Appearance parts, household appliances and molds

Abstract

The present invention provides an appearance component, a household appliance, and a mold. The appearance component includes an appearance component body having a gate molding area corresponding to a mold gate. The appearance component is a spray-free injection molded part. The appearance component also includes: a raised portion provided on the appearance surface of the appearance component body; the distance between the raised portion and the gate molding area along the flow direction of the injection melt is greater than the distance between the raised portion and the filling end of the appearance surface; and / or a recessed portion provided on the appearance surface; the distance between the recessed portion and the gate molding area along the flow direction of the injection melt is greater than the distance between the recessed portion and the filling end of the appearance surface. The appearance component of the present invention solves the problem of spray-free injection molded parts in the prior art being prone to appearance defects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular to an appearance component, a household appliance and a mold. Background Art

[0002] Currently, home appliances typically use spraying to surface-treat injection molded parts, enhancing various colors and textures while also masking some cosmetic flaws. However, this approach presents challenges such as high cost and environmental impact. Therefore, spray-free technology can be used to replace and address these issues. Injection molded parts made with spray-free materials exhibit unique light and shadow effects and a metallic sheen after molding, achieving an appearance comparable to or superior to spray-coated parts without requiring secondary processing. This technology offers advantages such as excellent functionality, low cost, and environmental friendliness.

[0003] However, spray-free materials are very prone to appearance defects such as flow marks, weld marks, and gate marks during the injection molding process, and the location or extent of occurrence is difficult to predict and the consistency is poor. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an appearance component, a household appliance and a mold to solve the problem in the prior art that spray-free injection molded parts are prone to appearance defects.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an appearance component, comprising an appearance component body, the appearance component body having a gate molding area for corresponding to the gate of a mold; the appearance component is a spray-free injection molded part, and the appearance component further comprises: a raised portion, arranged on the appearance surface of the appearance component body; along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the raised portion and the gate molding area is greater than the distance between the raised portion and the filling end of the appearance surface; and / or, a recessed portion, arranged on the appearance surface; along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion and the gate molding area is greater than the distance between the recessed portion and the filling end of the appearance surface.

[0006] Furthermore, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the protrusion and the gate molding area is greater than or equal to 20 mm.

[0007] Furthermore, the height of the protrusion is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

[0008] Furthermore, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion and the gate molding area is greater than or equal to 20 mm.

[0009] Furthermore, the depth of the recessed portion is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the raised portion includes at least one of a decorative structure, an indication structure and a marking structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the recessed portion includes at least one of a decorative structure, an indication structure and a marking structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the exterior surface is provided with brushed lines, and the extension direction of the brushed lines is parallel to the flow direction of the injection melt.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, a household appliance is provided, comprising an appearance component, wherein an appearance surface of the appearance component forms at least a portion of the appearance surface of the household appliance, and the appearance component is the appearance component described above.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a mold is provided, wherein the mold has a cavity for forming the above-mentioned appearance component, and the mold further has a gate, which is connected to the cavity.

[0015] The appearance component of the present invention is manufactured using a spray-free technology. The appearance component is an injection molded product and is made of a spray-free material. A raised portion and / or a recessed portion is provided on the appearance surface of the appearance component body of the appearance component; wherein, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the raised portion and the gate molding area is greater than the distance between the raised portion and the filling end of the appearance surface, and the distance between the recessed portion and the gate molding area is greater than the distance between the recessed portion and the filling end of the appearance surface. Due to the high flow velocity near the gate, if the raised portion and the recessed portion are close to the gate molding area, the flow stability will be greatly affected and flow marks will be easily generated. Therefore, the above-mentioned arrangement can place the raised portion and the recessed portion in a position with high injection melt flow stability, reduce the generation of flow marks, and solve the problem of the spray-free injection molded parts in the prior art being prone to appearance defects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of this application, are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are intended to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 An axonometric view of an embodiment of an appearance component (including a raised portion) according to the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 A front view of an embodiment of the appearance component in FIG;

[0019] Figure 3 Shown Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the appearance component at section NN;

[0020] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 A bottom view of an embodiment of the appearance component in FIG;

[0021] Figure 5An axonometric view of an embodiment of an appearance component (including a recessed portion) according to the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 6 Shown Figure 5 A front view of an embodiment of the appearance component in ; and

[0023] Figure 7 Shown Figure 6 A cross-sectional view at section MM of an embodiment of an appearance component.

[0024] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0025] 10. Appearance component body; 11. Appearance surface; 12. Non-appearance surface; 20. Gate; 30. Gate molding area; 40. Protrusion; 50. Recess. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0027] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.

[0028] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0029] The present invention provides an appearance component, please refer to Figures 1 to 7 , including an appearance component body 10, the appearance component body 10 has a gate molding area 30 for corresponding to the gate 20 of the mold; the appearance component is a spray-free injection molded part, and the appearance component also includes: a protrusion 40, which is arranged on the appearance surface 11 of the appearance component body 10; along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the protrusion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the protrusion 40 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11; and / or, a recessed portion 50, which is arranged on the appearance surface 11; along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11.

[0030] The exterior components of the present invention are manufactured using spray-free technology. These components are injection-molded products made from spray-free materials. After molding, these injection-molded parts exhibit unique light and shadow effects and a metallic sheen, achieving an appearance comparable to or superior to spray-painted products without undergoing secondary processing. This technology offers advantages such as excellent functionality, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The exterior surface 11 of the exterior component body 10 is provided with a raised portion 40 and / or a recessed portion 50. Along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the raised portion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the raised portion 40 and the filling end of the exterior surface 11, and the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the filling end of the exterior surface 11. Since the flow velocity near the gate 20 is fast, if the raised portion 40 and the recessed portion 50 are close to the gate molding area 30, the flow stability will be greatly affected and flow marks will be easily generated. Therefore, the above-mentioned arrangement can make the raised portion 40 and the recessed portion 50 be in a position with high flow stability of the injection melt, reduce the generation of flow marks, and solve the problem of the spray-free injection molding parts in the prior art that are prone to appearance defects.

[0031] The gate molding area 30 is provided on the non-appearance surface 12 of the appearance component body 10 .

[0032] It should be noted that the filling end of the appearance surface 11 refers to the position of the appearance surface 11 to which the injection melt finally flows during the molding process of the appearance component.

[0033] It should be noted that, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the protrusion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the protrusion 40 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11, that is, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the minimum distance between the protrusion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the maximum distance between the protrusion 40 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11; during the molding process of the appearance component, the minimum distance that the injection melt flows from the protrusion 40 to the gate molding area 30 is greater than the maximum distance that the injection melt flows from the protrusion 40 to the filling end of the appearance surface 11.

[0034] It should be noted that, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11, that is, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the minimum distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the maximum distance between the recessed portion 50 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11; during the molding process of the appearance component, the minimum distance that the injection melt flows from the recessed portion 50 to the gate molding area 30 is greater than the maximum distance that the injection melt flows from the recessed portion 50 to the filling end of the appearance surface 11.

[0035] Specifically, when the exterior component body 10 is symmetrically arranged relative to the reference plane, and the protrusion 40, the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 are also symmetrically arranged relative to the reference plane, the gate molding area 30 is a surface structure, and the flow direction of the injection melt from the gate molding area 30 to the protrusion 40 (or recessed portion 50) is approximately perpendicular to the gate molding area 30. Figure 2 Specifically, the filling end of the appearance surface 11 can be a line or a point; Figure 2 As shown, the raised portion 40 has multiple faces perpendicular to the flow direction of the injection melt; the minimum distance between the raised portion 40 and the gate molding area 30 refers to the minimum distance between the face of the raised portion 40 closest to the gate molding area 30 and the gate molding area 30; the maximum distance between the raised portion 40 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11 refers to the maximum distance between the face of the raised portion 40 closest to the filling end of the appearance surface 11 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11. Figure 6 As shown, the recessed portion 50 is formed by a plurality of recessed surfaces perpendicular to the flow direction of the injection melt; the minimum distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 refers to the minimum distance between the recessed surface closest to the gate molding area 30 among the plurality of recessed surfaces mentioned above and the gate molding area 30; the maximum distance between the recessed portion 50 and the filling end of the appearance surface 11 refers to the maximum distance between the recessed surface closest to the filling end of the appearance surface 11 among the plurality of recessed surfaces mentioned above and the filling end of the appearance surface 11.

[0036] Specifically, the recessed portion 50 is a groove.

[0037] It should be noted that when the appearance component is applied to a household appliance, the appearance surface 11 of the appearance component body 10 is an integral part of the appearance of the household appliance, that is, the appearance surface 11 of the appearance component body 10 is the surface exposed in the application environment and can be seen by the user; the non-appearance surface 12 of the appearance component body 10 is located inside the household appliance, that is, the non-appearance surface 12 of the appearance component body 10 is the surface hidden inside the household appliance and cannot be seen by the user.

[0038] It should be noted that when a mold is used to injection mold an exterior component, the mold cavity is used to form the exterior component. The gate 20 (also called the pouring gate) is connected to the cavity. The material within the gate 20 forms a gate-shaped portion. The area where the exterior component and this gate-shaped portion connect is the gate-shaped area 30. Specifically, the gate-shaped area 30 is located on the non-exterior surface 12 of the exterior component.

[0039] In this embodiment, if Figures 1 to 4As shown, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the protrusion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than or equal to 20 mm. Since the flow rate near the gate is relatively slow, if the protrusion 40 is close to the gate molding area 30, the flow stability will be significantly affected, and flow marks will be easily generated. Therefore, this arrangement solves the problem of appearance defects easily occurring at the location where the protrusion 40 is provided on the appearance surface.

[0040] It should be noted that, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the protrusion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than or equal to 20 mm, that is, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the minimum distance between the protrusion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than or equal to 20 mm.

[0041] In this embodiment, if Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the height of the protrusion 40 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm. If the protrusion 40 is too high, it will easily affect the flow and easily produce flow marks. Therefore, if the height of the protrusion 40 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, the interference to the flow will be small.

[0042] It should be noted that the height of the protrusion 40 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, that is, the maximum height of the protrusion 40 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

[0043] Optionally, the height of the protrusion 40 is less than or equal to 0.15 mm. Such a configuration further reduces the generation of flow marks.

[0044] In this embodiment, if Figures 5 to 7 As shown, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than or equal to 20 mm. Since the flow rate near the gate is relatively slow, if the recessed portion 50 is close to the gate molding area 30, the flow stability will be significantly affected, and flow marks will be easily generated. Therefore, this arrangement solves the problem of appearance defects easily occurring at the location where the recessed portion 50 is provided on the surface.

[0045] It should be noted that, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than or equal to 20 mm, that is, along the flow direction of the injection melt, the minimum distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than or equal to 20 mm.

[0046] In this embodiment, if Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the depth of the recessed portion 50 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm. A recessed portion 50 that is too deep will easily affect the flow and easily produce flow marks, so a recessed portion 50 with a depth of less than or equal to 0.3 mm will have little interference with the flow.

[0047] It should be noted that the depth of the recessed portion 50 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, that is, the maximum depth of the recessed portion 50 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

[0048] Optionally, the depth of the recessed portion 50 is less than or equal to 0.15 mm. Such a configuration further reduces the generation of flow marks.

[0049] In this embodiment, the raised portion 40 includes at least one of a decorative structure, an indication structure, and a marking structure.

[0050] In this embodiment, the recessed portion 50 includes at least one of a decorative structure, an indication structure, and a marking structure.

[0051] In specific implementation, the decorative structure is used to decorate the appearance surface of the appearance component and play a decorative role; the indication structure is used to indicate the usage and operation methods of the household appliance, such as the opening direction, installation direction, etc.; the marking structure is used to identify relevant information of the household appliance, such as scale, brand information, etc.

[0052] Specifically, the raised portion 40 may be at least one of a three-dimensional icon, a three-dimensional pattern, and three-dimensional text.

[0053] Specifically, the recessed portion 50 may be at least one of a three-dimensional icon, a three-dimensional pattern, and three-dimensional text.

[0054] Specifically, there may be a plurality of protrusions 40 and a plurality of recesses 50 , and the plurality of protrusions 40 and the plurality of recesses 50 are all provided on the exterior surface.

[0055] Optionally, the protrusion 40 may be a cylindrical protrusion, a spherical protrusion, or other special-shaped structures.

[0056] Optionally, the recessed portion 50 may be a strip-shaped groove, an annular groove, or a groove of other shapes.

[0057] In this embodiment, the exterior surface 11 is provided with a brushed pattern, extending in a direction parallel to the flow direction of the injection molding melt. If flow marks appear on the exterior surface, they will be oriented in the same direction as the flow direction. The parallel extension of the brushed pattern obscures the flow marks, effectively concealing them.

[0058] It should be noted that brushed texture is formed on the surface of the appearance parts through surface brushing treatment, and surface brushing treatment is a surface treatment method that has a decorative effect.

[0059] In this embodiment, the appearance component is made of a spray-free material, which includes a base material and particles distributed in the base material; wherein the base material is a thermoplastic polymer material; and the particles are at least one of metal particles, pearlescent powder, and fibers.

[0060] Optionally, the metal particles are aluminum or copper.

[0061] Optionally, the fibers are nylon or natural fibers.

[0062] In other embodiments, the exterior surface 11 has a first gate forming area. Since gate lines are generated in the first gate forming area, the exterior component uses labels, silk screen printing, laser engraving, etc. to cover or fade the first gate forming area.

[0063] In other embodiments, the exterior surface 11 has flow marks, and the flow marks on the exterior surface 11 are covered or faded by using decorative concave and convex marks, sunburst patterns, labels, silk screen printing, laser engraving, and the like.

[0064] In other embodiments, the exterior surface 11 has a weld line, and the weld line on the exterior surface 11 is covered or faded by using decorative embossed marks, sunburst patterns, labels, silk screen printing, laser engraving, and the like.

[0065] The present invention further provides a household appliance, comprising an appearance component, wherein an appearance surface 11 of the appearance component forms at least a portion of the appearance surface of the household appliance, wherein the appearance component is the appearance component in the above embodiment.

[0066] Specifically, the household appliance is a water purifier, and the appearance component is the top cover of the water purifier.

[0067] The present invention further provides a mold, wherein the mold has a cavity for forming the appearance component in the above embodiment, and the mold further has a gate 20, which is connected to the cavity.

[0068] In this embodiment, the mold further comprises a buffer runner and a melt inlet. The first end of the buffer runner is connected to the melt inlet, and the buffer runner is connected to the end of the gate 20 away from the mold cavity, so that the injection melt flows through the melt inlet, the buffer runner, and the gate 20 in sequence before entering the mold cavity. The buffer runner is a curved runner. The provision of the buffer runner provides a buffering effect on the injection melt.

[0069] The buffer flow channel is a curved flow channel, that is, the axis of the buffer flow channel is a curve.

[0070] Optionally, the buffer flow channel is an arc-shaped flow channel, that is, the axis of the buffer flow channel is an arc.

[0071] From the above description, it can be seen that the above embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects:

[0072] The exterior components of the present invention are manufactured using spray-free technology. These components are injection-molded products made from spray-free materials. After molding, these injection-molded parts exhibit unique light and shadow effects and a metallic sheen, achieving an appearance comparable to or superior to spray-painted products without undergoing secondary processing. This technology offers advantages such as excellent functionality, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The exterior surface 11 of the exterior component body 10 is provided with a raised portion 40 and / or a recessed portion 50. Along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the raised portion 40 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the raised portion 40 and the filling end of the exterior surface 11, and the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the gate molding area 30 is greater than the distance between the recessed portion 50 and the filling end of the exterior surface 11. Since the flow velocity near the gate 20 is fast, if the raised portion 40 and the recessed portion 50 are close to the gate molding area 30, the flow stability will be greatly affected and flow marks will be easily generated. Therefore, the above-mentioned arrangement can make the raised portion 40 and the recessed portion 50 be in a position with high flow stability of the injection melt, reduce the generation of flow marks, and solve the problem of the spray-free injection molding parts in the prior art that are prone to appearance defects.

[0073] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can, for example, be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0074] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature to other devices or features as shown in the figures. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figures. For example, if the device in the drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0075] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An appearance component, comprising an appearance component body (10), wherein the appearance component body (10) has a gate molding area (30) for corresponding to a gate (20) of a mold; characterized in that: The exterior components are spray-free injection molded parts, and the exterior components further include: A raised portion (40) is provided on the appearance surface (11) of the appearance component body (10); along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the raised portion (40) and the gate molding area (30) is greater than the distance between the raised portion (40) and the filling end of the appearance surface (11); and / or, A recessed portion (50) is provided on the exterior surface (11); along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion (50) and the gate molding area (30) is greater than the distance between the recessed portion (50) and the filling end of the exterior surface (11); Along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the protrusion (40) and the gate molding area (30) is greater than or equal to 20 mm; The height of the raised portion (40) is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

2. The appearance component according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the flow direction of the injection melt, the distance between the recessed portion (50) and the gate molding area (30) is greater than or equal to 20 mm.

3. The appearance component according to claim 1, characterized in that: The depth of the recessed portion (50) is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

4. The appearance component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The raised portion (40) includes at least one of a decorative structure, an indication structure, and a marking structure.

5. The appearance component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The recessed portion (50) comprises at least one of a decorative structure, an indication structure and a marking structure.

6. The appearance component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The appearance surface (11) is provided with a brushed pattern, and the extension direction of the brushed pattern is parallel to the flow direction of the injection melt.

7. A household appliance comprising an appearance component, wherein an appearance surface (11) of the appearance component forms at least a portion of the appearance surface of the household appliance, characterized in that: The exterior component is the exterior component according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A mold, characterized in that: The mold has a cavity for forming the appearance component according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the mold further has a gate (20), and the gate (20) is connected to the cavity.

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