EP2600064B1 - Operating device - Google Patents

Description

An operating device with touch-sensitive sensor areas is known from the prior art, with exactly one sensor means designed as an electrode being functionally assigned to each sensor area.

In EP 2 144 372 A1 discloses a control device with a shape-changing or elastic control panel with at least one piezo sensor element under the control panel, the piezo sensor unit being arranged on a rear side of a printed circuit board.

Out EP 3 309 647 A2 An operating device for an electrical device with an operating field is known, several capacitive sensor elements for a capacitive touch or proximity switch being arranged in a continuous row under the operating field to form an elongated slider.

Out US 2009/009491 A1 a diaphragm projection equipped with a sensor array for the electronic simulation of a mechanical rotary selector is known.

Out DE 10 2005 049802 A1 a household appliance operating device with a touch-sensitive, ring-shaped sensor field is known, which has two interlocking sensor surfaces.

The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide an operating device with an advantageously extended operating functionality. The object is achieved by the features of claim 1, while advantageous refinements and developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

An operating device is proposed with at least one first sensor surface having a first operating function, at least one second sensor surface having a second operating function, at least one first Sensor means, which is functionally assigned to at least the first sensor surface and at least the second sensor surface, and at least one first inactive region of the first sensor means in at least one surface region outside the first sensor surface and the second sensor surface. The operating device is preferably provided for use in a domestic appliance, in particular a hob. In this context, an “operating function” is to be understood in particular as a control command for the domestic appliance which is clearly assigned to a sensor surface and which can be issued by touching and / or approaching the sensor surface. The operating function can be, in particular, a selection of a heating zone, an increase or decrease in a heating level or a selection of a timer function. A “sensor surface” is to be understood as a preferably marked surface which is designed as a user interface and can be operated by touching and / or approaching it. The sensor surface is preferably formed in a panel unit, which can be embodied in particular in one piece with a hob plate of the hob.

Here and below, a “sensor means” is to be understood to mean a means which is intended to detect a contact with and / or an approach to a sensor surface functionally assigned to the sensor means and to transmit a corresponding control signal to a control unit of the domestic appliance. “Provided” is to be understood in particular to be specially programmed and / or designed and / or equipped. The fact that a sensor means is “functionally assigned” to a first and a second sensor surface is to be understood in particular to mean that the sensor means is intended to contact both the first and the second sensor surface and / or to approach both the first and the second to detect the second sensor surface. The sensor means preferably has at least one first partial area, which is arranged in a vertical view of the first sensor surface behind the first sensor surface. Furthermore, the sensor means has at least one second partial area, which is arranged in a vertical view of the second sensor surface behind the second sensor surface. In this context, an “inactive area” of a sensor means a surface area of the diaphragm unit in which the sensor means is inactive, although the sensor means is arranged below the surface area. Including that an inactive area "in at least one If the surface area is arranged outside of two sensor areas, it should be understood in particular that the inactive area is arranged in at least one surface area which is different from the two sensor areas.

Such an embodiment enables an advantageously expanded operating functionality. In particular, a variety of parts can advantageously be reduced, as a result of which a manufacturing outlay and costs can be reduced. Operating security can advantageously be increased by the inactive area, since incorrect readout signals can advantageously be avoided when the screen unit is touched and / or approached to the screen unit in an area outside the sensor areas.

Furthermore, the operating device comprises at least one third sensor surface having a third operating function and at least one second sensor means which is functionally assigned to at least the second sensor surface and at least the third sensor surface. Accordingly, both the first sensor means and the second sensor means are assigned to the second sensor surface. The second sensor surface thus forms a virtual user interface. In this way, an operating functionality can advantageously be increased further.

Furthermore, the operating device has at least one second inactive region of the second sensor means in at least one surface region outside the second sensor surface and the third sensor surface. As a result, reliability of operation and thus operational safety can be further increased.

It is further proposed that the operating device has at least one control unit which is intended to trigger the second operating function when the first operating function and the third operating function are selected simultaneously by an operator. A “control unit” is to be understood in particular to mean an electronic unit which is intended to control and / or regulate control units, in particular the sensor surfaces, and / or output units, in particular a plain text display and / or a loudspeaker. The control unit preferably comprises a computing unit and in particular, in addition to the computing unit, a storage unit with a control and / or regulating program stored therein.

The control unit is preferably at least partially formed in one piece with a control and / or regulating unit of the domestic appliance, which is intended to control and / or regulate at least one main functional unit, in particular a heating unit or a cooling unit, of the domestic appliance. In this way, a virtual sensor surface can be created, to which in particular no separate sensor means is assigned. Thus, a multitude of different operating devices can only be realized by reprogramming the control unit and correspondingly designing sensor means. A number of sensor means can be retained, whereby costs can be reduced, in particular also in the case of different versions of household appliances. Furthermore, an inexpensive control unit with relatively few connections for sensor means can be used.

According to the invention, the sensor means are designed as electrodes. In this context, an “electrode” is to be understood in particular to mean an electrically conductive and preferably flat component. Under an "electrically conductive" component, in particular a component with a specific electrical conductivity of at least 5 × 10 ⁵ (Ωm) ^-1 , in particular of at least 10 ⁶ (Ωm) ^-1 and preferably of at least 2 × 10 ⁶ (Ωm) ^{- 1} at 20 ° C. The electrodes are preferably arranged on a surface of an electrically insulating unit, in particular a unit made of a glass ceramic, and are preferably applied. An “electrically insulating” unit is to be understood in particular to mean a unit with a specific electrical resistance of at least 10 ⁸ Ωm, in particular at least 10 ¹⁰ Ωm and advantageously at least 10 ¹² Ωm at 20 ° C. In this way, a simple and inexpensive operating device can be provided. The electrodes are preferably designed as electrically conductive coatings of an electrically insulating unit, as a result of which modifications in the configuration of the sensor means can be made particularly simple and a variety of products can be enlarged by advantageously simple adaptations.

According to the invention, the operating device comprises a first shielding unit, which at least substantially shields the first sensor means from touching and / or approaching in the first inactive area. Furthermore, the operating device additionally comprises a second shielding unit, which the second sensor means at least in the second inactive area against contact and / or proximity Shields essentially. The fact that a shielding unit “at least essentially shields” a sensor means from touching and / or approaching in its inactive region is to be understood to mean that touching the inactive region, in particular a region of the diaphragm unit above the sensor means, and / or an approach to the Inactive area, in particular to an area of the diaphragm unit above the sensor means, due to the shielding unit, such a small change in at least one parameter assigned to the sensor means causes this change to be ignored by the control unit. When a sensor means is designed as an electrode, the shielding unit is in particular designed as a unit that differs from an electronic circuit board and / or the panel unit, and in particular is intended to at least substantially influence an electrical field emanating from the sensor means when the inactive region, in particular a region of the panel unit, is touched above the sensor means, and / or an approach to the inactive area, in particular to an area of the diaphragm unit above the sensor means. A "substantial influence" on the electrical field emanating from the sensor means is to be understood in particular as a change in the electrical field which is recorded by the control unit as a triggering event, in particular a selection of an operating function. The shielding unit can be designed as a dielectric component, which is preferably arranged between the sensor means and the inactive region. Furthermore, the shielding unit can be designed as an electrically conductive and grounded component in an environment of the sensor means. In this way, an inactive area can advantageously be provided in a simple manner.

If the sensor means in the area of the second sensor surface are designed as mutually interlocking, it can be ensured that touching and / or approaching the second sensor surface always leads to simultaneous triggering of the first and third operating functions. The fact that “the sensor means in the region of the second sensor surface are designed to interlock with one another” should in particular be understood to mean that at least one of the sensor means at least partially encompasses the other sensor means.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is proposed that a center of gravity of the second sensor surface is spaced from a connecting straight line which is through a center of gravity of the first sensor surface and a center of gravity of the third sensor surface. A "center of gravity" of a sensor surface is to be understood in particular as a center of gravity. The center of gravity of the second sensor surface is preferably at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm and particularly advantageously at least 20 mm from the connecting straight line. This advantageously enables existing operating devices to be expanded to include additional virtual sensor areas.

Furthermore, a domestic appliance, in particular a hob, with an operating device according to the invention is proposed. As a result, an advantageously expanded operating functionality can be provided for a domestic appliance and in particular for a hob.

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawing. In the drawing, three embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination.

Fig. 1

ein als Kochfeld ausgebildetes Hausgerät mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Bedienvorrichtung in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 2

die Bedienvorrichtung mit dielektrischen Abschirmeinheiten in einer vergrößerten Darstellung,

Fig. 3

eine weitere Bedienvorrichtung mit elektrisch leitfähigen und geerdeten Abschirmeinheiten in einer vergrößerten Darstellung und

Fig. 4

eine weitere Bedienvorrichtung mit alternativen elektrisch leitfähigen und geerdeten Abschirmeinheiten in einer vergrößerten Darstellung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a plan view of a domestic appliance with a control device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

the operating device with dielectric shielding units in an enlarged view,

Fig. 3

a further control device with electrically conductive and grounded shielding units in an enlarged view and

Fig. 4

a further control device with alternative electrically conductive and grounded shielding units in an enlarged view.

Figure 1 shows a domestic appliance 40a designed as a hob 42a with an operating device according to the invention in a plan view. The hob 42a comprises a hob plate 44a. The hob plate 44a comprises a base plate 45a, which consists in particular of a glass ceramic. Furthermore, the hob plate 44a has markings 47a, of which in Fig. 1 only one is designated and which are preferably arranged on an upper side 46a of the base plate 45a. The markings 47a identify sensor surfaces 10a, 12a, 18a of the operating device. Furthermore, the hob plate 44a has markings 48a, of which in Fig. 1 only one is designated and which are preferably also arranged on the upper side 46a of the base plate 45a. Markings 48a identify heating zones 49a (only one of which is designated). The hob plate 44a is arranged horizontally in an operational state. The hob plate 44a is provided in an operational state for setting up cooking utensils for heating them. For this purpose, the hob 42a comprises heating units, preferably induction heating units, which are arranged in a known manner below the heating zones 49a (in Fig. 1 not shown).

The operating device comprises a first sensor surface 10a, a second sensor surface 12a and a third sensor surface 18a. The sensor surfaces 10a, 12a, 18a are marked by the markings 47a on the upper side 46a of the base plate 45a of a partial area 52a of the hob plate 44a. The section 52a of the hob plate 44a is part of the operating device. A first operating function is triggered by touching the first sensor surface 10a. A second operating function is triggered by touching the second sensor surface 12a. A third operating function is triggered by touching the third sensor surface 18a. The operating functions can be, for example, a selection and / or selection of a heating zone 49a and / or a heating output for a heating zone 49a and / or a timer function and / or a cooking program. The first sensor surface 10a and the second sensor surface 12a are separated by a first inactive region 16a, which extends in a surface region 17a of the hob plate 44a. The second sensor surface 12a and the third sensor surface 18a are separated by a second inactive region 22a, which extends in a surface region 23a of the hob plate 44a. In the surface areas 17a, 23a, the operating device is insensitive to contact.

The operating device further comprises a control unit 24a for controlling operating inputs and outputs (in Fig. 1 shown in dashed lines). The control unit 24a is integrated in a control and regulating unit 50a of the hob 42a arranged below the hob plate 44a (in FIG Fig. 1 shown in dashed lines). The control and regulating unit 50a of the hob 42a is in particular provided to control and / or regulate the heating units.

Figure 2 shows a partial view of the operating device with the hob plate 44a disassembled when viewing an underside opposite the upper side 46a 54a of the base plate 45a of the hob plate 44a. The sensor surfaces 10a, 12a, 18a are circular and in particular have a diameter of 15 mm (in Fig. 2 shown in dashed lines, since they are arranged on the top 46a of the base plate 45a). A focal point 32a of the second sensor surface 12a is spaced apart from a connecting straight line 34a which runs through a focal point 36a of the first sensor surface 10a and a focal point 38a of the third sensor surface 18a. The operating device comprises a first sensor means 14a designed as an electrode 26a and a second sensor means 20a designed as an electrode 28a. The sensor means 14a, 20a are designed as electrically conductive coatings 56a, 58a of the underside 54a of the base plate 45a. Any coating 56a, 58a which appears to be useful to a person skilled in the art can be used as the coating 56a, 58a, in particular a coating 56a, 58a applied by a screen printing method and / or cathode sputtering.

The first sensor means 14a is functionally assigned to the first sensor surface 10a and the second sensor surface 12a. The first sensor means 14a has a circular area below the first sensor surface 10a, which in particular has a somewhat smaller diameter than the first sensor surface 10a. The first sensor means 14a has a convex hexagonal region below the second sensor surface 12a, the surface area of which is in particular approximately half as large as the surface of the second sensor surface 12a. Between the areas below the first sensor surface 10a and the second sensor surface 12a, the first sensor means 14a is linear and in particular straight. The second sensor means 20a is functionally assigned to the second sensor surface 12a and the third sensor surface 18a. The second sensor means 20a has a circular area below the third sensor surface 18a, which in particular has a somewhat smaller diameter than the third sensor surface 18a. The second sensor means 20a has a partially concave hexagonal region below the second sensor surface 12a, the surface area of which is in particular approximately half as large as the surface of the second sensor surface 12a. Between the areas below the second The sensor surface 12a and the third sensor surface 18a, the second sensor means 20a is linear and in particular provided with a kink. The sensor means 14a, 20a are designed in the area of the second sensor surface 12a as mutually interlocking. The second sensor means 20a encompasses the first sensor means 14a partially in the area of the second sensor surface 12a.

The circular regions of the first sensor means 14a and the second sensor means 20a are each electrically conductively coupled to a sensor unit in a known manner (in FIG Fig. 2 not shown), in particular via elastic and electrically conductive elements, preferably conductive rubbers. The sensor units register a change in an electrical field which is emitted by the sensor means 14a, 20a or which ends at the sensor means 14a, 20a and is induced by an operator's finger, in particular, coming closer to the sensor means 14a, 20a. As a result, touching of the first sensor surface 10a and the third sensor surface 18a can be detected, in particular by the operator's finger. When the first sensor surface 10a is touched, the first operating function is triggered by the control unit 24a. When the third sensor surface 18a is touched, the control unit 24a triggers the third operating function accordingly. The second sensor surface 12a is a virtual sensor surface 60a, to which in particular no separate sensor unit is assigned. When the second sensor surface 12a is touched, the control unit 24a registers a simultaneous actuation of the first sensor surface 10a and the third sensor surface 18a and evaluates this in particular as an actuation of the second sensor surface 12a. The control unit 24a then triggers the second operating function.

In order to prevent unwanted triggering of the first operating function when the surface area 17a is touched outside the first sensor area 10a and the second sensor area 12a, the operating device comprises a first shielding unit 30a which at least substantially shields the first sensor means 14a from touching the first inactive area 16a. An unwanted triggering of the third operating function when the surface area 23a is touched outside the second sensor surface 12a and the third sensor surface To prevent 18a, the operating device comprises a second shielding unit 62a, which at least essentially shields the second sensor means 20a from contact in the second inactive area 22a. The shielding units 30a, 62a each comprise a dielectric shielding element 64a, 66a. The dielectric shielding element 64a is arranged in a region opposite the first inactive region 16a between the underside 54a of the base plate 45a and the first sensor means 14a. The dielectric shielding element 66a is arranged in a region opposite the second inactive region 22a between the underside 54a of the base plate 45a and the second sensor means 20a. The dielectric shielding elements 64a, 66a are designed as electrically insulating coatings 68a, 70a. Any coating 68a, 70a that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art can be used as the coating 68a, 70a, in particular a coating 68a, 70a applied by a screen printing method, preferably a ceramic coating 68a, 70a. A thickness of the dielectric coatings 68a, 70a perpendicular to a main plane of extension of the base plate 45a is preferably between 100 μm and 200 μm.

In 3 and 4 two further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, with respect to the same components, features and functions being based on the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of 1 and 2 , can be referenced. To distinguish the exemplary embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment is in 1 and 2 by the letters b and c in the reference numerals of the embodiments of 3 and 4 replaced. With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference symbols, it is also possible in principle to refer to the drawings and / or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of 1 and 2 , to get expelled.

Figure 3 shows a partial view of a further operating device of a cooktop 42b when the cooktop plate 44b is disassembled when looking at a bottom 54b of a base plate 45b of the cooktop plate 44b. The operating device comprises shielding units 30b, 62b, which have electrically conductive and grounded shielding elements 64b, 66b. The electrically conductive and grounded shielding element 64b is arranged in a region opposite a first inactive region 16b between the underside 54a of the base plate 45b and a first sensor means 14b. Additional electrical insulation 72b is provided between the shielding element 64b and the first sensor means 14b. The electrically conductive and grounded shielding element 66b is arranged in a region opposite a second inactive region 22b between the underside 54b of the base plate 45b and a second sensor means 20b. Electrical insulation 74b is also additionally provided between the shielding element 66b and the second sensor means 20b. The electrically conductive and grounded shielding elements 64b, 66b are designed as electrically conductive coatings 68b, 70b. Any coating 68b, 70b that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art can be used as the coating 68b, 70b, in particular a coating 68b, 70b applied by a screen printing method and / or by cathode sputtering. Furthermore, the ground lines of the shielding elements 64b, 66b can be designed as electrically conductive coatings. The electrical insulations 72b, 74b are designed as electrically insulating coatings 76b, 78b. Any coating 76b, 78b that appears useful to a person skilled in the art can be used as the coating 76b, 78b, in particular a coating 76b, 78b applied by a screen printing method, preferably a ceramic coating 76b, 78b. A thickness of the electrically insulating coatings 76b, 78b perpendicular to a main extension plane of the base plate 45b is preferably between 10 μm and 50 μm.

Figure 4 shows a partial view of a further alternative operating device of a cooktop 42c with the cooktop plate 44c disassembled when viewing an underside 54c of a base plate 45c of the cooktop plate 44c. The control device comprises a first shielding unit 30c and a second shielding unit 62c. The first shielding unit 30c has two electrically conductive and grounded shielding elements 64c, which are arranged at a distance from a first sensor means 14c. The shielding elements 64c are arranged on both sides and viewed relative to a main extension plane of the base plate 45c next to the first sensor means 14c. The shielding elements 64c are at a minimum distance between 0.5 mm and 1 mm from the first sensor means 14c at each point. The second shielding unit 62c likewise has two electrically conductive and grounded shielding elements 66c, which are arranged at a distance from a second sensor means 20c. The shielding elements 66c are arranged on both sides and viewed relative to a main plane of extension of the base plate 45c next to the second sensor means 20c. The shielding elements 66c are at a minimum distance between 0.5 mm and 1 mm from the second sensor means 20c at each point. The electrically conductive and grounded shielding elements 64c, 66c are designed as electrically conductive coatings 68c, 70c. Any coating 68c, 70c that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art can be used as the coating 68c, 70c, in particular a coating 68c, 70c applied by a screen printing method and / or by cathode sputtering. Furthermore, the ground lines of the shielding elements 64c, 66c can be designed as electrically conductive coatings.

According to the design of the hob plate 44c Fig. 4 A manufacturing method is suitable in which the base plate 45c is initially provided on the underside 54c over a large area and preferably completely with an electrically conductive and preferably metallic coating. This coating can be applied in particular by physical vapor deposition and preferably by cathode-ray atomization. Areas of the coating are then removed in order to cover the in Fig. 4 structures shown, in particular the sensor means 14c, 20c, the shielding elements 64c, 66c and the grounding lines. Ablation can take place, for example, by means of laser ablation. Reference numerals 10th First sensor area 54 bottom 12th Second sensor area 56 Coating 14 First sensor means 58 Coating 16 First inactive area 60 Virtual sensor area 17th Surface area 62 Second shielding unit 18th Third sensor area 64 Shielding element 20th Second sensor means 66 Shielding element 22 Second inactive area 68 Coating 23 Surface area 70 Coating 24th Control unit 72 insulation 26 electrode 74 insulation 28 electrode 76 Coating 30th First shielding unit 78 Coating 32 main emphasis 34 Straight line 36 main emphasis 38 main emphasis 40 Home appliance 42 Cooktop 44 Cooktop 45 Base plate 46 Top 47 mark 48 mark 49 Heating zone 50 Control and regulation unit 52 Subarea

Claims (10)

1. Operating device with a first sensor area (10a-c) having a first operating function, with a second sensor area (12a-c) having a second operating function and with a third sensor area (18a-c) having a third operating function, wherein the sensor areas (10a-c, 12a-c, 18a-c) are surfaces which are embodied as user interfaces and are able to be operated by touch and/or by proximity, with a first sensor means (14a-c) and with a second sensor means (20a-c) and wherein the sensor means (14a-c, 20a-c) are embodied as electrodes (26a-c, 28a-c) and the first sensor means (14a-c) and the second sensor means (20a-c) are provided to detect a touching of and/or proximity to the sensor areas (10a-c, 12a-c, 18a-c) and to transmit a corresponding control signal to at least one control unit (24a-c), with at least one first inactive region (16a-c) of the first sensor means (14a-c) in at least one surface region (17a-c) outside of the first sensor area (10a-c) and the second sensor area (12a-c) and with at least one second inactive region (22a-c) of the second sensor means (20a-c) in at least one surface region (23a-c) outside of the second sensor area (12a-c) and the third sensor area (18a-c), characterised in that the first sensor means (14a-c) is functionally assigned at least to the first sensor area (10a-c) and at least to the second sensor area (12a-c) and the second sensor means (20a-c) is functionally assigned at least to the second sensor area (12a-c) and at least to the third sensor area (18a-c), so that the second sensor area (12a-c) forms a virtual user interface, and that each of the inactive regions (16a-c, 22a-c) is a surface region of a panel unit in which the sensor means (14a-c, 20a-c) is inactive, despite the sensor means (14a-c, 20a-c) being arranged below the surface region, and that the operating device comprises a first shielding unit (30a-c), which at least substantially shields the first sensor means (14a-c) from a touch and/or proximity in the first inactive region (16a-c) and comprises a second shielding unit (62a-c), which at least substantially shields the second sensor means (20a-c) from a touch and/or proximity in the second inactive region (22a-c), wherein a touching of the inactive region (16a-c, 22a-c), due to the shielding unit (30a-c, 62a-c), brings about such a small change in at least one parameter assigned to the sensor means (14a-c, 20a-c) that this change is ignored by the control unit (24a-c).
2. Operating device at least according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one control unit (24a-c) is provided to trigger the second operating function when the first operating function and the third operating function are selected by the user at the same time.
3. Operating device at least according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the sensor means (14a-c, 20a-c) are embodied as mutually interlocking in the region of the second sensor area (12a-c).
4. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a centre of mass (32a-c) of the second sensor area (12a-c) is spaced apart from a connecting straight line (34a-c) which runs through a centre of mass (36a-c) of the first sensor area (10a-c) and a centre of mass (38a-c) of the third sensor area (18a-c).
5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the electrodes (26a-c, 28a-c) are embodied as electrically conductive coatings of an electrically isolated unit.
6. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shielding unit (30a-c, 62a-c) is embodied as a unit which differs from an electrical circuit board and/or the panel unit.
7. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shielding unit (30a-c, 62a-c) is embodied as a dielectric component.
8. Operating device according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the dielectric component is arranged between the sensor means (14a-c, 20a-c) and the inactive region (16a-c, 22a-c).
9. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the shielding unit (30a-c, 62a-c) is embodied as an electrically conductive and earthed component in a surrounding area of the sensor means (14a-c, 20a-c).
10. Household appliance (40a-c), in particular hob (42a-c), with an operating device according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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