Washing machine and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face issues with excessive vibration and lint accumulation due to uneven laundry distribution, leading to delayed dehydration cycles and lint introduction from the water reserve tub, which are not effectively addressed by existing imbalance sensing and water flow management techniques.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves controlling the washing machine by increasing the rotation speed of the washing tub to a target speed, sensing vibrations and imbalances, and adjusting water levels to prevent lint inflow, while also determining the appropriate time for dehydration based on sensed vibrations, thereby ensuring smooth untangling and efficient dehydration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the washing tub rotates at high speed for dehydration, then dehydration efficiency is improved, but excessive vibration occurs when laundry is unevenly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imbalance sensing and laundry redistribution actions before initiating high-speed dehydration. The controller detects vibration during rotation and redistributes laundry by rotating the washing tub or pulsator in opposite directions, ensuring balanced distribution before dehydration begins, thus preventing excessive vibration while maintaining high dehydration efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors vibration levels during rotation and uses this feedback to adjust operation. When vibration exceeds a threshold, the controller automatically redistributes laundry and re-senses imbalance, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures balanced laundry distribution before proceeding to high-speed dehydration
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pulsator rotates alternately in opposite directions to untangle laundry, then laundry distribution is improved, but the dehydration cycle is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing complete alternating rotation cycles in both directions, the system performs partial redistribution actions only when vibration indicates imbalance. The controller senses vibration and applies just enough redistribution action to correct the imbalance, avoiding unnecessary time-consuming complete cycles while still achieving proper laundry distribution for timely dehydration
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the washing tub's own rotation and the pulsator's limited redistribution capability to self-correct laundry imbalance. By leveraging the existing mechanical components and their natural motion, the system achieves laundry redistribution without requiring additional time-consuming external interventions or complex mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the washing tub is drained before dehydration, then lint introduction from water reserve tub is prevented, but lint accumulates in the washing tub during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary lint removal actions during the washing cycle by controlling water flow and tub rotation before dehydration begins. The pulsator rotation and water circulation patterns are designed to prevent lint accumulation in the first place, and any lint that does form is removed through preliminary draining and redistribution actions before the dehydration cycle starts
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous lint prevention actions throughout the washing cycle through sustained pulsator rotation and controlled water flow. Rather than performing discrete lint removal steps, the system continuously manages water circulation and laundry movement to prevent lint formation and accumulation, ensuring clean conditions proceed into the dehydration cycle
4Reliability
If repetitive imbalance sensing and redistributing are performed, then dehydration entry is ensured, but the cycle time is extended and user intervention may still be required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback-controlled imbalance detection and correction system that continuously monitors vibration levels and automatically redistributes laundry when imbalance is detected. The controller counts redistribution attempts and re-senses imbalance, progressively correcting distribution issues without user intervention and ensuring dehydration can proceed when balance is achieved
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine performs self-diagnosis and self-correction of laundry imbalance through automated vibration sensing and pulsator/washing tub rotation control. The system independently detects and corrects distribution problems without requiring user removal or manual intervention, ensuring reliable progression to dehydration while minimizing cycle time extensions
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 reduces the time required for dehydration, prevents lint accumulation, and ensures that the washing machine can smoothly untangle laundry even when vibrations are outside the allowable range, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal force created as the washing tub rotates
Implementation Method 2
removing dirt from the laundry by a frictional force between the pulsator and the laundry
Implementation Method 3
A main force exerted to the laundry in washing machines where the washing tub spins about the vertical axis is an inertial force in the direction of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a dishwasher is described. The method includes the actions of increasing a rotation speed of the washing tub to a predetermined target rotation speed with at least a part of laundry soaked in wash water. The actions further include rotating the washing tub at the target rotation speed for a predetermined period of time; decreasing the rotation speed of the washing tub. The actions further include draining the wash water from the washing tub while rotating the washing tub at the target rotation speed for the predetermined period of time or decreasing the rotation speed of the washing tub.