Bubble Washing Tub Design for Low-Water Delicate Laundry Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines consume high amounts of water and detergent, and are inefficient for delicate laundry items like wool or silk, as they rely on soaking in water and friction for cleaning, which can cause damage.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine design that generates air bubbles in detergent water using a pressure difference, allowing the bubbles to rise and surround laundry, reducing water consumption and minimizing friction damage, with a specific air bubble unit configuration that includes a nozzle with a gradually decreasing inner diameter, an air bubble generator, and a diffuser to create turbulent mixing of air with detergent water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If laundry is soaked in detergent water for washing, then washing coverage is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidwashing coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through bubble formation. Air bubbles are generated in the detergent water and rise to the surface, creating a foam layer that contacts the laundry. This phase transition allows washing to occur with minimal liquid water, as the bubbles provide the cleaning action without requiring the laundry to be soaked in large amounts of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by introducing air into the detergent water to create bubbles. The air bubble generator uses pressure differential (Venturi effect) to draw air through a nozzle into the detergent water flow, creating numerous small bubbles that rise to the surface and provide washing action, thereby reducing the need for large volumes of liquid water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If air bubbles are generated to improve washing efficiency, then water consumption is reduced, but washing efficiency remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a concentrated layer of detergent-rich foam at the surface where the laundry is located. The bubbles generate detergent concentration at the air-water-laundry interface, providing enhanced washing efficiency locally at the cleaning zone rather than requiring uniform distribution throughout large volumes of water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure of air bubbles embedded in detergent water, forming a foam medium. This composite material combines the cleaning properties of detergent with the volume-expanding and contact-enhancing properties of air bubbles, achieving high washing efficiency with minimal water usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If washing tub rotation is used for washing, then washing action is provided, but delicate laundry is damaged by friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing actionVSAvoidlaundry damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical friction-based washing action of tub rotation with a pneumatic-bubble-based washing mechanism. Air bubbles rise through the detergent water and gently contact the laundry, providing washing action through bubble burst and detergent deposition rather than through mechanical friction and impact, thereby preventing damage to delicate fabrics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 detergent usage, enhances washing efficiency, and minimizes damage to delicate items by using bubbles to absorb detergent effectively without soaking the laundry, thereby improving the overall cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

generate air bubbles in detergent water using external air naturally introduced thereinto by pressure difference caused when the detergent water passes therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

The air bubble generator may allow the air introduced through the air suction hole to be turbulently mixed with the detergent water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulent mixing: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

the air bubbles rise to a surface of the detergent water contained in the water tub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8418510B2Washing machine

Publication Date: 2013.04.16 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a washing machine that performs washing using bubbles. The washing machine may include an air bubble unit to generate air bubbles in detergent water using external air naturally introduced thereinto by pressure difference caused when the detergent water passes therethrough, a water tub having an introduction port to allow the detergent water containing the air bubbles to be introduced thereinto, and a washing tub rotatably provided in the water tub, the washing tub having a plurality of through-holes having a size less than the introduction port such that the air bubbles rise to a surface of the detergent water contained in the water tub.