Operating device for electrical appliance has sensor element that has distance holder in its outer region and that is pressed against metallic conductive operating panel to cause capacitance change

摘要

The device has a shape-variable or elastic operating panel (13) that is pressed to operate the appliance and has a capacitive sensor element (18) underneath with an electrically conductive sensor surface (20) forming one capacitor plate and a dielectric layer (22) between the sensor element and the operating panel. The operating panel is metallic and/or electrically conductive and pressing on it causes a capacitance change. The sensor element has a distance holder (24) in its outer region and is pressed against the operating panel. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a sensor element for an operating device (B) and an electrical appliance, especially a domestic appliance.