Cycle selector knob to rotary encoder user interface

• US 9,589,748 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2014
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Heater, Timothy E., Subramaniyam, Sithaarth T.
• Primary Examiner(s): LUEBKE, RENEE S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Saeed, Ahmed
• Application Number:
  US14/186,596
• Publication Number:
  US 20140262701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 200/11.R, 200/316, 200/336, 200/4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/08 Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/005 Electromechanical pulse generators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/326 using bearings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/18 Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks

Abstract

A cycle selector knob to rotary encoder user interface for the operation of an appliance has a knob for rotating a shaft of a rotary encoder wherein the shaft is received by a control panel barrel to provide radial and thrust bearing surfaces. The knob has an axial boss dimensioned to affix to the shaft and bear against the radial bearing surface of the barrel and a shoulder to bear against the thrust bearing surface of the barrel. The control panel is secured to a console so that radial and thrust forces of the knob are directed via the radial and thrust bearing surfaces only to the console through the control panel.

Claims

1. A user interface for an appliance having a console and an electrical circuit inside the console to operate at least one function of the appliance, the user interface comprising:

a rotary encoder assembly having a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the electrical circuit and a rotating encoder shaft extending from the PCB;

a control panel, configured to be secured to the appliance console, and having a barrel extending from a panel surface, the panel surface having indicia related to the at least one function of the appliance wherein the barrel has a central bore that coaxially receives the rotating encoder shaft and the barrel provides a radial bearing surface and a terminal end that provides a thrust bearing surface; and

a knob having an outer shell with a substantially hemispherical shape extending over and spaced from the panel surface, the rotation of which is related to the indicia on the panel surface, an axial boss extending from beneath the outer shell affixed to the rotating encoder shaft, and a shoulder positioned to bear against the thrust bearing surface of the barrel.

2. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the indicia are disposed radially around the barrel and outside the outer shell.

3. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the barrel and the control panel are a single piece.

4. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the control panel is plastic.

5. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the axial boss has a recess dimensioned to receive the rotating encoder shaft.

6. The user interface of claim 1 wherein the axial boss is affixed to the rotating encoder shaft by friction fit.

7. The user interface of claim 1 wherein at least one of the radial bearing surface or the thrust bearing surface has means to reduce friction.

8. The user interface of claim 7 wherein the means to reduce friction comprises at least one of a low friction plastic forming the barrel or axial boss or a low friction lubricant coating the barrel or axial boss.

9. The user interface of claim 8 wherein the means to reduce friction is a low friction plastic comprising at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide or polyethylene terephthalate.

10. An appliance for treating a physical article comprising:

a console;

an electrical circuit inside the console to operate at least one function of the appliance; and

a user interface;

wherein the user interface includes;

a rotary encoder assembly having a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the electrical circuit and a rotating encoder shaft extending from the PCB;

a control panel, configured to be secured to the appliance console, and having a barrel extending from a panel surface, the panel surface having indicia related to the at least one function of the appliance wherein the barrel has a central bore that coaxially receives the rotating encoder shaft and the barrel provides a radial bearing surface and a terminal end that provides a thrust bearing surface; and

a knob having an outer shell with a substantially hemispherical shape extending over and spaced from the panel surface, the rotation of which is related to the indicia on the panel surface, an axial boss extending from beneath the outer shell affixed to the rotating encoder shaft, and a shoulder positioned to bear against the thrust bearing surface of the barrel.

11. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the indicia are disposed radially around the barrel and outside the outer shell.

12. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the barrel and the control panel are a single piece.

13. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the control panel is plastic.

14. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the axial boss has a recess dimensioned to receive the rotating encoder shaft.

15. The appliance of claim 10 wherein the axial boss is affixed to the rotating encoder shaft by friction fit.

16. The appliance of claim 10 wherein at least one of the radial bearing surface or the thrust bearing surface has means to reduce friction.

17. The appliance of claim 16 wherein the means to reduce friction comprises at least one of a low friction plastic forming the barrel or axial boss or a low friction lubricant coating the barrel or axial boss.

18. The appliance of claim 17 wherein the means to reduce friction is a low friction plastic comprising at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide or polyethylene terephthalate.