Hand-Held Appliance Mode Selection for Precise Motor Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hand-held electric appliances, such as hand blenders, face challenges in precise speed control due to a small actuation path for the speed switch, leading to difficulties in selecting and maintaining a preferred speed for specific applications, and speed changes with load variations, resulting in unfavorable processing results.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held electric appliance with a control unit that selects motor control modes based on user input, allowing for precise control of motor speed, torque, or voltage through predefined modes, including pulse modes, to adapt to different processing needs and load changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a small actuation path speed switch is used to control motor speed, then the device structure remains compact and simple, but the user cannot precisely select and hold a particular speed for specific applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed selection precisionVSAvoidcontrol structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple discrete motor control modes (e.g., first through fifth modes) with different actuation characteristics. Each mode divides the speed control range into distinct segments, allowing the user to select precise speed ranges appropriate for specific applications without requiring a continuously complex control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adapts the actuation path characteristics based on the selected mode. Different modes provide different actuation paths (e.g., first actuation path for low speeds, second actuation path for high speeds), enabling precise speed selection across the entire range while maintaining a simple physical switch structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a simple speed switch with small actuation path is used, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the speed changes with load variations leading to unfavorable processing results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed stability under loadVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives feedback regarding the actual motor operation and the position of the speed switch. Based on this feedback, the control unit determines the appropriate motor control signal considering the selected motor control mode and the current load conditions, thereby compensating for load variations and maintaining stable speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes control parameters (such as PWM duty cycle, voltage, or current) based on the selected motor control mode and detected load conditions. This allows the motor to maintain consistent performance across varying loads without requiring complex mechanical speed regulation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple motor control modes are provided for precise speed control, then the processing precision is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed control precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single control unit implements multiple motor control modes, making the control system universal and multi-functional. The same hardware infrastructure supports various control strategies (e.g., torque control, speed control, power control) through software or firmware configuration, avoiding the need for separate control circuits for each mode.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the simple speed switch and the motor. It translates the user's simple switch position into appropriate motor control signals based on the selected mode, providing precise control without exposing the user to system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3345298B1Hand-held electrically driven domestic appliance with mode selection
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 DE LONGHI BRAUN HOUSEHOLD GMBH
  • EP3345298B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3345298B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3345298B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a hand-held electrically driven domestic appliance (100) and to a corresponding method. The domestic appliance comprises an electric motor (104) for driving the domestic appliance; a control unit (103) for controlling the motor; a first actuation element (101) for outputting a first control signal to the control unit in order to select a motor control mode; and a second actuation element (102) for outputting a second control signal to the control unit. The control unit (103) is designed to select a motor actuation mode from the specified motor actuation modes on the basis of the first control signal, and the control unit (103) is designed to determine a motor actuation signal to be output to the motor (104) on the basis of the selected motor actuation mode and the second control signal.