Display and operating devices and household appliances

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display and operating device (12) for a household appliance (1), comprising a display device (19), an at least partially transparent front window (13) covering the display device (19), and an optically transparent adhesive (23) which fills an intermediate space (22) arranged between the front window (13) and the display device (19).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a display and operating device for a domestic appliance and a domestic appliance having such a display and operating device. Background Art

[0002] A so-called operating panel for a household appliance, such as an oven, can comprise a front pane that is at least partially transparent and a cover carrier that carries the front pane. A touch sensor and a display device, such as a TFT display, can be arranged on the rear side of the front pane.

[0003] EP 2 851 620 A1 shows an operating panel as mentioned above, in which a display device in the form of a TFT display is connected to a cover carrier in a form-fitting manner by means of a frame. Here, the display device is arranged behind a front pane bonded to the cover carrier. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved display and operating device for a domestic appliance.

[0005] Accordingly, a display and operating device for a household appliance is proposed, comprising a display device, a transparent front pane covering the display device and at least partially covering the display device, and an optically transparent adhesive that fills a space between the front pane and the display device.

[0006] By filling the intermediate space with an optically transparent adhesive, dirt particles can be prevented from entering the intermediate space, compared to display and operating devices in which the intermediate space is filled with air. At the same time, the color rendering and contrast of the display device can be improved compared to intermediate spaces filled with air.

[0007] The display device can be a so-called TFT display (Thin Film Transistor). It can also be a light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or the like. The front window is preferably a glass pane. However, it can also be made of a transparent plastic material. For example, it can be made of polystyrene (PS) or polycarbonate (PC). The front window forms the user interface of the display and operating device. The front window has a front side facing the user and a rear side facing away from the user. The display device is located on the rear side. The front window can be completely transparent. It can also be partially opaque and have only a transparent section behind which the display device is located. The transparent section can be square, rectangular, or circular. The display device can be bonded to the rear side of the front window using an optically transparent adhesive. In this case, the optically transparent adhesive completely fills the interspace. That is to say, the optically transparent adhesive bonds the front window panel to the display device. However, other components, such as a contact sensor, can also be arranged in the intermediate space. In this case, the optically transparent adhesive only partially fills the intermediate space.

[0008] Optically transparent adhesive is transparent, allowing the display device to be seen through it. The optically transparent adhesive has a refractive index that matches that of the front window to prevent light refraction and reflection. In particular, the optically transparent adhesive has the same refractive index as the front window. Optically transparent adhesive can also be referred to as Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA). Optically transparent adhesive can cover or obscure an area larger than the aforementioned transparent section of the front window. The front window "covering" the display device means that the display device is positioned behind the front window or on the rear side of the front window. In particular, the display and operating device is assigned a coordinate system having an x-direction or width, a y-direction or vertical direction, and a z-direction or depth direction. Viewed in the depth direction, the display device is positioned next to or behind the front window. The intervening space can also be referred to as a gap.

[0009] The display and operating device can be referred to as an operating panel or a display and / or operating panel. The household appliance can be operated using the display and operating device. For example, the temperature inside the cooking space of the household appliance can be set using the display and operating device, or a program stored on the display and operating device, such as a baking program, can be selected and started. Furthermore, the display and operating device is also suitable for displaying the operating status of the household appliance. For example, the temperature inside the cooking space or the progress of the aforementioned baking program can be displayed using the display and operating device.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the display and operating device further comprises a touch sensor, which is arranged in the intermediate space, wherein the touch sensor is adhesively bonded to the front pane, and wherein an optically transparent adhesive is arranged between the touch sensor and the display device.

[0011] The contact sensor is optional. If a contact sensor is not provided, the optically transparent adhesive, as mentioned above, fills the entire intermediate space between the front window and the display device, thereby bonding the display device to the front window. If a contact sensor is not provided, any other sensor capable of detecting user contact with the front window can be provided. If a contact sensor is provided, it is arranged between the display device and the front window. Here, the contact sensor is bonded to the rear side of the front window. The contact sensor is in turn bonded to the display device using an optically transparent adhesive. The contact sensor is, in particular, a so-called touch sensor. The contact sensor is in the form of a foil and transparent, allowing the display device to be viewed through it.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the optically clear adhesive is a gel.

[0013] This means that the optically transparent adhesive can be used in a pre-cured state in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape. This simplifies the handling of the optically transparent adhesive. Alternatively, the optically transparent adhesive can also be used as a liquid.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the optically clear adhesive is silicone-based or acrylate-based.

[0015] However, any other material can be used for the optically transparent adhesive. The display device and the front window panel are optically bonded by means of the optically transparent adhesive.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the optically transparent adhesive is elastically deformable.

[0017] This allows the display device to be supported in a shock-absorbing and crash-decoupled manner. Furthermore, thermal deformations of the component can be compensated. "Elastically" should be understood to mean that the optically transparent adhesive can be brought from a non-deformed state to a deformed state by the application of force. Once the force is no longer acting on the optically transparent adhesive, it automatically returns from the deformed state to the non-deformed state. In particular, the optically transparent adhesive can be elastically deformed.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the display and operating device further comprises a cover carrier which is connected to the front pane.

[0019] The cover carrier is preferably a bent sheet metal component. It forms the mechanical interface between the display and operating device and the household appliance. In particular, the cover carrier is adhesively bonded to the front window. For this purpose, an adhesive in the form of a double-sided adhesive tape or a liquid adhesive can be used.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the display and operating device further comprises a support element which supports the display device relative to the cover carrier.

[0021] The support element is preferably L-shaped in cross section and comprises a long arm connected to the display device and a short arm connected to the cover carrier. For example, the support element is glued, screwed or simply supported on the cover carrier.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the support element is adhesively bonded to the display device.

[0023] In particular, the long arm of the support element is adhesively bonded to the display device at the rear.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the support element consists of quartz glass, ceramic or filled plastic.

[0025] By using a material with very low thermal expansion for the support element, forces acting on the display device due to heat-related deformation of the support element are avoided. The plastic can be filled, for example, with stone powder or the like. For example, the support element can be made of filled acrylic butadiene styrene (ABS), filled polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or another suitable plastic.

[0026] Furthermore, a domestic appliance having such a display and operating device is proposed.

[0027] The household appliance can be any household appliance, such as, for example, a household stove, a household oven, a household microwave combination oven, a household microwave appliance, a household refrigerator, a household washing machine, a household washer-dryer, a household dishwasher, a household fully automatic coffee machine, a household multi-purpose kitchen appliance, or the like. The household appliance can be operated and its operating status can be displayed by means of the display and operating device.

[0028] Other possible implementations of the display and operating device and / or household appliance also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with respect to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. Those skilled in the art will also add various aspects as improvements or supplements to the corresponding basic form of the display and operating device and / or household appliance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the display and operating device and / or household appliance are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the display and operating device and / or household appliance described below. Furthermore, the display and operating device and / or household appliance is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, based on preferred embodiments. In particular:

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 Shown for following Figure 1 A schematic exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a display and operating device for a household appliance;

[0032] Figure 3 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 A strongly enlarged schematic partial sectional view of a display and operating device;

[0033] Figure 4 Shown in accordance with Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of a display and operating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Unless otherwise indicated, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0035] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance 1 is shown. The household appliance 1 can be an oven, a microwave combination oven, a double oven, a microwave oven, a refrigerator, a fully automatic coffee machine, a warming drawer, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, or the like. However, it will be assumed below that the household appliance 1 is a household cooking appliance, such as an oven.

[0036] The domestic appliance 1 has a cooking space 2 which can be closed by means of a door 3. The cooking space 2 can also be called a muffle or oven muffle. The cooking space 2 can be arranged in the interior of the housing of the domestic appliance 1. Figure 1 The door 3 is shown in the closed position. It can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis provided at the lower end or lower edge 4 of the door 3. Alternatively, the door 3 can abut laterally against the cooking space 2. Furthermore, the door 3 can be arranged on a toasting tray that can be pulled out of the cooking space 2.

[0037] A handle 6 can be provided on the upper section or upper edge 5 of the door 3. The cooking space 2 has a bottom 7, a top panel 8 arranged opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3, and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite each other. The cooking space 2 is preferably cuboid or cube-shaped. The cooking space 2 can be made of a metal material, in particular, sheet steel.

[0038] The household appliance 1 also includes an operating panel, a display, and / or an operating panel, or a display and operating device 12. The display and operating device 12 allows the household appliance 1 to be operated. For example, the display and operating device 12 can be used to set the temperature inside the cooking space 2 or to select and start a program stored in the display and operating device 12, such as a baking program. The display and operating device 12 is also suitable for displaying the operating status of the household appliance 1. For example, the display and operating device 12 can be used to display the temperature inside the cooking space 2 or the progress of the aforementioned baking program.

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the aforementioned display and operating device 12 for a domestic appliance 1 is shown. Figure 3 A greatly enlarged partial sectional view of the display and operating device 12 is shown. Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of the display and operating device 12 is shown. Figures 2 to 4 .

[0040] The display and operating device 12 is assigned a coordinate system having an x-direction or width direction x, a y-direction or vertical direction y, and a z-direction or depth direction z. The directions x, y, z are oriented perpendicularly to one another.

[0041] The display and operating device 12 includes a front panel 13. The front panel 13 is made of glass. The front panel 13 lies in a plane defined by the width direction x and the vertical direction y. The front panel 13 is transparent at least in sections. For example, the front panel 13 may have a transparent area 14 and be opaque otherwise. Alternatively, the front panel 13 may be completely transparent. The front panel 13 forms an interface with respect to the user. In other words, the user can see the front panel 13 to read information and can touch the front panel 13 to, for example, select and start a program.

[0042] The front window panel 13 includes a front side 15 ( Figure 3 ) and a rear side 16 facing away from the user. The front window panel 13 can have a thickness of, for example, 4 mm. The front window panel 13 is supported by a cover panel carrier 17. To this end, the front window panel 13 is bonded to the cover panel carrier 17 with the aid of an adhesive 18. In particular, the adhesive 18 is applied to the rear side 16 of the front window panel 13. The adhesive 18 is preferably a double-sided adhesive tape. This makes it easier to apply the adhesive 18. The adhesive 18 has a frame-like geometry. The cover panel carrier 17 is a bent plate component. The cover panel carrier 17 is firmly connected to the household appliance 1. The cover panel carrier 17 forms the mechanical interface between the display and operating device 12 and the household appliance 1.

[0043] A display device 19 is mounted on the rear side of the front window 13. The display device 19 is, for example, a TFT display. "TFT" stands for "Thin Film Transistor" here. The display device 19 can be used to display, for example, the operating state of the household appliance 1. The display device 19 comprises a front side 20 ( Figure 3 ) and a rear side 21 facing away from the rear side 16 of the front window 13. A gap or intermediate space 22 is provided between the front window 13 and the display device 19, in particular between the rear side 16 of the front window 13 and the front side 20 of the display device 19. The intermediate space 22 can have an extension of 0.1 to 2 mm, for example, in the depth direction z.

[0044] The intermediate space 22 can be filled with an optically clear adhesive 23 (OCA) such that the OCA connects the rear side 16 of the front window 13 to the front side 20 of the display device 19 . In other words, the display device 19 is bonded to the front window 13 by means of the OCA 23 . This results in an optical pressure-bonding of the front window 13 and the display device 19 . The OCA 23 can be silicone, acrylate, or the like. The OCA 23 is transparent, allowing the display device 19 to be viewed through the front window 13 and the OCA 23 . The OCA 23 has a layer thickness of 0.1 to 1.5 mm, in particular 0.8 mm.

[0045] An optional contact sensor 24 can also be arranged in the intermediate space 22. The contact sensor 24 can be a so-called touch sensor. The contact sensor 24 is in the form of a foil and is adhesively bonded to the rear side 16 of the front window 13. The contact sensor 24 is also transparent. When the contact sensor 24 is arranged in the intermediate space 22, it is adhesively bonded to the rear side 16 of the front window 13 as previously mentioned, and an optically transparent adhesive 23 bonds the contact sensor 24 to the front side 20 of the display device 19.

[0046] In the case where no contact sensor 24 is provided, the intermediate space 22 is completely filled with the optically transparent adhesive 23. In this case, any other sensor can be provided which is suitable for detecting a touch of the front pane 13 by a user.

[0047] The optically transparent adhesive 23 can be, for example, a gel. In this case, the optically transparent adhesive 23 can be bonded to the front window pane 13 or the contact sensor 24 similarly to a double-sided adhesive tape. Furthermore, the display device 19 is pressed onto the optically transparent adhesive 23 and thereby connected thereto. This simplifies the application of the optically transparent adhesive 23. However, the optically transparent adhesive 23 can also be introduced into the intermediate space 22 as a liquid and cured and / or crosslinked there. In other words, the optically transparent adhesive 23 can be dispensed either in liquid form or applied pre-cured as a gel in different sizes adapted to the display device 19.

[0048] The optically transparent adhesive 23 is elastically, particularly resiliently, deformable. "Elastically" here means that the optically transparent adhesive 23 can be brought from a non-deformed state to a deformed state by the application of force. Once the force is no longer acting on the optically transparent adhesive 23, it automatically returns from the deformed state to the non-deformed state. This allows for damped support of the display device 19, for example, so that vibrations of the household appliance 1, such as those of the appliance's fan, are not transmitted to the display device 19. This increases the lifespan of the display device 19.

[0049] The joining process for connecting the display device 19 to the front window 13 or the contact sensor 24 can be carried out in a clean room to avoid contamination by particles or the like. In particular, the assembly comprising the front window 13, the contact sensor 24, the optically transparent adhesive 23, and the display device 19 can be joined in a special vacuum pressing system to prevent the formation of air bubbles between the front window 13 and the optically transparent adhesive 23, or between the contact sensor 24 and the optically transparent adhesive, and between the optically transparent adhesive 23 and the display device 19. As an additional option, the adhesion properties of the joining partners can be improved by means of the aforementioned surface activation, for example, by means of UV light, plasma treatment, or the like. After the display device 19 is mounted on the front window 13, the cover carrier 17 is bonded to the front window 13 by means of the adhesive 18.

[0050] Using optically transparent adhesive 23 as a pre-cured gel eliminates the need for complex dispensing and joining equipment. The gel is first applied to the front window 13 or to the contact sensor 24 mounted thereon, like double-sided adhesive tape, and the display 19 is subsequently applied to the rear side of the optically transparent adhesive 23 facing away from the front window 13. The reverse process is also possible. The optically transparent adhesive 23, in the form of a silicone-based gel, then cures, though not completely. As mentioned above, the optically transparent adhesive 23 remains flexible and can thus cushion impacts without introducing stress into the display 19, which could, for example, cause mura effects on the display 19. Large sections of gel can be used for multiple display devices 19, or appropriately cut portions of the optically transparent adhesive 23 can be used for each display device 19. The gel in the form of the optically transparent adhesive 23 can loosen again within the first few hours after assembly. Thus, the display device 19 and the front pane 13 can be reused and re-crimped after cleaning them.

[0051] By filling the intermediate space 22 with an optically transparent adhesive 23, which preferably has the same refractive index as the front pane 13, reflections are reduced compared to an intermediate space filled with air (not shown). This results in a so-called black panel effect. This improves the contrast and color rendering of the display device 19. At the same time, the intermediate space 22 is sealed against external influences and secures the display device 19 without introducing additional forces into the connection between the front pane 13 and the cover carrier 17.

[0052] The display and operating device 12 further comprises Figure 4 , which supports the display device 19 relative to the cover carrier 17. The support element 25 is L-shaped in cross section and comprises a long arm 26 and a short arm 27. The arms 26, 27 are positioned perpendicular to one another. The long arm 26 can be adhesively bonded to the rear side 21 of the display device 19. The short arm 27 is connected to a plate-shaped lower section 28 of the cover carrier 17, for example, by adhesive bonding thereto.

[0053] The support element 25 significantly reduces the risk of sagging of the display device 19 and the individual layers of the display device 19 (from which the display device 19 is constructed) throughout the life of the household appliance 1. By bonding the support element 25 to the rear side 21 of the display device 19, the position of the display device 19 can be fixed independently of the tolerances of the individual components. The support element 25 permanently secures the display device 19 in its position. To prevent forces caused by thermal expansion of the support element 25, the support element 25 itself is made of a material with very low thermal expansion. For example, the support element 25 can be made of quartz glass, ceramic, or a highly filled plastic. The plastic can be filled, for example, with stone powder or the like. For example, filled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is used as the material for the support element 25.

[0054] The application of the support element 25 after the adhesive bonding of the display device 19 to the front window pane 13 and the adhesive bonding of the front window pane 13 to the cover carrier 17 decouples the process of mounting the support element 25 from the joint tolerances of the aforementioned assembly steps. Variants of the support element 25 can be used for different display devices 19, since the position of the adhesive bonding of the support element 25 to the display device 19 from behind is flexible.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the present invention can be modified in various ways.

[0056] List of reference numerals:

[0057] 1 Household appliances

[0058] 2 cooking spaces

[0059] 3 doors

[0060] 4 Bottom edge

[0061] 5 Top edge

[0062] 6 handles

[0063] 7 Bottom

[0064] 8 Top Plate

[0065] 9 Posterior wall

[0066] 10 Sidewall

[0067] 11 Sidewall

[0068] 12 Display and operating equipment

[0069] 13 front window panel

[0070] 14 regions

[0071] 15 front

[0072] 16 rear side

[0073] 17 Cover carrier

[0074] 18 Adhesive

[0075] 19 Display device

[0076] 20 front side

[0077] 21 rear side

[0078] 22 In-between Space

[0079] 23 Adhesive

[0080] 24 contact sensors

[0081] 25 Support elements

[0082] 26 Arm

[0083] 27 Arm

[0084] 28 sections

[0085] x width direction

[0086] y vertical direction

[0087] z Depth direction.

Claims

1. A display and operating device (12) for a household appliance (1), comprising: a display device (19); a front window pane (13) which is transparent at least in sections and covers the display device (19); an optically transparent adhesive (23) for filling an intermediate space (22) between the front window panel (13) and the display device (19); a cover plate carrier (17), the cover plate carrier being connected to the front window panel (13); and A support element (25) supports the display device (19) relative to the cover carrier (17), wherein the support element (25) is L-shaped in cross section and comprises a long arm connected to the display device (19) and a short arm connected to the cover carrier (17).

2. The display and operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a touch sensor (24) which is arranged in the intermediate space (22), wherein: The contact sensor (24) is bonded to the front window panel (13), and wherein the optically transparent adhesive (23) is arranged between the contact sensor (24) and the display device (19).

3. The display and operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The optically transparent adhesive (23) is a gel.

4. The display and operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The optically clear adhesive (23) is silicone-based or acrylate-based.

5. The display and operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The optically transparent adhesive (23) is elastically deformable.

6. The display and operation device according to claim 1, characterized in that The supporting element (25) is bonded to the display device (19).

7. The display and operating device according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: The support element (25) is made of quartz glass, ceramic or filled plastic.

8. Household appliance (1) having a display and operating device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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