Bubble Washing Water-Level Control for Delicate Laundry Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines consume large amounts of water and energy, and can damage delicate laundry due to the falling motion and friction within the rotational drum, especially when washing items like wool or silk.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine control method that uses bubbles for cleaning, generating detergent concentrate liquid, and controlling water and detergent supply to maintain bubble concentration, preventing direct contact with water and reducing friction, while allowing for high detergent concentration and adjustable detergent levels based on laundry contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is supplied into the space between the tub and rotational drum for washing operation, then washing capability is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to gas (bubbles) by controlling the water supply amount to be evaporated and supplied as bubbles. This parameter change allows washing to occur with vapor instead of liquid water, significantly reducing water consumption while maintaining washing capability through the bubbles that can penetrate laundry fibers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by supplying water in the form of bubbles (gas phase) rather than liquid. The control unit regulates the water supply to generate bubbles that fill the space between the tub and rotational drum, enabling washing operation with reduced water quantity while the bubbles provide the necessary mechanical action for cleaning.
2Reliability
If rotational drum rotates to wash laundry using falling force, then washing effectiveness is improved, but laundry texture is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase of water from liquid to gas (bubbles), which fundamentally alters the washing mechanism. Instead of liquid water causing friction and mechanical stress on delicate fabrics, bubbles provide a gentler washing action that reduces texture damage while maintaining washing effectiveness through vapor penetration and mild mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubbles act as an intermediary between the rotational drum's mechanical action and the laundry. Instead of direct contact between laundry items and liquid water causing friction damage, the bubbles serve as a cushioning medium that transmits washing action more gently, protecting delicate textures like wool and silk from damage.
3Reliability
If large amount of water is used for washing, then cleaning degree is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes water from liquid to gas phase (bubbles), which reduces the total quantity of water needed for effective washing. Since less water is required, the energy consumption for heating and circulating water is significantly reduced, while the cleaning degree is maintained through the effective penetration and distribution of bubbles throughout the laundry load.
4Reliability
If detergent is supplied with large amount of water, then washing performance is improved, but detergent consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing water to bubbles (gas phase), the patent reduces the total volume of washing medium required. This reduction in water volume directly decreases the amount of detergent needed, as detergent is dissolved or dispersed in the water. The washing performance is maintained because the bubbles provide effective distribution and penetration of detergent throughout the laundry, achieving good cleaning with less detergent.
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 method reduces water and energy consumption, minimizes laundry damage by using bubbles as a cushion, and enhances cleaning efficiency with controlled detergent concentration, suitable for both delicate and general washing operations.
Implementation Method 1
generating the bubbles from detergent water as a mixture of the detergent concentrate liquid and the water, followed by supplying the bubbles to laundry
Implementation Method 2
allows the bubbles to act as a cushion capable of reducing friction between the laundry, reducing damage of texture of laundry requiring a delicate washing operation, and enables an increase in cleaning degree by use of a high detergent concentration on the surface of the bubbles
Data Source
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AI summary
Control method for a washing machine, wherein a washing operation using bubbles is performed and, in case a bubble washing course is selected, detergent and washing water is supplied into a space between a water tub (11) and rotational drum (12) such that detergent water formed of a mixture of the detergent and the washing water reaches a first level; as soon as the detergent water reaches said first level, the supply of the detergent and the washing water is stopped, the washing operation is then performed using the bubbles to wash the laundry; if, during said washing operation, it is determined that the detergent water level has reached a second level lower than said first level, washing water is supplied such that the detergent water level rises.