LAUNDRY TREATMENT APPLIANCE

Abstract

A laundry treatment appliance for caring for laundry includes a housing with side walls and a front wall. The front wall is formed with an opening, through which a receptacle inside the housing can be accessed. The front wall is configured in the form of a layered assembly, with the assembly having at least one first front wall element and at least one second front wall element. The front wall elements are arranged with their surfaces substantially parallel to one another. The at least one second front wall element is arranged between the at least one first front wall element and the receptacle of the laundry treatment appliance.

Description

The invention relates to a laundry treatment appliance for caring for laundry as claimed in claim 1.

Over time a laundry treatment appliance has become more than just a household appliance installed in a laundry room to clean and dry laundry. As well as functional features a laundry treatment appliance must also be attractively designed. A front wall and control panel essentially form a visible front for the laundry treatment appliance. In addition to design aspects, both parts also perform technical and function-related tasks, restricting freedom when planning aesthetic aspects and adversely affecting the user's experience. The appearance of the laundry treatment appliance is, as it were, a compromise between design and function. Taking the detergent dispenser drawer of the laundry treatment appliance as an example, it clearly has functional features but should not adversely affect the aesthetics of the appliance as a whole. The detergent dispenser drawer is used to introduce laundry care substances into the cleaning and/or drying process. The detergent dispenser drawer has to be filled for this purpose. It must be possible to move the detergent dispenser drawer out of the laundry treatment appliance and move it back in again. This can be done manually and/or electrically and/or fully or semi-automatically. Most detergent dispenser drawers on the market are manually operated. A handle is required to operate a manually operatable detergent dispenser drawer. It should be easy to grip such a handle but, as set out above, the aesthetics of the laundry treatment appliance should not be adversely affected by too prominent a design.

One object of the invention is to create a laundry treatment appliance that provides an improved user experience as well as improved ergonomics and an aesthetically pleasing appearance, thereby further developing the prior art.

The object is achieved by the features of the independent claim 1. Further advantageous configurations of the invention are set out in the subclaims as well as in the description and drawings.

According to one aspect of the invention the inventive object is achieved by a laundry treatment appliance for caring for laundry, the laundry treatment appliance comprising a housing with side walls and a front wall, the front wall comprising an opening, through which a receptacle arranged in the housing can be accessed, the front wall being configured in the form of a layered assembly, the assembly comprising at least one first front wall element and at least one second front wall element, which are arranged essentially with their surfaces parallel to one another, the at least one second front wall element being arranged essentially between the at least one first front wall element and the receptacle of the laundry treatment appliance.

The interaction between the at least one first front wall element and the at least one second front wall element results in a clean laundry treatment appliance front wall, which helps improve user experience and ergonomics and is aesthetically pleasing.

To allow simple and fast alignment or positioning of the at least one front wall element on the at least one second front wall element, the at least one first front wall element advantageously comprises at least one first positioning element and the at least one second front wall element comprises at least one second positioning element, the at least one first positioning element corresponding to the at least one second positioning element.

The at least one first front wall element is advantageously connected in a detachable manner to the at least one second front wall element. This allows the at least one front wall element to be replaced as required and/or the at least one second front wall element to be accessed. For example a different color may be selected for the at least one first front wall element.

The at least one second front wall element is fastened to the laundry treatment appliance, with the result that the at least one first front wall element is fixed to the laundry treatment appliance. The at least one second front wall element can be fastened to the laundry treatment appliance for example by means of screw and/or snap-fit connections. Further fastening options are known to the person skilled in the art.

The at least one first front wall element is preferably configured as a design element and has an essentially smooth surface. This gives the laundry treatment appliance an aesthetically pleasing appearance and improves user experience. A smooth surface however also means that a user does not get caught on projections on the at least one first front wall element.

The at least one first front wall element is configured to be essentially deeper than the at least one second front wall element. The expression “deeper” refers to the thickness of the first front wall element. This allows any gap resulting between the housing of the laundry treatment appliance and the at least one first front wall element to be covered. The gap can be the result of the individual functionally designed objects such as a detergent dispenser drawer and/or door or hinge. Because there is no gap, the number of points where dust and dirt particles can collect is reduced and an aesthetically pleasing design is achieved or enhanced for the laundry treatment appliance.

A hinge unit is arranged on the at least one second front wall element, a door unit being supported in a rotatable manner on the hinge unit and closing the opening on the front face. This allows fastening elements required to fasten the door hinge to be concealed behind the at least one first front wall element, so that a user cannot see the fastening elements. This enhances and improves the aesthetic appearance and user experience further.

The at least one first front wall element advantageously has at least one first cutout, the door unit projecting at least partially through the at least one first cutout in the at least one first front wall element. This ensures that a user can for example grip a handle element in a door frame of the door unit from the outside when the door unit closes the opening, in other words when the door unit is in a closed state.

A control unit is arranged in the housing of the laundry treatment appliance and has at least one operating region, the control unit being arranged in the housing in such a manner that the at least one operating region projects at least partially through a control unit cutout in the at least one second front wall element and being arranged on the at least one first front wall element in such a manner that an operating surface of the operating region of the control unit is arranged essentially flush with an outer surface of the at least one first front wall element.

The operating region can be configured as a touch-sensitive display unit and/or a button and/or multiple buttons and/or a push button and/or a rotary selector. The control unit is preferably arranged in the housing of the laundry treatment appliance. So that a user can use the control unit, the control unit preferably projects through the at least one second front wall element, so that the operating surface of the control region of the control unit is arranged essentially flush with 13 an outer surface of the at least one first front wall element. This gives the laundry treatment appliance an aesthetically pleasing appearance, while still allowing the laundry treatment appliance to retain its conventional functional features.

The laundry treatment appliance has a height H_W, which extends from a lower face of the laundry treatment appliance essentially to an upper face of the laundry treatment appliance, and the at least one first front wall element has a height F_FE1 and the at least one second front wall element has a height F_FE2, the height F_FE1 of the at least one first front wall element corresponding essentially to the height F_FE2 of the at least one second front wall element, the height F_FE1 of the at least one first front wall element and/or the height F_FE2 of the at least one second front wall element corresponding essentially to the height H_W of the laundry treatment appliance. This creates a uniform front wall which gives a user the impression that the front wall is fixed directly to the housing. Also there are no spaces or gaps on the laundry treatment appliance, which could break up the appearance of the laundry treatment appliance. Consistent design and an aesthetically pleasing appearance enhance user experience.

The at least one second front wall element has a front face and at least one second cutout, the front face of the at least one second front wall element facing in the direction of the at least one first front wall element, the front face having at least one depression.

The at least one depression of the front face of the at least one second front wall element is provided to hold connecting elements, which connect the at least one first front wall element to the at least one second front wall element. The connecting elements can be for example plug-in or snap-type connections. However magnetic connections are also conceivable, having multiple magnets for example, which can be held in the at least one depression and are arranged for example on the at least one first front wall element, without causing the at least one first front wall element to project from the at least one second front wall element.

The at least one depression of the at least one second front wall element comprises at least one first depression and at least one second depression, the second depression being deeper than the first depression. The at least one first and the at least one second depressions give the at least one second front wall element a specific contour, which is suitable for example for the attachment of the door hinge unit to the at least one second front wall element, so that a majority of the door hinge unit is concealed by the at least one first front wall element.

The at least one first depression preferably comprises a conduit, the conduit being configured between a detergent dispenser drawer unit of the laundry treatment appliance and the at least one second cutout in the at least one second front wall element, the detergent dispenser drawer unit being arranged in a region of the top panel of the laundry treatment appliance. The conduit is provided in particular so that fluid that may escape from the front of the detergent dispenser drawer unit if it overflows does not come into contact with electronic parts. Also in the event of low pressure in a fresh water supply line air can flow in unimpeded from outside the laundry treatment appliance without wash liquor being sucked into the drinking water system. Both criteria serve to comply with the standard DIN EN 61770 “Electric appliance for connection to the water mains—Avoidance of backsiphonage and failure of hose sets”.

For a laundry treatment appliance the inventive aspects set out above provide a compromise between technical features and design, allowing the laundry treatment appliance to have a modern and user-friendly appearance while at the same time not restricting the technical functions of the laundry treatment appliance. A mix of technical functions/features and design results, without having to compromise between technical function and design.

Further properties and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description that follows with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary laundry treatment appliance;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded drawing of an assembly of a front wall of a laundry treatment appliance;

FIG. 3a shows a front view of a first element of an assembly of a front wall;

FIG. 3b shows a rear view of the first element of the assembly of the front wall;

FIG. 4 shows a further element of the assembly of a front wall;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of a front view of a laundry treatment appliance with an element of the assembly of the front face;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of a laundry treatment appliance with the assembly of a front 19 wall.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary laundry treatment appliance 1. The laundry treatment appliance 1 can be a washing machine, a tumble dryer and/or a washer/dryer.

The laundry treatment appliance 1 comprises a housing 3. The housing 3 essentially consists of side walls 5 and a front wall 7, the front wall 7 being configured as an assembly 9. The front wall 7 also comprises at least one opening 11. The opening 11 gives access to a receptacle 13 arranged in the housing 3 of the laundry treatment appliance 1. A door unit 14 is arranged on the laundry treatment appliance 1 and is provided to close the opening 11.

The laundry treatment appliance 1 also comprises a control unit 15 and a detergent dispenser drawer unit 16. The control unit 15 has at least one operating region 17 with an operating surface 18. The control unit 15 can be in the form of a rotary selector and/or a push button and/or buttons and/or a combination of rotary selector and push button and/or buttons. Further configurations are conceivable. The control unit 15 is configured in an upper region, preferably in the center of an upper region, above the opening 11 of the laundry treatment appliance 1. FIG. 1 also at least indicates the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 arranged in the upper region, close to one of the side walls 5, at the level of the control unit.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded drawing of the assembly 9 of the front wall 7 of the laundry treatment appliance 1. The assembly 9 of the front wall 7 has a layered structure. The layered assembly 9 comprises at least one first front wall element 19 and at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one first front wall element 19 and the at least one second front wall element 21 are arranged essentially with their surfaces parallel to one another, the at least one second front wall element 21 being arranged essentially between the at least one first front wall element 19 and the receptacle 13 of the laundry treatment appliance 1. The at least one first front wall element 19 has an outer surface 22.

The at least one second front wall element 21 is arranged on the housing 3 of the laundry treatment appliance 1. The at least one first front wall element 19 is arranged on the at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one first front wall element 19 is preferably attached in a detachable manner to the at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one first front wall element 19 is advantageously attached with at least one magnetic element 23 to the at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one magnetic element 23 is advantageously configured as a magnetic strip 23a (shown in FIG. 3b). A plurality of magnetic strips 23a is preferably provided to attach the at least one first front wall element 19 to the at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one first front wall element 19 essentially has a smooth surface 24 and is configured as a design element. The at least one second front wall element 21 is configured as a functional element with technical functions. Further types of fastening or connection options that can be detached quickly and easily are conceivable. What is important is that the outer surface 22 and/or the surface 24 of the at least one first front wall element 19 does not comprise any fastening elements that are visible to a user. In other words it is important that a user can essentially not see any connecting means when said user stands in front of the laundry treatment appliance 1.

The laundry treatment appliance 1 has a height H_W, which extends from a lower face 25 of the laundry treatment appliance 1 essentially to an upper face 27. The detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 and/or the control unit 15 is/are arranged in a region of the upper face 27. The at least one first front wall element 19 has a height F_FE1 and the at least one second front wall element 21 has a height F_FE2. The height F_FE1 of the at least one first front wall element 19 corresponds essentially to the height F_FE2 of the at least one second front wall element 21, the height F_FE1 of the at least one first front wall element 19 and/or the height F_FE2 of the at least one second front wall element 21 corresponding essentially or at least approximately to the height H_W of the laundry treatment appliance 1. This ensures that an installation space 28 configured in the housing 3 of the laundry treatment appliance 1 is concealed by the at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one first front wall element 19 conceals the at least one second front wall element 21.

The at least one first front wall element 19 is configured in the manner of a plate. The at least one second front wall element 21 is configured so that it covers the installation space 28. Different elements are arranged on the at least one second front wall element 21, having different technical functions and features, which are examined in more detail below. This means that the at least one second front wall element 21 is configured to be deeper or thicker than the at least one first front wall element 19. The expression “deeper” means that, when viewed from one of the side walls 5, the at least one second front wall element 21 extends further in the direction of the receptacle 13 than the at least one front wall element 19.

A door hinge unit 29 is also arranged on the at least one second front wall element 21. The door unit 14 is supported in a rotatable manner on the door hinge unit 29. This means that the door unit 14 is connected to the laundry treatment appliance 1 or arranged on the at least one second front wall element 21 in a rotatable or pivotable manner and closes the opening 11.

FIG. 3a shows a front view of the at least one first front wall element 19 of the assembly 9 of the front wall 7. FIG. 3b shows a rear view of the at least one first front wall element 19 of the assembly 9 of the front wall 7.

The at least one first front wall element 19 is at least partially 19 configured essentially as one element or essentially as a single piece. The at least one first front wall element 19 is configured essentially as a plate-type element. However it is also conceivable for the first front wall element 19 to be made up of multiple elements. The first front wall element 19 has at least one first cutout 30. In the present exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 the first front wall element 19 has essentially three first cutouts 30, 31, 32, 33. One of the first cutouts 31 is provided for the door unit 14, hereafter referred to as the door unit cutout 31. The door unit 14 closes the opening 11. A further first cutout 32 is provided for the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16, hereafter referred to as the detergent dispenser drawer unit cutout 32. The third first cutout 33 is provided for the control unit 15, hereafter referred to as the control unit cutout 33. The first cutouts 30, 31, 32, 33 are configured essentially as openings or perforations.

The at least one first front wall element 19 has the outer surface 22, which is configured essentially as a smooth surface 24 and gives the laundry treatment appliance 1 an aesthetically pleasing design, which enhances the user experience for the user. At least one front face 35 of the at least one first front wall element 19 has the smooth surface 24. The at least one first front wall element 19 can be configured at least partially from plastic. However it is also conceivable for the at least one first front wall element 19 to be made at least partially of glass and/or metal and/or a ceramic material. However a combination of two or more of the cited materials, plastic, glass, metal and a ceramic material, is also conceivable. Further materials and/or material combinations are conceivable. It is also conceivable for the at least one first front wall element 19 to be made at least partially or almost completely or entirely of at least one of the materials cited above.

The at least one first front wall element 19 comprises at least one first positioning element 37 (shown in FIG. 3b). The at least one first positioning element 37 is provided to position the at least one first front wall element 19 on the at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one first positioning element 37 preferably functions as a centering element 37a, so the at least one first front wall element 19 can be arranged flush on the at least one second front wall element 21 and/or the laundry treatment appliance 1. The at least one first front wall element 19 also comprises at least one further fastening element 38. The at least one further fastening element 38 can be configured for example as a locking hook 38. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 3 preferably two locking hooks 38 are configured. The locking hooks 38 are configured in an upper region of the at least one first front wall element 19.

The centering element 37a is configured in a lower region of the first front wall element 19. In addition to the centering element 37a the first front wall element 19 can also be arranged in an upper region centered by way of the control unit cutout 33 on the at least one second front wall element 21.

FIG. 4 shows the at least one second front wall element 21 of the assembly 9 of the front wall 7. The at least one second front wall element 21 is shown as a single-piece element in FIG. 4. However it is also conceivable for the at least one second front wall element 21 to be made up of multiple elements connected together. The at least one second front wall element 21 has at least one second cutout 39. In the present exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 the second front wall element 21 has essentially four second cutouts 39, 40, 41, 42, 43. One of the second cutouts 40 is provided for the door unit 14, hereafter referred to as the door unit cutout 40. The door unit 14 closes the opening 11, by way of which the receptacle 13 can be accessed. A further second cutout 41 is provided for the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16, hereafter referred to as the detergent dispenser drawer unit cutout 41. The third second cutout 42 is provided for the control unit 15, hereafter referred to as the control unit cutout 42. The fourth second cutout 43 is configured as a service cutout 43. A service flap 45 for example can be accessed by way of the service cutout 43 during maintenance. The second cutouts 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 are configured essentially as openings or perforations.

The at least one second front wall element 21 also comprises at least one second positioning element 47. The at least one second positioning element 47 corresponds to the at least one first positioning element 37 to ensure safe and easy positioning of the first front wall element 19 on the second front wall element 21. The at least one first positioning element 37 comprises the abovementioned centering element 37. The centering element 37a and positioning element 37 allow the first front wall element 19 to be arranged flush on the second front wall element 21, so there is essentially no gap between the first front wall element 19 and the second front wall element 21. Holding elements 49 are also configured on the second front wall element 21 to hold the locking hooks 38.

The first front wall element 19 is configured essentially as a thin, plate-type element. The second front wall element 21 is configured essentially as a plate-type element with at least one depression 51. The second front wall element 21 is configured to be essentially deeper than the thin plate-type first front wall element 19. The first front wall element 19 preferably has a depth between 3 mm and 6 mm. The second front wall element 21 has a depth between 20 mm and 30 mm auf. The second front wall element 21 serves essentially to lengthen the housing 3 of the laundry treatment appliance 1, so that inter alia the door hinge unit 29 can be positioned and the door unit 14 and detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 can be held on the second front wall element 21.

The at least one second front wall element 21 has a front face 53, the front face 53 of the at least one second front wall element 21 facing in the direction of the at least one first front wall element 19. The front face 53 of the second front wall element 21 has at least one depression 51. The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 comprises essentially one first depression 54 and at least one second depression 55. The at least one second depression 55 is configured to be deeper than the at least one first depression 54 in the second front wall element 21. The expression “deeper” means that the second depression 55 projects further from a front face 53 of the at least one second front wall element 21 into the at least one second front wall element 21 than the first depression 54. The second depression 55 surrounds the opening 11 at least in parts. The second depression 55 preferably surrounds the opening 11 essentially completely so that the door unit 14 can be held in the second depression 55.

A third depression 57 is configured in the at least one second depression 55 on the at least one second front wall element 21. The door hinge unit 29 is arranged on the at least one second front wall element 21. The door hinge unit 29 is arranged essentially in the third depression 57 of the at least one second front wall element 21. The third depression 57 is configured in the at least one second depression 55 such that in a closed state the door unit 14 is held in the at least one second depression 55 and lies flush on the second front wall element 21.

The at least one first depression 54 is configured essentially in an upper region of the at least one second front wall element 21. The at least one first depression 54 is preferably a stamped depression. The at least one first depression 54 is configured essentially between the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 and the at least one second depression 55. The at least one first depression 54 comprises a conduit 59. The conduit 59 is provided to remove fluid, water, wash liquor or let in air. Letting in air is necessary when there is low pressure in a fresh water supply line. If the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 overflows the fluid, water and/or wash liquor can flow away by way of the conduit 59. The conduit 59 is configured essentially between the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 of the laundry treatment appliance 1 and the at least one second cutout 39, in particular the detergent dispenser drawer unit cutout 41. Access to the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 is also ensured or made possible by way of the at least one first depression 54.

The at least one second front wall element 21 is preferably made of sheet metal or sheet metal that has been processed. The processing steps include inter alia deep drawing, bending and stamping.

The control unit 15 is arranged in the housing 3 such that the at least one operating region 17 projects at least partially through the control unit cutout 42 in the at least one second front wall element 21 and is arranged on the at least one first front wall element 19 such that the operating surface 18 of the operating region 17 of the control unit 15 is arranged essentially flush with the outer surface 22 of the at least one first front wall element 19.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the conduit 59, showing arrows 61, 62, illustrating the exchange of fluid, water and/or wash liquor, marked with arrow 61, and air movement, marked with arrow 62. In other words, if fluid, water and/or wash liquor escape from the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16, the fluid, water and/or wash liquor is conveyed by the conduit 59 in arrow direction 61 to the door unit 14. Air however is conveyed by the conduit 59 in arrow direction 62 to the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16. FIG. 5 clearly shows that the at least one first depression 54 is let less deeply into the at least one second front wall element 21 than the at least one second depression 55.

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of a cross-sectional view along the line A-A (FIG. 5) of the laundry treatment appliance 1 with the assembly 9 of the front wall 7. The arrow shown in FIG. 6 represents the arrows 61, 62 shown in FIG. 5. The arrow 61 here starts from the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16 and runs by way of the conduit 59 in the direction of the door unit 14. The arrow 62 starts at the door unit 14 and runs by way of the conduit 59 in the direction of the detergent dispenser drawer unit 16. FIG. 6 shows clearly that the conduit 59 is configured behind the first front wall element 19 so that the first front wall element 19 can supply the smooth surface 24 and the functional features are arranged or configured, as it were in a concealed manner behind on the second front wall element. This enhances a user's user experience and gives the laundry treatment appliance 1 an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

• • 1. Laundry treatment appliance
  • 3. Housing
  • 5. Side walls
  • 7. Front wall
  • 9. Assembly
  • 11. Opening
  • 13. Receptacle
  • 14. Door unit
  • 15. Control unit
  • 16. Detergent dispenser drawer unit
  • 17. Operating region
  • 18. Operating surface
  • 19. First front wall element
  • 21. Second front wall element
  • 22. Outer surface
  • 23. Magnetic elements
  • 23 a. Magnetic strip
  • 24. Smooth surface
  • 25. Lower face
  • 27. Upper face
  • 28. Installation space
  • 29. Door hinge unit
  • 30. At least one first cutout
  • 31. Door unit cutout
  • 32. Detergent dispenser drawer unit cutout
  • 33. Control unit cutout
  • 35. Front face
  • 37. First positioning element
  • 37 a. Centering element
  • 38. Fastening element
  • 39. At least one second cutout
  • 40. Door unit cutout
  • 41. Detergent dispenser drawer unit cutout
  • 42. Control unit cutout
  • 43. Service cutout
  • 45. Service flap
  • 47. Second positioning element
  • 49. Holding elements
  • 51. At least one depression
  • 53. Front face
  • 54. First depression
  • 55. Second depression
  • 57. Third depression
  • 59. Conduit
  • 61. Arrow
  • 62. Arrow
  • H_W Height of laundry treatment appliance
  • F_FE1 Height of first front wall element
  • F_FE2 Height of second front wall element

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A laundry treatment appliance, comprising: a housing with side walls and a front wall, said front wall being formed with an opening to enable access to a receptacle inside said housing;said front wall being a layered assembly with at least one first front wall element and at least one second front wall element that are arranged substantially parallel to one another; andsaid at least one second front wall element being arranged between said at least one first front wall element and said receptacle of the laundry treatment appliance.

15. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein said at least one first front wall element comprises at least one first positioning element and said at least one second front wall element comprises at least one second positioning element, and wherein said at least one first positioning element is matched to said at least one second positioning element.

16. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein said at least one first front wall element is detachably connected to said at least one second front wall element.

17. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein said at least one second front wall element is fixedly mounted to said housing of the laundry treatment appliance.

18. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein said at least one first front wall element is configured as a design element with a substantially smooth surface.

19. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein said at least one first front wall element is configured to be deeper than said at least one second front wall element.

20. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, which comprises a door hinge unit mounted to said at least one second front wall element, and a door unit rotatably supported on said door hinge unit for closing said opening in said front wall.

21. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 20, wherein said at least one first front wall element is formed with at least one first cutout and said door unit projects at least partially through said at least one first cutout in said at least one first front wall element.

22. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, which comprises a control unit arranged in said housing and having at least one operating region, said control unit being arranged in said housing with said at least one operating region projecting at least partially through a control unit cutout formed in said at least one second front wall element and being arranged on said at least one first front wall element with an operating surface of said operating region of said control unit being arranged substantially flush with an outer surface of said at least one first front wall element.

23. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein: the laundry treatment appliance has a height HW from a lower face of the laundry treatment appliance to an upper face thereof;said at least one first front wall element has a height FFE1 and said at least one second front wall element has a height FFE2 that is substantially equal to the height FFE1 of said at least one first front wall element; andthe height FFE1 of said at least one first front wall element and the height FFE2 of said at least one second front wall element is substantially equal to the height HW of the laundry treatment appliance.

24. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 14, wherein said at least one second front wall element is formed with at least one second cutout and wherein a front face of said at least one second front wall element facing in a direction of said at least one first front wall element is formed with at least one depression.

25. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 24, wherein said at least one depression in said at least one second front wall element is formed with at least one first depression and at least one second depression, and wherein said at least one second depression is a deeper depression than said at least one first depression.

26. The laundry treatment appliance according to claim 25, further comprising a detergent dispenser drawer unit arranged in a vicinity of an upper face of the laundry treatment appliance, and wherein said at least one first depression includes a conduit extending between said detergent dispenser drawer unit of the laundry treatment appliance and said at least one second cutout in said at least one second front wall element.