Furniture motion control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture motion control systems lack a user-friendly interface for controlling the movement of movable parts, such as leg rests and seatbacks, as they often require complex input methods and do not differentiate between manual and automatic movement modes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A furniture motion control system featuring a two-button panel with directional buttons that allows users to select between manual and automatic movement modes based on the duration of button press, using an actuator driven by an electric motor and controlled by circuitry that initiates timers and motor control algorithms to manage movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex control interface is used to provide multiple movement modes, then the functionality and control precision are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using different buttons or switches for manual and automatic modes, the patent inverts the approach by using the same button press duration to differentiate between modes. A short press (less than threshold time) triggers manual mode, while a long press (greater than threshold time) triggers automatic mode. This eliminates the need for separate controls and simplifies the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of button press duration to encode different operational modes. By monitoring how long a button is held down and comparing it to a threshold value, the system determines whether to enter manual or automatic movement mode. This parameter-based differentiation allows one control element to serve multiple functions without increasing interface complexity.
2Ease of operation
If automatic movement mode is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry is designed to handle multiple functions within a single integrated system. The same control circuit that manages basic motor control also implements the timer function, threshold comparison, and mode selection logic. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each feature, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic movement mode operates autonomously once initiated, eliminating the need for continuous user input. The control circuit automatically manages the movement sequence and timing without requiring user intervention, providing true automatic operation while keeping the control logic centralized in the existing microcontroller or control circuit.
3Ease of operation
If button press duration threshold is used to differentiate modes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a threshold-based timing mechanism where the system measures button press duration and compares it against a predetermined threshold value. This approach provides sufficient precision for mode differentiation without requiring ultra-precise timing. The threshold is set to accommodate natural variations in user pressing speed while maintaining clear distinction between short and long presses.
Data Source
AI summary
A furniture motion control system for controlling movement of one or more movable parts of a furniture member includes a panel including one or more buttons; an actuator configured to control movement of the one or more movable parts of the furniture member; an electric motor configured to drive the actuator; and control circuitry configured to control the electric motor, wherein the control circuitry is configured to, in response to detecting that a first button, from among the one or more buttons, has been pressed, select between controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move automatically and controlling the motor to drive the actuator and the one or more movable parts to move manually, based on a length of time the first button is held.