An operating panel device includes an operating ring, and a display device which is disposed to face a back surface of the operating ring. The display device includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is located inside the operating ring, and the second portion is located outside the operating ring. The third portion connects the first portion and the second portion. A display of the first portion changes in conjunction with a rotational operation applied to the operating ring.

A control knob for an appliance includes a base having an axially-operated switch. An outer control assembly is rotationally and axially operable with respect to the base. An inner display assembly is rotationally fixed with respect to the base and axially fixed with respect to the outer control assembly. The inner display assembly is biased toward an extended state and is axially operable to a selection state that engages the axially operated switch.

A rotary encoder switch includes a cover cap, a fixing sleeve, a first base board, an actuating device, and a second base board disposed under the actuating device. The actuating device includes a base seat and a rotary element rotatably connected to the base seat and mounted to the cover cap. The first base board is disposed on the actuating device and has multiple first lighting elements. The rotary element is rotatable in conjunction with rotation of the cover cap so as to generate encoding signals according to each rotary position of the cover cap for controlling functions of an applied product. The first lighting elements are capable of emitting light in sequence subject to the rotation of the cover cap, while the light being emitted is permeable to the cover cap for users to easily recognize the exact rotary position of the cover cap.

A knob device includes a knob body, a graphic plate, and a light source. The knob body has a hollow space and has an end equipped with a screen. The graphic plate has multiple graphic windows including graphic symbols, respectively. The light source is configured to emit light through both at least one of the graphic windows and the hollow space to project at least one of the graphic symbols on the screen. The graphic plate is movable to switch the at least one of the graphic symbols to another of the graphic symbols.

A touch-sensitive rotary control device with an illumination function includes a rotary encoder having a conductive outer casing and a rotatable shaft extending from it, the shaft operating as a light guide for a light source located in the rotary encoder, a conductive sleeve mechanically coupled to and surrounding the side of shaft, and electrically coupled to the conductive outer casing of the rotary encoder, so that touch-sensitivity is provided and light is allowed to exit the shaft and such that the device can be provided as a kit of parts or form part of a mixing console.

The present invention relates to a washing apparatus and to a washing apparatus having a convenient user interface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing apparatus that provides a user interface that is concentrated, simple and intuitive. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a washing apparatus may be provided that is characterized by comprising: an annular rotary knob provided for course selection; a display for selectively displaying a course screen showing information on a course selected from within the radial directions of the rotary knob, and an options screen for changing options for at least one wash water temperature; washing intensity, number of rinses, and spin-dry intensity within the course; a switching input part provided within the radial directions of the rotary knob in order to switch between the course screen and the options screen through a selection by a user; and a single variable input part provided to change the options when in the options screen and to make inputs unrelated to the options when in the course screen.

A command selector includes a scroll wheel mounted in a support and free to rotate about a main axis, a fixed printed circuit board, a detection wheel rotating about a secondary axis, a means of transmission rotationally connecting the scroll wheel to the detection wheel of which the rotations are detected by a rotation sensor arranged on the printed circuit board. The main axis and the secondary axis are non-parallel, the means of transmission defines an angle, and the detection wheel rotating in a plane parallel to the printed circuit board, the secondary axis being perpendicular to the printed circuit board, so as to minimize the circumscribed volume of the selector.

To reduce the likelihood of erroneous detection resulting from improper engagement of an engaging part with an engaged part, a fixing member is made to have a recess formed therein and is provided with a plurality of conduction paths that are electrically insulated from each other and have portions that are exposed at a plurality of positions including a first position inside the recess and in the vicinity of the innermost part of the recess and a second position inside the recess and not in the vicinity of the innermost part of the recess and other portions that are exposed outside of the recess, and a prescribed member touching the first position and second position can push the area around the opening of the recess.

An apparatus for human-computer interaction and a vehicle including the same are provided. The apparatus includes a first magnetic component, a control module, a data transmission module and a second magnetic component. The first magnetic component has a preset surface area and is fixed on a device where the apparatus is located. The control module generates a control instruction. The data transmission module sends the control instruction to a main controller of the device. The second magnetic component is connected to the control module and the data transmission module, and attracts the control module and the data transmission module to the first magnetic component, where an attraction position is changeable. The user can control the second magnetic component to move to a suitable position on a surface of the first magnetic component, avoiding usage barriers caused by the user's inaccessibility of the apparatus for human-computer interaction.

A rotary switch device for a vehicle includes a rotary dial module including a plurality of sensors, a material configured to react to a magnetic force, and a base module that generates a magnetic force greater than or equal to a threshold value to enable the rotary dial module to be attached to the base module and transmits detection results from the plurality of sensors included in the rotary dial module to an electronic device inside the vehicle when the rotary dial module is attached to the base module.