Lighting Control Console Slider Mounting via Circuit Board

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting control desks require numerous recesses in the console housing for attaching sliders, which compromises dust sealing and optical integrity, as sliders are attached directly to the wall, leading to potential dust ingress and optical disturbances.

Innovation Solution

The sliders are instead attached to an electronic circuit board within the console housing, eliminating the need for wall recesses and ensuring precise positioning through complementary recesses and fastening tabs, with a horizontal or vertical slot orientation to minimize dust entry and using plug-in contacts for electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sliders are attached directly to the wall of the console housing, then the sliders can be securely mounted, but the wall requires numerous recesses that compromise dust sealing and optical integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider mounting securityVSAvoiddust ingress and optical disturbances
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mounting plate that serves as a mediator between the sliders and the console housing wall. This plate is installed on the rear side of the control panel, providing secure attachment points for sliders without requiring recesses in the visible wall surface. The intermediary plate transfers mounting forces while preserving the integrity of the housing wall, thus preventing dust ingress and maintaining optical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the mounting function from the wall surface itself by removing the requirement for wall recesses. Instead, a separate mounting plate is used that can be attached to the rear of the panel, thereby taking the mounting function out of the wall structure and eliminating the need for compromising recesses in the wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If numerous recesses are created in the console housing wall for slider attachment, then sliders can be mounted, but the structural integrity and dust sealing of the housing are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider installationVSAvoiddust protection and structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate acts as an intermediary component that simplifies slider installation while preserving housing integrity. It provides pre-formed mounting locations that make slider installation easy without requiring complex recesses in the housing wall, thus maintaining both ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting function is segmented into a separate component (mounting plate) rather than being integrated into the housing wall. This segmentation allows the housing wall to maintain its integrity and sealing properties, while the separate plate handles the mounting function, making installation easier without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the console housing wall is used for slider attachment, then mounting is straightforward, but dust can penetrate into the interior and optical properties are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslider mounting processVSAvoiddust penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate serves as an intermediary that enables straightforward slider mounting operations while being positioned on the rear side of the control panel. This location choice ensures that the mounting process remains simple and direct, while the plate itself acts as a barrier preventing dust penetration into the housing interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting function is moved from the front/dust-exposed dimension (housing wall) to the rear dimension (back of control panel). This dimensional relocation maintains ease of operation for mounting while eliminating the dust penetration problem associated with front-facing wall recesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution enhances dust protection, maintains optical integrity, and provides secure mechanical and electrical attachment of sliders, improving the reliability and durability of the lighting control desk.

Implementation Method 1

lighting the operating button by providing a light source in the housing of the lighting control desk and transmitting the light through a light-conducting element from the light source to a light outlet arranged on the operating button

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight conduction: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3352056B1Light adjusting panel with with regulator
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 MA LIGHTING TECH
  • EP3352056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3352056B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3352056B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting control console (01) for controlling a lighting system, wherein digital control commands are generated in the lighting control console (01) which can be transmitted to the lighting devices of the lighting system via data connections, wherein the lighting control console (01) comprises at least one digital processor and at least one digital memory for generating, managing and storing the control commands, and wherein the digital processor and the digital memory are arranged in a console housing (02), and wherein the lighting control console (01) comprises at least one slider (06) on which the user can input control commands by linearly moving a control knob (07) projecting beyond the top of the console housing (02), and wherein the top of the console housing (02) has a slot for each slider (06) through which the control knob is connected to the slider.wherein at least one electronic circuit board (10) is provided in the console housing (02), wherein the slider (06) is attached to the electronic circuit board (10) and has no attachment point on the console housing (02).