Washing Drum Control Using Gravity to Prevent Motor Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drum type washing machines, excessive laundry loading causes motor overload and potential failure to rotate the drum, leading to incomplete washing cycles due to insufficient rotational force.
Innovation Solution
A method of controlling the washing course by executing an initial drive sub-routine that includes rotating the drum at a prescribed angle, stopping motor drive to allow gravitational force to rotate the drum in the opposite direction, and re-driving the motor to switch back to the original direction, repeating this process until a sufficient rotational force is achieved to prevent motor overload and ensure complete washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor drives the drum continuously to rotate, then the washing capability is maintained, but the motor becomes overloaded when excessive laundry is loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The motor operates in periodic intervals rather than continuously. The control method alternates between motor-driven rotation phases and gravity-assisted rotation phases, allowing the motor to rest and recover during gravity phases while still achieving complete washing cycles through repeated alternating actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the gravitational force of the laundry itself to assist in rotating the drum during non-motor phases. The laundry's weight becomes a resource that helps drive the drum rotation, reducing the burden on the motor and preventing overload while maintaining washing functionality.
2Reliability
If the motor is stopped to allow gravity to rotate the drum, then the motor is protected from overload, but the washing progress may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The washing cycle employs periodic alternation between motor-driven phases and gravity-driven phases. This rhythmic switching ensures that the motor is protected during gravity phases while maintaining overall washing progress through cumulative rotational effects over multiple cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The useful action of drum rotation continues without interruption, alternating between motor-driven and gravity-driven modes. This ensures that the washing process maintains continuous progress rather than pausing, as both phases contribute to the overall rotational movement needed for effective washing.
3Productivity
If the drum is rotated at high speed to improve washing efficiency, then the washing capability increases, but the motor overload risk increases with excessive laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic motor operation with alternating gravity-assisted phases to achieve effective washing without sustained high-speed motor operation. The cumulative effect of repeated alternating rotations maintains washing efficiency while preventing continuous motor overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The control method dynamically changes operational parameters by switching between motor-driven high-speed rotation and gravity-assisted rotation. This parameter variation allows the system to adapt to different laundry loads, maintaining washing efficiency while adjusting motor stress levels to prevent overload.
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 prevents motor overload, allows smooth drum rotation, and ensures complete washing cycles even with excessive laundry loads by gradually increasing the rotational force through alternating motor-driven and gravitational-assisted rotations.
Implementation Method 1
stopping driving the motor so that the drum is rotated by a gravitational force of a laundry within the drum in a second direction opposite to the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of controlling a washing course in a washing machine, by which a drive motor for rotating a drum is prevented from being overloaded according to a laundry amount and by which a drum can be smoothly rotated without unnecessary power consumption provided to a motor. In a washing machine having a motor for rotating a drum in a first direction, the present invention includes the steps of driving the motor to rotate the drum at a prescribed angle in the first direction, stopping driving the motor so that the drum is rotated by a gravitational force of a laundry within the drum in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and rotating the drum in the first direction again by driving the motor while the drum is rotated in the first direction switched from the first direction by the gravitational force of the laundry.