Household appliance with a user interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances face challenges in designing capacitive sensing elements, which are usually built as metal pieces, involve a high production cost and are distinct and separate, and are not effectively solved. The user is typically given the possibility to interact with the appliance and set, for instance, the temperatures in the freezing and refrigerating compartments.
Innovation Solution
The capacitive sensing element is built as a PCB where the capacitive sensing circuit is provided.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If capacitive sensing elements are built as metal pieces, then the sensing function is achieved, but the production cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the capacitive sensing element and the capacitive sensing circuit into a single integrated PCB structure. The sensing element is formed as a conductive trace pattern on the PCB, eliminating the need for separate metal sensing pieces and reducing the number of discrete components. This integration directly addresses the contradiction by reducing both production cost and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the sensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB serves multiple functions: it acts as the circuit board for the capacitive sensing circuit, the sensing element itself through its conductive traces, and the structural support for the user interface. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and device complexity.
2Device complexity
If capacitive sensing elements are built as separate metal pieces, then the sensing function is achieved, but the number of components increases and installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing element is merged with the PCB structure, forming a single integrated component rather than separate metal pieces. This reduces the number of components that need to be assembled and reduces the total installation space required, as the sensing function is embedded within the existing PCB footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive sensing element is nested within the PCB structure, with the conductive sensing traces integrated into the circuit board layers. This nesting approach allows the sensing function to be embedded within the existing component footprint, reducing the overall installation space and component count.
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 capacitive sensing element is improved by the capacitive sensing element, which is built as a PCB where the capacitive sensing circuit is provided.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive sensing element with a sensing surface, a capacitive sensing circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
Household appliance (2) with a user interface (20) comprising: • - a display (64), • - a switch element (56) associated to said display (64) comprising at least one capacitive sensing element (58) with a sensing surface, • - a capacitive sensing circuit (62), • - a control unit (68) connected to said display (64) and to said capacitive sensing circuit (62), configured to control said household appliance (2) and/or said display (64) in function of a signal received from said capacitive sensing circuit (62) after a user interaction on the capacitive sensing element (58) of said switch element (56), whereby said capacitive sensing element (58) is built as a PCB (60) where the capacitive sensing circuit (62) is provided.