Field of the invention

The invention relates to an assembly of an electronic unit and a kitchen cabinet of standard dimensions, the electronic unit comprising: internal electronic equipment; a housing for the internal electronic equipment; and a control panel. The invention also relates to a method for building an electronic unit into kitchen furniture.

Background of the invention

Audio and multimedia systems are known. The equipment can here be 'standalone', but audio equipment and/or video equipment can for instance also be remotely operated and controlled in wireless manner, and sound and/or image-carrying signals can also be transmitted wirelessly, for instance from a central server, PC or Internet connection, and be received by for instance a radio receiver, a TV, CD player, MP3 player or loudspeakers. Also known are domotic systems with which home care, communication, relaxation and other activities can be provided for and diverse functions can be controlled, for instance heating, ventilation and lighting, and services can be used, for instance generating alerts, telephoning and watching television.

For operation of such electronic systems control panels are required which form interfaces between the user and the electronics involved. The control panels and further equipment however often mar the appearance of the space and/or form an obstruction, and are therefore wholly or partially built into kitchen furniture. Examples hereof can be found in JP 09238762 A, WO 2007/35695 A, KR 2006 0101 113 A and DE 20 2006 008658 Ul . The given solutions are however not very generic, and the control panels and other built-in equipment are insufficiently integrated and do not form an attractive whole with the furniture. There is therefore a need for a solution which obviates the stated drawbacks. The present invention provides this. Summary of the invention

The invention provides for this purpose an assembly as according to claim 1 and a method as according to claim 12. The electronic unit can thus be more or less concealed from view, while the control panel remains readily accessible to the user. Building into kitchen furniture can moreover result in a financial advantage in that legislation in some countries allows mortgage costs to be deducted from income tax, where mortgage costs can also include costs for all objects forming a permanent part of a property, such as kitchen furniture with all built-in equipment.

Preferably, a first outer dimension of the housing, the width, is at least substantially equal to the inner width of the kitchen cabinet, and is preferably 5 to 15 mm smaller; a second outer dimension, the height, is at most equal to the inner height of the kitchen cabinet, and preferably amounts to 50-150 mm; and a third outer dimension, the depth, is at most equal to the inner depth of the kitchen cabinet, and preferably a minimum of 10-30 mm smaller. A housing with such outer dimensions can be arranged fitting into the kitchen cabinet, wherein sufficient space remains for the necessary ventilation.

Preferably, a first outer dimension of the control panel, the width, is at least substantially equal to the width of a door of standard dimensions; and a second outer dimension of the control panel, the height, is at most equal to the height of a door of standard dimensions, and preferably equal to 50-150 mm; and a third outer dimension, the thickness, is at least substantially equal to the thickness of a door of standard dimensions. In accordance with a method according to the invention, a modified door can herein be arranged on the kitchen cabinet, which modified door has a first outer dimension, the width, which is at least substantially equal to the width of a door of standard dimensions, and which modified door has a second outer dimension, the height, which is at least substantially equal to the difference between the height of the door of standard dimensions and the height of the control panel, and is preferably 2-5 mm smaller than said difference. The control panel can then be arranged under, but optionally also above, the modified door. A balanced whole is thus created with an attractive appearance well in keeping with other kitchen cabinets with doors of standard dimensions that are present.

In accordance with a method according to the invention, mounting means are preferably arranged in the kitchen cabinet for mounting the electronic unit, for instance in spring- mounted or clamping manner, in the kitchen cabinet. The electronic unit can thus be arranged quickly and in the correct position.

Brief description of the figures

The invention is elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of exemplary embodiments of an assembly and a method according to the invention. Herein:

- figure Ia is a front view of a kitchen cabinet with a half-opened door according to the prior art, and - figure Ib shows a horizontal section hereof along plane A-A, with closed door; figure 2a shows a front view of an assembly according to the invention;

- figure 2b shows a horizontal section hereof along plane A' -A', and

- figure 2c shows a vertical section hereof along plane B-B.

Exemplary embodiments of a device and a method according to the invention

Figure 1 shows a kitchen cabinet of standard dimensions (6), in this case an upper kitchen cabinet, with a door of standard dimensions (7), as according to the prior art. The outer width of kitchen cabinet (6) amounts to 600 mm. The inner width (6a) is dependent on the thickness of the side panels and amounts in this case to 568 mm. The inner height (6b) and the inner depth (6c) amount in this case to respectively 540 mm and 300 mm. The width (7a) of door (7) is somewhat smaller than the outer width of kitchen cabinet (6) and amounts in this case to 596 mm. The height (7b) of door (7) amounts in this case to 568 mm. Figure 2 shows kitchen cabinet (6) with a modified door (8) with a built-in electronic unit (1), in the shown example audio equipment. Electronic unit (1) comprises a housing (4) having therein schematically shown internal electronic equipment (2), which in the shown example can communicate wirelessly with schematically shown external equipment (3), in this case loudspeakers. The internal electronic equipment (2) can comprise, in addition to control functions, for instance also functions for playing and reproducing sound and/or image material, for instance a CD player or a small screen. The width (4a) of housing (4) is somewhat smaller than the inner width (6a) of kitchen cabinet (6), and amounts in this case to 555 mm. The height (4b) of housing (4) amounts in this case to 100 mm. The depth (4c) of the housing amounts in this case to 150 mm. With these dimensions (4a,4b,4c) housing (4) fits into kitchen cabinet (6) and is mounted therein by means of, in this case spring- mounted, mounting means (9a,9b) provided for this purpose, this simply by sliding housing (4) therebetween, wherein it clicks into place.

Electronic unit (1) also comprises a control panel (5), in this case a glass touchscreen, which serves as interface between a user and the internal electronic equipment (2). The width (5a) of control panel (5) is equal to the width (7a) of the door of standard dimensions (7). The height (5b) amounts in this case to 126 mm, i.e. 130 mm - 4 mm, but can for instance also amount to 256 mm, i.e. 2 x 130 mm - 4 mm, thereby complying with the international standardization of the dimensions of kitchen furniture, where use is made of multiples of 130 mm. The control panel can optionally also comprise a frame, wherein this then relates to the outer dimensions of the whole.

The modified door (8) has a width (8a) equal to the width (7a) of the door of standard dimensions (7). The height (8b) of the modified door (8) amounts in this case to 438 mm, i.e. 568 mm: the height (7b) of the door of standard dimensions (7) minus 126 mm: the height (4c) of control panel (4) minus 4 mm: the distance between the modified door (8) and control panel (5). Thus created is a balanced whole with an attractive appearance well in keeping with other kitchen cabinets with doors of standard dimensions that are present.

An electronic system, for instance an audio, multimedia and/or a domotic system, can in this way be constructed, wherein an electronic unit is nicely concealed in a kitchen cabinet without untidy and obstructive wires, and wherein a control panel is at an ergonomically favourable height, readily accessible and visible to a user. The user can then activate, program, control etc. desired functions by means of the electronic unit or the control panel.