Wall-Mounted Control Handle With Segmented Microswitches
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical control devices with multiple moving handles are complex to design and assemble, suffer from manufacturing tolerances, and often generate erroneous instructions due to unreliable detection of handle movements, especially with large handles that can bend and provide non-homogeneous mechanical feedback.
Innovation Solution
An electrical control device with a single moving handle featuring a movement sensing unit composed of multiple separate detectors and a touch sensing unit with capacitive-based touch detectors, combined with a feedback unit for haptic feedback, allowing for reliable detection of handle movements and touches to generate multiple instructions intuitively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple moving handles are used to generate numerous different instructions, then the device can send more different signals, but the design and assembly become complicated and manufacturing tolerances have more impact on clearance and guiding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate handles into a single integrated handle structure. This single handle contains multiple instruction zones that can be independently actuated, thereby reducing the number of separate moving parts while maintaining the capability to generate numerous different instructions. The simplification of the mechanical structure reduces design and assembly complexity while preserving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The single handle is segmented into multiple independent instruction zones, each capable of being actuated separately. This segmentation allows the handle to provide numerous different instructions without requiring multiple complete handle assemblies, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple microswitches are provided under a single handle to generate four different signals, then it is possible to have four different signals with a single handle, but the movement of the handle can actuate more than one microswitch at a time leading to erroneous simultaneous generation of more than one instruction
Solution Approach 1:
Each instruction zone within the handle is equipped with its own dedicated microswitch positioned locally under the specific zone. This local positioning ensures that when a user actuates a specific instruction zone, only the corresponding local microswitch is triggered, preventing erroneous simultaneous activation of multiple instructions and improving detection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large sized handle is used, then it can accommodate more instruction zones, but some movements of the handle might not trigger the single microswitch and due to possible bending of a large sized handle, the mechanical feedback is not homogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The large handle is divided into multiple instruction zones, each with its own dedicated microswitch positioned locally under the respective zone. This segmentation ensures that each zone's actuation is independently detected by its corresponding microswitch, preventing the reliability issues associated with large handles where single microswitches might not be triggered consistently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rigid support structure as an intermediary between the handle and the microswitches. This support provides stable mounting for the microswitches and ensures reliable mechanical coupling, preventing issues related to handle bending and ensuring homogeneous mechanical feedback across all instruction zones.
4Ease of operation
If a single continuous touch sensitive surface is used with predefined zones, then it provides a simple interface, but erroneous instructions can be generated if the user touches the surface in an undesired zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the continuous touch-sensitive surface with discrete mechanical instruction zones, each equipped with its own microswitch. This mechanical segmentation provides clear physical boundaries between instruction zones, eliminating the ambiguity of touch-sensitive surfaces where users might inadvertently activate undesired zones, while maintaining operational simplicity through the intuitive single-handle design.
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
The device achieves robust and reliable operation by accurately detecting handle movements and touches, reducing errors and improving user experience with intuitive and precise control, even with a single handle, enhancing reactivity and reliability compared to prior designs.
Implementation Method 1
a touch sensing unit (5), for detecting touches (i.e. a low pressure physical contact by the user, without actual actuation of the handle) on the handle (2) and locations thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
The object of the present invention is an electrical control device to be wall mounted, for generating and sending different instructions, comprising a movable handle (2), and having a plurality of separate instruction zones; a movement sensing unit, for detecting the movement of the handle (2); a touch sensing unit, for detecting touches on the handle (2) and locations thereof; a feedback unit (6), for creating a tactile feedback when the handle (2) is moved, for example a mechanical spring; a control unit, which receives input signals from the movement sensing unit as well as input signals from the touch sensing unit and which generates said instructions accordingly. This device is characterised in that the movement sensing unit is made of a set of at least two separate movement detectors, each able to detect the movement of the handle (2).