Household Appliance Reset Control for Recent Setting Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of household appliances face difficulties in resetting operating parameters incorrectly modified, as they often forget the original values, leading to complications in making new settings.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reset control element that allows operators to easily revert operating parameters to their original settings by actuating a dedicated reset button, which can reset single or multiple modifications made within specific time frames, depending on the appliance's state, preventing unintended changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a control element is used to modify operating parameters, then the appliance can be adjusted to different settings, but if the control element is operated incorrectly, the user must reset the parameter and may forget the original value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of resetting operating parameterVSAvoidforgetting original parameter value

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control system stores the original parameter value before applying any modification. This preliminary action of saving the original state allows the system to automatically restore the parameter if an incorrect modification is detected, eliminating the need for the user to remember the original value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user about the current parameter value and any modifications made. This feedback mechanism includes displaying the original value and confirming modifications, allowing the user to verify changes and understand the current state, thereby preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operating parameters are modified, then the appliance can be customized, but resetting becomes more complex when incorrect modifications occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of adjustable parametersVSAvoidcomplexity of resetting process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the parameter management by handling each parameter modification independently while maintaining a structured record of changes. This segmentation allows the reset function to target specific parameters or groups of parameters, reducing the overall complexity of the resetting process even when multiple parameters are adjusted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary between the user and the multiple operating parameters. It manages and coordinates the modifications across different parameters, providing a unified reset mechanism that simplifies the complexity of resetting multiple parameters simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the reset function restores to original settings, then incorrect operations can be corrected, but resets may be performed too late if the appliance has been operating for a while

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of parameter restorationVSAvoidtime delay before reset is effective

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reset function is designed to be dynamic, allowing the user to initiate a reset at any point during operation. The system continuously monitors the operational state and maintains the capability to restore parameters, ensuring that the reset function remains effective regardless of how long the appliance has been operating with modified settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9912333B2Household appliance with control element

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A household appliance includes at least one control element for modifying at least one operating parameter of the household appliance. At least one modification of at least one operating parameter which modification has been executed last is resettable by a reset control element. In a method for operating a domestic appliance, a most recently executed modification of an operating parameter can be reset by an operator.