Switch Encoding Multiple States With Fewer Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switch and circuit arrangements for evaluating multiple switching states face challenges in miniaturization and reliability, particularly due to the increasing number of contact surfaces required as the number of switching states increases, making them difficult to miniaturize and diagnose effectively.
Innovation Solution
A switch and circuit arrangement where a predetermined number of connection points are used to encode multiple switching states, allowing only one or two connection points to be connected to a reference potential at a time, enabling more states to be detected with reduced space requirements, and incorporating redundant evaluation circuits for enhanced diagnosability and fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of contact surfaces is increased to evaluate more switching states, then the number of detectable switching states increases, but the device size and complexity increase making miniaturization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-to-one mapping between contact surfaces and switching states to a binary encoding system where each contact surface represents a bit. This dimensional change in information representation allows N contact surfaces to encode 2^N switching states, exponentially increasing the number of detectable states without proportionally increasing physical contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from direct physical contact (one contact per state) to binary digital encoding (bits representing states). By changing how switching states are parameterized and represented in the evaluation circuit, the system can distinguish more states with fewer physical contacts, resolving the contradiction between state detection capability and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If more contact surfaces are used to detect more switching states, then measurement precision of switching states improves, but the area required for the switch increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses binary encoding to represent switching states in a different dimensional space (digital bits rather than physical contacts). This allows the evaluation circuit to achieve high measurement precision for distinguishing switching states without requiring proportional physical space, as the information is compressed into binary representations processed electronically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical one-to-one contact system with an electronic binary evaluation system. Instead of requiring separate physical contacts for each switching state, the system uses binary-coded evaluation circuits that electronically distinguish states, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic processing to reduce physical area while maintaining detection precision.
3Area of stationary object
If the switch is miniaturized by reducing contact surfaces, then device size decreases, but the number of detectable switching states is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing from direct physical contact representation to binary digital encoding. A small number of contact surfaces (N) can represent a large number of switching states (2^N) through binary combinations, allowing miniaturization while maintaining high adaptability. The information dimensionality compensates for the reduced physical dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes each contact surface multi-functional by using it as a bit in a binary encoding system. Instead of each contact serving a single dedicated function for one switching state, each contact participates in multiple state representations through binary combinations, allowing fewer contacts to serve more functions and enable more switching states.
4Reliability
If redundant evaluation circuits are added for fault tolerance, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements redundancy in the evaluation circuit to cushion against potential failures. By designing the evaluation circuit with redundant components or pathways, the system can tolerate certain failures without losing functionality, ensuring reliable operation even when some components degrade or fail, thus prioritizing reliability over minimal complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a switch (10) having a predetermined number of different switching states (S1 to S7) and a predetermined number of connection points (12, 14, 16, 18), which can be connected to one another and/or to a predetermined reference potential via a connecting means (15) depending on a currently set switching state (S1 to S7). In order to enable particularly simple miniaturisation and a reliable mode of operation, the predetermined number of connection points (12, 14, 16, 18) is lower than the predetermined number of switching states (S1 to S7), wherein the different switching states (S1 to S7) are coded by the connection points (12, 14, 16, 18) that can be connected to one another in such a way that the connecting means (15) simultaneously connects at least one of the connection points (12, 14, 16, 18) and no more than two of the connection points (12, 14, 16, 18) to the predetermined reference potential.