Method for controlling clothes-handling apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in quickly and effectively settling drum unbalance during rotation, particularly in transient vibration states and in both diameter-direction and longitudinal sections, leading to noise and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry treating apparatus with three or more balancers spaced equally around the drum, where liquid is strategically supplied to rear and front spaces to increase weights in specific quadrants, minimizing unbalance by attenuating centrifugal forces in both the rear and front regions of the drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball or liquid balancer is configured to control unbalance by moving a ball or liquid toward the lowermost point of the drum rotation locus, then unbalance compensation is achieved in steady state, but the control method cannot be expected in transient vibration state and cannot overcome unbalance right away after sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively supplying liquid to balancers at positions opposite to where laundry unbalance is detected, rather than waiting for the balancer to passively move to the lowermost point. The control unit detects unbalance and immediately supplies liquid to the appropriate balancer position, achieving quick unbalance settlement in transient states without waiting for steady-state conditions.
2Reliability
If conventional balancing units are used, then unbalance control is achieved, but the apparatus cannot settle unbalance quickly in transient vibration states and generates noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulics by introducing liquid through a liquid supply unit to the balancers. The liquid supply unit supplies liquid to selected balancers based on detected unbalance conditions, enabling rapid mass adjustment to counteract unbalance forces. This hydraulic approach allows immediate response to unbalance detection, settling unbalance quickly without the delays inherent in mechanical ball balancer systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid is supplied to increase weight in specific quadrants, then unbalance is minimized by attenuating centrifugal forces, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by supplying liquid to specific balancers at specific positions (front or rear spaces) based on the detected unbalance characteristics. The control unit determines which balancer(s) need liquid supply based on the phase and amplitude of vibration, providing localized correction rather than uniform treatment. This targeted approach effectively reduces vibration and noise while managing system complexity through precise, condition-based liquid supply.
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 settles drum unbalance, reducing vibration amplitude and noise, and ensures balanced operation in both diameter-direction and longitudinal sections, enhancing the apparatus's performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The unbalanced drum is characterized to be the fastest when the laundry causing the unbalance passes the lowermost point of drum rotation locus and the slowest when passing the uppermost point
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a control method for a laundry treating apparatus comprising: a drum in which laundry is stored; at least three balancers fixed to the drum and provided to be spaced from each other at the same angle with respect to the rotational center of the drum; front spaces provided in each balancer and positioned at the front of the drum; and rear spaces provided in each balancer and positioned at the rear of the drum, wherein the control method for the laundry treating apparatus comprises: a rear control step of supplying a liquid to at least one of the rear spaces so as to increase the weight of a quadrant (first target quadrant) positioned in the direction opposite to a quadrant, of a circumferential surface of the drum, to which a force causing unbalance is directed; and a front control step of supplying a liquid to at least one of the front spaces so as to increase the weight of a quadrant (second target quadrant) positioned in the direction opposite to the quadrant, of the circumferential surface of the drum, to which the force causing unbalance is directed.