Circulating pump driving device and laundry processing apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circulation pump driving apparatuses for laundry treatment machines face challenges in efficiently controlling the speed and power of circulation pump motors, leading to extended drainage times and instability in converter operations.

Innovation Solution

A circulation pump driving apparatus that includes an inverter converting DC voltage into AC voltage and a controller that operates the circulation pump motor in multiple modes, such as constant speed, variable speed, and variable power, to enhance washing power and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If constant speed operation with AC voltage is used to drive the circulation pump motor, then the motor operates reliably, but the drainage time is extended because the motor speed cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor operation reliabilityVSAvoiddrainage time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from constant speed operation to variable speed control by using a DC brushless motor with pulse width modulation (PWM) control. The motor speed is dynamically adjusted based on operational requirements, allowing high speed during drainage to reduce time and controlled speed during washing to maintain reliability and improve washing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters of the motor by switching from AC voltage with fixed frequency to DC voltage with variable PWM duty cycle. This parameter change enables independent control of motor speed, allowing optimization of both drainage time and washing reliability through adjustable speed profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the circulation pump motor speed is increased to reduce drainage time, then drainage efficiency improves, but washing power is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidwashing power
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic speed adjustment where the motor operates at high speed during drainage operations to maximize productivity, and switches to optimized speed profiles during washing cycles to maintain adequate washing power. The controller adapts motor speed in real-time based on the operational phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses periodic speed variation patterns during washing operations, alternating between different speed levels to achieve both drainage efficiency and washing effectiveness. The motor speed is modulated periodically to match the cyclic nature of washing and drainage phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of time

If the circulation pump motor operates at high speed continuously, then drainage is completed faster, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage completion timeVSAvoidmotor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic operation patterns where the motor runs at high speed only during necessary drainage phases and reduces speed or stops during washing phases. This periodic activation based on operational needs minimizes energy consumption while achieving drainage objectives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically changes motor operating parameters including speed and PWM duty cycle based on real-time operational requirements. During drainage, parameters are optimized for speed; during washing, parameters are adjusted for energy efficiency, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining drainage effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution improves washing power by dynamically controlling the speed and power of the circulation pump motor, reduces drainage time, and enhances the stability of the converter, resulting in more efficient laundry treatment processes.

Implementation Method 1

an inverter converting a DC voltage from a converter into an alternating current (AC) voltage by a switching operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwitching operation:

Data Source

PatentEP3819503B1Circulating pump driving device and laundry processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3819503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3819503B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3819503B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a circulation pump driving apparatus and a laundry treatment machine. A circulation pump driving apparatus and a laundry treatment machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inverter converting a DC voltage from a converter into an alternating current (AC) voltage by a switching operation and outputting the converted AC voltage to a circulation pump motor, and a controller to control the circulation pump motor to operate in at least two modes among a first mode in which a speed of the circulation pump motor is constant, a second mode in which the speed of the circulation pump motor repeatedly rises and falls, and a third mode in which the speed of the circulation pump motor rises at a first rising slope and a second rising slope and then remains constant. Accordingly, it is possible to improve washing power due to circulation pumping during washing.