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 user interactions on metal panels with thick thicknesses, especially when the panels are formed of materials that can deform under pressure, leading to malfunctions due to carelessness or incorrect manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A metal touch sensing apparatus is developed, featuring a touch sensor directly contacting the rear surface of a metal panel with an elastic member generating force to push the sensor toward the panel, allowing for sensitive voltage generation even with small force inputs, and a sensor control part to recognize touch operations by detecting voltage increases beyond a preset value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a touch sensor is used on a thick metal panel, then the panel can provide sufficient structural strength and durability, but the touch sensor cannot accurately detect touch manipulation due to panel deformation under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
A transmission member is introduced as an intermediary between the touch sensor and the thick metal panel. This transmission member directly transmits touch input forces to the touch sensor, bypassing the deformation issues of the thick panel and enabling accurate touch detection while maintaining panel structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The touch detection function is separated from the structural panel function. The panel maintains its thick structure for strength, while the transmission member and touch sensor assembly handle the touch detection function, allowing both structural strength and touch accuracy to coexist
2Ease of operation
If the touch sensor is positioned close to the metal panel surface, then touch sensitivity is improved, but the sensor becomes vulnerable to damage from excessive pushing forces
Solution Approach 1:
A cushioning member is positioned between the touch sensor and the transmission member to absorb excessive pushing forces before they reach the sensor. This cushioning element maintains close proximity for high touch sensitivity while protecting the sensor from damage through force absorption
3Strength
If a thick metal panel is used for the appliance exterior, then durability and aesthetic appearance are improved, but the panel deforms under touch pressure causing incorrect manipulation recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission member acts as a mediator that decouples the touch interaction from the thick panel structure. It provides a dedicated force transmission path that is independent of panel thickness, ensuring accurate manipulation recognition while maintaining panel durability and appearance
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 solution enhances touch recognition performance, prevents malfunctions by ensuring accurate detection of touch manipulations, and allows for intuitive sensitivity adjustment, improving user convenience by preventing recognition errors and damage from excessive pushing.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member for generating force which pushes the touch sensor toward the panel
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.