Dishwasher 3D Vessel Imaging for Adaptive Wash Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers lack the ability to adapt washing processes to the specific types and volumes of cooking vessels, leading to inefficient energy use and incomplete washing due to fixed washing steps that do not account for vessel size or position.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher system that uses a combination of lighting devices and a measuring camera to capture three-dimensional images of cooking vessels, allowing for customized washing steps based on vessel shape, size, and position, controlling wash water amount, time, and direction for improved wash performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed washing steps are used regardless of vessel characteristics, then the washing process is simple and energy consumption is reduced, but washing completeness deteriorates when vessel volume or position varies
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of cooking vessels before the washing process begins, analyzing their three-dimensional shapes, volumes, and positions, and pre-determining the appropriate washing steps based on this analysis. This allows the washing process to be customized in advance for each vessel configuration, ensuring complete washing while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using image recognition technology to detect the types, volumes, and positions of cooking vessels, then using this information to automatically adjust and determine the most suitable washing steps. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the washing process adapts to actual vessel characteristics, improving washing completeness while optimizing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If fixed washing steps are used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy consumption increases when vessel volume does not match recommended volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of vessel volume and characteristics before initiating the washing process, allowing it to pre-determine the optimal washing steps and water usage. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption by avoiding fixed washing cycles that would waste water and electricity when vessels are already sufficiently small or properly positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes washing parameters such as water volume, washing time, and spray intensity based on the detected vessel characteristics. By adjusting these parameters according to actual vessel volume and position, the system optimizes energy consumption while maintaining effective washing performance.
3Productivity
If cooking vessels are placed in edge portions or corners of the rack, then rack space utilization is improved, but washing completeness deteriorates due to insufficient water spray coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image recognition to detect the precise positions of cooking vessels on the rack, including those in edge portions and corners. Based on this positional feedback, it automatically adjusts the washing steps to ensure adequate water spray coverage for vessels in challenging positions, maintaining washing completeness while maximizing rack space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by customizing washing parameters for specific regions of the rack. Vessels in edge portions or corners receive different washing treatment compared to centrally positioned vessels, with adjusted spray patterns, water volume, and washing time to ensure complete cleaning coverage regardless of position.
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 ensures thorough washing of cooking vessels by tailoring the wash process to each vessel's unique characteristics, optimizing energy use and improving wash efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of lighting devices that are disposed at a first position of an inner surface of the tub and that are configured to illuminate an upper end portion of the rack
Implementation Method 2
a measuring camera that is disposed at a second position of the inner surface of the tub and that is configured to capture an image of the upper end portion of the rack and generate an object image
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes: a tub, a sump disposed in the tub, a rack disposed in the sump and receiving an object, a plurality of lighting devices disposed at the tub and configured to illuminate an upper end portion of the rack, a measuring camera disposed at the tub and capturing an image of the upper end portion of the rack and generating an object image, and a controller configured to perform a first lighting control on the lighting devices, acquiring a first object image generated based on a first image of the rack captured by the measuring camera, performing a second lighting control on the lighting devices, acquiring a second object image generated based on a second image of the upper end portion of the rack captured by the object measuring camera, and generating a three-dimensional shape image of the object based on the first and second object images.