Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.

Kyle James Brewer

Timothy David Kaiser

Brian J Morman

Aldo Vincent Kremmel

Steven Chadwick Koepke

Brian Steven Riddle

Michelle Diana Gross Berry

Craig Curtis

Mark Thomas Fryman

Michelle Diana Gross

Benjamin Carl Maddux

Scott Noll

Sanchit Jitendra Patel

Luke Thomas Fredette

Jason Allen Rowe

Deanna Mariel Moya Tanquero

Rajeswar Reddy Battu

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 dishwashing appliance may include a housing frame, a wash tub, a damper brace, and a damper pad. The housing frame may define a bottom end of the dishwashing appliance. The wash tub may be supported on the housing frame. The wash tub may extend along a vertical direction between an upper end and a lower end. The wash tub may extend along a transverse direction between a rearward end and a forward end. The wash tub may define a wash chamber and a front opening to the wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The damper brace may be disposed above the bottom end and below the wash chamber. The damper pad may be held between the damper brace and an outer surface of the wash tub in contact with the wash tub proximal to the forward end.

Dishwashing appliance and sound reduction

A dishwashing appliance may include a housing frame, a wash tub, and a damper brace. The housing frame may define a bottom end of the dishwashing appliance. The wash tub may be supported on the housing frame. The wash tub may extend along a vertical direction between an upper end and a lower end. The wash tub may extend along a transverse direction between a rearward end and a forward end. The wash tub may define a wash chamber and a front opening to the wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The damper brace may be disposed above the bottom end.

A dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a receiving chamber; at least one rack assembly removably positioned within the receiving chamber, the at least one rack assembly including a wire frame member; and a rack piece removably coupled to the at least one rack assembly. The rack piece includes a first arm positioned along a first lateral side of the at least one rack assembly; and a second arm positioned along a second lateral side of the at least one rack assembly opposite the first lateral side, wherein the rack piece is formed from a recyclable molded pulp material.

Molded pulp packaging insert for a dishwasher appliance

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 dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber, and a rack assembly. The rack assembly includes a bracket positioned within the wash chamber of the tub. The bracket includes a roller extending therefrom, and a pair of posts mounted to the bracket. The pair of posts extend through an outer surface of the tub, and a brace is positioned opposite the bracket on the outer surface of the tub. The brace includes a snap projection configured to engage the pair of posts such that the snap projection hinders the pair of posts from retracting through the outer surface of the tub. A pair of fasteners extend through the brace into the pair of posts, where the pair of fasteners secure the brace to the pair of posts.

Systems for mounting racks in dishwashing appliances

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 assembly for an appliance includes a blower assembly having a blower unit. The door assembly includes a door with an exterior wall and an interior wall. The exterior wall and the interior wall define a volume therebetween. The door assembly also includes a sealed compartment disposed within the volume. The blower assembly is housed within the sealed compartment and includes the blower unit, a cover removably mounted adjacent to an opening of the sealed compartment and adjacent to a portion of the exterior wall of the door, and a seal disposed between the blower unit and the cover. The cover includes a plurality of restraints configured to secure to the blower unit to provide at least three points of restraint between the cover and the blower unit. The sealed compartment is sealed from remaining portions of the volume via the cover and the seal.

Blower unit for an appliance

A dishwasher appliance or pump assembly may include a fluid pump and a vibration damper. The fluid pump may define a center of gravity. The vibration damper may be attached to the fluid pump. The vibration damper may include first and second spring beams and first and second damper masses. The first spring beam may extend longitudinally between a fixed end and a free end and be offset from the center of gravity at a first radial side. The first damper mass may be disposed on the free end of the first spring beam. The second spring beam may extend longitudinally between a fixed and a free end and be offset from the center of gravity at a second radial side. The second damper mass may be disposed on the free end of the second spring beam.

Pump damper assembly and dishwasher appliance

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 door for an appliance includes a front panel defining an opening. A top panel is positioned at a top portion of the front panel above the opening of the front panel. A top panel bracket is disposed within the front panel. The top panel bracket is mounted within the front panel such that the top panel bracket is fixed relative to the front panel. The top panel is positioned on and mounted to the top panel bracket. The top panel bracket defines a slot. A pocket handle is disposed at the opening of the front panel. The pocket handle includes a projection. The projection is disposed within the slot of the top panel bracket.

Pocket handle assembly for an appliance

A dishwashing appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. A sump is a sump positioned at a bottom of the wash chamber for receiving fluid from the wash chamber. A circulation pump is connected to the sump. The dishwashing appliance also includes a mounting cable extending from the circulation pump. The circulation pump is suspended by the mounting cable.

Dishwashing appliance cable motor mount

A door assembly for an appliance includes a door frame having a top edge and a user interface board positioned at the top edge of the door frame. A console cover is positioned over the user interface board and has a top surface defining a plurality of touch buttons and a front surface defining a front indicator extending at least partially along the vertical direction adjacent the top edge of the door frame. A side-fire light source is mounted on the user interface board for selectively emitting light energy toward the front indicator.

Front indicator lighting assembly for an appliance door

A dishwasher appliance having a console assembly equipped with light bleed prevention features is provided. In one aspect, the dishwasher includes a cabinet, a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet, and a console assembly mounted to the door. The console assembly includes a light source operable to emit light into a console cover. A light blocking film is mounted to a top surface of the console cover and defines a light pass-through opening through which light may pass to illuminate an indicia. The console cover includes one or more edges that may be exposed to an ambient environment. The console cover is formed at least in part of a non-clear resin such that light is allowed to travel through the console cover and through the light pass-through opening yet light bleed stemming from the one or more edges is not visible to a human eye.

Tinted console cover for an appliance

A door assembly for an appliance includes an inner door panel and outer door panel that define an interior chamber for receiving at least a first light source and a second light source. An indicator lens extends from a split receiving surface facing the light sources to an indicator aperture defined in the outer door panel. The split receiving surface has a first surface for receiving light from the first light source and a second surface for receiving light from the second light source. In addition, an opaque partition is positioned between the first light source and the second light source for at least partially blocking light from first light source and the second light source from bleeding onto the second surface and the first surface, respectively.

Growing community of inventors

Louisville, KY, United States of America

Kyle James Brewer