Water supply control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines require a costly flooding device to control water levels for various heating programs, limiting their functionality without a circulation device.
Innovation Solution
A water supply control system that detects the laundry load and adjusts water levels by rotating the drum, allowing for precise control of residual moisture from 140% to saturation, enabling all heating programs without a circulation device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bypass system is installed to control water levels for different heating programs, then the washing machine can execute all heating programs (contact heating, steam heating, classic heating), but the washing machine's price increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water level control function from the bypass system and implements it through a different mechanism. Instead of using a bypass system to pump water between sections, the invention uses a single water inlet valve controlled by a microcontroller to add water to the tub based on load quantity and desired heating program, eliminating the need for the bypass system while maintaining all heating program capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine uses its existing drum rotation and water inlet valve to achieve water level control without requiring additional bypass pumping equipment. The system self-regulates water addition based on sensor input and control logic, using already-available components to perform the function that would otherwise require expensive additional hardware
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bypass system is installed to control water levels for different heating programs, then various water levels can be achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single water inlet valve and drum rotation perform multiple functions: they control water level for all types of heating programs (contact heating, steam heating, classic heating) without requiring separate bypass systems. The microcontroller adapts the same hardware components to achieve different water levels based on the selected program, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the bypass system from the architecture and extracts the essential water level control function, implementing it through a simplified approach using the existing water inlet valve and drum rotation, thereby reducing the number of components and system complexity
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
Enables the use of multiple heating programs in washing machines without a circulation device, optimizing water usage and reducing costs by eliminating the need for a flooding device, while ensuring precise residual moisture levels.
Implementation Method 1
supplying water to the tub during rotation of the drum
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a water supply control for a washing machine having a tub (2), a drum (3) and a heating element (4), having a load quantity detection process and a subsequent supply control process, with the load quantity detection process detecting a quantity of laundry (5) in the drum ( 3) and wherein the inflow control process comprises feeding water (1) into the tub (2) while rotating the drum (3) in an amount dependent on the detected amount of laundry (5) in the drum (3). Having a determination of a water level in the tub (2) and a refueling of water (1) in the tub (2) depending on the determined water level and a predetermined water level to be reached.