EP3338025B1 - Operator control apparatus for a domestic appliance comprising a light guide for illuminating multiple zones of a front cap with different light intensities, domestic appliance comprising an operator control apparatus of this kind, and method for operating an operator control apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance, which has a support plate on which an operating element for adjusting operating conditions of the household appliance is rotatably arranged. The operating element has a front cap, which comprises at least one light-transmissive area. Furthermore, the operating device comprises at least one light guide, which extends into the front cap and with which light of a light source of the operating device to the translucent area can be conducted. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a household appliance with such an operating device and a method for operating an operating device.

Operating devices for household appliances are known in a variety of configurations. A specification is to be seen in the fact that manually rotatable controls are provided, which are also referred to as control knob or rotary knob. Such controls have a cylindrical front cap, which also form the front and peripheral end of the control. This front cap can then be gripped by a user to rotate the control.

If these operating elements then also have translucent areas, then a specific illumination of these translucent areas can take place with light which is guided by means of a light guide to the front cap. As a result, for example, rotational positions and / or information about operating condition settings can be made visually recognizable, in particular on the operating element and thus also on the front cap itself.

The DE 10 2012 220255 A1 discloses all features of the preamble and describes a home appliance with a front panel on which a rotary selector is rotatably supported by a rotary knob. Light from an LED can be directed via an optical fiber near the rotary selector. The rotary selector points a partially translucent first region and a less translucent second region. Known in the context controls in which the light guide opens into this front cap and is fixed embedded therein, so that a corresponding holder. However, this limits the local light emission and reduces the lighting scenario. Further relevant prior art is contained in the documents DE 10 2007 019 517 . DE 10 2012 209 998 . US 2015/0041 298 . US 2015/016148 to find.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating device for a household appliance and such a household appliance and a method in which or in which a more flexible illumination of a front cap of an operating element with a light guide is made possible.

This object is achieved by an operating device and a household appliance as well as a method according to the independent claims.

An operating device according to the invention for a household appliance comprises a support plate on which an operating element for setting operating conditions of the household appliance is rotatably arranged. The operating element is thus in particular a rotatable control knob or a rotary knob. The operating element has a cap or a front cap, which comprises at least one light-transmitting area. The operating device further comprises a light guide which extends into the front cap and with which light a light source of the operating device to the transparent area of the front cap can be guided. An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that the front cap has a first and a separate second transparent area, and the light guide is designed such that the first light-transmissive area can be illuminated with a first light intensity of the coupled out light from the light guide and the second light-transmissive region with a second light intensity different from the first light intensity of the light coupled out of the light guide can be illuminated. As a result, locally different areas of the front cap can be illuminated individually with the coupled-out light, whereby a more flexible and therefore peripheral perceptible optical identification can take place. It is thus an intuitively recognizable weighting of the informational importance Information significance made visually recognizable. A user can therefore easily and quickly recognize the setting or quickly and easily make a selection of a setting.

The light guide extends through an opening in the carrier plate and abuts with an integrated abutment flange on an inner side of the carrier plate. By this configuration, the optical fiber is also mechanically held externally to the front cap. Due to the specific geometry of the optical waveguide with the abutment flange, this attachment can be achieved particularly advantageously in this respect since unwanted inclinations or tilting of the optical waveguide are thus avoided with the abutment flange. As a result, it is possible at any time and permanently that the light conducted through the light guide also arrives locally very precisely in the respectively provided areas of the front cover. By this contact flange is also integrated into the light guide, in this respect a component-minimized, in particular one-piece, light guide with an integrated holding element, namely the abutment flange, can be provided. As a result, the production and assembly are simplified. This configuration for attaching the optical waveguide also achieves an improved luminous efficacy on the front cap and enables greater variability with regard to illumination scenarios of the front cap to be generated.

It is envisaged that extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the light guide on both sides of the abutment flange, a light guide section. The light guide section is in this context a section that selectively conducts coupled light. This configuration makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner to make the Einkoppelszenario as simple as possible, since the light source outside the front cap and on a first side of the support plate can be arranged. On the other hand, this also makes it possible that only a desired section of the light guide, namely a further light guide section, extends through the opening of the support plate and extends in the context on the opposite side of the first side of the support plate. As a result, in addition to the specific attachment and individual light conduction, the carrier plate can also serve as a separating element between the front cap on the one hand and the light source and other components on the other hand. Unwanted light scattering or the like, which could then occur from the emitted light of the light source, can thereby be avoided. Preferably, the first light intensity is higher than the second light intensity. It can then illuminate very limited areas of the front panel very bright and high intensity and illuminate other, especially larger areas of the front cap with a lower intensity to light.

In particular, the illumination of the different area of the front cap with different light intensities takes place at the same time, so that the above-mentioned advantages come into their own.

The optical waveguide preferably has a first light decoupling area for coupling out the light for illuminating the first translucent area and a second light decoupling area for decoupling the light for illuminating the second translucent area.

In particular, the first and second Lichtauskoppelbereich are integrally formed.

It is preferably provided that the optical waveguide is formed separately from the front cap and is arranged at a distance from the light-transmissive region with an end of a light exit region facing the light-permeable region. This is particularly advantageous in that the optical waveguide is thus arranged virtually without contact or contactlessly with respect to this front cap. In this embodiment, therefore, it is basically no longer held by the front cap itself. The above-mentioned advantages are thereby further improved. Especially the design of a one hand maximum light output, which is then conducted to the front cap, as well as a variable representation of symbol-dependent magnitudes of the illumination intensities is thereby improved. By such a spacing of the light guide from the front cap, in which, however, the light guide still partially extends into it, the variability of lighting scenarios can be significantly increased. Depending on the geometry of the optical waveguide, it can then even be achieved in the context that some of the plurality of translucent areas of the front cap are specifically and differently irradiated to other translucent areas with light emerging from the optical waveguide. As a result, in some translucent areas a very high light intensity can be achieved and at other then a desired reduced light intensity can be achieved. This also allows a distinction from strong, accurate to weak, flat illumination within a single component, namely the front cap.

In addition, in particular parallax problems can be at least significantly reduced, possibly completely prevented.

It is preferably provided that the abutment flange is formed completely circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the light guide. It is designed in particular as a frame or angular frame. Preferably, he is designed quadrangular in this regard. A very uniform system of the light guide to the inside of the carrier plate is achieved. A particularly advantageous tilting avoidance of the light guide relative to the carrier plate is thus also possible.

It is preferably provided that a first light guide section of the light guide forms a Einstrahlabschnitt and opens to the abutment flange. A second light guide section of the light guide forms a radiation section and leads to the abutment flange. Both fiber optic sections therefore end on opposite sides of the abutment flange directly on this abutment flange. The second optical waveguide section has the light outcoupling regions. It is particularly advantageous that the first light guide section is formed geometrically different from the second light guide section. As a result, the coupling of light on the one hand and the defined radiation scenarios on the other hand can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner. Very precise contours, which can be designed geometrically small, can then serve as Einkoppelbereiche or coupling surfaces on the first light guide section, so that here as large a quantity of light can be coupled into the light guide and yet small space is required. On the other hand, however, can then be taken into account the advantages already mentioned above that are given by the different second light guide section of diverse Auskoppelszenarien and thus lighting scenarios for the front cap.

With regard to the geometric difference, in particular a difference in shape and / or in dimensions can be seen. Here, in particular, the length considered in the axial direction of the light guide may be different.

It is advantageously provided that the first optical waveguide section is designed to be hollow on both sides viewed hollow and viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide. This first light guide section is thus designed quasi tubular, whereby it is very material-saving and thus designed to reduce weight and yet has an advantageous coupling structure.

It is preferably provided that the first light guide section has a trapezoidal inner contour in a sectional plane considered perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In particular, this trapezoidal inner contour is formed over the entire length of the first optical waveguide section along the longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide. As a result, very individual light scenarios can be formed.

It is preferably provided that the first optical waveguide section has a trapezoidal outer contour in a sectional plane considered perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. As a result, the surface area formed between the inner contour and the outer contour is then formed as a trapezoidal frame. An advantageous light pipe in the second light guide section is given in this regard.

It is preferably provided that the first optical waveguide section has an outer contour which, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis, is widened in a cone shape as viewed from a coupling end up to the abutment flange. As a result, a particularly large amount of light with respect to a very specific geometry of this first light guide section can be directed to the second light guide section.

It is preferably provided that the second light guide section is partially hollow. It should therefore not be complete, viewed along the longitudinal axis hollow configuration here, but this be given only in sections. As a result, on the one hand, a very lightweight design of the second light guide section can be made possible on the other hand, and on the other hand, particularly advantageous and diverse Lichtleitszenarien and lighting scenes can be achieved.

It is advantageously provided that the second optical waveguide section is closed at a coupling-out end facing away from the abutment flange and has a coupling-out structure. This significantly favors the creation of very diverse and different lighting scenarios. In particular, by the individual design of this coupling-out structure, the aspects already mentioned above can then be used Be taken into account. In this context, the coupled-out light can then be individually directed to a plurality of different places or light-transmissive areas of the front cap, so that a uniform visual appearance then optionally occurs simultaneously at different areas of this type. Likewise, however, it may also be provided that such translucent areas are then illuminated simultaneously, but with different light intensities or light intensities.

The decoupling structure has the first light outcoupling region and the second light outcoupling region.

Preferably, the first Lichtauskoppelbereich is in the direction of the first light guide section inwardly oriented polygonal structure, in particular a pyramidal shape. The second light outcoupling region is, in particular, a scattered light zone which is formed on a jacket side of the, in particular trapezoidal, second optical waveguide section and which surrounds the polygonal structure at least in regions. The scattered light zone is a region with a specific surface structure and thus a specific surface roughness.

By such an embodiment, a front cap can be backlit particularly zonally different in intensity that on a front wall of the front cap a plurality of light-transmissive areas, in particular in a circle to each other are formed and an area is brightly lit and the other areas are less brightly illuminated , This is for example given an operating element which is designed to select functions of the household appliance. For example, this lighting concept is given when the light guide is arranged with respect to the rotational position of the front cap at a 12 o'clock position.

It is preferably provided that a coupling-out structure is a polygonal structure oriented in the direction of the abutment flange. As a result, it is possible to generate very specific local emission surfaces or emission edges, which then result in locally specified illumination patterns on the front cap and, in the context, translucent areas of the front cap can be individually applied. It is preferably provided that the polygonal structure is a pyramidal shape. As a result, the above-mentioned advantageousness is specified such that the different emission regions are then also radiated very uniformly and symmetrically oriented.

It is preferably provided that the second optical waveguide section has a trapezoidal inner contour in a sectional plane considered perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. This embodiment allows a completely individual light pattern in the decoupling area. In particular, even if a trapezoidal inner contour is formed in the first light guide section, the light pipe in the light guide can be very uniform and loss minimized and yet a more complex geometry of the light guide for the light pipe are possible, which then allows different diverse Abstrahlszenarien for generating illumination scenarios of the front cap.

It is preferably provided that, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide, the inner contour of the second optical waveguide section tapers from the abutment flange to an outcoupling structure formed on a coupling-out end facing away from the abutment flange. As a result, a certain combination or bundling can be made possible in turn, so that in turn a more focused supply of light takes place at the coupling-out structure.

It is preferably provided that the second optical waveguide section also has a trapezoidal outer contour in a sectional plane considered perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical waveguide. The advantages that can be achieved in this regard with a geometry of the outer contour that is compatible with the geometry of the inner contour or that have the same shape have already been mentioned above for the first optical waveguide section.

In a further advantageous embodiment of a light guide, the first light guide section is T-shaped. As a result, a very specific coupling scenario can be achieved, and even in the first optical waveguide section, a more complex geometry is provided in order to be able to guide the coupled-in light to the second optical waveguide section in a form-specific manner.

In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that a roof of the T-shape and thus the horizontal crossbar of the T-shape is curved.

In particular, the T-shape in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the light guide viewed from a coupling end to the abutment flange is formed widening. The largest possible amount of light can thus be conducted with the least possible loss to the second light guide section. This geometric configuration of the first light guide section is particularly advantageous if the end of the second light guide section facing the first light guide section is geometrically larger than the first light guide section, in particular as the coupling end of the first light guide section. As a result, a circumferential light transmission from the first optical waveguide section into the second optical waveguide section can then take place from the first optical waveguide section into the then larger, practically rearward end of the second optical waveguide section.

It is preferably provided that at a coupling end of the T-shape, a coupling surface of a foot of the T-shape opens onto a coupling surface of the roof of the T-shape and the coupling surface of the foot extends in a plane which is oriented at an angle to a plane in which the coupling surface of the roof extends. These two coupling surfaces are thus not oriented in a common plane, which in turn are already possible at this coupling end individual Einkoppelszenarien. This also favors the one hand, the light pipe and on the other hand, the desired coupling and thus achievable lighting scenarios.

It is preferably provided that the second optical waveguide section has a ring section as a second light outcoupling area and a cylindrical or in cross-section angular, in particular square or triangular, pin as the first light outcoupling area. This is a particularly individual form-specific design, which makes it particularly advantageous to achieve a punctiform illumination of the front cap with the pen, on the other hand to allow larger-scale lighting with the ring section.

This is advantageous in particular for operating elements which are designed to set an operating parameter, for example a temperature. Just when temperature values are formed as translucent areas on a front wall of the front cap in a radially inner arc or circle and in a radially larger arc or circle to the front wall then the values associated marking zones are formed as transparent areas, a marking zone to be brightly illuminated in a very focused manner and the associated radially inward value to be illuminated darker and / or the adjacent marking zones and associated values to be illuminated in a darker manner. Such an operating element is then, for example, a temperature selector.

It is preferably provided that the pin extends further in the direction of the longitudinal axis than the ring section. The above advantages are favored. In particular, it is also achieved that the light intensity at the point-like illuminations, which are generated by the pin, is higher than in the case of this with a larger decoupling surface formed ring sections. In addition, given by the longer path, which is given between the coupling surface of the ring portion and a light-transmissive region of the front cap to be illuminated, a larger light area or light expansion of the coupled-out light. In particular, as a result, the light intensity in the translucent region in the front cap illuminated with the ring section is lower as a result.

It is preferably provided that the pin tapers from the abutment flange to a coupling-out end. The light focusing and contour sharp illumination of a translucent area of the front cap is thereby improved.

It is preferably provided that the pin, in particular with a cylindrical shape that tapers on a jacket wall, is formed in some areas embedded in a receptacle, in particular at an arc maximum, of the annular section.

It can be provided that on the abutment flange a coupling web, in particular oriented perpendicular thereto, for coupling with a light source having the adapter part is formed. It is thus intended that the coupling web extends in particular perpendicular to a plane in which the abutment flange spans. Such a configuration favors the mechanical connection to a separate adapter part to the support plate, so that a high precision of positioning is achieved here too. In addition, the light guide is also attached to the adapter part in addition to the attachment to the support plate.

It is preferably provided that the light guide is integrally formed of plastic, in particular PMMA or PC.

It can be provided that the light guide is highly polished on the surfaces, at least in the areas in which the light is conducted.

It can also be provided that the cap has a circular area as the first light-transmitting area and / or has a line area as the second light-transmitting area. Thus, it can be provided that such a circular area area is formed on a front wall of the particular cylindrical front cap. Preferably, it may be provided that a line region is formed as a transition between a front wall of the front cap and an adjoining jacket wall of the front cap. The line area can be designed, for example, as a completely encircling circle.

It is preferably provided that the cap is formed at least partially from fiberglass material on an inner side facing the light guide. As a result, the effect of the surface light scattering can be enhanced. It can also be provided that printing of a front cap is formed on a front wall and / or a jacket wall and that this information is backlit in conjunction with transparent regions or the light regions located laterally are optically marked.

In particular, the scattering of the coupled-out light is also dependent on the length of the optical waveguide, in particular the second optical waveguide section and thus the remaining distance between an inner side of the front cap and a coupling-out end of the optical waveguide. This is also dependent on how the structuring of the coupling-out structure is formed.

In the embodiment of the light guide with a cylindrical pin in the second light guide section, a parallax error can be avoided in addition to the already mentioned advantage of a very precise light extraction with high intensity on an inside of the front cap just by the corresponding greater length compared to the ring section. On the other hand, with the shorter curved portion constituting a ring portion, the light can be widely scattered and thus an inner side of the front cap can be relatively homogeneously illuminated.

In particular, the front cap is the front end part of the operating element. The front cap is in particular cylindrically shaped and has, on the side facing the carrier plate, a cavity which is open towards the carrier plate and which is delimited by a front wall and a jacket wall closing thereon. The front cap may be formed in one or more parts. It can be printed or partially covered with a foil. The front cap may have a base part, which is surrounded by a metal ring of the cap at least partially.

In particular, the optical waveguide is shaped and configured in such a way that a radiation scenario or coupling-out scenario of the light can be generated in which, in particular simultaneously, geometrically different and / or different light intensity different and / or spatially different radiating regions can be generated, so that also different light-transmissive regions also simultaneously can be individually illuminated.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating an operating device of a household appliance with a support plate on which an operating element is rotatably arranged, which are adjusted depending on the turning operating conditions of the household appliance, wherein the operating element has a front cap with at least one translucent area, and with a light guide which extends into the front cap and with which light a light source of the operating device is led to the transparent area. A first light-permeable region of the front cap is illuminated with a first light intensity of the light coupled out of the light guide, and a second light-transmitting region of the front cover, which is separate from the first light-permeable region, is provided with a illuminated first light intensity different second light intensity of the coupled out of the light guide light.

Advantageous embodiments of the operating device are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method, to allow the subject embodiments alone or in operative connection with the method steps.

Direction indications "width direction", "height direction", "depth direction", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "outside", "inside" etc. for the operating device and the domestic appliance refer to the state of a set up for a conventional and intended use home appliance, in particular its door is arranged for a viewer at the front and the rear side behind.

Fig. 1

eine Frontansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts zum Zubereiten von Lebensmitteln;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung von Teilelementen eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Bedienvorrichtung;

Fig. 3

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung der Komponenten gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

eine Teildarstellung in einer weiteren Perspektive der Ausgestaltung gemäß Fig. 2 und Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Lichtleiters der Bedienvorrichtung;

Fig. 6

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Lichtleiters gemäß Fig. 5;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Lichtleiters der Bedienvorrichtung; und

Fig. 8

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Lichtleiters gemäß Fig. 7.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a front view of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention for preparing food;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of sub-elements of an embodiment of an operating device according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a further perspective view of the components according to Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a partial view in a further perspective of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 ;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a light guide of the operating device;

Fig. 6

a further perspective view of the light guide according to Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of another embodiment of a light guide of the operating device; and

Fig. 8

a further perspective view of the light guide according to Fig. 7 ,

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 a household appliance 1 is shown, which is designed for preparing food and in particular is a cooking appliance such as an oven. The household appliance 1 comprises a housing 2, in which a preparation space 3, in particular a cooking space, is designed for food. This preparation space 3 is closable at the front by a door 4 which is pivotable about an axis relative to the housing 2 and is arranged on the housing 2. The household appliance 1 moreover comprises an operating device 5, which by way of example has a plurality of operating elements 6. At least one operating element 6 is a control knob or a rotary knob, which is rotatable about a perpendicular to the plane of the plane of rotation axis, whereby an adjustment of operating conditions of the household appliance 1 is carried out by different rotational positions.

In Fig. 2 is a partial view of a representation of sub-components of the operating device 5 is shown. In this context, the operating device 5 comprises a support plate 7, which in particular by a in Fig. 1 shown front panel 8 may be formed. However, the support plate 7 can also be behind the Control panel 8 arranged separate carrier plate. The support plate 7 is designed to receive the operating elements 6. For this purpose, it is provided that the carrier plate 7 has bushings 9, through which a pin having an axis of rotation can be guided, wherein the pin in the housing 2 can be coupled to an electronic system for detecting the rotational position. The rotational position detection can also be done via a shift drum, which closes a switch or does not close, and by a simple switching element then the switching position is detected from the rotational position.

In addition, an operating element 6 also includes a cap or a front cap 10, which is connected to this guided through the openings 9 pin. This front cap 10 forms the front and front ends of the operating element 6 and can be gripped by a user in order to carry out the rotational movement relative to the carrier plate 7.

The operating device 5 further comprises a light guide, wherein in Fig. 2 a still separated from the support plate 7 embodiment of a light guide 11 is shown. The carrier plate 7 comprises an opening 12, through which the light guide 11 extends through in the assembled state and extends on both sides of the carrier plate 7. The operating device 5 further comprises an adapter part 13, which is formed separately from the carrier plate 7 and separately from the light guide 11. The adapter part 13 comprises a circuit board 14, on which at least one light source, in particular a light-emitting diode, is mounted. The light emitted by this light source is then coupled into the light guide 11 and radiated from the light guide 11 into the front cap 10 from the rear, so that the interior of the front cap 10 is illuminated accordingly. The front cap 10 has, as will be explained below, at least one transparent area, which is illuminated by the light emitted by the light guide 11 light.

In Fig. 3 is the representation of the components according to Fig. 2 shown in a different perspective. In Fig. 2 the view is shown on a back 7a, which faces the housing interior. When displayed in Fig. 3 however, a view obliquely from above on a front side 7b of the support plate 7 is shown. The front 7b is facing a front cap 10.

In Fig. 4 a further section is shown in which the optical fiber 11 is shown in its position on the support plate 7 and is shown in its extending through the opening 12 through position.

The front cap 10 is still shown in the disassembled state. As in Fig. 4 can be seen, the front cap 10 is cylindrical and has a front wall 10a and a shell wall 10b, through which a to the support plate 7 towards open cavity of the front cap 10 is limited. In the exemplary embodiment, the front cap 10 comprises a plurality of light-permeable regions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e formed in the front wall 10a, which in particular represent symbols of operating functions of the household appliance 1 and are formed spaced apart from each other, for example in an arc. In the exemplary embodiment, the operating element 6 is therefore a function selector. A first transmissive area is one of these areas 15a to 15e, whereas then the others form the second translucent areas, respectively. In particular, this depends on the rotational position of the front cap 10 relative to the thereto stationary on the support plate 7 arranged light guide 11. The optical waveguide 11 is arranged such that always that region 15a to 15e is illuminated with coupled-out light of first light intensity, which is arranged at a 12 o'clock position. At least some of the then different areas are then illuminated with differently darker second light intensity of coupled-out light of the light guide 11. Further translucent areas 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, which are explained below and are arranged in an arc, are then not present.

The front cap 10 is formed hollow on the side facing the light guide 11 and arranged in the mounted state without contact to the light guide 11. The front cap 10 ends with its the carrier plate 7 facing the end, which is formed by the front wall 10a facing away from the edge of the jacket wall 10b, viewed in the direction of the axis of rotation in front of the support plate. 7

In Fig. 5 the embodiment of the light guide 11 is shown in a first perspective view. The one-piece made of plastic, such as PMMA or PC, formed light guide 11 comprises a contact flange 17, which extends in a plane and is formed completely encircling. Shows a square, especially quadrangular, form. With the abutment flange 17, the light guide 11 is located in the inside or back 7a of the support plate 7 in the assembled state. The light guide 11 comprises a first light guide section 18 and a second light guide section 19. These extend along a longitudinal axis A of the light guide 11 on opposite sides of the abutment flange 17. On a side facing away from the second light guide section 19 of the abutment flange 17, a coupling element 20 is arranged, which Pairing with the adapter part 13 is provided. This coupling element 20 is a plate-like web which extends perpendicular to the extension plane of the abutment flange 17.

The first light guide section 18 is hollow over its entire, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A length. The first light guide section 18 leads to the contact flange 17. Correspondingly, the second light guide section 19 also opens to the abutment flange 17. As can be seen, the two light guide sections 18 and 19 are geometrically different from one another. Viewed in the direction of the axis A, the first light guide section 18 is shorter than the second light guide section 19. The first light guide section 18 has a trapezoidal inner contour 21 in a plane which extends perpendicular to the axis A. This trapezoidal inner contour 21 is preferably formed over the entire length of the first optical waveguide section 18.

The first light guide section 18 also has, viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis A, a trapezoidal outer contour 22. Preferably, this outer contour 22 is formed such that, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A, it is widened in a cone shape from a coupling end 23 to the abutment flange 17.

In addition, it is provided that the second light guide section 19 viewed along the longitudinal axis A is formed only partially hollow.

In particular, the second optical waveguide section 19 is designed to be hollow starting from an end which opens out onto the abutment flange 17 as far as an outcoupling structure 24. The decoupling structure 24 then closes off this hollow region on the side facing away from the abutment flange 17 and thus from a decoupling end 25.
The second optical waveguide section 19 comprises in its outcoupling structure 24 a first light outcoupling region 39 and a second light outcoupling region 40.

How to do it in Fig. 6 is shown, the first Lichtauskoppelbereich 39 is formed as a polygonal structure, in particular formed with a pyramidal shape. This polygonal structure is oriented in the direction of the abutment flange 17 and thus inwardly and thus not facing away from the abutment flange 17 projecting forward projecting.

Preferably, the second light guide section 19 also has a trapezoidal inner contour in a sectional plane considered perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. In particular, an outer contour 26 of the second optical waveguide section 19 is also trapezoidal in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, in particular trapezoidal over the entire length of the second optical waveguide section 19.

It is preferably provided that the hollow region in the second optical waveguide section 19, which has a trapezoidal inner contour in a plane perpendicular to the axis A, is tapered starting from the abutment flange 17 to the coupling-out structure 24.

The second light outcoupling region 40 is designed as a scattered light zone 42 on a jacket wall 41 of the second light guide section 19 at the coupling-out end 25. The scattered light zone 42 is circumferentially formed as a strip and thus surrounds the polygonal structure about the axis A circumferentially. The scattered light zone 42 has a surface roughness different from the other surface areas, in particular a greater surface roughness. With the polygonal structure, in particular the first light intensity is generated and with the scattered light zone 42 the second light intensity is generated.

In Fig. 7 a further embodiment of a light guide 27 is shown in a perspective view, which is also integrally formed and for example made of a plastic, in particular PMMA or PC. In this embodiment, the first light guide section 18 is T-shaped. A roof 28 of the T-shape is curved. In addition, viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis A, viewed from a coupling-in end 23 as far as the abutment flange 17, the T-shape is designed to widen.

At the Einkoppelende 23 of the T-shape is a coupling surface 29 of a foot 30 of the T-shape spanned in a plane or extending in a plane which is at an angle to a plane in which a coupling surface 31 of the roof 28th extends. The two coupling surfaces 29 and 31 thus do not extend in a common plane. In addition, the coupling-in surface 29 of the foot 30 opens at the coupling-in surface 31.

The second optical waveguide section 19 comprises a ring section 32 and a cylindrical or preferably angular, in cross-section, pin 33. The annular section 32 forms a second light outcoupling area 44, whereas the pin 33 forms a first light outcoupling area 43.

How to do it in Fig. 8 in which one too Fig. 7 can be seen, the pin 33 extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis A considered longer than the annular portion 32. In addition, the cylindrical pin 33, starting from the abutment flange 17 to a Auskoppelende 34 is tapered , In addition, the pin 33 has an integrally formed on a jacket wall 35 connecting portion 36 which engages in a receptacle 37 of the ring portion 32. The receptacle 37 is formed at an arc maximum 38 of the ring portion 32.

The light guide 27 is preferably present at an operating element 6, in which the operating element is designed as an operating parameter value selector, for example as a temperature value selector. It can thus be provided that then on a front wall 10a of the front cap 10, as exemplified in the Fig. 4 is shown, first transparent areas 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d and 16e are formed. These are arranged in an arc or circle and spaced from each other. Further, second transparent portions 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, and 15e are formed on the front edge 10a, which are values of temperature. It can now with the pin 33 a selective light illumination and thus a lighting with a first light intensity of a marking zone, which is formed by a first transparent portion 16a to 16e and an associated value, on a smaller arc or circle on the front wall 10a is formed, with the ring portion 32 and to darker and thus illuminated with a lower light intensity. Also, in particular only one area 16a to 16e is brightly illuminated and the other first areas are illuminated darker. The number of transmissive regions 16a to 16e is preferably larger than the number of transparent regions 15a to 15e. Here too in particular, the area of the translucent areas 16a to 16e brightly lit, which is located at the 12 o'clock position.

Generally and exemplary embodiment is achieved by the relative rotation of the front cap 10 to the light guide 11 and 27, a dynamic change of illumination with different light intensities, creating a dynamic "switching effect" of lighting when viewing the moving front cap 10 without the Positionally changes light guide or the light emission at the light source would change, which simplifies the control of the light source, since it is only turned on.

Preferably, the surfaces of the light guides 11 and 27, respectively, in which the light is conducted, are highly polished. It is preferably provided that the front cap 10 is formed at least partially from glass fiber material on an inner side 10 c facing the light guide 11 or 27.

Both embodiments of the light guide 11 and 27 are formed with the abutment flange 17 so that it rests positively on the inside or back 7a.

Through the light guides 11 and 27 can be done individually and selectively and thus locally desired and defined a light intensity variation in the illumination of translucent areas of a control element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

household appliance

2

casing

3

preparation room

4

door

5

operating device

6

operating element

7

support plate

7a

back

7b

front

8th

control panel

9

bushings

10

front cap

10a

front wall

10b

shell wall

10c

inside

11

optical fiber

12

opening

13

adapter part

14

circuit board

15a to 15e

translucent areas

16a to 16e

translucent areas

17

abutment

18

first light guide section

19

second light guide section

20

coupling element

21

inner contour

22

outer contour

23

coupling end

24

outcoupling

25

extraction end

26

outer contour

27

optical fiber

28

top, roof

29

coupling surface

30

foot

31

coupling surface

32

ring section

33

pen

34

extraction end

35

shell wall

36

connecting area

37

admission

38

arch maximum

39

Lichtauskoppelbereich

40

Lichtauskoppelbereich

41

shell wall

42

Stray light zone

43

Lichtauskoppelbereich

44

Lichtauskoppelbereich

A

axis

Claims (13)

1. Operator control apparatus (5) for a household appliance (1), comprising a carrier plate (7) on which an operator control element (6) for setting operating conditions of the household appliance (1) is arranged in a rotatable manner, wherein the operator control element (6) has a front cap (10) comprising two transparent regions, and comprising a light guide (11, 27) which extends into the front cap (10) and with which light from a light source of the operator control apparatus (5) can be guided to the transparent regions, wherein the front cap (10) has a first transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) and a second transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) which is separate from said first transparent region, and the light guide (11, 27) is designed in such a way that the first transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) can be illuminated with a first light intensity of the light which is coupled out of the light guide (11, 27) and the second transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) can be illuminated with a second light intensity, which is different from the first light intensity, of the light which is coupled out of the light guide (11, 27), characterised in that the light guide (11, 27) arranged in a fixed manner on the carrier plate (7) extends through an opening (12) into the carrier plate (7) and fits closely to an inner side (7a) of the carrier plate (7) with an integrated contact flange (17), and wherein a light guide section (18, 19), which selectively routes the coupled-in light, extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the light guide (11, 27) on both sides of the contact flange (17).
2. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 1, characterised in that the light guide (11, 27) has a first light coupling-out region (39, 43) for coupling out the light for the illumination of the first transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) and a second light coupling-out region (40, 44) for coupling out the light for the illumination of the second transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e).
3. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 2, characterised in that the first light coupling-out region and the second light coupling-out region (39, 43, 40, 44) are designed in one piece.
4. Operator control apparatus (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the light guide (11, 27) is designed separately from the front cap (10) and is arranged with an end of the light coupling-out region (39, 43, 40, 44) facing the transparent regions (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) at a distance from the transparent regions (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e).
5. Operator control apparatus (5) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a first light guide section (18) forms an irradiation section and leads to the contact flange (17), and a second light guide section (19) forms a radiation section and leads to the contact flange (17) and has light coupling-out regions (39, 43, 40, 44) for the generation of coupled-out light with different light intensities, wherein the first light guide section (18) is geometrically different to the second light guide section (19) in design.
6. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 5, characterised in that the first light guide section (18) is hollow and open on both sides viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the light guide (11), and the second light guide section (19) is hollow in some areas and/or the first light guide section (18) has a trapezoidal inner contour (21) and/or a trapezoidal outer contour (22) in a sectional plane viewed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A).
7. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 6, characterised in that the second light guide section (19) is closed on a coupling-out end (25) facing away from the contact flange (17) and has a coupling-out structure (24) comprising the first light coupling-out region (39) and the second light coupling-out region (40).
8. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 7, characterised in that the first light coupling-out region (39) is a polygonal structure, in particular a pyramid shape, inwardly oriented in the direction of the first light guide section (18), and the second light coupling-out region (40) is a scattered light zone (42) on a casing side (41) of the second light guide section (19) which is trapezoidal in particular and encompasses the polygonal structure at least in some areas.
9. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 5, characterised in that the first light guide section (18) is T-shaped in design.
10. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 5 or 9, characterised in that the second light guide section (19) has an annular section (32) as a second light coupling-out region (44) and a pin (33) which is cylindrical or angular in cross-section as a first light coupling-out region (43).
11. Operator control apparatus (5) according to claim 10, characterised in that the pin (33) extends further in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) than the annular section (32).
12. Household appliance (1) with an operator control apparatus (5) according to one of the preceding claims.
13. Method for operating an operator control apparatus (5) of a household appliance (1) with a carrier plate (7) on which an operator control element (6) is arranged in a rotatable manner, with which, depending on the rotation, operating conditions of the household appliance (1) are set, wherein the operator control element (6) has a front cap (10) with two transparent regions, and comprising a light guide (11, 27), which extends into the front cap (10) and with which light from a light source of the operator control apparatus (5) is guided to the transparent region, wherein a first transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) of the front cap (10) is illuminated with a first light intensity of the light coupled out from the light guide (11, 27) and a separate second transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) of the front cap (10) which is separate from the first transparent region (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e) is illuminated with a second light intensity, which is different from the first light intensity, of the light which is coupled out of the light guide (11, 27), characterised in that the light of the light source is guided with the light guide (11, 27), which is arranged in a fixed manner on the carrier plate (7), extends through an opening (12) in the carrier plate (7) and fits closely to an inner side (7a) of the carrier plate (7) with an integrated contact flange (17), and wherein a light guide section (18, 19), which selectively routes the coupled-in light, extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis (A) of the light guide (11, 27) on both sides of the contact flange (17).

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