Kitchen appliance and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a kitchen appliance and a control method thereof. The kitchen appliance comprises a machine body; the touch device is arranged on the machine body; the touch device includes: a control unit; the touch operation panel is provided with a touch sensing area; the touch sensing module is attached to the touch operation panel; the function selection display module is a display panel which extends outwards from the touch control operation panel and forms an included angle with the touch control operation panel, the function selection display module is electrically connected with the control unit, and the control unit controls the function selection display module to display corresponding function selection information on the display panel according to a signal transmitted by the touch control induction module; when the touch control device is installed in place on the machine body, the side face, used for displaying information, of the display panel faces forwards. The display panel can be obviously observed, that is, whether the finger accurately falls on the operable touch sensing area or not is more clearly sensed by observing information on the display panel, so that various functions are more accurately controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of kitchen appliances, and in particular, to a kitchen appliance and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Existing kitchen appliances such as range hoods, dishwashers, steam ovens, etc. are all provided with touch control devices for function control and function selection. However, currently most kitchen appliances basically adopt the form of touch buttons + LED backlight indication as the main form of interaction. Specifically, in terms of the structural form of the touch control device, it is a structure of a glass panel + an induction spring + a light-emitting LED. The touch area and the light-emitting display area are on the same plane, or even in the same area. The advantage of such a design is that the operation is relatively intuitive. The touched area is the feedback area where the display changes, and the learning threshold for use is low.

[0003] However, its use in some special product forms will be limited. Take the range hood as an example. The lifting range hood can be lifted into the cabinet when it is turned off, so as to achieve a simpler kitchen decoration effect. It is gradually becoming popular in the market. However, after the lifting range hood is lifted, most of the body is hidden in the cabinet. Therefore, the front operation method of the conventional range hood, such as the touch button on the front of the range hood body and the infrared gesture operation, cannot be used because of the obstruction of the cabinet door. Of course, there are several solutions to this situation: one is to change the general infrared gesture sensor that emits horizontally toward the user to be set at the bottom of the range hood to emit downward toward the countertop, and the range hood can be turned on by waving the palm under the cabinet. Considering the visual obstruction at this position, a gesture switch can be used to identify the user's operation, but the gesture switch is easily affected by light and darkness and the hood is started by mistake. It is difficult to define complex gesture recognition and requires operation keys to assist, which has a high probability of misoperation. Another is the scheme of "Range Hood Control Method and Related Equipment" in the application publication number CN118242682A, which uses a built-in radar sensor to detect the waving operation through the cabinet door, but there is a probability of misidentification between the waving operation of the cabinet door and the operation of opening and closing the cabinet door, which affects the user experience. Another is the scheme in "A Range Hood and Its Control Method" with application number CN202111584929.X, in which the range hood is used to be set in a cabinet, and a pressure vibration recognition device is set at the front of the casing, which is opposite to the cabinet door in a closed state on the cabinet, including a pressure sensor for collecting the pressure signal generated by the user applied to the cabinet door and / or a vibration sensor for the vibration signal generated by the user knocking on the cabinet door. When the user presses the cabinet door and knocks on the cabinet door, the pressure vibration recognition device (including a pressure sensor and a vibration sensor) set at the front of the casing can identify the pressure signal generated by the user pressing the cabinet door and / or the vibration signal generated by knocking on the cabinet door, and the controller can control the range hood to perform corresponding actions through the above-mentioned signals received. However, this type of action of knocking and pressing the cabinet door requires high coordination between the sensor and the cabinet door. Especially after long-term use, the touch operation may fail due to deformation of the cabinet door or other environmental factors.

[0004] Therefore, the touch control devices of existing kitchen appliances need to be further improved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a kitchen appliance that can effectively adapt to the installation environment of the limited space of the kitchen appliance, is convenient for users to operate and can ensure the reliability of touch operation in view of the current status of the existing technology.

[0006] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control method for a kitchen appliance that can effectively improve the accuracy of touch operations of a touch control device in view of the current situation of the prior art.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem is as follows: A kitchen appliance includes:

[0008] A body;

[0009] A touch control device provided on the body and capable of selecting functions of the kitchen appliance by being touched;

[0010] The touch control device includes:

[0011] A control unit;

[0012] A touch operation panel having a touch sensing area;

[0013] A touch sensing module attached to the touch operation panel, and the touch sensing modules are all electrically connected to the control unit;

[0014] A function selection display module, including a display board extending outward from the touch operation panel and arranged at an angle with the touch operation panel, the function selection display module is electrically connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the function selection display module to display corresponding function selection information on the display board according to the signals transmitted by the touch sensing modules;

[0015] In a state where the touch control device is installed in place on the body, the side of the display board for displaying information faces forward.

[0016] The "forward" in the above "the side of the display board for displaying information faces forward" can be understood as facing directly forward, or can be slightly inclined relative to the horizontal direction, such as facing forward and downward, forward and upward, etc.

[0017] As an improvement, the touch control device is installed at the bottom of the body, and the side of the touch operation panel where the touch sensing area is located faces downward. The "downward" in the above "the side of the touch operation panel where the touch sensing area is located faces downward" can mean that the side of the touch operation panel where the touch sensing area is located faces directly downward, or can be slightly inclined relative to the vertical direction, such as facing forward and downward, backward and downward, etc.

[0018] In order to facilitate the user to better identify the function selection information of the kitchen appliance hidden in the cabinet, the body of the kitchen appliance is hidden in the cabinet, and the display board of the touch control device is exposed downward from the bottom of the cabinet door, so that the display board can be observed from front to back.

[0019] The above-mentioned "display board" can adopt a conventional display screen for displaying pattern or text information. The display method can be a flashing method or a continuous display method. However, for cost-saving considerations, in a preferred solution, the display board is a light guide substrate. The light guide substrate has a display surface, and function identifiers are provided on the display surface. The function selection display module further includes a light source. The light source is disposed inside the light guide substrate or on the touch operation board and is electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit controls the light source to turn on or increase the brightness according to the signal transmitted by the touch sensing module, so as to light up the function identifiers on the display surface of the light guide substrate.

[0020] The "light up" in the above-mentioned "light up the function identifiers on the display surface of the light guide substrate" can be understood as follows: the area where the function identifiers on the display surface is initially in a natural shadow state, and at this time the light source is in the off state. After the light source is turned on, the area where the function identifiers on the display surface becomes bright; it can also be understood as: the initial brightness of the area where the function identifiers on the display surface is relatively small, and at this time the light source is in the on state, and then by increasing the brightness, the area where the function identifiers on the display surface becomes brighter.

[0021] Considering the need for multiple or various function selections or function controls of kitchen appliances, for this reason, there are at least two touch sensing modules arranged along a first direction. The touch sensing areas on the touch operation board also have at least two arranged in sequence along the first direction. The function identifiers on the light guide substrate have at least two arranged in sequence along the first direction. Each of the function identifiers on the light guide substrate corresponds to each of the touch sensing areas one by one.

[0022] The touch sensing module can be a resistive touch module, a capacitive touch module, an infrared sensing module, a surface acoustic wave touch module, etc. Preferably, the touch sensing module is a capacitive touch module.

[0023] As an improvement, the capacitive touch module includes a touch sensor and a sensing spring. One end of the sensing spring is electrically connected to the touch sensor, and the other end abuts against the area where the touch sensing area is located on the touch operation board.

[0024] Although through the prompt of the position where the function identifiers on the display board are located, the user can have a general judgment on the position of the touch operation area on the touch operation board. However, since the user cannot observe or cannot clearly observe the accurate position of each touch operation area, the determination logic of the conventional capacitive touch module is difficult to adapt to the above-mentioned touch device, and there are many situations where it cannot be effectively triggered, bringing the user an experience of touch failure. For this reason, the technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem is: a control method for a kitchen appliance, including the following steps:

[0025] After the kitchen appliance is started, the control unit obtains the real-time capacitance signal value V of each touch sensing module x , and then according to the real-time capacitance signal value V x Perform baseline adjustment and update to obtain the corresponding capacitance reference value B x , where x is the serial number of the corresponding touch sensing module;

[0026] After the capacitance baseline of each touch sensing module is adjusted and updated, the control unit obtains the real-time capacitance signal value V of each touch sensing module. x And the most recent capacitance reference value B x Calculate the capacitance signal difference D x , where D x =V x -B x , and then obtain the capacitance signal difference D x and D x The capacitance sensitivity threshold F of the corresponding touch sensing module x The difference between the touch values ​​of the touch sensing areas is used to determine the validity of the touch of each touch sensing area.

[0027] Further improvement, the serial number corresponding to the current touch sensing module is recorded as x, and the serial number corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing module is recorded as x+1, and the capacitance signal difference D is obtained. x and D x The capacitance sensitivity threshold F of the corresponding touch sensing module x The process of judging the touch validity of the current touch sensing area by the difference between the touch values ​​comprises the following steps:

[0028] If D x <0, the touch operation of the touch sensing area corresponding to the current touch sensing module is invalid;

[0029] If D x >F x , then the touch operation of the touch sensing area corresponding to the current touch sensing module is valid, and the kitchen appliance executes the functional action corresponding to the current touch sensing area;

[0030] If F x >D x >K x *F x , and the capacitance signal difference of the touch sensing area corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing modules meets the condition: D x+1 <K x+1 *F x+1 When K is , the touch operation of the touch sensing area corresponding to the current touch sensing module is valid, while the touch operation of the touch sensing area corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing module is invalid. x is the proportional coefficient corresponding to each touch sensing module, Kx+1 <K x <1.

[0031] In order to more effectively remind or prompt the user whether the current touch sensing module is effectively triggered, the following steps are also included: when the touch operation of the touch sensing area corresponding to the touch sensing module is valid, the function logo corresponding to the touch sensing module on the display panel is lit, and the function logos corresponding to other touch sensing modules on the display panel are dimmed.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: the touch operation panel where the touch sensing area of ​​the touch device for kitchen appliances is located is arranged at an angle with the display panel for displaying function selection information. In this way, when the touch sensing area of ​​the touch device is in an area that is not easily visible to the operator, the display panel can be clearly observed, that is, by observing the information on the display panel, it is more clearly perceived whether the finger has accurately landed on the operable touch sensing area, so as to more accurately control various functions, such as machine opening and closing, adjusting wind speed, switching lighting, etc. Through the structural design of this touch device, it can help the main body of the kitchen appliance product to be hidden inside the cabinet, and still be reliably and accurately touch-controlled. In the preferred embodiment, the judgment logic of the trigger validity of the control device is more carefully designed. When the finger accurately touches within the corresponding desired range, the touch sensing area can be accurately triggered, and when the finger touches the boundary area of ​​two adjacent touch sensing areas, the key that is more biased to one side can be identified, which can effectively improve the sensitivity of the touch operation while avoiding the problem of being too easy to be accidentally touched. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a touch control device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the box body and the display panel of the touch control device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention being separated;

[0035] Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a touch device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 It is a right side view of the range hood of Embodiment 1 of the present invention (it is a top suction range hood, hidden in the cabinet);

[0037] Figure 5 It is a front view of another type of range hood according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention (a close-suction range hood);

[0038] Figure 6 It is a right side view of another type of range hood according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a transverse cross-sectional view of the touch control device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0041] In the description and claims of the present invention, terms indicating directions, such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "side", "top", "bottom", etc., are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present invention. However, these terms are used herein only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed by the present invention can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to the directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

[0042] Embodiment 1

[0043] Figures 1-6 A preferred embodiment of the kitchen appliance of the present invention is shown. The kitchen appliance of the present invention can be an electric appliance such as a range hood, a dishwasher, a steam oven, a refrigerator, a kitchen air conditioner, etc. Specifically, in this embodiment, the range hood is taken as an example to illustrate the touch control device for the kitchen appliance. The touch control device for the kitchen appliance includes a box body 10, a control unit, a touch sensing module, and a function selection display module. Components such as the control unit and the touch sensing module are arranged in the box body 10.

[0044] The box body 10 is an overall flat rectangular box body 10, and it can be connected by buckling two half-shells up and down. The control unit includes a control board 13, which is arranged in the box body 10. There is at least one touch sensing module. Considering that there are multiple or various function selections or function controls for the range hood, for this reason, there are two or more touch sensing modules. Each touch sensing module is electrically connected to the control unit. One side wall of the box body 10 serves as a touch operation panel 11. Specifically, there are two or more touch sensing areas 111 on the touch operation panel 11 of the box body 10, and the touch sensing areas 111 correspond to the respective touch sensing modules. The touch sensing modules in the box body 10 are arranged in sequence along the first direction A1, and the touch sensing areas 111 on the touch operation panel 11 of the box body 10 are arranged in sequence along the first direction A1. As Figure 1 shown, the touch sensing areas 111 on the touch operation panel 11 of the box body 10 are shown as dotted circles. In an actual product, the touch sensing areas 111 on the touch operation panel 11 of the box body 10 may not be displayed or may not be clearly recognized.

[0045] The touch sensing module of this embodiment can be a resistive touch module, a capacitive touch module, an infrared sensing module, a surface acoustic wave touch module, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the touch sensing module is a capacitive touch module, which includes a touch sensor (not shown) and a sensing spring 12. One end of the sensing spring 12 is electrically connected to the touch sensor, and the other end abuts against the area where the touch sensing area 111 is located on the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10. The specific structure and working principle of the capacitive touch module are both prior arts and will not be elaborated here.

[0046] The function selection display module of this embodiment includes a display board 2 and a light source 21. The display board 2 is a light guide substrate capable of guiding light. The light guide substrate extends outward from the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10 and is arranged at an angle with the touch operation board 11. The light guide substrate has a display surface 20, on which function identifiers 201 are provided. The number of function identifiers 201 is the same as the number of touch sensing modules. The function identifiers 201 on the light guide substrate are also arranged in sequence along the first direction A1. The positions of the function identifiers 201 on the light guide substrate correspond one-to-one with the positions of the touch sensing modules in the box body 10 (or the touch sensing areas 111 on the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10) in the same plane or in a straight line direction. Specifically for the range hood of this embodiment, the display surface 20 of the light guide substrate faces forward, and the positions of the function identifiers 201 on the light guide substrate correspond one-to-one with the positions of the touch sensing modules in the box body 10 (or the touch sensing areas 111 on the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10) in the front-back direction.

[0047] The light source 21 of this embodiment is integrated on the control board 13 in the box body 10. A light-transmitting hole 110 opposite to the light source 21 is formed on the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10. The light emitted by the light source 21 can be introduced into the light guide substrate through the light-transmitting hole 110. The light source 21 is generally an LED light source 21 and can be arranged on the control board 13 in the form of a plug-in or a patch. In addition, a light-blocking structure such as adding a partition can be added in the box body 10 to control the light angle and direction and improve the display brightness and contrast.

[0048] The above-mentioned light sources 21 are electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit controls the corresponding light source 21 to turn on or increase the brightness according to the signals transmitted by each touch sensing module, so as to light up the corresponding function identifier 201 on the display surface 20 of the light guide substrate.

[0049] The "lighting" in the above "lighting the function identifier 201 on the display surface 20 of the light guide substrate" can be understood as follows: the area where the function identifier 201 is located on the display surface 20 is initially in a natural shadow state, and at this time the light source 21 is in the off state. After the light source 21 is turned on, the area where the function identifier 201 is located on the display surface 20 becomes bright; it can also be understood that: the initial brightness of the area where the function identifier 201 is located on the display surface 20 is relatively small, and at this time the light source 21 is in the on state, and then by increasing the brightness, the area where the function identifier 201 is located on the display surface 20 becomes brighter.

[0050] In order to better facilitate the user to view and identify the function identifier 201, the display surface 20 of the light guide substrate is a plane and is parallel to the first direction A1, wherein the display surface 20 is perpendicular to the touch operation panel 11. In this embodiment, the light guide substrate as a whole is a wedge-shaped structure, that is, the cross-section of the light guide substrate is a right triangle, one right surface of the light guide substrate is attached to and connected with the touch operation panel 11 of the box body 10, and the other right surface serves as the display surface 20. Among them, a coating or a film is provided on the display surface 20, and the portions not covered by the coating or the film form the corresponding function identifiers 201, so as to better adapt to the light source 21 to more prominently highlight or display the function identifier 201. In other embodiments, the display board 2 may also be a flat plate structure with a uniform thickness, and one side surface of the flat plate structure display board 2 can serve as the display surface 20.

[0051] Figure 4 Shows a top-suction range hood with the main body hidden in the cabinet. The range hood includes a casing 3 (that is, the body), and the casing 3 includes a fan frame 31 and a smoke collecting hood 32 provided at the bottom of the fan frame 31. An air inlet is provided at the top of the smoke collecting hood 32. Looking from the front to the back, most or all of the fan frame 31 and the smoke collecting hood 32 of the range hood are blocked by the cabinet door 4 and are not visible. The touch device can be installed on the front side of the bottom of the smoke collecting hood 32 by an embedded installation method. Among them, the touch sensing area 111 of the touch device faces downward, and the display surface 20 of the display board 2 faces forward. And because the display board 2 extends downward from the touch operation panel 11 of the box body 10 of the touch device, so, looking from the front to the back, the display board 2 can expose the bottom of the smoke collecting hood 32 (that is, expose the bottom of the cabinet door 4), and can be conveniently viewed by the operator. During operation, the user can touch the area on the touch operation panel 11 of the box body 10 corresponding to the function identifier 201 on the display board 2 with a finger. After the touch operation is successful, the function identifier 201 on the display board 2 can be lit to prompt the user for feedback. The above structural design enables the user to see the function identifier 201 on the display board 2 when using the range hood directly, regardless of whether the main body of the range hood is hidden in the cabinet. When the user touches the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the function identifier 201, the corresponding function selection information can be displayed to prompt the user that the operation is successful.

[0052] Figure 5 Figure 5 shows a near - suction range hood, which also includes a housing 3. The housing 3 includes a fan frame 31 and a smoke collecting hood 32 provided at the bottom of the fan frame 31. An air inlet is provided at the front of the smoke collecting hood 32, and a deflectable and openable smoke baffle is provided at the air inlet. The front part of the smoke collecting hood 32 also has a convex part 321 (or forehead part) extending forward. If there is a cabinet in the installation environment of the range hood, the forehead part of the front of the smoke collecting hood 32 is also easily blocked. Therefore, a touch device can also be installed at the bottom of the forehead part of the smoke collecting hood 32 by an inlay installation method. Similarly, the touch - sensitive area 111 of the touch device faces downward, and the display surface 20 of the display board 2 faces forward. And since the display board 2 extends downward and outwards from the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10 of the touch device, when looking from the front to the back, the display board 2 can be exposed at the bottom of the cabinet door 4, which can be conveniently viewed by the operator.

[0053]

[0053] The touch operation board 11 where the touch - sensitive area 111 of the touch device in this embodiment is located is arranged at an angle with the display board 2 for displaying function selection information. In this way, when the touch - sensitive area 111 of the touch device is in an area that is not easily visible to the operator, the display board 2 can be clearly observed. That is, by observing the information on the display board 2, it can be more clearly perceived whether the finger accurately lands on the operable touch - sensitive area 111, so as to more accurately control various functions, such as starting and stopping the machine, adjusting the wind speed, turning on and off the lighting, etc. Through the structural design of this touch device, it can help the main body of the kitchen electrical appliance be hidden inside the cabinet, and still be able to perform touch control reliably and accurately.

[0054]

[0054] Although through the prompt of the position where the function identifier 201 on the display board 2 is located, the user can have a general judgment on the position of the touch operation area of the touch operation board, since the user cannot observe or cannot clearly observe the accurate position of each touch operation area, the determination logic of the conventional capacitive touch module is difficult to adapt to the above - mentioned touch device, and there are many situations where it cannot be effectively triggered, bringing the user an experience of touch failure. Therefore, the present invention also relates to a control method for a kitchen electrical appliance, including the following steps:

[0055] After the kitchen electrical appliance is started, the control unit obtains the real - time capacitance signal value V of each touch - sensitive module x and then performs baseline adjustment and update according to the obtained real - time capacitance signal value V x to obtain the corresponding capacitance reference value B x where x is the serial number of the corresponding touch - sensitive module;

[0056] According to the actual circuit characteristics, when a finger touches the key area, the corresponding real-time capacitance signal value may decrease or increase. In this embodiment, the algorithm design is based on the decrease. If it increases, the corresponding opposite processing is adopted, which will not be elaborated here. At the same time, each touch sensing module calculates the reference values B1, B2... Bx based on the corresponding capacitance signal values to realize the adjustment and update of the baseline. Generally speaking, the baseline adjustment and update of the capacitance reference value can be achieved by using the conventional event-triggered update method and difference comparison update method in the prior art. Specifically, the event-triggered update method is divided into touch operation trigger, environmental change trigger, and system state change trigger. Touch operation trigger: When a user's touch operation is detected, during the touch event processing, the baseline is updated according to the touch data. Specifically, when actions such as touch press, movement, or lift occur, the system records the corresponding capacitance change value, and combines it with the current baseline value, and updates the baseline through a certain algorithm to make it closer to the actual capacitance state. Environmental change trigger: When the environment where the capacitive touch controller is located undergoes significant changes, such as a large change in temperature or humidity, or moving from a complex electromagnetic environment area to a relatively pure area, etc., after these changes are detected by the corresponding sensors, the baseline update operation is triggered to ensure that the touch controller can still work accurately in the new environment. System state change trigger: When the system state of the electronic device where the capacitive touch controller is located changes, such as the device wakes up from the sleep state or switches from one working mode to another working mode, etc., it may affect the capacitance characteristics of the touch controller. At this time, the baseline update can be triggered to ensure the stability of the touch performance. The difference comparison update method includes real-time difference update and cumulative difference update. Among them, the real-time difference update is: continuously obtain the difference between the current capacitance sampling value and the current baseline value. When the difference exceeds a certain threshold, the baseline value is immediately corrected to make the baseline value quickly follow the actual change of the capacitance. This method can respond to the sudden change of capacitance in time and effectively avoid touch misjudgment caused by the rapid change of capacitance. The cumulative difference update is: within a certain period of time, accumulate the difference between the capacitance sampling value and the baseline value. When the cumulative difference reaches the preset threshold, the baseline value is updated again. This can smooth the capacitance fluctuation to a certain extent, reduce unnecessary baseline updates caused by frequent small differences, and improve the stability and efficiency of the system. In this embodiment, the reference value B of the same touch sensing module X is obtained as follows:

[0057] After the system is powered on, after a certain delay time and waiting for the power supply to be stable, then read the current real-time V x as the initial reference value, that is, B x =V x ;

[0058] When the corresponding real-time value V X >B X +K 1 *Vnoise , then update the reference value B X =V X , where V noise is the noise fluctuation value of the current system in normal state, K 1 The coefficient is greater than 1;

[0059] When the finger is not touched for a certain period of time T 1 , and B X +V noise >B X >V X -V noise Update the reference value B X =V X ;

[0060] When the finger continues to touch for more than a certain time T 2 , then update the reference value B X =V X .

[0061] The serial number corresponding to the current touch sensing module is recorded as x, and the serial number corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing module is recorded as x+1. After the capacitance baseline of each touch sensing module is adjusted and updated, the control unit obtains the real-time capacitance signal value V of each touch sensing module. x And the most recent capacitance reference value B x Calculate the capacitance signal difference D x , where D x =V x -B x , and then obtain the capacitance signal difference D x and D x The capacitance sensitivity threshold F of the corresponding touch sensing module x The difference between the touch values ​​of the touch sensing areas 111 and the touch validity of the touch sensing areas 111 is determined, wherein the process of determining the touch validity of the current touch sensing area 111 comprises the following steps:

[0062] If D x <0, the touch operation of the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the current touch sensing module is invalid;

[0063] If D x >F x , then the touch operation of the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the current touch sensing module is valid, and the kitchen appliance executes the functional action corresponding to the current touch sensing area 111;

[0064] If F x >D x >K x *F x, and the difference in capacitance signals of the touch sensing areas 111 corresponding to adjacent touch sensing modules satisfies the condition: D x+1 <K x+1 *F x +1, the touch operation on the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the current touch sensing module is valid, while the touch operation on the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing module is invalid, where K x is the proportionality coefficient corresponding to each touch sensing module, K x+1 <K x<1 .

[0065] The above "capacitance sensitivity threshold Fx" can be selected according to actual experiments and test conditions. Specifically, the capacitance change amount can be measured for the module samples under different touch conditions, and the threshold can be determined by analyzing the capacitance change distribution range caused by the touch action. In addition, it is also possible to conduct an operation experience test by users on the product prototype, and adjust the threshold according to user feedback (such as slow touch response or false triggering).

[0066] The above proportionality coefficient K corresponding to each touch sensing module x can also be determined through experimental tests.

[0067] In the above operation steps, when the touch operation on the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the touch sensing module is valid, the function identifier 201 corresponding to the touch sensing module on the display board 2 is lit, and the function identifier 201 corresponding to the touch sensing module on the display board 2 becomes dim. Specifically, refer to Figure 1 , the function identifiers 201 on the display surface 20 of the touch control device correspond to the functions from right to left as follows: power switch, high fan speed, medium fan speed, low fan speed, lighting. When the range hood is powered on, the 5 indicator lights are lit according to brightness 1 to make the 5 function icons visible. When touching the touch sensing area 111 on the corresponding touch control panel, the corresponding function is triggered. For example, when touching the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the rightmost power function, the rightmost power indicator light (light source 21) is lit with brightness 2 to indicate that the power of the whole machine is turned on. At this time, when touching the touch sensing area 111 corresponding to the second rightmost high-speed button, the second rightmost high-speed indicator light (light source 21) is lit with brightness 2, and the fan starts to run at high speed. The same applies to other functions and will not be elaborated.

[0068] Embodiment 2

[0069] Figure 7Another preferred embodiment of the touch control device for kitchen appliances according to the present invention is shown. The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the display surface 20 of the display board 2 of the touch control device faces forward and downward, that is, the included angle between the display surface 20 and the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10 is an obtuse angle. Similarly, the light guide substrate is also a wedge-shaped structure, the cross-section of the light guide substrate is a right triangle, one right surface of the light guide substrate is attached to and connected with the touch operation board 11 of the box body 10, and the inclined surface serves as the display surface 20.

Claims

1. A kitchen appliance, comprising: Body; A touch device is provided on the body and can select functions of the kitchen appliance by being touched; The feature is that the touch control device comprises: Control unit; A touch operation panel (11) having a touch sensing area (111); A touch sensing module, attached to the touch operating panel (11), wherein the touch sensing module is electrically connected to the control unit; A function selection display module, comprising a display panel (2) extending outward from the touch operation panel (11) and arranged at an angle to the touch operation panel (11), wherein the function selection display module is electrically connected to the control unit, and the control unit controls the function selection display module to display corresponding function selection information on the display panel (2) according to a signal transmitted by the touch sensing module; When the touch control device is installed in place on the machine body, the side of the display panel (2) used for displaying information faces forward.

2. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The touch device is mounted on the bottom of the machine body, with the side of the touch sensing area (111) on the touch operation panel (11) facing downward.

3. The kitchen appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that: The body of the kitchen appliance is hidden in a cabinet, and the display panel (2) of the touch control device is exposed downward from the bottom of the cabinet door (4) of the cabinet, so that the display panel (2) can be observed from the front to the back.

4. The kitchen appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The display panel (2) is a light guide substrate, the light guide substrate having a display surface (20), the display surface (20) being provided with a function mark (201), the function selection display module further comprising a light source (21), the light source (21) being provided in the light guide substrate or on the touch operation panel (11), and being electrically connected to the control unit, the control unit controlling the light source (21) to turn on or increase the brightness according to a signal transmitted by the touch sensing module, thereby lighting up the function mark (201) on the display surface (20) of the light guide substrate.

5. The kitchen appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The touch sensing modules have at least two arranged along a first direction (A1), the touch sensing areas (111) on the touch operation panel (11) also have at least two arranged in sequence along the first direction (A1), the function identifiers (201) on the light guide substrate have at least two arranged in sequence along the first direction (A1), and each of the function identifiers (201) on the light guide substrate corresponds one-to-one to each of the touch sensing areas (111).

6. The kitchen appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that: The touch sensing module is a capacitive touch module.

7. The kitchen appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that: The capacitive touch module comprises a touch sensor and a sensing spring (12); one end of the sensing spring (12) is electrically connected to the touch sensor, and the other end of the sensing spring (12) abuts against the area where the touch sensing area (111) on the touch operation panel (11) is located.

8. A control method for a kitchen appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that The following steps are involved: After the kitchen appliance is started, the control unit obtains the real-time capacitance signal value V of each touch sensing module x , and then according to the real-time capacitance signal value V x Perform baseline adjustment and update to obtain the corresponding capacitance reference value B x , where x is the serial number of the corresponding touch sensing module; After the capacitance baseline of each touch sensing module is adjusted and updated, the control unit obtains the real-time capacitance signal value V of each touch sensing module. x And the most recent capacitance reference value B x Calculate the capacitance signal difference D x , where D x =V x -B x , and then obtain the capacitance signal difference D x and D x The capacitance sensitivity threshold F of the corresponding touch sensing module x The difference between the values ​​of the touch detection area (111) and the touch detection area (112) is used to determine the validity of the touch of each touch sensing area (111).

9. The control method of the kitchen appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that: The serial number corresponding to the current touch sensing module is recorded as x, and the serial number corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing module is recorded as x+1. According to the obtained capacitance signal difference D x and D x The capacitance sensitivity threshold F of the corresponding touch sensing module x The process of judging the touch validity of the current touch sensing area (111) by the difference between the touch values ​​comprises the following steps: If D x <0, the touch operation of the touch sensing area (111) corresponding to the current touch sensing module is invalid; If D x >F x , the touch operation of the touch sensing area (111) corresponding to the current touch sensing module is valid, and the kitchen appliance executes the functional action corresponding to the current touch sensing area (111); If F x >D x >K x *F x , and the capacitance signal difference between the touch sensing areas (111) corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing modules satisfies the condition: D x+1 <K x+1 *F x+1 When the touch operation of the touch sensing area (111) corresponding to the current touch sensing module is valid, the touch operation of the touch sensing area (111) corresponding to the adjacent touch sensing module is invalid, wherein K x is the proportional coefficient corresponding to each touch sensing module, K x+1 <K x<1 .

10. The control method of the kitchen appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that: The following steps are also included: When the touch operation of the touch sensing area (111) corresponding to the touch sensing module is valid, the function mark (201) corresponding to the touch sensing module on the display panel (2) is lit, and the function marks (201) corresponding to other touch sensing modules on the display panel (2) are dimmed.

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