System and method for appliance diagnostics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Appliances such as refrigerators experience performance degradation over time, and users often face delays in service technician availability for diagnostics, with existing systems lacking user-friendly diagnostic capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An appliance equipped with an acoustic sensor and controller that performs self-diagnostic routines by isolating components, generating spectrograms, and comparing them to baseline data to determine operating conditions, allowing for user-initiated or remote diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If service technicians are used to diagnose appliance issues, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but service response time deteriorates due to technician availability delays
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance performs self-diagnostics by automatically activating components, capturing acoustic signals, generating spectrograms, and comparing them to baseline data without requiring service technician intervention. This enables users to obtain diagnostic results immediately, eliminating waiting time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through automated analysis
Solution Approach 2:
Baseline spectrograms are pre-established for normal component operation. During diagnostics, current acoustic signals are compared against these pre-prepared baselines, enabling rapid identification of deviations indicating component issues without requiring technician expertise or time
2Loss of time
If automated diagnostic routines are implemented at the appliance, then service response time is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical inspection methods with acoustic field-based diagnostics. An acoustic sensor captures sound waves from appliance components, and spectrogram analysis converts these acoustic signals into visual representations for comparison, substituting complex mechanical diagnostic procedures with simpler acoustic measurement and signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic sensor and spectrogram analysis system serve multiple diagnostic functions across different appliance components. A single diagnostic routine can evaluate compressors, fans, pumps, and other components by analyzing their acoustic signatures, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate diagnostic mechanisms for each component
3Measurement precision
If components are isolated and tested individually during diagnostics, then measurement precision is improved, but the diagnostic process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic routine activates appliance components in periodic cycles, with each component being tested sequentially. The controller cycles through different components, activating them one at a time while the acoustic sensor captures their individual acoustic signatures. This periodic activation pattern enables systematic isolation and identification of component issues without requiring prolonged continuous operation
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
Enables users to perform timely diagnostics and maintenance, reducing reliance on service technicians and improving appliance performance through proactive identification of issues.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic sensor configured to obtain an acoustic signal relative to the plurality of appliance components
Implementation Method 2
generating a current-state spectrogram from the acoustic signal; determining an operating condition of the plurality of appliance components commanded to the activated state based at least on comparing the current-state spectrogram to a baseline spectrogram
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for appliance diagnostics is provided. The method includes determining an isolation state of the appliance; performing a diagnostic routine after the isolation state is determined, wherein the diagnostic routine commands an activated state of one or more appliance components of the plurality of appliance components, and wherein the diagnostic routine commands a deactivated state of a remaining one or more appliance components; obtaining an acoustic signal relative to a plurality of appliance components commanded to the activated state; generating a current-state spectrogram based on the acoustic signal; determining an operating condition of the plurality of appliance components commanded to the activated state based at least on comparing the current-state spectrogram to a baseline spectrogram corresponding to activated appliance component; and transmitting a communication signal based on the determined operating condition of the plurality of appliance components.