Washing Machine Load Balancing with Adaptive Drum Movement Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry balancing methods in washing machines and tumble dryers are inefficient and energy-consuming due to a single, predetermined drum movement sequence that fails to account for varying unbalancing scenarios and degrees of load unbalance, leading to prolonged balancing times and excessive electricity use.
Innovation Solution
A method that varies the balancing parameters of drum movements in each subsequent balancing step based on previous attempts, using a group of parameters including rotation speed, speed variation, and duration, to adapt to different unbalancing scenarios and reduce the number of balancing steps required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single predetermined drum movement sequence is used for laundry balancing, then the balancing method is simple to implement, but the balancing time becomes excessively long and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drum movement sequence adaptive rather than fixed. The control system dynamically adjusts the balancing sequence based on real-time detection of laundry distribution. The system varies rotation directions, speeds, and durations of drum movements to optimize balancing efficiency for different load conditions, thereby reducing balancing time while maintaining implementation feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring laundry distribution during balancing operations. Sensors detect the current state of laundry balance, and this information feeds back to the control system which then adjusts subsequent drum movement parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to different balancing scenarios, reducing the number of balancing steps required compared to fixed predetermined sequences.
2Device complexity
If a single predetermined drum movement sequence is used for laundry balancing, then the control system is simple, but the energy consumption during balancing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts drum movement parameters including rotation speed, direction, and duration based on detected laundry distribution. This adaptive approach prevents energy waste by avoiding redundant balancing movements once the laundry is sufficiently balanced, thereby reducing overall energy consumption during balancing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism allows the control system to detect when balancing objectives are achieved and terminate balancing operations early, preventing unnecessary energy consumption. The system monitors balancing progress in real-time and adjusts energy usage accordingly by modifying or stopping drum movements when optimal balance is reached.
3Ease of operation
If a single predetermined drum movement sequence is used for laundry balancing, then the method is easy to operate, but it cannot adapt to different unbalancing scenarios and degrees of load unbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its balancing strategy by varying drum rotation parameters based on the specific unbalancing scenario detected. Different rotation directions, speeds, and sequences are automatically selected to match the detected load distribution pattern, enabling effective balancing across diverse scenarios including rolled-up laundry items, intertwined items, and large single items while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters such as drum rotation speed, direction, and duration based on the detected unbalancing scenario. The control system adjusts these parameters dynamically to match the specific balancing needs arising from different laundry configurations and degrees of unbalance, thereby achieving versatility without compromising operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for balancing the load of laundry in a laundry drum (5) in a washing machine (1) or tumble dryer, comprises - carrying out, before performing a spin step (27) in a laundry treatment program, a laundry load balancing check step (29), and: - in the case of a balanced load, performing the spin step (27), - in the case of an unbalanced load, not enabling the spin step (27) and performing a balancing step (29) of the load of laundry, through a sequence of movements of the laundry drum (5) at lower speeds than the rotation speed of the laundry drum (5) during the spin step (27) and, after the balancing step (29), repeating the balancing check step (28) of the load of laundry until the load of laundry resulted to be balanced from the balancing check step (29), - varying the balancing parameters (rebal_XXX) of a next balancing step (29_n+1) with respect to the balancing parameters (rebal_XXX) of a previous balancing step (29_n) within the same laundry treatment program.