Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.

Brian J Morman

Kyle James Brewer

Timothy David Kaiser

Michelle Diana Gross Berry

Steven Andrew Rice

Brett Alan Farris

Sanchit Jitendra Patel

Ricardo Alberto Aguiar

A control panel for an appliance includes a printed circuit board defining a top surface, a light source mounted to the top surface of the printed circuit board for selectively generating light, a control cover mounted to the top surface of the printed circuit board, the control cover comprising a bottom surface, a top surface, and an indicator zone, the control cover defining light diffusion channel extending into the bottom surface of the control cover, and a light diffuser extending into the light diffusion channel to define a light recess configured to receive the light source, light recess being offset from the indicator zone by a diffusion distance measured perpendicular to an illumination direction.

Diffused light source for appliance control panel display

A user interface assembly for a domestic appliance includes a control panel; a user interface board; a digital image sensor attached to the user interface board, the digital image sensor being configured to optically view the control panel; and a controller operably coupled with the digital image sensor, the controller being configured to perform an operation. The operation may include directing the digital image sensor to scan at least a portion of the second panel side to capture a digital signal; analyzing the received digital signal to determine a model identification of the control panel; and activating a predetermined operating software for the domestic appliance based on the determined model identification.

Method for identifying a user interface control panel in a domestic appliance

A control panel for an appliance defines a display direction and includes a printed circuit board defining a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface along the display direction, and a through hole passing through the printed circuit board from the first surface to the second surface. A console cover is mounted to the first surface of the printed circuit board, a standoff feature is positioned between the console cover and the printed circuit board to create a localized gap between the console cover and the printed circuit board, a retention feature engages the second surface to retain the printed circuit board against the console cover, and an electronic component mounted to the printed circuit board and having an electrical contact that extends through the through hole where it forms a connection joint that is positioned within the localized gap.

Mounting assembly for a printed circuit board within an appliance control panel

A door for an appliance includes a control panel mounted on the door and defining an illumination direction. The control panel includes a printed circuit board defining a top surface, a light source mounted to the top surface of the printed circuit board, a control cover mounted to the top surface of the printed circuit board over the light source and defining a light directing channel extending from a bottom surface of the control cover to a top surface of the control cover, and wherein the control cover further defines a reflective surface for redirecting the light generated by the light source toward the top surface of the control cover, and an overlay panel mounted on the top surface of the control cover, the overlay panel comprising one or more diffused indicator zones.

Appliance control panel with light diffusion features

A consumer appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a user interface attached to the cabinet, a motor mounted within the cabinet, and a control board in electrical communication with the user interface and the motor. The user interface may include one or more connected electrical elements. The control board may be configured to initiate an initial operation. The initial operation may include activating the control board and detecting the one or more connected electrical elements from a predetermined plurality of potential electrical elements. The initial operation may further include selecting an operating personality from a plurality of preset personalities based on detecting the one or more connected electrical elements. The initial operation may still further include directing the motor according to the selected operating personality.

Consumer appliances and methods of operation

An appliance includes a user interface assembly. The user interface assembly includes a plurality of indicator lights mounted on a printed circuit board. An opaque material is disposed between adjacent indicator lights of the plurality of indicator lights. The opaque material is positioned and configured such that the opaque material reduces illumination of the printed circuit board by at least one indicator light of the plurality of indicator lights.

Light blocking features for indicator lights in an appliance

An appliance includes a control console. The control console includes a console cover with a circuit board. A front surface of the circuit board is attached to an interior surface of the console cover. A capacitive touch sensor is in operative communication with a face surface of the console cover and an LED is on a back surface of the circuit board. A light guide is mounted on the circuit board and provides optical communication from the LED to the face surface of the console cover.

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Louisville, KY, United States of America

Brian J Morman