KR102280561B1 - Control panel apparatus and washing machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a control panel device and a washing machine having the same. The control panel device may include a printed circuit board having at least one light source module mounted on one surface thereof; a cover member covering one surface of the printed circuit board; and a spacer member disposed between the printed circuit board and the cover member and having a thickness equal to or greater than a thickness of the light source module.

Description

CONTROL PANEL APPARATUS AND WASHING MACHINE HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a control panel device and a washing machine having the same, and more particularly, to a control panel device capable of controlling a function of the washing machine.

In general, a washing machine is provided with a control panel for controlling the washing operation of the washing machine.

As described above, in the touch printed circuit board (touch PCB) having a touch sensor used in the conventional control panel, the LED module is mounted on the bottom surface (or the rear surface) of the touch printed circuit board. In this case, in order to emit light emitted from the LED module to the upper surface (or front surface) of the touch printed circuit board, a separate reflector is provided. Alternatively, a method of making a hole in the touch printed circuit board and radiating the light of the LED module to the upper surface (or front) of the touch printed circuit board through this hole was used.

However, when the LED module is installed on the bottom surface of the touch printed circuit board, a separate reflector must be provided, so the structure is complicated and the product price is high compared to the top view method of mounting the LED module on the upper surface of the touch printed circuit board. there was

In order to solve this problem, when the top view method is adopted, there is another problem in that the LED module is frequently damaged by the user's pressing force in the process of coupling the cover member to the touch printed circuit board.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, a control panel device capable of preventing damage to the LED module during product assembly while having a simple overall structure by mounting a touch sensor and an LED module on the same surface of a printed circuit board, and It is an object to provide a washing machine equipped with.

The present invention in order to achieve the above object, at least one light source module is mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board; a cover member covering one surface of the printed circuit board; and a spacer member disposed between the printed circuit board and the cover member and having a thickness equal to or greater than a thickness of the light source module.

In addition, the present invention is a printed circuit board at least one touch sensor and at least one light source module is mounted on one surface; a conductive cover member covering one surface of the printed circuit board and making electrical contact with the touch sensor; and a spacer member disposed between the printed circuit board and the cover member to have a thickness equal to or greater than a thickness of the light source module and having an accommodation hole for accommodating the touch sensor and the light source module; By providing, the above object can be achieved.

In addition, the present invention is a body having a washing tub on the inside; a door hinged to the main body to open and close the washing tub; and a control panel installed on the main body, the control panel comprising: a printed circuit board on which at least one touch sensor and at least one light source module are mounted on one surface; and a cover member covering one surface of the printed circuit board; It is possible to achieve the above object by providing a washing machine disposed between the printed circuit board and the cover member and including a spacer member having a thickness equal to or greater than the thickness of the light source module.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine equipped with a control panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing an external appearance of the control panel device shown in FIG. 1 .
3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a control panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2 .
5 and 6 are cross-sectional and plan views illustrating an example in which a protective protrusion is formed on the film layer of the cover member shown in FIG. 4 .
FIG. 7 is a view showing a modified example of the protection protrusion shown in FIG. 6 .

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present document will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the technology described in this document to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of the embodiments of this document are included. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for like components.

In addition, expressions such as "first," "second," used in this document may modify various elements regardless of order and/or importance, and to distinguish one element from another element. It is used only and does not limit the corresponding components. For example, 'first part' and 'second part' may represent different parts regardless of order or importance. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights described in this document, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be renamed as a first component.

In addition, terms used in this document are used only to describe specific embodiments, and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. The singular expression may include the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art described in this document. Among the terms used in this document, terms defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted with the same or similar meaning as the meaning in the context of the related art, and unless explicitly defined in this document, ideal or excessively formal meanings is not interpreted as In some cases, even terms defined in this document cannot be construed to exclude embodiments of the present document.

Also, the control panel device described in this document is exemplified by one installed in a washing machine among home appliances, but is not limited thereto, and any home appliance having a control panel, such as a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a water purifier, and an air conditioner, may be applied.

A configuration of a control panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 .

1 is a perspective view showing a washing machine equipped with a control panel device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing an external appearance of the control panel device shown in FIG. 1 , and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention It is an exploded perspective view showing the control panel device according to , and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , the control panel device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed on the front upper portion of the main body 11 of the washing machine 10 so that the user can easily access it. In this case, the washing machine 10 may include a main body 11 having a washing tub (not shown) inside, and a door 13 hinged to the front of the main body 11 to open and close the washing tub. In this case, the door 13 may be forcibly locked to prevent the user from arbitrarily opening the door 13 during washing. In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the door 13 may further include an auxiliary door so that additional laundry can be put into the washing tub during washing.

In addition, the washing machine 10 may include a control panel device 100 and a rotary switch 17 through which a user can control the washing machine at the front upper portion of the main body 11 . The rotary switch 17 may be installed on the main body 11 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and any one of various preset washing courses may be selected. The main body 11 includes a power button 18 for turning on/off the power of the washing machine 10 and a driving control button 19 for controlling driving and stopping of the washing machine at a position adjacent to the control panel device 100 . ) can be provided. The rotary switch 17 , the power button 18 , the driving control button 19 , and the control panel device 100 are electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) provided in the washing machine 10 .

Referring to FIG. 2 , in the control panel apparatus 100, a selection area for performing various functions to control the washing machine may be partitioned. For example, in the control panel device 100 , a main selection area A1 (detailed manipulation of temperature, rinsing, and dehydration functions is possible) may be disposed at a lower center of the control panel device 100 , and each function may be disposed above the main selection area A1 . An area A2 displaying detailed selection of (temperature, rinse, dehydration) may be disposed.

In addition, in the control panel device 100, areas A3 and A4 for selecting additional functions may be disposed on the left and right sides, respectively, and a display area A5 for displaying washing time or various information related to washing in the upper center of the control panel device 100 ) can be placed.

The location or size of each of the above-described areas A1 to A5 is only an exemplary embodiment, and this can be freely changed in consideration of the design of the product.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the control panel device 100 includes a printed circuit board 110 installed in a mounting groove 12 formed on a front upper portion of a main body 11 , and a cover member 130 covering the printed circuit board 110 . ) and a spacer 150 disposed between the printed circuit board 110 and the cover member 130 . Also, the control panel apparatus 100 may include an area A2 for displaying detailed selection and a display module 170 corresponding to the display area A5 . The display module 170 includes an auxiliary printed circuit board 171 having a plurality of LED modules located in an area A2 for displaying detailed selection, and a small LCD 173 located in the display area A5. can

The printed circuit board 110 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the areas A3 and A4 in which the additional function can be selected. The printed circuit board 110 may have an approximately “U” shape in consideration of the areas A3 and A4. However, the printed circuit board 110 is not limited to a “U” shape, and as described above, when the positions and sizes of the regions A3 and A4 are changed, the shape of the printed circuit board 110 is also changed accordingly. can be

Referring to FIG. 4 , one surface 110a of the printed circuit board 110 faces the cover member 130 , and the other surface 110b faces the body 11 . A plurality of touch sensors (or touch keys) 111 are mounted on one surface 110a of the printed circuit board 110, and a light source module (hereinafter, referred to as 'LED module') is located adjacent to each touch sensor 111 ). (113) may be mounted respectively. As described above, each LED module 113 is arranged to form a pair with each touch sensor 111 , and the corresponding LED module 113 may be turned on/off according to the operation of each touch sensor 111 . That is, the plurality of touch sensors 111 and the plurality of LED modules 113 are electrically connected to the control unit. Accordingly, when a touch signal is input to the controller through any one of the plurality of touch sensors 111 , the controller controls the washing machine to perform a function corresponding to the touch signal, and the LED module 113 corresponding to the touch sensor. can be controlled on/off.

Various circuit elements 115 and 117 may be mounted on the other surface 110b of the printed circuit board 110 . In this case, any one of the circuit elements 115 and 117 may be a microcontroller that functions as a control unit. As described above, all circuit elements 115 and 117 are mounted on the other surface 110b of the printed circuit board 110 , and a plurality of touch sensors 111 and a plurality of LEDs are mounted on one surface 110a of the printed circuit board 110 . By arranging only the module 113, the arrangement of the plurality of touch sensors 111 and the plurality of LED modules 113 can be set regardless of the positions of the circuit elements.

The cover member 130 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from the one surface 110a of the printed circuit board 110 by the spacer 150 . The cover member 130 may include a transparent film layer 131 and a printed layer 133 formed on the outer surface of the film layer 131 . In this case, the film layer 131 and the printing layer 133 constituting the cover member 130 may be formed of a conductive material. In this case, when the user presses the area corresponding to the touch sensor 111 to operate the touch sensor 111 , for example, a portion with the letter “reservation” in FIG. 2 , the user's finger touches it through the cover member 130 . While being electrically connected to the sensor 111 , a touch input through the touch sensor 111 is possible.

The printed layer 133 has an opaque non-transmissive portion 133a that does not transmit light emitted from the LED module 113 as shown in FIG. 2 , and a transparent or translucent light that can transmit light emitted from the LED module 113 . It may include a light-transmitting part 133b. In this case, the light transmitting part 133b may have a shape representing a predetermined character (or image).

The light transmitting part 133b may be formed at a position approximately corresponding to the LED module 113, for example, and preferably by a predetermined distance from the LED module 113 to one side (eg, the LED module 113). by the size of )) can be placed in a shifted position. As such, when the positions of the light transmitting part 133b and the LED module 113 are not exactly matched with each other, the user can see the indirect light without directly looking at the light emitted from the LED module 113, thereby preventing glare and reducing the light can be clearly recognized. At this time, the light emitted from the LED module 113 passes through the light transmitting part 133b through the light diffusion surface 131c formed on the inner surface 131b of the film layer 131 and is emitted to the outside.

The light diffusion surface 131c may be formed to be inclined downward toward the side on which the LED module 113 is disposed. In this case, the inclination angle of the light diffusion surface 131c may be set differently according to a position where the control panel device 100 is installed on the main body 11 of the washing machine. For example, if the control panel device 100 is disposed below the position shown in FIG. 1 (the front upper part of the main body 11 ), it is preferable to make the inclination angle larger than the inclination angle shown in FIG. 4 .

Meanwhile, unlike the LED module 113 , the touch sensor 111 is preferably disposed at a position corresponding to the light transmitting part 133b. This is in consideration of an intuitive arrangement so that the user can operate the touch sensor 111 by pressing the light transmitting unit 133b.

The spacer member 150 is a plurality of LED modules 113 of one surface 110a of the printed circuit board 110 in the process of attaching the cover member 130 to the one surface 110a of the printed circuit board 110 is pressed. Accordingly, it may be disposed between the printed circuit board 110 and the cover member 130 to prevent damage. Accordingly, the spacer 150 may protect the plurality of LED modules 113 by resisting pressure that may be directly applied to the plurality of LED modules 113 . To this end, the thickness t of the spacing member 150 is preferably formed to be at least equal to or greater than the thickness of the LED module 113 . Considering that the thickness of a typical small LED module is approximately 5 mm or less, the thickness t of the spacer 150 may be manufactured to be 5 mm or more. In this case, the thickness t of the spacer 150 is preferably formed in consideration of the thickness of the touch sensor 111 disposed adjacent to the LED module 113 as well.

The spacing member 150 may be formed with a plurality of accommodating holes (S) capable of accommodating the plurality of touch sensors 111 and the plurality of LED modules 113 . The touch sensor 111 and the LED module 113 may be accommodated in pairs in each receiving hole S.

The spacer 150 may be made of an opaque material that does not transmit light. In addition, the spacer 150 may include a light-reflecting material or may be coated with a light-reflecting material along the inner circumferential surface of the receiving hole S. In this case, light emitted from the LED module 113 accommodated in the accommodating hole S may be reflected on the inner circumferential surface of the accommodating hole S and directed toward the cover member 130 . As described above, by guiding the light reflected on the inner circumferential surface of the receiving hole S toward the light transmitting portion 133b, the amount of light emitted from the light transmitting portion 133b may be increased.

An adhesive may be applied to the spacer 150 on both surfaces 150a and 150b. In this case, the spacer member 150 has both sides 150a and 150b of the back surface of the cover member 130 , that is, the inner surface 131b of the film layer 131 facing the printed circuit board 110 and the printed circuit board 110 . ) may be attached to one surface 110a, respectively. Accordingly, the printed circuit board 110 and the cover member 130 may be coupled to each other through the spacing member 150 without a separate fastener.

5 and 6 are cross-sectional and plan views illustrating an example in which a protective protrusion is formed on the film layer of the cover member shown in FIG. 4 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the cover member 130 has a predetermined thickness toward one surface 110a of the printed circuit board 110 from the rear surface, that is, the inner surface 131b of the film layer 131 facing the printed circuit board 110 . It may include a protective protrusion 137 protruding into the.

A plurality of protection protrusions 137 may be formed, and may have a shape surrounding a portion of the LED module 113 in order to protect each LED module 113 as shown in FIG. 6 . In this case, the thickness t1 of the protective protrusion 137 may be at least equal to or slightly smaller than the thickness t of the spacer 150 . The protective protrusion 137 can prevent the LED module 113 from being damaged when the LED module 113 is pressed in the front-rear direction (that is, the printed circuit board 110 and the cover member 130 are arranged). .

Although not shown in the drawing, the protection protrusion 137 may be formed only on either side of the LED module 113 , and may be formed to surround a portion of the periphery of the LED module 113 in an approximately arc shape.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a modified example of the protection protrusion shown in FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the protection protrusion 137 ′ is of course also possible to completely surround the LED module 113 . In this case, since the protective protrusion 137 ′ is formed integrally with the film layer 131 , it is made of a transparent material and does not block the light emitted from the LED module 113 .

On the other hand, when the protective protrusion 137 ′ is made of a member separate from the film layer 131 , it is preferably made of a transparent material such as the film layer 131 so that light emitted from the LED module 113 can be transmitted. .

According to the above, in this embodiment, the LED module 113 is disposed on one surface 110a of the same printed circuit board 110 as the touch sensor 111 and the pressure that can be applied to the LED module 113 in the assembly process is applied. It can be blocked by the spacer 150 , thereby preventing damage to the LED module 113 .

In addition, the present embodiment has the advantage of reducing the cost by simplifying the process compared to the manufacturing of the conventional control panel while being a top-view method that does not use a separate reflector.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and it is common in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Various modifications may be made by those having the knowledge of, of course, and these modified embodiments should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or perspective of the present invention.

110: printed circuit board
111: touch sensor
113: LED module
130: cover member
131: film layer
131c: light diffusing surface
133: printed layer
133a: non-permeable part
133b: light transmitting unit
137, 137': protection projection
150: spaced member

Claims (15)

a printed circuit board on one surface of which at least one touch sensor and at least one light source module are mounted;
a conductive cover member covering one surface of the printed circuit board and making electrical contact with the touch sensor; and
It is disposed between the printed circuit board and the cover member, has a thickness equal to or greater than the thickness of the light source module, and a spacer member having a receiving hole for accommodating the touch sensor and the light source module;
The cover member,
transparent film layer; and
Including; a printed layer formed on the outer surface of the film layer,
The printed layer is formed with a transparent or translucent light transmitting portion in a portion corresponding to the light source module,
The light source module is a control panel device arranged by shifting to one side by a preset distance from a position corresponding to the light transmitting unit. delete delete According to claim 1,
The control panel device, characterized in that the film layer has a light diffusion surface formed on an inner surface corresponding to the light transmitting portion. 5. The method of claim 4,
The control panel device, characterized in that the light diffusion surface is inclined downward toward the side on which the light source module is disposed. According to claim 1,
The spacer member is made of an opaque material and includes a light reflective material. According to claim 1,
The light source module is a control panel device, characterized in that the LED module. delete According to claim 1,
The control panel device according to claim 1, wherein the film layer has a protective protrusion that protrudes from an inner surface toward the printed circuit board and is disposed adjacent to the light source module. 10. The method of claim 9,
The protection protrusion is formed on both sides of the light source module or surrounds at least a part of the light source module. According to claim 1,
The control panel device, characterized in that the light source module and the touch sensor are mounted adjacent to each other. 12. The method of claim 11,
The accommodating hole is a control panel device, characterized in that for accommodating the light source module and the touch sensor together. According to claim 1,
The control panel device according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is formed on the front and rear surfaces of the spacer to be adhered to the cover member and the printed circuit board, respectively. delete a body having a washing tub inside;
a door hinged to the main body to open and close the washing tub; and
It includes a control panel installed on the main body,
The control panel includes a printed circuit board on which at least one touch sensor and at least one light source module are mounted on one surface, a conductive cover member covering one surface of the printed circuit board and making electrical contact with the touch sensor; It is disposed between the circuit board and the cover member and has a thickness equal to or greater than the thickness of the light source module, and includes a spacer member having a receiving hole for accommodating the touch sensor and the light source module,
The cover member,
transparent film layer; and
Including; a printed layer formed on the outer surface of the film layer,
The printed layer is formed with a transparent or translucent light transmitting portion in a portion corresponding to the light source module,
The light source module is disposed by shifting to one side by a preset distance from a position corresponding to the light transmitting unit.

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