Retrofittable Sensor Unit for Adaptive Detergent Dosing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning machines face challenges in optimizing the dosage of cleaning agents, leading to inefficient energy, water, and detergent usage due to the inability to accurately assess soiling conditions and adjust dosing accordingly.
Innovation Solution
A retrofittable sensor unit with sensors for detecting various parameters, including viscosity, turbidity, and image processing cameras, communicates with a dosing device to adjust cleaning agent delivery based on real-time soiling conditions, allowing for flexible and efficient dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cleaning machines use fixed dosing systems, then device complexity is reduced, but dosing precision deteriorates leading to inefficient energy, water, and detergent usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a sensor unit with multiple sensors for detecting soiling conditions, a control unit for processing sensor data and determining dosing requirements, and a dosing device for delivering cleaning agents. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor unit continuously monitors cleaning solution properties (turbidity, viscosity, color, pH) and provides real-time feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts dosing commands based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precise dosing while adapting to changing cleaning conditions throughout the process.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated into the cleaning machine, then measurement precision of soiling conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed as a multi-functional module that performs multiple measurement tasks using different sensors (turbidity, viscosity, color, pH) to comprehensively assess soiling conditions. This universal sensor unit can be retrofitted to various cleaning machine types, making the complex measurement system adaptable across different applications without requiring separate sensor systems for each machine type.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensors, processes the information, and translates it into dosing commands. This intermediary component simplifies the system architecture by centralizing data processing and coordination, reducing the complexity burden that would otherwise be distributed across the entire system.
3Productivity
If continuous monitoring of cleaning progress is implemented, then productivity is improved through flexible process termination, but use of energy increases due to continuous operation of sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit operates continuously throughout the cleaning process, monitoring cleaning solution properties in real-time. This continuous monitoring enables the system to detect when cleaning objectives are achieved, allowing for timely termination of the process and avoidance of unnecessary energy consumption from extended operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit autonomously processes sensor data and determines when cleaning goals are met, automatically terminating the cleaning process without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability improves productivity by enabling flexible process termination while the system manages its own energy consumption through intelligent control.
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
This solution enables energy-, water-, and detergent-saving cleaning processes by ensuring the optimal dosage of cleaning agents is used only when needed, reducing costs and environmental impact while maintaining effective cleaning results.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor for measuring viscosity
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor for measuring turbidity
Implementation Method 3
at least one mini or micro camera for detecting measured variables of items to be cleaned
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor unit (1) that can be retrofitted for controlling a dosing device (3) of a washing machine (44), comprising a detection module having at least one sensor (18, 18') and configured for detecting the state of the washing solution or of the material to be washed; at least one monitoring unit (20) configured for determining a current state of soiling of material to be washed using the sensed measurement variables; at least one communication unit (6) configured for transmitting a dosing command to the dosing device (3) as a function of the current state of soiling of the material to be washed; wherein the sensor unit (1) that can be retrofitted can be arranged separately from the dosing device (3).