Component of a domestic appliance comprising micro-indentations, pressing tool and manufacturing method for the component

Abstract

A component (10) of a domestic appliance, wherein a sheet metal part (12) of the component (10) is formed from a sheet metal (11); characterized in that a regular arrangement of micro-indentations (14) is provided on at least one sheet metal surface (12s1, 12s2) of the sheet metal part (12), each micro-indentation (14) having a depth (d) perpendicular to the sheet metal surface (12s1, 12s2) of not less than 40% of a sheet metal thickness (t) of the sheet metal part (12) and preferably having dimensions (l, w) along the sheet metal surface (12s1, 12s2) of not more than twice the sheet metal thickness (t), more preferably of not more than once the sheet metal thickness (t).

1 . A component of a domestic appliance, comprising:
 a sheet metal part formed from a piece of sheet metal,   wherein a regular arrangement of micro-indentations is provided on a first sheet metal surface of the sheet metal part, each micro-indentation having a depth (d) perpendicular to the first sheet metal surface of not less than 40% of a sheet metal thickness (t) of the sheet metal part.   
     
     
         2 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein a dimension of each micro-indentation in at least one direction along the first sheet metal surface is not larger than ten times the sheet metal thickness (t). 
     
     
         3 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein a distance between any two adjacent micro-indentations on the first sheet metal surface is larger than dimensions of those adjacent micro-indentations in at least one direction along the first sheet metal surface. 
     
     
         4 . The component according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one enamel layer that is provided on the first sheet metal surface and completely fills the micro-indentations. 
     
     
         5 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein a regular arrangement of micro-protrusions is provided on a second sheet metal surface of the sheet metal part opposed to the first sheet metal surface, each micro-protrusion corresponding in position and form to one of the micro-indentations. 
     
     
         6 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the micro-indentations are arranged in the form of a regular two-dimensional lattice, in particular in the form of a rectangular, square, or hexagonal lattice. 
     
     
         7 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein a second sheet metal surface of the sheet metal part opposed to the first sheet metal surface is provided with another arrangement of micro-indentations, each micro-indentation of the second sheet metal surface having a depth (d) perpendicular to the second sheet metal surface of not less than 40% of the sheet metal thickness (t), and dimensions (l, w) along the second sheet metal surface of not more than ten times the sheet metal thickness (t). 
     
     
         8 . The component according to  claim 7 , wherein the micro-indentations provided on the first sheet metal surface are arranged in a staggered configuration with respect to the micro-indentations provided on the second sheet metal surface. 
     
     
         9 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the depth (d) of the micro-indentations is not larger than 200% of the sheet metal thickness (t). 
     
     
         10 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the micro-indentations have the negative shape of a cone or a pyramid or a semi-sphere. 
     
     
         11 . The component according to  claim 1 , wherein the domestic appliance is an oven, and wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of: a cavity, a front frame, a fan cover, an oven accessory, and a housing component. 
     
     
         12 . A pressing tool comprising a first pressing jaw and a second pressing jaw opposing the first pressing jaw that are configured to cooperate in order to form the sheet metal part of the component according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first pressing jaw comprises a jaw surface portion provided with a regular arrangement of protruding micro-stamps, each micro-stamp having a height (h) perpendicular to the jaw surface portion of not less than 40% of the sheet metal thickness (t), and dimensions along the jaw surface portion of not more than ten times the sheet metal thickness (t).   
     
     
         13 . The pressing tool according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the second pressing jaw comprises a regular arrangement of micro-recesses, each micro-recess corresponding in form and position to one of the micro-stamps, or   the second pressing jaw comprises a cover layer made from an elastic material.   
     
     
         14 . A manufacturing method for the component according to  claim 1 , the method comprising the following steps:
 providing the piece of sheet metal;   pressing the piece of sheet metal; and   generating the arrangement of micro-indentations, each micro-indentation dimensions along the first sheet metal surface of not more than ten times the sheet metal thickness (t).   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 the arrangement of micro-indentations is generated during the step of pressing the piece of sheet metal, or   the arrangement of micro-indentations is generated in a separate step before or after the step of pressing the piece of sheet metal.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising a step of providing an enamel layer on the first sheet metal surface in such a manner that the enamel layer ( 16 ) completely fills the micro-indentations. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising a step of cutting the piece of sheet metal across a region (R) in which the arrangement of micro-indentations ( 14 ) is provided. 
     
     
         18 . A domestic appliance comprising:
 a component comprising a sheet metal part formed from a piece of sheet metal, the sheet metal part having a first sheet metal surface and a second sheet metal surface opposing the first sheet metal surface,   wherein a regular arrangement of first micro-indentations is provided on the first sheet metal surface of the sheet metal part, each first micro-indentation having a depth (d) perpendicular to the first sheet metal surface of not less than 40% of a sheet metal thickness (t) of the sheet metal part,   wherein a regular arrangement of second micro-indentations is provided on the second sheet metal surface of the sheet metal part, each second micro-indentation having a depth (d) perpendicular to the second sheet metal surface of not less than 40% of the sheet metal thickness (t) of the sheet metal part,   wherein the first micro-indentations provided on the first sheet metal surface are arranged in a staggered configuration with respect to the second micro-indentations provided on the second sheet metal surface, and   wherein a regular arrangement of micro-protrusions is provided on the second sheet metal surface of the sheet metal part, each micro-protrusion corresponding in position and form to one of the first micro-indentations.   
     
     
         19 . The domestic appliance according to  claim 18 , wherein the domestic appliance is an oven, and wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of: a cavity, a front frame, a fan cover, an oven accessory, and a housing component. 
     
     
         20 . The domestic appliance according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 a dimension of each first micro-indentation in at least one direction along the first sheet metal surface is not larger than ten times the sheet metal thickness (t), and   a dimension of each second micro-indentation in at least one direction along the second sheet metal surface is not larger than ten times the sheet metal thickness (t).