Operating component with improved vanishing effect and related use

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating element, comprising: an at least partially translucent panel, which forms an uppermost visible surface facing an observer, and which has a layer structure, said layer structure having at least one opaque cover layer, which forms a window allowing light to pass through in a direction facing the observer, and a translucent or transparent support layer; a bracket arranged on a side of the panel facing away from the observer; the invention relates to a capacitive touch sensor comprising a support and a panel, a foil layer structure having at least one foil, at least one contact surface arranged between the support and the panel and formed on the side of the support and / or the panel, the foil layer structure having an electrically conductive coating forming one or more electrodes for capacitive touch detection and a symbol coating, the symbol coating presents a symbol visible to an observer through the window of the panel when the symbol coating is illuminated in a light-transmitting or backlight manner; the invention also relates to related uses.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating component, which is essentially composed of three parts: a panel that is at least partially translucent, a sensor foil, and a support. Background Technology

[0002] Besides the visually attractive visible surface facing the observer, the task of at least partially translucent panels is to provide a display surface (brief display) within the visible surface, illuminated by light from a light source or backlit, to display symbols. The task of a sensor foil, which can be constructed as a foil layer, is specifically to provide one or more electrodes or electrode arrays for a capacitive touch sensor, to detect, for example, the proximity or touch of a finger or input device to a sensing or touch area located within the visible surface. Capacitive touch sensors can, for example, be configured for spatial resolution detection, where the sensor foil has an array of intersecting, insulated electrode strips. In the case of such operating components, it is desirable that the display surface be as indistinguishable as possible when the light source is not activated; this is commonly referred to as a vanishing effect. It is known to apply a symbol coating to the side of the panel facing the observer. The vanishing effect here is not of high quality because the symbol may be discernible under strong incident external light. Two symbols arranged side-by-side, representing two different symbols, cannot be illuminated separately because the light used to backlight one symbol is prone to crosstalk and simultaneously backlights the other symbol. Since the symbols also need to be identified from a side viewing angle, an extended light source or additional light conductors for light distribution are required. This increases the required construction space and hinders the dense side-by-side arrangement of multiple display surfaces displaying other symbols separately. It is also known to apply a symbol coating to a light conductor positioned between the panel and the light source. The fabrication of such coated light conductors is complex, leading to a high scrap rate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In this context, a solution is needed for an operating component that provides an improved disappearance effect, is easier to install, and is designed in a space-saving manner. This objective is achieved by the operating component according to claim 1. The subject matter of the parallel claims is also advantageous. Advantageous designs are the subject matter of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features individually detailed in the claims can be combined with each other in any technically meaningful way and demonstrate other embodiments of the invention. The description, in particular, is appended with the drawings to characterize and describe the invention in detail.

[0004] This invention relates to an operating component with a panel, said panel forming a visible surface facing the observer and thus being the highest visible surface. The term "visible surface" as used with respect to the observer-facing surface of said panel should be interpreted broadly: the visible surface is at least partially a decorative surface designed for simple observation, and at least partially a touch or actuating surface facing the observer, said touch or actuating surface being configured to perform operational input by touch and / or proximity, thus making the operating component a qualified human-machine interface input device. In one design, the visible surface forms a touch-sensitive touch surface array.

[0005] The panel is formed to be at least partially translucent and has a layered structure. The stacking direction of the layers forming the layered structure is, for example, orthogonal to the visible surface. According to the invention, the layered structure has at least one opaque overlay layer formed to allow the observer's line of sight through a window in the panel. A pre-defined window surface through the window can be arranged equally or at least partially overlapping with corresponding one or more touch or actuating surfaces.

[0006] Additionally, the layer structure has a translucent or transparent support layer. These layers of the panel's layer structure are connected to each other, for example, by material mating. The support layer is, for example, the lower layer of the layer structure, preferably the lowest layer. The support layer is, for example, formed of thermoplastic. Compared to the remaining layers of the layer structure, the support layer has, for example, a larger minimum thickness that should be determined in the stacking direction.

[0007] According to the invention, a bracket is also provided on the side of the panel facing away from the observer. The bracket is, for example, formed of thermoplastic and is used to secure the operating component to a load-bearing component of a motor vehicle. A circuit board having an analysis unit for capacitive touch detection (i.e., for electrically controlling the electrodes described below) is, for example, fixed to the bracket.

[0008] According to the invention, a foil layer structure is also provided, which is disposed between the support and the panel and simultaneously abuts against at least one abutment surface formed on the side of the support and / or the panel. The foil layer structure has at least one foil and a conductive coating for capacitive touch detection forming one or more electrodes, and a symbol coating, the symbol coating being visible to the observer through the window when illuminated by transmitted light or backlight. The conductive coating for capacitive touch detection is formed, for example, as a transparent coating, such as an ITO coating, PDOT, or silver nanowire coating. The symbol coating and the conductive coating are preferably applied to the same side of the foil of the foil layer structure, for example, by applying them sequentially in time, and in some cases, by completely or partially covering each other. More preferably, these coatings are applied to the main surface of the foil of the foil layer structure facing the observer. The symbol coating may also be formed to obscure the structure of the conductive coating from the observer's perspective, thereby making it unrecognizable to the observer.

[0009] According to the invention, a light source is also provided on the side of the panel facing away from the observer for providing transmissive illumination or backlighting. The term "light source" should be interpreted broadly and includes, for example, electronic pixel matrix displays and light-emitting diodes, especially those in an SMD configuration. An improved disappearance effect is achieved through the design of the operating components according to the invention, since the symbol coating is arranged to be protected from external light, and the operating components are designed in a manner that facilitates installation and saves construction space.

[0010] The foil layer is preferably clamped between the panel and the support.

[0011] Preferably, an elastic layer is provided between the foil layer structure and the support to pre-tighten the foil layer structure against the panel. More preferably, the elastic layer allows the foil layer structure to be fully abutted against the side of the panel to form an abutment surface. The elastic layer is, for example, a PUR foam layer or a sponge rubber layer.

[0012] The bracket and / or the panel preferably form at least one fastening protrusion that penetrates an interruption or notch in the engagement of the foil structure to fix the foil structure in a direction parallel to the visible surface between the bracket and the panel and / or, particularly, to ensure that the foil structure is maintained in a predetermined position when the operating component is installed. The free end of the fastening protrusion is preferably connected to the bracket or the panel by force, form, and / or material fit, particularly by ultrasonic welding, laser welding, or heat deformation.

[0013] According to a preferred design, a light conductor is arranged between the light source and the foil layer structure.

[0014] The covering layer is preferably applied to the side of the support layer facing or away from the observer. The covering layer is, for example, a layer applied by printing.

[0015] According to a preferred design, the masking layer forms a frame area surrounding the window, the opacity of which varies with position. For example, the frame area of ​​at least the masking layer is applied using halftone printing, and its print density decreases in the direction towards the center of the window surface.

[0016] The layer structure preferably has a semi-transparent layer above the cover layer that covers the window and is used for protection.

[0017] The translucent layer is preferably a foil, and the covering layer is a coating applied only locally to the foil.

[0018] The semi-transparent or transparent support layer is preferably the lowest or middle layer of the layered structure of the panel.

[0019] The present invention also relates to the use of the operating components in one of the above embodiments in a motor vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The invention is described in detail with reference to the following accompanying drawings. The drawings are to be understood as merely exemplary and only constitute preferred embodiments. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the operating component 1 of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A partial top view of the overlay layer 2a of panel 2 in the image;

[0023] Figure 3a Show Figure 1 A top view of foil 3a with conductive coating 3c in foil layer structure 3;

[0024] Figure 3b Show Figure 1 A top view of the foil layer structure 3, symbolized by coating 3b. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1An embodiment of the operating component 1 of the present invention is shown. The operating component 1 has a panel 2, which forms a visible surface 10 facing the observer B and thus being the highest point. The term "visible surface" as used with respect to the surface of the panel 2 facing the observer B should be interpreted broadly: the visible surface is at least partially a decorative surface designed for simple observation, and at least partially a touch or actuating surface T facing the observer, which is formed to perform operational input by touch and / or proximity, making the operating component 1 a qualified human-machine interface input device. In one design, the visible surface forms a touch-sensitive touch surface array A.

[0026] Panel 2 is formed to be at least partially translucent and has a layered structure. The stacking direction of the layers forming the layered structure is, for example, orthogonal to the visible surface 10. According to the invention, the layered structure of panel 2 has at least one opaque covering layer 2a, which is formed to allow the observer's line of sight through the window F of the panel. A pre-defined window surface through window F is arranged to overlap with a corresponding touch surface or actuating surface T.

[0027] Additionally, the layer structure of panel 2 includes a translucent or transparent support layer 2b. These layers of the layer structure of panel 2 are connected to each other using a material fit. Here, the support layer 2b is formed as the lowermost layer of the layer structure and is made of thermoplastic. Compared to the other layers of the layer structure of panel 2, the support layer 2b has, for example, the largest thickness that should be determined in the stacking direction. The layer structure of panel 2 also includes a translucent layer 2c above the covering layer 2a, covering the window F for protection. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the masking layer 2a is applied to the side of the support layer 2b facing the observer B. Here, the masking layer 2a is a layer applied by printing. More precisely, the translucent layer 2c is a foil, and the masking layer 2a is a coating applied only partially to the foil.

[0028] Here, the masking layer 2a forms a frame region 2d surrounding the window F, the opacity of which varies with position. For this purpose, the frame region 2d, to which at least the masking layer 2a is applied, is printed with halftone printing, the printing density decreasing in the direction toward the center of the window surface F, such as... Figure 2 As shown in the image.

[0029] A bracket 4 is also provided on the side of panel 2 facing away from observer B, such as... Figure 1 As shown. The bracket 4 is formed, for example, from a translucent thermoplastic and is used, for example, to fix the operating component 2 to a load-bearing component of the motor vehicle. A circuit board, not shown, with an analysis unit for capacitive touch detection (i.e., for electrical control of the electrodes 3c described below) is fixed to the bracket 4.

[0030] like Figure 1As shown, a foil layer structure 3 is also provided, which is arranged between the support 4 and the panel 2 and simultaneously abuts against the abutment surface A formed on the side of the panel 2. Figure 3a and 3b As shown, the foil structure 3 has a foil 3a and a conductive coating 3c for capacitive touch detection, forming one or more electrodes, and a symbol coating 3b, wherein the conductive coating 3c and the symbol coating 3b are sequentially applied to the main surface of the foil 3a facing the observer B. The symbol coating 3b, when illuminated by transmitted light or backlight, presents a symbol S visible to the observer B through a window F. Electrodes 3i and 3h formed by the conductive coating 3c are in contact with an analysis unit (not shown) via a plug / tie 3e formed by the foil structure 3. The conductive coating 3c for capacitive touch detection is formed, for example, to be at least partially transparent, such as an ITO coating, PDOT, or silver nanowire coating, which defines sensor electrode 3i (single-ended) or sensor electrodes 3i (mutual). Several structures of the conductive coating 3c are visible to the naked eye, such as wires 3f and 3g, and a shielding electrode 3h, and are formed, for example, by a metallic coating of the foil 3a. These visible structures 3f, 3g, and 3h are covered by a symbolic layer 3b, thereby making them invisible to the observer, such as Figure 3b As shown in the diagram, the plug tab 3e of foil 3a is invisible to the observer and is therefore not covered by the symbol layer 3b.

[0031] like Figure 1 As further shown, an elastic layer 5 is provided between the foil structure 3 and the support 4 to pre-tighten the foil structure 3 against the panel 2. More specifically, the elastic layer 5 causes the foil structure 3 to be fully abutted against the abutment surface A forming the side of the panel 2. The elastic layer 5 is, for example, a PUR foam layer or a sponge rubber layer, thereby clamping the foil structure 3 between the panel 2 and the support 4.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, panel 2 forms a plurality of fastening protrusions 2e that penetrate the interruption portion 3d of the bonding foil structure 3 to fix the foil structure 3 in position between the support 4 and panel 2 in a direction parallel to the visible surface 10 and / or, in particular, to ensure that the preset position of the foil structure 3 is maintained when the operating component 1 is installed. The free ends of the fastening protrusions 2e are form-fitted to the support 4 by thermal deformation. For observer B, the fastening protrusions 2e are also obscured by the covering layer 2a.

[0033] A light source 6 for transmitting or backlighting is also provided on the side of panel 2 facing away from observer B (here, below bracket 4). The term light source 6 should be interpreted broadly and includes, for example, electronic pixel matrix displays and light-emitting diodes, especially those in an SMD configuration. An improved disappearance effect is achieved through the design of the operating components according to the invention, as the symbol coating is protected from external light, and the operating components are designed in a way that facilitates installation and saves construction space.

Claims

1. An operating component (1) comprising: At least partially translucent panel (2), the panel forming the uppermost visible surface (10) facing the observer (B) and having a layered structure, wherein the layered structure has at least one opaque cover layer (2a) and a translucent or transparent support layer (2b), the cover layer forming a window (F) in the direction facing the observer (B) that allows light to pass through. A bracket (4) is arranged on the side of the panel (2) facing away from the observer (B); A foil layer structure (3) having at least one foil (3a) is arranged between the support (4) and the panel (2) and abuts against at least one abutting surface (A) formed on the side of the support (4) and / or the panel (2), wherein the foil layer structure (3) has a conductive coating (3c) for capacitive touch detection forming one or more electrodes and a symbol coating (3b), wherein the symbol coating presents a symbol (S) visible to the observer (B) through the window (F) of the panel when the symbol coating (3b) is illuminated by light or backlight; A light source (6) for transmitting light or backlighting is arranged on the side of the panel (2) facing away from the observer (B).

2. The operating component (1) according to claim 1, wherein the foil layer structure (3) is clamped between the panel (2) and the support (4).

3. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an elastic layer (5) is provided between the foil layer structure (3) and the support (4).

4. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracket (4) and / or the panel (2) form at least one fastening protrusion (2e), the fastening protrusion penetrating the interruption (3d) or notch of the foil layer structure (3).

5. The operating component (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the free end of the fastening protrusion (3e) is connected to the bracket (4) or the panel (2) in a force-fit, shape-fit and / or material-fit manner.

6. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a light conductor is arranged between the light source (6) and the foil structure (3).

7. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering layer (2a) is applied to the side of the support layer (2b) facing away from the observer (B).

8. The operating component (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the covering layer (2a) is applied to the side of the support layer facing the observer (B).

9. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering layer (2a) forms a frame region (2d) surrounding the window (F), the opacity of the frame region varying with position.

10. The operating component (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the layer structure has a semi-transparent layer (2c) covering the window (F) above the covering layer (2a).

11. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the translucent layer (2c) is another foil, and the covering layer (2a) is a partial coating of the other foil.

12. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the symbol coating (3b) and the conductive coating (3c) are applied to the same side of the foil (3a) of the foil layer structure (3), preferably to the main surface of the foil (3a) of the foil layer structure (3) facing the observer (B).

13. The operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the translucent or transparent support layer (2b) is the lowest or middle layer of the layered structure of the panel (2).

14. The application of the operating component (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in a motor vehicle.

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