Laundry Water Temperature Control Under Ambient Temperature Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating appliances face challenges in maintaining a predetermined water temperature during cycles due to variations in ambient air temperature, leading to incorrect water mixture temperatures and inefficient water supply methods that can result in overflow or inadequate temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A method that alternately supplies hot and cold water to the treating chamber, with temperature sensing and switching based on set low and high temperature limits (LTL and HTL) adjusted according to ambient air temperature, ensuring the desired water temperature is maintained by monitoring and calculating these limits dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed temperature limits are used for water supply control, then the control method is simple, but the water temperature cannot be maintained accurately when ambient air temperature varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the temperature limits (LTL and HTL) variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts these limits based on the sensed ambient air temperature, allowing the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions and maintain accurate water temperature control throughout the treating chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the control system by adjusting the temperature limits as a function of ambient temperature. By modifying the LTL and HTL values based on environmental conditions, the system maintains optimal temperature control accuracy across varying ambient temperatures while preserving the simplicity of the alternating supply method.
2Productivity
If hot and cold water are supplied simultaneously, then water level fills quickly, but it may cause overflow in the treating chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between hot water supply and cold water supply in sequential cycles rather than simultaneous flow. The controller switches between hot and cold water supplies based on sensed temperature and water level conditions, providing controlled intermittent filling that prevents overflow while maintaining efficient water level rise.
3Device complexity
If only ambient temperature sensing is used, then the sensing system is simple, but the water mixture temperature cannot be accurately controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the sensed ambient air temperature to continuously adjust the temperature limits (LTL and HTL) that control the alternating hot and cold water supply. This feedback mechanism allows the simple sensing system to achieve accurate water mixture temperature control by adapting the control parameters to current environmental conditions.
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 maintains the desired water temperature ratio and volume, preventing overflow and ensuring efficient laundry treatment by adapting to ambient temperature changes, thus improving the quality of the laundry process.
Implementation Method 1
sensing a temperature of the supply conduit during the alternate supplying
Implementation Method 2
hot and cold water may be mixed to provide water at a predetermined temperature suitable for that cycle of operation
Implementation Method 3
alternately supplying of water from the hot and cold water supplies through the supply conduit to the treating chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance that includes alternately supplying hot and cold water to maintain the temperature of the mixed water to a preset temperature.