Integral Load Control Interface for No-Disassembly Programming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical load controls, particularly in residential applications, require disassembly or partial opening to access and program settings, lacking intuitive user interfaces for configuration.
Innovation Solution
A load control with an integral control interface featuring button switches and indicator lights allows users to navigate and program settings without disassembly, using a saved settings data structure with columns and rows, and provides feedback through light signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If load control settings are accessible only through disassembly, then device security and protection of internal components is improved, but ease of operation for user programming deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control interface from the internal programming circuitry by introducing an intermediary decoding mechanism. The external buttons and indicators are separated from the internal setting inputs, with a decoding circuit translating external user inputs into internal programming signals. This allows the housing to remain intact while providing accessible programming capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication capability is added for remote programming, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the load control to be self-programmed through its own integrated control interface. The system uses its existing microprocessor and decoding circuitry to interpret user inputs from the control interface, eliminating the need for external programming devices or wireless communication modules. The device serves its own programming needs through the self-contained button-indicator-decoder system.
Data Source
AI summary
A load control is provided which includes a wall-box housing, an electrical device to control electrical power to a load, a controller to control the electrical device, and a control interface. The controller is user-programmable and includes a saved settings data structure having multiple columns and rows of control settings. The control interface has first and second button switches to respectively select a column and row of the settings data structure in a settings mode of the controller. The button switches include respective electro-mechanical devices and are selectable by a user without disassembly of the load control. The control interface also includes one or more light indicators to signal the selected column of the settings data structure in the settings mode of the control, and to differently signal the selected row of the settings data structure.