Movable Oven Control Panel Motion with Safety State Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances with movable control panels face challenges in implementing a cost-effective and safe motorization system that ensures user safety and appliance reliability during panel movement.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling the movement of a movable control panel in household appliances using a motorized drive device, which includes acquiring input signals to check the appliance's operating state, allowing or preventing movement based on safety conditions, and adjusting the panel's inclination for user-friendly interface positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motorized drive device is added to enable control panel movement, then the adaptability and user interface quality are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex motorized actuation mechanisms with a simplified mechanical system using a motorized drive device that only needs to provide rotational movement. The control panel's inclination is achieved through gravitational force acting on the movable member, eliminating the need for complex linear actuators or multi-axis motor systems while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control panel from a fixed rigid structure to a movable member that can rotate about a fixed axis. This parameter change from fixed to rotatable enables continuous inclination adjustment while simplifying the drive mechanism, as the system only needs to control rotational position rather than complex spatial positioning.
2Reliability
If safety checks are implemented before panel movement, then user safety is improved, but the operation time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs safety checks of the appliance's operating state before initiating control panel movement. The control system verifies that the appliance is in a safe state (e.g., door closed, heating elements off) before activating the motorized drive device, preventing unsafe operations while maintaining efficient workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control system continuously monitors the appliance's operating state and uses this information to determine whether panel movement is safe. The control system receives feedback about the current state and automatically adjusts the movement authorization accordingly, ensuring safety without requiring manual verification time.
3Ease of operation
If the control panel is made movable with rotational capability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of pinching and jamming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing control system restrictions that prevent the motorized drive device from operating under certain conditions. The system proactively blocks movement when safety conditions are not met (e.g., when objects or body parts might be in the movement path), counteracting the potential pinching and jamming hazards before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the control system as an intermediary between the user's movement request and the actual panel movement. The control system acts as a mediator that verifies safety conditions and authorizes or prohibits movement accordingly, preventing direct user interaction with the moving part under unsafe conditions and eliminating pinching hazards.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling the movement of a moving part of a control panel of a household appliance comprises at least the following steps: acquisition (E1) of an input signal suitable for controlling said moving part from a first position to a second position, verification (E2) of the operating status of said household appliance, movement (E3) by said motorized drive device of said moving part from a first position to a second position or holding said moving part in a first position (E4) depending on the result of the verification step (E2) of the operating status of said household appliance, and stopping (E5) said moving part in a second position if authorized by the movement step (E3) of said moving part from a first position to a second position. Use for a household appliance, and in particular a domestic cooking oven.