Dishwasher Selective Area Cleaning Using Image-Based Dish Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dish washing machines inefficiently wash and rinse by spraying water on areas without dishes, leading to increased washing time and reduced washing power due to lack of precise area detection for dish placement.
Innovation Solution
A dish washing machine equipped with a sensing unit, camera, and controller to detect basket and door identifiers, allowing for precise determination of dish storage areas and targeted water supply using nozzles and a vane for efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If washing water is sprayed on the entire washing tub area, then all areas are cleaned, but washing time increases and washing power decreases due to water being supplied to areas without dishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing washing water only to the specific areas where dishes are detected through image processing. The control unit analyzes the image data to identify dish locations and activates only the nozzles corresponding to those areas, rather than spraying the entire washing tub. This selective water supply concentrates washing power on needed areas and reduces unnecessary water usage and time.
2Power
If washing water is sprayed on the entire washing tub area, then comprehensive cleaning is achieved, but washing power is reduced due to dilution of water pressure across large area
Solution Approach 1:
The system concentrates washing water pressure on specific localized areas where dishes are detected. By activating only the necessary nozzles based on image analysis, the water pressure is maintained at high levels for effective cleaning without being diluted across the entire washing tub area. This selective activation preserves washing power while achieving comprehensive cleaning of dish areas.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sensing methods are used to detect dish accommodation, then basic detection is achieved, but precise area determination is not possible leading to inefficient water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or simple optical sensing methods with an image processing system. A camera captures images of the washing tub interior, and a control unit with image processing capabilities analyzes the images to precisely determine dish locations and areas. This substitution enables accurate area detection and facilitates selective nozzle activation, significantly improving washing efficiency by ensuring water is supplied only where needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dish washing machine is provided herein. The dish washing machine includes a door configured to being attached to a door identifier, a main body in which a washing tub for opening and closing the front opening of the door is provided, a basket configured to be installed in the washing tub to be able to move in and out of the washing tub and contain dishes and have a basket identifier, a sensing unit configured to sense the basket identifier and the door identifier, a plurality of nozzles for spraying washing water, a vane configured to reflect the sprayed washing water in the washing tub, a driving unit configured to drive the vane; and a controller configured to control the driving unit such that cleaning is performed for each dish storage area of the basket based on the sensed result of the sensing unit, wherein the controller determines the area where the dishes are laid, and controls the driving unit to clean the dish storage area where the dishes were laid.