Laundry Washer Control for Faster Heating After Soaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating devices face delays in the wash cycle due to slow water level rise in the tub during the soaking process, which delays heater operation and prolongs the overall wash time.
Innovation Solution
A method of controlling a laundry treating device that detects the amount of laundry and selectively skips the soaking step or adjusts the timing of heating wash water based on the detected amount, using a circulating pump to manage water levels and expedite the heating process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wash water is supplied to the tub and laundry soaking is performed by direct spraying, then the laundry is effectively soaked to prevent protein solids from sticking, but the water level in the tub rises slowly causing heater operation to be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating pump is operated in reverse direction before the heater starts heating, to quickly raise the water level in the tub. This preliminary action ensures that the heater can begin heating without delay, while still maintaining effective laundry soaking through subsequent forward operation of the circulating pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulating pump operates in different directions (forward and reverse) at different stages of the wash cycle. Reverse operation is used initially to rapidly raise water level, then forward operation is used to maintain water circulation and soaking effectiveness, providing dynamic adaptation to different operational requirements.
2Loss of time
If the water level in the tub is raised quickly to enable earlier heater operation, then the wash cycle time is reduced, but the laundry soaking effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Reverse operation of the circulating pump is performed as a preliminary step to quickly raise water level before heating begins. This temporary preliminary action prioritizes time reduction while maintaining soaking effectiveness through subsequent forward operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulating pump alternates between reverse operation (for rapid water level rise) and forward operation (for maintaining soaking effectiveness). This periodic switching between opposite directions allows the system to achieve both time reduction and reliable soaking.
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 reduces wash cycle time by optimizing the timing of heating wash water and potentially skipping the soaking step, thereby shortening the overall washing cycle.
Implementation Method 1
a circulating pump configured to circulate the wash water supplied to the tub
Implementation Method 2
a heater configured to heat the wash water supplied to the tub
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a laundry treating device comprising a tub configured to store wash water therein, a drum rotatably disposed within the tub to receive laundry therein, a heater configured to heat the wash water supplied to the tub, a circulating pump configured to circulate the wash water supplied to the tub, and a controller configured to control the tub, the drum, the heater, and the circulating pump. The method comprises detecting an amount of laundry received in the drum, supplying the wash water to the tub based on the amount of laundry, and soaking the laundry by operating the circulating pump. The step of soaking the laundry is selectively progressed based on the amount of laundry detected.