Sensor assembly for detecting an approaching and/or contacting object, and method for assembling a sensor assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9329217-B2
Application number	US-201113824330-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 18, 2011
Priority date	Oct 21, 2010
Publication date	May 3, 2016
Grant date	May 3, 2016

Abstract

A sensor assembly and method for producing a sensor assembly for detecting an approaching and/or contacting object. The sensor assembly includes at least one sensor support surface having a first flat side and a second flat side, a proximity and/or contact sensor, which is connected to the first flat side and/or to the second flat side of the sensor support surface, a decoration support medium having a first support flat side and a second support flat side, and a decoration layer, which is connected to the first support flat side and/or to the second support flat side of the decoration support medium and/or is an integral part of the decoration support medium. The decoration support medium includes a glass or plastic film or panel which is back-molded on the first support flat side thereof and/or on the second support flat side, directly or indirectly, using an injection molding material.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A sensor assembly for detecting an approaching and/or contacting object, said sensor assembly comprising:
a sensor support layer having a first flat side and a second flat side,
a sensor connected to at least one of the first flat side and the second flat side of the sensor support layer for detecting at least one of contact and proximity of an object,
a decoration support medium having a first support flat side and a second support flat side, the decoration support medium being at least partially translucent or transparent,
a decoration layer, said decoration layer being at least one of connected to and integral with at least one of the first support flat side and the second support flat side of the decoration support medium,
the decoration support medium including a glass or plastic film or panel,
an injection-moulding material layer, the injection-moulding material layer being at least partially transparent and being located between the decoration layer and the sensor support layer,
the decoration support medium being at least partially connected to the sensor support layer by at least one of the decoration layer, the injection-moulding material layer and an adhesive.

2. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor support layer and the decoration support medium are partially connected to each other along one of the flat sides of the sensor support layer and one of the support flat sides of the decoration support medium.

3. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor support layer and the decoration support medium are connected to each other by an adhesive connection.

4. The sensor assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the adhesive connection has an adhesive surface with local cutouts.

5. The sensor assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the adhesive connection has an adhesive surface, an adhesion effect of which is locally weakened, at least partially.

6. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor support layer and the decoration support medium are connected to each other by a clamp connection.

7. The sensor assembly according to claim 6 , wherein at least one of the decoration support medium, the injection-moulding material, and the sensor support layer form a clamping frame.

8. The sensor assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a lamp, which in operation emits light through at least one of both flat sides of the sensor support layer, and through both support flat sides of the decoration support medium.

9. The sensor assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the lamp includes an electroluminescence lamp with at least one light pigment layer between two electrode layers.

10. The sensor assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the electroluminescence lamp is mounted on at least one of at least one of the flat sides of the sensor support layer and at least one of the support flat sides of the decoration support medium.

11. The sensor assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the lamp is positioned on a same flat side of the sensor support layer on which the sensor is arranged.

12. The sensor assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the sensor and the lamp are arranged side by side along an extension defined by a plane of extension of the sensor support layer.

13. The sensor assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the sensor is arranged in the extension about a region in which the lamp is positioned, or in which the lamp is arranged in the extension about a region in which the sensor is positioned.

14. A method for assembling a sensor assembly for detecting at least one of an approaching and a contacting object, said method comprising the following steps:
providing a sensor support layer with a first flat side and a second flat side,
connecting a sensor to at least one of the first flat side and the second flat side of the sensor support layer,
providing a decoration support medium with a first support flat side and a second support flat side, the decoration support medium including a glass or plastic film or panel,
connecting a decoration layer to at least one of the support flat sides of the decoration support medium and providing a decoration layer as an integral part of the decoration support medium,
back-moulding of the decoration support medium on at least one of the first support flat side and the second support flat side with an injection-moulding material,
connecting the decoration support medium to the sensor support layer,
whereby at least one of (1) the decoration support medium is connected to the sensor support layer subsequently to the back-moulding step, and (2) the back-moulding of the decoration support medium and connecting the decoration support medium to the sensor support layer is carried out in a single operation step.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein prior to the back-moulding the decoration support medium is subjected to a forming process.

Assignees

• Senninger Christian
• Weiss Oliver
• Rein Achim
• Ihle Judith
• Wiesener Oliver
• Vor Der Brüggen Jens
• Schreiner Group Gmbh & Co Kg

Inventors

• Senninger Christian
• Weiss Oliver
• Rein Achim
• Ihle Judith
• Wiesener Oliver
• Vor Der Brüggen Jens

Classifications

• H03K2017/9606

  using one electrode only per touch switch · CPC title

• H03K2217/960785

  with illumination · CPC title

• H03K2217/960755

  Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches · CPC title

• H03K17/962 Primary

  Capacitive touch switches · CPC title

• G01R27/2605 Primary

  Measuring capacitance (capacitive sensors G01D5/24) · CPC title