A TOUCH SWITCH FOR A CONTROL DEVICE OF AN ELECTRIC AND/OR ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

• US 20160134284A1
• Filed: 06/13/2014
• Published: 05/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Bosscher, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 10,298,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/9602 characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960765 Details of shielding arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960785 with illumination

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch switch of (10) for a control device of an electric and/or electronic apparatus. The touch switch (10) comprises a non conductive layer (14) made of an electrically non-conductive material or material composition, a touch sensor (12) arranged at a bottom side or rear side of the non conductive layer (14), a metallic layer (16) arranged at a top side or front side, respectively, of the non conductive layer (14), and a cut-out (18) formed in the metallic layer (16) and arranged at the non conductive layer (14) opposite to the touch sensor (12). The metallic layer (16) is connected to a ground connection (22). Further, the present invention relates to a control device for an electric and/or electronic apparatus. Moreover, the present invention relates to an electric and/or electronic apparatus, in particular a domestic appliance.

Claims

1. A touch switch for a control device of an electric and/or electronic apparatus, wherein said touch switch comprises:

a layer made of an electrically non-conductive material or material composition,

a touch sensor arranged at a bottom side or rear side of the layer,

a metallic layer arranged at a top side or front side, respectively, of the layer, and

a cut-out formed in the metallic layer and arranged at the layer opposite to the touch sensor, wherein

the metallic layer is connected to a ground connection.

2. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the metallic layer is formed as a single-piece part.

3. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one light source element is arranged below or behind, respectively, the touch sensor and/or wherein the, preferably transparent, layer extends within and/or below the cut out.

4. The touch switch according to claim 3, characterized in that the touch sensor is at partially transparent for the light from the light source element.

5. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch sensor is a capacitive sensor and includes at least two electrodes.

6. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch sensor is a part of a capacitive sensor and forms a first electrode, wherein the metallic layer forms a second electrode.

7. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch sensor is a inductive sensor and includes at least one coil.

8. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch sensor is an optical sensor.

9. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch sensor is an infrared sensor.

10. The touch switch according to claim 1, characterized in that the touch switch comprises at least one identification mark indicating the area, which has to be touched by the user in order to actuate the touch switch.

11. A control device of an electric and/or electronic apparatus including at least one touch switch, characterized in that the control device includes at least one touch switch according to claim 1.

12. The control device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control device includes a number of touch switches, wherein at least a part of said touch switches comprises a common metallic layer formed as a single-piece part.

13. The control device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control device comprises a number of identification marks indicating the areas, which have to be touched by the user in order to actuate the corresponding touch switch.

14. (canceled)

15. An electric and/or electronic apparatus, particular a domestic appliance, characterized in that the electric and/or electronic apparatus is a domestic appliance.