Pump Power Control for Stable Washing Machine Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump devices for water-bearing appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, face challenges in maintaining consistent liquid flow and avoiding fluctuations during pumping out or flooding, due to varying operating conditions and installation configurations, leading to potential overloading and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
A pump device with a control system that regulates electrical power or current to maintain a constant value, independent of load, air pressure, water pressure, or pumping height, ensuring reliable and uniform liquid conveyance without overloading, using a power stage and frequency converter to adapt to changing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the pump operates at variable power to adapt to different loads, then energy efficiency is improved, but flow consistency deteriorates causing fluctuations and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pump system adaptable through variable speed operation. The control device dynamically adjusts the motor speed based on detected operating conditions (flow rate, pressure, power consumption), allowing the pump to operate efficiently across different loads while maintaining stable flow delivery through continuous adaptation rather than fixed operation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously detecting operating parameters (power consumption, current, flow rate) and using this information to adjust the motor speed via the control device. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the pump maintains optimal performance and flow consistency by compensating for variations in load, air pressure, water pressure, and pumping height in real-time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pump is controlled with frequent adjustments to operating conditions, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the pump system to automatically adjust its own operating parameters without external intervention. The control device autonomously detects operating conditions and adjusts motor speed accordingly, eliminating the need for complex manual control systems or multiple sensors while maintaining high adaptability to different operating scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the motor speed as the primary control parameter to adapt to different operating conditions. Instead of using complex mechanical adjustments or multiple control variables, the system achieves adaptability through single-parameter (speed) modulation, simplifying the control architecture while maintaining versatility across different pumping scenarios.
3Productivity
If the pump operates at high power to ensure sufficient delivery capacity, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static high-power operation to dynamic speed-adjusted operation. The control device continuously adapts the motor speed to the actual delivery requirements, allowing the pump to operate at high power only when necessary to meet minimum delivery capacity requirements, while reducing power consumption during periods of lower demand, thus optimizing the balance between productivity and energy use.
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 consistent liquid flow and prevents overloading, reducing noise and fluctuations, while maintaining efficient operation across different operating conditions, including low flow rates and varying heights, without the need for complex sensors or high-demand components.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (12a, 17a) with an electric motor (12d, 17d) and a rotatable impeller for conveying the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a rotatable impeller for conveying the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a pump device for a water-bearing device (1), such as a washing machine or dishwasher, with a treatment container (2) for receiving washing liquid (19) for treating items (8) to be treated inside the treatment container (2), for pumping out or pumping around washing liquid ( 19) comprising a pump (12a, 17a) with an electric motor (12d, 17d) and a rotating impeller for conveying the liquid (19), which is connected to a power stage (16, 32) controlled by a control device (31). for controlling the delivery rate (VS), wherein the control device (31) is set up to detect the electrical parameters supplied to the pump (12d, 17d) or the motor and, depending on these parameters, to control the supply of electrical power or current to the motor (12d , 17d). In order to improve the pumping behavior overall and to provide an effective pumping effect regardless of installation conditions, the control device is set up in such a way that the electrical power consumed by the motor (12d, 17d) or the current consumed serves as the electrical parameter, with the control device (31) doing this is designed to use the power stage (32) to regulate the electric power (P) or current supplied to the motor (12d, 17d) as a function of the parameters detected, so that a specified electric power (P) or a specified current is set.