Wireless Appliance Interface for Panel-Free Built-In Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Built-in household electrical appliances face challenges with user interfaces on the external panel, as they obstruct paneling and require modifications, leading to increased design and construction costs, and existing solutions for small appliances like toothbrushes are not applicable due to thickness limitations and power constraints.
Innovation Solution
A user interface that uses low-power radio waves or resonant electromagnetic coupling to connect with the appliance's control unit without physical cables, allowing operation on built-in appliances without modifying their design or requiring batteries, and can be easily installed and used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user interface is positioned on the external panel of a built-in electrical appliance, then the appliance can be controlled remotely, but it obstructs paneling and requires modifications to the appliance design
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is extracted from the appliance housing and positioned on the external panel, allowing the appliance to be controlled remotely without requiring modifications to the appliance design or construction. The interface can be independently installed and removed from the panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate components: the user interface on the external panel and the control unit within the appliance housing. These components communicate wirelessly, allowing independent installation and maintenance of each part.
2Ease of operation
If a user interface is positioned on the external panel of a built-in electrical appliance, then the appliance can be controlled remotely, but it prevents application of complete insulation covering without special adaptations
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is extracted as a separate component that can be installed on the external panel without requiring holes or modifications to the paneling. This allows complete insulation covering to be applied while maintaining remote control functionality.
3Device complexity
If magnetic coupling is used to power the user interface as in small appliances, then the appliance structure is simplified, but it is not applicable due to panel thickness limitations and power constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical magnetic coupling system is replaced with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. The user interface communicates with the control unit through radio frequency signals, eliminating the need for physical coupling through the panel and overcoming thickness and power limitations.
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
Enables safe and efficient determination and control of appliance states without affecting paneling or increasing costs, reducing installation errors and environmental impact by eliminating the need for batteries and cables.
Implementation Method 1
A user interface that uses low-power radio waves or resonant electromagnetic coupling to connect with the appliance's control unit without physical cables
Implementation Method 2
A user interface that uses low-power radio waves or resonant electromagnetic coupling to connect with the appliance's control unit without physical cables
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface arranged at least to display, on a display unit or on a display panel, information relative to the operation of a household electrical appliance with which the interface is associated, the appliance presenting functional members controlled in their operation by a control unit, and an external housing provided with an aperture with its own closure door; the interface is positionable on and fastenable to the exterior of the housing of the electrical appliance, remote wire-less data communication and transmission means being associated with the control unit and with the interface to enable the data to be transmitted from the interior of the electrical appliance to the interface through the housing. A household electrical appliance with this interface is also claimed.