Method of sensing remaining moisture content in a washing machine appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines lack the ability to detect the actual dryness of clothes during a spin cycle, leading to inefficient energy usage and potential wear on components due to prolonged spinning times.
Innovation Solution
A method for sensing the remaining moisture content (RMC) in a washing machine by monitoring motor power during acceleration and deceleration phases of the wash basket, adjusting spin cycle duration based on the sensed RMC to optimize drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the spin cycle runs for a fixed duration regardless of load conditions, then the drying process is completed, but energy is wasted and components experience unnecessary wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors motor power consumption during the spin cycle and uses this feedback to detect when the desired drying level is achieved. The controller adjusts the spin cycle duration dynamically based on real-time motor power measurements, terminating the cycle early when the target dryness is reached, thus eliminating energy waste from prolonged spinning while ensuring adequate drying time.
2Loss of energy
If the spin cycle duration is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but the clothes may not be properly dried
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time motor power monitoring to detect the actual drying state of the clothes. By continuously measuring motor power consumption during acceleration phases and comparing it against expected values, the system determines when the desired dryness level is achieved, ensuring reliable drying outcomes while optimizing energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical timing-based spin cycle control with an electronic sensing system that monitors motor power consumption. This substitution allows the system to intelligently determine cycle termination based on actual drying conditions rather than fixed time intervals, improving both energy efficiency and drying reliability.
3Device complexity
If conventional fixed-time spin cycles are used, then the control system is simple, but component wear increases due to prolonged operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates motor power sensing and control logic that monitors drying progress in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables early termination of the spin cycle when drying objectives are met, reducing unnecessary component wear while maintaining relatively simple control architecture through straightforward power measurement and comparison operations.
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
Ensures proper drying of clothes without excessive spin times, reducing energy consumption and component wear by automatically terminating the spin cycle when the desired dryness is achieved.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a first average motor power of the motor while performing the first acceleration
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a washing machine appliance includes initiating a spin cycle by operating the motor to spin the wash basket to a first speed, performing a first acceleration by operating the motor to accelerate the wash basket from the first speed to a second speed, obtaining a first average motor power of the motor while performing the first acceleration, decelerating the wash basket to the first speed, performing a second acceleration by operating the motor to accelerate the wash basket from the first speed to the second speed, obtaining a second average motor power of the motor while performing the second acceleration, and stopping the spin cycle in response to determining that a reduction in a remaining moisture content exceeds a target reduction in the remaining moisture content based at least in part on the first average motor power and the second average motor power.