Knob assembly, device having the same, and device parameter adjustment method

Abstract

The present invention provides a knob assembly and a device having the same, and a device parameter adjustment method, wherein the knob assembly includes a fixed base and a rotating member having a rotating center axis rotatably connected thereto, a detection accommodating cavity is provided in the rotating member, and a first distance detection surface and a second distance detection surface are provided on the cavity wall, the first distance detection surface and the second distance detection surface are arranged adjacent to each other, and projected on any plane perpendicular to the rotating center axis, the radial distance between the first distance detection surface and the rotating center axis is the first radial distance, the radial distance between the second distance detection surface and the rotating center axis is the second radial distance, the first radial distance is not equal to the second radial distance, and a non-contact distance measuring component is provided on the fixed base for obtaining the first radial distance and the second radial distance. According to the present invention, the rotating assembly has less mechanical wear and a longer assembly service life, while breaking through the physical structural limitations of the mechanical knob assembly, and having a larger range of equipment parameter adjustment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of device parameter adjustment, and in particular relates to a knob assembly, a device having the knob assembly, and a device parameter adjustment method. Background Art

[0002] With the development of intelligent and diversified home appliances, devices with knobs are also increasingly used in user products. Traditional knob devices are mechanical wave switches and magnetic induction devices. The toggle switch makes a mechanical sound when in use. At the same time, due to the mechanical displacement, the service life of the corresponding components inside is limited, and mechanical wear is likely to occur, affecting the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention provides a knob assembly, a device having the same, and a method for adjusting device parameters to overcome the shortcomings of mechanical wear and short life caused by mechanical wave knob contact in the prior art.

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a knob assembly, including a fixed base and a rotating member rotatably connected thereto, the rotating member having a rotation center axis, a detection accommodating cavity constructed therein, a first distance detection surface and a second distance detection surface on the cavity wall of the detection accommodating cavity, the first distance detection surface and the second distance detection surface are adjacently arranged along the rotation direction of the rotating member, and projected on any plane perpendicular to the rotation center axis, the radial distance between the first distance detection surface and the rotation center axis is a first radial distance, the radial distance between the second distance detection surface and the rotation center axis is a second radial distance, the first radial distance and the second radial distance are not equal, and a non-contact distance measuring component is provided on the fixed base for obtaining the first radial distance and the second radial distance.

[0005] Preferably, a plurality of the first distance detection surfaces and a plurality of the second distance detection surfaces are respectively provided, and the plurality of the first distance detection surfaces and the plurality of the second distance detection surfaces are adjacently and alternately arranged along the rotation direction of the rotating member.

[0006] Preferably, the plurality of first distance detection surfaces are located on a first circle concentric with the detection accommodating cavity, the plurality of second distance detection surfaces are located on a second circle concentric with the detection accommodating cavity, and the radius of the first circle is greater than the radius of the second circle.

[0007] Preferably, the arc length of each of the second distance detection surfaces is greater than the arc length of the first distance detection surface.

[0008] Preferably, the second distance detection surface has an inclined surface extending toward one side of the central axis, and the radial distance of the inclined surface from the central axis gradually increases along the first rotation direction of the rotating member.

[0009] Preferably, when projected on any radial plane, the side of the inclined surface facing the central axis is a straight line.

[0010] Preferably, the knob assembly further comprises a control component for receiving a distance signal acquired by the non-contact distance measuring component, and increasing or decreasing a device parameter when a first radial distance and a second radial distance alternate in the distance signal.

[0011] Preferably, when the second distance detection surface has the inclined surface, the second radial distance includes a low-end radial distance and a high-end radial distance, and the control component is also used to increase or decrease the equipment parameters when the first radial distance and the low-end radial distance alternate or the first radial distance and the high-end radial distance alternate in the distance signal.

[0012] Preferably, the control component is further used to determine the adjustment direction of the equipment parameters according to the change trend of the second radial distance.

[0013] Preferably, judging the adjustment direction of the equipment parameter according to the change trend of the second radial distance includes:

[0014] When the second radial distance gradually increases, the adjustment direction of the device parameter is increasing; or, when the second radial distance gradually decreases, the adjustment direction of the device parameter is decreasing.

[0015] The present invention also provides a device, comprising the above-mentioned knob assembly.

[0016] Preferably, the device is one of an air conditioner, a washing machine, a refrigerator, and a dehumidifier.

[0017] The present invention also provides a method for adjusting device parameters, wherein the device has the above-mentioned knob assembly, comprising the following steps:

[0018] Obtaining a first radial distance and a second radial distance;

[0019] When an alternation occurs between the first radial distance and the second radial distance, an equipment parameter of the equipment is increased or decreased.

[0020] Preferably, when the second distance detection surface has the inclined surface, the second radial distance includes a low-end radial distance and a high-end radial distance, and further includes:

[0021] When the first radial distance and the low-end radial distance alternate with each other or the first radial distance and the high-end radial distance alternate with each other in the distance signal, the device parameter is increased or decreased.

[0022] Preferably, the method further includes: judging the adjustment direction of the equipment parameter according to the change trend of the second radial distance.

[0023] The present invention provides a knob assembly, a device having the same, and a device parameter adjustment method. The rotating assembly obtains a first radial distance and a second radial distance through the non-contact distance measuring component, and the adjustment trigger of the device parameters is realized without the contact in the prior art. The mechanical wear is small and the service life of the assembly is longer. At the same time, the first radial distance and the second radial distance can be obtained by the technical solution of the present invention, and then the adjustment trigger of the device parameters is realized by the alternating switching of the two distances, breaking through the physical structure limitations of the mechanical knob assembly and expanding the adjustment range of the device parameters. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the knob assembly of an embodiment of the present invention (radial plane cross section);

[0025] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the knob assembly of another embodiment of the present invention (radial plane cross section), showing that the non-contact distance measuring component is in a state of obtaining a first radial distance Da;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a knob assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention (radial plane cross section), which shows that the non-contact distance measuring component is in a state of acquiring a second radial distance Db.

[0027] The reference numerals are:

[0028] 1. Rotating member; 11. First distance detection surface; 12. Second distance detection surface; 13. Detection accommodating cavity; 14. Inclined surface; 2. Non-contact distance measuring component; 3. Fixed base. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] See also Figures 1 to 3As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a knob assembly is provided, comprising a fixed base 3 and a rotating member 1 rotatably connected thereto, the rotating member 1 having a rotation center axis, a detection accommodating cavity 13 being constructed in the rotating member 1, a first distance detection surface 11 and a second distance detection surface 12 being provided on the cavity wall of the detection accommodating cavity 13, the first distance detection surface 11 and the second distance detection surface 12 being adjacently arranged along the rotation direction of the rotating member 1, and projected on any plane perpendicular to the rotation center axis, a radial distance between the first distance detection surface 11 and the rotation center axis is a first radial distance, a radial distance between the second distance detection surface 12 and the rotation center axis is a second radial distance, the first radial distance is not equal to the second radial distance, and a non-contact distance measuring component 2 is provided on the fixed base 3 for obtaining the first radial distance and the second radial distance. In this technical solution, the rotating component obtains the first radial distance and the second radial distance through the non-contact distance measuring component 2, and the adjustment trigger of the device parameters is realized without the contact in the prior art, the mechanical wear is small, and the service life of the component is longer. At the same time, the first radial distance and the second radial distance obtained by the technical solution of the present invention can be used, and then the adjustment trigger of the device parameters is realized by switching between the two distances, breaking through the physical structure limitations of the mechanical knob component, and the device parameter adjustment range is larger. For example, the first distance detection surface 11 and the second distance detection surface 12 can be respectively set one, and the rotating member 1 of the present invention can be as follows Figure 1 The adjustment direction shown swings back and forth, so that the alternation of the first radial distance and the second radial distance can be accumulated and increased or decreased without upper limit, thereby realizing a wide range of adjustment of equipment parameters. The non-contact distance measuring component 2 can be specifically an infrared distance measuring sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a laser distance measuring sensor, etc.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first distance detection surface 11 and the second distance detection surface 12 are respectively provided in plurality, and the plurality of the first distance detection surfaces 11 and the plurality of the second distance detection surfaces 12 are alternately arranged adjacent to each other along the rotation direction of the rotating member 1. It should be noted that in the technical solution, the radial distances between the plurality of the first distance detection surfaces 11 and the rotation center axis may be different or the same, that is, the first radial distances may be the same or different, and the radial distances between the plurality of the second distance detection surfaces 12 and the rotation center axis may also be different or the same, that is, the second radial distances may be the same or different. And the best, the first distance detection surface 11 and the second distance detection surface 12 are alternately arranged on the inner circumferential wall of the detection accommodating chamber 1. At this time, the parameter adjustment (on a predetermined trend, such as increase or decrease) can be achieved by a full rotation of the rotating member 1, or the parameter adjustment can be achieved by rotating multiple circles (of course, the adjustment will be limited by the performance of the device itself), without setting the corresponding adjustment gear, and without swinging and twisting the rotating member back and forth, and the operability of the parameter adjustment is stronger.

[0031] Best yet, multiple first distance detection surfaces 11 are on a first circle concentric with the detection accommodating cavity 13, and multiple second distance detection surfaces 12 are on a second circle concentric with the detection accommodating cavity 13, and the radius of the first circle is greater than the radius of the second circle. At this time, multiple first radial distances are equal to each other, and multiple second radial distances are also equal to each other. This design can simplify the judgment logic of the replacement of the first radial distance and the second radial distance (for example, the first radial distance is changed to the second radial distance, or the second radial distance is changed to the first radial distance).

[0032] In some embodiments, the arc length of each of the second distance detection surfaces 12 is greater than the arc length of the first distance detection surface 11, and the selection of the specific arc length is based on the size of the rotating member 1 and the size of the sampling period of the non-contact distance measurement component 2 to ensure that the sensitivity of the rotating component to the adjustment of the equipment parameters is more reasonable.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second distance detection surface 12 has an inclined surface 14 extending toward one side of the central axis, and the radial distance of the inclined surface 14 from the central axis along the first rotation direction of the rotating member 1 gradually increases, that is, at this time, the inclined surface 14 becomes the detection surface of the non-contact distance measuring component 2, that is, the second distance detection surface 12, and the first rotation direction can be, for example, clockwise or counterclockwise. Through the design of this structure, the rotation direction of the rotating member 1 can be clarified to further clarify the user's intention to adjust the device parameters. For example, the user rotates the rotating member 1 along the first rotation direction, and the non-contact distance measuring component 2 will detect multiple second radial distances about the inclined surface 14, and these second radial distances will at least include a low-end radial distance and a high-end radial distance. The user's adjustment intention can be judged through the time sequence relationship between the low-end radial distance and the high-end radial distance. For example, the high-end radial distance after the low-end radial distance indicates that the user intends to increase the device parameters. On the contrary, the low-end radial distance after the high-end radial distance indicates that the user intends to reduce the device parameters. It is understandable that the determination of the user's intention can certainly be achieved by separately setting a corresponding selection switch, and the aforementioned design of the present invention can simplify the structure and reduce the design cost, so that a non-contact distance measuring component 2 can determine the user's adjustment intention while obtaining the distance.

[0034] In some embodiments, when projected on any radial plane, the side of the inclined surface 14 facing the central axis is a straight line, that is, the inclined surface 14 is an inclined plane, which can facilitate the processing of the structure.

[0035] In some embodiments, the knob assembly further includes a control component, which can be integrated into the fixed base 3, or can be separately arranged at a suitable position of the device, for receiving the distance signal obtained by the non-contact distance measuring component 2, and when the first radial distance and the second radial distance are replaced in the distance signal, the device parameter is increased or decreased after calculation, and the control component is, for example, an MCU. It can be designed to limit the device parameter to increase or decrease a set step threshold when the first radial distance and the second radial distance are replaced. For example, when the device is an air conditioner or a refrigerator, the device parameter can be a set cooling temperature, and each change of the distance can be limited to increase or decrease by 1°C; for another example, when the device is a washing machine, the device parameter can be a drum speed setting, and each change of the distance can be limited to increase or decrease by 500rpm; for another example, when the device is a dehumidifier, the device parameter can be a fan speed setting, and each change of the distance can be limited to increase or decrease by 100rpm.

[0036] When the second distance detection surface 12 has the inclined surface 14, the second radial distance includes a low-end radial distance and a high-end radial distance, and the control component is also used to increase or decrease the device parameters when the first radial distance and the low-end radial distance alternate or the first radial distance and the high-end radial distance alternate in the distance signal, that is, the adjustment of the device parameters is triggered by the intersection of the first distance detection surface 11 and the second distance detection surface 12, so that the parameter adjustment steps for each trigger can be set smaller and the adjustment is more precise.

[0037] As mentioned above, the control component is also used to determine the adjustment direction of the equipment parameters according to the changing trend of the second radial distance. Specifically, when the second radial distance gradually increases, the adjustment direction of the equipment parameters is increasing; or, when the second radial distance gradually decreases, the adjustment direction of the equipment parameters is decreasing.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a device, comprising the above-mentioned knob assembly, and the device may be, for example, an air conditioner, a washing machine, a refrigerator, or a dehumidifier.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a method for adjusting device parameters, wherein the device has the above-mentioned knob assembly, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0040] Obtaining a first radial distance and a second radial distance;

[0041] When an alternation occurs between the first radial distance and the second radial distance, an equipment parameter of the equipment is increased or decreased.

[0042] In this technical solution, the rotating component obtains the first radial distance and the second radial distance through the non-contact distance measuring component 2, and does not require contact in the prior art to trigger the adjustment of device parameters. The mechanical wear is small and the service life of the component is longer. At the same time, the first radial distance and the second radial distance obtained by the technical solution of the present invention can be used to trigger the adjustment of device parameters by switching between the two distances, breaking through the physical structure limitations of the mechanical knob component and expanding the adjustment range of device parameters.

[0043] Preferably, when the second distance detection surface 12 has the inclined surface 14, the second radial distance includes a low-end radial distance and a high-end radial distance, and further includes: when the first radial distance and the low-end radial distance are replaced or the first radial distance and the high-end radial distance are replaced in the distance signal, the device parameter is increased or decreased. That is, the adjustment of the device parameter is triggered by the intersection of the first distance detection surface 11 and the second distance detection surface 12, so that the parameter adjustment step number of each trigger can be set smaller and the adjustment is more accurate.

[0044] Preferably, the method further includes: judging the adjustment direction of the equipment parameter according to the change trend of the second radial distance.

[0045] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, under the premise of no conflict, the above-mentioned advantageous methods can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0046] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention. The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and variations can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and variations should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A knob assembly, comprising a fixed base (3) and a rotating member (1) rotatably connected thereto, wherein the rotating member (1) has a central axis of rotation, and is characterized in that: The rotating member (1) is provided with a detection accommodating cavity (13), and a cavity wall of the detection accommodating cavity (13) is provided with a first distance detection surface (11) and a second distance detection surface (12). The first distance detection surface (11) and the second distance detection surface (12) are arranged adjacent to each other along the rotation direction of the rotating member (1). When projected onto any plane perpendicular to the rotation center axis, the radial distance between the first distance detection surface (11) and the rotation center axis is a first radial distance, and the radial distance between the second distance detection surface (12) and the rotation center axis is a second radial distance. The first radial distance and the second radial distance are not equal. The fixed base (3) is provided with a non-contact distance measuring component (2) for obtaining the first radial distance. A first radial distance and a second radial distance; the second distance detection surface (12) has an inclined surface (14) extending toward one side of the rotation center axis, and the radial distance of the inclined surface (14) from the rotation center axis gradually increases along the first rotation direction of the rotating member (1); and also includes a control component for receiving a distance signal acquired by the non-contact distance measuring component (2), and increasing or decreasing a device parameter when the first radial distance and the second radial distance alternate in the distance signal; the second radial distance includes a low-end radial distance and a high-end radial distance, and the control component is further used to increase or decrease a device parameter when the first radial distance and the low-end radial distance alternate or the first radial distance and the high-end radial distance alternate in the distance signal.

2. The knob assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of the first distance detection surfaces (11) and a plurality of the second distance detection surfaces (12) are respectively provided, and the plurality of the first distance detection surfaces (11) and the plurality of the second distance detection surfaces (12) are arranged alternately and adjacently along the rotation direction of the rotating member (1).

3. The knob assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of the first distance detection surfaces (11) are located on a first circle concentric with the detection accommodating cavity (13), a plurality of the second distance detection surfaces (12) are located on a second circle concentric with the detection accommodating cavity (13), and a radius of the first circle is greater than a radius of the second circle.

4. The knob assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The arc length of each of the second distance detection surfaces (12) is greater than the arc length of the first distance detection surface (11).

5. The knob assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: When projected on any radial plane, the side of the inclined surface (14) facing the rotation center axis is a straight line.

6. The knob assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control component is further used to determine the adjustment direction of the equipment parameter according to the change trend of the second radial distance.

7. The knob assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: Determining the adjustment direction of the equipment parameter according to the change trend of the second radial distance includes: When the second radial distance gradually increases, the adjustment direction of the device parameter is increasing; or, when the second radial distance gradually decreases, the adjustment direction of the device parameter is decreasing.

8. A device comprising a knob assembly, characterized in that: The knob assembly is the knob assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The device is one of an air conditioner, a washing machine, a refrigerator and a dehumidifier.

10. A method for adjusting device parameters, characterized in that: The device has a knob assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and comprises the following steps: Obtaining a first radial distance and a second radial distance; When an alternation occurs between the first radial distance and the second radial distance, an equipment parameter of the equipment is increased or decreased.

11. The device parameter adjustment method according to claim 10, characterized in that: Also includes: When the first radial distance and the low-end radial distance alternate with each other or the first radial distance and the high-end radial distance alternate with each other in the distance signal, the equipment parameter is increased or decreased.

12. The device parameter adjustment method according to claim 11, characterized in that: Also includes: The adjustment direction of the equipment parameter is determined according to the change trend of the second radial distance.

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