EP2837728A1 - Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung - Google Patents

Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2837728A1
EP2837728A1 EP13180220.9A EP13180220A EP2837728A1 EP 2837728 A1 EP2837728 A1 EP 2837728A1 EP 13180220 A EP13180220 A EP 13180220A EP 2837728 A1 EP2837728 A1 EP 2837728A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
front wall
drawer
laundry treatment
aperture
treatment device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP13180220.9A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrea De Pellegrin
Stefano Morandini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Electrolux Appliances AB
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances AB filed Critical Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority to EP13180220.9A priority Critical patent/EP2837728A1/de
Publication of EP2837728A1 publication Critical patent/EP2837728A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/28—Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
    • D06F34/34—Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress characterised by mounting or attachment features, e.g. detachable control panels or detachable display panels
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to laundry treatment devices, such as front loading washing machines, washers/dryers, dryers, both for domestic and professional use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a laundry treatment device including a control-panel assembly.
  • laundry treatment devices include a casing defining a front wall. Front walls made as a single integral piece, without any visible seam, so as to appear as a continuous uniform external surface, are increasingly popular and appreciated by the users.
  • an aperture for the loading/unloading of the appliance is generally formed, which can be preferably opened/closed by a suitable door, as well as an additional aperture, to which a control panel is associated.
  • control panel of an laundry treatment device typically is connected to an inner printed circuit board (or PCB) that is electrically connected to electronic components and control members, as well as a power supply, associated therewith for implementing corresponding control functionalities, e.g. powering, driving, activation, deactivation of operative loads including electric, electronic, electro-mechanical and/or electro-hydraulic parts of the appliance (such as motor, solenoid valve, further PCBs and the like).
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the control panel is operated by the user by means of an outer dashboard, which also represents the external visible surface of the assembly, positioned at the front wall.
  • an outer dashboard which also represents the external visible surface of the assembly, positioned at the front wall.
  • displays, knobs, touch screens and/or any other input devices are formed in order to control the operative status of the appliance and/or for example select the appropriate programs or cycles and the parameters thereof.
  • the outer dashboard is coupled to the front wall, at the aperture therein, and the PCB is located within the casing. Different couplings between the outer dashboard and the front wall are possible.
  • a laundry treating apparatus which can be manufactured easily.
  • the laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the cabinet configured to hold laundry therein, a front cover including a door aperture to load the laundry in the drum, and at least one panel aperture configured to receive a control panel therein.
  • the control panel is mounted on the front cover by means of a mounting plate which is detachably coupled to flange parts.
  • Applicant has considered the layout of the panel control assembly described in EP 2140058 .
  • the appliance herein disclosed includes a full front wall, in which two apertures are provided, one for connecting the panel assembly and one for connecting the drawer.
  • the full front wall of the device disclosed in the mentioned EP patent is made of metallic material.
  • the panel aperture and the drawer aperture are separated by a crosspiece, which is also made of in metallic material.
  • the control panel is coupled to the casing of the device from the back, e.g. the panel assembly is connected to the front wall from the interior of the casing, and therefore no portion of the panel assembly is overlapping a portion of the front surface of the front wall.
  • the visible and accessible parts of the crosspiece made of metal are also not covered by any additional element, and thus its edges, which are possibly sharp, can cause damage to the user who accidentally touches the same while operating the control panel.
  • the invention relates to a laundry treatment device comprising:
  • the laundry treatment device is a washing machine or a dryer or a washer/drier.
  • the laundry treatment device includes a casing delimiting the appliance, wherein a laundry treatment chamber is housed, and a front wall of the same.
  • the front wall of the casing has a front surface which is a continuous surface having an aperture which is called panel aperture.
  • an inner volume is defined by the assembly casing and front wall. Element facing said inner volume are called elements which are “inward facing” elements, while elements not facing this inner volume are called “outward facing” elements.
  • the front surface of the front wall represents the external front surface of the appliance, thus facing the outside to the casing, and it is advantageously construed as a single continuous surface holed by the panel aperture.
  • These front walls are in jargon also called "full front".
  • the front wall can also include additional element(s) separated from the portion of the front wall defining the continuous front surface.
  • the front wall could include a first portion having a panel aperture to host the control-panel assembly which is positioned in the top-most part of the front wall, and a second portion, separated from the first, which covers the lowermost part of the front wall.
  • top top
  • bottom bottom or “upper” and “lower” are herein used with reference to the standard standing configuration of the laundry treatment device when in use.
  • the control panel assembly is manually operated by a user in order to select the programs or to input any data relative to the functioning of the appliance.
  • the control panel assembly can also display warning messages or instruction for maintenance coming directly from the laundry treatment device.
  • the front wall in the portion defining the continuous front surface, includes further apertures.
  • the front surface includes an opening for the access into the appliance, e.g. in a washing machine or dryer the opening is used to load and/or unload the laundry.
  • the laundry treatment device includes a drawer.
  • the drawer includes, in case of a washing machine, a detergent dispenser, e.g. the detergent is inserted within the drawer and, during the washing cycle, it is flushed within the drum by flushing water.
  • the drawer is a water drawer where, in case of a dryer, the condense water is collected during the drying cycles.
  • the drawer is connected in a retractable manner onto the front wall of the laundry treatment device, at the drawer aperture, so that a user can open and close the same in order for example to introduce the detergents and/or to remove the condense water.
  • a seat is provided, in order to house the drawer and allow the opening and closing movements.
  • Drawer seat and the dashboard are coupled to two different apertures provided on the front wall, the panel aperture and the drawer aperture, and a crosspiece is interposed therebetween.
  • the crosspiece interposed between the two apertures helps to stabilize the front wall, creating a supporting element for the wall, and it also helps to obtain a correct alignment of the control panel assembly and the drawer seat on the front wall during the assembly of the laundry treatment device.
  • both the drawer seat and the dashboard are fixed to the crosspiece separating the two apertures one from the other.
  • the alignment of both drawer seat and dashboard is greatly simplified. This in turn reduces the manufacturing required time and costs.
  • the final aesthetical appearance of the laundry treatment device is improved.
  • first and a second mechanical coupling system (not necessarily two distinct systems, but possibly also two totally or partially coincident systems) which are at least partially included in the crosspiece itself.
  • the first and second coupling system may be a same system (i.e. they may coincide).
  • they may comprise screw holes provided in the crosspiece and corresponding screws for fixing the dashboard and/or the drawer seat to the crosspiece.
  • first and/or second mechanical coupling system may advantageously comprise hooks formed in the crosspiece to hook corresponding elements in the dashboard and/or drawer seat.
  • first and a second mechanical coupling system may comprise a snap fit comprising, for example, a clip provided on the dashboard/drawer seat which is configured to snap on a flat portion of the lateral edges of the crosspiece (which flat portion in this case is comprised in the mechanical coupling system).
  • all visible portion of said continuous front surface is seamless.
  • the visible portion of the front wall is a single piece, for example a single metal sheet which has been properly shaped. The sheet has not been welded or otherwise connected.
  • the visible portion of the front wall means that portion which, when the laundry treatment device is in an assembled configuration, is visible by the user from the outside of the casing. This portion is preferably the seamless one, because it gives a better aesthetical appearance to the laundry treatment device and in addition it avoids any possibility of injuries caused by sharp edges which can occurs when seams in metal material are created (for example when the seam is unfinished by mistake).
  • Other portions of the front wall which are covered by additional elements or which are hidden by other casing's parts can include seams.
  • said drawer seat is integral to said outer dashboard forming an outer dashboard assembly.
  • the seat is an integral part of the dashboard.
  • seat and dashboard form a single integral element.
  • said first mechanical coupling system and second mechanical coupling system are a single coupling system.
  • outer dashboard and drawer seat are a single element, i.e. the outer dashboard assembly
  • a single coupling of a single element onto the crosspiece is enough to obtain all the advantages listed above.
  • the first mechanical coupling system thus coincides with the second mechanical coupling system.
  • a single mechanical coupling system can advantageously be present, which can embrace both drawer seat and dashboard and fix both onto the crosspiece.
  • the outer dashboard or an outer dashboard assembly formed by the drawer seat and the outer dashboard, when coupled to said panel aperture and in an assembled configuration, is completely surrounded by said front wall.
  • the outer dashboard or outer dashboard assembly i.e., including the drawer seat
  • the outer dashboard/dashboard assembly is, in an assembled configuration, in contact to the front wall in all directions.
  • there is no direct contact but an aperture or another body is interposed between a side of the dashboard/dashboard assembly and the front wall.
  • the dashboard/dashboard assembly is still encircled by a portion of front wall, regardless of whether the front wall is in contact or not to the dashboard/dashboard assembly.
  • the dashboard can include a portion external to the casing which covers the front wall to such an extension that it comes into contact to lateral wall(s) of the casing.
  • the dashboard also inserted into the panel aperture, there is always a portion of dashboard/dashboard assembly which is completely surrounded from all directions by the front wall.
  • dashboard/dashboard assembly is advantageously built-in (or embedded) in the front wall.
  • said drawer aperture and/or said panel aperture has an edge defining a closed curve.
  • the panel and/or drawer aperture includes an edge which is a closed curve, which means that the aperture is completely contained in the front wall.
  • the shape of the aperture and/or of the edge of the aperture is not relevant in the present case and it can be oval, rectangular, etc.
  • said crosspiece defines a crosspiece front surface, said crosspiece front surface being a portion of said continuous front surface of said front wall.
  • the crosspiece is not an added element to the front wall, but it is an integral part of the same, and the front surface, which also includes the crosspiece front surface, is globally continuous. More preferably, the whole front surface is also seamless.
  • the crosspiece can be attached to, for example by welding, the front wall, so it is a separated element that has to be assembled during the laundry treatment device production.
  • Other means to fix the crosspiece are included as well, for example by screws, glue, snap-fit elements, etc.
  • said outer dashboard and/or drawer seat includes a rear surface, a portion of said rear surface being in abutment against said crosspiece front surface when said laundry treatment device is in an assembled configuration.
  • the crosspiece is substantially covered (or overlapped) by the dashboard and/or drawer seat and thus it is not directly reachable by the user when the laundry treatment device is assembled.
  • the crosspiece therefore is not required to have a proper finishing, such as smooth and rounded edges in order not to injure the user.
  • a not covered crosspiece with sharp edges can cut the user's fingers when he/she is operating the dashboard to input some information on the same.
  • said first and/or second mechanical coupling includes a screw, screw threads on said outer dashboard and/or drawer seat and a hole on said crosspiece.
  • a screw coupling is particularly effective in case of vibrations, such as those present in a laundry treatment device during washing and/or rinsing cycles, and remains fastened.
  • said drawer seat is coupled to an edge of said drawer aperture by means of a drawer seat mechanical coupling.
  • said drawer seat mechanical coupling includes a screw coupling element.
  • the drawer seat is also coupled to the drawer aperture.
  • a vertical section of said front wall presents a concavity pointed towards the internal of said casing.
  • the shape of the front wall is not flat, but substantially curved.
  • the curvature is along a vertical plane, according to a favorite embodiment, so that the front wall has a rounded appearance which is particularly pleasant and appreciated by the user.
  • the dashboard of the invention fits easily due to the fact that preferably the outer surface of the dashboard substantially represents a geometrical continuation of the front surface of the front wall without protruding from the same, i.e. it is flush to the front wall surface.
  • said outer dashboard is made of a plastic material and said front wall is made of a metallic material.
  • the front wall of full front laundry treatment devices is made of metal.
  • the full front shape is relatively easily retrievable by suitably bending a sheet of metallic material, such as steel.
  • the dashboard is made of plastic material, because the coupling between plastic and metal is more reliable and easy to be manufactured than a metal to metal connection.
  • said crosspiece is a separated element fixed or fixable to said front wall to separate said panel aperture and said drawing aperture.
  • Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a laundry treatment device 100 according to the present invention.
  • the teaching of the present invention may be applied to substantially any appliance for laundry treatment, e.g. to washer/dryers, washing machines (as exemplary illustrated in the figures and to which reference will be made in the following by way of a non-limiting example only), dryers, etc.
  • the device 100 comprises a substantially parallelepiped-shaped casing 2, which encloses an inner compartment comprising a laundry treatment chamber, for example a rotating drum 12 for housing the laundry to be treated and a tub encasing the drum (tub is not visible in the appended drawings). Moreover, the device includes an access door 3 provided on a front wall 4 of the casing for accessing the laundry treatment chamber 12 thereby allowing loading/unloading of the laundry by a user. The front wall 4 is connected to an open side of casing 2.
  • the casing 2 preferably also includes a bottom wall or basement 5, a top wall 6, a back wall 7, and two opposite lateral walls 8, 9.
  • lateral walls, front walls, top wall and basement are separated pieces which are then assembled together via suitable fastening means.
  • some of these walls can be a single piece, for example lateral walls and back wall can be a single U-shaped piece.
  • casing 2 may include a single wall, or two walls, such as the back and/or one of the side walls.
  • casing and front wall together defines a substantially close volume, regardless of the relative extension of front wall and the rest of the casing.
  • Walls are preferably made of metal, however also plastic is possible. Also, in a non-depicted embodiment, some of the walls can be made of a material, and some other(s) can be made of a different material.
  • a horizontal plane is defined (plane (XY) in Figure 1 and 3 ), which is generally the plane on which the bottom wall or basement 5 lies and generally it is also parallel to the top wall 6 of the casing in a mounted configuration.
  • the appliance also extends along a vertical direction denoted with Z.
  • the front wall 4 includes an external continuous surface 4a having a plurality of apertures, as better detailed below.
  • the front external surface is the external front surface of the appliance.
  • Front wall 4 is preferably made of a metallic material, for example in stainless steel.
  • the front surface 4a is preferably continuous and even more preferably seamless, at least in the visible portion(s) of the same.
  • Continuous surface means that the surface is formed as a single member.
  • Sealess means that, in addition to be continuous, there are no seams which indicate that for example welding has been used to join together different parts.
  • portions of the front wall 4 can be present. The absence of seams improves the overall appearance of the laundry treatment device 100.
  • the front wall 4 preferably includes four rounded corners 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e along its outer edge.
  • "Rounded corner” means a corner which does not include sharp and abrupt changes in directions of the surfaces forming the same; on the contrary in a rounded corner the surfaces merges smoothly and with continuity. The round corners give a more aesthetically pleasant look to the device 100.
  • the front wall 4 can be obtained by a single sheet of metal.
  • it can be obtained by a sheet of stainless steel.
  • the front wall can be coated by suitable coating to prevent corrosion.
  • the front wall can be colored of any color and gloss.
  • the front wall 4 defines a top portion 4a', a middle portion 4a"' and a bottom portion 4a", the terms “top”, “middle” and “bottom” used with reference to the standard standing configuration of the household appliance when in use.
  • top portion 4a' and the middle portion 4a"' of the front wall 4 are a single (or one-piece) element, i.e., having a continuous and/or seamless front surface 4a, while the bottom portion 4a" can be permanently fixed to it, for example welded to it, or it can even be added as an additional element which can be disassembled from the rest of the front wall.
  • the front wall 4 includes an outer edge which can be divided in a top edge 50a, which is the portion of the outer edge comprised between corners 4b and 4c, a bottom edge 50b, which is the portion of the edge located between corners 4d and 4e, and two lateral opposite edges, 50c and 50d, which are the portions of outer edge present between corners 4b and 4e, and 4c and 4d, respectively.
  • Front surface 4a includes a laundry opening 3a for the access into the laundry treatment device 100, in particular to the laundry treatment chamber 12 so that laundry can be loaded or unloaded to/from the laundry treatment device 100.
  • the opening 3a is openable and closable by the door 3, which is advantageously hinged on front wall 4.
  • the door 3 is coupled to a recessed portion 3b of the front wall 4a: in this embodiment, the front wall 4 includes the recessed portion (see figures 3 and 4 ) in the center of which the door opening 3a is formed.
  • the dimensions of the opening 3a are such to be suitable to accommodate the door 3.
  • the door 3 is then rotatably coupled to the door opening 3a and, when mounted and in a closed position, it preferably does not project substantially beyond the front surface 4a due to the recess presence. In other words, an outer surface of door 3 matches the front surface 4a of front wall 4.
  • the door 3 and the recessed portion 3b are located in the middle portion 4a"' of the front wall 4.
  • the front wall 4 is not flat, i.e., it does not lie completely on a single plane. On the contrary, it preferably includes a concavity pointing towards the inside of the casing 2, being convex on the outside.
  • the front wall 4 - in a section along plane parallel to plane (Z, Y) - has substantially a smoothed trapezoidal shape, the top 4a', the bottom 4a" and the middle portion 4a"' lying on three different planes which form an angle one with respect to the other(s) and also with the vertical direction Z defined by the casing 2, forming in this way the inward concavity.
  • the three planes are preferably connected smoothly and without sharp corners, as clearly visible in figure 5 .
  • the front wall 4 can include a substantially constant curvature, the concavity still oriented towards the inside of the casing 2.
  • the front wall could be a portion of a cylindrical mantel.
  • a first and a second side walls 8a, 9a are connected to the front wall 4, extending from its side edges 50c and 50d delimited between corners 4b-4e and 4c-4d, respectively.
  • the side walls 8a, 9a are substantially a geometrical continuation of the lateral walls 8, 9, respectively, of casing 2.
  • side walls 8a, 9a and front wall 4 are formed continuously as one body, i.e., they are not an assembly of different pieces but they are integral one to the others, and more preferably there are no seams of welding separating the front from the side walls.
  • Side walls and front walls are thus formed as a single piece and even more preferably the front surface 4a of the front wall is smoothly connected to the front surfaces of the side walls 8a and 9a, e.g. no sharp curvature changes are present.
  • an upper wall 6a and a bottom wall 5a extend from the top and bottom edge, 50a and 50b, respectively, of the front wall.
  • upper wall and bottom wall are continuous with the front wall.
  • corners 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e formed where side walls and upper/bottom walls merge into the front wall are seamless, because they are not formed by joining different elements, but they are formed during a single process of forming of the front wall, for example by pressing a single metallic sheet.
  • the two side walls 8a, 9a extend from the side edges 50c and 50d of the front wall 4 substantially perpendicularly to the front wall 4 towards the lateral walls 8 and 9 respectively, or the casing 2, so as to be aligned to these lateral walls.
  • upper and bottom walls 6a, 5a extend from the top edge 50a and bottom edge 50b substantially perpendicularly to the front wall 4, respectively towards the top and bottom walls 6,5 of the casing, preferably so as to be aligned with the latter.
  • At least one of bottom wall 5a and side walls 8a, 9a, more preferably all of them, includes a flange to secure the front wall 4to the rest of the casing 2.
  • At least a flange extends, departing from one of the side walls 8a, 9a or bottom wall 5a, substantially perpendicularly to the side walls 8a, 9a, or bottom wall 5a, from which it departs. More preferably, from each of the side walls 8a, 9a and bottom wall 5a, a flange departs, respectively called side flanges 19a, 19b, and bottom flange 19c. At least one, preferably all, flange 19a, 19b, 19c, abuts against a corresponding flange 29a, 29b, 29c, present on the casing 2.
  • the casing flange 29a, 29b, 29c are located at lateral walls 8, 9 and bottom wall (or basement) 5.
  • Flanges can be formed continuously with the wall from which they extend, or they can be welded to the same. In a different embodiment, only some of the flanges are formed continuously while others are fixed to the front wall 4. Flanges 19a, 19b, 19c, 29a, 29b, 29c are not visible from the outside of the device 100 when the front wall 4 is assembled to the rest of the casing 2, being hidden inside the casing 2 in an assembled configuration itself.
  • flanges 19a, 19b, 19c, 29a, 29b, 29c include coupling holes, all indicated with 39 in the appended drawings, in order to couple the flanges 19a, 19b, 19c of walls 5a, 8a, 9a to the flanges 29a, 29b, 29c, so that the front wall 4 is coupled to the rest of the casing 2 via suitable fastening elements (not visible) inserted or otherwise coupled to the holes 39.
  • Top wall 6a includes preferably appendices 19d and corresponding holes 39 for the connection to the casing 2.
  • front wall 4 includes a second aperture 15, called panel aperture.
  • the front wall 4 includes also a third aperture, called drawer aperture 60.
  • the panel aperture 15 and/or the drawer aperture 60 is (are) located at the top portion 4a' of the front wall.
  • the panel aperture 15 and the drawer aperture 60 are each substantially a through hole within the front wall, in other words the panel aperture and/or the drawer aperture is(are) completely surrounded in all directions by the front wall.
  • the panel aperture 15 and/or the drawer aperture 60 includes each an outer edge, 15a and 60a, respectively, which defines a closed curve, such as a loop.
  • panel aperture 15 and drawer aperture 60 are located one adjacent to the other substantially at the same height along the Z direction on the front wall 4.
  • a crosspiece 66 advantageously separates the panel aperture 15 from the drawer aperture 60 (and vice-versa).
  • the crosspiece 66 has an elongated shape with a first and a second opposite longitudinal ends 66b, 66c and has a longitudinal extension substantially parallel to the vertical axis Z.
  • Crosspiece 66 includes a portion of the edge 60a of the drawer aperture 60 and a portion of the edge 15a of the panel aperture 15a, corresponding to its lateral opposite edges.
  • crosspiece 66 includes a front surface 66a which is oriented towards the outside of the casing 2 in an assembled configuration.
  • the front surface 66a of the crosspiece 66 and the front surface 4a of the front wall 4 are a continuous uniform surface, and even more preferably this continuous uniform surface is also seamless.
  • the crosspiece 66 is substantially an integral part of the front wall 4: in the front wall 4 there are two apertures, the drawer and panel aperture 15, 60, and the crosspiece is the "remaining" portion of front wall (for example during a punching procedure of a metal sheet for obtaining the apertures) between the two.
  • the crosspiece 66 is attached, for example by means of its opposite longitudinal ends 66b, 66c, to the front wall separating the two apertures 60, 15.
  • the crosspiece is not an integral piece to the front wall, but a separated element which is then fixed to the front wall 4.
  • drawer aperture and panel aperture might be the same aperture, e.g. a single "bigger" aperture can be obtained on the front wall, having the function of the panel and drawer apertures.
  • the front wall may comprise a service aperture 99, preferably covered by a service aperture cover 99a, so that a filter (not visible) of the laundry treatment device 100 might be easily accessible.
  • the service aperture 99 is provided at the bottom portion 4a" of the front wall 4.
  • Laundry treatment device 100 further includes a panel control assembly 1.
  • the control panel assembly 1 includes an outer dashboard 11, which in the depicted embodiment spans for most of the width of the front surface 4a of the appliance.
  • the dashboard is substantially a basin-shaped rigid shell, which is structured for being coupled to the outer front wall 4 of the appliance.
  • the dashboard 11 is made of plastic material.
  • the dashboard 11 is preferably configured for allowing the user to manually control operation of the appliance and ascertain an operational state thereof.
  • the dashboard includes a portion 11ext, external to the casing 2, which is the portion of the dashboard 11 visible and operable by the user.
  • the dashboard external portion 11ext is an exposed part of the control panel assembly also when the device 100 is fully assembled.
  • the dashboard external portion 11ext includes a plurality of apertures and/or input areas 38 through which manually-operable control members 38a are visible or operable.
  • the dashboard external portion 11ext For example, received within, or in registry with, the various apertures 38 formed in the dashboard external portion 11ext, there are a main push button used as a main power control, a plurality of operation push-buttons, control knobs and illumination elements.
  • the dashboard external portion 11ext might include also a display screen and one or more control knobs.
  • the control knob might be rotatable in order to permit the user to select operation cycle settings and other control parameters, with reference to selections indicated by words, icons or other indicia that may be arranged, in printed form or otherwise, on the dashboard.
  • Apertures 38 in the dashboard can also render visible illumination of elements (also called light indicators) to provide a visual indication of a particular operation selection corresponding to a knob or push button position.
  • illumination of elements may indicate the current operation state in the case of a progressive wash/dry operation comprising multiple sequential cycles or stages.
  • the dashboard advantageously includes several arrays of apertures for different light indicators.
  • the light visible within the aperture could be either present or absent, in an on/off manner, or follow a determined pattern, e.g. blinking, can have different intensity, or can change color.
  • the light coming from different apertures can also have different intensity or color one from the other(s).
  • Push buttons, display and apertures to visualize light indicators are known in the art and will not be further detailed below.
  • Outer dashboard 11 also includes a rear surface 11r facing the casing 2, when device 100 is in an assembled configuration. In the latter configuration, the rear surface 11r is located in front of the panel aperture 15 substantially covering (or overlapping) the same. Rear surface 11r is preferably substantially flat.
  • control panel assembly 1 also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 14 for electrically connecting, on a corresponding active surface thereof, the rotatable knobs, the buttons, the display, etc., mentioned with reference to the dashboard.
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • the PCB electrically connects functional components, e.g. electronic circuitry components (not visible in the figures), for implementing corresponding control functionalities of the control panel assembly.
  • functionalities can be one or more of powering, driving, activation, deactivation of one or more operative load including electric, electronic, electro-mechanical and/or electro-hydraulic parts of the appliance, such as motor(s), solenoid valve(s), further PCB, all not shown.
  • PCB 14 is connected to the rear surface 11r once the control panel assembly is in an assembled configuration, and when the control panel assembly 1 is mounted on casing 2 in an assembled configuration, it is located internally to the casing 2.
  • Control panel assembly 1 is coupled to the front wall 4 at the panel aperture 15.
  • the PCB 14 and other possible elements are inserted into the aperture 15.
  • the outer dashboard 11 is then fastened onto the front wall 4.
  • the external portion 11ext preferably remains outside the casing 2 and front wall 4, for example abutting onto the front surface 4a and/or onto the edge 15a of the aperture 15.
  • first and second mechanical elements 20, 30 are preferably used, such as screws or snap-fit elements, so that the control panel is attached to the panel aperture, and preferably to the edge 15a of the same, in a firm manner, withstanding also possible device's vibrations present during the washing and/or rinsing cycles.
  • the first mechanical element 20 advantageously includes one or more snap-on tongues 22 provided on the dashboard 11 and a corresponding flange 16 formed around the edge 15a of said panel aperture 15, so that the tongues 22 can clip on the flange 16.
  • the second mechanical element 30 includes screw threads 31 provided in the rear surface 11r of the dashboard 11, a hole 32 provided in the flange 16 formed around the panel aperture 15, and a screw 33 which is inserted in said hole and screwed in said threads to tighten a coupling of a second type with respect to the snap-on coupling provided by tongues 22.
  • the outer dashboard 11 is preferably fastened to the crosspiece 66 via a first mechanical coupling system 67.
  • the crosspiece 66 itself comprises at least an element, part or portion of such first mechanical coupling system.
  • the crosspiece includes a hole 64 of the first mechanical coupling system 67, on which a screw 69 is inserted and fastened into a screw thread 68 provided on the rear surface 11a of the outer dashboard 11. More preferably, two holes 64, one on top of the other in the vertical direction Z are provided also on the crosspiece 66, on which two screws are inserted, which are then screwed into two screw threads formed on the rear surface 11r of the outer dashboard.
  • the dashboard 11 When the dashboard 11 is coupled to the front wall at the panel aperture 15, there is at least a portion of the dashboard 11 which is completely surrounded by the front wall.
  • the front wall 4 embraces at least a portion of the dashboard which, in all possible directions, is embraced by the front wall.
  • the dashboard 11 includes, extending from its rear surface 11r, a flange or ridge 19 which is inserted in the aperture.
  • the flange 19 is abutting against the edge 15a of aperture 15 and it is completely surrounded by the same, e.g. in the depicted embodiment the portion of the dashboard called flange 19 is completely surrounded by the front wall 4 and in particular by the edge 15a (part of front wall).
  • a wider aperture is present to house both control panel and drawer.
  • the dashboard is still surrounded in all directions by the front wall, because beyond the portion of aperture, along a horizontal axis for example, a piece on front wall is still present, the piece of front wall which forms the edge of the "wider" aperture.
  • the external portion of the dashboard extend along the front surface and can cover the front wall 4 up to the casing 2 in one or more some directions.
  • the external portion of the dashboard 11ext can reach one (or more) of the casing lateral walls 8 or 9, or the casing's top wall 6, if it extends along a horizontal, or vertical, direction, thus without leaving portions of the front wall between the dashboard and the casing visible in that direction.
  • the dashboard is still completely surrounded by the front wall also in this embodiment, due to the fact that the flange 19 is still inserted in aperture 15 and thus edge 15a completely surrounds the flange 19.
  • the external portion 11ext of the dashboard 11 is flush-mounted on the front wall 4, being flush with the front surface 4a.
  • the aesthetical appearance of the assembled dashboard 11 on the front wall 4 is that of a substantially continuous surface where the external portion 11ext matches the external surface 4a of front wall 4.
  • Laundry treatment device 100 also includes a detergent drawer 63.
  • Detergent drawer 63 is retractably mounted to said front wall 4 so that it can be opened and closed.
  • the detergent drawer is generally used to introduce detergents or other products in order to perform a proper washing cycle.
  • Detergent drawer includes a detergent drawer front wall 63a, which also remains external to the casing 2 when the laundry treatment device is in an assembled configuration, and it is so shaped to be easily gripped by the user in order to open and/or close the drawer 63.
  • Drawer 63 is coupled to drawer aperture 60 of front wall 4.
  • a drawer seat 61 is provided, whose dimensions are optimal to house the drawer 63 in a slidable manner.
  • the drawer seat 61 is thus fixed to the front wall 4 at the drawer aperture 60.
  • Drawer seat 61 is preferably made of plastic material.
  • Drawer seat 61 after being mounted on the drawer aperture 60, is then covered by the drawer front wall 63a so that drawer seat becomes substantially invisible when the laundry treatment device 100 is in an assembled configuration.
  • Drawer front wall 63a thus is positioned in front of the drawer aperture 60 closing the same.
  • the front wall 63a of the drawer is mounted on the drawer seat so that it is substantially flush-mounted to the front wall, i.e., the front surface 4a of the front wall is substantially flush with a front surface of the drawer front wall 63a.
  • a single "larger" aperture is provided, as mentioned previously, to house both the control panel assembly 1 and, adjacent to the latter, the detergent drawer 63 (so the crosspiece is not present).
  • Drawer seat 61 is inserted into drawer aperture 60 and then fixed to the same.
  • a mechanical coupling 65 is used.
  • Mechanical coupling 65 includes for example a screw 65a inserted into a hole 65b provided in proximity of the edge 60a of the drawer aperture 60. The screw 65a is thus screwed into a screw thread (not shown) of the drawer seat 61. Any other mechanical coupling can be used as well, in order to firmly fasten the drawer seat to the drawer aperture 60, preferably in proximity of the drawer aperture edge 60a.
  • the drawer seat 61 is also preferably fastened to the crosspiece 66 via a second mechanical coupling system 67.
  • the crosspiece 66 itself comprises at least an element of such second mechanical system.
  • the crosspiece 66 includes a hole 64 of the second mechanical coupling system, on which a screw 69 is inserted and fastened into a screw thread 68 provided in the rear surface 11a of the drawer seat 61. More preferably, two holes 64, one on top of the other in the vertical direction Z are present at crosspiece 66, on which two screws are inserted, which are then screwed into two screw threads.
  • drawer seat 61 and the external portion 11ext of the outer dashboard 11 form an integral piece, forming an outer dashboard assembly. Therefore, first and second mechanical systems 67 are a single system, because fastening of one of the dashboard and drawer seat to the crosspiece automatically means fastening the other of the drawer seat and dashboard to the crosspiece.
  • first and second mechanical coupling systems can be different one from the other, for example one of them might include a snap-fit system and the other one a screw coupling system.
  • the crosspiece includes a part of both the first and second mechanical coupling system.
  • the external portion 11ext of the dashboard 11 and drawer seat 61 are molded together and are made of plastic material.
  • a connecting element joins together the dashboard external portion 11ext and the drawer seat 61.
  • Bridge 101 is preferably located outside the casing 2 when the laundry treatment device is in an assembled configuration and it is positioned in front of the crosspiece 66.
  • the bridge 101 includes a cover surface 101a, which is not visible to a user from the outside of the casing when the control panel assembly 1 is in an assembled configuration and connected to the front wall 4.
  • Cover surface 101a can be a portion of the rear surface 11r of dashboard 11 or a different separated surface. Cover surface, as the name suggests, covers the crosspiece 66, and preferably the front surface 66a of the same.
  • the cover surface 101a can alternatively be included in the drawer seat 61 or in the dashboard 11 and its function is still the same, to cover the front surface 66a of the crosspiece 66.
  • the cover surface 101a is in abutment against the front surface 66a of the crosspiece.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Main Body Construction Of Washing Machines And Laundry Dryers (AREA)
EP13180220.9A 2013-08-13 2013-08-13 Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung Withdrawn EP2837728A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13180220.9A EP2837728A1 (de) 2013-08-13 2013-08-13 Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13180220.9A EP2837728A1 (de) 2013-08-13 2013-08-13 Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2837728A1 true EP2837728A1 (de) 2015-02-18

Family

ID=48979627

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13180220.9A Withdrawn EP2837728A1 (de) 2013-08-13 2013-08-13 Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2837728A1 (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106555304A (zh) * 2015-09-24 2017-04-05 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种全自动洗衣机
EP3165668A1 (de) * 2015-11-02 2017-05-10 LG Electronics Inc. Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
US9970143B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-05-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus and method of fabricating a laundry treating apparatus door
WO2018086940A1 (en) * 2016-11-08 2018-05-17 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A laundry treatment appliance comprising an improved control panel assembly
US10047473B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-08-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
US10060066B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2018-08-28 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance door assembly
US10344422B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2019-07-09 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
US10711389B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2020-07-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Door hinge of a laundry treating apparatus
US10815603B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2020-10-27 Whirlpool Corporation Appliance having a touch film on a compound curved surface
US10815602B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2020-10-27 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1554725A (en) * 1976-10-11 1979-10-31 Hotpoint Ltd Airflow arrangements for tumble drying machines
EP2140058A2 (de) 2007-03-06 2010-01-06 LG Electronics Inc. Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
EP2248937A1 (de) * 2008-01-17 2010-11-10 SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Waschmaschine
EP2339063A2 (de) * 2009-12-28 2011-06-29 Panasonic Corporation Trockner
EP2415925A1 (de) * 2010-08-05 2012-02-08 Indesit Company S.p.A. Elektrisches Haushaltsgerät

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1554725A (en) * 1976-10-11 1979-10-31 Hotpoint Ltd Airflow arrangements for tumble drying machines
EP2140058A2 (de) 2007-03-06 2010-01-06 LG Electronics Inc. Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
EP2140058B1 (de) * 2007-03-06 2013-02-27 LG Electronics Inc. Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
EP2248937A1 (de) * 2008-01-17 2010-11-10 SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Waschmaschine
EP2339063A2 (de) * 2009-12-28 2011-06-29 Panasonic Corporation Trockner
EP2415925A1 (de) * 2010-08-05 2012-02-08 Indesit Company S.p.A. Elektrisches Haushaltsgerät

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3354787A4 (de) * 2015-09-24 2019-03-27 Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Automatische waschmaschine
CN106555304B (zh) * 2015-09-24 2019-10-01 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种全自动洗衣机
CN106555304A (zh) * 2015-09-24 2017-04-05 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 一种全自动洗衣机
US10266983B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2019-04-23 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
EP3165668A1 (de) * 2015-11-02 2017-05-10 LG Electronics Inc. Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
US10006159B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-06-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
US10047473B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-08-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
USRE50151E1 (en) 2015-11-02 2024-10-01 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
US10094063B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-10-09 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus and method of fabricating a laundry treating apparatus door
US10161076B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-12-25 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
USRE50115E1 (en) 2015-11-02 2024-09-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
USRE49269E1 (en) 2015-11-02 2022-11-01 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
US9970143B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-05-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus and method of fabricating a laundry treating apparatus door
US10344422B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2019-07-09 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
US10000879B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2018-06-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
US10711389B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2020-07-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Door hinge of a laundry treating apparatus
EP3988700A1 (de) * 2015-11-02 2022-04-27 LG Electronics Inc. Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
US10815602B2 (en) 2015-11-02 2020-10-27 Lg Electronics Inc. Laundry treating apparatus
EP3845701A1 (de) * 2015-11-02 2021-07-07 LG Electronics Inc. Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung
US10815603B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2020-10-27 Whirlpool Corporation Appliance having a touch film on a compound curved surface
US11466396B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2022-10-11 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance door assembly
US10253441B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2019-04-09 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance door assembly
US11920285B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2024-03-05 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry treating appliance door assembly
US10060066B2 (en) 2016-06-30 2018-08-28 Whirlpool Corporation Laundry appliance door assembly
WO2018086940A1 (en) * 2016-11-08 2018-05-17 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi A laundry treatment appliance comprising an improved control panel assembly

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2837727B1 (de) Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung
EP2837729B1 (de) Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung
EP2837728A1 (de) Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung
EP2837726A1 (de) Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung
CA2527758C (en) Appliance with membrane overlay
EP2458060B1 (de) Steuertafelanordnung für Haushaltanwendungen und Haushaltanwendung mit einer derartigen Steuertafelanordnung
US7397005B2 (en) Control panel assembly for washing machine
US7038156B2 (en) Rotary knob assembly for home appliance
EP2837725A1 (de) Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung
CN108532234B (zh) 衣物处理装置用门体组件和衣物处理装置
JP2008541791A (ja) 位置変更式コントローラを有する洗濯または洗濯物乾燥のための機械装置
EP2837733B1 (de) Wäschebehandlungsvorrichtung mit einer Steuertafelanordnung
US20050138972A1 (en) Button assembly and washing machine having the same
KR101307575B1 (ko) 세탁 장치
US20070193309A1 (en) Washing machine
JP7439030B2 (ja) 洗濯機
KR101258479B1 (ko) 세탁 장치
US11547001B2 (en) Consumer appliance and touch panel interface
RU2745909C2 (ru) Панель управления для электроприборов и электроприбор, имеющий такую панель управления
WO2023042458A1 (ja) 洗濯機
RU2590879C2 (ru) Устройство для обработки белья
AU2022304418A1 (en) Laundry treating apparatus
KR20230003872A (ko) 의류처리장치
KR101227478B1 (ko) 세탁 장치
CN117500968A (zh) 洗衣机

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20130813

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): 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

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20150819