Multi-tub washing machine and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional twin-tub washing machines face issues with simultaneous operation of water supply, draining, heating, and drying processes, leading to insufficient water supply, incomplete drainage, noise, resonance, and electrical overload, which affect the efficiency and reliability of the washing machine.
Innovation Solution
A control unit is implemented to prevent the heaters of both washing tubs from being powered simultaneously, allowing alternate operation based on temperature conditions and prioritizing processes to ensure efficient water supply, drainage, heating, and drying, while avoiding simultaneous operation of heaters to prevent electrical overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heaters of both washing tubs are operated simultaneously, then water heating efficiency is improved, but electrical overload occurs causing damage to electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit checks whether the other heater is already operating before powering a heater. This preliminary check prevents simultaneous operation of both heaters, avoiding electrical overload while still allowing efficient sequential heating when needed
2Productivity
If water supply and drainage are performed in both washing tubs simultaneously, then washing productivity is improved, but water supply becomes insufficient and drainage becomes incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit checks whether water supply or drainage is already being performed in one tub before initiating the same process in the other tub. This ensures sufficient water supply and complete drainage by preventing simultaneous operation that would exceed system capacity
3Productivity
If dehydrating process is performed in both washing tubs simultaneously, then washing productivity is improved, but noise and resonance increase causing potential machine breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit checks whether dehydrating is already being performed in one tub before starting dehydrating in the other tub. This prevents simultaneous dehydrating operations that would generate excessive noise and resonance, while still maintaining productivity through sequential processing
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
This solution ensures sufficient water supply and drainage, reduces noise and resonance, and prevents electrical overload, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of the twin-tub washing machine by managing the operation of each tub independently and safely.
Implementation Method 1
a first heater to heat water contained in the first water tub; a second heater to heat water contained in the second water tub
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of operating a washing machine (20) and a washing machine (20) comprising a first water tub (301) to contain water therein; a first heater (701) to heat water contained in the first water tub (301); a second water tub (302) to contain water therein and a second heater (702) to heat water contained in the second water tub (302); whereby the washing machine comprises a control unit (250) configured to prevent the first heater (701) and the second heater (702) from being powered together, such as to prevent damage of the electrical components due to an overload upon receiving a water heating command to be performed in both the washing tubs (301, 302) simultaneously.