EP2835711B1 - Switching device for a cooking device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a switching device for a cooking appliance and a household appliance, in particular a cooking appliance with a switching device.

Switching devices, also referred to as countersunk knob serve in an operating position by means of a rotary movement of the manual adjustment of operating parameters, such. B. the temperature or mode. In the rest position, ie when not in use, the switching device in a control panel of the cooking appliance front is flush mounted. By slight pressure on the recessed switching device, the switching device moves by spring force independently on the control panel addition. The unlocking d. H. The retraction of the switching device in the actuating position is effected by acting on the axis of the switching device spring force.

document DE102012222146A1 shows an operating element for a household appliance with a front-side control element cap, which is arranged rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the control element and along the longitudinal axis between an extended position and a sinking position, wherein a at least designed as a ring portion about the longitudinal axis support member is formed, which is opposite the longitudinal axis inclined support surface, and a control element cap circumferentially at least partially encompassing guide element is formed which on a support member facing side of the support surface plant compatible and inclined relative to the longitudinal axis guide surface and against which the control cap is relatively movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein in the extended position, the support surface bears against the guide surface.

document EP2410547A1 also shows a household appliance, in particular an oven, with at least one retractable control knob unit for adjusting a control panel arranged behind a control panel, with a mounted in an opening of the control panel knob, the axially via a countersinking mechanism between a zero position, designed as a versa liaison and one Actuation position is movable back and forth, wherein in the operating position, a bearing surface of the knob is in contact with a bearing surface of the control panel and wherein the bearing surfaces are tapered or conically tapered to each other.

The following invention has for its object to improve the ease of use of a switching device of the type mentioned.

This object is achieved by a switching device for a cooking appliance, which is equipped with a switch handle receptacle for receiving a retractable axle sleeve, which is guided via a switch handle guide and rotatably supported by a Achsdorn. Here is located on the switch handle receptacle a stop ring which forms an end stop for the axle sleeve with a contact surface in an operating position of the switching device, with sections elevations or recesses are mounted on the contact surface to minimize the bearing surface of the axle sleeve to the end stop. This structure of the switching device generates an assembly that is attached to - from the user's view - back of the control panel of the front of the device such that the axle sleeve extends through a user-side recess in the direction of the user. At the same time a switch handle cap is mounted removable on the axle sleeve. In this operating position, the axle sleeve is positioned on the stop ring such that tilting or play of the switch handle cap in the switching device is prevented.

The stop ring and / or the axle sleeve have, at least in sections, stop surfaces for reducing the friction between the stop ring and the axle sleeve. This friction is caused by the force acting in the switching device spring force to the To bring switching device in the operating position. In the actuation position, a disc-shaped collar arranged on the axle sleeve rests flat against the stop surface of the stop ring and generates the frictional force which is undesirable for the user. In order to minimize the contact surface of the axle sleeve to the end stop, sections or recesses are attached to the contact surfaces in sections. The stop surfaces are geometrically shaped so that they are easy to demold in tools and at the same time wear. As a geometry, inter alia, spherical or truncated pyramidal stop surfaces offer. In addition, the choice of material of the two components is coordinated in such a way that the frictional force is minimized.

Preferably, the stop ring has means for clear positive positioning in the switch handle receptacle, in particular by latching hook and / or form elements. The acting of the spring and the axle sleeve from the stop ring forces require a good attachment of the stop ring in the switch handle receptacle. For this purpose, recesses are provided in the switch handle receiving, in which the latching ring arranged on the stop hook form-fitting immersed. Thus, the stop ring is clearly positioned in the switch handle receptacle and the co-rotation of the stop ring is excluded during rotational actuation of the switching device, located on the stop ring form elements that engage in recesses and grooves of the switch handle receptacle and ensure a safeguard against accidental rotation.

Preferably, the stop ring is formed such that it has a hollow geometry. In order to support the resilient action of these latching hooks, the stop ring is not made of a solid material, but has a hollow geometry, which is seen in cross-section substantially U-shaped and on one leg receives the latching hook, which thus resiliently relative to the second leg the U-shaped stop ring is formed and better immersed in the recesses of the switch handle receptacle.

Preferably, at least one snap hook is provided on the axle sleeve which receives the switch handle cap. In this case, the snap hook on a portion which is adapted to positively and non-positively engage in a groove structure of the switch handle cap. This will remove the switch handle cap from the axle sleeve allows to disassemble without the switch handle holder from the control panel of the cooking appliance front. A thus removable from the user switch handle cap reduces the effort when replacing the switch handle cap considerably. Such replacement may be necessary if the cap is broken or dirty, or the user desires a switch handle cap of a different design.

The groove structure preferably has at least one catch, preferably three notches. The detents of the snap-action hook, which are positively and non-positively in operative connection with the groove structure of the switch handle cap, are responsible for the detachable connection of the switch handle cap to the axle sleeve. If the user grasps the switch handle cap and pulls on it with a force F which exceeds the holding force of the snap hook, the switch handle cap is released from the axle sleeve. The catch of the groove structure of the snap hook is released from the groove structure of the switch handle cap and the switch handle cap is released. According to a variant, there are a plurality of grooves in the switch handle cap, in which the catch of the snap hook engages in succession before the switch handle cap finally withdrawn. This increases security, z. B. against accidental removal. According to a variant, the groove structure of the snap hook has a plurality of notches which dip into a plurality of grooves of the groove structure of the switch handle cap. This design ensures that the groove structure of the snap hook engages in an undamped extension movement and associated sudden stops on the stop ring only in the next following groove of the switch handle cap and the switch handle cap is not immediately free.

Preferably, the snap hook has at least one recess. Constructively creates a good snap hook when the base of the snap hook is designed to be as wide as possible to ensure the torque transmission of the user to the value adjustment of the switch handle cap on the axle sleeve. However, such a wide socket conflicts with the flexibility and resilience of the snap hooks. This is solved with a recess or a slot in the snap hook. By this shape, the snap hook is divided into at least two areas to reduce the spring force for separating the switch handle cap from the axle sleeve.

Preferably, a rotary damper is provided on the axle sleeve, which dampens the axle sleeve on its way from the rest position in the direction of the actuating position. The rotary damper mounted on the axle sleeve, e.g. in the form of a grease damper, engages in a rack of the switch handle guide.

Preferably, the switch handle cap is designed to be removable and has a groove structure for positive and non-positive operative connection with the groove structure of the snap hook on the axle sleeve. Preferably, this groove structure is arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the switch handle cap.

Preferably, the switch handle receiving recesses and / or grooves for receiving the stop ring. By means of these recesses and / or grooves of the stop ring is frictionally and positively connected via its locking hooks and form elements to the switch handle receptacle.

The switch handle receptacle preferably has fastening elements for attachment to the cover carrier. From the panel carrier usually U-shaped tabs are pronounced, in which engage the fasteners of the switch handle receptacle.

Preferably, the assembly of Achsdorn and switch handle receptacle is formed by a "2-component method". Due to the "2-component process", a previously produced axle mandrel is encapsulated by the handle of the switch handle in terms of plastics technology. Thus, the axle mandrel rotatably receives the switch handle guide in the switch handle receptacle. In addition, the axis mandrel has a coupling geometry, which is an interface for connection to the electronic add-on parts.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention. There are thus also embodiments of the invention as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but by Separated feature combinations emerge from the described embodiments and can be generated.

Fig. 1

eine schematisch perspektivische Darstellung einer Schaltvorrichtung für ein Gargerät;

Fig. 2

eine erste schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Anschlagrings;

Fig. 3

eine zweite schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Anschlagrings;

Fig. 4

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer Achshülse;

Fig. 5

eine schematisch perspektivische Darstellung einer Schaltergriffkappe; und

Fig. 6

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer Schaltergriffaufnahme.

Further advantages and details of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the schematic figures. It shows

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of a switching device for a cooking appliance;

Fig. 2

a first schematic perspective view of a stop ring;

Fig. 3

a second schematic perspective view of a stop ring;

Fig. 4

a schematic perspective view of an axle sleeve;

Fig. 5

a schematic perspective view of a switch handle cap; and

Fig. 6

a schematic perspective view of a switch handle receptacle.

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

In Fig. 1 is shown in a perspective view of a switching device for a cooking appliance. The switching device 1 is mounted on the front of the device in the area of the operating section in such a way that a user to adjust so-called operating parameters such. B. mode or temperature, the switching device 1 engages and adjusted by turning. The switching device 1 has for this purpose a plurality of components which are joined to form an assembly. As a housing and thus as a supporting element of the switching device 1, the switch handle receptacle 2 is formed. The switch handle receptacle 2 essentially represents a pot-shaped element, in the bottom of the pot an axis mandrel 3 is arranged centrally. This Achsdorn 3 is injected via a 2-component process in a recess in the bottom of the switch handle receptacle 2 plastic-technically. The Achsdorn 3 is essentially a rotationally symmetrical body, at whose wide base the attachment is formed to the switch handle receptacle. This area is also an interface for connection to the electronic add-on parts, wherein the interface is formed substantially slit-shaped and protrudes through the bottom-side recess of the switch handle receptacle 2 back of the switch handle receptacle 2. Within the switch handle receptacle 2, the axis mandrel 3, with its essentially rotationally symmetrical shaft, forms an axis Y around which the essential components of the switching device 1 rotate for value adjustment. About a driving surface of the axle 3, the switch handle 5 is rotatably guided in the switch handle receptacle and secured by means of a leaf spring 4 against extract. The switch handle guide 5 is an elongated member that the axle sleeve 6 receives retractable. For this purpose, the sleeve-shaped base body of the axle sleeve 6 is adapted to the outer circumference of the switch handle guide 5. For this purpose, the switch handle guide 5 has a backdrop-shaped heart curve, which serves for uniform, smooth-free countersinking of the axle sleeve 6 and its securing in the rest position and. For this purpose, a coil spring is supported on the switch handle guide 5 and generates a spring force with respect to the axial sleeve 6, so that it strives to slide from the rest position in the switch handle receptacle 2 in the operating position. To dampen this spring force, to avoid damage and to give the user a high-quality sensation, located on the Achshülse 6, a rotary damper 8 which engages with a gear in a rack of the switch handle 5 thus the sleeve 6 damped and extend evenly. On the Ach sleeve 6 is a switch handle cap 9, which corresponds to the substantially visible region of the switching device 1 in the operating position, which is opposite to the user from the front of the device. This construction of the switching device 1 makes it possible to move the axle sleeve 6 between two positions. The first position, described below as a retracted rest state, receives the axle sleeve 6 and the switch handle cap 9 essentially in the switch handle receptacle 2. If the axle sleeve 6 is in the retracted rest position, pressing the user on the switch handle cap 9 will cause the heart backdrop to unlock the axle sleeve 6 and the coil spring 7 to push the axle sleeve out of the switch handle receptacle 2 in the Y direction. A stop ring 10 defines the extended operating position, since a disk-shaped collar of the axle sleeve 6 stops at the stop surface 11 of the stop ring 10. This construction makes it possible to lower the switch grip cap 9 in the switch handle receptacle 2 and at the same time to adjust the value by the rotatably mounted switch grip cap 9 gives the rotational movement of the axle sleeve 6 to the switch handle guide 5 and the co-rotating axle mandrel 3 on. The interface of the axis mandrel transmits the rotary motion to the adjacent electronic components.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a stop ring. The substantially annular base body has at its first end face 12 spherical abutment surfaces 11 to reduce the friction with the stop sleeve 6. On the lateral surface 13 of the stop ring 10 are latching hooks for attachment of the stop ring 10 in the switch handle receptacle 2. Furthermore, there are on the lateral surface 13 form elements 15 which engage in the switch handle receptacle 2. These form elements 15 ensure the correct installation position of the stop ring 10 in the switch handle receptacle 2 and secure the stop ring 10 against the acting rotational frictional forces, which act in the value adjustment.

Fig. 3 shows in a perspective view, the rear view of the stop ring 10. The annular body of the stop ring 10 has on the end face 12 opposite end face a circumferential groove 16 which equips the stop ring 10 with a hollow geometry. As a result, the annular base body has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, the first leg forms the contact surface for the switch handle cap 9 and the second leg receives the latching hooks 14 and the mold elements 15. Through this resilient leg, the latching hooks 14 and the mold elements 15 form and force fit into the recesses 24 of the switch handle receptacle 2 a. The base of the substantially U-shaped cross-section carries the substantially spherical abutment surfaces 11 to reduce the frictional forces acting upon rotational movement between axle sleeve 6 and stop ring 10.

Fig. 4 shows in a perspective view of an axle sleeve 6. The axle sleeve 6 has at a first end a coupling geometry for connection to the switch handle 5 on which the rotary damper 8 is located. In a second section is a substantially disc-shaped collar 17 which has an annular stop surface to the stop ring 10. To stiffen this collar 17 is equipped with ribs. The front side extending from the disc-shaped surface of the collar 17 preferably three asymmetrically arranged Snap hook 18, which are designed for fastening the switch handle cap 9 and for torque transmission of the value adjustment of the switch handle cap 9 on the axle sleeve 6. The snap hooks 18 have a groove structure 19 for engagement in a corresponding groove structure 23 in the switch handle cap 9. The groove structure 19 is formed by three notches 20 which engage in a plurality of grooves of the groove structure 23, so that in case of excessive pulling force of the user on the switch handle cap 9, the cap is not released immediately, but the catches 20 only in the nearest grooves Groove structure 23 engage. In addition, it is avoided by this structure that the so-called. Ausschnalzen the switching device 1, the switch handle cap 9 of the axle sleeve 6 undesirable manner triggers. In addition, the snap hook 18 has a recess in the form of a slot to support the snap hook 18 in its resilient operation for receiving the switch handle opening 9. Through the recess of the snap hook 18, two extensions, which can be moved more flexible than the non-slotted base of the Schapphakens 18. The flexibility of the snap hook 18 of the positive and non-positive connection mechanism between axle sleeve 6 and switch handle cap 9 is improved.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a switch handle cap 9. The substantially pot-shaped switch handle cap 9 has on its inner lateral surface 22 a groove structure 23 for connection to the Schapphaken 18 of the axle sleeve 6. In this case, the detents 20 of the snap hook 18 engage in the groove structure 23 and cause by the resilient action of the snap hook 18 a positive and non-positive connection, which transmits the torque of the value adjustment on the axle sleeve 6 while securing the switch handle cap 9 against accidental removal ensures. In addition, the multipart groove structure imparts a tactile feedback to the user who intentionally wants to pull off the switch handle cap 9, since in a first step only one catch 20 moves out of the groove structure 23. From this, the user can estimate that the switch handle cap 9 can be at constant effort and a further increase in the force required is not needed. In undamped switching devices 1, the groove structure 23 is also advantageous because the snapping against the end stop does not cause the complete disengagement of the switch handle cap 9 of the Achshülse 6, but only the latches 20 engage in a further outward groove of the groove structure 23. The groove structure 23 in the switch handle cap 9 can be arranged circumferentially or in sections. The Groove structure 23 can-like a threaded nut-be formed from a thread-shaped, spiral-like groove arrangement on the lateral surface 22.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a switch handle receptacle 2. The switch handle receptacle 2, with its substantially cup-shaped base body has recesses 24 and grooves 25 for receiving the stop ring 10 on its end face. In addition, the switch handle receptacle 2 has fastening elements 26 in the form of snap hooks for fastening the switch handle receptacle 2 to the strip carrier.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

switching device

2

Switch handle seat

3

Achsdorn

4

leaf spring

5

Switch handle leadership

6

axle sleeve

7

spiral spring

8th

rotary damper

9

Switch handle cap

10

stop ring

11

stop surface

12

face

13

lateral surface

14

latch hook

15

forming element

16

groove

17

collar

18

snap hooks

19

groove structure

20

notch

21

recess

22

lateral surface

23

groove structure

24

recess

25

groove

26

fastener

Claims (12)

1. Switch apparatus (1) for a cooking appliance, with a switch handle holder (2) for holding a retractable axial sleeve (6), which is guided via a switch handle guide (5) and is rotatably mounted via an axial bolt (3), wherein there is provision for a contact ring (10) which is arranged on the switch handle holder (2) and forms an end stop for the axial sleeve (6) when the switch apparatus (1) is in an actuation position, wherein the contact ring (10) and/or the axial sleeve (6) have contact areas (11), at least in sections, for reducing the friction between contact ring (10) and axial sleeve (6), characterised in that elevations or recesses are applied to the contact areas in order to minimise the contact area of the axial sleeve against the end stop.
2. Switch apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the contact ring (10) has means for the unique form-fitting positioning in the switch handle holder (2), in particular latching hook (14) and/or shape elements (15).
3. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the contact ring (10) has a hollow geometry for locking the latching hook (14).
4. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provision on the axial sleeve (6) for at least one snap-on hook (18), which engages into a groove structure (23) of a switch handle cap (9) in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner, whereby the switch handle cap (9) is designed in a detachable manner.
5. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the snap-on hook (18) has at least one notch (20), preferably three notches.
6. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the snap-on hook (18) has at least one recess (21), whereby the snap-on hook (18) is divided into at least two regions, and the spring force for separating the switch handle cap (9) and the axial sleeve (6) can be reduced.
7. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provision on the axial sleeve (6) for a rotation damper (8), which cushions the axial sleeve (6) in the direction of the actuation position.
8. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switch handle cap (9) is embodied in a detachable manner and has a groove structure (23) for connecting to the axial sleeve (6) in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.
9. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switch handle holder (2) has recesses (24) and/or slots (25) for holding the contact ring (10).
10. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switch handle holder (2) has fastening elements (26) for fastening to the panel carrier.
11. Switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the component group consisting of axial bolt (3) and switch handle holder (2) is formed by a two-component method.
12. Household appliance, in particular cooking appliance, with a switch apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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