Annular Appliance Control Ring for Compact Precise Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating devices for domestic appliances with movable elements and electronic displays face challenges in achieving a compact design while maintaining user-friendly operability and intuitive information presentation, often requiring significant space due to bulky designs and difficulty in precise rotation.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with a rotatable annular front part coupled to a sliding ring via a guide, featuring a radial groove and resilient engaging element, allowing secure attachment and smooth rotation, which is embedded in a control panel for precise positioning and minimal installation depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional bulky operating element is used, then it can be easily gripped and rotated, but it requires significant space and increases device size
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is divided into multiple parts: a sliding ring that remains stationary and an annular front part that rotates. This segmentation allows the rotating portion to be compact while maintaining sufficient grip surface area, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and space requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The operating element transitions from a traditional three-dimensional cylindrical knob to a more planar annular structure with radial extension. This dimensional change reduces the axial protrusion distance while maintaining the operational surface area through radial expansion, effectively reducing overall device volume
2Volume of moving object
If the operating element is made compact, then space requirements are reduced, but it becomes difficult to grip and rotate
Solution Approach 1:
The annular front part features a radially extending grip surface with specific local characteristics (surface texture, width, and profile) that optimize gripping comfort. This localized quality enhancement ensures ease of operation despite the overall compact design reducing total volume
3Stability of the object's composition
If the front part is securely attached to prevent falling out, then stability is improved, but rotational movement becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure with a groove acts as an intermediary between the front part and sliding ring. The groove provides form closure to prevent the front part from detaching while allowing rotational movement, effectively mediating between the requirements for stability and smooth rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging element is designed with resilient properties that allow it to dynamically adapt during rotation. The elastic deformation of the engaging element during rotational movement maintains continuous engagement while accommodating the motion, ensuring both stability and smooth operation
4Ease of manufacture
If a resilient engaging element is used, then easy coupling and decoupling are permitted, but positioning precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is partially transferred from the mechanical engaging element to a magnetic field-based positioning system. Magnets embedded in the front part interact with corresponding magnets in the sliding ring to provide precise positioning, while the resilient engaging element maintains only the coupling function, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and positioning precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a compact, user-friendly, and precise rotational movement of the operating element, allowing for easy setting of appliance conditions with reduced space requirements and improved mechanical stability, enhancing user interaction and operational accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The engaging element is preferably embodied resiliently when viewed in the radial direction of the sliding ring and in the radial direction of the front part
Implementation Method 2
The guide preferably has a groove which is open in the radial direction of the front part and comprises at least one engaging element for engaging into the groove
Implementation Method 3
In the state coupled to the groove the engaging element is preferably arranged prestressed in the groove, in particular arranged radially prestressed therein
Data Source
AI summary
An operating device for a domestic appliance includes an electronic display field, a guide, and an operating element which is movable relative to the electronic display field to set operating conditions of the domestic appliance. The operating element is comprised of multiple parts and includes a sliding ring and a front part resting on the sliding ring. The front part and the sliding ring are coupled to the guide such that the front part is rotatable in a guided manner relative to the sliding ring by the guide.