EP2455669B1 - Operating device for a domestic appliance with a recessed holder and domestic appliance, in particular hob, with such an operating device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a domestic appliance according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and such a domestic appliance with a corresponding operating device.

Operating devices for household appliances, such as hobs or ovens, are known in various configurations. In this case, operating devices are known which comprise a separate operating element, which is reversibly releasably mounted on a cooking plate of a hob and removed again. Such controls can for example be designed cylindrical and are held, for example, by magnetic force and mounted with a flat bottom on a footprint of the hotplate. In this regard, embodiments may then be provided which can only be rotated on the cooktop panel or, in addition, can be tilted in addition to rotational movement to make operating condition adjustments of a domestic appliance. In the known control devices, it may happen, however, that the user does not attach the operating element to the exact position provided therefor, which then causes incorrect operation.

From the EP 2 251 884 A2 an operating device for a household appliance is known, the control knob is positioned in a receiving device with an at least partially curved trough. To set operating conditions, the control knob is movable relative to the receiving device.

The DE 102 18 294 A1 shows a device for controlling electrically controllable devices. On a surface of the device, a rotatable operating element is arranged, which is held by magnetic force on the surface. The operating element has a lighting element for displaying an operating state of the device and / or a switch position of the operating element.

From the WO 2010/084061 A2 an operating device for a household appliance is known in which a magnetically supported control knob is rotatably mounted in a recess of a control panel.

From the DE 20 2004 017 133 U1 is a magnetically mounted control in a hob known. By sliding and rotating movements of the control element different operating conditions of the hob are adjustable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device for a domestic appliance and a domestic appliance, in particular for preparing food, with which the positioning of the control element can be made more accurate and the operating condition settings more accurate and variable and more diverse.

This object is achieved by an operating device having the features of claim 1, and a domestic appliance having the features of claim 13.

An operating device according to the invention for a household appliance comprises a trough-shaped receptacle which has a surface. The operating device further comprises a separate control element, which has a bottom, and with the underside in the receptacle releasably positionable and freely adjustable for setting operating conditions of the domestic appliance relative to the inclusion in the receptacle. In the region of the surface of the receptacle, at least one light exit region is formed, via which light can be coupled into at least one light entry region formed in the underside of the operating element. On the one hand, such an operating device allows a very targeted and exact positioning of the operating element, so that in this regard no undesired incorrect positioning and resulting incorrect operation can occur. Furthermore, a lighting option is additionally created at very specific locations and very specific embodiment, whereby operating condition settings are easily and intuitively comprehensible for a user at any time even with this quasi sunk arrangement of the control element and the given relative movement. Again, thus the occurrence of incorrect settings can be avoided or set operating conditions are immediately visually recognized and reproduced.

Not least, however, can also be provided by such a configuration that with the coupled into the control light only a lighting effect of the control element is made.

The surface of the receptacle is at least partially concave and the underside of the control element at least partially convex. The curvature of the convex underside is adapted to the curvature of the concave surface. The control element is freely rocking and rotatable in the receptacle. Just such forms allow a particularly user-friendly operation.

The light exit region is formed annularly around the minimum of the concave surface. This embodiment allows in many ways a light coupling into the control element and ensures this even if the control element is positioned in a variety of positions in the receptacle relative to the recording.

With regard to the free rocking movement and the rotational movement is thus virtually a plurality of degrees of freedom of mobility of the operating element in the ensures trough-shaped recording. Thus, in this regard, tumbling movements or the like can be performed around the rotation axis.

It is preferably provided that a light guide is arranged at the light entry region of the operating element, which extends to a shell side and or to an upper side of the operating element. The coupled via the light exit region of the recording light is then on the light guide from the shell side and / or the top of the control element, in particular completely circumferentially on the shell side and / or the top, radiatable. As a result, it is possible to generate an optical display which is particularly noticeable to the user at very specific points of the operating element. By virtually the light in the interior of the control element is passed over the bottom, therefore, on the one hand, the light guide is arranged protected under the light pipe particularly effective feasible.

It can be provided that the light guide is cone-shaped or funnel-shaped and then opens into a cylindrical or rod-shaped optical waveguide region, which then opens at the light entry region of the control element or is arranged there. Such a configuration of the optical waveguide ensures, especially in the case of a very specific shape of the operating element, for example a discus form, the lightest possible short-line and, as far as possible, low-loss light conduction to the shell side and / or the upper side.

It is preferably provided that the width of the light entry region is already dimensioned so large in the operating element that even with maximum swing deflection of the operating element in the receptacle for specific operating condition adjustment, a light coupling from the light exit point into the light entry region can be performed. In this regard, the light entry region and the light guide emanating therein can also be designed in accordance with a frusto-conical shape or the like.

Preferably, a plurality of elevations are formed on the underside of the operating element. Due to this, the motion control of the control element in the recording is particularly smooth and yet precise. It is possible to a certain degree a floating or trained between the surveys on air cushion motion control. As a result, the control with its bottom is only As low as possible contacted with the concave surface of the trough-like recording, so that low friction losses. And precise movements and jerky movements can be avoided.

It is preferably provided that the elevations are formed as rectilinear strips which extend from the light entry area to the outside. For example, a quasi star-shaped arrangement of the strips can be provided in this regard. It can also be provided that the elevations are formed as circumferential rings.

In particular, it is provided that the trough-shaped receptacle is formed in a carrier part, which is formed in particular from a heat-resistant material. Especially when the operating device is to be used in household appliances, which also generate a relatively large amount of heat during operation, an undesirable temperature exposure of the control element and other components can be avoided.

Thus, for example, be provided that a hob, which has an element of glass ceramic or glass as a cooking plate, is formed with a corresponding opening as a recess, in which then the carrier part is arranged. For example, this opening can then be formed in the hob plate around here, in which then the correspondingly shaped support member is used.

Likewise, however, it can also be provided that the carrier part is arranged in a worktop of a kitchen arrangement or a kitchenette, wherein it can then be provided in particular that the carrier part is arranged in particular adjacent to a cooking appliance designed as a cooking appliance. In such an embodiment, the operating device is then virtually not integrated into the hob and in particular the hob plate, but arranged adjacent thereto. Preferably, then the hob is also arranged in a recess in the worktop, which is formed adjacent to the arrangement of the support member.

Preferably, it is provided that this carrier part is embedded in the worktop or the hob plate so that the top of the support member is arranged flush with the top of the worktop of the hob plate. Such a specified one recessed arrangement allows a minimum height and no steps or the like at the transition, so that here also no damage or a bumping of a user occurs. Preferably, it is provided that the support part also extends partially on the underside of the worktop or the hob plate, whereby a particularly noteworthy mechanical attachment and attachment can be made possible. Preferably, it is also provided that the support part has a round trough-like receptacle, wherein quasi an annular zone is formed between the upper edge of the trough and the adjacent to the opening in the worktop of the hob plate edge of the support member. Preferably, optical display areas of the operating device are formed in this ring.

In particular, the control is designed discusförmig.

It is advantageously provided that at least one light source of the operating device is arranged in the carrier part and is arranged for light coupling into the light guide of the carrier part. The light source may be, for example, a light emitting diode.

It is advantageously provided that the reversibly attachable and detachable control element is held by magnetic force in the trough-shaped receptacle. Preferably, at least one holding magnet in the operating element and a holding magnet in the receptacle or the carrier part is arranged for this purpose.

It should be emphasized that at least one magnet is arranged in such a way that an operating element moved out of the undeflected basic position by a rocking motion can be automatically returned to the basic position after being released by the magnetic force of the magnet. The magnet may in this respect be a single element in the receptacle and be configured with a surface which is also adapted concavely to the surface of the receptacle. Accordingly, a magnet may be arranged in the operating element, which has an at least partially convex upper side.

It is preferably provided that adjacent to the recording on an upper side optical display areas are formed, through which depending on an operation of the operating element in the receptacle, a selection of a functional part unit of the domestic appliance can be displayed. Especially with a hob, the selection of a cooking zone of several cooking zones a user can be clearly and easily traced displayed by such an operating option and visual display. This allows a particularly protected and space-minimized design possible. Not least can be achieved by this arrangement, a very specific proximity to the operation with the control, so that for a user the visibility of the setting and the associated visual display is very intuitive.

It is preferably provided that the optical display areas are arranged on an upper side adjacent to the receptacle, in particular are arranged sunk, in particular arranged flush with this upper side. Again, thus the optical display areas can be arranged very compact and sunk and are also protected against wear or damage.

The number of display areas preferably corresponds at least to the number of functional subunits of the domestic appliance. Preferably, further optical display areas are also formed. In particular, the display areas are arranged in a ring or in an annular zone around the round receptacle.

In particular, these optical display areas are viewed in the axial direction of the operating element formed within the surface of the ring shape on the underside of the support member. The ring shape is formed between the upper edge or boundary edge of the round trough-shaped receptacle on the one hand and the edge which connects directly to the boundary of the opening in the worktop or the hob plate.

It can be provided that an optical display area is formed directly integrated on the carrier part, in particular in the region of the upper side. Preferably, such an optical display area is formed at the top of the particular ring formed between the upper edge of the receptacle and the edge adjacent to the opening of the worktop or hob plate.

Light sources, which are provided for illuminating the optical display areas and thus only for the basic optical display functionality of the areas, can be integrated in a carrier part or the hob plate, in particular directly on a display area. It can also be provided that the optical display areas respectively associated light sources are arranged on an underside of the support member or on a bottom of the hob plate.

The invention also relates to a domestic appliance, in particular for preparing food, in particular a hob, with an operating device according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof. In particular, it is provided that the operating device has only a single control element in the form of the preferably disc-shaped configuration, which is designed to set all operating conditions of the domestic appliance.

Under operating conditions of the domestic appliance, both the selection of functional units of the domestic appliance, such as cooking zones of a hob, as well as the setting of operating parameters of the domestic appliance or a functional subunit, such as the temperature or the preparation time understood. Likewise, an operating condition also means the basic switching on and off of the domestic appliance. In particular, however, this also means controlling an extractor hood located above the cooktop in particular. Operating condition settings thus also include, in particular, such operations that can be carried out in support of other home appliances for a household appliance, for which the operating device is primarily intended for control.

The operating device is advantageously interrupted in particular in the trough-like receptacle, in which a light-transparent area, in particular a light guide is used. Immediately behind this light exit area, one or more light sources can be arranged. However, these light sources can also be arranged integrated elsewhere in the carrier part, and the light is then conducted to this light exit region in the trough-shaped receptacle. Likewise, it can be provided that one or more light sources are also positioned outside of the carrier part.

As already mentioned above, the magnetic holding force is dimensioned so that the control element is held supportive in its unactuated ground state, on the other hand rocked easily and very smoothly without jerky movements in the receptacle when gripping by a user and / or rotated can.

In particular, it is provided that the light entry region in the convex underside of the operating element is also formed like a ring. Particularly preferably, it is provided that in the undeflected basic position of the control element in the trough-like receptacle, the two annular light-conducting sections in the receptacle and the operating element are at least partially overlapping arranged over a ring zone.

Preferably, if the domestic appliance is a cooktop, it is possible by pressing on the edge of the operating element and thus generating a rocking motion in a certain direction to select the cooking zone which can be selected in this direction. In particular, as an optical indication of the successful detection of the cooking zone illuminated at the edge of the associated optical display area. During the pressing operation and thus the rocking deflection, it is provided that the light transmission from the light exit region of the receptacle into the light entry region of the operating element is not interrupted, which can be predetermined by the degree of dimensioning in particular of the light entry region in the operating element.

Just when at least one annular light exit region is formed in the trough-shaped receptacle and at least one annular light entry region is formed in the convex underside of the operating element, then the elevations of the underside can likewise be configured as circumferential rings. Likewise, then also ring sections can be provided as surveys.

Preferably, only a single light entry region is formed.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kochfelds mit einem Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Bedienvorrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung durch ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel von Teilkomponenten einer erfindungsgemäßen Bedienvorrichtung;

Fig. 3

eine weitere Schnittdarstellung der Ausführung gemäß Fig. 2, mit einem in einer Grundstellung eingebrachten Bedienelement;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittdarstellung analog zu Fig. 3, wobei jedoch hier das Bedienelement aus der in Fig. 3 gezeigten Grundstellung durch eine Schaukelbewegung ausgelenkt ist;

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht von unten auf das Ausführungsbeispiel des Bedienelements gemäß Fig. 3 und 4;

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht von unten auf ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Bedienelements; und

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf die ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Bedienvorrichtung.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a hob according to the invention with an embodiment of an operating device according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a sectional view through a first embodiment of sub-components of an operating device according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a further sectional view of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 with a control element introduced in a basic position;

Fig. 4

a sectional view analogous to Fig. 3 , but here is the control from the in Fig. 3 shown basic position is deflected by a rocking motion;

Fig. 5

a view from below of the embodiment of the operating element according to 3 and 4 ;

Fig. 6

a bottom view of another embodiment of a control element; and

Fig. 7

a plan view of an embodiment of an operating device.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is shown in a simplified perspective view of a hob 1, which has a hob plate 2, which is formed for example of glass or glass ceramic. On an upper side 3 of the hob plate 2 four cooking zones 4, 5, 6 and 7 are shown by way of example. On this preparation vessels such as pots or pans or the like can be placed and the food in it are prepared. The four cooking zones 4, 5, 6 and 7 are heated by arranged under the cooktop plate 2 heating units, such as radiant heaters or inductors. The hob 1 further comprises an operating device 8. The operating device 8 in the embodiment arranged in the hob plate 2 at least with subcomponents. It can also be provided that the operating device 8 is positioned adjacent to the hob plate 2 in a recess in a worktop in a kitchenette, in which the hob plate 2 is arranged in a further recess.

In Fig. 2 In a first sectional view, a first embodiment of subcomponents of an operating device 8 is shown. As can be seen, a continuous opening 9 is formed in the hob plate 2 for this purpose. In this extends partially a separate support member 10 which is formed of a refractory material. As can be seen, the carrier part 10 is arranged with its upper side 11 flush with the upper side 3. In addition, the support member 10 extends below a bottom 12 of the hob plate 2. The support member 10 may for example be glued into the opening 9 or glued to the bottom 12.

The support member 10 has a trough-shaped receptacle 13, which has a concave surface 14, in this trough-shaped receptacle 13 is offset to an upper edge 15 down towards a light exit region 16 is formed. This is formed circumferentially in the embodiment as a complete ring. In the exemplary embodiment, one or more light sources 17 and 18 are integrated in the carrier part 10 directly behind this light exit region 16, which is a light guide or a light-conducting and light-transmitting material. These light sources 17 and 18 may be light-emitting diodes, for example. In the exemplary embodiment, they are arranged completely in the carrier part 10. In addition, it can be seen that in a bottom 19 of the support member 10, a centrally arranged holding magnet 20 is arranged. By means of this holding magnet 20 is in the trough-shaped receptacle 13 introduced discus-shaped operating element held by magnetic force.

Furthermore, it can be seen that also integrated into the carrier part 10 and arranged flush with the top side adjacent to the upper boundary or the upper edge 15 a plurality of optical display areas 21 and 22 are arranged. They are in this context in a ring zone 23 which is formed around the receptacle 13 around arranged. This annular zone 23 thus extends between the upper edge 15 and the adjoining the boundary wall of the opening 9 in the hob plate 2 edge of the support member 10th

Each optical display area 21, 22 is assigned a light source 21a and 22a for illuminating the display area 21 and 22. These light sources 21a and 22a can be integrated in the carrier part 10 and can be arranged directly in the display areas 21 and 22. It can also be provided that the light sources 21a and 22a are arranged on the underside 19 and thus outside of the carrier part 10. Preferably, they are then arranged in the vertical direction in each case under a display region 21 and 22. The material of the support member 10 is then between a light source 21a and 22a and a display area 21 and 22. Similarly, embodiments may be provided in which no such support member 10 is present and the display areas 21 and 22 are arranged directly in the hob plate 2. The provided for illuminating the display areas 21 and 22 light sources 21a and 22a may then be integrated in the hob plate 2 or disposed on a bottom 12, these arrangements of the light sources 21a and 22a analogous to the embodiments, as in the above embodiments the support member 10 have been explained.

In Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the embodiment in Fig. 2 shown, in which context a discus-shaped control element 24 is arranged in the trough-shaped receptacle 13. It can be seen that the operating element 24 has a convex underside 25, which is adapted to the concave curvature of the surface 14. In Fig. 3 the control element 24 is shown in its undeflected basic position.

The receptacle 13 is viewed in a plan view formed with its edge 15 around, so that the possibility of movement of the operating element 24 in the receptacle 13 for Setting of operating conditions of the hob 1 in a variety and variable manner is possible. In this connection, rocking movements along the path predetermined by the concave surface 14 may be performed, and moreover, rotation about the rotation axis A of the operating member 24 may be performed.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that in the operating element 24, a funnel-shaped light guide 26 is integrated. This leads to a light entry region 27 on the underside 25 of the operating element 24. The light generated by the light sources 17 and 18 is then coupled via light exit regions 16 into the light entry region 17 and the light guide 26. As from the illustration in Fig. 3 can be seen, the light is emitted on a shell side 28 and / or on a top 29 of the control element 24. As a result of the funnel-shaped, completely circumferential configuration of the light guide 26, an annular cone of light is thus emitted upwards and / or to the side of the operating element 24. In particular, the light entry region 27 is dimensioned in terms of its dimensions so that the light coupling in the operating element 24 not only in the basic position of the operating element 24 in the receptacle 13 of the representation according to Fig. 3 can take place, but also in a deflected from the basic position by a rocking actuating position, as in Fig. 4 is shown is possible. Thus, as shown in Fig. 4 be provided that by pressing an edge according to the arrow P1, the operating element 24 is pressed down there and rocking on the other side to the outside. Depending on a specific movement actuation, it is recognized that the cooking zone assigned to this deflection, for example the cooking zone 7, is selected. For this purpose, the assigned optical display area 21 is then activated and the selection is correspondingly visually displayed. In addition, the corresponding illumination of the control element 24 can continue to take place and a corresponding radiation on the shell side 18 and / or the top 29 by means of the light guide 26. Another setting option can then either in the position according to Fig. 4 or however also in the returned basic position according to Fig. 3 be done so that an operating parameter of the selected cooking zone 4 to 7 is set. This can be done, for example, by rotating about the axis A.

In Fig. 5 a view is shown on the bottom 25 of the disk-shaped operating element 24. In this context, the completely circumferential light entry region 27 can be recognized. In addition, in the embodiment, a rising from the bottom 25 survey 30 is formed as an annular circumferential. As a result of this embodiment, the direct contact of the operating element 24 with the concave surface 14 is produced, so that virtually only a contact of this narrow web or the elevation 30 on the surface 14 is given. As a result, excessive friction of the operating element 24 on the surface 14 is avoided and a particularly smooth, yet precise rocking movement and generally performed movement of the operating element 24 can be ensured.

At the bottom 25 are in accordance with the view from below in Fig. 6 a plurality of projections 30, which extend in a star-shaped outward arranged. By means of these elevations 30 of the direct mechanical contact with the surface 14 of the receptacle 13 is made and thus the operating element 24 is only on these webs or elevations 30 on the surface 14. This results in minimization of friction and a smoother and user-friendly operation, in particular generation of rocking movements or rotational movements, can be achieved.

In Fig. 7 is shown in a schematic representation of a plan view of the operating device 8. Here, a plurality of optical display areas arranged equidistantly about the axis A in the direction of rotation are arranged, of which only two are provided with the reference numerals 21 and 22. As can be seen, they are positioned in said annular zone 23.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

hob

2

Hotplate

3

top

4 to 7

cooking zones

8th

operating device

9

opening

10

support part

11

top

12

bottom

13

admission

14

surface

15

edge

16

Light output region

17, 18

light sources

19

bottom

20

holding magnet

21, 22

display areas

21a, 22a

light sources

23

ring zone

24

operating element

25

bottom

26

optical fiber

27

Light entry area

28

Shellside

29

top

30

survey

31

minimum

32

light source

33, 34

Subareas of the light guide

P1

arrow display

A

axis

Claims (13)

1. Operating device for a household appliance (1), which has a recessed holder (13) which has a surface (14) and comprises a separate operating element (24), which has a lower side (25) and with this can be positioned detachably in the holder (13) and in order to set operating conditions of the household appliance (1) can be freely moved in the holder (13) relative to the holder (13), wherein the surface (14) is embodied to be concave at least in regions and the lower side (25) is embodied to be convex at least in regions and is adjusted to the curvature of the concave surface (14), and the operating element (24) is free rocking and can be moved rotatably in the holder (13), characterised in that at least one light outlet region (16) is embodied in the region of the surface (14) of the holder (13), by way of which light can be coupled in at least one light inlet region (27) embodied on the lower side (25) of the operating element (24) and the light outlet region (16) is embodied in the manner of a ring about the minimum of the surface (14).
2. Operating device according to claim 1, characterised in that a light guide (26) is arranged on the light inlet region (27), which extends toward a peripheral side (28) and/or a top side (29) of the operating element (24), and the light injected via the light outlet region (16) of the holder (13) can be radiated via the light guide (26) out of the peripheral side (28) and/or the top side (29) of the operating element (24), in particular entirely circumferentially on the peripheral side (28) and/or the top side (29).
3. Operating device according to claim 2, characterised in that the light guide (26) is embodied in the manner of a funnel.
4. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the width of the light inlet region (27) is so great that even with a maximum deflection of the operating element (24) in the holder (13), light can be injected into the light inlet region (27) from the light outlet region (16).
5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a number of elevations (30) are embodied on the lower side (25) of the operating element (24), in particular the elevations (30) are embodied as straight strips, which extend outward from the light inlet region (27) or are embodied as peripheral rings.
6. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holder (13) is embodied in a support part (10), which is in particular made from a heat-resistant material.
7. Operating device according to claim 6, characterised in that the support part (10) is a worktop of a kitchenette, and the support part (10) is arranged in particular adjacent to a household appliance embodied as a hob (1).
8. Operating device according to claim 6, characterised in that the support part (10) is arranged in a cooktop plate (2), in particular made from glass or glass ceramic, of a household appliance embodied as a hob (1).
9. Operating device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that at least one light source (17, 18) is arranged in the support part (10) and is arranged for coupling light into the light outlet region of the support part (10) embodied as a light guide (16).
10. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating element (1) is held in the holder (13) by means of magnetic force.
11. Operating device according to claim 10, characterised in that at least one magnet (20) is arranged such that an operating element (24) moved out of the non-deflected initial position by a rocking motion can be automatically guided back into the initial position by means of the magnetic force.
12. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that visual display regions (21, 22) are embodied adjacent to the holder (13) on a top side (11), by means of which a selection of a functional part unit (4, 5, 6 7) of the household appliance (1) can be displayed as a function of an actuation of the operating element (24).
13. Household appliance, in particular for preparing food, in particular hob (1), with an operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, which has in particular just one single operating element (24) for setting all operating conditions of the household appliance (1).

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