Embedded Oven Control Panel With Guided Touch and Display Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operating devices for domestic appliances face challenges in creating a mechanically stable, compact design that integrates a manually movable operating element with an electronic display panel, while ensuring easy perceptibility of actuation and information presentation.

Innovation Solution

The operating device incorporates a control element embedded within the electronic display panel, with a light-permeable cover providing protection and mechanical support, and includes support elements to guide fingertip actuation of touch-sensitive control points, ensuring precise and error-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the control element is arranged within the surface area of the display panel, then the device complexity is reduced and the area is minimized, but the mechanical stability and ease of operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control element is merged with the display panel by arranging it within the surface area of the display panel, creating an integrated control device that reduces overall device complexity and minimizes the required surface area while maintaining functional separation through the light-permeable cover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A light-permeable cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the control element and the display panel, providing mechanical support and protection to the control element while allowing light to pass through for display visibility, thus resolving the conflict between integration and mechanical stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the control element is arranged within the surface area of the display panel, then the area is minimized, but the ease of operation may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveareaVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control element and display panel are merged into a single integrated unit with the control element positioned within the display panel's surface area, minimizing the overall footprint while maintaining operational functionality through careful design of the control element's interaction interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light-permeable cover serves as a mediator that enables the control element to be positioned within the display area while still allowing users to interact with it, as the cover permits both light transmission for display visibility and physical contact for control element actuation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the control element is moved relative to the display panel for setting operating conditions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical movement systems with a simpler configuration where the control element is positioned within the display panel and can be actuated directly, using the light-permeable cover to enable interaction without requiring complex mechanical linkages or separate actuation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2652405B1Operator control apparatus for a domestic appliance, and domestic appliance, in particular baking oven, having an operator control apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2652405B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to an operator control apparatus for a domestic appliance (1), having an electronic display panel (11) and an operator control element (12) which can be moved relative to the display panel (11) in order to adjust operating conditions of the domestic appliance (1), wherein the operator control element (12) is arranged at least in regions within the area (13) of the display panel (11). The invention also relates to a baking oven (1) having an operator control apparatus (10).