Method for operating a laundry washing appliance and laundry washing appliance implementing the same
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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, and extending the washing phase duration unnecessarily can be perceived as a machine deficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves measuring the conductivity of the washing liquor to determine if an encapsulated detergent is used, extending the washing phase if necessary to ensure complete dissolution, by analyzing conductivity measurements for a peak or steady condition within preset time periods, thereby optimizing washing performance without prolonging the overall cycle excessively.
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 cycle duration increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors conductivity during the washing phase and uses this feedback to determine when detergent dissolution is complete. The conductivity sensor detects changes in electrical conductivity of the washing liquor, and the control unit adjusts the washing phase duration based on this real-time data, extending the phase only as long as necessary for complete dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing phase duration is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit continuously evaluates conductivity measurements and adjusts the washing phase termination point based on the actual dissolution rate, allowing the process to adapt to different detergent types and loading conditions.
2Reliability
If the washing phase duration is extended to accommodate slower-dissolving encapsulated detergents, then detergent dissolution completeness is improved, but user perception of machine performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses conductivity feedback to objectively determine when dissolution is complete, eliminating the need for conservative fixed-duration extensions. This ensures the washing phase lasts exactly as long as needed, preventing user perception issues while maintaining dissolution completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and adapts to the detergent type being used through conductivity measurements, eliminating the need for user input or manual selection. The machine self-adjusts the washing phase duration based on the actual dissolution characteristics of the detergent present.
3Productivity
If conductivity measurements are continuously monitored to detect detergent dissolution status, then washing phase duration optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical or chemical dissolution detection methods with electrical conductivity measurement. This substitution provides a simple, non-intrusive sensing approach that requires minimal additional hardware while enabling precise dissolution monitoring and optimization.
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 shorter overall wash cycle duration, thus improving performance without indicating a machine deficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of measurements of a conductivity of the washing liquor is performed in order to collect a set of conductivity measurements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A first aspect of the present invention therefore relates to a method (100) for operating a laundry washing appliance (10), such as a washing machine or a combined washer-dryer, apt to wash goods in one or more washing cycles, wherein the laundry washing appliance (10) comprises a washing chamber (12) to wash goods according to a wash program selected by a user including at least a washing cycle, the method including 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; 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.