Dual-Device Laundry Treatment Control for Overcurrent Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional front-loading laundry treatment apparatuses with auxiliary units face interruptions due to overcurrent when operated simultaneously, as they lack effective current management between the primary and secondary treatment devices.

Innovation Solution

A control method that dynamically adjusts the operation of multiple laundry treatment devices by monitoring and managing the current usage, allowing the apparatus to switch between different cycles to prevent overcurrent interruptions, ensuring simultaneous operation without power disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the laundry treatment apparatus and auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus are simultaneously operated, then the laundry treatment capacity is improved, but the operation of both devices may be interrupted due to overcurrent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaundry treatment capacityVSAvoidoperation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously monitors the current consumption of both the laundry treatment apparatus and auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus, and dynamically adjusts the operation of the auxiliary device based on real-time current feedback to prevent overcurrent interruptions while maintaining simultaneous operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The operation mode of the auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus is dynamically changed based on current conditions: it operates normally when current is sufficient, switches to a reduced-load mode when current approaches limits, and suspends operation when overcurrent is detected, allowing flexible adaptation to power availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus operates at full load, then the laundry treatment efficiency is improved, but the current consumption increases causing potential overcurrent interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaundry treatment efficiencyVSAvoidcurrent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control device changes operational parameters of the auxiliary laundry treatment apparatus based on current availability: it adjusts the load capacity and operation mode (normal operation, reduced-load operation, or suspension) to optimize the balance between treatment efficiency and current consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3262224B1Control method of laundry treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3262224B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3262224B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3262224B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control method of a laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The control method includes supplying electric power to a first load unit to execute a first cycle set in a first treatment device (a first step), supplying electric power to a second load unit to execute a second cycle set in a second treatment device (a second step), when an amount of current per unit time that is supplied to the laundry treatment apparatus is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference current amount, terminating the second step and executing a third cycle set in the second treatment device so as to consume a lower amount of current than an amount of current per unit time necessary to execute the second cycle (a third step), terminating the first cycle of the first treatment device (a fourth step), and executing the second cycle of the second treatment device after completing the fourth step (a fifth step).