WO2020126463A1

WO2020126463A1 - A control panel and an electrical household appliance comprising the control panel

Info

Publication number: WO2020126463A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/083446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cagdas YALCIN; Bugra CETINKAYA; Yasin BALLI; Ergin METIN; Sema KARACA
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-12-19
Filing date: 2019-12-03
Publication date: 2020-06-25

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control panel (1) comprising a body (2) defining a front face (FF) and a rear face (RF) facing in opposite directions from each other; at least one printed circuit board (3) housed in the body (2) and at least one board holder group (4) which is provided in the body (2) and which supports the printed circuit board (3) in a stationary and secure manner, and also relates to an electrical household appliance comprising such a control panel (1).

Description

A CONTROL PANEL AND AN ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING THE CONTROL PANEL

The present invention relates to a control panel and an electrical household appliance comprising the control panel.

Particularly in electrical household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and ovens, printed circuit boards are used which control at least the operation of the device by means of to the electrical circuits provided thereon. Said printed circuit boards are generally housed in structures which are mostly located on the front surface of the electrical household devices, often referred to as control panels, which comprise input means such as buttons, touch screens, which enable the users to interact with the household devices. In the state of the art, the printed circuit boards are held by special board holders which are mounted in the control panel and which provide that the printed circuit boards are held in a stationary and secure manner.

With the advancing technology, the number of processes performed by the electrical household appliances is increasing. For example, in recent years, the use of household electrical appliances, which can communicate with users through remote communication protocols so as to receive instructions from users who are away from the household electrical appliances is increasing. In order for said household electrical appliances to support such new functions, the electrical household appliances must comprise printed circuit boards which provide the performance of such new functions in addition to the existing printed circuit boards which provide the controlling of the functions thereof.

Since the printed circuit boards are generally mounted in the control panel, difficulties are encountered in the state of the art while mounting a plurality of printed circuit boards in said control panel. Moreover, the use of a separate special board holder apparatus which holds each printed circuit board in a non-movable manner in the control panel increases the cost of the control panel and hence the electrical household device comprising said control panel.

In the state of the art United States Patent Document No. US9428855, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the mainboard thereof is fixed to the rear surface of the housing of the display screen at a correct position.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a control panel having at least one integrated board holder group and an electrical household appliance comprising such a control panel.

The control panel realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first independent claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a board holder group comprising a board holder having at least one primary foot which is integrated into the body from one end so as to extend from there and which defines a first contact surface configured to contact a first surface of the printed circuit board when a printed circuit board is inserted and at least one secondary foot defining a second contact surface configured to contact a second surface opposite to the first surface of the printed circuit board when a printed circuit board is inserted. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the primary foot and the secondary foot are integrated into the rear face of the body, and extend outwards from the rear face of the body. By supporting the printed circuit board by means of the board holder of the board holder group so as not to contact any surface of the body, preferably the rear face of the body, for example, in case a printed circuit board with an antenna is used for communication, the printed circuit board is prevented from contacting, for example, a metallic surface, thus preventing the efficiency of the antenna from decreasing. When desired to be placed on the board holder, the printed circuit board is first placed on the primary foot such that the first surface thereof contacts the first contact surface defined on the primary foot, and then slid over the first contact surface until the second surface thereof contacts the second contact surface such that the printed circuit board is squeezed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. By squeezing the printed circuit board placed on the board holder between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, the movement of the printed circuit board in the direction that the first surface faces is prevented by the first contact surface and the movement thereof in the direction that the second surface faces is prevented by the second contact surface.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the board holder comprises two secondary feet which are integrated into the rear face in an aligned manner such that a distance remains therebetween and so as to extend outwards from the rear face and each defining at least one second contact surface configured to contact the second surface of the printed circuit board when a printed circuit board is inserted, and two primary feet which are integrated into the rear face between the two secondary feet in an aligned manner such that a distance remains therebetween and so as to extend outwards from the rear face and each defining at least one first contact surface configured to contact the first surface of the printed circuit board when a printed circuit board is inserted. In this embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the secondary feet is approximately equal to the width of the printed circuit board to be supported by the board holder. Since the distance between the secondary feet of the board holder can be adapted to the width of the printed circuit board to be used, the control panel can be configured to match with at least one printed circuit board to be used. Furthermore, the second contact surfaces defined on the second feet contact the second surface at a part close to both sides of the printed circuit board, thereby enabling the printed circuit board to be held more securely by the board holder. Moreover, since the width of the printed circuit board is approximately equal to the distance between the two secondary feet, the edges of the printed circuit board placed on the board holder contact the opposite surfaces of the secondary feet and the printed circuit board is held by the board holder so as not to move in this direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, said surfaces of the secondary feet have a certain angle, and said surfaces allow the printed circuit board to be placed more easily on the board holder, and prevent the printed circuit board placed on the board holder from being easily released from the board holder. In this embodiment, moreover, by means of the presence of the two primary feet, the total surface area where the first contact surfaces contact the first surface of the printed circuit board is increased, and thus enabling the primary feet to support the printed circuit board in a more robust manner and allowing the load caused by the weight of the printed circuit board to be shared between the two primary feet.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first contact surface is arranged at the end of the primary foot which is not integrated with the body. Since the first contact surface is placed on the primary foot without using any additional elements, labor and cost advantage is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary foot comprises at least one protrusion which is arranged at the end thereof which is almost not integrated with the body and whereon a second contact surface facing the first contact surface defined on the primary foot is arranged. Since the second contact surface is arranged on a simple protrusion on the secondary foot, labor advantage is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the board holder comprises at least one connection wall which connects at least one primary foot and at least one secondary foot to each other. By means of said connection wall, the rigidness of the primary foot and the secondary foot is increased so as not to be deformed due to the weight of the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is placed on the board holder.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board comprises at least one housing, and the board holder comprises at least one locking member which is suitable for being inserted into the housing on the printed circuit board and is configured to prevent the movement of the printed circuit board on the first contact surface upon being inserted into the housing. In this embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the printed circuit board, which is placed on the board holder and which is already blocked by the first contact surface and the second contact surface in the directions that the first surface and the second surface face, in the direction suitable for moving in the first surface, in other words in the direction perpendicular to the direction the first and second surfaces face is also prevented. Thus, the printed circuit board placed on the board holder is prevented from moving in any direction and the printed circuit board is held in a secure manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking member is arranged on the connection wall connecting at least one primary wall and at least one secondary wall to each other, and is in the form of a claw having a flexible structure configured to easily enter the housing. By means of the simple claw-shaped structure of the locking member, labor and cost advantage is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the board holder group comprises at least one tertiary foot which is integrated into the body from one end so as to extend from there and so as to be distanced from the primary foot and the secondary foot and which defines, at the end thereof not fixed to the body, at least one third contact surface configured to contact the first surface of the printed circuit board. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tertiary foot is integrated into the rear face of the body, and extends outwards from the rear face of the body. In this embodiment, as the third contact surface contacts the first surface in case the printed circuit board has a length which is not sufficient to be supported by the primary feet, the printed circuit board is also supported by the tertiary feet such that the parts not supported by the primary feet are prevented from stretching.

The electrical household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in Claim 9, comprises a control panel which is described in the above embodiments.

By means of the present invention, in a control panel comprising a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is supported in a safe and economical manner so as to occupy less space in the control panel by placing the printed circuit board on the board holder in the body by being squeezed between a first contact surface and a second contact surface defined respectively on at least one primary foot and at least one secondary foot extending from a surface. Thus, particularly in embodiments where the control panel comprises a plurality of printed circuit boards, by supporting each printed circuit board by a respective board holder group configured specifically on the rear face of the housing for example depending on the dimensions of said printed circuit board or the characteristics of the circuits thereof, any mounting difficulty or complexity is prevented, thus enabling the printed circuit board to be easily supported by means of the board holder group.

The control panel realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the top view of the control panel of the present invention.

Figure 2 - is the rear view of the control panel of the present invention.

Figure 3 is the perspective view of the control panel of the present invention without any printed circuit board.

Figure 4 - is the detailed view of the board holder group in the control panel of the present invention.

Figure 5 - is the partial detailed view of the board holder in the control panel of the present invention.

Figure 6 is the partial perspective view of the control panel of the present invention with a printed circuit board.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Control panel
Body
Printed circuit board
Board holder group
Primary foot
Secondary foot
Board holder
Protrusion
Connection wall
Locking member
Tertiary foot

FF. Front face

RF. Rear face

S1. A first surface of the printed circuit board

S2. A second surface of the printed circuit board

Cs1. A first contact surface defined on the primary foot

Cs2. A second contact surface defined on the secondary foot

Cs3. A third contact surface defined on the tertiary foot

The control panel (1) comprises a body (2) defining a front face (FF) and a rear face (RF) facing in opposite directions from each other; at least one printed circuit board (3) housed in the body (2) and at least one board holder group (4) which is provided in the body (2) and which supports the printed circuit board (3) in a stationary and secure manner. On the front face (FF) of the control panel (1) body (2), input and information means such as buttons, screen, touch screen which enables the user to determine various functions and to be informed are provided. The board holder group (4) is preferably arranged on the rear face (RF) of the control panel (1) body (2) and supports the printed circuit board (3) so as to prevent the printed circuit board (3) from moving when the printed circuit board (3) is placed on said board holder group (4).

The board holder group (4) in the control panel (1) of the present invention comprises a board holder (7) having at least one primary foot (5) which is fixed into the body (2) from one end so as to extend from there and which defines a first contact surface (Cs1) configured to contact a first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3), and at least one secondary foot (6) which is fixed into the body (2) from one end so as to be distanced from the primary foot (5) so as extend from thereof and which defines a second contact surface (Cs2) configured to contact a second surface (S2) opposite to the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3). The primary foot (5) and the secondary foot (6) are integrated from one end on a surface in the body (2), and extends outwards from said surface, enabling the board holder (7) to hold the printed circuit board (3) so as to be distanced by a certain value from an inner surface of the body (2). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the primary foot (5) and the secondary foot (6) are integrated into the rear face (RF) of the body (2), and extend outwards from the rear face (RF). Thus, in case a printed circuit board (3) with an antenna for communication purposes is used, the antenna is prevented from contacting a surface, such as metal, on the rear face (RF) which is likely to reduce its efficiency. The first contact surface (Cs1) defined on the primary foot (5) contacts the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3) and prevents the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3) in the direction the first surface (S1) thereof faces. The second contact surface (Cs2) defined on the secondary foot (6) contacts the second surface (S2) of the printed circuit board (3) and prevents the second surface (S2) of the printed circuit board (3) in the direction the second surface (S2) thereof faces. In other words, the printed circuit board (3) is squeezed between the first surface (S1) and the second surface (S2), and thus the printed circuit board (3) is prevented from moving in the direction the first surface (S1) and the second surface (S2) face. When the printed circuit board (3) is desired to be placed on the board holder (7), the printed circuit board (3) is first placed on the primary foot (5) such that the first surface (S1) thereof contacts the first contact surface (Cs1) defined on the primary foot (5), and then slid over the first contact surface (Cs1) until the second surface (S2) of the printed circuit board (3) contacts the second contact surface (Cs2) defined on the secondary foot (6) such that the printed circuit board (3) is squeezed between the first contact surface (Cs1) and the second contact surface (Cs2).

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the board holder (7) comprises two secondary feet (6) which are fixed to the rear face (RF) in an aligned manner such that a distance remains therebetween and so as to extend outwards from the rear face (RF) and each defining at least one second contact surface (Cs2) configured to contact the second surface (S2) of the printed circuit board (3), and two primary feet (5) which are fixed to the rear face (RF) in the gap between the two secondary feet (6) in an aligned manner such that a distance remains therebetween and so as to extend outwards from the rear face (RF) and each defining at least one first contact surface (Cs1) configured to contact the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3). In this embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the secondary feet (6) is approximately equal to the width of the printed circuit board (3) to be supported by the board holder (7). Thus, the second contact surfaces (Cs2) defined on the second feet (6) contact the second surface (S2) at a part close to both sides of the printed circuit board (3), thereby enabling the printed circuit board (3) to be held more securely by the board holder (7). Moreover, the printed circuit board (3) placed on the board holder (7) is limited by the opposite surfaces of said secondary feet (6), thus preventing the printed circuit board (3) from moving in this direction. In an embodiment of the present invention, the opposite surfaces of the secondary feet (6) are inclined at a predetermined angle, and said inclined surfaces allow the printed circuit board (3) to be placed more easily on the board holder(7), and prevent the printed circuit board (3) placed on the board holder (7) from being easily released from the board holder (7). In this embodiment, by means of the presence of the two primary feet (5), the total surface area where the first contact surfaces (Cs1) contact the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3) is increased, and thus enabling the primary feet (5) to support the printed circuit board (3) in a more robust manner and allowing the load which acts on a first feet (5) due to the weight of the printed circuit board (3) to be shared between the two primary feet (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first contact surface (Cs1) is defined on the end of the primary foot (5) which is not fixed to the body (2). Thus, the need for using any additional elements to define the first contact surface (Cs1) on the primary foot (5) is eliminated, providing labor and cost advantage.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the secondary foot (6) comprises at least one protrusion (8) which is almost arranged at the end thereof which is not fixed to the body (2) and whereon at least one second contact surface (Cs2) facing the first contact surface (Cs1) defined is defined. Thus, by defining the second contact surface (Cs2) on the secondary foot (6) by means of a simple protrusion (8), labor advantage is provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the board holder (7) further comprises at least one connection wall (9) which connects at least one primary foot (5) and at least one secondary foot (6) to each other. By means of said connection wall (9), the rigidness of the primary foot (5) and the secondary foot (6) is increased so as to be prevented from being deformed in the course time due to the weight of the printed circuit board (3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board (3) comprises at least one housing (not shown in the figures), and the board holder (7) comprises thereon at least one locking member (10) which is suitable for being inserted into said housing and which prevents the movement of the printed circuit board (3) on the first contact surface (Cs1) upon being inserted into the housing. Thus, by preventing the movement of the printed circuit board (3) on the first contact surface (Cs1) after the locking member (10) is inserted into the housing, the printed circuit board (3) is prevented from moving in any direction on the board holder (7) so as to be held in a stationary and secure manner.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking member (10) is in the form of a claw having a flexible structure which is positioned on the connection wall (9). By means of the simple claw-shaped structure of the locking member (10), ease of production and cost advantage are provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the board holder group (4) comprises at least one tertiary foot (11) which is fixed into the body (2) from one end so as to be distanced from the primary foot (5) and the secondary foot (6) so as to extend from there and which defines, at the end thereof not fixed to the body (2), at least one third contact surface (Cs3) configured to contact the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tertiary foot (11) is fixed to the rear face (RF) of the body (2). Thus, by means of the third contact surface (Cs3) contacting the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3), the printed circuit board (3) is enabled to be supported by at least one primary foot (5) as well as at least one tertiary foot (11) so as to be held by the board holder group (4) in a more balanced manner. Said at least one tertiary foot (10) supports the printed circuit board (3) so as to prevent the same from stretching, especially for example in case it is insufficient to support the relatively long printed circuit board (3) by at least one primary foot (5).

The electrical household appliance of the present invention comprises a control panel (1) as described in the above embodiments.

By means of the present invention, in a control panel (1), the printed circuit board (3) is supported in a safe and economical manner so as to occupy less space in the control panel (1) by the board holder group (4) by squeezing the printed circuit board (3) between a first contact surface (Cs1) and a second contact surface (Cs2) defined respectively on at least one primary foot (5) and at least one secondary foot (6) which are integrated into the body (2) and which extend outwards. Thus, especially in embodiments where the control panel (1) comprises a plurality of printed circuit boards (3), each printed circuit board (3) is supported by a respective board holder group (4), preventing any mounting difficulties or complexity.

Claims

A control panel (1) comprising a body (2) defining a front face (FF) and a rear face (RF) facing in opposite directions from each other; at least one printed circuit board (3) housed in the body (2) and at least one board holder group (4) which is provided in the body (2) and which supports the printed circuit board (3) in a stationary and secure manner, characterized by the board holder group (4) having a board holder (7) having at least one primary foot (5) which is fixed into the body (2) from one end so as to extend from there and which defines a first contact surface (Cs1) configured to contact a first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3), and at least one secondary foot (6) which is fixed into the body (2) from one end so as to be distanced from the primary foot (5) so as extend from thereof and which defines a second contact surface (Cs2) configured to contact a second surface (S2) opposite to the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3).
A control panel (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the board holder (7) comprising two secondary feet (6) which are fixed to the rear face (RF) in an aligned manner such that a distance remains therebetween and so as to extend outwards from the rear face (RF) and each defining at least one second contact surface (Cs2) configured to contact the second surface (S2) of the printed circuit board (3), and two primary feet (5) which are fixed to the rear face (RF) in the gap between the two secondary feet (6) in an aligned manner such that a distance remains therebetween and so as to extend outwards from the rear face (RF) and each defining at least one first contact surface (Cs1) configured to contact the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3).
A control panel (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the primary foot (5) on the end not fixed to the body (2) of which the first contact surface (Cs1) is defined.
A control panel (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the secondary foot (6) comprising at least one protrusion (8) which is almost arranged at the end thereof which is not fixed to the body (2) and whereon at least one second contact surface (Cs2) facing the first contact surface (Cs1) defined is defined.
A control panel (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the board holder (7) comprising at least one connection wall (9) which connects at least one primary foot (5) and at least one secondary foot (6) to each other.
A control panel (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the printed circuit board (3) comprising comprises at least one housing and by the board holder (7) comprising thereon at least one locking member (10) which is suitable for being inserted into said housing and which prevents the movement of the printed circuit board (3) on the first contact surface (Cs1) upon being inserted into the housing.
A control panel (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by the locking member (10) which is in the form of a claw having a flexible structure which is positioned on the connection wall (9).
A control panel (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the board holder group (4) comprising at least one tertiary foot (11) which is fixed into the body (2) from one end so as to be distanced from the primary foot (5) and the secondary foot (6) so as to extend from there and which defines, at the end thereof not fixed to the body (2), at least one third contact surface (Cs3) configured to contact the first surface (S1) of the printed circuit board (3).
An electrical household appliance comprising a control panel (1) as in any one of the above claims.