WO2015180851A1

WO2015180851A1 - A household appliance comprising a front panel

Info

Publication number: WO2015180851A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/054740
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sevim USTUNER VARDAR
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2014-05-29
Filing date: 2015-03-06
Publication date: 2015-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2016-11-29
Also published as: EP3149236A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising a front panel (2) having at least one opening (3) thereon, a printed circuit board (4) positioned behind the front panel (2), at least one switch (5) disposed on the printed circuit board (4) and aligned with an opening, at least one knob (6) operationally connected to the switch (5) by being seated into the opening (3), more than one light source (7) disposed on the printed circuit board (4) and situated around the switch (5), and at least one light barrier (8) that is disposed between the front panel (2) and the printed circuit board (4) and that prevents crosstalk between the different light sources (7).

Description

A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE COMPRISING A FRONT PANEL

The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising a front panel.

On the front panels of household appliances, knobs are provided for the user to command the household appliance and illuminated displays are disposed for informing the user of the operation being performed. The user can choose the desired function by pressing on the knob or rotating the knob. There are gaps between the knobs and the panel since the knobs are movable. Liquid may entry through the gaps around the knobs during the cleaning of the household appliance or due to other causes. When the liquid entering from the gaps reach the electronic components like the light source or the switch, the printed circuit board can be damaged.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20050003811, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein the printed circuit board is covered by a water resistant material.

In the state of the art United States Patent Application No. US2009217712, a washing machine is disclosed, that comprises a decorative panel that is mounted around the rotary knob for preventing light leakage.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No. KR20070066604, a washing machine is disclosed, wherein water leakage into the light sources is prevented.

In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No. JPH07213471, a washer is disclosed, wherein light leakage between the light sources is prevented by a double walled structure.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a household appliance wherein the liquid leaking through the gaps on the front panel is prevented from damaging the electronic components.

The household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a front panel having openings whereon the knobs are seated, a printed circuit board disposed behind the front panel, at least one switch disposed on the printed circuit board and more than one light source positioned around the switch, a light barrier that separates the light sources from each other and an extension integrated with the light barrier that partially covers the printed circuit board and the switch. The extension works as a protective shield on the printed circuit board and prevents the liquid from reaching the switch and the printed circuit board if there is liquid leakage around the knobs. The liquid coming over the extension flows downwards by the effect of the gravity and is discharged safely. By means of the light barrier optical crosstalk is prevented, and moreover, the electronic components are prevented from getting wet and being damaged thanks to the extension extending from the light barrier.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension joins the two light barriers disposed around the switch to one another. By means of this embodiment, the light barriers and the extension can be produced as a single piece.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension has a hole through which the shaft of the switch joining with the knob is inserted. By means of this embodiment, the knob is mounted on the switch in a conventional manner and performs its function and the switch is almost entirely covered by the extension.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension extends from the side of the light barrier up to the switch in a manner coplanar with the surface of the printed circuit board and the portion almost entirely covering the switch has an embossment whereon the hole is disposed. The printed circuit board and the switch seem as if they are covered with an elastic material and furthermore the volume occupied effectively by the extension is decreased.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sides of the extension forming the hole are bent towards the front panel. Thus, when the liquid leaking around the knob reaches the hole by flowing over the extension, the liquid is prevented from entering into the hole and damaging the switch. The liquid moves around the hole and flows downwards by means of the bent sides.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sides of the extension forming the hole are bent such that the end portions become parallel to the surface of the extension. The sides forming the hole are like a torus formed by a semi-circle and when viewed from the side the cross-section is in C shape and the leaked liquid cannot enter through the hole.

In the household appliance of the present invention, the liquid that may leak through the gaps around the knob is prevented from reaching the electronic components of the household appliance by the extension extending from the light barrier.

The model embodiments that relate to the household appliance realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the perspective view of a household appliance in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of a front panel in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is the exploded view of a front panel, a knob, a printed circuit board and a light barrier in an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 4 – is the front perspective view of the light barriers in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the rear perspective view of the light barriers in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 – is the cross-sectional view of the light barrier in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 – is another cross-sectional view of the light barrier in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Household appliance

2. Front panel

3. Opening

4. Printed circuit board

5. Switch

6. Knob

7. Light source

8. Light barrier

9. Extension

10. Hole

11. Embossment

The household appliance (1) comprises a front panel (2) having at least one opening (3) thereon, a printed circuit board (4) positioned behind the front panel (2), at least one switch (5) disposed on the printed circuit board (4), at least one knob (6) operationally connected to the switch (5) by being seated into the opening (3), more than one light source (7) disposed on the printed circuit board (4) and situated around the switch (5), and at least one light barrier (8) that is disposed between the front panel (2) and the printed circuit board (4) and that prevents crosstalk between the different light sources (7) (Figure 3).

In the household appliance (1) the printed circuit board (4) is positioned behind the front panel (2). The switch (5) is aligned with an opening (3) and the knob (6) is operationally connected to the switch (5) by being seated into the opening (3). The switch (5) is operated by pressing on and/or by rotating. The light sources (7) are positioned around the switch (5). The crosstalk between two different light sources (7) is prevented by the light barrier (8). The light barrier (8) forms a barrier between the light sources (7) so as to separate them from one another and is preferably fixed on the printed circuit board (4). When the user chooses a function by means of the knob (6), the respective light source (7) is turned on and informs the user.

The household appliance (1) of the present invention comprises an extension (9) that is integrated with the light barrier (8) and that partially covers the switch (5) (Figure 2).

The extension (9), integrated with one side of the light barrier (8), covers the portion of the printed circuit board (4) that remains between the light sources (7) and the switch (5) and partially the switch (5). The extension (9) does not cover the switch (5) shaft and thus modification is not required to be made to the connection process of the knob (6) with the switch (5). When liquid leaks into the household appliance (1) from around the knob (6), the liquid drops onto the extension (9) and the liquid is prevented from reaching the switch (5) by partially covering the switch (5) and the surroundings thereof. The electronic components are protected by enabling the leaked liquid to flow downwards over the extension (9) by effect of gravity.

In an embodiment of the present invention, one light barrier (8) is included at each side of the switch (5) and the extension (9) joins the two light barriers (8) to one another. The extension (9) covers the switch (5) by being integrated to opposite sides of the two light barriers (8). By means of this embodiment, the extension (9) also functions as a support between the two light barriers (8) (Figure 4, Figure 5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension (9) comprises a hole (10) through which the shaft of the switch (5) is inserted. In this embodiment, the whole surface of the switch (5), except the shaft, is covered by the extension (9). The shaft of the switch (5) goes out of the hole (10) and the knob (6) is connected to the switch (5). By means of this embodiment, the extension (9) surrounds the switch (5) all around and the extension (9) is prevented from inhibiting the functioning of the switch (6) (Figure 5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension (9) comprises an embossment (11) that is aligned over the switch (5) and that comprises the hole (11). The extension (9) extends from the side of the light barrier (8) so as to be almost adjacent with the surface of the printed circuit board (4) and the embossment (11) is formed by raising the portion that is aligned with the switch (5) and the switch (5) remains under the embossment (11). The hole (10) is preferably arranged at the center of the embossment (11) and the embossment (11) centers the switch (5). In this embodiment, height difference is formed on the surface of the extension (9) and the liquid that moves downwards over the extension (9) is enabled to move from the sides and corners of the embossment (11) thereby the liquid is prevented from reaching the switch (5) and the printed circuit board (4) (Figure 5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sides of the extension (9) forming the hole (10) are bent towards the front panel (2). In this embodiment, when liquid leaks into the household appliance (1) through the knob (6), the liquid trickling over the extension (9) is prevented from reaching the switch (5) by passing through the hole (10). The leaked liquid is enabled to move around the hole (10) by means of the sides of the extension (9) forming the hole (10) being bent outwards (Figure 6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of the sides of the extension (9) forming the hole (10) that is perpendicular to the extension (9) surface is C-shaped. The C-shaped cross-section is formed by the sides forming the hole (10) being bent outwards so as to surround the inner side of an imaginary doughnut over the hole (10). Thus, the liquid flowing down over the extension (9) cannot go over the barrier formed by the sides and is forced to move around the hole (10) (Figure 7).

In the household appliance (1) of the present invention, the design of the state of the art light barrier (8) is changed by adding extensions (9) to its sides and the extension (9) is enabled to cover the switch (5) and the printed circuit board (4), thus preventing the liquids that may leak around the knob (6) from damaging the printed circuit board (4). Furthermore, the liquid is prevented from entering into the hole (10) by configuring the sides of the extension (9) forming the hole (10).

Claims

A household appliance (1) comprising a front panel (2) having at least one opening (3) thereon, a printed circuit board (4) positioned behind the front panel (2), at least one switch (5) disposed on the printed circuit board (4), at least one knob (6) operationally connected to the switch (5) by being seated into the opening (3), more than one light source (7) disposed on the printed circuit board (4) and situated around the switch (5), and at least one light barrier (8) that is disposed between the front panel (2) and the printed circuit board (4) and that prevents crosstalk between the different light sources (7), characterized by an extension (9) that is integrated with the light barrier (8) and that partially covers the switch (5).
A household appliance (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the extension (9) that connects two light barriers (8) to one another.
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the extension (9) that has a hole (10) through which the shaft of the switch (5) is inserted.
A household appliance (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by the extension (9) having an embossment (11) that is aligned over the switch (5) and that comprises the hole (10).
A household appliance (1) as in Claim 3 or 4, characterized by the extension (9), the sides of which forming the hole (10) are bent towards the front panel (2).
A household appliance (1) as in any one of the Claim 3 or 4, characterized by the extension (9) wherein the cross-section of the sides forming the hole (10) that is perpendicular to the extension (9) surface is C-shaped.