Domestic appliance operating device having a ring as operating element, and domestic appliance

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a domestic appliance operating device (5) having a ring as operating element (6), which ring comprises a fixed support ring (17) on which a separate operating ring unit (18) of the ring is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit (18) peripherally surrounds the support ring (17), wherein, on an outer side (19a, 19b), the operating ring unit (18) is formed at least in areas as an electrode of a capacitive sensor (S) of the domestic appliance operating device (5).

Description

[0001] Household appliance control device with a ring as a control element, as well as household appliance

[0002] One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance control device with a ring as the control element, which ring has a stationary support ring. A separate control ring unit of the ring is rotatably mounted on this support ring. The control ring unit surrounds the support ring circumferentially. Another aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance with such a household appliance control device.

[0003] Control devices for household appliances are known in a wide variety of designs. Cylindrical rotary knobs are known in this regard. Touch-sensitive control elements are also provided. Furthermore, it is also known for a control element to be designed as a ring. This is known, for example, from DE 10 2021 203 491 A1. The multi-component design therein allows an outer ring to be rotated about a rotation axis relative to an inner, stationary ring.

[0004] DE 102014 207 737 A1 discloses a household appliance that uses a proximity sensor to detect a person approaching the appliance. Depending on such proximity, the appliance is activated for operation or switched from standby mode to active mode.

[0005] Furthermore, DE 10 2019220 234 A1 describes how a person approaches a household appliance using a proximity sensor. Depending on the proximity of the sensor, a display is activated and a prioritized information is displayed.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a household appliance operating device and a household appliance in which the functionality of such a control element designed as a ring is improved.

[0007] This object is achieved by a household appliance operating device and a household appliance according to the independent claims. One aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as the operating element. This ring has a stationary support ring on which a separate operating ring unit of this ring is rotatably mounted. The operating ring unit surrounds the support ring circumferentially. This means that the operating ring unit and the support ring are designed to overlap in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the operating element, which in particular also corresponds to the axis of rotation about which the operating ring unit is rotatable. In the radial direction to this axis of rotation, the operating ring unit is arranged further outwards than the support ring.

[0008] The control ring unit is designed as a capacitive sensor on at least one outer side, at least in part. In particular, this means that this outer side is designed as an electrode of a capacitive sensor. This expands the functionality of such a geometrically specified control element. This is because interaction can occur even when grasping this exposed and outwardly facing end part or visible component. Simply touching this outer side by a person or user enables the triggering and / or setting of an operating state. This occurs automatically when this outer side is touched, thus triggering the capacitive operating principle of the control element.

[0009] In this context, the outer side can be formed by one surface or by several different surfaces of the operating ring unit. However, these surfaces are those that are exposed to the outside and can be touched, in particular those that are intended to be touched for further actuations, such as rotating the operating ring unit. In this context, it is possible for an outer side to have a radial annular surface of the operating ring unit. In addition to or instead of this, the outer side can have a front-side annular surface. This can, in particular, be spanned in a plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0010] Furthermore, such an outer side can also have a radially inner surface of the operating ring unit. Therefore, various configurations of outer sides are possible, which can be present individually or together in exemplary embodiments.

[0011] In one embodiment, the control ring unit has an outer ring. This outer ring overlaps the carrier ring along a longitudinal axis of the control element, forming a receiving space radially aligned with this longitudinal axis. These two separate ring elements thus form a type of ring housing designed to accommodate additional components. This enables a compact design and a protected arrangement of additional elements of the control element.

[0012] In one embodiment, a rotational position detection device is arranged in the receiving space, with which discrete rotational positions of the control ring unit relative to the carrier ring can be haptically perceived and / or electronically detected. Such a device is then arranged in the receiving space in a space-saving and protected manner. Furthermore, it can operate highly functionally in this context, since the required components can be arranged directly adjacent to each other, thus enabling the operating principle to operate very precisely and error-free.

[0013] In one embodiment, the rotational position detection device has a peak-and-valley structure formed in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis. A haptic element is coupled to this peak-and-valley structure, which is mounted on the carrier ring, so that a rotational position can be perceived haptically when the operating ring unit is rotated. This makes it particularly advantageous and simple for mechanical components to enable various discrete rotational positions to be immediately perceived by a person who grasps and rotates the operating ring unit. Such a peak-and-valley structure preferably has a wave contour when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This creates structural regions that are closer to the longitudinal axis in the radial direction, namely the peaks, than other structural regions, namely the valleys. This also makes it possible to design a very finely structured structure in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.In this context, a large number of rotational positions can also be perceived very precisely. In one embodiment, the haptic element can be a haptic ball preloaded by a spring in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis. Such an embodiment of a rotational position detection device enables very precise haptic perception of the discrete rotational position when the haptic ball slides into such a valley in the peak-and-valley structure. The shape of the peak-and-valley structure, in particular as a wave structure, and the haptic ball also achieves a mechanical interaction that enables very continuous and uniform rotation of the control ring unit. This also conveys a very ergonomic and pleasant rotation sensation that does not require discrete large force peaks to enable further rotation of the control ring unit.On the other hand, such a design also achieves very pleasant haptic feedback without transmitting large and unpleasant haptic forces to the person. Furthermore, such a construction also enables a very low-wear implementation, making this principle of haptic rotational position detection highly functional and reliable over the long term.

[0014] In one embodiment, the peak-and-valley structure is integrated into a haptic ring of the control ring unit. In one embodiment, this haptic ring is separate from an outer ring of the control ring unit. In one embodiment, it is preferably coupled to this outer ring in a rotationally fixed manner. Such a coupling can, in particular, comprise one or more snap connections.

[0015] In an embodiment in which such a multi-component ring configuration of the control ring unit is implemented, these separate partial rings can be manufactured individually. This also allows the outer ring and the haptic ring, for example, to be made of different materials. Since they can have different functions and integrate different structures, it is also possible in such an example to design the respective rings very individually and with precise shape.

[0016] On the other hand, the rotationally fixed coupling is advantageous in that when the operating ring unit is rotated, these two separate rings are also motion-coupled and thus preferably rotate in parallel. Snap connections are highly functional yet simple in this context. This allows for very quick and mechanically stable connections. In particular, snap connections are also non-destructively removable, allowing this operating ring unit to be separated and reassembled without damaging the ring. This can be advantageous for assembly work, maintenance work, or even replacement and cleaning work.

[0017] Snap-on connections also allow for the components to be attached to one another with minimal play. Furthermore, this separation also improves the capacitive principle between the outer ring and another electrode of the capacitive sensor. In particular, the haptic ring, preferably made of plastic, can serve as a functional intermediate layer in this context.

[0018] In one embodiment, the operating ring unit has a magnetic ring. This enables the detection of a rotational position of the operating ring unit when the operating ring unit is rotated, wherein for this purpose the magnetic ring interacts with a magnetic field sensor of the operating element. The magnetic ring can be a separate component. In particular, it can be separate from an outer ring of the operating ring unit. If a haptic ring is also present, the magnetic ring can also be formed separately from the haptic ring. This enables various configurations of the operating ring unit. In this regard, three separate rings can be provided, namely the outer ring, the haptic ring, and the magnetic ring. It is also possible for at least two of these separate rings to be combined in a common ring and, in this respect, to be integrated with one another or formed integrally with one another.

[0019] In one embodiment, the magnetic ring, when designed as a separate ring element, is coupled to the outer ring. In particular, it is coupled thereto in a rotationally fixed manner. It is possible to provide one or more snap connections in which the magnetic ring is attached to the outer ring.

[0020] In one embodiment, the magnetic field sensor is arranged in an electronics unit of the household appliance operating device. This electronics unit is arranged in particular in the free space delimited or surrounded by the ring. This enables a space-saving design of the operating element on the one hand. On the other hand, it enables a very advantageous position of the magnetic field sensor, in particular relative to the magnetic ring. This enables particularly precise detection of the rotational position. The electronic or electromagnetic detection of the rotational position is therefore highly precise. Last but not least, the positional arrangement of the magnetic field sensor in this free space is also advantageous for protecting the magnetic field sensor. This is because the operating ring unit, which in particular surrounds it at least radially, also provides shock protection or the like in particular.

[0021] In one embodiment, the magnetic ring is separate from an outer ring of the operating ring unit, and the magnetic ring is coupled to this outer ring in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular by snap connections to the outer ring.

[0022] In one embodiment, the haptic ring and the magnetic ring are arranged one behind the other, particularly without overlapping, as viewed in the axial direction of the operating element. Viewed in the axial direction, they are preferably arranged within the lengths of the outer ring and the carrier ring. In particular, the magnetic ring and the haptic ring are arranged in a receiving space delimited by the outer ring and the carrier ring, particularly arranged entirely therein. Therefore, the outer ring and the carrier ring essentially form a housing for the haptic ring and the magnetic ring.

[0023] In one embodiment, the support ring is connected, in particular screwed, to a separate base. The control element is arranged on a control panel of the household appliance control device by means of this base. This allows the control element to be easily yet securely attached to this separate control panel. In this context, the base represents a mechanically stable support part or bridge part with which the entire control element can be arranged on this control panel.

[0024] In one embodiment, an electronics unit of the household appliance operating device is arranged in the free space delimited by the ring. In particular, this electronics unit is designed as a cylinder segment, in particular as a cylinder half-segment. Such a specific geometric shape of the electronics unit also allows a compatible arrangement and adaptation to the radius, in particular of the support ring, to be achieved. The thus formed electronics unit can thus be applied with its curved radially outer surface to the preferably compatible and complementary shaped inner side of the support ring, in particular even over its entire surface. In addition, however, the further surface of the cylinder segment, which represents a peripheral surface, forms an exposed surface. This is particularly advantageously visible and accessible.However, this cylindrical segment design and the arrangement of the electronics unit within this free space also protect this functional surface of the electronics unit. The ring of the control element thus limits at least radial accessibility, thus preventing unwanted collisions with objects and the like.

[0025] In particular, the electronics unit has at least one operating and / or display and / or person detection device. This allows a multifunctional electronics unit to be arranged in a compact and space-saving manner, yet still exposed to its respective functions. This enables both viewing and accessibility for touching or use. This supports intuitive movement and operating sequences.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electronics unit of the household appliance control device is arranged in the free space defined by the ring. Additionally or instead of this, a person detection sensor of the household appliance control device can be arranged in the free space defined by the ring. This also enables advantageous positioning, which, on the one hand, enables very precise, contactless detection of a person in the environment or in the vicinity of the household appliance, while, on the other hand, this person detection sensor is also arranged in a protected manner.

[0027] In one embodiment, the electronics unit comprises a flexible circuit board. This flexible circuit board can be U-shaped. In particular, the flexible circuit board comprises a first, preferably rigid circuit board part and a second, particularly rigid, circuit board part connected thereto by a flexible connection. Preferably, the circuit board comprises a third, particularly rigid, circuit board part. This is preferably connected to the second circuit board part by a flexible connection. The flexible connections are mechanical and / or electrical connections. Such a design of a circuit board enables particularly space-saving and compact installation, while also making it possible to accommodate a wide variety of electronic elements.This particularly advantageously achieves the result that the electronics unit can be designed to be multifunctional, in particular as an operating unit and / or as a display unit and / or as a contactless position detection device. In particular, the circuit board can have a person detection sensor, a Hall sensor, at least one light source, in particular a plurality of light sources, and an electrode of a capacitive sensor. The person detection sensor is preferably arranged on the second circuit board part. This is preferably a central circuit board part of the entire circuit board. The preferably plurality of light sources, which can in particular be light-emitting diodes, can be arranged on a first circuit board part of this circuit board. This makes it possible to arrange these light sources directly adjacent to a display surface of the electronics unit.In one embodiment, this display surface can be a peripheral surface of the cylinder segment exposed in the free space.

[0028] Preferably, the Hall sensor and / or the capacitive sensor and / or an electronic unit thereof can be arranged on the third circuit board part. This allows these diverse, different electronic components to be arranged on a common circuit board, which, thanks to the aforementioned flexible design, can be shaped and arranged in a space-saving manner such that these respective electronic units are arranged directly at the locations and, at least partially due to the required functionality, are arranged directly adjacent to the counter components with which they interact. In one exemplary embodiment, the ring is arranged at a distance from a front side of a control panel of the household appliance control device, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the control element. In this respect, it is arranged offset forward relative to this front side of the control panel.This creates a visual effect that essentially appears as if the ring is floating freely. Furthermore, this arrangement of the ring also allows for particularly smooth operation. Because the ring is not pressed against the side of the control panel, there are no frictional forces to overcome.

[0029] It is advantageous that the peripheral surface of the electronic unit, designed as a cylinder segment, exposed in the free space represents an operating and display surface. A control element can be implemented in this context. This can be, for example, a touch-sensitive control panel. For example, this could be an on / off switch. Furthermore, this surface can be used to display information. In particular, at least this control element can be illuminated.

[0030] In one embodiment, the rotational position detection device can be configured such that at least 20, in particular at least 30, in particular at least 40, in particular at least 50, in particular 60 different rotational positions can be realized in one complete rotation in the direction of rotation around the longitudinal axis, which also represents the rotational axis. This number of discrete rotational positions, which can then also be perceived haptically and electronically, can nevertheless be perceived very specifically. In particular, due to the above-mentioned configuration of the rotational position detection device, even with such a high number of individual discrete rotational positions, a respective "click effect" can be perceived when changing from one rotational position to the next.

[0031] In one embodiment, the outer ring can be made of metal. For example, it can be made of stainless steel. In one embodiment, the outer ring has a front-facing, radially inwardly projecting collar. In this regard, an annular cover is formed, which conceals the preferably present elements of the haptic ring and the magnetic ring. Furthermore, this annular cover also forms an axial stop, so that the haptic ring located behind it in the axial direction is additionally held in position.

[0032] In one embodiment, the electronics unit comprises a metal element, for example, a copper part. This can be arranged on a circuit board of the electronics unit. In interaction with the outer ring, the capacitive functionality can be achieved upon contact with the outer ring. This metal part, which in particular represents a further electrode of the capacitive sensor, is separated from the outer ring by an electrical insulator, for example, a plastic part. This plastic part can preferably be formed by the haptic ring.

[0033] In one embodiment, multiple layers can also be formed between this metal part on the circuit board and the outer ring. In particular, this can be four different layers. This can also create a double-sandwich-like structure for this capacitive principle, for example. For example, a metallic insert can be formed in the plastic part, in particular the haptic ring, to increase the surface area. This insert can be directly contacted with the circuit board of the electronics unit, in particular by means of a metallic spring.

[0034] In one embodiment, this capacitive principle can cause a change in the operating state of the control element and / or the entire household appliance control device when the outer ring is touched. In this context, it is also possible for individual electronic components of the electronic unit, such as the Hall sensor and / or light sources, to be automatically activated by this capacitive principle when the outer ring is touched. The magnetic ring and the Hall sensor in particular make it possible to achieve very fine-tuned detection of rotational positions. This also enables the optical displays on a control panel of the control device associated with the rotational positions, in particular symbols that symbolize operating functions and / or functional units of a household appliance, to "move" along with the rotational positions.In particular, these symbols, which then move with the rotation of the control device, can be individually backlit.

[0035] In one embodiment, the magnetic ring is formed with a plurality of magnets, in particular permanent magnets. These are arranged in a row in the direction of rotation around the rotation axis, and the north and south poles are oriented alternately to one another. This means that these magnet segments are each formed with a north pole and a south pole, and the polarity changes for each subsequent magnet segment in the azimuthal direction. Preferably, the magnetic field sensor can detect in two orthogonal planes. In particular, the orientation of the magnetic field in the sensor position can also be determined by appropriate conversion in a computing unit or control unit of the household appliance operating device.

[0036] In one embodiment, the circuit board can be white. This preferably contributes to the brightness, thus also improving the backlighting of a symbol arranged on the electronics unit and intended to be backlit. It can be provided that this on / off switch of the electronics unit is permanently active, thus immediately detecting a finger touch.

[0037] In one embodiment, the housing of the electronics unit can be formed from several housing parts. These can be connected by a non-destructively detachable connection, in particular a mechanically detachable connection. For example, at least one snap connection can be provided here. It is advantageous if this housing, in particular the housing parts, are provided with a seal at the connection interface. This can prevent dust and liquid from penetrating the interior of this housing of the electronics unit. It is advantageous if a seal is arranged between the control element and the above-mentioned base, with which the control element is arranged on the control panel of the household appliance control device. This can also prevent the penetration of dust and liquid at this interface.

[0038] A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as the operating element, which has a fixed support ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted. The operating ring unit surrounds the support ring circumferentially. An electronic unit, in particular comprising an operating and / or display and / or person detection device, of the household appliance operating device is arranged in the free space delimited by the ring. In particular, this electronic unit is designed as a cylinder segment, in particular as a cylinder half-segment.

[0039] A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as the operating element, which has a fixed support ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit surrounds the support ring on the circumference, wherein a proximity sensor of the household appliance operating device is arranged in the free space delimited by the ring, which proximity sensor is designed in particular for contactless detection of persons in the environment of the household appliance operating device.

[0040] A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as the operating element, which ring has a fixed support ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit surrounds the support ring circumferentially, wherein in the free space delimited by the ring there is an electronics unit separate from the ring, which has at least two different functional surfaces, wherein the functional surfaces span different planes. The functional surfaces therefore do not span a common plane. The functional surfaces can be oriented at an external angle of between 60° and 90° to one another. They preferably adjoin one another directly. A functional surface can be an operating surface or a display surface or a sensory detection surface.

[0041] A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as the operating element, which has a fixed carrier ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit surrounds the carrier ring circumferentially, wherein the ring has a haptic rotational position detection device with which discrete rotational positions of the operating ring unit relative to the carrier ring can be haptically perceived.

[0042] A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as the operating element, which has a fixed support ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit surrounds the support ring on the circumference, wherein in the free space delimited by the ring there is an electronics unit separate from the ring, wherein the electronics unit has a flexible printed circuit board which is arranged in a U-shape in a housing of the electronics unit and / or the electronics unit has a printed circuit board on which preferably a person detection sensor and / or a Hall sensor and / or at least one light source and / or an electrode of a capacitive sensor are arranged.A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as an operating element, which has a fixed support ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit surrounds the support ring circumferentially, wherein the ring is arranged offset forwards at a distance, preferably between 0.4 cm and 2.0 cm, from a front side of a fastening plate, in particular a control panel, of the household appliance operating device and / or an axis of rotation of the ring is oriented perpendicular to the plane in which the fastening plate spans.

[0043] A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as the operating element, which has a fixed support ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit surrounds the support ring on the circumference, wherein the household appliance operating device has a display device external to the operating element, in particular a display, which is arranged behind the ring in the depth direction of the household appliance operating device in such a way that at least a partial area of ​​the display device can be seen from the front through the free space delimited by the ring.

[0044] A further independent aspect relates to a household appliance operating device with a ring as operating element, which has a preferably fixed support ring on which a separate operating ring unit is rotatably mounted, preferably the operating ring unit surrounds the support ring on the circumference.

[0045] Embodiments of the above-mentioned first aspect of the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of these further independent aspects for a household appliance control device. Features of these further independent aspects relating to a household appliance control device are also to be regarded as advantageous embodiments for these other independent aspects.

[0046] A further aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance with a housing and a receiving space formed therein. Furthermore, the household appliance has a door for closing this receiving space. The household appliance also has a presence detection device with which at least the presence of a person in the surrounding area of ​​the household appliance can be detected. Depending on the detection of the presence, an operating state of the household appliance can be changed. The household appliance has a door opening device with which an opening movement of the door can be carried out automatically. Depending on the detection of the presence of a person in the surrounding area of ​​the household appliance, the door opening device can be converted from an inactive state to an active state.

[0047] Such a household appliance allows a very specific functional device, which enables the automatic operation of another functional unit of the household appliance, to be switched to an active state in a targeted and demand-based manner. This is advantageous because, when a household appliance is not in use, functional units are at least switched to standby mode to save energy. However, this standby mode, which represents an example of a non-active state, must be canceled as quickly as possible when the household appliance is desired or about to be used. Since this transition from a non-active state to an active state requires a certain time window, which can take up to two seconds, the proposed household appliance is particularly advantageous.This is because as soon as a presence is detected in a specific area of ​​the environment, the door opening device is automatically switched from the inactive state to the active state. This then also makes it possible to set this active state when a person actually wants to operate the household appliance and, once presence is detected, a certain amount of time passes before the person reaches the household appliance and can operate it. This has the very advantageous effect of ensuring that the door opening device is in an active state when the person has reached the household appliance. This also makes it possible to ensure that when the person activates the door opening device upon reaching the household appliance and the automatic opening starts, there is no time delay whatsoever.This prevents a person from standing in front of the household appliance, having already actuated the door-opening device to automatically perform the opening movement, but only then transitioning from the inactive state to the active state. In such a scenario, this transition time would then elapse before actuating the door-opening device can actually perform the opening movement. The household appliance proposed above is particularly advantageous for avoiding such a time delay. In one embodiment, the door-opening device has an operating element, the actuation of which can initiate the automatic opening of the door. Depending on the detection of the person's presence in the area surrounding the household appliance, the operating element is active in the active state.

[0048] In one embodiment, the door-opening device comprises an actuator which, in the active state, automatically opens the door essentially without delay when the opening is requested by a triggering action. This component of the door-opening device, which is essential for automatic door opening, is thus proactively awakened and placed in the active state. Even if the door-opening device is not actually activated after this presence detection, the actuator is at least present in this active state.

[0049] In one embodiment, the presence detection device has a detection range that detects a person even at a distance of greater than or equal to 2 m, in particular even at a distance of 5 m, from the household appliance. This specific distance zone from the household appliance is advantageous in that presence is detected very early and, based on this, enables the time until a person actually reaches the household appliance and can immediately actuate the door-opening device to start the automatic opening of the door to be sufficiently long that the door-opening device can also be fully transitioned from the inactive state to the active state within this time.

[0050] In one embodiment, the transition from the inactive state to the active state is less than or equal to 3 s, in particular less than or equal to 2 s, in particular between 0.5 s and 2 s.

[0051] In one embodiment, the presence detection device comprises a proximity detection device, which detects a person approaching the household appliance. This expands the functionality of the presence detection device. This is because it detects not only a mere static presence, such as a person standing still in the surrounding area, but also the person's dynamics in relation to the household appliance. This also locally detects a person's targeted approach to the household appliance. This distinction also enables additional functions of the household appliance to be automatically executed and / or configured and / or started when an approach is detected.

[0052] Thus, in one embodiment, it is possible for a display device of the household appliance to be deactivated during the process of transitioning from the inactive state to the active state and / or for the display device to be automatically activated only upon detection of a person approaching the household appliance, in particular within the vicinity of the surrounding area of ​​the household appliance. This is a particularly advantageous cascading process, since not all functionality of the household appliance is transitioned from an inactive state to an active state if only the mere presence of a person in the surrounding area or movement at a constant distance from the household appliance is detected.This cascaded approach also allows for an intelligent process to be carried out, on the one hand, for the use of the household appliance and for the proactive provision of the household appliance according to demand, while on the other hand preventing unnecessary activation, thus also saving energy in this regard.

[0053] In one embodiment, the presence detection device comprises at least one contactless sensor. The sensor can preferably be a lidar sensor. In this context, a lidar sensor is an advantageous optical sensor that has a larger detection range and, at the same time, enables very precise detection of a person. In particular, this lidar sensor can also very accurately distinguish between a presence or movement at a constant distance from the household appliance and a different approach to the household appliance.

[0054] In one embodiment, the sensor is positioned forward, viewed in the depth direction of the household appliance, compared to a control panel of a household appliance control device. This provides a prominent position for the sensor and prevents it from being obscured by other components or having its functionality restricted. In particular, this also enables a large detection area, particularly one with a larger opening angle.

[0055] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a household appliance. In particular, the household appliance can be designed according to an above-mentioned aspect and an advantageous embodiment thereof. The method preferably includes the following steps:

[0056] Detecting the presence of a person in an area surrounding the household appliance using a presence detection device of the cooking appliance;

[0057] Automatically converting a door-opening device of a household appliance, with which an opening movement of a door of the household appliance can be carried out automatically, from a currently inactive state to an active state depending on the detection of presence. In particular, the detection of only one presence is sufficient for this process. Movement, such as, in particular, dynamic movement, in particular the approach of a person to the household appliance, is not required for this automatic conversion.

[0058] Advantageous embodiments of the household appliance operating device are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method. Geometric and / or positional specifications of at least some individual components, alone or in conjunction with other individual components, enable specifying method steps of the method.

[0059] The terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction” etc. indicate the positions and orientations given when the device and the equipment are used and arranged as intended.

[0060] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be produced by separate combinations of features from the explained embodiments. Embodiments and combinations of features are also to be regarded as disclosed that therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated independent claim.Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features are to be regarded as disclosed, in particular by the embodiments set out above, which go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features set out in the reliances of the claims.

[0061] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. They show:

[0062] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention with an embodiment of a household appliance operating device according to the invention;

[0063] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a representation in which a person is positioned in a surrounding area of ​​an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention;

[0064] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of subcomponents of an embodiment of a household appliance operating device according to the invention;

[0065] Fig. 4 shows the assembled state of the components according to Fig. 3;

[0066] Fig. 5 is a sectional view through subcomponents of a control element of the household appliance control device, designed as a ring, in an intermediate assembly state; Fig. 6 is a corresponding view as in Fig. 5, showing a further intermediate assembly state with an additional component of the control element;

[0067] Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the components according to Fig. 6, but in an assembled state compared to Fig. 5;

[0068] Fig. 8 is a perspective sectional view of an embodiment of subcomponents of a household appliance operating device;

[0069] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of subcomponents of an embodiment of a household appliance operating device according to the invention;

[0070] Fig. 10 is a further perspective sectional view through partial components of an embodiment of a household appliance operating device according to the invention;

[0071] Fig. 11 is a sectional view through the components according to Fig. 10 in a sectional plane different from, but parallel to, Fig. 10;

[0072] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of subcomponents of an embodiment of a household appliance operating device;

[0073] Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a magnetic ring, which can be a component of an operating element of the household appliance operating device; and

[0074] Fig. 14 is a further perspective sectional view through an embodiment of a household appliance operating device.

[0075] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals. Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a household appliance 1. The household appliance 1 can, for example, be designed for preparing food. It can preferably be a cooking appliance. In the exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 1 is an oven, a steam cooker, or a microwave cooker. It is also possible for a household appliance for preparing food to provide multiple functionalities, such as those provided by the three appliances mentioned above as examples, in a single appliance.

[0076] The household appliance 1 has a housing 2. A receiving space 3 is formed in the housing 2. In a cooking appliance, this can be a cooking chamber, for example. The household appliance 1 also has a door 4. This is provided here for closing the receiving space 3 from the front. The door 4 is, in particular, movably mounted on the housing 2.

[0077] The household appliance 1 further comprises an embodiment of a household appliance operating device 5 according to the invention.

[0078] The household appliance operating device 5 has at least one operating element 6. This operating element 6 is preferably designed as a ring.

[0079] In addition, the household appliance 1 preferably has a presence detection device 7. With this

[0080] Presence detection device 7 can detect or recognize at least one presence of a person 8 (Fig. 2) in an environmental area 9 (Fig. 2) of the household appliance 1.

[0081] The presence detection device 7 is designed in particular to detect the presence of a person 8 in the surrounding area 9 as well as to detect a movement of the person 8 and in particular also an approach of the person 8 to the household appliance 1.

[0082] The household appliance operating device 5 has a control panel 10. The control element 6 is arranged on this control panel 10. The control panel 10 also has a display unit 11 external to the control element, for example, a graphic display. The display unit 11 can also be designed as a control panel, in particular as a touch-sensitive control panel. The control panel 10 is an example of a mounting plate on which the separate control element 6 can be arranged.

[0083] In addition, the household appliance 1 has a control unit 12. The control unit

[0084] 12 can also be part of the household appliance operating device 5.

[0085] The household appliance 1 further comprises a door opening device 13. This device can be used to automatically open the door 4, particularly from its fully closed position. Preferably, a door opening control element 14 is also provided for this purpose. Actuating this control element initiates this automatic opening process, which is then carried out by the door opening device 13.

[0086] The presence detection device 7 mentioned above preferably has at least one sensor 15. This sensor 15 is designed to detect the surrounding area 9 in the depth direction (z-direction) in front of the household appliance 1. For this purpose, it has a detection area 15a (Fig. 2). This sensor 15 is preferably a person detection sensor. It can preferably be a lidar sensor.

[0087] According to the simplified illustration in Fig. 2, which shows a top view, a person 8 is located in the surrounding area 9. This is detected by the presence detection device 7. Depending on this detection of the presence of the person 8 in the surrounding area 9, the door opening device

[0088] 13 is transferred from a non-active state to an active state. This means that when the person 8 is still positioned at a distance, in particular for example greater than 2 m, in particular greater than 3 m, in particular greater than 4 m, in particular greater than 5 m, in particular less than or equal to 8 m, from the household appliance 1, the door opening device 13 is already woken up. In one exemplary embodiment, this also means that the door opening device 13 is transferred to an active state when the person 8 has not yet reached the household appliance 1 and is not standing directly in front of it in order to be able to operate it. In one exemplary embodiment, this transfer of the door opening device 13 from the non-active state to the active state is carried out in advance, even though the person 8 is merely present here, i.e., for example, the person 8 is also stationary.Thus, with this precautionary setting of the active state of the door opening device 13, it is not yet finally known, in particular not known with certainty, whether the person 8 will actually go to the household appliance 1 in order to operate it.

[0089] In one embodiment, depending on the detection of the presence of person 8 in the surrounding area 9, the door opening control element 14 is transferred to the active state. This also ensures that when person 8 subsequently actually approaches the household appliance 1 to operate it, the control element 6 of the household appliance 1 is activated by the person 8.

[0090] This then also means that the door opening device 13, which preferably has an actuator 16 which, in the active state, automatically opens the door 4 essentially without delay, is in the active state. In particular, this occurs when the automatic opening of the door 4 is requested by the actuator 16 through a triggering action. One such triggering action is, for example, the actuation of the operating element 14. In one exemplary embodiment, it is possible for the presence detection device 7 to detect the person 8 even at one of the above-mentioned distances from the household appliance 1. This at least enables presence detection even at a distance from the household appliance 1 that is still relatively large.This allows the aforementioned advantages for transferring the door-opening device 13 from the inactive state to the active state to be achieved very advantageously, so that even if the person 8 quickly approaches the household appliance 1, this active state is fully present upon reaching the household appliance 1. This enables a particularly instantaneous actuation of the door-opening device 13 and thus a delay-free opening of the door 4 upon actuation of the control element 14.

[0091] In one embodiment, the transition from the inactive state to the active state occurs within a time interval of less than or equal to 3 s, in particular less than or equal to 2 s, in particular between 0.5 s and 2 s. The functionality already mentioned above, that the presence detection device 7 also detects an approach of the person 8 to the household appliance 1, is carried out in particular with a proximity detection device that is a component of the presence detection device 7. In one embodiment, it is provided that other functional units of the household appliance 1, in particular of the household appliance operating device 5, for example the display unit 11, are deactivated during the process of transitioning from the inactive state to the active state.Additionally or instead, it can be provided that this display unit 11 can only be automatically activated upon detection of the person 8 approaching the household appliance 1, in particular in a close range 9a to the household appliance 1 in the surrounding area 9 of the household appliance 1. This provides that upon detection of the presence of the person 8, initially only the door opening device 13 is switched to an active state. Other functional units of the household appliance 1 then remain in a non-active state if they were in this state before the presence was detected. This avoids an unnecessary or undesired switching of other functional units to an active state.On the one hand, this can save energy, and on the other hand, a person 8 is not confused if a display unit 11 and / or other functional units of the household appliance 1 were to light up, possibly unmotivated, without the person 8 actually having the intention of interacting with the household appliance 1. Therefore, it is advantageous if these additional functional units are only activated when it can be concluded with a high degree of probability that the person 8 actually and consciously wishes to interact with the household appliance 1.

[0092] In one embodiment, the sensor 15 is preferably a component of the household appliance operating device 5. In this context, it can be arranged on the operating element 6.

[0093] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of subcomponents of the household appliance operating device 5. Also shown here are individual parts of the operating element 6 designed as a ring. In the exemplary embodiment, this operating element 6 has a support ring 17. This is a fixed ring here. In addition, the operating element 6 has an operating ring unit 18 which is separate from the support ring 17. This operating ring unit 18 is rotatably mounted on the support ring 17. It is also arranged such that it surrounds the support ring 17 on the circumference. Fig. 3 also shows a longitudinal axis A of the operating element 6. This longitudinal axis A is also the axis of rotation about which the operating ring unit 18 can rotate relative to the support ring 17. In the assembled state, the support ring 17 and the operating ring unit 18 are arranged so as to axially overlap one another.

[0094] In the exemplary embodiment, the operating ring unit 18 has an outer ring 19. This means that this outer ring 19 is the radially outer end part of the operating ring unit 18, in particular of the operating element 6. When connected to one another, a receiving space is formed between the outer ring 19 and the carrier ring 17. In this receiving space, a haptic ring 20 is provided in the exemplary embodiment. This is a component of the operating ring unit 18, but is separate from the outer ring 19. In addition, the operating ring unit 18 in the exemplary embodiment has a magnetic ring 21. This is also a separate component of the operating ring unit 18 from the outer ring 19 and the haptic ring 20.

[0095] In the assembled state, the haptic ring 20 and the magnetic ring 21 are arranged in series with one another in the axial direction, in particular without overlapping. The magnetic ring 21 is arranged completely behind the haptic ring 20. In the assembled state, both the haptic ring 20 and the magnetic ring 21 are arranged axially overlapping with the outer ring 19. They are arranged such that their respective axial extents are arranged completely within the axial extent of the outer ring 19. In particular, the haptic ring 20 and the magnetic ring 21 are arranged in the receiving space formed by the outer ring 19 and the carrier ring 17.

[0096] In one embodiment, the outer ring 19 is formed in one piece. It is preferably made of metal. For example, it can be made of stainless steel. In one embodiment, the outer ring 19 preferably forms an electrode of a capacitive sensor of the household appliance operating device 5. In particular, a first circumferential outer side 19a and / or a front-side outer side 19b are formed as respective sensor surfaces. As can be seen here, the outer ring 19 has a lateral surface 23. In addition, an annular stop or annular collar 24 oriented radially inward is formed.

[0097] Thus, a capacitive sensor, or at least partial elements of a capacitive sensor, are integrated into the control element 6. Thus, upon contact with the outer ring 19, particularly on the surfaces 19a, 19b, the capacitive functionality can be achieved, and with this contact, an operating state of the household appliance control device 5 and / or the household appliance 1 can be set, selected, and / or started.

[0098] Preferably, the magnetic ring 21 and the haptic ring 20 are attached to the outer ring 19 by mechanically detachable connections. These mechanically detachable connections can be, for example, snap connections.

[0099] As can also be seen, the haptic ring 20 has a peak-valley structure 25 on its radially inner side. This peak-valley structure 25 is part of a rotational position detection device 26. With this rotational position detection device

[0100] 26, discrete rotational positions of the operating ring unit 18 relative to the support ring 17 are haptically perceptible. For this purpose, a mechanical coupling of this peak-valley structure 25 with a haptic element 27 (Fig. 8) is additionally provided. This haptic element

[0101] 27 is mounted on the support ring 17 in one embodiment, so that a rotational position can be perceived haptically when the operating ring unit 18 is rotated. In one embodiment, the haptic element 27 is a haptic ball 28 (Fig. 8) that is preloaded in the radial direction by a spring 29 (Fig. 8). When the operating ring unit 18 is rotated, the haptic ball 28 thus comes into direct contact with the peak-and-valley structure 25, so that when it snaps into a respective valley, a respective corresponding rotational position can be perceived haptically.

[0102] This peak-and-valley structure 25 is integral and thus formed in one piece with the haptic ring 20. As can be seen in Fig. 3, this peak-and-valley structure 25 preferably extends uninterrupted over the entire circumferential length of this inner side of the haptic ring 20. In the axial direction, however, this peak-and-valley structure 25 extends only over a partial area, in particular the rear area, of the haptic ring 20. The operating ring unit 18 forms a unit in the assembled state, so that here the separate haptic ring 20 and the magnetic ring 21 are preferably rotationally coupled to the outer ring 19.

[0103] Furthermore, the rotational position of the control ring unit 18 can also be electronically detected using the rotational position detection device 26. For this purpose, the magnetic ring 21 interacts with a Hall sensor 30 (Fig. 3), which is also a component of the rotational position detection device 26. This Hall sensor 30 is arranged on a circuit board or printed circuit board 31 of an electronic unit 32 of the household appliance control device 5. The Hall sensor 30 is therefore arranged in a stationary manner compared to the rotatable control ring unit 18.

[0104] This Hall sensor 30 is an embodiment of a magnetic field sensor which interacts with the magnetic ring 21 when the operating ring unit 18 is rotated, so that a rotational position can be detected electronically.

[0105] As can be seen in the exploded view in Fig. 3, this circuit board 31, which is a flexible circuit board, has several circuit board parts. It has a first rigid circuit board part 33, a separate second circuit board part 34, which is also rigid, and, in this exemplary embodiment, a third rigid circuit board part 35. The first two circuit board parts 33 and 34 are connected by a flexible part 36. The second circuit board part 34 is connected to the third circuit board part 35, also by a flexible part 37.

[0106] Fig. 3 already shows an advantageous positioning of the circuit board 31, namely a U-shape. This can be achieved through the flexibility of the aforementioned components. In the exemplary embodiment, light sources, in particular light-emitting diodes, are arranged on the first circuit board part 33. Multiple light sources 38 can be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, four such light sources 38 can be provided, of which, for the sake of clarity, only one is provided with the reference symbol.

[0107] In one embodiment, the aforementioned sensor 15 can be arranged on the second circuit board part 34. The electronics unit 32, which has the circuit board 31, can be formed with a housing 39. This housing 39 can be designed as a cylinder segment, in particular as a cylinder half-segment. In the assembled state, this electronics unit 32 is arranged in a free space 40 that is delimited by the ring or the operating element 6.

[0108] As can be seen, the electronics unit 32 has various functional surfaces 39a, 39b that are not oriented in a common plane. The functional surface 39a, which is designed here in particular as a square functional surface, is exposed into the free space 40. It can have an operating element, in particular an on / off switch 41. This can be backlit, for example, by the light sources 38.

[0109] In addition, in one embodiment, this functional surface 39a can also be designed as an operating surface, for example as a touch-sensitive operating surface.

[0110] In one embodiment, the additional functional surface 39b is designed as a detection surface or sensory detection surface. In one embodiment, this means that the sensor 15 is arranged behind this wall or the functional surface 39b and thus detects the surrounding area 9 through it.

[0111] Furthermore, it is provided that the household appliance operating device 5 has a separate base 42. This is intended so that at least the support ring 17 can be arranged by means of the base 42, in particular on the control panel 10 of the household appliance operating device 5, in particular can be screwed thereto. It is preferably provided that the base 42 is screwed to the support ring 17. In one exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the base 42 is directly mechanically connected to the housing 39 of the electronics unit 32, in particular connected by one or more snap connections. This forms a receiving space between the housing 39 and the base 42. In particular, the printed circuit board 31 is arranged in this receiving space. The electronics unit 32 is preferably designed at least to be an operating and / or display and / or person detection device. In Fig.Figure 4 shows the component arrangement as shown in Figure 3 in the assembled state. It can be seen that the functional surface 39b is preferably arranged flush with the end surface 19b.

[0112] Fig. 5 shows a vertical sectional view of the carrier ring 17. Also shown are the haptic ring 20 and the magnetic ring 21. To install the haptic ring 20, it is pushed axially over the carrier ring 17, which has a smaller radius, as indicated by arrow P1. This is done until a radially inwardly projecting snap element 20a snaps into a snap element receptacle 17a. This is then illustrated in Fig. 6. As a result, the haptic ring 20 is arranged axially relative to the carrier ring 17. The snap element receptacle 17a is, in particular, a fully circumferential annular groove on the radially outer side of the carrier ring 17.

[0113] For further assembly, the outer ring 19 is then pushed onto the intermediate assembly assembly shown in Fig. 5 in the axial direction according to arrow P2. A snap element 19c, which is integrally formed on the inner side of the outer ring 19, snaps into a snap element receptacle 20b on a radially outer side of the haptic ring 20. This snap element 19c and the snap element receptacle 20b are only formed locally and are not completely uninterrupted in the circumferential direction. This snap element 19c and the snap element receptacle 20b thus achieve an axial positional retention between the outer ring 19 and the haptic ring 20 and also enable a rotationally fixed coupling, so that when the outer ring 19 rotates, the haptic ring 20 is also moved along in a motion-coupled manner.In a corresponding manner, the magnetic ring 21 can also have a corresponding coupling with the outer ring 19, so that here too the mechanical connection is rotationally fixed and the magnetic ring 21 is carried along when the outer ring 19 rotates.

[0114] Fig. 7 shows the assembled state of the ring 6. It can be seen here that the haptic ring 20 and the magnetic ring 21 are arranged in the receiving space 43 between the outer ring 19 and the carrier ring 17.

[0115] Fig. 8 shows a perspective sectional view of the operating element 6 on the one hand and the electronics unit 32 on the other. To implement the principle of capacitive sensor technology, the aforementioned design of the outer ring 19 as an electrode of the capacitive sensor is explained. Following radially inwardly is the haptic ring 20, which is preferably made of plastic. In this capacitive sensor technology, this haptic ring 20 thus serves as an electrical insulator. In one embodiment, the inwardly following carrier ring 17 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material. It can in particular be made of metal. Following radially inwardly again, a further electrical insulator is formed by the housing 39. This housing 39 has a wall 44 (Fig. 8), which can be made of plastic, for example. It is also possible for the housing 39 to be made entirely of plastic.

[0116] As can also be seen in Fig. 8, a metallic insert 45 follows this wall 44 in the radially inward direction. This metallic insert 45, which is preferably trough-shaped, in particular U-shaped, represents a further electrode of the capacitive sensor S. This design also creates a double-sandwich-like capacitive structure. This insert 45 is preferably directly electrically contacted with the circuit board 31, in particular by means of a spring 46, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0117] Fig. 9 shows the assembled state of the control element 6. The connection of the base 42 to the support ring 17 is also shown. The position of the circuit board 31 is also shown. For clarity, the housing 39 has been removed.

[0118] Fig. 10 shows a perspective sectional view of the control element 6 and the electronics unit 32. The snapped state of the housing 39 with the base 42 can be seen. Snap elements 39c are provided for this purpose. In particular, a snap connection is formed here with a counter-snap element 47a of a coupling structure 47 of the carrier ring 17.

[0119] Fig. 11 shows the illustration according to Fig. 10, but in a different sectional plane. Fig. 12 shows the operating element 6 with the base 42 from a different perspective. As can be seen here, the base 42, in its final assembled state, extends rearward in the direction of the longitudinal axis A beyond the dimensions of the operating element 6. This base 42 has engagement openings 48. A tool can be inserted into these openings to release the snap connections between the housing 39 and the carrier ring 17.

[0120] Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of the magnetic ring 21. The individual magnets with their respective poles, namely the north pole and the south pole, as well as their arrangement in the azimuthal direction are shown.

[0121] Fig. 14 shows a further perspective sectional view of the household appliance control device 5. Here, it can also be seen that the control element 6, in particular a rear edge 6a, is arranged at a distance a from the front side 10a of the control panel 10. In particular, this distance a is between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, in particular between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm.

[0122] List of reference symbols

[0123] household appliance

[0124] Housing

[0125] recording room

[0126] door

[0127] Household appliance control device control element

[0128] Presence detection device

[0129] person

[0130] surrounding area

[0131] Control panel

[0132] Display unit

[0133] Control unit

[0134] Door opening device

[0135] Control element

[0136] Person detection sensor detection range

[0137] Actuator

[0138] Carrier ring a snap element holder

[0139] Control ring unit

[0140] Outer ring a Outside b Outside c Snap element

[0141] Haptic ring a Snap element b Snap element holder

[0142] Haptic ring

[0143] magnetic ring

[0144] lateral surface

[0145] Ring collar 25 mountains-valleys structure

[0146] 26 Rotation position detection device

[0147] 27 Haptic element

[0148] 28 Haptic ball

[0149] 29 Spring 30 Magnetic field sensor

[0150] 31 circuit board

[0151] 32 Electronic unit

[0152] 33 first circuit board part

[0153] 34 second circuit board part 35 third circuit board part

[0154] 36 flexible part

[0155] 37 flexible part

[0156] 38 light source

[0157] 39 Housing 40 Free space

[0158] 41 On / Off switch

[0159] 42 bases

[0160] 43 Recording Room

[0161] 44 wall 45 metallic insert

[0162] 46 spring

[0163] 47 coupling structure

[0164] 47a Counter snap element

[0165] 48 Access opening P1 arrow

[0166] P2 Arrow

[0167] S capacitive sensor x width direction y height direction z depth direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Household appliance operating device (5) with a ring as operating element (6), which has a fixed support ring (17) on which a separate operating ring unit (18) of the ring is rotatably mounted, wherein the operating ring unit (18) surrounds the support ring (17) on the circumference, characterized in that the operating ring unit (18) is designed on an outer side (19a, 19b) at least in regions as an electrode of a capacitive sensor (S) of the household appliance operating device (5).

2. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating ring unit (18) has an outer ring (19) which is arranged to overlap the carrier ring (17) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (A) of the operating element (6), so that a receiving space (43) is formed in the radial direction.

3. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 2, characterized in that a rotational position detection device (26) is arranged in the receiving space (43), with which discrete rotational positions of the operating ring unit (18) relative to the carrier ring (17) can be perceived haptically and / or detected electronically.

4. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 3, characterized in that the rotational position detection device (26) has a mountain-valley structure (25) formed in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis (A), to which a haptic element (27) is coupled, which is mounted on the carrier ring (17), so that a rotational position can be perceived haptically when the operating ring unit (18) is rotated, in particular the haptic element (27) has a haptic ball (28) prestressed by a spring (29) in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis (A).

5. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 4, characterized in that the mountain-valley structure (25) is integrated in a haptic ring (20) of the operating ring unit (18), which is separate from an outer ring (19) of the operating ring unit (18) and with is coupled to the outer ring (19) in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular by snap connections to the outer ring (19).

6. Household appliance operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the operating ring unit (18) has a magnetic ring (21) which, when the operating ring unit (18) is rotated, electronically detects a rotational position in interaction with a magnetic field sensor (30) of the operating element (6).

7. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 6, characterized in that the magnetic field sensor (30) is arranged in an electronic unit (32) of the household appliance operating device (5), which is arranged in the free space (40) delimited by the ring.

8. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the magnetic ring (21) is separate from an outer ring (19) of the operating ring unit (18) and is coupled to the outer ring (19) in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular by snap connections to the outer ring (19).

9. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 5 and according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, viewed in the axial direction of the operating element (6), the haptic ring (20) and the magnetic ring (21) are arranged one behind the other, in particular without overlapping, and are arranged axially within the lengths of the outer ring (19) and the carrier ring (17).

10. Household appliance operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier ring (17) is connected, in particular screwed, to a separate base (42), wherein the operating element (6) is arranged by means of the base (42) on a fastening plate, in particular a control panel (10), of the household appliance operating device (5).

11. Household appliance operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the free space (40) delimited by the ring, an electronic unit (32), in particular at least comprising an operating and / or display and / or person detection device, of the household appliance Operating device (5) is arranged, which is designed as a cylinder segment, in particular as a cylinder half-segment.

12. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that an environment detection sensor, in particular a person detection sensor (15), of the household appliance operating device (5) is arranged in the free space (40) delimited by the ring.

13. Household appliance operating device (5) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the electronics unit (32) has a flexible printed circuit board (31) which is U-shaped and arranged in a housing (39) of the electronics unit (32) and / or the electronics unit (32) has a printed circuit board (31) on which a person detection sensor (15), a Hall sensor (30), at least one light source (38), and an electrode of a capacitive sensor (S) are arranged.

14. Household appliance operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ring is arranged offset forwards at a distance (a) from a front side (10a) of a control panel (10) of the household appliance operating device (5).

15. Household appliance (1) with a household appliance operating device (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

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