Method for powering a household appliance comprising at least one electronic device, and for managing stand-by states and transitions between stand-by states and operating states of the household appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliance technologies face challenges in meeting stringent stand-by consumption limits while ensuring quick re-boot times for electronic components, particularly in intelligent and connected appliances with complex electronic interfaces and processing units.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual power supply system with a main and auxiliary power source to manage stand-by states and transitions, where the auxiliary power maintains minimal functionality for quick restart, and the main power is switched off or attenuated during stand-by, ensuring low consumption and rapid reactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply is completely cut off during stand-by state, then stand-by consumption is minimized, but re-boot time of electronic components increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent power sources: a main power source for full operation and an auxiliary power source for stand-by state. This segmentation allows selective powering of electronic components during stand-by, maintaining critical functions while minimizing overall consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between low stand-by power usage and quick re-boot capability
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary power source is activated in advance during stand-by state to maintain electronic components in a partially powered state. This preliminary action ensures that when transition to operating state is needed, the components are already warmed up and ready, eliminating the need for full re-boot sequences and reducing transition time while keeping stand-by consumption low
2Use of energy by moving object
If all power sources are switched off in stand-by conditions, then consumption limits are met, but electronic device functionality is completely lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different power supply strategies are applied to different parts of the system: the main power source is switched off for non-critical components during stand-by, while the auxiliary power source maintains critical electronic components in a ready state. This local differentiation allows the system to meet consumption limits while preserving essential functionality and quick re-boot capability
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply parameters are dynamically changed based on operational state: during stand-by, the system transitions from full power (main source) to reduced power (auxiliary source only), maintaining a balance between consumption reduction and functionality preservation. The auxiliary source provides just enough power to maintain readiness without full operational consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If sophisticated components are selected to minimize individual board consumptions, then stand-by criteria are met, but system complexity and design time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into main and auxiliary power sources with clear functional divisions. The auxiliary power source is designed specifically for stand-by state with simplified circuitry, while the main power source handles full operation. This segmentation avoids the need for sophisticated high-efficiency components throughout the entire system, reducing overall complexity and design time while meeting consumption criteria
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of optimizing every component for minimal consumption, the system applies partial action by using the auxiliary power source to provide just enough power for stand-by readiness. This approach accepts higher consumption during full operation (when main source is active) in exchange for significantly reduced stand-by consumption, avoiding the need for expensive, complex, ultra-low-power components across the board
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a method for powering a household appliance comprising at least one electronic device to be powered, and in particular for managing a stand-by state of the electronic device and transitions from a stand-by state to an operating state, and vice versa, of the household appliance. The method first includes providing at least one electronic device main power source and further providing one electronic device auxiliary power source. The electronic device main power source is adapted to feed, to the aforesaid electronic device, when activated and/or connected to the electronic device, a main current and/or voltage and/or power supply. The electronic device auxiliary power source is operatively connected to the aforesaid at least one electronic device, to continuously feed an auxiliary current and/or voltage and/or power supply. The value of such an auxiliary current and/or voltage and/or power supply is dimensioned to ensure a reduced and/or minimum set of functionalities of the electronic device, and the electronic device auxiliary power source is configured to transfer, to the electronic device, a lower power than the power transferred by the main power source. The method then comprises the step of causing a transition from the operating state to the stand-by state of the household appliance (also implying a stand-by state of the at least one electronic device), following an automatic command of a control unit of the household appliance or a user command. In case of such a transition from the operating state to the stand-by state, the main power source is switched off or disconnected from the at least one electronic device. During the stand-by state, the electronic device is only powered by the auxiliary power source, so as to be in a low-consumption condition and simultaneously ready for a quick restart, allowed by the aforesaid reduced or minimum functionalities ensured by the auxiliary power supply. The method finally comprises the step of causing a transition from the stand-by state to the operating state of the at least one electronic device, following a reactivation command by a user or an automatic command of a control unit of the household appliance. In case of such a transition from the stand-by state to the operating state, the main power source is switched back on or reconnected to the at least one electronic device, quickly restarting the electronic device, already ready for the quick restart by virtue of the auxiliary power supply. During the operating state, the at least one electronic device is powered by both the aforesaid electronic device main power source and the aforesaid electronic device auxiliary power source.