Washing Machine Timed Wash Cycle with Dynamic Portion Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine appliances have unpredictable total cycle times due to varying sense/fill and drain times, which are influenced by load size and temperature, leading to inconvenience for users who cannot control or shorten wash cycles without compromising the completion of all cycle portions.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine appliance capable of performing timed wash cycles, where the total cycle time is set by the user, and the cycle times of remaining portions are adjusted based on the fill time, allowing for aggressive agitation, temperature, and spin speed adjustments to ensure completion within the specified time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional washing machines use variable sense/fill and drain times based on load size and temperature, then the washing machine can adapt to different washing conditions, but the total cycle time becomes unpredictable and cannot be controlled by users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cycle portion times adjustable and adaptable during operation. The controller dynamically modifies the duration of each cycle portion (sense/fill, wash, drain, rinse, spin) based on the user-selected total cycle time, while still completing all necessary washing functions. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to user time constraints while maintaining versatility for different washing conditions.
2Loss of time
If users want to shorten the total cycle time, then the washing process becomes faster, but cycle portions may be skipped or incompletely performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by allowing users to select a total cycle time that may be shorter than a full conventional cycle, and the controller intelligently distributes this time across cycle portions. Some portions may be performed with reduced duration or modified parameters (e.g., faster fill, shortened wash, expedited drain) while still achieving the essential washing function. This ensures all cycle portions are completed within the user's time constraint without requiring incomplete operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies operational parameters of each cycle portion to accommodate the selected total cycle time. This includes adjusting fill rates, wash agitation intensity and duration, drain pump speed, and spin cycle parameters. By changing these parameters, the system maintains reliable completion of all cycle portions while adapting to shorter user-selected timeframes.
3Quantity of substance
If larger loads require greater quantities of wash liquid, then the washing effectiveness is improved, but the fill time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary calculation of the required wash liquid quantity based on the detected load size and selected cycle parameters. This allows the system to pre-determine the optimal fill rate and duration, balancing the need for sufficient wash liquid with the user's total cycle time constraint. The fill operation is executed with this pre-calculated parameters, resolving the contradiction between providing adequate wash liquid and minimizing fill time.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance for performing timed wash cycles is provided. The washing machine appliance receives a total cycle time for a timed wash cycle. A fill time of a fill cycle portion of the timed wash cycle is determined. Then, one or more cycle times of the remaining one or more cycle portions of the timed wash cycle are adjusted based at least in part on the total cycle time and the fill time such that the timed wash cycle is completed by the total cycle time.