Universal Refrigerator Control Board for Multiple Model Variants

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators and wine coolers, require dedicated components for each model variant, leading to increased manufacturing costs and inventory complexity due to the lack of a unified control system that can automatically adapt to different models.

Innovation Solution

A control method and system using a commonly-configured control board that identifies the model variant and selects appropriate control routines from a library of computer-executable instructions to manage the operation of the refrigeration circuit, allowing for unified control across multiple model variants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated components are used for each model variant, then the appliance operates reliably for its specific model, but manufacturing costs and inventory complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel-specific operation reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent variety and inventory complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control board is designed with a library of multiple control routines stored in its memory, allowing a single universal control board to adapt to and control multiple different model variants of refrigeration appliances. The control board identifies the specific model variant and selects the appropriate control routine from its library, enabling one control board to perform multiple model-specific control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If a commonly-configured control board is used for multiple model variants, then manufacturing costs and inventory needs are reduced, but the control board must automatically identify and adapt to different model variants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent variety and inventory complexityVSAvoidmodel variant identification and adaptation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The control board automatically identifies the model variant of the refrigeration appliance it is installed in and selects the appropriate control routine from its library without requiring manual configuration or user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting the model type and adapting its control operations autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If model-specific control routines are stored in the control board memory, then precise temperature control for each model variant is achieved, but the control board's memory and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidmemory storage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control routines for different model variants are stored as separate, discrete segments in the control board's memory library. Each model variant has its own dedicated control routine that can be independently selected and executed. This segmentation allows the control board to store multiple model-specific routines in an organized manner, with each routine containing the specific temperature control parameters and logic for its corresponding model variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enables efficient operation of various refrigeration appliance models with a single control board, reducing component specificity and inventory needs while maintaining precise temperature control, thereby minimizing costs and optimizing manufacturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigeration circuit provided with a compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a refrigeration circuit provided with a compressor, condenser and evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a refrigeration circuit provided with a compressor, condenser and evaporator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

through which a refrigerant is cycled in various states to remove thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase Change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS8068936B2Method and system for managing multiple model variants

Publication Date: 2011.11.29 ELECTROLUX CONSUMER PROD INC

AI summary

According to one aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling operation of a plurality of different model variants of a refrigeration appliance using a commonly-configured control board for the plurality of different model variants. The method includes identifying the first model variant as being one of the plurality of model variants to be controlled; and responsive to this identifying, selecting a suitable control routine from among a plurality of available control routines that are accessible to the control board for controlling operation of the plurality of model variants. The plurality of available control routines includes at least a first control routine to be executed for controlling operation of a portion of a refrigeration circuit provided to the first model variant and a second control routine to be executed for controlling operation of a portion of a refrigeration circuit provided to the second model variant. The first control routine is different than the second control routine. The first control routine is to be executed to control operation of the portion of the refrigeration circuit provided to the first model variant.