CONTROL PANEL ASSEMBLY AND APPLIANCE HAVING THE SAME

• US 20150299932A1
• Filed: 07/01/2015
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: PARK, Jong Won
• Granted Patent: US 9,663,891 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/00 User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/60 Optical arrangements integrated in the light source, e.g. for improving the colour rendering index or the light extraction
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/61 using light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/049 Patterns or structured surfaces for diffusing light, e.g. frosted surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0044 Household appliances, e.g. washing machines or vacuum cleaners
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/30 Lighting for domestic or personal use
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/12 characterised by the geometrical disposition of the light-generating elements, e.g. arranging light-generating elements in differing patterns or densities
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0096 the lights guides being of the hollow type

Abstract

A control panel assembly for an appliance includes a control panel; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs); an LED bracket to accommodate the plurality of LEDs, the LED bracket including a plurality of light guide holes, each of the plurality of light guide holes being configured to guide light from one of the plurality of LEDs; and an LED window configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs and guided through the plurality of light guide holes to be visible at a front of the control panel. Each of the plurality of light guide holes includes a first portion to accommodate one of the plurality of LEDs, and a second portion to guide light emitted from the LED accommodated in the first portion towards the LED window. A length of the second portion is longer than a length of the first portion.

Claims

1. A control panel assembly for an appliance, comprising:

a control panel;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs);

an LED bracket to accommodate the plurality of LEDs, the LED bracket including a plurality of light guide holes, each of the plurality of light guide holes being configured to guide light from one of the plurality of LEDs; and

an LED window configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs and guided through the plurality of light guide holes to be visible at a front of the control panel,

wherein each of the plurality of light guide holes comprises

a first portion to accommodate one of the plurality of LEDs, and

a second portion to guide light emitted from the LED accommodated in the first portion towards the LED window,

wherein a length of the second portion is longer than a length of the first portion.

2. The control panel assembly for the appliance according to claim 1, wherein the LED window comprises:

a light transmission part configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to be transmitted to the front of the control panel; and

a light diffusion part configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to be uniformly diffused when passing through the light transmission part,

wherein the light diffusion part comprises a film member attached to the LED window.

3. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second portion has an exit with a polygonal form cross section.

4. The control panel assembly according to claim 3, wherein the polygonal form includes a shape including a long axis and a short axis, the long axis being oriented toward a center of the LED bracket.

5. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first portion has an opening with a circular cross-section.

6. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the length of the second portion to the length of the first portion is equal to or greater than 1.5 and equal to or less than 5.

7. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein a step is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

8. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the second portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first portion.

9. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the LED bracket and the LED window are formed integrally with each other.

10. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a circuit board disposed at an inner side of the control panel; and

a rotary switch installed at the circuit board,

wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged around the rotary switch to emit light.

11. The control panel assembly according to claim 1, further comprising

a knob guide disposed at a front side of the LED window and

a rotary knob rotatably mounted on the knob guide,

wherein the plurality of light guide holes are arranged around the rotary knob.

12. The control panel assembly according to claim 11, wherein the knob guide comprises a plurality of through holes formed in positions corresponding to the plurality of light guide holes.

13. The control panel assembly according to claim 12, wherein the light transmission part comprises a plurality of protrusions protruded from the front side of the LED window, and

each of the plurality of through holes are configured to accommodate each of the plurality of protrusions.

14. A control panel assembly for an appliance, comprising:

a control panel;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit light;

an LED bracket to accommodate the plurality of LEDs; and

an LED window disposed at a front side of the LED bracket,

wherein the LED window comprises

a light transmission part configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to be transmitted to the front of the control panel; and

a light diffusion part configured to allow the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to be uniformly diffused when passing through the light transmission part.

15. The control panel assembly according to claim 14, wherein the light transmission part comprises:

a base plate disposed at a front side of the LED bracket, and

a plurality of protrusions protruded from a front side of the base plate.

16. The control panel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the LED bracket includes a plurality of light guide holes, each of the plurality of light guide holes being configured to guide light from one of the plurality of LEDs, and

each of the plurality of protrusions is disposed in a position corresponding to each of the plurality of light guide holes on a path of the light emitted from the LED.

17. The control panel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the light diffusion part comprises uneven forms formed at a rear side of the base plate.

18. The control panel assembly according to claim 15, wherein the light diffusion part comprises a film member attached to the base plate.

19. A control panel assembly for an appliance, comprising:

a control panel;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit light;

an LED bracket to accommodate the plurality of LEDs; and

an LED window disposed at a front side of the LED bracket,

wherein the LED window comprises

a light transmission part having a plurality of protrusions protruded from a front side of the LED window to allows the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to be transmitted to the front of the control panel; and

a light diffusion part provided at a rear side of the LED window to allow the light emitted from the plurality of LEDs to be uniformly diffused when passing through the light transmission part.