Touch sensing apparatus for metal panel including display window with through-holes and touch part home appliance having metal panel and touch sensing apparatus, and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensors struggle to accurately detect touch manipulations on metal panels with thick thicknesses, especially when the panels are formed of materials like stainless steel, as they require significant pressure and can be prone to deformation, leading to malfunction and incorrect operation.
Innovation Solution
A metal touch sensing apparatus is developed, featuring a touch sensor directly attached to the rear surface of a metal panel with an elastic member that generates a base voltage and presses the sensor toward the panel, allowing for sensitive detection of touch manipulations even with small pressure changes, and includes a piezoelectric or resistive cell type device to accurately sense touch on metal panels with sufficient thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a touch sensor is used on a thick metal panel, then the panel can endure foam pressure and provide structural strength, but the touch sensor cannot accurately detect touch manipulations due to the panel's thickness and rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
A metal plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the thick metal panel and the touch sensor. This metal plate has a thickness of 0.5mm to 3mm, which is sufficient to transmit touch forces to the sensor while being thin enough to allow accurate detection. The intermediary plate effectively bridges the gap between the panel's structural requirements and the sensor's detection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the thick metal panel provides structural strength and foam pressure resistance, while a separate thinner metal plate is dedicated to touch sensing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
2Reliability
If significant pressure is applied to detect touch on metal panels, then touch manipulation can be detected, but the panel may deform and lead to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The metal plate acts as a mediator that distributes and transmits touch forces uniformly to the touch sensor, preventing concentration of stress on the thick panel that could cause deformation. This intermediary structure ensures reliable force transmission while maintaining panel stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter by using the elastic properties of the metal plate to transform applied touch pressure into suitable sensor-actuating forces. The plate's mechanical properties are selected to ensure that normal touch forces are sufficient to activate the sensor without causing panel deformation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a touch sensor assembly is attached to a metal panel with through-holes, then display functionality is enabled, but the structural integrity and sealing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The front panel is segmented into functional zones: through-holes for display and touch interaction, and solid metal regions for structural strength and sealing. The touch sensor assembly is selectively positioned in through-hole regions where display functionality is required, while solid regions maintain structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the panel are assigned different qualities: through-hole areas are optimized for display and touch sensing, while surrounding solid metal areas provide structural support and sealing. This local differentiation allows the panel to simultaneously achieve display functionality and structural reliability.
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, prevents malfunctions due to careless user interactions, and allows for intuitive adjustment of touch sensitivity, ensuring reliable operation and user convenience by accurately detecting touch manipulations on thick metal panels.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member for generating force which pushes the touch sensor toward the panel
Implementation Method 2
a piezoelectric or resistive cell type device to accurately sense touch on metal panels
Data Source
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.