Household Control Unit With Switchable Power Level Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as hobs, lack user-friendly control systems that allow for easy adjustment of power levels, leading to complexity and discomfort for users with varying preferences.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with a user interface that includes adjustable assignment functions and storage for multiple power level settings, allowing users to customize the number of power levels and operating parameters, such as heating zones, through increment and decrement buttons and a touchscreen interface, enabling flexible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of high-resolution power levels are provided in the user interface, then the precision of power level selection is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate for users who do not value high resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the control unit to store and switch between multiple assignment functions with different resolutions. The system can adaptively select between a first assignment function with fewer power levels and a second assignment function with more power levels based on user needs, making the interface dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by providing high precision when needed while maintaining simplicity when preferred.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of power level resolution by providing multiple assignment functions with different numbers of discrete power levels. The control unit can switch between a first assignment function with lower resolution (fewer levels) and a second assignment function with higher resolution (more levels). This parameter change allows the system to optimize between precision and simplicity based on the specific operational context and user preference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple assignment functions with different resolutions are stored in the control unit, then adaptability to different user needs is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple assignment functions within a single device. The control unit can store a first assignment function with fewer power levels and a second assignment function with more power levels, allowing it to serve different user preferences and operational requirements. This universal design enables the same control unit to adapt to various user needs without requiring multiple separate devices or complex external configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance with a control unit (14) and a user interface (16) for selecting a level from a number of levels for setting a stepwise adjustable operating parameter, wherein the control unit (14) is designed to use at least one assignment function (20) to determine the operating parameter depending on the selected level and is equipped with at least one adjustment means (18) for changing the assignment function (20). To increase the ease of use of such a household appliance and to achieve simple settings, it is proposed that the household appliance has several operating parameters, each with an assignment function (20), wherein the adjustment means (18) is designed for simultaneously changing the assignment functions (20) of all operating parameters.