Holeless Drum Water Level Control for Laundry-Based Water Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with holeless rotary drums cannot effectively use a water level sensor to determine and control the appropriate amount of water based on the laundry, leading to excessive water consumption and uncertainty about water absorption.
Innovation Solution
A water level control method that supplies water between the water tub and the holeless rotary drum, detects the water level, and resupplies water based on predetermined levels and the amount of laundry, using a circulation unit to introduce and discharge water to ensure optimal water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is supplied into the water tub to submerge the space between the water tub and rotary drum, then the washing machine can wash laundry effectively, but excessive water is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water circulation function from the traditional hole-based system and creates a separate circulation path. Water is pumped from the water tub and recirculated through the rotary drum via a circulation unit, allowing water to be reused multiple times rather than requiring continuous fresh water supply for submersion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding water after a single use, the system recycles water by pumping it from the water tub and reintroducing it into the rotary drum through the circulation unit. This recovery process allows the same water to serve multiple washing cycles, significantly reducing overall water consumption.
2Quantity of substance
If no holes are formed at the circumference of the rotary drum to reduce water consumption, then water consumption is reduced, but it is not possible to confirm whether an appropriate amount of water has been supplied based on the amount of laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water level sensor as an intermediary measurement device that indirectly detects water absorption by measuring the water level in the water tub. Since water absorbed by laundry comes from the water tub, the water level change serves as a proxy indicator for water absorption, enabling measurement without direct observation of water penetration through holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the water level sensor to provide feedback about the current water level to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit can determine when appropriate water levels have been reached and control the circulation pump accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to the actual water absorption state.
3Quantity of substance
If a water level sensor is used to control additional water supply in conventional washing machines with holes, then the optimum amount of water can be supplied, but the holeless washing machine cannot adopt this method
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the water level sensor serve multiple functions: it detects both the water level in the water tub and, indirectly through circulation, the water absorption state of the laundry. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor to work in both conventional hole-based systems and holeless systems, enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical water absorption detection method (relying on water flowing through holes and directly wetting laundry) with a sensor-based detection system. The water level sensor provides electronic detection of water absorption through indirect measurement, substituting mechanical observation with electronic sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine and a water level control method thereof that can supply an appropriate amount of water based on the amount of laundry using a conventional water level sensor even when the washing machine has a holeless rotary drum. The water level control method includes supplying water between the water tub and the rotary drum, introducing the supplied water into the rotary drum, discharging the introduced water out of the rotary drum, and detecting the water level of the water remaining in the water tub, and comparing the detected water level with a predetermined water level and, when the detected water level is below the predetermined water level, resupplying water between the water tub and the rotary drum until the detected water level reaches the predetermined water level.