Capacitive Pushbutton Switch With Multi-Stage Tactile Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switching devices for converting manual and mechanical movements into electrical signals lack tactile feedback and are limited to generating single-stage switching signals, failing to provide clear recognition of actuation type or intensity.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive touch and push-button switching device with an electrically conductive contact plate, where the operating cap is capacitively coupled to a capacitive surface sensor, generating multiple, differentiable switching signals through varying electrode configurations and actuating element deformation, providing tactile and acoustic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple capacitive touch sensor is used, then the device structure is simple, but tactile feedback and multi-stage signal generation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines capacitive touch sensing and mechanical push-button functions into a single integrated operating cap. The operating cap serves dual purposes: it acts as a capacitive touch interface for light touches and as a mechanical push-button for pressed actions, eliminating the need for separate sensors while providing both tactile feedback and multi-stage signal generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating cap is designed to perform multiple functions: capacitive touch detection, mechanical push detection, and tactile feedback provision. By making the operating cap multi-functional, the device achieves complex sensing capabilities without increasing overall structural complexity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and functionality.
2Device complexity
If a single-stage switching signal is generated, then the device structure is simple, but actuation type and intensity recognition are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switching signal into multiple stages (first switching signal for light touch, second switching signal for pressed action). This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between different actuation types and intensities, providing rich information about user input while maintaining a relatively simple signal generation structure through the use of a single operating cap with dual sensing modes.
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
Enables the generation of multi-stage switching signals with distinct recognition of actuation type and intensity, enhancing user feedback and control precision.
Implementation Method 1
A large number of electrodes arranged in pairs form a capacitive surface sensor which responds to the approach or touch of an object, for example a finger, hand or the like.
Implementation Method 2
The actuating element, which is arranged between the operating cap and the capacitive surface sensor, is elastically deformed as a result.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
In a switching device (1) for converting a manual and/or mechanical infeed movement into at least one switching signal (10), by means of which an electrical device is controlled, consisting of: a switch housing (3) in which a receiving opening (4) is incorporated an operating cap (5), which is made of an electrically conductive material and is movably mounted on or in the receiving opening (4) of the switch housing (5) along a longitudinal axis (8), and a capacitive surface sensor (6), which is used for capacitive evaluation generates a three-dimensional electric field and which is arranged on the opposite side of the operating cap (5) in or outside of the switch housing (3) in the infeed movement and generates a switching signal (10) when the electric field changes, this should result in a multi-stage switching signal (10) be generated and evaluable and, in addition, a tactile feedback should be generated upon actuation, through which the user e recognizes whether and which actuation is desired. This is achieved in that at least one electrically conductive and elastically deformable actuating element (9) is provided between the operating cap (5) and the capacitive surface sensor (6), through which at least one capacitive coupling between the operating cap (5) and the capacitive surface sensor ( 6) that the actuating element (9) generates the first electrical switching signal (10) when the operating cap (5) is touched using the capacitive surface sensor (6) and that when the operating cap (5) moves inwards, at least a second differentiable electrical Switching signal (11, 12) is formed using the capacitive surface sensor (6).