DE102004052572A1 - Operating device for a household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance or the like. The operating device comprises a base part (10) which is mounted or attachable in or on the household appliance, and an operating element (12) which is movably mounted on the base part (10) and has at least one light-transmitting area (16). Furthermore, the operating device comprises an inner part (18) which is permeable in places according to a predetermined scheme and is arranged inside the operating element (12), and at least one light source (14) inside the base part (10) or inside the inner part (18). is arranged.

Description

The The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance or the like. Farther The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a plurality of the aforementioned Operating facilities includes. Moreover, the invention relates a household appliance with one or more such operating devices.

Manipulative equipment especially for domestic appliances are provided, usually have a display device through which the user about the Position or the state of a control element is informed. This display device indicates, for example, whether a device that is through the control element is activated, in the switched on, switched off or in an intermediate adjustable State is. conventional Controls often have integrated lighting and a display device that is at least partially translucent. The Display device may, for example, numbers, letters and / or Have symbols.

The Display devices, which are partially translucent, are usually first painted and then treated with a laser. This will be those places that translucent should be, freed from the paint. In another method is an opaque Mask on translucent Sprayed on material.

The Operating equipment with conventional Display devices have the disadvantage that on the one hand the production the printing a complex and costly process and on the other hand the imprint does not have sufficient abrasion resistance. In addition, often the imprint shines through, which is undesirable is.

It Object of the invention, an operating device with illuminated Display for a household appliance or the like providing an abrasion resistant imprint has and can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner.

These The object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.

The Operating device according to the invention comprises a base part which is in or on the household appliance or the like attached or attachable, and a control element that the base part is movably mounted and at least one translucent area having. Furthermore, the operating device comprises an inner part, that according to a predetermined scheme in places translucent and is disposed within the operating element, as well as at least a light source that is inside the base part or inside the base part Is arranged inside.

Of the The essence of the invention is that that part, the places translucent is, not on the outside, but is arranged within the operating element. This ensures on the one hand abrasion resistance, since it is not accessible to the user, and allows on the other hand, a cost-effective Production, as an imprint meets the requirements and thus the elaborate and cost intensive painting and laser treatment is not required are.

Preferably can be provided that the inner part of the translucent area associated with the operating element. This will ensure that the light emitted by the light source exclusively by the translucent areas of the inner part and then through the translucent Area of the operating element can escape to the outside. To this Way will that be from the outside recognizable pattern of light determined by the design of the inner part.

Farther it is provided that the inner part with the operating element at least partially form-fitting is trained. This allows one stable cohesion of the components. Other fasteners are not necessarily required.

at the preferred embodiment it can be provided that the operating device at least includes a reflector. This allows an increase in Luminous efficacy and a targeted deflection of the light to a desired Area.

there the reflector is preferably within the operating element arranged. This causes an optimization of the light output.

For example can the operating element, the inner part and / or the reflector substantially be formed rotationally symmetrical. This contributes to a simple production and to a simple assembly of these components.

In the preferred embodiment, the operating element is rotatably mounted on the base part. In this case, the operating element is designed for example as a rotary knob. Numerous electrical and mechanical control and regulating elements are adjustable by turning. Thus, can the control element according to the invention can be coupled with such control and regulation elements.

Especially the inner part has an imprint. On the inner part is the imprint not exposed to abrasion. This also allows colors with less Liability be used. Thus, the colors in particular after their opacity selected become. Furthermore the imprint can be applied in a simple and cost-effective manner.

For many Applications can be provided that the imprint a numeric Scale is. This is a convenient method to characterize the position or condition of the operating element.

For example In the numerical scale, the numbers are translucent or areas shown. This will make the numbers bright and the interspaces and surroundings are shown dark.

at an alternative embodiment The print can be a progress bar. It is, for example the progress indicator is represented by a tapered strip, which surrounds the inner part in the circumferential direction at least partially. This is particularly suitable to the user's current position and the desired one or clearly indicate the required direction of rotation.

For certain symbolic representations, it is expedient that the tapered strip is opaque.

advantageously, the inner part is made of a light-diffusing material. This causes a uniform light distribution.

In addition, can the inside of the translucent Area a tree surface exhibit. This also contributes to a more even light distribution at and can compensate for any inaccuracies in the imprint. The structure surface also prevents that an illumination of the imprint is perceived.

The at least one light source may preferably be in the form of a light-emitting Diode (LED) to be formed. This means a low constructive Effort and low power consumption.

Farther is according to the invention an operating manual is provided which is a plurality of the above Having described operating devices.

Finally, concerns the invention a household appliance, the at least one of the operating devices described above having.

Further Features, advantages and particular embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

below is the operating device according to the invention the example of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. It demonstrate:

1 a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the operating device according to the invention;

2 an inner part of the preferred embodiment of the illumination device according to 1 with a. first exemplary imprint; and

3 the inner part of the preferred embodiment of the illumination device according to 1 with a second exemplary print.

1 shows a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the operating device according to the invention. The operating device comprises a base part 10 and a control element 12 , The base part 10 is in or attached to a device, such as household appliance or attachable. The operating element 12 is essentially rotationally symmetrical forms and on the base part 10 rotatably mounted. Both the base part 10 as well as the operating element 12 have cavities inside.

Within the base part 10 there is a light source 14 , Alternatively, the base part 10 also several light sources 14 exhibit. Furthermore, the base part comprises 10 a wave 22 that are rigid with the control 12 connected is. The wave 22 For example, it may be connected to an electrical or mechanical control element that is adjustable by rotation. The control element can be, for example, a potentiometer, a rotary capacitor or an adjustable valve.

The operating element 12 has a translucent area 16 on, which is also the essential part of the lateral surface of the operating element 12 forms. The translucent area 16 is partially from a cap 24 covered. Furthermore, the operating element comprises 12 an inner part 18 , the form-fitting manner within the lateral surface of the operating element 12 is arranged. On its outside, the inner part 18 a print on that through the translucent area 16 is visible from the outside.

That from the light source 14 radiated light is emitted from the reflector 20 to the inside of the inner part 18 reflected back. Subsequently, the light penetrates the light-permeable areas of the inner part 18 and then the translucent area 16 ,

The inner surface of the translucent area 16 is structured in such a way that the light distribution becomes even more uniform and inaccuracies in the printing are laminated.

In an alternative embodiment, the light source 14 inside the inner part 18 be arranged. There may also be several light sources in the inner part 18 be arranged. In this case, the reflector 20 not necessarily required.

2 shows an inner part 18 the lighting device according to 1 with a first exemplary print. This first exemplary imprint is a numerical scale 26 ie a series of consecutive digits. The hatched area in 2 represents an opaque area 30 which is a Strei fen around the inner part 18 around, on which only the numerals form the translucent areas.

The inner part 18 has protrusions 32 on, which is complementary to recesses in the area 16 are formed. The projections 32 thus prevent twisting of the inner part 18 opposite the translucent area 16 of the operating element 12 ,

In 3 is the inner part 18 the lighting device according to 1 represented with a second exemplary print. The second print is a progress bar 28 which is represented by a tapered strip.

The progress bar 28 with the continuously tapered strip is particularly suitable for the symbolic representation of the position of the operating element 12 and thus a certain state.

Also in this example, the inner part 18 projections 32 on, a twisting of the inner part 18 opposite the translucent area 16 of the operating element 12 prevent.

The Operating device according to the invention is not just for Domestic appliances, for .... As well electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic and / or similar devices usable.

10

base

12

operating element

14

light source

16

translucent area

18

inner part

20

reflector

22

wave

24

cap

26

numerical scale

28

Progress

30

opaque area

32

head Start

Claims (19)

Operating device for a domestic appliance or the like, the operating device comprising: - a base part ( 10 ) mounted or attachable in or on the household appliance; - a control element ( 12 ) attached to the base part ( 10 ) is movably mounted and at least one translucent area ( 16 ) having; - an inner part ( 18 ), which is permeable in places according to a predetermined scheme and within the operating element ( 12 ) is arranged; and at least one light source ( 14 ) within the base part ( 10 ) or within the inner part ( 18 ) is arranged. Operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner part ( 18 ) the translucent area ( 16 ) of the operating element ( 12 ) assigned. Operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner part ( 18 ) with the operating element ( 12 ) is formed at least partially positively. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating device has at least one reflector ( 20 ). Operating device according to claim 4, characterized in that the reflector ( 20 ) within the operating element ( 12 ) is arranged. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element ( 12 ), the inner part ( 18 ) and / or the reflector ( 20 ) are formed substantially rotationally symmetrical. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the operating element ( 12 ) on the base part ( 10 ) is rotatably mounted. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element ( 12 ) is designed as a knob. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner part ( 18 ) an imprint ( 26 . 28 ) having. Operating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the imprint is a numerical scale ( 26 ). Operating device according to claim 10, characterized in that at the numerical scale ( 26 ) The numbers are formed as translucent areas. Operating device according to claim 9, characterized in that the imprint is a progress indicator ( 28 ). Operating device according to claim 12, characterized in that the progress indicator ( 28 ) is represented by a tapered strip, the inner part ( 18 ) encloses in the circumferential direction at least partially. Operating device according to claim 13, characterized characterized in that the tapered strip is opaque. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner part ( 18 ) is made of a light-diffusing material. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inside of the light-permeable region ( 16 ) has a textured surface. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one light source ( 12 . 14 ) is designed as a light-emitting diode (LED). Operating device comprising a plurality of operating devices according to one of the claims 1 to 17. Home appliance, the at least one operating device according to one of the claims 1 to 17 has.