Operator control element and domestic appliance

Abstract

An operating element for a domestic appliance includes a main body which is made of a material comprised of plastic and a filler admixed to the plastic. The filler has a thermal conductivity which is higher than a thermal conductivity of the plastic. The filler can be present in particle form, e.g. as spheres, grains, fibers or as powder.

Claims

1. An operating element for a domestic appliance, said operating element comprising a main body made of a material comprised of plastic and a filler admixed to the plastic, said filler having a thermal conductivity which is higher than a thermal conductivity of the plastic, said material of the main body having a thermal conductivity of 1 to 20 W/mK.

2. The operating element of claim 1, wherein the filler is present in the material of the main body at a proportion by volume which is less than 70%.

3. The operating element of claim 1, wherein the filler is present in the material of the main body at a proportion by volume which is less than 50%.

4. A domestic appliance, comprising at least one operating element including a main body made of a material comprised of plastic and a filler admixed to the plastic, said filler having a thermal conductivity which is higher than a thermal conductivity of the plastic, wherein the material of the main body has a thermal conductivity of 1 to 20 W/mK.

5. The domestic appliance of claim 4, wherein the filler is present in the material of the main body at a proportion by volume which is less than 70%.

6. The domestic appliance of claim 4, wherein the filler is present in the material of the main body at a proportion by volume which is less than 50%.

7. A domestic appliance, comprising: a heat conducting member; and at least one operating element to control the heat conducting member, the operating element comprising a main body configured to be directly touched by a user to apply a force to actuate the operating element, the main body comprising a material with a plastic and a filler admixed to the plastic, said filler having a thermal conductivity which is higher than a thermal conductivity of the plastic thereby providing a cool metal sensation to the skin of the user when the main body is touched by the user, wherein the material of the main body has a thermal conductivity of 1 to 20 W/mK.

8. An operating element for a domestic appliance, said operating element comprising a main body made of a material comprised of plastic and a filler admixed to the plastic, said filler having a thermal conductivity which is higher than a thermal conductivity of the plastic, wherein the filler is a metal filler, the metal filler includes powdered copper, aluminum or stainless steel, and the metal filler is present in the material of the main body at a proportion by volume which is less than 70%.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described again below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an operating element according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic, perspective view from below of the operating element according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an inventive operating element 1. In the illustrated embodiment it consists of a main body 10 and an axle part 11. The main body 10 is provided with a coating 12 on its outer face. Although the main body 10 and axle part 11 are shown as separate components in the illustrated embodiment, it is within the scope of the invention for them to form an integral, in other words single, component.

(5) In the illustrated embodiment the operating element 1 is a rotationally symmetrical operating knob that can be rotated about the axis of rotation D of the axle part 11. The operating knob 1 is closed off at one axial end by a cover, which is part of the main body 10 in the illustrated embodiment. Provided at the opposing axial end is the axle part 11, by way of which the operating element 1 can be connected to other elements, for example an actuation axle 20 of a domestic appliance 25. The main body 10 is provided with a coating 12 on the outer periphery of the lateral surface of the main body 10 and on the axial end closed off by the cover. Grooves 13 are also incorporated on the outer periphery of the operating knob 1 at the closed end to facilitate rotation of the operating knob 1 for the user.

(6) Advantages of the present invention include a superior appearance, for example in the manner of brushed stainless steel. An inventive operating element, in particular an inventive operating knob, also has a cool touch effect. Higher operating temperatures are also permissible with the inventive operating element than with a purely metal knob.