Domestic appliance with an integral transparent or translucent wall portion

A domestic appliance (1) includes a housing or wall (6) and a wall portion (8). The portion is an integral part of the housing (6). The appliance has a display means (2) comprising a light source (10), a mask (2) and a diffuser (4). The housing (6) may be smoothly shaped to obtain an appealing design. A separate or standardized display may be perceived as a disruption of a smooth design of the appliance. To incorporate the display means (20) into the design the integral wall portion (8) is transparent and positioned between the diffuser (4) and the mask (2). An inner face of the wall portion (8) is directed to the mask (2). An outer face of the wall portion (8) is directed to the diffuser (4). A diffusing layer (32) included in the diffuser (4) is provided on the outer face of the integral wall portion (8).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to a domestic appliance having an integral wall portion and a display means comprising a light source, a mask and a diffuser for diffusing light emitted by the light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Domestic appliances with a display means are generally known. Such domestic appliances, and in particular powered devices and instruments, are available in numerous designs and are fit to perform a large range of tasks varying from processing food to gently awakening a family. To provide information or feedback on the settings, mode of operation, condition and the like of such domestic appliances, a display may be provided. Besides a large variety in designs and applications, domestic appliances may be stored or positioned in countless ways. Hand-held domestic appliances like mixers and electric knives may be stored outside view, while stationary domestic appliances may alternatively be visibly positioned on e.g. a bed-side table or on a kitchen working top in case of an alarm clock and a coffee maker, respectively. Domestic appliances are required to have compact yet ergonomically desirable shapes and appealing designs, to comfortably assist in everyday chores while matching trendy styles in kitchen or bedroom furniture. Such a variety of requirements may pose the designer of home appliances for the challenging task of determining an optimal shape as a compromise between manufacturability, appeal and ease of handling of the application. A clear-cut example of such an antagonist set of motives is described here below with reference to a wake-up system for awaking a person by increasing light intensity. Such a system is known and includes an alarm clock coupled to a main light source supplied by variable electric power. The electric power and the intensity of the light emitted by the main light source are slowly, smoothly and gradually increased after the wake-up cycle is started. The time interval over which the light intensity increases is a predetermined period of time, or may be selectable by the user of the system. It will usually be in the range of thirty minutes to some hours. The final light intensity of the wake-up system may be selectable by the user, or has a predetermined value. At the end of the wake-up cycle the system may produce a sound signal to make sure that the person to be awaked knows that the wake-up cycle is over, or to awake that person in case he is still sleeping. Usually, such a system is provided with a display to provide the user with system information about the time, date and selectable or adjustable settings of the alarm clock, as indicated here above.

The known wake-up system is usually positioned near the bed on e.g. a bed-side table to enable the user to adjust the settings of the system within reach when being in bed. An appealing design of the known wake-up system, harmonizing with the style of the bedroom and the bedroom suite, is important; at the same time the wake-up system should be sufficiently compact to fit on the bed-side table, without occupying a major part of e.g. the bed-side table.

A relatively large portion of the power supplied to the main light source is converted into heat. In known wake-up systems an incandescent lamp of at least 70 W, or even more than 100 W is applied as main light source. Measures have to be taken for cooling the system, whereby the cooling is preferably performed by means of free convection of ambient air, in order to avoid noise that may be caused by forced cooling. For that reason, the dimensions of such wake-up systems are relative large, which conflicts with the requirements of compactness of the wake-up system and of sufficient freedom to realize an appealing design of the wake-up system.

A separate display is frequently positioned in or on the housing or a wall, more particularly a wall portion of the housing, of a domestic appliance, disturbing the uniformity and integrity of the design of said housing or wall and necessitating the need for special adaptations to attach such a display component to the housing or the wall of the product. Such a housing or wall may comprise a smoothly or doubly curved shell structure, emphasizing or expressing a trend in product design. Alternatively, the design of the housing or the wall of the appliance may be according to an angular or rectilinear design.

Today's displays, such as LCD- and OLED-displays are usually mounted into or onto the housing or a wall of the appliance. If the display is mounted into the housing the housing may have a window or may be partly cut away to accommodate the display. The accommodation of the display leads to an interruption of the surface of the product housing or of a wall or wall portion thereof. Such interruption may be perceived as a disturbance of its appearance.

Displays using LED's, a mask and a diffuser are commonly used devices which are sold by many manufacturers. In such known displays a protecting and transparent sheet or layer is covering the level of the diffuser of the display, i.e. the level of the display where the information is indicated. These known displays are usually mounted on or assembled into domestic appliances such that the surface of the transparent layer is at the same level as the surface of housing of the product domestic appliance. Hence, a difference in level between the surface of the product housing and the level of the display where the information is indicated will result. This difference in level is visible and will, if detected, be perceived as emphasizing a disturbance of the smoothness, uniformity and integrity of the housing of the product or the appliance. Furthermore, such a difference in level emphasizes the presence of the display. A too pronounced presence of a display decreases the appeal of the product. A too pronounced presence of the display on top of the above described interruption of the product surface by the display may even be perceived as a disfigurement of the product design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a domestic appliance of the kind set forth in the opening paragraph, which has a display means that is smoothly included into the design of the domestic appliance.

According to the invention this object is realized in that the integral wall portion of the domestic appliance is transparent or translucent for light of the light source and positioned between the diffuser and the mask, wherein the integral wall portion has an inner face directed to the mask and an outer face directed to the diffuser, wherein the diffuser comprises a diffusing layer provided on the outer face of the integral portion.

Known displays, such as LCD- and OLED displays, which are usually mounted as separate components into the wall or the housing of appliances, may have a transparent or translucent window covering the display. Instead of the window of a display which is separate from and not integrated into the wall of the appliance, the invention proposes a transparent or translucent wall at the position of the appliance where the information should be displayed. The transparent or translucent wall portion forms an integrated or integral part of the structure of the appliance and may be formed, shaped, modeled or manufactured at the same time or during the same operation as the rest of the wall of the appliance, enabling continuity in the surface and in the continuity of the curvature of the surface of the wall of the appliance. On one side of the transparent or translucent wall portion the mask of the display means is provided. The mask screens off the light emitted by the light source of the display means. On the other side of the transparent or translucent wall portion the display means has its diffuser. The diffuser diffuses the light emitted by the light source light into a patch of light. The mask blocks part of the light emitted by the light source while another part of the light emitted by the light source passes through the mask and forms a bundle of light having a cross-section of a shape which may e.g. be determined by the mask or a diaphragm. The light bundle or a part thereof propagates through the transparent or translucent wall portion of the appliance and reaches the diffuser at the opposite side of the integral wall portion, where it can diffuse as a patch of light that constitutes part of the information to be displayed. The said transparent wall portion being integrated into or integral to the domestic appliance, as part of for example the product housing, a cover enveloping drive means of the appliance or some shell structure defining the outer surface of the appliance, the design of the appliance does not necessarily have to be interrupted. Because the display means does not disrupt the continuity of the surface nor disrupts the continuity of the curvature of the surface of the wall of the appliance according to the invention, the display means is smoothly included into the design.

The diffusing layer of the diffuser is provided on the outer face of the integral portion. Light emitted by the light source, propagates through the transparent wall portion and is diffused by said layer on the outer face of the integral wall portion. Being diffused on the outer face of the integral wall portion, the light is perceived as coming from or originating at said outer face. Hence, the information that is displayed by the light which is diffused on the outer face is perceived as being painted or projected on the outer face of the domestic appliance, because the wall portion is an integral wall portion of the appliance. No level difference is perceived between the surface of the appliance and the level on which the information is displayed, which further emphasizes that the display means is smoothly included in the design and appearance of the appliance and of its surface.

An additional advantage of the invention is that the curvature of the wall may be optimized to enable a compact design. When mounting a separate display into the housing or a wall of the appliance, the curvature of the wall portion where the display is mounted should be adapted to the curvature of the display to have an optically attractive continuation of the curvature of the wall portion near the display into the curvature of the display. Separate displays may not be available at low cost with a prescribed or desired curvature along their surface. These displays may be shelve-articles having a rather flat front surface. To adapt the curvature of the wall portion of the appliance to such a flat front surface may imply that the curvature of the wall portion is to be reduced to match the low curvature of the standard separate display. A reduced curvature of the wall portion results in increased dimensions and decreased compactness of the appliance.

An additional advantage is that the information displayed by the light which is diffused on the outer face of the appliance is perceived as being floating on the surface of the appliance. Diffusing the light on the outer side of the appliance from the inside of the appliance without disruption of the outer product surface creates the illusion that information is touchable and floating on the outer product surface. Such an esthetic effect can be used to the advantage of a design trend or style.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the diffusing layer is a lacquering layer.

The lacquering layer covers the domestic appliance or a part thereof. By using a lacquering layer as a diffusing layer the display means may be totally received or included into the product design. The lacquering layer may cover the product housing and the display means at the same time, which emphasizes a smooth transition between the surface of the product or wall and the surface where information can be displayed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention, one or more refraction elements are provided on the inner side, i.e. the mask side, of the transparent or translucent wall portion.

Light emitted by the light source may be bundled by the refraction elements such, that scattering of the light inside the transparent wall portion is provided. Scattering of the light emitted by the light source may cause blurring of the image provided after diffusion of the light in the diffuser. The refraction elements may be designed such, e.g. by ray-tracing, that scattering of light inside the transparent wall portion is optimized. By provision of the refraction elements on the mask side of the transparent wall portion, these elements may be kept apart and not included in the product surface. Hence, the product appearance will not be adversely affected by provision of refraction elements on the mask side of the transparent wall portion. The refraction elements can be designed to obtain a converging bundle, such that the area of a cross-section of the bundle near the diffuser is smaller than the area of a cross-section of the bundle near the inner side or the mask side of the wall portion. This effect of reduction can be advantageously used to avoid overlap of symbols displayed by the diffuser.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the wall portion has the one or more refraction elements.

Refraction elements act as lenses, as explained above, to bundle the light emitted by the light source and to avoid any excessive scattering inside the transparent wall portion. The lenses or refractive elements can be integrated in e.g. the mould of the housing to avoid addition of extra components or parts. The housing may be molded in one operation together with the refraction elements. Being included in the transparent or translucent or semi-transparent wall portion and comprising similar transparent or translucent or semi-transparent material as the wall portion, no additional layer is present between the one or more refraction elements and the wall portion. Such an additional layer may cause scattering of emitted light prior to diffusion of the light in the diffuser.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the present one or more refraction elements are arranged to propagate light emitted by the light source into a bundle which is transmitted by the wall portion, the bundle being perpendicular to the diffuser.

As the bundle is perpendicular to the diffuser, secondary reflections are avoided. Such secondary reflections should cause scattering of the emitted light and blurring of sides of the image provided by the display means.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the mask is positioned against the transparent wall portion.

As the mask is positioned against the wall portion, no gap exists between the mask and the wall portion. Avoidance of such a gap prevents that light emitted by the light source enters the transparent wall portion in an uncontrolled and inclined direction with respect to the mask side surface of the transparent wall portion. If the light enters the surface at an inclination further scattering inside the transparent wall portion may result. Furthermore, the mask function may be affected in that neighboring parts of the display means or neighboring refraction elements receive light from an unintended light source.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention a diaphragm is positioned between the mask and the wall portion.

Light emitted by the light source can be reflected by the mask. In such a case this reflected light may be projected to the diffuser, whereby the illuminated segment of the diffuser may exceed a desired size of a segment of the display means. This aspect of mask reflection results to blurring of the image provided by the display means. The light emitted by the light source may also be refracted by the wall portion and cause scattering. Refraction and scattering in the wall portion increase with an increasing angle of incidence of the light entering the wall portion. Application of a diaphragm may alleviate these effects. The shape of the diaphragm will be projected or magnified on the diffusing layer on the wall portion, e.g. the outside of the product housing. Where a converging refraction element is applied in combination with the diaphragm the projected shape of the diaphragm can also be reduced after projection on the diffusing layer to avoid overlapping symbols or to obtain a higher resolution of the displayed symbols.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the diaphragm comprises a foil attached to the wall portion.

The foil may comprise segments and symbols being printed on the foil. Such a printed foil can be conveniently attached, e.g. by a glue, to the mask side of the wall portion, e.g. the inside of the product housing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the diaphragm is printed on the mask-side surface of the wall portion.

An efficient method to produce the domestic appliance comprises a step wherein the diaphragm is printed or spray-painted on the mask-side of the wall portion, e.g. the inside of the product housing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the diaphragm is included in the mask.

The applied mask comprises holes to enable light emitted by the light source to be incident on the wall portion. By decreasing the size of the holes in the mask it may be acquired that the light emitted by the light source is projected to the diffuser in a desired shape. The shape of the mask holes may be determined to obtain a desired shape of the projection of the emitted light on the diffuser.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the mask has slanted surfaces to reflect the light emitted by the light source away from the transparent wall.

Light emitted by the light source and hitting the mask-side surface of the transparent wall portion may be reflected at the mask-side surface of the transparent wall portion if the angle of incidence significantly deviates from a straight angle. Furthermore, light entering the transparent wall portion under an angle which significantly differs from a straight angle may be refracted inside the transparent wall portion. These phenomena may cause blurring of the image provided by the diffuser. By provision of the mask with slanted surfaces these effects may be mitigated. The sides of the mask holes may be chamfered such that the light emitted by the light source and reflected at the chamfer of the mask hole is reflected away from the transparent wall portion. If the chamfer or slanted surface would be absent such light would hit the surface of the transparent wall portion under a disadvantageous angle, causing reflections, refractions, scattering and finally a blurred image provided by the display means.

In an advantageous embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention the mask has light absorbing properties.

As explained here above, it is advantageous to project the light emitted by the light source sufficiently perpendicular to the surface of the transparent wall portion to avoid reflections, refractions, scattering and finally a blurred image provided by the display means. Light which is reflected by the sides of the mask holes may not be projected sufficiently perpendicular to the surface of the transparent wall portion. By the provision of light absorbing properties these reflections may be largely avoided.

The invention may be advantageously applied in a wake-up system.

The requirements which have to be fulfilled by a wake-up system comprise integrity of design and compactness as explained here above. Providing an enlarged degree of design freedom, the invention relaxes the set of antagonist requirements, which system is also part of the invention.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the wall portion is part of a main housing of the appliance and the diffusing layer completely covers the entire outer surface of the main housing.

The diffusing layer completely covering the entire outer surface of the main housing, the display can be completely integrated into the product housing and the design of the product housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this description, identical or corresponding parts, portions or components have identical or corresponding reference numerals. The description shows exemplary embodiments, which serve merely as an illustration. The exemplary embodiments should not be construed to be limitative in any manner.

FIG. 1schematically depicts a side view of a section of a known display20mounted into the housing6of a domestic appliance1. The housing6comprises a wall portion8having a recess18. The display20is mounted or provided into the recess18. The display20includes a display cover14having dimensions that correspond to the dimensions of the recess18to enable the mounting of the display20into the product housing6. The display20comprises a display mask or mask2, light sources10and diffusers4. The light sources10may for example be LED's. The light sources10are mounted to a board12. The diffusers4have diffuser surfaces16for diffusing light22emitted by the light sources10. The diffusers4are covered and protected by the display cover14. The display20is of a kind which may be generally available as a shelf article. Such separate displays may be available in a range of standardized dimensions, colors and styles. A preferred way of fitting or mounting such a separate component or display20into the product housing6may be such that the product surface24and the surface26of the display cover14are positioned in the same level after mounting the display20into the housing6. With such a way of fitting a smooth surface is obtained.

To mount such standardized displays into the housing of a product may result in a difference in level between the product surface24and the diffuser surface16. This difference in level is indicated by distance30inFIG. 1. A depth will be observed or perceived when looking at the information provided by the display20, because the light emitted by the light sources10is diffused at surface16. This perceived difference in level is an interruption of a smooth product surface. Furthermore, the display20usually has a color which differs from the color of the product housing6. If the display cover14is transparent and the product housing6is opaque, the transition between the display20and the product surface24may be marked. Such a noticeable transition is to the detriment of the integrity of the design of the product.

The design of a product may include a radius of curvature28, which may be interrupted near the position where the display is mounted. Such interruptions are perceived as a disruption of a nice and smooth product appearance. Because such disruptions of product appearance are to be avoided, the mounting of a standardized and separate display is a limitation of freedom of design.

FIG. 2is a side view of an embodiment of the domestic appliance1according to the invention. The domestic appliance has a display means20. The appliance20is provided with a wall or housing6. The wall6has a transparent integral wall portion8. InFIG. 2the transparent wall portion is schematically indicated by the dashed lines36. It is an integral portion in the sense that it is a part of the product structure, e.g. in the case where the product housing is a monolithic or monocoque structure such integral portion is comprised by the monolithic or monocoque structure, respectively. The display means10includes a diffuser4for the diffusion of light emitted by light sources10. In this embodiment the diffused light22is emitted at or near the surface24of the transparent wall portion8of the product housing6. A mask2is placed as an opaque border or pattern between and around the light sources10to enable exposure of specified portions of the diffuser4by the right light source and to prevent cross-talk between nearby display units38and40, each display unit38and40having its individual light source10. Thus the mask2prevents that the diffuser22which belongs to display unit40is illuminated when only the light source10of display unit38is switched on and vice versa.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 2the applied diffusing layer32is a lacquering layer34. Hence, display means20may be smoothly incorporated in the color provided to the housing6of the appliance1. The diffusing layer32being provided to the surface24of the housing6, there exists no change in any radius of curvature of the product. This continuity of curvature emphasizes a well considered and mature product design. The display20displays information in the form of light22which originates at the surface24of the product1. When observing the domestic appliance1the user, schematically depicted by an eye100, perceives the information which is displayed as directly touchable, palpable or tangible and as manifestly located on the surface24of the housing6of the domestic appliance1. The curvature of the display means20conforms to and is a smooth continuation of the curvature of the domestic appliance1. Hence, the display means according the invention realizes an esthetic effect which is advantageously integrated into a smooth product design. InFIG. 2the appliance1has a convex surface24like the exterior of a sphere, i.e. a surface or boundary that curves or bulges outward to the user100. However, it is conceivable that surface24is concave and that the wall portion is of considerable thickness. In this a design it is advantageous to apply refraction elements (40) (FIG. 3). Such refraction elements (40) can be used to reduce the image or symbol displayed at the surface24to avoid overlap between symbols.

InFIG. 3an embodiment of a display unit38of a display means20of a domestic appliance1according to the invention is schematically depicted. The unit38has a mask2and a light source10which emits light42towards a transparent integral wall portion8of the domestic appliance. The display unit38has a refraction element40, such as a lens. The refraction element40is attached to the transparent integral wall portion8. The refraction element40, e.g. a lens, may be a separate element or it may be included in the transparent portion8. In the former case the separation between the lens40and the wall portion8is indicated by a dashed line46. In the latter case the refraction element40may be molded in a single mold together with the wall or housing6of the appliance1and no additional parts have to be added to provide for the lens40. The lens40refracts the light42into a bundle of light44which propagates through the transparent wall portion8. After refraction the light44will be bundled such that a defined area48of a diffuser4is irradiated. The lens40may be designed such that the light46is irradiated substantially perpendicular to the irradiated area48of the diffuser4. Design strategies to accomplish such irradiation are generally known, e.g. ray-tracing.

InFIG. 4an embodiment of a display unit38of a display means20of a domestic appliance1according to the invention is schematically depicted. A diaphragm52is positioned between a mask2and a transparent wall portion8. The transparent wall portion8is an integral part of a housing6of the domestic appliance1, arranged similarly as the previously described embodiments. The unit38has a light source10which emits light42towards the transparent integral wall portion8of the domestic appliance1. An exterior ray of light43is incident on an edge51of diaphragm52under an angle of incidence53with a normal50to the mask side surface, i.e. the inner face,8aof the transparent wall portion8. By refraction a divergent bundle of light44is formed inside the wall portion8. The bundle of light44irradiates a diffuser4and light22is emitted by the diffuser over an irradiated area48. The size of the irradiated area will be larger than the size of the opening48ain the diaphragm52between the edges51. The shape of an opening in the diaphragm is projected or magnified on the diffuser4on the outside of the housing6. The diaphragm52of domestic appliance1may have a foil51which has printed segments or symbols in the form of openings48aof a predetermined shape. As illustrated according toFIG. 4, the shape of a diaphragm opening48ais projected on the irradiated area48into a displayed symbol or part of a symbol. The shape of the opening in the diaphragm48amay be determined according to known techniques to obtain a desired shape of the symbols displayed by the display unit38. Alternatively, a diaphragm may be printed on the mask-side surface8aof the transparent wall portion8. The wall portion8may be lacquered on the diffuser side, i.e. the outer side8bof the wall portion8, to provide the diffuser4to the transparent wall portion8. Alternatively, a diaphragm52may be included in the mask, e.g. by decreasing the dimensions82(seeFIG. 5) of the cross-section of the holes of the mask to arrive at a predetermined shape where the mask touches the mask side8aof the transparent wall portion8. Advantageously, the above described functionality of foil51(FIG. 4) may be incorporated into an inner housing1051as will be explained below according toFIG. 6.

InFIG. 5an embodiment of a domestic appliance1and a display means20according to the invention are schematically depicted. A diffuser4is provided on an outer side8bof an integral wall portion8of a housing6of the domestic appliance1. A mask2having slanted surfaces54is provided on an inner side8aof the wall portion8. The slanted surfaces54reflect light emitted by a light source10away from the transparent wall portion8. The light which is reflected away is indicated by an arrow56. A beam of light58emitted by the light source10is reflected near a transition60of one of the slanted surfaces54to a surface62of a mask hole83. The surface62is oriented perpendicular to the mask side surface8aof the wall portion8. A reflection64of beam58is incident on the integral wall portion8and will be refracted into a beam66which propagates through the transparent material of the wall portion8. Beam66diffuses at the diffuser4. Beam58is the utmost reflected beam that reaches the transparent wall portion8. A beam that hits the slanted surface54in a position below transition60will be reflected away from the transparent wall portion8similar to beam56. A diaphragm51is provided and has the effects as described here above, according toFIG. 4. The light source10is positioned on a center line78of the mask hole83. Reflection64is incident at a distance70from the center line78. The refracted beam66diffuses at a distance68from the position where beam64is incident, i.e. near an edge51aof diaphragm51. As a result the transition60is projected at a projection distance80. Projection distance80is the sum of distance68and distance70. The projection distance80is a function of height72and angle74of the slanted surface54, thickness of the mask76and distance82. By properly dimensioning of the slanted surfaces54the dimensions of the irradiated area of the diffuser4and the shape of the display symbols may be determined, e.g. by ray-tracing techniques. On top of beam64, light emitted by the light source10will directly propagate from the light source10to the edge51aof the diaphragm51. Said directly propagated light has an angle of incidence which is less than the angle of incidence of beam64. Hence, the projection of the directly propagated light will be closer to center line78than beam66. It is also possible to apply a combination of the above described technical features, such as any combination of a refraction element, a slanted surface and a diaphragm.

To avoid reflections on side walls62of the mask2the mask2may be provided with light absorbing properties in any embodiment of the invention. As an example this is illustrated according to the embodiment as schematically depicted inFIG. 5. The walls62being provided with light absorbing properties, beam58is at least partly absorbed. The portion of beam58which is reflected forms reflected beam64. Reflected beam64is of an intensity which is lower than the intensity of light which propagates directly from the light source to the mask side8a. The reduction of the intensity of the reflected beams can be advantageously used to obtain sharpness of the displayed symbols and to avoid blurry images.

InFIG. 6an embodiment of a display unit38of a display means20of a domestic appliance1according to the invention is schematically depicted. A diaphragm52is positioned between a mask2and a transparent wall portion8. The transparent wall portion8is an integral part of an outer housing6of the domestic appliance1, arranged similarly as the previously described embodiment as schematically depicted inFIG. 4. The unit38has several light sources10which emit light42towards the transparent integral wall portion8of the domestic appliance1. In the embodiment as depicted inFIG. 6the appliance1has an inner housing1051. The inner housing1051forms the diaphragm52of domestic appliance1, i.e. the functionality of the foil51of the embodiment as depicted inFIG. 4is now incorporated into the inner housing1051. Incorporation of the diaphragm into the inner housing1051of the appliance1brings the advantage that symbols and segments can be added to the inner housing by e.g. a laser or directly into a mould for producing the inner housing1051. In case a foil51according the embodiment ofFIG. 4is used, the color of the foil should preferably match the color of other visible parts of the appliance1. The part of the appliance1where the foil51according toFIG. 4is applied should preferably not be discernable from the rest of the appliance1in order to maintain a smooth and nice appearance of the appliance1. By incorporating the diaphragm function into the inner housing1051the foil51can be omitted, whereby a possible color difference originating from such foil over the surface of the appliance near the display is avoided.

By using the inner housing1051as the diaphragm52of the display it is avoided that such a display sticks out of the inner housing1051, because the diaphragm52and the inner housing1051are one and the same part, i.e. there exists no hard transition between the inner housing1051and the diaphragm52. In case a separate diaphragm is used it may happen that due to differences in tolerances the display or its separate diaphragm sticks out of the inner housing1051. This may cause disturbing visible reflection, shading and the like which affect the smooth appearance of the appliance1. A special embodiment of the domestic appliance according to the invention comprises a part of an inner housing1051of the appliance1.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example, it is possible to operate the invention in an embodiment wherein a combination is applied of the above described technical features, such as any combination of a refraction element, a slanted surface and a diaphragm. A diaphragm may be omitted to obtain a vague or hazy shape of the displayed symbols to emphasize a desired style or trend.