A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance comprising a control panel as known for example from US-2006-0,0160,096.

[0002] A multitude of elements such as the light sources, knobs are mounted on the panels of the household appliances, for example refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens etc. While mounting the light source on the panel, the light source should be positioned vertically to the panel. Otherwise problems may arise in viewing the light source from outside the panel. Moreover, auxiliary elements are required for adjusting the suitable angle while the light source is mounted on the panel and for holding the light source in a fixed position after the assembly. The said elements create additional labor and component costs.

[0003] In the state of the art European Patent Document No EP1013988 a LED (light emitting diode) placed in a box-like tubular bearer part and auxiliary components used for securing these LEDs to the box are disclosed. In the said invention, a protrusion is formed by an auxiliary part seated in the insertion opening. The light source is fitted in the insertion opening by a recess formed in the light source and prevented from dislodging by means of the protrusion on the insertion opening. In the invention, a second auxiliary fixing means is provided that is secured to the light source by sliding.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to design a household appliance comprising a panel wherein the LEDs are easily mounted.

[0005] In the household appliance designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, a panel is provided for mounting on the LEDs. The embossments and recesses required for assembling on the panel are configured by shaping a single sheet material through various processes. The housings are formed by punching and the embossments and covers are shaped by folding the sheet metal.

[0006] On the front side of the panel a plate is provided that partially covers the housings from the front. Windows are arranged on the plate. The windows face the housings on the panel.

[0007] After the LEDs are seated in the housings by sliding on the base of the housing, are locked to the cover and embossments on the panel by means of the included protrusions. The recess comprised by the LED allows easier closing of the cover.

[0008] The cover is formed on one side of the housing and is of a foldable, preferably hinged configuration.

[0009] The household appliance designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0010] Figure 1 - is the front schematic view of a household appliance.

[0011] Figure 2 - is the front exploded view of a panel.

[0012] Figure 3 - is the detailed view of a LED and a housing.

[0013] Figure 4 - is the view of a LED in a housing.

[0014] Figure 5 - is the detailed view of a LED in the position of bearing on the embossment.

[0015] Figure 6 - is the detailed view of a LED in the tightened position.

[0016] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1.

Household appliance

2.

Window

3.

Plate

4.

Recess

5.

Protrusion

6.

LED

7.

Housing

8.

Embossment

9.

Cover

10.

Panel

[0017] The household appliance (1) comprises a panel (10) whereon the elements such as knobs, displays, control card etc. are mounted and LEDs (6) that are assembled on the panel (10), notify the user visually.

[0018] The panel (10) is formed from a sheet metal material.

[0019] The household appliance (1) comprises at least one housing (7) constituted by punching on the panel (10) wherein the end of the LED (6) is placed and at least one cover (9) constituted while the housing (7) is opened, after partially cutting out the portion of the sheet metal corresponding to the housing (7) as match the form of the LED (6), as for one side thereof connected to the panel (10) by bending.

[0020] The cover (9) covers over the housing (7) by folding after the LED (6) is fitted in the housing (7).

[0021] The household appliance (1) furthermore comprises an embossment (8) disposed on the side of the housing (7) that is opposite the cover (9) which holds the LEDs in the housing (7) by supporting the end portions thereof. The embossment (7) projects from the side of the housing (7) towards the above. When the cover (9) is closed over the housing (7), the LED (6) is locked by being constrained between the cover (9) and the embossment (8) on the opposite side.

[0022] The household appliance (1) furthermore comprises a plate (3) disposed on the panel (10) such that the housings (7) are covered from the outside. The plate (3) forms the base of the housing (7) such that the ends of the LEDs (6) are cradled inside the housing (7).

[0023] The plate (3) comprises windows (2) such that the light of the LEDs (6) can be seen from the exterior of the household appliance (1). The windows (2) are on the side of the embossments (8) of the housings (7) on the panel (10) and positioned to be opposite the housings (7). In this way the LEDs (6) can be viewed from outside the plate (3).

[0024] The LED (6) comprises a recess (4) and a protrusion (5) at the end portion.

[0025] The end portion of the LED (6) to be fixed with the assembly panel (10) is positioned to bear on the plate (3) on the side of the cover (9) of the housing (7). Then the LED (6) is slid on the plate (3) towards the embossment (8) until reaching just opposite the window (2). When the LED (6) is just opposite the window (2), the protrusion (5) of the LED (6) is engaged to the embossment (8). Then the cover (9) is fitted into the recess (4) of the LED (6) and closed over the protrusion (5) from the other side. Thus the LED (6) is tightened between the cover (9) and the embossment (8).

[0026] In the household appliance (1) of the present invention, the LED (6) stays immovable such that a right angle is formed with the plate (3). Consequently, upright positioning is maintained without using auxiliary elements. Moreover, the LED (6) can be viewed from outside the plate (3) easily.

Claims

1. A household appliance (1) comprising a panel (10), whereon control elements such as knobs, displays, control card etc. are mounted and LED's are assembled in order to visually notify the user, at least one housing (7) for mounting an LED is constituted by punching an aperture (5) in the panel, wherein an end of the LED (6) is adapted to be placed characterised in that, at least one cover portion (9) is created as a result of said punching, by partially cutting the sheet metal corresponding to the housing (7), so as match the form of the LED (6) end and said cover portion (9) being then bent, so as to securely connect said end of the LED (6) to said panel (10).

2. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by an embossment (8) which disposed on the side of the housing (7) that is opposite the cover (9), provides the LEDs (6) to stay in the housing (7) by supporting the end portions thereof.

3. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by an embossment (8) that extends over the above of the housing (7) from the side thereof.

4. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a cover (9) that is closed over the housing (7) by folding after the LED (6) is fitted inside the housing (7).

5. A household appliance (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a LED (6) that is fixed by being tightened between the cover (9) and the embossment (8) which are mutual when the cover (9) is closed over the housing (7).

6. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a plate (3) disposed on the panel (10) such that the housings (7) are covered from the outside, forming the base of the housing (7) such that the ends of the LEDs (6) are cradled inside the housing (7).

7. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a LED (6) comprising a protrusion (5) at the end portion that is engaged with the embossment (8) when placed in the housing (7) and a recess (4) to which the cover (9) is fitted when closed over the housing (7).

8. A household appliance (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a plate (3) comprising windows (2) on the side of the embossments (8) of the housings (7) and positioned to be opposite the housings (7).

Ansprüche

1. Haushaltsgerät (1), umfassend ein Bedienfeld (10), an dem Steuerelemente wie etwa Knöpfe, Anzeigen, Steuerkarte usw. montiert sind und LEDs angebracht sind, um den Benutzer visuell zu benachrichtigen, wenigstens ein Gehäuse (7) zum Montieren einer LED, ausgebildet durch Durchstoßen einer Öffnung (5) im Bedienfeld (10), in das ein Ende der LED (6) eingesetzt werden kann, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass aufgrund des Durchstoßens wenigstens ein Abdeckungsabschnitt (9) erzeugt wird, indem das Blech, das dem Gehäuse (7) entspricht, teilweise geschnitten wird, um an die Form der LED (6) angepasst zu werden, und der Abdeckungsabschnitt (9) gebogen wird, um das Ende der LED (6) sicher mit dem Bedienfeld (10) zu verbinden.

2. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch eine Wulst (8), die auf der Seite des Gehäuses (7) angeordnet ist, die gegenüber der Abdeckung (9) ist, und dafür sorgt, dass die LEDs (6) im Gehäuse (7) bleiben, indem sie ihre Endabschnitte abstützt.

3. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch eine Wulst (8), die sich von der Seite des Gehäuses (7) aus über dessen Oberseite erstreckt.

4. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine Abdeckung (9), die durch Umklappen über dem Gehäuse (7) geschlossen wird, wenn die LED (6) in das Gehäuse (7) eingesetzt worden ist.

5. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 4, gekennzeichnet durch eine LED (6), die durch Festklemmen zwischen der Abdeckung (9) und der Wulst (8) fixiert ist, die gegenseitig sind, wenn die Abdeckung (9) über dem Gehäuse (7) geschlossen ist.

6. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine Platte (3), die an dem Bedienfeld (10) angeordnet ist, derart, dass die Gehäuse (7) von außen bedeckt sind, und die Basis des Gehäuses (7) bildet, derart, dass die Enden der LEDs (6) im Gehäuse (7) aufgenommen sind.

7. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine LED (6), die einen Vorsprung (5) an dem Endabschnitt umfasst, der mit der Wulst (8) in Eingriff steht, wenn sie im Gehäuse (7) angeordnet ist, und eine Vertiefung (4), in die die Abdeckung (9) eingesetzt ist, wenn sie über dem Gehäuse (7) geschlossen ist.

8. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine Platte (3), die Fenster (2) auf der Seite der Wulst (8) der Gehäuse (7) umfasst und gegenüber den Gehäusen (7) angeordnet ist.

Revendications

1. Un électroménager (1) comprenant un panneau (10) sur lequel des éléments de commande comme des boutons, écrans, carte de commande, etc. sont montés et des DEL sont montées afin d'avertir l'utilisateur visuellement, au moins un logement (7) pour le montage d'une DEL est formé par poinçonner une ouverture (5) dans le panneau (10), dans lequel une extrémité de la DEL (6) est adaptée à être placée, caractérisé en ce que au moins une partie de couvercle (9) est crée en conséquence dudit poinçonnage, en coupant partiellement le tôle correspondant au logement (7), de manière à correspondre à la forme de l'extrémité de la DEL (6) et ladite partie de couvercle (9) étant ensuite pliée de manière à connecter solidement ladite extrémité de la DEL (6) au panneau (10) ci-dessus.

2. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 1, caractérisé par une estampe (8) qui est disposée sur le côté du logement (7) opposé au couvercle (9), qui permet aux DEL (6) de rester dans le logement (7) en supportant les extrémités de ceux-ci.

3. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 1, caractérisé par une estampe (8) qui s'étend vers le dessus du logement (7) du côté de celui-ci.

4. Un électroménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par un couvercle (9) qui est fermé sur le logement (7) en pliant après que la DEL (6) est montée dans le logement (7).

5. Un électroménager (1) selon la Revendication 4, caractérisé par une DEL (6) qui est fixée en étant serrée entre le couvercle(9) et l'estampe (8) qui sont réciproques lorsque le couvercle (9) est fermé sur le logement (7).

6. Un électroménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par une plaque (3) disposée sur le panneau (10) de telle sorte que les logements (7) sont couverts de l'extérieur, tout en formant la base du logement (7) de telle sorte que les extrémités des DEL (6) sont saisies dans le logement (7).

7. Un électroménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par une DEL (6) comprenant une protubérance (5) à l'extrémité qui s'engage avec l'estampe (8) après avoir été placée dans le logement (7) et un évidement (4) dans lequel le couvercle (9) est monté après avoir été fermé sur le logement (7).

8. Un électroménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par une plaque (3) comprenant des fenêtres (2) sur le côté des estampes (8) des logements (7) et positionnées de manière à être en face des logements (7).

Drawing