EP1257152B1 - Touch switch device and controlling method of touch switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The touch switch layout (11) has several selection switches (14a-14d) grouped around a common control switch (13). The selection switches select the electric loads, based on the preset electric power. <??>An Independent claim is included for touch switch control method.

Description

The invention relates to a touch switch arrangement according to the The preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 13. Such touch switch arrangements Be beneficial for electrical appliances with multiple electrical consumers used. The electrical consumers are adjustable with respect to their electrical power. They are selectable by a selector switch for a power setting to be made.

Such known touch switch arrangements are for everyone electrical load a selector switch and a plus and a minus button for the power setting on. This means that per electrical load three touch switches are necessary. This is very complex, also from the control method ago.

Task and solution

The invention is based on the object, an aforementioned contact switch arrangement and a control method for electrical appliances to create with several electrical consumers, with less Effort can be produced as well as a high operating safety guarantee.

This object is achieved by a touch switch arrangement with the Features of claim 1 and by a method with the features of claim 13 solved. Advantageous and preferred developments The invention is the subject of the other claims and will be explained in more detail below. The wording of the claims is incorporated by express reference into the content of the description.

According to the invention, the selection switch for a specific electrical Consumers also or at the same time for a performance adjustment, for example, in the plus or minus direction, are used. A power adjustment can be made such that first short the selector switch is actuated to select the particular consumer. By pressing the same selector switch again then a power change, for example in the form of a power increase occur. See also the following explanation of the inventive method. There are only a maximum of two switches needed per consumer. So may for the touch switch arrangement a switch can be saved, which has significant advantages in manufacturing as well as the operational safety offers.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention can for a power setting in the other direction than that of the selector switch a common setting switch for multiple electrical loads be provided. This further reduces the touch switch possible, namely an individual selection and power setting switch for one direction as well as a common one Setting switch for power adjustment in the other direction. Thus, in this case must for this particular electrical consumer in addition to the common setting switch only a single individual or specific selector switch are provided. Especially this is preferably true for all electrical consumers of the electrical appliance.

To simplify the operation, especially with one hand, can the selector switch or the individual switch at least grouped around a common setting switch. this happens particularly advantageous in the form of one of the number of selection switch corresponding Polygon. As advantageous and visually and easy to use It makes sense to look at a regular polygon. It is preferably arranged in each corner of the polygon, a touch switch. The touch switches should not be too far apart, and advantageously about the same. One-handed operation is for adults Persons possible with a maximum distance of 15 cm. Particularly ergonomic is a distance of about 5 cm. In this case can be a simultaneous operation of a central setting switch as well at least one selector switch as a safety barrier against be provided unintentional operation.

The selection switches can be associated with optical display means to display the status or switching state of the relevant electrical Consumer. In this case, preferably each selection switch assigned own display means. In a further embodiment of the invention the display means may have several different functions, in particular with respect to this electrical consumer. These Functions can include, for example, a power indicator, a hot indicator and / or a completed programming. A difference between different functions can be activated by an activation LED or special different display types of the display. Possibilities are here, for example, a flashing in different Frequencies or brightness in different stages.

In one embodiment of the invention can be provided that at least two electrical consumers are actuated and with respect to certain Criteria, preferably their performance, are adjustable. To For example, the touch switch assembly may include at least three touch switches exhibit. These at least two touch switches are preferred distributed around a central point or area, preferably in regular arrangement or evenly distributed. The display means to indicate the state of the consumer are then in the field within the arrangement of the touch switches or in the area this central point provided. They are advantageous in this case trained that the state of several consumers presented in alternation can be.

It is possible in principle, with the display means the state of several or to indicate to all consumers. Because preferred for easy operation only the state of a consumer is displayed at the same time If a consumer's status is displayed alternately. Thus, a great advantage of the invention is that for several Consumers only a single display means is provided and the effort for further display means can be saved. These Saving in effort is considerable, since not only the components themselves can be saved, but also their installation and possibly control. So also the circuit boards, which carry the arrangements, be kept smaller and easier.

The change of presentation can on the one hand automatically or automatically running time intervals for the different consumers respectively. It should be advantageous only displayed such consumers that are activated.

Alternatively, an illustration of the state of a particular touch switch on request, or its display set become. For this purpose, for example, by pressing once for every consumer individual touch switch a change the representation of the state of this consumer take place.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a controller a hob with several, especially four, cooking areas created become. At a central point or area can be a common Power adjustment switch can be arranged, as well as next to it an LED display. In a substantially regular arrangement around this central point around can for each of the hobs selection switch be provided. These selector switches have one to the common power setting switch complementary function. For example, with the common power setting switch the performance can be lowered, so it can with the individual Selector switch can be increased as a power adjustment function and vice versa.

A label for which touch switch or consumer the central display means are currently active, can advantageously via a the display associated with the individual touch switch. This can be an LED, for example, in a simple embodiment. It is possible to use different light intensities or possibly flashing frequencies as well as general active display as well as a selection display for this touch switch or the associated To use consumers.

The display means may at least in a simple embodiment have an incandescent lamp or LED. In this case, preferably several LEDs next to each other in bar, bar or circular arc form be arranged.

Alternatively or additionally, display means may include a seven-segment display exhibit. With such a so-called alphanumeric Appearance can be digits and most letters well readable and clearly shown. This allows more information are displayed.

The inventive method for controlling a touch switch provides that by touching the touch switch once or the sensor surface of the electrical load selected or is selected. By touching again, the electrical power be set in a certain direction. This can be a easy operation of the touch switch or setting the Consumer of the electrical appliance to be made.

In the other direction may be the performance or a similar property of the electrical load through another touch switch be set. This additional touch switch does not necessarily need a selection function, so that the device kept simpler can be.

Preferably, it can be provided that a touch switch for the Power adjustment in the other direction for multiple consumers is provided jointly. For a power setting is one each Consumers through the selection key to select and then the Power to be adjusted.

The connection of a supplementary consumer belonging to the selected consumer, at a cooking place of an electric cooktop For example, an additional heating, can be done by setting the highest performance level for this consumer. Usually these are Additional heaters designed as two-circuit heaters. Subsequently a renewed Höleistungs the electrical power is made by pressing the appropriate touch switch. Thereby the additional consumer is activated. A deactivation can by Achievement reduction or by completely switching off the Consumer.

These and other features against except from the claims also from the description and the drawings, the individual Characteristics in each case alone or in the form of sub-combinations in one embodiment of the invention and on others Be realized and beneficial and protectable areas To be able to represent versions for which protection claims here becomes. The subdivision in the application into individual sections as well Subheadings limit the statements made thereunder not in its generality.

Short name of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Berührungsschalteranordnung für ein Kochfeld mit vier Kochstellen,

Fig. 2

die Anordnung aus Fig. 1 in einem Betätigungszustand,

Fig. 3

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Berührungsschalteranordnung mit allgemeiner Funktion und

Fig. 4

die Berührungsschalteranordnung aus Fig. 3 in einem Betätigungszustand.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a touch switch assembly according to the invention for a hob with four burners,

Fig. 2

the arrangement of Figure 1 in an operating state,

Fig. 3

a further schematic representation of a touch switch assembly with general function and

Fig. 4

the touch switch assembly of Fig. 3 in an operating state.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Fig. 1 shows a touch switch assembly 11, which in turn in Fig. 2 is shown in the actuated state. It has several touch switches on, namely an on / off switch 12, a central minus switch 13 and four grouped around the minus switch 13 selection / plus switch 14 a-d. The individual touch switches 12 to 14 a-d are printed on the top by corresponding printed decors a Berühroberfläche 15 shown. By way of example, this is in one area of the glass ceramic hob, which is provided with the impressions. The selection and plus switch 14 a-d stand for the four hotplates of the hob. This is by the point in relation to the cross or Plus sign clarifies.

The on / off switch 12 has an activatable LED 16 which is turned on Condition of the hob lights. The central minus switch 13 is not assigned to an ad. The individual selection switches 14 a-d are associated with display means in the form of a selection LED 17 a-d and in a circular arc arranged bar LED displays 18 a-d. As if through the thin lines, which can be printed decors, indicated, they are divided into three areas.

The selector switches 14c and 14d have right next to it one more Dual circuit LED 19c and 19d on. These show an activated two-circuit or additional heating for the relevant hotplate. Such two-circuit heaters are, for example, as an extended cooking or heating zone known.

As a touch switch conventional touch switches can be used be, that is optically, capacitively or the like. The touch switches can have a touch-sensitive sensor surface. capacitive Touch switch with control, as for example in EP 859 468 are preferably used.

Fig. 3 shows another exemplary touch switch arrangement 111, which is similar in arrangement to that of FIG. she is in Fig. 4 shown in the actuated state. It is also located on one Touch surface 15. This area is stamped. The Arrangement 111 has a plurality of touch switches, namely a On / Off switch 12 as in Fig. 1, a central minus switch 13 and four selection / plus switches grouped around the minus switch 13 14 a-d. The individual touch switches 12 to 14 a-d become again by corresponding printed decorations on the top of the Berühroberfläche 15 is shown.

In this embodiment, in a modification as well Plus and minus switch be reversed. Then would be a central plus switch available.

The central minus switch 13 is within the arrangement of the switch 14 associated with a display 118 as a display means. This central Display 118 consists of six LEDs arranged in a circular arc 119. The LED 119 are individually controllable in any manner. Advantageously, they are also variable in their brightness or can be operated in flashing mode. Furthermore, in the central Area left and right of the negative switch 13 each have a two-circuit LED 20c and 20d arranged. These serve additional Dual circuit heaters belonging to the switches 14c and 14d Hotplates according to known manner as turned on display.

Furthermore, each select / plus switch 14a-d is a select LED 17 a-d assigned. These selection LEDs indicate if the to the respective Touch switch 14 associated hotplate is activated.

As a touch switch conventional touch switches can be used be, that is optically, capacitively or the like. Particularly advantageous Touch switch capacitive type together with control, for example in EP 859 468, to which express reference is taken.

function

A method of operating the touch switch assembly 11 and The cooking field controlled by it can look like this. First is the on / off switch 12 by touching or fingering actuated. Subsequently, by pressing any selection switch 14 a cooking area are selected. This means that after that she is ready for a performance adjustment. By pressing again the respective selection switch 14, which now acts as a plus switch, the power of the hob is gradually increased. In the arrangement according to FIGS. 1 and 2, these are five stages. It is also possible a finer distribution. This can be indicated by a Heat levels corresponding number of LED. Another option is a gradation of the brightness of each LED up to the highest or a flashing.

It is also possible, by lingering on the touch switch for some Seconds automatically from the function of the selector switch to the the positive switch to come.

After completion of service or directly after reaching the first Power level activates the control of the touch switch arrangement 11 the corresponding heating device. By pressing the selector switch 14, the associated selection LED 17 is activated and shines.

In the selection / plus switches 14 c and d with an associated two-circuit heating is the highest for activating this two-circuit heating Power level set. By pressing the plus switch again the controller recognizes this "overshift" as triggering the two-circuit heating and activates it accordingly. This activation will indicated by a lighting of the corresponding dual-circuit LED 19.

A reduction in performance is made by selecting a Cooking. By appropriate operation of the central minus switch 13, the performance can be reduced as with increasing become. When power level zero is reached, the heating is deactivated or switched off. The corresponding hob remains here selected. In this way, for example, a Two-circuit heating to be switched off.

Increasing and reducing the power can be achieved either by a corresponding number of operations or switching operations on the touch switch respectively. Likewise it is possible that by lasting Press or finger on the touch switch an automatic Continue running is used.

The switching state of the four hotplates in Fig. 2 is as follows. The too the cooking switch 14a is selected, see glowing selection LED 17a. Set is the power level 4, shown through the four illuminated LEDs of the bar LED display 18a.

In the cooking area associated with the switch 14b, the corresponding one functions Display 18b as a hot indication. It shows the state of a step 1, so still a residual heat. The hotplate is not selected.

At the hotplate of the selector switch 14c, the hot indicator is the Display 18c on the second and thus the higher level. To this Way can give a user a different residual heat of the Hotplate be signaled via gradable hot displays. A gradation can also be done even finer by several intended for this purpose LED or different display types.

The hotplate of the selector switch 14d is not selected but activated at power level 3. The glowing dual-circuit LED 19d indicates the switched-on two-circuit heating.

An advantageous method for operating a touch switch arrangement 111 according to FIG. 3 or a cooking field controlled thereby, which is constructed according to the central display, is above has been widely described. In a modification to this points the present invention has a central display. Their function will be explained below.

In FIG. 4, the LED 16 indicates that the touch switch arrangement 111 or a so-controlled hob is in operation. The Selection LED 17a of the left upper cooking surface or the selection / plus switch 14a shines weakly. This will indicate that this Cooking is operated. The hotplates top right and bottom left are not in operation.

The hotplate on the bottom right, which belongs to the selector switch 14d, has the selection LED 17d in a very bright state, shown through the additional lines. This means in the embodiment, that both the hob 14d is operated as well indicated by the central display 18, the state of this hotplate becomes.

The first five LEDs of the central display 118, as seen from the left, light up bright. In the simple case, this may mean that the level is five six possible levels is set, in the Fig. 2 based on the Hotplate of selection switch 14d. The dual circuit LEDs 20c and 20d do not light up. It can be seen that one to the selection switch 14d belonging two-circuit heating is not activated. Ways, these To activate dual circuit heating have been previously described.

Thus, it is shown and explained that in FIG. 4, recognizable by the very bright selection LED 17d of the hotplate bottom right, the display 118 indicates the state of this hotplate. A change the display 118 to the state of another hotplate or one other activated cooking, so for example, the hob on the left above, is automatic with a specific time interval or manually possible.

A manual change can be made in a simple way, that the touch switch 14a in its capacity as a selector switch is pressed. He assigns this function of the selector switch always before the first actuation. This puts the controller the touch switch assembly 111 on the state of this Cooker and displays it with the display 118. At the same time changes the selection LED 17a from the normal bright to the very bright state, to select this hotplate relative to the display 118 signal. The selection LED 17d reverses accordingly from the very bright to the normal or less bright state. This will signals that the associated hotplate is indeed active, their condition however, is not represented by the display 118.

In the same sense as described above, the display can also be set up for all four activated cooking zones.

Furthermore, it is possible to different display options of LED, for example different brightness levels or a flashing in different frequencies. These possibilities can be advantageously combined with the basic invention.

In a modification of the illustrated contact switch assembly 11 or 111, the functions of the selection / plus switches 14a to d and of the central negative switch 13 are reversed. In this case are a central plus switch as well as individual selection and minus switches intended. For reasons of user-friendliness, however, it makes more sense when activating a hob that is as simple and easy as possible quickly to combine the selection function with the plus function. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a touch switch arrangement with known touch switch arrangements or driving methods can be combined in an advantageous manner.

A selection of a particular hob can be used to increase operating safety be automatically turned off after a few seconds. This prevents, for example, after several minutes through unintentional operation of a belonging to this hob switch whose switching state is changed. For example, the for a Hotplate valid selection automatically stopped after 5 to 10 seconds become. The selected state is retained. The selection LED 17 then stops glowing.

A child safety device or the like can be activated by simultaneously pressing several, preferably two, touch switch be realized. Conceivable is the simultaneous operation of the on / off switch and the central negative switch. An activated child safety lock can be activated by Blinking of the on / off LED 16 are displayed. A deactivation of the Parental control is also on the simultaneous operation of the two Switch possible.

Alternatively, a child safety could be via the operation of the negative switch 13 are activated if no cooking area is selected. Here However, the automatic reset of the selection of the hob must be waited because with such a concept a manual Resetting the selection is not possible.

Another way of activation and deactivation is the Actuate the minus switch simultaneously with a selector switch.

In one embodiment of the present invention, therefore, a Touch-switch arrangement for a hob with several cooking zones be created. For each of these hobs is a separate Selector switch is provided, which increases the respective power can be. Furthermore, there is a single common touch switch intended for a reduction in output of all cooking zones. In this case, the separate selection switches in a regular Polygon and the common touch switch arranged in the middle be. According to the associated method according to the invention on actuation of the common power setting switch only the power of a selected hotplate is changed or reduced. Increasing the power of a hotplate is done by short Press a selection key as a selection and press the key again Selection key as increase. This then works as a power increase switch. Of course, the function can also be reversed become.

It can close to this minus switch and in the area between the Selection switches a display with several circular arc arranged LED be provided. The display can change the state of several Cooking stoves alternately, being advantageous at a time only the condition of a single hotplate is displayed. One Changing the display to another hotplate can be done once Pressing the selector switch are made.

Claims (17)

1. Touch switch layout (11, 111) for an electrical appliance with several electric loads, the electric power of the loads being adjustable and through at least one selection switch (14) can be selected for a power control to be carried out, characterized in that the selection switch (14) is additionally constructed for the power control of a specific electric load in a plus or minus direction.
2. Touch switch layout according to claim 1, characterized in that for the power control in the other direction there is a common control switch (13) for several electric loads, particularly for all the electric loads.
3. Touch switch layout according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the layout of the selection switches (14) is such that it is grouped around at least one display or a common control switch (13), preferably in the form of a polygon and in particular a selection switch (14) is located in each angle.
4. Touch switch layout according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between a selection switch (14) and a control switch (13) is less than 10 cm, preferably 5 cm.
5. Touch switch layout according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with at least the selection switches (14) are associated optical display means (17, 18) for displaying the status or switching state and preferably each selection switch has its own display means and in particular the display means (17, 18) have several functions.
6. Touch switch layout according to claim 5, characterized by at least three selection switches (12, 13, 14) for the selection purposes, whereof at least two (14) are preferably regularly distributed about a central point and in which the display means (18, 118) are located in the area within the layout of the touch switches (14) and the state of several loads can be displayed in alternating manner by said display means (18, 118).
7. Touch switch layout according to claim 6, characterized in that the display means (18, 118) statically only display the state of one load and by switching over it is possible to display the state of another load.
8. Touch switch layout according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the display means (18, 118) are constructed for displaying several different states of the loads, particularly with respect to the electric power and in connection with electric heaters with respect to existing residual heat.
9. Touch switch layout according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is constructed for the control of a hob with several, particularly four, hotplates and in a central area are provided a common control switch (13) for the power and a LED display (18, 118) and around said central point and in a regular arrangement for each hotplate a selection switch (14) having a complimentary power control function and preferably with each selection switch (14) of a hotplate is associated a further LED (17) as the active display.
10. Touch switch layout according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functions of the display means (17, 18) in the case of an electric hob are a power display and/or a heating display for individual hotplates and preferably the distinction of the functions takes place through a selection LED (17) or specific, different display modes of the display means (17, 18).
11. Touch switch layout according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display means (17, 18) have at least one LED, preferably a bar-like display with several LEDs.
12. Touch switch layout according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display means (18) have a seven segment display for alphanumeric display purposes, preferably a seven segment display.
13. Method for the control of at least one touch switch (14) for an electrical appliance with at least one electric load, which is adjustable with respect to its electric power, characterized in that by a single actuation of the touch switch (14) the electric load is selected and by again actuating the touch switch (14) the electric power of the electric load can be adjusted in a plus or minus direction.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the power of the electric load is adjustable in the other direction by a further touch switch (13) and preferably the further touch switch has no selecting function.
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the touch switch (13) for adjusting the electric power in the other direction is jointly provided for several loads and preferably prior to the actuation of this touch switch (13) or a power control a load is selected.
16. Method according to one of the claims 13 to 15, characterized in that a protection against unintended or unauthorized actuation is provided by a forced, combined actuation of at least two touch switches (13, 14) simultaneously or successively.
17. Method according to one of the claims 13 to 16, characterized in that one electric load has an additional load, preferably a higher additional heating means and through the switching in of an additional load associated with the selected electric load takes place by setting the highest power stage for the electric load and subsequent selection of an even higher power stage.

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