Door Lock Keypad 3D Appearance Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic door lock keypads fail to provide legible alphanumeric characters across a wide range of lighting conditions, making them difficult for users to operate effectively in various environmental situations.
Innovation Solution
The keypad system incorporates a decorative layer with a first and second surface treatment, where one surface defines alphanumeric characters with a perimeter and the other surface is translucent, combined with a light source for illumination, creating a 3D appearance and enhancing visibility in both bright and low-light environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional keypad designs are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but character visibility under different lighting conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The keypad interface is divided into multiple layers: a decorative layer with surface treatments defining alphanumeric characters, a translucent layer for light transmission, and a light source layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall visibility performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional 2D flat keypad surfaces to a multi-layer 3D structure with depth. The decorative layer creates a perceived depth effect where characters appear to float above the background, enhancing visibility and legibility under various lighting conditions.
2Shape
If metallic appearance is achieved through actual metal, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses decorative surface treatments on a non-metallic substrate that visually replicate the appearance of metal. The first and second surface treatments create reflections and visual effects that mimic metallic surfaces, achieving the desired aesthetic without the weight and manufacturing complexity of actual metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the decorative layer by applying different surface treatments with varying reflectivity, transparency, and texture properties. These parameter changes allow the non-metallic material to exhibit visual characteristics similar to metal under different lighting conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If simple surface treatment is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but character legibility under all lighting conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different surface treatments are applied to different regions of the decorative layer: the first surface treatment defines the alphanumeric characters with specific optical properties, while the second surface treatment defines the background with complementary properties. This local differentiation optimizes character legibility in specific viewing and lighting conditions.
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 ensures that the keypad characters remain visible and easily discernible under different lighting conditions, providing a crisp, architectural appearance that is both cost-effective and compatible with capacitive touch switching technology, while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of a metallic look without the use of actual metal.
Implementation Method 1
The keypad includes a decorative layer having a first surface with a first surface treatment and a second surface with a second surface treatment. One of the first surface treatment and the second surface treatment defines an alphanumeric character having a perimeter and the other of the first surface treatment and the second surface treatment defines a translucent layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock apparatus including a door lock housing, a door lock, and a keypad operatively connected to the door lock housing and to the door lock. The keypad includes a protective layer, a decorative layer, and a light source, wherein the protective layer is disposed next to the decorative layer and the decorative layer is disposed between the protective layer and the light source. The decorative layer includes a first surface having a first material located thereon and a second surface having a second material located thereon, and wherein the first material and the second material are generally aligned to provide indicia having a three-dimensional appearance with the indicia being offset from a background plane.