Domestic appliance device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances lack the ability to conveniently control external multimedia units without direct contact, leading to potential soiling of the multimedia devices and reduced user convenience.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a communication unit within the household appliance operating unit that allows for wireless communication with external multimedia units, enabling the transmission of operating commands and screen information, and allowing for voice-controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the multimedia unit is operated directly by the operator, then the operation is simple and direct, but the multimedia unit becomes soiled by greasy and dirty fingers during cooking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The household appliance operating unit serves as an intermediary device between the operator and the multimedia unit. It transmits operating commands to the multimedia unit via a communication unit, allowing the operator to control the multimedia unit without direct contact. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling convenient operation while preventing soiling of the multimedia unit surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical direct-contact operation system with a wireless communication-based control system. Instead of physically touching the multimedia unit screen or buttons, the operator uses the household appliance operating unit to send commands wirelessly. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical contact that causes soiling while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a communication unit is added to enable wireless control, then the multimedia unit can be operated without direct contact, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The household appliance operating unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the control interface for the household appliance and as a remote control for the multimedia unit. The communication unit is integrated into this existing operating unit, allowing it to perform multiple functions without requiring a completely separate device. This universal approach manages complexity by consolidating functions rather than adding separate systems.
3Device complexity
If the operator must directly operate the multimedia unit, then no additional communication components are needed, but user convenience is reduced during cooking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The household appliance operating unit acts as a mediator that enables convenient operation during cooking without requiring the operator to leave the cooking area or touch the multimedia unit. This intermediary solution prioritizes ease of operation during cooking activities, accepting increased device complexity as a trade-off for significantly improved user convenience and hygiene.
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance device includes a household appliance operating unit including a communication unit designed to communicate with an external multimedia unit such that an operating command is transmittable from the household appliance operating unit to the multimedia unit via the communication unit.