Washing Drum Clothes Detection for Low-Vibration Barrel Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines often leave contaminants and detergent residues in the drum, leading to bad odors, germ growth, and re-contamination of clothes, necessitating a method to detect and clean the drum effectively without causing vibration or noise.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a washing machine that involves rotating the drum to detect clothes by estimating inertia or weight, determining if a barrel cleaning is necessary, and adjusting the rotation speed to estimate these parameters, thereby preventing accidents and reducing noise and vibration during cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the drum is rotated at high speed to detect clothes by estimating inertia, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the vibration and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drum rotation is performed in periodic intervals rather than continuously. The control unit rotates the drum at specific periods to estimate inertia, then stops rotation. This periodic action allows detection to be performed at multiple time points, improving overall detection accuracy while limiting the total duration of high-speed rotation, thereby reducing cumulative vibration and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the drum rotation speed and duration based on detection needs. The control unit increases drum speed to a first reference value for inertia estimation, then to a second reference value for weight estimation, and maintains speeds for predetermined times. This dynamic speed adjustment enables accurate detection while minimizing the time spent at high speeds, reducing vibration and noise.
2Reliability
If the drum is rotated to estimate inertia and weight for detecting clothes, then the detection reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum rotation for inertia and weight estimation is performed periodically rather than continuously. The control unit executes rotation at specific intervals to gather detection data, then stops. This approach ensures reliable detection through multiple measurement opportunities while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (drum speed, rotation duration) based on detection requirements. The control unit increases drum speed to reference values only when detection is needed, maintains speeds for predetermined times, then reduces speed. This parameter optimization ensures reliable detection while minimizing energy consumption during non-detection periods.
3Productivity
If the barrel cleaning is performed without detecting clothes, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the safety is worsened due to potential accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of clothes in the drum by estimating inertia and weight before initiating the barrel cleaning operation. The control unit rotates the drum, measures physical parameters, and determines whether clothes are present. Only after this preliminary detection confirms the drum is empty does the system proceed with barrel cleaning, ensuring safety while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from inertia and weight estimation measurements to determine whether clothes are present in the drum. The system continuously monitors detection results and adjusts the cleaning operation accordingly. If clothes are detected, the barrel cleaning is prevented; if the drum is confirmed empty, cleaning proceeds. This feedback mechanism ensures both safety and efficiency.
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 detects the presence of clothes in the drum, preventing unnecessary barrel cleaning and reducing noise and vibration, ensuring safe and efficient operation while maintaining cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
the clothes contained in the drum may be detected by estimating inertia of the drum or inertia of the drum and the clothes
Implementation Method 2
the clothes contained in the drum may be detected by estimating weight of the drum or weight of the drum and the clothes
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a washing machine includes detecting a water level in a drum when a barrel cleaning is executed; supplying or draining water according to the detected water level such that a water level reaches a reference water level; soaking an interior of the drum in water; draining water after the interior of the drum is soaked in water; and detecting clothes contained in the drum by rotating the drum.