Double-Drum Washing Machine Heating Control to Reduce Power Peaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-drum washing machines face challenges in energy and water efficiency, as well as stability issues due to simultaneous high-power processes like heating, drying, and dewatering, leading to increased costs and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A control method that judiciously manages the heating processes between two drums by determining if the first drum's heating time is overlong, prioritizing high-power processes in the second drum if necessary, and alternating or ordering heating based on set conditions to avoid simultaneous high-power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating is performed simultaneously in both washing drums, then washing efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases and machine stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating heating between the first and second washing drums. When one drum requires heating, the other drum is used instead, creating a periodic cycle of heating operations that avoids simultaneous high-power consumption while maintaining washing efficiency across both drums over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs preliminary action by judging whether heating is needed in advance and selecting the appropriate drum before the heating process begins. The system evaluates washing parameters, water temperatures, and drum states beforehand to determine which drum should perform heating, preventing simultaneous heating operations.
2Speed
If multiple high-power processes are performed simultaneously, then processing speed is improved, but energy consumption increases and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic action by scheduling high-power processes (heating, drying, dewatering) to occur alternately rather than simultaneously. The control device monitors power consumption and schedules these processes in periodic intervals, ensuring that when one drum performs a high-power operation, the other drum performs low-power or idle operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the system flexible and adaptive in its operation. The control device dynamically adjusts the heating and processing schedules based on real-time conditions, water temperatures, and power consumption levels, optimizing the balance between processing speed and energy usage rather than following a fixed simultaneous operation pattern.
3Loss of energy
If ordered heating control is used, then power consumption is reduced, but washing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the heating operations of both washing drums into a coordinated sequence. Instead of one drum waiting while the other heats, the system merges the heating schedules so that both drums receive appropriate heating treatment through alternating operations, reducing total energy consumption while minimizing the time loss through efficient scheduling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control method of a double-drum washing machine, the washing machine at least comprises a first washing drum (1) and a second washing drum (2). Whether the heating time required by the first washing drum (1) is overlong or not is judged before the first washing drum (1) performs heating. If yes, the second washing drum (2) preferentially executes the heating, or dewatering, or drying processes, if not, the following step is performed: step S101: judging whether the second washing drum (2) performs heating or not; step S102: if yes, judging whether the remaining heating time of the second washing drum (2) is greater than T0 or not; step S103: if the judgment result is yes, executing the alternate heating program that the first washing drum (1) and the second washing drum (2) perform heating alternately, and if the judgment result is not, executing the ordered heating program that the second washing drum (2) performs heating firstly, and then the first washing drum (1) performs heating, wherein T0 is a time value set in the method for judging whether the heating of the second washing drum (2) is about to finish or not. The heating control method of the present disclosure ensures the stability and service life of the washing machine.