Detergent-Sensing Rinse Control for Adaptive Laundering Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines often complete rinse cycles unnecessarily, leading to residual detergent on clothing, which can cause skin irritation and waste resources like energy and water, due to timed cycles that do not adapt to varying detergent loads.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that dynamically adjust the laundering process by determining detergent concentration using sensors, allowing for real-time adjustments in rinse cycles, water usage, and wash fluid temperature to ensure thorough detergent removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rinse cycle duration is extended to ensure complete detergent removal, then detergent-free clothing is achieved, but energy and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses optical sensors to continuously monitor detergent concentration in the wash fluid and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the rinse cycle duration and intensity based on real-time concentration readings, extending the cycle only when necessary to achieve detergent-free clothing, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy and water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinse cycle parameters (duration, water flow rate, agitation intensity) are dynamically adjusted based on detected detergent concentration levels. The system transitions from static pre-programmed cycles to adaptive dynamic control, modifying operation characteristics in real-time to match actual detergent removal needs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If preprogrammed rinse cycles are completed regardless of detergent levels, then consistent cycle execution is maintained, but water and energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives continuous feedback from optical sensors monitoring detergent concentration. When the concentration falls below a predetermined threshold, the system terminates the rinse cycle early, preventing unnecessary water consumption while maintaining adequate detergent removal. This feedback mechanism allows the system to deviate from preprogrammed cycles only when detergent levels indicate completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors its own operational state through sensor feedback and autonomously determines when detergent removal is sufficient. The controller self-adjusts cycle termination based on real-time concentration measurements, eliminating the need for fixed preprogrammed durations and enabling resource-efficient operation.
3Device complexity
If timed rinse cycles are used without detergent concentration monitoring, then device complexity is minimized, but residual detergent remains on clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical timing-based control with optical sensing and electronic control. Optical sensors detect detergent concentration by measuring light absorption or fluorescence properties of the wash fluid, converting a chemical measurement problem into an optical detection task. This substitution enables precise detergent level monitoring without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor acts as an intermediary between the detergent molecules and the controller. Instead of directly measuring detergent concentration through complex chemical analysis, the sensor uses light interaction (absorption, fluorescence, or scattering) as an intermediary mechanism to indirectly detect detergent levels, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining 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 approach reduces energy and water consumption by stopping rinse cycles when detergent levels are low, ensuring effective detergent removal and minimizing skin irritation risks.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a laundering process includes determining a concentration of a detergent within a wash fluid during at least one cycle of an article laundering process, and dynamically adjusting at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined concentration of the detergent. An apparatus for controlling a laundering process includes a fluid chamber to contain a wash fluid, a sensor coupled to the fluid chamber to determine a detergent concentration within the wash fluid, and a controller coupled to the sensor and configured to dynamically adjust at least one characteristic of the laundering process based at least in part upon the determined detergent concentration.