DISPLAY AND CONTROL DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a display and control device for making settings on a household appliance. Furthermore, a household appliance with a display and control device for making settings on the household appliance.

[0002] In many electrical and electronic devices, particularly in household appliances such as stoves, hobs, microwave ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers and the like, touch-sensitive pushbutton switches or touch and / or proximity switches are often used, which, for example, trigger a certain switching operation and / or change a device setting by simply touching or approaching them by a user or a user's finger.

[0003] DE 10 2013 224 261 A1 discloses a capacitive touch and / or proximity switch on a cover plate, which defines a touch field on a side facing the user and is designed to be electrically insulating and at least partially translucent at least in the region of the touch field, a carrier plate arranged at a distance from the cover plate on a side facing away from the user; and a coupling element arranged between the cover plate and the carrier plate corresponding to the touch field and in contact with an electrically conductive contact surface on the carrier plate.

[0004] DE 10 259 297 A1 discloses a device for illuminating at least one button provided on a transparent pane by means of at least one light source, wherein a touch switch is arranged behind the button, wherein the light source is arranged at a distance from the button, the light source irradiates the pane or a light guide arranged on it and its light is guided in the pane or the light guide in the direction of the button.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved display and operating device with a capacitive control panel which has a simple structure and at the same time enables backlighting of the display and operating device.

[0006] This object is achieved by a display and operating device having the features of independent claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention relates to a display and operating device for making settings on a household appliance, comprising a support housing with a display and operating panel with a control panel on an outer side of the display and operating panel facing the user, a printed circuit board on an inner side of the display and operating panel facing away from the user, and a light guide on an inner side of the display and operating panel facing away from the user, with a flat light guide section with an edge-side light entry surface, wherein the printed circuit board has an outer main surface facing the display and operating panel, on which a light source provided for backlighting the display and operating panel and an electrical sensor surface corresponding to the control panel are provided,wherein the flat light guide section is held between the electrical sensor surface and an inner side of the display and control panel facing away from the user, wherein the light source is arranged outside the electrical sensor surface on the outer main surface of the circuit board and a main radiation axis of the light source is directed onto the edge-side light entry surface.

[0009] According to the invention, during intended use of the display and control device, the light guide has a plurality of flat light guide sections arranged horizontally next to one another, each of which is essentially physically separated from one another, wherein the light guide has a plurality of light sources and electrical sensor surfaces on the circuit board corresponding to the flat light guide sections. Corresponding to the plurality of flat light guide sections, a plurality of light sources and electrical sensor surfaces are provided and arranged horizontally next to one another on the circuit board. Accordingly, a plurality of control panels can be provided on the display and control panel. Furthermore, a plurality of control panels or control panel sections can be provided for making settings for, for example, a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment in a household refrigerator.Since the upper front panel on the body of a household refrigerator is rather narrow in height, a chain-like arrangement of the control panels is particularly advantageous for household refrigerators.

[0010] According to the invention, the plurality of flat light guide sections are each arranged in a recess on the inside of the display and control panel that corresponds to the flat light guide sections, with an opaque wall projection being located between each closed recess, said projection being intended to prevent light from adjacently arranged flat light guide sections from mixing up. Preferably, the plurality of light sources are also arranged in the recess. The at least one wall projection is intended to prevent light from changing in adjacently arranged flat light guide sections. The recess is preferably closed or pocket-shaped and essentially corresponds to the dimensions of the flat light guide section. The corresponding plurality of light sources preferably also protrude into the recess or into an edge cutout of the recess.Preferably, the contours of the closed recess correspond to the contours of the light guide. Furthermore, the thickness of the flat light guide corresponds to the depth of the recess. The one or more wall projections between the recesses are each formed integrally with the display and control panel or the support body and protrude from the inside of the display and control panel.

[0011] In the depth direction of the display and operating device according to the invention, an improved and slimmer design of the display and operating device results, since the electrical sensor surface and the light source are arranged apart from one another on the outer main surface of the circuit board, and the flat light guide section is held between the electrical sensor surface and the light source. Furthermore, since the electrical sensor surface and the flat light guide section lie flat on one another, the geometry of the light guide and the electrical sensor surface can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively. Furthermore, such a display and operating device can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively, since holding the light guide between the electrical sensor surface and the display and operating panel eliminates the need for additional fastening of the light guide.

[0012] For the purposes of the present invention, a carrier housing is understood to be an electronics housing suitable for supporting and, in particular, enclosing electronic components and ensuring electrical safety. For this purpose, the carrier housing is preferably made of plastic. Furthermore, the carrier housing can have a metallic outer shell to ensure fire safety.

[0013] The control panel can have several individual control panels arranged side by side, known as so-called LED chain electronics. These are typically elongated or ribbon-shaped strips with touch-sensitive control panels (also referred to as "touch panels" or "direct touch" control panels) arranged in a row along their length. The control panels are preferably designed as touch-sensitive layers or layer stacks, which act, for example, as capacitive proximity switches. Unlike a TFT display, each position in an LED chain display can therefore only be occupied by a specific display panel. A rigid or flexible printed circuit board or circuit board serves as the carrier for LED chain electronics. In addition to the touch-sensitive control panels and LEDs, a circuit or electronics is mounted on it to evaluate the control panels for touch, control the LEDs, and, if necessary,Triggering at least one action when the control panels are touched.

[0014] A household appliance within the meaning of the present invention can be a stove, hob, microwave oven, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, refrigerator and the like.

[0015] In the case of a control panel within the meaning of the present invention, an electrical sensor surface, together with, for example, a user's finger, forms a capacitance via a dielectric that varies according to the actuation of the control panel of the display and control panel. The change in the capacitance value affects an output signal of a corresponding sensor circuit, which is interpreted by evaluation electronics as an actuation of the control panel. In particular, when a user touches the control panel, a coupling capacitance is created between the electrical sensor surface and the sensor circuit, via which a leakage current flows from the sensor circuit to the user, which is detected by the evaluation electronics. The thickness of the dielectric can be 1 to 4 mm. According to the present invention, the dielectric is formed by the display and control panel and the light guide, in particular the flat light guide section.

[0016] In the case of the present invention, the light guide is preferably made of a non-conductive and translucent plastic, for example, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The light guide is configured such that the light coupled in at the edge via the light entry surface is distributed or scattered into different areas within the light guide. Accordingly, the flat light guide section can also be used to backlight a symbolic control panel. Since the light guide is preferably non-conductive, it can be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0017] The electrical sensor surface is generally understood to be a metallic surface or metal pad. In particular, when a user touches the control panel, a coupling capacitance is created between the electrical sensor surface and the sensor surface, through which a leakage current flows from a capacitive sensor circuit to the user, which is detected by the evaluation electronics.

[0018] An edge-side light entry surface is defined as a surface of the flat light guide section that faces the light source and is preferably polished. Polishing the surface can reduce or even prevent unwanted refraction or reflection of the light rays.

[0019] The light source is preferably located directly adjacent to the electrical sensor surface. When the display and control device is used as intended, the light source is preferably located above the electrical sensor surface and couples the light into the light entry surface of the planar light guide from above.

[0020] For the purposes of the present invention, a printed circuit board is preferably considered to be a printed circuit board or PCB ("printed circuit board") on which SMD components ("surface-mounted device") are preferably arranged.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the light guide has a linear light guide section as an extension of the flat light guide section, which is provided at an end of the flat light guide section opposite the edge-side light entry surface. In particular, the linear light guide section is arranged at an angle of 60 to 120 degrees relative to the flat light guide section and protrudes from the flat light guide section in the direction of the display and control panel. The linear light guide section preferably extends horizontally without interruption in the width direction of the display and control panel when the display and control device is used as intended.When the display and control device is used as intended, the light entry surface is located above the electrical sensor surface and the linear light guide section is located below the electrical sensor surface in order to provide the user with an indication of the setting on the control panel.

[0022] According to one embodiment, it is provided that, during intended use of the display and operating device, the light source is arranged above the electrical sensor surface and the linear optical fiber section is arranged below the electrical sensor surface. This achieves the advantage that the light source and the linear optical fiber section are arranged on opposite sides of the electrical sensor surface, thereby improving the space distribution of the components in the display and operating device.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a reflector is provided between the flat light guide section and the linear light guide section, wherein the reflector is provided as a wall of the light guide extending in the direction of the display and control panel. This achieves the advantage that the light rays are deflected and emitted by the flat light guide section in the direction of the display and control panel. The reflector is preferably inclined and directed such that the light rays passing through the flat light guide section are uniformly deflected toward the light exit surface of the linear light guide section across its entire width. This has the advantage that the luminous intensity in the linear light guide section is uniform and sufficient.During normal use of the display and control device, the inclination is inclined in the direction of the display and control panel and the angle of inclination is 35 to 55 degrees, preferably 45 degrees relative to a surface normal on the outer main surface of the planar light guide section.

[0024] According to one embodiment, during intended use of the display and operating device, the linear light guide section has a light exit surface that is provided below the control panel of the display and operating panel. In particular, the linear light guide section is arranged behind or in an elongated opening in the display and operating panel. The elongated opening corresponds to a line field on the display and operating panel, and the linear light guide section is intended to backlight the line field through the elongated opening in accordance with the setting on the control panel. This results in the advantage that, after activating a control panel, the user is directly signaled by corresponding light feedback in the form of an illuminated underline that the selection has been registered and accepted.The light exit surface is preferably an edge surface of the linear light guide section, which faces the display and control panel. The light exit surface of the linear light guide section is preferably smoothly polished to minimize scattering of the emerging light rays. The light exit surface is preferably provided in an opening in the display and control panel.

[0025] According to one embodiment, during intended use of the display and control device, the linear light guide section extends horizontally over several flat light guide sections and is physically uninterrupted. This offers the advantage that the light guide can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively, as fewer delicate light guide elements need to be manufactured. By applying a printed film in front of the display and control panel and correspondingly offsetting the translucent or semi-transparent areas of the printed film, which represent the underline of the symbols and correspond to sections of the linear light guide section, any mixing or change of light into adjacent line segments of the line field is avoided or concealed.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the light source is a radially coupling-out light-emitting diode (LED), wherein the main light exit axis is provided essentially parallel to the outer main surface of the circuit board. Preferably, when the display and control device is used as intended, the light is coupled out downwards. This results in the advantage that the display and control device can be operated with more energy by using a light-emitting diode. Furthermore, a light-emitting diode can be installed more easily in SMD design on a circuit board and requires little installation space. By coupling the light from above into the flat light guide section, the light can be scattered along the electrical sensor surface and coupled out into the linear light guide section essentially perpendicular to the display and control panel.The light source is preferably designed as a "side looker" LED, which couples out the light radially and has the main radiation axis at 90° from the mounting axis of the LED.

[0027] According to one embodiment, during intended use of the display and control device, the flat light guide section is arranged behind or in a flat opening in the display and control panel, wherein the flat opening corresponds to the control panel and the flat light guide section is intended to backlight the control panel through the flat opening. Preferably, the opening is symbolic, so that the user is provided with information about the set criterion, such as the compartment temperature, super function, or on / off function, in addition to a light indication.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the planar light guide section, when viewed vertically from above onto one of the main surfaces, has an expanding light guide section that includes the edge-side light entry surface. The light source is spatially spaced from the light entry surface, and its main emission axis is preferably perpendicular to the light entry surface of the planar light guide section. This has the advantage that the emitted light rays from the light source are coupled essentially entirely into the planar light guide section via the light entry surface, allowing expansion within the planar light guide section.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the circuit board is equipped with additional electrical components on the main surface facing away from the display and control panel, which form a circuit for evaluating the control panel for touch, controlling the light source, and triggering at least one action upon touching the control panels. This has the advantage that, during intended use of the display and control device, the outer main surface of the circuit board is essentially free of electrical components, and the light path of the emitted light from the light source is unobstructed and unshadowed.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the display and control panel is equipped with a printed film having at least one translucent region corresponding to at least one linear and / or planar opening. The arrangement of the translucent regions on the printed film is selected such that the light emitted by the planar light guide section and / or the linear light guide section can exit through the translucent region. The translucent region can also be semi-transparent. The control panels are provided with a mask, for example, in order to assign each control panel a fixed, predetermined piece of lighting information, e.g. in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, etc. The other regions of the printed film are provided with an opaque coating and are therefore opaque. The printed film is preferably glued to the display and control panel.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the circuit board is hot-stitched to the carrier housing on the inside of the display and control panel using fastening bolts. To connect plastic carriers to, for example, circuit boards or metal components, plastic domes are melted and formed using force and heat to create a permanent form-fitting, force-fitting, and in some cases, even material-fitting connection. The fastening bolt can be made of thermoplastics such as PA, PBT, PC, PE, POM, and PP. In addition to fixing the components together, this connection technology also enables the transmission of forces between the circuit board and the display and control panel, allowing the light guide to be clamped in the recess between the inside of the display and control panel and the circuit board.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the support housing has a mounting slot protruding from the display and control panel, in which the circuit board and the light guide are installed. The mounting slot serves to protect the electronic components on the circuit board. Furthermore, the mounting slot can ensure electrical safety or fire safety. The mounting slot is preferably made of plastic. For fire safety, the mounting slot can have a metallic outer shell.

[0033] A further aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, with a display and operating device for making settings on the household appliance.

[0034] The terms "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" etc. indicate the positions and orientations given when the device is used and arranged as intended and when an observer is standing in front of the device and looking in the direction of the device.

[0035] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures.

[0036] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying schematic drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance with a schematically shown display and operating device, Fig. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the display and operating device, Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a partial section of an inside of a support housing of the display and operating device according to Figure 2 . Fig. 4 in a perspective view of the partial section of the support housing with a light guide of the display and control device according to Figure 2 , Fig. 5 a perspective view of a front side of the display and control panel of the display and control device according to Figure 2 , Fig. 6 a side view of the circuit board with a light guide and a light source of the display and control device according to Figure 2 without the carrier housing, Fig. 7 a front view of the circuit board with the light source and the light guide after Figure 6, Fig. 8 a sectional view of the assembled display and control device according to Figure 2 , Fig. 9 a perspective view of the circuit board of the display and control device according to Figure 2 with several electrical sensor surfaces and light sources, Fig. 10 a front view of the display and operating device in a first embodiment, Fig. 11 a front view of the display and operating device in a second embodiment, and Fig. 12 a front view of the display and operating device in a third embodiment.

[0037] The Fig. 1shows, in a perspective view, an example of a household appliance 1, in particular a household refrigeration appliance, with a schematically shown display and operating device 30, which comprises a body 2 thermally insulated with insulating foam and having an inner container 3. The inner container 3 defines a coolable interior 4 intended for storing foodstuffs (not shown).

[0038] The household refrigeration appliance 1 further comprises a door leaf 5, which is pivotably mounted on the body 2, in particular with respect to a vertical axis. When the door leaf 5 is open, the coolable interior 4 is accessible.

[0039] In the present embodiment, several door racks 6 for storing food are arranged on the side of the door leaf 5 facing the coolable interior 4. In particular, several shelves 7 for storing food are arranged in the coolable interior 4, and in particular, a drawer 8, in which food can also be stored, is arranged in the lower area of the coolable interior 4. The upward opening of the drawer 8 is covered by the lowest shelf 7.

[0040] The household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a refrigeration device 9, known in principle to the person skilled in the art, preferably in the form of a refrigerant circuit for cooling the coolable interior space 4.

[0041] In the present exemplary embodiment, the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises an electronic control device 10, which controls the refrigeration device 9, in particular the compressor of the refrigerant circuit, in a manner generally known to those skilled in the art, such that the coolable interior 4 has at least approximately a predetermined or predeterminable target temperature. The electronic control device 10 is preferably configured to regulate the temperature of the coolable interior 4. In order to obtain the actual temperature of the coolable interior 4, if necessary, the household refrigeration appliance 1 can have at least one temperature sensor (not shown in detail) connected to the electronic control device 10.

[0042] Furthermore, the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises at least one interior light 20, which is intended to illuminate the coolable interior 4 when the door leaf 5 is open. In the present embodiment, the interior light 20 is attached to the inner container 3. The interior light 20 can be arranged on a side wall 3a or rear wall 3b of the inner container 3.

[0043] Furthermore, the household refrigeration appliance 1 comprises the display and operating device 30 extending horizontally along the upper front strip of the body 2 for making or changing settings on the exemplary household refrigeration appliance 1.

[0044] In Figure 2The display and control device 30 according to the invention is shown in an exploded view. The display and control device 30 has a support housing 40 with a display and control panel 41, on which a receiving shaft 42 is provided, projecting from the inner side 41b or from the side of the display and control panel 41 facing away from the user. Furthermore, a display and control surface (not visible in the illustration) is located on an outer side 41a of the display and control panel, or on a side facing the user.The receiving shaft 42 encloses, with shaft walls 43, a construction space in which a light guide 50, consisting of a flat light guide section 51 and a linear light guide section 52, and a circuit board 60, comprising electrical components 62 and an electrical connection 61, are provided on an inner main surface 60b of the circuit board 60 facing away from the display and control panel 41 during intended use of the display and control device 30. The flat light guide section 51 comprises a plurality of flat light guide sections 51 arranged side by side. The linear light guide section 52 extends below the plurality of flat light guide sections 51 and connects the plurality of flat light guide sections 51 to one another. For this purpose, the linear light guide section 52 is designed to be physically uninterrupted in the horizontal direction during intended use of the display and control device 30.Furthermore, the receiving shaft 42 comprises one or more snap-lock connections 441 at the edge area, which snap into place with corresponding counter-locking elements in a recess of the household appliance 1 (not shown here), in particular the cross member.

[0045] In Figure 3 is a perspective view of a partial section of the carrier housing 40 according to Figure 2shown. In the installation space of the receiving shaft 42, a plurality of recesses 45 are provided, in which the light guide 50 is accommodated. The recesses 45 are preferably designed to be closed or form a recessed field and comprise a first recess section 451, in which the flat light guide section 51 (not shown in the illustration) is arranged in the assembled state of the display and control device 30, and a second recess section 452, in which a light source (not shown in the illustration) is provided in the assembled state of the display and control device 30. The first recess section 451 essentially corresponds to the dimensions of the flat light guide section 51 (not shown here). The recesses 45 are located on an inner side 41b or on an inner side 41b of the display and control panel 41 facing away from the user in the receiving shaft 42.An opaque wall projection 47 extends between each of the recesses 45, which is intended to prevent light from alternating between adjacent flat light guide sections 51. The wall projection 47 is formed integrally with the support housing 40 and protrudes from the inner side 41b of the display and control panel 41. Furthermore, in . Figure 3A fastening bolt 48 is shown, over which the light guide 50 (not shown in the illustration) is slipped and hot-stitched to the circuit board 60 (not shown here). As a result, the light guide 50 (not shown here) is pressed into the recess 45 and held therein by hot-stitching over the fastening bolt 48. Furthermore, directly below the recess 45, there is an elongated opening 46a in which a linear light guide section 52 (not shown in the illustration) is arranged. The elongated opening 46a extends horizontally along the plurality of recesses 45.

[0046] In Figure 4 is a perspective view of the partial section of the carrier housing 40 according to Figure 2 with the light guide 50 in the assembled state. Figure 3 Beyond that, the Figure 4 that the light guide 50 with its flat light guide section 51 in the recess 45 after Figure 3and is arranged with its linear light guide section 52 in the opening 46a. Furthermore, the light guide 50 comprises webs 58 connecting two of the flat light guide sections 51, which form an intermediate space through which the fastening bolt 48, which is integrally formed with the display and control panel 41, projects. The webs 58 are integrally formed with the light guide 50. Furthermore, a second recessed section 452 is provided in the recess above the light guide 50, into which a light source 63 (not shown in the illustration) can project when the display and control device 30 is in the assembled state.

[0047] In Figure 5 is a perspective view of a front side of the display and control panel 41 of the display and control device 30 according to Figure 2shown. The front side of the display and control panel 41 faces a user of the household appliance 1 when the display and control device 30 is installed. Openings 46a, 46b are provided in the front wall of the display and control panel 41. The opening 46a, in which the linear light guide section 52 (not shown in the illustration) is provided when the display and control device 30 is assembled, is elongated and extends horizontally or in the longitudinal direction of the display and control device 30. To enable simple manufacture of the display and control device 30, the opening 46a is uninterrupted in the horizontal direction or without intermediate walls. Furthermore, a plurality of openings 46b are provided in the display and control panel 41 above the linear opening 46a. One of the openings 46b is symbol-free and shown as a rectangular cutout. Another opening 46b is shown symbolically orsymbolizes the "super function" in, for example, a household refrigeration appliance. Depending on the selection of the display and control unit, the opening 46a is covered by the one shown in . Figure 5 not shown flat light guide section 51 is backlit or illuminated and the linear opening 46a or sections thereof by the in Figure 5 not shown linear light guide section 52 backlit or illuminated.

[0048] In Figure 6 is a side view of a printed circuit board 60 with a light guide 50 and a light source 63 of the display and operating device 30 according to Figure 2shown without the carrier housing 40. The light guide 50 or the flat light guide section 51 lies with its rear side flat against an outer main surface 60a of the printed circuit board 60 or a main surface 60a facing the user in the assembled state of the display and control device 30. A light source 63 is also provided on the outer main surface 60a of the printed circuit board 60 and is preferably mounted on the printed circuit board 60 via solder pads. The light source 63 is arranged above the light guide 50 or flat light guide section 51 in the intended use of the display and control device 30. The light source 63 couples the light radially or laterally along the outer main surface 60a of the printed circuit board 60, with a main emission axis A of the light source 63 being directed onto an edge-side light entry surface 511 of the flat light guide section 51. The light source 63 couples the light accordingly at the edge oron a narrow side into the light guide 50. The light entry surface 511 is preferably smooth and polished, so that light reflection at the light entry surface 511 is prevented or at least reduced. The emitted light rays 70 from the light source 63, in particular a light-emitting diode or "side-looker LED," are coupled into the light guide 50 via the light entry surface 511 and illuminate the flat light guide section 51 as well as the linear light guide section 52 arranged at an end of the flat light guide section 51 opposite the light source 63. During the intended use of the display and control device 30, the main emission axis A points downward in the direction of the light guide 50.

[0049] Furthermore, the planar light guide section 51 comprises a planar light exit area 513, which has a Figure 6not shown flat opening 46b during normal use of the display and operating device 30 is backlit or illuminated. The linear light guide section 52 is arranged at an angle α of 90 degrees relative to the flat light guide section 51. During normal use of the display and operating device 30, the linear light guide section 52 protrudes perpendicularly from the flat light guide section 51 in the direction of the display and operating panel 41 not shown in the illustration. The linear light guide section 52 has a linear light exit area 521 which has a Figure 5 shown in Figure 6but not shown, backlit or illuminated by the elongated opening 46b. Between the flat light guide section 51 and the linear light guide section 52 projecting at an angle α of 90 degrees, a reflector 59, in particular a reflector surface 591, is provided, which is suitable for redirecting the light rays 70 coming from the flat light guide section 51 into the linear light guide section 52.

[0050] In Figure 7 is a front view of the circuit board 60 with the light source 63 and the light guide 50 according to Figure 6shown. The illustration clearly shows that the light source 63 has a lateral or radial main emission axis A, which is directed onto an edge-side light entry surface 511 of the light guide 50, in particular the planar light guide section 51. The light beams 70 emitted by the light source 63 are coupled into the edge-side light entry surface 511 and scattered or expanded in a widening or trapezoidal light guide section 512 of the planar light guide section 51 in the width direction of the planar light guide section 51. This ensures that the light entry surface 511 captures as much of the emitted light as possible from the light source 63 and scatters it as evenly as possible across the width of the planar light guide section 51 by the widening light guide section 512, and accordingly a uniform illumination of the planar light guide section 51 and the linear light guide section 52 is possible.The planar light guide section 51 couples the light rays 70 via a planar light exit area 513 and the linear light guide couples the light rays 70 correspondingly via the linear light exit area 521.

[0051] In Figure 8 is a sectional view of the assembled display and control device 30 according to Figure 2shown. The illustration shows the support housing 40 with the receiving shaft 42 in which the light guide 50 and the circuit board 60 are mounted. The circuit board 60 is hot-stitched to the support housing 40 and the display and control panel 41 via the fastening bolt 48. The light guide 50 is held or enclosed between the display and control panel 41 and the circuit board 60. The light guide 50 and the light source 63 arranged on the outer main surface 60a of the circuit board 60 are arranged in the recess 45 on the inner side 41b of the display and control panel 41. On the outer side 41a, openings 46a, 46b are provided, wherein in the intended use of the display and operating device 30, the lower opening 46a corresponds to the linear light guide section 52 and the upper opening 46b corresponds to the flat light guide section 51.The linear light guide section 52 is shown arranged in the opening 46a in order to backlight or illuminate the opening 46a of the line field LF of the display and operating device 30 via the linear light exit area 521, and the planar light guide section 51 is arranged behind the opening 46b in order to backlight or illuminate the opening 46b of the control field BF of the display and operating device 30 via the planar light exit area 513. The linear light guide section 52 can of course also be arranged behind the linear opening 46a, and the planar light guide section 51 can be arranged in the opening 46b. The display and operating device 30 is therefore configured such that it can illuminate either the control field BF or the line field LF, or both simultaneously.

[0052] Furthermore, an electrical sensor field 65 is arranged on the outer main surface 60a of the circuit board 60, via which the approach or contact of a user's finger can be detected. The sensor field 65 is metallic or conductive and has a circular surface or is designed as a circular solder pad. The sensor field 65 is electrically connected to evaluation electronics arranged on the inner main surface 60b of the circuit board 60 and not shown in the illustration. For this purpose, the sensor surface 65 bridges the contact from the outer main surface 60a to the inner main surface 60b of the circuit board 60.

[0053] In Figure 9 is a perspective view of the circuit board 60 with several electrical sensor surfaces 65 and light sources 63, in particular LEDs, of the display and operating device 30 according to Figure 2shown. The plurality of electrical sensor surfaces 65 and light sources 63 are arranged on an outer main surface 60a of the circuit board 60 facing the display and control panel 41 during the intended use of the display and control device 30 and extend horizontally next to one another. Accordingly, one of the plurality of light sources 63 is arranged above one of the plurality of sensor surfaces 65 during the intended use of the display and control device 30. The electrical sensor surfaces 65 on the outer main surface 60a are electrically bridged to the inner main surface 60b of the circuit board 60. Furthermore, openings 64 are shown, through which a fastening bolt 48 can be passed during assembly. Furthermore, an electrical connection 61 of the circuit board 60 is provided on the main surface 60b of the circuit board 60 opposite the sensor surfaces 65.This electrical connector 61 is intended for connecting electrical supply lines and data lines to the circuit board 60.

[0054] In Figure 10a front view of the display and operating device 30 is shown in a first embodiment. In the first embodiment, individual segments of a line field LF are backlit. The line field LF is provided below the control panel BF. The control panel BF consists of symbols arranged horizontally next to one another, which are not backlit in this embodiment. The user can change the settings on the household appliance on the control panel BF with their finger by approaching or touching the symbols. For example, the temperature of a freezer or refrigerator compartment can be changed or certain functions can be activated in the control panel BF. For setting the temperature in a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment, control panel chains are provided which only allow a single selection in the corresponding control panel chain.In the illustration, the line segments on the line field LF below the control field BF indicate which settings are activated on the household appliance. In this case, the super function, the temperature of -18 °C in the freezer compartment and the temperature of 4 °C in the refrigerator compartment are set. The display and control panel 41 of the display and control device 30 is accordingly equipped with an opaque or light-impermeable printed film 49, which is translucent or semi-transparent in the area of the opening 46a, which is concealed here. In this case, only the linear light guide section 52 (not shown here) backlights the display and control panel 41 or the light field LF. The translucent or semi-transparent areas of the printed film are accordingly located in the area of the line field LF in the exemplary embodiment.The individual line segments LS in the line field LF are preferably interrupted by an opaque printing of the film 49 so that visible light mixing between the line segments LS is avoided.

[0055] In Figure 11 A front view of the display and operating device 30 is shown in a second embodiment. In contrast to Figure 10In the second embodiment, only the control panel BF or the individual control panels BF are backlit. Accordingly, the printed film in the area of the control panel BF is translucent or semi-transparent, and the backlighting of the control panel BF is only provided by a flat light guide section not shown here. There is no backlighting of the line field LF or the line segments LS. The line field LF is omitted in the exemplary embodiment. In the second embodiment, the optics and appearance of the display and control device 30 can be changed by simply changing the printing on the film 49; complex changes to the structural design of the display and control device 30 are thus avoided, whereby a new appearance and a new form of representation of the display and control device 30 is realized using simple means.

[0056] In Figure 12A further front view of the display and operating device 30 in a third embodiment is shown. In contrast to Figure 10 and Figure 11 In the illustration, both the control field BF and the line field LF are backlit and indicate the settings on the display and operating device. In the third embodiment, a further optical display option for a display and operating device 30 is thus created without changing the structural design of the display and operating device 30. Accordingly, the structural design of the display and operating device 30 is suitable for adopting various optical displays using simple means without changing the structural design of the display and operating device 30 and thus can be implemented only by changing the printing on the replaceable or printed film 49. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0057] 1 Household refrigeration appliance 2 Heat-insulated body 3 Inner container 4 Interior 5 Door leaf 6 Door rack 7 Shelves 8 Drawer 9 Cooling device 10 Electronic control device 20 Interior lighting 30 Display and operating device 40 Supporting housing 41 Display and operating panel 41a Outside 41b Inside 42 Receiving shaft 43 Shaft wall 44 Snap-lock connection 45 Recess 451 Recess section 452 Recess section 46a Cut-out 46b Cut-out 47 Rib 48 Fastening bolt 49 Printed film BF Control panel AF Selection panel LF Line panel LS Line segments 50 Light guide 51 Flat light guide section 511 Light entry surface 512 Expanding light guide section 513 Flat light exit area 52 Linear Light guide section 521Linear light exit area 58Bridge 59Reflector 591Reflector surface 60Printed circuit board 60aOuter main side 60bInner main side 61Electrical connection 62Electrical components 63Light source 64Breakthrough 65Electrical sensor surface 70Light beamAMain radiation axis

Claims

1. Display and operator control facility (30) for making adjustments to a household appliance (1), having a carrier housing (40) with a display and operator control panel (41) with an operator control field (BF) on an outer side (41a), which faces towards the user, of the display and operator control panel (41), a circuit board (60) on an inner side (41b), which faces away from the user, of the display and operator control panel (41), and a waveguide (50) on an inner side (41b), which faces away from the user, of the display and operator control panel (41) with a planar waveguide section (51) with an edge-side light entry area (511), wherein the circuit board (60) has an outer main area (60a), which faces towards the display and operator control panel (41) and on which a light source (63) provided for backlighting the display and operator control panel (41) and an electrical sensor area (65) corresponding to the operator control field (BF) are provided, wherein the planar waveguide section (51) is held between the electrical sensor area (65) and an inner side (41b), which faces away from the user, of the display and operator control panel (41), the light source (63) is arranged outside of the electrical sensor area (65) on the outer main area (60a) of the circuit board (60) and a main emission axis (A) of the light source (63) is directed at the edge-side light entry area (511), characterised in that, during intended use of the display and operator control facility (30), the waveguide (50) has multiple planar waveguide sections (51), which are arranged adjacent to one another horizontally and are in each case substantially separated from one another physically, wherein the waveguide (51) has multiple light sources (63) corresponding to the planar waveguide sections (51) and electrical sensor areas (65) on the circuit board (60), wherein the multiple planar waveguide sections (51) in each case are arranged in a depression (45), which corresponds to the planar waveguide sections, on the inner side (411) of the display and operator control panel (41), wherein a light-impermeable wall protrusion (49) is located between the depressions (45) in each case.

2. Display and operator control facility (30) according to claim 1, characterised in that the waveguide (50) has a line-shaped waveguide section (52) in extension of the planar waveguide section (51), which is provided on an end of the planar waveguide section (51) that lies opposite the edge-side light entry area (511), wherein in particular the line-shaped waveguide section (52) is arranged at an angle (α) of 60 to 120 degrees relative to the planar waveguide section (51) and protrudes from the planar waveguide section (51) in the direction of the display and operator control panel (41).

3. Display and operator control facility (30) according to claim 2, characterised in that, during intended use of the display and operator control facility (30), the light source (63) is arranged above the electrical sensor area (65) and the line-shaped waveguide section (52) is arranged below the electrical sensor area (65).

4. Display and operator control facility (30) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that a reflector (59) is provided between the planar waveguide section (51) and the line-shaped waveguide section (52), wherein the reflector (59) is provided as a wall of the waveguide (50) which slopes down in the direction of the display and operator control panel (41).

5. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that, during intended use of the display and operator control facility (30), the line-shaped waveguide section (52) has a light exit area (521), which is provided below the operator control field (BF) of the display and operator control panel (41), in particular the line-shaped waveguide section (52) is arranged behind or in an elongated perforation (46a) of the display and operator control panel (41), wherein the elongated perforation (46a) corresponds to a line field (LF) on the display and operator control panel (41) and the line-shaped waveguide section (52) is provided for backlighting the line field (LF) through the elongated perforation (46a) according to the adjustment to the operator control field (BF).

6. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that, during intended use of the display and operator control facility (30), the line-shaped waveguide section (52) extends horizontally over multiple planar waveguide sections (51) and is embodied without physical interruptions.

7. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light source (63) is a radially decoupling light-emitting diode, wherein the main emission axis (A) is provided substantially in parallel with the outer main area (60a) of the circuit board (60).

8. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, during intended use of the display and operator control facility (30), the planar waveguide section (51) is arranged behind or in a wide-area perforation (46b) of the display and operator control panel (41), wherein the wide-area perforation (46b) corresponds to the operator control field (BF) and the planar waveguide section (51) is provided for backlighting the operator control field (BF) through the wide-area perforation (46b).

9. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the planar waveguide section (51), in a perpendicular top view of one of the main areas (51a, 51b), has a widening waveguide section (512) that has the edge-side light entry area (511).

10. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the multiple light sources (63) likewise protrude into the depression (45).

11. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circuit board (60), on the main area (60b) facing away from the display and operator control panel (41), is populated with further electrical components (62) that embody a circuit for evaluating the operator control field (BF) for contact, actuation of the light source (63) and triggering of at least one action on contact of the operator control fields.

12. Display and operator control facility (30) according to claim 5 or 8, characterised in that the display and operator control panel (41) is equipped with a printed film (49), which has at least one translucent region that corresponds to at least one line-shaped and / or wide-area perforation (46a, 46b).

13. Display and operator control facility (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the circuit board (60) is heat-staked to the carrier housing (40) via fastening bolts (48) on the inner side (41b) of the display and operator control panel (41).

14. Household appliance, in particular household refrigeration appliance (1), with a display and operator control facility (30) for making adjustments to the household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims.