Touch Control Panel With Pressable Glass Cover for Blind Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-sensitive control devices for domestic installation technologies, such as lighting, are difficult to operate quickly and intuitively, especially in emergency situations, as they require visual recognition and selection of functions on a labeling template.
Innovation Solution
The operating device incorporates a movable cover disk that can be pressed to detect tactile input, generating a restoring force and activating a button detection system, allowing for input without visual recognition of the labeling template, along with a click mechanism for tactile feedback and micro buttons for additional functions, and supports replaceable labeling templates with wireless communication for compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch-sensitive surface with labeling template is used for controlling domestic installation devices, then visual recognition and selection of functions is enabled, but operation speed is reduced in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into two distinct input modes: a touch-sensitive surface for normal visual-based control, and a mechanically pressable cover disk for emergency tactile control. This segmentation allows each mode to optimize for its specific use case without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover disk acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates mechanical pressing force into electrical signals for emergency control functions. It mediates between the user's tactile input and the control system, enabling rapid response without visual processing.
2Strength
If a rigid glass cover plate is used to protect the sensor surface and labeling template, then protection and durability are improved, but tactile feedback for button pressing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover disk is nested within the rigid glass cover plate structure. This nested configuration allows the glass plate to provide overall protection while the embedded cover disk provides localized tactile feedback through its mechanical compression and click mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate has different local properties: the majority is rigid glass for protection, while the cover disk region is designed with compliant characteristics to provide tactile feedback. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized operability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple micro buttons are added to the cover disk for additional functions, then functionality is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cover disk serves multiple functions: it provides tactile feedback for pressing detection, houses micro buttons for additional functions, and maintains the structural integrity of the cover plate. This multi-functionality increases versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection functions (press detection, micro button detection) are merged into a single integrated cover disk structure. This consolidation allows multiple functions to be accessed through one unified interface rather than requiring separate controls for each function.
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 rapid and intuitive operation, including emergency functions like ON/OFF, without visual recognition of the labeling template, and provides tactile feedback, ensuring operation under all circumstances with enhanced security and compatibility with various labeling templates.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element being arranged between the rear side and a composite consisting of a cover disk, labeling template and sensor surface, which is part of the restoring device and is designed to exert a force on the composite by means of which the composite is pressed towards the rest position
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an operating device (1) for touch-sensitive control of at least one device of domestic installation technology, preferably a lighting device, by a user, comprising a housing (2), a touch-sensitive flat sensor surface (3) for detecting the position of a touch by a user along the plane of the sensor surface (3), a labeling template (4) arranged above or below the sensor surface (3) for graphically representing functions of the operating device (1), wherein the labeling template (4) is arranged within the operating device (1) in a manner visible to the user, wherein the labeling template (4) is preferably designed to be replaceable, an output unit which is equipped with the sensor surface (2) for outputting an output signal dependent on a detected touch for controlling the device, and a transparent cover plate (5).wherein at least the touch-sensitive sensor surface (3) and the labeling template (4) are arranged within the housing (2), wherein the cover plate (5) closes off a front side (VS) of the housing (2) and covers the sensor surface (3) and the labeling template (4) arranged underneath, wherein the cover plate (5) is essentially rigid and preferably made of glass, wherein the operating device (1) is further configured to detect a touch operation by mounting the cover plate (5) within the housing (3) so that it is movably mounted in a direction essentially normal to the plane of the sensor surface (3) such that the cover plate (5) can be moved from a rest position (P1) to a defined end position (P2) by applying a pressure force against a restoring force, wherein the operating device (1) comprises a restoring device (6) for generating the restoring force.wherein the operating device (1) further comprises a touch detection device (7) for detecting a touch operation by detecting the change in position of the cover disc (5), wherein the touch detection device (7) is connected to the output unit for outputting the detected touch signal.