Laundry Weight Prediction Using a Soft Sensor in Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry treatment appliances lack an accurate and fast method to determine the weight of laundry without using expensive sensors, relying on indirect and time-consuming methods that are not precise, especially for different textile types.
Innovation Solution
A data-driven soft sensor method that predicts laundry weight using supervised learning, utilizing existing sensors to gather operating condition data and training a model to estimate weight based on input parameters such as motor torque, power, and water absorption patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a real weight sensor is used to obtain accurate laundry weight, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weight sensor with an electrical measurement system. It uses the electric motor's current consumption and power data to infer laundry weight through software algorithms, eliminating the need for physical weight sensors and their associated costs and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces power consumption data as an intermediary parameter. Instead of measuring weight directly, it measures the electrical power consumed by the motor during drum rotation, which correlates with laundry weight, and uses this intermediate measurement to derive the weight information.
2Device complexity
If indirect water absorption method is used to estimate laundry weight, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the water absorption measurement method with an electrical power measurement approach. By measuring the motor's power consumption during drum rotation, it obtains weight information faster and more accurately without relying on water absorption characteristics of different textiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from water absorption (which varies by textile type) to electrical power consumption (which provides consistent correlation with weight). This parameter change enables faster and more accurate weight determination across different laundry compositions.
3Device complexity
If indirect water absorption method is used to estimate laundry weight, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming water absorption method with instantaneous electrical power measurements. The motor's power consumption can be measured in real-time during drum operation, providing immediate weight information without requiring minutes of water absorption and measurement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the determination of a laundry weight in a laundry treatment appliance comprising: Selecting a laundry program in the laundry treatment appliance; Starting the selected laundry program; Sensing a plurality of parameters indicating operating conditions of the laundry treatment appliance during the laundry program; and Predicting a weight of the laundry present within the laundry treatment appliance based on said plurality of parameters by means of a data-driven soft sensor.