Washing machine and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines with sensorless motors face challenges in stable motor control during starting, deceleration, and stopping, leading to potential delays and increased power consumption, which can affect the reliability and efficiency of the washing process.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine employs a control method that accelerates the motor speed stepwise during starting and applies a d-axis current greater than the q-axis current during deceleration or stopping to stabilize the motor operation, preventing DC link voltage rise and ensuring reliable pulsator stirring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alignment forcing is performed to control motor starting in sensorless motors, then motor starting control is achieved, but operation time is delayed and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary alignment forcing before motor starting to pre-position the rotor, eliminating the need for alignment during the starting process itself. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing the motor in advance, so that when starting occurs, no time-consuming alignment is needed, thus reducing operation time delay while maintaining reliable starting control
2Reliability
If alignment forcing is performed to control motor starting, then motor starting control is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs alignment forcing as a preliminary action before the motor starting sequence begins. By completing the alignment in advance during a controlled phase, the actual starting process becomes more efficient and consumes less power, resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable starting control and minimizing power consumption
3Reliability
If DC link voltage rise is not suppressed during motor deceleration, then simple control is maintained, but motor stability deteriorates and pulsator stirring reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors DC link voltage during motor deceleration and provides feedback control by adjusting the inverter output. When DC link voltage rises during deceleration, the feedback mechanism activates to suppress the voltage rise, ensuring motor stability and pulsator stirring reliability while maintaining relatively simple control architecture through automated feedback rather than complex mechanical solutions
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 approach prevents motor starting delays, reduces power consumption, and enhances the stability and reliability of the washing machine, improving user satisfaction and product competitiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a motor that applies driving force to rotate the rotating tub, the motor including a stator that generates rotational force
Implementation Method 2
applies a current of a magnetic flux component (d-axis current) greater than a torque component current (q-axis current) to the motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A washing machine including a rotating tub (130, 430) and a motor (100, 180, 301, 480, 580) applying a driving force to the rotating tub (130, 430). The washing machine configured to generate a starting current (C1, C2, C2) to be applied to the motor (100, 180, 301, 480, 580) when it is a start time (T2, T3, T4) of the motor (100, 180, 301, 480, 580), accelerate the speed (303, 305, S2) of the motor (100, 180, 301, 480, 580) stepwise while the starting current (C1, C2, C2) is applied to the motor (100, 180, 301, 480, 580), check a current (C1, C2, C2) of a torque component when it is determined as a deceleration time (T2, T3, T4) or a stop time (T2, T3, T4), and apply a current (C1, C2, C2) of a magnetic flux component greater than the magnitude of the current (C1, C2, C2) of the checked torque component to the motor (100, 180, 301, 480, 580).