WO2016157005A1

WO2016157005A1 - Control knob for a domestic appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2016157005A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/051170
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nuria Beivide Sansegundo; Alexander Marsch; Luis Antonio Palacios Valdueza; Emilio Placer Maruri; Roberto Saiz Gonzalez
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2016-03-02
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: ES2584960A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a control knob (1) for a domestic appliance, comprising an actuating device (2), an intermediate piece (8), and a securing device (7) configured to secure said intermediate piece (8), which is arranged between the actuating device (2) and the securing device (7), to a control panel (6) of the domestic appliance, said securing device (7) comprising at least two engagement sections (9 - 11) that are spaced axially apart from one another and configured to engage selectively behind control panels (6) of differing thicknesses (d₁- d ₃).

Description

Operating knob for a household appliance

The present invention relates to a control knob for a household appliance.

Domestic appliances may have rotatable or depressible control knobs for operating the same. These operating knobs can be mounted on a control panel of the household appliance. For different control panels with different thicknesses, different configurations of control knobs may be required.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved control knob for a household appliance.

Accordingly, a control knob for a household appliance is proposed. The operating knob comprises an actuating device, an intermediate piece and a

Fastening device, which is arranged between the

Actuator and the fastening device arranged intermediate piece to be attached to a control panel of the household appliance, wherein the

Fastening device has at least two mutually axially spaced gripping portions, which are adapted to selectively engage behind operating panels with differing thicknesses.

Characterized in that the fastening device comprises a plurality of axially spaced-apart gripping portions, differently thick control panels can be provided with one and the same embodiment of the control knob. This allows a simplified variant formation in the development of household appliances. Furthermore, it is not necessary to maintain different operating knobs for different thicknesses of operating panels. The household appliance, for example, a

Household cooking appliance. The control panel may be a cooktop panel or part of a cooktop panel of the household appliance. The control panel can also be part of a

Be housing of the household appliance.

According to one embodiment, each gripping section has at least two gripping arms. The number of gripper arms is arbitrary. Alternatively, each gripping section may comprise three or four gripping arms. Preferably, the gripping arms are in pairs each other

arranged opposite.

According to a further embodiment, the gripping arms are elastically deformable.

Preferably, the gripping arms are made of a plastic material. The

Fastening device is preferably formed materialeinstückig. For example, the fastening device may be a low-cost plastic injection-molded component. According to a further embodiment, the gripper arms are L-shaped.

The gripping arms preferably have a first section extending out of an annular base section of the fastening device and a second section extending perpendicularly out of the first section. Preferably, both sections are resiliently deformable.

According to a further embodiment, the gripping arms are radially spreadable and compressible with respect to a central axis of the fastening device. This reliably ensures that the gripping arms rest against an inner wall of an opening provided in the control panel. With the help of

elastically deformable gripping arms can also be achieved a tolerance compensation.

According to a further embodiment, the gripper arms, which do not engage behind the control panel, are adapted to center the fastening device in an opening provided in the control panel.

In particular, the gripping arms, which are arranged within the aperture, are adapted to center the fastening device in the aperture. As a result, it is possible to dispense with an additional centering device or additional parts for mounting the fastening device. According to a further embodiment, the gripping arms are adapted to

Gripping behind the control panel to spring-bias the fastening device relative to the control panel.

This may cause a wobbling or vibration of the fastening device to the

Control panel to be prevented.

According to a further embodiment, the fastening device has an annular base portion, on which are arranged out of this radially outwardly extending snap hook.

The snap hooks are preferably formed in one piece with the base portion and the gripping portions. The snap hooks are preferably arranged distributed uniformly over a circumference of the base portion. The snap hooks extend radially away from the central axis of the fastener.

According to a further embodiment, the intermediate piece has an annular groove-shaped receiving portion for receiving the snap hooks.

With the help of snap hooks, the intermediate piece is preferably at the

Fastener centered. The intermediate piece may be a sealing device for sealing the actuating device relative to the control panel.

According to a further embodiment, the snap hooks are elastically deformable.

As a result, a spring preload of the fastening device is achieved with respect to the intermediate piece. As a result, a wobbling or vibration of the intermediate piece is prevented. According to a further embodiment, the intermediate piece is tubular. Preferably, the intermediate piece is rotationally symmetrical. The

Adapter is preferably elastically deformable. For example, the intermediate piece may be made of a silicone material.

According to a further embodiment, the intermediate piece is axially compressible.

As a result, the actuating device can be displaced or pressed in an axial direction onto the control panel.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating device is rotatable relative to the intermediate piece.

In particular, the actuator slides during rotation on the intermediate piece.

According to a further embodiment, the actuating device has a

Receiving portion for receiving an operating shaft of the household appliance.

The receiving portion preferably extends rearwardly out of a base portion of the actuating device. The receiving portion may be tubular. According to a further embodiment, a spring element for bracing the actuating device with the actuating shaft is provided in the receiving portion.

Preferably, the actuating shaft has a circular cross-section. The

Actuating shaft may have a lateral flattening, in which engages the spring element. The spring element is received in a receiving pocket provided in or on the receiving portion.

Other possible implementations of the operating knob also include combinations of previously or subsequently mentioned which are not explicitly mentioned

Embodiments described features or embodiments. The expert will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the control knob. Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the control knob are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the control knob described below. In the following, the control knob is based on preferred

Embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures explained in more detail. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a control knob;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the operating knob according to FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the operating knob according to FIG. 1; FIG.

4 shows a schematic side view of a further embodiment of an operating knob; FIG. 5 shows a further schematic side view of the operating knob according to FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 6 shows a further schematic side view of the operating knob according to FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 7 shows a schematic partial sectional view of the operating knob according to FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic exploded view of the operating knob according to FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a further exploded view of the operating knob according to FIG. 1; FIG. and FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional view of the operating knob according to FIG. 1.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a control knob 1 for a household appliance. FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the operating knob 1 and FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the operating knob 1. The domestic appliance For example, a household cooker may be like a gas stove. In the following, reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3 simultaneously.

The operating knob 1 has an actuating device 2. The actuating device 2 preferably has a circular geometry and is cap-shaped. On the upper side of the actuating device 2, a display element 3 for indicating a rotational angular position of the actuator 2 may be provided. The display element 3 may be, for example, a survey, a depression or a print. The actuating device 2 can, as shown in FIG. 1 with the aid of an arrow 4, be rotatable. Optionally or alternatively, the actuating device 2 can be pressed in an axial direction A. Furthermore, the actuating device 2 may comprise peripherally arranged operating aids 5. The operating aids 5 may be, for example, projections or depressions. The operating aids 5 facilitate the rotation of the actuating device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the actuating device 2 in the axial direction A in the direction of a control panel 6 of the household appliance can be displaced or pressed. The control panel 6 may be part of a housing of the household appliance. The control panel 6 may also be a hob plate or part of a hob plate of the household appliance. The operating knob 1 has, in addition to the actuating device 2, a fastening device 7 and an intermediate piece 8 arranged between the fastening device 7 and the actuating device 2. The intermediate piece 8 may be elastically deformable. For example, the intermediate piece 8 may be made of a silicone material. The intermediate piece 8 is compressible in the axial direction A. The intermediate piece 8 has a cylindrical geometry and is tubular.

The fastening device 7 is adapted to fasten the intermediate piece 8 arranged between the actuating device 2 and the fastening device 7 on the control panel 6 of the domestic appliance. For this purpose, the fastening device 7 has at least two mutually axially spaced gripping sections 9 to 11. The number of gripping sections 9 to 1 1 is arbitrary. As shown in FIG. 3, the fastening device 7 may have three gripping sections 9 to 11. The axially spaced-apart gripping sections 9 to 1 1 are set up to selectively engage control panels 6 with differing thicknesses di, d ₂ , d ₃ (FIGS. 4 to 6). As shown in FIG. 4, a first gripping portion 9 is adapted to engage behind a control panel 6 with a thickness di. The thickness di is, for example, 0.8 mm. A second gripping portion 10 is, as shown in FIG. 5, adapted to engage behind a control panel 6 with a thickness d ₂ . The thickness d ₂ is for example 4 mm. As shown in FIG. 6, a third gripping portion 1 1 is adapted to engage behind a control panel 6 with a thickness d ₃ . The thickness d ₃ is for example 8 mm. The embodiment of the operating knob 1 according to FIGS. 4 to 6 differs from the embodiment of the operating knob 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 only in that the intermediate piece 8 has no cylindrical geometry but a rounded truncated cone shape.

Each gripping section 9 to 1 1 has at least two gripping arms 12 to 17. The gripping arms 12 to 17 are elastically deformable. In particular, the gripper arms 12 to 17 are L-shaped. With respect to a central axis 18 of the fastening device 7, the gripping arms 12 to 17 are radially spreadable and compressible. As shown in Fig. 3, the control panel 6 has a bore or opening 19. The gripper arms 12, 13, which do not engage behind the control panel 6 and which are arranged within the opening 19, are adapted to center the fastening device 7 in the opening 19. In particular, the gripper arms 12, 13 of the third gripping portion 11 spread radially into the opening 19.

4 shows, in the control panel 6 with the thickness di none of the gripping portions 9 to 1 1 disposed within the opening 19. In the control panel 6 with the thickness d ₃ according to FIG. 6, the second and the third gripping portion 10, 1 1 are positioned within the aperture 19. The gripping arms 12 to 17 of the gripping portions 9 to 1 1 are further adapted to spring-bias when mounting the control panel 6, the fastening device 7 relative to the control panel 6. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fastening device 7 has an annular base section 20, on which snap hooks 21 projecting radially outward are arranged. The number of snap hooks 21 is arbitrary. For example, the fastening device 7 may have six snap hooks 21. The snap hooks 21 are preferably resiliently deformable and radially compressible and expandable. The fastening device 7 is preferably made of a plastic material. For example, the fastening device 7 may be a plastic injection-molded component. The fastening device 7 is formed in particular materialeinstückig. The intermediate piece 8 is preferably also formed rotationally symmetrical to the central axis 18. The actuating device 2 may be formed rotationally symmetrical to the central axis 18. When mounting the fastening device 7, the annular base section 20 rests on the upper side on a surface 22 (FIG. 3) of the control panel 6. At the intermediate piece 8, a ringnutförmiger receiving portion 23 is provided at the end, in which the snap hooks 21 engage positively. The intermediate piece 8 is preferably a sealing device for sealing the actuating device 2 with respect to the control panel 6. The intermediate piece 8 is fixed against rotation with the aid of the snap hook 21 on the fastening device 7. The intermediate piece 8 also has a circumferential annular groove 24 which is positioned towards the actuating device 2.

As shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate piece 8 on the upper side has a circumferential edge portion 25, which is encompassed radially by the cap-shaped actuating device 2. The actuating device 2 has a receiving section 26 for receiving an actuating shaft 27 of the household appliance shown in FIG. 10. The actuating shaft 27 preferably has a circular cross section and may laterally comprise a flattening 28. In the receiving portion 26, which extends from below a base portion 29 of the actuator 2 out, a spring element 30 may be provided for clamping the actuator 2 with the actuating shaft 27. The spring element 30 received in a provided in the receiving portion 26 receiving pocket 31.

When inserting the actuating shaft 27 in the receiving portion 26, the spring element 30 is elastically deformed, whereby this exerts a spring force on the actuating shaft 27. By the spring force, the actuating shaft 27 is held in the receiving portion 26. By defining the spring strength of the spring element 30, a withdrawal force of the actuating device 2 can be adjusted by the actuating shaft 27. From the base portion 29 continues to extend the Receiving portion 26 completely circumferential tubular outer portion 32 out. The outer portion 32 surrounds the edge portion 25 of the intermediate piece 8. On the upper side of the intermediate piece 8, a further annular groove 33 may be provided.

Characterized in that the fastening device 7 has a plurality of axially spaced-apart gripping portions 9 to 1 1, can be different thicknesses

Control panels 6 are provided with one and the same embodiment of the control knob 1. This allows a simplified variant formation. Furthermore, it is not necessary to maintain different operating knobs for different thickness di, d ₂ , d ₃ of control panels 6. Accidental removal of the actuator 2 from the operating shaft 27 is prevented by the spring member 30. A

Withdrawal force for pulling off the actuating device 2 is defined by the spring element 30. The spacer 8 ensures a reliable seal. Furthermore, with the help of the elastically deformable gripping portions 9 to 1 1, a horizontal and a vertical tolerance compensation can be achieved.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

1 control knob

2 actuating device

3 indicator

4 arrow

5 Operating aid

6 Control panel

7 fastening device

8 intermediate piece

9 gripping section

10 gripping section

11 gripping section

12 gripper arm

13 gripper arm

14 gripper arm

15 gripper arm

16 gripper arm

17 gripper arm

18 central axis

19 breakthrough

20 base section

21 snap hooks

22 surface

23 receiving section

24 ring groove

25 edge section

26 receiving section

27 actuating shaft

28 flattening

29 base section

30 spring element

31 pickup bag

32 outer section 33 ring groove

A axial direction di thickness d ₂ thickness d ₃ thickness

Claims

Operating knob (1) for a domestic appliance with an actuating device (2), an intermediate piece (8) and a fastening device (7), which is adapted to the intermediate piece (8) arranged between the actuating device (2) and the fastening device (7) a control panel (6) of the household appliance, wherein the fastening device (7) has at least two mutually axially spaced gripping sections (9-11), which are adapted to selectively control panels (6) with differing thicknesses (ie - d ₃ ) to reach behind.

Control knob according to claim 1, characterized in that each gripping section (9-11) has at least two gripping arms (12-17).

Control knob according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping arms (12-17) are resiliently deformable.

Control knob according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the

Gripper arms (12 - 17) are L-shaped.

Control knob according to one of claims 2 - 4, characterized in that the gripping arms (12 - 17) with respect to a central axis (18) of the fastening means (7) are radially spreadable and compressible.

Operating knob according to one of claims 2-5, characterized in that the gripping arms (12-17), which do not engage behind the control panel (6), are adapted to mount the fastening device (7) in a control panel (6).

centered breakthrough (19).

Operating knob according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the gripper arms (12-17) are arranged to engage the fastening device (7) in relation to the control panel (6) when the control panel (6) is engaged behind the panel.

spring bias.

8. Operating knob according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the fastening device (7) has an annular base portion (20) on which are arranged out of this radially outwardly extending snap hook (21).

9. Control knob according to claim 8, characterized in that the intermediate piece (8) has a ringnutförmigen receiving portion (23) for receiving the

Snap hook (21) has. 10. Control knob according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the

Snap hook (21) are elastically deformable.

11. Control knob according to one of claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the intermediate piece (8) is tubular.

12. Control knob according to one of claims 1 - 11, characterized in that the intermediate piece (8) is axially compressible.

13. Control knob according to one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the actuating device (2) relative to the intermediate piece (8) is rotatable.

14. Control knob according to one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the actuating device (2) has a receiving portion (26) for receiving an actuating shaft (27) of the household appliance.

15. Control knob according to claim 14, characterized in that in the

Receiving portion (26) has a spring element (30) for clamping the

Actuating device (2) with the actuating shaft (27) is provided.