Metal Touch Interface With Hidden Lit Icons and Layered Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive devices on metallic surfaces with lit icons fail to provide effective touch detection at the same location as the indicator, especially when multiple indicators are in close proximity, without affecting each other's lighting or causing perceivable movement or deformation.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive input device design featuring a planar base layer with a light source and capacitive sensor system, where the light source is mounted on one side of the base layer and extends into holes in the metallic surface layer, allowing for touch detection without visible indicators when not in use and maintaining the surface's clean appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a metallic surface with lit icons is used, then the device has a clean appearance and operational indicators are visible, but touch detection at the same location is not achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional layers: a metallic surface layer for visual indication, a spacer layer for separation, and a sensor layer for touch detection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with others, enabling both clean appearance and touch detection capability to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional surface problem to a three-dimensional layered structure. By adding the vertical dimension with multiple layers (metallic surface, spacer, sensor), the patent enables touch detection beneath the metallic surface without compromising its visual appearance, effectively resolving the contradiction through spatial dimensionality.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple indicators are placed in close proximity, then the device maintains a compact design, but touch detection at one location may affect adjacent indicators
Solution Approach 1:
Each indicator location has its own dedicated sensor element and light source, segmented independently within the layered structure. This segmentation ensures that touch detection at one location is electrically and physically isolated from adjacent indicators, maintaining reliable independent operation while allowing compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer acts as an intermediary between the metallic surface layer and the sensor layer, maintaining precise spacing that prevents electrical interference between adjacent indicators while allowing each sensor to detect touches at its specific location independently.
3Measurement precision
If a sensor is placed close to the metallic surface for accurate touch detection, then detection precision improves, but the sensor may interfere with the light source and indicator visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the vertical dimension with a layered structure. The sensor is positioned in a separate layer beneath the metallic surface, close enough for precise touch detection but separated by the spacer layer to avoid interfering with light emission and indicator visibility from above.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer layer serves as an intermediary that maintains the optimal distance between the sensor and metallic surface. This spacing allows the sensor to detect touches with high precision while preventing the sensor from blocking or interfering with the light source and indicator visibility.
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
Enables reliable touch detection on metallic surfaces with lit icons, ensuring no perceivable movement or deformation, and maintaining the surface's appearance by using a capacitive sensor to measure slight bending, thus allowing for precise and unobtrusive operation.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor can comprise a capacitive sensor. In such cases, the distance between the surface layer and the capacitive sensor can be in the range of 0.1 millimeters to 0.3 millimeters
Implementation Method 2
The light source can comprise, for example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a detailed lit indicator and touch detection in the same location through a metal surface. When the light behind the metal is turned off there will be no visible appearance of an indicator. When touched the metal will have no perceptible movement and never experience any deformation or evidence of usage over the life of the product.