Control unit for operating a household appliance

Abstract

Control device (2) for operating a household appliance and in particular a cooktop device (1) with a cooktop (11) with at least one knob unit (3) with at least two knob components (13) rotatable relative to each other. At least one gap (4) is formed between the knob components (13). The gap (4) opens into at least one drainage channel (5).

Description

The present invention relates to a control device for operating a household appliance, and in particular a cooktop with a cooking surface. The control device comprises at least one knob unit with at least two knob components rotatable relative to each other. Control units with knobs remain very popular in household appliances. Especially in high-end appliances, there are sophisticated and technically advanced solutions with digital features (networking, control). This necessitates correspondingly complex designs, which can sometimes be sensitive to liquids and dirt. Operating devices for operating a household appliance with at least one knob unit are known from the publications DE 10 2015 215 770 A1 and WO 2025 114 186 A2. In contrast, the object of the present invention is to improve the usability of an operating device with at least one knob unit. In particular, it aims to reliably prevent damage to the knob unit or the technology housed within the knob unit caused by liquids or dirt. This applies especially to liquids that may come into contact with the knob unit in its installed state during a cooking process or cleaning. This problem is solved by an operating device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiment. The operating device according to the invention serves to operate a household appliance, and in particular a cooktop with a cooking zone. The operating device comprises at least one knob unit with at least two knob components rotatable relative to each other. At least one gap is formed between the at least two knob components rotatable relative to each other. This gap opens into at least one drainage channel. The present invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is the drainage channel into which the gap empties. This reliably prevents an undesirably large amount of liquid from accumulating within the toggle assembly and damaging the toggle assembly or the components located within it. The drainage channel reliably prevents liquid from entering the gap, for example, from reaching electrical or electronic components (such as indicator elements, cables, circuit boards, displays, etc.). It is also particularly advantageous that such a drainage channel can be implemented in a simple and space-saving manner. In particular, the toggle assembly comprises at least one drainage channel. The drainage channel (at least in the intended mounting position of the operating device) is specifically designed and configured to collect any liquid that has entered the gap and to drain it away by gravity. The gap extends radially outward (especially from a surface of the toggle assembly) to radially inward (especially into an interior space of the toggle assembly bounded by the toggle components). The drainage channel is specifically located within this interior space. The gap opens into the drainage channel at a radially inward end. The gap can open directly or indirectly into the drainage channel. The opening is understood to mean that the gap drains into the drainage channel. The drainage channel also drains back through the gap (via a downward-facing section of the gap). Preferably, the drainage channel runs circumferentially around the toggle assembly. In particular, the drainage channel is designed as a circumferential groove or includes at least one such groove. In particular, the drainage channel runs transversely to the axial direction. The drainage channel can also run transversely to the circumferential direction, at least in sections. The drainage channel can also run axially, at least in sections. It is preferred and advantageous that the drainage channel is annular (closed). In particular, the drainage channel is designed as a circumferential groove or includes at least one such groove. In particular, the drainage channel describes a closed circle. It is possible that the drainage channel is annular and open or interrupted in the circumferential direction. In particular, the drainage channel is integrally connected to the toggle component. In an advantageous embodiment, the drainage channel has two (radially extending) walls and a base extending between the walls. In particular, the walls and the base together define a channel cross-section. Preferably, the channel cross-section is adapted to the volume of liquid to be drained. Specifically, the width of the base and / or the height of the walls is adapted to the volume of liquid to be drained. The channel cross-section preferably features tangential and / or continuous curvature transitions, particularly between at least one or both walls and the base. These transitions are optimized, in particular, by means of radii. It is also possible and advantageous for the channel cross-section to include edges and / or corners with radii optimized to reduce interfacial tension. When the present invention refers to the interfacial tension of a component or material, it refers in particular to its influence on the interfacial tension or surface tension of a liquid (that has penetrated the gap) when this liquid interacts with the surface of the component or material. A reduction in interfacial tension is understood to mean, in particular, that the surface of the component or material attracts the liquid less strongly, so that the liquid, for example, beads up and rolls off. It is also possible and advantageous for the channel cross-section to be asymmetrical (in the axial direction), such that the lowest point in the channel cross-section is located off-center (with respect to an axial center). In this case, the channel cross-section has, in particular, a bottom inclined towards one wall. The bottom has, in particular, an optimized slope for the drainage of the liquid. The channel cross-section can also be symmetrical. In this case, the channel cross-section is provided with at least one optimized radius of curvature. The channel cross-section can also have a uniform radius or be semicircular. The gap preferably opens off-center into the channel cross-section. In particular, the gap opens off-center such that it is offset from the center towards the lowest point of the channel cross-section. In particular, the channel cross-section is inclined towards the opening of the gap. In particular, the gap opens offset from the center such that the toggle components that delimit the gap can be arranged closer together than if the gap were offset to the other side from the center. Preferably, the drainage channel has a surface property optimized to reduce interfacial tension. Such a surface property can be formed at least on the bottom and / or on at least one of the walls. It is particularly preferred that the surface property creates a lotus effect. In particular, the surface property creates a self-cleaning effect through the flowing liquid. It is possible and advantageous that the surface property comprises at least one coating and / or mechanical structure (for example, embossing, roughness). It is also possible and advantageous that the surface property is provided by a material of the drainage channel or the associated toggle component. In particular, a material with the lowest possible interfacial tension is provided. In particular, a suitable plastic and, for example, PA or PE are used for this purpose. In an advantageous further development, the toggle components exhibit at least a partial surface property on their gap-bounding surfaces that is optimized to reduce interfacial tension. It is possible that the toggle components have at least a radius optimized to reduce interfacial tension on their gap-bounding edges and / or corners. The surface property is designed in particular as previously described for the surface property of the drainage channel. In a preferred embodiment, at least one guide ring is arranged in the gap and / or in the drainage channel. Preferably, the guide ring (at its surface) has a higher interfacial tension than the drainage channel (at its surface). In particular, the interfacial tension of the guide ring is at least twice as high, or at least five or ten times higher, than the interfacial tension of the drainage channel. In particular, the guide ring is made of a material with a higher interfacial tension than the material of the drainage channel. For example, the guide ring is made of PC (polycarbonate), aluminum, or copper. The guide ring projects into the drainage channel. It is preferably arranged and, in particular, attached to one of the toggle components. Specifically, the guide ring is arranged on the toggle component that also provides the drainage channel. The guide ring can also be arranged on the other toggle component. It is possible and advantageous for the drainage channel to be arranged or formed on one, and in particular on only one, of the at least two toggle components that are rotatable relative to each other. Specifically, a single drainage channel is always completely arranged on one of the at least two toggle components. In other words, a single drainage channel is preferably not arranged on two toggle components simultaneously. If two or more drainage channels are provided, individual drainage channels are each completely arranged on one of the toggle components. However, the drainage channel can also be formed by both toggle components. In an advantageous embodiment, at least two toggle components rotatable relative to each other are sealed at least partially by means of at least one sealing device. In particular, the sealing device is designed and configured to prevent a liquid located in the drainage channel from penetrating between the toggle components. The sealing device is located downstream of the drainage channel. The sealing device comprises at least one sealing ring and / or at least one sealing lip. It is possible and advantageous that at least one toggle component has at least one circumferential groove into which the sealing device extends. It is possible and advantageous that at least one of the at least two toggle components rotatable relative to each other has at least one extension. Preferably, the extension extends axially into the other toggle component. Preferably, the drainage channel is arranged at least on the extension. In particular, the at least two toggle components rotatable relative to each other are arranged to overlap axially. In particular, at least one of the at least two toggle components rotatable relative to each other has at least one collar extending radially inwards. Preferably, the collar projects into the drainage channel or at least in the direction of the drainage channel. In particular, the collar is formed on the toggle component that does not have the drainage channel and / or the extension. In particular, the collar provides a positive locking connection between the two toggle components acting in the axial direction. In particular, the least two knob components rotatable relative to each other are provided by at least one rotationally fixed knob base and at least one knob rotatably mounted on the knob base. Specifically, the knob is rotatable about an axis of rotation extending in the axial direction. The knob can be moved axially (manually or by motor) relative to the knob base, so that the knob can be retracted into a rest position and extended from the rest position into at least one operating position. Specifically, at least one gap is formed between the knob base and the knob. The knob base can comprise and / or be mounted on a furniture front or panel, a worktop section, and / or a cooktop section. In an advantageous embodiment, the least two knob components that can be rotated relative to each other are provided by at least two operating sections of the knob that can be rotated relative to each other. In particular, the knob unit is designed as a so-called double knob or multiple knob. Specifically, at least one function can be controlled by rotating the operating sections. However, it is also possible that at least one of the at least two operating sections is designed to be rotationally fixed and preferably rotationally fixed to the knob base. In this case, only at least one of the at least two operating sections can be rotated for operation. In particular, both operating sections are retractable (together). In particular, the operating sections are arranged axially one behind the other, at least section by section. In particular, the operating sections have a common (imaginary) axis of rotation. In particular, the axis of rotation runs in the axial direction. In particular, the knob unit comprises at least one knob, which includes at least two operating sections that are rotatable relative to each other and, in particular, independently of each other. The at least one gap is formed, in particular, between the operating sections. The applicant reserves the right to claim a household appliance, preferably a cooktop unit with a cooktop, with an operating device described herein. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a purely schematic representation of an operating device according to the invention with a hob in a perspective view; Fig. 2 a purely schematic representation of a knob unit of an operating device according to the invention; and Figs. 3-9 purely schematic representations of further knob units of operating devices according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows an operating device 2 according to the invention for operating a household appliance, here designed as a cooktop 1. The cooktop 1 comprises a cooktop 11 and several control knobs 3 and is integrated here into a worktop 102, which is arranged on a furniture carcass 100. The control knobs 3 can be retracted into a rest position and extended into at least one operating position. For illustrative purposes, the control knobs 3 are shown here both on the cooktop 11 and on a furniture front or panel 101 of the furniture carcass 100. Alternatively, the control knobs 3 can also be arranged on the worktop 102. In practice, the control knobs 3 are preferably arranged either on the furniture front 101 or on the cooktop 11 or on the worktop 102. The toggle units 3 are equipped with a drainage channel 5 (not visible here) into which a gap 4 (also not visible here) opens. Any liquid that has penetrated the channel can be drained away from the gap 4 by gravity via the drainage channel 5. Figure 2 shows the operating device 2 with a knob unit 3 mounted on a furniture front 101 in more detail. The knob unit 3 is designed here as a so-called double knob and comprises a non-rotatably mounted knob base 23 and a knob 33 rotatably mounted on the knob base 23. The knob 33 is equipped here with two operating sections 43 that are rotatable relative to each other, so that different functions can be operated via them. The operating sections 43 provide two knob components 13 that are rotatable relative to each other, with a gap 4 formed between them. The knob base 23 also provides a knob component 13. A gap 4 is also formed between the knob base 23 and the axially inner knob component 13. Each gap 4 opens into a drainage channel 5. The gap 4 located on the left can also be a gap 4 between the furniture front 101 and its adjacent knob component 13. Advantageous embodiments of the operating device 2 with respect to the drainage channel 5 are presented below with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to 9. The embodiments shown here can also be used, for example, with the operating device 2 shown with reference to Figure 2. The toggle units 3 shown here are designed as double toggles with two operating sections 43. The right toggle component 13 can also be referred to as a toggle cap. It is possible for the toggle cap to be detached from the left toggle component 13 for cleaning and, for example, pulled off or unscrewed. The variants shown here can also be used advantageously with a lever unit 3 with only one operating section 43 on the lever 33 or with several operating sections 43. The lever 33 can also be equipped with three or more operating sections 43. In this case, correspondingly more columns 4 and drainage channels 5 are provided. The drainage channel 5 comprises two walls 15, between which a base 25 extends. The walls 15 and the base 25 are provided here by the left-hand toggle component 13. The drainage channel 5 has a channel cross-section 35, into which the gap 4 opens off-center. The gap 4 is offset from the center such that the distance between the toggle components 13 is as small as possible. The surface of drainage channel 5, for example, features a lotus effect coating. The edges and corners of drainage channel 5 are optimized for maximum drainage and minimal surface tension of the liquid. This optimization includes, for example, area, radius, edge, and / or surface finish. The corners and / or edges of the toggle components 13 at the transitions to the gap 4 are preferably also optimized for minimal surface tension of the liquid. For example, the corners and / or edges are optimized with respect to area, radius, edge and / or surface area. The drainage channel 5 is formed here on a projection 45 of the toggle component 13. The toggle component 13, on which the projection 45 is not formed, has a circumferential collar 55 extending radially inwards. The collar 55 projects into the drainage channel 5, resulting in a positive fit. Figure 4 shows a variant of the operating device 2 in which the channel cross-section 35 is asymmetrically designed such that the lowest point in the channel cross-section 35 is off-center. This causes the liquid to flow on the bottom 25 of the drainage channel 5 towards the gap 4. The inclined bottom 25 is equipped with a special surface coating or surface structure for optimized drainage (for example, lotus effect). Fig. 5 shows a variant of the operating device 2 in which the channel cross-section 35 is symmetrical and has optimized radii of curvature. Here, for example, the channel cross-section 35 has tangential and / or continuously curving surface profiles for optimal drainage of liquids. Figure 6 shows a variant of the operating device 2 in which a guide ring 6 is arranged in the drainage channel 5 and the gap 4. The guide ring 6 is made of a material with a higher interfacial tension than the material of the drainage channel 5. This material pairing ensures that any moisture or liquid that has penetrated the channel is attracted to the guide ring 6. As a result, droplets form more quickly on the guide ring 6, which are then carried downwards by gravity through the drainage channel 5. Figure 7 shows a variant of the operating device 2 in which a sealing device 7 is located downstream of the drain channel 5. The sealing device 7 is, for example, designed as a sealing ring 17 or comprises at least one such ring. The sealing device 7 prevents the liquid in the drain channel 5 from passing beyond the extension 55 into the interior of the outer toggle component 13. Figure 8 shows a variant of the operating device 2 in which the sealing device 7 comprises at least one sealing lip 27 or is designed as such. The sealing device 7 is made, for example, of plastic, rubber, or silicone. In the variant of the operating device 2 shown in Fig. 9, the sealing device 7 (here designed purely as an example as a sealing lip 27) extends into a circumferential groove 37 of the axially outer toggle component 13. Reference symbol list 1 Cooktop assembly 2 Control unit 3 Knob unit 4 Gap 5 Drain channel 6 Guide ring 7 Sealing device 11 Cooktop 13 Knob component 15 Wall 17 Sealing ring 23 Knob base 25 Base 27 Sealing lip 33 Knob 35 Channel cross-section 37 Indentation 43 Control section 45 Extension 55 Collar 100 Cabinet body 101 Cabinet panel 102 Worktop

Claims

Control device (2) for operating a household appliance and in particular a cooktop device (1) with a cooktop (11), 1.1 wherein the control device (2) comprises at least one knob unit (3) with at least two knob components (13) rotatable relative to each other, 1.2 wherein at least one gap (4) is formed between the knob components (13), 1.3 wherein the gap (4) opens into at least one drainage channel (5), characterized in that 1.4 the drainage channel (5) has two walls (15) and a bottom (25) extending between the walls (15), which together define a channel cross-section (35), and 1.4.1 the channel cross-section (35) has tangential and / or continuous curvature transitions and / or the channel cross-section (35) comprises edges which have radii optimized to reduce interfacial tension, and / or 1.4.2 the channel cross-section (35) is asymmetrically designed, such that a lowest point in the channel cross-section (35) is located off-center; and / or 1.5 the drainage channel (5) has a surface property optimized to reduce interfacial tension and 1.5.1 the surface property creates a lotus effect and / or 1.5.2 comprises at least one coating and / or mechanical structure and / or 1.5.3 the surface property is provided by a material of the drainage channel (5); and / or 1.6 the toggle components (13) have at least partially, on their surfaces bounding the gap (4), at least one surface property optimized to reduce interfacial tension; and / or 1.7 the toggle components (13) have at least one radius optimized to reduce interfacial tension on their edges bounding the gap (4); and / or 1.8 in the gap (4) and / or in the drainage channel (5) at least one guide ring (6) is arranged and that the guide ring (6) has a higher interfacial tension than the drainage channel (5). Operating device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the drainage channel (5) runs in the circumferential direction of the toggle unit (3). Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drainage channel (5) is annular in shape. Operating device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the gap (4) opens off-center into the channel cross-section (35). Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drainage channel (5) is arranged on one of the toggle components (13). Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two toggle components (13) rotatable relative to each other are sealed at least sectionally to each other by means of at least one sealing device (7) and that the sealing device (7) prevents a liquid located in the drain channel (5) from entering between the toggle components (13) from the drain channel (5). Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one extension (45) is formed on at least one of the toggle components (13) which extends in an axial direction into the other toggle component (13), and that the drainage channel (5) is arranged at least on the extension (45). Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one radially inward extending collar (55) is formed on at least one of the toggle components (13), which projects into the drainage channel (5) or at least in the direction of the drainage channel (5). Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two knob components (13) rotatable relative to each other are provided by at least one knob base (23) that can be mounted in a rotationally fixed manner and at least one knob (33) rotatably mounted on the knob base (23). Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two knob components (13) rotatable relative to each other are provided by at least two operating sections (43) rotatable relative to each other of a knob (33).

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