Washing Machine Detergent Deficit Detection With Auto Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry washing machines often experience suboptimal performance due to user inattentiveness or lack of understanding in selecting appropriate settings for different load types, leading to inefficient energy and water consumption.

Innovation Solution

A laundry washing machine equipped with a fluid property sensor to detect detergent deficits and automatically dispense additional detergent, along with a controller that dynamically selects load types based on weight and fluid level sensors, optimizing wash cycles and detergent dispensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual detergent addition by user is used, then device complexity is reduced, but detergent dosage precision deteriorates leading to suboptimal washing performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent dispensing systemVSAvoiddetergent dosage precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to manually add detergent while the machine automatically monitors detergent levels using fluid property sensors and supplements insufficient detergent automatically, combining manual operation with automated correction to maintain simplicity while ensuring precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Fluid property sensors continuously monitor the wash fluid to detect detergent concentration levels, providing feedback to the controller which then automatically dispenses additional detergent when a deficit is detected, ensuring optimal detergent dosage without complex pre-programming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual load type selection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but washing performance deteriorates due to user inattentiveness or lack of understanding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload type selectionVSAvoidwashing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects load characteristics using weight sensors and fluid property sensors, and autonomously selects appropriate wash cycle settings without requiring user knowledge or attention, ensuring optimal washing performance while maintaining simple operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual load type selection is replaced with automatic sensor-based detection systems that use weight measurements and fluid property analysis to identify load characteristics and select appropriate wash parameters, eliminating user error while keeping the interface simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If automatic detergent dispensing is implemented, then detergent dosage precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent dosage precisionVSAvoidsensor and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Fluid property sensors serve multiple functions including monitoring detergent concentration, detecting load characteristics, and controlling both detergent dispensing and wash cycle parameters, reducing the need for separate specialized sensors and simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines manual detergent addition capability with automatic monitoring and supplementation functions in a unified approach, where users can manually add detergent if desired but the system automatically ensures proper dosage through sensor feedback, merging simplicity and precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If dynamic load type selection based on sensors is implemented, then washing performance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced user control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing performanceVSAvoiduser control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic load type detection and wash cycle selection based on sensor data without requiring user input, serving itself by making intelligent decisions about wash parameters while keeping the user interface simple and requiring minimal user control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

The solution enhances washing machine performance by ensuring optimal detergent levels and automatically selecting appropriate wash cycles, reducing user burden and improving energy and water efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the fluid property sensor includes a turbidity sensor configured to measure turbidity of the fluid from the wash tub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbidity measurement: Tyndall Effect

Implementation Method 2

the turbidity sensor is further configured to measure conductivity of the fluid from the wash tub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS10161075B2Laundry washing machine with automatic detection of detergent deficit

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 MIDEA GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

A laundry washing machine and method utilize a fluid property sensor to determine a detergent deficit subsequent to manual addition of detergent by a user, such that additional detergent may be automatically dispensed.