Laundry Load Surface Detection for Automatic Cycle Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry treating appliances often require manual selection of cycles by users, which can lead to inefficient operation and inappropriate use of resources, especially for smaller loads where manual selection may result in overspray or underspray of treating chemistry, affecting drying performance and energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an imaging system within the appliance to determine the surface area of laundry based on image data, allowing the controller to automatically select the appropriate cycle parameters such as rotational speed, temperature, and treating chemistry usage, optimizing the drying process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual cycle selection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inappropriate treating parameters for different load sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle selection mechanismVSAvoidtreating parameter accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects laundry load size using image processing and autonomously selects appropriate treating cycles and parameters, eliminating the need for manual user input while ensuring precise parameter selection matched to the actual load characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cycle selection with an automated optical detection system using cameras and image processing algorithms to determine load size and automatically adjust treating parameters, substituting human operation with computational analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual cycle selection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance increases due to overspray or underspray of treating chemistry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle selection simplicityVSAvoidtreating chemistry usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects laundry load size using image processing and autonomously selects appropriate treating cycles and parameters, eliminating the need for manual user input while ensuring precise parameter selection matched to the actual load characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system captures images of the laundry load, processes the visual data to determine load size, and uses this information to adjust treating chemistry dosage and cycle parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes resource usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If manual cycle selection is used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to inappropriate temperature and time parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoiddrying energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects laundry load size using image processing and autonomously selects appropriate treating cycles and parameters, eliminating the need for manual user input while ensuring precise parameter selection matched to the actual load characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts treating parameters including temperature, time, and chemical dosage based on detected load size characteristics, optimizing energy consumption by matching process intensity to actual laundry requirements rather than using fixed manual settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9745688B2Laundry treating appliance with load surface area detection

Publication Date: 2017.08.29 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

The invention relates to a laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of the laundry treating appliance by determining the surface area of the laundry based on image data of the laundry.