Transparent Dual-Sensor Keypad for Compact Safety Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control units in safety applications require large installation space, have limited switching cycles, and need monitoring for contact failures, while conventional keypads lack intuitive operation and adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A keypad with at least two sensors per key, a transparent keycap, and a display unit below, allowing simultaneous touch and force detection, adaptable display, and a selector switch for changing functions, ensuring intuitive operation and reduced key count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromechanical contacts with positively guided contacts are used, then reliability is improved, but installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromechanical contacts with a field-based sensing system using capacitive or inductive sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact elements, thereby maintaining reliability through field detection while significantly reducing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the mechanical contact elements from the system, keeping only the essential sensing function. By taking out the electromechanical contacts and replacing them with field-based sensors, the system achieves the same reliability function with minimal space occupation.
2Reliability
If redundant pushbuttons with multiple contacts are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal sensing mechanism that can detect multiple states (touch, force magnitude, pressure distribution) using a single sensor system. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple redundant contacts and their associated monitoring circuits, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where the sensor system continuously monitors the state of each key and provides real-time information to the control unit. This feedback enables the system to detect contact failures and distinguish between intentional activation and accidental presses, simplifying the overall monitoring architecture while maintaining high reliability.
3Ease of operation
If transparent keycaps with display unit are used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the keycap and display unit into a single integrated component. By combining these elements, the system achieves intuitive operation through visual feedback while streamlining the manufacturing process, as the display can be embedded directly into the keycap structure during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes thin-film display technologies that can be integrated into transparent keycaps. These flexible display films allow for complex visual information presentation without requiring bulky structures, thereby maintaining ease of operation while simplifying manufacturing processes.
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 compact design, reduces key count, prevents accidental presses, and maintains intuitive operation by adapting display to functions, meeting safety and usability needs.
Implementation Method 1
a first touch-sensitive sensor and a second sensor, wherein the first touch-sensitive sensor and the second sensor are arranged such that a touch of the keycap by one of the keys and/or a force applied to this keycap with a human finger or an input element can be detected simultaneously by means of the first touch-sensitive sensor and by means of the second sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a keypad for an operating unit of a security application, comprising at least two keys (2), each having a key cap (20), a first touch-sensitive sensor (5) and a second sensor (6), wherein the first touch-sensitive sensor (5) and the second sensor (6) are arranged in such a way that a contact of the key cap (20) of one of the two keys (2) and/or a force input on said key cap (20) with a human finger or an input element can be detected simultaneously by means of the first touch-sensitive sensor (5) and by means of the second sensor (6), wherein the key cap (20) is transparent at least in regions, and wherein a display unit is arranged below the key cap (20), which has a display surface (40) common to the key caps (20). The invention also relates to an operating unit (90) having a keypad (1) and to the use of a keypad (1) in an operating unit (90).