Appliance Safety Sensor Unit with Event-Triggered Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appliance sensors primarily focus on controlling appliance operations rather than monitoring for abnormal or hazardous conditions, which can lead to potential fires, such as those caused by lint buildup in clothes dryers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing sensor units with a power source, communication interface, and sensor that trigger upon detecting conditions like high temperatures or pressures, transmitting data to a computing device to alert users of potential hazards and allowing remote shutdown.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If appliance sensors are used for control operations, then appliance functionality is improved, but safety monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor system into two separate functional components: control sensors that monitor normal appliance operation, and safety sensors that specifically detect hazardous conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, and abnormal vibrations. This segmentation allows each sensor type to be optimized for its specific purpose, resolving the contradiction between control functionality and safety monitoring capability.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then safety detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system implements periodic sampling of appliance conditions rather than continuous monitoring. The microcontroller periodically reads sensor values and compares them against threshold criteria, enabling effective safety monitoring while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system includes self-diagnostic capabilities that monitor its own operational status and power consumption. The system automatically adjusts its monitoring intensity and power management strategies based on appliance operating states, optimizing the balance between safety detection and energy usage without requiring external intervention.
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
Enhances appliance monitoring by providing timely notifications and enabling remote shutdown, improving safety by detecting and addressing unsafe conditions with minimal power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is a thermal switch or a pressure switch
Implementation Method 2
The sensor is a thermal switch or a pressure switch
Implementation Method 3
The sensor is a thermal switch or a pressure switch
Implementation Method 4
The power source is one of a battery, a thermo-electric power source, a piezo-electric power source, a magnetic induction power source
Implementation Method 5
The power source is one of a battery, a thermo-electric power source, a piezo-electric power source, a magnetic induction power source
Data Source
AI summary
Sensor units that includes a power source, a communication interface, and a sensor coupled to the power source and the communication interface. The sensor is calibrated to connect the power source to the communication interface upon an occurrence of a condition in an appliance. The sensor, thereby, permits the communication interface to transmit data indicating the condition to a computing device. Methods, systems, and apparatus, for monitoring such sensor units.