User interface solutions for accessing appliance control through cosmetic outer cabinet

Abstract

A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic outer structure for a laundry appliance, the cosmetic outer structure comprising:
 a top panel and a plurality of sidewalls;   a front panel that is rotationally coupled to a side panel of the plurality of sidewalls, wherein the top panel and plurality of sidewalls are configured to fully conceal said laundry appliance when the front panel is in a closed position and further configured to provide access to said laundry appliance when the front panel is in an open position; and   an outer selector that is coupled to the front panel, wherein the outer selector is configured to selectively engage a user interface of said laundry appliance when the front panel is in the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 1 , wherein the outer selector is an inductive sensor that is configured to operate according to a proximity to the user interface, wherein the inductive sensor is configured to engage the user interface via an electromagnetic communication. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 2 , wherein the inductive sensor is coupled to illuminated indicia that are defined on a surface of the front panel. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 3 , wherein the inductive sensor and the illuminated indicia are positioned proximate a top edge of the front panel. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 1 , wherein the outer selector includes a proximity sensor that is configured to interact with the user interface. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an illuminated feature that includes the outer selector.   
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 4 , wherein the illuminated indicia are at least partially produced by a light source disposed within the user interface of the laundry appliance. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 7 , wherein the illuminated indicia are produced within a light guide that transmits light from dedicated lights of the user interface. 
     
     
         9 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 8 , wherein the illuminated indicia correspond to respective selectable commands of the laundry appliance. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 1 , wherein the outer selector includes a RFID tag that interacts with a RFID reader of the user interface. 
     
     
         11 . A cosmetic outer structure for an appliance, the cosmetic outer structure comprising:
 a plurality of sidewalls;   a front panel that is rotationally coupled to a side panel of the plurality of sidewalls;   a top wall that is positioned above the plurality of sidewalls and the front panel, wherein the top wall, the plurality of sidewalls and the front panel in a closed position are configured to fully conceal said appliance, and wherein the front panel in an open position is configured to provide access to an operable door of said appliance; and   an outer selector that is coupled to the front panel and spaced apart from a user interface of the appliance, wherein the outer selector is in operable engagement with the user interface of said appliance when the front panel is in the closed position.   
     
     
         12 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 11 , wherein the outer selector is one of an inductive sensor and a magnetic sensor, and wherein the outer selector is configured to operate according to a proximity to the user interface, wherein the outer selector is configured to engage the user interface via an electromagnetic communication. 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 12 , wherein the outer selector is incorporated within a deflecting portion of the front panel, and wherein an inward movement of the deflecting portion toward the user interface places the outer selector in operable communication with the user interface. 
     
     
         14 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 12 , wherein the outer selector is incorporated within selectively illuminated indicia that are defined between a top edge of the front panel and a lower surface of the top wall. 
     
     
         15 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 14 , wherein the illuminated indicia are incorporated within a light guide of the front panel. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 15 , wherein the light guide is attached to the top edge of the front panel. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 14 , wherein the illuminated indicia are at least partially produced by a light source disposed within the user interface of the appliance. 
     
     
         18 . A cosmetic outer structure for an appliance, the cosmetic outer structure comprising:
 an outer enclosure;   a front panel that is rotationally coupled to a side panel of the outer enclosure, wherein the outer enclosure is configured to fully conceal said appliance with the front panel in a closed position, and wherein the front panel in an open position is configured to provide access to an operable door of said appliance; and   an electromagnetic selector that is coupled to the front panel and spaced apart from a user interface of the appliance, wherein an outer selector is in operable communication with the user interface of said appliance when the front panel is in the closed position.   
     
     
         19 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 18 , wherein the outer selector is attached to a deflecting portion of the front panel and is configured to operate according to a proximity to the user interface. 
     
     
         20 . The cosmetic outer structure of  claim 18 , wherein the outer selector is incorporated within a selectively illuminated light guide that is defined between a top edge of the front panel and a lower surface of a top wall of the outer enclosure, and wherein illuminated indicia are incorporated within a light guide of the front panel.