Home Appliance Smart Grid Interface Communication Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home appliances lack the capability to conveniently recognize and operate within a smart grid mode, which hinders user convenience and efficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A home appliance system that includes a driving unit, a controller, and a communication unit to connect with an access point and a server, allowing for the reception of power information signals to control operation, display network and smart grid indicators, and perform network setup and product registration, enabling smart grid mode recognition and power consumption reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If home appliances operate continuously without smart grid integration, then operational simplicity is maintained, but power consumption efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication unit as an intermediary component that enables the home appliance to receive power information signals from external servers. This mediator allows the appliance to adapt its operation based on smart grid conditions without requiring complex internal decision-making logic, thus reducing energy loss while avoiding excessive system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the appliance receives power information signals from the server and adjusts its operation accordingly. The controller monitors incoming signals and modifies the driving unit's operation based on this feedback, enabling dynamic power consumption optimization responsive to smart grid conditions
2Ease of operation
If home appliances lack smart grid recognition capability, then device simplicity is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the home appliance to automatically recognize and respond to smart grid mode signals without requiring user intervention. The communication unit autonomously receives power information signals and the controller automatically adjusts operation, providing user convenience through self-service functionality while keeping the interface simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a communication unit and controller capabilities that enable the appliance to perform multiple functions: normal operation, smart grid signal reception, and automatic operation adjustment. This multi-functionality is achieved through modular addition of communication and control components rather than redesigning the entire system
3Adaptability or versatility
If home appliances do not connect to server via access point, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to smart grid mode deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into separate functional components: a communication unit for network connectivity, a controller for signal processing, and indicator units for user feedback. This segmentation allows the appliance to add smart grid adaptability through the communication unit without overwhelming the overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus is disclosed. A home appliance includes a driving unit to drive a component of the home appliance, a controller configured to control the driving unit, a display to display a network connection related indicator and a smart grid related indicator, and a communication unit to connect to an access point apparatus, the communication unit to connect to a server via the connected access point apparatus, and the communication unit to receive a power information signal from the server, wherein the controller to control operation of the driving unit based on the received power information signal. Accordingly, it is possible to conveniently recognize a smart grid mode.