Dishwasher Imaging-Based Dish Detection to Reduce Energy Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers face challenges in accurately detecting the position and quantity of dishes due to the placement of position indicators on every area of the storage portion, leading to reduced accuracy and energy inefficiency, as well as difficulties in identifying the amount of dishes based on temperature changes and weight measurements.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher equipped with an imaging portion to capture images of the storage portion and a processor that recognizes feature points, such as patterns or colors, to identify the position and quantity of dishes, allowing for precise detection and targeted washing operations without the need for extensive indicator placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If position indicators are installed on every certain area on the side portion of the storage portion, then the position of stored objects can be detected, but the appearance of the storage portion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position indicator from the side portion of the storage basket and relocates it to the bottom surface. This allows the side portions to maintain a clean appearance without indicators, while position detection is still achieved through indicators on the bottom surface that are visible to the imaging device when the basket is pulled out.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension where position indicators are placed - from vertical side surfaces to the horizontal bottom surface. This dimensional shift allows the imaging device to capture position information from above/front angles without requiring indicators on the visible side portions, thus resolving the appearance issue.
2Measurement precision
If position indicators are installed on every certain area on the side portion of the storage portion, then the position of stored objects can be detected, but the accuracy of storage information is limited by the interval of the position indicator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical position indicator system with an imaging-based detection system. Instead of relying on physical indicators at fixed intervals, the system uses an imaging device to capture images and a processor to analyze the positions of indicators on the bottom surface, achieving higher precision without increasing physical indicator density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying through imaging to detect position information. The imaging device creates a visual copy of the indicator positions, and the processor analyzes this copied information to determine the exact positions of stored objects, eliminating the need for densely spaced physical indicators.
3Measurement precision
If the dishwasher supplies a predetermined amount of washing water and increases temperature by a heater to identify the amount of dishes, then the washing operation can be controlled, but the temperature rise time is greatly changed according to material and shape of dishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal-based dish amount detection method with an imaging-based system. Instead of measuring temperature rise time, the system uses an imaging device to directly visualize and count dishes or detect their positions, eliminating the time-consuming heating process and providing immediate detection regardless of dish material or shape.
4Measurement precision
If the dishwasher uses a weight sensor to detect the amount of dishes, then the washing operation can be controlled, but the measurement precision is affected by material and shape of dishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the weight-based detection system with an imaging-based system. The imaging device captures visual information about dishes, and the processor analyzes this information to determine dish amount and position. This method is not affected by dish material or shape, as it relies on optical properties rather than mass, providing consistent detection across all dish types.
5Reliability
If the dishwasher washes the entire area of the storage basket when dishes are disposed in a part of the storage basket, then all areas are cleaned, but energy saving and operation time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables localized washing by using the imaging device to detect the actual positions of dishes in the storage basket. The processor then controls the washing device to spray water only at the locations where dishes are detected, rather than washing the entire basket. This localizes the washing action to match the actual need, reducing energy consumption and operation time while maintaining effective cleaning coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is useful as a stored object detector and a method of detecting stored objects configured to capture an image a movable storage portion, and objects stored in the storage portion, and configured to acquire storage information including at least one of position, size and quantity of the stored object based on the captured image. In addition, disclosed herein is a dishwasher configured to identify at least storage area of dish stored in a dish storage basket. It is possible to estimate a position of a basket, although the number of feature points is small. Therefore, when installing a detection indicator corresponding to the feature point, which is separated from the general configuration, to the basket, it is not required to install a large number of detection indicator, and thus it is possible to improve the appearance of the dishwasher. In addition, since it is possible to use the configuration that is generally installed in the basket, as the feature point, it is not required to additionally install the detection indicator and thus it is possible to improve the appearance of the dishwasher.