Lighted knob

Inventors: Nikhil Rajiv Altekar (Sangli, IN); Nikhil Sanjay Bhujbal (Pune, IN); Zachary J. Bruin-Slot (Baroda, MI); Devendra Bhaskar Shirore (Pune, IN); Pradeep Shankar Thorat (Stevensville, MI); Vishal Dhayagonde (Stevensville, MI)

Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

G02B6/0088

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12663577
App. No.: 19/262,853
Granted: Jun 23, 2026
Kind: B1

External Links

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Abstract

A backlight knob assembly provides light behind a knob on an appliance. A light guide transfers light from a light source in an encoder assembly in order to provide light behind the knob. The backlight knob assembly is coupled to a surface of the appliance with the encoder assembly being positioned behind a surface of the appliance and the light guide extending through an opening in the surface to the encoder assembly.

Claims (36)

1 . A backlight knob assembly for an appliance, comprising:

an encoder and light source positioned in an encoder assembly that is coupled to an inside surface of the appliance adjacent to an opening;

a light guide with an inner surface is positioned inside said opening in said appliance, said inner surface including a plurality of slots with tabs positioned in between said plurality of slots, said tabs being received in tab openings in said encoder assembly;

an outer encoder holder having a plurality of fastener openings and a central opening, said outer encoder holder positioned adjacent to an outer surface of said light guide;

one or more fasteners that couples said outer encoder holder to said encoder assembly; and

a knob coupled to a shaft on said encoder assembly.

2 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 1 , including an adhesive positioned between said encoder assembly and said inside surface of said appliance.

3 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 2 , wherein said adhesive includes a tape.

4 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 1 , wherein said surface of said appliance is a console.

5 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 1 , wherein said light guide has an outer surface with a diameter that is larger than the diameter of said outer encoder holder leaving an outer ring of said light guide uncovered by said outer encoder holder.

6 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 1 , wherein said one or more fasteners is a pair of fasteners spaced on opposite sides of said central shaft opening.

7 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the light guide is painted black over white.

8 . An appliance with a backlight knob assembly, comprising:

a console coupled to the appliance with a light guide opening;

an encoder and light source positioned in an encoder assembly that is coupled to an inside surface of the console adjacent to said light guide opening;

a light guide with an inner surface positioned inside said opening in said appliance, said inner surface including a plurality of tabs that are received in tab openings in said encoder assembly;

an outer encoder holder having a plurality of fastener openings, said outer encoder holder positioned adjacent to an outer surface of said light guide;

one or more fasteners that couples said outer encoder holder to tapped openings in said encoder assembly; and

a knob rotatably coupled to said encoder in said encoder assembly.

9 . The appliance of claim 8 , including an adhesive positioned between said encoder assembly and said inside surface of said appliance.

10 . The appliance of claim 9 , wherein said adhesive includes a section of tape.

11 . The appliance of claim 8 , wherein said console includes a plate positioned between an outer plate and a housing for the console.

12 . The appliance of claim 8 , wherein said light guide has an outer surface that is painted black over white.

13 . The appliance of claim 8 , wherein said one or more fasteners is a pair of fasteners spaced on opposite sides of a central opening in said outer encoder holder.

14 . The appliance of claim 8 , wherein said knob does not permit light to pass through the material of the knob.

15 . A backlight knob assembly for an appliance, comprising:

an encoder and light source positioned in an encoder assembly that is coupled to an inside surface of the appliance adjacent to a light guide opening;

a light guide with an inner surface positioned inside said light guide opening in said appliance, said light guide including a plurality of tabs that are received in a plurality of tab openings in said encoder assembly;

an outer encoder holder having a plurality of fastener openings, said outer encoder holder positioned adjacent to an outer surface of said light guide, leaving an outer ring of said light guide exposed;

one or more fasteners that couples said outer encoder holder to said encoder assembly; and

a knob coupled to said encoder assembly.

16 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 15 , including an adhesive positioned between said encoder assembly and said inside surface of said appliance.

17 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 15 , wherein said outer encoder holder includes an extension member that is received in a central opening said light guide.

18 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 15 , wherein said surface of said appliance is a console.

19 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 15 , wherein said one or more fasteners is a pair of fasteners spaced on opposite sides of a central shaft opening.

20 . The backlight knob assembly of claim 15 , wherein an outer surface of said light guide is painted black over white.