Layer arrangement for an illuminated control element

Abstract

A layer arrangement (200) for an operating element (110) is described. The layer arrangement (200) comprises a luminaire element (217) configured to illuminate a light chamber (216) of the layer arrangement (200), and a light-blocking layer (204) covering the light chamber (216) with a recess (214). Furthermore, the layer arrangement (200) comprises a sensor layer (201) covering the recess (214) of the light-blocking layer (204), wherein the sensor layer (201) overlaps the light-blocking layer (204) at the edge of the recess (214), such that an overlapping area (202) is formed at the edge of the recess (214) in which the light-blocking layer (204) and the sensor layer overlap.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a layer arrangement for an illuminated control element, in particular for use in a household appliance.

[0002] Household appliances, particularly household appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers, typically include individual mechanical buttons or pushbuttons for selecting appliance functions (e.g., wash or rinse program options). These buttons or pushbuttons typically feature an illuminated symbol or inscription indicating the one or more functions that can be selected.

[0003] When using multiple illuminated controls, mutual interference may occur between the illuminated areas of the different controls. Furthermore, the edges of the illuminated displays of the individual controls may become blurred.

[0004] This document addresses the technical task of providing a layer arrangement for an illuminated control element that allows for a clear demarcation of an illuminated area of ​​the control element.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent patent claims, described in the following description, or illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a layer arrangement for at least one control element is described. The layer arrangement can comprise a plurality of layers. The layer arrangement can be configured to provide or form a proximity, touch, and / or actuation sensor for at least one control element and a display for the at least one control element.

[0007] The layered assembly comprises a light source (e.g., with one or more light-emitting diodes, LEDs) designed to illuminate a light chamber within the assembly. This light chamber can be formed and / or bounded by one or more separators and / or reflectors that block light in a direction parallel to the one or more layers of the assembly. In other words, the one or more separators and / or reflectors can form a lateral boundary of the (at least one) light chamber of the assembly, perpendicular to the one or more layers. This allows the light from the light source to be reliably contained within a single light chamber. The one or more separators and / or reflectors of the assembly can be formed by a separator and / or reflector layer.

[0008] The layer arrangement comprises a light-blocking layer covering the light chamber, with (at least) one cutout. In its installed state, the light-blocking layer is positioned between the light chamber and the user interface of a control element. The light-blocking layer ensures that light from the light chamber can only reach the user interface through the cutout. In other words, the light-blocking layer can be configured to restrict the light exiting the light chamber to the area of ​​the cutout.

[0009] The light-blocking layer can comprise an opaque plastic layer, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Specifically, the light-blocking layer can be an opaque plastic layer (e.g., PET). For example, the light-blocking layer can be black. This allows the emission of light from the light chamber to be limited to at least one opening (e.g., a perforation or hole) in the light-blocking layer in a particularly efficient and reliable manner. The light-blocking layer can, for example, be printed or bonded onto another layer of the layer assembly.

[0010] The recess in the light-blocking layer is preferably arranged such that it is completely illuminated by the light-emitting element. In other words, the recess can be positioned directly above the light chamber. This allows the edge of the recess to provide a clearly defined boundary for the illuminated area of ​​a control element's display. Optionally, the edge of the recess can define the boundary of the illuminated area of ​​a control element's display.

[0011] The layer arrangement further comprises a sensor layer covering the recess of the light-blocking layer. The sensor layer may be electrically conductive. The sensor layer may, for example, comprise or consist of a metal, particularly copper, gold, and / or silver. The sensor layer may, for example, be bonded or printed. For instance, a copper layer may be bonded to another layer of the layer arrangement. In another example, a silver layer may be printed onto another layer of the layer arrangement. The sensor layer may be part of a capacitive and / or resistive (touch and / or proximity) sensor.

[0012] The sensor layer can be designed such that the sensor layer overlaps with the light-blocking layer at the edge of the recess, so that an overlapping area is formed at the edge of the recess in which the light-blocking layer and the sensor layer overlap.

[0013] The sensor layer and the light-blocking layer can touch in the overlapping area. In other words, the sensor layer and the light-blocking layer can lie directly on top of each other in the overlapping area. Furthermore, the sensor layer and the light-blocking layer can be bonded together in the overlapping area, in particular by adhesive bonding.

[0014] The overlapping of the sensor layer and the light-blocking layer reliably prevents light from escaping the light chamber past the sensor layer at the edge of the recess in the light-blocking layer, which could lead to diffuse illumination of the display of a control element.

[0015] The sensor layer can be light-blocking, at least in the overlapping area. This reliably prevents light from escaping the light chamber at the edge of the recess.

[0016] In a preferred example, the overlapping area has an overlap width so large that substantially no light from the light chamber is visible through the overlapping area. The overlap width can be, for example, 1 mm or more, or 2 mm or more. This allows for a particularly well-defined illumination of the display of a control element.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the overlapping area can be designed such that it forms a closed and / or completely circumferential frame around the recess of the light-blocking layer. This allows for a particularly clearly defined illumination of the display of a control element.

[0018] The recess preferably has a smaller area than the opening of the light chamber to be covered. In other words, the recess can be designed such that the light chamber is at least partially covered by the light-blocking layer. The edge of the recess preferably lies completely within the opening of the light chamber to be covered, so that the light-blocking layer extends beyond the entire edge of the opening. This allows for a particularly clear demarcation of the illumination of the display of a control element.

[0019] The sensor layer can have one or more light-blocking areas and one or more light-transmitting areas, which together form a mask for (at least) one symbol to be illuminated by the light source. In particular, the sensor layer can be light-blocking and have one or more cutouts (i.e., light-transmitting areas) through which light can pass. This allows for a particularly efficient way to provide a symbol for displaying a control. Specifically, using the sensor layer as a mask for one or more symbols eliminates the need for a separate printed layer.

[0020] This allows for a (continuous) layer arrangement in which the light from a luminaire is blocked by a light-blocking layer and a light-blocking sensor layer that overlap in an overlapping area, such that the light can only escape from the light chamber through one or more transparent areas of the sensor layer. This enables efficient and precisely defined illumination of a control element's display.

[0021] The sensor layer can be positioned on the side of the light-blocking layer facing away from the light source. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor layer can be positioned on the side of the light-blocking layer facing the light source. This reliably blocks light in the overlapping area between the light-blocking layer and the sensor layer.

[0022] The layer arrangement can include an optical diffuser layer positioned between the light source or light chamber and the light-blocking layer, particularly the recess of the light-blocking layer. By providing a diffuser layer, homogeneous illumination of a control element's display can be achieved.

[0023] The layer arrangement can include a light-transmitting carrier layer (e.g., a transparent PET layer) positioned on the side of the light-blocking layer and / or the sensor layer facing away from the light source. The carrier layer can thus face the touch surface of a control element. Using a carrier layer can further increase the stability of the layer arrangement.

[0024] The layer arrangement can include multiple light chambers for a corresponding multiple control elements. Furthermore, the light-blocking layer can include multiple recesses for the corresponding multiple light chambers. Thus, a single layer arrangement can provide multiple control elements that can be illuminated separately. The measures described in this document reliably prevent the light from one control element from interfering with the illumination of another.

[0025] According to another aspect, a control element is described that includes a proximity, touch, and / or actuation sensor for detecting a user's approach, touch, and / or actuation of the control element, as well as an illuminated display (e.g., with an illuminated symbol). Furthermore, the control element comprises a layered arrangement described in this document. The proximity, touch, and / or actuation sensor and the illuminated display can be at least partially or completely formed by the layered arrangement.

[0026] According to another aspect, a household appliance, in particular a domestic appliance such as a stove, an oven, a washing machine, a dishwasher, a kitchen appliance, a dryer, a hob, a refrigerator, etc., is described as including at least one of the operating elements described in this document.

[0027] It should be noted that any aspect of the layer arrangement described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the patent claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

[0028] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Figur 1a a block diagram of an example household appliance; Figur 1b an exemplary control element; Figur 2a an exemplary layer arrangement in a top view; and Figur 2b An example of layer arrangement in a section or side view.

[0029] As stated at the outset, this document deals with providing a layer arrangement for a control element that allows for a clear demarcation of the illumination of the control element, in particular of a specific illuminated sub-area of ​​the control element. In this context, it shows Fig. 1a An exemplary household appliance 100, in particular a washing machine or a dryer, comprising a control panel 101 with one or more operating elements 110. Exemplary operating elements 110 are buttons, push buttons, sliders and / or rotary knobs.

[0030] A control element 110 comprises, as in Fig. 1b The figure shows a control surface 113, which can be touched (in particular pressed) by a user to actuate the control element 110. Furthermore, a control element 110 typically includes a proximity, touch, and / or actuation sensor 112, which is configured to detect a user's approach, touch, and / or actuation of the control element 110, in particular by a user's hand. An example of a proximity, touch, and / or actuation sensor 112 is a capacitive sensor. The proximity, touch, and / or actuation sensor 112 can be arranged on and / or behind the control surface 113 of the control element 110.

[0031] Furthermore, a control element 110 typically includes a display 111 that shows the function of the household appliance 100, which can be activated by pressing the control element 110. The display 111 may be illuminated to improve its readability. The display 111 may be located on the operating surface 113 of the control element 110. The display 111 may include one or more illuminated symbols.

[0032] An operating element 110, in particular the proximity, touch and / or actuation sensor 112 and the display 111 of an operating element 110, can be efficiently provided by means of a layered arrangement (also referred to as a layered composite) consisting of several layers. The layers can have different functions, e.g., a sensor function or a lighting function. The different layers can be joined together, in particular bonded together, to provide the layered arrangement.

[0033] A layered arrangement allows for the particularly efficient provision of multiple control elements 110. However, this can lead to mutual interference with the illumination of different control elements 110.

[0034] Furthermore, light may escape from the edges of the individual control elements 110.

[0035] In the Figuren 2a and2b A layer arrangement 200 is shown, which enables a clear separation and limitation of the illumination of individual control elements 110. This shows Fig. 2a the layer arrangement 200 in a top view (i.e. from a side which, in the installed state, is facing the operating surface 113 of the one or more operating elements 110). Fig. 2b Figure 2 shows the layer arrangement 200 in a side or section view, along a section surface which, in the installed state of the layer arrangement 200, runs perpendicular to the operating surface 113 of an operating element 110.

[0036] The layer arrangement 200 typically comprises a (transparent) carrier layer 211 (e.g., a polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, layer) which, in its installed state, faces the operating surface 113 of the one or more operating elements 110. The carrier layer 211 typically serves to stabilize the layer arrangement 200 and / or to support the one or more other layers of the layer arrangement 200.

[0037] Furthermore, the layer arrangement 200 comprises a light-blocking and / or opaque blocking layer 204, which is configured to block light, in particular light from one or more illuminating elements 217 of the layer arrangement 200. For this purpose, the blocking layer 204 is arranged between the carrier layer 211 and the one or more illuminating elements 217 (e.g., light-emitting diodes, LEDs) for illuminating the displays 111 of one or more control elements 110. The blocking layer 204 may comprise a light-blocking (e.g., a black) PET layer, in particular [the type of PET used].

[0038] The blocking layer 204 has at least one recess 214, e.g., a perforation, a hole, a cut-out or punched-out area, etc. A recess 214 allows light from a luminaire element 217 located behind it to pass through the recess 214 and through the (optional) carrier layer 211. The edge of a recess 214 in the blocking layer 204 defines a clear boundary of the illuminated area of ​​the carrier layer 211. The edge can, for example, define a rectangular or circular boundary of the illuminated area of ​​the carrier layer 211.

[0039] The layer arrangement 200 further comprises an (opaque and / or light-blocking) sensor layer 201. The sensor layer 201 can be electrically conductive, for example, to provide a capacitive sensor. In particular, the sensor layer 201 can form the proximity, touch, and / or actuation sensor 112 of an operating element 110. The sensor layer 201 is arranged in the layer arrangement 200 such that the sensor layer 201 covers at least or exactly one recess 214 of the blocking layer 204.

[0040] The recess 214 can be covered in such a way that there is no gap at the edge of the recess 214 through which light from the luminaire 217 can shine. The sensor layer 201 can thus cover a recess 214 of the blocking layer 204 in such a way that the light from a luminaire 217 located behind the blocking layer 204 is completely blocked, at least at the edge of the recess 214. For this purpose, the sensor layer 201 and the blocking layer 204 can be arranged overlapping at the edge of the recess 214. In particular, the sensor layer 201 and the blocking layer 204 can form an overlapping area 202 at the edge of the recess 214, in which the blocking layer 204 and the sensor layer 201 are arranged (directly) one above the other. The overlapping area 202 can run along the edge of the recess 214 and form a (completely circumferential) frame around the recess 214.

[0041] In the overlapping area 202, the blocking layer 204 and the sensor layer 201 can be directly connected to each other, in particular bonded. The width of the overlapping area 202 (along the direction of propagation of layers 201, 204) is preferably sufficiently large to reliably prevent light from the luminaire element 217 from escaping at the overlapping area 202. The width can be, for example, 1 mm or more, or 2 mm or more.

[0042] The sensor layer 201 can comprise one or more transparent and / or translucent sub-areas 215, wherein the one or more transparent and / or translucent sub-areas 215 are surrounded by the overlapping area 202 and are arranged in the area of ​​the recess 214 of the blocking layer 204, so that light from the luminaire element 217 can pass through the one or more transparent and / or translucent sub-areas 215 to the carrier layer 211.

[0043] The one or more transparent and / or translucent sub-areas 215 can thus be used to illuminate the display 111 of a control element 110. A mask for one or more symbols 203 to be displayed can be formed by the one or more transparent and / or translucent sub-areas 215. The one or more symbols 203 to be displayed on an illuminated control element 110 can therefore be formed by one or more transparent and / or translucent sub-areas 215 in the sensor layer 201 of the layer arrangement 200. This eliminates the need for a separate printed layer.

[0044] The sensor layer 201 can, as in Fig. 2bThe sensor layer 201 can be arranged between the carrier layer 211 and the blocking layer 204 (so that the sensor layer 201 touches the side of the blocking layer 204 facing the carrier layer 211). Alternatively or additionally, the sensor layer 201 can be arranged between the blocking layer 204 and the light element 217 (so that the sensor layer 201 touches the side of the blocking layer 204 facing away from the carrier layer 211). This allows for particularly reliable blocking of the light at the edge of the recess 214.

[0045] The light-emitting element 217 can be arranged in a light chamber 216, which is located behind the blocking layer 204 with respect to the carrier layer 211 and / or with respect to the operating surface 113 of an operating element 110. The light chamber 216 can be bounded at least laterally by one or more light reflectors 213. The one or more light reflectors 213 can form a cup or container in which at least one light-emitting element 217 (e.g., an LED) is arranged. The (cup-shaped) light chamber 216 formed by the one or more light reflectors 213 can be covered by the blocking layer 204 with at least one recess 214. The at least one recess 214 can be arranged directly above the light chamber 216, so that the entire recess 214 is illuminated by light from the light chamber 216.

[0046] A diffuser layer 212 can be arranged between the light chamber 216 and the blocking layer 204 or the recess 214 of the blocking layer 204. The diffuser layer 212 is designed to scatter the light from the luminaire element 217. By providing a diffuser layer 212, uniform illumination of the recess 214 of the blocking layer 204 (and thus of the display 111 of a control element 110) can be achieved.

[0047] The measures described in this document enable a particularly efficient (especially without the use of an additional printed layer to display a symbol 203) illumination of one or more symbols 203 of a display 111 of a control element 110. This reliably prevents light from escaping at the edges of the display 111 and / or at the edges of the sensor 112 of a control element 110. Furthermore, the transmission of light to adjacent control elements 110 is reliably prevented. Finally, it is possible to efficiently provide both a sensor function and an (illuminated) display function using a single layer arrangement 200.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed layer arrangement.

Claims

1. Layer arrangement (200) for an operating element (110); wherein the layer arrangement (200) comprises: - a luminaire element (217) configured to illuminate a light chamber (216) of the layer arrangement (200); - a light-blocking layer (204) covering the light chamber (216) with a recess (214); and - a sensor layer (201) covering the recess (214) of the light-blocking layer (204); wherein the sensor layer (201) overlaps the light-blocking layer (204) at an edge of the recess (214) such that an overlapping area (202) is formed at the edge of the recess (214) in which the light-blocking layer (204) and the sensor layer overlap; wherein the sensor layer (201) is light-blocking at least in the overlapping area (202).

2. Layer arrangement (200) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor layer (201) has one or more light-blocking sub-areas and one or more light-transmitting sub-areas (215) which together form a mask for a symbol (203) to be illuminated by the luminous element (217).

3. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor layer (201) is arranged on a side of the light-blocking layer (204) facing away from the light-emitting element (217).

4. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor layer (201) is arranged on a side of the light-blocking layer (204) facing the light element (217).

5. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the overlapping area (202) is configured such that the overlapping area (202) forms a closed and / or completely circumferential frame around the recess (214) of the light-blocking layer (204); and / or - the overlapping area (202) has an overlap width that is so large that substantially no light from the light chamber (216) is visible through the overlapping area (202).

6. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer arrangement (200) comprises a separator and / or reflector (213) which limits the light chamber (216) in a direction parallel to the blocking layer (204) in a light-blocking manner.

7. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer arrangement (200) comprises an optical diffuser layer (212) arranged between the luminaire element (217) and the light-blocking layer (204), in particular the recess (214) of the light-blocking layer (204).

8. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer arrangement (200) comprises a light-transmitting carrier layer (211) arranged on a side of the light-blocking layer (204) facing away from the luminaire element (217).

9. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light-blocking layer (204) comprises an opaque plastic layer, in particular polyethylene terephthalate, or PET for short.

10. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor layer (201) is electrically conductive.

11. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (214) of the light-blocking layer (204) is arranged such that the recess (214) of the light-blocking layer (204) is completely illuminated by the luminous element (217).

12. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the sensor layer (201) and the light-blocking layer (204) are in contact in the overlapping area (202); and / or - the sensor layer (201) and the light-blocking layer (204) are directly adjacent to each other in the overlapping area (202); and / or - the sensor layer (201) and the light-blocking layer (204) are connected to each other, in particular bonded together, in the overlapping area (202).

13. Layer arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the layer arrangement (200) comprises a plurality of light chambers (216) for a corresponding plurality of control elements (110); and - the light-blocking layer (204) comprises a plurality of recesses (214) for the corresponding plurality of light chambers (216).

14. Control element (110) comprising: - a proximity, touch and / or actuation sensor (112) for detecting an approach, touch and / or actuation of the control element (110) by a user; - an illuminated display (111); and - a layer arrangement (200) according to any one of the preceding claims; wherein the proximity, touch and / or actuation sensor (112) and the illuminated display (111) are formed at least partially or completely by the layer arrangement (200).

15. Household appliance (100) comprising at least one control element (110) according to claim 14.