GB2151404A

GB2151404A - Switching control device

Info

Publication number: GB2151404A
Application number: GB08427018A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Werner Kruger; Horst Krenz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-12-14
Filing date: 1984-10-25
Publication date: 1985-07-17
Also published as: DE3345312A1; IT1178731B; IT8423937A0; FR2556857B1; DE3345312C2; GB8427018D0; FR2556857A1; GB2151404B; IT8424018V0

Abstract

A switching control device for a household appliance comprises a rotary and axially displaceable switch knob (2), which is mounted in an opaque front panel (1) of the appliance. The knob has an opaque end portion (2) and a translucent scale ring (3) which is provided with marking symbols. An illuminating device (4), which is arranged behind the panel (1), serves to radiate light towards the scale ring part (3) externally of its viewed surface. In a rotary zero setting of the switch knob, a window (6) through which the light is transmitted is covered by a coloured filter (7). When the knob is pushed in, a coloured filter ring (12) in the panel (1) is illuminated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Switching control device The present invention relates to a switching control device, especially for a household ap pliance.

Rotary switches, such as that disclosed in DE-OS 27 01 017, can be equipped for househoid appiances in such a manner that a scale ring with marking symbols is associated with a rotary knob, wherein the knob in operative setting projects together with the scale ring out from the appliance front side and in a rest position is pushable axially into the appliance front until the end face of the knob is flush with the front side of the appliance. The heating energy of heater elements of a cooker, for example, is controllable by way of a rotary switch of that kind. Through axial pressure on the end face of the knob, an appropriate detent mechanism is released and the knob together with the scale ring is pushed by spring effect out of the front side of the appliance. The knob can now be turned into a certain functional position.Although the view onto the scale ring and its marking symbols is possible in this setting, it is desirable that illumination of the scale ring shouid be provided, particularly in the case of less well lit locations. It should also be recognisable, through an appropriate illumination control, whether the knob is disposed in a rest position or in a setting position.

Illumination devices of that kind are known for the illumination of the scale ring in the case of rotary knobs which are not displaceable in axial direction, as used in, for example, cookers. If one of the knobs is turned into a functional position, then an illumination device is switched on for all operating places. In order to provide a signal without requiring exact setting of the rotary knob, it is also known to associate each of the knobs with a mechanical flap which, on switching-on of the respective switch, pushes a coloured, transparent plate in front of the light source. The scale disc thus lights up in the switched-on state with a colour other than in the zero setting.

Measures of that kind are not suitable in the case of rotary knobs which can be axially pushed into the appliance front in the rest setting. There is thus a need for illumination measures for rotary switches by which illumination and characterisation of different switch setting positions may be possible.

According to the present invention there is provided a switching control device comprising a substantially opaque panel, a control member which comprises a body of rotation having a substantially opaque end portion to serve as a knob and an at least translucent axially adjacent marking portion provided with markings on an annular field and which is so mounted in the panel as to be rotatable about and displaceable in the direction of the body axis by actuation of the knob portion from a front side of the panel, and illuminating means so arranged at a rear side of the panel outwardly of a notional axis projection of the knob portion as to in use radiate light towards the marking portion.

In a preferred embodiment the switch mem ber comprises a rotary knob which is axially displaceable to be sinkable into an appliance front and a scale ring part which is provided with marking symbols, displaced axially relative to the rotary knob in direction of the appliance and firmly connected with this. An illiuminating device is arranged behind the appliance front above the envelope cylinder determined by the diameter of the rotary knob and serves to radiate light towards the scale ring part externally of the viewed surface.

Through the illumination device arranged behind the appliance front panel, the knob region is illuminated in the interior of the appliance, provided the illumination device is switched on, independently of the position the knob has. If the knob is pressed axially into the appliance front, a fully opaque knob grip part prevents issuing of the light at this place.

Only the annular gap between the knob grip part and the appliance front panel need be light-permeable, so that it is recognisable that this region is illuminated and an optically pronounced marking of the pushed-in knob takes place. For these purposes. the knob grip part can also be weakly permeable to light. In the case when the knob projects out from the appliance front panel, the substantially opaque knob grip part is displaced out axially so that the at least translucent scale ring part lies in the region of the feedthrough in the panel and light is radiated externally of its viewed surface by the illumination device. The scale ring part thus receives the light and recognition of its marking symbols is thereby enhanced.

Preferably, the envelope cylinder region is closed off by a fixedly located sleeve of at least light-attenuating material with a window opposite the illuminating device, while an at least light-attenuating shield, which in the rotary rest setting covers this window, is arranged in the region behind the scale ring part. Preferably, this shield is connected to the scale ring part to be secure against rotation relative thereto. In the case of a rotary switch with these preferred features, the scale ring part become fully brightened by the illumination device only when it is pulled out from the panel and disposed in a setting position. A clear characterisation of the setting positions of the switch is thereby provided. In that case, the shield and/or the sleeve can be substantially opaque.If both parts are opaque, then illumination of the scale ring takes place only when the rotary switch is turned out of its rest setting. However, if the shield and/or the sleeve is or are structured to be colouredly translucent, then a colour filtering takes place in these regions and has the corresponding effect at the scale ring in the rotary rest setting of the rotary switch. The scale ring part can also be formed of colouredly translucent material.

For preference, a switch mechanism, which is actuable in dependence on the functional setting of the rotary switch, is arranged for the activation of the illumination device. This switch mechanism can become effective either on outward displacement of the rotary switch from the panel or only after a rotary displacement of the switch. If a number of rotary switches are present, as is usual in a cooker operating panel, then a common illumination device can be provided. For this purpose, it can be expedient to arrange a common switching mechanism for the illumination device, which mechanism can be influenced through mechanical coupling members common to all rotary switches.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic sectional side view of a switching control device embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section of the control device of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown an appliance front panel 1 in which is arranged one or more rotary switches, only one such switch being shown in the drawings.

Since the switching components of the rotary switch are not important to an understanding of the embodiment, they are not described.

The operating and indicating element of the switch consists of a rotary knob grip part 2 and a frustro-conical scale ring part 3, which adjoins the grip part 1 and is firmly connected therewith. Marking symbols indicative of switch settings are applied to the ring part 3.

Fig. 1 shows the rotary switch in solid lines for its operative setting, i.e. wherein the grip part 2 and the ring part 3 project out from the panel 1, and in dashed lines for a setting in which the switch is retracted into the panel 1 so that the free end of the grip part 2 is flush with the front surface of the panel 1. By means of an appropriate detent and setting mechanism, the rotary switch can be displaced, through the grip part 2, between these positions.

An illumination device 4 is arranged above the rotary switch. The rotary switch itself is surrounded by a sleeve 5 of opaque material.

This sleeve 5 has a window 6 opposite the device 4.

A shield 7, which in a rotary zero setting of the switch knob covers the window 6, is arranged at the ring part 3. Outside this zero setting, the window 6 is freed by the shield 7 so that light from the illumination device 4 can pass from behind onto the scale ring part 3. The part 3 itself is of translucent material so that it is illuminated for the observer. In the initial rotary setting of the switch, thereagainst, the light from the device 4 is correspondingly filtered by the shield 7, which is of coloured translucent material, and thus leads to a coloured and attenuated illumination of the part 3.

If the rotary switch with its grip part 2 and ring part 3 is in the setting in which it is pushed into the appliance front and the illumination device 4 is switched on, then the grip part 2 of opaque material largely prevents issue of light. Intentional illumination takes place merely through an annular region between the panel 1 and the grip part 2. The exact position of the rotary switch within the panel 1 is thereby emphasised in this operational phase. Through pressure on the grip part 2, this is settable into its projecting operative setting.

The illustrated embodiment shows a slide 8, which is displaceable by an annular flange 9, which is arranged at the switch knob, during axial displacement of the knob. This slide 8 acts on a switch bar 10, which serves to switch on the device 4. The switch bar 10 can be associated with a plurality of rotary switches arranged one beside the other, so that the device 4 is switched on on movement of one of these switches out from the panel 1.

However, it is also possible for the switchingon of the illumination device to be dependent on the rotary setting of one of the switches.

A ring 1 2 of coloured translucent material bounds the opening, formed by the panel 1, for the switch knob so that when the device 4 is switched on and the knob is moved in, the grip 2 is surrounded by an illuminated ring.

Fig. 2 shows a web 11 which is arranged on the knob and appropriately recessed in such a manner that, in co-operation with a counterpiece such as the slide 8 which is fixed against rotation, it permits only axial displacement of the knob fpr inward or outward movement.

Claims

1. A switching control device comprising a substantially opaque panel, a control member which comprises a body of rotation having a substantially opaque end portion to serve as a knob and an at least translucent axially adjacent marking portion provided with markings on an annular field and which is so mounted in the panel as to be rotatable about and displaceable in the direction of the body axis by actuation of the knob portion from a front side of the panel, and illuminating means so arranged at a rear side of the panel outwardly of a notional axial projection of the knob portion as to in use radiate light towards the marking portion.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a sleeve of at least light-attenuating material which is arranged at the rear side of the panel to receive the body and which is provided with a window disposed to permit light radiated by the illuminating means to enter the sleeve, an at least light-attenuating shield being provided axially adjacent to the marking portion to cover the window in a predetermined rotational setting of the control member.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shield is connected to the body to be rotatable therewith.

4. A device as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein at least one of the shield and the sleeve is substantially opaque.

5. A device as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein at least one of the shield and the sleeve is of coloured translucent material.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the marking portion comprises coloured translucent material.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a switch mechanism actuable in dependence on the position of the control member to control actuation of the illuminating means.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switch mechanism is actuable in dependence on the axial position of the control member.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switch mechanism is actuable in dependence on the rotational setting of the control member.

10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising a plurality of such control members and a respective such switch mechanism associated with each member, the illuminating means being common to and actuable by any one of the switch mechanisms.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising a plurality of such control members, the switch mechanism comprising a respective first contact element associated with each of the control members and a second contact common to all of the control members.

1 2. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control member or each control member, as the case may be, is mounted in a respective opening in the panel, the opening being bounded by a ring of at least translucent material.

1 3. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the ring is coloured.

14. A switching control device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.