Clothing Care Steam Generator Control via Human-Body Touch Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional clothing care machines consume excessive power and pose safety risks due to continuous heating, lack of user feedback on steam generator status, and inefficient water usage, leading to potential electrical fires and water drying out.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for intelligent control of the steam generator using a human body sensing module that detects user interaction through touch signals, allowing for real-time and timing-based control, reducing power consumption and water loss, and enhancing user experience by adapting to user operation requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the clothing care machine keeps heating the water in the steam generator to generate steam, then the steam supply is sufficient for ironing, but the power consumption increases and water may be dried out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting user presence through the human body sensing module and adjusting the steam generator operation accordingly. When the user is detected to be away from the device, the system automatically reduces or stops heating, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts steam supply to actual usage needs, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient steam supply during active use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning the steam generator from static continuous heating to dynamic variable heating based on real-time user presence detection. The heating power and steam generation are adjusted dynamically according to whether the user is present, allowing the system to optimize between steam supply and power consumption by adapting its operation state to changing conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If the steam generator continues to heat when the user forgets to turn off the machine, then the steam supply remains available, but the water may be dried out and electrical fire may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically monitors user presence and manages its own shutdown without requiring user intervention. The human body sensing module continuously detects whether the user is present, and the control system automatically stops heating when the user is detected to be away, enabling the device to protect itself from water drying out and electrical fire hazards without user input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to continuously monitor user presence and adjust heating operation accordingly. When the user is detected to be away for a predetermined time, the system receives feedback signals and automatically stops heating, creating a safety mechanism that prevents water drying out and electrical fire while maintaining steam supply during active use.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the clothing care machine heats continuously without user feedback, then the steam generator is always ready, but the user has no information about the current operating state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control that provides dual feedback: internal feedback by monitoring user presence to adjust heating operation, and external feedback by displaying operating state information to the user through the display module. The system shows whether the steam generator is heating, standby, or stopped, eliminating information loss about the current operating state while maintaining heating readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating the human body sensing module to serve multiple purposes: it detects user presence for automatic heating control, triggers display of operating state information, and initiates timing control functions. This single module performs multiple functions including temperature control, information display, and timing operations, reducing the need for separate components.
4Speed
If the human body sensing module uses real-time sensing to detect user operation, then the control responsiveness is high, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing timing control where the sensing module operates in periodic intervals rather than continuous real-time monitoring. The system uses a predetermined time threshold to trigger heating stop, creating periodic detection cycles that maintain adequate control responsiveness while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous real-time sensing.
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
The intelligent control system effectively reduces power consumption and water loss while improving user safety and experience by accurately sensing user interaction to manage steam generator operation, preventing unnecessary heating and water evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
the sensing principle is that the touch signal is generated according to the changing of electrical parameter(s) of the human body sensing module during the contact process of the human body sensing module and a human body
Data Source
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AI summary
A control method for a wash aid, a control system for the wash aid and the wash aid. The control method for the wash aid comprises: controlling a human body sensing module (206) to sense whether a user uses a steam handle (2); and according to a touch signal sensed by the human body sensing module (206), controlling the operating state of a steam generator (1). The technical solution realizes the process of achieving intelligent control of a steam generator with respect to the usage conditions of the user, and at the same time, the power consumption and moisture loss of the wash aid are reduced, thereby improving the usage experience.