EP3333869A1 - Operating component for a domestic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

An operating element (1) for a domestic appliance (H) has an adapter part (2) for connecting a control element head and a light guide (14), wherein the adapter part (2) and the light guide (14) are joined together and together form an insertion shaft (26 ) for a light source carrier (12). A household appliance (H) has at least one such operating element (1). The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to controls for front panel panels, especially stove or stove control panels.

Description

The invention relates to an operating element for a household appliance, wherein the operating element has an adapter part for connecting a control element head and a light guide and wherein the adapter part and the light guide are joined together and together form an insertion slot for a light source carrier. A household appliance has at least one such operating element. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to controls for front panel panels, especially stove or stove control panels.

DE 10 2012 204 223 A1 discloses an operating element for a household appliance, with a control element head, which is rotatably arranged in a carrier sleeve, and a circuit carrier, which is associated with a setpoint generator on which circuit board electrical contacts are arranged, with electrical contacts of a turntable of the setpoint generator, with the control element head is coupled, can be contacted, wherein the turntable is movable relative to the circuit carrier depending on the movement of the control element head, and depending on the rotational position of the control element head is detectable, wherein at least one light source is disposed on the circuit carrier, and adjacent to the light source to the support sleeve separate Light conductor is arranged, in which the light of the light source can be coupled and into the interior of the carrier sleeve can be conducted, wherein the light guide is partially formed as a light-conducting fastener. The invention also relates to an operating device with such a control element.

The WO 2012/089506 A1 discloses a domestic appliance having a control panel made of glass, a circular opening arranged on the control panel, a knob arranged in the opening, a housing attached to the rear of the control panel, which extends inwards from the control panel and protects the knob; LEDs, which are arranged on the rear wall of the housing, and a light guide, which is arranged in the housing and which provides the periphery of the button to be illuminated.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art at least partially and in particular to provide a particularly reliable mountable and inexpensive control element for a household appliance.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

The object is achieved by an operating element for a household appliance, comprising a receiving part or adapter part for connecting a control element head and comprising a light guide, wherein the adapter part and the light guide are connected or joined together and together form an insertion slot for a light source carrier.

This operating element has the advantage that the light source carrier can only be mounted if the light guide has been combined with the adapter part. This results in an inevitability in the assembly, which ensures that the light guide is always mounted. The light guide can not be forgotten in the assembly process, so that a given illumination quality (e.g., in terms of uniformity) and illumination brightness are reliably maintained. In addition, such an operating element with particularly few parts can be produced inexpensively.

The receiving part and the light guide are thus, in particular, separate components which are subsequently connected to one another.

The household appliance is in particular an electrically operated household appliance. The home appliance may be a household large appliance (for example, a cooking appliance, a laundry care appliance, a refrigerator, a washing machine, etc.) or a household small appliance (for example, a coffee maker, a toaster, etc.). If the appliance is a cooking appliance, it may be an oven, a microwave oven, a steam cooker, a hob, or any combination thereof (eg, a stove, possibly with microwave and / or steam cooking function).

The adapter part is in particular mechanically connected to the control element head. The adapter part can hold the control element head. The adapter part can transmit a mechanical movement of the control element head to a corresponding sensor. The adapter part can also be used to attach the operating element to a technical Support member (eg on a control panel or on a switch carrier or diaphragm support) be equipped. The technical support part may in particular be a stove, stove or cooktop control panel. The control panel can be a front panel.

The control head is intended for operation by a user, e.g. by the user gripping or pushing the control head.

The light guide is used for the internal guidance of light, for example by an internally mirrored hollow channel or by total internal reflection. A body that conducts light through total internal reflection can also be called a TIR body. A TIR body may be made of transparent material such as glass or plastic, e.g. made of Plexiglas.

By means of the light guide, light emitted by at least one light source of the light source carrier can be passed on, for example, for backlighting or interior lighting of the control element head and / or a lighting element (for example a light ring or the like) surrounding the control element head.

The fact that the adapter part and the light guide are joined together may in particular mean that these components are directly connected to one another, ie without intermediate pieces or the like. The joining may include a positive, non-positive and / or cohesive joining.

The insertion slot is designed so that a light source carrier can be inserted or inserted into it. The light source carrier can be held in the insertion slot positively, non-positively and / or cohesively.

The light source carrier is equipped with at least one light source. The at least one light source may be at least one LED or at least one laser diode. The light source carrier may be a circuit board or printed circuit board or e.g. also have a plate-shaped ceramic substrate. The light source carrier can thus be in particular an LED board.

It is a further development that the operating element has the light source carrier inserted or received in the insertion slot. At least A light emitted by a light source can then be coupled into the light guide and guided inside the light guide. The light can be decoupled from the light guide, in particular at one point, where it backlit at least a portion of the operating element.

It is an embodiment that the adapter part has a support region with a rear support surface for supporting the light source carrier, the light guide has regions ("wings"), which rest on a front-side support surface of the support region, and the wings are bent backwards at their end sections, then that they embrace the support area in such a way that the insertion shaft is formed by means of a gap between the support area and the end sections. This embodiment has the advantage that it is particularly easy to assemble, is robust and can form the insertion slot with low tolerances. The rear support surface and the end regions can hold the light source carrier in the insertion slot at least in a form-fitting manner (i.e., only with positive or positive fit and additionally with a force fit and / or material fit).

A rear bearing surface may in particular be understood to mean a bearing surface which faces away from the viewer when viewed from the outside on the built-in operating element when viewed from the front.

In particular, a wing can be understood to mean a region of the light guide which extends laterally or laterally when viewed from the front, in particular to the left or to the right. In particular, the wing may be an elongated area. The wings can in particular be two wings. They can be mirror-symmetrical. The wings can also be referred to as arms.

A wing may rest in particular up to its end portion on the support area or on the front-side support surface. The adapter may in particular have a plate shape or disk shape, wherein a first flat side has or forms the front-side support surface and a second flat side has or forms the rear-side support surface. The light guide may be housed in part in a front recess of the adapter portion, in particular in an at least approximately complementary shaped recess.

It is a development that the wings, in particular their end, are elastically deformable. As a result, the assembly is further simplified. A further advantage is that the end sections can serve as springback holding regions for the light source carrier in order to hold it in a tight fit in the insertion slot.

It is a development that the adapter part and the light guide made of plastic. In particular, the adapter part may consist of a non-light-conducting plastic and the light guide consist of a light-conducting, in particular transparent plastic.

It is still an embodiment that the support region has an opening which is at least partially covered by the light guide front side and the light guide has a protruding in the rearward direction through the opening Lichtleitabschnitt for coupling the light of the light source carrier. This provides the advantage that light losses can be kept particularly low by the rear light guide section. There, at a small distance from the at least one light source coupled light is passed through the opening to the front, from where it in the direction of the control head or the like. is radiant.

It is a further development that the light guide has a light guide section projecting on the front side. This advantageously makes it possible to bring the light guided by the light guide close to the control element head, in order there to backlight a given area with high brightness. The rearwardly projecting light-conducting section and the front-side projecting light-guiding section may in particular be collinear with one another.

It is a further embodiment that the adapter part has a rearwardly projecting, elastically bendable locking region for at least positive locking locking of the light source carrier in the insertion slot. As a result, an unwanted slipping of the light source carrier can be prevented from the insertion slot. The locking portion may be formed as a latching hook or locking tab.

It is yet another embodiment that the adapter part, in particular its support area, has at least one rib serving as a spacer. The rib may constitute at least a part of the rear support surface. Thereby, for example, a distance to a rear Lichtleitbereich the light guide can be accurately adjusted. Also, such an air gap between the light source carrier and the adapter part is made possible. The air gap can serve to receive light sources and / or other electrical and / or electronic components. The air gap can also serve for heat dissipation from the light source carrier by air convection. The rear support surface may comprise a serving for supporting the light source carrier edge of the rib.

It is also an embodiment that the adapter part has at least one rib for engaging in a recess of the light source carrier. As a result, a block against a lateral or lateral movement of the light source carrier is achieved. The at least one rib used for this can be the same rib, which also serves as a spacer. In particular, the rib may be stepped in this case.

It is also an embodiment that the adapter part has at least one projection serving as rearward delimitation of the insertion shaft. This projection can advantageously serve as a push-in aid. Also, the projection may serve to prevent sagging of the printed circuit board carrier.

It is also an embodiment that the control element head is internally illuminated by auskoppelbares from the light guide light. The control element head can at least partially translucent windows, holes, etc. have.

It is also an embodiment that the control element head is a switch knob and the adapter part has a shaft connected to the switch knob. Such an operating element can also be referred to as a rotary knob or rotary knob.

The object is also achieved by a household appliance, having at least one operating element as discussed above, in particular a control panel with at least one operating element as discussed above. The household appliance can be analogous to the operating element be formed and has the same advantages. The adapter part may for example be attached to the control panel, possibly on an associated switch carrier.

It is an embodiment that the adapter part is attached to the back of the control panel or one of the control panel associated technical support member and the control element head is arranged on the front side of the control panel. The light guide can protrude through the control panel or can remain completely behind the control panel. In an arrangement completely behind the control panel, the light guide light through a hole in the control panel on the control head or similar. radiate.

The control panel can be a front control panel.

Fig.1

zeigt ein Adapterteil eines Bedienelements in einer Ansicht von schräg hinten;

Fig.2

zeigt das Adapterteil aus Fig.1 in einer Ansicht von schräg vorne;

Fig.3

zeigt eine Leiterplatte eines Lichtquellenträgers des Bedienelements in einer Ansicht von schräg hinten;

Fig.4

zeigt einen Lichtleiter gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Ansicht von schräg vorne;

Fig.5

zeigt den Lichtleiter des Bedienelements gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Ansicht von schräg hinten;

Fig.6

zeigt einen Lichtleiter gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Ansicht von schräg vorne;

Fig.7

zeigt den Lichtleiter des Bedienelements gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer Ansicht von schräg hinten;

Fig.8

zeigt das Bedienelement in einer Explosionszeichnung von schräg hinten; und

Fig.9

zeigt in einer Ansicht von schräg hinten das zusammengesetzte Bedienelement.

The above-described characteristics, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment which will be described in detail in conjunction with the drawings.

Fig.1

shows an adapter part of an operating element in a view obliquely from behind;

Fig.2

shows the adapter part Fig.1 in a view obliquely from the front;

Figure 3

shows a circuit board of a light source carrier of the operating element in a view obliquely from behind;

Figure 4

shows a light guide according to the first embodiment in a view obliquely from the front;

Figure 5

shows the optical fiber of the operating element according to the first embodiment in a view obliquely from behind;

Figure 6

shows a light guide according to a second embodiment in a view obliquely from the front;

Figure 7

shows the optical fiber of the operating element according to the second embodiment in a view obliquely from behind;

Figure 8

shows the control in an exploded view obliquely from behind; and

Figure 9

shows in a view obliquely from behind the composite control.

Fig.1 shows a component of a control element 1 for a household appliance H, namely an adapter part 2, in a view obliquely from behind. Fig.2 shows the adapter part 2 in a view obliquely from the front.

The adapter part 2 is constructed in several parts and consists of plastic. The adapter part 2 will be described below with reference to a typical installation position shown. However, the adapter part 2 and thus also the operating element 1 can have a different orientation in space.

The adapter part 2 has a rotatable shaft 3, which is connectable to the front side with a control element head in the form of a rotary switch or rotary knob (o. Fig.). The rotatable shaft 3 may be rearward with a rotation angle sensor or the like. (not shown).

The adapter part 2 has above the shaft 3 a receiving or support area 4 with a plate-shaped basic shape. From the support area 4 are two rear side stepped ribs 5 and 6 before. Rearwardly spaced from the support area 4 of a shaft housing is a tab-like projection 7 high. Also, laterally of the ribs 5, 6 are two side edges 28 of the support area 4 before. These are in the rearward direction, e.g. just as far as vertical sections 27 of steps of the ribs 5, 6.

In the support area 4 are also located a breakthrough 8 and two fixing holes 9. From the support area 4 also goes beyond an elastically bendable locking tab 10 in the rearward direction. The locking tab 10 is located above the ribs 5, 6 and the aperture 8.

The front side is in the support area 4 as a front-side support surface for a light guide 14 (see Fig.4 and Fig.5 ) serving recess 29 present.

Figure 3 shows a circuit board 11 of a present in the form of an LED board 12 light source carrier of the operating element 1 in a view obliquely from behind. The circuit board 11 has a bottom slot 13 for engagement with a lower step of the rib 5.

On the front side, the printed circuit board 11 can be equipped with at least one LED and optionally with at least one associated electrical component (not shown).

Figure 4 shows a light guide 14 in a view obliquely from the front. The light guide 14 is a transparent plastic part, which can be produced, for example, as an injection-molded part. The light guide 14 has mirror-symmetrically to left and right wings 15 outgoing. The wings 15 are bent at their end portions 16 twice by 90 ° backward. The optical waveguide 14 also has a light guide section 17 projecting in the center in the front.

Figure 5 shows the light guide 14 in a view obliquely from behind. In the middle, a light-conducting section 18 is at the rear. Of the wings 15 in each case a pin 19 projects rearwardly, which is provided for engagement with a respective fixing hole 9. Of the end portions 16 are each rearward two further pin-shaped projections 20 before.

Figure 6 shows a light guide 21 in a view obliquely from the front. The light guide 21 is a transparent plastic part, which can be produced as an injection molded part. The light guide 21 has mirror-symmetrically left and right wings outgoing 22. The wings 22 are bent at their end portions 23 twice by 90 ° backward. The light guide 21 further has a front side centrally projecting light guide 24, which has a different shape compared to the light guide 17.

Figure 7 shows the light guide 21 in a view obliquely from behind. In the middle, a light-guiding section 25 is at the rear. Of the wings 22 in each case a pin 19 projects rearwardly, which is provided for engagement with a respective fixing hole 9. Of the end portions 16 are here backwards no pin-shaped projections.

Figure 8 shows the control element 1 in an exploded view obliquely from behind. Typically, first the optical fiber 14 and the adapter part 2 are grooved together so that together they form a slot 26 (see FIG Figure 9 ) for the LED board 12, as indicated by the broad arrows.

Figure 9 shows in a view obliquely from behind the composite control element 1. The light guide 14 and the adapter part 2 form an insertion slot 26, in which the LED board 12 has been inserted from above.

The LED board 12 lies with its front side on vertical sections 27 of the steps of the ribs 5 and 6 and on the rear side of the support area 4 projecting side edges 28. The deeper stepped portions of the ribs 5, 6 also support the LED board 12 down. The ribs 5 and 6 and the side edges 28 thus provide a rear support surface 5, 6, 28 for supporting the LED board 12 ready.

The end sections 16 are bent backwards in such a way that they surround the support region 4 in such a way that the insertion shaft 26 is formed by means of a gap between the support region 4 or the support surface 5, 6, 28 and the end sections 16. The ribs 5, 6 serve as spacers of the support area 4 relative to the LED board 12 due to their gradation. The rib 5 engages in the slot 13 of the LED board 12 in order to prevent a lateral displacement. The projection 7 serves as a touch guard or a barrier in the event that the LED board 12 and the light guide 14 are not installed. On the projection 7 can also be dispensed with.

For at least positive locking of the LED board 12 in the insertion slot 26, the locking tab 10 is provided. The locking tab 10 is pushed once more when mounted on a technical support member (e.g., a bezel). This reduces the spring travel during assembly and allows additional coverage in the final assembled state.

The light guide 14 is located with its rear side on the front of the recess 29 of the support portion 4, wherein its position is fixed by engagement of the pins 19 in the holes 9. The light guide 14 covers the aperture 8 on the front side so that the rear light guide section 18 projects in the direction of the LED board 12 through the opening 8. Forward-emitted light of the LEDs of the LED board 12 is coupled to the front side in the rear Lichtleitabschnitt 18 and frontally coupled out of the front-side Lichtleitabschnitt 17 again. The light passes through the aperture 8 within the light guide 14th

The decoupled light can, for example, illuminate an inside of the rotary knob, so that it is internally illuminated or backlit.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

Thus, instead of the light guide 14, the light guide 21 can be used. For example, while the light guide 14 is used to illuminate a rotary knob used for temperature adjustment, the light guide 21 may be e.g. used to illuminate a rotary knob used for setting the function. Thus, advantageously, only the appropriate light guide needs to be selected, while e.g. the adapter part 2 and the LED board 12 can remain the same.

Generally, "on", "an", etc. may be taken to mean a singular or a plurality, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more" etc., unless this is explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly one", etc.

Also, a number may include exactly the specified number as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

operating element

2

adapter part

3

wave

4

support area

5

rib

6

rib

7

head Start

8th

breakthrough

9

fixation hole

10

locking tab

11

circuit board

12

LED board

13

slot

14

optical fiber

15

wing

16

end

17

light guide

18

light guide

19

spigot

20

Peg-shaped projection

21

optical fiber

22

wing

23

end

24

light guide

25

light guide

26

insertion shaft

27

Vertical step section

28

margin

29

deepening

H

household appliance

Claims (11)

Control element (1) for a household appliance (H), comprising an adapter member (2) for connecting a control element head and comprising a light guide (14; 21), characterized in that the adapter part (2) and the light guide (14; 21) joined to one another are and together form an insertion slot (26) for a light source carrier (12). Operating element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - The adapter part (2) has a support area (4) with a rear support surface (5, 6, 28) for supporting the light source carrier (12), - the light guide (14; 21) has wings (15; 22) which rest on a front-side support surface (29) of the support region (4), - The wings (15; 22) at their end portions (16; 23) are bent backwards so that they surround the support area (4) in such a way that - The insertion slot (26) by means of a gap between the support area (4) and the end portions (16, 23) is formed. Operating element (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that - The support area (4) has an opening (8) which is covered by the light guide (14; 21) on the front side, - The light guide (14; 21) in the rearward direction through the opening (8) projecting Lichtleitabschnitt (18; 25) for coupling the light of the light source carrier (12) and - The light guide (14; 21) has a front side projecting light guide (17; 24). Control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter part (2) has a rearwardly projecting, elastically bendable locking region (10) for at least positive locking locking of the light source carrier (12) in the insertion slot. Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter part (2) has at least one rib (5, 6) serving as a spacer relative to the light source carrier (12). Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter part (2) has at least one rib (5) for engagement in a recess (13) of the light source carrier (12). Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter part (2) has at least one projection serving as the rear boundary of the insertion shaft (26). Operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element head can be illuminated internally by light which can be coupled out of the light guide (14; 21). Control element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element head is a switch knob and the adapter part (2) has a shaft connected to the switch knob (3). Domestic appliance (H), comprising a control panel with at least one operating element (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Domestic appliance (H) according to claim 10, characterized in that the adapter part (2) is attached to the back of the control panel and the control element head is arranged on the front side of the control panel.

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