Appliance control unit with arranged control switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home appliance control systems require multiple independent switches for each electrical load, leading to complexity and inefficiency in managing power distribution for various cycles of operation.
Innovation Solution
A central control unit with a plurality of parallel master switches in the AC voltage line and slave switches in the neutral line, allowing for a reduced number of switches to control multiple independent loads, optimizing power distribution and reducing switch count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent switches are used for each electrical load, then each load can be controlled independently, but the number of switches increases leading to system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into master switches connected to the AC voltage line and slave switches connected to the neutral line. This segmentation allows independent control of multiple electrical loads through a reduced number of master switches, while maintaining the ability to control each load independently through the combination of master and slave switch states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional change by separating the switch control into two independent dimensions: master switches on the AC voltage line and slave switches on the neutral line. This two-dimensional switch arrangement enables a reduced number of master switches to control multiple loads by combining their states, effectively reducing the total switch count while maintaining independent load control capability.
2Device complexity
If a reduced number of switches is used to control multiple loads, then switch count is reduced, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is segmented into two independent parts: master switches on the AC side and slave switches on the neutral side. This segmentation simplifies the overall control mechanism by allowing each part to be controlled independently, reducing the complexity of the control logic compared to a fully integrated switch matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The master switches serve multiple functions by controlling multiple electrical loads through their combination with slave switches. Each master switch can independently control different combinations of loads when paired with different slave switches, providing universal control capability that reduces the total number of switches needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional independent switches are used for each load, then the control system is simple to design, but the number of switches and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional change by introducing the neutral line as a separate control dimension with slave switches. This creates a two-dimensional switch matrix where master switches on the AC line and slave switches on the neutral line work together, reducing the total number of switches needed while maintaining simple independent control logic for each load.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into two independent control lines (AC voltage line and neutral line), each with its own set of switches. This segmentation maintains design simplicity by keeping the control logic for each line independent while achieving reduced switch count through the coordinated operation of both segments.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance for treating at least one item according to a cycle of operation and configured to receive power from a power source having an AC voltage line and a neutral line includes a treating chamber for receiving the item and a central control unit to control independent electrical loads associated with the cycle of operation. The central control unit includes a plurality of parallel controlled master switches in the AC voltage line and a plurality of parallel controlled slave switches in the neutral line. The master and slave switches define a number of independent loads equal to the number of the master switches multiplied by the number of the slave switches.