Method, device and system of controlling clothing treating courses according to clothing materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothing treating devices, such as washing machines and dryers, require manual user selection of clothing courses, leading to potential damage of special care items like wool or fur due to lack of advanced material recognition, and struggle with identifying clothing properties in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using AI technology to classify clothing materials by sensing the weight and motor current pattern when a hanger is vibrated, allowing automatic execution of appropriate treating courses without user intervention, incorporating a weight sensor, motor current sensor, and a clothing material classifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vision sensor is used to recognize clothing materials, then the device can identify clothing in well-lit conditions, but it cannot operate in low-light or closed spaces without additional light devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vision sensor (optical system) with a motor current sensor that detects mechanical vibration characteristics. When the hanger is vibrated, different clothing materials produce distinct motor current patterns that can be identified without requiring light, enabling operation in any environmental condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces motor current pattern as an intermediary measurement. Instead of directly observing clothing properties with a vision sensor, the system uses the motor's current consumption during vibration as an indirect indicator that reflects clothing material properties, enabling identification without direct optical contact.
2Ease of operation
If manual user selection of clothing courses is required, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot recognize special care clothing in advance leading to fabric damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the clothing itself to 'identify' through its effect on motor current patterns during vibration. The clothing material's physical properties naturally influence the motor's electrical characteristics, allowing the system to automatically determine the appropriate course without user intervention or complex external sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in motor current parameters (amplitude, frequency, waveform) during hanger vibration to differentiate clothing materials. By analyzing these electrical parameter variations rather than adding complex sensing systems, the device achieves automatic recognition with minimal added complexity.
3Measurement precision
If radar-based material recognition is used, then material information can be identified, but the system requires radar reflection wave information making it difficult to identify materials with only image information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of material identification into a single motor current measurement system. Instead of using separate radar and image sensors, the system merges the detection capability into the existing motor drive system, using the motor's electrical characteristics during vibration to identify both material properties and optimize treatment.
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
The system effectively identifies clothing materials and automatically selects optimal treating courses, reducing damage and enhancing user convenience by providing notifications for special care items and optimizing performance based on user preferences and learned motor current patterns.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a motor current pattern which is reflected to a motor in accordance with a weight of the clothing when the hanger is vibrated
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a clothing course control system including a clothing treating course controller according to a clothing material and a server. The clothing treating course controller includes a hanger, a motor configured to vibrate the hanger, a motor current sensor configured to sense a motor current pattern, a clothing material classifier configured to classify a clothing material based on the motor current pattern, and a course controller configured to execute a clothing treating course according to the classified clothing material, the server includes an artificial intelligence model learner configured to generate a clothing material classifying engine trained with data related to the received motor current pattern through an artificial neural network. According to the present disclosure, a clothing treating course of a clothing treating device may be controlled using an artificial intelligence (AI) based clothing material classifying technique and a 5G network.