Washing Machine Damper with Integrated Laundry Weight Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating the amount of laundry in drum-type washing machines are imperfect due to variations in laundry materials and properties, leading to inefficient washing and water usage.
Innovation Solution
A damper system with a movable member and weight sensor is integrated into the washing machine, allowing for accurate measurement of laundry weight through contact with the sensor, using a motor, pinion gear, and hydraulic device to move the member in and out of contact with the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a movable member and weight sensor are integrated into the damper, then laundry weight measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is designed to perform multiple functions: it continues to provide vibration damping while simultaneously serving as a laundry weight measurement system. The movable member and weight sensor are integrated into the existing damper structure, allowing the same component to fulfill both mechanical damping and measurement roles, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system is nested within the damper structure. The movable member is disposed inside the piston of the damper, and the weight sensor is mounted on the inner surface of the cylinder. This nested arrangement allows the measurement functionality to be contained within the existing damper components, minimizing additional structural complexity while achieving accurate weight measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the movable member is moved into contact with the weight sensor, then weight perception accuracy is improved, but the duration of contact (and potential wear) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member is moved into contact with the weight sensor only periodically when weight measurement is required, rather than maintaining continuous contact. The control unit activates the motor to move the movable member to the contact position only when laundry weight needs to be perceived, and returns it to the initial position afterward. This periodic action reduces wear on the sensor and movable member while maintaining measurement accuracy when needed.
3Device complexity
If existing laundry estimation methods are used, then device complexity is kept low, but measurement precision of laundry amount deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces indirect estimation methods (based on drum acceleration time or water level changes) with a direct mechanical measurement system. The weight sensor directly measures the force exerted by the laundry on the piston through the movable member, providing accurate weight data without relying on indirect calculations that are affected by varying laundry materials and properties.
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 enables precise measurement of laundry weight, optimizing wash water usage and washing time, enhancing washing efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a weight sensor mounted on an inner surface of the cylinder, facing an end of the piston, to perceive weight loaded on the piston through contact with the movable member
Implementation Method 2
The hydraulic device may include a hydraulic cylinder disposed in the piston, thereby constituting the exterior of the hydraulic device, and the hydraulic piston, wherein the hydraulic piston is disposed at an inner space of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder may include first and second chambers partitioned by the hydraulic piston, and the movable member is movable along the length of the cylinder by hydraulic oil supplied into the first and the second chambers.
Data Source
AI summary
A damper including a cylinder, a piston inserted in the cylinder, a movable member disposed in the piston to be movable in the cylinder in a length direction of the cylinder, and a weight sensor mounted on an inner surface of the cylinder, facing an end of the piston, to perceive weight loaded on the piston through contact with the movable member. When applied to a washing machine, the damper is capable of perceiving accurate weight of the laundry supplied in the washing machine.