Multi-Drum Washer Water Reuse Timing With Quality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-drum washing machines lack an efficient automatic control method for reusing water between drums, leading to operational inconvenience and inefficiency in water utilization.
Innovation Solution
A water reuse control method that compares drainage and water supply times between drums, determines water quality, and adjusts operations to ensure full reuse while avoiding contamination and excessive water flow, using turbidity and bubble concentration values to decide on water reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual selection is used to determine water reuse, then users can operate the washing machine, but users must constantly observe and operate only when at home, leading to operational inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine system automatically monitors its own water usage state, drum operation status, and water quality parameters without requiring user intervention. The control unit autonomously determines when water can be reused between drums and executes the transfer automatically, making the system self-sufficient in managing water reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors water quality parameters (turbidity, bubble concentration) and drum operation states, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust water reuse decisions. The control unit receives real-time data from sensors and automatically adjusts the water transfer timing and quantity based on the current system state.
2Device complexity
If water is transferred between drums without quality detection, then water reuse is simplified, but water quality cannot be ensured, potentially causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical quality filtering systems with optical/electrical detection methods. Turbidity sensors and bubble concentration sensors use light transmission and electrical properties to detect water quality, substituting mechanical separation systems with non-contact sensing that is both simpler and more reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in water quality parameters (turbidity, bubble concentration) to determine reuse suitability. By tracking parameter variations over time and comparing them against threshold values, the system reliably determines when water quality is acceptable for reuse without complex chemical analysis.
3Productivity
If water is drained immediately without waiting for other drum, then drainage time is reduced, but water reuse opportunity is lost, wasting water resources
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary assessment of water reuse feasibility before the drainage operation begins. By pre-evaluating the operational state of other drums and water quality parameters, the system prepares the water transfer operation in advance, ensuring that water is retained for reuse when conditions are favorable without delaying the current drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the drainage timing based on real-time monitoring of other drum operations and water quality conditions. Rather than following a fixed drainage schedule, the system flexibly modifies drainage timing to maximize reuse opportunities while maintaining drainage efficiency, adapting to changing system conditions.
4Loss of substance
If water is retained in first drum waiting for second drum, then water reuse is maximized, but drainage time is extended, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual model of the water reuse decision process by comparing current system state against pre-established threshold criteria. Rather than physically testing water quality or manually evaluating reuse conditions, the control unit uses sensor data to create a digital representation of water quality and operational state, making rapid reuse decisions without time-consuming physical assessments.
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 method enables stable and efficient water reuse, optimizing energy and water usage, ensuring reliable washing processes, and preventing water waste by determining the optimal timing for water transfer between drums based on operational states and quality checks.
Implementation Method 1
A turbidity value or a bubble concentration value of the water in the first washing drum is detected. If the turbidity value or the bubble concentration value of the water is smaller than a set value, the water in the first washing drum can be reused.
Data Source
AI summary
A water reuse control method of a multiple-drum washing machine, having a first washing drum and a second washing drum. When the first drum reaches a drainage process, comparing a time for the second drum to reach a water supply process T12 to a time for the first drum to reach a next drainage process T11; if T12<T11, the first drum waits until water is supplied into the second drum; if T12≥T11, water in the first drum is directly drained. Alternatively, when the first drum reaches the water supply process, comparing time for the second drum to reach the drainage process T22 to time for the first drum to reach a next water supply process T21; if T22≥T21, clean water is directly supplied into the first drum; if T22<T21, the first drum waits until the second drum drains water.