RU2713372C1 - Home appliance with movable control panel and method of such device operation - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: satisfaction of human vital needs.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to domestic appliance (1) having front side (2) on which a movable control panel (3) is located with control and / or indication elements (4, 5), and at least one receiving space (6) for a working means accessible from front side (2), wherein movable control panel (3) is configured to move from working position to opening position, wherein in opening position access to receiving space (6) is provided, wherein control panel (3) is fixed with possibility of tilting on drawer (7) made with possibility of extension from receiving space (6).

EFFECT: invention also relates to a method of operating said domestic appliance.

14 cl, 4 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a household appliance with a movable control panel, as well as to a method for its operation. The invention in particular relates to a household appliance having a front side on which a movable control panel with controls and / or indications is located, and at least one receiving space for working means accessible from the front side, the movable control panel being movable from the working position to the opening position, and the opening position provides access to the receiving space, as well as to the method of operation of such a household appliance.

State of the art

As a rule, household appliances contain a control panel with a control panel that provides the ability to configure the programs carried out in the household appliance, as well as display information about the implementation of the selected program. Here, household appliances are understood to mean, for example, laundry care products, such as washing, drying and washing-drying machines, dishwashers, microwave devices, ovens and stoves, mixers, coffee machines, etc. The display of information and selected programs, as a rule, occurs through an optical display, on which often the programs corresponding to individual areas of the display are highlighted by highlighting these areas, and thereby, in particular, the implementation of these programs is shown. As a result, control panels can be very complex in design. Control panels are often integrally integrated into the housing of a household appliance and thus cannot be moved independently of it.

However, household appliances with a movable control panel are already known.

From the description of the utility model DE 29913682 U1, an electrical household appliance is known.

US 2009/0957501 discloses a removable container for a detergent supply system.

DE 102008027726 B3 discloses a household appliance having a front side on which there is a movable control panel with controls and / or indications, and at least one receiving space for working means accessible from the front side, the control panel being arranged to move from working position to the opening position, and the opening position provides access to the receiving space.

DE 3520272 A1 discloses a household appliance, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, dryer, stove, with a control panel located on the front wall of the cabinet-like body mounted rotatably around a horizontal axis, the axis being located in the upper region of the control panel.

The published application 1585836 discloses a control panel for washing machines or dishwashers, stoves, and the like, in particular for built-in appliances, the control panel being pivotally mounted on the front side of the device body with the possibility of rotation around the pivot point, so that it is turned to the original position of the control panel, the control elements are located inside the device body and can be actuated only in the expanded position of the control panel.

WO 2011/128745 A2 discloses a washing machine with a front panel, the soap dispenser mounted on a sliding supporting structure in the form of a drawer adapted to move into a cavity in the front panel located between the access door and the flat covering part, with detergents placed in different compartments, and on the front panel one or more receiving containers are available that can receive and contain useful items, and the receiving containers are located next to the compartment laziness.

Disclosure of the invention

In the area of the control panel of a household appliance, in particular a laundry care appliance, typically there are modules that can be removed from the appliance for emptying, filling or cleaning. Therefore, in general, it is desirable that the extraction of such modules is convenient for the user.

In connection with the foregoing objective of the present invention is to provide a household appliance with an improved movable control panel. It is preferable that the household appliance be provided with the opportunity to optimally use the available space, and the technical requirements and conditions are optimally combined with great ease of maintenance and new design possibilities. The objective of the invention is also to provide a method of operating such a household appliance.

This problem according to the invention is solved by a household appliance with a movable control panel, as well as by the method of its operation, with signs of the corresponding independent claims. Preferred embodiments of a household appliance according to the invention are indicated in the respective dependent clauses. In this case, the preferred embodiments of the method and the household appliance according to the invention correspond to each other, even if this is not always explicitly indicated.

Thus, an object of the invention is a household appliance having a front side on which there is a movable control panel with controls and / or indications, and at least one receiving space for working means accessible from the front side, and the movable control panel is configured to moving from the working position to the opening position, and the opening position provides access to the receiving space, and the movable control panel is fixed with the possibility of folding to IG Petritskaya drawer configured to extension of the receiving space.

The movable control panel preferably occupies the entire width of the front side of the household appliance.

The type and degree of fixation of the movable control panel is not limited by the invention, while the control panel is sufficiently stable to fix, which does not complicate the use of the drawer and access to the receiving space.

However, in accordance with the invention, the movable control panel is preferably fixed to the drawer by a hinge. Preferably, it is sufficient that the hinge occupies only part of the width of the control panel.

It has been found that it is particularly preferable when the hinge is in front of a space for accessories of a household appliance that cannot be removed from the drawer. The term “before” in this case should be understood in a broad sense. Thus, the term “in front” includes, in particular, all embodiments of the household appliance that are visible to the user when he looks at the household appliance from the front and in which, from this point of view, the hinge is below or above the accessory space.

The term “accessory space” should also be interpreted broadly, this name follows essentially from the fact that it can store accessories for operating a household appliance. Accessories may include, for example, cleaning tools, such as brushes or scrapers, operating instructions, measuring spoons or nets. The term "accessory space" means, in particular, a space that is not integrated into the piping system of a household appliance, for example, for example, into a detergent supply system. As a result, the accessory space is usually only available for retrieving and adding accessories, so that it is usually only open from above. In the usual case, the space for accessories, in particular, from the point of view of the vertical arrangement of the household appliance, is designed so as not to create problems associated with clutter of the internal installation space.

In a preferred embodiment of the household appliance, fixing means for the movable panel is arranged on the drawer. In this case, the fixing means is usually made in such a way that in the extended state of the drawer, in which the movable panel is not folded, it can be unlocked by pressing by the user. The locking means can be located on the drawer in different places, and this place depends, in particular, on whether the movable control panel is opened up or down, that is, leans back. If the movable control panel leans down, for example, downward, the fixing means is usually located on the top of the drawer, and vice versa.

A household appliance according to the invention typically comprises guide rails for a drawer.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the household appliance, removable modules are located in the drawer. Moreover, the type of modules depends on the household appliance. In addition, depending on the design of the drawer, the modules can be located in different ways. Preferably they are in a fixed position, so it is preferable, in particular, it is also possible to secure the movable control panel to the module. In general, the household appliance is designed in such a way that by folding the movable panel, in particular by folding the movable panel down, the mechanical connection between the control panel and the module is broken. For example, an appropriately configured latch may be provided, which should be released by pressing with a finger.

In general, the drawer is designed in such a way that the modules contained in it do not change their position when the movable panel is tilted.

Therefore, a household appliance is particularly preferred in which there is an auxiliary positioning means in the drawer for inserting the removable module back. Then, usually simply by slamming the movable panel back, the preferably existing connection between the panel and the module is restored. Typically, the available drawer guide rails can preferably serve as auxiliary positioning means.

According to the invention, it is possible that the control panel can be folded out with the drawer not extended or slightly extended. However, according to the invention, the control panel and the drawer are preferably designed in such a way that the control panel can be folded out only after at least partial extension of the drawer. It is particularly preferred that the control panel can be folded back only after a predetermined maximum extension of the drawer. The drawer can be fixed in the maximum extended state, so that the user will need to overcome a given resistance before the drawer can again be pushed into the receiving space of the household appliance. This, for example, ensures particularly good and reliable access to removable modules or accessory space, since unintentional closure is not possible.

According to the invention, the movable control panel can be folded up or down. However, it is preferable that the movable control panel is folded down.

A household appliance is not limited according to the invention, but is preferably selected from the group consisting of laundry care devices, such as washing, drying and washing-drying machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens, stoves, mixers and coffee machines. Particularly preferably, the household appliance is a laundry care appliance. In this case, the receiving space of the household appliance in particular comprises a flushing tray, a dispensing system tank and / or a condensate tank.

The material of the movable control panel is not particularly limited, provided that it can be used as a movable control panel in accordance with the present invention. Thus, the movable control panel may contain metal, glass, glass ceramic or plastic, or essentially consist of these materials. The movable control panel, as a rule, consists of the main body of the panel and an indication and control element, the latter being connected to the control unit and / or the power unit by means of corresponding electric wires.

Preferably, the main body of the panel consists of glass or, in particular, plastic. Suitable plastics, in particular, are selected from the group consisting of copolymers of styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Particularly preferably, the plastic is a styrene acrylonitrile copolymer. In addition, the main body of the panel is preferably a flat or curved plastic plate. It may contain recesses for the display and control unit.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the household appliance comprises a display and control sensor unit in a movable control panel. In this case, preferably, the touch of the user of the household appliance to the touch button or sensor area leads to a change in the electric capacity, which can be used to control the household appliance as a so-called touch signal. For this, in the control device of the household appliance, as a rule, various work programs are recorded that the user can select and modify. The sensor elements used for this, as a rule, are made in the form of sensor surfaces or sensor electrodes of a suitable material. In this case, the sensor electrodes consist of a suitable electrically conductive material, the change in capacitance of which, when touched, can be detected and evaluated. Suitable electrically conductive materials are, for example, transparent semiconductor oxides or electrically conductive organic materials such as electrically conductive organic polymers.

From the point of view of touch, the control panel can be made so that the areas by which the folding of the movable control panel is carried out differ by touch from other areas of the surface of the movable control panel.

The object of the invention is also a method of operating a household appliance having a front side on which there is a movable control panel with controls and / or indications, and at least one receiving space for working means accessible from the front side, the control panel being movable from the working position to the opening position, and the opening position provides access to the receiving space, and the control panel is fixed with the possibility of folding to extend ohm drawer configured to extension of the receiving space, comprising the steps of:

(b) tilt the movable control panel so that they provide access to the receiving space; and

(c) removing and / or adding working means and / or accessories from or to the receiving space.

The term "working tool" should be understood broadly, and the meaning of this term, as a rule, depends on the type of household appliance. In the case of a washing machine, the working tools, as a rule, are detergents as such, fabric softeners, and other chemical products acting on the processed laundry in the prescribed manner. Thus, we can also talk about aromatic substances and disinfectants.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, before step (b), step (a) is carried out:

(a) extend the drawer.

The invention has several advantages. It provides the opportunity to optimally use the space of a household appliance, and the technical requirements and conditions are optimally combined with great ease of maintenance and new design capabilities. So in the case of embodiments in which the household appliance is a water-consuming household appliance, the invention can with great flexibility take into account the already used water supply system, as well as the installation space required to accommodate the oscillatory system of the household appliance. Thus, it is not necessary to adapt, for example, a water supply system or an oscillating system in a plumbing appliance. In addition, the invention allows us to offer a visually symmetrical and closed household appliance. On the movable control panel used in accordance with the invention, a wide range of control and display technologies can be implemented that can be located symmetrically and / or across the width of the control panel or the front side of the household appliance. The control panel may be located in the center of the movable panel. Finally, it is possible to implement a uniform appearance for numerous otherwise different household appliances, and the control and indication technologies used can also provide a synergistic effect. Thus, the invention in principle provides the possibility of integrating, for example, electronic equipment used in an oven into a washing machine.

In addition, it is possible to conveniently remove the modules of a household appliance, such as, for example, a condensate tank, in particular for emptying it, a flushing tray, in particular for cleaning it, a dispensing system tank, in particular for replenishing it, in while the control panel can remain on the appliance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Below the invention is illustrated by figures 1-4, which show the details of the invention. Showing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a household appliance according to the invention, implemented here in the form of a washing or drying machine, in a closed state in which the drawer is not pulled out and the movable control panel is not folded.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a household appliance according to the invention, implemented here as a washing machine, in a partially open state in which a drawer comprising a movable control panel is extended but the movable control panel is not folded.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 2 from a lower point of view in a partially open state in which a drawer comprising a movable control panel is extended but the movable control panel is not folded.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the washing machine of FIG. 2 in a fully open state in which a drawer comprising a movable control panel is extended and the movable control panel is folded.

The implementation of the invention

In FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance 1 according to the invention, implemented here in the form of a washing or drying machine, in the closed state, in which the drawer not shown here in detail is not pulled out and the movable control panel 3 is not folded. In the embodiment shown here, the movable control panel 3 is slightly convex. However, in accordance with the invention, the movable panel 3 may have another shape, in particular, also be flat. In addition, the movable panel 3 may be located on the front side 2 of the household appliance at an angle or vertically with respect to the mounting surface of the household appliance. The control unit, consisting of display elements 4 and control elements 5, is located in the movable panel 3, which occupies the entire width of the front side 2. Position 15 indicates the door of the household appliance. Position 7 indicates a drawer, which is here pushed into the receiving space of a household appliance.

In FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a household appliance 1 according to the invention, implemented here in the form of a washing machine, with the front side 2 in a partially open state in which the drawer 7 containing the movable panel 3 is extended, but the movable control panel 3 is not folded. A control unit including display elements 4 and control elements 5, for example, capacitive touch controls, is located in the middle of the movable control panel 3. The accessory space 9 is fixedly mounted in the drawer 7, as well as a removable flush tray 13. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 of the embodiment, the movable control panel 3 is configured to fold down. Therefore, there are fixing means not shown here. 12 denotes the guide rails of the drawer, which here also serve as auxiliary positioning means. Position 15 indicates the door of the household appliance 1.

In FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the washing machine 1 of FIG. 2 with the front side 2 from a lower point of view in a partially open state in which the drawer 7 containing the movable panel 3 is pulled out of the receiving space 6, but the movable control panel 3 is not folded. A control unit comprising display elements 4 and control elements 5, for example, capacitive touch controls, is located in the middle of the movable control panel 3. In the drawer 7, an accessory space not visible here in the details is fixedly mounted, as well as a removable flush tray 13. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of the embodiment, the movable control panel 3 is configured to fold down. Therefore, there are fixing means not shown here. Position 15 indicates the door of the household appliance 1.

In FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the washing machine 1 of FIG. 2 or 3 in a fully open state in which the drawer 7 comprising the movable panel 3 is extended and the movable control panel 3 is folded out. A control unit including display elements 4 and control elements 5, for example, capacitive touch controls, is located in the middle of the movable control panel 3. The drawer 7 is pulled out of the receiving space 6. In the drawer 7, an accessory space 9 is fixedly mounted, at the upper end of which there are locking means 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the movable control panel 3 is folded down, so that it is accessible to the removable modules. In FIG. 4 as a removable module 11 shows the capacity of the dispensing system, which is here removed from the drawer 7 and placed on the upper surface of the household appliance. In front of the accessory space 9, a hinge 8 is located on its lower side, that is, not over the entire width of the control panel 3. The movable control panel 4 can be rotated around the hinge 8, so that the tilted and folded positions of the movable control panel can be achieved. Position 15 indicates the door of the household appliance 1.

In a non-removable accessory space 9, objects suitable for operating the washing machine 1 can be stored, such as, for example, an instruction manual, a dosing aid, and the like.

Reference List

1. Home appliance

2. The front side of the appliance

3. Movable control panel

4. Display elements

5. Controls

6. Reception space

7. Drawer

8. Hinge

9. Space for accessories

10. Means of fixation

11. Removable module, for example, flushing tray, dosing module

12. Auxiliary positioning device

13. Flushing tray

14. Dosing system capacity

15. Door, door for access to the drum of a household appliance

Claims (16)

1. A household appliance (1) having a front side (2) on which a movable control panel (3) is located with control and / or indication elements (4, 5) and at least one receiving space (6) for the working means accessible from the front side (2), and the control panel (3) is arranged to move from the operating position to the opening position, while in the opening position access to the receiving space (6) is provided, characterized in that the control panel (3) is fixed with the possibility of folding on a drawer (7), execution Hinnom extendable from the receiving space (6), wherein the movable panel (3) is fixed on the control drawer (7) by a hinge (8), wherein the household appliance (1) comprises guide rails for the drawer (7). 2. A household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable control panel (3) occupies the entire width (3) of the front side (2) of the household appliance (1). 3. A household appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hinge (8) occupies only part of the width of the control panel (3). 4. A household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the hinge (8) is in front of a space (9) that cannot be removed from the drawer (7) for the accessories of the household appliance (1). 5. A household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the fixing means (10) for the movable panel (3) are located on the drawer (8). 6. A household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that removable modules (11) are located in the drawer (8). 7. A household appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the drawer (7) has auxiliary positioning means (12) for inserting the module (11) back. 8. A household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the control panel (3) and the drawer (7) are made in such a way that the control panel (3) can be tilted only after at least partial extension of the drawer (7). 9. A household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the movable control panel (3) is configured to fold down. 10. A household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that it is selected from the group consisting of laundry care devices, such as washing, drying and washing-drying machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, ovens, stoves, mixers and coffee machines. 11. A household appliance (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the household appliance (1) is a laundry care appliance. 12. A household appliance (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the receiving space (6) comprises a flushing tray (13), a container (14) of the dosing system and / or a container for condensate. 13. A method of operating a household appliance (1) having a front side (2) on which a movable control panel (3) is located with control and / or indication elements (4,5), and at least one receiving space (6) for working means accessible from the front side (2), moreover, the control panel (3) is arranged to move from the working position to the opening position, while in the opening position access to the receiving space (6) is provided, and the control panel (3) is fixed with the possibility of folding on a drawer (7), made with the possibility of extension from the receiving space (6), and the movable control panel (3) is fixed to the drawer (7) by means of a hinge (8), and the household appliance (1) contains guide rails for the drawer (7) containing steps in which: (b) tilt the movable control panel (3), so that they provide access to the receiving space (6); and (c) removing and / or adding working means and / or accessories from or into the receiving space (6). 14. The method according to p. 13, characterized in that before step (b) carry out step (a): (a) extend the drawer.

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