Smart Coupler Wireless Appliance Network Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances have closed internal networks that are difficult to modify or expand, limiting their functionality and adaptability due to reliance on hard-wired connections, making it impractical to add external or internal components.
Innovation Solution
A network architecture featuring a smart coupler with a processor, memory, and power source that enables communication between appliances and external components, allowing for dynamic resource management and expansion of appliance capabilities through wireless communication and software-driven integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wired ribbon cables or connectors are used to form a closed internal network, then the network structure is stable and reliable, but the adaptability and ease of modification are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The smart coupler uses wireless protocols to communicate with appliance components, eliminating the need for physical ribbon cables and connectors. This substitution maintains communication reliability through protocol-based error handling while enabling flexible addition of components without physical rewiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart coupler acts as an intermediary device between the appliance's internal components and external devices. It provides a bridge that allows wireless communication to interface with the appliance's control systems, enabling expandability while maintaining the stability of existing hard-wired internal connections through its communication interface.
2Reliability
If discrete circuits are used for individual communication between components, then the communication paths are simple and reliable, but the device complexity increases when additional components need to be coupled
Solution Approach 1:
The smart coupler serves multiple functions within a single device: it acts as a wireless communication interface, a protocol translator, a control signal generator, and an external device adapter. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would otherwise require multiple discrete circuits and components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable communication through its integrated capabilities.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a closed hard-wired network is used, then the system is stable, but the ease of operation for expanding functionality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the previously static hard-wired network. The smart coupler enables the system to dynamically add, remove, or modify connected components without physical reconfiguration. Wireless communication protocols allow the system to adapt its network topology in real-time, making expansion and modification operations simple while the core appliance remains stable.
Data Source
AI summary
A network includes a smart coupler having a processor, a memory with software, and a power source to energize the processor and the memory, and an appliance configured to perform an operation on a physical article. The appliance is one that consumes at least some of a resource in performing the operation. The network also includes a source of information about the resource. The smart coupler is in communication with the appliance and the source, and the processor and memory operate to request a change to the operation of the appliance in response to a resource parameter or a request communicated by the source.