Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a refrigerator, including a storage compartment with a front opening, a door configured to close the storage compartment, and an air hygiene apparatus fixed on a top wall of the storage compartment. The air hygiene apparatus includes a housing, an air detection unit and/or a purification unit located in the housing, and an indication apparatus located in the front of the housing.

<CIT> discloses a display device for displaying the operation state of a device and for notifying and warning various kinds of information, and more particularly to a display device mounted in an air conditioner such as an air cleaner, a dehumidifier, or the like.

<CIT> discloses an air cleaner which enables a user to visually check a display part in an easy manner even from a position away from the air cleaner and easily conduct wet type wiping around an input part.

An objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an improved indication apparatus for a household appliance, an air hygiene apparatus, and a household appliance.

An aspect of the embodiments of the present invention relates to an indication apparatus for a household appliance. The indication apparatus includes a panel with an elongated board shape and an optical assembly located at an inner side of the panel, the panel having a first light outlet portion constructed as a bar shape extending along a length direction of the panel and a second light outlet portion. The optical assembly includes: a circuit substrate; at least one first light emitting element and at least one second light emitting element integrated on the circuit substrate, the first light emitting element being corresponding to the first light outlet portion; a light guide sheet, configured to receive light of the second light emitting element and to guide the light to the second light outlet portion; and a carrying frame, the light guide sheet being carried on the carrying frame, and the carrying frame being fixed on the circuit substrate.

In this way, it is possible to form different indication modes and/or different indication ranges through the light emitting elements disposed on the same circuit substrate. In another aspect, positions of the light guide sheet and the second light emitting elements can be determined relatively accurately through the carrying frame and the circuit substrate. Therefore, it is expectable that a compact indication apparatus with a good indication effect is provided.

According to the present invention, the carrying frame is opaque, and configured to stop light of the first light emitting element from entering the second light outlet portion and to stop the light of the second light emitting element from entering the first light outlet portion. Illumination ranges of different light emitting elements are determined through the carrying frame of the light guide sheet, and it is expectable that light interference among the different light emitting elements can be reduced without using additional light blocking members.

According to the present invention, the carrying frame is disposed around the second light outlet portion and abuts against the inner side of the panel. This is particularly beneficial for light emitted by the light guide sheet to emit toward the second light outlet portion, which can significantly reduce influence of the light of the second light emitting elements on other regions of the panel.

According to the present invention, the panel includes a base plate and an indicator plate, the first light outlet portion includes a first through hole located on the base plate and a first light transmitting portion located on the indicator plate and covering the first through hole, the second light outlet portion includes a second through hole located on the base plate and a second light transmitting portion located on the indicator plate and covering the second through hole, and the carrying frame stops the light of the first light emitting element from entering the second through hole and stops the light of the second light emitting element from entering the first through hole.

In a possible embodiment, the indication apparatus includes a slot configured to fix the circuit substrate and a pressing portion abutting against an inner side of the circuit substrate to enable the carrying frame to abut against the inner side of the panel. Therefore, the optical assembly can be reliably fixed and the light guide sheet can accurately correspond to the second light outlet portion.

In a possible embodiment, the carrying frame is clamped on the circuit substrate.

In a possible embodiment, the light guide sheet is located between the carrying frame and the circuit substrate, and a gap is disposed between the light guide sheet and the panel. This is beneficial to reduce damage to the light guide sheet due to manufacturing/assembly tolerances.

In a possible embodiment, an accommodation space is formed by a gap between an end face of the light guide sheet and the carrying frame along a direction parallel to the panel, and the second light emitting element is located in the accommodation space. Therefore, when the carrying frame is installed on the circuit substrate, the second light emitting element integrated on the circuit substrate can correspond to the end face of the light guide sheet, which is simple and efficient in assembly.

In a possible embodiment, the first light emitting elements are distributed in rows, and
the first light emitting elements and the second light emitting elements are distributed apart in a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the first light emitting elements.

Another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention relates to an air hygiene apparatus, including the indication apparatus according to any one of the foregoing embodiments.

In a possible embodiment, the air hygiene apparatus includes a housing, an air passageway located in the housing, and an air detection apparatus and/or an air purification apparatus located in the air passageway, where the indication apparatus is located in the front of the housing.

In a possible embodiment, the air hygiene apparatus includes a carrying bracket configured to carry the air detection apparatus and/or the air purification apparatus, where the optical assembly is located between the carrying bracket and the panel.

In a possible embodiment, the carrying bracket abuts against a side of the circuit substrate facing away from the panel to apply a force toward the panel to the circuit substrate.

Still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention relates to a household appliance, including the indication apparatus according to any one of the foregoing embodiments.

Additional features of the present invention will be presented from the claims, the accompanying drawings, and the brief description of the drawings.

Embodiments of the present invention that are not described and not specifically shown in the accompanying drawings, but are conceivable from the embodiments described in detail and can be obtained from combination of features are hereby considered to be included and disclosed.

The following accompanying drawings, as a part of the specification and provided to further understand the present invention, describe specific implementations of the present invention and are used to describe the principle of the present invention along with the specification, where:.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indication apparatus <NUM> for a household appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the indication apparatus <NUM> includes a panel <NUM> and an optical assembly <NUM> located at an inner side of the panel <NUM>. The panel <NUM> has a first light outlet portion <NUM> and a second light outlet portion <NUM>.

The indication apparatus <NUM> according to this embodiment of the present invention may be applied to different household appliances such as a refrigeration appliance, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a sterilizing cabinet, an oven, a steamer, a cooker hood, a cooktop, an air purifier, and the like.

The panel <NUM> may be located in a housing of the household appliance, or inside the household appliance to be visible after a door is opened.

The first light outlet portion <NUM> and/or the second light outlet portion <NUM> may include a through hole to allow light to pass through, and/or include a light transmitting portion to allow the light to pass through a solid portion.

At least one of the first light outlet portion <NUM> and the second light outlet portion <NUM> itself or in the vicinity thereof may include an indication text and/or pattern. At least one of the first light outlet portion <NUM> and the second light outlet portion <NUM> may not be provided with any pattern, but may be indicated by a light emitting mode of the optical assembly <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first light outlet portion <NUM> and/or the second light outlet portion <NUM> may be formed into a hollow shape with a text and/or a pattern, so that the illuminated first light outlet portion <NUM> and/or second light outlet portion <NUM> itself has an indication meaning.

The optical assembly <NUM> may include a circuit substrate <NUM>, and at least one first light emitting element <NUM> and at least one second light emitting element <NUM> integrated on the circuit substrate <NUM>. The first light emitting element <NUM> is configured to illuminate the first light outlet portion <NUM>, and the second light emitting element <NUM> is configured to illuminate the second light outlet portion <NUM>. The circuit substrate <NUM> may be a printed circuit board.

In some embodiments, the optical assembly <NUM> may include a plurality of first light emitting elements <NUM> and a plurality of second light emitting elements <NUM>.

The optical assembly <NUM> includes a light guide sheet <NUM>. The light guide sheet <NUM> is configured to receive light of the second light emitting elements <NUM> and to guide the light to the second light outlet portion <NUM>. The optical assembly <NUM> includes a carrying frame <NUM>, and the light guide sheet <NUM> is carried on the carrying frame <NUM>.

In assembly, after the light guide sheet <NUM> is assembled on the carrying frame <NUM>, the carrying frame <NUM> is fixed on the circuit substrate <NUM>. In this way, positions of the light guide sheet <NUM> relative to the circuit substrate <NUM> and the second light emitting elements <NUM> are accurately determined.

The carrying frame <NUM> may be opaque, so as to stop light of the first light emitting elements <NUM> from entering the second light outlet portion <NUM> and stop the light of the second light emitting elements <NUM> from entering the first light outlet portion <NUM>.

The carrying frame <NUM> may be disposed around the second light outlet portion <NUM> and abut against the inner side of the panel <NUM>. The light guide sheet <NUM> is located between the carrying frame <NUM> and the circuit substrate <NUM>. A gap G1 is disposed between the light guide sheet <NUM> and the panel <NUM>.

An accommodation space <NUM> is formed by a gap between an end face of the light guide sheet <NUM> and the carrying frame <NUM> along a direction parallel to the panel <NUM>, and the second light emitting elements <NUM> extend into the accommodation space <NUM>. Periphery of the light guide sheet <NUM> may be surrounded by the carrying frame <NUM>, which is beneficial to irradiate light of the light guide sheet <NUM> toward the second light outlet portion <NUM>.

The carrying frame <NUM> has an approximately U-shaped section, so that the light guide sheet <NUM> can be accommodated on a side of the carrying frame <NUM>, and another side of the carrying frame <NUM> abuts against the panel <NUM>. The carrying frame <NUM> has a central hole <NUM>, and light transmitted from the light guide sheet <NUM> is irradiated toward the second light outlet portion <NUM> through the central hole <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic exploded view of an indication apparatus for a household appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <FIG> in conjunction with <FIG>, the panel <NUM> may have an elongated board shape, and the first light outlet portion <NUM> may be constructed as a bar shape extending along a length direction of the panel <NUM>, as shown in a dashed box in <FIG>.

A plurality of first light emitting elements <NUM> are located on the circuit substrate <NUM> in rows. A controller may selectively enable the plurality of first light emitting elements <NUM> to be lit up in a certain order, brightness, and/or color, so that the first light outlet portion <NUM> is illuminated by dynamic light. Therefore, the first light outlet portion <NUM> may have a dynamic light indicating effect, so as to be configured to indicate a level/grade of a selected parameter of the household appliance, or a state of a specific function being run.

The second light outlet portion <NUM> can be constructed as a hollow structure indicating a pattern or a text, and the second light emitting elements <NUM> can illuminate the second light outlet portion <NUM> with constant brightness or brightness that varies according to a predetermined mode, so that the second light outlet portion <NUM> can be configured to indicate a function, purpose, and/or logo.

The first light emitting elements <NUM> and the second light emitting elements <NUM> are distributed apart in a direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the first light emitting elements <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the carrying frame <NUM> can be clamped on the circuit substrate <NUM>. To this end, the carrying frame <NUM> may have a plurality of hooks <NUM> configured to connect to the circuit substrate <NUM>, the circuit substrate <NUM> may be provided with a corresponding hole (not shown) or a notch <NUM>, and the hooks <NUM> are matched with the hole or the notch <NUM>, so as to connect the carrying frame <NUM> to the circuit substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of an indication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. A main difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in <FIG> is that the panel <NUM> includes a base plate <NUM> and an indicator plate <NUM>, and the indicator plate <NUM> is visible to a user. The indicator plate <NUM> may be made of a light transmitting base material. The indicator plate <NUM> may have an opaque layer or an opaque film to allow the indicator plate <NUM> to transmit light only in a specific region. The base plate <NUM> may be made of an opaque material. The base plate <NUM> may be formed by a housing of a device with the indication apparatus <NUM>.

The first light outlet portion <NUM> includes a first through hole <NUM> located on the base plate <NUM> and a first light transmitting portion <NUM> located on the indicator plate <NUM> and covering the first through hole <NUM>. The second light outlet portion <NUM> includes a second through hole <NUM> located on the base plate <NUM> and a second light transmitting portion <NUM> located on the indicator plate <NUM> and covering the second through hole <NUM>.

The carrying frame <NUM> stops light of the first light emitting elements <NUM> from entering the second through hole <NUM> and stops light of the second light emitting elements <NUM> from entering the first through hole <NUM>.

In order to prevent light from being leaked between the base plate <NUM> and the indicator plate <NUM>, the indicator plate <NUM> includes a protrusion <NUM> that matches the second through hole <NUM> in shape and size. The protrusion <NUM> extends into the second through hole <NUM> and transmits light at least partially.

<FIG> is a schematic exploded view of an air hygiene apparatus <NUM> with an indication apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the air hygiene apparatus <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, and an air detection apparatus <NUM> and/or an air purification apparatus <NUM> located in the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the air hygiene apparatus <NUM> is only configured to detect air hygiene related parameters. In some other embodiments, the air hygiene apparatus <NUM> has a purification apparatus, for example, any one of apparatuses suitable for sterilization and deodorization. In still some other embodiments, the air hygiene apparatus <NUM> may include an air detection apparatus and an air purification apparatus.

In an exemplary embodiment, the air hygiene apparatus <NUM> includes an air passageway <NUM> located in a housing <NUM>, and an air detection apparatus <NUM> and an air purification apparatus <NUM> located in the air passageway <NUM>.

Air from the outside (for example, a storage compartment <NUM>) may enter the air passageway <NUM> through an air inlet <NUM>, and be discharged out of the air passageway <NUM> through an air outlet <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM> may be formed on the housing <NUM>.

The air hygiene apparatus <NUM> includes a fan <NUM> located in the air passageway <NUM>, so as to force external air to enter the air passageway <NUM> and flow through the air detection apparatus <NUM> and the air purification apparatus <NUM>, and then be discharged out of the housing <NUM>. A flow direction of air in the air passageway <NUM> may be indicated by an arrow a.

The air detection apparatus <NUM> may be configured to detect at least one gas parameter. The gas parameter may include, for example, whether one or more types of gas exist, and/or content or concentration of one or more types of gas components. The air detection apparatus <NUM> may be further configured to detect parameters related to germs in the air.

In an embodiment, the air detection apparatus <NUM> detects total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration in the storage compartment <NUM>.

The air detection apparatus <NUM> may include a first circuit substrate <NUM> and an odor sensor <NUM> fixed on the first circuit substrate <NUM>. The odor sensor <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, a metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor, which may include a semiconductor sensing element and a heater configured to heat the semiconductor sensing element.

The air purification apparatus <NUM> may include any one or more of an air filter, an ultraviolet sterilization apparatus, an ion generator, an ozone generator, or the like. Different purification apparatuses can be integrated into one module or disposed separately.

The air purification apparatus <NUM> may be located in a down stream of the air detection apparatus <NUM> and disposed in the air passageway <NUM>. Therefore, the air purification apparatus <NUM> may be located between the air detection apparatus <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the air purification apparatus <NUM> includes an ion generator <NUM>. The ion generator <NUM> is configured to release ions into the air passageway <NUM>. A power supply <NUM> configured to supply power to the ion generator <NUM> is located in the housing <NUM>.

The air purification apparatus <NUM> may further include an air filter <NUM>. The air filter <NUM> may be a physical and/or chemical filter, for example, an adsorption filter, a catalytic enzyme filter (for example, a Pt filter), or the like.

The air hygiene apparatus <NUM> may include a control unit <NUM> operatively connected to the air detection apparatus <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> is configured to receive a signal from the air detection apparatus <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be further configured to be configured to transmit an instruction to the air detection apparatus <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> may be operatively connected to the fan <NUM>. The fan <NUM> may be activated or deactivated based on an instruction of the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> may be operatively connected to the power supply <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may supply power to the ion generator <NUM> based on an instruction of the control unit <NUM>.

The air hygiene apparatus <NUM> includes an indication apparatus <NUM>. The indication apparatus <NUM> may be disposed on a side of the air hygiene apparatus <NUM> facing a user. For example, the indication apparatus <NUM> is disposed in the front of the air hygiene apparatus <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the panel <NUM> of the indication apparatus <NUM> includes a base plate <NUM> formed by a wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and an indicator plate <NUM> attached to the base plate <NUM>. The optical assembly <NUM> is at least partially located in the housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the circuit substrate <NUM> is located at an inner side of the wall <NUM> and in the housing <NUM>. The carrying frame <NUM> abuts against an inner surface of the indicator plate <NUM>, and the light guide sheet <NUM> is located between the indicator plate <NUM> and the circuit substrate <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may include a slot <NUM> configured to fix the circuit substrate <NUM> and a pressing portion <NUM> abutting against the inner side of the circuit substrate <NUM> (a side facing away from the panel <NUM>) to enable the carrying frame <NUM> to abut against the inner side of the panel <NUM>.

The slot <NUM> is formed between a front wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and a carrying bracket <NUM> located in the housing <NUM>. The carrying bracket <NUM> is configured to fix the air purification apparatus <NUM>, the air detection apparatus <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM>. The carrying bracket <NUM> abuts against a rear side of the circuit substrate <NUM> to apply a force toward the indicator plate <NUM> to the circuit substrate <NUM>. For example, a pressing portion <NUM> is formed on the carrying bracket <NUM>.

The indication apparatus <NUM> is connected to the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> determines a light emitting mode of the first light emitting elements <NUM> according to a signal of the air purification apparatus <NUM> and/or the air detection apparatus <NUM>. The second light emitting elements <NUM> may be configured to indicate a function and/or logo of the air hygiene apparatus <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An indication apparatus (<NUM>) for a household appliance, comprising a panel (<NUM>) with an elongated board shape and an optical assembly (<NUM>) located at an inner side of the panel, the panel having a first light outlet portion (<NUM>) is constructed as a bar shape extending along a length direction of the panel and a second light outlet portion (<NUM>); and the optical assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a circuit substrate (<NUM>);
at least one first light emitting element (<NUM>) and at least one second light emitting element (<NUM>) integrated on the circuit substrate (<NUM>), the first light emitting element (<NUM>) being corresponding to the first light outlet portion (<NUM>);
a light guide sheet (<NUM>), configured to receive light of the second light emitting element (<NUM>) and to guide the light to the second light outlet portion (<NUM>); and
a carrying frame (<NUM>), the light guide sheet (<NUM>) being carried on the carrying frame (<NUM>), and the carrying frame (<NUM>) being fixed on the circuit substrate (<NUM>) and is opaque, and configured to stop light of the first light emitting element from entering the second light outlet portion and to stop the light of the second light emitting element from entering the first light outlet portion, and the carrying frame is disposed around the second light outlet portion and abuts against the inner side of the panel; and
the panel comprises a base plate (<NUM>) and an indicator plate (<NUM>), the first light outlet portion comprises a first through hole (<NUM>) located on the base plate and a first light transmitting portion (<NUM>) located on the indicator plate and covering the first through hole, the second light outlet portion comprises a second through hole (<NUM>) located on the base plate and a second light transmitting portion (<NUM>) located on the indicator plate and covering the second through hole, and the carrying frame stops the light of the first light emitting element from entering the second through hole and stops the light of the second light emitting element from entering the first through hole.