Laundry Additive Concentration Feedback for Reused Wash Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for wet laundry treatment in both commercial and household settings lead to overdosing of treatment additives, resulting in pollution and unnecessary costs due to the lack of precise measurement and dosing of additives in reused treatment liquids.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where treatment additives are measured 'in situ' during the ongoing laundry process, allowing for precise dosing based on concentration measurements before reusing the treatment liquids, ensuring the desired concentration is maintained throughout the treatment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If treatment additives are dosed based on empirical values to ensure sufficient concentration, then the treatment liquid has adequate effectiveness, but unused treatment additives pollute sewage treatment plants and the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring the concentration of treatment additives in the treatment liquid and using this information to control subsequent dosing. The measurement unit continuously monitors additive concentration, and the control unit adjusts dosing rates based on actual measured values, ensuring neither deficiency nor excess dosing occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/empirical dosing system with an automated measurement and control system. Instead of relying on empirical dosing values, the system uses measurement units to detect additive concentrations and electronic control units to automatically adjust dosing, substituting manual estimation with precise instrumental measurement and automated control
2Loss of energy
If treatment liquid is reused to reduce fresh water consumption, then water efficiency improves, but the concentration of treatment additives may become insufficient without additional dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures the concentration of treatment additives in the reused treatment liquid and uses this feedback information to control subsequent dosing. The control unit compares measured concentrations with target concentrations and automatically adjusts dosing rates to maintain adequate effectiveness during liquid reuse
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary measurement of treatment additive concentration in the treatment liquid before reusing it for the next washing cycle. This advance measurement allows the control system to pre-calculate and adjust the dosing amount needed, ensuring adequate concentration is maintained from the start of the next cycle
3Quantity of substance
If measurement and dosing systems are implemented to precisely control treatment additive concentration, then additive usage is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement and control system is designed to be universally applicable to different types of treatment additives and washing machine configurations. The system can measure various additive types (surfactants, bleaching agents, disinfectants) and works with different dosing mechanisms, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-regulating, where the measurement unit automatically detects additive concentrations and the control unit autonomously adjusts dosing without requiring external intervention. The system self-calibrates and maintains optimal operation, reducing the operational complexity burden on users
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves washing, rinsing and dewatering clothes by a treating fluid comprising a treating supplement. Ratio of the treating supplement in the treating fluid is measured during operation of a continuous washing machine (10) and a dewatering device. The measurement of the treating supplement in the treating fluid is enabled between batches of washing of consecutive wet treating. A tension meter is utilized for measuring washing active treating supplement.