EP2584270A1 - Kitchen appliance with a connection, in particular for electronic and/or electric media - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a medium terminal (25) comprising a plate-shaped cover element (27) at a front side. The cover element with an apparatus surrounding surface forms a flat surface in a closed position of the medium terminal such that the terminal comprises an opening position in which the cover element is forwardly moved out from a plane of the surrounding surface, and a movable access feature (31) releases a set of data carriers and/or connectors into connectors of a set of data lines, where the carriers supply conduits and release position possibility for device functions. The supply conduits comprise mediums such as current, water or air.

Description

The present invention relates to a kitchen appliance, in particular a cooking appliance and / or a large kitchen appliance, which has a cooking chamber for the treatment of food. The kitchen appliance has a device surface which surrounds a device interior and a media connection is provided, which extends from the device surface into the interior of the device.

Kitchen appliances, in particular cooking appliances or large kitchen appliances, have recently been increasingly equipped with connection options for electronic and / or electrical media. These include, for example, additional sockets, which are often lacking in kitchens, or USB ports or other additional connections for actuators for restoring options, such as safety temperature limiter.

Sockets are often used in practice in drawer frames, with closable flaps are provided to visually blind the connection and possible protection requirements, for example, in terms of splash protection to meet.

From the DE 10 2009 026 958 A1 a kitchen appliance is known in which a media connection, such as a USB port is arranged open in the front of the kitchen appliance. This satisfies neither higher aesthetic requirements, since it tends to be desirable to realize optically unobstructed device fronts in which the number of visible to the user switches and connections is as low as nor the requirements in harsh kitchen operation, with respect to protection against ingress of unwanted media such For example, spray or steam.

The previously proposed solutions of the prior art, in which flaps or covers are used, have the disadvantage that these flaps or covers can be accidentally broken off or damaged. Especially in the sometimes very hectic and rough operation, such as in commercial kitchens with unskilled workers or trainees, is not fully functional flaps or covers the great risk that they are polluted or in the strong cleaning work in commercial kitchens, such as high-pressure cleaning , the connections are damaged by liquid penetration. Furthermore, the penetration of liquid and / or moisture into the interior of the device can damage the electronic components.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to propose a kitchen appliance, in particular a cooking appliance or a large kitchen appliance, in which a user comfortable, safe and visually appealing option for connecting different media, in particular electronic or electrical media is realized.

This object is solved by the features of patent claim 1.

According to the invention, the media connection of the kitchen appliance has a plate-shaped cover element on its front side, wherein in a closed position of the media connection the plate-shaped cover element forms a substantially planar surface with the surrounding device surface, wherein the media connection has a sealing arrangement which in the closed position the device interior in the area the media connection seals against the outer space surrounding the kitchen appliance, wherein the media connection has an opening position in which the plate-shaped cover element has moved out of the plane of the device surface to the front, thereby releasing a connection device into the connection elements of data lines, data carriers and / or connection elements of Supply lines are inserted and / or thereby releases a possibility for device functions.

By planning in its closed position with the surrounding device surface of the kitchen appliance design advantageously results in the particularly visually appealing overall impression of a flat surface of the kitchen appliance. Advantageously, the media connection can be mounted on the front of the kitchen appliance, whereby it is particularly easy to access.

By releasing a possibility for setting device functions, a reset option, for example for safety temperature limiters (STB), is advantageously created.

In a first preferred embodiment, the media connection is linearly movable between the closed position and the open position. In this case, the media closure can be moved at an angle of 90 ° +/- 45 °, particularly preferably of 90 ° +/- 10 °, to the plane of the device surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the media connection may be movable in an arc between the closed position and the open position.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the connectable supply lines may include media such as electricity, water or air and core temperature probe connections.

For advantageous further increase of the positive optical impression, the plate-shaped cover member of the media port of the device surface may be optically similar and preferably made of the same material as the device surface.

Advantageously, moreover, the universal possibility, electrical or electronic media via connections in additional sockets, USB ports, Ethernet ports and the like or actuators for reset options for device functions, such as resetting for safety temperature limiter, largely obscured and at the same time respecting high To connect protection requirements to a cooking appliance or other kitchen appliance. In addition to electrical and electronic media but also media such as water or air, for example pressurized air, the connections can be used to discharge and / or discharge them. It is also conceivable to suck off such a connection vapors or exhaust air from a certain affected area in the vicinity of the kitchen appliance.

Due to the flat surface with the device arrangement of the media connection in its closed position a supernatant is avoided. As a result, even when passing people or equipment a snagging at the media connection is avoided.

Reliable sealing of the connections enables protection requirements to be met, such as the IPX6 standard, which standardizes protection against strong jet water.

Advantageously, the movable connection device has a head, which carries the plate-shaped cover member and a stationary, with the device surface final flange is provided, which framed in the closed position, the head of the movable connection device.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that between the flange and an inner side of the device surface, a flange seal is arranged, which is formed for example preferably of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM seal).

Advantageously, the movable connection device has a frame element which carries the head and is arranged movably on a stationary housing element. By means of this stationary housing element thus results in a good guide for the frame member of the movable connection device.

To increase the sealing effect is advantageously a seal assembly, which is designed as a compressible frame seal, preferably as a silicone foam seal, provided in the flange and serves to seal the head of the movable connection device.

For easy and secure anchoring of the media connection in its closed position, the media connection with the movable connection device is constructed so that the closed position of the media connection is fixed by a push-push latch device. Such push-push latch devices are known from the prior art.

Advantageously, for secure sealing anchoring of the media connection, the sealing arrangement which seals the head of the movable connection device can be compressed at least by the switching path of the push-push latch device.

An example of a push-push latch device suitable for this purpose is shown in FIG US 6,719,337 B1 ,

The tripping hardness of the Push-Push-Latch device resists an IPX6 water test jet according to the DIN regulation IPX6.

In an alternative embodiment, a switchable magnet is provided for fixing the closed position of the media connection. It can be designed as a permanent magnet that holds the media connection. A lifting magnet with only a few millimeters of stroke can be activated via an electronic control if required, so that the short stroke causes the media connection (magnetic metal part) to be pushed off the magnet. Thus, the media interface can be opened event-controlled by the operating software, for example a USB down or upload.

Similarly, a switch could detect the position so that the electronics could prompt the operator to close or open it.

The movable device, also referred to as a "media drawer" could also be moved in and out completely by means of a drive by an electric control. This has the advantage that it is always closed in the cooking mode and automatically extends, for example, when selecting the USB transmission menu or core temperature selection on the control panel. A core temperature probe removed at a later time can recognize the electronics and then automatically retract the media drawer.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the plate-shaped cover member of the media connection covers the seal assembly and compressed in the closed position. The holding position of the push-push latch device is defined so that the end of the media connection is minimally below the device surface. The push-push latch device biases the frame element in the closed state so far that the seal assembly is securely compressed. This leaves a switching path to open the push-push latch device of about 2 mm. This switching path is made possible by the sealing arrangement, which is compressible to half their height (here 5 mm).

To further enhance the seal, the transition from the executable terminal to the plate-shaped head may be chamfered. This seals circumferentially in addition to the frontal contact pressure.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the movable connecting device has at least one lateral opening, behind which a connecting element for the plug-in device, such as a USB stick, an Internet cable socket and / or a reset switch for the safety temperature limiter is arranged.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the plate-shaped element is surrounded by a thin, non-metallic edge of the head, whereby an unfavorable Aneinandervorbe gliding of metal edges is avoided. In addition, the peripheral edge allows easy and accurate positioning of the plate-shaped element, which is preferably glued.

Forming the edge of the material of the movable connecting device with two advantages: First, the edge belongs to the injection molded part and is thus always positioned correctly. If, on the other hand, an end plate was glued to a head without a rim, it would have to be positioned very precisely so as not to exceed it or, in the inserted state, form gaps with the cooking device surface. Second, despite cleanly machined and deburred plate-shaped cover elements, a slight burr remains. This may "hook" when closing the media connector on the adjacent metal surface.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that connecting elements for power, cable, water and / or air lines are provided in the movable connection device.

All components of the inventive design of the media connection are interchangeable in the preferred embodiments. For example, if a user wants to install an Ethernet port at a later time, the USB media port may remain in the kitchen device. It is only the extendable connection device on which a retractable board is replaced. The connecting connecting cables inside the kitchen appliance are placed on a circuit board, so that a simple replacement of the device is ensured. The new device with plug-in elements for Ethernet ports and / or USB ports and a corresponding front plate-shaped cover, which preferably has a display with a relevant assignable symbol for USB or Ethernet, is then used.

The sealing surface on the flange is recessed. In the case of an injection-molded flange made of solid material, production-related unevenness results which make a reliable sealing more difficult or which can lead to errors in series production. Advantageously, the flange has at least one groove-shaped recess on its side regions, preferably in all lateral regions, thereby enabling a perfectly flat surface of the remaining sealing edges.

The flange thickness is specified by the recess for the seal arrangement and the material thickness for a secure hold of the media connection on the kitchen appliance (in this case 8 mm). The transition from the housing to the flange of the media connection is formed by a radius or a slope to additionally stabilize the corner area.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Küchengeräts gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 1a

in vergrößertem Maßstab die Einzelheit 1a von Fig. 1;

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte perspektivische Darstellung des als Einschub ausgebildeten Medienanschlusses in geschlossener Position;

Fig. 3

den Medienanschluss von Fig. 2 in geöffneter Position;

Fig. 3a

eine schematische Frontansicht des Medienanschlusses, jedoch ohne Flanschdichtung;

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht des Medienanschlusses in im Gargerät montierter und geschlossener Stellung;

Fig. 5

die Einzelheit B von Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

die Einzelheit A von Fig. 4;

Fig. 7

eine Frontansicht des Kopfes des Medienanschlusses; und

Fig. 8

eine Schnittansicht des Kopfbereichs des Medienanschlusses in Bezug zur umgebenden Geräteoberfläche.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows.

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a kitchen appliance according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 1a

on an enlarged scale, the detail 1a of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 2

an enlarged perspective view of the insert formed as media port in the closed position;

Fig. 3

the media connection of Fig. 2 in open position;

Fig. 3a

a schematic front view of the media port, but without flange seal;

Fig. 4

a side view of the media connection in the cooking appliance mounted and closed position;

Fig. 5

the detail B of Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 6

the detail A of Fig. 4 ;

Fig. 7

a front view of the head of the media connection; and

Fig. 8

a sectional view of the head portion of the media port with respect to the surrounding device surface.

In the drawings, like elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 an inventive kitchen appliance 1 is shown in the form of a cooking appliance, which is also suitable for use in commercial kitchens. The kitchen appliance 1 has a crucible 3, in which a cooking chamber 15 is formed. The cooking chamber 15 is enclosed by a wall 5, wherein at the end of the cooking chamber 15 down in a known manner, a bottom is present. From the top is the cooking space 15 sealed pressure-tight with a lid, wherein for actuating the opening and closing of the lid 17, a locking lever 49 is provided.

The crucible 3 is pivotally mounted by means of joints 18 in a left frame member 19 and a right frame member 21. In the left frame member, an opening 24 of a water filling device is further arranged, with the lid open 17, a controlled filling of the cooking chamber 15 is possible.

On the upper side of the right-hand frame element 21, a control panel 23 is arranged, which is designed essentially as a touch screen, which is able to forward the instructions entered by the operator to a corresponding device control device in order to trigger the corresponding control processes in the kitchen appliance 1. The device control device also includes a corresponding non-volatile memory in which u. a. Cooking programs are stored or new cooking programs can be stored after input. In the right frame member 21, a hand shower 7 is further arranged with a corresponding Schlauchaufrollsystem, can be sprayed with the water for certain operations in and on this device.

The kitchen appliance 1 has, as usual, a device surface 20 which, for example, forms the outer skin of the right-hand frame element 21. The device surface, which is usually formed of metal, surrounds or encloses a device interior 22, in which the device control and various other units are arranged as usual. How out Fig. 1 it can be seen, an emergency switch 8 is provided in the device surface 20, which can be pressed if necessary and thus can interrupt any function of the kitchen appliance 1.

How farther Fig. 1 can be seen, a media port 25 is disposed adjacent to the opening 8, which increases in Fig. 1a is shown. The media connection 25 has a plate-shaped cover element 27, on the surface of which a pictogram 28 is attached, which, for example, shows the symbol for a USB connection. Other symbols and / or logos may also be applied.

In Fig. 2 is shown on an enlarged scale in a perspective view of the insert formed as a media port. In the illustration according to Fig. 2 is the media port 25, in the in the Fig. 1 and 1a shown closed position of the media connection 25. In Fig. 3 the media port 25 is shown in its open position.

When releasing a locking device, which is described below with reference to the FIG. 4 will be described, by means of a compression spring 40, a frame member 39 in the opening position of the media port according to Fig. 3 pressed. The compression spring 40 is mounted in a housing element 41 of the media port 25, wherein for guiding the frame member 39 in the housing member 41, a nose 50 on both sides, which project outwardly on the frame member 39, in each case a corresponding groove 51 in the housing member 41 are movable.

At the front of the housing member 41, a rectangular flange 35 is formed, which surrounds the head 33, which forms a movable connection device 31 together with the plate-shaped cover member 27 and the frame member 39.

The flange 35 has on its end face a circumferential flange seal 37, wherein in the four corners of the rectangular flange 35 openings 36 are formed, which are also formed in accordance with the flange seal 37. The openings serve for the passage of fastening bolts, as described below with reference to FIGS FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described in more detail.

In the flange 35 is as out Fig. 3 can be seen, a circumferential frame seal 42 is provided, which is advantageously designed as a silicone foam seal, and thereby compressible under pressure.

How to continue Fig. 3 can be seen, in the frame member 39 of the movable connection device 31, a lateral opening is provided behind the inside of the frame member 39, a corresponding connection means for media, such as a USB stick, an Internet connection socket, etc. is arranged.

How out Fig. 3 can be seen, there is sufficient space on the other three sides of the rectangular frame member 39 for further openings for insertion of various media connections.

In Fig. 3a the flange 35 is shown with the flange seal 37 removed. Between the openings 36 longitudinal slots 38 are provided along the four sides, through which a substantially flat front surface of the flange 37 can be achieved in the manufacturing process, so that when placing the flange seal 37, a plane and reliable sealing surface to the housing surface 20, so preferably metallic cover is created.

Below is on the 4 to 6 Referenced. In Fig. 4 is shown in side view and partially cut the media connection 25 according to the invention in the cooking appliance mounted position, wherein the detail A in Fig. 6 and the detail B in Fig. 5 are shown.

How out Fig. 4 can be seen, a push-push latch device 43 is arranged at the end portion of the housing member 41 which points into the interior of the cooking appliance, which serves for releasably locking the movable connection device 31 in the housing member 41. By pressing on the plate-shaped cover member 27, the lock of the push-push latch device 43 is released and the movable connection device 31 protrudes forward due to the compression spring 40 and releases the opening 45. By pressing again on the plate-shaped cover 27, the movable connection device 31 can be released again.

How out Fig. 5 5, which shows a section through one of the corner regions of the flange 35, in which the opening 36 is formed, a bolt 53 is inserted "from behind", ie from the device interior 22 through the flange 35 and in a connection region 55 with the housing surface 20. preferably formed of a metallic cover, connected. This connection can be done for example by welding, gluing or the like. To secure the position of the media connection 25, nuts 57 are screwed onto the bolts 53 with corresponding washers 59, and thus the flange 35 is fastened to the housing surface 20 or the outer skin of the device.

Like from the FIGS. 5 and 6 clearly shows, in the head 33, a circumferential phase 48 is formed by the pressing of the head 33 of the movable connection device 31, an increased contact force is exerted on the frame seal 42, resulting in an increased and thus more reliable sealing effect.

In Fig. 6 are also clearly the groove-shaped recesses or longitudinal slots 38 recognizable.

In the FIGS. 7 and 8 is even more clearly the configuration of the head 33 of the movable connection device 31 shown. The head 33 has a circumferential non-metallic edge 47, which protrudes slightly forward and thus forms a good border of the plate-shaped cover member 27, which is glued, for example, in the head 33. Fig. 8 shows in particular the flush outer surface of the media port 25 with the surrounding device surface 20 of the right frame member 21. Thus, a rubbing of metal to metal between the device surface 20 and plate-shaped cover, which advantageously consists of the same material as the device surface 20, avoided.

It should be noted that the appliance surface of the kitchen appliance does not necessarily have to have planar front sides, upper sides, side surfaces or rear sides, but that for the provision of a receiving section of corresponding devices, inclined areas, recesses and overhanging areas can be provided. For example, in Fig. 1 an overhanging portion 6 on the left frame member 19 and right frame member 21 is provided. At the in Fig. 1 Pictured receiving portion 10 of the right frame member 21, the device surface 20 is formed inclined, so that at a perpendicular thereto arranged media port 25 this moves out obliquely upwards.

A further alternative embodiment could provide for moving the media connection downwards from a protruding plate-shaped projection of the kitchen appliance projecting forward from the front of the appliance, wherein again a substantially right angle to the receiving portion 10 on the underside of this plate-shaped formation would be.

Basically, the media connection can also drive upwards out of a kitchen worktop. This is particularly suitable for water or air connections.

The media connection 25 is intended to be used in particular to connect electrical or electronic media to the kitchen appliance 1. In this way, electrical or electronic auxiliary devices, data and information can exchange with the kitchen appliance and record measured values or transmit measured values recorded in the kitchen appliance 1 to the outside. Control commands or information can also be transmitted from the outside to the internal control and storage in the interior of the kitchen appliance 1, for example cooking programs, filling values of the cooking chamber 15 with a cooking medium, etc.

Electronic media and their shape of the connections can be very different, advantageously a universal applicability of the media connection 25 for transmission via the Internet, USB sticks or in a completely different form can be done.

The present invention further achieves the great advantage that not only electrical and / or electronic media connections can be realized, but also connections of other media, such as water or air, wherein, for example Fig. 1 shows, in addition to the illustrated USB port space for further connections in the receiving portion 10 is. Furthermore, reset options for device functions can be accommodated in the receiving section 10.

Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to arrange a lighting integrated in the media connection 25, preferably an LED lighting, whereby the often very small plugs can be better recognized.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Cooking appliance

3

crucible

5

wall

6

overhanging area

7

Handheld shower

8th

Emergency switch

10

receiving portion

15

oven

17

cover

18

joints

19

left frame element

20

device interface

21

right frame element

22

Appliance interior

23

Control panel with control behind

24

Opening of the water filling device

25

Media connection (as a slot)

27

plate-shaped cover

28

pictogram

29

sealing arrangement

31

movable connection device

33

head

35

flange

36

openings

37

flange

38

Longitudinal slot or groove-shaped recess

39

frame element

40

compression spring

41

housing element

42

weatherstrip

43

Push-push latch means

45

opening

47

non-metallic edge

48

phase

49

locking lever

50

nose

51

groove

53

bolt

55

connecting area

57

screw

59

washer

Claims (15)

Kitchen appliance (1), in particular cooking appliance and / or commercial kitchen appliance having a cooking chamber (15) for the treatment of food, wherein the kitchen appliance (1) has a device surface (20) surrounding a device interior (22) and wherein a media connection (25 ) is provided which extends from the device surface (20) in the device interior (22),
characterized,
that the media connection (25) comprises a plate-shaped covering element (27) on its front side, wherein in a closed position (Fig. 2) the media connection (25) the plate-shaped cover member (27) with the surrounding surface of the device (20) has a substantially plane surface forms that the media connection (25) has a sealing arrangement (29) which seals the device interior (22) in the closed position in the region of the media connection (25) with respect to the outside space surrounding the kitchen appliance (1),
that the media connection (25) has an opening position (Fig. 3) in which the plate-shaped cover member (27) out of the plane of the device surface (20) to the front driven out, and thereby releases a movable connection device (31) in the connecting elements of Data lines, data carriers and / or connection elements of supply lines can be inserted and / or thereby releases a position for device functions. Kitchen appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the media connection (25) is linearly or arcuately movable between the closed position and the open position. Kitchen appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connectable supply lines include media such as electricity, water or air and core temperature probe connections. Kitchen appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the plate-shaped cover element (27) of the media connection (25) the device surface (20) is optically similar and preferably formed of the same material. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable connection device (31) has a head (33) carrying the plate-shaped cover member (27), and that a stationary, with the device surface (20) final flange (35 ) is provided, which framed in the closed position, the head (33) of the movable connection device (31). Kitchen appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that between the flange (35) and an inner side of the device surface (20) a flange seal (37) is arranged, which forms part of the sealing arrangements (29) and preferably of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber - (EPDM) seal is formed. Kitchen appliance according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the movable connection device (31) has a frame element (39) which carries the head (33) and is arranged movably in a stationary housing element (41). Kitchen appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that the sealing arrangement (29) comprises a frame seal (42), preferably designed as a silicone foam seal, which is provided in the flange (35), and for sealing the head (33) of the movable connection device (33). 31) is used. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the media connection (25) with the movable connection device (31) is constructed so that the closed position of the media connection (25) fixed by a push-push latch device (43) becomes. Kitchen appliance according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the frame seal (42) is compressible at least by the switching path of the push-push latch device (43). Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the plate-shaped cover element (27) of the media connection (25) covers the frame seal (42) and compresses in the closed position. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the movable connection device (31) has at least one opening (45) behind which a connection element for the plug-in device, such as a USB stick, an Internet cable socket, etc. is arranged. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that the plate-shaped cover member (27) by a thin, non-metallic edge (47) of the head (33) is surrounded. Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the flange 35 has in its side regions at least one groove-shaped recess or a longitudinal slot (38). Kitchen appliance according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the head (33) of the movable connection device (31) has a directed towards the inside of the kitchen appliance phase (48), which serves to increase the contact pressure against the frame seal (42).

Images