Topside control panel and topside control panel system for a bathing unit system and method of operating same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional topside control panels for bathing units face challenges due to moisture exposure, leading to sanitary, integrity, and safety issues, particularly with touch-sensitive screens malfunctioning in wet environments and mechanical button panels being aesthetically unpleasing and limited in functionality.
Innovation Solution
A topside control panel with a ring-shaped manually operable actuator and a display screen, allowing users to navigate through a multi-layer menu using combinations of rotations and pressing actions, eliminating the need for touch-sensitive functionality and enabling flexible modification of settings for bathing unit components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch-sensitive screen is used for the control panel, then the aesthetic appearance and functionality are improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to malfunction in wet environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces touch-sensitive screen technology with a mechanical button system. The control panel uses physical buttons with tactile feedback mechanisms that operate through direct mechanical contact, eliminating the capacitive sensing technology that fails in wet environments. This substitution maintains full control functionality while achieving reliable operation in moisture-exposed spa environments.
2Reliability
If mechanical buttons are used for the control panel, then the reliability in wet environments is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a modular button design where a single mechanical button system performs multiple functions through different operational modes. The button can detect press duration, press force, and repeated pressing patterns to execute various commands, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized buttons or a touch screen interface. This universal design maintains aesthetic simplicity while providing comprehensive control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic functionality to the mechanical button by making its response characteristics variable. The button's output varies based on how it is pressed (duration, force, repetition), allowing a single static physical component to provide multiple dynamic control options. This enables the button to adapt its function based on user interaction patterns rather than requiring multiple fixed-function buttons.
3Ease of operation
If the control panel is positioned in proximity to the bathing unit system, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful effects from moisture exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sealed control panel housing design that creates a protective barrier against moisture. The housing acts as a waterproof enclosure, isolating the internal electronic components from the wet spa environment. This allows the control panel to be positioned close to the water without compromising component integrity, as the housing prevents moisture ingress that would otherwise cause corrosion or electrical failures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A topside control panel is described for controlling water features in a bathing unit system. The topside control panel comprises a housing having a generally circular housing portion including a display screen and a manually operable actuator positioned about a periphery of the housing portion. A circuit board assembly is positioned in the housing and includes one or more processors programmed for rendering a multi-layer menu driven interface on the display for controlling at least some water features of the bathing unit system, wherein at least one specific menu layer of the multi-layer menu driven interface presents options for controlling the one or more pumps. Navigation through the multi-layer menu driven interface is permitted by using signals triggered at least in part by a combination of displacements of the manually operable actuator to select specific user-selectable options to arrive at the specific menu layer presenting options for controlling the one or more pumps.