Patent Publication Number: US-2009217920-A1

Title: Operational Module

Description:
The invention relates to an operational module for a door of a domestic appliance, especially a cooker, to a corresponding domestic appliance door as well as to a domestic appliance with the door. 
     A switchable glass door for domestic appliances is known from DE 297 22 024 U1, in which a ‘glass keypad’ is integrated on or into the glass door. In this case the control panel is the transparent glass door itself. The keypad can comprise an LCD display or a monitor. A control strip can be dispensed with. The evaluation electronics necessary for the operational control unit is accommodated in a reduced-temperature insulated area of the oven. The disadvantage in this case is that the unit is comparatively expensive to manufacture and repair. In addition the electronics makes it difficult for the users with poor sight and limited tactile capabilities to operate the device. In particular the longevity of the electrical and thin-film-components is also not guaranteed. 
     Pushbutton elements are also known from DE 299 19 792 U1 of which the operating surface is embodied from a glass pane. 
     A microwave oven is known from DE 30 37 277 A1 in which electrically controllable operational facilities for manual operation are accommodated on the door. Also disclosed are keypads located behind a front surface of a door, which in accordance with this device can advantageously extend up to the front of the oven compartment opening. Since the door occupies the whole of the front of the oven, a separate control panel can be omitted. 
     A microwave oven is known from DE 38 29 913 A1 in which switching, control and/or display means are built into the oven compartment door and are located behind a front window. 
     DE 201 03 517 U1 describes a cooking appliance with functionalized oven door, in which the contacts are applied to the door in the form of foils and in particular displays are able to be projected onto the at least partly transparent door, such as in a so-called head-up display for example. The display and/or operating element can also be fitted detachably to the cooking appliance door. 
     WO 97/26486 discloses an oven with operational controls integrated into a handle. 
     A cooking appliance door is known from EP 1 120 606 A2 which has control switches and display panels distributed in its door, which fit flush with the front of the door. This is comparatively expensive to manufacture and to wire. 
     The object of the invention is to provide an option for simple and low-cost manufacturing and for simple installation, easy maintenance and improved handling of operational controls. 
     The object is achieved by an operational module as claimed in claim  1 , a domestic appliance door as claimed in claim  24  and a domestic appliance as claimed in claim  25 . Advantageous embodiments emerge in particular from the subclaims, individually or in combination. 
     The operational module has at least one operational control and is able to be inserted at least partly into a recess in the cooking appliance door. 
     An operational control in this case can be a defined constructional or functional group which forms a part of a whole and can be modified or exchanged without interventions or modifications being needed to the rest of the system (cf. Bibliographisches Institut &amp; F. A. Brockhaus A G, Mannheim; Spektrum Akademischer Verlag GmbH, Heidelberg, 2003); This can expediently be a housing able to be separated from the domestic appliance door with at least the built-in operational control/operational controls. 
     Compared to distributed individual operational controls, this operational module has the advantage of needing fewer and simpler installation steps and of being easier to replace. Compared to elements arranged behind the door front there is the advantage of the door itself possibly being thinner since the housing can project outwards; In addition a greater diversity of switching elements (knobs, rocker switches) is possible, which can also be easier to operate. Compared to control units accommodated on the door there is also the advantage of more reliable attachment, e.g. by clamping to the door, a less protruding design and a simpler connection to other device components, e.g. a power supply. 
     As well as operational controls (switches, knobs, buttons, sliders etc.) and/or display elements (LED displays, alphanumeric displays such as full-pixel LED panels etc.) the operational module can expediently also feature associated electrics and/or electronics as well as suitable communication means for data transmission with other components, e.g. cables, cable connections, evaluation and/or control electronics, wireless transmission units or similar. 
     To reduce heat being taken up from the door or an inner chamber of the domestic appliance—e.g. a cooking chamber—the respective operational module advantageously features a part which projects outwards (viewed from inside the domestic appliance), which projects outwards from the door surface after being built into the door, and also a part able to be inserted into the recess which preferably projects backwards from the part able to be inserted into the recess. This enables the thickness or mounting depth of the door to be reduced and better operability is able to be achieved 
     In this case it is useful for the insertable part of the operational module especially to accommodate electrical and/or electronic components whereas the projecting part especially includes operational controls. Such an arrangement makes it possible to provide a large control panel which can also jut out sideways (upwards, downwards, to the left and/or to the right in an overhead view of the door) beyond the recess, whereas the recess itself can be kept expediently small to provide a barrier against heat. 
     Provision of a part of the operational module (viewed towards the door) jutting out sideways beyond the recess or beyond the part of the operational module that can be inserted into the recess can be generally advantageous for reasons of heat dissipation and better operability. 
     For reasons of sealing the inside of the door against the environment it is advantageous for the part jutting out sideways (i.e. left-side, right-side, upwards and/or downwards) beyond the recess to be placed on a front door panel, e.g. an outer or front pane of the domestic appliance door, especially with a seal. 
     For further sealing of a side of the appliance door, especially with recesses open to the side, it is advantageous for the operational module to feature a cover plate which is suitable for covering at least one part, preferably the part of the side edge of the domestic appliance opened by the recess. In this case it is also expedient for a seal to the side edge of the appliance door to already be present in the area of the cover plate. 
     It can be advantageous for example, for easier replacement and for better attachment of the operational module for the cover plate to project in a sideways direction beyond the area adjoining it of the (upper, lower, left-hand and/or right-hand) side edge. 
     The aforementioned applies especially for doors which cover a side of the domestic appliance without use of a control panel. The optimization of the heat shielding is especially useful for doors with a fully-glazed surface—possibly except for a narrow frame. 
     To optimize the function of the operational module it is expedient for the greater part of the operational controls, especially all operational controls, to be accommodated in a single operational module. Only a single recess in the door is then required and thus only one insertion and attachment process. Repair by exchanging the entire operational module is then easier. 
     It is advantageous for simple operation for the operational module to feature at least one display panel, e.g. a pixel-controllable LCD display, as well as at least one rotary switch or knob. In this case it is especially expedient for the at least one rotary switch to be arranged below the display panel. 
     For improved, especially simple and intuitive user guidance it is useful for buttons to be positioned to the side of the display panel, especially if the buttons are positioned to the left or to the right of the display panel, particularly if the buttons are positioned symmetrically to the left or to the right of the display panel. 
     It is also advantageous for the buttons to be pushbuttons since they then essentially form one surface plane with the display panel. 
     It is advantageous for example for improved user friendliness and for improved cleanability for the buttons and the display panel to be covered by a common cover, especially a common pane, e.g. a plastic pane. 
     Especially advantageous is an operational module in which the display panel and/or the buttons are accommodated in the area of the outwards-projecting part lying opposite the part able to be inserted into the recess, since control and evaluation electronics can be brought nearer to these operational controls, especially the display panel. 
     It is also advantageous for the at least one rotary switch to be arranged on the part jutting out sideways beyond the recess, and especially to be able to be placed on a door panel, since in this way the size and position of the rotary switch is not restricted by the recess and the recess can be kept small. This applies especially since associated evaluation electronics is not needed, or the rotary switch can be simple and small by comparison with the control electronics. 
     To avoid users catching themselves on an edge of the operational module the part projecting outwards is expediently at least partly tapered at an edge area, typically from the front surface to the rear, e.g. back towards the front door panel. It is then useful for maintaining a large packing volume of the operational module for the part jutting out sideways beyond the recess, to be tapered, especially back towards the front door panel. In this case the part jutting out sideways beyond the recess can expediently be tapered in one or more directions (e.g. on the left, on the right and/or upwards or downwards). It is especially advantageous for the operational module to be tapered, e.g. touched, on a side facing away from the domestic appliance door. The operational controls, e.g. rotary switches, can also be accommodated in an area which is partly tapered and partly not tapered. 
     For ease of operation it is advantageous for the switches to be arranged in pairs symmetrically around a central axis of the operation device. The central axis can be perpendicular to the edge of the appliance and can especially be a vertical central axis. 
     For secure attachment the operational module ( 2 ,  33 ) has at least one attachment element in its rear area, especially in the part to be inserted in the recess, especially a threaded hole for accepting a screw. 
     The object is also achieved by a domestic appliance door, especially a cooker door, specifically an oven door with at least one recess for accepting at least one of the operational modules described above, into which an operational module can be inserted. The door can especially be a door for cookers, especially for ovens. 
     It is advantageous for the operating module to be inserted partly into the recess of the door and to partly project outwards. Expediently the insertable part of the operational module especially accepts electrical and/or electronic components, while the part projecting outwards especially includes the operational controls. 
     The recess can be made at different depths in the domestic appliance door as required. To minimize the effect of a recess on an appliance door, only the front door panel, e.g. the front pane, needs to be provided with the recess. Depending on requirements, e.g. the internal structure of the door, the embodiment of the operational module or cooling requirements, the recess can also pass through further door elements, e.g. further door panes, partitions or areas of insulation. In this case it is also possible for the recess to pass through the entire appliance door, so that the part of the operational module able to be inserted into the recess can be pushed through the door. 
     The recess can for example include or represent a cutout open to the side of at least the front door panel; this is advantageous for simpler installation. Alternatively the recess can be surrounded by material of at least the front panel on all sides. The recess can also be open on two sides. It is also possible for the recess to be shaped differently in different layers of the door, e.g. as a recess opening to the side in the front pane and as an enclosed recess in a pane lying behind this. 
     The part projecting outwards can also extend sideways in any direction (i.e. to the left side, to the right side, upwards and/or downwards) beyond the part to be inserted into the recess. 
     It can also be useful for the door to have a full glass front into which the recess is made. With a full glass door in particular it is useful for the door handle to be integrated into the side of the door. 
     The object is also achieved by a domestic appliance, especially a cooking appliance, which features the door described above with at least one operational module described above suitable for use therein. This applies especially to domestic appliances without a separate control panel. 
    
    
     
       In the figures below the invention is described by schematic exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments do not restrict the invention which is defined by the scope of the claims. The same parts are identified throughout by the same reference symbols. 
         FIG. 1  shows a sketch viewed from outside at an angle of a built-in oven with operational module; 
         FIG. 2  shows the front side of the operational module from  FIG. 1  viewed from an angle; 
         FIG. 3  shows the rear of the operational module from  FIGS. 1 and 3  viewed from an angle; 
         FIG. 4  shows the operational module from  FIG. 1 to 3  in a cross-sectional view from the side; 
         FIG. 5  shows the front of an operational control viewed at an angle: 
         FIG. 6  shows, in a schematic overhead view of the front, a number of options for embodying the oven door. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows an oven door  1  of an oven, into which an operational module  2  is inserted. The oven door  1  completely covers the front side of the oven, so that the latter does not have to have a separate control panel. On its outer side or front side the oven door  1  has a full-surface outer glass pane  4  as its front door panel held only by a narrow metal frame  3 . For heat insulation the oven door I further features an inner glass pane  5  with an inner door area being formed between panes  4 ,  5 . Further glass panes can be present in parallel to this. A panel  6  is inserted into this inner door area, which is used for eye protection and for air flow guidance. A cutout  7  in the panel  6  defines a viewing window. Inserted into the strip  6  are ventilation slots  8  in the lower part for introducing fresh air. The upper air outlet vent holes are not shown here. The oven door  1  can be opened and closed by a handle  9  on one side. 
     The operational module  2  projects forwards and upwards from the outer glass pane  4 . Its front side lies partly in parallel to the surface of the outer glass pane  4 , but is tapered in a lower edge area towards the outer glass pane  4 . The projecting sides of the operational module  2  are not tapered, nor is the part projecting upwards. 
       FIG. 2  shows the operational module  2  from  FIG. 1  in greater detail, viewed at an angle from the front. In a common housing  10  the operational module  2  comprises a display unit in the form of a pixel-controlled LCD display  11 , to the left and to the right of which are accommodated three touch-sensitive buttons  12 . LCD display  11  and buttons  12  are covered by a common plastic pane  13 . To the side below the LCD display  11  are positioned two rotary knobs  14  as further switches. The knobs  14  in this case are also located below the area  15  to be inserted in the recess on a part  16  projecting out from the appliance door  1 . The part  16  projecting out from the appliance door is partly tapered downwards; the knobs  14  are located partly in the tapered area, partly in the non-tapered area. On its upper edge the operational module  2  has a cover plate  17  that can cover one edge of an appliance door and here also encloses one edge of the plastic pane. 
     The display  11 , the buttons  12  and the knobs  14  are arranged symmetrically in relation to a vertical center line I-I. 
       FIG. 3  shows the operational module  2  from  FIGS. 1 and 2  viewed from behind at an angle. The part  15  to be inserted into the recess has electrical terminals  30  as its electronics outlet area  24 . A seal  25  surrounding the rear edge area is clearly visible in the diagram. In the area of the rotary switches  14  the seal  25  rests against the front door front and seals the inside of the door and the operational module  2  from their surroundings. In the upper rear edge area, which is covered here by the upper cover plate  17 , the seal  25  passes just below the cover plate  17 , as also shown below in  FIG. 5 . It can be seen that the plastic pane  13  is located approximately in front of the part  15  able to be inserted into the recess. 
     For attaching it to the appliance door  1 , the operational module  2  has two threaded holes  21  integrated into the housing  10 , into which attachment screws (not shown) are able to be screwed. 
       FIG. 4  shows the operational module  2  from  FIG. 1 to 3  from the side in a sectional view along the line I-I from  FIG. 2 , built into a cooker door  1 . The projecting area  16  can be seen, as indicated by the arrow  31  pointing to the right, as well as the part  15  able to be inserted into a recess  28  in the outer pane  4 , as indicated by the arrow  31  pointing to the left. The projecting part  16  includes the operational controls such as the knob  14 , the LCD display  11  accommodated behind a plastic pane  13  as well as the touch-sensitive buttons (not shown), which are all accommodated in a common housing  10 . The part  15  able to be inserted into the recess  28  includes electronics  29  for evaluating the signals of the operational controls  14 ; also present in this housing is a loudspeaker  31  controlled by the electronics  29 , for example for creating clicking noises when the knobs  14  are turned. 
     It can be easily seen that the part belonging to the outwards-projecting part  16  of the operational module  2  projecting down beyond the recess  28  that is indicated by the associated arrow  31  rests with its seal  25  on the outer pane  4 . The rotary switches  14  thus also rest on the front door front, if necessary at a slight distance from it. The part  27  projecting beyond the recess  28  shows the taper  32  towards the outer front pane  4 . The rotary switches  14  are partly arranged in the surface in parallel to the front glass pane  4 , partly in the tapered part  32 . 
     It can also be seen that the upper cover plate  17  covers a part of the side edge of the cooker door  1  and also seals against it by means of the seal  25 . The cover plate  17  projects upwards beyond the delimiting upper side edge of the cooker door  1  which in this cutout is formed by an edge finishing strip  26 . 
     The recess  28  into which the operational module  2  is inserted is only made in the outer glass pane  4 ; a second glass pane  5  behind this does not have a recess for accommodating the operational module  2 . The recess  28  here is a recess open on its upper side. 
     The operational module mounting space  20  is defined by the outer glass pane  4 , the second, inner glass pane  5 , the edge finishing strip  26  and the partition  22  provided for thermal decoupling from the lower area of door inner space  18 , which is sealed off by the operational module  2 . Located in the operational module mounting space  20  are the electronics housing part  24  with the electronics  29  which is able to be inserted into the recess  28 . 
     The door ventilation opening  19  is provided for further thermal decoupling of operational module mounting space  20  and inner door space  19 , through which warm air can escape from the area opposite the cooking compartment. Furthermore the ventilation opening  23  is present in the edge finishing strip, through which the rear of the operational module mounting space  20  is cooled. 
       FIG. 5  shows a further operational module  33  with a display unit  11  and touch-sensitive buttons  12 , but this module now has separate knobs  34 . The lower edge  35  of this operational module  33  is a part  36  projecting outwards and also extends downwards to one side over the part  15  to be inserted, so that here too the display  11  and buttons  12  are arranged in front of the outer panel of a door. The lower edge likewise has a tapered part  37 . 
     Alternatively the rotary switches  34  can also be integrated to the side into the operational module  33 , i.e., incorporated into the housing. Then for example the part jutting out sideways to the left or to the right beyond the recess can accept a rotary switch in each case and can also be tapered, e.g. downwards and/or to the left or right. 
     In a further embodiment for example the cover plate can be fitted at the bottom and the operational module can be tapered at the top, especially to accommodate it on an underside of the door. 
       FIG. 6  shows a sketch of an overhead view from the front of an outer door panel  38  with five selected typical forms of the arrangement of recess  39  to  44 , which are marked by the dotted and dashed areas A 1  to A 6 . The areas A 1  to A 6  can be present in an actual version individually, a number of times or in combination, and can be at any suitable location on the oven door. In the figure the location of the thermal delimiting walls which defines the operational module mounting space  20  here, e.g. strips, ribs, insulating walls etc. in the space within the door is indicated by dashed lines, whereas the outer limit of the operational module on the outer side of the front door panel  38  is shown by a dashed line. 
     In the area A 1  the recess  39  is made in the outer front pane  4  open at the top, so that the module can for example be inserted from above. In this case it can also protrude upwards. The associated thermal delimitation shown as a dotted line in the inner space of the door surrounds the recess except for the upper section and thus also defines the operational module mounting space  20 . The outer projecting part of the operational module extends to the left and the right here as well as downwards beyond the thermal delimitation or the operational module mounting space, if required upwards as well. 
     If better thermal shielding is required, the operational module mounting space can be chosen large enough for the projecting part of the operational module for example in the sideways direction (to the left, to the right, upwards and/or downwards) to jut out beyond the recess, but not to jut out beyond the operational module mounting space. 
     In area A 2  the projecting part of the operational module only juts out downwards beyond the recess and the operational module mounting area, in area A 3  it only juts out sideways. 
     Area A 4  has a structure which is functionally similar to that of area A 1 , but is now in the left side of the door panel  38 . Here the operational module can also project sideways beyond the edge of the front door panel  38 . 
     Area A 5  differs from areas A 1  through A 4  in that the recess  43  is completely enclosed by the outer pane  38 ; the projecting part of the operational module extends sideways here in all directions beyond the recess and beyond the operational module mounting area. 
     Area A 6  corresponds in its structure to areas A 1  and A 4 , the recess  47  is arranged open towards the lower side of the door  38 , thus the cover plate is also arranged expediently on the lower side of the operational module. 
     The figure also shows that a number of recesses (here: Areas A 1  through A 3 ) are separated by a common thermal separator or divider from the hot area of the door  38 . 
     The invention is not restricted to the features of the above embodiments. Although its use in hot/cold doors is especially advantageous, the invention can be applied to all domestic appliances equipped with a door. 
     Also for example the door can be equipped with other walls, made of metal, plastic etc. for example. The walls also do not have to be transparent. With transparent panes materials other than glass can be used. 
     In addition the ventilation does not have to have the form shown in the exemplary embodiments; thus for example the air can be guided around the cooking chamber in other ways, ventilation inlets and outlets can be positioned elsewhere, and so forth. Ventilation can also be dispensed with; the door can then even manage without a hollow inner space. 
     Furthermore a number of modules can be inserted into a recess, and as an alternative or in addition a number of recesses each with one operational module can be used. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
     
         
           1  Oven door 
           2  Operational module 
           3  Metal frame 
           4  Outer glass pane 
           5  Inner glass pane 
           6  Panel 
           7  Cutout 
           8  Ventilation slots 
           9  Handle 
           10  Housing 
           11  LCD display 
           12  Touch-sensitive buttons 
           13  Protective plastic pane 
           14  Knob 
           15  Part of the operational module able to be inserted into a recess 
           16  Part of the operational module projecting outwards 
           17  Cover plate 
           18  Door inner space 
           19  Door ventilation opening 
           20  Operational module mounting area 
           21  Threaded holes in housing 
           22  Strip 
           23  Ventilation opening 
           24  Area to accommodate electronics 
           25  Seal 
           26  Edge finishing strip 
           27  Surface-mounted part 
           28  Recess 
           29  Electronics 
           30  Electrical terminals 
           31  Loudspeaker 
           32  Tapered part 
           33  Operational module 
           34  Knob 
           35  Lower edge 
           36  Part of the operational module projecting outwards 
           37  Tapered part 
           38  Front door panel 
           39  Recess 
           40  Recess 
           41  Recess 
           42  Recess 
           43  Recess 
           44  Recess 
         A 1 -A 6  Operational module areas