Domestic Appliance Power Circuit for Standby Cutoff Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household beverage preparation devices often consume unnecessary electricity when in standby mode due to constant connection to the mains power supply, and existing solutions are prone to mechanical wear and require additional mechanical components for operation.
Innovation Solution
A power switching device with a detection mechanism that uses electrical components and a control unit to manage power supply through two switching contacts, allowing automatic switching on and off without user intervention, utilizing current modifiers and a measuring device to detect button actuation and voltage changes, and emitting signals for control unit operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device remains constantly connected to the mains power supply in standby mode, then the device is ready for immediate operation, but unnecessary electricity is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically manages its own power supply state through the control unit monitoring the second switching contact. When the beverage preparation is complete, the control unit automatically opens the second switching contact to disconnect power, eliminating the need for manual intervention while preventing energy waste during standby periods
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors the state of the second switching contact and receives signals from detection means to determine when to maintain or disconnect power supply. This feedback mechanism ensures the device remains powered only when necessary for beverage preparation, automatically transitioning to standby mode when operation is complete
2Ease of operation
If mechanical detection means are used to detect button actuation, then the device can register user input, but the mechanical components are subject to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection means with an electrical detection circuit that monitors the first switching contact state. When the button is pressed, the first switching contact closes electrically, providing a signal to the control unit without involving mechanical wear-prone components, thereby significantly improving reliability while maintaining operational functionality
3Device complexity
If a single switching contact is used for power supply, then the circuit is simple, but the control unit cannot be reliably powered during the transition state
Solution Approach 1:
The first switching contact is closed first to establish power supply to the control unit before the second switching contact opens. This preliminary action ensures the control unit has sufficient power reserves and stable operation during the transition period, preventing any interruption in control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply circuit is divided into two separate switching contacts with distinct functions: the first switching contact manages power supply to the control unit, while the second switching contact manages power supply to the heating element or motor. This segmentation allows independent control of each function and ensures reliable power management during state transitions
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a current circuit apparatus (1) of a domestic appliance having an operator control element (5) which interacts with a first switching contact (6) in such a way that the first switching contact (6) closes and re-opens by virtue of operation of the operator control element (5), and having a detection apparatus (16) which comprises a measuring device (8) which ascertains measurement values from the applied electrical voltages and identifies flanks in the profile of the measurement values, and which is designed to output a signal, which corresponds to the respective measurement values, to the control unit (3), and which comprises two current modifiers (10, 11) which are arranged in the electrical circuit such that the measuring device (8) can be supplied with power from the first switching contact (6) via the first current modifier (10) and from the second switching contact (7) via the second current modifier, and that the control unit (3) can be supplied with power from the first switching contact (6) via the first and the second current modifiers (10, 11), said current modifiers acting on the electrical current flowing through them in such a way that, depending on whether one or both of the switching contacts (6, 7) is/are closed, in each case different predefined electrical voltages are applied to the measuring device (8).