Washing Machine Water Level Detection Using Vision Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water supply detection methods in washing machines take too long to identify errors, such as blockages, leading to increased washing time and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vision sensor is used to acquire images of the washing machine tub and determine the water supply level through a vision algorithm, allowing for rapid detection of erroneous water supply within 3-5 seconds and accurate prediction of washing completion time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a water level sensor is used to detect water supply level, then the water level can be detected, but the detection time exceeds 10 minutes which increases washing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water level sensor with an acoustic field-based detection system using a microphone to listen for water flow sounds. This substitution of detection mechanism enables rapid water supply status determination within seconds by detecting the presence or absence of water flow acoustic signals, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and detection time.
2Reliability
If a microphone is used to detect water supply by listening to falling water sound, then no sensor is required and sensing reliability is improved, but it is difficult to precisely determine water supply level because water pressure varies causing sound intensity to vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from sound intensity (amplitude) to sound frequency characteristics. By analyzing the frequency spectrum of water flow sounds rather than their intensity, the system can precisely determine water supply status and level independent of water pressure variations, as frequency characteristics remain stable while intensity fluctuates with pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary classification of water supply status into distinct categories (normal supply, blocked, low flow) based on acoustic signal characteristics before detailed level measurement. This preliminary action establishes reliable detection thresholds and patterns that enable subsequent precise measurement regardless of pressure variations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting water supply based on a vision sensor by performing big data, an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, and/or a machine learning algorithm in a 5G environment connected for the Internet of things is provided. The apparatus for detecting water may be used for a washing machine and includes a vision sensor mounted on a tub or in the vicinity of the tub, directed toward at least one water supply region of interest in the tub, and configured to acquire an image of the water supply region of interest, and a water supply level determiner configured to detect a water supply level through a vision algorithm based on the image information acquired by the vision sensor. The determiner may predict water supply time to the point in time at which the water supply will be completed based on models trained by machine learning.