Washing Machine Dual Control Panel Layout for Open-Door Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine designs restrict access to the control panel when the door is closed, requiring users to alternate between accessing the wash chamber and the control panel, which can be cumbersome, especially for tasks like initial soaking or hand washing, and increases the risk of inadvertent function selection when the door is open.
Innovation Solution
A secondary control panel is integrated into the washing machine design, positioned on the cabinet beneath the door's closed footprint, allowing user input when the door is open while preventing accidental selections by being inaccessible when the door is closed, with a controller connected to both primary and secondary panels for initiating operative steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control panel is positioned at the rear portion of the cabinet, then inadvertent input selections are prevented and user access to the wash chamber is not restricted, but the control panel becomes blocked or covered when the lid is in the open position
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is divided into two separate panels: a primary control panel positioned at the rear portion of the cabinet (within the door footprint) and a secondary control panel positioned at the front portion of the cabinet. Each panel can be independently accessed depending on the door position, resolving the contradiction between preventing inadvertent selections and maintaining accessibility.
2Device complexity
If a single control panel is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user must alternate between accessing the control panel and the wash chamber, increasing operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is segmented into two separate panels positioned at opposite ends of the cabinet. The primary control panel is positioned within the door footprint, while the secondary control panel is positioned at the front portion. This segmentation allows users to access the appropriate control panel based on door position, eliminating the need for back-and-forth movement and reducing operation time.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance and control panel is provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet defining an opening, a basket, a door, a secondary control panel, and a controller. The basket may be mounted within the cabinet and define a wash chamber beneath the opening to receive one or more clothing articles to be washed. The door may be pivotally attached to the cabinet and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The secondary control panel may be disposed on the cabinet within a closed footprint of the door. The secondary control panel may be covered beneath the door in the closed position. The controller may be operatively connected to the secondary control panel. The controller may be configured to receive an input signal from the secondary control panel, and initiate an operative step in response to the input signal.