阅读说明：本技术 具有同心调节旋钮的控制单元 (Control unit with concentric adjusting knob ) 是由 赖纳·考普 于 2018-12-14 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种控制单元(100),至少包括内旋钮(102),该内旋钮配置为调节由控制单元(100)控制的第一参数。此外,内旋钮(102)在第一位置与第二位置之间移动。控制单元(100)包括外旋钮(104),该外旋钮配置为调节由控制单元(100)控制的第二参数。外旋钮(104)围绕内旋钮(102)同心地设置。此外,内旋钮(102)的第一位置限定为相对于外旋钮(104)的突出位置,并且内旋钮(102)的第二位置限定为相对于外旋钮(104)的缩回位置。控制单元(100)的特征在于,当内旋钮(102)处于第一位置时,外旋钮(104)对第二参数的调节被锁定。(A control unit (100) comprises at least an inner knob (102) configured to adjust a first parameter controlled by the control unit (100). Further, the inner knob (102) moves between a first position and a second position. The control unit (100) comprises an outer knob (104) configured to adjust a second parameter controlled by the control unit (100). An outer knob (104) is concentrically disposed about the inner knob (102). Further, a first position of the inner knob (102) is defined as a protruding position relative to the outer knob (104), and a second position of the inner knob (102) is defined as a retracted position relative to the outer knob (104). The control unit (100) is characterized in that the adjustment of the second parameter by the outer knob (104) is locked when the inner knob (102) is in the first position.)

1. A control unit (100) comprising at least:

an inner knob (102) configured to adjust a first parameter controlled by the control unit (100), wherein the inner knob (102) is adapted to move between a first position and a second position; and

an outer knob (104) configured to adjust a second parameter controlled by the control unit (100), wherein the outer knob (104) is concentrically disposed around the inner knob (102);

wherein the first position of the inner knob (102) is defined as a protruding position relative to the outer knob (104) and the second position of the inner knob (102) is defined as a retracted position relative to the outer knob (104);

the method is characterized in that:

when the inner knob (102) is in the first position, adjustment of the second parameter by the outer knob (104) is locked.

2. The control unit (100) of claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the first parameter by the inner knob (102) is locked when the inner knob (102) is in the second position.

3. The control unit (100) of claim 1, wherein movement of the inner knob (102) between the first and second positions is achieved by applying a pushing force to the inner knob (102).

4. The control unit (100) according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (100) is configured to control a water distributor.

5. A control unit (100) according to claims 1-3, wherein the control unit (100) is configured to control a water computer.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to water computers (water computers). More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a control unit that utilizes concentric adjustment knobs (knobs) to vary different parameters controlled by a water computer.

Background

Water computers (also known as water distributors) are used to control different parameters of the water system in outdoor applications. Typically, water computers are provided with a control unit which serves as an interface for use by a user. Further, the control unit typically has a plurality of adjustment knobs, wherein each of the plurality of adjustment knobs is programmed to adjust a value of a parameter operated by the water computer.

However, there are cases where: the value preset by any other of the plurality of adjustment knobs may be disturbed when one adjustment knob is operated. This may often occur in "double knob" type adjustment knobs, in which the arrangement of the adjustment knobs is such that there may be unintentional adjustment when only one of the adjustment knobs of the control unit is engaged.

EP0795807 (hereinafter the' 807 reference) provides an example of an interface, such as a vehicle air conditioning unit. The' 807 reference provides a control unit that includes a rotation knob for air quantity adjustment disposed concentrically with a rotation knob for temperature adjustment. The rotary knob for temperature is normally retractable with respect to the rotary knob for air mass and is movable to a protruding position. However, the' 092 reference does not disclose a device that allows for the locking of one set of rotation knobs while the other set is operated. This may result in undesirable parameter variations when engaged with only one rotary knob.

Therefore, there is a need to improve the arrangement of the adjustment knobs of the control unit to avoid any undesired operation of any adjustment knob.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the above disadvantages. This object is at least partly achieved by a control unit. The control unit includes at least an inner knob configured to adjust a first parameter controlled by the control unit. Further, the inner knob moves between a first position and a second position. The control unit includes an outer knob configured to adjust a second parameter controlled by the control unit. The outer knob appears concentrically around the inner knob. Further, the first position of the inner knob is defined as a protruding position relative to the outer knob, and the second position of the inner knob is defined as a retracted position relative to the outer knob. The control unit is characterized in that the adjustment of the second parameter by the outer knob is locked when the inner knob is in the first position.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the adjustment of the first parameter by the inner knob is locked when the inner knob is in the second position. This avoids any inadvertent adjustment of the first parameter while the inner knob remains in the second position. Also, the second parameter may be adjusted by the outer knob even if the inner knob is locked.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the movement of the inner knob between the first position and the second position is achieved by applying a pushing force to the inner knob. The operation of the inner knob is facilitated by the application of a pushing force.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to control a water distributor. The position based locking features of the inner and outer knobs may be used to control the water distributor as desired.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to control the water computer. The control unit allows a desired control of the water computer, in particular by changing the position of the inner knob, which is also related to the operation of the outer knob.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with an inner knob in a first position;

FIG. 1B shows a front view of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with the inner knob in a first position;

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with the inner knob in a first position;

FIG. 1D illustrates a perspective view of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with the inner knob in a first position;

FIG. 1E illustrates a top view of a control unit with an inner knob in a first position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with the inner knob in a second position;

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the control unit with the inner knob in a second position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the control unit with the inner knob in a second position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D illustrates a perspective view of the control unit with the inner knob in a second position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2E illustrates a top view of the control unit with the inner knob in a second position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with the inner knob in a second position;

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the control unit with the inner knob in a second position, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention with the inner knob in a first position; and

FIG. 4B shows a side view of the control unit with the inner knob in a first position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "side," "longitudinal," "lateral," "transverse," "upward," "downward," "forward," "rearward," "lateral," "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward," "inner," "outer," "inward," "outward," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "central," "middle," "intermediate," "between …," "end," "adjacent," "proximate," "proximal," "distal," "remote," "radial," "circumferential," and the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction unless otherwise specified and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the claims.

Fig. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of the control unit 100. The control unit 100 of the present disclosure is implemented with reference to a water computer or water distributor. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be readily implemented for any system requiring control of one or more parameters by a control unit.

The control unit 100 includes an inner knob 102, here shown in a first position. The inner knob 102 is used to adjust a first parameter controlled by the control unit 100. Further, the inner knob 102 may only be used to adjust the first parameter in the first position. This prevents any accidental use of the inner knob 102 and, therefore, prevents adjustment of the first parameter when not desired. The control unit 100 comprises an outer knob 104 to adjust a second parameter controlled by the control unit 100. Outer knob 104 is concentrically disposed about inner knob 102. However, the outer knob 104 and the inner knob 102 may be arranged in any other relative configuration for applying the present disclosure.

During adjustment of the first parameter, the inner knob 102 may be rotated along its vertical axis. Further, the inner knob 102 may have an indicator/marker to serve as a reference for the change in magnitude of the first parameter. Similarly, the outer knob 104 may be provided with an indicator/marker to serve as a reference for the change in magnitude of the second parameter. The outer knob 104 may be rotated along the vertical axis of the outer knob independently of the inner knob 102. This causes the second parameter to be adjusted. Thus, the first parameter and the second parameter may be adjusted independently.

The control unit 100 further comprises a locking device 106 which locks the outer knob 104 and/or the inner knob 102 depending on the position of the inner knob 102. In some embodiments, this allows for the proper adjustment of one parameter (i.e., the second parameter) while locking the adjustment of the other parameter (i.e., the first parameter) as needed. Further, the control unit 100 includes a spring 108 to guide the inner knob 102 to move between the first and second positions, which is desired to occur when an external pushing action is applied to the inner knob 102.

Fig. 1B and 1C show different views of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in a first position. Specifically, fig. 1C illustrates the position of the locking device 106, which further includes a locking contour 110 and a spring 108 located inside the inner knob 102. The locking profile 110 may lock the inner knob 102 or the outer knob 104 depending on the position of the inner knob 102. Further, in the absence of any pushing force, the locking profile 110 inhibits any inadvertent movement of the inner knob 102. The first position of the inner knob 102 may be defined as a protruding position relative to the outer knob 104. This allows for ease of engagement with the inner knob 102, thereby making a desired adjustment to the first parameter.

When the inner knob 102 is in the first position, the adjustment of the second parameter by the outer knob 104 is locked. Fig. 1D and 1E show views of the top of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in a first position. The transition of inner knob 102 from the first position to the second position is illustrated in fig. 2A, 2B, and 2D.

Fig. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in a second position. This position (i.e., the second position) causes the inner knob 102 to lock and allows the second parameter to be adjusted by the outer knob 104. The second position of the inner knob 102 may be defined as a retracted position relative to the outer knob 104. Thus, with the "double knob" arrangement provided by the present disclosure, the inner knob 102 is brought to the second position as needed so that the adjustment of the first parameter by the inner knob 102 is locked.

In one embodiment, movement of inner knob 102 between the first and second positions is achieved by applying a pushing force to inner knob 102. The thrust force may be preset according to the material/weight/type of the control unit 100 or any component thereof. Further, control unit 100 may be programmed such that a single push force is applied to inner knob 102 to move it to the second position, while a double push force is applied to move inner knob 102 to the second position, or vice versa. A spring 108 housed inside the inner knob 102 guides movement of the inner knob 102 between the first and second positions and stores a pushing force for effecting such movement of the inner knob 102.

Fig. 2B and 2C show different views of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in the second position. Further, fig. 2D and 2E show views of the top of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in the second position. In fact, the inner knob 102 in the second position is not accessible and therefore, adjustment is only allowed by the outer knob 104 controlling the second parameter of the control unit 100.

As shown in the different views of fig. 3A and 3B, the control unit 100 of the present disclosure controls a water distributor or water computer. Here, the control unit 100 is shown with the inner knob 102 in the second position. Inner knob 102 will stay in this position as long as no external pushing force is applied to inner knob 102. For aesthetic and clarity reasons, the figure shows only the major components (e.g., the inner knob 102 and the outer knob 104), but as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, there will be other components such as valves, seals, etc., in addition to the control unit 100.

Now, a pushing force is applied for any adjustment of inner knob 102 that remains locked in the second position of inner knob 102. The pushing force moves the inner knob 102 to the first position (from the second position shown previously) and allows the first parameter to be adjusted. Fig. 4A and 4B show different views of the control unit 100, wherein the inner knob 102 is moved to the first position again. Furthermore, the inner knob 102 and/or the outer knob 104 may be provided with means for monitoring and notification of any undesired adjusting events occurring during the locking phase of any of the knobs. For example, when the inner knob 102 is in the first position (as is the case), the outer knob 104 remains locked for adjustment of the second parameter. However, in the event of inattention on the part of the average user, there may be a positive engagement with the outer knob 104 (which is currently locked), resulting in possible damage. Thus, control unit 100 may prevent such damage by timely notifying the average user of the status of inner knob 102 and/or outer knob 104, as well as any other information (if authorized/queried by the average user). This feature is expected to extend the life of the control unit 100 and proves beneficial during maintenance of the control unit 100.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the claims.

Component list

100 control unit

102 inner knob

104 outer knob

106 locking device

108 spring

110 locking profile