A partial cleaning device suitable for use with a washing machine, a laundry cleaning system comprising the partial cleaning device and a control method for operating the laundry cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines face inefficiencies when users wash lightly soiled laundry with heavily stained items, leading to prolonged cycles and increased energy/water consumption, as existing pre-cleaning solutions lack effective monitoring and control.
Innovation Solution
A partial cleaning device with a communication circuit that interacts with the washing machine's control unit, allowing for monitored and controlled pre-cleaning processes, and subsequent adjustments to washing program parameters such as duration, temperature, and detergent usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If users wash lightly soiled laundry together with heavily stained laundry to decrease energy and detergent consumption, then resource consumption is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates as dirt and stains may not be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is divided into two separate segments: a pre-cleaning phase using the portable device for heavily stained items, and a main washing phase in the washing machine for all laundry. This segmentation allows different cleaning intensities to be applied to different soiling levels, ensuring both lightly soiled and heavily stained items are effectively cleaned while optimizing resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable pre-cleaning device is used before the main washing cycle to remove difficult-to-clean stains and dirt from heavily soiled laundry. By performing this preliminary cleaning action, the subsequent washing cycle can be shortened and use less energy, while still achieving effective cleaning results for all items.
2Reliability
If intensive washing programs are selected to effectively clean heavily stained laundry, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but washing duration is prolonged thereby increasing energy and water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The portable pre-cleaning device performs preliminary stain removal before the main washing cycle. This preliminary action reduces the soil load on the laundry, allowing the washing machine to use shorter, lower-energy washing programs while still achieving effective cleaning results.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable device replicates the pre-cleaning function traditionally performed by intensive washing programs. By copying this function in a separate, portable device, the washing machine can use milder, more energy-efficient programs while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Reliability
If a pre-cleaning device is used to treat regional dirt and stains before washing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to lack of monitoring and control
Solution Approach 1:
The portable pre-cleaning device includes a communication circuit that provides feedback to the washing machine's control unit about the completion of the pre-cleaning process. This feedback mechanism allows the washing machine to automatically adjust subsequent washing parameters, eliminating the need for complex user monitoring and control while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication circuit acts as an intermediary between the portable pre-cleaning device and the washing machine. It automatically transmits operational status and parameters, enabling the washing machine's control unit to adjust washing programs without requiring direct user intervention or complex control interfaces on the portable device.
4Reliability
If washing machine programs are extended to effectively clean all laundry items, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but productivity decreases due to prolonged washing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The portable pre-cleaning device performs preliminary stain removal before the main washing cycle, reducing the time and energy needed for the subsequent washing process. This allows users to achieve effective cleaning of both lightly soiled and heavily stained laundry in a total time shorter than using extended intensive washing programs for all items.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a partial cleaning device (5) comprising a body (6) moved over the laundry by being grasped through hand by the user, enabling the laundry to be treated with a pre-cleaning process by at least partially removing stains and dirt before washing, and a washing machine (1) wherein the partial cleaning device is used, comprising a case (2), a panel (3) provided on the case (2), enabling monitoring and controlling of washing by the user, and a control unit (4) enabling control according to user preferences determined by means of the panel (3). The present invention also relates to a laundry cleaning system (10) wherein the partial cleaning device (5) and the washing machine (1) are provided.