Operating Device With Printed Diffuser Film And Capacitive Touch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for electrical appliances lack a simple and easy-to-install solution for displaying images and symbols effectively, often requiring complex image carriers and assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
An operating device with a negative LCD display and translucent diffuser film, where images or symbols are printed on the diffuser film, and capacitive touch switches are used, allowing for uniform backlighting and easy visibility of images or symbols by controlling the transparency of active areas on the LCD display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a separate image carrier is used to display images and symbols, then the display quality is improved, but the device complexity and assembly process become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the image carrier function with the backlight unit by printing images and symbols directly on the backlight housing or integrating them into the light guide plate. This merging eliminates the need for separate image carrier components, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining display quality through direct optical integration
Solution Approach 2:
The backlight unit is designed to serve multiple functions: providing illumination and simultaneously displaying images and symbols. By making the backlight housing or light guide plate carry both lighting and imaging functions, the patent reduces the total number of components needed in the display assembly
2Manufacturing precision
If a translucent diffuser film with printed images is used, then the visibility and resolution of images are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the diffuser film by controlling its translucency and light scattering properties. By adjusting the diffuser film's optical density and scattering characteristics, high-resolution images remain visible while the film maintains sufficient light transmission, achieving both image quality and manufacturing feasibility
3Loss of information
If the LCD display area is increased to provide more information, then the information display capability is improved, but the visibility of printed images and symbols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct zones with different optical properties. The diffuser film has regions with varying translucency and light scattering characteristics tailored to specific areas, allowing printed images in certain zones to remain highly visible while other zones provide LCD display information without compromising overall image 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
This solution enables easy recognition of images and symbols with improved quality and resolution, reducing assembly complexity and eliminating the need for separate image carriers, while allowing for flexible display of information and operation through touch switches.
Implementation Method 1
a backlight (23) arranged behind the LCD display (13) for transillumination of the LCD display (13)
Implementation Method 2
a translucent diffuser film, where images or symbols are printed on the diffuser film
Implementation Method 3
transparent capacitive sensor elements that form capacitive touch switches as operating elements on the display surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An operating device (11) for an electrical appliance has a display area (12) and an LCD display (13) for displaying information and for operating the electrical appliance using controls on the display area. The LCD display occupies at least a portion of the display area and has several active and individually controllable zones (14a - 14e). A backlight (23) is provided behind the LCD display for illumination. The operating device has a translucent image carrier with images (20a - 20e) on it. The images are permanently and indelibly printed on a surface provided on the back of the LCD display, or on the front of the backlight facing the LCD display, or on a translucent diffuser film (18) positioned in front of the backlight.