CONNECTING ELEMENT, HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE HAVING SUCH A CONNECTING ELEMENT, AND INSERT MODULE

• US 20130260618A1
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Bally, Ingo, Blumenthal, Peter, Dinkel, Alexander, Roch, Klemens
• Granted Patent: US 10,756,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/700
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/166 with integrated heating means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/17 with spring member on the pin
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/18 having only abutting contacts

Abstract

A connecting element for providing an electrical connection in a processing space of a household appliance, includes a protruding, longitudinally displaceable contact pin configured for displacement between a rest position protruding farther and an operating position protruding less far, wherein the contact pin pushes into the rest position. The connecting element is disposed on a side wall of the processing space, particularly a cooking space. An insert module can be inserted in the processing space of the household appliance and can be operated electrically. The insert module has a mating electrical connection element for contacting the connecting element.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A connecting element for providing an electrical connection in a processing space of a household appliance, said connecting element comprising a protruding, longitudinally displaceable contact pin configured for displacement between a rest position protruding farther and an operating position protruding less far, wherein the contact pin pushes into the rest position.

17. The connecting element of claim 16, further comprising a first electrically insulating insulation sleeve carrying the contact pin.

18. The connecting element of claim 17, further comprising a second electrically insulating insulation sleeve disposed in surrounding relationship to the contact pin and arranged in front of the first insulation sleeve.

19. The connecting element of claim 18, wherein the second insulation sleeve has an outer edge having a groove that is partially exposed.

20. The connecting element of claim 16, further comprising a housing having a lateral opening for allowing fluid penetrating into the connecting element to flow out.

21. The connecting element of claim 16, further comprising a housing having an inwardly protruding projection which forms a stop for the contact pin in the rest position.

22. A household appliance, comprising:

a first side wall defining a processing space; and

a connecting element for providing an electrical connection in the processing space, said connecting element arranged on a first side wall and comprising a protruding, longitudinally displaceable contact pin that is displaceable between a rest position protruding farther and an operating position protruding less far, wherein the contact pin pushes into the rest position.

23. The household appliance of claim 22, constructed in the form of a cooking appliance.

24. The household appliance of claim 22, wherein the processing space is a cooking space.

25. The household appliance of claim 22, wherein the connecting element has a first electrically insulating sleeve carrying the contact pin.

26. The household appliance of claim 25, wherein the connecting element has a second electrically insulating sleeve surrounding the contact pin and in front of the first insulating sleeve.

27. The household appliance of claim 26, wherein the second insulating sleeve has an outer edge having a groove that is partially exposed.

28. The household appliance of claim 22, wherein the connecting element has a housing having a lateral opening for allowing fluid penetrating into the household appliance to flow out.

29. The household appliance of claim 22, wherein the connecting element has an inwardly protruding projection which forms a stop for the contact pin in the rest position.

30. The household appliance of claim 22, further comprising:

a second side wall, and

a further connecting element on the second side wall symmetrical to the connecting element on an insertion level of the household appliance.

31. The household appliance of claim 28, wherein the housing of the connecting element contacts the first side wall.

32. The household appliance of claim 28, wherein the housing forms a microwave-tight connection with the first side wall.

33. The household appliance of claim 22, further comprising an insert module for insertion into the processing space, and an insertion detection device that detects when the insert module is fully inserted in the processing space.

34. The household appliance of claim 33, further comprising a door for closing the processing space, and a door closure detecting device that detects a closed state of the door, said household appliance only applying an electrical signal to the connecting element when the insertion detection device detects the presence of the insert module and the door closure detection device detects that the door has closed the processing space.

35. An insert module for positioning in a processing space of a household appliance, said insert module being configured for electrical operation and comprising a mating electrical connector that contacts a connecting element to provide an electrical connection in a processing space of the household appliance.

36. The insert module of claim 35, wherein the mating connection element has a sliding contact surface, wherein an insertion slope adjoins the sliding contact surface.

37. The insert module of claim 36, wherein the insertion slope has an abrasive contact element.

38. The insert module of claim 37, wherein the abrasive contact element comprises a metal inlay.