EP0611151A1 - Anzeiger für ein elektrisches Gerät - Google Patents

Anzeiger für ein elektrisches Gerät Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0611151A1
EP0611151A1 EP94300957A EP94300957A EP0611151A1 EP 0611151 A1 EP0611151 A1 EP 0611151A1 EP 94300957 A EP94300957 A EP 94300957A EP 94300957 A EP94300957 A EP 94300957A EP 0611151 A1 EP0611151 A1 EP 0611151A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control
shutter
display
indicator
actuating member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94300957A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0611151B1 (de
Inventor
John Crawshaw Taylor
Dominic Michael Anthony Oughton
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Strix Ltd
Original Assignee
Strix Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Strix Ltd filed Critical Strix Ltd
Publication of EP0611151A1 publication Critical patent/EP0611151A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0611151B1 publication Critical patent/EP0611151B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00—Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/08—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24C7/082—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
    • G09F9/40—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character is selected from a number of characters arranged one beside the other, e.g. on a common carrier plate

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to indicators for apparatus, particularly electrical apparatus, having rotary control members and in particular, but not exclusively, to indicators showing a power level set by a rotary control for electrical heating appliances such as cooker hot plates, hobs, grills and ovens.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an alternative mechanical system which avoids the need for large numbers of neons or l.e.d.'s and a multiple electrical switch means or electronic encoders and decoders for electronic controls.
  • the invention provides a level indicator associated with a rotary control in or for an electrical or other apparatus, comprising a display means which provides a visible illuminated region whose extent and/or pattern is indicative of the level set by the control, wherein the visible illuminated region of the display means is varied by a shutter means which is coupled to a rotary actuating member of the control.
  • a modern illuminated type of display may therefore be provided without the need to provide a large number of individual electronically controlled indicator bulbs.
  • level will be understood to mean the magnitude of a parameter set by the control.
  • the level may be the power supplied to a heating element.
  • the display means may be illuminated, for example from the front, but preferably it is illuminated from behind and comprises light transmission means whereby the light from a light source (which may, for example, comprise one or more neon bulbs) may be transmitted to an observer.
  • the light transmission means may take several forms, for example one or more apertures, transparent or translucent areas, which are selectively covered and uncovered by the shutter means.
  • the shutter means may be placed either between the light source and the display means or between the display means and the observer. Preferably, however, the shutter means is arranged in front of the display means.
  • the illuminated region provided by the display means may take a variety of forms.
  • the display means may provide a "bar-eight" array of elements, which are selectively covered or uncovered by the shutter means in a desired combination to form the digits 0 to 9.
  • the shutter means may comprise separate shutters for each element, coupled to the actuating member of the control by a suitable mechanism so that upon turning from the 'off' position to the fully 'on' position the digits 0 to 9 say, are sequentially displayed.
  • the display means provides an illuminated scale, wherein a larger or smaller portion of the scale is exposed or illuminated as the actuating member is rotated, to represent the setting of the control.
  • the scale may be formed, in one embodiment, as an arc extending around the actuating member of the control.
  • the display means provides a substantially linear scale.
  • the scale may comprise a series of discrete, aligned areas, in the form of apertures, transparent or translucent regions, through which light may be transmitted and which are selectively covered or uncovered by the shutter means. This arrangement is particularly preferred since it imitates the effect obtained using a plurality of individually controllable discrete neon bulbs or l.e.d's.
  • the effect of a digital or electronic display may be further enhanced by configuring the shutter means so as to change the display between settings in a step-wise manner. This will be discussed further below.
  • the scale may be a single elongate area, again defined by an aperture or transparent or translucent window.
  • the width and/or length of the illuminated area may be increased by movement of the shutter means therealong.
  • the shutter means may comprise a rotary mask adapted to rotate with the actuating member by, for example, being directly mounted to the actuating member.
  • a cam-like profile of varying radius may be formed on an outer periphery of the mask, whereby the outer edge of the mask will selectively cover or expose areas of the display means as it rotates.
  • the mask may have a window formed in it, and the cam-like profile formed on a radially inwardly facing edge of the window.
  • the cam-like profile may be smooth, for example in the form of a smooth spiral. In this way, the area of a display means exposed or covered can be changed in a continuously varying manner.
  • the profile may be formed from a series of discontinuous, for example linear, sections.
  • the discrete sections are joined by steps, preferably radially aligned with the axis of rotation of the mask. This arrangement gives a sharp transition between the display for successive settings.
  • the sections are formed as arcs of successively increasing radii from the centre of rotation of the mask.
  • each section of the profile may be arranged as an arc having a radius which lies between the outer radius of the illuminated area which it is intended to cover, and the inner radius of the next illuminated area.
  • the arc will cover its illuminated area, but will not encroach upon the next area. That area will be covered by the step between that arc and the next, radially more outward, arc upon sufficient rotation of the mask.
  • the sections need not be formed as arcs of constant radius. Rather they can be linear or some other form, so long as the profile between successive steps does not encroach on the next illuminated area during rotation of the mask.
  • the illuminated areas are preferably aligned on a radius extending from the axis of rotation of the mask. This allows a constant spacing between successive illuminated areas to be easily achieved.
  • the arcs of the profile may then be formed on radii lying, for example, halfway between each successive illuminated area.
  • the visual contrast between the mask and the area surrounding the illuminated areas may be minimal to render the sections of the profile lying between the illuminated areas substantially invisible to a user.
  • the display means changes from one setting to another in a step-wise manner, in order to simulate an electronic control.
  • the invention provides a display for a rotary control comprising a rotary actuating member settable in a number of discrete positions representing different settings of the control, and a display modification member coupled to said actuating member for changing said display as said actuating member is rotated, wherein said display modification member is coupled to said actuating member such that said display is changed in a step-wise manner as said actuating member is rotated.
  • the member for changing the display is resiliently loaded to effect this movement, the loading being facilitated by a lost motion mechanism between that member and the actuating member of the control.
  • the display modification member, or shutter is retained in discrete positions by detent means, initial movement of the actuating member acting to pre-load spring means or other resilient means while the modification member remains in its initial position by virtue of the detent means, the pre-loading of the spring means eventually overcoming the retention force of the detent means to allow the modification member to move quickly to its next setting under the spring load.
  • the display modification means is merely a rotary member having symbols representing the settings of the control arranged circumferentially thereabout.
  • the modification means comprises a shutter having sets of apertures arranged in different configurations to simulate the digits of a 'bar-eight' display. This is particularly preferred since it gives the impression of a neon display in which the settings change instantaneously.
  • the display means may be mounted behind a fascia panel of an appliance such as an electrical appliance.
  • the invention provides an appliance comprising an indicator in accordance with the invention.
  • the display means of said indicator is arranged in or behind a fascia panel of the appliance, and a rotary control for said appliance is arranged behind said fascia panel, the actuating member of the control of the appliance extending through said panel for manipulation by a user, and being coupled to the shutter means of said indicator.
  • the appliance is an electric cooker and the control an energy regulator for supplying electrical energy to an element of the cooker.
  • control itself comprises illumination means which are arranged behind the display means of the indicator, to obviate the need for additional, separate, illumination means.
  • the panel has a window through which the display means may be viewed.
  • the window may have a lens to assist a user of the appliance in viewing the display means.
  • a translucent lens is preferred since it enables the display to be viewed from different angles and not just face on.
  • Fig. 1 there is shown a section of a fascia panel 1 of an electric cooker.
  • the electrical supply to an element of the cooker is controlled by an energy regulator 2, the actuating member 3 (Fig. 2) of which extends through the panel 1, and on the end of which is mounted a control knob 4.
  • a translucent lens 5 is provided in the panel 1 for viewing the display means 6 of a power setting indicator 7 (Fig. 2) arranged behind the panel 1.
  • a rotary mask 8 is hinged onto the actuating member 3 of the energy regulator 2 which is arranged behind a further panel 9 of the appliance, so as to rotate with the actuating member.
  • the mask 8 is formed with a window 10 having on a radially inwardly facing edge thereof, a cam-like profile 11 comprising ten discrete portions 12.
  • the display means 6 provides an illuminated scale comprising a series of ten equispaced apertures 13 arranged in a line on a radius extending from the axis of rotation A of the actuating member 3 and mask 8.
  • the apertures may be 2mm in diameter, and they may be spaced apart by 0.5mm.
  • the energy regulator 2 has a neon bulb arranged in an extension portion 14 so as to lie behind the display means 6, so as to illuminate it. If required, a diffuser (not shown) may be arranged between the neon bulb and the apertures 13 to distribute light thereto.
  • the mask 8 will rotate such that the window 10 exposes a greater or lesser number of the apertures 13.
  • the arrangement of the mask 8 is such that when the energy regulator is switched off, none of the apertures 13 is exposed, and that as the setting is steadily increased, more and more illuminated apertures 13 appear.
  • the discrete sections 12 of the profile 11 are each formed on an arc of a constant radius from the axis A, and joined by radially extending steps 15.
  • the radius of any particular section is chosen such that it lies between adjacent apertures 13 on the display means. This arrangement ensures that the apertures 13 become exposed or covered by the steps 15 over a very small arc of rotation of the knob 4, so giving the impression of a bulb being switched on.
  • the mask 8 obscures the remaining three apertures 13.
  • the visual contrast between the mask 8 and the area of the display surrounding the apertures 13 may be minimal and/or the lens 5 be such that the edge sections 12 of the mask will not be easily visible to an observer.
  • the panel 9 may be formed with a slot (not shown) into which different display means 6 may be inserted.
  • Fig. 3 shows an alternative display means in the form of a scale 20 formed as an inverted triangular section window 21. As the actuating member 3 is rotated to a higher setting, the length and width of the scale 20 exposed increases.
  • the apertures 13 could be replaced by transparent or translucent windows or lenses, which may be coloured.
  • the scale need not be linear nor need it be aligned with the axis of rotation of the actuating member.
  • the mask profile could be provided on the outer edge of the mask rather than on a window formed therein.
  • a shutter member 20 is arranged behind the fascia panel 22 of a cooking appliance.
  • the shutter member is coupled to a central actuating member 24 via a lost motion mechanism, as will be described below.
  • the actuating member 24 is keyed to the shaft 26 of a control 28 to rotate therewith upon rotation of a control knob 30.
  • the shutter 20 is an opaque moulded plastics member and is formed around its circumference with groups of apertures 32 arranged to simulate the digits 0 to 9 of a 'bar-eight' display and representing settings of the control 28.
  • the digits 32 pass over, and are illuminated by, a diffuser 34 arranged in a housing 36, which also mounts the shutter 20.
  • the housing 36 has a depending portion 38 which acts to guide light from a light source 40 to the diffuser 34.
  • the fascia panel 22 has a window 42 to allow viewing of the digit 32 above the diffuser 34.
  • the shutter 20 is received in a bore 44 of the housing 36, and has a plurality of notches 46 formed in its lower circumference.
  • a bow-shaped detent spring 48 is mounted on pegs 50 the housing 36 and engages in the notches 46 to retain the shutter in a number of predetermined positions in which digits 32 will appear through the window 42.
  • the assembly sits on a chassis member 62.
  • the shutter member 20 and the actuating member 24 are coupled by a lost motion mechanism.
  • the actuating member 24 has two arcuate peripheral grooves 52 which slidably receives opposed lugs 54 provided on the inner periphery of the shutter member 20.
  • the shutter member fits onto the actuating member 24 from below, the lugs 54 passing through cut outs 60 on the periphery of the member 24.
  • Four partially pre-loaded coil springs 56 of substantially the same spring force are also arranged in the grooves 52 extending between the end walls 58 of the grooves and the opposed side faces 60 of the lugs 54.
  • Fig. 4A shows the display in a first condition in which setting "2" is illuminated.
  • the display is retained in this position by the detent spring 48 engaging in an opposed notch 46 of the shutter.
  • Fig. 4B shows the actuating member 24 as the actuating member 24 is turned anticlockwise, with a view to reducing the control setting to "1", the actuating member 24 moves relative to the shutter 22, this movement being accommodated by the grooves 52.
  • opposed springs 56a, 56b are compressed between the ends 58 of the grooves 52 and the sides 60 of the lugs 54.
  • shutter 20 need not have apertures 32 as described. It could for example merely have printed figures.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
  • Displays For Variable Information Using Movable Means (AREA)
EP19940300957 1993-02-10 1994-02-10 Anzeiger für ein elektrisches Gerät Expired - Lifetime EP0611151B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB939302597A GB9302597D0 (en) 1993-02-10 1993-02-10 Indicator for electrical apparatus
GB9302597 1993-02-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0611151A1 true EP0611151A1 (de) 1994-08-17
EP0611151B1 EP0611151B1 (de) 1997-08-06

Family

ID=10730161

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19940300957 Expired - Lifetime EP0611151B1 (de) 1993-02-10 1994-02-10 Anzeiger für ein elektrisches Gerät

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0611151B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69404689D1 (de)
GB (1) GB9302597D0 (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2188304A1 (es) * 1999-12-02 2003-06-16 Bsh Balay Sa Horno de coccion.
WO2012080128A1 (de) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Bedienvorrichtung für ein hausgerät sowie hausgerät, insbesondere backofen, mit einer bedienvorrichtung
WO2013041518A1 (en) * 2011-09-19 2013-03-28 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Cooker, and combination of cooker and range hood
ITTO20111174A1 (it) * 2011-12-19 2013-06-20 Indesit Co Spa Interfaccia di selezione per il controllo di elettrodomestici
EP2980486A1 (de) * 2014-07-30 2016-02-03 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Betriebsvorrichtung für ein kochfeld sowie kochfeld
US10276316B2 (en) 2017-08-09 2019-04-30 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Control knob assembly for a cooktop appliance

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10330324B2 (en) 2017-03-07 2019-06-25 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Appliance and illuminated knob assembly

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2197759A (en) * 1937-10-28 1940-04-23 Telefunken Gmbh Band-width indicator for receivers
GB772713A (en) * 1953-06-08 1957-04-17 Simplex Electric Co Ltd Improvements relating to indicator devices for electric cooking stoves
US3260830A (en) * 1964-04-01 1966-07-12 Gen Motors Corp Glow ring indicator dial
GB1115442A (en) * 1965-01-25 1968-05-29 Ass Elect Ind Improvements relating to manually settable electrical energy input regulators
FR2239730A1 (de) * 1973-08-04 1975-02-28 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
US3916317A (en) * 1974-04-10 1975-10-28 Gen Instrument Corp Simulated fiber optic VHF channel indicia display
US3972241A (en) * 1971-08-25 1976-08-03 Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. UHF tuner arrangement

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2197759A (en) * 1937-10-28 1940-04-23 Telefunken Gmbh Band-width indicator for receivers
GB772713A (en) * 1953-06-08 1957-04-17 Simplex Electric Co Ltd Improvements relating to indicator devices for electric cooking stoves
US3260830A (en) * 1964-04-01 1966-07-12 Gen Motors Corp Glow ring indicator dial
GB1115442A (en) * 1965-01-25 1968-05-29 Ass Elect Ind Improvements relating to manually settable electrical energy input regulators
US3972241A (en) * 1971-08-25 1976-08-03 Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. UHF tuner arrangement
FR2239730A1 (de) * 1973-08-04 1975-02-28 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
US3916317A (en) * 1974-04-10 1975-10-28 Gen Instrument Corp Simulated fiber optic VHF channel indicia display

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2188304A1 (es) * 1999-12-02 2003-06-16 Bsh Balay Sa Horno de coccion.
WO2012080128A1 (de) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Bedienvorrichtung für ein hausgerät sowie hausgerät, insbesondere backofen, mit einer bedienvorrichtung
WO2013041518A1 (en) * 2011-09-19 2013-03-28 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Cooker, and combination of cooker and range hood
ITTO20111174A1 (it) * 2011-12-19 2013-06-20 Indesit Co Spa Interfaccia di selezione per il controllo di elettrodomestici
EP2980486A1 (de) * 2014-07-30 2016-02-03 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Betriebsvorrichtung für ein kochfeld sowie kochfeld
US10276316B2 (en) 2017-08-09 2019-04-30 Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. Control knob assembly for a cooktop appliance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9302597D0 (en) 1993-03-24
DE69404689D1 (de) 1997-09-11
EP0611151B1 (de) 1997-08-06

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