Method of controlling laundry treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses, particularly drawer-type models, face issues with accidental drawer discharge during operation, leading to safety hazards and inefficiencies due to the need for manual locking and lack of user autonomy, especially when handling small laundry loads or delicate fabrics.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry treatment apparatus that senses the drawer's insertion status and locks it during operation to prevent discharge during water supply, steam, or drum rotation, allowing release only when safe conditions are met, and permits user-controlled discharge based on safety assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual locking is required during operation, then safety is improved, but user autonomy and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines whether locking is necessary by monitoring operational parameters itself, without requiring user judgment or manual intervention. The controller autonomously activates the locking mechanism when hazardous operations are detected, making the system self-protective while preserving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors operational parameters (water supply status, steam generation, drum rotation) and uses this feedback to dynamically control the locking mechanism. This closed-loop control ensures the drawer is locked only when necessary, automatically adjusting to operational conditions while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If the drawer is locked during operation, then accidental discharge is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing operational parameter detection system serves dual purposes: monitoring washing conditions and determining locking necessity. The same sensors that detect water levels, steam presence, and drum rotation are reused for safety control, avoiding additional hardware complexity while achieving reliable accidental discharge prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking control function is merged with the operational control system. The controller that manages washing operations also determines locking status based on the same operational parameters, consolidating control functions and reducing overall system complexity despite adding safety functionality.
3Reliability
If automatic locking control is implemented, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its existing operational monitoring capabilities to automatically determine locking requirements, eliminating the need for separate safety sensors or user interfaces. This self-service approach leverages existing hardware for dual purposes, minimizing additional manufacturing costs while achieving improved safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Existing operational parameters (water supply status, steam generation, drum rotation) are reused for safety control decisions. The same controllers and sensors that manage washing operations also determine locking status, avoiding duplicate hardware and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet defining an external appearance and having a front opening, a drawer provided to be discharged through the opening, a tub accommodated in the drawer to accommodate wash water therein, a drum rotatably provided inside the tub to accommodate laundry therein, a fastening unit configured to separably couple the drawer to the cabinet, and a sensing unit configured to sense whether the drawer is discharged from the cabinet, the method including receiving a control command to operate the laundry treatment apparatus, sensing whether insertion of the drawer into the cabinet is completed by controlling the sensing unit, locking the drawer to the cabinet by controlling the fastening unit, performing the control command, and releasing a locked state so as to separate the drawer from the cabinet by controlling the fastening unit when the control command is completely performed.