EP2444736B1 - Operating device for a domestic appliance with an operating element and domestic appliance with such an operating device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a domestic appliance with an operating element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a domestic appliance for preparing food, in particular a hob, with such an operating device.

Operating devices that have a control knob that can be positioned on a hob are known. This control knob is held by magnetic forces and can be rotated around its axis to set the operating mode.

In the case of such operating devices, a large number of operating conditions can often be set, so that a large number of different information items are also displayed on a display unit of the operating device. This and due to the fact that the cooking zones take up a large amount of space in a hob, for example, the display unit of the operating device is often dimensioned relatively small. It follows that the information to be displayed is also relatively small and confusing.

The DE 199 51 218 A1 describes an operating element in the form of a push button for electrical devices.

The US 2,220,590 A. describes a setting knob for movable plates of a tuning capacitor in a radio signal system, which has a disc-shaped area and a convex lens arranged on this area with a curved surface. A scale can be attached to a flat underside of the disc-shaped area.

The US 5,700,984 A. describes a switch for an electrical device with a base body made of rubber, on the top of which a structure or a letter is printed, a transparent cap being arranged on the top of the base body, which acts as a convex lens that enlarges the letter or structure .

The FR 2 790 843 A describes a control button which is integrated in a control panel of a motor vehicle. An annular or arcuate magnifying glass element surrounds a central rotary knob.

The WO 2006/108619 A describes an operating device for an electric heating device.

The DE 10 2006 034 391 A1 describes an operating device for a hob with an operating knob with at least one at least magnetizable element for positioning the operating knob at a defined position of the hob by a magnetic force.

The EP 0 771 681 A2 describes a rotation detector in a motor vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device for a domestic appliance and to create a domestic appliance with a corresponding operating device with which the visual display can be improved and made easier to understand.

This object is achieved by an operating device which has the features of claim 1 and a domestic appliance which has the features of claim 9.

An operating device according to the invention for a domestic appliance comprises an operating element. A display area is formed on an upper side of the control element, which has an optical enlargement element with which the information displayed is enlarged compared to its original size. For such a configuration, the information display is thus integrated into the control element by means of a very specially designed component, namely the control element, and moreover an easier and quickly comprehensible information presentation is ensured by the enlargement. On the one hand, corresponding information to be displayed, such as numbers as values of the set operating parameters or also letters and texts, can thus be recognized more quickly and without errors for a user.

In this context, it can either be possible to display only some very specific information that is available depending on specific operating situations in the control element and, in addition, enlarged.

It is provided that the control element itself has an information generation unit. The enlarging element is then arranged above the information generating unit for enlarging the information generated in the operating element itself. It is provided here that the control element has an integrated electrical display unit which is designed to display symbols and / or letters and / or numbers. For this purpose, corresponding components can be formed on a circuit carrier of the control element. So-called seven-segment displays can also be provided here, for example. If corresponding information is now generated and displayed on the display unit of the control element, this control element-internal information is shown enlarged upwards by means of the enlargement element. Thus, when the control element is viewed from above and viewed, the magnification effect is generated and the information to be displayed is shown enlarged.

The control element has a recess in which the enlarging element is arranged. As a result, the enlarging element can be held securely and stably. Such an embedding also enables shock protection and wear protection at least to the side. Unwanted scratching or smearing with grease or the like can be avoided. This ensures reliable viewing of the enlarged information at all times.

Furthermore, it is provided that the enlargement element extends essentially over the entire surface of the control element and thus there is maximum use of area for the enlargement effect. In this case, only a thin edge web running around the enlarging element is provided, which then also ensures that it is held in the recess.

In principle, it can also be provided that the entire information display of operating parameter values takes place on the display area of the operating element or via the operating element and that this information is then also displayed in an enlarged manner by the enlarging element.

Through the integration in the control element and the enlargement, an information presentation is made possible for the user in a prominent manner and in a higher position compared to the level of the control surface. The enlargement in particular enables easier and more reliable recognition for users with impaired vision. Last but not least, a better security aspect is also taken into account by the enlargement element and the enlargement thus achieved in the information display.

In particular, the control element can be held on a control surface of the household appliance that can be controlled with the control device by means of magnetic force and can be moved relative to the control surface and can be removed from there.

The magnifying element is preferably a magnifying glass. This creates a single, one-piece element, which ensures this enlargement. On the one hand, this configuration enables simple and relatively inexpensive production. In addition, this element is relatively robust and low-wear.

It is preferably provided that if the enlarging element represents the uppermost component of the control element and is thus freely accessible from above, an appropriate coating or film is additionally applied, which protects the enlarging element as wear protection, for example against scratching or the like.

It is particularly advantageous if the control element has a region which is permeable to light in the spectral range visible to humans and a magnification element is arranged above and / or below this range, with which information displayed on a display unit of the control surface can be displayed enlarged through the control element. This is a particularly noteworthy embodiment, since the control element is thus designed as a component that is transparent at least in some areas. If it is thus placed on the control surface, specifically in the area of a display unit of the control surface itself, the information displayed on the display unit can be shown enlarged in the form of symbols and / or letters and / or numbers through the control element. In this case too, the control element can be placed on the display unit and the user can perceive the information displayed on the display unit of the control surface from an enlarged view.

The enlarging element is preferably integrated in the operating element. Such an integral and, in particular, non-destructive design can avoid undesired position tolerances.

It can also be provided that the enlarging element is arranged on the operating element, in particular in the upper cover, so that it can be reversibly and non-destructively removed. For this purpose, it can be provided that compatible different magnification elements with different magnification effects can be installed in the operating element. Due to the compatibility, this can also be carried out quickly and easily by the user. For example, an attachment with a bottom-sided double-sided adhesive tape or a plug connection or a latching connection or the like can be provided here.

The control element is preferably designed as a rotary control knob. In such an embodiment, it is only provided that operating condition settings are only made possible by rotating about a vertical axis or longitudinal axis of the operating element. It is particularly advantageous if the control element is a turn-tilt control knob. In such a configuration, an operating control setting can thus be made by rotating and tilting about or relative to the longitudinal axis of the control element. For example, it can be provided that Due to the uneven underside of the control element, a tilting movement is possible, with which, for example, a cooking zone of a cooking hob can be selected. If a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the control element is then carried out in the tilted or then moved back from the tilted to the untilted state, an operating parameter of the selected cooking zone can then be set in terms of value.

The control element preferably has an outer ring, which is designed as a holder for the enlarging element and, for magnetic interaction with sensors, is designed separately from the control element for setting the operation as a function of a movement of the control element relative to the control surface. In such a configuration, sensors are thus arranged outside the control element, for example under the control surface, which, due to changes in the position of the control element relative to the control surface, detect the change in position in the form of magnetic interactions and recognize the associated operating condition settings.

The ring can have defined partial segments which are designed as magnets. These can be integrated in the ring. Specific partial areas of the ring can also be magnetized.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a domestic appliance for preparing food, in particular a hob, with an operating device according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof.
Further advantageous embodiments result from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kraftfelds; und

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Bedienelements einer erfindungsgemäßen Bedienvorrichtung in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a plan view of an embodiment of a force field according to the invention; and

Fig. 2

an embodiment of an operating element of an operating device according to the invention in a perspective view.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

In Fig. 1 a plan view of a cooktop 1 is shown, which has a cooktop plate 2. On an upper side or control surface 3 of the hob 2, which can be made, for example, of glass ceramic or glass, there are only four cooking zones 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the exemplary embodiment both in number and in terms of their shape Cooking zones 4 to 7 identified in terms of their dimensions can be heated by heating units (not shown), such as radiant heaters or inductors, so that preparation vessels in which the food is contained can be heated on cooking zones 4 to 7.

In addition, the cooktop 1 comprises an operating device 8. The operating device 8 comprises at least one touch-sensitive operating field 9. In addition, further fields are shown which are shown for displaying information. In this context, the areas 11, 12, 13 and 14 assigned to a display unit 10 are mentioned.

In addition, the display unit 10 formed on the hob 2 comprises a display area 15. In contrast to the areas 11, 12, 13 and 14, in which symbols which have already been drawn in can only be backlit, the display area 15 shows the changing values and / or of changing symbols or in general the change of symbol displays possible.

The control device 8 also comprises a single control element 16 which is stable by means of magnetic force on the control surface 3 designed as a cooking surface. This control element is cylindrical or disc-shaped. It can be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The control element 16 can be used as a rotary control knob or also be designed as a turn-tilt control knob. With regard to the specific position at which the operating element 16 can be placed on the operating surface 3 and is magnetically stable, the area above the display 15 is provided in the exemplary embodiment. This means that only this specific position is provided for functionality and thus for magnetic holding on the one hand and for setting the operating conditions on the other hand by moving the operating element 16 relative to the hob plate 2.

The control element 16 comprises a magnifying element 17, which is designed as a magnifying glass. This configuration ensures that precisely when the control element 16 is placed on its specifically intended position to completely fulfill the function on the control surface 3, any values and / or symbols shown on the display 15 through the completely translucent area of the control element 16 for passage are shown enlarged by the enlarging element 17. A user or observer who thus views the control element 16 from above can thus perceive the display on the display 15 in an enlarged manner. In the exemplary embodiment, the number 8 of a seven-segment display can be easily recognized through the operating element 16 and is also enlarged by the enlarging element 17. The magnification compared to the original size on the display 15 is between a factor greater than 1 and less than 5.

The control element 16 also includes a ring 18. This serves on the one hand to hold the enlarging element 17. On the other hand, this ring 18 is a magnet or made of a magnetizable material, so that in interaction with sensors under the hob plate 2 the relative movement of the control element 16 or its Position is detectable and the desired operating condition setting 10 can be detected.

In contrast to the design in Fig. 1 can also be provided that the operating element 16 itself has an integrated display unit which is designed to display information in the form of values and / or letters and / or symbols. In contrast to the configuration according to Fig. 1 not just instead of completely shining through through the control in the direction along the longitudinal axis A itself, information that was generated in the operating element 16 itself is displayed in an enlarged manner. The enlarging element 17 is then preferably positioned directly above the display unit 10 of the operating element 16.

In Fig. 2 the control element 16 is shown in a simplified schematic representation. It has a recess 19 in the upper region, in which the enlarging element 17 is arranged. In addition, the circumferential ring 18 can be seen, which is quasi designed as a hollow cylinder. It extends in particular over the entire height of the operating element 16. The operating element 16 comprises on a top side 21 a display area 22 which has the enlarging element 17. The enlarging element 17 is preferably covered at the top by a scratch protection element 23. This can be a transparent film, for example.

The longitudinal axis A of the control element 16 is also shown. The control element 16 can also consist of an upper and a lower cover, which together form a closed control element 16. Then the recess 19 is formed with the enlarging element 17 in the region of the upper cover. An upper and a lower cover can be detachably connected, for example by a snap connection. The holding magnet and a plurality of functional magnets can then be arranged in the interior of the operating element 16. The functional magnets can then be provided in connection with the ring 18 for the selection of cooking zones 4 to 7 and then for the subsequent operating parameter setting of the selected cooking zone 4 to 7.

The ring 18 can also only partially extend over the entire height of the operating element 16. In the case of a turn-tilt control toggle, an underside 20 is uneven, so that it also tilts at an angle to the vertical axis.

Reference list

1

Cooktop

2nd

Cooktop

3rd

Control surface

4, 5, 6, 7

Cooking zones

8th

Operating device

9

Control panel

10th

Display unit

11, 12, 13, 14

Areas

15

Display area

16

Control element

17th

Magnifying element

18th

ring

19th

deepening

20th

bottom

21

Top

22

Display area

23

Anti-scratch element

Claims (9)

1. Operating device for a household appliance (1), with an operating element (16), wherein a display area (22) is embodied on a top side (21) of the operating element (16) and has a visual magnification element (17), with which information shown is magnified compared to its original size, wherein the operating element (16) itself has an information generation unit in the form of an integrated electric display unit, which is embodied to display symbols and/or letters and/or numbers, and the magnification element (17) is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the operating element (16) across the information generation unit for magnifying the information generated in the operating element (16) itself, characterised in that the operating element (16) has a depression (19) in which the magnification element (17) is arranged, wherein the magnification element (17) extends substantially across the entire surface of the operating element (16) and only a thin edge web is provided, which encircles the magnification element (17) and which ensures that the magnification element (17) is held in the depression (19).
2. Operating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the magnification element (17) is a magnifying glass.
3. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating element (16) has an area which is permeable to light in the spectral range which is visible to humans, and a magnification element (17) is arranged above and/or below this area, with which information displayed on a display unit (10) of a operating surface (3) of the household appliance (1) can be shown magnified through the operating element (16).
4. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the magnification element (17) is integrated into the operating element (16).
5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating element (16) is a turn-tilt operating knob.
6. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating element (16) can be held on an operating surface (3) of the household appliance (1), which can be controlled by means of the operating device (8), using magnetic force and can be moved relative to the operating surface (3) and positioned removably therefrom.
7. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating element (16) has an outer ring (18), which is embodied as a holder of the magnification element (17) and is embodied in magnetic interaction with sensors which are separate from the operating element for operational setting as a function of a movement of the operating element (16) relative to the operating surface (3).
8. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the magnification element (17) is covered at the top by a scratch protection element (23).
9. Household appliance for preparing food, in particular hob (1), with an operating device (8) according to one of the preceding claims.

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