Shielded Accessory Storage for Wireless Household Appliance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances face the challenge of ensuring user access while preventing malfunctions due to wireless signal exchange between accessories and electrical controls, especially when accessories are in their rest position, which can lead to unintended signal interactions with neighboring appliances.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance design where the accessory is stored in a metal door element, completely enclosing it except for a handle, ensuring electrical shielding and preventing signal exchange in the rest position, thus preventing malfunctions and maintaining ease of use by allowing unhindered access and preventing loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the accessory is stored outside the household appliance in its rest position, then the user can access the accessory easily, but the accessory may be misplaced and signal exchange with neighboring appliances may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory is stored inside a storage device that is integrated into the household appliance (specifically in the door). This nesting arrangement ensures the accessory remains within reach for easy access while being physically contained to prevent unwanted signal exchange with neighboring appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device acts as an intermediary between the accessory and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface that allows the user to access the accessory while simultaneously preventing unauthorized or unintended signal transmission to other devices.
2Ease of operation
If wireless signal exchange is enabled between accessory and electrical control, then convenience is improved, but malfunctions may occur when accessory is in rest position
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitting device of the accessory is completely enclosed by the storage device when the accessory is in its rest position, extracting or isolating the signal transmission capability from the external environment. This prevents unwanted signal exchange while allowing wireless communication when the accessory is in use.
3Reliability
If the accessory is completely enclosed in the storage device, then signal exchange is prevented, but access to the accessory may be impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is designed with dynamic access characteristics - completely enclosing the accessory for signal prevention during storage, while providing easy access mechanisms (such as door integration and removal aids) that allow quick retrieval when needed. The system transitions between fully enclosed and accessible states.
4Reliability
If a separate storage device is added to enclose the accessory, then signal security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is merged with the door structure of the household appliance, integrating the signal prevention function into an existing component. This combination approach provides the necessary enclosure for signal security while avoiding the addition of separate, independent storage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The door structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural closure of the appliance, and simultaneously houses the storage device for the accessory. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated storage components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining signal security.
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 design guarantees high security against malfunctions and easy access to the accessory, preventing unwanted interactions and loss while keeping the construction simple and components minimal, ensuring the accessory remains within reach without impairing usability.
Implementation Method 1
the storage device electrically shields the transmitter or transmitter/receiver device of the accessory in all spatial directions
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance with an electrical control (20), which is connected to an accessory (12) for the household appliance in a signal-transmitting manner, wherein the accessory (12) can be moved back and forth between a use position and a rest position on the household appliance and in the switched-on state of the household appliance, at least in the position of use, exchanges signals with the electrical control (20) for controlling the household appliance. In order to specify a household appliance in which the accessory is stored in its rest position on the household appliance in such a way that the user can access the household appliance without hindrance and at the same time a high level of security against malfunctions is guaranteed, the signal is exchanged between the transmitting or transmitting/receiving device ( 17) of the accessory (12) and the electrical control (20) wirelessly and the accessory (12) is held in its rest position in a storage device (6) of the household appliance, which is at least partially made of electrically conductive material and which carries the transmitting or transmitting/ Receiving device (17) of the accessory (12) electrically shields from the electrical control (20) so that signal exchange is prevented.