Rotary knob

Abstract

The invention discloses a rotary knob, belongs to the field of household appliances, and solves the problem that the outer diameter of the rotary knob is too large. The technical scheme for solving the problem mainly comprises a shell, an interaction panel, a backlight plate arranged on the back face of the interaction panel, a control circuit board used for controlling the backlight plate to work and arranged on the shell and a knob outer ring rotating relative to the shell to adjust an encoder, and the interaction panel is fixed to the front end of the shell. The interactive panel is provided with a circular visible area and a shielding area located on the periphery of the visible area and used for shielding the edge of the backlight plate, the backlight plate is provided with a circular display area, the display area is eccentrically arranged relative to the backlight plate in the first direction, and the visible area is eccentrically arranged relative to the display area in the second direction so as to reduce the outer diameter of the knob outer ring. The visible area is located in the range of the display area, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction. The invention mainly realizes the miniaturization of the knob.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to a knob. Background Art

[0002] With the improvement of living standards, people have begun to have higher and higher demands on household appliances such as washing machines. The functions of washing machines are constantly increasing, and the display structure content is correspondingly enriched, but the display space is relatively insufficient. The control method commonly used in the washing machine industry is to set the operation part and display structure on the display panel. The operation part is mainly realized through the knob. The user can set the appropriate program to wash clothes by rotating + pressing the button. Most of the display is realized through the LED / LCD screen to display parameters, functions and other data.

[0003] Prior art CN111434832A discloses a knob and a household appliance including the knob, wherein a knob for a household appliance is specifically disclosed, comprising a housing; a display structure, arranged in the housing, the display structure comprising a display screen, the display screen being connected to a computer board of the household appliance, the display structure being used to display parameter information of the household appliance; a knob bracket, arranged between the housing and the display structure and connected to the display structure, the housing being able to rotate relative to the knob bracket and the display structure; and an encoder, connected to the knob bracket and used to connect to the computer board. The knob integrates the functions of rotation and display, is novel in form, can reduce the overall cost of the household appliance, occupies little space, and is easy to operate.

[0004] Some display screens in the prior art are implemented using an interactive panel and a backlight panel glued to the back of the interactive panel. However, since the display area on the purchased backlight panel itself deviates from the center of the backlight panel, and the interactive panel and the outer shell are both configured to be circular, when designing the rotatable ring body, the size of the ring body is designed so that the display area and the visible area are coaxial, which results in the outer diameter of the knob outer shell being larger. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a knob to solve the problem that the outer diameter of the knob is too large and realize the miniaturization of the knob.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical scheme: a knob, comprising a shell, an interactive panel, a backlight panel arranged on the back of the interactive panel, a control circuit board for controlling the operation of the backlight panel and arranged on the shell, and a knob outer ring that rotates relative to the shell, the interactive panel is fixed to the front end of the shell, the interactive panel has a circular visible area and a blocking area located on the periphery of the visible area for blocking the edge of the backlight panel, the backlight panel has a circular display area, the display area is eccentrically arranged relative to the backlight panel along a first direction, the visible area is eccentrically arranged relative to the display area along a second direction to reduce the outer diameter of the knob outer ring, and the visible area is located within the range of the display area, and the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

[0007] After adopting the above technical scheme, the present invention has the following advantages: the knob realizes the control and display of the parameters, functions and other data of the household appliance through the electrical connection between the backlight panel and the control circuit board and the display area of ​​the interactive panel; when the backlight panel displays information, the relevant information is displayed in the display area; the interactive panel is on the front side of the backlight panel, and the content displayed in the display area is displayed through the visible area on the interactive panel; at the same time, the shielding area on the interactive panel shields the non-display area of ​​the backlight panel; since the display area on the backlight panel is eccentrically arranged along a first direction, by eccentrically arranging the visible area of ​​the interactive panel relative to the display area along a second direction opposite to the first direction, when the outer ring of the knob wraps the shielding plate, the contact range between the inner wall of the outer ring of the knob and the outer edge of the backlight panel is increased, and the outer diameter of the outer ring of the knob is reduced while the sizes of the backlight panel and the interactive panel remain unchanged. When the outer diameter of the outer ring of the knob is reduced, the overall volume of the knob is reduced, thereby achieving overall miniaturization of the knob; and when the area of ​​the visible area remains unchanged, the outer diameter of the outer ring of the knob is reduced, and the size of the interactive panel is further reduced, so that the area of ​​the visible area is increased compared with the area of ​​the entire interactive panel, visually enlarging the visible area, thereby realizing a large screen window in the visible area.

[0008] Furthermore, the radius of the visible area is R1, the radius of the display area is R2, and the distance between the visible area and the display area eccentrically disposed along the second direction is R2-R1.

[0009] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, when the visible area is eccentrically set along the second direction, the eccentric distance is R2-R1, which avoids the non-display area on the backlight panel appearing within the visible area when the visible area is eccentrically set, affecting the experience of viewing information in the visible area and the display area.

[0010] Furthermore, the backlight plate is polygonal, and at least two vertices on the backlight plate abut against the inner wall of the outer ring of the knob.

[0011] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, when the polygonal backlight panel abuts against the inner wall of the knob outer ring, no less than two points abut against the inner wall of the knob outer ring, thereby improving the stability of the backlight panel in the knob outer ring and preventing the backlight panel from rotating or moving relative to the knob outer ring.

[0012] Furthermore, the shell includes a rear shell and an intermediate bracket fixed on the front side of the rear shell, the intermediate bracket is provided with a positioning groove on the side facing the backlight panel, and the backlight panel is embedded in the positioning groove to position the backlight panel; and / or, the backlight panel is glued to the back of the interactive panel.

[0013] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, when installing the backlight panel, the backlight panel is embedded in the positioning groove on the middle bracket, so that the backlight panel can be stably installed in a predetermined position, which is convenient for connecting the backlight panel with the control circuit board and the backlight panel with the outer ring of the knob. At the same time, the stability of the backlight panel is improved to prevent the backlight panel from rotating or moving relative to the middle bracket and the outer ring of the knob; the backlight panel is fixed on the back of the interactive panel and adhered with adhesive to ensure that the backlight panel is eccentrically set on the interactive panel to prevent the size of the interactive panel from being larger than the inner diameter of the outer ring of the knob, which affects the assembly of the interactive panel and the outer ring of the knob.

[0014] Furthermore, an encoder for adjustment is provided between the shell and the knob outer ring, and the encoder includes an encoder inner ring and an encoder outer ring. The encoder outer ring is fixed on the inner wall of the knob outer ring, the encoder inner ring is arranged on the middle bracket, and the encoder inner ring is rotatably connected to the encoder outer ring.

[0015] When the above-mentioned technical solution is adopted, when the electrical appliance is controlled and adjusted by the knob, the adjustment is performed through the encoder. The encoder has a fixed outer ring and an adjustable inner ring. When installed, the outer ring of the encoder is installed on the inner wall of the outer ring of the knob, and the inner ring of the encoder is installed on the intermediate bracket. When adjusting the function of the household appliance and the display information in the display area, the outer ring of the encoder rotates relative to the inner ring of the encoder under the drive of the outer ring of the knob, thereby adjusting the function of the household appliance and displaying information such as parameters of the corresponding function.

[0016] Furthermore, one of the side of the intermediate bracket facing away from the backlight plate and the inner wall of the encoder is provided with a first limiting structure, and the other is provided with a second limiting structure, and the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure cooperate to circumferentially fix the encoder and the intermediate bracket.

[0017] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, when the intermediate bracket is connected to the encoder, the first limiting structure and the second limiting structure cooperate to make the intermediate bracket and the inner ring of the encoder relatively fixed in the circumferential direction, so that the knob can drive the outer ring of the encoder to rotate relative to the inner ring of the encoder to adjust the function of the household appliance.

[0018] Furthermore, the first limiting structure is a limiting column, the second limiting structure is a limiting groove, and the limiting column is plug-fitted with the limiting groove.

[0019] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the first limiting structure cooperates with the second limiting structure by plugging the limiting column into the limiting groove to prevent the inner ring of the encoder from rotating relative to the middle bracket, causing the outer ring of the encoder to drive the inner ring of the encoder to rotate and affect the functional adjustment of the household appliance.

[0020] Furthermore, a receiving cavity is provided on a side of the intermediate bracket facing away from the backlight panel, and a battery pack for providing electrical energy to the knob is embedded in the receiving cavity.

[0021] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the battery pack that provides power to the knob is embedded in the accommodating cavity on the intermediate bracket, so that the structure between the intermediate bracket, the battery pack and the rear shell is more compact, and the overall volume of the knob is reduced.

[0022] Furthermore, a blocking sheet is detachably connected to the intermediate bracket via a first fastener. The blocking sheet is located on a side of the intermediate bracket facing away from the backlight panel and stably blocks the battery pack in the accommodating cavity.

[0023] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, the battery pack is blocked and stabilized in the receiving cavity by the blocking sheet to avoid the possibility of the battery pack escaping from the receiving slot. The blocking sheet is detachably connected by the first fastener, which facilitates the removal of the blocking sheet to disassemble and replace the battery pack.

[0024] Furthermore, a positioning rod is provided on the side of the intermediate bracket facing away from the backlight panel, and a fastening hole is provided on the side of the positioning rod away from the intermediate bracket. The second fastener passes through the rear shell and the control circuit board in sequence and is connected to the fastening hole to fix the rear shell to the intermediate bracket.

[0025] By adopting the above-mentioned technical solution, a positioning rod is set on the intermediate bracket, and a fastening hole is opened on the positioning rod. When installing the intermediate bracket, the first fastener passes through the rear shell and the control circuit board and is fastened to the fastening hole, thereby connecting the intermediate bracket, the control circuit board and the rear shell together, preventing the intermediate bracket from causing the battery pack, the control circuit board and the rear shell to disperse and affecting the normal power supply of the battery pack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 It is an overall schematic diagram of a knob of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the display area and the visible area are not eccentrically arranged in the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure in which the display area and the visible area are eccentrically arranged in the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4This is an overall exploded view of a knob of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the positioning groove in the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the accommodating cavity and the limiting groove in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0034] The terms "first", "second", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of the present invention are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. Even if "second" is used to distinguish before a certain technical feature, it does not necessarily indicate that "first" is present. It should be understood that in the present invention, "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. It should be understood that in the present invention, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, X and / or Y can represent: X exists alone, X and Y exist at the same time, and Y exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "Containing X, Y and Z", "Containing X, Y, Z" means that X, Y, and Z are all included, "Containing X, Y or Z" means that one of X, Y, and Z is included, and "Containing X, Y and / or Z" means that any one, any two, or three of X, Y, and Z are included.

[0035] The technical solution of the present invention is described in detail with specific embodiments below. The following specific embodiments can be combined or replaced with each other according to actual conditions, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention provides a knob, comprising a housing 1, an interactive panel 2, a backlight panel 3 arranged on the back of the interactive panel 2, a control circuit board 4 for controlling the backlight panel 3 and arranged on the housing 1, and a knob outer ring 5 rotating relative to the housing 1, wherein the interactive panel 2 is fixed to the front end of the housing 1, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the backlight panel 3 has a circular display area 31, and the display area 31 is eccentrically arranged relative to the backlight panel 3 along the first direction 23. The interactive panel 2 has a circular visible area 22 and a blocking area 21 located at the periphery of the visible area 22, and the blocking area 21 is used to block the non-display area 31 at the edge of the backlight panel 3. The visible area 22 is located within the display area 31.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, since the display area 31 on the purchased backlight panel 3 is set along the first direction 23 away from the center of the backlight panel 3, when the knob is used on the household appliance, on the one hand, the same or different household appliances have different sizes, and the selection of knobs for household appliances of different sizes is based on layout considerations, and there will be requirements for knobs of different sizes. On the other hand, there may be more than one knob on the household appliance. When there are multiple knobs, different sizes will also be selected for layout considerations of the multiple knobs. The existing knob outer ring 5 is designed according to the size of the backlight panel 3 and the knob outer ring 5 is coaxial with the display area 31, which results in a larger overall size of the knob outer ring 5. After purchasing the same batch of backlight panels 3, the demand for knobs of different sizes cannot be well met.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the visible area 22 is eccentrically arranged relative to the display area 31 along the second direction 32 on the interactive panel 2, the second direction 32 is opposite to the first direction 23, and the visible area 22 is still within the range of the display area 31; the display area 31 displays the functions, parameters, etc. of the household appliances through the display module, and the visible area 22 is the visible range for the user to view the displayed information. In this embodiment, after the visible area 22 is eccentrically arranged relative to the display area 31 along the second direction 32, it does not affect the user's acquisition of the information displayed in the display area 31 from the visible area 22, so that the maximum distance between the center of the visible area 22 and the edge of the backlight panel 3 is reduced, thereby reducing the outer diameter of the knob outer ring 5. After the outer diameter of the knob outer ring 5 is reduced, the overall volume of the knob is reduced, thereby realizing the overall miniaturization of the knob; and when the area of ​​the visible area 22 remains unchanged, the outer diameter of the knob outer ring 5 is reduced, and the size of the interactive panel 2 is further reduced, so that the area of ​​the visible area 22 is increased compared with the area of ​​the entire interactive panel 2, and the visible area 22 is visually magnified, thereby realizing a large screen window of the visible area 22.

[0039] In order to prevent the edge of the backlight panel 3 from appearing in the visible area 22 after the eccentric arrangement, in this embodiment, Figure 3As shown, the radius of the visible area 22 is R1, the radius of the display area 31 is R2, and the eccentric distance of the visible area 22 relative to the display area 31 when eccentrically set along the second direction 32 is R2-R1, ensuring that the visible area 22 is still located within the display area 31 after the eccentric setting and the non-display area 31 of the backlight panel 3 does not enter the visible area 22, thereby preventing the edge of the non-display area 31 on the backlight panel 3 from appearing in the visible area 22 and affecting the viewing experience of the displayed information through the visible area 22.

[0040] In another embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the outer edge of the backlight panel 3 is polygonal, and when the edge of the backlight panel 3 abuts against the inner wall of the knob outer ring 5, the number of abutted vertices is at least two. Specifically, the backlight panel 3 has a first axis 24, and the backlight panel 3 is symmetrical about the first axis 24. The centers of the display area 31 and the visible area 22 are both on the first axis 24, so that the display area 31 and the visible area 22 are symmetrical about the first axis 24. During installation, the vertex angles of the edge of the backlight panel 3 abut against the inner wall of the knob outer ring 5, and the number of abutted vertices is an even number, and the even number of vertices is symmetrically distributed on both sides of the first axis 24. After the backlight panel 3 abuts against the inner wall of the knob outer ring 5, the abutting force borne by the backlight panel 3 is the same on both sides of the first axis 24, so as to prevent the backlight panel 3 from being deformed or shifted due to uneven force.

[0041] To facilitate the turning of knobs to adjust home appliance functions and display information, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the housing 1 includes a rear shell 11 and an intermediate bracket 12 fixedly arranged on the front side of the rear shell 11, an encoder 6 is arranged between the knob outer ring 5 and the intermediate bracket 12, and the encoder 6 is connected to the control of the household appliance. Specifically, the encoder 6 includes an encoder outer ring 61 and an encoder inner ring 62, and the encoder inner ring 62 rotates relative to the encoder outer ring 61 to adjust functions and parameters, wherein the encoder outer ring 61 is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the knob outer ring 5, and the inner ring of the encoder 6 is arranged on the intermediate bracket 12. When it is necessary to adjust the functions and parameters of the household appliance, the knob outer ring 5 is rotated to drive the encoder outer ring 61 to rotate relative to the encoder outer ring 61 to adjust the functions of the household appliance.

[0042] To further stably install the backlight panel 3, as Figure 5 As shown, a positioning groove 127 is provided on the side of the middle bracket 12 facing the backlight panel 3, and the backlight panel 3 is embedded in the positioning groove 127, which reduces the deviation of the installation position of the backlight panel 3 and improves the stability of the backlight panel 3 after installation; in order to further ensure that the backlight panel 3 is eccentric on the interactive panel 2, the backlight panel 3 is eccentrically fixed on the interactive panel 2 and then adhered by adhesive, so that the backlight panel 3 is stably eccentrically set on the interactive panel 2, ensuring the eccentricity of the backlight panel 3 while avoiding the relative deviation of the installation position of the backlight panel 3 relative to the interactive panel 2.

[0043] To facilitate the installation and anti-rotation of the intermediate bracket 12 and the encoder inner ring 62, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, a first limiting structure is provided on the side of the intermediate bracket 12 away from the backlight plate 3, and a second limiting structure is provided on the inner wall of the encoder inner ring 62; in this embodiment, the second limiting structure is a limiting column 621, and the first limiting structure is a limiting groove 122. When the encoder inner ring 62 and the intermediate bracket 12 are installed, the limiting column 621 is plugged into the limiting groove 122, and the intermediate bracket 12 and the encoder inner ring 62 are fixed in the circumferential direction by plugging the limiting column 621 into the limiting groove 122. The second limiting structure can be the limiting groove 122 provided on the intermediate bracket 12, and the first limiting structure can be the limiting column 621 provided on the inner wall of the encoder inner ring 62.

[0044] like Figure 6 As shown, a receiving cavity 121 is provided on a side of the intermediate bracket 12 facing away from the backlight panel 3 , and a battery pack 125 for providing electric energy to the knob is embedded in the receiving cavity 121 .

[0045] In this embodiment, in order to prevent the battery pack 125 from escaping from the accommodating cavity 121, the intermediate bracket 12 is provided with a blocking sheet 126, which covers the accommodating cavity 121 and blocks the battery pack 125 in the accommodating cavity 121, so as to prevent the blocking sheet 126 from escaping from the accommodating cavity 121. In order to facilitate the disassembly for replacing the battery pack 125, the blocking sheet 126 is provided with a mounting hole, and the intermediate bracket 12 is provided with a positioning seat 124 on the side facing the blocking sheet 126. There are multiple positioning seats 124, which are distributed outside the accommodating cavity 121 and close to the accommodating cavity 121. The first fastener passes through the mounting hole and is fastened to the blocking sheet 126, so that the blocking sheet 126 is detachably fixed to the positioning seat 124, and the blocking sheet 126 can be removed to replace the battery pack 125 while preventing the battery pack 125 from escaping from the accommodating cavity 121.

[0046] In order to stably connect the middle bracket 12 and the rear shell 11, a positioning rod 123 is provided on the side of the middle bracket 12 facing away from the backlight panel 3, and a fastening hole is provided on the side of the positioning rod 123 away from the middle bracket 12. A through hole is provided on the rear shell 11, and a connecting hole is provided on the control circuit board 4. The second fastener passes through the through hole and the connecting hole in sequence and is fastened to the fastening hole, thereby fastening the rear shell 11 and the control circuit board 4 to the middle bracket 12, thereby stabilizing the middle bracket 12 and the rear shell 11.

[0047] In addition to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, the present invention also has other implementation modes. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative work are within the scope of protection requested by the present invention.

Claims

1. A knob, comprising a housing, an interactive panel, a backlight panel disposed on the back of the interactive panel, a control circuit board for controlling the backlight panel and disposed on the housing, and a knob outer ring that rotates relative to the housing, wherein the interactive panel is fixed to the front end of the housing, the interactive panel has a circular visible area and a shielding area located on the periphery of the visible area for shielding the edge of the backlight panel, the backlight panel has a circular display area, and the display area is eccentrically arranged relative to the backlight panel along a first direction, characterized in that: The visible area is eccentrically arranged relative to the display area along the second direction to reduce the outer diameter of the outer ring of the knob, and the visible area is located within the range of the display area. The second direction is opposite to the first direction.

2. The knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radius of the visible area is R1, the radius of the display area is R2, and the distance between the visible area and the display area along the second direction and eccentrically arranged is R2-R1.

3. The knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The backlight plate is polygonal, and at least two vertex angles on the backlight plate abut against the inner wall of the outer ring of the knob.

4. The knob according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell includes a rear shell and an intermediate bracket fixed on the front side of the rear shell, the intermediate bracket is provided with a positioning groove on the side facing the backlight panel, and the backlight panel is embedded in the positioning groove to position the backlight panel; and / or the backlight panel is glued to the back of the interactive panel.

5. The knob according to claim 4, characterized in that: An encoder for adjustment is provided between the shell and the knob outer ring, and the encoder includes an encoder inner ring and an encoder outer ring. The encoder outer ring is fixed on the inner wall of the knob outer ring, the encoder inner ring is arranged on the middle bracket, and the encoder inner ring is rotatably connected with the encoder outer ring.

6. The knob according to claim 4, characterized in that: One of the side of the intermediate bracket away from the backlight plate and the inner wall of the encoder is provided with a first limiting structure, and the other is provided with a second limiting structure. The first limiting structure and the second limiting structure cooperate to circumferentially fix the encoder and the intermediate bracket.

7. The knob according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first limiting structure is a limiting column, and the second limiting structure is a limiting groove, and the limiting column is plug-fitted with the limiting groove.

8. The knob according to claim 4, characterized in that: A receiving cavity is provided on a side of the intermediate bracket facing away from the backlight plate, and a battery pack for providing electric energy to the knob is embedded in the receiving cavity.

9. The knob according to claim 8, characterized in that: The intermediate bracket is detachably connected with a blocking sheet via a first fastener. The blocking sheet is located on a side of the intermediate bracket facing away from the backlight panel and stably blocks the battery pack in the accommodating cavity.

10. The knob according to claim 4, characterized in that: The middle bracket is provided with a positioning rod on the side facing away from the backlight panel, and a fastening hole is provided on the side of the positioning rod away from the middle bracket. The second fastener passes through the rear shell and the control circuit board in sequence and is connected with the fastening hole to fix the rear shell to the middle bracket.

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