Recliner Controller Cutoff Switch Cover Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing built-in manual controllers for recliners with electric drive motors are cumbersome to lock and unlock, often requiring additional objects like keys, and have complex designs that are not economically viable or durable.
Innovation Solution
A compact built-in controller with a housing-mounted cutoff switch operable by twisting a cover, enabling intuitive one-handed operation without additional tools, using microswitches for control and cutoff functions, and incorporating pilot lights for clear switching state indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a key-operated cutoff switch is used to prevent unintentional readjustment, then security against unintentional operation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring additional objects
Solution Approach 1:
The cover serving as a protective enclosure is merged with the switching mechanism. The cover can be shifted between positions to activate or deactivate the cutoff switch, eliminating the need for separate keys or tools while maintaining security against unintentional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves itself by using its own cover as the switching mechanism. The user interacts with the cover itself rather than requiring external objects, making the system self-sufficient and improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a thin pointed object activation method is used for the switching contact, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential activation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic thin pointed object activation method is extracted and replaced. Instead of using a switching contact that requires insertion of external objects, the invention uses a cover-shifting mechanism where the cover itself activates the cutoff switch through positional change, eliminating activation errors while maintaining ease of use.
3Reliability
If additional locking objects like keys are required, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover and the locking mechanism are merged into a single component. The cover's positional state (shifted or not shifted) directly determines the cutoff switch state, eliminating the need for separate keys, actuators, or complex locking mechanisms while maintaining security.
4Ease of operation
If a cover-shifting mechanism is used for the cutoff switch, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cover's movement is segmented into distinct positional states (first position for on, second position for off) rather than requiring precise intermediate positioning. This segmentation allows for tolerance in manufacturing while maintaining reliable switching function, as the cover only needs to reach discrete positions rather than achieve continuous precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for operating an electric drive of a reclining chair or couch has a housing mountable on the chair or couch, a pair of control switches on the housing and connectable to the drive motor to operate same, a locking or cutoff switch on the housing, and a supply cable extending from the housing to an electricity source capable of powering and forming with the electric drive. The control switches, and cutoff switch form a circuit interruptible by the cutoff switch so that in the off position of the cutoff switch the control switches are unable to operate the drive and in the on position of the cutoff switch the control switches can operate the drive. A cover shiftable on the cover between a first position setting the cutoff switch in the on position and a second position can set the cutoff switch in the off position.