Refrigerator Door Touch Sensor Assembly for Stable Displacement Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch sensor assemblies for home appliances, such as refrigerator doors, face challenges in accurately detecting user interactions due to the need for reliable displacement detection on exterior members while maintaining a sleek appearance, and current solutions do not effectively stabilize sensors within the appliance's structure.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor assembly is designed with a sensor PCB mounted on an elastic member, a sensor housing, and a touch booster that transmits displacement to the sensor, ensuring stable detection and integration with the appliance's design, including a sensor support and adhesion members for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch sensor assembly is integrated into the exterior member of a refrigerator door, then user interaction detection capability is improved, but structural stability and sensor positioning reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor assembly is divided into separate functional components: a sensor PCB with mounting display part, an elastic member, a touch booster, and a sensor housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is pre-installed on the sensor PCB with the mounting display part positioned in advance. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and stability when the complete assembly is integrated into the refrigerator door exterior member.
2Stability of the object's composition
If an elastic member is used to press the sensor PCB, then sensor stabilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is designed to automatically press the sensor PCB against the mounting display part through its inherent elasticity, without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex assembly procedures. The mounting display part's position is determined by the elastic member's pressing action alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes its physical state from a relaxed condition to a compressed condition when pressing the sensor PCB, utilizing elastic deformation to provide stable positioning. This parameter change enables stabilization without adding mechanical complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a touch booster is added to transmit displacement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch booster acts as an intermediary component between the exterior member and the sensor PCB. It transmits displacement from the exterior member to the sensor with enhanced precision, while its simple structural design minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.
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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of user interaction detection while maintaining the appliance's aesthetic and structural integrity by stabilizing the sensor and effectively transmitting displacement, improving user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed on a first surface that is opposite the second surface on which the sensor is mounted, the elastic member being configured to press the sensor PCB to thereby stabilize the sensor PCB relative to the exterior member
Implementation Method 2
a touch booster disposed between the sensor and the exterior member and configured to transmit a front/rear displacement of the exterior member to the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a touch sensor assembly that is maintained in a state in which the touch sensor is closely attached to an exterior member to accurately detect displacement when touch manipulation is performed to improve a recognition rate, a refrigerator door including a touch sensor assembly that is capable of preventing a sensor control part from being damaged by static electricity and having an improved front outer appearance, and a method for manufacturing the refrigerator door.