Steam Spray Washer Time Display Control for Variable Laundry Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing steam spray type washing machines display an error in the preliminary set time for the steam spray cycle due to varying environmental conditions, leading to user misunderstandings about the washing machine's performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a preliminary set time for the steam spray cycle based on both the target temperature and the laundry amount, using a pre-defined table, and adjusts the display time in real-time according to the detected temperature change during the cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a preliminarily set time is displayed for the steam spray cycle, then the user can notice the entire cycle time in advance, but the displayed time shows error with respect to the actual time taken due to varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the actual water temperature during the steam spray cycle and comparing it with the target temperature. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the remaining time display in real-time, ensuring the displayed time accurately reflects the actual cycle progress despite variations in environmental conditions such as laundry amount, water pressure, and ambient temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from a static preliminarily set time display to a dynamic time display that continuously updates based on actual temperature changes. The remaining time is recalculated during the cycle using the actual temperature rise rate, allowing the display to adapt to varying operational conditions and provide accurate time information throughout the cycle.
2Ease of manufacture
If the steam spray cycle time is set preliminarily, then the display can show a fixed time, but the actual required time varies with environmental conditions such as water pressure and laundry amount
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs self-service by automatically detecting environmental conditions (laundry amount, water temperature, temperature rise rate) and autonomously adjusting the time display without requiring manual intervention. The system uses sensors to monitor actual cycle progress and dynamically updates the remaining time display, enabling the washing machine to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining a simple user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of fixed time settings with an intelligent control system that uses temperature sensing and computational algorithms. Instead of relying on predetermined mechanical timers, the system substitutes a microprocessor-based control mechanism that calculates remaining time based on actual thermal dynamics, providing adaptability to environmental variations.
3Device complexity
If the displayed time is based on preliminary settings, then the control logic is simple, but the rapid change or temporary standstill of display time can be misunderstood as machine fault
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback to continuously monitor actual temperature changes and adjust the remaining time display accordingly. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures that the displayed time changes smoothly and accurately reflects the actual cycle progress, preventing abrupt changes or temporary standstills that could be misinterpreted as machine faults by users.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs preliminary calculations of the expected temperature rise rate based on initial conditions (laundry amount, water volume). This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate and compensate for variations in heating rate, ensuring smooth and predictable time display changes from the beginning of the cycle, thereby maintaining user confidence in the machine's operation.
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 minimizes the error between the displayed and actual steam spray cycle times, enhancing user reliability and convenience by ensuring a consistent and accurate time display.
Implementation Method 1
high temperature steam is sprayed to an inside of the drum, for heating washing water in the drum to a temperature higher than a preset temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a time period display at the steam spray type washing machine with a steam generator for washing laundry by using a high temperature steam, in which a preliminary set time required for display in the steam spray cycle is determined, not only with reference to a set temperature, but also with reference to a laundry amount, to minimize an error between the time displayed and an actual time. According to this, since a difference between the preliminary set time displayed in the steam spray cycle and the actual time reached to the set temperature is small, there will be no error which is liable to make the user misunderstood that the washing machine is out of order, According to this, reliability of the product, and convenience of the user is enhanced.