CN109415867B

CN109415867B - Operating device with an operating element, a frame surrounding the operating element and an elongated hole as means for fastening

Info

Publication number: CN109415867B
Application number: CN201780042307.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: V·赖希; J·舒尔茨; C·赛德尔; A·希瓦斯特
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2016-07-08
Filing date: 2017-06-21
Publication date: 2021-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-21
Also published as: WO2018007145A1; DE102016212457A1; CN109415867A; EP3481989A1; PL3481989T3; EP3481989B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device (5) for a household appliance (1), having an operating element (6) and a frame (8) surrounding the operating element (6), and having a carrier (9) having a frame receptacle (10) in which the frame (8) is arranged in a recessed manner, wherein the frame (8) has at least one fastening element (16) which is coupled to a mating element (15) arranged on the carrier (9) for fastening to the carrier (9), wherein the fastening element (16) or the mating element (15) is an elongated hole. The invention also relates to a household appliance (1) having an operating device (5).

Description

Operating device with an operating element, a frame surrounding the operating element and an elongated hole as means for fastening

Technical Field

The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance, having an operating element and a frame which surrounds the operating element and is independent of the operating element. Furthermore, the handling device comprises a carrier which is independent of the handling device and which has a frame receptacle in which the frame is arranged sunk. The frame has at least one fixing element which can be coupled with a counter element arranged on the carrier for fixing on the carrier. The invention also relates to a household appliance having such an operating device.

Background

Publication EP 2568073 a2 describes a washing machine.

Publication KR 20030092187 a describes a washing machine.

Publication KR 20060085817 a describes a washing machine.

Operating devices of this type are known from household appliances, for example for the care of laundry. In this case, see EP 2837733 a 1. In the configuration there, it is provided that the frame is inserted into a through-opening or a bore which is designed as a frame receptacle. The opening is provided with a circumferential flange by way of a region opposite the remaining front side of the frame receptacle, said circumferential flange being recessed or recessed. The frame rests on the sunken flange, so that the frame is also at least partially sunken in position relative to the further edge region of the carrier. The frame is integrally formed with a plurality of independent, rearwardly projecting latch hooks. In the final mounted state of the frame, the latching hooks latch or snap into engagement with a tab, which is integrally formed on the carrier. These tabs are oriented inwardly and thus toward the clearance and are hooked behind by latching hooks of the frame.

In this configuration, the mounting is difficult, since due to the tolerances occurring, in particular manufacturing tolerances, it cannot be reliably ensured that the tab is locked behind by the catch hook. In addition, in these configurations, a general compensation for existing tolerances is not possible, so that the frames can also be prevented from being mounted on the carrier in each case in a reliable manner.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an operating device having a frame surrounding an operating element, which frame can be reliably fixed to a carrier of the operating device. The object is also to provide a household appliance having a corresponding operating device.

This object is achieved by an operating device and a household appliance according to the respective independent claims.

The operating device according to the invention for a household appliance therefore comprises an operating element and a frame separate from the operating element, which surrounds the operating element on the peripheral side. Furthermore, the operating device comprises a carrier which is independent of the operating element and the frame and which has a frame receptacle in which the frame is arranged sunk when the frame is arranged in its mounted final position. The frame has at least one fastening element, which can be coupled to a mating element arranged on the carrier for fastening the frame to the carrier. The basic idea of the invention is that the connecting structure has at least one elongated hole for fixing the frame to the carrier. The fastening element or counter-element is thus configured as an elongated hole. This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it is possible to mount the frame on the carrier reliably and easily even in the case of very different tolerances. In the event of production tolerances of the frame and/or the carrier, this configuration also enables the respectively complementary elements to be fitted with some play into the elongated hole, so that a secure coupling and the accompanying mechanical holding and fixing is always also achieved. The mechanical coupling of the respectively complementary elements with respect to the elongated hole and also the at least partial fitting and coupling are always achieved by the elongated hole, which already results in a secure holding of the frame on the carrier.

It is provided that the element fitted into the elongated hole can be positioned in the elongated hole with a clearance. This means that in the final position of installation, the clear width of the oblong hole is not completely filled by the correspondingly fitted elements. On the one hand, the tolerance balance already mentioned can also be compensated better by this configuration, but on the other hand, a mechanical coupling is also achieved in the case of very different tolerances.

Furthermore, it is provided that the frame receptacles are square and that a web is formed in each case on the walls of the carriers delimiting the frame receptacles, in which web the mating elements are formed in each case. This also results in a reduced component design, since the webs are integrated in particular into the walls of the carrier and are thus formed integrally therewith. This again increases the mounting accuracy and reduces the mounting effort.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the corresponding further element which fits into the elongated hole is conically configured. In this case, this also means, in particular, that, if the mating element is configured as an elongated hole, for example, the fastening element configured on the frame, which is the corresponding further element, is configured conically. This geometry of the corresponding further element is therefore very advantageous, since a certain degree of fit in the elongate hole is also already produced by a corresponding bevel (which results from the taper) of the peripheral wall of the element, and unlike, for example, in the case of an element having a precise cylindrical shape, a mechanical coupling with the elongate hole does not occur until such further overlapping takes place that the cylindrical element also sinks into the elongate hole and in this case likewise sinks completely. In the case of an incomplete overlap between the elongate hole and the conical element, a certain degree of penetration into the conical element is also achieved by the conical shape, if appropriate only to such an extent that the conical element, viewed over its entire height, then only partially engages in the elongate hole in the height direction of the conical element. However, this is already sufficient for reliably holding the frame on the carrier.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the further element which fits into the elongated hole is designed as a conical truncated cone. As a result, the element is not undesirably large in its height direction, so that a corresponding compactness of the installation space is also achieved.

Preferably, at least two fastening elements and at least two mating elements are formed, which are configured in terms of position and/or geometry in such a way that a mounting code for mounting the frame on the carrier is formed. It is therefore sought to achieve a structure with a fastening element and a counter element, which is constructed in a versatile manner. In addition to the mechanical coupling, further functions can also be seen as follows: the frame is prevented from being erroneously mounted to the carrier.

It can be provided that the installation code additionally has a further separate coding element, which is arranged and/or shaped differently, in particular with respect to the fastening element and the counter element.

Furthermore, the mounting reliability is increased by such a configuration.

In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the coding element is arranged on the outside of the frame wall of the frame and is arranged at a distance from the fastening element formed on the outside. In particular, the further coding element is integrated and thus integrally formed on the outer side of the frame wall. The further coding element thus has the same direction of projection from the outer side of the frame wall as the fixing element. This results in a protective mechanism which again better prevents incorrect mounting of the frame on the carrier and, if necessary, prevents an automatic mechanical coupling between the fastening element and the mating element when the frame and the carrier are inserted into one another.

In particular, it is provided that the further coding element is arranged such that, in the event of an incorrect mounting test of the frame on the carrier, the web of the carrier with the counter element is pressed outward and the coupling of the fastening element with the counter element is prevented. An automatic coupling prevention structure is thus obtained by the coding element, which does not allow coupling between the fastening element and the counter element. This is a further very advantageous embodiment, since the holding of the frame on the carrier in the case of a faulty mounting test and thus also the falling of the frame off the carrier again when the assembly worker should not notice a faulty mounting is thus substantially prevented, so that a faulty mounting is noticed at the latest.

Preferably, the carrier has the quadrangular frame receptacle, and only one resilient lug, which is formed centrally in particular with respect to the length of the side wall, is formed on each of the four delimiting walls of the frame receptacle, on which lug corresponding fastening elements are formed. The construction of the frame on all sides with a plurality of individual elastic webs makes it possible to achieve a very symmetrical design of the frame on the carrier and also to achieve a mechanical coupling with the frame on all side walls. The frame is thereby held particularly stably and the holding of the frame on the carrier can be achieved on all side walls even with corresponding tolerances.

In particular, such tabs have elongated holes as mating elements, whereby the advantages mentioned are increased.

In a further embodiment, the guide ramp for the insertion frame is formed in a web formed in the wall of the carrier delimiting the frame receptacle, in particular the guide ramp is formed as an integral part of the web. The insertion of the frame into the frame receptacle of the carrier is simplified by such a lead-in ramp, since a certain degree of offset and thus also an external intermediate installation is possible and a certain self-centering of the frame in the frame receptacle is also possible by the lead-in ramp. This also reduces the installation effort and simplifies the installation and still achieves a final position of the frame on the carrier.

The insertion ramp is directed outward toward the inlet of the frame receptacle, so that the frame receptacle is configured to be somewhat flared toward the inlet.

In particular, the actuating element is a touch-sensitive actuating region which, in particular, completely fills the opening bounded by the frame and which hooks the frame from behind with abutment against the flange. The operating region is thus shaped over a large area on the front side and extends through the opening bounded by the frame, whereas the frame is hooked behind with the mentioned abutment flange on the rear side of the frame. This configuration improves the exact arrangement in position between the actuating element and the frame.

The invention also relates to a household appliance having an operating device or an advantageous configuration of an operating device according to the invention. The carrier of the operating device can be, in particular, an operating screen, which is therefore also an outer part of the front side of the operating device and thus also represents the household appliance. The frame can also be arranged with its front region and thus also with its front side as an outer part of the front side of the operating device, so that the frame is also a visible component.

In particular, the frame receptacle is formed integrally with the carrier, in particular as a stamped-out part. The carrier is preferably constructed from a plate or plastic. The frame is constructed in particular from plastic.

The coupling between the fastening element and the counter element and thus between the elongated hole and the corresponding further element fitting into the elongated hole is releasable without damage. This means that the mechanical coupling and therefore the mechanical connection can also be reversibly disconnected and re-joined. In particular, in particular when the carrier is constructed from plates, the relatively high tolerance chain of the carrier can be compensated by the invention or an advantageous configuration with a significant improvement.

The household appliance can preferably be designed for the care of laundry and can be, for example, a washing machine or a laundry dryer or a washer dryer.

By the statements "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" and the like, the position and orientation of the appliance are explained which result when the appliance is used and arranged as intended and when an observer stands in front of the appliance and looks towards the appliance.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures only can be used not only in the respectively stated combination but also in other combinations without departing from the framework of the invention. Thus, the following embodiments of the invention are also considered to be included and disclosed: the embodiments are not shown and described in detail in the drawings, but can be derived and produced from a combination of separate features from the described embodiments. The following embodiments and combinations of features can also be considered disclosed: the embodiments and feature combinations thus do not have all the features of the independent claims initially expressed. Furthermore, the following embodiments and combinations of features can be considered disclosed, in particular, for the embodiments set forth above: the embodiments and feature combinations exceed or deviate from the feature combinations set forth in the claims.

Drawings

Next, embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail based on schematic diagrams of the drawings. The figures show:

fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of the operating device according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a partial fragment of FIG. 3;

fig. 5 shows a side view of a frame which is a component of the operating device according to fig. 3 to 5;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the area in FIG. 5;

fig. 7 shows a front view of a carrier with a frame receptacle, as it is an integral part of the operating device of the embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a partial fragment of FIG. 7; and

fig. 9 shows the diagram in fig. 8 from a different perspective than fig. 8.

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

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a household appliance 1, which is designed in particular for the care of laundry. The household appliance 1 comprises a housing 2 in which a washing drum 3 is rotatably supported. On the front side, the washing drum 3 can be closed by a door 4, which is arranged pivotably on the housing 2. Furthermore, the household appliance 1 comprises an operating device 5. The operating device 5 comprises an operating element 6 which is designed as a touch-sensitive operating element and comprises a touch-sensitive operating field 7. Furthermore, the actuating device 5 comprises a frame 8 which is designed separately from the actuating element 6 and which completely surrounds the actuating element 6, in particular the actuating region 7, on the edge side. The operating region 7 is therefore surrounded on the peripheral side by the frame 8, wherein the frame 8 is also the visible component on the front side in the mounted state. Furthermore, the operating device 5 comprises an operating diaphragm 9, which constitutes a carrier for the operating device 5. The operating screen 9 is also the outer part of the front side and thus the visible member which receives the frame 8. In this case, the frame 8 can therefore be fixed to the operating panel 9 without any loss.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged illustration of the actuating device 5 with the frame 8 and the actuating element 6.

Fig. 3 shows a diagram according to fig. 2 along the sectional line III-III. It can be seen that the frame 8 is fitted into a frame receiving portion 10 of the operating partition 9, which is a hole. The frame receptacle 10 is delimited in this case by walls 11 of the operating panel 9, wherein these walls 11 also have a depression 12 which is designed as a punch 12. These stampings 12 produce recesses in which the frame 8 is arranged sunk with the front web or flange 25.

Fig. 4 shows a detail a from fig. 3 in an enlarged representation. As can be seen, a tab 13 is integrally formed on the punch 12, said tab having a curved portion as a lead-in ramp 14. The bridge plate 13 furthermore has a counter element 15 in the form of an elongated hole, into which a fastening element 16 is fitted, which is a conical truncated cone integrally formed on a side wall 17 of the frame 8. The side wall 17 opens into a flange 25, so that in the illustrated sectional view a T-shape of the frame 8 is formed at the intersection region. In particular, the T-shape is correspondingly formed in the frame 8 on the circumferential side. In fig. 4, it can be seen that the frame 8 and in particular the flange 25 are arranged sunk in the recess formed by the punch 12.

This elongated hole is a counter element 15 which is configured to be integrated in a carrier configured to operate the partition 9.

Furthermore, the frame 8 comprises a coding element 18 spaced apart and independent with respect to the fixing element 16. The position and/or shape of the plurality of fastening elements 16 formed on the different side walls of the, in particular, quadrilateral frame 8 form a mounting code for the frame 8 on the carrier. The mounting code is also extended by a further coding element 18. The further coding element 18 is configured in a wedge-shaped manner in the sectional view shown in fig. 4.

The frame 8 is shown in a side view in fig. 5. Fastening

elements

21 and 22, which are also preferably integral, conical truncated cones, are also formed on the

other side walls

19 and 20, respectively. As can be seen in fig. 5, the

fastening elements

16, 21 and 22 are formed in different axial positions in the direction of the longitudinal axis B of the frame 8, so that the axial offset provides the aforementioned installation coding. The frame 8 can thus be mounted on the operating panel 9 only in a completely defined mounting position.

The fastening element is shown in an enlarged perspective view in fig. 6 in a conical, truncated cone geometry of the fastening element 16.

Fig. 7 shows a front view of the actuating diaphragm 9 in the region of the bore receptacle 10. Here, too, a quadrangular geometry of the hole receptacle 10 is formed, which is delimited by a corresponding wall 11 of the operating panel 9. It can be seen that a tab 13 of the type already mentioned is formed on each of the four bounding walls 11. Fig. 8 shows the tab 13 in a first perspective view. The lead-in chamfer 14 can be seen, as can the counter element 15, which is configured as an elongated hole and is therefore not particularly circular, but can be configured, for example, in an egg-shaped or oval shape or the like.

Fig. 9 shows a different perspective view of the illustration according to fig. 8, wherein the illustration is here made to a certain extent out of the frame receptacle 10 and from the hole receptacle 10 toward the tab 13.

Fig. 3 and 4 show the final state of the respective mounting of the frame 8 on the operating panel 9, wherein the fastening elements 16 are in this case each inserted into a counter element 15 embodied as an elongated hole. Furthermore, it can be seen in fig. 3 and 4 that the actuating element 6 has an abutment flange 23, which hooks behind a flange 25 of the frame 8. The remaining region of the actuating element 6 and thus also the actuating region 7 is sunk through the frame opening 24 (fig. 4).

List of reference numerals

1 household appliance

2 casing

3 washing drum

4 door

5 operating device

6 operating element

7 operating area

8 frame

9 operating partition

10 frame receiving part

11 wall

12 sunken part

13 fishplate bar

14 lead-in chamfer

15 elongated hole

16 fixing element

17 side wall

18 coding element

19, 20 side wall

21, 22 fixing element

23 abutting flange

24 frame hole

24 flange

Fragment of part A

Longitudinal axis B

Claims

1. Operating device (5) for a domestic appliance (1) having an operating element (6) and a frame (8) surrounding the operating element (6), and having a carrier (9) having a frame receptacle (10) in which the frame (8) is arranged sunk, wherein the frame (8) has at least one fastening element (16) which is coupled with a mating element (15) arranged on the carrier (9) for fastening on the carrier (9), characterized in that the fastening element (16) or the mating element (15) is an elongated hole, wherein elements (15, 16) which fit into the elongated hole can be positioned with play in the elongated hole, so that in the final position of installation the clear width of the elongated hole is not completely formed by the corresponding mating elements (15, 16) is filled, and the frame receptacle (10) is quadrilateral and a respective web (13) is formed on the wall (11) of the carrier (9) delimiting the frame receptacle (10), in which a respective mating element (15) is formed.

2. Operating device (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the corresponding further elements (15, 16) fitting into the elongated hole are configured conically.

3. Operating device (5) according to claim 2, characterized in that the further elements (15, 16) fitted into the elongated hole are configured as conical truncated cones.

4. Operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two fixing elements (16) and at least two counter-elements (15) are configured, positionally and/or geometrically, such that a mounting code for mounting the frame (8) on the carrier (9) is formed.

5. Operating device (5) according to claim 4, characterized in that the installation code additionally has a further coding element (18).

6. Operating device (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that the coding element (18) is arranged on the outside of a frame wall (17, 19, 20) of the frame (8) and is arranged spaced apart from a fixing element (16) configured on the outside.

7. Operating device (5) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the further coding element (18) is arranged such that in a mounting test of the frame (8) onto the carrier (9) which could lead to an incorrect mounting of the frame (8) onto the carrier (9), the web (13) of the carrier (9) with the counter element (15) is pressed outwards and the coupling of the fixing element (16) with the counter element (15) is prevented.

8. Operating device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 6, characterized in that a spring tab (13) which is respectively formed centrally with respect to the length of the limiting wall (11) is formed on each of the four limiting walls (11) of the frame receptacle (10), on which tab the respective mating element (15) is formed.

9. Operating device (5) according to claim 8, characterized in that a lead-in ramp (14) for leading in the frame (8) is integrally formed in the web (13).

10. Operating device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 6, 9, characterised in that the counter element (15) is configured as an elongated hole.

11. Operating device (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 6, 9, characterized in that the operating element (6) has a touch-sensitive operating region (7) which fills a frame opening (24) bounded by the frame (8) and which hooks the frame (8) against a flange (23).

12. Operating device (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that the operating area hooks a front flange (25) of the frame (8) against a flange (23).

13. A household appliance (1) having an operating device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims.