Household appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power supply devices waste energy as multiple transmitting modules are always active, even when the load is positioned differently, due to one-to-one correspondence with receiving modules based on electromagnetic coupling.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power supply device with multiple transmitting coil assemblies and control switches, where only the transmitting coil assembly at the position corresponding to the load's new position is activated, ensuring efficient electromagnetic coupling with a single receiving coil assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple transmitting modules are always active to ensure power supply to loads at any position, then the reliability of power supply is improved, but energy waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of transmitting modules based on real-time detection of load positions. The control unit activates only the transmitting module corresponding to the detected load position, while deactivating others. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining power supply reliability for the active load while eliminating energy waste from inactive modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the receiving module itself to detect its position and automatically trigger the activation of the corresponding transmitting module. The receiving module sends position information to the control unit, which then activates the appropriate transmitting module without external intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures reliability while preventing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmitting modules are always active to cover all possible load positions, then the adaptability to different load positions is improved, but the use of energy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to load positionsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts which transmitting modules are active based on the detected load position. When a load is detected at a specific position, only the corresponding transmitting module is activated. This dynamic configuration maintains full adaptability to any load position while minimizing energy consumption by keeping inactive modules powered down.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by enabling only the specific transmitting module needed for the current load position rather than activating all modules uniformly. Each transmitting module is independently controlled based on local detection needs, optimizing energy usage while maintaining system-wide adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If one-to-one correspondence between transmitting and receiving modules is maintained, then the electromagnetic coupling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases when supporting multiple load positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic coupling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single control unit that manages multiple transmitting modules, and a single receiving module that can detect positions across the entire range. This universal control architecture maintains efficient one-to-one electromagnetic coupling between active transmitting-receiving pairs while reducing overall system complexity through centralized intelligence rather than multiple independent control systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the receiving module and transmitting modules. It receives position information from the receiving module, determines which transmitting module should be active, and controls the activation accordingly. This intermediary role maintains efficient electromagnetic coupling while simplifying the system architecture through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces energy waste by ensuring only the necessary transmitting module is active at any given time, optimizing energy usage as the load is positioned differently.

Implementation Method 1

the wireless power supply device based on the electromagnetic coupling principle comprises a transmitting coil and a receiving coil. One transmitting coil should be coupled with one receiving coil, when the transmitting coil and receiving coil come close to each other, they will be electromagnetically coupled to each other.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of control switches provided at the plurality of different positions and are constructed to control on/off of the transmitting coils of the plurality of transmitting coil assemblies, respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical switching: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3391499B1Household appliance
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP3391499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3391499B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3391499B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electrical equipment includes: a carrier mounted at a plurality of different positions on an electrical equipment; a load mounted on the carrier; and a wireless power supply device constructed to supply power to the load. The wireless power supply device includes: a plurality of transmitting coil assemblies (110) mounted on the plurality of different positions of the electrical equipment, each of the transmitting coil assemblies having a transmitting coil and a first magnetic core; a plurality of control switches (130) provided at the plurality of different positions and are constructed to control on/off of the transmitting coils of the plurality of transmitting coil assemblies, respectively; and a single receiving coil assembly (210) mounted on the carrier and having a single receiving coil and a single second magnetic core. The transmitting coil mounted at one position of the plurality of different positions is disconnected by switching off the control switch provided at the one position before the carrier is mounted at the one position; and the transmitting coil mounted at one position of the plurality of different positions is connected by switching on the control switch provided at the one position after the carrier is mounted at the one position, such that the single receiving coil is electromagnetically coupled with the transmitting coil at the one position. When a load is installed at a position, only the transmitting module at the position is in operation and the transmitting modules at other positions are out of operation, saving the energy.