Household appliance with improved control system and method for operating such a household appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances face inaccuracies in measurement signals due to sensors being placed at different points, leading to inflexibility and inaccuracy in measurement, and require control device supervision, limiting independent operation and safety.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance with a control device and sensor node featuring at least two micromechanical sensors for a common local reference point, an autonomous energy supply, and wireless communication, allowing independent operation and precise measurement signal detection, evaluation, and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If sensors are placed at different points in the household appliance, then the measurement coverage is improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to detecting different measurement points
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent sensor nodes, each capable of autonomous operation. Each sensor node contains integrated sensors, evaluation units, and energy supplies, allowing distributed measurement while maintaining local reference point accuracy through independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication interface acts as an intermediary between sensor nodes and the control device, enabling data transmission without physical connection. This allows sensors to be positioned at optimal measurement points while maintaining accurate data transmission to the central control system.
2Volume of moving object
If sensor nodes are made compact to reduce space requirements, then the flexibility of arrangement is improved, but the functionality and independence of the sensor node may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (sensors, evaluation units, energy supplies, and communication interfaces) are merged into a single integrated sensor node. This consolidation enables compact design while maintaining full functionality and operational independence, allowing flexible arrangement throughout the appliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor node is designed as a universal module that can be deployed at various locations within the appliance. Each node performs multiple functions (sensing, evaluation, energy management, and wireless communication), making the system adaptable to different measurement requirements while maintaining a standardized compact form factor.
3Reliability
If sensor nodes require control by a control device for operation, then the system reliability is improved through centralized control, but the ability to operate independently and provide safe operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor node operates dynamically with dual modes: autonomous independent operation for safety-critical functions and controlled operation when directed by the control device. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between centralized and decentralized control based on operational requirements, ensuring both reliability and independent safety operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor node is equipped with autonomous capabilities including integrated energy supply and independent measurement signal evaluation, enabling it to function independently without constant control device supervision. This self-service capability ensures continuous safe operation even when disconnected from centralized control.
4Device complexity
If traditional sensor arrangements are used without autonomous energy supply, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to operate independently and provide continuous monitoring deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The energy supply function is extracted from the central control system and assigned to each individual sensor node. This extraction enables autonomous operation of sensor nodes without increasing overall system complexity, as each node becomes a self-contained unit with integrated power management capable of continuous independent monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a household appliance (8) with a control device (23) and at least one sensor node (2, 12, 32) comprising at least one sensor (4, 6, 34-39), at least one evaluation unit (4, 6, 33), a self-contained power supply and an interface for wireless data communication (7, 33), the control device (23) and the sensor nodes (2, 12, 32) being designed to communicate wirelessly with each other, the at least one sensor (4, 6, 34-37) being a micromechanical sensor (4, 6, 34-39) and the at least one sensor node (2, 12, 32) being designed such that it can be controlled by the control device (23) and also autonomously detect at least one measuring signal, evaluate same and transfer it to the control device (23). The invention also relates to a method for operating such a household appliance.