Washing Machine Rinse Spray Timing for Variable Water Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines fail to ensure adequate rinsing performance due to varying water pressures across regions, leading to inadequate soaking of laundry in areas with low water pressure.
Innovation Solution
A washing method that sets a target water level and measures the time to reach it, adjusting the rinsing spray time based on this measurement to account for regional water pressure characteristics, allowing for effective rinsing without the need for a water pressure sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional washing machine uses a fixed rinsing spray time, then the device complexity is low, but the rinsing performance varies significantly with regional water pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine automatically measures the water supply rate by timing how long it takes to fill the tub to a predetermined water level, then uses this measured rate to automatically calculate and set the appropriate rinsing spray time. This self-measuring and self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for external water pressure sensors or manual intervention, allowing the system to adapt to regional water pressure variations while maintaining consistent rinsing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs a preliminary water supply operation to measure the water supply rate before the actual washing cycle begins. By conducting this measurement in advance, the washing machine can determine the appropriate rinsing spray time beforehand, ensuring optimal rinsing performance from the start of the washing cycle without requiring real-time adjustments during operation.
2Reliability
If a water pressure sensor is added to measure water pressure, then the rinsing performance can be optimized for regional variations, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical water pressure sensor with a timing-based measurement system. Instead of using a sensor to directly measure water pressure, the system measures the time required to supply a predetermined volume of water to the tub, then calculates the water supply rate from this time measurement. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive water pressure sensors while achieving the same goal of adapting to regional water pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the water supply process itself as an intermediary to indirectly measure water pressure characteristics. By timing the water supply to a known volume and using this information to calculate the appropriate rinsing spray time, the system creates a indirect measurement pathway that avoids the need for direct water pressure sensing while still achieving accurate adaptation to regional water pressure conditions.
3Reliability
If the rinsing spray time is extended to ensure adequate rinsing in low water pressure regions, then the rinsing performance improves, but the washing cycle duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rinsing spray time based on the measured water supply rate rather than using a fixed time setting. By calculating the appropriate spray time according to the actual water pressure conditions (higher spray time for low pressure, lower spray time for high pressure), the system ensures adequate rinsing performance while minimizing the washing cycle duration for each specific operating condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rinsing spray time parameter based on the measured water supply rate. By establishing a relationship between water supply rate and optimal spray time, the system automatically adjusts this parameter to achieve consistent rinsing performance across different water pressure conditions without unnecessarily extending the washing cycle duration in regions with high water pressure.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a washing method. The washing method includes: setting a target water level of washing water supplied for a washing cycle; supplying washing water and measuring a time for the washing water to reach the target water level; and setting a spray time for a rinsing cycle conducted after the washing cycle based on the time measured in the step of measuring a time to reach the target water level. Adequate rinsing performance can be achieved even in a region with different water pressure.