Washing machine control unit and washing machine

Abstract

To provide an operation display unit that can be manufactured more easily. [Solution] The operation display unit of the present disclosure comprises a control board 31 having electronic components such as a light-emitting element 43 and a switch element 44 and connector mating portions 45 and 46 for wiring connection, and a case member 32 in which the control board 31 is housed. The electronic components and the connector mating portions 45 and 46 are provided on the same plane of the control board 31, and the connector mating portions 45 and 46 are arranged along the edge of the control board 31 such that the connector mating direction M is the in-plane direction Di of the control board 31, and the case member 32 has an opening 37 that opens in the in-plane direction Di to allow mating of the mating connector to the connector mating portions 45 and 46.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operation unit provided in a washing machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drum-type washing machine. This washing machine includes a main body, a water tank disposed in a suspended state in the main body, a rotary drum rotatably disposed in the water tank, and a door provided on the front surface of the main body.

[0003] An operation display unit for setting operation contents and the like is disposed on the upper part of the main body. The operation display unit includes an operation display panel, an operation substrate on which switches, light-emitting elements, and the like are mounted, and a back cover. The operation substrate is attached to the back cover and assembled to the operation display panel through the back cover.

[0004] A connector for connecting a lead wire to the operation substrate is provided on the back surface of the operation substrate, that is, the surface opposite to the surface on which the switches and light-emitting elements are mounted. The connector is fixed to the operation substrate such that the connection direction faces out of the plane of the operation substrate. An opening is provided at a position corresponding to the connector in the back cover, and the lead wire is connected to the operation substrate through the opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an operation unit that can be manufactured more easily.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The washing machine operating unit in this disclosure has the following configuration.

[0008] The control unit is provided in the washing machine. The control unit comprises a circuit board having a plurality of electronic components for input operation and connector mating parts for wiring connections, and a case member that houses the circuit board. The electronic components and connector mating parts are provided on the same plane of the circuit board, the connector mating parts are arranged along the edge of the circuit board such that the connector mating direction is in the in-plane direction of the circuit board, and the case member has an opening that opens in the in-plane direction to allow the connector to be mated to the connector mating parts.

[0009] Furthermore, the washing machine in this disclosure comprises a housing and the above-mentioned operation unit, which is disposed on the top of the housing and receives input operations from the user and displays information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the configuration of the operating unit in this disclosure, the control board can be manufactured by mounting the electronic components and the connector mating portion on the same plane and then fixing the electronic components and the connector mating portion with flow solder, thus eliminating the cumbersome work of individually fixing the connector mating portions by hand with solder. Moreover, the connector mating portion is arranged along the edge of the board so that the mating direction faces the in-plane direction of the board, and the case member is provided with an opening that allows the connector to be mated to the connector mating portion, so wiring can be connected to the board without any problems. Accordingly, the operating unit in this disclosure makes it possible to manufacture the operating unit more easily. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Perpendicular view of a washing machine [Figure 2] Cross-section of a washing machine [Figure 3] Washing machine control configuration diagram [Figure 4] Exploded perspective view of the control display unit [Figure 5]Side view of the operation display unit [Figure 6] Side perspective view of the operation display unit [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the operation display unit [Figure 8] Perspective view of the end of the control board [Figure 9] A schematic plan view showing the procedure for fitting the connector into the first connector mating section. [Figure 10] Rear view of the operation display unit [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] (Knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors conceived this disclosure, the connectors (connector mating parts) provided on the control board were fixed to the back surface of the control board, facing out of the plane of the control board. The manufacturing process for such a control board was, for example, as follows: 1) Switches and light-emitting elements were mounted on one side (front surface) of the control board and fixed with flow solder. 2) The connectors were manually fixed to the back surface of the control board with solder. In this way, because each connector had to be individually fixed by hand, the work was complicated, and there was a problem that the manufacturing of the control unit was time-consuming.

[0013] Therefore, the inventors have come to constitute the subject matter of this disclosure in order to solve the above problems. This disclosure provides an operating unit that can be manufactured more easily.

[0014] The washing machine operating unit in this disclosure has the following configuration.

[0015] (Composition 1) The operation unit is provided in a washing machine. The operation unit includes a substrate having a plurality of electronic components for input operations and a connector fitting portion for wiring connection, and a case member for housing the substrate. The electronic components and the connector fitting portion are provided on the same surface of the substrate. The connector fitting portion is disposed along an edge of the substrate such that the connector fitting direction is in the in-plane direction of the substrate. The case member has an opening that opens in the in-plane direction and allows a connector to be fitted into the connector fitting portion.

[0016] In the above configuration, the electronic components and the connector fitting portion are provided on the same surface of the substrate. Therefore, the electronic components and the connector fitting portion can be mounted on the same surface, and then the substrate can be manufactured by fixing the electronic components and the connector fitting portion with flow solder. As a result, the conventional operation of individually fixing the connector fitting portion by hand with solder is unnecessary, and the operation unit can be manufactured more easily.

[0017] Moreover, the connector fitting portion is disposed along the edge of the substrate such that the fitting direction faces the in-plane direction of the substrate. In addition, since the case member has an opening that allows a connector to be fitted into the connector fitting portion, the wiring can be connected to the substrate without any trouble.

[0018] (Configuration 2) In the operation unit according to Configuration 1, the case member includes a wall surface portion that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the substrate and has an opening, and a part of the edge of the substrate may be disposed inside the opening.

[0019] In the above configuration, since a part of the substrate is disposed inside the opening of the case member, the opening is blocked by a part of the substrate. Therefore, the intrusion of insects, dust, water, etc. from the opening into the case member is suppressed.

[0020] (Configuration 3) In Configuration 2, a part of the edge of the substrate may be disposed inside the opening together with the connector fitting portion.

[0021] In the above configuration, since the connector mating portion is located inside the opening along with a portion of the circuit board's edge, the effective opening area of ​​the opening is reduced compared to the case where only a portion of the circuit board is located inside the opening. Therefore, the intrusion of insects, dust, water, etc., into the case material from the opening is more effectively suppressed.

[0022] (Composition 4) In the operating unit of configuration 2 or 3, the case member includes a first member and a second member which cooperate to form a wall surface by being joined together in the out-of-plane direction of the substrate, the substrate has two connector fitting portions arranged along the edge of the substrate, and the first member and the second member may each have a locking portion that engages with each other at a position between the openings corresponding to the two connector fitting portions to lock the first member and the second member together.

[0023] In the above configuration, the wall surface of the case member is formed by a first member and a second member that are joined together in the out-of-plane direction of the substrate. The first member and the second member are locked together by the engagement of their locking portions at a position between the openings corresponding to the two connector mating portions. In this way, the first member and the second member are locked together by their locking portions at a position between the two openings in which the substrate is interposed, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the substrate interposed inside the openings and the openings themselves.

[0024] (Composition 5) In the operating unit of configuration 2 or configuration 3, the case member has a substrate housing portion formed by a wall portion, and when the operating unit is installed in the washing machine, the substrate housing portion houses the substrate in an inclined or upright position, the connector fitting portion is arranged along the side edge which is the inclined or upright edge of the substrate, and the wall portion includes an upper wall portion extending along the upper edge of the substrate and a side wall portion extending along the side edge and having an opening formed therein, and the upper wall portion may have an extension portion that extends outward from the side wall portion in the direction in which the upper wall portion extends.

[0025] In the above configuration, the case member has a substrate housing section formed by a wall surface, and this substrate housing section accommodates the substrate in an inclined or upright position when the operating unit is installed in the washing machine. In this configuration, there is a concern that liquid such as condensation adhering to the upper wall surface forming the substrate housing section may move from the upper wall surface to the side wall surface and enter the opening. However, in the above configuration, the upper wall surface has an extension that extends outward from the side wall surface in the direction in which the upper wall surface extends. Therefore, liquid adhering to the upper wall surface moves along the upper wall surface to the tip of the extension and drips from that tip, for example, downward. Thus, the movement of liquid from the upper wall surface to the side wall surface, and consequently the entry of liquid into the opening, is suppressed.

[0026] (Composition 6) In the operating unit of configuration 5, a guide portion capable of guiding liquid downwards may be formed in the extended portion.

[0027] In the above configuration, a guide section is formed in the extended portion, which can guide the liquid downwards. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly drip the liquid along the guide section in the extended portion.

[0028] (Composition 7) In the operating unit of configuration 6, the guide portion may be a groove extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the extended portion extends.

[0029] In the above configuration, the guide section is a groove that extends in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the extended section. Therefore, it is possible to collect the liquid in the groove and move it in the same direction to drip it out.

[0030] (Composition 8) In the operating unit of configuration 2 or configuration 3, the wall portion may be provided with a guide portion that can guide the connector to the connector mating portion when the connector is mated to the connector mating portion.

[0031] In the above configuration, the wall section is equipped with a guide section that can guide the connector into the opening. Therefore, by using the guide section to guide the connector, it becomes possible to relatively easily fit the connector into the connector mating section.

[0032] (Composition 9) In the operating unit of configuration 8, the guide portion has a guide surface that is capable of contacting the connector and extends in the connector mating direction. Therefore, by abutting the connector against the guide surface and moving the connector along the guide surface in the connector mating direction, the connector can be mated into the connector mating portion.

[0033] (Composition 10) In any of the operation units of configuration 1 to 3, the circuit board may include electronic components on which software can be written, and the connector mating portion may be provided for wiring and connecting external equipment for writing software.

[0034] In the above configuration, the connector mating section is provided for wiring connections for writing software. Therefore, by connecting the wiring of external devices to the board via the connector mating section, it becomes possible to write software while the control board remains integrated into the operation unit.

[0035] (Composition 11) In any of configurations 1 to 3, the connector mating portion includes a first connector mating portion for wiring connection between the washing machine's control equipment and a circuit board, and a second connector mating portion for wiring connection between other equipment and the circuit board. When the operation unit is installed in the washing machine, the first connector mating portion may be positioned on the circuit board closer to the control equipment than the second connector mating portion.

[0036] In the above configuration, the first connector mating portion for wiring the control device and the circuit board is positioned closer to the control device than the second connector mating portion. This is advantageous in shortening the wiring length for connecting the control device and the circuit board.

[0037] On the other hand, the washing machine in this disclosure has the following configuration.

[0038] (Composition 12) The washing machine comprises a casing and an operation unit, one of the configurations 1 to 3 described above, which is located on the top of the casing and receives input operations from the user and displays information.

[0039] This configuration makes it possible to provide a washing machine that has the advantages of each of the above-described configurations for the operating unit.

[0040] (Embodiment) The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0041] The attached drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0042] Figure 1 is a perspective view of washing machine 1, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of washing machine 1. The directions used in the following explanation (indicated in the figures) refer to the direction when washing machine 1 is viewed from the front.

[0043] [Overall structure] The washing machine 1 comprises a casing 10 having an opening 100 for loading laundry, and a door 11 for opening and closing the opening 100 of the casing 10. The opening 100 is formed in the front wall 10a of the casing 10. Inside the casing 10 are a water tank 14 and a rotating drum 15, which contain the laundry loaded through the opening 100 and form a processing chamber 12 for washing the laundry.

[0044] The water tank 14 has an opening 13 that opens toward the closed door section 11, and the rotating drum 15 is rotatably held within the water tank 14. An opening 16 is formed in the front end wall of the rotating drum 15, opening in the same direction as the opening 13 of the water tank 14. Laundry put in through the input opening 100 is contained within the rotating drum 15 through the openings 13 and 16 of the water tank 14 and the rotating drum 15.

[0045] The water tank 14 is provided for holding water during the washing and rinsing processes. The water tank 14 is elastically supported by a suspension mechanism 18 fixed to the bottom wall 10c of the housing 10.

[0046] A water inlet 20 is provided at the top of the peripheral wall of the water tank 14, through which water flows in during the washing and rinsing processes. Since numerous small holes 17 are formed in the rotating drum 15 inside the water tank 14, the water supplied through the water inlet 20 is supplied to the laundry inside the rotating drum 15 through these small holes 17.

[0047] A drive motor 22 for rotating the rotating drum 15 is mounted on the outer surface of the rear end wall of the water tank 14. The motor shaft of the drive motor 22 passes through the rear end wall of the water tank 14 and is connected to the rotating drum 15. When the rotating drum 15 is rotated by the drive motor 22, the laundry is agitated within the rotating drum 15.

[0048] Above the water tank 14, a water supply unit 23 is provided for supplying water to the laundry in the processing chamber 12. The water supply unit 23 includes a water supply route 24 piped above the water tank 14, a water supply valve 26 and a detergent box 25 provided in the water supply route 24.

[0049] The upstream end of the water supply path 24 is exposed on the outer surface of the housing 10 and is configured to be connectable to a hose (not shown) extending from a water tap. The downstream end of the water supply path 24 is connected to the water inlet 20 of the water tank 14.

[0050] The water supply valve 26 is configured to open and close the water supply path 24 and is positioned upstream of the detergent box 25 in the direction of water flow within the water supply path 24. The detergent box 25 is configured to contain detergent. The detergent box 25 is also configured to allow water to pass through it when the water supply valve 26 is opened.

[0051] A drainage path 27 is provided on the underside of the water tank 14 for draining water from the water tank 14. The drainage path 27 extends from the drain port 21 of the water tank 14 to the outside of the housing 10. The drainage path 27 is equipped with a drain valve 28 that opens and closes the drainage path 27. When the drain valve 28 opens the drainage path 27 while water has accumulated in the processing chamber 12, the water in the processing chamber 12 is drained through the drainage path 27.

[0052] An operation display unit 30 is provided on the front upper surface of the housing 10. The operation display unit 30 is located between the upper end of the front wall 10a and the front end of the upper wall 10b of the housing 10. The operation display unit 30 accepts setting inputs for functions of the washing machine 1, such as the selection of a washing course, and displays the function to be set, such as the selected washing course. The operation display unit 30 has an operation display surface 301 that slopes downward from the rear to the front. The inclination of the operation display surface 301 ensures good visibility and operability for a user standing in front of the washing machine 1. Alternatively, only an operation unit that accepts setting inputs for functions of the washing machine 1, such as the selection of a washing course, may be provided on the front upper surface of the housing 10.

[0053] [Control configuration of washing machine 1] Figure 3 is a control configuration diagram of the washing machine 1. The washing machine 1 comprises a main control unit 70 and a sub-control unit 72. The main control unit 70 comprehensively controls the operation of the washing machine 1, and the sub-control unit 72 controls user input operations and information display.

[0054] The main control unit 70 is located at the front of the inner bottom of the housing 10 (see Figure 2). On the other hand, the sub-control unit 72 is located inside the operation display unit 30. Both the main control unit 70 and the sub-control unit 72 are equipped with an MCU consisting of a processor such as a CPU and peripheral circuits. Note that the MCU may be composed of a single IC.

[0055] The main control unit 70 and the sub-control unit 72 are connected to each other via a wire harness 60, which will be described later. The drive motor 22, the water supply valve 26, and the drain valve 28 are also electrically connected to the main control unit 70.

[0056] The sub-control unit 72 displays the function to be set according to a pre-stored program based on the settings received by the operation display unit 30. The settings received by the operation display unit 30 through user input are transmitted from the sub-control unit 72 to the main control unit 70. The main control unit 70 controls the drive motor 22, water supply valve 26, and drain valve 28 according to a pre-stored program based on the settings transmitted from the operation display unit 30. As a result, the washing machine 1 performs the operation according to the settings. Specifically, the main control unit 70 is configured to sequentially execute the washing, rinsing, and spinning processes according to a program corresponding to the operating mode specified by the input operation of the operation display unit 30.

[0057] [Configuration of Operation Display Unit 30U] The operation display unit 30 consists of a unit component (operation display unit 30U), and is constructed by incorporating this unit component, i.e., the operation display unit 30U, into the housing 10.

[0058] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operation display unit 30U, Figure 5 is a side view of the operation display unit 30U, and Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the operation display unit 30U. Additionally, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operation display unit 30U, and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the end of the control board 31. As shown in Figure 4, the operation display unit 30U has a rectangular shape in plan view, which is elongated in the left-right direction.

[0059] The operation display unit 30U comprises a control board 31 and a case member 32 in which the control board 31 is housed.

[0060] The control board 31 is a printed circuit board with multiple components mounted on a long, narrow rectangular printed wiring board (referred to as the board body 40) in plan view. Almost all components of the control board 31 are mounted on its upper surface, i.e., the upper surface of the board body 40. The board body 40 has two main surfaces (first main surface and second main surface) on both sides in the thickness direction. For example, the surface facing upwards, i.e., the upper surface, is the first main surface, and the surface facing downwards, i.e., the lower surface described below, is the second main surface. For example, electronic components such as a digital display 42, a light-emitting element 43, and a switch element 44 are mounted on the upper surface of the board body 40. The digital display 42 and the light-emitting element 43 are electronic components for displaying information, and the switch element 44 is an electronic component for performing input operations such as various settings.

[0061] The lower surface of the main board 40 is provided with an MCU (not shown) that constitutes the sub-control unit 72. Furthermore, the upper surface of the main board 40 is provided with two connector mating parts for wiring connections. Specifically, there is a first connector mating part 45 for connecting the control board 31 to the control board constituting the main control unit 70, and a second connector mating part 46 for connecting the control board 31 to an external device (not shown). The external device is, for example, a personal computer or a flash programmer. That is, the MCU constituting the sub-control unit 72 has memory, and the control board 31 is connected to a personal computer, etc., as needed. This allows the program to be written to the sub-control unit 72.

[0062] Each connector mating portion 45, 46 is specifically a connector mounted on the main board 40. More specifically, it is a connector consisting of a male terminal and a connector housing that holds the male terminal. Each connector mating portion 45 is positioned to the left along the left edge 41 of the main board 40 so that the mating direction M with the mating connector is in the in-plane direction Di (a direction parallel to the plane of the main board 40).

[0063] Furthermore, "along the edge 41" includes the configuration in which the tip edge of the connector mating portion 45 and the edge of the substrate body 40 are flush, the configuration in which the connector mating portion 45 overlaps with the edge of the substrate body 40, and the configuration in which the base edge of the connector mating portion 45 is flush with the edge of the substrate body 40.

[0064] The circuit board body 40 consists of a single-sided circuit board with wiring circuits formed only on its lower surface. The digital display 42, light-emitting element 43, switch element 44, and connector mating parts 45 and 46 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board body 40 are components (lead components) that are fixed to the circuit board body 40 with solder when terminals are inserted into insertion holes.

[0065] When the operation display unit 30U is installed in the washing machine 1, as shown in Figure 5, the control board 31 is housed in the case member 32 in a position that is inclined downwards from rear to front. Therefore, the left edge of the control board 31, that is, the edge 41 of the board body 40, is the inclined side edge of the board body 40. The first connector mating portion 45 is positioned in front of the second connector mating portion 46, and is therefore positioned lower than the second connector mating portion 46. As a result, the first connector mating portion 45 is positioned closer to the main control unit 70 than the second connector mating portion 46.

[0066] The case member 32 consists of an upper case body 50 and a lower case cover 51. Both the case body 50 and the case cover 51 are molded products made of resin material such as ABS or polypropylene (PP). The case body 50 and the case cover 51 are joined together in the out-of-plane direction Do (normal direction) of the control board 31, thereby forming a substantially closed space called a board housing section 35 in the case member 32. The control board 31 is housed in this board housing section 35. The control board 31 is housed in the board housing section 35 with support from both the front and back sides by, for example, ribs formed on the case body 50 and ribs formed on the case cover 51. The case body 50 and the case cover 51 are locked together at the outer periphery of the board housing section 35 by a locking piece 51a provided on the case cover 51 engaging with a projection 50a provided on the case body 50.

[0067] The case member 32 comprises a front wall portion 33 facing the upper surface (first main surface) of the control board 31 housed in the board housing portion 35, a back wall portion 34 facing the lower surface (back surface) of the control board 31, and a peripheral wall portion 36 surrounding the periphery of the control board 31. Specifically, the front wall portion 33 is the upper wall forming the board housing portion 35, the back wall portion 34 is the lower wall forming the board housing portion 35, and the peripheral wall portion 36 is the peripheral wall forming the board housing portion 35.

[0068] The front wall portion 33 is formed by the case body 50. The front wall portion 33 has a long, narrow rectangular shape in plan view. Multiple openings, consisting of through holes, are formed in the front wall portion 33. Specifically, there is an opening 52 where the digital display 42 is placed, an opening 53 where the light-emitting element 43 is placed, and an opening 54 where the switch element 44 is placed. An operation button is placed in the opening 54 where the switch element 44 is placed.

[0069] An operation display sheet, for example, printed with operation display content on a PET sheet material, is attached to the surface of the front wall portion 33. This forms an operation display surface 301 for the user to perform input operations and confirm the displayed information.

[0070] The operation display unit 30U is installed in the washing machine 1 with the operation display surface 301 tilted as described above. In the following description, the configuration of each part of the operation display unit 30U will be explained based on the state in which the operation display unit 30U is installed in the washing machine 1 in this manner.

[0071] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the peripheral wall portion 36 of the case member 32 includes a front wall portion 36a, a rear wall portion 36b, a left wall portion 36c, and a right wall portion 36d. The front wall portion 36a is a wall portion that extends in the left-right direction along the lower edge of the control board 31, and the rear wall portion 36b is a wall portion that extends in the left-right direction along the upper edge of the control board 31. The left wall portion 36c is a wall portion that extends diagonally along the inclined left edge (side edge) of the control board 31, and the right wall portion 36d is a wall portion that extends diagonally along the inclined right edge of the control board 31.

[0072] The rear wall portion 36b corresponds to the "upper wall portion" in the claims, and the left wall portion 36c corresponds to the "side wall portion" in the claims.

[0073] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the left wall portion 36c has openings 37 formed therein, corresponding to the connector mating portions 45 and 46 of the control board 31, allowing the mating of the corresponding connectors. Each opening 37 is rectangular in a side view of the operation display unit 30U. Through these openings 37, wiring connections between the control board 31 and the main control unit 70, and wiring connections between the control board 31 and a personal computer, etc., are possible.

[0074] The control board 31 housed in the board housing section 35 has a portion of its edge positioned inside the opening 37, along with the connector mating portions 45 and 46. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the left edge 41 of the board body 40 has two protrusions 40a that protrude further to the left than the rest of the board. The protrusions 40a are rectangular in plan view. The width W40a of the protrusions 40a, i.e., the front-to-back width in the in-plane direction Di, is set to be equal to the width of the connector mating portion 45. The projection dimension T40a of the protrusions 40a is set to be equal to, for example, the thickness dimension of the left wall surface 36c. The connector mating portions 45 and 46 are positioned along these protrusions 40a. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, with the control board 31 housed in the board housing section 35, the connector mating portions 45 and 46 and the protrusions 40a are positioned inside the opening 37. With this configuration, the opening 37 is almost completely closed by the protruding portion 40a of the circuit board body 40 and the connector mating portions 45 and 46, while allowing the mating of the connector mating portions 45 and 46 with the mating connector.

[0075] The peripheral wall surface 36 and the opening 37 of the case member 32 are formed by the cooperation of the case body 50 and the case cover 51. The case body 50 and the case cover 51 are locked together at the position of the left wall surface 36c where the opening 37 is formed. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the locking piece 51a of the case cover 51 is locked to the projection 50a of the case body 50 at a position between the opening 37 corresponding to the first connector fitting portion 45 and the opening 37 corresponding to the second connector fitting portion 46. In this way, the locking piece 51a is locked to the projection 50a at a position between the connector fitting portions 45 and 46, thereby preventing a gap from forming between the connector fitting portions 45 and 46 and the substrate body 40 (projection 40a) located inside the opening 37 and the peripheral edge of the opening 37.

[0076] The case body 50 and the case cover 51 correspond to the "first member" and "second member" in the claims, and the projection 50a and the locking piece 51a correspond to the "locking part" in the claims, respectively.

[0077] The connector 62 of the wire harness 60 is mated into the first connector mating portion 45. The wire harness 60 is a wiring member that electrically connects the control board 31 of the operation display unit 30U and the control board that constitutes the main control unit 70. The wire harness 60 comprises lead wires 61 and connectors 62 attached to the lead wires 61. The connector 62 is a connector that comprises a female terminal attached to the end of the lead wire 61 and a connector housing that holds the female terminal. When the connector 62 is mated into the first connector mating portion 45, the control board 31, i.e., the sub-control unit 72 and the main control unit 70, are electrically connected.

[0078] As shown in Figure 7, the connector 62 is provided with a locking piece 62a that locks the connector 62 and the first connector mating portion 45 into a mated state. When this locking piece 62a engages with a projection 45a provided on the first connector mating portion 45, the connector 62 and the first connector mating portion 45 are locked into a mated state.

[0079] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a guide portion 38 is provided on the left wall portion 36c of the case member 32. The guide portion 38 is formed to guide the connector 62 of the wire harness 60 relative to the first connector mating portion 45 when the connector 62 of the wire harness 60 is mated to the first connector mating portion 45.

[0080] The guide section 38 is provided above the opening 37 where the first connector mating section 45 is located. The guide section 38 protrudes to the left from the left wall surface 36c and comprises a pair of rib pieces 39 aligned in the width direction of the opening 37. Each rib piece 39 has a guide surface 39a that is a flat surface on which the connector 62 can be brought into contact from below (in the direction indicated by arrow U in Figure 6). Each guide surface 39a extends in the connector mating direction M. By bringing the connector 62 into contact with the guide surfaces 39a of both rib pieces 39, the connector 62 is positioned to face the opening 37, that is, to face the first connector mating section 45.

[0081] Figure 9 is a schematic plan view showing the procedure for fitting the connector 62 into the first connector mating portion 45. When fitting the connector 62 into the first connector mating portion 45, first, the connector 62 is brought against the guide surface 39a from below the two protruding pieces 39. At this time, the locking piece 62a can be moved into the space between the two protruding pieces 39. Then, by moving the connector 62 to the right along the guide surface 39a, i.e., in the connector mating direction M, the connector 62 can be fitted into the first connector mating portion 45.

[0082] As shown in Figure 7, the case member 32 has a configuration in which the front wall portion 33 protrudes to the left of the left wall portion 36c in which the opening 37 is formed. Therefore, when attempting to connect the wire harness 60 after installing the operation display unit 30U into the washing machine 1, the opening 37 is difficult to see because it is obstructed by the front wall portion 33. In this case, by using the guide portion 38, the connector 62 can be fitted into the first connector mating portion 45 relatively easily, even by touch.

[0083] As shown in Figure 6, the left wall portion 36c does not have a guide portion 38 corresponding to the second connector mating portion 46. This is because the connection between the control board 31 and the personal computer, etc., using the second connector mating portion 46 is usually done during the assembly stage of the operation display unit 30U alone. In other words, there is no situation where it is difficult to visually see the second connector mating portion 46 when mating the other connector.

[0084] Figure 10 is a rear view of the operation display unit. As shown in Figure 10, the upper wall portion of the peripheral wall portion 36 that forms the circuit board housing portion 35, i.e., the rear wall portion 36b, extends outward (to the left) than the left wall portion 36c. A groove 362 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the end portion (left end) of this extended portion 361. This configuration is a measure to prevent liquids such as water or detergent leaking into the housing 10, or condensation water adhering to the case member 32, from entering the opening 37.

[0085] In other words, in the washing machine 1 described above, it is conceivable that liquids such as water and detergent may enter the housing 10 through the gap between the upper wall 10b of the housing 10 and the operation display unit 30U. In this case, most of the liquid that enters the housing 10 flows down along the back wall surface 34 of the case member 32 (arrow F1 in Figure 10). On the other hand, some of the liquid may move to the left along the peripheral wall surface 36 (rear wall surface 36b) (arrow F2 in Figure 10). The liquid that moves to the left in this way is guided to the outside of the left wall surface 36c along the extension 361. Finally, it drips downward from the extension 361 along the groove 362 (arrow F3 in Figure 9). Therefore, the liquid that enters the housing 10 is prevented from flowing from the rear wall surface 36b to the left wall surface 36c and entering the opening 37.

[0086] As shown in Figure 10, the back wall surface 34 of the case member 32 is provided with locking portion 34a and guide portion 34b adjacent to each other on the left and right sides. The locking portion 34a and guide portion 34b are parts that define the routing path of the wire harness 60 and are projected from the back wall surface 34. This allows the wire harness 60 connected to the control board 31 to be routed in the left-right direction along the back wall surface 34 of the case member 32.

[0087] The locking portion 34a is provided so as to be able to lock the wire harness 60 while supporting it from below. The locking portion 34a is located to the right of the opening 37 corresponding to the first connector mating portion 45, and at a lower position than the opening 37. On the other hand, the guide portion 34b is located adjacent to the left of the locking portion 34a, and at a slightly lower position than the locking portion 34a. The wire harness 60 is locked to the locking portion 34a by passing under the guide portion 34b. As a result, the height of the wire harness 60 is restricted by the guide portion 34b at the position adjacent to the locking portion 34a. Consequently, as shown in Figure 10, a downwardly convex curved portion Cp is formed on the wire harness 60 between the connector 62 mated in the first connector mating portion 45 and the locking portion 34a.

[0088] As described above, the formation of this curved portion Cp prevents liquids such as water or condensation that have entered the housing 10 from entering the opening 37 via the wire harness 60. In other words, any liquid adhering to the wire harness 60 will inevitably move toward the lowest point of the curved portion Cp and drip downwards from there. Therefore, the entry of liquid into the opening 37 via the wire harness 60 is prevented.

[0089] [effect] As described above, the operation display unit 30U is provided in the washing machine 1. The operation display unit 30U comprises a control board 31 having a digital display 42, a light-emitting element 43, a switch element 44, and connector mating parts 45 and 46 for wiring connection, and a case member 32 in which the control board 31 is housed. The digital display 42, the light-emitting element 43, the switch element 44 and the connector mating parts 45 and 46 are provided on the same surface of the control board 31, and the connector mating parts 45 and 46 are arranged along the edge of the control board 31 such that the connector mating direction M (see Figure 4) is the in-plane direction Di of the control board 31, and the case member 32 has an opening 37 that opens in the in-plane direction Di and allows the connector 62 to be mated to the connector mating parts 45 and 46.

[0090] In the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment, electronic components such as a digital display 42, a light-emitting element 43, and a switch element 44, and connector mating parts 45 and 46 are mounted on the same surface of the control board 31. This allows the control board 31 to be manufactured by mounting the digital display 42, light-emitting element 43, and switch element 44 and the connector mating parts 45 and 46 on the same surface, and then fixing the electronic components and the connector mating parts 45 and 46 with flow solder. Therefore, the conventional, cumbersome work of individually fixing the connector mating parts 45 and 46 with solder is eliminated. The MCU constituting the sub-control unit 72 can be fixed to the back surface of the control board 31 with adhesive and electrically connected to the circuit with the flow solder. Therefore, it is not necessary to individually fix it to the control board 31 with solder by hand.

[0091] Furthermore, since the case member 32 is provided with an opening 37 that allows the mating connector 62 to be fitted into the connector mating portions 45 and 46, the wire harness 60 can be connected to the control board 31 without any problems, just as in the conventional method.

[0092] Therefore, according to the embodiment of the operation display unit 30U, it is possible to manufacture the operation display unit 30U more easily than conventionally known operation display units.

[0093] Furthermore, in the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment, the case member 32 has a peripheral wall surface portion 36 that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the control board 31 and has an opening 37 formed therein, and a part of its edge (protruding portion 40a) of the control board 31 is positioned inside the opening 37. As a result, a part of the opening 37 is blocked by the protruding portion 40a. Therefore, according to the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment, the intrusion of insects, dust, water, etc. into the case member 32 from the opening 37 is suppressed.

[0094] Furthermore, in the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment, a portion of the edge of the control board 31 (protruding portion 40a) is positioned inside the opening 37 together with the connector mating portions 45 and 46. As a result, the effective opening area of ​​the opening 37 is reduced compared to the case where only the protruding portion 40a is positioned inside the opening 37. Consequently, the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment more effectively suppresses the intrusion of insects, dust, water, etc., into the case member 32 from the opening 37.

[0095] Furthermore, in the operation display unit 30U of the embodiment, the case member 32 includes a case body 50 and a case cover 51 which cooperate to form a peripheral wall surface portion 36 by being joined to each other in the out-of-plane direction Do of the control board 31. The control board 31 has two connector fitting portions 45 and 46 arranged along the edge of the control board 31, and the case body 50 and the case cover 51 are provided with locking pieces 51a and projections 50a (locking portions) that engage with each other at a position between the openings 37 corresponding to the two connector fitting portions 45 and 46 to lock the case body 50 and the case cover 51 together.

[0096] In this configuration, the case body 50 and the case cover 51 are locked together at a position between the opening 37 corresponding to the first connector mating portion 45 and the opening 37 corresponding to the second connector mating portion 46. This prevents gaps from forming between the connector mating portions 45, 46 and the protruding portion 40a located inside the opening 37 and the peripheral edge of the opening 37. Therefore, the intrusion of insects, dust, water, etc. is also suppressed in this respect.

[0097] Furthermore, in the operation display unit 30U of the embodiment, the case member 32 has a substrate housing portion 35 formed by a peripheral wall portion 36. When the operation display unit 30U is installed in the washing machine 1, the substrate housing portion 35 houses the control board 31 in an inclined position, and the connector fitting portions 45 and 46 are arranged along the inclined edge of the control board 31. The peripheral wall portion 36 includes a rear wall portion 36b (upper wall portion) that extends along the upper edge of the control board 31, and a side wall portion 36c that extends along the side edge and has an opening 37 formed therein. The rear wall portion 36b has an extended portion 361 that extends outward from the side wall portion 36c in the direction in which the rear wall portion 36b extends. This allows liquid moving along the rear wall portion 36b to drip downward from the tip of the extended portion 361. Therefore, the movement of liquid from the rear wall portion 36b to the left wall portion 36c is suppressed, and consequently, the intrusion of liquid into the opening 37 is suppressed.

[0098] In this case, the operation display unit 30U of the embodiment has a groove 362 formed in the extension 361 that can guide the liquid downward. Therefore, the liquid moving along the extension 361 can be smoothly dripped along the groove 362. In this case, the liquid can be collected in the groove 362 and moved in the same direction to be dripped.

[0099] Furthermore, in the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment, a guide portion 38 is provided on the peripheral wall surface portion 36 that can guide the connector 62 to the first connector mating portion 45 when the connector 62 is mated to the first connector mating portion 45. Therefore, even when the opening 37 cannot be seen, the connector 62 can be mated to the first connector mating portion 45 relatively easily.

[0100] In this case, the guide portion 38 has a guide surface 39a that is capable of contacting the connector 62 and extends in the connector mating direction M. Therefore, the connector 62 can be easily mated into the first connector mating portion 45 by a simple procedure of bringing the connector 62 into contact with the guide surface 39 and moving the connector 62 along the guide surface 39a in the connector mating direction M.

[0101] Furthermore, in the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment, the control board 31 is equipped with an MCU on which a program (software) can be written, and the connector mating portion 46 is provided for wiring connection of a personal computer or other (external device) for writing the program. Therefore, according to the operation display unit 30U of this embodiment, the program can be written to the control board 31 while the control board 31 is still incorporated into the operation display unit 30U.

[0102] Furthermore, the operation display unit 30U of the embodiment includes a first connector mating portion 45 for wiring connection between the main control unit 70 (control device) of the washing machine 1 and the control board 31, and a second connector mating portion 46 for wiring connection between a personal computer or the like and the control board 31. When the operation display unit 30U is installed in the washing machine 1, the first connector mating portion 45 is positioned closer to the main control unit 70 on the control board 31 than the second connector mating portion 46. This is advantageous in shortening the length of the wire harness 60 for connecting the control board 31 and the main control unit 70.

[0103] [Differentiation] As described above, embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. Since these embodiments are for illustrative purposes of the technology in this disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the claims or equivalent scope.

[0104] For example, in the embodiments described herein, the technology disclosed herein is applied to a washing machine that has only a washing function. However, the technology disclosed herein is also applicable to a washing machine that has both a washing and drying function.

[0105] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation display unit 30U is configured such that the operation display surface 301 is inclined downwards from the rear to the front of the washing machine 1. That is, the operation display unit 30U houses the control board 31 in an inclined state. However, the operation display unit 30U may also be configured such that the operation display surface 301 is upright, that is, the control board 31 (first main surface and second main surface) is upright.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the guide portion 38 is provided only at the location corresponding to the first connector mating portion 45 to which the wire harness 60 is connected. However, the guide portion 38 may also be provided at the location corresponding to the second connector mating portion 46.

[0107] In this embodiment, the guide portion 38 includes both a first guide surface 39a that guides the connector 62 in a direction along the left wall portion 36c and a second guide surface 39b that guides the connector 62 in the connector mating direction M. However, the guide portion 38 may also be configured to include only one of the first guide surface 39a and the second guide surface 39b.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main control unit 70 is located at the bottom of the housing 10 of the washing machine 1. However, the main control unit 70 may be located in a place other than the bottom of the housing 10. In this case, the positions of the connector mating parts 45 and 46 on the control board 31 can be set so that the position of the first connector mating part 45 is closer to the main control unit 70 than the position of the second connector mating part 46. This makes it possible to shorten the length of the wire harness 60, similar to the embodiment.

[0109] Furthermore, a cap may be fitted to the second connector mating portion 46. That is, the second connector mating portion 46 is used infrequently, such as when writing programs. Therefore, a cap may be fitted to prevent water and dust from entering the second connector mating portion 46.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the substrate body 40 is a single-sided substrate with wiring circuits formed only on its lower surface. However, the substrate body 40 may also be a single-sided substrate with wiring circuits formed only on its upper surface, or a double-sided substrate with wiring circuits formed on both its upper and lower surfaces.

[0111] In this case, the electronic components (digital display 42, light-emitting element 43, and switch element 44) and connector mating parts 45, 46 mounted on the control board 31 may be surface-mount components in addition to leaded components, such as those used in the embodiment, where terminals are inserted into insertion holes and fixed with solder. The type of electronic components and connector mating parts 45, 46 mounted on the control board 31 can be selected according to the type of substrate body 40 used (single-sided substrate / double-sided substrate). For example, if a single-sided substrate with wiring circuits formed only on the top surface is used as the substrate body 40, surface-mount components can be used as the electronic components and connector mating parts 45, 46. In this case, the control board 31 can be manufactured by connecting the electronic components and connector mating parts 45, 46 to the substrate body 40 via solder paste using a reflow process. [Industrial applicability]

[0112] The operation display unit of the above embodiment is suitably usable in a washing machine for washing clothes. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1. Washing machine 30 Operation display section 30U Operation Display Unit 31 Control board 32 Case components 33 Front wall surface 34 Rear wall section 35. Circuit board housing section 36 Surrounding wall section 36a Front wall surface 36b Rear wall section (upper wall section) 36c Left wall section (side wall section) 36d Right wall section 361 Extension section 362 Groove 37 Opening 38 Guidance part 39 Projection strip 39a Guidance surface (guidance part) 40 Main board 41 Edge 45 First connector mating section 46 Second connector mating section 50 Case body (first component) 50a Projection (locking part) 51 Case cover (second component) 51a Locking piece (locking part) 70 Main control unit (control board)

Claims

1. A control unit installed in a washing machine, A circuit board comprising multiple electronic components for input operations and connector mating parts for wiring connections, The system comprises a case member that houses the aforementioned substrate, The aforementioned electronic component and the connector mating portion are provided on the same surface of the substrate. The connector mating portion is arranged along the edge of the substrate such that the connector mating direction is in the in-plane direction of the substrate. The case member is an operating unit having an opening that opens in the in-plane direction and allows the connector to be fitted into the connector mating portion.

2. In the operating unit according to claim 1, The case member comprises a wall portion that surrounds at least a part of the outer periphery of the substrate and in which the opening is formed, The aforementioned substrate is an operating unit in which a portion of its edge is positioned inside the opening.

3. In the operating unit according to claim 2, The aforementioned circuit board is an operating unit in which a portion of its edge is positioned inside the opening together with the connector mating portion.

4. In the operating unit according to claim 2 or 3, The case member includes a first member and a second member that are joined together in the out-of-plane direction of the substrate to cooperate in forming the wall portion and the opening, The aforementioned substrate has two connector mating portions arranged along its edge, An operating unit in which the first member and the second member each have a locking portion that engages with each other at a position between the openings corresponding to the two connector mating portions, thereby locking the first member and the second member together.

5. In the operating unit according to claim 2 or 3, The case member has a substrate housing portion formed by the wall portion, With the operating unit installed in the washing machine, The substrate housing section houses the substrate in an inclined or upright position. The connector mating portion is arranged along the side edge of the substrate, which is either an inclined edge or an upright edge. The wall portion includes an upper wall portion extending along the upper edge of the substrate and a side wall portion extending along the side edge and having the opening formed therein. The operating unit comprises an upper wall portion which includes an extension portion that extends outward from the side wall portion in the direction in which the upper wall portion extends.

6. In the operating unit according to claim 5, An operating unit having a guide portion formed on the extended portion that can guide liquid downward.

7. In the operating unit according to claim 6, The guide portion is an operating unit comprising a groove extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which the extended portion extends.

8. In the operating unit according to claim 2 or 3, The aforementioned wall portion is an operating unit that includes a guide portion capable of guiding the connector to the connector mating portion when the connector is mated to the connector mating portion.

9. In the operating unit according to claim 8, The guiding portion is an operating unit having a guiding surface that is capable of contacting the connector and extends in the direction of connector mating.

10. In the operating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned circuit board is equipped with electronic components on which software can be programmed, The connector mating portion is provided for wiring and connecting to an external device for writing the software, and is part of an operating unit.

11. In the operating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The connector mating portion includes a first connector mating portion for wiring and connecting the control device of the washing machine to the circuit board, and a second connector mating portion for wiring and connecting other devices to the circuit board. With the operating unit installed in the washing machine, The first connector mating portion is located on the circuit board closer to the control device than the second connector mating portion, and is part of the operating unit.

12. The casing and A washing machine comprising an operating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is disposed on the upper part of the housing and receives input operations from the user and displays information.

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