Lighting Console Slider Touch Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting consoles require significant user experience and concentration due to numerous controls, especially in dark environments, and lack effective assistance for programming complex lighting programs.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensor system integrated into the slide control allows for automatic menu display upon user interaction, using an electrically conductive control button and coupling element to detect touch and prevent dust ingress, with an optional electric drive motor for remote control and a plug-in contact for electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch sensor system is integrated into the slide control, then user assistance during programming is enhanced through automatic menu triggering, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor system is integrated directly into the existing slide control mechanism by making the control button itself electrically conductive. This merging of the button into the slider assembly eliminates the need for separate touch sensing components, thereby enhancing user assistance while minimizing additional device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control button serves multiple functions: it acts as both a mechanical slider component for manual adjustment and a capacitive touch sensor for automatic menu triggering. This multi-functionality allows the same component to provide both manual control and automated assistance, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If the control button is made of electrically conductive material for touch detection, then touch sensing capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control button is constructed from electrically conductive plastic, a composite material that combines the mechanical properties of plastic with electrical conductivity. This allows the button to maintain its structural integrity and tactile feedback while enabling capacitive touch sensing, achieving precise touch detection without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductivity parameter of the control button material is modified to enable touch sensing. By selecting a material with appropriate electrical conductivity (conductive plastic), the button can detect changes in capacitance when touched, providing precise touch detection while using a material that can be manufactured using standard molding techniques
3Ease of operation
If a slot is provided in the housing for slider movement, then the slider functionality is maintained, but dust and foreign objects can penetrate into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling element with a flexible seal is used to connect the control button with the sliding contact through the slot. This coupling element acts as a barrier that prevents dust and foreign objects from entering the housing through the slot while still allowing the mechanical movement of the slider to be transmitted effectively
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
Enhances user assistance during programming, reduces errors by providing tactile feedback and automatic menu triggering, while minimizing dust and foreign object interference, and enabling remote operation of the slide control.
Implementation Method 1
The touch sensor system can be implemented particularly easily if the capacitive change caused by the user touching the control knob can be detected.
Implementation Method 2
This can be done in a particularly simple manner in that the control button has a depression with which the control button can be pushed onto the coupling element, forming an electrical contact.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting control console (01) for controlling a lighting system, wherein digital control commands are generated in the lighting control console (01) which can be transmitted to the lighting devices of the lighting system via data connections, wherein the lighting control console (01) comprises at least one digital processor and at least one digital memory for generating, managing and storing the control commands, and wherein the digital processor and the digital memory are arranged in a console housing (02), and wherein the lighting control console (01) comprises at least one slider (06) on which the user can input control commands by linearly moving a control knob (07) projecting beyond the top of the console housing (02), and wherein the top of the console housing (02) has a slot (08) for each slider (06) through which the control knob (07) is connected to the slider (06).wherein a touch sensor is provided on the slider (06) with which the user's touches on the control knob (07) can be detected.