Electronic user interface having a separate control circuit board and domestic appliance having such a user interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic user interfaces for household appliances are difficult to produce universally in a simple and cost-effective manner, as they require multiple variants of printed circuit boards and control boards to accommodate different designs and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A modular electronic user interface design featuring a circuit board with input/output devices mechanically attached via a holder, and a separate control board connected exclusively via a control line, allowing for a wide variety of interfaces with minimal components, enabling easy configuration and pre-assembly of components such as displays and lighting systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple variants of printed circuit boards and control boards are used to accommodate different designs, then the adaptability of the user interface is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is divided into separate functional modules: a common circuit board that remains unchanged, and interchangeable input/output device modules that can be selectively assembled. This segmentation allows different UI variants to be created by combining the same base circuit board with different device modules, reducing the number of unique circuit board variants needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal circuit board design is created that can accommodate multiple different input and output devices through standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces. This universal base board serves multiple functions across different UI configurations, eliminating the need for custom circuit board variants for each device combination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple variants of printed circuit boards are used to accommodate different designs, then the adaptability of the user interface is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the user interface into a standardized base circuit board and interchangeable device modules, the manufacturing process is simplified. The common circuit board can be produced in large quantities using a single optimized process, while device modules are assembled separately and attached to the pre-produced circuit boards, enabling efficient mass production.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is prepared in advance with predefined mechanical holders and electrical contact points before the final assembly. This preliminary preparation of the base circuit board allows for standardized manufacturing processes and enables quick assembly of different device configurations without requiring custom circuit board fabrication for each variant.
3Device complexity
If control components are integrated directly on the circuit board, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Control components are separated from the main circuit board and integrated into the interchangeable device modules. This segmentation allows the same control components to be used across different UI configurations by simply changing the device module, maintaining low overall system complexity while maximizing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical holders on the circuit board serve as intermediaries between the fixed circuit board infrastructure and the interchangeable device modules containing control components. This intermediary structure enables easy attachment and detachment of different control component configurations without modifying the circuit board itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic user interface (4), comprising a conductor board (5), at least one inputting and/or outputting means (2), which is electrically connected to the conductor board (5), at least one retainer (7), by means of which the at least one inputting and/or outputting means (2) is mechanically fastened to the conductor board (5), and a control circuit board (14), which is separate from the conductor board (5). The control circuit board comprises at least one control component (16) designed to control the at least one inputting and/or outputting means (2) and is mechanically fastened to the conductor board (5) by means of a circuit board retainer (15). The invention further relates to a domestic appliance (1) comprising such an electronic user interface (4).