APPLIANCE WITH DEAD FRONT USER INTERFACE

摘要

An appliance and a user interface assembly configured to provide a uniform user interface background appearance when features of the user interface are not illuminated are provided. More specifically, an ink may be applied to a component of the user interface assembly such that when light is directed toward the ink to illuminate the features, the light passes through the ink to the user interface and the illuminated features of the user interface are clearly visible against the background of the user interface. However, when light is not directed toward the ink to illuminate the features, the user interface appears to be a substantially opaque, uniform color. Thus, the user interface may have a dead front appearance.

主权项

1. A user interface assembly, comprising:
a user interface substrate having a primary surface and a secondary surface opposite the primary surface, the primary surface accessible by a user of the user interface assembly; an opaque coating selectively applied to the secondary surface of the user interface substrate such that a portion of the secondary surface is uncoated, the uncoated portion defining a window; a display assembly spaced apart from the user interface substrate, the display assembly having a light source for directing light through the window to illuminate a feature of the user interface assembly; and a light transmissive layer disposed between the user interface substrate and the display assembly, the light transmissive layer comprising
a support substrate having a first surface facing the user interface and a second surface facing the display assembly, anda first ink applied to at least a portion of the support substrate, the first ink configured such that when the light source is not directing light to the window, the user interface substrate appears to be an opaque, essentially uniform color.