Household appliance with an operating device and method for operating a household appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating household appliances require determining and continuously detecting the relative position of an external operating unit, which is cumbersome and not functionally reliable, especially for setting operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance system where an external operating element detects displacement movements relative to a surface and transmits relevant data wirelessly to the control unit, allowing for setting operating functions and parameters without needing to determine its orientation or position, using a camera sensor for contactless detection and a digital signal processor for data conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an external operating unit is moved relative to the household appliance to set operating conditions, then the operating function can be controlled, but the relative position and orientation must be continuously detected which increases device complexity and reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/continuous detection system with an optical snapshot-based system. Instead of continuously detecting the relative position and orientation of the operating element, a single snapshot image is captured and evaluated to determine the movement pattern. This substitution eliminates the need for complex continuous sensing mechanisms while maintaining the ability to control operating functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent captures a snapshot image at a predetermined position before the operating element reaches its final position. This preliminary capture allows the evaluation unit to analyze the movement pattern (straight line, curve, geometric shape) without requiring continuous detection throughout the entire movement range, simplifying the detection system.
2Reliability
If continuous detection of relative position is implemented, then operating conditions can be set, but the system becomes more expensive and less functionally reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous mechanical/electronic position detection with a single optical snapshot capture. The image sensor takes one picture at a predetermined position, and the evaluation unit processes this static image to determine the movement pattern. This eliminates the complexity and potential failure points of continuous detection systems while improving functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (snapshot image) of the operating element's position at a specific moment. This image copy contains sufficient information for the evaluation unit to determine the movement pattern and set operating conditions, replacing the need for continuous physical position sensing.
3Measurement precision
If the operating element requires precise positioning and orientation detection, then accurate control is achieved, but the ease of operation is reduced due to the need for reference position determination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of determining the absolute position and orientation of the operating element relative to the appliance, the patent inverts the approach by detecting the movement pattern (change in position) from a reference point. The evaluation unit analyzes how the operating element moved rather than where it is located, eliminating the need for users to establish and maintain a reference position.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating element itself provides the reference information through its movement pattern. By capturing a snapshot at a predetermined position during the movement, the system automatically determines the movement characteristics without requiring the user to manually establish or maintain a reference position, making operation more intuitive and easier.
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
This solution provides a functionally reliable and inexpensive way to operate household appliances by allowing users to set operating functions and parameters through intuitive movements, enhancing user safety and convenience by eliminating the need for precise positioning and enabling operation on various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
contactless detection using a camera sensor
Implementation Method 2
digital signal processor for data conversion
Implementation Method 3
transmits relevant data wirelessly to the control unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A household appliance with an operating device comprises a control unit (12), a wireless data transmission unit (14a, 14b) connected to it via a signal connection, and an external operating element (20) for setting at least one operating function and/or one operating parameter of the household appliance. The operating element (20) can be placed on any surface (17), and in the state placed on the surface (17), it detects a displacement movement (V, Va-d) relative to the surface (17) and transmits the corresponding data to the control unit (12) via the data transmission unit (14a, 14b).