Personal Hygiene System Mode Switching via Separate Control Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal hygiene systems lack the ability to dynamically switch between multiple functional modes based on user preferences or upgrades, limiting their functionality and adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A personal hygiene system comprising a personal hygiene device and a separate control device that allows switching between different functional modes, where the control unit can enable a second mode for a specified period by receiving a signal from the control device, enabling features like changing motion parameters or adding new functionalities, without requiring driving information in the default state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the control unit is arranged to inhibit the provision of the second functional mode in the default state, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional mode switching capabilityVSAvoidcontrol unit configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the control unit with a default state that inhibits the second functional mode. This preliminary configuration simplifies the initial device state and manufacturing process, while still allowing for future adaptability through controlled state changes via receiving driving information or signals that can switch the control unit between states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the control unit requires driving information to control the functional unit for the second functional mode, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional mode switchingVSAvoiddriving information integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a separate control device that communicates with the control unit to provide driving information for the second functional mode. This mediator allows the functional mode switching to be easily operated by the user without requiring complex integration of driving information into the main device manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the personal hygiene device provides multiple functional modes by default, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases due to additional configuration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional mode availabilityVSAvoiddriving information storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is pre-configured with a default state that provides the first functional mode while inhibiting the second functional mode. This preliminary configuration ensures that the device operates reliably with minimal information requirements, while still allowing for adaptability when needed through controlled state changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the control unit can be switched between default state and first state, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol unit state switchingVSAvoidstate management mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary control device that manages the state switching of the control unit. This separate mediator handles the complexity of state transitions, allowing the main personal hygiene device to maintain simpler internal architecture while still achieving adaptability through controlled state changes based on received signals or driving information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3111885B1Personal hygiene system
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 BRAUN GMBH
  • EP3111885B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3111885B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure is concerned with a personal hygiene system having a personal hygiene device having a receiver unit, a control unit and a functional unit, and a separate control device having a transmitter unit. The control unit is arranged to drive the functional unit in at least a first functional mode and a second functional mode different to the first functional mode and the control unit is further arranged to inhibit provision of the second functional mode while the control unit is in a default state and the transmitter unit of the separate control device is arranged to send at least a first signal to the receiver unit of the personal hygiene device when the separate control device is switched from a default control mode to a first control mode. Further, the control unit is arranged to be switched from the default state into a first state when the first signal is received by the receiver unit, in which first state the control unit is arranged to permit provision of the second functional mode at least during a first allowance period.