Operating device for a household appliance having an electronic display panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating devices for domestic appliances fail to combine electronic display panels with manually movable operating elements in a compact and stable design, making it difficult to present information intuitively and reliably to the user.

Innovation Solution

An operating device with an embedded control element within the electronic display panel, allowing for relative movement and integration of the control element into the display panel's surface, enabling a compact design and intuitive information presentation through dynamic information changes based on the control element's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If control elements are provided separately adjacent to the display panel, then the operating device has clear separation of control and display functions, but the device occupies larger surface area and has less compact design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface area of operating deviceVSAvoidintuitive information presentation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is integrated directly into the display panel surface, merging the control and display functions into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate adjacent components, reducing the overall surface area while maintaining functional clarity through the embedded arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control element is positioned within the two-dimensional surface of the display panel rather than adjacent to it, utilizing the display panel's surface area more efficiently. This dimensional integration allows the control function to coexist with the display function on the same plane, minimizing the device's footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the control element is arranged within the display panel surface, then the device design is compact and minimized, but the mechanical stability and actuation possibility of the control element may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface area of operating deviceVSAvoidmechanical stability of control element
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is nested within the display panel structure, with the control element's contour adapted to the display panel's surface edge. This nested arrangement allows the control element to be positioned within the display panel's two-dimensional dimensions while maintaining structural support and mechanical stability through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The control element is arranged at least partially within the display panel surface, creating a localized integration where the control function is embedded in the display structure. This local arrangement maintains mechanical stability at the control element's position while preserving the overall compact design of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the control element is arranged within the display panel, then information can be displayed directly adjacent to the control element for intuitive perception, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive information presentationVSAvoidpositioning precision of control element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control element and display panel are merged into a single integrated structure, with the control element's contour adapted to the display panel's surface edge. This merging eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining the ability to display information directly adjacent to the control element for intuitive user perception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If separate control elements and display panels are used, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but the device complexity increases and space is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidstructural complexity of operating device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is integrated directly into the display panel, merging two previously separate components into a single unified structure. This reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mounting, positioning, and alignment mechanisms, while the integrated design simplifies assembly by reducing the number of parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2652404B1Operating device for a household appliance having an electronic display panel
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2652404B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance (1) having an electronic display panel (11) and an operating element (13) that can be displaced relative to the display panel (11) for setting operating conditions of the household appliance (1), wherein the operating element (13) is disposed at least in regions within the surface (12) of the display panel (11). The invention further relates to a baking oven (1) having an operating device (10).