Sensor-Guided Spot Treatment for Post-Wash Stain Removal in Laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry cleaning methods often fail to completely remove stains, leading to cost-intensive and complex processes for identifying and removing residual stains on cleaned items, particularly flat items like clothing.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that use a sensor system to detect and target specific stains on laundry items after washing or finishing, applying bleaching or spotting agents locally through a nozzle bar, optionally with plasma treatment, to remove stains efficiently and gently, reducing mechanical and chemical stress on the laundry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional washing methods are used, then laundry is cleaned, but stains remain that require complex and cost-intensive additional treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting stains immediately after the washing cycle while the laundry is still on the conveyor belt, before any additional treatment is needed. The sensor device identifies stained areas in real-time, allowing for immediate targeted treatment without requiring complex separate detection processes later
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements local quality by applying bleaching agents only to the specific stained areas detected by the sensor, rather than treating the entire garment. The nozzle bar is positioned and controlled to deliver treatment agents precisely to the coordinates of detected stains, minimizing chemical usage and avoiding complex full-garment reprocessing
2Reliability
If targeted local treatment with bleaching agents is applied, then stain removal effectiveness increases, but chemical stress on the laundry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by restricting chemical treatment to only the detected stain areas rather than the entire laundry item. The nozzle bar system delivers bleaching agents precisely to stained coordinates, minimizing overall chemical exposure while maintaining effective stain removal at the treatment locations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses partial action by applying bleaching agents only in the minimum necessary quantity and area required to treat detected stains. Rather than excessive full-garment treatment, the system delivers controlled amounts of chemical only where needed, reducing cumulative chemical stress on the fabric
3Reliability
If the entire laundry item is treated with bleaching agents, then all stains are addressed, but chemical consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by treating only the specific stained areas identified by the sensor device rather than the entire laundry item. The nozzle bar system is controlled to apply bleaching agents precisely to the coordinates of detected stains, significantly reducing chemical consumption compared to full-item treatment while addressing all problematic areas
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the necessary treatment action from the overall process by isolating and treating only the stained portions of the laundry. The sensor device identifies specific problem areas, and the nozzle bar delivers treatment agents only to those extracted locations, eliminating unnecessary chemical application to already clean areas
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
Enables effective, targeted stain removal with reduced chemical exposure and cost savings by using only the necessary amount of treatment agents, while minimizing stress on the laundry and improving the efficiency of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
To determine the position of the at least one stain on the item of laundry, the same is moved relative to a sensor device
Implementation Method 2
the necessary quantity or concentration of the bleaching agent and/or spotting agent required for the treatment of the item of laundry decreases
Implementation Method 3
the claimed method takes place within the finisher
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention creates a method and a device (10) whereby stains (21) on items of laundry (12) can be detected and removed.