Button and household appliance

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of household appliances, and specifically provides a button and a household appliance. The present invention provides a new button, which is provided with a rear cover, the rear cover is provided with rear cover claws, and a first claw and a second claw are provided on the button bracket. During installation, the first claw of the button bracket is clamped with the front panel, and the second claw is clamped with the rear cover claws, and the first target object is clamped in the middle by the bracket and the rear cover body, so as to fix the bracket and the rear cover to the first target object, that is, to fix the button on the operation panel of the target household appliance. The button of the present invention has a simple structure, and can be installed on the household appliance control board from the outside of the front panel through the first claw, and then the rear cover is engaged with the second claw to lock the button bracket, further preventing it from falling off, realizing the fixation of the power button module on the sheet metal front panel, and at the same time meeting the functional requirements of firm fixation, not easy to fall off, and easy to disassemble after-sales.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of household appliances, and particularly provides a key and a household appliance. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, washing machines have been widely popularized. As consumers' requirements for the appearance of washing machines are getting higher and higher, an integrated sheet metal washing machine (drum) front panel has emerged as the times require. In the prior art, the power button structures of most drum washing machines are installed and fixed on a plastic main control board from the inside of the washing machine cabinet. Since the plastic main control board is processed by an injection molding process, this process means can set fixing structures such as claws inside the main control board for installing the power button. However, the sheet metal front panel (main control board) has a thin thickness and a simple structure, and can only be processed with a simple flanging structure, and the above-mentioned fixing structure cannot be prepared by a reasonable process method. Therefore, the power button structure in the prior art cannot be applied to the new sheet metal front panel; in addition, if the power button is installed from the inside of the washing machine, a large rounded corner gap will be left in the appearance part of the sheet metal front panel, resulting in an unattractive appearance of the washing machine.

[0003] If the power button structure is to be installed on the sheet metal front panel, the power button module needs to be installed from the outside of the washing machine to ensure the appearance requirements.

[0004] Correspondingly, there is a need in the art for a new key to solve the above problems, so as to fix the power button on the washing machine panel while meeting the requirements of detachable operation after-sales. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems in the prior art, that is, to solve the problem that the power button cannot be fixedly installed from the outside on the washing machine panel and meet the detachable operation after-sales, the present invention provides a key, which includes a bracket, a first claw, a second claw and a rear cover; the first claw and the second claw are fixedly connected or integrally formed with the bracket along the installation direction of the bracket; the rear cover includes a rear cover body, a disassembly structure provided on the rear cover body, and a rear cover claw provided on the disassembly structure; in the use state, the bracket and the rear cover body clamp a first target object in the middle, and the first claw is clamped with the first target object, and the second claw is clamped with the rear cover claw, so as to fix the bracket and the rear cover to the first target object.

[0006] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned button, there are two first claws, and the two first claws are symmetrically arranged with respect to the installation direction of the bracket; and / or, there are two second claws, and the two second claws are symmetrically arranged with respect to the installation direction of the bracket; the rear cover includes two symmetrically arranged disassembly structures, and each disassembly structure is respectively provided with a rear cover claw.

[0007] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned button, the bracket includes a bracket body and two symmetric side plates, and each side plate is provided with a first claw and a second claw; the rear cover claw is arranged inside the disassembly structure.

[0008] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned button, the button further includes a button board fixedly connected to the bracket body, and the button board is located on the side of the bracket body away from the side plate; and / or, the button further includes a control board fixedly connected to the bracket body, and the control board is located on the side of the bracket body close to the side plate; and / or, the button further includes a sealing ring connected to the bracket body; in the use state, the sealing ring is located between the bracket body and the side wall of the mounting hole formed on the first target object.

[0009] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned button, an annular groove is provided on the bracket body, and the sealing ring is clamped into the annular groove.

[0010] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned button, a support rib for abutting against the first target object is provided on the side of the rear cover body away from the disassembly structure; and / or, an operation part for the operator to operate is provided at the end of the disassembly structure away from the rear cover body.

[0011] In addition, the present invention also provides a household appliance, and the household appliance includes the button according to any one of the above-mentioned preferred technical solutions.

[0012] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned household appliance, the first target object is the front panel of the household appliance, and the bracket is installed on the front panel in a manner from outside to inside.

[0013] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned household appliance, a stop structure for abutting against the bracket is provided inside the front panel.

[0014] In the preferred technical solution of the above-mentioned household appliance, the household appliance is a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer.

[0015] In a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a button including a bracket and a rear cover is provided. The button bracket is provided with a first claw and a second claw, and the first claw and the second claw are arranged to be fixedly connected or integrally formed with the bracket along the installation direction of the button bracket respectively. The first claw is clamped with a first target object, and the second claw is clamped with a rear cover claw. The first target object is clamped in the middle by the bracket and the rear cover body, so as to fix the bracket and the rear cover to the first target object, that is, to fix the button on the operation panel of the target household appliance. The button structure of the present invention is simple and can be installed on the household appliance control board from the outside of the front panel. The first claw of the button bracket can be clamped on the sheet metal flanging, and then the rear cover is engaged with the second claw to lock the button bracket, further preventing it from falling off, realizing the fixation of the power button module on the sheet metal front panel, and at the same time meeting the functional requirements of firm fixation, not easy to fall off, and easy to disassemble after-sales. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1-1 is the front view of the button of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 1-2 is the left view of the button of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is the overall structure schematic diagram of the first perspective of the button of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is the overall structure schematic diagram of the second perspective of the button of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the button of the present invention after being assembled at the target position;

[0022] Figure 5 is the exploded schematic diagram of the assembly process of the button of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 is the structure schematic diagram of the button of the present invention assembled at the target position;

[0024] Figure 7 is the structure schematic diagram of the button of the present invention assembled on the front panel of the washing machine;

[0025] 1 - Button, 11 - Bracket, 111 - Bracket body, 112 - Side plate, 113 - Annular groove, 12 - First claw, 13 - Second claw, 14 - Button plate, 15 - Control board, 16 - Sealing ring;

[0026] 2 - Front panel, 21 - Mounting hole, 22 - Stopping structure, 3 - Rear cover, 31 - Rear cover claw, 32 - Wing plate. Detailed implementation manners

[0027] Those skilled in the art should understand that the implementation manners in this section are only used to explain the technical principle of the present invention and are not used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. For example, although the components in the drawings are drawn according to a certain proportional relationship, this proportional relationship is not fixed. Those skilled in the art can adjust it as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios, and the adjusted technical solution will still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0028] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms indicating directions or position relationships such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the directions or position relationships shown in the drawings. This is only for convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] In addition, it should also be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0030] As Figure 1-1 、 Figure 1-2 and Figure 2 shown, the key 1 of the present invention includes a bracket 11, a first claw 12 and a second claw 13. The first claw 12 and the second claw 13 are respectively connected to the bracket 11 along the installation direction of the control panel of the household appliance. The first claw 12 and the second claw 13 can be fixedly connected to the bracket 11 or integrally formed. Among them, the first claw 12 is used for clamping with a first target object so that the bracket 11 and the first target object are fixed together, and the second claw 13 is used for clamping with a second target object so that the bracket 11 and the second target object are fixed together. By clamping and connecting the two claws with the two target objects respectively, the bracket 11 is fixed more firmly under its dual action. Further, the bracket 11 can be processed from a metal material or plastic can be selected as the raw material, as long as it has a certain elastic restoring force and can realize the clamping connection between the first claw 12 and the first target object and between the second claw 13 and the second target object.

[0031] Refer toFigure 7 , for example, taking the sheet metal front panel 2 of a drum washing machine as the first target object, the button 1 of the present invention is installed on the installation hole 21 of the sheet metal front panel 2 (refer to Figure 3 , Figure 5 ). The first claw 12 extends from the outside of the front panel 2 (the side where the washing machine drum is located is the inside of the front panel 2, and the other side is the outside) through the installation hole 21 into the inside of the front panel 2 and engages with the sheet metal flange, so that the bracket 11 cannot be disengaged from the front panel 2 in the reverse direction along the installation direction, thereby fixing the button 1 on the washing machine front panel 2.

[0032] Refer to Figure 3 , preferably, a stop structure 22 for abutting against the bracket 11 is provided on the inside of the front panel 2 to limit the movement of the bracket 11 towards the inside of the washing machine cabinet. In this embodiment, a bending structure is provided on the front panel 2 as the stop structure 22. The processing technology of this bending structure is simple and has sufficient strength to effectively block the movement of the bracket 11 towards the inside of the washing machine, so that in cooperation with the first claw 12, the bracket 11 is fixed on the sheet metal front panel 2; in addition, this bending stop structure 22 can also increase the strength of the flanging structure around the installation hole 21 provided on the front panel 2. Those skilled in the art can understand that the stop structure 22 can also be set in other forms, such as setting a limit screw or other structures to limit the movement of the bracket 11 towards the inside of the washing machine cabinet.

[0033] Refer to Figure 1-2 and Figure 4 , preferably, in order to enable the bracket 11 to be stably and firmly fixed on the front panel 2 of the target household appliance, the number of the first claws 12 of the button 1 is set to two, and the two first claws 12 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the installation direction of the bracket 11. In this way, the two first claws 12 can evenly share the moment of the clamping connection on both sides of the bracket 11, thereby firmly fixing the bracket 11 on the washing machine sheet metal front panel 2. Preferably, the two first claws 12 are respectively arranged on the two longer side surfaces of the bracket 11 to make its structure more reasonable, thereby avoiding the situation that the bracket 11 is deformed due to the stress concentration effect after the button is installed in place.

[0034] Preferably, correspondingly to the two first claws 12, the second claws 13 are set to two, and the two second claws 13 are also symmetrically arranged with respect to the installation direction of the bracket 11. Further, the two second claws 13 are respectively arranged on the two longer side surfaces of the bracket 11, corresponding to the positions of the two first claws 12. Such a setting optimizes the moment acting on the bracket 11 after installation, making its installation more firm and stable.

[0035] Continue to refer to Figure 1-2 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 andFigure 4 , preferably, the bracket 11 includes a bracket body 111 and two symmetric side plates 112. The bracket body 111 is an annular columnar body, and its external shape is adapted to the mounting hole 21. When the bracket 11 is mounted to the front panel 2, the bracket body 111 can be assembled and engaged with the flange of the mounting hole 21 (the circumferential side wall approximately perpendicular to the front panel 2 inside the mounting hole 21), so as to fix the bracket 11 in the circumferential direction; the side plates 112 are used to arrange the first claw 12 and the second claw 13, and one first claw 12 and one second claw 13 are arranged on each side plate 112. Moreover, the two side plates 112 can be symmetrically arranged along the center line of the bracket body 11, or can be asymmetrically arranged; the width of the side plate 112 is smaller than the side length of the bracket body 111 where it is located, so that during the installation process, the side plate 112 can extend into the inside of the front panel 2 through the mounting hole 21 together with the first claw 12 and the second claw 13.

[0036] Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , preferably, the button 1 further includes a second target object, and a latching structure corresponding to the second claw 13 is arranged on the second target object; in the use state, one end of the second target object away from the latching structure abuts against the first target object.

[0037] Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6, in a specific embodiment, the second target object is set as the rear cover 3. Preferably, the button 1 includes the rear cover 3. The rear cover 3 includes a rear cover body, and two disassembly structures are symmetrically arranged on the rear cover body. And each disassembly structure is respectively provided with a rear cover claw 31, and the rear cover claw 31 is arranged inside the disassembly structure. In the use state, the bracket 11 and the rear cover body sandwich the front panel 2 in the middle. The first claw is clamped and connected with the flanging of the mounting hole 21 of the front panel 2, and the second claw is clamped and connected with the rear cover claw 31, so as to fix the bracket 11 and the rear cover 3 to the front panel 2. The rear cover claw 31 corresponds to the position of the second claw 13. When the bracket 11 of the button 1 is clamped to the front panel 2 of the washing machine sheet metal through the first claw 12, the button 1 is installed by clamping the second claw 13 with the rear cover claw 31 of the rear cover 3. Preferably, a support rib for abutting against the front panel 2 is arranged on one side of the rear cover body far away from the disassembly structure. After the second claw 13 is clamped and installed with the rear cover claw 31, the support rib abuts against the front panel 2 of the sheet metal, providing a moment pointing to the inside of the front panel 2 for the second claw 13, so that the rear cover 3 is fixedly abutted against the bracket 11. In this case, the clamping of the rear cover 3 and the second claw 13 and the clamping of the first claw 12 and the flanging of the front panel 2 are self-locking to each other. Under the action of their mutual moments (reverse moments), the bracket 11 is firmly fixed in place, so as to stably and firmly install the button 1 on the front panel 2 of the washing machine sheet metal. Preferably, an operation part for the operator to operate is arranged at one end of the disassembly structure on the rear cover 3 far away from the rear cover body. Specifically, 2 wing plates 32 are arranged on the rear cover 3. The wing plates 32 are connected to the rear cover claw 31 and extend along the direction away from the bracket main body 111. The wing plates 32 can control the rear cover claw 31 to be away from the second claw 13 when disassembling the rear cover 3, so as to separate the rear cover 3 from the bracket 11.

[0038] In a possible embodiment, the second target object can also be set in the form of a frame. The frame has a clamping structure capable of being clamped with the second claw 13. The clamping structure can be a limiting hole or an inverted hook-shaped claw, as long as it can limit the movement of the bracket 11 in the installation direction of the bracket 11. In the use state, one end of the frame far away from the clamping structure can abut against the front panel 2 of the washing machine, providing a moment pointing to the inside of the front panel 2 for the second claw 13.

[0039] In a possible embodiment, the second target object can also be set as an elastic bracket. The elastic bracket is provided with a clamping structure corresponding to the second claw 13. In the use state, one end of the elastic bracket far away from the clamping structure abuts against the front panel 2 of the washing machine (or directly fixes the elastic bracket inside the front panel 2). An elastic member is arranged between the end of the elastic bracket abutting against the front panel 2 and the second claw 13. By clamping and connecting the elastic bracket with the second claw 13 of the bracket 11, the elastic member is extruded to be in a compressed state, so as to fix the bracket 11 on the front panel 2 by means of the restoring moment of the elastic member.

[0040] Refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 Figure 5 , the button 1 further includes a button board 14 fixedly connected to the bracket body 111. The button board 14 is located on the side of the bracket body 111 away from the side plate 112 and is bonded to the bracket 11. After the button 1 is assembled at the target position, the button board 14 serves as an operation part and is placed outside the front panel 2 for the user to press and operate to control the washing machine program.

[0041] Continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 Figure 5 , the button 1 further includes a control board 15 fixedly connected to the bracket body 111. The control board 15 is located on the side of the bracket body 111 close to the side plate 112, is bonded to the bracket 11, and is electrically connected to the button board 14. After the button 1 is assembled at the target position, the control board 15 is located inside the front panel 2; the control board 15 is also provided with an external interface for connecting a control circuit or a driving device.

[0042] Continue to refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 Figure 5 , the button 1 further includes a sealing ring 16 connected to the bracket body 111; in the use state, the sealing ring 16 is located between the bracket body 111 and the side wall of the mounting hole formed on the first target object, that is, in this embodiment, the sealing ring 16 is located between the bracket body 111 and the side wall of the mounting hole 21 of the washing machine front panel 2. Return to reference Figure 2 Figure 2 , preferably, an annular groove 113 is further provided on the bracket body 111, and the sealing ring 16 is snapped into the annular groove 113 to seal and connect the bracket body 111 and the mounting hole 21. By providing the sealing ring 16, the gap between the bracket 11 and the front panel 2 is reduced, so that the assembly of the button 1 is more secure and stable.

[0043] In addition, the present invention also provides a household appliance having the button 1 in any of the above embodiments.

[0044] Specifically, among them, the first target object is the front panel of the household appliance, and the bracket of the button of the present invention is installed on the front panel in a manner from outside to inside ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 Figure 5 the direction from left to right shown in is from outside to inside).

[0045] Preferably, in the specific embodiment of the above household appliance, a stop structure abutting against the bracket is provided on the inner side of the front panel of the household appliance. The stop structure may be the bending structure in the above embodiment or other forms of limiting structures, and the present invention does not limit this here.

[0046] Specifically, since the present invention provides a key device with a novel connection structure, those skilled in the art can understand that the present invention can be applied to various household appliances. For example, the household appliances can be washing machines, washer-dryers, or dryers that require key operations.

[0047] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , when the key 1 is installed on the front panel of the household appliance, first bond the key board 14 and the control board 15 to the bracket body 111 of the bracket 11 respectively, then sleuth the sealing ring 16 on the annular groove 113, and then insert the above components as a whole into the installation hole 21 from the outside of the front panel 2, so that the side plate 112 (together with the first claw 12 and the second claw 13) extends into the inner side of the front panel 2 through the installation hole 21, so that the first claw 12 is engaged and connected with the flange of the installation hole 21. At this time, the sealing ring 16 is located between the bracket body 111 and the side wall of the installation hole 21, and the key 1 is fixedly abutted against the front panel 2. Further, buckle the rear cover 3 on the outside of the bracket 11 from the inner side of the front panel 2, so that the second claw 13 is engaged and connected with the rear cover claw 31 of the rear cover 3. At the same time, one end of the rear cover 3 away from the rear cover claw 31 abuts against the sheet metal front panel 2, so that the rear cover 3 is fixedly abutted against the bracket 11. Thus, under the complementary action of the two pairs of engaging structures symmetrically distributed respectively, the key 1 is firmly fixed on the front panel 2 of the target household appliance. The steps for removing the key 1 from the front panel of the household appliance are opposite to the above installation steps, and will not be described in detail here.

[0048] So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. However, those skilled in the art can easily understand that the protection scope of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A button, characterized in that, The button includes a bracket, a first claw, a second claw and a rear cover; The first claw and the second claw are fixedly connected to or integrally formed with the bracket along the installation direction of the bracket respectively; The rear cover includes a rear cover body, a disassembly structure provided on the rear cover body, and a rear cover claw provided on the disassembly structure. Two wing plates are provided on the rear cover, and the wing plates are connected to the rear cover claw; In the use state, the bracket and the rear cover body clamp a first target object therebetween, and the first claw is clamped with the first target object, and the second claw is clamped with the rear cover claw, so as to fix the bracket and the rear cover to the first target object; The first target object is the front panel of a household appliance. The rear cover includes two symmetrically arranged disassembly structures, and each disassembly structure is provided with a rear cover claw respectively. A support rib abutting against the front panel is provided on one side of the rear cover body away from the disassembly structure. After the second claw is clamped and installed with the rear cover claw, the support rib abuts against the front panel, so that the rear cover is fixedly abutted against the bracket. The clamping of the rear cover with the second claw and the clamping of the first claw with the flanging of the front panel are self-locking with each other, so that the bracket is firmly fixed in place.

2. The button according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two first claws, and the two first claws are symmetrically arranged with respect to the installation direction of the bracket; and / or, There are two second claws, and the two second claws are symmetrically arranged with respect to the installation direction of the bracket.

3. The button according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bracket includes a bracket body and two symmetric side plates. One first claw and one second claw are provided on the outer side of each side plate; The rear cover claw is arranged on the inner side of the disassembly structure.

4. The button according to claim 3, characterized in that, The button further includes a button board fixedly connected to the bracket body, and the button board is located on the side of the bracket body away from the side plate; and / or, The button further includes a control board fixedly connected to the bracket body, and the control board is located on the side of the bracket body close to the side plate; and / or, The button further includes a sealing ring connected to the bracket body; in the use state, the sealing ring is located between the bracket body and the side wall of the installation hole formed on the first target object.

5. The button according to claim 4, characterized in that, An annular groove is provided on the bracket body, and the sealing ring is clamped into the annular groove.

6. The button according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that A support rib abutting against the first target object is provided on one side of the rear cover body away from the disassembly structure; and / or, An operation part for an operator to operate is provided at one end of the disassembly structure away from the rear cover body.

7. A household appliance, characterized in that, The household appliance includes the button according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The household appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bracket is installed on the front panel in a manner from outside to inside.

9. The household appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that, A stop structure abutting against the bracket is provided on the inner side of the front panel.

10. The household appliance according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The household appliance is a washing machine, a washer-dryer or a dryer.

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