Operating and display device for a domestic appliance, and domestic appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating and display devices for household appliances suffer from complex evaluation means and calibration requirements, leading to potential erroneous assignments of actuation sections and unintentional triggering of functions due to crosstalk between capacitive switches.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive operating and display device with capacitive operating means that allow direct selection of parameter values by tapping function symbols, eliminating the need for separate operating elements and enabling intuitive operation, with capacitive sensor electrodes arranged to detect changes in capacitance for reliable actuation detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate operating elements are positioned below the display, then the assignment of operating elements to parameters is facilitated, but the device complexity increases and the surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display function and operating function into a single integrated unit. The display symbols serve dual purposes: they display parameter values and simultaneously function as operating elements that can be actuated directly. This eliminates the need for separate operating elements positioned below the display, reducing structural complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display symbols are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as visual indicators for parameter values and simultaneously as operational inputs. By making the display symbols themselves actuable, the device achieves multi-functionality, allowing users to interact directly with the displayed information without requiring separate control elements.
2Ease of operation
If capacitive switches are used for operating elements, then the ease of operation is improved, but crosstalk between switches causes unintentional triggering of functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the capacitive sensing area into distinct, spatially separated sensing zones, each associated with a specific display symbol. By segmenting the capacitive switch into multiple independent sensing areas, the patent prevents crosstalk between adjacent symbols while maintaining the ease of capacitive operation. Each symbol has its own dedicated sensing zone, ensuring accurate detection without unintentional triggering.
3Ease of operation
If the control panel has openings for operating elements, then the operation is enabled, but dirt entry is facilitated and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display surface and operating surface into a single integrated panel. The display symbols are positioned on the control panel surface and are directly actuable, eliminating the need for openings or recesses that would compromise the sealed design. This integration allows the control panel to maintain a closed, smooth surface that prevents dirt entry while enabling direct operation of the display symbols.
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
Simplifies the operation of household appliances by allowing direct parameter selection without mechanical button movement, enhances user-friendliness, and prevents dirt entry and easy cleaning with a closed surface design, while maintaining high sensitivity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide portion (24, 34) for guiding light, by means of which function characters (13, 14, 15) can be backlit
Implementation Method 2
capacitive operating means (16, 31) which have a capacitive actuating surface (16) and capacitive sensor electrodes (31)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating and display device (11) for a domestic appliance, comprising operating means for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, a light conductor part (24, 34) for conducting light, a plurality of function symbols (13, 14, 15), which each symbolize a respective selectable value of the parameter, and a lighting device (47) for backlighting the function symbols (13, 14, 15), by means of which lighting device the function symbol (13, 14, 15) associated with the presently selected value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols (13, 14, 15), wherein the operating means are designed as touch-sensitive operating means and have a touch-sensitive actuation surface (16), which is arranged such as to overlap with the function symbols (13, 14, 15) and thus the value of the parameter associated with one of the function symbols (13, 14, 15) can be selected by touching the actuation surface (16) in an overlap area (17) that overlaps with one of the function symbols (13, 14, 15).