Touch- and/or proximity-sensitive input device, method of using the input device and sensor film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive and proximity-sensitive input devices require separate components for capacitive sensing and wireless communication, leading to a complex and bulky structure, which hinders compact design and efficient data exchange.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an antenna element within a capacitive sensor film allows for a compact structure with reduced components, improved adaptability to the operator panel geometry, and enhanced measuring accuracy, using a sensor film with capacitive sensor areas and an antenna circuit on a carrier plate, preventing mutual interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are used for capacitive sensing and wireless communication, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity and structure become bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the antenna element for wireless communication directly into the sensor film used for capacitive sensing. The antenna element is printed or coated onto the same flexible carrier film that contains the capacitive sensor areas, creating an integrated structure that performs both functions simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting of antenna components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining functional reliability through proper electrical separation and isolation techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor film is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the capacitive sensing element for touch detection and as the carrier for the antenna element for wireless communication (NFC/RFID). This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts, reducing assembly steps and structural complexity while maintaining the reliability of both sensing and communication functions.
2Reliability
If separate carriers are used for antenna mounting, then functional performance is maintained, but manufacturing and assembly become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna element is printed or coated directly onto the sensor film using the same manufacturing processes as the capacitive sensor areas. This integration eliminates the need for separate carrier plates or mounting structures, simplifying both the manufacturing process and final assembly. The antenna conductor trace is formed as part of the film structure itself, requiring only simple connection points to the antenna circuit on the carrier plate.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structures are used for operator panel, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different geometries is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor film with the integrated antenna element is made from a flexible, thin-film material that can be easily adapted to various operator panel geometries. The flexibility of this film layer allows it to conform to different shapes and contours of rigid operator panels, enabling the same design to be used across multiple product variants and geometries while maintaining structural stability through the rigid panel substrate.
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 integrated antenna element in the sensor film simplifies assembly, reduces component count, and improves data exchange accuracy, enabling a more reliable and compact touch-sensitive input device for electronic appliances.
Implementation Method 1
Together with for example a finger of a user, the sensor area forms via a dielectric (depending on the embodiment, for example the operator panel or a covering on the operator panel) a capacitor of a variable capacitance corresponding to it being touched or not being touched or it being approached or not being approached. The changing of the capacitance value correspondingly has an effect on an output signal of the sensor circuit
Implementation Method 2
Together with the antenna circuit, the antenna element is for example a near field communication (NFC) antenna or a radio-frequency identification (RFID) antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A touch-sensitive and/or proximity-sensitive input device has an operator panel, a sensor film and a carrier plate, arranged on a side of the operator panel that is facing away from a user. The sensor film has at least one capacitive sensor area and also at least one antenna element. Provided on the carrier plate are a sensor circuit that is connected to the capacitive sensor areas and an antenna circuit that is connected to the antenna element. Such an input device can be used for example in electronic domestic appliances or commercial laundry treatment appliances.