Abstract: An operator control device for a hob has a hob plate as an operator control panel, and a component carrier including conductor tracks and contact areas beneath the hob plate. A sensor element device including a sensor element housing is arranged on the component carrier, with electrically conductive material for forming a capacitive sensor element on a top face. In order to make electrical contact with the electrically conductive material on the component carrier, a spring element receptacle is provided in the sensor element housing, an electrically conductive spring element being inserted into the spring element receptacle, which electrically conductive spring element is composed of a material which is different from the electrically conductive material for the capacitive sensor element.

Abstract: A sensor element device for a capacitive contact switch for an operator control device with an operator panel has a molded body of an electrically nonconducting material. The molded body has an upper side that lies against an underside of the control panel in the assembled state. The molded body is transparently formed in certain portions in a direction perpendicular to its upper side as an illuminated indicator and is provided on its upper side with an electrically conductive coating. The electrically conductive coating serves as a capacitive sensor element of the capacitive contact switch and has at least one recess, which has been produced by means of a laser, to form a symbol.

Abstract: A control device for an electrical appliance has a control panel wherein a plurality of capacitive sensor elements for a capacitive proximity switch are arranged under the control panel and are arranged in a continuous row, in order to form an elongated slider for operation by application of a finger and drawing the finger over them. The sensor elements are all identical and have a rectangular shape, wherein they are each arranged with one of their first sides facing one another and with all of their sides parallel to one another. They are aligned in the same way with respect to the continuous row, wherein the first sides are rotated through an angle of between 46° and 75° to form the row along which the sensor elements are arranged.

Abstract: An operator control unit for operator control of a cooktop comprising at least two cooking zones, with at least one of the cooking zones having two heating rings that can be separately activated. The operator control unit comprises at least one selection element to select a cooking zone, at least one adjusting element, it being possible to adjust a heating power of a selected cooking zone by operating said adjusting element, and a control unit coupled to the at least one selection element and the at least one adjusting element, and which detects operation of the at least one selection element and the at least one adjusting element. The control unit can control at least one of the at least two heating rings of the selected cooking zone in the event of an operating duration in a second time period which differs from the first time period range.

Abstract: A sensor element device for a capacitive contact switch for an operator control device with an operator panel has a molded body of an electrically nonconducting material. The molded body has an upper side that lies against an underside of the control panel in the assembled state. The molded body is transparently formed in certain portions in a direction perpendicular to its upper side as an illuminated indicator and is provided on its upper side with an electrically conductive coating. The electrically conductive coating serves as a capacitive sensor element of the capacitive contact switch and has at least one recess, which has been produced by means of a laser, to form a symbol.

Abstract: A control device for an electrical appliance has a control panel wherein a plurality of capacitive sensor elements for a capacitive proximity switch are arranged under the control panel and are arranged in a continuous row, in order to form an elongated slider for operation by application of a finger and drawing the finger over them. The sensor elements are all identical and have a rectangular shape, wherein they are each arranged with one of their first sides facing one another and with all of their sides parallel to one another. They are aligned in the same way with respect to the continuous row, wherein the first sides are rotated through an angle of between 46° and 75° to form the row along which the sensor elements are arranged.

Abstract: An operator control unit for operator control of a cooktop comprising at least two cooking zones, with at least one of the cooking zones having two heating rings that can be separately activated. The operator control unit comprises at least one selection element to select a cooking zone, at least one adjusting element, it being possible to adjust a heating power of a selected cooking zone by operating said adjusting element, and a control unit coupled to the at least one selection element and the at least one adjusting element, and which detects operation of the at least one selection element and the at least one adjusting element. The control unit can control at least one of the at least two heating rings of the selected cooking zone in the event of an operating duration in a second time period which differs from the first time period range.

Abstract: In the case of an electrical appliance, such as a hob with contact or touch switches under a glass ceramic hotplate, it is possible to provide on at least some contact switches an operating function initiated following double contacting or touching in a time of max. two seconds. If only a single contacting or three or more contacting operations take place within this time period, then no operating function is initiated and instead an error signal is outputted.

Abstract: A sensor element and a touch switch arrangement have a sensor surface, which engages on the underside of a control surface. The sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a LED as the light source. A Funnel-shaped, closed light guide structure is provided, which guides or conducts the light from the LED to the sensor surface or shield against the environment. The light guide structure can additionally have further function(s) such as securing in position or electrical contacting of the sensor surface.

Abstract: A sensor element and a touch switch arrangement (11, 111) have a sensor surface (12, 112), which engages on the underside (13) of a control surface (114). It is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a LED (17, 117) as the light source. Funnel-shaped, closed light guide means (20) are provided, which guide or conduct the light from the LED (17) to the sensor surface (12) or shield against the environment. The light guide means can additionally have further function such as securing in position or electrical contacting of the sensor surface (12, 112).

Abstract: An electronic control arrangement for an electrical heating appliance with several separately heatable electrical loads, particularly cooking points or hotplates, contains an electronic master switch, which has its own power supply. The master switch is followed by a control unit having for each electrical load in each case one control subunit. For each hotplate the control unit has a temperature sensor, which responds if the control unit becomes too hot at this point.