Device for sensing remaining amount of detergent in washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines, particularly those using liquid detergent, lack the ability to accurately detect the remaining amount of detergent in real time and provide information on the number of washing cycles available, leading to inconveniences and incomplete laundry washing.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pair of resistance electrode rods submerged in the detergent tank, connected to a control unit that measures electrical characteristics to determine the remaining detergent level and predict the number of washing cycles available, using a resistance electrode rod made of an insulating and conductive material with a resistance between 10 Ω and 100 MΩ, and a display unit to show the results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple electrode rod device is used to detect detergent level, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of remaining detergent amount is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode rod is segmented into multiple sections along its length, with each section having a different resistance value. This segmentation allows the detection system to distinguish between different detergent levels by measuring the total resistance, which is the sum of resistances of the submerged sections. The segmented structure enables precise quantification of remaining detergent amount while maintaining a simple single-rod physical form.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode rod employs resistance as the detection parameter, where different sections of the rod have different resistance values. As the detergent level changes, the total resistance measured between the rod and tank wall changes accordingly. This parameter-based approach allows precise measurement of detergent amount without complex mechanical or optical structures.
2Device complexity
If only the existence/non-existence of liquid detergent is detected, then the detection method is simple, but the information about the number of washing cycles available is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the resistance value of the electrode rod and provides feedback to the display unit. Based on the measured resistance, the system calculates and displays both the current detergent level and the estimated number of washing cycles remaining. This feedback mechanism transforms simple presence/absence detection into informative quantitative data without requiring complex additional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode rod serves multiple functions: it detects both the presence and the quantity of remaining detergent through resistance measurement. The same simple structural element provides comprehensive information about detergent status, eliminating the need for separate sensors for different detection purposes.
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 device provides real-time detection of detergent levels and informs users about the number of washing cycles available, enhancing user convenience and ensuring complete laundry washing.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the pair of electrode rods is a resistance electrode rod consisting of an inner core and an electrical resistor coated onto the peripheral surface of the inner core, and the electrical resistor is made by mixing an insulating material and a conductive material and has a given resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for detecting the remaining amount of detergent in a washing machine, which senses the remaining amount of detergent filled in a detergent tank and provides information on the number of washing cycles available afterwards. The present embodiment relates to a device for detecting the remaining amount of detergent in a washing machine, comprising: a pair of electrode rods provided in a detergent tank in such a way as to be submerged in the detergent; and a control unit which supplies a current to the pair of electrode rods, extracts the remaining amount of detergent by using a change in electrical characteristics measured between the pair of electrode rods according to the level of the detergent, and provides information of the remaining amount of detergent to a display unit, wherein at least one of the pair of electrode rods is a resistance electrode rod consisting of an inner core and an electrical resistor coated onto the peripheral surface of the inner core, and the electrical resistor is made by mixing an insulating material and a conductive material and has a given resistance.