Master-Slave Control Architecture for Spa Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional massage bathing systems lack flexibility in expanding hardware capabilities, mutual device control, and internet integration, making it difficult for users to add additional electronic devices and upgrade existing systems without significant redesign and expense.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent massage bathing system with a master-slave connection architecture, featuring a master control device and slave control devices, allows for direct control of multiple attached devices through a user-friendly interface, enabling easy expansion and integration of new devices via a data bus or wireless communication network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional SPA controller is used with fixed components, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot be easily expanded or upgraded with additional hardware and software

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveexpandabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into a traditional SPA controller and a separate master control device that can independently manage additional slave control devices. This segmentation allows the original controller to remain simple while the master device handles expansion, resolving the contradiction between maintainability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The master control device serves multiple functions: it controls additional slave devices, communicates with the traditional SPA controller, and provides a user interface. This multi-functionality enables system expansion without requiring modifications to the original controller, balancing adaptability with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the SPA controller is redesigned to add expansion capabilities, then the system adaptability improves, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware expansion capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion control functionality is extracted from the traditional SPA controller and placed in a separate master control device. This extraction allows the original controller to remain unchanged and easy to manufacture, while the system gains expansion capabilities through the added master device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The master control device acts as an intermediary between the user and the traditional SPA controller. It handles all expansion-related control operations without requiring modifications to the original controller, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving hardware expansion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple devices are added to the massage bathing system, then the system functionality increases, but the control complexity and device coordination difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice control convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The master control device merges multiple control functions into a single unit: it controls additional slave devices, interfaces with the traditional SPA controller, and provides user interaction capabilities. This consolidation simplifies operation despite the increased number of devices, as users interact with a single integrated control point rather than multiple separate controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional devices lack mutual controlling/communication function, then the system is simple and reliable, but the possibility of increasing installations of additional attached devices is greatly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice interconnectivityVSAvoidsystem stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The master control device serves as an intermediary that enables communication and coordination between multiple slave control devices and the traditional SPA controller. It manages data exchange and control signals, allowing devices to work together while the intermediary maintains system stability through centralized control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9901511B2Intelligent massage bathing system and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 DARTPOINT TECH

AI summary

An intelligent massage bathing system applied for a massage bathing equipment is disclosed herein, which comprises a plurality of attached devices, a massage bathing control unit, an operating panel unit and a master control device. The attached devices includes at least one first attached devices and at least one second attached devices, wherein the at least one first attached devices is configured as at least one slave control device. The master control device establishes a master-slave connection with the at least one slave control device, and commands to directly control the at least one slave control device to actuate relatively to the massage bathing equipment, according to an instruction generated from the operating panel unit.