Home technology regulator and method for regulating and/or controlling a household appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home automation devices require complex operation and maintenance, with control systems often involving multiple buttons and interfaces that can be prone to accidental activation and are not user-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A building technology controller utilizing a proximity-sensitive sensor integrated with evaluation electronics, eliminating the need for physical buttons by using a single, seamless input field made of transparent or opaque materials, with a touch panel for enhanced usability and a sleep mode to prevent accidental operation, featuring sensitivity adjustment and a scroll booster for efficient parameter adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons and interfaces are used for control, then the device can provide more functions and controls, but the operation becomes more complex and prone to accidental activation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control buttons are merged into a single touch-sensitive input field. The input field can detect different touch positions, durations, and patterns to provide various control functions, thereby reducing the number of physical buttons while maintaining operational versatility and simplifying the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The single input field serves multiple functions by detecting different touch interactions (position, duration, pattern) to execute various control commands. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple dedicated buttons, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability across different control scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If physical buttons are used for input, then the device is easy to operate, but the housing requires additional components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical button structure is extracted and replaced with a touch-sensitive sensor integrated directly into the housing panel. This eliminates the need for separate button components, reducing assembly steps and simplifying the housing structure while maintaining ease of operation through direct touch interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical button press system is replaced with an electrical/touch-based sensing system. The input field uses proximity-sensitive or capacitive sensors that detect touch without requiring mechanical movement, thereby eliminating mechanical buttons and simplifying the housing structure.
3Ease of operation
If the control device remains active continuously, then it is always ready for operation, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device alternates between active and sleep states. During normal operation, the device is active and responsive to touch inputs. After a period of inactivity, it automatically transitions to a low-power sleep state, periodically checking for input while conserving energy. This periodic cycling balances availability with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device automatically manages its own power state by detecting user inactivity and transitioning to sleep mode without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates its availability based on usage patterns, reducing energy consumption while maintaining readiness when needed.
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
Simplifies the operation and regulation of home appliances by reducing the complexity of interfaces, enhancing user experience through intuitive touch controls and minimizing accidental activations, while optimizing energy consumption by entering a sleep mode after inactivity.
Implementation Method 1
an input field (11) and a display (12), the input field (11) having at least one proximity-sensitive sensor (13) which, when touched or when an electrically conductive object comes very close to the sensor (13), detects the electrical state of the sensor (13) or a change in state and accordingly emits a position signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The regulator has a device (10) including an input field (11) with a proximity-sensitive capacitive sensor connected with an evaluation unit. The unit detects a change of an electrical condition of the sensor and outputs a position signal to an electronic circuit. The sensor is arranged behind a hard plate (21) of a housing (20). The plate is closed and is formed as a single piece. The sensor and the evaluation unit are connected with an interface i.e. serial peripheral interface bus, where the regulator is connected with the circuit over another interface i.e. controller area network-bus. An independent claim is also included for a method for regulating and/or controlling a household appliance.