Button module and washing machine

Abstract

The present invention discloses a key module, which includes a key bracket, a key plate and a circuit board. The circuit board is arranged on the inner side surface of the key bracket, and touch keys are arranged on the circuit board. A laser pattern texture is arranged on the outer side surface of the key bracket opposite to the touch keys. The key plate is made of a transparent material and covers the outer side surface of the key bracket. In the above key module, the laser pattern texture is arranged on the outer side surface of the key bracket, and the transparent key plate covers the laser pattern texture, which can not only ensure the aesthetic appearance of the metallic texture of the key, but also ensure that the user cannot directly touch the laser pattern texture, avoid the cold feeling of touching and prevent dust from penetrating into the texture, thus improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of washing machines, and particularly to a key module and a washing machine. Background Art

[0002] On the control panel of a washing machine, there is a key module for controlling the start and stop of the washing machine, which is an important part of the automatic control system of the washing machine. In the existing key module, the key bracket is clamped on the main control panel, and a metal laser sheet is arranged on the outer side surface of the key bracket and pasted on the key bracket through 3M glue. This kind of metal laser sheet is pasted on the outermost side, and the user can directly touch the laser sheet. Not only will the user feel the coldness of the metal when touching it, but also dust is likely to invade the laser texture, affecting the appearance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on this, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a key module and a washing machine with beautiful appearance, comfortable touch and good user experience.

[0004] To solve the above technical problem, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions to achieve:

[0005] A key module includes a key bracket, a key board and a circuit board. The circuit board is arranged on the inner side surface of the key bracket, and touch keys are arranged on the circuit board. Laser texture is arranged on the outer side surface of the key bracket opposite to the touch keys. The key board is made of a transparent material and covers the outer side surface of the key bracket.

[0006] In one embodiment, a vacuum coating is arranged on the laser texture.

[0007] In one embodiment, the key board includes a pattern part with a coated pattern and a blank part, and the blank part is opposite to the laser texture.

[0008] In one embodiment, a first clamping structure is arranged between the key bracket and the box body of the washing machine, and the key bracket is clamped on the box body through the first clamping structure.

[0009] In one embodiment, an installation slot is opened on the box body. The first clamping structure includes a plugging part, a first buckle arranged on the plugging part, and a slot flanging bent inward along the installation slot. The key bracket is installed and embedded in the installation slot from the front side, the plugging part is inserted into the installation slot, and the first buckle is clamped and matched with the slot flanging.

[0010] In one embodiment, the button module further includes a support cover, which is buckled on the button bracket and abuts against the inner side surface of the box body. A second clamping structure is provided between the support cover and the button bracket, and the button bracket is supported and clamped on the box body through the support cover and the second clamping structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second clamping structure includes a second buckle provided on the insertion part, and an abutting part cooperating with the second buckle is provided on the support cover. The second buckle abuts against the outside of the abutting part.

[0012] In one embodiment, a support column is provided inside the support cover, and the support column abuts against the circuit board.

[0013] A washing machine, the washing machine includes a box body, the front end surface of the box body is an integrated front panel, and the above-mentioned button module is provided on the front panel.

[0014] A washing machine, the washing machine includes a box body, the front end surface of the box body is a front panel and a main control panel provided above the front panel, and the above-mentioned button module is provided on the main control panel.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are:

[0016] For the above button module, laser texture is provided on the outer side surface of the button bracket, and the transparent button plate is covered on the laser texture, which can not only ensure the aesthetic appearance of the metallic texture of the button, but also ensure that the user cannot directly touch the laser texture, avoiding the cold feeling of touch and preventing dust from penetrating into the texture, thus improving the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is the front view of the button module of the present invention installed on the box body;

[0018] Figure 2 is the rear view schematic diagram of the button module of the present invention installed on the box body;

[0019] Figure 3 is Figure 2 the enlarged view in

[0020] Figure 4 is the structural schematic diagram of the button module and the support cover of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 is the exploded Figure 1 diagram of the button module and the support cover of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 is the exploded Figure 2 diagram of the button module and the support cover of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 Schematic structural diagram of the button module of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 Exploded view of the button module of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 is Figure 1 A - A cross - sectional view in

[0026] Figure 10 is Figure 9 The enlarged view in, showing the installation schematic diagram of the button module;

[0027] Figure 11 is Figure 10 The enlarged view in;

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0029] Cabinet 100; Flange of card slot 110; Transition arc surface 111;

[0030] Button module 200;

[0031] Button support 210; Groove 211; Insertion part 212; First buckle 213; Second buckle 214; Laser - engraved texture 215; Inclined surface 216;

[0032] Button board 220;

[0033] Circuit board 230;

[0034] Support cover 300; Protruding part 310; Abutting part 311; Support column 320. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] The following will elaborate on the specific implementation manners of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different ways defined and covered by the claims.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 - 3 , in one embodiment of the present invention, the button module 200 is assembled on the cabinet 100 of the washing machine. The button module 200 is installed on the front end face of the cabinet 100. As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, the button module 200 includes a button support 210, a button board 220 and a circuit board 230. Touch buttons are provided on the circuit board 230. The circuit board 230 is disposed on the inner side surface of the button support 210. Laser - engraved texture 215 is provided on the outer side surface of the button support 210 opposite to the touch buttons by laser engraving technology. The button board 220 is made of a transparent material and covers the outer side surface of the button support 210.

[0037] For the above-mentioned key module 200, a laser pattern texture 215 is provided on the outer side surface of the key bracket 210, and the transparent key plate 220 is covered on the laser pattern texture 215. This can not only ensure the aesthetic appearance of the metallic texture of the key, but also ensure that the user cannot directly touch the laser pattern texture 215, avoiding the cold feeling of touching and preventing dust from seeping into the texture, thus enhancing the user experience.

[0038] Furthermore, a vacuum plating layer is provided on the laser pattern texture 215. Through the vacuum plating technology, under vacuum conditions, the metal material is organically transformed by specific means such as chemistry and physics, so that the metal is converted into particles, deposited or adsorbed on the surface of the key bracket 210, and combined with the laser pattern texture 215 to form a more metallic laser pattern texture 215.

[0039] Specifically, the key plate 220 includes a pattern part with a coated pattern and a blank part. Various textures, patterns, logos, etc. can be coated on the pattern part. The blank part is opposite to the laser pattern texture 215 and is transparent, so that the laser pattern texture 215 can be prevented from being blocked.

[0040] The key plate 220 is adhesively fixed to the key bracket 210. Preferably, it is adhesively fixed between the key plate 220 and the key bracket 210 with 3M glue.

[0041] Furthermore, a first clamping structure is provided between the key bracket 210 and the washing machine body 100, and the key bracket 210 is clamped and fixed on the body 100 through the first clamping structure. The key bracket 210 is clamped and fixed to the body 100 through the first clamping structure, with a simple structure and convenient operation.

[0042] Specifically, an installation card slot is opened on the body 100. Such as Figure 6 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown, the first clamping structure includes a plug-in portion 212, a first buckle 213 disposed on the plug-in portion 212, and a slot flange 110 bent inwardly along the mounting slot. The inside of the box 100 is defined as the inner direction, and the outside is defined as the outer direction. The button bracket 210 is embedded in the mounting slot, and the plug-in portion 212 is inserted into the mounting slot, and is engaged with the slot flange 110 through the first buckle 213. A groove 211 is arranged around the button bracket 210, and the outer side of the groove 211 is higher than the rear side of the groove 211. Therefore, when the button bracket 210 is installed and embedded in the mounting slot of the box 100 from the outside, the outer side of the groove 211 abuts against the box 100 to ensure that the button module 200 will not fall out from the inside. Then, the outer side of the first buckle 213 abuts against the slot flange 110 to fix the button bracket 210. In this embodiment, the plug-in portion 212 is arranged perpendicular to the front side of the button bracket 210, and two plug-in portions 212 are arranged, respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides, for easy plug-in fixation. The upper and lower plug-in portions 212 are arranged staggered along the left and right directions, which can improve the clamping firmness of the plug-in portions 212. In other embodiments, the plug-in portions 212 can be arranged on the left and right sides or all around.

[0043] like Figures 3 - 5 As shown, in order to further prevent the button module 200 from falling off during vibration or transportation, the button module 200 is provided with a support cover 300, and the support cover 300 is buckled on the button bracket 210 and abuts against the inner side of the box body 100, and a second clamping structure is provided between the support cover 300 and the button bracket 210, and the button bracket 210 is supported and clamped on the box body 100 by the support cover 300 and the second clamping structure.

[0044] Specifically, Figure 6 As shown, the second snap-fit ​​structure includes a second snap 214 arranged on the plug-in portion 212, and the second snap 214 is arranged on the inner side of the first snap 213, that is, arranged at an end away from the front end surface of the box body 100. The support cover 300 is provided with an abutment portion 311 that cooperates with the second snap 214, and the second snap 214 abuts against the outer side of the abutment portion 311. The key bracket 210 is tightened by the support of the support cover 300, and together with the first snap-fit ​​structure, it constitutes a double insurance to prevent the key module 200 from falling off from the installation slot. The support cover 300 is an injection-molded integrated structure, and an extension portion 310 extending to the rear side is arranged on the support cover 300 along its side, and the abutment portion 311 is arranged on the extension portion 310. An opening is provided on the bottom surface of the support cover 300 at a position corresponding to the extension portion 310 for inserting the plug-in portion 212 of the key bracket 210 so that the second buckle 214 of the plug-in portion 212 is fixedly engaged with the abutment portion 311 of the extension portion 310. Both the first buckle 213 and the second buckle 214 are inverted buckle structures, so that the key module 200 is not easy to fall out.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6 , an opening is formed at the rear side of the support cover 300. Two openings, an upper opening and a lower opening, are formed at the rear side of the support cover. An extending portion 310 is provided on the upper side of the upper opening and the lower side of the lower opening. The abutting portion 311 is provided on the extending portion 310. The inserting portion 212 of the key bracket 210 extends out of the opening of the support cover 300, and the second buckle 214 is engaged and fixed with the abutting portion 311.

[0046] Furthermore, support columns 320 are provided inside the support cover 300. As shown in Figure 5 , the support columns 320 abut against the circuit board 230, pressing the circuit board 230 against the key bracket 210, which can prevent the circuit board 230 from loosening and falling off. In this embodiment, two support columns 320 are provided, respectively abutting against both sides of the circuit board 230.

[0047] As shown in Figure 11 , the peripheral side surfaces around the front end of the key module 200 are inclined surfaces 216 that gradually expand outward. By setting the peripheral side surfaces around the front end of the key module 200 as inclined surfaces 216 that gradually expand outward, an inclined gap that gradually expands from the inside to the outside is formed between the key module 200 and the installation card slot, which is beneficial to reducing the gap between the two; and the gap between the key module 200 and the installation card slot is blocked by the key module 200, and the gap is not easily seen from the front, increasing the overall aesthetic effect.

[0048] The area of the front end surface of the key module 200 is larger than the area of the installation card slot. By setting the inclined surface 216, the front end surface of the key module 200 abuts against the outside of the installation card slot, hiding the gap between the key module 200 and the installation card slot.

[0049] A card slot flanging 110 extending inward is provided at the edge of the installation card slot. The card slot flanging 110 is connected to the box body 100 by a transition arc surface 111.

[0050] And the transition arc surface 111 is partially or entirely located at the rear side of the inclined surface 216. The outer end of the inclined surface 216 blocks the gap between the key module 200 and the installation card slot, and the gap between the key module 200 and the box body 100 after the key module 200 is closed cannot be seen from the front of the washing machine. Preferably, the transition arc surface 111 is partially located at the rear side of the inclined surface 216, so that after the key module 200 is closed, the front end surface of the key module 200 is flush with the front end surface of the box body 100 at the installation card slot; wherein the box body 100 at the installation card slot is inclined upward and backward.

[0051] In this embodiment, the card slot flanging 110 has two horizontal card slot flangings located on the upper and lower sides of the installation card slot, and two vertical card slot flangings located on the left and right sides of the installation card slot. By setting the horizontal card slot flanging and the vertical setting, it is beneficial to ensure the pulling of the button module in the front-back direction, and is beneficial to increasing the limiting and supporting effects.

[0052] The present invention also includes a washing machine, the washing machine includes a box body 100, the front end face of the box body 100 is an integrated front plate, and the above-mentioned button module 200 is arranged on the front plate. The front plate is an integrated sheet metal part. The integrated front plate can reduce the assembly process, improve the production efficiency, and also reduce the assembly gap and improve the appearance beauty of the product.

[0053] In another embodiment, the washing machine includes a box body 100, the front end face of the box body is a front plate and a main control panel arranged above the front plate, and the button module 200 is assembled on the main control panel.

[0054] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A key module, comprising a key bracket, a key board and a circuit board, the circuit board is disposed on the inner side surface of the key bracket, and touch keys are arranged on the circuit board, characterized in that, A laser texture is provided on the outer side of the key bracket opposite to the touch key; the key plate is made of a transparent material and covers the outer side of the key bracket. A first clamping structure is provided between the key bracket and the washing machine body, and an installation slot is opened on the body; the first clamping structure includes a plugging portion that cooperates with the installation slot, a first buckle provided on the plugging portion, and a slot flanging that bends inward along the installation slot and is clamped and cooperated with the first buckle. The key module further includes a support cover that is buckled on the key bracket and abuts against the inner side of the body; a second clamping structure is provided between the support cover and the key bracket, which includes a second buckle provided on the plugging portion, and an abutting portion that cooperates with the second buckle is provided on the support cover; the second buckle abuts against the outside of the abutting portion.

2. The key module according to claim 1, wherein A vacuum coating is provided on the laser texture.

3. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The key plate includes a pattern portion coated with a pattern and a blank portion, and the blank portion is opposite to the laser texture.

4. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Support columns are provided inside the support cover, and the support columns abut against the circuit board.

5. A washing machine, the washing machine comprising a cabinet, characterized in that, The front end face of the body is an integral front panel, and the key module according to any one of claims 1-4 is provided on the front panel.

6. A washing machine, the washing machine comprising a cabinet, characterized in that, The front end face of the body is a front panel, a main control panel is provided above the front panel, and the key module according to any one of claims 1-4 is provided on the main control panel.

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