Suspension key based on infrared projection

Abstract

The utility model relates to a suspension button based on infrared projection, comprising a housing, and an infrared button assembly and a button operation panel which are arranged on the same side of the housing, the button operation panel is vertically fixed on one side of the housing, and the infrared button assembly is installed on the housing; the infrared key assembly comprises a chip and an infrared geminate transistor connected with the chip, and a projection circuit, a threshold circuit and a switching circuit are integrated on the infrared key assembly; the key operation panel is provided with an operation identification area, the projection circuit and the infrared geminate transistors face the operation identification area, and the threshold circuit is connected with a control device through the switching circuit. Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the advantages of low cost, stable structure, high reliability and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of button structures, and in particular to a floating button based on infrared projection. Background Technology

[0002] Floating button technology is commonly used in touchscreen devices to provide users with a more intuitive interactive experience by simulating physical buttons. Its mechanism primarily relies on sensors and software algorithms to achieve button functionality through varying pressure, contact points, or gestures. This technology can be applied in fields such as smart homes, industrial automation, hygiene and safety, and smart toys.

[0003] Floating button technology can be broadly categorized into several types: First, pressure sensors detect the pressure applied by the user, enabling different functions such as long presses, short presses, and vibration feedback. However, prolonged use may lead to a decrease in sensor sensitivity. Second, capacitive sensing utilizes changes in the capacitance of the human body to detect touch, recognizing the approach of a finger even without physical contact. Commonly found in smartphones and tablets, it offers fast response times and high sensitivity, providing a smooth contactless operation experience. However, it requires sophisticated structural design, and the stability and accuracy of capacitive sensors may decrease in humid environments or when fingers are wet. Furthermore, sensitivity to certain glove materials can also affect usability. High-precision capacitive sensing requires meticulous circuit design, resulting in relatively high costs. Third, acoustic floating buttons detect sound waves (such as ultrasound) to determine the user's finger position, enabling floating operations. This allows for operation from a distance, but environmental noise and complex acoustic environments can challenge its accuracy. Fourth, visual recognition uses a camera to recognize user gestures, enabling richer gesture operations such as swiping, zooming, and rotating. However, it is extremely sensitive to lighting conditions, prone to misidentification in complex environments, and is also costly.

[0004] These technologies have collectively driven innovation in human-computer interaction interfaces, providing a more modern and futuristic user experience. However, the aforementioned existing technologies also face challenges such as cost, environmental adaptability, energy consumption, and user learning curves. Therefore, there is a need for a low-cost, stable, and highly reliable floating button based on infrared projection. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, such as high energy consumption, high cost, poor stability, and low reliability, and to provide a floating button based on infrared projection.

[0006] The objective of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A floating button based on infrared projection includes a housing and an infrared button assembly and a button operation panel located on the same side of the housing. The button operation panel is vertically fixed to one side of the housing, and the infrared button assembly is mounted on the housing.

[0008] The infrared button assembly includes a chip and an infrared phototransistor connected to the chip. The infrared button assembly integrates a projection circuit, a threshold circuit, and a switch circuit. The button operation board has an operation recognition area, with the projection circuit and the infrared phototransistor facing the operation recognition area. The threshold circuit is connected to the control device through the switch circuit.

[0009] Preferably, the threshold circuit is adapted to receive the intensity of the light pulse signal collected by the infrared pair and compare it with a threshold; when the intensity of the received light pulse signal is greater than the threshold, the threshold circuit outputs a high level and the switch circuit is closed; when the intensity of the received light pulse signal is less than or equal to the threshold, the threshold circuit outputs a low level and the switch circuit remains open.

[0010] Preferably, the housing includes a fixing part and an infrared adjustment part, the infrared adjustment part is installed on one side of the fixing part; the infrared button assembly is fixed on the side of the infrared adjustment part near the fixing part, the infrared adjustment part is provided with a light-transmitting hole, the infrared pair is located in the light-transmitting hole, and the infrared adjustment part is inclined towards the button operation panel.

[0011] Preferably, the light-transmitting hole is perpendicular to the outer side of the infrared adjustment part, and the angle between the outer side of the infrared adjustment part and the key operation panel is in the range of 75-80 degrees.

[0012] Preferably, a washer is provided on the side of the infrared adjustment unit near the button operation panel.

[0013] Preferably, there are multiple light-transmitting holes, and each light-transmitting hole is distributed at equal intervals on the infrared adjustment part.

[0014] Preferably, the button operation panel is a glass plate, and protrusions are provided on both sides of one end of the button operation panel connected to the housing. The housing is provided with slots that cooperate with the protrusions, and the button operation panel is installed in the slots through the protrusions.

[0015] Preferably, the operation recognition area of ​​the glass plate is provided with button patterns.

[0016] Preferably, the button pattern is formed by laser engraving.

[0017] Preferably, the shell is a columnar structure with rounded corners at both ends. Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages:

[0018] (1) The projection circuit of this scheme projects virtual operation buttons on the operation recognition area of ​​the button operation board according to the data in the chip. It works with the infrared pair to emit light signals in the area corresponding to the virtual operation buttons and receive the intensity of the light signal reflected in the area. The threshold circuit compares the intensity of the light signal collected by the infrared pair with the threshold, controls the output of the threshold circuit, and then makes the control device make adjustments corresponding to the virtual buttons.

[0019] The projector circuit projects images of the corresponding function buttons onto the keypad, and an infrared sensor collects light intensity changes in the button image area. A threshold circuit compares the light intensity to determine if the corresponding button is triggered. Once triggered, the switch circuit is energized, and the control device makes the corresponding adjustments. Compared to existing control methods based on pressure sensors, capacitive sensing, or visual recognition, this solution uses infrared technology to reduce environmental interference, has stronger stability and reliability, and has a relatively simple structure, reducing physical contact, extending device life, reducing maintenance difficulty, and effectively reducing device cost.

[0020] (2) The inclined design of the outer side of the infrared adjustment unit and the keypad in this design serves the infrared projection technology, ensuring unobstructed light flow. The infrared light pulse signal can be smoothly transferred to the keypad through the light-transmitting hole 13 perpendicular to the inclined surface, reducing light scattering and improving the accuracy of the projected keys. Secondly, the inclined design also has the practical function of reducing interference from external light. During use, ambient light may interfere with infrared sensing, especially in strong light environments. The inclined outer side of the infrared adjustment unit, through its angle, can block unnecessary light to a certain extent, thereby optimizing the performance of the infrared sensor and improving detection accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 The main view of the floating button provided by this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 A bottom view of the floating button provided by this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 Rear view of the floating button provided by this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the floating button provided by this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure between the infrared button assembly and the button operation panel provided by this utility model.

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of the button operation panel provided by this utility model;

[0027] In the figure: 1. Housing, 2. Infrared button assembly, 3. Button operation panel, 11. Fixing part, 12. Infrared adjustment part, 13. Light transmission hole, 31. Operation recognition area. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0029] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0032] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] Furthermore, terms such as "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that components must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that they can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figure 1 Of Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a floating button based on infrared projection, including a housing 1 and an infrared button assembly 2 and a button operation panel 3 located on the same side of the housing 1. The button operation panel 3 is vertically fixed to one side of the housing 1, and the infrared button assembly 2 is mounted on the housing 1.

[0036] The infrared button assembly 2 includes a chip and an infrared pair connected to the chip. The infrared button assembly integrates a projection circuit, a threshold circuit, and a switch circuit. The button operation board 3 is provided with an operation recognition area 31. The projection circuit and the infrared pair face the operation recognition area 31. The threshold circuit is connected to the control device through the switch circuit.

[0037] Working principle: The projection circuit projects virtual operation buttons onto the operation recognition area 31 of the button operation board 3 based on the data in the chip. In conjunction with the infrared pair, it emits light signals in the area corresponding to the virtual operation buttons and receives the intensity of the light signals reflected from that area. The threshold circuit compares the intensity of the light signals collected by the infrared pair with the threshold value, controls the output of the threshold circuit, and thus enables the control device to make adjustments corresponding to the virtual buttons.

[0038] The projector circuit projects images of the corresponding function buttons onto the keypad, and an infrared sensor collects light intensity changes in the button image area. A threshold circuit compares the light intensity to determine if the corresponding button is triggered. Once triggered, the switch circuit is energized, and the control device makes the corresponding adjustments. Compared to existing control methods based on pressure sensors, capacitive sensing, or visual recognition, this solution uses infrared technology to reduce environmental interference, has stronger stability and reliability, and has a relatively simple structure, reducing physical contact, extending device life, reducing maintenance difficulty, and effectively reducing device cost.

[0039] The threshold circuit is adapted to receive the intensity of the light pulse signal collected by the infrared diode and compare it with a threshold. When the intensity of the received light pulse signal is greater than the threshold, the threshold circuit outputs a high level, and the switch circuit is closed. When the intensity of the received light pulse signal is less than or equal to the threshold, the threshold circuit outputs a low level, and the switch circuit remains open. The threshold circuit is implemented using a comparator, and the switch circuit can be implemented using a relay, diode, or transistor, which are conventional circuit structures and will not be elaborated on in this embodiment.

[0040] Preferred implementation methods, such as Figure 4As shown, the housing 1 includes a fixing part 11 and an infrared adjustment part 12. The infrared adjustment part 12 is installed on one side of the fixing part 11. The infrared button assembly 2 is fixed on the side of the infrared adjustment part 12 near the fixing part 11. The infrared adjustment part 12 is provided with a light-transmitting hole 13, and the infrared pair tube is located in the light-transmitting hole 13. The infrared adjustment part 12 is tilted towards the button operation panel 3.

[0041] The light-transmitting hole 13 is perpendicular to the outer side of the infrared adjustment part 12, and the angle between the outer side of the infrared adjustment part 12 and the button operation panel 3 is in the range of 75-80 degrees.

[0042] The inclined design of the outer surface of the infrared adjustment unit 12 and the keypad 3 serves the infrared projection technology, ensuring unobstructed light flow. Infrared light pulse signals, passing through the light-transmitting hole 13 perpendicular to the inclined surface, can more smoothly transition to the keypad 3, reducing light scattering and improving the accuracy of the projected buttons. Secondly, the inclined design also has the practical function of reducing interference from external light. During use, ambient light may interfere with infrared sensing, especially in strong light environments. The inclined outer surface of the infrared adjustment unit 12, through its angle, can block unnecessary light to a certain extent, thereby optimizing the performance of the infrared sensor and improving detection accuracy.

[0043] Furthermore, a gasket is provided on the side of the infrared adjustment unit 12 near the button operation panel 3. To ensure structural stability, the gasket can be used to maintain an appropriate distance between the glass and the button operation panel 3 to prevent direct contact, and the waterproof and dustproof performance can be enhanced through sealing treatment.

[0044] Specifically, there are multiple light-transmitting holes 13, which are evenly distributed on the infrared adjustment unit 12. This accommodates the detection of areas corresponding to multiple function buttons.

[0045] The button control panel 3 is made of glass. Protrusions are located on both sides of the end of the button control panel 3 that connects to the housing 1. The housing 1 has slots that mate with the protrusions, and the button control panel 3 is mounted in these slots via the protrusions. The glass panel is rectangular in shape, with raised sections on both sides. These protrusions are embedded into predetermined grooves in the housing, ensuring the overall structural stability.

[0046] Optionally, such as Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown, the operation recognition area 31 of the glass panel has button patterns. The button patterns are formed by laser engraving. Laser engraving of button patterns in specific button areas on the glass panel not only guides the button area but also facilitates the identification of each button's function. This in-line engraving increases the readability of the patterns under different lighting conditions and reduces maintenance and cleaning costs.

[0047] Specifically, such as Figure 3As shown, the shell 1 is a columnar structure, and the two ends of the shell 1 are rounded.

[0048] The shell design uses a rounded rectangular column as the basic form, not only because its structure can evenly distribute internal and external pressure and enhance structural strength, but also because the rounded edges reduce the safety hazards that sharp corners may cause, and at the same time, it is more visually softer and in line with the aesthetic trends of modern design.

[0049] Specifically, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, an infrared floating button is provided for washing machines. Installed on the washing machine, the infrared button module covers the side of the glass panel. While the infrared button module is secured with screws, the glass is pressed firmly against the outer casing, forming a sealed yet transparent viewing window. The infrared button module is fixed to the glass panel at a 78-degree angle to allow the built-in infrared sensors to accurately project onto specific button areas on the glass panel surface. When the user operates the glass panel, the infrared sensors accurately capture the corresponding button actions, achieving a contactless interactive experience.

[0050] Six sets of infrared phototransistors are installed within six light-transmitting holes to emit modulated light pulse signals and monitor the intensity of reflected light pulses in their respective button areas. Corresponding button images are also displayed on the glass plate, each button image representing a specific function:

[0051] Button 1 area: Its label is designated as power control, allowing you to start or stop the washing machine with one button.

[0052] Button 2 area: Functionally defined as the program start and pause controller, allowing users to flexibly control the start and temporary interruption of the washing process.

[0053] Button 3 area: Serves as a washing mode selector, providing a variety of cleaning options, including quick wash, standard wash, deep clean, wool care, mixed wash, and self-cleaning programs, to suit the needs of different garments.

[0054] Button 4 area: specially designed for the scheduled start function, allowing users to preset the washing machine start time and optimize their daily schedule.

[0055] Button 5 area: Designed as a function button for adding clothes mid-cycle, allowing the machine door to be temporarily opened during the washing cycle to add or remove clothes.

[0056] Button 6 area: For safety reasons, a child lock function is configured. By pressing and holding, all operation buttons are locked to prevent children from accidentally touching and operating them.

[0057] Utilizing infrared technology, unlike capacitive sensing which is affected by humidity, or acoustic technology which is susceptible to environmental noise interference, it provides a more stable operating experience. The structure, which projects infrared light pulses onto a glass panel, is relatively simpler than that of more expensive pressure sensors, reducing manufacturing costs. Compared to visual recognition, infrared technology consumes less power during long-term continuous operation and can accurately identify objects in dark environments, improving its versatility and reliability. The floating button technology using infrared projection reduces physical contact, significantly extending the overall lifespan of the device and lowering maintenance difficulty and costs.

[0058] The preferred embodiments of this utility model have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of this utility model without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of this utility model through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A floating button based on infrared projection, characterized in that, It includes a housing (1) and an infrared button assembly (2) and a button operation panel (3) located on the same side of the housing (1). The button operation panel (3) is vertically fixed to one side of the housing (1), and the infrared button assembly (2) is mounted on the housing (1). The infrared button assembly (2) includes a chip and an infrared pair connected to the chip. The infrared button assembly integrates a projection circuit, a threshold circuit, and a switch circuit. The button operation board (3) is provided with an operation recognition area (31). The projection circuit and the infrared pair face the operation recognition area (31). The threshold circuit is connected to the control device through the switch circuit.

2. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The threshold circuit is adapted to receive the intensity of the light pulse signal collected by the infrared pair and compare it with a threshold; when the intensity of the received light pulse signal is greater than the threshold, the threshold circuit outputs a high level and the switch circuit is closed; when the intensity of the received light pulse signal is less than or equal to the threshold, the threshold circuit outputs a low level and the switch circuit remains open.

3. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (1) includes a fixing part (11) and an infrared adjustment part (12). The infrared adjustment part (12) is installed on one side of the fixing part (11). The infrared button assembly (2) is fixed on the side of the infrared adjustment part (12) near the fixing part (11). The infrared adjustment part (12) is provided with a light-transmitting hole (13). The infrared pair tube is located in the light-transmitting hole (13). The infrared adjustment part (12) is tilted towards the button operation panel (3).

4. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light-transmitting hole (13) is perpendicular to the outer side of the infrared adjustment part (12), and the angle between the outer side of the infrared adjustment part (12) and the key operation panel (3) is 75-80 degrees.

5. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 3, characterized in that, The infrared adjustment unit (12) has a washer on the side near the button operation panel (3).

6. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 3, characterized in that, The number of light-transmitting holes (13) is multiple, and each light-transmitting hole (13) is distributed at equal intervals on the infrared adjustment part (12).

7. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The button operation panel (3) is a glass plate. The button operation panel (3) has protrusions on both sides of one end connected to the housing (1). The housing (1) has a slot that matches the protrusions. The button operation panel (3) is installed in the slot through the protrusions.

8. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 7, characterized in that, The operation recognition area (31) of the glass plate is provided with button patterns.

9. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 8, characterized in that, The button pattern is formed by laser engraving.

10. A floating button based on infrared projection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shell (1) is a columnar structure, and the two ends of the shell (1) are rounded.

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