Control panel assembly for washing machine
Disclosed is a control panel assembly for a washing machine, capable of making possible replacement of an information sheet. The control panel assembly includes a control panel configured to allow a user to operate the washing machine, a window which covers the control panel and which is provided to the control panel in a detachable manner, and an information sheet which includes information assisting a use of the washing machine and which is provided between the control panel and the window so as to be exchangeable for a different sheet.
This application claims the benefit of Korean Applications No. P2004-0012593, filed on Feb. 25, 2004, and No. P2004-0012594, filed on Feb. 25, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a control panel assembly for a washing machine.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a washing machine performs washing, rinsing and dewatering so as to separate dirt from clothes by the interaction of detergent and water. In such a washing machine, a drum accommodating laundry is disposed inside a tub containing washing water therein, and the laundry is washed while the drum rotates inside the tub. Recently, to satisfy user's various requirements, the washing machine further includes a heating function for washing the laundry in hot washing water, and a drying function for drying the laundry.
A control panel assembly for giving instructions to such a washing machine, is provided to the washing machine. The control panel assembly also displays an operation status of the washing machine. The control panel assembly mainly includes a control panel having a mechanical switch such as a button and a knob, and a display element. A transparent window is installed on a front side of the control panel and an information sheet is provided to a backside of that window. The information sheet includes characters or symbols explaining the button and the display element so as to assist a use of the washing machine by a user. The information sheet is generally made in form of a film and coated on the window or the control panel.
The information sheet can be replaced if necessary since the information sheet provides a user with substantial information about use of the control panel. Particularly, in case the information sheet is written in a language not understandable by a user, the information sheet should be replaced to include a language understandable by a user. However, in the general control panel assembly, since the information sheet is coated, the window or the panel itself should be replaced. Such replacement of the window or the control panel is very inconvenient and costs much.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention is directed to a control panel assembly for a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a control panel assembly for a washing machine that permits an easy replacement of the information sheet.
Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a control panel assembly for a washing machine including: a control panel configured to allow a user to operate the washing machine; a window provided to the control panel in a detachable manner, for covering the control panel; and an information sheet which includes information assisting a use of the washing machine and which is provided between the control panel and the window so as to be exchangeable for a different sheet.
Preferably, the control panel may further include an element so that a user can supply a detergent to the washing machine. For this purpose, a detergent box installed in a sliding manner, is additionally provided.
Therefore, the control panel includes a first panel for giving an instruction of a specific function to the washing machine and displaying an operation status and a second panel for supplying a detergent to the washing machine.
Similarly, the window includes: a first window covering a user interface and a second window covering a detergent supply unit positioned adjacent to the user interface.
Such a window is directly coupled to the control panel without a coupling member, and accordingly, configured to be directly engaged with the control panel. More specifically, the window includes at least one projecting part configured to be engaged with the control panel and such a projecting part is formed on an upper part of the window. The control panel includes at least one hook configured to be engaged with the projecting part and the projecting part further includes a hole into which the hook is inserted. Preferably, the control panel also includes a recess for receiving the projecting part.
Alternatively, the window can be partially coupled to the control panel by means of a coupling member. More specifically, the window has a flange which will be fixed on the control panel by means of a coupling member and such a flange is formed on an upper end of the window. The flange includes at least one fastening hole and the control panel includes a fastening hole communicated with the fastening hole formed on the flange.
Also, the window includes at least one projecting part which will be fit in the control panel and the projecting part is formed on a lower part of the window. The control panel includes a hole for receiving the projecting part, and preferably, further includes a step portion for supporting the window.
The information sheet includes characters, patterns, symbols, and colors indicating functions and status of the washing machine, or includes explanations about an operation method of the washing machine or a warning with regard to the use of the washing machine. The information sheet is configured to be able to be separated from the panel or the window, and more specifically, the information sheet is not attached to the control panel or the window. Such an information sheet can be exchanged for different information sheet including different information, or by different information sheet written by a different language.
According to the present invention, the information sheet can be freely replaced according to a user's need, which provides convenience to a user.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The housing 10 is designed in such a way that a variety of parts are installed therein and protects such parts. The housing 10 has, at its front, a door 11 for opening and closing an inlet 10a connected with the drum 30, and laundry is loaded or unloaded to and from an inside of the drum 30 through the door 11. The tub 20 preliminarily stores washing water so as to supply washing water constantly to the drum 30 during a washing. The drum 30 accommodates laundry and is rotatably installed in an inside of the tube 20. The drum 30 includes a plurality of through holes 31 so that washing water may flow from the tub 20. Also, a plurality of baffles (or lifters) 32 are attached on an inner periphery of the drum 30 so that the laundry may be properly mixed. Though not shown, an operation part is installed in the tub 20 to provide power for rotation to the drum 30.
The operation part includes a motor and an operation shaft for directly connecting the drum and the motor. Alternatively, the operation part may include a general operation mechanism having the drum, pulleys installed on the motor, and a belt for connecting the pulleys.
A control panel assembly 100 is provided in the washing machine so as to control an operation of the washing machine. Although installed on a front of the housing 10 as shown in the drawing, the control panel assembly 100 may be provided on a top surface of the housing 10. The control panel assembly 100 will be described in more detail with reference to
First, referring to
The control panel 110 is configured to allow a user to operate the washing machine. Namely, a user fundamentally can give instructions about a specific function and operation and check current status of the washing machine using the control panel 110. For this purpose, a switch such 111 as a button 111a or a knob 111b is installed on the control panel so as to provide an operation instruction to the washing machine. Also, a display element 112 such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an LED (light emitting diode) is installed adjacent to the switches 111 so that it may display an operation status of the washing machine. The switch 111 and the display element 112 constitute so-called a user interface for an operation of the washing machine.
In the meantime, the washing machine has a separate detergent supply unit to properly supply detergent to an inside of the tub 20 and the drum 30. Since supplying a detergent is essential for washing, the supply unit is manipulated by a user before an operation of the washing machine. Therefore, the supply unit is installed adjacent to the user interface 111 and 112 for an easy access by a user. Further, the supply unit is incorporated into the user interfaces 111 and 112 for efficient design of the washing machine. Namely, the control panel 110 makes possible a detergent supply by a user in addition to a basic operation instructions and status checking functions. More specifically, the control panel 110 has a detergent box 113 provided to a side of the user interface 111 and 112 as clearly shown in
As shown in
In the first embodiment, parts of the first and the second windows 120a and 120b are directly engaged with the control panel 110, more exactly, the first panel 110a and the front panel 113b, respectively, so that they may be coupled to the panels 110a and 113b. More specifically, as shown in
Alternatively, the window 120 may be partially coupled to the control panel 110 in a detachable manner by means of a coupling member. A second embodiment of such a window 120 is illustrated in more detail in
As described in both the first and the second embodiments, each window 120a and 120b has at least one projecting part 122 formed at its each lower end and fit in each panel 110a and 113b as shown in
The information sheet 130 basically includes information for assisting a use of the washing machine. For example, the information sheet 130 may include characters, patterns, symbols, and colors indicating functions and status of the washing machine. Also, the information sheet 130 may include an explanation about an operation method of the washing machine or a warning or a caution with regard to the use of the washing machine. All such information may be included in the information sheet 130 by a variety of methods such as printing, embossed carving, and coating. The information sheet 130 is provided between the control panel 110 and the window 120. As shown in
Operation of the control panel assembly according to the present invention will be described in the following.
In case the information sheet 130 needs to be exchanged for a different sheet, the windows 120a and 120b are separated from the panels 110a and 113b on the first place. In the first embodiment, referring to
If the windows 120a and 120b are pulled upward after the upper parts of the windows 120a and 120b are separated in accordance with the respective embodiment, the projecting parts 122 of the lower parts are detached from the holes 115a and the windows 120a and 120b are completely separated from the panels 110a and 113b. After that, a user takes out the original information sheets 130a and 130b from the panels 110a and 113b, and puts in a different sheet desired by a user, e.g., a sheet including different information or a sheet written by a different language.
If the replacement is completed in this manner, the projecting parts 122 of the lower parts are inserted into the holes 115a, and simultaneously, the lower ends of the windows 120a and 120b are supported by the step portions 115b. After that, in case of the first embodiment, referring to
According to the present invention as described above, the window is installed on the control panel in a detachable manner and the information sheet can be directly separated from the window and the control panel. Therefore, the information sheet can be exchanged for a different sheet in an easy and a convenient manner, and accordingly, a user has a convenience in using the washing machine.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A control panel assembly for a washing machine, comprising:
- a control panel configured to allow a user to operate the washing machine;
- a window covering the control panel and being provided to the control panel in a detachable manner; and
- an information sheet including information assisting a use of the washing machine, the information sheet being provided between the control panel and the window so as to be exchangeable for a different sheet.
2. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the control panel is configured to allow a user to supply a detergent to the washing machine.
3. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the control panel comprises a detergent box provided in a sliding manner.
4. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the control panel comprises a first panel for instructing a specific function to the washing machine and displaying an operation status of the washing machine, and a second panel for supplying a detergent to the washing machine.
5. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the window comprises a first window for covering a user interface and a second window for covering a detergent supply unit positioned on the control panel to be adjacent to the user interface.
6. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the window is directly coupled to the control panel without a coupling member.
7. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the window is directly engaged with the control panel so that it may be coupled to the control panel.
8. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the window comprises at least one projecting part configured to be engaged with the control panel.
9. The control panel assembly of claim 8, wherein the projecting part is formed at an upper part of the window.
10. The control panel assembly of claim 8, wherein the control panel comprises at least one hook configured to be engaged with the projecting part.
11. The control panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the projecting part further comprises a hole into which the hook is fitted.
12. The control panel assembly of claim 8, wherein the control panel comprises a recess for receiving the projecting part.
13. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the window is partially coupled to the control panel by means of a coupling member.
14. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the window has a flange fixed on the control panel by means of a coupling member.
15. The control panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the flange is formed on an upper end of the window.
16. The control panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the flange comprises at least one fastening hole.
17. The control panel assembly of claim 14, wherein the control panel comprises a fastening hole communicating with the fastening hole formed at the flange.
18. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the window comprises at least one projecting part fitted into the control panel.
19. The control panel assembly of claim 18, wherein the projecting part is formed at a lower part of the window.
20. The control panel assembly of claim 18, wherein the control panel comprises a hole for receiving the projecting part.
21. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the control panel further comprises a step portion for supporting the window.
22. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet comprises characters, patterns, symbols, and colors indicating functions and status of the washing machine.
23. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet comprises an explanation about an operation method of the washing machine.
24. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet comprises a warning or caution with regard to the use of the washing machine.
25. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet is configured to be able to separated from the control panel or the window.
26. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet is not attached to the control panel or the window.
27. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet is exchanged for a different information sheet including different information.
28. The control panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the information sheet is exchanged for a different information sheet written by a different language.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 2, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 25, 2005
Inventor: Dong Kang (Changwon-si)
Application Number: 10/931,986