Washing Machine Conductivity Sensing for Detergent Dissolution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry washing appliances do not effectively coordinate the duration of the washing phase with the dissolution time of encapsulated detergents, leading to reduced washing effectiveness due to insufficient exposure of dissolved detergent to laundry.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves measuring the conductivity of the washing liquor to determine the dissolution status of detergents, extending the washing phase if necessary to ensure complete dissolution, thereby optimizing washing performance without prolonging the overall cycle unnecessarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the washing phase duration is extended to ensure complete dissolution of encapsulated detergent, then washing effectiveness is improved, but the overall wash program duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures the conductivity of the washing liquor during the washing phase and uses this feedback to determine when detergent dissolution is complete. The control unit adjusts the washing phase duration dynamically based on real-time conductivity measurements, extending the phase only as long as necessary to achieve complete dissolution, thereby maintaining washing effectiveness while minimizing overall cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing phase duration is transformed from a fixed predetermined value to a dynamic parameter that adjusts in real-time based on detergent dissolution progress. The system adapts the washing phase length according to the specific dissolution characteristics of the detergent being used, allowing optimal washing effectiveness for each detergent type without unnecessarily extending the overall cycle.
2Loss of time
If the washing phase duration is fixed and predetermined, then the overall wash program duration is kept short, but washing effectiveness deteriorates when detergent dissolution is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time conductivity measurements provide feedback on detergent dissolution status, allowing the system to determine whether the fixed washing phase duration was sufficient. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify cases where dissolution was incomplete and adjust subsequent washing phases accordingly, ensuring washing effectiveness is maintained while keeping the overall program duration efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own operation through conductivity sensing and self-adjusts the washing phase duration based on actual detergent dissolution progress, eliminating the need for manual intervention or predetermined fixed durations that may not suit all detergent types.
3Productivity
If conductivity measurements are continuously performed to monitor detergent dissolution, then washing phase duration can be optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical or visual monitoring methods with simple electrical conductivity measurements. A conductivity sensor provides continuous, automatic, and objective data on detergent dissolution progress, enabling precise optimization of washing phase duration without requiring complex mechanical systems, visual inspection mechanisms, or sophisticated control algorithms.
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 approach ensures that the detergent has sufficient time to act on the laundry, enhancing washing effectiveness while maintaining a short overall wash program duration.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of measurements of the conductivity of the washing liquor are performed in order to collect a set of conductivity measurements defining a conductivity curve
Data Source
AI summary
A method (100) for operating a laundry washing appliance (10), such as a washing machine or a combined washer-dryer, having a washing chamber (12) to wash goods according to a wash program selected by a user including at least a washing cycle. The method includes adding (110) a detergent to a washing liquor (15) within the washing chamber (12) during a washing phase of the washing cycle, the washing phase having a predefined duration; performing (130) a plurality of measurements of the conductivity of the washing liquor (15) in order to collect a set of conductivity measurements (C1, . . . , Cn) defining a conductivity curve analyzing the set of conductivity measurements (C1, . . . , Cn) in order to determine (150) if a condition of substantial invariability of the conductivity measurements (C1, . . . , Cn) is reached and/or detect (140) if the related conductivity curve shows a peak. The method also includes extending (160) the predefined duration of the washing phase, if after a first preset time period (Tref) starting from the beginning of the washing phase, no conductivity increase or peak in the conductivity curve is detected; and/or extending (160) the predefined duration of the washing phase, if after a second preset time period (Tref′) starting from the beginning of the washing phase, the condition of substantial invariability of the conductivity measurements (C1, . . . , Cn) has not been reached.