EP1844265A1

EP1844265A1 - Domestic appliance adjuster

Info

Publication number: EP1844265A1
Application number: EP05811117A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerd Wilsdorf
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2005-01-21
Filing date: 2005-11-09
Publication date: 2007-10-17
Also published as: WO2006076972A1; DE102005002952A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a domestic appliance adjuster that comprises at least one touch-sensitive sliding strip (10 - 36). The aim of the invention is to improve the comfort of the aforementioned domestic appliance adjuster. For this purpose, the domestic appliance adjuster comprises at least one guide means (38 - 64) formed by a finger groove within which the sliding strip (10 - 36) is at least partially disposed.

Description

Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit

The invention is based on a domestic appliance setting unit according to the preamble of claim 1.

From DE 101 33 135 A1 a domestic appliance setting unit with a touch-sensitive sliding strip is known. The sliding strip is arranged in a flat surface.

The object of the invention is in particular to provide a generic Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit with increased comfort. The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims, while advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention can be taken from the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a domestic appliance setting unit with at least one touch-sensitive sliding strip.

It is proposed that the domestic appliance setting unit comprises at least one guide means formed by a finger groove, within which the sliding strip is at least partially arranged. It can be achieved a particularly comfortable operation with a single finger, by the finger can preferably be guided by two guide edges in one or more directions of adjustment. The sliding strip can be quickly found by an operator, in particular even without visual assistance, and a manipulated variable, in particular a heating power, can be corrected quickly. Furthermore, despite a tactile guide a low sensitivity to dirt can be achieved, which is particularly beneficial for home appliances. In this context, a "finger groove" is to be understood in particular as meaning a groove whose dimensions are adapted to a fingertip of a human finger, so that guidance can be achieved with the least possible freedom of movement transversely to the direction of adjustment In this context, in particular, be understood a range in which touch-sensitive sensors, such as in particular capacitive, inductive, optical, thermal and / or piezoelectric sensors or the like., Are arranged so that manipulated variables by methods on the sliding strip, such as time, temperature, Power, etc., are adjustable, preferably at least substantially continuously. It can be realized between a movement of a finger on the sliding strip and a setting of the manipulated variable various, the skilled person appear reasonable relationships, such as a linear, a progressive and / or a degressive relationship, etc.

In particular, an advantageous guidance can be achieved if the guide means in at least one region has a width of less than 4 cm and greater than 0.3 cm and particularly preferably in a region has a width of less than 3 cm and greater than 0.5 cm.

Furthermore, it has an advantageous effect on the sensitivity to soiling and on the guiding properties if the guide means has a depth of less than 2 cm and greater than 0.1 cm and particularly preferably a depth of less than 1 cm and greater than 0.2 cm.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the home appliance setting unit has at least one tactile means which is provided to generate a changing signal upon actuation in the direction of adjustment, whereby an existing contact between operator and sliding strip for the transmission of information - Onen used advantageous and the adjustment comfort can be further increased. In this context, "intended" should be understood to mean in particular specially designed, equipped and / or programmed The signal which changes during actuation can be achieved by various alternative means which appear appropriate to the person skilled in the art, such as, for example, a changing groove dimension, such as Groove depth, groove width, a changing surface structure, such as an increasing roughness, by a changing distance between tactile means in the direction of adjustment, such as between molded and / or applied means, etc.

The tactile agent can be produced by various processes that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art, such as by a forming process, a machining process, a pickling process, etc., and / or can be firmly, positively and / or positively attached to a carrier. However, the tactile means can be designed to be particularly flexible and inexpensive and easy to manufacture, if this at least partially applied by means of a printing process on a support means, such as on a glass ceramic plate.

It is also proposed that the domestic appliance setting unit comprises a lighting unit which is intended to at least partially backlight the sliding strip, whereby additionally advantageously a visual guidance and optical information transmission can be achieved.

If the lighting unit is intended to output a changing signal during actuation, in particular in the direction of adjustment, further information can be transmitted in a constructively simple manner. In this case, the changing signal can be formed by a flashing signal varying in its interval, by a light signal changing in its illumination range, by a wavelength that changes in its wavelength, in particular color, and / or by an intensity signal which changes in intensity, and so forth ,

It is also proposed that the domestic appliance setting unit comprises an acoustic unit which is intended to emit an acoustic signal, whereby an acoustic guidance and information transmission can additionally be achieved in an advantageous manner. If the acoustic unit is intended to emit a changing signal during an actuation, in particular in the direction of adjustment, further information can be transmitted in a structurally simple manner. In this case, the changing signal can be formed by a rising and falling tone signal which changes in its interval, by a tone signal which changes in its frequency and / or by a sound signal which changes in its volume.

The tactile, optical and / or acoustic signal may in particular also be provided to be detected by a sensor unit and used to control and / or regulate at least one further device, such as for controlling an extractor hood in response to a set heating power of a hotplate, a hob etc.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the sliding strip is assigned at least one further adjusting means. In this context, under "assigned" in this - A -

sem context in particular be understood that the sliding strip and the E instellmittel interact at least in one respect, so that for example by means of the adjusting means to be set via the sliding control variable is changed, etc. By a corresponding inventive design complex functions can be comfortable with a total of few Setting means are set. It can be a multi-dimensional setting or navigation enabled, such as in the direction of two axes on a display.

The adjusting means may be formed by various, the skilled person appear appropriate means, such as a push button, a knob, a rocker switch, etc. Particularly advantageous, however, the adjustment is formed sensitive to touch, which in particular a high comfort at the same time low sensitivity to dirt can be ensured can. The adjusting means may also be formed by a sliding strip and / or by a touch probe.

It is also proposed that the sliding strip at least partially delimits an inner region in which the adjusting means is arranged. In this context, "limiting" should be understood in particular to mean that the sliding strip connects at least more than to a rectilinear side of the "inner region". By means of a corresponding configuration, a unit which can be integrated in a particularly compact manner and is visually appealing can be achieved with an association ratio which can easily be recognized, in particular if the inner area is completely enclosed by the sliding strip. The same applies if the sliding strip extends at least partially along a curved path and / or the sliding strip is arranged between at least two adjustment means assigned to it. Furthermore, a sliding strip extending at least partially along a curved path can advantageously be made long, whereby a particularly exact adjustment can be made possible with it.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the adjustment means in the interior be a setting area with fewer variables, i. with fewer adjustment options, is assigned as the Gleitstre- fen, which despite a particularly compact design, a high level of user comfort can be achieved.

In the case of a domestic appliance having a domestic appliance setting unit according to the invention, the sliding strip is attached in a surface which is inclined relative to a horizontal surface. orders, this can be arranged in an advantageously visible, accessible and protected area.

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Show it:

1 shows a schematically illustrated stove obliquely from above with Hausgeräteeinstelleinheiten invention,

2 shows a schematically represented section of a section along the line N-II in FIG. 1,

Fig. 3 is a schematically illustrated section of a section along the line

MI-III in FIG. 1,

4 shows a detail IV of Figure 1 in an enlarged view,

FIGS. 5-7 show sections of alternative domestic appliance setting units with, in particular, alternative glass ceramic plates and alternative guiding means,

FIG. 8 shows a schematically represented dining table with a household appliance setting unit according to the invention, FIG.

9 is a schematically illustrated door of a dishwasher with a Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit invention and

Fig. 10 - 13 alternative home appliance setting units. Figure 1 shows a schematically illustrated stove obliquely from above with three Hausgeräteeinstelleinheiten invention. The cooker comprises a hob 124 with four burners 126, 128, 130, 132 and a baking oven 134 with a cooking chamber 140 delimited by a baking oven muffle 136 and a oven door 138.

The cooktop 124 comprises a glass ceramic plate 76, which forms a horizontally oriented cooking surface 108 and on a front side facing an operator an obliquely oriented surface 116 to this cooking surface 108, in which the domestic appliance setting units are arranged. In order to achieve the obliquely oriented surface 116, the glass ceramic plate 76 has an angled portion 172 with a substantially constant material thickness (FIGS. 2 and 3).

The domestic appliance setting units have touch-sensitive sliding strips 10, 12, 14 which are each arranged completely within a guide means 38, 40, 42 of the household appliance setting units formed by a finger groove. The guide means 38, 40, 42 are formed integrally with the glass ceramic plate 76 and are formed in the manufacture of the glass ceramic plate 76 to this. It is also conceivable, however, that these are subsequently introduced into the glass-ceramic plate 76. The guide means 38, 40, 42 and the finger grooves are, viewed in cross-section, formed by substantially semicircular recesses and have a width 66 of about 1 cm and a depth 68 of about 0.5 cm (Figures 2 to 4 ).

The sliding strips 10, 12 and the guide means 38, 40 of the laterally arranged, mirror-symmetrical Hausgeräteeinstelleinheiten are rectilinear and are used to control the power of the cooking zones 126 - 130. The sliding strips 10, 12 are each two adjustment means 84, 86, 88, 90 associated with that of touch-sensitive buttons are formed. If the left sliding strip 10 associated, the cooktop 124 facing adjusting means 84 is actuated by the left sliding strip 10, the heating power of the rear left cooking position 126 can be adjusted, the left sliding strip 10 associated, the cooking pan 124 facing away from adjusting means 86 is actuated by The heating power of the front left cooking area 130 can be set to the inner sliding strip 10. If the right sliding strip 12 associated, the cooktop 124 facing adjustment means 88 is actuated by the right sliding strip 12, the heating power of the rear right-hand cooking 128 are set, the right sliding strip 12 associated, the cooktop 124 facing away from adjusting means 90 is actuated by the right sliding strip 12, the heating power of the front right cooking zone 132 can be adjusted. A correspondingly set heating power is indicated by means of display elements 142, 144, 146, 148 arranged in the surface 116.

The sliding strip 14 and the guide means 42 of the arranged in the middle region Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit extend along a curved path or, viewed in a plan view, oval-shaped and bound or enclose an inner region with two associated with the sliding strip 14, formed by touch-sensitive buttons adjusting means 92, 94 complete (Figure 1). By means of the adjusting means 92, 94, various menu items, cooking functions and heating means of the oven 134 can be selectively selected in particular, the heating power is then adjustable by means of the sliding strip 14. The heating power and a resulting temperature in the cooking chamber 140 can be set particularly precisely with a particularly high resolution by means of the sliding strip 14, so that a number of variables which can be selected by means of the sliding strip 14 exceeds a number of variables which can be selected by means of the setting means 92, 94. The resolution can also be adjusted by using the setting means 92, 94 under a menu item "Settings" a menu item "Resolution" is selected. Subsequently, the resolution of the power setting can be adjusted by means of the sliding strip 14. If a particularly high resolution is selected, an actuation associated with the entire actuating range extends over more than 360 °, i. when selecting a maximum power level, starting from a minimum power level, the sliding strip 14 must be at least partially overscan several times. Which menu items and / or which heating means are selected and with which heating power they are operated is displayed in an oval contour 150 adapted to the outer contour of the sliding strip 14. The variables which can be selected via the setting means 92, 94 are represented along a horizontally extending axis.

Further, the Hausgeräteeinstelleinheiten light units 78, 80, which are intended to backlit the sliding strips 10, 12, 14 (Figures 2 to 4). Around Sliding strips 10, 12, 14 or directly below the same are on the underside of the glass ceramic plate 76 limited transparent sensor units 152, 154 for sensing contact of the sliding strips 10, 12, 14 and in particular of movements on the sliding strip 10, 12, 14 applied. The light units 78, 80 are in turn applied to the glass ceramic plate 76 facing away from the sides of the sensor units 152, 154 and have numerous LEDs on. Instead of light units 78, 80 with light-emitting diodes are also other, the expert appears reasonable sense lighting units conceivable, such as light units with light foils, etc.

If an operator with his finger, in particular with his index finger, via the sliding strips 10, 12, 14, the heating power follows one end of a caused by the LEDs strip of light movement of the finger, so that the light strip extends with increasing heating power and at gives the operation changing signal. If the sliding strip 14 is scanned repeatedly by an operator at a resolution set high, the color of the luminous strip changes when an actuation angle of 360 ° is exceeded. In the region of the adjustment means 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, sensor units 158 and light units 160 are likewise arranged underneath the same on the underside of the glass-ceramic plate 160, only those of the adjustment means 92, 94 being illustrated (FIG. 3).

In addition, the laterally arranged Hausgeräteeinstelleinheiten each include an A- kustikeinheit 82, which is intended to output when actuated in the direction of adjustment 72, 74, a changing acoustic signal, and in each case a tactile means 70, which is provided, upon actuation in the direction of adjustment 72, 74 to output or generate a changing tactile signal. The tactile means 70 is formed by strips which are printed on the gliding strips 10, 12 or on the glass ceramic plate 76 serving as a carrier and are oriented transversely to the direction of adjustment 72, 74 or transversely to the longitudinal extent of the gliding strips 10, 12 Adjusting direction 72, ie in the direction of a higher power setting reduce (Figure 4). The acoustic unit 82 emits a beep at intervals during the actuation, wherein a repetition frequency of the beep increases when actuated in the adjustment direction 72. In the case of the household appliance adjusting unit arranged in the middle region with the sliding strip 14, a corresponding tactile means and / or a corresponding acoustic unit could in principle be provided. The home appliance setting units comprise a common computing and storage unit 156, are stored in the setting programs, and can be carried out by means of the evaluations and calculation steps.

In the figures 5 to 13 alternative embodiments are shown. With respect to the same features and functions, reference may be made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 4.

In the figures 5 to 7 sections of alternative Hausgeräteeinstelleinheiten are shown, which in contrast to the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 instead of an angled glass ceramic plate 76 have flat glass ceramic plates 162, 164, 166, to which in a front area by reducing the thickness of each one each of a horizontally oriented surface 110, 112, 114 obliquely oriented surface 118, 120, 122 is formed. The domestic appliance setting unit in FIG. 5 has a linear sliding strip 16 corresponding to the sliding strip 12, which is arranged within a guide means 44 corresponding to the guide means 40 and formed by a finger groove.

The domestic appliance setting unit in FIGS. 6 and 7 has guide means 46, 48 deviating from the guide means 44. The rectilinear, formed by a finger groove guide means 46 of Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit in Figure 6, in which a straight sliding strip 18 is arranged, has on its front side facing an operator on a rounded transition, and in particular by in its by a curve function at least largely writable Contour a turning point 168 is provided. By a corresponding configuration, a cleaning of the Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit can be further simplified by dirt particularly easy on the operator facing the longitudinal side of the guide means 46 can be wiped and yet an advantageous leadership can be ensured.

The rectilinear, formed by a finger groove guide means 48 of the domestic appliance setting unit in Figure 7, in which a straight sliding strip 20 is arranged, also has on its front side facing an operator to a rounded over. However, the guide means 48 on an opposite side facing away from the operator, viewed in installation position, below a plane formed by the surface 122 a molded-on corner region 170, by means of a perceptible stop action transversely to the longitudinal extension of the guide means 48, increased in a direction away from the operator direction and thus the guiding properties of the guide means 48 are improved. The guide means 48 thus has a guide surface following a curved path combined with a planar guide surface, which are connected by the corner region 170. In principle, other combinations of different guide surfaces that appear appropriate to the person skilled in the art are also conceivable, for example the combination of a plurality of rectilinear guide surfaces connected by corner regions, etc.

FIG. 8 shows a schematically represented dining table with a domestic appliance setting unit according to the invention, which is arranged in an end face 174 of the kitchen counter facing an operator. The Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit comprises a straight, formed by a finger groove guide means 50 in which a straight sliding strip 22 is arranged, via which a power of a blower of the Esse is adjustable. The set power can be displayed by means of a display means 176.

FIG. 9 shows a schematically illustrated door 178 of a dishwasher for cleaning dishes with a domestic appliance setting unit according to the invention, which is arranged in an upper end side 180 of the door 178. The Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit comprises a straight, formed by a finger groove guide means 52, in which a straight sliding strip 24 is arranged, by means of the achievements of heating and pumping means of the purifier are adjustable. The set powers can be displayed by means of a display means 182.

In addition to the control of stoves or ovens and cooktops and food and dishwashing but Hausgeräteeinstelleinheiten invention to control all, the expert appear useful as domestic appliances conceivable, in particular for the control of refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, etc. Figure 10 shows a section with a Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit having a circular, formed by a finger groove guide means 54, within which a circular sliding strip 26 is arranged. The guide means 54 and the sliding strip 26 delimit an inner region with two adjustment means 96, 98, which are associated with the sliding strip 26 and are formed by touch-sensitive buttons. In contrast to the adjusting means 92, 94 of the household appliance adjusting unit of FIG. 1 arranged in the middle region, the adjusting means 96, 98 are not arranged side by side but, viewed in an installed position, one above the other. Preferably, the adjusting means 96, 98 are associated with variables which are shown in a display along a vertical axis.

The domestic appliance setting units in FIGS. 11 and 12 each have a rectilinear guide means 56, 58 formed by a finger groove, in each of which a straight sliding strip 28, 30 is arranged. In this case, the sliding strip 28 and the guide means 56 between two the sliding strip 28 associated, formed by touch sensitive adjustment means 100, 102 and the sliding strip 30 and the guide means 58 are arranged between two of the sliding strip 30 associated with touch-sensitive buttons adjusting means 104, 106. In an installed position, viewed from an operator, the adjusting means 100, 102 are arranged one above the other or one behind the other and the adjusting means 104, 106 are arranged side by side. Preferably, the adjustment means 100, 102 are associated with variables which are shown in a display along a vertical axis, and the adjustment means 104, 106 variables which are shown in a display along a horizontal axis, whereby an advantageous self-explanatory effect can be achieved , In both exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 11 and 12, the adjusting means 100, 102 and 104, 106 form a round, in particular circular unit, which can advantageously be integrated in a space-saving and shapely manner.

In the domestic appliance setting unit in FIG. 13, three sliding strips 32, 34, 36 are combined, namely a linear sliding strip 34 which is arranged in a straight guide means 62 formed by a finger groove and two circular sliding strips 32, 36 following a curved path , which are each arranged in a circular, formed by a finger groove guide means 60, 64. The linear guide means 62 with the sliding strip 34 is arranged between the circular guide means 60, 64 with the sliding strips 32, 36, so that a bony or spectacle-shaped shape results. The guide means 60, 64 and the sliding strips 32, 36 enclose interior areas within which further adjustment means could be arranged.

reference numeral

10 sliding strips 68 depth

12 sliding strips 70 means

14 sliding strips 72 direction of adjustment

16 sliding strips 74 positioning direction

18 sliding strips 76 glass ceramic plate

20 sliding strip 78 lighting unit

22 sliding strip 80 lighting unit

24 Slide strip 82 Acoustic unit

26 sliding strips 84 adjustment means

28 sliding strips 86 adjustment means

30 sliding strips 88 adjustment means

32 sliding strips 90 adjustment means

34 sliding strips 92 adjustment means

36 sliding strips 94 adjustment means

38 Guide means 96 Adjustment means

40 Guide means 98 Adjustment means

42 guide means 100 adjustment means

44 guide means 102 adjustment means

46 guide means 104 adjustment means

48 guide means 106 adjustment means

50 guide means 108 surface

52 guide means 110 area

54 guide means 112 surface

56 guide means 114 surface

58 guide means 116 surface

60 guide means 118 surface

62 guide means 120 area

64 guide means 122 surface

66 width 124 cooktop 126 hotplate

128 hotplates

130 hotplate

132 hotplate

134 Oven

136 oven muffle

138 oven door

140 cooking space

142 Display element

144 indicator

146 Display element

148 indicator

150 display

152 sensor unit

154 sensor unit

156 computing and storage unit

158 sensor unit

160 lighting unit

162 glass ceramic plate

164 glass ceramic plate

166 glass ceramic plate

168 turning point

170 corner area

172 bending

174 front side

176 display means

178 door

180 front side

182 display means

184 turning point

Claims

claims

1. household appliance adjusting unit with at least one touch-sensitive sliding strip (10 - 36), characterized by at least one guide means formed by a finger groove (38-64), within which the sliding strip (10 - 36) is arranged at least partially.

2. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide means (38 - 64) in at least one region has a width (66) smaller than 4 cm and greater than 0.3 cm.

3. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide means (38 - 64) has a depth (68) smaller than 2 cm and greater than 0.1 cm.

4. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to the preamble of claim 1 and in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one tactile means (70) which is intended to produce a changing signal when actuated in the adjusting direction (72, 74).

5. domestic appliance adjustment unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the tak- tile means (70) is at least partially printed on a carrier means.

6. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a light unit (78, 80) which is intended to the Gleitstrei- fen (10, 12, 14) at least partially backlit.

7. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 6, characterized in that the lighting unit (78, 80) is provided to output a changing signal when actuated.

8. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by an acoustic unit (82) which is intended to output at least one a- acoustic signal.

9. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 8, characterized in that the A- kustikeinheit (82) is provided, upon actuation of a changing

Output signal.

10. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to the preamble of claim 1 and in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding strip (10 - 14, 26 - 36) at least one further adjusting means (84 -

106) is assigned.

11. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjusting means (84 - 106) is formed sensitive to touch.

12. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the sliding strip (14, 26) at least partially defines an inner region in which the adjusting means (92, 94, 96, 98) is arranged.

13. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 12, characterized in that the inner region is completely enclosed by the sliding strip (14, 26).

14. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the adjusting means (92, 94, 96, 98) is assigned in the interior of a control range with fewer variables than the sliding strip (14, 26).

15. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sliding strip (14, 26, 32, 36) extends at least partially along a curved path.

16. Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit at least according to claim 10, characterized in that the sliding strip (28, 30, 34) between at least two adjustment means associated therewith (100, 102, 104, 106) is arranged.

17. Domestic appliance, in particular cooking appliance, with a Hausgeräteeinstelleinheit according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. Domestic appliance according to claim 17, characterized in that the sliding strip (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20) in a relation to a horizontal surface (108 - 114) obliquely oriented surface (116 - 122) is arranged.