Washing Machine Drum–Pulsator Motor Control for Overload Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing the independent operation of drums and pulsators, leading to motor overload and inefficient washing performance, particularly in front-loading washing machines.
Innovation Solution
A washing apparatus with a controller that independently controls the drum and pulsator motors, allowing for alternating rotational directions and speeds to optimize washing performance while preventing motor overload by monitoring current values and adjusting operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum and pulsator are driven by separate motors to enable independent operation, then washing performance is improved, but motor overload occurs due to insufficient coordination control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the pulsator motor based on real-time drum motor status. The controller adjusts the pulsator motor's rotational direction and operation timing according to the drum motor's current consumption and operational phase, enabling adaptive coordination that prevents motor overload while maintaining effective washing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors the drum motor's current consumption and uses this feedback to determine when to reverse or stop the pulsator motor. This feedback mechanism ensures that the pulsator operates only during appropriate phases of the washing cycle, preventing simultaneous peak loads on both motors and extending their operational lifespan.
2Ease of operation
If the pulsator rotates continuously in one direction, then washing action is simplified, but washing efficiency decreases due to lack of water flow variation
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsator motor is controlled to rotate periodically in alternating directions during the washing cycle. The controller reverses the pulsator's rotational direction at predetermined intervals, creating periodic water flow variations that enhance washing efficiency by preventing laundry from settling in one position and improving water penetration throughout the load.
3Strength
If the drum and pulsator operate at the same rotational speed, then mechanical stress is reduced, but washing performance deteriorates due to insufficient relative motion
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the rotational speeds of the drum and pulsator to maintain optimal speed differential during washing operations. By controlling the pulsator to rotate at a different speed than the drum, the system generates effective relative motion between the water flow and laundry, enhancing washing performance while managing mechanical stress through controlled operational parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is a washing apparatus (1) includes a drum (30), a pulsator (40), a drum (30) drive motor (111, 131) rotates the drum (30) in a first direction or a second direction, a pulsator (40) drive motor (111, 131) rotates the pulsator (40) in the first direction or the second direction, and a controller controls the drum (30) drive motor (111, 131) to rotate the drum (30) in the first direction and to rotate the drum (30) in the second direction when an operation period expires. When a drum (30) drive current value is greater than a first reference current value during the first direction rotation of the drum (30), the controller controls the drum (30) drive motor (111, 131) so that the drum (30) drive motor (111, 131) stops rotating the drum (30) in the first direction. When the operation period expires the controller controls the drum (30) drive motor (111, 131) so that the drum (30) is rotated in the second direction.