EP3035146A2

EP3035146A2 - A home appliance with a control knob

Info

Publication number: EP3035146A2
Application number: EP15197270.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sevgi COSAR; Nizami Es; Serhat Yavuz
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2015-12-01
Publication date: 2016-06-22
Also published as: EP3035146A3

Abstract

The present invention is a home appliance (1), particularly a cooking device having a control knob (20) for setting the functions thereof by being rotated, said control knob (20) having a body (30) and a sheath (40) having a peripheral side wall (41) at least partially covering a side face (31) of the body (30). As an improvement, in order to secure the sheath (40) on the body (30), the control knob (20) comprises at least one retaining element (34), which is formed on an inner face (43) of the side wall (41) of the sheath (40) and on at least one side face (31) of the body (30) and; at least one recess (45) formed on the inner face (43) of the side wall (41) and on the other side face (31) of the body (30) so as to correspond to the retaining element (34).

Description

The present invention relates to home appliances and particularly cooking devices having rotary control knobs for setting pluralities of parameters.
In home appliances, different types of control knobs are used for setting pluralities of parameters like program, temperature. One of these is the control knobs rotated around itself to make desired settings. Control knobs, which provide setting of the flame amount of a burner of a cooktop or setting of the heat amount of an oven, can be given as an example to these knobs.
One of the rotary control knobs embodiments are the control knobs having at least two pieces used in home appliances for aesthetic requirements. In general, these control knobs comprise at least two pieces named as body and cover. The cover section which is in the form of a hollow cylinder with an open surface functions as a female piece in this structure, and accordingly, the body section, which functions as male piece, is placed to the cover. When the assembly is completed, the section of the body, named as body extension in the related technical field, can be viewed from outside so as to complete the cover. Since the body or at least said body extension is generally different from the cover in terms of color or material, the obtained control knob embodiment provides an aesthetical appearance. The cover may be one-piece or it may comprise more than one piece. In the present art, the cover or the pieces forming the cover is/are fixed onto the body by using adhesive.
In the application TR2008/05031 , a home appliance control knob, comprising a cover and a body placed to said cover, is disclosed. Said cover comprises has a housing section, and said body comprises a body extension placed to said housing section in a visible manner from outside. In order to provide assembly of said body and said cover in an engaged manner, there are connection surfaces formed on said body extension and said housing section in a manner corresponding to each other and holding each other during assembly.
In the application TR2009/09823 , a home appliance control knob, comprising a cover and a body placed to said cover, is disclosed. The cover comprises a body opening, and the body comprises a front surface placed to the body opening. Accordingly, in the invention, in order to provide engaged assembly of the body and the cover, there is at least one locking leaf extending inwardly from the inner lateral surface of the cover, at least one locking tab positioned at the outer periphery of the body, and at least one placement housing formed at the continuation of the locking tabs on the body and wherein the locking leaf is placed.
The object of the present invention is to provide a home appliance having a control knob providing long lifetime usage and produced with lower cost and in a shorter time.
Another object of the present invention is to eliminate adhesive usage and adhesive processes during the assembly of the control knob.
The present invention is a home appliance, particularly a cooking device having a control knob for setting the functions thereof by being rotated. Said control knob has a body and a sheath with a peripheral side wall at least partially covering a side face of the body. Accordingly, in order to secure the sheath on the body, the control knob comprises at least one retaining element, which is formed on one of an inner face of the side wall of the sheath and a side face of the body and; at least one recess formed on the other of the inner face of the side wall and on the side face of the body, so as to correspond to the retaining element. Thus, by means of the fixation elements, processes like adhesion which leads to extra cost are eliminated. Moreover, since adhesives lose their function in time, a safer assembly is provided. Besides, the rotation of the sheath on the body of the control knob is prevented. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the sheath is an item contributing to the aesthetic appearance of the control knob. At the same time, sheath is the section held by the user to make settings.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retaining element is hidden between the side wall of the sheath and the side face of the body. Thus, fixation is provided at the inner section of the control knob. Since it is not visible from outside, an aesthetic appearance is obtained.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pluralities of retaining elements are formed along the periphery of the side face so as to face outwardly from the side face of the body. Thus, fixation is provided along the periphery of the body.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retaining element is a tab. Thus, firm fixation is provided where no assembly element is needed.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises a peripheral body extension extending from a front face of the body. Thus, fixation can be realized through the peripheral body extension. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral body extension is an embodiment providing the placement of the sheath to the body.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the retaining element is formed on the peripheral body extension. Thus, fixation is realized through the peripheral body extension. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral body extension is formed in a recessed manner on the front face of the body. The retaining elements are formed on the peripheral body extension, and they are hidden in said recess after the assembly.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises a housing formed by the peripheral body extension on the front face of the body. Thus, pluralities of items of the control knob can be hidden inside the housing by means of assembly. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the housing is a circular space which is compliant to the form of the front face of the control knob.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises a circular covering piece which is at least partially settling into the housing. Thus, the covering piece is fixed to the housing and the assembly details are hidden so as not to be seen from the front face of the body. An aesthetic appearance is obtained. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the covering piece may be opaque or colored.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises a circular covering piece which is at least partially settling into an inner face of the sheath. Thus, the covering piece is fixed on the inner face of the sheath.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body comprises at least one pressing element formed on the front face of the body and which presses the covering piece towards a front wall of the sheath. Thus, the covering piece seats to the peripheral placement recess in a firm manner during the assembly. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the pressing element is in the form of a tab which protrudes outwardly from the front face of the body. The pressing element is flexible.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheath and covering piece of the control knob form a cover which at least partially covers the front face and the side face of the body. Thus, a cover-like form, which provides holding of the body in order to provide rotation of the body, is obtained on the body.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises a centering protrusion formed on an inner face of the sheath or on a side face of the body; and a centering channel formed on an inner face of the sheath or on a side face of the body and corresponding to the centering protrusion. Thus, the sheath is centered on the body during the fixation of the sheath to the body.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises one each slits formed on the side face of the body and/or on the peripheral body extension and on the side wall of the sheath. Thus, the sheath is fixed to the body through slits aligned with respect to each other. The slits can be accessed from the outer section.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises a fixation element engaged to the slits which are aligned with respect to each other by means of assembly, and which fixes the sheath to the body on the side face thereof so as to prevent rotation of the sheath on the body. Thus, by means of the fixation element, the sheath is fixed to the body so as to prevent rotation of the sheath on the body.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixation element is an indicator. Thus, the indicator is monitored during the adjustment of the control knob, and thereby the function position of the control knob can be understood. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the indicator is red colored.
The present invention is a home appliance, particularly a cooking device having a control knob for setting the functions thereof by being rotated. Said control knob has a body having a housing formed on a front face thereof, and a covering piece placed to the housing of the body. Accordingly, the body comprises at least one slit extending from a side face towards the housing; at least one slit formed on a periphery of the covering piece; and the control knob moreover comprises a fixation element passed through the slits aligned with respect to each other by means of assembly so as to fix the covering piece in the housing. Thus, the covering piece is fixed on the body. Through fixation by means of the fixation element, the probability of usage of retaining elements like tab, which are formed or probable to be formed in probable embodiments of the present invention, is reduced. In probable embodiments of the present invention, the fixation element is a marker/indicator. The fixation element is preferably made of a red colored plastic piece.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises at least one retaining element which fixes the covering piece inside the housing of the body in a tight manner. Thus, the covering piece is fixed on the body in a tight manner. In probable embodiments of the present invention, the retaining element may be a tab or more than one tab or a peripheral recess formed on the covering piece and/or inside the housing.
The present invention is a home appliance, particularly a cooking device having a control knob for setting the functions thereof by being rotated. Said control knob has a body, and a sheath having a peripheral side wall which at least partially covers a side face of the body. Accordingly, the body comprises at least one slit formed on the side face thereof; the sheath comprises at least one slit formed on a side wall thereof; the control knob comprises a fixation element passed through slits aligned with respect to each other by means of assembly so as to fix the sheath on the side face of the body. Thus, the sheath is fixed on the body. Through fixation by means of the fixation element, the probability of usage of holder elements like tab, which are formed or probable to be formed in probable embodiments of the present invention, is reduced. In probable embodiments of the present invention, the fixation element is a marker/indicator. The fixation element is preferably made of a red colored plastic piece.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises at least one retaining element which fixes the sheath on the body in a tight manner. In probable embodiments of the present invention, the retaining element may be a tab or more than one tab or a peripheral recess formed on the body and/or on an inner face of the sheath. Thus, the sheath is fixed on the body in a tight manner.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control knob comprises a centering protrusion formed on an inner face of the sheath or on a side face of the body; and a centering channel formed on an inner face of the sheath or on the other side face of the body and corresponding to the centering protrusion. Thus, the sheath is centered on the body during the fixation of the sheath to the body.

Figure 1: is a representative view of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 1 a and 1b: are the representative frontal and cross sectional views of the control knob of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 2: is the representative exploded view of the control knob of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 3 and 3a: are the representative views of the fixation element on the control knob of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 4 and 4a: are the representative views of the covering piece on the control knob of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 5: is the representative view of the sheath on the control knob of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 6: is the representative view of the sheath of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 7 and 7a: are the representative views of the covering piece in an alternative embodiment of the control knob of the subject matter home appliance.
Figure 8 and 8a: are the representative views of the sheath in an alternative embodiment of the control knob of the subject matter home appliance.

In this detailed description, the subject matter home appliance (1) is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.
With reference to Figure 1; the subject matter home appliance (1) comprises at least one control panel (13) and at least one control knob (20) positioned in at least one control knob opening (14) provided on said control panel (13). In case the subject matter home appliance (1) is a cooking device, the control of the functions of the cooking chamber (15) and/or of the burners (12), provided on an upper plate (11), is provided by means of said control knob (20).
With reference to Figure 1 a and 1 b, at least one body (30) is fixed to the control knob opening (14) provided on the control panel (13), and it is fixed onto a shaft (16) of a switch (not illustrated in the figure) by using a leaf spring (70).
With reference to Figure 2, the control knob (20) of the subject matter home appliance (1) comprises body (30), at least one covering piece (50) positioned on said body (30), and at least one sheath (40) in order to provide said covering piece (50) to be fixed on the body (30). In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the covering piece (50) is made of transparent plastic material, particularly polycarbonate and plexy, etc. materials. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, the sheath (40) is made of metal material, particularly made of aluminum, stainless steel, etc. materials. The sheath (40) surrounds the covering piece (50) from the edges and holds the covering piece (50) in a visually accessible manner. The covering piece (50), which can be made of semi-transparent or transparent material, provides an optical effect in the middle of the control knob by means of the refraction of light thereon. Besides, the hub section is not blocked by the sheath (40), and there is no adhesive behind which forms a shade as a result of the homogeneous refraction of light.
The body (30) is preferably provided in a cylindrical form. The body (30) has a side face (31) and a front face (32). There is at least one peripheral body extension (33) provided on said front face (32). Said peripheral body extension (33) is provided in a hollow circular form. The outer diameter of the peripheral body extension (33) is smaller than the outer diameter of the body (30). The space existing inside the peripheral body extension (33) defines housing (37). There is at least one pressing element (36) provided at the inner side of the peripheral body extension (33) on the front face (32) of the body (30). Said pressing element (36) is embodied in the form of a tab which can at least partially bend. At least one retaining element (34) is provided on the side face (31) of the body (30). Said retaining element (34) is preferably provided on the peripheral body extension (33). The retaining element (34) is provided in the form of a protrusion or a tab which can bend at least partially. Pluralities of retaining elements (34) are provided along the outer wall of the peripheral body extension (33). At least one slit (35) is provided on the peripheral body extension (33). Said slit (35) is at least partially provided along the height of the peripheral body extension (33). Moreover, at least one centering protrusion (38) is provided on the outer wall of the peripheral body extension (33).
The covering piece (50) is preferably provided in a compliant manner to the form of the housing (37) provided on the body (30). Accordingly, the covering piece (50) is preferably provided in the form of a cylindrical washer. Accordingly, the covering piece (50) has a side face (51) and at least one front face (52).
The sheath (40) is provided in a cylindrical ring-like form. Accordingly, the sheath (40) has a side wall (41) and an inner face (43). There is a front wall (47) provided on a side of the sheath (40) such that the inner diameter of the front wall (47) is reduced. The inner diameter of the sheath (40) on the front wall (47) side is smaller than the outer diameter of the covering piece (50). The inner diameter of the sheath (40) on the other side is bigger than the outer diameter of the peripheral body extension (33). By means of this, the sheath (40) can be fixed onto the peripheral body extension (33). There is at least one recess (45) on the front face (43) of the sheath (40). Said recess (45) is provided in the form of a channel at least partially extending at least along the wall of the inner face (43). On the inner face (43) of the sheath (40), there is a centering channel (44) extending in the direction of the depth of the inner face (43). The form of said centering channel (44) is provided in a compliant manner to the centering protrusion (38) provided on the outer wall of the peripheral body extension (33).
With reference to Figure 3 and 3a; there is at least one fixation element (60) placed into the slit (35) provided at the peripheral body extension (33). Said fixation element (60) overflows outwardly from the outer wall of the peripheral body extension (33). As can be seen in Figure 4 and 4a, the covering piece (50) is placed into the housing (37). When the covering piece (50) is placed into the housing (37), it seats onto the pressing elements (36) provided on the front face (32) of the body (30).
With reference to Figure 5 and 6; the sheath (40) is fixed onto the peripheral body extension (33). Accordingly, the sheath (40) at least partially surrounds the upper side of the peripheral body extension (33). While the sheath (40) is fixed onto the peripheral body extension (33), the centering protrusion (38), provided on peripheral body extension (33), is placed to the centering channel (44) provided on the inner face of the sheath (40). Thus, the rotation of the sheath (40) on the peripheral body extension (33) is prevented. When the sheath (40) is placed onto the peripheral body extension (33), the retaining elements (34), provided on the peripheral body extension (33), are placed into the recess (45) provided on the inner face (43) of the sheath (40). Thus, the accidental removal of the sheath (40) from the peripheral body extension (33) is prevented. Since pluralities of retaining elements (34) are provided, the sheath (40) is seated equally from each side. Moreover, since the recess (45) extends along the inner face (43), the assembly of the sheath (40) is facilitated. Besides, since the retaining elements (34) and the recess (45) stay between the body (30) and the sheath (40), an assembly detail, which deteriorates the appearance of the control knob (20) or which makes the use of the control knob (20) difficult, cannot be seen. On the other hand, the fixation element (60), placed to the slit (35) provided on the peripheral body extension (33), is placed to the slit (42) provided on the sheath (40). Thus, the forces exerted on the centering protrusion (38) and on the centering channel (44) are reduced in order for the sheath (40) not to rotate on the body (30). In other words, a control knob (20) is obtained which is more resistant to the rotation of the sheath (40) on the body (30). Moreover, since said fixation element (60) can be seen from the outer side of the sheath (40), the fixation element (60) can also function as an indicator. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, since the fixation element (60) is made of a color which is different from the color of the body (30) and of the sheath (40), the fixation element (60) can be more easily distinguished. In a probable embodiment of the present invention, a warning lamp is used as the fixation element (60). Thus, the rotation amount of the control knob (20) is monitored through the position of the fixation element (60).
With reference to Figure 7 and 7a; in a probable embodiment of the present invention, a slit (53) is provided on the side face (51) of the covering piece (50). Accordingly, as the fixation element (60) is placed to the slit (42) on the sheath (40) and to the slit (35) on the peripheral body extension (33), it is at least partially placed to the slit (53) provided on the covering piece (50). Thus, the rotation of the covering piece (50) inside the housing (37) is prevented. In said embodiment, the retaining elements (34), optionally provided on the peripheral body extension (33), may not be used.
With reference to Figure 8 and 8a; in another probable embodiment of the present invention, the sheath (40) can completely surround the body (30). In said embodiment, after the assembly of the covering piece (50) and of the sheath (40), the body (30) can be produced from a different material with lower costs since the body (30) is not visible.
In said embodiments, since the inner diameter of the front wall (47) of the sheath (40) is smaller than the outer diameter of the covering piece (50), the covering piece (50) stays fixed. In other words, the sheath (40) is at least partially seated onto the covering piece (50). Thus, the accidental removal of the covering piece (50) after assembly is prevented. Moreover, the covering piece (50) is pressed between the pressing elements (36) and the front wall (47). Thus, movement of the covering piece (50) inside the housing (37) is prevented.

In the subject matter home appliance (1), there remains no need to use adhesive or external connection elements for the assembly of the control knob (20). By means of the shape coupling assembly type, the labor and assembly duration needed for the assembly of the control knob (20) are reduced. Moreover, additional costs like the cost of adhesive and connection element are prevented. On the other hand, in case of adhesive use, the deteriorations which may occur in the control knob (20) since the adhesive has completed the usage lifetime are prevented.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.	Home appliance	40.	Sheath
11.	Upper plate	41.	Side wall
12.	Burner	42.	Slit
13.	Control panel	43.	Inner face
14.	Control knob opening	44.	Centering channel
15.	Cooking chamber	45.	Recess
16.	Shaft	46.	Opening
		47.	Front wall
20.	Control knob
		50.	Covering piece
30.	Body	51.	Side face
31.	Side face	52.	Front face
32.	Front face	53.	Slit
33.	Peripheral body extension
34.	Retaining element	60.	Fixation element
35.	Slit
36.	Pressing element	70.	Spring leaf
37.	Housing
38.	Centering protrusion

Claims

A home appliance (1), particularly a cooking device having a control knob (20) for setting the functions thereof by being rotated, said control knob (20) having a body (30) and a sheath (40) with a peripheral side wall (41) at least partially covering a side face (31) of the body (30), characterized in that, in order to secure the sheath (40) on the body (30), the control knob (20) comprises at least one retaining element (34), which is formed on one of an inner face (43) of the side wall (41) of the sheath (40) and a side face (31) of the body (30) and; at least one recess (45), which is formed on the other of the inner face (43) of the side wall (41) and the side face (31) of the body (30), so as to correspond to the retaining element (34).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the retaining element (34) is hidden between the side wall (41) of the sheath (40) and the side face (31) of the body (30).
A home appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein pluralities of retaining elements (34) are formed along the periphery of the side face (31) so as to face outwardly from the side face (31) of the body (30).
A home appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining element (34) is a tab.
A home appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (30) comprises a peripheral body extension (33) extending from a front face (32) of the body (30).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 5, wherein the retaining element (34) is formed on the peripheral body extension (33).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the body (30) comprises a housing (37) formed by the peripheral body extension (33) on the front face (32) of the body (30).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 7, wherein the control knob (20) comprises a circular covering piece (50) which is at least partially settling into the housing (37).
A home appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control knob (20) comprises a circular covering piece (50) which is at least partially settling to an inner face (43) of the sheath (40).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 9, wherein the body (30) comprises at least one pressing element (36) formed on the front face (32) of the body (30) and which presses the covering piece (50) towards a front wall (47) of the sheath (40).
A home appliance (1) according to any one of the claims between Claim 8 and 10, wherein the sheath (40) and covering piece (50) of the control knob (20) form a cover which at least partially covers the front face (32) and the side face (31) of the body (30).
A home appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control knob (20) comprises a centering protrusion (38) formed on an inner face (43) of the sheath (40) or on a side face (31) of the body (30); and a centering channel (44) formed on an inner face (43) of the sheath (40) or on a side face (31) of the body (30) and corresponding to the centering protrusion (38).
A home appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control knob (20) comprises one each slits (35, 42) formed on the side face (31) of the body (30) and/or on the peripheral body extension (33) and on the side wall (41) of the sheath (40).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 13, wherein the control knob (20) comprises a fixation element (60) engaged to the slits (35, 42) which are aligned with respect to each other by assembly, and which fixes the sheath (40) to the body (30) on the side face (31) thereof so as to prevent rotation of the sheath (40) on the body (30).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 14, wherein the fixation element (60) is an indicator.
A home appliance (1), particularly a cooking device having a control knob (20) for setting the functions thereof by being rotated, said control knob (20) having a body (30) with a housing (37) formed on a front face (32) thereof, and a covering piece (50) placed to the housing (37) of the body (30), characterized in that the body (30) comprises at least one slit (35) extending from a side face (31) towards the housing (37); at least one slit (53) formed on a periphery of the covering piece (50); and the control knob (20) comprises a fixation element (60) passed through the slits (35, 53) aligned with respect to each other by assembly so as to fix the covering piece (50) in the housing (37).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 16, wherein the control knob (20) comprises at least one retaining element which fixes the covering piece (50) inside the housing (37) of the body (30) in a tight manner.
A home appliance (1), particularly a cooking device having a control knob (20) for setting the functions thereof by being rotated, said control knob (20) having a body (30) and a sheath (40) with a peripheral side wall (41) which at least partially covers a side face (31) of the body (30), characterized in that the body (30) comprises at least one slit (35) formed on the side face (31) thereof; the sheath (40) comprises at least one slit (42) formed on a side wall (41) thereof; the control knob (20) comprises a fixation element (60) passed through slits (35, 42) aligned with respect to each other by assembly so as to fix the sheath (40) on the side face (31) of the body (30).
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 18, wherein the control knob (20) comprises at least one retaining element (34) which fixes the sheath (40) on the body (30) in a tight manner.
A home appliance (1) according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the control knob (20) comprises a centering protrusion (38) formed on an inner face (43) of the sheath (40) or on a side face (31) of the body (30); and a centering channel (44) formed on an inner face (43) of the sheath (40) or on the other side face (31) of the body (30) and corresponding to the centering protrusion (38).