Method for operating a washing machine or a drying machine with improved control, as well as appropriate washing machine or dryer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing machines and washer-dryers struggle to completely remove stubborn dirt from laundry, especially from delicate textiles, as existing detergents often fail to effectively address diverse types of soiling during a single wash cycle.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a spectrometer, radiation sources, and detectors to assess the soiling type and quantity of laundry before a wash cycle, allowing for optimal detergent composition and treatment parameter adjustment, including bleach and enzyme dosing, to tailor the wash program to individual loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single wash cycle uses standard detergents, then the washing process is simple and quick, but stubborn dirt cannot be completely removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the laundry load using a spectrometer to identify soil types and concentrations before the wash cycle begins. This allows the control unit to pre-calculate optimal detergent compositions and dosages, enabling effective removal of stubborn dirt while maintaining a simple user interface and automated process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts washing parameters including detergent composition (ratio of surfactants, enzymes, bleaching agents), dosage amounts, water temperature, and wash cycle duration based on the spectrally determined soil characteristics. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by tailoring each wash cycle to specific soil types rather than using fixed standard procedures.
2Reliability
If strong detergents are used to remove stubborn dirt, then dirt removal effectiveness improves, but delicate textiles are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different treatment strategies to different types of soil detected in the laundry load. By spectrally identifying specific soil types (e.g., protein-based, starch-based, oily, pigmented), the control unit selects targeted detergent components and treatment intensities appropriate for each soil type, avoiding unnecessary harsh treatment of delicate textiles while effectively removing stubborn stains.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts detergent composition and wash parameters based on soil type identification. For example, enzyme formulations are selected for protein-based soils, oxidizing agents for pigmented soils, and milder surfactant ratios for delicate fabrics. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures effective dirt removal while minimizing textile damage by matching treatment intensity to soil severity.
3Reliability
If detergent dosage is increased to handle diverse soiling, then dirt removal effectiveness improves, but resource consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrometer performs preliminary quantification of soil concentration and distribution in the laundry load before the wash cycle begins. This allows the control unit to calculate the minimum necessary detergent dosage required to achieve effective cleaning, avoiding both under-dosing (ineffective cleaning) and over-dosing (waste). The system determines optimal dosages based on actual soil load rather than using fixed maximum amounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically optimizes detergent dosage and composition based on spectrally determined soil characteristics. By matching detergent concentration to actual soil load and type, the system achieves effective dirt removal with minimal detergent and water consumption, reducing environmental impact while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness for diverse soiling conditions.
4Reliability
If multiple treatment cycles are used to remove different soil types, then dirt removal effectiveness improves, but washing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple treatment functions into a single optimized wash cycle by spectrally identifying all soil types present and pre-calculating a composite detergent formulation that addresses all detected contaminants simultaneously. The control unit combines appropriate enzymes, surfactants, and auxiliary agents in optimal ratios to tackle diverse soils (protein, starch, oil, pigment) in one cycle, eliminating the need for separate pre-treatment or multiple wash cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The spectrometer performs preliminary identification of all soil types and concentrations before the wash cycle begins, allowing the control unit to pre-program the optimal treatment sequence and parameter profile. This preliminary analysis enables the system to execute a single, precisely tailored wash cycle that addresses all soil types efficiently, rather than requiring multiple trial-and-error cycles to determine appropriate treatments.
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 enhances washing efficiency by precisely adapting treatment parameters to the specific soiling conditions, ensuring effective removal of tough stains while protecting delicate fabrics, and optimizing resource use for environmentally friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
the amount of light let through the washing or rinsing liquor in a substantially straight direction being determined, and the concentration of at least one ingredient is determined as a function of the amount of light emitted
Implementation Method 2
light leads to a pronounced attenuation and / or scattering of the light sent into it
Implementation Method 3
at least one radiation source and at least one radiation detector
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine 1 or a washer-dryer with a tub 2, a drum 3 arranged in the tub 2 for receiving items of laundry 22 to which a treatment liquid is applied, at least one spectrometer 21, 37, comprising an evaluation unit 7, at least one radiation source 5 and at least one radiation detector 6, a control device 16, a display device 18 and a dosing unit for dosing treatment agent 8, comprising at least one treatment agent container 12, 13, 14, the treatment agent containing at least enzymes and/or bleach as a treatment agent component and that Method comprises the following steps: (a1) measuring dry or damp laundry items 22 in the drum 3 with the at least one spectrometer 21, 37 by the at least one radiation source 5 radiation in at least one wavelength range from λ1 to λ2 in at least is emitted at least one time interval Δt, so that the items of laundry 22 are exposed to it, and the at least one radiation detector 6 registers the radiation reflected and/or transmitted by the items of laundry 22 as a measurement signal; and/or (a2) Measuring the treatment liquid with the at least one spectrometer 21, 37, in that the at least one radiation source 5 emits radiation in at least one wavelength range from λ1 to λ2 in at least one time interval Δt, so that at least part of the treatment liquid is is acted upon, and the at least one radiation detector 6 registers the radiation transmitted and/or reflected by the treatment liquid as a measurement signal; (b) transmission of the measurement signal(s) received in step (a1) and/or (a2) to the evaluation unit 7 and evaluation of the measurement signal(s) with an evaluation routine stored in the evaluation unit 7 with regard to a recommended setting for at least one treatment parameter BP; and (c) transmitting the measurement signal(s) evaluated in step (b) to the control device 16 and outputting the recommended setting for the at least one treatment parameter BP to a user via the display device 18 and/or executing the recommended setting for the at least one treatment parameter BP ; steps (a1) and/or (a2) to (c) being carried out once or more. The invention also relates to a washing machine or washer-dryer suitable for carrying out the method.