Washing Machine Water-Level Control for Siphon Drain Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry washing machines often experience unintended water drainage, known as the 'siphon phenomenon,' which can lead to floor flooding due to incorrect connection of the draining hose to the house pipe system, and existing methods lack reliability in detecting and deactivating this issue.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a laundry washing machine that involves starting a continuous water supply, sensing water levels multiple times, detecting the siphon phenomenon based on these levels, and performing intermittent draining to deactivate it, ensuring the siphon phenomenon is addressed before washing, rinsing, or spinning phases begin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the draining pump is impulsively activated to generate a water column in the discharge hose, then the discharge hole can be closed by the ball, but unintended drainage (siphon phenomenon) may occur leading to floor flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by repeatedly activating the draining pump before the main washing cycle to detect siphon phenomenon. The system conducts multiple test drainages with water level sensing to identify if siphon effect exists before proceeding with normal operation, thereby preventing harmful unintended drainage during washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously sensing water levels during pump activation and using this information to detect siphon phenomenon. The water level sensor provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts pump operation accordingly - if siphon is detected, the system deactivates the harmful effect by modifying the draining operation.
2Productivity
If water supply valves are opened continuously for a predefined amount of time, then water can be supplied into the tub, but detection of siphon phenomenon becomes less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by repeatedly opening and closing the draining pump at specific intervals during the water supply phase. Instead of continuous operation, the system performs multiple periodic test drainages to detect water level changes that indicate siphon phenomenon, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while managing water supply efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the water supply and drainage operations into distinct phases - a detection phase with multiple intermittent pump activations followed by a main washing phase. This segmentation allows accurate siphon detection to be performed separately from the main water supply operation, resolving the conflict between productivity and measurement precision.
3Reliability
If the draining pump is activated frequently to detect water level changes, then siphon phenomenon can be detected, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the necessary number of pump activations required for reliable siphon detection - typically 2-3 test drainages - rather than continuous or excessive activation. This provides sufficient detection reliability while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from the draining pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection actions before the main washing cycle begins. By completing the siphon detection process in advance with a limited number of pump activations, the system ensures reliable detection while consuming minimal energy, avoiding repeated activations during the main washing phase.
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 effectively detects and deactivates the siphon phenomenon with high reliability, preventing water loss and floor flooding by ensuring accurate water level sensing and controlled drainage.
Implementation Method 1
a floating ball arranged in the hose and structured to open or close the discharge hole with the pressure of the column of water contained in the discharge hose
Implementation Method 2
the so called 'siphon phenomenon' or 'natural water drainage' caused by a draining system of the laundry washing machine
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a laundry washing machine (1) comprising a washing tub (3) external to a washing drum (4) designed to contain the laundry (10). The method comprising the steps of performing a starting continuous water supply in the tub (3)/drum (4), so that a prefixed amount of water in the tub (3) is loaded after the water supply operation has been completed, sensing water levels (WL1,W12) in the tub (3) two or more times, at prefixed intervals (Δt1), one another, detecting a siphon phenomenon based on sensed water levels (WL1,W12); and performing an intermittent draining of the water from the tub (3) to cause the siphon phenomenon to be deactivated, when the siphon phenomenon has been detected.