阅读说明：本技术 用于家用器具的基于接触和无接触的电容变化检测用的操作设备、家用器具和方法 (Operating device for a household appliance for detecting a change in capacitance on the basis of contact and contactless, household appliance and method ) 是由 R·阿尔特 T·E·贝利沃 R·格罗布莱本 E·莱因米勒 L·梅特纳 T·波普 K·舍恩 于 2020-10-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于家用器具(1)的操作设备(2),其具有操作表面(3),操作表面构造用于在通过用户(14)操作操作设备(2)时调节家用器具(1)的至少一个运行条件,其中在操作表面(3)的下侧面(4)上构造有电容式的检测装置(5),用于电容式地检测操作,其中电容式的检测装置(5)构造为触敏的检测装置(5),并且构造用于以基于接触的电容变化为基础来检测用户(14)的通过经由用户(14)接触上侧面(3)的操作,并且附加地构造用于,在操作表面(3)上通过操作元件(7)在无接触的电容变化的基础上检测用户(14)的通过操作设备(2)的由用户(14)操作的操作元件(7)进行的操作。此外,本发明还涉及家用器具(1)和方法。(The invention relates to an operating device (2) for a household appliance (1), having an operating surface (3) which is designed to adjust at least one operating condition of the household appliance (1) when the operating device (2) is operated by a user (14), wherein a capacitive detection device (5) is formed on the underside (4) of the operating surface (3) for the capacitive detection of an operation, wherein the capacitive detection device (5) is designed as a touch-sensitive detection device (5), and is designed to detect a manipulation of the user (14) by touching the upper side (3) by the user (14) on the basis of a change in the contact-based capacitance, and additionally is designed to, an operation of a user (14) by means of an operating element (7) of an operating device (2) operated by the user (14) is detected on the operating surface (3) by means of the operating element (7) on the basis of a contactless change in capacitance. The invention further relates to a household appliance (1) and a method.)

1. Operating device (2) for a household appliance (1), having an operating surface (3) which is designed to adjust at least one operating condition of the household appliance (1) when the operating device (2) is operated by a user (14), wherein a lower side (4) of the operating surface (3) is designed with a capacitive detection device (5) for capacitively detecting an operation, wherein the lower side (4) is designed opposite an upper side (6) which faces the user (14) during operation and forms an outer side of the operating device (2), characterized in that the capacitive detection device (5) is designed as a touch-sensitive detection device (5) and is designed to detect an operation of the user (14) by contacting the upper side (3) by the user (14) on the basis of a contact-based change in capacitance, and is additionally designed to detect an actuation of the user (14) by the actuation element (7) of the actuation device (2) actuated by the user (14) on the basis of a contactless change in capacitance by the actuation element (7) on the actuation surface (3).

2. Operating device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the capacitive detection means (5) are configured as a membrane sensor (8).

3. Operating device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the membrane sensor (8) has a diamond-like structure of the detection element (13) of the capacitive detection means (5).

4. Operating device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the membrane sensor (8) has a plurality of side-by-side detection elements (13) which are evaluated independently of one another by means of a capacitive detection device (5).

5. Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the touch-sensitive detection means (5) are configured as touch-sensitive display means (9) and are configured for displaying at least one symbol (11) and detecting a contact.

6. Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (7) is configured for being placed on the operating surface (3) without damage and to be removed, and/or in that the operating element (7) is configured for being freely movable over the operating surface (3), and/or in that the operating surface (3) is configured without a gap.

7. Operating device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (7) is configured magnetically and that the operating element (7) is held on the operating surface (3) by means of a magnet arrangement (15) of the operating device (2).

8. Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive detection means (5) are configured to detect a self-capacitance and/or a mutual capacitance and thus a change in capacitance.

9. Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive detection means (5) are configured to detect the relative position of the operating element (7) with respect to the operating surface (3) and to adjust at least one operating condition as a function of the detected position, and/or in that the capacitive detection means (5) are configured to detect the relative orientation of the operating element (7) with respect to the operating surface (3) and to adjust at least one operating condition as a function of the detected orientation.

10. Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive detection means (5) are configured for detecting multi-finger gesture recognition.

11. Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (7) has a plurality of electrodes (13) which interact with a capacitive detection means (5) and detect a contactless operation on the basis of the interaction.

12. Operating device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitive detection means (5) are configured for simultaneously detecting a contact-based change in capacitance and a contact-free change in capacitance.

13. Household appliance (1) with an operating device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the household appliance (1) is in particular a cooking appliance.

14. Household appliance (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the operating surface (3) is arranged horizontally and/or vertically on the household appliance (1) in case of regular use of the household appliance (1).

15. Method for operating an operating device (2) for a household appliance (1), wherein at least one operating condition of the household appliance (1) is adjusted when the operating device (2) is operated by a user (14) by means of an operating surface (3), wherein capacitive detection means (5) are provided on a lower side (4) of the operating surface (3) for capacitively detecting an operation, wherein the lower side (3) is provided opposite an upper side (6) which faces the user (14) during operation and forms an outer side of the operating device (2), characterized in that the capacitive detection means (3) are provided as touch-sensitive detection means (5) and an operation of the user (14) by contacting the upper side (6) via the user (14) is detected on the basis of a contact-based capacitance change, and additionally the operation of the user (14) by means of the operating element (7) of the operating device (2) operated by the user (14) is detected by means of the operating element (7) on the basis of the contactless change in capacitance.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance, having an operating surface which is designed to adjust at least one operating condition of the household appliance when the operating device is operated by a user, wherein a capacitive detection device is designed on a lower side of the operating surface for capacitively detecting an operation, wherein the lower side is designed opposite to an upper side which faces the user when operating and forms an outer side of the operating device. The invention further relates to a household appliance having an operating device and to a method for operating an operating device.

Background

A plurality of operating devices for operating a household appliance have been known for a long time from the prior art. For this purpose, different touch-sensitive operating devices are known in particular, which can be installed in an operating panel. The corresponding detection device for detecting a contact is located in particular on the electronics of the operating device. Furthermore, removable operating elements, for example so-called "twist pads" (pads), are already known, in particular in the case of a sink as a domestic appliance.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an operating device, a household appliance and a method, by means of which the household appliance can be operated with high functionality.

This object is achieved by an operating device, a household appliance and a method according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

One aspect of the invention relates to an operating device for a household appliance, having an operating surface which is designed to adjust at least one operating condition of the household appliance when the operating device is operated by a user, wherein a capacitive detection device is designed on a lower side of the operating surface for capacitively detecting an operation, wherein the lower side is designed opposite an upper side which faces the user during operation and forms an outer side of the operating device.

It is provided that the detection device is designed as a touch-sensitive detection device and is designed to detect a user's actuation by touching the upper side by the user on the basis of a change in capacitance due to the touch, and additionally designed to detect a user's actuation by an actuation element of the actuation device operated by the user on the basis of a change in capacitance due to the touch by the actuation element on the actuation surface.

This enables, therefore, operation in two different ways. The operation on the touch-sensitive detection device can be carried out on the basis of a contact, in particular, for example, by a finger of a user. Alternatively or additionally, the corresponding operation can be performed by means of an operating element which can be arranged on the operating surface. This makes it possible to operate the operation device with high functionality by the user. The user can thus in particular individually decide whether the user wants to operate the household appliance with the operating element on a contact or non-contact basis.

The structure of a robust operating device for use in a household appliance is thus realized, in particular, when using/evaluating capacitive detection means, which may also be referred to as touch sensors, wherein a stable and defined mechanical structure is required, since the touch sensors react very sensitively to material and/or distance tolerances between the sensor and the finger. Furthermore, mechanical tolerances between the sensor and the finger are thereby minimized. Furthermore, corresponding operating devices can be provided with reduced modifications. In particular, panel designs, for example, the front of a switch of a household appliance, which has a brand and product-specific stamp (Auspr ä gun) of an operating device or an operating panel, which can also be referred to as a user interface, can be realized without costly hardware changes. Furthermore, it can be provided in particular that the operating element is arranged on an operating surface, in particular "on-screen", that is to say is operated via or on the display or also outside the display (that is to say "off-screen"), that is to say the individual push button and the slider are located next to the display. In particular, it is therefore provided that the control surface can also have a display device, on which the corresponding symbols or input possibilities can be shown.

In particular, mechanical operating elements, for example "rotary encoders", program selectors or pushbutton elements, can be selected as operating elements, which in particular have no electrical recess. This makes it possible to achieve high flexibility and high electrical stability, in particular with respect to EMV (electromagnetic compatibility). Furthermore, the operating element is accordingly easy to clean and wear-free.

Preferably, the operating surface is constructed from glass or polymethylmethacrylate. Polymethyl methacrylate may also be referred to as PMMA. In particular, it relates to a simply treatable work surface. In particular, the operation surface can be easily manufactured, and easy operation by a user can be realized. In addition, easy cleaning can be achieved, for example, by the user.

It can also be provided that the operating device has a microcontroller, which is designed to generate a control signal for adjusting the operating condition as a function of the detected change in capacitance. The microcontroller may be, for example, a so-called "microcontroller logic (Mikro C Logik)". For this purpose, various circuit and electronic components can be implemented in the microcontroller, so that the control signals can be evaluated accordingly and generated.

Preferably, the microcontroller is configured to generate the control signal when a preset capacitance change threshold value of the detected capacitance change is exceeded. In other words, the adjustment of the control signal and the operating condition is carried out only if the threshold value for the change in capacitance is exceeded. This makes it possible, for example, to operate when the operating surface is undesirably touched. Thereby, a reliable operation of the operating device can be achieved.

Furthermore, the operating surface is preferably designed without indentations. In other words, it is provided that the operating surface is free of indentations and holes. This makes it possible in particular to protect the electronics, in particular the membrane sensor, from the weather. Furthermore, the electronic device is better protected against ESD (electrostatic discharge) and therefore also has electrical stability, in particular with respect to electromagnetic compatibility. Furthermore, electrical air gaps and creepage distances can be avoided, whereby the operating device is likewise protected against ESD with improvement. Furthermore, the operating surface is thus easier to clean for the user.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the capacitive detection device is designed as a membrane sensor. In particular, the membrane sensor is a so-called two-dimensional membrane sensor. The membrane sensor is in particular an integrated membrane sensor. The membrane sensor is therefore arranged in particular directly behind the operating surface. The membrane sensor is in particular glued to the operating surface, i.e. the sensor is fixedly connected to the operating surface. The film sensor has the advantage, in particular, that the film sensor can be produced, for example, using a roll-to-roll method (R2R method). The membrane sensor is designed in particular for evaluating the position and orientation (Stellung) of a mechanical operating element, for example an incremental encoder or a program selector, and for performing the operation using the human finger itself. The film sensor is therefore in particular designed as a touch-sensitive film sensor.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the membrane sensor has a diamond-like structure of the detection element of the capacitive detection device, and therefore the membrane sensor has in particular a so-called diamond pattern. The detection of self-capacitance (selbstkappazitaet) and mutual capacitance (gegenkappazitaet) can be realized in particular by means of diamond patterns (Diamant-Pattern). So-called multi-finger gesture recognition, which may also be referred to as "multi-touch" capability, is enabled in particular by diamond patterns. Furthermore, simultaneous evaluation of different inputs can be achieved. This makes it possible to detect an operation by a user simply and still reliably with high functionality.

It has also proven to be advantageous if the membrane sensor has a plurality of side-by-side detection elements which are evaluated independently of one another by means of a capacitive detection device. In particular, a Backgammon-Struktur (Backgammon-Struktur) of the sensor can be provided. The detection element therefore has, in particular, a structure corresponding to a western continental chessboard. The detection element has in particular a corresponding geometry of a checkers. This makes it possible to carry out simple self-capacitance measurements. In particular, the checkers structure or a plurality of side-by-side detection elements can be divided into so-called logical regions according to their geometry, so that the logical regions can be evaluated independently of one another. Thereby, a simple and still reliable detection of an operation by the user can be achieved.

It is also advantageous if the touch-sensitive detection device is designed as a touch-sensitive display device and is designed to display at least one symbol and to detect a contact. In other words, a capacitive detection device or a touch-sensitive detection device may be provided as a touch screen. In other words, symbol display and contact detection may be implemented using a touch-sensitive display device. The respective operating condition may be adjusted, for example, by touching the respective symbol via the user.

It can be provided that the film sensor is larger than the touch-sensitive display device, in other words than the touch-sensitive touchscreen. This makes it possible in particular to arrange, for example, a further region next to the touch-sensitive display region ("off-screen"), on which further region, for example, operating elements for operating can be arranged without the view on the touch screen being impaired thereby. In particular, an overlap of the operating region with the operating element and the touch screen can be achieved. Thereby realizing a high-function operating device.

It has furthermore proved to be advantageous if the operating element is designed to be placed on the operating surface without damage and can be removed. This results in particular in that the actuating element is not fixedly connected to the actuating device, but can be removed. If the operating element fails in this case, the operating element can be simply replaced. Such an operating element may be, for example, a so-called "twist pad". For this purpose, the actuating element can be mechanically locked on the actuating surface, for example, and can still be removed again. For this purpose, the operating element can have, for example, electrodes arranged in the vicinity of the operating surface, for example, a metal surface, so that they are connected to the accessible operating surface, so that, for example, a single-electrode or mutual-capacitance pattern in a self-capacitance mode (thus also providing, for example, a multi-touch capability) generates, when the operating element is touched/operated, a corresponding intensity pattern on the touch sensor, which intensity pattern is evaluated, for example, by a microcontroller and converted into an operating operation, in particular into an adjustment of the operating conditions.

Alternatively or additionally, the actuating element can be designed to be freely movable on the actuating surface. This enables, in particular, individualized operation by the user. The user can move the operating element freely on the operating surface and even select at which location the corresponding operation can be carried out. In particular, it is possible to design the membrane sensor such that the operating surface can be designed relatively large, so that the user can operate the operating device at different locations.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the actuating element is configured magnetically and is held on the actuating surface by a magnet arrangement of the actuating device. In other words, a magnetic fixing of the operating element on the operating surface can be implemented. For this purpose, both the operating element and the operating surface can have a corresponding magnetic element, so that a corresponding fixing can be achieved. This enables the operating element to be placed and removed in particular without damage. Furthermore, a free mobility of the actuating element relative to the actuating surface can be achieved by the magnet arrangement. In addition, for example in the case of a vertical orientation of the operating device in normal use, the operating element can be prevented in particular from falling.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the capacitive detection device is designed to detect a self-capacitance and/or a mutual capacitance and thus a change in capacitance. In other words, a capacitive detection device is not only "self-capacitive", but also "mutual capacitive". Thus, the operation of the operating device can be realized in different ways and methods. This makes it possible in particular to operate reliably not only by contact but also in a contactless manner. Especially in mutual capacitance detection, complex operating elements can be realized. In particular, different functions in the operating device or in the domestic appliance can thereby be operated by means of the operating element. The electrical function of the operating element is thus separated as far as possible from the mechanical influence, in particular.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the capacitive detection device is designed to detect the relative position of the actuating element and to adjust at least one operating condition as a function of the detected position. In other words, the operating conditions may be adjusted according to the position relative to the operating surface. For example, it can be provided that the first operating condition can be set if the operating element is located on a first side of the operating surface, for example on the left side of the operating surface. The second operating condition may be adjusted if the operating element is located on a second side of the operating surface, for example on the right side of the operating surface.

In particular, the intensity pattern measured by the detection device can thus be realized parallel to the operating surface in the mutual capacitance mode as a function of the size and shape of the respective electrode in the operating element, whereby the absolute position, in particular the absolute angular position, of the operating element can be determined. Accordingly, as already mentioned, the operating conditions can be adjusted.

Alternatively or additionally, it has proven to be advantageous if the capacitive detection device is designed to detect a relative orientation of the operating element with respect to the operating surface and to adjust at least one operating condition as a function of the detected orientation. In the mutual capacitance mode, the detection device can detect a corresponding change in capacitance, for example, as a function of the measured intensity pattern and as a function of the distance of the electrode from the operating surface, so that the change in distance can be implemented, in particular, as in the case of a pushbutton actuation, for example, in the case of a "tactile switch". By varying the distance from the operating surface, for example, a twist pad may also be used. Corresponding operating conditions can thereby be adjusted when, for example, the twist pad is tilted relative to the operating surface. This makes it possible to use different operating elements with a high degree of functionality and to set different operating conditions of the household appliance with a high degree of functionality.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the capacitive detection device is designed to detect a multi-finger gesture control. This makes it possible in particular to adjust different operating conditions of the household appliance, for example, with different positions of the finger. For example, a first operating condition may be adjusted by contact with two fingers, while a further operating condition may be adjusted by contact with only one finger. Furthermore, it can be provided, for example, that a menu for selecting an upper level of the operating device can be implemented by a "Zoom-out movement (Heraus-Zoom-beeegung)". The submenu can in turn be accessed by "zoom in" (Herein-zoom).

In a further advantageous embodiment, the operating element has a plurality of electrodes, which interact with the capacitive detection device and detect a contactless operation on the basis of said interaction. In particular, therefore, not only the position but also the orientation of the operating element can be evaluated. Thus, by means of a plurality of electrodes which can be arranged, for example, annularly inside the operating element, a plurality of different adjustments can be carried out, which in turn can adjust a plurality of different operating conditions on the household appliance. A plurality of different operating conditions can thus be set by means of this operating element. Thus, the user can operate the operation device with high functionality.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the capacitive detection device is designed to simultaneously detect a contact-based change in capacitance and a contactless change in capacitance. In other words, it can be provided that the user not only touches the operating surface with a finger and adjusts the operating condition, but at the same time adjusts the respective further operating condition with the operating element, or can adjust the operating condition not only with a touch but also with the operating element. Thereby, the operation device can be provided with high functionality and user friendliness.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a household appliance having an operating device, wherein the household appliance is in particular a cooking appliance according to the preceding aspect. For example, the cooking appliance may be configured as an oven or a cooking bath.

It has furthermore proved to be advantageous if the operating surface is arranged horizontally and/or vertically on the household appliance in the case of a conventional use of the household appliance. In other words, the operating device can be arranged both horizontally and vertically on the household appliance. Different possibilities of use for the operating device are thereby achieved.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an operating device for a domestic appliance, wherein at least one operating condition of the household appliance is adjusted by means of the operating surface when the operating device is operated by a user, wherein capacitive detection means are provided on the underside of the operating surface for capacitively detecting operation, by means of which capacitive detection means the operation is capacitively detected, wherein a lower side is provided opposite to an upper side, which upper side faces the user during operation and forms an outer side of the operating device, whereby the detection means are provided as touch-sensitive detection means, and the operation of the user by contacting the upper side via the user is detected on the basis of a change in capacitance based on the contact, and additionally the user's operation by means of the user-operated operating element of the operating device is detected by means of the operating element on the basis of the contactless change in capacitance.

An advantageous design of the operating device can be regarded as an advantageous design of the household appliance and the method. For this purpose, the operating device and the household appliance have objective features which enable an embodiment of the method or an advantageous design of the method.

The expressions "above", "below", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction" and the like are used to describe a given position and orientation in the normal use and in the normal arrangement of the operating device or the domestic appliance.

Further features of the invention are described in the claims, the drawings and the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned in the description and those mentioned in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures only can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention which are not explicitly shown and described in the drawings, but which result from and can be produced from the described embodiments by means of individual feature combinations, are also to be regarded as being comprised and disclosed. Thus embodiments and combinations of features not having all the features of the originally written independent claims may also be considered disclosed.

Drawings

The exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below with the aid of schematic drawings.

Here:

fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance;

fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of an embodiment of the operating device;

fig. 3 shows a further schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the operating device;

fig. 4 shows a further schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the operating device;

fig. 5 shows a further schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the operating device;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of an operating element;

fig. 7 shows a further schematic view of an embodiment of the operating element according to fig. 6; and is

Fig. 8 shows a further schematic illustration of the operating element according to fig. 6 and/or 7 in a further view.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference signs.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a household appliance 1. In the present exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 1 is in particular designed as a cooking appliance. Fig. 1 shows, in particular, that the household appliance 1 can be designed as an oven. Alternatively or additionally, the household appliance 1 can also be designed as a cooking vessel, for example, in a combination appliance.

The household appliance 1 has an operating device 2. Fig. 1 shows, in particular, that the operating device 2 can have an operating surface 3. The operating surface 3 is arranged horizontally and/or vertically, in particular with respect to the household appliance 1, in the case of a conventional use of the household appliance 1, currently horizontally.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the operating device 2 in a schematic exploded view. The operating device 2 has an operating surface 3, which is designed to adjust at least one operating condition of the household appliance 1 when the operating device 2 is operated by a user 14 (fig. 4), not shown, wherein a capacitive detection device 5 is designed on a lower side 4 of the operating surface 3 for capacitively detecting an operation, wherein the lower side 4 is designed relative to an upper side 6, which faces the user 14 during operation and forms an outer side of the operating device 2. It is provided that the capacitive detection device 5 is designed as a touch-sensitive detection device 5 and is designed to detect an operation of the user 14 by touching the upper side 6 via the user 14 on the basis of a change in capacitance due to the touch, and additionally to detect an operation of the user 14 by means of the operating element 7 of the operating device 2 operated by the user 14 on the operating surface 6 without a change in capacitance due to the touch by means of the operating element 7.

This enables, therefore, operation in two different ways. The operation on the touch-sensitive detection device 5 can be carried out on the basis of a contact, in particular, for example, by a finger of the user 14. Alternatively or additionally, a corresponding operation can be performed by means of an operating element 7, which can be arranged on the operating surface 3. This makes it possible to operate the operating device 2 with high functionality by the user 14. The user 14 can thus in particular individually decide whether the user wants to operate the household appliance 1 with the operating element 7 on a contact or non-contact basis.

The structure of the robust operating device 2 for use in the household appliance 1 is thus realized in particular when using/evaluating a capacitive detection device 5, which may also be referred to as a touch sensor, wherein a stable and defined mechanical structure is required, since the touch sensor reacts very sensitively to material and/or distance tolerances between the sensor and the finger. Furthermore, mechanical tolerances between the sensor and the finger are thereby minimized. Furthermore, the corresponding operating device 2 can thereby be provided with reduced modifications. In this case, a panel design, for example a switch front of a household appliance 1, which has a logo and product-specific embossing of the operating device 2 or of the operating panel, which may also be referred to as a user interface, can be realized in particular without costly hardware changes. Furthermore, it can be provided in particular that the operating element 7 is arranged on the operating surface 3, in particular "on-screen", that is to say is operated via or on the display or also outside the display (that is to say "off-screen"), that is to say that the individual push button and the slider are located next to the display. In particular, it is therefore provided that the control surface 3 can also have a display device 9, on which a corresponding symbol 11 or an input option can be shown.

In particular, a mechanical operating element 7, for example a "rotation encoder", a program selector or a pushbutton element, can be selected as operating element 7, which in particular has no electrical aperture. This makes it possible to achieve high flexibility and high electrical stability, in particular with respect to EMV (electromagnetic compatibility). Furthermore, the operating element 7 is easy to clean and wear-free.

In the present exemplary embodiment, in particular six actuating elements 7 are arranged on actuating surface 3, in particular on upper side 6. Fig. 2 shows in particular that different actuating elements 7 can be arranged on the upper side 6. The operating element can be, in particular, a so-called rotary switch and a tilt switch or a push button switch. The actuating element 7 can also be a so-called twist pad in particular.

Fig. 2 in particular shows that the capacitive detection device 5 is in the form of a membrane sensor 8. In particular, it can be provided that the film sensor 8 is arranged as a two-dimensional film sensor directly behind the operating surface 3. The film sensor 8 is in particular glued directly to the operating surface 3, so that the film sensor 8 is fixedly connected to the operating surface 3. The film sensor may be a film sensor 8 made by a so-called roll-to-roll method.

Fig. 2 in particular shows that the operating surface 3 is constructed in particular from glass or polymethyl methacrylate. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is also known in particular as Plexiglas (Plexiglas). In particular, a simple and still reliable operating surface 3 can thereby be provided.

In particular, it can also be provided that the capacitive detection device 5 is designed to detect a self-capacitance and/or a mutual capacitance in order to detect a change in capacitance. In other words, the capacitive detection device 5 is not only "self-capacitive" but also "mutual capacitive". Thus, the operation of the operating device 2 can be realized in different ways and methods. This makes it possible in particular to reliably operate both by contact and also in a contactless manner. Especially in mutual capacitance detection, complex operating elements 7 can be realized. In particular, different functions in the operating device 2 or in the domestic appliance 1 can thereby be operated by means of the operating element 7. The electrical function of the operating element 7 is thus separated as far as possible from mechanical influences, in particular.

Fig. 2 in particular shows that the touch-sensitive detection device 5 can also be embodied as a touch-sensitive display device 9. For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the touch-sensitive detection device has a display region 10. The display area 10 is in particular also touch-sensitive. This makes it possible to show, for example, at least one symbol 11 on the display area 10. By contacting the symbol 11, for example, the operating conditions can be adjusted. In this case, it can be provided in particular that the film sensor 8 is of a larger design than the display region 10. In particular, the operating element 7 can therefore be provided next to the display region 10. It is thus possible to implement, in addition to the display area 10, corresponding operations of the operating device 2 by means of the operating element 7 next to the display area 10.

It can furthermore be provided that the operating device 2 can have a microcontroller 12 which is designed to generate a control signal for adjusting the operating condition as a function of the detected change in capacitance. For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the microcontroller 12 is designed to generate a control signal if a preset capacitance change threshold value of the detected capacitance change is exceeded.

In a method for operating an operating device 2 for a household appliance 1, at least one operating condition of the household appliance 1 is adjusted by means of an operating surface 3 when the operating device 2 is operated by a user 14, wherein capacitive detection means 5 are provided on the underside 4 of the operating surface 3 for capacitively detecting an operation, by means of which capacitive detection means the operation is capacitively detected, wherein the lower side 3 is provided opposite to the upper side 6, which in operation faces the user 14 and forms the outer side of the operating device 2, wherein the detection means 5 are provided as touch-sensitive detection means 5, and the operation of the user 14 by contacting the upper side 6 via the user 14 is detected on the basis of a contactless change in capacitance, and additionally, the operation of the user 14 by means of the operating element 7 of the operating device 2 operated by the user 14 is detected by means of the operating element 7 on the basis of the contactless change in capacitance.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the operating device 2 in a schematic perspective view. Fig. 3 shows in particular a membrane sensor 8. In the present exemplary embodiment, the membrane sensor 8 is in particular of diamond-type design. In other words, the film sensor 8 has a diamond-like structure of the detection element 13 of the capacitive detection device 5. The self-capacitance measurement can be carried out in particular by a diamond-like structure. Diamond-like structures may also be referred to as diamond patterns, among others. This enables, in particular, so-called multi-finger gesture recognition. In other words, different inputs may be evaluated at the same time.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the operating device 2 in a further schematic representation. Fig. 4 shows, in particular, that the operating device 2 is designed such that the operating element 7 can be placed on the operating surface 3 without damage and can be removed. The actuating element 7 is in particular magnetically formed, and the actuating element 7 can be held on the actuating surface 3 by means of a magnet arrangement 15 of the actuating device 2. Fig. 4 in particular shows that the actuating element 7 is designed to be freely movable on the actuating surface 3.

Furthermore, it can be provided in particular that the capacitive detection device 5 is designed to detect the relative position of the actuating element 7 with respect to the actuating surface 3 and to adjust at least one operating condition as a function of the detected position. This can be implemented in particular in the mutual capacitance measurement of the operating device 2, in particular in the mutual capacitance mode. For this purpose, the intensity pattern measured by the detection device 5 can be measured parallel to the operating surface 3 as a function of the size and shape of the electrode 16, whereby the absolute position, in particular the absolute angular position, of the operating element 7 can be determined. Accordingly, the operating conditions of the household appliance 1 can be adjusted again.

Fig. 4 furthermore shows that the capacitive detection device 5 is designed for detecting multi-finger gesture recognition. In other words, the operating surface 3 is configured to be multi-touch. For this purpose, the operating device 2 can be constructed in particular in the mutual capacitance mode. By touching or actuating the actuating element 7, a corresponding intensity pattern is generated, which is evaluated by the microcontroller 12 and can be converted into a corresponding actuating operation.

Fig. 4 in particular shows that the operating surface 3 is designed without any recesses. In other words, the operating surface 3 is not provided with indentations, so that the electronics behind the operating surface 3 are protected in particular from weather conditions.

In particular, it can also be provided that the capacitive detection device 5 is designed to detect a contact-based change in capacitance and a contactless change in capacitance simultaneously. In other words, a mixing operation may be implemented. In particular, the operation can be carried out not only by means of the operating element 7 but also by the user 14 touching the display area 10.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the operating device 2 in a further schematic representation. Fig. 5 shows in particular the operating surface 3. Fig. 5 shows, in particular, that the membrane sensor 8 has a plurality of side-by-side detection elements 13, which are evaluated independently of one another by means of the capacitive detection device 5. Fig. 5 shows in particular that the membrane sensor 8 can be constructed with a so-called checkerboard structure. The so-called structure of the diaphragm sensor 8 corresponds in particular to the structure of the diaphragm sensor corresponding to the checkerboard. This makes it possible to detect the self-capacitance in particular reliably. Thereby, the operating surface 3 can be divided into logical areas according to the geometry, so that the logical areas can be evaluated independently of each other. Fig. 5 furthermore shows an operating element 7 in dashed lines, which may have a plurality of electrodes 16. Depending on the respective electrode 16, in particular depending on the respective position of the electrode 16, a corresponding evaluation of the control signal can thereby be carried out.

Fig. 6 to 8 show the actuating element 7 in different variants or in different orientations, wherein the different orientations are implemented by different movements B. The different movements B of fig. 6 to 8 can be carried out both individually and jointly, wherein different operating conditions can also be set as a result. Fig. 6 shows, in particular, that the actuating element 7 can be rotated, for example, so that a corresponding actuation or operating adjustment can be set. Fig. 7 shows that tilting of the actuating element 7 can be carried out, for example, by contact in the side region of the actuating element 7, as a result of which the operating conditions of the household appliance 3 can likewise be set. Fig. 8 shows that the operating conditions can also be adjusted by pressing in the middle of the operating element 7. In particular, a pressing movement can thereby be realized, for example.

In particular, it can be provided that the capacitive detection device 5 is designed to detect the relative orientation of the operating element 7 with respect to the operating surface 3 and to adjust at least one operating condition as a function of the detected orientation. Furthermore, it can be provided that the operating element 7 has a plurality of electrodes 16, which interact with the capacitive detection device 5 and detect a contactless operation on the basis of the interaction.

In general, fig. 1-8 illustrate suitable user interfaces.

List of reference numerals

1 household appliance

2 operating device

3 operating surface

4 lower side surface

5 capacitive detection device

6 upper side

7 operating element

8-film sensor

9 display device

10 display area

11 symbol

12 microcontroller

13 detection element

14 users

15 magnet device

16 electrodes

And B, moving.