Appliance control system with cycle selection detection
First Claim
1. An appliance control system which is operable in a user cycle selection mode and a cycle operation mode, comprising:
- a housing;
a display device supported by said housing;
a user cycle selector at least partially positioned within said housing;
a printed circuit board supported by said housing;
a circuit configured to (i) operate said display device during said user cycle selection mode to indicate position status of said user cycle selector; and
(ii) operate said display device during said cycle operation mode to indicate cycle progression status of said appliance control system, said circuit includes a circuit pattern assembly supported by said printed circuit board; and
a wiper assembly positioned within said housing;
wherein said user cycle selector is movable from a first selector position to a second selector position in relation to a circuit pattern assembly, wherein said circuit is configured to operate said display device to indicate a first position status which corresponds to said first selector position when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and wherein said circuit is configured to operate said display device to indicate a second position status which corresponds to said second selector position when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An appliance controller includes a control knob assembly and detection mechanism having various mechanical and electrical components that are configured to detect the position of the knob assembly and produce a position signal indicative of the knob assembly position. The position signal is provided to the appliance controller that produces a control signal in response thereto. The control signal is used to initiate various appliance functions based on the specific position of the knob assembly. In one form, the detection mechanism includes a variable resistor assembly that is comprised of a wiper and resistor pad arrangement. In another form, the detection mechanism includes a shaft encoder mechanism that is comprised of a light transmitter and receiver, and an associated apertured disc secured to the knob assembly.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An appliance control system which is operable in a user cycle selection mode and a cycle operation mode, comprising:
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a housing;
a display device supported by said housing;
a user cycle selector at least partially positioned within said housing;
a printed circuit board supported by said housing;
a circuit configured to (i) operate said display device during said user cycle selection mode to indicate position status of said user cycle selector; and
(ii) operate said display device during said cycle operation mode to indicate cycle progression status of said appliance control system, said circuit includes a circuit pattern assembly supported by said printed circuit board; and
a wiper assembly positioned within said housing;
wherein said user cycle selector is movable from a first selector position to a second selector position in relation to a circuit pattern assembly, wherein said circuit is configured to operate said display device to indicate a first position status which corresponds to said first selector position when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and wherein said circuit is configured to operate said display device to indicate a second position status which corresponds to said second selector position when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 21)
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7. An appliance control system which is operable in a user cycle selection mode and a cycle operation mode, comprising:
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a display device;
a user cycle selector which is movable from a first selector position to a second selector position;
a wiper assembly; and
a circuit configured to (i) operate said display device during said user cycle selection mode to indicate position status of said user cycle selector; and
(ii) operate said display device during said cycle operation mode to indicate cycle progression status of said appliance control system, said circuit includes a circuit pattern assembly;
wherein said circuit is configured to operate said display device to indicate a first position status which corresponds to said first selector position when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation, and wherein said circuit is configured to operate said display device to indicate a second position status which corresponds to said second selector position when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22)
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13. An appliance control system which is operable in a user cycle selection mode and a cycle operation mode, comprising:
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a user cycle selector;
a wiper assembly, wherein movement of said user cycle selector causes movement of said wiper assembly; and
a circuit pattern assembly positioned in contact with said wiper assembly;
wherein switching of said appliance control system from said user cycle selection mode to said cycle operation mode when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a first orientation causes a first selected cycle of said cycle operation mode to be performed by said appliance control system, and wherein switching of said appliance control system from said user cycle selection mode to said cycle operation mode when said wiper assembly is positioned in contact with said circuit pattern assembly at a second orientation causes a second selected cycle of said cycle operation mode to be performed by said appliance control system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification