Domestic Appliance Frequency-Based Load Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliances struggle to prevent overloading of the electrical supply network without using external measuring devices or data communication between appliances.

Innovation Solution

A household appliance with a control device that detects the frequency of the AC supply voltage to analyze the load status of the electrical supply network, allowing it to adjust its operations to avoid overloading, such as postponing or reducing electrical consumption, without the need for external measuring devices or data communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data communication between household appliances and external measuring devices is used to prevent network overload, then the electrical supply network can be protected from overloading, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of network overloadVSAvoidcommunication interface and external measuring device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The household appliance autonomously monitors the AC supply voltage frequency and adjusts its own power consumption based on detected frequency deviations, eliminating the need for external measuring devices or data communication infrastructure. The appliance serves itself by using the frequency information directly from its power supply unit to make load management decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The AC supply voltage frequency acts as an intermediary signal that carries information about the electrical supply network's load status. Instead of direct communication between appliances or between appliances and external devices, the frequency serves as a passive mediator that the appliance monitors and responds to, simplifying the system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If external measuring devices are deployed to monitor total power consumption, then network load status can be accurately determined, but the ease of operation and installation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal power consumption measurementVSAvoidinstallation and operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement function is extracted from external devices and integrated directly into the household appliance's control device. The appliance uses its existing voltage supply unit to tap into the AC supply voltage and measure frequency, eliminating the need for separate external measuring devices and simplifying installation to just standard electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage supply unit serves multiple functions: it provides power to the control device and simultaneously measures the AC supply voltage frequency to determine network load status. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external measuring devices and reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If household appliances continuously operate at full power, then productivity and energy utilization are maximized, but the electrical supply network may become overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy utilization efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical supply network stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The household appliance dynamically adjusts its power consumption based on real-time AC supply voltage frequency measurements. When frequency deviations indicate network overload, the appliance automatically reduces its load; when frequency is stable, it operates at full capacity. This dynamic adaptation maximizes productivity while maintaining network reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device continuously monitors the AC supply voltage frequency and uses this feedback to adjust the appliance's power consumption. The frequency measurement provides real-time feedback about network load status, enabling the appliance to respond automatically and maintain both high productivity and network stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2454792B1Domestic appliance and method for operating a domestic appliance
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2454792B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to provide a solution for discharging a public power supply system (5). The invention relates to a domestic appliance (1) which is supplied with an AC supply voltage (Uv). The frequency (f) of the AC supply voltage (Uv) is detected by a control unit (3) and predetermined processes are initiated in the domestic appliance (1) depending on the respective current value of the frequency (f). Specifically, an electrical consumer (4) is controlled by the control unit (3) taking into consideration the respective current value of the frequency (f). The invention makes use of the fact that the frequency (f) represents a measure for a load condition of the power supply system (5).