Dishwasher Optical Loading Detection for Wash Program Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in determining the optimal arrangement and loading of items in a dishwasher, especially with varied sizes, leading to inefficient cleaning performance and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A household dishwasher equipped with an optical sensor and evaluating unit that captures and analyzes optical sensor signals to determine the loading state, including quantity, type, and arrangement of items, allowing for optimized wash program selection and user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually arrange items in the dishwasher without guidance, then the operation is simple and quick, but the cleaning performance and resource efficiency deteriorate due to suboptimal loading
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor captures images of the loaded dishwasher cavity and the evaluating unit processes these images to determine the loading state, providing feedback information to the user about optimal item arrangement and loading patterns for different wash programs
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and evaluates the loading state without requiring user intervention, and can autonomously determine optimal wash program selection based on the detected loading configuration
2Use of energy by moving object
If the dishwasher is operated without loading state detection, then the device complexity is low, but the energy and water consumption increase due to inefficient wash program selection
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical/manual assessment of loading state is replaced by an optical detection system using sensors and image processing algorithms to automatically determine loading configuration and optimize wash program selection
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the dishwasher (wash program selection, water temperature, cycle duration) based on the detected loading state parameters, optimizing energy and water consumption according to actual loading conditions
3Productivity
If the dishwasher cavity is overloaded or underloaded, then the device can accommodate various loading scenarios, but the cleaning performance and resource efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and evaluation of the loading state before the wash cycle begins, allowing optimal wash program selection and preventing energy and water waste from inappropriate cycling
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 optimizes dishwasher operation by ensuring proper loading, reducing energy and water consumption, and minimizing environmental impact while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor for capturing an optical sensor signal of the items to be washed arranged in the dishwasher cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A household dishwasher includes a dishwasher cavity for accommodating items to be washed, a controller apparatus configured to perform one wash program from a number of wash programs for washing the items to be washed arranged in the dishwasher cavity, an optical sensor configured to capture an optical sensor signal of the items to be washed arranged in the dishwasher cavity, and an evaluating unit configured to ascertain a loading state of the dishwasher cavity as a function of the captured optical sensor signal of the items to be washed.