Swing control for altering power to drive motor after each swing cycle
US6339304B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47D13/105
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A control (200) for an infant and child swing (40) driven by a direct current motor (160) includes a user interface (312) for selecting from a plurality of swing heights (or amplitudes), a microcontroller (400) having a processor (401), a swing angle indicator (118) having a light interrupter detector (210), and a music system (410). Processor (401) receives an output signal from light interrupter detector (210) for monitoring the current swing amplitude. At the end of each swing cycle processor (401) compares the current swing amplitude with the user selected maximum swing amplitude, and, if not substantially equal, generates a control signal to adjust the power output from motor (160) so that the current swing amplitude substantially equals the user selected maximum swing amplitude. This cycle-by-cycle adjustment produces a swing arc having improved accuracy and consistency. Processor (401) also ends operation of motor (160) after an optional, user preselected, fixed time period, and facilitates maintenance and repair by displaying the status of light interrupter detector (210) upon selected actuation of user interface (312).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.