Washing Machine and Dryer Power Sharing to Prevent Electrical Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, often face inefficiencies and potential electrical overloading when sharing a power source, as they typically operate at different voltage and current levels, leading to suboptimal performance and risk of electrical overload during simultaneous use.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power sharing method between a washing machine and a dryer by adjusting the operation of their heating elements, allowing them to switch between 120V and 240V power levels based on operational characteristics, using a communication module and relay circuit to manage power allocation and prevent overloading, enabling efficient use of a shared power source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If washing machine and dryer both operate at high power levels simultaneously on a shared power source, then heating performance is improved, but electrical overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power level of heating elements based on real-time detection of power source capacity. The controller monitors whether the power source can support high-power operation and automatically switches between high and low power modes for heating elements, preventing electrical overload while optimizing heating performance when capacity is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of heating elements by switching between different power levels (high/low). The controller adjusts the power consumption parameters of heating elements in response to detected power source characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to available power capacity and prevent overload conditions.
2Productivity
If washing machine and dryer use independent terminal blocks for 120V or 240V power sources, then each appliance can operate at optimal power levels, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine terminal block is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate both 120V and 240V power sources through a single universal interface. The terminal block can connect to different power source types and the system automatically adapts its operation, eliminating the need for separate terminal blocks for different voltage levels and reducing installation complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If washing machine heating element operates at high power, then heating efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically changes the power consumption parameter of the heating element based on detected power source capacity. When the power source can support high power draw, the heating element operates at high power for efficient heating. When power capacity is limited, the system switches to low power mode to prevent overload, thus adapting energy usage to available power supply.
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 solution allows for efficient power utilization, preventing electrical overloading and optimizing performance by dynamically adjusting the power usage of heating elements in both appliances, ensuring stable operation when used simultaneously while improving heating efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a washing machine and a dryer, each having at least one heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine can have at least one heating element and be configured to perform a cycle of operation. A method of operation of the washing machine can include signaling a relay circuit to switch operation of the at least one heating element. A washing machine and a dryer can each have at least one heating element and be configured to perform a cycle of operation. The washing machine and dryer can be connected to a shared power source. A method of sharing power between the washing machine and the dryer can include allocating power between the washing machine and the dryer.