Wall Control Button Assembly With Tactile-Touch Zone Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wall-mounted control devices face challenges in achieving varied button configurations using tactile switches, as they require multiple switches and types, leading to cost and complexity issues, and fully capacitive touch solutions fail to replicate the tactile feedback of traditional switches.
Innovation Solution
A wall-mounted control device combining tactile switches and touch sensors, where a controller determines button actuations based on signals from both types of sensors, allowing for interchangeable buttons and increased configuration options without the need for numerous switch types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tactile switches and separate button types are used to achieve varying button configurations, then button configuration versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single button cap design is used that can function as different button types (push button, side-to-side rocker, up-and-down rocker) by combining tactile switch actuation with capacitive touch sensing. The controller distinguishes between different button types by detecting which sensors are activated and in what combination, allowing one physical button to serve multiple functions without requiring separate button caps for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges tactile switch technology with capacitive touch sensing into a hybrid system. The tactile switch provides mechanical actuation feedback, while the capacitive sensors detect touch gestures and directions. This combination allows a single button to exhibit multiple button types through software control rather than requiring multiple separate physical components.
2Device complexity
If fully capacitive touch sensing is used to achieve various button configurations, then device complexity is reduced, but tactile feedback quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges tactile switch technology with capacitive touch sensing into a hybrid system. The tactile switch provides mechanical actuation feedback, while the capacitive sensors detect touch gestures and directions. This combination allows a single button to exhibit multiple button types through software control rather than requiring multiple separate physical components.
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
This solution enables flexible button configurations with tactile feedback, reducing costs and complexity by using a single button design that can accommodate various functions through programming, thereby increasing the number of allowable configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the capacitive touch sensor detects a change in capacitance in response to proximity of an object to the capacitive touch sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A control device comprising a front portion, at least one button cap, and a controller. The front portion comprises a plurality of button zones each comprising a tactile switch and at least one touch sensor. The at least one button cap is adapted to attach to the control device over at least one of the button zones such that the at least one button cap is positioned over the at least one touch sensor and interacts with the tactile switch in the at least one of the button zones. The controller determines which button zone and which location of the button zone is actuated in response to a combination of signals received from at least one of the tactile switches and at least one of the touch sensors.