thiNcoder® EZI 2.0 - Overview
Overview | Technical Specifications
THINCODER EZ 2.0 is a variant of THINCODER RT. It is specially designed for the household appliance market. It is not a substitute to THINCODER RT, but rather a complement and an extension of the THINCODER family. Although its construction is somewhat different, it has the same benefits as the THINCODER RT and its operation is similar, in that the circuit is activated by metal balls which are held in place by magnets embedded within the switch. The number of balls varies according to the type of circuit required. GGI International is able to offer you the integration of this new technology to your needs for membrane keyboard requiring a rotary switch especially designed for the sector of the electric household appliances. For further information on the many benefits provided by THINCODER EZ, please read the section on THINCODER RT.
As there are two types of THINCODERs available, you could wonder what justifies the use of the EZ version rather than the RT version. Here are the reasons for using THINCODER EZ:
- When the encoding must be higher than 2 bits.
- When the encoding is repetitive and must be higher than 2 bits.
- When a minimum of 2 square inches is available on the membrane keyboard and when the enclosure can accommodate THINCODER EZ.
- When a well-defined and robust stop function is required.
Ultimately, THINCODER EZ 2.0 can function as a 5-bit encoder, as a repetitive 2-bit Gray code or as a selection switch. GGI International engineers will be able to advise you as for the choices of the best type of switch available according to your specific needs.
- Varied configurations: The circuit can take various configurations depending on the required result. The gears can also be selected according to the required number of positions. Here are 3 different basic configurations offered by GGI International.
- 8-position selector: This configuration is used for applications which require the selection of a function among several others.
Example: Selection of the wash cycle in a clothes washer.
Requires: 2 balls and 2 magnets.
- Quadrature encoder (repetitive 2-bit Gray code): This configuration is used for applications which are used as an incremental or decremental control
Example: Volume control, scrolling in menus, power levels...
Requires: 7 balls and 7 magnets.
- 5-bit encoder, absolute positioning: This configuration is used for applications which require the selection of a position among a maximum of 32 positions, using only 6 connections.
Example: Selection of the wash cycle in a clothes washer.
Requires: 7 balls and 7 magnets.
- 8-position selector: This configuration is used for applications which require the selection of a function among several others.
- Benefits of the 5-bit design:
- An absolute 5-bit encoding with 32 detents provides a separate electric output to each detent position, using only 6 connections. A conventional selection switch would require 33 connections.
- One can connect several 5-bit encoders in a bus network by adding only one common lne per additional switch.
- The use of a 5-bit encoder makes it possible to define zones for the functions in the drawing using simple software code. For example, a panel of 5 functions could be upgraded to 7 functions by simply defining 2 additional sets of input codes corresponding to the new functions. This avoids having to change anything, except for the drawing and the software.
- One can use mechanical components and drawings of common circuits to go up from 2 to 32 functions. This reduces the costs of retooling.
- Absolute encoding provides a known dial position, should there be an interruption of power to the appliance (this is not valid for quadrature encoding, except if non-volatile memory is used). For example, if the encoder is used to control speed, the appliance could be disconnected and re-plugged. Restart would be carried out at the same speed.