Input device with an array of force sensors in a film layer structure with improved durability and simplified production

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10990228-B2
Application number	US-201916375552-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 4, 2019
Priority date	Apr 26, 2018
Publication date	Apr 27, 2021
Grant date	Apr 27, 2021

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an input device comprising a flat panel defining an array of control surfaces, a support disposed on a side of the panel, and a substantially flat film layer placed between the panel and the support defining an array of capacitive sensors, wherein each control surfaces comprises backlightable luminous surfaces and are disposed on a surface of the panel facing towards an operator, wherein each capacitive sensor forms a measuring capacitance assigned to one control surface, wherein the panel has a light-conducting layer covering the luminous surfaces, wherein a lighting means is provided for each control surface for backlighting the associated luminous surface of the control surface while transmitting light through the light-conducting layer, wherein the support forms a web which protrudes towards the panel and is connected to the panel in order to fix the film layer structure between the panel and the support.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An input device comprising:
a flat panel defining an array of control surfaces:
a support disposed on a side of the panel facing away from the operator; and
a film layer structure disposed between the panel and the support and which defines an array of capacitive sensors, wherein the control surfaces each comprise backlightable luminous surfaces and the control surfaces are disposed on a surface of the panel facing towards an operator;
wherein each of the capacitive sensors forms a measuring capacitance assigned to one of the control surfaces, wherein the panel, on the side facing towards the support, includes a light-conducting layer covering at least the luminous surfaces in a connecting manner, wherein, on the side of the support, a plurality of lighting means is provided for each control surface for backlighting the associated luminous surface of the control surface while transmitting light through the light-conducting layer;
wherein the support forms at least one web rising from between the plurality of lighting means through a through-hole, the web having an end that faces away from the support and is connected to the light conducting layer of the panel, and which reaches through the film layer structure and protrudes beyond the film layer structure towards the panel, and is connected to the panel in order to fix the film layer structure between the panel and the support.

2. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the web is configured such that the end thereof pointing away from the support is disposed between the luminous surfaces.

3. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the web is made from a thermoplastic material, the light-conducting layer is made from a thermoplastic material, and the support is welded to the panel.

4. The input device of claim 3 , wherein the panel has a decorative film that is back-molded with a translucent or transparent thermoplastic material for forming the light-conducting layer.

5. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the web is formed so as to reach through the film layer structure protruding beyond the film layer structure in the direction of the panel.

6. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the film layer structure has at least one opaque layer and has one or several through-holes for the passage of light from the respective lighting means to the light-conducting layer.

7. The input device of claim 6 , wherein the web is disposed so as to reach through the through-hole, respectively, of the film layer structure.

8. The input device of claim 1 , configured for use in a motor vehicle.

9. A method for producing an input device, comprising:
providing a flat panel defining an array of control surfaces, wherein the control surfaces each comprise backlightable luminous surfaces and the control surfaces are disposed on a surface of the panel facing towards an operator, wherein a light-conducting layer covering the luminous surfaces in a connecting manner is provided on the side of the panel facing away from the operator;
providing a support, wherein, on a side of the support, a plurality of lighting means is provided for each control surface for backlighting the associated luminous surface of the control surface while transmitting light through the light-conducting layer, and the support forms at least one web rising from between the plurality of lighting means through a through-hole, the web having an end that faces away from the support and is connected to the light conducting layer of the panel, and which reaches through a film layer structure and protrudes beyond the film layer structure towards the panel;
disposing the film layer structure between the panel and the support, wherein the film layer structure defines an array of capacitive sensors, wherein each of the capacitive sensors forms a measuring capacitance assigned to one of the control surfaces; and
fastening the panel and the support, by the web being connected, to the panel in order to fix the film layer structure between the panel and the support.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
producing the support, wherein the support is made from a thermoplastic material; and
producing the panel, wherein the panel is made by back-molding a decorative film with a translucent or transparent thermoplastic material while forming the light-conducting layer,
wherein the web is welded to the light-conducting layer when the panel and the support are fastened.

Assignees

• Preh Gmbh

Inventors

• Heurich David
• Lembach Matthias
• Schmidt Ronald

Classifications

• H03K2217/9651

  the moving element acting on a force, e.g. pressure sensitive element · CPC title

• H03K17/975

  using a capacitive movable element · CPC title

• G01L1/142

  using capacitors · CPC title

• G06F2203/04103

  Manufacturing, i.e. details related to manufacturing processes specially suited for touch sensitive devices · CPC title

• G06F3/0202

  Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device · CPC title