EP2040140A2 - Rotating knob for household device - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotary knob (1) has an inner carrier part (2), which runs from a base of the rotary knob to a front side of the rotary knob. An outer lining element (3,4) has an open tubular shape, and covers a portion of a lateral surface (24) of the inner carrier part. A surface structure is fixed in a portion of an outer wall of the lining element. A fastening device (32) is provided on an inner side of the lining element for fastening to the carrier part.

Description

The present invention relates to a rotary knob for a household appliance, in particular a rotary knob for a rotary switch of a household appliance, such as a stove, a washing machine and the like.

To give control elements, especially rotary knobs different manifestations, is for example in the JP 2002 329 434 an actuating button is described which consists of a base body, a decorative ring and a cap. By choosing the three parts, different operation buttons can each be given a different appearance. Although this is advantageous for design reasons, this known actuating knob has the disadvantage that it is composed of relatively complex components and therefore the production of the individual components is time-consuming and cost-intensive.

Also in the GB 2 253 996 A is described a knob consisting of an inner part and an outer part. In this rotary head, the inner and the outer part are each formed so that they can be connected to each other via a snap connection. In particular, the two parts have a cup shape and are connected to the base in each case with the other part via a latching device. Also in this embodiment, the shape of the individual parts of the knob is relatively complex and requires a complex manufacturing process.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a rotary knob for a household appliance, which can be produced in a simple manner and yet allows different designs of the appearance of the rotary knob.

The invention is based on the finding that the rotary knob is subdivided into functional elements and design elements.

The present invention therefore relates to a rotary knob for a household appliance, which has an inner support part, which extends from the base of the rotary knob to the end side of the rotary knob, and at least one outer facing element. The rotary knob is characterized in that the at least one facing element an open Has tubular shape and covers at least a portion of the lateral surface of the inner support member.

The carrier part preferably has a circular cross-section. In order to provide connecting elements for connecting the rotary knob to the household appliance and optionally switching elements or contacts, the support member is preferably designed to be hollow. The carrier part preferably has a tubular shape or a cup shape. Due to the shape of the carrier part, which extends from the base of the rotary knob, a reliable connection of the rotary knob with the household appliance, in particular with a control panel and electronic or mechanical components, can be realized via the carrier part. As the front side of the rotary knob, the side is referred to in the context of the invention, facing the user of the household appliance and the base of the rotary knob, where it is attached to the household appliance, facing away. By extending from the base, the support member may, for example, also serve to direct light to a location on or near the face of the rotary knob. Thus, an area near the front side can be easily illuminated with a support member made of photoconductive material.

By the at least one facing element having an open tubular shape, this can be easily applied to the carrier part, in particular slid on the one hand. On the other hand, due to the simple shape of the facing element, it is possible to produce this by simple production methods, such as extrusion or extrusion processes. Since the veneering element at least partially covers the lateral surface of the carrier part, the requirements for the visual appearance of the carrier part in the covered region are minimized. In addition, a force transmission of a force applied to the facing element, in particular rotational force, in the region in which the facing element covers the carrier part, on the carrier part possible.

By dividing the rotary knob in a support member and at least one facing element, also the individual parts can be made of materials that meet the requirements of the individual parts. These requirements may be functional or affect the appearance of the rotary knob.

Preferably, a surface structure is introduced into at least part of the outer wall of at least one of the facing elements. The surface structure, the grooves or a knurling may be, in particular designed so that it improves the grip of the surface, thus facilitating a rotation of the rotary knob. If the surface structure is provided over the entire veneer element, this represents a gripping ring. In this case, the surface structure can already be introduced during the production of the gripping ring, for example by using suitable dies in the extrusion. Subsequent surface treatment, such as milling, is not required in this case. It is according to the invention but also possible that only a part of the facing element is provided with a surface structure. In this case, the surface structure is introduced by subsequent treatment of the surface. The facing element, the entire surface of which is designed to be grippy or the area of the facing element whose surface is designed to be handy, is preferably arranged in the region of the end face of the turning knob. In this area, the user usually includes the rotary knob and the operation is facilitated by the corresponding surface structure.

According to one embodiment, at least one fastening device for attachment to the carrier part is provided on the inside of the facing element. By providing the fastening device on the inside of the tubular veneering element, the outside of the veneering element can be designed freely and designed in particular according to functional or design aspects.

The at least one fastening device preferably represents a projection or a recess for engagement with a part of the carrier part, in particular with projections or depressions provided on the outside of the carrier part. The projections and / or depressions can be designed as a latching device. In this case, the latching projections project from the facing element into latching recesses provided in the carrier part. In particular, the fixing of the sleeve on the support part by latching a notch at the rear end, that is, the base of the rotary knob facing the end of the sleeve can be done.

Particularly preferably, the at least one projection and / or the at least one recess extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the facing element. Through this The webs and grooves are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the facing element, these can be incorporated in the manufacture of the facing element, for example, during extrusion or extrusion.

Particularly preferably, the depressions or projections on the carrier part extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the veneer element. By this configuration, the facing element can be fixed by sliding onto the carrier part. If the dimensions and spacings of the depressions and projections on the support part and the facing element are selected to correspond, the projections of one part clamp in the depressions of the other part and thus ensure a fixation of the facing element in the axial direction by frictional engagement. In addition, the facing element is fixed in the circumferential direction. A twisting of the facing element on the support member is excluded and, moreover, a force applied to the facing element rotational force can be transmitted to the support member. Preferably, a plurality of projections and / or depressions are provided on the carrier part and the at least one facing element. As a result, the support of the facing elements on the support member and the power transmission to the support member are improved. The carrier part may for example have the shape of a toothed shaft.

Alternatively or additionally, the veneering element can be connected to the carrier part via a force fit. This frictional connection can in particular be a press fit or a press fit, which are achieved in that the inner diameter of the veneering element is smaller than the outer diameter of the carrier part. In this case, the outer diameter is understood to mean the diameter of the carrier part, which in one embodiment is provided on the carrier part in the case of the projections or webs, and also includes the webs. The outer diameter is thus greater than the diameter of the outer side of the lateral surface of the carrier part in the latter embodiment.

In a further embodiment, a stop for the at least one facing element is provided in the region of the end face of the carrier part. By providing a stop, slipping of the facing element from the support member can be prevented. In addition, in the embodiment in which more than one Facing element axially adjacent to each other are provided on the support member, the stop acting as a counter force and thus ensure a safe concern of the adjacent facing elements together.

Preferably, the stopper is an integral flange of the support member. By the stop is integrally formed with the support member, on the one hand, the number of components is minimized and thus simplifies the assembly of the rotary knob. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the maintenance of a voltage applied to the stop facing element is guaranteed. Finally, unless the flange is obscured by other facing elements, the flange can be included in the visual appearance of the rotary knob. The flange can in particular serve as an outlet for light, which is introduced via the carrier part. Thus, an illuminated ring at the edge of the front side of the rotary knob can be created.

According to one embodiment, the carrier part has on its front side a receptacle for a cap. This receptacle can be provided in the case of a cup-shaped carrier part in the bottom of the cup and represent, for example, a depression. If the carrier part is designed as an open tube, then the opening of the tube at the end face serves to receive the cap. The cap can be inserted into the receptacle and held there, for example by Verrastvorrichtungen. The size of the cap can correspond to that of the receptacle, in particular the diameter of the receptacle. In this case, the edge of the carrier part can still be seen in plan view of the front side of the rotary knob. Alternatively, the diameter of the cap in the region in which it is beyond the receptacle, be greater than the receptacle and in particular the size of the outer diameter of the support member or a provided on the support member flange correspond. This gives the front of the rotary knob a uniform appearance.

The materials used for the support member, the facing members and / or the cap are not limited to particular materials. For example, the support member made of plastic and at least one facing element made of metal. This combination is advantageous because the carrier part in comparison to the shape of the facing elements has a more complex shape and thus can be easily made of plastic. The carrier part can be produced, for example, by injection molding, wherein the production of a flange and of webs and / or latching noses or latching openings is simple. By doing the facing element is made of metal in this embodiment, the view of the support member is blocked and the rotary knob receives the appearance of a full metal rotary knob. According to one embodiment, a facing element, which constitutes a grip ring, consists of extruded aluminum with a correspondingly anodized surface, while another facing element, in particular a sleeve, may for example be made of stainless steel.

According to the invention it is also possible that all veneering elements are made of the same base material but are subjected to different surface treatments. The surface treatment may be a coating of the surface or a change in surface properties.

According to one embodiment, the rotary knob has a cup-shaped carrier part with a sliding ring pushed onto the carrier part as the first facing element, which is configured for transmitting power to the carrier part, and a sleeve, which is axially adjacent to the grip ring, pushed onto the carrier part as the second facing element. The grip ring is in this case pushed from the base on the support member until it rests against the end face and in particular a stop provided there. The sleeve abuts directly on the handle ring and extends to the base of the rotary knob.

• Figur 1: eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Drehknebels zeigt;
• Figur 2: eine Teillängsschnitt-Ansicht der Ausführungsform des Drehknebels nach Figur 1 zeigt;
• Figur 3: eine Querschnittsansicht der Ausführungsform des Drehknebels entlang der Schnittlinie B - B in Figur 2 zeigt;
• Figur 4 eine vergrößerte Detailansicht des Details A aus Figur 2 zeigt; und
• Figur 5 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform des Drehknebels zeigt.

In the following the invention will be described again with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

• FIG. 1 : shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the rotary knob according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 a partial longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment of the rotary knob after FIG. 1 shows;
• FIG. 3 FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the rotary knob taken along section line B-B in FIG FIG. 2 shows;
• FIG. 4 an enlarged detail view of the detail A from FIG. 2 shows; and
• FIG. 5 a schematic side view of another embodiment of the rotary knob shows.

The in FIG. 1 shown rotary knob 1 or rotary knob consists of four separate parts. A first part is an inner support part 2. Furthermore, the rotary knob 1 comprises a grip ring 3 and a sleeve 4. On the front side of the support part 2, a cap 5 is also provided.

As is clear from the FIG. 1 shows, the inner support part 2 has a cup shape or cup shape. On the lateral surface 24 of the support part 2 webs 21 1 are provided, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the support part 2 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support part 2. In the end face of the support part 2, on which this is closed in the illustrated embodiment, a receptacle 23 is provided in the form of a recess. The receptacle 23 has a circular shape and has a diameter which is smaller compared to the outer diameter of the support part 2 at its end face. The diameter of the receptacle 23 in the support part 2 corresponds to the outer diameter of the also circular cap 5. The cap 5 can thus be inserted into the receptacle 23 of the support member 2, that is, be included in this.

On the front side, the support part 2 has a peripheral outwardly projecting flange 22.

The grip ring 3 has a length which is less than the length of the support part 2. Recesses 32 or grooves are provided on the inside of the gripping ring 3, which grooves extend in the longitudinal direction of the gripping ring 3 over the entire length of the gripping ring 3 and whose depth corresponds to the height of the webs 21 provided on the carrier part 2. Also, the distance between the recesses 32 and grooves corresponds to the distance between the webs 21. The recesses 32 thus form the webs 21 of the support member 2 and can accommodate them. In the outside of the handle ring 3 grooves 31 or knurls are provided. These also run in the illustrated embodiment in the longitudinal direction of the handle ring. 3

The further provided sleeve 4 has in the illustrated embodiment on a smooth outer and inner surface. The length of the sleeve 4 is greater than the length of the handle ring third

In FIG. 2 the rotary knob is shown in the assembled state. The length of the sleeve 4 together with the length of the handle ring 3 corresponds to the length of the support member 2 in the region in which the webs 21 are provided, that is between the open end of the support member 2 and the open end facing side of the flange 22 at the carrier part 2.

In the in FIG. 2 shown mounted state of the handle ring 3 is pushed from the open end of the support member 2 to the flange 22 on the closed end side of the support member 2. Subsequently, the sleeve 4 is pushed onto the support member 2 and is located with its one end to the handle ring 3. The cap 5 is inserted into the receptacle 23 of the support member 2, that it is flush with the flange 22 of the support member 2 and thus no steps on the end face 12 of the rotary knob 1 arise. As the end face 12 of the rotary knob 1, the side of the rotary knob 1 is referred to below, which faces the user in the mounted state. The front side 12 is the base 11, on which the rotary knob 1 is connected to the household appliance (not shown), facing away.

The attachment or retention of the grip ring 3 or the sleeve 4 on the support part 2 is in the Figures 3 and 4 shown in more detail. In FIG. 3 the upper half shows a cross section through the rotary knob 1 in the region of the handle ring 3 and the lower half of a cross section in the region of the sleeve 4. The connection between the handle ring 3 and the support part 2 by the engagement of the webs 21 in the recesses 32nd realized the handle ring 3. The sleeve 4 sits on the webs 21 of the support part 2. Preferably, the sleeve 4 has an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the support part 2 with webs 21. As a result, the sleeve 4 is held by a press fit on the support part 2, in particular on the webs 21 of the support part 2.

From the sectional view in FIG. 4 can be seen that the grip ring 3 in the region in which no groove 32 is provided on the inside, abuts against the lateral surface 24 of the support part 2. In the embodiment shown, the recesses 32 on the inside and the grooves 31 on the outside over the circumference of the handle ring 3 are arranged offset. In the sectional plane of the FIG. 4 Thus, the groove 31 can be seen on the outside of the handle ring 3. The sleeve 4 is seated on the carrier part 2 in such a way that it compresses the webs 21 of the carrier part.

In FIG. 5 a further embodiment of the rotary knob 1 according to the invention is shown. In this embodiment, the support part 2 has an open tubular shape, that is, is not closed at the front side. The receptacle for a cap 5 is formed in this embodiment by the opening of the support part 2 on the front side. In the illustrated embodiment, the cap has a seat 51 whose diameter substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of the support part 2. On the outside of the cap 5, the diameter of the cap 5 corresponds to the outside diameter of the facing elements applied to the carrier part 2. In the embodiment of the FIG. 5 furthermore, no flange 22 is provided on the carrier part 2. In this embodiment, rather, the outer edge of the cap 5 forms the stop for applied to the support member 2 facing elements 3, 4, 41st

The sleeve 4 has the same shape as in the embodiment already described. Also, the handle ring 3 has the structure described. However, in the illustrated embodiment, another veneering element in the form of a sleeve ring 41 is provided. This lies between the cap 5 and the handle ring 3 and has a smooth outer wall and inner wall.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In particular, features that are described with respect to an embodiment can be realized in combination or individually in the other embodiment. So it is possible for example in the in FIGS. 1 to 4 shown embodiment to provide a sleeve ring.

Furthermore, the support member can be made without recording. In this case, the support part forms the front side of the rotary knob alone.

The secure fit of the handle ring on the support member can be realized by a conical basic shape of the support member instead of providing a stop or the edge of a larger cap. For example, the support part may have a smaller diameter at the base of the rotary knob and increase toward the end face of the rotary knob. As a result, slipping of the grip ring in the longitudinal direction of the support part, in particular beyond its end face is avoided.

In addition, one or more latching elements or latching receptacles may be provided on the sleeve and / or the grip ring Lock receiving or locking elements can engage the support member and can additionally fix these parts.

In a further embodiment, the facing elements, such as the grip ring, the sleeve and optionally the sleeve ring are realized together as an outer sleeve, that is form a component. In this embodiment, the outer sleeve on the inside of the already described depressions over the entire length or at least partially have, which were provided in the first embodiment only in the handle ring. On the outside of the outer sleeve, this has at least in one area a structure that improves the grip of the outer sleeve. This area may be at one end of the outer sleeve. However, it is also possible in this embodiment to provide the grip area spaced from the ends of the outer sleeve.

With the present invention, therefore, a modular system is supplied, which allows for easier production different manifestations of a rotary knob. In particular, in a division of the facing elements on at least two elements, both the power transmission via a structured part, in particular the handle ring, as well as the smooth shell surface, in particular the sleeve can be represented in semi-finished, which were produced only by extrusion process. In addition, when dividing the facing elements different material combinations can be used both in the base material as well as by different surface treatments. This makes it relatively easy to map a complete family of different valence over geometrically identical parts during assembly.

Claims (11)

Rotary knob for a household appliance, which has an inner support part (2) which extends from the base (11) of the rotary knob (1) to the end face (12) of the rotary knob (1), and at least one outer facing element (3, 4, 41) , characterized in that the at least one facing element (3, 4, 41) has an open tubular shape and at least a part of the lateral surface (24) of the inner support part (2) covers. Rotary knob according to claim 1, characterized in that in at least a part of the outer wall of the veneer element (3) has a surface structure (31) is introduced. Rotary knob according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that on the inside of the facing element (3) at least one fastening device (32) is provided for attachment to the support part. Rotary knob according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening device has a projection or recess (32) for engagement with a part (21) of the support part (2), in particular with projections (21) or recesses provided on the outside of the support part (2) , is. Rotary knob according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one projection (21) and / or the at least one recess (32) extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the facing element (3). Rotary knob according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the facing element (4, 41) is connected via frictional connection with the carrier part (2). Rotary knob according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the region of the end face of the support part 2, a stop (22, 5) for the at least one facing element (3, 4, 41) is provided. Rotary knob according to claim 7, characterized in that the stop constitutes an integral flange (22) of the carrier part (2). Rotary knob according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the carrier part (2) has on its front side a receptacle (23) for a cap (5). Rotary knob according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the carrier part (2) consists of plastic and at least one facing element (3, 4, 41) consists of metal. Rotary knob according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that this is a cup-shaped carrier part (2) with a on the support part (2) pushed handle ring (3) as a first facing element, which is designed for transmitting power to the support member (2), and a to the handle ring (3) adjacent to the carrier part (2) pushed sleeve (4) as a second facing element.

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