Capacitive user interface for a faucet and method of forming
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic user interface for a faucet comprising:
- a thermally formed assembly of layers including a conductive layer, a graphics layer, and a protective layer, wherein;
the conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive sensors supported by a polymeric film;
the graphics layer includes a plurality of visual indicia supported by a polymeric film, the visual indicia aligned above the conductive sensors; and
the protective layer includes a polymeric film positioned above the graphics layer;
wherein the plurality of conductive sensors includes a first user input configured to control a first characteristic of water through the faucet, and a second user input configured to control a second characteristic of water through the faucet, the first user input comprising a first touch sensor to control a flow rate of water, and the second user input comprising a second touch sensor to control a temperature of water;
the first touch sensor including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts defining a plurality of segments extending between opposing lower and upper ends, wherein touching a segment of the first touch sensor proximate the lower end selects a lower flow rate of water, and touching a segment of the first touch sensor proximate the upper end selects a higher flow rate of water;
the second touch sensor including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts defining a plurality of segments extending between opposing lower and upper ends, wherein touching a segment of the second touch sensor proximate the lower end selects a lower temperature of water, and touching a segment of the second touch sensor proximate the upper end selects a higher temperature of water; and
a structural support formed of a polymer and molded to the rear of the conductive layer, wherein the structural support is configured to couple the electronic user interface in a faucet spout.
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Abstract
An electronic user interface for use with a water delivery device, such as a faucet. The user interface illustratively includes a plurality of bonded layers thermally formed into a multi-dimensional shape. The layers may include a conductive layer, a graphics layer, and a protective layer. A structural support may be molded to a rear of the conductive layer.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. An electronic user interface for a faucet comprising:
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a thermally formed assembly of layers including a conductive layer, a graphics layer, and a protective layer, wherein; the conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive sensors supported by a polymeric film; the graphics layer includes a plurality of visual indicia supported by a polymeric film, the visual indicia aligned above the conductive sensors; and the protective layer includes a polymeric film positioned above the graphics layer; wherein the plurality of conductive sensors includes a first user input configured to control a first characteristic of water through the faucet, and a second user input configured to control a second characteristic of water through the faucet, the first user input comprising a first touch sensor to control a flow rate of water, and the second user input comprising a second touch sensor to control a temperature of water; the first touch sensor including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts defining a plurality of segments extending between opposing lower and upper ends, wherein touching a segment of the first touch sensor proximate the lower end selects a lower flow rate of water, and touching a segment of the first touch sensor proximate the upper end selects a higher flow rate of water; the second touch sensor including a plurality of electrically conductive contacts defining a plurality of segments extending between opposing lower and upper ends, wherein touching a segment of the second touch sensor proximate the lower end selects a lower temperature of water, and touching a segment of the second touch sensor proximate the upper end selects a higher temperature of water; and a structural support formed of a polymer and molded to the rear of the conductive layer, wherein the structural support is configured to couple the electronic user interface in a faucet spout. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9)
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5. An electronic user interface for a faucet comprising:
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a thermally formed assembly of layers including a conductive layer, a graphics layer, and a protective layer, wherein; the conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive sensors supported by a polymeric film; the graphics layer includes a plurality of visual indicia supported by a polymeric film, the visual indicia aligned above the conductive sensors; and the protective layer includes a polymeric film positioned above the graphics layer; wherein the plurality of conductive sensors includes a first user input configured to control a first characteristic of water through the faucet, and a second user input configured to control a second characteristic of water through the faucet; and a structural support formed of a polymer and molded to the rear of the conductive layer, wherein the structural support is configured to couple the electronic user interface in a faucet spout; wherein the first user input comprises a first touch slider to control a flow rate of water, and the second user input comprises a second touch slider to control a temperature of water.
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6. An electronic user interface for a faucet comprising:
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a delivery spout including an outlet for supplying water; a thermally formed assembly of layers including a conductive layer, a graphics layer, and a protective layer, wherein; the conductive layer includes a plurality of conductive sensors supported by a polymeric film, wherein the plurality of conductive sensors includes a first user input configured to control a first characteristic of water through the outlet of the delivery spout, and a second user input configured to control a second characteristic of water through the delivery spout; the graphics layer includes a plurality of visual indicia supported by a polymeric film; the protective layer includes a polymeric film positioned above the graphics layer, wherein the layers are thermally formed into a three dimensional shape, wherein the shape is curved in multiple directions; and a structural support formed of a polymer and molded to the rear of the conductive layer, the structural support being coupled to the delivery spout; wherein the first user input comprises a first touch slider to control a flow rate of water, and the second user input comprises a second touch slider to control a temperature of water.
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Specification