JP2008151419A - Operation panel for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive operation panel for an air conditioner with a small number of components, and superior design in a whole of operation buttons, providing compact button arrangement. <P>SOLUTION: The operation panel for an air conditioner is characterized by that it is provided with a board having a display part and switches, a first operation button molding 8a wherein buttons 13a with plural different shapes for operating the switches are alternately formed in one row as one, a second operation button molding 8b wherein buttons 13b with plural different shapes fitting between the buttons 13a of the first operation button molding 8a are alternately formed in one row as one, and an operation button 8 wherein the first operation button molding 8a and the second operation button molding 8b are combined, and the buttons 13a, 13b are continuously arranged in one row like a curved line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation panel of an air conditioner.

In a conventional air conditioner (floor-standing type), when a plurality of operation buttons on the operation panel are arranged in a row, a plurality of operation buttons having the same shape are arranged side by side. Further, when a plurality of operation buttons are integrated by resin molding or the like, the interval between the operation buttons has to be widened due to the strength of the molding die.
No. 2003-28483

  For example, when the front panel of the casing of the air conditioner is formed with a curved surface, it is difficult to arrange the operation buttons of the operation panel provided on the front panel in a line with the same shape of the operation buttons. . A plurality of operation buttons having different shapes must be combined. In that case, there is a problem that the parts (operation buttons) cannot be shared, the number of parts is large, and the part processing cost is high.

  Further, when the operation buttons are shared by one type, the operation button portion of the operation panel becomes flat. It becomes a design unpreferable form that the operation panel which has a flat operation button part attaches to a curved front panel.

  Also, when a curved operation button portion is formed by integrally molding a plurality of operation buttons by resin molding or the like, it is necessary to widen the interval between the operation buttons to some extent due to the strength of the mold. If the distance between the operation buttons was wide, design restrictions occurred. Furthermore, when performing secondary processing such as plating or painting, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform the operation as compared with the case where individual operation buttons are formed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an inexpensive operation panel for an air conditioner with a small number of parts, excellent design of the entire operation button, compact button arrangement, and the like. The purpose is to do.

  An operation panel of an air conditioner according to the present invention is a first operation button molding in which a substrate having a display unit and a switch, and a plurality of buttons having different shapes are integrally formed in a single row in a single operation. And a second operation button molded product in which a plurality of different buttons that operate between the buttons of the first operation button molded product are integrally molded in a row in a single row, and the first operation button The molded product and the second operation button molded product are combined, and the operation button is provided with the operation buttons continuously arranged in a line in a curved line.

  The operation panel of the air conditioner according to the present invention includes an operation button in which the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product are combined, and the buttons are continuously arranged in a line in a curved line. The number of parts is small, the overall design of the operation buttons is excellent, the buttons can be arranged compactly, and an inexpensive operation panel for an air conditioner can be obtained.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 to 5 are diagrams showing the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor-standing air conditioner 100, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation panel 1. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the operation button 8, and FIG. 5 is a front view and a side view of the operation button 8.

  With reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given mainly of a housing that forms an outline of a floor-standing air conditioner 100 (an example of an air conditioner). The front surface of the floor-standing air conditioner 100 has a suction grill 2 having a suction port 2a (formed on a side surface) at the bottom, a front panel 3 positioned on the suction grill 2, and a shutter that opens and closes up and down. It is composed of a panel 4. An operation panel 1 is disposed near the boundary between the suction grill 2 and the front panel 3. The side surface of the housing is formed by the side panel 5. In addition, the top panel and the back panel are combined to form a housing. A base 6 serving as an installation surface is provided at the bottom of the housing. The cross-sectional shape of the front surface portion of the housing is a curved surface with a radius of curvature of about R4000 to R5000 (mm).

  This embodiment is characterized by the configuration of the operation panel 1. Therefore, detailed description of the casing and its internal configuration is omitted.

  FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel 1. The operation panel 1 includes a substrate 9 having a switch 9a, a display unit 9b (light emitting diode), an operation button 8 of the switch 9a, and an upper case 7 and a lower case 10 sandwiching the substrate 9 and the operation button 8 therebetween. Prepare.

  The display unit 9b of the substrate 9 displays an operation state (cooling / heating), a set temperature, a wind speed, a wind direction, and the like. A switch 9a for performing these settings by a user or the like is provided on the substrate 9, and a plurality of operation buttons 8 for operating the switch 9a are provided.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the operation panel 1. A plurality of pins 7 a for fixing the operation buttons 8 to the upper case 7 extend rearward. The operation button 8 is fixed by inserting a hole of the operation button 8 into the pin 7 a of the upper case 7. The substrate 9 having the switch 9a and the display portion 9b is fixed to the lower case 10. Finally, the upper case 7 and the lower case 10 are fastened and fixed with screws or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operation button 8 is a first operation button molded product 8a in which a plurality of buttons 13a having different shapes are arranged one by one (in the example of FIG. 4, it has five buttons 13a). Similarly, a plurality of buttons 13b having different shapes are divided into second operation button molded products 8b (in the example of FIG. 4, having four buttons 13b). Although the example in which the number of the buttons 13a of the first operation button molded product 8a is larger than the number of the buttons 13b of the second operation button molded product 8b is shown, the reverse may be used, or the same number may be used. However, when distinguishing the first operation button molded product 8a from the second operation button molded product 8b, the number of the buttons 13a of the first operation button molded product 8a and the second operation button molded product 8b It is easier to distinguish if the number of buttons 13b is different.

  In this way, the first operation button molded product 8a and the second operation button molded product 8b are divided and formed and combined, so the gap between the button 13a and the button 13b can be narrowed. The operation button 8 which is compact and has a good appearance can be configured.

  Each button 13a of the first operation button molded product 8a has two connecting legs 11a having elasticity. Each button 13a is integrated by connecting two connecting legs 11a to a connecting rod 12a. Further, pin holes 14a for inserting the first operation button molded product 8a into the pins 7a of the upper case 7 are provided above and below each button 13a. The lower pin hole 14a is provided in the lower part of the button 13a of the connecting rod 12a. The connecting foot 11a is not limited to the above as long as it has elasticity.

  Each button 13b of the second operation button molded product 8b has two connecting legs 11b having elasticity. Each button 13b is integrated by connecting two connecting legs 11b to a connecting rod 12b. Further, pin holes 14b for inserting the second operation button molded product 8b into the pins 7a of the upper case 7 are provided above and below each button 13b. The lower pin hole 14b is provided in the lower part of the button 13b of the connecting rod 12b. The connecting foot 11b is not limited to the above as long as it has elasticity.

  Further, the connecting foot 11a and the connecting rod 12a of the first operation button molded product 8a are formed on the same surface. The connecting foot 11b and the connecting rod 12b of the second operation button molded product 8b are formed in a crank shape in a side view. The connecting rod 12b is positioned behind the connecting foot 11b. This is to prevent the connecting rod 12a and the connecting rod 12b from interfering when the first operation button molded product 8a and the second operation button molded product 8b are combined. Further, this is because the connecting feet 11a and the connecting feet 11b are flush with each other.

  Further, the upper and lower widths of the connecting feet 11b are longer than the upper and lower widths of the connecting feet 11a. This is because the first operation button molded product 8a (having six buttons 13a in the example of FIG. 5) and the second operation button molded product 8b (having five buttons 13b in the example of FIG. 5). This is to prevent the pin hole 14b under the second operation button molded product 8b from being overlapped with the connecting rod 12a of the first operation button molded product 8a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the first operation button molded product 8a and the second operation button molded product 8b are combined, the pin hole 14a of the connecting rod 12a and the pin hole 14b of the connecting rod 12b are vertically moved. The direction position is different. The pin holes 14a of the connecting rod 12a and the pin holes 14b of the connecting rod 12b are staggered.

  When the first operation button molded product 8a and the second operation button molded product 8b are fixed to the upper case 7, first, the first operation button molded product 8a is inserted into the pin 7a of the upper case 7 with a pin hole 14a. To do. Next, the pin hole 14b is inserted into the second operation button molded product 8b so that the connecting rod 12b overlaps the connecting rod 12a of the first operation button molded product 8a and the button 13b enters between the buttons 13a. Is inserted into the pin 7a of the upper case 7 and fixed.

  The shapes of the connecting rod 12a of the first operation button molded product 8a and the connecting rod 12b of the second operation button molded product 8b may be reversed. In that case, the second operation button molded product 8b is attached to the upper case 7 first.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the two connecting feet 11a of the button 13a of the first operation button molded product 8a and the two connecting feet 11b of the button 13b of the second operating button molded product 8b are It is a letter shape, and the other is an inverted letter shape. Then, the shape of the square shape and the shape of the reverse shape may be substantially symmetric in the vertical direction, or may be asymmetrical in the vertical direction, and the lower portion may have a narrower width than the upper portion, as shown in FIG. If it does in this way, there exists an effect which can reduce material cost, and the effect which improves the operativity in case a user operates the operation button 8. FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the number of buttons 13a of the first operation button molded product 8a is larger than the number of buttons 13b of the second operation button molded product 8b. Therefore, the length in the left-right direction of the first operation button molded product 8a is longer than the length in the left-right direction of the second operation button molded product 8b. If it becomes long in the left-right direction, the first operation button molded product 8a is easily bent in the left-right direction. However, since the vertical length of the first operation button molded product 8a is shorter than the vertical length of the second operation button molded product 8b, the posture of the button 13a in the first operation button molded product 8a alone. Is stable.

  Since the length of the second operation button molded product 8b in the vertical direction is longer than the length of the first operation button molded product 8a in the vertical direction, the second operation button molded product 8b is easily bent in the vertical direction. Since the length in the direction is shorter than the length in the left-right direction of the first operation button molded product 8a, the two are balanced on the whole.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation panel 1 includes the first operation button molded product 8a, which has a plurality of different shapes and is integrally formed in a row with the buttons 13a for operating the switch 9a. In combination with a second operation button molded product 8b integrally formed in a single row with a plurality of different buttons 13b for operating the switch 9a having different shapes that fit between the buttons 13a of the first operation button molded product 8a. Because the buttons 13a and 13b are provided with the operation buttons 8 continuously arranged in a line in a curved line, the number of parts is small, the design of the entire operation buttons is excellent, the buttons can be arranged compactly, and the air conditioner is inexpensive. The operation panel is obtained.

  In the operation panel of the air conditioner according to this embodiment, each button of the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product has a connecting foot having elasticity at the lower part, and the connecting foot is connected. Since it is configured to be integrally molded with a rod, a large number of buttons having different shapes can be formed with a molded product having a small number of parts such as two parts.

  In addition, the operation panel of the air conditioner according to this embodiment is configured so that when the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product are combined, the connecting rods do not interfere with each other. Since any one of the connecting rods has a crank shape, the connecting feet can be flush with each other in addition to preventing the connecting rods from interfering with each other.

  In addition, the operation panel of the air conditioner according to the present embodiment is provided with an upper case formed with a plurality of pins, and the upper and lower buttons of the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product. When the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product are combined, the lower pin holes are arranged in a staggered manner, so that There is no mistake in assembling the operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product, and rework can be avoided.

  Further, the operation panel of the air conditioner according to this embodiment is easy to distinguish because the number of buttons of the first operation button molded product is different from the number of buttons of the second operation button molded product. There is no mistake in assembly, and redoing can be avoided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the first embodiment, and is a perspective view of the floor-standing air conditioner 100. FIG. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment and is an exploded perspective view of the operation panel 1. FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment and is a cross-sectional view of the operation panel 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment and is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of an operation button 8. FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, and is a front view and a plan view of an operation button 8.

Explanation of symbols

  1 Operation Panel, 2 Suction Grill, 2a Suction Port, 3 Front Panel, 4 Shutter Panel, 5 Side Panel, 6 Base, 7 Upper Case, 7a Pin, 8 Operation Button, 8a First Operation Button Molded Product, 8b 2nd 9 button, 9a switch, 9b display, 10 lower case, 11a connecting foot, 11b connecting foot, 12a connecting rod, 12b connecting rod, 13a button, 13b button, 14a pin hole, 14b pin hole, 100 Floor-mounted air conditioner.

Claims (5)

A substrate having a display unit and a switch;
A plurality of buttons having different shapes, the first operating button molded product in which the buttons for operating the switch are integrally molded in a single row;
A plurality of different shapes that fit between the buttons of the first operation button molded product, and a second operation button molded product in which the buttons for operating the switch are integrally molded in a single row;
An operation of an air conditioner, characterized in that the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product are combined, and the buttons are continuously arranged in a line in a curved line. panel.   Each button of the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product has a connecting foot having elasticity at a lower portion, and the connecting foot is formed integrally with a connecting rod. The operation panel of the air conditioner according to claim 1.   When the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product are combined, any one of the connecting rods has a crank shape so that the connecting rods do not interfere with each other. The operation panel of the air conditioner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation panel is an air conditioner.   An upper case in which a plurality of pins are formed is provided, and pin holes that fit into the pins are formed above and below the buttons of the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product, The lower pin holes are arranged in a zigzag shape when the first operation button molded product and the second operation button molded product are combined. The operation panel of the described air conditioner.   The air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number of the buttons of the first operation button molded product is different from the number of the buttons of the second operation button molded product. Operation panel.

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