Console assembly for a dishwashing appliance, and associated apparatus

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to washing devices, in particular a console assembly for a washing machine, and also to an associated device.

Description of the Prior Art [0002] A cleaning device, such as a dishwasher, generally comprises a ladle portion defining a forward-facing access opening, the door assembly being coupled to the ladle portion so that it can rotate around the bottom end of the ladle portion between the closed position and open position and close the access opening directed to the pipe during the washing process. Such dishwashers can be electronically controlled, have an electronic control unit used to cooperate with various components (i.e. a circulating pump, drain pump, water valve) of the dishwasher, to control the washing process. In such cases, the functions performed (i.e. washing, flushing, drying with heating) of the cycle or various cycles may be selected by the user through one or more suitable selection devices or actuators, such as one or more switches, buttons, knobs or combinations thereof associated with the control device system in communication with the control unit. The control device arrangement may be located remotely relative to the control unit. For example, the selecting or actuating devices may be located around the upper end of the dishwasher door assembly to facilitate their interaction with the user. In such dishwashers, the control device arrangement may be undesirably exposed and clearly visible when the dishwasher is not programmed to direct the washing program (i.e. when the door assembly is in the open position). In other cases, such a control device arrangement surrounding the upper end of the door assembly, although easily accessible to users, may be undesirably exposed and exposed to the humid environment associated with the dishwasher, and as long as it is not sealed or resistant to liquids , there may be a risk of failure arising from such conditions.

[0003] US 2008/0011342 discloses a dishwasher with a control panel that is installed obliquely to the top of the door at a predetermined angle.

[0004] Document US 2008/0273016 discloses a dishwasher with a light display enclosed in a substantially fluid tight arrangement.

[0005] Thus, there is a need for a washing machine apparatus suitable for concealing a control device system and / or any selection / actuation devices associated therewith, while providing a substantially fluid tight control device system that is easily accessible to the user of this washing machine.

Brief Summary of the Invention [0006] The foregoing and other needs are met by the present invention, which according to one of the objects relates to a console assembly for a washing machine having a ladle portion defining a forward access opening, as well as a door assembly pivotally coupled to it , wherein the door assembly can move between an open position and a closed position. The closed door assembly cooperates with the ladle portion to cover the forward access opening, and this door assembly defines an upper end opposite the lower end relative to the forward facing access opening. The console assembly is adapted to operably engage the upper end and include a control device system that includes a control actuator having an associated designation, wherein the control actuator is adapted to selectively direct the operation of at least one operating component of the washing device. The illuminating element is assigned to a control actuator, the illuminating element being configured to be switched off when the door assembly is in the closed position and also to be activated to emit light when the door assembly is rotated from the closed position. The light diffusing member is in communication with the illuminating element such that the light emitted by it is processed by the light diffusing member to illuminate the mark associated with the control actuator. The console cover member is configured to at least partially cover the control device and facilitate cooperation with the control actuator via it. The console cover member is further configured to be substantially opaque when the illuminating member is turned off to prevent observation of indications associated with the control actuator when the door assembly is in the closed position, and to be at least partially translucent when the illuminating member activated after the door assembly has been turned from the closed position, to allow observation of indications related to the control actuator.

[0007] Another object of the application relates to a washing device comprising a ladle portion defining a forward-facing access opening, as well as a door assembly pivotally coupled to the ladle portion and movable between an open position and a closed position, the door assembly cooperating in a closed position. with a ladle part for covering the facing access opening, wherein the door assembly defines an upper end opposite the lower end with respect to the forward access opening. The console assembly is operatively coupled to the door assembly around its upper end, and also includes a system control device comprising a control actuator having associated markings, the control actuator being adapted to selectively direct the operation of at least one operating component of the washing machine . The illuminating element is associated with the control actuator, the illuminating element being configured so that it is turned off when the door assembly is in the closed position and is also actuated and emitted light when the door assembly has been rotated from the closed position. The light-scattering member is in communication with the light-emitting element such that the light emitted by it cooperates with the light-scattering member and illuminates the designation assigned to the control actuator. The console cover member is configured to at least partially cover the control device system to facilitate its cooperation with the control actuator. The console cover member is also configured so that the light from the scattering member illuminating the sign is not specifically directed by it. The console cover member is further configured to be substantially opaque when the illuminator is off to prevent observation of the indications associated with the control actuator when the door assembly is in the closed position, and is at least partially transparent when the illuminator is activated , after turning the door assembly from the closed position, that allows observation of the mark associated with the control actuator.

[0008] Thus, various objects of the invention provide advantages as detailed in this specification, and they may include, without imposing any restrictions: hiding the dishwasher control device system when the control device system is not used.

Brief Description of Several Views in the Drawings [0009] After describing the various embodiments of this invention in a general way, reference will now be made to the figures of the attached drawing, which are not always drawn in scale, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a washing apparatus suitable for applying various embodiments of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the console assembly for a washing machine showing the control device system and the console cover member configured to at least partially cover the control device system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the door assembly for a washing machine showing the console assembly operatively coupled to the door assembly around its upper end, and the door assembly is in the closed position to cover the forward access opening of the tub portion in accordance with one of the an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the door assembly for a washing machine showing the console assembly operatively coupled to the door assembly around its upper surface, with the door assembly rotated from the closed position to allow access to the ladle portion and to illuminate at least one associated marking a control device assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Various Embodiments of the Invention [0010] Various embodiments of the present inventions will be described more fully below in this document, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. In fact, these inventions can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth in this document; instead, these embodiments are presented so that this disclosure meets applicable legal requirements. Similar reference numbers refer to similar documents throughout the description.

[0011] Fig. 1 shows an example of a washing device, such as a dishwasher 10, suitable for applying various embodiments of the present invention. Such a dishwasher 10 typically comprises a ladle portion 12 (partially cut off in Fig. 1 to show internal details, and also referred to in this document as "ladle" or "ladle 12") having a number of walls (e.g. side wall 13) to form a chamber in which dishes, utensils and other tableware for washing can be placed. The ladle portion 12 may also define a forward facing access opening generally indicated by reference numeral 16. As is known in the art, dishwasher 10 may also include a lower and upper slide frame (not shown) for holding dishes, utensils, and tableware. for washing up. The ladle portion 12 may define a sump, generally indicated as 14, in which wash or rinse water collects, typically under the influence of gravity. The wash / flush water can be pumped through the pump 15 outside the sump 14 to various spray arms 20 mounted inside the ladle part 12, for spraying, from pressure, this wash / rinse water onto dishes, utensils and other tableware contained inside . Pump 15 and / or other operating components (e.g., circulating pump, drain pump, water valve) may be embedded, positioned or otherwise located within the base component / component 22 located below the ladle portion 12, this base portion 22 receives and supports the bottom end, generally indicated as 18, of the ladle portion 12. In some cases, the base portion 22 may be a separate component with respect to the ladle portion 12, such as, for example, a molded polymer component, while in other cases, the base portion 22 may be integral with the ladle portion 12, such that the side walls forming the portion ladle 12 also, at least in part, form part of the base 22.

[0012] The door assembly 50 may be pivotally coupled to the ladle portion 12 around its bottom end 18 so as to selectively allow access to the interior of the ladle portion 12. This means that the bottom edge 26 of the door assembly 50 may be pivotally engaged (e.g. hinged) with the bottom end 18 of the ladle portion 12 so that the door assembly 50 can rotate around its bottom portion 26 to cover and seal the forward facing access opening 16 in the closed position when the dishwasher 10 is in operation, and to provide sealing access to the interior of the vat portion 12 through this forward-facing access opening 16 when the door assembly 50 is rotated from the closed position to the open position.

[0013] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, with reference to Figs. 2-4, the dishwasher 10 may include a console assembly 100 configured to include one or more components (i.e. a user interface) capable of directing the operation / starting of various operating components of the dishwasher 10. The console assembly 100 includes a control device circuit 102 that may include, for example, a printed circuit board, timing device, or other control unit (for controlling specific parts of the dishwasher 10) that is also in electrical connection with one or more control actuators 104 and / or user interface, which can be mounted in / on the door assembly 50 of the dishwasher 10 or can be otherwise connected to the door assembly 50. The control device system 102 may further be in communication via a wired system (not shown) such as, for example, wiring, with various working components (e.g. circulating pump, draining pump, water valve) of the dishwasher 10, wherein such operating components can thus be controlled via the console assembly 100 / control system 102 when they are actuated via control actuators 104 and / or the user interface associated with the door assembly 50. The console assembly 100 may be mounted or otherwise attached to the door assembly 50 around the periphery of its upper end 52, wherein control actuators 104 are accessible to the user via the upper end 52 of the door assembly 50. In some cases, the console assembly 100 may be coupled to the door assembly 50 in a specially designated cavity (not shown) designated by it and configured to receive the console assembly 100 in a designated space. Furthermore, the console assembly 100 may be mounted to the door assembly 50 such that the console assembly 100 cooperates with the door assembly 50 to form the upper end 52.

As mentioned earlier, the console assembly 100 includes a control device system 102 that is configured to direct the operation of the various operating components of the dishwasher 10. The control device system 102 may include at least one control actuator 104 configured to selectively control the operation at least one operating component of the dishwasher 10. In some cases, the control device system 102 may include a number of control actuators 104 associated with various functions performed (i.e., washing, flushing, draining, hot drying) or cycles (i.e., normal washing, intensive washing, pre-flushing) which may be selected by a user using the control actuator 104, such as, for example, a push button control system 102 located at the upper end 52 of the door assembly 50.

In this regard, the console assembly 100 may further include a console cover member 150, at least partially covering the control device arrangement 102. The console cover member 150 may be mounted, secured, or otherwise retained relative to the upper end 52 / control device system 102 in any suitable manner. In some cases, the console cover member may extend at least partially along the length of the control device system 102 (i.e. laterally transversely through the door assembly 50), and may additionally extend at least partially along the side portion (s) of the door assembly 50. Console cover member 150 may be made in a watertight configuration, if desired, due to exposure (i.e., upper end 52) to moisture from inside tub portion 12 of the dishwasher 10. Console cover member 150 may also be configured such that the actuating control device (s) 104 is accessible through it. That is, in some cases, the console cover member 150 may be made of elastic and / or deformable material that is capable of at least partially deforming to allow the user of the control actuator 104. In other instances, the control actuator (s) 104 may be touch sensitive, wherein the console cover member 150 is configured to facilitate the handling of the sensitive (sensitive) touch actuator (s).

[0016] Assigned to each of the control actuators (control actuators) 104 may be designations 106 such as, for example, a graphic element, alphanumeric character, actuator functionality element and / or status element or the like to indicate to the user information regarding the operation of the control actuator 104 associated with it. For example, the indicia 106 may indicate a control actuator 104 for a delicate, normal or intensive wash program. In addition, in some cases, the designations 106 may be used such that they are not associated with the control actuator 104, to provide additional information to the user, such as, for example, the remaining dishwasher operating time, clock time, etc. In some cases, the markings 106 may be reflected or applied to a particular component / member associated with the light diffusing device 108, or may be otherwise assigned to the light diffusing member 108 associated with the control device system 102, as further disclosed herein. In some cases, markings 106 may be reflected or superimposed or otherwise assigned to console cover member 150.

[0017] In some cases, the control device system 102 further includes at least one light element 112 associated therewith, such as, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), to illuminate the actuator (actuators) 104 and / or mark (s) 106 in specific situations.

More specifically, to conceal the actuator (s) 104 and / or the designation (s) 106 of the control system 102 when not in use, the console cover member 150 may be configured to be substantially opaque when the door assembly 50 is in the closed position (or the console cover member 150 may normally be opaque). In such cases, the door assembly 50 in the closed position may be associated with the illuminating member (s) 112 being turned off and thereby preventing the actuator (s) 104 and / or mark (s) 106 from being observed when the door assembly 50 is in the closed position . This means that when the door assembly 50 of the dishwasher 10 is in the closed position, the lighting element (s) 112 can be turned off so that the actuator (actuators) 104 and / or the marking (s) 106 are not visible through a normally opaque cover console, as shown in Fig. 3. In this way, the "clean" appearance of the dishwasher can be maintained. That is, the opacity of the console cover member 150, as well as the lack of lighting when the door assembly 50 is in the closed position, effectively covers the actuator (actuators) 104 and / or the designation (s) 106 of the control system 102 for allowing visibility from outside of the dishwasher.

[0018] However, since the actuator (actuators) 104 of the control system 102 can be used to control the dishwasher when the door assembly 50 is in the open position, it is desirable that the actuator (actuators) 104 and / or reference (s) 106 were visible in such cases. Accordingly, the illuminating element 112 can be configured to be actuated when the door assembly 50 is rotated from the closed position to illuminate the actuator (s) 104 and / or mark (s) 106. In connection with actuation of the lighting element 112, the console cover member 150 may also be configured to be (or become) at least partially translucent after the door assembly 50 has been rotated from the closed position so as to allow observation of the actuator (actuators) 104 and markings (s) 106. That is, when the door assembly 50 of the dishwasher 10 is opened, the lighting element (s) 112 associated with the control device system 102 can be configured to operate such that the light emitted by it and the indicating actuator (actuators) 104 and / or reference number (s) 106 become visible through console cover member 150 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0019] The illuminating element (s) 112 may be partially assigned to the respective indicia 106 and / or control actuator 104. Thus, the illuminating element (luminous elements 112) can be activated and deactivated to selectively illuminate certain indicia 106 which in some cases are associated with a specific control actuator 104. For example, the designations 106 may include the "START" alphanumeric designation embedded or otherwise associated with console member 150. In this case, the control actuator 104 associated with the "START" designation 106 may be actuated via console cover member 150 to run a washing program previously selected by the user. Moreover, for the lighting of the "START" designation 106, the lighting element 112 associated with it can be actuated when the door assembly 50 is rotated from the closed position, thereby in particular indicating the position of the respective control actuator 104 via the specific designation 106 associated with the cover member 150 console so that the user can use it.

[0020] In other cases, the illuminating element (illuminating elements) 112 may not be specifically assigned to a specific designation 106 and / or control actuator 104. This means that the illuminating element (illuminating elements) 112 can be configured for non-detailed control lighting actuator (control actuators) 104 and / or markings (s) 106 associated with control system 102. Therefore, some examples of the present invention may include one or more light scattering members 108 associated with the luminous element (s) 112 to scatter the light they emit. In such cases, the designation (s) 106 may be embedded in the light diffusing member 108 formed in the embedded member (not shown) associated with the illuminating element 112, or associated with the light diffusing member 108. The light diffusing member 108 may be in communication with the illuminating element 112 so that the light emitted by it cooperates at least partially with (i.e. is directed through) the light diffusing member 108 so as to illuminate the actuator 104 and / or marking 106. In some specific examples of the present invention, the illuminating element (s) 112 may cooperate with the light-scattering member (s) 108 so as to not specifically illuminate the actuating device (s) 104 and / or the designation (s) 106. This means that the luminous element (s) 112 and the light diffusing element (s) 108 substantially illuminate some or all of the actuator (s) 104 and / or mark (s) 106 simultaneously (i.e. along the length of the system 102 of the apparatus control) instead of the specific actuator (s) 104 and / or marking (s) 106 (however, the use of such a light diffusing element (s) 108 does not preclude the possibility of the illuminating element (s) 112 illuminating the specific actuator (s)) 104 and / or designation (s) 106). In some cases, the light scattering member (s) 108 may be physically located between the illuminating element (s) 112 and the respective actuator (s) 104 and / or mark (s) 106.

[0021] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions given in this document will come to mind those skilled in the art to which these inventions belong, based on the disclosure set forth in the above descriptions and the respective drawings. For example, the luminous element (s) 112 may be configured to emit light of different color, wherein the specific color may be selected by the user according to the user's preference. Therefore, it should be understood that these inventions are not intended to be limited to the specific disclosed embodiments, and that other embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used in this document, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not to impose any restriction.