Washing Machine Substance Detection Using Separated Water Holding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines face inefficiencies in detecting and managing biological substances from the human body or environment due to the need for prolonged detection times, which delay the wash cycle and require users to wear uncomfortable devices for continuous monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing machine design that separates and holds water from the wash tub, allowing for concurrent detection of substances using techniques like liquid chromatography while dispensing detergent, enabling continuous washing without waiting for detection results and allowing for health management without wearable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If substance detection is performed using liquid chromatography or similar techniques, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to prolonged detection periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by separating and holding a portion of water before the main washing cycle begins. This pre-separated water is then used for substance detection, allowing the detection process to occur in parallel with the washing operation rather than sequentially, thus eliminating the time loss while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The water in the wash tub is segmented into two portions: one portion continues to be used for washing, while another portion is separated and held for substance detection. This segmentation allows both washing and detection to proceed simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the time contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring is performed using wearable devices, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine performs substance detection automatically using water that is already present in the wash tub, eliminating the need for users to wear monitoring devices. The system serves itself by utilizing the washing environment to conduct detection, thereby maintaining measurement precision while completely removing the burden from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine is given multiple functions: it not only washes clothes but also performs substance detection using the same water resource. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wearable monitoring devices, improving ease of operation while maintaining the ability to continuously monitor substances.
3Measurement precision
If detection is performed before washing, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to delayed wash cycle start
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary water separation and holds it for detection, but this is done in such a way that the main washing cycle can begin immediately without waiting for detection results. The preliminary action is structured to not delay the productive washing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine maintains continuous useful action by allowing the washing cycle to proceed uninterrupted while substance detection occurs in parallel on a separate water sample. This eliminates idle time and maintains productivity while still achieving accurate measurement.
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 efficiently detects biological substances during the wash cycle, eliminating the need for dedicated detection time and providing thorough washing and health management without user discomfort, while enabling accurate detection and suitable wash settings based on detected substances.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a predetermined substance contained in the held some of the water
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry washing machine includes a wash tub that allows laundry and water to be loaded therein, a holding unit that separates some of the water in the wash tub and holds the some of the water, where the water contains a substance that was attached to the laundry and that is dissolved therein, a detection unit that detects a predetermined substance contained in the some of the water held by the holding unit and outputs information indicating a result of detection, and a laundry detergent dispenser that dispenses a laundry detergent into the wash tub or instructs a user to add the laundry detergent to the wash tub after the some of the water is separated.