Washer Motor Duty-Cycle Control for Energy-Efficient Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, operate at high energy duty cycles to achieve high cleaning performance, which diminishes machine efficiency and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method of operating a clothes washer that alternates between a high duty cycle and a low duty cycle by rotating a clothes mover within the treating chamber with an electric motor, where the high duty cycle operates at 75% or greater for an initial phase and the low duty cycle operates at 50% or less for a subsequent phase, optimizing energy use while maintaining cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric motor operates at a high duty cycle (≥75%) to achieve high cleaning performance, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases and machine efficiency diminishes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between high duty cycle operation (≥75%) and low duty cycle operation (≤50%) in sequential phases. The high duty cycle phase provides intensive cleaning when needed, followed by low duty cycle phases that maintain cleaning performance with reduced energy consumption. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by not sustaining maximum energy consumption throughout the entire washing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the motor duty cycle variable rather than constant. The controller dynamically adjusts the duty cycle between different phases of the washing cycle, transitioning from high duty cycle during initial washing phases to low duty cycle during subsequent phases. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between cleaning performance and energy consumption throughout the cycle.
2Reliability
If the electric motor operates continuously at maximum duty cycle to maintain cleaning performance throughout the cycle, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washing cycle is divided into multiple phases with periodic switching between high and low duty cycles. High duty cycle phases (≥75%) are used when cleaning performance is most needed, while low duty cycle phases (≤50%) are used subsequently to maintain performance with lower energy consumption. This periodic structure prevents continuous maximum energy loss while maintaining adequate cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using high duty cycle operation only for the duration necessary to achieve the primary cleaning objective, rather than sustaining maximum operation throughout. The low duty cycle phases provide sufficient cleaning maintenance with reduced energy input, demonstrating that excessive continuous high-power operation is not necessary for overall cycle effectiveness.
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 enhances the efficiency of the washing machine by minimizing energy consumption without sacrificing cleaning performance, as the high duty cycle phase provides optimal cleaning initially, and the low duty cycle phase maintains performance with reduced energy usage, thereby optimizing overall efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
rotating a clothes mover within the treating chamber while the wash liquid is present with an electric motor
Data Source
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AI summary
The laundry treating appliance (10) can comprise a wash basket (22) defining a washing chamber (24), having a clothes mover (38) in the treating chamber (24) to agitate the clothes during a cycle of operation for cleaning. A method of operating the clothes washer (10) can include supplying a wash liquid to the treating chamber (24) and rotating the clothes mover (38) within the treating chamber (24) with an electric motor (40) operating at a high duty cycle wash phase (132) and a low duty cycle wash phase (134).