Patent Application
20110181516
Exemplary embodiments herein generally relate to washing appliances and, more particularly, to a touch-screen control panel for a dishwasher.
Washing appliances, such as dishwashers, typically include a control panel operably engaged with an upper portion of a front door member such that a user may easily access the control panel. Conventional dishwashers may particularly include control panels having mechanical switches and/or flexible membrane switches that may be sealed from the relatively wet environment around the dishwasher.
As is well known, “touch-screen” user interfaces are displays that have the ability to detect the location of touches within a display area. This allows the display to be used as an input device, removing physical buttons as the primary input device for interacting with the display's content. While many modern electronic devices and electrical appliances utilize “touch-screen” user interfaces for convenience, durability, and pleasing aesthetic properties, such control interfaces are generally not used for dishwashers and/or other “wet” washing appliances due to the difficulties in providing a substantially fluid-tight arrangement about the touch-screen interface such that the user interface may remain robust and operable in an excessively wet environment.
According to one aspect, a touch-screen interface for a dishwasher door comprises a user interface, a touch sensitive component and a holder. The user interface includes a graphics film defining a plurality of transparent portions. The user interface is configured to facilitate touch communication therethrough. The graphics film is secured to the user interface to prevent moisture therebetween. The touch sensitive component is configured to receive touch communication through the user interface. The touch sensitive component senses a position of a user's finger on the user interface. The holder is releasably connected to the user interface and is configured to releasable secure the touch sensitive component to the user interface. The holder is releasably coupled to a dishwasher door. The releasable connection between the components of the touch-screen interface allows for ease of disassembly and repair or replacement of the components.
According to another aspect, a method for forming a touch-screen interface for a dishwasher door comprises providing an in-mold graphics film. The in-mold graphics film defines a plurality of transparent portions. A user interface is coupled with the in-mold graphics film such that the in-mold graphics film is integral with the user interface and the plurality of translucent portions extend through a thickness of the user interface. A touch sensitive component is positioned proximate to the user interface such that the touch sensitive component is capable of receiving touch communication through the user interface. A holder is releasably connected to the user interface. The holder is configured to receive the touch sensitive component.
According to yet another aspect, a dishwasher door comprises a door structure and a touch-screen interface coupled to the door structure. The touch-screen interface includes an in-mold graphics film defining a plurality of transparent portions. A user interface is coupled with the in-mold graphics film such that the in-mold graphics film is integral with the user interface and the plurality of translucent portions extend through a thickness of the user interface. A touch sensitive component is coupled to the user interface. The touch sensitive component is capable of receiving touch communication through the user interface. The thickness of the user interface prevents inadvertent activation of the touch sensitive component. A holder is releasably connected to the user interface. The holder is configured to receive the touch sensitive component. A controller is releasably housed within the holder. The controller is in communication with the touch sensitive component to interpret a user's selection on the user.
It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,
As shown in
The graphics film 130 is secured to a body 134 of the user interface 110 so as to restrict passage of fluid therebetween. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the graphics film 130 is attached to a top surface 136 of the body 134 of the user interface 110. More particularly, the user interface 110 including the graphics film 130 are molded together as a unitary component. The user interface 110 can be formed by inserting an in-mold (IMD) graphics film into a polymer injection mold that is sized and/or configured to form the user interface 110. Molten polymeric material is subsequently injected into that mold. The polymer is used to form the body 134 of the user interface 110 about the graphics film 130 such that the plurality of transparent portions 120 extend through a thickness T (
Referring again to
The touch sensitive component 112 is positioned between the user interface 110 and the holder 114. The touch sensitive component is configured to sense a position of a user's finger on the user interface 110. According to one exemplary embodiment, the touch sensitive component 112 is a capacitive touch board having conductive traces on it that can sense the position of a user's finger on the top side of the graphics film 130. The traces are generally aligned with the transparent portions 120 defined in the user interface 110. Thus, the capacitive touch board is capable of being activated by capacitively coupling with a conductive touch object such as the user's finger. According to one aspect, the conductive traces can define discrete touch sensors, each touch sensor having active areas defining where a touch can be applied to the surface of the user interface 110 to activate the respective touch sensor. As indicated previously, these active areas can be designated by various shapes or symbols associated with the transparent portions 120 to give the user visual indicia for locating the sensors, for indicating the function(s) controlled by the sensors, and/or for indicating how to use the sensors. It should be appreciated that the user interface 110 can be at least partially light transmissive and the touch sensitive component 112 can include a light-emitting element capable of emitting light, such that the light is visually perceptible through the user interface.
As with other capacitive touch boards, capacitive coupling can be measured by measuring current that flows through a completed circuit. At a predetermined or calibrated level of capacitive coupling, the touch sensor can be considered “pressed,” allowing a “button down” signal to be sent. When the measured capacitive coupling falls below the threshold, a “button up” signal can be sent. In this way, a user can interact with the button sensor in a manner analogous to interaction with a mechanical button. In addition to conductive traces, the discrete touch sensors can be defined by any suitable conductor, such as a conductive foil on the touch sensitive component 112 to cover the designated area defined by each transparent portion 120, a conductive ink or other such material printed or coated on the touch sensitive component 112 to cover the designated area, a series of wires disposed to cover the designated area, or the like.
The user interface 110 including the graphics film 130 minimizes dimensional tolerances for proper operation of the touch-screen interface 100. In the exemplary embodiment, and as shown in
As indicated previously, the touch sensitive component 112 is positioned beneath the user interface 110 and is at least partially housed by the holder 114. To mount the touch sensitive component 112 to the user interface 110, ends of the touch sensitive component include openings 190, 192. The openings are dimensioned to receive the bosses 180, 182 which are secured within the openings 170, 172 located in the flanges 164, 166 of the holder 114. The capacitive touch board 112 is connected to the touch sensitive component 112. According to one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive touch board 112 is suitably sealed to a bottom surface of the user interface 110, such as by an adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape, to prevent the presence of moisture between the user interface 110 and the touch sensitive component 112.
The touch-screen interface 110 further includes the controller 200, which is releasably coupled to the holder 114. The controller is in communication with the touch sensitive component 112 to interpret a user's selection on the user interface 110 and is in communication with a main controller (not shown) of the dishwasher. More particularly, and as indicated previously, the exemplary capacitive touch board 112 can be provided with conductive traces to sense the position of a user's finger on the top side of the graphics film 130. The conductive traces can be connected to a connector 204 located on the capacitive touch board, which would be coupled to a connector 206 located on the controller 200. In the depicted embodiment, the controller 200 is housed within the holder 114. To mount the controller 200 to the holder 114, the controller includes apertures 210, which when the controller is properly positioned within the holder, are aligned with spaced apart bosses 220 provided on the base 160. To ensure proper alignment, at least one side wall 140, 142 includes at least one elongated ridge which is oriented perpendicular to the base 160. The controller 200 includes at least one notch for receiving the at least one elongated ridge 230. As shown, the side wall 140 include three spaced apart ridges 230 and the controller includes three corresponding notches 232; although, this is not required. The engagement of each ridge 230 within each notch 232 properly positions the controller 200 within the holder 114 for ease of assembly. Conventional fasteners, such as screws 240, can then extend through the apertures 210 and threadingly engage the bosses 220.
With continued reference to
With reference now to
The user interface 310 includes a body 318 and an in-mold graphics film 320 defining a plurality of transparent portions 322. The body 318 of the user interface is coupled with the in-mold graphics film 320 such that the in-mold graphics film is integral with the body and the plurality of translucent portions 322 extend through a thickness of the user interface 310. According to one aspect, colored polymer (white or black) is used to form the body 318. Openings are provided on the body to allow light from at least one LED located on the touch sensitive component 312 to shine through non-ink portions of the graphics film 320. No holes are provided on the graphics film. As shown, a portion of the user interface 310 with the graphics film 320 has a generally concave configuration. The touch sensitive component 312 is capable of receiving touch communication through the user interface 310. Again, the user interface 310 including the graphics film 320 minimizes dimensional tolerances for proper operation of the touch-screen interface 300. The portion of the body 318 that includes the graphics film 320 has a substantially constant, predetermined thickness T′ (
One of the benefits of minimizing dimensional tolerances is that the combination of the injection molded body 318 with the graphics in-mold decorated film 312 provides a very constant thickness over the entire surface of the user interface 310 compared to other designs that includes a “peel-and-stick” graphics layer. This “peel-and-stick” layer introduces a large amount of variance in material thickness that has to be incorporated into the tolerances for button sensitivity to prevent inadvertent activation. The touch-responsive surfaces of the touch sensitive component 312 are designed for optimal operation with the thickness of the user interface 310. The material thickness of the user interface is an important factor when designing the performance of the touch-responsive surfaces of the touch sensitive component 312. The geometry of the touch-responsive surfaces is set according to the thickness of the user interface 310. According to the present disclosure, the touch sensitive component 312 and user interface have a substantially constant, predetermined thickness in order to set the overall system performance to match the desired feel of button activation, to minimize unintentional button activation when the user is cleaning the graphics surface, and to minimize “cross-talk” between buttons so that the only button that is activated is the button that the user touches instead of activation of adjacent buttons.
The touch-screen interface 300 further includes a controller 350 releasably connected to the holder 314. The controller is in communication with the touch sensitive component 312 to interpret a user's selection on the user. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the touch sensitive component 312 is a capacitive touch board which also includes the operational components of the controller 350. Thus, the touch sensitive component 312 and the controller 350 is a unitary component.
With continued reference to
To assemble the touch-screen interface 300, the touch sensitive component 312 is connected to the user interface. As indicated previously, according to one aspect, the touch sensitive component 312 is sealed to the user interface 310 to prevent presence of moisture therebetween. By way of example only, to seal the touch sensitive component 312 to the user interface 310, double-sided adhesive tape can be applied to the touch sensitive side of the component 312 and the back side of the user interface 310 or a gasket can be positioned between the touch sensitive side of the component 312 and the back side of the user interface 310 or the component 312 can be pressed firmly against the back side of the user interface 310. The holder 314 is then releasably connected to the user interface via conventional fasteners, such as screws 366, which extend through openings 370 located on the holder and threadingly engage bosses 372 located on the user interface 310. As shown in
As is evident from the foregoing, an exemplary method for forming a touch-screen interface 100, 300 for a dishwasher door structure is provided. The method generally comprises providing an in-mold graphics film 130, 320. The in-mold graphics film defines a plurality of transparent portions. A user interface 110, 310 is coupled with the in-mold graphics film such that the in-mold graphics film is integral with the user interface and the plurality of translucent portions extend through a thickness of the user interface. The coupling of the user interface with the in-mold graphics film includes inserting the in-mold graphics film into a user interface injection mold and injecting a molten polymer into the injection mold to form the user interface about the in-mold graphics film. A touch sensitive component 112, 312 is positioned proximate to the user interface such that the touch sensitive component is capable of receiving touch communication through the user interface. The positioning of the touch sensitive component adjacent to the user interface includes releasably connecting the capacitive touch board 112, 312 to the holder. A holder 114, 314 is releasably connected to the user interface. The holder is configured to receive the touch sensitive component. According to one aspect of the exemplary method, the touch sensitive component 112, 312 is suitably sealed to a back surface of the user interface 110, 310 to restrict passage of fluid or prevent moisture therebetween. The method further comprises releasably connecting a controller 200, 350 to the holder 114, 314. The controller is in communication with the touch sensitive component to interpret a user's selection on the user interface.
It should be further understood that various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured for use with a variety of touch sensitive components in addition to capacitive touch-screen assemblies. The various different types of touch sensitive components that may be used in conjunction with the user interfaces 110, 310 described herein may include, but are not limited to: resistive touch-screen assemblies; surface wave touch-screen assemblies; infrared touch-screen assemblies; strain gage touch-screen assemblies; optical imaging touch-screen; dispersive signal touch-screen assemblies; acoustic pulse recognition touch-screen assemblies; and combinations of such touch sensitive components.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
