Laundry Washing Machine Turbidity Detection for Adaptive Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines lack effective methods for automatically determining soil levels and optimizing washing cycles to improve cleaning efficiency and rinse effectiveness, particularly in adjusting for different types of detergents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a turbidimeter device to measure turbidity and an electrical conductivity detecting device to determine soil levels and detergent type, allowing for tailored washing and rinse cycles, including a soil removal phase and adjustable number of rinsing phases based on measured parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a turbidimeter device is added to automatically measure soil levels, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine performs self-diagnosis of soil levels through automatic turbidity measurement. The control unit automatically determines when soil removal phases are needed based on turbidimeter readings, eliminating the need for manual user input and enabling adaptive washing cycles that respond to actual contamination levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual soil assessment with optical measurement technology. The turbidimeter device uses light scattering principles to objectively quantify turbidity levels, substituting subjective visual inspection with precise instrumental measurement to determine washing cycle parameters.
2Productivity
If washing cycles are extended to remove more soil, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing cycle duration and structure are made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the number and duration of soil removal phases and rinsing phases based on real-time turbidity measurements, extending the cycle only when necessary to achieve adequate cleaning, thereby optimizing the balance between cleaning efficiency and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where turbidity measurements during the washing cycle inform subsequent cycle adjustments. The control unit monitors turbidity trends and uses this information to determine when soil removal phases should be inserted or when additional rinsing is needed, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to actual washing progress.
3Productivity
If the number of rinsing phases is increased to remove detergent residues, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial rinsing action only when necessary. Instead of always performing multiple rinsing phases, the control unit determines the minimum number of rinses needed based on turbidity measurements and detergent type detection, performing additional rinsing only when residual detergent or soil particles are detected, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.
4Ease of operation
If automatic soil level detection is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine performs self-diagnosis of soil levels through automatic turbidity measurement. The control unit automatically determines when soil removal phases are needed based on turbidimeter readings, eliminating the need for manual user input and enabling adaptive washing cycles that respond to actual contamination levels.
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
Enhances cleaning efficiency by automatically adjusting washing cycles based on soil levels and detergent type, improving the removal of dirt and detergent residues, leading to better cleaning outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a turbidity detecting device that measures the turbidity of the liquid flowing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
an electrical conductivity detecting device to determine soil levels and detergent type
Data Source
AI summary
A method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine comprising a washing tub external to a washing drum and a turbidity detecting device. The method comprises determining the soil level of the laundry by means of measurement of turbidity through the turbidity detecting device and performing at least one soil removal phase if the soil level is high.