Garment Care System Single-Wire Communication for Sensor Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing garment care systems with a base unit and hand unit connected by a hose cord face limitations in transferring additional signals from the hand unit to the base unit due to the limited number of electrical wires the hose cord can accommodate, which restricts the number of sensors that can be used and compromises mechanical flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A garment care system that employs a single communication wire for bidirectional digital communication between the base unit and hand unit, allowing for the transfer of digital movement signals generated by a movement sensor, thereby enabling multiple sensors to send signals without adding wires and maintaining mechanical flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple electrical wires are added to the hose cord to accommodate additional sensor signals, then the sensor functionality is improved, but the mechanical flexibility of the hose cord deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor functionalityVSAvoidmechanical flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple signal transmission functions into a single communication wire by implementing bidirectional digital communication between the base unit and hand unit. This merging approach allows multiple sensor signals to be transmitted through one wire rather than requiring separate wires for each sensor, thereby maintaining hose cord flexibility while enabling enhanced sensor functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single communication wire is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting signals from movement sensors, temperature sensors, and other hand unit sensors to the base unit, as well as enabling bidirectional communication for control signals. This multi-functional wire replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated wires, resolving the contradiction between sensor capability and mechanical flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If the number of electrical wires in the hose cord is increased, then the number of transferable signals is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transfer capabilityVSAvoidhose cord structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple signal transmission functions are merged into a single communication wire through digital communication protocols. The base unit and hand unit exchange various sensor data and control signals bidirectionally over this single wire, eliminating the need for multiple separate wires and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using multiple physical wires with each dedicated function with an electronic/digital communication system. A single wire carries all communication using digital signals and protocols, substituting the mechanical multi-wire structure with a more compact electronic solution that reduces complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If analog signaling is used on dedicated electrical wires, then signal transfer reliability is improved, but the hose cord flexibility and wire count are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transfer reliabilityVSAvoidwire count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces analog signaling on multiple dedicated wires with digital communication on a single wire. The bidirectional digital communication system maintains reliability through error detection, acknowledgment protocols, and robust digital signal transmission, while dramatically reducing the number of wires required in the hose cord.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The signaling approach is changed from analog to digital, and from unidirectional dedicated lines to bidirectional communication. This parameter change allows multiple signals to be multiplexed over a single wire while maintaining or improving reliability through digital error checking and protocol-based communication between the base unit and hand unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3635169B1Garment care system with movement sensor and hose cord

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

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Figure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The invention relates to a garment care system (10) for treating garments. The garment care system (10) comprises a hand unit (12) for treating garments, and a movement sensor (126) cooperating with a first microcontroller (110) arranged in the hand unit (12) for generating a digital movement signal characterizing the movement of the hand unit (12). The garment care system also comprises a base unit (11) for resting the hand unit (12), a hose cord (13) for connecting the base unit (11) and the hand unit (12). The hose cord (13) comprises a duct for carrying a fluid from the base unit (11) to the hand unit (12), and a single communication wire for carrying the digital movement signal from the hand unit (12) to the base unit (11), and for bidirectional digital communication between the base unit (11) and the hand unit (12). This solution allows reducing the number of wires in the hose cord.