Hidden interface panel assembly of oral cleaning appliance and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A hidden interface panel assembly for an oral cleaning appliance comprises a translucent panel housing; at least one light-emitting element disposed on the interior of the panel housing; a baffle structure disposed around the light-emitting element to limit the light from each light-emitting element to its associated marking; a translucent first coating layer covering the interior surface of the panel housing; and a second coating layer covering the exterior surface of the panel housing to block the passage of light. The second coating layer includes a laser-engraved area defining markings representing multiple states of the oral cleaning appliance, extending to the exterior surface of the panel housing. Light generated by the light-emitting element can be viewed by the user through the first coating layer, the panel housing, and the laser-engraved area. The first coating layer evenly disperses light, making the light from the illuminated marking more uniform and softer, and refracts and reflects light directed toward adjacent markings, thereby resolving the problem of scattered light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of display technology, and in particular relates to a hidden interface panel assembly of an oral cleaning appliance and a manufacturing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] There is usually a user interface panel on the handle of the oral cleaning device, which provides the user with associated marks for various states. For example, the interface panel of the oral cleaning device displays different cleaning modes or brush head speeds and amplitudes, as well as battery levels, etc. through marks.

[0003] Some oral cleaning appliances have a hidden interface panel. When the oral cleaning appliance is turned off, the interface panel is completely blank and does not display any markings. When the oral cleaning appliance is turned on, markings illuminated by light can be seen on the interface panel, which increases the attractiveness and aesthetics of the oral cleaning appliance.

[0004] like Figure 1 The figure shows a cross-sectional structure diagram of a hidden interface panel. The panel includes a transparent plastic base plate 1, a dark first coating 3 covering the surface of the plastic base plate 1, and a light second coating 2 covering the first coating 3. Marking areas 4 are reserved on the dark first coating, and these marking areas are not coated with the dark first coating 3. An LED lamp body 5 is provided on the inner side of the plastic base plate 1. When the LED lamp body 5 is illuminated, light passes through the marking area, and the same light and shadow as the marking can be observed on the outside of the panel, indicating the status of the oral cleaning device. To prevent light crosstalk, a baffle structure is provided around each LED, which limits the light generated by each LED to its associated front panel marking.

[0005] The disadvantages of this hidden interface panel are that there are still problems with light leakage and the LED light being too bright and dazzling. When the LED lamp body 5 under a certain mark is illuminated, a certain brightness of light and shadow will appear in the adjacent mark area, causing the mark in the adjacent area to illuminate and confuse the user. In addition, the direct light from the LED lamp is too bright and dazzling. One way to solve this problem is to improve the light source baffle structure, but this will inevitably add new structures, new processes, and increase costs. At the same time, because the light-colored second coating 2 covers the mark area, in order to make the mark area visible, the second coating 2 needs to be light-transmissive. In this case, the color of the handle shell is presented by the first coating 3. The first coating 3 needs to have the effect of both shading and presenting the visual color of the handle. The color and material of the first coating are limited and cannot present various colors that users like. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In response to the technical problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a hidden interface panel assembly for an oral cleaning appliance, which can solve the problem of light leakage from the markings in the user hidden interface panel of the oral cleaning appliance or excessive brightness of the LED light.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0008] The present technical solution is a hidden interface panel assembly of an oral cleaning appliance, characterized by comprising:

[0009] Light-transmitting panel housing;

[0010] at least one light emitting element is provided on the inner side of the panel housing;

[0011] a baffle structure disposed around the light-emitting elements to confine the light from each light-emitting element to its associated indicia;

[0012] a light-transmissive first coating layer covering the inner surface of the panel housing; and

[0013] a second coating layer covering the outer surface of the panel housing for blocking light from passing through;

[0014] Among them, a laser engraved area with marks indicating multiple states of the oral cleaning appliance is provided on the second coating layer, and the laser engraved area extends to the outer surface of the panel shell. The light generated by the light-emitting element can be seen by the user through the first coating layer, the panel shell and the laser engraved area.

[0015] The technical effect of this technical solution is that, by making the first coating layer on the inner surface of the panel shell, the light generated by the light-emitting element must first pass through the first coating layer, and the light can be evenly dispersed in the first coating layer, so that the light and shadow of the lit associated marks are more uniform and soft, reducing the problem of light glare. At the same time, the first coating layer weakens the light scattered to the adjacent marks to the point that it is not visible to the user, avoiding confusion among the user about which mode is actually selected, and there is no need to make further improvements to the light source baffle structure.

[0016] In one example of this technical solution, the first coating layer is a light diffusion coating, which can prevent light leakage from illuminating the mark corresponding to the unselected state.

[0017] Light diffusion paint uses a paint with a high refraction rate. The light diffusion paint is used for directional light emitted from the light-emitting element to the associated mark. Since the directional light is perpendicular to the light diffusion paint or the incident angle is very small, the directional light will pass through the light diffusion paint, and the directional light will be more uniform; the scattered light emitted to the adjacent mark is refracted and reflected to avoid light leakage so that the adjacent mark is also illuminated or partially illuminated, making it difficult for users to confuse the actual illuminated mark, while making the LED light softer and the manufacturing process simpler.

[0018] In an example of this technical solution, the outer surface of the second coating layer is further covered with a color-developing layer that allows the panel housing to present a desired visual color, and the laser engraving area extends through the color-developing layer.

[0019] Furthermore, the color-developing layer is an electroplating layer and / or a pigment layer. The electroplating layer imparts a metallic luster to the oral cleaning appliance panel housing, while the pigment layer imparts a desired visual color to the panel housing. The color-developing layer provides a wide range of color options for the panel housing, reducing the requirements for the second coating layer, which only needs to block light, without requiring a specific color.

[0020] Furthermore, the color-developing layer may have the same color or a color close to that of the first coating layer. Since both layers have the same or similar colors, when the light-emitting element is not illuminated, the visual color of the mark and the panel housing can be made consistent, thereby achieving a better effect of hiding the mark.

[0021] In one example of this technical solution, a protective coating layer covering the color-developing layer is further included. The protective coating layer is a clear coating layer of polyurethane or similar material, which is used to protect the panel from wear and tear.

[0022] In one example of this technical solution, the color-developing layer can be omitted, and the color of the second coating layer can be used as the color of the panel housing to present the desired visual color, and the protective coating layer can be coated on the second coating layer. Due to the lack of a color-developing layer, the requirements for the second coating layer are higher, namely, it must be able to block light and also take into account the appearance color of the handle. The second coating layer can have the same color as or a similar color as the first coating layer. Because both use the same or similar colors, when the light-emitting element is not illuminated, the visual color of the mark can be made consistent with that of the panel housing, achieving the effect of better concealing the mark.

[0023] In one example of this technical solution, the color development layer may also be an electroplating layer plus a pigment layer, so that the base color of the pigment layer is the color of the electroplating layer, thereby making the panel housing appear metallic in color.

[0024] In an example of this technical solution, the light-emitting element is an LED, and each mark corresponds to an LED.

[0025] In an example of this technical solution, the LED has at least two brightness levels, one brightness level is used to illuminate the mark corresponding to the selected state, and the other lower brightness level is used to illuminate the mark corresponding to the unselected state.

[0026] Another technical solution of the present invention is to provide an oral cleaning appliance, comprising a handle, wherein the handle comprises a handle shell and a hidden interface panel assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 arranged on the handle shell.

[0027] The third technical solution of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a hidden interface panel assembly of an oral cleaning appliance, comprising the following steps:

[0028] S1. A first coating layer is applied to the inner surface of the light-transmitting panel housing;

[0029] S2. A second coating layer is applied to the outer surface of the light-transmitting panel housing. The color of the second coating layer can block light from the light-emitting element inside the panel housing;

[0030] S3. A color developing layer is applied to the surface of the second coating layer, wherein the color developing layer is electroplated to generate a plating layer and / or a pigment coating layer, wherein the plating layer makes the oral cleaning appliance panel housing present a metallic luster, and the pigment layer makes the panel housing present a desired visual color;

[0031] S4. Using laser engraving, a laser engraved area is formed on the panel, penetrating the second coating layer and the color-developing layer to indicate the various states of the oral cleaning device. Light generated by the light-emitting element can pass through the laser engraved area to the outside of the handle and be seen by the user.

[0032] In one example of this technical solution, a protective coating layer is also coated on the color-developing layer. The protective coating layer is a clear coating layer of polyurethane or similar material, which is used to protect the panel from wear and tear.

[0033] The oral cleaning appliance of the present invention can be an electric toothbrush, an oral irrigator, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in describing the embodiments of the present invention. The drawings described below are only for some embodiments. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0035] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional structural view of a hidden interface panel in the prior art.

[0036] Figure 2This is a view of the electric toothbrush in an embodiment of the present application, which is in an unpowered and closed state.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a view of the electric toothbrush in an embodiment of the present application, which is now in the powered-on state.

[0038] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the electric toothbrush in an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 5 These are some examples of markings displayed on the panel of the hidden interface panel component of the electric toothbrush in the embodiment of the present application when it is turned on.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the hidden interface panel assembly of the electric toothbrush in the embodiment of the present application, and the baffle structure 133 is not shown in the figure.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the hidden interface panel assembly of the electric toothbrush in the embodiment of the present application, and the baffle structure 133 is not shown in the figure.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the hidden interface panel assembly of the electric toothbrush in the embodiment of the present application, and the baffle structure 133 is not shown in the figure.

[0043] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the hidden interface panel assembly of the electric toothbrush in the embodiment of the present application, and the baffle structure 133 is not shown in the figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0046] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature identified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0047] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0048] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0049] In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in this field can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is mutually contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of the present invention.

[0050] In the subsequent description, suffixes such as “module,” “component,” “assembly,” or “unit” are used only to facilitate the description of the present invention and have no specific meanings. Therefore, they can be used interchangeably.

[0051] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, this embodiment is an electric toothbrush, comprising a handle 10 and a brush head assembly 20. The brush head assembly is detachably mounted on the handle 10. The brush head assembly 20 comprises an elongated neck 21 and a brush component 22 for cleaning teeth.

[0053] The handle 10 includes a handle shell 11, a driving component 12 installed in the handle shell to drive the brush head assembly to vibrate, a hidden interface panel component 13, a switch component 14 for starting or turning off the oral cleaning appliance, and a button component 15 for selecting a mode or state, wherein the switch component 14 for starting or turning off the oral cleaning appliance and the button component for selecting a mode or state can be a combination of functions into one component, the driving component 12 is a vibration motor, and the driving shaft 121 of the vibration motor extends out of the upper end of the handle shell for connecting to the brush head assembly 20.

[0054] The handle housing 11 also houses a control system and power supply 17. The control system includes a circuit board 139, to which a microswitch and a light-emitting element 132 are electrically connected. The switch component 14 can activate the microswitch to turn the oral cleaning appliance on and off, and the button component 15 can activate the microswitch to control the speed of the drive assembly 12 and the brightness of the light-emitting element 132. A baffle structure 133 is provided around the light-emitting element 132 to limit the light from each light-emitting element to its associated marking. The bottom of the handle 10 can also be adapted to accommodate a base 30 for placing and charging the electric toothbrush.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, when the electric toothbrush is in the off state, the hidden interface panel assembly 13 is generally blank, and the user cannot see any mark on the hidden interface panel assembly. When the electric toothbrush is in the power-on state, the light-emitting element under the hidden interface panel assembly is lit, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in , users can see the mark on the hidden interface panel component, such as Figure 3 The text marks "clean", "soft", "white" and "massage" that express the modes of the electric toothbrush can also be lit up with pattern marks. These pattern marks can indicate to the user some status information or working mode of the electric toothbrush, such as Figure 5 As shown in , some examples of illuminated pattern marks are given.

[0056] The modes of the electric toothbrush mentioned above are switched by pressing the mode or state selection component 15 on the handle 10. When the selected working mode is cleaning, the word "clean" marked 137 will be illuminated by the corresponding light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is an LED. All LEDs have two brightness levels. The LED corresponding to the "clean" mode is at a high brightness level, making the "clean" mark appear highlighted, while the LEDs corresponding to the other "soft", "white" and "massage" modes are at a lower brightness level to distinguish them from the selected mode "clean". These LEDs are all controlled by the control system inside the handle.

[0057] like Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the hidden interface panel assembly 13 includes a light-transmitting panel housing 131, a plurality of light-emitting elements 132 provided on the inner side of the panel housing, a baffle structure 133 (not shown in the figure) provided around the light-emitting elements for limiting the light of each light-emitting element to its associated mark, a first light-transmitting paint layer 134 covering the inner surface of the panel housing, a second paint layer 135 covering the outer surface of the panel housing for blocking the passage of light, and a color-developing layer covering the second paint layer to make the panel housing present a desired visual color.

[0058] The panel housing is part of the handle housing, that is, the panel housing and the handle housing are an integrated structure. The panel housing is transparent or translucent, allowing the light generated by the internal LED to pass through. The panel housing is made of plastic material.

[0059] A laser-engraved area with a mark 137 that defines multiple states or modes of the electric toothbrush is provided on the second coating layer. The laser-engraved area extends to the outer surface of the panel shell and the color-developing layer. The light generated by the light-emitting element passes through the first coating layer, the panel shell, the laser-engraved area to the outside of the handle and is seen by the user. The user can see the light and shadow of the mark.

[0060] The mark 137 that passes through the second coating layer and the color development layer is produced by laser engraving. Although other means can also be used, this is usually done by laser.

[0061] The color-developing layer is a pigment layer 136a, which can be various common colors. In order to achieve the hiding effect of the mark on the hidden interface panel component, the color-developing layer has the same or similar color as the first paint layer. When the light-emitting element is not illuminated, the color of the mark seen by the user is consistent with the color of the hidden interface panel component, and the mark is not visible.

[0062] The hidden interface panel assembly also includes a protective coating layer 138 covering the color-developing layer. The protective coating layer is a clear coating layer of polyurethane or similar material, which is used to protect the panel from wear and tear, is not easy to get dirty, and has a waterproof effect.

[0063] The depressions produced in the laser engraving area on the second coating layer and the color developing layer are filled with the protective coating layer when applying the protective coating layer, so that the laser engraving area is flush with the surface of the hidden interface panel assembly.

[0064] The light-emitting element is an LED, with each mark corresponding to an LED. LEDs can be of various colors, but white is typically used. The color is generally chosen based on the handle color for optimal visual quality. LEDs can be multicolored, but this is generally more expensive. The color of the first coating layer can be adjusted to ensure that the white LED light appears as the desired color after passing through it. Markings include text and pictorial markings, and either or both can be used to express the operating mode of the electric toothbrush.

[0065] The second coating layer for blocking light is a gray or black coating. The selected color must be able to block the light from the LED or other light sources inside the handle. Its thickness is usually between 10um and 16um.

[0066] First coating layer 134 utilizes a light-diffusing coating, which evens out light, making the currently illuminated mark's shadow more uniform and soft. Furthermore, the light-diffusing coating has a high refractive index. The light-emitting element is typically positioned directly below the associated mark. Light directed at the mark at a right angle or at a very low angle of incidence will penetrate the coating and reach the laser-engraved area. Based on the principles of light reflection and refraction, scattered light directed at adjacent marks will partially reflect off the surface of the light-diffusing coating. The remaining light entering the coating will then be refracted and then fully reflected within the coating. This prevents light leakage that could illuminate adjacent marks, or even partially illuminate them, making it difficult for users to confuse the actual illuminated mark. This also softens the LED light and simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0067] In another embodiment, Figure 7 As shown in , the color development layer can also be an electroplating layer 136b, so that the electric toothbrush handle has a metallic luster and is more beautiful, and a protective coating layer 138 is coated on the electroplating layer.

[0068] like Figure 8 As shown in , the color development layer can also be an electroplating layer 136b plus a pigment layer 136a, so that the base color of the pigment layer 136a is the color of the electroplating layer, so that the panel shell presents a metallic color, and a protective coating layer 138 is coated on the pigment layer 136a.

[0069] In another embodiment, Figure 9 As shown in , the color-developing layer can be omitted, and the second coating layer 135 can make the panel housing present the desired visual color. The second coating layer 135 has the same or similar color as the first coating layer 134. The second coating layer has both light-isolating and color-developing functions.

[0070] The manufacturing method of the electric toothbrush hidden interface panel assembly of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0071] S1. Applying a light-transmissive first coating layer on the inner surface of the panel housing;

[0072] S2. A second coating layer is applied to the outer surface of the light-transmitting panel housing. The color of the second coating layer can block light from the light-emitting element inside the panel housing;

[0073] S3. A color developing layer is applied to the surface of the second coating layer, wherein the color developing layer is a coating pigment layer, and the pigment layer causes the panel housing to present a desired visual color;

[0074] S4. Using laser engraving, a laser engraved area is formed on the panel, penetrating the second coating layer and the color-developing layer to indicate the various states of the oral cleaning device. Light generated by the light-emitting element can pass through the laser engraved area to the outside of the handle and be seen by the user.

[0075] S5. Apply a protective coating layer on the second coating layer. The protective coating layer is a clear coating layer of polyurethane or similar material to protect the panel from wear and tear.

[0076] Throughout this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "one example," "some embodiments," "examples," "specific examples," or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with that embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0077] The above is a further detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with specific embodiments, and the specific implementation of the present invention cannot be considered to be limited to these descriptions. For ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hidden interface panel assembly for an oral cleaning appliance, characterized in that: include: Light-transmitting panel housing; at least one light emitting element is provided on the inner side of the panel housing; a baffle structure disposed around the light-emitting elements to confine the light from each light-emitting element to its associated indicia; a light-transmissive first coating layer covering the inner surface of the panel housing, and a second coating layer covering the outer surface of the panel housing for blocking light from passing through; The second coating layer is provided with a laser-engraved area defining marks representing multiple states of the oral cleaning appliance. The laser-engraved area extends to the outer surface of the panel housing. Light generated by the light-emitting element can be seen by the user through the first coating layer, the panel housing, and the laser-engraved area. The first coating layer is a light-diffusing coating that prevents scattered light from the light-emitting element from illuminating marks corresponding to unselected states. The outer surface of the second coating layer is also covered with a color development layer that makes the panel shell present a desired visual color, and the laser engraving area extends through the color development layer; The first coating layer has a color that is the same as or close to that of the color-developing layer.

2. The hidden interface panel assembly of the oral cleaning appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The color development layer is an electroplating layer and / or a pigment layer.

3. The hidden interface panel assembly of the oral cleaning appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention also includes a protective coating layer covering the color development layer, wherein the protective coating layer is a clear coating layer of polyurethane and is used to protect the panel from wear and tear.

4. The hidden interface panel assembly of the oral cleaning appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light emitting element is an LED, and each mark corresponds to an LED.

5. An oral cleaning device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a handle, wherein the handle comprises a handle shell and a hidden interface panel assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 arranged on the handle shell.

6. A method for manufacturing a hidden interface panel assembly of an oral cleaning appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The following steps are included: S1. A light-transmissive first coating layer is applied to the inner surface of the panel housing. The first coating layer is a light-diffusing coating that prevents scattered light from the light-emitting element so that the mark corresponding to the unselected state is illuminated; S2. A second coating layer is applied to the outer surface of the light-transmitting panel housing. The color of the second coating layer can block light from the light-emitting element inside the panel housing; S3. A color developing layer is applied to the surface of the second coating layer, wherein the color developing layer is electroplated to generate a plating layer and / or a pigment coating layer, wherein the plating layer makes the oral cleaning appliance panel housing present a metallic luster, and the pigment layer makes the panel housing present a desired visual color; S4. Use laser engraving to form a laser engraving area on the panel that penetrates the second coating layer and the color development layer and represents multiple states of the oral cleaning device. The light generated by the light-emitting element can be seen by the user through the laser engraving area.

7. The method for manufacturing a hidden interface panel assembly of an oral cleaning appliance according to claim 6, wherein: The method further comprises coating a protective coating layer on the color-developing layer, wherein the protective coating layer is a clear coating layer of polyurethane for protecting the panel from wear and tear.

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