JP2001157794A - Control button device for washing machine, or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the usability of a control button device of a washing machine, or the like, mounted at an operating part on a lid, or the like, covering a control panel for operating a switch to input the setting of the action of devices by preventing difference in the operating force for operating the button part without regard to the position of the operation even if the button part mounted at the operating part is large. SOLUTION: A button part 31 is mounted at an operating part 30 on a second lid 29 for covering a control panel 21. Flexible leg parts 32 are integrally formed from the outer rim of both ends of the button part 31, with support leg parts 33 extending from the flexible leg parts 32. The support leg parts 33 are supported by button support parts 37 mounted adjacently to the operating part 30. The button support parts 37 are inserted into slots 34 formed on the support parts 33 to support the support leg parts 33 movably.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operation button device, such as a washing machine, provided on an operation section such as a cover for covering an operation panel, and operating a switch for inputting operation settings of equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of operation button device for a washing machine or the like has been configured as shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, an operation panel 1 is provided on a front surface of an upper frame 3 provided on an upper part of a washing machine main body 2, and an operation display section 4 is provided on the operation panel 1. The operation display section 4 is provided with a start button 5, a detergent amount display lamp 6, and the like. The start button 5 is operated to start the washing operation. The detergent amount display lamp 6 displays the detergent amount based on the result of detecting the amount of laundry in a washing tub (not shown) by a cloth amount detecting device (not shown). The power switch 7 is for turning on / off the power of the main body of the washing machine.

A first lid 8 is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 3, and a second lid 9 is rotatably mounted on the first lid 8, so that the washing tub can be opened and closed. The operation panel 1 is configured to be covered by the second lid 9. The operation button 10 is arranged on the second lid 9, and even after the first lid 8 and the second lid 9 are closed, the start button 5 is operated by operating the operation button 10, Start or pause is enabled.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation button 10 is formed by integrally forming a leaf spring 12 from the outer peripheral edges of both ends of the button portion 11, and a support hole 14 is formed in a support leg 13 extending from the leaf spring 12. Provided. The second lid 9 is configured by covering the lid 15 with a lid cover 16, providing a button support 17 on the lid 15, and providing the button support 17 on the support leg 13 of the button 11. Button part 1
1 is supported.

An operation hole 18 for operating the button portion 11 is provided on the cover 16, and an insertion hole 20 for inserting a pressing portion 19 provided on the button portion 11 is provided on the cover 15.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The power switch 7 is turned on, the first lid 8 and the second lid 9 are opened and closed, and the button 1 is opened from the upper side of the second lid 9.
When the button 1 is pressed, the button 11 is supported by the button support 17 with the support leg 13 via the leaf spring 12, so that the button 11 can move up and down.
The start button 5 is pressed by the pressing portion 19 provided in 1, and a start switch (not shown) is turned on to start the washing operation. Then, the amount of laundry in the washing tub is detected by the cloth amount detection device, and the detergent amount is displayed on the detergent amount display lamp 6 in accordance with the amount of laundry.

When the pressing force of the button 11 is released, the button 11 returns to its original position due to the repulsive force of the leaf spring 12.

[0009]

In such a conventional structure, the button portion 11 has the support leg 13 supported by the button support portion 17 via the leaf spring 12, and the button portion 11 has
When the button part 11 is pressed on the leaf spring 12 side when the button part 11 is large, a large operation force is required as compared with the case where the center part of the button part 11 is pressed because the pressed position is close to the fulcrum of the button part 11. Becomes

As a solution to this problem, the leaf spring 12 formed on the button portion 11 is made substantially U-shaped to add an elastic force, so that the difference in the operating force depending on the pressed position can be reduced. In addition, there is a problem that the U-shape varies depending on molding conditions, resulting in a difference in operating force.

Further, the button portion 11 is fixed by inserting the button support portion 17 into the support hole 14 provided in the support leg 13 via the leaf spring 12 and is sandwiched between the cover portion 15 and the cover cover 16. When the gap between the pressing portion 19 provided on the button portion 11 and the start button 5 shows a difference due to the dimensional variation of each component, there is a difference in the pressing force of the button portion 11 for pressing the start button 5. Had the problem that

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and to improve the usability by preventing the difference in the operation force of the button unit regardless of the operation position even if the button unit arranged on the operation unit is large. It is an object.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a button portion is provided on an operation portion provided on a cover or the like for covering an operation panel, and elastic leg portions are provided from outer peripheral edges at both ends of the button portion. Integrally formed, the support portion is extended to the elastic leg portion, provided near the operation portion, configured to support the support leg by the button support portion, and inserted into the elongated hole provided in the support leg,
The support leg is configured to be movably supported.

Thus, even if the button portion provided on the operation portion is large, there is no difference in the operation force of the button portion irrespective of the operation position, and the usability can be improved.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to a first aspect of the present invention is an integral part of a button portion provided on an operation portion provided on a cover or the like covering an operation panel, and outer peripheral edges at both ends of the button portion. An elastic leg portion, a support leg extending from the elastic leg portion, and a button support portion provided in the vicinity of the operation portion and supporting the support leg, and the button support is provided in an elongated hole provided in the support leg. The support leg is configured to be movably supported, so that even if the button portion provided on the operation portion is large, there is no difference in the operation force of the button portion regardless of the operation position. In addition, even when the gap between the pressing portion provided on the operation button and the operation start button has a difference due to each component variation, there is no difference in the pressing force, and the usability can be improved.

[0016]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, an operation panel 21 is provided on a front surface of an upper frame 23 provided on an upper portion of the main body 22 of the washing machine, and an operation display section 24 is provided on the operation panel 21. The operation display unit 24 is provided with a start button 25, a detergent amount display lamp 26, and the like. Start button 25
Is operated when the washing operation is started. The detergent amount display lamp 26 displays the detergent amount based on the result of detecting the amount of laundry in a washing tub (not shown) by a cloth amount detecting device (not shown). The power switch 27 turns on / off the power of the main body of the washing machine.

A first lid 28 is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 23, and a second lid 29 is rotatably mounted on the first lid 28 to cover the washing tub openably and closably. ,
The operation panel 21 is configured to be covered by the second lid 29. The button unit 31 is arranged on the operation unit 30 provided on the second lid 29, and the operation is started by operating the button unit 31 even after the first lid 28 and the second lid 29 are closed. By operating the button 25, it is possible to start or pause.

As shown in FIG. 1, an elastic leg 32 is integrally formed on the button portion 31 from the outer peripheral edges of both ends of the button portion 31, and a support leg 33 extending to the elastic leg 32 has an elongated hole. 3
4 are provided. The second lid 29 is formed by attaching a lid cover 36 to the lid 35, and a button support 37 is provided near the operation unit 30 of the lid 35, as shown in FIG. The support part 37 is inserted into the elongated hole 34 provided in the support leg 33 of the button part 31 to support the support leg 33 movably, thereby supporting the button part 31.

An operation hole 38 for operating the button portion 31 is provided on the cover 36, and an insertion hole 40 for inserting the pressing portion 39 provided on the button portion 31 is provided on the cover 35.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The first cover 28 which turns on the power switch 37 and opens and closes freely.
When the button 31 is pressed from above the second lid 29, the button 31 is
Since the support leg 33 is supported by the button support portion 37 via the button, the button portion 31 can move up and down, and the start button 25 is pressed by the pressing portion 39 provided on the button portion 31 and the start switch ( (Not shown) is turned on to start the washing operation.

At this time, the button support portion 37 is
1 into the elongated hole 34 provided in the support leg 33,
3 is movably supported, so that even if any part of the button part 31 is pressed, the button part 31 falls down uniformly, and at the same time, the slot 34 and the button support part 37 slide. Even if the button portion 31 is large, or even if the gap between the pressing portion 39 provided on the button portion 31 and the start button 25 shows a difference due to dimensional variation of each component, there is no difference in the pressing force, Usability can be improved.

Further, since the button portion 31 is simply inserted into the elongated hole 34 provided in the support leg 33, the workability can be improved.

[0024]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the button portion provided on the operation portion provided on the cover or the like covering the operation panel, and the outer peripheral edges at both ends of the button portion are provided. An elastic leg formed integrally with the support leg, a support leg extending from the elastic leg, and a button support provided near the operation unit to support the support leg, and a long hole provided in the support leg. Since the button support portion is inserted to support the support leg movably, there is no difference in the operation force of the button portion regardless of the operation position even if the button portion arranged on the operation portion is large. In addition, even when the gap between the pressing portion provided on the operation button and the operation start button has a difference due to each component variation, there is no difference in the pressing force, and the usability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operation button device of a washing machine or the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the washing machine including the operation button device such as the washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of the operation button device of the washing machine and the like.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of a conventional washing machine having an operation button device such as a washing machine.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the operation button device of the washing machine and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Operation panel 29 2nd lid (lid) 30 Operation part 31 Button part 32 Elastic leg 33 Support leg 34 Slot 37 Button support

Claims (1)

[Claims] A button portion provided on an operation portion provided on a cover or the like for covering the operation panel; an elastic leg portion integrally formed from outer peripheral edges of both ends of the button portion; and a button extending to the elastic leg portion. A support leg, and a button support portion provided near the operation portion and supporting the support leg, wherein the button support portion is inserted into an elongated hole provided in the support leg to support the support leg movably. An operation button device for a constructed washing machine or the like.