Washing Machine Drum Cleaning Control With Variable Rotation Speeds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines have limited drum cleaning capabilities, struggling to effectively clean the outer and inner surfaces of the drum and tub, as the spray range of wash reinforcement nozzles is restricted, making it difficult to wash these areas thoroughly.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a washing machine that involves a series of water supply, heating, and rotation steps at varying speeds, including the use of steam and a direct water nozzle, to create a water current that cleans both the outer and inner surfaces of the drum and tub, with specific speed ranges and temperature settings to enhance hygiene and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wash reinforcement nozzle is used to spray wash water into the drum, then washing capability is improved, but the spray range is restricted so that areas on the inner surface of the drum cannot be washed
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is divided into multiple functional zones: a tub for water storage, a drum that rotates, and multiple nozzles positioned at different locations (including a circulation nozzle at the rear and wash reinforcement nozzles). Each component performs a specific washing function, collectively covering areas that a single nozzle cannot reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation nozzle is positioned at the rear of the tub and sprays water in a direction perpendicular to the drum's rotation axis, creating a three-dimensional washing pattern. This rear-positioned nozzle complements the front nozzles by covering the rear inner surface of the drum, effectively extending the spray coverage to all areas of the drum including previously unreachable zones.
2Reliability
If wash reinforcement nozzle sprays water only into the drum interior, then drum interior washing is achieved, but outer surface of the drum and inner surface of tub cannot be washed
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation nozzle serves multiple functions: it sprays water onto the outer surface of the drum for cleaning, allows water to penetrate through the drum walls to wash the inner tub surface, and contributes to overall water circulation. This multi-functional design enables a single nozzle to address multiple washing needs that would otherwise require separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum itself acts as an intermediary medium. Water sprayed by the circulation nozzle onto the drum's outer surface serves as the mediator to transfer cleaning action to the inner tub surface through the drum walls, enabling indirect washing of areas that are difficult to reach directly.
3Productivity
If drum rotates at high speed during heating, then water circulation is enhanced, but cleaning effectiveness on drum surfaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drum rotation speed is varied periodically throughout the washing cycle. During heating phases, the drum rotates at high speed to enhance water circulation and penetration. During cleaning phases, the drum rotates at low speed or remains stationary to allow water to effectively settle and clean the drum and tub surfaces. This periodic variation optimizes both circulation efficiency and cleaning effectiveness at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum rotation speed is dynamically adjusted based on the washing stage. The control unit varies the rotation speed between high (for water circulation and penetration) and low or zero (for surface cleaning), making the system adaptive to different washing requirements rather than maintaining a constant 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
The method effectively sterilizes water, generates a cleaning current that evenly washes both the outer drum surface and inner tub surface, improving hygiene and cleaning effectiveness by controlling the heater and drum rotation speeds to achieve thorough cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
the water contained in the tub is heated by operating a heater
Implementation Method 2
the rotating speed of a drum is controlled in this process to generate a water current moved upwards in a tub by friction with the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a washing machine supplying water to at least a portion of the drum in the tub, performing a first operation in which the water contained in the tub is heated by operating a heater and the drum is rotated at a first set speed, draining the tub, supplying water to submerge at least a portion of the drum in the tub, and performing a second operation for heating the water in the tub by the heater and rotating the drum. The second operation includes rotating the drum at a second set speed lower than the first set speed, and repeating a first drum cleaning operation in which the drum is rotated at a third set speed lower than the second set speed, and a second drum cleaning operation in which the drum is rotated at a fourth set speed lower than the third set speed.