Patent Application
20060155390
It is known to provide diagnostic and testing modes in appliances, such as clothes washing machines, dryers and dish washers, to allow a service person to test or repair the machine. Normally, the diagnostic modes are entered by actuating switches on the control panel, either in a sequential pattern, simultaneously, or for a preset time period. Such keyed actuation of switches is subject to human error, and thus an incorrect mode can be easily made. Erroneous actuation of modes wastes time and costs money.
Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved system for actuating special modes on appliances.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an appliance having a rotary dial for actuating special modes.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an appliance having a combination lock dial for actuation of special diagnostic modes.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an appliance having a rotary encoder which is rotated in a first direction, then an opposite second direction, and then again in the first direction so as to actuate a special mode of the appliance.
Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an appliance having a rotary dial for actuating special appliance modes, with LED lights extending around the dial to indicate the selected mode.
A further objective of the present invention is the provision of an appliance having a rotary dial which is quickly and easily operated in the manner of a combination lock to actuate selected special modes of the appliance.
These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention.
An appliance, such as a washing machine, includes a plurality of special software modes for diagnostic purposes. Electronic controls are provided for actuating the special modes. The electronic controls include a rotary dial operatively connected to an encoder so as to select one of the modes. A series of LED lights extend around the dial so as to indicate the selected mode. The rotary dial is operated in the manner of a combination lock, which is rotated in opposite directions before the mode is selected. The dial is rotated in a first direction past a reference point, and then in the opposite direction past the reference point. Lastly, the dial is rotated in the first direction again to the selected mode, as indicated by one of the LEDs.
The present invention is directed towards a rotary dial 20 which is used for selecting special software modes of the appliance. For example, the software modes may be for diagnostic or testing purposes. The rotary dial 20 is operatively connected to a rotary encoder within the control panel 16, which in turn is operatively interfaced with the software modes. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) 22 extend around the dial 20 to indicate the various special modes which may be selected.
The rotary dial 20 operates in a manner similar to a combination lock. More particularly, the rotary dial 20 is rotated in a first direction past a reference point, such as the twelve-o-clock position on the dial. Preferably, the dial 20 must be rotated twice in the first direction past the reference point. Then, the rotary dial 20 is rotated in the opposite direction past the reference point. Lastly, the rotary dial is rotated again in the first direction until aligned with the desired LED, so as to actuate the selected mode and illuminate the LED. Preferably, the first direction of rotation of the rotary dial is clockwise, as with a conventional combination lock. Each LED 22 around the dial 20 is assigned a different special mode or function. Printed information for the specialty modes is stored on a tip sheet in a convenient location, which may be within the appliance 10.
With the combination lock dial 20 of the present invention, the special modes and functions of the appliance 10 can be accessed by service people or testers. The LED 22 lights to indicate the selected special mode of the appliance 20. A visual indication of the users progress during rotation of the dial 20 is preferably provided by illuminating the associated LEDs 22. Alternately, rotational progress may be indicated via a physical marking on the dial 20.
The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
