Multi-Drum Washing Machine Water Reuse Control Using Process Timing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-drum washing machines lack an efficient method for automatic and intelligent control of water reuse between washing drums, leading to operational inconvenience and inefficiency in water utilization.
Innovation Solution
A water reuse control method that compares drainage and water supply times between drums, determines the cleanliness of water based on turbidity or bubble concentration, and adjusts the waiting time to optimize water reuse, ensuring water is reused only when clean and not causing excessive waiting or waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual selection is used to determine water reuse, then users can control water reuse, but operational convenience deteriorates and determination accuracy worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine automatically determines whether water can be reused by detecting water quality parameters (turbidity, bubble concentration) and comparing process timing, without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by making autonomous decisions about water reuse based on sensor data and process state.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of observing and manually controlling water reuse is replaced by an automated electronic control system that uses sensors to detect water quality and a microcontroller to automatically determine and execute water reuse decisions.
2Loss of substance
If water reuse is always enabled, then water conservation improves, but waiting time increases and system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors water quality parameters (turbidity, bubble concentration) and process timing, using this feedback to dynamically determine whether water reuse is appropriate. The system adjusts its behavior based on real-time conditions rather than operating in a fixed mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters (water reuse enablement) based on detected water quality parameters and process timing conditions. When turbidity or bubble concentration exceeds thresholds, or when timing conditions are not met, the system changes from reuse mode to drainage mode.
3Productivity
If automatic water reuse control is implemented, then water reuse efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions into a single automated module: it detects water quality parameters, determines reuse feasibility, compares process timing, and controls water transfer. This multi-functional integration improves efficiency while containing complexity within a unified control architecture.
4Measurement precision
If water quality detection is performed, then determination accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water quality detection parameters (turbidity, bubble concentration) as intermediaries to objectively determine water reuse feasibility. These measurable parameters serve as mediators between the physical state of water and the control decision, enabling accurate automated determination without complex subjective judgment.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A water reuse control method of a multiple-drum washing machine, the multiple-drum washing machine at least comprising: a first washing drum (1) and a second washing drum (2), when both the first washing drum (1) and the second washing drum (2) are in an operating state, the water reuse control method is as follows: when the first washing drum (1) reaches a drainage process, comparing a time for the second washing drum (2) to reach a water supply process T12 to a time for the first washing drum (1) to reach a next drainage process T11; if T12 < T11, the first washing drum (1) waits until water is supplied into the second washing drum (2); if T12 ≥ T11, water in the first washing drum (1) is directly drained. Alternatively, when the first washing drum (1) reaches the water supply process, comparing time for the second washing drum (2) to reach the drainage process T22 to time for the first washing drum (1) to reach a next water supply process T21; if T22 ≥ T21, clean water is directly supplied into the first washing drum (1); if T22 < T21, the first washing drum (1) waits until the second washing drum (2) drains water.