Bathing Unit Control Panel for One-Touch Ambiance Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathing unit control systems are cumbersome and time-consuming for users to adjust operational settings to achieve desired ambiances, as they require navigating through menus and making multiple selections.
Innovation Solution
A method and control panel that allow users to transition from a rest mode to an ambiance setting with a single unitary input event, using a control panel that generates and transmits a control signal to the controller to adjust multiple bathing unit components based on pre-stored ambiance settings, which can be selected automatically based on criteria like time, temperature, or user identity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually adjust each operational parameter independently through menu navigation, then precise control over bathing unit components is achieved, but user interaction time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple operational parameters into packaged ambiance settings stored in memory. When a user selects an ambiance setting, all associated parameters (lighting, music, jet flow rates, temperature) are automatically applied simultaneously, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust each parameter individually and significantly reducing the time required to achieve a desired ambiance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple independent operational parameters into unified ambiance packages. Each ambiance setting integrates lighting levels, music playback, jet pump flow rates, heater temperature settings, and other parameters into a single selectable option, allowing users to control the entire bathing unit environment with one action rather than multiple separate adjustments.
2Device complexity
If multiple operational parameters are controlled independently, then flexibility in customization is maintained, but device complexity and user interface complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments ambiance configurations into distinct, pre-defined packages (e.g., relaxation, party, morning refresh) stored in memory. Each package contains specific parameter combinations suitable for different occasions. This segmentation allows the complex multi-parameter control system to be simplified into manageable, context-specific presets that reduce interface complexity while maintaining versatility through multiple themed options.
Solution Approach 2:
The ambiance settings are designed to be universally applicable across different bathing unit configurations. Each ambiance package can control multiple component types (lights, audio system, pumps, heaters) simultaneously, allowing a single control mechanism to serve multiple functions and reduce overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability to various operational scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a control panel are described for facilitating the control of a bathing unit system so that the bathing unit system is caused to transition between operating in accordance with a first operational mode to operating in accordance with a second operational mode. A control signal is generated in response to a unitary user input event performed by a user at a control panel of the bathing unit system, the control signal conveying an ambiance activation command associated with a specific ambience setting, the generation of the control signal comprising selecting the specific ambience setting from a set of ambience settings stored in a memory device. The control signal is then transmitted from the control panel to the controller over a communication link where it is processed to cause the bathing unit system to transition from being in the rest mode to operating in accordance with the specific ambience setting. The method and a control panel may allow simplifying the control of the bathing unit system in order to achieve a desired total effect by allowing a user to cause the bathing unit to operate in accordance with an ambience setting by way of a unitary user input event performed at the control panel.