Electricity: power supply or regulation systems – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-09-25
Patel, Rajnikant B. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: power supply or regulation systems
Miscellaneous
C312S204000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294906
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an control element for switching and controlling electrically operable appliances having cover panels.
Many electrical appliances, particularly home appliances, have cover panels made of glass, metal, plastic, etc., at which control elements are mounted. These cover panels are often structured as front panels. These front panels often have openings in them for accommodating the control elements. In addition to gaps that occur between the openings and the control elements, there are often gaps between the control elements and the front panel itself.
A disadvantage of this arrangement is that simple cleaning of the front panel or control panel is very difficult, and dirt often remains between the openings and the control elements in spite of the panel being cleaned. Additionally, machining of the front panel, i.e. creating the openings, is often very laborious and expensive.
German patent document (DE 40 08 827 A1) discloses a front panel or control panel of this type, having built-in control elements for home appliances. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that simple cleaning of the front panel or control panel is very difficult, and dirt often remains between the openings and the control elements despite the panel being cleaned. Additionally, machining of the front panel, i.e. creating the openings, is often very laborious and expensive.
European patent document (EP 0841 521 A2) discloses a front panel without openings that is easy to clean. However, this panel eliminates separate control elements. These controls are integrated into the front panel as actuating areas. Functions are actuated by pressing directly upon points on the front panel.
It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a control element that permits simple cleaning of the panel and that also makes machining of the pane unnecessary.
SUMMARY
According to principles of this invention, a control element includes a moveable upper part having a mount; a support for being adhered to a front side of a cover panel and for being selectively attached to the mount for allowing the upper part to be manipulated relative to the support and the front panel. According to the invention there is a transmitting element mounted on the upper part for moving with the upper part and thereby causing an indirect transmission through the front panel indicative of manipulation of the upper part. A sensor positioned behind the front panel senses the transmission indicative of manipulation of the upper part, even if the control panel has no opening therethrough, and controls the electrical appliance in response to manipulations of the upper part.
According to the invention the support for accommodating the upper part of the control element is glued onto the cover panel. Transmitting elements are placed on the upper part that effect an indirect control transmission through the front panel, and a sensor is positioned behind the panel to sense the transmission and perform an electrical evaluation of operational or actuating functions. Direct mechanical transmission elements that, as is generally known, require an opening through the panel are thus not needed. Undesirable gaps between the panel and transmission elements of the control element are thereby eliminated. The gaps between the panel and the control elements can be cleaned easily after the control elements are removed from the support, because these gaps then no longer exist.
Advantageous further developments are presented herein.
For example, the support can advantageously be of a resinous plastic having a pot-shaped center bearing for the control element. In another variant, the upper part of the control element can be supported on the outside of the upper part. Advantageously, the control element can be structured in different ways. The control elements, such as turning knobs, buttons, switches, etc., therefore, are structured in a modular manner and contain necessary snap attachments, mechanical stops, or electrical components that trigger control functions. Conventional panels such as front panels can be used.
However, complete rotary switches or buttons, as separate components independent of a front panel, can also be equipped with this indirect actuation.
These control elements can be utilized advantageously on home appliances such as stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, microwave ovens, etc. However, they may also be used on control consoles of facilities such as power plants, and on ships.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4296334 (1981-10-01), Wong
patent: 4575660 (1986-03-01), Zaharchuk et al.
patent: 4660126 (1987-04-01), Koster et al.
patent: 5053758 (1991-10-01), Cornett et al.
patent: 5908227 (1999-06-01), Wilhemstatter et al.
patent: 4008827A1 (1926-09-01), None
patent: 0841521A2 (1998-05-01), None
Patel Rajnikant B.
Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
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