A touch control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of semi-transparent outer panels in touch control systems for household appliances increases production difficulties and costs while providing the dead-front feature, as they allow light feedback but are challenging to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A touch control system utilizing a transparent front panel made of materials like glass, combined with a semi-transparent and insulating film, which prevents components from being visible until activated, eliminating the need for semi-transparent panels and reducing production complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a semi-transparent outer panel is used to achieve the dead-front feature, then the feedback means becomes invisible under normal circumstances and visible when activated, but the production difficulties increase and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is segmented into multiple layers: a transparent outer panel, a semi-transparent film, and an opaque panel with feedback means. This segmentation allows each layer to have specific functions - the transparent panel provides visibility, the semi-transparent film controls light transmission for dead-front effect, and the opaque panel houses the feedback components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite material structure combining transparent glass or plastic panel with a semi-transparent film layer. This composite approach achieves the dead-front feature without requiring the entire front panel to be semi-transparent, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the visual feedback capability when activated.
2Reliability
If a semi-transparent outer panel is used to achieve the dead-front feature, then the feedback means becomes invisible under normal circumstances and visible when activated, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is segmented into multiple layers: a transparent outer panel, a semi-transparent film, and an opaque panel with feedback means. This segmentation allows each layer to have specific functions - the transparent panel provides visibility, the semi-transparent film controls light transmission for dead-front effect, and the opaque panel houses the feedback components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite material structure combining transparent glass or plastic panel with a semi-transparent film layer. This composite approach achieves the dead-front feature without requiring the entire front panel to be semi-transparent, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the visual feedback capability when activated.
3Ease of manufacture
If a transparent front panel is used, then production is easier and costs are reduced, but the components behind the panel remain visible under normal circumstances
Solution Approach 1:
A semi-transparent film is introduced as an intermediary layer between the transparent front panel and the opaque panel with feedback means. This film acts as a light filter that blocks visibility of components behind the panel under normal circumstances while still allowing light from activated feedback means to pass through, achieving dead-front effect with a transparent panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-transparent film is selectively positioned only in areas where dead-front effect is needed, allowing the front panel to remain transparent in other areas. This local application of semi-transparency maintains production ease while achieving the dead-front feature where required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves a cost-effective and easy-to-produce dead-front touch control solution for household appliances, allowing touch control and visual feedback through a transparent panel that remains invisible until activated, enhancing user interaction without the manufacturing hurdles of semi-transparent materials.
Implementation Method 1
at least one film which is semi-transparent and insulating, provided between the front panel and the control module
Implementation Method 2
at least one capacitive sensor that senses the touch of a user
Implementation Method 3
at least one light indicator that provides feedback associated with the appliance
Implementation Method 4
it allows light of the lighting units of the feedback means to be passed and makes the light visible by activation of the feedback device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A touch control system suitable for use in a household appliance which comprises the body; the chamber; the door (K); the control panel (2) controlling functions of the household appliance and embedded in the door (K); and the mounting hole provided at a front part of the control panel (2); the touch control system comprising: the mounting unit (3) adapted to be located at the mounting hole; the control module (5) fixed to the mounting hole (3), having the capacitive sensor that senses the touch of a user and the light indicator that provides feedback associated with the appliance, adapted to be connected to the control panel (2), and sending the control commands which are received by a user touch to the control panel (2) so as to perform said functions; the touch control system characterized by comprising: the front panel (1) made of a transparent material and adapted to be located at an area of the front surface of the door (K) at least the opening is provided; the elastic unit (6) which enables the control module (5) to be fixed to the mounting unit (3) such that the control module (5) is pushed towards the front surface of the door (K) and contacts with the front panel (1); and the film (4) which is semitransparent and insulating, and provided between the front panel (1) and the control module (5).