Optical Displacement Detection in Dishwashers to Reduce Re-Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashing machines face issues with degraded washing and drying performance due to unstable positioning of dishware, mechanical action of washing fluid, water weight, and blockage of impellers or detergent dispenser doors, leading to inefficient cleaning cycles and increased resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses optical devices in a dishwashing machine to capture and process images of the washing area, identifying the contours of objects and detecting any displacement, allowing for real-time assessment and adjustment of the cleaning program to maintain proper object positioning and optimize resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical devices are used to monitor object displacement in real-time, then washing quality and resource efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device serves multiple functions: it captures images of the washing area, processes images to detect object displacement, and provides control signals to adjust washing parameters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate monitoring and control systems, thereby improving washing quality while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the optical device continuously monitors object displacement and sends control signals to adjust washing parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures high washing quality by adapting to changing conditions while using a relatively simple closed-loop control structure.
2Measurement precision
If image processing is performed to detect object contours and displacement, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image processing only when necessary to detect object displacement, rather than continuously analyzing all image data. By processing images selectively based on detected changes or specific washing phases, the system achieves sufficient measurement precision while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous full-image processing.
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 reduces the need for re-washing and minimizes water, detergent, and power consumption by automatically detecting and addressing object displacement, ensuring efficient cleaning and maintaining optimal washing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first digital image of a plurality of objects in the washing area is captured by an optical device
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates a method of automatically assessing the displacement of an object (S, 5, 7) in a washing area (2) of a dishwashing machine (1) having optical means (8) and a user interface (9). The method includes acquiring, processing and comparing various images to check whether the object (S, 5, 7) has moved, to indicate a change-of-operating-state condition (16A) through said user interface (9).