APPLIANCE HAVING A HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE AND ILLUMINATED HANDLE RECESS

• US 20160186984A1
• Filed: 12/29/2014
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Giacomini, Neomar, Cavalcanti, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US14/583,871
• Publication Number:
  US 20160186984A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4257 Details of the loading door
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/20 Parameters relating to constructional components, e.g. door sensors
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/14 Doors or covers; Securing means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• 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: F21W 2131/307 for ovens
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/17 forming a single encapsulated light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/024 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/082 on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/028 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/00 Lighting arrangements in general F21
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range

Abstract

An appliance comprising an appliance housing with an access opening, a closure element that selectively covers the access opening, a handle recess formed in the closure element, a human-machine interface (HMI), an HMI housing, and at least one light source. The light source is configured to provide light into the handle recess. The illumination from the light source may be used to light the handle recess.

Claims

1. An appliance comprising:

an appliance housing having an access opening;

a closure element that selectively covers the access opening;

a handle recess formed in the closure element;

a human-machine interface (HMI) having an HMI housing with an edge overlying the handle recess and forming at least a portion of a handle; and

at least one light source provided within the HMI housing and configured to provide light into the handle recess.

2. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the at least one light source comprises a multi-color light source.

3. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the HMI further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) to which the at least one light source is mounted.

4. The appliance of claim 3 wherein the HMI further comprises a controller mounted to the PCB and operably coupled to the at least one light source.

5. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the HMI housing further comprises one or more light transmissive portions through which the light from the at least one light source is emitted.

6. The appliance of claim 5 wherein the light transmissive portion is provided along one of the edge or a rear side of the HMI.

7. The appliance of claim 5 wherein the light transmissive portion overlies a portion of the handle recess.

8. The appliance of claim 5 wherein the light transmissive portion comprises an opening in the housing of the HMI.

9. The appliance of claim 8 wherein the opening overlies the housing of the HMI.

10. The appliance of claim 1 wherein the appliance is one of a refrigerator, an oven, a range, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, a clothes freshener, a garage locker, a blender, a mixer or a microwave.

11. An appliance comprising:

an appliance housing having an access opening;

a closure element that selectively covers access opening;

a human-machine interface (HMI) having an HMI housing;

a handle recess formed in the closure element;

a protruding handle wherein at least a portion of the handle extends into the handle recess and a portion extends beyond the closure element; and

at least one light source provided within the HMI housing and configured to provide light into the handle recess and onto at least one portion of the protruded handle.

12. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the HMI comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) and the at least one light source is carried by the PCB.

13. The appliance of claim 12 wherein the PCB is oriented generally orthogonal to the handle.

14. The appliance of claim 13 wherein the at least one light source is located on the PCB to emit light onto a base portion of the handle.

15. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the at least one light source comprises a multi-color light source.

16. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the HMI housing further comprises one or more light transmissive portions through which the light from the at least one light source is emitted.

17. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the light source is located relative to the handle to emit light on a base portion of the handle.

18. The appliance of claim 17 wherein the light source is located beneath the base portion of the handle.

19. The appliance of claim 17 wherein the light source is located laterally of the base portion.

20. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the appliance is one of a refrigerator, an oven, a range, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, a clothes freshener, a garage locker, a blender, a mixer or a microwave.