Appliance comprising a water inlet module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances face complexity in wiring and management of hydraulic components due to bulky wiring harnesses and weak electric interfaces, requiring extensive time and skilled technicians for manufacturing, and limited management capabilities for various components.
Innovation Solution
A water inlet module with actionable hydraulic components that can manage operations independently from an electronic control board, incorporating sensors and a local control unit to simplify design, manufacturing, and maintenance, and featuring a frame that supports both hydraulic and electronic components in a single structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wiring harness is used to connect actionable hydraulic components to an electronic control board, then the appliance can manage multiple hydraulic components, but the wiring harness becomes bulky and requires extensive time and skilled technicians during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the appliance control system into two segments: a central electronic control board and a distributed water inlet module. The water inlet module contains its own local control unit that manages hydraulic components (valves, pumps, diverters) locally, eliminating the need for extensive wiring harnesses connecting each component to the central board. This segmentation reduces wiring complexity while maintaining the ability to manage multiple hydraulic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The water inlet module acts as an intermediary between the central electronic control board and the hydraulic components. It receives control signals from the central board and manages the hydraulic components through its local control unit, reducing the direct wiring requirements between the central board and each individual component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple actionable hydraulic components are provided in the appliance, then water distribution capabilities are enhanced, but the number of wirings and input/output ports on the electronic control board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple hydraulic components (valves, pumps, diverters) and their control circuits into a single integrated water inlet module. This consolidation allows the appliance to maintain enhanced water distribution capabilities while reducing the number of separate wirings and input/output ports required on the central electronic control board.
Solution Approach 2:
The water inlet module serves multiple functions: it controls valves, pumps, and diverters; it monitors water flow and pressure; and it provides local intelligence for water management. This multi-functionality within a single module reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining versatile water distribution capabilities.
3Extent of automation
If the electronic control board manages all hydraulic components directly, then centralized control is achieved, but the workload and complexity of the control board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality is segmented between the central electronic control board and the water inlet module's local control unit. The central board maintains overall control and coordination, while the local control unit handles the detailed management of hydraulic components, thereby reducing the workload and complexity of the central control board.
Solution Approach 2:
The water inlet module with its local control unit provides self-service capabilities for managing hydraulic components. It can autonomously control valves, pumps, and diverters based on local sensor inputs and pre-programmed logic, reducing the direct management burden on the central electronic control board.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance having: a control unit managing the operation of the appliance; at least one hydraulic component actionable for distributing water/treating liquids within the appliance; a plurality of sensors arranged for acquiring information regarding physical parameters associated with the operation of the appliance, and a module managing at least part of the water/treating liquids distribution within the appliance. The module includes the at least one hydraulic component; at least two sensors of the plurality of sensors, and a local control unit managing the operation of the at least one hydraulic component and/or receiving the information acquired by the at least two sensors.