Washer Suspension Load Sensing for Accurate Laundry Weight
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry machines lack an accurate and cost-effective load sensing device that can reliably measure the weight of laundry, due to complex mounting requirements and unpredictable displacement of moving parts, leading to inaccurate weight estimation.
Innovation Solution
A load sensing device is coupled with the suspension element of a laundry machine, where a first sensor element is associated with the cabinet and a second sensor element with the tub, allowing the change in suspension element length to cause a change in distance between the sensor elements, improving signal reliability and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a load sensing device is coupled with moving parts (tub) and fixed parts (cabinet) separately, then the device can measure weight, but the mounting becomes complex and the displacement measurement becomes inaccurate due to unpredictable movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the load sensing device with the suspension element as an integrated unit. The sensor is mounted on the suspension element itself rather than separately coupling to both the tub and cabinet, simplifying the mounting structure while maintaining measurement accuracy through direct measurement of suspension element displacement.
2Measurement precision
If the load sensing device is coupled to moving parts with unpredictable displacement, then weight measurement is attempted, but the acquisition of displacement values becomes unprecise leading to weight estimation mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension element serves as an intermediary between the tub and the cabinet, and simultaneously as the mounting structure for the load sensor. By measuring displacement relative to the suspension element itself rather than to fixed cabinet parts, the system eliminates errors caused by unpredictable tub movement and drum rotation, as the sensor moves with the suspension element and maintains a stable reference frame.
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 configuration provides a reliable and accurate measurement of laundry weight, enhancing the precision of laundry treatment processes by following the movement and misalignments of the suspension element, thus improving the overall efficiency of the laundry machine.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suspension element comprising a first portion associated to the cabinet and a second portion associated to the washing tub for movably coupling the tub with the cabinet
Implementation Method 2
the change of length of the suspension element causes the change of distance between said first and the second sensor elements
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A laundry machine (100) for treating laundry items is proposed. The laundry machine (100) comprises a cabinet (105) for accommodating components necessary for the operation of the laundry machine (100), a washing tub (107) comprising a rotatable drum for containing laundry items, the washing tub (107) being enclosed by the cabinet (105) such that it can be moved in a floating manner inside said cabinet, at least one suspension element (111) comprising a first portion (220a,111a; 320a,111a) associated to the cabinet (105) and a second portion (220b,111c; 111c) associated to the washing tub (107) for movably coupling the tub (107) with the cabinet (105) of the laundry machine (100), and a load sensing device (200; 300) for measuring a physical value related to the weight of laundry items provided in the washing tub (107), wherein the load sensing device (200; 300) comprises a device first member (210; 310) comprising a first sensor element (215; 315) and a device second member (235; 335) comprising a second sensor element (235b; 335b). The load sensing device (200; 300) is coupled with the at least one suspension element (111) with the device first member (210; 310) associated to the first portion (220a,111a; 320a,111a) of said suspension element (111) and with the device second member (235; 335) associated to the second portion (220b,111c; 111c) of the suspension element (111) or vice-versa. Thereby, the change of length of the suspension element (111) causes the change of distance between said first and the second sensor elements.