Capacitive Load Control Interface for Touch and Gesture Dimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional load control devices are limited in their ability to control advanced electrical loads due to their simple actuation mechanisms and lack of visual feedback, making it difficult for users to manage multiple parameters or control multiple loads through a single device.
Innovation Solution
A control device equipped with a touch-sensitive actuation member and capacitive touch pads that detect both touch and non-contact gestures, allowing for advanced control of lighting loads, including intensity and color adjustments, through a capacitive touch-sensitive surface and a control circuit that interprets these inputs to control lighting loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical toggle switches are used for load control, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the control functionality is limited and cannot manage multiple parameters or loads
Solution Approach 1:
The control device integrates multiple functions including touch-sensitive surface detection, non-contact gesture recognition, visual feedback display, and control of multiple electrical loads with different parameters. The capacitive touch pads and control circuit enable the single device to perform diverse control operations that would otherwise require multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical toggle switches with an electronic control system featuring capacitive touch-sensitive surfaces and non-contact gesture detection. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts while enabling sophisticated control capabilities through electronic sensing and processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If simple actuation mechanisms are used in load control devices, then the device is easy to operate, but the number and types of control operations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control device offers multiple interaction modes including contact-based touch gestures and non-contact gestures, allowing users to select the most convenient interaction method for each situation. The system dynamically adapts to different user preferences and environmental conditions while providing comprehensive control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates visual feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information to users about the state of controlled loads and the result of control operations. This feedback loop enhances ease of operation by confirming user actions and enabling intuitive control without requiring users to remember device states.
3Loss of information
If traditional load control devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but visual feedback to users about device operation and load state is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses visual feedback elements such as LEDs or display elements that change color or illumination state to communicate device status and load state to users. This provides intuitive visual information about operational modes, controlled load states, and system feedback without requiring complex display interfaces.
4Adaptability or versatility
If advanced electrical loads with multiple parameters are controlled, then the lighting control capabilities are enhanced, but the requirement for control device functionality increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to control multiple types of electrical loads including lighting loads with parameters such as intensity and color. The control circuit and touch-sensitive interface provide universal control capabilities that can manage various load types and parameters through a single device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized controllers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user interaction and control over lighting loads by enabling intuitive gesture-based control and providing visual feedback, expanding the capabilities of load control systems to manage complex lighting settings and multiple loads seamlessly.
Implementation Method 1
The touch sensitive device may comprise one or more capacitive touch pads located behind the actuation member and arranged adjacent to the touch sensitive surface. The control circuit may be configured to detect a change in a characteristic of one or more of the touch sensitive pads (e.g., a voltage, a voltage change, and/or a number of times that a change in a count for one or more of the capacitive touch pads has exceeded a capacitance-change threshold).
Data Source
AI summary
A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.