Laundry Tub Load Sensing Using Dual-Phase Motor Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment machines face challenges in efficiently sensing the amount of laundry, which is crucial for optimal washing processes, as existing methods are not accurate or efficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a laundry treatment machine that involves accelerating and maintaining the rotational velocity of a tub during specific sections, using motor current outputs to determine the amount of laundry through current command values during accelerated and constant velocity rotating sections, allowing for precise sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing sensing methods are used to detect laundry amount, then the washing process can be implemented, but the sensing accuracy and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation process is divided into two distinct sections: accelerated rotating section and constant velocity rotating section. By segmenting the measurement process into these two phases, the system can separately analyze inertia effects (during acceleration) and friction effects (during constant velocity), thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rotational parameter from static to dynamic by implementing acceleration and constant velocity phases. This parameter change allows the system to extract multiple measurement values (first output current during acceleration, second output current during constant velocity) that can be processed to improve sensing accuracy and efficiency
2Measurement precision
If motor current is measured during rotation to determine laundry amount, then sensing can be performed, but distinguishing between inertia and friction components reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation process is divided into two distinct sections: accelerated rotating section and constant velocity rotating section. By segmenting the measurement process into these two phases, the system can separately analyze inertia effects (during acceleration) and friction effects (during constant velocity), thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary acceleration to a predetermined velocity before entering the constant velocity measurement phase. This preliminary action allows the system to establish the necessary conditions for accurate measurement by first eliminating static friction and then maintaining stable rotational 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 enables rapid and accurate sensing of the laundry amount, optimizing washing processes by differentiating between inertia and friction components, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a motor to rotate the tub... determining an amount of laundry in the tub based on a first output current flowing through a motor that is used to rotate the tub
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a laundry treatment machine and a method of operating the same. The method of operating the laundry treatment machine that processes laundry via rotation of a wash tub includes accelerating a rotational velocity of the tub during an accelerated rotating section, rotating the tub at a constant velocity during a constant velocity rotating section, and determining an amount of laundry in the tub based on a first output current flowing through a motor that is used to rotate the tub during the accelerated rotating section and a second output current flowing through the motor during the constant velocity rotating section. This ensures efficient sensing of amount of laundry.