Table with Embedded Lamp and Sensor-Activated Touch Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved furniture designs that incorporate lighting and sensor-controlled features to enhance functionality, particularly for use at night or in low-light environments, as existing designs lack efficient and user-friendly solutions for adjusting light levels and automatic activation.
Innovation Solution
A table top with a built-in lamp and embedded touch controls, featuring a capacitive touch sensor and indicator lights, which allows for adjustable light levels and automatic lamp activation based on the lamp's position, using a Hall effect sensor or similar technology to communicate with control circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lamp is attached to a table top to provide lighting, then illumination is provided for reading and writing at night, but the table top appearance is altered and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp is positioned within a recess in the table top, nesting the lighting component inside the furniture structure. When closed, the lamp is substantially hidden within the recess, maintaining the table top's aesthetic appearance while providing lighting functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp is made movable between a closed position (hidden in the recess) and an open position (extended for use). This dynamic capability allows the lamp to transition between being aesthetically concealed and functionally exposed, resolving the conflict between appearance and illumination.
2Ease of operation
If manual switches are used to control the lamp, then the structure remains simple, but the ease of operation is reduced and user convenience is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical switches with sensor-based automatic control systems. Sensors detect user presence or lamp position and automatically control lamp activation, eliminating the need for manual switching while providing enhanced convenience despite increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp system performs self-control through integrated sensors that automatically detect when the lamp should be activated or deactivated. The system serves itself by making autonomous decisions about lighting based on environmental conditions or user interaction, improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the lamp is always visible, then the ease of operation is improved, but the traditional appearance of the table top is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp transitions between a closed position (aesthetically concealed in the recess) and an open position (accessible for use). This dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain traditional appearance when not in use while providing easy access and visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp is pre-positioned within the recess in a closed state, maintaining aesthetic appearance. When activation is needed, the lamp is opened to an accessible position, providing preliminary preparation for both aesthetic and functional 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
The solution provides a user-friendly and efficient means to adjust light levels and automatically activate the lamp when needed, enhancing usability in various lighting conditions while maintaining a traditional appearance when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor can be, for example, a Hall effect sensor, a Reed switch, or a dead man's switch.
Implementation Method 2
The touch control comprises a capacitive touch sensor having a conductive layer
Implementation Method 3
the indicator light preferably comprises one or more LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
A table that includes a planar upper surface having a recess, a lamp positioned in the recess, a first sensor, and an embedded touch control. The lamp can be in a closed position or an open position, and have a first section and a second section. The first section is attached to the planar upper surface at a proximal end thereof. The first sensor detects the position of the lamp and communicates with circuitry to activate and deactivate lamp based on the position of the lamp. The embedded touch control is located beneath the planar upper surface and controls the light level of the lamp.