Control module for household electrical appliance, display panel and household electrical appliance

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to a control module for a household appliance, which comprises a light-emitting element and a control module, an operating element for operating the household appliance; and a decoration assembly having an annular first display area, an annular second display area spaced apart from and concentric with the first display area, and a non-display area adjacent to the first display area and the second display area. The first and second display areas are adapted to display different display effects from each other by means of light from the light-emitting element, and the second display area is a manipulation display area adapted to manually operate the operating element. In a first state of the household appliance, the light-emitting element emits light, and the first display area and the second display area respectively have a first display effect and a second display effect which are different from each other and are different from the non-display area. Through the technical schemes of multiple embodiments, the control interface with rich display effects of the household appliance can be obtained. The utility model further relates to a corresponding display panel for the household appliance and the household appliance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of this utility model relate to the field of household appliances, and more specifically to a control module for household appliances, a display panel for household appliances, and corresponding household appliances. Background Technology

[0002] Nowadays, more and more home appliances integrate touch screens into their user interfaces to allow users to perform various operations intuitively, thus improving the user experience. However, existing technologies still have room for improvement in terms of human-computer interaction and aesthetic design. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a control module for home appliances, a display panel for home appliances, and corresponding home appliances. At least one embodiment of this invention can at least partially overcome the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a control module for household appliances is provided, characterized in that the control module comprises:

[0005] Light-emitting elements;

[0006] Operating elements for operating the household appliances; and

[0007] A decorative component having an annular first display area, an annular second display area separated from the first display area, and a non-display area adjacent to both the first and second display areas, wherein the second display area is concentric with the first display area.

[0008] The first display area and the second display area are configured to display different display effects from each other by means of light from the light-emitting element.

[0009] The second display area is configured as a control display area suitable for manually operating the operating elements, and

[0010] In the first state of the household appliance, the light-emitting element emits light, and the first display area and the second display area have a first display effect and a second display effect that are different from each other and different from the non-display area.

[0011] This embodiment enables the creation of a control interface for home appliances with a dual-ring display effect. One ring not only displays the appliance but also controls it, thereby enhancing the display diversity of the appliance and integrating control functions. This improves the user's human-computer interaction experience while enhancing the design and appearance of the appliance.

[0012] The extensions and improvements to the technical solution of this utility model can be obtained from the following optional embodiments.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the first display effect includes a static display effect and / or a dynamic display effect. This embodiment improves the diversity of display effects for home appliances.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the second display effect includes illuminated patterns and / or text associated with the function of the operating element. This embodiment facilitates user operation of home appliances and enhances the user experience.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the second display area is located inside the annular shape of the first display area. This embodiment achieves a specific display effect where the display ring surrounds the control area, making reasonable use of the space inside the display ring and further enhancing the appearance of the home appliance and the user experience.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, in a second state of the household appliance that is different from the first state, the light-emitting element does not emit light and the second display area has a third display effect that is different from the second display effect and the non-display area.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, in the second state, the first display area has a display effect that is substantially the same as that of the non-display area.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the second display effect includes illuminated patterns and / or text associated with the function of the operating element and a background color different from the color of the non-display area.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the third display effect only has a background color that is different from the color of the non-display area.

[0020] Through one or more of the above embodiments, different display effects can be obtained in different states of home appliances. In particular, even when the light-emitting element is not emitting light, a specific display effect can be obtained through the second display area, thereby further improving the appearance of home appliances and the user experience.

[0021] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the decorative component includes: a light guide having an annular first light guide well for the first display area and an annular second light guide well for the second display area, adapted to guide light from the light-emitting element; a decorative layer having a semi-transparent substrate layer, a mask layer for forming the first display area located on the inner side of the semi-transparent substrate layer facing the light guide, and an outer light-transmitting ink layer for forming the second display area located on the outer side of the semi-transparent substrate layer facing away from the light guide; and a light-shielding layer located between the light guide and the decorative layer, and including an annular first light-transmitting ink area within the range of the first light guide well, a second light-transmitting ink area within the range of the second light guide well, and a non-transparent ink area adjacent to the first light-transmitting ink area and the second light-transmitting ink area. Through this embodiment, a dual-ring display effect for different states of a household appliance can be achieved by means of the cooperation between the layers of the decorative component.

[0022] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the decorative layer is an integral piece in which the mask layer and the outer translucent ink layer are attached to the semi-translucent substrate layer in the same process. Through this embodiment, the concentricity of the double rings of the first and second display areas can be ensured by means of an integral decorative layer formed in one process, thereby achieving a double-ring display effect.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the mask layer has a concentric double-ring shape including a concentric outer ring and an inner ring. Both the outer ring and the inner ring are filled with opaque ink of the same color as the non-display area, serving as at least the portion of the non-display area adjacent to the first display area. The annular light-transmitting interval region between the outer ring and the inner ring is located within the first light-transmitting ink region of the light-shielding layer and serves as the first display area. With this embodiment, the first display area can be realized using the mask layer and the semi-transparent substrate layer.

[0024] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the radial width of the annular light-transmitting interval region is smaller than the radial width of the first light-transmitting ink region of the light-shielding layer by a first predetermined amount, the first predetermined amount depending on the value of the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer and the light-shielding layer. This embodiment ensures that the annular light-transmitting interval region is not blocked by the light-shielding layer, thus ensuring that the first display area is fully illuminated.

[0025] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, one of the outer ring and the inner ring that is closer to the outer light-transmitting ink layer is adjacent to the outer light-transmitting ink layer.

[0026] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the radial width of the outer ring and the inner ring that is furthest from the outer light-transmitting ink layer is at least twice the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer and the light-shielding layer. With this embodiment, even under extreme conditions where the limit positional tolerance exists between the decorative layer and the light-shielding layer, the first light-transmitting ink area of ​​the light-shielding layer will not extend beyond the outer ring, thus preventing light leakage on the outer side of the outer ring.

[0027] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the ranges of the first light guide well and the second light guide well are respectively larger than the ranges of the first display area and the second display area. This embodiment ensures that the light transmitted through the first and second light guide wells fills the entire first and second display areas, thus ensuring the integrity of the dual-ring display effect.

[0028] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the second light guide well and / or the outer light-transmitting ink layer have a segmented structure associated with the number and / or function of the operating elements. This embodiment further improves the display effect and the user's interactive experience.

[0029] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the first display effect includes segmented annular light-emitting strips, and the first light guide well has a segmented structure corresponding to the first display effect. This embodiment further improves the display effect and the user's interactive experience.

[0030] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the second translucent ink area is formed into a pattern and / or text shape associated with the function of the operating element. This embodiment enables the illumination of patterns and / or text, including the second display effect, when the light-emitting element emits light.

[0031] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the semi-transparent substrate layer has the same color as the non-display area. This embodiment can at least assist in achieving the display effect of the non-display area.

[0032] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the outer translucent ink layer is formed in an annular shape and adapted to cover the second translucent ink area of ​​the light-shielding layer for use as the second display area, and is filled with translucent ink having a background color different from that of the non-display area. With this embodiment, the second display area can be realized by means of the outer translucent ink layer and the light-shielding layer.

[0033] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of the present invention, the control module further includes a decorative panel, the decorative layer being formed on the inner side of the decorative panel.

[0034] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the control module further includes a touch film located between the light guide and the decorative layer, the operating element being a touch sensing element on the touch film, and the second display area corresponding to or located within an annular touch area on the touch film where the touch sensing element is arranged. This embodiment enables touch operation of home appliances within the second display area, further improving the user experience.

[0035] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the touch area extends from the side of the second display area radially away from the first display area to the space between the second display area and the first display area, or extends to the side of the first display area radially away from the second display area. This embodiment provides a suitable touch operation area, facilitating user touch operation.

[0036] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the touch sensing element includes a first sensing wire and a second sensing wire, as well as a sensing section at least partially surrounded by the first sensing wire and the second sensing wire. Neither the first sensing wire nor the second sensing wire passes through the area on the touch film corresponding to the first display area. This embodiment achieves appropriate touch range and stable touch performance while ensuring a dual-ring display effect.

[0037] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the touch film has an annular first light-transmitting area for the first display area, a second light-transmitting area for the second display area, and a generally annular shielding area between the first and second light-transmitting areas and adjacent to both the first and second light-transmitting areas. The shielding area has a first overlapping portion that overlaps with the mask layer but does not obstruct the first display area, and a second overlapping portion that overlaps with the outer light-transmitting ink layer but does not obstruct the second light-transmitting ink area of ​​the shielding layer. This embodiment ensures that the shielding area covers the adjacent position between the mask layer and the outer light-transmitting ink layer, so that even when there is a limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer and the shielding layer, no light leakage will occur at the adjacent position between the mask layer and the outer light-transmitting ink layer, while ensuring normal graphic / text display within the second display area.

[0038] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the sum of the radial dimensions of the first overlapping portion and the second overlapping portion is at least a second predetermined amount, the second predetermined amount depending on the value of the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer and the light-shielding layer. This embodiment further ensures that the adjacent positions between the mask layer and the outer transparent ink layer are covered by the shielding area.

[0039] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the radial distance between the shielding area and the first display area is a third predetermined amount, which depends on the value of the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer and the touch film. This embodiment avoids the shielding area from obstructing the first display area, thus ensuring the display effect of the first display area.

[0040] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the light-emitting elements include a first set of light-emitting elements for the first display area and a second set of light-emitting elements for the second display area. The first set of light-emitting elements includes a plurality of white light-emitting elements and colored light-emitting elements arranged uniformly along a ring and according to a predetermined pattern. The second set of light-emitting elements includes a plurality of monochrome light-emitting elements arranged corresponding to the operating elements. This embodiment can improve the diversity of the dual-ring display effect.

[0041] According to an optional embodiment of the control module of this utility model, the decorative component further includes a third display area located within an annular region of one of the first and second display areas, radially inward. This third display area includes a number and / or text and / or icon display area and is configured to display the operation information and / or status information of the home appliance. This embodiment further enriches the display functions of the home appliance and enhances the user experience.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a display panel for a household appliance is also provided, which integrates a control module for a household appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] According to an optional embodiment of the display panel of the present invention, the display panel further includes: a substrate on which the light-emitting element of the control module and a plurality of other light-emitting elements are integrated; a light guide bracket for guiding light from each of the light-emitting elements, and the light guide of the decorative component of the control module is integrally formed with the light guide bracket; a color filter layer on which a light-transmitting functional pattern is drawn and a light-shielding ink is coated in areas other than the functional pattern, and the light-shielding layer of the decorative component of the control module is integrally formed with the color filter layer; and an outer decorative layer, the decorative layer of the decorative component of the control module is integrally formed with the outer decorative layer.

[0044] According to an optional embodiment of the display panel of the present invention, the display panel further includes a touch film, and the touch film of the control module is integrally formed with the touch film of the display panel.

[0045] According to an optional embodiment of the display panel of this utility model, the display panel further includes an outer decorative panel, and the decorative panel of the control module is integrally formed with the outer decorative panel.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a household appliance is also provided, which includes a control module for the household appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention and / or a display panel for the household appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Further features of this invention will become apparent from the claims, drawings, and description of the figures. Features and combinations of features mentioned in the foregoing description, as well as features and combinations of features mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown only in the figures, can be used not only in the correspondingly specified combinations, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of this invention. Therefore, the following are also considered to be covered and disclosed by this invention: those not explicitly shown in the figures and not explicitly interpreted, but rather derived from and produced by combinations of separate features derived from the interpreted content. The following combinations of features are also considered to be disclosed: those that do not possess all the features of the originally drafted independent claims. Furthermore, the following combinations of features are considered to be disclosed, especially those exceeding or deviating from the feature combinations defined in the reference relationships of the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0048] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will provide a better understanding of its principles, features, and advantages. The drawings include:

[0049] Figure 1 A household appliance according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically;

[0050] Figure 2 A partial exploded view of a display panel with a control module according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically.

[0051] Figure 3 The light-emitting element of a control module according to one embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0052] Figure 4 The light guide of the decorative component of the control module according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically;

[0053] Figure 5The light-shielding layer of the decorative component of the control module according to one embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0054] Figure 6 The touch film of a control module according to one embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown;

[0055] Figure 7 An exploded view and a rendering of the decorative layer of a decorative component of a control module according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown schematically.

[0056] List of reference numerals

[0057] 1 Control Module

[0058] 101 First Display Area

[0059] 102 Second Display Area

[0060] 103 Non-display area

[0061] 11 Decorative Components

[0062] 111 First group of light-emitting elements

[0063] 112 Second group of light-emitting elements

[0064] 12 Light guide components

[0065] 121 First Light Guide Well

[0066] 122 Second Light Guide Well

[0067] 13. Light-shielding layer

[0068] 131 First Transparent Ink Area

[0069] 132 Second Transparent Ink Area

[0070] 133 Non-transparent ink area

[0071] 14 Decorative Layer

[0072] 141 Semi-transparent substrate layer

[0073] 142 Mask layer

[0074] 142a Outer Ring

[0075] 142b Inner Ring

[0076] 143 External translucent ink layer

[0077] 15 Touchscreen

[0078] 151 First Light-Transmitting Area

[0079] 152 Second light-transmitting area

[0080] 153 Covered Area

[0081] 16 Touch sensing elements

[0082] 161 First Induction Wire

[0083] 162 Second Induction Wire

[0084] 163 Sensing Section

[0085] 2 Display Panel

[0086] 21 substrate

[0087] 22 Light guide bracket

[0088] 23 Color filter layers

[0089] 24 Exterior decorative layer

[0090] 25 Touchscreen

[0091] 3. Home appliances Detailed Implementation

[0092] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial technical effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. It should be noted that the directional terms used in the description refer to the conventional use of household appliances for ease of description and should not be construed as absolute limitations on the corresponding features.

[0093] Figure 1 A household appliance 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically. Figure 2 A partial exploded view of a display panel 2 with a control module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown schematically. Figures 3 to 7 The various parts of the control module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention are schematically shown respectively, wherein: Figure 3 An example of the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 11 in the control module 1 is shown schematically; Figure 4 The light guide 12 of the decorative component of the control module 1 is shown schematically; Figure 5 The light-shielding layer 13 of the decorative component of the control module 1 is shown schematically; Figure 6 The touch film 15 of the control module 1 is shown schematically; Figure 7Figures (a), (b), and (c) schematically illustrate the disassembled parts of the decorative layer 14 of the decorative component of the control module 1, and figures (d) and (e) show the effects of each display area in the second and first states of the home appliance 3, respectively.

[0094] like Figure 1 As shown, the household appliance 3 has a control module 1 ( Figure 1 (Schematably outlined with a dashed box), the control module 1 is integrated into the display panel 2. Embodiments of this utility model are not limited to... Figure 1 As shown, for example, the home appliance 3 may have only the control module 1 without the display panel 2, or the control module 1 may be a separate module independently integrated into the home appliance 3, without being integrated into the display panel.

[0095] like Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, the control module 1 includes: a light-emitting element 11; an operating element for operating the household appliance 3, which in the embodiment shown is a touch-sensing element 16 on the touch film 15 described below; and a decorative assembly having an annular first display area 101, an annular second display area 102 spaced apart from the first display area 101, and a non-display area 103 adjacent to the first display area 101 and the second display area 102. The second display area 102 is concentric with the first display area 101. The first display area 101 and the second display area 102 are configured to display different display effects from each other by means of light from the light-emitting element 11, and the second display area 102 is configured as a control display area suitable for manually operating the operating element.

[0096] In the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, the second display area 102 is located inside the first display area 101, enabling the home appliance 3 to have a dual-display ring display operation interface via the control module 1. An outer display ring / first display area 101 with different display effects is arranged around the outer periphery of the inner display ring / second display area 102, thereby improving the user interface appearance of the home appliance and enhancing the user's human-computer interaction experience. Of course, the control module 1 of this invention is not limited to this; the second display area 102 can also be located outside the first display area 101. Depending on design requirements, the interior and exterior of the second display area 102 can each have at least one first display area 101 that is the same or different from each other.

[0097] In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the first state of the household appliance 3, the light-emitting element 11 emits light, and the first display area 101 and the second display area 102 respectively have a first display effect and a second display effect that are different from each other and different from the non-display area 103, such as Figure 7As shown in Figure (e). Specifically, the first state is the power-on state of the home appliance 3, which may include various sub-operation states corresponding to various operating modes of the home appliance 3. Accordingly, various sub-display effects of the first display effect of the first display area 101 may be set corresponding to various sub-operation states, such that the first display effect of the first display area 101 includes corresponding static display effects and / or dynamic display effects according to various operating modes of the home appliance 3, such as partial section lighting, flashing, and "marquee" effects, as well as various combinations thereof. The second display effect of the second display area 102 may include illuminated patterns and / or text associated with the function of the operating element and a background color different from the color of the non-display area 103, so that the user can operate it accordingly according to their own needs. The non-display area 103 may have a specific color, for example, consistent with the main color of the home appliance 3 or the color of the part where the control module 1 is installed. In this way, in the first state of the home appliance 3, the user can see the different display light effects of the concentric ring-shaped first display area 101 and second display area 102, as well as the patterns and / or text on the second display area 102.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, in a second state different from the first state of the household appliance 3, the light-emitting element 11 does not emit light, and the second display area 102 has a third display effect different from the second display effect and the non-display area 103. The second state is, for example, the power-off state of the household appliance 3. In the second state, the third display effect may only have a background color different from the color of the non-display area 103 without any illuminated patterns and / or text. Furthermore, in the second state, the first display area 101 may have a display effect substantially the same as the non-display area 103. That is, in the second state where the light-emitting element 11 does not emit light, the control module 1 can also have only a single-ring display effect through the second display area 102, and at this time, the patterns and / or text associated with the function of the operating element are invisible, such as... Figure 7 As shown in Figure (d) in the table.

[0099] To achieve one or more of the effects described in the above embodiments, in a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 3As shown, the light-emitting element 11 includes a first group of light-emitting elements 111 for the first display area 101 and a second group of light-emitting elements 112 for the second display area 102. The first group of light-emitting elements 111 includes a plurality of white light-emitting elements and colored light-emitting elements arranged uniformly along a ring and according to a predetermined pattern. The second group of light-emitting elements 112 includes a plurality of monochrome light-emitting elements, such as white light-emitting elements, arranged corresponding to the operating element. In one example, the color and luminous intensity of the plurality of colored light-emitting elements, such as RGB three-color LEDs, and the luminous intensity of the white or monochrome light-emitting elements, such as white LEDs or monochrome LEDs, can be controlled by an MCU and a shift register. For example, when the first group of light-emitting elements 111 in the first display area 101 is lit, different colors and states can be displayed, including static displays as described above, and dynamic states such as a "marquee" type of cycle state; when the second group of light-emitting elements 112 in the second display area 102 is lit, patterns and / or text associated with the function of the operating element can be displayed.

[0100] In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the decorative component includes a light guide 12, a light-shielding layer 13, and a decorative layer 14.

[0101] like Figure 4 As shown, the light guide 12 has an annular first light guide well 121 for the first display area 101 and an annular second light guide well 122 for the second display area 102, which are adapted to guide light from the light-emitting element 11.

[0102] The light-shielding layer 13 is located between the light guide 12 and the decorative layer 14, and is used to initially block unwanted light leakage from the light-emitting element 11. Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the light-shielding layer 13 includes an annular first light-transmitting ink region 131 located within the range of the first light guide well 121, a second light-transmitting ink region 132 located within the range of the second light guide well 122, and a non-light-transmitting ink region 133 adjacent to the first light-transmitting ink region 131 and the second light-transmitting ink region 132 for blocking light. The second light-transmitting ink region 132 is formed into a pattern and / or text shape associated with the function of the operating element, such that light from the light-emitting element 11 can pass through the second light-transmitting ink region 132 to display the pattern and / or text on the second display area 102.

[0103] like Figure 7As shown in (a) to (c), the decorative layer 14 has a semi-transparent substrate layer 141, a mask layer 142 for forming a first display area 101 located on the inner side of the semi-transparent substrate layer 141 facing the light guide 12, and an outer light-transmitting ink layer 143 for forming a second display area 102 located on the outer side of the semi-transparent substrate layer 141 backing the light guide 12, wherein the semi-transparent substrate layer 141 has the same color as the non-display area 103.

[0104] To ensure the concentricity of the annular first display area 101 and the second display area 102 formed by the mask layer 142 and the outer transparent ink layer 143 respectively, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the decorative layer 14 is an integral piece in which the mask layer 142 and the outer transparent ink layer 143 are attached together on the semi-transparent substrate layer 141 in the same process, i.e., through the same process.

[0105] Preferably, the ranges of the first light guide well 121 and the second light guide well 122 are larger than the ranges of the first display area 101 and the second display area 102, respectively. This ensures that even if there is an assembly tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light guide 12, the light from the light-emitting element 11 can fully fill the ranges of the first display area 101 and the second display area 102.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the mask layer 142 of the decorative layer 14 has a concentric double-ring shape including a concentric outer ring 142a and an inner ring 142b, both of which are filled with opaque ink of the same color as the non-display area 103 and are therefore opaque, thus serving as at least the portion of the non-display area 103 adjacent to the first display area 101. The portion of the semi-transparent substrate layer 141 located between the outer ring 142a and the inner ring 142b is positioned as an annular light-transmitting interval region within the first light-transmitting ink region 131 of the light-shielding layer 13 and serves as the first display area 101. Furthermore, the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143 is formed in an annular shape and adapted to cover the second light-transmitting ink region 132 of the light-shielding layer 13, thus serving as the second display area 102, and is filled with light-transmitting ink having a background color different from that of the non-display area 103. Since this translucent ink layer 143 is located on the outer side of the semi-translucent substrate layer 141, in the second state of the household appliance 3 where the light-emitting element 11 is not emitting light, the translucent ink layer 143 can directly enable the second display area 102 to have the third display effect different from the non-display area 103. Figure 7 (d)), and in the first state of the household appliance 3 in which the light-emitting element 11 emits light, the pattern and / or text formed by the second light-transmitting ink area 132 can still be additionally displayed through the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143. Figure 7 (e)).

[0107] Preferably, the radial width of the annular light-transmitting interval region between the outer ring 142a and the inner ring 142b is smaller than the radial width of the first light-transmitting ink region 131 of the light-shielding layer 13 by a first predetermined amount. This first predetermined amount depends on the value of the limit position tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light-shielding layer 13, for example, it is 1.5 to 2.5 times the value of the limit position tolerance, preferably, for example, 2 times. In this way, even if there is an assembly tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light-shielding layer 13, it can be ensured that the light transmitted through the light-shielding layer 13 can adequately fill the range of the first display area 101 and be located within the range of the second display area 102.

[0108] Preferably, the mask layer 142 and the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143 are designed and attached to the semi-transparent substrate layer 141 such that the outer ring 142a and the inner ring 142b adjacent to the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143 are adjacent to the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143 without affecting the display effect of the first display area 101 and the second display area 102. For example, in the example shown in the relevant figures, the inner ring 142b of the mask layer 142 is adjacent to the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143. Furthermore, the radial width of the other of the outer ring 142a and the inner ring 142b, which is furthest from the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143, is at least twice the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light-shielding layer 13. For example, in the examples shown in the relevant figures, the radial width of the outer ring 142a is at least twice the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light-shielding layer 13. This ensures that, under the extreme condition of the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light-shielding layer 13, the first light-transmitting ink area 131 of the light-shielding layer 13 does not extend beyond the outer ring 142a, thus preventing light leakage outside the outer ring 142a. Similarly, when the first display area 101 is located inside the second display area 102, the corresponding design is readily conceived.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, the control module 1 also includes a touch film 15 located between the light guide 12 and the decorative layer 14. The operating element is a touch sensing element 16 on the touch film 15, and the second display area 102 corresponds to or is located within the annular touch area on the touch film 15 where the touch sensing element 16 is arranged. Preferably, the touch area can extend from the side of the second display area 102 radially away from the first display area 101 to the side of the first display area 101 radially away from the second display area 102, thereby spanning both the first and second display areas 101 to obtain an expanded touch range and stable touch performance. In the preferred embodiment shown, the touch area extends to the radially outer side of the first display area 101 and the radially inner side of the second display area 102. Alternatively, the touch area may extend only across the second display area 102 without crossing the first display area 101, as long as a sufficiently large touch range and stable touch performance are ensured.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the touch sensing element 16 includes a first sensing wire 161 and a second sensing wire 162, and a sensing segment 163 at least partially surrounded by the first sensing wire 161 and the second sensing wire 162. The first sensing wire 161 is arranged radially outward of the first display area 101, and a portion of the second sensing wire 162 is arranged radially inward of the second display area 102. Thus, the sensing segment 163, as part of the touch area, extends radially to the radially outward of the first display area 101 and the radially inward of the second display area 102. Neither the first sensing wire 161 nor the second sensing wire 162 passes through the area on the touch film 15 corresponding to the first display area 101, thereby avoiding affecting the display effect of the first display area 101. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment where the first display area 101 is located inside the second display area 102, the first sensing wire may be arranged radially outward of the second display area 102, and the second sensing wire may be arranged radially inward of the first display area 101, and neither sensing wire passes through the area on the touch film 15 corresponding to the first display area 101. In addition, in alternative embodiments, as long as a sufficiently large touch range and stable touch performance can be ensured, the sensing wires 161 and 162 can be arranged only on the radial sides of the second display area 102 so that the sensing section 163 does not cross the first display area 101. In this way, the sensing wires 161 and 162 will naturally not pass through the area on the touch film 15 corresponding to the first display area 101.

[0111] To further ensure that the first display area 101 and the second display area 102 are fully illuminated when the light-emitting element 11 emits light, and to prevent light leakage at the junction of the mask layer 142 and the outer transparent ink layer 143 even when there are extreme positional tolerances between the decorative layer 14 and the light-shielding layer 13, the touch film 15 also has a shielding function for blocking unwanted light. Preferably, as Figure 6 As shown, the touch film 15 has a first light-transmitting area 151 for a first display area 101, a second light-transmitting area 152 for a second display area 102, and a generally annular shielding area 153 between the first light-transmitting area 151 and the second light-transmitting area 152 and adjacent to both the first light-transmitting area 151 and the second light-transmitting area 152. The shielding area 153 has a first overlapping portion that partially overlaps with the mask layer 142 without obscuring the size of the first display area 101, and a second overlapping portion that partially overlaps with the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143 without obscuring the size of the second light-transmitting ink area 132 of the light-shielding layer 13. Preferably, when no obstruction occurs, the sum of the radial dimensions of the first overlapping portion and the second overlapping portion is at least a second predetermined amount, which depends on the value of the limit position tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light-shielding layer 13, for example, 1.5 to 2.5 times the value of the limit position tolerance, preferably, for example, 2 times. Furthermore, the radial distance between the shielding area 153 and the first display area 101 can also be a third predetermined amount, which depends on the value of the limit position tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the touch film 15, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 times the value of the limit position tolerance, preferably, for example, 1 time. This design of the size of the shielding area 153 ensures that the shielding area 153 covers the adjacent position between the mask layer 142 and the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143, so that even when there is a limit position tolerance between the decorative layer 14 and the light-blocking layer 13, the shielding area 153 on the touch film 15 can be used for auxiliary light blocking, thereby preventing light leakage at the adjacent position between the mask layer 142 and the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143, while ensuring normal graphic / text display within the second display area 102 through the second light-transmitting ink area 132.

[0112] Furthermore, to further enhance the shielding effect, the touch film 15 may also have an additional shielding area on the side of the first light-transmitting area 151 that is radially away from the second light-transmitting area 152, thereby forming the first light-transmitting area 151 into a ring shape. The range of this annular first light-transmitting area 151 is larger than the range of the first display area 101, for example, its radial width is twice the third predetermined amount larger than the radial width of the first display area 101.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the second light guide well 122 and / or the outer light-transmitting ink layer 143 have a segmented structure associated with the number and / or function of the operating elements, and / or the first display effect includes segmented annular light-emitting strips. The first light guide well 121 has a segmented structure corresponding to the first display effect, thereby enabling the acquisition of a display effect with a segmented structure, thereby increasing the diversity of display effects and facilitating the structural design, manufacturing, and installation of the light guide 12.

[0114] In one alternative embodiment, the light-shielding layer 13 can be directly attached to the light guide 12, for example, by adhesive, with the touch film 15 located between the light-shielding layer 13 and the decorative layer 14. In an alternative embodiment, the light-shielding layer 13 can be integrally formed with the touch film 15, which can be achieved by bonding the two together, or by printing opaque ink on one side of the film as the opaque ink area 133 of the light-shielding layer 13 and printing the touch sensing element 16 on the other side of the film. In another alternative embodiment, the light-shielding layer 13 can be integrally formed with the decorative layer 14, which can be achieved by directly printing opaque ink onto the decorative layer 14, or by combining the two using in-film decoration technology. In yet another alternative embodiment, the touch film 15 can be integrally formed with the decorative layer 14, for example, by integrating a touch-enabled film onto the decorative layer 14 using in-film decoration technology. In yet another alternative embodiment, the decorative layer 14, the light-shielding layer 13, and the touch film 15 can be integrally formed, for example by integrating a film element with opaque ink and touch functionality onto the decorative layer 14 using in-film decoration technology.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment, the control module 1 further includes a decorative panel, the decorative layer 14 of which is formed on the inner side of the decorative panel by a printing process or an in-mold transfer process. The decorative panel is, for example, a transparent material layer, and its material can be acrylic, glass, etc.

[0116] In a preferred embodiment, the decorative component further includes a third display area located within an annular region of the first display area 101 and the second display area 102, radially inward. This third display area includes a number and / or text and / or icon display area and is configured to display operating information and / or status information of the household appliance 3. It is understood that in this embodiment, the light guide 12 and the light-shielding layer 13 are configured with corresponding light guide wells and light-transmitting graphic areas to achieve the corresponding information display.

[0117] like Figure 2 As shown, the control module 1 according to the present invention can be integrated into the display panel 2 of the household appliance 3 according to the present invention.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment, the display panel 2 further includes: a substrate 21, such as a PCBA board, on which the light-emitting element 11 of the control module 1 and a plurality of other light-emitting elements are integrated, as well as an MCU for controlling the light emission of each light-emitting element, a touch film connector for controlling the touch function, etc.; a light guide bracket 22, which can be precisely positioned and fixed to the substrate 21, for example, through a multi-set hole-shaft engagement, for guiding light from each light-emitting element, and the light guide 12 of the decorative component of the control module 1 is integrally formed with the light guide bracket 22; a color filter layer 23 on which a light-transmitting functional pattern is drawn and a light-shielding ink is coated on the area other than the functional pattern, and the light-shielding layer 13 of the decorative component of the control module 1 is integrally formed with the color filter layer 23; and an outer decorative layer 24, on which the decorative layer 14 of the decorative component of the control module 1 is integrally formed with the outer decorative layer 24.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment, the display panel 2 further includes a touch film 25 with multiple function buttons corresponding to light-transmitting functional patterns for other corresponding operations on the home appliance 3, and also has a tail band connected to the touch film connector on the substrate 21, and the touch film 15 of the control module 1 is integrated with the touch film 25 of the display panel 2.

[0120] In a preferred embodiment, the display panel 2 further includes an outer decorative panel, and the decorative panel of the control module 1 is integrated with the outer decorative panel.

[0121] In addition, the display panel 2 may also include a retainer for fixing and protecting the substrate 21 and / or a fixing frame for fixing multiple components to the light guide bracket 22 to the outer decorative layer 24. Each component can be installed and fixed on the retainer and / or fixing frame by means of mechanical structure cooperation and / or material combination, such as snap-fit ​​and adhesive, to assist in the alignment of the annular light-transmitting areas of each layer, thereby ensuring the concentricity and integrity of the double-ring display effect.

[0122] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model, even when only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The feature examples provided in this utility model disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not limiting, unless otherwise stated. In specific implementations, multiple features may be combined with each other as needed and where technically feasible. Various substitutions, modifications, and alterations may also be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A control module for household appliances, characterized in that, The control module (1) includes: Light-emitting element (11); Operating elements for operating the household appliance (3); and A decorative component having an annular first display area (101), an annular second display area (102) spaced apart from the first display area (101), and a non-display area (103) adjacent to the first display area (101) and the second display area (102), wherein the second display area (102) is concentric with the first display area (101), and wherein, The first display area (101) and the second display area (102) are configured to display different display effects from each other by means of light from the light-emitting element (11). The second display area (102) is configured as a control display area suitable for manually operating the operating elements, and In the first state of the household appliance (3), the light-emitting element (11) emits light and the first display area (101) and the second display area (102) have a first display effect and a second display effect that are different from each other and different from the non-display area (103).

2. The control module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first display effect includes static display effect and / or dynamic display effect; and / or The second display effect includes illuminated patterns and / or text associated with the function of the operating element; and / or The second display area (102) is located inside the annular shape of the first display area (101).

3. The control module according to claim 1, characterized in that, In a second state of the household appliance (3) that is different from the first state, the light-emitting element (11) does not emit light and the second display area (102) has a third display effect that is different from the second display effect and the non-display area (103).

4. The control module according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the second state, the first display area (101) has a display effect that is substantially the same as that of the non-display area (103); and / or The second display effect includes illuminated patterns and / or text associated with the function of the operating element and a background color different from the color of the non-display area (103); and / or The third display effect has only a background color that is different from the color of the non-display area (103).

5. The control module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The decorative components include: The light guide (12) has an annular first light guide well (121) for the first display area (101) and an annular second light guide well (122) for the second display area (102) adapted to guide light from the light-emitting element (11); A decorative layer (14) comprising a semi-transparent substrate layer (141), a mask layer (142) for forming the first display area (101) on the inner side of the semi-transparent substrate layer (141) facing the light guide (12), and an outer translucent ink layer (143) for forming the second display area (102) on the outer side of the semi-transparent substrate layer (141) facing away from the light guide (12); and A light-shielding layer (13) is located between the light guide (12) and the decorative layer (14), and includes an annular first light-transmitting ink region (131) within the range of the first light guide well (121), a second light-transmitting ink region (132) within the range of the second light guide well (122), and a non-light-transmitting ink region (133) adjacent to the first light-transmitting ink region (131) and the second light-transmitting ink region (132).

6. The control module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The decorative layer (14) is an integral piece in which the mask layer (142) and the outer transparent ink layer (143) are attached to the semi-transparent substrate layer (141) in the same process.

7. The control module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mask layer (142) has a concentric double-ring shape including a concentric outer ring (142a) and an inner ring (142b). Both the outer ring (142a) and the inner ring (142b) are filled with opaque ink of the same color as the non-display area (103) and serve as at least the portion of the non-display area (103) adjacent to the first display area (101). The annular light-transmitting interval region between the outer ring (142a) and the inner ring (142b) is located within the first light-transmitting ink region (131) of the light-shielding layer (13) and serves as the first display area (101).

8. The control module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The radial width of the annular light-transmitting interval region is smaller than the radial width of the first light-transmitting ink region (131) of the light-shielding layer (13) by a first predetermined amount, the first predetermined amount depending on the value of the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer (14) and the light-shielding layer (13); and / or One of the outer ring (142a) and the inner ring (142b) closest to the outer transparent ink layer (143) is adjacent to the outer transparent ink layer (143); and / or The radial width of the outer ring (142a) and the inner ring (142b) that is furthest from the outer translucent ink layer (143) is at least twice the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer (14) and the light-shielding layer (13).

9. The control module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ranges of the first light guide well (121) and the second light guide well (122) are respectively larger than the ranges of the first display area (101) and the second display area (102); and / or The second light guide well (122) and / or the outer light-transmitting ink layer (143) have a segmented structure associated with the number and / or function of the operating elements; and / or The first display effect includes segmented annular light-emitting strips, and the first light guide well (121) has a segmented structure corresponding to the first display effect; and / or The second translucent ink area (132) is formed in the shape of a pattern and / or text associated with the function of the operating element; and / or The semi-transparent substrate layer (141) has the same color as the non-display area (103); and / or The outer translucent ink layer (143) is formed in a ring shape and adapted to cover the second translucent ink region (132) of the light-shielding layer (13) to serve as the second display region (102), and is filled with translucent ink having a background color different from that of the non-display region (103); and / or The control module (1) also includes a decorative panel, and the decorative layer (14) is formed on the inner side of the decorative panel.

10. The control module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The control module (1) further includes a touch film (15) located between the light guide (12) and the decorative layer (14), the operation element being a touch sensing element (16) on the touch film (15), and the second display area (102) corresponding to or located within the annular touch area on the touch film (15) where the touch sensing element (16) is arranged.

11. The control module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The touch area extends from the side of the second display area (102) radially away from the first display area (101) to the space between the second display area (102) and the first display area (101), or extends to the side of the first display area (101) radially away from the second display area (102); and / or The touch sensing element (16) includes a first sensing wire (161) and a second sensing wire (162) and a sensing section (163) that is at least partially surrounded by the first sensing wire (161) and the second sensing wire (162), and neither the first sensing wire (161) nor the second sensing wire (162) passes through the area on the touch film (15) corresponding to the first display area (101).

12. The control module according to claim 10, characterized in that, The touch film (15) has a first light-transmitting area (151) for the first display area (101), a second light-transmitting area (152) for the second display area (102), and a generally annular shielding area (153) between the first light-transmitting area (151) and the second light-transmitting area (152) and adjacent to both the first light-transmitting area (151) and the second light-transmitting area (152). The shielding area (153) has a first overlapping portion that overlaps with the mask layer (142) and does not shield the first display area (101), and a second overlapping portion that overlaps with the outer light-transmitting ink layer (143) and does not shield the second light-transmitting ink area (132) of the light-shielding layer (13).

13. The control module according to claim 12, characterized in that, The sum of the radial dimensions of the first overlapping portion and the second overlapping portion is at least a second predetermined amount, the second predetermined amount depending on the value of the limit positional tolerance between the decorative layer (14) and the light-shielding layer (13); and / or The radial distance between the shielding area (153) and the first display area (101) is a third predetermined amount, which depends on the value of the limit position tolerance between the decorative layer (14) and the touch film (15).

14. The control module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 to 13, characterized in that, The light-emitting element (11) includes a first set of light-emitting elements (111) for the first display area (101) and a second set of light-emitting elements (112) for the second display area (102). The first set of light-emitting elements (111) includes a plurality of white light-emitting elements and colored light-emitting elements arranged uniformly along a ring and according to a predetermined pattern. The second set of light-emitting elements (112) includes a plurality of monochromatic light-emitting elements arranged corresponding to the operating element; and / or The decorative component further includes a third display area located within an annular space on the radially inner side of one of the first display area (101) and the second display area (102), the third display area comprising a number and / or text and / or icon display area and configured to display operation information and / or status information of the home appliance (3).

15. A display panel for household appliances, characterized in that, The display panel (2) integrates a control module (1) for home appliances according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The display panel according to claim 15, characterized in that, The display panel (2) also includes: A substrate (21) on which the light-emitting element (11) of the control module (1) and a plurality of other light-emitting elements are integrated; A light guide bracket (22) is used to guide light from each of the light-emitting elements, and the light guide (12) of the decorative component of the control module (1) is integrally formed with the light guide bracket (22); A color filter layer (23) on which a light-transmitting functional pattern is drawn and a light-shielding ink is coated in areas other than the functional pattern, and the light-shielding layer (13) of the decorative component of the control module (1) is integrally formed with the color filter layer (23); and The outer decorative layer (24) is integrally formed with the decorative layer (14) of the decorative component of the control module (1).

17. The display panel according to claim 16, characterized in that, The display panel (2) further includes a touch film (25), and the touch film (15) of the control module (1) is integrally formed with the touch film (25) of the display panel (2); and / or The display panel (2) also includes an outer decorative panel, and the decorative panel of the control module (1) is integrated with the outer decorative panel.

18. A household appliance, characterized in that, The household appliance (3) includes a control module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and / or a display panel (2) according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

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