GB2461982A

GB2461982A - Domestic Appliance Control Assembly with Damped Movement

Info

Publication number: GB2461982A
Application number: GB0912191A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Werner Kruger; Elmar Schneider; Reinhard Wiedenmann
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2008-07-22
Filing date: 2009-07-13
Publication date: 2010-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-13
Also published as: DE102008040617A1; GB0912191D0; GB2461982B

Abstract

A domestic appliance control assembly comprises a setting device 10, which includes a setting unit such as a control knob 12, and a damping device 14 which damps at least one movement of the setting unit during at least one operating process. In order to achieve a compact mode of construction the damping device 14 comprises at least one rotation damping unit 16 by which the setting unit movement, especially in an axial displacement direction, is translated into rotation of the damping unit 16 thus executing damped rotation. The setting unit may comprise a rack that engages with a gear or pinion on the damping unit. Resilient means such as spring may also be incorporated into the setting device to act upon the setting device in at least one direction of operation. The control assembly is designed to be used for controlling a domestic appliance such as a cooker or oven.

Description

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE CONTROL ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to a domestic appliance control assembly.

A rotary control unit for a cooking appliance is known from DE 199 51 422 Al. The rotary control unit comprises a rotary grip member which is movable between a recessed setting and an operating setting and at least in the operating setting is rotatable about an axis of rotation. In addition, the rotary control unit comprises detachable retaining means for retaining the rotary grip member in the recessed setting and at least one restoring element for restoring the rotary grip member from the recessed setting to the operating setting, after release of the retaining means, by exertion of a restoring force. A pneumatic damping element for exertion of a damping force, which is directed oppositely to the restoring force of the restoring element, on the rotary grip member during movement of the rotary grip member from the recessed setting to the operating setting is provided. The damping element comprises a guide housing and a piston which on movement of the rotary grip member from the recessed setting to the operating setting moves together with the rotary grip member.

A baking over with a door having a door handle is known from a specification DE 10 2005 042 805 Al. A baking chamber of the oven is closable by means of a door. The door handle is mounted to be movable relative to a front surface of the door. The door handle is automatically moved from a rest setting to an actuating setting by actuation of an unlocking element. Movement of the door handle is damped by a rotation damper.

The object of the invention consists of providing a domestic appliance control assembly with improved characteristics with respect to a compact mode of construction.

According to the present invention there is provided a domestic appliance device with at least one setting device comprising a setting unit and with at least one damping device which during at least one operating process damps at least one movement of the setting unit, the damping device comprising at least one rotation damping unit.

In a preferred embodiment the domestic appliance device, in particular control assembly, comprises at least one setting device, which includes a setting unit, and at least one damping device which damps at least one movement of the setting unit during an operating process and which includes at least one rotation damping unit. By "setting unit" there is understood, for example, a unit by means of which, in at least one operating process, at least one characteristic value and/or at least one operating mode can be set and/or at least one item of information can be input by a user. By "damping device" there is to be understood, for example, a device comprising at least one component which, in any operating processes with which the device interacts, executes at least one damping function.

By "rotation damping unit" there is to be understood, for example, a damping unit comprising at least one component which, in at least one operation in which the damping unit runs through an operating process and in that case exerts a damping action, rotates and in this connection, for example, converts at least one kinetic and/or potential energy of at least one component at least to a substantial part into energy of a form which differs from potential and kinetic energy and can be, especially, thermal energy, wherein the rotation of the component can take place in, for example, a fluid, such as silicon oil, with a high viscosity and wherein, in particular, the component differs from components of a totality of components of the setting unit. By "substantial part" of an energy there is to be understood, in particular, at least ten percent, particularly at least twenty-five percent, especially at least fifty percent, preferably at least seventy-five percent and, with particular advantage, at least eight-five percent of the energy. A compact mode of construction can be achieved with an embodiment of that nature.

For preference, the setting unit comprises at least one control knob. By "control knob" there is to be understood, for example, a knob by means of which, in at least one operating process, at least one variable and/or at least one operating mode can be set and/or at least one item of information can be input by a user. A high degree of functionality of the setting unit can thereby be achieved in conjunction with an economic mode of construction.

The setting unit preferably comprises at least one rack which, in at least one operating process, interacts with the rotation damping unit. In this manner it is possible to achieve a flexible capability of use of the rotation damping unit. In particular, the rotation damping unit can also be used for damping a translational movement.

The setting device with advantage comprises at least one resilient means. A convenient capability of use and, in particular, a convenient stock-keeping of a part of the setting device can thereby be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment the setting device comprises at least one mounting unit which mounts the setting unit and/or at least one operating eiement of the setting unit to be translationally movable relative to the mounting unit. A high level of functionality of the setting unit can be achieved in this manner.

The rotation damping unit is preferably secured to the mounting unit by means of a shape-locking and/or a material couple. It is thereby possible to achieve, in conjunction with simple assembly, a stable mode of construction. In particular, the rotation damping unit can be secured to the mounting unit by ultrasonic riveting.

Moreover, it is proposed that the setting unit comprises guide means forming a slide bearing together with the mounting unit. A constructionally simple mode of construction can thereby achieved.

Advantageously, the setting unit comprises at least one rack formed integrally with, for example by injection-moulding, the guide means, whereby an economic mode of construction can be achieved.

The assembly preferably comprises at least one spring means arranged at least partly within the setting unit and/or the mounting unit. Constructional space can thereby be used efficiently.

For preference the setting unit has at least two movement damping directions. By "movement damping direction" there is to be understood, for example, a direction in which at least a part of the setting unit moves whilst the damping unit exerts a damping action on the part of the setting unit. An economic mode of construction of, in particular, the damping unit can thereby be achieved.

The domestic appliance device preferably comprises at least one damping setting unit. By "damping setting unit" there is to be understood, for example, a unit by means of which at least one damping action and, in particular, the strength of the damping action during an operating process is settable particularly at the setting unit and which can be constructed as, for example, a receiving unit for at least one further damping unit. In this matter it is possible to achieve a visually pleasing movement of the setting unit in at least one operating process and, in particular, in the case of movement into a moved-out state.

Advantageously, the damping device comprises at least one second damping unit, whereby an economic and strong damping action can be achieved. It is possible to achieve a compact mode of construction, in conjunction with a strong damping effect, if the second damping unit is constructed as a rotation damping unit.

In addition it is proposed to rotatably mount at least a part of the setting unit. A high degree of functionality of the setting unit can be achieved in this manner.

Preferably, the setting unit is rotatably mounted, whereby an economic mode of construction can be achieved. In particular, the setting unit can be rotatably mounted in simple manner.

Advantageously, the setting device comprises at least one spring means which is, for preference, a helical spring. A particularly economic mode of construction can thereby be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment the setting unit has at most one movement damping direction.

By the fact that the setting unit has "at most one" movement damping direction it is to be understood that the setting unit has, for example, a movement damping direction, or zero movement damping direction, having an opposite direction in which the setting unit is moved without damping, particularly by the damping device, in at least one operating process. In this manner it is possible to achieve a convenient capability of operation; in particular, an undamped partial recessing of the setting unit can be achieved.

The mounting unit is preferably formed at least in part from polybutyleneterephthalate. An economic mode of construction with a long service life of the mounting unit can thereby be achieved.

In addition, it is proposed to construct the setting unit at least partly from a synthetic material and glassfibre. A stable mode of construction can thereby be achieved.

Advantageously, the rotation damping unit is screw-connected with and/or clipped to the mounting unit. A reliable form of fastening and/or tool-free assembly can be achieved in this manner.

The rotation damping unit is preferably constructed as a hydraulic rotation damping unit. A reliable and stable response behaviour can thereby be achieved, particularly by comparison with pneumatic damping means.

For preference a braking torque of the rotation damping unit under standard conditions is substantially 0.4 Ncm. By "braking torque" of the rotation damping unit there is to be understood, for example, a torque which at least one component of the rotation damping unit, particularly a shaft and/or gearwheel, exerts on a further component. By the fact that a braking torque of the rotation damping unit is to be "substantially" 0.4 Ncm it is to be understood that, in particular, the braking torque of the rotation damping unit differs by less than seventy percent, particularly by less than thirty percent, advantageously by less than twenty percent and, with particular advantage, by less than five percent from 0.4 Ncm. By "standard conditions" there is to be understood, for example, an operation of the rotation damping unit at twenty revolutions per minute at a temperature of twenty-three degrees Celsius. A high level of user convenience can thereby be achieved.

Advantageously, a maximum translational displacement of the setting unit relative to the mounting unit is substantially eleven millimetres. By displacement" of the setting unit there is to be understood, for example, a movement of the setting unit relative to the mounting unit. By the fact that a displacement is "substantially" eleven millimetres it is to be understood, in particular, that the displacement differs by less than seventy percent, particularly by less than thirty percent, advantageously by less than twenty percent and, with particular advantage, by less than five percent from eleven millimetres. A visually pleasing appearance can thereby be achieved.

The rotation damping unit preferably includes silicon oil. A particularly effective and economic damping action can thereby be achieved. An effective damping action can be achieved in simple manner if the rotation damping unit comprises means which, during damping operation of the rotation damping unit, rotates in a liquid, for example, silicon oil.

In addition, the invention relates to a domestic appliance provided with a control assembly according to the invention. A visually pleasing actuation and/or operation of the domestic appliance can be achieved by way of the control assembly.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view, in partly sectioned form, of a domestic appliance device, especially control assembly, embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of a setting device of the domestic appliance device in an actuated state; Fig. 3 is a side view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the setting device in a moved-out state; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of part of a rotation damping unit of the setting device; Fig. 5 is an inverted plan view of the setting device; Fig. 6 is a front view of a domestic appliance, in the form of a baking oven, with a domestic appliance device embodying the invention; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a further form of the setting device.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view in partially sectioned form of a domestic appliance device embodying the invention, in particular along a length direction 38 of the device. The domestic appliance device comprises a setting device 10 with a setting unit 12 and a mounting unit 24. The mounting unit 24 mounts the setting unit 12 to be movable, in particular so that the setting unit 12 is translationally movable relative to the mounting unit 24. in addition, the setting device comprises a damping device which, in the case of a translational movement of the setting unit 12 relative to the mounting unit 24, damps the movement of the setting unit 12. The damping device 14 comprises a rotation damping unit 16.

The setting unit 12 comprises guide means 28 forming, together with the mounting unit 24, a slide bearing. For this purpose a part of the setting unit 12 is constructed as a sleeve 40.

The sleeve 40 has a surface 42 with the form of a circularly cylindrical envelope. The surface 42 bears against a surface 44, which similarly has the form of a circularly cylindrical envelope, of the mounting unit 24. When translational displacement of the setting unit 12 relative to the mounting unit 24 along the length direction 38 occurs the surface 42 slides on the surface 44, whereby the surfaces 42 and 44 guide the displacement.

The setting unit 12 has an operating element 26 constructed as a control knob 18. By means of the element 26 a user can move the setting unit 12 translationally relative to a mounting unit 24. The selling unit 12 can be brought into two stable positions relative to the mounting unit 24 by means of a switching heart. One of the positions is a position pressed into the mounting unit 24 (Fig. 2) and the other position is a position moved out of the mounting unit 24 (Fig. 3).

The selling unit 12 comprises a rack 20 which is injection-moulded on the sleeve 40. The sleeve 40 and the rack 20 are made of eighty percent polybutyleneterephthalate and 20 percent glassfibre. A gearwheel 46, which is fastened on a shaft 48 of the rotation damping unit 16, meshes with the rack 20.

The selling device 10 comprises a spring means 22 arranged within the setting unit 12 and within the sleeve 40 (Fig. 1). If the setting unit 12 is in the pressed-in position (Fig. 2), then the spring means 22 is compressed. A user can exert a pressure on the control knob 18 in the length direction 38 and thus release locking of the selling unit 12 in the pressed-in position. After release of the locking, the spring means 22, which is constructed as a helical spring, urges the selling unit 12 out of the pressed-in position (Fig. 2) in the length direction 38 to the moved-out position (Fig. 3). In a case of movement of the setting unit 12 from the pressed-in position to the moved-out position a translational movement of the rack 20 relative to the rotation damping unit 16 causes rotation of the gearwheel 46, whereby the shaft 48 is rotated. A rotor 50 (Fig. 4), which is formed as a disc, of the rotation damping element 16 is thereupon driven by the shaft 48 and rotates in a chamber 54, which is filled with silicon oil 52, of the rotation damping unit 16. Damping of the movement of the setting unit 12 from the pressed-in position to the moved-out position is thereby produced.

The setting unit 12 has a movement damping direction 30 (Fig. 1). The movement damping direction 30 is parallel to the length direction 38 and is the direction of movement of the setting device 12 from the pressed-in position to the moved-out position, which movement is damped by the rotation damping unit 16. In principle, it is conceivable for the selling unit to have only one movement damping direction, in particular the direction 30. This would mean that movement of the setting unit 12 from the moved-out position to the pressed-in position would take place without damping by the rotation damping unit 16. However, in the illustrated embodiment the setting unit 123 has a second movement damping direction 32 (Fig. 1). The second movement damping direction 32 is parallel to the length direction 38 and is the movement direction of the setting device 12 when moving from the moved-out position to the pressed-in position. On movement of the setting unit 12 from the moved-out position to the pressed-in position the rotation damping unit 16 damps the movement in that the rotor 50 exerts a torque on the gearwheel 46 and the gearwheel 46 exerts a force on the rack 20.

The rotation damping unit 16 is fixed to the mounting unit 24 by a shape-locking couple, i.e. mechanically positive connection, and material couple, i.e. material bonding, by ultrasonic riveting. For this purpose, during assembly of the rotation damping unit 16 a respective pin of the mounting unit 24 is inserted into each of two recesses 56 and 58 of the unit 16. The pins initially protrude from the recesses 56 and 58. The pins are heated with help of ultrasound and thereafter a pressure is exerted in the longitudinal direction thereof in the direction of the rotation damping unit 16. The pins are thereby permanently deformed, whereby protrusions 60 and 62 are integrally formed at the pins. The protrusions 60 and 62 engage behind the recesses 56 and 58, respectively, and in this manner mechanically positively secure the unit 16 to the mounting unit 24. In principle, it is also conceivable for the pins to be heated by a method other than ultrasound.

The domestic appliance device comprises a damping setting unit 34 formed by a receiving region 64 for a second damping unit of the damping device 14 (Figs. 1 and 5). A force exerted by the damping device 14 on the setting unit 12 by means of the rack 20 when the unit 12 moves in the length direction 38 can be set by way of the damping setting unit 34.

For example, for an increase in the force a second rotation damping unit can be accommodated in the receiving region 64 and secured to the mounting unit 24.

Fig. 6 shows a domestic appliance in the form of a baking oven. The domestic appliance includes the domestic appliance device and a control panel 66. The control knob 18, which has a control surface 68 (Fig. 1) able to be gripped by a user when the setting unit 12 is in its moved-out state, is partly recessed into the panel 66. If the knob 18 is pressed in by a user and the setting unit 12 thus brought into the pressed-in state, then the surface 68 can no longer be gripped by the user.

The domestic appliance device comprises a mounting unit 70 which mounts the setting device 10 and thus also the setting unit 12 to be rotatable relative to the panel 66 (Fig. 6).

Temperature values for the temperature of a cooking chamber 72 of the oven are printed on the panel 66. The temperature of the chamber 72 is settable by rotation of the control knob 18 relative to the panel 66.

An alternative form of the setting device is illustrated in Fig. 7. Components, features and functions which are substantially the same are identified by the same reference numerals.

However, for distinction of the two embodiments the numerals pertaining to the embodiment of Fig. 7 have the qualifying letter "a". The following description is substantially restricted to the differences from the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6, in which connection reference can be made to the description of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6 for components, features and functions which are unchanged.

The setting device lOa illustrated in Fig. 7 comprises a damping device 14a with a rotation damping unit 16a and a further damping unit 36a. The damping unit 36a is constructed as a rotation damping unit and is constructionally identical with the unit 16a. A gearwheel 74a fastened to a shaft 76a of the damping unit 36a meshes with a rack 20a. The units 16a and 36a damp a translational movement of a control knob 18a in analogous manner in that a gearwheel 46a and the gearwheel 74a exert a force on the rack 20a.

It will be readily apparent that modifications of the embodiments hereinbefore described are possible. In particular, although numerous features are shown in combination, these features can also be taken into consideration individually and also combined into any feasible further combinations.

Claims

CLAI MS1. A domestic appliance control assembly comprising a setting device and a damping device which during at least one operating process of the assembly damps movement of a setting unit of the setting device in at least one direction, the damping device comprising at least one rotation damping unit for damping the movement by way of a damped rotation.
2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting unit comprises a control knob.
3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the setting unit comprises a rack co-operatable with the damping unit during the at least one operating process.
4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the setting device comprises resilient means acting on the setting unit in said at least one direction.
5. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the setting device comprises a mounting unit mounting at least one of the setting unit and an operating element thereof to be translationally movable relative to the mounting unit.
6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the damping unit is secured to the mounting unit by at least one of a mechanically positive coupling and material bonding.
7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the setting unit comprises a guide means forming a slide bearing with the mounting unit.
8. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the setting unit comprises a rack co-operable with the damping unit.
9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, when appended to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the rack is formed integrally with the guide means.
10. An assembly as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 and 9 when appended to claim 4, wherein the resilient means is arranged at least partly within at least one of the setting unit and the mounting unit.
11. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the damping unit is arranged to damp movement of the setting unit in at least two directions.
12. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a damping setting unit for setting the damping.
13. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the damping device comprises a further damping unit.
14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the further damping unit is a rotation damping unit.
15. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the setting unit is mounted to be rotatable.
16. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the setting device is mounted to be rotatable.
17. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the setting unit is axially movable in the assembly and the damping unit comprises a component rotationally movable by the setting unit movement, the movement of the component being damped.
18. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping unit is arranged to translate axial movement of the setting unit into rotational movement of a component of the unit and to damp that rotational movement.
19. A domestic appliance comprising a control assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
20. An appliance as claimed in claim 19, wherein the appliance is an oven.
21. An appliance as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the assembly is for controlling the setting of a settable component of the appliance.