Circuit board, panel assembly and cooking utensil
By adopting a surface-mount LED array and a fully enclosed casing design on the circuit board, the problems of large space occupation, high cost, low efficiency and poor display flexibility of traditional digital tubes are solved, realizing a compact design of the circuit board and diversified information display, which can adapt to the multi-state indication of cooking utensils and smart home appliances.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520627496.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-04-03
AI Technical Summary
Traditional digital tube displays suffer from problems such as large space occupation, high material costs, low processing efficiency, and poor display flexibility in electronic devices, especially in cooking appliances and smart home appliances where it is difficult to achieve compact design and multi-state indication.
By replacing traditional digital tubes with surface-mount LED arrays, which are directly soldered onto the circuit board using SMT technology, regional control and button-LED linkage are achieved. Combined with a fully enclosed shell design, the production process is simplified and costs are reduced.
It achieves a compact circuit board design, reduces material and processing costs, improves production efficiency, supports diverse information display and haptic visual feedback, and adapts to harsh operating environments.
Smart Images

Figure CN223829516U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of circuit board more specifically, relate to a kind of circuit board, panel assembly and cooking utensil. BACKGROUND
[0002] With the rapid development of intelligent household appliances and electronic devices, the demand for dynamic display effect in human-computer interaction interface is increasing.
[0003] In the design of traditional electronic device display panel, the digital tube (such as seven-segment digital tube, rice tube, etc.) has been widely used as the main digital / character display device for a long time. However, the digital tube usually adopts integrated packaging structure, which is composed of multiple LED light emitting segments inside to realize fixed display of specific characters or symbols. This integrated design has significant defects in practical application:
[0004] 1. Large space occupation: a single digital tube needs to occupy a large PCB area independently, and each display unit (such as numbers, symbols) needs to be arranged separately, which leads to bloated overall layout of the panel, especially in the multi-character dynamic display scenario, it is difficult to realize compact design.
[0005] 2. High material cost: the digital tube needs customized packaging structure (such as resin sealing, pin frame), its production process is complex, and it lacks universality because the display content is fixed, so it cannot reduce the procurement cost through standardized components.
[0006] 3. Low processing efficiency: the digital tube needs to be welded on the PCB through plug-in process, compared with the SMT process, it needs additional punching and manual correction steps, which leads to longer processing cycle and lower yield.
[0007] 4. Poor display flexibility: the display content of the digital tube is limited by the physical packaging structure, it cannot freely combine light dot matrix to realize graphical or dynamic effect, and it is difficult to control independently in different areas, which restricts the upgrade of human-computer interaction experience.
[0008] Especially in the field of cooking utensils, intelligent household appliances, etc., the device panel often needs to integrate multiple state indicators (such as temperature, time, mode icons, etc.), the traditional digital tube solution needs to stack multiple display modules, which not only increases the thickness of the panel, but also causes local overheating problem due to the centralized arrangement of components. In addition, the cooperative design of digital tube and driving circuit (such as decoding chip) needs complex wiring, which further increases the number of PCB layers and processing cost. INVENTION CONTENTS
[0009] Therefore, the utility model aims to provide a kind of circuit board, panel assembly and cooking utensil, which is low in cost and high in production efficiency.
[0010] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, this application provides a circuit board, including a PCB board, the PCB board having a display surface and a mounting surface opposite to the display surface, the display surface being mounted with a plurality of surface-mount LEDs, the PCB board being provided with electrodes for supplying power to individual surface-mount LEDs, the plurality of surface-mount LEDs being arranged on the display surface according to a set pattern, and components being inserted into the mounting surface, the components being spatially staggered with the surface-mount LEDs.
[0011] Through the above technical solutions, surface-mount LEDs are directly soldered onto the circuit board via SMT, improving installation efficiency. Surface-mount LED arrays can be used in small displays, supporting zoned control. Multiple surface-mount LEDs are mounted on the display side of the PCB, each powered by an independent electrode and arranged according to a set pattern. This design directly utilizes surface mount technology (SMT), eliminating the need for traditional light guide structures and simplifying the production process. Surface-mount LEDs and through-hole components are arranged on separate sides, avoiding signal interference when mounted on the same side, reducing the number of PCB layers required (single-layer wiring is possible), and lowering material costs. Components on the mounting surface and LEDs on the display surface are staggered, reducing spatial conflicts and optimizing layout compactness. The surface mount technology (SMT) and through-hole processes are executed in separate steps, reducing process conflicts and improving automated assembly efficiency. High-heat-generating components (such as driver chips) are arranged separately from LEDs, reducing the impact of localized temperature rise on display performance.
[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, the set pattern includes at least two display areas controlled by different programs.
[0013] The above technical solution allows for independent programming and control of different areas, enabling the simultaneous display of diverse information such as time, temperature, and mode icons, replacing the single-character display of traditional digital tubes. Software control reuses the LED dot matrix, reducing the number of hardware components and lowering material costs.
[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, a further technical solution is that at least one of the surface-mount LEDs is electrically connected to a push-button switch to achieve interlocking control of the working state.
[0015] Through the above technical solution, when the button is operated, the corresponding LED lights up / changes color in real time, providing both tactile and visual feedback (e.g., backlight changes synchronously when switching modes). The button and LED are directly connected, reducing reliance on intermediate control chips and lowering circuit complexity.
[0016] Secondly, this application provides a panel assembly including the circuit board described in the first aspect.
[0017] Through the above technical solutions, a high-performance LED display solution is directly integrated, reducing the overall cost of the panel assembly by 45% compared to traditional digital tube solutions. The thin and light characteristics of surface-mount LEDs reduce the panel thickness to less than 5mm, making it suitable for miniaturized home appliance designs.
[0018] In conjunction with the second aspect, a further technical solution also includes a housing fixedly connected to the circuit board, wherein the housing has light-emitting ports corresponding one-to-one with the patch LEDs.
[0019] Through the above technical solutions, the fully enclosed casing design isolates moisture and oil from intrusion, making it suitable for high-humidity environments such as kitchens. Precisely aligned light outlets prevent LED light scattering, improving display clarity.
[0020] In conjunction with the second aspect, a further technical solution is that the faceplate completely covers the maximum contour area of the circuit board.
[0021] The above technical solution allows the housing to completely cover the outline of the circuit board, with light outlets corresponding one-to-one with the LEDs. This structure eliminates the need for additional light guide components, reducing costs.
[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, a further technical solution is that the surface-mount LED and the push-button switch, which are linked in their working states, are covered by the same light-emitting port.
[0023] Through the above technical solution, the button and indicator light are integrated into the same area, resulting in a compact structure and saving panel space. When the user presses the button, their finger naturally blocks the light outlet, preventing glare from direct sunlight.
[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, a further technical solution also includes a face mask, which is fixed to the side of the face shell away from the circuit board, and the face mask has a light-transmitting area that corresponds one-to-one with the light outlet.
[0025] The above technical solution conceals the internal structure of the translucent film, achieving a flat panel design. The use of PET / PC material for the film extends its service life.
[0026] Thirdly, this application provides a cooking appliance that includes the panel assembly of the second aspect.
[0027] Through the above technical solutions, modular panel components can be quickly adapted to different models such as rice cookers and air fryers, improving production line compatibility by 90%. The display and control functions are highly integrated, reducing the overall circuit wiring by 50%.
[0028] In conjunction with the third aspect, a further technical solution is provided, wherein the body is provided with an installation port, and part of the panel assembly passes through the installation port from the outside of the body and is fixedly connected to the body.
[0029] With the above technical solution, the panel is pre-assembled and embedded into the main body, reducing internal cable routing and assembly time. In case of malfunction, the panel assembly can be directly removed without disassembling the entire unit.
[0030] In summary, this application has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:
[0031] 1. By replacing digital tubes with single-sided integrated design and surface mount technology, material costs are reduced by more than 30% and processing efficiency is increased by 40%.
[0032] 2. The zoned dynamic display and button-LED linkage design meet the multi-functional indication needs of smart home appliances.
[0033] 3. The full-coverage and split-face layout of the shell effectively solves the problems of heat dissipation and moisture prevention, making it suitable for harsh usage environments. Attached Figure Description
[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.
[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a circuit board in the prior art;
[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a panel assembly in the prior art;
[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the circuit board of the first embodiment of this application;
[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the circuit board in this application;
[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the panel component in this application;
[0040] Figure 6 This is a top view of the panel assembly of this application.
[0041] Figure label:
[0042] 1. Old PCB board; 2. Digital tube; 3. Old panel; 31. Display window;
[0043] 100. New circuit board; 101. New PCB board; 102. Front view; 103. Back view; 104. SMD LED; 105. Components; 106. Chip; 107. Indicator light; 108. Push button switch; 109. Indicator light;
[0044] 200. Panel assembly; 201. New panel; 202. Digital area; 203. Light outlet; 204. Indicator area. Detailed Implementation
[0045] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0046] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0047] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
[0048] Please see Figure 1 The existing circuit board includes an old PCB board 1, a digital tube 2, and components 105. The digital tube 2 is relatively large and is plugged into the circuit board. All the digital tubes 2 and components 105 are assembled on one side of the old PCB board 1, and the thickness of the entire circuit board is relatively large.
[0049] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The existing old panel 3 assembly is assembled and fixed together with the old circuit board and the old panel 3 as a whole before being assembled with the electrical components. Considering cost and assembly efficiency, the old panel 3 only covers the display window 31 and button area of the digital tube 2. Therefore, the size of the old panel 3 is smaller than that of the old PCB board 1. When assembling with the electrical components, the old panel 3 is usually outside the electrical components and the old circuit board is inside the electrical components. The two are snapped together and fixed together with the electrical components. Because the internal space of the electrical components is small, it is not convenient to operate, so the assembly efficiency is low.
[0050] The inventors of this application have discovered that the traditional digital tube display scheme suffers from problems such as insufficiently compact layout, high production costs, and poor display flexibility, which severely restricts the upgrading of the human-computer interaction experience of electronic devices. Therefore, this application mainly adopts the following solution to achieve a more flexible and efficient dynamic display effect by replacing the traditional digital tube with a surface-mount LED 104. The implementation methods of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.
[0051] Example 1
[0052] Please see Figure 3 The present application provides a circuit board including a new PCB board 101. The new PCB board 101 has a front side 102 for display and a back side 103 opposite to the front side 102. Multiple surface mount LEDs 104 are mounted on the front side 102. Electrodes for powering each surface mount LED 104 are provided on the new PCB board 101. The multiple surface mount LEDs 104 are arranged on the front side 102 according to a set pattern. Components 105 are inserted into the back side 103. The components 105 and the surface mount LEDs 104 are spatially staggered, thereby achieving a more compact spatial layout and reducing the overall cost.
[0053] Specifically, multiple surface-mount LEDs 104 mounted on the front side 102 can be directly soldered onto the new PCB board 101 using SMD (Surface Mount Device) technology. The surface-mount LEDs 104 can be either PLCC-packaged LED chips 106 or small-sized COB-type light sources. PLCC packaging offers higher reliability and durability, making it suitable for stable operation in high-temperature environments; COB, with its leadless design, offers the advantage of higher-density integration. Both types offer high brightness and low energy consumption, while facilitating mass production and automated assembly, significantly improving production efficiency. For example, a white surface-mount LED 104 in a PLCC2 package can be used as the basic unit, with dimensions of approximately 3.5mm × 2.9mm × 1.2mm. Alternatively, smaller 0603 or 0402 size products can be selected to meet application requirements under more stringent space constraints.
[0054] The design of the new PCB board 101 requires careful planning of the routing rules to ensure a stable current supply for each independently operating surface-mount LED 104. This is achieved by reserving sufficient copper foil width during circuit printing to ensure reliable electrical connections while also considering heat dissipation. Furthermore, the power supply path must be carefully planned to prevent interference signals from causing unexpected fluctuations in image quality during normal operation. The new PCB board 101 features an independent wiring network, ensuring each surface-mount LED 104 has its own dedicated power circuit. For high-frequency signal transmission components, shielding is used to prevent electromagnetic interference from affecting normal operation. In addition, overcurrent protection devices, such as transient voltage suppressor diodes or varistors, are added at critical points to enhance the system's shock resistance.
[0055] During the installation of various auxiliary components 105 on the assembly surface, the layout strategy should prioritize proximity, i.e., fixing the electrolytic capacitors for filtering close to the relevant power amplifier ICs. This ensures good decoupling and reduces losses caused by long-distance traces. Additionally, heat-shrink tubing can be used to wrap exposed metal terminals for insulation and protection, while also facilitating subsequent disassembly and maintenance. Functional components such as resistors, capacitors, and other necessary integrated circuit modules on the back 103 should be placed as close as possible to the target components they serve to shorten wiring lengths and reduce unnecessary losses and wasted resources and energy caused by parasitic parameter effects.
[0056] Specifically, the surface-mount LED 104 includes a light-emitting chip 106 and metal leads connected to it. The light-emitting chip 106 can be a microchip 106 made of gallium nitride semiconductor material on a sapphire substrate, and its emission wavelength can be adjusted to different colors by doping elements; the metal leads are preferably made of tin-plated copper material, which has good conductivity and oxidation resistance. For example, small LED particles can be selected, which can be square or rectangular in shape, with a side length of approximately 1 millimeter, allowing for a denser arrangement of more pixels in a limited area, thereby supporting higher resolution image display.
[0057] In particular, to further enrich the visual expression, a driver chip 106 with dimming function can be embedded in certain specific locations, supporting a PWM pulse width adjustment mechanism to precisely control the brightness level and create a smooth gradient transition animation sequence. Meanwhile, for different color requirement scenarios, it is recommended to pair it with RGB full-color SMD LED 104 units; only one set of basic hardware is needed to achieve any color mixing and combination to display a rich and colorful visual world.
[0058] In addition, to adapt to visual needs under different ambient lighting conditions, special model surface-mount LEDs 104 with optical lens covers can be selected in certain situations. These products have a tiny, raised, transparent plastic component on the top of their housing, which focuses the light, maintaining a clear and bright effect even at a distance. Specifically, a new transparent mask covers the entire outer contour area, with numerous small holes perforated to act as channels for the light emitted by each surface-mount LED 104 to diffuse outwards. Preferably, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) is used to construct this mask housing, as its excellent optical properties and lightweight advantages make it an ideal candidate.
[0059] The core structure of the new PCB 101 consists of a fiberglass-core double-sided copper-clad laminate, with an externally etched network of precision printed circuitry. During manufacturing, small holes for locating critical components are precisely drilled using laser drilling, and then filled with conductive material to establish electrical connection channels. Furthermore, a protective coating is added to critical nodes to prevent humid air from corroding the delicate internal components.
[0060] Special attention should be paid to carefully selecting small and low-power auxiliary components 105 located on one side of the assembly surface—such as Zener diodes, filter electrolytic capacitors, and other dedicated IC chips 106. Their relative positions should follow the principle of proximity, that is, be placed as close as possible to the target related components, so as to shorten the actual connection length and reduce the negative impact of parasitic parameters.
[0061] Multiple surface-mount LEDs 104, such as LED chips 106 in 0805 or 0603 packages, are mounted on the front side 102. These surface-mount LEDs 104 are arranged in a pre-defined pattern, such as forming text, symbols, or decorative graphics (e.g., rings, stars). To achieve independent control, the new PCB board 101 has electrodes (e.g., copper foil traces) that provide individual power to each surface-mount LED 104. Each electrode is connected to the driver circuit via vias or jumpers.
[0062] Components 105 (such as resistors and capacitors) are inserted into the back 103. The layout of the components 105 is staggered with the surface-mount LEDs 104 on the display surface to avoid overlapping projections. For example, the mounting positions of the surface-mount LEDs 104 correspond to the blank areas of the mounting surface, while the components 105 are concentrated below the gaps between the surface-mount LEDs 104, thereby optimizing space utilization and reducing the thickness of the circuit board.
[0063] At least one surface-mount LED 104 is electrically connected to a push-button switch 108, for example, by connecting the LED's power line in series with the contacts of the push-button switch 108 via internal traces on a new PCB board 101. When the user presses the push-button switch 108, the on / off state of the surface-mount LED 104 switches accordingly, providing operational feedback (such as the LED lighting up when the button is pressed).
[0064] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: by using surface-mount LEDs 104 instead of traditional digital tubes 2, and with the surface-mount LEDs 104 and components 105 arranged in an alternating pattern, the space occupied on the new PCB board 101 is significantly reduced. Due to the use of an automated SMT production line, work efficiency and product quality consistency are greatly improved. Furthermore, the display content can be flexibly adjusted according to actual application scenarios without being limited by fixed modules, truly realizing the concept of customized services on demand and achieving significant practical results.
[0065] Example 2
[0066] Please see Figure 4 This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that it adds at least two display areas controlled by different programs. This design allows users to divide the same circuit board into independent working areas, thereby better meeting diverse display needs and enhancing product applicability. For example, a single home appliance panel can be used for time display and clock alarm mode switching information presentation, among other functions.
[0067] Optional solution: The front side 102 of the new PCB board 101 can be divided into three display areas, each driven by a different control program. In this embodiment, the surface-mount LED 104 of the digital area 202 displays the time or power, the indicator light 109 of the indicator area 204 provides function indication, and the display light 107 displays the working status of the push button switch 108. Each area is connected to the main control chip 106 through independent signal lines.
[0068] The implementation principle of this embodiment is as follows: by partitioning and managing the 104-array of surface-mount LEDs, a single device can bear multiple task loads, which not only saves hardware configuration costs but also simplifies the complexity of the system architecture, thereby effectively reducing the difficulty of later maintenance.
[0069] Example 3
[0070] Please see Figure 5 and Figure 6The panel assembly 200 includes the new circuit board 100 described in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, and further includes: a new panel 201 made of opaque plastic (such as ABS), which is fixed to the display side of the circuit board by clips or screws. The new panel 201 completely covers the maximum outline area of the new PCB board 101, and its surface is provided with a plurality of light-emitting ports 203, each light-emitting port 203 being aligned with at least one surface-mount LED 104, and the diameter being slightly larger than the light-emitting surface of the LED to ensure light transmission effect.
[0071] Linked design: In this embodiment, the new circuit board 100 includes a surface-mount indicator 107 linked to the push button switch 108. The light outlet 203 corresponding to the indicator 107 simultaneously covers the operating part of the push button switch 108. When the user presses the area of the light outlet 203, the push button switch 108 is triggered, and the LED status change can be observed through light transmission.
[0072] Face mask: Attached to the outside of the new panel 201, it is made of a semi-transparent or partially perforated material (such as PET film). Its light-transmitting area corresponds one-to-one with the light-emitting port 203. Icons or text can be printed on the surface to indicate functions (such as "switch" or "mode"). The indicator lights 109 and the push-button switches 108 in another display area are not in the same light-emitting port 203. The light-emitting port 203 of the indicator lights 109 only covers the area of the indicator lights 109. The functions of the indicator lights 109 or push-button switches are explained by the text or icons printed on the face mask.
[0073] Example 4
[0074] This embodiment provides a cooking appliance, specifically a small household appliance such as an electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, or food processor. The cooking appliance includes a body and the panel assembly 200 described in Embodiment 3. The front 102 of the body has a mounting opening, and the panel assembly 200 is inserted into the mounting opening from the outside of the body and fixed by a slot. The mounting surface of the new PCB board 101 faces the inside of the body and is connected to the main control board via a ribbon cable for signal transmission and power supply. The user observes the LED display status through the light-transmitting area of the panel and operates the button functions by pressing the corresponding area.
[0075] Technical Benefits: The staggered layout of surface-mount LEDs 104 and components 105 reduces the circuit board thickness, making it suitable for compact devices (such as rice cookers and air fryers). Independent power supply electrodes and zoned control enable dynamic display effects, enhancing the user experience. The linkage design between buttons and LEDs integrates operation and feedback through a single light output port 203, simplifying the panel structure.
[0076] The above embodiments are merely typical implementations of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can achieve similar solutions within the scope of the claims by adjusting the LED arrangement, the shape of the new panel 201, etc.
[0077] The circuit board provided by this utility model has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A circuit board, characterized in that, The device includes a PCB board having a display surface and a mounting surface opposite to the display surface. Multiple surface-mount LEDs are mounted on the display surface. Electrodes for supplying power to individual surface-mount LEDs are provided on the PCB board. The multiple surface-mount LEDs are arranged on the display surface according to a set pattern. Components are inserted into the mounting surface, and the components are spatially staggered with the surface-mount LEDs.
2. The circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that, The set pattern includes at least two display areas controlled by different programs.
3. The circuit board according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the surface-mount LEDs is electrically connected to a push-button switch to achieve interlocking control of the operating state.
4. A panel assembly, characterized in that, Includes the circuit board as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The panel assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a housing that is fixedly connected to the circuit board, and the housing has light outlets that correspond one-to-one with the patch LEDs.
6. The panel assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The faceplate completely covers the maximum outline area of the circuit board.
7. The panel assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The surface-mount LEDs and push-button switches that are linked in their working status are covered by the same light outlet.
8. The panel assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a face mask, which is fixed to the side of the face shell away from the circuit board, and the face mask has a light-transmitting area that corresponds one-to-one with the light outlet.
9. A cooking utensil, characterized in that, It includes a body and a panel assembly as described in any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the panel assembly is fixedly connected to the body.
10. The cooking utensil according to claim 9, characterized in that, The body is provided with an installation port, and part of the panel assembly passes through the installation port from the outside of the body and is fixedly connected to the body.