Capacitive Interior Panel With Hidden Illuminated Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft interior panels with visible buttons disrupt the aesthetically pleasing surface and are visually unsightly, making it desirable to integrate hidden illuminable capacitive detection controls that allow passengers to conveniently control ambient conditions without visual disruption.
Innovation Solution
An interior panel design featuring a smooth, aesthetically pleasing outer surface with a hidden pattern on the opposite surface, illuminated by a light source and activated by capacitive sensors, allowing for capacitive touch controls that generate command signals for ambient adjustments or flight attendant calls without visible buttons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If push buttons are positioned on interior panels for passenger control, then passenger convenience for controlling ambient conditions is improved, but the aesthetic appearance of the panel surface deteriorates due to visible buttons disrupting the continuous surface
Solution Approach 1:
The button symbols are extracted from the front surface and placed on the rear surface of the panel. The front surface maintains its continuous aesthetic appearance while the rear surface contains the functional symbols that are only visible when illuminated from behind, thus separating the aesthetic and functional requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The button visibility is made dynamic through illumination control. The symbols on the rear surface are illuminated only when needed for operation, transitioning from invisible to visible state. This allows the panel to maintain aesthetic appearance during normal conditions while providing functional visibility during operation
2Shape
If hidden illuminable controls are implemented, then aesthetic appearance of the panel surface is improved by maintaining continuous surface, but device complexity increases due to integration of light sources and capacitive sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The panel structure is designed to serve multiple functions: the rear surface serves as both the aesthetic backing and the control interface surface; the illumination system serves both to reveal control symbols and to indicate active states; the capacitive sensing layer provides both touch detection and proximity sensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components
Solution Approach 2:
The control system components are nested within the panel structure. The capacitive sensing layer is embedded within the panel thickness, the light sources are positioned in recesses or channels within the panel, and the symbol layer is integrated into the panel cross-section. This nesting approach minimizes external complexity while maintaining aesthetic appearance
3Ease of operation
If capacitive sensors are used for touch detection, then ease of operation is improved through contactless activation, but energy consumption increases due to continuous sensor monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensors operate in a periodic polling mode rather than continuous monitoring. The control unit periodically samples the capacitive values at sensor locations, allowing the sensors to remain in a low-power state between measurements. This periodic action maintains touch detection capability while significantly reducing average energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring
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 solution provides an aesthetically pleasing interior panel with functional capacitive touch controls that can adjust ambient conditions or call a flight attendant, maintaining the panel's appearance while offering convenient passenger interaction.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitive sensor that is disposed proximate to the second surface and that is configured to generate a first capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the first capacitive sensor when an object is proximate to the first area of the first surface
Implementation Method 2
a light source that is operative to generate light and that is disposed adjacent to the second surface and generally aligned with the first pattern. When the light source generates the light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the first pattern formed in the second surface is visible on an area of the first surface
Data Source
AI summary
Interior panels for interiors of vehicles, vehicles, and methods for making interior panels for interiors of vehicles are provided. In one example, the interior panel includes an outer covering having a first surface. A second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The second surface has a pattern formed therein that is hidden from the first surface. A light source is operative to generate light and is disposed adjacent to the second surface generally aligned with the pattern. When the light source generates light, an illuminated pattern corresponding to the pattern is visible on the first surface. A capacitive sensor is configured to generate a capacitance change signal in response to change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor. A controller is in communication with the capacitive sensor to receive the capacitance change signal and is configured to generate a command signal in response to the capacitance change signal.