Device, water-conducting household appliance and method for customizing a washing program
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Solution Overview
Problem
Universal washing programs in water-conducting household appliances, such as dishwashers, are often inefficient as they do not account for the specific nature of soiling, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and resource usage, as they only react to turbidity after soiling has been removed.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor for acquiring spectral measurement values of organic compounds in the washing water, a determination unit to identify functional groups, and a customization unit to adjust washing parameters like temperature and chemical addition based on these groups, allowing for optimized cleaning and resource conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a universal washing program is used, then all potential types of soiling are addressed, but the washing program becomes unnecessarily long and consumes excessive energy and washing agents
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs spectral measurements of organic compounds in the washing water during the wash cycle to detect functional groups of soiling components. This preliminary detection enables the control unit to customize washing parameters (temperature, duration, washing agent dosage) in real-time, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring effective cleaning of the actual soiling present
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts washing parameters including temperature, program duration, and washing agent dosage based on the detected functional groups. By changing these parameters according to the actual soiling composition rather than using fixed universal settings, the system achieves effective cleaning with reduced energy and resource consumption
2Adaptability or versatility
If turbidity sensors are used to customize washing programs, then temperature and duration can be adjusted, but no information is provided about the specific nature of soiling components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/turbidity sensors with a sensor that performs spectral measurements to detect organic compounds. This substitution enables identification of functional groups (proteins, carbohydrates, fats) in the soiling, providing detailed compositional information that goes beyond simple turbidity detection and allows for targeted washing program customization
3Adaptability or versatility
If turbidity sensors are used, then washing programs can be customized after soiling removal, but the sensors only operate when soiling has already been removed
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs spectral measurements during the wash cycle to detect functional groups of soiling components in the washing water. This preliminary detection occurs while soiling is still present on items, enabling the control unit to customize washing parameters in real-time rather than after cleaning has occurred, saving time and improving cleaning effectiveness
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 approach enables better detection of soiling nature, quantity, and kinetics, resulting in optimized cleaning with reduced energy and resource usage, ensuring effective removal of soiling components during the wash cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor (13) for acquiring spectral measurement values of organic compounds in the washing water in the water-conducting household appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A device for customizing a washing program for removing soiling from items being washed in a water-conducting household appliance includes a sensor configured to acquire spectral measurement values of organic compounds in washing water in the water-conducting household appliance. A determination unit determines functional groups of the organic compounds based on the acquired spectral measurement values of the organic compounds, and a customization unit customizes washing parameters of a current washing program based on the determined functional groups.