EP2455670B1 - Operating device for a domestic appliance with a trough-shaped holder and domestic appliance, in particular cooktop, 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, as well as 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 domestic appliance according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, the control knob is positionable 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.

From the DE 101 27 211 A1 is a rotatable control with a rotation axis which is arranged perpendicular to a front panel known. The control element has a rotary knob, which is mechanically coupled via a light-conducting rotation transmission element with an arranged on a support plate, electrical switching or adjusting element.

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

From the DE 20 2004 017133 U1 is a magnetically mounted control in a hob known. By sliding and / or rotational movements of the control element different operating conditions of the hob are adjustable.

From the DE 102 18 294 is a rotatable control for a household appliance known, with a light source and a light guide.

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 14. 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 free to swing setting of operating conditions of the domestic appliance relative to the inclusion in the recording is movable. In the region of the concave 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.

Preferably, 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.

In view of the free rocking movement and the rotational movement thus a quasi a plurality of degrees of freedom of mobility of the operating element in the trough-shaped receptacle is ensured. Thus, in this regard, tumbling movements or the like can be performed around the rotation axis.

Preferably, only a single light entry region is formed. Preferably, this light entry region is formed centrally in the middle in the bottom. Just here, in interaction with a single centrally and centrally formed light exit region in the trough-shaped receptacle, in particular at the minimum of the trough-shaped recording, a particularly bright and provided with few light losses Lichteinkopplung and transfer into the control element. Even with a rotation of the control element in the recording, the complete light coupling can thus always be guaranteed. Even if the control element is moved in addition to or instead of a rotary motion by a rocking motion out of the basic position, in such a light transmission structure as large a proportion of light in the control element coupled and emitted at the appropriate points for visual display.

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 point 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 regions 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.

According to the invention, 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 carried out.

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 operating element is contacted with its underside only as small as possible with the concave surface of the trough-like receptacle, so that low friction losses occur. 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 is then virtually the operating device is 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 recessed arrangement allows a minimum height and no steps or the like at the transition, so that here also no damage or a user bumping 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 is automatically released by the magnetic force of the actuator Magnet back to the normal position is traceable. 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 actuation 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.

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.

It is preferably provided that the optical display areas are integrated in the carrier part in which the receptacle is formed. 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.

It can also be provided that these optical display areas are arranged under a carrier part in which the trough-shaped receptacle is formed. For example, they can be mounted directly on an underside of this carrier part.

By such a configuration, the interchangeability of these optical display areas can be made possible. In addition, they are positioned particularly protected, since always the material of the support part covers the optical display areas.

In particular, these optical display areas viewed in the axial direction of the operating element are formed within the surface of the ring shape. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures.

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Bedienvorrichtung ohne ein eingebrachtes Bedienelement;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittdarstellung der Bedienvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 mit einem in einer Grundstellung eingebrachten Bedienelement;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittdarstellung der Bedieneinrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 mit einem aus der in Fig. 3 gezeigten Grundstellung ausgelenkten Bedienelement;

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 eine Ausgestaltung 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 an embodiment of an operating device without an inserted control element;

Fig. 3

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

Fig. 4

a sectional view of the operating device according to Fig. 2 with one out of the Fig. 3 shown basic position deflected control;

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 these preparation dishes such as pots or Pans or the like can be set up 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 in the embodiment in the minimum of the trough or the receptacle 13.

Here, a central and centrally arranged light exit region 16 is arranged at a minimum 31 of the concave surface 14. This may for example be a light guide or other translucent material or material use. In addition, it can be seen that a centrally arranged holding magnet 20 is arranged on an underside 19 of the carrier part 10. By means of this holding magnet 20, a disk-shaped operating element introduced in the trough-shaped receptacle 13 is held by magnetic force.

On a lower side 19 of the carrier part 10 below the light exit region 16, a light source 32 is arranged. Adjacent to this light source 32, a centrally positioned holding magnet is arranged, with which an inserted into the trough-shaped receptacle 13 operating element 24 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) is held in a basic position and is automatically guided back to the basic position in a deflected from the basic position position, which then leads to a release of the control element 24 of a user.

In an annular zone 23, which forms on an upper side 11 of the support member 10 and extending between the upper edge 15 of the receptacle 13 and the opposite edge of the support member 10, which opens to the boundary wall of the opening 9 of the hob plate 2, are in the Support member 10 integrally formed optical display areas 21 and 22. Only in section, these two optical display areas 21 and 22 are now visible. It may also be formed a higher number of optical display areas in this annular zone 23 to the receptacle 13.

Likewise, instead of in Fig. 2 In the case of an integral arrangement of the optical display regions 21 and 22, further embodiments may be provided such that these optical display regions 21 and 22 are arranged on the lower side 19. Preferably, these are then positioned in the vertical direction (y-direction) and thus in the axial direction directly below this annular zone 23 on the underside 19.

Furthermore, it can be seen that in the embodiment also integrated in the support member 10 and arranged flush with the top 11 adjacent to the upper boundary or the upper edge 15 a plurality of optical display areas 21 and 22 are arranged.

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 21 a and 22 a can be integrated in the support part 10 and be arranged directly and 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 21 a and 22a and a display area 21 and 22. Likewise, 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 control element 24 in the receptacle 13 for setting 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.

It is provided that in the operating element 24, a mushroom-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 source 32 is then coupled via the light exit region 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 design of the light guide 26, an annular light cone is thus emitted upwards and / or to the side of the operating element 24. 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 swinging actuating position, as it is 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. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the operating device 8 according to Fig. 2 shown, in addition, the control element 24, which is designed discus-shaped, is arranged in a basic position in the trough-shaped receptacle 13. It can be seen that a bottom side 25 of the operating element 24 is convexly curved and is adapted to the shape of the concave surface 14. Integral in the operating element 24, a light guide is formed, which has an axially extending portion 33 which is centrally positioned centrally. This opens into a light entry region 27 in which the light emitted by the light source 32 via the light exit region 16 can be coupled into the operating element 24. Furthermore, the light guide 26 has a further subsection 34 which opens obliquely outwards from the axial subregion or section 33 to form a lateral surface 28 and / or an upper side 29 of the operating element 24.

In Fig. 4 is in a further sectional view through a rocking motion of the basic position as shown in FIG Fig. 3 deflected control 24 shown in the receptacle 13. Here, by pressing on a side edge of the operating element 24 in accordance with the arrow P1, this deflection is generated, whereby this actuation is detected by means of sensors and a control unit and the desired function setting is thus effected. In the embodiment, it is provided in this regard that with the corresponding rocking motion very specifically a cooking zone, For example, the cooking zone 7 is selected. With regard to this recognition of the desired function selection, the optical display area 21 is then activated and lights up.

If the operating element 24 is released by the user in this position, it is automatically inserted into the in. Position due to the magnetic interaction by means of the magnet 20 and a further magnet (not shown) arranged in the operating element 24 Fig. 3 returned basic position shown.

Is as shown in Fig. 4 a cooking zone selected, then can either in this position of the control element 24 or then in the returned basic position according to Fig. 3 an operating parameter of this cooking zone can be set.

In Fig. 5 a view is shown on the bottom 25 of the disk-shaped operating element 24. In this context, the central 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.

In another embodiment, at the bottom 25 as viewed from below in FIG 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 (14)

1. Operating device for a household appliance (1), which has a trough-shaped holder (13) which has a surface (14), and wherein the operating device comprises a separate operating element (24), which has a lower side (25) and is able to be positioned with said lower side (25) in the holder (13) in a releasable manner and is able to be moved relative to the holder (13) in a freely rocking manner in the holder (13) in order to set operating conditions of the household appliance (1),
   characterised in that a light guide (26) is integrated in the operating element (24) and opens out at a light inlet region (27) of the operating element (24) on the lower side (25) of the operating element (24), and that a light outlet region (16) of the holder (13) is embodied in the region of the surface (14) of the holder (13), via which light generated from a light source (32) arranged below the light outlet region (16) is able to be fed into at least one light inlet region (27) embodied on the lower side (25) of the operating element (24), wherein the width of the light inlet region (27) is large enough that it is possible to feed in light from the light outlet point (16) into the light inlet region (27) even with the maximum rocking displacement of the operating element (24) in the holder (13).
2. Operating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the light guide (26) extends to a casing side (28) and/or an upper side (29) of the operating element (24), and the fed-in light is able to radiate via the light guide (26) from the casing side (28) and/or the upper side (29) of the operating element (24), in particular completely around the circumference of the casing side (28) and/or the upper side (29).
3. Operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a single light inlet region (27) is embodied.
4. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light inlet region (27) is embodied centrally in the middle of the lower side (25).
5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a plurality of elevated areas (30) are embodied on the lower side (25) of the operating element (24), in particular the elevated areas (30) are embodied as straight-line stripes which extend outwards from the light inlet region (27) or are embodied as circumferential rings.
6. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surface (14) is embodied as concave, at least in regions, and the lower side (25) is embodied as convex, at least in regions, and is adapted to the curvature of the concave surface (14), and the operating element (24) is able to be moved in a freely rocking and rotatable manner in the holder (13).
7. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the holder (13) is embodied in a carrier part (10), which is in particular made of a heat-resistant material.
8. Operating device according to claim 7, characterised in that the carrier part (10) is a worktop of a kitchen unit, and the carrier part (10) is in particular arranged adjacent to a household appliance embodied as a hob (1).
9. Operating device according to claim 7, characterised in that the carrier part (10) is arranged in a hotplate (2), in particular made of glass or glass ceramics, of a household appliance embodied as a hob (1).
10. Operating device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the at least one light source (32) is arranged below the carrier part (10) and is arranged for feeding in light into the light outlet region of the carrier part (10) embodied as a light guide (16).
11. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating element (24) is retained in the holder (13) by magnetic force.
12. Operating device according to claim 11, characterised in that at least one magnet (20) is arranged such that an operating element (24) which is moved out of the non-displaced basic position by a rocking movement is able to automatically return to the basic position due to magnetic force after being released.
13. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that optical display regions (21, 22) are embodied adjacent to the holder on an upper side (11), by way of which a selection of a functional subunit (4, 5, 6, 7) of the household appliance (1) is able to be displayed as a function of an actuation of the operating element (24) in the holder (13).
14. Household appliance, in particular for preparing foodstuffs, in particular hob (1), with an operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, which in particular has only a single operating element (24) for setting all the operating conditions of the household appliance (1).

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