Remote Control Activation Sensor With Variable Detection Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for machines face challenges in balancing ergonomics and safety, particularly with capacitive sensors that risk unintentional activation due to accidental touches, leading to fatigue and reduced efficiency during prolonged operations.
Innovation Solution
The position and size of the effective sensor range on the control element can be dynamically adjusted by the processor device between a basic configuration for deactivation and a working configuration for activation, ensuring reduced unintentional activation while enhancing ergonomics by expanding the sensor range during active use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a capacitive sensor with a fixed effective sensor range is used for activation, then the operator can activate the operating element without mechanical pressure (improving ergonomics), but accidental touches may cause unintentional activation (reducing safety)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the effective sensor range adjustable between different configurations. The sensor range is not fixed but can be dynamically changed between a first configuration (larger range for better ergonomics) and a second configuration (smaller range for better safety). This allows the system to adapt the sensor characteristics based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the effective sensor range parameters (size and/or position) of the capacitive sensor. By changing these parameters between two configurations, the system can optimize the balance between ergonomics (larger range) and safety (smaller range), thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If the effective sensor range is made larger to improve ergonomics, then activation becomes more comfortable, but the risk of accidental activation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the effective sensor range between a first configuration (larger, more comfortable) and a second configuration (smaller, safer). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide comfortable operation when needed while minimizing accidental activation risks, resolving the contradiction between comfort and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the effective sensor range (size and position) to switch between configurations. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes the balance between operator comfort and prevention of accidental activation.
3Reliability
If the effective sensor range is reduced to prevent accidental activation, then safety is improved, but ergonomics and operator comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic configuration switching to provide a smaller effective sensor range (second configuration) when safety is the priority, while maintaining the option to switch to a larger range (first configuration) for better ergonomics. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the effective sensor range parameters to create a second configuration with reduced size and/or different position, thereby improving safety while maintaining ergonomic capabilities through configurable parameters.
4Reliability
If mechanical buttons or switches are used for activation, then unintentional activation is prevented, but the operator experiences fatigue during prolonged operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button or switch system with a capacitive sensor that detects body parts through contactless or minimal contact interaction. This substitution eliminates the mechanical pressure required for activation, reducing operator fatigue while maintaining safety through the configurable sensor range that can be set to prevent accidental activation.
Solution Approach 2:
By configuring the capacitive sensor with adjustable effective range parameters, the system provides contactless or minimal contact activation that reduces physical fatigue while maintaining safety controls, thereby improving operator efficiency without sacrificing reliability.
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
This solution improves both ergonomics and safety by minimizing unintentional activations and allowing ergonomic operation by adjusting the sensor range based on the operator's preferences and machine requirements, ensuring efficient and safe machine control.
Implementation Method 1
Release or activation of an operating element to control a machine function is based on the detection of a capacity change of a sensor field when approached or touched by a body part of the operator. This is possible because the human body has an individual capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit for a remote control for controlling a machine, comprising: a processor device, at least one manually operable operating element provided on the control unit for controlling at least one machine function, which can be switched by the processor device between an activated state (b) and a deactivated state (a), and an activation sensor assigned to the operating element, which activation sensor comprises an effective sensor range and is adapted to detect a defined approach to the effective sensor range by an operator, the processor device being adapted to switch the operating element to the activated state (b) if the activation sensor detects the defined approach to the effective sensor range, and if no defined approach is detected during a preset period of time, to switch the operating element to the deactivated state, the control unit being adapted in such a way that operation of the operating element does not cause the machine function to be activated, as long as the operating element is in the deactivated state (a), and a position or/and size of the effective sensor range on the control unit being variable.