Washing Machine Rinse Control for Foam and Detergent Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine methods either degrade rinse performance by reducing water usage to prevent foaming or require longer rinse cycles, leading to inefficiencies in water consumption and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A method of controlling a washing machine that divides water supply post-wash cycle to remove foam and high-concentrated residual detergent, while using the remaining water for tub cleaning, thereby reducing overall water consumption and improving rinse performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the amount of water is reduced to prevent foaming during rinse cycle, then foaming is controlled, but rinse performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the water supply process into multiple phases: initial water supply at high rotation speed to remove foam and concentrated detergent, followed by additional water supply after deceleration to the laundry adherence speed for thorough rinsing. This segmentation allows different water amounts to be supplied at different stages, controlling foaming while ensuring adequate rinse performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically adjusts the drum rotation speed during the rinse cycle, transitioning from a high spin-dry speed to a lower laundry adherence speed. This dynamic speed adjustment, combined with phased water supply, optimizes both foaming control and rinse effectiveness by matching water supply conditions to the current operational state.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If water amount is reduced to prevent foaming, then foaming is controlled, but water consumption efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary foam removal by supplying water at high rotation speed before the main rinsing phase. This preliminary action eliminates concentrated detergent and foam early in the cycle, allowing the subsequent rinsing phase to use water more efficiently for actual cleaning rather than foam control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by adjusting drum rotation speed from high (spin-dry speed) to lower (laundry adherence speed) and相应地 adjusts water supply timing and amount. This parameter transformation enables efficient water usage by optimizing the relationship between rotation speed and water supply at each stage.
3Manufacturing precision
If drum is decelerated to laundry adherence speed, then rinse performance improves, but cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention maintains continuous useful action by supplying water during both the high-speed spin phase and the deceleration phase. This continuous water supply ensures that rinsing occurs throughout the entire process, maximizing rinse performance within the available time without requiring extended cycle duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic action through distinct phases: initial water supply at high speed, deceleration with continued water supply, and additional water supply after deceleration. This structured periodic approach ensures thorough rinsing is achieved through multiple targeted water supply events rather than prolonged single-phase operation.
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 efficiently consumes water by using it for both laundry rinsing and tub cleaning, enhancing rinse performance and hygiene by removing contaminants and preventing secondary contamination, while reducing foaming in the rinse cycle.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the drum at a spin dry speed, where the laundry is able to rotate along with the drum while adhered to and not falling from the drum
Implementation Method 2
a step of providing a water supply to the drum, a step of draining the tub, and a step of providing a water supply to the drum may be performed while the drum is rotated at the laundry adherence speed
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a washing machine includes washing laundry received in the drum by water mixed with detergent, performing a spin dry operation, and performing a rinse operation. The spin dry operation includes rotating the drum at a spin dry speed to allow the laundry to rotate along with the drum without falling from a highest point of the drum, and draining water from the tub while rotating the drum at the spin dry speed. The rinse operation includes decelerating the drum from the spin dry speed to a laundry adherence speed lower than the spin dry speed, supplying a first water supply to the drum, draining the first water supply from the tub, and supplying a second water supply to the drum.