Washing Machine NTU-Based Control for Adaptive Agent and Water Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machines lack an effective method to accurately determine the pollution level of laundry, leading to inefficient use of washing agents and water, as well as prolonged washing times, due to the lack of NTU-based control in the washing cycle.
Innovation Solution
A control method that senses the primary and secondary nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) of washing water before the washing cycle, adjusting the washing time, amount of washing agent, and rinsing times based on the difference between the two NTUs to optimize washing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of times of rinsing or the time for rinsing is adjusted by sensing NTU of washing water in a rinsing cycle, then the rinsing efficiency of laundry is improved, but the pollution level of laundry cannot be accurately sensed before washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary NTU sensing of washing water before the washing cycle starts, and conducts a preliminary laundry wetting process to release pollutants. This allows the pollution level to be measured in advance, enabling accurate determination of washing conditions (washing agent amount, washing time, rinsing times) before the actual washing begins, rather than only adjusting during the rinsing cycle.
2Ease of operation
If washing conditions are set based on preset pollution level without accurate sensing, then the washing cycle can be performed, but excessive or insufficient washing agent and water are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where NTU sensing results from the preliminary laundry wetting process are used to dynamically adjust washing conditions. The controller determines the pollution level based on NTU values and automatically adjusts the input amount of washing agent, washing time, and number of rinsing times accordingly, ensuring optimal resource utilization without waste.
3Reliability
If excessive washing agent and water are used to ensure thorough washing, then washing performance is maintained, but waste of washing agent and water is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key washing parameters (washing agent amount, washing time, rinsing times) based on the measured pollution level. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to the actual NTU sensing results, the system achieves reliable washing performance while avoiding the waste associated with using excessive washing agent and water for all laundry loads regardless of pollution level.
4Device complexity
If a fixed number of rinsing times is performed regardless of actual pollution level, then the washing cycle is simplified, but washing time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the number of rinsing times dynamic rather than fixed. Based on the pollution level determined from NTU sensing during the preliminary wetting process, the controller adjusts the number of rinsing times appropriately. This dynamic adjustment reduces washing time for lightly soiled laundry while ensuring adequate rinsing for heavily soiled items, optimizing the overall washing cycle duration.
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 allows for accurate determination of the pollution level, reducing agent and water consumption, minimizing power usage, and ensuring effective washing by adjusting conditions dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU) of washing water
Data Source
AI summary
In a control method of a washing machine, a primary nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU) of washing water is sensed before a washing course is started in a washing cycle, a second NTU is sensed based on the primary NTU, and a washing time, an amount of washing agent, and/or a number of times of rinsing are varied based on a difference value between the primary NTU and the secondary NTU, thereby improving washing performance and washing efficiency.