Household appliance including a mountable wireless communication module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances, such as dishwashers, pose a challenge for wireless communication due to their metal construction acting as a Faraday cage, blocking radio waves, and the non-standardized location of appliances and wireless routers within homes, which complicates signal transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A selectively mountable wireless communication module is provided with mounts in the toe-kick area of the appliance, allowing the module to be positioned for optimal signal strength by being placed in either of two locations, utilizing radio wave transmissive materials for the module and surrounding components to enhance signal transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an antenna is mounted on a metal household appliance, then wireless communication is enabled, but the metal construction acts as a Faraday shield and blocks wireless signals
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication module is extracted from the interior of the metal appliance and mounted on the exterior surface, removing it from the Faraday shield environment while maintaining its communication function
Solution Approach 2:
A radio wave transmissive material is introduced as an intermediary between the metal appliance body and the wireless communication module, allowing signals to pass through the appliance housing effectively
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the wireless communication module is mounted away from the household appliance, then signal blocking is reduced, but communication connectivity may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
A radio wave transmissive cable or material serves as a mediator to connect the wireless communication module mounted on the exterior to the controller inside the appliance, maintaining connectivity while avoiding signal blocking
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into an external wireless module and an internal controller, connected through a transmissive interface, allowing optimal positioning for both signal reception and connectivity
3Device complexity
If a single antenna location is used, then device complexity is reduced, but signal strength varies with appliance installation location
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance housing is designed with multiple localized areas having different radio wave transmissive properties, allowing the wireless module to be mounted in the optimal location for each specific installation environment
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 solution provides a broader signal range without additional antennas and maintains communication connectivity between the module and controller as it is moved between mounts, ensuring reliable wireless communication regardless of appliance installation location.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the legs and feet are radio wave transmissive
Implementation Method 2
most household appliances are primarily constructed of metal that is electrically connected to earth ground, which acts as a large Faraday shield and does not allow wireless signals to escape the household appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A household appliance includes a selectively mountable wireless communication module. The selectively mountable wireless communication module can be selectively mounted in a toe kick area of the household appliance. The household appliance can be, but is not limited to, a dishwasher, an oven, a refrigerator, a freezer, a microwave, a washing machine, a dryer, or a combo washer-dryer.