Appliance Door Input Interface for Reliable Closed-State Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic household appliances require additional switches or sensors to detect the open or closed state of the door device, which complicates design and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

An input device is integrated into the door device or housing, capable of recognizing its position relative to a detection section, allowing it to function both as an input mode for user parameters and a door recognition mode to detect the door's state, eliminating the need for additional switches or sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional switches or sensors are provided to detect the door device state, then the door state detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor state detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The input device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the user interface for entering operating parameters and as a door state detection device. By positioning the input device on the door device or housing such that it is directly opposite a detection section when closed, the same hardware components are used for both input operations and door state recognition, eliminating the need for separate detection switches or sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional switches or sensors are provided to detect the door device state, then the door state detection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor state detection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The input device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the user interface for entering operating parameters and as a door state detection device. By positioning the input device on the door device or housing such that it is directly opposite a detection section when closed, the same hardware components are used for both input operations and door state recognition, eliminating the need for separate detection switches or sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the input device is used for dual function (input and door detection), then the device complexity is reduced, but the input device operational reliability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidinput device operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The input device dynamically switches between two operational modes: input mode for receiving user parameters and door detection mode for recognizing door state. The control device determines which mode to activate based on the operational context, allowing the same hardware to perform different functions at different times without interference, thus maintaining reliability while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2700346B1Electronic domestic appliance with an access opening of an interior area that can be closed off with a door

Publication Date: 2016.11.23 DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO KG

Figure 1

AI summary

The appliance has a door device (16) which opens or closes an access opening (14) formed in interior of housing (12). A control device (18) controls the operation of appliance and. The control device is connected to an input device (20,22) which inputs operating parameters from the user to the door device, when housing is in closed state. A detection section (21a,21b,23a,23b) is arranged directly opposite to the input device for detecting the operating parameter input from user at the input mode and for detecting operation of the door device at door detection mode. An independent claim is included for method for controlling operation of electronic household appliance.