Drainage and dewatering control method for self-cleaning washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine drainage and dewatering methods fail to thoroughly clean the tubs, particularly the bottom walls and lower parts, leading to residual dirt and secondary pollution, with inadequate cleaning strength and incomplete removal of dirt during the tub cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A drainage and dewatering control method for a self-cleaning washing machine that adjusts the rotating speed of the inner tub based on the concentration of cleaning particles, dividing the process into stages to maximize friction and collision with tub walls, ensuring comprehensive cleaning and efficient particle collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the inner tub rotates at high speed during drainage to enhance cleaning through friction and collision of cleaning particles with tub walls, then the cleaning strength is improved, but the cleaning particles may not be effectively collected and removed from the tub
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage process is divided into multiple stages: a first drainage stage with the inner tub rotating at first rotating speed for cleaning, and a second drainage stage with the inner tub rotating at second rotating speed for particle collection. This segmentation allows optimization of each stage's function to resolve the contradiction between cleaning strength and particle collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating speed of the inner tub is dynamically adjusted during the drainage process. The control unit sets different rotating speeds at different stages: higher speed during the first drainage stage to maximize cleaning through friction and collision, and lower speed during the second drainage stage to facilitate particle collection and removal.
2Productivity
If the inner tub is kept static during drainage to allow cleaning particles to settle and be collected, then particle collection is improved, but the cleaning strength is reduced as cleaning particles cannot generate friction with tub walls
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage process is segmented into distinct stages with different functional objectives. The first drainage stage focuses on cleaning with the inner tub rotating, while the second drainage stage focuses on particle collection with reduced rotation. This temporal segmentation allows both cleaning and collection to be optimized in sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage process employs periodic action by alternating between a cleaning phase (inner tub rotating at higher speed) and a collection phase (inner tub rotating at lower speed). This periodic alternation ensures that both cleaning strength and particle collection efficiency are maximized at appropriate times during the overall drainage process.
3Strength
If the inner tub rotates continuously at high speed throughout drainage, then cleaning is maximized, but energy consumption increases and particle collection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating speed of the inner tub is dynamically controlled throughout the drainage process. The control unit adjusts the rotating speed based on the drainage stage: high speed during the first drainage stage for cleaning, and low speed during the second drainage stage for particle collection. This dynamic adjustment reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining effective cleaning during the critical cleaning phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage process is segmented into stages with different energy requirements. The first drainage stage consumes more energy to achieve intensive cleaning through high-speed rotation, while the second drainage stage consumes less energy focused on particle collection. This segmentation optimizes the overall energy balance by concentrating energy input when it is most needed for cleaning.
4Strength
If the inner tub rotates at varying speeds during drainage, then both cleaning and particle collection are optimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage process is segmented into a fixed number of stages (first drainage stage and second drainage stage) with predetermined rotating speeds for each stage. This segmentation simplifies control by providing a clear, structured approach: the control unit needs only to manage transitions between a small number of defined states rather than continuously optimizing complex parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The varying rotating speed pattern follows a periodic structure with distinct phases. The control unit implements a repeating cycle: high-speed rotation for cleaning, then low-speed rotation for particle collection. This periodic pattern simplifies control logic by establishing predictable, recurring sequences rather than requiring complex real-time decision-making algorithms.
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 method effectively removes dirt from all tub walls, maintains a clean washing environment, and increases the cleaning rate of clothes by optimizing the rotating speed of the inner tub in response to the concentration of cleaning particles, ensuring thorough cleaning and preventing foam overflow during dewatering.
Implementation Method 1
the inner tub is controlled to operate with different actions in a drainage process and/or a spin-drying process, so that the cleaning particles are flushed into a drainage outlet and are collected by the drainage valve
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning particles are driven by the flowing of water in a clothes washing process to generate friction with the walls of the inner tub and the outer tub
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning particles drop down and flow into the drainage outlet together with the water flow along with the decline of the water level so as to be collected by the drainage valve
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning particles are arranged in a space between the inner tub and the outer tub of a washing machine. A drainage and dewatering control method comprises: opening a drainage valve; determining the amount of the cleaning particles per each unit volume of water in the space; and controlling the rotating speed of the inner tub. Drainage and dewatering processes are divided into at least two control stages according to the amount of the cleaning particles per each unit volume of water in the space, different rotating ways of the inner tub are set in respective stages, and the rotating speed of the inner tub is higher in the stage that the amount of the cleaning particles per unit volume of water is larger. A control stage is selected according to the detected amount of the cleaning particles per unit volume of water in the space.