公开(公告)号：US20180274155A1

公开(公告)日：2018-09-27

申请号：US15993661

申请日：2018-05-31

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PRABHJEE ANAND ,  YOGESH DHANABALAN CHANDRASEKARAN ,  TIMOTHY E. HEATER ,  NDJEKA K. LUHAHI ,  JOSE ALDO RAMIREZ ,  SCOTT T. THALLS

IPC: D06F37/10 ,  D06F39/14 ,  D06F37/28 ,  D06F39/00

CPC classification number: D06F37/10 ,  D06F37/28 ,  D06F39/005 ,  D06F39/14

Abstract: A door assembly for a laundry treating appliance that comprises an inner door subassembly, an intermediate door frame, an outer door screen; and a user interface controller. The intermediate door frame is adhered to the inner door subassembly and to the outer door screen. The user interface controller is affixed to the intermediate door through an aperture in the inner door subassembly to control a user interface that is viewable through and accessible on the outer door screen.

公开(公告)号：US20230018734A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-19

申请号：US17946401

申请日：2022-09-16

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PRABHJEE ANAND ,  TIMOTHY E. HEATER

IPC: D06F39/14 ,  D06F34/32 ,  D06F34/34 ,  D06F34/08 ,  D06F37/28 ,  D06F34/28 ,  D06F23/02

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a door assembly for a laundry treating appliance having an inner door subassembly comprising an inner door frame, an intermediate door frame attached to the inner door frame, and an outer door screen attached to the intermediate door frame, and one or more mechanical fasteners extending from a front to a back of the inner door frame for mounting a handle or a hinge. The method including adhesively bonding a handle cover or hinge cover to the inner door frame to cover the one or more mechanical fasteners on the back of the inner door frame; affixing a user interface controller to the intermediate door frame through an aperture in the inner door subassembly, and adhering a touch film having an integrated flexible printed circuit board with touch buttons to the interior surface of the outer door screen. The touch film being communication with and configured to control the user interface controller.

公开(公告)号：US20180002854A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-04

申请号：US15199189

申请日：2016-06-30

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PRABHJEE ANAND ,  TIMOTHY E. HEATER

IPC: D06F37/28 ,  D06F23/02 ,  B32B7/12 ,  B32B37/00

CPC classification number: D06F37/28 ,  B29C65/4825 ,  B29C66/45 ,  B29C66/8362 ,  B29C66/861 ,  B32B7/12 ,  B32B37/0053 ,  B32B2307/412 ,  B32B2457/08 ,  D06F23/02

Abstract: A method of applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature includes applying a transparent pressure sensitive adhesive to a facing surface of a touch film, placing the facing surface against the rigid surface, and rolling a roller over the touch film with enough pressure to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive and adhere the touch film to the rigid surface. The roller has an exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface and to minimize damage to components on the touch film.

公开(公告)号：US20180002853A1

公开(公告)日：2018-01-04

申请号：US15199164

申请日：2016-06-30

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PRABHJEE ANAND ,  YOGESH DHANABALAN CHANDRASEKARAN ,  TIMOTHY E. HEATER ,  NDJEKA K. LUHAHI ,  JOSE ALDO RAMIREZ ,  SCOTT T. THALLS

IPC: D06F37/10 ,  D06F39/00 ,  D06F37/28

CPC classification number: D06F37/10 ,  D06F37/28 ,  D06F39/005 ,  D06F39/14

Abstract: A laundry appliance door assembly with an integrated user interface is adapted to eliminate any visible mechanical fasteners to create an aesthetically smooth appearance. The door assembly includes an inner door assembly to support an inner window, an intermediate door frame that houses the user interface controller, and an outer door screen with embedded touch film. The inner door assembly carries a hinge with wiring harness assembly and the intermediate door frame is adhesively bonded with the inner door assembly to form an intermediate door assembly. The outer door screen includes a touch film adhesively attached to the screen with a roller apparatus of low durometer. The outer door screen is then adhesively bonded to the intermediate door frame to complete the door assembly. The intermediate door frame is adhesively bonded to the front of the inner door assembly along with a hinge cover and a handle cover adhesively bonded to the back of the inner door assembly hides any visible mechanical fasteners of the door assembly.

公开(公告)号：US20240175193A1

公开(公告)日：2024-05-30

申请号：US18431509

申请日：2024-02-02

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PRABHJEE ANAND ,  TIMOTHY E. HEATER

IPC: D06F39/14 ,  D06F23/02 ,  D06F34/08 ,  D06F34/28 ,  D06F34/32 ,  D06F34/34 ,  D06F37/28 ,  B32B37/00

CPC classification number: D06F39/14 ,  D06F23/02 ,  D06F34/08 ,  D06F34/28 ,  D06F34/32 ,  D06F34/34 ,  D06F37/28 ,  B32B37/0053

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a door assembly for a laundry treating appliance having an inner door subassembly comprising an inner door frame, an intermediate door frame attached to the inner door frame, and an outer door screen attached to the intermediate door frame, and one or more mechanical fasteners extending from a front to a back of the inner door frame for mounting a handle or a hinge. The method including adhesively bonding a handle cover or hinge cover to the inner door frame to cover the one or more mechanical fasteners on the back of the inner door frame; affixing a user interface controller to the intermediate door frame through an aperture in the inner door subassembly, and adhering a touch film having an integrated flexible printed circuit board with touch buttons to the interior surface of the outer door screen. The touch film being communication with and configured to control the user interface controller.

公开(公告)号：US20210010180A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-14

申请号：US17036548

申请日：2020-09-29

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PRABHJEE ANAND ,  TIMOTHY E. HEATER

IPC: D06F37/28 ,  D06F34/28 ,  D06F33/00 ,  D06F34/32 ,  D06F34/34 ,  D06F34/08 ,  D06F39/14 ,  D06F23/02

Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a door assembly with an inner door frame. One or more mechanical fasteners extending the inner door frame so secure one of a hinge or handle to the door frame. Hinge and handle covers are adhesively bonded to the inner door frame to cover the one or more mechanical fasteners. A user interface controller is affixed to the door frame through an aperture in an inner door subassembly. A touch film having an integrated flexible printed circuit board with touch buttons is in communication with and configured to control the user interface controller. The touch film is adhered to the interior surface of the outer screen door.

公开(公告)号：US20180209087A1

公开(公告)日：2018-07-26

申请号：US15928226

申请日：2018-03-22

Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Inventor： PRABHJEE ANAND ,  TIMOTHY E. HEATER

IPC: D06F37/28 ,  B32B37/00 ,  B32B7/12 ,  D06F23/02

Abstract: An appliance having a door with an interior surface having a compound curvature, a section thereof configured to enable viewing a user interface on the interior surface through the door. The user interface includes a touch film adhered to the interior surface by application of a roller to activate a pressure sensitive adhesive between the touch film and the interior surface.