ASSEMBLED PANEL ASSEMBLY

An assembled panel assembly, which is used for in-wall bath faucet and comprises a panel, configured as a shell and has a main surface, on which receiving hole(s) is/are provided; a baseplate, located at one side of the panel and has corresponding engagement portion(s) for being mated with the receiving hole(s), which engagement portion(s) is/are configured as flange(s) delimiting engagement hole(s); housing(s), each configured to receive a button set, located at the other side of the panel, and detachably engaged with the engagement portion of the baseplate so as to secure it to the panel in the manner of being opposite to the baseplate, and the button set is configured to be moved in the axial direction relative to the engagement hole of the baseplate to drive the open or close of a button valve element. The assembled panel assembly, which provides innovative structural design, enables a panel with flat surface being independently applied to the in-wall bath faucet and optimizes the function of the button set by reasonable cooperation of the panel assembly. Such a panel is provided that can satisfy the demands for many kinds of surface processes on it in the post-process, which overcomes many defects presented in an uneven surface panel in the prior arts.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of bath device, and in particular, to an assembled panel assembly applied to a in-wall bath faucet.

BACKGROUND

The panel assembly which is applied to the in-wall bath faucet in prior arts generally comprises button hump(s) that presents adverse impact on the subsequent surface treatment process of the panel, such as, polishing, wiredrawing, multicolor collocation and the like, which leads to the subsequent surface treatment process being more complex, time-consuming and low efficiency, and thereby adversely affecting the efficient quantity production of the traditional integral type panel. Furthermore, the metallic integral type panel assembly is high cost, and the plastic panel assembly is difficult to be widely accepted by user due to its undesirable process strength and appearance.

Thus, there are requirements to improve the panel assembly applied to the in-wall bath faucet in the relevant technical field so as to further optimize the performance of manufacture, mount, use and the like for improving or solving the problem presented in the prior arts.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an assembled panel assembly, thereby overcoming the disadvantages of the prior arts.

To implement above object, this invention provides a assembled panel assembly for in-wall bath faucet, wherein it comprises: a panel, configured as a shell and having a main surface, on which receiving hole(s) is/are provided; a baseplate, located at one side of the panel and having corresponding engagement portion(s), which is/are configured as flange(s) delimiting engagement hole(s); housing(s), each configured to receive a button set, located at the other side of the panel, and detachably engaged with the engagement portion of the baseplate so as to be secured to the panel in the manner of being opposite to the baseplate, and the button set is configured to be moved in the axial direction relative to the engagement hole of the baseplate to drive the open or close of a button valve element for controlling on-off of the fluid.

As a preferred embodiment, the button set comprises a button body, which is received in the housing and engaged to the engagement portion in anti-rotation way by partially extending through the engagement hole of the baseplate, and the button body is configured to be able to move in the axial direction of the engagement hole and rest against the button valve element at the side of baseplate away from the panel, thereby actuating the open or close of button valve element.

As a preferred embodiment, the button body comprises: a head received in the housing and a shaft extending through the engagement hole in the axial direction of the head and having a smaller diameter relative to the head; the assembled panel assembly also comprises: limiting member(s), snapped to the shaft at the side of the shaft away from the head; elastic member(s), sleeved on the shaft, and one end thereof rests against the head in its axial direction, and the other end thereof rest against the limiting member, so that the button body can be elastically approached to or kept away from the baseplate in the axial direction to close or open the button valve element.

As a preferred embodiment, the button set also comprises: a button cover, engaged with the button body in the anti-rotation way at the side where the head of the button body is located; fastener(s), engaged with the button cover so as to secure the button cover to the button body.

As a preferred embodiment, the housing is engaged with the engagement portion of the baseplate and received in an annular gap delimited by the engagement portion and the receiving hole, wherein the engagement portion of the baseplate extends through the receiving hole, thereby positioning the panel relative to the housing.

As a preferred embodiment, the main surface of the panel is also provided with a mounting hole for mounting a temperature regulator, wherein the baseplate has a corresponding mating portion mated with the mounting hole, and the mounting hole and the mating portion are positioned to each other by mating a notch with a bumping.

As a preferred embodiment, the baseplate is provided with rib(s) at the side facing the panel, which is/are configured to keep clear of the receiving hole(s) on the panel.

As a preferred embodiment, the button body at the periphery of the head is provided with a protrusion extending toward the shaft: the housing comprising: a connection portion, conformal to the annular gap; an outer annular part, located at the outer circumference of the connection portion and having a diameter greater than the receiving hole; an inner annular part, located at the inner circumference of the connection portion and being engaged with the engagement portion, and a recess is delimited by the inner annular part, the connection portion and the outer annular part together; the recess of the housing is axially opposite to the protrusion of the button body and provides a guidance for the protrusion to be moved toward the recess in the axial direction.

As a preferred embodiment, the shaft of the button body is engaged to the engagement portion of the baseplate in the anti-rotation way by mating a first groove and the first protruded rib.

As a preferred embodiment, the shaft of the button body and the button cover are engaged with each other in the anti-rotation way at the side that the head of the button body is located by mating a second groove and the second protruded rib.

A part of other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person in the art after reading the disclosure, while the other part will be described in the following specific embodiment in combination with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now the schematic solutions of the assembled panel assembly in present disclosure will be described in detail. Although some drawings are provided to illustrate some embodiments of the present disclosure, these drawings may not necessarily be depicted in scale, and some features may be enlarged, removed or cut off in part to show and explain the disclosure of the present disclosure better. The positions of some elements in the drawings may be adjusted as desired without influencing the technical effect. The phrase “in the drawings” or the like presented in the description may not refer to all the drawings or examples.

Some orientation terms, e.g. “inner”, “outer”, “upper”, “lower” and other orientation terms, as used hereinafter for describe the drawings will be understood as having their normal meanings and indicating those directions as involved when the drawings are viewed normally. Basically, the orientation terms as stated in the present specification will be interpreted according to the routine directions as understood by the skilled person in the art, unless otherwise specified.

The terms “first”, “the first”, “second”, “the second” and the like as used in the disclosure do not represent any order, amount or importance in this invention, but rather are used to differentiate one element from other elements.

In this text, in terms of the term “general”, it means that it is unnecessary for the parameter or value referred to be accurately accomplished, and the deviation or variation (in which the deviation or variation comprises, such as, tolerance, measuring error, measuring accuracy limit and other factors known by the skilled artisan) can be presented without prejudicing the mount of the technical effects expectantly provided by the technical feature.

FIG.1is an exploded schematic view of the assembled panel assembly1according to present disclosure. The assembled panel assembly1is in particular suitable for the in-wall bath faucet. As shown in Fig.1, the assembled panel assembly1comprises a panel10, a baseplate12, a housing13, a button set14, elastic members15and limiting member16.

Specifically, the panel10is configured as shell and in particular a decoration panel. The panel10has a primary plane, on which one or more receiving holes100are provided. The number of the receiving hole100is optionally at least one, preferably two and can be adapted for the skilled artisan as desired. Usually, two receiving holes100are applied to two button set14each for controlling the shower (fixed shower head or handed shower head) and faucet (such as a bathtub faucet) and the relevant structural parts. The primary plane of the panel10is also provided with a mounting hole102for mounting a temperature regulator, which is usually used for regulating the temperature of water passing therethrough so as to meet the water temperature demands of user.

Referring toFIG.3, the baseplate12is provided at one side of the panel12, in particular at the side of the panel10proximate to the wall to which it is to be mounted, as shown in the right ofFIG.1. The baseplate12is provided with engagement portions120at one side facing the panel10, and the engagement portions120are in positional correspondence relationship and mated with the receiving holes100. The engagement portions120are configured as flanges defining engagement holes122.

Referring toFIGS.1,5,9and10, the foresaid hosing13is used for receiving the button set14, and configured as annular structure. The housing13comprises a connection portion130, an outer annular part132, and an inner annular part134, wherein the connection portion130is conformal with an annular gap17(as shown inFIG.2) formed by the engagement portion120(i.e., the flange) and the receiving hole100of the panel10, and the outer annular part132is located at the outer circumference of the connection portion130and the diameter thereof is slightly greater than that of the receiving hole100so as to resist against the edge of the receiving hole100, thereby limiting the housing13in the annular gap17, and the inner annular part134is located at the inner circumference of the connection portion130and engaged to the engagement portion120(i.e., the flange) of the baseplate12. The height of the outer annular part132is greater than that of the inner annular part134in the axial direction, and the height of the inner annular part134is greater than that of the connection portion130in the axial direction. A recess136is delimited by the inner annular part134, the connection portion130and the outer annular part132together, which recess is located between the inner annular part134and the outer annular part132and disposed opposite to a protrusion140cof the button body140set forth in following text.

As shown inFIGS.3,5and10, the button set14is used for controlling the open and close of the valve associated therewith, in particular the button valve element. The housing13is at one side of the panel10facing away from the wall, and detachably engaged to the engagement portion120of the baseplate12, so that the housing13and the baseplate12are secured to the panel10opposite to each other. The foresaid button set14is contained in the housing13and movable in the axial direction relative to the engagement hole122of baseplate12, thereby actuating the open or close of the button valve element associated therewith so as to control the on-off of fluid.

As shown inFIGS.1and3, the baseplate12has a mating portion124for being correspondingly mated with the mounting hole102which is used for mounting the temperature regulator and disposed on the main surface of the panel10. The mating portion124is a protruded ring delimiting a mating hole124b,which is correspondingly provided relative to the mounting hole102. The mounting hole102of the panel10and the protruded ring of the baseplate12are positioned relative to each other by means of mating a notch102aand a bumping124aeach being disposed in the circumferential direction. Optionally, the notch102aand the bumping124aare exchangeable on the panel10and baseplate12.

Referring toFIG.1orFIG.3, the baseplate12is also provided with ribs128on its one side facing the panel10. The ribs128are disposed around the engagement portions120(i.e., flanges) in certain spacing, which should be configured as follows, the annular gap17formed by the flanges and the receiving hole100do not interfere with the ribs128after the flanges being inserted into the receiving holes. By providing the ribs128, there is an axial distance between the baseplate12and the panel10when they are assembled together, and the axial distance can receive a part of the housing13so as to position the housing13.

Referring toFIGS.1,6and8, the button set14comprises a button body140, a button cover142, and a fastener144. When the button set14is assembled with the housing13, the button body140is received in the housing13and partially passed therethrough so as to extend through the engagement hole122of the baseplate12, thereby being engaged to the engagement portion120(i.e., flange) defining the engagement hole in the anti-rotation way. Specifically, the shaft140bof the button body140is engaged to the flange of the baseplate12in the anti-rotation way by mating the first groove140dand the first protruded rib120arelative to each other. The first groove140dand the first protruded rib120aare located in the axial direction of the structural member on which they are provided. Optionally, the positions of the first groove140dand the first protruded rib120acan be interchangeable. The number the first groove140dand the first protruded rib120acan be adapted for the skilled artisan as desired. The button body140can be moved in the axial direction of the engagement hole122of the baseplate12, and rest against the button valve element at the side of the baseplate12away from the panel10, thereby being interconnected with the button valve element for controlling the on-off thereof. The button cover142, the housing13and the panel10can be optionally made of metal, such as, copper, aluminum alloy, zinc alloy and the like. The button body140and the baseplate12can be optionally made of non-metal, such as ABS, POM and the like.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.7and8, the button body140comprises a head140aand a shaft140b,which button body is in shape of screw, and the head140ais formed by extending in the radial direction of the shaft140b.The head140aof the button body140is received in the housing13, and the shaft140bthereof extends in the axial direction of the head140aand has a diameter smaller than the head140a.The assembled panel assembly1further comprises limiting members16and elastic members15, wherein the limiting member16is located at the side of the shaft140baway from the head140aand snapped to the shaft140bin particular the snap slot disposed on the circumference of the shaft140b,and the elastic member15is sleeved on the shaft140b,one end of the elastic member15rests against the engagement portion120(i.e., flange, in particular the limit portion of the flange extending inwards in the radial direction) of the baseplate12, and the other end thereof rests on the limiting member16. The limiting member16limits the compression space of the elastic member15and limits the distance of the button set14moving in the axial direction so as to avoid it falls off from the baseplate12.

Herein, the limiting member16can be optionally a snap ring, and the elastic member15can be optionally a spring, such as a helical spring. It is certain that it is conceivable for the skilled artisan to choose other suitable limiting member16and elastic member15under the teaching from present disclosure, which does not depart from present disclosure. The head140aof the button body140can be elastically approached to or kept away from the baseplate12(i.e., the button body140is elastically approached to or kept away from the wall) in the axial direction, and the foresaid movements of the button body140is associated with the on-off of the button valve element.

Referring toFIG.8, the button cover142mentioned above comprises a cover142aand base142b,wherein the cover142ais circular plate part, and the base142bis a stem part. The base142bis disposed with the second groove142cthat is disposed in the radial direction and extends in the axial direction of the base. The second groove142cis correspondingly disposed with the second protruded rib140eat one side of the head140aof the button body140and mated with it. The button body140, in particular the shaft140bthereof at one side of the head140b,is engaged to the button cover142in the anti-rotation way by means of mating the respective second groove142cand the second protruded rib140e.The second groove142cand the second protruded rib140eare disposed in respective axial direction. The cover142aof the button cover142is usually adhered with indicative mark at its surface for presenting the button's function for use, such as for controlling shower head or faucet. The anti-rotation design of the button cover142and the button body140efficiently avoids the rotation of the button cover142so that the indicative mark attached thereon is still in correct position to facilitate the user getting identification.

Referring toFIGS.1and10, the fastener144is used for securing the button cover142to the button body140. The shaft140bof the button body140is configured as a substantially hollow structure and has a boss extending inwards in the radial direction of the shaft140b.The boss is provided with a fastener hole for the fastener going therethrough and the fastener144is optionally a screw. The stem of the screw is engaged to the base142bof the button cover142through the fastener hole, and the screw head of the screw rest against the boss, thereby securing the button cover142to the button body140.

Referring toFIG.10again, the button body140at the periphery of its head is also provided with a protrusion140cextending towards the shaft. The protrusion140cis disposed opposite to the recess136(as mentioned above) delimited by the housing13and provides guidance for the protrusion140cof the button body140to be moved toward the recess136of the housing13in the axial direction.

As shown inFIGS.2and5, after the baseplate1is fitted to the panel10, an annular gap17is delimited together by the engagement portion120(i.e., flange) of the baseplate12and the receiving hole100of the panel10, at which the housing13is located and engaged to the engagement portion120of the baseplate12, so that the housing13and the baseplate12are positioned to two sides of the panel10opposite to each other.

The specific assembly process of the foresaid assembled panel assembly1is described as follows.

The baseplate12is mounted to the panel10, and the engagement portion120of the baseplate12is correspondingly inserted into the receiving hole100. The mating portion124of the baseplate12corresponds to the mounting hole102of the panel10, and the bumping124aof the mating portion124is snapped to the notch at the periphery of the mounting hole102, thereby positioning the baseplate12relative to the panel10.

The housing13is engaged with the engagement portion120in the screw connection way, so that the housing is positioned in the annular gap17delimited by the receiving hole100of the panel10and the engagement portion120of the baseplate12, and the housing13rests against the periphery of the receiving hole100of the panel10at its circumferential direction. The housing13and the baseplate12are located at two sides of the panel10, respectively, and secured to the panel10opposite to each other. The schematic view of the finished assembly of the housing13, the panel10and the baseplate12is as theFIGS.4and9.

The button cover142is mounted to the button body140and engaged with the button body140by means of mating the second axial groove142cof the base142bwith the second axial protruded rib140eof the button body140on one side of the head140a.Then, the screw stem of the fastener144(such as screw) is engaged with the base142bof the button cover142by going through the fastener hole formed in the interior of the button body140. The screw rest against the boss, thereby securing the button cover142to the button body140.

The elastic member15(such as helical spring) is sleeved on the shaft140bof the button body140, and the snap ring is then snapped into the snap slot on the shaft140b.One end of the elastic member15rests against the engagement portion120(i.e., flange, in particular the radial limit portion defined by the flange) of the baseplate12, and the other end of the elastic member15rests against the snap ring, thereby elastically positioning the button set14in the axial direction relative to the baseplate12. The finished assembled panel assembly1is as shown inFIG.10, wherein it also shows the configuration of the button set14when it is in a closed state or in an open state, which corresponds to the open and close of the button valve element for controlling on-off of the fluid.

The present disclosure provides an assembled panel assembly, which provides innovative structural design that enables a panel with flat surface being independently applied to the in-wall bath faucet and optimizes the function of the button set by reasonable cooperation of the panel assembly. An independent panel is provided that can satisfy the demands for many kinds of surface processes on it in the post-process, which overcomes many defects presented in the panel since the button is formed on its surface in prior arts, and improves the assembly and use of the panel assembly since the cooperation of the baseplate and the housing ensures that they can be securely positioned to the panel.

Although the invention is described through limited quantities embodiments, it is understood that the invention is not limited by such disclosed embodiments. Rather, any changes, modifications, replacements or equal devices which are not described previously are incorporated to revise the invention, however, which are equivalent to the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is understood that the aspect of the invention can merely include some of the embodiments. Therefore, the invention is not regarded to be limited by the aforesaid description, however it is only limited by the appended claims.

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