A washing machine wherein the type and amount of laundry can be detected
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face challenges in efficiently detecting the type and amount of laundry, leading to suboptimal use of water and detergent, and increased costs due to the use of additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
A control unit in the washing machine determines the type and amount of laundry by measuring pressure values with a pressure sensor, using a minimal amount of water to wet the laundry and adjusting valve operations based on pre-recorded threshold values to accurately assess the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors are used to measure the load, then the detection accuracy of laundry type and amount is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the drum serve multiple functions: it acts as both the washing container and the load sensor. By measuring the electrical parameters (capacitance, impedance, or resonance frequency) of the drum itself, the system detects laundry type and amount without requiring separate sensor components, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The drum performs self-detection by utilizing its own electrical properties as the sensing element. The control unit measures changes in the drum's electrical characteristics caused by different laundry loads, allowing the system to detect load information using the drum's inherent properties rather than external sensors
2Measurement precision
If additional sensors are used to measure the load, then the detection accuracy of laundry type and amount is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum serves dual purposes as both washing container and sensing element. By utilizing the drum's existing electrical properties for load detection, the invention eliminates the need for separate sensor components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electrical parameter measurements (capacitance, impedance, resonance frequency) of the drum to create an electrical model that represents the physical load characteristics. This electrical copy allows accurate detection without physical contact sensors, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
3Measurement precision
If water is used to wet the laundry for detection, then the type determination accuracy is improved, but the water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial wetting by introducing only a minimal amount of water (e.g., 0.5-2 liters) sufficient to wet the outer surface of the laundry for accurate type detection, rather than using full washing amounts. This partial action achieves the detection goal while minimizing water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary wetting of the laundry before the main washing cycle to enable type detection. By wetting the laundry in advance with a small amount of water and measuring pressure characteristics during drum rotation, the system determines laundry type early, allowing optimization of subsequent water usage in the washing process
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 reliable determination of laundry type and amount, optimizing water and detergent usage while minimizing errors and costs by using existing components, thereby enhancing energy and resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the drum is continuously rotated by the control unit while receiving water to provide the laundry to absorb the water reaching into the drum
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
In the washing machine (1) of the present invention, first the type of the laundry placed in the drum (2) is determined and the amount of laundry is provided to be estimated correctly by means of using the detected laundry type information in determining the valve (4) opening pressure level (Pva1) and the valve (4) closing pressure level (Pvu1) in the water receiving step.