Washing Machine Drip Saturation Measurement for Precise Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machine operations are inefficient due to imprecise classification of laundry absorbency, leading to improper water levels, heating, rinsing, and spinning, which can increase costs and impair washing effectiveness, especially in damp cycles where foam disruption occurs.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a drip saturation value to optimize water supply and washing parameters by measuring the water absorption capacity of laundry, allowing for precise control of water levels and drum speed to ensure accurate water binding capacity, enabling continuous description of mixed laundry loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rough two-state classification of laundry absorbency is used, then the classification process is simple, but the water supply and washing parameters become imprecise leading to cost increases and impaired washing effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the classification from a discrete two-state system to a continuous measurement system using the drip saturation value. By measuring the actual water binding capacity of the laundry and converting it to a standardized saturation value, the system achieves precise parameter control for water supply, heating, rinsing, and spinning operations, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
2Ease of operation
If the rough two-state classification is used, then the system operation is simple, but the water level control becomes imprecise causing foam disruption and water jacket formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the drip saturation value is measured during the washing process and used to dynamically adjust water supply and washing parameters. This continuous feedback loop ensures reliable water level control by adapting to the actual absorbency of the laundry load, preventing foam disruption and water jacket formation while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If imprecise laundry absorbency classification is used, then the washing machine operates with standard parameters, but the washing efficiency decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the washing process dynamic by continuously measuring the drip saturation value and adjusting water supply, heating, rinsing, and spinning parameters in real-time based on the actual laundry absorbency. This dynamic adaptation optimizes washing efficiency for each specific load while precisely controlling water consumption, resolving the contradiction between productivity and resource usage.
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 method allows for optimized water supply and washing process parameters, improving washing efficiency and preventing foam disruption by accurately determining the water-binding capacity of laundry, thus enhancing the overall washing performance.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the laundry drum while increasing the drum speed, determining a fill level of water in the tub while the drum speed increases
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine (1) with a suds container (2) and a laundry drum (3), with the steps of determining the amount of laundry (5) loaded in the laundry drum (3), feeding a quantity of water into the suds container ( 2); rotating the laundry drum (3) while increasing the drum speed, determining a fill level of water in the tub (2) while increasing the drum speed, and determining a termination speed at which the determined fill level is greater than a predetermined fill level; Determining a saturation value for the laundry (5), which indicates a degree of saturation of the laundry (5) with water, using the determined termination speed and the determined load quantity; and determining a dripping saturation value, which defines a water-binding capacity of the laundry (5), using the amount of water supplied, the saturation value and the load quantity determined. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding automatic washing machine.