Control method and device for door lock of self-service washing machine and computer storage medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Self-service washing machines often have doors that automatically unlock after a wash cycle ends, leading to unattended clothes being occupied or lost, with no effective solution currently available to address this issue.

Innovation Solution

A control method and device for the washing machine door lock that allows users to set a delay time after the wash cycle ends, enabling them to reserve the machine and pay for the extended use, with reminders and options to extend or refund unused time, ensuring efficient use and preventing clothes from being left unattended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the door lock automatically unlocks after washing ends, then the washing machine can be quickly made available for the next use, but the user cannot retrieve clothes in time leading to occupation or loss of clothes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing machine availabilityVSAvoidclothes retrieval security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to pre-set a delay time for door unlocking before the washing cycle actually ends. This preliminary action enables users to ensure they will be available to retrieve clothes, while the system maintains the washing machine as occupied during this delay period, preventing other users from booking it. The door unlocks automatically after the predetermined delay period expires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the door lock remains locked after washing ends, then clothes can be securely held for user retrieval, but the washing machine cannot be efficiently reused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclothes retrieval securityVSAvoidwashing machine availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The door lock state transitions dynamically based on the delay time parameter. Initially locked after washing ends, the lock remains engaged during the user-specified delay period. Once the delay expires, the lock automatically transitions to unlocked state. This dynamic behavior balances clothes security during the delay period with machine availability after the delay, resolving the contradiction between the two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If users can extend delay time, then flexibility for clothes retrieval is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelay time flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system sends reminder notifications to users before the delay time expires, providing feedback about the remaining time. Users can respond to these reminders by extending the delay time if needed. This feedback mechanism enables flexible delay time extension without requiring complex continuous monitoring interfaces, as the system proactively communicates with users and waits for simple extension requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3483332B1Control method and device for door lock of self-service washing machine and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3483332B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3483332B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A control method for a door lock of a self-service washing machine is provided. The method is applied to a server, and includes the following steps: receiving a delay time for opening a door that is sent by a client, where the delay time for opening the door refers to a time after a washing procedure ends; determining, after a washing event ends, whether the delay time for opening the door expires; and receiving, when the delay time for opening the door does not expire, an unlocking instruction sent by the client, and controlling, according to the instruction, the washing machine to unlock the door lock. According to the method, a washing machine in a laundry can be efficiently used. If a user does not remove clothes in time after washing ends, the user needs to reserve a delay time for continuing to occupy the washing machine and pay for the delay time.