Operating and display device for a domestic appliance, and domestic appliance

• US 9,235,306 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2012
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Lubert, Thomas, Knopp, Lothar, Ludenia, Thomas, Wybranietz, Gino, Bruss, Dietmar, Schmid, Erich, Vogelsang, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Van
• Application Number:
  US14/128,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20140192013A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/10 Spin speed
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/12 Washing temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating and display device (11) for a domestic appliance, comprising operating means for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, a light conductor part (24, 34) for conducting light, a plurality of function symbols (13, 14, 15), which each symbolize a respective selectable value of the parameter, and a lighting device (47) for backlighting the function symbols (13, 14, 15), by means of which lighting device the function symbol (13, 14, 15) associated with the presently selected value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols (13, 14, 15), wherein the operating means are designed as touch-sensitive operating means and have a touch-sensitive actuation surface (16), which is arranged such as to overlap with the function symbols (13, 14, 15) and thus the value of the parameter associated with one of the function symbols (13, 14, 15) can be selected by touching the actuation surface (16) in an overlap area (17) that overlaps with one of the function symbols (13, 14, 15).

Claims

1. An operating and display device for a domestic appliance, with:

an operating device for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, wherein the operating device includes a capacitive operating device and a touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, which are arranged at a distance from the touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a light conductor part for conducting light,

a plurality of function symbols, which each symbolize a selectable value of the parameter, and

a lighting device for backlighting the function symbols, by means of which the function symbol assigned to the respective value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols,

wherein the touch-sensitive actuation surface is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols so that, by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the function symbols, the value of the parameter assigned to this function symbol is able to be selected, and wherein a transparent layer with sensor electrodes attached thereto is arranged on the light conductor part or on the display window, wherein

the transparent layer is a film which is arranged between the light conductor part or on the display window, and

the capacitive sensor electrodes are arranged so as to overlap with the touch-sensitive actuation surface and a separate capacitive sensor electrode, which is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols assigned to it, is assigned to at least a part of the function symbols in each case, so that by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the sensor electrodes a capacitance of a touch capacitor having one of these sensor electrodes is able to be changed,

a plate-like display window, embodied at least in some areas from a light-permeable material, especially from transparent plastic, the surface of which forming the touch-sensitive actuation surface, being attached to the light conductor part, and except for in the overlapping areas with the function symbols, a light-impermeable printed mask, especially a screen print, being applied to a rear side of the display window facing away from the actuation surface.

2. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the film includes conductor tracks.

3. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor electrodes and the conductor tracks are applied to the film by hot stamping.

4. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the function symbols are arranged on the light conductor part.

5. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent function symbols are arranged so as to overlap with a common sensor electrode, wherein by sliding over the actuation surface in an overlapping area with the at least two function symbols and the common sensor electrode, the respective assigned value of the parameter is able to be selected.

6. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating device is configured to set an operating temperature as a parameter and at least a part of the function symbols symbolizes a selectable value of the operating temperature in each case.

7. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating device is configured to set a speed of movement, of a component of the domestic appliance as the parameter and at least a part of the function symbols symbolizes a selectable value of the speed of movement in each case.

8. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating device is configured to define an operating program for the operating process as the parameter and at least a part of the function symbols symbolizes a different operating program in each case.

9. The operating and display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a film with the function symbols is attached to the light conductor part.

14. A domestic appliance with an operating and display device as claimed in claim 1.

10. An operating and display device for a domestic appliance, with:

an operating device for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, wherein the operating device includes a capacitive operating device and a touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, which are arranged at a distance from the touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a light conductor part for conducting light,

a plurality of function symbols, which each symbolize a selectable value of the parameter, and

a lighting device for backlighting the function symbols, by means of which the function symbol assigned to the respective value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols,

wherein the touch-sensitive actuation surface is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols so that, by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the function symbols, the value of the parameter assigned to this function symbol is able to be selected, and wherein a transparent layer with sensor electrodes attached thereto is arranged on the light conductor part or on the display window, wherein

the transparent layer is a film which is arranged between the light conductor part or on the display window, and

the capacitive sensor electrodes are arranged so as to overlap with the touch-sensitive actuation surface and a separate capacitive sensor electrode, which is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols assigned to it, is assigned to at least a part of the function symbols in each case, so that by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the sensor electrodes a capacitance of a touch capacitor having one of these sensor electrodes is able to be changed,

a plate-like display window, embodied at least in some areas from a light-permeable material, especially from transparent plastic, the surface of which forming the touch-sensitive actuation surface, being attached to the light conductor part,

a printed mask, especially a screen print, is applied to a rear side of the display window facing away from the actuation surface in the overlapping area with the function symbols, which reduces the passage of light, wherein the function symbols are only visible on the surface of the display window when the backlighting is activated.

11. An operating and display device for a domestic appliance, with:

an operating device for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, wherein the operating device includes a capacitive operating device and a touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, which are arranged at a distance from the touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a light conductor part for conducting light,

a plurality of function symbols, which each symbolize a selectable value of the parameter, and

a lighting device for backlighting the function symbols, by means of which the function symbol assigned to the respective value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols,

wherein the touch-sensitive actuation surface is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols so that, by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the function symbols, the value of the parameter assigned to this function symbol is able to be selected, and wherein a transparent layer with sensor electrodes attached thereto is arranged on the light conductor part or on the display window, wherein

the transparent layer is a film which is arranged between the light conductor part or on the display window, and

the capacitive sensor electrodes are arranged so as to overlap with the touch-sensitive actuation surface and a separate capacitive sensor electrode, which is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols assigned to it, is assigned to at least a part of the function symbols in each case, so that by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the sensor electrodes a capacitance of a touch capacitor having one of these sensor electrodes is able to be changed,

a plate-like display window, embodied at least in some areas from a light-permeable material, especially from transparent plastic, the surface of which forming the touch-sensitive actuation surface, being attached to the light conductor part, the display window being formed from a color-tinted material.

12. An operating and display device for a domestic appliance, with:

an operating device for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, wherein the operating device includes a capacitive operating device and a touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, which are arranged at a distance from the touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a light conductor part for conducting light,

a plurality of function symbols, which each symbolize a selectable value of the parameter, and

a lighting device for backlighting the function symbols, by means of which the function symbol assigned to the respective value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols,

wherein the touch-sensitive actuation surface is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols so that, by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the function symbols, the value of the parameter assigned to this function symbol is able to be selected, and wherein a transparent layer with sensor electrodes attached thereto is arranged on the light conductor part or on the display window, wherein

the transparent layer is a film which is arranged between the light conductor part or on the display window, and

the capacitive sensor electrodes are arranged so as to overlap with the touch-sensitive actuation surface and a separate capacitive sensor electrode, which is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols assigned to it, is assigned to at least a part of the function symbols in each case, so that by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the sensor electrodes a capacitance of a touch capacitor having one of these sensor electrodes is able to be changed,

a plate-like display window, embodied at least in some areas from a light-permeable material, especially from transparent plastic, the surface of which forming the touch-sensitive actuation surface, being attached to the light conductor part, the display window being a transparent plastic display and on the rear side of the display window the film being connected to the display window by gluing or by an injection molding or hot stamping method.

13. An operating and display device for a domestic appliance, with:

an operating device for setting at least one parameter of an operating process of the domestic appliance, wherein the operating device includes a capacitive operating device and a touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes, which are arranged at a distance from the touch-sensitive actuation surface,

a light conductor part for conducting light,

a plurality of function symbols, which each symbolize a selectable value of the parameter, and

a lighting device for backlighting the function symbols, by means of which the function symbol assigned to the respective value of the parameter can be optically distinguished from the other function symbols,

wherein the touch-sensitive actuation surface is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols so that, by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the function symbols, the value of the parameter assigned to this function symbol is able to be selected, and wherein a transparent layer with sensor electrodes attached thereto is arranged on the light conductor part or on the display window, wherein

the transparent layer is a film which is arranged between the light conductor part or on the display window, and

the capacitive sensor electrodes are arranged so as to overlap with the touch-sensitive actuation surface and a separate capacitive sensor electrode, which is arranged so as to overlap with the function symbols assigned to it, is assigned to at least a part of the function symbols in each case, so that by touching the actuation surface in an overlapping area with one of the sensor electrodes a capacitance of a touch capacitor having one of these sensor electrodes is able to be changed, lighting elements of the lighting device being arranged on a rear side of the printed circuit board facing away from the light conductor part and;

through-openings being embodied in the printed circuit board through which the light of the lighting elements is able to be conveyed, and/or

the printed circuit board being embodied transparent or translucent at least in some areas, so that the light is able to be conveyed via the transparent or translucent area.