Method for Reducing Energy Consumption in a Laundry Machine

Abstract

Method for reducing energy consumption in a laundry machine of the automatic type and comprising: a washing means to be rotatively driven by an electric motor during the agitation and spinning phases, and a control means which is operatively associated with the electric motor so as to instruct energization thereof. Said method comprises the steps of: providing energization of the electric motor upon start of each rotation of the washing means in a direction, with a certain percentage of the effective voltage of the electric power supply; maintaining the full energization of the electric motor during a predetermined period of time with an effective voltage at least equal to the certain percentage of the effective voltage of electric power supply to allow the electric motor and the washing means to reach a desired rotation regime; and adjusting the effective voltage applied to the electric motor to a value sufficient to maintain a desired rotation regime of the washing means.

1 . A method for reducing energy consumption in a laundry machine of the automatic type and comprising: a washing means selectively and rotatively driven to provide the washing of a load of clothes fed to the machine; an electric motor selectively and operationally coupled to the washing means in order to make the latter rotate at least in one direction, during the agitation and spinning phases, and a control means which is operatively associated with the electric motor so as to instruct energization thereof from an electric power supply during said agitation and spinning phases, wherein said method comprises the steps of: providing energization of the electric motor, upon start of each rotation of the washing means in a direction, in at least one of the agitation and spinning phases, with a certain percentage of the effective voltage of the electric power supply, sufficient to start the electric motor; maintaining the energization of the electric motor with at least one effective voltage value at minimum equal to the certain percentage of the effective voltage of the electric power supply during a predetermined period of time, defined by the control means and which is sufficient to allow the electric motor and the washing means to reach a rotation regime established for the respective operating phase being carried on in the laundry machine; and adjusting the effective voltage applied to the electric motor to at least one value that is sufficient to maintain a desired rotation regime in the respective operating phase being carried on, after the respective predetermined period of time has elapsed.  
   
   
       2 . Method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the energization of the electric motor is achieved through a triac operatively associated to the control means, the value of the effective voltage applied to the electric motor being achieved by the variation of the triggering angle of the triac by the control means.  
   
   
       3 . Method, according to  claim 2 , wherein the energization of the electric motor, upon start of each rotation in a direction of the washing means, is carried on with a percentage of less than 100% of the effective voltage of the electric power supply.  
   
   
       4 . Method, according to  claim 2 , wherein the energization of the electric motor, upon start of each rotation in a direction of the washing means, is carried on with 100% of the effective voltage of the electric power supply.  
   
   
       5 . Method, according to  claim 3 , wherein the step of adjusting the effective voltage applied to the electric motor after the predetermined amount of time from the start of the energization thereof has elapsed comprises gradually reducing the effective voltage applied to the electric motor to values necessary and sufficient to sustain a desired rotation regime for the remaining of the operational phase being carried on.  
   
   
       6 . Method, according to  claim 5 , wherein the reduced effective voltage applied to the electric motor after said predetermined period of time has elapsed is constant.  
   
   
       7 . Method, according to  claim 3 , wherein the effective voltage applied to the electric motor during said predetermined period of time from the energization thereof is kept constant.  
   
   
       8 . Method, according to  claim 3 , wherein the effective voltage applied to the electric motor during said predetermined period of time is increased to achieve at least a value which is sufficient to maintain a desired rotation regime of the washing means for the remaining of the operational phase being carried on.  
   
   
       9 . Method, according to  claim 8 , wherein the value of the effective voltage applied to the electric motor, after the predetermined time from the energization thereof has elapsed, is less then 100% of the effective voltage of the electric power supply.  
   
   
       10 . Method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the washing means comprises a cylindrical drum with a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       11 . Method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the washing means comprises a cylindrical drum with a vertical axis and an agitator mounted inside the cylindrical drum.  
   
   
       12 . Method, according to  claim 4 , wherein the step of adjusting the effective voltage applied to the electric motor alter the predetermined amount of time from the start of the energization thereof has elapsed comprises gradually reducing the effective voltage applied to the electric motor to values necessary and sufficient to sustain a desired rotation regime for the remaining of the operational phase being carried on.  
   
   
       13 . Method, according to  claim 4 , wherein the effective voltage applied to the electric motor during said predetermined period of time from the energization thereof is kept constant.