Clothing treatment device and control method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of integrating RFID readers in washing machines and dryers limits the widespread adoption of clothing identification technology, as each device requires a costly RFID reader to read radio frequency signals from electronic tags.
Innovation Solution
A tag excitation apparatus is used to transmit an excitation signal to electronic tags, allowing nearby signal base stations to obtain and forward the tag signals via a cellular mobile communication network, eliminating the need for a reading module on each device and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an RFID reader is integrated into each washing machine to read electronic tags, then clothing identification function is achieved, but the cost of the washing machine module increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RFID reading function from individual washing machines into a centralized base station. The base station integrates the RFID reader and antenna systems, while washing machines only need simple excitation apparatus. This consolidation eliminates the need for expensive RFID readers in each washing machine, significantly reducing per-device module costs while maintaining clothing identification capability across the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary between the washing machines and the electronic tags on clothes. Instead of washing machines directly reading tags, they excite the tags and the base station performs the reading function. This intermediary approach allows washing machines to have simplified, low-cost hardware while still achieving clothing identification through the base station's RFID reading capability.
2Ease of operation
If an RFID reader is installed in each washing machine, then tag reading capability is provided, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RFID reading function from the washing machine and places it in the base station. Washing machines only retain the excitation apparatus needed to activate tags, while the complex RFID reader component is removed and centralized in the base station. This extraction simplifies the washing machine structure while maintaining tag reading capability through the base station.
3Reliability
If a full RFID module with reader and antenna is used in each washing machine, then reliable tag reading is achieved, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RFID reading functionality into the base station, consolidating the reader and antenna resources. This allows for more reliable and powerful RFID reading capability in the base station while washing machines use simpler excitation apparatus. The centralized approach improves overall system reliability without requiring complex RFID modules in each washing machine.
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 approach decreases the cost of implementing clothing identification technology in washing machines and dryers, facilitating its popularization by using a signal base station for long-distance signal reading and reducing module costs for each device.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna sends an electromagnetic signal to the RFID tag, and the RFID tag receives the electromagnetic signal through electromagnetic coupling
Implementation Method 2
the RFID tag receives the electromagnetic signal through electromagnetic coupling. The chip in the tag will be excited
Data Source
AI summary
A clothing treatment device comprises a tag excitation apparatus, and the tag excitation apparatus is used for transmitting an excitation signal to excite an electronic tag on clothing, to generate a tag signal that can be obtained by a signal base station. The tag excitation apparatus and an NB-iot module are added on the clothing treatment device. The tag excitation apparatus is only used for transmitting the excitation signal, and a reading module is not provided. The tag signal generated by the electronic tag is obtained by the signal base station nearby, and the signal base station forwards the obtained tag signal to a corresponding clothing treatment device by means of a cellular mobile communication network.