Smart Grid Appliance Service via Communication Adapter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electricity supply systems are centralized and one-way, limiting residential customers' access to real-time energy pricing information and making it difficult for them to purchase electricity at desired prices, which is addressed by developing a smart grid system enabling two-way communication between power providers and consumers.
Innovation Solution
A customer service system for home appliances using a smart grid, incorporating an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for real-time power measurement, an energy management system (EMS) for controlled power distribution, and a communication adapter allowing two-way communication between home appliances and the EMS, including a service button for requesting customer service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a centralized one-way power supply structure is used, then the power supply system is simple and stable, but customers cannot access real-time energy pricing information and cannot purchase electricity at desired prices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication adapter as an intermediary device that enables two-way communication between home appliances and the power supply system through the existing power lines. This adapter allows real-time energy pricing information and appliance status data to be exchanged without fundamentally changing the centralized power supply structure, thus resolving the information asymmetry problem while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The communication adapter serves multiple functions: it enables two-way communication, transmits real-time pricing information, sends appliance status data, and facilitates service requests. By making this single component multi-functional, the system gains advanced information exchange capabilities without adding multiple separate devices, thereby addressing the information loss issue while controlling complexity
2Loss of information
If new devices are added for two-way communication in smart grid, then real-time information exchange between power providers and consumers is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication adapter acts as an intermediary that leverages the existing power line infrastructure for communication, eliminating the need for separate communication wiring. By modulating data signals onto power lines, it enables bidirectional information exchange between appliances and the utility company without adding complex communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter simultaneously handles power connection and bidirectional data communication functions. It transmits both electrical power and digital signals (pricing information, appliance status, service requests) through the same physical medium, thereby enabling comprehensive real-time information exchange while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate communication channels
3Ease of operation
If customers want to request service for home appliances, then they need to visit customer service centers or use complex registration systems, but this consumes time and is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing appliance owners to directly submit service requests through the communication adapter integrated into their home appliances. The adapter automatically transmits appliance identification and status information to the power company's server, eliminating the need for manual visits to service centers or complex registration procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The communication adapter continuously maintains communication connectivity and pre-registers the appliance's identification information with the power company's server. When a service request is needed, the system can immediately transmit the request using pre-established communication channels and pre-stored appliance data, significantly reducing the time required compared to on-site registration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a customer service system of home appliances using a smart grid. The invention comprises: a measuring device which performs bidirectional communication with a power source, and measures and displays power information in real time; an energy management device which is connected with the measuring device, and supplies power to home appliances on the basis of power information provided from the outside; a customer service center which is in charge of customer services of the home appliances, and is connected with the energy management device to enable bidirectional communication; and a communication adaptor which connects the home appliances with the energy management device in order to perform the power supply and the bidirectional communication, wherein the home appliances are equipped with service buttons which are configured to provide information on the requests for customer services to the customer service center through the communication adaptor and the energy management device if the user operates the buttons. According to the invention, the customer services of the home appliances can be provided in an easier manner.