Laundry Machine Rinse Control With Alternating Spray and Spin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional top load washing machines suffer from uneven fabric soaking, leading to deteriorated washing and rinsing performance due to the one-sided supply of washing water and detergent, and the use of water spray results in decreased water penetration.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a laundry machine that includes a spray rinse step where water is sprayed by a nozzle and the inner tub is rotated, followed by a spin rinse step where water supply is shut off and the tub is rotated at high speed, with both steps repeated multiple times to ensure even soaking and improved water penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If water is supplied from one side of the cabinet, then the water supply structure is simple, but fabric soaking becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into multiple spray nozzles positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right sides of the inner tub) to distribute water uniformly across all regions of the fabric, transforming a single-point supply into a multi-point distributed supply system
Solution Approach 2:
A spray nozzle is introduced as an intermediary device to convert the water supply from direct pouring into atomized spray, enabling uniform water distribution across the fabric surface while maintaining a relatively simple water supply structure
2Manufacturing precision
If water is sprayed by a spray nozzle, then fabric soaking becomes even, but water penetration effect decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rinse cycle is divided into periodic alternating phases: spray rinse steps (water sprayed, tub rotates at first speed) and spin rinse steps (water supply shut off, tub rotates at second higher speed). This periodic alternation allows the fabric to first absorb water uniformly, then rapidly drain excess water through centrifugal force, improving both soaking uniformity and penetration efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tub rotation speed is dynamically adjusted between two different speeds: a first rotation speed during spray rinse for water distribution, and a second higher rotation speed during spin rinse for water drainage. This dynamic speed adjustment optimizes both water penetration and removal efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If spray rinse step is extended, then fabric soaking improves, but rinsing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rinse cycle uses periodic alternation between spray rinse steps and spin rinse steps. During spray rinse, water is supplied for a predetermined time to ensure uniform soaking. During spin rinse, the tub rotates at high speed to rapidly remove excess water. This periodic structure ensures thorough soaking while minimizing total rinsing time through efficient water removal phases
Solution Approach 2:
The spray rinse step is performed first to preliminarily saturate the fabric with water uniformly, preparing the fabric for subsequent spin rinse. This preliminary water distribution ensures that when the high-speed spin phase occurs, water is already evenly distributed throughout the fabric, maximizing penetration efficiency
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 effectively soaks fabrics evenly, enhances water penetration, and improves rinsing performance by alternating between spray and spin rinse steps, preventing water spattering and utilizing centrifugal force for better penetration.
Implementation Method 1
water is sprayed by a spray nozzle for soaking the fabric evenly
Implementation Method 2
utilizing centrifugal force for better penetration
Data Source
AI summary
Control method of a laundry treatment machine according to the present invention comprises a spray rinse step that water is sprayed a little at a time several times, and a spin rinse step that the water is not sprayed and an inner tub is rapidly rotated for water penetration.Thus, by performing the spin rinse step which is not to spray total water at once but to spray a little water at a time and the inner tub is rapidly rotated while the water is sprayed, fabrics can be effectively soaked and the water penetration can be improved, and thus rinsing performances can be improved.Also, a motor is rotated at low speed while water is sprayed, so that it can be prevented that water sprayed spattered. Also, the water spray is temporarily stopped and the inner tub is rotated at high speed during the spin rinse step, and thus an effect of water penetration can be improved by centrifugal force.