Bathing installation user interface panel with large active display area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen user interface panels for spas and whirlpool baths have relatively smaller active display areas compared to the non-active areas, limiting user interaction and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A user interface panel design featuring a cover glass layer extending to the perimeter of the housing with a touch-sensitive display layer adhered to it, providing a larger active display area by optimizing the housing structure and sealant placement to maximize the display-to-total-area ratio, while ensuring waterproofing and secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a traditional user interface panel design is used with a plastic support region and smaller display area, then the panel structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the active display area is limited and user interaction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The display layer is positioned in a plane above the tub wall surface rather than being flush with it, allowing the display area to extend beyond the physical boundaries of the panel housing. This dimensional shift enables a larger active display area without proportionally increasing the panel footprint or structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display layer is nested within the panel structure, adhered to the rear surface of the cover glass, while the circuit board is nested within the panel housing below the display assembly. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of available space, allowing the large display area to be integrated into the existing panel form factor without excessive complexity.
2Area of moving object
If the display area is increased to enhance user interaction, then user functionality is improved, but the risk of water infiltration and loss of waterproof integrity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof membrane is introduced as a thin film barrier between the display layer and the tub interior environment. This membrane extends across the display area and seals at the periphery, creating a flexible waterproof barrier that allows for the larger display area while maintaining waterproof integrity against water infiltration.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof membrane acts as an intermediary element between the expanded display area and the water environment. It mediates the conflict by providing a protective barrier that allows the display to extend closer to the perimeter while preventing direct water contact with the display components and electronics.
3Area of moving object
If the display layer extends closer to the perimeter of the panel, then the display-to-total-area ratio increases, but the sealing complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof membrane is merged with the peripheral sealing structure of the panel, extending to the perimeter and integrating with the existing sealant application area. This combination allows the membrane to provide both waterproofing and peripheral sealing functions, facilitating the extended display area while managing sealing complexity through integration rather than addition of separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of a user interface display panel includes a top or cover glass layer which extends to the perimeter of the panel housing. A touch-sensitive display layer is adhered to the bottom surface of cover glass layer to form a touch sensitive display assembly and is just smaller in area than that of the cover glass layer to provide a peripheral lip region for adherence to a waterproof gasket to bond the cover glass and display layer to the housing structure. The display layer is supported above the surface of the tub wall. The arrangement results in an active touch-sensitive display area significantly larger than display areas provided in the past by interface panels.