Household Appliance Base Component with Automatic Attachment Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household appliances require manual user adjustment to operate with attachments, lacking an automatic mechanism for recognizing and reacting to attachment presence and orientation, which can lead to inefficient operation and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A base component with a movable transfer element and detection unit that automatically recognizes the attachment's presence and orientation, allowing for automatic actuation and adjustment of operation parameters, such as power and speed, through a combination of mechanical and electro-mechanical components like potentiometers and microcontrollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual regulation is used for attachment adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring user intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic attachment recognitionVSAvoiddetection unit and transfer element

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects attachment presence and orientation through the detection unit and transfer element, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment. The base component self-regulates operation parameters based on detected attachment characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated detection system using a detection unit that senses transfer element position, converting mechanical attachment insertion into automatic electronic parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual adjustment is required, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to user intervention time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation setup timeVSAvoidtransfer element movement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a detection unit with sensors to automatically detect transfer element position and attachment orientation, replacing manual adjustment mechanisms and enabling precise automatic parameter setting without requiring high-precision mechanical manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If automatic detection is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic parameter adjustmentVSAvoiddetection unit and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base component automatically detects attachment presence and orientation through the detection unit and transfer element, eliminating the need for manual user adjustment. The base component self-regulates operation parameters based on detected attachment characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4039141A1Base component and attachment for a household appliance, and household appliance with base component and attachment

Publication Date: 2022.08.10 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

Figure 1

AI summary

Disclosed is a base component 10 of a household appliance 100. The base component is configured to be detachably combined with at least one attachment 20, and to actuate the attachment when combined therewith. It comprises at least one transfer element 14 configured to be at least partially moved by the attachment when this is being combined with the base component 10, and a detection unit 15 configured to detect a respective movement of the at least one transfer element 14. Further disclosed are an attachment 20 for detachable combination with a base component 10 of a household appliance 100. At least one surface and/or edge 22 of the attachment has a profile configured to engage with a movable element 14 of the base component, so as to cause a movement thereof when the attachment is being combined with the base portion. Moreover, a household appliance 100 is disclosed.