Laundry Appliance RFID Cycle Selection Using Rotating Chamber Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating appliances face challenges in accurately identifying and selecting the appropriate cycle of operation for laundry items within the treating chamber, as RFID tags outside the chamber can be mistakenly read, leading to incorrect cycle selection.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a rotating basket in the laundry treating appliance that distinguishes between moving and stationary RFID tags by analyzing signal strength, ensuring only data from items within the chamber are considered for cycle determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags are used to identify laundry items, then cycle selection accuracy should improve, but stationary RFID tags outside the chamber cause incorrect cycle selection
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the dynamic motion of the treating chamber to differentiate between valid and invalid RFID tags. During rotation, only tags attached to laundry items inside the chamber will move with it, while stationary tags outside remain fixed. This dynamic approach converts a static identification problem into a dynamic one, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic rotation of the treating chamber to periodically sample RFID signals. By analyzing signal characteristics across multiple rotation cycles, the system can distinguish between moving tags (laundry items) and stationary tags (external interference), thereby improving both cycle selection accuracy and reliability.
2Reliability
If shielding materials are used to block external RFID signals, then reliability of RFID reading improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding shielding materials to block external signals, the system extracts and utilizes the natural motion characteristic of the treating chamber. By analyzing the motion state of detected RFID tags, the system automatically filters out stationary external tags without requiring any additional shielding structures, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding increased complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inherent rotation of the treating chamber during normal operation to automatically differentiate between internal and external RFID tags. No additional active components or shielding mechanisms are required - the system leverages its own operational motion to solve the signal interference problem, reducing both complexity and cost.
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
Ensures accurate cycle selection by filtering out RFID data from stationary tags outside the chamber, enhancing the precision of laundry treatment without requiring costly shielding materials.
Implementation Method 1
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology can be utilized for identifying laundry items in order to suggest or select a cycle of operation for the laundry treating appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior. An antenna is configured to receive RFID data from RFID tags on the laundry items and outputs a signal indicative of the RFID data. A controller receives the signal from the antenna and is configured to process the signal and to suggest, alter, or implement the cycle of operation based on the signal.