EP3008411B1 - Household refrigeration appliance with an interior lighting device and with transparent shelves - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household refrigerator with an interior for receiving food, which is limited by walls. The household refrigeration appliance furthermore has a door for closing the interior, and furthermore comprises a lighting device which is designed to illuminate the interior, at least when the door is open. The household refrigerating appliance moreover comprises at least one plate-like compartment divider, which is arranged in the interior and is formed from a light-permeable material.

Domestic refrigerators, which offer lighting of the interior with the door open, are well known. Such illuminations are common, but have in the case of extensive food loading due to the positioning of the light sources the disadvantage that a limited observation scenario and thus a user-friendly detection of food in the household refrigerator or in the interior with the door open occurs.

Such a refrigerator and / or freezer discloses the DE 20 2007 002 350 U1 ,

Further, the JP 2000-258051 A Such a refrigerator and a lighting device for a refrigerator.

The JP 2007-032861 A discloses a storage device and a refrigerator.

The DE 10 2005 057 154 A1 discloses a household appliance with an illuminated from a glass door interior.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a household refrigerating appliance in which the interior, with the door open, provides an improved viewing scenario for a user to recognize the food introduced therein.

This object is achieved by a household refrigerator with the features of claim 1. Further embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a household refrigerator with an interior for receiving food, which is limited by walls. The household refrigeration appliance further comprises a door for closing the interior, as well as a lighting device, which is designed to illuminate the interior, at least when the door is open. The household refrigerating appliance moreover comprises at least one plate-like compartment divider which is arranged in the interior and is formed at least partially from a light-permeable material. With the compartment divider, the volume of the interior is separated into partial volumes. It is therefore arranged in particular so that viewed in the vertical direction of the household refrigerating appliance then a partial volume of the interior and above the compartment divider at least a further partial volume of the interior is formed above the compartment divider. An essential idea of the invention can be seen in that the illumination device has a plurality of light sources, which is arranged in a ceiling wall bounding the interior space and oriented so that the interior above and below the compartment divider has a substantially uniform illumination by the emitted light ,

It is thus nevertheless made possible by the light sources arranged in the ceiling wall to distribute light in the interior such that the partial volumes of the interior formed by the compartment divider are also substantially uniformly illuminated and not only illuminated arbitrarily. The illumination device is thus arranged and designed in particular such that the light emitted by the light sources and thus radiated only from above into the interior light is distributed and directed so that even when viewed in the vertical direction superimposed partial volume of the interior are substantially uniformly illuminated.

A substantially identical illumination is understood in particular as one in which, when viewed from the front by a user, a visually very uniform light volume appears, in which no large brightness differences occur, in particular no such local brightness fluctuations appear, which are perceived superficially and eye catching by a user would become.

Such a design allows a much more user-friendly and clearer view of the interior and the food therein with the door open. Even with a very large area filled interior significantly improved observation and detection of objects in the interior by a user is possible.

First light sources of the illumination device are arranged so that their emitted light strikes a light input region formed in the rear region of the compartment divider formed as a light guide and can be guided in the compartment divider to form a light extraction region. By such a configuration, a compartment divider, which is designed in its functionality for the separation and training of partial volume of the interior and represents a floor for applying food at least for a trained sub-volume, used in further functionality for light transmission. The multifunctionality of this compartment divider, in particular with regard to its optical use, therefore makes it possible to have a very specific and desired light conduction at specific locations of the interior, so that in this context the illumination is improved.

It is particularly advantageous if the plate-like compartment divider, which usually extends over the width of the interior and thus orientates horizontally, presents itself overall as an optical waveguide. Such a configuration, the injected light can be passed very uniformly over the entire width in the optical fiber and coupled out at specific desired locations again, so that here a very uniform light distribution and illumination in specific subvolume of the interior is reached. Due to the relatively large-area configuration of the compartment divider, a relatively large-area light guide is formed, so that light can also be coupled in extensively here and light can be coupled out in a circumferential manner to preferably correspondingly large light outcoupling areas. This promotes a very defined and homogeneous light output, whereby a very uniform and extensive illumination of the interior is achieved.

According to the invention it is provided that the Lichteinkoppelbereich is formed by at least a portion of a rear edge, in particular by the entire rear edge and thus over the entire length of the rear edge of the compartment divider. Such Embodiment is particularly advantageous because it is achieved, for example, that a compartment divider loaded with several foods also enables a sufficient and extensive illumination of partial volume, because the light of the light sources must then not be radiated directly circumferentially and complicated on the food directly forward but can be used in a rear area of the interior, which is usually then formed very close to the back wall and is usually not covered with food, for very unrestricted light conduction and the coupling in the compartment divider as a light guide is practically not undesirable. Nevertheless, it is then achieved that by the quasi-horizontal light pipe in the compartment divider forward to Lichtauskoppelbereich the light in places can be transported, in which then in turn a circumferential radiation and preferred illumination in the lateral and / or front region of the interior is reached.

In particular, it is provided that an area of this part of the rear edge or the surface of the entire edge is formed at an angle other than 90 ° to an upper side and / or a lower side of the compartment divider. Such a chamfer of this rear edge produces a particularly advantageous light coupling region, which permits extensive light coupling, so that a particularly large amount of light can enter the compartment divider and be emitted again at the light outcoupling area, so that here too an improved illumination by the illumination device achieved.

Just when such a bevel of the rear edge is formed, optical surfaces are formed, which allow an improved coupling and on the other hand, depending on the orientation, also allow a high reflection coefficient of already coupled into the compartment divider light in the desired direction to Lichtauskoppelbereich. This obliquely oriented orientation of the rear edge can thus be oriented both from the top obliquely downwards and backwards, as well as be oriented in the opposite direction and thus be oriented from the top obliquely downward and forward.

Preferably, this area of this part of the rear edge or the area of the entire edge, which is formed at an angle other than 90 ° to an upper side and / or a lower side of the compartment divider, is formed as a flat surface. As a result, in a longitudinal section or vertical section through the compartment divider, the latter forms a wedge-shaped or pointed or rearward tapering at the rear area. It then meet in this sectional view two straight lines, the surface and the bottom or the surface and the top, at an angle less than 90 ° to each other. In this embodiment, as a flat surface depending on the angle, a situation-dependent respectively suitable maximizing light coupling is possible.

It is particularly preferred that this area of this part of the rear edge or the area of the entire edge which is at an angle other than 90 ° to a Top and / or an underside of the compartment divider is formed as a curved surface. Preferably, this surface is at least partially convexly curved, in particular convexly curved over its entire extension between an upper side and an underside of the compartment divider, in particular uniformly convexly curved. As a result, in a longitudinal section or vertical section through the compartment divider it is formed on the rear area with a bulge, in particular a C-shaped bulge. This design is simple in design and precise to produce, so that reflections can be minimized and the light coupling is maximized. A uniform illumination of the interior is achieved in a special way.

Preferably, the Lichteinkoppelbereich is spaced from an inner side of a rear wall delimiting the interior space. On the one hand, this promotes the circulation of the cool air prevailing in the interior, so that the best possible and even temperature distribution can be formed. On the other hand, this favors the optical light guidance, since a further passage of light and light radiation is also made possible by this gap between the rear edge of the compartment divider and the inside of the rear wall, which can then reach at least in the subvolume below this compartment divider for illumination.

It is preferably provided that the light extraction area of the compartment divider is formed by a front edge and / or a side edge of the compartment divider. As a result, very specific specific light extraction points can be formed, which improve the illumination and make it more uniform with respect to the geometry and shape of the compartment divider and the interior. These positionally exposed points of the compartment divider, which are formed as Lichtauskoppelbereiche, then also enable the production of an optical light band. As a result, for a user in the interior of its separation just in partitions that are made of a translucent material such as glass or plastic completely recognized immediately and beyond also allows a corresponding light emission into the interior, through which in combination with the other Lichteinbringungen in the Interior by the lighting device, the uniform illumination of the entire interior is favored.

It is preferably provided that the first light sources, viewed in a rear quarter in the depth direction of the domestic refrigerator, are arranged on the ceiling wall. These first light sources are thus positioned relatively far back in the interior of the interior. As a result, very short light paths to a Lichteinkoppelbereich the divider allows. If necessary, complex light deflections in order to be able to radiate light of the first light sources to these light coupling areas are not required. As a result, the number of components is reduced and, by means of this very direct light path between the first light sources and the light input region, the highest possible proportion of light can also be coupled in.

It is preferably provided that the first light sources are arranged so that their main emission directions are arranged obliquely forward relative to a vertical rear wall bounding the interior, in particular at an angle between 5 ° and 30 °. As a result of this embodiment, the illumination of the interior is favored, and it is also prevented that a relatively large proportion of the emitted light is first illuminated on the rear wall. As a result, unwanted local scattering and / or reflection ranges with very high scattering and / or reflection intensity at the rear wall can be avoided. Undesirable points on the rear wall, which are relatively large in area and in their scattering and / or reflection intensity very high compared to other areas, can be avoided. The uniform illumination of the interior is thereby advantageously supported.

It is preferably provided that at least two compartment dividers formed at least partially from a translucent material are arranged at different elevations in the interior and are each formed at the rear edges at least partially with a Lichteinkoppelbereich. Especially with larger interiors with multiple compartment dividers to design multiple sub-volume lighting device is further developed with the lighting concept that here, a substantially uniform illumination of the entire interior is reached.

The compartment dividers are preferably horizontally oriented and arranged parallel to one another.

It can preferably be provided that the compartment dividers are all arranged at an equal distance from this rear wall with their rear edges, which thus face the rear wall.

It can also be provided that compartment dividers, under which a free space is formed, which is freely accessible from the front, are arranged at an equal distance from the rear wall with their rear edges. It may be provided that at least one other compartment divider, which is viewed in the vertical direction below this arranged equal to the rear wall partitions and under the immediately adjacent a front closed drawer box is arranged - compartment divider thus serves practically as a lid for the drawer box - with its rear edge is located at a smaller distance to the rear wall than the other upper compartment divider. As a result, a uniform illumination of the interior can be achieved even with different equipping of the interior with compartment dividers that vary in size and / or in which under the lower compartment divider with the smaller distance is a drawer box. The coupling of the light in all intended coupling areas is then reached.

In particular, the rear edge of the higher compartment divider is arranged at a first distance to an inner side of a rear wall delimiting the inner space. A rear edge of the lower compartment divider is arranged in a smaller compared to the first distance second distance to the inside of the rear wall. Considered by this offset in the depth direction, it is possible that the light emitted from above onto the compartment divider light can be coupled into both Lichteinkoppelbereiche the compartment divider. Because a portion of the emitted light passes through the Lichteinkoppelbereich of the upper compartment divider into this, wherein a further portion of the emitted light of the first light sources between the compartment divider and the inside is further down and irradiated there by the specific positioning with the different distances in the second compartment divider can be coupled. This also favors the substantially uniform illumination of the part volume formed by the compartment divider.

The illumination device preferably comprises at least two second light sources, which are arranged in a front quarter of the depth of the ceiling wall.

These second light sources are thus arranged relatively far forward and close to a charging opening for the interior. The lighting scenario for user-friendly observation of food detection in the interior is also positively influenced by this.

It is preferably provided that the second light sources with their dimensions at least partially extend in the direction of the depth extend forward beyond the front edge of the at least one compartment divider. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that therefore a certain amount of emitted light of the second light sources can also pass down to the upper compartment divider or to the upper compartment divider and the uniform illumination of all partial volumes is also supported here. Because of this quasi at least partially offset forward positioning of the second light sources prevents the entire or almost the entire light component of the second light sources is radiated into the uppermost subvolume and thereby optionally the upper subvolume is relatively heavily additionally lit and the sub-volume below Comparison be relatively low illuminated.

It is preferably provided that the second light sources are arranged so that their main radiation directions are arranged obliquely forward relative to a vertical rear wall bounding the interior, in particular at an angle between 5 ° and 30 °. This refinement offers the significant advantage that a region in front of the compartment dividers with a desired amount of light is also illuminated in a targeted and defined manner, so that when the user of the interior observes the door when opened, this also results in a brighter appearance. Due to the specific orientation, this is also achieved virtually across the entire design of the sub-volume when viewed from the front.

In particular, it is provided that the household refrigerating appliance has at least one drawer box arranged under the at least one compartment divider, which can be pulled out and retracted in the horizontal direction and can also be equipped with foodstuffs. In such an embodiment, the second light sources are preferably arranged such that their main emission directions are oriented in the interior of the drawer box when the drawer box is completely open. Thereby, and In particular, in conjunction with the orientation at an angle between 5 ° and 30 ° relative to the vertical rear wall, a particularly advantageous embodiment for uniform illumination of the interior of the drawer box when it is opened, is achieved. These second light sources with their specific orientation therefore not only make it possible to contribute to the uniform illumination of the sub-volumes formed by the compartment dividers, but also make possible a very extensive peripheral illumination of the opened drawer box in the lower area of the display, which is very advantageous for user observation interior.

Preferably, it is provided that the ceiling wall is formed in the depth direction, at least twice stepped down. By such Abtreppung components of a refrigeration cycle of the household refrigerating appliance, such as an evaporator, with respect to the space-promoting and also functionally favoring position can be arranged outside the interior and thus above this ceiling wall. Through these grading back and down, the frontal accessibility and placement of the upper part volume with food is not undesirable affected.

It is preferably provided that the first light sources are arranged in a rear first step plateau of this gradation of the ceiling wall. In this embodiment, the vertical distance of the first light sources to the compartment dividers and thus the Lichteinkoppelbereiche is further reduced, so that here as large a quantity of light can reach the Lichteinkoppelbereichen.

In particular, it is also provided that the second light sources are arranged in a front further stepped plateau opposite the first stepped plateau. It is particularly advantageous if at least this further stepped plateau is not oriented completely horizontally, but has an orientation inclined backwards and downwards. By this embodiment, the illumination contribution of these second light sources is favored. The emitted light component, which is to reach the partial volume, is in this case divided in a desired manner compared to those light components which are to be emitted in front of the compartment dividers and in particular also in the direction of the opened drawer box, so that here too Significant contribution to the uniform illumination of areas to be counted to the interior is possible.

Preferably, it is provided that the illumination device has at least two first and at least two second light sources which are arranged on the ceiling wall such that when viewed on the ceiling wall plane and thus virtually in a projection view in this ceiling wall plane connecting lines between each two adjacent in a direction of rotation light sources form a trapezoidal shape. This means that if, starting from a light source in such a projection consideration, then the respective light sources connected in the clockwise direction, for example, with the connecting lines then present delimit a surface which has a trapezoidal shape. This positional arrangement also advantageously contributes to the desired uniform illumination scenario.

In particular, this trapezoidal shape is oriented so that it is positioned closer to the rear side with its shorter base side than with its longer base side. This means that viewed in the width direction of the household refrigerating appliance, the front second light sources are preferably arranged further apart from one another than the at least two first light sources.

It is preferably provided that at least some of the walls bounding the interior, in particular the top wall, the rear wall and the side walls, at least on the inner sides facing the interior of a metallic material, in particular stainless steel, are formed. These walls may be formed of solid metal or coated on the insides, for example, correspondingly metallic.

The compartment dividers are preferably formed from a glass or plastic material.

At least one compartment divider can also be arranged to be able to be pulled out of the interior of the interior of the vehicle, at least partially, in order to present the applied food. In this embodiment, it is also advantageous if front second light sources are oriented so that a level illumination is formed from above on this extended compartment divider.

Just by the first light sources and their position and the optical interaction with the material of the inside of the rear wall and / or the material of the side walls a wall washer is optically quasi formed, the light strikes down the inside of the rear wall down and thus for a specific optical Depth effect with respect to the illumination ensures.

In particular, the light coupling regions of the compartment divider are polished and chamfered surfaces and / or the light outcoupling regions are formed as ground surfaces. Preferably, it is provided that the material of the compartment divider is such that the coupled light passes through total reflection in the compartment divider to the Lichtauskoppelbereichen.

The light sources of the illumination device may preferably be light-emitting diodes. These allow energy-saving operation and are also designed very small, so they require little space.

The household refrigerator may be a refrigerator or a freezer or a combination refrigerator-freezer. It can also be a wine cabinet, for example.

In particular, a door of the household refrigerating appliance may also be designed to be transparent, at least in some areas, so that it is possible to look into the interior even when the door is closed and the foodstuffs located therein can be viewed. The lighting device is then preferably also designed to illuminate the interior with the door closed and thus active even when the door is closed.

Due to the design of the household refrigerating appliance according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof, when viewing a user of the interior with the door open, a visually very appealing impression can be conveyed, which is also similar to a lit showcase. As a result, the household refrigeration appliance also appears as high-quality furniture.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention, which is disclosed in independent claim 1. Further embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltskältegeräts mit geöffneter Tür;

Fig. 2

eine Frontansicht eines Teilbereichs des Haushaltskältegeräts gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines vergrößerten Teilbereichs des Haushaltskältegeräts gemäß Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 mit einer Deckenwand;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung des Haushaltskältegeräts gemäß Fig. 1 bis 3; und

Fig. 5

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Lichteinkoppelbereichs eines Fachteilers.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a household refrigerator according to the invention with the door open;

Fig. 2

a front view of a portion of the household refrigerator according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of an enlarged portion of the household refrigerator according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with a ceiling wall;

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of the household refrigerator according to Fig. 1 to 3 ; and

Fig. 5

a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a Lichteinkoppelbereichs a compartment divider.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a household refrigerator 1 shown, which is designed as a cooling device, such as a refrigerator or a wine cabinet.

However, the household refrigerator 1 may also be designed as, for example, refrigerated-freezer Kombigerät.

The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 comprises an interior 2, which is designed to hold food. The interior 2 is bounded by walls of an inner container 3, wherein in this context a ceiling wall 4, a rear wall 5, side walls 6 and 7 and a bottom 8 are formed.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the ceiling wall 4, the rear wall 5 and the side walls 6 and 7 are formed on their inner sides facing the interior 2 of a metallic material, in particular stainless steel. For this purpose, said walls may be formed entirely from the metallic material or have a corresponding metallic coating on these inner sides.

The domestic refrigerator comprises in the exemplary embodiment a plurality of compartment dividers 9, 10, 11 and 12, which are plate-like and are arranged horizontally and spaced apart and parallel to each other in the interior 2. These compartment dividers 9 to 12 extend over the entire width (x-direction) of the interior 2. They are preferably made entirely of a material which is permeable to light in the spectral range which is visible to humans, for example plastic or glass.

Preferably, these plate-like compartment divider 9 to 12 holding elements, with which they are attached, for example, to the rear wall 4.

Through the compartment divider 9 to 12 formed in the vertical direction (y-direction) and thus in the height direction of the household refrigerating appliance 1 superimposed partial volume of the interior 2 and limited accordingly. The compartment divider 9 to 12 therefore also represent a floor for setting up the food in the form of food and drinks, in each case for the space formed above or the partial volume.

In the interior 2, a plurality of drawer boxes 13, 14 and 15 is also formed in the embodiment beyond. These drawer boxes 13 to 15 are also designed to hold food and can be in horizontal Direction and thus in the depth direction (z-direction) of the household refrigerator 1 are pulled out and pushed.

As can be seen, the uppermost receptacle or drawer box 13 extends over a smaller depth than the drawer boxes 14 and 15 arranged underneath. The further drawer box 14 arranged directly below the uppermost drawer box 13 thus extends further in the direction of one Loading opening of the interior 2, so that by a further plate 16 between the drawer boxes 13 and 14 also a mounting area in front of the drawer box 13 is formed. This plate 16 is preferably formed, at least in the region which extends forwards with respect to the drawer box 13, from a material permeable to light in the spectral range visible to the human eye.

As can also be seen, the front sides or end faces of the drawer boxes 13 to 15 are likewise at least partially permeable to light in the spectral range visible to humans.

The household refrigerator 1 also includes a door 17, which in Fig. 1 is shown in the open state. The door 17 may be opaque, but it may also be translucent, so that even in the closed state in the interior 2 can be looked and the food can be seen in it. Particularly in the case of a translucent design, it may be preferable to provide that a lighting device 18 is also active or activatable and illuminates the interior 2 uniformly.

The household refrigerating appliance 1 further comprises the lighting device 18. This lighting device 18 is designed to illuminate the interior 2. It is designed so that the interior 2 with its partial volume, which are bounded and formed by the compartment divider 9 to 12, as well as in the areas of the drawer boxes 13 to 15 has a substantially uniform illumination.

The illumination device 18 comprises a plurality of light sources for this purpose. In this connection, two first light sources 19 and 20 are arranged on the ceiling wall 4 in the exemplary embodiment.

These first light sources 19 and 20 are positioned in a depth direction and thus in the z-direction of the interior 2 in a rear quarter of this interior depth.

The lighting device 18 also includes two second light sources 21 and 22, which are also arranged on the ceiling wall 43. The second light sources 21 and 22 are arranged in the depth direction of the inner space 2 in a front quarter of the interior depth.

As in the context in Fig. 2 2, the two second light sources 21 and 22 are positioned closer to the respective adjacent side walls 6 and 7 than the first light sources 19 and 20 arranged farther back on the ceiling wall 4 when viewed in the y direction and thus perpendicular to the ceiling wall 4, these four light sources 19 to 22 are arranged in a projection in the ceiling plane so that in a circumferential direction, for example in a clockwise direction, connecting lines between the respectively adjacent light sources 19 to 22 define an area representing a trapezoid.

As can also be seen, the front second light sources 21 and 22 are arranged higher in the vertical direction than the rear first light sources 19 and 20.

The light sources 19 to 22 may each have at least one light-emitting diode.

As in the illustration in Fig. 3 , which shows an enlarged section of the interior 2 in the region of the ceiling wall 4 and the side wall 6, the ceiling wall 4 is formed uneven. It is in particular stepped or shaped as Abtreppung.

In the context, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment that the first light sources 19 and 20 are arranged in a rear first, the lowest stepped platform 23. Forward to this first step plateau 23, a rise wall 24 is formed. Subsequently, forward to this rising wall 24, a further stepped plateau 25 is formed. Once again viewed in the depth direction towards the front, this second step plateau 25 is then followed by another rise wall 26 educated. Afterwards, a third step plateau 27 is formed on this rise wall 26 forward again. In this third step plateau 27, the two second light sources 21 and 22 are arranged.

In particular, the third stepped plateau 27 is oriented obliquely inclined with respect to a horizontal plane and thus an x-z plane. In this context, this inclination orientation is oriented downwards and backwards in the depth direction. This can be seen starting from a front edge 27a.

To further explain the functionality of the illumination device 18 is now on the schematic longitudinal sectional view (section in the yz plane) in Fig. 4 directed.

The stepped or stepped shape of the ceiling wall 4 is shown. Covered by the top wall 4, an evaporator 28 of a refrigeration cycle of the household refrigerator 1 is arranged. The illumination device 18 with the locally specifically arranged light sources 19 to 22 is designed so that the interior 2 is illuminated substantially uniformly.

The rear first light sources 19 and 20 are oriented so as to communicate with their main emission directions of the emitted light, of which a main emission direction 19a in FIG Fig. 4 is shown at an angle α relative to the vertical and thus also an inner side 5a of the rear wall 5 is shown. An angle α between this main emission direction 19a and the inner side 5a is preferably between 5 ° and 30 °.

In addition, it is preferably provided that the second light sources 21, 22 are also arranged so that Hauptabstrahlrichtungen, of which a main emission direction 21a in Fig. 4 is oriented at an angle β relative to the vertical. Also, this angle β may preferably be between 5 ° and 30 °.

As well as in Fig. 4 can be seen, the second light sources 21 and 22 are arranged so that they viewed in the depth direction at least partially extend with their dimensions in front of the compartment dividers 9-12.

As a result of this specific positioning and orientation, a desired illumination of the interior space 2 in front of the compartment dividers 9 to 12 is achieved in particular also by these second light sources 21 and 22. In particular, it is achieved that a desired uniform illumination of an interior 14a of the drawer box 14 in its extended state (in Fig. 4 indicated by the dashed line) is reached. Corresponding functionality and illumination is also for the in Fig. 4 Not shown container or the drawer box 15 reaches. Also with respect to the drawer box 13, the illumination of the interior is reached in the extended state.

As well as in Fig. 4 is shown, the rear first light sources 19 and 20 are also arranged and oriented so that the emitted light is emitted to all formed as a light guide partitions 9 to 12.

In this connection, the compartment divider 9 designed as an optical waveguide is formed with a rear light-coupling area 9a. This light coupling region 9a extends over the entire width of the compartment divider 9 and is formed by an obliquely rearward and downward oriented configuration of the rear edge of this compartment divider 9. This Lichteinkoppelbereich 9a thus allows a desired coupling of a light portion of the light emitted from the light sources 19 and 20, which then in the compartment divider 9 by total reflection to Lichtauskoppelbereichen 9b, which are formed by the front edge of the compartment divider 9, and lateral Lichtauskoppelbereichen 9c through the opposite side edges of the compartment divider 9 are formed, conducted and decoupled. In an analogous embodiment, the further compartment dividers 10 to 12 comprise light coupling regions 10a, 11a and 12a, which are each formed by the obliquely bevelled rear edges. As can be seen, the three upper compartment divider 9 to 11 are formed with the same orientation, rearwardly inclined downwardly inclined Lichteinkoppelbereichen 9a to 11a. By way of example, in the case of the compartment divider 12, the optional embodiment is also shown that this light coupling region 12a can be oriented obliquely forward and downward.

These compartment dividers 10 to 12, which are in the form of plate-like light guides, also have light outcoupling areas 10b, 11b and 12b through the front or front edges. Likewise, it is also provided in particular here that the opposite side edges each form lateral light coupling-out regions 10c, 11c and 12c.

As from the illustration in Fig. 4 can be seen, these rear edges of the compartment divider 9 to 12 and thus also the Lichteinkoppelbereiche 9a to 12a in one embodiment, different distances to the inner side 5a on. In this connection, the uppermost compartment divider 9 is arranged such that a distance a1 viewed in the depth direction is greater than a distance a2 of the compartment divider 10 arranged directly underneath. Further below is a distance a3 between the light coupling area 11a of the downwards directly onto the compartment divider 10 following compartment divider 11 in turn smaller than the distance a2.

In addition, it is provided that a distance a4 is again smaller than the distance a3. This means that with decreasing height position of the compartment divider 9 to 12, a distance of a rear edge and thus a Lichteinkoppelbereichs 9a to 12a of a compartment divider 9 to 12 to the inner side 5a decreases. By such a configuration, the light emitted from the first light sources 19 and 20 downwardly from the ceiling wall 4 light can be distributed in each case in the desired proportion to the compartment divider 9 to 12, so that thereby the uniform coupling of light and then also correspondingly Lichtauskopplung can be done. This, too, advantageously contributes to the overall uniform illumination of the interior 2.

In particular, it can also be provided that a rear edge of the plate 16, which is also designed for light conduction, arranged at a further distance from the inner side 5a. It can be provided that this distance is smaller than the distance a4.

In a further embodiment, it can preferably be provided that the distances a1 to a4 are the same. In particular, then the distance of the rear edge of the plate 16 to the inner side 5a may be less than or equal to the other distances a1 to a4.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that the distances a1 to a3 are equal. This therefore relates to all the compartment divider 9 to 11, under each of which a frontally unrestricted accessible space or a partial volume of the interior 2 is formed. In this embodiment, it is further preferred that the distance a4 is smaller than the same distances a1 to a3. In particular, the distance a4 of that compartment divider 12 is thus smaller, below which there is a drawer box 13 directly is arranged and in which the compartment divider 12 virtually forms a lid of this drawer box 13.

Likewise it can be provided that at least one compartment divider 9 to 12 is horizontally extendable and thus similar to a drawer box for presenting the applied food is formed in regions before the interior. Especially in such an embodiment, the orientation of the light sources 21 and 22 is advantageous because then a lighting from above in front of the interior and thus the extended portion of the compartment divider is possible. This is preferred in the case of compartment dividers positioned further down, such as for example the dividers 10 or 11. This is particularly preferred in the compartment divider 11 and / or 12, which are anyway shorter horizontally than the compartment dividers arranged above, and thus at least partially and in front of the front edge the overlying compartment divider, in particular the compartment divider 9 and 10, solid state are illuminated from above.

Due to the arrangement and orientation of the first light sources 19 and 20, the illumination in the rear area and the radiation to the individual light coupling areas 9a to 12a are not adversely affected even with extensive loading of the interior 2 with food. Due to the orientation of the light sources 19 and 20 with their main emission directions 19a obliquely inclined forwards, it is also prevented that the inside 5 a has too strong an illumination and as a result undesirably strong local reflection and brightness regions are formed.

In the embodiment of the Lichteinkoppelbereichs 9a is in Fig. 4 provided that this formed by an area of a part of the rear narrow, an upper side and a lower side of the compartment divider 9 connecting edge of the compartment divider 9 or preferably the surface of the entire edge at an angle other than 90 ° to a top and a bottom of the compartment divider 9 is. Such a chamfer of this rear edge produces a particularly advantageous light coupling region 9a, which allows extensive light coupling, so that a particularly large amount of light passes into the compartment divider 9 and can be radiated again at the light outcoupling region 9b, 9c, so that here too improved illumination is achieved by the illumination device 18.

Even if such a bevel of the rear edge is formed, optical surfaces are formed, which allow an improved coupling and on the other hand, depending on the orientation, also a high reflection coefficient of already injected into the compartment divider 9 light in the desired direction to Lichtauskoppelbereich 9b, 9c allow. This obliquely oriented orientation of the rear edge can thus be oriented both from the top obliquely downwards and backwards, as well as be oriented in the opposite direction and thus be oriented obliquely downwards and forwards from the top, as is the case with compartment divider 12.

Preferably, this area of this part of the rear edge or the area of the entire edge, which is formed at an angle other than 90 ° to an upper side of the compartment divider 9, is formed as a flat surface. This is in an in Fig. 4 shown longitudinal section or vertical section through the compartment divider 9 of this wedge-shaped at the rear portion or pointed or rearwardly tapered. It then meet in this sectional view two straight lines, the bottom and the flat surface of the rear edge, at an angle smaller than 90 ° to each other. In this embodiment, as a flat surface depending on the angle, a situation-dependent respectively suitable maximizing light coupling is possible. The comments on the compartment divider 9 also apply to the compartment dividers 10 and 11, as well as in the orientation of the Lichteinkoppelbereichs 12 a inverse for the compartment divider 12th

It is particularly preferred that this area of this part of the rear edge or the area of the entire edge, which is formed at an angle other than 90 ° to an upper side of the compartment divider 9, formed as a curved surface, as in the exemplary longitudinal sectional view in Fig. 5 is shown. Preferably, this surface is at least partially convexly curved, in particular convexly curved over its entire extension between an upper side and an underside of the compartment divider 9, in particular uniformly convexly curved. As a result, in a longitudinal section or vertical section through the compartment divider 9, this at the rear in the depth direction of the household refrigerator 1 and thus in the z-direction with a bulge, in particular a C-shaped bulge is formed. This embodiment is with respect to a simple design and manufacturability, as well as minimizing reflections and maximizing the Lichtanteileinkopplung particularly advantageous. A uniform illumination of the interior 2 is characterized in particular Dimensions achieved. The versions of the alternative embodiment of the compartment divider 9 also apply to the compartment divider 10 to 12. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b> 1 Household refrigerator 13 Schubladenbox 2 inner space 14 Schubladenbox 3 inner container 14a Interior 4 ceiling wall 15 Schubladenbox 5 rear wall 16 plate 5a inside 17 door 6 Side wall 18 lighting device 7 Side wall 19 First light source 8th ground 19a main radiation 9 dividers 20 First light source 9a Lichteinkoppelbereich 21 Second light source 9b Lichtauskoppelbereiche 21a main radiation 9c Lateral light extraction areas 22 Second light source 10 dividers 23 plateau levels 10a Lichteinkoppelbereich 24 rising wall 10b Lichtauskoppelbereich 25 plateau levels 10c Lateral light extraction areas 26 rising wall 11 dividers 27 plateau levels 11a Lichteinkoppelbereich 27a Front edge 11b Lichtauskoppelbereich 28 Evaporator 11c Lateral light extraction areas a1 distance 12 dividers a2 distance 12a Lichteinkoppelbereich a3 distance 12b Lichtauskoppelbereich a4 distance 12c Lateral light extraction areas α corner β corner

Claims (14)

1. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) having an interior (2) for accommodating foodstuffs, which is bounded by walls (4 to 8), with a door (17) for closing the interior (2) and with a lighting apparatus (18) which is configured to illuminate the interior (2) at least while the door (17) is open, and with at least one plate-type compartment divider (9 to 12) which is arranged in the interior (2), wherein the compartment divider (9 to 12) is made of a light-permeable material and the lighting apparatus (18) has a plurality of light sources (19 to 22) which are arranged in a top wall (4) bounding the interior (2) and are oriented in such a manner that the interior (2) has substantially uniform illumination above and below the compartment divider (9 to 12) due to the emitted light from the light sources (19 to 22), characterised in that the first light sources (19, 20) of the lighting apparatus (18) are arranged on the top wall (4) in such a manner that their emitted light strikes a light injection region (9a to 12a) configured in the rear region of the compartment divider (9 to 12) which is configured as a light guide and can be guided to a light output region (9b to 12b; 9c to 12c) in the compartment divider (9 to 12).
2. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the light injection region (9a to 12a) is formed by at least part of a rear edge, in particular by the entire rear edge, of the compartment divider (9 to 12) and the surface of the part is configured at an angle other than 90° to an upper face and/or a lower face of the compartment divider (9 to 12).
3. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that said surface of said part of the rear edge or the surface of the entire edge, which is configured at an angle other than 90° to an upper face and/or a lower face of the compartment divider (9 to 12), is configured as a flat surface.
4. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that said surface of said part of the rear edge or the surface of the entire edge, which is configured at an angle other than 90° to an upper face and/or a lower face of the compartment divider (9 to 12), is configured as a curved, in particular a convex, in particular a C-shaped surface, in the longitudinal section.
5. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the light injection region (9a to 12a) is arranged at a distance from an inner face (5a) of a rear wall (5) bounding the interior (2).
6. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the light output region (9b to 12b; 9c to 12c) is formed by a front edge and/or a side edge of the compartment divider (9 to 12).
7. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the first light sources (19, 20) are arranged in such a manner that their main radiation directions (19a) are arranged obliquely forward, in particular at an angle between 5° and 30°, in relation to a vertical rear wall (5) bounding the interior (2).
8. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two compartment dividers (9 to 12), which are made of a light-permeable material in parts at least, are arranged at different heights in the interior (2) and are each configured at least partially with a light injection region (9a to 12a) at the rear edges, wherein the rear edge of the higher compartment divider (9 to 11) is arranged at a first distance (a1, a2, a3) from an inner face (5a) of a rear wall (5) bounding the interior (2) and the rear edge of the lower compartment divider (10 to 12) is arranged at a second distance (a2, a3, a4) from the inner face (5a) of the rear wall (5) that is shorter than the first distance (a1, a2, a3).
9. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that first light sources (19, 20) of the lighting apparatus (18) are arranged in a rear quarter of the depth of the top wall (4) and/or the lighting apparatus (18) has at least two second light sources (21, 22) which are arranged in a front quarter of the depth of the top wall (4).
10. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the dimensions of the second light sources (21, 22) extend forward over the front edge of the at least one compartment divider (9 to 12) at least in parts when viewed in a depthwise direction and/or the second light sources (21, 22) are arranged in such a manner that their main radiation directions (21a) are arranged obliquely forward, in particular at an angle between 5° and 30°, in relation to a vertical rear wall (5) bounding the interior (2).
11. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that it has at least one pull-out box (13 to 15) arranged below the at least one compartment divider (9 to 12) and the second light sources (21, 22) are arranged in such a manner that their main radiation directions (21a) are oriented into the inside (13a, 14a) of the pull-out box (13 to 15) when the pull-out box (13 to 15) is fully open.
12. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the top wall (4) is configured with at least two downward steps when viewed in a depthwise direction and the first light sources (19, 20) are arranged in a rear first step plateau (23) and the second light sources (21, 22) are arranged in a front further step plateau (27) that is higher than the first step plateau (23).
13. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the lighting apparatus (18) has at least two first (19, 20) and at least two second light sources (21, 22) which are arranged on the top wall (4) in such a manner that, when looking at the top wall plane, connecting lines between two light sources (19 to 22) that are respectively adjacent in a peripheral direction form a trapezoidal shape, in particular the trapezoidal shape with its shorter base side closer to the rear wall (5) than its longer base side.
14. Domestic refrigeration appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least some walls bounding the interior (2), in particular the top wall (4), a rear wall (5) and side walls (6, 7), are made of a metallic material, in particular stainless steel, at least on the inner faces (5a) facing the interior (2).

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