Illuminated Heated Glass Switch Surface for Dark-Use Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capacitive buttons integrated into glass panes are difficult to see and feel, especially in the dark, requiring additional markings that must be visible in low light conditions, and lack a built-in heating function for comfort.
Innovation Solution
A pane with an illuminated button and heating function, featuring a transparent substrate, a heating area connected to busbars for a heating current, and an electrically conductive structure for sensor connectivity, along with a lighting means to mark the button, ensuring visibility and usability in dark environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a capacitive button is integrated into a transparent glass pane, then the button becomes part of the glazing without additional components, but the button becomes difficult or impossible to see and cannot be felt in the dark
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (button, lighting, heating) into a single integrated glass pane structure. The button electrode, lighting means, and heating area are all applied directly to the glass surface, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining visibility through the transparent substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lighting means to change the optical properties of the button area. By illuminating the button with LEDs or other light sources, the button becomes visible against the transparent glass background, solving the visibility problem in dark environments while maintaining the integrated design.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting means are added to mark the button, then the button becomes visible in the dark, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting means is integrated directly into the glass pane structure, sharing the same substrate and support infrastructure as the button and heating elements. This merging approach minimizes additional complexity by using common mounting structures, power connections, and control systems rather than adding separate lighting assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass pane is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, button operation, lighting emission, and heating. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving button visibility through the lighting means.
3Temperature
If a heating area is added to the pane, then comfort is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating area is integrated with the button electrode structure, using the same conductive material and mounting infrastructure. This merging allows the heating function to be added without requiring separate heating elements, wires, or control systems, thereby limiting the increase in energy consumption and device complexity while providing thermal comfort.
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 provides a capacitive button that is both visible and usable in the dark, with a heating function for comfort, integrated into the glass pane without additional components, enhancing user experience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a heating area which is connected to at least two busbars provided for connection to a voltage source in such a way that a current path for a heating current is formed between the busbars
Implementation Method 2
If an object approaches the button, the capacitance of the surface electrode to ground or the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the two coupled electrodes changes. The change in capacitance is measured using a circuit arrangement and a switching signal is triggered when a threshold value is exceeded.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
The invention relates to a panel (100) with an illuminated switching surface (3) and a heating function, comprising at least: a transparent substrate (1); a heated region (4) which is connected to at least two busbars (5.1, 5.2), provided for connection to a voltage source (6), such that a current path (7) for a heating current is formed between the busbars (5.1, 5.2); an electrically conductive structure (2) which forms a switching surface (3) and can be connected to sensor electronics; and an illumination means (8) which can mark the switching surface (3).