Laundry Water Heating Control With Alternating Dual Heaters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses take a long time to heat wash water, leading to increased hot water course time, high electric power consumption, and reduced lifespan of heating devices and switches.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry treatment apparatus using at least two heaters and a temperature sensing unit, where wash water is heated in a first step by all heaters until a predetermined temperature is reached, and then maintained by alternately operating the heaters in a second step to prevent overheating and extend device lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating device is used to heat wash water, then the heating process is simple, but the heating time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The single heating device is segmented into multiple heating devices (first heating device and second heating device). Each heating device has its own heating element that can operate independently or simultaneously, thereby reducing the overall heating time while maintaining system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heating devices are combined within the same washing machine system, with their heating elements positioned to heat different portions of the wash water. The heating devices work cooperatively to achieve rapid heating of the entire water volume, resolving the time penalty associated with single-device heating.
2Speed
If a great quantity of electric power is supplied to the heating device to reduce heating time, then the heating speed increases, but overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating power is segmented across multiple heating devices instead of concentrating high power in a single device. This distribution prevents any single heating element from overheating while collectively achieving rapid heating of the wash water.
Solution Approach 2:
Each heating device heats a specific local region of the wash water independently. The first heating device heats one portion while the second heating device heats another portion, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and preventing localized overheating.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the on/off period of the heating device is reduced to prevent overheating, then overheating is prevented, but the lifespan of the heating device and switch decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating duty cycle is segmented across multiple devices. Each heating device operates for shorter durations at lower power levels, reducing thermal stress and electrical switching frequency on individual components. This extends the lifespan of heating elements and control switches while collectively maintaining rapid heating performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating devices operate in a coordinated periodic manner, with each device cycling on and off in sequence or parallel. This periodic operation prevents continuous high-power stress on any single device, reducing wear and extending operational life while maintaining effective heating through cumulative thermal input.
4Loss of time
If multiple heating devices are used to heat wash water rapidly, then heating time is reduced, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each heating device operates at optimized power levels suited to its local heating task. By distributing the heating load across multiple devices rather than overloading a single device, the system achieves rapid heating while operating each device within its efficient power range, reducing total energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating devices operate in coordinated periodic cycles rather than continuous high-power mode. This periodic operation allows heat distribution to be more efficient, reducing energy losses and optimizing overall power consumption while achieving rapid heating through cumulative thermal input over time.
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 method rapidly heats wash water, reduces electric power consumption, and prolongs the lifespan of heating devices and switches by optimizing heating cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a first heating step of heating the wash water stored in the tub by supplying electric power to all of the heaters
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensing unit configured to sense a temperature of the wash water stored inside the tub
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a control method of a laundry treatment apparatus, including a first heating step of heating wash water stored in a tub by operating all of at least two heaters included in the laundry treatment apparatus, a heating end step of ending the first heating step when the temperature of the wash water reaches a predetermined reference temperature, and a second heating step of alternately operating the heaters when the temperature of the wash water falls down below the reference temperature.