HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher.

[0002] A dishwasher consists of a wash tub to which a hinged door is attached. The door may be fitted with a control and display unit, which allows the dishwasher to be operated and displays information such as the remaining time of a wash program. When the door is opened, the angle changes, allowing the user to view the control and display unit.

[0003] US patent 2017 / 0089632 A1 discloses a refrigerator with one door and a display integrated into the door. A control system detects the door's movement and controls the display accordingly.

[0004] Against this background, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved household appliance.

[0005] Accordingly, a household appliance, in particular a household dishwasher, is proposed with a receiving area, a door hinged to the receiving area and an operating and display device provided on the door, wherein information displayed by the operating and display device changes depending on the opening angle of the door.

[0006] By changing the displayed information depending on the opening angle of the door, it can be ensured that the information is always equally visible to a user, regardless of the opening angle.

[0007] The household appliance is preferably a household dishwasher. However, the household appliance can also be a household oven, a household washing machine, a household dryer, a household refrigerator, a household freezer, or the like. The receiving area is preferably a wash chamber of the household appliance. The receiving area is preferably cuboid and comprises a base, a ceiling opposite the base, two opposing side walls, and a rear wall opposite the closed door. A loading opening of the receiving area can be opened and closed by means of the door. The phrase "hinged" on the receiving area, in this context, means in particular that the door is pivotably connected to the receiving area, for example, by means of hinges.

[0008] The opening angle is defined in particular as the angle between the door and a flange of the receiving area that surrounds the loading opening of the receiving area. The operating and display device is preferably mounted on, attached to, or in the door. The operating and display device is preferably permanently connected to the door. The household appliance can be operated using the operating and display device, for example, by selecting a wash program. Furthermore, the operating and display device is suitable for displaying information output by the household appliance.

[0009] In this context, "information" can refer, for example, to pictograms or symbols displayed by the operating and display unit. However, "information" can also refer to control surfaces that a user can operate, for example, to start or stop the appliance or to select a program, particularly a washing program. The operating and display unit can include, for example, a display, a touchscreen, LEDs, or the like. The fact that the information "changes" depending on the door's opening angle means, in this context, that different information is displayed depending on the door's opening angle and / or that the information on the operating and display unit moves depending on the opening angle.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the operating and display device is designed to display only a portion of the information, depending on the opening angle.

[0011] In particular, the operating and display unit is designed to show information relevant only to a specific opening angle. For example, when the door is closed, relevant information includes the remaining time of a wash program, a start or pause function, or selectable options such as "speed on demand" or "silence on demand." When the door is slightly open or in an intermediate position, relevant information includes, for example, program selection or option selection, starting the appliance, or general operation, as this is the most ergonomic position for the user. When the door is fully open, relevant information includes, for example, indicators of low water levels, such as the need to refill water softener salt, rinse aid, or detergent.Furthermore, the relevant information may also include explanations, such as a quick start guide for the household appliance.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the door can be moved from a closed state via an intermediate state to an open state, wherein the operating and display device is configured to display information relevant either only for the closed state, only for the intermediate state or only for the open state.

[0013] In the closed state, the opening angle is 0°. In the intermediate state, the opening angle is preferably 15 to 25°. In the open state, the opening angle is 90°.

[0014] According to the invention, the operating and display device is designed to move the information on the operating and display device when the opening angle of the door is changed.

[0015] This means, for example, that when the door is moved from the closed state to the open state, the information on the operating and display device moves, so that the user can always see the information clearly regardless of the opening angle.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the operating and display device is configured to move the information in the display in the opposite direction of movement of the display.

[0017] Since the location of the display also changes when the door moves, shifting the information displayed in the opposite direction improves the user's ability to follow the information, especially during door movement.

[0018] Traceability of information by the user, especially during the movement of the door.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the door has a front facing away from the receiving area, a back facing the receiving area and a top edge arranged between the front and the back, wherein the operating and display device is arranged on or at the front, on or at the top edge and / or on or at the back.

[0020] Preferably, the operating and display device is arranged on or at the front, on or at the top edge, and on or at the rear. Alternatively, the operating and display device can also be arranged only on or at the front and on or at the top edge. In this case, the operating and display device is not arranged on or at the rear.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the operating and display device is guided around the upper edge.

[0022] This means that the upper edge is preferably enclosed or encompassed by the operating and display device.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the operating and display device has a first section which is assigned to the front of the door, a second section which is assigned to the top edge of the door, and / or a third section which is assigned to the back of the door.

[0024] The sections can be separate components, for example in the form of touchpads. Alternatively, the sections can be joined together as a single unit, so that the operating and display device is only one component that runs around the top edge. The operating and display device can, for example, include or be designed as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED).

[0025] According to another embodiment, depending on the opening angle of the door, only one of the sections is activated at any given time.

[0026] "Activated" in this context means that the respective section displays the information, or that the respective information is visible to the user in the active section. For example, when the door is closed, only the first section is activated; in the intermediate state, only the second section is activated; and when the door is open, only the third section is activated.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the first section, the second section and the third section are arranged such that the operating and display device has a U-shaped geometry.

[0028] The U-shaped geometry surrounds or wraps around the top edge of the door.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the first section and the second section are arranged such that the operating and display device has an L-shaped geometry in cross-section.

[0030] In this case, the operating and display device is located only on or at the front and on or at the top edge of the door. This means that the third section is omitted in this case.

[0031] Other possible implementations of the household appliance also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the household appliance.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the household appliance are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the household appliance described below. The household appliance will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance; Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of the household appliance according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 The detailed view III shows according to the Fig. 2 ; and Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an operating and display device for the household appliance according to Fig. 1 .

[0033] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise indicated.

[0034] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance 1. The household appliance 1 is preferably a water-bearing household appliance. In particular, the household appliance 1 is a household dishwasher. However, the household appliance 1 can also be an oven, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a freezer, a refrigerator, or the like. For the purposes of this discussion, however, it is assumed that the household appliance 1 is a household dishwasher.

[0035] The household appliance 1 comprises a receiving area 2, which can be closed by a door 3, in particular a watertight one. A sealing device may be provided between the door 3 and the receiving area 2 for this purpose. The receiving area 2 is, in particular, a washing container of the household appliance 1 or may be described as such. The receiving area 2 is preferably cuboid in shape. The receiving area 2 may be arranged in a housing of the household appliance 1. The receiving area 2 and the door 3 may form a washing chamber 4 for washing items.

[0036] Door 3 is in the Fig. 1 The door 3 is shown in its open position. It can be opened or closed by pivoting it about a pivot axis 5 located at its lower end. The door 3 can be used to open or close a loading opening 6 of the receiving area 2. The receiving area 2 has a base 7, a ceiling 8 opposite the base 7, a rear wall 9 opposite the closed door 3, and two opposing side walls 10 and 11. The base 7, ceiling 8, rear wall 9, and side walls 10 and 11 can, for example, be made of stainless steel. Alternatively, the base 7 can, for example, be made of a plastic material.

[0037] The household appliance 1 further comprises at least one dishwashing compartment 12 to 14. Preferably, several, for example three, dishwashing compartments 12 to 14 can be provided, wherein the dishwashing compartment 12 can be a lower dishwashing compartment or a lower basket, the dishwashing compartment 13 an upper dishwashing compartment or an upper basket, and the dishwashing compartment 14 a cutlery drawer. As the Fig. 1 As further shown, the dishwashing fixtures 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the receiving area 2. Each dishwashing fixture 12 to 14 can be selectively moved into or out of the receiving area 2. In particular, each dishwashing fixture 12 to 14 can be pushed or moved into the receiving area 2 in an insertion direction E and pulled or moved out of the receiving area 2 in an extension direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

[0038] The Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of household appliance 1. As the Fig. 2 As shown, the door 3 can be moved from a closed state Z1 through any number of intermediate states Z2 to a fully open state Z3. In the intermediate state Z2, the door is designated by the reference symbol 3'. In the open state Z3, the door is designated by the reference symbol 3"". When moving the door 3 from the closed state Z1 to the open state Z3, the door 3 is pivoted relative to the receiving area 2 by an opening angle α. The opening angle α is defined as an angle between the door 3 and a flange surrounding the loading opening 6 of the receiving area 2. In the closed state Z1, the opening angle α is 0°, in which the Fig. 2 In the intermediate state Z2 shown, the opening angle α is, for example, 15 to 25°, and in the open state Z3, the opening angle α is 90°.

[0039] The Fig. 3 The detailed view III shows according to the Fig. 2 . As the Fig. 3 As shown, the door 3 comprises a front 15 facing away from the receiving area 2 and a rear 16 facing the receiving area 2. The front 15 and the rear 16 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart. An upper edge 17 is provided between the front 15 and the rear 16. The upper edge 17 connects the front 15 to the rear 16. The upper edge 17 is preferably positioned perpendicular to both the front 15 and the rear 16.

[0040] The household appliance 1 includes an operating and display device 18 provided in or on the door 3. The operating and display device 18 allows the household appliance 1 to be operated and, for example, its operating status to be displayed. The operating and display device 18 can, for example, be or include a touchscreen. Furthermore, the operating and display device 18 can have any other operating and display elements. For example, the operating and display device 18 can include switches, displays, LEDs, or the like.

[0041] The operating and display device 18 comprises a first section 19, which is associated with the front 15, a second section 20, which is associated with the upper edge 17, and a third section 21, which is associated with the rear 16. The first section 19 is located on or at the front 15. The second section 20 is located on or at the upper edge 17. The third section 21 is located on or at the rear 16. The operating and display device 18 thus wraps around the upper edge 17.

[0042] Optionally, one of sections 19 to 21 can be omitted. For example, the operating and display unit 18 can be designed without the third section 21 assigned to the rear 16. In this case, the operating and display unit 18 is only located on or at the front 15 and on or at the top edge 17. A control unit 22 is also assigned to the operating and display unit 18, which can, for example, be located inside the door 3. The control unit 22 can, for example, store washing programs for the household appliance 1.

[0043] The first section 19 of the operating and display unit 18 is suitable for displaying relevant information and / or enabling functions when the door 3 is closed (Z1). "Information" in this context can be understood as a symbol, a pictogram, or a sequence of letters and / or numbers. Relevant information displayed by the operating and display unit 18 when the door is closed (Z1) could, for example, be the remaining time of a wash program in the household appliance 1. A "function" could, for example, be the selection of different options for a wash program, such as "speed on demand" or "silence on demand," starting or pausing the wash program, or the like. The function can be "enabled" by a user touching or selecting the information, for example, a symbol displayed by the operating and display unit 18.

[0044] The second section 20 of the operating and display unit 18 is suitable for displaying relevant information and / or enabling functions in the intermediate state Z2. The relevant information and / or functions include selecting the wash program and / or wash program options, or starting the wash program. In particular, general operation of the household appliance 1 is possible in the intermediate state Z2, as this is the most ergonomic position for the user. For example, in the intermediate state Z2, the household appliance 1 can be operated and the wash program selected using the operating and display unit 18.

[0045] The third section 21 of the operating and display unit 18 is suitable for displaying relevant information and / or enabling functions when the door 3 is open (Z3). For example, the operating and display unit 18 can be used to display shortage indicators, such as a lack of water softener salt, rinse aid, or detergent, when the door is open (Z3). Furthermore, the operating and display unit 18 can also display explanations, such as a quick start guide for the household appliance 1.

[0046] The Fig. 4 shows a diagram of the operating and display unit 18. That is, in the Fig. 4 are all sections 19 to 21 of the operating and display unit 18 arranged in one plane and not, as in the Fig. 3 As shown, the U-shaped positioning is indicated. Each section 19 to 21 is assigned, as previously mentioned, at least one piece of information x, y, z, which is displayed by the operating and display unit 18 only when the door 3 is in the corresponding state Z1 to Z3. For example, the information x is only displayed when the door 3 is in the closed state Z1. The information y is accordingly only displayed when the door 3 is in the intermediate state Z2. The information z, on the other hand, is only displayed when the door 3 is in the open state Z3.

[0047] Furthermore, it is also possible that the respective information x, y, z, as in the Fig. 4The information x, shown by arrows 23 and 24, moves across the control and display unit 18 depending on the opening angle α. For example, when the door 3 moves from the closed state Z1 to the intermediate state Z2, the information x moves from the first section 19 of the control and display unit 18 to the second section 20. Conversely, when the door 3 moves from the intermediate state Z2 to the closed state Z1, the information x can move back from the second section 20 to the first section 19. When the door 3 moves from the intermediate state Z2 to the open state Z3, the information x moves accordingly from the second section 20 of the control and display unit 18 to the third section 21.Conversely, when moving door 3 from the open state Z3 to the intermediate state Z2, the information x can travel back from the third section 21 to the second section 20.

[0048] With the help of the operating and display unit 18, it is thus possible to show a user only the information x, y, z or functionalities relevant to the respective opening angle α. Furthermore, printed pictograms or symbols can be dispensed with, as these can be digitized and displayed using the operating and display unit 18. It is therefore possible to show the user only the respective information x, y, z that is relevant at the corresponding time and to link this to the opening angle α of the door 3. For example, when the door 3 is in the closed state Z1, only the remaining time, the start or pause options, and extra functions such as "speed on demand" and "silence on demand" are displayed on the first section 19 of the operating and display unit 18.

[0049] When door 3 is opened, some information (x, y, z) becomes irrelevant, such as "speed on demand" or "silence on demand." These functions are only activated if the appliance (1) is already running. Other information (x, y, z) remains relevant even when door 3 is opened, such as the start / pause function. Furthermore, some information (x, y, z) changes. The clock on the remaining time display on the outside of door 3 changes to a clock that shows the program duration. This simplifies program selection.

[0050] The transformation of information x, y, z can be visualized through animation, making it clearer to the user that only the relevant information x, y, z is visible and that the appliance 1 reacts intelligently to their behavior. By displaying only the information x, y, z that corresponds to the opening angle α of the door 3, information overload is prevented. This increases ease of use.

[0051] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. Reference symbols used:

[0052] 1 Appliance 2 Loading area 3 Door 3' Door 3" Door 4 Wash chamber 5 Swivel axis 6 Loading opening 7 Floor 8 Ceiling 9 Rear wall 10 Side wall 11 Side wall 12 Dishwashing compartment 13 Dishwashing compartment 14 Dishwashing compartment 15 Front 16 Rear 17 Top edge 18 Operating and display unit 19 Section 20 Section 21 Section 22 Control unit 23 Arrow 24 Arrow A Extraction direction Insertion direction x Information y Information z Information Z1 State Z2 State Z3 State α Opening angle

Claims

1. Household appliance (1), in particular a household dishwasher, with a receiving region (2), a door (3) attached to the receiving region (2) and a control and display facility (18) provided on the door (3), wherein items of information (x, y, z) displayed by the control and display facility (18) vary depending on an opening angle (α) of the door (3), characterised in that the control and display facility (18) is configured to move the items of information (x, y, z) on the control and display facility (18) when the opening angle (α) of the door (3) is changed.

2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the control and display facility (18) is configured to display only some of the items of information (x, y, z) depending on the opening angle (α).

3. Household appliance according to claim 2, characterised in that the door (3) can be brought from a closed state (Z1) via an intermediate state (Z2) into an open state (Z3), wherein the control and display facility (18) is configured to display items of information (x, y, z) that are relevant either only for the closed state (Z1), only for the intermediate state (Z2) or only for the open state (Z3) in each case.

4. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the control and display facility (18) is configured to move the items of information (x, y, z) counter to a direction of movement of the display.

5. Household appliance according to one of claims 1 - 4, characterised in that the door (3) has a front side (15) facing away from the receiving region (2), a rear side (16) facing towards the receiving region (2), and an upper edge (17) arranged between the front side (15) and the rear side (16), wherein the control and display facility (18) is arranged on or at the front side (15), on or at the upper edge (17) and / or on or at the rear side (16).

6. Household appliance according to claim 5, characterised in that the control and display facility (18) is guided around the upper edge (17).

7. Household appliance according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the control and display facility (18) has a first section (19) assigned to the front side (15) of the door (3), a second section (20) assigned to the upper edge (17) of the door (3), and / or a third section (21) assigned to the rear side (16) of the door (3).

8. Household appliance according to claim 7, characterised in that only one of the sections (19 - 21) is activated in each case depending on the opening angle (α) of the door (3).

9. Household appliance according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the first section (19), the second section (20) and the third section (21) are arranged such that the control and display facility (18) has a U-shaped geometry in cross-section.

10. Household appliance according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the first section (19) and the second section (20) are arranged such that the control and display facility (18) has an L-shaped geometry in cross-section.