WO2022117303A1

WO2022117303A1 - Hand-operated device

Info

Publication number: WO2022117303A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/081358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Hassfurter; Andreas Wald; Tobias Wende; Katja GNIELKA
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2020-12-01
Filing date: 2021-11-11
Publication date: 2022-06-09
Also published as: DE102020215098A1; EP4255273A1; DE102020215098B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hand-operated device (1) which has a housing (2) with an upper shell (3) and a lower shell (4), which delimit an internal volume (5). Simplified handling with simultaneous simple use of the device (1) results from the fact that at least one light source (8) is arranged in the internal volume (5), wherein the upper shell (3) is impermeable to light on the internal surface (11) thereof facing the internal volume (5), with the exception of linear line portions.

Description

HANDHELD DEVICE

The present invention relates to a hand-held device which is used in particular for treating a textile object and which has a housing with a lower shell and an upper shell which delimit an interior volume of the device.

Hand-held devices offer the advantage of simple application and handling. During use, they can be operated and held manually by a user and, for example, can be guided along the surface of the object in order to treat it. In order to fulfill the intended purpose, corresponding devices, such as power electronics, an electrical energy store such as a battery or an accumulator, and the like, are accommodated in a housing of the hand-held device. During use, such hand-held devices are gripped on their outside by a user's hand. As a result, the hand covers a corresponding portion of the outside. It is expedient here to design such devices to be compact, so that the user's hand covers a correspondingly relatively large part of the outside.

It is desirable to communicate parameters of the device to the user in a simple manner. For this purpose, externally visible display devices, such as a display or a lamp, can be used. As described above, since the device is covered by the user's hand to a certain extent during use, the user may not be able to see the display device during use. In addition, different users grip the device differently and thus cover different parts of the outside of the device.

The present invention is therefore concerned with the task of specifying an improved or at least different embodiment for a hand-held device of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in particular by simple signaling of parameters of the device with simple conversion. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea of arranging a light source that generates light during operation in a housing of a hand-held device and designing at least a part of the housing to be opaque to the outside and introducing a translucent line in the opaque area so that when the light source is in operation, light passes through the Line radiates outwards and is therefore visible from the outside. This creates a sharp light pattern that can be easily and reliably perceived from the outside. In addition, it is possible in this way to use a larger proportion of an outside of the housing for the optical output of light by means of a single light source or fewer. As a result, simple signaling of parameters of the device, such as operating parameters and the like, is provided in a reliable and easily perceptible manner for a user with a simple implementation.

According to the idea of the invention, the hand-held device has a housing with a lower shell and an upper shell, with the lower shell and the upper shell delimiting an internal volume. At least one light source is arranged in the inner volume, which generates light during operation, so that the light reaches the upper shell. An inner surface of the upper shell facing the inner volume is opaque. At least one translucent linear section is provided in the inner surface, which linearly extends along the inner surface and is delimited by opaque sections of the inner surface, the opaque sections also being referred to below as opaque sections. Consequently, the light generated by at least one of the at least one light source radiates outwards via at least one of the at least one line section. As a result, a sharp light pattern with the at least one line section can be perceived from the outside.

In principle, the respective at least one light source can be arranged and aligned in any way in the housing, provided that the light generated by the light source reaches the upper shell, ie the inner surface of the upper shell. It is useful here if the respective at least one light source is arranged in such a way that the light generated during operation is emitted in the direction of the inner surface.

A surface of the upper shell facing away from the inner volume is expediently translucent, so that the light radiating through the respective at least one translucent line section radiates outwards via the upper side.

The hand-held device is used, for example, to treat an object, in particular a textile object, advantageously for treating the surface of the object.

A hand-held or hand-operated device is to be understood here as meaning a mobile device that is manually gripped and used by a user during use, ie with one or both of his hands, for example moved over the object to be treated. Typically, in contrast to stationary devices, such a hand-held device is portable by the user, whereupon the device is mass-balanced and dimensioned. In particular, the housing is dimensioned accordingly.

The upper shell is advantageously that shell of the housing which is gripped by the user's hand during operation. It is preferred here if the upper shell has a flat design in order to simplify manual use of the device. In particular, the upper shell can have an oval shape in a plan view.

In principle, the respective light source can be designed as desired, provided that it generates light during operation, which reaches the inner surface of the upper shell.

At least one of the at least one light source, advantageously the respective light source, is preferably a diode, for example an LED or an OLED. This enables the hand-held device to be manufactured in a compact and cost-effective manner while at the same time reducing energy consumption.

It is preferred if the device has two or more groups of light sources which are arranged at a distance from one another. The device can thus be a first group and a second group of two or more light sources, which groups may be located on opposite sides of the device. The light sources of the respective group thus emit light in the direction of an associated section of the inner surface.

Embodiments are particularly preferred in which the upper shell has a translucent base body, for example made of plastic. This means that the light-transmitting base body is provided with an opaque layer on the inside facing the interior volume to form the light-impermeable inner surface or the opaque sections. The at least one line section is arranged between the opaque sections formed by the layer or sections of the layer. Thus, the base body as such is also used as an optical body, so that a more homogeneous optical pattern is perceived from the outside.

In principle, it is possible to attach sections of the layer to the inside in such a way that the at least one line section is formed between the sections.

In preferred embodiments, the layer is provided on the inner surface and the at least one line section is introduced into the layer. In particular, the at least one line section can be cut out of the layer. This enables simple and precise production of the upper shell and simple and precise production of desired line patterns produced by means of the at least one line section.

Embodiments are preferred in which the opaque layer is lacquered on the inside. The layer is thus an opaque lacquer.

Embodiments are preferred in which the at least one line section is lasered into the layer, in particular into the paint.

Embodiments are considered to be advantageous in which a scattering optic is arranged in the inner volume between at least one of the at least one light source and at least one of the at least one line segment. The scattering optics are designed in such a way that it scatters the light emitted by the at least one light source towards the inner surface. It is possible here to illuminate a larger proportion of the inner surface homogeneously and uniformly with one or at least a reduced number of light sources. As a result, with a reduced number of light sources, a more homogeneous light pattern with the sharp, at least one line section is perceived from the outside. In particular, it is conceivable to provide associated diffusing optics for each group of light sources.

In principle, the respective scattering optics can be designed as desired. In particular, the scattering optics can be a diverging lens, a diffuser disk and the like.

Embodiments are considered to be advantageous in which a plurality of successive projections are formed on the inner surface, which protrude towards the inner volume and are each an opaque section on the inner surface. In particular, a pattern of projections distributed homogeneously on the inner surface is provided. The inner surface is therefore not flat overall. As a result, the projections each function as an optical prism, in which the light generated by the at least one light source is refracted. In this way, in addition to a more homogeneous output of the sharp line pattern, possible differences between different light sources are compensated for. Due to the projections, the inner surface also has different distances to the at least one light source, so that the light pattern that can be perceived from the outside also has a depth, that is, appears three-dimensional. It is thus possible in a simple manner to generate a pleasant and characteristic optical light pattern which can be perceived from the outside and which can also be perceived over a large area from the outside.

Particularly preferred are embodiments in which the upper shell has the base body, the projections being formed in the base body and provided with the layer on their sides facing the inner volume. This means that the protrusions are opaque on their inner surfaces and light-transmissive in the core. This results in efficient and simple operation of the projections as optical prisms. In principle, the sequential arrangement of the projections can be designed in any way. In particular, the bases of the projections are arranged adjacent to one another.

In principle, the respective projection can have any shape. For example, the shape of a pyramid, a parallelepiped, a tetrahedron, a heptahedron, a cone, a truncated cone, a hemisphere, a cylinder, a cube and the like can be thought of. Of course, it is also possible to provide projections of different shapes.

The base of the respective projection is preferably delimited and/or surrounded by at least one line section, so that advantageous refractions of the light take place, which lead to a more homogeneous optical appearance. One of the at least one line sections preferably runs between successive projections.

The transition of the projections to the associated bases can be configured pointed or flat.

It is conceivable that the projections are directly adjacent to one another, so that the base of the respective projection shares a common edge with the base of the next adjacent projection. In this case, it is particularly preferred if a translucent line section is provided in the edge.

It is conceivable that the projections are spaced apart from one another. This means that separating surfaces are provided between the bases of successive projections, with a light-transmitting line section preferably being provided in the respective separating surface.

Embodiments are preferred in which the device has at least two light sources which generate light of different colors during operation. In particular, it is conceivable to provide at least two light sources in the respective group, which generate light with different colors. It is thus possible, in particular, to be able to output the light pattern, which can be perceived from the outside, with different colors. It is particularly preferred if the light sources, which generate light of different colors during operation, are combined with the projections. This has the advantage that, in the case of light sources that generate similar colors during operation, different color generation can be compensated for by means of the optical prismatic effect provided in the projections, so that a homogeneous light pattern is perceived from the outside.

The light pattern emitted outwards by means of the at least one light source and via the at least one line section advantageously serves the purpose of optically displaying an operating state of the device to a user of the hand-held device.

It is advantageous here if the device outputs an associated light pattern for at least one operating state. It is preferred if the device outputs an associated light pattern in each case in at least two different operating states.

The different light patterns can differ, for example, with regard to their color, their output duration, their output frequency and the like.

Such operating states include, for example, an active state and an inactive state of the device. In addition, error states, the state of the electrical energy store, operational readiness and the like can each come into question as the operating state.

The device expediently has a control device which controls the at least one light source accordingly. The device thus has a control device which is connected to the at least one light source in a communicative manner and is designed in such a way that it controls the at least one light source depending on the operating state of the device.

In principle, the hand-held device can be used for any purpose, in particular for any treatment of an object. Embodiments in which the hand-held device for treating the object generates plasma are particularly preferred. For this purpose, power electronics and a plasma source are arranged in the inner volume.

The plasma source is preferably designed in such a way that it generates cold plasma during operation. The device can thus be implemented in a compact manner and/or with reduced energy consumption. In addition, cold plasma can be used effectively and with at least reduced thermal interaction to treat the object. In this way, the risk of thermally induced damage to the object to be treated and/or thermally induced unpleasant sensations on the part of the user are reduced. Consequently, comfort is further improved in this way.

In the present case, an object is to be understood as meaning any biological and non-biological object that can be treated with the device, preferably with the plasma generated by the plasma source. During the treatment, there is an interaction between the plasma and the object and/or components present on the object, in particular odor components, which leads to a corresponding change. Articles are to be understood in particular as textile objects such as items of clothing. Objects are also those that have a textile surface that are treated with the plasma, such as furniture, mattresses and the like. Textile materials are, for example, natural, vegetable and animal natural fibers such. B. cotton, sheep's wool, silk, linen, felt. Textile materials are also artificial clothing fabrics with chemical fibers such. B.Nylon. Furthermore, the object can have, at least on the surface, ceramic, plastic, feathers, leather, glass, wood, metal or mixtures thereof.

When the plasma interacts with the object, in particular the surface, odor components in particular are inactivated, ie destroyed and/or changed in such a way that the perceived odor disappears and/or is changed. Odor components are usually organic compounds or contain such compounds. Odor components include, for example, cell walls, bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi and the like. When interacting with the plasma, the odor components can become negatively charged due to the bombardment with the electrons present in the plasma. Due to electrostatic repulsion This can lead to mechanical stresses, even exceeding the tensile strength and the associated destruction of the odor molecules. Low-pressure plasmas or cold plasmas are particularly well suited for inactivating odors on textiles and/or household surfaces and the like, since thermal damage to such a surface does not occur or is at least reduced.

In principle, only a single line section can be provided on the inner surface, which extends linearly. This line section can, for example, extend spirally in order to generate a corresponding light pattern.

Embodiments are advantageous in which two or more such line sections are provided, which are offset from one another.

Particularly preferred are embodiments in which at least two mutually offset line sections are provided on the inner surface, which in a top view each run in the shape of a circle segment and thus form a circular pattern with intersecting circles in the top view. This leads to a large-area light pattern that is sharp and homogeneous at the same time thanks to the line sections.

Further important features and advantages of the invention result from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference numbers referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

They show, each schematically: 1 shows a top view of a hand-held device in use,

2 shows a sectional plan view of the device,

Fig. 3 shows a cross section through the device with an upper shell and a

bottom shell,

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the area designated IV in FIG. 3,

5 shows the view from FIG. 4 in another exemplary embodiment,

6 is an isometric plan view of an inner surface of the upper shell,

7 shows the view from FIG. 6 in another exemplary embodiment,

8 shows a plan view towards the upper shell of the device.

A hand-held device 1, as shown for example in FIGS. 1 to 8, is, as can be seen from FIG. 1, gripped and used with at least one hand 4 when in use. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the device 1 has a housing 2 with an upper shell 3 and a lower shell 4 which delimit an inner volume 5 . FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the device toward the upper shell 3, with the device 1 being shown in section. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the hand-held device 1 of the exemplary embodiments shown has a plasma source 6 which, during operation, is supplied by power electronics 7 and generates plasma (not shown). The plasma source 6 and the power electronics 7 are arranged in the inner volume 5 , the plasma source 6 being in the lower shell 4 and thus at a distance from the upper shell 3 . For example, a textile object (not shown) can be treated with the generated plasma in order to remove odors from the object and/or to clean the object of bacteria and the like. As can be seen by looking at FIGS. 2 and 3 together, the device 1 has at least one light source 8 in the interior volume 5 . In the exemplary embodiments shown, a plurality of light sources 8 are provided in each case, with the respective light source 8 being in the form of an LED 9 . In the exemplary embodiments shown, the light sources 8 are arranged on a printed circuit board 10 , in particular on the power electronics 7 . During operation, the respective light source 8 generates light which is emitted in the direction of an inner surface 11 of the upper shell 3 facing the inner volume 5 and thus reaches the inner surface 11 . Figure 3 shows a cross section through the device 1 in the area of two of the light sources 8. As can be seen in particular from Figure 2, the light sources 8 of the exemplary embodiments shown are divided into two groups 12, with each group 12 comprising four light sources 8 and the groups 12 being opposed and spaced apart from each other.

As can be seen in Figure 3, for example, in the exemplary embodiments shown between the light sources 8 and the inner surface 11, in the exemplary embodiments shown between the respective group 12 and the inner surface 11, a diffuser optics 13 is arranged, which generates the light generated by the respective associated light source 8 Light scatters, so that the inner surface 11 is illuminated over a large area and more homogeneously. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the respective diffusing lens 13 is a diffuser disk 14.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an enlarged view of the area labeled IV in FIG. 3, only the upper shell 3 and the diffusing lens 13 being visible. As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner surface 11 is designed to be opaque. In the exemplary embodiments shown, an opaque layer 17 , preferably an opaque lacquer 18 , is attached to the inner side 15 of a transparent base body 16 of the upper shell 3 facing the interior volume 5 . The layer 17 is indicated in Figures 4 and 5 with a dashed line. As can also be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner side 15 of the base body 16 and thus the inner surface 11 is provided with a plurality of successive projections 19 protruding toward the inner volume 5 . FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of an area of the inner surface 11, in which the projections 19 can also be seen. Looking at FIGS. 4 and 6 together, it can be seen that the opaque layer 17 is interrupted by at least one linear section 20 which is translucent. Several such sections 20 are provided in the exemplary embodiments shown. These sections 20, which are also referred to below as line sections 20, thus create local and linear as well as translucent areas within the opaque inner surface 11. As can be seen by looking at Figures 4 and 6 together, the line sections 20 run between the successive projections 19, so that the successive projections 19 on the inner surface 11 are each an opaque section 21, also referred to as opaque section 21 below. The transparent line sections 20 are thus delimited by the opaque sections 21 . The line sections 20 are preferably introduced into the layer 17, in particular into the lacquer 18, by a laser.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the projections 19 are pyramid-shaped, purely by way of example, with the bases of the pyramids following one another. The successive projections 19 thus merge into one another at the base, the transition being sharp and pointed, as shown in FIG. 4, or curved, as shown in FIG.

As FIG. 6 also shows, the projections 19 can be arranged directly adjacent to one another, that is to say each share a common edge 22 at the base, with one of the line sections 20 preferably leading through the respective edge 22 .

According to FIG. 7, it is also possible to arrange the projections 19 at a distance from one another, so that a separating section 23 is arranged in each case between successive projections 19 . In this case, one of the line sections 20 is preferably provided in the respective separating section 23 .

The respective projection 19 acts, in particular due to the light-transmitting property of the base body 16, as an optical prism which is opaque on the inner surface 11. Thus, by means of the projections 19 an advantageous Refraction of the light generated by the light sources 8, in particular scattered by the scattering optics 13. The light then reaches the outside via a surface 24 of the upper shell, in particular of the base body 16, that faces away from the inner volume 5 .

The interaction of the line sections 20 results in a light pattern which can be seen in FIG. 8 as an example. The light pattern 25 is sharp due to the line sections 20 and at the same time homogeneous due to the projections 19 and the transparent base body 16 . As can also be seen in particular from FIG. 8, the respective group 12 leads to an associated light pattern 25, the light patterns 25 in FIG. 8 being identical, purely by way of example.

It is possible in particular to use the light pattern 25 to signal an operating state of the device 1 to the user. For this purpose, the device 1 advantageously has a control device 26, only indicated in FIG. The control device 26 can control the light sources 8 for a different duration depending on the operating state. It is also conceivable to control one of the groups 12 of the light sources 8 depending on the operating state.

The respective group 12 advantageously has light sources 8 which can generate light with different colors during operation. This can be realized, for example, in that the respective light source 8 generates light of a specific color or that at least one of the at least one light source 8 can generate light with different colors. An associated operating state of the device 1 can thus also be optically signaled to the user by means of the color of the light pattern 25 .

The operating states include, for example, an active and/or inactive state of the device 1 , a charge state of a battery (not shown) of the device 1 , a possible error in the device 1 and the like.

As can also be seen from FIG. 8, the line sections 20 of the exemplary embodiments shown run in such a way that they can be seen in the plan view shown in FIG 5 each appear in the form of a segment of a circle. This results in a circular pattern of the line segments 20 in the light pattern 25.

Reference List

1 handheld device

2 housing

3 upper shell

4 lower shell

5 internal volume

6 plasma source

7 power electronics

8 light source

9 LEDs

10 circuit board

11 inner surface

12 group

13 diffuser optics

14 diffuser disc

15 inside

16 basic bodies

17 location

18 varnish

19 lead

20 line segment

21 opaque section

22 edge

23 separation section

24 surface of the upper shell

25 light patterns

26 controller

Claims

patent claims

1. Hand-held device (1), in particular for treating a textile object, with a housing (2) which has a lower shell (4) and an upper shell (3) which delimit an inner volume (5); with at least one light source (8) arranged in the inner volume (5) and generating light during operation, so that the light reaches the upper shell (3); wherein an inner surface (11) of the upper shell (3) facing the inner volume (5) is opaque; at least one transparent line section (20) being provided in the inner surface (11), which extends linearly along the inner surface (11) and is delimited by opaque sections (21) of the inner surface (11), so that at least one of the at least one Light source (8) radiates light generated over at least one of the at least one line section (20) to the outside.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper shell (3) has a transparent base body (16) which, on its inner side (15) facing the inner volume (5), has an opaque layer (11) for forming the opaque inner surface (11). 17), the at least one line section (20) being cut out of the layer (17).

3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the inner volume (5) between at least one of the at least one light source (8) and at least one of the at least one line section (20) there is arranged a diffusing optics (13) which is designed in such a way that it scatters the light emitted by the at least one light source (8) towards the inner surface (11).

4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of successive projections (19) are formed on the inner surface (11), which protrude towards the inner volume (5) and each have an opaque section (21 ) are.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 and Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the projections (19) are formed in the base body (16) and are provided with the layer (17).

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that one of the at least one line section (20) runs between successive projections (19).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (1) has at least two light sources (8) which generate light of different colors during operation.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device (1) has a control device (26) which is connected to the at least one light source (8) in a communicating manner and is designed in such a way that it controls the at least one light source ( 8) depending on the operating status of the device (1).

9. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that power electronics (7) and a plasma source (6) supplied by the power electronics (7) are arranged in the inner volume (5), the plasma source (6) producing plasma during operation , in particular cold plasma, is generated such that the plasma interacts with the object to treat it.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that on the inner surface (11) at least two mutually offset line sections (20) are provided, which in a plan view each run in the shape of a segment of a circle.

11. Device according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the base of the respective projection (19) is delimited and/or surrounded by at least one line section (20).

12. Device according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the projections (19) directly adjoin one another, so that the base of the respective projection (19) with the base of the next adjacent projection (19). 18 shares common edge (22); that in the edge (22) a translucent line section (20) is provided. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the projections (19) are spaced from one another such that there are separating surfaces between the bases of successive projections (19); that a transparent line section (20) is provided in the respective parting surface. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a surface (24) of the upper shell (3) which faces away from the inner volume (5) is translucent. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the device (1) has two or more groups (12) of light sources (8) which are arranged at a distance from one another; that the light sources (8) of the respective group (12) radiate light in the direction of an associated section of the inner surface (11) during operation.