CN113053684A

CN113053684A - Waterproof construction and electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN113053684A
Application number: CN201911384605.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王佑喜; 田云; 林雪锋
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-28
Filing date: 2019-12-28
Publication date: 2021-06-29

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and particularly discloses a waterproof structure and an electric appliance. The waterproof structure comprises a mounting plate, a key and a waterproof cover, wherein the mounting plate is provided with a mounting opening; the key is arranged in the mounting port and used for triggering the control element; the waterproof cover is arranged between the mounting plate and the control element and comprises a guide plate, and the guide plate is provided with a key hole for the key to pass through; the guide plate is used for receiving water flowing down from the mounting port and guiding the water to the side of the control element. The water flowing into the waterproof structure between the key and the mounting port is received by the guide plate, so that the water cannot drip onto the control element. The guide plate can be with water conservancy diversion to controlling element's side, and the water that is located controlling element side can be stored on the guide plate, is evaporated gradually, or flows out from the guide plate, because water is by water conservancy diversion to controlling element side, consequently, on water can not flow to controlling element, controlling element keeps dry, can not take place the short circuit, and the button can not become invalid because of soaking.

Description

Waterproof construction and electrical apparatus

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a waterproof structure and an appliance.

Background

The keys of the washing machine, the dish washing machine and the water heater are all provided with waterproof structures which are mainly used for preventing water from entering control elements such as a circuit board or a computer board and the like so as to avoid the control elements from generating short circuit and causing key failure. The waterproof structure in the prior art comprises a waterproof cover, one end of the waterproof cover is abutted to a circuit board and forms an accommodating space with the circuit board, an electronic device on the circuit board is arranged in the accommodating space, the other end of the waterproof cover is provided with an opening, and a key enters the accommodating space through the opening to be in contact with the electronic device and trigger the electronic device.

The waterproof structure has the defect that under the condition of long-term use, water is difficult to avoid entering the accommodating space from the position between one end of the waterproof cover and the circuit board, and the water entering the accommodating space flows into an electronic device, so that the circuit board is short-circuited and the key fails.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof structure to guide water entering the waterproof structure from an installation opening to other places, and the water does not flow to a control element, thereby preventing the control element from being wetted by water and preventing a key from being out of order.

In order to achieve the purpose, the invention adopts the following technical scheme:

a waterproof structure comprising:

the mounting plate is provided with a mounting opening;

the key is arranged in the mounting opening and is used for triggering the control element;

the waterproof cover is arranged between the mounting plate and the control element and comprises a guide plate, and a key hole for the key to pass through is formed in the guide plate;

the guide plate is used for receiving water flowing down from the mounting port and guiding the water to the side of the control element.

Preferably, the circumference of the key hole is provided with an annular rib, and the annular rib is positioned at one side of the guide plate close to the mounting plate.

Preferably, the baffle includes a high portion and a low portion, and water flows from the high portion side to the low portion side and flows out from the low portion.

Preferably, the surface of the deflector adjacent to the mounting plate is an inclined surface, and the high portion and the low portion are opposite ends of the inclined surface.

Preferably, the button comprises a cap body and a column body which are connected, the cap body is provided with a groove with an opening facing the waterproof cover, the column body is arranged in the groove and is spaced from the inner side wall of the groove, the cap body is arranged in the mounting hole, and the column body is arranged in the button hole.

Preferably, the waterproof cover further comprises a water baffle, the water baffle is arranged in the circumferential direction of the guide plate, and a water outlet for enabling water to flow out is formed in the water baffle.

Preferably, the waterproof structure further comprises a sealing gasket, wherein the sealing gasket abuts against the mounting plate and is sleeved on the peripheral surface of the key.

Preferably, the sealing gasket comprises an annular rib and a sealing part which are connected, the annular rib is sleeved outside the key, the sealing part is connected with the outer side wall of the annular rib, and an annular groove is formed in the sealing part.

Preferably, a containing groove is formed in the circumferential direction of the key, and at least part of the annular rib is arranged in the containing groove and is abutted against the groove wall of the containing groove.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric appliance to improve its stability.

an electric appliance comprises the waterproof structure.

The invention has the beneficial effects that: the water flowing into the waterproof structure between the key and the mounting port is received by the guide plate, so that the water cannot drip onto the control element. The guide plate has the water conservancy diversion effect, can be with water conservancy diversion to controlling element's side, and the water that is located controlling element side can be stored on the guide plate, is gradually evaporated, or flows out from the guide plate, because water is by water conservancy diversion to controlling element side, consequently, on water can not flow to controlling element, controlling element keeps dry, can not take place the short circuit, and the button can not become invalid because of soaking. The waterproof structure provided by the invention is simple and stable in structure, and cannot lose efficacy after long-term use.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a waterproof structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a sectional view of a waterproof structure provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 at A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of a gasket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a part of the waterproof structure provided by the embodiment of the present invention after the mounting plate is removed;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a key according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a waterproof cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure:

1. mounting a plate;

2. pressing a key; 21. a cap body; 22. a cylinder; 23. an elastic plate; 231. a first plate; 232. a second plate;

3. a waterproof cover; 31. a baffle; 311. a key hole; 32. an annular rib; 33. a water baffle; 34. a water outlet; 35. a first connection portion; 36. a second connecting portion; 37. an ear plate;

4. a control element;

5. a gasket; 51. an annular flange; 52. a sealing part; 53. an annular groove; 54. an annular projection;

6. a bottom shell.

Detailed Description

The technical scheme of the invention is further explained by the specific implementation mode in combination with the attached drawings. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not limiting of the invention. It should be further noted that, for the convenience of description, only some but not all of the elements associated with the present invention are shown in the drawings.

In the present invention, the directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner" and "outer" are used for easy understanding without making a contrary explanation, and thus do not limit the scope of the present invention.

In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, "above" or "below" a first feature means that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact with each other via another feature therebetween. Also, the first feature being "on," "above" and "over" the second feature includes the first feature being directly on and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "under," "below," and "beneath" a second feature includes the first feature being directly under and obliquely below the second feature, or simply meaning that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature.

In the description of the present invention, unless expressly stated or limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning permanently connected, removably connected, or integral to one another; can be mechanically or electrically connected; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.

The embodiment provides a waterproof structure for a washing machine, a water heater or a dish washing machine, which can guide water entering the waterproof structure from a mounting port to other places, and the water cannot flow onto the control element 4, so that the control element 4 is prevented from being wetted by the water and the key 2 is prevented from being out of work.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the waterproof structure provided by the present embodiment includes a mounting plate 1 and a key 2. The mounting plate 1 is provided with a mounting opening, and the key 2 is mounted in the mounting opening and used for triggering the control element 4 positioned below the key 2. Specifically, one end of the key 2 is located outside the mounting plate 1 so that the user can press the key 2, and the other end of the key 2 extends out of the mounting opening. By pressing one end of the key 2, the other end of the key 2 can be pressed against the control element 4, thus triggering the control element 4. The control device 4 may be a computer board, and the control device 4 is a conventional device, and its specific structure is not described herein.

As shown in fig. 2 and fig. 3, the waterproof structure provided in this embodiment further includes a waterproof cover 3, the waterproof cover 3 is disposed between the mounting plate 1 and the control element 4, the waterproof cover 3 includes a guide plate 31, a key hole 311 for allowing the key 2 to pass through is formed in the guide plate 31, and the guide plate 31 is configured to receive water flowing down from the mounting opening and guide the water to the side of the control element 4. The mounting plate 1, the waterproof cover 3 and the control element 4 of the waterproof structure are arranged in this order from top to bottom so that water flows onto the waterproof cover 3 under the influence of gravity. It is understood that it is within the scope of the present invention for the mounting plate 1, the waterproof cover 3 and the control element 4 to be arranged in sequence in other directions, as long as the waterproof cover 3 can receive water flowing down from the mounting opening and guide the water to the side of the control element 4, so that the water cannot drop onto the control element 4.

Because the waterproof structure is to be installed on the casing of the electrical apparatus or other structures of the electrical apparatus, the waterproof cover 3 guides water to the side of the control element 4, but the water is still in the electrical apparatus, and the excessive water in the electrical apparatus causes the excessive humidity in the electrical apparatus, which affects the sensitivity of the key 2 pressing the control element 4 and the performance of the control element 4 or other components in the electrical apparatus. In order to reduce the amount of water entering the waterproof structure as much as possible, as shown in fig. 3 to 5, the waterproof structure further includes a sealing gasket 5, and the sealing gasket 5 abuts against the mounting plate 1 and is sleeved on the peripheral surface of the key 2. The sealing gasket 5 is made of rubber or other flexible materials, and the sealing gasket 5 is in interference fit with the key 2, so that water is prevented from flowing between the sealing gasket 5 and the key 2.

The sealing gasket 5 serves as a first barrier of the waterproof structure, which reduces the amount of water flowing into the waterproof cover 3, i.e., the sealing gasket 5 can prevent water from flowing into the waterproof structure from between the sealing gasket 5 and the mounting plate 1 and between the sealing gasket 5 and the key 2.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the sealing gasket 5 includes an annular rib 51 and a sealing portion 52 connected to each other, the annular rib 51 is sleeved outside the key 2, and the annular rib 51 is in interference fit with the key 2. The sealing part 52 is connected with the outer side wall of the annular rib 51, and an annular groove 53 is formed on the sealing part 52. The annular groove 53 can accommodate part of the water flow, the annular groove 53 is provided on the sealing portion 52, and the water stored in the annular groove 53 does not flow into between the annular rib 51 and the key 2 and between the sealing portion 52 and the mounting plate 1. Preferably, the annular groove 53 is a V-shaped groove, and the inclined groove wall of the annular groove 53 has a flow guiding function.

In order to prevent water from flowing into the seal cover from between the mounting plate 1 and the seal gasket 5, an annular protrusion 54 is further provided on the seal portion 52, and the annular protrusion 54 abuts against the lower surface of the mounting plate 1 to block water from flowing along the lower surface of the mounting plate 1. The number of annular projections 54 may be one turn, two turns, or more than two turns, as the case may be. The cross-section of the annular projection 54 is preferably triangular, the top end of the annular projection 54 abutting against the mounting plate 1. Of course, the cross section of the annular protrusion 54 may have other shapes such as arc, square, etc.

As shown in fig. 3, the key 2 may further have a receiving groove formed in a circumferential direction thereof, and a portion of the annular rib 51 is disposed in the receiving groove and abuts against a groove wall of the receiving groove. The receiving groove may be used to restrict the movement of the packing 5, improving the sealing performance of the packing 5. Of course, in other embodiments, the entire annular rib 51 may be located in the accommodating groove.

As shown in fig. 4 to 6, in the present embodiment, the portion of the key 2 disposed in the mounting opening is square, and the mounting opening, the sealing portion 52 and the annular rib 51 are correspondingly square. In other embodiments, the portion of the key 2 disposed in the mounting opening may also be circular, and the mounting opening, the sealing portion 52 and the annular rib 51 are all correspondingly circular, and are not limited in particular.

As shown in fig. 3, 5 and 6, the key 2 includes a cap 21 and a column 22 connected to each other, the cap 21 is disposed in the mounting opening, and the cap 21 has a square structure matching with the mounting opening. The cylinder 22 is disposed in the key hole 311 for triggering the control element 4, and the cylinder 22 is preferably a cylinder, although the cylinder 22 may also be a polygon structure. The cap body 21 has a groove with an opening facing the waterproof cover 3, and the column 22 is disposed in the groove and spaced from the inner sidewall of the groove. The key 2 with the structure can prevent water from dripping from the key hole 311 on the guide plate 31 to the control element 4 along the circumferential surface of the key 2.

Specifically, water flows down to the lower end of the cap body 21 along the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 21, and the water does not flow up along the inner side wall of the groove under the action of gravity, so that the water does not flow onto the column 22, and the water can be prevented from being located in the key hole 311. If the inner sidewall of the groove is attached to the column 22, the water will flow to the lower end of the cap body 21 and then continue to flow along the column 22, and the water will drop onto the control element 4 through the key hole 311.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, in order to allow the cap 21 of the key 2 to be pressed, the cylinder 22 is moved downwards to trigger the control element 4; and after the pressure on the cap body 21 is removed, the cap body 21 and the column 22 can be restored to the original positions, and the key 2 further comprises two elastic plates 23. Two elastic plates 23 all include first board 231 and second board 232, and first board 231 and second board 232 are connected and are formed L type structure, and the one end and the cap body 21 of first board 231 are connected, and the other end is connected with the one end of second board 232, and second board 232 is connected on guide plate 31. The keys 2 can be integrally formed or can be connected through a connecting piece after being manufactured in a split mode.

The elastic plate 23 is preferably made of plastic or metal foil, and when the cap 21 is depressed, the first plate 231 is bent and the column 22 abuts against the control element 4; when the pressure is removed, the second plate 232 is deformed again, and the cap body 21 and the post 22 are driven to reset. Of course, in other embodiments, only one elastic plate 23 may be provided.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, two sets of ear plate groups are connected to the deflector 31, and each set of ear plate groups supports one elastic plate 23. Specifically, each set of ear plates includes a plurality of ear plates 37 arranged in parallel, and the second plate 232 is placed on the ear plates 37. The ear plate 37 may space the first plate 231 from the baffle 31 to provide a space for the first plate 231 to deform while also supporting the key 2.

As shown in fig. 3 and 7, when the sealing gasket 5 cannot completely prevent water from flowing into the waterproof structure and water enters the waterproof structure from the outer peripheral surface of the cap body 21 or the lower surface of the mounting plate 1, the water flowing into the waterproof structure directly drops onto the waterproof cover 3, and the waterproof cover 3 serves as a second barrier of the waterproof structure and can guide the water to the side of the control element 4, so that the control element 4 can still be kept dry.

In order to make the diversion plate 31 receive the water flowing down from the mounting openings, the size of the key hole 311 is smaller than that of the mounting openings and is positioned right below the mounting openings, so that the water can directly drop on the diversion plate 31.

When the water on the guide plate 31 is more, in order to prevent the water from flowing out from the key hole 311 formed on the guide plate 31, the circumferential direction of the key hole 311 is provided with the annular rib 32, and the annular rib 32 is located on one side of the guide plate 31 close to the mounting plate 1. Furthermore, the space between the column 22 and the inner sidewall of the groove forms an accommodating space, the annular rib 32 is located in the accommodating space, and water dripping on the flow guide plate 31 from the cap body 21 does not flow into the space surrounded by the annular rib 32. In the present embodiment, the key hole 311 is a circular hole, and the annular rib 32 is a circular ring structure, and it is understood that other shapes of the key hole 311 and the annular rib 32 are also within the scope of the present invention. The annular rib 32 and the baffle 31 are preferably integrally formed so as to prevent water from flowing out between the annular rib 32 and the baffle 31. The flashing 3 can be made of plastic and be injection-moulded or of metal and be moulded by casting. Of course, the ring rib 32 and the baffle 31 may be manufactured separately and then connected by bonding, welding, fusion, or the like.

As shown in fig. 2 and 7, in order to make the baffle 31 have a flow guiding function, the baffle 31 includes a high portion and a low portion, and water flows from the side of the high portion to the side of the low portion and flows out from the low portion. Preferably, the surface of the baffle 31 near the mounting plate 1 is an inclined surface, and the high portion and the low portion are respectively opposite ends of the inclined surface. The flow direction of the water on the guide plate 31 is consistent, and the water flows from the higher end of the inclined plane to the lower end of the inclined plane and flows out from the lower end of the inclined plane. Preferably, the baffle 31 is arranged obliquely so that the surface of the baffle 31 close to the mounting plate 1 is an inclined surface, but of course, in other embodiments, the thickness of the baffle 31 may be gradually increased from thickness to thickness so that the surface of the baffle 31 close to the mounting plate 1 is an inclined surface.

Of course, in another embodiment, the air deflector 31 may have an umbrella-shaped structure, the position of the air deflector 31 around the key hole 311 is a high portion, the edge of the air deflector 31 is a low portion, the height of the upper surface of the air deflector 31 gradually decreases from the key hole 311 to the edge, and water flows around the key hole 311. However, when the waterproof cover 3 having such a structure is used, the size of the baffle 31 needs to be larger than the size of the control element 4, and the edges of the baffle 31 are located on the sides of the control element 4. This construction of the flashing 3 requires a larger size due to the larger size of the control element 4, but such a larger size of the flashing 3 increases costs due to the relatively smaller size of the keys 2. Therefore, the deflector 31 having the above-described inclined surface is preferably provided, and in this case, it is sufficient to ensure that the lower end of the inclined surface is positioned above the control element 4.

As shown in fig. 7, the waterproof cover 3 further includes a water baffle 33, the water baffle 33 is disposed in the circumferential direction of the deflector 31, and the water baffle 33 is provided with a water outlet 34 for allowing water to flow out. Specifically, the water outlet 34 is located at the lower end of the inclined surface. The water baffle 33 prevents water from flowing out of the deflector 31 from a location other than the water outlet 34, further preventing water from dripping onto the control element 4. In this embodiment, the deflector 31 is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, three surfaces of the deflector 31 are provided with water baffles 33, and one surface is a water outlet 34. Of course, in other embodiments, the deflector 31 may also be a disk, and the water deflector 33 may be a ring having an opening in the circumferential direction. It is understood that other shapes of the baffle 31 are within the scope of the present embodiment.

Continuing as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the waterproof structure further includes a bottom case 6, the bottom case 6 can abut against the lower surface of the mounting plate 1 and enclose with the mounting plate 1 to form an accommodating cavity, and the sealing gasket 5, the waterproof cover 3 and the control element 4 are all located in the accommodating cavity. An avoiding opening is formed in the side wall of the bottom shell 6, and the lower end of the guide plate 31 extends out of the accommodating cavity through the avoiding opening, so that the water outlet 34 of the waterproof cover 3 is located outside the accommodating cavity. The water entering the waterproof structure through the mounting port is guided to the outside of the accommodating cavity by the guide plate 31, so that the water is prevented from splashing on the control element 4, and the air in the accommodating cavity is kept dry.

As further shown in fig. 7, in order to improve the stability of the waterproof cover 3, the waterproof cover 3 further includes at least two connecting portions, which are provided with connecting holes, through which the connecting members are connected with the mounting plate 1 or the bottom case 6. The waterproof cover 3 in this embodiment is provided with the first connecting portion 35 and the second connecting portion 36, and the two connecting portions are diagonally arranged to improve the connection stability of the waterproof cover 3. Furthermore, the first connecting portion 35 is connected to the lower end of the flow guiding plate 31 and extends out of the accommodating cavity to be connected with the mounting plate 1. The second connecting portion 36 is located in the accommodating cavity and is also connected with the mounting plate 1. The second connecting portion 36 is also provided with a water guard 33 in the axial direction to prevent water from flowing out through the connecting hole of the second connecting portion 36.

The embodiment also provides an electric appliance, which comprises the waterproof structure, the electric appliance can be controlled by the key 2 pressing the waterproof structure, the electric appliance can be a washing machine, a water heater or a dish washing machine and the like, the electric appliance provided by the embodiment has good waterproof effect, water cannot flow onto the electric control element, short circuit of the electric control element is avoided, failure of the key 2 is avoided, and the stability of the electric appliance is improved.

It should be understood that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art in light of the above description. And are neither required nor exhaustive of all embodiments. Any modification, equivalent replacement, and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A waterproof structure characterized by comprising:

the mounting plate (1) is provided with a mounting opening;

the key (2) is arranged in the mounting opening and is used for triggering the control element (4);

the waterproof cover (3) is arranged between the mounting plate (1) and the control element (4), the waterproof cover (3) comprises a guide plate (31), and the guide plate (31) is provided with a key hole (311) for the key (2) to pass through;

the guide plate (31) is used for receiving water flowing down from the mounting port and guiding the water to the side of the control element (4).

2. The waterproof structure according to claim 1, wherein an annular rib (32) is circumferentially provided in the key hole (311), and the annular rib (32) is located on a side of the deflector (31) close to the mounting plate (1).

3. The waterproof structure according to claim 1, wherein the baffle plate (31) includes a high portion and a low portion, and water flows from the high portion side to the low portion side and flows out from the low portion.

4. A water-repellent structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the surface of the deflector (31) close to the mounting plate (1) is an inclined surface, the high portion and the low portion being respectively opposite ends of the inclined surface.

5. The waterproof structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the key (2) comprises a cap (21) and a post (22) connected with each other, the cap (21) has a groove opening toward the waterproof cover (3), the post (22) is disposed in the groove and spaced from an inner side wall of the groove, the cap (21) is disposed in the mounting opening, and the post (22) is disposed in the key hole (311).

6. The waterproof structure according to claim 1, wherein the waterproof cover (3) further comprises a water deflector (33), the water deflector (33) is disposed in the circumferential direction of the deflector (31), and a water outlet (34) for allowing water to flow out is formed in the water deflector (33).

7. The waterproof structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a gasket (5), said gasket (5) abutting against said mounting plate (1) and being fitted over the peripheral surface of said key (2).

8. The waterproof structure according to claim 7, wherein the sealing gasket (5) comprises an annular rib (51) and a sealing portion (52) which are connected with each other, the annular rib (51) is sleeved outside the key (2), the sealing portion (52) is connected with the outer side wall of the annular rib (51), and an annular groove (53) is formed in the sealing portion (52).

9. The waterproof structure according to claim 8, wherein a receiving groove is formed in the circumference of the key (2), and at least a portion of the annular rib (51) is disposed in the receiving groove and abuts against a groove wall of the receiving groove.

10. An electrical appliance comprising the waterproof structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.