EP2574849B1 - Operating device for a household appliance and household appliance - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance, with a control element which is removably positionable on a control element receptacle and is movable in the positioned state for setting operating conditions of the household appliance. In addition, the invention also relates to a household appliance with a corresponding operating device.

Control devices for household appliances are known from the prior art, which can be designed in various designs. Thus, there are operating devices with permanently arranged on a control panel control knobs that can only be rotated. In addition, there are also touch-sensitive operating devices, so-called touch fields, which are integrated in the operating device.

In addition, operating devices are also known which have an operating element which can be removed from the operating device in a non-destructively detachable manner and can be placed again. Usually, such a control element is held by means of one or more holding magnets on the operating device and can be rotated there about its longitudinal axis in order to perform settings. For example, it is known in the case of cooktops that a cooking zone is selected by means of such an operating device by actuating the operating element and then a cooking level of this selected cooking zone is set as the operating parameter. Both the selection of such a functional subunit of a household appliance and the setting of an operating parameter of such a functional subunit unit is understood as the setting of operating conditions of the domestic appliance.

In these embodiments of an operating device, which has a removable operating element, on the one hand the reliable positioning on the operating device, on the other hand, however, a corresponding mobility with safe detection of the respective position of the operating element in focus.

The DE 10 2008 026 527 A1 discloses a method of operating a home appliance and a home appliance.

The DE 10 2009 033 538 A1 . DE 10 2005 049995 A1 . DE 102 18 294 A1 and DE 10 2005 042223 A1 reveal controls for an electrical appliance.

The EP 1 947 550 A1 discloses an input device for a home appliance and is considered to be the closest prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device for a household appliance as well as such a household appliance, in which a detachable from a control element control operating condition setting of the household appliance can be reliably and positionally arranged and yet required in the positioned state ease of movement and reliable detection of Improved position of the control element allows.

This object is achieved by an operating device, a household appliance and a method according to the independent claims.

An operating device according to the invention for a household appliance comprises an operating element which has a touch-sensitive operating area with which the operating conditions of the household appliance can be adjusted by touching. The operating area has a first surface area, by the contact of which a first operating condition can be set. In addition, the operating area has at least one second area area, by the contact of which a second operating condition can be set. The operating element furthermore has at least one light emission region with which the respective operating condition setting can be optically displayed. As a result, on the one hand, a multifunctional adjustment of several operating conditions by a control element can be made extremely user-friendly. Only by touching different surface areas individual operating conditions can be set, and this is then also specifically optically displayed.

It is provided that with the light emission area after switching on the operating device and before setting an operating condition light in a first Color is emitable and with the detection of an adjustment of an operating condition, light in a different color to the first color is emitted.

With regard to the configuration, arrangement and functionality of such a light emission region or multiple light emission regions, reference is made to the above-mentioned advantageous embodiments. In this regard, a light emission area on the peripheral wall and / or on the ceiling of the operating element open to the outside and take place at corresponding locations, a light emission. According to the invention there is a light interference area on the ceiling. It is also possible for a plurality of light emission regions, in particular in the form of light guides, to be formed, which are each assigned to individual operating conditions and then light individually with regard to their setting, in particular then can illuminate individually in different colors. The light guide empties on the ceiling of the control element from the inside to the outside, so that by means of a closed circumferential light guide an annular color representation as a visual display. This can be perceived by the user particularly quickly and easily.

According to the invention, it is provided that a first operating condition can be displayed by a first light color of a light which is emitted via the light emission area, and a second operating condition different from this by an emitted light which has a second color different from the first color, and from the light emission area is emitted, can be displayed. Just when these aforementioned operating conditions are set sequentially, a color change of the light emitted by the at least one light emission region occurs. Different operating conditions and their settings are therefore visually displayed by different light colors.

It is preferably provided that in an embodiment with a plurality of light emission regions, in particular a plurality of separate optical fibers, these are arranged adjacent to the respectively associated surface area on the peripheral wall and / or the ceiling of the operating element. This local proximity may favor the quick and correct recognition of a correct operating condition setting by a user. It can be provided that the at least one light emission region is arranged such that the light emitted by it can be emitted in a targeted manner in a radiation direction, in particular from the surrounding wall of the light source Operating element is obliquely to the side and down radiated and / or can be emitted from the ceiling of the control element upwards. As a result, the optical light displays can be made specifically in specific directions, which can be easily perceived by a user, and, on the other hand, possibly even allow additional optical projections onto a functional panel, in particular a cooktop panel. It is preferably provided that a radial distance between the main magnet and the at least one setting magnet of the operating element is greater than 8 mm, in particular greater than 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 10 mm, in particular between 10 mm and 30 mm. If the operating element is arranged in the operating element receptacle and rotated therein, for example, about its longitudinal axis in order to bring about a specific position of the operating element and to bring about the associated operating condition setting, then this is carried out in a haptically perceptible manner for a user due to the magnetic interaction of the setting magnets with the sensors. There are in this respect individual detent positions due to the magnetic interaction occupied, so that the respective required position of the control element for setting an operating condition and haptic is well perceived. The operating device according to the invention for a household appliance comprises an operating element which can be removably positioned on a control element receptacle of the device and is movable in the positioned state for setting operating conditions of the household appliance. The control element has on its bottom side or on the ground on a central elevation, which is designed as a positioning element for positioning the operating element in the control element receptacle. In the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the operating element, this comprises, spaced from the central elevation, at least one setting elevation for setting an operating condition. On the one hand, a positionally secure arrangement of the operating element in the housing is formed by these elevations, which are formed on the floor and spaced apart from one another Operating element recording achieved so that no unwanted slipping or slipping out of the control element recording is done. The movement of the control element in the control element holder can thus be done safely and smoothly around this positioning by means of the central elevation in the control element receptacle. In addition, it is also ensured by the design of two surveys, namely the central elevation and the adjustment adjustment that the support surface of the control element is minimized, and thus friction effects that are given in large-area laying, can be prevented. The smooth movement of the control element in the positioned in the control element recording state is ensured. Not least, a particularly targeted and accurate movement of the operating element is achieved in the control element recording, so that positions of the control element relative to the control element recording can be set very accurately by a user, so that the associated with a specific positions of the control element relative to the control element shot setting a Operating condition can be done very accurately and error-minimized.

It is preferably provided that the adjuster is formed annularly circumferentially around the central elevation. On the one hand, a seating of the operating element which is as uniform as possible is thus achieved, so that undesired tilting or the like is prevented. In addition, a rotational movement of the control element in the control element holder is made possible particularly easily by such a circumferential ring and the operating element runs quasi on this ring-like adjustment very easily around. Not least can be achieved by such an adjustment and a raised position of the magnets arranged therein, which are designed to interact with specific external control sensors for detecting a specific position of the control element and the associated desired operating condition setting, and these arranged quasi closer to the sensors become. As a result, the detection security is increased.

Preferably, it is provided that at least one setting magnet is arranged fixedly in the operating element in the setting-up elevation, wherein an operating condition setting assigned to the position can be recognized as a function of a specific position and position of the setting magnet detectable by a sensor arranged externally.

Under a setting magnet is thus understood in particular a component which does not serve to hold the operating element in its position in the control element recording, but in interaction with such a sensor, in particular the position of the control element relative to the control element recording allows and thus reliable and reliable recognition of enabling adjustment of an operating condition associated with this position.

Preferably, it is provided that a plurality of setting magnets are arranged in the adjustment elevation, in particular in the direction of rotation about the central elevation are arranged equidistant from each other. As a result, a plurality of different positions of the control element relative to the control element recording can be detected and thus a very wide variety of operating condition settings can be detected.

Preferably, the central elevation has a greater maximum height than the adjustment elevation. This is a particularly noteworthy embodiment, as is achieved by the fact that when the operating element is positioned in the control element recording, the central elevation quasi below the level of the operating element receiving functional panel of the operating device or the domestic appliance immersed and thus in this respect the central survey quasi somewhat sunk is. On the other hand, however, this also ensures that the adjustment of this surface of the functional plate is seated aufsitzend, so that on the one hand unwanted tilting of the control is prevented, on the other hand, however, slipping of the control element from the control element recording is avoided. The operating element is thus seated with two different elevations, namely the central elevation on the one hand and the adjustment elevation on the other hand, directly adjacent to two components of the operating device or of the household appliance, these components being arranged at different height levels.

It is preferably provided that the central elevation and / or the adjustment elevation has a corner-free, or in particular a wave-shaped contour in longitudinal section. This is particularly advantageous, since thus a very gentle and smooth insertion of the operating element is made possible in the control element holder. Even then, if the control element would be used slightly off-center in the control element recording, then it slides almost by itself in the correct end position. In addition, by a corner-free contour also spreading or tilting and jamming is prevented, whereby an undesirable wear of the control element and the control element receptacle is prevented.

Not least, the smooth mobility of the operating element is supported relative to the control element recording by such a contour.

It is preferably provided that the contour of the bottom of the control element is completely free of corners. The advantages mentioned above are thereby further favored.

It is preferably provided that the bottom of the operating element is formed between the central elevation and the adjustment elevation as a trough directed away from the elevations. In particular, the contour of the floor thus comprises, as viewed in the radial direction between the adjusting elevation and the central elevation, an arcuate contour that is curved in such a way that it is oriented in the direction of a ceiling of the operating element. In the positioned in the control element recording state, a cavity is thus formed between the central elevation and the adjustment elevation. The above-mentioned advantages in terms of smooth operation and the lowest possible surface contact formation between the control element and a function plate and the control element holder are favored.

Preferably, it is provided that a holding magnet is arranged in the central elevation, which is formed in interaction with a magnet arranged in a complementary to the shape of the central elevation recess, in which the central elevation is in the position positioned on the control element recording state, arranged magnet for holding the operating element , This at least one holding magnet is preferably designed cylindrical and preferably has a diameter between 3 mm and 5 mm, in particular 4 mm. The magnetic holding force of the holding magnet is preferably dimensioned so that the operating element can be precisely positioned, yet can easily rotate about its longitudinal axis with its trained with a cornerless contour as a depression or depression control element receptacle.

It is preferably provided that a light exit area is formed in the control element receptacle. By this light can then be emitted in a targeted manner in the direction of the central elevation in the inserted state of the control element in the control element recording. In particular, this light exit region is annular.

In a particularly advantageous manner, it is provided that at the central elevation, a light guide is formed, which is arranged extending in the operating element and opens to a peripheral wall and / or on a ceiling of the operating element to the outside. This can be done in a very specific way, a visual display at very significant points of the control, creating a simple perceptibility a user is enabled. Settings of operating conditions may be indicated by these optical designs. In particular, the correct selection and setting of an operating condition for a user can be represented simply and intuitively perceptible.

It is preferably provided that the light emitted by the light exit region is coupled into the light guide in the position of the operating element positioned in the control element holder. According to the invention, the operating element has a light emission region with which the respective operating condition setting can be optically displayed. This light emitting region formed particularly by a light guide enables an operation condition setting to be displayed by a color change of the light emitted from the at least one light emitting region. It may be provided that a light emission region is a light guide which completely revolves on the peripheral wall of the operating element. In such a configuration can then be provided that an optical light display is formed completely circumferentially on the peripheral wall and / or on the ceiling. According to the invention, when the optical waveguide opens outward from the interior to the ceiling of the control element, a ring-shaped color representation can take place as an optical display by means of a closed circumferential light waveguide. This can be perceived by the user particularly quickly and easily. It can also be provided that a plurality of separate optical fibers are arranged, which in turn ranked together give a completely circumferential light guide structure. In such an embodiment, it can be provided that each individual optical fiber can be activated and deactivated independently of the other optical fibers and, moreover, also designed for the individual color change of the emitted light. As a result, an optical display for a user can be displayed in a more targeted and locally specified manner so that, if appropriate, an operating condition setting can be recognized and understood as being even easier and more intuitively comprehensible. In particular, this can be advantageous in that in the case of several selectable functional subunits of a household appliance, then a respective light guide is assigned to individual sections of the operating element, with a local associated position of the associated functional subunit being connected with regard to the position of the optical waveguide. For example, at a Hob be provided that each designed as a functional subunit cooking zone is associated with a specific segment of the control element and a corresponding light guide is positioned there. If this cooking zone is then selected, only this associated light guide is lit, so that even locally specified and affirmed by the optical display the correct cooking zone selection is already detected on the basis of the locally specified illumination of the associated light guide.

The invention also relates to a household appliance, in particular a hob, with an operating device according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof. In particular, the adjustment adjustment of the operating element in the position in which the operating element is arranged in the operating element receptacle is positioned in a seated manner on an upper side of a functional plate, in particular a cooktop plate, in which the operating element receptacle is arranged.

It is preferably provided that the hob plate, which may be made of glass or glass ceramic, for example, has a recess, in particular a through hole, in which the trough-shaped control element receptacle is arranged. For example, here can be formed a circular opening in the hob plate, which preferably has a diameter between 6 mm and 10 mm, in particular 8 mm. In this opening, the control element receptacle, which is preferably formed of a high temperature resistant material, used and attached. In addition, a method according to the invention for operating an operating device for a domestic appliance is also provided, wherein the operating device has an operating device according to one of the device claims, and has an operating element which has a touch-sensitive operating region and with which operating conditions of the domestic appliance are set. By touching a first surface area of the operation area, a first operation condition is set, and a second operation condition is set by touching a second area area of the operation area. The respective operating condition setting is visually displayed by at least one light emission area on the operating element by emitting light with a corresponding light color.

According to the invention, light is emitted in a first color with the light emission region after switching on the operating device and before setting an operating condition, and light is emitted in a second color different from the first color upon detection of an adjustment of an operating condition.

In particular, the operating condition setting is also understood as the switching on and off of the household appliance. Rather, the setting of an operating condition, for example, the selection of a functional subunit of the household appliance understood. For example, in the case of a hob, a selection of a cooking zone can be understood as setting an operating condition. In addition, however, the setting of an operating parameter of a functional subunit can also be understood as the setting of an operating condition. For example, this may be the setting of a cooking level of a cooking zone of a hob.

Here, for example, in the case of a hob, it may be provided that, after switching on the hob, light is emitted in a first light color from the at least one light emission region of the operating element, if this operating element is positioned in the operating element holder in its intended position for setting operating conditions.

It should be noted at this point that an adjustment of operating conditions with the operating element is only possible if this is positioned in the control element holder and not removed from this.

It can thus be emitted, for example, a white light from this at least one light emitting area, whereby the user is notified that the hob is in operation, but otherwise no further selection has been made.

For example, a specific cooking zone can subsequently be selected, this being done, for example, by touching a specific surface area of the control panel or operating area, the color of light then being changed when the selection is detected, and then, for example, red light being emitted via the at least one light emission area. By then Subsequently, the control element is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the cooking level of this selected cooking zone can be adjusted.

After setting the cooking level or a specific predetermined period of time in which after the selection of the cooking zone no further actuation of the control element is carried out, a change in color of the emitted light can automatically take place again, for example, this then emit white light. The predeterminable time duration can be, for example, a few seconds, for example 3 s in this regard.

The operating element is in particular disk-shaped or disk-shaped. To adjust the operating conditions, it is in particular rotatable only about its longitudinal axis.

It is preferably provided that the operating device has only a single operating element, by means of which all operating conditions of the household appliance are adjustable. A very component-reduced and for a user focused on the essentials and with regard to the setting with the control particularly smooth and intuitive execution is achieved.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Kochfelds;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung der Bedienvorrichtung des Kochfelds gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Teilausschnitts der Darstellung in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Bedienvorrichtung in einem ersten Zustand;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf die Bedienvorrichtung in einem zweiten Zustand;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf die Bedienvorrichtung in einem dritten Zustand; und

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Bedienvorrichtung gemäß einem vierten Zustand.

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

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a cooking hob according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a sectional view of the operating device of the hob according to Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

an enlarged view of a partial section of the illustration in Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a plan view of the operating device in a first state;

Fig. 5

a plan view of the operating device in a second state;

Fig. 6

a plan view of the operating device in a third state; and

Fig. 7

a plan view of the operating device according to a fourth state.

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

In Fig. 1 is shown in a perspective schematic representation of a cooking appliance 1 designed as a household appliance. The hob 1 comprises a hob plate 2, which may be formed of glass or glass ceramic. On an upper side 3 of the hob plate 2 in number, position and shape only four cooking zones 4, 5, 6 and 7 are exemplified. Under the hob plate 2 are in Fig. 1 Not shown heating units arranged to heat the surface areas of the cooking zones 4 to 7, wherein on the cooking zones 4 to 7 preparation vessels with food for preparation can be set up.

In addition, the hob 1 comprises an operating device 8, which is arranged in the exemplary embodiment in the front region of the hob plate 2.

The operating device 8 comprises a control element receptacle 9 which is arranged in the hob plate 2. In the operating element holder 9, an operating element 10 can be positioned. The operating element 10 is disc-shaped or disc-shaped and non-destructively detachable and re-attachable to the hob plate 2, in particular the control element holder 9 is formed.

The operating device 8 will be explained in more detail below. This is in Fig. 2 a sectional view along the section line II-II shown.

In Fig. 2 the operating element 10 is shown in the arranged in the control element holder 9 state.

The flat-building control element 10 has a ceiling 11, a peripheral wall 12 and a bottom 13.

As from the illustration in Fig. 2 can be seen, the bottom 13 has a non-rectilinear, but curved contour, which is in particular formed corner-free between a central elevation 14 and an annular elevation 15 surrounding the central elevation 14 annular. As in the illustration according to Fig. 2 can be seen, the central elevation 14 has a longitudinal section corner-free contour, which is designed similar to a wave.

Between the central elevation 14 and the adjustment elevation 15 an arcuate contour 16 is formed, which is a curved to the ceiling 11 circumferential trough.

As from the illustration in Fig. 2 can be seen further, the correspondingly shaped bottom 13 is only with the central elevation 14 in the control element receptacle 9, which has a complementary shape formed to the shape of the central elevation 14, and with the adjustment elevation 15 in mechanical contact with components of the hob 1. This means in that the central elevation 14 is arranged, with respect to the upper side 3, partially recessed in the operating element receptacle 9 designed as a trough, and the adjusting elevation 15 rests or is seated on the upper side 3.

In the central elevation 14, a cylindrical holding magnet 17a is arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis A of the operating element 10. This forms in magnetic interaction with a holding magnet 17b, which is arranged in the cooktop plate 2 under the control element holder 9, a magnetic holding force, which holds the control element 10 in the position shown in the axial direction and perpendicular thereto.

As further in Fig. 2 is shown, a plurality of adjusting magnets 18 is arranged in the adjuster lift, which are arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction about the axis A.

In contrast, several sensors 19 are integrated in the embodiment in the hob plate 2, which may be, for example, Hall sensors. By means of these sensors 19, the position of the operating element 10 relative to the hob plate 2 with respect to the rotational movement possibility about the axis A can be detected. Depending on the respective rotational position of the operating element 10, an associated operating condition setting can then be detected. For this purpose, the hob 1 does not include one shown control unit. This is then also designed to control the cooking zones 4 to 7, in particular their heating units.

As can also be seen, the operating device 8 in the operating element receptacle 9 comprises a light guide 20 with a light exit region 21. Light is guided in the light guide 20 from a light source, not shown, in the direction of the light exit region 21 and can pass from there into a light guide 22 is formed in the operating element 10, are coupled.

As can be seen thereby, the light guide 22 extends in the interior of the control element 10 and opens in the embodiment adjacent to the peripheral wall 12 up to the ceiling 11. The light coupled into the light guide 22 thus exits upward from the ceiling 11.

As from the presentation Fig. 2 can be further seen, is formed between the central elevation 14 and the spaced apart in the radial direction and rotating adjuster lift 15 by the upwardly curved contour 16 of the bottom 13, a space between the bottom 13 and the top 3.

As well as in Fig. 2 can be seen, the maximum of the central elevation 14 extends in y-direction further down than the maximum of the adjustment elevation 15. The central elevation 14 is therefore higher in terms of their extension in the y-direction than the adjustment elevation 15. The maximum height of the central elevation 14 is thus greater than the maximum height of the adjustment elevation 15th

In Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of Part III in Fig. 2 shown. Here, the corner-free contour of the central elevation 14 is shown, which is arranged in a seated manner in the complementarily formed control element receptacle 9. The rotation about the axis A is guaranteed and easily possible, whereas unwanted slippage in a plane perpendicular to the axis A is prevented. Due to the additional seating of the adjustment elevation 15 on the upper side 3, undesired tilting of the operating element 10 is also prevented.

Hereinafter, another operation for setting operating conditions of the hob 1 based on Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 explained in more detail.

In Fig. 4 In this case, a plan view of the hob 1 in a region of the operating device 8 is shown. The operating element 10 is shown in its state positioned in the operating element receptacle 9. The operating element 10 has on its cover 11 a touch-sensitive control panel or a touch-sensitive operating area 23. This comprises a plurality of surface areas, in the exemplary embodiment four surface areas 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d. These may be cake piece segments, for example. However, they can also have other surface shapes.

In addition, in Fig. 4 Also illustrated on the ceiling 11 outwardly opening optical fiber 22 with its then trained in this light emitting region 22a.

Furthermore, it can be seen that an optical display area 24 is formed on the hob plate 2 around the operating element, four display fields 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d being arranged here. These are positionally arranged around the operating element 10 such that they are associated with the respective cooking zones 4 to 7 with regard to their local arrangement. This means that on the display panel 24a information about the cooking zone 4, on the display panel 24b information about the cooking zone 5, on the display panel 24c information about the cooking zone 6 and on the display panel 24d information about the cooking zone 7 are displayed.

Accordingly, it is also provided that in a basic position of the operating element 11 in the control element receptacle 9, the area 23a for selecting the cooking zone 4, the area 23b for selecting the cooking zone 5, the area 23c for selecting the cooking zone 6 and the surface area 23d for selecting the cooking zone 7 are provided.

If now the cooking zone 5 are selected and thus an operating condition setting is carried out, then as shown Fig. 4 to turn on the hob 1 first. Once this has taken place, light is emitted in a first light color, for example in white, via the light guide 22 and its light emission region 22a. At the same time, with this operating condition setting, namely the Turning on the hob 1, the display unit 24 is activated and in the display panels 24a to 24d, the value 0 is displayed in red light color, since no further selection of a cooking zone or even a setting of a cooking level has been done.

Will now continue according to the presentation Fig. 5 selected a cooking zone, this is done by touching the specific associated surface area 23a to 23d on the ceiling 11 of the control element 10. In the exemplary embodiment is typed with a finger 25 on the surface area 23b to select the cooking zone 5. This operating condition setting is again displayed optically across the light emitting area 22a by causing a color change of the emitted light. The recognition of the selection of the cooking zone 5 requires that now a second light color is emitted and thus, for example, red light is radiated upward via the light emission region 22. At the same time, the brightness of the value 0 displayed there is increased in the display field 24b and, in addition, a further optical display element 26 is activated, which also confirms the selection of the cooking zone 5 in the display field 24b.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that only one light guide 22 is formed, which is formed in full circumference with the light emission region 22a. This means that the light emission takes place annularly completely circulating.

Alternatively, it could also be provided that each cooking zone 4 to 7 and thus also each surface area 23a to 23d is assigned its own light guide with its own light emission area. In such an embodiment, it could then be provided that only that light guide shines in a different light color, the associated cooking zone is selected by touching the associated surface area of the operating area 23. In the exemplary embodiment, it would then be provided here that the optical waveguide assigned to the surface region 23b emits red light, whereas the optical waveguides of the further surface regions 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d would continue to emit white light.

Based on the explanations and illustrations 4 and FIG. 5 is then set after selection of the cooking zone 5 whose cooking level. This is done to the effect that the user with his finger 25 again touches the ceiling 11 and the operating element 10 rotates about the longitudinal axis A. This takes place until in the display field 24b of desired value of the cooking level is displayed. In the exemplary embodiment, this is the cooking level "5".

Subsequently, the preparation program is started. Is as shown Fig. 6 set the desired cooking level, so again there is a color change of the emitted light via the light emitting region 22a. This can be done immediately after setting the cooking level. However, it can also be provided that, after a certain period of time in which no further actuation of the operating element 10 has taken place, only this color change of the emitted light takes place.

In Fig. 7 For this purpose, the situation is again shown, in which the settings have then been completely completed and, in turn, a color change of the emitted light has taken place, so that in turn white light is emitted via the light emission region 22a.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

hob

2

Hotplate

3

top

4, 5, 6, 7

cooking zones

8th

operating device

9

Operating element receptacle

10

operating element

11

blanket

12

peripheral wall

13

ground

14

Central collection

15

Adjuster uplift

16

contour

17a, 17b

holding magnets

18

set magnets

19

sensors

20, 22

optical fiber

21

Light output region

22a

Light emitting region

23a, 23b, 23c, 23d

surface areas

24a, 24b, 24c, 24d

display fields

25

finger

26

display element

Claims (11)

1. Operating device (8) for a household appliance (1), having an operating element (10) which has a touch-sensitive operating area (23) and with which operating conditions of the household appliance (1) can be set, wherein the operating area (23) has a first surface area (23a to 23d), which when touched can set a first operating condition, and a second surface area (23a to 23d), which when touched can set a second operating condition, and at least one light emission area (22a) is embodied on the operating element (10), with which the respective operating condition setting can be displayed visually, characterised in that after the operating device (8) is switched on and before a further operating condition is set, light can be emitted with the light emission area (22a) in a first colour and when a setting of a further operating condition is identified, light can be emitted in a second colour which differs from the first, wherein the light emission area (22a) is an optical fibre (22) opening outward from the interior of the operating element (10) on the ceiling (11) of the operating element (10), said optical fibre being embodied to be circumferentially closed so that an annular colour representation is displayed visually, wherein the operating element (10) can be positioned removably on an operating element receptacle (9) and in the positioned state can be moved for the purpose of setting operating conditions of the household appliance (1), wherein on the base (13) the operating element (10) has a central projection (14) as a positioning element for positioning the operating element (10) in the operating element receptacle (9), and at least one setting projection (15) for setting an operating condition is embodied in the direction at right angles to the longitudinal axis (A) of the operating element (10) at a distance from the central projection (14).
2. Operating device (8) according to claim 1, characterised in that a change in the operating condition setting can be displayed by a colour change of the light emitted by the at least one light emission area (22a).
3. Operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one dedicated separate light emission area is assigned functionally to each surface area (23a to 23d), and a colour change of the emitted light of a light emission area can be carried out as a function of the touching of the assigned surface area (23a to 23d) independently of another light emission area.
4. Operating device (8) according to claim 3, characterised in that the separate light emission areas are arranged adjacent to the assigned surface area (23a to 23b) on the peripheral wall (12) and/or the ceiling (11) of the operating element (10).
5. Operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one light emission area (22a) is arranged such that the light it emits can be radiated specifically in a radiation direction, in particular from the peripheral wall (12) of the operating element (10) obliquely toward the side, and can be radiated downward and/or can be radiated upward from the ceiling (11).
6. Operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the setting projection (15) is embodied to run annularly around the central projection (14).
7. Operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the central projection (14) has a greater maximum height than the setting projection (15) and the central projection (14) and/or the setting projection (15) has a corner-free, in particular wave-shaped contour in the longitudinal section.
8. Household appliance, in particular hob (1), with an operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
9. Household appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that in the state positioned in the operating element receptacle (9) the operating element (10) rests on a top face (3) of a functional plate, in particular a hob plate (2), in which the operating element receptacle (9) is arranged, and a display area (24) in the functional plate (2) is embodied to run at least partially around the operating element (10) adjacent thereto, and as a function of the touching of a surface area (23a to 23d) on the operating element (10), a display panel (24a to 24d) of the display area (24) assigned to this surface area (23a to 23d) visually displays the operating condition setting associated therewith.
10. Method for operating an operating device (8) according to one of claims 1 - 9, with which operating conditions of the household appliance (1) are set, wherein a first operating condition is set by touching a first surface area (23a to 23d) of the operating area (23) and a second operating condition is set by touching a second surface area (23a to 23d) of the operating area (23), and the respective operating condition setting is displayed visually on the operating element (10) by at least one light emission area (22a), characterised in that light is emitted with the light emission area (22a) in a first colour after the operating device (8) is switched on and before a further operating condition is set and when a setting of a further operating condition is identified, light is emitted in a second colour which differs from the first, wherein a light emission area (22a) is an optical fibre (22) opening onto the ceiling (11) of the operating element (10), which is embodied to be circumferentially closed so that an annular colour representation is displayed visually, wherein the operating element (10) is removably positioned on an operating element receptacle (9) and in the positioned state is moved to set operating conditions of the household appliance (1).
11. Method according to claim 10, characterised in that a change in the operating condition setting is displayed by a colour change of the light emitted by the at least one light emission area (22a).

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