Dimmer Switch Actuator Support and Viewing Lens Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dimmer switches inefficiently utilize the light pattern from indicator lights, resulting in a narrow viewing angle and wasted light due to the geometry of the light pipes and viewing lenses, and face challenges in supporting actuators in extended positions with balanced forces, especially in designs requiring larger wall plate surfaces within standard electrical boxes.
Innovation Solution
The dimmer switch employs a light handling system with a viewing lens having a wider receiving portion to accommodate overlapping light patterns from multiple light pipes, and uses balanced support mechanisms like sliding fingers and support fingers to maintain the actuator in an extended position with symmetric forces, allowing for improved light transmission and aesthetic design adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional light pipe and viewing lens geometry is used, then light is channeled from indicator lights, but the viewing angle is narrow (less than 35 degrees) and light is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
A light diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the light pipes and the viewing lens. The diffuser receives light from multiple light pipes and redistributes it across the viewing lens surface, enabling wider viewing angles (over 80 degrees) while utilizing light that would otherwise be wasted due to geometric constraints of traditional direct coupling arrangements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is extended to provide access to additional controls, then functionality is improved, but the actuator becomes unstable and requires complex support mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A support finger mechanism is implemented that provides counterbalancing forces to the extended actuator. The support finger engages with the actuator at a strategic point and provides upward support force that counteracts the downward gravitational force and any operational forces, maintaining the actuator in a stable extended position without requiring complex locking mechanisms or additional structural complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If larger wall plate surfaces are used to accommodate extended actuators, then aesthetic design and control accessibility are improved, but the device may not fit within standard electrical boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed with an extended portion that protrudes from the wall plate surface in a direction perpendicular to the wall. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the control interface to be accessible at a larger effective area while keeping the wall plate mounting dimensions within standard electrical box constraints. The extended actuator portion provides the necessary surface area for controls without increasing the two-dimensional footprint that would need to fit in the electrical box.
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 configuration enhances the viewing angle to over 80 degrees, optimizing light utilization and ensuring balanced forces for actuator support, accommodating larger designs within standard electrical boxes while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide directed light from the light source to the viewing piece
Implementation Method 2
The viewing lens has a substantially flat back surface arranged to receive light from the light guide... The front surface of the viewing lens is textured to diffuse light from the light guide
Implementation Method 3
The front surface of the viewing lens is textured to diffuse light from the light guide, thereby providing a wider viewing angle, e.g., greater than about 80 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a system may include an electrical device having an indicator light source, an actuator having a window, a viewing piece arranged to be visible through the window, and a light guide arranged to guide light from the light source to the viewing piece. The viewing piece may have a receiving portion arranged to receive light from the light guide, and the width of the receiving portion may be substantially larger than the width of the light guide. In another embodiment, a system may include an electrical device having a first support member, and an actuator having a second support member. The actuator may be adapted to move along a path of motion from a retracted position to an extended position, and the first and second support members may be adapted to support the actuator in the extended position with forces that are substantially balanced along the path of motion.