Washing machine with drying apparatus and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines with drying apparatuses face inefficiencies in drying performance and energy consumption, particularly due to interference between the drying apparatus inlet and laundry during alternating drum rotations, which affects drying time and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine alternately rotates the drum in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction during drying, with the clockwise rotation time being longer than the counterclockwise time, and adjusts these times based on laundry weight to minimize interference and optimize drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum rotates alternately in clockwise and counterclockwise directions with equal time, then the laundry is evenly distributed and air circulation is maintained, but interference between the inlet and laundry occurs during counterclockwise rotation, reducing drying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the clockwise rotation time longer than the counterclockwise rotation time. Specifically, the clockwise rotation time is set to 1.5-2 times the counterclockwise rotation time. This asymmetric time allocation prevents the inlet from interfering with the laundry during counterclockwise rotation while maintaining effective air circulation and laundry distribution throughout the drum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting the rotation times based on the detected weight of the laundry. When laundry weight increases, the system increases the clockwise rotation time relative to counterclockwise rotation time to prevent inlet interference. This dynamic adjustment optimizes drying efficiency for different load conditions.
2Productivity
If the clockwise rotation time is increased to prevent inlet interference, then drying efficiency improves, but the total drying cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by making the counterclockwise rotation time shorter than the clockwise rotation time. The counterclockwise rotation is sufficient to redistribute laundry and maintain air circulation, while the extended clockwise rotation time specifically addresses inlet interference. This partial asymmetry optimizes drying efficiency without excessively extending the total cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the rotation time parameters based on laundry weight detection. The control unit calculates optimal clockwise and counterclockwise rotation times as a function of laundry weight, ensuring that the asymmetric time allocation prevents inlet interference while minimizing total drying cycle time for different load conditions.
3Productivity
If the rotation times are dynamically adjusted based on laundry weight, then drying efficiency is optimized for different load conditions, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using a weight detection device to measure the laundry weight and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation times based on this feedback, optimizing drying efficiency for different load conditions. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive control without requiring complex algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the drying system to automatically adjust its own operation parameters based on the detected laundry weight. The control unit autonomously determines the optimal rotation time allocation without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining optimized drying performance.
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 interference between the inlet and laundry, enhancing drying efficiency and reducing drying time while maintaining effective air circulation and laundry flow, thus improving overall drying performance and energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a drying apparatus provided at an upper portion of the tub, configured to introduce air from the tub, to heat the introduced air and to supply the heated air to the drum
Implementation Method 2
supply the heated air to the drum so that laundry accommodated in the drum is dried
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Provided is a washing machine (1) with a drying apparatus (31) that, when alternately rotating a drum (30) in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, respectively, during a drying operation, rotates the drum (30) in the clockwise direction longer than in the counterclockwise direction. The washing machine (1) with the drying apparatus (31) includes: a tub (20); a drum (30) rotatably provided inside the tub (20); a drying apparatus (31) provided at an upper portion of the tub (20), configured to introduce air from the tub 820), to heat the introduced air and to supply the heated air to the drum (30) so that laundry accommodated in the drum (30) is dried; and a control unit (110) configured to rotate the drum (30) alternately in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, respectively, to rotate the drum (30) in the clockwise direction for a first time and to rotate the drum (30) in the counterclockwise direction for a second time that is shorter than the first time when the washing machine (1) with the drying apparatus (31) enters a drying operation.