Operating device for an electric device and electric device

Abstract

A control device for a hob has a control panel with a front and a back, as well as a rotary control device on the back of the control panel. A control knob is arranged on the front of the control panel and is rotatably and detachably mounted on the control panel. The rotary control device can be controlled by signals generated when the control knob on the control panel is rotated in conjunction with the rotary control device. The control knob has a signaling device to signal its location, especially if it has been taken to an unknown location. The signaling device can be selected from the group: wireless devices such as WLAN, Bluetooth, or ZigBee, lighting, loudspeakers, or buzzers. In particular, the signaling device of the control knob can provide visual and acoustic signals. In addition, it can help locate the control knob wirelessly using a mobile device.

Description

Area of ​​application and state of the art

[0001] The invention relates to an operating device for an electrical appliance, for example an oven. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electrical appliance or an oven with such an operating device.

[0002] The control unit comprises a control panel and a rotary control behind it, on whose rotary shaft a control knob is located at the front of the control panel. This allows the rotary control to be operated, for example, to set a power level or temperature for a heating device or an operating mode, such as the heating mode of an oven.

[0003] DE 102 12 954 A1 discloses control devices with a rotating control knob that also houses an illuminated display. This is considered very complex. Task and solution

[0004] The invention is based on the object of creating an operating device as mentioned above and an electrical device provided therewith, with which problems of the prior art can be solved and in particular it is possible to easily find an operating knob.

[0005] This object is achieved by an operating device having the features of claim 1 and by an electrical device having the features of claim 12. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the further claims and are explained in more detail below. Some of the features are mentioned only for the operating device or only for an electrical device equipped with them. However, they are intended to be able to apply independently and independently of one another to both such an operating device and such an electrical device. The wording of the claims is incorporated into the content of the description by express reference.

[0006] The operating device for an electrical appliance such as a hob has a control panel with a front or top side and a back side, as well as a rotary control device arranged on the back of the control panel. The rotary control device has a control knob arranged on the front of the control panel, which can be rotatably mounted or mounted on the control panel and which can also be removed from the control panel. How this can be done is irrelevant to the invention in the first approach. Advantageously, the control knob can be removed easily and without tools. This rotary control device can be controlled with signals generated when the control knob on the control panel is rotated. For this purpose, the control knob interacts with the rotary control device, for which there are several basically known possibilities.

[0007] According to the invention, the control knob has a signaling device to signal its location, which can in particular comprise optical and / or acoustic signaling. The signaling device is selected from the group: radio device, preferably WLAN, Bluetooth or ZigBee, lighting device, loudspeaker or buzzer. Advantageously, several of these signaling devices can also be provided. Particularly advantageously, both a radio device and a signaling device for the aforementioned optical and / or acoustic signaling are provided. Thus, for example, a radio device can be used to detect when the control knob has been removed from the control panel or from the control device. It can also report this to the control device or transmit it to the control device if necessary.A further signalling device can then provide a signal on the control knob itself that can be recognised by an operator to enable the control knob to be found again, in particular visually and / or acoustically.

[0008] A signaling device can, for example, be a radio device that passively or indirectly helps signal the location of the control knob or locate it. It can also be a light, loudspeaker, or buzzer, which actively or directly helps signal or locate the location of the control knob.

[0009] In a further development of the invention, the control panel can be designed to be closed, i.e., without a hole or panel opening. The control knob can be mounted on the control panel without a rotating shaft, so that the panel can be designed to be completely closed. Preferably, the control knob can be magnetically centered or mounted on the control panel, as is known from the prior art.

[0010] In a further development of the invention, the radio device can be designed such that it interacts with the operating device and / or with a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet to support the detection of the location of the control knob. It therefore serves to find it if it has been removed and taken to an unknown or forgotten location. Signal strength detection and / or a runtime measurement can be used for this purpose. A visual display of signal strength on the mobile device is considered very advantageous, for example similar to a display of a bearing as with a tracking device. An additional acoustic display by means of a loudspeaker or buzzer is particularly advantageous.This can be easily perceived over a greater distance, even if the control knob is in a place where it is not visible, for example in a cupboard or drawer.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the control knob is designed to detect when it is more than a predetermined or predeterminable maximum distance from the operating device. The control knob should contribute to this, as it essentially knows its position or even has it. The radio device and a signal strength detector and / or a propagation time measurement with a counter radio device of the control device can be specially designed for this detection. Detecting that the maximum distance has been exceeded may be sufficient without precise position detection being possible, i.e., not only the distance but also the direction. Such a maximum distance can be factory-set, for example, as 0.5 m to 1 m. However, it can also be individually changed by an operator, i.e., decreased or increased, depending on the configuration of the electrical device to be operated with it and its arrangement in a room in a house.

[0012] The control knob can advantageously be designed to automatically signal its location as soon as the specified maximum distance is exceeded. Even if the distance between the control knob and the control device is measured at the control device, for example, using the aforementioned signal strength detection or propagation time measurement, it can send a radio command to the control knob so that it signals its location. This should be done automatically. For this purpose, a corresponding signal is preferably provided on the control knob itself. In this case, several signaling devices are provided to signal the location, one for determination and the other for actual signaling.

[0013] Alternatively, the operating device or the rotary control device can be configured to detect when the control knob is more than a previously specified maximum distance from the operating device. For this purpose, the radio device of the control knob and a signal strength detection and / or a propagation time measurement with a counterpart radio device of the operating device can be configured for this detection. The same applies to the maximum distance as previously stated.

[0014] Advantageously, the operating device or the rotary control device can then also be designed to automatically signal the location of the control knob as soon as the specified maximum distance is exceeded. Even if the distance between the control knob and the operating device is measured at the operating device, for example by means of the aforementioned signal strength detection or runtime measurement, the operating device or the rotary control device can send a command to the control knob via radio so that it signals its location; this is advantageously done automatically. For this purpose, a corresponding signal is preferably formed on the control knob itself. In this case, several signaling devices are also provided to signal the location, one for determination and the other for actual signaling.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control knob is designed to generate optical and / or acoustic signals upon detecting that the maximum distance has been exceeded. This can be achieved by means of LEDs, loudspeakers, or buzzers arranged in the control knob.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the operating device is designed to generate optical signals and / or acoustic signals after detecting that the maximum distance has been exceeded. For this purpose, a visual display of the operating device or an acoustic signal can be provided, preferably again by means of a loudspeaker or buzzer. A visual display of the operating device can also show more comprehensive information than just a light, for example an error code indicating that the control knob is too far away. With a more complex text display or a graphic display, corresponding information can also be provided to an operator in a complete and easily understandable manner.

[0017] The control knob of the control device advantageously has an energy source, so that it can operate not only on the control device, but also at any location. In particular, it can continue to operate or emit signals after being moved away from the control device. This energy source can be a single energy source that is used both when arranged on the control device and when the control knob is moved to another location. Alternatively, two different energy sources can be provided, one when arranged on the control device, for example for a permanent power supply during operation, and one for when the control knob is moved away from the control device. The possible energy sources can be selected from the group: accumulator, capacitor, battery, solar cell, induction coil, thermogenerator.Rechargeable energy storage devices can be designed in such a way that they can be charged at the operating device, for example inductively charged by means of inductive energy transfer at the operating device.

[0018] An electrical device according to the invention can preferably have at least one control device as described above; particularly preferably, the electrical device has a single such control knob. The control panel should be arranged on an outer side of the electrical device, in particular on its top side or its front side.

[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, the control panel can be formed by the top side of a housing of the electrical appliance, wherein the electrical appliance is preferably a hob. Said top side of the housing is then a hob plate, beneath which the hob's heating devices are also arranged as usual. The control device is then arranged on the hob plate in such a way that the rotary control device is located beneath the hob plate. The control knob can then be arranged above the rotary control device on the hob plate for operating the hob therewith, wherein the hob plate is made of glass ceramic, in particular.

[0020] These and other features emerge not only from the claims but also from the description and the drawings. The individual features may be implemented individually or in combination in one embodiment of the invention and in other fields, and may represent advantageous and protectable embodiments for which protection is claimed here. The division of the application into subheadings and individual sections does not limit the generality of the statements made therein. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a section through a hob according to the invention as an electrical appliance with an operating device according to the invention including a control knob mounted in the operating position, Fig. 2 a representation of how the hob from Fig. 1 the control knob has been removed and acoustic and optical signals are generated, Fig. 3 a representation of how a control knob removed from the control device is searched for using a smartphone with an app installed on it, Fig. 4 a sectional view similar Fig. 1 by an alternatively designed control knob, which additionally has a microphone and an LED, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of how an operator carries out a search for the control knob by clapping or whistling and Fig. 6 an alternative embodiment to Fig. 5 , in which the control knob is searched for using an ultrasonic transmitter. Detailed description of the implementation examples

[0022] In the Fig. 1A simplified cross-sectional view of a hob 11 is shown, which has a hob plate 12 with a top 13 and a bottom 14. The hob plate 12 is continuous or uninterrupted. As usual, heating devices and other common functional units are arranged underneath.

[0023] The hob 11 according to the invention has an operating device 18 according to the invention, which has a control panel 19. The control panel 19 is a portion of the hob plate 12, i.e., is formed by it. A centering magnet 21 is arranged on the underside 14 in the area of ​​the operating device 18. A Hall sensor 22, possibly two such Hall sensors 22, is provided to the left of it or at a radial distance therefrom. The Hall sensor 22 is connected to a controller 24, which advantageously forms the control for the entire operating device 18 and thus also for other operating elements such as touch switches, illuminated indicators, displays, or the like. The controller 24 can also form a control for the entire hob 11. It has a counter radio device 25 or is connected to one, as explained above.Furthermore, it has an LED 27 arranged on the underside 14 and a loudspeaker 28, which theoretically could also be designed as a buzzer or piezo buzzer. Such operating devices are known, for example, from DE 109 12 954 A1 or DE 10 2009 022 339 A1.

[0024] The operating device 18 of the hob 11 has a control knob 30 designed like a thick, round disk. This is also known from the prior art. It has a centering magnet 32 ​​on its underside, which attracts the centering magnet 21 below the control panel 19 and thus ensures magnetic centering, as is known from the prior art. Small signal magnets 34 are arranged in a ring-shaped arrangement on the outside of the underside, which run along the Hall sensor 22 when the control knob 30 is rotated in one direction or the other, as shown. In this way, a rotation of the control knob 30 can be reliably detected, as is known from the prior art. From this, the control system 24 can generate corresponding operating signals or operating commands.

[0025] For additional functions such as signaling its location according to the invention, the control knob 30 has a knob control 38, advantageously in the form of a small, simple microcontroller. It is connected to a battery 36 as an energy source, which is advantageously rechargeable. Electrical contacts can be provided on the underside of the control knob 30 for this purpose; alternatively, charging can be carried out inductively. Further possibilities include, as mentioned above, so-called energy harvesting, in which energy is obtained from electromagnetic fields existing in the immediate vicinity, by means of thermoelectric generators or solar cells. Solar cells can advantageously be arranged on the upper side of the control knob 30. An induction coil can be arranged beneath the hob plate 12 next to the centering magnet 21, which can transfer energy into the control knob 30 via another induction coil in the control knob 30 above.Thus, a corresponding energy storage device such as a battery 36 mentioned above can be charged in the control knob 30.

[0026] The toggle control 38 is further connected to a radio device 40, which can communicate at least with the counter radio device and the operating device 18. A radio standard mentioned above can be used advantageously here, WLAN or Bluetooth or BLE are particularly suitable in order to, for example, Fig. 3 to also be able to establish a wireless connection with a mobile device or a smartphone, even over a distance of several meters. A buzzer 41 can be designed as a piezo buzzer with a correspondingly small size and connected to the toggle control 38.

[0027] On the one hand, it is easy to imagine and known from the prior art how, in the operating device 18 according to the invention, Fig. 1By turning the control knob 30 operating commands can be entered, for example a power level can be reduced or increased. In Fig. 2is shown how the control knob 30 is detached from the control device 18 and is removed. The control device 18 or its control system 24 can easily detect this, for example because the Hall sensor 22 no longer receives any signal. Removal of the control knob 30 or an exact distance cannot be detected in this way, but at least removal in principle can. The control system 24 can thus be prompted to establish contact with the control knob 30 or its knob control 38 via its radio device 40 using the counter radio device 25. A distance measurement can then take place, for example as a runtime measurement, which is easily possible via radio. If a predetermined maximum distance d max of, for example, 1 m or 2 m is exceeded, a signal should be triggered. This maximum distance d max can be specified by the manufacturer or programmed by an operator, for example in an expert mode.This case then indicates that there is a risk that the control knob 30 is no longer in the visible vicinity of the control device 18 or the hob 11 or has been placed further away.

[0028] A signal triggered thereby can be provided on the one hand by the control device 18 being illuminated, flashing, or similarly by the LED 27. Alternatively or additionally, the loudspeaker 28 can emit corresponding sounds or acoustic signals, possibly even a synthesized voice message such as "control knob too far away", or similar.

[0029] Above all, however, the control knob 30 itself can also begin to signal its location, for example, as indicated in the drawing, noises generated by the buzzer 41 or a loud humming, beeping or the like. In this way, an operator, possibly while still holding the control knob 30 in their hand, can react immediately and bring the control knob back into the vicinity of the hob 11 or the control device 18, and possibly even put it back on correctly.

[0030] It can also be provided if the control 24 either does not correctly position the control knob 30 on the control device 18 according to Fig. 1detects or the maximum distance d max is permanently exceeded, the signaling of the missing control knob 30 is continued. For this purpose, the control knob can continue to emit an acoustic signal. Likewise, a signal on the control device 18 can continue. If the control device 18 has its own display or a full-graphic display, this can even be output as explicit written information such as "control knob is too far away" or similar. For the acoustic signaling on the control knob 30 itself, a short noise can be emitted at intervals, for example every 5 seconds, 10 seconds, or 20 seconds, also to save energy. This is sufficient to be able to locate the control knob 30 if an operator has been alerted to this, for example, by the corresponding signal on the control device 18.The acoustic signals therefore enable an operator to locate the location of the control knob 30.

[0031] In the Fig. 3A variant of the invention is shown in which a control knob 30 has also been moved away from the control device 18, specifically far beyond a previously mentioned maximum distance. Here, a smartphone 44 is used for the search, on which an application or app is running that serves to locate the control knob 30. For this purpose, for example, a WLAN function of the smartphone 44 can be used, which transmits a radio signal according to the WLAN standard, which can be picked up or received by the control knob 30 or its radio device 40 when it is within range. The smartphone 44 can then display the direction in which the control knob 30 is, either via direction detection or at least via signal strength detection of the WLAN radio signal received by the control knob 30, as shown by a display 45 with an indicated pointer in a directional cone.The smartphone 44 can thus be aligned with its upper end according to the directional arrow and used to search for the control knob 30. This direction indication according to a bearing does not have to be completely exact; it is sufficient if the operator approaches the control lever 30 with the smartphone 44 and the distance becomes smaller. This can be detected wirelessly, advantageously via a propagation time measurement or an evaluation of signal strength or its progression. From a certain distance between the smartphone 44 and the control device 30, an acoustic signal from the control knob 30 can be emitted accordingly. Fig. 2 which is very helpful for precise location. Alternatively, this can also be triggered manually on the smartphone 44 as a special function. In the example of the Fig. 3The signaling device of the control knob according to the invention for signaling its location is therefore a radio device or essentially the radio device 40. Acoustic signaling by means of the buzzer 41 can also be added.

[0032] In the Fig. 4 An alternatively designed control knob 130 is shown, which in turn has a housing 131 with a centering magnet 132 and signal magnets 134. A knob control 138 is provided with a battery 136. It is connected to a radio device 140, a buzzer 141, an LED 142, and a microphone 143. The LED 142 can, as is easily conceivable, additionally serve for optical signaling on the control knob 30, either as part of a conventional operating procedure or to signal the location of the control knob 130. This makes it easier for hearing-impaired persons, for example, to find the control knob 130.

[0033] The control knob 130 according to Fig. 4can be done according to the embodiment of Fig. 5be used so that he is acoustically stimulated or requested to signal his location. An operator B searches for the control knob 130. A type of process for signaling his location can be triggered either by clapping with the hands or by whistling, for example with the mouth. Both can be provided on the control knob 130; alternatively, one of the two options can be programmed by the operator B. The control knob 130 is arranged in a cabinet 147 here, so that optical signaling is of no use. The microphone 143 recognizes the clapping or whistling as a corresponding signal. The knob control 138 then begins to signal the location acoustically by activating the buzzer 141, and if necessary also visually.Operator B can then easily determine by hearing that the control knob 130 is hidden in the cabinet 147, locate it, and return it to the hob control unit. This is an example of how operator B can initiate the signaling of the location of the control knob 130 themselves in order to find it.

[0034] Fig. 6 shows an alternative to Fig. 5The same control knob 130 is located in the cabinet 147. It is activated to signal its location using a special ultrasonic transmitter 149. At the push of a button, it can emit ultrasonic signals (shown in dashed lines) that are designed or coded to match only this control knob 130. Furthermore, these ultrasonic signals are inaudible and non-interfering. This prevents the control knob 130 from being accidentally activated by an operator whistling or clapping their hands, which are not intended to help locate the knob. Such ultrasonic transmitters 149 also typically have a significantly greater range, meaning the control knob 130 can be found over a greater distance than with clapping or whistling. This also eliminates the possibility of incorrect operation.

[0035] Another search option, not shown, similar to the Fig. 3can also consist in the fact that a WLAN radio signal does not necessarily have to be exchanged only between the smartphone 44 and the control knob 30. Other routers or access points for WLAN in a house can be used, which then first establish direct radio contact with the control knob 30. The information about which device is in radio contact with the control knob 30 can then be displayed on the smartphone 44, so that an operator with the smartphone 44 can get closer to the control knob 30. As soon as the smartphone 44 can then directly receive WLAN radio signals from the control knob 30, it can take over the radio connection from the router or access point and be used directly to precisely search for the control knob 30.

[0036] Instead of an active radio device 40 in the control knob 30, an RFID module can also be installed. This cannot then receive radio signals, so that a knob control 38 activates the buzzer 41 to generate acoustic signals as acoustic signaling of the location of the control knob 30. However, similar to the Fig. 2 and 3 As shown, a way to locate the control knob via distance measurement can be created. For this purpose, the signal strength can be measured and evaluated.

Claims

1. An operating device for an electrical appliance, in particular for a hob, the operating device comprising: - a control panel with a front side and a rear side - a rotary operating device arranged on the rear side of the control panel and having a control knob arranged on the front side of the control panel, the control knob being rotatably mounted on the control panel and removable from the control panel, the rotary operating device being controllable by signals generated on the control panel when the control knob is rotated, the control knob interacting with the rotary operating device for this purpose, characterized in that : - the control knob has a signaling device to signal its location, - the signaling device is selected from the group: radio device, preferably WLAN, Bluetooth or ZigBee, light source, loudspeaker or buzzer.

2. Operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control panel is designed to be closed, wherein the control knob is preferably held on the control panel without a rotating shaft, wherein in particular the control knob is magnetically centered or mounted on the control panel.

3. Operating device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the radio device is designed in such a way that it interacts with the operating device and / or with a mobile terminal to support the detection of a location of the control knob by means of signal strength detection and / or runtime measurement.

4. Operating device according to claim 3, characterized by a visual display of signal strength on the mobile device and / or an acoustic display using a loudspeaker or buzzer in the control knob.

5. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe control knob is designed to detect when it is more than a predetermined or predeterminable maximum distance from the control device, because the radio device and a signal strength detection and / or a runtime measurement with a counter radio device of the control device are designed for this detection.

6. Operating device according to claim 5, characterized in that the control knob is designed for automated signalling of its location as soon as the maximum distance is exceeded, whereby in particular a signal is designed on the operating device and / or on the control knob itself.

7. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe operating device or the rotary operating device are designed to detect when the operating knob is more than a predetermined or predeterminable maximum distance from the operating device, because the radio device of the operating knob and a signal strength detection and / or a runtime measurement with a counter radio device of the operating device are designed for this detection.

8. Operating device according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating device or the rotary operating device are designed for automated signaling as soon as the maximum distance is exceeded, wherein in particular a signal is designed on the operating device and / or on the control knob itself.

9. Operating device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in thatthe control knob is designed to generate optical signals and / or acoustic signals when the maximum distance is exceeded, preferably by means of a loudspeaker or buzzer in the control knob.

10. Operating device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the operating device is designed to generate optical signals and / or acoustic signals when the maximum distance is exceeded, with an optical display of the operating device or acoustic signaling, preferably by means of a loudspeaker or buzzer.

11. Operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control knob has an energy source, preferably selected from the group: accumulator, capacitor, battery, solar cell, induction coil, thermogenerator, wherein in particular the energy source is designed to supply the control knob with energy when the control knob is removed from the operating device.

12. Electrical appliance with at least one operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control panel is arranged on an outer side of the electrical appliance, in particular on a top side or a front side.

13. Electrical device according to claim 12, characterized in that the control panel is formed by the top of a housing of the electrical device.

14. Electrical device according to claim 13, characterized in that the electrical appliance is a hob and the top of the housing is a hob plate, under which heating devices of the hob are also arranged, wherein the operating device is arranged on the hob plate in such a way that the rotary operating device is arranged under the hob plate and the operating knob can be arranged above the rotary operating device on the hob plate for operating the hob therewith, wherein in particular the hob plate is made of glass ceramic.

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