EP1008810A2 - Household apparatus with a control element movable in two directions - Google Patents

Abstract

To set an operating state of a cooking appliance (10), a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a dishwasher, a refrigerator and / or freezer, a kitchen machine or a coffee machine from a predetermined set of different, selectable operating states, a) at least one control element (2 , 21 to 24) moves within a predetermined room area with at least two degrees of freedom of movement, a) the selectable operating states are assigned setting positions (Eij, E1 to E4) of the at least one operating element within the predetermined room area, the operating element being used between at least two of the setting positions only using both Degrees of freedom of movement can be moved, and b) an operating state is set when the at least one control element has been brought into the associated setting position. Advantage: Reduction in the number of <IMAGE> controls

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance.

• Gargeräte zum Garen von Lebensmitteln bei verschiedenen Garintensitäten (Gartemperaturen) und/oder Garprogrammen, insbesondere Kochfelder (Kochmulden), Back- und Bratöfen (Garöfen), Herde (Kombinationen aus Kochfeldern und Garöfen) und/oder Mikrowellen-Gargeräte,
• Waschmaschinen zum Waschen von Wäsche, insbesondere in einer rotierenden Trommel, in einer Waschflüssigkeit bei unterschiedlichen Waschtemperaturen,
• Wäschetrockner zum Trocknen von Wäsche, insbesondere in einer rotierbaren Trommel, durch Zufuhr von Wärme und Abführen der Feuchtigkeit, oder
• Geschirrspülmaschinen zum Spülen von Geschirr, Besteck und anderen Gegenständen in einem Spülraum mit Spülflüssigkeit bei unterschiedlichen Spültemperaturen.

Various household appliances are known in which a household item is subjected to a specific heat treatment by means of a heating device. Examples of such thermal household appliances are

• Cooking devices for cooking food at different cooking intensities (cooking temperatures) and / or cooking programs, in particular hobs (cooking hobs), baking and roasting ovens (cooking ovens), stoves (combinations of hobs and ovens) and / or microwave cooking devices,
• Washing machines for washing laundry, in particular in a rotating drum, in a washing liquid at different washing temperatures,
• Clothes dryer for drying laundry, in particular in a rotating drum, by supplying heat and removing moisture, or
• Dishwashers for washing dishes, cutlery and other objects in a wash room with washing liquid at different washing temperatures.

In all of these known household appliances are dependent of the household goods and / or a desired result nowadays, in general, a variety of thermal Operating states with a thermal operating parameter such as an operating temperature or a heating output or a heating energy on the one hand and another company size like another operating parameter or one Operating program or an operating function on the other hand selectable. For selecting the thermal operating states has so far only been a one-dimensional movement one or more controls such as turning one Rotary knob or pressing a button or a touch field for setting and changing an operating state used. For setting an operating state of a Cooking equipment (cooker, hob, baking and roasting oven), in particular a cooking intensity (heat setting, target temperature for temperature control etc.) or a cooking process or a cooking program (cooking, heating, roasting, etc.), for example various operating devices are known, the rotary switches, linear slide switches, push buttons and / or optical, capacitive or piezoelectric touch sensors (Touch sensors) can include. Also for the other household appliances mentioned are different Operating devices known.

From DE 197 06 278 A1 a countersink rotary knob for operating a domestic cooker is known, which can be moved axially between two positions and rotated perpendicular to it. The axial movement of the rotary knob is only used to switch the cooker on or off between "On" and "Off". However, the switched-off state is by definition not an operating state in which the household items, here the items to be cooked, are thermally treated. In addition, each operating state is only defined by a single (thermal) operating parameter, which is changed by the rotation of the rotary knob.

• Flugzeugen,
• Fernbedienungen für Modellschiffe, -autos und -flugzeuge
• den sogenannten "Joy sticks" zur Bedienung von Computern, insbesondere für Videospiele, zum Steuern einer virtuellen räumliche Bewegung in einem Computerspiel,
• Kränen oder Hebezeugen,
• Fahrzeugen oder Arbeitsmaschinen wie Flurförderzeugen

Control systems with two-dimensionally movable control sticks or control levers, which are provided for controlling a spatial movement of an object corresponding to the movement of the control stick, are known from other technical fields which are not relevant to the person skilled in the household appliance sector concerned here. Such tax systems are known

• Airplanes,
• Remote controls for model ships, cars and planes
• the so-called "joy sticks" for operating computers, in particular for video games, for controlling a virtual spatial movement in a computer game,
• Cranes or hoists,
• Vehicles or work machines such as industrial trucks

DE 39 06 585 A1 discloses a two-dimensionally movable control element for a remote control for operating several consumer electronics devices such as a TV set, a video recorder, a CD player, a tuner and a tape deck. According to DE 39 06 585 A1, the devices can be selected in different columns by means of setting positions of the control element arranged in a matrix, and different operating functions of the individual devices can be selected in different rows. The control element can be a ball that can be rotated about two axes oriented perpendicular to one another, or a "joy stick". Thermal operating states for treating household goods are not possible with these devices.

For a motor vehicle heating / air conditioning system, an operating unit is known from DE 41 35 363 A1 with an operating element operating in step switching logic, which can be actuated in the form of a toggle button in two mutually perpendicular actuation levels and in each level in two opposite directions. In one of the two actuation levels, a temperature setpoint can be increased in predetermined steps with continuous actuation of the control element in one of the two directions and reduced in the opposite direction. This temperature setpoint is assigned by actuating the control element in the other actuation level in a direction to the left of the left half of the vehicle and to the right of the right half of the vehicle.

DE 197 56 475 A1 discloses an operating lever designed as a joy stick with a sensor unit for detecting a zero position of the operating lever.

From DE 43 06 577 C1 a hand control device with a control stick rotatable about a pivot point and a molded part with a spherical segment-shaped surface and mutually perpendicular locking grooves for an engaging lower end of the control stick is known

The invention is based on the object of a household appliance with multiple operating states during which a household item from a heater directly or heat is supplied via a working medium, and a special one Operating device for selecting one of the operating states specify.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

The household appliance, in particular household cooking appliance, according to Claim 1 comprises at least one heating device for thermal Treat (treat by changing the heat condition or the temperature) of a household good and one predetermined (discrete or continuous) set of each other different operating states (operating modes). Each operating state is characterized by a thermal Operating parameters for the heating device on the one hand and one further operating parameters or at least one operating program (Operating function) defined on the other hand. The thermal operating parameter can in particular be an operating temperature, a heat output (heat output) or a heating energy (thermal energy) and is preferred adjustable to at least three different values. The number the values of the other operating parameter or the operating programs is preferably also at least three. , For selecting and setting an operating state of the household appliance now also includes the household appliance at least one control element, one the control element assigned position detection device and a control device for (physical) control of the operating status.

The control element is within a specified area in two mutually orthogonal spatial directions between several predetermined setting positions can be moved, in other words, has two degrees of freedom of movement on or can be moved two-dimensionally. The position detection device to recognize the current position of the Control element and comparison of this current position with the specified setting positions, each of the predefined operating states one of the setting positions is clearly assigned by a value of thermal operating parameter is a coordinate value of the setting position in one of the two spatial directions and one Value of the further operating parameter or an operating program or an operating function a coordinate value the setting position in the other of the two spatial directions corresponds. The control device now provides one of the predetermined operating states when the position detection device a match of the current Position of the control element with this operating state assigned assigned setting position.

The invention is based on the consideration, at least one two-dimensional, i.e. with at least two degrees of freedom taking place, movement of a control element within a predetermined room area for setting a thermal operating state of a household appliance use. Each of the selectable operating states a setting position of the control element in the clearly assigned to the given area (mathematically spoken an injective figure). The movement of the control element with at least two degrees of freedom (degrees of freedom) means that the movement with a coordinate system of at least two (linear) independent and in particular orthogonal movement coordinates must be described, in contrast to a one-dimensional one Movement where a movement coordinate is sufficient, e.g. Distance from an origin in linear motion (Slide switch, push button) or rotated angle when rotating in a plane (rotary knob).

Due to the increased number of kinematic degrees of freedom is for operating the same number of operating states compared to the known operating systems for the devices mentioned a smaller number of controls required, creating space on the control units the devices can be saved. The operating principle also offers according to the invention the advantage that all operating parameters or operating functions of the household appliance with just one movement of the control element at the same time can be adjusted.

A use of two-dimensionally positionable in a spatial area Controls for operating devices for Household activities are not yet known. Outgoing of the mentioned known applications of two-dimensional Operating systems, the invention is based on the transmission on the operation of household appliances with heating devices for treating household goods on the additional Consideration, the two-dimensional movement of the Control element not for controlling a correspondingly two-dimensional actual or virtual movement but to control an abstract quantity, namely an operating state of the device in question, which has no direct reference has to use a spatial movement while doing so the two completely the operating state of the device defining input variables (operating variables) by the two To show degrees of freedom of movement of the control element.

The operation according to the invention can of the household appliance can be simplified since several operating parameters no longer successively on different Controls must be set. Play for the assessment of whether an operating system is simple or not, subjective factors and habits matter however, in view of the growing familiarity of the Population, especially the younger generation, with one Joy stick operation in the widely used computer games a replica of a joy stick or at least Similar control unit of one of the devices mentioned in the household increasingly accepted.

Advantageous further developments and refinements of the household appliance according to the invention result from the Claim 1 dependent claims.

In an advantageous first embodiment, the each setting position determining an operating state of the device of the control element at least approximately in Form a matrix to each other, the matrix being on a arbitrarily shaped, flat or curved surface can be.

In a further embodiment, the control means can after the control element remains in place at least one of the setting positions after different given operating times different operating states to adjust. Such a step switching logic reduces the number of adjustment positions required.

However, each setting position is preferably accurate an operating state clearly assigned (mathematically referred to as bijective mapping or mapping), so that the operating status only from the location and not also from the dwell time of the control element depends.

The control element for moving to one of the setting positions can in particular around a pivot point (pivot bearing) two independent angular directions as spatial directions (Solid angle range) can be rotated so that a spherical surface is passed through, or in another execution also only essentially linear in two perpendicular to each other Directions are done.

The control element can also be moved to one of the setting positions in parallel to either of the two Guides running in spatial directions must be guided and / or can be locked in the setting positions by means of locking means his. With both measures for an operator Movement of the control element to one of the setting positions ergonomically supported.

In an advantageous embodiment, the position detection device has arranged at predetermined positions Position sensors and evaluation means for evaluating the Sensor signals from the position sensors to determine the current one Position of the control element on.

Around the control element always from the same starting position (Zero position) can move in another Training reset means can be provided that the control element automatically return to the starting position.

The household appliance preferably also has a display device with which the set operating state with one or more assigned characters or display means can be displayed, the selectable operating states or at least one of the operating parameters or operating programs characters or operational functions or display means relative to each other as the assigned Setting positions of the control element arranged are a clear and ergonomically understandable Assignment of the identifiers to the setting positions and the To achieve operating states.

In one embodiment, the household appliance can be a Be washing machine, the heating device for thermal Treat laundry to be washed as household goods a washing liquid is heated and the thermal operating parameter generally a washing temperature and the operating programs generally depending on the type of laundry, for example "wool, cooked linen", colored laundry "etc., are.

The household appliance can also be a tumble dryer the laundry to be dried as household goods warms and dries and as a thermal operating parameter generally a degree of drying (heating power) or a drying time (heating energy) as well as operating programs usually laundry programs depending on the laundry type are selectable.

A dishwasher can also be operated operated according to the invention. The heater now heats up for thermal treatment of items to be rinsed Dishes as household goods are a rinsing liquid. The thermal Operating parameters can now be a rinse temperature and the operating program depending on contamination, for example "Normal", "Spar", "Intensiv", etc.

The household appliance is preferably designed as a cooking appliance, especially as a stove and / or hob, the Heating device to be cooked as food warmed. The hob with a specified number of cooking zones comprises, with each cooking zone an associated heating device includes and each cooking zone an associated Control element for setting an operating state of the Cooking zone is assigned. The thermal operating parameter corresponds to a cooking intensity, for example between "weak" and "strong" or in a temperature interval, and cooking processes specified as operating programs or predefined cooking programs, for example "cooking, "Roasting" and "heating" or a type of heating such as "hot air", Top heat "," parboiling "or" steaming "etc. provided are.

The home appliance can also be a combination of one or more of the devices mentioned, for example one Washer dryer or a combined cooking / washing machine.

The operating state is advantageously set only after a certain waiting time, so not every unintentional touch of the control element immediately leads to a change in the operating state.

FIG 1

eine Bedienvorrichtung mit einem zweidimensional innerhalb einer Einstellpositionsmatrix bewegbaren Bedienelement in einer schematischen Draufsicht,

FIG 2

eine Bedienvorrichtung mit einer Positionssensormatrix in einer teilweise geschnittenen Seitenansicht,

FIG 3

eine Bedienvorrichtung für ein Kochfeld mit vier Kochzonen,

FIG 4

eine weitere Bedienvorrichtung für ein Kochfeld mit vier Kochzonen und

FIG 5

eine Bedienvorrichtung mit in vier Einstellpositionen bbewegbaren Bedienelement.

Einander entsprechende Teile sind in den FIG 1 bis 5 mit denselben Bezugszeichen versehen.To further explain the invention, reference is made to the drawings, in which exemplary embodiments according to the invention are each shown schematically. Show it:

FIG. 1

an operating device with a two-dimensionally movable operating element within an adjustment position matrix in a schematic plan view,

FIG 2

an operating device with a position sensor matrix in a partially sectioned side view,

FIG 3

an operating device for a hob with four cooking zones,

FIG 4

another control device for a hob with four cooking zones and

FIG 5

an operating device with operating element that can be moved in four setting positions.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 5.

1 shows an operating element (operating element, operating lever, Control stick) 2 shown from above, that in at least two perpendicular to each other and therefore linear from each other independent directions (denoted by x and y respectively) and thus in one by the maximum deflections in x and predetermined spatial area with at least two degrees of freedom of movement is movable. Every mass particle of the essentially rigid control element runs through an assigned trajectory during a movement (Trajectory, space curve). The trajectories of the individual Mass particles are due to the connection of the mass particles in the control element 2 and its attachment and corresponding Limitation of the degree of freedom of movement clearly interdependent. To describe the position of the control element 2 it is therefore sufficient to consider the movement a reference position (reference point) of the Control element 2. There are now several setting positions E11 to EMN are provided in the form of a matrix with M rows and N columns (in the example in FIG. 1, M = 3 and N = 10) arranged. Each of the setting positions Eij with 1 ≤ i ≤ M and 1 ≤ j ≤ N does not correspond to an operating state Cooking appliance shown, in particular a cooking zone Cooktop. The setting positions in a correspond Line a cooking program or a cooking function, namely the Setting positions E11 to E1N of the first line of the cooking function "Roast", the setting position E21 to E2N the Cooking function "Cooking" and the setting position EM1 to EMN with M = 3 of the "heating" cooking function. Different columns on the other hand, correspond to the matrix of the setting positions Eij different cooking intensities, expediently the cooking intensity from left to right, i.e. With growing j, increasing. To display a set Cooking intensity is near the control element 2, in particular in front of the control element 2, display means provided, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs) 5 which are linear in the x direction, in the line direction, the setting positions are arranged and their number and arrangement of the number N or arrangement of the setting positions Eil to EiN in one Line corresponds. The direction in which the cooking intensity increases, is characterized by the words "weak" and "strong". In the y direction, identifiers are "roast", "cooking" or "warm" the corresponding lines of the setting position matrix assigned.

Now the control element 2 for operating the cooking device in one of the possible directions, especially the x direction and the y direction or a direction with x and y components, is moved, if the reference position matches P with one of the setting positions Eij, at least over a certain period of time of this setting position Corresponding cooking condition (operating condition) of the Cooking appliance set. For example, the cooking state "Roast" set with the highest cooking intensity when the Reference position P reaches the setting position E1N or coincides with this over a predetermined time interval. It can then be used to identify the set Cooking status of the identifier "Roast" made visually recognizable and also the one on the far right Light-emitting diode 5 are put into operation to the set Label cooking intensity. After setting the Cooking state is in a special embodiment heating the cooking zone by setting the heating power the cooking temperature except for one using a temperature controller process temperature corresponding to the selected cooking function increased (ramped up) and then according to the desired one Cooking intensity back to a corresponding target temperature reduced by reducing the heating power.

In FIG 1, the reference position P is in the middle the setting position matrix and in none of the setting positions Eij. This position is the starting position of the control element 2 with the cooking appliance switched off. Accordingly, none of the light emitting diodes 5 in FIG. 1 are activated.

Detection of the current position, the reference position P, the control element 2 and the comparison of the current coordinates the reference position P with the coordinates of the Adjustment positions Eij can be done in many different ways be accomplished. 2 shows an embodiment of position detection means for recognizing and evaluating the current position of the control element 2. The control element 2 is conical in FIG. 2 or in the manner of a control stick trained and has a on its underside convex shaped extension 20. The control element is preferably 2 rotatable about a hinge, not shown and passed through an opening 26 in a control panel 25, a sufficient deflection of the control element 2 in allows a given area of space. Below the Extension 20 is arranged a matrix Mij of position sensors. The sensor signals of all position sensors of the position sensor matrix Mij are on appropriate signal lines an evaluation unit 3 supplied from the a position signal PS is determined for individual sensor signals, which is a function of the current position (reference position) P of the control element 2. The position sensors can now the position sensor matrix Mij in number and arrangement in coordination with the shape of the extension 20 of the Control element 2 analogous to the matrix of the setting position Eij be arranged. Instead of the eight position sensors shown in FIG. 2 would be Mij per line of the position sensor matrix then ten position sensors for the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 to provide. In particular, as position sensors Microswitch that when the extension 20 be switched. or other sensors, in particular optical, capacitive, inductive or piezoelectric sensors or strain gauges may be provided, the one depending on the position of the extension 20 Generate signal.

From the position signal PS of the evaluation unit 3 of the position detection means a control unit 4 directs a control signal S exactly when the reference position P of the Control element 2 coincides with one of the setting positions Eij. The control signal S is used to set the operating state of the cooking appliance.

Instead of the embodiment shown in FIG 2 with a horizontally arranged position sensor matrix Mij can also vertically arranged position sensors with a provided correspondingly vertically arranged extension 20 be as well as all other evaluation means and evaluation methods for position detection of such an operating element 2, as is the case with so-called joy sticks Personal computers are used.

Furthermore, instead of discrete setting positions, too a setting position interval in one direction or even a setting position surface area analog (continuous) or quasianalog (very many sampling points) monitored be, for example by coupling to a potentiometer.

3 and 4 are each a hob (hob) with 10, a cooktop of the cooktop 10 with 15, a Hob frame with 16 and four cooking zones (hotplates) with 11 to 14 and a residual heat indicator 17. All of these components 10 to 17 are known per se Trained way. For each of the cooking zones 11, 12, 13 and 14 is now a corresponding control element 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 for setting an operating state of the corresponding Cooking zone 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 assigned. The Control elements 21 to 24 are in one in both FIGS. 3 and 4 Control panel 25 arranged.

In FIG 3, the controls 21 to 24 are in analog, in Substantially matrix-shaped (rectangular, square) Arrangement arranged as the cooking zones 11 to 14, so that a clear spatial assignment of the control elements 21 up to 24 to the cooking zones 11 to 14 for the user is possible.

In FIG 4, the four controls 21 to 24 are in one Row arranged side by side and the assignment of the controls 21 to 24 to the associated cooking zones 11 to 14 is facilitated by additional symbols 31 to 34.

According to FIG. 3 there are again 21 to 24 for each control element assigned display means, in particular light-emitting diodes, 51 or 52 or 53 or 54 arranged, which with the control element 21 to 24 cooking intensity set Show. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the cooking zones 11, 12 and 13 are switched on, which is due to the - darkly marked - luminous LED 51 or 52 or 53 can be seen. The cooking zone 14 is against it switched off; accordingly, none of the light emitting diodes 54 in operation.

4 shows a special embodiment of a display device to display the with the controls 21 to 24 set operating status of the respective cooking zone 11 to 14. Each control element 21 to 24 is one Display device 41 to 44 assigned, for example a graphic display, in particular a light-emitting diode, Liquid crystal - or a vacuum fluorescent screen with associated driver. On the display devices 41 to 44 are in a left pane the cooking function by a single letter (for example "B" for roast, "K" for cooking and "W" for heating) shown and in a right area the set Cooking intensity with a corresponding number. How 4 can be seen, the cooking zone 11 via the control element 21 in the cooking mode ("K") with the Cooking intensity "2", as shown on the display device 41, brought and the cooking zone 12 in the operating state Roast "B" with cooking intensity "7" according to the display device 42. Cooking zones 13 and 14 are switched off, symbolized by a zero ("0") on the respective Indicators 43 and 44.

In order not to be the same with every movement of the control element 2 A timer can be used to change the operating status of the cooking appliance be provided, after which the operating state is set when the reference position P of the control element 2 for a predetermined period of time in one corresponding setting position Eij remained uninterrupted is. This time period can be, for example, between one half and about five seconds.

In the further embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are not one for each operating state of the device Assigned setting position, but each control element 2 only four setting positions, two in the y direction and two are arranged in the x direction. In a modification of FIG. 1 5 is the cooking function in this embodiment according to FIG or cooking intensity by moving the control element 2 in the corresponding direction gradually after each expiration changed a predetermined period of time. The setting position E1 is used to increase the cooking intensity, the setting position E2 to reduce the cooking intensity. With Setting position E3 becomes the cooking function in the y direction changed upwards and in the setting position E4 in the y direction downward. So the cooking intensity is gradually after a predetermined period of time upwards changed, ie in the direction from "weak" to "strong" as long as the reference position P of the control element 2 is in the setting position E1. A corresponding change when the reference position P of the control element is held 2 in the other setting positions E2 to E4 performed.

In a further simplification, not shown, are sufficient even only two setting positions, with at Run through all cooking functions or cooking parameter values in one direction it is started again from the beginning. It is also important in this simplest embodiment clear spatial separation of the two linearly independent movements and assignment to the independent cooking parameters or cooking functions that control the user significantly relieved.

In an embodiment, also not shown, can the controls 2 and 21 to 24 according to Figures 1 to 5 each in a guide, especially in the control panel 25, be guided, particularly in mutually perpendicular Directions (matrix-shaped) can run and thus the number of degrees of freedom is limited to exactly two. Furthermore, the individual setting positions Eij each locking means for locking the controls 2, 21 to 24 can be provided so that an operator can recognize and feel the setting positions more easily.

The controls 2 and 21 to 24 can in one embodiment remain in the respective position or in another embodiment by appropriate reset means, which contain spring elements, for example can be brought back to a starting position. These reset means are particularly in the embodiment 5 expedient.

Instead of the controls described so far alternatively or additionally, control elements are used be used in the computer game area "Track ball" are reproduced. For example, a in a bowl-shaped bearing with appropriate position detection means control ball rotatable around its center can be used as a control element. The space area for the movement would be a sphere (spherical surface), corresponding to the different operating states Setting positions would be points or areas on the Sphere and the two independent motion coordinates would be for example in the spherical coordinate system azimuth angle and polar angle. In a special training course then display means can also be integrated on the control ball, for example, backlit in a simple embodiment Symbols corresponding to the setting positions could be arranged. Also a computer mouse simulated multi-dimensionally movable control element can be realized within the scope of the invention.

Of course, the operating system according to the invention not only for cooking devices, but also basically for everyone else, especially electrical or electronic, Devices with more than two operating states are used be, preferably for other household appliances for private or commercial housekeeping, which is a multi-step operation require, especially for washing machines, tumble dryers, Dishwashers, refrigerators and / or freezers, Food processors, coffee machines or also Vacuum cleaner (if there are other parameters besides the suction power should be set).

Claims (17)

Household appliance, especially household cooking appliance, with a) at least one heating device for the thermal treatment of a household good, b) a predefined set of mutually different operating states, each of which is defined by a thermal operating parameter for the heating device on the one hand and a further operating parameter or one of several predefined operating programs on the other hand, c) at least one operating element (2, 21 to 24) which can be moved within a predetermined spatial area in two mutually orthogonal spatial directions between a plurality of predetermined setting positions (Eij), d) position detection means (Mij, 3) for recognizing the current position (P) of the at least one control element and comparing this current position with the predetermined setting positions (Eij, E1 to E4), each of the predetermined operating states being assigned a setting position by one Value of the thermal operating parameter corresponds to a coordinate value of the setting position in one of the two spatial directions and a value of the further operating parameter or an operating program or an operating function corresponds to a coordinate value of the setting position in the other of the two spatial directions, and with e) control means (4) for setting one of the predetermined operating states when the position detection means have determined that the current position of the at least one operating element matches the setting position assigned to this operating state. Domestic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control means the operating state only after a predetermined Set the time after the control element has reached the associated setting position. Household appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control means after the control element remains uninterrupted in at least one of the setting positions after different predefined periods of time set different operating states. Household appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one setting position for each operating state is clearly assigned. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, at least the setting positions of the control element are arranged approximately in the form of a matrix. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control element for moving into one of the setting positions in two independent angular directions is rotatable. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control element for moving into one of the setting positions in parallel to either of the two Guides running in spatial directions is guided. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, in which the position detection means at predetermined Position sensors (Mij) and evaluation means (3) for evaluating the sensor signals of the position sensors to determine the current position (P) of the control element (2). Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims with locking means for locking the control element in the Setting positions. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims with reset means assigned to the control element, which the control element in a predetermined starting position bring back within the given space. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims with a display device on which the set Operating state with one or more assigned Character or display means (5) can be displayed, wherein the selectable operating states or at least one of the operating parameters or operating programs or Signs or display means assigned to operational functions relative to each other like the assigned setting positions of the control element are arranged. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, designed as a washing machine, the heating device for thermal treatment of laundry to be washed a washing liquid warmed. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, formed as a dishwasher, the heating device for the thermal treatment of objects to be rinsed warmed up a rinsing liquid. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, formed as a tumble dryer, with the heater , laundry to be dried warmed up. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, formed as a cooking device, in particular a cooking oven and / or a cooktop, the heating device The food to be cooked is heated. Household appliance according to claim 15, wherein the cooking appliance a hob with a specified number of cooking zones comprises, with each cooking zone an associated heating device includes and each cooking zone an associated Control element for setting an operating state is assigned to the cooking zone. Household appliance according to claim 15 or claim 16, which is the thermal operating parameter of a cooking intensity corresponds and given as operating programs Cooking processes or predetermined cooking programs provided are.

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