Household appliance with a user interface and a door

Abstract

Household appliance (1) with at least one user interface (13) for input and output of information and a door (3) which has an edge (14, 14'), wherein the at least one user interface (13) extends partially or completely around the edge (14, 14'), wherein the at least one user interface (13) has a first surface (15) and a second surface (16), wherein the first surface (15) points in at least a first spatial direction and the second surface (16) points in at least a second spatial direction, and wherein the first and second spatial directions are different, and wherein, when the door (3) is closed, the first surface (15) of the at least one user interface (13) points upwards and the second surface (16) of the at least one user interface (13) points forwards, characterized in that the first surface (15) and the second surface (16) of the at least one user interface (13) each serve for input and output of information.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher.

[0002] Household appliances are designed for various installation types as freestanding, under-counter, built-in, or fully integrated units, and most feature a door that opens upwards or forwards towards the user. This door often includes a user interface for inputting and outputting information.

[0003] A user interface integrated into a front-opening door is particularly common in household dishwashers. When the door is closed, it is located either on the front or on the upper narrow side (top edge) of the door. In the former case, the user interface is readable and / or operable when the door is closed; in the latter case, it is only accessible when the door is open. Depending on the door's position, readability and / or operation from one direction or the other may be difficult or impossible.

[0004] It is publicly known that household dishwashers have their user interface located at the top of the door and also include displays on the front of the door. The Samsung DW60H9970US / EF is an example of this type of dishwasher.

[0005] Furthermore, mobile phones and tablets from Samsung are known to have a touch display that wraps around the edges of the casing.

[0006] Against this background, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved household appliance.

[0007] According to the invention, a household appliance is proposed with at least one user interface for input and output of information and an edge, wherein the at least one user interface extends partially or completely around the edge.

[0008] At least one user interface can extend over or under the edge. A user interface that wraps around the edge in one way or another eliminates the door's position as an influencing factor, making it readable and operable from both the front and above.

[0009] Furthermore, a user interface extending around the edge can replace two flat user interfaces located opposite each other at the edge, thus reducing the number of parts and the assembly effort accordingly.

[0010] The household appliance could be, for example, an oven, a stove, a steam cooker, a microwave, a refrigerator, a freezer, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a tumble dryer or the like, in particular a dishwasher (household dishwasher).

[0011] In this context, a user interface is a device through which a user interacts with a machine. The user interface can, for example, display information visually to the user and allow the user to manually input information – via function keys or similar means. For this purpose, the user interface can be linked to a control unit of the household appliance via signal processing. The control unit may contain a microprocessor.

[0012] The edge is a line or area where two surfaces belonging to the same household appliance meet at an angle, preferably at a right angle. Extending the user interface around the edge results in a curved area. For example, this area can describe an arc of up to 90° where surfaces meet at right angles. The edge can, in particular, be an imaginary edge extending from a broken edge of the household appliance. The edge can have a radius of, for example, 0–20 mm, preferably 2–10 mm.

[0013] In general, the notion that the "user interface extends partially or completely around the edge" preferably includes two cases: The user interface extends outside around the (imaginary) edge or the user interface extends inside around the (imaginary) edge.

[0014] “Partially” means that the curved area of ​​the user interface may only cover a portion of the arc that would be the maximum possible due to the angle at which the surfaces meet, and thus the user interface only partially covers the edge.

[0015] “Complete” means that the curved area of ​​the user interface encompasses the entire arc, thus the user interface covers the entire edge.

[0016] According to the invention, the at least one user interface has a first surface and a second surface, each for input and output of information, wherein the first surface points in at least a first spatial direction and the second surface points in at least a second spatial direction, and wherein the first and second spatial directions are different.

[0017] Preferably, the angle between the first spatial direction and the second spatial direction includes an angle of 45° or 90°; alternatively, the angle can be adapted to the respective design requirements.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the first spatial direction and the second spatial direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0019] For example, a right angle corresponds to the conventional installation situation in which the different surfaces of a household appliance meet at a 90° angle.

[0020] According to the invention, the household appliance comprises a door having an edge.

[0021] The edge around which the user interface extends, at least in part, can be an edge of the door. The aforementioned advantages of the user interface are particularly evident with those edges that move towards the user when the door is opened. The outer edge of the door that forms the outer boundary of the upper narrow side of the door, or that is furthest from a pivot axis around which the door can swing, is especially suitable.

[0022] According to the invention, when the door is closed, the first surface of the at least one user interface faces upwards and the second surface of the at least one user interface faces forwards.

[0023] For doors whose pivot axis is located at a lower end, the edge is preferably a front upper outer edge of the door. The user interface then preferably extends – at least partially – around this edge, and its first surface accordingly faces upwards, while the second surface faces forwards.

[0024] “Front” means moving towards an operator facing the household appliance in the opposite direction of depth, and “top” means moving towards a greater height.

[0025] According to another embodiment, at least one user interface includes a screen for displaying information.

[0026] A screen is an electrically controlled display used to visualize changing information such as images or characters. Screens are primarily manufactured using thin-film transistor (TFT) or light-emitting diode (LED) technologies, but organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology is also conceivable.

[0027] Preferred information displays include fault indicators, time displays, program displays, program progress displays, and the like. Depending on the available screen space, the displayed information may be abstracted or reduced.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the at least one user interface includes a touch-sensitive surface for inputting information.

[0029] In particular, touch-sensitive surfaces that function without special styluses should be provided. These can optionally be based on resistive or capacitive technologies.

[0030] Capacitive surfaces are preferably used, as they do not specify a preferred direction for actuation and, in addition to simple point touches, also allow multi-finger gesture recognition (multi-touch).

[0031] According to another embodiment, at least one user interface is a touchscreen for input and output of information.

[0032] Touch-sensitive surfaces can be provided independently, i.e. as a pure touch solution, or as a screen with separate touch points, or preferably as a combination of screen and touch-sensitive surface (touchscreen).

[0033] According to another embodiment, the household appliance includes a control unit which is configured to display the same information on the first and second surfaces of the at least one user interface.

[0034] A control unit is a device that receives input signals from sensors in its environment, processes these signals, and generates and outputs control signals for actuators in its environment. Sensors can be, for example, the touch-sensitive surfaces described above. Actuators can be, for example, one or more pumps in a dishwasher. The control unit can include a microprocessor and memory for operating programs, especially wash programs.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the household appliance includes at least one further user interface for input and output of information, which is arranged adjacent to the at least one user interface.

[0036] The additional user interface may be provided, for example, for reasons of availability, such as when a sufficiently large user interface is not available at a low cost, or for design reasons in addition to at least one user interface.

[0037] "Adjacent" means located nearby and preferably encompasses distances between 0 and 20 mm. Adjacent elements can therefore be directly adjacent to each other, but do not have to be. Preferably, the additional user interface is positioned so that it is aligned with the user interface in one width direction. Optionally, the two user interfaces are located in close proximity to each other, enabling visual outputs that extend across both user interfaces, thus creating a unified screen area.

[0038] According to another embodiment, at least one additional user interface is arranged in an upper narrow side of the door.

[0039] If the user interface extends at least over the upper front outer edge of the door when the door is closed, and the additional user interface is provided in the upper narrow side of the door in such a way that it continues the user interface there visually and / or logically, then, for example, at least basic user input and / or output is possible via the user interface during the operation of the household appliance, and more detailed user input and output is possible via the additional user interface during periods of inactivity.

[0040] According to a further embodiment, the household appliance comprises a first surface and a second surface which are connected to each other via the edge, wherein the at least one user interface extends continuously from the first surface to the second surface.

[0041] This embodiment makes it possible to provide one-piece user interfaces that extend continuously from the first surface over the edge into the second surface.

[0042] The first surface of the household appliance points in a first spatial direction and the second surface of the household appliance points in a second spatial direction, which is preferably perpendicular to the first spatial direction.

[0043] According to another embodiment, at least one user interface is integrated into a control panel of the household appliance.

[0044] With the door closed, the control panel preferably extends perpendicular to the depth of the appliance and typically has a rectangular shape with narrow sides. It serves, in particular, to accommodate operating and display elements such as touch-sensitive surfaces and / or screens. Therefore, the edge around which the user interface extends partially or completely can also be an edge (especially an imaginary edge extending from a broken edge of the control panel) of the control panel itself.

[0045] According to another embodiment, the control panel has a viewing window behind which at least one user interface is arranged.

[0046] For various reasons, the user interface may be positioned a short distance behind the control panel. These reasons include, in particular, protection from environmental influences, impact resistance requirements, or the sensitivity of the underlying technology of the touch-sensitive surface. Therefore, the user interface is preferably positioned behind a viewing window of the control panel and centered so precisely that the adhesive surfaces and frame of the user interface are as inconspicuous as possible to the user.

[0047] Other possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

[0048] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance; Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a user interface; Fig. Figures 3A - 3E show sectional views of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 as well as a second, third, fourth and fifth embodiment of the user interface; Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the user interface; Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a control panel; Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a control panel with a viewing window for the user interface; and Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an operating system of the household appliance.

[0049] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise indicated.

[0050] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher.

[0051] Dishwasher 1 has a body comprising a wash tub 2 and a door 3. The wash tub 2 and the door 3 can form a wash chamber 4 for washing dishes. The door 3 is in Fig. 1 is shown in its open position. By pivoting about a pivot axis provided at one lower end of the door 3, the door 3 can be closed or opened.

[0052] The washing container 2, for example, is cuboid in shape and can comprise a base 5, a top 6 opposite the base 5, a back wall 7 opposite the door 3, and two opposing side walls 8, 9. In particular, the side walls 8, 9 can be made of stainless steel sheet.

[0053] The dishwasher 1 further comprises at least one loading level 10. This loading level 10 is preferably a dishwashing basket of the dishwasher 1. In particular, several loading levels 10 can be provided, which may include a lower basket, an upper basket, and / or a cutlery drawer. The several loading levels 10 are preferably arranged one above the other in the wash tub 2. Each loading level 10 can be selectively moved either in an insertion direction E into the wash tub 2 or in an extension direction A out of it. For this purpose, a rail 11 is preferably provided on both sides of each loading level 10.

[0054] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a user interface 13.

[0055] Door 3 can be seen. Fig. 1 with a door leaf extending in the XZ plane (main extension plane) perpendicular to a depth direction Y of the household appliance 1. Regarding the exemplary household dishwasher 1 made of Fig. 1. This is the case when door 3 is closed.

[0056] The door 3, or door leaf, has an upper narrow side 3a and an end face 3b. At the joint of the upper narrow side 3a and the end face 3b, an edge 14 is formed, which in an area of ​​a possible interruption - for example due to a corresponding recess (see figure). Fig. 5) - can be continued by an imaginary edge 14'.

[0057] A user interface 13, which could be a touchscreen, for example, extends completely around the edge 14, 14', forming a first surface 15 and a second surface 16. The first surface 15 is curved in an arc, and the second surface 16 is flat. The first surface 15 is intended for user interaction facing forward and upward, and its surface normals can, due to the curvature of the first surface 15, form an angle between 0° and 90° with the XZ-plane of the door 3. The second surface 16 is intended for user interaction facing forward; that is, all surface normals of the second surface 16 form an angle of 90° with the XZ-plane of the door 3.

[0058] The first and second surfaces 15, 16 of the user interface 13 are configured for input and output of information. For this purpose, the user interface 13 can, for example, be designed as a single touchscreen comprising surfaces 15, 16. Display and control elements 13a, 13b can be shown in surfaces 15, 16, which, for example, display the remaining wash time, the current wash program, and a start / stop button. The latter can be used to generate an input signal for a control unit of the dishwasher that is not shown.

[0059] Alternatively, the user interface 13 encompassing the first and second surfaces 15, 16 could be designed only as a screen for outputting information or only as a touch-sensitive surface for inputting information.

[0060] Fig. Figures 3A - 3E show sectional views of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 as well as a second, third, fourth and fifth embodiment of the user interface 13. All sectional views show a vertical section along a high central axis of the household appliance 1 through the door 3 with the user interface 13.

[0061] In Fig. 3A is the sectional view of the first embodiment of the user interface 13. Fig. 2 shown, the first surface 15 of which extends completely over the edge 14, 14' from the front face 3b to the upper narrow side 3a and the second surface 16 of which is provided on and parallel to the front face 3b of the door 3.

[0062] In Fig. Figure 3B shows the second embodiment of the user interface 13, which additionally features a third surface 17 for inputting and / or outputting information. The third surface 17 is flat and extends along and parallel to the narrow side 3a. In this case, the user interface 13, which is formed, for example, as a one-piece touchscreen, also features the third surface 17.

[0063] Fig. Figure 3C shows in a sectional view the third embodiment of the user interface 13, wherein the first surface 15 of the same is provided on the edge 14, 14' and the second surface 16 on the upper narrow side 3a and parallel to it.

[0064] Fig. In a fourth embodiment, 3D shows a user interface 13 or first surface 15 that extends only partially around the edge 14, 14', but which is otherwise identical to the one in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3A trained.

[0065] Fig. 3E shows in a fifth embodiment a user interface 13 which extends completely (in other embodiments only partially) and exclusively around the edge 14, 14' and forms the (first) surface 15.

[0066] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the user interface 14.

[0067] When compared with the first embodiment from Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3A shows that the fourth embodiment also has a further user interface 13', which is embedded in the upper narrow side 3a of the door 3 and also serves for the input and output of information. The further user interface 13' is aligned with the user interface 13 in a width direction X and adjoins it in a depth direction Y.

[0068] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a control panel 18 of the household appliance 1.

[0069] The household appliance 1, more precisely its control panel 18, has a first surface 19 and a second surface 20, which meet at the edge 14. The edge 14, 14', around which the user interface 13 extends, is therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, part of the control panel 18.

[0070] The in Fig. The control panel 18 shown in section 5 allows the user interface 13 to be configured according to the first embodiment (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3a) to enclose and hold.

[0071] Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the control panel 18 with a viewing window 21 for the user interface 13 that is only indicated. The user interface 13 is arranged behind the viewing window 21 in the depth direction.

[0072] Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an operating system of the household appliance 1.

[0073] Included are a control unit 22 and the user interface 13, which can in turn be subdivided into the first surface 15 and the second surface 16 (and / or the third surface 17 in an embodiment not shown). The two surfaces 15, 16 each have a touch-sensitive surface 23, a screen 24, or a touchscreen integrating these functions. The arrows between the function blocks in the upper and lower halves of the Fig. 7 represent the respective input and output signals between the user interface 13 and the control unit 22. The control unit 22 is preferably configured to display the same information on screen 23 and screen 24.

[0074] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. Reference symbols used: 1 household appliance 2 washing containers 3 Door 3a upper narrow side 3b Front 4 wash chambers 5 Floor 6 Ceiling 7 Back panel 8 side wall 9 side wall 10 Loading level 11 rail 13 User interface 13' additional user interface 13a Display and / or control elements 13b Display and / or control elements 14 edge 14' imaginary edge 15 first area of ​​the user interface 16 second area of ​​the user interface 17 third area of ​​the user interface 18 Control panel 19 first surface of the household appliance 20 second surface of the household appliance 21 viewing windows 22 Control unit 23 Touch-sensitive area 24-inch screen E Insertion direction A Extraction direction X Latitude direction Y Depth direction Z Altitude direction

Claims

[1] Household appliance (1) with at least one user interface (13) for input and output of information and a door (3) which has an edge (14, 14'), wherein the at least one user interface (13) extends partially or completely around the edge (14, 14'), wherein the at least one user interface (13) has a first surface (15) and a second surface (16), wherein the first surface (15) points in at least a first spatial direction and the second surface (16) points in at least a second spatial direction, and wherein the first and second spatial directions are different, and wherein, when the door (3) is closed, the first surface (15) of the at least one user interface (13) points upwards and the second surface (16) of the at least one user interface (13) points forwards, characterized by , that the first surface (15) and the second surface (16) of the at least one user interface (13) each serve for the input and output of information. [2] Household appliance according to claim 1, characterized by , that the first spatial direction and the second spatial direction are orthogonal to each other. [3] Household appliance according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one user interface (13) is a screen (24) for displaying information. [4] Household appliance according to one of claims 1-3, characterized by , that at least one user interface (13) is a touch-sensitive surface (23) for inputting information. [5] Household appliance according to one of claims 1-4, characterized by , that at least one user interface (13) is a touchscreen for input and output of information. [6] Household appliance according to one of claims 1-5, characterized by a control device (22) which is configured to display the same information on the first and second surfaces (15, 16) of the at least one user interface (13). [7] Household appliance according to one of claims 1-6, characterized by at least one further user interface (13') for input and output of information, which is located adjacent to the at least one user interface (13). [8] Household appliance according to claim 7, characterized by , that at least one further user interface (13') is arranged in an upper narrow side (3a) of the door (3). [9] Household appliance according to one of claims 1-8, characterized by a first surface (3a, 19) and a second surface (3b, 20) which are connected to each other via the edge (14, 14'), wherein the at least one user interface (13) extends continuously from the first surface (3a, 19) to the second surface (3b, 20). [10] Household appliance according to one of claims 1-9, characterized by , that at least one user interface (13) is integrated into a control panel (18) of the household appliance (1). [11] Household appliance according to claim 10, characterized by, that the control panel (18) has a viewing window (21) behind which at least one user interface (13) is arranged.

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