Drum Housing Water Inlet Recess to Prevent Laundry Rewetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In washer-dryers, the minimization of space between the laundry drum and drum housing leads to unintentional moistening of the drum and laundry due to water vortices at the air outlet opening, which worsens drying efficiency by requiring additional energy to evaporate and remove water.
Innovation Solution
A water inlet opening is positioned on the rear wall of the drum housing with a recess that extends perpendicularly outward, allowing water to flow through and reducing the formation of drops and splashes, and the recess is designed to be funnel-shaped with a tulip-like contour to minimize turbulence and rewetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the water inlet opening is positioned directly on the drum housing wall, then the structure is simple and space is minimized, but water vortices cause unintentional moistening of the drum and laundry
Solution Approach 1:
A recess structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the water inlet opening and the drum housing interior. This recess acts as a buffer zone that intercepts water flow before it can reach the drum, preventing direct contact between water vortices and the laundry while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional wall opening to a three-dimensional recess structure. By adding depth to the wall opening, the design creates a spatial buffer zone that changes the water flow path, allowing water to be contained and redirected away from the drum area without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If the distances between the laundry drum and drum housing are minimized for washing efficiency, then washing effect is improved, but the drum and laundry are more susceptible to water vortex damage during drying
Solution Approach 1:
The recess structure serves as a protective intermediary that decouples the drum positioning from water flow effects. This allows the drum to be positioned close to the housing for washing efficiency while the recess independently manages water flow, preventing it from reaching the drum during drying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful water vortex effect is extracted and contained within the recess structure, separating it from the drum and laundry. This extraction allows the main drum-housing space to maintain minimal distances for washing efficiency while the recess handles the water management function independently.
3Loss of substance
If water is pumped out periodically during drying, then condensate removal is achieved, but strong turbulence occurs at the air outlet opening
Solution Approach 1:
The recess acts as an intermediary chamber that absorbs and dampens water turbulence during pumping operations. By providing a larger volume and confined space, the recess reduces the intensity of water movement and prevents direct transmission of turbulent flow to the air outlet opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess structure provides beforehand cushioning for water flow by creating a buffer zone before water is pumped out. This pre-cushioning effect reduces the suddenness and intensity of water movement, thereby minimizing turbulence generation at the air outlet during the pumping process.
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 design reduces rewetting of laundry during the drying process, improving energy and time efficiency by minimizing water turbulence and preventing condensate from entering the drum, thus enhancing the overall drying performance.
Implementation Method 1
water from the water inlet opening does not enter the drum housing in a straight line, but first has to flow through the recess
Data Source
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AI summary
The spinner-washer (22) has a washer drum (2) pivoted in a drum housing (1) and has a water inlet (14) for entering cold water or condensed water. The water inlet is placed in a wall (23) of the drum housing. The wall has a retrace (28) which extends from the water inlet coming perpendicular to the wall and outwards from the drum housing.