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An intelligent washing machine for the evaluation of laundry detergents
Author(s) -
Trowbridge J. R.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/bf02671347
Subject(s) - laundry , washer , reciprocating motion , metering mode , metre , engineering , mechanical engineering , waste management , astronomy , gas compressor , physics
A computer‐controlled washer can be programmed to evaluate automatically a large number of washing compositions for soil removal. Variable amounts of as many as six different detergent components are added with metering pumps. A continuous roll of soiled cloth passes through a washer and past a reflectance meter onto a take‐up reel. Washing action is provided by a vertical reciprocating shaft attached to a plate which rubs on the fabric while tension is maintained by a spring‐loaded roller. The length of the wash, number of rinses and addition of components is controlled by the computer program. Upon completion of the wash and rinse cycle, the fabric is advanced about 10 cm. Washed areas appear as lighter colored bands on the fabric. In one mode of operation a large factorial experiment is programmed in advance. After an initial calibration of metering pumps the apparatus runs unattended. In another mode, the computer receives feedback from the reflectance meter and a simplex procedure is used to determine the direction of maximum cleaning. Following the execution of a small number of initially programmed washes, the computer selects the succeeding wash compositions.