Washer Drum Imaging for Accurate Laundry Load Size Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances often face suboptimal performance due to user errors in estimating laundry load size, as current systems rely on mass measurement which can be misleading and confusing, leading to inefficient cycles and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an imaging device and graduated markings within the treating chamber to generate images, allowing the controller to detect and determine the load size based on these markings, providing a more accurate assessment of the laundry load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mass measurement is used to determine load size, then the measurement process is simple, but the load size determination is inaccurate and confusing for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mass measurement system with an optical imaging system. The imaging device captures images of the treating chamber, and the controller analyzes these images to determine load size based on the volume occupied by laundry items relative to the chamber capacity. This substitution of optical measurement for mechanical measurement resolves the contradiction by providing more accurate load size determination without the limitations of mass-based methods.
2Measurement precision
If user manually inputs load size, then the system is simple to operate, but the load size estimation is often inaccurate leading to suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting and determining load size without requiring user input. The imaging device and controller work autonomously to capture images, analyze the treating chamber contents, and calculate load size. This eliminates user estimation errors while maintaining ease of operation, as the automation occurs in the background without requiring user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the imaging device to continuously monitor the treating chamber and provide real-time load size information to the controller. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust treatment parameters based on the actual load size, improving measurement precision while automating the detection process.
3Productivity
If accurate load size determination is implemented, then cycle parameters can be optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures images for load size determination, monitors treating chamber conditions, and provides data for cycle optimization. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve improved productivity through accurate load size determination without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware infrastructure supports multiple operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Method of determining a laundry load size in a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, an imaging device, and a controller having a processor, the method includes generating an images, detecting, marking in the generated image, and determining, by the controller, a load size based on the image.