Touch-Sensing Power Adapter for Sealed Lamp Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power adapters and control boxes for lamp loads, such as LED string lights, suffer from separate manufacturing, high material and production costs, poor waterproofing, and mechanical components prone to rust and damage from water exposure, leading to reduced lifespan and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A power adapter with a sensing control function that integrates a solid touch pad on the plug case, using a capacitive or resistive touch sensor for operation, eliminating physical buttons and providing a fully sealed mechanism, utilizing a rigid material like metal or hard plastic for durability and resistance to environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a physical button is mounted in a hole on the control box case, then the user can operate the control box, but the waterproof capability deteriorates and the service life reduces due to rust and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical button with a capacitive touch sensor that detects changes in electrical capacitance when a user touches the operation area. This eliminates the mechanical button structure, the hole in the case, and the associated waterproofing issues and rust problems, while maintaining full operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitive sensing mechanism as an intermediary between the user and the control circuit. The sensing conductor detects touch through changes in capacitance caused by the user's body, allowing control without direct mechanical contact or holes in the case.
2Ease of operation
If a soft press pad is mounted on the case with a pad hole, then the user interface is provided, but water infiltration occurs and the internal circuit board is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the soft press pad mechanical system with a capacitive touch sensing system. The sensing conductor mounted on the circuit board detects touch through capacitance changes, eliminating the need for a pad hole and soft press pad material that could allow water infiltration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the soft press pad and pad hole from the design, retaining only the essential sensing function through the capacitive touch sensor integrated on the circuit board.
3Ease of manufacture
If the control box and power adapter are separate devices, then each can be manufactured independently, but the material and production cost are not reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control box functionality directly into the power adapter by integrating the sensing conductor and control circuit onto the power adapter's circuit board. This consolidation eliminates the separate control box, reduces the total amount of materials needed, and simplifies production while maintaining independent manufacturability of the integrated unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The power adapter is designed to perform multiple functions: power conversion and control operations. The integrated capacitive touch sensor provides control functionality previously requiring a separate control box, making the power adapter a multi-functional universal device.
4Ease of operation
If a physical button with metal dome is used, then the button can be pressed, but it rusts easily when in contact with water and oxygen, reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the metal dome mechanical button with a capacitive touch sensor that requires no physical contact or mechanical movement. The sensing conductor detects touch through electrical capacitance changes, eliminating metal components that are susceptible to rust from water and oxygen exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple capacitive sensing conductor that is inherently resistant to environmental degradation. Unlike metal buttons that rust, the capacitive sensor maintains its functionality indefinitely without mechanical wear or corrosion, effectively providing an immortal control mechanism.
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 enhances waterproofing, reduces mechanical wear, ensures consistent sensitivity, and provides precise capacitive touch detection, offering longer service life and improved safety by eliminating mechanical parts and reducing noise and false triggers.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor board comprising a sensing conductor and a controller electrically connected to the sensing conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A power adapter with a sensing control function for a lamp load includes a plug case, a pin set, and a circuit board. The plug case has an exterior surface having an operation area. The pin set is mounted on the plug case. The circuit module is mounted in the plug case, is electrically connected to the pin set, and has a sensor board including a sensing conductor and a controller electrically connected to the sensing conductor. A position of the sensing conductor corresponds to a position of the operation area of the exterior surface of the plug case.