Touch-Sensitive Tile Interface with Liquid Leveling Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control interfaces with touch-sensitive tiles have a fragile and recessed appearance due to protective surrounds, which detract from ergonomics and aesthetics, and require complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A control interface with a touch-sensitive tile housed in a casing, using a liquid leveling compound and seal to create a smooth, uniform surface, where the seal prevents contamination and the liquid compound fills gaps without leaking, and a foam seal applies modest pressure to prevent misinterpretation of commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective surrounds are fitted around the touch-sensitive tile to protect and conceal edges, then the tile is protected and concealed, but the interface facade becomes recessed and non-uniform in appearance and touch
Solution Approach 1:
A seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the touch-sensitive tile and the casing. This seal prevents leveling compound from leaking onto the rear face of the tile while allowing the compound to fill the peripheral space and level the front face with the casing edges, thus achieving both protection and uniform appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the leveling compound from liquid (during injection) to solid (after polymerization). This parameter change allows the compound to flow into gaps and fill the peripheral space uniformly, then harden to provide structural support and level the facade, resolving the contradiction between protection and appearance
2Ease of manufacture
If assembly clearances are provided between the casing and touch-sensitive tile, then the components can be assembled, but the interface sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seal acts as an intermediary that maintains the sealing function despite the presence of assembly clearances. It is positioned within the peripheral space to prevent leveling compound leakage while allowing the necessary clearance for assembly between the casing and touch-sensitive tile
Solution Approach 2:
The leveling compound is injected as a liquid through injection holes in the casing, utilizing fluid dynamics to fill the peripheral space uniformly. The liquid compound flows into all gaps and voids, ensuring complete filling while the seal prevents it from leaking onto the tile's rear face
3Manufacturing precision
If liquid leveling compound is introduced into the peripheral space, then gaps are filled and leveling is achieved, but the compound may leak and contaminate the touch-sensitive tile
Solution Approach 1:
The seal serves as a protective intermediary barrier between the liquid leveling compound and the touch-sensitive tile. It allows the compound to be injected and fill the peripheral space effectively for leveling purposes, while simultaneously preventing any leakage or contamination of the tile's front or rear faces
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is pre-installed on the rear face of the touch-sensitive tile before the leveling compound is injected. This preliminary protective action ensures that even if the liquid compound exceeds the peripheral space during injection, it cannot contaminate the tile, thus preventing harmful effects before they can occur
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 provides a smooth, uniform touch interface that prevents contamination and maintains sealing, simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for molds and reducing risk of surface imperfections, while ensuring the interface remains functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Implementation Method 1
liquid compounds can be chosen from those that are the most fluid so that they better fill any gaps there might be between the border of the casing and the edge face of the touch-sensitive tile
Implementation Method 2
Once it has polymerized, the liquid compound hardens, thus leveling the front face of the touch-sensitive tile with the edges of the casing
Implementation Method 3
The foam is able to apply modest pressure to the touch-sensitive tile, and this prevents it being subjected to loadings that might be interpreted as commands
Implementation Method 4
the seal bordering the leveling compound between the rear face of the touch-sensitive tile and the retaining projection... Seepage of leveling compound is thus halted by the seal preventing it from contaminating the rear face of the touch-sensitive tile
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a motor vehicle control interface comprising a touch-sensitive tile (2) having a front face (3); a housing (4) housing said touch-sensitive tile (2), said housing (4) having—an opening delimited by an edge (5) via which a user can access the front face (3) of the touch-sensitive tile (2); and a levelling trim (6), peripheral to the touch-sensitive tile (2) and interposed between an edge face (7) of the touch-sensitive tile (2) and the edge (5) of the housing (4), characterized in that said interface further comprises a seal (9) inserted between a rear face (10) of the touch-sensitive tile (2) and a retaining projection (11) of the housing (4), said seal (9) bordering the levelling trim (6) between the rear face (10) of the touch-sensitive tile (2) and the retaining projection (11). The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a control interface (1).