Rotary Drum Heated Water Recirculation for Low-Water Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines require large amounts of water and energy for heated washing, leading to inefficiencies such as non-uniform temperature distribution and high detergent usage, due to the need for a significant water space between the tub and drum, and inefficiencies in water absorption and heating.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine and control method that rotate the rotary drum at the minimum RPM for spin-drying to separate and reheat water, ensuring heated water is uniformly distributed across the laundry using a minimized water supply, with a circulation system to manage water levels and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a large amount of water is supplied to fill the space between the water tub and rotary drum, then heated washing can be performed, but water consumption and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary amount of water from the water tub and supplies it to the rotary drum for washing, rather than filling the entire space between the tub and drum. This selective extraction reduces water consumption while still enabling heated washing of the laundry
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary water extraction and supply to the rotary drum before the heating phase, ensuring that the minimum necessary water is already in position for efficient heating and washing, avoiding the need to heat large amounts of water
2Temperature
If a large amount of water is supplied, then heated washing can be performed, but the amount of detergent required increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and supplying only the necessary amount of water to the rotary drum, the invention creates a more concentrated washing environment where detergent is more effective, reducing the total amount of detergent needed for high-concentration washing
3Quantity of substance
If a small amount of water is supplied, then water and energy consumption are reduced, but the heater may be exposed and heated washing cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a control unit that monitors water levels and provides feedback control, ensuring that sufficient water is maintained in the rotary drum during heating operations. This feedback mechanism prevents heater exposure while still using minimized water amounts compared to conventional systems
4Use of energy by stationary object
If only the gathered water is heated, then energy consumption is reduced, but the temperature of the laundry is not uniformly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention continuously circulates and redistributes the heated water throughout the rotary drum during the washing cycle, ensuring that heat is continuously applied to all areas of the laundry. This continuous action maintains temperature uniformity while heating only the necessary amount of water
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary drum's rotation dynamically distributes the heated water and laundry throughout the drum, creating continuous movement that promotes uniform temperature distribution across all laundry items without requiring excessive water or energy
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 energy consumption while achieving uniform washing efficiency by minimizing water usage and ensuring heated water is effectively resupplied to the laundry, enhancing washing performance.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the rotary drum at the minimum RPM at which the laundry may be spin-dried to squeeze out water from the laundry
Implementation Method 2
heating the separated water and resupplying the heated water into the rotary drum
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine and a washing control method of the same that squeeze detergent water from the laundry, heat the squeezed detergent water, and resupply the heated detergent water, thereby performing heated washing using a minimized amount of water. The washing machine includes a water tub, a rotary drum mounted in the water tub to receive laundry, and a circulation unit to supply water from the water tub into the rotary drum. The washing control method includes detecting an amount of a load according to a weight of the laundry, supplying an amount of water set according to the detected amount of load, supplying the water in the water tub into the rotary drum through the circulation unit to wet the laundry, separating the waterfrom the laundry by rotating the rotary drum, and heating the separated water and resupplying the heated water into the rotary drum through the circulation unit.