Washing Machine Real-Time Load Size Detection Using Light Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often face suboptimal laundry treatment performance due to inaccurate manual input or automatic determination of laundry load size in washing machines, leading to inefficient cycles and incorrect dosages of wash liquids and detergents.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a processor that measures and determines the load size as laundry is being placed, selects a corresponding light setting based on the load size, and controls a light source to illuminate, providing feedback to the user on optimal loading through a user interface, indicating when the chamber is optimally filled or overfilled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual input is used to determine load size, then the user can input load size, but the accuracy of load size determination deteriorates leading to suboptimal treating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine automatically determines load size using sensors and processors without requiring user input. The system self-measures the load characteristics and selects appropriate treating cycles, eliminating the inaccuracy of manual estimation while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical input methods with electronic sensing and automated processing systems. Sensors detect load characteristics and the processor analyzes this data to determine load size, substituting human judgment with precise electronic measurement systems.
2Extent of automation
If automatic determination of load size is implemented, then the treating cycle can be selected automatically, but the accuracy of load size indication deteriorates leading to user distrust and manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the user through the interface, displaying the automatically determined load size and allowing users to verify or adjust the selection. This feedback loop builds user trust in the automatic determination system while maintaining the ability to override if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine performs preliminary automatic determination of load size before the user needs to make a decision. The system pre-analyzes the load characteristics and prepares treating cycle recommendations, allowing users to simply review and confirm rather than manually assess the load.
3Productivity
If incorrect load size is determined, then the cycle selection may be inappropriate, but this leads to suboptimal treating performance and wasted resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously based on determined load size, including treating cycle duration, water quantity, detergent dosage, and temperature settings. This multi-parameter adjustment ensures optimal treating performance for each load size, preventing both under-treatment and resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine dynamically adjusts treating parameters based on real-time load size determination. The system modifies cycle characteristics adaptively rather than using fixed programs, allowing optimal performance across varying load conditions while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating and a laundry treating appliance, including a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber into which laundry may be placed for treatment according to a cycle of operation, a processor programmed to at least as the laundry is being placed in the treating chamber, at least one of measure, sense, analytically determine, estimate, or receive as an input a first load size of the laundry in the treating chamber to define a determined first load size and select at least one of a color or an intensity corresponding to the determined first load size to define a first light setting.