Control panel for a heating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for controlling and / or regulating a heating or household appliance (14) in a heating or household system, comprising an operating device (24) and a control panel (30), wherein the heating or household appliance (14) has a housing (12) with a flap (16), the flap (16) accommodating at least parts of a control system for the heating or household appliance (14) and making it accessible to the outside. It is proposed that the operating device (24) and the control panel (30) are separated from each other by the flap (16), wherein the operating device (24) and the control panel (30) are connected or connectable to each other. The invention further relates to a heating or household appliance (14) in a heating or household system, characterized by the device (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for controlling and / or regulating a heating or household appliance in a heating or household system, comprising an operating device and a control panel. The heating or household appliance has a housing with a flap, the flap accommodating at least parts of a control system for the heating or household appliance and making them accessible to the outside. The invention further relates to a heating or household appliance in a heating or household system with such a device. State of the art

[0002] EP 1 978 426 A1 discloses an electrical household appliance with a control panel having a first and a second user interface.

[0003] Control devices for heating appliances are also generally known. For example, DE 10 2004 025 927 A1 describes a household appliance, in particular an instantaneous water heater, whose housing has a flap which is designed as a control panel.

[0004] These types of control devices usually contain all the control and regulation logic for the heating system, which makes operating these devices complicated. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] This disadvantage of the prior art is eliminated by the heating or household appliance according to the invention, comprising a device for controlling and / or regulating a heating or household appliance in a heating or household system according to claim 1.

[0006] The heating or household appliance has a housing with a flap, the flap accommodating at least parts of a control system for the heating or household appliance and making it accessible to the outside. According to the invention, the operating device and the control panel are separated from each other by the flap, and the operating device and the control panel are connected or connectable to each other.

[0007] A heating or household appliance includes, for example, gas water heaters for heating and / or domestic hot water, or other appliances used in the household.

[0008] The connection between the control panel and the operating device can be direct or indirect. In a direct connection, the control panel and the operating device are directly connected, for example, via a cable. In an indirect connection, the control panel and the operating device are connected via another component, such as a control unit for the heating or household appliance, or a separate component, or they are indirectly connected as part of a system, such as a bus system.

[0009] According to the invention, a control panel is arranged on the outside of the flap, and an operating device is arranged on the inside of the flap. When the flap is closed, the operating device can be concealed by the flap, while the control panel remains visible and / or operable from the outside. When the flap is open, the operating device can also be visible and / or operable from the outside. This has the advantage that the control panel can be used to operate the heating appliance and / or to make settings for heating operation, while the operating device remains protected by the flap. This increases ease of use. For example, the control panel can be designed to be particularly simple, and its range of functions can be limited to the most important and frequently used features, making operation even easier and more convenient. The flap to the operating device only needs to be opened when more extensive settings are required.

[0010] According to the invention, it is advantageous if the control device is switched off or in power-saving mode when the flap is closed.

[0011] The features listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous further developments of the device according to the invention for controlling and / or regulating a heating or household appliance in a heating or household system according to the main claim.

[0012] It is advantageous if the flap has an outer and an inner front, with the control panel attached to the outer front and the operating device attached to the inner front. This allows the operating device and the control panel to be mounted together on the flap, so that the device can, for example, be a single unit, which reduces costs and also increases ease of use. This ensures that all components required for controlling and / or regulating the heating or household appliance are quickly and easily accessible.

[0013] A further advantage arises when the control panel and the operating device are directly or indirectly connected and / or communicate with each other. Data entered into the control panel can then be forwarded to the operating device, where it is processed. This allows the control panel and the operating device to use the same communication channels to control and / or regulate the heating or household appliance, simplifying the manufacturing and installation of the device and thus reducing costs and effort.

[0014] Further development is advantageous if the operating device and / or the control panel is communicatively connected or connectable to a control and / or regulation unit of the heating or building system.

[0015] Through these connections, the control panel can send entered and / or incoming data and / or signals to the operating device and / or to the control and / or regulation unit, where the data is then further processed.

[0016] A beneficial improvement in terms of energy efficiency and energy savings is the ability to switch off the control panel or put it into a power-saving mode when the heating or household appliance is inactive. The control panel can also be switched off or put into a power-saving mode if it is not being used. Similarly, the control panel can be switched off or put into a power-saving mode after a predefined period. Specifically, the control panel can be switched off or put into a power-saving mode by the control unit and / or the control and / or regulation unit. The same applies to the control unit itself.

[0017] A beneficial enhancement to further improve user-friendliness is the ability to connect the control panel and / or operating device to a bus system, particularly to a room control unit and / or the heating or domestic appliance. This enables direct communication between the building housing the heating or domestic appliance, or the user, and the appliance itself, which is especially advantageous for potential home automation. Data, such as temperature readings, times, or individual operating profiles for the heating or domestic appliance, can be transmitted directly from a room in the building via the control panel to the operating device and / or the control unit of the heating or domestic appliance, allowing for remote operation. Such a connection can also be established with another device, particularly a mobile device, located inside or outside the building.

[0018] A beneficial enhancement to improve user-friendliness is to use a color-backlit input device that changes color upon touch. The same applies to the control panel. For example, the input device could be designed as touch buttons and / or the control panel as a touchscreen that responds to touch.

[0019] To enable intuitive operation of the control panel, it is further advantageous if a menu can be selected via at least one definable input device, with a number of input devices illuminating depending on the specific menu. The color can change when the menu is exited. This ensures that only those input devices are illuminated and / or selectable that represent a function within the respective menu and / or for which it is useful to have selection.

[0020] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the inner front panel is equipped with a connecting piece for the control unit. This allows for particularly easy mounting of the control unit to the flap.

[0021] A particularly simple and stable way to connect the control unit to the inner front of the flap is to clip the control unit into the connecting piece. The flap can then be opened together with the control unit attached to the connecting piece. drawing

[0022] The figures show a schematic representation of a device according to the invention, as well as a heating or domestic system with a device according to the invention in a building, which is explained in more detail in the following description. They show Figure 1 shows a heating appliance in oblique view with an open flap and a device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a heating appliance in front view with an open flap and a device according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a heating appliance in front view with a closed flap and a device according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the device according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the rear view. Figure 4 along axis VV, Figure 6 a front view of the device according to the invention, Figure 7 a partial section in oblique view along line VII-VII in Figure 6 Figure 8 shows a front view of the partial section from Figure 7 Figure 9 shows a front view of a circuit board of the device according to the invention, Figure 10 shows a device according to the invention in a building. Description of the drawings

[0023] In the figures, identical building components are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0024] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention on a housing 12 of a wall-mounted heater 14, with which a fluid, for example water, is heated. The housing 12 includes a flap 16, which is attached to the lower part of the housing 12 and is open. The flap 16 has an outer front 18 and an inner front 20, with a connecting part 22 attached to the inner front 20. Furthermore, an operating device 24 is located on the inner front 20, which is connected to the connecting part 22 and has a display.

[0025] Alternatively, the flap 16 can be located at any other point on the housing 12, for example at the top of the housing or in the middle, so that the flap 16 is easily accessible from the outside.

[0026] When open, the flap 16 forms an angle between 70° and 180° to the lower edge of the housing 12. Alternatively, the angle can also be between 90° and 150°.

[0027] The operating unit 24 is connected via data and / or signal lines to a control and / or regulation unit 25, which is installed inside the heating unit 14 ( Figure 2 The cables run inside connection section 22 and are not visible from the outside (and therefore not in the Figure 1 (shown). In the exemplary embodiment, the operating device 24 is connected to a bus system 26 of the heating or household appliance 14.

[0028] Data for controlling and / or regulating the heating unit 14 is entered into the control unit 24, such as a water temperature, pump output for water circulation, flow rate, and individual profiles for controlling and / or regulating the heating unit 14. The control unit 24 also receives data from the heating unit 14, such as the current water temperature, pump output, flow rate, operating status, etc. The display of the control unit 24 shows, for example, text or a status, such as whether an error has occurred and what type it is, or whether maintenance is required. Furthermore, the control unit 24 may be equipped with signal transmitters, such as flashing LEDs, to indicate a status, message, or similar information.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the exemplary embodiment from Figure 1The front view shows the cover 16 open. Additional controls 27 may be attached to the housing 12, which are visible when the cover 16 is open. The arrow 28 indicates the direction of movement of the cover 16 when opening. The control unit 24 is clearly visible and accessible in this position.

[0030] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows the same embodiment with the flap 16 closed. In this position, the control unit 24 is not visible from the outside. A control panel 30, attached to the outer front 18 of the flap 16, is now visible. Thus, the control unit 24 and the control panel 30 are separated from each other by the flap 16.

[0031] Figure 4Figure 1 shows a rear view of the inner front 20 of the flap 16. The flap 16, with inner front 20 and outer front 18, is made of a glass material. A colored area 32 is located on the inner front 20. Here, the flap 16 is coated with color, for example, by applying a colored film or a ceramic coating, whereby ceramic color is applied via screen printing and then fired. The color of area 32 influences the design and appearance of the device 10.

[0032] Attached to the inner front 20 is a first cover 34, which is part of the connecting part 22. The first cover 34 has a hinge 36 for attaching the flap 16 to the housing 12. The first cover 34 is designed such that a second cover 37 can be mounted onto the first cover 34. In particular, the second cover 37 can be clipped onto the first cover 34. The connecting part 22 thus comprises the first and second covers 34, 37. Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a view of the inner front 20 of the flap 16, which also reveals the second cover 37. The operating device 24 is attached to the second cover 37. Specifically, the operating device 24 and the second cover 37 are connected by clipping them together.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a section of the rear view Figure 4 along axis V, thus allowing a view into the interior of the first cover 34.

[0034] There is a gap between the first cover 34 and the colored area 32. A printed circuit board 38 is located in this gap and is attached to the inner front 20, behind the colored area 32. Specifically, the printed circuit board 38 is glued to the colored area 32. The printed circuit board 38 contains components for controlling and operating the control panel 30.

[0035] Figure 6 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the device 10 from the front. A front view of the flap 16 is shown, showing the elements located behind the outer front 18.

[0036] The control panel 30 and, behind it, the connecting part 22 are visible. The control panel 30 has a display 40, which is backlit, specifically colored backlit. For example, the display 40 could be an LCD.

[0037] To attach the display 40 to the flap 16, the circuit board 38 has a U-shaped recess 48 into which the display 40 is inserted (see also Figure 9 ).

[0038] Furthermore, the control panel 30 has an area 42 for input devices 44, the input devices 44 being connected to the circuit board 38. The area 42 for the input devices 44 is arranged around the display area 40. Behind the area 42 is a layered light guide system 45, which is attached to the circuit board 38, for example, by gluing. This allows the input devices 44 to be backlit in color. In the exemplary embodiment, the input devices 44 are designed as touch buttons that react to touch. When the input devices 44 are touched, corresponding signals are sent to the light guide system 45 behind them, so that the touched input device 44 lights up or changes color. The input devices 44 are thus such that they light up in one color and, as soon as they are touched, light up in another color.There may also be 18 areas printed on the glass outer front, indicating the position of the input devices 44.

[0039] User guidance is also implemented through differently colored backlighting of the input devices 44, such as the touch buttons. Only active input devices 44, i.e., those being touched or available for selection, such as touch buttons, are displayed. Input devices 44 available for selection have a different color than selected input devices 44. Furthermore, only those input devices 44 that are relevant and / or functional within a selected menu, for example, are visible and selectable. The number of available input devices 44 depends on the selected menu. When an input device 44 is selected, for example, by touch, the color of the backlighting changes. An input device 44 can also represent a menu, allowing a specific menu to be selected. The color of the input device 44 then changes when the menu is selected and changes to a different color when the menu is exited.This enables intuitive user guidance.

[0040] Incoming signals are forwarded via the input means 44 to the circuit board 38, which makes it possible to control the control panel 30.

[0041] To save power, the control panel 30 switches off after a preset time or enters a power-saving mode. For this purpose, the backlighting of the display area 40, in particular the LC display, and / or the input devices 44 is switched off.

[0042] Alternatively, the control unit 24 can be switched off or in a power-saving mode when the flap is closing or closed. As soon as the flap 16 is opened, the control unit 24 switches back on, making it fully operational. For this purpose, switches or sensors can be used, for example, to detect the movement of the flap 16 and send corresponding signals to the control unit 24 and / or the control panel 30. Alternatively, when the control panel 30 is operated, a signal indicating that the control panel 30 is now being used is sent to the control unit 24, which then switches off or enters a power-saving mode. Depending on the opening state, the control panel 30 is therefore either active or passive—that is, switched off or in a power-saving mode—and the control unit 24 is either passive or active.

[0043] Alternatively, the control unit 24 and / or the control panel 30 can be switched off or put into a power-saving mode when the heating unit 14 is switched off or when the control unit 24 and / or the control panel 30 are not being operated.

[0044] If the control panel 30 is in a power-saving mode, this is indicated to the user. For this purpose, there is a text area on the display 40, for example the text "OK", which lights up in power-saving mode. This also indicates that the control panel 30 is ready for use.

[0045] Alternatively, the text indicating the power-saving mode can also be located elsewhere on the control panel 30, for example in area 42. One of the input devices 44 can be an "OK" touch button, which lights up when the control panel 30 is in power-saving mode. The "OK" touch button changes color when touched.

[0046] The operating device 24 is also associated with a circuit board, to which the control panel 30 is connected via a cable, in particular a 4-core cable. A cable, in particular an 8-core cable, runs from the circuit board for the operating device to the control and / or regulating unit 25 of the heating device 14, thus connecting the operating device 24 to the control and / or regulating unit 25. Data entered into the control panel 30 is therefore sent to the control and / or regulating unit 25 via the circuit board for the control panel. Through this connection, the operating device 24 receives data from the control panel 30, enabling indirect communication between the operating device 24 and the control panel 30.

[0047] Once all parts of the device 10 are installed, the connections, especially the circuit board 46, are no longer visible, as they are covered by the covers 34 and 37. The cable or cables for connecting the various components, such as the control panel 30 and / or the operating device 24, run inside the flap 16 within the connecting part 22 and are not visible from the outside, whether the flap 16 is open or closed.

[0048] Alternatively, the control panel 30 and the operating device 24 are directly connected to each other. This is the case, for example, if the control panel 30 is part of the circuit board 38, so that the circuit board 38 and the control panel 30 form a unit.

[0049] It is also conceivable that the connections between heating device 14, control and / or regulating unit 25, operating device 24 and / or control panel 30 are wireless connections, so that wireless communication is possible.

[0050] The direct or indirect connection exists even if the flap 16 completely separates the operating device 24 and the control panel 30 from each other. A wireless, indirect connection could also be established inductively between adjacent areas of the operating device 24 and the control panel 30 through a wall of the flap 16.

[0051] Figure 7 shows a partial section in oblique view along line VII-VII from Figure 6 . Shown are the display 40 inserted into the recess 48, the area 42 for the input means 44 below the display 40 with the light guidance system 45 and the first cover 34.

[0052] Figure 8 shows the same partial section from Figure 7 along line VII-VII from Figure 6 , here in the front view of the cut surface. The figure further illustrates the arrangement of the individual parts of device 10.

[0053] The flap 16 has the glass outer front 18, behind which the circuit board 38 with the light guide system 45 is arranged. The display 40 is inserted into the circuit board 38. The input devices 44 are located on the circuit board 38. Behind this is the first cover 34, onto which the second cover 37 (not shown here) is attached. The operating device 24 is connected to the second cover 37 by clipping it in place. Figure 1 ).

[0054] Figure 9 Figure 3 shows a front view of the circuit board 38. The U-shaped recess 48 and the area 42 with the input means 44, above which the light guide system 45 is arranged, can be seen.

[0055] Figure 10Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention in a building 50, for example, in a house or apartment. The building 50 has at least one room, in this embodiment a first floor 52 and a second floor 53 with two rooms. The device 10 is connected to the heating unit 14 and the control unit 25 via data and / or signal lines or via the bus system 26. A room control unit 54 is located in a room on the second floor 53. The device 10 is connected to the room control unit 54 via the bus system 26, whereby the connection can also be wireless. This enables communication between the room control unit 54 and the heating unit 14 via the control panel 30 and / or the control unit 24.

Claims

1. Heating or domestic appliance (14) having an apparatus (10) for controlling and / or regulating the heating or domestic appliance (14) in a heating or domestic installation, wherein the apparatus (10) has an operator control device (24) and an operator control panel (30), wherein the heating or domestic appliance (14) has a housing (12) with a flap (16), wherein the flap (16) receives at least parts of a controller for the heating or domestic appliance (14) and makes them accessible to the outside, wherein the operator control device (24) and the operator control panel (30) are separated from one another by the flap (16), wherein the operator control device (24) and the operator control panel (30) are connected or can be connected to one another, wherein an operator control panel (30) is arranged on the exterior of the flap, characterized in that an operator control device (24) is arranged on the interior of the flap (16), wherein - when the flap (16) is closed, the operator control device (24) is concealed by the flap (16) and the operator control panel (30) is visible and / or operable from the outside, wherein, when the flap (16) is closing or closed, the operator control device (24) is switched off or is in a power-saving mode, - when the flap (16) is open, the operator control device (24) is visible and / or operable from the outside.

2. Heating or domestic appliance (14) having an apparatus (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the operator control panel (30) and the operator control device (24) communicate with one another.

3. Heating or domestic appliance (14) having an apparatus (10) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the operator control device (24) and / or the operator control panel is or can be communicatively connected to a controlling and / or regulating unit (25) of the heating or domestic installation.

4. Heating or domestic appliance (14) having an apparatus (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in that the operator control panel (30) and / or the operator control device (24) can be switched off or brought into a power-saving mode, in particular by the operator control device (24) and / or by the controlling and / or regulating unit (25), when the heating or domestic appliance (14) is inactive and / or not being operated and / or after a pre- definable time.

5. Heating or domestic appliance (14) having an apparatus (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the operator control device (24) and / or the operator control panel (30) can be connected to a bus system (26), in particular to a bus system (26) of the domestic or heating appliance (14) and / or of a room operator control device (54).

6. Heating or domestic appliance (14) having an apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operator control panel (30) has at least one capacitive touch button, and in that the operator control panel (30) and / or the capacitive touch button is backlit in colour, wherein the colour changes when the capacitive touch button and / or the operator control panel (30) is touched.

7. Heating or domestic appliance (14) having an apparatus (10) according to Claim 6, characterized in that a menu can be selected via at least one determinable input means (44), wherein a number of input means (44) dependent on the respective menu lights up, and wherein the colour changes when the menu is left.

8. Heating or domestic appliance (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner front (20) is provided with a connecting part (22) for the operator control device (24), wherein the operator control device (24) can be connected to the connecting part (22) by clipping, and wherein the flap (16) can be folded open together with the operator control device (24) fastened to the connecting part (22).

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