EP3105510B1 - Household appliance with a front panel - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance, in particular an oven, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Display devices for household appliances are known from the prior art. So shows the EP 1283105 A1 the front panel of an electrical device with a multilayer structure.

Furthermore, from the EP 2 333 421 A1 a two-layer display surface element for a domestic appliance is known, which is manufactured in an injection molding process.

the DE 10 2010 045 149 A1 describes a transparent plastic, glass or glass ceramic molded body with a transparent coating made from a colored polyurethane system.

The object of the invention is to improve a household appliance with a known front panel. A possible improvement is to ensure the high usability for household appliances, in particular cooking appliances with frequent and intensive cleaning.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1, while advantageous configurations and developments of the invention can be found in the independent claims.

A household appliance according to the invention has a front panel. The front panel for the household appliance, in particular for a cooking appliance in the form of an oven, comprises an essentially transparent carrier means which has a surface assigned to the user and a surface facing away from the user, and at least one decorative layer which is applied to the surface facing away from the user attached to the carrier material. According to the invention, the decorative layer is designed as a hot stamping film and is applied to the by means of a hot stamping process Carrier material applied. A hot stamping process is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a manufacturing process in which an adhesion promoter located between the film and the carrier material is melted by the action of heat and the two elements are essentially permanently connected to one another. A front panel is to be understood as meaning, in particular, the front panel of an oven, which forms the upper area above the cooking chamber door and accommodates control elements and display elements. A substantially transparent carrier means is to be understood in particular as a sheet-like element made of glass or plastic (polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)), which serves to form the front of a front panel and to hold further elements of the front panel attached to the cooking appliance to house. Such a carrier means is designed to be essentially transparent. The carrier means formed from clear material can be caused by material inclusions, admixtures or opacities as well as by surface treatment, such as, for. B. Laser, experience a partial transparency to z. B. to display designs or logos. A decorative layer is to be understood as meaning, in particular, the appearance that the user of the oven sees when he looks through the essentially transparent layer of the carrier means. For example, such a decoration can be formed from a stainless steel surface, a wooden surface or any other color design. Using a hot stamping foil as the first decorative layer gives the user the impression of a high-quality and thick stainless steel plate, using the example of a hot stamping foil with a stainless steel look, although it is only a thin and therefore inexpensive hot stamping foil on the transparent carrier material. The transparent thickness of the carrier material ensures the depth effect. In addition, such a film is against environmental influences, such as. B. fingerprints, protected by means of the transparent carrier means.

Furthermore, the surface of the carrier material facing away from the user has a second decorative layer. Such a second decorative layer is made opaque. Opaque is to be understood as meaning, in particular, the opposite of transparency, with the opacity ranging from cloudy or blurred to opaque, preferably black. Since particularly thin decorative layers have a certain transparency, it has proven to be particularly helpful if the first decorative layer is covered opaquely by the second decorative layer. This increases the contrast of the first decorative layer.

For this purpose, the first decorative layer is at least partially arranged between the carrier means and the second decorative layer.

The carrier means has a first sub-area and a second sub-area. Subareas describe different sections of the carrier, which are designed differently to form a design.

The second decorative layer of the second partial area extends in sections over the first decorative layer of the first partial area. Such a front panel has the first decorative layer in the first partial area. The second decorative layer extends beyond the second partial area in such a way that at least sections of the first decorative layer are covered by the second decorative layer. As a result of this overlap, the second decorative layer covers the first decorative layer and generates a contrasting surface or, in the case of a partially transparent first decorative layer, suppresses the view through the front panel. Such an arrangement also avoids a light gap between the two decorative surfaces.

The front panel has a recess in the second decorative layer, behind which the attached lighting means emit light in such a way that information, preferably logos or operating states, can be displayed to the user through the recess and the first decorative layer.

The first decorative layer is arranged in the region of the recess of the second decorative layer, whereby the imprints and / or display elements are visible through the recess and through the first decorative layer on the side of the carrier means facing the user.

The first decorative layer is transparent in such a way that light and / or display elements attached to the side facing away from the user are visible when switched on on the side of the carrier element facing the user. Hot stamped foils have the property that they are not completely opaque to light. This property is used by partially leaving out a black barrier print, varnish or film, which is usually used anyway, and illuminating the back. The partial recess can, for. B. be a customary graphic printing of function symbols in the switch front area. Alternatively, a display can be placed directly behind the hot-stamped Design decorative layer can be positioned. In the passive state, the panel surface shows a uniform appearance without disruptive windows (e.g. for display) or additional graphics in the form of numbers and symbols. When the device is switched on, the information that is important for using the device appears by activating a backlight or a display. This refinement has the effect that the display is covered when it is switched off and the appearance of the household appliance represents a continuous surface.

The carrier means preferably has, at least in sections, a scratch-resistant surface on the surface facing the user. The scratch resistance of the carrier material can be achieved with a separately produced coating both over a large area for sheet goods and in individual parts for injection molded parts. Furthermore, the scratch resistance can be represented by using the corresponding abrasion-resistant and / or scratch-resistant PMMA molding compound. Thus, the carrier means not only protects the decorative layer arranged behind it, but is also itself designed to be scratch-resistant. Such a surface of the carrier means enables a particularly good usability of the front panel, since it is particularly resistant to environmental influences, such as. B. bumps, but also fingernails of the user is.

The sub-areas are preferably arranged horizontally to one another, so that the dividing line that is created between the two sub-areas, viewed in the installation position, runs horizontally.

The first partial area preferably has the first decorative layer and the second partial area the second decorative layer. In the vertical installation position of the carrier means, a front panel is created that carries the decorative layer, preferably made of stainless steel foil, in the lower, first partial area. The second decorative layer, preferably made of black lacquer, foil or a printed surface, is located above this first decorative layer in the second partial area.

According to a further embodiment, the first decorative layer has a recess in which the second decorative layer is formed. A recess should in particular be a substantially rectangular or round recess of the first Decorative layer are understood. Through this recess, the view of the second decorative layer is released.

The first decorative layer advantageously has a preferably frame-like recess. Frame-like is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an essentially rectangular or round structure, the line thickness of which is relatively thin in relation to the area. Such a frame-like recess is particularly advantageous in the case of front panels with a touch control function, since in this area the decorative layer, in the form of a metallic film, serves as the control element and the necessary galvanic separation is provided by a narrow surrounding frame. Such a frame-like recess in the decorative layer takes place in particular by processing by means of a laser or a correspondingly prepunched film.

The display device preferably has at least one through opening for receiving mechanical operating elements. In particular, rotary selectors, such as. B. toggles are understood, which are used to adjust functions or values. A particularly visually appealing front panel is created when the first and / or the second decorative layer has corresponding cutouts. In the case of optical variants in which the decorative layers are lined up flush with one another, the positioning of the passage opening is preferably designed such that the center point is located on the dividing line between the two decorative layers.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims.

The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or on their own.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgeräts;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung einer Frontblende im Querschnitt;

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung einer Frontblende in der Vorderansicht;

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung einer Frontblende im Querschnitt nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung einer Frontblende im Querschnitt nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 6

eine Darstellung einer Frontblende im Querschnitt nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 7

eine Darstellung einer Frontblende in einer Vorderansicht nach einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective illustration of an embodiment of a household appliance according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a representation of a front panel in cross section;

Fig. 3

a representation of a front panel in the front view;

Fig. 4

a representation of a front panel in cross section according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 5

a representation of a front panel in cross section according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 6

a representation of a front panel in cross section according to a third embodiment; and

Fig. 7

a representation of a front panel in a front view according to a further embodiment.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

In Fig. 1 is shown in a perspective view of a cooking device 1 for preparing food, which is an oven in the embodiment. Analogous to this embodiment, the invention can be used in any type of household appliance, e.g. B. a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dishwasher, etc., can be used. The cooking appliance 1 comprises a cooking space 2 which is delimited by the side walls 3 of the oven. On the front side, the cooking chamber 2 has a loading opening which can be closed by a door 4. On the side walls 3 there is a respective food support receptacle 5, which is suitable for food support 6, such as. B. to include grids or baking trays. The device front of the cooking device 1 essentially forms the closed door 4 and, as a rule, a front panel 7 arranged above the door 4. The front panel 7 serves the user of the cooking device 1 as an operating and display element. The user can use the elements 8 to set system parameters such as B. Specify the type of heating and temperature and receive 9 such system parameters reported back via display elements.

Fig. 2 shows the cross section of a front panel 7. The front panel 7 is formed by a carrier means 10, which has a surface 11 facing the user and a surface 12 facing away from the user. A first decorative layer 13 is applied to the surface 12 of the carrier means 10 that is assigned to the user. According to the invention, the first decorative layer is formed by a hot stamping foil. According to the embodiment from Fig. 2 there is a second decorative layer 14 after the first decorative layer 13 on the surface 11 of the carrier means 10 facing the user partially transparent first decorative layer 13 penetrate. As a result, the structures of the cooking appliance 1 located behind the front panel 7, such as, for. B. electronic components, covered. In order to protect the front panel 7 from common household scratches, the carrier means 7 has a scratch-resistant surface 15 on its surface 11 of the carrier means 10 facing the user.

Fig. 3 shows the front view of a front panel 7 according to a further embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the front panel 7 is divided into a first section 16 and a second section 17. The first section 16 is divided horizontally to the second section 17. The first section 16 is formed by the first decorative layer 13. The second section 17 is formed by the second decorative layer 14, the first decorative layer 13 being cut out in this section so that the second decorative layer 14 arranged behind the first decorative layer 13 is presented to the user. The front panel 7 also shows through openings 18 which are used to accommodate mechanical operating elements 8. The diameter of this through opening 18 is selected such that operating elements 8 correspondingly received therein look visually appealing, taking into account tolerances and the intended play. Fixed as well as retractable toggles come into consideration as operating elements 8. In a further embodiment, not shown, the through openings 18 are equipped with a facet ring. The center of the through opening 18 is preferably located on the dividing line between the first section 16 and the second section 17.

Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a front panel from Figure 3 in cross section and shows the configuration according to a first embodiment. Here, the carrier means 10 has a first and a second partial area in order to be able to present a particularly attractive design to the viewer on the side facing the user. The first partial area 16 is arranged in the lower area of the support means 10, which is vertical in its installation position. In this installation position, the second sub-area 17 is located above the first sub-area 16 and thus in the upper area of the carrier means 10. The first decorative layer 13 is formed in the first sub-section 16. The second decorative layer 14 is formed in the second subsection 17. The resulting dividing line between the first decorative layer 13 and the second decorative layer 14 runs horizontally in the front view of the household appliance.

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a front panel from Figure 3 in cross section and shows the configuration according to a second embodiment. In this development of the first exemplary embodiment, the second decorative layer 14 covers the second partial area 17 and additionally the first partial area 16. Such an arrangement simultaneously covers the first decorative layer 13 and serves as an opaque coating. In the case of partially transparent decorative layers 13, this structure prevents disruptive elements behind the front panel from becoming visible to the user. In addition, such an overlap enables so-called light gaps to arise between the two decorative layers. The first decorative layer 13 can be covered by the second decorative layer 14 over the entire first partial section 16 or only in its partial areas.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a front panel from Figure 3 in cross section and shows the configuration according to a third embodiment. In this development of the first and second exemplary embodiment, the front panel 7 has a lighting device for displaying operating states in the form of symbols 20, such as on / off, type of heating, temperature, preheating, etc. This lighting device consists in particular of a recess 22 in the second decorative layer 14 and a luminous element 21 arranged corresponding to this recess 22. The light emitted by this luminous element 21 can be seen through the recess 22 on the surface 11 of the carrier means 10 facing the user. The recess 22 in the second decorative layer 14 forms a type of matrix or optical aperture, which is cut out to match the symbol 20 to be displayed. According to the illustrated Figure 6 the lighting device is located in the first partial area 16, so that the first partially transparent decorative layer 13 located between the carrier means 10 and the second decorative layer 14 serves as a type of projection surface on which the emitted light is visible. The first partially transparent decorative layer 13 located between the carrier means 10 and the second decorative layer 14 also prevents the user from seeing electronic components through the recess 22. In an embodiment not shown, the lighting device can be located in the second partial area 17.

Figure 7 shows a variant of the front panel 7 according to the invention in a front view. This front panel 7 shows a first decorative layer 13, which is applied over the entire surface to the carrier means 10 and has a recess through which the second decorative layer 14 can be seen. According to one variant, the second decorative layer 14 has a recess arranged to correspond to the recess of the first decorative layer 13, through which a display element 9 located behind it can be seen in the form of a display. The embodiment according to Fig. 7 shows a front panel 7, the operating elements 8 of which can be operated by means of capacitive sensors, so-called touch controls. These require a frame-like recess 19 in the first decorative layer 13 in the form of a metallic hot stamping foil. Because of the necessary galvanic isolation in the area of the frame-like recess 19 in the first decorative layer 13, the second decorative layer 14 comes to the fore.

In a further embodiment of this variant, a symbol 20 can be seen on the front panel 7 as soon as a light element 21 emits light on the surface 12 of the carrier element 10 facing away from the user, which light is emitted through recesses 22 of the opaque second decorative layer 14 through the partially transparent first decorative layer 13 penetrates. Such a structure has the advantage that the lighting elements 21 and the symbolic recesses in the second decorative layer 14 are not visible to the user when the lighting element 21 is switched off, since they are covered by the only partially transparent first decorative layer 13. Such a symbol 20 can also be provided with a frame-like recess 19 and a touch-based operating element 8. Such a structure enables a "clean" Design ", which does not show any operating or display elements when switched off. These are only visible when the cooking device is active.

REFERENCE LIST

1

Cooking appliance

2

Cooking space

3

Side wall

4th

door

5

Food carrier holder

6th

Food carrier

7th

Front panel

8th

Control element

9

Display element

10

Carrier means

11

the surface of the carrier means facing the user

12th

The surface of the carrier means facing away from the user

13th

first decorative layer

14th

second decorative layer

15th

scratch-resistant surface

16

first part

17th

second sub-area

18th

Through opening

19th

frame-like recess

20th

symbol

21

Luminous element

22nd

Recess

Claims (9)

1. Household appliance, having a front panel (7) for the household appliance, in particular for an oven, wherein the front panel (7) comprises an essentially transparent carrier means (10), which has a surface (11) facing the user and a surface (12) facing away from the user, and at least one decorative layer (13), which is attached to the surface (12), facing away from the user, on the carrier means (10), characterised in that the decorative layer (13) is attached by means of a hot stamping method, wherein the surface (12) of the carrier means (10) facing away from the user has a second decorative layer (14) in sections, which is embodied to be opaque and has a cut-out (22) so that printings and/or display elements are visible through the cut-out (22), wherein the carrier means (10) has a first subregion (16) and a second subregion (17) and the second decorative layer (14) extends in sections over the first decorative layer (13) of the first subregion (16), wherein the first decorative layer (13) is arranged in the region of the cut-out (22) of the second decorative layer (14), and the printings and/or display elements are visible through the cut-out (22) and through the first decorative layer (13), and wherein the first decorative layer (13) is at least semi-transparent, so that lighting elements (21) and/or display elements (9) attached to the rear are visible on the side (11) of the carrier means (10) facing the user in the switched-on state.
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that the decorative layer (13) is a hot stamping film.
3. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carrier means (10) has a scratch-free coating (15) at least in sections on the surface (11) facing the user.
4. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the subregions (16, 17) are separated from one another by means of a horizontal separation line.
5. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first subregion (16) has the first decorative layer (13) and the second subregion (17) has the second decorative layer (14).
6. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first decorative layer (13) has a cut-out in which the second decorative layer (14) is embodied.
7. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first decorative layer (13) has a preferably frame-type cut-out (19).
8. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the front panel (7) has at least one through opening (18) for receiving mechanical control elements (8), wherein the first and/or second decorative layer (13, 14) have cut-outs which correspond to the at least one through opening (18).
9. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance is a cooking appliance (1).

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