Washing Machine Modular Control Board With Bus-Linked Load Modules

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current washing machine control systems require a single, integral computer board that integrates all control functions, leading to high development costs, complex maintenance, and long product cycles due to the need for full board replacement upon module damage or upgrades, as well as complicated wiring that hinders fault analysis.

Innovation Solution

A modular computer board system where function control modules (such as motor, water feeding, and water discharge control modules) are connected independently to a data bus and power bus, allowing for modular assembly and easy replacement, with each module mounted close to its corresponding load, simplifying maintenance and reducing development time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an integral computer board structure is used to integrate various control functions, then control coordination is improved, but maintenance cost increases and development time lengthens when module damage or upgrades are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol coordinationVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the integral computer board into multiple independent control modules (motor control module, water feeding control module, water discharge control module, door lock control module, drying control module, etc.), each responsible for specific functions. This segmentation allows individual modules to be replaced or upgraded without affecting the entire system, reducing maintenance costs and development time while maintaining reliable control coordination through standardized communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an integral computer board structure is used to integrate various control functions, then control coordination is improved, but development cycle lengthens due to full board redesign

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol coordinationVSAvoiddevelopment cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into independent modules that can be developed, tested, and manufactured separately. When product upgrades are needed, only the specific modules requiring changes need to be redesigned, rather than the entire computer board. This significantly reduces the development cycle while maintaining coordinated control through standardized interfaces and communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If control modules are arranged independently and connected through data bus and power bus, then maintenance cost reduces and development time shortens, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance costVSAvoidmodular system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a standardized universal interface and communication protocol that allows different control modules to be interconnected through common data bus and power bus structures. This universality enables easy replacement and upgrading of individual modules while maintaining system integrity. The standardized interfaces reduce the perceived complexity by providing consistent connection and communication methods across all modules, making the modular system easier to maintain and develop despite its distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3103908B1Washing machine with modular computer board
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 HAIER GROUP CORP
  • EP3103908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3103908B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3103908B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a washing machine with a modular computer board, comprising a control circuit board and function control modules respectively connected to corresponding loads, characterized in that the control circuit board comprises a main control module (1); the function control modules include at least a motor control module (10), a water feeding control module (4), and a water discharge control module (5); at least one of the function control modules is arranged independently from the control circuit board; and the main control module (1) and the independently arranged function control module are connected to a data bus (3) and a power bus (2), respectively. A modular construction mode of the computer board control circuit board of the washing machine is achieved by connecting a computer board provided with the main control module to various function control modules respecitively via a data bus and a power bus; moreover, the circuit configuration in the washing machine is simplified by mounting the function control modules on or close to corresponding loads.