Laundry-care appliance having a controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry care appliances experience oscillating washing liquid columns in the drain line, leading to noise and high motor load due to backflow, which existing technologies fail to effectively mitigate without structural changes.
Innovation Solution
A controller is used to detect electrical power values in the pump, reducing pump power when oscillations occur and increasing it when sufficient washing liquid is detected, thereby managing pump performance to eliminate or reduce oscillations without altering the appliance's design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump operates at high pump capacity to efficiently remove washing liquid, then productivity is improved, but the washing liquid column oscillates in the drain line causing noise and high motor load
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by alternating between high pump capacity operation (first time period) and reduced pump capacity operation (second time period). This periodic switching eliminates the oscillating washing liquid column that causes noise and high motor load, while still achieving effective washing liquid removal through the alternating pumping cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by dynamically adjusting the pump capacity based on real-time detection of the washing liquid column state. The controller monitors the electrical power value and dynamically switches between high and reduced pump capacity modes, transforming the static pump operation into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to changing conditions in the drain line
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pump capacity is reduced to eliminate oscillations, then noise and motor load are reduced, but washing liquid removal efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by alternating between high pump capacity operation (first time period) and reduced pump capacity operation (second time period). This periodic switching eliminates the oscillating washing liquid column that causes noise and high motor load, while still achieving effective washing liquid removal through the alternating pumping cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that washing liquid removal continues throughout both high and reduced pump capacity periods. The alternating cycles prevent complete cessation of pumping, maintaining continuous progress in draining the washing liquid while periodically eliminating harmful oscillations
3Productivity
If the pump operates continuously at high capacity, then washing liquid is removed efficiently, but the oscillating column causes increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by alternating between high pump capacity operation (first time period) and reduced pump capacity operation (second time period). This periodic switching eliminates the oscillating washing liquid column that causes noise and high motor load, while still achieving effective washing liquid removal through the alternating pumping cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful oscillating column into a beneficial control signal. The oscillations detected through electrical power value monitoring trigger the controller to switch to reduced pump capacity mode, transforming the harmful oscillatory behavior into a useful feedback mechanism that optimizes energy consumption while maintaining drainage effectiveness
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
This approach effectively reduces noise and energy consumption by eliminating or minimizing oscillating washing liquid columns, extending component lifespan and ensuring efficient washing liquid removal.
Implementation Method 1
a power detection element for detecting an electrical power value of the pump
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured during a second time period following the first time period, to reduce a pump power of the pump to a reduced pump power, wherein when the pump is operated with the reduced pump power, the electrical power value detected by the power detection element falls below the electrical vibration reference power value in order to reduce the vibration of the washing liquid column in the drain line
Implementation Method 3
Above a certain pressure at the pump nozzle, the washing liquid column lifts out of the pump pressure chamber, so that the washing liquid column can flow back in the discharge line due to the force of gravity acting on it
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a laundry-care appliance (100) having a washing tub (109) for receiving washing liquid, a drain opening (111), arranged on the washing tub (109), for discharging washing liquid, wherein the drain opening (111) is fluidically connected to a drain line (113), wherein the drain line (113) is connected to a pump (119), wherein the pump (119) is configured to pump washing liquid out of the laundry-care appliance (100) through the drain opening (111) and through the drain line (113), a power detection element (127) for detecting an electrical power value of the pump (119), and having a controller (123) for controlling the pump (119). The controller (123) is configured to determine, for a first period of time (147), a washing liquid column (132) oscillating in the drain line (113) when the electrical power value detected by the power detection element (127) exceeds an electrical oscillation reference power value (157). The controller (123) is configured to reduce, for a second period of time (149) following the first period of time (147), a pumping capacity of the pump (119) to a reduced pumping capacity (151), wherein, while the pump (119) is being operated with the reduced pumping capacity (151), the electrical power value detected by the power detection element (127) drops below the electrical oscillation reference power value (157) in order to reduce the oscillation of the washing liquid column (132) in the drain line (113). The controller (123) is configured to determine, during a third period of time (153) following the second period of time (149), an inflow of washing liquid into the drain line (113) when the electrical power value detected by the power detection element (127) exceeds an electrical inflow reference power value.