Appliance to which one of a plurality of magnetic attachments is attachable

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing appliances with interchangeable attachments struggle to reliably and efficiently identify the attached accessory due to packaging constraints and harsh conditions, limiting flexibility and user experience.

Innovation Solution

The appliance incorporates a magnetometer located on an axis to measure a rotationally invariant component of the magnetic field produced by magnetic attachments, allowing for robust and remote identification of the attached accessory, regardless of its rotational position, and controls electric components accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a sensor is located at the attachment interface to identify the attached accessory, then the identification accuracy is improved, but the packaging constraints and harsh conditions make it difficult to implement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidpackaging constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the magnetic field as an intermediary to transmit attachment identification information from the attachment interface to a remotely located magnetometer. The magnetic field penetrates packaging and withstands harsh conditions, enabling accurate identification without placing the sensor at the problematic attachment interface location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a mechanical/electrical sensor system that would need to be physically located at the attachment interface with a magnetic field-based detection system. The magnetometer remotely detects magnetic field characteristics to identify the attachment, eliminating the need for physical contact at the attachment interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a user interface is used to input attachment information, then the implementation is simple, but the user experience is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance automatically detects and identifies the attached accessory using the magnetometer and control module, without requiring user input. The system self-determines which attachment is connected and adjusts operation accordingly, eliminating manual user interface interaction while improving user experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the appliance controls electric components based on manual user input, then the control logic is simple, but the operation flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol logic simplicityVSAvoidoperation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the magnetic field signature of the attached accessory and automatically adjusts the operation of electric components based on the detected attachment type. This feedback loop enables flexible, adaptive control without complex manual programming by the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution enables automatic and flexible operation of the appliance based on the identified attachment, improving user experience and performance by optimizing settings such as airflow and temperature, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and avoiding the need for additional components.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetometer; and a control module operable to determine which of the plurality of attachments is attached to the main unit based on data output by the magnetometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250351937A1Appliance to which one of a plurality of magnetic attachments is attachable

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 DYSON TECH LTD

AI summary

An appliance has a main unit with a number of magnetic attachments, attachable in a variety of rotational positions relative to the main unit about an axis, a magnetometer, and a control module. The control module determines which of the attachments is attached to the main unit based on data output by the magnetometer. The appliance can have the following features: (i) the magnetometer located on the axis; (ii) the appliance with the plurality of magnetic attachments, each with a plurality of magnetic regions distributed about the axis in a rotationally symmetric arrangement, and the magnetometer is located radially inwardly of the plurality of magnetic regions when the attachment is attached to the main unit; and (iii) the appliance with the magnetic attachments and each magnetic attachment has a magnetic region located on the axis when the attachment is attached to the main unit.