Dryer Cleaning Water Flow Control for Water Hammer Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating apparatuses experience noise due to water hammering during intermittent cleaning of filters and heat exchangers, especially under high water supply pressure, which affects cleaning effectiveness and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method of controlling the laundry treating apparatus by measuring water flow rates to switch between low and high pressure cleaning modes, adjusting the operation of flow path control valves to minimize water hammer noise while ensuring effective cleaning, including specific valve opening and closing times based on measured flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the valve for controlling cleaning water supply is opened and closed repeatedly in a short cycle to increase injection pressure, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water hammer noise is repeatedly generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the valve control strategy adaptive rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts between intermittent valve opening/closing (for low pressure) and continuous valve opening (for high pressure) based on real-time water supply pressure detection, optimizing cleaning effectiveness while minimizing water hammer noise under different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the valve based on water supply pressure conditions. When pressure is high, the valve remains continuously open to prevent water hammer noise. When pressure is low, the valve is opened and closed intermittently to build sufficient injection pressure for effective cleaning, thus adapting parameters to resolve the contradiction
2Stress or pressure
If cleaning water is supplied intermittently to build up pressure, then injection pressure increases for better cleaning, but water hammering occurs when the valve closes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the valve operation mode based on detected water supply pressure. When supply pressure is sufficient, the valve stays open continuously, allowing water to flow without interruption and preventing water hammering. When supply pressure is low, the valve is opened and closed intermittently to accumulate pressure for effective injection, accepting occasional water hammering as a necessary trade-off for achieving adequate cleaning pressure
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the valve remains continuously open for low water pressure cleaning, then water hammer noise is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic valve control that adapts to water supply pressure conditions. The controller continuously monitors pressure and adjusts valve operation accordingly: continuous opening when pressure is high to minimize noise, and intermittent opening/closing when pressure is low to maximize cleaning effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and cleaning performance
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
Reduces the frequency of water hammer noise during cleaning, maintains effective cleaning performance for filters and heat exchangers, and adapts to varying water supply pressures without requiring additional sensors, thus enhancing operational efficiency and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a flow rate measurement step of measuring a flow rate while supplying water into the tub
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning step of controlling, based on the flow rate, a first flow path control valve for regulating water supply to the first cleaning mechanism and a second flow path control valve for regulating water supply to the second cleaning mechanism
Implementation Method 3
a first cleaning mechanism configured to apply cleaning water to any one of the filter and the heat exchanger, and a second cleaning mechanism configured to apply the cleaning water to the other of the filter and the heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method of controlling a laundry treating apparatus including a tub in which a drum accommodating clothing is rotatably disposed, a heat exchanger configured to perform heat exchange between air discharged from the tub and a refrigerant in a circulation flow path through which the air circulates, a filter configured to filter the air, a first cleaning mechanism configured to apply cleaning water to any one of the filter and the heat exchanger, and a second cleaning mechanism configured to apply the cleaning water to the other of the filter and the heat exchanger. The method includes measuring a flow rate while supplying water into the tub, and controlling, based on the flow rate, a first flow path control valve for regulating water supply to the first cleaning mechanism and a second flow path control valve for regulating water supply to the second cleaning mechanism.