Control method of a washing machine, and washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines with remote control functions often shut down too quickly after a cycle finishes, leading to missed opportunities for further control instructions, such as drying or shaking, especially in internet of things applications where users may not be immediately aware of the completion status.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control method that extends the waiting period for remote control functionality after a wash cycle is complete, with a longer standby time (t1) when the remote control is active and a shorter standby time (t2) when it is inactive, allowing for prolonged user interaction and preventing missed control opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the washing machine shuts down quickly after a wash cycle to save energy and time, then energy consumption and time are reduced, but remote users may miss the opportunity to send further control instructions for drying or shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the standby time adjustable based on the remote control function state. The system dynamically changes the waiting period from a fixed short duration to a variable duration (t1 when remote control is enabled, t2 when disabled), allowing the washing machine to adapt its shutdown behavior to user needs and resolve the contradiction between quick shutdown and remote control availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter of the standby period based on the remote control function state. By setting different time durations (t1 > t2) corresponding to different remote control states, the system optimizes both energy efficiency and user operability, preventing missed control opportunities while maintaining reasonable power consumption
2Ease of operation
If the washing machine maintains a long standby time to allow remote control operations, then remote control availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the standby time based on the remote control function state, extending it to t1 when remote control is enabled and reducing it to t2 when disabled. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain remote control availability only when needed, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption during automatic shutdowns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the standby time parameter conditionally based on the remote control state. By implementing different time parameters (t1 for remote control enabled, t2 for disabled), the system optimizes the balance between operational availability and energy consumption, ensuring long standby time only when remote control functionality is active
3Productivity
If the washing machine uses a fixed short waiting time for all scenarios, then energy efficiency is improved, but remote users cannot send control instructions after receiving completion notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the standby time adaptive rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the waiting period based on the remote control function state, ensuring sufficient time for control instruction delivery when remote control is enabled while maintaining energy efficiency when it is disabled, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
4Reliability
If the washing machine extends the waiting time specifically when remote control is enabled, then remote control reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control mechanism that adjusts standby time based on the remote control function state. The controller monitors whether remote control is enabled and automatically selects the appropriate time parameter (t1 or t2), providing a straightforward implementation that maintains reliability while avoiding excessive system complexity through clear state-based logic
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine has a remote control function, and the control method comprises: after a washing procedure is finished, judging whether a remote control function is in an open state. If the judgment is yes, controlling a lock to keep a locked state, and executing a standby process for a time duration of t1, and if the judgment is no, controlling the lock to open, and executing a standby process for a time duration of t2, wherein t1≥t2; preferably, t1>t2. After a washing procedure is finished, the waiting time of a washing machine when the remote control function is in an open state is longer than the waiting time of a washing machine when the remote control function is in a closed state, thereby effectively preventing a remote controller from missing further control of a washing machine in a standby process.