Electric blanket
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric blankets have complex circuit structures due to the presence of MCU chips and displays, making them costly and difficult to wash, with multiple power and signal cables required for operation.
Innovation Solution
An electric blanket design featuring a power supply device with a main control module for voltage conversion and control, integrated with a button assembly for temperature adjustment, eliminating the need for a chip and display, and using a mechanical button control system connected via a simple interface setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If MCU chip and display are used for control, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the MCU chip and display from the electric blanket system, extracting these complex components entirely. Instead, it uses a simple mechanical button assembly with switches and resistors that directly control the heating element through basic electrical circuits, thereby eliminating circuit complexity while maintaining control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive electronic control components (MCU chip and display) with inexpensive mechanical components (buttons, switches, and resistors). This substitution uses simple, low-cost elements that are easier to manufacture and replace, significantly reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Ease of operation
If MCU chip and display are used for control, then control functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the expensive MCU chip and display components from the system. The control functionality is achieved instead through simple mechanical buttons connected to switches and resistors, which are significantly cheaper to manufacture and assemble, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes costly electronic control components with inexpensive mechanical alternatives. The button assembly using basic switches and resistors costs much less to manufacture than an MCU chip with display, making the overall product more cost-effective to produce.
3Ease of operation
If multiple power cables and signal cables are used for connection, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply and control functions into a single integrated unit. The power adapter contains both the power conversion circuitry and the control circuitry, eliminating the need for separate signal cables. Control signals and power are transmitted through the same electrical connection, simplifying the overall circuit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection between the power adapter and heating element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both power supply and control signal transmission. The same wires that carry electrical power also carry the control signals from the button assembly, eliminating the need for dedicated signal cables and reducing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies the circuit structure, reduces production costs, facilitates easy washing, and enhances user experience with intuitive temperature control, while minimizing the number of power cables and circuit complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a main control module for voltage conversion and control
Implementation Method 2
a heating load... When the button of the button assembly is operated, a corresponding one of the switches is triggered and closed, and the main control module controls a working state of the heating load
Data Source
AI summary
An electric blanket includes an electric blanket body and a power supply device for power supply and control. The power supply device includes a power plug, a main control module, and a first interface for electrical connection to the electric blanket body. The electric blanket body includes a controller, a heating load, and a second interface that is detachably connected to the first interface. The main control module is electrically connected to the heating load via the first interface and the second interface. The controller includes a button assembly for adjusting temperature.