Valve Positioner Touch Interface Through Sealed Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart valve positioners in harsh industrial environments face challenges with user interface accessibility, requiring housing opening for operation, which is cumbersome and risky, and lack effective security against unauthorized access when external buttons are used.

Innovation Solution

A local user interface with non-mechanical touch buttons that can be operated through the housing cover, using capacitive or optical touch technology, allowing access without opening the housing and incorporating PIN code protection for secure operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the housing is opened to operate the local user interface, then the user interface is accessible and operable, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser interface accessibilityVSAvoidTime to open housing and operate interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical button operation with capacitive touch sensing technology. The touch buttons are integrated into the housing cover, allowing users to operate the interface through the closed housing without mechanical contact. This substitution enables the housing to remain sealed while maintaining full operational capability of the user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing cover acts as an intermediary layer between the user and the control interface. By integrating touch-sensitive elements into the cover itself, the system allows interaction without direct access to internal components, eliminating the need to open the housing for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If external mechanical buttons are used for easy access, then the user interface is easily accessible, but security against unauthorized access and environmental contamination is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUser interface accessibilityVSAvoidProtection against unauthorized access and environmental factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical buttons that penetrate the housing with capacitive touch sensing integrated into the housing cover. This eliminates physical openings or penetrations that could allow dust, water, or ice to enter, while maintaining full operational capability. The touch interface works through the sealed cover material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing cover functions as a flexible or rigid barrier layer that incorporates touch sensitivity. This thin film or shell structure allows tactile interaction while maintaining the protective seal, preventing environmental contaminants from reaching internal components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the housing cover is made thicker for shock resistance, then the positioner withstands mechanical shocks better, but the touch button operation through the cover becomes less responsive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveShock resistance of housingVSAvoidTouch button responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties or structural characteristics to different regions of the housing cover. The areas corresponding to touch buttons have modified properties (such as reduced thickness, increased flexibility, or enhanced capacitive coupling) to improve touch sensitivity, while other regions maintain full thickness for structural strength and shock resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system adjusts physical or electrical parameters of the housing cover in specific regions to optimize touch response. This may involve changing the dielectric constant, thickness, or capacitance values locally at button positions while maintaining overall structural integrity and shock resistance of the complete housing assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances accessibility and security by allowing touch button operation through the housing cover, reducing risk of water ingress and mechanical stress, while preventing unauthorized access through differentiated access modes based on housing state and PIN code management.

Implementation Method 1

using capacitive or optical touch technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive touch technology: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

using capacitive or optical touch technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical touch technology: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10698525B2Valve positioner and user interface for valve positioner

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 NELES FINLAND OY

AI summary

A smart valve positioner is provided with a local user interface with non-mechanical touch buttons and a display inside a positioner housing under a housing cover for locally operating the valve positioner. The touch buttons are user-operable by touching the touch buttons when the housing cover is open. The housing cover is arranged to make the touch buttons user-operable from outside the housing by touching the housing cover, when the housing cover is closed.