Pressure-Sensor Operating Element with Light-Conductor Symbol Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer products, such as domestic appliances, face a challenge in achieving a high-end look and feel while maintaining robustness and avoiding the vulnerability of high-end electronics, which are often sensitive and prone to unintended activation or deactivation.
Innovation Solution
A domestic appliance operating element comprising a carrier with a pressure sensor, a light source, and a light conductor that conducts light and transmits pressure force, featuring a screen with opaque and translucent parts to form symbols that are only activated upon operation, providing a robust and reliable interface with a high-end appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If high-end electronics (such as touch-sensitive screens) are integrated to achieve a high-quality look and feel, then the product appearance and user interface quality are improved, but the vulnerability and sensitivity of the product increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of a high-end touch screen interface using simple mechanical elements. The screen displays a user interface adapted to the situation, but instead of using actual electronic touch sensitivity, it uses a mechanical pressure sensor that detects pressure through a force-transmitting component. This copying approach achieves the high-quality look and feel of touch screens without the vulnerability of electronic touch components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and vulnerable high-end electronics with simpler, more robust mechanical components. The operating element uses a mechanical pressure sensor and a force-transmitting component instead of electronic touch sensors, achieving a high-end appearance at lower cost with improved reliability and resistance to vulnerability.
2Ease of operation
If capacitive keys with openings between individual keys are used to enable touch operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the vulnerability increases due to exposure through openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a force-transmitting component that acts as a continuous membrane or film covering the entire operating element surface. This flexible component transmits pressure forces uniformly to the pressure sensor while providing a sealed, vulnerable surface without openings. The force-transmitting component maintains ease of touch operation while eliminating the vulnerability associated with gaps between keys.
3Reliability
If a continuous surface without openings is used to prevent vulnerability, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of distinct key boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct operational zones on the continuous force-transmitting component. Different regions of the component correspond to different operating elements (such as plus and minus buttons), each with specific functions. The pressure sensor can detect which region is pressed, providing clear operational distinction while maintaining the integrity of the continuous sealed surface.
4Reliability
If the force-transmitting component has greater height than the opaque side shield to provide pressure transmission, then the reliability of pressure detection is improved, but the flatness of the operating element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the height conflict by moving the pressure sensor to a different spatial dimension or level. The force-transmitting component can maintain its optimal height for pressure transmission, while the pressure sensor is positioned beneath or adjacent to the opaque side shield, allowing the top surface to remain flat. This dimensional arrangement allows both adequate pressure transmission and aesthetic flatness.
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 offers a robust and reliable operating element that combines high-end aesthetics with the reliability of pressure sensors, preventing unintended activation and ensuring durability, especially suitable for hot water appliances, while maintaining a low-cost structure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light conductor arranged close to the light source and configured to conduct light from the light source to at least a side of the light conductor remote from the carrier
Implementation Method 2
at least one pressure sensor configured for detection of an operation of the operating element
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic appliance has an operating element, the operating element comprising a carrier, at least one pressure sensor configured for detection of an operation of the operating element, and at least one light source. A control is configured to switch the light source on or off subject to a sensor signal coming from the pressure sensor. At least one light conductor is arranged close to the light source and is configured to conduct light from the light source to at least a side of the light conductor remote from the carrier. Provided on or close to the side of the light conductor remote from the carrier is a screen comprising at least one opaque part and at least one translucent part, which together form a symbol.