Domestic appliance, domestic appliance device and method for producing a domestic appliance device

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic appliance device (12a-b), in particular a hob device, having at least one plate unit (14a-b), at least one light source (16a-b) and at least one light-guiding unit (18a-b) which is provided for guiding light from the light source (16a-b) to a target region (20a-b) on the plate unit (14a-b), and which comprises at least one portion (26a-b) designed as a hollow light guide (28a-b). In order to provide a device of the type in question having improved properties with regard to illumination, light guiding and efficiency, it is proposed that an inner cross-sectional area of the portion (26a-b) continuously decreases along the portion (26a-b).

Description

[0001] Household appliance, household appliance device and method for producing a household appliance device

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a household appliance device according to the preamble of claim 1, a household appliance according to claim 11 and a method for producing a household appliance device according to claim 12.

[0004] A cooktop comprising a plate unit configured as a base plate, a light source, and a light guide for guiding light from the light source to the cooktop unit is already known from the prior art. The light guide is configured as a hollow light guide. The light guide often bridges large distances from the light source to an illuminated area of ​​the cooktop unit. The light intensity of the light along the light guide can decrease starting from the light source. Furthermore, the light guide is exposed to high temperatures during operation of the cooktop, which can shorten the service life of the light guide and thus impair the lighting.

[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, 11, and 12, 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, in particular a hob appliance, comprising at least one plate unit, in particular a hob plate, with at least one light source, and with at least one light-guiding unit, which is provided for guiding light from the light source to a target area on the plate unit and which has at least one section designed as a hollow light guide. It is proposed that an inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section decreases continuously along the section.

[0008] Such a configuration can improve illumination and light guidance. Furthermore, efficiency, at least with regard to illumination, can be increased, specifically light intensity in at least one target area can be increased. Furthermore, light emanating from a light source can be amplified along a light-guiding unit, thus in turn increasing the light intensity. Furthermore, a compact and efficient design can be provided. Furthermore, efficiency, with regard to product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or construction and / or energy efficiency, can be increased. Furthermore, a loss of light intensity between a light source and the target area can be reduced, preferably avoided.

[0009] This can increase user comfort and provide an improved user experience. Furthermore, the service life of the light guide unit, or at least a section of it, can be extended.

[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 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 imprints 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 imprints. 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 advantageously differs from a cooking surface area in which heating zones are fixedly defined, in particular by markings on the installation plate. 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 form at most 80%, advantageously at most 50% and preferably at most 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 hob 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 panel unit could also have multiple target areas, namely at least two target areas or a plurality of target areas. All target areas could be illuminated using light provided by the same light source. Alternatively, the target areas could also receive light from different light sources of the household appliance and / or be illuminated using light provided by different light sources of the household appliance.

[0017] The light source can comprise a light source which, for example, comprises 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).

[0018] The light-guiding unit is provided to guide light, preferably the light provided by the light source, in particular directly and advantageously unprocessed, towards 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 which 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 it 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The light-guiding unit, in particular at least the section, could possibly have a curved and / or straight shape at least in sections. Along a main extension direction of the section, the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section decreases continuously. In particular, the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section decreases constantly. Along the section, the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section could decrease by at least 5%, advantageously at least 10%, preferably at least 30%, and particularly preferably by at least 40%.

[0021] 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. Furthermore, here and below, "provided" is understood to mean specially programmed, designed and / or equipped.The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood to mean that the object fulfils and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0022] In order to increase and / or enhance light intensity in the target area and thus improve efficiency and comfort in terms of user comfort, it is proposed that an internal cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section differs from an internal cross-sectional shape at the end of the section.

[0023] The inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section and the inner cross-sectional shape at the end of the section could differ in terms of a shape type. The inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section or the inner cross-sectional shape at the end of the section could, for example, be round or square. Preferably, the inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section and the inner cross-sectional shape at the end of the section are identical in terms of shape type and differ in terms of a shape size. The shape size preferably comprises a diameter of the shape. Advantageously, the inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section and the inner cross-sectional shape at the end of the section have different diameters.A diameter of the inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section could be at least 3%, advantageously at least 8%, preferably at least 10%, and particularly preferably at least 20% larger or smaller than a diameter of the inner cross-sectional shape at the end of the section. Furthermore, the diameter of the inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section could be at most 70%, advantageously at most 50%, preferably at most 40%, and particularly preferably at most 30% larger or smaller than a diameter of the inner cross-sectional shape at the end of the section. The section particularly preferably has a conical shape. In particular, at least the section functions and / or acts as a light amplifier for the light provided by the light source. Advantageously, at least the section is designed as a light amplifier for the light provided by the light source.

[0024] In particular, the inner cross-sectional shape decreases continuously from the beginning of the section to the end of the section. Particularly preferably, the inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning of the section has a larger diameter than the inner cross-sectional shape at the end of the section. Furthermore, it is proposed that the cross-sectional area of ​​the section closest to the target area is the smallest. This can further increase light intensity and thus improve illumination. In addition, a simple and / or compact and / or efficient construction can be provided. In particular, the end of the section is closest to the target area. Advantageously, a cross-sectional area of ​​the end of the section is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the beginning of the section.The cross-sectional area of ​​the end of the section could be at least 5%, advantageously at least 10%, preferably at least 20% and particularly preferably at least 30% smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the beginning of the section.

[0025] The section could be indirectly connected to the target area, in particular by means of at least one further component of the household appliance, advantageously the light-guiding unit. The light-guiding unit is preferably arranged directly at the target area. It is further proposed that the section forms a termination of the light-guiding unit and is arranged at the target area. This can improve light guidance from at least one light source to at least one target area, thus in turn optimizing lighting. Furthermore, light intensity can be increased. Furthermore, a compact and efficient design can be provided, at least for improved lighting.

[0026] In particular, the section, advantageously the end of the section, is arranged directly at the target area. The plate unit can contact the light-guiding unit, in particular the section. The plate unit could rest against the light-guiding unit, in particular the end of the section, at least in sections. It would be conceivable for the light-guiding unit, in particular the section, to be connected to the plate unit by means of a force-locking and / or form-locking connection, such as a snap-in connection and / or plug-in connection and / or rotary connection and / or screw connection, and / or a material-to-material connection, for example an adhesive connection and / or welded connection.

[0027] It is further proposed that the light-guiding unit have a further section arranged between the light source and the section. This allows light guidance from at least one light source to at least one target area to be further improved and thus, in turn, illumination to be optimized. The section and the further section could be designed at least substantially identically. The further section 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 the 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.In this context, the phrase "at least substantially identical objects" refers to objects 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 in terms of their functionality, internal structure, and / or arrangement on another object. Advantageously, however, the at least substantially identical objects are identical except for manufacturing tolerances and / or within the range of standardized tolerances.

[0028] If the additional section is also designed as a hollow light guide, efficiency can be increased in terms of product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or construction and / or energy efficiency. Furthermore, efficiency with regard to lighting can be increased, and light guidance from at least one light source to at least one target area can be further improved. This, in turn, can optimize user comfort.

[0029] The further section could possibly have a curved or a straight shape. Preferably, the further section has a rod-like and / or straight and / or elongated shape. Particularly preferably, an inner cross-sectional area of ​​the further section is at least substantially constant and / or consistent, at least in sections along the further section, in particular regardless of manufacturing tolerances. The inner cross-sectional area of ​​the further 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 further section.

[0030] Preferably, the further section is arranged directly, specifically in direct contact with the light source. In particular, the further 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. The section and the further section could be arranged at a distance from one another. It would also be conceivable for the section and the further section to be indirectly connected to one another and for at least one additional section and / or a component and / or a structural unit of the light-guiding unit to be located between the section and the further section. It is further proposed that the section and the further section be directly connected to one another. This makes it possible to provide particularly efficient and continuous light guidance, thus in turn improving the illumination of at least one target area.In addition, a loss of light intensity between a light source and the target area can be reduced, preferably avoided. In particular, the section and the further section are directly connected to one another. The section and the further section could be connected by means of a force-locking and / or positive-locking connection, such as a snap-in connection and / or plug-in connection and / or rotary connection and / or screw connection, and / or a material-to-material connection, for example, an adhesive connection and / or injection-molded connection and / or welded connection, in particular an ultrasonic welded connection.

[0031] The light-guiding unit could be at least partially formed as a single piece, preferably in one piece. To provide a particularly compact design, it is proposed that the section and the further section be formed as a single piece, in particular by injection molding. Furthermore, this can increase efficiency in terms of product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or design and / or energy efficiency.

[0032] “In one piece” 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. Preferably, the section and the further section are formed as one piece. “In one piece” should be understood to mean formed in one piece. Preferably, this one piece is produced from a single blank, a mass and / or a cast, particularly preferably in an injection molding process, in particular a single and / or multi-component injection molding process, and / or in a stamping process and / or another process that appears reasonable to a person skilled in the art. The light-guiding unit could consist at least partially and / or for the most part of a mineral, for example glass, and / or a plastic and / or a metal and / or a composite material.If at least the portion is formed from a high-temperature material, efficiency can be further increased and a design can be further improved in terms of product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or construction efficiency. Furthermore, the service life of a light guide unit, specifically of at least a portion of the light guide unit, can be extended. Furthermore, a light guide unit, specifically at least the portion, can be provided with high temperature resistance.

[0033] The section and the further section could be made, at least partially, of different material compositions. Preferably, the section and the further section have an at least partially and advantageously completely identical material composition. The high-temperature material can be, for example, aluminum, PEEK, LCP, PPS, and / or Teflon.

[0034] It is also proposed that at least one inner wall of the section be provided with a coating. This can further improve illumination and increase efficiency. Furthermore, light reflection within at least one section of the light-guiding unit can be improved, thus in turn increasing light intensity.

[0035] 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, of light provided by the light source. The coating can be, for example, a PVD coating. The section could have the coating on an entire inner wall along the section. Preferably, the section has the coating at least 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.

[0036] At least one inner wall of the further section could be free of a coating. It would also be conceivable for the inner wall of the further section to be provided with a further coating. The further coating of the further section could be different from the coating of the section. Preferably, the further coating of the further section and the coating of the section are identical.

[0037] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for manufacturing a household appliance. Such a manufacturing method can provide a simple and / or compact and / or efficient design, at least for improving lighting. Furthermore, efficiency can be increased with regard to product and / or cost and / or manufacturing and / or construction and / or labor efficiency.

[0038] The household appliance device and / or the household appliance and / or the method should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the household appliance device and / or the household appliance and / or the method 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.

[0039] Drawings

[0040] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate two exemplary embodiments 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.

[0041] They show:

[0042] Fig. 1 shows a household appliance with a household appliance device having a plate unit,

[0043] Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the household appliance according to Fig. 1, wherein the household appliance device has at least one light guide unit, Fig. 3 is a close-up view of a section of the light guide unit designed as a hollow light guide,

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a schematically illustrated method for manufacturing the household appliance and

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a household appliance device in a further embodiment.

[0046] Description of the embodiments

[0047] The following figures are schematic representations and not to scale.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a household appliance 10a with the household appliance device 12a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 10a is designed as a hob, specifically as an induction hob. Accordingly, the household appliance device 12a is designed as a hob device. Alternatively, the household appliance 10a could also be designed, for example, as an oven, a microwave, a refrigerator, a freezer, a dishwasher, a washing machine, and / or a dryer.

[0049] The household appliance device 12a has a plate unit 14a for the installation of at least one installation unit. In this exemplary embodiment, the plate unit 14a is designed as a hob plate. Alternatively and / or additionally, the plate unit 14a could be designed, at least in section, as a worktop, specifically as a kitchen worktop. The plate unit 14a 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 device 12a has a cooking surface area 35a. In the present case, the cooking surface area 35a is a variable cooking surface area. The variable cooking surface area 35a is provided to form at least one heating zone adapted to at least the installed installation unit on the plate unit 14a.Figure 1 shows a plan view of the plate unit 14a of the household appliance device 12a.

[0050] The household appliance 12a has a heating unit, which in this case is designed as an induction heating unit. The heating unit is arranged below the plate unit 14a. The heating unit is intended to heat at least the stand unit placed on the plate unit 14a for cooking at least one item to be cooked. The household appliance 12a has a housing unit 56a. The housing unit 56a and the plate unit 14a are connected to one another, for example by means of a force and / or form and / or material connection, and together at least partially delimit an interior space. The heating unit is arranged in the interior of the housing unit 56a. Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of the household appliance 10a and illustrates at least one arrangement of the plate unit 14a and the housing unit 56a.

[0051] The household appliance device 12a has at least one light source 16a (see Figure 2). In the present case, the light source 16a comprises a light source having at least one LED. Using the light provided by the light source 16a, for example, at least the cooking surface area 35a on the plate unit 14a and / or at least one possible placement of at least the support unit on the plate unit 14a and / or a danger zone, for example a hot spot within the cooking surface area 35a, can be displayed on the plate unit 14a to a user. The plate unit 14a has a target area 20a, which can be illuminated using the light provided by the light source 16a. The target area 20a on the plate unit 14a can be a partial area within the cooking surface area 35a, for example a single local location in the cooking surface area 35a, or the entire cooking surface area 35a.In the present case, the target area 20a is illustrated by way of example as a local location within the cooking surface area 35a (see Figures 1 and 2). In this exemplary embodiment, several target areas 20a are schematically illustrated on the plate unit 14a, only one of which is provided with a reference symbol. All target areas 20a could be illuminated using light provided by the same light source 16a. Alternatively, as shown in this exemplary embodiment, the target areas 20a can receive light from different light sources 16a of the household appliance device 12a and / or can be illuminated using light provided by different light sources 16a of the household appliance device 12a.

[0052] To guide light from the light source 16a to the target area 20a, the household appliance 12a has at least one light-guiding unit 18a. The light-guiding unit 18a is intended to guide light from the light source 16a to the target area 20a on the plate unit 14a. The light-guiding unit 18a could comprise a plurality of elements and / or units that contribute to guiding and / or directing light from the light source 16a to the target area 20a on the plate unit 14a, such as optical elements. In this exemplary embodiment, the light-guiding unit 18a is intended to guide the light from the light source 16a directly and unprocessed to the target area 20a on the plate unit 14a.

[0053] The light-guiding unit 18a has at least one section 26a configured as a hollow light guide 28a. To increase the light intensity, specifically to illuminate the target area 20a on the plate unit 14a, an inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section 26a decreases continuously along the section 26a. The section 26a is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, with Figure 3 showing a close-up view of the section 26a. In this case, the section 26a has a conical shape.

[0054] An inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning 30a of section 26a differs from an inner cross-sectional shape at the end 32a of section 26a. In the present case, the inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning 30a of section 26a differs from the inner cross-sectional shape at the end 32a of section 26a in terms of a diameter. A diameter of the inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning 30a of section 26a is larger than a diameter of the inner cross-sectional shape at the end 32a of section 26a (cf. Figures 2 and 3). In the present embodiment, the inner cross-sectional area decreases continuously from the beginning 30a of section 26a to the end 32a of section 26a. In the present case, the cross-sectional area of ​​section 26a closest to the target region 20a is the smallest.

[0055] Figure 2 illustrates that section 26a forms a termination of the light-guiding unit 18a and is arranged at the target area 20a. Section 26a is arranged directly at the target area 20a, specifically, in this case, the plate unit 14a. Alternatively, section 26a could possibly also be arranged at a distance from the target area 20a and / or be indirectly connected to the plate unit 14a.

[0056] At least section 26a is formed from a high-temperature material. The high-temperature material can be, for example, aluminum, PEEK, LCP, PPS and / or Teflon and / or a composite material. In order to increase light reflection and thus, in turn, increase the light intensity of the light provided by the light source 16a, at least one inner wall 50a of section 26a is provided with a coating 52a, for example, a PVD coating. In this exemplary embodiment, the light-guiding unit 18a has a further section 36a, which is arranged between the light source 16a and the section 26a. The further section 36a is also designed as a hollow light guide 38a. In the present case, the further section 36a is also formed from a high-temperature material. The further section 36a has, at least in sections, an elongated and / or straight shape along a main extension direction of the further section 36a (cf.Figure 2). To illustrate the guidance of the light provided by the light-guiding unit 18a from the light source 16a, a light beam 53a is schematically shown in Figure 2 as an example. The light is guided from the light source 16a to the target area 20a by means of the light-guiding unit 18a. In this case, the further section 36a is arranged directly, specifically in direct contact with the light source 16a.

[0057] According to Figures 2 and 3, section 26a and the further section 36a are directly connected to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, section 26a and the further section 36a are formed as a single piece, for example, by injection molding. Alternatively, section 26a and the further section 36a could also be connected to one another by means of a force-locking and / or positive-locking connection.

[0058] Figure 4 schematically shows a process flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a household appliance 12a, specifically the aforementioned household appliance 12a. The manufacturing method could comprise multiple process steps. Here, the method is described only by way of example with reference to one process step 100a. In process step 100a, the household appliance 12a is manufactured.

[0059] Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, whereby reference can be made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 with regard to identical components, features and functions. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 has been replaced by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figure 5. With regard to components with the same reference numerals, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the embodiment a in Figures 1 to 4. Figure 5 shows a household appliance device 12b designed as a hob device.The household appliance device 12b has a plate unit 14b, at least one light source 16b, and at least one light-guiding unit 18b. The light-guiding unit 18b is intended to guide and / or direct light from the light source 16b to a target area 20b on the plate unit 14b. The household appliance device 12b of embodiment b differs from the household appliance device 12a of embodiment a in that the light-guiding unit 18b has only one, specifically precisely one, section 26b, which is designed as a hollow light guide 28b. The section 26b is arranged between the light source 16b and the plate unit 14b. In the present embodiment, the section 26b is arranged directly between the light source 16b and the plate unit 14b. Furthermore, the plate unit in the present embodiment comprises a diffuser element 60b to convert light provided by the light source 16b into diffused light.

[0060] Reference symbol

[0061] 10 household appliances

[0062] 12 household appliance device

[0063] 14 plate unit

[0064] 16 Light source

[0065] 18 Light guide unit

[0066] 20 Target area

[0067] Section 26

[0068] 28 light guides

[0069] 30 beginning

[0070] 32 End

[0071] 35 cooking surface area

[0072] Section 36

[0073] 38 light guides

[0074] 50 inner wall

[0075] 52 Coating

[0076] 53 Light beam

[0077] 56 Housing unit

[0078] 60 diffuser element

[0079] 100 process steps

Claims

Claims 1. Household appliance device (12a-b), in particular a hob device, with at least one plate unit (14a-b), with at least one light source (16a-b) and with at least one light guide unit (18a-b) which is provided to guide light from the light source (16a-b) to a target area (20a-b) on the plate unit (14a-b), and which has at least one section (26a-b) which is designed as a hollow light guide (28a-b), characterized in that an inner cross-sectional area of ​​the section (26a-b) decreases continuously along the section (26a-b).

2. Household appliance device (12a-b) according to claim 1 , characterized in that an inner cross-sectional shape at the beginning (30a-b) of the section (26a-b) differs from an inner cross-sectional shape at the end (32a-b) of the section (26a-b).

3. Household appliance device (12a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section (26a-b) forms a termination of the light guide unit (18a-b) and is arranged at the target area (20a-b).

4. Household appliance device (12a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide unit (18a) has a further section (36a) which is arranged between the light source (16a) and the section (26a).

5. Household appliance device (12a) according to claim 4, characterized in that the further section (36a) is also designed as a hollow light guide (38a).

6. Household appliance device (12a) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the section (26a) and the further section (36a) are directly connected to each other.

7. Household appliance device (12a) according to claim 6, characterized in that the section (26a) and the further section (36a) are formed in one piece.

8. Household appliance device (12a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the section (26a-b) closest to the target area (20a-b) is smallest.

9. Household appliance device (12a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the section (26a-b) is formed of a high-temperature material.

10. Household appliance device (12a-b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one inner wall (50a-b) of the section (26a-b) is provided with a coating (52a-b).

11. Household appliance (10a) comprising a household appliance device (12a-b) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Method for manufacturing a household appliance device (12a-b) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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