Power Plug Communication Circuit for Wireless Appliance Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Personal care appliances often lack the necessary wireless communication capabilities to transmit appliance-related data, such as usage patterns and maintenance information, requiring users to manually connect devices for data transmission, which is inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device with a built-in communication circuit, allowing appliance-related data to be transmitted over a wireless standard like IEEE 802.11 without requiring the appliance to have its own communication circuitry, by integrating a wireless interface circuit within the power supply device's plug, enabling data transmission to a wide area network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the appliance is equipped with wireless communication circuitry to transmit data, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidappliance structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply device serves as an intermediary between the appliance and the wireless network. The appliance connects to the power supply device via a power cable, and the power supply device handles all wireless communication functions. This mediator approach allows data transmission without adding complexity to the appliance itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power source and as a wireless communication hub. By integrating the communication circuit into the power supply device, it can handle multiple tasks (power delivery and data transmission) without requiring separate dedicated devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If manual connection is used for data transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenient manual connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission convenienceVSAvoidmanual connection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic data transmission where the appliance autonomously sends data through the power cable connection to the power supply device, which then transmits it wirelessly. No manual intervention is required - the system serves itself by utilizing the existing power connection for both power and data purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4297233A1Power supply device, kit, and methods of manufacturing and using a power supply device

Publication Date: 2023.12.27 BRAUN GMBH

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AI summary

A power supply device (50) for a personal care appliance (20, 30) comprises a power supply cable (54) and a power plug (51). The power plug comprises a housing (63, 69) comprising a first compartment (61) and a second compartment (62) adjacent the first compartment (61). A converter (71) is disposed in the first compartment (61). A communication circuit (90) is disposed in the second compartment (62).