Dryer Drum Imaging for Bulky Laundry Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances, such as clothes dryers, face challenges in automatically determining the presence of bulky items within the treating chamber, which can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of the drying process, as existing systems rely on manual user input or default settings that may not account for varying laundry loads.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an imaging system within the appliance that captures and analyzes images of the laundry load to determine the presence of bulky items, allowing the controller to adjust operational parameters such as rotational speed, temperature, and air flow based on the detected presence or absence of bulky items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual user input or default settings are used to determine drying parameters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different laundry loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual user input (mechanical/system-based selection) with an automated imaging and image recognition system. The imaging device captures images of the laundry load, and image recognition algorithms automatically identify bulky items, replacing the need for manual user assessment and input, thereby increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the dryer to automatically detect and analyze its own laundry load using an integrated imaging device and image recognition processor. The controller autonomously determines the presence of bulky items and adjusts drying parameters without external user input, allowing the device to serve itself in terms of load assessment and parameter optimization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If imaging system and image recognition are integrated to detect bulky items, then the adaptability to different laundry loads is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures images of the laundry load, the images are processed to identify bulky items, and the information is used to control drying parameters. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate systems into a unified approach, where a single imaging system performs detection, analysis, and control guidance, thereby managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The image recognition system acts as an intermediary between the physical laundry load and the control system. Instead of direct mechanical or manual interaction, the imaging device captures visual information, the processor analyzes it to detect bulky items, and the controller uses this information to adjust drying parameters, creating an intelligent mediation layer that enhances adaptability.
3Productivity
If drying parameters are adjusted based on detected bulky items, then the drying performance is improved, but the loss of time for detection and analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device captures images of the laundry load at the beginning of the drying cycle, before the actual drying process starts. The image recognition system analyzes these images to detect bulky items and determine appropriate drying parameters in advance. This preliminary detection and analysis allow the controller to set optimized drying parameters from the start, avoiding time loss during the drying cycle itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs rapid image capture and analysis at the outset, rushing through the detection phase quickly so that the optimized drying process can begin immediately. The imaging and image recognition are designed to operate efficiently and swiftly, minimizing the time spent on detection and analysis before the productive drying phase commences.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry within the treating chamber.