Modular Smart Home Sensor Using Resistance Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart home systems lack the ability to efficiently sense and manage information from various home appliances in an integrated manner, limiting their versatility and functionality.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device equipped with sensors and a modular design that can be attached to different home appliances, using resistance values to determine its purpose and operation mode, allowing it to sense and transmit information to a central server or mobile terminal for integrated management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-function electronic device is used, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different home appliances is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different home appliancesVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic device is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple types of home appliances. The device can detect resistance values and automatically adapt its operation mode based on the detected appliance type, making a single device capable of serving multiple purposes without requiring appliance-specific hardware variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes its operational parameters based on the detected resistance value. By measuring the resistance and comparing it against predefined thresholds, the device dynamically adjusts its detection mode and communication protocol to match the specific home appliance being monitored, enabling adaptability without physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple dedicated devices are used for different home appliances, then the sensing capability for each appliance is optimized, but the system complexity and number of devices increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing capabilityVSAvoidnumber of devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single electronic device performs the function of multiple dedicated devices by detecting resistance values and automatically switching between different operation modes. The device can monitor various home appliances including air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines using the same hardware platform, eliminating the need for multiple specialized sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple sensing capabilities and detection modes into one integrated electronic device. By merging the functionality of several appliance-specific monitoring devices into a single unit that can adapt its behavior based on resistance detection, the system reduces device count while maintaining comprehensive sensing coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a general-purpose sensor is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the measurement precision for specific home appliances is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice manufacturingVSAvoidsensing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses parameter changes in resistance detection to achieve precise identification of home appliance types. By measuring resistance values and comparing them against calibrated thresholds, the device automatically selects the appropriate detection mode, maintaining high measurement precision without requiring complex hardware for each appliance type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies different detection strategies and parameter thresholds tailored to specific appliance types based on the detected resistance value. Each home appliance category has optimized detection parameters, allowing the general-purpose device to achieve appliance-specific precision through software-based local optimization rather than hardware specialization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables seamless sensing and management of information from various home appliances, enhancing the smart home system's versatility and functionality by allowing easy adaptation to different appliances and environments.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor part senses information on a sensing target and transmits the sensed information to a server or mobile terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3316515B1Electronic device, smart home system using electronic device, and method for controlling smart home system
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3316515B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3316515B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3316515B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A

AI summary

The present invention relates to a smart home system and an electronic device for establishing the same. An electronic device according to the present invention comprises: a body part having an electric circuit; a wireless communication unit included in the body part; a sensor unit which is mounted on the body part and sensed at least one object to be sensed; a cover part detachably coupled to the body part so as to cover at least a part of the body part and electrically connected to the electric circuit; and a control unit for controlling the wireless communication unit to transmit, to an external device, a radio signal according to a resistance value formed by the coupling of the cover part and sensing information sensed through the sensor unit.