(19)
(11)EP 2 485 111 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
03.08.2016 Bulletin 2016/31

(21)Application number: 12151683.5

(22)Date of filing:  19.01.2012
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
G05G 1/08(2006.01)

(54)

Improved retractable control device for domestic appliance

Verbesserte zurücknehmbare Bedienung für Hausgerät

Commande rétractable amélioré pour appareil ménager


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 04.02.2011 IT MI20110161

(43)Date of publication of application:
08.08.2012 Bulletin 2012/32

(73)Proprietor: Whirlpool Corporation
Benton Harbor, MI 49022 (US)

(72)Inventors:
  • Giuliani, Marco
    21025 Comerio (IT)
  • Venezia, Michele
    21025 Comerio (IT)
  • Tomasz, Rydel
    21025 Comerio (IT)
  • Marcin, Mazurek
    21025 Comerio (IT)
  • Sacha, Mello
    21025 Comerio (IT)

(74)Representative: Guerci, Alessandro 
Whirlpool Europe S.r.l. Patent Department Viale G. Borghi 27
21025 Comerio (VA)
21025 Comerio (VA) (IT)


(56)References cited: : 
EP-A2- 0 276 463
US-A- 5 384 442
EP-A2- 2 214 187
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a retractable control device for household electrical appliances in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.

    [0002] Devices of the aforesaid type have been used for some time in household electrical appliances: they are used on user interfaces to allow the control of appliance functional elements (such as the electrical resistance heater or microwave generator of an oven, or a gas burner of a cooking hob) while at the same time enabling the appliance to present a pleasant appearance when not in use. For this purpose, a known device of the stated type comprises a pushbutton or knob inserted into an aperture or seat in the interface; this knob is movable therein under the action of a spring or an elastically loaded body such as to assume two working positions, in a first of which it is inserted into its seat in the user interface such that its flat or substantially flat end lies substantially coplanar with the interface, and in the second of which it projects from said aperture. A knob of the above type is disclosed by US 5384442 A of the same applicant according to the preamble of claim 1

    [0003] The knob cooperates with a control member of said appliance functional element, which can be a simple shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis thereof, usually coinciding with the central axis through the aperture or seat for the knob (and along which this latter moves), or a complex body defining a so-called push-pull control comprising coupled parts longitudinally movable relative to each other against the action of an elastic element. In both cases this control member is connected to the appliance functional element to enable its activation and operational adjustment by operating the knob.

    [0004] The control member is positioned below the user interface and is at least partly contained in a knob support which can be a cup-shaped member or a tubular body.

    [0005] With particular but non-limiting reference to those control devices with a push-pull member, it can happen that the movable knob is not always centred within the aperture or seat in which it moves and that, when in its second working position (knob extracted), this knob oscillates in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the seat in which it moves. This causes wear of the material (usually plastic) of the knob and/or of the support for the knob and/or of the parts connected to this latter; this is also because of the spaces present between the constituent parts of the control device and of their constructional tolerances.

    [0006] FR2698459 describes a pushbutton or knob controlling a rotary support shaft, in particular of a heating and air conditioning system of a vehicle on which this knob is mounted and axially slidable against a spring. The knob moves within an aperture or seat of a panel from which it can project into a working position; the drawings show that at the aperture this panel presents a substantially undercut socket-shaped portion in the knob seat.

    [0007] The pushbutton slides within this panel portion, its movement guided by the cooperation between a groove provided on its body, slidable on a shaft fixed to an insulating plate carrying conductive tracks, and a pin carried by a rod positioned on a panel fixed to the shaft.

    [0008] EP797052 describes a knob switch inserted movable within an aperture in a vitreous ceramic plate of a cooking hob. This aperture is surrounded by a protection ring below which a seal ring is present.

    [0009] The seal ring is in contact with the knob even when it emerges from the aperture or seat in the plate to control the appliance heating element.

    [0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a retractable control device for a household electrical appliance in which the knob is centred within its seat and in which the knob oscillations in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said seat along which the knob moves are possibly limited.

    [0011] Another object is to provide a control device of the stated type which is of reliable use, of low cost and offers to the user a sensation of robustness and considerable attractiveness. These and other objects which will be apparent the expert of the art are attained by a control device in accordance with the accompanying claims.

    [0012] The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:

    Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device according to the invention;

    Figure 2 is a cross-section through the device of Figure 1 in a first working position;

    Figure 3 is a view similar to that of the device of Figure 2, but in a different working position;

    Figure 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the device of Figure 2;

    Figure 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

    Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the part indicated by A in Figure 3;

    Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a first variant of the invention;

    Figure 8 is a cross-section through the variant of Figure 7; and

    Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of another variant of the invention.



    [0013] With reference to said figures, a control device comprises a knob 1 associated with a push-pull control member 2 of known type comprising two elements 3 and 4 slidingly movable one on the other against a spring 5. A (movable) first element 3 of this member 2 presents a free end 3A inserted into a preferably cylindrical seat 7 provided in the interior of the knob 1 and coupled thereto in that manner.

    [0014] The knob 1 presents a cup-shaped body 10 having a substantially flat first end part 11 from which a perimetral cylindrical wall 12 projects. The knob is to be disposed in an aperture or seat 15 of a user plate or interface 16 of a household electrical appliance, for example an oven.

    [0015] This plate has a face or surface 16A facing the user and a face or surface 16B facing the appliance interior.

    [0016] On this latter face 16B a cylindrical body 17 is present acting as a support for the knob and for the control member 2, said body 17 being connected to an electronic selector 18 of known type (visible in Figures 7-9) cooperating with said member in known manner and hence not described.

    [0017] The knob 1 can assume two working positions, in a first position it being inserted in its seat 15 (and partially in the body 17) with its end 11 substantially coplanar with the face 16A (Figure 2); in a second position the knob projects from the seat 15 beyond the face 16A (Figure 3) to enable a user to act on the member 2 and activate a function of the appliance by rotating the knob about a longitudinal axis (coinciding with the axis W of the seat 15 and of the body 17) and activating the selector 18. According to the invention, a cylindrical centring element 20 is positioned in the aperture or seat 15 of the user interface 16, between the latter and the knob 1, and is of dimensions sufficient to contain the knob 1 when this is in its first working position. The element 20 maintains the knob 1 in its first working position, with its axis coinciding with the central longitudinal axis W through the seat 15, to centre it within this latter; this cylindrical centring element 20 also prevents the knob from "oscillating" in planes perpendicular to the axis W when in its second working position.

    [0018] More particularly, the cylindrical centring element 20 presents a tubular body 22 having a lateral wall 23 presenting an inner face 23A and an outer face 23B; the wall 23 comprises elastically deformable lugs 23K at least one of which presents perpendicularly projecting ends 23W, preferably of triangular section, to enable the tubular body 22 to be inserted into the seat 15 and be coupled to the interface 16, to hence be locked in this latter by the engagement between said ends 23W and the surface 16B of said interface. The tubular body 22 also presents a flanged first end 24 to rest on the surface 16A of the interface 16, and a second end 25 to be inserted into the cylindrical body 17.

    [0019] In a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1-6, said cylindrical centring element 20 internally presents a cylindrical portion 26 coaxial to the tubular body 22 and connected thereto via an annular part 30 fixed to the end 25 of said body 22. This part is flared towards the axis W and hence comprises a portion of inclined surface 32 facing said axis.

    [0020] The cylindrical portion 26 is similar in length to the tubular body 22 and defines therewith an annular interspace 33 to receive the perimetral wall 12 of the body 10 of the knob 1 when this latter is in its first working position, and to guide the movement of the knob from said position to the second working position (arrows K of Figure 3), or vice versa.

    [0021] By cooperation between the perimetral wall 12 and the face 23A of the wall 23 of the tubular body 22, said movement (and the opposite movement) takes place in a guided manner to maintain the knob coaxially with the axis W of the seat 15 and maintain it centred in its seat 15 (and in the body 17).

    [0022] In addition, the knob body 10 comprises a cylindrical or conical inner collar 37, positioned along the wall 12 of this body. In said movement, said collar cooperates with the cylindrical portion 26 to hence improve the centring effect of the cylindrical element 20 on the knob.

    [0023] Advantageously, said cylindrical portion presents two recesses 38 in proximity to its free end 39, to define two opposing lugs 40 in said portion 26; these lugs are flexible and by cooperating with the aforesaid inner collar 37 and/or with the cylindrical perimetral part 12, increase the centring effect on the knob 1 when in its second working position.

    [0024] To prevent knob oscillation in a plane perpendicular to the axis W when in its second working position, the movable element 3 of the control member 2 or the cylindrical inner collar 37 presents a flanged end portion 41 which is flared inwards, i.e. it presents an inclined annular part 42. This inclination is equal to that of the portion 32 of the annular part 30 of the element 20 to hence enable the portion 41 to engage that part and element when the knob 1 is extracted from the seat 15. This means that by virtue of the contact between the portion 41 and the portion 32 any oscillation of the knob about the axis W is prevented because of the force exerted by the spring 5 which maintains the two portions in mutual contact.

    [0025] Figures 7 and 8, in which parts corresponding to those already described are indicated by the same reference numerals, show a first variant of the invention. In this latter, as in the preceding embodiment, the control member 2 comprises the two elements 3 and 4 movable relative to each other. The element 3 comprises, in proximity to its end 3A, a collar 50 supporting a body 51 which is substantially cup-shaped, but has an end portion 52 provided with a hole 53 enabling the end 3A of said element 3 to pass, for its insertion into the seat 7 of the knob 1. This end portion is arranged to rest on the collar 50; peripherally projecting downwards (i.e. towards the underlying 2 and parallel to it) from this portion (which is of substantially circular-based frusto-conical shape), there are lugs 55 distributed radially and terminating with feet 56 projecting perpendicularly from said lugs to elastically cooperate by interference with the inner face 23A of the cylindrical centring element 20 which, in the embodiment under examination, lacks the cylindrical portion 26 of Figures 1-6. The perimetral wall 12 of the knob 1 also directly cooperates with this inner face 23A (of diameter less than that of a circumference in which the ends of the lugs 55 lie).

    [0026] By virtue of this embodiment, centring of the knob 15 on the axis W of the seat 15 is achieved by cooperation between the lugs 55 and the wall 23 of the cylindrical element 20. As these are elastically movable relative to the portion 52 of the cup-shaped body 51 and as their free ends (i.e. those of the feet 56) lie on a circumference of diameter greater than that of the lateral wall 23 of the element 20, the lugs 55 press against the wall 23 to block any oscillation of the pushbutton or knob 1 in planes perpendicular to said axis w.

    [0027] In Figure 9, in which parts corresponding to those of the already described figures are indicated by the same reference numerals, the centring element 20 is shaped similar to that of Figures 7 and 8; compared with the already described embodiments, the elements 3 and 4 of the control member 2 lack any part or body arranged to cooperate with the centring element 20 to maintain the knob 1 along the axis W and to prevent its oscillation about this latter. This result is achieved by a particular shaping of the knob 1 which has a second end part 70, defined by the free end of the perimetral wall 12, from which a plurality of lugs 71 project with an enlarged end part 72 arranged to cooperate with the inner face 23A of the lateral wall 23 of the centring element 20.

    [0028] Each lug can be deformed elastically relative to the wall 12, and has the free surface of the enlarged part lying on a circumference having a larger diameter than the lateral wall 23 of the element 20. By virtue of this, the lugs 71 elastically press with interference against said face 23A, the element 20 hence maintaining the knob 1 centred on the axis W and preventing it from undergoing oscillation about this latter.

    [0029] The described embodiments are of simple implementation and of low cost in that they require no intervention on the interface 16 for the purpose of modifying its shape at the aperture or seat 15. Moreover they can also be used in already existing and operating household electrical appliances by replacing components and inserting elements defining the invention. Some embodiments of the invention have been described. Others are however possible in the light of the aforegoing description and are to be considered as falling within the scope of the ensuing claims.


    Claims

    1. A retractable control device for a household electrical appliance comprising, positioned on a control interface (16) of said appliance, a pushbutton or knob (1) movable against an elastic member within an aperture or seat (15) of said interface (16), said knob (1) being able to assume two working positions, in a first of which it is inserted in said aperture (15) and in the second of which it is extracted therefrom, said knob (1) cooperating with a control member (2) for a functional element of said appliance, such as an electrical resistance heater or microwave generator of an oven, or a gas burner of a cooking hob, said control member (2) being positioned below the interface (16), a cylindrical element (20) being disposed and fixed in the aperture (15) of this latter about the knob (1), characterised in that said device comprises a cylindrical element (20) being disposed and fixed in the aperture (15) of this latter about the knob (1), a cylindrical body (17) being on a surface of the user interface (16) facing the appliance interior and acting as a support for the knob (1) and for the control member (2) and said cylindrical element (20) is inserted into the cylindrical body (17) and contains the knob (1) when this is in its first working position and guides its movement within the aperture along a central longitudinal axis (W) thereof, said element (20) also blocking oscillation of the pushbutton or knob (1) in planes perpendicular to said axis (W).
     
    2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the control member (2) comprises the elastic member, said member being of the push-pull type or the like.
     
    3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cylindrical element (20) presents a tubular body (22) and comprises an inner part (23A, 26) with which a perimetral part (12) of the knob is on contact when in its first working position, said inner part (23A, 26), by virtue of said contact, maintaining the knob (1) centred on the longitudinal axis (W) of its seat (15).
     
    4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said inner part is the inner face (23A) of a lateral wall (23) of the cylindrical element (20) inserted into the knob seat (15).
     
    5. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said inner part is a cylindrical portion (26) positioned inside and coaxial to the cylindrical element (20), it having a length at least approximately equal to that of said element and being fixed to a lateral wall (23) thereof via an annular part (30) present at one end (25) of said cylindrical element (20) inside the knob seat (15), an annular interspace (33) being defined between said cylindrical portion (26) and said cylindrical element (20) to receive the perimetral wall (12) of the knob (1) when this is in its first working position.
     
    6. A device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that said cylindrical portion (26) cooperates with a inner collar (37) of the knob (1) positioned along the perimetral wall (12) of this latter, said portion (26) preferably penetrating elastically deformable parts (40) cooperating with said collar (37).
     
    7. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the annular part (30) present at the end (25) of the cylindrical element is flared towards the longitudinal axis (W) of the seat (15) of the knob (1) and presents an inclined portion or surface (32), said flared annular part (30) being arranged to cooperate with an element (41) at least operationally associated with the knob (1) such as to prevent oscillation of this latter about the central longitudinal axis (W) through its seat (15).
     
    8. A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that that part operationally associated with the knob (1) is a flanged portion (41) of the control member (2).
     
    9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising at least one of the following characteristics:

    - the control member (2) cooperates with a body (51) of substantially circular-based frusto-conical cup shape with an end portion (52) provided with a hole (53) for passage of an end (3A) of said member to secure it to the knob (1), said body (51) presenting a plurality of radially distributed elastically movable projections (55) having their free ends lying on a circumference of diameter exceeding that of the perimetral wall (12) of the tubular body of the cylindrical element (20), said body (51) rigid with the control member (2) being internal to said cylindrical element (20) and having its projections (55) in contact with the perimetral wall (12) of this latter, said contact centring the knob (1) within the seat (15) and blocking its oscillation about the longitudinal axis (W) of this latter;

    - at that end (71) inserted into its seat (15), the knob (1) presents a plurality of radially disposed lugs (71) with their end laying on a circumference having a diameter greater than that of the perimetral wall (12) of the tubular body of the cylindrical element (20), said lugs (71) being elastically deformable and bearing on the perimetral wall (12) of the cylindrical element such as to centre the knob on the longitudinal axis (W) of its seat (15) and block any oscillation about that axis.


     
    10. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cylindrical element (20) comprises elastically deformable lugs (23K), at least one of which presents a coupling element (23W) arranged to cooperate with a surface (16B) of the user interface(16) facing the appliance interior, the tubular body (22) of this cylindrical element (20) presenting a flanged end (24) to be disposed in the knob seat (15) and rest on that surface (16A) of the user interface (16) facing the user.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Eine versenkbare Steuerungsvorrichtung für ein elektrisches Haushaltsgerät, die auf einer Steuerschnittstelle (16) des genannten Geräts positioniert ist, wobei ein Druckknopf oder Drehknopf (1) gegen ein elastisches Glied innerhalb einer Öffnung oder eines Sitzes (15) der genannten Schnittstelle (16) bewegbar ist, welcher Drehknopf (1) fähig ist, zwei Betriebspositionen anzunehmen, in einer ersten von welchen er in die genannte Öffnung (15) eingesetzt ist und in der zweiten von welchen er daraus herausgezogen ist, welcher Drehknopf (1) mit einem Steuerglied (2) für ein funktionales Element des genannten Geräts zusammenwirkt, wie etwa ein elektrischer Widerstandsheizer oder Mikrowellengenerator oder ein Ofen, oder ein Gasbrenner einer Kochstelle, welches Steuerglied (2) unterhalb der Schnittstelle (16) positioniert ist, wobei ein zylindrisches Element (20) in der Öffnung (15) letzterer um den Drehknopf (1) angeordnet und befestigt ist,

    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte Vorrichtung ein zylindrisches Element (20) umfasst, das in der Öffnung (15) letzterer um den Drehknopf (1) angeordnet und befestigt ist, wobei ein zylindrischer Körper (17) auf einer Oberfläche der Benutzerschnittstelle (16) ist, die zu dem Inneren des Geräts zeigt und als eine Abstützung für den Drehknopf (1) und für das Steuerglied (2) wirkt, und welches zylindrische Element (20) in den zylindrischen Körper (17) hinein eingesetzt ist und den Drehknopf (1) beinhaltet, wenn dieser in seiner ersten Betriebsposition ist, und dessen Bewegungen innerhalb der Öffnung entlang einer zentralen Längsachse (W) derselben führt, wobei das Element (20) auch Schwingungen des Druckknopfs oder Drehknopfs (1) in Ebenen blockiert, die senkrecht zu der genannten Achse (W) sind.


     
    2. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Steuerglied (2) das elastische Glied umfasst, welches Glied vom Druck-Zug-Typ oder dergleichen ist.
     
    3. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zylindrische Element (20) einen rohrförmigen Körper (22) aufweist und ein inneres Teil (23A, 26) umfasst, mit welchem ein Umfangsteil (12) des Drehknopfs in Kontakt ist, wenn er in seiner ersten Betriebsposition ist, welches innere Teil (23A, 26) vermöge des genannten Kontakts den Drehknopf (1) zentriert auf der Längsachse (W) seines Sitzes (15) hält.
     
    4. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 3 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte innere Teil die Innenseite (23A) einer lateralen Wand (23) des in den Drehknopfsitz (15) eingesetzten zylindrischen Elements (20) ist.
     
    5. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 3 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte innere Teil ein im Inneren positionierter und zu dem zylindrischen Element (20) koaxialer zylindrischer Bereich (26) ist, der eine Länge hat, die mindestens etwa gleich derjenigen des genannten Elements ist, und der an einer lateralen Wand (23) desselben über ein ringförmiges Teil (30) befestigt ist, das an einem Ende (25) des genannten zylindrischen Elements (20) im Inneren des Drehknopfsitzes (15) vorhanden ist, wobei ein ringförmiger Zwischenraum (33) zwischen dem genannten zylindrischen Bereich (26) und dem genannten zylindrischen Element (20) definiert ist, um die Umfangswand (12) des Drehknopfes (1) aufzunehmen, wenn dieser in seiner ersten Betriebsposition ist.
     
    6. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 5 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der genannte zylindrische Bereich (26) mit einem inneren Kragen (37) des Drehknopfs (1) zusammenwirkt, der entlang der Umfangswand (12) desselben positioniert ist, welcher Bereich (26) vorzugsweise elastisch verformbare Teile (40) durchdringt, die mit dem genannten Kragen (37) zusammenwirken.
     
    7. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 3 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das ringförmige Teil (30) das an dem Ende (25) des zylindrischen Elements vorhanden ist, zu der Längsachse (W) des Sitzes (15) des Drehknopfs (1) hin ausgestellt ist und einen geneigten Bereich oder Oberfläche (32) aufweist, welcher ausgestellte ringförmige Teil (30) angeordnet ist, um mit einem Element (41), das zumindest im Betrieb mit dem Drehknopf (1) in Beziehung steht, derart zusammenzuwirken, dass Schwingungen desletzteren um die zentrale Längsachse (W) durch seinen Sitz (15) vermieden werden.
     
    8. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 7 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Teil, das im Betrieb mit dem Drehknopf (1) in Beziehung steht, ein geflanschter Bereich (41) des Steuerglieds (2) ist.
     
    9. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie mindestens eins der folgenden Merkmale umfasst:

    - das Stellglied (2) wirkt zusammen mit einem Körper (51) von im Wesentlichen auf einem Kreis basierender Kegelstumpf-Tassengestalt mit einem Endbereich (52), der mit einem Loch (53) für den Durchtritt eines Endes (3A) des genannten Glieds versehen ist, um es an dem Drehknopf (1) zu sichern, welcher Körper (51) eine Mehrzahl von radial verteilten elastisch bewegbaren Vorsprüngen (55) aufweist, deren freie Enden auf einem Umfang eines Durchmessers liegen, der denjenigen der Umfangswand (12) des rohrförmigen Körpers des zylindrischen Elements (20) übersteigt, welcher Körper (51) starr mit dem Steuerglied (2) verbunden ist, welches sich innerhalb des genannten zylindrischen Elements (20) befindet und dessen Vorsprünge (55) in Kontakt mit der Umfangswand (12) desletzteren sind, welcher Kontakt den Drehknopf (1) innerhalb des Sitzes (15) zentriert und seine Schwingungen um die Längsachse (W) desletzteren blockiert

    - an dem Ende (71), das in seinen Sitz (15) eingesetzt ist, weist der Drehknopf (1) eine Mehrzahl von radial angeordneten Nasen (71) auf, deren Ende auf einem Umfang liegt, der einen Durchmesser hat, welcher größer ist als derjenige der Umfangswand (12) des rohrförmigen Körpers des zylindrischen Elements (20), welche Nasen (71) derart elastisch verformbar sind und auf der Umfangswand (12) des zylindrischen Elements lagern, dass sie den Drehknopf auf der Längsachse (W) seines Sitzes (15) zentrieren und jedwede Schwingung um diese Achse blockieren.


     
    10. Eine Vorrichtung wie in Anspruch 1 beansprucht, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zylindrische Element (20) elastisch verformbare Nasen (23K) umfasst, von denen mindestens eine ein Koppelelement (23W) aufweist, das angeordnet ist, um mit einer Oberfläche (16B) der Benutzerschnittstelle (16), die zu dem Inneren des Geräts zeigt, zusammenzuwirken, wobei der rohrförmige Körper (22) dieses zylindrischen Elements (20) ein geflanschtes Ende (24) aufweist, das in dem Drehknopfsitz (15) anzuordnen ist und um auf der Oberfläche (16A) der Benutzerschnittstelle (16) aufzuliegen, welche zu dem Benutzer zeigt.
     


    Revendications

    1. Dispositif de commande rétractable pour un appareil électrique ménager comprenant, positionné sur une interface de commande (16) dudit appareil, un bouton poussoir ou un bouton (1) mobile contre un élément élastique dans une ouverture ou un siège (15) de ladite interface (16), ledit bouton (1) étant à même d'assumer deux positions de travail, une première dans laquelle il est inséré dans ladite ouverture (15) et une seconde dans laquelle il est extrait de celle-ci, ledit bouton (1) coopérant avec un élément de commande (2) pour un élément fonctionnel dudit appareil, notamment un dispositif de chauffage à résistance électrique ou un générateur de micro-ondes d'un four ou un brûleur à gaz d'une plaque de cuisson, ledit élément de commande (2) étant positionné en dessous de l'interface (16), un élément cylindrique (20) étant disposé et fixé dans l'ouverture (15) de celle-ci autour du bouton (1),
    caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif comprend un élément cylindrique (20) qui est disposé et fixé dans l'ouverture (15) de celui-ci autour du bouton (1), un corps cylindrique (17) se trouvant sur une surface de l'interface utilisateur (16) en regard de l'intérieur de l'appareil et agissant comme support pour le bouton (1) et pour l'élément de commande (2), et ledit élément cylindrique (20) est inséré dans le corps cylindrique (17) et contient le bouton (1) lorsque celui-ci se trouve dans sa première position de travail et guide son mouvement dans l'ouverture le long de son axe longitudinal central (W), ledit élément (20) bloquant également l'oscillation du bouton poussoir ou du bouton (1) dans des plans perpendiculaires audit axe (W).
     
    2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément de commande (2) comprend l'élément élastique, ledit élément étant du type push-pull ou analogue.
     
    3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément cylindrique (20) présente un corps tubulaire (22) et comprend une partie interne (23A, 26) avec lequel une partie périmétrique (12) du bouton est en contact lorsque celui-ci est dans sa première position de travail, ladite partie interne (23A, 26), en raison dudit contact, maintenant le bouton (1) centré sur l'axe longitudinal (W) de son siège (15).
     
    4. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie interne est la face interne (23A) d'une paroi latérale (23) de l'élément cylindrique (20) inséré dans le siège (15) du bouton.
     
    5. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie interne est une partie cylindrique (26) positionnée à l'intérieur et coaxialement à l'élément cylindrique (20), celle-ci ayant une longueur au moins approximativement égale à celle dudit élément et étant fixée à sa paroi latérale (23) via une partie annulaire (30) présente à une extrémité (25) dudit élément cylindrique (20) à l'intérieur du siège (15) du bouton, un espace intermédiaire annulaire (33) étant défini entre ladite partie cylindrique (26) et ledit élément cylindrique (20) pour recevoir la paroi périmétrique (12) du bouton (1) lorsque celui-ci se trouve dans sa première position de travail.
     
    6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ladite partie cylindrique (26) coopère avec un collier interne (37) du bouton (1) positionné le long de la paroi périmétrique (12) de celui-ci, ladite partie (26) pénétrant de préférence dans des parties élastiquement déformables (40) coopérant avec ledit collier (37).
     
    7. Dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la partie annulaire (30) présente à l'extrémité (25) de l'élément cylindrique est évasée vers l'axe longitudinal (W) du siège (15) du bouton (1) et présente une partie ou surface inclinée (32), ladite partie annulaire évasée (30) étant aménagée pour coopérer avec un élément (41) associé au moins de manière opérationnelle avec le bouton (1) de manière à empêcher l'oscillation de ce dernier autour de l'axe longitudinal central (W) à travers son siège (15).
     
    8. Dispositif selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que cette partie associée de manière opérationnelle au bouton (1) est une partie bridée (41) de l'élément de commande (2).
     
    9. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins l'une des caractéristiques suivantes :

    - l'élément de commande (2) coopère avec un corps (51) à forme de coupe tronconique à base sensiblement circulaire avec une partie d'extrémité (52) présentant un trou (53) pour le passage d'une extrémité (3A) dudit élément pour la fixer au bouton (1), ledit corps (51) présentant une pluralité de saillies élastiquement mobile radialement distribuées (55) ayant leurs extrémités libres situées sur une circonférence d'un diamètre dépassant celui de la paroi périmétrique (12) du corps tubulaire de l'élément cylindrique (20), ledit corps (51) qui est rigide avec l'élément de commande (2) étant interne audit élément cylindrique (20) et ayant ses saillies (55) en contact avec la paroi périmétrique (12) de celui-ci, ledit contact centrant le bouton (1) dans le siège (15) et bloquant son oscillation autour de l'axe longitudinal (W) de celui-ci ;

    - à cette extrémité (71) insérée dans son siège (15), le bouton (1) présente une pluralité de ressauts radialement disposés (71) avec leur extrémité située sur une circonférence ayant un diamètre supérieur à celui de la paroi périmétrique (12) du corps tubulaire de l'élément cylindrique (20), lesdits ressauts (71) étant élastiquement déformables et portant sur la paroi périmétrique (12) de l'élément cylindrique de manière à centrer le bouton sur l'axe longitudinal (W) de son siège (15) et à bloquer toute oscillation autour de cet axe.


     
    10. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément cylindrique (20) comprend des ressauts élastiquement déformables (23K), dont au moins l'un présente un élément de couplage (23W) aménagé pour coopérer avec une surface (16B) de l'interface utilisateur (16) en regard de l'intérieur de l'appareil, le corps tubulaire (22) de cet élément cylindrique (20) présentant une extrémité bridée (24) destinée à être disposée dans le siège (15) du bouton et à reposer sur la surface (16A) de l'interface utilisateur (16) en regard de l'utilisateur.
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description