Fabric cleaning appliance with performance enhancement selector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating appliances lack the ability to dynamically adjust wash cycles and chemical dispensing times to enhance cleaning performance based on user preferences, often resulting in suboptimal cleaning results.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating appliance with a rotatable drum and user interface that includes a performance enhancement selector, allowing users to activate additional wash phases with different water temperatures and chemical dosages, controlled by a controller that adjusts wash parameters such as water level, temperature, and detergent dispensing times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a preprogrammed wash cycle is used, then the operation is simple and automatic, but the cleaning performance cannot be optimized for specific needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts wash cycle parameters by allowing users to activate additional wash phases through the performance enhancement selector. The controller modifies dispensing times, water temperatures, and cycle durations based on user selection, transforming a static preprogrammed cycle into a dynamic, adaptable process that optimizes cleaning performance while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key process parameters including water temperature (adding hot water phase), chemical dosage (additional detergent dispensing), and time distribution (modified wash phase durations) to enhance cleaning performance. Users can activate these parameter changes through the performance enhancement selector, allowing optimization without complicating the user interface.
2Reliability
If additional wash phases and chemical dispensing are added, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing controller and dispensing system are designed to perform multiple functions: executing preprogrammed cycles, responding to performance enhancement selections, and coordinating additional chemical dispensing and water heating. This multi-functionality allows the system to enhance cleaning performance without adding separate dedicated hardware for each function, thereby limiting complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing infrastructure (controller, dispensing mechanism, water supply) to serve the additional function of performance enhancement. Rather than requiring new hardware, the existing components are reconfigured through software control to provide enhanced cleaning, reducing the need for additional device complexity.
3Reliability
If treating chemistry is dispensed at different times, then stain removal is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is preprogrammed with multiple dispensing time options for the treating chemistry. When the performance enhancement selector is activated, the controller executes the pre-planned alternative dispensing schedule, which staggers chemical release to coincide with different wash phases. This preliminary programming approach allows complex timing control without requiring real-time decision-making complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates user feedback through the performance enhancement selector to modify chemical dispensing timing. The controller monitors the user selection and adjusts the dispensing schedule accordingly, creating a feedback loop that optimizes stain removal based on user needs while maintaining manageable control complexity through automated response.
Data Source
AI summary
The laundry treating device has a user interface configured to receive a user selection of a preprogrammed wash cycle. A treating chemistry dispenser has multiple treating chemistry cups configured to dispense treating chemistry to the treating chamber during the selected washing cycle. A controller configured to activate dispensing from each of the treating chemistry cups at preprogrammed times during the wash cycle. A performance enhancement selector configured to receive a user selection such that activation of the performance enhancement selector causes the controller to dispense one of the treating chemistry cups at a different time than the preprogrammed time during the wash cycle.