Washing machine and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid development of display and input methods in intelligent washing machines has increased costs, making it difficult to popularize these appliances due to the need for control buttons, display screens, and peripheral circuits, which are costly to produce and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design that eliminates the need for a control panel with buttons and peripheral circuits by using an intelligent terminal for control and display, connected via a media interface, allowing the intelligent terminal to serve as both the control center and display module, reducing production and development costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a control panel with display screen and peripheral circuits is provided, then the washing machine can display current states and receive control instructions, but the production cost and research and development cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control center and display screen functions from the washing machine itself and relocates them to the user's intelligent terminal (mobile phone). The washing machine control board only retains basic control functions, while the intelligent terminal handles complex operations, display, and user interaction through its existing screen and processor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universal intelligent terminal (mobile phone) that users already possess to perform multiple functions: displaying washing machine status, receiving control instructions, and communicating with the washing machine control board. This eliminates the need for dedicated control panels and display screens in the washing machine.
2Ease of operation
If a 7-inch TFT display screen and peripheral circuits are provided, then the washing machine can display states and receive input, but the cost of the display device and driving circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display screen and input interface functions from the washing machine and assigns them to the intelligent terminal. The washing machine only needs to provide basic communication interfaces (USB or wireless), eliminating the need for expensive display screens and their driving circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication interface (USB interface or wireless communication module) that connects the washing machine control board with the intelligent terminal. This intermediary enables data transmission between the two devices without requiring the washing machine to have its own complex display and input systems.
3Ease of operation
If control buttons and display screens are provided, then the washing machine can be controlled and monitored, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts all control buttons and display screen components from the washing machine control panel. The control panel is reduced to only essential components (power button, start/pause button), while all other control and display functions are transferred to the intelligent terminal application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the intelligent terminal's existing control interface (touch screen, buttons, keyboard) to perform all washing machine control functions. The universal intelligent terminal replaces the need for washing machine-specific control panels, reducing device complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the washing machine is designed without control buttons and display screen, then the production cost is reduced, but the control and display functions must be transferred to external device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the intelligent terminal as an intermediary device that bridges the user and the washing machine. The terminal's application software provides the control interface, while the washing machine's control board executes the control commands received through the communication interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the control panel and display screen in the intelligent terminal's application software. This software-based interface replicates the functions of physical buttons and screens, allowing users to control and monitor the washing machine through their existing devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine is provided with a control panel and is further provided with a connecting part of an intelligent terminal. The connecting part is in data connection with the intelligent terminal and is used for controlling the washing machine by the intelligent terminal. The control panel is of a panel structure which is not provided with a washing program control button, a display screen as well as a peripheral circuit for driving the display screen and the washing program control button. The washing machine is simple and generous in appearance, easy to operate, capable of greatly reducing the production cost and also saving manpower and material resources, and convenient to popularize.