Self-Powered Home Automation Transmitter Key Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-powered radio frequency transmitters for controlling actuators in home automation systems are inefficient in material and energy usage, particularly due to the need for multiple switching contacts for each key, which increases size and cost, and struggles with identifying which key is pressed when fewer contacts are used.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered radio frequency transmitter with a configuration that optimizes material and energy resources by using fewer switching contacts, employing a microcontroller and logic gates to determine which key is actuated, and assigning the stop function to a key without a switching contact, ensuring safety and efficient energy recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple switching contacts are used for each key, then key identification accuracy is improved, but device size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple switching contacts into a single shared contact structure. Instead of having separate switching contacts for each key, the invention uses one common switching contact that is actuated by multiple rocker elements, each corresponding to a different key. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining the ability to identify which key is pressed through the specific rocking motion pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The single switching contact serves multiple functions by being actuated by different rocker elements corresponding to different keys. The contact structure is designed to detect the specific rocking motion from any key, making it a universal component that replaces multiple specialized contacts. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while preserving key identification capability.
2Device complexity
If fewer switching contacts are used, then device size and cost are reduced, but the ability to identify which key is pressed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the rocking motion of the rocker elements is detected by the common switching contact. The contact structure provides feedback about which specific rocker element is actuated by detecting the direction and pattern of the rocking motion. This feedback allows the system to accurately identify which key is pressed even though there is only one switching contact instead of multiple.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical system of multiple independent switching contacts with a single mechanical-electrical energy generator that detects rocking motions. The mechanical rocking motion of the rocker elements is converted into electrical signals by the energy generator, which then identifies which key is pressed based on the motion pattern. This substitution reduces the number of mechanical components while maintaining identification accuracy.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a single mechanical-electrical energy generator is shared among multiple keys, then energy efficiency is improved, but the complexity of determining which key is pressed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control logic into distinct processing steps: first detecting the rocking motion through the common switching contact, then identifying which specific rocker element is actuated based on the motion pattern, and finally determining which key is pressed. This segmentation of the control process makes the system more manageable despite the shared energy generator, as each step handles a specific aspect of the identification task.
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 solution reduces material costs, optimizes energy usage, and ensures reliable operation by accurately identifying key presses and issuing commands, including a safety stop function, while maintaining efficient energy recovery and ergonomic design.
Implementation Method 1
The rocker element is itself connected to a mechanical-electrical energy generator. Thus, pressing a control key makes it possible to generate the electrical energy necessary for the operation of the transmitter
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
The emitter (1) has an energy generation unit e.g. electro-mechanical transducers, indirectly activated by activation of control sensors (21-26), and a control signal emitter powered by the energy generation unit. The signal emitter emits the control signal based on the activation of the energy generation unit, where the signal has a movement setting order of a home device, during the activation of the sensors (21, 22, 25, 26) and a movement stopping order of the home device, during the activation of the sensors (23, 24).