Adaptable user interface with tactile feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Food processing appliances require users to manually switch between different accessories and cycles, which is labor-intensive due to the need for varying motor speeds and unique processing methods, leading to a cumbersome user interface experience.

Innovation Solution

A kitchen appliance equipped with a sensor that identifies attached accessories and adjusts the user interface, including a visual display and haptic feedback buttons, to provide specific graphics and input options tailored to the connected accessory, streamlining the operation and reducing user effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual switching between accessories and cycles is used, then the appliance can handle multiple food processing tasks, but the user effort and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle multiple food processing tasksVSAvoiduser effort and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects which accessory is attached via sensors and autonomously configures the user interface to display only relevant controls and options for that accessory, eliminating the need for users to manually switch between different interface configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The user interface dynamically adapts its configuration based on the detected accessory type, automatically reconfiguring displayed controls, available cycles, and operational parameters to match the attached accessory rather than maintaining a static comprehensive interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a comprehensive user interface with all possible controls is provided, then all food processing functions are accessible, but the interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to all food processing functionsVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface displays different sets of controls and options depending on which accessory is detected, showing only the locally relevant controls for the attached accessory rather than all possible controls simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The comprehensive interface is segmented into multiple accessory-specific interface configurations, each containing only the controls and parameters relevant to that particular accessory type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual cycle switching is required for different accessories, then the appliance can accommodate varying processing methods, but the time required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying processing methodsVSAvoidtime required for switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automatic configuration of the appropriate processing cycles and parameters based on accessory detection, preparing the interface and settings in advance before the user begins operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The adaptable user interface enhances ease of use by automatically configuring the display and input options based on the attached accessory, improving user experience and reducing labor required for switching between different food processing tasks.

Implementation Method 1

A control system is configured to receive a signal from the sensor of the presence of the first readable module or the second readable module and identify which of the first appliance accessory and the second appliance accessory are attached to the accessory connection surface by the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of buttons under the visual display that are biased towards a user to provide haptic feedback

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic feedback:

Data Source

PatentUS20240330023A1Adaptable user interface with tactile feedback

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A kitchen appliance includes a body defining an accessory connection surface with a sensor. The kitchen appliance further includes a first appliance accessory with a first readable module and a second appliance accessory with a second readable module. A user interface on the body includes a visual display and a plurality of buttons under the visual display that are biased towards a user to provide haptic feedback. A control system is configured to receive a signal from the sensor of the presence of the first readable module or the second readable module and identify which of the first appliance accessory and the second appliance accessory are attached to the accessory connection surface by the signal. The control system is further configured to generate a graphic on the visual display specific to the identified appliance accessory.