Conductive Chain Touch Dimming Overhead Lights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical pull chain switches in overhead light fixtures are prone to failure due to worn-out springs and contact points, and are difficult for individuals with dexterity issues to operate, while existing dimming controls are limited to tabletop lamps and remote controls with battery-related issues.

Innovation Solution

A touch-sensitive pull chain system that uses electronic capacitance sensing to control an electrical switching mechanism, allowing users to turn on/off and adjust dimming levels by touching the chain, eliminating the need for mechanical switches and enabling easy control for those with dexterity challenges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical pull chain switches are used in overhead light fixtures, then the switching function is achieved, but the reliability deteriorates due to worn-out springs and contact points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pull chain switch with an electrical touch-sensitive switch. The conductive chain serves as a touch sensor that detects human contact through capacitance changes, triggering an electronic switching mechanism instead of mechanical springs and contactors. This eliminates the mechanical components that wear out, thereby improving reliability while reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive chain acts as an intermediary between the user and the lighting system. Instead of directly mechanically actuating a switch, the chain serves as a touch-sensitive interface that converts human contact into an electrical signal, which then controls the lighting through electronic circuitry. This intermediary approach eliminates direct mechanical wear while maintaining user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If mechanical pull chain switches are used, then the switching function is provided, but the ease of operation deteriorates for people with dexterity issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation accessibilityVSAvoidmechanical component durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical pulling action requiring hand dexterity is replaced with a touch-sensitive electrical system. Users simply need to touch the conductive chain, which detects the contact through capacitance changes and triggers the switching function electronically. This eliminates the need for grasping, holding, and pulling mechanical components, making operation accessible to people with dexterity issues while improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote controls with batteries are used for dimming overhead lights, then dimming control is achieved, but the use of energy deteriorates due to battery power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimming control capabilityVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing electrical infrastructure of the light fixture to power the touch-sensitive dimming control, eliminating the need for separate battery power sources. The conductive chain and electronic circuitry are powered by the fixture's electrical supply, making the dimming control self-sufficient without external energy sources. This removes battery-related energy consumption while maintaining full dimming adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The touch-sensitive system enhances reliability by avoiding mechanical failures and allows individuals with dexterity issues to easily control overhead light fixtures, providing a durable and user-friendly solution for dimming and switching.

Implementation Method 1

uses electronic capacitance sensing to sense human skin touch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10228116B2Conductive chain for touch dimming overhead lights

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 HKC US LLC

AI summary

Switches, devices, systems, and methods for using a conductive pull chain on an overhead light where physically touching the chain can turn on and off the light as well as provides dimming levels of the overhead light, and for converting overhead light fixtures to have a pull chain that can become touch sensitive to turn on and off and have different light dimming levels. The pull chains can also be consecutively pulled to different brightness levels with three switch controls. The overhead lights can be wall mounted lights, ceiling mounted lights and/or ceiling fans with light fixtures.