Washing Machine Load Verification Using Dual Motor Load Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines face inaccuracies in determining the amount of laundry, leading to incorrect control data settings and inefficient washing processes, particularly when dealing with wet or dry laundry, resulting in increased wash water usage and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control method that involves primary and secondary laundry amount determinations using motor load measurements before and after water supply, with data resetting and verification steps to ensure accurate control data settings based on the actual laundry amount and type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If laundry amount is determined only before water supply, then the control process is simple, but the determination accuracy is low due to water absorption by laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary laundry amount determination before water supply to set initial control data, then performs a secondary determination after water supply to verify and correct the data. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare control parameters in advance while still achieving accurate final determination through the correction step.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the secondary laundry amount determination after water supply as feedback to verify and correct the initial control data. By comparing the before-water-supply motor load with the after-water-supply motor load (which reflects actual laundry amount after water absorption), the system adjusts control parameters to achieve accurate washing control.
2Measurement precision
If laundry amount is determined after water supply, then the determination accuracy is high, but the control process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs control data setting based on preliminary laundry amount determination before water supply, then uses secondary determination as a verification step. This allows most control preparations to be made in advance, reducing the impact of the additional measurement step on overall process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary laundry amount determination serves as a feedback verification mechanism rather than a complete re-measurement process. The system only performs data resetting when the preliminary and secondary determinations differ, making the feedback process efficient and not always requiring full re-evaluation of control parameters.
3Device complexity
If control data is not corrected after water supply, then the control process is simple, but washing efficiency is low due to incorrect control data
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the secondary laundry amount determination after water supply is used to verify and correct control data. This ensures that control parameters accurately reflect the actual washing conditions, improving washing efficiency through data-driven adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs the secondary laundry amount determination and control data correction without requiring user intervention. The washing machine self-adjusts its control parameters based on the actual laundry amount after water absorption, optimizing washing efficiency autonomously.
4Measurement precision
If motor load measurement is performed both before and after water supply, then laundry amount determination accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs motor load measurement both before and after water supply, which is more measurements than the minimum single measurement would require. This excessive action (performing both measurements) ensures accurate laundry amount determination by accounting for water absorption effects, with the added benefit of being able to correct control data for optimal washing performance.
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 allows for precise determination of laundry amount and type, enabling optimal control data adjustments, thereby improving washing efficiency and reducing resource consumption.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the amount of the laundry placed in the drum by before-water-supply motor load when the drum is rotated to a predetermined angle before supplying wash water to the tub
Implementation Method 2
rotating the drum to a predetermined reference angle to measure before-water-supply motor load
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of a washing machine determines the amount of laundry placed in a drum, verifies whether the measured amount of laundry is accurate, and sets control data in the washing machine based on the verified amount of laundry. Also the control method of the washing machine corrects control data set according to the amount of laundry based on kind of the laundry classified according to absorptance of the laundry.