EP3237668A1

EP3237668A1 - A waterproof control panel assembly for an electrical household appliance

Info

Publication number: EP3237668A1
Application number: EP14827763.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Salih YILDIRIM; Sema KARACA; Selahattin CORAK; Sevim USTUNER VARDAR
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-12-22
Filing date: 2014-12-22
Publication date: 2017-11-01
Also published as: WO2016101971A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control panel assembly (1) involving a liquid insulation arrangement to protect an electronic control card (3) of an electrical household appliance. The present invention more particularly relates to an electrical household appliance comprising a control panel assembly (1), the assembly comprising a panel body (2) provided with a plurality of touch buttons (6) to effect control of the electrical household appliance, the touch buttons (6) are pressed to interact with an electronic control card (3).

Description

A WATERPROOF CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY FOR AN ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

The present invention relates to a control panel assembly involving a liquid insulation arrangement to protect an electronic control card of an electrical household appliance.
The household appliances such as laundry washing, drying or washing/drying machines usually accommodate a control panel on the upper front face thereof designed to be facing the user, thereby allowing ease of access.
The control panel assembly typically comprises a main body and a plurality of buttons and/or knobs assigned to perform different functions in association with the electrical household appliance. The buttons may be provided to operate tactile switches in the form of on/off electronic switches, operable when a given button is pressed. Therefore the user presses a button and the corresponding function on the control panel assembly of the appliance is executed.
The buttons of the control panel assembly are typically installed into button recesses of a button bearing portion so as to communicate with an electronic control card of the household appliance. However, these button recesses increase the risk of water leakage to the electronic control card positioned behind the control panel assembly so that liquid leakage and damage to the electronic control card as well as more dangerous situations such as fire must be avoided.
To address the above mentioned risks, the electronic control card can be disposed behind a protective foil covering the same and preventing liquids to reach the electronic components of the control card. Or alternatively, a separate housing can be used to enclose the electronic control card so as to protect the electronic components. A prominent disadvantage here lies in that additional costs and more complicated manufacturing and mounting schemes are needed.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the present invention may be referred to as CN203065828, which discloses a control panel and a washing machine. The control panel comprises a panel main body and keys. The panel main body is provided with mounting holes; the keys are inserted into the mounting holes. Water retaining rings are arranged on the reverse side of the panel main body; the mounting holes are surrounded by the water retaining rings. The keys are provided with ring-shaped water retaining slots; the outer rings of the keys are surrounded by the ring-shaped water retaining slots and the water retaining rings are inserted into the ring-shaped water retaining slots. The water retaining rings are arranged on the panel main body, the ring-shaped water retaining slots are formed in the corresponding keys and the water retaining rings are inserted into the ring-shaped water retaining slots, so that after penetrating from gaps between the mounting holes and the keys, water is stopped from flowing into an electric control board in the washing machine along the keys by the ring-shaped water retaining slots. The water in the ring-shaped water retaining slots can flow to the reverse side of the panel main body along the water retaining rings and be drained.
The present invention provides a household appliance control panel assembly with an electronic control card which is effectively protected against water intrusion as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1 and subsequent Clams.
Primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved protection for the electronic control card of an electrical household appliance against liquid intrusion.
The present invention relates to an electrical household appliance with a control panel assembly. The assembly has a panel body and a separator, the latter being placed between the electronic control card and the panel body so as to function as a button carrier without allowing liquid leakage to the electronic control card through openings between and around a plurality of touch buttons. Button recesses of the separator receive the touch buttons to allow mechanical interaction between the buttons and tactile switches of the electronic control card.
The touch buttons press on the tactile switches via resilient engagement portions connected with the separator so that the tactile switches are protected against damaging impacts when the respective button is pressed. Likewise, each touch button is provided with upper and lower flexible arms extending to lean on the separator surface to provide a smooth pressing effect also protecting the tactile switches.
At least two latching members of the touch button, provided oppositely on upper and lower inner side surface areas of the touch button body, interengage with enclosure plates of a supporting enclosure of the separator forming the button recess. The upper and lower enclosure plates of the supporting enclosure are designed such that, they extend to direct liquid flow away from the electronic control card. More specifically, the upper enclosure plate prevent liquid leaked from the gap between a touch button and the neighboring upper panel body portion to reach the control card due to its orientation with respect to the horizontal axis.
Further, a beam collector is mounted on the separator behind the panel body while a plurality of light channels thereof serve for guiding light beams from lights sources of the electronic control card.
Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a household appliance control panel assembly, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.
The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.
Figure 1 demonstrates a general perspective view of a control panel assembly in an unassembled manner according to the present invention.
Figure 2 demonstrates a front view of the control panel assembly according to the present invention.
Figure 3 demonstrates a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2 according to the present invention.
Figure 4a demonstrates an enlarged view of detail X of Fig. 3 and Figure 4b demonstrates an enlarged view of detail Y of Fig. 3 according to the present invention.
Figure 5 demonstrates a perspective view of a beam collector according to the present invention.
Figure 6a demonstrates a general perspective view of a first side of a separator according to the present invention.
Figure 6b demonstrates a general perspective view of the second side of the separator according to the present invention.
Figure 7 demonstrates an enlarged view of detail X of Fig. 3 where the control panel assembly’s inclined configuration as mounted is seen.
Figure 8a and Figure 8b respectively demonstrates a front and a rear view of touch buttons according to the present invention.
The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:

Control panel assembly
Panel body
Electronic control card
Separator
Beam collector
Touch button
Engagement portion
Connection extension
Tactile switch
Button recesses
Light source
Antireflection plate
Flexible arms
Latching member
Positioning extensions
Supporting enclosure
Light channel
Apertures
Enclosure plate

The present invention relates to a control panel assembly (1) for an electrical household appliance, the control panel assembly (1) comprises a panel body (2) attached to an electronic control card (3) by means of a separator (4) on the inner side of the assembly. The separator (4) mounted directly in front of the electronic control card (3) provides protection to ensure impermeability against liquid passage and associated electronic card damages. The separator (4) is positioned behind the panel body (2) of the control panel assembly (1) while a beam collector (5) with a plurality of light channels (17) is disposed between the panel body (2) and the separator (4).
The present invention provides a control panel assembly (1) for an electrical household appliance for instance a laundry washing machine, drying machine, washing/drying machine or a dishwasher, comprises an electronic control card (3) attached on the inner side of the panel body (2), the separator (4) performing such that the user operates the control panel assembly (1) by way of pressing touch buttons (6) installed so as to communicate with the electronic control card (3) in a preserved manner, i.e. without allowing liquid flow into the control card.
The beam collector (5) is positioned in front of the separator (4) to guide light beams through light channels (17) so that the specific areas on the control panel body (2) are illuminated. On the other hand, the touch buttons (6), when pressed, transfer the applied force to tactile switches (9) of the electronic control card (3), upon which the function chosen by the user is executed.
Pairs of neighboring touch buttons (6) extending outwardly to the front of the panel body (2), are separated by small intermediate spaces in between, which might cause risk of water leakage into the inner components of the electrical household appliance. The present invention overcomes the problem of liquid leakage through the intermediate spaces in between and around the touch buttons (6) to the electronic control card (3) by way of placing a separator (4) in front of the card, the separator (4) comprises an improved structural design with button recesses (10) receiving and mechanically communicating with the touch buttons (6) without creating water flowing paths in the direction of the electronic control card (3).
The separator (4) is positioned in front of the electronic control card (3) to be functioning as a physical separator, light carrier and liquid leakage barrier preventing liquids reaching to the circuit elements of the electronic control card (3) as will be delineated hereinafter.
In case the separator (4) is made of a non-transparent material, it additionally acts so as to intercept light beams from different parts of the electronic control card (3) and prevent them to be reflected at the inner regions of the control panel assembly (1). In other words, when the user presses a button dedicated to execute a specific function of the household appliance, an indication in the form of an illuminated portion appears proximate the pressed button. The light beams are directed from the light source (11) on the electronic control card (3) to the panel body (2) through the beam collector (5) to provide an indicator of the specified function to the user. The beam collector (5) mounted on the separator (4) therefore ensures propagation of the light beams homogenously through lights channels (17) without reflections along other portions of the surface area of the electronic control card (3) until the light beam reaches to the outer wall of panel body (2).
The installation of the touch buttons (6) is effected by placement of connection extensions (8), which are tubular elongated body portions integral with the touch buttons (6), into the button recesses (10) of the separator (4). The connection extensions (8) lean on engagement portions (7) providing the mechanical interaction between the electronic control card (3) and the touch buttons (6) by means of the connection extensions (8), pressing on the engagement portions (7) and the latter in turn applying an operating force to the tactile switches (9). Therefore, the engagement portions (7) of the separator (4) press on the respective tactile switches (9) of the electronic control card (3). In sum, when the user presses a touch button (6) from the panel body (2) corresponding to a specific function, the respective tactile switch (9) on the electronic control card (3) is triggered by the connection extension (8) pressing on the engagement portion (7) of the separator (4) as seen in Fig. 4a.
The installation of the touch buttons (6) into the separator (4) is ensured by the engagement of the latching members (14) of the touch button (6) with a supporting enclosure (16) of the separator (4) so as to have a mutually interengaged connection. The latching members (14) are positioned within the inner region of the touch buttons (6) to be oppositely extending neighboring the outer surfaces of the supporting enclosure (16), in contact with upper and lower enclosure plates (19) thereof. The mating relationship of the respective parts, i.e. the latching members (14) and the supporting enclosure (16) serve for providing a leakage barrier preventing liquid flow to the electronic control card (3).
It is to be noted that as the outer wall of the panel body (2) is usually mounted in a slightly inclined manner with respect to the vertical axis, the upper and lower parts of the supporting enclosure (16) in the form of opposite enclosure plates (19) as seen as arm portions in the cross-section of Fig. 7, slightly moving away from each other starting from the planar body portion of the separator (4) to form a larger outer opening, ensures that liquids leaking through the small opening between a given touch button (6) and the panel body (2) portion above the button will be trapped by the upper enclosure plate (19) as seen in Fig. 7, because the latter extending in an inclined manner with respect to the horizontal axis prevents liquid flow in the reverse direction, i.e. in the direction of the outer portion of the touch button (6), which would otherwise allow liquids to reach the region around the connection extension (8) and subsequently the engagement portion (7) and the respective tactile switch (9).
In the case liquids pass from the small openings around the touch buttons (6) into the control panel assembly (1), water flow into the electronic control card (3) is either prevented by the inclined structure of the enclosure plates (19) such that leaked liquid is collected without being directed to reach the inner region of the touch button (6) or directed towards a lower channel portion under the button in the case the leakage takes place through the small opening between a given button and the below panel body (2) portion.
On the other hand, in the event that water leaks into the gap between two neighboring touch buttons (6), it is directed downwards through the separator (4) wall between two neighboring supporting enclosures (16) because each touch button (6) fully encloses a respective supporting enclosure (16) such that the gap between two neighboring touch buttons (6) opens to the separator (4) wall between two neighboring supporting enclosures (16) and therefore leakage to the inside of the touch button (6) is not possible. Each touch button (6) comprises positioning extensions (15) ensuring appropriate positioning relative to a supporting enclosure (16).
The flexibility for pressing movement of touch buttons (6) is ensured by a pair of flexible arms (13) oppositely facing each other to be positioned on upper and lower parts of a given touch button (6) integral therewith and leaning on the wall of the separator (4) providing support for the back and forth stretching movements during the pressing on the touch button (6). The connection extension (8) positioned centrally within the inner region of the touch button (6) is responsible for imparting a triggering movement to interact with the respective tactile switch (9) of the electronic control card (3).
The beam collector (5) is connected to the separator (4) to guide the light from the light source (11) on the electronic control card (3) towards a limited surface area on the wall of the panel body (2), illuminating the buttons being pressed as an indication of the chosen function for the user. The beam collector (5) is mounted on the separator (4) such that the light channels (17) fit into the apertures (18) of the separator (4), extending outwardly towards the panel body (2) and directing the light beam homogenously to the surface area of the front wall of the panel body (2).
According to the invention, neighboring light channels (17) are preferably separated from each other by an additional antireflection plate (12) to prevent light leakage. This is advantageous as an additional measure because it might happen that light from the light sources (11) leaks out through a small gap where the light channels (17) enclose the light sources (11).
Consequently, the present invention provides an electrical household appliance comprising a control panel assembly (1). The control panel assembly (1) comprises a panel body (2) provided with a plurality of touch buttons (6) to effect control of the electrical household appliance, the touch buttons (6) being pressed to interact with an electronic control card (3).
In one embodiment according to the present invention, a separator (4) is interposed between the electronic control card (3) and the panel body (2). The separator (4) comprises button recesses (10) receiving the touch buttons (6) and the touch buttons (6) mechanically interacting with the electronic control card (3) by means of tactile switches (9) on the electronic control card (3).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the touch button (6) comprises an inner connection extension (8) extending in the direction of an engagement portion (7) that is resiliently connected with the separator (4).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the connection extension (8) is in the form of an elongate body portion mechanically interacting with the tactile switch (9) by way of the engagement portion (7) resiliently pressing on the tactile switch (9).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the touch button (6) comprises flexible arms (13) extending out on upper and lower parts of the touch button (6) and resiliently leaning on the wall of the separator (4).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the touch button (6) mechanically communicate with the button recess (10) such that at least two latching members (14) of the touch button (6) interengage with a supporting enclosure (16) of the button recess (10) so as to have a mutually interengaged connection.
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the supporting enclosure (16) of the button recess (10) is in the form of a rectangular cross-section body portion.
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the supporting enclosure (16) has an upper and a lower part in the form of opposite enclosure plates (19) moving away from each other starting from the wall of the separator (4).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the latching members (14) are positioned within the inner region of the touch button (6) so as to be positioned in contact with the enclosure plates (19) in engaging relationship therewith.
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, each touch button (6) fully encloses a respective supporting enclosure (16) such that the gap between two neighboring touch buttons (6) opens to the separator (4) wall between two neighboring supporting enclosures (16).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, a beam collector (5) is fitted to the separator (4) between the panel body (2) and the separator (4). The beam collector (5) comprises a plurality of light channels (17) to guide light beams from lights sources (11) on the electronic control card (3).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, neighboring light channels (17) are separated from each other by an antireflection plate (12) extending out from the separator (4).
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the separator (4) is made from a non-transparent material.
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the electrical household appliance is a laundry washing machine, drying machine, washing/drying machine or a dishwasher.
The present invention therefore provides a separator (4) functioning as a button carrier without allowing liquid leakage to the electronic control card (3) through openings between and around a plurality of touch buttons (6). The touch buttons (6) press on the tactile switches (9) via resilient engagement portions (7) connected with the separator (4) so that the tactile switches (9) are protected against damaging impacts when the respective button is pressed. Likewise, each touch button (6) is provided with upper and lower flexible arms (13) to provide a smooth pressing effect also protecting the tactile switches (9). The upper and lower enclosure plates (19) of the supporting enclosure (16) are designed such that, they extend to direct liquid flow away from the electronic control card (3). More specifically, the upper enclosure plate (19) prevent liquid leaked from the gap between a touch button (6) and the neighboring upper panel body (2) portion to reach the control card due to its orientation with respect to the horizontal axis.

Claims

A control panel assembly (1) for an electrical household appliance, comprising a panel body (2) provided with a plurality of touch buttons (6) to effect control of the electrical household appliance, the touch buttons (6) being pressed to interact with an electronic control card (3), characterized in that

a separator (4) is interposed between the electronic control card (3) and the panel body (2), the separator (4) comprising button recesses (10) receiving the touch buttons (6), the touch buttons (6) mechanically interacting with the electronic control card (3) by means of tactile switches (9) on the electronic control card (3).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the touch button (6) comprising an inner connection extension (8) extending in the direction of an engagement portion (7) that is resiliently connected with the separator (4).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 2, characterized in that the connection extension (8) is in the form of an elongate body portion mechanically interacting with the tactile switch (9) by way of the engagement portion (7) resiliently pressing on the tactile switch (9).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the touch button (6) comprising flexible arms (13) extending out on upper and lower parts of the touch button (6) and resiliently leaning on the wall of the separator (4).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the touch button (6) mechanically communicate with the button recess (10) such that at least two latching members (14) of the touch button (6) interengage with a supporting enclosure (16) of the button recess (10) so as to have a mutually interengaged connection.
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 5, characterized in that the supporting enclosure (16) of the button recess (10) is in the form of a rectangular cross-section body portion.
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 5, characterized in that the supporting enclosure (16) has an upper and a lower part in the form of opposite enclosure plates (19) moving away from each other starting from the wall of the separator (4).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 5 and 7, characterized in that the latching members (14) are positioned within the inner region of the touch button (6) so as to be positioned in contact with the enclosure plates (19) in engaging relationship therewith.
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that each touch button (6) fully encloses a respective supporting enclosure (16) such that the gap between two neighboring touch buttons (6) opens to the separator (4) wall between two neighboring supporting enclosures (16).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 1, 2, 5 or 7, characterized in that a beam collector (5) is fitted to the separator (4) between the panel body (2) and the separator (4), the beam collector (5) comprising a plurality of light channels (17) to guide light beams from lights sources (11) on the electronic control card (3).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 10, characterized in that neighboring light channels (17) are separated are separated from each other by an antireflection plate (12) extending out from the separator (4).
The control panel assembly (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the separator (4) is made from a non-transparent material.
An electrical household appliance as in any preceding Claims, characterized in that the electrical household appliance is a laundry washing machine, drying machine, washing/drying machine or a dishwasher.