Liquid inflow release control method for washing machine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment apparatuses require multiple delivery pumps, leading to complex structures and high costs, and existing switching valves lack precision and continuous adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a washing machine that utilizes a switching valve with a stepper motor to accurately control the valve core, incorporating a limiting component and positioning protrusion to ensure precise neutral, dispensing, and flushing states, allowing continuous adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the water supply valve is opened during the draining process to supply clean water to the sump, then the clean water can be supplied to the sump, but liquid inflow may occur during the draining process which is not desired
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the pump operation state and water level in real-time, using feedback signals to determine when to open or close the water supply valve. This ensures liquid inflow control is synchronized with pump operation, preventing unwanted inflow during draining while enabling clean water supply when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit opens the water supply valve in advance before the draining process starts and closes it after draining completes, ensuring clean water is already available in the sump when needed while preventing inflow during the actual draining operation through precise timing control.
2Reliability
If a water supply valve and water level sensor are added to control liquid inflow during draining, then liquid inflow can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply valve serves multiple functions: it supplies clean water to the sump during non-draining periods and prevents liquid inflow during draining by being controlled through the existing control unit. The water level sensor integrates with the existing control logic to provide level information without requiring separate control systems, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically manages the water supply valve based on pump operation state and water level feedback, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems. The system self-regulates liquid inflow by synchronizing valve operation with pump cycles.
3Quantity of substance
If the water supply valve is opened during draining, then clean water can be supplied to the sump, but the energy consumption increases due to unnecessary water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply valve operates periodically based on pump cycles and water level requirements, remaining closed during draining to save energy and opening only when the pump is off and water level is low. This periodic operation ensures clean water availability when needed while minimizing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary water supply during draining.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A washing machine control method for dispensing liquid, and a washing machine are provided. The control method includes the following steps: S1, receiving an instruction for dispensing laundry treatment agent; S2, controlling a switching valve to be in a preset neutral position where a valve core is not communicated with liquid inlets of a valve body; S3, controlling the valve core of the switching valve to rotate to be communicated with a liquid inlet corresponding to a laundry treatment agent for dispensing; S4, controlling the switching valve to rotate to be in the preset neutral position; S5, determining whether to dispense a laundry treatment agent again; if yes, executing step S3; if not, controlling the switching valve to feed water for flushing. After receiving an instruction for dispensing a laundry treatment agent, the switching valve starts to run from a preset neutral position, thereby improving the control accuracy of the switching valve. After a laundry treatment agent is dispensed, the switching valve is again controlled to return to the preset neutral position, and then determining to receive a dispensing instruction. So the switching valve is continuously adjusted, and the practicality is increased.