U.S. patent application number 10/965761 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for button assembly for electric home appliance and control panel assembly using the same.
Invention is credited to Hur, Chi Wan, Je, Sang Man, Kang, Yu Beom, Kim, Gean, Kim, Jae Kyum.
Application Number | 20050178166 10/965761 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34836751 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050178166 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Jae Kyum ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
Button assembly for electric home appliance and control panel
assembly using the same
Abstract
A button assembly for an electric home appliance and a control
panel assembly using the same are provided. The button assembly
includes a plurality of button sleeves for receiving a plurality of
push buttons, respectively; and a unifying member for joining the
button sleeves, the unifying member having at least one flexible
portion. The unifying member has a plurality of button sleeve
couplers, each button sleeve coupler ganging together a
predetermined group of the plurality of button sleeves, and the at
least flexible portion has at least one group joining member for
flexibly joining the plurality of button sleeve couplers. The
plurality of button sleeves may be made up of at least two button
sleeve groups, each button sleeve group having at least one button
sleeve, adjacent button sleeve groups of the at least two button
sleeve groups being separated by a predetermined distance. The at
least one flexible portion has a predetermined length, the
predetermined length being greater than the predetermined distance,
to compensate for dimensional discrepancies in a control panel
assembly resulting from normal manufacturing processes. The control
panel assembly includes a panel having a plurality of through holes
formed in an exterior surface; and a substrate disposed behind the
panel. The button assembly is disposed between the panel and the
substrate, and the plurality of button sleeves of the button
assembly are respectively inserted into the plurality of through
holes.
Inventors: |
Kim, Jae Kyum; (Gimhae-si,
KR) ; Kim, Gean; (Jinhae-si, KR) ; Hur, Chi
Wan; (Changwon-si, KR) ; Kang, Yu Beom;
(Changwon-si, KR) ; Je, Sang Man; (Koje-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
34836751 |
Appl. No.: |
10/965761 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
68/12.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 34/28 20200201;
H01H 2231/012 20130101; H01H 2233/004 20130101; D06F 2101/00
20200201; H01H 2229/064 20130101; D06F 34/30 20200201; D06F 2105/58
20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
068/012.23 |
International
Class: |
D06F 037/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 13, 2004 |
KR |
P 2004-0009707 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A button assembly for an electric home appliance, comprising: a
plurality of button sleeves for receiving a plurality of push
buttons, respectively; and a unifying member for joining the button
sleeves, the unifying member having at least one flexible
portion.
2. The button assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality
of button sleeves comprises at least two button sleeve groups, each
button sleeve group having at least one button sleeve, adjacent
button sleeve groups of the at least two button sleeve groups being
separated by a predetermined distance.
3. The button assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least
one flexible portion has a predetermined length, the predetermined
length being greater than the predetermined distance.
4. The button assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one flexible portion has a U-shaped form.
5. The button assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one flexible portion has a V-shaped form.
6. The button assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least
one flexible portion has a semicircular form.
7. The button assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of button sleeves is formed to be inserted into one of a
plurality of through holes formed in a panel.
8. The button assembly as claimed in claim 7, further comprising at
least one catch, protruding from a perimeter of one end of each
button sleeve, for preventing the one end from passing through a
corresponding through hole when the button sleeves are inserted
into the through holes.
9. The button assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the button
sleeves are inserted into the through holes from a rear side of the
panel.
10. The button assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unifying
member comprises a plurality of button sleeve couplers, each button
sleeve coupler ganging together a predetermined group of the
plurality of button sleeves, and wherein the at least flexible
portion comprises at least one group joining member for flexibly
joining the plurality of button sleeve couplers.
11. A button assembly for an electric home appliance, comprising: a
plurality of button sleeves for receiving a plurality of push
buttons, respectively; a plurality of button sleeve couplers, each
button sleeve coupler ganging together a predetermined group of the
plurality of button sleeves; and at least one group joining member
for flexibly joining the plurality of button sleeve couplers.
12. The button assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at
least one group joining member has a U-shaped form.
13. The button assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at
least one group joining member has a V-shaped form.
14. The button assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at
least one group joining member has a semicircular form.
15. The button assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the button
sleeve couplers are formed of a rigid material.
16. The button assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the
plurality of button sleeves is formed to be inserted into one of a
plurality of through holes formed in a panel.
17. The button assembly as claimed in claim 16, further comprising
at least one catch, protruding from a perimeter of one end of each
button sleeve, for preventing the one end from passing through a
corresponding through hole when the button sleeves are inserted
into the through holes.
18. The button assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the button
sleeves are inserted into the through holes from a rear side of the
panel.
19. The button assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the button
sleeves of the predetermined group are arranged in one of a linear
pattern, a curved pattern, and a grid pattern.
20. A button assembly for an electric home appliance, comprising: a
plurality of button sleeves; a plurality of push buttons
respectively captured in the plurality of button sleeves; a
plurality of button sleeve couplers, each button sleeve coupler
ganging together a predetermined group of the plurality of button
sleeves; and at least one group joining member for flexibly joining
the plurality of button sleeve couplers.
21. A control panel assembly, comprising: a panel having a
plurality of through holes formed in an exterior surface; a
substrate disposed behind the panel; and a button assembly disposed
between the panel and the substrate, the button assembly
comprising: a plurality of button sleeves for receiving a plurality
of push buttons, respectively; and a unifying member for joining
the button sleeves, the unifying member having at least one
flexible portion.
22. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein each
of the plurality of button sleeves is inserted into one of the
plurality of through holes of the panel.
23. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein each
of the plurality of push buttons has one end extending through one
of the plurality of through holes of the panel.
24. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 22, further
comprising at least one catch, protruding from a perimeter of one
end of each button sleeve, for preventing the one end from passing
through a corresponding through hole when the button sleeves are
inserted into the through holes.
25. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
unifying member comprises a plurality of button sleeve couplers,
each button sleeve coupler ganging together a predetermined group
of the plurality of button sleeves, and wherein the at least
flexible portion comprises at least one group joining member for
flexibly joining the plurality of button sleeve couplers.
26. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
button sleeves of the predetermined group are arranged in one of a
linear pattern, a curved pattern, and a grid pattern.
27. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
button sleeve couplers are formed of a rigid material.
28. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein each
of the plurality of push buttons is captured in one of the
plurality of buttons sleeves.
29. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 21, further
comprising a plurality of tactile switches mounted on the
substrate, wherein each of the plurality of push buttons has one
end in contact with one of the plurality of tactile switches.
30. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet; and a control panel
assembly mounted with respect to the cabinet, the control panel
assembly comprising: a panel having a plurality of through holes
formed in an exterior surface; a substrate disposed behind the
panel; and a button assembly disposed between the panel and the
substrate, the button assembly comprising: a plurality of button
sleeves for receiving a plurality of push buttons, respectively;
and a unifying member for joining the button sleeves, the unifying
member having at least one flexible portion.
31. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein each
of the plurality of button sleeves is inserted into one of the
plurality of through holes of the panel.
32. The control panel assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein each
of the plurality of push buttons has one end extending through one
of the plurality of through holes of the panel.
33. The washing machine as claimed in claim 31, further comprising
at least one catch, protruding from a perimeter of one end of each
button sleeve, for preventing the one end from passing through a
corresponding through hole when the button sleeves are inserted
into the through holes.
34. The washing machine as claimed in claim 30, wherein the
unifying member comprises a plurality of button sleeve couplers,
each button sleeve coupler ganging together a predetermined group
of the plurality of button sleeves, and wherein the at least
flexible portion comprises at least one group joining member for
flexibly joining the plurality of button sleeve couplers.
35. The washing machine as claimed in claim 34, wherein the button
sleeves of the predetermined group are arranged in one of a linear
pattern, a curved pattern, and a grid pattern.
36. The washing machine as claimed in claim 34, wherein the button
sleeve couplers are formed of a rigid material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application
No. 10-2004-0009707, filed on Feb. 13, 2004, which is hereby
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an electric home appliance,
and more particularly, to a button assembly for an electric home
appliance and a control panel assembly using the same, in which the
button assembly is made up of a plurality of sleeves, which are
joined by a unifying member for collectively inserting the sleeves
into a corresponding plurality of through holes formed in a panel
of the control panel assembly.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Contemporary washing machines are typically provided with
control means comprising a plurality of switches, such as tactile
switches, mounted on a substrate of a control panel assembly for
controlling one or more wash cycles. The tactile switches are
respectively positioned behind a corresponding plurality of push
buttons, each of which is inserted into one of a plurality of
sleeves installed in a panel of the control panel assembly, so that
each push button has one end operably coupled to the tactile
switches and the other end protruding from the panel's outer
surface to allow manipulation by a user. An exemplary drum-type
washing machine having such display means is shown in FIG. 1, and
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates an exemplary control panel assembly of a
general home appliance such as a washing machine.
[0006] Referring to FIG. 1, a cabinet 2 forms the exterior of a
washing machine 1 in which a tub (not shown) is mounted. A drum 4
for accommodating laundry is rotatably disposed inside the tub, to
be rotated by a motor (not shown) coupled to the rear of the drum.
A plurality of lifters 8, for lifting the laundry in the drum 4 to
a predetermined height from which the laundry may fall due to
gravity, is installed on an inner surface of the drum. A cabinet
cover 12, having a laundry opening 10 centrally formed in the
cabinet cover for accessing the laundry in the drum 4, is mounted
on a front side of the cabinet 2, and a door 16 for closing the
laundry opening is hinged with respect to the cabinet cover. A
control panel assembly 14, for controlling operation of the washing
machine 1, is disposed above the cabinet cover 12 and is mounted
with respect to the cabinet 2.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 2, the control panel assembly 14 includes
a panel 20 in which a plurality of through holes 26 are formed as
an arrangement for facilitating user operation of the washing
machine 1, a substrate 30 disposed behind the panel, and a
plurality of button sleeves 40 respectively inserted into the
through holes formed in the panel. A rotary switch 32 and a
plurality of tactile switches 34 are mounted on the substrate 30.
To operate these switches, the panel 20 is provided with a rotary
dial 22 and a plurality of push buttons 24 to be coupled with
corresponding elements mounted on the substrate 30, i.e., the
rotary switch and tactile switches, respectively, to allow a
physical force to be transmitted from the panel to the substrate.
Thus, the rotary dial 20 is used to select a wash cycle of a
washing machine, and the push buttons 24 are used to control the
operation of the washing machine.
[0008] When the control panel assembly 14 is assembled, the button
sleeves 40, which are individually inserted into the through holes
26 from the rear side of the panel 20, respectively receive the
push buttons 24. Thus, one end of each push button 24 extends
through a corresponding button sleeve 40 inserted in a
corresponding through hole 26 formed in the panel 20, while the
other end makes contact with a corresponding tactile switch 34
mounted on the substrate 30. Each button sleeve 40, which is
generally annular to correspond to the shape of the through hole
26, serve to guide the manipulation of the push button 24 for a
smooth and stable operation and to guard against an abrasion of the
push button's circumference on sharp edges of the panel 20, which
would result due to the contrasting hardnesses of the material
(e.g., molded plastic) forming the push button and the material
(e.g., sheet metal) forming the panel. Upon insertion into the
through holes 26, one end of each button sleeve 40 is exposed on
the user's side of the panel 20, to thereby form part of the
washing machine's exterior surface by joining a push button surface
with the surrounding panel surface and by creating a visual outline
around the push button 24. Therefore, for aesthetic purposes, the
exposed ends of the button sleeves 40 are contoured, and the
material forming the button sleeves is typically imparted with a
coordinated color, i.e., a color matching or contrasting that of
the push buttons 24. For this reason, the button sleeves 40 are
sometimes referred to as "button decorations."
[0009] The button sleeves 40 are injection-molded members formed
for an insertion into a corresponding through hole 26 and
simultaneous reception of a corresponding push button 24. The
button sleeves 40, which are individually formed, are respectively
assembled with the panel 20, by an assembly step of insertion into
and fixing to each through hole 26, which makes for a tedious and
cumbersome assembly process, since the number of assembly steps
corresponds to the number of push buttons/button sleeves.
Furthermore, the large number of components (i.e., button sleeves)
increases the part count for manufacturing the control panel
assembly 14, thereby complicating the assembly process, burdening
assembly component storage and tracking requirements for the
control panel assembly, and increasing the likelihood that some
number of the button sleeves may be misplaced or lost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a button
assembly for an electric home appliance that substantially obviate
one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the
related art.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a button
assembly for an electric home appliance, by which a plurality of
button sleeves are formed as a unified body.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
button assembly for an electric home appliance, which enables a
compensation of dimensional discrepancies in a control panel
assembly resulting from normal manufacturing processes.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
button assembly for an electric home appliance, which enhances
assembly efficiency of a control panel assembly.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
button assembly for an electric home appliance, which resolves a
product deficiency caused by dimensional discrepancies resulting
from normal manufacturing processes.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
button assembly for an electric home appliance, which enables a
plurality of button sleeves to be joined by a unifying member
having at least one flexible portion.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
button assembly for an electric home appliance, which enables a
manufacturing operation to increase an error tolerance.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
control panel assembly suitable for implementing the button
assembly of the present invention.
[0018] 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.
[0019] To achieve these objects and other advantages in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided a button assembly for an
electric home appliance. The button assembly comprises a plurality
of button sleeves for receiving a plurality of push buttons,
respectively; and a unifying member for joining the button sleeves,
the unifying member having at least one flexible portion.
[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a control panel assembly comprising a panel having a
plurality of through holes formed in an exterior surface; a
substrate disposed behind the panel; and the above button assembly
disposed between the panel and the substrate, the button assembly,
which is disposed between the panel and the substrate, such that
the plurality of button sleeves are aligned with and respectively
inserted into the plurality of through holes.
[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a washing machine comprising a cabinet and the above
control panel assembly, which is mounted with respect to the
cabinet.
[0022] The unifying member of a first embodiment may be comprised
of a plurality of button sleeve couplers and at least one group
joining member in accordance with a second embodiment. In each
case, the elements perform a function of joining adjacent sets of
button sleeves and maintaining a mean separation distance between
the adjacent sets. The flexible portion and the group joining
members are formed of a flexible material, such as a pliable
plastic, to provide dimensional flexibility between adjacent button
sleeve groups and may be have a U-shaped form or may have a
V-shaped form, a semicircular form, or a similar form providing an
excess length to the flexible material.
[0023] 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 DRAWINGS
[0024] The 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 embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a general drum-type washing
machine;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of
a control panel assembly of the washing machine of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a control panel
assembly according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a button assembly according to a
first embodiment of the present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a button assembly according to a
second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a button assembly 80 according
to the present invention includes a plurality of button sleeves 82
for receiving a plurality of push buttons 70 and a unifying member
84 joining the button sleeves 82 and having at least one flexible
portion. Though not specifically shown in the drawings, the push
buttons 70 may be respectively captured in the button sleeves 82,
so that the button assembly according to the present invention may
include the push buttons in a unified assembly to be collectively
assembled to a panel of a control panel assembly. In doing so, the
above flexible portion also serves to join (combine) the push
buttons 70 indirectly.
[0032] The control panel assembly 110 according to the present
invention includes a panel 60 having a plurality of through holes
72, a substrate 90 disposed behind the panel 60 and having a
plurality of push buttons 70, and a button assembly 80 provided
between the panel 60 and the substrate 90. The button assembly 80
includes the plurality of button sleeves 82, having a plurality of
holes for receiving the plurality of push buttons 70 and being
respectively inserted in the plurality of through holes 72, and a
unifying member 84 joining the button sleeves 82 and having at
least one flexible portion 86.
[0033] The washing machine according to the present invention
includes a cabinet 2 and a control panel assembly 110 formed on the
cabinet 2. The control panel assembly 110 includes a panel 60
having a plurality of push buttons 70, a substrate 90 disposed
behind the panel 60, and a button assembly 80 provided between the
panel 60 and the substrate 90. The button assembly 80 includes a
plurality of button sleeves 82, for receiving the plurality of push
buttons 70 and being respectively inserted in the plurality of
through holes 72, and a unifying member 84 joining the button
sleeves 82 and having at least one flexible portion 86, wherein the
flexible portion has a U-shaped form, a V-shaped form, or a
semicircular form.
[0034] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the unifying member 84
may include a plurality of button sleeve couplers 85 and a
plurality of group joining members 86' for flexibly joining the
plurality of button sleeve couplers 85. Each button sleeve coupler
85 gangs together the button sleeves 82 of a button sleeve group,
and similar to the flexible portion 86 of the first embodiment,
each group joining member 86' has a U-shaped form, a V-shaped form,
or a semicircular form.
[0035] A button assembly and a control panel assembly of an
electric home appliance (e.g., a washing machine) according to the
present invention will now be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 3 to 5. The control panel assembly 110 includes a panel 60
mounted on a cabinet 2 of a drum-type washing machine 1, a
substrate 90 disposed behind the panel 60 and having a rotary
switch 92, a plurality of tactile switches 94, and a plurality of
push buttons 70 connected to and coupled with each tactile switch
94. The control panel assembly 110 also includes a button assembly
80 being simultaneously inserted into the plurality of through
holes 72 formed in the panel 60 and having a structure that can
compensate for a dimensional discrepancy due to minute variations
in size, shape, and/or positioning of the through holes or button
assembly. The panel 60, which is an assembly component for
controlling the operation of the washing machine and displaying the
operation status of the washing machine, is connected to the front
surface of the cabinet 2 by engaging a plurality of hooks 60a with
a corresponding plurality of slots 52a formed in surfaces of or
adjacent to the cabinet. A rotary dial 62 and a plurality of push
buttons 70 are provided on an exterior surface of the panel 60.
[0036] As described above, a rotary switch 92 and a plurality of
tactile switches 94 are provided on a forward-facing surface of a
substrate 90, to oppose the rotary dial 62 and the push buttons 70
of the panel 60. The rotary switch 92 is activated by the rotary
dial 62, thereby setting up the wash cycle of the drum-type washing
machine. The tactile switches 94 are activated by the push buttons
70, thereby controlling the operation of the drum-type washing
machine. A display screen 96 for displaying a current washsing
status of the drum-type washing machine may be provided on the
forward-facing surface of the substrate 90, to be viewed through a
view screen 100. A plurality of display elements, such as
light-emitting diodes 98 protruding through a corresponding
plurality of display holes 101, may be used to indicate the washing
machine's operation and controlled conditions.
[0037] In the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in
FIG. 4, the button assembly 80 includes the plurality of button
sleeves 82, each being inserted into and received by the inner
circumference of each through hole 72, and the unifying members 84
joining the button sleeves 82 to form a unified body and having a
plurality of flexible portions 86 that can absorb a dimensional
discrepancy in each through hole 72 occurring during the assembly
process of the control panel assembly 110.
[0038] On the other hand, in the second embodiment of the present
invention as shown in FIG. 5, the button assembly 80 includes the
plurality of button sleeves 82, each being inserted into and
received by the inner circumference of a through hole 72; the
button sleeve couplers 85, for ganging together the button sleeves
82 to form a unified body, each button sleeve coupler being
connected to a flexible portion that can absorb a dimensional
discrepancy in each through hole 72 occurring during the assembly
process of the control panel assembly 110; and at least one group
joining member 86' for flexibly joining the button sleeve couplers
85 to form a unified body while absorbing the above dimensional
discrepancy. Here, the group joining member 86' is a flexible
portion.
[0039] Each flexible portion 86 or group joining member 86' has a
sufficient length for absorbing any dimensional discrepancies
occurring due to normal variations in fabricating components of an
electric home appliance such as a washing machine having a control
panel. The flexible portion is formed of a flexible material, such
as a pliable plastic, to provide dimensional flexibility between
adjacent button sleeve groups and may be have a U-shaped form, as
shown in FIGS. 3-5, or may have a V-shaped form, a semicircular
form, or a similar form providing an excess length to the flexible
material.
[0040] More specifically, the unifying member 84 of the button
assembly according to the second embodiment of the present
invention consists of the plurality of button sleeve couplers 85
for ganging together the button sleeves 82 of each of a
predetermined set of button sleeve groups G1, G2, and G3, and the
plurality of group joining members 86' flexibly connecting the
button sleeves 82, which are divided into the groups G1, G2, and G3
by joining the button sleeve couplers 85. The button sleeves 82 are
injection-molded members disposed between the inner edge of a
corresponding through hole 72 and the outer perimeter of a
corresponding push button 70, by being inserted into the through
hole and receiving the push button. The button sleeves 82 are
stably inserted into the through holes 72 from the rear side of the
panel 60.
[0041] At least one catch 88 is formed on the outer surface of one
end of each button sleeve 82. Preferably, an opposing pair of
catches 88 are provided. When the button sleeves 82 are inserted
into each corresponding through hole 72 from the rear side of the
panel 60, each catch 88 prevents the corresponding sleeve 82 from
passing through the through hole by catching on a rear surface of
the panel 60. Therefore, the catches 88 determine the inserting
position for each button sleeve 82.
[0042] As described above, the unifying member 84 of the first
embodiment and the button sleeve couplers 85 and the group joining
members 86' of the second embodiment each perform a function of
joining adjacent sets of button sleeves and maintaining a mean
separation distance between the adjacent sets. A predetermined
number (i.e., a set) of button sleeves 82 of any group, e.g., two
adjacent button sleeves, can be arranged in variety of control
panel patterns, as desired, for example, a linear, curved, or grid
pattern. Also, in the second embodiment of the present invention,
the group joining members 86' join the groups G1, G2, and G3, which
are divided by the button sleeve couplers 85, to form an assembly
of button sleeves as a unified body. Therefore, the button sleeves
82 of the button assembly 80 are simultaneously inserted into the
through holes 72, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the
control panel assembly 110.
[0043] The flexible portions 86 of the first embodiment and the
group joining members 86' of the second embodiment are formed to
have a U-shape (or a V-shape or a semicircular shape) and absorb
the dimensional discrepancy occurring between each of the button
sleeves 82. Meanwhile, the dimensional discrepancy occurs during
the fabrication process of the button sleeves 82 and the through
holes 72 of the button assembly 80. In other words, the dimensional
discrepancy may occur during the injection-molding process of the
button assembly 80 or may occur during the perforation process of
the through holes 72 in the panel 60. Since the button assembly 80
is formed as a single body, to enable the button sleeves 82 of the
button assembly 80 to be simultaneously assembled with the through
holes 72 of the panel 60, the influence of the dimensional
discrepancy may be greater in the present invention than as
compared with the related art button assembly, where the button
sleeves are individually inserted into the through holes.
[0044] In the second embodiment of the present invention, however,
the plurality of group joining members 86' can flexibly expand and
contract in back-and-forth directions and in left-and-right
directions, thereby compensating the degree of modification caused
by the dimensional discrepancy occurring between each of the groups
G1, G2, and G3. In addition, although a small degree of dimensional
discrepancy may occur between the button sleeves 82 and the through
holes 72, the dimensional discrepancy can be compensated by the
flexible portions of the button assembly according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, which are formed of a flexible
material, thereby facilitating the assembly of the button assembly
80 to the panel 60.
[0045] The assembly process of the control panel assembly of the
drum-type washing machine according to the present invention will
now be described in detail. The button assembly 80 is assembled to
the panel 60 from the rear side thereof, so that the plurality of
button sleeves 82 are simultaneously inserted into the plurality of
through holes 72 formed in the panel 60. At this point, when
dimensional discrepancy occurs during the injection-molding process
of the button assembly 80 or during the perforation process of the
through holes 72 in the panel 60, some of the button sleeves 82 may
be misaligned and misassembled with the corresponding through holes
72. Meanwhile, the flexible portions 86 or group joining members
86' of the button assembly 80 may expand and contract in
back-and-forth directions or in left-and-right directions in order
to compensate the misaligned assembly position. In other words, the
flexible portions 86 or group joining members 86' absorb the
dimensional discrepancy occurring between the button assembly 80
and each through hole 72.
[0046] As described above, after coupling the button assembly 80
with the rear surface of the panel 60, the substrate 90 is coupled
with the rear surface of the panel 60, such that the push buttons
70 are respectively inserted into the button sleeves 82, which are
in turn inserted into each through hole 72. At the same time, the
rotary switch 92 and the tactile switches 94 mounted on the
substrate 90 are respectively engaged with the rotary dial 62 and
the push buttons 70 mounted on the panel 60. When the user turns
the rotary dial 62, the rotary switch 92 rotates accordingly,
thereby setting up the washing cycle of the drum-type washing
machine according to the present invention. When the user presses
the push buttons 70, the corresponding tactile switches 94 are also
pressed accordingly, thereby controlling the operation of the
drum-type washing machine.
[0047] In the button assembly for an electrical home appliance
according to the present invention, at least one unifying member
joins the button sleeves to form a unified body, thereby
facilitating the assembly of the control panel assembly.
Furthermore, since the flexible joining members can also compensate
the dimensional discrepancies, high fabrication accuracy is not
required when forming the button assembly and the through holes.
Thus, the productivity of the control panel assembly can be
enhanced. Finally, since the unifying members are formed of a
flexible material that can expand and contract in back-and-forth
directions and in left-and-right directions, the dimensional
discrepancy occurring between the button sleeves and the through
holes can be compensated, thereby preventing deficiency in the
control panel assembly.
[0048] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. 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.
* * * * *