Automatic Detection System for Washing Machine Removable Baskets
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Summary
Problems
Current washing machines with removable baskets require manual user input to determine if the basket is in use, leading to potential operational failures and increased manufacturing costs due to complex and error-prone detection processes.
Innovation solutions
A detection system comprising a sensor and a component that causes excitation, such as an inductive, magnetic, or optical sensor, associated with a structural member and the removable washing basket, which activates a motive source to rotate and checks for changes in the sensor output signal to verify the basket's presence before the washing process.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If manual user input is used to determine basket coupling, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential operational issues
Why choose this principle:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification with an automatic sensor-based detection system. The sensor (optical, magnetic, or capacitive) automatically detects the presence and position of the removable basket, eliminating the need for manual user input and thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
Principle concept:
If manual user input is used to determine basket coupling, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential operational issues
Why choose this principle:
The detection system enables the washing machine to automatically verify basket coupling itself, without requiring user intervention. The sensor continuously monitors basket presence and provides feedback to the control unit, allowing the system to self-adjust operations based on detected conditions.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A detection system comprising a sensor and a component that causes excitation, such as an inductive, magnetic, or optical sensor, associated with a structural member and the removable washing basket, which activates a motive source to rotate and checks for changes in the sensor output signal to verify the basket's presence before the washing process.
Abstract
The present invention relates to a system for detecting washing machines removable basket, which comprises at least one washing basket ( 1 ) attached to the washing machine, at least one washing basket ( 2 ) removable from the washing machine and at least one structural component ( 3 ) attached to the washing machine. The system itself consists of at least one sensor ( 4 ) and at least one component ( 5 ) able to cause excitation in the sensor ( 4 ), wherein the sensor ( 4 ) can be physically associated to the structural component ( 3 ) attached to the washing machine and the component ( 5 ) can be physically associated with the washing basket ( 2 ) removable from the washing machine. Alternatively, the sensor ( 4 ) can be physically associated to the washing basket ( 2 ) removable from the washing machine and the component ( 5 ) may be physically associated to the structural component ( 3 ) attached to the washing machine. The subject method provides for at least one driving step of the motive source ( 6 ) and at least one checking step of the output signal of the sensor ( 4 ), the detection of the removable washing basket ( 2 ) being performed by checking the change of the output signal of the sensor ( 4 ).