HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a body (2) having an opening that can be closed by a front panel (31), and a storage container (41) that can be moved and lifted out of the body (2) through the opening. The household appliance (1) has at least one pivoting arm (44) arranged on the body (2), at least one slotted guide (34) connected to or formed on the front panel (31), and the storage container (41) is coupled to the free end of the pivoting arm (44) and guided in the slotted guide (34).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a refrigerator or freezer, comprising a body having an opening that can be closed by a front panel, and further comprising a storage container that can be moved out of the body through the opening and can be lifted. [Background technology]

[0002] In addition to the compartments, household appliances such as refrigerators and freezers often have containers that can be moved out of the main body, for example stored on guide rails, in which the products to be stored can be placed and removed. If the containers are located at the bottom of the household appliance that extends to the floor, it can be inconvenient for the user.

[0003] European Patent No. 1 630 506 describes a refrigerator in which a basket is displaceably arranged in a drawer. The basket is assigned a lifting device, which is driven by a drive unit to lift the basket after the drawer is removed, making it easier to store and remove products. The lifting device comprises a frame mounted for linear movement on vertically aligned guide rails, on which the basket is placed as a storage container. To raise and lower the lifting frame, an electrically driven swivel arm is provided, which rotatably supports at its free end a roller that rolls on the underside of the lifting frame. The drive unit with the guide and swivel arm for lifting the frame is attached to the inside of the front panel, which is attached to the aforementioned drawer guide and can be moved outside the body.

[0004] A disadvantage of such devices is that the drawers are manually extended, which requires the user to bend down to reach them. Furthermore, the mounting of the lifting frame on the extendable front panel means that when the drawer device is extended, the full weight of the storage container rests on the drawer guides via the front panel, which are subjected to a correspondingly large torque when the drawer is fully extended. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a domestic appliance of the type described above in which the storage container can be moved out of the body and lifted without the need for manual intervention. A further object is to achieve this with a drive unit that is coupled to the containment container in a mechanically simple and as robust a manner as possible and that is supported within the body to release the front panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This object is solved by a domestic appliance having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous configurations and further developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The household appliance according to the invention is characterized in that at least one pivoting arm is arranged on the body, at least one slotted guide is connected to the front panel or formed on the front panel, and the storage container is coupled to the free end of the pivoting arm on the one hand and guided in the slotted guide on the other hand.

[0008] The storage container is moved out of the body via the pivoting arm and lifted in a single movement by pivoting the pivoting arm. The slotted guide connects the storage container to the front panel, which moves with the storage container and does not need to be driven separately. The slotted guide also serves as a guide for the storage container, allowing for proper alignment. In particular, at least a portion of the guide can be used to orient the storage container so that it faces upward at its loading / unloading opening.

[0009] In the context of the application, the term "storage container" refers to any structure that allows for the storage of storable objects. In particular, the storage container may be a multi-part structure, and may comprise, for example, a frame-like enclosure coupled to a pivoting arm or slotted guide as shown, and housing at least one removable container.

[0010] In a preferred configuration of the domestic appliance, the pivoting arm is mounted on the storage container by means of sliding and pivoting guides that allow the storage container to be moved at least partially horizontally during the pivoting movement of the pivoting arm, for example while the storage container remains within the body and moves beyond the mid-bottom of the body.

[0011] In a further preferred configuration, the slide and pivot guide are arranged in the rear and lower region of the storage container, so that the storage container can be lifted particularly far outside the body and particularly higher than its position within the body for a given length of the pivot arm.

[0012] In a further preferred configuration, the pivoting range of the slide and pivoting guide is limited in at least one pivoting direction. This can be done, for example, by stopping the pivoting arm's stop surface against a stop. The positioning of the storage container is also affected in this way. The slotted guide can, but does not necessarily, provide guidance over the entire stroke of the storage container. It is also possible to guide the storage container through the slotted guide only in the lower part of its travel, with the stop determining the placement of the storage container in the upper part.

[0013] In another preferred configuration of the domestic appliance, the slotted guide comprises a groove-like guide track which receives at least one guide means of the storage container. At least one guide means may be, for example, a roller or a sliding block. Preferably, the two guide means of the storage container are associated with slotted guides that are at a distance from each other, so that parallel guidance of the storage container occurs when both guide means are located in the guide tracks.

[0014] In a further development, the guide track of the slotted guide is open at the top and widens in a funnel-like manner toward the upper end. In this way, only a partial connection between the storage container and the front panel is achieved. In this way, the slotted guide is sufficient to move the front panel together but does not restrict further upward movement of the storage container. The widened opening of the guide track ensures that the connection is resumed when the storage container is retracted.

[0015] To achieve good and firm guidance of the storage container, it is preferred to have two pivoting arms, each engaging one side of the storage container. Similarly, two slotted guides can be provided, one on each side of the storage container.

[0016] It is also possible to provide at least one pivoting arm to guide the storage container only in the middle, and to achieve stability via connections on both sides of the front panel, for example in combination with synchronization means.

[0017] The front panel can be linearly displaceably guided on the body by at least one drawer guide. In the pulled-out position, a return movement can be prevented by a retraction lock, such as a latch means or a pawl, arranged in or on the drawer guide. This retraction lock can be non-positive and / or positive and is activated or released by the pivot arm or the storage container, so that the locking effect is already achieved by lifting the storage container. To ensure the locking function, the retraction lock is additionally supported by a force accumulator.

[0018] Alternatively, the front panel could be configured as a hinged or pivotable flap on the main body.

[0019] In a further preferred configuration, the storage container includes a drive device acting on the at least one pivot arm to pivot the at least one pivot arm between at least two pivot positions. The drive device comprises, for example, a drive unit with a drive motor and a gearbox. Preferably, the gearbox is self-locking, for example, as a worm gear. The storage container then remains in the raised position without further movement. Alternatively, a blocking device or a braking device can be provided to prevent the storage container from sinking.

[0020] The drive unit acts, for example, via a belt on a pivot shaft on which at least one pivot arm is rotatably fixed. Other transmission means, for example via a lever, or direct transmission via meshing gears or linear drives, are also possible.

[0021] In a further preferred configuration, the household appliance has a protective cover attached to the storage container and extending downward toward the front panel on at least one side of the storage container. The protective cover may, for example, be of a stretchable configuration so that it can rise or be pulled out together with the storage container. The protective cover prevents objects or body parts from getting caught in the gap between the storage container and the front panel or in gaps between the storage container and other components of the device, at least one of which is moving. The protective cover reduces the risk of getting caught in the moving components.

[0022] Particularly advantageously, the above-described arrangement with the liftable storage container can be implemented in a refrigerator and / or freezer as a domestic appliance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] The invention is illustrated below by means of exemplary embodiments with the aid of drawings. [Figure 1a] 1A-1C are perspective views of the domestic appliance in the first exemplary embodiment, illustrating various stages of the operation procedure of the containment container; [Figure 1b] 1A-1C are perspective views of the domestic appliance in the first exemplary embodiment, illustrating various stages of the operation procedure of the containment container; [Figure 1c] 1A-1C are perspective views of the domestic appliance in the first exemplary embodiment, illustrating various stages of the operation procedure of the containment container; [Figure 1d] 1A-1C are perspective views of the domestic appliance in the first exemplary embodiment, illustrating various stages of the operation procedure of the containment container; [Figure 1e] 1A-1C are perspective views of the domestic appliance in the first exemplary embodiment, illustrating various stages of the operation procedure of the containment container; [Figure 1f] 1A-1C are perspective views of the domestic appliance in the first exemplary embodiment, illustrating various stages of the operation procedure of the containment container; [Figure 2a] 1a-1c show cross-sectional views of the household appliance of FIG. [Figure 2b] 1b shows cross-sectional views of the household appliance of FIG. [Figure 2c] 1c shows cross-sectional views of the household appliance. [Figure 2d] 1d shows cross-sectional views of the household appliance. [Figure 2e] 1e shows cross-sectional views of the household appliance. [Figure 2f] Each cross-sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. 1f is shown. [Figure 3a] 1b shows another cross-sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. 1a. [Figure 3b] 1b shows another cross-sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. [Figure 3c] 1c shows another cross-sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. [Figure 3d] 1d shows another cross-sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. [Figure 3e] 1c shows another cross-sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. 1e. [Figure 3f] 1f shows another cross-sectional view of the household appliance of FIG. [Figure 4] 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the components of a domestic appliance of a first embodiment. [Figure 5a] 10A-10C show cross-sectional views of a domestic appliance in a second exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5b] 10A-10C show cross-sectional views of a domestic appliance in a second exemplary embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view of the third exemplary embodiment of the domestic appliance, with the storage container moved out and lifted. FIG. [Figure 7a] 10 is a detailed enlarged cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the domestic appliance, with the drawer guides retracted and locked; FIG. [Figure 7b] 10 is a detailed enlarged cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the domestic appliance, with the drawer guides retracted and locked; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In all figures, the same reference numerals indicate elements that function the same or similarly, and for clarity, not every element in every figure is labeled.

[0025] In the description, terms such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right" initially refer to the exemplary representations chosen in the respective figures. With regard to the terms "top" and "bottom", the indications in the figures usually correspond to the directions adopted in space. The terms "front" and "back" should be understood in relation to the domestic appliance, the front of which is the front side facing the user and on which the door, flap or similar element of the domestic appliance is located.

[0026] Figures 1a-1f show a first exemplary embodiment of the domestic appliance, each representing in perspective views different operating states of the storage container 41. Figures 2a-2f and 3a-3f show the domestic appliance 1 in various vertical cross sections, in each case showing the same operating state of the storage container 41. Finally, Figure 4 shows the components of the domestic appliance 1 in an exploded perspective view.

[0027] Before describing the details of the technical implementation below, an overview of the operating procedure is given. In each case of the three diagram series, FIGS. 1a-1f, 2a-2f, 3a-3f, partial images with the same subscript (a, b, c, etc.) indicate the same state in the operating procedure in each case. It should be noted that even if in the following description only one of the figures is explicitly mentioned as an example, the corresponding description will refer to the corresponding figure of the three series, i.e., FIGS. 1a-1f, 2a-2f, 3a-3f.

[0028] The household appliance 1 has a body 2 with side walls 21 and two or more floors 22. For the sake of clarity, the rear wall is not shown. The household appliance 1 may be, for example, a refrigerator or freezer. As such, it usually has multiple shell insulation and technical cooling devices. For the sake of clarity, these are not shown in the figures of the present application. The representation of the body 2 should in that sense be considered a purely schematic representation.

[0029] The main body 2 has forward-facing openings, one of which is closed by a front panel 31 (Fig. 1a). The front panel 31 is part of a front panel device 3, which also comprises drawer guides 32, on which the front panel 31 is guided and through which the front panel 31 is pulled out of the main body 2. The connection of the front panel 31 to the drawer guides is realized by lateral frame elements 33. Thus, the front panel device 3 represents a drawer element, but, unlike a drawer device, does not require a base.

[0030] When the release device is activated, the operating sequence begins with the withdrawal of this thrust element, as can be seen in Figure 1b. The entire operating sequence, i.e. also the withdrawal of the thrust element, is driven by a drive device 5, which can be seen, for example, in cross-section in the sequence of Figures 2a-2f and 3a-3f. The drive device 5 comprises a drive unit 51, which comprises an electric motor with a downstream gearing. The drive unit 51 is controlled by a control device, not visible here, which in turn is controlled by the release device.

[0031] The release device may be, for example, a manually operable push button located at a convenient reach height on the domestic appliance 1. Alternatively or additionally, remote triggering may be performed wirelessly, for example via a wireless switch coupled to the control device, which may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as the user's mobile phone. Touch or proximity sensors, voice or gesture controlled switches may also be used.

[0032] The storage container 41 together with the front panel 31 first moves essentially forward and outward from the main body 2. In a further stage of the operating procedure (see Figures 1c-1d), the storage container 41 is lifted upwards while maintaining its orientation. In the next operating stage, the storage container performs a combined pivoting and lifting movement, whereby the storage container is further raised and tilted with its opening facing forward (see Figure 1e).

[0033] At this point the operating procedure can be terminated, as the storage container 41 is already elevated and conveniently accessible. In an alternative configuration, the operating procedure can be continued, whereby the storage container 41 is further elevated in a pivoting movement on the one hand, and returned to its original orientation on the other hand (see Figure 1f).

[0034] It is also possible to reverse the opening sequence shown in Figures 1a-1f or 2a-2f and 3a-3f, and lower the storage container 41 again into the main body 2. This is preferably done after another request from the user. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the storage container 41 will automatically retract again after a certain time has elapsed during which the storage container 41 is pulled out to the position shown in Figure 1e or 1f.

[0035] In this way, it is possible to prevent accidental forgetting to close the domestic appliance 1. A sensor can be used to detect the presence of a person near the domestic appliance 1, so that the domestic appliance 1 is retracted only when no one is near it. This prevents undesired retraction of a storage container 41 that is intentionally left in the extracted position, and thus prevents the risk of injury if it is accidentally retracted.

[0036] With particular reference to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 3a-3f, the technical realization of the above-described operating procedure will now be described in detail.

[0037] As already mentioned, the entire movement is driven by the drive device 5 and drive unit 51 located in the rear region within the main body 2 . The drive unit 51 provides a rotary motion which, in the illustrated example, is transmitted via an output gear 52 and a belt 53, in particular a toothed belt, to a drive gear 54 which is rotatably and fixedly connected to the pivot shaft 45.

[0038] The pivot shaft 45 extends laterally across the entire width of the body 2 and is rotatably mounted thereon in a pivot bearing 46. By way of example, the pivot bearing 46 is mounted on the outside of the illustrated body 2, which is particularly possible if the illustrated body 2 has an outer cover, not shown here. In other cases, the pivot bearing 46 can also be arranged in the wall of the body 2 or inside thereof.

[0039] Two pivot arms 44 are fixedly connected to the pivot shaft 45 so as to be freely rotatable, and each pivot arm 44 is hinged in its lower region to the outside of the storage container 41. In the example shown, the drive gear 54 is arranged approximately in the center of the pivot shaft 45. This can be implemented differently in alternative configurations of the swivel device 4 to which the storage container 41, the pivot shaft 45, the swivel bearing 46 and the pivot arms 44 can be assigned.

[0040] Likewise, the coupling of the drive 5 to the pivot 45 can be alternatively implemented. Instead of a drive unit 51 which converts the rotary movement of the output gear 52 into a pivotal movement of the pivot arm 44 by means of a belt 53, a pressure rod can be attached directly to the pivot arm 44 or a transmission can be provided using a separate pivot lever arranged on the pivot 45. Instead of a drive unit 51 which provides a rotary movement, a drive unit which provides a linear movement in its output member can also be used.

[0041] The pivot axis 45 is located in the front and upper region of the body 2 relative to the region in which the storage container 41 is located within the body 2. On the storage container 41, the free end of a pivot arm 44 is supported in a combined sliding and pivoting guide 42. By means of this bearing arrangement, the pivoting movement of the pivot arm 44 is transferred to a combined pivoting and lifting movement of the storage container 41, and initially there is a certain degree of freedom for this combination of movements of the storage container 41. In order to achieve a defined movement of the storage container 41, at least one further guide of the storage container 41 relative to the body 2 is provided.

[0042] The first of these further guides is provided by the connection between the storage container 41 and the front panel unit 3. In the first embodiment, a slotted guide 34 is purposefully formed as part of the front panel unit 3, and guides the movement of the guide means 43 of the storage container 41. The slotted guide 34 is clearly shown in Figures 3e and 3f, where the storage container 41 exposes the field of view of the slotted guide 34.

[0043] The slotted guide 34 provides a straight guide track for the guide means 43 at its lower part, allowing only linear upward movement of the storage container 41 perpendicular to the plane of the front panel 31. As shown in particular in FIG. 3f, the guidance of the storage container 41 in the slotted guide 34 exists only for the lower part of the storage container 41. From a certain height position of the storage container 41, the guide means 43 leaves the slotted guide 34. In order to guide the guide means 43 safely back into the slotted guide 34 when the movement is reversed, the guide track of the slotted guide 34 widens upward in a funnel shape up to the insertion opening 35.

[0044] For example, starting from the beginning of the operating sequence in Figure 3a, the pivoting movement of the pivoting arm 44 leads to a movement of the storage container 41 and, by virtue of the coupling of the slotted guide 34 and the guide means 43, to a sliding movement of the drawer guide 32 and the front panel 31. Insofar as the storage container 41 is located in the area of ​​the main body 2, a further guidance can be provided in the fact that the storage container 41 rests with its underside on the lower floor 22 of the main body 2 and is therefore also guided horizontally.

[0045] This allows the rotational movement of the pivot arm 44 to be converted into a linear sliding movement of the containment container 41 with the corresponding stroke freedom of the slide and pivot bearing 42 . In an alternative configuration of the swivel device 4, a purely rotational movement of the storage container 41 can also be performed if the floor 22 has a corresponding curved shape or if there is sufficient clearance relative to the floor 22 so that the floor 22 does not determine the movement of the storage container 41.

[0046] In the state shown in Figure 3b, the slide and swivel bearing 42 are in a rest position relative to the sliding movement, so that in this position the storage container 41 only follows the rotational movement of the swivel arm 44. However, its direction, i.e. its angular position relative to the rotation about the horizontal, is determined by the vertical guidance of the guide means 43 in the slotted guide 34. Therefore, further rotation of the swivel arm 44 will result in a rotational movement while maintaining the orientation of the storage container 41 in space up to the position shown in Figure 3d.

[0047] Further rotation of the pivoting arm 44 causes first the upper side and then the lower side of the guide means 43 to exit the slotted guide 34 or its insertion opening 35, resulting in the storage container 41 tilting to the position shown in Figure 3e. Further tilting is prevented by the stop face 441 of the pivoting arm 44 abutting against the stop corner 421 of the slide and pivot bearing 42. The relative orientation of the storage container 41 with respect to the pivot arm 44, defined by the stop surface 441 and the stop corner 421, is maintained up to the extreme end position of the storage container 41 shown in Figure 3f. The stop surface 441 and the stop corner 421 can be seen, inter alia, in the exploded view of Figure 4.

[0048] 5a and 5b each show a cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of the household appliance 1. With regard to the basic structure of the household appliance 1 having the main body 2, the swivel device 4 and the drive device 5, the second exemplary embodiment essentially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment, the description of which is expressly referred to herein. What differs in the second exemplary embodiment is, in particular, the configuration of the front panel device 3.

[0049] Also, in the second embodiment, a front panel 31 is provided that exposes an opening in the main body 2, through which the storage container 41 exits. In contrast to the first embodiment, the front panel 31 is not linearly guided by a drawer guide (see the drawer guide 32 in the first exemplary embodiment), but is configured as a downwardly opening, pivotable flap, which is pivotally fixed to the main body 2 by a hinge or pivoting device not shown here.

[0050] As in the first exemplary embodiment, slot-like guides 34 are formed in the front panel 31 or common support on each side of the storage container 41, where the storage container 41 is guided by guide means 43 during the operating sequence. By appropriately dimensioning the guide tracks of the slotted guides 34, in particular by determining their length and optionally their shape, the guidance of the storage container 41 is also ensured during the pivoting movement of the front panel 31, and the pivoting movement of the pivoting arm 44 moves the storage container 41 out of the body 2, thereby opening the front panel 31. Further movement causes the storage container 41 to pivot away from the guide along the front panel 31 and into a convenient removal position substantially corresponding to that shown in Figure 3e or 3f of the first embodiment.

[0051] As the pivoting arm 44 is pivoted back, the storage container 41 is first lowered with the guide means 43 in the insertion opening 35 of the slotted guide 34, while maintaining its pivoted position relative to the pivoting arm 44. Further pivoting moves the storage container 41 into the main body 2 and closes the front panel 31.

[0052] Instead of the illustrated linear configuration of the guide tracks of the slotted guides 34, as in the first exemplary embodiment, in this exemplary embodiment a curved configuration of the guide tracks can be provided, achieving a particularly smooth and harmonious movement procedure of both the storage container 41 and the front panel 31.

[0053] Figure 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the household appliance 1 in a perspective representation similar to Figure 1f. This represents a further development of the first exemplary embodiment, in which essentially the front panel 31 is performing a linear pull-out movement as part of a sliding device. Again, reference is made to the first exemplary embodiment with regard to the basic structure and differences.

[0054] In this exemplary embodiment, a protective cover 47 is provided around at least three sides of the storage container 41, specifically the front facing the user and two sides, and is configured to be retractable so that it can stand up and deploy together with the storage container 41. The protective cover 47 prevents objects or parts of the body from getting into the gap between the containment container 41 or other components of the swivel device 4 and the front panel 31 or frame element 33 or other components of the front panel device 3. In this way, the risk of getting caught between moving components is reduced.

[0055] In this case, the protective cover 47 can be raised in the form of an apron and can be provided in addition to the linear guides that exist between the front panel unit 3 and the storage container 41. In this case, the linear guides can extend over only a portion of the vertical movement of the storage container 41, as shown in the first example, or can be formed over the entire range of vertical movement of the storage container 41 relative to the front panel unit 3.

[0056] In this case, the protective cover 47 can be connected to the storage container 41 or the front panel device 3 by elastic elements such as bolts or ropes. Alternatively, the protective cover 47 may have a spring element that pushes it upward as soon as the storage container 41 is raised. When the storage container 41 is lowered, the protective cover 47 is pushed down against the spring force.

[0057] In a further development, the protective cover 47 may itself be configured as a linear guide for guiding the vertical movement of the containment container 41 relative to the front panel device 3 .

[0058] Figures 7a and 7b each show a cross-sectional view of another domestic appliance 1. It should be noted that, in terms of basic structure, the embodiment shown here corresponds to that previously described, to which explicit reference is made here.

[0059] Also in this exemplary embodiment, the storage container 41 is guided so that it can be pulled out and lifted from the main body 2, and the front panel device 3 is similarly pulled out. In this exemplary embodiment (as in the first example), the drawer guide 32 is formed as a full-extension type drawer guide, and includes a main body rail 321 attached to the main body 2, a central rail 322 slidably attached relative to the main body rail 321, and a running rail 323 slidably attached relative to the central rail 322.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the locking lever 324 is pivotally mounted on a track. The lock lever 324 is formed as a two-sided lever, with the front lever arm of the lock lever 324 movably projecting forward toward the front panel 31. The rear lever arm on the opposite side has a claw 325 at its end that projects downward.

[0061] Figure 7a shows the storage container 41 in its pulled-out and lowered position. In this position, a protruding actuator 411 located on the side of the storage container 41 pushes down the front lever arm of the lock lever 324. In the illustrated example, the actuator 411 is bolt-shaped. The lock lever is formed at a slight angle, which raises the rear lever arm with the pawl 325. In this position, the pawl 325 does not interfere with the drawer guide 32, allowing the drawer to be retracted without any hindrance.

[0062] Figure 7b shows the storage container 41 in an extended and (slightly) raised position, where the actuator 411 has risen and is no longer acting on the front lever arm of the locking lever 324. Gravity causes the rear lever arm of the locking lever 324 to move down together with the pawl 325. In the fully extended position of the illustrated drawer guide 32, the pawl extends past the center rail 322 and in front of the front end of the body rail 321, preventing reinsertion of the drawer guide 32.

[0063] Only when the storage container 41 has been substantially completely lowered, as shown in Figure 7a, does the claw 325 rise again and movement of the running or central rail relative to the body rail 321 becomes possible again. To improve functional safety, in addition to the gravity-induced lowering of the claw 325, the locking lever 324 is pre-tensioned in the locking direction by a force accumulator, for example a spring.

[0064] The locking lever 324 together with the actuator 411 forms a retraction lock that ensures that the front panel unit 3 is not retracted when the storage container 41 is raised, which would otherwise cause the storage container 41 to collide with the front panel unit 3 when it is lowered again. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Household appliances 2 Main unit 21 Side wall 22 floors 3 Front Panel Devices 31 Front Panel 32 Drawer guide 321 Main rail 322 Center Rail 323 Running Rail 324 Lock lever 325 Nails 33 Frame Elements 34 Slotted Guide 35 Insertion opening 4 Swivel device 41 Storage Container 411 Actuator 42 Slide and swivel guide 421 Stop corner 43 Guide means 44 Swivel arm 441 Stopping surface 45 Swivel axis 46 Slewing bearing 47 Protective Cover 5. Drive unit 51 Drive unit 52 Output gear 53 Belt 54 Drive gear

Claims

1. A household appliance (1) comprising a body (2) having an opening that can be closed by a front panel (31), and a storage container (41) that can be moved out of the body (2) through the opening and can be lifted, At least one pivot arm (44) is arranged on the body (2), and at least one slotted guide (34) is connected or formed on the front panel (31), and the storage container (41) is connected to the free end of the pivot arm (44) on the one hand and guided in the slotted guide (34) on the other hand; The slotted guide (34) comprises a groove-like guide track for receiving at least one guide means (43) of the storage container (41); The household appliance (1) is characterized in that the guide track of the slotted guide (34) is open at the top and widens in a funnel shape toward the upper end.

2. 2. The household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting arm (44) is attached to the storage container (41) in a slide and pivoting guide (42).

3. 3. The domestic appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein the slide and pivot guide (42) is arranged in the rear and lower part of the storage container (41).

4. 4. The domestic appliance (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pivoting range of the slide and pivoting guide (42) is limited in at least one pivoting direction.

5. 5. The domestic appliance (1) according to claim 4, wherein the pivoting range of the slide and pivoting guide (42) is limited by abutting a stop face (441) of the pivoting arm (44) against a stopper.

6. 6. The household appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one guide means (43) is a roller or a slide block.

7. 7. A household appliance (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the two guide means (43) of the storage container (41) are associated with slotted guides (34) at a distance from each other, so that parallel guidance of the storage container (41) is achieved when both guide means (43) are positioned in the guide path.

8. 8. A household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein there are two pivot arms (44), each of which engages with a side of the storage container (41).

9. 9. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the front panel (31) is linearly displaceably guided on the body (2) by at least one drawer guide (32).

10. 10. The household appliance (1) according to claim 9, comprising a drawer lock which locks the drawer guide (32) in the drawn-out position when the storage container (41) is raised.

11. 9. A household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the front panel (31) is configured as a flap attached to the body (2) and can be folded or pivoted.

12. 12. A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a drive (5) acting on at least one pivoting arm (44) to pivot the pivoting arm (44) between at least two pivot positions.

13. 13. The domestic appliance (1) according to claim 12, wherein the drive (5) comprises a drive unit (51) with a drive motor and a gearbox.

14. 14. The household appliance (1) according to claim 13, wherein the gearbox is self-locking.

15. 15. A household appliance (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the drive unit (51) acts via a belt (53) on a pivot shaft (45) on which at least one pivot arm (44) is arranged rotatably fixed.

16. 16. A household appliance (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a protective cover (47) attached to the storage container (41), the protective cover (47) extending downwardly towards a front panel (31) on at least one side of the storage container (41).

17. 17. A domestic appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, configured as a refrigerator and / or a freezer.

Images