WO2007045558A1

WO2007045558A1 - Operator control apparatus for domestic appliances

Info

Publication number: WO2007045558A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/067070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Eser
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2005-10-18
Filing date: 2006-10-05
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: DE102005049802A1

Abstract

The invention is based on an operator control apparatus for domestic appliances, having a touch-sensitive annular sensor array (12) which comprises at least two sensor areas (14, 14’), which are arranged around a centre (16), for detecting an angle (α) of a contact point (P). In order to improve an angular resolution of the sensor array (12), it is proposed that the least two sensor areas (14 - 14’’) be formed such that they engage one in the other in at least one angular region in the circumferential direction with respect to the centre (16) of the sensor array (12).

Description

Appliances operating device

The invention relates to a household appliance operating device according to the preamble of claim 1.

There is already known a household appliance operating device with a touch-sensitive, annular sensor field. The sensor array includes a plurality of sensor surfaces arranged around a center of the ring shape for detecting an angle of a touch point. The sensor surfaces are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction and separated from each other by radially extending parting lines. An angular resolution for detecting a contact point is therefore at least substantially limited by the size of an angular range which is covered by a single sensor surface.

The invention is based in particular on the object of improving an angular resolution of the sensor field. The object is achieved by the features of claim 1, while advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention can be taken from the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a household appliance operating device with a touch-sensitive, annular sensor field which comprises at least two sensor surfaces arranged around a center for detecting an angle of a contact point.

It is proposed that the at least two sensor surfaces are formed in one another in at least one angular range in the circumferential direction with respect to the center. If an operator touches the annular sensor field in the abovementioned angle range so that the entire radial width of the sensor field is covered, the at least two sensor surfaces respond simultaneously and from a ratio of the two signals a continuous parameter can be obtained, which is discrete in comparison Characteristics allows a more accurate position determination of the touch point or the angle of the touch point. As a result, an angular resolution of the sensor field can be increased. If, for example, the sensor surfaces are designed as capacitive sensor surfaces, it is additionally possible to derive from a signal strength an area fraction of the sensor surface. chen, which is covered by the detected object, in particular by a finger. In principle, information about a radial position of the contact point can also be obtained by interengaging sensor surfaces in the circumferential direction. In this context, a "two-dimensional area" in which an object which touches the sensor field leads to a clearly measurable change in the electrical properties of the corresponding sensor area is to be referred to as a "contact point".

Domestic appliance operating devices of the generic type must meet particularly high requirements compared to operating devices for devices of another type, in particular with regard to the cleaning properties and the robustness. Generic sensor fields therefore comprise a robust and easy-to-clean front surface, for example of a glass ceramic, behind which the actual sensitive sensor surfaces are protected from damage and from contamination. A use of a household appliance operating device of the type according to the invention is conceivable, in particular in kitchen stoves, but in principle also in other household appliances. A particularly cost-effective sensor field can be achieved if the sensor surfaces are applied to a common board, and in particular are printed on. In comparison to household appliance operating devices with mechanical operating elements, touch-sensitive sensor fields are characterized by freedom from wear and good cleaning properties.

In one development of the invention, it is proposed that in the angular range, a proportion of one of the sensor surfaces at a width of the annular sensor field in the angle of the contact point depends monotonically on the angle of the contact point. It can thereby be achieved that the angle of the contact point in the angular range can be unambiguously determined unambiguously from the ratio of the signal strengths of the at least two sensor surfaces. In this method, the determination of the angle of the contact point is, in particular, independent of a width of the contact point in the circumferential direction.

A substantial independence from a radial position of the contact point can be achieved if the at least two sensor surfaces are formed in one another in a toothed manner. The dependence on the radial position can be completely eliminated if a distance between individual teeth of the toothing is less than a typical width and / or blurring the touch point or an area covered by a finger of the operator.

Ambiguity of the signals in the area of a discontinuity of the angle determination can be avoided if the sensor field comprises at least three similar sensor surfaces. The higher the number of sensor surfaces, the higher the maximum achievable angular resolution. By a circular arrangement of the sensor surfaces a particularly high symmetry can be achieved, but in principle, an oval or different ring shape is conceivable.

Another functional integration can be achieved by a switching element arranged in the region of the center of the annular sensor field. The switching element can assume a switching function, while the annular sensor field is suitable, for example, for comfortably setting a continuously variable characteristic. For example, a parameter selected via the annular sensor field can be confirmed by the central sensor surface. The advantages in terms of cleaning properties and freedom from wear can be achieved even with such a switching element, if this is designed as the sensor array as a touch-sensitive switch without mechanical parts. Particularly advantageously, the switching element can be applied to the sensor surfaces of the sensor array on a common carrier board.

If the household appliance operating device comprises an evaluation unit for determining the touch point from at least two signals assigned to a respective sensor surface, an external evaluation unit can be dispensed with and the signal of the household appliance operating device can be used directly to control the household appliance. It can the

Domestic appliance control device particularly advantageous determine a control signal for setting an operating parameter depending on the touch point. If the household appliance operating device is part of a cooking device, for example, the evaluation unit can determine a cooking level of a hob, a temperature of a baking oven, a time preset of a timer or another program parameter of a cooking program depending on the touch point. In this context, "provided" should also be understood to mean "designed" and "equipped". If the evaluation unit is intended to determine a rate of change of the contact point or of the angle, a particularly fast and flexible setting of operating parameters can also be made possible whose range of values extends over several orders of magnitude or powers of ten.

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawing, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Show it:

1 shows a household oven with a Haushaltsgerätebedienvorrich- device,

2 shows the household appliance operating device from FIG. 1 in a detailed representation, FIG.

Fig. 3 is an annular sensor field of the household appliance control device in a first embodiment with two intermeshing

Sensor surfaces,

4 shows an annular sensor field of the household appliances operating device in a further embodiment with three interengaging sensor surfaces, FIG. 5 shows an annular sensor field of the household appliance operating device in a further embodiment with twelve interlocking sensor surfaces, FIG.

6 shows a flow chart for an operating program stored in the household appliance operating device, FIG. 7 shows an annular sensor field in an oval configuration, FIG.

8 shows an annular sensor field in an alternative embodiment as a rectangle with rounded corners,

9 shows a further alternative sensor field with an integrated display element, 10 shows a further alternative sensor field with an integrated display, and FIG. 11 shows a sensor field of an alternative household appliance operating device with a stored touch functionality.

FIG. 1 shows a household baking oven 10 with a front into which a household appliance operating device with a touch-sensitive annular sensor field 12 is integrated. The sensor field 12 comprises two sensor surfaces 14, 14 'for detecting an angle α of a contact point P. At the point of contact P, a finger 90 of an operator lies on the sensor field 12 (FIG. 2). An angle α to be detected is related to a center 16 of the ring shape of the sensor array 12.

In addition to the annular sensor array 12, the household appliance operating device comprises a total of eight touch-sensitive switching elements 18-32, each arranged in groups of four adjacent to the annular sensor array 12, and a display 34 arranged above the annular sensor array 12 (FIG. 2). A first switching element 18 serves for switching on and off a cooking chamber lighting of the household baking oven 10, a second switching element 20 for selecting a time preselection mode, a third switching element 22 for selecting an information mode, a fourth switching element 24 for selecting a preheating mode, a fifth switching element 26 designed as an on / off switch, a sixth switching element 28 is used to activate and deactivate a blocking function of the household appliance control device, a seventh switching element 30 triggers a stop signal, and an eighth switching element 32 is used to start a selected via the household appliance operating mode.

Within the ring shape of the sensor array 12, two further switching elements 36, 38 are arranged, which serve as cursor keys to select an operating mode.

The household appliance operating device has a continuous glass ceramic front, in which an annular recess is formed in the region of the annular sensor field 12, which facilitates guiding the finger 90 of an operator via the sensor field 12. In addition to the sensor field 12 and the switching elements 18 - 32 are arranged behind the glass ceramic front. Figure 3 shows the shape and the arrangement of the sensor surfaces 14, 14 'of the sensor array 12. The first, radially within the second sensor surface 14' arranged sensor surface 14 is as well as the second sensor surface 14 'a total of spiral, wherein a radially outer edge 44 of first sensor surface 14 forms a spiral and coincides with a radially inner edge of the second sensor surface 14 '. A radially inner edge of the first sensor surface 14 and a radially outer edge of the second sensor surface 14 'are each circular and form an outer or inner edge of the annular shape of the sensor array 12. The two sensor surfaces 14, 14' therefore each have the shape of a to one Circle curved tip and engage in the circumferential direction one another. In an installation orientation at the highest point 40 of the circular shape, the two sensor surfaces 14, 14 'abut each other in a radially extending with respect to the center 16 dividing line 42. Both sensor surfaces 14, 14 'complement each other to form a circular ring.

The sensor surfaces 14, 14 'are formed as plate-shaped, printed on a common printed circuit board capacitors, which change their capacity when approaching an object, such as a finger 90. In further embodiments of the invention, the sensor surfaces 14, 14 'could be designed differently, for example, inductively, optically or temperature-sensitive.

The proportion of both sensor surfaces 14, 14 'at a constant over the circumference of the sensor array 12 width of the ring shape changes linearly with the angle α and jumps at the highest point 40 from 0% to 100% and from 100% to 0%. Embodiments of the invention are also conceivable in which the proportion of the sensor surfaces 14, 14 'on the width of the ring shape changes differently than linearly with the angle α. If an operator touches the annular sensor field 12 such that a width of the ring is completely covered by the contact point P, the capacitances of the sensor surfaces 14, 14 'change in the ratio of the area proportions, so that the quotient of the capacitances of the sensor surfaces 14, 14' is a linear function of the angle α of the contact point P with respect to the center 16. Only in the region of the highest point 40 of the sensor field 12 causes the radially extending separating line 42 a deviation from the linear behavior. When the sensor field 12 is touched at the highest point 40, the surface portions of both sensor surfaces 14, 14 'covered by the finger 90 of the operator or by the contact point P are the same. Therefore, the signal of the sensor array 12 is indistinguishable from the signal that would result from a contact in a lowest point of the annular sensor array 12 opposite the highest point 40. In a further embodiment of the invention, the point 40 may be chosen so that it is unlikely that the user touches it first, for example in the 6 o'clock position.

An evaluation unit 46 (FIG. 2) determines from the quotients of the capacitances formed from the signals of the sensor surfaces 14, 14 'an absolute value of the angle α of the contact point P. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 46 determines a rate of change of the angle α from a time-dependent change of the formed quotient. In principle, it would also be conceivable to determine higher time derivatives of the angle α. Depending on the determined angle α of the touch point P and its rate of change, the evaluation unit 46 determines control signals for setting parameters of various cooking programs of the home baking oven 10. For example, the evaluation unit 46 determines a time delay of a timer function in the time preset mode. For this purpose, the evaluation unit 46 generates incrementing or decrementing signals for incrementing or decrementing the time delay. A step size of the incrementing or decrementing steps is determined by the rate of change.

Analogous features of the alternative exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 11 are provided with the same reference numbers in the following description, which is limited to differences from the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

4 shows an alternative sensor field 12 with three interengaging sensor surfaces 14-14 ", which complement each other to form a circular ring and each extend over two-thirds of the circumference of the sensor field 12. Each of the sensor surfaces 14-14" has a tip that is bent in the circular shape and a corresponding recess. The

Sensor surfaces 14-14 "are arranged so that their tips in each case engage in the recess of the sensor surface 14-14" which is adjacent in the positive direction. The three sensor surfaces 14 - 14 "are therefore intermeshed with one another, which can reduce an error in the determination of the angle α, which could result from an eccentric contact of the sensor field 12 with respect to the width of the annular form.

The proportions of the sensor surfaces 14 - 14 "at the width of the sensor field 12 initially grow linearly in a mathematically positive direction in an initial region of the recess and drop linearly back to zero in an end region of the tips not shown evaluation determined from the Signals of the sensor surfaces 14-14 "or from their capacity an absolute value of the angle α of the touch point P. An ambiguity in the angle determination can be avoided by the number, arrangement and shape of the sensor surfaces 14-14" shown in Figure 3.

FIG. 5 shows a further annular sensor field 12, which is equipped to improve an angular resolution with a total of twelve identical sensor surfaces 14. Each of the sensor surfaces 14 has two tip-shaped recesses and two tips, each of which engage in the recesses of the circumferentially adjacent sensor surface 14 and are therefore interlocked with the adjacent sensor surface 14. A distance of the tips and thus a tooth spacing of the sensor surfaces 14 is in the range of 1 cm, which can be achieved that the signals of the participating sensor surfaces 14 largely unaffected by the fuzziness and size of the contact point P regardless of the radial position of the contact point P within the ring shape of the sensor array 12 are.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of an operating program implemented in the household appliance operating device or in the evaluation unit 46. In a query step 48, the evaluation unit 46 checks whether a control bit for a change in the operating parameters of the household oven 10 is active. If this is not the case, the operating program jumps back into the interrogation step 48 after a cycle time. If the control bit is active, the evaluation unit 46 checks in a case discriminating step 50 which signals the operator inputs. If no operation has taken place within a stored time interval, the evaluation unit 46, in a step 52, sets the control bit checked in the inquiry step 48 to the value in which the change in the operating parameters is inactive. If the evaluation unit 46 detects a switching signal from one of the switching elements 36, 38 arranged in the center 16 of the annular shape of the sensor field 12, the evaluation unit 46 changes the operating parameters released for change in a cyclic sequence in a step 54. Which operating parameters can be changed depends in detail on a selected cooking program. If the evaluation unit 46 detects signals from the sensor surfaces 14 of the annular sensor field 12, the evaluation unit 46 changes the operating parameter released for change in a step 56 as a function of the angle α of the contact point P and / or depending on the rate of change of this angle α. The increments of the change in the operating parameter depend on the choice of the operating parameter and possibly also on its current value. FIGS. 7 and 8 show sensor fields 12 with alternative shapes. The sensor field 12 shown in FIG. 7 is designed as an elliptical ring, as a result of which a vertical installation space of the household baking oven 10 or of the domestic appliance operating device can be reduced in comparison with the shape of a circular ring. On the other hand, the sensor array 12 shown in FIG. 8 has the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners, whereby an improved fitting of the sensor array 12 into a front of a household appliance divided into rectangular partial areas can be achieved.

Figures 9 and 10 show embodiments of the sensor array 12, in which in each case a display element 58, 60 is arranged in the interior of the annular shape of the sensor array 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, in the center 16 of the annular shape of the sensor field 12, the display element 58 designed as a 7-segment display is arranged to indicate a set cooking level. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, a display element 60 is integrated in which a control unit of a cooking appliance comprising the sensor field 12 has a selected cooking program in an upper region 62, a furnace temperature in a central region 64, and a lower region 66 in a central region 64 represents a Garguttemperatur detected by a temperature spike not explicitly shown here. Setpoints for both the oven temperature and the cooking temperature are adjustable.

FIG. 11 schematically shows a function associated with the sensor field 12 in an alternative operating program. An evaluation unit 46 determines in the manner described above, the absolute value of the angle α of a Berührpunkts P and determines in which of eight equal value ranges 68 - 82, the angle α. Each value range 68 - 82 is assigned a switching function. If the angle α lies in a first value range 68 of 0 ° to 45 °, the evaluation unit 46 switches to a selection mode in which the operator can select an operating mode of the sensor field 12. If the angle α lies in a second value range 70 of 45 ° to 90 °, the evaluation unit 46 switches to a further selection mode, in which the operator can select a cooking program of the household appliance comprising the sensor field 12. If the angle .alpha. Lies in a third value range 72 of 90.degree. To 135.degree., The evaluation unit 46 determines the direction and speed of a change in the angle .alpha. Of the contact point P and changes an operating parameter released for change as a function of these variables. If the operator touches the sensor field 12 at an angle α in a fourth value range 74 of 135 ° -180 °, the evaluation unit 46 outputs a desired temperature as variable drive parameters free. If the value of the angle α lies in a fifth value range 76 between 180 ° and 225 °, the evaluation unit 46 switches on or off a cooking compartment lighting depending on the current state. Depending on the current state of the oven lighting, a light-emitting diode 84 arranged in the fifth value range 76 is switched on or off, whereby an operator can be signaled the current operating state. By touching in a sixth value range 78 between 225 ° and 270 ° or in a seventh value range 80 between 270 ° and 315 °, the operator can increment or decrement a time preset. If the angle α finally lies in an eighth value range 82 between 315 ° and 360 °, then the evaluation unit 46 switches on or off a cooking appliance comprising the sensor field 12, depending on the current state.

A glass-ceramic pane, which forms a front cover of the sensor field 12, is printed on a rear side with user guide information, which makes it easier for the operator to assign the value ranges to the switching functions described above. In principle, of course, a printing of a front side of the glass ceramic pane is conceivable. In further embodiments of the invention, various operator information is illuminated depending on a functionality deposited on the sensor field 12. Furthermore, further signal lights, which signal the operator the activity or inactivity of certain functions, may be arranged in the area of the sensor field 12.

In further embodiments of the invention, it is conceivable that the sensor field 12 simultaneously assumes switching functions for switching between operating modes as well as slider functions for adjusting continuously or step-by-step changeable operating parameters. It is conceivable, for example, that the evaluation unit 46 interprets an operator signal as a switching signal if the determined rate of change of the angle α of the touch point P is below a threshold value, and that the evaluation unit 46 interprets an operator signal as a slider signal for changing an operating parameter, if the rate of change above the Threshold is.

Also, an interpretation of the operator signal depending on a duration of the contact is conceivable. Furthermore, a double actuation of the sensor array 12 in the same value range and within a predetermined time interval or a brief actuation could be interpreted as a switching signal, while other, simple or longer actuations are interpreted as a slider signal for continuously changing operating parameters. Also an automated sequence in which by a switching signal an operating is first enabled for setting and in the other signals of the sensor array 12 in the sense of a slider signal to change the enabled operating parameter can be used, is conceivable. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the fourth value range 72 is a double arrow 86, which is illuminated by the evaluation unit 46 by a light-emitting diode 88 when the operator signals are to be interpreted in the sense of a slider function. The light-emitting diode 88 is deactivated when the evaluation unit 46 interprets the operator signals in the sense of a switching function.

reference numeral

10 household oven 62 area

12 sensor field 64 area

14 sensor area 66 area

16 Center 68 Value range

18 switching element 70 range of values

20 switching element 72 range of values

22 switching element 74 range of values

24 switching element 76 Value range

26 Switching element 78 Value range

28 switching element 80 range of values

30 switching element 82 range of values

32 switching element 84 LED

34 Display 86 Double arrow

36 switching element 88 light emitting diode

38 switching element 90 fingers

40 point P touch point

42 dividing line α angle

44 edge

46 evaluation unit

48 Query step

50 case discrimination step

52 step

54 step

56 step

58 indicator

60 display element

Claims

claims

1. Household appliance operating device with a touch-sensitive, annular sensor array (12), the at least two, arranged around a center (16)

Sensor surfaces (14, 14 ') for detecting an angle (α) of a contact point (P), characterized in that the at least two sensor surfaces (14, 14') in at least one angular range in the circumferential direction with respect to the center (16) of the sensor field (12) are formed intermeshing.

2. Household appliance operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the angular range, a proportion of one of the sensor surfaces (14, 14 ') at a width of the annular sensor field (12) in the angle (α) of the contact point (P) monotonically from the angle ( α) of the contact point (P).

3. Household appliance operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least two sensor surfaces (14, 14 ', 14 ") are formed in one another toothed.

4. Household appliance operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor field (12) comprises at least three similar sensor surfaces (14, 14 ', 14 ").

5. Household appliance operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one in the region of the center (16) of the sensor array (12) arranged switching element (36, 38).

6. Household appliance operating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an evaluation unit (46) for determining the contact point (P) from at least two, each one sensor surface (14, 14, 14 ") associated signals.

7. Household appliance operating device according to claim 6, characterized in that the evaluation unit (46) is provided to determine a control signal for setting an operating parameter depending on the touch point (P).

8. Appliance operating device according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the evaluation unit (46) is provided to determine a rate of change of the touch point (P).

9. Household appliance operating device according to one of claims 6 - 8, characterized in that the evaluation unit (46) is provided, an incrementation step increment and / or a decrementing step size of an incrementing operation and / or a decrementing process depending on the touch point (P) determine.

10. Household appliance with a household appliance operating device according to one of the preceding claims.