DE3333877A1 - Electronic clock having a variable position in space and at least two displays - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic clock (5) having a variable position in space and at least two spatially separated displays (6, 9) which have different read-off directions. Such clocks (5) can preferably be used as cooker clock timers which are installed on an electric cooker (1) in a switch box (3) which is provided with operating controls (4) and can be folded in and out, it being possible to read off a first display (6) when the switch box (3) is folded out, and a second display (9) when the switch box (3) is folded in. In order to be able to drive both displays (6, 9) by means of a single clock circuit, there is provided in the clock (5) or in the switch box (3) a position-dependent switching device which of the two displays (6, 9) switches on only the one accessible to the user. <IMAGE>

Description

Electronic clock that can be changed in its spatial position with at least

two displays The present invention relates to one in its spatial Position changeable electronic clock with at least two displays according to the generic term of claim 1.

From DE-PS 26 58 099 an electric stove timer with two mechanical-digital displays can be removed, which are in a fold-out switch box an electric cooker is installed. The switch box has on its top, which is only accessible when folded out, in addition to operating procedures controls for the clock as well as a first of the two displays for the stove on.

When folded, the switch box forms a smooth surface Control panel behind which the controls and the first display are hidden. In order to be able to read the clock in this position of the switch box, in the externally accessible surface of the switch panel is the second of the two displays integrated. Cie displays consist of arranged behind a display window Number reels, with two identical rows of numbers arranged on each number reel which are shifted against each other by the distance between the two display windows, the windows are arranged in such a way that only one of the two rows of digits is ever used can be seen per digit roller. So the two displays show constantly, namely each indicate an identical time and indicate different reading directions on.

Furthermore, a large number of fully electronic clocks are known, which have a single active or passive display as a display.

E.g. that sold under the registered trade name "Orbitron" Applicant's stove timer has a four-digit fluorescent display with special characters on, in which a clock circuit is programmed appropriately for control Microcomputer is used.

Such clock circuits or microcomputers can now have such Activate the display directly. To be able to control two displays at the same time is enough but not the output power of the display control outputs of such circuits the end.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electronic Clock to show which can be read in a meaningful way for different spatial locations is; in particular, such an electronic clock should be used as a stove timer, which is installed in a foldable switch box, in the folded and unfolded state be readable.

To solve this problem, an electronic clock of the introduction named type according to the characterizing part of claim 1 configured.

This allows you to switch between the various displays Connect the display control outputs of a clock circuit to one display unit each happen. At the same time, you can also save between different time information stores can be switched so that the clock has different time information depending on its position indicates. On the other hand, the same time information can also be used for all displays are displayed when the clock is arranged in a changeable position in relation to a user is. Depending on the position, the display facing the user is then in operation taken.

The use of such a watch is particularly advantageous of fluorescent displays. These point between the electrodes when switched off Filament has a very high resistance, so all existing Displays can stay connected to the clock circuit at all times. Activation the respective display is done simply by switching on the heating. this can with a single pole switch, preferably with a position-dependent mercury switch happen.

Further advantages and advantageous refinements are given in the description removable.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing will. The drawing shows in detail in Fig. 1 a partial view of a simplified electric cookers shown with a preferably configured electronic clock with two displays; Fig. 2 is a schematic cross section through the electric range according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 with a preferred circuit diagram for a display control Fluorescent displays.

In the case of an electronic clock whose spatial position can be changed Having at least two displays should each make sense by the user of the watch readable display must be in operation. This is done by a position-dependent switching device reached, which switches on the corresponding display. On the different Displays can now be shown in each case identical time information; it is but also possible to display different time information. Be there time information is also understood to include data that is a time information item are assigned, for example, the display of the switch position in a time switch. Furthermore it is also possible to show the current time from different time zones on the displays represent, so that, depending on the spatial position of the clock, each one predetermined world time is shown on the corresponding display.

A preferred use of such a clock as a stove timer is shown in FIG. An electric cooker 1 with a hotplate 2 has a fold-out switch box 3, in which controls 4 for the Cooking zones 2 and an electronic clock 5 are attached in such a way that they can only be used when opened switch box 3 are accessible. The electronic watch 5 has a first display 6 arranged on and below operating elements 7.

When the switch box 3 is folded, the front side forms a smooth-surfaced switch panel 8, in which a second display 9 of the electrical Clock 5 is integrated. By means of a position-dependent one - not visible in this illustration Switching device is now the first display when switch box 3 is unfolded 6 of the electronic clock 5 is switched on and when the switch box 3 the second display 9. The respective other display 6, 9 is switched off.

It is possible to use the 3 attached second display 9 easier to design, i.e. it is, for example, only the Time of day displayed. The first display 6 can, however, e.g.

as a programming aid, special characters for operator guidance, etc. contain.

This makes sense because only when the switch box 3, that is when the first display 6 is in operation, an operation or programming of the Clock 5 is possible.

In Fig. 2 is a section through the relevant part of the arrangement reproduced according to Fig. 1, the switch box 3 in the folded state with is shown in solid lines and dash-dotted lines in the unfolded state. The switch box 3 is about an axis of rotation 10 between these two positions pivotable at its lower end. The switch box 3 is essentially of one type triangular cross-section, wherein in the overhead surface 11 the first Display 6, consisting of a transparent window 12, which in the overhead Area 11 is used, and one arranged within the switch box 3 Display 13 and the controls 7 are arranged. A front side face 14 and a rear side surface 15 of the switch box 3 protrude over the top Surface 11 in such a way that they together with a front surface 16 of the electric cooker 1 form a stop in both folded positions of the switch box 3. Additionally the upper end 17 of the front side surface 14 can be bent forward so that it can be used as a handle to fold out the folded switch box 3 can. Furthermore, the switch box 3 - not shown - usual latching means be attached to lock in the two folded positions.

The second display 9 is in the front side surface 14 of the switch box 3 arranged. It also consists of a front side surface 14 inserted into the cie Window 18 and a display 19 behind it. The displays 13, 19 of the displays 6, 9 are each installed in a watch case 20, which in its shape the Inner 21 of the switch box 3 is adapted, and installed in this stationary is. In Fig. 2, for the sake of clarity, only the outline of the watch case is shown 20 shown.

Furthermore, in the interior 21 of the switch box 3, preferably within of the watch case 20 a position-dependent switching device 22 is arranged, which Depending on the folded position, one of the two displays 6, 9 - as described - turns on. A mercury changeover switch is preferably used as the position-dependent switching device 22 23 is used as shown in FIG.

Fig. 3 shows a preferred circuit diagram for the Umschaltorrichtun fluorescent displays 13, 19 being used for the displays 6, 9. As situation-dependent Switching device 22 can be a simple, single-pole mercury changeover switch 23 be, which is an operating voltage Uß position-dependent on one of the filaments 24, 25 of the fluorescent displays 13, 19 switches.

The remaining electrode connections 26, 27 of the fluorescence displays 13, 19 are connected to display control outputs 28 of a clock circuit 29 in such a way that that identical electrode connections 26, 27 of both fluorescence displays 13, 19 are each connected to the same of the display control outputs 28. This is in fluorescence displays 13, 19 possible because the contact resistances between the When the filament 24, 25 is switched off, the electrode outputs are so high-resistance that by connecting two or more fluorescence displays 13, 19 practically none additional load on the display control outputs 28 of the clock circuit 29 occurs when only the filament 24, 25 of one of the fluorescent displays 13, 19 is heated.

Furthermore, the clock circuit in the sense of the invention can also with the operating voltage Uß, or with a control signal derived therefrom the switching device 22 (mercury switch 23) are acted upon so that he receives information about which of the displays 6, 9 is currently in operation, so that then the display control outputs to various time information stores can be switched.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 electric cooker 2 hotplate 3 switch box 4 Controls 5 electronic clock 6 first display of 5 7 controls of 5 8 switch panel 8 9 second display of 5 10 axis of rotation 11 overhead surface of 3 12 windows of 6 13 display of 6 14 front side surface of 3 15 rear Side area of 3 16 Front area of 1 17 Top of 14 18 Window of 9 19 display of 9 20 watch case 21 interior of 3 22 position-dependent switching device 23 Mercury switch 24 filament of 13 25 filament of 19 26 electrode connections of 13 27 electrode connections of 19 28 display control outputs of 29 29 clock circuit Uß operating voltage for 24, 25

Claims (5)

Claims 1. In their spatial position changeable electronic Clock with min-best two displays, which are spatially separated and different Have reading directions, preferably stove timer for an electric stove with a fold-out switch box provided with operating controls, which in the folded state forms a smooth-surfaced switch panel, one of which Display when the switch box is folded out and the other display when it is folded in Switch box can be read, characterized in that in the clock (5) and / or a position-dependent switching device (22) is installed in the switch box (3), and that via the switching device (22) only one of the displays (6, 9) is position-dependent is switched on. 2 Electronic clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching device (22) display control outputs (28) of a clock circuit (29) depending on the position with one of the displays (6,9) connects. 3 Electronic clock according to claim 1, characterized in that as displays (6, 9) fluorescent displays (13, 19) are used, and that over the Switching device (22) each has a filament (24, 25) of the fluorescent displays (13, 19) is connected to an operating voltage (Uß) depending on the position. 4. Electronic clock according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that a mercury switch (29) is used as the position-dependent switching device (22) is. 5. Electronic clock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that by each of the displays (6,9) different time information can be displayed, wherein by the switching device (22) position-dependent, the display control outputs (28) of the Clock circuit (29) each to a corresponding time information memory are switchable.