Washing Machine Balancer Control for Spin Vibration Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face excessive vibration issues due to unbalanced rotation of the rotary tub during spin-drying, leading to potential breakdowns and reduced lifespan of parts, despite the use of balancers with multiple races and viscous fluids, which are costly and not accurately designed to prevent vibration.
Innovation Solution
A control method for the washing machine that brakes the motor when excessive vibration is detected, lowering the rotation speed to a predetermined level and then re-increasing it to reliably reduce vibrations, using a single-race balancer with steel balls and viscous fluid to maintain dynamic balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple races with different viscosities and steel balls of different sizes are used in balancers, then vibration prevention probability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex multi-race structure with different viscosities and ball sizes, using only a single race with uniform steel balls and viscous fluid, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining vibration prevention capability through the control method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical design (multiple races with different properties) to operational control (motor speed control), using a single race configuration controlled by dynamic speed adjustment to achieve vibration prevention
2Device complexity
If the structure of races is not accurately designed based on calculation, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but excessive vibration generation probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by detecting vibration levels and adjusting motor speed accordingly, using sensors to monitor vibration and the control unit to respond by braking or adjusting speed, thereby preventing excessive vibration without complex race structure design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical race structure design with an electronic control system that uses vibration detection and motor speed control to achieve the same vibration prevention objective
3Reliability
If an increased number of races are used to lower vibration probability, then vibration prevention reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple races by using a single race configuration combined with active motor speed control, reducing structural complexity while maintaining vibration prevention reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical solution of multiple races with an electronic control system that regulates motor speed based on detected vibration levels, achieving vibration prevention through control rather than complex structure
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
Effectively reduces excessive vibration of the water tub by precisely controlling motor speed, ensuring the balancer balls reach the balancing position before excessive vibration occurs, thereby extending the lifespan of machine parts and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
viscous fluids filled in the respective races to control the momentum of the balls
Implementation Method 2
steel balls disposed in the respective races to move freely... the steel balls compensate for the eccentricity of the rotary tub such that the rotary tub is rotated while maintaining the dynamic balance
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a washing machine and a control method thereof capable of reincreasing a number of rotations of a motor after maintaining the number of rotations at a predetermined number before excessive vibration of a water tub, braking the motor when the water tub is vibrated at more than a predetermined vibration level, and reincreasing the number of rotations, thereby reducing the excessive vibration of the water tub. The control method includes detecting the number of rotations, determining whether the detected number of rotations has reached a predetermined number, controlling the motor such that the number of rotations is maintained at the predetermined number of rotations when it is determined that the detected number of rotations has reached the predetermined number, counting the time taken to maintain the number of rotations at the predetermined number of rotations, and increasing the number of rotations after a predetermined first time has elapsed.