Washing Machine Wireless Dryer Control Using Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines connected to dryers via wired communication interfaces face high defect rates due to poor installation and require additional equipment, compromising user convenience and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine equipped with a wireless communication interface, magnetic sensors, NFC chips, and wireless communication antennas to determine the orientation of a dryer relative to itself, allowing for wireless control of the dryer's operation only when properly aligned, thus eliminating the need for wired connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wired communication interface is used to connect the washing machine and dryer, then control functionality is achieved, but defect occurrence rate increases due to poor installation and additional equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wired mechanical communication interface with a wireless communication system. The washing machine and dryer communicate through wireless signals (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless protocols), eliminating physical connection requirements. This substitution removes the need for installation of wired interfaces and reduces defects associated with poor wiring or connection issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the wired communication interface from the system. By taking out the physical connection component, the system eliminates the associated installation complexity and defect risks. The wireless communication functionality is integrated directly into the control units of both appliances without requiring separate wired interface equipment.
2Ease of manufacture
If wireless communication is used to control the dryer, then installation is simplified and defect rates reduce, but safety control becomes challenging without physical connection verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the washing machine receives status information from the dryer through wireless communication and verifies proper installation and orientation. The system uses sensors (e.g., magnetic sensors, NFC chips) to detect the dryer's position and provides feedback to confirm correct setup before enabling control functionality. This ensures safety control is maintained despite the wireless connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary verification of the dryer's installation orientation and wireless connection before allowing control operations. The washing machine checks whether the dryer is properly positioned (e.g., front surfaces facing the same direction) and establishes wireless communication successfully before enabling the user to control the dryer. This preliminary action prevents unauthorized or unsafe operation.
3Ease of operation
If the washing machine controls the dryer without orientation verification, then user convenience increases, but unauthorized operation and safety issues may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from orientation detection sensors (magnetic sensors, NFC chips) to determine whether the dryer is properly positioned relative to the washing machine. Only when the sensors confirm correct orientation (e.g., front surfaces facing the same direction) does the system enable control functionality. This feedback mechanism maintains user convenience while preventing unauthorized operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system using magnetic sensors and NFC chips that act as mediators between the washing machine and dryer. These intermediaries verify the physical orientation and proximity of the appliances before allowing wireless control. This intermediary layer ensures safety without compromising the ease of operation, as the verification happens automatically in the background.
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 enhances user convenience by allowing wireless control of the dryer while ensuring safety standards are met, reducing defect rates and simplifying installation, as the washing machine can only control the dryer when the dryer's front surface is aligned with its own, preventing unauthorized operation.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic sensor arranged on an upper end of the washing machine at a location that corresponds to a magnetic body on a lower end of the dryer when the dryer is stacked on the washing machine, and the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the front surface of the dryer faces in the same direction as the front surface of the washing machine based on a magnetic flux value sensed by the magnetic sensor
Implementation Method 2
a first near field communication (NFC) chip arranged on an upper end of the washing machine at a location that corresponds to a second NFC chip on a lower end of the dryer when the dryer is stacked on the washing machine, and the at least one processor is further configured to determine whether the front surface of the dryer faces in the same direction as the front surface of the washing machine based on whether the first NFC chip recognizes the second NFC chip
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes a communication interface for wireless communication with a dryer; a user interface configured to receive a user's control input related to the dryer, and to output information related to the dryer; and at least one processor configured to determine whether a front surface of the dryer faces in a same direction as a front surface of the washing machine, and when it is determined that the front surface of the dryer faces in the same direction as the front surface of the washing machine, receive the user's control input related to the dryer through the user interface and transmit, to the dryer, a control command corresponding to the user's control input related to the dryer through the communication interface.