Method for balancing the load of linen in a linen treatment machine, and a linen treatment machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linen balancing methods in washing machines and tumble dryers are inefficient and energy-intensive due to their reliance on a single, predetermined drum movement sequence, which does not account for varying unbalancing scenarios and reasons, such as different sizes and weights of linen items, leading to prolonged balancing times and excessive energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an electronic control system that determines the mass of linen and uses distinct drum movement sequences based on mass thresholds to balance loads more effectively, with separate strategies for full loads of small items and low loads of larger items, such as a bathrobe, by adjusting rotational speeds and movement patterns during the balancing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single predetermined drum movement sequence is used for linen balancing, then the balancing process is simple to implement, but the balancing time and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drum movement sequence adaptive rather than fixed. The control system dynamically selects from multiple predetermined movement sequences based on real-time detection of linen load characteristics (mass, distribution, unbalancing degree). This allows the balancing process to adapt to different load scenarios, reducing both time and energy consumption while maintaining implementation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of drum movement sequences from a single fixed sequence to multiple sequences with different characteristics. By varying parameters such as movement direction, speed, and duration based on detected load conditions, the system achieves faster and more energy-efficient balancing without significantly increasing control complexity.
2Device complexity
If a single predetermined drum movement sequence is used for linen balancing, then the control system is simple, but the energy consumption during balancing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the most appropriate drum movement sequence based on detected linen load characteristics. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use energy-efficient sequences for mild unbalancing cases and more intensive sequences only when necessary, reducing overall energy consumption while keeping the control system relatively simple through predefined sequence libraries.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the movement sequence parameters (speed, duration, direction) based on load detection results, the system optimizes energy consumption. The control system selects sequences with appropriate energy expenditure for each specific unbalancing scenario, avoiding unnecessary energy waste while maintaining simple control architecture.
3Productivity
If mass determination is added to enable differentiated balancing sequences, then balancing efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical mass measurement devices with electronic/electrical detection methods. By using the existing motor's electrical characteristics (current, power consumption) during drum rotation to infer linen mass, the system achieves accurate mass determination without adding mechanical complexity. This substitution maintains balancing efficiency while minimizing device complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the motor's own operational characteristics during normal drum rotation to determine linen mass, rather than requiring separate measurement devices. The motor's electrical parameters serve dual purposes: driving the drum and providing mass information, thereby improving balancing efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for balancing the load of linen in a linen drum (5) in a washing machine (1) or tumble dryer, comprises - before performing a spinning step (27), carrying out a linen load balancing check step (29) and a linen mass determination step (31), and: - in the case of a balanced load, perform the spinning step (27), - in the case of an unbalanced load, not enabling the spinning step (27) and performing a linen load balancing step (29) through a sequence of movements of the linen drum (5) at lower speeds than the rotation speed of the linen drum (5) during the spinning step (27) and, after the balancing step (29), repeating the linen load balancing check step (28) until the load of linen is balanced with respect to the balancing check step (29), - in the case of an unbalanced load, before performing the linen load balancing step (29), comparing (32) the determined mass of linen with a reference mass value indicative of a low load of linen, and - if the determined mass of linen is greater than the reference mass value, performing the linen load balancing step (29) through a first drum movement sequence (29'), - if the determined mass of linen is less than the reference mass value, performing the linen load balancing step (29) through a second drum movement sequence (29") different from the first sequence of movements.