Accessory and base for a kitchen appliance, method and signal processing unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances and accessories lack an efficient mechanism for both power supply and data transmission between the basic unit and accessories, requiring multiple physical connections that complicate design, increase contamination risk, and hinder user-friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A contact module system with a signal processing unit that enables both power supply and data transmission using a single signal sequence through physical contact, reducing the number of contact elements to two, allowing for simplified design and robust communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple physical connections are used for power supply and data transmission, then reliable power supply and data transmission are achieved, but device complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power supply and data transmission functions into a single contact element. The contact element is designed to conduct both power signals and data signals simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate contact elements for each function. This merging approach reduces the total number of contact elements while maintaining reliable power supply and data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact element is designed with multi-functionality to serve both power supply and data transmission purposes. By integrating multiple functions into a single contact element, the patent reduces device complexity and the number of required contact elements while ensuring reliable operation of both power and data channels.
2Reliability
If multiple physical connections are used for power supply and data transmission, then reliable communication is achieved, but manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power supply and data transmission into a single contact element, which simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components that need to be produced and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional contact element reduces the total component count, which directly impacts manufacturing costs and assembly operations. By designing a single contact element that performs multiple functions, the patent makes the overall system easier and more cost-effective to manufacture while preserving reliable communication.
3Reliability
If multiple contact elements are used, then separate power supply and data transmission are ensured, but user-friendliness and ease of connection are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power and data transmission functions into a single contact element, which simplifies the connection process for users. Instead of requiring alignment and contact of multiple separate elements, users only need to establish contact with one element, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining separate power and data channels through signal processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
An accessory (100, 502, 602, 802) for a kitchen appliance (500), comprising a housing (102) and at least one electrically operated element (104, 106, 624, 822), is disclosed, characterized in that a contact module (120, 628, 826) is provided, wherein the contact module (120, 628, 826) is configured for an electrical contact (514) with a contact module (316) of a basic unit (300, 504, 604, 804) of the kitchen appliance (500) and for receiving an electrical signal (700, 900) via the electrical contact (514), and wherein a signal processing unit (112, 625, 823) is provided, wherein the signal processing unit (112, 625, 823) is configured to is to output a first signal component (702, 902) for the energy supply of the at least one electrically operated element (104, 106, 624, 822) based on the received signal (700, 900), and a second signal component (704, 708, 904) based on the received signal (700, 900).908) to output data. A compatible basic unit (300, 504, 604, 804), a kitchen appliance (500), a method, and a signal processing unit (112, 306, 605, 625, 807, 823) are also described.