Operator control device comprising a multi-part operator control element, and domestic appliance and method for operating a domestic appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operator control devices for household appliances are complex, space-constrained, and hinder the visibility of displayed information due to the fixed cylindrical design, which obstructs user interaction and protection of the display.
Innovation Solution
A multi-part operator control element comprising a cylindrical main part and a separate adjusting ring that engages around the main part, allowing axial displacement for user-friendly operation and protection of the display region, with the adjusting ring serving as a movable cover and actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a fixed cylindrical main part is used for displaying information, then information can be displayed on the lateral wall, but the display is obscured when the user grips the lateral surface to rotate it
Solution Approach 1:
The operator control element is divided into two separate parts: a cylindrical main part for displaying information and a separate adjusting ring for user interaction. This segmentation allows the display surface and the gripping surface to be spatially separated, so that when the user grips the adjusting ring to rotate it, the display on the main part remains fully visible and accessible.
2Loss of information
If the cylindrical main part is made large enough to display information clearly, then information visibility improves, but the overall size of the operator control element becomes relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the display function (main part) from the adjustment function (adjusting ring), the design allows the main part to be optimized for clear information display without unnecessarily increasing the overall size. The adjusting ring can be designed with a compact diameter sufficient for comfortable gripping and rotation, while the main part maintains an appropriate size for displaying information clearly.
3Volume of moving object
If the lateral surface is made small to reduce size, then the operator control element becomes more compact, but information cannot be displayed sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The separation of functions allows the main part to have a lateral surface optimized for information display, while the adjusting ring provides the necessary interaction surface. This enables the overall element to maintain a compact size while ensuring that the display area on the main part is sufficient for clear information presentation.
4Ease of operation
If the user directly grips the lateral surface of the main part to rotate it, then adjustment operation is possible, but the displayed information is partially obscured
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting ring is designed as a separate component that engages around the main part, providing a dedicated gripping surface for user interaction. When the user grips and rotates the adjusting ring, the main part with its display surface remains stationary and fully visible, eliminating the obscuration problem that would occur if the user directly gripped the display surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting ring acts as an intermediary component between the user's hand and the main part. It transfers the rotational motion to the main part while keeping the user's fingers away from the display surface, thus preserving the visibility of displayed information during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator control device for a household appliance includes an operator control element defining a longitudinal axis. The operator control element includes a cylindrical main part and an adjusting ring separate from the main part and arranged so as to engage around the main part. The adjusting ring is displaceable relative to the main part in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the operator control element for adjusting an operating condition of the household appliance. A display unit displays information on a display region on a lateral wall of the main part of the operator control element.