Washing Machine Heating Control for Gradual Water Temperature Rise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Washing machines face inefficiencies in heating water for washing cycles, leading to incomplete detergent dissolution, prolonged washing times, and potential protein pollutant coagulation due to inadequate drum motion during heating, which affects washing performance.

Innovation Solution

A control method for washing machines that involves a heating washing process followed by a non-heating process, with controlled drum rotation speeds and motions to optimize temperature increase, ensuring enzymes remain vital and preventing protein coagulation by gradually raising the water temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the drum is maintained in a stop state to minimize shaking of washing water during heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but detergent dissolution is incomplete and washing agent sticks to laundry in lump state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing water temperatureVSAvoiddetergent dissolution completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drum rotation speed is dynamically adjusted during the heating process. Initially, the drum rotates at a first rotation speed to promote detergent dissolution, then transitions to a second rotation speed (lower than the first) to minimize water shaking while still maintaining sufficient motion for complete dissolution. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between heating efficiency and detergent dissolution completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the drum is rotated in one direction during heating to improve detergent dissolution, then washing performance is improved, but heating time is delayed due to water shaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent dissolution completenessVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drum performs periodic bidirectional rotation during heating, rotating in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. This periodic bidirectional motion enhances detergent dissolution and prevents washing agent from sticking to laundry, while the optimized rotation speed minimizes excessive water shaking that would delay heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If washing water temperature is increased rapidly to 60 degrees Celsius or higher, then heating efficiency is improved, but protein pollutants coagulate and washing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidprotein pollutant coagulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drum rotates periodically in both directions during heating, creating continuous water circulation that prevents localized overheating and protein pollutant coagulation. This periodic bidirectional rotation ensures uniform temperature distribution while maintaining heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The drum rotation speed is changed from a first rotation speed to a second rotation speed during heating. This parameter change optimizes the balance between heating efficiency and preventing protein coagulation by maintaining sufficient water motion without excessive shaking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method enhances detergent dissolution, improves washing performance by maintaining enzyme vitality, and prevents protein coagulation, resulting in effective pollutant removal and optimized temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

In the heating operation, a heater mounted in a tub is operated to increase the temperature of washing water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the drum is then rotated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a detergent action in which the washing agent is stuck to pollutants stained on the laundry is not promoted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP3252200B1Control method of washing machine
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3252200B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3252200B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3252200B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a control method of a washing machine, a washing operation (S50) is performed (S100, S80, S90) through a heating washing process for a first set time (T1) and is performed (S100, S80, S90) through a non-heating washing process for a residual time, and, if the heating washing process is started, the rotation of a driving motor (127, 128) is weakly controlled until a washing water temperature reaches (40) a primary target temperature, and is strongly controlled until the washing water temperature reaches (40) a secondary target temperature after the washing water temperature reaches (40) the primary target temperature, so that the washing water temperature is relatively gradually increased.