Household device and adjustment method with freely selectable standard

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing household appliances, such as washing machines, lack user-friendly options for selectively setting and varying parameter values like spin speed and temperature, especially for one-time use, and do not allow for easy differentiation between standard and customized settings.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an assignment flag that allows users to activate a 'Standard' or 'Default' mode for parameter settings, which can be displayed and retained in memory, enabling users to modify settings for one-time use or store them for later use, with options to revert to manufacturer defaults.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users can selectively modify parameter values for one-time use, then user flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for assignment flags and memory management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments parameter settings into two distinct modes: standard settings (affecting all program executions) and individual settings (affecting only the current execution). This segmentation is achieved through assignment flags associated with each parameter, allowing the system to manage complexity by clearly separating the two functionality types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the scope of parameter settings based on the state of assignment flags. When a parameter has its assignment flag activated, modifications affect only the current program execution. When deactivated, modifications affect all executions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt its functionality based on user needs without requiring separate hardware systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system stores individual program sequences in memory, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases when mains supply is switched off without proper memory retention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram customizationVSAvoidsetting retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by activating assignment flags and storing parameter modifications in memory before the mains supply is switched off. This ensures that individual program settings are preserved and can be retrieved on the next activation, preventing information loss and maintaining user customizations across power cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple variants of main programs are available, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional memory requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram variantsVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system achieves multi-functionality by using a single memory structure that can store both standard parameters (affecting all programs) and individual parameters (affecting specific executions) through the use of assignment flags. This universal approach allows multiple program variants to be managed without requiring separate memory allocations for each variant, reducing overall device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2606807B1Household device and adjustment method with freely selectable standard
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2606807B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2606807B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4f

AI summary

The front loading washing machine (1) has an operation panel (2) which is provided with a display (3) and several control elements (8-11) having display keys. The display is provided for displaying an automatic flow effecting control process of main program (4) and parameter values (5-7) such as washing temperature or spinner rotation speed. The display keys are provided for selecting the main program and parameter values by the control of controller. An independent claim is included for method for adjusting household appliance.