Laundry washing machine incorporating distance sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry washing machines often experience suboptimal performance due to user inattentiveness or lack of understanding when manually selecting load types, leading to inefficient energy and water consumption and varying wash cycle settings.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing machine equipped with a distance sensor to determine dry and wet distance values of a load before and after water dispensing, allowing for dynamic configuration of wash cycle settings, including fabric type and load size detection, to optimize wash cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual load type selection is provided, then user interaction is simplified, but suboptimal performance occurs due to user inattentiveness or lack of understanding
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine automatically detects load characteristics using a distance sensor to measure load height, determining fabric type and load size without requiring user input. The system serves itself by autonomously sensing and adapting wash cycle settings based on the actual load conditions, eliminating reliance on user knowledge or attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual selection mechanism (user interface and control) with an automated sensing system. A distance sensor optically measures load height to infer load characteristics, substituting the mechanical/user-based load type selection with an automated detection system that objectively determines wash parameters.
2Ease of operation
If manual load type selection is provided, then user burden is reduced, but energy and water consumption efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically optimizes energy and water consumption by sensing load characteristics and dynamically adjusting wash cycle settings. The machine self-regulates power usage, water heating, and cycle duration based on actual load size and fabric type detected by the distance sensor, eliminating wasteful consumption from incorrect manual settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operational parameters (temperature, time, agitation intensity, water volume) based on distance sensor measurements. The controller adjusts wash cycle settings in real-time according to detected load characteristics, optimizing energy and water efficiency by matching resource consumption to actual wash needs rather than fixed manual selections.
3Reliability
If distance sensor is added to automatically detect load characteristics, then wash cycle performance is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor serves multiple functions: measuring load height to determine fabric type, assessing load size, and potentially detecting load balance. This single sensor component performs multiple detection tasks that would otherwise require separate sensors or manual user input, minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing performance optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance sensor acts as an intermediary between the physical load and the control system. Rather than requiring direct user input or multiple complex sensors, the sensor mediates by converting physical load characteristics into electrical signals that the controller can process, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling automated 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 solution enhances wash cycle performance by automatically adjusting settings based on load characteristics, reducing user burden and improving energy and water efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor oriented to sense a distance within the wash tub
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry washing machine and method may use a distance sensor to determine dry and wet distance values associated with a load disposed in a wash tub, and dynamically configure a wash cycle based upon the determined values. In some instances, the distance sensor may also be used to detect an excessive fluid level, excessive foaming, or a floating item in the wash tub.