The touch lamp; a neat idea, and older than you'd think!
Technology Connections・2 minutes read
Touch lamps, a popular device in the 1980s, use human body capacitance to activate a switch and have evolved with modern technology to be more affordable, efficient, and safe. The technology behind touch lamps mirrors that of smartphones, using a grid of electrodes to detect changes in capacitance caused by touch, providing a touchless experience for users.
Insights
- Touch lamps, popularized in the 1980s, utilize human body capacitance to activate a switch, with Norman Green's design incorporating vacuum tubes and various electronic components for operation, though they were not energy-efficient.
- Modern touch lamps leverage integrated circuits for efficiency and safety, utilizing capacitive touch modules that can be easily added to existing lamps, offering features like self-calibration, dimming capabilities with triac technology, and compatibility with dimmable LED bulbs for a seamless touch experience akin to smartphone touch screens.
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Recent questions
What is the history of touch lamps?
Touch lamps, popular in the 1980s, utilized touch sensors to activate and dim the light. The first touch lamp patent was filed in 1984 by Scott M. Kunen, but earlier patents by Sylvania in 1953 and Norman Green in 1954 suggest touch lamps existed before. Norman Green's touch lamp used vacuum tubes, a relay, and various electronic components to function. By the 1980s, touch lamps became more affordable due to advancements in electronics and integrated circuits, leading to their widespread use in modern times.
How do touch lamps work?
Touch lamps use human body capacitance to activate a switch, similar to creating a capacitor with conductive materials. The lamp's circuitry involves triodes, an oscillator, and a sensing ring affected by body capacitance. When a person touches the lamp, the change in capacitance triggers the switch to turn the lamp on or off, and in some cases, adjust the brightness level. Modern touch lamps utilize integrated circuits for self-calibration, minimal power consumption, and safety features, making them efficient and convenient to use.
What components are used in touch lamps?
Touch lamps, like Norman Green's design, incorporate various electronic components such as vacuum tubes, a relay, a rectifier, coils, resistors, and capacitors. The lamp's circuitry involves triodes, an oscillator, and a sensing ring affected by body capacitance. These components work together to detect touch, activate the lamp, and adjust the brightness level based on the user's interaction. Advancements in electronics and integrated circuits have made touch lamps more efficient and affordable over time.
How have touch lamps evolved over time?
Touch lamps have evolved from early designs using vacuum tubes and basic electronic components to modern versions incorporating integrated circuits for self-calibration, minimal power consumption, and safety features. By the 1980s, touch lamps became more affordable and widely used due to advancements in electronics. Modern touch lamps are highly sensitive, capable of transitioning between brightness levels and an off mode, offering convenience and flexibility to users. The technology behind touch lamps mirrors that of smartphones, providing a touchless experience for controlling lighting.
What technology is used in modern touch lamps?
Modern touch lamps utilize capacitive touch modules that are highly sensitive and efficient. These modules can be easily added to any lamp for touch functionality, allowing users to control the light with a simple touch. The technology behind these lamps involves a grid of electrodes that detect changes in capacitance caused by touch, enabling smooth and responsive operation. Capacitive touch lamps work well with dimmable LED bulbs, ensuring silent and flicker-free dimming. While touch screens have limitations, specialized gloves are available to overcome these issues, offering users a convenient and touchless experience.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of Touch Lamps: From Vacuum Tubes
- Touch screens are common on devices today, utilizing touch sensors to detect touch.
- Touch lamps, where touching metal activates them, were popular in the 1980s, with a dimming function.
- The first touch lamp patent was filed in 1984 by Scott M. Kunen, but touch lamps existed before.
- A 1953 patent by Sylvania and a 1954 patent by Norman Green suggest touch lamps were available earlier.
- Touch lamps use human body capacitance to activate a switch, similar to making a capacitor with conductive materials.
- Norman Green's touch lamp used vacuum tubes, a relay, a rectifier, coils, resistors, and capacitors.
- The lamp's circuitry involved triodes, an oscillator, and a sensing ring affected by body capacitance.
- Vacuum tube touch lamps were not energy-efficient, consuming around 10-20 watts constantly.
- By the 1980s, touch lamps became more affordable due to advancements in electronics and integrated circuits.
- Modern touch lamps use integrated circuits for self-calibration, flexibility, minimal power consumption, and safety.
13:09
Sensitive touch lamp modules mimic smartphone technology.
- Capacitive touch lamp modules are highly sensitive, transitioning between brightness levels and an off mode, with the darkest setting referred to as "night" mode. These modules can be easily added to any lamp for touch functionality, such as clamping it between the base and stem of a lamp or extending the lead to control other devices like a fridge or bookcase lighting.
- These modules utilize a triac for dimming and work well with dimmable LED bulbs, like the Philips WarmGlow 40 watt equivalent bulb, ensuring silent and flicker-free operation. The technology behind these lamps mirrors that of smartphones, using a grid of electrodes to detect changes in capacitance caused by touch, offering a touchless experience for users.
- While capacitive touch screens have limitations like being unresponsive with ordinary gloves, specialized gloves are available to overcome this issue. The nostalgic appeal of touch lamps may see a resurgence, but for now, the convenience of smartphone flashlights offers a similar touch experience.
