Bubble Drum Washing Control for Low-Water Gentle Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines consume large amounts of water and energy, and can damage delicate laundry like wool and silk due to the falling motion and friction within the drum, while also requiring excessive detergent for effective cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine that uses bubbles for cleaning, with a control method to generate and manage detergent concentration, preventing direct contact with water and using bubbles as a cushion to reduce friction, while controlling water and detergent supply to maintain optimal bubble generation and concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water is supplied into the tub for washing operation, then washing capability is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidwashing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to gas (bubbles) to resolve the contradiction. By converting water into bubbles through an air supply device, the system maintains washing capability while dramatically reducing water consumption, as bubbles provide cleaning action without requiring large quantities of liquid water

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing air into the tub to generate bubbles. The air supply device creates a two-phase flow (air and water vapor) that forms bubbles, utilizing gas dynamics to achieve washing without conventional liquid water filling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If rotational drum rotates to wash laundry, then washing operation is improved, but friction and damage to delicate laundry increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing operation effectivenessVSAvoidfriction and texture damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical drum rotation with pneumatic bubble action. Air bubbles rise through the laundry, providing gentle cleaning through buoyancy and mild agitation rather than mechanical friction, thus eliminating damage to delicate fabrics while maintaining washing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical washing mechanism (rotational drum creating falling motion) with a pneumatic mechanism (bubbles providing upward and gentle agitation force). This replacement eliminates the harmful friction caused by drum rotation while preserving the washing function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If large amount of water is used for washing, then cleaning coverage is improved, but energy consumption for heating water increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater amountVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes water from liquid phase to gas phase (bubbles), which eliminates the need for heating large amounts of water. Since bubbles are generated from air and minimal water vapor, the energy required for heating is dramatically reduced while cleaning coverage is maintained through bubble distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If detergent is supplied with large amount of water, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but detergent consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddetergent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the carrier medium from liquid water to air bubbles, allowing detergent to be delivered in a concentrated foam form. This enables effective cleaning with reduced detergent quantities because the bubbles provide better detergent localization and contact time with laundry surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 water and energy consumption, minimizes damage to delicate items by using bubbles as a cushion, and enhances cleaning efficiency with high detergent concentration on the bubbles, suitable for both delicate and general washing operations.

Implementation Method 1

generating the bubbles from detergent water as a mixture of the detergent liquid and the water, followed by supplying the bubbles to laundry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble generation: Bubble

Data Source

PatentEP2636784B1Washing machine and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2014.11.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A washing machine is disclosed which comprises a rotational drum (12) into which laundry is input and a water tub (11) to perform a washing operation using bubbles. A corresponding control method of such a washing machine performs a washing operation using bubbles and comprises the supply of detergent liquid and water into a space between the water tub (11) and the rotational drum (12) so as not to contact the laundry input into the rotational drum. Bubbles are generated from detergent water as a mixture of the detergent liquid and the water and then the bubbles are supplied to the laundry. Thereafter, the laundry is washed using the bubbles.