Appliance user interface and display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer appliance user interfaces, such as those in refrigerators, often feature unsightly lights and sensor holes that disrupt the appearance and functionality, causing user confusion and reducing the effectiveness of the light's illumination.
Innovation Solution
A user interface design incorporating a substrate panel with an electromagnetic sensor positioned behind it, an applied layer with a perforated region that restricts visible light but allows infrared light, and an opaque secondary layer with transparent apertures to align with the sensor, creating a seamless appearance while enabling infrared communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If lights are provided on the control panel to communicate information, then information communication is improved, but the appearance is worsened due to visual disruptions and unsightly appearance when lights are not illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
An applied layer is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the user interface surface. This layer selectively transmits visible light when illuminated while blocking infrared light when unilluminated, and separately transmits infrared light through specific regions for sensor communication. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling both information communication through lights and sensors while maintaining a seamless appearance.
2Loss of information
If holes are provided through the display for sensors to communicate signals, then sensor communication is improved, but the appearance is worsened due to visual disruptions and user confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The applied layer serves as an intermediary that covers sensor locations while maintaining infrared transmission capabilities. Instead of visible holes, the applied layer has regions that are transparent to infrared light, allowing sensors to communicate through the layer without creating visual disruptions or user confusion about buttons or controls.
3Shape
If the applied layer blocks visible light to hide the sensor region, then appearance is improved, but infrared light transmission is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The applied layer exhibits different optical properties in different regions: it blocks visible light in sensor regions to maintain appearance while allowing infrared transmission, and has perforated regions with deposited materials that restrict infrared light in areas where visible light blocking is needed. This local differentiation of optical properties resolves the contradiction between appearance and infrared communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The applied layer uses composite material structures including deposited portions with materials that have selective transmission properties for different wavelengths. The combination of opaque materials for visible light blocking and infrared-transparent materials for sensor communication creates a composite structure that simultaneously achieves appearance improvement and maintains infrared transmission.
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 design enhances the aesthetic appeal by hiding visual disruptions and maintains effective infrared communication, reducing user confusion and improving the perceived quality of the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
The deposited portion may include a material restricting infrared light along the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
The negative portion may define a transparent void through the material and permit infrared light along the axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance user interface and display is provided herein. The appliance user interface may include a substrate panel, an electromagnetic sensor, and an applied layer. The electromagnetic sensor may be positioned behind the substrate panel along the axial direction. The applied layer may be attached to the substrate panel. The applied layer may include a perforated region axially aligned with the electromagnetic sensor. The perforated region may have a deposited portion and a negative portion. The deposited portion may include a material restricting infrared light along the axial direction. The negative portion may define a transparent void through the material and permit infrared light along the axial direction.