Patent ID: 7652220
Filing Date: 2010-01-26
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A sensor device for use in a household appliance producing a toggle signal when a switch zone is touched with a user's finger, the sensor device comprising: a capacitance sensor element that is electrically connected with an electrical control system; a panel made from a non-metallic material having a front side and a back side, the front side facing the user and the back side facing away from the user; an electrically insulated circuit board positioned parallel to the panel and adjacent to the back side of the panel, the circuit board having a front side facing the back side of the panel and a back side and wherein the sensor element is mounted on the back side of the circuit board, wherein the circuit board is affixed to the panel; and a conductive field affixed to the front side of the circuit board and not electrically connected to the sensor element, whereby the conductive field defines the switch zone, wherein the surface area comprising the switch zone is different than the surface area comprising the sensor element.