Washing Machine Spin-Dry Overload Detection Using Weight Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines fail to effectively sense overload and vibration during spin-drying, leading to increased failure rates due to reliance on separate MEMS sensors, which can malfunction or be damaged, resulting in excessive vibration and noise.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine system that includes a processor to determine overload by calculating the wet and dry clothes weights using pre-measured data and adjust the spin-dry tub's rotational speed, and utilizes torque and acceleration sensors to sense vibration, allowing for control of the spin-drying process without a separate MEMS sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the spin-dry tub rotates at maximum preset speed during spin-drying, then spin-drying efficiency is improved, but overload and excessive vibration occur when laundry weight exceeds capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary weight measurement of the laundry before spin-drying begins. The processor calculates whether the laundry weight exceeds the maximum capacity based on measured values, and adjusts the rotational speed accordingly before the spin-drying process starts, preventing overload and excessive vibration
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational speed of the spin-dry tub is made dynamically adjustable based on laundry weight. The processor controls the motor to rotate at maximum preset speed when laundry weight is within capacity, and at reduced speed when weight exceeds capacity, optimizing both efficiency and stability for different loading conditions
2Measurement precision
If a separate MEMS sensor is attached to sense vibration, then vibration detection capability is improved, but the system becomes more complex and the sensor may malfunction or be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The motor itself serves the dual function of driving the spin-dry tub and sensing vibration through its built-in torque and acceleration sensors. The processor acquires torque and acceleration values from the motor during rotation, eliminating the need for separate MEMS sensors and reducing system complexity while maintaining vibration detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides driving force for spin-drying and simultaneously acts as a sensing device for vibration detection. The torque sensor and acceleration sensor integrated in the motor enable the same component to both drive and monitor the system, reducing the total number of components needed
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 improves stability and reduces failure rates by accurately sensing overload and vibration, allowing for controlled rotational speeds and preventing excessive vibration and noise during spin-drying.
Implementation Method 1
the washing water contained in the laundry is separated and removed from the laundry by a centrifugal force when the spin-dry tub is rotated at a high speed
Implementation Method 2
a torque sensor and an acceleration sensor may be attached to the motor, and thus the torque and acceleration values of the motor may be acquired during rotation of the motor
Implementation Method 3
a torque sensor and an acceleration sensor may be attached to the motor, and thus the torque and acceleration values of the motor may be acquired during rotation of the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine is disclosed. The present washing machine comprises: a motor for driving a spin-dry tub such that a maximum rotational speed of the spin-dry tub has a preset value during spin-drying; and a processor for acquiring dry clothes weight and wet clothes weight of laundry put into the spin-dry tub, determining whether the washing machine is overloaded in the spin-drying on the basis of the acquired dry clothes weight and wet clothes weight, and controlling driving of the motor such that the maximum rotational speed of the motor is a value less than the preset value during the spin-drying, if the washing machine is determined to be overloaded.