Customizable Control Device Label Body for Key Function Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices lack the ability to easily customize the assignment of functions to operation units such as keys, requiring complex settings or operations to change functionality.

Innovation Solution

A control device with an output unit, a function switch unit featuring elastically displaceable switches, and a label body with a protruding part that determines the combination of switch states when pressed, allowing for easy customization of key functions by exchanging label bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex settings or operations are required to change key functions, then the control device has fixed functionality, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in customizing functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction customization capabilityVSAvoidease of function assignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The label body is divided into multiple protruding parts, each corresponding to a specific key. Each protruding part can be independently configured to press specific contactors, allowing individual key functions to be customized without affecting other keys. This segmentation enables granular control over function assignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The function customization capability is extracted into a separate, removable label body that can be independently configured and exchanged. The protruding parts of the label body carry the customization information, separating the configuration data from the main control device structure. This allows users to customize functions by simply changing the label body without modifying the underlying device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the label body structure is simple with just a display part, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the adaptability deteriorates because it cannot determine switch combinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitch combination determination capabilityVSAvoidlabel body structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The label body merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides visual display through the display part and simultaneously determines switch combinations through the protruding parts. The protruding parts integrate the configuration data storage and physical actuation functions, eliminating the need for separate configuration mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The label body is designed as a universal component that can be configured for different key assignments by simply changing its protruding part configuration. The same label body structure can determine different switch combinations by varying the protruding part positions, making it a multi-functional element that adapts to different customization needs without requiring different hardware structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables users to change key functions simply by exchanging label bodies, without needing complex settings, improving user convenience and ease of operation.

Implementation Method 1

a function switch unit that includes a plurality of switches each having a contactor formed such that at least a portion of the contactor is elastically displaceable in a predetermined direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic displacement: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3439291B1controller
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3439291B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3439291B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3439291B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a control device with which it is possible to easily customize an assignment of functions to an operation unit. The control device includes: an output unit that outputs a signal for prompting an electronic device to execute a predetermined operation; a function switch unit that includes a plurality of switches each having a contactor formed such that at least a portion of the contactor is elastically displaceable in a predetermined direction; and a label body that has a display part and a protruding part protruding from the display part, the label body being mounted in a state where the protruding part is inserted into a hole in a housing and the display part is positioned on an outside of the housing. The protruding part of the label body determines a combination of open or closed states of the plurality of switches. The predetermined operation is determined according to the combination.