Laundry machine with smart dispenser and method for operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smart dispensers in laundry machines dispense detergent without considering whether additional detergent has been manually provided by the user, leading to inefficiencies and potential over-dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A laundry machine with an imaging device to detect detergent presence, a controller to determine user input, and a dispenser that adjusts detergent dispensing based on user request or wash cycle initiation, preventing redundant dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the smart dispenser automatically dispenses detergent without detection, then the operation is simple and fast, but redundant dispensing occurs when users manually add detergent
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device performs preliminary detection of detergent presence in the wash chamber before the dispenser operates. This advance detection prevents redundant dispensing by informing the controller whether manual detergent has already been added, allowing the system to adjust dispensing decisions accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the imaging device continuously monitors the wash chamber for detergent presence and communicates this information to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine whether additional detergent dispensing is necessary, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents over-dispensing.
2Loss of substance
If the imaging device detects detergent presence, then redundant dispensing is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves as an intermediary component between the user's manual detergent addition and the automated dispenser. It captures images of the wash chamber, processes them to detect detergent presence, and provides this information to the controller, which then makes informed dispensing decisions. This intermediary detection layer adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing redundant dispensing.
3Loss of substance
If the system requests user confirmation before dispensing, then detergent is only dispensed when needed, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial detection by checking for detergent presence only when necessary, rather than continuously monitoring throughout the entire wash cycle preparation. The imaging device captures images at key decision points, and the controller uses this partial information to make dispensing decisions, balancing thoroughness with time efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry machine appliance including an imaging device configured to view a wash chamber, and a method for operation, are provided. The method includes operating the imaging device toward the wash chamber, and determining, via the imaging device, whether a detergent is provided to the wash chamber. When determined that the detergent is provided, via the user, to the wash chamber, the method transmits a communications signal to a user to determine whether a user wants detergent to be supplied, via the dispenser, to the wash basket. The method dispenses, via a dispenser, detergent to the wash chamber, when the user requests dispensation of detergent by the dispenser. When determined that the detergent is not provided, via the user, to the wash chamber, the method obtains a user control signal corresponding to a command for starting a wash cycle and dispensing, via the dispenser, detergent to the wash chamber.