A laundry washer-dryer for detecting the amount of load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry washer-dryers face challenges in accurately detecting laundry load and unbalanced loads due to high costs associated with shock absorbers integrated with load sensors, which are essential for optimizing washing performance, energy consumption, and preventing excessive loading.
Innovation Solution
A detachable sensor unit comprising a magnetic sensor and magnet is mounted on a shock absorber, allowing for detection of load and unbalanced loads by measuring magnetic field variations, enabling efficient program regulation and easy adaptation to various shock absorber types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If shock absorbers with integrated load sensors are used, then load detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into separate components: the shock absorber and the sensor unit. The sensor unit with magnet and magnetic sensor can be detachably mounted on the shock absorber, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly of each component. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary between the mechanical displacement of the shock absorber piston and the electrical signal output of the magnetic sensor. The magnet converts mechanical position into magnetic field variations, which the magnetic sensor then detects, providing accurate load measurement without direct mechanical coupling.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If shock absorbers with integrated load sensors are used, then load detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed as a separate detachable module that can be mounted on standard shock absorbers. This segmentation allows the sensing functionality to be added without modifying the shock absorber design, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic sensing system replaces complex mechanical linkages and direct mechanical coupling between the shock absorber and sensor. The magnetic field-based detection eliminates the need for mechanical transmission elements, reducing device complexity while improving detection accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable sensor units are used, then adaptability to various shock absorber types is improved, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed with universal mounting features (such as claw-like attachments) that can accommodate different shock absorber types and geometries. This universal design enables the same sensor unit to be adapted to various shock absorber configurations without requiring custom-designed sensors for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic sensor automatically detects and adapts to the position of the magnet on the shock absorber piston through magnetic field sensing. The system self-adjusts to minor positioning variations, reducing the stringency of assembly precision requirements while maintaining detection accuracy.
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 accurate load detection and unbalanced load monitoring, optimizing washing and drying performance while reducing costs by allowing the sensor unit to be easily mounted and replaced, thus enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor (9), for example 'Hall sensor', which detects the magnetic field intensity variations occurring between the piston (6) and the magnet (8) depending on the movement of the piston (6) in the shock absorber (7)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry washer-dryer (1) comprising a body (2); a drum (3) wherein the laundry is loaded; a tub (4) which makes vibrational motion during operation with the effect of the drum (3); a motor (5) which is fixed to the tub (4) and which drives the drum (3); a piston (6) which is at least partially produced from magnetic material and which is connected to the tub (4) or the body (2) from one end; at least one shock absorber (7) which absorbs the vibrational motion of the tub (4)-motor (5) group and wherein the piston (6) moves coaxially; and a sensor unit (11) which is integrated with the shock absorber (7) and which detects the load.