Furniture Operator Switch Combinations to Prevent Accidental Touch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operators for electrically adjustable furniture are prone to accidental touching due to single-switch actuation, limiting functionality and increasing manufacturing costs when additional switches are required for new functions.
Innovation Solution
A multi-switch operator with a housing, actuation panel, and a main control unit that issues commands only when two or more switches are simultaneously actuated, providing different command types through various switch combinations to enhance safety and flexibility without adding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single switch is used for actuation, then the operator is simple to operate, but it is highly prone to accidental touching and limits functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation by requiring a specific pattern of switch actuations (e.g., pressing switch A then switch B within a time window) before executing the command. This preliminary action sequence prevents accidental single-switch triggering while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives switch signals and validates them against predefined safety patterns before issuing commands. This intermediary layer filters out accidental activations while preserving legitimate user intentions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional switches are added to increase functionality, then more operating scenarios are available, but manufacturing costs increase due to re-positioning and redesigning
Solution Approach 1:
A small set of switches (e.g., 3 switches) is designed to perform multiple functions through different combination patterns. The same physical switches can trigger different commands based on the actuation sequence or combination, eliminating the need for additional switches for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by interpreting different actuation patterns (timing, sequence, combination) of the same switches to generate multiple commands. This parameter-based differentiation allows one switch set to control multiple functions without physical expansion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple switches are used for more functions, then operating flexibility increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more switches to increase functionality, the system inverts the approach by using fewer switches with multiple interpretation patterns. The complexity is shifted from hardware configuration to software logic, reducing physical device complexity while maintaining functional versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An operator for controlling electrically adjustable furniture includes a housing and an actuation panel movably supported in the housing to form a cover body. A circuit board is provided in the housing, and a main control unit for detecting an actuation signal is provided on the circuit board. A first switch for generating a first actuation signal and a second switch for generating a second actuation signal are provided between the actuation panel and the main control unit, and a third switch for generating a third actuation signal is provided between a bottom wall of the housing and the main control unit. The main control unit issues a first command when simultaneously detecting the first actuation signal and the second actuation signal, and the main control unit issues a second command when simultaneously detecting the first actuation signal, the second actuation signal, and the third actuation signal.