Patent ID: 9589748
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: G05G,H01H

Claim:
1. A user interface for an appliance having a console and an electrical circuit inside the console to operate at least one function of the appliance, the user interface comprising: a rotary encoder assembly having a printed circuit board (PCB) connected to the electrical circuit and a rotating encoder shaft extending from the PCB; a control panel, configured to be secured to the appliance console, and having a barrel extending from a panel surface, the panel surface having indicia related to the at least one function of the appliance wherein the barrel has a central bore that coaxially receives the rotating encoder shaft and the barrel provides a radial bearing surface and a terminal end that provides a thrust bearing surface; and a knob having an outer shell with a substantially hemispherical shape extending over and spaced from the panel surface, the rotation of which is related to the indicia on the panel surface, an axial boss extending from beneath the outer shell affixed to the rotating encoder shaft, and a shoulder positioned to bear against the thrust bearing surface of the barrel.