Laundry treatment apparatus and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment apparatuses face inefficiencies due to varying times required to heat wash water to a set temperature, leading to incomplete washing cycles as the total operation time is affected by the initial water temperature and level, resulting in inconsistent washing performance.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus equipped with a controller that calculates and adjusts the operation time based on the water temperature and level, using different temperature change rates for different water levels to accurately account for heating time, ensuring the wash water reaches the set temperature within the expected operation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If wash water is heated to reach a predetermined temperature, then washing performance is improved, but the total operation time increases and may exceed the set time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculation of heating time based on water level and temperature difference before the washing cycle starts. This allows the system to prepare and display an adjusted total operation time that includes the heating phase, ensuring the user knows the actual duration required before the cycle begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation time is made dynamic rather than fixed. The controller recalculates the total operation time based on actual water level and temperature conditions, adjusting the displayed time to reflect the true duration needed for heating plus washing. This dynamic adjustment prevents the washing cycle from being cut short while maintaining accurate time display.
2Device complexity
If the operation time is fixed based on preset settings, then the control system is simple, but washing may not be completed when heating time varies with water level and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The controller calculates the required heating time in advance based on water level and temperature difference, then adds this to the base washing time to determine the total operation time. This preliminary calculation ensures the washing cycle will complete successfully while maintaining a relatively simple control structure that builds upon existing timing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from water level sensors and temperature sensors to continuously monitor actual conditions and adjust the operation time accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable washing completion by adapting the timing to real-time conditions without requiring a completely complex control system.
3Measurement precision
If different heating times are calculated for different water levels and temperatures, then the operation time is accurate, but the control calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating time calculation is segmented into discrete steps based on water level ranges and temperature differences. Rather than using a continuous complex model, the controller divides the calculation into manageable segments that can be looked up or calculated using simple formulas, maintaining accuracy while limiting complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters (water level, temperature difference) to determine heating time through a structured approach. By establishing predetermined relationships between these parameters and heating duration, the controller achieves accurate timing without requiring complex real-time calculations, using instead pre-established parameter mappings.
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 solution allows for precise recalculations of operation time to include heating time, ensuring that washing cycles are completed within the displayed time, preventing incomplete washing and enhancing user experience by maintaining consistency and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heater for heating the wash water in the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus and a control method thereof are disclosed. An operation time is reset and displayed. Whether to heat wash water is determined based on the difference between a set temperature and the temperature of water that is supplied. The time necessary to heat the wash water is calculated to reset the operation time, whereby it is possible to more accurately calculate the operation time. In addition, all operations are completed based on the set operation time, since the operation time is accurately calculated.