Household appliance control device with funnel-shaped ring bezel between a display and a control panel covering the entire display, as well as household appliance

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance control device (5) with a control panel (6) and with an operating and / or display unit (7) arranged behind the control panel (6), such that the operating and / or display unit (7) is completely covered at the front by the control panel (6), wherein the operating and / or display unit (5) has a display (9), wherein the operating and / or display unit (6) has a ring panel (8) arranged behind the control panel (6) and in front of the display (9), wherein the ring panel (8) has a funnel-shaped boundary wall (12) that circumferentially limits a hole area (11) of the ring panel (8).

Description

[0001] One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance control device. The household appliance control device has a control panel. Furthermore, it has a separate operating and / or display unit. The operating and / or display unit is arranged behind the control panel, so that the operating and / or display unit is completely covered from the front by the control panel. The operating and / or display unit has a display.

[0002] Many different designs are known for operating devices of household appliances. For example, DE 10 2010 063 188 A1 shows an operating device in which a display device is arranged behind a plate-like front panel of the operating device.

[0003] From DE 10 2020 205 864 A1, an operating device is known in which geometrically very specific material recesses are formed on both the front and back of a plate-like cover. This is to allow the insertion of a separate, cone-shaped ring on the front, which serves as a rotary ring or operating element. A display is also arranged behind the plate-like cover. Such a specific ring element, with the necessary complementary geometric features as recesses in the front of this plate-like cover, is complex to manufacture.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to create a household appliance control device in which a display concept behind a control panel is simple in terms of manufacturing technology and the information to be displayed is more easily perceived.

[0005] This task is solved by a household appliance control device and a household appliance according to the independent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance control device. The household appliance control device has a control panel. Furthermore, it has a separate operating and / or display unit. The operating and / or display unit is arranged behind the control panel, so that the operating and / or display unit is completely covered from the front by the control panel. The operating and / or display unit has a display.

[0007] The control and / or display unit has a ring bezel. The ring bezel can also be described as a perforated bezel with a ring, in particular a rim ring. This ring bezel is a separate component of the appliance's control panel from the control panel itself. When viewed from the front of the appliance's control panel, the ring bezel is located behind the control panel. It is also positioned in front of the display. Thus, the ring bezel is essentially positioned between the control panel and the display. The ring bezel has a funnel-shaped boundary wall. The ring bezel has a perforated area that is completely enclosed by this funnel-shaped boundary wall. The ring bezel has a continuous perforation.The display is positioned in such a way that at least part of the display is located behind the hole area and is therefore visible through the hole area when viewing the control panel from the front.

[0008] This type of appliance control panel design allows for a simpler manufacturing and assembly process. In particular, it eliminates the need for shape-specific cutouts in the control panel. Despite this simplicity, the information displayed on the screen remains clearly visible through the panel. The ring-shaped aperture, with its specific funnel-shaped boundary and perforated area, ensures that the information displayed is clearly and effectively focused. This ring also acts as a light focuser, effectively minimizing lateral light scattering.In particular, the funnel-shaped boundary wall allows the information displayed on the screen behind the perforated area to be perceived without restriction, even when viewing the control panel and the perforated area at an angle. Furthermore, this geometric shape of the funnel-shaped boundary wall creates an optical depth effect, thus generating a specific 3D effect. In conjunction with the overall design, this also suggests a kind of optical funnel. Finally, this shape enables a particularly effective focusing of the optical information generated by the display and located in the visible spectral range. Moreover, this geometry of the funnel-shaped boundary wall forms a kind of three-dimensional framing ring for the portion of the display located behind the perforated area. This is what characterizes the ring aperture.

[0009] In one embodiment, the funnel shape of the boundary wall extends over at least 50 percent, in particular at least 80 percent, and in particular at least 100 percent of the total thickness of a base element, especially a plate-like one, of the ring aperture. This particularly enhances the advantages mentioned above. A continuous taper towards the display is thus formed. A virtually stepless boundary wall is therefore formed over the entire thickness.

[0010] In one embodiment, the boundary wall has a glossy finish. In particular, this boundary wall has a low surface roughness, similar to the surface area of ​​the ring aperture adjacent to the boundary wall. This allows the light emitted from the display through the perforated area to be reflected particularly advantageously onto the control panel. The glossy boundary wall also acts as a reflector. Furthermore, it enables a special optical depth effect for the arrangement and information presentation. Finally, this funnel-shaped boundary wall itself is visually distinguished from other areas, so that it is perceived as a correspondingly inclined ring area.

[0011] In one embodiment, the boundary wall can be coated. It can also be specifically structured, either additionally or instead of being coated. For example, individual colors and / or material finishes can be created or suggested. The coating can, for instance, represent a metallic look. This can be high-gloss or highly reflective. For example, the coating can create a stainless steel look. This can be designed, for example, as brushed stainless steel or as high-gloss stainless steel.

[0012] This means that this area of ​​the funnel-shaped boundary wall also forms a clearly defined specific frame for the hole area.

[0013] In one embodiment, the ring aperture is at least partially transparent to light in the visible spectral range. In this embodiment, this specific area can itself serve for the optical display of information. For example, in a simple embodiment, this boundary wall can be illuminated, perhaps with a single color. In another embodiment, however, such basic illumination can also be used to display other information, such as numbers and / or letters. It is also possible for the illumination to be static or dynamically variable.

[0014] In one embodiment, the ring aperture is at least partially transparent to light in the visible spectral range. This allows other sections of the ring aperture, which do not involve the funnel-shaped boundary wall but are, for example, areas that border this funnel-shaped boundary wall radially outwards, to also be transparent. This is another very advantageous embodiment, as it enables the optical display of information through the ring aperture even outside the area of ​​the holes. Particularly when the display has a surface area larger than the area of ​​the holes, and especially larger than the adjacent funnel-shaped boundary wall, a display can then be achieved through these additional sections of the ring aperture and the control panel positioned in front of it.This enables a highly versatile and flexible concept for displaying information. Yet, only one display is required. Especially when the display's illuminated area is rectangular, for example, square, and the perforated area is a flat surface, utilizing the larger illuminated area for additional visual displays is advantageous.

[0015] In one embodiment, a surface area of ​​the ring walls adjacent to the boundary wall is also transparent to the visible spectral range.

[0016] In one embodiment, the display may extend behind this surface area of ​​the ring bezel, thereby allowing information from the display to be shown on the surface area when viewing the household appliance control device from the front.

[0017] In one embodiment, the area of ​​holes in the ring aperture defines a display field on which information can be shown.

[0018] In one embodiment, the ring bezel is attached to the separate display and / or the separate control panel. This results in a simple manufacturing and assembly concept, as all these components can be produced independently, both geometrically and / or materially. Subsequent assembly of the components is then relatively straightforward. Furthermore, because the control panel has no material cutouts on the front and / or back in the area of ​​the ring bezel and / or the display, it can be manufactured and supplied very easily.

[0019] The ring bezel can be attached to the display and / or the control panel, for example, by means of adhesive bonds. However, in contrast to such a permanent connection, a reversibly detachable connection can also be provided. This can be achieved, for example, through a snap-fit ​​connection, a plug connection, or a clamp connection.

[0020] In one embodiment, the ring aperture can have a base plate in which the perforated area and the funnel-shaped boundary wall are integrated and thus formed integrally. The base plate is securely attached to the display by a detachable connection. For this purpose, the base plate can, for example, have mechanical coupling elements. These can be snap-in elements, clamping elements, or hook-in elements.

[0021] It is also possible that the ring bezel is mechanically connected to a component other than the control panel and / or the display by means of coupling elements, such as coupling elements protruding from the base plate. In this context, snap connections, clamp connections, and / or hook connections may be used. Screw connections may also be used.

[0022] The coupling elements can be oriented in an orientation that is 90° to the plane of the surface in which the base plate is spanned.

[0023] In one embodiment, at least one spacer element of the household appliance control device can be designed to adjust the distance between the ring bezel and the display and / or the distance between the ring bezel and the back of the control panel. This allows certain positioning of the components relative to each other to be set precisely as needed and maintained permanently.

[0024] In one embodiment, the spacer element is a spring element. This allows for very continuous adjustment of the desired positions, and the resulting preload of the spring element ensures that these positions can be maintained permanently.

[0025] In one embodiment, a seal is arranged between the ring bezel and the control panel. Additionally or instead, a seal can be arranged between the ring bezel and the display.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance. This household appliance is specifically designed for preparing food. It is therefore intended for the purpose of preparing food. The household appliance could, for example, be a cooking appliance. In this context, it could be, for example, an oven, a microwave oven, or a steam oven. It is also possible that the household appliance could be, for example, a deep fryer or a fully automatic coffee machine. It is also possible that the household appliance is designed for storing and preserving food. It could then be, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, or a combination refrigerator-freezer. Especially if such a household appliance, which can then also be referred to as a household refrigeration appliance, has an ice and / or liquid dispensing unit, such a household appliance control device can be provided.Such an ice and / or liquid dispensing unit can be equipped with a household appliance control device on a door of this household refrigeration appliance.

[0027] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective representation of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention; Fig. 2 a front view of an embodiment of a household appliance control device; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a ring aperture and a display, which are partial elements of the household appliance control device according to Fig. 2 are; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the ring aperture according to Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 a sectional view through a sub-area of ​​the component arrangement in Fig. 3.

[0028] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance 1 according to the invention. The household appliance 1 is designed, for example, for preparing food. It can be, for example, a cooking appliance. For example, it can be an oven, a microwave oven, or a steam oven. It is also possible that the household appliance 1 is such that it has at least two of the functionalities mentioned here (regarding microwave functionality, steam cooking functionality, and oven functionality).

[0030] The household appliance 1 has a housing 2. The housing 2 contains at least one storage compartment 3. This storage compartment 3 is intended for food storage. It is specifically designed for food preparation. It could, for example, be a cooking chamber. Furthermore, the household appliance 1 has a door 4. This door is designed to close the storage compartment 3. The household appliance 1 also has a control unit 5. This control unit has a control panel 6. Behind the control panel, in the depth direction (z-direction) of the household appliance 1, is an operating and / or display unit 7 of the control unit 5.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a front view of the household appliance control unit 5. A ring-shaped cover 8 is also arranged behind the control panel 6.

[0032] As mentioned in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, this ring aperture 8 is arranged in front of a display 9 of the operating and / or display unit 7. The display 9 is in particular a full-surface display, and in particular it can be, for example, a TFT display.

[0033] The ring aperture 8 has a base plate 10. A perforated area 11 is formed in this base plate 10. This area is bounded by a completely closed boundary wall 12. The boundary wall 12 is funnel-shaped. This means that this boundary wall 12 preferably extends over the entire thickness of the base plate 10 and narrows or tapers from a front side 13 to a rear side 14 facing the display 9.

[0034] The ring aperture 8 can also be described as a pinhole aperture with a framing ring formed by the boundary wall 12, which does not extend in the plane of the hole area 11.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 4 shows the ring aperture 8 in perspective. This funnel-shaped boundary wall 12 can be seen accordingly.

[0036] Furthermore, the base plate 10 is designed to be angular, specifically rectangular. It can be seen that further sub-areas 10a of the base plate 10 adjoin this funnel-shaped boundary wall 12 to the outside. These sub-areas 10a can be corner areas, in this case four corner areas, of the base plate 10. The funnel-shaped boundary wall 12, which forms a ring, is possible to be transparent in the visible spectral range. However, this boundary wall 12 can also be translucent or opaque. The boundary wall 12 can be coated and / or structured.

[0037] In particular, the ring aperture 8 is made of plastic. It can be manufactured as a single-piece component. For example, it can be an injection-molded part.

[0038] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the display 9 is arranged behind the ring aperture 8 in such a way that a partial area 15 of the display 9 is aligned with the hole area 11.

[0039] It is provided that the funnel shape of the boundary wall 12 is formed over at least 50 percent, in particular at least 80 percent, in particular at least 100 percent of the total thickness of the ring aperture 8, in particular the base plate 10.

[0040] The boundary wall 12 can also be glossy. In one embodiment, it can have a lower surface roughness than a surface area of ​​the ring aperture 8 adjacent to the boundary wall 12, for example the partial areas 10a of the base plate 10.

[0041] The ring aperture 8 can be transparent to light in the visible spectral range, at least in certain areas. In particular, the boundary wall 12 can be transparent to light in the visible spectral range. It is also possible that the other surface areas, especially the sub-areas 10a of the base plate 10, are transparent to light in the visible spectral range, at least in certain areas. In particular, the control panel 6 is designed without holes. It preferably completely covers the ring aperture 8 from the front, and thus also the hole area 11. In particular, the display 9 is completely covered from the front by the control panel 6.

[0042] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. As can also be seen in Figure 4, the ring aperture 8 can have coupling elements 16, 17, 18 and 19. These can be used for mechanical coupling. This allows the ring aperture 8 to be held in a precise position against another component of the household appliance 1.

[0043] For example, the ring aperture 8 can be snapped and / or hooked and / or clamped and / or screwed onto another additional component.

[0044] It is also possible that the ring bezel 8 is directly connected to the display 9 and / or directly to the control panel 6. Here, too, detachable connections such as snap-fit ​​connections, clamp connections, and / or hook connections may be used. It is also possible that adhesive connections are used in addition to or instead of these.

[0045] It is also possible that at least one spacer element (not shown) is provided, which allows for the defined adjustment of the distance between the ring aperture 8 and the display 9, and / or the distance between the ring aperture 8 and the rear of the control panel 6. Such a spacer element could, for example, be a spring element.

[0046] It is also possible that a seal is arranged between the ring aperture 8 and the control aperture 6 and / or a seal is arranged between the ring aperture 8 and the display 9.

[0047] In Fig. In a vertical section view, 5 represents a sub-area of ​​the components in Fig. Figure 3 shows a section view along the section line VV. Fig. Figure 3 shows the funnel-shaped and ring-shaped boundary wall 12. Reference symbol list 1 household appliance 2 cases 3 Recording room 4-door 5 Household appliance control unit 6 Control panel 7 Operating and / or display unit 8 ring aperture 9 Display 10 Base plate 10a Sub-area 11-hole area 12 Boundary wall 13 Front 14 Back 15 sub-area 16 coupling element 17 coupling element 18 coupling element 19 coupling element z Depth direction QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2010 063 188 A1

[0002] DE 10 2020 205 864 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Household appliance control device (5) with a control panel (6) and with an operating and / or display unit (7) arranged behind the control panel (6) such that the operating and / or display unit (7) is completely covered at the front by the control panel (6), wherein the operating and / or display unit (5) has a display (9), characterized by , that the control and / or display unit (6) has a ring aperture (8) which is arranged behind the control aperture (6) and in front of the display (9), wherein the ring aperture (8) has a funnel-shaped boundary wall (12) which circumferentially limits a hole area (11) of the ring aperture (8). [2] Household appliance control device (5) according to claim 1, wherein the funnel shape of the boundary wall (12) is formed over at least 50%, in particular at least 80%, in particular 100% of the total thickness of the ring aperture (8). [3] Household appliance control device (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the boundary wall (12) is glossy, in particular having a lower surface roughness than a surface area (14) of the ring aperture (8) adjacent to the boundary wall (12). [4] Household appliance control device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the boundary wall (12) is coated and / or structured. [5] Household appliance control device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring aperture (8) is transparent at least partially to the visible spectral range. [6] Household appliance control device (5) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the boundary wall (12) is at least partially transparent to the visible spectral range. [7] Household appliance control device (5) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by, that a surface area (10a) of the ring aperture (8) adjacent to the boundary wall (12) is transparent to the visible spectral range. [8] Household appliance control device (5) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the display (9) extends behind the surface area (10a) and thus information from the display (9) can be shown on the surface area (10a) when viewing the household appliance control device (5) from the front through the control panel (6). [9] Household appliance control device (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the area of ​​holes (11) defines a display field (15) of the display (9) on which information can be displayed. [10] Household appliance control device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the ring bezel (8) is securely attached to the display (9) and / or the control panel (6). [11] Household appliance control device (5) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the ring aperture (8) has a base plate (10) in which the hole area (11) and the funnel-shaped boundary wall (12) are integrated. [12] Household appliance control device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one spacer element is formed with which a distance of the ring aperture (8) to the display (9) and / or a distance of the ring aperture (8) to the rear of the control panel (6) can be adjusted. [13] Household appliance control device (5) according to claim 12, characterized by that the spacer element is a spring element. [14] Household appliance control device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a seal is arranged between the ring aperture (8) and the control aperture (6) and / or a seal is arranged between the ring aperture (8) and the display (9). [15] Household appliance (1), in particular for preparing food, with a household appliance control device (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

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