Ball Balancer Sensing Time Control for Washer Spin Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball balancer control methods in washing machines fail to effectively reduce oscillation caused by varying oil viscosity with temperature changes during dehydration operations, as they use a fixed sensing time regardless of water temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically adjusts sensing times based on real-time water temperature measurements to detect unbalanced masses and laundry volumes, compensating for viscosity changes in the ball balancer oil, and performs dehydration processes accordingly across different temperature ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed sensing time is used to detect unbalanced mass, then the control method is simple, but oscillation cannot be prevented when oil viscosity changes with water temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing time is changed dynamically according to water temperature ranges. The control unit sets different sensing times (first sensing time for lower temperature ranges, second sensing time for higher temperature ranges) based on the measured water temperature, making the sensing time adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain reliable oscillation prevention while adjusting complexity only as needed based on temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing time parameter is changed based on water temperature. When water temperature falls within a first temperature range, a first sensing time is used; when it falls within a second temperature range, a second sensing time is used. This parameter adaptation allows the system to compensate for oil viscosity changes without requiring complex additional hardware, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
2Reliability
If the sensing time is varied according to water temperature, then oscillation can be prevented across different temperatures, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sensing time based on measured water temperature. The control unit contains predefined temperature ranges and corresponding sensing times, automatically selecting the appropriate sensing time based on current temperature conditions. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable oscillation prevention across varying temperatures while keeping the control logic manageable through predefined ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically determines the appropriate sensing time based on the measured water temperature without requiring external intervention or complex calculations. The system self-adjusts by comparing the measured temperature against predefined ranges and selecting the corresponding sensing time, thereby achieving reliable temperature-compensated control with minimal additional complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a fixed sensing time is used, then the control system is simple, but detection precision decreases when oil viscosity varies with temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing time parameter is adjusted according to water temperature ranges to compensate for oil viscosity changes. When water temperature is in the first range, a first sensing time is used; when in the second range, a second sensing time is used. This parameter adaptation maintains accurate unbalanced mass detection across different temperatures without requiring complex additional measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from the water temperature measurement to automatically adjust the sensing time. By continuously monitoring temperature and selecting appropriate sensing times based on predefined temperature ranges, the system maintains precise unbalanced mass detection despite oil viscosity variations, achieving high measurement precision with controlled complexity through straightforward feedback logic.
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 approach prevents oscillation and noise by precisely detecting imbalances and adjusting sensing times to match viscosity changes, ensuring effective dehydration operations across varying temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the ball balancer has a function of reducing an oscillation of a rotation member, by using damping fluid to which an additive having predetermined viscosity of between 200 cSt and 400 cSt is added so that viscosity variation according to temperature variation is reduced
Implementation Method 2
balls of the ball balancer move in a predetermined direction, due to differential centrifugal force caused by the unbalanced rotation, in order to compensate for weight deviation of the laundry eccentrically placed in the drum
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of controlling a ball balancer of a washing machine. The method includes variously setting sensing time corresponding to a plurality of water temperature ranges to detect an unbalanced mass, detecting imbalance of laundry and a laundry volume based on a water temperature, which is measured in real time, and the preset sensing time when an optional dehydration mode starts and performing a dehydration process.