Patent ID: 7667947
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: G01D,H03K,H05B

Abstract:
1. An operating device for an electrical appliance having an operating field capable of varying shape, having a capacitive sensor element below said operating field, wherein operation occurs by applying pressure on said operating field, said sensor element having an electrically conductive, lower sensor surface as a capacitor plate, wherein said operating field is above said lower sensor surface and a dielectric layer is located between said operating field and said sensor surface, wherein said operating field is electrically conductive at least on its outside and formed by a flat material forming a cover being larger than said operating field and extending beyond said operating field and said cover is of a thinner thickness in the vicinity of said operating field, and wherein the application of the pressure onto said outside of said operating field causes the operating field to approach said lower sensor surface thereby effecting a change in capacitance at the capacitive sensor element.