Domestic-appliance operating element having an axially displaceable carrier and a display unit with a particular optical-waveguide bundle, domestic-appliance control device, and domestic appliance

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to an operating element (15) for a domestic-appliance operating device (13), comprising a carrier (16) which is tubular at least in regions, and comprising a setting element (17) which is rotatably arranged on the carrier (16) and by means of which operating conditions can be set depending on a rotational movement about a longitudinal axis (A) of the operating element (15), wherein, when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A), the carrier (16) has an exposed carrier portion (18), and the carrier (16) comprises a display unit (19) by means of which information can be visually displayed and which is visible, when the carrier portion (18) is viewed from the outside, through a viewing window (20) formed in the carrier portion (18), wherein the display unit (19) comprises a light-generating unit (24) for generating the optical information, and an optical-waveguide bundle (28) having a plurality of optical waveguides (29), wherein the optical-waveguide bundle (28) is arranged between the light-generating unit (24) and the viewing window (20) in the direction of emission of the optical information from the light-generating unit (24) such that the optical information is guided to the viewing window (20) by means of the optical-waveguide bundle (28). Further aspects relate to a domestic-appliance control device (13) and to a domestic appliance (1).

Description

[0001] Household appliance control element with axially movable carrier with specific light guide bundle of a display unit, household appliance control device and household appliance

[0002] One aspect of the invention relates to a control element for a household appliance operating device. The control element has a support that is at least partially tubular. Furthermore, the control element has an adjustment element that is rotatably mounted on the support. Operating conditions can be set by means of the adjustment element, depending on a rotational movement or position of the adjustment element relative to the support about a longitudinal axis of the control element. These are, in particular, the operating conditions of a household appliance operating device or of functional units of a household appliance.

[0003] Household appliances with operating devices are known in a wide variety of designs. Operating elements of such devices, which are cylindrical rotary knobs, are also known. These rotary knobs can be fixed to a control panel of the operating device. It is also possible for such a rotary knob to be mounted so that it can be displaced axially, and thus, in particular, perpendicular to the control panel. In this case, such a rotary knob can also be recessed, so that a front face of the operating element is, for example, flush with a front face of the control panel. With such operating elements, it is also provided that they can be rotated as a whole about a longitudinal axis in order to adjust operating conditions.However, such control elements are also known which are cylindrical in their basic structure and geometry, are multi-part and only one part of them is rotatably mounted.

[0004] Such known control elements are limited in their functionality. In particular, only rotary movements are possible to adjust operating conditions. The object of the present invention is to make a control element for a household appliance more multifunctional. Accordingly, it is also an object to create a household appliance operating device with such a control element, as well as a household appliance itself.

[0005] The above-mentioned task is solved by a control element, a household appliance control device and a household appliance according to the independent claims.

[0006] One aspect of the invention relates to a control element for a household appliance operating device. The control element can also be referred to as a household appliance operating element. It is designed for installation on a household appliance. The control element has a support, which is at least partially tubular. Furthermore, the control element has an adjustment element that is rotatably mounted on the support. Operating conditions can be set by means of the adjustment element, depending on a rotational movement or position of the adjustment element relative to the support about a longitudinal axis of the control element. These are, in particular, the operating conditions of a household appliance operating device or the operating conditions of functional units of a household appliance.

[0007] The support has an exposed section when viewed along its longitudinal axis. Specifically, this exposed section is visible when the control element is in an operating position. This means that, by design, this section is arranged and positioned so that it is uncovered and thus visible to the user when the control element is in use and in its intended operating position. The support incorporates a display unit that can show information. This information is visible through a viewing window in the exposed section of the support when viewed from the outside. Thus, the control element has its own integrated display unit.Furthermore, the proposed control element ensures its specific positioning. The display unit includes a generation unit for producing the optical information. This generation unit can also be referred to as a light generation unit. Additionally, the display unit features a light guide bundle with multiple light guides. This light guide bundle is positioned between the generation unit and the viewing window, in the direction of optical information emission from the generation unit, so that the optical information can be guided to the viewing window via the light guide bundle.

[0008] This control element thus enables multifunctional use, allowing not only the manual adjustment of operating conditions by moving a sub-element of the control element, namely the adjustment element, but also the control element itself to function as a visual indicator. This visual indicator is specifically integrated into the control element. It is not the adjustment element, which is rotatably mounted on the support around a longitudinal axis, that displays the visual information, but rather the support on which the adjustment element is rotatably mounted. This ensures that the perceptibility and display of visual information are not restricted, as could be the case if such information were displayed on an adjustment element and a user were to grasp and rotate it.Furthermore, the proposed concept ensures that even when the user grasps and rotates the control element, the display and perceptibility of the visual information on this exposed section of the carrier remain unaffected. This integrates a particularly advantageous concept for the visual display of information into the control element. Precisely because the control element itself is compact, it can offer the described multifunctionality to a particularly advantageous degree, and the associated functions can be used in a user-friendly and supportive manner with relatively few limitations. Moreover, the use of such a fiber optic bundle is especially beneficial.On the one hand, this enables a particularly advantageous light transmission from the generating unit to the viewing window, so that the corresponding distance between the generating unit and the viewing window is efficiently utilized by this light guide bundle to avoid any potential loss of intensity of the optical information emitted as light by the generating unit and / or optical distortions of the emitted information. This light guide bundle thus makes it particularly advantageous to transmit the information emitted by the generating unit to the viewing window with positional accuracy, sharp contours, color fidelity, and size fidelity, thus preserving its size. This enables a particularly precise optical representation of the information at the viewing window.Furthermore, this concept allows the generation unit to be positioned compactly within the control element, specifically completely within the carrier section. This also protects the generation unit, preventing environmental influences from affecting it. A fiber optic bundle with multiple fibers particularly enhances the aforementioned advantages. In this respect, multiple fibers contribute to the aforementioned benefits in terms of minimal light loss, highly precise rendering of optical information at the viewing window, and exceptionally accurate color reproduction.The proposed concept with multiple light guides in the light guide bundle is particularly advantageous when the optical information includes numbers, letters, and / or symbols that need to be displayed precisely, easily, and comprehensibly even within the relatively small viewing window. Furthermore, such a light guide bundle, even in the limited space available within a control element, especially in the carrier section, helps to achieve the best possible optical imaging properties under the given conditions.

[0009] In particular, the light guide bundle is also arranged internally within the support section, and especially positioned entirely internally. The viewing window, in particular, limits the outer geometry of the support section, so that the viewing window also constitutes an external visible component of the support section. This also protects the light guide bundle from external influences, preventing environmental factors such as dust, liquids, or the like from reaching it. This also ensures the long-term functionality of the light guide bundle. In one embodiment, the viewing window is not a flat plane. In particular, the viewing window is curved, at least in some areas. Preferably, the viewing window is convexly curved.This creates additional installation space within the support section and enables a uniform outer contour of the support section, which is designed, at least in part, as a hollow cylinder. The concept with the light guide bundle is particularly advantageous when such a viewing window is curved, especially convexly curved. This allows for the compensation of undesirable optical distortions that might occur between the generating unit and the convexly curved viewing window, if necessary. This is especially beneficial when the generating unit is flat. Furthermore, even in such configurations, a size-preserving representation of the optical information emitted by the generating unit and displayed at the viewing window is possible.

[0010] In one embodiment, the light guide bundle has a bundle surface facing the viewing window. This bundle surface is curved, at least in some areas. This bundle surface can be formed by the end faces of the light guide bundles. It can be continuous or form an envelope or enveloping surface if these end faces are spaced apart and not directly adjacent to one another. Particularly when the viewing window is also curved, especially the inner surface of the viewing window facing the light guide bundle, the interface between the light guide bundle and the viewing window can be adapted particularly advantageously with regard to the optical imaging properties. In one embodiment, this curvature of the outer bundle surface of the light guide bundle, i.e., the bundle surface facing the viewing window, is convexly curved.This ensures that the curvature directions of this bundle surface and the viewing window are aligned. This further enhances the advantages mentioned above. In particular, this bundle surface is continuously convexly curved and curved across its entire cross-section.

[0011] In one embodiment, the curvature of this bundle surface of the light guide bundle is at least partially equal to the curvature of the viewing window. This applies in particular to the curvature value and / or the curvature direction. This is particularly noteworthy in light of the advantages mentioned above. In another embodiment, it is possible that a bundle surface of the light guide bundle facing the viewing window, i.e., an inner surface of the viewing window facing the light guide bundle, is in direct contact with the viewing window, at least partially, in particular at least 50%, in particular at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, in particular at least 100% of this bundle surface. This enables a gap-free arrangement between the light guide bundle and the viewing window.Distortions in the optical light transmission towards the viewing window can be significantly reduced in this way. Furthermore, this arrangement, and the resulting mechanical contact between the light guide bundle and the viewing window, provides additional positional fixation between the two components.

[0012] In one embodiment, the support section has at least one hollow area. The generator unit and the light guide bundle are arranged in this hollow area. This allows them to be integrated into the control element in a space-saving manner, positioned within a sub-element of the control element, namely this support section, which is also designed to be mechanically stable in this respect. This is particularly advantageous when this support section is fixed or mounted to be axially displaceable only along the longitudinal axis of the control element. This ensures that the optical information is always displayed in the same direction via the viewing window. A change in this emission position at an angle around the longitudinal axis is then neither provided for nor prevented.

[0013] In this context, it is particularly advantageous that the viewing window is always positioned at the 12 o'clock position, so that the display of optical information is almost always directed in this direction and upwards. A user's view of this control element, especially the viewing window of the support section, is then always unrestricted and intuitive when looking down at the control device, particularly the household appliance. In one embodiment, it is provided that, due to the at least partially hollow cylindrical geometry of the support section, the optical emission or display of optical information at the viewing window occurs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and thus in the radial direction of the control element.

[0014] In one embodiment, the multiple optical fibers are arranged parallel to each other. In particular, at least some of these optical fibers are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This concept also significantly supports the advantages already mentioned above for this optical fiber bundle.

[0015] In one embodiment, several light guides within the light guide bundle are separate elements. They can be rod-shaped or pin-shaped. This allows the number of light guides forming such a bundle to be individually configured. Thus, a different number of separate light guides can be used for different types of control elements. In particular, the specific type of light guide, and therefore especially its geometry and / or length, can also be individually designed to provide a suitable configuration for a specific control element.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, several optical fibers can be formed as a single component. This reduces the number of components in an optical fiber bundle. Furthermore, this minimizes positional tolerances between the optical fibers. In particular, the optical fibers are then permanently maintained in their correct relative positions.

[0017] In one embodiment, the optical fiber bundle has a microstructure and / or a submicrostructure as the multiple optical fibers. In particular, this microstructure and / or submicrostructure forms the multiple optical fibers, especially at least partially or in certain areas. Such a microstructure or submicrostructure, which represents the optical fiber bundle and forms the multiple optical fibers through microstructuring or submicrostructuring, can be a single, integral body. In particular, such a body is made of plastic, for example, it can be made of a polymer material. Therefore, in one embodiment, it is possible for the optical fiber bundle to be a microstructured or submicrostructured optical fiber body. This can be an optical fiber block. As already mentioned, it is preferably formed in one piece.This type of concept significantly reduces the number of components and enables, with exceptional precision, the precise routing of light from the generator unit to the viewing window, even within the extremely limited installation space of such a control element. In particular, this fulfills the aforementioned requirements regarding minimal light loss, high contrast, and high color fidelity. This is especially advantageous with such a light guide bundle when the viewing window is curved, particularly convex. The optical imaging properties at such a viewing window are then exceptionally true to life and / or distortion-free, etc.

[0018] In one embodiment, such a light guide body can, for example, be shaped like a hedgehog. This means, in particular, that a base body is present on which a corresponding structure, as described above, is formed, especially on the body surface facing the viewing window. Specifically, this structure is, metaphorically speaking, the area of ​​a hedgehog's body formed by its spines. These spines are defined, in this case, by their microstructure or submicrostructure.

[0019] In one embodiment, the light guides have different lengths, particularly when viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the control element. This is advantageous when the viewing window is also curved. The light guides can then be adapted with exceptional precision to the specific distance between the generating unit and the curved viewing window. In particular, in a cross-sectional view (i.e., a section view perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the control element), the central light guides can have a greater length than those further out. Specifically, a continuous decrease in length towards the edge is possible.

[0020] In one embodiment, the light guides can be arranged directly adjacent to one another. This is particularly possible in the embodiment with separate light guides. However, it is also possible for the light guides, or at least some of them, to be spaced apart. This allows for a needs-based and situation-adapted configuration, both in terms of direct proximity and spacing. This is especially relevant for the configuration of the display unit, i.e., which optical information should be displayed at which point in the viewing window.

[0021] In one embodiment, it is therefore possible that at least some of the light guides are arranged apart from each other and / or that at least some of the light guides are arranged with their cladding surfaces directly adjacent to each other.

[0022] In one embodiment, the support is arranged so that it cannot rotate about its longitudinal axis. It is therefore fixed in position or rotationally fixed with respect to any rotational movement about the longitudinal axis, even if the adjusting element is rotated.

[0023] In particular, the support, and especially the support section, is designed, at least partially, and especially completely, as a hollow cylinder. The longitudinal axis of the operating element is, in particular, coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylinder.

[0024] In one embodiment, a front face of the control element may have an operating and / or display unit. This unit may, for example, have a touch-sensitive operating area. In this embodiment, a further display unit is also arranged on the front face of the control element. It is possible that this front face is surrounded by the control element in a frame-like or ring-like manner.

[0025] The carrier can be made of metal or plastic. In particular, it is formed in one piece. In one embodiment, the adjusting element can be a ring. In particular, the adjusting element can be made of plastic or metal. The adjusting element is shorter than the carrier when viewed in the axial direction along the longitudinal axis. In particular, the adjusting element is arranged at a front end of the carrier when viewed in the longitudinal direction. In particular, it is arranged not to overlap the viewing window when viewed in the axial direction. Even if, in one embodiment, the adjusting element is also movable in the axial direction relative to the carrier, in particular if it is slidably mounted, it is preferably provided that this axial movement of the adjusting element is limited, in particular to a maximum extent up to the viewing window, and thus the viewing window is not positioned, or cannot be positioned, in an overlapping manner.

[0026] As explained above, the viewing window can be an external viewing area as part of the support section. It can therefore also be a surface of the support section, or this area can also be referred to as a surface.

[0027] As explained above, the viewing window is at least partially transparent to light in the visible spectral range. It can therefore be transparent or translucent. It can be opaque when the display unit is not activated and at least partially transparent to light in the visible spectral range when the display unit is activated.

[0028] The viewing window can be made of plastic or metal. It can also be customized in color. For example, it can be black, especially matte black.

[0029] Generally, the viewing window can be integrated and thus formed as a single piece with the support section. However, it can also be a separate insert.

[0030] Another aspect of the invention relates to a control device for a household appliance. The control device has a control panel. This panel can, for example, be plate-like. The control panel can be a visible component of the control device. Furthermore, the control device has at least one control element according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The control element can, in particular, be a rotary knob. In its basic dimensions and geometry, it is a cylindrical component. The control element is arranged on the control panel. In particular, it is arranged on the control panel such that, viewed as a whole, it is movable relative to the control panel in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the control element. In particular, this longitudinal axis is oriented perpendicular to the plane in which the control panel spans. The control panel can be a plate.

[0031] Another aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance for food preparation. The household appliance has a control device according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. Additionally or instead, the household appliance may have at least one control element according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. Thus, it is possible for a household appliance to have a control element that is not arranged on a control panel. Conversely, it is also possible for a household appliance to have such a control panel on which such a control element is arranged.

[0032] In particular, the household appliance is a cooktop system. This cooktop system specifically includes a cooktop. This cooktop is designed and arranged so that cookware, such as pans, pots, or the like, can be placed on its upper surface for the purpose of preparing food. The cooktop preferably has one or more cooking zones on which the cookware can be placed. Furthermore, the cooktop system includes heating elements for heating the cooking zones and / or the cookware. These heating elements can be, for example, radiant heaters or inductors. The cooktop system preferably includes at least one control panel, which is separate from the cooktop.In particular, this control panel, which is preferably a plate, can be positioned in a plane oriented at an angle to the plane in which the cooktop is mounted. These two planes can, for example, be perpendicular to each other. Specifically, the control panel can be located below the cooktop when viewed vertically. This means that, in the vertical direction, the control panel extends downwards at least in some areas beyond the cooktop. Specifically, in the depth direction of the cooktop system, the control panel is located in a depth position that is in the front third of the depth of the cooktop. In particular, the control panel can also be located in a depth position that is further forward than the front end of the cooktop.The orientation with regard to "front" is to be understood as meaning that when the cooktop system is arranged as intended, the "front" of the cooktop system faces a user who is usually positioned in front of it.

[0033] The cooktop surface can be made of glass or glass-ceramic, for example. The control panel can be made of glass, metal, wood, or plastic. It can be adapted to the surrounding environment, both materially and / or visually. This means that if the cooktop system is installed in a kitchen unit, the control panel is adapted to the adjacent furniture components of that unit. In one embodiment, the control panel may simply serve as a mechanical support component for the control element. In another embodiment, however, the control panel may have additional functionalities, such as a display unit and / or a control system, particularly in addition to a control element as described above.

[0034] In one embodiment, the carrier can have at least one touch-sensitive operating area. This gives the display unit an operating function as well. It is then designed as both an operating and display unit. The touch-sensitive operating area can, for example, be an on / off switch. It is preferably located adjacent to the viewing window on the carrier section. In particular, it can be arranged in the same axial position as the viewing window and azimuthally offset from the viewing window in the direction of rotation around the longitudinal axis, especially directly adjacent to such a viewing window. It is also possible for two such discrete and locally limited touch-sensitive operating areas to be arranged on the carrier section. For example, each of these two touch-sensitive operating areas can be configured with a specific function.The respective functionality can then be selected, activated, and / or changed simply by touching the surface. These two touch-sensitive control panels can be arranged in the direction of rotation around the longitudinal axis at positions opposite the viewing window, in particular, each directly adjacent to such an azimuthally shaped edge of a viewing window. The household appliance can also be a range hood. This can have a control element according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. This range hood can have a household appliance control device according to the aspect mentioned above or an advantageous embodiment thereof. The range hood can be part of a household appliance system. The cooktop system can also be part of the household appliance system.

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. These show:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention with an embodiment of a household appliance control device according to the invention;

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance control device according to the invention, including an embodiment of a control element according to the invention; and

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through an embodiment of an operating element according to the invention in the area of ​​a carrier section, which has a display unit with a light generator unit and a light guide bundle.

[0039] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference symbols.

[0040] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance 1. The household appliance 1 is designed for preparing food. It is a cooktop system 2. The cooktop system 2 has a cooktop 3. Cooking zones 4, 5, 6, and 7 are shown here by way of example, and their number, position, and geometry are not exhaustive. Cookware can be placed on these zones from above. The cooktop system 2 also has further functional units. These functional units are energy generation units 8, 9, 10, and 11, which generate energy to heat cookware. For example, these energy generation units 8 to 11 can be heating elements such as radiant heaters or inductors. In one embodiment, the cooktop system 2 also has a control unit 12, which is shown only symbolically.

[0041] Furthermore, the cooktop system 2 includes a household appliance control device 13. In the exemplary embodiment, this device has a control panel 14. The control panel 14 is a separate component from the cooktop 3. Here, the control panel 14 is designed as a plate. The plate extends in a plane that differs from the plane in which the cooktop 3 extends. In the exemplary embodiment, several control elements or household appliance control elements are arranged on this control panel 14. At least one control element 15 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis A with a sub-element. The control element 15 can, in particular, be a rotary knob. Its basic geometry is cylindrical. In particular, the additional control elements shown in Fig. 1, which are not further identified by a reference numeral and are arranged on the control panel 14, can also be designed accordingly.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a section of the household appliance control device 13. An embodiment of a control element 15 is also shown. This control element 15 has a tubular support 16. It also has an adjustment element 17, which is separate from the support 16. The adjustment element 17 is rotatably mounted on the support 16 so that it can be rotated about the longitudinal axis A. Operating conditions can be set depending on the rotational movement and / or position of the adjustment element 17. These are, in particular, the operating conditions of the household appliance 1, in this case, the cooktop system 2. The control element 15 as a whole can be fixed in the axial direction. However, it is also possible for the control element 15 as a whole to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis A. This allows it to be moved axially relative to the control panel 14.In particular, it can also be recessed in this context, so that in the recessed state it no longer protrudes forward beyond a front surface 14a of the control panel 14. Figure 2 shows an operating state of the control element 15, which is the operating state and thus the active state. This means that the adjustment element 17 is accessible and can be grasped to rotate it. The adjustment element 17 is a ring. In the axial direction, the adjustment element 17 has a dimension that is smaller than the dimension of the support 16. The support 16 has a support section 18. This support section 18 is hollow, at least in part. In particular, this support section 18 is arranged further back, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis, than the adjustment element 17.The support section 18 is therefore located in this operating state of the control element 15 between the adjustment element 17 and the front 14a of the control panel 14. This exposed support section 18, which is therefore exposed both in the axial direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A and thus in the radial direction, therefore represents a visible component in this respect.

[0043] The carrier 16 has a display unit 19. This display unit 19 can show optical information on the outer wall of the carrier section 18. In particular, the carrier section 18 has a viewing window 20. This window is curved, especially convexly curved. When viewed from the outside of the carrier section 18, as shown in Fig. 2, the optically displayed information can be seen and perceived at the viewing window 20. In this exemplary embodiment, the optical information 21 is characterized by numbers. However, it can also be formed additionally or instead by letters and / or symbols or a full-surface image.

[0044] Furthermore, Fig. 2 also shows an end face 22 of the control element 15. The end face 22 can also be the end face of the support 16. The end face 22 can have a control and / or display device. The end face 22 can be touch-sensitive, at least in part. Thus, in one embodiment, in addition to the display unit 19 on the support section 18, further operation and / or display of information is possible. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the adjustment element 17 is arranged without axial overlap with the viewing window 20. Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view, where the section plane is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The section is formed in the support section 18. The support section 18 has a cavity 23. The previously mentioned generation unit 24 is arranged in this cavity.The generating unit 24 is designed to generate light, i.e., optical information. It can therefore also be referred to as a light generating unit. In the exemplary embodiment, this generating unit 24 includes a backlighting unit 25. This can, for example, have light-emitting diodes as light sources. In the exemplary embodiment, the generating unit 24 includes a display panel 26. This can, for example, be a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) panel. This can include a chip 27. This chip can be made of glass and have contacts based on FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). As shown in Fig.

[0045] As can be seen in Figure 3, the generating unit 24 is formed flat. It is located essentially centrally in the hollow area 23, or rather relatively centrally in this hollow area 23.

[0046] Furthermore, the display unit 19 has a light guide bundle 28. This light guide bundle 28 is arranged in the direction of emission of the light generated by the generating unit 24 between the generating unit 24 and the viewing window 20. The light guide bundle 28, shown here only schematically, is also arranged in the cavity 23. In particular, it is completely enclosed within it.

[0047] The optical fiber bundle 28 has several optical fibers 29. The reference numerals are shown in Fig.

[0048] The number and position of the components shown in Figure 3 are by no means exhaustive, but merely symbolic representations of these multiple optical fibers 29. Due to the simplified symbolic representation of the components shown in Figure 3, the geometry of the optical fiber bundle 28 is also not definitively represented here.

[0049] The optical fibers 29 can be separate optical fibers. They can be arranged with their longitudinal axes parallel to each other. In such an embodiment, these optical fibers 29 can be positioned spaced apart from each other, but they can also be arranged with their outer surfaces directly in contact with each other. The optical fibers 29 can be rod-shaped or pin-shaped. In another embodiment, the optical fiber bundle 28 is designed as a single-piece optical fiber body 30. It can be referred to as an optical fiber block. An optical fiber bundle 28 can be a microstructured or submicrostructured optical fiber body. This is particularly advantageous when it is designed as a single piece.

[0050] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the light guide bundle 28 is, in particular, flat on a bundle surface 31 facing the generating unit 24. On a bundle surface 32 facing the viewing window 20, this light guide bundle 28 is uneven. In particular, it is curved on this bundle surface 32. In particular, it is convexly curved here. It is provided that the viewing window 20 is curved, in particular convexly curved. In such an embodiment, the curvatures of the bundle surface 32 and the viewing window 20 can be the same. It is possible that the bundle surface 32 rests against the inside of the viewing window 20, at least partially, in particular over its entire surface.

[0051] Figure 3 symbolically illustrates the emission of optical information 33 via the viewing window 20. In particular, the bundle surface 32 facing the viewing window 20 is microstructured or submicrostructured. In this embodiment, this structuring forms the multiple light guides 29, especially at least the areas of these light guides facing the viewing window 20. In one embodiment, the diameter d of the hollow cylindrical support section 18 can be between 53 mm and 56 mm.

[0052] It is also possible that, in a further embodiment viewed in the direction of rotation around the longitudinal axis A, azimuthally offset but adjacent to the viewing window 20, at least one touch-sensitive operating area 34 is formed on the support section 18. Reference numeral list

[0053] household appliance

[0054] 2 Hob system Hob plate

[0055] 4 cooking zones

[0056] Cooking zone

[0057] 6 cooking zones

[0058] Cooking zone Energy generation unit Energy generation unit Energy generation unit 11 Energy generation unit 12 Control unit

[0059] 13 Household appliance control device 14 Control panel

[0060] 14a Front

[0061] 15 Control element

[0062] 16 carriers

[0063] 17 Adjustment element

[0064] 18 Carrier section Display unit

[0065] 20 viewing windows

[0066] 21 Information

[0067] 22 Front

[0068] 23 Cavity area

[0069] 24 production units

[0070] 25 Backlight unit 26 Display panel

[0071] 27 Chip

[0072] 28 fiber optic bundles

[0073] 29 optical fibers

[0074] 30 Light guide body 31 Bundle surface 32 Bundle surface 33 Information 34 Operating area

Claims

Patent claims 1. Control element (15) for a household appliance control device (13) with a support (16) that is at least partially tubular and with an adjustment element (17) rotatably arranged on the support (16), with which operating conditions can be adjusted depending on a rotational movement about a longitudinal axis (A) of the control element (15), wherein the support (16) has an exposed support section (18) when viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A), and the support (16) has a display unit (19) with which information can be displayed optically and which is perceptible through a viewing window (20) formed in the support section (18) when looking from the outside at the support section (18), wherein the display unit (19) has a light-generating unit (24) for generating the optical information, and has a light guide bundle (28) with several light guides (29),wherein the light guide bundle (28) is arranged in the direction of emission of the optical information (33) from the light generating unit (24) between the light generating unit (24) and the viewing window (20), so that the optical information is guided to the viewing window (20) by the light guide bundle (28).

2. Control element (15) according to claim 1, wherein the light guide bundle (28) has a bundle surface (32) facing the viewing window (20) which is curved at least in some areas.

3. Control element (15) according to claim 2, wherein the curvature is convex.

4. Control element (15) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the curvature of the bundle surface (32) is at least sectionally equal to a curvature direction and / or a curvature value of the viewing window (20).

5. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier section (18) has a hollow area (23) and the light-generating unit (24) and the light guide bundle (28) are arranged in the hollow area (23), in particular completely.

6. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the multiple light guides (29) are arranged parallel to each other.

7. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the multiple light guides (20) are separate from each other.

8. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guide bundle (28) has a micro or submicro structure as the multiple light guides (29).

9. Control element (15) according to claim 8, wherein the light guide bundle (28) is a, in particular one-piece, microstructured or submicrostructured light guide body (30).

10. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light guides (29) have different lengths.

11. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the light guides (29) are arranged spaced apart from each other and / or at least some of the light guides (29) are arranged with their cladding surfaces directly adjacent to each other.

12. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (16) is arranged so as not to rotate about the longitudinal axis (A).

13. Control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (16) is a hollow cylinder.

14. Household appliance control device (13) with a control panel (14) and with at least one control element (15) according to one of the preceding claims, in particular a control element (15) arranged to be axially movable relative to the control panel (14) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the control element (15).

15. Household appliance (1) for preparing food, in particular a hob system (2), with a hob plate (3) and with a household appliance control device (13) according to claim 14, wherein the hob plate (3) is a component separate from the control panel (6), in particular the plate-like control panel (6) is spanned in a plane different from the hob plate (3).

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