JP7296348B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to washing machines.

In a washing machine equipped with a conventional operation panel, a panel main part provided on the outer surface of the electric device main body and having a display part and an operation part, and a display part and / or a display part and / or A light source for projecting and displaying an operation part is provided, and the panel main part has a decorative plate arranged on the surface and a mounting part for holding the decorative plate and attaching it to the electric equipment main body. and a support member made of a non-light-transmitting material, and the decorative plate is provided with a light-shielding film in which a light-transmitting display portion is formed in a colorless state at least on the back surface of the transparent member (resin or glass). (see Patent Document 1, for example).

JP 2016-36498 A

However, in the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, in order to display the operation panel clearly, at least the design of the operation unit (color, pattern, characters for operation), etc. are printed on the back side of the transparent member. A colored layer and a light-shielding layer in which the light-transmitting portion for display is formed in an uncolored state are required. In the colored layer, the light from the light source (e.g., light-emitting LED) on the rear surface of the panel, which has been transmitted through the display transmission portion of the light shielding layer, is evenly distributed along the shape of the display transmission portion (e.g., characters and patterns). In some cases, it is composed of multiple layers of printing so that it shines. In a panel with multiple layers of colored layers, if there is an omission in the printing process, it is difficult to identify the omission in the printing process from the appearance of the part because a light-shielding layer is formed on the back side of the colored layer. In order to confirm the defect of the parts, it is necessary to inspect them by incorporating them into the washing machine or using a special jig.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-described conventional problems, and to provide a washing machine that facilitates parts management by detecting printing defects.

The present invention includes a housing in which a washing tub is accommodated, a lid provided in the housing for opening and closing the washing tub, and an operation member provided in the lid, wherein the operation member is transparent. a member, a printed layer including at least a colored layer and a light-shielding layer provided on the back side of the transparent member, and a light source for projecting a display section onto the transparent member, wherein the transparent member is located at a position hidden by other components. , an area where the colored layer is printed, and an area where the light shielding layer is printed over the colored layer except for a partial area where the colored layer is printed. .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine that facilitates component management by finding printing defects.

It is an exploded perspective view of the outer cover mounted in the washing machine of 1st Embodiment. It is a sectional view of an outer cover. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main portion of FIG. 2; It is a figure which shows an example of the display part of an operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of pattern printing. It is a perspective view which explodes and shows each printing layer. It is a figure which shows typically which shows the overlapping state of a printing layer. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the washing machine of 2nd Embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form (henceforth "embodiment") for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail, referring drawings suitably. In the following description, a washing machine S capable of washing, rinsing, dehydrating, and drying (a so-called vertical washing/drying machine) will be described as an example.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exploded state of the outer lid of the washing machine according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1 , the washing machine S includes a housing outer frame (housing) 1 , a washing tub 2 and an outer lid 3 .

The outer frame 1 is formed by pressing a sheet metal (iron plate) into a rectangular tubular shape. A base 1a made of synthetic resin is provided on the lower portion of the outer frame 1. As shown in FIG. Although not shown, the inside of the outer frame 1 is reinforced with a reinforcing member. Further, the base 1a is reinforced by providing grid-like ribs or the like inside.

A synthetic resin top cover 1b is provided on the upper portion of the outer frame 1. As shown in FIG. The top cover 1b has a clothes inlet 1c and a fixed shaft 1d for rotatably fixing the outer lid 3. As shown in FIG. Further, in front of the top cover 1b, a push-type switch 1e for turning on/off the washing machine S and temporarily stopping it is provided.

The washing tub 2 includes an outer tub and a washing and dewatering tub. The outer tank is made of synthetic resin, has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is supported in the center of the outer frame 1 via a vibration isolator (not shown). The anti-vibration device consists of a spring or elastic rubber, and suspends and supports the outer tank from the upper part inside the outer frame 1 .

The washing and dehydrating tub has a bottomed cylindrical shape that accommodates laundry (clothing) to be washed, dehydrated, and dried. Moreover, the rotating shaft of the washing and dehydrating tub is oriented substantially vertically. The washing and dehydrating tub is provided in the center of the outer tub and is rotatably supported in the outer tub. Also, the washing and dehydrating tub has a large number of small through-holes for water flow and ventilation in its outer peripheral wall. Also, the washing and dehydrating tub has a plurality of through holes for water flow and ventilation in its bottom wall. A fluid balancer is provided at the upper edge of the washing and dehydrating tub. Further, at the bottom of the washing and dehydrating tub, there is rotatably provided a rotary vane disk for agitating washing water for washing, rinsing, and the like.

The outer lid 3 is opened and closed when laundry is put in and out of the washing tub 2, and is supported by a fixed shaft 1d of a top cover 1b provided on the upper portion of the outer frame 1. As shown in FIG.

The outer lid 3 includes a glass plate 31 (transparent member), a lid base 32 , a wiring substrate 33 , an LED guide 34 and a substrate support 35 .

The glass plate 31 is formed in a rectangular shape from a single piece of colorless and transparent tempered glass. The outer lid 3 of the first embodiment is provided with an operation member 50 at the center of the surface of the glass plate 31 instead of the top cover 1b. The operation member 50 has an operation portion 50a operated when setting the washing machine S, and a display portion 50b that emits light (lights up, blinks, etc.) according to various operations.

The lid base 32 is made of synthetic resin and holds the glass plate 31, and has an installation surface 32a on which the glass plate 31 is placed.

The lid base 32 also has a handle 32b at its front edge that holds the front edge 31a of the glass plate 31 and is operated when the outer lid 3 is opened and closed. This handle 32b is formed over the entire width direction (horizontal direction). Further, the handle 32b is configured such that a gap is formed between the surface of the top cover 1b and the handle 32b when the handle 32b is fully closed so as to contact the top cover 1b.

A holding portion 32c (a frame member or another component) that holds the rear edge portion 31b of the glass plate 31 is formed on the rear edge portion of the lid base 32. As shown in FIG. When the rear edge portion 31b of the glass plate 31 is held by the holding portion 32c, the rear edge portion 31b is hidden by the holding portion 32c and cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the washing machine. Further, the holding portion 32c is formed in a bag-like shape so that the glass plate 31 is not displaced from side to side.

Further, in the central portion of the lid base 32, an accommodation recess 32d is formed in which the wiring board 33, the LED guide 34, and the board support 35 are accommodated. The accommodation recess 32d has a rectangular opening 32e.

The wiring board 33 includes a rectangular board 33a and LEDs (light emitting diodes) 33b mounted on one side (upper side) of the board 33a and emitting light to cause the operation unit 50a and the display unit 50b to emit light. , and a capacitive touch sensor 33c mounted on the same surface to detect touch input by the user. A plurality of LEDs 33b and touch sensors 33c are provided.

The LED guide 34 is made of synthetic resin, and is partitioned so that the light of the LED 33b is projected only on the required area of the operation member 50 of the glass plate 31 . The LED guide 34 also has a function of diffusing the light from the LED 33b.

The board support 35 is made of synthetic resin and holds the wiring board 33 and the LED guide 34 . The LED guide 34 is screwed to the board support 35 . Also, the substrate support 35 is screwed to the lid base 32 .

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the outer lid. In addition, in FIG. 2, each printed layer is separated and illustrated schematically in order to make the description easier to understand.
As shown in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the glass plate 31, a pattern printed layer 41 (colored layer), a solid printed layer 42 (colored layer), and a diffusion printed layer 43 (colored layer) are formed in order from the side closer to the glass plate 31. , a light-shielding printed layer 44 (light-shielding layer) is formed.

The pattern-printed layer 41, solid-printed layer 42, and diffusion-printed layer 43 as colored layers have the function of giving the surface of the outer lid 3 a design. The light-shielding printed layer 44 has a display transmissive portion 44a (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. These printed layers 41 to 44 are formed by silk printing, for example.

First, the pattern printed layer 41 is formed on the surface closest to the glass plate 31 . This pattern printing layer 41 provides patterns such as dots, stripes, and pearls (those that give a glittering impression), for example. Inks (paints) used for the pattern printing layer 41 are, for example, acrylic, urethane, resin, or UV curable inks, and are colored by mixing pigments.

Then, a solid print layer 42 is formed on the pattern print layer 41 (lower side in the drawing). The solid print layer 42 is monochromatic and serves as the main color of printing that constitutes the design. For the solid print layer 42, the same ink as the ink exemplified for the pattern print layer 41 is used.

Then, a diffusion print layer 43 is formed from above (lower side in the figure) the solid print layer 42 . This diffusion print layer 43 has a function of diffusing light, and for example, a colorless and transparent layer is used. The diffusion print layer 43 uses, for example, a medium as a dilution ink. Medium is an achromatic diluent ink used to dilute the ink color, in which only varnish or moisture-resistant pigments are dispersed. By adjusting the transparency of the ink of this medium, the light from the LED 33b can be diffused evenly.

The rear edge portion 31b of the glass plate 31 is assembled with the holding portion 32c of the lid base 32 so as to be vertically overlapped. Further, the front edge portion 31a of the glass plate 31 is assembled so as to vertically overlap the holding portion 32b1 of the handle 32b of the lid base 32. As shown in FIG. The longitudinal dimension W1 where the rear edge portion 31b of the glass plate 31 and the holding portion 32c of the lid base 32 overlap is longer than the longitudinal dimension W2 where the front edge portion 31a and the holding portion 32b1 overlap.

3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 2. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the light-shielding print layer 44 is formed with a light-transmitting portion 44a for display. The display translucent portion 44a is a portion where the printed layer is notched (a portion where the printed layer is not formed), and is formed at a position facing the LED 33b.

Further, the LED guide 34 is formed with a guide path 34a that guides the light from the LED 33b toward the glass plate 31 side. It should be noted that the LED 33b in the first embodiment is of a cannonball type. Display translucent portions 44a are located at positions facing the respective guide paths 34a.

Further, the touch sensor 33c has a coil spring 33d and is biased toward the glass plate 31 side. When the glass plate 31 is placed on the lid base 32, the glass plate 31 on which the printed layers 41 to 44 are formed is biased. In other words, the glass plate 31 presses the coil spring 33d downward. Thereby, a touch operation by a finger or the like can be reliably detected.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display section of the operation section.
As shown in FIG. 4, on the back side of the glass plate 31, character patterns 61 to 75 (operating portion 50a) are formed on which each washing operation course (washing, rinsing, spin-drying, drying, etc.) is printed. These character patterns 61 to 74 have a touch sensor 33c (see FIG. 3) arranged on the back side of the character patterns 61 to 74, which functions as an operation unit, and the light from the LED 33b (see FIG. 3) activates the display unit 50b. It is designed to emit light as appropriate. In addition, a plurality of character patterns are formed around the respective character patterns 61 to 75 and are switched by touching the character patterns 61 to 75 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of pattern printing.
As shown in FIG. 5, the pattern printed layer 41 is formed by printing colorless and transparent ink in black or in a striped pattern, for example. By printing in such a pattern, the refraction of light from the LEDs 33b (see FIG. 3) makes it possible to make the print appear to have a pattern. In addition, the ink used for the pattern printing layer 41 is not limited to colorless and transparent ink, and the pattern may be printed with colored ink. However, in principle, the part (operation part and display part) 41a projected by the light from the LED 33b (see FIG. 3) is formed by removing the pattern (printing layer) similarly to the display transparent part 44a. .

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing each print layer.
As shown in FIG. 6, first, a pattern printed layer 41 is formed on the entire back surface of the glass plate 31 . The glass plate 31 has a width dimension of W in the left-right direction, a length dimension of D in the front-rear direction, and a printed area of W·D. The printed area of the pattern printed layer 41 is W·D, like the area of the glass plate 31 .

A solid print layer 42 is formed on the pattern print layer 41 formed on the glass plate 31 except for the first region R1. The first region R1 is a rectangular region in which the pattern printed layer 41 is not formed, and in the first embodiment, is formed in a laterally long rectangular shape at the right rear corner of the glass plate 31 . Moreover, the width w of the first region R1 is a dimension obtained by dividing the width of the glass plate 31 into four equal parts. Also, the dimension d in the front-rear direction of the first region R1 is a short dimension equal to or smaller than the dimension W1 (see FIG. 2). When the dimension is d, the area of the first region R1 is w·d. As a result, a solid print layer 42 is formed on the pattern print layer 41 in a region (WD-wd) excluding the first region R1 (area wd).

A diffusion print layer 43 is formed on the solid print layer 42 except for the second region R2. This second region R2 is a rectangular region in which no diffusion print layer 43 is formed. It is a region (2wd) to which the area (w·d) is added. As a result, the diffusion print layer 43 is formed in the region (WD-2wd) of the solid print layer 42 excluding the second region R2 (2wd).

A light-shielding printed layer 44 is formed on the diffusion printed layer 43 except for the third region R3. The third region R3 is a rectangular region in which the light-shielding printed layer 44 is not formed. The area (w·d) is added to the area (3w·d). As a result, the light-shielding printed layer 44 is formed on the diffusion printed layer 43 in the region (WD-3wd) excluding the third region R3 (3wd).

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing how printed layers overlap. 7 shows the state of the glass plate 31 viewed from the back side.
As shown in FIG. 7, on the rear edge portion 31b of the glass plate 31, a printed layer A consisting of only the pattern printed layer 41 is formed in the first region R1. A printed layer B in which the pattern printed layer 41 and the solid printed layer 42 are superimposed is formed in the second region R2 excluding the first region R1. In addition, in the third region R3 excluding the second region R2, a printed layer C in which the pattern printed layer 41, the solid printed layer 42 and the diffusion printed layer 43 are overlapped is formed. In addition, in the fourth region R4 excluding the third region R3, a printed layer D is formed in which the pattern printed layer 41, the solid printed layer 42, the diffusion printed layer 43, and the light shielding printed layer 44 are overlapped.

In this way, on the back side of the glass plate 31, an index 60 made up of the printed layers A to D is formed at the position where the holding portion 32c of the lid base 32 is arranged. The index 60 is hidden by the holding portion 32c of the lid base 32 (see FIG. 1), which is another part of the washing machine S, and is invisible to the user. In addition, in a region other than the index 60, a printed layer E is formed in which the pattern printed layer 41, the solid printed layer 42, the diffusion printed layer 43, and the light shielding printed layer 44 are overlapped.

As described above, the washing machine S of the first embodiment includes the outer frame 1 in which the washing tub 2 is accommodated, the outer lid 3 provided in the outer frame 1 for opening and closing the washing tub 2, and the outer lid 3 and an operation unit 50 provided. The operation member 50 includes a glass plate 31, a printed layer including a pattern printed layer 41, a solid printed layer 42, a diffusion printed layer 43, and a light shielding printed layer 44 provided on the back side of the glass plate 31, and a display portion on the glass plate 31. and an LED 33b for projecting . The glass plate 31 has a first area R1 where the pattern printed layer 41 is formed at a position hidden by the holding portion 32c of the lid base 32, and the solid printed layer 42 is superimposed on the pattern printed layer 41 except for the first area R1. a second region R2 to be formed; a third region R3 in which the diffusion print layer 43 is formed overlapping the pattern print layer 41 and the solid print layer 42 except for the second region R2 including the first region R1; An index having a fourth region in which a light-shielding printed layer 44 is formed overlapping the pattern printed layer 41, the solid printed layer 42, and the diffusion printed layer 43 except for the third region R3 including the region R1 and the second region R2. 60. According to this, a printing layer A in which only the pattern printing layer 41 is formed, a printing layer B in which the pattern printing layer 41 and the solid printing layer 42 are formed, the pattern printing layer 41, the solid printing layer 42 and the diffusion printing A normal product (normal Printing defects can be easily detected by visually comparing (for example, whether the color is dark or light) with a sample on which printing was performed on the other side. In addition, a printing defect is defined as a case where any one of the pattern printing layer 41, the solid printing layer 42, the diffusion printing layer 43, and the light shielding printing layer 44 is missing. This is the case, for example, when the same printed layer is formed out of the layer 43 and the light-shielding printed layer 44 . Further, when the glass plate 31 is attached to the lid base 32, the printed layers A to D are hidden by other parts (holding portion 32c), so that the appearance of the washing machine S is not spoiled.

Further, in this embodiment, a glass plate is used as the transparent member. According to this, the surface of the outer lid 3 can be formed flat, so that the maintenance and design of the outer lid 3 can be improved.

Another component in this embodiment is a holding portion 32c that holds the edge of the glass plate 31. As shown in FIG. According to this, it is possible to secure a wide area of the printing layers A to D for detecting printing defects, and it becomes easy to compare with a sample (normal product).

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the washing machine of the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the washing machine S1 of the second embodiment includes an outer frame (housing) 1A in which the washing tub 2 is accommodated, and an operation member 50A provided on the outer frame 1A. The operation member 50A includes a transparent resin sheet 100 (transparent member) such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a colored layer 101 (for example, a solid print layer) and a light-shielding printed layer 102 (light-shielding layer) provided on the back side of the resin sheet 100. and an LED (light source, not shown) for projecting a display portion onto the resin sheet 100 . The resin sheet 100 is superimposed on the colored layer 101 except for an area where the colored layer 101 (colored layer) is formed and a partial area where the colored layer 101 is printed on the frame member 1s which is a position hidden by other parts. and a region where the light-shielding printed layer 102 (light-shielding layer) is formed.

Thus, even when the operation member 50A is provided on the outer frame 1A (top cover) instead of the outer lid 3, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. In the present embodiment, the case where the glass plate 31 is used as the transparent member has been described as an example, but a transparent member made of synthetic resin may be used.

Also, as another part, the case where the holding portion 32c on the rear side of the lid base 32 is used has been described as an example, but the index 60 is positioned on the holding portion 32b1 of the handle 32b on the front side of the lid base 32. can be configured to

Further, in the first embodiment, the case of using the four printed layers of the pattern printed layer 41, the solid printed layer 42, the diffusion printed layer 43, and the light shielding printed layer 44 has been described as an example. 42 and the light-shielding printed layer 44 may be two layers. In this case, two types of indices are formed.

Further, in the first embodiment, all the printed layers A to D have the same area, but they may have different areas.

Further, in the first embodiment, the areas of the printed layers A to D are rectangular, but may be other shapes (for example, trapezoidal, triangular, circular, etc.).

Further, although the printed layers A to D are formed over the entire width direction of the rear edge portion 31b of the glass plate 31, they may be formed partially in the width direction. As a result, the amount of ink used can be reduced.

Further, although vertical washing machines S and S1 have been described as examples, the present invention may be applied to operation members mounted on drum-type washing machines.

1, 1A Outer frame (casing)
1s Frame member 2 Washing tub 3 Outer lid (cover)
31 glass plate (transparent member)
32 lid base 32b handle 32c holding portion (frame member, other parts)
33b LED (light source)
33c touch sensor 41 pattern printing layer (colored layer)
42 solid printing layer (colored layer)
43 diffusion printing layer (colored layer)
44 light-shielding printed layer (light-shielding layer)
50, 50A operation member 50a operation unit 50b display unit 60, 60A index 100 resin sheet 101 colored layer 102 light-shielding printed layer (light-shielding layer)
R1 first area (area where colored layer is printed)
R2 second area (area where the colored layer is printed)
R3 Third area (area where colored layer is printed)
R4 fourth area (area where the light shielding layer is printed)

Claims (5)

a housing in which the washing tub is accommodated;
a lid provided on the housing for opening and closing the washing tub;
and an operation member provided on the lid,
The operation member includes a transparent member, a printed layer provided on the back side of the transparent member and including at least a colored layer and a light shielding layer, and a light source for projecting a display section onto the transparent member,
The transparent member includes a region where the colored layer is printed and a region where the light shielding layer is printed over the colored layer except for a partial region where the colored layer is printed, in a position hidden by other parts. A washing machine comprising an index having and. In the washing machine according to claim 1,
The washing machine, wherein the transparent member is a glass plate. In the washing machine according to claim 2,
The washing machine, wherein the other part is a frame member that holds the edge of the glass plate. a housing in which the washing tub is accommodated;
and an operation member provided in the housing,
The operation member includes a transparent member, a printed layer provided on the back side of the transparent member and including at least a light-shielding layer and a colored layer, and a light source for projecting a display section onto the transparent member,
The transparent member includes a region where the colored layer is printed and a region where the light shielding layer is printed over the colored layer except for a partial region where the colored layer is printed, in a position hidden by other parts. A washing machine comprising an index having and. In the washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The colored layer has a pattern-printed layer, a solid-printed layer, and a diffusion-printed layer in order from the side closer to the transparent member,
a first region in which the pattern-printed layer is formed; a second region in which the solid-printed layer is formed over the pattern-printed layer except for the first region; and a second region including the first region. A third region in which the diffusion printing layer is formed over the pattern printing layer and the solid printing layer except for the pattern printing layer except for a third region including the first region and the second region, the pattern printing layer, the and a fourth region in which the light shielding layer is formed overlying the solid print layer and the diffusion print layer.

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