Washing machine and controlling method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Washing machines can experience a water collection phenomenon during dehydration, leading to increased pressure and potential breakdowns or user injury.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine equipped with a camera and processor that captures images of the washing tub during rotation to detect water collection by identifying predetermined patterns, and adjusts the rotation speed to prevent accidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rapid-speed rotation is used for dehydration, then dehydration efficiency is improved, but water collection phenomenon occurs causing increased pressure and potential breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedehydration efficiencyVSAvoidmachine safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The camera captures images of the washing tub during rotation before dangerous water collection can occur. The processor analyzes these images to detect water collection patterns in advance, allowing the system to take preliminary action by adjusting rotation speed before pressure builds to dangerous levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the washing tub during rotation using the camera and processor. When water collection is detected through image analysis, the system provides feedback by adjusting the rotation speed to prevent dangerous pressure buildup, creating a closed-loop control system that balances dehydration efficiency with safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a camera and image processing system are added to detect water collection, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure sensors or water level detectors with an optical detection system using a camera. The camera captures images and the processor analyzes patterns to detect water collection, substituting mechanical sensing with optical-field-based detection that is less intrusive and potentially more reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of directly measuring physical parameters like pressure or water level with complex sensors, the system creates an optical copy (image) of the washing tub's interior state. The processor analyzes this visual copy to detect water collection patterns, indirect measurement through imaging rather than direct physical sensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12281426B2Washing machine and controlling method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A washing machine and a method for controlling the washing machine are provided. The washing machine includes a washing tub configured to accommodate a laundry, a camera configured to be disposed in a direction towards an inside of the washing tub, and a processor configured to confirm whether water collection of the laundry exists by using an image captured by the camera during rotation of the washing tub.