Mechanical Control Device with Passive Optical Reflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control devices rely on internal batteries for power and modulated infrared light, which may not be efficient or sustainable for all control scenarios, and lack innovative mechanisms for reflecting light to convey control commands effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical control device with a plurality of reflectors that can switch between enabled and disabled states by rotating mechanisms, allowing selective light reflection to convey control commands to external devices without the need for electrical power, using a button-operated mechanism to arrange reflectors into specific configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a remote control device uses internal batteries and modulated infrared light for transmitting control signals, then the control commands can be reliably transmitted to external devices, but the device requires continuous electrical power supply and has limited sustainability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical battery-powered infrared transmission system with a passive optical reflection system. The control device uses mechanical reflectors that redirect ambient or emitted light to convey control commands, eliminating the need for internal batteries and electrical power sources while maintaining reliable communication with the external device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for transmitting control commands. Instead of directly emitting infrared signals with internal batteries, the system uses light reflection from external sources through mechanically controlled reflectors, allowing the light to mediate the transmission of control information without requiring internal power sources.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a remote control device uses light reflection to convey control commands without internal batteries, then the device achieves sustainability and eliminates electrical power requirements, but the mechanism for selectively reflecting light becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light reflection function into multiple independent reflectors, each controlled by its own button mechanism. This segmentation allows each reflector to be independently positioned to reflect light in specific directions, simplifying the control logic while achieving complex control command transmission through coordinated reflection patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically positionable reflectors that can change their orientation based on button presses. The reflectors are mechanically linked to buttons, allowing users to control the reflection angle and target direction through simple mechanical motion, reducing the complexity of electronic control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reflectors are used to convey different control commands through selective reflection, then the device can distinguish various control functions, but the number of moving parts and mechanical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reflector control functions into a single integrated mechanical assembly where buttons are mechanically linked to reflector positioning mechanisms. This merging allows multiple reflectors to be controlled through a unified mechanical structure, reducing the number of independent components while maintaining the ability to convey different control commands through coordinated reflector positioning.
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
Enables control of external devices through light reflection without electrical power, providing a sustainable and efficient means of communicating control commands, with the ability to distinguish various reflector configurations for different control functions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of reflectors, each of said reflectors comprising a reflecting side and an opposed non-reflecting side and being operable in either an enabled state in which said reflector is in a reflecting position in which light incident on the reflector is incident on the reflecting side and is reflected by the reflector
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
A mechanical control device (120) is provided for communicating control commands to an external device (110) by selectively reflecting light for detection by a controller (113) of the external device (110). The mechanical control device (120) comprises a plurality of reflectors (121) and a button-operated mechanism. The button-operated mechanism comprises at least one button (122) and being constructed and arranged so as to, in response to at least one button (122) being operated by a user (13), arrange a predetermined one or more reflectors (121) into a respective enabled state in which the reflector (121) is arranged to reflect incident light and arrange any others of the reflectors (121) into a respective disabled state in which the reflector (121) is arranged to not reflect incident light.