Portable Control Module Position Detection for Household Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable operating modules for household appliances lack precise and accurate position determination, leading to limited and imprecise functionality, especially when the user is not in direct sight of the appliance, posing safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A portable operating module that uses wireless communication with the appliance, employing multiple detection signals across different frequency spectra, such as radio, ultrasonic, and infrared, to precisely determine its position and activate functions only when in close range, ensuring safety and precise operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional portable operating modules are used for wireless communication with household appliances, then the user can operate the appliance at a distance, but the position determination is imprecise and the functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into two distinct parts: a portable operating module carried by the user and a stationary household appliance with receiver. This segmentation allows the system to determine position by measuring the spatial relationship between the separated components, enabling precise position determination while maintaining operational versatility at a distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal transmission as an intermediary mechanism between the portable module and the appliance. By using transmitted signals (such as radio waves, ultrasonic waves, or infrared signals) as mediators, the system can indirectly determine position through signal travel time or signal strength measurement, achieving both precision and versatility
2Ease of operation
If the operating module is activated at a distance from the appliance, then remote operation is enabled, but safety requirements are not met when direct sight is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the operating module's functionality conditional and changeable based on its real-time position relative to the appliance. The module can dynamically adjust its operational state - being fully active when in close proximity (within field of view) and restricted when at a distance, thus enabling remote operation when needed while maintaining safety through position-based control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the position of the portable operating module relative to the appliance and using this information to control whether the module can activate appliance functions. This feedback loop ensures that safety requirements are met by only allowing operation when the user is in a safe position (within field of view), while still permitting remote operation when the user approaches the appliance
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection signals across different frequency spectra are used to determine position, then position determination precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the portable operating module to transmit multiple types of signals (radio waves, ultrasonic waves, infrared signals) through a single integrated transmission system. This universal approach allows the module to use different signal types for the same purpose - position determination - thereby improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one system performs multiple functions
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 precise position determination and secure operation by activating functions only when the module is within the appliance's field of view, enhancing safety and operational reliability through redundant signal evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
The portable operating module (12) is designed for wireless communication with the domestic appliance (2)
Implementation Method 2
The request signal is preferably a radio signal
Implementation Method 3
a first detection signal for determining whether the operating module is in the close range is an ultrasonic signal
Implementation Method 4
a second detection signal for determining the distance between the operating module and the domestic appliance in the close range is an infrared signal
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a portable control module for a household appliance (2), which is designed for wireless communication with the household appliance (2), wherein the functionality of the control module (12) for operating the household appliance (2) depends on the position of the control module (12) relative to the household appliance (2), wherein at least one predetermined recognition signal (19, 20) is stored in the control module (12) and can be transmitted to the household appliance (2) for determining the position. The invention also relates to a system with such a control module (12) and a cooktop (2), as well as a method for operating a household appliance (2) with such a portable control module (12).