阅读说明：本技术 触摸和/或接近感应的输入装置 (Touch and/or proximity sensitive input device ) 是由 T·哈特曼 A·布劳赫勒 于 2020-02-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请公开了一种触摸和/或接近感应的输入装置,其具有操作面板(10)、传感器膜(12)和载体板(17),它们布置在操作面板(10)的背离用户的一侧。传感器膜(12)有至少一个电容传感器区域(13)以及至少一个天线元件(14),且在载体板(17)上设置有与电容传感器区域(13)连接的传感器电路(18)和与天线元件(14)连接的天线电路(19)。这种输入装置能够有利地用于例如电子家用电器或商业洗衣店处理设备中。本申请公开了触摸和/或接近感应的输入装置在电子家用电器或商业洗衣店处理设备中的应用。本申请还公开了用于触摸和/或接近感应的输入装置的传感器膜,所述传感器膜具有至少一个电容传感器区域和至少一个天线元件。(A touch-and/or proximity-sensitive input device has an operating panel (10), a sensor membrane (12) and a carrier plate (17), which are arranged on the side of the operating panel (10) facing away from a user. The sensor film (12) has at least one capacitive sensor region (13) and at least one antenna element (14), and a sensor circuit (18) connected to the capacitive sensor region (13) and an antenna circuit (19) connected to the antenna element (14) are arranged on the carrier plate (17). Such an input device can be advantageously used in, for example, an electronic home appliance or a commercial laundry treatment apparatus. The application discloses the use of touch and/or proximity sensitive input devices in electronic home appliances or commercial laundry treatment appliances. The application also discloses a sensor film for a touch and/or proximity sensitive input device, the sensor film having at least one capacitive sensor area and at least one antenna element.)

1. A touch and proximity sensitive input device having:

an operation panel (10), the operation panel (10) having a function portion (11);

a sensor membrane (12), the sensor membrane (12) having at least one capacitive sensor region (13); and

a carrier plate (17), which carrier plate (17) has a sensor circuit (18) and which is arranged on the side of the operating panel (10) facing away from the user, the at least one capacitive sensor region (13) being connected to the sensor circuit (18) by at least one electrical line (20a),

the method is characterized in that:

the sensor film (12) further has at least one antenna element (14), an antenna circuit (19) being arranged on the carrier plate (17), the at least one antenna element (14) being connected to the antenna circuit (19) by at least one further electrical line (20 b).

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein:

the antenna element (14) is arranged on the sensor film (12) beside the at least one sensor area (13) or surrounding the at least one sensor area (13).

3. The input device of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the sensor membrane (12) is arranged on the side of the operating panel (10) facing away from the user, the operating panel (10) being provided so as to be electrically non-conductive in the region of the functional part (11).

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein:

a flexible pressure element (26) is arranged on the side of the operating panel (10) facing away from the user in order to press the sensor membrane (12) against the operating panel (10).

5. The input device of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the sensor membrane (12) is arranged on the side of the operating panel (10) facing the user and is covered by a non-conductive covering (15, 16).

6. The input device of any preceding claim, wherein:

the sensor circuit (18) and the antenna circuit (19) are connected to each other and are arranged such that the at least one capacitive sensor area (13) is deactivated when the antenna element (14) is active.

7. The input device of any preceding claim, wherein:

the sensor membrane (12) has at least one gap (28) in a region outside the at least one sensor region (13), preferably also in a region outside the antenna element (14).

8. The input device of claim 7, wherein:

the operating panel (10) has at least one vent channel (29), which vent channel (29) is connected to the at least one gap (28) in the sensor membrane (12).

9. The input device of any preceding claim, wherein:

the control panel (10) has in its functional part (11) on its side facing the sensor membrane (12) at least one recess (22) outside the at least one sensor region (13) and preferably also in the region outside the antenna element (14) for forming a free space between the sensor membrane (12) and the control panel (10).

10. The input device of any preceding claim, wherein:

the control panel (10) is arranged to be raised in the region of the at least one sensor region (13) and preferably also in the region of the antenna element (14) on its side facing the sensor membrane (12).

11. The input device of any preceding claim, wherein:

the carrier plate (17) is directly engaged with the operation panel (10) or is disposed in a housing (25) engaged with the operation panel (10).

12. The input device of any preceding claim, wherein:

at least one illumination component (23) and/or at least one indicator device are arranged on the carrier plate (17), the sensor film (12) and the functional part (11) of the operating panel (10) being provided at least partially light-transmitting.

13. Use of a touch and/or proximity sensitive input device according to any of claims 1 to 12 in an electronic domestic appliance or a commercial laundry treatment apparatus.

14. A sensor film (12) for a touch and/or proximity-sensitive input device according to any of claims 1 to 12, the sensor film having at least one capacitive sensor area (13) and at least one antenna element (14).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a touch and/or proximity sensitive input device having a capacitive functional principle.

Background

Many electronic devices, including in particular household appliances, use touch and/or proximity sensitive input means (also commonly referred to as "touch controllers") that initiate a particular switch operation and/or change a device setting simply by being touched or approached by a user. In the case of modern devices, the possibility of data exchange with mobile terminals is also increasingly required. Thus, the user may for example receive information from the household appliance on his mobile phone or use his mobile phone to drive the household appliance. In the case of commercial applications (e.g., laundry processing equipment), customers may use their cell phones for cashless payment. The device therefore requires not only input means (for example in the form of touch control), but also means for wireless communication.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a concept for combining the possibilities of touch and/or proximity sensitive input with the possibilities of wireless data exchange, which can be realized by a simple and compact structure.

This object is achieved by the touch and/or proximity sensitive input device of the present invention. The invention also comprises particularly advantageous constructions and developments.

The touch and/or proximity sensitive input device of the present invention comprises: an operation panel having a functional portion; a sensor membrane having at least one capacitive sensor region; and a carrier plate with sensor circuitry, which carrier plate is arranged on the side of the operating panel facing away from the user, the at least one capacitive sensor region being connected to the sensor circuitry by means of at least one electric line, characterized in that the sensor film further has at least one antenna element, and in that the antenna circuitry is arranged on the carrier plate, the at least one antenna element being connected to the antenna circuitry by means of at least one further electric line.

According to the invention, a sensor film with at least one capacitive sensor area is proposed for a touch and/or proximity-sensitive input device, in which sensor film an antenna element is also integrated. The integration of the antenna elements in the sensor film enables the omission of a separate carrier or a larger carrier plate for mounting the antenna elements. In this way, the input device can be made compact, the number of components can be reduced and/or the assembly/mounting of the input device can be simplified. Furthermore, by being integrated in the sensor membrane, the antenna is flexible, and thus by similarity to the capacitive sensor area, can be more easily and better adapted to the geometry of the operating panel. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the sensor and the data exchange through the antenna can be improved.

Together with the antenna circuit, the antenna element is, for example, an NFC antenna (near field communication) or an RFID antenna (radio frequency identification). The antenna element is preferably a structure of electrically conductive material, which is formed, for example, by printing or coating a carrier film.

The sensor membrane has at least one capacitive sensor area, preferably a structure of a plurality of capacitive sensor areas. The sensor area takes the form of an electrode in each case, which is formed, for example, by printing or coating a carrier film from an electrically conductive material. The carrier film is preferably light-transmitting. The sensor area together with, for example, a user's finger, through a dielectric (e.g. an operating panel or a cover on an operating panel, depending on the embodiment) forms a capacitor of variable capacitance corresponding to whether it is touched or not touched, or whether it is close or not. The change in the capacitance value correspondingly influences the output signal of the sensor circuit, which can be evaluated and processed by the evaluation electronics.

The at least one sensor area and the at least one antenna element may be arranged on the same side or on different sides of the sensor film.

The antenna element is arranged on the sensor film and beside the at least one sensor area or the structure of the sensor area or around the at least one sensor area or the structure of the sensor area or a part of the structure. In any case, the antenna element and the sensor area are electrically separated or isolated from each other.

The operating panel is preferably made of plastic (e.g. PC, PMMA). The operating panel is preferably a dimensionally stable component and is manufactured, for example, as an injection-molded part. The sensor film is preferably fixed to the operation panel by adhesive bonding.

In a variant of the embodiment of the invention, the sensor membrane is arranged on the side of the operating panel facing away from the user. In this case, the operating panel is preferably arranged to be non-conductive (at least in the region of the functional part) so as to form the dielectric of the capacitor. Alternatively or additionally, a non-conductive covering may also be applied on the user side of the operating panel.

In the case of this embodiment, a flexible pressure element is arranged on the side of the operating panel facing away from the user in order to press the sensor membrane against the operating panel. In this way, the position of the sensor area with respect to the operation panel is determined, thereby improving the measurement accuracy and reliability of the capacitive sensor. The pressure element can be, for example, a foam sheet (for example EPDM), which bears against the carrier plate or its housing.

In a further variant of the embodiment of the invention, the sensor membrane is arranged on the side of the operating panel facing the user. In this case, the sensor membrane is preferably covered by a non-conductive cover, which in turn forms the dielectric of the capacitor.

In one arrangement of the invention, the sensor circuit and the antenna circuit are connected to each other and arranged such that at least one capacitive sensor area is deactivated when the antenna element is active. In this way, the sensor can be prevented from interfering with the data exchange through the antenna.

Alternatively or additionally, the frequency, arrangement, size and/or spacing of the sensor area and the antenna elements may also be adapted to prevent or at least minimize mutual interference.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sensor membrane has at least one gap in a region outside the at least one sensor region, preferably also outside the antenna element. Through these gaps, air can escape from the gaps between the sensor membrane and the operating panel and/or the cover (in particular during assembly of the input device and in the mounted state), so that the inclusion of air (e.g. air pockets, air bubbles) in the capacitor of the sensor can be avoided. Preferably, in this arrangement, the operating panel additionally has at least one vent channel which is connected to at least one gap in the sensor membrane. Thus, the sensor area and the antenna element are closer to the user interface of the input device and their operation is not disturbed by the inclusion of air.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the operating panel has in its functional part, on its side facing the sensor membrane, at least one recess in a region outside the at least one sensor region (preferably also outside the antenna element) for forming a free space between the sensor membrane and the operating panel. Air can likewise escape through these recesses from the interspace between the sensor film and the operating panel, in particular during the assembly of the input device and in the installed state, so that the inclusion of air in the capacitor of the sensor can be avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the operating panel is arranged to be raised in the region of the at least one sensor region (preferably in the region of the antenna element) on its side facing the sensor membrane. This measure can ensure close contact between the operating panel and the sensor area or the antenna element, so that the measurement accuracy and reliability of the capacitive sensor or antenna can be improved.

According to an embodiment, the carrier plate, which is preferably provided as a printed circuit board, may be directly engaged with the operating panel or arranged in a housing engaged with the operating panel.

In a further arrangement of the invention, at least one illumination means, preferably in the form of LEDs, and/or at least one indication device, such as a display or the like, is arranged on the carrier plate, and the sensor film and the functional parts of the operating panel are arranged to be at least partially light-transmitting. The light transmission of the sensor film or the control panel can preferably be achieved by a suitable choice of materials or through holes.

In a further arrangement of the invention, the input device may additionally be provided with a decorative film. The decorative film is arranged, for example, on the side of the sensor film facing the user. By means of such a decorative film, for example, the operating buttons defined by the sensor area can be identified by means of a symbol. Alternatively, the sensor film itself may also be printed or coated with symbols or the like, i.e. a decorative film may be combined with the sensor film in order to form the component.

In a further arrangement of the invention, the input device may additionally be provided with a top layer or plate. The top layer is preferably arranged on the side of the operating membrane facing the user and the desired design (company logo etc.) can be provided, for example, by the final manufacturer of the device in which the input device is installed.

The input device of the present invention described above can be advantageously used in electronic home appliances (ranges, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, refrigerators, freezers, etc.) or commercial laundry treatment appliances (e.g., washing machines, tumble dryers, etc.).

The subject matter of the invention is also a sensor film with at least one capacitive sensor area and at least one antenna element for the inventive touch and/or proximity-sensitive input device described above.

Drawings

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred, non-limiting exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which (sometimes schematically):

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates in sub-FIGS. 2A and 2B a plurality of partial cross-sectional views of the input device of FIG. 1;

fig. 3 shows a plan view of a sensor membrane for an input device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

fig. 4 shows a plan view of a sensor membrane for an input device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an input device according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a sensor membrane for an input device according to the invention according to a further embodiment; and

fig. 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an input device according to the invention with the sensor membrane of fig. 8.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the structure of an input device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

The input device has an operating panel 10 of plastic material, for example PC or PMMA, which is provided with a functional part 11. The sensor film 12 is disposed on the side of the operation panel 10 facing the user (the left side in fig. 1 and 2). As shown in fig. 2B, the operation panel 10 is provided with a recessed portion 24B for receiving the sensor film 12 in the functional portion 11. The sensor film 12 may be bonded to the operation panel 10 in the concave portion 24 b.

As will be described later, the sensor membrane 12 is provided with a structure of a plurality of capacitive sensor areas 13 in order to form a touch and/or proximity sensitive input device having a capacitive functional principle. Furthermore, the sensor membrane 12 is provided with an antenna element 14 in order to enable wireless data exchange with, for example, a mobile phone of a user.

As shown in fig. 1, a decoration film 15 is also optionally provided on the side of the sensor film 12 facing the user. The decoration film 15 is light-transmitting and contains symbols for identifying the operation buttons determined by the sensor area 13 and the backlight information display. Alternatively, the symbol may be printed or coated directly on the sensor membrane 12.

Finally, a top layer 16 is also provided on the side facing the user, which top layer 16 covers the sensor film 12 and also the decor film 15 (when present). As shown in fig. 2B, the operation panel 10 is provided with a recessed portion 24a for receiving the top layer 16 in the functional portion 11. The recessed portion 24b for the sensor film 12 is arranged within the recessed portion for the top layer 16. The top layer 16 is formed from plastic (e.g., PC, PET). It is electrically non-conductive and its layer thickness is at least 2mm in order to form a dielectric for a capacitive sensor, which is arranged to be at least partially light-transmitting.

A carrier plate 17 in the form of a printed circuit board is on the side of the operating panel 10 facing away from the user (on the right in fig. 1 and 2). The carrier plate 17 is fixed to the operating panel 10, for example by screwing or snapping into place. A sensor circuit 18 and an antenna circuit 19 are arranged on the carrier plate 17, which are connected in an electrically conductive manner to the sensor region 13 and the antenna element 14, respectively, on the sensor film 12 by means of connecting lines in order to drive the sensor region 13 and the antenna element 14, respectively, and to evaluate their measurement signals. The connecting line 20 is guided through a hole 21 in the operating panel 10. The sensor circuit 18 and the antenna circuit 19 are connected to the device controller of the respective device in which the input device is installed, which input device can likewise be arranged on the carrier plate 17 or separate from it.

As shown in fig. 2A, the operation panel 10 has a plurality of concave portions 22 on a side facing the user in its function portion 11. These recessed portions 22 are located outside the sensor area 13 and the antenna element 14, and can allow air between the operation panel 10 and the sensor film 12 to escape when the sensor film 12 is mounted, so that air inclusion can be avoided.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, a plurality of illuminating members 23 in the form of LEDs are mounted on the carrier plate 17. The functional part 11 of the operating panel 10 is thus provided with a plurality of holes/light channels 30 in order to be light-transmitting. Here, sub fig. 2A shows the LED 23 for the 7-segment display, and sub fig. 2B shows the LED 23 for identifying the operation button determined by the sensor region 13.

With reference to fig. 3 and 4, two embodiments of sensor membranes for use in the input device of the present invention will be described in more detail below. For example, the sensor membranes in fig. 3 and 4 may be used in the input devices according to fig. 1-2, 5, 6 and 7.

Fig. 3 and 4 show in each case a sensor membrane 12 having: a structure of eight capacitive sensor areas 13, the electrode areas of which are connected to sensor circuits 18 on the carrier plate 17 by means of electrical wires 20 a; there is also an antenna element 14, the wire structure of which antenna element 14 is connected to an antenna circuit 19 on the carrier plate 17 by means of a further wire 20 b. The conductive elements of the sensor area 13 and the antenna element 14 are separated from each other and are thus electrically insulated from each other. The frequencies and intervals are chosen such that no mutual interference occurs. Alternatively, the sensor circuit 18 and the antenna circuit 19 may also be connected to each other and arranged such that the capacitive sensor area 13 is switched off when the antenna element 14 is active.

In the embodiment variant of fig. 3, the antenna element 14 is located beside the structure of the sensor area 13. In the embodiment variant of fig. 4, the antenna elements 14 extend around the structure of the sensor region 13. In the case of fig. 4, the wires 20b for connecting the sensor area 13 preferably extend substantially perpendicular to the conductive structure of the antenna element 14 in order to minimize interference effects.

The sensor area 13 and the antenna element 14 may be arranged on the same side of the carrier film or on different sides of the carrier film.

Referring to fig. 5, the structure of an input device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. In this example, the same or corresponding parts as those in the first example embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In particular, the input device of fig. 5 differs from the first exemplary embodiment according to fig. 1 and 2 in that the sensor membrane 12 is arranged on the side of the operating panel 10 facing away from the user.

Although not shown in the example embodiment of fig. 5, the decoration film 15 may be selectively provided; in the embodiment of fig. 5, for example between the sensor membrane 12 and the operating panel 10 or between the top membrane 16 and the operating panel 10.

As shown in fig. 5, a housing 25 for receiving the carrier plate 17 (which carrier plate 17 has the sensor circuit 18 and the antenna circuit 19) may also be provided. In this case, the housing 25 is fixed to the operation panel 10, for example, by screwing or snapping into place. The sensor film 12 is fixed to the operation panel 10 by adhesive bonding.

In addition, the exemplary embodiment of fig. 5 corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment of fig. 1 and 2 and possible variations thereof.

Referring to fig. 6, the structure of an input device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail below. In this example, the same or corresponding parts as those in the previous example embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The input device of fig. 6 differs from the second exemplary embodiment according to fig. 5 in that a flexible pressure element 26 is arranged between the housing 25 for the carrier plate 17 and the sensor membrane 12, which flexible pressure element 26 bears against the housing 25 and presses the sensor membrane 12 against the operating panel 10. The flexible pressure element 26 is for example a foam sheet, such as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene rubber). The pressure element has a layer thickness of, for example, about 2 mm. When such a pressure element 26 is used, the adhesive bonding of the sensor film 12 to the operation panel 10 can be omitted.

In addition, the example embodiment of fig. 6 corresponds to the second example embodiment of fig. 5 and its possible variations.

Referring to fig. 7, the structure of an input device according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail below. In this example, the same or corresponding parts as those in the previous example embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 7, at least one diffusing element 27 is additionally provided in the functional part 11 of the operating panel 10 in order to diffuse the light guided through the holes in the operating panel.

This embodiment can be combined with all the previous exemplary embodiments. That is, the carrier plate 17 may be fixed to the operating panel 10 or accommodated in a housing 25 fixed to the operating panel 10, and the sensor membrane 12 may be fixed to the operating panel 10 by adhesive bonding or pressed against the operating panel 10 by a flexible pressure element 26.

With reference to fig. 8 and 9, a further embodiment of the sensor membrane and its integration in the input device of the invention will be described in more detail below. In this example, the same or corresponding parts as those in the previous example embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The sensor membrane 12 of fig. 8 is provided with: a structure of sixteen capacitive sensor areas 13, the electrode areas of which are connected to the sensor circuit 18 on the carrier plate 17 by means of electrical lines 20 a; and an antenna element 14, the wire structure of the antenna element 14 being connected to the antenna circuit 19 on the carrier plate 17 by a further wire 20 b. In the embodiment of fig. 8, the antenna element 14 is located beside the structure of the sensor area 13. Alternatively, the antenna element 14 may also extend around the structure of the sensor region 13.

The exemplary embodiment of the sensor membrane 12 of fig. 8 differs from the embodiment according to fig. 3 and 4 in that there are a plurality of gaps 28. The gaps 28 are located next to the sensor regions 13 and in a part of the structure of the sensor regions 13, respectively. As shown in fig. 9, these gaps 28 may be connected with vent channels 29 to enable air between the sensor membrane 12 and the operating panel 10 to escape, thereby preventing the inclusion of air. The vent channel 29 may be, for example, a component part of the operating panel 10 or be mounted as a separate element on the carrier plate 17. Also, the gap 28 may be used to allow light to pass through.

The sensor membrane 12 of fig. 8 can equally be used in all the exemplary embodiments of the input device of the invention described above.

As shown in fig. 9, the operating panel 10 may also have light channels 30 in order to guide light from the illumination means 23 on the carrier plate 17 through the operating panel 10. The sensor membrane 12 is likewise provided with a gap at the location of the optical channel 30. The diffuser element 27 may be mounted on the operator panel 10, for example at the end of the optical channel 30, as shown in fig. 7. This embodiment variant is particularly advantageous when using an operating panel of opaque material.