User interface for an in-sink dishwasher

• US 20030205250A1
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Borah, Jeff M., Statzer, Randall K., DeBoer, John M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,201,175 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/57D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0086 In-sink dishwashers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4204 Flat filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4206 Tubular filters
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4223 Devices for water discharge, e.g. devices to prevent siphoning, non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/01 Mounting on appliance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/028 perpendicular to base of keyboard

Abstract

A dish-cleaning appliance comprises a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid throughout the wash chamber. A drain conduit can be provided, alone or in combination with the recirculation system, for draining liquid from the wash chamber when the drain is closed. The lid is mounted to the sink and is movable to selectively cover the open top of the bowl and a user interface located in the sink.

Claims

1. An in-sink dishwasher for mounting in a conventional countertop to provide the user with the dual functionality of a sink and a dishwasher, the in-sink dishwasher comprising:

a sink having a bowl comprising a bottom wall from which extends a peripheral side wall that terminates in a peripheral flange, the bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for receiving dishes to be washed, and the bowl sized to be inserted within an opening in the countertop and the peripheral flange sized to abut the countertop and limit insertion of the bowl;

a lid movably mounted to the sink for movement between an opened position permitting access to the wash chamber through the open top and a closed position where the lid covers the open top; and

a control system for controlling the operation of the dishwasher and comprising a user interface located in the peripheral flange of the sink.

2. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the lid is sized such that the lid overlies and covers the user interface when the lid is in the closed position.

3. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 2 wherein the peripheral flange comprises a step and the user interface is located on the step.

4. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 3 wherein the step extends along a front side of the bowl.

5. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 4 wherein the lid is hingedly mounted to the sink for rotation between the opened and closed positions about a hinge axis extending along a rear side of the bowl.

6. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 3 wherein the peripheral flange comprises a peripheral lip spaced below the remainder of the peripheral flange a sufficient amount such that the lid nests within the peripheral flange when the lid is in the closed position and a portion of the peripheral lip forms the step.

7. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 4 wherein an upper surface of the lid is approximately level with the remainder of the peripheral flange when the lid is in the closed position.

8. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the user interface comprises a circuit board having a plurality of switches that are accessible through an opening in the peripheral flange.

9. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 8 wherein the user interface further comprises a template overlying the switches and at least partially seals the switches relative to the opening in the peripheral flange so that liquid on the peripheral flange at the opening cannot reach the switches.

10. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 9 wherein the user interface further comprises a plate on which the template is mounted and which is in sealing arrangement with the peripheral flange.

11. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein the template is overmolded onto the plate to mount the template to the plate.

12. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 11 wherein the plate is a backing plate comprising a projection having a peripheral wall and a generally planar upper surface, with the template overlying the generally planar upper surface and extending at least partially along the peripheral wall.

13. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 12 wherein the portion of the template extending along the the peripheral wall abuts an edge of the peripheral flange forming the opening in the peripheral flange to form at least part of the seal between the template and the peripheral flange.

14. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 13 wherein the template is made from a compressible material and is compressed at the interface with the edge of the peripheral flange to enhance the seal.

15. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein the user interface further comprises a gasket positioned between the plate and the peripheral flange to place the plate in sealing engagement with the peripheral flange.

16. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 15 wherein the gasket circumscribes the opening in the peripheral flange.

17. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 16 wherein the gasket bears against a lower surface of the peripheral flange.

18. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 17 wherein the plate has a channel in which the gasket is received.

19. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 18 wherein the plate further comprises a projection located interiorly of the channel and comprises a peripheral wall and a generally planar upper surface, the template overlies the generally planar upper surface and extends at least partially along the peripheral wall, with the portion of the template extending at least partially along the peripheral wall abutting an edge of the peripheral flange forming the opening in the peripheral flange to at least partially seal the user interface relative to the sink.

20. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 10 wherein the user interface further comprises a spacer disposed between the plate and the circuit board and overlying the plurality of switches, and a portion of the spacer abuts the plate to seal the circuit board relative to the plate.

21. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 20 wherein the spacer is made from an elastic material.

22. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 20 wherein the spacer further comprises a plurality of actuators, with each actuator corresponding to one of the switches such that the movement of an actuator actuates the corresponding switch.

23. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 22 wherein there is an actuator for each switch.

24. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 22 wherein the template has a plurality of buttons, with each button corresponding to one of the actuators, such that the movement of a button moves the corresponding actuator to actuate the corresponding switch.

25. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 24 wherein there is a button for each actuator.

26. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 24 wherein the user interface further comprises a bracket mounted to the sink and to which the circuit board is mounted to mount the circuit board to the sink.

27. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 26 wherein the spacer abuts the bracket to seal the circuit board relative to the bracket.

28. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 27 wherein the bracket has a channel substantially circumscribing the circuit board and the spacer has a rib that is received within the bracket channel to form a seal between the spacer and the bracket.

29. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 28 wherein the circuit board is vertically oriented and the switches are located along an upper edge of the circuit board.

30. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 29 wherein the bracket has a slot in which at least a portion of the circuit board is received to mount the circuit board to the bracket.

31. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 30 wherein the bracket has a generally planar base in which the channel is formed, a side wall extending downward from the base, and at least one leg connecting the side wall to the base.

32. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 31 wherein the slot extends through the base and into the at least one leg, whereby when the circuit board is mounted in the slot, the side wall serves to isolate the circuit board from the bowl.

33. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 8 wherein the user interface further comprises a bracket mounted to the sink and to which the circuit board is mounted to thereby mount the circuit board to the sink.

34. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 33 and further comprising a first seal to seal the circuit board relative to the bracket and a second seal to seal the first seal relative to the peripheral flange.

35. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 34 wherein the first seal comprises a membrane overlying the plurality of switches and abutting the bracket to seal the circuit board relative to the bracket.

36. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 35 wherein the membrane has at least one actuator corresponding to one of the switches, whereby the movement of the actuator actuatates the corresponding switch.

37. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 36 wherein the second seal comprises a plate having one surface abutting the membrane and a second surface abutting the peripheral flange to form the seal between the first seal and the periperal flange.

38. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 37 wherein the second seal further comprises a gasket positioned between the second surface and the peripheral flange.

39. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 38 and further comprising a template mounted to the plate and having at least one button that corresponds to the at least one actuator, whereby the pressing of the button moves the corresponding actuator to actuate the corresponding switch.

40. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 39 wherein the plate has an opening through which the at least one actuator passes and the button overlies the opening.

41. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 40 wherein the plate has a groove in the second surface and the gasket is positioned within the groove.

42. The in-sink dishwasher according to claim 41 and further comprising a second bowl adjacent the first bowl.

43. A user interface for use by a user to set operational parameters of an appliance, the user interface comprising:

a circuit board comprising a plurality of switches for setting the operational parameters;

a housing for mounting the circuit board to the appliance, the housing having an opening in which the circuit board is received such that the plurality of switches are accessible exteriorly of the housing when the circuit board is mounted to the housing; and

a membrane overlying the plurality of switches and mounted to the housing to seal the housing opening.

44. The user interface according to claim 43 wherein the membrane comprises at least one actuator, which corresponds to one of the switches such that the movement of an actuator actuates the corresponding switch.

45. The user interface according to claim 44 wherein the membrane further comprises a plurality of actuators, with each actuator corresponding to one of the switches such that the movement of an actuator actuates the corresponding switch.

46. The user interface according to claim 45 wherein there is an actuator for each switch.

47. The user interface according to claim 43 wherein the bracket has a channel substantially circumscribing the opening and the membrane is received within the bracket channel to form a seal between the membrane and the bracket.

48. The user interface according to claim 47 wherein the circuit board is vertically oriented and the plurality of switches are located along an upper edge of the circuit board and aligned with the opening.

49. The user interface according to claim 48 wherein the bracket has a slot in which at least a portion of the circuit board is received to mount the circuit board to the bracket.

50. The user interface according to claim 49 wherein the bracket has a generally planar base in which the channel is formed, a side wall extending downward from the base, and at least one leg connecting the side wall to the base, wherein the slot extends through the base and into the at least one leg whereby when the circuit board is mounted in the slot, the side wall serves to isolate the circuit board from the appliance.

51. The user interface according to claim 45 wherein the circuit board further comprises at least one light source, the membrane overlies the light source, and the membrane has an opacity that permits the transmission of light from the light source through the membrane.

52. The user interface according to claim 51 wherein the membrane is translucent.

53. The user interface according to claim 52 wherein the membrane is transparent.

54. The user interface according to claim 51 and further comprising a template coupled to the membrane and having at least one button corresponding, which corresponds to one of the actuators, wherein the pressing of the button moves the corresponding actuator to actuate the corresponding switch.

55. The user interface according to claim 54 wherein the at least one button is formed by a raised portion of the template.

56. The user interface according to claim 54 wherein the template comprises a transmissive portion corresponding to the light source such that the light transmitted by the light source is visible through the transmissive portion.

57. The user interface according to claim 56 wherein the transmissive portion is colored.

58. The user interface according to claim 54 and further comprising a seal for sealing the membrane relative to the appliance.

59. The user interface according to claim 54 wherein the seal comprises a gasket

60. A reduced profile, water-tight user interface for use by a user to set operational parameters of an appliance used in a wet environment and accessible through an opening in a housing of the appliance, the user interface comprising:

a circuit board comprising a generally planar body having an upper edge and a plurality of switches located on the upper edge for setting the operational parameters;

a bracket for mounting the circuit board to the appliance such that the switches are accessible through the housing opening, the bracket having a face that supports the upper edge of the circuit board and a side that supports the planar body, with the face being adapted to mount adjacent the housing opening; and

a membrane overlying the plurality of switches and mounted to the bracket face to seal the switches relative to the bracket.

61. The user interface according to claim 60 wherein the bracket defines a slot extending from the face and along the side, with the slot having a width slightly larger than the thickness of the circuit board planar body to thereby slidably receive the circuit board within the slot.

62. The user interface according to claim 61 wherein the face has a channel that circumscribes the slot and the channel receives a portion of the membrane to seal the circuit board relative to the bracket.

63. The user interface according to claim 62 wherein the membrane comprises at least one actuator, which corresponds to one of the switches such that the movement of an actuator actuates the corresponding switch.

64. The user interface according to claim 63 and further comprising a template coupled to the membrane and having at least one button that corresponds to the at least one actuator, whereby the pressing of the button moves the corresponding actuator to actuate the corresponding switch.

65. An automatic dishwasher comprising:

a housing defining a wash chamber with an open face for receiving dishes to be washed;

a lid movably mounted to the housing for movement between an opened position permitting access to the wash chamber through the open face and a closed position where the lid covers the open top;

a control system for controlling the operation of the dishwasher and comprising a user interface comprising a circuit board having a plurality of switches that are accessible through an opening in the one of the housing and lid, and a bracket mounted to the one of the housing and lid to which the circuit board is mounted to thereby mount the circuit board to the sink; and

a first seal sealing the circuit board relative to the bracket and a second seal sealing one of the bracket and the first seal relative to the one of the housing and lid.

66. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 65 wherein the first seal comprises a membrane overlying the plurality of switches and abutting the bracket to seal the circuit board relative to the bracket.

67. The automatic dishwash according to claim 66 wherein the membrane has at least one actuator corresponding to one of the switches, whereby the movement of the actuator actuatates the corresponding switch.

68. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 67 wherein the second seal comprises a plate having one surface abutting the membrane and a second surface abutting the one of the housing and lid to form the seal between the first seal and the one of the housing and lid.

69. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 68 wherein the second seal further comprises a gasket positioned between the second surface and the one of the housing and lid.

70. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 69 and further comprising a template mounted to the plate and having at least one button that corresponds to the at least one actuator, whereby the pressing of the button moves the corresponding actuator to actuate the corresponding switch.

71. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 70 wherein the plate has an opening through which the at least one actuator passes and the button overlies the opening.

72. The automatic dishwasher according to claim 71 wherein the plate has a groove in the second surface and the gasket is positioned within the groove.

73. The automatic diswasher according to claim 65 wherein the housing comprises a sink having a bowl comprising a bottom wall from which extends a peripheral side wall that terminates in a peripheral flange, the bowl defining the wash chamber, and the bowl having an open top forming the open face.