Washing machine

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines using carbon dioxide face issues with increased carbon dioxide usage, large size and weight, complex system structure, and difficult maintenance due to the integration of washing and motor spaces, leading to high maintenance costs and environmental pollution.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine design that separates the washing and motor spaces with a barrier, allowing for independent operation and maintenance of components, reducing carbon dioxide usage, and minimizing the overall size by modularizing components like the compressor and pipes, and ensuring pressure equilibrium between spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the washing space and motor space are used together without distinction, then the system structure is simplified, but the amount of carbon dioxide used increases and the system size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidamount of carbon dioxide

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine is divided into a washing space and a motor space separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows the motor space to be excluded from carbon dioxide filling, reducing the quantity of carbon dioxide needed while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the washing space and motor space are used together without distinction, then the system structure is simplified, but the system size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the drum is integrated into the washing space, then the structure is compact, but the drum cannot be removed for repair

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrationVSAvoiddrum repairability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The washing space is further segmented into a drum installation space and a motor space. The drum can be removed from the washing space through the front opening for repair, while the motor remains in the separate motor space, facilitating easy maintenance without requiring complete disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Area of stationary object

If the washing space and motor space are integrated, then the overall structure is compact, but the maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall spaceVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The motor is extracted into a separate motor space that is isolated from the carbon dioxide-filled washing space. This extraction allows the motor to be maintained independently without requiring complete system shutdown or complex disassembly, reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Area of stationary object

If the washing space and motor space are integrated, then the structure is compact, but the carbon dioxide consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall spaceVSAvoidcarbon dioxide consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4033026B1Washing machine

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 LG ELECTRONICS INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A washing machine includes a frame forming an appearance thereof, a washing chamber, a storage tank configured to store carbon dioxide to be supplied to the drum, a distillation chamber configured to separate contaminants dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide, an electronic unit in which an electric device is installed, and a configuration unit. The configuration unit includes a pipe through which carbon dioxide flows, a first compressor and a second compressor, each of which compresses the carbon dioxide discharged after washing was completed in the drum and enables the compressed carbon dioxide to flow into the storage tank, and an oil separator formed to separate oil from the carbon dioxide compressed in the first compressor and the second compressor.