EP2211249A2 - Operating device for an electric device and control panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (11) has an operating element i.e. rotary knob (15), arranged and supported in a receiving cup (19) behind a control panel (12). The receiving cup comprises photo-conducting and/or translucent material according to type of an optical fiber. The receiving cup is illuminated at a rear end pointing away from the control panel by right and left illuminants (32b, 32d) i.e. LEDs. Light outlets are forwardly provided at a front end of the receiving cup around or in the operating element at the control panel.

Description

Field of application and state of the art

The invention relates to an operating device for an electrical appliance according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding control panel.

Such controls are known in many forms. Mostly are here, such as from the EP 1 318 534 A1 is known, recordings arranged on or behind a control panel in which a control element such as a rotary knob is mounted. This may be retractable. Rear of the recording a rotary switching device is arranged, which is operated by the rotary knob. As an optical display can be provided that breakthroughs are provided in the control panel, behind which LEDs or other lighting means are arranged. Here, for example, an operating state can be displayed on the operating device.

Task and solution

The invention is based on the object to provide a control device mentioned above, which has other functions and can be achieved with the advantageous simple design.

This object is achieved by an operating device with the features of claim 1 and a corresponding panel with the features of claim 11. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of further claims and are explained in more detail below. The wording of the claims is incorporated herein by express reference.

It is provided that the operating element is arranged in a receptacle provided behind the diaphragm or is located therein. It may advantageously be stored therein, both rotatable and possibly in a design as a retractable control element. According to the invention, the receptacle has photoconductive or translucent material in the manner of a light guide, that is, it is capable of conducting light. Particularly advantageously, the receptacle consists essentially of such a material. The recording is illuminated at one of the control panel facing away from the rear end by means of bulbs, so it is light coupled. At another front end of the receptacle on the control panel, in particular around the control element, alternatively in the control element, light exits are provided so that light can escape to the front or is visible from the front. Thus, therefore, the possibility is created that the recording both as the first function receives the control element or the operating element is mounted in the receptacle. As a second function, the recording, since it is advantageously made of plastic, as a light guide. Thus, additional breakthroughs can be omitted by the control panel and it is only necessary the breakthrough, in which the recording is arranged anyway. In addition, there are benefits from the further advantageous embodiments described below.

In an embodiment of the invention can be provided that the recording in the longitudinal direction or in Lichtleitrichtung, ie from its rear end on which, for example, a means of the control operated switching element is provided to the front end, a plurality of light-conducting segments or in such is divided. A subdivision is advantageously carried out by non-light-conducting segments or inserts or longitudinal sections. Then, depending on the design of the light exits the front of the control panel either the light-conducting segments or sections may be smaller than the non-light-conducting or vice versa. Advantageously, the non-light-conducting segments or longitudinal sections are considerably smaller or narrower, so that substantially the largest part of the receptacle serves as a light guide. In this case, such non-light-conducting segments or longitudinal sections should be designed for a complete separation of adjacent light-conducting longitudinal sections, that is to say extend over the entire length of the receptacle from the rear end to the front end.

It is advantageously provided that the lighting means in Lichtleitrichtung or in the aforementioned longitudinal extension of the recording in this shine into it or are arranged in such a way to her.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention can be provided that at a subdivision of the recording in a plurality of segments or longitudinal sections on each of the segments at least one light source is provided. The light sources of different segments or longitudinal sections are then preferably also independently controllable and can have or produce different colors. Thus, it is possible that, for example, four longitudinal sections of the recording four light leaks on the front of the control device are formed, which are then state-dependent and possibly differently colored activated. With different lengths of the recording in the light direction, it is sufficient, for example, to irradiate with a light source for a reasonably uniform light appearance at the light exit.

The production of a previously described recording with light-conducting and non-light-conducting areas can advantageously be carried out by two-component spraying. It may even be used in a similar case in itself plastic, which is usually photoconductive and is colored accordingly only for the non-photoconductive areas or subdivisions. An alternative production can be the assembly of a plurality of individual components, each having photoconductive and non-photoconductive properties, to the receptacle, which are then advantageously welded or glued together.

In one embodiment of the invention, the light exits can be formed narrow and circular ring-like or annular around the operating element around. As a result, above all, a functional state of the electrical appliance to which the operating device belongs can take place.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the light exits may indeed be formed annular or annular segment-like, but with a considerable width. In particular, the width may be at least half the diameter of the operating element, so that the entire light exits together form a kind of cuff or wide ring around the operating element on the control panel. Here, not only a large-scale lighting or visual display can be created, but also, for example, by non-translucent printing of the surface of such a flat light exit a certain information reproduction, namely certain symbols or the like, are created.

Advantageously, the receptacle is approximately cup-shaped, where it may be formed, for example, round and circumferentially in the manner of a pipe section. At the front end to the control panel, it is open and can advantageously have the aforementioned cuff-like or collar-like design with extension to the side outward. Towards the rear end, it can essentially be closed and have only one bushing for a shaft, on the one hand the operating element is seated and possibly fastened, and on the other hand, a switching device or in angular encoders is activated or rotated. Such a wave does not necessarily have to be completely continuous and, for example, can also be designed in several parts. In general, an operating element, in particular a retractable rotary knob, can also be designed in several parts, in particular in order to realize the countersinking mechanism.

Advantageously, it can be provided that at the rear end of the receptacle, the switching device or the angle sensor, which is operated with the operating element, is fixed, in particular along the longitudinal direction of the receptacle. A possible structural design of such a recording is for example in the EP 1 318 534 A1 to which reference is explicitly made in this regard, also with respect to a possible storage of the above-described wave in the recording. The attachment of the switching device to the recording can by screwing, clipping or the like. respectively.

The operating device may be formed in an advantageous embodiment of the invention so that it can be used as a separate unit in a control panel of an electrical appliance or in a corresponding opening. For this purpose, in particular the aforementioned light exits or collar-like sections can come to lie in corresponding recesses or recesses of the control panel, so that this the front remains flush. Width collar-like sections on the receptacle also have the advantage that they allow a particularly tilt-stable storage or attachment of the recording on the control panel.

In an alternative embodiment, the entire panel may be produced together with the receptacle as a part, for example by multi-component spraying.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide light-guiding means which are guided by the receptacle into the operating element and to a front or outer side of the operating element. These light-conducting means can either start at the rear end of the receptacle and have correspondingly illuminating illuminants. Alternatively, they can radiate into the control element from the side, for example from the above-described annular or collar-like sections. For example, a specific rotational position of the operating element can be displayed. Such light-conducting means can also be integrated or injected into the operating element or into the receptacle, for example as light-conducting areas, similar to what has been described above for the receptacle.

These and other features will become apparent from the claims but also from the description and drawings, wherein the individual features each alone or more in the form of sub-combinations in an embodiment of the invention and in other fields be realized and advantageous and protectable Represent embodiments for which protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into intermediate headings and individual sections does not limit the general validity of the statements made thereunder.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

einen Schnitt durch eine Bedieneinrichtung in einer Bedienblende mit Aufnahme und daran angebrachtem Schaltgerät,

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Bedieneinrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht auf die Bedieneinrichtung aus Fig. 1 im nichtgeschnittenen Zustand der Bedieneinrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 1 entlang der Schnittlinie C-C aus Fig. 2 und

Fig. 5

eine weitere Schnittdarstellung ähnlich Fig. 4 mit einem anders ausgebildeten Aufnahmetopf.

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a section through an operating device in a control panel with recording and attached switching device,

Fig. 2

a plan view of the operating device Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a side view of the operating device Fig. 1 in the uncut state of the operating device,

Fig. 4

a representation similar Fig. 1 along the section line CC off Fig. 2 and

Fig. 5

another sectional view similar Fig. 4 with a differently shaped pot.

Detailed description of the embodiments

In Fig. 1 an operating device 11 according to the invention is shown, as it can be used in a control panel 12 of an electrical appliance, such as an electric cooker, at the front. For this purpose, the control panel 12 has a correspondingly formed cutout 13, which, as well Fig. 2 shows, round and stepped is formed for flush insertion of the operating device 11 in the control panel 12th

The operating device 11 has a rotary knob 15 as a control element. The rotary knob 15 has an over the control panel 12 also out standing gripping member 16, which is mounted on a base member 17. The operating device 11 and the rotary knob 15 are formed as countersunk gag, so that, as then the 3 and 4 show, the gripping member 16 can be pushed by pressing on the base member 17 and only very slightly beyond the control panel 12. The corresponding Mechanism for this is known in the art and need not be explained in detail.

The rotary knob 15 is mounted or held in a receiving pot 19. The receiving pot 19 has an outer casing 20, which is advantageously cylindrical and round around, and a corresponding inner shell 23. In the space between the outer shell 20 and inner shell 23 is the lower part of the gripping member 16 and, respectively Fig. 4 The outer shell 20 and inner shell 23 are connected to each other, advantageously in one piece and in particular produced simultaneously or with each other.

Towards the front, the receiving pot 19 or the outer casing 20 has a collar-like extension 24, which forms a circular ring. This also shows the top view Fig. 2 , The annular, collar-like extension 24 is divided into four light fields 25a to 25d. This will be explained in more detail below.

At a rear end 26 of the pot 19, a rotary switching device 28 is attached, in a conventional manner according to the aforementioned EP 1 318 534 A1 , The rotary switching device 28 is designed as a conventional, for example according to the EP 1 898 184 A1 , In particular, it is a so-called gray code switch or generally a so-called angle encoder.

At the rear end 26 of the pot 19, a holder 29 is provided, as they are known from the above EP 1 318 534 A1 is known. At this bracket 29, a stub axle 30 is rotatable, but fixed in the axial direction, stored. This stub axle 30 ensures the transmission of the rotation from the gripping part 16 to the rotary switching device 28.

In the rotary switchgear 28, a lighting means 32d are provided on the left and a lighting means 32b on the right, in particular LEDs. These are in the aforementioned EP 1 898 184 A1 called, wherein the bulbs 32 have either the same control or a same plug connection as the rotary switchgear 28 or separate.

The light from the left-hand light-emitting means 32d is coupled on the left into the outer jacket 20 of the receiving pot 19. For this purpose it consists of light-conducting material 21, as well as the associated light field 25d. Also, the inner shell 23 may consist of Lichtleitmaterial, but this is secondary.

In essence, most of the outer jacket 20 may be made of optical material 21. It is how out Fig. 2 becomes clear, a subdivision of both the outer sheath 20 and the light panels 25a to d provided in four areas or sectors. This subdivision is formed by partitions 22 made of non-light-conducting material. These Tennstege 22 can be made in one piece with the rest in the region of the collar-like extension 24, in particular by two-component spraying. You can pull through from the collar-like extension 24, ie between the light panels 25, through the outer shell 20 of the pot pot 19 to the rear end in front of the bulbs 32. The dividers 22 thus cause a kind of four-parting of the photoconductive material 21 according to Fig. 2 in one direction into the drawing plane. Behind each light-conducting area according to section BB, which is shown in section according to Fig. 1 can be seen, sitting in approximately the center in the circumferential direction, a light source 32, the light in each one of the optical fiber thus formed so to speak sent, which exits the front of the light panels 25a to 25d.

Instead of the four-parting shown here, more or fewer divisions can be provided. There are then also provide correspondingly many bulbs, in a further development of the invention It may also be provided to provide more than one light source per light field 25, for example more than one LED.

In the side view off Fig. 3 It can be seen how two regions of the receiving pot 19 or its outer jacket 20 consist of light-conducting material 21. However, they are separated from a divider 22, which also pulls seamlessly through the collar-like extension 24 and thus also the light fields 25 separated from each other and prevents over-illumination.

In the sectional view according to Fig. 4 according to section CC accordingly Fig. 2 the cut is directly through the plane of two dividers 22. This can also be seen by the different hatching in the region of the dividers 22 both on the outer shell 20 and on the collar-like extension 24. Furthermore, it can be seen here that the separating webs 22 are also provided on the inner jacket 23 in order to achieve complete separation of adjacent annular segments. However, if the gripping member 16 is made of non-translucent material, so it does not bother when it is illuminated by the inner jacket 23 extending in it.

Via any activation of the luminous means 32, it is possible to control, in principle, completely independently of whether the rotary knob 15 is pressed in or out, whether one or more of the luminous fields 25a to 25d are illuminated. As described above, some of the luminous means 32 may even be colored, so that luminous fields 25 can be illuminated in different colors.

While the above-described two-component injection molding is the preferred manufacturing method for such a pot 19, namely from corresponding Lichtleitmaterial 21 with dividers 22 in between, also other possibilities are conceivable. So can one Assembling of several similar parts to the receiving pot 19 with possible interposition of non-light-conducting layers or parts. Alternatively, for example, laser irradiation of the pickup pot actually made of optical waveguide material 21 along the separating webs 23 could be changed so that light is no longer conducted or sectors can not be overcome as it were.

The spring 34 to be recognized in the sectional views, which consists of metal and is connected to a metal button attached to the front side of the gripping part 16, can be electrically contacted via a likewise electrically conductive stub axle 30. Thereby, a capacitive touch switch according to EP 1 775 650 A1 be created.

It will also be on the DE 10 2009 006 421 A directed.

In Fig. 5 an alternative operating device 111 is shown, in turn, in a control panel 112 and a cutout 113, a rotary knob 115 is seated. Also, this rotary knob 115 is formed as a rotary countersunk knob and shown only in the retracted state, a gripping member 116 is thus pushed onto a base member 117.

The receptacle 119 is here on the one hand without a collar-like extension as previously formed, but is only with its end face 137 in the cutout 113. This results from the end face 137, a narrow, around the gripping member 116 encircling ring. A collar-like extension 124 is offset a piece down and serves to secure the pot 119 stable and tilt-safe to the control panel 112. However, it is not visible from the front.

It can also be seen that an outer shell 120 which transitions into said collar-like extension 124 is substantially tube-like is formed and is not made in one piece with an inner shell 123 of the pot 119, but is placed on this and advantageously connected or glued to it. Again, a rear end 126 of the pot 119, but within the outer shell 120, connected to a rotary switching device 128. In a holder 129, a stub axle 130 is mounted, which in turn engages in the base part 117 of the rotary knob 115. Furthermore, it should also be noted here that the rotary switching device 128 is arranged on a printed circuit board 131, in particular also electrically connected. The printed circuit board 131 also carries light-emitting means 132, advantageously in the form of LED or SMD LED.

Not shown in Fig. 5 are corresponding partitions between the light guide material, the outer shell 120 and inner shell 123 substantially forms. However, this can be designed analogously to the previous embodiments.

Above all, it is according to the operating device 111 Fig. 5 Also possible or provided that the outer shell 120 and inner shell 123 of the pot 119 are not connected to each other in a light-conducting manner, which is why different light sources 132 are provided in each case. They can be separated by a coating or intermediate layers. For example, the coupling of light into the outer sheath 120 may cause a narrow, annular segment-like light phenomenon on the end faces 137 on the diaphragm 112, with a division similar Fig. 2 a 90 ° arc angle, or less or more. The illumination of the inner jacket 123 may serve to cause a visual indication by illumination at the front of the gripping part 116. For this purpose, the front side of the gripping part 116 may be formed from correspondingly translucent material. For example, various functional states of the operating device 111 can also be displayed on the rotary knob 115. A lighting of the Toggle on the one hand or on the control panel on the other hand, following the general idea of the invention, together or even individually take place. Above all, so different lighting and different colors can be generated.

Furthermore, it is possible for a segmentation of inner jacket 123 and outer jacket 120 to be different by means of corresponding separating webs, in particular also angularly offset from one another. This can then also arbitrary selectable lighting representations can be achieved.

Claims (11)

Operating device for an electrical appliance with a control panel and arranged in the control panel control for operation by rotary actuator, wherein the control element is arranged in a receptacle behind the control panel and is preferably mounted therein, characterized in that the receptacle has photoconductive or translucent material according to Art a light guide, wherein it is illuminated at one of the control panel facing away from the rear end by means of bulbs and at another front end on the control panel around the control element or in the control light leaks are provided to the front. Operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that in Lichtleitrichtung from the rear end of the receptacle to the front end, the receptacle has a plurality of light-conducting segments by means of non-light-conducting inserts or longitudinal sections as subdivision such that at the front end of the recording separate or different light exits are formed. Operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one lighting means is provided on each of the segments, wherein the lighting means of different segments are controlled separately and in particular have different colors. Operating device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the receptacle is made by two-component syringes of photoconductive and non-photoconductive regions. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that light exits are formed narrow and at least circular ring segment-like around the operating element, in particular close to the operating element. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by collar-like portions which protrude laterally outwardly from the receptacle, in particular are integrally formed therewith, and which are formed as surface light exits. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle is pot-shaped, in particular round and circumferential or in the manner of a tube, wherein it is closed in particular at the rear end substantially to a passage for a shaft on which the operating element sits and connects it with a switching device. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element is a countersunk rotary knob, in particular with a rotary switching device at the rear end of the receptacle, wherein preferably the rotary switching device is attached to the receptacle for mounting on the operating device. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it can be used as a separate structural unit in a control panel, preferably the receptacle can be inserted, wherein it is in particular flush. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that light-guiding means are provided from the receptacle around the operating element into the operating element and to a front or outer side of the operating element, wherein in particular the light-conducting means are integrated or injected into the operating element, preferably into the Admission. Control panel for an electrical appliance with an operating device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating device is inserted into an aperture of the control panel and fixed therein.

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