Appliance control system with cycle selection detection

• US 6,813,911 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation (Nidec Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Peterson, Gregory A., Stultz, Peter F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/197,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20030024281A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 68/122.7, 68/120.2, 134/113, 345/96
• US Class Current: 68/12.27
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2101/20 Operation modes, e.g. delicate laundry washing programs, service modes or refreshment cycles
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/52 Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/08 Control circuits or arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/30 characterised by mechanical features, e.g. buttons or rotary dials
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/108 characterised by physical layout of switches; switches co-operating with display; use of switches in a special way
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21004 Microprocessor plus electromechanical, cam control for output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21006 Detect position switches, connect resistances, analog value gives position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23048 Knob to select program serves also as indicator for progress of program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23066 Same knob starts two different functions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2633 Washing, laundry
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/585 provided with printed circuit contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2043/107 Bidirectional selecting means, e.g. the program selecting knob being turnable in both directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2043/108 where at least some contacts of electromechanical timer give instructions to electronic timer and/or the timing motor is under control of electronic timer, e.g. hybrid timer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/06 Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being along the axis of angular movement
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 43/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 43/106 Manual programme selecting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/181 : using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD

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.

Claims

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. The appliance control system of claim 1, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said wiper assembly includes a carrier member and a wiper,

said wiper is supported on said carrier member,

said carrier member has a shaft hole defined therein, and

said control shaft extends through said shaft hole.

3. The appliance control system of claim 2, wherein said carrier member is rotatably secured to said printed circuit board.

4. The appliance control system of claim 3, wherein:

said printed circuit board has a shaft passage extending therethrough,

said shaft passage defines an interior peripheral edge portion,

said carrier member includes a hub having a hub groove defined therein, and

said interior peripheral edge portion is located in said hub groove.

5. The appliance control system of claim 2, wherein said user cycle selector further includes a user knob secured to an end of said control shaft.

6. The appliance control system of claim 2, wherein:

said control shaft defines a first keyed surface,

said shaft passage defines a second keyed surface, and

said first keyed surface aligns with said second keyed surface when said control shaft extends through said shaft passage.

7. The appliance control system of claim 1, wherein said display device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

8. An appliance control system which is operable in a user cycle selection mode and a cycle operation mode, comprising:

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.

9. The appliance control system of claim 8, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft,

said wiper assembly includes a carrier member and a wiper,

said wiper is supported on said carrier member,

said carrier member has a shaft hole defined therein, and

said control shaft extends through said shaft hole.

10. The appliance control system of claim 9, further comprising a printed circuit board, wherein said carrier member is rotatably supported on said printed circuit board.

11. The appliance control system of claim 10, wherein:

said printed circuit board has a shaft passage extending therethrough,

said shaft passage defines an interior peripheral edge portion,

said carrier member includes a hub having a hub groove defined therein, and

said interior peripheral edge portion is located in said hub groove.

12. The appliance control system of claim 9, wherein said user cycle selector further includes a user knob secured to an end of said control shaft.

13. The appliance control system of claim 9, wherein:

said control shaft defines a first keyed surface,

said shaft passage defines a second keyed surface, and

said first keyed surface aligns with said second keyed surface when said control shaft extends through said shaft passage.

14. The appliance control system of claim 8, wherein said display device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

15. An appliance control system which is operable in a user cycle selection mode and a cycle operation mode, comprising:

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.

16. The appliance control system of claim 15, wherein:

said first selected cycle includes a delicate cycle,

said second selected cycle includes a permanent press cycle.

17. The appliance control system of claim 15, wherein:

said first selected cycle includes a cotton cycle, and

said second selected cycle includes a delicate cycle.

18. The appliance control system of claim 15, wherein:

said user cycle selector includes a control shaft, and

said wiper assembly includes a carrier member and a wiper,

said wiper is supported on said carrier member,

said carrier member has a shaft hole defined therein, and

said control shaft extends through said shaft hole.

19. The appliance control system of claim 18, further comprising a printed circuit board, wherein said carrier member is rotatably supported on said printed circuit board.

20. The appliance control system of claim 19, wherein:

said printed circuit board has a shaft passage extending therethrough,

said shaft passage defines an interior peripheral edge portion,

said carrier member includes a hub having a hub groove defined therein, and

said interior peripheral edge portion is located in said hub groove.

21. The appliance control system of claim 18, wherein said user cycle selector further includes a user knob secured to an end of said control shaft.

22. The appliance control system of claim 18, wherein:

said control shaft defines a first keyed surface,

said shaft passage defines a second keyed surface, and

said first keyed surface aligns with said second keyed surface when said control shaft extends through said shaft passage.