JPH0261433A - Display device of heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to provide inexpensively a display easy to see by directing a portion of light, emitted from a lamp for illuminating the interior of a heating chamber, directly to the back side of a switching operating button itself or the vicinity thereof to permit a display on the button to be visually checked from the front side of an operating panel. CONSTITUTION:Pushbuttons 6, 7 on an operating panel 5 are supported on both ends of a connecting member 9 on the back side of the panel 5 by pins 10, 11, respectively. The connecting member 9 comprises a protrusion 12 and an arm 14, and the tip of the arm 14 moves a light-shielding plate 15 vertically. The light-shielding plate 15 is provided with a hole 16 at a part thereof, and the hole 16 is opposed to a display part 17 of the upper pushbutton 6 when the pushbutton 6 is pressed. When the lower pushbutton 7 is pressed, the connecting member 9 is turned reversely on a support pin 8, whereby the hole 16 is opposed to a display part 18. A lamp 19 for illuminating a heating chamber is disposed on the rear side of these members, and light emitted from the lamp 19 is directed into the heating chamber through a multiplicity of small holes provided in side faces of the chamber. Thus, a display device is obtained which is extremely simple in construction, has low possibility of troubles, is inexpensive and easy to see, and enables easy identification of a pushbutton pressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display on an operation panel of a heating device.

BACKGROUND ART Microwave ovens, electric ovens, toaster ovens, and the like are provided with a plurality of switching operation buttons on an operation panel for switching the intensity of heating output, upper and lower heater energization modes, and the like.

These operation buttons operate according to the content displayed on the button itself or in the vicinity thereof in characters or symbols (hereinafter referred to as characters, etc.) when the corresponding button is pressed.

The contents of such operation buttons need to be displayed as easily as possible.

As a first example of the button display, for example, on the operation panel 1 of a microwave oven as shown in FIG. Pressing button 2 labeled "Strong" produces a strong output, and pressing button 3 labeled "Weak" produces a weak output.

At this time, if the "strong" (or "weak") button 2 is pressed, the button 2 remains pressed.

On the other hand, the paired "weak" (or "strong") button 3 is
It bulges out against this.

That is, by maintaining a pressed button in a relatively retracted state, that button is operated and the cooking mode indicated by that button (high output in this case) is activated.
This indicates that cooking is being carried out.

The "Strong" and "Weak" buttons 2 and 3 are mechanically interlocked with each other, so that when one of them is retracted, the opposite button always pops out.

This state in which only the pressed button is retracted and the others protrude remains the same even if the number of buttons increases, such as three or four, and the mechanism differs.

On the other hand, as a second example, in a device equipped with a display device such as a fluorescent tube, LED, liquid crystal, etc. on the operation panel, even if there is no difference in the entrance and exit of the button (difference in height),
The content of the button you operate can be displayed on the display device, so
A flat button such as a membrane switch can be used as the button.

The third example is an intermediate display method between the first and second examples, in which a small light source such as an LED lamp or a miniature light bulb is attached to each button next to the operation button or in the center of the button itself. There is also a configuration in which one button is provided, and when the button is pressed, the corresponding lamp lights up.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the first case described above, it is necessary to determine which button has been operated based on the difference in the amount of button depression (protrusion height).

If you accidentally press the "strong" button, for example to defrost raw food using low power, if you notice halfway through, you can simply press the button again.
If you are not aware of this, problems such as the food being cooked may occur.

At this time, the protrusion of the button is relative to the front of the operation panel, and since it is viewed from the same direction, that is, from the front, it is difficult to notice.

In the second case, there is a disadvantage that the driving rotation structure of the display tube, etc. is costly and expensive, and if an incorrect operation is made, the displayed content on the display tube is different from the intended one, so it is easy to notice. , the operation when modifying is -dan "
Press the "Cancel" button or key to blank the display and
There is an operational hassle in that the contents of a built-in storage device such as a microcomputer must be canceled and then the operation must be performed again.

In the third case, the LED drive circuit has a lower voltage than a household AC power supply and is a direct current, so it requires a circuit and dedicated parts.

Although it is easier than the second case, it is relatively more expensive than the first case.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a lamp for illuminating the inside of a heating chamber by arranging a plurality of switching operation buttons on an operation panel for controlling heating time, heating means, etc. A part of the light is directly applied to the switching operation button itself or the back surface of the vicinity thereof, so that the characters displayed on the switching button can be seen from the front of the operation panel, and the plurality of switching buttons are pressed. A light-shielding plate that moves in conjunction with the operation is provided on the back surface of the switching button, a display portion of the button that is not operated is blocked from irradiation light by the light-shielding plate, and only the operated button is provided on the display portion of the switch button. The structure is such that the irradiation light is applied through a transparent hole.

Operation According to the above configuration, by sweeping the mechanical push button,
The light-shielding plate moves, and the pressed button part or its vicinity is illuminated by a lamp for illuminating the interior of the refrigerator through the transmission hole provided in the light-shielding plate.

Therefore, the characters etc. that display the contents of the buttons printed on the operation panel are extremely easy to see.

Furthermore, since the contrast in brightness between the illuminated and non-illuminated areas is extremely clear, it is easy to determine which button has been pressed even from a position slightly distant from the heating device.

This is extremely convenient and easy to use when the heating device is installed in a dark place.

In addition, the lamp used to illuminate the inside of the heating chamber also serves as the light source for these lights, and it is only necessary to place a light-shielding plate that is linked to the pressing movement of the operation button, making it extremely simple to configure and less likely to break down. , the cost is also low.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, two push buttons 6.7 that can be operated on the operation panel 5 are connected to a connecting member 9 rotatably held by a support pin 8 provided on the back of the panel. are held at each end by pins 10.11.

This support pin 8 is located approximately midway between the two buttons 6.7.

The connecting member 9 is provided with a protrusion 12 in the direction toward the back of the support pin 8.

On the other hand, a triangular convex portion 13a is provided at the center of an elastic plate 13 whose both ends are fixed to the back side of the panel.

The protrusion 12 of the connecting member 9 is located in a position opposite to this, and when the push button 6 or 7 is pressed and the protrusion 12 rides over the convex portion 13a, a click sensation is generated when the button is switched, and the button is switched at the same time. Its role is to keep it from moving out of its position due to vibrations, shocks, etc.

The connecting member 9 has an arm 14 on the side opposite to the actual part 12, and the tip of the arm 14 drives the light shielding plate 15 up and down.

The light-shielding plate 15 has a hole 16 in a part thereof, and the hole 16 is large enough to cover the size of the text, etc. printed on the sweep panel 5, indicating the function of the push button. It has a large size.

The hole 16 in the light shielding plate faces the display portion 17 of the lower pushbutton when the upper pushbutton 6 is pressed.

When the lower push button 7 is pressed, the connecting member 9 is reversed with respect to FIG.
is positioned opposite to the display portion 18 of the lower pushbutton 7.

On the other hand, a lamp 19 for illuminating the heating chamber is located behind these related parts, and the light from this lamp 19 is guided into the heating chamber through a number of small holes provided on the side surface of the heating chamber.

For products such as microwave ovens where high frequency waves must not leak outside the heating chamber, make many holes with a diameter of 2 to 3 mm as shown above, close together, and place a lamp outside of the holes. There are many things.

The figure shows an example of the arrangement of the lamp 19 in the case of a microwave oven, and the lamp 19 is arranged in an air guide 20 for guiding the cooling air of the magnetron for high frequency generation into the heating chamber. The numerous small holes have the role of letting the wind after cooling the magnetron into the heating chamber, as well as letting in the illumination light.

In the case of an electric oven or the like, the lamp may be placed in a place where it will not be contaminated by smoke or oil droplets generated from various foods cooked inside the heating chamber.

In the case of a toaster oven, it is relatively rare to install a lamp to illuminate the inside of the oven, but if it is necessary to install a lamp, the same concept as in the case of an electric oven may be used.

When the lamp 19 is arranged as in the microwave oven described above, a suitable hole 20a is made in the air guide 20, and the light from the lamp can be guided from there to the back surface of the operation panel 5.

Although the light from the lamp 19 is irradiated to all the operation buttons, the light of the buttons that are not pressed is not blocked by the light shielding plate 15 and cannot be seen from the operation panel 5.

The operation panel 5 is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or AS, and while leaving the characters indicating the displayed contents, other parts are painted or printed in sodomy to make them opaque. Light from the back surface is applied to the transparent portion to make characters and the like stand out.

Alternatively, in the operation panel 5J:, an opening may be provided in the text area, the text may be printed on a polyester film, etc., and the entire periphery of the film, including the text, may be illuminated.

If characters are printed on the pushbutton itself,
The light shielding plate 15 is located on the back side of the button, and the hole 16 formed in the light shielding plate 15 is approximately the same size as the button.

At this time, the button has a space on the front to display text, etc., and the area other than the text in this area is coated with opaque paint, or a printed film is applied to the surface of the button as described above. Illumination of parts such as letters by pasting or other means.

4M and 5 show cases where there are three or more push buttons.

At the rear end of each of the pushbuttons 21 to 23, there is a state Cζ in which inclined sliding bodies 24 to 26 (metal plates or resin plates may be used) are aligned vertically or in line with each other, and when one of the pushbuttons is pressed, When this happens, this sliding body 26 flies backwards by just one piece.

In addition, the inclined portions 24a, 2 of each of the sliding bodies 24 to 26
Light shielding plates 30 to 32 having rotational supports 27 to 29, respectively, are arranged so as to be rotated by 5m and 26a, and these light shielding plates 30 to 32 have a plurality of openings 33 (windows) leading to the operation panel 5a. is covered.

When one of the push buttons (for example, 23) is pressed, the sliding body 26 that pops out rotates the light shielding plate 31 facing it, opening the window 33, and the illumination light illuminates the window 33.
From there, it reaches the display board 34 on the back surface of the operation panel 5a.

The light-shielding plates 30 to 32 are configured to cover the opening 33 at all times by means of a spring or the like, and when the extension push button is operated, the sliding body 26 that had been protruding is retracted, and the opening 33 that had been open is thereby closed. The light shielding plate 31 closes the opening again, and then another part of the light shielding plate opens the opening in its place.

Effect of the invention According to the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Of the multiple control buttons on the operation panel, only the button that is operated is illuminated from the back with characters representing its contents, making it extremely easy and reliable to see it from the front of the operation panel. Even when installed in a dark room or in a shadowy place, or even from a slightly distant position, errors in viewing are less likely to occur, and even if an incorrect imitation is made, it will be noticed more quickly.

(2) The lamp for opening the heating chamber can be used as a light source to illuminate the characters displayed on the push buttons on the operation panel, and there is no need for a separate light source for display illumination, which simplifies the structure and reduces costs. It can also be done cheaply.

+31 f A portion of the panel that is illuminated only by the movement of a light-shielding plate that moves perpendicular to the operating direction of the pushbutton on the back of the panel in conjunction with the movement of a pushbutton that is operated perpendicularly to the front of the panel. It is possible to distinguish between the parts that are not and the parts that are not, there are few moving parts, the operation is reliable, and there are fewer failures.

4. Explanation of drawing f7i Qt fi Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view of the present invention-implementation, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A' in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB' in Fig. 1. ,
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment, and FIG. 5 is C of FIG. 4.
-C sectional view, and FIG. 6 is a front view of a conventional example.

5... Operation panel, 6.7... Switching button, 9... Connecting member, 12... Protrusion,
13... Elastic body, 15... Light shielding plate, 1
9...Lamp, 2o...Air guide:
, 24.25.26...Sliding body, 30.31.
32... Light shielding plate, 33... Opening (window)
.

Name of representative offender: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and one other person6.
1-m- 8-・- 9-・- 70, 11-・- 2-1G --- I 1'l: Pa year press hodan support pin movement vg member pin protrusion 5 standard plate i! ! Sanskrit board

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of switching buttons are arranged on the operation panel that controls the heating time, heating means, etc., and a part of the light from the lamp that illuminates the heating chamber is directly applied to the switching buttons or the back surface near the switching buttons, A display device for a heating device, the display device being configured such that characters displayed on the switching button can be visually recognized from the front. (2) A light-shielding plate is provided that moves in conjunction with the pressing operation of a plurality of switching buttons, and the display portion of the button that is not operated is shielded from the irradiation light by the light-shielding plate, and only the operated button is covered with the light-shielding plate. 2. The display device for a heating device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation light is applied through a transmission hole provided in the heating device.