Care Call Button Switch Configuration for Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing care call systems in healthcare institutions face reliability issues due to complex and costly cables, plugs, and modules, particularly in detecting faults such as a blocked or defective call button, and require a reduction in the number of electrical conductors and pins to enhance reliability and lower costs.
Innovation Solution
The care call system incorporates a call button with a call actuator featuring a combination of normally closed and normally open switches, allowing for fault detection and using a reduced number of electrical conductors and pins, with the normally closed switch making a connection in its rest state and breaking it when pressed, and the normally open switch not connecting until pressed, ensuring that failure mechanisms differ between the two types of switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex cable and plug system with multiple electrical conductors and pins is used to support multiple functions (call function, comfort functions, monitoring appliance connection), then the functionality and versatility of the care call system is improved, but the reliability decreases and cost increases due to the higher number of components that can fail
Solution Approach 1:
The care call system uses a universal cable and plug design where the same cable with multiple conductors can connect different devices (call button, monitoring appliance, comfort functions) to the wall module. The plug contains multiple electrical conductors that can be configured for different functions, allowing one cable design to serve multiple purposes and device types.
2Measurement precision
If multiple switches and electrical components are integrated into the call button to enable fault detection and multiple functions, then the measurement precision and detection capability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The call button is segmented into functionally independent switch components, each handling specific tasks (call function, comfort functions, fault detection). This segmentation allows each switch to be simple and reliable while the collective system provides comprehensive functionality. The electrical conductors are also segmented into separate lines for different functions, making the system easier to diagnose and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate detection mechanisms (detection switches, electrical conductors) that mediate between the user action (pressing the call button) and the system response. These intermediaries enable fault detection by providing separate signal paths that can monitor the state of each component independently.
3Device complexity
If the number of electrical conductors and pins in the cable and plug is reduced to lower cost and simplify the system, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to support multiple functions and appliances is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cable and plug are designed as universal interfaces that can support multiple functions through configuration rather than through dedicated separate connections. The same plug design with multiple conductors can serve call buttons, monitoring appliances, and comfort functions, reducing the need for multiple specialized cable types while maintaining full functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A care call system comprises: - a call button (101); - a cable (121) with plug (131), connected to the call button (101); and - a wall module (141-143) with negative plug (151-155) for the plug (131). The call button (101) comprises a call actuator (111), which enables to call a care provider from a room. The call actuator (111) comprises at least one call switch (203) and at least one detection switch (204), the respective signals of which are transmitted via the cable (121) and plug (131) to the wall module (141-143). The call actuator (111) comprises one or more normally closed switches (203) as call switch and one or more normally open switches (204) as detection switch, or vice versa.