Domestic appliance device, domestic appliance, and method for assembling a domestic appliance device of this type

The household appliance device with a carrier unit and elastic spring elements simplifies installation and replacement by clamping onto structural elements, addressing electromagnetic compatibility issues and ensuring reliable vibration detection.

WO2025219185A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-10-23BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/EP2025/059761
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-04-18
Filing Date
2025-04-09
Publication Date
2025-10-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing household appliance devices with vibration sensors face installation and replacement challenges due to electromagnetic compatibility issues with induction systems, requiring precise positioning and integral connections that complicate assembly and maintenance.

Method used

A household appliance device featuring a carrier unit with elastic spring elements connecting contact areas, allowing easy installation and replacement by clamping between structural elements, and incorporating a vibration sensor unit that is insulated and protected, ensuring reliable vibration detection without integral connections.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates easy assembly and replacement of the device by eliminating the need for precise positioning, while maintaining effective vibration detection and reducing thermal and electromagnetic interference.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic appliance device (10a; 10b), in particular a hob device, for a domestic appliance (12a), in particular for a hob, comprising at least one support unit (14a; 14b) and at least one vibration sensor unit (16a; 16b) arranged on the support unit (14a; 14b). In order to simplify the assembly and repair capability of a domestic appliance (12a) comprising the domestic appliance device (10a; 10b), it is proposed that the support unit (14a; 14b) has at least one first contact region (18a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 38b) and at least one further contact region (20a; 20b, 40b) for arranging on the domestic appliance (12a) and at least one spring element (22a, 24a, 26a; 22b) which elastically connects the contact regions (18a, 20a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 20b, 38b, 40b) to each other.
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Description

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

[0002] The invention relates to a household appliance device, in particular a hob device, for a household appliance, in particular for a hob, according to the preamble of claim 1, a household appliance, in particular a hob, according to the preamble of claim 9 and a method for assembling such a household appliance according to claim 10.

[0003] Various household appliance devices with vibration sensors for household appliances are already known from the prior art. For example, EP 3883341 A1 discloses a device with a vibration sensor unit embedded in a frame-shaped support, which in turn is glued to the underside of a cooking utensil support, in particular a hob plate. EP 1845825 B1 discloses a vibration sensor unit with a piezo element connected to a cooking utensil support of a gas stove. Particularly with induction hobs, problems can arise with the electromagnetic compatibility between the induction system and a vibration sensor unit. In this regard, EP 3195694 B1 discloses a device with an acceleration sensor, which is arranged on an induction hob, electrically and thermally insulated from the hob by means of a layer of a dielectric such as mica.Such household appliance devices are designed, for example, to detect vibrations of the cookware support, in particular the hob plate, which occur when bubbles form within a cooking utensil arranged on the cookware support. When securing the household appliance to the cookware support, care must be taken during installation to ensure that the household appliance is positioned on the cookware support in such a way that, when the cookware support is mounted on a substructure, the household appliance fits into a designated receptacle on the substructure.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to provide a generic device that is easier to install in a household appliance and, in particular, easier to replace. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] The invention relates to a household appliance device, in particular a hob device, for a household appliance, in particular for a hob, which comprises at least one carrier unit and at least one vibration sensor unit arranged on the carrier unit.

[0006] It is proposed that the carrier unit has at least one first contact area and at least one further contact area for arrangement on the household appliance and at least one spring element which elastically connects the contact areas to one another.

[0007] Such a configuration allows the household appliance device to be advantageously easily installed into a household appliance. In particular, the household appliance device can be clamped between two structural elements of the household appliance by means of the spring element. In particular, the household appliance device can be arranged together with other components of the household appliance on a structural element of the household appliance designed as a carrier plate, in particular an electronics carrier plate, and the other structural element, for example a cooking utensil carrier of a hob, can then be placed on the household appliance device without having to pay attention to the precise position of the household appliance during placement. This also advantageously allows for easy wiring of the vibration sensor unit.Furthermore, the household appliance device can advantageously be easily replaced and the household appliance can then advantageously be easily reassembled, since the household appliance device does not have to be integrally connected, in particular glued, to one of the structural elements in order to ensure a sufficiently reliable transmission path for vibrations. In particular, a force effect of the spring element can achieve an advantageously reliable and effective transmission path between the vibration sensor unit and a component of the household appliance to be monitored. Furthermore, the carrier unit can act as a spacer from the household appliance, so that a temperature of an electronics of the vibration sensor unit can advantageously be kept low even when a hot component of the household appliance is detected.

[0008] A “household appliance device,” advantageously a “cooktop device” and particularly advantageously an “induction cooktop device,” is to be understood in particular as at least one part, in particular a subassembly, of a household appliance, in particular a cooking appliance, advantageously a cooktop and particularly advantageously an induction cooktop. For example, a household appliance comprising the household appliance device could be a freezer, advantageously a refrigerator and / or a freezer. Alternatively or additionally, a household appliance comprising the household appliance device could be, for example, a dishwasher and / or a washing machine and / or a dryer. Advantageously, a household appliance comprising the household appliance device is a cooking appliance.A household appliance designed as a cooking appliance could, for example, be an oven and / or a microwave and / or a grill and / or a steamer. Advantageously, a household appliance designed as a cooking appliance is a hob, and preferably an induction hob and / or an electric hob. The household appliance device is particularly preferably designed as a hob device, in particular as an induction hob device and / or an electric hob device. In particular, the hob device, in particular the induction hob device, can also comprise the entire hob, in particular the entire induction hob.

[0009] The vibration sensor unit preferably comprises at least one sensor element for detecting vibrations of the household appliance. The sensor element is preferably designed to detect vibrations, in particular structure-borne sound. The sensor element is designed, for example, as an acceleration sensor, a piezoelectric force transducer, a capacitive force transducer, or the like. The vibration sensor unit can comprise precisely one sensor element or several identically constructed and / or several differently constructed sensor elements. The vibration sensor unit preferably comprises at least one carrier plate, in particular a printed circuit board, on which the at least one sensor element is arranged, in particular all sensor elements of the vibration sensor unit are arranged together.The vibration sensor unit preferably comprises at least one, in particular wired or wireless, data interface for transmitting measurement data from the vibration sensor unit to a control or regulating unit of the household appliance. The vibration sensor unit preferably comprises at least one, in particular wired or wireless, power interface for receiving electrical power from the household appliance. The data interface and the power interface can be designed separately from one another or integrated into one another.

[0010] The vibration sensor unit is preferably provided to detect vibrations from at least one structural element of the household appliance, in particular from a cooking utensil carrier of the cooking appliance. The carrier unit is preferably provided to hold the vibration sensor unit in a defined position relative to the structural element of the household appliance to be monitored by the vibration sensor unit. The vibration sensor unit is preferably arranged in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner on, in particular in, the carrier unit. The carrier unit is preferably intended to be clamped between two structural elements of the household appliance. The carrier unit preferably comprises a compression axis along which the at least one spring element is provided for compression. The contact regions are preferably arranged at opposite ends of the carrier unit along the compression axis.The at least one spring element is preferably intended to subject the contact regions to forces directed away from one another upon compression of the spring element, in particular when the household appliance is installed in the household appliance, and in particular to press the further contact region against the structural element of the household appliance to be monitored. The first contact region is preferably intended to be arranged on a structural element of the household appliance that is suitable for supporting the carrier unit, for example on a mounting plate, a housing, a frame, a base, an intermediate floor of the household appliance, or the like. The household appliance device is preferably intended to be arranged entirely within the interior of the household appliance.

[0011] The at least one spring element is preferably at least partially, in particular predominantly, elastic due to its shape and can be made in particular from a plastic or a metal. The at least one spring element can be designed as a bending spring or a torsion spring. The at least one spring element is preferably designed as a leaf spring. Alternatively, the at least one spring element is made of an elastomer, is predominantly elastic due to its material properties, and can be designed, for example, as a cuboid, cylindrical, annular, or the like.

[0012] "Intended" should be understood in particular to mean specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0013] It is further proposed that the vibration sensor unit be arranged between one of the contact regions and the at least one spring element. This advantageously allows this contact region to simultaneously serve as a protective cover for the vibration sensor unit. In particular, this contact region advantageously shields the vibration sensor unit from negative influences such as excessive heat and / or electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, upon compression of the at least one spring element, the vibration sensor unit is advantageously subjected to a force together with the contact region, so that a relative position between this contact region and the vibration sensor unit is advantageously stable.

[0014] The support unit preferably comprises at least one support element on which the vibration sensor unit, in particular the support plate of the vibration sensor unit, is arranged. The vibration sensor unit, in particular at least the support plate, is preferably arranged between the support element and the further contact region, viewed along the compression axis. The at least one spring element is preferably arranged between the support element and the first contact region, viewed along the compression axis. Particularly preferably, the at least one spring element is arranged directly on the support element.

[0015] It is further proposed that the contact regions and the at least one spring element be formed as a single piece. This advantageously allows the household appliance to be assembled in a few individual steps. Furthermore, advantageously good structure-borne sound conduction within the support unit can be achieved. The term “single piece” should be understood in particular to mean at least materially connected, for example by a welding process, an adhesive process, an injection molding process and / or another process that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art, and / or advantageously formed in one piece, for example by production from a single casting and / or by production using a single-component or multi-component injection molding process and advantageously from a single blank. Preferably, the at least one spring element is formed at least as a single piece with the first contact region and in particular is arranged directly on it.Particularly preferably, a surface of the at least one spring element forms the first contact region. Preferably, the at least one spring element is formed integrally with the support element. Preferably, the at least one spring element is formed integrally with the further contact region, wherein the at least one spring element is preferably spaced from the further contact region, in particular spaced at least by the support element. The carrier unit preferably comprises at least one connecting piece which connects the support element to the further contact region. The support element, the connecting piece and the further contact region together preferably encompass at least one edge of the carrier plate of the vibration sensor unit, in particular in a U-shape. The carrier unit is particularly preferably made from a plastic, in particular a heat-stable plastic.Particularly when the household appliance is used in a cooking appliance or other household appliance where temperatures of more than 100°C can occur, the carrier unit is made, for example, from polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or a liquid crystal polymer (LCP). If the household appliance is to be installed in a sufficiently cold part of the household appliance, the carrier unit can be made, for example, from a polyamide. Alternatively, the carrier unit is made of a metal, in particular for shielding the vibration sensor unit from electromagnetic radiation according to the Faraday cage principle. Alternatively or additionally, the household appliance comprises a metal shield against electromagnetic radiation, which is formed separately from the carrier unit and surrounds the carrier unit and the vibration sensor unit or only the vibration sensor unit.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that the at least one first contact region and / or the at least one further contact region be / are structured to reduce the effective contact area of ​​this contact region(s). As a result, heat conduction from the household appliance to the household appliance device can be advantageously kept small. In particular, when this contact region is arranged on the household appliance, an insulating air layer can be maintained between subregions of this contact region and the household appliance.

[0017] The structured contact area comprises, for example, a flat, in particular plate-shaped or disc-shaped, base body on which a plurality of contact area structures are arranged. For example, the structured contact area comprises grooves, beads, webs, pins, knobs, or the like as contact area structures. The structured contact area preferably comprises a main extension plane that runs at least substantially perpendicular to the compression axis. A "main extension plane" of a structural unit is to be understood in particular as a plane that is parallel to a largest side surface of a smallest imaginary cuboid that just completely encloses the structural unit, and in particular runs through the center of the cuboid.The term "substantially perpendicular" is intended here to define, in particular, an orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, wherein the direction and the reference direction, particularly viewed in a projection plane, enclose an angle of 90°, and the angle has a maximum deviation of, in particular, less than 8°, advantageously less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 2°. The contact area structures are preferably arranged on a side of the structured contact area facing away from the at least one spring element. The contact area structures are preferably intended for direct contact with the household appliance.Preferably, the effective contact area defined by the contact area structures is smaller, in particular at least by a factor of 2, preferably at least by a factor of 5, particularly preferably at least by a factor of 10, than a maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the base body parallel to the main extension plane of the structured contact area.

[0018] It is further proposed that the carrier unit comprise at least one further spring element in order to fix the vibration sensor unit. In particular, a relative position of the vibration sensor unit relative to one of the contact regions can thereby be advantageously kept stable. In particular, an advantageously reliable transmission path for vibrations, in particular structure-borne sound, can be achieved through the carrier unit to the vibration sensor unit. Preferably, the aforementioned connecting piece between the further contact region and the support element forms the at least one further spring element. The at least one further spring element is preferably at least partially, in particular predominantly, elastic due to its shape and can in particular be made of a plastic or a metal. The at least one further spring element can be designed as a bending spring or as a torsion spring.The at least one further spring element is preferably designed as a leaf spring. Alternatively, the at least one spring element is made of an elastomer, is elastic predominantly due to its material properties, and can, for example, be cuboid-shaped, cylindrical, annular, or the like. The further spring element is preferably provided to press the vibration sensor unit against the further contact area. Preferably, the at least one further spring element is in a stretched state relative to an equilibrium position of the at least one spring element, in particular regardless of an arrangement of the household appliance device in the household appliance, when the vibration sensor unit is arranged between the support element and the further contact area.

[0019] Furthermore, it is proposed that the support unit have at least one projection that extends into or through the vibration sensor unit. This advantageously further stabilizes the relative position of the vibration sensor unit relative to one of the contact areas, and maintains an even more reliable transmission path for vibrations, in particular structure-borne sound, through the support unit to the vibration sensor unit.

[0020] The projection is preferably arranged on the support element. Alternatively, the projection or an additional projection is arranged on the further contact area. The projection is preferably provided to form a recess complementary to the projection in the vibration sensor unit, in particular in the carrier plate, in particular by pressing and / or cutting the projection into the vibration sensor unit when mounting the vibration sensor unit in the carrier unit and / or when mounting the household appliance in the household appliance. Before mounting the vibration sensor unit in the carrier unit, the vibration sensor unit can have a recess for receiving the projection, which is designed with at most a press fit for the attachment. Alternatively, the vibration sensor unit comprises a pilot hole which is smaller than the projection and / or a predetermined breaking point for forming the recess.It is also conceivable that the vibration sensor unit has a homogeneous material thickness and, in particular, no recess before being mounted on the carrier unit.

[0021] It is further proposed that the carrier unit comprise a plurality of first contact regions that have a common first contact termination plane, and / or a plurality of further contact regions that are arranged on a common further contact termination plane. This advantageously allows the individual contact regions to be kept small, and an effective total contact area to be kept small. Furthermore, the household appliance device can also be advantageously and reliably arranged on an uneven structural element of the household appliance.

[0022] The contact termination planes preferably extend at least substantially perpendicular to the compression axis and delimit the support unit at opposite ends along the compression axis. The contact regions located in the same contact termination plane are preferably arranged at a distance from one another. The contact regions located in the same contact termination plane are connected to one another, for example, via the support element. In particular, the support unit comprises a separate spring element or a separate additional spring element for each of the contact regions in the same contact termination plane.

[0023] Furthermore, it is proposed that the support unit comprise a plurality of spring elements arranged symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane and / or rotational axis that is at least substantially parallel to a shortest distance between the contact areas. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve an advantageously high level of stability for the household appliance. In particular, installation of the household appliance in a household appliance can be advantageously carried out easily. In particular, the risk of tipping and / or misalignment of the household appliance when arranged in the household appliance can be advantageously kept low.

[0024] The shortest distance between the first contact area and the further contact area is preferably at least substantially parallel to the compression axis. "Substantially parallel" is understood here to mean, in particular, an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction has a deviation from the reference direction of, in particular, less than 8°, advantageously less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 2°.

[0025] Furthermore, the invention is based on a household appliance, in particular a hob, with at least one first structural element and at least one further structural element spaced from the first structural element. It is proposed that the household appliance comprise at least one household appliance device according to the invention, wherein the household appliance device is arranged with the at least one first contact region on the first structural element and with the at least one further contact region on the further structural element in order to detect a vibration of at least one of the structural elements. This makes it possible, in particular, to provide a household appliance that is advantageously easy to assemble and easy to repair.In particular, a material connection between the household appliance and the further structural element can be dispensed with, so that the latter can be mounted on and removed from the household appliance independently of the household appliance. In particular, the household appliance can advantageously be easily replaced.

[0026] Preferably, the structural elements are aligned at least substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, the at least one spring element of the household appliance is in a compressed state relative to an equilibrium position of the at least one spring element. Preferably, the at least one spring element presses the further contact area, in particular together with the support element and the vibration sensor unit, against the further structural element.

[0027] Furthermore, a method for assembling a household appliance according to the invention, in particular a hob, is proposed, wherein the household appliance is arranged with the at least one first contact region on the first structural element, wherein the further structural element is arranged on the at least one of the contact regions, and wherein the carrier unit is clamped between the structural elements when the structural elements are fixed relative to one another. As a result, in particular, there is no need for a precise position determination of where the household appliance can be arranged on the further structural element in order to fit together with the first structural element. In particular, the household appliance can be placed at an obviously free location on the first structural element and subsequently brought into contact with the further structural element.

[0028] When the household appliance device is arranged on the first structural element, the first contact region can be fixed to the first structural element or simply placed on the first structural element. For example, the first structural element comprises a form-fitting element that matches the first contact region, for example in the form of a complementary depression, a complementary surround, an eyelet, a latching element, or the like. Alternatively, the first contact region can be glued, screwed, or riveted to the first structural element. Before the further structural element is attached to the household appliance device, the vibration sensor unit is preferably connected electrically and / or via data transmission to a control or regulating unit of the household appliance. Preferably, the at least one spring element of the carrier unit is compressed by the attachment of the further structural element.A relative position of the first structural element to the further structural element is preferably fixed with the household appliance device clamped therebetween.

[0029] The household appliance device according to the invention, the household appliance according to the invention, and / or the method according to the invention are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the household appliance device according to the invention, the household appliance according to the invention, and / or the method according to the invention 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.

[0030] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate 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.

[0031] They show:

[0032] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a household appliance according to the invention designed as a hob with a household appliance device according to the invention for detecting vibrations of a cooking utensil carrier of the hob,

[0033] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the household appliance according to the invention from Fig. 1 without the cooking utensil carrier,

[0034] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a carrier unit of a household appliance device according to the invention of the household appliance from Figure 1,

[0035] Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the household appliance device according to the invention,

[0036] Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-section of the household appliance device according to the invention,

[0037] Fig. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the invention for assembling the household appliance according to the invention and

[0038] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a household appliance device according to the invention.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a household appliance 12a. The household appliance 12a is designed, for example, as a hob, in particular as an induction hob or electric hob. The household appliance 12a preferably comprises at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a for heating a cooking utensil 48a. The household appliance 12a preferably comprises a plurality of energy transmission units 50a, 52a for simultaneously heating a plurality of cooking utensils 48a. The at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a comprises, for example, at least one induction coil or an electric heating coil for heating the cooking utensil 48a. The household appliance 12a preferably comprises, as a first structural element 42a, at least one mounting plate on which the at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a is arranged. The first structural element 42a is preferably made of metal, in particular aluminum.The household appliance 12a preferably comprises, as a further structural element 44a, at least one cooking utensil support, which is provided for placing the cooking utensil 48a during heating. The further structural element 44 is made, for example, of glass or a glass ceramic. The further structural element 44a is preferably plate-shaped. The further structural element 44a and the first structural element 42a are preferably aligned at least substantially parallel to one another and arranged at a distance from one another. The at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a is preferably arranged between the structural elements 42a, 44a.

[0040] The household appliance 12a comprises a household appliance device 10a with at least one vibration sensor unit 16a for detecting vibrations. When the cooking utensil 48a is heated, a mass located therein can be caused to boil and / or foam, which can trigger vibrations in the cooking utensil 48a. To counteract uncontrolled boiling and / or foaming of the mass located in the cooking utensil 48a and, in particular, to counteract the risk of the cooking utensil 48a overflowing, the vibration sensor unit 16a is preferably provided to detect vibrations of the further structural element 44a while a cooking utensil 48a placed thereon is being heated. The household appliance device 10a comprises a support unit 14a on which the vibration sensor unit 16a is arranged.The support unit 14a comprises at least one first contact area 18a and at least one further contact area 20a for arrangement on the household appliance 12a. The household appliance device 10a is arranged with the at least one first contact area 18a on the first structural element 42a. The household appliance device 10a is arranged with the at least one further contact area 20a on the further structural element 44a in order to detect a vibration of the further structural element 44a. The support unit 14a comprises at least one spring element 22a, 24a, which elastically connects the contact areas 18a, 20a to one another. The household appliance device 10a is preferably clamped between the structural elements 42a, 44a.In particular, the at least one spring element 22a, 24a is in a compressed state between the structural elements 42a, 44a, so that the contact areas 18a, 20a are pressed by the at least one spring element 22a, 24a against the structural elements 42a, 44a.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a representation of the household appliance 12a in which the further structural element 44a has been removed. The at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a, the household appliance device 10a, and / or a user interface 54a of the household appliance 12a are preferably arranged together on the first structural element 42a. Preferably, the at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a, the household appliance device 10a, and / or the user interface 54a are arranged spaced apart from one another. Particularly preferably, the at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a, the household appliance device 10a, and / or the user interface 54a have different heights in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first structural element 42a.In particular, the at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a, the household appliance device 10a and / or the user interface 54a each comprise independent systems to ensure sufficient contact with the further structural element 44a.

[0042] Figures 3 to 5 show different representations of the household appliance device 10a. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the further contact area 20a. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the first contact area 18a. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the household appliance device 10a.

[0043] The support unit 14a preferably comprises a compression axis 66a, parallel to which the at least one spring element 22a can be compressed. The further contact region 20a and the at least one first contact region 18a are arranged at opposite ends of the support unit 14a along the compression axis 66a. The at least one spring element 22a is designed, for example, as a curved leaf spring having an I-shaped profile. The at least one spring element 22a comprises, in particular, a leg, a bend, and a further leg. An outer side of the spring element 22a, in particular one of the legs of the spring element 22a, preferably forms the at least one first contact region 18a. The support unit 14a comprises at least one further spring element 28a. The at least one further spring element 28a is designed, for example, as a curved leaf spring having an I-shaped profile.The at least one further spring element 28a comprises, in particular, a leg, a bend, and a further leg. Preferably, an end of one of the legs of the at least one spring element 22a facing away from the bend is arranged at an end of one of the legs of the at least one further spring element 28a facing away from the bend. The at least one spring element 22a and the at least one further spring element 28a together have, in particular, a profile in the shape of a "3." The at least one further spring element 28a is preferably connected by one of the legs to the further contact region 20a. The further contact region 20a preferably has a disk-shaped, in particular circular disk-shaped, base body. A main extension plane of the base body preferably runs at least substantially perpendicular to the compression axis 66a. The at least one further spring element 28a is preferably arranged at an edge of the base body.The support unit 14a comprises a plurality of spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a and in particular a plurality of further spring elements 28a, 30a, 32a. The spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to a rotational axis that is at least substantially parallel to a shortest distance between the contact regions 18a, 20a, in particular with respect to the compression axis 66a. The support unit 14a comprises a plurality of first contact regions 18a, 38a, 38a', which have a common first contact termination plane and which are each formed by one of the spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a. The further spring elements 28a, 30a, 32a are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to the rotational axis that is at least substantially parallel to the shortest distance between the contact regions 18a, 20a, in particular with respect to the compression axis 66a. The contact areas 18a, 20a, 38a, 38a' and the spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a and the further spring elements 28a, 30a, 32a are formed integrally with one another.

[0044] The support unit 14a is designed here, for example, as a tripod, with three spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a, each of which is arranged on one of the three further spring elements 28a, 30a, 32a. The further spring elements 28a, 30a, 32a are preferably arranged rotationally symmetrically on the base body of the further contact area 20a. The legs of the spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a and the further spring elements 28a, 30a, 32a are preferably oriented facing the axis of rotation. The legs of the spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a are preferably arranged at least partially below the base body when viewed along the compression axis 66a, while the bends of the spring elements 22a, 24a, 26a protrude beyond the base body when viewed along the compression axis 66a.

[0045] The further contact area 20a is structured and in particular has a plurality of contact area structures 58a, here for example three, of which only one is provided with a reference symbol. The contact area structures 58a are designed here, for example, as knobs that protrude from the base body. This special configuration makes it possible to achieve a particularly small, in particular point-like, effective contact area between the further contact area 20a and the further structural element 44a of the household appliance 12a, while at the same time, the risk of a vibration transmission path being interrupted due to tilting of the further contact area 20a can be advantageously kept low. Furthermore, heat conduction through the further contact area 20a can be advantageously kept low.

[0046] The section of the spring elements 22a, 28a at which they are arranged next to one another preferably forms a support element on which the vibration sensor unit 16a is arranged (see Figures 4 and 5). The vibration sensor unit 16a is arranged between the further contact area 20a and the spring element 22a, 24a, 26a. The vibration sensor unit 16a preferably bears against the support element and the further contact area 20a. Preferably, a carrier plate of the vibration sensor unit 16a is clamped between the support element and the further contact area 20a by means of the further spring element 28a. The carrier unit 14a preferably comprises at least one form-fitting element 56a, against which the vibration sensor unit 16a abuts in at least one direction perpendicular to the compression axis 66a. Preferably, the carrier unit 14a comprises several, in particular identical, form-locking elements 56a, of which only one is provided with a reference symbol here.The at least one form-locking element 56a is preferably arranged on a rear side of the base body of the further contact area 20a facing the vibration sensor unit 16a. The at least one form-locking element 56a is provided, for example, to encompass a corner of the support plate of the vibration sensor unit 16a in a plane perpendicular to the compression axis 66a. Alternatively, the form-locking element 56a or an additional form-locking element forms a stop surface for an edge of the support plate of the vibration sensor unit 16a, which blocks it only in a direction perpendicular to the compression axis 66a.

[0047] The support unit 14a comprises at least one projection 34a that extends into or through the vibration sensor unit 16a (see Figure 5). The projection 34a is preferably arranged on the support element and protrudes from the support element in the direction of the further contact region 20a. The further contact region 20a preferably comprises at least one stop element 36a that protrudes from the base body and is opposite the projection 34a in a direction at least substantially parallel to the compression axis 66a. The vibration sensor unit 16a is preferably clamped between the at least one projection 34a and the stop element 36a by means of the further spring elements 28a, 30a, 32a. Particularly preferably, the at least one projection 34a, the associated stop element 36a and one of the contact area structures 58a lie on a straight line which runs at least substantially parallel to the compression axis 66a.A main vibration transmission path (shown schematically in Fig. 5 with arrows) from the further structural element 44a of the household appliance 12a to a sensor element of the vibration sensor unit 16a preferably runs via the contact area structures 58a through the base body of the further contact area 20a, via the stop element 36a into the carrier plate of the vibration sensor unit 16a. The carrier unit 14a preferably comprises at least one projection 34a and at least one opposite stop element 36a for each further spring element 28a, 30a, 32a. The projection 34a is shown here as a pin by way of example, but can also have a different shape, in particular as a web, pyramid-shaped, prism-shaped or the like.The stop element 36a is illustrated here by way of example as a nub, which is in particular structurally identical to the contact area structures 58a, but can also have a different shape, in particular a shape and / or size that differs from the contact area structures 58a. Alternatively, the at least one projection 34a is arranged on the rear side of the base body of the further contact area 20a facing the vibration sensor unit 16a, and the stop element 36a is arranged on the support element.

[0048] Figure 6 shows a method 46a for assembling the household appliance device 10a in the household appliance 12a. The method 46a preferably comprises an arrangement step 60a, a covering step 62a, and a fixing step 64a. During an initial assembly of the household appliance 12a, the first structural element 42a of the household appliance 12a is preferably provided prior to the method 46a, and the at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a and in particular the user interface 54a are arranged on the first structural element 42a, in particular fixed, and in particular wired to a control or regulating unit and / or a power supply of the household appliance 12a. In the arrangement step 60a, the household appliance device 10a is arranged with the at least one first contact area 18a, 38a, 38a' on the first structural element 42a.If the first structural element 42a has a receptacle or the like adapted to the household appliance 10a, the household appliance 10a is preferably arranged thereon. In principle, the household appliance 10a can be arranged at any free location on the structural element 42a. Preferably, the household appliance 10a is arranged at a location on the structural element 42a that is as far away as possible from all surrounding energy transmission units 50a, 52a in order to minimize interference with the vibration sensor unit 16a by electromagnetic radiation from the energy transmission units 50a, 52a. In the arrangement step 60a, the vibration sensor unit 16a is preferably connected to the control or regulating unit and / or the power supply of the household appliance 12a.

[0049] In the covering step 62a, the further structural element 44a is arranged on the further contact area 20a and in particular on the at least one energy transmission unit 50a, 52a and / or on the user interface 54a. At the latest in the fixing step 64a, the at least one spring element 22a, 24a, 26a is compressed by bringing the structural elements 42a, 44a together along the compression axis 66a, and the further contact area 20a, in particular the contact area structures 58a, is pressed against the further structural element 44a. In the fixing step 64a, a relative position of the structural elements 42a, 44a to one another is preferably fixed, while the at least one spring element 22a, 24a, 26a arranged between them is in a compressed state. The carrier unit 14a is clamped between the structural elements 42a, 44a in the fixing step 64a.

[0050] During a repair of the household appliance 12a, the further structural element 44a is preferably removed from the household appliance 12a, so that the first structural element 42 with the old household appliance device 10a still arranged thereon is accessible. In particular, the old household appliance device 10a is preferably subsequently removed from the first structural element 44a. In the assembly step 60a, a new household appliance device 10a is preferably inserted or the old household appliance device 10a is reinserted in a repaired state. The covering step 62a and fixing step 64a are identical during the repair as during the initial assembly of the household appliance 12a.

[0051] Figure 7 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 6 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 6 has been replaced by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figure 7. With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 6.

[0052] Figure 7 shows a household appliance device 10b, in particular a hob device, for a household appliance, in particular for a hob analogous to the household appliance 12a shown in Figures 1 and 2. The household appliance device 10b comprises at least one support unit 14b and at least one vibration sensor unit 16b arranged on the support unit 14b. The support unit 14b comprises at least one first contact area 18b, 38b and at least one further contact area 20b, 40b for arrangement on the household appliance and at least one spring element 22b which elastically connects the contact areas 18b, 20b, 38b, 40b to one another. The support unit 14b comprises, in particular, two spring elements 22b which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane at least substantially parallel to a compression axis of the household appliance device 10b, wherein, due to perspective reasons, only one of the spring elements 22b is visible.The spring elements 22b are designed, for example, as curved leaf springs with a bend and two legs. The spring elements 22b are preferably connected to one another via a support element that is arranged integrally with the bends of the spring elements 22b. The carrier unit 14b comprises, for example, two bow-shaped first contact regions 18b, 38b, which each connect the ends of two legs of the spring elements 22b. The first contact regions 18b, 38b preferably have a plurality of feet that are provided for direct contact with a first structural element of the household appliance. The carrier unit 14b here has, for example, a total of three feet, so that the different first contact regions 18b, 38b have a different number of feet.

[0053] The support element has, for example, a plate-shaped base body arranged between the spring elements 22b. The vibration sensor unit 16b is preferably arranged on a plurality of pedestals protruding from the support element. Preferably, at least one form-locking element 56b, here, for example, six form-locking elements 56b of the carrier unit 14b, is arranged on the support element to block a movement of the vibration sensor unit 16b perpendicular to the compression axis. Preferably, the at least one form-locking element 56b forms the at least one further contact area 20b. Preferably, a plurality of form-locking elements 56b form a plurality of spaced-apart further contact areas 20b, 40b. The form-locking elements 56b forming the further contact areas 20b, 40b preferably protrude beyond the vibration sensor unit 16b at least substantially parallel to the compression axis.In particular, the vibration sensor unit 16b is arranged set back from the further contact areas 20b, 40b along the compression axis. Preferably, at least one of the form-locking elements 56b is provided to block movement of the vibration sensor unit 16b parallel to the compression axis. In particular, at least one of the form-locking elements 56b engages around an edge of the vibration sensor unit 16b in a direction parallel to the compression axis.

[0054] Reference symbol

[0055] 10 Household appliance device

[0056] 12 household appliances

[0057] 14 carrier unit

[0058] 16 Vibration sensor unit

[0059] 18 first contact area

[0060] 20 additional contact areas

[0061] 22 Spring element

[0062] 24 spring element

[0063] 26 spring element

[0064] 28 additional spring element

[0065] 30 additional spring element

[0066] 32 additional spring element

[0067] 34 lead

[0068] 36 stop element

[0069] 38 first contact area

[0070] 40 additional contact areas

[0071] 42 Structural element

[0072] 44 additional structural element

[0073] 46 procedures

[0074] 48 cooking utensils

[0075] 50 energy transfer unit

[0076] 52 Energy transfer unit

[0077] 54 User interface

[0078] 56 Form-locking element

[0079] 58 Contact area structure

[0080] 60 arrangement steps

[0081] 62 Covering step

[0082] 64 Fixing step 66 Compression axis

Claims

Claims 1. Household appliance device (10a; 10b), in particular a hob device, for a household appliance (12a), in particular for a hob, which comprises at least one carrier unit (14a; 14b) and at least one vibration sensor unit (16a; 16b) arranged on the carrier unit (14a; 14b), characterized in that the carrier unit (14a; 14b) has at least one first contact area (18a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 38b) and at least one further contact area (20a; 20b, 40b) for arrangement on the household appliance (12a) and at least one spring element (22a, 24a, 26a; 22b) which elastically connects the contact areas (18a, 20a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 20b, 38b, 40b) to one another.

2. Household appliance device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration sensor unit (16a; 16b) is arranged between one of the contact areas (20a; 20b, 40b) and the at least one spring element (22a, 24a, 26a; 22b).

3. Household appliance device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact areas (18a, 20a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 20b, 38b, 40b) and the at least one spring element (22a, 24a, 26a; 22b) are formed in one piece.

4. Household appliance device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one first contact region and / or the at least one further contact region (20a; 20b, 40b) is structured in order to reduce an effective contact surface of this contact region / these contact regions (20a; 20b, 40b).

5. Household appliance device (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier unit (14a) comprises at least one further spring element (28a, 30a, 32a) in order to fix the vibration sensor unit (16a).

6. Household appliance device (10a) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier unit (14a) has at least one projection (34a) which extends into the vibration sensor unit (16a) or through the vibration sensor unit (16a).

7. Household appliance device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier unit (14a; 14b) has a plurality of first contact areas (18a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 38b) which have a common first contact termination plane, and / or a plurality of further contact areas (20b, 40b) which are arranged on a common further contact termination plane.

8. Household appliance device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier unit (14a; 14b) comprises a plurality of spring elements (22a, 24a, 26a; 22b) which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a mirror plane and / or rotation axis which is at least substantially parallel to a shortest distance between the contact areas (18a, 20a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 20b, 38b, 40b).

9. Household appliance (12a), in particular a hob, with at least one first structural element (42a), with at least one further structural element (44a) spaced from the first structural element (42a), characterized by a household appliance device (10a; 10b) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the household appliance device (10a; 10b) is arranged with the at least one first contact area (18a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 38b) on the first structural element (42a) and is arranged with the at least one further contact area (20a; 20b, 40b) on the further structural element (44a) in order to detect a vibration of at least one of the structural elements (44a).

10. Method (46a) for assembling a household appliance (12a), in particular a cooking hob, according to claim 9, wherein the household appliance device (10a; 10b) is arranged with the at least one first contact area (18a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 38b) on the first structural element (42a), wherein the further structural element (44a) is arranged on the at least one of the contact areas (18a, 20a, 38a, 38a'; 18b, 20b, 38b, 40b) and wherein the carrier unit (14a; 14b) is clamped between the structural elements (42a, 44a) when the structural elements (42a, 44a) are fixed relative to one another.

Citation Information

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