Washing Machine Variable RPM Control for Consistent Mechanical Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines face challenges in accurately detecting the weight of laundry due to physical and electrical influences, leading to inconsistent mechanical force application and degraded washing performance, especially when moisture absorption changes the weight of laundry.

Innovation Solution

A control method for a washing machine that adjusts the washing RPM by accelerating and decelerating the drum in a variable washing profile, allowing the cycle and size of the RPM to change, thereby maximizing mechanical force application regardless of laundry amount or weight changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed washing RPM is used, then the control system is simple, but the mechanical force applied to laundry varies with laundry weight leading to degraded washing performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidwashing performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed washing RPM to a variable washing RPM that changes according to detected laundry weight. The control unit adjusts the motor's rotational speed dynamically during the washing cycle, allowing the drum to rotate at different speeds based on the actual load conditions, thereby maintaining consistent mechanical force and washing performance across varying laundry weights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the washing RPM parameter based on detected laundry weight. The control unit receives weight information from the detection unit and adjusts the motor's rotational speed parameter accordingly, changing the operational parameters to optimize washing performance for different load conditions while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If laundry weight is detected to adjust washing RPM, then washing performance can be optimized, but weight detection errors occur due to physical and electrical influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing performance optimizationVSAvoidlaundry weight detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using a detection unit to continuously monitor laundry weight during the washing cycle and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the washing RPM based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for weight detection errors and maintains optimal washing performance despite measurement inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing an initial weight detection before the washing cycle begins and using this preliminary information to set the initial washing RPM. The system also performs intermediate weight detections during the cycle and adjusts RPM accordingly, preparing the washing parameters in advance based on detected conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If washing RPM is adjusted according to laundry weight, then mechanical force is maximized, but the control process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical force on laundryVSAvoidcontrol process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by implementing a control algorithm that adjusts the washing RPM parameter based on detected laundry weight. The control unit uses a predetermined relationship between weight and optimal RPM to modify the rotational speed parameter, maximizing mechanical force through parameter adjustment while maintaining relatively simple control logic based on pre-established weight-RPM correlations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method ensures consistent and improved washing performance by effectively infiltrating water into the laundry, enhancing the visibility of washing operations and maintaining optimal mechanical force across varying laundry weights.

Implementation Method 1

a motor configured to generate a driving force for rotating the drum... dirt is removed from the laundry inside the drum using a mechanical force (head drop behavior) with which the laundry therein is lifted and dropped along an inner wall of the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

The motor rotates the drum in forward and reverse directions at a predetermined washing rotations-per-minute (RPM)... the cycle and size of a washing RPM are variable... maximizing a washing mechanical force regardless of the amount of laundry or a change in the weight of the laundry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3483324B1Washing machine and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3483324B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3483324B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3483324B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

There is proposed a washing machine and a control thereof capable of maximizing a mechanical force regardless of the amount and weight of laundry. By using a washing profile in which the cycle and size of a washing RPM are variable, a washing mechanical force can be maximized regardless of the amount of laundry or a change in the weight of the laundry due to moisture absorption of the laundry. In addition, the head drop behavior of the laundry can be diversified through the washing profile in which the cycle and size of the washing RPM are variable, and in this way, by allowing water (washing water) to be effectively infiltrated into the laundry, the washing performance can be improved. In addition, by continuously showing various washing operations (rubbing, tapping, centrifugal rotation, or the like), an effect of enhancing the visibility of washing can be obtained.