Elastic-Loaded Metal Touch Sensing for Thick Appliance Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliances with metal exterior panels face challenges in accurately sensing touch manipulations due to the thickness of the metal material, which can lead to deformation and reduced sensitivity, especially when a foaming solution is used for insulation, making it difficult to recognize user inputs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A metal touch sensing apparatus is implemented, featuring a touch sensor directly contacting the rear surface of a metal panel with an elastic member generating force to push the sensor towards the panel, allowing for sensitive voltage generation even with small force inputs, and a touch sensor assembly between the panel and insulation material to detect touch manipulations accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal panel with sufficient thickness is used to define the outer appearance and provide structural strength, then the strength and durability of the home appliance is improved, but the touch sensing sensitivity deteriorates due to deformation and reduced signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
A touch sensor assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal panel and the insulation material. This assembly includes a touch sensor that directly contacts the rear surface of the panel, enabling accurate detection of touch manipulations without requiring the panel itself to be thin or flexible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact sensing with a dedicated touch sensor that detects electrical signals generated by touch manipulations. The sensor converts mechanical deformation into electrical signals, allowing thick metal panels to maintain both strength and sensing capability.
2Measurement precision
If the metal panel is made thinner to improve touch sensing sensitivity, then the touch recognition performance is improved, but the panel can no longer endure the foam pressure from the foaming solution used for insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor assembly is pre-installed on the rear surface of the panel before the insulation material is applied. This allows the sensor to be positioned optimally for touch detection while the panel maintains its full thickness to withstand foam pressure during the insulation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor assembly serves as an intermediary that enables thin-panel-like sensing performance on a thick panel. The sensor directly contacts the panel rear surface, providing sensitive detection without compromising the panel's structural integrity against foam pressure.
3Measurement precision
If a touch sensor assembly is installed between the panel and insulation material to detect touch manipulations, then the touch recognition accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor, elastic member, and wiring are merged into a single integrated touch sensor assembly unit. This assembly is pre-assembled and then installed as one component between the panel and insulation material, simplifying the installation process while maintaining high touch recognition accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor assembly serves multiple functions: it detects touch manipulations, provides structural support for the insulation material, and maintains electrical connections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 enhances touch recognition performance, enabling reliable detection even on thick metal panels and preventing malfunctions by ensuring accurate user input recognition, allowing for intuitive sensitivity adjustment and preventing erroneous manipulations.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member for generating force which pushes the touch sensor toward the panel
Implementation Method 2
A home appliance having a metal touch sensing apparatus includes: a touch sensor directly contacting a rear surface of a panel formed of a metal material
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a metal touch sensing apparatus in which recognition performance thereof is improved, a plurality of touch parts are successively manipulated to enter into a specific mode, thereby preventing a refrigerator from being malfunctioned, and touch sensitivity of the refrigerator to be touched for the manipulation is visually adjusted, and a home appliance including the touch apparatus and a method for controlling the same.