Touch control human machine interface

Abstract

A touch control human-machine interface for use in controlling operation of a machine, said interface including: an interface housing; a cover plate disposed on an outer-surface of the housing, said cover plate having a first electrically-conductive portion configured for touch interaction by a user's finger; a circuit assembly disposed within the housing, said circuit assembly including a circuit board having a second electrically-conductive portion and a light illumination module operably-connected thereto; a spacer element disposed between and separating the first conductive portion from the second conductive portion such that the first conductive portion, the second conductive portion and the spacer element are configured to form a capacitor device that is operably-connected with the circuit assembly; said first electrically-conductive portion being configured for deformation by the user's finger so as to cause a change in capacitance across the capacitor device, and whereby responsive to said change in capacitance, the circuit assembly is configured for generating a control signal for controlling operation of the machine, and, for controlling the light illumination module to propagate a light emission from the circuit assembly through the housing and cover plate so as to be visible externally of the housing.