Spin-Drying Motor Control for Bubble and Water Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines often fail to reach sufficient spin-drying velocity due to bubble obstruction and water accumulation, leading to motor overload and potential breakdowns during the spin-drying operation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling the washing machine's motor by comparing command values with predetermined limits, determining overload conditions, and adjusting operations to address water filling, bubble generation, or drainage errors, including stopping or re-starting the motor and performing additional rinsing operations as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rotary tub rotates at high speed during spin-drying, then water removal efficiency is improved, but bubbles and water accumulation obstruct rotation and cause motor overload
Solution Approach 1:
The control method performs preliminary detection of motor overload conditions by comparing command values with limit values before actual motor failure occurs. When bubbles or water accumulation are detected during spin-drying, the system proactively adjusts motor operation to prevent overload, rather than waiting for failure to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors motor command values during spin-drying and compares them against predetermined limit values. This feedback mechanism detects when bubbles or water accumulation are obstructing rotation, allowing the control unit to adjust motor operation in real-time to maintain reliable operation while preserving spin-drying effectiveness.
2Loss of time
If the motor continues driving during bubble obstruction, then spin-drying completes faster, but motor burnout and machine breakdown occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control method applies preliminary anti-action by detecting motor overload conditions through command value comparison before actual damage occurs. When obstruction is detected, the system preemptively stops or adjusts motor operation to counteract the harmful effects of continued operation under load, preventing motor burnout and machine breakdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of motor overload into beneficial information by using command value comparisons to detect obstruction conditions. This detection mechanism transforms potential damage into useful diagnostic data, allowing the system to adjust operation and actually improve overall reliability while maintaining spin-drying effectiveness.
3Reliability
If the motor is stopped to prevent overload, then motor reliability is improved, but spin-drying velocity is not reached and spin-drying efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control method applies dynamics by continuously adjusting motor operation based on real-time detection of obstruction conditions. Rather than using a fixed stop/go approach, the system dynamically modulates motor operation through command value adjustments, allowing the motor to maintain reliable operation while still achieving sufficient spin-drying velocity when conditions permit.
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
Prevents motor overload, ensures efficient spin-drying by identifying and addressing causes of obstruction, and reduces the risk of motor burnout and machine failure.
Implementation Method 1
when the water present in the rotary tub and the water contained in the laundry are not discharged through a drainage port by the spin-drying rotation of the rotary tub during the spin-drying operation but is placed between the rotary tub and the water tub of the washing machine by a centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a washing machine includes comparing a command value of a motor with a predetermined limit value, during spin-drying, to determine whether the motor is overloaded, and controlling driving of the motor in response to the determination. It may be possible to determine a water filling state, an excessive bubble state, or a drainage error state, which may be caused during a spin-drying operation, and to take a proper measure. That is, in the drainage error state, a user is informed of the drainage error. In the water filling state, the spin-drying is normally completed by re-performing the spin-drying operation. In the excessive bubble state, a rinsing or spin-drying operation is added to remove the bubbles. When the bubbles are not removed by the added rinsing or spin-drying operation, the excessive bubble message is displayed to inform a consumer of the excessive bubble state.