Abstract: A circuit arrangement for determining a capacitance of a number n of capacitive sensor elements (SE1˜SEn) comprises at least one collecting capacitor (CS1˜CSm), a reference voltage source (RQ), an evaluation device (AE) connected to the at least one collecting capacitor to evaluate a voltage present at the at least one collecting capacitor, a control unit (MC) for generating at least one control signal (SS1˜SSk), and at least one integrated circuit (IC1˜ICm) connected to the reference voltage source, the sensor elements, and the at least one collecting capacitor. The at least one integrated circuit comprises a number k of changeover switches (WS1˜WSk) responsive to the at least one control signal to connect the respectively associated sensor element to the reference voltage source in a first switching position, and to the at least one collecting capacitor in a second switching position.

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 circuit arrangement for determining a capacitance of a number n of capacitive sensor elements (SE1˜SEn) comprises at least one collecting capacitor (CS1˜CSm), a reference voltage source (RQ), an evaluation device (AE) connected to the at least one collecting capacitor to evaluate a voltage present at the at least one collecting capacitor , a control unit (MC) for generating at least one control signal (SS1˜SSk), and at least one integrated circuit (IC1˜ICm) connected to the reference voltage source, the sensor elements, and the at least one collecting capacitor. The at least one integrated circuit comprises a number k of changeover switches (WS1˜WSk) responsive to the at least one control signal to connect the respectively associated sensor element to the reference voltage source in a first switching position, and to the at least one collecting capacitor in a second switching position.

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 circuit for generating a square wave signal (UN2) comprising a DC voltage source (UG), a driver stage (TS), which alternately connects a control node (SK) to ground (GND) or the DC voltage (UG), a diode (D1) and a first capacitor (C1), which are coupled in series between a first pole (P1) of the DC voltage source and the control node (SK). The circuit further comprises an output stage (AS) comprising a first transistor (TR1) and a second transistor (TR2), which are connected such that the output stage (AS) the transistors are alternately conductive. The transistors (TR1, TR2) are coupled in series between a connecting node (N1), formed between the diode (D1) and the first capacitor (C1), and the control node (SK). A connecting node (N2) between the first transistor (TR1) and the second transistor (TR2) forms an output terminal for emitting the square wave signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charge transfer-based circuit arrangement for capacitive proximity switches comprising a capacitive sensor element (C3), the capacity of which changes according to the actuation mode. The circuit arrangement includes a central capacitor (C2), a first controllable connecting means (D2) that impinges the capacitive sensor element with a charging voltage (U3) according to a triggering signal, and a second controllable connecting means (T1) which connects the capacitive sensor element to the central capacitor according to the triggering signal in order to transfer the charge from the capacitive sensor element to the central capacitor. The charging voltage can be an AC voltage while the connecting means can be impinged upon by the AC voltage in such a way that the first connecting means or the second connecting means is alternately conductive.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a square wave signal (UN2) comprising a DC voltage source (UG), a driver stage (TS), which alternately connects a control node (SK) to ground (GND) or the DC voltage (UG), a diode (D1) and a first capacitor (C1), which are coupled in series between a first pole (P1) of the DC voltage source and the control node (SK). The circuit further comprises an output stage (AS) comprising a first transistor (TR1) and a second transistor (TR2), which are connected such that the output stage (AS) the transistors are alternately conductive. The transistors (TR1, TR2) are coupled in series between a connecting node (N1), formed between the diode (D1) and the first capacitor (C1), and the control node (SK). A connecting node (N2) between the first transistor (TR1) and the second transistor (TR2) forms an output terminal for emitting the square wave signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charge transfer-based circuit arrangement for capacitive proximity switches comprising a capacitive sensor element (C3), the capacity of which changes according to the actuation mode. Said circuit arrangement comprises a central capacitor (C2), a first controllable connecting means (D2) that impinges the capacitive sensor element with a charging voltage (U3) according to a triggering signal, and a second controllable connecting means (T1) which connects the capacitive sensor element to the central capacitor according to the triggering signal in order to transfer the charge from the capacitive sensor element to the central capacitor. The charging voltage can be an AC voltage while the connecting means can be impinged upon by the AC voltage in such a way that the first connecting means or the second connecting means is alternately conductive.