element and the light-guiding unit are formed as a single piece. “Integral” should be understood to mean formed in one piece. This one piece is preferably produced from a single blank, a mass and / or a cast, particularly preferably using an injection molding process, in particular a single-component and / or multi-component injection molding process, and / or using a stamping process and / or another process that appears reasonable to a person skilled in the art.

[0036] The light guide unit and / or the light deflection element could consist at least partially or at least largely of a mineral, for example glass, and / or a plastic and / or a metal and / or a composite material. Preferably, the section designed as a hollow light guide is formed at least partially and advantageously entirely of opaque and / or light-impermeable material. Advantageously, at least the section is formed of a high-temperature material. The high-temperature material can be, for example, aluminum, PEEK, LCP, PPS and / or Teflon. Alternatively and / or additionally, the light deflection element could be formed of a high-temperature material. Preferably, the light deflection element is formed of a transparent and / or translucent material.In order to improve light reflection within at least the section of the light-guiding unit and thus in turn increase light intensity, at least one inner wall of the section can be provided with a coating. In particular, the coating is intended to improve and / or support light reflection within the section, advantageously along the main extension direction of the section. The coating can be a PVD coating, for example. The section could have the coating on an entire inner wall along the section. Preferably, the section has the coating at least at the beginning and / or at the end of the section on the inner wall. The coating could extend at least 5%, advantageously at least 15%, preferably at least 30% and particularly preferably at least 50% along the inner wall of the section.It would also be conceivable that at least one side of the inner wall of the section is free of a coating, in particular the coating.

[0037] It is further proposed that the light source comprise at least two adjacently arranged illuminants, and that the light deflection element extends over both illuminants. This allows for further improvement in lighting, with regard to illumination in at least one target area, as well as light guidance. This, in turn, increases user comfort and efficiency, with regard to product and / or design and / or performance and / or energy efficiency. Furthermore, a design can be further optimized.

[0038] The two light sources can each comprise, for example, at least one LED, and / or electronic paper (e-paper, ePaper), and / or liquid crystals, and / or at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and / or at least one active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED). The two light sources are preferably designed identically to one another. It would be conceivable for the light source to comprise a plurality of light sources, for example at least three, four, or six light sources. All light sources of the light source could be arranged next to one another. The light source could have at least one circuit board on which at least the light source is arranged. Preferably, all light sources, specifically at least the two light sources, are arranged next to one another on the circuit board. The light cover element could extend over all light sources that the light source has.Particularly preferably, a main extension of the light-deflecting element corresponds at least substantially to a main extension of the light source. In this document, "at least substantially" is understood to mean that a deviation from a predetermined value is less than 25%, preferably less than 10%, and particularly preferably less than 5% of the predetermined value.

[0039] In order to further optimize light guidance and to efficiently redirect and / or redirect light provided by a light source, it is proposed that the light deflecting element has a stepped shape and a separate step is provided for each of the light sources.

[0040] In particular, a separate individual step is provided for each of the light sources of the light source. The light deflecting element could have the stepped shape on at least one side. It would possibly be conceivable for the light deflecting element to have the stepped shape on each side. Advantageously, the light deflecting element has the stepped shape on the side on which the light deflecting element is at least partially prism-shaped. In particular, the light deflecting element has the stepped shape on the long side. The light deflecting element could have more steps than the light source has lamps. Advantageously, the light deflecting element has exactly as many steps as the light source has lamps.

[0041] The light provided by the light source, specifically the light from at least a first illuminant of the light source, can strike a first stage of the light-deflecting element. The light provided can be deflected by a first deflection angle at the first stage. In particular, the first stage deflects and / or redirects the light by a first deflection angle of at least 10°, advantageously at least 30°, preferably at least 50°, and particularly preferably by at least 80°. Preferably, the first stage deflects and / or redirects the light from the first illuminant by at least substantially 90°, specifically at least substantially perpendicularly. In this context, “at least substantially perpendicularly” is to be understood as an angle between 85° and 95°, preferably between 88° and 92°, and particularly advantageously 90°.

[0042] The light deflected and / or redirected at the first deflection angle can be deflected and / or redirected by a further first deflection angle on the further side of the light deflecting element, in particular that side of the light deflecting element on which the light deflecting element is at least partially configured as a converging lens. In particular, the light on the further side can be deflected and / or redirected by a further first deflection angle of at least 1°, advantageously at least 3°, preferably at least 5°, and particularly preferably by at least 8°. In particular, the light deflected and / or redirected by the further first deflection angle on the further side of the light deflecting element radiates along the third direction.

[0043] Particularly preferably, the descriptions of the redirection and / or deflection of light of the first illuminant by means of at least the first stage and / or the further side of the light deflection element are applicable to at least one second illuminant of the light source and at least one second stage of the light deflection element and in particular to further illuminants of the light source and to further stages of the light deflection element.

[0044] It is further proposed that the light-guiding unit comprise at least one further section, also designed as a hollow light guide, which is intended to guide light to a further target area. This can improve the guidance of light from at least one further light source to at least one further target area, thus optimizing the overall lighting and the design.

[0045] The further section can have a curved shape. Advantageously, the further section has a rod-like and / or straight and / or elongated shape. Preferably, the section and the further section are at least substantially identical to one another. The phrase "at least substantially identical objects" in this context refers to objects, in particular sections, that advantageously have the same structure and / or shape and / or design and / or at least largely the same material composition, but may differ at least partially with regard to their functionality, their internal structure and / or their arrangement on another object and / or their orientation with respect to another object. Advantageously, however, the at least substantially identical objects are identical apart from manufacturing tolerances and / or within the range of standardized tolerances.

[0046] Furthermore, it is proposed that the household appliance have at least one further light source for providing light in at least the further section. This allows overall illumination to be further optimized and a design to be improved. Preferably, the light source and the further light source are at least substantially identical to one another, in particular with regard to a material composition and / or construction and / or shape and / or size and / or a number of illuminants. The light source and the further light source could have an identical number of illuminants or a different number of illuminants.

[0047] It is also proposed that the further light source is intended to emit light primarily in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to the first direction. This makes it possible to provide a simple, efficient and / or compact construction. Furthermore, different orientations and / or arrangements of light sources can be dispensed with, thus increasing efficiency in terms of product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or design and / or performance and / or energy efficiency. In particular, the light source and the further light source are aligned and / or arranged in a common plane, advantageously next to one another, so that the light source and the further light source emit light in directions parallel to one another.

[0048] It is further proposed that the household appliance comprise at least one further light deflection element which is intended to deflect light from the further light source in a direction which is different from the third direction. This allows light guidance to be further improved and thus efficiency with regard to lighting to be further increased. In addition, by means of a further light deflection element, light guidance in at least one further section can be optimised and adapted to at least one orientation of the further section. This allows lighting in at least one further target area to be improved. In addition, comfort with regard to user comfort can be increased due to the improved light guidance and lighting.Furthermore, flexibility in light guidance can be increased since light can be deflected and / or redirected in at least two different directions by means of at least one further light deflection element, in particular depending on an orientation of at least the further section of a light guide unit.

[0049] The light deflecting element and the further light deflecting element could be designed differently from one another, for example with regard to a material composition and / or construction and / or shape and / or size. Preferably, the light deflecting element and the further light deflecting element are designed at least substantially identically to one another. Depending on the orientation and / or arrangement of the sections, in particular of the section and the further section, the light deflecting elements, in particular the light deflecting element and the further light deflecting element, can also be positioned and / or arranged differently in front of the light sources, in particular of the light source and the further light source, in order to preferably improve light guidance in the sections, in particular in the section and the further section.

[0050] The household appliance and / or the household appliance should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the household appliance and / or the household appliance may have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a functionality described herein. Furthermore, within the value ranges specified in this document, values ​​within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily.

[0051] Drawings

[0052] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0053] They show:

[0054] Fig. 1 shows a household appliance with a household appliance device having a plate unit,

[0055] Fig. 2 a housing unit and a light guide unit of the household appliance device,

[0056] Fig. 3 is a close-up view of a part of the housing unit and the light guide unit according to Fig. 2 with at least one light source of the household appliance device, Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the household appliance according to Fig. 1,

[0057] Fig. 5 is a close-up view of the light source and a light deflecting element of the household appliance arranged in front of the light source,

[0058] Fig. 6 a schematic collimation by the light deflection element,

[0059] Fig. 7 a detailed view of the light deflection element and

[0060] Fig. 8 shows a further detailed view of the light deflection element.

[0061] Description of the embodiment

[0062] The following figures are schematic representations and not to scale. Unless otherwise indicated, only one of the objects shown is provided with a reference symbol.

[0063] Figure 1 shows a household appliance 10 with a household appliance device 12. In the present exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 10 is designed as a hob, specifically as an induction hob. Accordingly, the household appliance device 12 is designed as a hob device. Alternatively, the household appliance 10 could also be designed, for example, as an oven, a microwave, a refrigerator, a freezer, a dishwasher, a washing machine, and / or a dryer.

[0064] The household appliance 12 has a plate unit 14 for the installation of at least one installation unit. In this exemplary embodiment, the plate unit 14 is designed as a hob plate. Alternatively and / or additionally, the plate unit 14 could be designed, at least in section, as a worktop, specifically as a kitchen worktop. The plate unit 14 forms a cooking surface for the installation of at least the installation unit. The installation unit can be designed, for example, as cooking utensils or as a small household appliance and is not shown here. The household appliance 12 has a cooking surface area 35. In the present case, the cooking surface area 35 is a variable cooking surface area. The variable cooking surface area 35 is provided to form at least one heating zone adapted to at least the installed installation unit on the plate unit 14.Figure 1 shows a plan view of the plate unit 14 of the household appliance device 12.

[0065] The household appliance 12 has a heating unit, which in this case is designed as an induction heating unit. The heating unit (not shown) is arranged below the plate unit 14. The heating unit is intended to heat at least the stand unit placed on the plate unit 14 for cooking at least one item of food.

[0066] The household appliance 12 has a housing unit 56. The housing unit 56 and the plate unit 14 are connected to one another, for example by means of a force-fit and / or form-fit and / or material connection, and together at least partially define an interior space. The heating unit is arranged in the interior of the housing unit 56. Figure 4 shows a sectional side view of the household appliance 10 and illustrates at least one arrangement of the plate unit 14 and the housing unit 56.

[0067] The household appliance 12 has at least one light source 16 (see Figures 3, 4, and 5). The light source 16 can have at least one illuminant 32 or a plurality of illuminants 32, specifically at least two illuminants 32. In this exemplary embodiment, the light source 16 has at least four illuminants 32, only one of which is provided with a reference numeral. In the present case, the illuminant 32 comprises at least one LED.

[0068] By means of the light provided by the light source 16, for example, at least the cooking surface area 35 on the plate unit 14 and / or at least one possible placement of at least the installation unit on the plate unit 14 and / or a danger zone, for example a hot spot within the cooking surface area 35, can be displayed on the plate unit 14 to a user. The plate unit 14 has at least one target area 20, which can be illuminated by the light provided by the light source 16. The target area 20 on the plate unit 14 can be a partial area within the cooking surface area 35, for example a single local location in the cooking surface area 35, or the entire cooking surface area 35. In the present case, the target area 20 is shown by way of example as a local location within the cooking surface area 35 (see Figure 1).In this exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 12 comprises at least one further target area 68 on the plate unit 14. Here, the further target area 68 is illustrated, by way of example, as a local location within the cooking surface area 35 (see Figure 1). All target areas 20, 68 could be illuminated using light from the same light source 16. Alternatively, the target areas 20, 68 can receive light from different light sources 16 of the household appliance 12 and / or can be illuminated using light from different light sources 16 of the household appliance 12.

[0069] In this exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 12 has at least one further light source 70 (see Figure 3). In the present case, the further light source 70 comprises at least three further illuminants 66, only one of which is provided with a reference symbol. The further illuminant 66 comprises at least one LED. In the present case, the illuminant 32 and the further illuminant 66 are identical to one another.

[0070] According to Figure 3, the household appliance device 12 additionally comprises further light sources, which, however, are identical to the light source 16 and / or the further light source 70 and are therefore not described in more detail below.

[0071] To guide light from at least the light source 16 to at least the target area 20, the household appliance 12 has at least one light-guiding unit 18. The light-guiding unit 18 is intended to guide light from at least the light source 16 to at least the target area 20 on the plate unit 14. The light-guiding unit 18 could comprise a plurality of elements and / or units that contribute to guiding and / or directing light from at least the light source 16 to at least the target area 20 on the plate unit 14, such as optical elements.

[0072] The light-guiding unit 18 has at least one section 26, which is designed as a hollow light guide 28. The section 26 is intended to guide light from the light source 16. The section 26 has an elongated and / or straight shape, at least in sections along a main extension direction 38 of the section 26. At least the section 26 is illustrated in Figures 2 to 5. The light source 16 is presently arranged at least partially in the section 26 (cf. Figure 5). Furthermore, at least the illuminant 32 extends into the section 26. In order to illustrate the guidance of the light by means of the light-guiding unit 18, specifically at least of the section 26, starting from the light source 16 to at least the target area 20, a light beam 53 is schematically shown in Figure 4 as an example.

[0073] In the present case, the light source 16 is intended to emit light primarily along a first direction 60, and the section 26 extends along a second direction 62, wherein the second direction 62 is different from the first direction 60. In order to improve light guidance and increase light intensity, the household appliance device 12 has at least one light deflection element 30, which is arranged in front of the light source 16 and in the section 26. Viewed along the main extension direction 38 of the section 26, the light deflection element 30 is arranged in front of the light source 16 (cf. Figures 3 to 5). Furthermore, the light deflection element 30 is arranged in a light entry region 36 of the section 26. In the light entry region 36, the light from the light source 16 enters the section 26. In the light entry region 36, the light provided by the light source 16 strikes the light deflection element 30.The light deflecting element 30 is provided to deflect the light from the first direction 60 into a third direction 64, which is closer to the second direction 62 than the first direction 60 (see Figures 3 and 7).

[0074] In this case, the light deflection element 30 is formed separately from an assembly forming the light source 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the light deflection element 30 is formed at least partially in one piece with the light guide unit 18, specifically the section 26.

[0075] Figures 5 to 8 illustrate an embodiment of the light deflecting element 30. The light deflecting element 30 is at least partially prism-shaped. Along at least one side 95, the light deflecting element 30 is at least partially prism-shaped. In the present case, the side 95 is a longitudinal side of the light deflecting element 30. The side 95 extends parallel to a main extension direction 96 of the light deflecting element 30. That part of the light deflecting element 30 which is at least partially and preferably completely prism-shaped has a width 82 of at least 0.9 mm (see Figure 6).

[0076] Furthermore, the light deflecting element 30 is at least partially configured as a converging lens. Along at least one further side 98, the light deflecting element 30 is at least partially configured as a converging lens. In the present case, the further side 98 is a further longitudinal side of the light deflecting element 30. The side 98 extends parallel to the main extension direction 96 of the light deflecting element 30. The side 95 and the further side 98 are arranged opposite one another. That part of the light deflecting element 30 which is at least partially and preferably completely configured as a converging lens has a further width extension 84 of, in this case, at least 0.3 mm (cf. Figure 6). Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the light deflecting element has a height extension 80 of at least 4 mm. According to Figure 3, it can be seen that the light deflecting element 30 extends over at least two adjacently arranged illuminants 32 of the light source 16.In this exemplary embodiment, the light deflecting element 30 extends over the at least four adjacently arranged illuminating means 32. The light deflecting element 30 has a stepped shape, and a separate step is provided for each of the illuminating means 32. The light deflecting element 30 has the stepped shape on that side 95 on which the light deflecting element 30 is at least partially prism-shaped (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0077] Figure 7 schematically illustrates the deflection and / or redirection of a light beam emanating from the illuminant 32 of the light source 16 due to the stepped, prism-shaped, and converging lens-shaped shape of the light-deflecting element 30. The illuminant 32 emits light primarily in the first direction 62. The light strikes a step of the light-deflecting element 30 on the side 95 and can be deflected and / or redirected by a first deflection angle 90. In this exemplary embodiment, the light can be deflected and / or redirected by a first deflection angle 90 of at least substantially 90°. The light already deflected and / or redirected by the first deflection angle 90 can be deflected and / or redirected again on the further side 98 of the light deflection element 30, specifically by a further first deflection angle 92. In this exemplary embodiment, the light can be deflected and / or redirected by a further first deflection angle 92 of at least substantially 7°.The light deflected and / or redirected on the further side 98 of the light deflecting element 30 by the further first deflection angle 92 radiates along the third direction 64. In the present case, the light deflecting element 30 is at least partially designed as a collimator.

[0078] Furthermore, the light-guiding unit 18 has at least one further section 50, which is also designed as a hollow light guide 52 and is intended to guide light to the further target area 68 (see Figures 2 and 3). In this exemplary embodiment, the further light source 70 is provided to provide light in at least the further section 50. The further light source 70 is intended to emit light primarily in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to the first direction 60 (not explicitly shown, since the further light source 70 is arranged in a common plane, specifically next to the light source 16, see Figure 3). The household appliance 12 has at least one further light deflection element 74, which is intended to deflect light from the further light source 70 in a direction 78 that is different from the third direction 64 (see Figure 3).In the present case, the light deflection element 30 and the further light deflection element 74 are at least substantially identical to one another, so that reference is made to the descriptions of the light deflection element 30. The further light deflection element 74 differs only with regard to an arrangement and / or orientation with respect to the further light source 70 from an arrangement and / or orientation of the light deflection element 30 with respect to the light source 16. The light deflection elements 30, 74 can preferably be arranged in front of the light sources 16, 70 in such a way that light guidance in the sections 26, 50 can be optimized. Depending on the orientation and / or arrangement of the section 26, 50, the light deflection elements can also be positioned and / or arranged differently in front of the light sources 16, 70 in order to improve light guidance in the sections 26, 50.

[0079] Reference symbol

[0080] 10 household appliances

[0081] 12 household appliance device

[0082] 14 plate unit

[0083] 16 Light source

[0084] 18 Light guide unit

[0085] 20 Target area

[0086] Section 26

[0087] 28 light guides

[0088] 30 Light deflection element

[0089] 32 bulbs

[0090] 35 cooking surface area

[0091] 36 Light entry area

[0092] 38 Main direction of extension

[0093] Section 50

[0094] 52 light guides

[0095] 53 Light beam

[0096] 56 Housing unit

[0097] 60 direction

[0098] 62 direction

[0099] 64 direction

[0100] 66 lamps

[0101] 68 Target area

[0102] 70 light source

[0103] 74 Light deflection element

[0104] 78 direction

[0105] 80 height extension

[0106] 82 Width

[0107] 84 Width

[0108] 90 Deflection angle Deflection angle Side Main extension direction Side

Claims

Claims: Household appliance device (12), in particular a cooktop device, comprising at least one plate unit (14), at least one light source (16), and at least one light guide unit (18) which is designed to guide light from the light source (16) to a target area (20) on the plate unit (14), and which has at least one section (26) which is designed as a hollow light guide (28), characterized by a light deflecting element (30) which is arranged in front of the light source (16) and in the section (26). Household appliance device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the light deflecting element (30) is at least partially prismatic.Household appliance device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light deflecting element (30) is at least partially designed in the shape of a converging lens. Household appliance device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light deflecting element (30) is formed separately from an assembly forming the light source (16). Household appliance device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (16) is designed to emit light mainly along a first direction (60) and the section (26) extends along a second direction (62), wherein the second direction (62) is different from the first direction (60).

6. Household appliance device (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that the light deflecting element (30) is provided to deflect the light from the first direction (60) into a third direction (64) which is closer to the second direction (62) than the first direction (60).

7. Household appliance device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light deflecting element (30) is at least partially formed in one piece with the light guiding unit (18).

8. Household appliance device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source (16) has at least two light sources (32) arranged next to each other and the light deflecting element (30) extends over both light sources (32).

9. Household appliance device (12) according to claim 8, characterized in that the light deflecting element (30) has a stepped shape and a separate step is provided for each of the light sources (32).

10. Household appliance device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light deflecting element (30) is arranged in a light entry area (36) of the section (26).

11. Household appliance device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide unit (18) has at least one further section (50) also designed as a hollow light guide (52), which is provided to guide light to a further target area (68).

12. Household appliance device (12) according to claim 11, characterized by at least one further light source (70) for providing light in at least the further section (50).

13. Household appliance device (12) according to claims 5 and 12, characterized in that the further light source (70) is provided for emitting light mainly in a direction that is at least substantially parallel to the first direction (60).

14. Household appliance device (12) according to claim 13, characterized by at least one further light-deflectoring element (74) which is provided for deflecting light from the further light source (70) in a direction (78) that differs from the third direction (64).

15. Household appliance (10) comprising at least one household appliance device (12) according to one of the preceding claims.

Images