Washing machine tub speed control method and apparatus
AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.
InventorsAlan P. French, John S. Thorn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for controlling the rotation speed of a washing machine tub includes receiving an indication of the actual tub rotation speed and comparing the actual tub rotation speed to a set point speed to calculate a speed error. One or more gain factors are applied to the speed error to calculate a correction factor. Adaptive gain control is used, wherein the gain factors are adjusted in response to system parameters, including the actual or desired tub rotation speed, speed error, average torque demand, average power, etc.
Claims24
A method of controlling the rotation speed of a washing machine tub, comprising:
- receiving an indication of the actual tub rotation speed;
- comparing the actual tub rotation speed to a set point speed to calculate a speed error;
- determining at least one gain factor in response to the speed error;
- and
- applying the at least one gain factor to the speed error to calculate a correction factor.
A method of controlling the rotation speed of a washing machine tub, comprising:
- receiving an indication of the actual tub rotation speed;
- comparing the actual tub rotation speed to a set point speed to calculate a speed error;
- determining the size of a load in the washing machine tub;
- determining at least one gain factor in response to the load size;
- and
- applying the at least one gain factor to the speed error to calculate a correction factor.
A method of controlling the rotation speed of a washing machine tub, comprising:
- receiving an indication of the actual tub rotation speed;
- comparing the actual tub rotation speed to a set point speed to calculate a speed error;
- determining at least one gain factor in response to the actual tub rotation speed;
- and
- applying the at least one gain factor to the speed error to calculate a correction factor.
A system for controlling the rotation speed of a washing machine tub, comprising:
- a speed detection device operable to output an indication of the tub rotation speed;
- a controller coupled to the speed detection device to receive the indication of the tub rotation speed;
- a memory accessible by the controller and storing a speed demand value;
- the controller operable to compare the tub rotation speed to the speed demand to calculate a speed error and apply at least one gain factor to the speed error to calculate a correction factor, wherein the at least one gain factor is determined based on an indication of a load contained within the washing machine tub.
A clothes washing system comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a tub rotatably mounted within the cabinet;
- a motor operably coupled to the tub for rotating the tub within the cabinet;
- a speed detection device operable to output an indication of the tub rotation speed;
- a controller coupled to the speed detection device to receive the indication of the tub rotation speed;
- a memory accessible by the controller and storing a speed demand value;
- and
- the controller operable to compare the tub rotation speed to the speed demand to calculate a speed error and apply at least one gain factor to the speed error to calculate a correction factor, wherein the at least one gain factor is determined based on an indication of a load contained within the washing machine tub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.