Bubble-Assisted Drum Washing for Low-Water Detergent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face challenges in efficiently transmitting high-concentration wash liquid to laundry due to high water consumption and structural limitations, leading to inefficient washing and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A control method for a washing machine that generates bubbles in the wash liquid and utilizes drum rotation to raise the water level without additional water, effectively transmitting the wash liquid to the laundry by circulating the wash liquid and controlling the drum's operation based on the load's weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is supplied to fill the space between the water tub and the drum to perform washing, then washing operation can be performed, but water consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to vapor by heating it to generate steam. This phase transition allows the washing machine to perform washing operations without filling the space between the water tub and drum with liquid water, thereby significantly reducing water consumption while maintaining effective washing capability through the action of steam and bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through heating. The generated steam is introduced into the drum to create bubbles that facilitate washing. This phase transition enables the system to achieve washing effectiveness without requiring large quantities of liquid water, directly resolving the contradiction between washing reliability and water consumption
2Productivity
If additional water is supplied to raise the water level to effectively transmit wash liquid to laundry, then wash liquid transmission is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes water from liquid to vapor phase through heating, generating steam that is introduced to create bubbles. These bubbles rise and burst on the laundry surface, effectively transmitting wash liquid without requiring additional water to raise the water level. This parameter change enables efficient wash liquid transmission while avoiding increased water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the pneumatic principle of bubble generation and rise. Steam is introduced to create bubbles that naturally rise through the water and burst on the laundry surface, providing effective wash liquid transmission. This pneumatic mechanism eliminates the need for additional water supply to achieve proper water level and transmission efficiency
3Reliability
If a large amount of detergent is used to compensate for low wash liquid concentration, then washing effectiveness is maintained, but water and detergent consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water to steam, which when introduced creates bubbles that concentrate detergent on the laundry surface. The bubble formation and bursting process enhances detergent transmission efficiency, allowing effective washing with reduced detergent quantities compared to conventional liquid water washing methods
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 minimizes water usage while enhancing washing efficiency by maximizing the volume of wash liquid, ensuring effective transmission and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
forcibly generating bubbles using the wash liquid
Implementation Method 2
circulating the wash liquid to raise the level of the wash liquid
Implementation Method 3
rotating the drum installed in the water tub to increase a volume of the wash liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method thereof. The control method effectively transmits high-concentration wash liquid to laundry, while minimizing the amount of water used, through washing using bubbles, and maximizes the increase in volume of the wash liquid rubbed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum using the generation of bubbles and the rotation of the drum to raise the water level of the wash liquid without additional water.