Connected Household Appliances for Peak Load Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional external communication devices and hubs for household appliances are inefficient in reducing peak energy consumption, as they require external controllers and do not allow for seamless interaction and synchronization among appliances to optimize energy usage based on user interactions and peak demand periods.
Innovation Solution
Household appliances equipped with internal communication modules that form a mesh network, allowing them to communicate and synchronize duty cycles and prioritize energy consumption based on user interactions, eliminating the need for external controllers and enabling sharing of off-times to reduce peak energy demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an external hub or controller is used to control household appliances, then centralized control and monitoring of energy usage is achieved, but device complexity increases and seamless interaction between appliances is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external hub from the system and extracts the communication functionality into each individual appliance. Each appliance now has its own communication module that enables direct peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the need for centralized control infrastructure while maintaining control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized control function is segmented and distributed across multiple independent appliances. Each appliance operates autonomously with its own controller and communication module, allowing independent decision-making while participating in the broader energy management ecosystem through direct appliance-to-appliance communication.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional hubs control appliance operating times to reduce energy usage, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to synchronize duty cycles and share off-times between appliances is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Appliances continuously exchange operational status and duty cycle information through their communication modules. This real-time feedback enables dynamic synchronization where appliances can adjust their operating schedules based on the status of other appliances, maximizing the utilization of off-times and optimizing overall energy consumption patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The duty cycles of appliances are made dynamic rather than static. Appliances can continuously adjust their operating schedules in response to real-time conditions and communications with other appliances, allowing flexible synchronization that adapts to changing energy demands and availability of off-times.
3Loss of information
If external controllers are used to monitor energy usage, then centralized monitoring is achieved, but real-time interaction and coordination between appliances is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the external hub intermediary and establishes direct communication channels between appliances. Each appliance acts as both sender and receiver in the communication exchange, removing the bottleneck of centralized processing and enabling faster, more direct information transfer about energy usage and operational status.
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance configured to communicate with a second household appliance, a network of household appliances that can communication with each other, and method of controlling an operation of a primary function unit of a first household appliance based on one of a priority scheme and synchronized duty cycles of the first household appliance and the second household appliance, wherein the first household appliance is configured to communicate with the second household appliance. The household appliance includes a primary function unit, a controller that controls an operation of the primary function unit, a two-way communication module that transmits and receives signals between the controller and the second household appliance.