Innovative capacitive switch deployed in high end washing machines

The switches and panels use capacitive field sensing technology to enable user interfaces with no moving parts which are suitable for medical, industrial, consumer and home appliance applications. "Capacitive switch technology offers a proven upgrade to mechanical controls in electronic user interfaces," commented Steve Fulton, engineering manager at Molex. "The washing machine user panels encapsulate imaginative ideas and robust engineering for enhanced functionality, with exceptional product reliability and energy savings." The designs incorporate solid state circuitry in an interface that is resistant to multiple key presses, water, dirt, contaminants and EMI. A single 44pin microcontroller handles all panel functionality, with universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter communication ensuring consistent responsiveness.