Automatic Washer Load Sensing for Safe Auto Wash Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in starting wash cycles manually and determining optimal laundry loads, leading to energy inefficiency, out-of-balance loads, and potential damage to washing machines due to either small or large loads.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with smart automatic washing functionality that automatically senses the load size within the wash chamber and executes an auto wash cycle only when the load is between predetermined thresholds, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring optimal energy use and machine safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually start wash cycles and determine load sizes, then users have control over washing operations, but users face inconvenience and may make incorrect judgments leading to energy inefficiency or machine damage
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine automatically detects load size using sensors and executes wash cycles without user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring the wash chamber, determining optimal wash parameters, and controlling the washing process autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually start cycles or judge load sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual user actions with automated sensing and control systems. Load size detection sensors and microprocessors substitute for human judgment, while automated actuators replace manual knob-turning or button-pressing operations, transitioning from mechanical user interaction to electronic automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users run wash cycles with minimal laundry articles, then users can wash small loads, but this causes energy inefficiency and out-of-balance loads that can harm the washing machine
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect load size and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the washing machine determines whether the load meets minimum thresholds for efficient operation, preventing energy-wasting cycles on overly small loads while maintaining the ability to adapt to various load sizes within acceptable ranges.
3Productivity
If users attempt to wash loads that exceed the washing machine's load capacity, then users can wash large amounts of laundry, but the load size may damage the washing machine appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of load size before initiating the wash cycle. By detecting potential overload conditions in advance, the system prevents harmful actions (starting a wash cycle with excessive load) that could damage the machine, while still allowing maximum productive use of the appliance within safe operating limits.
4Ease of operation
If the washing machine requires manual intervention to start wash cycles, then users have full control over washing operations, but this eliminates automated convenience and requires user presence
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine autonomously monitors the wash chamber, detects load size, determines optimal wash parameters, and executes wash cycles without requiring user presence or manual intervention. The system serves itself by completing the entire washing process automatically from load detection to cycle completion.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance with smart automatic washing functionality is provided. The washing machine automatically senses the amount of articles within a wash chamber defined by the washing machine appliance and runs the wash cycle automatically when the amount of articles within the wash chamber is greater than a minimum load size threshold and less than a maximum load size threshold. Methods for providing such smart automatic washing functionality are also provided.