Potentiometer Button Circuit for Consistent Transfer Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing buttons with electronic circuits and potentiometers require calibration due to manufacturing tolerances, leading to inconsistent transfer functions and the need for recalibration when replaced.
Innovation Solution
The button design incorporates a specific electronic circuit with adjustable resistors to achieve a predetermined target transfer function, allowing for identical transfer functions across multiple buttons despite manufacturing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard potentiometers and return mechanisms are used with manufacturing tolerances, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but transfer function consistency between buttons deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calibrating each button during manufacturing to determine its specific transfer function characteristics. The calibration data is stored in memory, allowing the button to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This enables the use of standard components with tolerances while maintaining consistent transfer functions across all buttons, as each button's unique characteristics are measured and stored beforehand.
2Measurement precision
If calibration phase is performed for each button, then transfer function accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is moved to the manufacturing stage rather than the installation stage. Each button is calibrated once during production, and the resulting transfer function parameters are stored in its memory. This eliminates the need for repeated calibration when buttons are replaced, reducing time loss while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The button performs self-calibration by automatically measuring its own transfer function characteristics during the manufacturing process and storing the data in its internal memory. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external calibration equipment or manual adjustment during installation, significantly reducing calibration time and operational complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise potentiometers and return mechanisms are used to limit deviations, then transfer function consistency is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from controlling physical parameters (using precise components) to controlling data parameters (storing calibration data in memory). By measuring and storing the actual transfer function characteristics of each button, the system achieves consistency not through expensive precise components but through software-based compensation using standard components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution (using precise potentiometers and return mechanisms with tight tolerances) with an electronic/software solution (storing calibration data in memory and using it for compensation). This substitution eliminates the need for expensive mechanical precision while achieving the same goal of transfer function consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
A button includes an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit includes a potentiometer having a first center tap connected to an output terminal. A second center tap is connected to a first terminal of the potentiometer via a first resistor, to a first supply terminal via a second resistor, and to a second supply terminal via a third resistor. The resistance of the second resistor is equal to (1−kx)Rx. The resistance of the third resistor is equal to kxRx. A third center tap is connected to a second terminal of the potentiometer via a fourth resistor, to the first supply terminal via a fifth resistor, and to the second supply terminal via a sixth resistor. The resistance of the fifth resistor is equal to (1−ky)Ry. The value of the sixth resistor is equal to kyRy.