Ball Balancer AI Control for Washing Machine Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience rotating unbalance and noise due to non-uniform distribution of laundry during the dewatering process, leading to vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent washing machine system that trains a ball balancer control model using AI to adjust the position of the ball balancer based on real-time data from the washing machine's operation and laundry state, optimizing motor rotation speed to minimize vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a ball balancer is installed in the inner tub to prevent rotating unbalance, then vibration and noise are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball balancer system automatically adjusts the position of the ball counterweight based on real-time vibration feedback from sensors, without requiring manual intervention. The controller processes vibration data and autonomously controls the ball balancer motor to reposition the counterweight, enabling the system to self-regulate and reduce vibration while minimizing the need for complex external control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates vibration sensors that continuously monitor the inner tub's vibration during operation. This vibration data is fed back to the controller, which then adjusts the ball balancer position accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables dynamic vibration reduction while keeping the control system relatively simple by using only the necessary sensing and actuation components
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ball balancer position is continuously adjusted using AI control model, then rotating unbalance is minimized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball balancer position is adjusted periodically based on vibration thresholds and operational phases rather than continuously. The controller monitors vibration levels and triggers ball balancer adjustments only when necessary, such as when vibration exceeds predetermined thresholds or at specific intervals during the spin cycle. This periodic adjustment approach maintains rotating balance while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically by adjusting ball balancer position only when vibration parameters exceed acceptable ranges. The controller modifies the ball balancer position incrementally based on the magnitude and direction of vibration, rather than making constant adjustments. This parameter-based control approach optimizes energy usage by acting only when and where needed
3Productivity
If motor rotation speed is increased to maximum for efficient dewatering, then productivity improves, but vibration and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball balancer acts as a counterweight that offsets the unbalanced mass distribution of laundry in the inner tub. By positioning the ball counterweight opposite to the heavy side of laundry distribution, the system neutralizes the centrifugal forces causing vibration and noise. This allows the motor to operate at high speeds for efficient dewatering while the counterweight system maintains balance, thus achieving both high productivity and low vibration simultaneously
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
Prevents rotating unbalance and noise by dynamically adjusting the ball balancer position, ensuring efficient and quiet dewatering operations.
Implementation Method 1
a dewatering process that dewaters the fabrics using the centrifugal force of the inner tub 211
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry dewatering method using an intelligent washing machine is disclosed. A laundry dewatering method using an intelligent washing machine trains a ball balancer control model for acquiring first ball balancer control information related to position control in an inner tub of a ball balancer positioned in the inner tub, acquires first washing machine state information related to a dewatering operation of the washing machine, acquires the first ball balancer control information by inputting the first washing machine state information to the trained ball balancer control model, controls a position of the ball balancer in the inner tub on the basis of the acquired first ball balancer control information, and dewaters the laundry on the basis of the control result, thereby being able to reduce vibration and noise of the washing machine due to laundry that is non-uniformly received and dewatered in the inner tub.