Touchscreen LED Control Panel for Personalized Refrigeration Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic control devices for refrigerating apparatus, such as vending machines and refrigerated counters, require complex and costly components like 7-segment displays for personalization, leading to increased production costs and complexity, especially for small batches.
Innovation Solution
The electronic control device eliminates the need for a 7-segment display by using a composite screen with a diffuser layer, an operative layer with touch-sensitive pads, and LEDs, allowing for the formation of luminous images and easy personalization through color modification and preformed films.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a 7-segment display is used for personalization, then the display can show numerical symbols and stylized letters, but the production cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display into separate functional layers: an operative layer with conductive traces forming segments, a diffuser layer for light distribution, and a protective layer. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing and assembly of layers, reducing overall production complexity while maintaining personalization capability through configurable segment patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite screen structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display medium and the tactile interface layer. The operative layer with conductive traces provides both visual display segments and touch-sensitive pads, eliminating the need for separate 7-segment display components and reducing production complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 7-segment displays with different colors are provided, then personalization of display color is achieved, but production economy is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LEDs with different wavelengths (colors) as light sources and changes the optical parameters of the diffuser layer to achieve color personalization. By adjusting the diffuser properties and LED wavelength selection rather than manufacturing entirely different display modules, the system achieves color variety while maintaining production economy.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite screen combines multiple materials with different optical properties: the diffuser layer material can be selected or formulated to work with specific LED wavelengths, creating color effects through material composition rather than requiring completely different display components for each color.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interface screens with personalized printed effects are commissioned, then customized command symbols and graphics are available, but production costs increase for small batches
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive traces and touch-sensitive pads are pre-configured in the operative layer during base manufacturing, allowing different interface layouts to be prepared in advance. This preliminary configuration enables quick customization of command symbols and graphics without requiring costly retooling or commissioning for small production batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses silkscreen printing to transfer command symbols and graphics onto the interface screen, creating customizable visual elements through a copying process rather than requiring custom manufacturing for each design. This allows flexible interface personalization at low cost.
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 simplifies the production of electronic control devices, reduces costs, and allows for high-degree personalization without the need for preconfigured 7-segment displays, enhancing operational ease and reducing supply chain complexities.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser layer (16) configured to homogenize a light radiation that crosses it
Implementation Method 2
an electronic circuit 11 or PCB having an operative face 11a on which a plurality of LEDs 12 are mounted
Implementation Method 3
a frame 13 defining a plurality of first channels 14 which face said LEDs so as to guide their light radiation
Implementation Method 4
an operative layer 17 which may be made of silver or comprise an alloy thereof, having electronic tracks comprising touch-sensitive pads 18
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Electronic control device (10) comprising: - an electronic circuit (11) having an operative face (11a) on which a plurality of LEDs (12) are mounted; - a frame (13) defining a plurality of first channels (14) which face the LEDs so as to guide their light radiation; - a composite screen (15) which covers the first channels (14) so as to be crossed by a light radiation coming from the LEDs (12) and guided by the first channels (14) towards the composite screen (15). The composite screen (15) comprises: - a diffuser layer (16) configured to homogenize a light radiation that crosses it; - an operative layer (17) having electronic tracks comprising touch-sensitive pads (18) and connection contacts (19). The electronic control device (10) further comprises at least one connector (20) which connects electrically the connection contacts (19) to the electronic circuit (11) in order to transmit to the latter electrical signals following touching, by a user, of at least one of said sensitive pads (18) on the composite screen (15).