Membrane switch venting arrangement for washing appliance
First Claim
1. A domestic appliance comprising:
- a wash tub;
a door for closing off a portion of the wash tub;
a control panel including a plurality of control elements, with at least one of the control elements incorporating a membrane switch; and
a labyrinth vent defined by a passage having a first end portion exposed to the membrane switch and a second end portion exposed to atmosphere, wherein the labyrinth vent is sized to create an effective barrier to fluids and other moisture, while accommodating a free flow of gases.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A membrane switch incorporated in a control panel of a domestic washing appliance is vented through a labyrinth venting arrangement composed of a long, small diameter, twisting passage, including concentric arcuate sections and an intermediate portion. The venting arrangement establishes an effective barrier to fluids and other moisture, while accommodating the free passage of gases. In the most preferred form, the labyrinth venting arrangement is formed by cutting a channel into a supporting plastic assembly and then adhesive bonding a control plate incorporating the membrane switch over the labyrinth feature to complete the passage. One end of the passage is open to atmosphere by way of a slot in the supporting plastic assembly, while the other end joins the venting path with the membrane switch.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A domestic appliance comprising:
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a wash tub;
a door for closing off a portion of the wash tub;
a control panel including a plurality of control elements, with at least one of the control elements incorporating a membrane switch; and
a labyrinth vent defined by a passage having a first end portion exposed to the membrane switch and a second end portion exposed to atmosphere, wherein the labyrinth vent is sized to create an effective barrier to fluids and other moisture, while accommodating a free flow of gases. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a domestic appliance including a wash tub and a control panel incorporating a membrane switch, a method of venting the membrane switch comprising:
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creating the control panel with a labyrinth vent defined by an internal passage having a first end portion arranged at the membrane switch and a second end portion exposed to atmosphere; and
accommodating, by means of the labyrinth vent, a free flow of gases between the membrane switch and atmosphere through the internal passage while establishing an effective barrier to fluids and other moisture. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification