Luminous Display Button for Process Automation Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field devices used in process and factory automation face challenges with operability due to strong light irradiation or soiling, leading to input errors from reduced readability and difficulty in operating key components.
Innovation Solution
A field device with a control element that combines a button and an illuminated display for optical feedback, allowing for various operating commands to be entered without reading information, featuring a large-area light source that can emit different colors and flashing modes, and incorporating capacitive or magnetic sensors for contactless operation, with the option of a removable module design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional button display is used, then the device structure is simple, but readability and operability deteriorate under strong light irradiation or soiling conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing light signals from the luminous display to convey different operating states and feedback information. Different colors indicate different statuses, allowing users to understand device states without reading text, thereby maintaining high operability and readability even in adverse lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button systems with a combination of capacitive or magnetic sensor systems. This substitution allows contactless operation, eliminating wear and tear while maintaining button functionality, thus improving reliability without compromising ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a large-area luminous display is added to provide optical feedback, then operability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the button and luminous display into a single integrated control element. This combination allows the same component to serve dual functions: input through button pressing and output through optical feedback, thereby improving operability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element is designed with multi-functionality, where the button serves both as an input device and the luminous display serves as an output device within the same component structure. This universal design improves operability without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
3Ease of operation
If capacitive or magnetic sensor systems are used for contactless operation, then ease of operation improves, but susceptibility to environmental influences increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective cover as an intermediary element between the capacitive/magnetic sensor system and the external environment. This cover acts as a barrier that blocks harmful environmental factors while allowing the sensor to detect user inputs, thus maintaining ease of contactless operation while reducing susceptibility to environmental influences.
4Device complexity
If multiple operating commands are assigned to a single button, then device complexity reduces, but operability may deteriorate without visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements optical feedback through the luminous display that provides immediate visual confirmation when a button command is registered. This feedback mechanism helps users identify which command has been activated, maintaining ease of operation even when multiple commands are assigned to a single button, while also reducing the need for multiple physical buttons.
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
Enhances operability by providing intuitive and reliable operation even in adverse conditions, reducing the need for additional aids and simplifying the user interface, while maintaining protection from environmental influences and hazardous areas.
Implementation Method 1
The luminous display is configured for optical feedback of an operating command issued by a user to the button. The optical feedback is in particular a large-area light signal emitted by a large-area light source.
Implementation Method 2
the button has a capacitive or magnetic sensor system for converting an operating command issued by a user to the button into a corresponding operating signal
Implementation Method 3
the button has a capacitive or magnetic sensor system for converting an operating command issued by a user to the button into a corresponding operating signal
Data Source
AI summary
Field device for process automation in industrial or private environments, which has an operating element with a button and a luminous display, the luminous display being set up for optical feedback of the operating command issued by a user to the button.