Compressed-Air Water Spraying in Washing Machines for Faster Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face limitations in increasing the pressure for spraying washing water, which restricts the efficiency of wetting laundry and improving washing performance.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine incorporates an air storage unit, compression unit, and a water spraying system that uses compressed air to spray water into the inner tub, enhancing washing pressure and efficiency while preventing water from returning to the air storage unit to maintain compression force, and a tub cover design that scatters water evenly and prevents external spraying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If an independent pump or water pressure of the water supplying unit is used to spray washing water, then the water spraying function is achieved, but the pressure for spraying washing water cannot be increased sufficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses compressed air (pneumatics) to drive the water spraying process. The air compressor compresses air to generate high pressure, and this compressed air is used to spray washing water through nozzles. This approach achieves high spraying pressure without requiring a complex high-pressure pump system, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high spraying pressure and maintaining simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces compressed air as an intermediary medium to transfer energy for water spraying. Instead of directly using a pump to pressurize water, the system uses compressed air as a mediator to drive the water through pressure-regulated nozzles. This intermediary approach enables high-pressure spraying while keeping the overall system simpler and more controllable.
2Productivity
If water is sprayed at high pressure to wet laundry quickly, then washing efficiency is improved, but water may spray outside the tub causing damage to electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple nozzles positioned at different locations and angles within the tub, each directed to spray water onto specific areas of the laundry. This localized spraying approach ensures that high-pressure water is applied where needed for efficient wetting, while the directional control prevents water from escaping outside the tub and damaging electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses adjustable and rotatable nozzles that can dynamically change their spraying direction and angle. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the spraying system to adapt to different washing conditions, maintaining effective water application on laundry while preventing water from reaching electrical components outside the tub.
3Reliability
If a check valve is installed to prevent water from returning to the compression unit, then compression force is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed to automatically prevent water from returning to the compression unit based on pressure differential alone, without requiring external control mechanisms. The valve opens when compression is needed and closes automatically when pressure equalizes, providing self-regulating flow control that maintains compression force while adding minimal complexity to the 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 solution allows for quicker wetting of laundry, improved washing efficiency, and reduced risk of damage to electrical components by ensuring water is sprayed within the tub, thereby enhancing the overall washing performance and minimizing water discharge.
Implementation Method 1
compressing the air in the air storage unit by compressing water from an outer tub of the washing machine
Implementation Method 2
compressing the air in the air storage unit by compressing water from an outer tub
Implementation Method 3
spraying the water into the inner tub using the compressed air from the air storage unit
Implementation Method 4
spraying the water into the inner tub using the compressed air from the air storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine including an air storage unit configured to store air therein; a compression unit configured to communicate with the air storage unit and the outer tub, and to compress the air in the air storage unit by compressing water from an outer tub of the washing machine; and a water spraying tube connected to the compression unit and the tub cover. Further, the washing machine includes an opening and closing unit configured to open and close a flow path of the water spraying tube, wherein the opening and closing unit is configured to cause the water to be sprayed into an inner tub using compressed air from the air storage unit.