Parasol Lighting Control via Touch and Remote Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parasols lack convenient and simultaneous control methods for their lighting, with remote control being inconvenient and not easily combinable with touch control, and existing solutions either do not address unauthorized access or are cumbersome in design.

Innovation Solution

A parasol design featuring a control device with both touch and remote control capabilities, including a control board, touch control board, remote control board, and power system, where the lighting elements are integrated as light-emitting strips on umbrella ribs with a U-shaped cross-section for easy installation, and the control boards are housed within the umbrella stem for simplified assembly and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If lighting elements are controlled only via switches on the parasol, then the control structure is simple, but the ease of operation is reduced and unauthorized access cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting control convenienceVSAvoidcontrol structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device integrates multiple control methods (touch control and remote control) into a single system, allowing the parasol lighting to be controlled through multiple interfaces. The control board receives signals from both touch sensors on the parasol structure and wireless remote controls, providing users with flexible control options while maintaining a unified control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless communication module acts as an intermediary between the remote control and the control board, enabling contactless control of the lighting elements. This intermediary component transmits control signals wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical contact with switches and preventing unauthorized access while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If lighting elements are arranged on parasol ribs, then the lighting effect is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to precise installation needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting effectVSAvoidlight strip installation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

U-shaped grooves are pre-formed on the parasol ribs during the manufacturing process, creating predetermined installation positions for the light strips. These pre-formed structural features guide the light strip placement and ensure precise alignment without requiring high-precision manual installation, thus maintaining good lighting effects while reducing installation precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The parasol ribs are designed with localized U-shaped grooves at specific positions where lighting elements need to be installed. This local structural modification provides precise positioning only where needed, rather than requiring high precision throughout the entire parasol structure, thereby improving lighting effect while minimizing manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If remote control is used for lighting control, then unauthorized access can be prevented, but the ease of operation is reduced due to single control method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidcontrol convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system merges touch control functionality with remote control functionality into a unified control architecture. The control board processes signals from both touch sensors (for authorized local control) and wireless remote controls (for remote operation), combining the security benefits of remote control with the convenience of touch control, thereby preventing unauthorized access while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 easy and simultaneous control of parasol lighting via touch and remote control, enhancing usability and security by allowing authorized access to lighting functions while preventing unauthorized use.

Implementation Method 1

lighting elements, wherein the lighting elements are designed as light strips and arranged on shade ribs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3165121B1Easily controllable sunshade
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 PHAETON MFG LLC
  • EP3165121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3165121B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3165121B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Easily controllable parasol comprising a parasol stand (1), a parasol pole (3), a parasol frame (2) with parasol ribs (21) and lighting elements (8), wherein the parasol frame (21) is attached to the parasol pole (3) and the parasol pole (3) is arranged on the parasol stand (1) via a plug connection, wherein the parasol also comprises a control device for controlling the lighting elements (8), the control device comprising a control board (9), a touch control board (11), a remote control board (4) and a power system (6) with a power connection (62), wherein the lighting elements (8), the control board (9), the touch control board (11), the remote control board (4) and the power connection (62) sequentially but in a line form an electrical circuit, and the remote control board (4) can switch the function of the touch control board (11) on or off.Touching the parasol enables touch control (11) of the parasol's lighting elements (8). This allows the parasol's lighting elements (8) to be controlled simultaneously via touch (11) and remote control (4).