DE102010028164A1 - Operating device for e.g. household appliance, to e.g. store food product, has display unit with housing that is releasably connected with circuitry carrier by holding elements, where housing comprises positioning elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a display unit (2) with a housing (4) that is releasably connected with a circuitry carrier (12) by holding elements (13-16). The housing comprises integrated positioning elements that are positionally fixed in two directions of the housing relative to the circuitry carriers in recesses (28, 29). A holding element is formed as an elastic element i.e. spring. The housing comprises a framework (6) and a base plate, which are formed from a metallic material. The holding element is made from an electrically isolating plastic material.

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance and a household appliance with such an operating device.

Operating devices are known in various configurations. In this context, there are also those in which a touch-sensitive control surface is present, which is arranged in front of or above a display unit. So is out of the DE 202 18 205 U1 an operating device known in which in a housing designed as a touch screen and thus touch-sensitive control surface part rests on the back of a mounting frame. On the opposite side of this mounting frame, a display unit in the form of a TFT display is formed. Both between the display unit and the mounting frame and between the mounting frame and the control panel a seal is formed in each case. The mounting frame is made as a separate part, so that all components are considered individual parts, which must be individually introduced into the housing in complex assembly work and positionally stable to each other. On the one hand, the assembly is complicated. A major disadvantage, however, is that this position fixation of the individual parts to each other is almost impossible and limited by this position blurring the functionality and information presentation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device and a household appliance, which or which is improved with respect to assembly costs and functionality of the composite components to each other.

This object is achieved by an operating device having the features of claim 1, and a household appliance, which has the features of claim 14.

An operating device for a household appliance comprises a touch-sensitive control surface and a display unit with a housing. In addition, the operating device comprises a circuit carrier. In the case of the operating device according to the invention, this housing of the display unit is connected to the circuit carrier in a non-destructive manner. This means that the housing and the circuit carrier can be reversibly connected to each other and reassembled without having to destroy the components. By such a configuration of the operating device, the general assembly concept can be improved. On the one hand, the complexity of assembling the components is reduced and the assembly can be done faster. In addition, the operating device can also be taken apart again at any time, and in particular the housing can be separated from the circuit carrier. As a result, maintenance or replacement of the operating device can be done much easier and less expensive. In addition, after such work, the control device can be reassembled accordingly. With a detachable connection, therefore, such is included, which is not destroyed when loosening and thus does not have to be replaced by a new or different during assembly. For example, a releasable connection is a plug connection, a latching connection or a screw connection.

It is preferably provided that the housing is connected by at least one holding element releasably connected to the circuit carrier. Thus, an explicit embodiment is provided, in which an at least one further objectually actually present element, namely the holding element serves as a releasable connecting part between the housing and the circuit carrier. Thereby, the mechanical stability and the relative positioning of the housing and the circuit substrate to each other can be improved. Preferably, this at least one holding element is initially provided as a separate component, which is then connected to the circuit carrier and the housing.

Preferably, the housing has integrated positioning elements which engage in position fixation in at least one first spatial direction, in particular in a first and a second spatial direction, of the housing relative to the circuit carrier in recesses in the circuit carrier. By such a specified embodiment, on the one hand, the number of components can be reduced, since these positioning elements are already fixedly arranged on the housing and in particular integrally formed therewith. On the other hand, the relative position of the housing to the circuit carrier can thereby be achieved very precisely in this at least one spatial direction. In a particularly advantageous manner, the positioning of the housing relative to the circuit carrier in a plane and thus two spatial directions is ensured by this configuration with the positioning elements, which runs parallel to the circuit substrate.

It is preferably provided that the at least one retaining element is at least partially elastic. Preferably, a spring is provided. By such a configuration, the assembly effort can be further reduced and a particularly wear-free mechanical connection between the housing and the circuit carrier can be achieved. By namely, the holding element can deform, the Housing and the circuit board are pressed together and the retaining element is not damaged or destroyed. In addition, this elastic configuration of the holding element can also be used to achieve a particularly adapted and always sufficient mechanical force to hold the respective position of the housing and of the circuit carrier. Minimum tolerances in the connection of the housing mild circuit carrier in terms of position can be easily compensated.

Preferably, the retaining element has a latching tab which engages in a recess in a side wall of the housing. By means of this flexible locking tab, the advantages of the elastic retaining element already mentioned above can also be achieved and improved here.

In particular, a position fixing in a third spatial direction is achieved by the holding element. In conjunction with the positioning elements arranged on the housing and the retaining element on the other hand, it is thus possible reliably to ensure a positional fixation in all three spatial directions between the housing and the circuit carrier.

It is preferably provided that the housing has a frame which is formed from a metallic material. In particular, the recess, in which engages the retaining element, formed in this metallic frame. The recess is formed in particular on a side wall of this frame. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment, since thus the engagement of the holding element in this recess in the side wall of the frame leads to no increase in space of the operating device. The holding element thus virtually engages laterally past the frame and into the recess. In addition, the retaining element does not extend beyond the height of the frame or the display unit upwards.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the at least one retaining element is formed from an electrically conductive material and is electrically connected to the frame by an electrical contact region, in particular a resilient contact region, of the retaining element for forming a ground connection between the frame and the printed circuit board. Such a configuration can thus be achieved in addition to the variable mounting concept of the operating device and a significant flexibilization of the functionality of the individual components. They can be quickly detachably connected or disconnected and can also be improved in a functional way.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the holding element made of a metallic material.

In a further embodiment it can be provided that the at least one holding element is made of a plastic, in particular an electrically insulating plastic.

Preferably, the holding element is detachably connected to the circuit board, in particular latched. This is just in the embodiment of the holding element made of a plastic material, a particularly advantageous embodiment.

If the holding element is made of a metallic material, a fixed permanent connection is preferably provided. For example, a soldering to the circuit board may be provided here.

Preferably, the housing has a bottom plate formed at least in regions of a metallic material, wherein at least one further ground connection between the circuit board and the bottom plate is formed.

Preferably, the retaining element has at least one integrated grounding lug, through which the ground connection between the circuit board and the bottom plate is formed. As a result, a multifunctional holding element can be formed which, in addition to multiple earthing connections, also serves to compensate tolerances, in particular if the earthing strap is resilient.

Preferably, the holding element has at least one positioning pin, which is introduced in the assembled state of the operating device in a recess of a printed circuit board for the arrangement of the holding element on the circuit board. As a result, a location-accurate and mechanically stable attachment can be achieved.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a household appliance with an operating device according to the invention and an advantageous embodiment thereof.

The household appliance can be used in particular for the care of laundry or for the preparation of food or for the storage and preservation of food or for cleaning dishes. In this context, for example, a stove, an oven, a microwave oven, a steamer, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a refrigerator, a freezer or a dishwasher are called. However, an operating device may also be provided on a small household appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, a kettle or a coffee machine or the like.

Preferably, the operating device has at least two holding elements, which engage on opposite side walls of the frame in recesses of the frame.

Especially when the holding elements are in particular metal brackets, it can be provided that two rectangular pins are formed on a reflector housing of the display unit, which is formed, for example, from plastic. With the help of these two pins then the display unit, which may be formed for example of TFT display, held fixed in position on the circuit board in two directions. In the third spatial direction holding is done by the metal brackets. The housing has in particular in the laterally encircling metal frame and the underlying reflector housing preferably rectangular recesses. These have in particular a depth of about 0.6 mm. They can also be in a range between 0.4 mm and 0.7 mm. Preferably, two such depressions are formed per side, so that a total of preferably four recesses are provided. In these recesses or depressions engages on the circuit board preferably soldered and electrically connected metal clip with an issued, resilient latching tab.

Preferably, this metal clip is located above the latching tab on the frame of the housing resiliently and provides the electrical ground contact to the circuit board ago. Preferably, this metal clip is formed as an SMD (surface-mounted device) component. Preferably, a metal clip has two positioning pins that protrude through the circuit board. These are used for pre-positioning on the circuit board before soldering. The pre-positioning should be done with the smallest possible distance tolerances of the metal brackets to the wells in the metallic frame of the housing to ensure safe engagement of the resilient locking tab in the rectangular recesses. The locking tab is designed to be resilient to ensure a certain extent a secure engagement of the Raslasche and at the same time not to generate too much force on the underlying reflector or light guide of the display unit.

Preferably, the bottom plate of the housing is made of aluminum, which is encompassed by the frame. On the frame is the metal clip and can be grounded via the solder joints with the circuit board. Additional grounding springs may be attached to the bottom plate to improve grounding performance.

In one embodiment of the retaining element as a plastic clip, only two such are preferably provided, which are arranged on opposite sides of the frame. A grounding of the housing and thus also of the display unit takes place in this embodiment via additional grounding springs, which are contacted with the bottom plate of the housing. Preferably, four such grounding springs are provided here, which are soldered to the circuit board and are contacted there electrically.

A plastic clip is positioned or snapped onto the circuit board with the two centering pins or positioning pins which it has and the latching hook.

During subsequent insertion of the display unit, two locking lugs engage in the two lateral square recesses in the metallic frame of the housing.

The preferably elliptical or triangular geometry of the two positioning pins reduces the positioning tolerance or the distance tolerance from the quadrangular recesses in the frame to the plastic clip.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 an exploded view of a first embodiment of an operating device according to the invention;

2 an exploded view of another embodiment of an operating device according to the invention;

3 Representation of sub-components of an embodiment of an operating device according to the invention, in different viewing directions;

4 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a holding element of an operating device;

5 a side view of the retaining element according to 4 ;

6 a perspective view of another embodiment of a holding element of an operating device according to 2 ;

7 a side view of the retaining element according to 6 ;

8th a perspective view from below of the holding element according to 6 and 7 ;

9 a perspective view of another embodiment of a holding element of an operating device;

10 a side view of the retaining element according to 9 ; and

11 a sectional view of another embodiment of an operating device with a holding element according to 9 and 10 ,

In the figures, identical and functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 is an exploded view of subcomponents of a control device 1 shown. The operating device 1 is intended for a household appliance. The operating device 1 includes a display unit 2 , which is plate-like and can be, for example, a TFT display. In addition, it is provided that they have a touch-sensitive control surface 3 having. This is designed as a touch surface and also designed like a plate. The display unit 2 includes a housing 4 which is an inner casing 5 made of plastic. This inner case 5 is the reflector housing, which of a formed of a metallic material frame 6 is surrounded. The frame 6 points as in 1 it can be seen, sidewalls on which the inner housing 5 essentially completely cover laterally. In addition, there is also a top cover 7 from the frame 6 includes. This covers the inner housing 5 also from above and it is only a recess in the area of the display surface of the display unit 2 and beyond the touch-sensitive control surface 3 educated.

As can be seen, the display unit is 2 elongated and the short side walls 8th and 9 , which are opposite, each have two recesses or recesses 10 and 11 on. Corresponding recesses are in shape and number also on the opposite short side wall 9 educated.

The operating device 1 also includes a circuit board 12 as a circuit carrier. The display unit 2 and in particular the housing 4 the display unit 2 are non-destructively detachable on the circuit board 12 mounted when the operating device 1 made in the assembled state. For this releasable connection is provided that in the embodiment according to 1 four holding elements in the form of metal clips 13 . 14 . 15 and 16 are provided. These separate components are resilient.

There are holes on the circuit board 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 and 24 educated. In this grip positioning pins 13a . 13b . 14a . 14b . 15a . 15b . 16a and 16b one. The metal clips 13 to 16 Thus, these specific positioning pins are inserted into these holes 17 to 24 plugged in. In addition, they will then contact these points with the circuit board 12 soldered so that they are inextricably linked to this.

The housing 4 and thus also the display unit 2 is fixed in position in all three directions with the circuit board 12 connected when the operating device 1 is present in the assembled state.

For this purpose, it is provided that by means of the embodiment in the four metal brackets 13 to 16 , which are also still very local specifically positioned in the z direction, a position fixation is given. To do this, grab the metal clips 13 to 16 each in the associated recesses 10 and 11 on the sides 8th and 9 of the frame 6 one.

Due to the design of the brackets 13 to 16 made of a metallic material, contacting with the metallic frame 6 and the solder joint on the circuit board 12 In addition to the hold function is also a ground connection between the display unit 2 and the circuit board 12 guaranteed. In the fully assembled state is thus by means of metal brackets 13 to 16 a detachable connection between the display unit 2 and the circuit board 12 educated.

In addition, it can be provided that further ground connections, for example in the form of grounding springs, which are not shown, are formed. For this purpose, it may be provided that on the circuit board 12 further grounding springs are formed, which are then formed with a particular aluminum base plate 25 ( 3 ) of the housing 4 electrically contacted.

For further position fixation in the x and y direction, it is provided that on the inner housing 5 positioning 26 and 27 ( 3 ) formed in the positioning slots 28 and 29 ( 1 ) intervene.

In 2 is a further embodiment of partial components of an operating device shown in an exploded view 1 shown. In contrast to the embodiment according to 1 is provided here that only two retaining elements in the form of plastic clips 30 and 31 are formed. The display unit 2 with their in 1 already explained components is in accordance with the embodiment 2 formed analog.

The circuit board 12 ' is in accordance with the design 2 essentially analogous to the design of the printed circuit board 12 in the embodiment according to 1 educated. Only the holes for the arrangement of plastic clips 30 and 31 are otherwise trained. In addition, it is also envisaged that the plastic clips 30 and 31 non-destructively detachable with the printed circuit board 12 ' are connected.

For one thing, the plastic clip also points here 30 positioning 30a and 30b on that in recesses 32 and 33 intervention. In addition, however, the plastic clip points 30 locking elements 34 and 35 on. These are for latching with recesses 36 and 37 in the circuit board 12 ' intended. In an analogous way, the plastic clip 31 educated.

In the embodiment according to 2 are for forming an electrical ground between the display unit 2 and the circuit board 12 ' a plurality of grounding springs are provided on the circuit board 12 ' are mounted and with the bottom plate 25 electrically contacted.

In 3 In the upper picture is a perspective view from above of the display unit 2 shown. in the lower illustration in 3 is the display unit 2 turned over and it is a perspective view on the bottom plate 25 to recognize.

In the illustration according to 4 is a perspective view of the example of the metal clip 13 shown and will be explained in more detail below. The metal bracket 13 is integrally formed and includes the two vertically downward positioning pins 13a and 13b , In addition, a horizontally oriented pedestal area 13c formed, from which slightly curved forward and upwardly extending a leg 13d extends. In this thigh 13d is a bent forward latching tab 13e educated. This is resilient and for engagement in the recess 10 intended. Over the snap tab 13e is a curved back arcuate area 13f educated. This is for the mechanical and electrical contacting of the outside of the metallic side wall 8th of the frame 6 educated. With the pedestal 13c the metal clamp sits 13 in the assembled state of the operating device 1 on top of the circuit board 12 on. In addition to a stop thereby a mechanically stable and non-tilt mounting is possible. A kinking or the like of the metal clip 13 is avoided.

In 5 is a side view of the metal bracket 13 according to 4 shown.

In 6 is an example of a perspective view of the plastic clip 30 shown. She is also integrally formed. For engagement in the recesses 10 and 11 has the plastic clip 30 locking elements 30c and 30d on.

In 7 is a side view of the plastic clip 30 shown. A horizontally oriented base or the base 30e are recognizable. With this sits the plastic clip 30 on the surface of the circuit board 12 ' in the assembled state.

In 8th is in a further perspective view of the plastic clip 30 shown from below.

In 9 is shown in a perspective view of another embodiment of a holding element, which serves as a metal clip 13 ' is trained. In position and number is this metal clip 13 ' for example, analogous to the embodiment of the metal clip 13 in 1 in the operating device 1 according to 11 arranged. The operating device 1 in 11 holding the metal clip 13 ' preferably also comprises four such metal clips.

The metal bracket 13 ' is integrally formed and has positioning pins 13a ' and 13b ' on. This opens into a pedestal area 13c ' , From which extends at the rear end upwards and slightly inclined forward a leg 13d ' , In these is again a latching tab 13e ' integrated. Furthermore, here is also on the locking tab 13e ' a curved back arcuate area 13f ' educated. To the base area 13c ' are two upwardly bent and resilient grounding lugs 13g and 13h educated. These are thus integrated into the holding element. In the embodiment shown here, it is therefore no longer necessary to form separate grounding springs, which are for contacting the underside of the bottom plate 25 are provided. In addition, the ground straps serve 13g and 13h also for tolerance compensation for the height tolerances of the resilient locking tab 13e ' to the recess 10 ,

In the base area 13c ' is also a cap-like elevation 13i or buckle formed which as Aufsitzanschlag for the display unit 2 serves when the operating device 1 assembled.

In 10 is a side view of the metal bracket 13 ' shown.

In 11 is a sectional view of an operating device 1 shown in which the display unit 2 by means of several metal clips 13 ' detachable on the circuit board 12 is attached. The display unit 2 sits with a support element on the survey 13i the metal bracket 13 ' on. The snap tab 13e ' reaches into the recess 10 one and the area 13f ' lies on the outside of the metal frame 6 at. Furthermore, the front horizontal end portions of the grounding tabs are located 13g and 13h at the bottom of the bottom plate 25 at. As a result, the mentioned grounding contact is given and reached a height tolerance compensation.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

operating device

2

display unit

3

operating surface

4

casing

5

inner housing

6

frame

7

cover

8, 9

Side wall

10, 11

recess

12, 12 '

circuit board

13 to 16

metal clip

13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b

positioning

13a ', 13b'

positioning

13c, 13c '

plinth

13d, 13d '

leg

13e, 13e '

snap tab

13f, 13f '

Area

13g, 13h

grounding tabs

13i

survey

17 to 24

hole

25

baseplate

26, 27

positioning

28, 29

locating slot

30, 31

Plastic clip

30a, 30b

positioning

30c, 30d

locking element

30e

base

32, 33

recess

34, 35

locking element

36, 37

recess

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 20218205 U1 [0002]

Claims (14)

Operating device for a domestic appliance, with a touch-sensitive operating surface ( 3 ) and a display unit ( 2 ) with a housing ( 4 ), and a circuit carrier ( 12 . 12 ' ), characterized in that the housing ( 4 ) detachable with the circuit carrier ( 12 . 12 ' ) connected is. Operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing ( 4 ) by at least one retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 13 ' . 30 . 31 ) detachable with the circuit carrier ( 12 . 12 ' ) connected is. Operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing ( 4 ) integrated positioning elements ( 26 . 27 ), which are used for position fixing in at least one first spatial direction, in particular in a first and a second spatial direction, of the housing (FIG. 4 ) relative to the circuit carrier ( 12 . 12 ' ) in recesses ( 28 . 29 ) in the circuit carrier ( 12 . 12 ' ) intervene. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 13 ' . 30 . 31 ) is at least partially elastic, in particular a spring. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 13 ' . 30 . 31 ) a, in particular flexible, latching tab ( 13e . 13e ' ), which is in a recess ( 10 . 11 ) in a side wall ( 8th . 9 ) of the housing ( 4 ) intervenes. Operating device according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing ( 4 ) a frame ( 6 ), which is formed of a metallic material and the recess ( 10 . 11 ) in the framework ( 6 ) is trained. Operating device according to claim 6, characterized in that the retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 13 ' . 30 . 31 ) is formed of an electrically conductive material and with the frame ( 6 ) by a contact region, in particular resilient contact region ( 13f ), the retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 13 ' . 30 . 31 ) for forming a ground connection between the frame ( 6 ) and the printed circuit board ( 12 . 12 ' ) is electrically connected. Operating device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 13 ' ) fixed to the circuit board ( 12 ), in particular soldered there. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the retaining element ( 30 . 31 ) is formed of a plastic, in particular an electrically insulating plastic. Operating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding element ( 30 . 31 ) detachable with the printed circuit board ( 12 ' ) is connected, in particular is locked. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing ( 4 ) an at least partially formed of a metallic material bottom plate ( 25 ), and at least one ground connection between the printed circuit board ( 12 . 12 ' ) and the bottom plate ( 25 ) is trained. Operating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the retaining element ( 13 ' ) at least one integrated grounding tab ( 13g . 13h ), through which the ground connection between the circuit board ( 12 . 12 ' ) and the bottom plate ( 25 ) is trained. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 30 . 31 ) at least one positioning pin ( 13a . 13b . 13a ' . 13b ' . 14a . 14b . 15a . 15b . 16a . 16b . 30a . 30b ), which in a recess ( 17 to 24 . 32 . 33 ) in the printed circuit board ( 12 . 12 ' ) for the arrangement of the retaining element ( 13 to 16 . 13 ' . 30 . 31 ) on the printed circuit board ( 12 . 12 ' ) is introduced. Household appliance with an operating device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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