kitchen unit

Abstract

To provide a kitchen unit which is free from water damage and which is equipped with a safer and harder-to-break outlet member while securing a sufficient usable range for electric appliances by setting up the outlet member on a kitchen counter.SOLUTION: A kitchen unit of the present invention is composed of a counter and an outlet member that is set up on the counter. The outlet member includes: a pair of insertion holes in which an electric plug is inserted; an outlet surface which is exposed on an outer side, with the opening part of the pair of insertion holes contained; and a water return part which is provided as a recess in the outlet surface or as a protrusion on top of the outlet surface, which is situated between the pair of insertion holes and the upper face of the counter, and which prevents or reduces elevation of water from the top of the counter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a kitchen unit. [Background technology]

[0002] In a kitchen environment, electrical appliances are frequently used for cooking. In a wall-facing kitchen, electrical appliances can be used in the kitchen environment, for example, on the kitchen counter, using a built-in outlet in the wall.

[0003] However, in open-plan kitchens and island kitchens, it is necessary to use a built-in outlet on a wall away from the kitchen. In this case, the length of the outlet cord is limited, which limits the usable range of electrical appliances and can cause inconvenience, such as the possibility that the cord may not reach the work space on the kitchen counter.

[0004] Therefore, in recent years, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a pair of socket holes have been provided in the base of a panel erected on the top surface of a kitchen counter, so that the usable range of electrical appliances can cover the entire top surface of the kitchen counter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-154672 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-89607 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the kitchen units described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if water is accidentally spilled on the kitchen counter while using the outlet and the water spreads over the counter, the water may rise up to the pair of sockets, causing a risk of electric shock or damaging the outlet.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems. The object of the present invention is to provide a kitchen unit with an outlet member that is installed upright on the kitchen counter top, ensuring a sufficient usable range for electrical appliances, and is safer and less susceptible to water damage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is a kitchen unit comprising a counter and an outlet member erected on the counter top surface, the outlet member having a pair of socket holes into which power plugs are inserted, an outlet surface exposed to the outside including the openings of the pair of socket holes, and a water return portion provided as a recess within the surface of the outlet surface or as a protrusion on the surface of the outlet surface, positioned between the pair of socket holes and the counter top surface, to prevent or reduce water rising from the counter top surface.

[0009] According to the present invention, when water spreads over the top surface of a kitchen counter, the water return section prevents or reduces the water from rising toward a pair of insertion holes in an outlet member erected on the top surface of the kitchen counter.This makes it possible to provide a kitchen unit equipped with an outlet member that is safer and less susceptible to water damage while still ensuring a sufficient usable range for electrical appliances.

[0010] The water return portion may be a convex portion provided on the surface of the outlet, but is preferably a concave portion provided within the surface of the outlet.

[0011] If the water return section is a convex section provided on the surface of the outlet, design considerations are required to ensure that the convex section does not interfere with the power plug; however, if the water return section is a concave section provided within the surface of the outlet, such considerations are not necessary, and a more stylish design can be adopted.

[0012] It is also preferable that the lower side of the recessed portion faces the counter top surface.

[0013] This allows the recessed portion that serves as the water return section to more effectively catch the water when it soaks and spreads over the top surface of the kitchen counter, and more effectively prevents the water from rising along the surface of the outlet.

[0014] The wall surfaces defining the recess are preferably smooth and continuous.

[0015] This allows for easy cleaning with a cloth or the like when cleaning the recessed portion that serves as the water return portion. Also, since there are no corners, there is no risk of dirt or the like remaining (clogging) in the corners.

[0016] It is also preferable that a portion of the wall surface defining the recess is a flat surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to the counter top surface.

[0017] This allows the recessed portion that serves as the water return section to more effectively catch the water when it soaks and spreads over the top surface of the kitchen counter, and more effectively prevents the water from rising along the surface of the outlet.

[0018] It is also preferable that the water return portion has a width greater than the width of the pair of insertion holes.

[0019] This makes it possible to prevent or reduce water rising toward the pair of insertion holes overall in the width direction, thereby further preventing water from getting into the pair of insertion holes.

[0020] It is also preferable that the water return section is provided with a width smaller than the width of the outlet surface.

[0021] This makes it possible to provide a kitchen unit with a high level of design when the outlet member is viewed from the side of the outlet surface. In particular, if the water return section is a recess provided within the surface of the outlet surface, the recess cannot be seen when the outlet member is viewed from the side of the outlet surface, thereby further enhancing the design. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, when water spreads over the top surface of a kitchen counter, the water return section prevents or reduces the water from rising toward a pair of insertion holes in an outlet member erected on the top surface of the kitchen counter.This makes it possible to provide a kitchen unit equipped with an outlet member that is safer and less susceptible to water damage while still ensuring a sufficient usable range for electrical appliances. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a receptacle member of a kitchen unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the outlet member of the kitchen unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing the outlet member of a kitchen unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with the lid in a modified position; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing the outlet member of the kitchen unit according to one embodiment of the present invention with the lid in a modified position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a recess (one aspect of a water return portion) of the outlet member of the kitchen unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Next, a kitchen unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] (composition) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a kitchen unit 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the kitchen unit 10 of this embodiment includes a counter 1 and an outlet member 2 provided upright on a counter top surface 1a.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the kitchen unit 10 of this embodiment further includes a base 3 erected on the counter top surface 1a, a partition 4 supported by the base 3, a stove 5, a sink 6 equipped with a faucet, and a cooking space 7 sandwiched between the stove 5 and the sink 6.

[0027] The cooking space 7 is a space where a cutting board can be placed to cut ingredients, but it can also be used as a space to use various electrical appliances for cooking, which have become popular in recent years.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the outlet member 2 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a front view of the outlet member 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the outlet member 2 with the lid 21 positioned differently, and Fig. 5 is a right side view of the outlet member 2 of Fig. 4.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the outlet member 2 of this embodiment has an overall shape of approximately a rectangular parallelepiped in the state shown in Figures 2 and 3 (strictly speaking, each side is slightly inclined (inclination angle: 1.5°), the top surface is a rectangle of 3.6 cm x 7.7 cm, the bottom surface is a rectangle of 3.9 cm x 8.0 cm, and the height is 5.9 cm).

[0030] In addition, in the initial state, the lid 21 is positioned so that it covers the right side (or the left side, if reversed) (as shown in Figures 2 and 3), but it can be removed upward and rearranged (re-engaged) so that it covers the front right area (as shown in Figures 4 and 5).

[0031] 4 and 5, the outlet member 2 has, on its right side surface, a receptacle 22 having a pair of insertion holes 22a, 22b into which a power plug is inserted. That is, in the outlet member 2 of this embodiment, the right side surface forms an outlet surface 23 that is exposed to the outside and includes the openings of the pair of insertion holes 22a, 22b (receptacle 22).

[0032] The pair of insertion holes 22a, 22b are a left-right pair of holes 22a, 22b based on the JIS standard, and the width from the left end of left hole 22a to the right end of right hole 22b (referred to herein as the "horizontal width of the pair of insertion holes") is 14.9 mm (14.6 mm or more according to the JIS standard), and holes 22a, 22b are positioned so that their bottom ends are 25 mm from the top surface of the counter. Also, in this embodiment, an earth hole 22c is provided below the typical pair of left and right holes.

[0033] Furthermore, a water return section that prevents or reduces water from rising from the counter top surface 1a is provided within the outlet surface 23, located between the pair of plug holes 22a, 22b and the counter top surface 1a. Specifically, the water return section in this embodiment is a recess 24 provided within the outlet surface 23.

[0034] Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the recess 24. As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the lower side of the recess 24 faces the counter top surface 1a. Specifically, the recess 24 is formed as an area with a maximum left-right width of 35 mm, a maximum depth of 2.5 mm from the outlet surface, and a maximum height of 6 mm from the counter top surface 1a.

[0035] The recess 24 is primarily defined by a rear wall surface 24a, left and right wall surfaces 24b and 24c, and an upper wall surface 24d. The rear wall surface 24a is a flat surface (e.g., an 82° inclination angle) with its upper side inclined toward the front (the right side in FIG. 3) (inclined at an acute angle relative to the counter top surface 1a), while the left and right wall surfaces 24b and 24c are each flat and perpendicular to the counter top surface 1a. The upper wall surface 24d is a substantially quarter-cylindrical surface. The rear wall surface 24a and the left and right wall surfaces 24b and 24c are smoothly connected (e.g., R1.5), the rear wall surface 24a and the upper wall surface 24d are also smoothly connected (e.g., R1.5), and the upper wall surface 24d and the left and right wall surfaces 24b and 24c are also smoothly connected (e.g., R1.5).

[0036] (Main effects) According to the kitchen unit 10 of the present embodiment as described above, when water spreads over the kitchen counter top surface 1a, the water return portion (recess 24) prevents or reduces the water from rising toward the outlet 22 (pair of outlet holes 22a, 22b) of the outlet member 2 erected on the kitchen counter top surface 1a. In other words, a kitchen unit 10 is provided that is safer and less susceptible to water damage while still ensuring a sufficient usable range for electrical appliances.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water return section is a recess 24 provided on the outlet surface 23, so there is no need to take design considerations into account for interference with the power plug, and a more stylish design can be adopted.

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the lower side of the recess 24 faces the counter top surface 1a. As a result, when water spreads over the kitchen counter top surface 1a, the recess 24, which serves as a water return portion, can more effectively catch the water and more effectively prevent the water from rising along the outlet surface 23.

[0039] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the wall surfaces 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d that define the recess 24 are smoothly continuous. Therefore, the smoothly continuous wall surfaces 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d reduce the force of the water and make it less likely for splashes to occur, more effectively preventing the water from rising along the outlet surface 23. Furthermore, when cleaning the recess 24, which serves as the water return area, a cloth or the like can easily reach it, making it easy to clean. Furthermore, since there are no corners, there is no risk of dirt or the like accumulating (clogging) in the corners.

[0040] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rear wall surface 24a, which is part of the wall surface defining the recess 24, is a flat surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to the counter top surface 1a. As a result, when water spreads over the kitchen counter top surface 1a, the rear wall surface 24a reduces the force of the water and makes it less likely to generate splashes, thereby more effectively preventing the water from rising along the outlet surface 23.

[0041] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water return section is provided with a width greater than the width of the pair of insertion holes 22 a, 22 b, which makes it possible to prevent or reduce water from rising toward the pair of insertion holes 22 a, 22 b overall in the width direction, thereby further preventing water from getting into the pair of insertion holes 22 a, 22 b.

[0042] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the water return section is provided with a width smaller than the width of the outlet surface 23. This provides a kitchen unit with a high level of design when the outlet member 2 is viewed from the side (front and back sides) of the outlet surface 23. In particular, because the water return section is a recess provided within the outlet surface 23, the recess 24 is not visible when the outlet member 2 is viewed from the side (front and back sides) of the outlet surface 23, resulting in a very high level of design.

[0043] (Other effects of this embodiment) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outlet surface 23 faces the cooking space. This layout is convenient when using electrical appliances in the cooking space. Furthermore, in face-to-face kitchens or island kitchens, it is convenient because the pair of plug holes 22a, 22b can be easily accessed from both the stove side and the living room side.

[0044] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the outlet member 2 is installed upright on the stove side, not on the living room side, of the partition 4. With this layout, the outlet member 2 is difficult to see from the living room side, and from the living room side, the kitchen unit appears simple, with few protrusions and recesses, and has a high level of design.

[0045] (Variation) Although the outlet member 2 in the above embodiment has only one pair of plug holes 22a, 22b (one socket 22), it may have two or more pairs of plug holes (two or more sockets). [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Kitchen unit 1 counter 1a Countertop 2 Outlet parts 3. Pedestal 4 Partitions 5 stove 6. Sink 7 Cooking space 21 Lid 22 Outlet 22a Left hole (insertion hole) 22b Right hole (insertion hole) 22c Grounding hole 23 Outlet surface 24 recess 24a Back wall 24b Left wall 24c Right wall 24d Upper wall

Claims

1. Counter and an outlet member erected on the counter top surface; Equipped with The outlet member is A pair of sockets into which power plugs are inserted; an outlet surface exposed to the outside and including the openings of the pair of insertion holes; a water return section provided as a recess within the outlet surface or as a protrusion on the outlet surface, and positioned between the pair of insertion holes and the counter top surface, for preventing or reducing water from rising from the counter top surface; It has The water return portion is a recess provided in the surface of the outlet. A kitchen unit characterized by:

2. The lower side of the recess faces the counter top surface.

2. A kitchen unit according to claim 1.

3. The wall surfaces defining the recess are smoothly continuous.

3. A kitchen unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A part of the wall surface defining the recess is a plane inclined at an acute angle to the counter top surface.

4. A kitchen unit according to claim 1.

5. The water return portion is provided with a width greater than the width of the pair of insertion holes.

5. A kitchen unit according to claim 1.

6. The water return section is provided with a width smaller than the width of the outlet surface.

6. A kitchen unit according to claim 1.

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