Washing Machine Drum Spin Control for Floor-Dependent Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household appliances like washing machines experience strong vibrations during spin cycles due to varying speed and surface conditions, leading to functional impairments and increased wear, especially on soft surfaces like wooden floors.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects the instantaneous speed gradient of the drum and compares vibrations with reference values, adjusting the spin speed in real-time to reduce vibrations, using an acceleration sensor to characterize and respond to specific vibration parameters, ensuring the spin speed is adapted to the installation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the spin speed is varied during the spin cycle, then the drying efficiency is improved, but strong vibrations occur leading to functional impairments and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of spin speed based on real-time vibration detection. The control unit continuously monitors vibration levels and modifies the spin speed profile during the spin cycle, transitioning from static speed settings to dynamic adaptation. This allows the system to maintain high drying efficiency while avoiding vibration-induced functional impairments by adjusting operational parameters in response to actual conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where vibration sensors detect vibration levels and transmit this information to the control unit, which then adjusts the spin speed accordingly. This closed-loop control system enables the appliance to respond to vibration conditions in real-time, preventing functional impairments while maintaining productivity. The feedback loop continuously monitors and adjusts operational parameters based on actual vibration levels.
2Productivity
If the spin speed is varied during the spin cycle, then the drying efficiency is improved, but wear on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts spin speed to optimize the balance between drying efficiency and component wear. By continuously monitoring vibration levels and adapting the speed profile, the system avoids excessive speeds that would increase wear while maintaining sufficient speed for effective drying. This dynamic optimization extends component lifespan without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters (spin speed) based on detected vibration conditions. When vibration levels indicate potential wear risks, the system modifies the spin speed parameter to reduce mechanical stress on components. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain high drying efficiency during low-vibration periods while reducing wear during high-vibration conditions.
3Ease of operation
If a generally prescribed spin program is used, then the operation is simple, but strong vibrations occur on specific surfaces like wooden floors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the appliance to automatically detect and adapt to its installation surface characteristics without user intervention. The vibration sensors and control unit work together to identify surface properties (such as wooden floors) and automatically adjust the spin speed profile accordingly. This self-service capability maintains ease of operation while effectively reducing vibrations on specific surfaces through intelligent, automatic adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from vibration sensors to automatically adjust spin speed based on detected surface characteristics. When the appliance detects vibrations characteristic of wooden floors or other sensitive surfaces, the control unit modifies the spin program in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain simple operation for the user while intelligently adapting to different installation conditions to minimize harmful vibrations.
4Productivity
If the spin speed is increased to reduce spin time, then the productivity is improved, but vibrations become stronger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic spin speed adjustment that optimizes the balance between spin time and vibration intensity. Instead of using a single high speed for the entire spin cycle, the system continuously adapts the speed profile based on real-time vibration feedback. This allows the appliance to achieve high productivity by maintaining high speeds during low-vibration periods while reducing speed during high-vibration periods, thereby minimizing overall vibration exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes spin speed parameters dynamically based on detected vibration conditions. When vibration intensity increases, the control unit adjusts the speed parameter to reduce vibration generation. This parameter adaptation enables the system to maintain short spin times for high productivity while avoiding excessive vibration intensity through intelligent, condition-based speed modification.
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
Significantly reduces vibrations during spin cycles, minimizing wear and tear on appliances, allowing them to operate with reduced vibration across various surfaces, including soft wooden floors, by intelligently adjusting the spin speed based on detected vibration parameters.
Implementation Method 1
machine vibrations are detected in one step by means of an acceleration sensor
Implementation Method 2
the drum is set in rotation during a care process, and a spin cycle is thus carried out
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for adjusting a spinning speed of a drum of a household appliance for caring for laundry items, said appliance being placed on a base, wherein a gradient of the actual speed of the drum is detected for a spinning process and a determination is made as to whether the speed gradient is increasing or decreasing, and wherein, when vibrations of the household appliance having frequency and/or amplitude depending on the base arise during the spinning process, said vibrations are detected and compared to reference values, wherein if the parameter value characterizing the vibrations deviates from the reference values, the spinning speed is modified depending on the determined speed gradient.