Grounded Metal Touch Switch Without Isolation Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch switches for electric and electronic apparatuses are prone to wear and are costly due to the complexity of isolating metal parts from the front panel, which complicates their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A touch switch design featuring a metallic layer connected to ground, with a cut-out allowing user finger contact and a non-conductive layer beneath the touch sensor, enabling intuitive operation and illumination without the need for insulating elements, and utilizing a single-piece metallic layer for reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal sheet or metal part is used for the touch switch, then the touch detection function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to the need for electrical isolation from the front panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the metal layer from the front panel structure, placing it on the rear side of the housing instead of integrating it into the front panel. This separation eliminates the need for complex isolation structures, as the metal layer is naturally isolated by the housing material. The metal layer is connected to ground through a simple connection element, further simplifying the design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the metal layer on the front side of the panel and isolating it from ground, the patent inverts the approach by placing the metal layer on the rear side and connecting it directly to ground. This inversion eliminates the isolation requirement while maintaining the touch detection function, as the housing material provides natural electrical isolation between the metal layer and the front panel.
2Reliability
If mechanical components are used in the touch switch, then the touch detection function is achieved, but the durability decreases due to wear of mechanical parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical touch detection components with a capacitive or inductive sensor system. The sensor detects changes in electrical field or inductance caused by finger proximity or contact, eliminating mechanical wear. The metal layer serves as an electrode for capacitive sensing or an inductive element, providing contactless or minimal-contact detection that significantly improves durability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If insulating elements are added to isolate metal parts, then electrical safety is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing material itself serves as the electrical isolation medium between the metal layer and the front panel. The housing is made of electrically insulating material that naturally prevents electrical contact, eliminating the need for additional insulating elements. The metal layer is positioned on the rear side of the housing, where the housing material provides both mechanical support and electrical isolation.
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 enhances durability and reduces costs by eliminating the need for insulating elements and allows for intuitive user interaction through illumination, while maintaining effective touch detection with reduced complexity in manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
the touch sensor is a capacitive sensor and includes at least two electrodes
Implementation Method 2
the touch sensor is an inductive sensor and includes at least one coil
Implementation Method 3
the touch sensor is an optical sensor
Implementation Method 4
the touch sensor may be an infrared sensor
Implementation Method 5
The touch switch may include a piezo element for measuring the pressure of the finger
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a touch switch of (10) for a control device of an electric and/or electronic apparatus. The touch switch (10) comprises a non conductive layer (14) made of an electrically non-conductive material or material composition, a touch sensor (12) arranged at a bottom side or rear side of the non conductive layer (14), a metallic layer (16) arranged at a top side or front side, respectively, of the non conductive layer (14), and a cut-out (18) formed in the metallic layer (16) and arranged at the non conductive layer (14) opposite to the touch sensor (12). The metallic layer (16) is connected to a ground connection (22). Further, the present invention relates to a control device for an electric and/or electronic apparatus. Moreover, the present invention relates to an electric and/or electronic apparatus, in particular a domestic appliance.