A control panel assembly for a domestic appliance

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a control panel assembly for a domestic appliance. The control panel assembly includes a control panel (10) and at least one cover sheet (12) detachably attached or attachable at said control panel (10). The control panel (10) comprises at least one hole (20) for receiving a control element (14). The cover sheet (12) comprises at least one hole (22) corresponding with that at least one hole (20) of the control panel (10). The cover sheet (12) comprises information relating to the states of the control element (14). The control panel (10) comprises fastening elements (34) at the border of its hole (20). The cover sheet (12) comprises fastening elements (24) at the border of its hole (22). At least one pair of correspond fastening elements (24, 34) of the control panel (10) and the cover sheet (12) form a snap-in mechanism.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a control panel assembly for a domestic appliance, in particular for a washing machine, a laundry dyer, a dishwasher and/or the like. Further, the present invention relates to a domestic appliance including a control panel assembly.

[0002] A domestic appliance includes a control panel assembly for giving instructions to said domestic appliance by the user. Further, the control panel assembly displays an operation status of the domestic appliance.

[0003] The control panel assembly comprises the proper control panel, a cover sheet and at least one control element like a button or a knob. The cover sheet covers at least partially the control panel. The cover sheet includes imprinted symbols and words corresponding to the states of the control element.

[0004] However, the domestic appliance is provided for several countries with different languages. It would be advantageous, if the control panel assembly is easily adaptable to the corresponding language.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a control panel assembly for a domestic appliance, which may be easily adapted to the language of the designated country. The object of the present invention is achieved by the control panel assembly for a domestic appliance according to claim 1.

[0006] According to the present invention

• the control panel assembly includes a control panel and at least one cover sheet detachably attached or attachable at said control panel,
• the control panel comprises at least one hole for receiving a control element,
• the cover sheet comprises at least one hole corresponding with that at least one hole of the control panel,
• the cover sheet comprises information relating to the states of the control element,
• the control panel comprises fastening elements at the border of its hole,
• the cover sheet comprises fastening elements at the border of its hole, and
• at least one pair of correspond fastening elements of the control panel and the cover sheet form a snap-in mechanism.

[0007] The core of the present invention is that the detachable cover sheet comprises the information of the states of the control element on the one hand and the snap-in mechanism between the control panel and the cover sheet is arranged around the holes of said control panel and cover sheet. The cover sheet may be exchanged by the user. The holes of the control panel and the cover sheet form a common hole, so that the cover sheet is automatically positioned and self centred at the control panel. In particular, the information is imprinted on the cover sheet.

[0008] For example, the cover sheet represents the information of the states of the control element by a predetermined scheme. This scheme may be a set of symbols representing the operation modes of the domestic appliance. The cover sheet may be provided with several sets of symbols, wherein said sets of symbols have different designs, styles and/or kinds of representation.

[0009] Further, the cover sheet may represent the information relating to the states of the control element by a certain language. The cover sheet with the designated language may be easily attached during the completion.

[0010] Moreover, the control panel assembly may include a set of exchangeable cover sheets representing the information relating to the states of the control element by different schemes and/or different languages. The cover sheet with the designated scheme or language may be easily exchanged by the customer or the user.

[0011] Preferably, at least a portion of the cover sheet is made of at least one transparent material. In this case, the control panel may include indicators like an LED board covered by said cover sheet. Further, the transparent cover sheet does hide any information printed on the control panel.

[0012] In particular, the cover sheet is form-closed attached or attachable at the control panel. The cover sheet may cover at least a front side of the control panel.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cover sheet comprises at least one hook arranged at the border of its hole.

[0014] Further, the control panel may comprise a circumferential wall around its hole with at least one cut-out, wherein the hook of the cover sheet and the cut-out of said control panel form the snap-in mechanism.

[0015] The hook of the cover sheet and the cut-out of the control panel may extend inwardly relating to the domestic appliance.

[0016] Preferably, a number of the hooks and corresponding cut-outs are equally spaced related to the circumferential directions of the holes in the control panel and cover sheet, respectively.

[0017] Further, the cover sheet may comprise at least one wall section arranged besides the hook or between the hooks, respectively. Accordingly, the control panel may comprise at least one flange section arranged at the circumferential wall for supporting the wall section of the cover sheet.

[0018] For example, the control element is a knob, in particular a rotary knob.

[0019] At last, the present invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a washing machine, a laundry dyer, a dishwasher and/or the like, wherein the domestic appliance comprises a control panel assembly as described above.

[0020] The novel and inventive features believed to be the characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0021] The invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG 1

illustrates an exploded perspective view of a control panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 2

illustrates a perspective rear view of a cover sheet for the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 3

illustrates a perspective rear view of a control panel for the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 4

illustrates a perspective rear view of the control panel with the cover sheet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 5

illustrates a perspective view of the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 6

illustrates a front view of a control portion of a domestic appliance including the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 7

illustrates a sectional side view of the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 8

illustrates a sectional side view of the control panel assembly in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 9

illustrates a sectional perspective view of the control panel assembly in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 10

illustrates a sectional side view of the control panel assembly with a control element in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG 11

illustrates a sectional perspective view of the control panel assembly with the control element in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a control panel assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The control panel assembly is provided for a domestic appliance. The control panel assembly includes a proper control panel 10, a cover sheet 12 and a control element 14.

[0023] The control panel 10 comprises a substantially vertical front side 16 and a horizontal top side 18. In this example, the front side 16 is inclined backwards. A round hole 20 is formed in the centre of the front side 16. Said round hole 20 is provided for receiving the control element 14.

[0024] In this example, the control element 14 is a rotatable knob. The rotational position of the control element 14 corresponds with an operation status of the domestic appliance. Alternatively, the control element 14 may be a button. Moreover, the control panel assembly may include several control elements 14.

[0025] The cover sheet 12 is formed in such a way, that it covers the front side 16 and the top side 18 of the control panel 10. The cover sheet 12 is form-closed with the front side 16 and the top side 18 of the control panel 10. The cover sheet 12 includes a round hole 22 corresponding to that round hole 20 of the control panel 10. The round hole 22 of the cover sheet 12 is also provided for receiving the control element 14.

[0026] FIG 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of the cover sheet 12 for the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The round hole 22 of the cover sheet 12 is enclosed by fastening elements 24 and 26. The fastening elements 24 and 26 extend into the rear side of the cover sheet 12. In this example, the fastening elements 24 and 26 include three hooks 24 and three bent wall sections 26. The wall sections 26 are arranged between the hooks 24.

[0027] A detail 28 of FIG 2 is shown at a larger scale. Said detail 28 illustrates one of the three hooks 24. The hook 24 includes a snap-fit extending outwardly related to the round hole 22.

[0028] FIG 3 illustrates a perspective rear view of the control panel 10 for the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] At the rear side the round hole 20 of the control panel 10 is enclosed by a circumferential wall 32. Said circumferential wall 32 includes three cut-outs 34. The cut-outs 34 are equally spaced from each other along the circumferential direction. Between the cut-outs 34 flange sections 36 are formed. Said flange sections extend inwardly relating to the round hole 20 of the control panel 10.

[0030] A detail 30 of FIG 3 is shown at a larger scale. Said detail 30 illustrates one of the three flange sections 36 and the cut-out 34 besides said flange section 36.

[0031] FIG 4 illustrates a perspective rear view of the control panel 10 with the cover sheet 12 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cover sheet 12 is attached at the control panel 10.

[0032] The hooks 24 and the wall sections 26 of the cover sheet 12 are inserted in the round hole 20 of the control panel 10. The hook 24 of the cover sheet 12 and the corresponding cut-out 34 of the control panel 10 form a snap-in mechanism in each case. The flange sections 36 of the control panel 10 support the wall sections 26 of the cover sheet 12.

[0033] FIG 5 illustrates a perspective view of the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cover sheet 12 is attached at the control panel 10, so that the front side 16 and the top side 18 of said control panel 10 are covered.

[0034] The hooks 24 and the wall sections 26 of the cover sheet 12 are inserted in the round hole 20 of the control panel 10. The round hole 20 of the control panel 10 and the round hole 22 of the cover sheet 12 form a common hole provided for receiving the control element 14.

[0035] FIG 6 illustrates a front view of a control portion 38 of a domestic appliance including the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The control panel 10 with the cover sheet 12 is a part of said control portion 38. In this example, the control portion 38 is provided for a washing machine. Beside the control panel 10 a receptacle 40 for a detergent box and a display 42 are arranged.

[0036] FIG 7 illustrates a sectional side view of the control panel assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Said sectional side view relates to the axis A-A in FIG 6. The cover sheet 12 is attached at the control panel 10.

[0037] A detail 44 of FIG 7 is shown at a larger scale. Said detail 44 illustrates the snap-in mechanism between the hooks 24 of the cover sheet 12 and the cut-outs 34 of the control panel 10. The flange sections 36 of the control panel 10 support the corresponding wall sections 26 of the cover sheet 12.

[0038] FIG 8 illustrates a sectional side view of the control panel assembly in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sectional side view relates to the axis B-B of a front view on the left hand side of FIG 8.

[0039] FIG 8 clarifies the interaction between the hooks 24 and the cut-outs 34 on the one hand and the wall sections 26 and the flange sections 36 on the other hand. The hooks 24 of the cover sheet 12 and the corresponding cut-outs 34 of the control panel 10 form snap-in mechanisms. The flange sections 36 of the control panel 10 support the corresponding wall sections 26 of the cover sheet 12.

[0040] FIG 9 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the control panel assembly in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG 9 clarifies the interaction between the hooks 24 and the cut-outs 34 on the one hand and the wall sections 26 and the flange sections 36 on the other hand.

[0041] FIG 10 illustrates a sectional side view of the control panel assembly with a control element 14 in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sectional side view relates to the axis C-C of a front view on the left hand side of FIG 10.

[0042] FIG 10 clarifies the interaction between the hooks 24 and the cut-outs 34 on the one hand and the wall sections 26 and the flange sections 36 on the other hand as in FIG 8. Additionally, FIG 10 shows the arrangement of the control element 14, which is a rotatable knob.

[0043] FIG 11 illustrates a sectional perspective view of the control panel assembly with the control element 14 in a dismounted state and in a mounted state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG 11 clarifies the interaction between the hooks 24 and the cut-outs 34 on the one hand and the wall sections 26 and the flange sections 36 on the other hand. Additionally, FIG 11 shows the arrangement of the control element 14.

[0044] The control panel assembly according to the present invention provides the detachable cover sheet 12 including the information of the states of the control element 14. The snap-in mechanism between the control panel 10 and the cover sheet 12 is arranged around the holes 20 and 22 of the control panel 10 and the cover sheet 12, so that the cover sheet 12 may be exchanged by the user. Since the holes 20 and 22 of the control panel 10 and the cover sheet 12 form a common hole, the cover sheet 12 is automatically positioned and self centred at the control panel 10.

[0045] Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

[0046] 

10

control panel

12

cover sheet

14

control element

16

front side

18

top side

20

round hole of the control panel

22

round hole of the cover sheet

24

hook

26

wall section

28

detail of FIG 2

30

detail of FIG 3

32

circumferential wall

34

cut-out

36

flange section

40

receptacle for a detergent box

42

display

44

detail of FIG 7

Claims

1. A control panel assembly for a domestic appliance, wherein:

- the control panel assembly includes a control panel (10) and at least one cover sheet (12) detachably attached or attachable at said control panel (10),

- the control panel (10) comprises at least one hole (20) for receiving a control element (14),

- the cover sheet (12) comprises at least one hole (22) corresponding with that at least one hole (20) of the control panel (10),

- the cover sheet (12) comprises information relating to the states of the control element (14),

- the control panel (10) comprises fastening elements (34) at the border of its hole (20),

- the cover sheet (12) comprises fastening elements (24) at the border of its hole (22), and

- at least one pair of correspond fastening elements (24, 34) of the control panel (10) and the cover sheet (12) form a snap-in mechanism.

2. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, characterized in, that
the cover sheet (12) represents the information of the states of the control element (14) by a predetermined scheme.

3. The control panel assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in, that
the cover sheet (12) represents the information relating to the states of the control element (14) by a certain language.

4. The control panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the control panel assembly includes a set of exchangeable cover sheets (12) representing the information relating to the states of the control element (14) by different schemes and/or different languages.

5. The control panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
at least a portion of the cover sheet (12) is made of at least one transparent material.

6. The control panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the cover sheet (12) is form-closed attached or attachable at the control panel (10).

7. The control panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the cover sheet (12) covers at least a front side (16) of the control panel (10).

8. The control panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the cover sheet (12) comprises at least one hook (24) arranged at the border of its hole (22).

9. The control panel assembly according to claim 8,
characterized in, that
the control panel (10) comprises a circumferential wall (32) around its hole (20) with at least one cut-out (34), wherein the hook (24) of the cover sheet (12) and the cut-out (34) of said control panel (10) form the snap-in mechanism.

10. The control panel assembly according to claim 8 and 9,
characterized in, that
the hook (24) of the cover sheet (12) and the cut-out (34) of the control panel (10) extend inwardly relating to the domestic appliance.

11. The control panel assembly according to any one of the claims 8 to 10,
characterized in, that
a number of the hooks (24) and corresponding cut-outs (34) are equally spaced related to the circumferential directions of the holes (20, 22) in the control panel (10) and cover sheet (12), respectively.

12. The control panel assembly according to any one of the claims 8 to 11,
characterized in, that
the cover sheet (12) comprises at least one wall section (26) arranged besides the hook (24) or between the hooks (24), respectively.

13. The control panel assembly according to claim 12 related back at least to claim 9,
characterized in, that
the control panel (10) comprises at least one flange section (36) arranged at the circumferential wall (32) for supporting the wall section (26) of the cover sheet (12).

14. The control panel assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in, that
the control element (14) is a knob, in particular a rotary knob.

15. A domestic appliance, in particular a washing machine, a laundry dyer, a dishwasher and/or the like,
characterized in, that
the domestic appliance comprises a control panel assembly according to any one of the claims 1 to 14.

Drawing