Smart Coupler for Appliance Network Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional household appliances have closed internal communication networks that are difficult to modify or expand, limiting their capability and functionality by relying on hard-wired connections, making it impractical to add external or internal components.
Innovation Solution
A software architecture that enables communication between internal and external components of appliances, creating an open network that allows for the integration of new components and accessories, facilitating the expansion of appliance capabilities and usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wired connectors are used to form a closed network, then the network structure is stable and reliable, but the adaptability and ease of modification are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wired connector system with a wireless communication system. The wireless communication module enables components to communicate without physical connectors, allowing the network to maintain stability through protocol-based connections while gaining flexibility to add or remove components without physical reconfiguration. This substitution resolves the contradiction by eliminating the mechanical constraint that limited adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic network architecture where components can be dynamically added, removed, or reconfigured through software control rather than fixed physical connections. The wireless communication system allows the network topology to change dynamically based on operational needs, maintaining reliability through automated connection management while enabling easy modification of the network structure.
2Reliability
If hard-wired ribbon cables or connectors are used, then the communication connection is stable, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cable connections with wireless communication protocols. This eliminates the need for physical cable routing, connector alignment, and mechanical assembly steps, dramatically improving ease of operation while maintaining communication stability through software-managed connections. Components can be integrated simply by establishing wireless communication links rather than performing complex physical connections.
3Reliability
If a closed network system is used, then the system is reliable and stable, but the expandability and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication platform using wireless protocols that can accommodate multiple types of components and accessories. The wireless communication module serves as a universal interface that can connect various components (sensors, actuators, control units) without requiring component-specific physical connectors, enabling easy expansion while maintaining system stability through standardized communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication module acts as an intermediary that mediates between the core closed network and external components. This intermediary layer allows the stable core network to communicate with expandable external components through wireless links, enabling system expansion without compromising the stability of the core network architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart coupler for connecting two networks has a processor, a memory, a means to connect to a first network, a means to connect to a second network, and a power source. The first network has a client, and the memory has information which must be transferred to the client to enable the client to be usefully operable relative to the second network.