Rotary selector

A rotary selector as display console for contact-free on and off switching as well as for switching of the automatic control of a number of different cycles of electronically operated domestic applicances, such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers or comparable units. The rotary selector (1) has mutually communicating catch devices and a plate arranged at a distance thereto with a rotary field sensor acording to Hall technology, whereby spring-loaded ball lockings enable defined and switchable rotation of an operating element (2) with magnetic device in ranges up to 360°, and whereby angle-dependent variables for control of a wide range of cycles are generated in a known manner in the rotary field sensor.

The invention relates to a rotary selector as display console for contact-free on and off switching as well as for switching of the automatic control of a number of different cycles of electrically operated domestic appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, dishwashers or comparable units.

Rotary selectors of the abovementioned type are provided on the relevant devices by corresponding means usually fixed in a position suitable for a user, for example on the front side, and act both as manual switching on and off of power and as control of work cycles for the respective device.

Automatic program control established according to predetermined criteria is activated through defined rotation of the switch shaft by means of the corresponding operating element on the rotary selector and after the power supply is switched on.

For this purpose a magnetic device attached to the switch shaft is rotated in a defined manner relative to a rotary field sensor fixed at a distance according to Hall technology, at which the control of corresponding component sets is introduced with respect to a preset number, the type and the duration of preset cycles in the above devices.

Assigned to different angled positions of the magnetic device relative to the rotary field sensor in this way is a wide range of cycles, which are preselected randomly via the rotary selector and then automatically processed by the device.

Through their friction, minimal only in the region of the swivel-mounting of the switch shaft, these rotary selectors work quasi friction-free and additionally contact-free, resulting in a long service life. In addition, these rotary selectors can be used for high acting area temperatures on account of components and building elements being used.

By rotating the magnetic device relative to the rotary field sensor it is possible for example, to induce as many as 256 different switch positions on the periphery of a revolution of the magnet of 360°, which can be employed to control any program functions in devices of the type initially mentioned.

The disadvantage however of rotary selectors of the abovementioned type is that they themselves are expensive to assemble and additionally to adjust in the respective devices. Also, the various switch positions of the switch shaft of the rotary selector cannot be reproduced precisely.

The object of the invention is to provide a rotary selector for the program control of domestic appliances, which can be switched precisely and which additionally is easy to mount in the respective devices.

This task is solved as specified in claim1. Advantageous configurations and further developments of the invention are described in associated independent claims.

The invention advantageously enables assembly of the rotary selector to be simplified and its function to be improved by an exactly presettable position of a selected program step or also of a complete program. In addition, costs are lowered by simplifying assembly in the respective devices.

Compared to the abovementioned solutions the rotary selector according to the invention has a smaller footprint, resulting in a reduction in space requirement in the corresponding device, for example in a laundrette. In addition, variations of program positions or changes in the locking contour can be achieved easily, while the rotary selector remains constant, and customer demands can be better catered for.

The sets of components joined together axially by the plug-in system—rotatable control part, guide component and plate—of the inventive rotary selector also beneficially enable them to be exchanged problem-free, for example when repair or maintenance are required, thus reducing the repair time and uses for error analysis.

The rotary selector-according to the present invention is insensitive to heat, as are previous solutions, and can therefore be utilised problem-free up to an acting temperature range of approximately 120° C.

The measures provided according to a first and second further development of the invention are particularly suited to precisely set the respective switch position for a corresponding program as compared to the rotary field sensor. Each of the switch positions can be recognised both acoustically and by feel by the ball catch, so that the selected program step can easily be set or corrected.

The measure provided according to a third further development of the invention provides the arrangement of catch balls in the operating element, for which the guide component is used with a number of axial depressions adapted by the balls, in a for example truncated tapering in the panel of the device.

Compared to simple use the double ball catch has the advantage of more uniform locking. The number of depressions is to be made in both forms relative to the number of program steps, whereby a relatively large radius of the locking contour is assigned on a large program scale.

The assembly of the rotatable operating element can be done easily by compressing the balls and axial insertion in the guide component at a corresponding position.

The advantage according to a fourth further development as an alternative to the above variant is in particular that the locking contour is easier to produce, because its depressions are to be machined on the periphery with projected tip. In particular this variant can be employed in a small program scale.

The advantage of a fifth further development of the invention is that the rotary field sensor can be adjusted precisely relative to the magnetic device in order to thus achieve precise program assignation to the respective positioning of the operating element.

A possibility of fixing the operating element in the panel of the device is possible via a sixth further development of the invention, if parts of a thread pitch in the operating element correspond to parts of an identical thread pitch in the panel. Simple assembly of the operating element at a corresponding position similar to a screw-type cap is easy to effect by its axial insertion in the locking contour with subsequent brief rotary movement.

The measure provided according to a seventh further development serves both to rotate the operating element and as axial fixing, whereby proportional tolerance is provided between the opposing parts rotatable in an axial direction.

The following configurations of the invention are particularly suited to integrating the function of the main switch in the function of the rotary selector. Through ensuing contact of the spring element on one of the retaining pegs with corresponding rotation of the operating element with a microbutton arranged at a preset position on the plate, the switching functions of the voltage supply are enabled both “on” and “off” via a relay.

The characteristics provided according to a tenth and eleventh configuration of the invention are suited to indirectly illuminating the immediate environment of the carrier on the operating element and the panel, thus significantly improving the recognisability of the respective program positions of the rotary selector in particular in unfavourable illuminations conditions.

The characteristics of the twelfth configuration of the invention on the one hand enable the plate to be provided as a part of a printed circuit board with corresponding electrical connections to the printed circuit board, or the printed circuit board itself to be connected directly to the guide component, simplifying assembly.

Also shown are which effects of the rotary selector according to the invention acts on the remaining control components during use.

InFIG. 1of the drawing a rotary selector according to the invention is characterised with position1, illustrated schematically with its parts shown in exploded drawing. For the sake of simplicity in the described embodiment no further detail is gone into for the required electrical connections.

According toFIG. 1the rotary selector1has a rotatable operating element2, which has a for example circular carrier3with a rotary knob4arranged in the middle of its axis A.

Arranged on the carrier3in the design described are legs5, on which a catch element6is provided centrically, here formed from a hollow-cylindrical body.

The catch element6has at least one ball7, which is mounted with defined pressure in a ball guide8machine in the wall with a diameter matching the ball7in known fashion against a spring element counteracting inside the catch element6, for example a compression spring9.

In the design described here a double ball catch with two balls7is provided, which are mounted in the wall of the catch element6arranged exactly opposite and through spring-loaded pressure in the ball guide8. A magnetic device10known per se with a preset magnetic field is fixed centrally on an adjoining surface in an axial direction of the catch element6.

Also provided on a periphery in the edge region of the same surface is a number of hooked designed retaining pegs11arranged uniformly at a distance, and acting radially outward. The distance12provided on the underside of the outwardly directed hooked form corresponds with the thickness of the guide component17at the relevant place. Arranged on at least one of the retaining pegs11at its outer end is a spring element13pointing radially inwards.

Arranged in the further direction of the axis A in a panel14adapted to the respective device as part of its cladding in a depression16formed by a recess15is a hollow-cylindrical formed guide component17.

Inside the guide component17is a locking contour18, whereof the axially arranged, fluted depressions19are adapted to the geometry of the balls7of the catch element6. The number of depressions19is identical to the number of possible switch positions of the rotary selector1.

The depressions19are thus to be produced by free selection with respect to number and form, by which different program steps and additionally different quantities of programs can be made available per rotary selector and device in agreement with the associated software, for example according to customer wish.

Openings20are made in an annular leg between the recess15and the guide component17likewise annular and at a distance to one another, resulting in a partially open connection to the area of the recess16. Provided on the upper, circular surface21of the guide component17according to the diagram in the present design are guide pins22at defined positions arranged opposite on the same part circle.

A plate23is shown in a further axial direction according to the diagram, which is formed for example in circular disc form and is in connection with a printed circuit board42for accommodating required electrical components for switching and control of the device.

The plate23has at least one, preferably two bores as guides24, which correspond to the guide pins22in the guide component17as centring to their positioning.

Arranged on the underside of the plate23as illustrated according to the diagram in a centric recess centrally to the axis A is a rotary field sensor25known per se, which is connected electrically to the abovementioned means of the printed circuit board42.

Also, arranged in the lower edge area of the plate23to a defined extent and at a distance to one another are lighting means, for example light-emitting diodes27, which are connected electrically to a corresponding supply device and are provided to illuminate for example in each case on the carrier3and on the panel14of dials provided.

Finally, in the recess in question on the underside of the plate23is a microbutton26in such a position that in certain situations this is in working connection with the spring element13of the one retaining peg11. The microbutton26is provided here as a suitable switching device for a not illustrated relay, which in the present embodiment serves as switching the power supply on and off for a respective device of the initial type.

The plate23can be designed for example as part of the abovementioned, printed circuit board42for the component groups of the control or it can be integrated in a printed circuit board42, which is then connected to the guide component17.

FIG. 2finally shows a variant (illustrated offset) of the double ball catch of the operating element of the rotary selector1rotatable about its axis A, which here is designated with position28, whereby a carrier29and a control knob30are provided similarly toFIG. 1.

Contrary to the illustration inFIG. 1a locking contour31and a defined arranged threaded part32are located on the operating element28, while balls33with spring elements34are installed in spring guides35in the panel of the device, not illustrated here.

By way of the described arrangement the locking contour31is easier to manufacture, and additionally simplifying assembly in the corresponding counterpart of the panel originates through the threaded part32, in that the operating element is “screwed in” through a position corresponding to the respective program preset in the correspondingly preset opening in the panel and fixed therein.

The operating element2is inserted by compressing the balls7on the catch element6in the locking contour18of the guide component17for assembling the described rotary selector1such that the retaining pegs11contact the circular surface21on the guide component17.

At the same time corresponding measures ensure that the operating element2is mounted to catch and rotate corresponding to capacity and the locking of the balls7in the grooves19.

In completion of the rotary selector1the plate23attached by means of its guides24on the guide pins22, guaranteeing exact positioning of the rotary field sensor25relative to the magnetic device10mounted rotatably at a distance. The microbutton26is located opposite the spring element13on one of the retaining pegs11.

The abovementioned and centric recess, not detailed here, in the plate23enables a distance from the surface21for a free rotary movement of the operating element2with the retaining pegs11, whereby according to the design of the rotary selector1described here at first contacting of the spring element13for example switching on occurs, and at second contacting, for example by turning back the operating element2, the power supply is switched off via the microbutton16.

When the plate23is in the attached state on the guide component17the light-emitting diodes27are in the vicinity of the openings20, resulting in indirect lighting of the depression16, in the panel14in the vicinity of the disc-shaped carrier3, for example for better recognition of program symbols and other information.

The operation of the inventive rotary selector will now be briefly described hereinbelow:

The rotary selector1serves as display console for on and off switching and automatic control of a number of different cycles of electrically operated devices, such as washing machines40having a drum41, dryers, dishwashers or comparable appliances.

For this the operating element2mounted rotatably in the rotary selector1is connected with its magnetic device10arranged on the catch element6with defined and set magnetic field contact-free with the magnetic rotary field sensor25.

Integrated in the rotary field sensor25is an interface which transfers an angle-dependent code to an electronic evaluation and control unit for recognition of a set angle or respectively of a corresponding position of a marking on the operating element2relative to another marking with its defined rotating. A freely specifiable program sequence is assigned to a position preset by the magnetic device10in the rotary field sensor25.

The full angle of rotation of 360° C. can be divided in a known manner with the rotary selector1of the abovementioned type into as many as two hundred and fifty six bit patterns, whereby each bit pattern is assigned the abovementioned, respective program sequence by the corresponding control unit.

The advantages of the novel rotary selector in particular are that when the characteristics of the initially mentioned solutions are utilised its assembly and maintenance are substantially simplified, customer wishes are better catered to and precise selection, perceptible and also audible through locking, of corresponding, otherwise contact-free switchable programs can be made in addition to the plurality of differing applications.