WO2024019694A1

WO2024019694A1 - A control panel

Info

Publication number: WO2024019694A1
Application number: PCT/TR2023/050703
Authority: WO
Inventors: Taylan SINAN; Mehmet KARAAGAC; Eda PEDIS
Original assignee: Vestel Beyaz Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2022-07-22
Filing date: 2023-07-19
Publication date: 2024-01-25

Abstract

The present invention discloses a control panel suitable for use in a washing device. Said control panel comprises at least one panel body (1) with at least one upper plate (1a); at least one cover opening (3) at the upper plate (1a); at least one circuit board in the panel body (1), which has at least one switching element thereon; at least one flexible element (5) provided in the panel body (1) such that at least one part thereof is on the switching element and/or the circuit board; at least one key cover (4), which is in contact with said flexible element (5) on at least one side, and extends from said cover opening (3) to the outside environment on at least another side.

Description

A CONTROL PANEL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a control panel used in a washing device, e.g. a dishwasher.

Background of the Invention

A washing device such as a dishwasher comprises at least one body; at least one inner compartment in the body, in which the washing process is carried out; at least one door movably connected to the body and providing access to the inner compartment. Especially in dishwashers, movable basket structures are used in order to use the inner compartment volume efficiently and to place and receive large-sized items comfortably in the inner compartment. In order for said baskets to move out of the inner compartment in a comfortable way, the doors used in such washing devices are provided to cover almost the entire front surface of the body and are connected to the body to rotate on a horizontal axis at a lower part thereof.

Different washing programs may be provided in the washing devices according to the parameters such as the type, amount and pollution level of the products to be washed. In order for at least one of these washing programs to be selected by the users, the washing devices comprise control panels with user interfaces such as keys, buttons, and touch panels. Said control panels are generally located on the door, and it is ensured that users can easily access the control panel, especially if the door covers the front surface of the washing device.

According to conventional applications, components such as keys and buttons on control panels are provided on an upper part of a front face of the door. However, for example, in built-in washing devices, if a decorative panel is mounted on the door, these components adversely affect the visual integrity of the decorative panel. Similarly, in stand-alone washing devices, components such as keys and buttons on the front face of the door cause the appearance of the door to deteriorate, as well as adversely affecting the operation of the washing device due to users accidentally touching these components.

In order to solve the aforementioned problem, washing devices, in which components such as keys and buttons are provided on an upper surface of the door, are used in the known state of the art. According to such applications, when the door is moved to a closed position, said components remain under an upper plate of the washing device. In this way, the visual integrity of the door is not compromised, and users are prevented from accidentally touching components such as keys and buttons. However, in such applications, there is a risk of liquid flow to the control panel through structures such as keys and buttons, and problems as having difficulty in assembly of these structures may be encountered.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention discloses a control panel suitable for use in washing devices. Said control panel comprises at least one panel body with at least one upper plate; at least one cover opening at the upper plate; at least one circuit board in the panel body, which has at least one switching element thereon; at least one flexible element provided in the panel body such that at least one part thereof is on the switching element and/or the circuit board; at least one key cover, which is in contact with said flexible element on at least one side, and extends from said cover opening to the outside environment on at least another side.

Since the flexible element is provided on the switching element and/or the circuit board in the control panel according to the present invention, foreign substances such as water are prevented from reaching the switching element and/or the circuit board. Thus, the control panel and the washing device comprising such a control panel are ensured to be more reliable. Moreover, the control panel can be easily assembled thanks to the use of the key cover and the flexible element to trigger the switching element.

Object of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a control panel suitable for use in washing devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control panel that is reliable and easy to assemble.

Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the control panel according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 2 is another exploded view of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a key cover of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of a key cover of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of a key cover of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of a panel body of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a top detailed view of a panel body of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a flexible element of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 9 is a front sectional view of the key cover and the flexible element of the control panel according to the invention.

Figure 10 is a sectional perspective view of the key cover and the flexible element of the control panel according to the invention.

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

Panel body (1)

Upper plate (1a) Side wall (1b)

Slot (1c)

Inclined surface (1d)

Protrusion (1e)

Board box (2)

Cover opening (3)

Key cover (4)

Cover body (4a)

Cover shaft (4b)

Holding element (4c)

First contact surface (4d)

Second contact surface (4e)

First rounded portion (4f)

Flexible element (5)

Flexible element body (5a)

Elevation (5b)

Seat (5c)

Second rounded portion (5d)

Flexing wall (5e)

Flexible element shaft (5f)

Connecting section (5g)

Upper panel (6)

Through opening (6a)

Description of the Invention

A washing device such as a dishwasher comprises at least one body; at least one inner compartment in the body; at least one door providing access to the inner compartment; and at least one control panel provided on the door. Control elements such as keys and/or buttons are provided on the control panel. Said control elements can be positioned to be on the upper surface of the door, both to ensure the visual integrity of the door and to prevent users from accidentally contacting said control elements. However, in such applications, problems such as water penetration into the control panel may be encountered, and the assembly of the control panel (especially connecting the control elements to the panel) may be difficult. For this reason, the present invention provides a control panel for solving said problems.

The control panel according to the present invention, which is illustrated in Figures 1-10, comprises at least one panel body (1) with at least one upper plate (1a); at least one cover opening (3) at the upper plate (1a); at least one circuit board (not illustrated in the drawings) in the panel body (1), which has at least one switching element thereon; at least one flexible element (5) provided in the panel body (1) such that at least one part thereof is on the switching element and/or the circuit board; at least one key cover (4), which is in contact with said flexible element (5) on at least one side, and extends from said cover opening (3) to the outside environment on at least another side.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the control panel is located at a door of a washing device, which may be a dishwasher. When the control panel is positioned at the door, the upper plate (1a) forms an upper surface of the door. Thus, the key cover (4) extending out of the cover opening (3) on the upper plate (1a) remains on the upper surface of the door. Here, when a force is applied on the key cover (4), the key cover (4) moves to be inserted into the panel body (1a). This movement enables the flexible element (5) contacting the key cover (4) to move as well. Said switching element is triggered by the movement of the flexible element (5), thus enabling functioning of the switching element (for example, selecting a washing program or a washing parameter). Here, thanks to the fact that the flexible element (5) is located on the switching element and/or the circuit board, in other words, it covers the switching element and/or the circuit board, even if a liquid moves through the cover opening (3), such a liquid is prevented from reaching and damaging the switching element and/or the circuit board. In addition, since different components, such as the key cover (4) and the flexible element (5), are used to trigger the switching element, these components can be easily connected to each other, thus providing ease of assembly for the control panel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key cover (4) comprises at least one cover body (4a), preferably in the form of a rectangular prism, which is suitable to be placed in the cover opening (3); and at least one cover shaft (4b) extending from the cover body (4a) into the panel body (1). A cross section of the cover shaft (4b) is preferably in the form of a plus (+). Thus, the key cover (4) is provided to have a durable structure. Here, the cover shaft (4b) comprises at least one contact surface that contacts the flexible element (5). In a preferred embodiment, the cover shaft (4b) comprises at least a first contact surface (4d) located in the middle part of the end of the cover shaft (4b) distal to the cover body (4a); at least a second contact surface (4e) located at the edge portions of the end of the cover shaft (4b) distal to the cover body (4a). Here, the second contact surface (4e) is preferably closer to the cover body (4a) than the first contact surface (4d). In other words, the second contact surface (4e) is higher than the first contact surface (4d). Thus, a gradual structure is achieved. Said key cover (4) preferably comprises at least a first rounded portion (4f) connecting the first contact surface (4d) and the second contact surface (4e). In another preferred embodiment, the key cover (4) further comprises at least one (preferably four) holding element (4c). Said holding element (4c) is preferably provided as a tab, which prevents the key cover (4) from moving out of the panel body (1).

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible element (5) comprises at least one flexible element body (5a); at least one elevation (5b) located on the flexible element body (5a); at least one seat (5c) in the form of a recess, which is located at the middle part of the elevation (5b); at least one flexible element shaft (5f) which is connected on at least one side thereof to the surface of the seat (5c) facing the flexible element body (5a), and which is suitable for contacting the switching element on at least another side thereof, wherein the flexible element shaft (5f) enables the switching element to be triggered when a force is applied on the seat (5c). Said flexible element body (5a) preferably covers the switching element and/or the circuit board. In a preferred embodiment, the first contact surface (4d) on the cover shaft (4b) contacts the seat (5c), while the second contact surface (4f) contacts the elevation (5b). Thus, the first contact surface (4d) remains in the elevation (5b), so that the key cover (4) is prevented from losing contact with the flexible element (5) when the key cover (4) is moved. The flexible element (5) further comprises at least a second rounded portion (5d) connecting the seat (5c) and the elevation (5b). Said second rounded portion (5d) is form-compatible with the first rounded portion (4f) and ensures that the key cover (4) is reliably placed on the flexible element (5). The flexible element (5) preferably comprises at least one flexing wall (5e) made of a flexible material, which enables the elevation (5b) to be connected to the flexible element body (5a). In this embodiment, when a force is applied to the elevation (5b) and/or the seat (5c) via the cover shaft (4b), said flexing wall (5e) flexes, allowing the seat (5c) (hence the flexible element shaft (5f)) to move relative to the flexible element body (5a). In case the flexible element (5) comprises more than one flexible element body (5a), the flexible element (5) further comprises at least one connecting section (5g) for connecting at least two adjacent flexible element bodies (5a) to each other.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper plate (1a) comprises at least one side wall (1b) surrounding the cover opening (3). In this embodiment, the side wall (1b) preferably comprises at least one (preferably four) slot (1c). Here, the holding element (4c) located on the key cover (4) is inserted in the slot (1c). In this embodiment, the slot (1c) comprises at least one inclined surface (1d) at an upper part thereof. The inclined surface (1d) ensures that the holding element (4c), especially in the form of a tab, can be placed in the slot (1c) easily. Said side wall (1b) further comprises at least two (preferably in oppositely positioned pairs) protrusions (1e) extending towards the cover opening (3). Said protrusions (1e) contact the cover body (4a) to restrict the movement of the cover body (4a) in the horizontal plane. Thus, the cover body (4a) and thus the key cover (4) can be moved only in the vertical axis.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the control panel comprises at least one upper panel (6) located on the upper plate (1a). Said upper panel (6) comprises at least one through-opening (6a) through which the portion of the key cover (4) extending to the outer environment (for example, the cover body (4a)) passes. The through-opening (6a) preferably tightly surrounds the portion of the key cover (4) extending to the outer environment (for example, the cover body (4a)). Thus, the risk of liquid passage between the key cover (4) and the upper panel (6) is reduced. Said upper panel (6) preferably comprises at least one pattern on its face distal to the upper plate (1a). Thus, an aesthetic appearance is provided to the control panel, thus to the door and washing device where the control panel is used.

In a different preferred embodiment of the invention, the control panel comprises at least one board box (2) located in the panel body (1) for connecting the circuit board to the panel body (1). Said board box (2) can preferably be attached to and removed from the panel body (1). In other words, the control panel comprises at least one connection element (such as a screw, a tab) for connecting the board box (2) detachably to the panel body (1). Thus, the circuit board can be connected to the panel body (1) in an easy and practical way and easily separated from the panel body (1) when necessary.

The present invention also discloses a washing device comprising said control panel. Said washing device is preferably a dishwasher, which comprises: at least one body; at least one inner compartment in the body, in which the washing process is carried out; at least one door movably connected to the body and providing access to the inner compartment, wherein said control panel is located at an upper part of the door. Since the flexible element (5) is provided on the switching element and/or the circuit board in the control panel according to the present invention, foreign substances such as water are prevented from reaching the switching element and/or the circuit board. Thus, the control panel and the washing device comprising such a control panel are ensured to be more reliable. Moreover, the control panel can be easily assembled thanks to the use of the key cover and the flexible element (5) to trigger the switching element.

Claims

CLAIMS A control panel suitable for use in at least one washing device and comprising at least one panel body (1) with at least one upper plate (1a); at least one cover opening (3) at the upper plate (1a); at least one circuit board in the panel body (1), which has at least one switching element thereon, characterized by comprising at least one flexible element (5) provided in the panel body (1) such that at least one part thereof is on the switching element and/or the circuit board; at least one key cover (4), which is in contact with said flexible element (5) on at least one side, and extends from said cover opening (3) to the outside environment on at least another side. A control panel according to claim 1 , characterized in that the key cover (4) comprises at least one cover body (4a) which is suitable to be placed in the cover opening (3); and at least one cover shaft (4b) extending from the cover body (4a) into the panel body (1). A control panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover body (4a) is in the form of a rectangular prism. A control panel according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a cross section of the cover shaft (4b) is in the form of a plus. A control panel according to any of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the cover shaft (4b) comprises at least one contact surface that contacts the flexible element (5). A control panel according to any of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the cover shaft (4b) comprises at least a first contact surface (4d) located in the middle part of the end of the cover shaft (4b) distal to the cover body (4a); at least a second contact surface (4e) located at the edge portions of the end of the cover shaft (4b) distal to the cover body (4a). A control panel according to claim 6, characterized in that the second contact surface (4e) is closer to the cover body (4a) than the first contact surface (4d). A control panel according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises at least a first rounded portion (4f) connecting the first contact surface (4d) and the second contact surface (4e). A control panel according to any of the claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the key cover (4) comprises at least one holding element (4c). A control panel according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding element (4c) is a tab. A control panel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible element (5) comprises at least one flexible element body (5a); at least one elevation (5b) located on the flexible element body (5a); at least one seat (5c) in the form of a recess, which is located at the middle part of the elevation (5b); at least one flexible element shaft (5f) which is connected on at least one side thereof to the surface of the seat (5c) facing the flexible element body (5a), and which is suitable for contacting the switching element on at least another side thereof, wherein the flexible element shaft (5f) enables the switching element to be triggered when a force is applied on the seat (5c). A control panel according to claim 11, characterized in that the flexible element (5) comprises at least a second rounded portion (5d) connecting the seat (5c) and the elevation (5b). A control panel according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the flexible element (5) comprises at least one flexing wall (5e) made of a flexible material, which enables the elevation (5b) to be connected to the flexible element body (5a). A control panel according to any of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the flexible element (5) comprises at least one connecting section (5g) for connecting at least two adjacent flexible element bodies (5a) to each other.

15. A control panel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper plate (1a) comprises at least one side wall (1b) surrounding the cover opening (3).

16. A control panel according to claim 15, characterized in that the side wall (1b) comprises at least one slot (1c).

17. A control panel according to claim 16, characterized in that the slot (1c) comprises at least one inclined surface (1d) at an upper part thereof.

18. A control panel according to any of the claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the side wall (1b) comprises at least two protrusions (1e) extending towards the cover opening (3).

19. A control panel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one upper panel (6) located on the upper plate (1a).

20. A control panel according to claim 19, characterized in that the upper panel (6) comprises at least one through-opening (6a) through which the portion of the key cover (4) extending to the outer environment passes.

21. A control panel according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the upper panel (6) comprises at least one pattern on its face distal to the upper plate (1a).

22. A control panel according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one board box (2) located in the panel body (1) for connecting the circuit board to the panel body (1).

23. A control panel according to claim 22, characterized in that it comprises at least one connection element for connecting the board box (2) detachably to the panel body (1).

24. A washing device comprising a control panel according to any of the preceding claims.

25. A washing device according to claim 24, characterized by comprising at least one body; at least one inner compartment in the body, in which the washing process is carried out; at least one door movably connected to the body and providing access to the inner compartment, wherein said control panel is located at an upper part of the door.

26. A washing device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the washing device is a dishwasher.