Washing Machine Load Size Detection Using Basket Deceleration Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machine appliances face issues with load imbalance during spin cycles due to uneven weight distribution of articles and wash liquid, leading to noise, vibration, and other undesired conditions, particularly with non-shedding articles that retain water and cause sudden shifts in center of mass.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the washing machine controller rotates the basket to a first speed, decelerates it to a second speed, and determines the deceleration time to assess the load size, allowing for the selection and adjustment of operating parameters to maintain balance and optimize washing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the basket rotates at high speed during spin cycle, then water removal efficiency is improved, but load imbalance and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of load characteristics (weight, distribution, article type) before the high-speed spin cycle begins. Based on this advance information, the control system pre-adjusts operating parameters such as spin speed, acceleration rate, and deceleration rate to prevent imbalance and vibration from occurring during the spin cycle, rather than reacting after problems arise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor basket rotation, load distribution, and vibration levels during operation. This feedback information is fed back to the control system, which dynamically adjusts spin parameters in real-time to maintain optimal performance while minimizing noise and vibration, allowing the system to adapt to changing load conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If non-shedding articles are present in the load, then water retention occurs, but sudden center of mass shift causes imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of article type characteristics (shedding vs. non-shedding) before the spin cycle begins. When non-shedding articles are detected, the control system pre-adjusts spin parameters such as limiting maximum speed or modifying acceleration/deceleration profiles to prevent the sudden water displacement that would cause center of mass shifts and imbalance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters based on detected load characteristics. For loads containing non-shedding articles, the control system modifies spin cycle parameters including reducing maximum rotational speed, adjusting acceleration and deceleration rates, and extending cycle duration to prevent water retention issues and maintain load stability throughout the spin cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If load size is not accurately determined, then operating parameters cannot be optimized, but determining load size requires additional measurement time
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the basket's own rotation and deceleration characteristics during normal operation to automatically determine load size and type. By measuring parameters such as deceleration time, vibration patterns, and rotation speed responses that naturally occur during the wash cycle, the system obtains load information without requiring separate measurement steps, external sensors, or additional time beyond the normal washing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical load measurement devices (such as scales or force sensors) with indirect measurement methods using the basket's rotational dynamics. By analyzing how the load affects the basket's acceleration, deceleration, and vibration characteristics during normal operation, the system infers load size and type information through computational analysis rather than direct mechanical measurement, saving time and simplifying the system.
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 approach effectively determines the load size and type, enabling tailored operating parameters to prevent imbalance and optimize washing machine performance, reducing noise and vibration by customizing spin cycle parameters based on load characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
decelerating the basket from the first speed to a second speed less than the first speed and determining a deceleration time of the basket
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance and methods of operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The washing machine appliance includes a motor and a rotatable basket. The motor is operated to rotate the basket to a first speed. The basket is then decelerated from the first speed to a second speed less than the first speed. A deceleration time is determined while decelerating the basket from the first speed to the second speed. The method may include, or the washing machine appliance may be configured for, determining a size of a load of articles in the basket of the washing machine appliance based on the deceleration time. Based on the determined size of the load, one or more operating parameters of the washing machine appliance are selected and an operation of the washing machine appliance is performed according to the one or more selected operating parameters.