Dishwasher Water Temperature Profiling for Real Energy Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances like washing machines and dishwashers provide energy consumption information based on standard conditions, which may not reflect real-world usage, leading to significant deviations in actual energy and water consumption without the user's knowledge.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine the actual energy consumption by measuring the temperature profile of the circulating medium, calculating the gradient of the temperature curve, and comparing it to reference profiles for unloaded and standard-loaded states, allowing for real-time energy consumption calculation and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If energy consumption information is provided based on standard conditions, then the information is simple and standardized, but it does not reflect real-world usage and leads to significant deviations in actual energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex direct energy measurement systems with a thermal model-based calculation approach. By measuring temperature profiles and applying thermodynamic principles, the system calculates energy consumption without requiring direct access to energy metering infrastructure, thus reducing device complexity while improving measurement accuracy under varying conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from using fixed standard condition parameters to dynamically measured temperature profile parameters. By continuously monitoring temperature changes in the circulating medium and adapting calculations to actual operating conditions, the system achieves accurate energy consumption measurement across diverse real-world scenarios
2Loss of information
If the temperature profile of the circulating medium is measured to determine actual energy consumption, then accurate real-time energy consumption data is obtained, but additional measurement and calculation complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the temperature of the circulating medium as an intermediary parameter to infer energy consumption. Instead of directly measuring energy input, the system measures temperature changes in the water and uses thermal models to calculate the energy that caused these changes, providing accurate information through an indirect but reliable measurement approach
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the circulating medium already present in the appliance for heating or cooling purposes. By measuring the temperature of this self-circulating fluid, the system obtains energy consumption data without requiring separate measurement systems, thus minimizing additional device complexity while maximizing information 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
Enables accurate determination and display of actual energy consumption under varying conditions, providing users with precise information about their appliance's energy usage, accounting for deviations from standard conditions.
Implementation Method 1
in at least one heating- and/or cooling phase of the circulating medium, the actual temperature profile TM of which is determined over time
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a water-conducting household appliance (1), in particular a dishwasher or washing machine, and a method. The household appliance (1), which can be provided with a heatable and/or coolable circulating medium, especially a liquid rinsing liquor (S), during operation, is designed such that the change in temperature of the circulating medium over time can be determined in at least one heating and/or cooling phase (P1; P2) of the circulating medium and can be used as input data to determine the energy consumption.