Operating system and method for calibrating a control panel as well as a heating or household appliance

Abstract

Heating or household appliance (48) with an operating system (14) comprising an operating unit (10) having a control panel (16) for user inputs, and comprising a capacitive sensor element (12), wherein a cover position of a cover (18) can be determined by the sensor element (12) and the control panel (16) can be calibrated depending on the determined cover position, wherein the cover (18) is provided to at least partially cover the control panel (16) in at least one cover position, wherein the operating unit (10) is mounted in a receptacle (54), and wherein the operating unit (10) is designed to be removable from the heating or household appliance (48) for remote control.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a heating or household appliance with an operating system consisting of a control unit and a capacitive sensor element. The invention also relates to a method for calibrating a control panel. State of the art

[0002] German patent application DE 10 2013 204 286 A1 discloses and describes a heating appliance with a control unit that includes a touchscreen. The control unit and the touchscreen are located within a casing that is transparent in the area of ​​the touchscreen. The control unit can be operated by additional control elements within the casing or by a specially designed casing capable of transmitting touch signals to the control unit, for example, through deformation or by electrical or optical sensors.

[0003] US 2014 / 0205799 A1 describes an electronic assembly comprising an electronic device, such as a smartphone, and an accessory, such as a cover, which uses a sensor to detect the position of the cover and adjusts the touch sensitivity of the display.

[0004] US patent 2015 / 0323963 A1 describes a method for controlling a display in a portable electronic device based on the position of protrusions on a cover, which is detected by touch sensors.

[0005] US patent 2008 / 0111714 A1 describes a capacitance-to-digital converter with a sigma-delta modulator for measuring capacitance changes, for example for touch sensors.

[0006] US patent 2014 / 0268517 A1 discloses a portable electronic device with a protective cover that has a window to make part of the display visible, the protective cover being attached to the device via a connector.

[0007] US 2014 / 0139477 A1 describes a method and device for detecting user input on a capacitive touchpad, in which a threshold is adjusted when a cover is placed over the touchpad.

[0008] US 2014 / 0319232 A1 describes user interfaces for touchscreen devices for remote control of a thermostat, in particular the display and interaction with a circular control element. Disclosure of the invention Advantages

[0009] According to the invention, a heating or household appliance with an operating system comprising a control unit and a capacitive sensor element is disclosed. The control unit includes a control panel for user input. The operating system is characterized in that the sensor element can determine the cover position and the control panel can be calibrated depending on the determined cover position. The cover is designed to at least partially cover the control panel in at least one cover position. The control unit is mounted in a receptacle and is designed to be removable from the heating appliance for remote control.

[0010] The heating or household appliance according to the present invention has the advantage that no additional control panels or operating elements on the cover, or a specially designed cover for transmitting inputs to the control panel or operating unit, are required. This makes the heating or household appliance particularly reliable and inexpensive to manufacture. In addition, the operating system offers the advantage that the operating unit can be particularly well protected from external influences by the cover.

[0011] A "control unit" is understood to be a device used to operate a heating or household appliance. A control unit is designed to receive user input and convert it directly or indirectly into control signals. Control signals are commands that can be received by a controller and / or other components of the heating or household appliance. The controller may be part of the control unit.

[0012] The term "heating or household appliance" refers, for example, to gas water heaters for heating domestic hot water and / or other appliances used in the household, such as a washing machine, a range hood or an air conditioner.

[0013] A "control panel" is an area of ​​the operating unit and / or at least one element of the operating unit which is designed to capture user input. Preferably, this refers to manual user input. The control panel is specifically designed to be non-mechanical, i.e., without moving or deformable elements for capturing input, and / or is designed to allow touchless operation. Examples of a control panel include a touchscreen, capacitive or inductive sensors, infrared sensors, or photodetectors.

[0014] A "capacitive sensor," "capacitive sensor element," or "capacitive control element" refers to at least one sensor that measures changes in the capacitance of at least one capacitor. This change in capacitance is achieved by altering the capacitor's dielectric constant (relative permittivity) through the insertion of a conductive or dielectric element, such as a finger or a reference capacitor (see definition below), into close proximity to the capacitor. The capacitive sensor element can therefore be activated by touch and / or without contact. It can also be used as a proximity sensor.

[0015] A "cover" is a component designed to at least partially cover the control unit or operating system. Preferably, the cover protects the control unit or operating system from external influences, particularly mechanical and / or thermal stresses. The cover is designed to be capable of at least two different cover positions. A "cover position" refers to the spatial position and / or orientation of the cover. Examples of covers include a flap, a sliding panel, and / or a removable housing panel.

[0016] The term "calibration" of a control panel refers to a process that configures how user gestures detected by the panel's sensors are evaluated. An example of a user gesture is touching a sensor with a finger. Specifically, calibration determines how control signals are derived from sensor data. For instance, operating parameters of evaluation electronics, which convert sensor data into control signals, can be updated. If the control panel has a touch button, the distance between the button and a finger touching it increases when the button is covered. The change in the electric field detected by the touch button is smaller when the user inputs through the cover than when the user inputs without it.In order to always evaluate user input in the same way, regardless of the cover position, or to always derive the same control signal from it, the sensitivity of the touch button or the evaluation of a measurement signal captured by the touch button must be adjusted depending on the cover position.

[0017] The features listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous further developments of the heating or household appliance. If the cover has a reference capacitance, in particular an electrically conductive or dielectric element, and the reference capacitance is designed such that it can be detected by the sensor element at least in one cover position in which the control panel is at least partially covered, this has the advantage that the cover position can be determined with particular reliability. In particularly advantageous embodiments, the reference capacitance is positioned on the cover such that, in a cover position in which the control panel is at least partially covered, it is located in close proximity to the sensor element.

[0018] A "reference capacitor" is an electrically conductive or dielectric element. A reference capacitor is designed to be detectable by the capacitive sensor element. Preferably, a reference capacitor is made of a conductive material, particularly preferably a metal.

[0019] If the control panel has at least one touch-sensitive, especially capacitive, control element, particularly a touchscreen and / or a touch button, this enables particularly convenient and reliable operation of the control unit. An additional advantage is that such a control panel can be calibrated very easily using the capacitive sensor element.

[0020] A particularly simple, compact, and cost-effective embodiment of the heating or household appliance is one in which the control panel incorporates the sensor element. For example, it is conceivable that a capacitive control element of the panel could be used as the sensor element. In particular, it is conceivable that a portion of a capacitive touchscreen on the control panel could also be used as the sensor element.

[0021] If the cover is largely non-conductive and / or at least partially transparent, this has the advantage that a capacitively, inductively, and / or optically functioning control panel can be used to a large extent even when covered. Additionally, the control unit's display elements, such as a display, LEDs, or a touchscreen, remain visible through the cover.

[0022] If a second form of the sensor element or the reference capacitance largely corresponds to a first form of the sensor element, and if the second form is circular, this allows for a particularly reliable determination of the cover position. A "first form" or "second form" refers to a shape and / or information about the geometry of the sensor element or the reference capacitance. For example, if the control unit has a largely flat surface that can be covered by the cover, the first or second form can be the shape of the projection of the sensor element or the reference capacitance onto the flat surface.

[0023] If the reference capacitance is designed as a metal surface, this is a particularly reliable and cost-effective way to design the reference capacitance.

[0024] If the cover is designed as a flap, the cover and, if present, the reference capacitor move largely along a well-defined path. This facilitates the evaluation of signals detected by the sensor element. In this way, particularly fast and reliable calibration of the control panel is possible. A "flap" is understood to be a device comprising the cover for moving the cover, primarily by rotation around an axis. For example, the cover can be attached to the control unit by a hinge.

[0025] If the operating unit includes the cover and / or the sensor element, and in particular the operating unit and the cover and / or the sensor element form an assembly, this allows for a particularly compact implementation of the operating system. The operating system can thus be installed especially quickly and reliably. An "assembly" is understood to be an object consisting of at least two materially connected parts. In particular, the parts of an assembly can be installed in a common housing.

[0026] A heating or household appliance with an operating system according to the present invention has the advantage that, due to its ease of use and high user comfort, operating errors and / or suboptimal settings of the heating or household appliance are less likely. This increases the service life of the heating or household appliance, reduces its energy consumption and, where applicable, pollutant emissions.

[0027] If, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating or household appliance has the sensor element and / or the cover, or in particular if the housing of the heating or household appliance has the sensor element and / or the cover, this has the advantage that the cover and / or the sensor element can still be used when the control unit is replaced, for example during maintenance or to expand functionality. Additionally, it is possible to use the same control unit in different heating or household appliances, each of which has sensor elements and / or covers adapted to its technical and geometric properties or requirements.

[0028] A method for calibrating a control panel in an embodiment of the heating or household appliance according to the present invention, comprising the steps of: • Capturing a capacitive sensor signal using a capacitive sensor element; • Calibrating the control panel depending on the capacitive sensor signal, This has the advantage that the control panel can be operated in any cover position, especially when the control panel is covered. The control unit can be operated in the same way in any cover position. This increases ease of use. Drawings

[0029] The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the operating system according to the present invention, the heating or household appliance with an operating system according to the present invention, and the method for calibrating a control panel, which are explained in more detail in the following description. They show Fig. 1 a view of the operating system according to the present invention in an open state, Fig. 2 a cut along line II-II in Fig. 1 through the operating system in the closed state, Fig. 3 the method for calibrating the control panel according to the present invention and Fig. 4 a section through a heating device with an operating system according to the present invention. Description

[0030] In the different versions, identical parts receive the same reference numbers.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a front face of an operating unit 10. The operating unit 10 has a capacitive sensor element 12. The operating unit 10 and the capacitive sensor element 12 form an operating system 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor element 12 has a sensor electrode, which is designed as a largely circular metal disc. The sensor electrode is arranged on an inner wall of an operating unit housing of the operating unit 10 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) The sensor element 12 has a first shape 30, which corresponds to the shape of the sensor electrode and is largely circular. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrode is aligned largely parallel to the inner wall of the control unit housing or to the front of the control unit 10 (see Fig. 2) The sensor element 12 detects changes in the electric field of the sensor electrode, particularly in the vicinity of the sensor electrode. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor element 12 measures the capacitance between the sensor electrode and an electrical ground potential. When an electrically conductive or dielectric element, for example a finger, is brought near the sensor electrode, the capacitance changes. The change in capacitance depends on the change in the electric field. In the exemplary embodiment, this change in capacitance or electric field is detected by an evaluation unit 26 (see below and Fig. 2) evaluated.

[0032] The control unit 10 has a control panel 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the control panel 16 is designed as a capacitive touchscreen 17. The touchscreen 17 includes a display for showing information. The touchscreen 17 has a capacitive sensor system for receiving user input. In particular, the touchscreen 17 is configured to associate touches or user input at different locations on the display with the content shown on the display.

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment, the control unit 10 has a cover 18. The cover 18 is designed as a flap 19 and is movably mounted on the control unit 10 by means of two hinges 20. The cover 18 has a reference capacitor 22. The reference capacitor 22 is a metal disc with a second shape 32, which largely corresponds to the first shape 30. The cover 18 is designed to cover the control panel 16. Fig. Figure 1 shows cover 18 in an open state.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2 shows the embodiment with the cover 18 in a closed state. Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of a section through the operating device 10 (section along line II-II in Fig. 1) The sensor element 12 is connected to the evaluation unit 26 via a communication link 28. Information can be transmitted from the sensor element 12 to the evaluation unit 26 via the communication link 28, from which changes in the capacitance detected by the sensor element 12 can be determined. In the exemplary embodiment, the communication link 28 is an electrical cable. In alternative embodiments, the communication link 28 is a wireless connection, in particular a radio connection, and / or a bus system. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 26 has a communication link 28 to the control panel 16. The evaluation unit 26 can receive information from the control panel 16 via the communication link 28, from which user input via the control panel 16 can be determined. The evaluation unit 26 can send signals or...Transmit information to the control panel 16, specifying which content can be displayed on the touchscreen 17, in particular a data stream for image transmission.

[0035] The evaluation unit 26 is designed to process the information received from the control panel 16 via user input and to derive control signals from it for a control unit 52 of a heating device 48 (see below and Fig. 4) The evaluation unit 26 has a memory, a microprocessor, and interfaces for receiving and / or sending information to and / or from the sensor element 12, the control panel 16, and a communication interface 34. The communication interface 34 is provided for communication with the control unit 52 of the heating device 48. In particular, control signals can be sent via the communication interface 34. In the exemplary embodiment, the evaluation unit 26 can receive information from the control unit 52 via the communication interface 34, in particular about operating parameters and / or an operating status of the heating device 48. In this way, for example, a current heating temperature and / or a requested heating temperature can be displayed on the touchscreen 17 of the control panel 16.

[0036] The operating device 10 or the operating system 14 is used to control a Fig. The procedure 36 shown in Figure 3 is carried out to calibrate the control panel 16. In this way, the cover position of the cover 18 can be taken into account explicitly or implicitly when evaluating user input.

[0037] In a first step 38, a capacitive sensor signal 40 is acquired. In the exemplary embodiment, a sensor signal 40 determined by the sensor element 12 is transmitted to the evaluation unit 26. Information about the magnitude of a change in the capacitance detected by the sensor element 12 can be derived from the sensor signal 40. In the exemplary embodiment, the capacitance is continuously acquired by the sensor element 12. The sensor signal 40 is continuously transmitted to the evaluation unit 26. The evaluation unit 26 stores the sensor signal 40 together with time information. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor electrode is part of an oscillator circuit. A change in the capacitance or the electric field detected by the sensor electrode influences an oscillation amplitude of the oscillator circuit. The sensor signal 40 corresponds to the oscillation amplitude, which is stored as a floating-point number.

[0038] In this embodiment, the influence of the reference capacitance 22 on the sensor element 12 and / or on the sensor signal 40 is specifically measured. The reference capacitance 22 has a high conductivity and therefore a readily measurable influence on the electric field or capacitance detected by the sensor element 12. The magnitude of the change in capacitance is a measure of the distance of the reference capacitance 22 from the sensor element 12. In this embodiment, due to the design of the cover 18 as a flap 19, an opening angle can be largely determined from the distance of the reference capacitance 22 from the sensor element 12 or from a time-dependent variation of this distance. The cover position of the cover 18 can be largely determined from the sensor signal 40.

[0039] The distance between the cover 18 and the control panel 16 can be determined from the cover position. In particular, an air gap 42 between the cover 18 and the control panel 16 can be determined depending on the sensor signal 40. In this way, the influence of the cover position of the cover 18 on a user input can be determined. It is possible to compensate for this influence on a user input in order to always obtain a largely identical control signal from a largely identical user input.

[0040] If the touchscreen 17 of the control panel of the 16 is touched with a finger at the same location, once with the cover 18 open and once with the cover 18 closed, the distance between the finger and the touchscreen 17 is greater when the cover 18 is closed. This distance is increased by the thickness of the air gap 42 and by the thickness of the cover 18. The influence on the electric field or capacitance detected by the touchscreen 17 is reduced when the cover 18 is closed. Additionally, the electric field or capacitance detected by the touchscreen 17 is influenced by the material properties of the cover 18. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 18 is made of glass, which, as a dielectric, alters the capacitance.

[0041] In step 44, following step 38, the control panel 16 is calibrated based on the sensor signal 40. A characteristic map 46 stored in the evaluation unit 26 is updated based on the sensor signal 40. The characteristic map 46 is used to derive a control signal for the control unit 52 of the heating device 48 from a touchscreen signal received by the control panel 16. The touchscreen signal is transmitted from the control panel 16 to the evaluation unit 26 and contains information about an input made on the touchscreen 17. The touchscreen signal contains information about the touch position and a change in capacitance. The touchscreen signal is stored and evaluated by the evaluation electronics 26. The content displayed on the touchscreen 17 is taken into account for the evaluation of the input, in particular content corresponding to the touch position.For example, if a graphical element indicating a temperature increase is displayed on the touchscreen 17 and activated by user input, the evaluation unit 26 determines and sends a control signal to increase the temperature as a result of the generated touchscreen signal. In this example, a control signal is generated when the change in capacitance transmitted with the touchscreen signal reaches a threshold value. This threshold value is defined in characteristic map 46 and depends on the touch position. Characteristic map 46 defines whether a touchscreen signal can generate a control signal. Characteristic map 46 determines the sensitivity of the touchscreen 17.

[0042] In step 44, the characteristic map 46 is updated depending on the sensor signal 40. In the exemplary embodiment, the characteristic map 46 is a data field that assigns a threshold value to each contact position. A characteristic map function is stored in the memory of the evaluation unit 26, which assigns a characteristic map 46 to a sensor signal 40. In the exemplary embodiment, twelve different basic characteristic maps are stored in the characteristic map function. A parameter range of the sensor signal 40 is largely divided into twelve signal intervals. In the characteristic map function, exactly one of the basic characteristic maps is uniquely assigned to each of the signal intervals; in particular, exactly one signal interval is assigned to each basic characteristic map. The sensor signal 40, acquired in step 38, is evaluated by the evaluation unit 26 using the characteristic map function, whereby it is checked in which signal interval the sensor signal 40 lies and the corresponding basic characteristic map is selected.The selected basic characteristic map is then used as characteristic map 46 for evaluating touchscreen signals. In the exemplary embodiment, the basic characteristic maps and the signal intervals are determined by laboratory tests. In a simpler version of the exemplary embodiment, it is conceivable that characteristic map 46 is independent of the touch position and has only one threshold value. The dependence of characteristic map 46 on the touch position in the exemplary embodiment has the advantage that a varying thickness of the air gap 42 can be taken into account, which is possible due to the design of the cover 18 as a flap 19.

[0043] In alternative embodiments, the characteristic map function is an analytical function of the sensor signal 40. It is also conceivable that the touchscreen sensor signal is evaluated by an analytical function. For example, the threshold value can be an analytical function dependent on the touch position. During the calibration 44 of the control panel 16, the parameters or constants of the analytical function are selected or adjusted depending on the sensor signal 40.

[0044] In some variations, the cover position of cover 18 can be determined in step 38 and / or in an intermediate step. For example, it is conceivable that the opening angle of a cover 18 designed as a flap 19 is determined from the sensor signal 40. In step 44, the control panel can be calibrated depending on the cover position.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment, the operating system 14 has a cover 18 which is attached to the control unit 10 by two hinges 20. In alternative embodiments, the operating system 14 does not have a cover 18. For example, the control panel 14 may be designed for use with different covers 18, in particular removable covers 18 that can be detached from the control unit 10. In this way, it is possible to use the operating system 14 in heating or household appliances that have a cover 18 (see below and Fig. 4).

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 18 has the reference capacitance 22. It is possible that in alternative embodiments the cover 18 does not have a dedicated reference capacitance 22. For example, if the cover 18 is made entirely of glass and / or plastic, the cover 18 can be sensed by the sensor element 12, since the cover 18 is made of at least one dielectric. It is also conceivable that the cover 18 is made at least partially of a conductive material, for example, that the cover 18 has a thin metal coating.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment, the reference capacitance 22 is positioned on the cover 18 such that, in the state of a closed cover 18, it is in close contact with the sensor element 12 (see Fig. 2) This allows for particularly good sensing of the reference capacitance 22. In alternative embodiments, the reference capacitance 22 has a different relative position to the sensor element 12, which is determined by the technical and design requirements of the operating system 14 and / or the cover 18, for example, a uniform density distribution of the cover 18.

[0048] In variants of the embodiment, the control unit has additional capacitive sensor elements 12 and / or the cover 18 has additional, in particular corresponding, reference capacitances 22. This allows for a more precise determination of the cover position. In this way, deformations, in particular elastic deformations, of the cover 18 can also be taken into account, which, for example, lead to a different thickness of the air gap 42 depending on the contact position.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment, the control panel 16 has a touchscreen 17. In alternative embodiments, the control panel has at least one touch button. In further embodiments, the control panel has a pressure sensor and / or a photodiode and / or an image sensor, in particular a CCD sensor, and / or a temperature sensor and / or an inductive sensor. With the optical sensors, the detection of user input is affected by the transparency of the cover 18. The inductive sensor is affected by the permeability of the cover.

[0050] In variations of the embodiment, it is conceivable that the control panel 16 includes the sensor element 12. This makes it possible for a capacitive touch button, intended for capturing user input, to be used to determine the cover position, particularly in conjunction with the reference capacitance 22.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 18 is made of glass and is therefore largely electrically non-conductive and transparent. It is conceivable that the cover 18 could be at least partially weakly electrically conductive in some variants, for example, by means of a thin metal coating. It is also conceivable that the cover 18 could be partially opaque. In this way, certain areas of the operating system 14, in particular display elements, could be concealed. It is also conceivable that the cover 18 could be completely opaque. This is advantageous if the operating unit 10, in particular the control panel 16, does not have any changeable display elements. Static display elements of the operating unit 10 or the control panel 16 can, if necessary, be projected onto the outside of the cover at a suitable position.

[0052] In the exemplary embodiment, the second shape 32 of the reference capacitance 22 largely corresponds to the first shape 30 of the sensor element 12. In variants, the second shape 32 can have a different shape than the first shape 30. It is advantageous if the first shape 30 and the second shape 32 have a similar symmetry. The symmetry of the first shape 30 determines a symmetry of the electric field detected by the sensor element 12. The reference capacitance 22 is particularly easy to detect if the symmetry of the second shape 32 is sufficiently similar to the symmetry of the electric field. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the reference capacitance 22 and the sensor element 12 or the sensor electrode have a similar size or extent.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment, the reference capacitance 22 is designed as a metal disc. Preferably, the reference capacitance 22 is made of a metal. It is conceivable that the reference capacitance 22 is made of a dielectric material. In variants, the reference capacitance 22 is designed as a plate and / or foil and / or sphere and / or cylinder and / or cuboid. It is also conceivable that the reference capacitance 22 is composed of several elements, for example, small spheres and / or metal fragments. The reference capacitance 22 can also be a spring and / or screw and / or rivet and / or clip, which can, for example, also be a structural element of the cover. The reference capacitance 22 can be part of a logo and / or decoration, which is / are, for example, made of a metal, in particular chrome.Furthermore, it is possible that the reference capacitance 22 is formed by a more complex component of the cover 18, for example a display or a control panel.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the cover 18 is designed as a flap 19. In further embodiments, the cover is connected to the operating system 14 via a sliding mechanism. It is conceivable that the cover is at least partially flexible and / or, for example, rollable. In further variants, the cover 18 is designed to be completely detachable from and attachable to the operating unit 10. The cover 18 can be connected to the operating system 14, in particular the operating unit 10, for example, by screw elements and / or clip connections and / or plug-in elements and / or magnetic elements.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment, the control unit 10 and the sensor element 12 form an assembly within a common control unit housing. In alternative embodiments, the sensor element 12 is spatially separated from the control unit 10. The communication link 28 between the sensor element 12 and the control unit 10 or its evaluation unit 26 can, for example, be a radio link. In these embodiments, the sensor element 12 can be part of an assembly that houses the control unit 10.

[0056] For example, the sensor element 12 can be installed in a housing 56 of the heating device 48. Fig. Figure 4 shows the heating unit 48. The heating unit 48 comprises a burner unit 50, a control unit 52, and an operating unit 10. The operating unit 10 is mounted in a receptacle 54. The receptacle 54 is connected to the housing 56 and has a connection for the communication interface 34 of the operating unit 10. The housing 56 has a cover 18. The cover 18 is designed as a flap 19 and is attached to the housing by a hinge 20. The cover 18 is made largely of glass. The housing 56 has a capacitive sensor element 12 on an opening for the cover 18 on the side opposite the hinge 20. The cover 18 has a reference capacitance 22. The reference capacitance 22 is designed as a metal plate. In a closed state, the cover 18 completely covers the control panel 16 of the operating unit 10. The control panel 16 is designed as a touchscreen 17.

[0057] The control unit 52 is designed to operate the heating appliance 48, in particular to control components of the heating appliance 48, for example the burner unit 50. The control unit 52 has a memory, a microprocessor, and interfaces for receiving and sending information via communication links 28. The control unit 52 has a communication link 28 to the burner unit 50, which is designed as a cable connection.

[0058] The control unit 52 is configured to receive and process user input and to send information to the user. The control unit 52 has communication connections 28 to the receiver 54 for communication with the operating unit 10 via the communication interface 34 and to the sensor element 12. The control unit 52 can receive and evaluate touchscreen signals and send content for display on the touchscreen 17. The evaluation unit 26 is part of the control unit 52 and is configured to calibrate the operating panel 16 using the sensor signal.

[0059] In alternative embodiments, the control unit 52 may have a communication link 28 to the sensor element 12, if necessary via the receptacle 54. In these embodiments, the control unit 52 is designed to calibrate the control panel 16, for example using the evaluation unit 26. The control unit 52 is configured to receive control signals from the operating unit 10.

[0060] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the control unit 10 is designed to be removable from the heating device 48. This allows remote control of the heating device 48. The communication interface 34 has a WLAN module, which enables communication with the heating device 48. The heating device 48 has a WLAN transmitter and receiver 58. In alternative embodiments, the mobile control unit 10 and the heating device 48 communicate via an RF connection and / or Bluetooth and / or Z-wave and / or ZigBee.

[0061] In some variants, the operating unit 10 includes the sensor element 12; in particular, the control panel 16 can include the sensor element 12. In alternative embodiments, the operating unit 10 can include the control unit 52; in particular, the operating unit 10 and the control unit 52 can form an assembly; in particular, the control unit 52 can be located in the operating unit housing.

[0062] In one particular embodiment, the cover 18 forms a housing wall of the housing 56. Specifically, the cover 18 can form a housing front of the housing 56. In some versions, the cover 18 is attached to the housing 56 via a sliding and / or hinged mechanism. In other versions, the cover 18 is completely detachable from the housing 56 and / or attachable to the housing 56. For example, the cover 18 can be designed to attach screw elements and / or clip connections and / or plug-in elements and / or magnetic elements to the housing 56.

[0063] It is conceivable that the operating system 14 or the control unit 10 is located at least temporarily in a stationary position outside the heating or household appliance. For example, the control unit 10 can be designed as a room thermostat for the heating appliance 48. A room thermostat is intended for remote control of the heating appliance 48 and can be designed to be mounted on a building wall.

Claims

[1] Heating or household appliance (48) with an operating system (14) comprising an operating unit (10) having a control panel (16) for user inputs, and comprising a capacitive sensor element (12), wherein a cover position of a cover (18) can be determined by the sensor element (12) and the control panel (16) can be calibrated depending on the determined cover position, wherein the cover (18) is provided to at least partially cover the control panel (16) in at least one cover position, wherein the operating unit (10) is mounted in a receptacle (54), and wherein the operating unit (10) is designed to be removable from the heating or household appliance (48) for remote control. [2] Heating or household appliance (48) with cover (18) according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a reference capacitance (22) and the reference capacitance (22) is designed such that it can be sensed by the sensor element (12) at least in one cover position of the cover (18) in which the control panel (16) is at least partially covered. [3] Heating or household appliance (48) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control panel (16) has at least one touch-sensitive control element (17). [4] Heating or household appliance (48) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control panel (16) comprises the sensor element (12). [5] Heating or household appliance (48) with cover (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (18) is electrically non-conductive and / or at least partially transparent. [6] Heating or household appliance (48) with cover (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second form (32) of a reference capacitance (22) largely corresponds to a first form (30) of the sensor element (12). [7] Heating or household appliance (48) with cover (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a reference capacitance (22) is designed as a metal surface. [8] Heating or household appliance (48) with cover (18) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (18) is designed as a flap (19). [9] Heating or household appliance (48) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (10) comprises the cover (18) and / or the sensor element (12). [10] Heating or household appliance (48) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a housing (56) of the heating or household appliance (48) comprises the sensor element (12) and / or the cover (18). [11] Method (36) for calibrating a control panel (16) in a heating or household appliance (48) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps: • Detection of a capacitive sensor signal (40) using the capacitive sensor element (12); • Calibrating the control panel (16) depending on the capacitive sensor signal (40).

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