Method for controlling a household washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fabric treatment appliances, such as washing machines, lack a straightforward method to indicate and confirm the sanitization of laundry using steam, which is essential for ensuring cleanliness and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A control panel system that allows users to select a steam sanitizing option, executes a steam sanitizing cycle, and activates a sanitized indicator on the user interface once the sanitization is complete, ensuring the indicator remains active for a predetermined portion of the cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a steam sanitizing cycle is executed without a clear indication system, then the sanitization process can be completed, but the user cannot confirm whether the laundry has been properly sanitized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing indicators (such as LEDs transitioning from red to green) to visually communicate the sanitization status to users. This provides clear sanitization confirmation through simple color transitions without requiring complex display systems or multiple indicators, thus resolving the contradiction between information delivery and interface simplicity.
2Reliability
If the sanitized indicator remains active for the entire cycle, then users can continuously confirm sanitization status, but energy is wasted during periods when sanitization is already complete
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system operates in periodic states rather than continuously - switching between active indication modes and standby states. The indicator remains active for a predetermined period after sanitization completion to ensure reliable confirmation, then enters a lower-energy state, balancing reliability with energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the sanitized indicator is activated during the sanitization step, then users can see real-time progress, but the indicator may be misleading if activated too early or too late
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors sanitization progress and activates the indicator based on confirmed completion criteria. The indicator provides feedback to users about the actual sanitization status, and the predetermined activation period ensures the feedback remains available long enough for users to observe and confirm the sanitization completion without premature or delayed activation.
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 solution provides a clear and reliable method for users to confirm laundry sanitization, enhancing the hygiene and cleanliness of fabric treatment processes while simplifying the operation of appliances.
Implementation Method 1
Some fabric treatment appliances, such as a washing machine, a clothes dryer, and a fabric refreshing or revitalizing machine, utilize steam generators for various reasons. The steam from the steam generator can be used to, for example, heat water, heat a load of fabric items and any water absorbed by the fabric items
Implementation Method 2
The steam from the steam generator can be used to... sanitize the fabric items, and sanitize components of the fabric treatment appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A method and appliance for controlling a household washing machine for washing laundry includes receiving, in a user interface, a user-selected steam sanitize cycle, displaying, on the user interface, a first indicator, and executing, by the controller, the sanitize cycle, and displaying a sanitized indicator, for example, on the user interface.