Coffee Machine Touch PCB Structure for Curved Front Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine designs face challenges with uneven operating elements, as flexible conductor foils are not well-suited for assembly with SMD components, leading to increased interference, design complexity, and risk of damage during mounting.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a common printed circuit board featuring a flat logic means section and an arched touch sensor section, where the logic means are isolated from deformation by a recess, allowing for simple mounting and reduced interference, and using a standard flat printed circuit board that can be deformed to fit the machine's shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flexible conductor foils are used to adapt the operating elements to an uneven shape, then the operating elements can be adapted to the uneven shape, but the assembly with SMD components becomes difficult and interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuit board is segmented into a flat logic means section and an arched sensor section, allowing each section to serve its specific function while maintaining overall integration. The sensor section is further divided into multiple arched sections that can be independently deformed to match the uneven front panel shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board transitions from a two-dimensional flat structure to a three-dimensional arched structure. The sensor section is deformed out of the plane of the logic means section, creating a three-dimensional configuration that adapts to the uneven shape while maintaining electrical connectivity through conductors that run on the board's surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If logic means and SMD components are arranged on additional printed circuit boards in the rear area, then assembly with standard flat PCBs is simplified, but signal lines become longer and interference capacities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The logic means and sensor elements are merged onto a single printed circuit board, eliminating the need for separate boards and long connecting signal lines. This integration reduces the number of plug-in connections and contact locations, thereby minimizing interference capacities while maintaining ease of assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a continuously curved printed circuit board is used, then the operating elements can follow the uneven shape, but bending can lead to hairline cracks in signal-conducting means
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuit board is segmented into a flat logic means section and an arched sensor section. The recess separating these sections acts as a hinge or pivot point, allowing the sensor section to be deformed without creating stress concentrations that would lead to cracks in the signal-conducting means.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the printed circuit board have different geometric properties: the logic means section remains flat to protect components, while the sensor section is arched to match the front panel shape. This local differentiation allows each section to optimize its function without compromising the other.
4Ease of operation
If multiple plug-in connections are used to conduct operating signals, then the operating signals can be transmitted to the rear printed circuit boards, but the number of contact locations increases and interference capacities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The logic means and sensor elements are merged onto a single printed circuit board, eliminating the need for multiple plug-in connections. The signal transmission is achieved through conductors that are already present on the board, reducing the number of contact locations and thereby minimizing interference capacities.
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
This design simplifies the mounting process, reduces interference, and prevents damage to components, while maintaining accurate touch detection and signal integrity, enhancing the coffee machine's reliability and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
by means of which a touch can be detected as capacitive elements... On the basis of the changes of the capacitive characteristics of the touch sensors, the logic means detect a touch
Data Source
AI summary
A fully automatic coffee machine (1) includes an operating unit (2) having at least one touch sensor (102) for generating an operating signal, and a signal-conductor (20) to conduct the operating signal to a logic unit (202) connected to a coffee-producing assembly. The touch sensor (102), signal-conductor (20) and logic unit (202) are arranged on a common printed circuit board (10). The logic unit (202) is arranged in a logic section (200) of the printed circuit board (10) and the touch sensor (102) is arranged in a sensor section (100) on the printed circuit board (10). The logic section (200) integrally transitions into the sensor section (100), and is embodied as a logic unit flap which is released from the sensor section (100), such that and is delimited from the sensor section (100) by at least one recess (204) in the printed circuit board such that the logic section (200) is not deformed by deformation of the sensor section (100).