Touch sensor assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch sensor assemblies for household appliances face challenges in accurately sensing movement displacement during touch operations and maintaining recognition rates, particularly on exterior members like steel or glass surfaces, while being prone to damage from static electricity during manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor assembly with a hole-shaped sensor support on a printed circuit board, an elastic member at the rear, and a copper coating on a plastic surface, where the touch sensor is supported by the circumference but not the center, allowing for concentrated force application and improved sensitivity, along with a separated sensor controller to prevent static damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the touch sensor is fully supported on the sensor PCB, then the structural stability is improved, but the sensitivity to touch operations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into two distinct zones: the circumference of the sensor support portion provides structural support, while the center region is intentionally left unsupported to allow elastic deformation. This segmentation enables the touch sensor to maintain both structural stability and touch sensitivity simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor support portion are given different functional properties: the circumferential region provides rigid support for structural stability, while the central region is designed with elastic properties to enhance touch sensitivity. This local differentiation of support characteristics resolves the contradiction between stability and sensitivity.
2Device complexity
If the sensor controller is integrated with the touch sensor assembly, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability against static electricity damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller is extracted from the touch sensor assembly and placed in a separate location within the display assembly. This separation protects the sensitive controller from static electricity generated during door manufacturing and touch operations, while still maintaining functional integration through signal connections.
3Measurement precision
If the touch sensor assembly is pressed against the exterior member, then the touch recognition accuracy is improved, but the risk of static electricity damage to the controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor controller is extracted from proximity to the touch sensor assembly and placed in the display assembly. This spatial separation maintains the necessary contact pressure for accurate touch recognition while protecting the controller from static electricity generated during touch operations and manufacturing.
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
Enhances touch recognition accuracy and sensitivity by concentrating force on the touch sensor, while preventing damage from static electricity and improving the structural integrity and recognizability of the appliance's display window.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member which pushes the sensor PCB in the forward direction
Implementation Method 2
a ceramic material of the center of the touch sensor is easily elastically deformed
Data Source
AI summary
In a sensor assembly, a hole-shaped sensor support portion is formed at a sensor printed circuit board (PCB), a touch sensor is disposed at the sensor support portion, and an elastic member is installed at a rear surface of the sensor PCB. In addition, a sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sensor PCB on which a copper coating film which constitutes a circuit is printed on a top surface of a plastic material, a touch sensor seated on a sensor support portion formed at the sensor PCB, and a cover member which is attached onto a rear surface of the sensor PCB and covers the sensor support portion.