Washing Machine Program Option Filtering for Calibration Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines face issues with non-optimal program sequences due to incorrect load measurements during special programs like calibration, leading to faulty calibration and subsequent suboptimal washing programs.

Innovation Solution

The washing machine's control device is designed to either ignore or account for program options to a lesser extent during special programs, maintaining an optimal sequence by regulating process parameters similarly to washing programs, ensuring accurate calibration and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If program options are allowed to be selected during special programs, then user operation is simplified and interface consistency is maintained, but the special program sequence becomes non-optimal leading to incorrect calibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser operationVSAvoidcalibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the program type. When a special program is detected, the control device enters a mode where selected program options are ignored or applied to a lesser extent. This dynamic switching between full program option application (for washing programs) and restricted application (for special programs) resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while preserving calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the program execution. It receives program option selections from the user but filters or modifies their application based on the active program type. This intermediary function allows the interface to remain consistent and user-friendly while preventing harmful modifications to special program sequences, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If program options are applied during special programs, then the interface appears uniform and functional, but the program sequence becomes non-optimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface consistencyVSAvoidprogram sequence optimality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adapts its processing of program options based on the detected program type. For washing programs, full program option application is enabled. For special programs, the control device switches to a restricted mode where options are ignored or partially applied. This dynamic adaptation maintains interface versatility and consistency while ensuring program sequence reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the control device ignores selected program options during special programs, then calibration accuracy is maintained, but the user may be confused about the functionality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload measurement accuracyVSAvoiduser understanding
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control device serves as an intermediary that accepts user inputs (program option selections) during special programs but filters them out before execution. This allows the interface to appear fully functional and responsive, maintaining user understanding and ease of operation, while the intermediary filtering ensures measurement precision and calibration accuracy are preserved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device creates a virtual copy of the program option selection state for interface display purposes, while the actual execution uses a different state (ignoring the options). This copying approach allows the interface to show uniform functionality without actually applying the options, thus maintaining both user understanding and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3489404B1Washing machine and method for operating the washing machine
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3489404B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising at least one memory (2) in which at least one special program designed to be executed without laundry, at least one wash program designed to wash laundry, and at least one program option assignable to the special program and/or the wash program are stored, which is designed to change at least one process parameter of the at least one special program and/or the at least one wash program when selected with the at least one special program and/or wash program, an operating device (3) via which the at least one special program, the at least one wash program and the at least one program option can be selected, and a control and/or regulating device (4) which is configured to regulate and/or control the execution of the at least one special program and/or wash program after its selection.wherein the control and/or regulating device (4) is designed to control and/or regulate the special program after selection of the special program and the at least one program option in such a way that the program option is disregarded or taken into account to a lesser extent than in a control and/or regulation of the washing program after selection of the washing program and the at least one program option. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for operating the washing machine.