An oven with a LED illuminated control panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a control panel assembly for an oven comprising: a front panel (20); a rotary control element (50) that fits into a hole (24) provided in the front panel (20) and engages with a setting rod (72) at the end of a commutator (70); a symbol area (4) provided on the front panel (20) adjacent to the rotary control element (50), at least partially light- transmissive; and a circuit board (40) provided at a distance to a rear wall (22) of the front panel (20) and having a LED element (42) corresponding to the symbol area (4). The control panel assembly includes an opaque masking plate (30) that, from a front side (41 ), abuts against the rear wall (22) of the front panel (20) surrounding a display part (26) in the symbol area (4) with a hole (24), and the circuit board (40) is adjusted so that the LED element (42) aligns behind the hole (24) on the masking plate (30).

Description

[0001] AN OVEN WITH A LED ILLUMINATED CONTROL PANEL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an oven equipped with illuminated indicator elements surrounding a control element, displaying operational status.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In ovens, a front panel usually features indicators and adjustment buttons for selecting and setting parameters such as cooking mode or temperature. To simplify adjustments, numerous buttons are often replaced with a rotary control knob. This rotary control knob is connected to the adjustment shaft of a commutator, which is used to select the working mode. By rotating the rotary adjustment knob, a predetermined working mode corresponding to a specific radial position of the commutator is activated. To enable users to see the radial position of the rotary control element and the corresponding adjustment mode, a notch is created on the front face of the rotary control element. Additionally, icons are screen-printed around the rotary control element on the front panel, indicating the working mode corresponding to the position of the notch.

[0006] DE102008026527A1 discusses a method for an oven, involving the operation of a direct access control element to select a working mode or a subgroup of working modes. All working modes are selected by the direct access control element. Parameters associated with the selected working mode or subgroup of working modes are displayed in a hierarchical arrangement of selection levels. A navigation control element, e.g., a rotary selection element, is operated to select parameters at the chosen level. The setting of the working mode is displayed on an indicator panel.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide an oven with a control panel that does not require indicators on the rotary control element.

[0009] In order to achieve above objective, the invention includes a control panel assembly for an oven comprising: a front panel; a rotary control element that fits into a hole provided in the front panel and engages with a setting rod at the end of a commutator; a symbol area provided on the front panel adjacent to the rotary control element, at least partially light- transmissive; and a circuit board provided at a distance to a rear wall of the front panel and having a LED element corresponding to the symbol area. The control panel assembly includes an opaque masking plate that abuts against the rear wall of the front panel from a front side, surrounding a display part in the symbol area with a hole, and the circuit board is adjusted so that the LED element aligns behind the hole on the masking plate. The LED element, for example, corresponding to an angular position of the commutator, lights up only within the hole in the masking plate, thereby backlighting the display part in the symbol area. In a possible configuration, the front panel is a semi-transparent plastic sheet. Alternatively, the front panel is a semi-transparent or fully transparent layer with a display part provided on the rear wall of a glass panel.

[0010] Preferably, the symbol area includes a sequentially arranged multiple number of independent display areas delimited by a hole corresponding to the rear wall and at least one LED element on the circuit board corresponding to each display area. This allows for the representation of many functions in a single symbol area by assigning a display area to each function.

[0011] Preferably, the display parts in the symbol area are arranged in a matrix structure. This enables fitting numerous functions in a narrow space in an oven with a strip structure extending across the front panel.

[0012] Preferably, the symbol area with the sequentially arranged display part is adjusted in the extension direction of the front panel on both sides opposite to the rotary control element. In this case, it is possible to focus the symbol area around the rotary control element with display parts distributed on both sides according to the angular position of the rotary control element.

[0013] Preferably, a glass panel is provided adjacent to the front of the front panel. The glass panel provides a protective layer that does not obstruct the visibility of the display part illuminated by the LED element in the symbol area, for example, preventing abrasives from eroding the front panel during cleaning.

[0014] Preferably, a mounting plate is secured to a mounting element extending from the masking plate to the rear, arranged adjacent to the back of the circuit board. The mounting plate connects the masking plate and the circuit board to an additional element such as a commutator or to each other.

[0015] Preferably, a hole is provided in the mounting plate, through which a setting rod extending from a front part of the commutator passes. This achieves a compact structure by, for example, securing the commutator from the front part to the mounting plate. Preferably, an encoder is adapted to engage with the commutator in such a way as to detect the angular position of the setting rod and activates a predetermined LED element on the circuit board according to the angular position. The encoder detects the angular position when the setting rod is turned and activates a corresponding LED element on the circuit board, for example, a relay.

[0016] Preferably, a socket is provided on the circuit board, aligned and mounted to a corresponding connection slot in the masking plate. Thus, the circuit board is directly mounted to the masking plate, achieving a compact module structure.

[0017] Preferably, the masking plate and the circuit board include holes that are concentric with the hole in the front panel and through which the rotary control element passes. In this way, the rotary control element can be simply passed through the circuit board and masking plate and mounted to the front panel in a rotating manner.

[0018] Preferably, a retaining element is provided on the rear wall to secure the masking plate to the front panel. This allows the masking plate to be secured to the retaining element with, for example, a fastening element, leaning from the front part to the rear wall.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a enlarged front view of a representative configuration of the control panel of the invention on an oven front panel.

[0021] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the control panel with the rotary setting knob in place.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] This detailed description illustrates the subject matter of the invention without any limitation and only with references to examples for better understanding.

[0024] In Figure 1 , a control panel of a built-in oven is shown from the front with a close-up of a display area (3). A front panel (20) extends transversely on the door of the oven (not shown) and is covered by a glass panel (10) extending over the top of the front panel (20). The glass panel (10) has a circular cut-out section (12) in the middle. The cut-out section (12) is coaxially positioned with a corresponding hole (24) in the front panel (20) behind it. A cylindrical cap-shaped rotary control element (50) extends outward from the cut-out section (12). On the right and left sides of the rotary control element (50), a display area (3) extends radially outward and parallel to the direction of extension of the front panel (20). The display area (3) includes a symbol area (4) with sequentially arranged rectangular icons at a distance. In Figure 2, the control panel assembly is shown in a rear perspective and exploded view. The glass panel (10) is a thin, flat, hard glass of the same shape as the front panel (20). The front panel (20) is a flat, semi-transparent plastic panel. On the flat rear wall (22) of the front panel (20), display parts (26) in a matrix arrangement corresponding to the symbol area (4) are located on either side of the hole (24). Each display part (26) is in the form of an icon and is set to show only the lines or desired fill of the icon when illuminated. Outside the display parts (26), inwardly tapered pyramid-shaped retaining elements (25) are provided. The retaining elements (25) extend vertically on the rear wall (22) and have a screw hole in the middle. An opaque masking plate (30), formed in one piece in a plastic injection mold, leans against the rear wall (22) from its flat front side. The part of the masking plate (30) touching the front wall (22) has rectangular holes (34) surrounding each display part (26). In the center of the masking plate (30), there is a hole (34) that is coaxial and of equal diameter with the hole (24) in the front panel (20). When the masking plate (30) is attached to the rear wall (22) of the front panel (20), an opening (32) on a flat strip inwards at the outer edges is positioned coaxially with the hole of the retaining element (25). A screw (not shown) is turned through the opening (32) and passes through the retaining element (25), firmly attaching a front wall (31) of the masking plate (30) to the rear wall (22) of the front panel (20). A long cylindrical mounting element (35) extends perpendicularly inward from the rear wall (36) of the masking plate (30). The mounting element (35) is provided at both ends of an imaginary axis passing through the center adjacent to the hole (34) and is an integral part of the masking plate (30). A circuit board (40) is fixed to the rear wall (36) of the masking plate (30). For this purpose, a short cylindrical connection socket (33) is provided on the rear wall (36) of the masking plate (30). A corresponding socket (43) on the circuit board (40) aligns coaxially with the connection socket (33) and is mounted to the masking plate (30) with a screw. The circuit board (40) is a thin, flat PCB structure with a hole (44) in the center and has an LED element (42) corresponding to each opening (32). Thus, when the circuit board (40) is placed on the masking plate (30), each LED element (42), when activated, illuminates the inside of the opening (32). A cap-shaped rotary control element (50) is sequentially passed through the holes (44, 34, 24) of the circuit board (40), masking plate (30), and front panel (20), respectively, and is positioned in the middle of the display area (3) in a rotating manner. The rotary control element (50) has a sleeve (52) extending in the middle of its rear face. The sleeve (52) passes over a setting rod (72) that controls a commutator (70). A flat mounting plate (60) is made of plastic material and has a longitudinal hole (62) in the center. The diameter of the hole (62) is set wide enough for the setting rod (72) to pass through and rotate comfortably. The slots (64) at the corners of the mounting plate (60) are aligned with the hole in the middle of the mounting element (35). A screw is passed through here to mount the mounting plate (60) to the masking plate (30). The commutator (70) is mounted perpendicularly to the mounting plate (60) from its front edge. Thus, the setting rod (72) passes through the hole (62) and into the sleeve (52) of the rotary control element (50). An encoder (80) is attached to the rear wall (74) of the commutator (70) in such a way as to detect the angular position of the setting rod (72) during rotation. When the assembly is complete, the rotary control element (50) is turned by the user. The current angular position information is detected by the encoder (80), and when a predetermined position is reached, a printed circuit on the circuit board (40) activates a corresponding LED element (42), for example, via a relay. The relevant opening (32) is illuminated, and the display part (26) becomes visible from the front as it is backlit. Since the glass panel (10) is light-transmissive, the light from the display part (26) passes through the glass panel (10).

[0025] REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0026] 3 Display area 36 Rear wall

[0027] 4 Symbol area 37 Socket

[0028] 10 Glass panel 40 Circuit board

[0029] 12 Cut-out section 41 Front side

[0030] 14 Inner wall 42 LED element

[0031] 20 Front panel 43 Socket

[0032] 22 Rear wall 44 Hole

[0033] 24 Hole 50 Rotary control element

[0034] 25 Retaining element 52 Sleeve

[0035] 26 Display part 60 Mounting plate

[0036] 30 Masking plate 62 Hole

[0037] 31 Front wall 64 Slot

[0038] 32 Opening 70 Commutator

[0039] 33 Connection socket 72 Setting rod

[0040] 34 Hole 74 Rear wall

[0041] 35 Mounting element 80 Encoder

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control panel assembly for an oven comprising: a front panel (20); a rotary control element (50) that fits into a hole (24) provided in the front panel (20) and engages with a setting rod (72) at the end of a commutator (70); a symbol area (4) provided on the front panel (20) adjacent to the rotary control element (50), at least partially light- transmissive; and a circuit board (40) provided at a distance to a rear wall (22) of the front panel (20) and having a LED element (42) corresponding to the symbol area (4) characterized in that an opaque masking plate (30) from a front side (41) abuts against the rear wall (22) of the front panel (20) surrounding a display part (26) in the symbol area (4) with a hole (24), and the circuit board (40) being adjusted so that the LED element (42) aligns behind the hole (24) on the masking plate (30).

2. A control panel assembly according to claim 1 , wherein in the symbol area (4) a sequentially arranged multiple number of independent display areas (26) delimited by a hole (24) corresponding to the rear wall (22), and the circuit board (40) containing at least one LED element (42) corresponding to each display area (26).

3. A cover assembly according to claim 2, the display parts (26) in the symbol area (4) being arranged in a matrix structure.

4. A control panel assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the symbol area (4) with the sequentially arranged display part (26) being adjusted in the extension direction of the front panel (20) on both sides opposite to the rotary control element (50).

5. A control panel assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a glass panel (10) is provided adjacent to the front of the front panel (20).

6. A control panel assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a mounting plate (60) is secured to a mounting element (35) extending from the masking plate (30) to the rear, arranged adjacent to the back of the circuit board (40).

7. A control panel assembly according to claim 6, wherein a hole (62) is provided in the mounting plate (60) through which a setting rod (72) extending from a front part of the commutator (70) passes.

8. A control panel assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an encoder (80) that engages with the commutator (70) in such a way as to detect theangular position of the setting rod (72) and adaptively activates a predetermined LED element (42) on the circuit board (40) according to the angular position.

9. A control panel assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a socket (43) is provided on the circuit board (40) and mounted aligning with a corresponding connection slot (33) in the masking plate (30).

10. A control panel assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein holes (34, 44) in the masking plate (30) and the circuit board (40) that are concentric with the hole (24) in the front panel (20) and through which the rotary control element (50) passes.

11. A control panel assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a retaining element (25) is provided on the rear wall (22) to secure the masking plate (30) to the front panel (20).

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