Washing Machine Drum Weighing with Temperature and Unbalance Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic weighing methods for laundry in washing machines are inaccurate due to the lack of correction factors for engine temperature and inertia, leading to inefficiencies in water, energy, and detergent consumption, especially in industrial settings with varying temperatures and unbalanced loads.
Innovation Solution
An automatic weighing method that determines the engine temperature using a frequency modulator, calculates the resistance of the winding, and measures the current consumption at different angular speeds to account for unbalance and temperature, allowing for precise weight calculation without additional sensors, using the formula m=I+a·T+b·Un2+c·Un-Kd.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing weighing methods are used without correction factors, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature variations and unbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing sensors (voltage sensor, rotation sensor) to automatically detect and compensate for temperature effects and unbalance conditions. The control unit performs self-diagnosis and correction without external intervention, eliminating the need for additional correction sensors while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts measurement parameters based on detected conditions. By monitoring voltage, rotation speed, and acceleration patterns, the control unit identifies temperature variations and unbalance states, then applies appropriate correction algorithms to maintain accurate weight measurements across varying operational conditions
2Use of energy by moving object
If no laundry weight detection is performed, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of energy increases due to suboptimal water and detergent consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical weighing mechanisms with electrical measurement methods. By using voltage sensors and rotation sensors to detect acceleration patterns during drum operation, the system calculates laundry weight through electrical parameters rather than mechanical force measurement, reducing device complexity while enabling energy optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors sensor data during washing cycles and uses this feedback to adjust water consumption, detergent dosage, and energy usage. The system learns from each cycle and optimizes resource consumption based on actual laundry weight, creating a closed-loop control system that improves energy efficiency progressively
3Measurement precision
If correction for unbalance is not implemented, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision deteriorates under high unbalance conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of unbalance conditions during the acceleration phase before actual weight measurement. By analyzing acceleration patterns and rotation characteristics during the initial drum spin-up, the control unit identifies unbalance states and prepares correction factors in advance, ensuring accurate weight measurement even under significant unbalance conditions
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
Enables accurate laundry weighing, reducing energy and water consumption by up to 50% and optimizing detergent use, while maintaining cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
determination of the temperature of an engine by frequency modulator is processed, where the determination is based on a value of calculated resistance of the winding of the engine of the washing machine
Implementation Method 2
Bearings are heated and its resistance is declined. It causes declination of electrical resistance of the engine
Implementation Method 3
measuring of energy absorbed by engine to drive the drum of the washing machine during third angular speed and fourth angular speed
Implementation Method 4
limitation of inertia of the laundry with constant moment of inertia
Implementation Method 5
afterwards the angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is increased up to a maximal angular speed (ω3), during which the current consumed for the acceleration of the drum of the washing machine is measured
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic weighing method for washing machine, where determination of temperature of an engine by frequency modulator is processed, during that measuring of amount of current passing through the winding of the engine of the washing machine during its inaction is done, and afterwards calculation of resistance of the winding of the engine of the washing machine based on amount of measured current is effected, afterwards angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is increased up to distribution angular speed (ω0), which is intended to distribute laundry in the drum of the washing machine, afterwards angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is increased up to medium angular speed (ω1), which is intended to spread the laundry on the inner surface of the drum of the washing machine, afterwards angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is decreased up to measuring angular speed (ω2), during that a value of unbalance of the drum of the washing machine is determined, afterwards angular speed of the drum of the washing machine is increased up to maximal angular speed (ω3), during that energy consumed for acceleration of the drum of the washing machine is measured.