Method for controlling washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines face challenges in maintaining effective washing performance with reduced water supply, leading to increased exposure of clothes to air, potential staining, and secondary pollution from residual detergent, especially when laundry amounts vary.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine incorporates a circulating nozzle with adjustable spray angle and water pressure, controlled by a variable speed pump motor, to optimize water distribution based on laundry amount, ensuring uniform soaking and minimizing water usage while preventing discoloration and detergent residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If water supply amount is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but washing performance is degraded and clothes are exposed to air causing staining and detergent residue
Solution Approach 1:
The pump motor operates at variable speeds (high speed for water circulation, low speed for soaking) to dynamically adapt water distribution to different washing stages and laundry amounts, maintaining effective washing performance while optimizing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine alternates between high-speed pump operation (water circulation phase) and low-speed pump operation (soaking phase), creating periodic action patterns that ensure thorough wetting of clothes while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-speed operation
2Quantity of substance
If water supply amount is reduced, then water consumption is reduced, but clothes exposure to air increases causing staining and secondary pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating nozzle is positioned to target specific regions of the drum, and the pump speed is adjusted to distribute water locally where needed, ensuring complete coverage of clothes surfaces even with reduced overall water consumption, preventing staining and detergent residue
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates continuously at variable speeds to maintain constant water circulation and soaking action throughout the washing cycle, ensuring clothes remain continuously wetted without exposure to air, thereby preventing staining and detergent residue while using less water
3Adaptability or versatility
If laundry amount varies, then washing machine adaptability is tested, but uniform water distribution becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors washing conditions and adjusts pump motor speed based on detected laundry amount and water distribution needs, providing feedback control that maintains uniform water distribution across varying laundry loads by optimizing water circulation patterns for each specific condition
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 solution enables efficient soaking of laundry while conserving water, reducing the risk of staining and secondary pollution, and maintaining effective washing performance even with varying laundry loads.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for spraying the water exhausted from the outer tub into the inner tub through a circulating nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a washing machine is provided. The method may include determining an amount of laundry in an inner tub, setting a supply water level according to the amount of laundry determined, supplying the water into the inner tub until a water level in an outer tub reaches the supply water level set, setting a rotation speed of a pump motor according to the amount of laundry determined, operating the pump motor at the rotation speed set, and alternatively rotating a pulsator in different directions.