Laundry Load Type Detection Using Motor Torque Response Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry treating appliances face challenges in accurately determining the load type and size before a wash cycle, leading to inconsistent liquid absorption and potential over or under-use of water, which affects cleaning efficiency and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The method involves applying a perturbation force to the laundry using a rotatable drum and analyzing the motor torque response to determine the load type, allowing for precise identification of fabric composition and weight before the wash cycle begins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If user input is used to determine load type and size, then the system is simple to operate, but the determination accuracy is low due to user errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload type determination accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-detection of load type and size by automatically measuring motor torque characteristics during drum rotation, eliminating the need for user input. The controller analyzes the torque signal to automatically determine fabric composition and load weight, making the system both accurate and autonomous.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual user assessment with an automated mechanical measurement system that uses motor torque sensing to detect load properties. This substitution of mechanical measurement for human judgment significantly improves determination accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If water is applied before load type is determined, then the wash cycle can start immediately, but liquid absorption becomes inconsistent affecting cleaning efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtime to determine load type

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs load type and size determination before the wash cycle begins by analyzing motor torque characteristics during an initial drum rotation phase. This preliminary detection enables optimal water quantity and temperature selection in advance, ensuring consistent liquid absorption and improved cleaning efficiency without significant time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the motor (torque, speed) during the detection phase to extract information about load type and size. By analyzing torque characteristics at different rotation speeds, the system can identify fabric composition and load weight before water application, optimizing subsequent wash parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If over-use of water is applied to ensure adequate cleaning, then cleaning performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from motor torque measurements to determine actual load type and size, then adjusts water quantity and temperature accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures optimal water usage matched to the actual load characteristics, maintaining cleaning performance while minimizing energy consumption through precise water dosing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Based on the detected load type and size, the system dynamically adjusts wash parameters including water quantity, temperature, and cycle duration. This parameter optimization ensures adequate cleaning for each specific load while avoiding excessive water and energy usage, resolving the contradiction between cleaning reliability and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enables optimal water usage and temperature selection, improving cleaning performance and energy efficiency by accurately determining the load type and size before the wash cycle, ensuring proper buoyancy and reducing errors associated with user input.

Implementation Method 1

a motor operably coupled to the rotatable laundry mover. The method includes steps to apply a perturbation force to the laundry in the treating chamber by rotating the laundry mover with the motor; determine the response of the motor torque to the perturbation force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9551103B2Method to detect the type of a load in a laundry treating appliance

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A method of determining load type in a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry, a rotatable laundry mover, and a motor operably coupled to the rotatable laundry mover includes steps to apply a perturbation force to the laundry in the treating chamber by rotating the laundry mover with the motor; determine the response of the motor torque to the perturbation force during the rotating of the laundry mover; and determine a load type based on the determined response.