Meal-Preparation Appliance Control for Synchronized Robot Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances for meal preparation lack integration with external cleaning devices, leading to inefficient and user-dependent cleaning processes, as they do not automatically coordinate cleaning operations with the progress of meal preparation steps.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance system that generates and transmits control commands to external cleaning devices, such as robot vacuums or mops, to initiate cleaning based on the sequence of work steps, ensuring synchronized operation and optimal cleaning based on the type and location of ingredients used during meal preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If household appliances operate independently without integration with external cleaning devices, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning efficiency and automation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the household appliance (e.g., food processor) with an external cleaning device (e.g., robotic vacuum cleaner) into an integrated system. The control unit of the household appliance communicates with the cleaning device via wireless communication, enabling automatic triggering of cleaning operations based on the preparation process status. This merging achieves cleaning automation while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the household appliance and the external cleaning device. The control unit receives signals from the household appliance's control unit and transmits control commands to the cleaning device. This intermediary layer enables automated coordination without requiring direct complex integration between the appliance and cleaning device, thus balancing automation with manageable system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If cleaning operations are performed manually by users, then device complexity remains low, but user convenience and cleaning timeliness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning by automatically detecting when cleaning is needed based on the preparation process progress and autonomously triggering the cleaning device. The household appliance's control unit monitors its own operation status and initiates cleaning commands without user intervention. This self-service approach significantly improves user convenience while the modular control architecture keeps system complexity manageable.
3Measurement precision
If cleaning devices are controlled based on preparation process progress, then cleaning precision and timeliness are improved, but communication requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the household appliance's control unit monitors the preparation process progress and provides real-time status information to trigger cleaning operations. The cleaning device receives feedback signals indicating when cleaning should be performed based on detected contaminants or process milestones. This feedback mechanism achieves precise cleaning timing while using standard wireless communication protocols to manage communication complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (1) which has a control device (2) for controlling the preparation of a meal in accordance with a sequence of predetermined work steps. In order to enable advantageous interaction with a device (4), it is proposed that the control device (2) be designed and set up to output a control command for controlling an external device (4) depending on the progress of the sequence of work steps.