Washing machine having a circulation pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines fail to evenly soak laundry due to fixed spray patterns and lack of consideration for laundry movement, leading to inefficient washing and rinsing processes.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a processor-controlled circulation pump system that alternates the rotation speed of the washing motor and circulation pump motor to dynamically adjust the spray pattern and direction of water jets, ensuring thorough soaking and reduced washing time by tracking laundry movement and varying water flow depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the circulation pump rotation speed is increased to widen the spray range, then the water coverage area is improved, but the laundry soaking uniformity deteriorates because the laundry movement is not synchronized with the spray pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump rotation speed is dynamically adjusted according to the drum rotation speed and laundry movement state. The controller synchronizes the spray pattern changes with laundry movement, transitioning between concentrated spray (when laundry is stationary) and dispersed spray (when laundry is moving), thereby maintaining uniform soaking across the entire laundry load while utilizing the full spray range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the circulation pump rotation speed parameter in response to changes in drum rotation speed and laundry state. During high-speed drum rotation when laundry is stuck to the drum wall, the pump speed is increased to maximize spray range. During low-speed rotation when laundry is moving freely, the pump speed is adjusted to concentrate spray on the laundry, optimizing soaking uniformity throughout the washing cycle.
2Reliability
If the drum rotation speed is increased to make laundry stick to the drum, then the water penetration effect is improved, but the washing time increases because the spray range becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic alternation between high-speed rotation (laundry stuck to drum) and low-speed rotation (laundry moving freely). During high-speed phases, the circulation pump operates at high speed to maximize water penetration into the laundry adhering to the drum. During low-speed phases, the pump speed is reduced to concentrate spray on the moving laundry, ensuring comprehensive coverage. This periodic cycle repeats throughout the washing process, achieving both penetration and coverage efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If the circulation pump operates at constant high speed, then the water supply amount is sufficient, but energy consumption increases and spray pattern adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump rotation speed parameter is dynamically changed based on the drum rotation speed and laundry state. During high-speed drum rotation, the pump operates at high speed to supply sufficient water for penetration. During low-speed rotation, the pump speed is reduced to match the laundry movement, maintaining adequate water supply while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to constant high-speed operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If the circulation pump speed is varied to match laundry movement, then soaking performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback signals from the drum rotation speed sensor and determines the laundry state (stuck or moving) based on the drum speed. This feedback mechanism enables the controller to automatically adjust the circulation pump speed without requiring additional sensors for direct laundry movement detection, thereby improving soaking performance while limiting the increase in device complexity to only the control algorithm.
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
The system ensures even soaking and reduced washing time by adjusting water flow to match laundry movement, preventing overflow and improving washing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pump configured to pump water discharged from the water tub to at least one nozzle for spraying the water into the drum
Implementation Method 2
water is sprayed into the drum through at least one nozzle... water needs to pass through the laundry in a centrifugal direction
Implementation Method 3
a first rotation step of rotating the drum at 45rpm at which laundry is not stuck to the drum, and a second rotation step of rotating the drum at 100rpm with the laundry stuck to the drum
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine comprising: a tub configured to contain water; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; at least one nozzle configured to spray water into the drum; a washing motor configured to rotate the drum; a circulation pump having a circulation pump motor and configured to pump water discharged from the tub to the at least one nozzle; and a processor configured to alternatively repeat acceleration and deceleration of the washing motor such that the washing motor is accelerated to make laundry in the drum rotate along with the drum while stuck to the drum owing to a centrifugal force, and the washing motor is decelerated to make the laundry separated from the drum; and operate the circulation pump motor to spray water through the at least one nozzle, wherein the circulation pump motor is accelerated and decelerated. The acceleration and deceleration of the circulation pump motor is performed in response to the acceleration of the washing motor and the braking of the washing motor, respectively. The circulation pump motor is a variable speed motor whose rotation speed is controllable, and the respective acceleration and deceleration of the circulation pump motor is performed with a certain gradient.