Domestic Appliance Power Distribution Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliances face challenges in efficiently distributing power among multiple consumer units when the total requested power exceeds the available power, leading to potential overheating and reduced comfort and safety.

Innovation Solution

A control unit that dynamically distributes power among consumer units based on operating parameters, such as requested services, statistical data, sensor inputs, and operator preferences, ensuring that power is allocated proportionally or preferentially to prioritize comfort and safety by reducing power to units as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the power module supplies multiple consumer units simultaneously with high power, then the comfort and performance of the appliance is improved, but the available power from the single phase is exceeded leading to overheating and safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal power outputVSAvoidoverheating
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit dynamically adjusts the power distribution to consumer units based on real-time monitoring of total power consumption. When the sum of requested services exceeds available power, the system automatically reduces power to non-priority consumer units, maintaining a dynamic balance between total power output and safety limits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the power allocation parameters for different consumer units based on priority levels. High-priority units maintain their requested power levels while low-priority units have their power reduced or shut off when total demand exceeds available capacity, effectively managing power distribution through parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the control unit reduces power to consumer units to prevent overheating, then safety is improved, but the comfort and performance of the appliance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different power management strategies to different consumer units based on their priority classification. High-priority units receive preferential treatment with maintained power levels, while low-priority units accept power reductions, creating a localized quality difference in power distribution that preserves overall comfort while ensuring safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If the power module is designed with higher capacity to meet peak demand, then the available power is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable powerVSAvoidpower module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically monitors power consumption across all consumer units and self-regulates power distribution without external intervention. When demand exceeds capacity, the system autonomously identifies and reduces power to low-priority units, eliminating the need for complex hardware upgrades while maintaining safe operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2692204B1Domestic appliance device
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2692204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2692204B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a domestic appliance device, in particular a cooking device, comprising at least one power module (18), at least two consumer units (20, 22, 24, 26) and at least one control unit (34). The aim of the invention is to improve the ease of use. As a result, in at least one operational mode in which at least two of the consumer units (20, 22, 24, 26) are supplied together by the power module (18) and in which the amount of power requested for the consumer units (20, 22, 24, 26) exceeds the available power of the power module (18), the control unit (34) is designed to distribute at least one part of the available power between the consumer units (20, 22, 24, 26 ) in accordance with at least one operational characteristic.