Method, computer program product and arrangement for guarding an automated process to operate a household appliance based on a sensor measurement to provide an expected process parameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances rely heavily on sensor information for automated processes, and malfunctions or operator errors can lead to hazardous situations due to the lack of effective failure detection and response mechanisms, particularly in high-energy applications like kitchen hobs.
Innovation Solution
A method that incorporates control parameters to adapt failure responses, including stopping the process if no process parameter is measured, extrapolating missing parameters, and using weighted failures based on control parameters to ensure accurate evaluation and timely intervention, thereby preventing hazardous failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated processes use sensor information for control, then productivity and automation extent are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sensor malfunctions and operational errors causing hazardous situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining expected process parameters before actual measurements are taken. It calculates what parameters should be within certain ranges based on control parameters, and prepares failure responses in advance. This allows the system to detect anomalies proactively rather than reactively, maintaining reliability while preserving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing actual sensor measurements against expected parameter ranges. When measurements fall outside expected ranges, the system generates failure signals and executes predetermined failure responses. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures automated processes remain safe while maintaining high automation levels.
2Device complexity
If simple failure detection based on sensor measurement comparison is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate because it cannot adapt to different process states
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes parameters by determining expected process parameters dynamically based on control parameters. Instead of using fixed thresholds, it calculates parameter ranges that adapt to the current process state. This allows accurate failure detection across varying operating conditions without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the system stops the process immediately upon detecting any failure, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary process interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by implementing a staged response to failures. It first determines whether a measurement is actually a failure by comparing against expected parameter ranges, and only then executes failure responses. This selective approach prevents unnecessary process interruptions while ensuring genuine failures are addressed, balancing reliability and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to safeguard an automated process in a household appliance, such as an assisted cooking process which has failure detection routines and failure handling routines. A number of failures and errors are discussed and a response to a detected failure is based on a control parameter such as an input power to the cooking process in order to trigger the magnitude of the response. A corresponding computer program product and kitchen hob with a sensor are provided as well.