LED Touch Control Panel With Diffuser Screen for Easy Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic control devices for refrigerating apparatus, such as vending machines and refrigerated counters, are complex and costly to produce due to the need for customized 7-segment displays and interface screens, especially for small batches.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control device that eliminates the need for a 7-segment display by using a composite screen with a diffuser layer and an operative layer with touch-sensitive pads, where the display is formed by LEDs and a frame, allowing for easy personalization through light color modification and image definition using preformed or opaque films, and enabling simple operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional 7-segment displays and customized interface screens are used, then display functionality and user interface are achieved, but production complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display function from the conventional 7-segment display module and implements it using a simplified LED array combined with a translucent screen. This separation allows the display elements to be independently controlled and simplified, eliminating the need for complex 7-segment display structures while maintaining the same visual output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control device structure where the same hardware platform can display different information by controlling individual LEDs. The translucent screen and LED array combination serves multiple display purposes (numbers, letters, symbols) without requiring customized 7-segment displays for each application, enabling one device to fulfill multiple display needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized 7-segment displays with different colors and personalized interface screens are commissioned, then personalization requirements are met, but production cost and lead time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables personalization by allowing independent control and customization of individual LED elements and their corresponding screen regions. Each LED can be controlled separately to display different colors and patterns, and the translucent screen can be selectively illuminated in different areas, providing local customization without requiring complete display unit customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures the LED array and translucent screen structure to be inherently customizable, establishing a platform that can accommodate different display requirements without requiring post-manufacturing customization. The modular design allows personalization to be achieved through software control and simple material selection rather than complex commissioning processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple customized 7-segment displays are produced for different color requirements, then color personalization is achieved, but inventory complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic color control through individually addressable LEDs that can change color electronically. Instead of producing separate displays for different colors, the system uses a single display structure with LEDs that can be programmed to emit different colors on demand, providing color adaptability without increasing physical inventory variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the LED elements to achieve different display colors and patterns. By controlling the electrical parameters (current, voltage, pulse width) and optical properties of the LEDs and translucent screen, the system can produce various color effects using the same physical components, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple color-specific display units.
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
Simplifies production and personalization of electronic control devices, reducing production costs and eliminating the need for customized 7-segment displays, while maintaining functionality and user operability.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser layer (16) configured to homogenize a light radiation that crosses it
Implementation Method 2
an electronic circuit 11 or PCB having an operative face 11a on which a plurality of LEDs 12 are mounted
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic control device (10) comprising: —an electronic circuit (11) having an operative face (11a) on which a plurality of LEDs (12) are mounted; —a frame (13) defining a plurality of first channels (14) which face the LEDs so as to guide their light radiation; —a composite screen (15) which covers the first channels (14) so as to be crossed by a light radiation coming from the LEDs (12) and guided by the first channels (14) towards the composite screen (15). The composite screen (15) comprises:—a diffuser layer (16) configured to homogenize a light radiation that crosses it;—an operative layer (17) having electronic tracks comprising touch-sensitive pads (18) and connection contacts (19). The electronic control device (10) further comprises at least one connector (20) which connects electrically the connection contacts (19) to the electronic circuit (11) in order to transmit to the latter electrical signals following touching, by a user, of at least one of said sensitive pads (18) on the composite screen (15).