Sliding Control Panel Position Sensing With Optoelectric Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable control panels in electronic devices, such as imaging devices, often have unknown positions, which hinders the display of appropriate user interfaces, leading to a suboptimal user experience.
Innovation Solution
A sliding assembly and sensor assembly system that senses the position of the control panel, allowing for automatic display of user interfaces based on detected states, including retracted, transition, and extended positions, using optoelectric sensors and tabs to trigger sensors and provide haptic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a control panel is made movable to allow display angle changes, then adaptability is improved, but position sensing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position sensing mechanisms with an optoelectric sensing system. Optoelectric sensors detect the position of the control panel by sensing the presence or absence of light blocked by tabs at different positions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical encoders or potentiometers while maintaining precise position detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tabs as intermediary elements that mediate between the movable control panel and the optoelectric sensors. These tabs are positioned at specific locations on the control panel and serve as optical blockers that trigger the sensors to detect specific positions (retracted, transition, extended states), enabling precise position sensing without direct mechanical contact.
2Measurement precision
If optoelectric sensors and tabs are added to sense control panel position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensing function into discrete components: multiple optoelectric sensors are positioned at different locations, and corresponding tabs are placed at specific positions on the control panel. Each sensor-tab pair detects a specific position state, allowing the system to determine the overall position by evaluating which sensors are triggered, thereby achieving precise position detection through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The optoelectric sensors serve multiple functions: they detect the retracted state, the extended state, and the transition state of the control panel. The same sensor type and basic mechanism are used for all position detections, reducing the need for different sensing mechanisms and simplifying the overall system design despite the multiple detection requirements.
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
Enables the display of appropriate user interfaces tailored to the control panel's position, enhancing user experience by providing different UI configurations and feedback, ensuring optimal visibility and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor assembly (106) coupled to the sliding assembly (104) to sense positions of the sliding assembly (104) relative to the base (102)
Data Source
AI summary
According to examples, an apparatus may include a base, a sliding assembly slideably coupled to the base, and a sensor assembly coupled to the sliding assembly. The sliding assembly may moveably support a control panel and the sensor assembly may sense positions of the sliding assembly relative to the base. The sensor assembly may include a first sensor to sense that the sliding assembly is in a first position relative to the base, and a second sensor to sense that the sliding assembly is in a second position relative to the base. A sensed state of the first sensor and a sensed state of the second sensor may be used to determine that the sliding assembly is in a third position relative to the base.