EP3071888B1 - Domestic appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance, comprising at least one electrically driven device-specific device component, which is designed to perform a characteristic of the type of household appliance operating function, and designed for driving the device-specific device component control device.

The DE 10 2009 002 774 A1 describes a portable operating unit for operating a household appliance having at least one docking means for docking to the household appliance, a detection means for detecting the household appliance and a configuration means to its configuration for operating this household appliance.

The US 2007/0157642 A1 describes a home appliance with a controller configured to control a variety of operating parameters of the appliance. A communication device separate from the domestic appliance is set up to send programming instructions to the control device for activating from certain operating parameters certain operating parameters associated with a particular device model.

The DE 10 2008 064 119 A1 describes an on-board kitchen for an aircraft, with a plurality of functionally different electrical appliances of the kitchen equipment, wherein at least a part number of at least two of the electrical devices each have a structurally separate from a functional body of the device in question produced control unit with an array of controls for operating the device and the control units of the devices are at least partially identical to each other.

The DE 10 2010 039 942 A1 , the DE 197 57 305 A1 and the DE 60 214 672 T2 deal with household appliances of different types and models, each equipped with a particular programmable control device and an input device or display device.

DE 197 57 305 A1 proposes a method to program a controller with a microprocessor.

DE 101 17 292 A1 relates to a method for operating a program-controlled household appliance.

The object of the invention is to provide a household appliance with an input device which can be produced cost-effectively.

The object of the invention is achieved by a household appliance having the features of the independent claim. Subclaims give preferred embodiments again.

In principle, the domestic appliance can be any domestic appliance which is usual in a household, if it has a functionality which goes beyond merely switching it on and off, in particular a programmable functionality. In particular, the household appliance may be an oven, a hob, an extractor hood, a dishwasher, a dryer, a washing machine or a refrigerator.

The electrically driven device-specific device component, which is designed to perform a type of household appliance characteristic operating function, for example, in the case of a baking oven, a heating device, which is set up for heating an interior of the oven in either different temperatures. The device-specific device components can be in the case of a hob, for example, the individual hot plates or heating zones of the hob, which can be switched on either individually or in groups and operated in different heating levels. In the case of device-specific device component of an extractor hood, it may be a fan, which generates an air flow either in lesser or greater strength to deduct the resulting vapors during cooking. An exemplary device type device component of a dryer may also be a fan that allows recirculating air operation to guide a heated airflow over garments to be dried within the dryer. In the case of a dryer, the device-specific device component may also be a heating device which is designed to heat the air flow. In a washing machine, the device-specific device component may for example be the drive which is provided for rotating a laundry drum of the washing machine. In the case of a refrigeration appliance as a household appliance can be considered as an important device-specific device component, a compressor, which is part of a refrigeration cycle system that, for example, a refrigerator or freezer compartment of the refrigerator cooled. Each type of household appliance may in particular have two or more device-specific device components. In such a case, two, several or all of the device components present in the respective domestic appliance can be operated jointly by the input device.

The control device of the household appliance is designed to control the device-specific device component. This means that each control device for each type of household appliance is designed device-specific and to that extent individual, in particular fixed, i. can be programmed immutable or can be individually constructed of different electrical and / or electronic components. By contrast, the input device is identically constructed for all types of household appliances. The control device is arranged in particular in the respective domestic appliance in the interior and neither visible to a user of the household appliance, nor operated by the user. The control device is electrically connected to the input device. The input device is so far formed and arranged separately from the control device. The input device is already not alone hidden due to the function, but is visible to a user and operable on the household appliance and firmly connected to it at the factory.

In addition to the control device provided separately in the household appliance from the input device, there is further provided a control device which is different from the control device and which is arranged inside the input device. The control device enables a device-type-specific communication between the at least one programmable input device of the input device and the control device of the household appliance. By having differently formed programs stored in the programmable controller adapted to drive a corresponding number of different types of home appliances, identical input devices can be incorporated in various and different types of home appliances.

An advantage here can be a saving of multiple developments of operating hardware. The device-type input device can be synchronized in the software development. In addition, further savings can be expected from volume effects when purchasing electronic components and housing parts. By a brand-specific expression of the hardware, ie the input device, a uniform, in particular brand-specific appearance in operation and appearance can be achieved over several home appliances. At the same time, brand differentiation across multiple products or product areas can be more cost-effective.

For the service case, the input device, for example, in the form of an electronics control module by a service technician relatively easy to dismantle and replace. Customer repair times can be shortened and the operating modules can be centrally repaired or recycled.

Each program stored in the control device of the input device is set up for the device-type-specific communication between the at least one programmable input device and the control device. The control device of the input device is also designed to activate only that program which corresponds to the type of household appliance connected to the input device due to the nature of that domestic appliance to whose control device the input device is connected. The control device thus selects so far from a number of present in the input device programs of several different types of household appliances that program automatically, which corresponds to that type of household appliance in which the input device is installed at the factory.

The input device may in particular be the only operating device which has the household appliance. In that regard, the home appliance may be configured to have only this input device to operate the household appliance. This also includes basic operating switches and / or operating buttons, which according to the invention are integrated in the input device, although they would not be designed differently for the different types of household appliances. By integrating at least one switch into the input device, which is electrically contacted, characteristic basic functions of the domestic appliance that are characteristic of all types of appliances can be switched via the input device, without the need for additional device-specific separate switches. In this household appliance concept, the different types of household appliances can then have a cross-product identical operating device. Basic functions of the household appliance can basically be displayed identically. The input device has further programmable input means which can be adapted by software, ie programs, the input device to device-specific features. If appropriate, the input device can also be of modular design. The For this purpose, the input device can be equipped, for example, with differently sized display means, in particular displays or touchscreens. This makes it possible to represent different complexities and also to make class differentiations. This can mean that various class structures can be created by means of programming the control device of the input device, for example an input device for inexpensive entry-level household appliances and / or an input device for premium household appliances with different appearance and / or different functionalities per class of device types. Also functions of the input device can be extended programmatically at later times, so for example, after delivery of the household appliance during the period of use at the user if necessary.

By the input device in addition to the at least one programmable input means also comprises at least one switch which is electrically contacted to switch a characteristic of all types of household basic function of the household appliance, a universally applicable input device can be created, which on the one hand very flexible to various types of household appliance functional adapted, ie On the other hand, standardized functionalities or even standardized functionalities that can apply to all types of household appliances can also be met.

For this purpose, the input device may comprise electrical contacts, which are connected to the at least one switch and which are electrically connected in a state of the input device mounted in the household appliance with mating contacts of the household appliance. By having the input device electrical contacts and the household appliance or the basic device different from the input device has corresponding mating contacts, the at least one switch can be electrically connected in a constructively invariable manner. Thus, on the one hand, an electrically secure connection can be created and, on the other hand, a secure input device can be created which reliably prevents a change, in particular a reprogramming of these elementary switches.

The at least one switch can be electrically connected in the household appliance in such a way that the domestic appliance is connected to the power supply by actuating the switch or disconnected from the mains, and / or a standby mode of the household appliance is activated or deactivated, and / or a program-controlled operation of the household appliance is started or interrupted.

According to the invention, the at least one switch in the domestic appliance is to be electrically connected in such a way that the household appliance is connected to the power supply or disconnected from the power supply by actuating the switch. The switch is an on / off switch. The mating contacts of the household appliance are directly connected to electrical power lines and / or led to a power supply and / or contacted to a mains voltage leading circuit board.

The at least one switch in the household appliance can also be electrically connected in such a way that, for example, a standby mode of the household appliance is activated or deactivated, or, for example, a program-controlled operation of the household appliance is started or interrupted. Such a switch may therefore be a start / stop switch. In such a case, the mating contacts of the household appliance may be electrically connected to the control device, which is not an object of the invention.

In general, the input device can be provided with a diaphragm, wherein the at least one switch of the input device is integrated in the diaphragm and the shutter provided with the input device forms an assembly which is firmly installed in the household appliance. In this case, the input device can be arranged together with the at least one switch on a common printed circuit board. This common circuit board can be connected to the panel.

The at least one switch can be integrated into a panel of the household appliance, which has fastening means which can be attached to counter-attachment means of various types of household appliances, in order to mount the panel on a respective selected domestic appliance of a particular type of household appliance. The fastening means and the counter-fastening means can be standardized so far across the various types of household appliances.

The at least one programmable input device may be a touchscreen, and the control device may be configured to configure one or more touch buttons corresponding to the activated program on the touchscreen for actuating the device-specific device component corresponding to the type of household device connected to the input device. The input device may also have one or more, in particular separate from a touch screen, programmable buttons and / or switches, and the controller may be formed depending on the activated program or the buttons and / or switches of the type of connected to the input device Home appliance to configure accordingly.

The programmable input means may generally constitute a plurality of programmable buttons and / or switches of the input device separate from the display means. In this case, the control device may be configured to configure the input means of the type of household appliance connected to the input device in dependence on the activated program. Thus, for example, symbols or texts which indicate the respective function of the input means can be superimposed in display sections of the display means assigned spatially to the input means. For example, if the input device is factory-installed in a washing machine, the controller may be so programmed, i. a program stored for the operation of the washing machine in the control device is activated, so that the input means are configured, for example, to activate various washing programs, such as cooking linen, federal laundry, delicates etc., and in the spatially assigned display sections, for example, the words "cooking laundry", "federal laundry" , "Delicates" etc. or corresponding symbols.

If, on the other hand, the input device is permanently installed at the factory, for example in an extractor hood, then the control device can be programmed in this way, ie a program stored for operating the extractor hood in the control device can be activated so that the input means are configured for selecting a plurality of different levels of fan power, for example in the spatially assigned display sections, for example, the words "light", "medium", "strong" etc. or corresponding symbols are displayed.

The input device may include a touchscreen spatially associated with the one or more programmable buttons and / or switches, and the controller may be configured, in response to the activated program, the buttons and / or switches configured according to the type of home appliance connected to the input device each one of the configured function of the button and / or switch associated display on the touch screen.

The at least one programmable input means can also be a touchscreen itself, that is to say insofar as the display means itself is. In this case, the control device may be configured to configure one or more of the type of the household appliance connected to the input device corresponding to the activated program on the touch screen corresponding push buttons for driving the device-specific device component. The touch keys configured in this way can either replace the input means and assume their functions accordingly, or they can fulfill additional functions.

If the touch screen is the display means itself, then several of these programmable buttons and / or switches of the input means may be spatially associated with this touch screen, wherein the control device may be configured in dependence on the activated program the configured according to the type of household appliance connected to the input device and / or switch the input means each represent one of the configured function of the button and / or the switch associated display on the spatially assigned display sections of the touch screen.

The programmable input means can be formed by a separate display or by a section of the display means which optically displays functions configured according to the type of household appliance connected to the input device, in particular also in the form of a menu structure, via one or more switching means, in particular at least one pushbutton , Adjusting wheel and / or a joystick can be selected and activated.

The input device may include at least one additional programmable input means which is hard-coded to switch a basic function of the household appliance that is characteristic of all types of devices. For example, these may be buttons for calling a clock setting and / or setting up and starting a timer.

An exemplary embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention is explained in more detail by way of example in the following description with reference to the attached schematic figures. Concrete features of this embodiment, irrespective of the specific context in which they are mentioned, if appropriate also individually or in combination, represent general features of the invention.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung verschiedener Arten von Haushaltsgeräten, von denen jedes Haushaltsgerät eine erfindungsgemäße Eingabevorrichtung aufweist, und

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Eingabevorrichtung in Alleinstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of various types of household appliances, each of which household appliance has an input device according to the invention, and

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of an input device according to the invention in isolation.

In the Fig. 1 shown schematic representation of various types of household appliances 1 represents the example of a baking oven 1a, a hob 1b, a hood 1c, a dryer 1d, a washing machine 1e and a refrigerator 1f a cross-product operating concept, which can also represent brand-specific characteristics. An input device 2 according to the invention forms an operating module which has identical hardware for all types of household appliances 1, which can have an interface identical in all types of domestic appliances 1, via which the input device 2 can be connected to the respective domestic appliance 1. The device-specific parameters can be mapped by software in an electronic system. Such electronics may form a programmable controller 3 which is part of the input device 2.

Each of the household appliance 1a to 1f has at least one electrically driven device-specific device component 4, 4a to 4f, which is designed to carry out a type of domestic appliance 1a to 1f characteristic operating function. Exemplary is in Fig. 1 for each type of household appliances 1a to 1f, a representative appliance component 4a to 4f is shown. However, any type of household appliance 1a to 1f may also have two or more device-specific device components. In such a case, two, several or all of the existing device components can be operated together by the input device 2. The device-specific device component 4 a of the oven 1 a is, for example, a heating device which is set up to heat an interior of the oven 1 a at optionally different temperatures. The device-specific device components 4b of the hob 1b are the individual heating plates or heating zones of the hob 1b, which can optionally be switched on individually or in groups and operated in different heating stages. In the case of device-specific device component 4c of the extractor hood 1c is a fan which generates an air flow either in lesser or greater strength to subtract the resulting vapors during cooking. An exemplary device-specific device component 4d of the dryer 1d may also be a blower that allows recirculation mode to guide a heated airflow over garments to be dried within the dryer 1d. In the washing machine 1e shown, the exemplary appliance-specific appliance component 4e is the drive which is provided for rotating a laundry drum of the washing machine 1e. In the case of a refrigerator 1f as household appliance 1 can be considered as an important device-specific device component 4f a compressor, which is part of a refrigeration cycle system, which, for example, a refrigerator or a freezer compartment of the refrigerator 1f.

Each household appliance 1a to 1f has a device-specific control device 5a to 5f, which is designed in each case for driving the device-specific device component 4a to 4f. This means that each device-specific control device 5a to 5f is formed individually for each type of household appliance 1a to 1f. On the other hand, the input device 2 is constructed identically for all types of household appliances 1a to 1f. The control device 5a to 5f is in the respective household appliance 1a to 1f inside arranged and visible neither to a user of the household appliance 1a to 1f, nor operated by the user. The control devices 5a to 5f are each electrically connected to an associated input device 2. The input device 2 is so far formed and arranged separately from the respective control device 5a to 5f. The input device 2 is, not only hidden due to the function alone, but visible to a user and operable on the household appliance 1a to 1f arranged and firmly connected with this factory.

The input device 2, which also includes the programmable control device 3, so far forms an operating module which can be docked to a variety of household appliances via a cross-product-coordinated interface. On the hardware side, the operating module contains all the necessary controllers, buttons and display elements that are necessary for controlling / operating the respective domestic appliance 1, 1a to 1f. In order to make scaling effects when operated and displayed displayable, if necessary, the operating module can in turn have a modular design. The connection to the household appliance 1, 1a to 1f done by the factory by a sustainable connector and fuse by a suitable mounting element, such as a screw or similar fasteners. An electrical contact can be made either via the connector or separately via a cable connector. The operating module is upgraded by different software for controlling the various household appliances 1a to 1f. For this purpose, the operating module contains a standardized interface for data transmission. The hardware is identical product-independently.

The Fig. 2 shows the input device 2 in isolation. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the input device 2 has a display means 6, five programmable input means 7a to 7e, a joystick 8, and two switches 9a and 9b. Each of the two switches 9a and 9b is electrically contacted to switch to a basic function of the domestic appliance 1a to 1f characteristic of all types of appliances. In the case of the present embodiment, the upper switch 9a in the household appliance 1 according to the invention is electrically connected such that by operating the switch 9a, the household appliance 1 is connected to the mains or disconnected from the mains. The switch 9a is so far an on / off switch. In the case of the non-inventive example, the lower switch 9a in the household appliance 1, however, is electrically connected such that, for example, a standby mode of the household appliance 1 is activated or deactivated, or, for example, a program-controlled operation of the household appliance 1 is started or interrupted. The switch 9b is so far as a start / stop switch.

The input device 2 furthermore has a programmable control device 10, which is usually not visible from the outside and therefore shown in dashed lines. At least two programs designed to control a corresponding number of different types of household appliances 1a to 1f are stored in the control device 10, which programs are each set up for device-specific communication between the programmable input devices 7a to 7e and the respective control device 5a to 5f. The input device 2 is designed to activate only the one program, which is the type of household appliance 1a to 1f connected to the input device 2, due to the nature of that domestic appliance 1a to 1f to whose respective control device 5a to 5f the input device 2 is connected in Fig. 1 represented, corresponds.

In the illustrated embodiment of the Fig. 2 For example, the switches 9a and 9b, the programmable input means 7a to 7e, the joystick 8 and the display means 6 are integrated in an aperture 11 which, together with the input device 2, forms a module permanently installed in the respective domestic appliance 1a to 1f.

In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the programmable input means 7a to 7e form a plurality of programmable buttons and / or switches of the input device 2 that are separate from the display means 6. The control device 10 is designed to display the input means 7a to 7e as a function of the activated program to configure the input device 2 connected household appliance 1a to 1f accordingly. Thus, for example, in the input means 7a to 7e spatially assigned display sections 12a to 12e of the display means 6 symbols or texts can be displayed, which indicates the respective function of the input means 7a to 7e. Is that in Fig. 2 1, the control device 10 may be programmed in such a way, ie a program stored for operation of the washing machine 1e in the control device 10 may be activated, so that the input means 7a to 7e are for activating various washing programs, for example like cooking linen, BUNDLING, delicates, etc. are configured and thereby in the spatially assigned display sections 12a to 12e, for example, the words "cooking linen", "Bundwäsche", "Delicates" etc. or corresponding symbols are displayed. In this case, each of the two switches 9a and 9b remains electrically contacted unchanged, in order to continue to switch the respective basic function of the domestic appliance 1a to 1f characteristic of all types of appliances.

If, on the other hand, the input device 2 has been permanently installed in the factory, for example in an extractor hood 1c, the control device 10 can be programmed in such a way, i. a program stored for operation of the extractor hood 1c in the control device 10 is activated, so that the input means 7a to 7e are configured, for example, for selecting a plurality of different levels of blower power and in the spatially assigned display sections 12a to 12e, for example, the words "light", " medium "," strong "etc. or corresponding symbols. Here, too, each of the two switches 9a and 9b remain electrically contacted unchanged in order to continue to switch the respective basic function of the domestic appliance 1a to 1f characteristic of all types of appliances.

However, the at least one programmable input means 7 can also be a touchscreen 6a, that is to say extent the display means 6 itself. In this case, the control device 10 is designed to configure one or more of the type of the household appliance 1a to 1f corresponding to the activated program on the touchscreen 6a, one or more touch buttons 13a to 13e for activating the device-specific device component. The thus configured touch keys 13a to 13e can either replace the input means 7a to 7e and assume their functions accordingly, or perform additional functions. Here, too, each of the two switches 9a and 9b remain electrically contacted unchanged in order to continue to switch the respective basic function of the domestic appliance 1a to 1f characteristic of all types of appliances.

If the touchscreen 6a is the display means 6 itself, then more than one of these programmable buttons and / or switches of the input means 7a to 7e can be assigned spatially to this touchscreen 6a, wherein the control device 10 is designed according to the activated program according to the type of the Input device 2 Connected household appliance 1a to 1f configured buttons and / or switches of the input means 7a to 7e each represent one of the configured function of the button and / or the switch associated display on the spatially assigned display sections 12a to 12e of the touch screen 6a.

The programmable input means 7a to 7e may be from a separate display or as shown in FIG Fig. 2 represented, are formed by a portion of the display means 6, which according to the type of connected to the input device 2 home appliances 1a to 1f functions, in particular in the form of a menu structure optically, via one or more switching means, in particular at least one button, setting wheel and / or the joystick 8 can be selected and activated.

In the case of the present embodiment of the Fig. 2 For example, the input device 2 has two additional programmable input means 14a and 14b, which is permanently programmed to switch a basic function of the household appliance 1 which is characteristic of all types of device. By way of example, these are the input means 14a for calling a clock setting and the input means 14b for setting up and starting a timer.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

household appliance

1a

oven

1b

cooking field

1c

Hood

1d

dryer

1e

Washing machine

1f

The refrigerator

2

input device

3

programmable controller

4a-4f

device-specific device component

5a-5f

control device

6

display means

6a

touchscreen

7a-7e

programmable input means

8th

joystick

9a, 9b

counter

10

control device

11

cover

12a-12e

display sections

13a-13e

touch keys

14a, 14b

input means

Claims (9)

1. Household appliance having

   - at least one electrically actuated device-type-specific device component (4a-4f) which is designed to execute an operating function which is characteristic of the type of household appliance (1),

   - a control apparatus (5a-5f) which is designed to actuate the device-type-specific device component (4a-4f) and

   - an input apparatus (2) which is electrically connected to the control apparatus (5a-5f) and which is arranged so as to be visible to a user and able to be operated on the household appliance,

   - wherein the input apparatus (2)has a display means (6, 6a), wherein the input apparatus (2) additionally has at least one programmable input means (7a-7e),

   - and the input apparatus (2) further has a programmable control device (10) in which at least two programs, which are differently designed to actuate a corresponding number of different types of household appliance (1) are stored, said programs each being designed for device-type-specific communication between the at least one programmable input means (2) and the control apparatus (5a-5f),

   - and which is designed to activate only that program which corresponds to the type of household appliance (1) which is connected to the input apparatus (2), on the basis of the type of household appliance (1) where the input apparatus (2) is connected to the control apparatus (5a-5f) thereof,

   - wherein the input apparatus (2) further has at least one switch (9a, 9b),

   - wherein the input apparatus (2) has electrical contacts which are connected to the at least one switch (9a, 9b) and which are electrically connected to counter-contacts of the household appliance (1) when the input apparatus (2) is mounted in the household appliance (1),

   characterised in that

   - the switch (9a, 9b) is an on/off switch for the household appliance (1),

   - and the counter-contacts of the household appliance (1) are directly connected to electrical power cables and/or conducted to a mains power supply and/or brought into contact with a printed circuit board conducting a mains voltage.
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the input apparatus (2) is provided with a screen (11), the at least one switch (9a, 9b) of the input apparatus (2) is integrated in the screen (11) and the input apparatus (2) provided with the screen (11) forms a subassembly which is fixedly installed in the household appliance (1).
3. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one switch (9a, 9b) is integrated in a screen (11) of the household appliance (1), said screen comprising fastening means which may be optionally fastened to counter-fastening means of different types of household appliance (1), encompassing different types of appliance, in order to mount the screen (11) in the factory on one respectively selected household appliance (1) of a specific type of household appliance.
4. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least one programmable input means (7a-7e, 13a-13e) is a touchscreen (6, 6a) and the control device (10) is designed, depending on the activated program, to configure one or more touch-sensitive buttons (13a-13e) on the touchscreen (6, 6a) corresponding to the type of household appliance (1) connected to the input apparatus (2), for actuating the device-type-specific appliance component.
5. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the input apparatus (2) has one or more programmable buttons and/or switches, in particular separate from a touchscreen (6a), and the control device (10) is designed, depending on the activated program, to configure the button(s) and/or switches corresponding to the type of household appliance (1) connected to the input apparatus (2).
6. Household appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that the input apparatus (2) has a touchscreen (6a) which is spatially assigned to one or more programmable buttons and/or switches and the control device (10) is configured, depending on the activated program, to show the button and/or switch configured according to the type of household appliance (1) connected to the input apparatus (2) and in each case to show a display on the touchscreen (6a) assigned to the configured function of the button and/or switch.
7. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the programmable input means (7a-7e, 13a-13e, 14a, 14b) is formed from a separate display (6a) or a portion of the display means (6), which visually represents functions configured according to the type of household appliance (1) connected to the input apparatus (2), in particular in the form of a menu structure, which may be selected and activated via one or more switching means, in particular at least one button, adjusting wheel and/or joystick (8).
8. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the input apparatus (2) has at least one additional programmable input means (14a, 14b) which is fixedly programmed to switch a basic function of the household appliance (1) which is characteristic of all types of device.
9. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the household appliance (1) is an oven (1a), a cooktop (1b), a cooker hood (1c), a dishwasher, a dryer (1d), a washing machine (1e) or a refrigeration appliance (1f).

Images