Method to control a washing machine and a washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines lack an efficient method to determine the duration of washing cycles based on the weight of laundry, leading to potential waste of resources like water and energy, as current methods either fail to adapt to varying loads or result in overly long default cycle durations.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the weight of laundry before and during the cycle, adjusting the cycle duration accordingly, using a first weight threshold to differentiate between light and heavy loads, and employing a second weight calculation only when necessary to optimize the cycle duration for heavy loads, thereby minimizing resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the washing machine uses a fixed default duration for all washing cycles, then users can plan laundry removal easily, but resources like water and energy are wasted on lighter loads that require shorter cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of cycle duration dynamically based on detected laundry weight. The control unit adjusts the washing cycle duration parameter according to the measured weight, allowing shorter cycles for light loads and longer cycles for heavy loads, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining manageable complexity through automated parameter adjustment
2Measurement precision
If the washing machine calculates laundry weight accurately using multiple measurements, then cycle duration can be optimized, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary weight measurement of dry laundry before the washing cycle begins. This preliminary measurement is sufficient to determine the appropriate cycle duration without requiring complex continuous monitoring during the wash, thus achieving good measurement precision while limiting device complexity by only performing the measurement once at the start
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the relationship between dry weight and wet weight as a model to estimate the final weight without directly measuring it. By measuring the initial dry weight and applying a predetermined relationship, the system obtains sufficient precision for cycle duration control without the complexity of measuring wet laundry weight directly
3Measurement precision
If the washing machine always performs a second weight calculation after water introduction, then cycle duration accuracy is improved, but water and energy are wasted on light loads where the first calculation suffices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different measurement precision levels to different load conditions. For light loads (below threshold), only the first preliminary weight measurement is performed. For heavy loads (above threshold), the more precise second measurement after water introduction is performed. This local differentiation of measurement quality optimizes precision where needed while reducing energy waste on light loads
4Reliability
If the washing machine sets longer cycle durations to accommodate heavy loads, then washing quality is maintained, but light loads waste time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the washing cycle duration dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the duration parameter based on the detected laundry weight, creating a dynamic adaptation where light loads receive shorter cycles and heavy loads receive longer cycles. This dynamic approach maintains washing quality reliability for all loads while reducing unnecessary time consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A method to control a washing machine including a tub and a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub. The method includes and configured to contain laundry to be washed, the method comprising setting a wash cycle, calculating a first duration of the washing cycle based on a weight of the laundry before adding water to the tub, and: (i) when the weight is above the threshold, introducing water into the tub, calculating a second weight of the laundry, calculating a second duration based on the second weight, or (ii) when the weight is below the threshold, updating the first duration while executing the washing cycle, without calculating a second duration.