Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines do not automatically adjust the duration of washing cycles based on the weight of loaded laundry, leading to energy and time wastage, especially when the load is small, and users must manually adjust the load to achieve desired cycle durations, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine equipped with a logic unit that adapts the duration and number of phases of the washing cycle to the detected weight of the laundry, displaying this information to the user during loading, allowing for precise loading of the right quantity of laundry for a desired cycle duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the washing machine uses fixed washing cycle duration regardless of laundry weight, then the washing program is simple to implement, but energy and time are wasted when loading small quantities of laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the washing cycle duration and phase repetitions based on the detected laundry weight. The logic unit modifies operational parameters (time, number of phases) according to the weight sensor input, transitioning from a fixed-parameter system to a variable-parameter system that adapts to actual loading conditions, thereby reducing energy waste without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a weight sensing device to detect the actual laundry load and feeding this information back to the logic unit, which then automatically adjusts the washing cycle parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to respond to actual conditions (load weight) and optimize energy consumption accordingly, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and energy efficiency
2Loss of time
If the washing machine automatically adjusts cycle duration based on laundry weight, then energy and time wastage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weight sensing device provides continuous feedback about the laundry load to the logic unit, enabling automatic adjustment of cycle duration and phase repetitions. This feedback-driven approach minimizes washing time for small loads while maintaining effectiveness for larger loads, achieving time optimization through a relatively simple feedback loop rather than complex control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the laundry weight and adjusting its own operational parameters without user intervention. The logic unit autonomously modifies the washing cycle based on sensor input, eliminating the need for manual program selection and reducing overall system complexity while achieving time optimization
3Ease of operation
If the user manually adjusts the laundry load to achieve desired cycle duration, then the washing machine operation is flexible, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface provides real-time feedback to the user about the washing cycle duration that will result from the current laundry load. This information feedback enables the user to make informed decisions about loading quantity without needing to manually calculate or estimate, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining full information transparency about the resulting cycle duration
Solution Approach 2:
The logic unit acts as an intermediary between the weight sensor and the user interface, translating raw weight data into meaningful cycle duration information displayed to the user. This intermediary processing layer simplifies the user's task by presenting processed, easy-to-understand information about the relationship between load weight and cycle duration, enhancing operational convenience
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
Facilitates easy loading of the correct laundry quantity for a desired washing cycle duration, reducing the time required for loading and minimizing energy and time wastage by automatically adjusting cycle parameters based on the weight of the laundry.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device adapted to detect the weight of the laundry loaded into the rotatable drum
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is related to a washing machine (1) comprising: a washing tub (5) comprising a rotatable drum (6) adapted for receiving the laundry (7) to be washed; a logic unit (12) adapted to control the electric and/or electronic components of the washing machine (1) so as to make the latter to perform a washing cycle comprising one or more phases; a user interface (13) adapted for setting a washing program to which corresponds a washing cycle to be performed, and for presenting user information; a weighing device adapted to detect the weight of the laundry (7) loaded into the rotatable drum (6). The logic unit (12) is configured for displaying via the user interface (13), during the loading of the laundry (7) into the rotatable drum (6), information related to the duration and/or the number of repetition of one or more phases of the washing cycle corresponding to a set washing program and adapted to the weight of the loaded laundry (7) detected by the weighing device.