Washing Machine Spin Control for Faster Laundry Rebalancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines face challenges in achieving balanced laundry distribution during the spin phase, leading to vibrations and reduced efficiency due to uneven distribution of laundry items, which affects the drum's ability to reach target speeds and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling the spin phase in a washing machine that involves adjusting the drum speed to redistribute laundry items before each spin step, with specified maximum distribution time and attempts to minimize imbalance, using a difference calculation to determine the further course of the spin phase and incorporating time credits for optimal distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum speed is increased to achieve high spin speeds for low residual moisture, then the spin efficiency is improved, but the vibrations and imbalance increase due to uneven laundry distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing laundry redistribution before the spin phase through controlled acceleration and deceleration of the drum. The control unit executes redistribution phases that increase drum speed to detach laundry from the inner wall, then decrease speed to allow redistribution, ensuring balanced distribution before high-speed spinning begins. This prevents vibrations during the actual spin cycle.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the drum speed is adjusted to redistribute laundry items, then the imbalance is reduced, but the spin phase duration increases due to additional distribution steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drum speed variable during the spin phase. The control unit dynamically adjusts the drum speed between different phases: increasing speed during redistribution phases to detach laundry, decreasing speed to allow redistribution, and then increasing to target spin speed. This dynamic speed control enables both redistribution and efficient spinning within an optimized total duration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple redistribution phases are implemented to achieve balanced distribution, then the imbalance is minimized, but the energy consumption increases due to repeated acceleration and deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using sensors to detect the distribution state of laundry in the drum and adjusting the drum speed accordingly. The control unit receives feedback about laundry position and mass distribution, then determines the optimal number and duration of redistribution phases needed to achieve balanced distribution, avoiding unnecessary acceleration and deceleration cycles.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the drum is accelerated slowly during a predetermined time period to distribute laundry, then the distribution is improved, but the time required before reaching spin speed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing alternating phases of acceleration and deceleration during the spin cycle. Instead of continuous slow acceleration, the control unit executes periodic cycles: accelerate to detach laundry, decelerate to allow redistribution, then accelerate again. This periodic pattern achieves better distribution more quickly than continuous slow acceleration, reducing the total time to reach optimal spin speed.
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 allows for an optimal spin phase with balanced distribution, reducing residual moisture, energy consumption, and spin noise, while enabling high drum speeds and efficient detergent residue removal, thus improving the overall laundry treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
When spinning, the drum of the washing machine rotates at a very high speed, for example 1,200 rpm. The items of laundry lie firmly against an inner wall of the drum.
Implementation Method 2
The laundry system speed depends on the load of laundry items in the drum. A specific proportion of the laundry items can thus be detached from the inner wall of the drum in a targeted manner by a suitable selection of a rotational speed.
Implementation Method 3
If these items of laundry are unevenly distributed on the inner wall of the drum, there is an imbalance. The drum begins to vibrate, which also affects the parts connected to the drum, such as the tub and motor.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a spin cycle having a plurality of spin steps in a laundry treatment method in a washing machine having a drum, mounted rotatably around a substantially horizontal axis in a detergent vessel, wherein the pieces of laundry are distributed in an inner chamber of the drum by an increasing and/or lowering of a speed of the drum in the spin cycle before every spin step in a laundry distributing step, wherein a maximum distributing time (tmax n) and/or a maximum number (mtr n) of distributing attempts for reaching or falling short of a maximum value (Dmax 1) of an acceptably irregular distribution of the laundry pieces is specified for the laundry distributing step (n) before the spin step (n), wherein (a) the actually required time tact n is determined for every laundry distributing step (n); (b) a difference Δtn = tset n-tact n between the actual time (tact n) and a specified time (tset n) for the laundry distributing step (n) is calculated; and (c) a decision on the further course of the spin cycle is made depending on the calculated difference Δtn = tset n-tact n. The invention additionally relates to a washing machine suitable for carrying out said method.