CN217502396U - Spring element and electrical consumer - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to a spring element comprising: a supported portion for acting on the substrate; a supporting portion for acting on the member, the supporting portion being opposed to the supported portion to allow the member to be elastically supported in a first direction with respect to the base body; a first resilient section and a second resilient section joined between the support portion and the supported portion at opposite ends of the support portion. The spring element is bent into shape. Viewed in at least one cross section parallel to the first direction, the first spring section comprises a first return and the second spring section comprises a second return, which respectively cause a profile of the spring element to change from outwardly expanding to inwardly contracting or from inwardly contracting to outwardly expanding in the first direction. The application also relates to an electrical consumer having the above-mentioned spring element. The application has the advantages that: the compression resilience and the control of the reaction force can be ensured; the loss of the conduction force of the spring element is small; the spring element is convenient to use and high in durability.

Description

Spring element and electrical consumer

Technical Field

The present application relates to a spring element and to a consumer having such a spring element.

Background

Touch screen assemblies are typically present in electrical appliances. The touch screen assembly includes a display module, a touch film, and a touch screen. In order to improve the touch experience and avoid gaps in the assembly, an elastic element is generally used to tightly support the display module and the touch film on the touch screen. Different types of resilient elements are used in the prior art. In some designs, the elastic element is constructed from soft gel. In other designs, the resilient element is designed as a spring, which typically has a single R-angle configuration.

The prior art has the following disadvantages: the support is unstable, the elastic force that can be provided is weak and the elastic element is easily crushed under large pressure.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of embodiments of the present application to provide a spring element which on the one hand provides a smooth support and a strong spring force and on the other hand is durable.

According to a first aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a spring element. The spring element includes:

a supported portion for acting on the substrate;

a support portion for acting on a member, the support portion being opposed to the supported portion to allow the member to be elastically supported in a first direction with respect to the base body;

a first elastic section and a second elastic section joined between the support portion and the supported portion at both ends of the support portion;

wherein the spring element is bent into shape and, viewed in at least one cross section parallel to the first direction, the first elastic section comprises a first return and the second elastic section comprises a second return, the first and second return causing a profile of the spring element to change from outwardly expanding to inwardly contracting or from inwardly contracting to outwardly expanding, respectively, along the first direction.

By "outwardly open" is understood, in particular, that, in the first direction, points on the contour of the spring element are at a greater distance from the center line of the spring element. By "inwardly retracted" is understood, in particular, that along the first direction a point on the contour of the spring element becomes less distant from the center line of the spring element. These return bends are formed in particular by bending, with the result that the tendency to flare outwards decreases until the opposite is to recede inwards or the tendency to recede inwards decreases until the opposite is to flare outwards.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first return portion forms a first convex contour of the spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the second return bend forms a second convex contour of the spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first return portion is formed by one rounded corner structure or by a plurality of rounded corner structures and straight sides therebetween.

According to an alternative embodiment, the second return bend is formed by one rounded corner structure or by a plurality of rounded corner structures and straight sides therebetween.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element forms a closed loop shape in the cross-section in at least one operating state of the spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the support portion comprises a positioning profile for positioning on the component.

According to an alternative embodiment, the support portion forms a supporting convex contour of the spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the supporting convex profile comprises a rounded corner structure.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element comprises a snap-in portion for resiliently snapping into a base recess of the base.

According to an alternative embodiment, the braced portion comprises a first braced section joined to the first elastic section and a second braced section joined to the second elastic section.

According to an alternative embodiment, the clip portion comprises:

a first contact section for acting on a first sidewall of the base groove;

a second contact section for acting on a second side wall of the base groove opposite the first side wall;

a support section engaged with the first contact section and sandwiched between the first contact section and the second contact section.

According to an alternative embodiment, in the free state of the spring element, the first contact section and the second contact section are parallel to each other or splayed outwards.

According to an alternative embodiment, the support section is disconnected from the second contact section.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first contact section is joined to the first braced section.

According to an alternative embodiment, the second contact section is connected to the second braced section.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element is an integral spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element is a spring element made of wire or sheet material.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element is flower-shaped in its entirety.

According to an alternative embodiment, all transition areas of the spring element transition with a rounded corner structure.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element is configured as a spring plate.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spring element comprises a limiting hole configured and adapted to at least limit a movement of the spring element transverse to the first direction.

According to a second aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a consumer comprising a member, a base body and the aforementioned spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the component has a component recess for mounting the spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the base body has a base body recess for snap-fitting the spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the first and second side walls of the base recess for the snap-in mounting of the spring element are parallel to each other or are trapezoidal in shape widening inwards.

According to an alternative embodiment, the base body comprises a limit pin configured and adapted to cooperate with a limit hole of the spring element.

According to an alternative embodiment, the electrical consumer comprises a control panel assembly comprising an electronic protective casing, a display module, a touch membrane and a touch screen, the spring element being configured to be fitted between the electronic protective casing as the base body and the display module as the member and to press the touch membrane against the touch screen via the display module.

According to an alternative embodiment, the electrical appliance is a household appliance or an electronic product.

According to an alternative embodiment, the electrical consumer is a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

The application has the advantages that: the compression resilience and the control of the reaction force can be ensured; the loss of the conduction force of the spring element is small; the spring element is convenient to use and high in durability.

Drawings

The principles, features and advantages of the present application may be better understood by describing the application in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings comprise:

fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a spring element of the present application and its application scenario in a perspective view.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a control panel assembly of an electric consumer of the present application in an exploded view.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of the spring element of fig. 1 in a perspective view.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a cross section parallel to the first direction of the spring element of fig. 3 in a schematic view.

Fig. 5 shows an exemplary case of the first elastic section in a schematic representation.

Fig. 6 shows a further exemplary case of the first elastic section in a schematic representation.

Fig. 7 schematically shows an example of a base body in a perspective view.

Fig. 8 shows a cross section of the assembly of fig. 1 in a schematic view.

Fig. 9 shows an example of a spring element made of wire in a perspective view.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous effects to be solved by the present application more apparent, the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present application and do not limit the scope of the present application.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a spring element 2 of the present application and its application scenario in a perspective view. It can be seen here that the component 1 is supported on the base body 3 via the spring element 2, whereby the base body 3, via the spring element 2, tops the component 1 to the upper left, for example, in the sense of fig. 1. The component 1, the spring element 2 and the base body 3 belong, for example, to a control panel assembly 4 of the same electrical consumer, in particular of an electrical consumer.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an example of the control panel assembly 4 of the electrical appliance of the present application in an exploded view. The control panel assembly 4 includes an electronic protective case 41, a display module 42, a touch film 43, and a touch screen 44. In order to enhance the touch experience and prevent the touch sensitivity from being lowered, it is necessary to attach the touch film 43 to the touch screen 44. For this purpose, a spring element 2, in particular a spring plate, is provided. The spring element 2 is designed to be fitted between the electronics protective housing 41 as the base body 3 and the display module 42 as the component 1 and to press the touch film 43 against the touch screen 44 via the display module 42. The control panel assembly 4 is only one exemplary application scenario for the spring element 2. The application is not restricted to this, but the spring element 2 can also be used in any other application, so that the component 1 and the base body 3 relate to other components.

Here, the electric appliance may be a home appliance or an electronic product. The electrical appliance is in particular a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of the spring element 2 of fig. 1 in a perspective view. The first direction is here shown by way of example as an arrow.

The spring element 2 comprises:

a supported portion 23 for acting on the base body 3;

a support portion 20 for acting on the member 1, said support portion 20 being opposite to said supported portion 23 to allow said member 1 to be elastically supported in a first direction with respect to said base body 3;

a first elastic section 21 and a second elastic section 22, the first elastic section 21 and the second elastic section 22 being engaged between the support portion 20 and the supported portion 23 at both ends of the support portion 20;

wherein the spring element 2 is bent and the first resilient section 21 comprises a first return 210 and the second resilient section 22 comprises a second return 220, as seen in at least one cross section parallel to the first direction, the first return 210 and the second return 220 causing the profile of the spring element 2 to change from outwardly splaying to inwardly splaying or from inwardly splaying to inwardly splaying, respectively, along the first direction. Through the design of the double-return-bend part, on one hand, stable support is realized, and on the other hand, the spring element is not easy to collapse due to pressure.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a cross section parallel to the first direction of the spring element 2 of fig. 3 in a schematic view.

In fig. 3 and 4, the first 210 and second 220 return portions cause the profile of the spring element 2 to change from outwardly flared to inwardly retracted along the first direction. But a transition from inward retraction to outward extension is also conceivable. It is also conceivable that the first return 210 causes the profile of the spring element 2 to change from outwardly flaring to inwardly flaring along the first direction, while the second return 220 causes the profile of the spring element 2 to change from inwardly retracting to outwardly flaring along the first direction, or vice versa.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first return 210 forms a first convex profile of the spring element 2; and/or the second return bend 220 forms a second convex contour of the spring element 2. The convex contour enables a simpler shape design of the spring element 2. In the case of a transition from inward retraction to outward expansion, the first return curve 210 and the second return curve 220 form a concave profile of the spring element 2.

Fig. 5 and 6 show two exemplary cases of the first elastic section 21 in schematic view, it being clear that a similar design can be used for the second elastic section 22.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the first return portion 210 of the first resilient section 21 is formed by a fillet structure 200. This enables the return bend to be realized in a simple manner. The fillet structure 200 is shown here in solid lines. The first resilient section 21 may comprise only the first return portion 210, but may also comprise a straight side, here shown in dashed lines, joining the first return portion 210. It can be seen that in the first direction, indicated by the arrow, in the straight region the tendency of the profile of the spring element 2 to flare out is constant, whereas in the upper half of the first return 210 the tendency of the profile of the spring element 2 to flare out gradually decreases to zero, whereas in the lower half of the first return 210 the profile of the spring element 2 in turn increasingly tapers in.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the first return portion 210 of the first resilient section 21 is formed by a plurality of rounded corner structures 200 and straight sides 201 therebetween. This applies in particular when the spring element 2 is of large size or the spring force that the spring section needs to provide is large. Here again, the rounded corner structures 200, here three rounded corner structures 200, are shown in solid lines, while the straight sides between the rounded corner structures 200, here two straight sides, are shown in dotted lines. Other features of fig. 6 may be referred to in the description of fig. 5.

According to an exemplary embodiment, in at least one operating state of the spring element 2, the spring element 2 forms a closed loop shape in a cross section parallel to the first direction (see fig. 8). This enables the spring element 2 to be self-supporting and thus not to collapse due to pressure, so that a strong support can be provided by the spring element 2. In the free state, the spring element 2 may be in the shape of a closed loop or an open loop.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the support portion 20 comprises a positioning profile for positioning on the component 1. The support portion 20 may, for example, form a supporting convex contour of the spring element 2 as shown in fig. 3 and 4. The supporting convex profile may include a rounded corner structure. The supporting convex profile can be used on the one hand to cooperate with a component groove 10 (see fig. 8) on the component 1 for positioning and on the other hand to bear against the component 1, for example in a rounded configuration, for supporting. But it is also conceivable: no locating profile; alternatively, the locating profile is a concave profile and the member 1 is provided with a convex profile.

Fig. 7 schematically shows an example of a base body 3 in a perspective view. The base 3 may have a base groove 35. The spring element 2 may comprise a snap-in portion 25 for resiliently snap-in fitting into a base recess 35 of the base 3 (see fig. 3). By means of the snap-in connection 25, the spring element 2 does not need to be stored separately, but can be pre-snapped into the base body 3 before the complete assembly. For positioning, the base body 3 further comprises, for example, a stop pin 34, while the spring element 2 comprises a stop bore 24 (see fig. 3), which stop bore 24 at least limits a movement of the spring element 2 transverse to the first direction, here, for example, a left-right movement, by cooperating with the stop pin 34. The location of the restraint pin 34 and the restraint hole 24 is exemplary only, and other locations are also contemplated. The base body 3 may also be provided with pairs of protrusions as shown in fig. 1 to limit the back and forth movement of the spring element 2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the supported portion 23 includes a first supported section 231 engaged with the first elastic section 21 and a second supported section 232 engaged with the second elastic section 22. The spring element 2 is, for example, an integrally bent spring element 2. In order to provide a smooth support for the member 1, the only supporting portion 20 is generally formed by the intermediate section of the raw material, while the supported portion 23 is associated with the two free ends of the raw material and is divided into two supported sections.

Fig. 8 shows a cross section of the assembly of fig. 1 in a schematic view. According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, the clamping portion 25 includes:

a first contact section 251 for acting on a first side wall 351 of the base groove 35;

a second contact section 252 for acting on a second side wall 352 of the base body groove 35 opposite the first side wall 351;

a support section 253, the support section 253 engaging the first contact section 251 and being sandwiched between the first contact section 251 and the second contact section 252. The first contact section 251 may engage the first supported section 231, and the second contact section 252 may engage the second supported section 232. In the case of the supported portion 23 divided into two supported sections, the support section 253 and the second contact section 252 each relate to one free end of the starting material and are thus broken.

By means of the above-described design, not only is a firm clamping of the elastic component achieved by the support section 253, but at the same time a closed-loop shape of the spring element 2 in at least one operating state is achieved. Here, it is conceivable: the width of the first contact section 251 and the second contact section 252 is approximately equal to the width of the base recess 35, so that a back-and-forth movement of the spring element 2 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing is limited.

According to an exemplary embodiment, in the free state of the spring element 2, the first contact section 251 and the second contact section 252 are parallel to each other or splayed outwards. Correspondingly, the first side wall 351 and the second side wall 352 of the base body recess 35 for the snap-in mounting of the spring element 2 are parallel to one another or are trapezoidal, widening inward (from top to bottom in the case of fig. 8). Thereby making it difficult for the snap-in portion 25 to be ejected from the base body groove 35 due to elasticity.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the spring element 2 is a spring element 2 made of wire or sheet material. Fig. 9 shows an example of a spring element 2 made of wire in a perspective view.

According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the spring element 2 is flower-shaped in its entirety.

According to an exemplary embodiment, all transition areas of the spring element 2 transition with a rounded corner structure 200.

It is to be noted that "a plurality" is to be understood as more than two.

Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, even if only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The characteristic examples provided in the disclosure of the present application are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, unless differently stated. In the specific implementation, a plurality of features can be combined with each other according to actual needs, where technically feasible. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims (15)

1. A spring element (2), characterized in that the spring element (2) comprises:

a supported portion (23) for acting on the base body (3);

a support portion (20) for acting on the member (1), said support portion (20) being opposite to said supported portion (23) to allow said member (1) to be elastically supported in a first direction with respect to said base body (3);

a first elastic section (21) and a second elastic section (22), the first elastic section (21) and the second elastic section (22) being joined between the support portion (20) and the supported portion (23) at both ends of the support portion (20);

wherein the spring element (2) is bent into shape and, seen in at least one cross section parallel to the first direction, the first elastic section (21) comprises a first return (210) and the second elastic section (22) comprises a second return (220), the first return (210) and the second return (220) causing a change of the profile of the spring element (2) from outward splaying to inward splaying or from inward splaying, respectively, along the first direction.

2. Spring element (2) according to claim 1,

the first return (210) forms a first convex profile of the spring element (2); and/or

The second return bend (220) forms a second convex contour of the spring element (2).

3. Spring element (2) according to claim 1 or 2,

the first return portion (210) is formed by one fillet structure (200) or by a plurality of fillet structures (200) and straight sides (201) therebetween; and/or

The second return portion (220) is formed by one fillet structure (200) or by a plurality of fillet structures (200) and straight sides (201) therebetween.

4. Spring element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring element (2) forms a closed loop shape in the cross section in at least one operating state of the spring element (2).

5. Spring element (2) according to claim 1 or 2,

the support portion (20) comprises a positioning profile for positioning on the member (1);

the support portion (20) forms a supporting convex profile of the spring element (2);

the supporting convex profile includes a rounded corner structure.

6. Spring element (2) according to claim 1 or 2,

the spring element (2) comprises a clamping part (25) which is elastically clamped into a base body groove (35) of the base body (3);

the supported portion (23) includes a first supported section (231) engaged with the first elastic section (21) and a second supported section (232) engaged with the second elastic section (22).

7. Spring element (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the snap-in portion (25) comprises:

a first contact section (251) for acting on a first side wall (351) of the base body groove (35);

a second contact section (252) for acting on a second side wall (352) of the base body groove (35) opposite the first side wall (351);

a support section (253), the support section (253) being engaged with the first contact section (251) and being sandwiched between the first contact section (251) and the second contact section (252).

8. Spring element (2) according to claim 7,

in the free state of the spring element (2), the first contact section (251) and the second contact section (252) are parallel to each other or splayed outwards;

the support section (253) is disconnected from the second contact section (252);

the first contact section (251) engages with the first supported section (231);

the second contact section (252) engages the second supported section (232).

9. Spring element (2) according to claim 1 or 2,

the spring element (2) is an integral spring element; and/or

The spring element (2) is a spring element (2) made of wire or sheet; and/or

The spring element (2) is flower-shaped on the whole; and/or

All transition areas of the spring element (2) are transited by a fillet structure (200); and/or

The spring element (2) is designed as a spring leaf.

10. Spring element (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring element (2) comprises a limit hole (24), the limit hole (24) being configured and adapted to at least limit a movement of the spring element (2) transverse to the first direction.

11. Electrical consumer, characterized in that it comprises a component (1), a base body (3) and a spring element (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The consumer according to claim 11,

the component (1) has a component recess (10) for mounting the spring element (2); and/or

The base body (3) is provided with a base body groove (35) for clamping the spring element (2); the first side wall (351) and the second side wall (352) of the base body groove (35) used for clamping the spring element (2) are parallel to each other or are in a trapezoid shape with an inward widening; the base body (3) comprises a limit pin (34), the limit pin (34) being configured to cooperate with a limit hole (24) of the spring element (2).

13. Electrical consumer according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that it comprises a control panel assembly (4), said control panel assembly (4) comprising an electronic protective casing (41), a display module (42), a touch membrane (43) and a touch screen (44), said spring element (2) being configured so as to be suitable to be fitted between said electronic protective casing (41) as said base body (3) and said display module (42) as said member (1) and to press said touch membrane (43) against said touch screen (44) via said display module (42).

14. The consumer according to claim 11 or 12,

the electric appliance is a household appliance or an electronic product.

15. The consumer according to claim 14,

the electric appliance is a washing machine or a washing and drying machine.

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