Circuit Assembly Button State Detection Decoupling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit arrangements for domestic appliances lack reliable methods to detect the instantaneous switching state of buttons, leading to potential energy consumption and safety issues, especially during power failures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a status detection device coupled to the button and control device, which outputs a status signal to the control device, and using a decoupling device to ensure accurate detection of the button's state, allowing the control device to manage the electrical switch effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a button is used to couple the voltage supply unit to the circuit input, then the appliance can be switched on, but the instantaneous switching state cannot be reliably detected leading to potential energy consumption and safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton state detection reliabilityVSAvoidbutton switching status information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

A status detection device is introduced as an intermediary component between the button and the control device. This device detects the instantaneous switching state of the button and communicates it to the control device, enabling reliable detection without directly coupling the button to the control device. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing accurate state information while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the control device manages the electrical switch to ensure safe shutdown, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional detection and control components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumption during shutdownVSAvoidcircuit arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into distinct functional components: a status detection device that monitors button state, a control device that processes the status information, and an electrical switch that executes shutdown commands. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall energy consumption while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the status detection device continuously monitors the button state and communicates it to the control device. This feedback loop enables the control device to make informed decisions about shutdown timing, ensuring safe operation while minimizing energy consumption. The feedback principle resolves the contradiction by providing the information needed for energy-efficient control without requiring overly complex hardwired logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2539912B1Circuit assembly for operating a household appliance and corresponding method
Publication Date: 2014.12.31 BOSCH SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2539912B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2539912B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2539912B1 patent drawingFigure 3~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a circuit assembly 2 for operating a household appliance 1, comprising: a circuit input 4 for applying an AC supply voltage Uv, a control device 3 for controlling operating processes of the household appliance 1, a voltage supply unit 10 coupled to the control device 3 for providing a DC operating voltage UB for the control device 3 from the AC supply voltage, an operator-actuatable pushbutton 18 by means of which the voltage supply unit 10 can be coupled to the circuit input 4, and an electric switch 11 connected in parallel to the pushbutton 18. The electric switch can be switched by the control device 3 between an electrically conductive switch state in which the voltage supply unit 10 is coupled to the circuit input 4 and an electrically disabling switch state, wherein the circuit assembly 2 comprises a state detection device 23 which is coupled to the pushbutton 18 and the control device 3 and is designed to detect a switch state of the pushbutton 18 and to output a state signal 26 that reflects the switch state of the pushbutton 18 to the control device 3, wherein the control device 3 is designed to switch the electric switch 11 in accordance with the state signal 26, and at least partially electrically decouples the state detection device 23 from the electric switch 11 by means of a decoupling device 12 connected between the electric switch 11 and the state detection device 23.