Household appliance with a control device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Domestic appliances with fixed latching positions for control devices are not user-friendly and lack versatility, limiting their application and ease of use across different functions and devices.

Innovation Solution

A manually operable control device for domestic appliances that can adopt multiple latching positions, with adjustable number, spacing, and haptic sensation, using non-mechanical forces such as magnetic resistance to emulate latching positions, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and flexible use across various appliances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed mechanically predefined latching positions are used in control devices, then manufacturing is simple and reliable, but the control device lacks versatility and cannot be adapted to different functions or appliances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of control deviceVSAvoidcomplexity of control device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical latching system with an electromagnetic system. A rotor with magnets interacts with stator magnets to create variable magnetic resistance, eliminating the need for mechanical latching positions. This allows the control device to be adapted to different functions and appliances without physical modifications, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dynamic system where the number and position of latching positions can be changed during operation. The control device can switch between different operating modes with different numbers of latching positions (e.g., 4 positions for temperature control, 6 positions for timer control), allowing one physical device to serve multiple functions without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If different control devices with fixed latching positions are manufactured for different appliances, then each device is optimized for its specific function, but storage expenses and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidversatility of control device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control device that can function in multiple appliances and for multiple purposes. By using electromagnetic fields instead of mechanical latching, the same physical control device can be configured for different number of latching positions depending on the appliance requirements, eliminating the need to manufacture and store multiple specialized control devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the control device (number of latching positions, their spacing, and haptic characteristics) without changing the physical structure. This allows a single manufactured device to be adapted to different appliances by changing electromagnetic parameters rather than manufacturing different physical versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If mechanically predefined latching positions are used, then the control device structure is simple, but the haptic sensation cannot be adjusted or optimized for different functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehaptic sensation qualityVSAvoidstructural complexity of control device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical structures that define latching positions with an electromagnetic field system. The haptic sensation is created and adjusted through magnetic resistance rather than mechanical engagement, allowing the haptic characteristics to be optimized for different functions without adding mechanical complexity to the device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 user-friendly operation with customizable haptic feedback, reducing storage costs and improving ease of use by allowing a single control device to serve multiple functions and be adaptable to different appliances.

Implementation Method 1

using non-mechanical forces such as magnetic resistance to emulate latching positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic resistance: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10448462B2Household appliance with a control device

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A domestic appliance includes at least one manually operable longitudinally or rotationally movable control device which is configured to adopt several latching positions. The latching positions are variably adjustable, for example adjusting a number of latching positions, or by adjusting a spacing between adjacent latching positions, or by adjusting a latching sensation of the latching positions.