Washing Machine Color Sensing for Pre-Wash Laundry Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machines rely on unreliable dye detection in wash water to differentiate between white and colored laundry, leading to potential discoloration and incorrect washing processes, especially since not all colored items release dye rapidly.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a color sensor and control unit that determines the laundry color before the washing process, using a presence sensor and white light source to ensure accurate detection and prevent user intervention, with an indicator to inform the user of the laundry type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dye detection in wash water is used to differentiate white and colored laundry, then the washing control can be established, but the detection is unreliable since not all colored laundry release dye rapidly and the laundry may be discolored
Solution Approach 1:
The color sensor detects the color of laundry before the washing process begins, allowing the washing machine to determine the appropriate washing program in advance. This preliminary detection eliminates the need for dye release during washing, preventing laundry discoloration while ensuring reliable detection of colored items regardless of their dye-release properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical-based dye detection method with an optical detection system using a color sensor. This substitution allows for non-contact, non-invasive color detection that does not require chemical interaction with the laundry, thereby preventing discoloration while improving detection reliability across all fabric types.
2Measurement precision
If manual sorting of laundry by color is required, then accurate color differentiation can be achieved, but the ease of operation is reduced and user intervention is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine performs automatic color detection and washing program selection without requiring user intervention. The color sensor automatically detects the laundry color, and the control unit autonomously determines the appropriate washing program, enabling true single-button operation while maintaining accurate color differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the color sensor to automatically adjust the washing program selection. The detected color information is fed back to the control unit, which then selects the appropriate washing parameters, creating a closed-loop system that eliminates the need for manual sorting while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If detection is made during the washing operation based on dye release, then the washing control can be established, but the washing duration must be extended to allow sufficient time for dye release
Solution Approach 1:
Color detection is performed before the washing cycle begins, eliminating the need to extend washing duration for dye release. The preliminary detection provides immediate color information, allowing the washing machine to start the appropriate washing program without time loss.
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
Ensures accurate differentiation between white and colored laundry, preventing discoloration and erroneous washing by determining the appropriate washing parameters automatically, allowing for reliable single-button operation with minimal user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a color sensor (4) that detects the color of the laundry (L) while the laundry (L) is loaded into the drum (2) or afterwards
Implementation Method 2
The light source, which is energized as the laundry is emplaced into the drum through the loading port, provides to adjust the lighting level of the region to be detected by the color sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
By means of the present invention, the determination of colored-white laundry (L) can be made for the laundry (L) emplaced into the drum (2) by utilizing the color sensor (4) before starting the washing process. The washing parameters are determined depending on the colored-white laundry (L) differentiation and the washing process is started accordingly. Particularly in single button washing machines (1) wherein the intervention of the user is minimal, the determination of the washing process depending on the color of the laundry (L) can be made independently from the user.