Method for controlling a dual-drum washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-drum washing machines face challenges in efficient water reuse and power management, leading to energy wastage and reduced stability due to complex control methods and the need for constant user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A control method that compares waiting times for water intake and drainage processes between drums to determine when to reuse water and coordinate high-power processes like heating, dewatering, and drying, ensuring that these processes are not executed simultaneously to prevent overloading and optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If water reuse control is performed manually by user observation, then water can be reused in some cases, but operation inconvenience increases and judgment accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines water reuse feasibility by comparing process timing information without user intervention. The system self-manages the water reuse decision-making process by evaluating whether the second drum's water drainage timing aligns with the first drum's water intake timing, eliminating the need for manual user observation and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors and compares timing information from both drums to dynamically adjust water intake and drainage operations. This feedback mechanism enables automatic optimization of water reuse based on real-time operational status of the washing machine system.
2Productivity
If heating, drying and high-speed dewatering are performed simultaneously in both drums, then washing efficiency is improved, but power overload occurs affecting stability and service life
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic alternation of high-power processes between the two drums. When one drum undergoes heating, drying, or high-speed dewatering, the other drum performs different operations or remains idle, creating a periodic pattern that prevents simultaneous high-power operation and avoids power overload while maintaining overall washing efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If complex control methods are used for water reuse coordination, then water reuse efficiency may improve, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically determines water reuse feasibility by comparing process timing information without user intervention. The system self-manages the water reuse decision-making process by evaluating whether the second drum's water drainage timing aligns with the first drum's water intake timing, eliminating the need for manual user observation and operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple washing machines are purchased to meet separate washing needs, then washing requirements are satisfied, but cost and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two washing drums into a single integrated machine, allowing independent operation of each drum for different washing tasks. The water reuse system further merges the resource management of both drums, enabling one drum's wastewater to be reused by the other, thereby reducing overall water consumption and eliminating the need for multiple separate washing machines.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a control method of a double-drum washing machine. The washing machine at least comprises a first washing drum (1) and a second washing drum (2). The control method comprises water intake and drainage control and high-power process control, wherein the water intake and drainage control comprises water intake control and water drainage control; the first washing drum (1) judges whether to reuse drained water of the second washing drum (2) or not before executing a water intake process and judges whether to enable the drained water to be drained into the second washing drum and reuse the water or not before executing a water drainage process; and the high-power process control is used for controlling any one of a heating process, a dewatering process and a drying process of the first washing drum (1) and any one of a heating process, a dewatering process and a drying process of the second washing drum (2) not to be executed at the same time. By using the control method, the overall control on the double-drum washing machine is realized; the reuse of washing water is realized by the water intake and drainage control; and the power stability of the washing machine is guaranteed by the high-power process control.