Washing Machine Motor Temperature Control Through Cycle Rhythm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machine motors tend to overheat during operation, causing excessive strain and heat dissipation issues, particularly with encapsulated motors, which can impair the washing and rinsing process.
Innovation Solution
A method that measures initial and maximum motor temperatures during rotation cycles, calculates temperature differences, and adjusts motor speed, pause times, and washing rhythm to regulate engine temperature, preventing further heating without affecting washing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor runs continuously at high speed during washing cycles, then washing productivity is improved, but motor temperature increases causing overheating and excessive strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by introducing pause phases between washing cycles where the motor is deactivated. The control unit monitors motor temperature and inserts pause periods to allow cooling, while maintaining high-speed operation during active washing cycles to preserve productivity. This periodic on-off pattern prevents continuous overheating while maintaining washing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the motor speed and pause duration variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the pause time and motor speed based on real-time temperature measurements and predicted temperature increases. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between productivity and temperature control for each specific operating condition.
2Temperature
If the motor speed is reduced to lower temperature, then motor temperature is controlled, but washing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting the temperature increase before it occurs using the measured temperature difference from previous cycles. The control unit calculates the predicted temperature increase and proactively adjusts pause duration or motor speed in advance, preventing temperature exceedance while maintaining optimal washing performance during active cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring motor temperature at the end of each washing cycle and using this information to adjust operational parameters for the next cycle. The control unit creates a closed-loop system where temperature measurements feed back into the control algorithm, enabling real-time optimization of pause duration and motor speed to balance temperature control with washing performance.
3Reliability
If encapsulated motors are used to protect the motor, then motor protection is improved, but heat dissipation becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by introducing regular pause phases where the encapsulated motor is deactivated to allow heat dissipation. The encapsulation provides mechanical protection while the periodic pauses enable thermal management, allowing the motor to cool down between high-load washing cycles without compromising its protected structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a washing machine with a drum for receiving laundry and a motor for driving the drum, comprising the steps of measuring an initial motor temperature (Ta) of the motor at the beginning of a first rotation cycle (DZ1) of the drum, a first Maximum engine temperature (Tmaxn-1) during the first turning cycle (DZ1), a final engine temperature (Te) at the end of the first turning cycle (DZ1) and a second maximum engine temperature (Tmaxn) during a second turning cycle (DZ2), determining a Difference between the measured final engine temperature (Te) and the measured initial engine temperature (Ta) and a difference between the measured second maximum engine temperature (Tmaxn) and the measured first maximum engine temperature (Tmaxn-1), and controlling a speed of the Motor, a pause time during which the motor is deactivated, and / or a washing rhythm form for a third rotation cycle (DZ3) depending on the differences determined z between the measured final engine temperature (Te) and the measured initial engine temperature (Ta) and the determined difference between the measured second maximum engine temperature (Tmaxn) and the measured first maximum engine temperature (Tmaxn-1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a correspondingly designed washing machine.