Laundry Hygiene Level Display Using Ozone and Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry treatment appliances lack an effective method to determine and display the degree of hygiene, particularly in low-temperature washing cycles, which can lead to inadequate germ reduction and biofilm formation, posing health risks, especially in households with vulnerable individuals.
Innovation Solution
A method and appliance that predict and display the hygiene level of laundry by using biosensors, ozone sensors, and historical program data to quantify germ contamination, allowing for adjustment of washing parameters to achieve desired hygiene levels, including the use of ozone for disinfection and consideration of user-specific hygiene needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If low temperature washing is used, then energy consumption is reduced and textile damage is minimized, but the level of hygiene and germ reduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter being monitored from temperature to ozone concentration. Instead of relying on high temperature to achieve hygiene, the system uses ozone concentration as the key parameter to ensure germ reduction while maintaining low temperature washing, thus resolving the contradiction between energy savings and hygiene level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where ozone concentration is continuously measured and used to control the washing process. The control unit adjusts washing parameters based on real-time ozone concentration data from sensors, ensuring that hygiene requirements are met while maintaining energy-efficient low temperature operation.
2Reliability
If hygiene programs are activated to improve cleanliness, then germ reduction is enhanced, but the process time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service principles by automatically monitoring ozone concentration and adjusting washing parameters without requiring user intervention. The sensors and control unit work autonomously to optimize the washing process, eliminating the need for separate high-energy hygiene programs while maintaining high hygiene standards throughout the washing cycle.
3Reliability
If ozone concentration is increased for disinfection, then germ reduction is improved, but the risk of material damage and user exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control where ozone concentration is continuously monitored by sensors and used to adjust the ozone generation and washing parameters in real-time. This ensures that ozone concentration remains within safe limits that are effective for germ reduction while preventing material damage and user exposure risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from fixed high ozone concentration to dynamically adjusted ozone levels based on real-time sensor feedback. This allows optimal germ reduction while maintaining ozone concentration below thresholds that cause material damage or pose safety risks to users.
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 laundry hygiene, ensuring improved germ reduction and user-specific hygiene standards, reducing energy consumption and protecting laundry from excessive temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a first degree of hygiene Horig is determined using at least one sensor, in particular a biosensor or an ozone sensor
Implementation Method 2
a first degree of hygiene Horig is determined using at least one sensor, in particular a biosensor or an ozone sensor
Implementation Method 3
the degree of hygiene of the laundry can be determined by changing the concentration or quantity of a disinfectant such as ozone
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for identifying and displaying a level of hygiene of laundry 7 in a laundry treatment appliance 1 which has a container 3 for accommodating laundry 7 which is to be treated, has a control device 12 which is designed to carry out a plurality of selectable laundry treatment programmes, and has a display apparatus 29, wherein a level of hygiene Hres which is predicted after a laundry treatment programme has been selected and/or a level of hygiene Hres of the laundry 7 which results after a selected laundry treatment programme has been executed is displayed on the display apparatus 29 as a signal S1. The method also comprises steps for determining the predicted or resulting level of hygiene Hres of the laundry 7 taking into consideration a prespecified or determined initial level of hygiene Horig and/or the selected laundry treatment programme. The invention also relates to a laundry treatment appliance 1 which is suitable for carrying out this method.