Washing Machine Spin Control for Inertia-Based Drum-Tub Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-loading washing machines experience poor washing efficiency and contamination due to accumulated foreign matters between the drum and tub, which can lead to fungal growth and skin issues as they age, with existing solutions failing to effectively address this problem while minimizing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a washing machine that includes a spinning course with a foreign matter removal step, where water is supplied to the space between the tub and drum after the motor is turned off, utilizing the drum's inertia to remove foreign matters without additional power consumption, and a control unit to manage the water supply for efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum rotates at high speed during spinning to extract water, then water extraction efficiency is improved, but foreign matters accumulate on the drum and tub walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the drum's inertia after motor shutdown to generate the force needed for foreign matter removal. The rotating drum creates water flow that detaches foreign matters from surfaces, converting the residual kinetic energy (which would normally be wasted) into a useful cleaning action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic spinning cycles that alternate between high-speed water extraction and foreign matter removal phases. During each spinning course, the drum rotates at high speed for water extraction, then the motor is shut off and water is supplied to remove foreign matters, creating a periodic cycle that prevents accumulation while maintaining extraction efficiency.
2Reliability
If additional motor power is used to remove foreign matters, then foreign matter removal effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own residual inertia from the spinning operation to perform foreign matter removal. After the motor shuts off, the drum continues rotating due to inertia, and water supplied during this phase uses the drum's rotational energy to create the necessary flow for removing foreign matters, eliminating the need for additional motor power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs foreign matter removal during the deceleration phase immediately following motor shutdown, while the drum still possesses sufficient rotational energy. This timing ensures that the drum's residual inertia is充分利用 to drive the water flow for foreign matter detachment, maximizing the use of pre-existing energy.
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
Effectively removes foreign matters from the space between the tub and drum, improving washing efficiency, preventing contamination, and minimizing power usage by leveraging the drum's inertia to perform the foreign matter removal step without additional motor power.
Implementation Method 1
The foreign matter removal step is performed when the motor is turned off and the drum rotates by inertia force
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates a washing machine and a method for controlling the same.The method for controlling a washing machine, having at least one spinning course, the spinning course includes a general spinning step for driving a motor which rotates a drum rotatably mounted in a tub to rotate the drum at a speed higher than a predetermined speed for extracting water, and a foreign matter removal step for supplying water to the tub for removing foreign matters from a space between the tub and the drum, whereby permitting to maintain the washing machine clean.